Please don't let my love turn out

To be such a tragedy like Juliet's was.

Please take me far away from here,

That's my only desire.

I say goodnight to both my mommy and my daddy,

I really hope tonight they sleep so very soundly.

Right now it's time

For the grown ups to go to bed.

The taste of caramel is pure intoxication.

I shyly cross my legs, imaging sensation.

I wonder how far we will be going tonight.

Please be gentle and be nice,

Please hold me very tight,

The taste of bitterness, I truly hate it, you know.

I blame the sweet things I've tasted since I was a little girl.

Everything that we don't know,

How they enchant is so,

But you would think that everyone thinks like that, though.

Just show me everything

And give me all you got.

I'll show you all that I am and more!

"Um, so how was that?" Miku sheepishly asked as she began twirling around locks of her mint hair. The try outs for the school's winter play was vastly approaching, and she wanted to practice around her friends in hopes of getting their honest opinion. It was after school, and Rin, IA, Yukari, and Lapis sat outside with Miku and did not at all appear eager to go home. The day was so nice that most of the students still lingered on the school yards, and the group of friends were one set of many who dotted the lawn.

"Whoa girl! I thought you could sing, but you really sing!" Yukari exclaimed.

"Uh, thanks?" Miku replied.

"That's Yukari's way of saying 'you're amazing'," IA giggled. "I didn't know you were such a great singer."

"Years spent practicing in the shower really helped," Miku smiled.

"Miku, you should try out for the lead role," Rin said, and Lapis nodded in agreement. "You would blow everyone away!"

"Or fall off the stage and break my arm."

"Or break everyone's hearts with your beautiful voice," Lapis said.

"But IA," Miku began, "weren't you planning on trying out for the female protagonist?"

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't," IA responded. "It's just a school play. No matter who gets the main role we're all still friends. Besides, we might get cast as side characters, anyway, so why not try to reach high?"

"Can't argue with that," Miku said, "but it's still nerve racking. I haven't been in a school play since the eight grade."

"You will do fine," Rin insisted. "Look, there's Len and Nero right now. How about we ask them?" Before Miku could protest, Rin began shouting, "Hey you two! Come here for a sec, we need your opinion on Miku's singing voice!"

"Rin!" Miku hissed.

"You're welcome," Rin beamed, either oblivious to or ignoring Miku's distaste of Rin's calling the boys over. Miku got the feeling that it was the latter.

"Miku's singing voice, huh?" Nero asked when he was within earshot. "Sure, we can give you our opinion, but can you make it quick? We have to meet the team at McDonald's for a meeting or else Coach Shion is going to get on to us for being late."

"Again," Len added.

"Just a few lines should be enough," Rin waved. Yukari giggled while Lapis appeared embarrassed for Miku. "Come on, Miku," Rin urged when Miku hadn't yet opened her mouth. "Sing."

"Sing what?" Miku asked.

"I know," IA answered. With that she began to hum, and the girls immediately knew what song IA was starting. Rin began to slap her knees and clap with the rhythm, and Yukari and Lapis harmonized with each other, turning the song into an acapella. Miku began to sing the lyrics, and IA joined in with her to act as back up.

Change! Change! Change! No thank you!

Change! Change! Change! No thank you!

Change! Change! Change! No thank you!

"Well then, shall I just relax for a bite today?"

I dialed the number on the flyer.

There just happened to be a girl that was my type,

My choice being one with a larger chest.

"A girl with short hair, an aggressive type?

Very well, we'll send someone over shortly."

But when I opened the door, it was my ex-girlfriend.

What kind of messed up prank is this?!

When I arranged for a call girl, you appeared, staring at me vacantly.

"I've become your ideal type and come back!" you said.

Drunk in tragedy like Romeo and Juliet, slashing your wrist after being hurt.

Look 'round the street and shout it out, come on.

Change! Change! Change! No thank you!

Change! Change! Change! No thank you!

Change! Change! Change! No thank you!

Miku stopped there, finding no point in moving on to the second verse. The rest caught on and stopped what they were doing. Rin smiled at the boys and said, "See? I told you Miku is good!"

"I don't think 'good' cuts it," Nero said. "That was more on the lines of 'fantastic.'"

