Chapter 29: The Lone Wolf ~ Len

I'm a monster.

And not just because I'm a werewolf. Len Kagamine himself, the person, is a monster too.

In my weak defence, when I first walked into Rin's room and found Miku prying through her stuff, I had no sodden clue she was terrified of dogs. If I had, I wouldn't have barked at her. The thing was, all I could think about was how I'd caught her snooping around Big Al's office, and now my sister's room? Not to mention all I could think about was that one line.

You're like a dog, Rin.

I know what Miku meant now, looking back. Not to mention Rin screamed it at me when she and Big Al had gotten back from their shopping trip from across town, only to find Miku had been knocked unconscious in our bathroom. Miku has meant Rin was loyal, and she's not wrong. I had just thought about the dog part, and the fact Rin was a female and, well, you get the picture. The insult's a whole lot worse when you take into consideration we're werewolves.

At least I managed to break down the door, right off its hinges too (Sweet Ann was not happy about that). Surprising, considering I had just shifted back from my wolf form and ergo I should have been a lot weaker. Maybe it was the adrenaline. Maybe it was because I was, well, I was worried, okay? Miku had looked terrified and I'd wanted to make sure she was okay. Apparently, knocking on the bathroom door after she had locked herself in there was the wrong move, though. I don't know what happened, but she slipped over or something and whacked her head on the damn bath. When she'd stopped screaming was the moment I knew something bad had happened, and so I broke down the door.

Sweet Ann came upstairs to see what all the shouting was about, just in time to see me crouching over Miku's body. Sweet Ann had demanded to know what had happened, and I told her the truth – I honestly had no idea. Sweet Ann then shoved me out the bathroom and sent me t go and get dressed, seeing as me being butt naked wasn't going to help the situation, and she went to call Big Al. She'd also called Miku's parents to inform them of what was happening but warned them to stay away for the time being. Our house was about to get pretty chaotic and having them thrown into the mix wasn't going to help.

Miku had woken up by the point Big Al had arrived. I was already in my room by that point. Miku had been resting on the sofa downstairs, and I had been standing in the doorway chewing my nails as Sweet Ann tended to her. The first thing Miku did was look at me, scream something about a werewolf, and almost pass out again from shock. I didn't help the situation by trying to shout back that I hadn't meant for any of this to happen, and it was all a giant misunderstanding. Sweet Ann just sent me packing and back up to my room where Miku couldn't see me.

When Big Al arrived, he took her to the hospital (a Monster specialist, of course), and he met Miku's parents there. Rin tagged along, though I have been told (when Rin started screaming at me when she came back home) Miku wouldn't even hold Rin's hand, not for comfort or anything. Miku's terrified of dogs and, well, Rin's a werewolf. At least Miku was fine, no concussion or anything, just trauma I so lovingly supplied her with. Not even Big Al would listen to me when I tried to explain my (lack of) innocence. I hadn't meant anything to happen; it was an accident. He'd sent me to my room, telling me I was grounded even further. He didn't specific when until, but at this rate it's until the end of February, and we haven't even reached Valentine's yet.

Unfortunately, I had to go back to school on Monday when I wasn't so ill anymore. I hadn't seen anyone since the previous Monster Club where I'd yelled at Rin and Miku, then broke a table. Heaven's knew what they all thought of me after that, but it wasn't going to be good. Add into the mix it was my actions that caused Miku to knock herself out and we have a recipe for the most hated boy in school – at least from the Monsters' perspectives.

So, I don't talk to any of them, not a single one. I don't hang out with the usual lunchtime crew, especially since Miku and Rin are going to be there. I don't hang out with Kaito, much to the confusion of Gakupo and Leon, who are completely unaware of anything that has gone down. I don't turn up to Psychology, though Luka does try to question me about it in the corridor one day, and I just skip out of the way and ignore her. I don't even turn up to Maths. I still turn up to English, at least, the second class I share with Nero, but I make sure to sit on the complete opposite side of the classroom. He doesn't have anything to do with the Monsters, but he has everything to do with Rin. I have no way of knowing what she's told him.

On Monday, Piko at least tries to sit with me. He's the only one who's bothered to listen to my side of the story, as he always does. He remains his usual self. He doesn't ask anything about Rin. He doesn't ask anything about Miku. He doesn't say anything about the other Monsters. He just talks about his classes, and the latest comic books and video games. He's trying to keep me somewhat happy, but it's not working. Not when the entire time he's sat with me I just keep wondering if, deep down, he really hates me too. I convince myself he's just putting up with me, since I'm the one who knows how to fix his arm when it's broken. Maybe he's just trying to comfort me because we're 'best friends'.

