Disclaimer: I don't own Vocaloid or any incorporated quotes in any way, shape of form.

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"Sir, I've completed tonight's job."

Like usual, he doesn't look up at me. After all, I am not that important. I know this. He knows this. I am merely a pawn for him to use, something that is useful but can still be thrown away at any time. No that's a lie. I am something lower than that, aren't I? Because if you think about it, even pawns have choices. What choices do I hold? (None.) But it's fine. This life is all I have, my fate unbreakable. I will never break free and that is my unchangeable truth.

Calmly, he asks, "Did you run into any trouble?"

"No Sir. None at all."

Still engrossed in whatever he is doing, Sir doesn't bother to look up at me. The most he does is nod his head in approval.

"Very good Miku. That's my girl." Like usual, he throws a small pile of money in my direction. The small wad lands in my hands and without a thought, I stuff the wad into my pocket.

Obediently, I wait for his words of dismissal...but they never come. Seconds tick by on the old clock above the door. The sound resonates in the room, echoing in the small space.

Tik. Tok. Tik. Tok. Tik. Tok. Tik. Tok. Tik. Tok. Tik. Tok. Tik. Tok. Tik. Tok. Tik. Tok. Tik. Tok. Tik. Tok. Tik. Tok. Tik. Tok. Tik. Tok. Tik. Tok. Tik.

This is odd. Really odd indeed. Usually, Sir dismisses me as soon as he is done talking to me. On most nights, he sees me as nothing more than a waste of space in the small room he calls his office. So why is he delaying today? I wish to question this but years of experience have taught me to keep my questions to an absolute minimum. Finally, for what seems like hours, he looks up at me.

His steely gray eyes meet mine and an uncomfortable shiver travels up my spine. The scar on his face seems to be squirming with the slightest of movements and a sickening sensation wraps around my bod, tightening its hold on me by the millisecond. It's getting hard to breathe. But even with his eyes on mine, I stay strong. My gaze meets his head on and I control the tremor that threatens to rock my body.

Softly, slowly, cautiously, I ask, "Is something the matter Sir?"

He regards me silently before speaking. In a cryptic voice, he replies, "I don't know Miku. Is something the matter?"

Neutrally, I answer, "Not that I know of Sir."

"Are you sure? Nothing's changed?"

Confusion tinges my voice. "In my life? No. Nothing has changed."

This time, a sliver of irritation marks his tone. "Miku. Are you lying? Are you holding something back from me? You do realize that it'd be pointless to hide anything from me, don't you?"

Now I really am confused. "But Sir….I'm not lying. Nothing has changed in my life. Why would anything ever change?"

"Yes. Why? Why would something change? Tell me Miku."

"I...I don't know..."

An uncomfortable silence settles between us as Sir continues to regard me. His eyes slowly crawl up and down my body, trying to gauge my body language before settling his eyes on my eyes once again. It's as if he's trying to find my secrets hidden deep within. But I don't understand. He knows my secrets. He knows what I fear, what I despise, what I hide from the rest of the world. So why bother? It's not as if he will find anything new. And even if there was, I doubt he'd find them. Only *** holds that power. Wait. Who?

Satisfied for the moment, he barks out, "Leave."

He doesn't have to tell me twice.

"One night, Zhuang Zhou dreamt he was a butterfly. He was a happily fluttering butterfly. It was so much fun. He could fly wherever he wanted. And he had no thought of being Zhou, but suddenly he woke up, and was startled to find that he was now Zhou. He couldn't decide: Was he Zhou who'd dreamt he was a butterfly or a butterfly now dreaming he was Zhou?"

Am I awake? Or am I still asleep? Is this reality or a delusion? It's getting harder and harder to tell. But I don't mind. No, I don't mind a single bit. In this space between delusion and reality, the world sparkles and glows. In this space between truths and lies, the beauty of the world kisses my cheeks and showers me with love and happiness. Why would I ever want to leave?

Dressed in my usual grey dress, I skip over to my closet, my twin tails happily swinging along. Reaching into my closet, I pull out my shoes and reach for my lighter cloak, one more suitable for the warming weather. And as I do, I catch sight of my work cloak, hidden in the deepest corner of the closet. I reach out and finger the inky black material, rubbing it slowly between my fingers. I wonder. When was the last time I've worn this? How long has it been since Sir has called me? Have I done any jobs at all recently?

For some reason, I can't remember. I try to search my mind, the hidden depths of my memories. I know the answer is there. I know it is because it has to be. Where else would it be? But somehow, the answer manages to continuously evade my fingertips, dancing further and further away with each passing day. Maybe this is a sign. Maybe I should stop reaching. Maybe some truths aren't meant to be remembered.

I turn around to check if it's still there. Yes. It still is.

There, next to my growing collection of stolen goods lies a fresh wad of money, crisp and bound. Evidence. Pure evidence. It was not there last night and yet, here it is today, sitting among my goods as if it naturally belongs there. Such an odd phenomenon has happened yesterday and the day before that and days before that. Every morning, I grab the waiting money to spend on my daily necessities and maybe a snack for Len. And every next day, a fresh pile reappears, ready to be used once again. I have been working recently. That much is clear. But why don't I remember?