"Thanks," Miku said, blushing slightly out of embarrassment. When she noticed Len gaping at her she asked, "You all right? Hello? Len?"

"Your singing is even more beautiful than I remember it being," he said quietly, causing Miku's blush to deepen and the others to look at him in confusion.

"You already heard Miku sing?" Rin questioned.

"Why would you sing for Len but wait until now to sing for us, Miku?!" Yukari whined.

"I didn't sing for Len!" Miku threw her hands up in surrender as she defended herself. "I was just singing when I thought nobody was around. I didn't know Len happened to be eavesdropping." It was the truth, after all.

Nero raised an eyebrow. "You were eavesdropping on her?"

"Not intentionally," Len insisted as he, too, threw his hands up.

"I'm back from my snack run!" CUL announced as she ran up to her friends and waved two bags of fast food in the air. Noticing how Miku and Len both had their hands raised while the rest of the group eyed them suspiciously CUL asked, "What did I miss?"

"Miku singing," Lapis answered. "Turns out Len already knows how good a singer is because he eavesdropped on her."

"Not intentionally," Len repeated.

"It doesn't matter," Rin tossed the subject aside. "The point is Miku is good enough to try out for the school play. She and IA are going to take the biggest female roles for themselves, leaving the other girls with the less significant parts."

"When are auditions, anyway?" Nero asked.

"Next Thursday after school," Miku answered as she put her hands down on her lap. Len followed suit with his own hands.

"The four of us are going to be there to support Miku and IA," Rin said, indicating Yukari, Lapis, CUL, and herself. "Are either of you boys thinking about coming as well?"

"I have to be there," Nero said. "Neru is trying out as well, and she wants me around for some reason."

"Strange," Rin wrinkled up her nose. "Normally Neru doesn't act as if she even knows you." Nero shrugged in a way that told Rin he was not going to question his twin's motives. "What about you, Len?" Rin asked. "You coming along as well? Or do you have plans to stay locked inside your room?"

Glaring at his sister, Len answered, "I don't lock myself inside my room, and yes, I'm going as well."

"Yay, we're all going!" Yukari cheered as she clapped her hands together.

"What about Luki and Gumo?" IA asked. "Don't they get an invitation?"

"Took care of that during physics," Rin answered with a wink.

"What?!" Miku gapped at Rin as if she had never seen the blonde before. "Why would you do that without even fracking telling me?!"

"I knew you would be pleasantly surprised," Rin smiled as if she had won an award of some kind. The look on Miku's face was pure gold. Now only to snap a picture, frame it, and hang it on the wall for all eternity.

Len couldn't blame Miku for looking as if she wanted to smack Rin upside her head. In all honesty, he kind of wanted to smack Rin, too. He was really hoping that he could get close to Miku and talk to her during the audition, but now that he knew Luki and Gumo were going to be there as well it would be even more difficult trying to get Miku alone. Why did Rin always have to screw up his plans as they formed inside his head?

"Oh Dude," Nero said as he looked at his watch. "We're late, again."

"I guess that's our fault for keeping you two so long," Miku mused as she looked down.

"Don't worry about us," Len assured her. "If we can run we can make it."

"Then what are you lingering here for?" CUL asked. Waving her arms as if to shoo the boys away she shouted, "Go on, get out of here! Move, move, move!"

"Fine, we're going," Len said as Yukari, now standing and giggling, stood behind him and pushed him on his back. Lapis did the same for Nero.

"Bye bye!" Yukari said as she and Lapis gave the boys ones final push. CUL ran alongside them, yelling at them to pick up the pace. Rin, wanting to get in on the action, stood to her feet and began to run with CUL and yell insults at the boys.

"Are Rin and CUL going to follow them the whole way?" Miku asked as Yukari and Lapis sat back down under the tree.

"Probably," IA answered as she opened one of the bags CUL brought. "Cheeseburger, no mustard."

"Here," Lapis said before accepting the sandwich IA handed her.

"Chicken sandwich."

"Mine," Yukari raised her hand.

"Cheeseburger, extra pickles."

"CUL's," Lapis set the burger where CUL, no long in line of sight, was sitting.

"Fish fillet. Oh, that's mine. And two burgers with everything on them."

"Rin and I got the same thing," Miku said as she accepted her food and left Rin's in the bag.

