"Mayu, I'm home!" Len yelled from the front threshold.
"'Kay! Rin's here!" I yelled back.
I heard Len drop his shoes and stomp up the stairs. Since our clinic was on the first floor, our living quarters were on the second. Len opened the door at the top of the stairs that led to our living room.
Smiling at both of us, he kissed Rin on the forehead and me on the lips. I beamed back.
"Got the flour," he said.
"Thanks!" I replied.
"Rin, did you come with anyone?" Len asked.
"Of course!" Rin answered indignant, "I know there's a crazy woman stealer on the loose! I came with Jeffery." Jeffery was her boss. He ran an apothecary on the other side of town.
Len raised his eyebrows. "And where is Jeffery now?"
"He had to leave for business purposes."
"Uh-huh."
"Anyway," Rin shooed the subject away, "I think I'm going to marry Jeffery!"
I choked on my tea. "What?! You said that he was gay!"
"That was just an assumption and besides…" she smiled with fake innocence, "I want a baby since somebody won't give me a niece."
Len sighed. "Thank God. I thought you were serious."
"I am serious! Well, about the whole niece thing. I don't see why you're so stubborn," Rin sipped her tea.
"I'm the stubborn one? This isn't your decision," Len said offensively.
"I know! It's partly Mayu's, though! I'm merely saying what she wants, but is too nervous to talk about."
"That's enough, Rin," I said softly.
"But-"
"Please."
Rin looked at me with understanding and stood up. "I need to get back to work. Mayu, stay safe. Len, not sure what your problem is, but I hope it's a good one." She wrapped her purse around her shoulder and walked out the door, down the stairs, and into the streets.
Len sighed again, gave me an I'm sorry look, and said awkwardly, "We have an appointment in five minutes."
I nodded, never looking at him. I appreciated Rin trying to help, but this was between Len and me. I promised myself that I would ask again tomorrow. I knew he had his reasons, but I knew I didn't know at least one of them. I sucked it up and prepared for our appointment.
The patient came in an hour late. In the free time we had, Len and I played cards on the first floor. The man walked through the door slowly and stumbling. His royal blue hair disheveled and clothes haphazardly put on, he looked like a drunk. We assumed this, and Len told him that we can't cure drunkenness and refuse to serve drunks. The blue-haired man immediately shot up and tried to straighten his hair.
"I'm not a drunk!" he shouted. He didn't slur his words. "My name is Kaito Taro. I scheduled an appointment."
"Our mistake," I stood up and shook his hand. "What is the problem?"
Now that his hair was out of his face, I could see he was quite handsome. He wore a golden ring around his finger. Married? I wondered.
He started to cough violently. Between coughs, Kaito gasped, "Well, you can see."
"Okay. Why don't you sit down here?" Len led him to a long elevated chair against the wall. Next to it was the operating table; we had only had to use it twice.
"When did this start?" Len asked.
"Uh. About a week ago," he replied. I wrote everything down.
We went on with the appointment. It seemed to be just a cold, so we just told him to rest and to not go outside. Something was bothering me, though.
When Kaito was about to leave, I asked, "Is there…something wrong, sir?"
Kaito turned swiftly towards me. "My fiancée went missing more than a month ago. Yes, there is something wrong."
"Oh, I'm sorry sir."
He sighed. "But, I know she's alive. I'm gonna find her."
I smiled at him. "Good luck, then."
"Thank you, Miss Kagamine. And Dr. Kagamine?" he added.
"Yes?" Len asked, watching the scene.
"Hold on to your wife. Don't let her go, or she might not come back."
Len seemed a bit off put, but replied, "Thank you. I'll do that."
Kaito smiled sadly and left.
He left awkwardness in the air, but Len said cheerfully, "Isn't the farmer's market still going on? Maybe we can go there for a little while. Our next appointment isn't for a few more hours."
"I don't know. It seems like it's going to rain, but…" I smiled, "That would be lovely."
The clouds were gathering when we made it to the farmer's market. Len walked especially close to me on the streets. Len bought two waters, and we sat down on a bench.
The market was crowded, all the men exceptionally close to the girls. I stared as a couple walked by with a baby. Len noticed my line of vision.
"You really want a baby, huh?" Len asked.
I nodded.
"I'm sorry. I just don't think it's a good ide-"
I stood up sharply. "Why isn't it a good idea, anyway?!" I shouted.
"Mayu-"
"I don't see why you don't want a baby! We have plenty of time, I can write notes with a baby, we have the money! Why are you so scared?!" I yelled. I felt bad immediately, but I knew this is what I was supposed to say.
People around us started staring. Len remained speechless, and tears started to roll down my cheeks. When Len remained silent, I gave a frustrated scream and stormed off alone.
"Mayu, wait!" Len shouted behind me. "Don't walk off by yourself!"
"Don't follow me!" I replied then ran as fast as I could away. I zigzagged between buildings for what seemed to be five minutes, but when I finally fully opened my eyes, I found myself on the complete opposite end of town. I must have ran three miles. I gasped for breath and started walking back.
I was going to apologize to Len for making a scene, but I couldn't take back what I said. It was the truth. It started to rain, too. As I continued to walk, I noticed someone in a purple cloak walking on the sidewalk across from me. He walked the same pace as me, and when I turned, he also did.
I started to walk faster. He did the same. Eventually at all out run, I turned to see my stalker. The last thing I remembered before blacking out was the man face. Purple eyes, purple hair, and a lustful smile.
