Chapter 9: Mama and Papa
Nee everyone! Well, I`m finally back from my holiday and I`ve immediately started writing so you have a chapter to read! I`ve come back brimming with ideas for my current two Vocaloid stories and others that I plan on doing sometime in the future.
Recap (I love doing these!): Miku-chan went to the diner to fulfil her shift that she promised Cook (when she went out with Luka) and was met with a surprise. She was invited out with the Kagamine twins and a little blast from the past happened. And…there was a kiss!
Reviews:
Shrimpy-chan: Yeah, I`ve decided to call you Shrimpy-chan if that`s ok. It gives me cavities too when I write it! I like to write sweet stuff. Oh, I will definitely keep Rinny in that character. We can tell who the shy one out of Rinny and LenLen is. Thanks for your review!
Arisugawa I'maGhoul Alice: I`m so glad you liked the last chapter! It makes me very happy to know that people are actually reading and liking my work. Thanks a lot! My other fanfic is called So This Is Love?. Yeah, Meiko`s a bitch in that one too! You`ve actually put a suggestion in my head there Alice-chan. I might consider KaitoxGumi in this one. Here`s your update. Thanks for your review!
Rolling-chan: I can definitely promise you some funny and classic Rin-chan scenes. She`s technically 'threw' herself into the story so she`ll just be there now. I was originally planning to put her in anyway. I picture her as a friendly, kind, warm and sweet character as well as confident and a bit bossy. Yes, I want to build on all their friendships. Luka and Len, I want to do something with that, and obviously Rinny hasn`t met Luka-chan yet. I had a good holiday, thanks. Thanks also for your review!
Awesome-chan: I would never let poor Rinny be ignored! Len is a cutie pie isn`t he? I plan for him to be even sweeter! That`s a good tip for Miku, thanks Awesome-chan. *taps nose* Don`t spoil the story for yourself Awesome-chan! I had fun on my holiday, thanks. Thanks also for your review!
And now with nothing else really to say, I present Chapter Nine of Our Paths Are Crossing (OPAC). Enjoy and R&R!
…
The ice cream tasted amazing. It was so nice to have a little treat, and the ice cream melted on my tongue delightfully as I walked along beside Rin. She was licking her ice cream with extreme gusto, clearly having a sweet teeth. She had picked orange sherbet while I had been plain and picked vanilla, the simplest flavor in the world.
I glanced behind me occasionally as I walked, looking at Len. He was walking a few steps behind us, his head bent and looking at the ground. He was only taking occasional licks of his banana cone and wasn`t saying a word. We hadn`t spoken since he had kissed me on the forehead.
Did that still count as a kiss? What if it did?! Why did he even do it? Who would ever want to kiss me…?
"So Miku-chan, what`re you gonna do now?" Rin suddenly asked cheerily, breaking me away from my thoughts. I looked up at her,
"Um… I don`t know. What do you mean?"
"I mean like, what are you doing tonight?" Rin replied, smiling. She had finished her cone now. I found it impressive how she could eat or drink something so quick when it had oranges in it. Was it some sort of skill? Or was her love for oranges that strong?
"Um…" I was stuck for an answer. What was I going to do? There was dinner to think of and basic entertainment for the night. My room was still a mess and I still felt ashamed of what I had done earlier. Papa would probably be out and wouldn`t come back until later, either early in the morning or even later than that.
I could feel Len pick his head up as I struggled for an answer to give Rin and he came around so that he was beside me. He smiled,
"Yeah Miku-chan, do you have any plans?" I was curious to why he was asking. Was he planning something himself?
"Um, no. I never really have plans…" I spoke the last part in a whisper. Len and Rin exchanged glances then Rin smiled cheerfully,
"You should come back to our house!"
I stared at her. I probably looked very rude and ungrateful, especially after all the twins had done for me today- buying my meal and my ice cream and keeping me company. I thought about it. Were the twins actually saying they would welcome me into their home as if it were nothing? But, Rin hardly knew me and Len… I didn`t even know.
"So, you want to come?" Len asked, sapphire eyes sparkling. He looked as if he really wanted me to come, but wouldn`t mind if I didn`t.
