Chapter 6
Middle School Days
Apologies
"Alright class, that's it for today," Big Al announced to the class. Looking up at the clock, it seemed that we still had a good ten minutes until the bell rang. "Feel free to talk amongst yourselves and whatnot, if you have any questions about Animal Farm, don't hesitate to ask me!"
I shoved my books into my backpack, and stood up abruptly to join Gumo at his desk in an attempt to escape the awkwardness that is sitting next to Rinto.
"B-bye," I stuttered, raising my shaking hand as a gesture of goodbye. It wasn't that I was scared of Rinto or anything, please. I was just somewhat afraid of what he was going to say to me or what insults he may decide to spit out. Perhaps "wary" would be a better term to describe what I was feeling. During the whole period he didn't say anything, but I was sure that he was just waiting for opportunity to comment on...who knows what. Just as I whipped around and took a step forward, I felt a hand grasp my wrist. Immediately tensing up, I tried to wrench my way free, but to no avail. In response to my struggles, Rinto simply gripped harder, but let go when I glared at him from the corner from my eye.
"Can I talk to you for a bit?" Rinto asked, apparently the tile ground became incredibly fascinating, for that's where Rinto was staring at instead of at my face.
Eyeing him suspiciously, I sighed and plopped back down in my seat. No escaping now I suppose, I couldn't pluck of the confidence or nerves to say no to him. "What do you need Kagamine?"
"Well...um...I've been wanting to say...uh, you know...how was your day?!" he suddenly exclaimed after a long string of incoherent mumbles.
"It was fine...I guess?" I replied, raising my right eyebrow in confusion. I was taken aback by his sudden question and change of attitude. The Rinto that I knew acted all full of himself and came off to be quite arrogant. This more demure, anxiousness was new to me. "I mean, there wasn't anything out of the ordinary. Why do you ask?"
"No reason really," Rinto said, feigning nonchalance.
"Allllrighty then..." I frowned, wondering what he really wanted. "I mean, if that's all, I'm gonna go-"
"Wait!" he cut me off. Cue awkward silence once again. "So you're friends with Seewoo now?"
"Um, I've known him since last year in orchestra, and we became good friends over summer, but again, why do you ask?" I sighed, not knowing where the heck this conversation was going. Whatever Rinto really wanted to say, it wasn't going to come out easily.
"I dunno about him Ia, he seems weird. Not as in personality wise, but sorta sketchy? I'm not so sure if his intentions are the best. He may be bad, Ia," Rinto pushed, the old fire coming back into his eyes.
This pissed me off a bit coming from Rinto. I mean, for the last year he either completely ignored my existence or shot snide comments in my face. And for him to suddenly judge Seewoo like that? Kind, interesting, smart, genuinely nice Seewoo? It made me angry. He had no right to say such a thing.
"Excuse me?" I exclaimed, feeling deeply insulted on behalf of Seewoo. "Oh, that's rich coming from you, Rinto. Mr. I-don't-care-about-anyone-but-me-and-I-enjoy-verbally-hurting-Ia-
Shizen. I wouldn't say that you're the best character either."
He seemed to be quite shocked at this comeback, making me feel a little satisfied. Perhaps I was being a little too harsh? True, it was me who cut off all ties between us, but he didn't have to force it to the next level by going out of his way to insult me every day. I shouldn't have to feel guilt by telling him off every once in a while.
"...It won't happen again," he finally said after a long pause.
"What?" I felt even more taken aback by this statement. It sounded more of a promise, actually.
"I said, 'It won't happen again,'" Rinto repeated. "Don't make me say it a third time, ok Ia? And if it's not too late...I would like to be friends again."
Without giving me a chance to respond, Rinto abruptly got out of his seat and went over to talk to some of his other friends. I watched his retreating back in confusion. Usually Rinto was very blunt about whatever he said, and was honest to a fault. This sudden change in character was more than slightly unnerving.
"What the heck was that all about?" came a new voice. Snapping out of my trance, I turned around to see Gumo has settled himself down in Rinto's seat.
"I really have no idea," I sighed, slumping back in my seat.
"Well...I think I may have an idea to what he was getting at," Gumo mused, looking up thoughtfully.
"Please, do tell."
"I know you girls are all very close with your touchy-feely stuff or whatever-"
"Hey-!"
"Let me finish!"
"Fine."
"Thank you. You see...but us guys...it's hard for us to say 'sorry.' I dunno, but it's just this weird psychological thing that we have that supposedly shows weakness if we apologize for something," Gumo explained. "It's kinda weird."
"It's stupid, that's what it is," I replied. "Honestly, it isn't 'un-manly' to say sorry...It takes courage to accept what you've done is wrong."
