Chapter 29: For You, For Me

Here we are on our thirtieth chapter of Meltdown, and it's only December.


Thursday~~~

Miki's POV

I don't like it when I'm early to class. I have to sit alone and just stare at a wall or play with my pencil. I have no idea how many times I've counted the tiles on the floor either.

Oh, well, I guess it can't be helped.

The classroom door opens and a blonde haired girl steps in while talking to the other.

Miku and Neru.

"And so that's why I'm acting like I like him," Neru says while they walk over to their seats, completely ignoring me. Watch as I just turn into the background before their eyes.

"So it's all for revenge? You really don't like him?" Miku asks, biting her bottom lip.

"Of course not! I wouldn't like someone like him! He's not hot and he's dorky yet he tries to act cool," Neru laughs and snorts. "What a loser. I have no idea why Teto would like him."

Wait, what? Why did she mention Teto? Who's this boy that they're talking about?

"But what if-"

Miku stops her question as the classroom door opens again. This time, Piko steps in. He maintains a expressionless face as he walks in. I can feel the heat rushing to my face so I duck my head and stare at my empty desk like it's the most interesting thing in the world.

"Good morning."

"Good morning," Miku replies back with a smile that can brighten up even the deepest of abysses. Gosh, why does she have to be so perfect?

Neru merely grunts and returns her attention to her cell phone.

"G-good morning," I reply in the stupidest voice ever. I mentally hit myself on the desk for replying so awkwardly.

The room remains quiet until a certain pair of blonde haired teenagers walk in. A loud pair.

"So beware of my dad. He loves to try and embarrass any guy that I bring to my house," Rin says as she opens the door for them.

"I'm actually kind of scared now," Len laughs. "Well, I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Rin flicks his forehead and steps in. "Haha, you're hilarious Len."

I can feel the tension rise as Miku turns her eyes over to Rin. She glares at the girl, but Rin doesn't seem to notice. She's too distracted with Len's teasing. More people start walking into the classroom and continue talking excitedly about plans for the winter break.

Neru looks over to see Miku glaring at Rin, so she decides to break the friendly atmosphere.

Neru chuckles to herself. "You already have another one, Len?"

….

Silence….

"Excuse me?" Rin asks as Miku looks at Neru, shocked that she would say that. Neru rolls her eyes and returns her attention to her cell phone.

"Don't ask so surprised."

All eyes in the classroom turn to Rin as she flushes embarrassedly and struggles for words. I bet Len will just blow it off and ignore her or say that she is his after all and high-five all the guys, therefore embarrassing her.

Len places his arm around Rin and pulls her in with a smile. "Nah, we're just really good friends."

Wait, what?

Neru's yellow cellphone hits the ground.


Rin's POV~~~

Now everywhere I go, I can hear people talking about me. Something about my strange with Len and how I was put in the "friend zone" or something. Just in this school day, three girls have come up to me and asked me to give Len their love confession. Apparently friends are supposed to do that for their friends.

But that's not the important thing. The important thing is what happened this morning.

Len actually admitting to being friends with me. His reputation was at stake and he blurted it out like nothing. It may seem like a small deal to someone else, but having a genuine friendship with someone is actually something that I'm really grateful for. I can't lie to myself, I've been smiling ever since he said that.

Wow, I've actually been able to befriend a player. How is that possible?

I just hope that the play goes on well.


After School~~~

Normal POV

People are dashing all around the stage and backstage, getting ready for the big performance. A few parents and others have arrived and taken seats, reading about the play in the pamphlets that Luka is handing out with Kaito. Some also look up at the stage, where a hubbub is simmering. Sure, most of the commotion is due to Neru and Teto barking orders at others, but there are others also reading out loud lines in a panic to try and calm their nerves. There are even complaints from boys about the high heels digging into their feet.

"Where is Cinderella? Get her, I mean him, back over here!" the director yells and spots the lovable blue-haired boy giving out pamphlet to people. "Teto, go grab him!"

"Roger, boss!" Teto replies and lifts up her robe to start running. "Kaito, get your cross-dressing self over here!"

Luka and Kaito look over to Teto and laugh as she trips from the long robe. Luka smiles at Kaito and takes the pamphlets from him. "Good luck tonight, okay?" Luka says, meeting his eyes. "I'll be watching you."

