I just got a taste of heartbreak. It was, educational.

Disclaimer: I pity you, but you don't own Vocaloid.

Ayumi9696: You're right.

Disclaimer: NOOOO- Huh? *collapses from the shock of not getting beat up*

Ayumi9696: So if I beat Disclaimer up, faints. If I don't, still faints. *ponders this to herself* Might as well beat him up.

Len

I awoke to Rin's hair in my face; we were hugging, my arms around her waist while her legs were intwined with mine. Her plushie was nowhere in sight.

I almost yelled out in surprise, if I hadn't been enjoying it so much. The orange scent of her shampoo was light and tangy, and her hair was soft silk on my skin. Slowly, I lifted my hand to run it through her locks.

I shivered at the dangerous line I was crossing. I closed my eyes, so that I wouldn't be tempted to go any further.

I propped myself up, slipping my arm from beneath Rin's body as gently as I could. Once I was free, I sat up properly ang gazed out the window. The sky was orange and gold, the sun had just risen.

It was time for my day to begin; and for a shower, to wash off the faint smell of tangerine shampoo from my body.

~.~

The day passed without much fuss. Everyone was panicking over Iroha's little set-up, so there wasn't much talk regarding Rin and my current relationship.

Some said it was just an earthquake, though most of my class was convinced it had been an explosion to uncover Sakurai's secret treasure, an old school legend.

Surprisingly, no one suspected the three of us who had sauntered through the gates so calmly yesterday. Rin was called to the teacher's room around lunch, but it hadn't been about the explosion. Lola-sansei wanted to dicuss her academic records, potential high schools and such, seeing as it's so close to graduation.

I wondered what high school Rin would choose; would she continue to Sakurai's high school (both the middle and high school were generally referred to as Sakurai High, for some reason), transfer to a private school? Or maybe a boarding school?

"Don't know," she shrugged when I asked her; she hadn't put much thought into it.

Iroha on the other hand, according to Rin, seemed to be considering transferring to a different school in the spring, per her mother's request. Although Rin herself wasn't quite sure what school Mika-san was interested in.

Then, I wondered where I would go, after spring. I hadn't decided anything either.

I glanced at Rin, would I be able to stay by her side next year too?

Aside from that, nothing particularly interesting happened. Neru, Haku and Iku kept their distance from me, understandable enough. I laughed and chatted with a couple of classmates at lunch, kept my head down and did my work during lessons.

Music club was fun. Our juniors were testing out original compositions they wanted to use for the graduation ceremony. As expected, there were some early waterworks, especially during a particularly sorrowful ballad.

Not to brag, but it was mine.

The clock ticked by, signalling time's passing,

And suddenly, I was here in my classroom, alone with Nekomura Iroha.

Her shoulders have been tense since I came in and they showed no signs of relaxing. I leaned against a desk a distance from her, and only then did one of us speak.

"I'll start off if you won't," I told her simply, meeting her gaze. "Tell me what you know about me."

She grinned, considering me with a look that said 'Not bad'. "I'll answer that after you answer mine."

I looked at the clock. 3.50. "Your time starts now."

"First, are you really Rin's twin brother?"

I had anticipated this question, and dreaded it. It was like when I told Hakuo, I was reaffirming the statement I tried to deny the most. But if I wanted Rin... This was something I had to do. "Yes, according to my birth certificate, I am Rin's flesh-and-blood twin brother."

"Why are you living at her house?"

I frowned, how did she know? "My parents, my foster parents are currently, away, and Mama Hatsune was kind enough to take me in."

I saw her smirk briefly, as if she thought I had deserved my just rewards. I wasn't sure in what way did living with Rin make her feel triumphant.

"Do you love her?"

This question took me aback, but I replied instantly, "Of course."

She peered at me intently, trying to detect a lie. It wasn't. "How did you end up at Sakurai?"

"Huh?"

"I'll answer your earlier question, Len. What I know about you is that you come from an immensely wealthy family, although business has been bad lately. But even before that, you transferred to a common public school from an elite private academy. I have to wonder, why?"

Personally, I wondered what kind of an answer was she looking for in me. This entire thing, I realized, was a test. If I failed, what would Iroha do to the delicate bond I held with Rin? I didn't want to find out.

I kept my eyes down as I began. "It was on my 13th birthday that I chose to come here, to find my Imouto, my twin sister. You see, Iroha-"

She flinched at the mention of her name.

"I've always known that I was adopted, a foster child; but I didn't know I had any family left. By chance, I found out, and I was determined to find her. I asked my family to help me, but they refused. I don't know why, but I guessed that they knew where my sister was.