"So CUL told me Coach Sakine didn't put you on the soccer team," Lapis said to Miku while the four of them ate. "Something about already having enough players?"

"That's it," Miku said. "Unless somebody breaks a leg and is out for the rest of the season the team doesn't need me. It's cool, though. I'm coach's first choice if such a tragedy were to happen, and if not - and I sure hope not because I don't want anyone to get hurt - I won't mind. At least I can still cheer on Rin and CUL. By the way, where the heck are those two?"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"See, you made it in time!" Rin cheered when she, CUL, and the boys reached McDonald's.

"Barely," Nero doubled over and panted.

"Did you two really have to herd us the whole way here?" Len asked.

"You would have been late if we hadn't," CUL answered. "You're welcome, by the way."

With a two step running head start, Rin jumped on Len's back and wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs on his hips. "Tell your favorite sister that you love her," she said as she poked Len's cheek.

Len was not amused. "Get off of me! You're a lot heavier than you look."

"That's called muscle, baby," Rin replied as she slid to the ground.

"Uh, Rin," Nero began, "not to sound unappreciative of your and CUL's running with us on the way here, but didn't you leave behind your own food?"

Shrugging, CUL said, "We can go inside, order some fries, and eat them as we walk back. The school is only half a mile away. No big deal."

"Last one inside eats Nero's gym socks for lunch!" Rin exclaimed as she bolted for the door, turning even getting in line into a game.

"I ain't trying those," CUL followed right behind the blonde.

"Do my gym socks smell that bad?" Nero asked Len as the two entered the restaurant together.

"Even a person with no sense of smell can pass out from the stench," was Len's answer.

Fortunately for them everyone on the team had yet to order. Unfortunately for Nero Rin was right behind Gumo in line. Luki was seated behind the line, probably having already ordered. Don't act out Nero told himself. Just smile, say hello, and then when Rin leaves all will be good.

"Hey guess what?" Rin said to the boys as they got in line just behind her and CUL. "Gumo has invited us to eat with you all. Isn't that amazing?"

Frick frack gosh dolly do was the only G rated profanity Nero could think of. He wasn't a fan of cuss words, but he was so close to making an exception.

"Didn't you buy a bag of food for yourself and the others?" Len repeated as he raised an eyebrow.

"Just sent them a text telling them to bring it here," CUL smiled as she flashed her phone so that he could see her message.

"I just did the same," Rin also showed the boys her phone.

"Uh, Rin," Len said slowly while Nero began to laugh, "this just says 'Bring me food' in all caps and about eight exclamation points."

"Ten," Rin corrected. "Learn to count."

The boys on the basketball team who heard this began to laugh. "I forgot how spunky your sister is," one Len recognized as Meito said.

"That's why she's a keeper," Gumo replied as he casually threw an arm over Rin's shoulder. Rin didn't attempt to shake him off.

"Shouldn't we order?" Nero asked as he came between Rin and Gumo, pushing them apart in the process. "Look, this cashier just opened."

"Good, because I'm next in line," Meito said as he moved past Nero and began to order.

"What's your problem, Akita?" Gumo glared at Nero.

"Just hungry, that's all," Nero replied as he made certain to stand between the green haired boy and Rin.

"All right, calm down," Rin said as she walked to stand between the boys. "We're all friends here."

More like Gumo and Nero are building up a rivalry because both want to be more than friends with you Len thought but didn't say. He was going to watch without interfering and see how this came out. Too bad he didn't have food yet. This would have been an interesting dinner and a show.

"So Rin," Gumo turned his attention to said girl, "would you like to sit with me?"

"Why would she when she can just sit with her best friend?" Nero argued.

"I wasn't talking to you," Gumo snapped.

"Why can't we just all sit together?" Rin tried. "There's a table right there big enough for all of us. Hello? Are the either of you listening to me?"

Both Nero and Gumo were staring at each other with such an intensity that Len could swear he was seeing sparks fly between their foreheads. Even Rin's voice couldn't snap them back to reality. Len was beginning to fear that one of them was a mere nudge away from blowing a casket.

"Whoa, this is good!" CUL smiled as she held her cell in front of her, no doubt filming the boys' argument. "Rin, you are so lucky to have two hotties fight over you."

"I just want to eat fries," Rin looked at the camera and whined.

