"Amazing," Miku muttered as she flicked through Fukase's paintings. It was with Mr. Kaito's recommendation in mind Miku planned to spend her free hour in the library researching the artist and absorbing his work. She soaked in each painting before swiping her finger over the hologram, moving on to the next work of art.
Juliet CV02 stood a few feet away, watching but otherwise minding her own business. She hadn't spoken to Miku since that night, and Miku didn't want to order her to talk again. If it was by her command they shared conversation, then it was obvious enough they were not meant to be friends.
Shaking the blonde from her mind, Miku swiped to the next painting. Two young women – a Cinderella and an Alice – sat on a stone bench in a rose garden. It wasn't the viewer the two focused their attention, but each other. The Cinderella, who was standing, had a hand on the Alice's hip, and the sitting Alice reached up as if to stroke the Cinderella's face.
"What do you have there?" Luka asked as her head popped over Miku's shoulder.
Startled, Miku had to keep from shutting off the program. "I'm looking at art," she answered, and she spoke calmly in hopes Luka wouldn't pick up on her racing heart.
"I know that one," Luka said as she pushed Miku aside so there was room for her on the seat. Miku happily obliged. "Forbidden Relations, or at least I think that's the name. At the time this painting was done, Cinderellas were not allowed to associate with the commoners. They would steal our blessings for themselves, so the old wives' tale went."
Miku furrowed her brows. "Do you think much has changed since?"
"Why are you asking?"
"Well, have you seen any of the girls talk to someone who wasn't also a Cinderella? I mean they probably talk to the Alices who dress them, but what about actual conversation?"
"Why would you want to talk an Alice when you can talk to someone like you?" Luka rolled her eyes. "I love you, Miku, but you ask the weirdest questions sometimes. Honestly, did you talk to many Alices growing up?"
"Just the maids. . . ." Miku shook her head and changed the subject. "What are you doing in the library?"
"I wanted to find some books on the Flower War." Luka opened a new tab on the computer beside Miku's. "You?"
"I wanted to research Fukase."
"Why Fukase? From what I've seen you paint, your styles are not similar at all."
"Fukase was recommended to me, and I wanted to honor that recommendation," Miku said, getting as close to the truth with Luka as she dared.
However, Luka was no fool. "Did Lord Shion recommend Fukase to you?" She laughed at how red Miku's face got. "That's right, I saw you two together. You can't fool me, Miku."
"Who says I was trying to fool you?" The flame in her cheeks didn't die down. Miku was sure her ears were bright red, but she didn't ask Luka for a confirmation. "We merely danced is all."
"And offer artist recommendations," Luka added. "And you gave him your handkerchief."
Miku gasped and asked asked in an astonished whisper, "You saw that?!"
"You were very conspicuous, I will admit that much," Luka answered, still looking over the screen. She pulled up a series of titles on her chosen subject. "Either way, I'm glad you found someone you like so quickly. Most Cinderellas don't meet anyone until their second year."
"Hmm, can I say the same of you and – what's his name? – Gumo?" Miku tried, wanting to tease but knowing it wouldn't work when Luka didn't react.
Pulling out the list so she could carry the hologram as she searched for the books she wanted, Luka replied, "My type in so many ways, but also not in as many." She sighed. "I don't know what to do."
"If you like him, then why not go for it?" Miku suggested. "You'll never know until you try, right?"
Luka seemed to ponder this. "Fine, if you say so. Now, enough about me. I want to hear about Lord Shion. Tell me everything! And don't leave out a single detail."
Miku rattled off, telling Luka about the night before. Luka hung onto every word, her reactions timed at the right moments – gasping when Miku told her about spilling punch all over Mr. Kaito's suit, smiling as Miku spoke about her dance to make it up to him and the many that followed, and giggling when Miku finally spoke about the handkerchief Kaito accepted before he kissed the back of her hand. Holding her hands over her heart, Miku finished with, "It was the most magical night of my life."
"Was?" Luka called out. "Why not is?"
It was with a frown Miku realized what she said. Perhaps it was a slip of the tongue, but Miku knew what ended her joy before she could go to bed with it: an upset Juliet CV02. Somehow, her concern for her reluctant shadow outweighed her excitement at meeting Mr. Kaito.
That thought sent her attention to Juliet CV02. The girl had approached slowly but still kept somewhat of a distance. She looked pale, as if she might be sick.
"What's wrong?" she asked before remembering that Juliet CV02 was not allowed to talk to her.
It was more than she was allowed to give, but Juliet CV02 answered by shaking her head. Something was wrong. The question was how serious.
"I suppose I should get started on finding my books," Luka said, standing abruptly, nothing about her actions hiding how quickly she wanted to get away from the Juliet.