"Well, if you're watching me, I'll do my best," Kaito says and smiles at her before walking over to Teto. Luka feels her heart skip a beat and nervously hands a mother a pamphlet with red cheeks.

"Aw, here comes the most beautiful girl in the world," Len teases as Oliver steps out with his dress and make-up done. Rin laughs and looks at his face closely.

"Are you really wearing fake eyelashes?" Rin teases and Oliver's cheeks burn with embarrassment.

"You two are the worst!" Oliver grumbles and huffs away. Rin and Len cross their arms and watch him walk over to Neru.

"You have to admit, he'd make a cute girl," Rin says.

"Yeah. He looks even more of a girl than you," Len laughs and gets a smack on the head. "Ow!"

"Everyone! Gather over here!" the director instructs and soon has a mass of teenagers around him. "Okay, we've been practicing this play for a while now. We just went through the whole thing in the past hour and things went smoothly. Hopefully that wasn't just an accident. Does everyone feel ready to put on an amazing play?"

"This bra is really irritating," Kaito remarks, shifting his chest area that's filled with napkins.

"I am going to steal the show!" Teto cheers, waving her wand all around.

"The main role is Cinderella, not the Fairy Godmother," Neru remarks.

"These high heels are also irritating too," Aito adds.

"High heels are a male invention to make a woman's butt look smaller," Oliver comments, "and if they try to run away they become 10 times slower."

Everyone stops arguing and talking and turn their attention towards Oliver.

'And this is why he needs help from someone like me.' Teto sighs and face palms herself.

"It's almost time!" the director announces, a small squeak in his voice. "Everyone-to their places! Quickly now! Don't pull those curtains until I instruct to do so!"

And so begins the story of Cinderella…


Ball scene~~~

Kaito's POV

I exit my cold pumpkin coach and stride carefully into the stage. Every step I take feels like an eternity. And not just because this dress weighs a ton.

Am I ready to fake this scene with Miku? We've practiced this over and over, but it feels different now. Different colored eyes are staring at us from the audience and from the extras in the "ball". I lift my head and smile as I try to keep my face towards the audience. Miku's eyes widen, but her expression stays the same. She extends her gloved hand out to me and gives me a smile as the girls (guys dressed as girls) whisper and gasp.

"May I have this dance?" she asks loudly enough for everyone to hear.

Playing my part, I smile and place my gloved hand on top of hers. "Of course."

Just then, a spark jumps into my hand and I flinch subtly. Hopefully no one noticed that. It seems that Miku did though, because her teal eyes are inspecting my every move now. I need to be more careful about what emotions I show or the tables may turn on me tonight.


Miku's POV~~~

I can't force myself to look into your eyes.

'You hate him

He's no good to you

Don't easily believe everything you see...'

The whispering voices try to keep me stable, and I finally look up, my eyes crystal cold with dark intentions to snatch everything from you. This "blade" in my hands is just what I need to destroy you. To get you out of my life. But what I'm really holding inside myself if far worse than a blade. I cover the feelings with a smile to hide the dark truth.

All I am is a liar. A fake. And no one can truly love someone who's like this.

That's why I had to leave you, my eyes plead, but he doesn't seem to notice. I knew it would be better just to keep it a secret. That's why I left him. The masked person is me and all I will ever cause is sadness and ruin.

He isn't in love with me, after all. He's in love with the girl that he thought I was. That's what I told myself before-he was crying for the girl he thought I was.

Then, I feel a soft hand brush up my cheek and wipe away a tear. Snapping out of my thoughts, I see Kaito brushing away the tears with his hand. Each touch electrifies me, melting away my cold exterior. His eyes are still unreadable, but his smile is still shining brightly at me, melting the ice second by second.

I never want the bell to ring, but just as I think that, the ringing begins and I feel my heart flutter. Kaito's sigh bounces into my ears and as my hand slowly slips it all seems like a dream. My dream standing so close to me, yet so far away... I want to count out every one of his hesitant heartbeats and synchronize them with mine. Kaito lets go of my hands and runs off, but not before one last look. Our eyes, gazing at each other, set off sparks.

It's straight off a fairy tale.


