Disclaimer: I don't own Vocaloid

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Chapter 7

(Lens POV)

Leaving the house was uneventful, minus the odd look we got from 'our' mother, after all, I was voluntarily spending time with the shell. Is that even what she is, Rin's mother? Our mother? Is Rin supposed to be my sister now? Screw that, I happen to enjoy being the only child of that warped woman. Sister? Don't make me laugh.

I sneak a look at the girl in question as she innocently walks by my side as we near the bus stop. I observe her for a short time, trying to find any type of personality quirk or emotion in her stride but, expectedly, I come up empty handed. Her walk reminded me of how those Synthetics moved around in that TV show called HUMANS that Kaito was obsessed with. There was nothing to even suggest she was conscious or awake let lone human. Her walk was straight forward, no bounce (neither voluntary or involuntary) or irregularities in her step pattern, her arms barely moved at all. The only actual sign that she was anything other than brain-dead (obviously apart from her being up and walking around) was the tiny little 'puff' sound of her shallow breathing that escaped her lips every few seconds. I moved the direction of my eyes towards her face to find that she was still wearing that dead-but-sad expression.

Why do you look so sad? I think at her, trying to mentally channel her thoughts.

To any other person, Rin would look completely fine. Maybe even happy or content, but I know her better than them. Even if it's only slightly. She may have mastered looking emotionless, or maybe even IS emotionless, but right now that shell she has either built around herself or has been locked into by someone, is beginning to crack. That can't have happened without a reason, and I want to know that reason.

I wonder what she looks like when she laughs…

I physically stop walking as soon as I realize what I'd thought and try to reason with myself.

I'm just curious, that's all. Anyone would be. Just curious.

Who wouldn't be slightly intrigued about a girl that suddenly appears in their life whom seems to have no human emotions whatsoever? Who wouldn't want to know more about what lies behind those eyes, what goes on in her mind?

Magnificently blue yet dead eyes cause me to come to from my thoughts as they peer at me. All traces of sadness from before, appear to have vanished. Somehow, that fact makes me feel like Rin is further away now mentally and that the somewhat closeness I thought I had achieved between her and I, was gone.

As I begin walking again, I involuntarily envision Rin. But not this Rin, a young and vulnerable looking Rn, chained up and caged. Crying and hurt. The Rin that is trapped in her mind.

Is that what she feels from within that shell? I want to see.

Maybe I'm just a Sadist. I chuckle.

We arrive at the Aquatics Centre and I feel a slight tinge of nostalgia as I look around the bright entrance hall. I'm surprised by the fact that nothing has really changed since mother and I came here when I was a younger. The same giant friendly yet slightly scary looking seal statue holding a welcome sign, the same blue-bordered multi-coloured double rounded door frame that led into the actual animal enclosures and the same flooring that had been permanently stained from when the Centre had a mini flood, years back. It even had the same weird water/animal smell that wasn't unpleasant yet not something you would choose to smell.

I look over at Rin to see if the sight of all this had earned some sort of a reaction and am quickly disappointed as I'm greeted with the usual dead look. I don't know why I was expecting anything.

Why am I even bothering?

I walk over to the front desk to pay for two tickets. May as well since we're already here.

Rins POV

I thought I'd never see this place again…

I watch Len walk way, over to the desk a few meters away to pay for tickets so we'll be let in. As I watch the back of his head bob up and down as he walks, my vision blurs and suddenly I'm looking at an all too familiar person. The whole figure of Len had been completely replaced with that of my brother and with mouth fallen slightly agape, I watch as he turns and heads towards me, tickets in hand. His face floods my mind, drowning my thoughts and senses. I feel my arm begin to rise, along with my heartbeat, towards him as if my arm is a magnet and the figure is its other half. It yearns to reach out and touch him…

No!

I shut my eyes tight, pulling my arms into myself, stopping any action my body was about to do without my permission.

My heartbeat slows almost instantly now that he isn't in my vision so I open my eyes once again and quickly check to see if Len had noticed.

Thankfully, he hadn't.

What had just happened to me?

As Len guides me carefully to the side of the room, closer to the entrance, I try to decipher what had happened.

(LENS POV)

"9.00 – 21.00, so that's…"

I try to work out the times in my head, remembering that I wanted to fit lunch and ice cream into the day as well. The Woman at the desk had managed to coax me into spending a few more pounds on a day pass for Rin and me, though I guess that was my own fault since I hadn't been entirely sure which time frame tickets I should get… If only she hadn't been an ugly and grumpy old hag, I could have saved money, not lost it.

"So Lunch at roughly 12 depending on events and stuff," I glance down at the leaflet with the list of shows happening today. "Do you think we should get ice cream straight after lunch or in the evening? If we get it in the evening, we won't have to rush eating it so we get back in time for any shows…" I trail off my ramblings as I look over and see Rins face.

"Rin." She turns her face towards me at the sound of her name.

"Are you ok, Rin?" I try not to sound alarmed as I query her. Glazing over her face with my eyes I try and find any evidence of the slight sadness in her expression that she had worn before, but find nothing.

"Yes." A simple answer, not sour sounding nor happy, nor any different from how she would usually answer. As she says the word, her face turns away again but I move my hand to her cheek to stop her.

"Then why are you crying?" If it were anyone else, 'crying' would be a bit of an exaggeration, there were tears, yes, but not the amount you would expect after hearing the word crying - There was a small single tear that had managed to escape Rins eyes as well as her eyes being a little waterier and shiny than usual. To anyone else that could be a meaningless tear caused by a yawn but this is Rin, not 'anyone else' and if Rin was crying, something must have happened or caused it.

My stomach did flips of anger as I watched her, seeking some sort of response. How could I have missed what had happened? I've been with her the whole time! My stomach flipped again and I let out a small growl. Today was supposed to be a day to cheer her up not make her cry!

As Rin heard the question I'd asked her, her hand went up to her face to meet the tear. She looked at me and then at her hand, looking… puzzled? Was that slight expression on her face right now confusion?

Whatever. I don't care.

"Let's go. We'll work out what to do as we go along."

I take her arm and lead her to the first enclosure.

Hey! I'm really really really (add as many reallys in as it takes to forgive me) sorry about how late I am with this (and all) my stories! I won't bother with excuses as they are useless but I will try to update at least once every few days while I'm on Christmas break.

So anyway, I hope you liked this long awaited chapter and continue to be interested in my story, have a nice day!