Then, I begged my foster sister to tell me anything really, my twin's name at least, since I would have to search for her myself. At first, she wouldn't say a word, but one day I managed to get to her. She just said, 'Go to Sakurai middle school, if you really want to meet her.' She didn't say anything else. So here I am."

Silence reigned for several moments. I didn't look at her, I didn't want her to know how much of a mess my emotions were.

"But you love Rin more than that, right?"

There was kindness in her voice, kindness that made me believe that I could be honest. "She distracted me, from my obsession with my sister. We didn't talk much before, but whenever I saw her, I felt a lonely pain. I knew that pain."

"Did you pity her?" She sounded conflicted, between hostilty and empathy.

"I usually respect people like Rin, strong people. She was different. I wanted to be by her side, and make her smile. Because when she smiled, the world seemed perfect."

Iroha burst into laughter.

I whipped my head to look at her, incredulous, when she hugged me. "Iroha?"

"Looks like I was wrong, after all. That's a first. See, you're even crying." She swiped a tear from my eye. "You really are a cute, sensitive shota."

"Hey," I protested weakly, smiling.

She released me, glancing at the clock. "You gave me an extra five minutes, so I'll give you an extra two questions."

I shook my head. "Maybe another time. I might need it when Lola-sensei calls me on."

We laughed together. Our initial bitterness was gone and I was glad, strangely glad. Iroha seemed to be the kind of person who could be a good friend.

And I needed more of those in my life.

~.~

Rin was home when I got back, serving dinner.

"Welcome back," she greeted me warmly. "Miku's out on a date, though I don't know when she met a guy." She stared at me inquiringly.

"Kaito, last weekend." I smiled.

"What?" She poked my cheek.

"It was love at first sight."

"Oh." To my surprise, a light blush rose to her cheeks, then she squealed. "Wow, that's so cute! Ah, why didn't she tell me? It's just like a manga! I'm going to go stalk them-"

I held her back by the scruff of her shirt.

"Len!"

"If it were your date, you would want privacy too, right?"

She bowed her head. "Yeah. I get it, I get it. You can let me go now."

"Good-" I stopped, my fingers loosening. My head hurt, for some reason.

"Len?"

I could hear the worry in her tone, but before I could say anything, the world had turned black.

Rin

Lola-sensei can be really scary when she wants to. Today, thankfully, she wasn't. She was just nosy.

"Lola-sensei," I sighed at last, the third sigh in five minutes. "No mater how you put it, you do know I know you're talking about bondage."

Her eyes widened. "Don't tell me-"

"Whip, rope, handcuff, gag. You might be able to get away with two or three in a conversation but not all four in under five minutes." I pouted, the way I did with her back in my elementary days.

She smiled. "You're fourteen, Rin. That doesn't work on me any more. Though honestly, have you tied up-"

"We barely touch!" I exclaimed, embarrassed. We may share a bed, but we keep our distance. But Lola-sensei didn't need to know that I, potential rapist of Kagamine Len (apparently), sleep right beside him every night; so I went with:

"We live together, we eat together, we're in the same class! But he doesn't even hold my hand or anything." Well, there was that time during our first date, but that memory stung just a bit too much to be told. Even to Lola-sensei.

Lola-sensei looked surprised, then she nodded. "I see, I see." She adjusted her glasses (reading glasses, for profession's sake), and tried to look proper; despite the fact we were both noticeably red.

I sighed. "You don't trust me," I muttered, pouting. Gomenasai, but it's a bad habit I get into whenever I'm around Lola-sensei.

"Aww, Rin-chan, no need to sulk. Sensei loves you remember. Remember, remember- Eh?"

I looked at her. "What is it?"

"Nothing," she shook her head. "It's just- When did you stop blushing?"

"Blushing?" Ah, I understood. Usually I blush when Lola-sensei starts babying me, because she's the first person who spoiled me. Since when did I stop feeling so pleased-

And then, it hit me.

"Sensei," I said quietly, staring her in the eye. "I think I'm in trouble."

She smiled back. "Aren't you always?" she replied, before leaning back in her chair to listen.

~.~

I returned the Satoko uniform to Mio, who didn't seem too upset that I practically ran off with company property. She just seemed a bit sad that I couldn't do Satoko for a little longer.

But no worries; my new character was pretty good too!

It was this really cool ninja girl named Kohaku, from Arina Tanemura's (one of my all-time favorite mangakas!) latest work, Sakurahime Kaden. (Translation: The Legend of Princess Sakura)

The manga is beautiful and deeply touching, as all of Tanemura-sensei's works are; and I'm especially a big fan of KohakuXHayate.