"Uh…"
"It`s ok if you don`t! It was just an offer. I mean, you and Rin could get to know each other a bit better and I could tend to your bruise and you could stay for dinner… I would like it if you came…" Len blushed at the last part and turned away sheepishly. I found myself blushing too. Rin grinned at us both,
"Lovebirds," She mumbled, loud enough for us to hear but not meaning it in an offensive way at all. Len took no notice even if he did hear her. I badly wanted to go now but then I remembered what had happened the last time I had went out with a friend. It ended in disaster. Though I still had my earnings from the diner as Len refused to let me spend any of it; he was really caring and understandable.
But Papa hadn`t been raged about the times; no it was only the money. And I still had it all…
I turned to the twins who were waiting for my reply. Len was turned towards me again and Rin was still grinning kindly. I put a smile on my face,
"If that`s ok…" Rin cheered and embraced me tightly,
"Yay! Miku-chan`s coming home!" I couldn`t help but laugh and smile at her. She was so cute! Though she was very strong and her hugs were deadly tight!
"Rin, she can`t breathe! Let her go!" Len cried, smiling but a bit of concern was on his face. Rin let me go,
"Ok ok," She looked at Len, "What`s up?" Len shook his head, not replying, and then smiled at me,
"Great!" But when Rin bounded ahead, he pulled me back, gently,
"Are you sure?" He asked, concern in his voice. He was thinking about the same thing as me: Papa. I nodded nervously,
"I-I think so…" I didn`t know what else to say. It appeared that Len was worried for me and didn`t want Papa to hurt me anymore. But Papa wouldn`t, would he? It was just the money he wanted after all.
Len grasped my hand and we followed Rin. We all were silent for the walk, Rin occasionally humming a sweet tune to fill a few gaps in the awkward silence. Len still held my hand, gently but firm, but was looking away. I could see a tiny bit of red/pink on his cheeks and I was confused. He was blushing?
I kept my eyes forward, at Rin. A few moments later, I felt Len`s hand squeeze my hand tighter. I turned to look at him but he was still looking away. Was he ok? It seemed like something was wrong, but I didn`t want to ask. After all, it wasn`t my place to ask in the first place.
Rin skipped on ahead, still humming, her short blonde hair flapping in the wind. The bow in her hair flapped too, going in all directions. I couldn`t help but smile. She turned round and shot me a dazzling smile, the sunset reflecting in her sapphire eyes. Words couldn`t describe her at all. She was different, so different from anyone I`d ever met before. She was even different from her twin brother Len. She winked at me, glancing at mine and Len`s joined hands. I blushed.
We all walked up the pavement, making our way toward the twins' house. We passed the diner, and my house. My stomach tightened and my heart thumped as I couldn`t help peering in the window as we passed. There was no sign of Papa. Len caught my gaze,
"You ok?" He asked. I nodded, looking away and still following Rin. Len didn`t seem too sure on my answer, but didn`t pursue the issue.
We walked past my street then headed up Len`s street. Memories of what had happened that early morning here filled my mind and I smiled a little. The guitar, the talking, agreeing to let Len help… They were all good memories.
But I had cried in front of him, and Rin in the diner. I was such a weakling. They had both witnessed me crying and being weak on such a short notice. Why couldn`t I be strong? Why couldn`t I be normal? Again with the worthless, rhetorical questions! I shuffled along the pavement then stopped when Rin cheered,
"We`re here!"
I looked up, marvelling at how nice the house looked in daylight, well, what was left of it anyway. It was a terraced house, the bricks fixed into a cool pattern. The front door was painted a lovely shade of yellow; with potted plants on each side of the door mat. I found yellow to be a strange color for a door, but who was I to judge? Mine's was sludge brown due to moss and mud and a tiny bit of blood from when Papa fought in the tavern and didn`t have the decency to open the door. Rin bounded up to the door and opened it,
"Mum, we're home!"
