Project: VOCALOID

by ChiioUnicorn

COMPLETE/Sequel is available to read on profile/ A cyborg, Rin, is created as the key to answering to a madman's wish: her father's. However, she escapes to Japan, in hindrance. Now on a mission to regain her lost past, Rin finds herself helplessly drawn to teenage life, drama, and Len Kagamine.

26. Regret Message

A/N: SUP B*#! ES?! Trashy Rin/Len shipper here who doesn't own the Story of Evil or Vocaloid. So like I said before, the play everyone's presenting is mainly based off mothy's novel, but there's a bunch of changes. So yeah. If you hate my version, cool. Just stick to the amazing mothy version, ja? Also, I know that Ney kills Michaela, not Allen. NOT IN THIS ONE.

MAJOR SHOUT-OUT TO: TheExaltedHylian! Without him, this chapter wouldn't have happened. He's such a major trooper who helped me out figure out how to end P:V. He's such a nice guy, too. :D I swear, he's like the human manifestation of Len. Such a sweetheart. GAWD. If you see him, give him a pat on the back! thank him!

ZOMG TWO CHAPTERS LEFT… or three? I dunno. Ka-chaaa~! Here's the finale for you, everyone! Thank you so much for following this story the entire time. It was a long journey, but I hope the wait was finally worth it!

Warning: Mild sexual content, language, and nosebleeding fanservice. Feel free to skip over the intense parts. Also, Mikuo and Len-kyun are kinda bi-polar here… XD

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Tokyo, Japan

Gyro Hall

05:00 PM

General POV

Chattering people surged piled into the grand music hall. Tonight was the big production of the "Story of Evil", cast by students of one of Japan's top-ranking schools, Seija Academy. GachapoidR300, in his bubble form, flitted above the stage lights, examining the backstage actors.

Yes, Seija's students... poised with such character, such novelty, such composure and grace…

"Miku-chan, you look so pretty!" Miku's friends exclaimed in awe, clutching their chests. She smiled, about to thank them until-

"HYAAAAAAAAAAN!" An ear-shattering shriek echoed. Luckily, it was very crowded and noisy for anyone else to hear. Gacha, however, moved to investigate.

"Please, Kagamine-chan! Bear with it just for… tonight and tomorrow!"

"Y-Yeah! C'mon… wearing the corset's… not that bad…!"

Most of the female students were trying to haul a half-dressed Rin into the dressing room, who desperately latched onto a post while tearfully biting into a hankie. No matter how much they begged, threatened, or bribed, she refused to move. The backstage crew couldn't help but gape at the sight, and some of the male actors were even drooling.

"I wooooon't!" she cried, hugging the post even tighter. The thought of wearing that horrid thing again… it… it was just too horrible to bear! She could barely walk, let alone breathe in that thing! Just no!

Gacha exasperatedly rolled his eyes, grumbling under his breath, "Oh honestly, throwing a fit at a time like this. How long are you going to be childish, mistress..."

One of the older members, gritting her teeth, panted out, "T-There's so many of us pulling her…! W-Why is she so s-strong? At this rate we're gonna have to get that damn horse to haul her in!"

"Don't give up! It's only a matter of time!" Another girl cried. "Okay! One…! Two… and…!"

"HEAVE HO!" All the girls cried, pulling with all their might.

For the sake of her ribcage (and her lungs for that matter), Rin held on with all her might, "No no no no no no NOOO! NOOO!" She began crying, "LET GOOOO!"

"What's going on here?" All heads turned to see Len, handsomely dressed in his steward outfit, gently pushing people aside and eying the scene with a frown. Immediately captivated by his royal appearance, most of the girls swooned. The others nearly cried with relief, however, seeing his arrival would end their predicament.

"Len-kun, make her wear the corset! Please!" they begged, all but throwing themselves at his feet, "You're gonna have to force yourself on her!"

"F-Force myself-!?" He choked out. His eyes fell on Rin before widening at her lack of dress, and he hastily averted his gaze, rubbing his neck awkwardly. Anger burned within Gacha as he recalled the morning he caught them sleeping in the same bed. "T-That's overdoing it a bit! Me touching her f-forcefully… Anyway!" his face went burgundy red as his imagination ran wild. Pervert! He then coughed, "...Does she have to wear the corset?"

"OBVIOUSLY!" All girls screamed in unison, apparently appalled by his lack of knowledge, "It's a vital part for her entire outfit!"

"Join us, Rin… join usssss…." The low voice belonged to Meiko. Suddenly, the dressing room eerily creaked open, and three figures emerged from the dark. Luka, Teto, and Meiko surrounded her with flashlights illuminating their creepy smiles, appearing like cultists ready to sacrifice her.

Revolted by the sight, everyone stepped back.

"Everyone's counting on you..." Luka encouraged all too sweetly as she displayed the corset with a terrifying grin. "You said you'd do anything for the musical. So be a good girl and put this on~"

"Anything but that!" Rin begged, sniffling, "I can't go on after all. Just leave me… I can't bear the shame..."

"Never. We're all wearing corsets, Rinny-boo… it ain't fair for you to luck out…" Teto cackled, holding up a rope. "Embrace our suffering. EMBRACE THE CHEST PAINS."

Rin's eyes watered, "I-I can't…!"

Meiko's eyes darkened, and everyone suddenly understood why she was picked for the swordswoman role, "It can't be helped. We're gonna have to use her biggest weakness…. COMMENCE THE ATTACK!" Immediately, they tackled her and pinpointed her greatest weakness, causing her to fall victim under their dirty assault.

Tickling.

"Truly, women are frightening creatures." Gacha shuddered in horror as their hands flew everywhere.

"NOOOO!" Rin screamed with laughter, trying with all her might to keep her grip on the post, shaking her head.

"Coochie, coochie coo~!" Meiko cooed, her expression shifting into a sadistic grin. "C'mere, you little cutie-pie! You know you want to~!"

Luka giggled, using a feather to tickle her sides, "Rin-san, get dressed already! You're gonna look so beautiful in your gown!"

Teto's eyes glowed like a predator's as she licked her chops, "NYEEEHEHEHEHEHEHEH. I-I'M FINALLY GOING TO SEE YOU NAKED RINNY-BOO! I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY MY ENTIRE LIFE~! RIN'S DELICIOUS MOE SEXY LOLI BODY~! THEM HOMEBOYS ARE GONNA BE SO JEALOUSSSS..."

"M-Meiko-nee, Luka, T-Teto…!" Rin choked between harsh gasps, quickly succumbing to sobbing fits of laughter, "L-LEN! Help!"

"Hey! I won't stand for this, you guys!" Len shouted, crossing his arms seriously and pointing out, "She's really sensitive under her armpits. Jeez, if you're gonna do a job, do it right!"

Horrified, Rin appeared as though he'd betrayed her, "L-Len? W-why...?"

"Sorry, Rin…" Len sighed, wiping an imaginary tear from his eyes. He turned away as though the sight of his beloved suffering broke his heart. "But sometimes… we have to let go. This… this is for the best." His eyes then softened as he stroked her ribbon into place, "I do this because love you." Gacha floated adrift, unnerved to see his eyes only reflecting Rin. He was only looking at her, gazing at her with such a soft expression.

Rin, however, wasn't moved. "N-No, you don't!" Her laughing cries intensified.

Meiko, Luka, and Teto blushed at this bold declaration, pausing to admire the loving yet fierce expression in his eyes.

"AWWWW!" One of the girls wailed, blowing her nose into her hankie. Not knowing his words were beyond…. sibling love, everyone else appeared immensely touched, clapping slowly in reverence.

"Thanks for the tip, Len~!" Kasane was the first one to recover, evilly wiggling her fingers at Rin, "We're too sexy for you, Rinny-boo. Stop fighting it. Time to molest you~~!"

"The more you resist, the more we'll persist." Luka chimed in, prying her fingers off one by one. "We're your friends~ after all." Teto came up behind her cousin with fuzzy handcuffs and glittery duct tape in hand.

"Sorry, Honey." Meiko simply smiled before diving her fingers under her armpits. They finally won. By now, the poor blonde was dragged across the floor, sobbing and laughing, into the darkness of the dressing room to fulfill her role. Teto took the liberty of taping her mouth shut, muffling her cybernetic screams. While holding the corset, Luka finally shut the door with a deafening thud.

Gacha shook his entire structure, turning his gaze to the audience beyond the curtains…

Tonight will be a show of a lifetime.

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Project: VOCALOID

Chapter 26

Regret Message

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"Odd that Ms. Haku sent her notice for an early leave." Headmaster snorted, fixing his glasses. "It's a good thing someone filled in her spot at the last moment… now, what was his name again?"

Fixing his eyes on the stage below, Gakupo cleared his throat, "Takashi Masaki, sir… you know." he then hesitated, "Kagamine-chan's grandfather?"

"Ah, yes. Quite right. One of Seija's beloved sponsors. It seems, however, that the students have taken charge. They're growing up to be fine adults, don't you agree, Kamui?"

"Yes, of course, sir." Gakupo nodded hastily, fixing his tie. His wandering eyes continuously scanned the perimeter. He couldn't stop fiddling with his communicator, ready to grab it the moment something went awry. He was never comfortable with crowds, but he'd never seen a room packed with this many people. He caught a glimpse of Honne with his wife and daughter, both clinging to his arms.

Everything was going to be fine, Luka had insisted while fixing his tie. She chided him for worrying so much before affectionately kissing his cheek. His skin still tingled from where she'd kissed him, and his fingers briefly touched the spot. He smiled bashfully.

"I know the Kagamine family's been through rough spots, but I must say that I'm very impressed with the children. Kagamine Rin, especially." Headmaster said, "She's come a long way. The students admire her, and she's worked so hard." With a rare smile, he turned his attention to the darkening lights, "That young lady has a bright future ahead of her." he then coughed, trying to maintain his strict facade, "Of course, that goes for all our students. Seija raises the best of the best."

Indeed...

While his beloved students weren't the most motivated bustlers in the world, but they worked hard to make tonight happen. He had to make sure they were definitely going to make this the best night of their lives.

It took fifteen minutes until the production finally began. The room went dark, and a spotlight flashed on Teto, dressed as a bard, stumbling onstage. The background was painted like slovenly streets, and there was a silhouette of a innkeeper barking at her to "get out and stay out!"

Huffing as she collected her fallen instruments. Then she feigned joyful surprise when she noticed the audience. Below her, the instrumentalist strummed up his synthesizer, playing a funny piano tune.

"What a fine crowd of lovely ladies of gentleman! A sight for sore eyes!" She cried, laughing and strumming her lute, "Don't mind me, my job is to tell the stories of heroes and villains alike. Tales of love, war, and tragedy." She strummed her lute, vocalizing as she waltzed across the stage, the bells on her boots jingling. "Tonight~ I will tell you a tale of two siblings… a tale of love and tragedy~. A long time ago-"

"OI SHUT UP AND GET SOME SLEEP!" A villager shrieked, and a pot dropped from from seemingly nowhere. Lights flickered on, followed by the locals shouting and complaining. "You're like a barking dog!" She screamed when a flurry of pots and pans came flying at her, causing the audience to burst into laughter. She looked as though she were doing a funny dance, jumping and singing frantically.

"T-Tis a forgotten tale! One that speaks of woe~ if you care to lend an ear, then… UWAAAH!" A giant chair came tumbling down, one that resembled a broken throne. Blinking,Teto hesitantly looked around when all went quiet. Then she hopped onto the throne, resting her feet on the armrests in an unruly fashion, winking at the audience secretly, "We must be quiet then. Take care to turn off all electrical devices and please don't enter and leave between scenes. Take pictures if you must, but turn off the flash please."

In that instant, the lights darkened once more, followed by a girl's sweet voice cackling. Below the stage, the instrumentalist's fingers flew across the keyboard, playing a villainous pipe organ to emphasize her true nature.

"Ohohoho~ now, shall we start?"

The stage lit up immediately, depicting the scene as the Kingdom of Yellow. The villagers leaped out and danced, singing along with Teto amongst them. Their voices rang out as one:

"There was once upon a time in a kingdom far away

Of utmost evil that no one dared oppose

And the ruler was a spiteful, spoiled, tiny princess at age fourteen!

Spoils and riches littered her abode

Beside her a servant whose likeness surely shown

Josephine was what her horse was named

All the riches of the world belonged solely to her."

Teto sighed dramatically, "A long time ago, the Kingdom of Yellow was a place ruled for the betterment of people rather than for the glory of monarchy. It wasn't long until Princess Riliane came to power. She was but a pawn, however, manipulated by her own council, whose only ambitions were to become richer than ever! And so, the kingdom entered an era of absolute monarchism, and the poor people were stripped of everything… exploited… executed… and this is where our tale begins."

The background darkened. Cruel soldiers suddenly appeared, frightening and scattering the once joyous villagers. They ripped away fresh harvests and beat protesters to the ground. A poor girl was taken from her begging family, thrashing against the soldier's grip as they headed towards the castle.

The scene changed to the throne room, where Rin, or rather, the princess sat with her audience, of nobles and clergy alike. Few commoners were also present.

"Your highness, a bill to pass-"

"Pass."

"Your royal loveliness," another slimeball called, waving a waiver, "May I propose to-"

"Pass."

"My lady, may I present-"

"Pass, pass, pass!" She impatiently called out, throwing her arms up in the air in a fit, "Pass so I can have my tea time already!"

"Your Majesty, please be patient for a little longer." One of the council members drawled, making Gakupo wish he could go up there and pummel their faces. He hated those guys so much in the book. How dare they orchestrate such tyranny! Those money-craving, power hungry slimeballs! Plus, they're the ones who tore apart the royal twins in the first place!

With an melodramatic huff, Rin conceded, "Get on with it then."

Just then the soldiers stormed in, dragging and throwing the poor girl from earlier at the princess's feet. If the situation weren't serious, it would've been a funny sight to watch an older girl cower and quiver at the sight of the tiny girl sitting on the throne.

"Your Majesty! This girl is the rat who's been stealing food from the royal pantry! She's one of the cook's servants" One of the soldiers saluted, throwing a sack of evidence on the floor. "It seems she's been doing this for months on end."

Scrambling to her feet, the girl attempted to run away.

"Guards! Seize this little thief!" Once again, she was caught and thrown at Rin's feet. She smiled innocently and lifting the servant's chin with her dainty shoe.

"I beg of you, highness! M-m-my family was starving, a-and I had no choice but to borrow some of the pantry's food!" The beggar girl cried, throwing herself on the floor. "Have mercy!"

The princess sniffed, "Not only are you a thief but a liar as well. But we'll soon put an end to that!" She inhaled sharply as though preparing herself for the next line, "To make sure you never steal again, your hands will be cut off and fed to your family!"

Gakupo nearly gagged at the image. Eww…

"Hold her still, guards! Allen!" She narrowed her eyes, "You know what to do."

"Yes, my lady."

With a sword in hand, Len steadied his blade over the girl's bound wrists before swinging over his hand and-!

The girl cried, "NOOOO!"

"HALT! I object to this tyranny! I come forward with an appeal!" A long-haired senior spoke up, his official emblem shining on the breast of his waist coat. The sword at his side clanged against his hip as he stormed up the aisle, causing numerous nobles to gasp.

"K-Knight-Commander Avadonia! The Leonhardt!" One of the guards stammered, abhorred at this outburst.

The angry commander thrust a document at the princess's face, "This is the Rite of Trial, you majesty. Every citizen has the right to through a formal process of trial, no matter the crime."

Gakupo was on the edge of his seat, absorbed by their acting. It was getting really intense.

The princess, perched on her throne like an arrogant peacock, merely sniffed. In Rin's case, however, she was just too adorable to take seriously. Just look at her trying to be evil. "I am the judge, jury, and executioner; I find her guilty! I don't need to follow such unnecessary, time-consuming principles when I have much better things to do." Crossing her legs, she looked down at the man in disdain. "You always look for every opportunity to embarrass yourself, Knight-Commander. Every time, every single time you always wish to speak out against me." She tilted her head at him, "I've tolerated you because you're the hero who once defended this kingdom, as well as my parents and the people." She then narrowed her eyes, "But I tire of your squalling."

"My 'squalling' is on behalf of the people whom you choose to ignore!" He pointed an accusing finger at the princess, causing the audience to gasp, "Foolish girl, ever since the great famine struck you hoarded all the food for yourself and charge these outrageous taxes that will wear this kingdom to ruin! Solely for your own convenience!"

The princess gasped, "How dare you!"

"Oh, I dare." he boomed, intensifying her rage. "You are but simple-minded, throwing innocents into the dungeon as you please: those who cannot even afford enough for themselves. Then you execute them without reason." he pressed on, "You've ignored my advice and only turned your ear on those filthy, ravenous pigs." He pointed at the council members, causing them to recoil in disgust. "If only you were to lend an ear to what I have to say. I could counsel you as I did with your mother and father, and you could lead this country into an era of peace and happiness."

Tilting her head, the princess clasped her hands, "Oh? What do you propose then?"

"A reform." he simply replied. "Together, let us rebuild a new government. Give your people more power."

People burst into shocked murmurs. Needless to say, the counsel did not take this very well.

"A reform!" A senior sputtered and tugged at his fake beard. "What blasphemy! Don't listen to this foolishness, dear princess! He speaks out of turn, ridicules you, and now he insists on dominating you with this utter nonsense!"

"A reform is just what this kingdom needs! You pigs who lavish on other people's hard-earned gold ought to be burned at stake!" A hotheaded noble lashed out, along with his other friends allying themselves with the Knight-Commander. "How long will it be until another revolt strikes up! I don't want my children to grow up in an oppressing environment such as this!"

"For centuries, we've always followed the old ways, and we'll certainly not change them on behalf of a disrespectful brute!" Another council member barked.

Soon, the audience chamber was in an uproar.

Gakupo shifted his glasses up his nose, nervously looking around. Was this a bad time to get up and use the restroom?

"SILEEEEENCE!" The cyborg shrieked a little too loudly, sound waves bouncing off the walls and causing everyone's ears to bleed somewhat. Gakupo hissed in pain, wishing there was a way to "turn down the volume" when he'd been working on her voicebox.

"Ow… goodness, it's always the quiet ones." Headmaster remarked smartly, blinking.

Rin stood up from her throne, pouting. "You're all so very boring! Reform this, tradition that. All I hear is 'blah, blah, blah!" She exhaled dramatically, nearly melting to the floor. Her maids ushered her back into her throne, fanning her and spoiling her rotten. A servant whose face was akin to hers, stood beside her with his sword drawn once more. "Speak out once more, go on. I'll have my dear Allen cut you down from where you stand."

The Knight-Commander stared at the boy before him, "Allen… have you truly allied yourself with the princess?" Len, following the script, merely turned away. "No… what… what about your family? What about Germaine, your sister?" Avadonia stepped forward, eyes narrowed, "Don't you care about us any more?"

Still, Len didn't answer.

"Well?!" Avadonia yelled, "Aren't you going to answer your father, boy?" Finally, Len lifted his eyes to meet his.

"You're not my father. I'm someone you picked up off the streets on whim. You would've done that for anybody." He deadpanned, drawing his sword and approaching the veteran swordsman. "My devotion lies within whatever princess Riliane commands." he then smiled, "Well, it's presumptuous of me, a mere servant, to say this, but I think the princess is mine to protect."

"Allen…" the swordsman took a step back, flabbergasted, "Allen, I command you to stop!"

