Chapter 10.

Kaito.

I yawn, and open my eyes groggily. I stick my arm out to reach for the alarm clock, only to realise that it didn't sound. I poke my head out from my ocean blue duvet - to be met by chilliness - and look at the alarm clock. How can it already be quarter to twelve? Why didn't my alarm go off at ten?

I step out of bed and brush my teeth before getting changed into my usual clothing. I then wrap my scarf around my head like a turban because my ears feel cold.

It sounds like everybody else is already up. I can hear the music channel from the living room. I plod to the kitchen - well, more specifically the freezer - and take out a tub of ice cream. Rum & Raisin, the label informs me. I can't help but remember that Rum & Raisin is Meiko's favourite flavour.

After grabbing a spoon, I make my way into the living room. Len and Rin are fighting over the remote, and both Meiko and Miku are reading magazines. Meiko has plaited her hair, into two thick plaits that hang around her face and end at her collarbone.

"Fishtail plaits…..Baggy tops and denim shorts, " I can hear Meiko muttering to herself. "Oh, hey Kaito! Why is your scarf on your head?" She smiles at me brightly.

Miku - not to be outdone - comes over and hugs me. "Hiya, boo! Rum & Raisin? Yuck. Take your scarf off too, you look silly."

I smile at her and take off my makeshift turban. We sit next to each other on the couch. Miku reads in silence and I say nothing - and not just because my mouth is filled with delicious ice-cream. I have nothing to say.

"Len, give me that remote!" Rin orders her brother.

"No way!"

"But you get to choose the film tonight!"

"So? Just let me put on this programm-"

"Not that one! Please Len?" Rin looks at her brother with big blue eyes. He sighs thrusting the remote towards Rin before taking it back and putting on the programme he originally wanted to watch. "Len!"

The twins continue to squabble, and I glance at Meiko, expecting her to stop them before it gets physical. She smiles at me, before continuing to read her magazine. That's not like her.

"Guys, will you please stop?" I ask, only to be ignored.

"Len!" Cries Rin.

"Rin!" Cries Len.

"Both of you," I yell, standing up suddenly, making sure I've got hold of my ice cream.. "Will you be quiet!" My family's eyes all turn towards me. Rin and Len gape at each other before beginning to titter.

"Kaito lost his temper," Rin sings, lying down on her back. Why those two always choose to sit on the floor, I have no idea.

Len pokes his sister in the stomach, making her giggle. He smiles at her fondly. "It's because you're such a brat."

I roll my eyes, before plonking myself back onto the couch. I earn concerned glances from both Meiko and Miku.

"Are you okay? Kaito?" Miku asks, her hand placed gently on my thigh.

"Yeah, " I mumble, just before she kisses my lips gently. Afterwards, the doorbell rings, and Rin immediately jumps up.

"I'll get it!" She declares, sprinting to the door. We all await Rin's return. She comes back with Gakupo and Luka trailing behind her. I notice they are holding hands.

"Hello Gakupo, hello Luka. " We all greet them. Apart from Miku. Luka is grasping Gakupo's hand so tightly, that her knuckles are turning white.

"How can you show your face around here?" Miku says, her voice dropping by around one hundred degrees.

Luka looks at Miku uneasily. "Miku don't be like-"

"He was crying to me on the phone last night. Did you know that? He thought you were the bee's knees. And you just didn't give a damn. Did you?"

"Miku-" Rin says, but Len quickly tells her to stay out of whatever's going on.

"What's going on?" I ask Luka, who looks awkward and anxious.

"That woman slept with my brother!" Miku snaps. Meiko and I glance at each other, both of our mouths dropping open slightly. I see Rin nodding at Len, whispering in his ear.

Miku jumps out of her seat, and goes to attack Luka. Jesus Christ!And I thought Luka was feisty. Gakupo tugs Luka to the side, and stands in front of her protectively, glaring sternly at the teal haired monster that is apparently Miku. I quickly follow my girlfriend - knocking the tub of ice cream on to the floor - and put my arms around her waist, picking her up. She struggles against me wildly, thrashing around against my arms. Everybody's looking at her like she's crazed. I look at Luka apologetically before carrying Miku to her room. I drop her on her bed, highly embarrassed.

"I can't believe you didn't back me up," Miku grumbles, lying down on her bed.

"I can't believe you did that! Did you not think how much you've embarrassed, Luka? And not just Luka! You've embarrassed yourself, myself and the rest of this family." I say sternly, not at all impressed by her.

"Kaito, please don't shout at me." Miku says, sitting up with tears in her eyes. I feel myself calm down a little. "I just lost my temper."

I shake my head. "I know. And I know you're just a kid and these things happen-" The words catch in my throat.

Just a kid.

She's just a kid.

A child. My girlfriend.

"Kaito? You okay?"

"No…..I, I'm thinking things through in my head and they aren't working out."

"What are you thinking 'bout?"

"Us," I whisper, barely loud enough for her to hear. Panic enters her eyes.

"Kaito, I'm sorry!"

"I know but…..Miku. I've come to a realisation." I place my hand on top of hers softly. "You are just a child. A lovely, lovely, girl, but, I'm a man. And a man needs a woman-" And it's true. Miku can't support me emotionally or physically for that matter. And though that might sound like a horrible thing to say, it's true. She can't do what Meiko did for me - she was always there. We were parents of the family!

"Kaito, I'll do whatever you want me to do!" She insists desperately. "Anything!"

"No Miku. I'm sorry, but it's over." I try not to look at her as she begins to cry.

AN: Oooh, sorry Miku, but you just got dumped. This chapter was a little short, so my apologies for that!