"And we have a friend with us!" Len added, smiling at me. He pronounced the word 'friend' beautifully, letting the word slip out appearing naturally. Rin disappeared into the house, her bow flapping out behind her. I waited awkwardly at the side. I suddenly felt a hand wrap around my wrist, gently. I looked up and Len blinked,
"Are you not coming?" I nodded,
"D-Don't you want to check with your mother first to see if it's ok? I`m a stranger to her, and I don't want to come into her home uninvited…"
"You have been invited! And it's our home too! So c'mon!"
Len led me into the house, a smile still on his face. I gritted my teeth, still worried that the twins' mother wouldn't want me in her home. I took small, careful steps, keeping to myself, though Len`s hand was still wrapped around my wrist. I felt safe with him…
I wondered when the help would start. What was he planning to do? God, had he discussed this with his mother at some point?! Was that why the twins invited me home?! Oh no!
"Mum!" Len said, looking around. I followed after him, seeming like a lost pup. I had always wanted a puppy or a kitten since I was small. I had immediately fallen in love with them when I was five when Mama and I went on a shopping trip. I had asked for a pet, and Mama had said she'd think about it. I knew she was never going to get me one.
She had said that same day that there used to be a pet cat at one of her children's homes. It wasn't a very nice creature apparently and used to scratch her when she tried to pet her. Mama hated animals, and so did Papa. I wondered if Len had a pet…
Len suddenly stopped and I stopped too, sensing something was wrong. But nothing was. Len then let go of my wrist and stepped to the side, making room for a tall female blonde to enter. She had short blonde hair like Rin's, but without a bow, and had sapphire eyes just like the twins. She was wearing a long yellow dress that trailed on the ground that had orange and black swirly patterns on it. She looked so beautiful…
"Hello," She spoke with a very gentle tone, "What's your name?"
I looked at the ground, staring uneasily at my plain shoes, "Miku," I mumbled. It was a horrible first impression. I didn't want her to think I wasn't wanting to meet her and that I was so shy I could barely mutter my own name.
But she just smiled cheerfully, "That's a nice name!" I looked up, surprised,
"T-Thank you Ma'am," I stuttered. No one had ever complimented me or my name before. I had always thought there were prettier names in the world, and so had everyone else. Apparently when Mama gave birth, I had meant to be named Mayu, but the nurse mixed up the name tags. So some lucky girl out there was named Mayu, while I was stuck with the name Miku. I often thought about it, wondering what my life would've been like as Mayu Hatsune. Would it have been better? Had it been my fault in the first place for receiving the wrong name?
Mama was outraged when she found out the names had been switched. She had wanted to change it immediately, and I now understood why. It was on that night when I had heard her ranting about every horrible thing in the world and she had mentioned me, which I had learned about my real name and the story that went with it.
There was a very nice girl at Mama's high school when Mama was alive and younger. Her name was Mayu too and she was very popular among girls, boys and little children. She had a bubbly personality, blonde hair and blue eyes. It was eyes like those that helped others gain confidence. Like Len's…
When I was born, Mama decided I was to be named Mayu Hatsune. She blamed the nurse, Papa and in a way, me. Miku…
"Oh please! No need to be so formal! Call me Clarissa," I was shocked. Call an adult by their first name? I had never done that. Papa would kill me, and so would Mama, beyond the grave.
"A-Are you sure?" I asked. Clarissa nodded happily,
"Very sure. Have you never called an adult by their first name before?" I shook my head in reply to her and she smiled, nodding at Len,
"You could learn from this girl. So well brought up!" I turned my head to the side. If only she knew the true meaning behind it… Though had Len told her everything already?
Len crossed his arms, rolling his eyes, "Yeah, ok Mum. Where's Rin?"
"She went upstairs," Clarissa replied and beckoned to me, "So, would you like to stay for dinner?"
I was shocked once again. How could she invite me to stay for dinner when she had only just met me? This family were surprisingly odd and open with people. Not that I minded very much, as the gestures the family made were nice ones.