Luki, getting Len's attention, asked, "Should we break then up?"

"No point," Len answered with a shrug, "they'll just get back together."

"You had better watch your step, Akita," Gumo growled. "One wrong move and I will mess you up."

"Don't underestimate me if you know what's good for you," Nero returned.

"Can't we just eat?!" Rin exclaimed.

"Hey look, we're next in line," Len said as he walked past Nero and Gumo and pulled Rin to his side. "You can just enjoy your French fries with your favorite brother." To the red head, "How about you, CUL?"

"Nah, I'm enjoying this," she replied as she zoomed in on the boys' faces. "They look like they're about to brutally murder each other. I have to get this on video or else I will never forgive myself." Len was certain he heard the girl mumbled something like "winning $100,000 on AFV" under her breath.

"If you say so," Len shrugged before ordering his food and Rin's fries. After he was given his number Len and Rin began filling their cups at the fountain machine as Nero and Gumo, no surprise, were fighting over who would order next.

"What's gotten into them?" Rin asked her brother. "They aren't usually like this. Especially Nero. He's the sweetest person ever, so why is he holding Gumo in a choke hold?"

Len's eyebrows flew up at how dense Rin was being. Was she truly oblivious to the fact Nero and Gumo were fighting over her? With how the entire basketball team just witnessed the event they were no doubt going to tease Nero for liking Rin. Next thing you know, rumor flies all over the school. Looks as if Nero's secret isn't going to stay a secret for long. Such a shame Rin will fail to pick up on the evidence.

"Maybe they missed breakfast?" Len suggested. If anyone was going to tell Rin that Nero liked her, it was not going to be him.

"Maybe," Rin frowned despite making it apparent that she did not believe it. She then turned around just in time to see both boys getting escorted outside the restaurant. At least the police won't be needed.

It wasn't long after the girls arrived. Miku, IA, Yukari, and Lapis sat with the twins while they ate. When it was time for the meeting to start, the girls said their goodbyes to Len and left the restaurant.

"I hope Nero and Gumo don't get in trouble for missing the meeting," Rin worried aloud.

"What happened?" Miku asked. "Didn't he go to McDonald's with you, Len, and CUL?"

"Check your E-mail," was how CUL answered.

Miku, IA, Yukari, and Lapis all raised their brows but didn't question the red head.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I can't believe those two broke into a fight in the restaurant," Miku said into her cell as she sat on her bed. She had watched the video CUL had sent her and called Len to discuss the event. Miku knew she should have called one of her female friends to talk to about the topic, but she wanted an excuse to talk to Len. Not that she would admit that, especially to herself.

"Rin is worth fighting over, apparently," Len replied on the other line. His twin had locked herself in her room an hour ago and claimed that she was going to marathon My Little Pony to make her forget about the day, making Len confident that she was not going to accidentally overhear his side of the his conversation with Miku.

"Though what I find funny is that Rin was pretty concerned about ordering her fries," Miku grinned. Rin had just proven herself to be a genuine "fries before guys" kind of girl. Literally.

"That's Rin," Len chuckled. "Once her mind is on something it's hard to get her to think of anything else."

"I noticed," Miku laughed. Going quiet, Miku said as she played with the homework she had spread out on her bed, "I didn't know Nero was so - how do I say it? - close to Rin. I mean, he seemed like he really dislikes Gumo. I'm no expert, but I think that it might have to do with Gumo and Rin's going out on occasional bases." When Len didn't respond Miku asked carefully, "Do you think he might like her as more than just a friend?"

"I don't think," Len answered. "I know."

"So I was right," Miku whispered. Louder she spoke into her phone, "Rin has told me that whenever she goes out with someone she feels guilty, guilty like she's cheating on somebody but doesn't know who. Do you think, I don't know, that Rin might like Nero but not know it?"

"That's the first I'm hearing of this," Len spoke with light surprise in his voice. "Nero is convinced that if he tells Rin that he has feelings for her it might destroy their friendship."

"You're kidding?!" Miku exclaimed. "Rin told me the same thing!"

It was Len's turn to shout. "Are you sure?! No wonder the other doesn't have a clue, the both of them are so good at hiding what they feel."

"And oblivious with each other's hints," Miku sighed and shook her head.