"Withdraw, Allen. I will handle this." the princess chortled, causing him to stop instantly. He then obediently returned to her side like a watchdog, studying the area with critical eyes. "It's recently come to my attention that this girl," she gestured to the poor, accused servant shaking on the floor, "She couldn't have possibly made all those trips to the pantry on her own. A hefty load of food has been missing, more than she can possibly carry, especially with her bony frame. Something tells me… that this entire ordeal… her silly trial… is a ruse." Her eyes flashed.

Avadonia began to sweat, "W-what could you possibly mean, your highness?"

"I'm saying that these guards, your guards, arrested this willing girl so you could go behind my back and play hero, Knight-Commander." She spat out his title like venom, resting her cheek on the back of her palm as she boredly stared down at him, "You thought you could distract me with your petty speech while stealing what's mine? You're wrong." With a snap of her fingers, her personal guards brought forth Avadonia's struggling men, gagged and pegged, caught red-handed with heaps of grain and rice directly from the pantry.

Avadonia paled, backing away, "I… I…"

"'Tis time for your trial, Avadonia." The princess announced with a well-practiced cackle. Immediately, he was seized by his own soldiers and forced on his knees. "Hear ye, hear ye, everyone. Avadonia, you're being tried for treason, thievery, and conspiracy. What say you in your defense?"

"My only crime is serving my kingdom!" He barked out, firm on his beliefs, "I did it for my people, princess! They're starving! If they don't eat, they'll die!"

"If they don't have bread, then they'd better eat cake!" The princess giggled, "Now, how does the council find the defendant?"

"We find the defendant guilty." Each and every one of the council members voted with wicked grins on their faces. Gakupo snorted. The slimeballs weren't even trying to hide their pleasure at seeing the civil rights spokesperson torn down from his pedestal.

"And how does the audience find the defendant?"

"Innoc-!" The nobles and lieges had their backs facing the audience, allowing them to see the princess's soldiers pressing blades against their backs, silently threatening them. The poor people cracked under pressure. "G-GUILTY, YOUR HIGHNESS!"

Gakupo chuckled uneasily, pulling his tie. This scene definitely wasn't in the book. He watched Len look on expressionlessly with his cold facade. He was especially enjoying with how Rin brought her tyrannical role to life. It was quite a change. He watched as the Knight-Commander was dragged off towards the guillotine once Rin announced his execution, as "penance" for his crimes.

"WAIT! NO! FAAAAATHER!" Meiko burst out of nowhere, having shoved her way onstage in a hysterical fit. She was instantly held back by two soldiers. She screamed, crying and reaching out to Avadonia. "FATHER NO! PLEASE NOT MY FATHER! PLEASE!"

Rin, despite her promise not to cry this time, had to lower her head so no one could see her crumpled expression.

Avadonia smiled shakily at Meiko, "G-Germaine…. I'm sorry. Just know… we are all liberated the moment we stand up and fight. Never give up." He then turned to the audience as he was dragged offstage by the executioner, screaming, "NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER FEAR! FIGHT! TODAY I WON'T DIE FOR YOU ALL BUT I'LL DIE FOR MY FREEDOM!"

The sound effects came to life. The sound of a guillotine crashing down echoed throughout the music hall, followed by the princess's (rather forced on Rin's part) laughter.

"RAAAGH!" A hysterical Meiko tore away from her captors in a surprising show of strength. Screaming and eyes filled with rage, she lunged at the princess with sword drawn, intent on killing her right then and there.

CLANGG!

Len immediately guarded the princess with his own sword, and the adoptive siblings clashed. The sounds of swords clashing and scraping echoed as they danced around each other, engaging in a graceful but deadly swordfight.

"ALLEN!" Meiko shrieked, pushing her weight against his, "You goddamn traitor, you! Father is dead because of you! How dare you reveal his plans to that vile girl!" She pointed to Rin before lunging at him again. She kept hitting him in her rage, only to have him block her every hit. Just as she was about to slice through his stomach, he suddenly tripped her. A dirty trick, but it gave him victory nonetheless.

Meiko tumbled down with a cry, trying to get up but only to meet the tip of Len's blade resting on her throat.

"Like daughter, like father." An arrogant council member stroked his beard. "Learn your place, lowly filth. You're a hundred years too early to be challenging the princess. Don't question our system, girl."

"Now, how shall you go about punishing her, your highness?" Another slimeball hissed in the princess's ear, "She raised her sword against you, not to mention she's the daughter of that wretched Avadonia. Shall we go about a quick execution."

Tapping her chin in consideration, the princess was about to reply until the fake bell clock tower chimed outside the "palace", making her eyes widen. With a happy cry, she immediately and gracelessly leaped from her throne.

"Ah! It's snack time!"

"But your highness!" The eldest council member sputtered, "What about Germaine?"

"Oh, do what you want with her." With a giggle, Rin hooked her arms around Len's neck and arched her back to stare at them upside-down. She then let go so Len could swing her, trusting him completely as he fully supported her back while swaying in a flirtatious, coy manner. Servers came in carrying trays of all kinds of desserts, pushing along a table and chair.

Len seated Rin, silently bowing before flitting his eyes to the sight of a kicking, crying, and screaming Meiko as she was dragged off to the torture chamber by order of the council.

"YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS, PRINCESS! YOU'LL SEE! I'LL DRAG YOU OFF YOUR HIGH AND MIGHTY PEDESTAL BY THE HAIR, Y'HEAR? YOU AND YOUR MONARCHY WILL MEET YOUR DOOM! I SWEAR IT!" She was slapped across the face (faked, of course), making Rin gasp and rise to protest, only to be stopped by Len who smiled at her reassuredly. Hesitant, she reluctantly sat down and put on a smile.

"M-My, today's a fine day…" she unsteadily turned to Len, "Would you like to visit the Country of Blue later on?"

With a soft smile, he kneeled before her and kissed her hand, allowing his lips to linger a little longer than necessary. Gakupo could see Rin was squirming with embarrassment (or delight?) at this affection., "Whatever my princess desires."

"PRINCESS!" The annoying members squawked like chickens, "We're short on money and taxes are due! What will you do?"

And then the choir, dressed up as the nobles and servants, sang along with the princess as the music played.

"If you're short on money, that's no fearful thing

Just take it from those whom you dangle on a string

To those who feel like they want to bring me down, you'll just tidy up my gown~!"

"Now, bow to me!" Rin commanded, raising her teacup and making them all fall on their knees. The soldiers began to dance while yellow flower petals showered from above.

"Evil flowers steadily bloom

With a colorful array of doom

But the weeds who feel that they want to stay

They'll just die and become fodder anyway."

The instrumentalist went all-out on the keyboard, tuning the sound so it sounded just like a menacing pipe organ. But… he seemed uncannily… familiar. Then he saw the scars on his hands. Gakupo's eyes widened as he recalled he'd seen those scars the night a certain visitor came to give him Miriam's necklace.

"Hatsune…!" he breathed sharply, standing up and startling his employer.

Mikuo.

As though sensing his silent outburst, the instrumentalist angled his head slightly in his direction. His face was clearly hooded so no one could recognize him, but that unmistakable skill and that stepford smile…

His suspicions were confirmed when he pressed a finger against his lips, winking at Gakupo.

Shhhh.

The prototype's words replayed in his head as he stared down at the boy, gripping the necklace in his pocket. Should he inform Dell? What was he saying, of course he should! But…

"For you. This is what she wants from you… to fi...nish the KOKORO program… download it… to Rin's... brain… and… Leon's company will finally… fall. It's your last hope after all."

The actors continued to perform, and the music continued to play. All he could focus on, however, was this mysterious boy.

"Tomorrow… I hope you're all… prepared."

Prepared for what?

"To witness the final stage of Project: VOCALOID, of course. Behold your fusion reactor."

His mind searched through numerous memories of having worked with Leon. He tried to remember which "reactor" he was talking about. Then he suddenly remembered Leon's family reactor in Germany, but impossible… it was simply too big. And it wasn't as though Leon could… transport it all the way here… in Tokyo.

Could he?

Quick as a wink, the backdrop changed to where Meiko was hovering over his father's grave, weeping bitterly.

"I s-swear, father. I won't let her win… she'll get what's coming to her!" She pounded a fist against a headstone, her body shaking with well-practiced rage. "FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, I AM THE KINGDOM'S RECKONING! IT'S TIME THOSE PIGS PAY BACK THEIR BORROWED TIME!"

The drum roll sounded until the lights darkened. It was the end of Act I.

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Meiko's POV

Once I got offstage, I high-fived the crew and headed to the nearest break area, deciding to chill until my next part came up.

This morning, I woke up feeling strangely refreshed. Weird, considering what Kaito told me what happened with Ms. Haku should've left me in a worse state. Surprisingly enough, I was fine and dandy.

"Hoo boy, swearing revenge takes a lot out of you!" I exhaled after slamming my water bottle on the platform, my sword clanging against my side. I turned to the guy who played as my father with a smirk, "Well. You got killed off pretty quickly."

"Haha. Rin-chan actually made me feel like I was gonna die. Looks like her acting's improved tons." He laughed before saluting, "Gotta go meet my girl. Nice working with you, 'Germaine." Grinning, returning his wave until he disappeared down the stairs. I turned around to watch the performance taking place in the valleyside near the Kingdom of Blue, where the princess was currently incognito alongside her "brother". Suddenly the carriage broke down when a certain horse decided to rebel.

Footsteps resonated onstage, followed by the thunderous clopping of hooves.

"Josephine, come back!" Rin-chan cried adorably, picking up her skirts and running out of the carriage, only to be held back by the coachman. "Servants! Allen, catch her!"

"NRRRRRGH!"

The demon horse finally made her debut. She galloped around through the aisle, making most of the extras, including Len run after her. They all carried ropes and horse crops. The audience burst into applause when she nearly ran over three servants (but I think she actually meant to kill them). I sweat-dropped and took another swing of water.

"I got you now!" Len shouted and tossed his lasso. Being an athlete, he was the only one who managed to catch up with Josephine. However, true to her name, she made him her next victim. She caught the rope in her mouth, yanking and dragging him all over the stage. I winced at the sorry sight.

Ouch.

The audience roared with laughter, clapping and whistling when Len was nearly thrown against the backdrop. It wasn't until the scene changed to where he chased the horse into the woods, that he stumbled to find Miku holding onto the reins.

I leaned fully against the railing, observing the love scene. Soft, romantic music began to play, effectively emphasized by the instrumentalist below. Amazing. Even though he looked creepy with that hood on, he was definitely a professional.

"Oh my… is this your horse?" Miku recited her lines with a soft, princess-like voice. Although Josephine was supposed act calm in this scene, she was anything but. The only person she could stand was Rin, after all. She nickered restlessly, trying to bite Miku's head off. Nonetheless, the girl tried to suppress her fear and smiled winningly at Len, who acted as though he were meeting a goddess.

"Oh… y-yes. Thank you ever so much." He stammered, acting like a lovestruck fool as he pretended to shuffle and whatnot. He took the reins from her, smiling bashfully. Their fingers "accidentally" brushed, causing both of them to get all flustered cutely, at least on Miku's part.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" They apologized at the same time, intensifying their embarrassment.

"Here… your face is all sweaty." Miku handed him her hankie, smiling when he thanked her. "I don't think I've seen you here before. Are you new?"

"Yes, you could see that." He wiped his forehead before appearing disgusted with himself, "Oh dear me, this is fine lace! I-I'm sorry… I shouldn't have dirtied this. I'll wash it when I give it back!"

She giggled behind her hand, "Thank you. Please don't worry about it though." she then looked at him with a soft expression, stepping forward curiously, "And… um, who might you be?'

Len's eyes shot open, "Oh…! I'm sorry! I haven't even introduced myself. How rude of me." He then bowed deeply, "You can call me Allen, miss."

"And I am Michaela." She replied with a curtsy, giggling flirtatiously, "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine…" he trailed, bashfully returning her smile. He stared at her longingly. The makeup made his cheeks appear rosy, but the lighting adjusted to make his face look even more flushed.

Wow. Looks like they really did practice. I hate to admit it, but they looked like two star-crossed lovers, falling in love at first sight. I mean the romance between them made me cry so hard when I read the book. I started tearing up a little, watching their cute yet forbidden banter.

I bit into my hankie, sniffling when sweet Michaela planted a kiss on her new lover's cheek.

Oh god… the feels…

Just the the bell gonged, shattering the romantic atmosphere. Miku gasped dramatically, pulling her hands away from his.

"I must go! Forgive me!"

Len looked frantic, "W-Where are you going?" He grabbed her hand, stopping her from leaving. "Will I ever see you again?"

Miku bowed her head, trembling. Shaking her head, she pulled away. "I'm sorry… Allen. I must go. To him… the prince." Feigning a choked sob, she covered her hands in shame and ran off.

"Wait! Michaela!"

"I'm sorry! Forgive me!"

"Wait! Please don't go!" He cried, but she ran offstage. He held up her hankie, calling after her. "I'll give this back to you! I'll find you again, I swear it! We'll meet again!" He stared after her, clenching the hankie against his chest, whispering, "I swear it…"

I continued to watch as Rin, practically giving off sparks from watching their lovey-dovey performance, stomp up to him and drag him off to see Prince Kyle, or rather Kaito. After witnessing them visit the grand Blue castle, I yawned.

"Are you truly serious about this?" Rin asked Len once they were at the coast. The backstage crew was doing their best to move the "waves" (which was really rows of paper mache painted blue) with their pulleys. Len held a glass bottle holding a message. With a smile, he tossed it into the "ocean" before turning to Rin.

"Would milady like to try?"

Rin feigned an arrogant sniff, sticking her nose up in the air, "It's a peasant's game, so I don't need to. I mean… writing your wish in a bottle before tossing it into the ocean? Why, that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!" She walked up the dock, glaring at the ocean, "All you're doing is just littering. Keep telling kids to dump things in the ocean, and you'll have more than a troublesome generation on your hands!"

"Oh… so I see." Len replied uncomfortably, his shoulders sagging with disappointment.

Suddenly, she giggled. "But I mean… you already grant all my wishes, don't you?" The princess's arrogance was replaced by a sweet, childish smile as she spun to face him, "So tell me then, what did you wish for?"

Len seemed to actually freeze in place as though her last line severely affected him. For a moment, he looked truly shocked. Then he shakily smiled, "F-For my lady to have bigger breasts, of course."

The audience laughed, causing Rin to fume.

"I'LL HAVE YOUR HEAD FOR THAT!" She shrieked before covered her chest, turning to the audience as she not so secretly bemoaned over her chest size. I covered my mouth to stifle my impending laughter.

Aw, Rin-chan, don't worry, you still got lots of room to grow.

"Just kidding. They're the perfect size." Len assured her by gently taking her arms, trying to quell her temper. Ha ha, Len. You would know that, wouldn't you. I snickered (oh god, I'm becoming like Teto). He stroked her hair back into place, "What I truly wished for is for you to always be happy. To keep smiling."

Appearing touched, Rin melted at these words and flung her arms around him, "T-Then… always stay by my side." She whispered, clinging to him, "Promise me."

Len seemed as though he were in a trance, nevertheless he answered softly, "... I promise."

The lights faded again, changing scenes to the evil, plotting council planning to manipulate the princess Riliane into proposing a marriage of alliance to Kyle, the prince of Blue. They were already aware of his lover from the green country, and he would inevitably reject the proposal. When that happened, the heartbroken princess would fly into an unstoppable rage and attack the Country of Green.

I yawned loudly, checking my wristwatch. Looks like it'll be a while before I get onstage again. Guess I'll go to the bathroom real quick. I headed out. A few minutes later after finishing my business in the stall, I found Teto messing around with Rin and Luka near the sink.

"Keep still, Rin! Gotta… tighten this real good!"

"Too… too much, Teto! I can't… breathe!"

Well, more like Teto was on top of Rin's lower back, stripping her and yanking the strings of her corset hard.

Huh.

I kinda want to ask… but then I kinda don't.

...To hell with it then. I'm so done.

With a heavy sigh, I stepped over them so I could wash my hands.

"OOOH~ so you did that kind of thing with Kagamine-kun last night! Nyehehehe. Naughty, naughty, Rinny-boo! Not that I blame him, though if it were me I'd've gone muuuch further~! Seducing him so innocently~ making him want to completely monopolize you… truly, you are becoming a woman~!" She nodded with a sigh, then her eyes alit with victory flames, "HOWEVER!"

Rin blinked when Teto shamelessly began stroking her butt, making the poor girl squirm. "Ah... T-Teto?"

"Mm, mm, mm! Never forget that you're my wife! Together, we'll create beautiful babies~" Teto creepily restrained her in a possessive hug, "I won't let you become any more popular with the boys!" She whined, nuzzling their cheeks together, "You're mine, Rin~! Mine, mine, mine!"

Luka sighed, frowning, "Teto…"

I lowered the collar of my top, grimacing at the ugly bruise blooming near my collar bone. Ugh… I can't believe how strong that Sukone girl was… and to think she was with Ms. Haku.

…

"Oh, I haven't forgotten about you, wife no. 2." A dark, sultry laugh escaped the redhead as she slithered behind Luka, feeling her up. "Luka and professor Gakupo doing stuff like this… and this… and this!" she immediately grasped her breasts, making her cousin squeak. "Such a mature relationship calls for mature measures! It's always the demure, quiet couples who're the most sexually frustrated after all! The most sexually intense!"

Luka went scarlet, "Oh my god! What are you saying!?"

I snorted, standing next to Rin who kept rubbing her arm unsurely, "Meiko-nee, are you certain you're alright?" I blinked at her before realizing she was referring to yesterday. My expression softened. Poor thing, I must've looked pretty beat up if she's making a face like that…

"Thanks but don't worry about me, honey-bun." I lightly pinched her cheek, laughing, "I can take care of myself, y'know." I rolled my sleeve and flexed my bicep, making her marvel. "I owe you plenty enough though. Not just for saving my ass with Ms. Haku but for delivering that special gift to our not-so-secret agent." I winked at her, and she blinked before her eyes widened in realization. Aw, what a darling.

"Meiko-nee shouldn't thank me at all! I-I mean…" she averted her gaze sadly, "I-I'm certain Miku would've been much happier if you or Mikuo-kun delivered it instead of me… I-It seems she's quite angry at me…" She then looked at me seriously, "...Meiko-nee. Please don't fight with Miku anymore."

I blinked, "Huh?"

She stared up at me, clenching the hem of my chainmail, "I… thank you for always supporting me, Meiko…" She glanced at the mirror, "But the next time you see her in pain, please don't turn away…" The tiny girl smiled sadly, "I'm certain she's being feeling very lonely for a long time."

I cocked my head, humming in disapproval. "Well, we can't have that, can we?" She nodded glumly. What a drag. It's impossible to refuse Rin-chan, especially when she's so troubled like this. It only made her even more endearing.

All of a sudden, Luka shrieked. Teto cackled gleefully, "And of course… doing stuff like this~!" She immediately leaned towards Luka, making kissy faces. "MMMMWUAH~!"

"A-As if we'd do those things!" Luka cried, smacking her cousin's face with her purse. "Mou~~! Don't compare us to what you and Ted-kun do! Pervert!" She then began pushing Rin out the door none too gently, her face sizzling, "L-let's go, Rin-san!"