Ah. But does it even matter? Does it matter whether I remember how I've obtained my money night after night?

No. It does not. It doesn't matter at all. How I've obtained my money hasn't changed in the past eight years. Why would it change now? It's not like I'm suited for anything else...

Enough of this! Why search for something that wishes to stay concealed? I know. Certain truths should just stay hidden from sight. I hear they're easier to handle that way.

Snatching the money from the table, I slip the bound bills into my dress pocket and head over to the door. It's almost time to meet Len.

Ever since Len met Kaito, the friendship between Kaito and I has been slightly awkward. Our interactions aren't as carefree as before and our jokes have run dry. Not only that but Kaito always seems to be watching me and Len when he arrives. His eyes always seem to be on my back and even now it makes me uncomfortable.

Ever since that day, I've been trying to identify that unrecognizable look in his eyes. I feel like I'm close to the answer but I'm just not there yet. I know now that there is jealousy marking those blue eyes along with worry and contempt. But there's something else in them. Something important. Is it curiosity? Is it desolation? Is it longing? Maybe it is long...but a longing for what? Maybe I'll figure it out tomorrow.

I readjust my focus to the gorgeous boy sitting in front of me. With his head in one hand, he looks out lazily into the crowd, probably picking out potential victims. The fine strands of his hair shine with the odd ray of sunlight peeking through and I want to do nothing more than to run my fingers through that deliciously soft hair, to kiss the fine strands. But I hold back. It's too early for such actions.

My eye trails down to his free hand. Today, a single finger taps on our wooden table. It's a beat that sounds familiar and recent. "Hey Len?"

At the sound of my voice, his finger stops. Turning towards me, a content smile grows, sitting lazily on his face. "What is it Miku?"

"What your finger was tapping out…why does it sound familiar?"

For a moment, Len appears to be confused, as if he doesn't know what I'm talking about. He stares at his finger, as if it holds all the answers. And maybe it does because after a moment, he replies, "Oh. It's a song that I've heard floating around recently. It's been strangely popular recently. I don't know the name of it but…."

"Yes! That's why the beat seemed so familiar. I believe that I've heard it recently as well. It's such a pretty song, no?"

"Yeah…it sure is…." Suddenly, Len's eyes light up. They seem excited. Excited for what? "Hey, Miku, why don't you sing it for me? I'd love to hear you sing again…."

The food traveling down my throat lodges in place and I choke out in surprise. "You want me to what?"

Eagerly, he replies, "Sing. I would like you to sing for me. You have such a beautiful voice….please? Sing the song for me?"

He stares me down, and as he does, he widens his eyes, allowing them to waver with emotion. The effect allows him to resemble a small begging animal, something that I've always found hard to resist.

Turning my eyes away from his, I say, "Not here. I don't want to attract attention."

Those beautiful blue orbs shine even brighter with childlike joy and excitedly, he says, "That's no problem at all! Why would I want to share you with everyone else anyways? I actually know just the place. I've found it the other day and I've been meaning to show it to you. We can go after you finish eating!"

With a final bite, I tell him, "You do know I still have to go shopping, right?"

"Oh come on Miku! Pleeeeeaaaaassssseeee? Just for a little while? We can always go shopping later." I feel the full intensity of his eyes on my skin. I know what I need to do but it seems that even I can't resist those poisonous eyes.

With a sigh, I give in. "Very well. But only that song and only for a little while. Yes?"

Len's not even in his chair anymore. He's already cleared away my remains and he stands impatiently by my side, hand held out.

Shaking my head, I reach out and grab onto the waiting hand. This side of Len is cute too.

With expert ease, Len navigates us out of the market place and towards the southern end of the west blok. Together, we pass smaller market areas and various residential areas. It's a busy day and there are many people moving about. The streets are packed with shoppers, those on errands/deliveries or simply children running about. But Len moves away from the crowds, leading us deep into the residential area and somewhere further still. Before I know it, we are climbing a steel hill. The climb forces a slight burden on my legs but it's nothing I can't handle. I've faced tougher climbs.

Five minutes later, we are at the top, slightly out of breath. Looking up to the pure blue sky, I stretch out my arms and greet the sun, it's rays warming my face. What a beautiful day. From beside me, Len laughs at my actions. With a sideways glance, he says, "You're looking in the wrong direction Miku….."

Rolling my eyes at him, I turn my head so that I am looking straight ahead of me. And what I see causes a small gasp to escape my lips. We are on a field of some sort. It's an open piece of land without a single tree in sight. But instead of green grass, all I can see is a huge expanse of white puffer flowers; it's a field of wishes and innocence.

A voice filled with awe speaks. "I've – I've never seen so many in one place."

"Yeah." Len's voice has a nogalistic tone to it and for a moment, he becomes a different Len, one I didn't know, one that has been once abandoned. "You know, me, my sister and my mom used to wish on these. We all would go on walks together and every time my sister and I found one, we'd fight over who'd get to make the wish….."

"Heh. I never had that problem. Since I'm an only child, I've always had the wishing rights."

Len raises an eyebrow at me. "What, are you rubbing it in or something?"