"What do you suppose we do?" Len asked. "Should we tell them they're misunderstanding each other or what?"

Miku stood to her feet and moved to stand by her window. Looking outside she answered, "No, we shouldn't say anything to either of them. I think we need to let our friends play this out on their own."

"Are you sure?" Len sounded uncertain.

"Certain," Miku insisted, pretending that she didn't doubt herself. "I may not have known them long, but I believe their feelings are something they need to come to terms with on their own. First with themselves and then with each other. Now we can give advice if asked for it, but I think overall we need to leave Rin and Nero by themselves. Let them figure out their mess."

"I honestly don't know if that is a wise move or a mistake," Len said.

"It's okay, neither do I," Miku shrugged. Changing the subject she began, "So, are you for certain coming to watch me audition for the play Thursday?"

"Of course. Why are you asking?"

"I'm just nervous about how many people are going to be there. Sure, not all of them are for me, but it's still not the most calming experience you can ask for."

"Don't be nervous, Miku," Len told her. "You're amazing."

"In front of friends or when I think I'm by myself," Miku bit her lip.

"If all else fails," Len advised, "find one person in the audience and pretend it's just them you're singing for. That helps me."

Humming, Miku replied, "You know, I might just try that."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

IA looked so angelic in her white mid thigh length skirt and cream sweater. She didn't know how the albino girl did it, but Miku was jealous with how IA could pull anything and everything off. Graceful, punk, innocent, goth - IA looked good no matter what the style. It was enough for Miku to wonder if the girl was a descendant of angles. With her sweet and girly attire that day, it surprised Miku when IA began singing such a psychological song for auditions.

The clock stopped ticking forever ago.

How long have a been up?

I don't know.

I can't get a grip but I can't let go.

There wasn't anything to hold on to, though.

Why can't I see

Why can't I see

All the colors

That you see?

Please can I be

Please can I be

Colorful and free?

What the hell's going on?!

Can someone tell me please-

Why I'm switching faster than the channels on T.V.?

I'm black,

Then I'm white.

NO?!

Something isn't right!

My enemy's invisible.

I don't know how to fight.

The trembling fear

Is more than I can take

When I'm up against

The echo in the mirror.

ECHO.

IA smiled to signal that she was finished. Yukari, Lapis, CUL, and Rin cheered from the small audience, causing IA to smile brighter. Even the boys - Nero, Luki, and Gumo - had seemed to like it. Miku, watching from the sidelines, had to keep from applauding IA's talented voice. Had she been with the rest of her friends Miku would have stood and demanded an encore, but as she was waiting for her turn to try out Miku knew the behavior would have been deemed "inappropriate."

The drama director, Leon, looked IA over with a critical eye as he sat in the front row of the auditorium. "You voice is as beautiful as ever, Miss Utatane," he said in his obviously fake French accent, "but I'm afraid that your opera singing voice is not fit for the role."

Miku noticed how IA's smile faltered somewhat before she replied, "I understand."

Without so much as a word Leon waved his hand as a dismissal. Disappointment decorated IA's face as she trugged to Miku's side. "He's an idiot," Miku whispered to her friend when the albino was close enough. "Your voice is perfect."

"Thanks," IA shyly smiled.

Neru, who was standing on the other side of the stage and had already tried out, snickered at IA's dismissal. So far Neru was the only female try out who Leon was considering for the lead role, and with only a handful of girls left the lemon haired girl was certain the lead was all hers. When Neru noticed that Miku and IA were looking at her, Neru gave them a smug look. The girls replied by smiling and waving, leading Neru to role her eyes.

"Miku Hatsune," Leon called for the next girl to audition.

"Wish me luck," Miku sighed as she walked onto the stage.

"Break a leg," IA called after her as the rest of the girls cheered from the back.

"That's my bestie!" Rin shouted. Miku waved to the blonde, prompting the girl to shout, "I love you!"

"Love you too, Psycho," Miku mumbled before taking her attention off of Rin and onto Leon. His piercing green eyes bore into her soul, or at least that was how Miku felt. She wanted to turn and run, but a certain line of advice kept her feet planted firmly on the floor.

If all else fails, find one person in the audience and pretend it's just them you're singing for.