"Um…"
"Oh. Well, if you don't think your parents would agree with it, seeing as we're still strangers to you, that's fine,"
I didn`t know what to say. Should I tell her that I had no present parents to speak of? Well, Papa was here but god knows where he is. Clarissa waited for me to reply. Len exchanged glances with me then spoke up,
"Maybe we'll go upstairs and get Rin now whilst Miku considers the offer Mum," And with that, Len grabbed my hand and led me up the stairs. Clarissa watched us and I gave her a small smile. She smiled back then wandered off. I felt bad about leaving her like that, but followed Len willingly. We stopped at the top of the stairs and he put his hands on my shoulders,
"Miku-chan, do you want me to tell Mum?" I stared at him and he stared back. It stayed like that for a moment before Len pulled away,
"Um, sorry. I mean, you've only just met my mum so you haven't gotten round to stuff like trust and-"
"I understand," I replied, "She seems nice," Len smiled,
"And it's your business so-"
"It's yours now," I said before even stopping to think. Len blinked,
"Wha-?" I nodded,
"You said you were going to help. Y-You are going to h-help a-aren't you?" Nothing much had happened yet, but I wanted his help. I had told myself that I had never wanted help, but now I could see what was really going on…
Len clasped my hands, "Of course! I wouldn't even dream of leaving you helpless for even a second!" It felt good to hear those words. We stayed holding hands for more than a minute, looking into each other's eyes. His read and reflected different emotions. Emotions like happiness, understanding but also sadness. Why was he sad? I didn't want to ask. Rin stuck her head round the door, ruining the 'moment',
"Love is in the air!" She cried happily. Len broke away from me, leaving me feeling empty and weird,
"Shut up!" He yelled, making me flinch at his angry tone. He lunged at Rin and she shrieked, dodging. She disappeared down the stairs, leaving me standing there awkwardly and Len panting, out of breath. He turned to me,
"Um, sorry about that. Rin's a little…" I knew he couldn't find the words from his expression. His hand was hovering in the air awkwardly, trying to find a suitable word but failing.
"It's ok," I mumbled, preventing him from trying anymore. He stopped waving his hand and looked at me,
"Ok…" We were locked into an awkward silence for a few minutes, and then I remembered the current issue that started the full conversation,
"I don't know,"
"What?" Len asked, puzzled. I shook my head,
"I don't know what to tell your mum. I don't know if Papa is home,"
"Um…" Len said, "Though if I tell my mum, I can help you faster…" I nodded though said nothing. Was I ready to tell? Sure, I had already told Luka and Len, but they were teenagers, like me. Adults were completely different. Things would start to get heavy and proper, no longer a small issue or anything on those lines.
"But I won't tell if you're uncomfortable with it," I honestly didn't know what to say. If Luka was here, she would want me to tell Clarissa, but she would want me to tell her mum or the authorities first. From the look on Len's face, it looked as if he wanted me to tell Clarissa too.
"O-Ok…" I couldn't believe I had said it. Len's face lit up,
"Ok!"
"But!" I clasped his hand, "Not today. She's just met me, and I don't want her getting the wrong impression of me," Len nodded, understanding,
"As you wish…"
…
I stayed for dinner. Len told Clarissa I was willing to stay, though hadn't mentioned my parents and their permission. Clarissa never said a word; it was as if she had completely forgotten. Len never said anything either, mentioning my parents that is. He shot me smiles and assuring glances through dinner, making me happy and making me melt inside.
Clarissa made pizza, a lovely pepperoni. I had tried pizza before and as I ate, I remembered the times when Papa made pizza when I was younger. He would always make a face on it, using pepperoni for eyes, ham for a smile, a sprinkle of cheese for a nose and sauce for rosy cheeks. He would always playfully pinch my nose when he served it to me and I would laugh. Mama and Papa would laugh too.
"Is that all right for you Miku?" Clarissa asked, breaking me out of my thoughts. I nodded gratefully,
"Yes, thank you. Thank you for inviting me to dinner, I hope it's all right," Clarissa actually laughed!
"Oh Miku, how would it not be?" Clarissa smiled, "I like you. I know I've only just met you, but I really like you! I hope you come round another time soon," I was enchanted by her words. Did she really mean it? She liked me? Kindness seemed to run in the Kagamine family.