A naughty grin formed Teto's face as she applied more lipstick, smacking for emphasis. Noticing me beside the mirror, she giggled. On the way out, she spanked met. "Good luck performing, wifey no. 3! Be sure to sneak me a kiss like the naughty babes we are! Ted-kun won't mind!"

"Behave." I rolled my eyes, chuckling as she danced away. After re-applying some powder, I pushed opened the doors, surprised to find someone shoving a bouquet of red roses into my hands. I was even more surprised to see who it was.

Flabbergasted, I pointed at him then at the flowers. I couldn't believe my eyes. "Uh… hey." Was all I could manage.

"Yeah…hey." He went all shifty-eyed, rubbing the back of his neck. He kept fidgeting, looking at everywhere except me. Shuffling and clearing his throat, he awkwardly shoved his hands into his pockets.

I stared at him before putting a hand on my hip, "Alright, spit it out. What'd you do this time?"

He went red, sputtering, "W-What!? I just felt like giving you flowers, okay!" He then crossed his arms with an irritated huff, "God, I'm just trying to be nice. You looked pretty good out there 'n stuff, so isn't it natural to receive flowers like this?" He then scratched his cheek nervously, "I mean… girls like flowers, right?"

I blinked then chuckled, teasingly nudging his arm, "Awwwww… who'da thought you're a hearts and flowers guy after all?" I proceeded to pinch his cheeks like the immature granny I was, crooning and squealing over him, "Who's a darlin' sweet pie~?" I cooed, causing him to smirk at me in annoyance.

"Why you… you're not taking me seriously at all…"

I laughed and pulled away, shaking my head, "Naw, I'm just messing with you. This really makes me happy." Blushing, I inhaled the roses deeply before smiling at him, "Thanks, Kaito."

Surprised, Kaito stared at me for several moments before clearing his throat, "Y-yeah… you're welcome." He then opened his mouth to say something else until he shook his head, "So… are you really okay? I mean… what happened with Ms. Haku and all…" he paused, "I was worried you'd, like, collapse on your own or something…"

I blinked.

Don't tell me… was he waiting for me?

My cheeks warmed at the thought, but I didn't say anything. I suddenly felt all light and giddy. Hopefully he won't notice my heart beating like a drum.

"Don't...," he looked at me seriously, "Don't stop liking me." The warm atmosphere suddenly grew cold. My smile twitched. His words echoed in my head like a mantra.

Don't stop liking me… don't stop liking…me. Don't stop.

My shocked expression gradually twisted into a snarl. The heat rushed to my head as my fists trembled. What. The. Hell?

Kaito, you… you…!

"IDIOT!" I smacked him the the bouquet as hard as I could without a second thought. It wasn't until I heard his sharp yelp that I remembered roses have thorns. Lots of thorns. Oops.

"Hey, what'd you go and do that for?" Kaito clutched his cheek that was now dripping with blood. It was a tiny scratch but a scratch regardless, and it was more than enough to immediately make me feel bad.

Instead of apologizing, however, I merely puffed my chest out and huffed, "Who said I liked you? That's the worst thing to say to a girl, idiot! Who do you think you are, some casanova?" I took a deep breath, shaking my head as I fought to control myself. "So, what. Now, you want me to keep liking you even though you don't like me? That I'll hang onto you forever?"

Kaito blinked, "H-Huh?"

"Even narcissism has its limits, Stupid. " I got directly to the point, getting up in his face so he couldn't look away. I want an honest answer right here, right now. "Or what, do you feel bad because of what happened with your mom? Am I some charity case for you?"

I wasn't aware that my collar fell open. He was staring right where my bruise was. When I realized this, I immediately covered myself, frowning.

A guilty expression appeared on his face, and I huffed. This time, I smacked the side of his head, making him yelp.

"Like I said, I don't need your pity!"

He blinked then scowled, wiping his face with his sleeve, "If it were like that, I wouldn't have bothered getting involved in this entire mess the first place!" He shouted, making me blink. "For whose sake did I enter this stupid play for? For whose sake did I kept an eye on my psycho of a mom for? For whose sake do you think I'm fighting for? Who else would be crazy enough to be doing all sorts of crazy shit for a hot-headed, impulsive woman like you?!" He was so consumed in his rant that he failed to notice our faces were too close for comfort, in fact, our noses were touching. "Obviously I do all this for the sake of the most important woman in my life! You, Meiko!" I froze on the spot, unable to believe what I was hearing. The blood rushed to my face and my ears. "God, you're impossible. Do us both a favor already:shut up and go out with me tomorrow." He snapped, suddenly backtracking and realizing what he just said. "Uh…! I-I mean… uh… um..."

I stood there, shocked. Then I recovered, "S...Say that again."

Kaito blushed, but he looked at me with determination blazing in his eyes, "Took me long enough, but I..." he then exhaled sharply, rubbing his neck, "Man, this feels so awkward I feel like I'm gonna die." Awkward? So what? We're way past that point. At my impatient prodding, he relented and gave me a defeated and embarrassed smile, "Yeah, I want to give this… dating thing a chance. You got me. Hook, line, and sinker."

Oh my god… oh my god. I had to pinch myself so I knew I wasn't being tricked.

But if I'm dreaming, never wake me up…

"Who are you, and what have you done to Kaito?" I covered my mouth to hold back my laughter, choking back tears.

He grinned playfully, "Gave him the pounding of his life until he realized he the one he needed all was always standing beside him. I'm new Kaito. So, will you go out with me?"

"Only if you're paying, dummy!" I giddily linked our arms, feeling as though my heart were about to burst with joy. Kaito looked over the moon with my answer, and he laughed, too. After apologizing for hitting him, we headed back, chatting in hushed whispers. Just then I remembered that I left my lipstick on the sink, slapping my forehead at my absent-mindedness. "Crap, I forgot something! I'll be right back." I waved before practically skipping to the restrooms, putting my bouquet on the nearby podium. I inwardly swooned as I remembered his confession.

Oh, Kaito… sometimes you really can be cute.

Once I got my lipstick, I prancing back until I heard crying noises coming from the broom closet. It sounded awfully familiar… like I know this voice. Glancing back at the stage, I hesitated.

Should I…?

Remembering Rin's words, however, I took a deep breath and nudged the door open with my foot and peeked into the closet.

"Miku, that you?"

"Eh?" A sharp gasp ripped from her throat as her head bobbed up to meet my stoic face. "M-Meiko?" She choked out in surprise, her entire body shuddering with sobs, then she buried her face in her knees, sniffling, "Please just leave me alone." she then paused to add, "Or you can lock me in here; I don't care. Consider it payback for what I did to you back then." At first I didn't know what she was talking about until I realized what she actually meant. This is where she locked me in during the Miss Diva contest, preventing me from singing.

Frowning, I awkwardly leaned on the door frame, "You oughta be waiting backstage with the rest of us onstage." I tried to get her to stand up, but she pulled her arm away, sniffling.

"I already have my timer set, so just go! I don't need your help! I have every right to be here and do whatever I want, so don't bother!"

Tsk. Miku always did have a stubborn streak when she got like this. It really annoyed me to no end back when she insisted on mulling over the smallest of things.

With an exaggerated sigh, I sat beside her and popped my water bottle open, taking a long swig.

She stared at me with red-rimmed eyes, baffled, "W-what are you doing?"

I shrugged, taking another swig, "Thought I could crash here awhile." I took another big gulp, "Besides, my next scene's not gonna be until Kyle discovers your corpse and joins my rebellion, so it's okay." Veering my eyes towards her withering form, I tried not to let my worry show when I cleared my throat, "Been a while since I saw your face full of snot and tears. Kind of a nostalgic sight." I chuckled awkwardly, "Mind if I pry why you're crying a river?"

She sniffled, whispering into her hands, "I don't see why you care. It's none of your business anyway." Sighing, I pushed a stopper in front of the door before hiding us from sight.

"True that, but you know… I can't ignore any of my juniors if they're sad." I replied, smirking, "It's my special policy."

Miku hesitated for a long time before her lower lip jutted out, "I think… I got rejected. I mean, I confessed to Len-kun, but I never received a reply…" she choked out, "But lately I've seen the way he looks at Rin now. He looks at her like I've been looking at him. It's not fair!" she blubbered, "I'm always being rejected! This isn't fair! Nobody ever tries to understand me! Nobody ever wants to listen to me!" Clenching the skirts of her gown, she sniffled, "I can't believe it. After all the effort… nothing. Len-kun rejected me, Dell refused my offer, Mikuo only fights me, and the rest of you keep treating me like trash!" Hanging her head, she shook, "It's all because of Rin. You all hate me because of her… even the bad guys want her, but none of you want to listen!"

I stayed silent, watching her as she suddenly pulled out a brown music box with an elegant 'M' carved on lid. She opened it with a sniff.

It was empty inside.

"So this is the message Mikuo meant to give me, huh?" She choked out, smiling bitterly. "That he died hating me. He no longer remembers me… or the bond we used to share. He doesn't even care about the happy memories we stored in this box."

Loud cheering came from outside as Len was singing "Servant of Evil".

"You are the princess, I'm but your lowly servant

Destiny divided between miserable twins

If it's for the sake of protecting you, then I'll become an evil."

This song… wait. Did Mikuo write this song during Len's rehearsal? The day he asked me to deliver the music box he… mentioned this song.

My eyes widened.

I looked at him as though he were crazy, which he probably was. Luka stood beside me, just as puzzled.

"And why… of all people, are you asking me to give this to her?" I asked, putting a hand on my hip. He kept holding out the bag, his smile never faltering.

"Because I know you're a kind person, Meiko-san. I know that even though you've had a fallout with my sister, you still truly care about her deep down inside. Also, I know you won't fail to give this to her."

His words struck a chord, but I scoffed, crossing my arms, "Like hell. You don't know me or how I feel." Turning away, I narrowed my eyes. "Aside from that, I've heard you've been nothing but trouble from the start." The trees rustled with the snowy wind, prolonging the awkward silence. Finally, I sighed, eying the bag suspiciously, "Give me one good reason why I should do this for you."

For a moment, his lips twitched, and I thought he looked sad for a moment. However, when I blinked, he was chuckling.

"...Honestly, I can't say anything that will convince you, Meiko-san. I just can't give it to her myself. It's good that you don't trust me… so I can't force you." He finally lowered his bag, closing his eyes. "But I just want her to have this. That's all."

Luka stepped forward, frowning, "Hatsune-kun. You really love Miku-chan, don't you?"

"Hm?" he blinked at her before his face softened, "And why do you say that?"

"Because you're always looking at her with such a kind expression, the same one you use when you're looking at Rin-san." She softly replied, clasping her hands. Her hair moved behind her like a curtain basking in the sunlight. "You act cold, and you've done horrible things, but it's because you have a special reason… isn't that right?"

Mikuo studied her, unblinking, then he smiled. Surprisingly, it was the most real smile I've ever seen. Until now, he'd only been giving polite, half-baked smiles.

"You're snoopier than you let on, Megurine. Your nose sniffs out dishonest people, I see."

"I… that's… well..." Luka didn't look at all offended, and she smiled weakly, "I've been watching you for a long time. You and Miku-chan… even back in nursery. Don't you remember? Before my parents died… I knew Miku-chan and Mikuo-kun back in that tiny room. I've always been watching… always. Even back then, you were always so gentle with her."

That's the thing with Luka. She's surprisingly insightful. Even though she's not very social, she's always watching people and observing them. It was an amazing gift she had, being able to read a person just by observing them.

Hatsune seemed mildly impressed, "Oh… Now that you mention it, I do remember a little, but…" he chortled, "You were so nosy back then, too."

Luka took a deep breath, "Pardon me for saying so, Hatsune-kun… but… can't you just be honest with your feelings instead of pushing Miku-chan away? It seems you're not only hurting her but also yourself…" She lowered her head, her bangs falling into her eyes, "Something like that is just… it's just too cruel!"

"Luka…" I uttered, shocked to see her crying.

"I-I kept quiet because I didn't want to pry, but…!" She sniffed, "Hiding your true feelings while acting like the enemy so everyone stays away… that simply won't do! This isn't what anyone wants, what you want!" She choked out, shaking her head, "You're truly a lonely person, Hatsune-kun." She suddenly marched up to him, tears blurring her eyes, "If Miku's been chasing after you this entire time… then can't you meet her halfway?"

"...That's impossible."

"Huh?"

"The dead can't be with the living." He answered, a haze falling over his eyes. "Everything is out of my control. I'm but a pawn, you see… someone who's perfectly fine with being used." Slowly, he turned to us with a haunting gaze, "However… I can't allow them to take the only thing that's kept me going. I'll do anything to keep them from hurting her… anything. My beautiful… sister."

"Hatsune-kun…" Luka's voice trailed off sadly.

"Servant of evil… huh? What a befitting title for me… to become an evil… for her sake." He looked really strange all of a sudden, and he suddenly broke into creepy laughter and clawed at his hair, freaking us out. "O-Oh, I must hurry now! Work to do… so much to do… so little time…"

"Uh… Hatsune?" I unsurely reached out, only to have him drop the bag with a surprising thud. He looked like a man possessed.

"Miku… Oh, Miku." Laughing hollowly, he began staggering off in the other direction, humming as though he were in a daze , "...Destiny divided between miserable twins… if it's for the sake of protecting you, I'll become… evil."

"...Poor Hatsune-kun." Luka murmured sadly. I didn't reply, instead I picked up the bag and watched him stagger to the exit.

"I give up. Leon and his stupid company can do whatever they want." Miku's voice broke my trance, and I blinked back to reality to find her sobbing. "What's the point? The world's gonna end anyway. I'll never reach my dreams… I'll never find true love." she kept crying, "It's all your guys' fault! Mikuo, Len, Rin… and all of you!"

I lowered my eyes. Deep inside, Miku was just a scared little girl. A girl who wanted to love and dream.

But...

"Stupid." I suddenly said, clenching my teeth, "How long are you gonna keep whining like a spoiled kid?" Miku looked at me in hurt astonishment, and I stood up, glaring down at her. "You got lots to be annoyed at, I'll give you that much. If I were in your shoes, I'd be just as pissed!" My voice was getting louder, "Well guess what! SHIT HAPPENS!"

"W...Wha?"

"You did what you thought was right. If I were in your position, I probably would've done the same things if it meant protecting my loved ones." I grudgingly admitted. Yup. Though I didn't agree with her tactics such as selling people out or whatnot, but hey, I guess that's mandatory in her line of work… or whatever.

"Life ain't fair, Miku. It gives and takes, probably more than what's overdue." I snapped, intimidating her as I cocked my head. "So a boy rejected you, and you're gonna take it out on the girl he likes? So your brother died saving you, and you're gonna keep blaming him for your misfortunes?"

Miku stared up at me, speechless and tears shining in her eyes. Face reddening and gritting my teeth, I impulsively yanked her pigtails, causing her to whine.

"But anyway, whatever your intentions were, I'm not letting it slide! This is for hurting Rin! For trying to sell her and being nasty to her!" I grinned vengefully, my vein throbbing. I pinched and stretched her cheeks harder until she cried. With a huff, I released her but not before hitting her upside the head. "God, just listen to yourself right now. Pathetic."

"I know that!" She whined, rubbing her swollen face. "But I… I thought if I acted on my own, I'd've-" I didn't even let her finish once I smacked her again. Hey, I couldn't help it, my hands have a mind of their own. She scowled and shoved me, "Will you stop that! I get it, okay? I was stupid! Quit rubbing it in my face!"

"Hello, I'm life, Miku! Life's a bitch; that's me! I don't stop rubbing things in your face!" I snapped before pinning her and slapping her around (not too hard but enough to make her complain and then some), "Nyeh, nyeh! Whatcha gonna do? C'mon, shed some tears and complain again! C'mon! Let's hear about your poor, mountain-sized problems! Aw, whatcha gonna do?" I mocked her sobbing before grabbing her wrists and making her slap herself, "Ow! Stop hitting yourself! Life's got you down, so why you keep hitting yourself?" I continued leering, "Aw, you have a sad past? How cute. Now, you got some pity party going on? Awww, well don't beat yourself up!"

"Ow, ow! Meiko! Stop!" She squirmed, trying to knee me, but I sat on her and slapped her butt. "OWWW!"

"Come on, Miku!" I said in my regular voice, narrowing my eyes, "I'm life, here! And life's kicking your ass! What are you gonna do?"

"Oh my god, Meiko! Seriously…!" Miku scowled, her eyes flaring once I messed with her hair. "GET… OFF!" She managed to loosen my hold after biting my arm, making me yell. Then she punched me in the face. I exclaimed in shock more than in pain, clutching my cheek. Horrified, she gasped. "Oh! I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to do that!"

Inhaling sharply, I chuckled and winced when she touched my cheek, "Ow. Nice hit."

Miku scowled, reddening, "W-Well, if you would've just listened…!"

"And what? Watch you go on about all the bad things that's happened to you?" I calmly retorted, popping my neck, "You're not the only one with problems. We all got them. Like anyone else though, you can either sit here and cry about it… or you can do something about it." I put a hand on my hip, biting my lip. "You're never alone, you know. Life will hit you hard, but all that matters is that you hit back."

Miku's scowl disappeared. She gave me a heart-wrenching look before lowering her head. "I've just realized… just how much I've hurt everyone, including Rin. I kept trying to force myself on them, pressuring them. I was always being so harsh." She inhaled sharply, "I regret… everything. If I hadn't been so mean to Rin, if I hadn't been so scared… maybe… just maybe we could've worked something out. As friends." She looked down at the music box in her lap, shuddering, "A-and maybe we could've understood each other… if I'd've just been more… understanding. Then maybe Mikuo would've opened up to me… and Len-kun wouldn't hate me…" She sniffled, moaning, "But I ended up saying some pretty nasty things to Rin! God, I'm such a moron!"

I smiled bitterly, "Takes one to know one." I was referring to myself.

"Meiko… Meiko, I…" She stammered, wiping her eyes frantically, so I held out a tissue for her which she gratefully blew into with her red nose. "Thank you. Even though I've done terrible things… I... " She smiled, her lips quivering, "Just… thank you for staying with me. I'm… I'm going to apologize to Rin once this play's over! Then to Len. Then to everyone… and w-we'll work something out. This time, I won't be hasty. This time… I'll..."

…

She's not lying.

"You're quick to suck up, aren't you." I rose my brow suspiciously, putting a hand on my hip, "Just… for now, I think you oughta back off a bit. Give them some space. You know?" At her confused expression, I exhaled, "Don't get all up in their faces right now. They need to sort things out on their own… without you." I pointedly stared at her, making her stiffen guiltily. She looked like a puppy being scolded. "Wait for them to come for you. When they're ready, they'll talk to you. Then you can kiss and make up."

"But Rin and Len…" Miku clenched her skirts, her expression crumpling, "I'm sure they hate me right now!"

"Maybe." I nodded logically, not bothering to give her the benefit of doubt, ultimately crushing her spirit. "But they'll get over themselves. Just listen… and it'll work out, okay?"

Miku looked like she wanted to argue, but she seemed to think twice. Then an expression of understanding and defeat overwhelmed her. She sighed, nodding.

"...Okay."

Blinking, my expression softened, "If I were a guy. I'd probably date you." (but I'd totally marry Rin) Miku blinked then laughed through her tears, making me remember our old times. I cleared my throat seriously though, "Whatever happens, happens. Whatever you have to say from now on, even if it sounds crazy, I'll listen… instead of being a shutout." I assured her, poking her forehead before smiling. "Look, things change. Even though I won't become a famous singer, I'll still sing onstage one day… with you."

