Chapter Seven is here and thank you so much for waiting :)


Disclaimer: I do not own VOCALOID! They all belong to their repsected owners!


Chapter Seven:

Forgiveness and Acceptance


~REI~

I never knew that choosing a dress was this hard.

"What about this design sir?" The seamstress asked as she handed me a piece of paper. The dress would've been right but the hat would not suit Rin. I handed it back and started flipping a book, looking for a suitable dress for her. It had to be something both angelic and beautiful.

"Looking for something to wear to the ball Rei?" I turned to the voice and found Nii-sama with Miku. It seems they too were looking for a dress for the ball tomorrow night. Miku turned to the book I was holding and frowned.

"Neh~ Rei isn't that women's clothing?" I turned red and stood up.

"I-I know that! My partner had no dress to suit her so I decided to buy her one."

"Who's your partner anyway Rei?" Brother asked curiously. I froze and turned to him. Should I tell him it was Rin? But if I did then brother would never allow it, what's worse is that he might yell at Rin. I doubt it that Rin could handle another scolding from brother. I had to keep it a secret.

"She's an old friend of mine and I happened to meet her here in town by coincidence. I had no partner for the ball so I asked her out."

"She must be very special to you Rei?" Miku giggled making me blush. Of course she was very special to me.


"What about this one Rei? She might look cute in these." Miku asked as she twirled a pink dress and faced me. Seriously, it'd suit Miku but not Rin. I shook my head and again turned to the book.

"What's she like anyway Rei? You know; size, built, hair colour. Those types so that Miku wouldn't always base what the girl looks like from her." Len asked and grinned when he saw Miku's pouting expression.

"Well she's as tall as you Nii-sama, her built is light and she has blonde hair." I answered. Brother quickly looked at me doubtfully. Could he have caught on to me?

"Then I know just the thing that'd suit her Rei." Miku cut off and quickly ran to one section of the building and pulled out a white dress with angel wings attached at the back. I stared at it for a long time when Miku handed it to me. Would this even suit Rin? I turned to brother who nodded in reply.

"I'm sure it'd suit her Rei. She's your angel after all." Brother answered as if he knew who the dress was for. If he did, I'd never deny it anyways.

"She used to be your angel Nii-sama, what happened?" I murmured softly as I handed it to the seamstress. Rin talked of nothing to me but your well-being it almost made me jealous. She always looked at no one but you. It was unfair that she thought me as nothing but your shadow.

"Rei?" Miku waved her hand in front of my face trying to gain my attention.

"Sorry I was thinking of something. If you'll excuse me I have to go." I replied as soon as I got the dress. Someday…For sure, she'll see me instead of you Nii-sama.

I'm no longer your shadow anymore.


~LEN~

Rei…

"He was sure in a hurry Len. I wonder why?" Miku wondered as we watched Rei board his coach. He was careful to place the box first and then went in.

"Maybe he wanted to give the present to his friend quickly." Miku added by the time the coach was off. Give it to her quickly huh? Rei was never the guy to rush and yet… this girl; was she worth it?

"Miku have you chosen something for the ball already?" I asked and Miku nodded. I then gave the box to the coach man and helped Miku into the coach. Maybe the only way to find out who this girl is was to follow Rei. The moment he said she had blonde hair, how come I quickly thought of Rin? There are a lot of blonde-haired ladies here but she was the first to come to my mind. She and Rei had been very close lately it was starting to bother me. At first I was against it but as the days wore on I gave up; when Rei wants to do something he'd do no matter what. It was his stubbornness to understand situations that always got him into trouble.

"Len are you not coming in?" Miku asked but I shook my head in reply.

"I have to go somewhere Miku, go on ahead and I'll follow shortly when I'm done." Miku frowned at my reply and nodded.

"Be sure to come home early this time Len." Was all she said and closed the door. I then got on a different coach and waved goodbye to Miku.

"To the Flower Shoppe please." I said and the coach sped off.

Could this girl really be Rin?


~RIN~

I gave a slight bow as he entered the shop.

"Welcome sir." I forced a smile. After what happened two nights ago, I swore I'd give up hoping he'd walk into this store again and yet…there he was.

"Thank you Rin." Len bowed back and scanned the room. I was the only one tending the shop today since Meiko and Kaito were out in the market to buy food. As for Piko, he was taking a nap in the house since he was done with his shift. So that made Len and me the only one in the shop.

"Looking for something to buy for Lady Miku?" I asked. Len was silent for moment as if deep in thought before he replied to me.

"I came here for a different reason Rin… I was wondering if you've seen Rei anywhere."

"As of today I actually haven't seen him yet. Why are you asking anyway Len?" I questioned but Len refused to answer. I wonder why he was looking for Rei and how did he know that Rei visited here often?

"Wait, you said you haven't seen him yet, does that mean you were expecting him then?"

"Yes of course I am, he ordered a bunch of Ipomoea and he said he'd claim it today." I replied and strangely Len sighed in relief. He's acting strange lately and it's making me worry. Sadly, I'm no longer in any position to wonder or ask if he was alright or not anymore…that sole role now belonged to Lady Miku.

