A/N: I'm really sorry y'all! Really REALLY sorry! For not updating as fast as I used to and leaving you in that cliffhanger! I'm really sorry but life and a series of unfortunate events happened... Well,I'm back, that's all you need to know! And actually, I want to address something right away. The most popular comments were either Miku's badass (I know), Len's an ass, or Neru's a bitch! Well, let me tell you Len and Neru'll get lots better so try to warm up to them. Please?
Disclaimer: I do not own Vocaloid! I'm sad again...
Thank you to MaxJacksonCullengirl, MusicGamer, Twingkly'Zaa-chan, The Conceited One, ReturnoftheWings, c0baltMiku-san, Campanella, Tragic Universe, Pomegranata, akichanz, and CluelessLeaf for reviewing! I thank y'all for your regular reviews!
Summary: Memories: They hold the very things we love and the very things we despise. Well, for this girl, Rin Kagamine, her memories are the link, the link that ties everyone and everything, including this story together. First part of the Memories Series! RinxLen
Chapter 6: Consequences
(Rin's POV)
Consequences. That word is familiar to me and associates with me like the back of my hand. I know personally, everything in life has its consequence and now, after unwillingly facing all of them head on, I learned to examine the consequence of every situation in life to see the harm it could cause. So what was going to be Miku's consequence in slapping Neru? Bad. And what was her consequence of just storming away dragging the speechless Mikuo and me with her, actively skipping the meeting and leaving Neru shocked and humiliated? Worse.
But I only come to this conclusion a long while later, in the comfort of my own bed, in my own room, in my own apartment. Not once did I consider the consequences of Miku's actions until now. It never crossed my mind during the situation itself. It never crossed my mind when being dragged out by the ferocious beast stomping before me who I consider my best friend. It never crossed my mind on our walk home, eerily silent, as no one uttered a word. It never crossed my mind when I stepped into my apartment after exchanging farewells with the Hatsunes. Only now, hours later, illuminated by the glowing moonlight as the stars trying to comfort me in my sleepless night, do I realize the full extent of what happened, the severity of her consequences.
But now that I come to this conclusion, I wonder why that in all this time, the thought didn't come to me earlier, why I didn't notice it sooner so I could take action. But as I look back into the depths of my memories, my only lifeline, I find that my picture of the whole encounter is heavily muddled, as if my mind was away at the moment, unwilling to take in the scene that occurred in front of me. I try to convince myself, maybe it was the rush of the moment, the shock of Neru, the queen bee, being defied. But a feeling inside me, a feeling I've been trying to suppress, a feeling of happiness, is trying to convince me otherwise. I can't help but think that maybe the thought never crossed my mind as for once, I've been trying to defy the consequences and indulge in the happiness I cant help but feel, happiness because of Miku, who was the first one to defend me after the incident 3 years ago. 3 years ago. When my life spiraled down to where it is now.
3 years ago, I was accused of trying to murder Neru. The whole incident was considered an accident though I find myself guilty, guilty of all the hurt I caused Neru to face, and Neru sees me as guilty as well. That's why I devoted my life to punishment, punishment I deserved but did not get. And I didn't need self harm, I could count on Neru and the whole of the school to punish me. Because for all they know, and for all I care, I did try to end Neru's life. I am Neru's murderer.
3 years ago, the rumors of my unlawful deeds started to surface. Soon after the incident with Neru, more and more unfortunate rumours started to surface around me. Girls started blaming me for their break ups, effectively slapping me for ending their relationships with their boyfriends by turning them unfaithful through ways of seduction. This was untrue as no boy would be caught dead with me let alone love me and just used me as an outlet of breaking up with their tiring girlfriends. But I didn't tell their girlfriends. I didn't tell them because one: they would never believe me, their boys' whore, when I would try to explain to them, and two: I wouldn't want to hurt the girls. I didn't want the girl to blame themselves for their break ups or their boyfriends, no matter how low they are. I am pleased in being the blame, an outlet for the frustration. So soon, I was labeled the school whore. Next, my grades, which were a little above average, was believed to be gained through the use of cheating, just so I could stay in the school to cause more misfortune. That was evidently untrue as I used to continually study, aspiring to do my best, but people saw that it was all a facade in trying to manipulate my teachers. The situation reached a boiling point when teachers gathered me during a staff meeting to prove I didn't cheat. I showed up innocent, to the dismay of the students, so the students started to disrespect the teachers, thinking that they would be allowed to do anything. And seeing the turmoil in the teachers' faces compelled me to downgrade my scores, doing my best to just barely pass, so teachers can regain the respect of students. The teachers solemnly knew of the favor I secretly promised and are gracious of it, trying to show their thanks through sympathy, sympathy I see as dangerous to their authority, so sympathy I refuse. But still, after failing, I was still seen as a cheater. And again, the reputation I would get as a betrayer started as well. I was seen as someone who would befriend someone just so I could use them and soon abandon them when I was done. This again makes no sense as once again, no one would ever want to willingly stay by my side. But nonetheless, I was blamed for tears falling off my peers' eyes, for the slap marks on their faces, the bruises on their bodies, when in reality, it was most likely a spat between two others. And that's the story of how I became a backstabber.
3 years ago, Len, Luka, Meiko, Kaito, and Gakupo fell into the depths of the rumours and started to hate me as well, making me lose all I had left. At first, they doubted the rumors I didn't bother to clear up, retaining our childhood bonds. But soon, they started receiving penalty of sticking by me sich as shunning, insults, and beatings. And finally, they all decided they had enough of me, apparently seeing proof of my misdeeds and just left. Leaving me alone.