So, on Tuesday, I send him packing. I at least walked to school with him, and sat with him in haomeroom, but at lunch I send him to the Lunchtime Crew's table. Since I'm going to be avoiding everyone in the foreseeable future, I don't want him to have to do the same. He deserves to hang out with his friends.

Tuesday is also the day Big Al signs me up for anger management, something he got on really quickly. Usually, he'd book it so it was during my free period, as he had done last time, and I'd go to the school counselor. This time he reckons another Monster specialist is due, and so he books me in to a counselor after school, somewhere in town. He drops me off, but as soon as he drives away, I leave myself. When he gets a call later saying that I hadn't turned up, he comes to pick me up and spends the entire car journey home scolding me. I half-heartedly promise that next week I will go, and he assures me he's going to drag me in by my ears and wait outside until I'm done. I don't doubt him.

Wednesday, I spend almost the entire day alone. I head to school by myself, not bothering to pick up Piko on the way, though I do see him in homeroom. He's good enough to at least text me every night to see how I'm doing, on the crappy cheap phone Big Al has given me, even though I don't reply. I spend lunch alone again, too, though I do have to at least go to the canteen to get something to eat. As I stand in the queue, my gaze automatically finds itself drifting over to the usual table. Miku looks like she's recovered from my scaring her, and she looks relaxed with Rin once more. Piko's relatively quiet, and I can't help but feel that's something to do with me.

As if she can sense I'm looking, Rin chooses that moment to look up at me. When our eyes meet, I turn and scurry away, completely forgetting about food. Kaito tries to call out to me as I leave the canteen, or I think it's Kaito at least. Maybe it was Gakupo. Either way, I ignore whoever it was.

I don't even turn up to the Monster Club on Wednesday. When I willingly don't turn up to my own club, that's when you know something is up.

And, finally, Thursday rolls around, and it's the first time in almost an entire week I speak to someone that's not Piko (if you count my ignoring him as speaking to him).

I usually just spend my free periods alone; that's been a thing since the beginning of the year. I don't have anyone I want to spend my free periods with since everyone I like have lessons at the same time. And by everyone I like I really only mean Piko at this point. Honestly, I can't wait until next year to see if our free periods overlap again. We're going to have to plan our semesters accordingly.

For the past week, however, free periods have become even more lonely, even though they already were to begin with. I just grit my teeth and head to the library to do some maths work. I've been skipping lessons, but Piko's been making notes for me so I can at least keep up. I don't get much done, seeing as I'm struggling to keep up, so when I hear a cough I immediately look up, welcoming the distraction. Still, I grimace when I see who it is. In all fairness, there could be worse people than the two that have some to see me, but Gumi and Sonika are still a part of the Monster Club.

"What do you want?" I snarl.

"Sonika and I were watching you from the corner, and Sonika was wondering how you were," Gumi explains as she sits down opposite me, and Sonika sits down next to her.

"Yeah, you looked real lonely, man," Sonika says and she grins at me. I just frown. The last time Sonika saw me, I threw a hissy fit, broke a table, and stormed out into the rain, only to get my stupid arse ill. I was terrible, and here she is, grinning at me as if nothing even happened. I know Piko and I affectionately call Miki our group idiot, but Sonika isn't far behind.

"I've always spent my free periods alone," I say as I look back down at my work. I can't even get my thoughts together to have anything make sense. "What's different about today?"

"Well, none of us have spoken to you since last Wednesday," Gumi says.

"Not like Yesterday Wednesday but the Wednesday-Before-That Wednesday," Sonika adds as she leans back in her chair. "An' you missed the club yesterday. Big Al was shocked."

"He said as much when he came back home," I grumble. "Look, I'm not in the mood to talk to anyone. Just leave me alone."

Gumi looks towards her girlfriend as if to say they should leave, but Sonika refuses to move. She puts her hands behind her head as she says, "Look, we know you've been having a bad time. Your mum sucks, your sister practically hates you, and your uncle and aunt do nothing but tell you off."

"Gee, thanks. I didn't notice."

Gumi sighs as Sonika continues. "Basically, I mean we should hear your side of the story. We've all heard Miku's, but I bet there's more to it."

"There really isn't. You saw what I did last Wednesday."

"The Wednesday-Before-That Wednesday?"

"Yes, that Wednesday. You saw me get pissed. You saw me get unnecessarily jealous. That's my side of the story. There's nothing else to tell. Whatever Miku's told you is probably true."

"And what about what happened on Friday?" Gumi softly asks.

I let out a loud groan and lean back in my chair, attracting the attention of some people that are actually trying to work. "You sure you don't know by now? I was a dick and I scared her, and she knocked herself out in our bathroom. That's what happened."