Rocking back and forth on my heels, I tell him with a teasing smile, "Mayyyyybee…"

For one moment, he just frowns at me. Then in the next, he dashes out, leaping out into the air only to land and disappear within the sea of puffer flowers. With his landing, thousands of flurries burst and kiss the air. In bunches, they waft about, dancing, flying and twirling with the air. Seconds later, Len snaps up like a whip. Flurries are nestled into his hair, his eyelashes, his eyebrows, his clothes. Now he really does look like some sort of small and fuzzy animal.

Overjoyed, he looks at me and exclaims, "Miku! Did you just see that?!"

Giggling at him, I tell him, "Yes Len. I saw."

A mischievous glint twinkles in his eyes. "You try it too."

Smiling, I shake my head no. "Sorry. But the last time I checked, the ground is hard and unforgiving." Much like the world. "So thanks, but no thanks. I think I'll just stay here…."

Len eyes rest on mine for a moment. I wonder. Will he unlock the door to my secrets once again? What will he learn this time?

Unexpectedly, he flops back into the earth, arms and legs splayed out. With slow whimsical movements, he waves his arms and legs back and forth, back and forth. From his actions, more flurries fly up into the air and with the wind they fan out, filling the air with their presence. With an airy voice, Len says, "Miku. You should try this. From the here, the world looks white and beautiful. From here, it's easy to pretend that the world isn't as fucked-up as it actually is." He turns his head to the side. And even amidst the grass and bald flowers, his sapphire eyes shine and meet up with mine. "Hey Miku. Won't you make a wish with me?"

With those words, a shiver runs through me. And before I can regret it, I run out and leap into the air. In those seconds that I am air born, I am free. There is only me, the endless blue sky and innocence. Nothing can hurt me. Nothing can cause me pain. For the shortest of seconds, I am finally, impossibly, free.

When my body crashes into the ground, there is that smallest sense of loss. And it's funny – how can you miss something that you never really had? It makes absolutely no sense at all. And yet, somehow, it does. I finally understand. This is what it feels like to grasp for something and to have it slip through your fingers, unattained. This is what it feels like to hope, to dream. Wow. They're such bittersweet emotions, aren't they? I never knew.

But as the sky fills with dancing flurries, I can't help but smile. How beautiful. How glorious! It seems that even I, this wretched sinner, is capable of more than just tainting the world. It seems that even a person like I can give back just the smallest bits of innocence. Once again, he is right. Surrounded in a world of innocence and wishes, the world does seem oddly beautiful. From here, under a sky of flurries, the world doesn't seem so hard and unforgiving.

My, what a strange place we live in, this ugly yet beautiful world.

From beside me, Len speaks softly, as if afraid to ruin this fragile wonder we've found ourselves in. "Miku, sing. Grace me with the sound of your voice. Purify this world with the voice of an angel."

He speaks as if I am something pure and holy. Doesn't he know that I am anything but pure and holy? Doesn't he know that I am the monster that continuously taints and corrupts this that world that we live in? But for once, I don't question his wording, the truth that just may be a lie. For once, for the first time, in a long time, I simply open my mouth and let my voice soar.

The sound resounds through this field of wishes, traveling with the wind, the flurries. As I sing, Len's hand reaches out and grasps my hand tightly in his. Together, we look up at a sky filled with innocence.

Free. My voice is free. Freedom - this is what it feels like, even with my feet on the ground. In the field where only my song can be heard, it all seems possible. With Len's hand in mine, it all seems attainable. Together, side by side, I fall deeper into the dream. I'm drowning in this love, aren't I? Oh, what a wonderful sensation it is.

When the song ends, we are quiet for a long time. We simply lay there in the field for who knows how long, soaking in the sun and watching the puffer flowers sway and burst with each passing breeze.

Then unexpectedly, Len rolls over me, wrapping me in his strong arms and continues to roll until it is I lies on top of him. He doesn't say a thing. He runs a hand slowly through one of my twin tails, bringing the end towards his lips. With cool eyes, he kisses the tip of my hair and an electric current runs through me. The air between us goes still. With his free hand, he reaches over and grabs a pair of intact puffer flowers, one for me, one for him. A voice faintly asks, "Make a wish with me?" Nodding, I take the flower meant for me and together we wish with the innocence that still resides in our hearts.

I wish for this dream to last forever.

As I wish, I watch Len's lips purse and blow. His breath tickles my face and the flurries scatter between us. In that maze of white, I reach out a single fingertip. Laying it delicately on Len's lips, I run it lightly over the surface, his eyes locked on mine. Effortlessly, he rolls over so that he is on top. His form blocks the sun. But it's ok. He is the only sun I need. His hand caresses my cheek, a fingertip brushes my eyelashes. Close. He's so close. But he's not close enough. Tilting my head up, my lips meet his, melting in and becoming one. His breath is my breath. I don't need anything else to live, not in this world. My legs lift and wrap around his waist, pulling him to me closer still. My hands reach up and my fingers dig deep into his hair, kissing the deliciously soft strands. My greedy digits cry out in joy at the touch.

Yes. Here in this space of temporary love and stolen kisses is where I wish to be. There is no other place better than this.