Miku tried to do just that, but her search was futile. Len was nowhere to be seen, and, even if she would never admit it, he was the only one who made her feel calm. There was something about him that made her feel peaceful, that made her feel as if she was twelve again and standing in the winter wonderland the mountains offered.

Her hand instinctively flew to her collarbone only to find the necklace absent. In times of stress or worry Miku had always wrapped her slim fingers around the half heart, finding comfort in the cool metal. Never had she forgotten Len's eyes, the cerulean orbs that were so warm and inviting that she didn't know how it was possible eyes could shine in such a way. What had made her younger self develop a crush on the boy was how he made her feel not like the alien she had always felt herself to be, but how he made her feel as if she was the most normal yet extraordinary girl ever. As the years passed Miku took comfort in knowing that there had been one person who looked at her and saw something unique, but now that feeling was slowly vanishing.

Loving a memory is easy. Loving what's new isn't. As much as Miku reached for that old comfort of her and Len as kids, it was gone. All she had was now, and now she and Len were struggling to simply be friends. Could she still find reassurance in him? Or had their time finally passed?

"Today, Miss Hatsune," Leon said, irritated in Miku's hesitation. Miku could have sworn she heard Neru chuckle at that.

"Pst!" the sharp hiss came from left stage.

Snapping her head in the direction of the noise, Miku found IA standing next to, of all people, Len. He smiled at her, waved, and mouthed "Knock his socks off."

The result was a wide smile cracking Miku's face as her confidence returned to her. No matter what their relationship may be or will become, the past can never change. Len would always be the boy with the cerulean eyes and inviting smile, and she would always be the girl who was overjoyed to meet the one person who didn't think of her as the new girl. They would always be connected by that day. The two of them would always share that memory. Even if old feelings never reconciled, Miku and Len would always be a part of each other's past.

Clearing her throat, Miku looked out into the small crowd and began singing the first song that popped into her head.

It started with an honest little crush.

Boy, I didn't know what I was in for,

And I didn't think it'd amount to much.

Oh Baby, you left me wanting more.

And I'm repulsed by the way

You keep me hooked on this game.

I don't know what to do. . . .

I'm hypnotized by the way

You always know what to say

I can't live without you. . . .

I can't speak,

I can't breathe,

I'm hanging on by a thread.

I've lost all sensibility,

You've bewitched me,

I'm obsessed.

I can't speak,

I can't think,

I feel I'm losing my head.

Oh you've got me addicted.

"That's my girl!" Rin shouted from the back, resulting in Miku to laugh at her friend's support. The others cheered as well, but the one Miku looked for approval from was not in the audience. Again glancing to her right, Miku found IA giving her a thumbs up while Len smiled at her in astonishment.

Okay heart, take it easy Miku told herself as she felt an extreme pounding in her chest. We're working on friendship right now, no need to screw it up.

"Hmmm," Leon hummed as he sorted out what he was going to say. "Miss Hatsune, your voice is excellent, but" - Oh the dreadful "but" - "I'm afraid I don't know what to think of you having a singing partner. Your voice strikes me as one that won't mix well with others in a smooth way."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!" CUL hissed in Rin's ear.

"I think what Mr. Leon is saying is he's afraid that Miku won't sing well with whoever gets the lead male role," Yukari guessed. "With a voice as high and cute sounding as Miku's she probably wouldn't sound very well with a guy with a deeper voice."

"I'm going up there," Rin said, but Nero sat her back down.

"What do you think you're doing?" Gumo asked, annoyed.

"Trying out for the male lead role," Rin answered, unaware that Gumo was referring to Nero's forcing the girl back into her seat. "Miku spent some time practicing with me. She and I sound good together. Plus I can easily pass for a boy so I don't think anyone would mind my auditioning."

"Don't," Nero advised. "You will cause a scene if you do."

"It will be worth it," Rin huffed but didn't again attempt to run to the stage.

"You do have a voice worthy to star in the play," Leon went on to say, "but unless we can find a suitable singing partner for you-"

"I'll sing with her!" a shout sounded followed by a blond boy walking onto the stage.

"What the- Why is that idiot pulling a Zac Efron?!" Rin exclaimed in a whisper as she started at her twin. "This isn't High School Musical!"

"Appropriate since they're both basketball players," Nero mumbled.