"Piko says there's more to it than that," Gumi tells me.

"So? It doesn't matter if there's more to it, and it doesn't matter if I have a 'side to the story'. It still resulted in Miku ending up in hospital."

Sonika sighs and rocks back on her chair even further. "Piko's worries about you, y'know. He actually left the club half way through in a huff yesterday, an' this is Piko we're talking about. He couldn't even 'urt a robotic fly."

"Wait, he what?" I ask.

"Left the club in a huff," Sonika repeats.

"Didn't he tell you?" Gumi questions.

I shake my head. "I walked to school alone today, and I was late, so I skipped homeroom. I haven't seen him yet."

"Well, you should prolly talk to him, since he's worried an' all," Sonika claims. "I think Kaito's a little worried too. He went to Piko's after the club an' we haven't heard from him since."

"You make it sound like Piko's offed him," Gumi points out.

"Nah. Piko doesn't have the guts to off a vam–" Sonika coughs as Gumi elbows her in the stomach. "Someone as great as our ridiculously dressed friend, amiright? Anyways, I think the whole school's worries about you."

"I've heard the rumours," I mutter.

I may currently be acting as a recluse, but it doesn't mean I'm totally out of the loop. I've heard what the school's been saying about me as they watch me spend my entire time alone. The girls seem to think that Miku and Rin are in the wrong. The guys believe I'm the one that's messed up (and they're right). There are a few neutral parties that think we're all just idiots (and they're probably right too). The thing is, the girls only want to believe I'm the one that's right because I'm 'dreamy Len Kagamine'. They don't actually care, because it they did then at least one of them would have asked if I'm okay, and the only one who has is Luka, and she doesn't really count. The girls just think I'm pretty, and that's it. Not that I'm pretty currently. I haven't shaved in over a week and I'm starting to look super scruffy. I definitely prefer to remain clean shaven; it makes me feel less like a werewolf. Currently, I'm really looking the part and I hate it, but I just don't have the energy to self-groom.

"So, yeah. I think you really should talk to Piko," Sonika says, daring to rock back even further. "Oh yeah, the Valentine's dance is tomorrow and I still need an outfit."

"You don't already have one?" I ask.

"This is Sonika we're talking about," Gumi says. "As if she's ever prepared in advance."

"So yeah, I was thinking, to get ya out the house an' all, you should come out with me after school to go shop–" Sonika's words are cut off as her chair legs finally give way and she falls over backwards, causing a crash that gathers everyone's attention again and garners more glares. She whacks her head against the floor, but at least she doesn't knock herself out. Still, Gumi apologises and drags her girlfriend away to see the nurse. It's only when they've gone, and I spend the rest of free periods alone as usual I realise how much I've missed company.

I reluctantly head to English, and when that's done I make my way to Piko's class to see if he's there. He's not, so he must already have heeded to the canteen. I almost decide that I'm not going to go, but I mentally slap myself and march off. Len Kagamine is not a wimp. Len Kagamine is not a coward. Len Kagamine can handle a room full of people eating lunch. Len Kagamine can handle a room full of people that hate him. He's been handling that all his life.

When I get to the canteen, I look towards the lunch time table, but I see Piko isn't there. Miku and Rin are nattering away with Nero, who's taken my place at the table. They've swapped one male blonde twin for another, I see. Gumi and Sonika are also there, Sonika looking no worse for wear from the incident in the library. Sonika sees me, grins, and beckons me over. When the others see she's waving at someone they all look up and turn their attention towards me, including Rin and Miku. Miku's face pales. Rin frowns. I nearly leave. However, since Sonika is still beckoning me over, I take a deep breath and trudge towards them. Miki makes a fuss about it, her eyes wide as she flaps her hands around. Both Rin and Miku shift uncomfortably in their seats.

"If you're looking for Piko, he's outside with Kaito and the others," Gumi politely explains. I guess that makes sense. If he left the club in a huff, he wouldn't want to hang out with the normal lunchtime crew. Guaranteed Kaito is also a part of the club, but Sonika had said earlier Kaito had gone to see Piko yesterday. I frown at the thought. Kaito hanging out with MY best friend?

As soon as I think that, I dig my nails into my palms. Jealously is the reason you got into this mess, Len. Let's not.

"Actually, I needed to talk to you first," I say, looking at Sonika. "Assuming you didn't hit your head too hard earlier."

She snorts. "Pretty sure me mum dropped me on me head when I was younger, so I probably got fixed now."

I roll my eyes, ignoring that Rin and Miku are silently staring at me. "Anyway, you were saying something about shopping for an outfit?"

