SPICE! Chapter 9
"Wh—why are there a bunch of new girls here? And a bunch of GUYS?" Len gasped. It had been a week since the class trip, and the heat of summer was on its way. It was strange to see one student, let alone a mass of students, transfer in this late into the year.
"The new girls are pretty cute if you ask me," Gakupo laughed. "Does it bother you that there are more guys to steal the girls' attention, Len?"
"No. Of course not," Len snapped. "Personally, I'd rather not think of girls right now. Girls make me want to puke."
"If girls are that bad, then you like guys now?" Gakupo asked, smiling.
"NOT GAY," Len said.
"You get dumped for the first time and now you've lost your sense of humor," Gakupo said, shaking his head. "There are many more fish in the sea, Len. You're bound to find a better one."
"How do you know all these things? You probably don't even have a girlfriend," Len said coldly.
"I am the type who prefers not to broadcast their relationships to the whole world," Gakupo said. "And at least my girlfriend can be assured that I will never cheat on her."
"It wasn't cheating!" Len shouted.
"Fine. Have it your way at Burger King.* It was a fling with Hatsune-san. Case closed," Gakupo said.
"I—I was under the influence!" Len exclaimed. "I never meant to do those kind of things!"
"VODKA VODKA!" Gakupo burst out laughing. "Sorry, I just had to say that for some odd reason."
You…are such a dumbass, Len thought, shaking his head.
"You two are HIL-arious," Meiko said. Len hadn't noticed that she was sitting next to them.
"Sakine-san," Len said.
"I'm not mad at you, Kagamine-san. I don't hate you. I've been thinking about it all along, and I've come to realize that we both have our own set of problems to figure out. Maybe one day we can be friends, but until then, we must follow our own path," Meiko said.
"Um, okay then?" Len said, confused.
"You are so dumb! Can't you tell that I'm willing to give you a second chance?" Meiko snapped.
"Sure," Len said, shrugging. He didn't really care either way.
"One cannot love till one has also lost," Gakupo said.
"Where did you get that from?" Len asked.
"Off a greeting card!" Gakupo said cheerfully. "For a friend who suffered through a terrible break-up."
"I don't want it," Len said.
"Darn. I even got out the ice cream and sappy movies," Gakupo said.
"Attention please!" Hanazuki-Sensei called. "Sorry I am late, everyone!"
"Good morning, Sensei," the class said in unison.
"You are all probably wondering why there are so many new students today. The reason is because Sakurai Public High School, where all these students come from, burnt down last night due to a gas explosion. However, the city does not have enough money to rebuild the school, and since Benibara is trying to become co-ed, they will all attend here from now on. Please be kind to them and offer them a warm welcome. For all of you new students, my name is Hanazuki-Sensei, and I will be your homeroom teacher. I welcome you all," Hanazuki-Sensei said. There was a crash by the doorway.
"Oh dear, oh dear! Shion-san! Are you okay?" Hanazuki-Sensei ran over to a young man who was laying on the floor. He had short blue hair and was dressed up in a long-sleeved dress shirt with a black tie and black dress pants, obviously not another student. He appeared to be in his early twenties. The papers he had been carrying had exploded everywhere.
"I'm all right," he said, getting up and scratching his head. "Just a bit clumsy today, I guess. I'm sorry." He started to quickly gather up his papers.
"Everyone, this is our new school counselor. We've never had one in this school before, so this is truly great. Please give him all of your attention," Hanazuki-Sensei said, stepping off to the side.
"Um, hello everyone! Sorry about that. My name is Kaito Shion, and as Hanazuki-Sensei said, I am your new school counselor. I came from Sakurai, but now I'll be working here, so I can't wait to get to know all of you. You can call me Kaito-san, Shion-san, Shion-Sensei, Kaito-Sensei, even K-kun—whatever you prefer to call me. I enjoy being called Kaito myself," Kaito said.
Whatever we prefer to call him…he seems more like a 'Baka-Sensei'* to me—BS! Len thought, laughing.
"I'm twenty years old, so I only graduated from high school a couple of years ago. Since high school is still fresh in my mind, I can understand all of the problems you may be going through. Whether it's peer-pressure, grades, family issues, relationships, friendships, orientation, substance abuse, bullying, violence, anything—I know it all. A school counselor is always here for you to talk to about any problems, and anything you tell me is purely confidential. I will NEVER tell any of the other staff, the authorities, your parents, friends, or other family, or any of my friends or relatives—I am sworn to secrecy. You can set up an appointment with me any time, or even if you see me in the halls you can ask me about things. My office is in Room 14, in the club room building. You can swing by any time you like." Kaito said.
Ugh, like I'd want to tell HIM about my problems? School counselor…just seems like a creepy kind of therapist. And therapist is THE and RAPIST together, Len thought. All the girls are staring at him with hearts in their eyes. How disgusting! He burst out laughing.
"Since you seem so keen on the idea, how about you come up here and be my example?" Kaito asked, smiling.
"No, it's quite all right. I just thought of something funny is all," Len said, shaking his head.
"I insist. Come on up. What is your name?" Kaito asked.