My unspoken but forgiving reply to the apology she's been giving me for so long…

Finally.

I remembered all the days we spent together in middle school as inseparable friends. All the promises we made and all the secrets we shared.

That's all I ever wanted for us, Miku.

To shine onstage not as worshipped idols… but as friends.

Miku's face lit up with joy and relief. Without a second thought, she threw herself into my arms, crying. We walked out of the closet together, heading towards the stage.

But when I went back on my own to retrieve Kaito's bouquet, I saw the roses ripped to shreds and scattered across the floorboards. Suddenly, I felt as though someone were watching me. I turned around and saw three grinning figures hiding among the shadows.

"UNGH!"

They threw Iroha and the dino kid, Gachapoid, at my feet. They were tied up, gagged, and badly beaten. I gasped, covering my mouth.

"That was too easy! Taking down these runts'll be a cinch! I can't wait to see my beloved Rin screaming in terror! She looks so adorable out there, too." A longhaired male snickered, twirling in his dress. "Right, Defoko?"

A shorter, purple-haired girl nudged the male, "...Brother. We must hurry. Leon… Leon wants us to hurry up and capture Hatsune Miku and Mikuo."

Oh no… no way!

I ran to get help, but then I felt someone hissing in my ear. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the gleaming of a syringe with its needle dripping with green liquid.

"And where. Do you think you're going?"

Suddenly, I felt something hit the back of my head, hard. I didn't have time to feel pain when my knees gave way, and my mind went black.

---

Kaito's POV

It's probably a good thing my psycho of a mom isn't here anymore. She'd get on my ass for not putting the costume on in order.

"Man, these tights are digging up my crack. Wish I could scratch back there." I said aloud without thinking, making both blonds look up.

"Kaito, that's gross." Len glared.

Rin panted, appearing to sweat under the lighting, "...P-Perhaps I could ask Gacha to help you?"

I shuddered at the thought of those scaly, sharp claws touching my ass, "No, thanks." Then I quirked a brow. "H-Hey, are you okay there, Rabbit girl? You're really red."

She panted, tugging at her high collar. "This corset… it hurts. Teto… she tied it too tight."

"Are you having trouble breathing?" Len worriedly whispered, gently taking her hands in his, placing his palm against her cheeks and frowning. "Maybe you can sneak backstage and get someone to loosen it."

Rin shook her head stubbornly, "I… I am fine. This is… nothing I can't handle."

Len broke into a nervous smile, "Funny. Weren't you complaining a few hours ago?"

She huffed, "I am fine, really."

"...Alright, alright." Len answered slowly but the look in his eyes told me otherwise. He was going to keep a close eye on her.

Then came the next few scenes. Right now, we were commemorating princess Riliane's fourteenth birthday with a ball. Everyone around us was dancing according to the script. I took Pigtails onstage and recited our flirty lines. Once we greeted the yellow princess and servant, we exchanged pleasantries (Shota and Miku did their part to act like forbidden lovers, stealing glances). Then me, following the script, asked the dear princess to do me the honors of dancing with me, and Shota asked his bonny lass to dance.

The focus shifted to the green lady and yellow servant as they recited their (le gasp!) forbidden romantic lines. Oh my.

"You're doing great, Rin." I whispered while we swept into a basic waltz. I couldn't dance so this was all I could manage. After the scenes in which Len, as Allen, secretly met with Michaela and proved his loyalty to his princess by slaughtering protesters who dared speak out against her.

Rin unsurely bit her lower lip, appearing as though she were having a hard time breathing. "A-Am I acting… evil enough?" She whispered, appearing worried. "I feel so very u-uncertain. What if the audience doesn't like my performance? I'm trying my very hardest… but to say those horrible lines: to burn the green country." She gulped. "I don't think I can say it!"

"Just imagine Miku and her country are responsible for burning the world's supply of oranges." I whispered back, smirking at her revolted expression.

"D-Did she now…" She uttered in disbelief before swallowing, "She did, didn't she… not only that, b-but she tried to sell me to SeeU-san..." She whispered, falling forward so hair fell into her dimming eyes. Then she snapped upright, breaking out into a cold sweat as her tiny chest heaved. A wide smile ate up her paling face, and she began trembling, "I-Indeed! To commit an orange genocide is… unforgivable! I-It's only right I return the favor, to her own people no less! H-haha! No wonder I'm so deplorable! W-Why hide it? I-I-I'm the evil princess, after all!"

Boy, watching her stark transformation… it's too much. Teasing her about her worst fear is just, wow. I can't even. Wow. Poor, gullible Bunny-chan.

"Uh, you're not the one being evil right now." My inner self cackled. I spun her as we moved behind other dancing couples. "By the way, I wanted to ask… what was this morning all about? I saw Dino boy chasing Len out from your room with his claws out." I furrowed his face in thought, "Did something happen between you two that night?"

Rin suddenly jolted, sweating up a storm while her face flushing as though she were having a fever. Uneasily, she shifted her eyes.

"N...nothing happened." she barely whispered, staring at our moving feet. Hmm. HMMMM. I smell belligerent sexual tension.

With a smirk, I cocked my head, "Funny. Earlier, I found an empty wine bottle in his room this morning when I was returning a comic. Then I saw Shota venting out his bowels over the toilet after a trip from hangover city… and you're saying absolutely nothing happened?"

Rin looked a little sad all of a sudden, "Len was crying, and he said really surprising things that he's been bottling up for so long." At my stupefied look, she continued, "It seems he remembers everything now, including the time when we were children." she then glanced over her shoulder to look at Len and Miku dancing, "But he… hasn't said anything about last night."

Huh… well… what to say.

"Maybe he's too embarrassed, or maybe he just doesn't remember?" I suggested, making her nod slightly. Come to think of it, did she just say they met when they were kids. Whoa, small world.

"Then… then I should talk to him!" Then she seemed unsure, "Oh, but… what should I say?"

"Say whatever." I shrugged, thinking back to Meiko. "Just don't avoid the topic forever."

Just then, the spotlight shone on us, cueing us to speak our lines. Once we activated our mics, I did the honors.

"I apologize, but I must decline your generous offer." I recited while clearing my throat majestically, "I am already in love with a girl from the Green Country. To make a union by marriage doesn't interest me, and I'm confident my country can get by without making unnecessary ties. We are all on our own unless mutual interests bring us together." I bowed and stepped away, stiffly looking down at Bunny-chan as though she were a child, "You still have much to learn, Princess Riliane. You're still as impatient and hotheaded as you were when you were small. I would've thought Alexiel's genius would've rubbed off on you."

"A-Alexiel? Who...?" Rin feigned bewilderment, along with hurt astonishment at the stinging rejection from her so-called proposal, "Kyle, I've always loved you since I was a little girl! This isn't for my country's sake, but because I've dreamed of marrying you for years! I am crown princess!" She cried, "Stop treating me like a child!"

"Then you will learn to stop acting like one." I reprimanded with a disapproving shake of my head, "The world doesn't revolve around your selfish demands. When you're older, you'll understand…" Flinging aside my awesome cape, I dramatically made my exit with my head lowered, leaving behind a heartbroken princess.

Well. At least she looked stressed enough, seeing her tremble and flushed. Her eyes were moist, and her breathing grew heavy as she was swallowed by the dancing couples.

Aw, Poor bunny-chan. She looks… so uncomfortable in that corset, probably even worse than I felt in my prickly tights. Agh, speaking of which…

The scene shifted to Len and Pigtails, where their forbidden romantic banter occurred. While they were reciting their lines, I did the liberty of dropping my pants so I could properly relax.

"Aw, man! If I didn't know any better, I would've thought Rin-chan actually felt that way about you!" One of my classmates whistled, slinging an arm around my shoulders, "That be all sorts of awkward, ya?"

I snorted, shrugging him off so I could yank my tights down and kick back, "Trust me. It's not like that. She's like… what, a baby sister. Bro, please." Stop that nonsense right now. My friend shrugged and walked off.

"Okay, man. If you say so."

Pulling my pants back up, I relaxed against a platform and yawned. Looking around, I sat there, idle.

Where's Meiko? She should've been back by now. I checked my watch, grumbling. Yup, she's definitely late. What's taking her so long? I wanted to hurry up and watch these scenes with her until my next part comes up.

Gah. Meikooooo, where are you when I need you?

Ugh. I want to go look for her, but my part is coming up real soon…

…

Maybe if I hurry, I can- oh wait, never mind!

"There you are!" I whispered harshly, narrowing my eyes at the approaching brunette in the shadows. I know those colossal knockers when I see 'em. Hah. "What took you so long? You were starting to worry me."

"..."

I rose a brow, "Uh. Hello? Did you hear me?"

White teeth flashed in the dark, and a strange-sounding, husky laugh escaped from my not-so-friendzoned girl.

"...Sorry, Kaito. I ran into… some weirdos. I kinda got into a rough patch with them, but everything's okay now." She said, sounding strangely gleeful, "Let me make it up to you later."

For some reason, I couldn't help but feel something was… different.

Like, creepy different.

"No offense, but are you feeling okay? You look kinda green." I said, pulling her into the light by the arm. She blinked down at me, appearing confused. Then a wide smile stretched her lips.

"Who's being weird, dummy? Lighten up. I'm feeling fine and dandy!" Flicking my forehead with a laugh, she shook her head and sat next to me, pointing at Rin. "Now, pipe down. The good part's coming."

I frowned, remaining unconvinced. Whatever she says still isn't sticking. I knew something was up, but I didn't know what, exactly. As far as appearances go, she looked normal, but…

That wasn't her usual smile.

Still, I decided to keep quiet for now. I'd just have to wait and ask her again later. In the meantime, I'm gonna have to keep a better eye on her.

"The princess was full of rage. Her heart shattered by the one she loved the most, and her mind consumed with grief, she did the one thing her late mother warned her never to do!" Kasane cried, spinning onstage once the lights darkened. Pausing for effect, she then sighed melodramatically, "She called upon the minister of war."

On cue, a hooded man approached and kneeled before her. He resembled the grim reaper himself.

"What is it, my princess?"

"...To compensate for the fallen oranges…" Rin narrowed her eyes and whispered into her mic, "Make sure the Green Country is badly stirred. Burn it to the ground!"

Ominous organ music began to play. The party died down to an insidious plotting scene where the minister declared war against the Green Country. Fire engulfed the stage, accompanied by yellow soldiers. The scene shifted dramatically, and the dancers melted away.

Screams echoed throughout the hall, accompanied by the knives' slashing, corpses falling, and the torches burning. (Of course, everyone was using props to make happen. No humans were actually harmed in the making of these scenes).

Rin, walking forward with her parasol, threw her arms open as she began to dance in bloody rain (which was really rose petals showered from above by our backstage crew), singing all the while.

"Countless houses were reduced to ashes,

and countless lives were lost.

The grief of the suffering people, however,

were unable to reach the queen's ears…!"

Rin giggled, "Ah, it's snack time!"

Len ran up to her, and the screaming faded into the background as he frantically grabbed his "sister".

"Princess, what's the meaning of this? Why have you declared war on the Green Country? T-They're burning to the ground!" He yelled, his eyes wild, "This is mass murder!"

"Dear Allen… this is retribution." The girl laughed in reply, gently taking his hand in hers and dropping a small bottle into his open palm, her bitter smile widening. "Liquidate the girl whom Kyle loves."

"Princess, no. This is going too far! Please call off the troops!" Len trembled, clenching the bottle in his hand. "Reconsider, I'm begging you…"

"Allen. I'm ordering you… so do as I say." The princess replied softly, too dazed to notice how badly she was hurting her trusted servant. "If what you said back then was true… about wishing for my happiness, then you'll do this. You want to make me happy… don't you?"

Len quivered and kneeled before her, grabbing her hand and resting it against his forehead, whispering, "More than anything."

"Then kill her." Rin whispered sweetly, interlacing their fingers, "And I'll be happy."

Immediately, the lights went out. Then, the servant's theme began to play, slow and sad. The scene changed to where Miku was tending to the forest, singing all the while. She was surrounded by her friends graves, and she put lilies on their headstones to honor them.

Yeah, so some scenes were cut out and edited due to the painful duration of the entire play, including the one where I, Prince Kyle, meet up with Allen and have a swordfight. Still, he manages to hide her in a well and keep her hidden until Princess Riliane orders him to kill her.

...God, I'm gonna need some tissues for this.

This. I can't. Just no.

"Allen!" Miku rose to meet the servant once he came into view. With a joyful smile, she ran up to him. "Have you heard from my family? Well? Tell me you've brought good news!"

Len kept his eyes on the ground, keeping his knife hidden behind his back.

"...Indeed. You'll be joining them soon… Michaela." He answered slowly, his blue eyes murky and his smile bitter. "As for good news, this foolish war will be ending soon. Your country will be finally left alone."

Miku laughed, tears coming to her eyes. "That's wonderful! Then we can finally live together without shame! We'll have lots of children and tell them all about how we met! It'll be so romantic! And my family… and this sister of yours… we'll all be together!" She spun around, smiling down at her fallen friends. "See? Even in the worst of storms, true love will prevail! I will carry on your teachings, dear friends. I shan't forget you all… though it breaks my heart knowing you've been laid to rest so suddenly… so mercilessly." She crouched into a praying position, exhaling sharply, "Again, I shall pray for your deliverance… so that you may watch over us all."

"Michaela..." Len's voice sounded so faint.

Miku stood and faced her lover with an innocent, loving look. Her eyes were tender. She looked so darn beautiful in that dress of hers. Just then Len swept her into a bone-crushing hug, one that left her breathless and flustered.

"A-Allen? W-W-What?" She stammered, her face red. "G-Goodness, you're shaking! What's the matter?" She awkwardly held him back, swaying them back and forth. Len trembled, his muscles tightening. His teeth were gritted. The knife in his hands began to tremble.

"I… I love you." he choked out, well-practice tears falling down his face. He held her even tighter. Quivering violently, he poised the knife at her back. "We'll always be together forever."

BWAAAH! It's too much! TOO FUCKING SAD!

I began bawling. After all, a true man doesn't cry for himself... but for others.

Miku's expression softened. Oblivious to the danger, she pulled away slightly to look deep into his eyes. Caressing his cheek, she blushed and smiled, "Yes. I love you, too… till death do us part." At that, Len yanked her into a searing kiss.

Then it hit me.

Whoa. They're… actually kissing.

The tragic music continued, taking on a dramatic climb towards attacking my feels. I bit my shirt and yanked with my teeth, suppressing my manly sobs. The tears were coming hard anyhow. Just then, across the stage, I saw Rin looking on with a shadowed expression. Her eyes were strangely blank, and her hair came messily undone from her mad dance. She was clenching her chest as though it pained her, panting heavily as she leaned against the railing.

Unlike before, when she was acting… she looked strangely heartbroken.

Oh… Ohhh…

Shit.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she lowered her head. She buried her face in her fists, trembling violently. Just then a pair of gloved hands came up from behind her and gently covered her eyes, reassuringly stroking her face. Strangely enough, they looked like the same hands that belonged to the instrumentalist below…

Inadvertently, I glanced down at the keyboard, only to find that the keyboard was playing all by itself with no one there.

My brow twitched.

What the…?

SHLICK!

"Agh!" Pigtails' choking noise of surprise pierced the atmosphere, drawing my attention back to where Len had suddenly stabbed her, tearing up all the while. Her confused, sad expression nearly made me throw up my own feels. "A...Allen…?" she uttered, blood dripping from her mouth. Then she suddenly seemed to understand, and she smiled one last time, touching his cheek and drawing her last breath. "Oh… thank… you."

...For ending the war and for reuniting her with her murdered parents.

He caught her as soon as her body went limp. Together, they sank to the floor. The music reached its pinnacle, and the lights darkened dramatically. The scene ended with Len sobbing over her dead body, covered in blood.

The audience clapped and cried, screaming their feels out as the curtain closed shut, signaling intermission. Len released Miku as soon as the curtains were closed, and they were immediately swarmed by the backstage crew.

"That was so romantic, both of you!" One girl cried, showering them with flowers.

"Yeah! You guys should think about getting together, man! I totally support you!"

"C'mon, what do you say, Len? Ask Miku-chan out already! You make a beautiful couple!"

"Aw, stop. C-C'mon, you're embarrassing me…" I watched as Len laughed nervously, backing away and forcing a smile towards Pigtails. Suddenly, his eyes met Rin's as she shot him a long, meaningful look before smiling achingly. Obviously, she wasn't so happy about the staged kiss even though she'd known it was just part of the musical. I bet my ten dollars that's what's got her goat. With the instrumentalist next to her, she ran off with him in a tow. Len's eyes widened, his face suddenly pale. "Crap. U-Uh, I gotta wipe this blood off now! 'Scuse me!" He pushed his way through, hurrying after Rin.

"Get up, you big baby. Let's get some refreshments." Meiko laughed, still sounding weird. She grabbed me by the armpits and lifted me up effortlessly, dragging me outside.

"U-Uh, right." I sniffled, wiping away traces of my man tears. "Hey, Meiko? Were you always this strong, anyway?" I casually asked, hiding my growing suspicion. Right. Something about her is definitely off, and I'm gonna get to the bottom of it.

---

Rin's POV

Their kiss replayed in my head. Again. And again.

"I… I love you."

"Yes. I love you, too… till death do us part."

My chest… hurts.

Yes, I'm aware it was rehearsed, a-and Len and Miku were just following their lines. Still, it looked so real… it was more than enough to get me so choked up. I… I couldn't help it. For me to be upset over something like this, i-it's childish, it's w-wrong… i-it's…

So… selfish of me.

H-Here I am… even though I promised not to cry and be strong…

For me to be so sad like this… it's utterly ridiculous beyond words. E-Even if they'd've enjoyed that kiss, i-it's not as though I have the right to dictate whether or not they should…

Len loves me… I know.

Even though sometimes… I still doubt. I still get jealous… and I still fear one day, he might remember how stunning and breathtaking Miku really is… and run back to her.

It's only natural something like that would happen, isn't it?

Who wouldn't… fall in love a girl like Miku?

After all, someone like me… only brings unwanted pain and tears… and death.

In a faint memory, I saw my mother sitting at grandfather's piano, singing while I sat on top, swinging my toddler legs.

"Fly me to the moon… and let me play among the stars

Let me see what spring is like on-a Jupiter and Mars

In other words, hold my hand…

In other words, Darling kiss me…

Fill my heart with song, and let me sing forevermore

You are all I long for, all I worship and adore

In other words, please be true

In other words, I love you~"

Then, just as that, the scene faded to her dead body where my reconstructed self stood over her, blood staining my white dress and hands.

Ah… why is so easy for me to destroy things I love most?

The screams from the play reminded me of the screams of my last victims, whom I killed with these filthy hands…

Indeed… I've… accepted what's happened. Who I am.

But… I will never forget what I've done.

"Someone like you… doesn't deserve happiness." Someone called out to me in that familiar and gentle voice. Now I realize that voice that's been guiding me all this time… had also sounded so cold and cruel at the same time.

My eyes fluttered open, and my aching body cried out. I awoke to find who that voice truly belonged to.

"Mi...kuo...kun."

We were alone in the darkness of this room that smelled of laundry. I could faintly make out the outline of the door that was locked shut, and I could hear my own unsteady breathing piercing the penetrating silence. Once my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could faintly make out Mikuo-kun's outline. He flipped the lights on, revealing his hooded form.