Before Luka could move away, Juliet CV02 fell over, face white. She landed on Luka, who caught the Juliet as a reflex but dropped her hologram list as a result. The list vanished when it hit the ground, gone. Luka would have to pull up the information again. That was possibly what pushed Luka to do what she did.
"You pathetic little rat!" she spat before striking Juliet CV02 across the face. The Juliet, already weak, fell over. Instead of covering her stinging flesh, Juliet CV02 stared at the floor as if she was about to throw up. All Miku could do was cover her mouth to hide her gasp of shock. She was struck useless.
"What's wrong with you?" Ona stormed up and knelt beside Juliet CV02. She held the girl's face between her hands and studied the red flesh. Ona then glared at Luka. "How dare you lay your hands on the sick."
"How dare she knock herself into me," Luka retorted. "Filth like her needs to know her place. If we don't punish them for inconveniencing us when they should be serving us, they will forget what it is they were brought here to do."
Without giving Ona a chance to respond, Luka spun on her heel and began to stalk away. She advanced three steps before she called over her shoulder, "Oh, and there's a black smudge on your cheek," and left the library altogether.
Ona shook her head, muttering a language Miku did not know under her breath. The brown-skinned girl returned her attention to Juliet CV02. "Have you felt unwell long?" Juliet CV02 shook her head. "So as early as this morning?" A nod. "Know what's wrong?" Another nod.
Watching the exchange, Miku sat dumbstruck. With Ona's palms wrapped around her face, Juliet CV02's head movements were almost concealed. She must have realized this, that's why she answered Ona's questions.
"Is it contagious?" Ona questioned, still quiet. Shake. "So you're unwell, but not ill?" Nod. "Oh. That time again." Another nod, this time Juliet CV02's face turning bright red.
"What time again?" Miku asked.
"Once a month," was the only answer Ona gave as she helped Juliet CV02 to her feet. "Send her back to your rooms to rest. If you command it, I doubt she would be punished. I'll stay with you, Miku, that way no one can claim she left you unattended either."
Miku pursed her lips, feeling ashamed. While she sat there and did nothing, Ona figured out what was wrong with Juliet CV02 and thought up a plan to give the girl a chance to rest. She wanted to be the one to do that. Miku wanted to be the one to help Juliet CV02, but she never knew what to do until it was too late.
"Let me at least accompany her to my room," Miku suggested.
"Then I'll accompany you back," Ona replied. "We're still unsure if you will have another fainting spell, so it's unwise to leave you on your own."
"Fine." Miku stood, but not before turning off the picture of the two women. "But honestly, Ona, why do you have a black smudge on your face?"
The fatigue was so strong Rin all but passed out the moment she entered Ms. Hatsune's chambers. She didn't remember lying on the couch or pulling the blanket over herself, but she knew she slept for a long time. Long enough for the sun, which was high in the sky before she entered the chambers, to begin to set. The days were getting shorter. Rin shivered, not sure how she felt about the winter ahead.
She curled onto her side, trying not to groan. Her cramps were always terrible, and the nausea kept rolling in her stomach. Perhaps it was better for her to be away from the banquet right now: she wouldn't be able to stand the smell of so much food.
"Awake, I see."
Startled, Rin sat upright and turned her head to see Master Tonio sitting in the corner of the room. He had a reading tablet in his hand, and based on his crossed legs and relaxed posture, he had been sitting in that reading chair for a while. If he was here instead of the banquet, then he wanted to speak with Rin privately.
"You want my answer," Rin said, not needing to state it as a question. She tried to get comfortable on the couch, but her abdomen allowed her no ease.
"Or a quiet place to read, but an answer would be ideal." Master Tonio powered off his tablet. "I'm afraid we have an uprising on our hands."
Furrowing her brows, Rin questioned, "Uprising?"
"Juliets who don't want to be Juliets."
"That's a problem that's been going on since the rise of the classes," Rin pointed out. "That's why we have guards in the palace, manors, and Cinderella academies. An uprising is nothing new. It's just they always fail."
"Yet that doesn't stop some dauntless Juliets from trying." Exhaling loudly, Master Tonio began, "I don't doubt you would love to be given the basic rights of humanity. Well, to have them given back is the better way to phrase it, I suppose. You were born a free woman, after all. For your father to change that by selling you, and the law to say he had every right while you had none, I can't see why you wouldn't hate society for making you what you are. I can't see why you wouldn't hate the academy for making you its property."
Not knowing where this was going, Rin slowly said, "I'm cursed. What rights do the cursed have? I carry misfortune wherever I go."
Master Tonio tilted his head, studying her. "You wouldn't join an uprising if the opportunity was presented to you?"