"Um, Kagamine Len," Len said, coming up to the front.
"Nice to meet you, Len-kun," Kaito said. "You look like you have a lot of problems. I can tell by your eyes."
"I don't have any problems," Len lied.
"Of course Len has no problems! Len is perfect!" Rin blurted. Once she realized what she said, she covered her face.
"You have relationship problems. You're trying to decide between many girls, but there are three main ones that stand out in your mind. Two are in this class, and the other is a bit older than you. You feel like you've become a worse person, and only want to be honest to your heart," Kaito said. "How about that for a story?" The class giggled.
Len felt as if someone had shot him in the back with an arrow. He could feel himself turning red. Kaito had everything exactly right…well, maybe.
"Len-kun, the only advice I can give you is that the one girl that you feel the most strongly about is probably the best choice. The girl that has your best interests in mind and you feel good being around her. Maybe the best-friend-type? Be careful having a love four-square, for you may end up getting entangled too far in to go back. If you don't make a decision soon, you'll continue to hurt the one that you love," Kaito said.
"That's deep stuff," Len said. "Um, thank you, I guess?"
"I'm always here if you need to talk. I'm always here if you need me, Len," Kaito said.
Len took a step back. Therapist, he thought.
"All right, so that's how a typical meeting goes. You can take a seat now, Len-kun," Kaito said. "So, if you're interested, just put your name and class number in this box. Some of you I'll get today and some tomorrow. Thank you very much!"
Oh my god, Len thought. Kaito is psychic or something. I know he meant Miku and Meiko, but who is the other girl in this class? Len pondered this question as Rin walked up and placed a tiny piece of paper inside the box.
Rin took a deep breath. Her hands shaking, she touched the cold, silver doorknob.
I put my name in the box and he called me in, she thought. But I'm so scared. Now is my only chance to turn back. It's a really important matter, but…should I go or not?
"It'll all be okay, Rin," she said to herself. "I'm sure it'll be quick. And Kaito-Sensei is nice. He won't judge me." Just as she was about to turn the doorknob—
"Hi, Rin-chan! It's a surprise to see you here," Len greeted.
"Oh my god!" Rin shrieked, yanking her hand from the doorknob as if it had burned her. She jumped, landing in Len's arms.
"I—I'm sorry!" she gasped. "It's—it's you! Len-kun!"
"I'm sorry I scared you," Len said. "Are you here to talk to…um, Kaito?"
"No, no, not at all! Nothing of the sort! Wait—this is the counseling office? I was heading to the literary club room next door! I wasn't paying attention! I'm a bit off today, I guess!" Rin exclaimed, waving her hands in the air.
"Oh, so that's it," Len said. "Yeah…that Kaito is a bit creepy in my opinion. You should be careful, Rin-chan."
"Of course," Rin said, flustered. "Not that'd I'd ever tell HIM anything, you know. No siree! Um, I'll be on my way, then!" She ran into the room next door.
"Hey, there! Are you here to join the computer club?" A very tall, nerdy-looking boy with giant, thick glasses and acne smiled at Rin. "A babe that's fascinated with computers? God must have answered my prayers! What's your name? Are you a first-year?" He started to walk towards her.
"Ack, no!" Rin gasped. She stood frozen in horror.
"You're as red as a tomato! You must be into me! Not to toot my own horn since God has endowed me with the most amazing pheromones, but—beep-a-beep-a-beep-beep-beep!" the boy said, then whispered, "You know, the other members won't be getting here for another ten minutes or so. No one can hear anything through these thick walls. We can close the door and windows, shut off the lights, and get it on like Donkey Kong."
"You are a sicko! You'll never get a date looking like a rotten pizza and talking like some 38-year-old man who watches child pornography in his mom's basement!" Rin screamed, running out of the room and slamming the door behind her.
"Darn it, foiled again! I thought those tips from Hot Pick-Up Lines 101 would work," the boy sighed. "She's a cold-hearted woman, but I'm sure she's just playing hard-to-get. Maybe a different approach…"
Ew, ew, ew! I feel like I need to go barf, Rin thought. Len-kun is nowhere to be seen…that's good. I can go visit Kaito-Sensei safely now. She went over and opened the next door.
"Oh, Rin-chan! I've been waiting for you. Have a seat," Kaito said.
"Hi, Kaito-Sensei," Rin said.
"Just call me Kaito. I insist," Kaito said.
"Um, okay…" Rin took a seat in a red beanbag across from Kaito's desk.
"I thought you looked familiar. I believe we bumped into each other the last time I was here," Kaito said. (See the end of Chapter 5!)
"Oh yeah, I remember," Rin said, blushing. "I'm sorry about that."
"It's all right. I'm still alive, right?" Kaito said, laughing. "Would you like some tea? Coffee? Juice? Biscuits?"
"I'm fine," Rin said.
"I saw on your note you wrote 'urgent matter', so I decided I'd meet up with you first," Kaito said. "I heard you live alone. Is it perhaps financial troubles? Safety? Schoolwork? Your parents' tragic deaths causing you grief? You're a very strong girl, making a living for yourself at such a young age."
"Things at home are fine," Rin said. "It's just…it's kind of a…relationship trouble…"
"You fancy Len-kun, yes?" Kaito asked. "But both of you are related. You and him, both your last names are Kagamine?"
"Yes. We're not really related though," Rin said.
"I see. So…what is it you wanted to talk about?" Kaito asked.
"I—I've liked Len-kun for a really long time. My first kiss was with him. It was his first time as well. But, he just doesn't seem to view me as a love interest. He treats me more like a sister or a best friend," Rin said.
"Len-kun is a complicated fellow," Kaito said. "He already has a girlfriend?"
"I'm not really sure. He's been seeing different girls…he's gone at night a lot…you don't think…" Rin was shaking her head.
"In this day and age, I wouldn't be surprised. All of the girls love him. He can make them do anything for him," Kaito said.
"But—but that's not the type of person Len-kun is! The types of girls he goes out with are very controlling. They persuade him to do things that are often bad," Rin said. "Len-kun is really nice, and he doesn't believe in hurting others. He's really a sensitive person. I know the true Len-kun. I've known him all my life, so please do not judge him harshly!" Rin's eyes started to fill up with tears.
"I—I just want to be his girlfriend. I want to be with him forever. It makes me jealous and upset when he's with other girls. I'm right in front of him, but he never notices me," Rin sobbed. "Will he continue ignoring me for the rest of our lives? Every time he talks to, even LOOKS at another girl, I feel like I'm being stabbed in the heart. I feel like I'm dying inside…"
"There, there," Kaito said, handing her a box of tissues.
"S—sorry for l—losing my composure," Rin said, wiping her eyes.
"It's all right. As a counselor, I'm only here to listen," Kaito said, smiling. He handed her a piece of paper.
"GirlTalk Magazine? I—I don't read this," Rin said.
"It's called 'Kiss Him or Ditch Him.' It's a pretty good article. Choose a description that you think best fits Len-kun," Kaito said.
"Um, okay," Rin said. The types listed out were The Quiet, The Sensitive, The Pervert, The Control Freak, The Loudmouth, The Gross, The Full-of-Himself, The Distant, and The Player. The Player was the one that caught Rin's eye.
"The Player: This boy is popular with the ladies, and by popular, we mean he has enough girlfriends for every day of the week. You're, um, Tuesday. Although you may like him, his attention is aimed towards other girls. It may not be because he's obsessed with girls; he may have some of his own personal conflicts and cannot think straight. He's not a reliable guy, and you deserve better. He will only end up breaking your heart. Ditch-o-meter Rating: Five out of five," Rin said.
"It's interesting you chose that one," Kaito said, nodding.
"I—I don't want to ditch Len-kun," Rin said, handing the article back. "It's impossible. I just—I love him so much, it's impossible to ever love another." She looked at the clock. It was already 4:30pm.
"I—I have to be at work by 5:30," Rin said.
"I'll let you go, Rin-chan. Perhaps you'd like to set up another meeting?" Kaito asked.
"That would be nice," Rin said. "Could we do it maybe tomorrow morning during homeroom? I could stay here longer—not that I mean anything by that, of course!"
"Anytime is fine," Kaito said. "See you later, Rin-chan. Thank you for coming!"
"Thank you, Kaito," Rin said as she walked out the door. She suddenly felt really warm, and her face was turning redder by the second.
I—it can't be, Rin thought frantically. Kaito is older than me, and he's a school counselor at that. It's impossible. It will never work. It—what am I thinking? I'm in love with LEN-KUN! But…I think I may be falling in love with Kaito!
Rin heard a door open. "You came back for me! I knew you couldn't leave me alone!" It was the computer club guy!
Rin fled. "I—I'm in love with Len Kagamine!" she screamed. She slammed into something, falling down.
"Whoa, Rin-chan…"
"I—I'm so sorry!" Rin gasped. She was right on top of Len.
"I never knew you were so…forward!" Len said, surprised.
"D—doing it right inside the school!" the computer club guy shouted, shocked. "I—I concede! I'll never be able to compete!" He ran back into the computer club room, sobbing.
"What's going on—Rin-chan?" Kaito burst out from his office. "And…Len-kun?"
"It's—it's not what it looks like," Rin sighed.
"Good job!~" Kaito said, winking. "But I recommend you two go home first. And remember to use protection. Have fun!"
Len's mouth hung wide open. "What kind of counselor are you?"
"My only job is to encourage my students," Kaito said, going back into his office.
"Ugh. I—I'm sorry, Len-kun," Rin said, jumping to her feet. "I feel terrible."
"That guy is twisted," Len sighed, shaking his head. "Besides, we only love each other like family, right? We look out for each other. That's how we'll always be. I'm going to go take care of that mental computer club guy that was bothering you."
"Th—thanks," Rin said.
"I'll see you at work, okay?" Len said, waving. Rin watched him walk away.
'That's how we'll always be,' he said. Like family… Rin thought, crestfallen. He'll never think of me in that way. Maybe I should just give up…it's the only choice that's left.
Rin stood silently in the empty hallway, tears streaming down her face.
~CHAPTER 9 – END~
© 2010 Ikuto-sama