Gumo blinked a bit in realization and cracked a small smile. This grew to become a few chuckles, and he patted me on the head.
"Hey, what was that for?!" I complained, biting my inner cheek. "I'm not a puppy, you know."
"Haha, but you'll always be like a little sister to me," he smiled in response. Leaning back in his chair, he rubbed his chin in thought and murmured, "No wonder he's so taken by you."
"What did you say?" I questioned, not understanding what he just said.
"Oh nothing," he waved his hand in dismissal, regaining his posture.
"Whatever," I said. "So do you really think that Rinto was trying to apologize?"
"'Try' is the key word," Gumo reminded me.
I sighed.
"He's an idiot."
"Believe me, I know."
"Rin! Wait up!" I called after my best friend. Upon hearing my voice, the blonde turned around and laughed at my attempts to catch up with her. She was, after all, one of the best long distance runners on the track team, and it seemed that she never stopped running.
"Oh wow, Ia, we should go for a jog or something one time, build up strength in those scrawny legs of yours," Rin giggled as I came to a sudden halt. "Seriously, the wind will carry you away if you don't muscle up!"
"Shut up you," I said. "I was teased enough already today."
"What do you mean?" Rin asked, suddenly sounding concerned. "Is somebody bullying you Ia? Do I need to have a talk with someone? Huh?!"
"Oh, no, no, no. That wasn't what I meant," I explained quickly before Rin would have a chance to march off to hunt down some poor kid who supposedly "bullied" me. "It was Gumo and his antics, the usual. Completely harmless."
Despite this reassurance, Rin still held an air of annoyance as she said, "Ugh, someday I'll get back at that stupid Gumo."
Suddenly I remembered that I promised Gumo that I would ask Rin if she liked anyone currently and what she thought about Gumo. And by the way that the conversation was going, it did not promise the most desirable outcome.
"Um...really?" I asked tentatively, wondering how I would approach the topic. "So is that what you think of Gumo?"
"He's alright I guess, bit of an annoying ass though," Rin thought aloud.
"Rin! Language!"
"Well excuse me!" Rin said. I shook my head. At the time I wasn't one to casually throw around swears and derogatory words.
"What about boys in general? Like anyone?"
"Well, I don't think that there's...but maybe...nah..." she continued to voice her thoughts. Catching a glance at my eager look, her eyes narrowed and she sighed. "Who put you up to this?"
"Oh! Um, no one! Definitely no one! You and Gumi always worry about me and my so-called 'love life,' so I was curious about yours!" I quickly said in an attempt to hide that Gumo asked me to do this. Her look clearly displayed skepticism, but I wasn't going to let that faze me. "But, please go on!"
"Well, to be honest, I don't currently like anyone," Rin confessed, playing with her headband. "Sure, when I see a boy who's attractive I think 'Oh, he's cute,' but nothing major like 'Oh, I have such a huge crush on him!' Besides, even if I were to find someone that I like, it's not like we'd get into a serious relationship or anything since it's middle school. Also I'm not allowed to go out with anyone until high school, so that sorta defeats the purpose of liking someone in the first place."
"Huh...I see," I said, feeling a little bit down for Gumo. We were in the same boat of unrequited-ness. "So that's how it is."
Smiling slightly at my reaction, Rin reached over and ruffled my hair similar to how Gumo did before. After a small pause, Rin spoke up, "I know that Megpoid likes me."
Oh no you don't, girl.
"Yes! Of course Gumi would like you! We're all good friends! You don't need to question her feelings about us, I assure you," I feigned ignorance, although ultimately knowing that Rin can see through all my lies. "What are you talking about, silly goose?"
"I know that he's the one who requested that you ask me these things," Rin insisted.
"Well, I-"
"Ia Aria Shizen."
"Yes, Gumo Megpoid asked me to do this," I gave in. "But he really does like you a lot Rin! I think you should at least give him a chance!"
"I could say the same thing about you," Rin said, elbowing me in the side.
"Wait, what do you mean?!" I exclaimed, getting exasperated by all this secret talk. "First Gumo, now you...what are you guys implying?"
"You're still not over Len, right?" Rin eyed me knowingly.
"I, well, you know..." I fumbled with words. "Maybe...?"
"Well, perhaps you could open your eyes to new possibilities," Rin suggested. "There are a lot of people out there Ia, I don't see why my cousin has to be the special one."
"But who..." I trailed off. They couldn't mean...?
"Oh, Ia, you innocent, oblivious 12-year-old-girl," Rin shook her head. "Eh, maybe you'll figure it out eventually."
"Figure what out eventually!?" I said, getting a little frustrated.
"You'll see."
"Ugh!"
