Disclaimer: The Vocaloids, Neru, and Akaito are not mine. Got it? Good.

'…' Represent thoughts.

Bittersweet Gourmet

The twins' mother eyed them closely while taking a sip from her coffee. Strangely, this morning differed from all the other mornings- Len and Rin sat next to each other for the first time, eating breakfast. She glared at them with suspect, feeling a change in the atmosphere.

Though the father noticed, he didn't take any thought to it. He just assumed that being so attached to each other as they were when sharing a room, now that they had their own, they would find other ways to be next to each other. Like always, he would be the one to start a conversation.

"So Len, my boy, how do you like the new room?" he bellowed from his side of the very large table. Len blushed from the question, thoughts of the previous night flooding his mind.

"I love it, Father," half-lying. Though he didn't like being separated from Rin, if it led to events like the one they experienced earlier, he wouldn't mind staying in it. It wasn't so bad after all. Rin simply looked down at her lap, avoiding any eye contact she might unintentionally grab. Their mother frowned while taking another sip of her coffee. She didn't like his answer one bit. She wanted to hear complaints come from Len about his new room. The main idea of Len's new room was to make him miserable, and to make sure that it detaches him from her loved daughter.

Suddenly thinking of her daughter, the mother-figure remembered the plans for the night.

"Don't forget to come home directly after school. Remember, we have dinner with the Shion family tonight," she commented. The twins inwardly cringed at the reminder.

"Yes, Mother," they both said simultaneously. The mother sat up, going to the kitchen to get her self another cup of coffee. Len chuckled inside of his mind.

'How much can that woman drink? Does she ever eat?' he joked to himself. He then heard Rin chuckling next to him. He guessed that she must have thought the same thing. After eating, Rin excused her self from the dining room. Len was going to follow, but was beckoned by his father.

"Len, I know it will take some getting used to…not sharing a room with Rin anymore, but try to distance your self occasionally. You're becoming of age, and soon you're going to find an eligible girl that you're going to want to court. If you're always with your sister, this might prove to be difficult for you," he lectured happily. Len nodded his head in agreement, but in his mind disagreed.

'I already found a girl that I love,' he thought to him self, wishing that he could say it openly. He turned and exited the dining room. Half way into the hallway, he saw Rin staring out the window into the sky. He walked up behind her, wrapping her arms around her waist and laying his head on her shoulder. Rin eased into his body and closed her eyes.

"I don't want to attend dinner tonight," she muttered. Len chuckled. It was always cute when she pouted or complained.

"Rin, I doubt you've much choice. I'm certain that the dinner revolves around you," he replied. Rin broke his hold and turned to face him.

"And you're okay with that?"

Len's eyes widened.

"I didn't mean it that way. It's just, knowing Mother, she'll encourage you and that Kaito guy to have a relationship," he explained. Rin bit her lips.

"I can't do that! I can't…" she muttered sorrowfully. "I can't because…because I…"

Len pulled her into an embrace. She grabbed his sleeves.

"I can't because…I love you, Len-kun!" she fought tears. Len smiled and brought his face inches away from hers.

"I know, Rin. That's why I'm not so worried. Even if you and he were put on the spot, as long as I know that it's me you truly love, we'll be together. I promise," he whispered. Rin, feeling the sincerity in his words, smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. She reached up on her tip-toes as Len's arms snaked around her waist. As their eyes closed, their lips met.

-At the Music School-

Rin and Miku were practicing their vocals together after the rest of the class left. Being that the twins' mother wanted them home early, Rin noted that her practicing would have to be brief. They were practicing the song "Promise". The teacher, Gakupo-sensei figured that since the two had great vocals, the two should do a duet.

Len waited quietly in the back of the classroom, leaning against the back wall with his arms crossed. He closed his eyes, taking in the soft voice of his twin as it echoed throughout the room. When the two girls finished their duet, they met Len with happy faces on both of them. Miku smiled, happy that this is the first time she'd ever make an actual conversation with the male twin.

