Haha, thanks you guys x,D you guys are really kind.
-whispers to self- I wish I could write like 50 more chapters...
-whispers to you all- You finally get to see some Len x Neru stuff -evil laughs-
I never planned to make lovey/romance scenes like how some of you guys want, but I believe in close friendship is equivalent to the greatest trust a person can give someone.
I guess I felt down about continuing because of the fan haters keep irritating me with their, 'They suck go -insert name- X -Len-' but I don't feel discouraged about the couple^^
-Little rant-
I love Neru so much and when people say, 'Oh I hate that b****, she should just ***' I get livid. What right do they have to judge Neru?! You don't know what she goes through and I truly believe Neru's personality does have a facade to protect herself as a character. I believe Neru is a strong type of character.
Don't get me wrong, I love the vocaloids, Miku, Rin, Len, etc. but to me they're too wishywashy to be my favorite. Rin is head-strong, has a heavy hand/her violence is connected to her emotions. But, she's too immature for me, a classic tomboy. Miku is the sweet, everybody loves her type, and Len... Let's say he has a bunch of interpretations...*coughs* shota... But I see Len being kind hearted, cute boy and a bit childish, though in the story I made him a bit arrogant...scratch that... a lot arrogant... Neru just seems like the natural type of person who I can relate to. PLUS, she's a tsundere and I relate to her because I'm a tsundere...well slightly a tsunshun too but I have confidence in my opinion. Some of you may see Neru as immature, but I see her as very mature.
How'd you feel if you were in her shoes? I can guarantee a weak person would not be able to handle all the prejudice and they'd let it go to their head that it's their fault. You'd go, oh but she's just a fake character, but the hatred against her is no different than real life hatred.
I plan no hatred on another character, I just want the hatred to disappear if you understand what I mean.
My heart shattered. My voice was cracking and my tone was high.
"Heh. You don't even know but you're sorry?!"My inner feelings of anger surfaced abruptly. "Don't lie!
You don't feel sorry, you feel disgust. I know you hate me!" I was furious. I collapsed to my knees and
stayed silent.
I readied myself for complete rejection from the pure reason of hatred… But, the fact that he felt sorry
for no reason, it angered me terribly… like I needed someone's pity.
"Hate you…?" Akaito tried placing his hand on my shoulder, but he wavered. He allowed his eyes to
move away from my face. He stared at the ground with a baffled look.
The waver in his approach caused me to snap.
I jolted up and turned away. I really hated the idea of being comforted.
'I'm not weak!'
I drew out my katana and pointed it at Akaito.
"In any case, this is a secret." I threatened him.
I was fed up with having complicated emotions like these. I just wanted to be left the way I was. Then
I wouldn't have to put up with people's feelings. This incident… I realized… Trusting him was a mistake.
If he cannot be honest to me, I don't need it. Whatever.
Akaito was silent. The cold frost of avoidance told me that his 'I don't know' meant 'I don't trust you.'
I let the mood cool off, I lightened my heavy thoughts.
'Eh. Thinking hard on it, I reaped what I sowed. After all, I'm no different than him, why should they
trust me when I cannot even trust them?'
I planned to meet up with Miku and Oliver but the mood wasn't right for talking. I just continued
walking till we approached town. I quickly searched with my eyes for the stores Oliver and Miku could
have entered.
A cow doorbell rang and my eyes focused on the door as it opened. Out came an elderly couple and I
sighed, but behind them in the store, I caught a glimpse of a blond and blue head. I rushed over
towards the shop and calmly entered it.
"Miku, Oliver" I called out. They turned their faces at me and I relieved myself with a smile.
"Neru-san?" Miku curiously asked.
"Neru." Oliver grinned as he waved.
"You guys still looking?"
"Yeah." Miku nodded.
I took a deep breath after the friendly greet was over.
"I have news for you guys…" I toned down my voice to a whisper.
Both of them looked shocked, but then moved in closer.
"It seems that… There's a spy among the people in the castle."
Miku gasped but I put my index finger over my mouth. She covered her mouth with her hands.
"Do you know who?" Oliver's voice was barely audible.
"I do not… unfortunately…
"Do you guys want me to help?" I suggested eagerly.
'If I can avoid being alone with Akaito, then I'll be able to focus and think less about trivial things.'
Miku hesitated. "B-but…" Her voice was shallow and soft. She stuttered. She lowered her head in
embarrassment but then Oliver stepped in front of her.
"No." He pouted as he turned me down flat. "This is our job." He pulled on Miku's shoulder. She
nodded.
"Ok ok" I tried laughing off the strange silence that followed. "I guess I'll see you guys in a bit…"
I turned away and walked out of the shop.
'Well… That killed that idea…' I glanced my head over my shoulder to see Akaito's face.
Akaito was still speechless and staring into space so I ignored the subject any further.
It doesn't matter if he doesn't trust me… I just need him to play his part.'
I thought about how I should act around him for now on.
I turned around in a relaxed, content manner.
"Hey Akaito, do you mind looking for Rin? Tell them meet me in the courtyard." It seemed like nothing
happened, like that incident never occurred.
'I guess acting like this is the best way to keep distance.' I forced a fake smile upon my face.
His conscious returned when I addressed him and he carefully looked at me. The gleam in his eyes
trembled though he kept his mouth sealed. He lowered his head to hide his face with his bangs and
nodded.