"Thank you very much Rin. Sorry to have taken your time." Len bowed. He seemed different lately, as if I could finally see those guarded eyes again. He no longer looked at me coldly nor yelled at me. I wonder why? Could it be what I said to him before!

"Rin are you alright your face is red?" Len asked as he placed his cool hand on my forehead.


-Flashback-

"Don't overwork yourself next time Rin." Len scolded as he placed a wet towel on my head. Even Mistress Miku was worried when I collapsed while helping her in her gown. I wanted to be of help but in doing so I overexerted myself and got sick.

"I'm sorry to make you all worry."

"Seriously Rin…Whatever am I going to do with you?" Len sighed as he got up and took the candle from the bedside table.

"Len?" I called out making him turn around.

"Yes Rin?"

"Thanks a lot for today." I smiled weakly. He smiled back and ruffled my hair. "If it's you Rin of course I'd do it." He was about to take his leave when I grabbed him by the sleeve.

"Yes Rin?" Len asked again. I turned redder and redder as I tried to convey what I had to say.

"C-can you wait for me to s-sleep Len… Like before?" I managed to say. Len laughed and nodded. "Fine Rin if it'll make you feel better." He then turned the couch by the fireplace to my direction and sat down. I felt assured and drifted to sleep. When morning came I saw Len asleep on the couch and my fever gone. It was thanks to him I got better…

-End-


Like before huh?

"Thanks for worrying Len but I'm fine." I smiled. Len smiled back taking me by surprise. Did he really change this time?

"Len… Is that really you?" I asked Len.

"Of course it's me Rin? Are you sure you're alright?" Len asked worriedly. Is my mind playing tricks on me?

"Of course I am…I'm just surprised you've finally started talking to me again." I replied. Len noticed it too and suddenly turned serious again but he was still there…The Len I knew.

"A-about that Rin… I'm sorry for everything. It was just that Miku was hurt badly I thought I'd lose her. She means a lot to me… even my life and I kind of lost composure but she's alive and that's what matters. As time dragged on though…I realized that what I did to you was wrong. I know you didn't mean any harm to Miku and she told me that. I guess I didn't give you any benefit of the doubt…" Len trailed off.

"I know that asking for forgiveness from you is hard but I want you to know that I'm still your friend no matter what happens. I really am sorry Rin…Truly I am."

"I believe you Len…But please forgive me if ever you offer me back to the manor and I refuse it." I replied and gave a bow as well.

"Why?" Len asked curiously.

"I plan to start anew here Len…Staying there only brings back bitter memories for me. Remember Len, we are no longer friends. As I said before, the moment you sent me out was the day we broke off our friendship. I am neither cruel nor unforgiving but it is for the best we start from the beginning. For now we are nothing more but acquaintances." I replied trying to sound strong. I knew Len meant well for us both, but starting from the beginning will help us ease ourselves and the people around us. I was glad at least that Len was back to normal. The real Len was here and I have been forgiven.

"Very well Rin…at the very least don't hesitate to call when you need help." Len replied as he took his leave from the store.

Now I have no more doubts.


~REI~

Rin told me of what happened and somehow I was both glad and upset.

I was glad because brother had finally forgiven her and that she could attend the ball without worries but what made me upset was that now it meant that I was pushed back into the shadows again. She finally had nii-sama back to help her…so where did that put me in.

"Rei?" Rin looked at me worriedly. I tried to force a smile but I couldn't help it. It was just too painful.

"Rin…You love brother very much do you? Even if he is taken you still love him." I asked making her turn red.

"So where does that put me Rin? I know I can never be like nii-sama but please don't turn me into his shadow…" I murmured as I looked at her. She turned away from me and frowned.

"Rei, you were never Len's shadow to me; remember that."

"Then tell me Rin, what am I to you if I am not my brother's shadow?" I asked. Rin turned to me with a smile on her face and ruffled my hair.

"Let's say you were my guardian angel Rei; the one who helped me up when I fell, the one who made me smile when I cried. You were there to tell me never to give up." Rin pointed out.

"But those are what nii-sama does…" I trailed off. I didn't want to sound upset but it was the truth. Those were what brother was to her.

"Then tell me Rei what do you want to be to me anyway?" Rin finally asked. I turned red as she asked me that. What do I even tell her?

"Well Rin…I want to be someone special to you. Someone not even brother can be compared to Rin. I guess that's what I want to be for you."

"W-well Rei consider that done then…Hehehe." Rin laughed nervously. I then hugged her tightly and nodded.

"Thanks Rin…That just made my day." I replied. Rin hugged me back and nodded as well.

"You're welcome Rei."


"Here Rin for you…I knew you had nothing to wear for the ball so I bought you one." I said as I handed her the box. Rin's eyes grew wide at its size and turned to me with a grin on her face.

"I-I don't know what to say Rei…thanks I guess."

"Make sure you wear it alright." I replied while getting on the coach. I'm glad she liked it.

"Of course I would Rei; you gave it to me after all." She laughed. I then looked out and waved her good-bye as the coach sped off.


Well here we go chapter seven! I'll do my best to update fast to just stay tuned

-xXGemini14Xx-