Hayate is a ninja boy who grew up with Kohaku. By accident, she turned him into a frog and until today no one has found a cure. Because of what she did, Kohaku cut her hair short and vowed to wait until Hayate was human again before confessing.

They're adorable together!

Hayate occasionally turns human during the full moon, and he's always trying to kiss Kohaku or hug her. Meanwhile, Kohaku is trying to suppress her feelings so she always pushes him away! But actually, actually...

Ah, Rin, control yourself. Going into full-on otaku mode in the middle of the store will not be helping you get a raise, or nicer characters to cosplay.

If you keep doing this, Mio might give you a perverted geezer next time! Or a lolicon outfit, with fake boobs and a cat-tail!

If Len found out...

All of a sudden, my thoughts stopped. Everything seemed to pause and stand still.

I exhaled, pushing away thoughts of Len.

My brother.

I couldn't, absolutely couldn't- I had promised Mama Hatsune I'd try at least! I'd be shaming the proud name of the Arctic Wolf if I allowed myself to be so weak, to actually-

"Rin?" Mio was standing at the door of the locker room, not really worried. People often comment on my tendency to space out; I call it 'a mind's wandering'. It sounds cooler.

"Sorry, it's just-" I spread the hem of my outfit a little. "It's wonderful."

Mio's face lit up; she's extremely dedicated to the art of cosplaying. Rumor has it she's a professional cosplayer, but stopped when the Carrot Cake was opened.

Gumi's powers of persuasion are amazing.

Mio still continues her passion though, through her employees. Never diss Mio when she puts a costume on you; you will not live to regret it. No, it's not a rumor; I was there when an idiot newbie criticized cosplaying. I had to clean up the locker room afterwards; pee, not blood don't worry.

Why am I surrounded by all these alpha female types?

"Alright, alright, we have plenty of work ahead!" Mio's voice broke through my thoughts. She spun around; her long Asagiri hair flowing behind her. Her make-up and kimono also looked perfect.

I shut my locker and marched behind her.

Oddly enough, a strong desire was piqued inside me, a desire to follow Mio's example and cosplay at an anime event this year.

~.~

Throughout work, my eyes kept drifting to Mio. When I was serving the customers, or taking an order, I found myself staring at her.

Despite being the manager, Mio has a good relationship with all of our regulars, and is always friendly towards the newcomers. She remembers everyone's names, and their current favorite sweet or anime/manga.

She moved around a lot, going from table to table to chat with everybody or give them a treat or just say hi.

And yet, her appearance was flawless; her loose hair was in perfect order, never too messy or neat, her make-up seemed almost natural, as if she was Asagiri come to life, and she moved about so easily you would've thought she wore a kimono every day.

I can barely stand a yukata.

Such was the power of the professional cosplayer, I thought to myself. It was certainly a tough act to follow.

After work, I was forced to abandon my hopes of sitting down with Mio and talking about cosplaying, thanks to a message I received from my loving, yet terribly scatterbrained sister:

To: Rin

From: Onee-chama! (When did she do that?)

I think I'm on a date. Completely forgot about dinner, but there's orange and banana truffles in the fridge. Wish me luck!

Of course, when I have a noble notion, something always comes up. But wait, when did Miku...

Ah, I had to hurry! Trust Miku to remember dessert, but completely forget about the main course! Thank God Len was a model student and therefore, participated in clubs and all those hassling after-school activities.

Stripping and dressing quickly enough, I waved a hurried goodbye to everyone at the Carrot Cake and raced homewards.

I almost felt like crying in relief to see my home empty and dark. Wow, taken out of context that could give off plenty of wrong messages.

I threw my bag on the sofa, not bothering to change, before checking what I had to work with tonight. There were a few ingredients left over from the chicken corden blue I attempted yesterday (a success, I'm happy to report), and the truffles were there as promised.

It wasn't so bad, so I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.

~.~

And just when I was about to congratulate myself on a crisis avoided, Len just had to faint.

At first, I stood there, hoping he wouldn't. Then, there was a thud when his head hit the floor and I went into panic mode.

"Ah, ah, ah," I started squeaking, too overwhelmed to even produce a coherent sentence. I sat down beside Len and checked his vitals.

He was breathing fine, and his heartbeat sounded right. But his complexion was pale, too pale, and his hands and feet were cold.

Don't tell me...

Len has anaemia?!

Man, this is a manga-like twist.

Miku had a bad case of anaemia last year, so I know a bit about it.

I knew people with anaemia need iron, because of low blood pressure which can cause them to be dizzy or weak or plain faint like Len. I've cooked some spinach so we've got that covered.

He could choke if I tried feeding it to him in his sleep, so my brain began listing facts about fainting (or syncope, in medical terms).