"Yeah!" she exclaims, leaning back in her chair. Gumi pushes it back into four legs. "You have good fashion sense. You helped Kaito out, after all. How about we go shopping' after school and we both can pick out outfits? You're still going with Piko, yeah?"

"Maybe, if Sweet Ann lets me. I'm kinda grounded indefinitely."

"Well, you'll hafta ask," Sonika says.

"I'll try," I say as I rub at my chin. Man, I can't even call this stubble anymore it's that's long. The first thing I'm doing when I inevitably skip maths again is shaving. "Right now, I gotta go find Piko. I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow," both Sonika and Gumi chime, and I wave goodbye before I leave. I don't bother looking at the others. I don't even look at Rin. She's clearly established she doesn't like me anymore, and whilst I know that it's my fault, mostly because I haven't apologised for anything, I don't have the willpower to fix what's broken. Not yet, anyway.

Outside, I find Piko standing with Kaito and Gakupo. The latter two are cheering on Meiko and Luka respectively as the two tennis players do their thing.

"Hey," I say as I approach them, not having anything better to say.

Kaito and Gakupo both look at me with wide eyes. Piko, however, actually scowls.

"Hey to you too," he grumbles. "Finally deciding to show your face?"

I frown. "Are you mad at me?"

"Am I mad at you? You've been ignoring me for the past several days! I know you don't feel so great, but the least you could do is answer your bloody texts when I ask if you're okay!" He throws his hands up in the air. "Bloody hell, I said bloody. I even sound like you now."

"All right, I can just leave if you want me too," I grumble right back.

"All right, girls, no need to argue," Gakupo says.

"Look, I've been worried you. Kaito has too." Piko waves a hand at Kaito, who nods. "I know what… happened was bad, but that doesn't mean you need to stop talking to your friends."

"Pretty sure my 'friends' all hate me right now after what I did."

"I don't hate you," Gakupo chirps, then he frowns as he adds, "But I don't know what you did."

Of course he wouldn't, he's a normie. Trying to explain to him the reasons why Miku got knocked out in my bathroom would be far too much. Besides, I don't even think Miku has ever said a word to him. Still, I feel bad. Always out of the loop. Sometimes I wish he was the Monster and not me, then I could live a normal life and he could finally learn all his friends' secrets and not feel so left out anymore.

"I'm sorry, okay," I mumble, even though Piko really isn't the one I should be saying sorry too. "I've just…"

"Been an idiot?" Piko asks.

"Pretty much sums me up, huh?"

"Looks like the lone wolf has returned, huh?" Meiko says as she and Luka pause their tennis game and come to stand by the fence. I snort. Lone wolf sounds hideously accurate right now.

"If you're coming to talk to us, can I assume we'll be seeing you in psychology again?" Luka asks.

"You know, I really have missed having someone to talk to," Gakupo muses. "I liked it when you came to sit next to me instead."

"I'll… think about it," I say. "There's a lot of personal stuff going on right now I have to deal with. Mostly anger issues."

"So the rumours you need counselling are true, huh?" Meiko asks and I groan. Even more rumours? How bloody fantastic. Kaito laughs and Piko sighs, seeing as they were there to witness my desperate need for said anger management.

"We'll see how I'm feeling next week," I say, which is closer to the truth. I think, after having another weekend to myself, I'll probably be able to chill out more. Well, on Sunday I will anyway; we've got the Valentine's dance on Saturday, and I have to go because neither Sweet Ann nor Big Al want me in the house on my own. The only rule is I have to spend the entire time away from Miku (her parents' rules, not Sweet Ann's or Big Al's. Safe to say her parents no longer like me). I have no such rule to avoid Rin who, I've heard from Oliver, is going with Nero as 'just friends'.

Jealousy, Len. Stop it.

"Maybe the Valentine's dance will cheer you up?" Kaito suggests. I somehow contain my laughter, since I know the opposite will be true.

"Sure. Speaking of Valentine's, though, Piko, you're still my date, right?" He's still scowling at me, so I add, "Or are you still mad?"

"Oh, I'm still mad, but I'm still your date."

I give him a small smile and, thank heavens, he smiles back, though he still looks pissed. Let's just hope it's all smooth sailing from here.

A/N:

Finally the conclusion from last chapter's cliffhanger! Not gonna lie, I loved seeing all your reviews and how excited you were for the next part! And thank you to all the guests who commented too, I wish I could reply to guest reviews! Anyway, a more chill chapter before we get to the rest of the big stuff. I loved writing the scene with Gumi and Sonika. With such a large cast it's hard to give all our favourite vocaloids some page time! Anyway, next week, we finally get to the Valentine's dance! That can't go badly... right?

Kate x