"It's been a long time, mein princeszin." He breathed out, bowing eloquently. I shot up from the sofa, more than shocked to see him here. "Y-You're… here? H-How…?" I looked around, We were inside one of the private dressing rooms. My throat went dry, and my chest tightened. "Why are we here? H-How did I get here…?"

"You fainted. It seems your corset is doing a number on you." He gestured to my bodice, making me blush. Feeling unbearably self-conscious, I hid myself from view but met his gaze. "No worries. I'll send someone here to help you. It's ungentlemanly to touch a lady without her consent… after all."

I nodded numbly, "Y-Yes. Thank you for understanding." Truthfully, I hadn't fainted because of the corset… but because of standing for so long without water. I'd foolishly forgotten to hydrate myself properly while running about. Then I examined him.

Why was Mikuo-kun hiding half of his face? His entire body, too? He also seemed to be acting strange.

"Erm… M-Mikuo-kun..." Smiling, I took a deep breath about to question him, "H-How have you been-"

"Kagamine Len… is such a remarkable person, don't you think? Oh, well. Of course you do." He suddenly said, smiling as though he hadn't heard me, "It's so fun to tease people like him. He shows such promise. I can see why my dear sister is infatuated with him. He'll grow to be a fine man. Such potential… shouldn't go to waste."

I blinked, startled. H-He's praising Len so suddenly… n-not that I wasn't displeased, but…

"With his whole life ahead of him, he could get anyone he wants… why should it be you?" He laughed, but for some reason, his voice chilled me to the bones. "You're only holding him back." Then things took a dark turn when he removed his hood, revealing a horrendously stitched and damaged face. Additionally, his entire body was overcome with an oozing green substance that ate away at his body. It consumed him, corrupted him. The strong smell of chemicals wafted into my nostrils, immediately causing me to repel from his frightening form.

This… poison.

Stammering, I reared back, startled to find his eyes swarming with malice intent. His smile was cold and cruel, just like in my dream.

I staggered back, breathing heavily.

That face… full of hatred and wrath…

This is Mikuo-kun? The true Mikuo-kun?

N-No, that's wrong it's wrong.

This can't be Mikuo-kun.

Then who…

"Who are you?" I managed to ask, taking a nervous step back. Suddenly, my chest seemed more constricted than ever. It was as a snake had made a nest in my lungs, squeezing my life out of me. I was left breathless. Suddenly, I realized that I knew this presence. This presence that has been watching me ever since birth. "Is that… the new element? The one that resides inside the fusion reactor?" I struggled to remember, seeing visions of the green substance bubbling from within a giant reactor. I recalled how… alive it looked. "S-So… that's what my father wanted to accomplish with his dream. To promote clean energy and… to create perfect human beings."

Mikuo-kun smirked, along with the substance bubbling along his marred flesh, "Indeed. This element inside me is also what makes you you. This element was created from the hatred and pain from death… from the corpses of Crypton failures and Miriam herself. This element is what powers the fusion reactor that awaits you…" his eyes flared strangely, "I'm Project: VOCALOID's reckoning, here to end the borrowed time you've been living on."

I stared at him, horrified, "That's… awful."

"My mind is no longer my own, Rin-san. My individuality is fading, and I can no longer think for myself. Your father… he poisoned me with this element in order to control me. Soon, I will as useful as a pawn in this chess game." He laughed though it sounded hollow, "This has been my purpose for a very long time: to fulfill the final stage of Project: VOCALOID." His hollow eyes reflected my pale face. "Nothing else matters anymore."

"...So father… used you from the very beginning? A-and now, you're…" This was so devastating, for me to discover this just now. From the beginning, the poison had invaded his mind and bod, slowly consuming him… turning him into this. I couldn't look away at his repulsive appearance. I shamefully lowered my head, biting into the flesh of my lower lip, trembling, "I-I'm so sorry. This is all my fault."

Oh, Mikuo-kun… it must've hurt…

You've given your all to me… and I never noticed.

I wonder if you've ever gotten mad.

"Why?" He seemed genuinely confused, tilting his head, "Won't you become one with me? We're the same. We're Crypton products… so naturally, we're bound to destroy everything in our wake… very soon. You're me, and I'm you."

"No. I'm me. I'm not you." I quickly answered and clutched my pounding heart, reveling in the new sensation. It was beating fast because he was here, but… this time, it was different. It felt… bad, but why. Hurt? Loneliness? Is that why it's painfully pounding so fast?

No. That's not it.

"You don't like being alone." Mikuo suddenly said, extending his arms towards me in a seemingly comforting gesture. I flinched as he approached. "There are many like us: Crypton products. Yet you feel alone among these people and your own kind… and you hate that." His voice was now garbled, and his eyes darkened due to the element's influence.

I swallowed, circling around the sofa so he couldn't touch me.

"But that is your own heart. That thing in your chest that speaks lies." Mikuo-kun pointed, smiling. "You must've noticed it since you first arrived here. Still, you pretended that you didn't notice your ugly feelings taking root in your even uglier heart."

"Ugly…?" I repeated softly, my limbs feeling heavy as lead weights.

A sardonic chuckle escaped from my former friend and ally, now overtaken by the corrupted element, and he cocked his head, "Yes. Your heart that wants Kagamine Len for yourself." He nearly roared in laughter at my expression, "You see Kagamine Len go to school everyday, making friends and being admired by his peers. He does things you could never do, and he has things you don't. He's everything you're not. He's loved by all. He has everything you never had." His snake-like eyes veered into my soul, turning me into stone. "He's your own reflection, your opposite. Your lives are parallel… entwining a meeting that was never supposed to happen. You adore him… but you also hate him. Isn't that right?"

"That's not…!" I began sputtering in denial, slamming my hands against the coffee table. At his growing amusement, my knees trembled as I backed away. "You're wrong. That's not true!"

"You see him look at girls prettier than you, better than you… and you see him look at Miku everyday. You saw them kiss, and you knew, didn't you? They make a beautiful couple, a couple worthy of taking on the world with nothing holding them back." He threw his head back and laughed, "And how did you feel?"

I shook my head, not wanting to listen any longer.

"You didn't like it, did you? You found Miku hateful, didn't you? The fact that she stole Kagamine away from you with her beauty and near perfection. The fact she's no child, unlike you." He snorted, "You only wanted Kagamine Len to only look at you." Mikuo flung the lamp aside, knocking over several makeup bags in the process as he openly grinned at me, his shoulders shaking with malicious laughter. "You felt lonely back when you were a mere child," he said, "Even now with everyone else surrounding you, you know they'll all leave and go their own separate ways… but not Len." He stepped towards me, "Not the kind, strong Len who promised to protect you no matter what."

Outside, the muffled voices faded with Mikuo-kun speaking out like this.

"For you to say these things… just..." I backed away, covering my eyes and begging, "Stop it, Mikuo-kun, please…"

"So you wanted Len to stay by you forever, all to yourself." He chortled, "But in the end, you had no nerve to act on those feelings. What's more laughable? The fact you're childishly selfish or that you're ridiculously spineless?" He shot me a slashed grin, one that knifed into my mind and spilled out the truth, "Even though you're the VOCALOID, you're still just a scared little girl inside. Even with all the power you've been gifted, you're still weak."

I covered my ears, crying, "Stop! STOP!" I would've given way to the floor had it not been for the sofa that steadied me.

"Stop? Why? Am I wrong?" He pressed, his nails digging into my wrists, "If things had turned out differently… Miku would've become the VOCALOID instead of you. Would she've made the better heroine, I wonder?"

I don't want to be compared to her! I'm me!

My lips trembled, forming a thin line.

"You couldn't stand up to your own father, you killed your own mother, and you allowed Crypton to dominate people's lives. You watched many suffer, including myself, without doing anything. You cry and play the victim, but it's true what Miku said about you. The fact that you killed so many happy people… so many lives that could've made this world better." Mikuo-kun grabbed my arms and forced me to look at his twisted sneer, "That is your ugly heart, overflowing with sorrow, hatred, and distress. You and your childish, clingy ugliness, your hunger for everlasting love and acceptance without regard to anyone else's suffering; that is your own heart."

At my impending silence, Mikuo-kun suddenly shoved me against the sofa and climbed on top of me, pinning my arms and legs with tremendous strength that left me breathless. He ripped open my top a few inches to demonstrate the beating of my ugly heart. I couldn't move, too warped in my own thoughts.

"Hm? You've got nothing to say then? How boring." Mikuo-kun smirked down at me, his hot breath hitting my ear, yet I didn't react. "Well then, Rin-san, would you believe me if I told you you could obtain that love by tonight? It's what you've dreamed of for years, after all." He then chuckled, "But in exchange, you'll be dead, and everyone will be far from you forever." His smirk widened as he leaned down to whisper in my ear, "On the other hand, if you stay in Japan and fruitlessly chase after that happiness, everyone will eventually come to hate you… and everything you know and love… will be ultimately destroyed."

What… kind of choice is that?

This cruel… sardonic thing… is not Mikuo-kun… not my friend.

Mikuo-kun continued whispering in my ear, sadistically smirking, "Well? Which do you prefer? To die and be lovingly revered by everyone, or to live with your loved ones until the day they're ultimately taken from you?"

Hot tears flooded down my face, surprising me. I hadn't realized I was crying until Mikuo-kun's echoing words finally dawned on me. Slowly, I looked at my shaking hands forever marred with blood and tears.

I… can't refute.

I… can't answer.

I… can't breathe.

"N...No." I managed to choke out, tears flooding my vision. As I thought, it's no good. I began pushing him away. "No. No."

"You won't answer then? Selfish, cowardly girl." He snickered, pushing back with just as much force, "You're not the bull-headed, bossy little girl I knew back then. No one loves you; they think they do, but they don't. It's the same with Kagamine: he won't love you forever… especially since you're so much like him now. He hates himself, you know that. It seems that DNA sample copied more than just his appearance." His grip hurt, and his chemical odor made me sick to my stomach.

"L...Len. Len…" I began crying out, but I could only find the strength to whisper. I couldn't even speak. How pathetic. Instead, I shook my head, kicking as best as I could. "Len… loves me. Len loves me." I insisted hoarsely, squeezing my eyes shut when he got too close.

"Loves you? Loves you?" He repeated in mock disbelief before cackling, "A love like that... is positively disgusting. It's like loving yourself." He hissed in my ear, "Everyone here is superficial, including him. Compared to Miku, why would he settle for someone less? You're only full of regrets." Suddenly, I heard the ripping of clothing and felt cold air brushing against my bare flesh.

I was left exposed.

Alarmed, I fought against him, trying to shove him off.

What's this?! W-Why?! Why can't I fight back?

Why can't I MOVE?!

"Kcch…!" I was being overwhelmed by the sickening, choking chemicals in his body. It was unbearable. As though I were suffocating. My vision went in and out of consciousness. He took advantage of this and immediately, his fingers flew the strings of my corset, pulling and pulling.

I threw my head back, choking out. My rib cage felt as though it were being crushed. He was pulling hard with such strength that I could scarcely breathe. My poor lungs were being squeezed.

Mikuo snickered, his unwanted gaze staring at every inch of my body, "You see? Your thin and unattractive appearance. Your hips, too narrow. Your breasts, not even prominent. You're not even pretty." The green substance bubbled among his gashed neck, dripping out. "Who else would love this poisonous existence of yours but your repulsive father? You've got a face that only he could love, anyway."

His words were even more painful and sharper than any blade, cutting into my heart and leaving me to bleed. My throat closed up, not because he was choking me but because of his cruel words.

I wanted to cry.

"Your heart will belong to me very soon." He whispered gleefully, his teal eyes clashing with my own blue eyes. He brushed a finger against my left breast, causing my heart to traitorously convulse. "The rest of your body can just rot away… forever. Right now, I can't feel a thing. I don't feel anything for anyone anymore."

Then realization hit me. Memories of us together, playing and fighting. The time when he hid his sister's picture from my view, blushing when I asked about her. The time he relented and played the piano for the first time. The time he talked about his sister and family with eyes full of adoration. The time he bid farewell to mother and myself once we arrived in Japan…

Suddenly, everything was clear to me.

"A… a…" Through my tears, I managed a sad smile, choking out words. Curious, he momentarily loosened my corset, allowing me to breathe. "Are... you done... lying to me? You can… stop pretending to be like this now, Mikuo-kun. I… I understand now."

His eyes narrowed at that, "Understand what? Do you think I'm pretending now? You should've realized the moment we met that I was your enemy. I've always thought less of you. Your father forced me to be your slave, and now, finally… You're the same as me." He flashed me a mock smile, "Now I can show my true face. Now you can see how much I really hate you. This is my ugly self showing."

Smiling painfully, I closed my eyes, "You're lying… again." I stated, closing my eyes, "You were always… a gentle and kind person. Especially since we were children. I-I felt it… Mikuo-kun's warmth." I breathed out, gently reaching up to caress his cheek. "You were always so tall and protective… even now, you're still watching out for me. Even now, you're still the same kind person inside… even though you've become twisted in my eyes."

Mikuo-kun stared down at me.

"What are you saying?"

"You're… not the only one… who's been watching others… I… can see now… why you're acting like this..." Shaking my head, my shoulders shook. Unshed tears glistened in my eyes. "You're only saying these things… to test my volatility of VOCALOID mode. You've taken a liking to messing with people's heads, I see." I choked out, mustering all my bravery to continue, "I-It's because you're being used by both my mother and father. You say you no longer care, but…" I took a deep breath, "You're tired. You hate what you've become, and inside, you want to stop being a 'pawn'. You tried to make everyone hate you so you could be killed. Trying to manipulate everyone into coming after you so you could die… how very selfish..." Smiling shakily, I then tilted my head at him, feeling victorious when he tensed above me, "But it backfired. In the end, nothing went according to your plans! Or my father's! Who's the regretful one now, Mikuo-kun?"

Teal eyes flared, "You're the one who's done all sorts of monstrous things. If anyone should be regretting anything, it should be you."

"Of course I do. I've done all those things… to mother… to those children… to everyone else, but I'm not going to try and forget anymore… I accept what I've done, who I am, and I'm not going to be a victim or a weapon anymore. I-I'll choose who I am!" I pushed against his weight, trying to move, "What about you, Mikuo-kun? Who do you choose to be?"

He raised his palm, looking as though he were about to strike me. Instead he punched it against the cushions, but I hardly flinched.

"Do you choose to continue your lies? Your biggest claim is that you no longer care about Miku or anyone else." I rasped, my hair coming undone, "But isn't that also a lie?" I asked hurriedly. "I know because you're always watching over her with a kind, solemn gaze… full of love. It's the same when you're looking at me. You love me… the same way you love Miku!"

His eyes narrowed.

"You've become twisted, Mikuo-kun. I can't trust you anymore, but… you're lying when you say you can't feel anything! You still love those who you cared about…!" I looked up at him determinedly, "That kind of love isn't always sweet. You say bitter things to keep up safe, making us hate you so we won't get hurt or so we can become stronger and prove you wrong." I clarified, watching his form shift, "What you've been doing all this time… such as lying and confusing me… it truly hurts. Even you helped me, you also hurt my friends. At times, I often wondered whether you were my friend or my enemy. But now… I see." His eyes reflected my own smiling face. "I'm fully aware… of your intentions, Mikuo-kun."

A flare of electricity sparked between our foreheads. Our eyes clashed. I knew he was sorely irritated with me for finding out. Now he looked somewhat unsure of how to reply.

"Really, now?" He breathed out shakily, a smile forming his lips as he chuckled. He began shaking violently. "So… you think I'm testing you? Well, let's see then. If I decide to kill you here and now, would you still forgive me?"

"Eh…" My smile dimmed, replaced with a slight frown, "Maybe... I… I think I could."

"I ought to end things here and now. Leon can't have you in death." He insisted, raising a hand to display a sharp blade infected with poison. Then his eyes fell to my lips. "If I kill you, your lips will be cold and taste of iron. I've always wondered how it would taste."

"I... I don't want to hurt anyone anymore." I told him, remaining firm, "I will make amends for my regrets."

Fear flooded my senses. My heart began to pound despite myself, and I was beginning to sweat.

My breath hitched.

No… he wouldn't. He won't.

"Regret is something I know very well." He neared me with a deadly whisper, caressing my face. "I see now… Maybe if I had been more honest with Miku, things wouldn't have to be this way… if only I had… just… opened up to her… sooner..." Then he suddenly jolted, appearing as though he were finally snapping out of a trance. Flinching and panting, he abruptly grabbed my shoulders, his eyes full of pain. "Urgh. This monster inside me… I can't control myself anymore. I-I can't stop… myself, Rin-san." he whispered, "Thank you for seeing through me. Those bad things I said just now… and all the times I've hurt you… I regret it all. From the very beginning, I shouldn't have interfered with your death. I should've been kinder to Miku. I shouldn't have allowed Leon… to find you again. And now… very soon, I'll finally fulfill your mother's wish. At last, I'll be free."

I blinked.

"I don't expect you to forgive me," He rasped out, wincing, "Honestly, I don't care about what happens to me. But please… keep Miku-chan safe. Finish Project: VOCALOID… tonight." Green ooze dripped from his eyes like tears, "I believe in you, Project Rin."

My smile became watery. Finally, there he is. Mikuo-kun's true face behind this monstrous mask. He managed to rebel against father one last time.

"Yes… this time, I won't run away."

He didn't say anything for a long time, and his expression suddenly became shadowed once again. In that instant, he leaned down and pressed his lips against mine, cold and tasting of metallic poison. I nearly choked on my tears. Still at that moment before he kissed me, I heard his hurried, frantic voice murmuring a desperate "thank you".

B-But… he was kissing me?! W-W-Why?

I found myself blushing despite myself.

N-No! I d-didn't enjoy this one bit! This…! This… just wasn't right! This didn't feel right at all!

Before I could properly protest and shove him away, the door suddenly crashed open.

Mikuo-kun suddenly released me, and I immediately got to my feet. Much to my surprise, Len was standing in the doorway, his face went white. His expression was devoid of emotion as he stared openly at us, his fists clenched at his sides. Then I saw blood dripping from his palms, and then I realized he'd been digging his nails into his skin.

He was enraged.

My eyes widened. Suddenly, I was aware of my half-dressed state, and immediately, I tried to cover myself up. Realizing how the situation must've looked to him, I began blurting out explanations, "O-Oh! This… this isn't what it looks like! Y-You see, I- w-we were just-!"

"Tch…" Clenching his teeth, Len suddenly hid his expression and lowered his head. Hair fell into his eyes. He removed his tailcoat and put it on my shoulders, hiding my flushed skin from view. Like a demon possessed, he charged towards Mikuo-kun and punched him across the face.

BAMMF! BAM! POOWWW!

"LEN?!" Shrieking, my hands flew to my mouth. Len's wild expression screamed for blood. He let out a roar that was scarcely human and kept punching Mikuo-kun. I saw my former friend thrown to the ground with Len's dark figure descending towards him like a wolf caging his prey. He grabbed Mikuo-kun by the collar and beat him repeatedly on the right side of his face. I jumped back when he started screaming unintelligibly at Mikuo-kun, horrified by the murderous aura enveloping him.

Mikuo-kun merely smirked, not even fighting back.

"You didn't have a problem hitting me back then! What's stopping you now?" Len screamed, "Fight back!"

"You're not worth the effort." Mikuo-kun laughed in reply, clearly provoking him. "If I hit back, then I'll be at your level! You're weak. You always will be."

"Mikuo-kun!" I shouted angrily, extremely upset with how he was treating Len.

"WHY YOU...!" Len launched himself on top, fire in his eyes.

"No, Len!" I screamed and rushed forward, grabbing Len's shoulder and trying to make him stop, only to be roughly pushed back. I landed on the carpet on my sore butt, wincing. This time, I grabbed Len's arm. "I-I'm telling you right now, Len! Stop!"

Len snarled and pushed his knee against Mikuo-kun's chest. As a rivet of sweat dribbled down his forehead, he kept punching until the latter was black and blue.

"I'll fucking kill you, you disgusting bastard! It wasn't enough for you to put me through what happened earlier, so now you're gonna rape Rin?! DIE MOTHERFUCKER!"

"LEN, THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED!" I screamed, tears freely flowing down my face. He misunderstood! He wasn't thinking clearly! "Please!" I ran in front of him and cupped his cheeks in my trembling hands, "Stop this, Len! Listen… Mikuo-kun… wouldn't have those intentions! He was… I was…!"

For a split second, he froze and gazed softly at me, appearing deeply conflicted at the sight of my tears. "Rin…" But then his eyes drifted to my lips, and his angry expression returned. "He touched you. He kissed you. This asshole was-!" He hissed, "I'll never forgive him! He's dead!"

"That isn't your decision to make!" I cried as he brushed past me, but before he could make it to Mikuo-kun, I blurted out the only thing I could think of in order to stop him, "You kissed Miku, too!"

Suddenly, Len froze.

Mikuo-kun lifted his head, the green substance dribbling down his lips, and he broke into a knowing grin, "...Hehhh."

"If Len can kiss other girls so carelessly… isn't it fair for me to do so, too?" I asked in a whisper, tightening the jacket around me. "You don't know how I feel, Len. It's not as though I dislike Mikuo-kun… in fact, w-what if I enjoyed how he touched me...?" I swallowed. Oh no… I just lied to Len! Still, my mouth wouldn't stop. "It's not fair for you to decide everything."

Then he started towards me with a stony look on his face, deathly silent.

"Len… your… DNA was the base of my existence. I'm not the same Rin back then. My body is different now." I whispered ashamedly, lowering my head, "Mikuo-kun, too. I'm… we're… not even truly human by normal standards."

"Rin-"

"No matter how you look at it… I really am a repulsive existence; This VOCALOID. Now I understand why you don't want to talk about last night… now that you know everything. That means… the thought of touching each other disgusts you…" I bitterly smiled at him, unshed tears glistening in my eyes, "Even though I love it when you touch me, To you… It's like touching yourself, right?"

Len's eyes widened, "You got it all wrong! You're you, Rin! Not some carbon copy of me! That's not how I think about it at all-!"

Mikuo-kun sardonically chuckled, propping on his elbows, "It's only right that we can touch each other… isn't it? If you touch my sister in such a manner, then it's alright for me to do the same to your 'twin." He spat out, his eyes full of malice. Once again, he'd been corrupted by the element. "Basically, she's saying she doesn't want to be with you in that manner… right, Rin-san?"

My face went white.

That's not what I was saying at all!

Mikuo-kun merely chuckled, wiping his lip, "Know this, Kagamine. Tonight, I will steal her heart." he said, causing him to tense, "The next time you see me, you better run. Everything will go awry, so you might as well just hand her over to me right now. It'll be easier that way."

"Like hell I'd let you take her away from me again." Len whispered, suddenly kicking him in the stomach with his blue eyes alit with rage. "SO SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU SICK JOKE!" He panted, glancing at me over his shoulder. "I don't want you ever coming near her again. Don't talk to her, don't touch her, don't look at her. Don't even think of her." He clenched my former friend's jacket until his knuckles were white. "Don't come near us ever again… 'cause there's no telling what I'll do to you if I see your damn face one more time!" He cursed, "Stay away from Rin! She's not yours, got it?!"

I stared, baffled, "L-Len…"

Mikuo-kun smirked up at him, his eyes dimming, "Oh? Then who does she belong to?"

Len glared, "Me, goddammit! Don't lay on a hand on my girl!" With that, he shoved him to the ground and stormed towards the exit, dragging me along by the wrist. "C'mon, Rin! We're leaving!"

"B...But!" Gasping at this sudden show of strength, I tried to keep up with him. I worriedly glanced behind my shoulder at Mikuo-kun, who watched us leave, "W-wait! What about…!"

Len glared at me, "Forget about him!" He all but yanked me forward, causing me to stumble. He led us downstairs to a dancing studio surrounded by mirrors. After locking the doors, he stormed towards me.

I stood my ground, meeting his eyes unhesitantly and preparing myself for another argument.

What he did instead caught me completely off-guard.

Len grabbed my arms in one swift motion and pushed me against the mirrors. The jacket hung loosely around my shoulders before falling to the ground. He pushed his head forward and kissed me. Then he began tearing my dress apart. Startled, I instinctively pushed him away. "N-No, Len-"

"Quiet. Just kiss me." He gasped and plunged back to my lips, groaning and cupping my cheeks and shoulders, massaging every part of my skin as though making sure I were real. I gasped, and much to my shock, something wet and warm slithered into my mouth, lazily circling my tongue.

His lips were so warm. He smelled so nice… I felt as though I were floating in the clouds.

Electric fire coursed through my veins, and soon I found myself fervently responding. Kissing Mikuo-kun was nothing compared to this. Len's kisses left me breathless, making feel as though I couldn't even think. I felt as though I were being swept away in a ocean of pleasure.

His tongue relentlessly flirted with mine, creating a fiery dance of sorts. My eyes rolled up in rapture, and I sighed. Then his hands went under the upper part of my dress, undoing the strings of my bodice, finally providing my lungs with relief. I gasped aloud and broke the kiss, clinging to him. A trail of saliva left our lips, and my face burned when I witnessed his tongue lashing out to catch the drip.

"Rin…" he groaned, dragging his hands against my skin, "God, Rin…" The way he was saying my name made my head spin. "You feel so good, I'm going to…" he suddenly kissed me again, this time with bruising force.

"Fuaa… w-wait, no… I-I don't want…!" Cheeks burning, I struggled to recollect my bearings, trying to separate us but to no avail. He kept pulling me back to him each time I tried to move away. I shook my head, panting, "It's too much, Len. P-Please slow down… I-It's too intense-mmf!" Grabbing the back of my neck, he pushed me forward and cut me off with another hard kiss, one that made my knees buckle.

I wasn't too sure what was happening but- oh my where did the floor go?

Eyes wide, I gasped to find him on top of me, staring down at me with a stern expression. His hands tightened around mine. The muscles of his shoulders and chest moved along with his heavy breathing. His face was flushed, and his shirt was already halfway unbuttoned. I blushed hard. Since when…?

He was staring down at me, looking extremely… intense. Jealousy, anger, and… lust burned within the depths of his electric blue corneas. The heat of his dark gaze left me breathless. I felt ashamed of how I was becoming quickly undone simply by the way he was looking at me.

With my hair sprawled out, my clothes in disarray, and my legs on either side of him, I couldn't even imagine how I must've looked like to him. I took deep breaths and licked my lips, garnering my strength to speak. He seemed distracted by these movements, however, as his eyes kept flickering between my heaving chest and my swollen lips.

Squinting as the haze enveloped me, I began in a soft voice, "L...Len?"

"R...Rin…" He panted, narrowing his eyes. Exhaling, he soon fell into a trance. "Rin…" He whispered again, falling into me. "Touching myself doesn't even come close to this. Your soft and supple body isn't like mine. You taste delicious." Liquid fire pooled in my lower abdomen when he growled in my ear before biting it, tracing his tongue along the lobe, "You're mine, Rin. Mine." He whispered heatedly, squeezing my thigh for emphasis, "Let every other guy know that I don't share. I won't let anyone else touch you except me."

I half-heartedly struggled against him, breathing hard, "L-Len, wai-" His lips crashed against mine again with the impact of a giant wave. His tongue electrified with mine. His hands lifted my skirts up, brushing against my thighs and my sides. I heard my stockings rip as he shoved his lower region against me. I gasped and squirmed at the pleasure spiking within me, inadvertently arching against him. "Mmmm… mmmf!"

All too quickly, the world was melting away… along with my willpower.

His tongue, his hands, his eyes… his moving hips. it was all I could think of. Soon, I was drowning in a dream that only contained of us, writhing with pleasure.

Never in my life had I felt this way.

It felt so embarrassing… especially to be in such a shameless state, doing these things… but at the same time, it felt so wonderful. We were both ensnared by the throes of passion. My mind was on hyperdrive, and all that mattered was how my body was aching for Len to kiss me… to love me… to touch me…

My mind screamed at me to stop him, but my body wouldn't listen.

"Len..." I found myself pleading, grabbing at his hair and yanking gently. I looked up at Len and whined softly, "Please… Len… t-touch me… more."

Len's eyes widened momentarily, then his expression morphed into one of mischievousness. "Touch you where?" He breathed hotly against my ear before biting the lobe hard, causing me to nearly faint. My spine tingled when he continued nibbling down to my neck.

"E...Everywhere." I begged, hiding my face in his chest and clinging to him tightly. "Touch me everywhere… only Len… can…" I trailed off, taking his hands in mine and leading them to my breasts, reveling in the wonderful sensations when he suddenly squeezed. "I only want Len… to touch me like this. Nobody else." I whispered the last part, squeezing my eyes shut.

His eyes darkened. Without warning, he wrapped my legs around his waist, and I could feel his pants tightening. No longer needing permission, his lips harshly connected with the flesh of my neck, biting and sucking. I gasped when our lower regions made electrifying contact, making my head reel. Fright filled me, so I clung to him, unsure of what he was doing. Still, I trusted Len. His skin overlapping mine, and his hot breath mingling with mine, I suddenly realized this kind of connection is what our bodies have been craving for so long. Whimpering, I endured the pain while watching him continue his work with the mirrors surrounding us. Then an overwhelming pleasure overrode my mind, flooding my senses with ecstasy when he suddenly, roughly bucked his hips into mine-!

"Aaah!" I gasped, throwing my head back. Whimpering into his ear, I tightened my legs around his waist, clinging to him so I couldn't fall. Immediately, he went rigid, and his breathing went ragged. Like a man possessed, he immediately gripped my thighs and thrusted forward.

Again.

And again.

And again.

"Rin…" he panted against my ear, dragging a hand down my tingling spine before massaging the small of my back in a way that made me writhe in pleasure, "Make those noises for me again. Say my name."

"L...Len…" Embarrassed beyond belief, I squeezed my eyes shut. "Ahh~ Len…" I breathed out, and he rewarded me by biting my earlobe. I squeaked, my cheeks redder than spider lilies. Suddenly, I felt the urge to kiss him, so I looked up at him, pleading. "Len… please… kiss me. Please?"

Len smirked, pleased with how I was begging for his touch, "Hehh. You're so spoiled, Rin." But I didn't need to ask him again, as he enthusiastically pushed his head forward and crashed his lips against mine.

"Hahh… you… like that?"

"Nnn~ M-Mmm~!"

"Haaa...haa…"

"A-ah~ Len~!"

"Ngh… jeez, Rin… quit moving against me like that or I'll-! Haagahh, oh god…"

"Len… ah… huaaa!"

The sounds of our stifled gasps and cries echoed, and the mirrors began fogging up. Our clothes fell piece by piece.

Heat filled the room, and he continued doing… strange things to me. When it became too much to bear, he all but kissed me ferociously, his hands writhing everywhere on my bare body, possessing it completely. However, when his fingers looped around the hem of my yellow panties, he broke the kiss with a wet smack.

Panting, I confusedly peered at him through half-lidded eyes, wondering why he'd stopped, "L...Len?" He stopped moving completely, so I slid out from underneath, cupping his cheek. "Len… are you alright?"

As if snapping out of a trance, he suddenly looked at me as though he were seeing me for the first time. Then realization dawned on his widening eyes, and he exhaled loudly. His face was full of regret.

"Holy shit… what's wrong with me? I'm such a pig… making you do these kinds of things and not even asking you if it's what you want." He brought his knees to his chest, hiding his face and cursing, "Damn it! I'm supposed to be protecting you, not…! Not doing this!"

Confused, I crawled towards him on my knees, "But Len… before this, I thought… you couldn't bear the thought of touching me." Hesitantly, I mustered up the courage to touch his shoulder, causing him to inhale sharply. "After last night-"

Len's head shot up, "If I touch you, I'll go crazy! Of course I can't stand even being this close to you! That's why I haven't been able to look you in the eye since last night! Ever since I remembered how crazy I was about you when we were kids, ever since all this happened, I haven't been able to control my own impulses! I feel like I'm going to explode! It's killing me, Rin! And you just let me-!" He exclaimed, throwing his arms out, "God, you know I want to marry you and make you happy and have kids- jeez, I'm getting way too ahead of myself right now!" He gritted out, closing his eyes. His Adam's apple throbbed as he swallowed thickly, shaking his head as though trying to rid himself of certain thoughts. "God. I... I want to do… things to you."

I tilted my head, confused, "Things?" I repeated, trying to comprehend what he was implying, "What kind of… things?"

He stared at me as though I'd grown two heads, "I'm literally five seconds away from pinning you back down and showing you." At my ever growing confusion, he exhaled shakily, appearing as though he were trying to restrain himself. "Damn it, Rin… you're going to get me locked up one of these days. You acting so innocent is such a damn turn on."

...Turn on?

I looked around, confused.

Turn what on? The lights?

In any case, it seemed as though Len looked incredibly frustrated for some mysterious reason. I wasn't certain why, but I had a strong feeling that it had to do with me.

"But… if Len wants to do those things… it's not bad, is it?" I answered softly and touched his arm, hoping to quell his irritation. "You've done so much for me that I want to repay you somehow. Ask me anything…" I crawled up to him, leaning forward with my hands on his knees. His eyes immediately dropped to my cleavage. "I belong with Len, after all."

"Mm. That's right." He pulled me into him and growled, smirking against my neck. "I bet kissing Hatsune never amounted to what you're feeling right now." He looked immensely pleased when I nodded, "You're beautiful…" his eyes suddenly softened as he looked at me, caressing my cheek, "And you're mine." He then gently yet forcefully grabbed my chin, making me look in the mirrors that reflected our half-dressed, panting selfs. "Only I can see you like this… making that kind of expression." I blushed hard at how we were so intimately entangled, and I looked away.

Len chuckled. He lifted my hand to his lips, kissing my fingers softly. Then he stared at me, and only at me.

All I could see was my shocked, red face reflecting in his eyes.

His expression resembled a man's. He was no longer the boy I met so many years ago.

"I want all of you… your lips, your eyes, your voice." He whispered as though he were telling me a secret, intimately touching those said places. Then he grabbed my hips possessively, making me shudder in pleasure. "I want to monopolize you so no guy will dare lay a hand on you… to kiss you all over… to reclaim you as mine over and over again." He traced the dark imprints on my neck before kissing over them softly, "I don't want anyone to come between us ever again."

"Len… I don't..." I managed, flustered under his penetrating stare, and so I squirmed, "But I don't deserve you. You could have any other girl… all I want to be is a normal girl. You… don't you want someone better than that?" I asked timidly, bringing my hand to my pounding chest.

Len's eyes flared, and he suddenly pulled me flush against his chest. Much to my shock, I could feel the frantic pounding of his heart.

Ba-thump, ba-thump!

BA-THUMP!

Len's heart is beating so fast… is it because of me?

"I want only you, Rin. I don't want any other girls. I already told you when we were kids, didn't I? That I would take you to see the world… and I intend to do just that." He told me softly, reaching over to push a lock behind my ears, causing me to wince. Then he chuckled nervously. "Sorry. I'm probably freaking you out right now."

"A… a little bit." I admitted shyly, allowing him to pull me into his lap. "But… I should say sorry, too. E-even though I know Len loves me, I still felt sad when you were kissing Miku onstage. I… I was afraid you'd fall in love with her again."

Len's gaze softened even further, "You were jealous?" His surprise gradually faded into one of amusement, but I puffed my cheeks at this and pushed him away, crossing my arms. He laughed and coaxed me back into his lap, "Sorry. It was just for the play, and I hardly enjoyed it, but now I understand. The last thing I'd want is to see you kissing someone else… let alone touching you." He growled out the last part, most likely referring to what happened earlier.

I blushed but allowed him to nuzzle into the crook of my neck, "Mikuo-kun doesn't… think of me that way. In any case… he said some really cruel things." At his growing hostility of the mentioned name, I quickly added, "Oh! B-but he hadn't been saying those things out of true malice… but-"

"Then he touched you." Len seethed, tightening his arms around me in a possessive manner, "You're defending him now? Do you like him more than me?"

My eyes widened, "Of course not! I already love Len!" Seeing his mood lighten considerably, I sighed in relief before looking at him in anticipation, swallowing anxiously and summoning all my courage, "In any case… would you like to… monopolize me now?" I slowly lowered the collar of my princess gown, revealing as much skin as I possibly could, turning away, "My body, that is."

Len went beet-red to the tips of his ears. He suddenly clutched his nose, choking up on the spot.

I tilted my head, hugging him, "Len…?"

"Wait until we're older before you start suggesting those kinds of things!" Len's outburst made my ears ring. I almost fell on my butt from the impact. Blood dribbled from his nose as he frantically covered his reddening face, "I-I mean… jeez, I know it's my fault, but… not until we're older! We gotta have a healthy relationship first!"

Strangely enough, I felt a little disappointed… but mostly relieved.

"Thank goodness." I whispered mostly to myself.

"Anyway, you shouldn't even be propositioning things like that so casually! Read the atmosphere for crying out loud!" He finally managed to wheeze out, fixing my appearance and redoing my hair before covering my body with his jacket once again. "Doing those kinds of things… like this and that… they're for adults!" He seemed to be averting his eyes from my legs and my chest, swallowing soundly. "Jeez, Rin. I'm trying to resist these urges… don't turn me into some savage." He helped me up, and he cleared his throat until he finally seemed calm, "Intermission is over, anyway. So come on then… let's deliver our grand finale."

I took a deep breath, suddenly nervous about what awaited us.

"Len… suddenly, I feel so very… nervous." I confessed, holding his hand tightly. "I feel as though something big will happen. Something that will change our lives." I exhaled slowly, staring up at the stage lights from the stairs. "But the fact that you're here, and the fact that everyone's here… together… Now, I'm no longer alone." Cheering sounded from outside as Teto delivered her punchline to the audience, and the final act was starting. "Still. No matter what happens, everything will definitely, definitely be alright." I straightened myself and stared straight ahead, "I'm certain of it."

Out of the corner of my eye, Len's expression was warm and gentle, and he was smiling at me. Then he looked ahead as well. His hand tightened around mine. Suddenly, I was aware of how his palm was just as sweaty as my own.

"...Yeah."

Ba-thump… ba-thump…

Now, I have people who I love and revere so much that every wound inflicted on them is inflicted on me as well. The closer they are to me, the greater the pain.

Still, to feel so strongly for someone that you'd fight for them… and die for them.

That kind of love becomes my strength.