3 years ago, Neru relayed my attempted murder and the rumors about me to others, actively preventing me from gaining anything else. After coming her state of distress, Neru came back with a new objective: to ruin my life. And I wouldn't blame her. In her, in mine, and in everone's eyes, I did try to take her life. So in order to reach her goal, Neru went shamelessly told everyone of my murder attempt. This kept many away. And for those who couldn't believe that the baby-faced , blue-eyed, blonde girl was a killer, they were driven away by the rumors, or the known fact that you would be shunned if you are around me. And with that, Neru was successful in making my life a lonely hell as no one did bother to come to me again, to try to hear me out if I actually talked. Everyone until the Hatsune twins.
Thinking back to the scene, I wonder if Miku heard all of what Neru proclaimed or did my cries successfully drown out her words. I doubt that Miku heard a thing as who would want to befriend a murderer even after what she promised? Also, if she did hear it, wouldn't she at leat question me? But they didnt and while the walk home was in solitude, it was more likely out of shock of the slap than the shock of the revaltion. I sigh a breath of relied. Of course they didn't hear.
But now, I cant help but wonder what drove Miku to slap Neru, what drove the twins to be my friend? They both expressed their care for me, but why? Why would they care about me of all people? Why would they risk the consequences of being my friend? I don't know the answer of these questions, but right now, I don't care as long as I still have the Hatsunes by my side.
Soon, I find myself waking up to my alarm clock, surprised to actually get some sleep after the train of thought coursing through my brain last night. Despite myself, despite the fear of the consequences I should be feeling, instead I feel excited, excited to see the Hatsunes, to make sure they are still part of my life.
After rushing through my morning routine, I find myself scurrying down into the streets, ready to meet up with the two teal haired twins. And just as i dreamed, they are right outside, waiting patiently for me, yet bickering as usual. I smile and envy their ability to regain their happiness, how they can be so calm this moment. But still, nonetheless, I feel happy to regain the status quo and enjoy their company once again.
The walk to school was full of pep thanks to the Hatsune twins even though I barely uttered a word. I was a little too busy lost in my own thoughts. I was so out of it that I didn't notice the two tealettes behind me stop abruptly. I obliviously kept on walking, my head down, not knowing what was going on. That is until I collided facefirst right into a the person's chest, the cause of Miku and Mikuo's halt. I looked up to the unmoving person to see jade eyes swirling with hidden fondness. I stared right into them, loving the feeling of homeliness it gave me, like the feeling I get when I see the Hatsunes' infamous smile. After I see the slight blush coating the boy's face as I was practically hugging him, I back away quickly, somewhat embarrasses of our close proximity. I look into his eyes again. "Rin-san" he utters. Kei-kun.
I try to regain my mind as I try to reply, "Y-yes?" He looks behind me at the two figures I momentarily forgot. As he does, I peek at Miku, who has a mischievous smile on her face, and Mikuo, who is wearing a threatened scowl. And looking at their confused faces, I forgot that Kei was a total stranger to them. I hastily turn to them, introducing Kei. "Miku, Mikuo, this is Kei-kun. He'll be working with us for the festival."
The two bow with respect and say their names. As I look back at Kei, his familiarness is gone, all of a sudden turning serious. He looks over the three of us before saying in a forlorn voice, "You guys better be careful. The folks yesterday weren't happy about your stunt." He said the last part directly to Miku.
Surprisingly, Miku just smiles at him, replying "No worries, Kei-kun. What I'm worrying about is your relationship with my little Rinny. Cuz she's off limits."
Kei just glares at Miku, a slight blush on his face, before mumbling, "Whatever," and trudging away.
Miku just giggles happily at our encounter and once again I am awestruck at how they can be so happy during this crisis. Miku and Mikuo continue walking and I try to follow their heels.
And in a flash, we are at school. As soon the gates open, we are met by a site all too familiar to me. The whole of the student body, led by Neru and my former childhood friends, is gathered by the gates with snowballs in their hands. I laugh humorlessly. Looks like, after distracted by Miku and Mikuo, the student body is ready to restart their punishment.
But as I brace myself for the upcoming pelting of the snowballs, I sense something amiss. And here I notice that the glares masterfully adorned on every students' face is not directed at me but on the Hatsune twins right next to me. And all the twins offer in response is a feeble smile.
And as the snowballs come their way, I uselessly try to block the line of fire so the snowballs would hit me, the one truly guilty, instead of the two twins whose only crime is choosing to be seen with me. But I inevitably fail as I am shoved towards the ground stopping my tries, able to do nothing but watch as the Hatsunes get mistreated for no reason but defending me.
As the snowballs keep on coming, Neru casually walks up to Miku, dodging the snowballs, and grabs her mystifying teal hair, whispering into her ear, "Are you still gonna choose to stick by that murderer? Even knowing you'll face this everyday."
Miku's eyes remain dark before a smile reaches her face. She then giggles before proclaiming determinedly, for everyone to hear, "I'm never gonna leave my Rinny!"
And with this comment, Miku is shoved to the floor by Neru, as the snowballs render Mikuo useless from fighting back. More students come, most likely to join in on the torturing and soon Mikuo is kicked to the ground as well. But before I see what comes next, I notice the scene in front of me is fading away, getting further and further. Before I see what comes next, I run away. Run away from witnessing the punishment Miku and Mikuo are forced to face. Running away from the fears that they would leave me, clearing up the suspicion that yes, they did hear Neru's words before. But most of all, I am running away from the consequences, the consequence I would face for foolishly letting people into my life. And as I hear my name being called by the two distressed twins behind me, I ignore them, and all I do is run away.
A/N: There it is y'all. It didn't turn out as good as I wanted it to but my original copy was lost so I was forced to type this ASAP, causing the delay. Yeah, sorry about that, and sorry to come back only to give another cliffie. Yeah... but still, tell me what you think! R&R!