"Thank you…" I said. Len and Rin smiled at me and Clarissa's blue eyes twinkled enchantingly,
"So, you all go to the same school?" She asked. Len nodded and Rin smiled,
"Yeah! I`m in one of Miku's classes! In fact… I think I'm in a few of your classes Miku-chan!"
"Really?" I asked, "I never noticed…" I didn't want to sound rude, but Rin kept smiling,
"That's ok! I never noticed you either… I always called you the Pigtail Girl in my head…"
"Erin!" Clarissa scolded, but I smiled,
"It's ok. I can see why,"
"Yeah, I've never seen hair like yours. How long is it?! It must be a nightmare to wash, dry and keep!" I smiled,
"I don't know… It's awkward to explain…"
"Yes Miku, your hair is extraordinary!" Clarissa breathed in awe, "Is there a certain reason why you keep it in pigtails? Other than keeping it out of the way…"
"Well…" I started, "My mother always put it up in pigtails. She said she didn't want me to trip as she hated me crying and complaining so it was kept in pigtails most of the time," I explained. Clarissa nodded,
"All mothers love to play about with their daughter's hair. Though since Rin kept her hair short, I never really got a chance to do that…"
Rin smiled sheepishly, "I just think it's easier with short hair. No offence Miku. I think it'll just get in the way. And Mum, your hair's short!"
"And what of it?!"
"Nothing!"
Len and I exchanged glances, smirking. I ate another bit of the pizza as Len did the same. I turned away to take a drink of my juice and turned back to be greeted by Len still staring at me. The look made me feel a little awkward, but still safe at the same time… It was awkward to explain.
"So Miku, how's school?" Clarissa asked. We started a long conversation on school. Rin threw herself into the discussion too, telling me of her favorite teachers, subjects and her friends. I never once heard her complain about any trouble with any teachers. Though it seemed impossible for any teacher to ever get mad at Rin, seeing as she was so smart, cute and cheery.
Len threw in a few words similar to Rin's, though he wasn't as enthusiastic. I never heard him mention any friends either. But just as I was about to ask him about it, Clarissa left the table. She came back smiling with a large bowl. Len and Rin suddenly cheered, as if already knowing what was in the bowl. I waited politely to see. Clarissa handed out bowls after filling them, and when I received mine, I saw banana mousse with bits of chocolate sprinkled on the top. Rin immediately picked up her spoon and started to eat whilst Len looked at me,
"You ever had banana mousse before?" He asked. I shook my head,
"I've only seen a girl at school eating it once. She had it in her lunch box," Len nodded,
"Well, now you can try it! Mum's banana mousse is the BEST!" Clarissa smiled gratefully at her son and I picked up my spoon. I felt all eyes on me as I ate a little bit of the dessert in front of me. I licked my lips and looked up at the three Kagamines,
"It's delicious!" I complimented. Len looked relived, whilst Rin and Clarissa smiled,
"I'm glad you like it Miku-chan!" Clarissa said happily. She called me 'chan'. I liked her already, and I honestly didn't mind seeing as the twins were already calling me 'chan'.
"You and your bananas," Rin muttered, loud enough for us to hear. It was then that I noticed she had something different in her bowl. It was orange with the same bits of chocolate sprinkled on top of it. Rin smiled at me,
"Orange mousse. Mum's a natural at making all kinds of mousses!" I had never heard of orange mousse; only chocolate, strawberry and banana. Though somehow I had a feeling Rin would want something with oranges in it, invented or not. I smiled,
"Well, the banana one is lovely and I'm sure your orange one is lovely too," I said politely whilst carefully eating another mouthful. It was truly delicious. I wished Mama had taken to making desserts and treats. She used to make a sweet tasting trifle when I was younger, but then she suddenly stopped. She said desserts were not good for me or anyone else and stuck to fruit. I didn't mind so much because I like fruit too, but I found I missed that trifle terribly. Sometimes fruit was too much.
After Mama left, Papa never took up making desserts. He had missed them too after Mama had stopped making them, but made no attempt to try and take her role.