Rin once again began laughing at my dissatisfaction. Looping her arm around mine, she said, "Gumo will be ok, Ia. He'll get over it. I like him, but as a friend. I just want to focus on my studies right now in preparation for high school. Sports as well."
"Alright," I sighed. "So what do I tell him?"
"Nothing, I'll talk to the boy tomorrow," Rin promised. "So, want to go to that new gelato place downtown? I heard their raspberry is amazing!"
"So did you talk to Rin yesterday?" Rinto asked as I sat down next to him in ELA the following day.
"How the heck do you know about that?" I asked, frowning.
"I'm good friends with Gumo. Friends tell friends these types of things," Rinto responded, taking out his notebook. "So? What happened?"
"Well...she said she actually doesn't li-" I cut myself off (for once). "Wait! What's up with you?!"
This was weird. Rinto was starting to sound like the Rinto I knew before he became a huge jerk! He's sounding like the Rinto I met last year. He sounds like a decent person. Has there been a rift in time vortex?
"What?" it was Rinto's turn to be taken aback.
"No insult, no petty comment, no snide remark?" I started listing the types of things he would say to me before. "I didn't even accept you as a friend again, but you're being all nice? Who are you, and what have you done with Rinto Kagamine?!"
My accusations were met with laughs from Rinto. It was certainly not the reaction I was expecting especially since for the past year all he would laugh at was how "stupid" I was and the such. This was...new. Was he really trying to get back into my favor?
"Is it unexpected that I can be nice?" Rinto asked while wiping tears from his eyes.
"Yes!"
"Oi you, don't need to be rude," Rinto said reproachfully.
"Says you who would only be rude to me!" I retorted. "What has gotten into you?"
"Nothing," Rinto replied, not giving it any other thought. "So what did she say?"
Realizing that I probably couldn't win this argument, I gave in. Maybe Rinto is ok now?
"Well...she apparently wants to put all her energy and focus on schoolwork and her running career rather than thinking about boys," I confessed. "Rin said that she would tell Gumo today though; I hope that went alright."
"Wow, that sounds like Rin," Rinto said, leaning back in his seat. "She's the type that would put academics over possible social happiness."
Feeling a sudden vibration in my lap, I got a text message from someone. Bringing it up to the desk, Rinto leaned over to read what it said.
Hey ia its gumo, can we talk in orch room after school?
"Rinto, what should I say!?" I started to freak out. It seemed that Rin hadn't had the chance to tell Gumo yet. ELA was our last period, but Gumo couldn't attend class today because of an extra violin lesson with Ms. Clouds. And now he was asking me to talk to him? Oh great.
"Just say that you can't! Calm down Ia," Rinto rolled his eyes at my reaction. "If you make a simple excuse, you could probably get away with it. Gumo tends to respect other people's obligations even if it's not in his best interest."
"Fine, fine," I replied, quickly texting him back. "Sorry...have...violin lesson...after school...and send."
A couple seconds later...
Violin can wait. i need 2 talk 2 u! ill be waiting 3
"Rinto it didn't work!" I wailed, grabbing his uniform's sleeve and shaking it vigorously.
"Don't show up then!" he countered. "Or just avoid him or something. Go straight to the buses and don't look back."
"Even if I could, I can't...I leave my textbooks in my orchestra locker since my real one is out of the way of all my classes. My history textbook is in there, and I need it to study tonight. Plus, it would be bad to just ignore him..." I told him.
"Well, then, I can't help you Ia, just tell him the truth and it'll be ok," Rinto reasoned. As much as I hoped Gumo would be fine with Rin, I could already just see him breaking down into tears or something. He was fairly in touch with his emotions for a guy, and tended to overreact to the smallest things. There was no telling what he would do.
"Urgh...I hope so," I rested my forehead on my desk and moaned. This once again caused more laughter on Rinto's part, and he patted my back as a sign of reassurance.
Kaito Shion was slightly annoyed. Actually, a bit more than just "slightly." One of his best friends, Rinto Kagamine, was beginning to not hang out with him as much. Him! Kaito Shion! His best friend since fourth grade! They shared a bottle of glue during a holiday craft and have stuck together ever since. Until middle school came along and suddenly Rinto's priorities changed, but he still somehow managed to find time to hang out with his old buddy. Rinto even introduced Gumo to the duo, and they became pretty close. But now Gumo's going after Rin Kagene, and Rinto's up to who knows what.
Scratch that.
Kaito knows what's up. He's been seeing Rinto around that Ia Shizen a lot. Quiet girl. Though she had this huge crush on Rinto's twin, Len. Wonder what happened there.
But that's not the problem now! The problem is that Rinto is ditching his friends and is hanging out with people that he previously ignored and the world is going upside down.
"Hey Kaito."
Speak of the devil.
"Greetings blonde one, how may I be of service you?" Kaito responded, turning around to face the twin. He chose to ignore the weird look Kagamine gave him and proceeded to unwrap an ice cream bar he got from the cafeteria.
"You haven't seen my brother around, have you?" he asked Kaito.
"Beats me, but last time I saw him, blonde one number two was giggling around the Shizen girl," Kaito munched on his ice cream. It tasted pretty good.
"Ia?" number one seemed to be taken aback. "She was with him? But I thought they weren't on good terms anymore?"
"Ever since he became seatmates with her in ELA, they've been seen together more than once. And they weren't even ripping out each other's throats per usual. Rather it seemed like civilized conversation. Peculiar, eh?" Kaito mused, finishing up his frozen treat. That he probably paid too much for.
"Oh. Well, thanks Kaito," Kagamine thanked Shion.
"No problem-o," Kaito bowed slightly then walked away humming a tune to himself. As he left, the blonde twin turned around and gripped his textbooks closer to his chest.
"...He's been with Ia?"
This was news for Len Kagamine.
And he wasn't so sure how he felt about it.
EVERYONE I AM BACK AFTER HOW LONG? TOO LONG! I really hope I'll eventually stop having to start all the author's notes like this, haha _; I have a whole slew of excuses which are probably all the lamest things EVER. But honestly, finals just suck. Suckiest things. And I had to freaking draw the whole map of Europe! In two days! For 100 points. *cries* But I got a 95 on that so it's all good~. :) I swear, AP European History is my life right now. Anyone else taking the class? ANYONE ELSE FEEL MY PAIN SO THAT I'M NOT AS ALONE? ANYONE? Ok, I'm done now… But I hope this chapter was worth the wait! It's one of my longest chapters, almost 3,000 words! (not including this stuff, of course) And I'm so extremely sorry for the slow updates. I swear I'm going to find time to update this more regularly. Warning you guys, it may only be once a month because I don't want to make any promises I can't keep… ._. So again, I'm so sorry and I will work on it! I promise! I swear on my AP Euro textbook! o('_')o Anyways, on to the…
Shout-outs!:
InsideOutMusica: My first term just ended…glad to get that off my back =_= And Rinto was in the school before, it's just that he was in regular English (called LA as opposes to ELA) and now he's moved up! Yay for him. Thanks again for reviewing and I hope the chapter was good!
MegaFan-Girl43: Thanks HEAPS for subscribing to the story! It means so much to me! I hope you continue to read the new updates (which will hopefully come sooner…hopefully). Thanks again! ^^
Lyric22: AND YOU! Thanks to YOU for ALSO subscribing! Yayayayayay! Ah, I'm so glad that people are still reading this and such! You guys are the greatest, so thanks again I love you all! :D
Divine Service: And here is more! I hope it's enough! But there will be more chapters, don't worry. And I know right~~~ :3 Couples are always so cute, especially when they work out in the end *hearts* thanks for the review, I really appreciate it!
FreakyPokeGirl1: First of all, I just want to let you know that I love your username! _ When I first read it a laughed a lot (probably a lot longer than a normal person haha… ^^;). Anyways, thanks for subscribing! Ahhh, means so much to me, you guys are too dang nice. / And you commented too and favorited! Omg you're amazing. I never thought of the pairing until I began to write this story, and at first it was going to be another Vocaloid, but then I'm like: Huh, what about Ia? Never read a story about them before! And voila! It was born~~~ :P
LunarMoonWater: I totally am going to check out that story! (Is it up yet? I haven't checked! Eek, being away from fanfiction too long isn't good!) You're so cool for writing the longest reviews! I love talking to you though this haha! :) Don't worry, my dance moves aren't to be bragged about either :P And the crossover is gonna be an omake chapter, probs when they're in high school. Yes, the young'uns are gonna grow up :'D Anyways, THANKS AGAIN! LOVE YA!
Kisaragi Momo: I promise I haven't forgotten! Even though it seems like it, I promise I haven't forgotten! (wow sounds like I'm a movie. Kisaragi-chan. I haven't forgotten. About you. Oh gosh, I sound silly please ignore me! _) Thanks for the review and hopefully the new semester won't be as bad so I'll get to updating more!
Alturial: Thanks for subscribing and subscribing to me as well, and faving me, and faving the story, I'm so honored! *hearts everywhere* You're really cool and I like your username a lot too! Sounds very…mystical. ;P
Thank you everyone for all the amazing feedback! I wouldn't be writing if it wasn't for you guys! Ok…now I need to go and memorize my Macbeth monologue. :'D (I have no life.)