Normal POV~~~

'What did I feel back there? That sudden rush of excitement...' Kaito thinks and turns away, running off as the guests from the ball begin to talk to one another. A plastic glass slipper is left behind.

Miku pauses a bit before walking over to it with others and picking it up. She turns over to her subjects and presents them the shoe.

"We shall find the owner of this shoe and we will not stop until we find the young maiden who was dancing with me all night!"


After the Play~~~

Everyone stands up as everyone in the cast stands in the stage and bows or curtsies. The red velvet curtains close and cover up all the sets and characters. As soon as they do, everyone starts laughing and congratulating each other.

"I have to admit, you were pretty good tonight, Neru," Teto says, smiling at the blonde haired girl. Neru narrows her eyes at her and turns away to talk to Oliver. Teto immediately regrets giving her a compliment and watches as she flirts with Oliver.

"Was it just me, or was the ball scene really realistic?" Luka asks, looking at Kaito and Miku. Rin looks over at their direction.

"Now that you mention it, the atmosphere was pretty thick," Rin agrees. 'And what was up with those sudden tears?'

Luka raises her hand up to her mouth and returns her gaze to the floor. She sighs as her mind replays the scene over and over again. 'Those eyes were full of sadness…'

"Don't worry about it Luka," Rin says, trying to cheer her friend up. "Remember, your mind makes things even worse when you're in this mood. So try and cheer up, okay?"

Luka looks up at Rin and gives her a small smile. Giving her a cheeky smile, Rin pats her back. "Come on, don't tell me you're giving up that easily!"

"Giving up? Who told you that?" Luka snaps back to her old self. "I am not giving up!"

"That's good to hear," Rin says as Aito walks over to them.

"I am so, so, so sorry that you two are girls. Now I know what hell you go through everyday," Aito says as he rips off his high heels. Luka and Rin burst into a fit of laughter as he takes off his wig and wipes off his lip gloss. "Blagh. I am overfilled with joy that this play is finally over."

"So what are you two doing this winter break?" Luka asks.

"Nothing much, really," Aito says. "My parents are coming over though, so that's nice."

"I hope my family can get along in Christmas. Christmas mornings are the only times my sister wakes up early," Luka says and chuckles as her sister's sleepy face pops up into her mind.

"Speaking of families, I think your family is here." Rin motions over to their left and sees Luka's family smiling and waving at them. Luka's sister, Lulu, rubs her eyes and groggily waves at them.

"I'll come and visit you two during the break, alright?" Luka says, looking at her friends. Rin nods and Aito smiles as they watch the pink haired girl walk away.

"So, you're telling her during the break, right?" Rin nervously looks down at the stage floor.

"Yes. I plan to make it special, so I was thinking to confess in New Year's Eve on the countdown."

She can only nod her head in agreement, losing her ability to speak. With a dry mouth, she opens her mouth but closes it again.

'If I dare to speak my thoughts, I'll break the connection with him I've tried so hard to hold onto. Yet, what can I do to tell you how I feel right now? If only I knew the answer to such a simple question as that. I suppose I'll continue to tread around words.' Rin thinks.

"I'm so nervous, but I'm also excited," Aito says. "I mean, what if it does work out? After all these years…"

"Don't go all Romeo on me now, Aito," Rin teases as she lifts her head and laughs at the faint pink tinge on his cheeks.

'Best of luck to you, Gumi. Hopefully she won't be so heartbroken when she learns that he likes Luka…'

"Did someone call me?"

Len walks over to them with his signature smirk. That smirk that can instantly make girls blush or faint only makes Rin laugh. Why that smirk has no effect on her, Len will never understand.

"You packed your things, right?" Rin asks while Len looks over at Aito.

'What was he talking about with her that made her so sad?' He would have to be a stupid fool not to notice Rin with a bittersweet smile on her face. Len's eyes darken but he averts his eyes to Rin when Aito looks over at him.

"Packed? Is Len living with you?" Aito asks.

"I'm just spending winter break with her," Len replies.

"Really? Rin, I didn't know you were so kind," Aito says, making Len's glare harden even more. He doesn't like for others to pity him for his situation. After all, it's not like he's a broken rag doll.

Sensing the hostile atmosphere, Rin merely laughs.