"When did Len ever get back there anyway?" Luki asked, raising an eyebrow. Why didn't he think to hang out backstage in case Miku needed a male singing partner?

"I'm sorry," Leon said as he looked over his notes, "I don't see you on the list."

"I didn't sign up," Len replied, "but I will sing with her if that's what it takes for you to give her a chance."

"Len never did that for me!" Neru growled as she clutched the fabric of her fluffy sweater.

"Maybe because your tongue was always down the poor guy's throat," Mayu snickered, causing SeeU, Mayu's best friend, to giggle. Neru's death glare was enough to shut both girls up. Why she always hung with those two, she didn't know.

As if entirely uninterested in arguing, Leon waved his hand and said, "Go on."

Miku again cleared her throat and began to sing, her sweet voice echoing throughout the room.

Beyond the barbed wire,

Two race to the peak.

They need no words,

Sidelong glances are enough.

Len would be lying if he said he wasn't ticked that Miku began singing without first asking him if he knew the song as well. Luckily he did and knew what parts to sing and when. Even though he was nervous, Len sang with confidence in his voice.

This motivation we give each other

Even if we were close enough to touch

We would never take each other's hand.

We simply acknowledge one another.

"Because no one else can take your place."

Together we run, we know, we envy,

Each pursuing the other.

Side by side we laugh.

What, that's all you got?

"No limits," you said,

But remember how at first

We looked on each other as enemies?

It's funny how honest we can be.

Do you remember?

Oh, I remember.

Those days I walked with you.

"That's enough," Leon raised his hands as a signal for them to stop.

"But we've barely sung together," Miku argued. "We should at least get another chorus in."

"I've heard all I need to hear," Leon said, cutting off all hope of Miku's talking him into giving the teens a little more time.

"Ho ho, this is perfect," Neru crackled.

"Why do you dislike Miku so much?" SeeU asked her.

Screwing up her face, Neru answered, "Miku stole my Lenny away from me. Why do you feel the need to ask?"

"Because he was never really yours to begin with," Mayu murmured under her breath.

"I would like the both of you to take the lead roles," Leon then stated. Rin and the gang had to keep from dropping their jaws, Luki and Gumo exchanged questioning glances, and Neru let out a high pitched "What?!"

Recovering from his shock, Len argued, "But I wasn't trying out! All I did was offer to sing with Miku!"

"That's why I'm offering the roles to the both of you," Leon explained. "Miku sounds great with you. You two mix exceptionally well. Either the both of you accept the roles, together, or you two are dismissed. I will not take one without the other."

"Crud," Len mumbled.

"Len." Said boy looked Miku's way to find her giving him a look that told him he didn't have to accept the role if he didn't want it. She wouldn't hold it against him if he refused, resulting in Miku's losing the part as well.

"I'll take it," Len responded as he ignored the wide stare Miku was giving him.

"Perfect," Leon said. Tossing the sheets of paper over his shoulder he added, "The spots are filled. Everyone can get the heck out of my theater now."


Author's Note: I'm baaaaack! Anyone miss me? :3

Rin: Nobody missed you.

Me: The people who love me missed me.

Rin: What coincidence, nobody loves you either.

Me: . . . Kay, moving on.

Awesome D.T: I like my characters complex. The writing is important and everyone loves a good plot, but it's the characters who make the story. Stories are better when you can connect with the characters, so one thing I try to do is write my characters in a way that some people would want to have them as friends. I mean come on, who doesn't want Rin-Chan as a best friend? I certainly do. :P And Len-Kun and Nero-Kun in a yaoi? You know, I actually see that happening. XD

HatsuneLenka: Aww, thanks! Though I wouldn't say this is the best story ever, but I'm glad you really like it! :3

Songs in order of appearance:

Kran's English translation of Romeo and Cinderella.

When I Arranged For a Call Girl, You Appeared by Hatsune Miku with IA as back up.

Echo by Megpoid Gumi.

Addicted by Hatsune Miku.

Akatsuki Arrival by Hatsune Miku and Megurine Luka.

It wasn't until after I wrote this chapter that I remembered Miku-Sama stating in a previous chapter that Rin-Chan struck her as a "fries before guys" kind of girl. In this chapter Rin-Chan was more concerned about fries than the boys fighting over her. I really love how that turned out. XP

-Ray