"There you are, Rin-san! Where have you b-EEEEEK! Y-Your n-n-n-neck?! A-Are those… hickeys?!" Luka pointed to the scars on my neck Len had given me earlier. She blushed to the roots of her hair when she realized Len and I were holding hands. Realization dawned on her. Len broke into a sheepish grin and awkwardly averted his gaze, rubbing his neck with a laugh. Luka gaped at him before grabbing my hand, "Kagamine-kun is ecchi! C-C'mon, we can't have you going out there like that! I-I'll get my make-up kit! If we hurry, we can still make it!" As she led me away, I took one last glance at Len, who was smiling at me apologetically.

In response, I merely blew him a kiss.

He caught it.

The night was filled with our performance. Scenes changed within a blink of an eye. Ka-, Kyle discovered his lover's corpse and swore vengeance on the Yellow Princess, and Meiko-nee convinced him to join her revolution. The next scenes mostly consisted of them rallying allies until their party was the size of an army. Soon, they led an all-out war right in the Yellow nation and stormed to the castle.

"Here. Take my clothes and escape."

"Allen, y-you can't do this for me! They'll find us out!" I shrieked to Len, who was currently dressed in a copy of my princess gown, and I could hear his fans quietly squealing in the background.

Len smiled at me forlornly, pushing his set of servant clothes to my chest along with a tiny glass bottle, "It's alright. We're twins, and no one will be able to tell the difference."

"No! I don't want this! I've never been kind to you, so why… why for me?" Tearfully, I flung myself into his arms, begging him to reconsider. "I'm the Daughter of Evil! This is what I deserve!"

"If that's true, then I have the same evil blood running through my veins." His hand gently raised my chin, "Because I love you… live." he whispered before shoving me into the wardrobe. Just before he did that, however, he sneaked me a kiss before shutting the doors in my face.

"Nooo! ALEXIEL!" I screamed his true name, pounding against the doors like I practiced. "Don't do this!" From outside, I could hear the audience wailing their distress. I smiled to myself, blushing as I touched my lips.

It all happened so fast. The leaders of the revolution, Kaito and Meiko-nee, quickly apprehended Len and forced him on a mock trial. Naturally, all the citizens who'd joined the angry mob found him and his crimes… guilty.

The next scene I was rushing to the front of the mob, ready to witness my 'brother's' execution. He'd been dragged up to the fake guillotine and forced on his knees. After being locked in place, the mob around me screamed for his blood.

"Any last words?" Meiko-nee recited with a strange glow in her eyes. I paused, having an odd feeling overwhelming me at the sight of her. Somehow, she looked… different.

"Kill her!"

"The princess has no right for last words!"

For a long time, Len didn't say anything. A hush befell the mob. It wasn't until we heard the makeshift clock chiming that he finally laughed in a high-pitched voice.

"Ah, it's snack time."

SCHLLIIIIIIIICK!

The entire stage immediately went black, cuing me to make my devastating scream of loss and regret. Whispers reverberated from my fellow actors, along with groans.

"Plug your ears, guys. Rin's gonna scream."

"Oh boy, here it comes."

"Good thing I bought these earmuffs."

Taking a deep breath, I mustered all my strength to make my voice sound as painful, heartbroken and shrill as possible. Everything groaned above me, including the mics. The chandelier, too.

"ALEXIEEEEEELLLLL!"

"Gagh!"

"Ow!"

"...Gnngh…! Goddammit! She forgot to turn off her microphone!"

The curtain closed shut, and the backstage crew immediately began renovating the area for the final scene, hurriedly rushing back and forth and pushing the fake guillotine backstage. The actors hurried past me, including my friends.

Suddenly, I was full of anxiety once again. My breathing quickened, and my pulse increased. I began to sweat. I-I'm going to sing "Regret Message"... all by myself, alone onstage with everyone looking right at me! I-I… will I be able to do it?

"Sing, Rin! This is your big scene! If anyone can do it, I know you can! Knock 'em dead!" Teto, in the arms of Ted, excitedly whispered to me before she was carried away. "By the way…! Don't forget we're going bra-shopping tomorrow…!"

Luka squeezed my shoulder assuringly, "Do your best, Rin-san! I-I have something wonderful to tell you after this!" I saw something shining on her ring finger, glimmering like a diamond.

"Yeah, yeah. When this is over, we're all heading to the restaurant downtown. You're paying, Bunny-chan." Kaito sighed as he ruffled my hair, waving.

Meiko-nee walked past me with a dark grin. Her eyes seemed to glow in the dark. I blinked with worry, watching her go. Strange… it looked as though she were eying me as though I were her next meal. Perhaps she still wasn't feeling well.

Or am I just imagining things?

Miku strode past me, her eyes on the floor. Suddenly, she paused right next to me. "...Good luck, Rin." She whispered, much to my surprise. Before I could say anything in reply, she immediately rushed off. I stared after her until a sudden weight collided with me. I spun around, startled to find Len hugging me with our foreheads touching. He nuzzled me briefly before smiling.

"Remember on the bus that day when you said you'd sing for me? For everyone? Well… now's your chance." Noticing my apprehension, he chuckled, "It's alright to be nervous, but trust me, it won't be as bad when you start. You said you'd do anything it took, right? C'mon, breathe."

I shakily did as he told me, taking deep breaths. L-Len was right, after all. I told him before that I would do anything it took to sing for him… for everyone here. Even if it gets hard, I would fight back even harder! Those were my exact words. Even now, everyone is believing in me.

I don't want to be a burden anymore. I don't want to run away anymore!

"I'll sing!" I nodded fiercely, determination firing me up once again. Len smiled so widely that he almost looked like he would burst from happiness. He looked so proud. I beamed in reply before kissing his cheek, "Thank you, Len." With that, I got into position on top of the makeshift dock overlooking by moving waters, which were actually controlled devices by the backstage crew.

The lights went back on, revealing my audience looking at me with curious, watering eyes.

I froze in place.

Everyone's looking at me now. Not as a product.

Not as a monster.

Not as a VOCALOID

They're looking at me as Rin, the girl who's no longer alone.

With that thought in mind, I inwardly smiled, feeling pleasant butterflies inside my stomach. Then I clutched the bottle in my hands and took a deep breath.

"Please… God. My sins are great, and my true trial has yet to come. What… what a fool I am." My voice wavered as I painstakingly looked beyond the horizon. "So many are dead because of me, along with my… my brother." I lowered my head at this part, trembling with emotion. "I await your divine penance."

Sniffling noises came from the audience, and out of the corner of my eye, I could see Nami dabbing her eyes with tissues as she threw her arms around Dell, who awkwardly patted her while watching with a stoic face.

"But please!" My outburst startled some of the audience members sitting up front, and I began crying as best as I could, "Please…! I know I don't deserve any more of what's been given to me… I-I'm more than aware that this sounds like a selfish wish from a twisted, shallow girl like me, but…! I want to see Alexiel again! If I could… I…! I'll pay any price! I'll do anything!"

Suddenly, I thought of mother who fitted this exact scenario. She wanted nothing more than to see me again… no matter the price or consequences.

But in the end, she died with regrets.

"If the legend you say is true… Alexiel. If I could be reborn…" I whispered, closing my eyes, "Then I wish us to be together again."

Below, a hooded Mikuo-kun began playing on the keyboard, starting a slow, heartfelt ballad. My heart sank as he barely nodded towards me with a mysterious smile before cuing me.

And so I began in a soft, waving voice.

"In a small harbor far away from the closest town.

There's a girl standing all alone

A mysterious legend has been passed down since ancient days about this sea…"

The music picked up.

"Write down your wish on a parchment paper and put it in a bottle

Let it drift off on the wide sea, and your wish will come true someday…!"

At that line, I gently tossed my bottle into the makeshift sea, allowing the string from above to hook onto the bottle so someone from above could control the bottle like a puppet, watching it sway between the jagged, painted waves.

"My glass bottle is being carried away

With a message containing a wish

Beyond the horizon, it quietly disappears…"

During the instrumental part, I closed my eyes and thought back on everything that happened since I first arrived here in Japan.

It all started with you, Mother…

All I wanted was to be with you, Lily, and father... and live as a family. I never wanted to be VOCALOID. I wanted us to be happy. We could've been poor or frugal, and it wouldn't have mattered… because I would still treasure our family.

I've done terrible… unspeakable things. Things that haunt me to this very day… and I know I can't take them back. I once thought I didn't deserve to live, that I should just disappear… but…

I don't want to die anymore.

I want to live. Here. With everyone.

"Mother…" I whispered to myself, raising my head to the glass ceiling above and watching the stars. Then the moon came out from the clouds, shining down on me.

"Mommy, when I grow up, can we go to the moon?" My little self asked my mother as she swayed us both in the rocking chair in that steel, monochrome room.

Mother looked at me with a gentle yet endearing expression, pushing strands of my hair behind my ear, "Rin, my darling. It's rather cold in space, and you might not like it."

I puffed my cheeks out indignantly, "But I wanna goooo! I wanna fly to the moon!" Reaching out, I began tugging at her necklace, making her shake her head at me though her eyes were laughing.

"Oh? Well, if you insist. But why?"

I suddenly stopped and shyly looked at my twiddling fingers, "B-Because you're always singing about it! Mommy says she wants to play with the stars, and… to see what spring is like on… on Jupiter and Mars, right? It must be really pretty!" Face set in determination, I crossed my arms and nodded, "So I wanna come too, with Mommy!"

Mother's eyes widened before gradually softening. "Ah, I see now… you're talking about my favorite song."

I nodded eagerly before putting my arms out so she could carry me, "Fly me to the moon, too!" She laughed, lifting me into her arms as we danced around the room. "Hold my hand! Kiss me!" I demanded, delighted when she did so. I squealed with laughter as she spun me. Afterwards, we were sprawled out on the bed, smiling and laughing.

"Very well… we can go to the moon." She finally said.

I shot up from the bed, excited, "Really? Together? You mean it, Mommy?" She hummed in affirmation, kissing my forehead.

"Yes, but first… we're taking a trip to Japan. You see, we're going to live with your grandfather there very soon. You'll love it there." At my disappointed reaction, she chuckled and took me into her lap, reassuringly stroking my hair. "My dearest, Japan is the most wonderful place in the world."

I crinkled my nose in doubt before arguing, "The moon's better!" I remembered how much I wanted to live on the moon, so much that I didn't even care about this 'Japan'. "'Sides, Daddy says he hates that place!"

Mother sighed, "Rin, darling…"

"But if Mommy wants to go that badly… then I guess the moon can wait." I begrudgingly muttered, still not happy about the travelling plans. "But after that we'll visit the moon right away! We'll dance with the stars, and we'll see spring, and…!" I rambled on, oblivious to the joyful tears in her eyes.

"Yes…" she sniffed before holding me close, "This time, we'll be together. This time, we'll be happy. It doesn't matter how much we have… what I have to sacrifice..." She buried her face in my hair, trembling with happiness, "This time, I'll have no regrets…"

Choking on my tears, I held back the sobs bubbling in my throat and sang again.

"No matter what, you did everything for my sake

Yet I was always so selfish… only causing you trouble

I-I wonder if you've ever gotten mad?"

I'd been so sick all those years ago, and I felt so angry and frustrated, so I took everything out on you despite your frequent visits, your kind words, and the medicine you'd tried giving me to soothe the pain.

Nothing worked, but… you still… tried your hardest. Even though I screamed at you, you still kept on smiling for my sake, giving me whatever I asked for, hiding your pain.

You just wanted to see me happy.

But… I only thought about myself. My own pain… I never thought about how you must've felt… on the other side of my monochrome prison.

After all, weren't you were also imprisoned in that place for my sake as well...?

"You, who used to grant my wishes, are no longer by my side

So I hope the sea can grant my single request…!

My small wish is being carried away by the sea

Containing my tears and some regret

The moment I realized all my sins, you were already gone…"

Her smiling face, her tears, her last words before she died with that smile on her face.

"...love…"

My eyes widened at that memory, and I gasped, clutching my head. My knees gave way, and I sank to the ground, trembling with realization at the true meaning of your last words.

In the end… you actually… truly… loved me… despite what I became.

Right?

Then I truly broke down crying on the stage, reaching out for your falling body in my mind's eyes until the audience flashed before my eyes. Tears squeezed out of my eyes as I openly sobbed, crying up to the sky.

Mother…

Mother…!

"My glass bottle is being carried away

With a message containing with a wish…!"

I can't change what happened.

Mother… I'm sorry I couldn't make you happy.

I'm sorry for hurting you...

I'm sorry I couldn't find you in Japan...

I'm sorry you regret my birth…

"Beyond the horizon, it quietly disappears…"

...But.

I will never regret coming here and meeting everyone. Thanks to you, I was able to be happy. I made lots of friends, learned many amazing things, and I discovered wonderful places…

That I will never regret.

But even so, mother… it seems I'm regretting one thing. That alone makes me sad.

The fact… the fact I couldn't find you.

That I wasn't able to see you one last time.

I want to say I'm sorry…

Just one last time… I want to see you!

Crying out, I sang with all I had, conveying my message to the my mother… wherever she was.

"My little wish is being carried away…!"

Containing some tears and regret…!"

Mother…!

Just then, another voice broke through, singing along. It was a warm, comforting voice… like my mother's.

It was Len's.

"If we could be reborn in our next life, then let's meet up again."

He stood on the sidelines, closing his eyes and vocalizing the finale. At the last note, I tearfully opened my arms to the crowd with a sad yet hopeful smile. Then the music ended, officially ending the story. The audience stood up, clapping and roaring with cheers.

Relief never tasted so sweet.

Finally… it's over.

---

Len's POV

"Thank God…" With a deep sigh, I ran a hand through my hair as I all but slumped against the wall. The cast and crew began pumping their fists in cheer, lining up to take their bows.

"Kasane Teto! Quit smooching your boyfriend and get onstage! You gotta deliver your conclusion to the audience!" Akita hissed, her brow twitching in disgust as Kasane kept cuddling with Ted. "A-Are you listening to me?!"

"In a minute!" Kasane snapped before kissing Ted again.

Kaito huddled next to me, a popsicle in his mouth. "Nice add-in there with the song. You and Bunny-chan gave the audience an open ending. It's against the script, but eh… rules were meant to be broken, eh?" He nudged my arm.

I grinned, wiping the sweat off my brow, "Y-Yeah…" The only problem is trying to get some sleep tonight. After what went down with Hatsune and Rin… memories of gasping, sweating, and moaning echoed in my mind's eye. Immediately, I went rigid. Red flooded my face.

Yup… definitely not getting any sleep tonight.

"Oi, Len…" Kaito suddenly began, waggling his brows at me suggestively, "You look like the kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar… or in a certain girl's panties. What's up?"

"NOTHING!" I sputtered, flailing my arms frantically. "We didn't do anything! Nothing happened! W-Who's a pervert, n-n-n-not me, that's for sure!" I immediately denied, laughing nervously. "I kept my hands to myself!" I lied through clenched teeth, sweating all the more when I awkwardly made eye contact with Megurine, who blushed and twiddled her fingers as though she didn't know anything.

Kaito stared at me, completely straight-faced, "...I totally believe you, Len." Then I saw his lips twitching.

Fuuuuu…!

"You know nothing!" I all but screamed, finally breaking his mask. He began laughing, clutching his knees.

"Right! Right! Wow, can't believe my little brother's turning out to be a total sex maniac! Boy, I feel sorry for Rin! She's not gonna be catching any breaks any time soon! Whew~!" Then he straightened himself, grinning at my trembling, flustered state. "Just kidding." He deadpanned before yawning and stretching his limbs, "Seriously though. Thank God it's finally over. I was beginning to think this night would never end."

"...Oh, it's not, I assure you." A chuckle suddenly escaped from Meiko-nee, who'd been strangely silent the whole time save for her performance. She stepped up beside me, looking straight ahead with a wide grin stretching her features. "Tonight's just getting started."

Confused and baffled, Kaito and I exchanged looks. Then we followed her gaze, shocked to see someone approaching Rin. That someone was dressed in a long, silver dress. That someone had stark white hair and blood red eyes.

That someone… was Sukone Tei.

And she was carrying a knife.

Oh my god… she wouldn't!

No. She would.

"RIN!" Panic surged throughout my body into hyperdrive. I rushed forward, intent on stopping her despite the fact the audience was still watching out there, only to be stopped by Meiko-nee, who was holding both Kaito and me back with monstrous strength. I gasped, struggling, "M-Meiko-nee?! What's gotten into you? Let go!"

Kaito winced, "Quit, M-Meiko! That hurts!" He attempted to push her away, only to be put into a headlock, and he sputtered in disbelief, "Oi… when the hell did you get this strong?!"

"Meiko-nee, c'mon! Rin's in danger!" I desperately to get around her without being punched. Then I realized her eyes were… glowing green. A green substance dribbled from her wide, tainted lips as she suddenly smirked. The same substance I saw oozing out of Hatsune earlier.

"I'm not your Meiko-nee." She whispered, grinning while removing a syringe from her belt, "You've always looked up to your seniors, right, Len? Come on, then! Become like me!" The needle shone menacingly in the light, dripping with the green liquid. I instinctively took a step back, horrified.

What… happened to you, Meiko-nee?

No. Who did this to you?!

"Huh? Hey, isn't that… Claire?" Some guy suddenly pointed her out, squinting. "Wasn't her role edited out though…?" Murmurs of confusion and worry reverberated throughout my fellow actors, apparently having taken notice of Tei's emerging form.

Then someone gasped.

"Wait- oh my god, is that a knife?!"

"Hey! She's heading behind Rin-chan now!"

"What the hell is she doing?"

"Oh my god, Rin-chan! MOVE!"

"It's way too loud! She can't hear us over the crowd! They're screaming, too!"

"Someone get help!"

The overlapping voices kept everyone at bay. No one knew what to do. Outside, the audience was bewildered at Tei's sudden appearance. They must've been wondering if she was part of the play as well, like some twist ending. They were yelling with excitement and fear, confusing an already exhausted Rin.

I gritted my teeth, glaring at the brunette in front of me, "Meiko-nee! I don't know what's up with you, but you need to move now!"

Then Kaito suddenly broke free of his best friend's grip, yelling and tackling her surprised form to the ground. She screamed and thrashed angrily. He pinned her, grabbing her wrists to prevent her from stabbing him with the syringe.

"Go, Len! I've got her!" Kaito yelled me from behind his shoulder. Knitting his forehead with frustration, he looked as though he were using all his strength just to keep her on the floor. He panted with exertion.

I hesitated. If I left, was he even going to be okay?

Glaring at my hesitant form, he began barking, "Goddammit, Shota! I'll be fine! Help Rin or we're all screwed!" He hissed in pain when Meiko suddenly bit him, screaming at me, "Run, damn you! RUN!"

My body automatically moved on its own as I ran past them and towards the two girls, mentally apologizing to Kaito. Time seemed to slow down as Tei, standing behind Rin, raised the knife above her head. Its blade glistened in the lighting.

A soft smile appeared on her ashen face as hair fell into her crazed eyes. She looked completely broken.

"Finally…" she whispered, suddenly capturing Rin's attention, "Len-kun will be mine…" She then began laughing hysterically, "ONCE YOU'RE DEAD!"

Then the knife came plunging down towards Rin's shocked, frozen form.

"NOOOO! I screamed, jumping the last few meters and covering Rin's body with my own, witnessing Tei's shocked, horrified expression as blood went everywhere. Pain erupted in my left shoulder, and I gasped, seeing white.

That's when hell went down.

Everyone began screaming.

Rin started screaming my name, but not before calling out to Tei's running figure as she vanished backstage. I saw Dell running onstage with his first-aid kit, yelling at incognito officers to pursue Tei.