"Yeah. I'll get Princess Rin." He just turned his head and walked by me. His walking pace increased as
he continued adding distance between us.
'Yeah… This is for the best isn't it?...' I let out a long sigh before I regained focus.
I gave a moment to compose myself; then I headed over towards the courtyard.
I stepped outside the castle and onto the pavement.
'Someone… here is working with Hibiki Lui…But who?' I trailed off letting my body wander mindlessly.
Things started to fade and noises around me disappeared. The remaining things that I could hear were
my conscious and white noise from the blood rushing to my head.
Suddenly, something violently caused me to return to my senses. It was like someone pulled me out of
my thinking mode and threw me against the ground like basketball. I fell backwards.
My reaction timing delayed and it took a lot more milliseconds for me to realize what just happened.
Angered that I caught my slow timing, I sharply looked up towards what I walked into.
"Yo Neru? What's with you today?" A rather familiar, too familiar appearance showed itself.
It was Prince Len. He offered his hand to help me up.
I cooled my temper then responded coldly.
"What do you mean?" I shifted my weight back over onto my feet. I ignored his hand and got up.
He didn't respond at first. Unexpectedly his expression lightened up for a split second as if he had an
idea. As soon as I caught onto his facial expression he aimed his left leg at my chest and tried striking.
His rash attack shocked me, but I managed to avoid it by ducking my upper body and attempting to
under slide kicking him on his right leg.
As if he knew what I was going to do, he jumped and switched legs. He allowed his right leg to move
away from the ground, escaping my kick. Given no time in between, he quickly tried for a round kick in
the air. I barely blocked it by crossing my arms like an X.
The impact was rough and it somewhat pained me that all I could do was block that kick.
As he landed, his chin lifted and his eyes became solemn.
"That's what I mean."
I gritted my teeth.
"That's none of your concern." I hissed at him trying to restrain my frustration. I attempted to walk past
him. I used the feeling of being insulted to cover my rage.
'I'm not that desperate to get sympathy from someone I dislike…'
He held out his foot before I was able to move. I looked at him with a glare.
"Move your foot." I growled at him. My anger was just ready to boil over.
"Not until you talk."
'Ah…That's it…' I felt my strength to continue my façade fade.
"Talk about what?! I have nothing to say to you; you have nothing to do with me!"
A cold chill of disappointment fell on me on like ton of bricks, disappointment of myself. I was on the
verge of shedding tears and to top it off, it would be seen by someone like Prince Len.
"Why do I have to cry in front of you?!" A mixture of annoyance and sadness was in my voice. The
usurp of emotions was like a tidal wave crashing into a city leaving debris behind. I wiped the tear out
of my left eye.
"I hate… this…" I mumbled as I lost the will to stand. I looked away towards the ground with a hazy
look.
'I'm afraid… I'm afraid of people seeing through me.'
But it wasn't only that. There was something I was even more afraid of… I was terribly afraid of not
knowing, or rather, people's uncertain responses. I was afraid of being rejected for who I was after I
was left bare. I'd rather a simple yes or no answer so that I would not interpret something wrong. The
only thing that protected me from breaking was my façade and without that, I could break as easily as
any other person.
Len in shell shock looked at me, but I didn't want to see his expression.
Len took a few steps closer and then without kneeling, he grabbed my right arm. He pulled it away
from my face. He stared at my face. A small shift of realization shook me. His expression was not out of
pity nor was it filled with disgust. It was no different than his usual expression. The first words out of
my mouth were,
"Aren't you surprised?..." I bit my tongue as my defensive sarcasm slipped from my mouth. I readied
myself for mocking comments.
"Surprised of what?" His voice was neutral and still.
I quickly looked his way. I swallowed my salvia.
'Is he playing dumb?...'
"Surprised to see me cry?" I played along thinking that he was only acting.
He gazed at me again.
"What's so wrong with crying?" His tone showed no hidden motives. His honesty pierced my chest and
his eyes prevented me from backing off like I usually would.
"You'll think I'm weak." I grumbled as I averted my eyes.
"You're wrong." Len bluntly denied me. His coolheaded reaction calmed my burning chest and my eyes
locked with his.
I don't know why but a small smile of relief appeared on my face.
"Please don't hold sympathy for me." I wanted to believe him, but I was too much of coward. I turned
my head away from him.
"This isn't sympathy." He yanked my arm so our eyes would meet once more. Our faces were inches
away and his sea blue eyes drew my attention. "I'm telling you upfront what I think."
"Eh?..." I was dazed in his eyes. I have never felt so attracted to someone's eyes before. Just for a
split second I thought Len was a decent person.
A few moments of silence and staring passed by, then he suddenly pulled away with a smile.
The smile baffled me until he waved something in his hand.
'He took my satchel?! When did he…?!' Len, in a satisfied and composed manner, walked back towards
the castle. He waved his right hand at me and spun my satchel with his left.
He turned on his heels before he entered the castle's doors and yelled, "Meet me in the library after
the sunset if you want this back."
My mouth dropped.
'I should have known…' A wave of annoyance hit me. 'That's Prince Len…'
My spirits revived and my heart became lighter. I realized what Len just did for me.
'I guess he isn't as bad as I thought he was.' A small satisfaction grew on my face.
I chuckled to myself.
'Maybe... Just maybe...'