"So…what did you think, Len? Do you think that Rin and I did well?" She mumbled shyly. Len smiled, a quarter of it towards Miku, the other third towards Rin.

"Well? I'd say great," he replied. Now it was Rin's turn to smile.

"I wonder if Gakupo-sensei will make you do a duet with somebody, Len-kun," she thought out loud. Len shrugged.

"Who knows? Any how, we need to be going. Remember what that woman said," he reminded, stressing those specific two words. He was having such a good day; he didn't want to ruin it by mentioning the M-word. Rin twirled her uniform skirt and grabbed her stuff. As the three were heading out of the class room, Miku tugged Len on the sleeve. He gave her attention, as she gave hers to Rin.

"Rin, I need to talk to Len privately for a second, do you mind?" she stated seriously. Rin blinked, surprised and a bit suspicious, but Miku gave her eyes that assured her nothing bad was going to happen.

"Okay Miku, but hurry. Remember, Len and I need to be home shortly," she agreed as the female twin closed the door, giving them privacy.

Miku turned to Len, and searched in her bag for something.

"I ran into that girl, Neru, yesterday on my way to the market. She wrote this and told me to give it to you. She was going to do it personally, but figured since I see you on a daily basis- it'd be easier if I just delivered it to you. She said she didn't want anyone else to know what it said, including me," she explained as she still kept searching. It took about five whole seconds until the teal-haired girl's fingers found the small envelope. "Ah, here it is. It's so messy in my bag, I should clean it out tonight," she joked to herself. She held up to Len, which he eyed intently before grabbing it.

"Thanks, Miku-nee-san," he replied. Miku blushed; taken with the nickname he dubbed her. He barely knew her, yet already saw her as an older sister figure.

'This kid isn't as serious as I thought he'd be. I'm so glad,' she thought to herself.

On the way home, Rin and Len walked side-by-side. It was quiet, yet soothing and tranquil. The sun was barely setting, letting an orange glow bring warmth to the chilly streets. Len occasionally glanced at his twin from the corner of his eye.

He couldn't believe it, he confessed his love to her, and she didn't reject him for it. In fact, she returned his feelings! For him, things couldn't get any better- unless God had it that one day he woke up and found that they were not related, but things couldn't be THAT great.

Suddenly, he found himself glancing down at her hand as it waved at her sides with every step she took. He gulped, debating if he should do something he's seen many couples do when strolling. He casually kept his pace with hers, and brought his left hand up to brush against her right. Rin blinked at the sudden contact, and turned to see her twin staring straight forward with an awkward blush on his cheeks. He crossed his fingers with her, hoping that she would not pull her hand away. To his surprise, a blush formed on her cheeks as she tightened her grip on his hand, signaling that it was okay. They continued the rest of the walk home, hand-in-hand for the first time.

-Later on that Night-

The Kagamine family stood on the steps of the Shion mansion. It seemed slightly bigger than theirs, showing that Kaito's father was apparently was a more renounced aristocrat that the twins' father. The parents stood with straight posture, while Rin stood with her arms crossed and a pout on her face. Len hunched slightly, not feeling very in the mood to be here at this event. The doors opened to reveal three maids, all in maid uniforms, greeting them simultaneously.

The Kagamines were invited in, and the maids taking their coats and directing them to the dining room where the Shion family currently sat. The table was twice as long as theirs and oval shaped; and on the very end sat Kaito's father. Few feet down sat Kaito's mother, and on the completely other side of the table sat Kaito's younger brother, Akaito. On the more straight part of the table to his father's right sat Kaito with an empty chair right to his right. Across from him were three empty chairs, designated for the twins and their parents. Akaito put a sly grin on his face as he eyed Rin up and down, earning him a dirty glare from Len.

"Eh…you were right Kaito, the girl is quite a looker," he blabbed openly.

"Akaito, have some manners!" blurted the mother of the Shions before apologizing to Rin and the others. Kaito sighed at his brother's attitude while Akaito slumped lazily on his chair. The three maids from before, plus one more, led the Kagamine family to specific seats. Len with his mother and father sat on one of the slightly ellipse sides of the table, while Rin was unexpectedly led by one of the maids to the opposite of her family. She was led to the empty chair directly next to Kaito's. Rin took her seat, ignoring her reluctance. Len felt sick to his stomach at the sight. The Shion mother-figure decided to start up conversation.