OK, legs needed to be lifted up. I stacked a few pillows under both his feet, to make it stable. Really, strange position to see Len in.

He was facing upwards, nothing to do there. Let's see, I have to remove any restrictive clothing so that he can breathe properly...

...

?!

Kami-sama, do you want Lola-sensei to be proven RiGHT?!

I inhaled. For Len, for Len, for Len, I repeated in my head, as I reached for his shirt-

I CAN'T DO THIS!

Calm down, Rin, calm down.

No, no, I couldn't, not alone. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

By the stairs, we have a kind of family closet where we keep special outfits; childhood costumes, Halloween get-up that can fit anybody in our house, and plain white shirts that Mama is very particular about. Nobody touches those and they're even kept in plastic.

However, that wasn't what I needed.

At the end of the rack, a sleeveless butler-like vest covered what was obviously a bunny costume. There was even a pocket-watch in the right pocket and a pair of those spectacles-on-a-chain in the left.

Yes, when I panicked, I dressed up as the Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. It was weird, but it calmed me down.

I adjusted the spectacles on my nose as I walked over to Len. He was still sleeping, thankfully.

As gently as I could, I lifted up his shirt. He wasn't wearing a belt, so no work for me there either. Although it was hard resisting the soft, perfect skin that lay under the fabric.

Maybe Lola-sensei's worries weren't so baseless after all.

I sighed, and contented myself with his head on my lap. That's when Len opened his eyes.

Instantly, I stiffened and froze, like prey about to be captured. Len's gaze was drowsy and he blinked a couple of times for good measure. Please, let him think this was a dream, please-

"A dream?" He was staring at me, but he still seemed sleepy.

"Yes, master?" I squeaked. I squeaked a lot when I can't think straight.

"A dream, a dream," he nodded to himself sleepily. "It's weirder than usual though." He brushed his hand against my cheek. "But Rin-chan looks cute anyway."

WTF?! Chan?! Cute?! And USUAL?! He's dreamt about me BEFORE?!

Heat rose to my cheeks, and Len chuckled. "Kawaii," he whispered. "Closer, Rin-chan."

On one hand, he has accepted completely this was a dream. On the other, he seemed to be, how-did-I-put-it, bolder? As if his inner Wolf has been awakened.

Well, all men are wolves, so maybe it woke up a looong time ago.

All the same, I maintained the facade and bent down. In a heartbeat, I felt something soft against my lips.

LENWASKISSINGME!

At that point, my brain stopped functioning. I think a screw may have popped out somewhere, like in a manga.

It lasted for a few minutes, and there was a little tongue. It wasn't Len's first time kissing.

When we broke apart, he was smiling, but it seemed as though he was crying. It hurt to look at.

"You've probably kissed a lot of guys before," he said quietly. "But I wanted to be one of them at least."

His gaze darted to my face and he stared straight into my eyes. I nearly gasped; it was an intense stare.

Len stroked my cheek again, and then his hand wandered to my mouth. He traced the shape of my lips and sighed.

"Did you know, Rin?" His voice was so soft I barely heard him. "I love you. I love you. I love you so much, I wish..."

He closed his eyes. "I'm sorry for what I said the other day, I was just jealous. You looked so cute..."

He trailed off, which made me realize he had fallen asleep. Carefully, I lifted his head and placed it on a pillow. Len did not stir.

I crouched over him, taking in that shota face. There were dark circles under his eyes that I hadn't noticed before and even unconscious, there was a hint of melancholy in his expression.

"You're wrong, Len," I breathed. "That was my first kiss."

In my first year of middle school, I did something horrible. It's not on my records, but Lola-sensei remembered it and so did I.

Incest was just as bad; and my records might suffer even more if they found out about that incident two years ago.

But I was already in trouble, long before I myself realized it. I leaned down and kissed Len's forehead. A kiss for a kiss.

A heart for a heart.

I was in love with my twin brother.

*Len's fainting episode is based on my personal experience with a friend. She claims it to be low blood pressure, but someone corrected her and said it was anaemia. I'm not sure who's right.

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For favoriting/subscribing: Shriekmon, leggings master, & lizzieRLK!

REVIEWS!

wisarute7: Gomen, Gomen. I've been so busy lately my head's spinning. This year I'm graduating and finally getting my license, and I'm taking a huge examination that will determine my future, blah, blah, blah. I think I'll try to update at least once a month so that people won't get too you enjoyed this!

3 Rin x Len 3: I love it when my readers guess, because it gives me inspiration and a good perspective on how the readers perceive the story. No, wrong answers don't exist in my universe, except during tests.

Len's secret, Len's secret, do you want to know? If you do, please review!