"If your mother doesn't want you to have them, I'm not against her," He had said to me one day when I had told him how unfair it was we weren't having desserts anymore. I had realized soon enough that Papa would never go against Mama. He was stuck under her thumb, ever so loyal and struck by love. It was a miracle when he stood up to her. Though things didn't turn out well. He deeply regretted going against her.
I hated him for going up against her too, but I didn't know any better then. I was used to having two parents that fawned over me. They stopped doing that before the fighting started.
Clarissa looked as if she would never go against her husband. Though I couldn't see any male adult around to begin with. Was Clarissa married? I couldn't imagine the same thing that happened with my parents to happen with this family. Rin, Len and Clarissa seemed perfectly fun, no struggling at all. I wished it was the same for me…
…
"C'mon Miku-chan! I wanna show you my bedroom before you go home!" Rin called, racing up the stairs.
"Yeah, and I should really treat your bruise now," Len whispered to me as he passed to follow after Rin. He smiled at me and I started to follow him when I looked back. Clarissa was clearing the table by herself, often shaking her head to get her bangs off her face. I bit my lip then headed in her direction. She looked surprised when I entered the room but smiled at me,
"What is it Miku-chan? Did you leave something at the table?" She asked innocently. I smiled back then started picking up the bowls and plates,
"I'm back to help you," I replied.
"Oh! No need to do that sweetheart, I can manage. You go with the twins," I shook my head,
"It's ok. I don't mind,"
Clarissa smiled gratefully, "Your mother must be so proud of you," My head bent,
"I don't have a mother," It slipped out and I gritted my teeth as Clarissa froze,
"I-I'm sorry. I never knew…" She apologized immediately.
"It's fine," I said then headed into the kitchen which Clarissa pointed out and stacked the dishes up on the counter. Clarissa entered a few moments later with cups and more dishes, still looking apologetic.
"I'm sorry-"
"It's all right," I said. Clarissa smiled,
"Well, thank you for helping. The twins never help. Sure, Len helps a few times but Rin never does!" Clarissa shook her head, "What am I going to do with her...?" She muttered, more to herself than me. I smiled,
"The twins are nice people. I like them. And I like you too," Clarissa nodded at me,
"You're a nice girl Miku. So, maybe you could come round another time. Maybe bring your father and we could chat?" I froze. She wanted to talk with…Papa? No.
But of course, I never said anything like that. I said nothing at all; just bobbed my head and exited the room, putting on a fake smile. Clarissa was fooled easily and she smiled back. I headed out into the hallway, planning on heading up the stairs to Rin and Len. But something caught my eye on the way.
I stopped at a small table sitting by itself near the set of stairs. A few photo frames were on it and I couldn't help but scan over them. I could easily tell who everyone was. In one photo, the twins were playing in a park whilst Clarissa sat on a park bench watching them happily. There was also a tall blond male sitting beside her, an arm around her and smiling happily. I could only guess the man was Clarissa's husband and the twins' father.
As I looked over the photos, all four members of the family were included. They looked like a nice family that got along really well. I couldn't imagine any argument happening between them. And as I got to the last one, I found my heart breaking. I picked it up slowly and carefully, wanting to admire it closer.
It was a photo of the twins' father twirling Rin up in the air. Both of them were laughing. Len and Clarissa weren't in the photo, but it didn't matter since my eyes were glued to young Rin and her lovely father. It reminded me of the times when Papa would pick me up and twirl me around like that. He had been so loving and gentle then, not a care in the world. I was his daughter, the apple of his eye so he had told me many times in the good years.
I didn't even realize tears were running down my cheeks until they splashed onto the photo frame, covering both Kagamine faces. My heart ached as I tried to move my gaze away from the photo, but failed. I set the photo back down on the little table and backed away, my eyes still on the photo. I just stayed there staying at it before a voice called,
"Miku! Where are you?! We're waiting!" It was Rin. I finally was able to rip my gaze away from the photo and quickly wiped my tears with the palms of my hands. I cleared my throat quickly then called back,
"Coming!" I turned away from the photo and rushed up the stairs, not once looking back.