"Well, I have to go and take this make up off. Bye," Aito says and smiles at Rin before leaving.

"That guy annoys me so much." Len glares at his back.

"Don't speak about him like that," Rin says quietly, the fake smile dropping.

"When are you going to-"

"Can we not talk about that?" Rin bites her lip. "Please?"

Heaving out a sigh, Len agrees with a nod.

"Good," Rin says and looks around, trying to relieve the tension. "My parents told me earlier that they would wait outside since it gets crowded after things like this. Do you want to say bye to your girlfriend before we leave?"

'My girlfriend…?' The confusion in Len's eyes makes Rin sigh.

"You know, Miku?"

"Oh," Len says and shakes his head. "I don't really care to."

Rin fights back a remark and instead leads him outside. The two are unaware of a pair of teal eyes watching their every move. Taking off her wig, the girl lets out her two long teal ponytails.

'I cannot believe that those two are "just friends". There's something else to them.' Miku frowns. 'And I need to stop this quickly or I really will have no one.'

Outside of the school, no one is waiting for Miku Hatsune. There are no happy smiles ready to compliment her on her performance while driving home. The cold air slams into her face as she steps out, knocking the breath out of her lungs. She breathes back in quickly and sets her eyes on four blonde figures walking to a car. Kagamine Rin with her parents and Len.

Once again, jealousy creeps up to her heart. But this time, turning away doesn't erase the image.

Maybe humming a short tune will help soothe her thoughts.

Singing quietly to herself, Miku trudges home, her feet making a distinct trail in the snow. Snow falls silently on her as she deepens herself in her thoughts. It's an ordinary thing for her to walk home from school, so she doesn't mind that she's all alone. At least, that's what she tells herself. Her brow furrows as she remembers Kaito accompanying her whenever she walked home from school.

"Good morning, Miku."

Kaito's bright voice reached Miku's ears and she quickly turned around to find the dazzling blue-haired ice-cream lover standing outside the school doors patiently.

"Y-you waited all this time for me?" Miku asked, nervously playing with a charm on the strap of her bag.

"Of course. As a gentleman, I can't allow a lady to walk all by herself," Kaito said and walked over to her side. "Plus, I like spending time with my girlfriend."

A tinge of pink appeared on Miku's face as she heard "girlfriend." No one had really paid this much attention to her either- she wasn't sure how to react.

"Oh, um.."

"May I walk with you?"

Miku looks up at Kaito's smiling face and nods briefly. "Of course."

After that it was a regular thing for the two to wait on each other before leaving to Miku's mansion. Of course, Miku would always stop a bit before arriving at her mansion and tell Kaito goodbye. Kaito never understood why she didn't want him to meet her family, but he didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable either.

'No matter how rude I've been to him before, I can't drag him into what my family does.' Miku sighs as she approaches the mansion. Light streaks out from open windows and illuminates at path to the front of the house.

A warm house. Butlers and maids waiting for any command. Exquisite furniture. Beautiful décor. Five star food stacked on every precious plate. A giant room just for designer clothing.

Who wouldn't want all this?

But this cold house holds no special place in Miku's heart.

As Miku walks to her room, she passes a group of maids setting up a Christmas tree. Glimmering crystal ornaments hang delicately on the branches, reflecting back the repeat LED Christmas light colors. That used to be a family tradition. Not only would they decorate a beautiful tree, but they'd share laughs and bond with one another.

But that's the past.

Everyone's just too busy to spend time together. Too busy with business and trying to keep their status up high for the public. After all, looks are everything.

'And I'm just another puppet of theirs.' Miku frowns and sits down on her bed. 'I am already an unnecessary girl.'

Miku mentally slaps herself as she realizes where her thoughts are leading to. 'No, I can't dig myself any deeper into this. I need to focus on other things.'

'Like that Kagamine girl…'

Rin has only attached herself onto Len more. This whole "best friends" thing is sure to be a façade. No girl can actually have that type of relationship with a guy like Len.

'The person whom he loves is blurry in my eyes, but when will I understand? When it's too late? This is complicated, but my gut tells me Rin must have something to do with it. This is my last chace,' Miku thinks. 'I will scare her off. I will make her so frightened that she won't dare to go near him again. Because in her...she has...something that I don't.. And that's why I must destroy her. I've got to make that ending come true, or else my ending will come far too soon.'