"It is such a pleasure to finally have dinner with you all, bellowed the slim, sophisticated woman. The other wife in the room smiled and replied.

"It is. I hear a lot about your family from my husband and his fellow noblemen."

While the two women sparked up conversation, Kaito gave quick glances at Rin.

"It's a pleasure meeting you again. I did keep your word about you thinking about giving me a chance, did you?" he whispered. Rin shrugged and stared down at her lap.

"I had not forgotten what was said the night of my birthday," she replied without really answering his question.

Len, not paying any attention to the adult's conversation, eavesdropped on Kaito's words. He clawed the sides of his chair angrily, upset that Kaito was trying moves on Rin right in front of him.

Akaito as well ignored the sophisticated conversation, trying to over hear what his brother was saying. Though Akaito would seemingly be the slump, lazy one of the family, he was actually very insightful. He, like Meiko, had the ability to sense emotions and see through people. The vibe he was getting from Kaito was opposite from the one Len believed to feel. According to Akaito, even though he was currently "flirting" with Rin, he didn't direct much affection towards her. This puzzled him a great deal.

'If he's not very taken with Rin, why is he doing this?'

The red-haired Shion brother then glanced over at Len's direction with curiosity. He currently felt a strong vibe containing anger and jealousy stemming from the male twin. He noticed Len's gaze went directly towards the blue-haired gentleman and blonde girl who sat at his side. Though he barely met Len few seconds ago, and even if he has yet to start a conversation with the blonde boy, he could tell that there was some sort of strong emotion that Len holds for his sister.

"Kaito, would you care to reveal to us the reason why you'd like to hold this admirable dinner?" exclaimed his mother suddenly, grabbing the four younger people's attention at the same time. She knew the reason for this dinner, but thought it would be a good announcement for the others to know, especially if it would lighten the mood further. Kaito agreed and stood up out of his seat.

"Well, two nights ago, father had me accompany him to his fellow noblemen's children's birthday celebration. I did not know however, that the children were actually fine teenage twins, brought up respectfully. Then something extraordinary happened that night. When I glanced at his daughter here, Rin Kagamine," he started while quickly gesturing everyone to glance at her for a split second, "my breath was taken away. She is fine beauty, one that no woman can compare. I'd like to if anything, earn her families' respect and perhaps, if I can, court this young woman," he announced, inwardly exaggerating the entire conversation.

Rin felt her blood turn into ice. Len closed his eyes, trying to convince himself that everything he just heard was a figment of his imagination.

Akaito chirped with fake enthusiasm.

The parents gave genuine approval and courtesies to his announcement. The mother of the Kagamine family perked up from her seat with the most enthusiasm she's ever shown.

"If what you say is true, then I will not stand in your way, dearest Kaito."

To the twins, the world just ended.

The maids came back into the room, each holding silver dinner trays with the lids still covering the food. Kaito's father stood up from his seat and held his arms up in celebration.

"It's time to eat. Let's feast!"

Why is Kaito attempting to court Rin who he doesn't seem to feel strong for? What did Neru's letter contain for Len? So much to look foward to!

Well, once again I apologize for not updating the date I originally wanted to. I was scheduled to work more hours than I usually do this week, and college is also being a pain in my rear. Haha. By the way, I went in and corrected some of the typos and grammar errors in the previous chapter, as well as add a few bits of dailogue here and there. Oh! I'm also very happy that I reached over 70 comments! Woot! I thank you and love you all for the support you've given me. Mi3staR, girlinlightblue, Iloveneckos, Bubblycutie, and many others! So many that I can't even name them all! .

I can't say when the next chapter will be up, I work lots of hours this week, plus my cosplay construction has fallen behind a bit. Hopefully sometime this week, but who knows.

Well, you know now what I want you to do. Press that "Submit Review" link...now!