"Len?! LEN!" Rin cried, her eyes wide at the sight of my bloody shoulder. I grinned despite myself.

"Thank God I made it… are you hurt anywhere, Rin?" I asked, checking to see if she had any injuries.

Rin began crying, tackling me into a hug, "Me? What about you?! You're… you're hurt! I-I'm so sorry! I-I couldn't hear anything b-because everything was too loud, a-and now…!"

"Don't worry. It's just a scratch." I grumbled, wincing when she hit my shoulder, "O-Ow."

"S-Sorry!" She cried, desperately pressing the folds of her white dress against my shoulder, trying to stop the bleeding.

Just as Dell landed next to me with his kit open, robots crashed from the glass ceiling above us, raining glass shards on the audience. A giant aircraft hovered directly above, allowing several figures to drop in like spies. Its giant lettering read: CMF.

My heart dropped to the pits of my stomach.

Oh no.

"CITIZENS OF JAPAN~!" Namine Ritsu, I think, cackled as he swung his leg around the dangling cord like a spider. "WE ARE WHO YOU CALL CRYPTON MEDIA FUTURE! YOUR RECKONING! THE ONCE GLORIOUS COMPANY BANNED FROM YOUR LOVELY COUNTRY! IT'S TOO BAD YOUR GOVERNMENT IS BAD AT KEEPING ITS TERRORISTS IN LINE!"

Everyone stood to their feet, screaming as robots closed in on that, preventing them from scattering.

Namine giggled, "It's nice to finally witness our arrival, isn't it? No thanks to Project Rin!" He gestured towards Rin, making her gape. "Let's cut to the chase! Tonight, you're about to witness her best performance yet! Your lives will be changed forever!" he then paused dramatically, tossing his hair back in the moonlight. Then he eyed us with a malicious grin. "It's called… Project: VOCALOID."

"What in God's name…" Dell began, furrowing his brows before realization hit him. His eyes widened in shock and horror. "It's not February, but… don't tell me. Leon can't wait any longer?!"

"What are talking about, Dell? What's happening?" I asked frantically, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him. "Dell!"

"Dell!" Professor Gakupo ran up to us, panting, "Gachapoid and Iroha have been captured! Lola and Big Al, too! Our base! Our labs were attacked by those Crypton Products! Everyone there is either dead or gone! And Haku! She's escaped!"

Dell went white, "Mother of God… we have to get back to the lab right now!"

"And now! A message from our sponsor!" Namine called, displaying the aircraft's giant screen, flashing on with a haggard, smirking blond man.

Blood drained from Rin's face as she suddenly collapsed into my arms, shaking.

"Fa… fath…" She couldn't even say it.

It was Leon.

He'd finally come for her.

"Good evening, everyone. I am CEO of Japan's most financially and technologically successful corporation. My top product is sitting right before you… my daughter… Takashi Rin, or more professionally…" His gleaming green eyes dropped to Rin's small, trembling form, "Project Rin."

"Uu… uuu…!"

No good. She's gonna hyperventilate any moment now. If this goes on, she might go into VOCALOID mode.

"Rin, Rin," I shook her hard, trying to get her attention, "RIN!" I finally snapped, forcing her to turn around and face me. "You need to calm down! I know you're scared, but please! I need you to stay calm! Do you understand?"

Rin flinched, but she forced her breathing to slow. She grabbed at my arms for support, desperately trying to block out her father's booming voice. She nodded, swallowing, still unable to speak properly.

I forced myself to smile, trying not to show her how scared I was, "G-Good. See? You're doing great." I pulled her close, hushing her and stroking her head, rocking her gently, "Shhh. Shh. Don't cry, Rin. I won't let him touch you. He'll never do anything to you or anyone else ever again." I whispered, glaring back up at Leon's glowering face, "I swear it."

That's right. I promised I'd protect Rin no matter what.

I'm not that same helpless kid all those years ago. I'm not some weakling.

Her bastard of a father was not coming anywhere near Rin.

"For seven years, I've been working on Project: VOCALOID. Tonight, it will finally begin. All of you will bear witness to nature's newest arrival: the birth of a new god… and she will create perfection itself." He leaned back in his chair, "My work here is almost done. All that's left is for my daughter to carry out my work… "

"This guy's a lunatic…" Akaito grumbled from backstage, and the cast murmured in agreement. He flicked out his phone and dialed numbers, "That's it. 911, hello?"

The screen showed Tokyo Plaza, near Tokyo Tower. Leon's voice could be heard in the background. "Very soon, my family reactor will emerge right here, and it will be powered by the most powerful element in the world… creating the most devastating and beautiful reaction mankind's ever seen!" He exclaimed. "And my daughter will be the one to fuse with it. She'll become the most powerful force rivaling nature itself. She will become… a star. She will be your new God. And she will destroy this city, along with every vile, imperfect thing on the planet!" The people trembled under the intensity of his roaring claims. Then the screen flicked back to his menacing face as craze burned within his wild eyes, and he began panting with fervor, "...That is Project: VOCALOID. That has been my lifelong dream. I will bring peace to this world. And unity. And everlasting peace. And uniformity." He exhaled shakily, his mad smile widening, "We can restart this world… our history, our foolish mistakes. Back to formula, people."

"He's a terrorist!" A woman shrieked, clutching her baby, "S-Someone call the president!"

"Hell naw! I'm outta here! Later, bitches!" A thug screamed with his gang in a tow, running for the emergency exits, only to be stopped by towering robots who immediately shoved their guns at their screaming faces.

"No one is going anywhere." The purple-haired girl, Defoko, coldly appeared in front of them. "Not yet."

"Kyaaa! I'm too young to die!"

"Someone help!"

"SILENCE YOU FOOLS!" Leon rumbled, causing a hush to befall the entire crowd. Then he turned to Rin, his gaze suddenly softening, "Rin, my daughter. I'm sorry I'm not here in person, but I'm somewhere in Japan. Come to where I am." Leon extended his hand towards Rin with a dark smile full of promise, "Don't you want to see your mother? She's waiting for you... in the reactor."

Rin's eyes widened, "M...Mother? In the reactor?"

"Don't listen to him, Rin!" I hissed, tightening my arms around her and shooting him a death glare, "He's just trying to trick you!"

Stepping forward, Dell narrowed his eyes at him angrily, "Your plan will kill us all, Leon. Tell me, is it worth it? Your ambitions, I mean? Look where it brought you." he gestured around, "Your wife is dead, your daughter hates you, and your resources is going to the pit! Our government will hunt you down." he deadpanned, "Many people have been hurt because of you… how many more lives will you sacrifice?"

Leon stared down at Dell before chuckling, "Dell, oh, Dell. Once my former friend and colleague, now my bitter rival. When will you learn?" He then sighed, "Yes, there is pain in life, pain and loss and sorrow, but there is also joy, and the pleasures of growing and learning. You can't have one without the other and I wouldn't want to sacrifice either."

"Get off your high horse!" I shouted, getting to my feet and shaking my fist at him, throwing an arm in front of Rin protectively, "I'm done listening to you! Your brainwashing speech doesn't change the fact that you're trying to nuke our city! You're insane! You and your reactor can go suck it!" I pulled Rin to my side, causing our bodies to collide, "You're not laying a hand on Rin, get it?!"

"Len…" Dell stared at me in awe, unblinking.

I glared up at him, scowling, "It's time to shatter your ridiculous delusions! You'll never have your way again! Your so-called reaction is just a nuke in disguise! Don't even think about using anyone else for your own means!" I clenched my fists, determination blazing within me. I was getting fired up. "I'll stop you no matter what it takes."

"Big words coming from a little boy." Leon spat, crossing his legs and cocking his head with a sardonic laugh, "You and what army?"

"Why us, of course." A new voice chimed in, and suddenly, the spotlight shone on Hatsune standing on the chandelier, his cloak swishing in the wind behind his stitched-up, battered form. He shot a grin up at Leon, hair falling into his eyes. "Your wife's not happy with you, Leon, sir. I've already made the arrangements before you decided to go ahead with your trope. As if your weak subordinates could stop me… always making them doing the dirty work so your hands aren't stained." He added the last part with dripping sarcasm before chuckling, "It seems you've miscalculated."

Leon fumed, "No, you miscalculated! Traitorous little runt, I should've done away with your body seven years ago! You've caused me nothing but trouble." Suddenly he laughed, "You've chosen the worst time to finally expose yourself."

Just then, all the robots scaled the walls and ceiling, and in one quick motion, their guns were pressed against Hatsune's head, ready to fire.

"You're a dead man, Hatsune. Tonight, you will die." Leon deadpanned with a smirk.

Hatsune's face remained blank, and we couldn't see his expression as he tossed his head back, sighing dramatically.

"...Am I?"

All at once, the stage's floorboards ripped open and tiny, snickering figures leaped out. Professor Gakupo gasped when the wood splintered right before his feet when a cackling boy somersaulted out.

Tiny children, every shape and size, scattered and cackled maniacally. Their bodies were just as deformed as Mikuo's. Their faces were marked with black 'X's. Crude appendages stuck out from their body parts, making it weird how they were even moving! They moved like acrobats as they slew multiple robots and terrorized the audience with horrendous screams and faces. Their demented laughter echoed throughout the grand music hall.

We were left gaping.

What…

"HATSUNE MIKUO, YOU…!" Leon roared, apparently he'd been completely one-upped. "HOW DARE YOU! THESE KIDS, THEY'RE-!"

"Correct," Hatsune tipped his hood before bowing, smiling, "These are the Crypton failures… these poor things you threw away. Well? You didn't want them, so Rin's grandfather, your father, took the liberty of hiding them away in Japan... and he hid me from you as well. We raised them together. It's a shame you couldn't see their true worth." He then dipped his head, swinging lazily on the chandelier, "Since they hate you so much, they decided to take revenge on you and ruin your precious Project: VOCALOID. Let's see if you can handle their mettle." Then he craned his neck to look at both me and Rin, "They're your army now. Careful though… they'll come for you later, Rin-san."

Rin's eyes dimmed, "...They still hate me, after all."

"CRYPTON PRODUCTS! PR-OD-UCTS!" The children screamed, launching themselves at the humanoid products and robots. Gunfire broke out, creating chaos.

"EYEHEHEHEH! NAMINE-CHAAAAAN~! HIII PRETTY BOY~!" One girl called sweetly before tacking Namine Ritsu head on, causing him to scream. She bared a set of jagged, sharp teeth at him, growling sinisterly, "Did you miss me?"

"R...Ring Suzune? Damn you, second rate filth…!" Namine cursed, slamming his head against hers and engaging in a ferocious fight. He fired a radioactive rose at her but missed and ended up blasting a giant hole in the wall.

"Q-Quick, everyone! RUN!" A man yelled, pointing at the hole, "There's our opening! Let's get out of here!" Screaming people stampeded towards the exit, pushing and shoving.

"Whoa..." I uttered, completely shell-shocked by the sudden turn of events. Just then a boy with bandages covering his eyes came hustling over to us, dragging along a tied up Gachapoid and Iroha. Quickly, the boy untied them.

"Pwaaah~! Thanks, Oliver!" Iroha cried, tackling their rescuer to the floorboards and causing them to fall through. "WAAAH!"

Gachapoid sighed at his partner's antics, shrugging off his binds and rubbing his head, "...Tsk. I was careless." He then looked around, gaping. "For Miriam's sake... Hatsune really wasn't kidding."

"Gacha!" Rin cried, running up to him. "W-Where were you?!"

Gachapoid sighed, "I was attacked by Namine and Defoko on my way back from Yuki's concert. I-I promised I'd see her, but… I couldn't do it after all, so I rushed back, but… Iroha was captured. I tried to help her, but I was overpowered." Then his eyes flicked back to me, "After that, they got to your friends… Meiko and that Hatsune girl."

"M-Meiko-nee?! And Miku?!" Rin looked around desperately, "W-Where are they?! Kaito, too?! W-Where did everyone go?" Even Kasane and Luka... they were all missing! Everyone had already scattered due to the gunfire and fights breaking out. Plus, lots of people managed to make it past the robots, pilling out the exits, screaming.

My eyes shot open in horror and realization. I remembered how crazy Meiko-nee looked earlier, but what about...

Miku?

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGAAAAHHHH!"

There's my answer.

High above the ceiling, Miku's struggling form descended from below the air blimp. She was being restrained to an elevating platform, screaming and crying for help.

"Miku...!" I gasped, unable to believe my eyes. "Oh no, Leon has her!"

For the first time ever, Hatsune Mikuo lost his cool.

"Miku…" he whispered, eyes wide and face ashen. Suddenly, he fell forward, coughing up the gree ooze. "A-ARGGGH!"

"Oho. Seems the poison is finally taking its toll on you, Hatsune. Soon, you'll be a mindless pawn with no choice but to obey my every command. I created you, after all. I might as well make use of you until the very end." Leon smirked, "Then you have my permission to die."

"A-AGGGGH! AGH!" Mikuo screamed in pain, grabbing at his head as though it were splitting open. "G...Gungh! UNGHH!"

"MIKUO!" Miku screamed, tears in her eyes, "NOOO!"

"You should've let your sister died in the crash that day. For all you sacrificed for her… backstabbing between your allies and foes… all for her sake." Leon spat in venom, "It was all for nothing! I'm dragging her sorry ass back to my old labs, and I'll tear her body apart. Then I'll kill her. Desecrate her. You won't recognize her corpse by the time I'm done with her."

Anger flooded Mikuo's weakening gaze, "Gunngh…! Don't touch her… you bastard. Do want you want with me… but don't fucking touch my sister!" He suddenly heaved, gagging and throwing up green ooze, "GNNGH-!"

My stomach felt queasy. For the first time ever, I actually felt really, really bad for the guy.

"MIKUO! MIKUO NO!" Miku sobbed, her hair flying everywhere. "H-HANG ON! UNCLE IS COMING WITH THE GOVERNMENT! I'LL BE FINE SO JUST…! JUST HANG IN THERE!"

"Take her my old labs… you know, beneath the city. Go through the sewer system." Leon ordered his robots as one of them slung her screaming body over its shoulder. "Go." With that, the robots leaped into the night with Miku screaming her cries.

"M-MIKU-! GAAAGH!" Hatsune fell forward before he could make chase, dropping to his knees before collapsing. His body spiraled through the air before landing with a huge crash, lost within the screaming crowd.

"SO MY DEAD WIFE WANTS TO DECLARE WAR WITH ME, IS THAT SO?! SENDING HALF-RATE TROOPS TO INTERFERE, ALONG WITH A TWO-FACED, ROTTING PROTOTYPE THAT SHOULD'VE DIED YEARS AGO! VERY WELL THEN I'LL HUMOR HER!" Leon laughed maniacally, "Well done, Hatsune Mikuo! You might've thrown my schedule off-course, but at least I still have one consolation prize: your sister!" His green eyes sparked and flared with life. "I caught her contacting her uncle. The police is coming. The storm is coming." He proclaimed, tittering, "Very soon, this city will be our battleground. A war! Between mother… and father."

Rin whimpered, "Father, no…!"

I clutched Rin and buried her head in my shoulder, scowling. "No matter what, Rin, you have to stay close to me." Dell, Gachapoid, and Professor Gakupo huddled close to me, guarding us and staring up at Leon challengingly.

"Project: VOCALOID will continue no matter what," Leon smiled down sinisterly at Rin, revelling in her terrorized form, "The reactor is waiting for you, Angelface. Prepare to jump in and cleanse this filthy world. Prepare to glorify our company name, my sweet daughter." The screen finally faded black, and the aircraft roared to life as it disappeared over the horizon.

A loud explosion erupted from the farthest wall, causing rubble to fly. Everyone was screaming. Robots and products alike took their fight to the streets of Tokyo, and soon the city was full of blood-curdling screams. Buildings collapsed as bombs dropped from the skies, directly coming from Crypton aircrafts.

We witnessed the entire city being consumed in darkness, hearing the groaning of electricity shutting down. The power was being shut down by the products. High above, a thunderstorm was brewing.

It was a city-wide blackout.

Then something horrible happened.

In the midst of the collapsed buildings, the giant fusion reactor emerged from the ground, seemingly from underground. Its platform rose, surrounded by all the wreckage. Within it, a bright beam of green light shone through; it was the only source of light, yet it was far from a shining beacon of hope.

Professor inhaled sharply beside me, gulping soundly, "So that's... the fusion reactor."

Dell stiffened, "His family reactor. I haven't seen it in years... looks like he's made some adjustments though."

Rin suddenly whimpered, covering her ears and clinging to me tightly, making our heads swivel. In the green light, I could see her face contorting in terror. I grabbed to steady her, frantically supporting her weight.

"R-Rin, what's wrong?"

"I... I can hear mother... she's calling me." She choked out, pointing directly at the glowing reactor, "She's...! She wants me to come to her!" With pleading eyes, she grabbed my arm and buried her face in my sleeve with another pained gasp.

But all we could hear was Leon's maniacal laughter rumbling in the distance.

---

A/N: WHOA. Entire spring break consisted of me writing this chapter. OH MY GOD IT'S ALMOST OVER! MWAHAHAHAHA! Sorry if y'all hate the length, but I'm not changing it no matter what. I mean, this chapter is pretty much DAFUCK DID I JUST WRITE? So I'm still kind of brain-dead... meh. Well, here's the second to last monthly issue. LOL.

So. I pretty much made fun of every Story of Evil reference. LOL. I started this story up as a joke, but somehow it's gotten serious. You guys… you're either going to LOVE the ending or you're gonna bite my head off due to le feels.

Le feels, man.

Be prepared for some manly crying.

To avoid confusion, Mikuo was working for Miriam all along. He planned to stop Leon in his own way. He acted bi-polar-chan in later chapters due to the poisonous element corrupting him. Yeah, he kind of went insane. Who wouldn't after what the poor guy's been through though? DX He also acted cold to Miku and pushed her away because he didn't want her to get hurt. Poor guy just wants to be free.

Basically, Leon's dumbass plan: to fuse VOCALOID Rin with the powered up, radioactive reactor and create JESUS!Rin and pretty much destroy all life on Earth. DUMBASS doesn't really think about directly harming the planet himself. Like WTF, man. *rolls eyes* Aw well, he's fun and delusional and obstinate. Our favorite kind of villain, yeah?

About the pervy scene… heheheheheh giggity. yeah. that escalated quickly /shot. Kidding, I'm sorry if it was too much I just… just ignore my pervy mind XD The Teto's getting to me. Thank you so much for the feedback, guys! Let's finish strong!

What will happen to Rin? And everyone else? Will the city be destroyed? Will Leon win?

SOOOOO many questions! Well, you'll find out in the next and FINAL chapter. Or two chapters. I dunno. Well. this is gonna be sad, so… a little ROLEPLAY before we get serious.

OMAKE

Teto grinned while Len rewatched the hot scene in this chapter, oogling especially when a panty shot of Rin was shown.

"Hell yeah, Len! Get some!"

Kaito rolled his eyes, gesturing below the belt, "Hey, Len. Your banana's sticking out."

Face red and eyes squeezed shut, he immediately squeaked. "EEP!" He crossed his legs, hiding himself. "P-PERVY AUTHOR! I-I hate you guys!" He screamed while running out the door.

-OWARI

XD What'd you expect from a trashy Rin/Len shipper? Now. Review. REVIEW.

You know you want to. ;)