As Miku tries to think of a way to bring down Rin, her hand runs across her teal hair in frustration.

'What's so good about Rin? She's not anything special. I am prettier than anyone and smarter. But with her, I can't do anything!'

Miku lets out an exasperated sigh.

'I can't. How can I commit such a thing?'

But her mind cannot stay calm. She's convinced herself that she loves him. Every time she looks at him, her heart is tight and secure. Locked up safe. They share intimate physical moments with one another. She can hold him in his hands, covering up the hole inside her heart. Although his words are only temporary, they soothe her just fine.

That's love, right?

'I'll allow you to have one more dance with him, Rin. But after that, the fragment will enter your heart and your cold hands will leave his as you collapse...'


Rin's POV~~~

"I saw you two at the ball scene dancing together! You two were so cute~!" my father says, his hand on the steering wheel. He chuckles to himself and abruptly turns the wheel left. The car immediately follows, lurching, and we all bump into one another. Len gets a mouthful of our car window, and I happen to knock Len's head with the side of my ear.

It hurts.

Okay, I take back what I said earlier-THIS is the definition of uncomfortable.

And then, my father starts aggressively interrogating Len, who's sitting right beside me in our car. Len has a confused look on his face and is red from answering all these questions that my father's been asking for the past ten minutes. My mother is giggling and nudging my father to try and stop him. And while this is happening, I have to restrain myself from bashing my head on the window of the car door.

"What is your intention with my daughter?" my father asks, using a stern voice to try and sound serious. But it just comes out silly.

"W-what?" Len asks, turning even redder. "Rinny and I are just-"

"Did you hear that Luo? He even has a cute nickname for her!" my mother squeals, clasping her hands together and getting stars in her eyes.

"It is cute! We should use that nickname for her too~!" my father agrees enthusiastically.

This is who I live with…

My father snaps out of his trance and looks back at the street. "Anyways, what were you saying, Len?"

"We're just friends…" Len replies. I would find his red face funny, if it wasn't for this awkward situation we're in.

"What are your grades?"

"Mainly B's, but I have an A in chemistry thanks to Rin, sir."

My mother silently giggles as she reverses the sentence in her mind.

"Hehe, A in chemistry with Rin…"

Sometimes it's hard to believe that they're adults.

"Plans after high school?"

"Going to college, sir."

"What career are you going after?"

"Uh…um…I don't know…"

"For goodness' sake boy, you need to have a dream! You must strive for the stars!" my dad yells, starting to make a speech. And yet again, he takes his eyes off the road and dramatically turns around to meet Len's face. Looks like we just might die from my father's reckless driving. "Dreams are what keeps you living!"

"Well, I like art a lot so-"

"You do? So does Rin! When we get home I HAVE to show you her portrait of me when she was younger! It is so adorable!"

"Mother!" I groan and duck my face to hide my embarrassment.

"Honey, they can become artists and fall in love! Just like that movie we saw last night~"

"That one with the horrible actress? Baby Bear?"

"She wasn't horrible- she just couldn't display her emotions that well."

"Oh. Well, what age do you think of getting married, Len?" my father asks, their attention back on him. Fortunately, he looks at the road ahead again.

"Married? Isn't it too early to be thinking about that?" Len nervously says, sweat forming on his forehead.

"Not with true love~! I can just imagine it now, darling," my mother starts. "The beautiful music in the background and the strewn rose petals on the ground… And Rin is walking towards you with her beautiful white dress and smiling brightly! Everyone in the crowd will be watching with envy, excitement, and loving eyes. And there will definitely be HD pictures to capture the moment forever for your future children."

It's like my parents have written a bad romance for Len and I. A really bad romance story.

"We are going to have so much fun these next two weeks!"

Seriously, I want this car ride to end already.


Yay, the next chapter can finally start their two weeks of winter break! All I have to say about that is- be prepared for anything to happen!

And since I cannot spot out all the mistakes in my chapters, I decided to get a beta reader. She is "Unyielding Wish" and has helped me a great deal on this chapter.

Thanks for reading this chapter and if you'd like to review, you can do that down below. Bye bye~!