"There's no way any uprising started by the lowest class would bring down a society that has stood for centuries. It would be suicide."
"But if there was a chance the uprising would bring down the society? What if the Juliets won? What then, Kagamine Rin?"
The way he stared at her, Rin knew this was a test. She sighed, knowing it was what she believed to be the truth that he wanted. "There's no promise the society that arises after this one will be better. Anything could happen. Life might be better for some, but for others, it could be so much worse.
"At least here I have a place to sleep, I'm never left wanting for a meal, and as strict as the rules are and as harsh as the punishments can be, I feel safer here than I have in a long time. I'll take this over potentially losing everything. It's not a choice."
Smiling, Master Tonio leaned forward and asked, "If that's how you truly feel, then how about helping me stop this rebellion before it becomes an uprising?"
Rin swallowed before she answered his question with one of her own. "What do you want me to do?"
The evening painted the sky a bright, flawless shade of lavender. The gentle autumn breeze blew past, the crisp air adding to the atmosphere. Tables full of the last fruits and vegetables of summer, awnings providing cool shade, and open fields of green grass were so perfect Miku couldn't help but feel as if she stepped into a painting.
The Celebration of Colors, a day to set aside for rest and enjoyment of the last few warm days before winter. All activities were outdoors, complete with games and competitions scheduled till nightfall. There were no classes that evening, a small blessing Miku was more than grateful for.
"Play a round of checkers with me?" Luka asked as she sashayed to stand beside Miku. She changed her outfit from earlier, now wearing a pink sundress with only a couple of thin petticoats. Her salmon hair was braided back, and the only jewelry she wore was a silver necklace. It was the most casual Miku had ever seen her friend.
Miku's answer was caught in her throat. After the incident in the library, Miku didn't know what to think. Luka had no hesitations to slap Juliet CV02, and she expressed no shame in justifying her actions. It was as if Luka thought of Juliets as animals and not people.
Taking a sip of her strawberry and blueberry water to delay responding, Miku thought about what to say. Luka grew up with the services of Juliets – of course she's used to having them wait on her every hand and foot. That doesn't make Luka a bad person. Perhaps she's simply misguided.
One of the blueberries followed the flow of the water and entered Miku's mouth. As she chewed the fruit, Miku recalled how hesitant Juliet CV02 was to even agree speaking with her in private. Or maybe I'm the misguided one.
"Sure," Miku finally answered, "but only if you agree to a game of croquet afterwards."
"Deal." Luka linked arms with Miku. "It must be nice to get rid of that awful Juliet for the afternoon. I would sooner die before having one of those cursed things follow me around all day."
Frowning, Miku replied, "It really isn't all that bad. Okay, sure, it's a little awkward at first, but—"
"Please don't," Luka interrupted, shaking her head. "If I get reason to believe you're a Juliet sympathizer, I don't know what I'm going to think."
"But are Juliets not people, too?"
"They're meant to serve Cinderellas like us. There's nothing wrong with treating them like it."
To that, Miku had no answer, but remembering the violence done to Juliet CV02 by Luka earlier and by the guards when Juliet CV02 was trying to save Miku's life, she felt sick to the stomach. Even her own actions – running into the Juliet that first day, making her drop all the papers she carried, and then leaving her to clean up the mess by herself – were proof that Miku shared the same mentality. Miku didn't treat Juliets like people any more than anyone else did.
Pulling her arm from Luka's, Miku said, "I need more to drink before we begin playing," and stalked away without waiting for a response.
With shaky hands, Miku refilled her glass as she tried to ease her racing mind. She couldn't understand why she felt this way. It wasn't as if any of it mattered.
With her glass again full, Miku turned around to rejoin Luka. Only Miku crashed into someone, causing her to spill her full drink on the person. Her heart began pounding.
"Oh, no! I'm so sorry." Miku was about to reach for something to wipe the drink off with when a familiar voice chuckled.
"It's nice to see you again, Ms. Miku."
"Mr. Kaito!" Face burning hot, Miku curtsied. "I'm afraid I must apologize again for my clumsiness."
"At least this time it was merely water you spilt." Mr. Kaito pat the wet area. "It will dry in no time at all. Though I am afraid you will need to compensate again. Would a game of Divide and Conquer be too high a price?"
"No, it will not." Miku curtsied again. "However, I have already promised a friend games she and I can play together. It would be awfully rude of me to abandon her."
"Then he may play with us." Luka swept in and met Mr. Kaito with a smile and curtsy of her own. "Megurine Luka of the Feyre District. And who is the young man who has my friend so infatuated?"
"Luka!" Miku hissed, her face turning even redder.
"Shion Kaito of the Idun District." