((I'm intent on making this fic stay alive, so here's the next chapter.
This starts out SUPER shoujo-ish for the most part but things will get dark in a matter of time. Derederes first.
All characters belong to their respective companies.))
The memories flew through Miku's mind as she stared intensely into the bathroom mirror.
She observed her reflection closely. Long sea-green hair that she forced into pigtails, messy and stringy from years of pulling. Pale white skin, still pallid from her latest flu. Big blue eyes, underlined by dark circles from turbulent sleep patterns. A black school uniform and blue tie, and a baggy pink cardigan with sleeves that were too long.
Would that boy accept me even if I looked like this?
Miku reached into a drawer and pulled out her favorite flower pin. She brushed some of her bangs out of her face and applied it, exposing her left eye. She tried smiling cutely at the mirror.
Better.
Satisfied, she left her room and entered the dining room, where her brother Mikuo was quietly munching on cereal. As she came in, he waved to her. "Gud mornfing," he greeted, mouth full of cornflakes.
Miku couldn't help but smile. "Good morning, Kuo."
"Don't talk with your mouth full, Mikuo," said a voice from the kitchen. Meiko, Miku's mother, stepped out with her hands on her hips.
Mikuo swallowed his cereal. "Sorry, Mom."
Meiko gave him a brief glare but smiled at Miku. "Morning, Miku," she said.
"Morning, Mom," Miku replied. She took a deep breath-the smell of grilling leeks filled her nose. "Are those leek and egg sandwiches?"
"Exactly," said Meiko. She went back into the kitchen, and returned with a plate of the sandwiches. "Now hurry and eat up, don't want to be late."
"Don't eat all of them," said Mikuo. "I'm gonna take one to school."
Miku ignored him and swiped a sandwich off the plate, digging into it immediately. Delish.
The two kids hastily finished their breakfast before grabbing their bags. "Bye, mom!" they chorused, and soon they were walking towards Crypton High School.
As they neared the campus, Mikuo looked at Miku, eyes full of worry. "Will you be okay today?" he asked.
"I'll be okay," said Miku, her hand gripping the strap of her bag tightly. At his expression, she continued, "Please don't worry about me, Kuo. I have friends at this school now. The bullying isn't like it was last time."
Mikuo gazed at her for a long time. Then he sighed. "OK, I trust you. I just worry about you. Do your best, today."
"Kuuuuuoooo!"
The duo turned to see the blonde-haired Kagamine twins coming towards them. Mikuo smirked. "And there's my favorite girl and her brother." He turned back to Miku. "Stay safe today, okay?" He ruffled her hair and walked away to join the twins.
Miku stared after him as he cheerfully greeted them and kissed the smaller girl. The memories of that pink-haired hero flashed through her mind again. If only….
Shaking her head, Miku shuffled away into the school.
Miku stopped at the entrance to the hallway, watching the other chatting students nervously. Classroom, she thought, Just gotta get to the classroom. Lowering her head as to not raise suspicion, Miku quietly walked past the students and made her way to her homeroom.
She exhaled a breath she wasn't aware she was holding when she reached the classroom. She looked inside to see the room crowded with more talking teenagers, among them being a familiar green-haired girl. Miku waved to her excitedly and stepped inside to greet her. "Morning, Gumi-"
Then, Miku's foot made contact with an ankle and before she knew it she was tumbling to the tile floor. She slammed down with a crash, her bag and books flying from her hands. As she laid, her brain trying to process what happened, she heard the grimly familiar sound of mocking laughter. She pushed herself up enough to see the haughty grin of a certain blonde.
"Watch where you're stepping, klutz," said Neru, proceeding to laugh.
"Bug off, Neru!" Miku heard Gumi retort, and soon Miku was helped up by a pair of small hands. "You okay? You fell," Gumi said, leading her to their desks. She set Miku's bag next to her chair.
Miku simply nodded in response.
Luckily, the bell rang soon after and everyone dutifully took their seats. The teacher, Mrs. Megurine, entered the room. "Good morning, class," she said in her soft, husky voice. (Miku could almost hear the boys swooning.)
"Good morning, Mrs. Megurine," the students chorused.
"Today is a very special day," she said. "We have received a new student. His name is Yuuma Yamada, from Tokyo. Please do your best to make him feel welcome."
As the class murmured, Miku felt as if time had stopped.
Yuuma…?! Could it be?!
Her hands were shaking underneath her desk as her thoughts raced. Is it really him? The boy who helped me, the first one who ever did? No, it couldn't be. Is Yuuma a common name? I didn't know what his last name was. But what if it is him? What if-
"Miku!"
Miku snapped out of her trance and looked at Gumi. "Huh?"
"Are you sure you're okay? You're going pale and…"
Whatever Gumi said next Miku did not hear, as her eyes were too focused on the new student.
The same dusty rose hair. The same green eyes, though more narrowed and knowledgeable than when he was younger. The same pale skin. The same everything, if not for his new physical maturity. Miku's heart thumped faster and harder than ever.
It's him.
"My name is Yuuma Yamada," said Yuuma quietly. He bowed in respect. "Pleased to meet you."
Pleased to meet you again too, Miku thought.
"Please take the empty seat in the back, Mr. Yamada, and then we can begin," said Mrs. Megurine, professional as always. When he did so, she called for the students to open their books and the class began.
Miku, however, couldn't care less about the kanji written on the board. As everyone took notes, she kept craning her neck farther and farther around, hoping to take a glimpse at him.
He's back. After all this time, he's back.
Miku's internal monologue was interrupted by the sight of a note on her desk. She looked around the room briefly and made eye contact with Gumi, who smirked and pointed to the note. Wary, Miku picked it up and unfolded it.
I see you're staring at the new guy. Are you pale because you're sick? Love-sick? ;)
Miku found herself blushing. Should I tell her?
She decided to be vague and responded,
Maybe. I feel I know him from somewhere.
Miku tossed the note towards Gumi's desk and turned around to peer at him again. He was diligently taking notes like everyone else.
Another note flew onto her desk.
From somewhere? Miku! You didn't tell me you had a childhood friend romance! I always say you remind me of a character from a shoujo manga.
Miku rolled her eyes.
I didn't even say he's my childhood friend, silly goose!
Carefully tossing the note back, she looked up to peer at him once more.
She almost squeaked. He was looking at her.
Yuuma's eyes were narrowed but not mean or suspicious-they seemed calculating, as if he were trying to carefully observe her face.
She turned back around and tried to ignore the intense heat forming in her face.
Another note:
Haha, I saw that. Maybe you should talk to him?
That was the golden question. Should she talk to him? Could she talk to him?
They were both 7 or so when they had met. Would he even remember her? He had been staring at her so thoughtfully, but it could mean anything-for all she knew, he could have been trying to look at someone behind her. Or drifting off into space. Or anything else.
Miku looked down at her hands. I'm not even cute like I was as a little girl...why would he want me now?
At the thought, Miku sulked through the rest of the period, not even bothering to look like she was listening to the lesson anymore. She heaved a sigh when the bell finally rang and prepared to gather her things.
"Excuse me?"
Miku jolted at the voice and her head snapped up, only to be met with keen green eyes.
"Sorry to bother you," Yuuma said calmly, "But I feel like I remember you from somewhere."
((Aaaaaand a cliffhanger.
Review if you can.))
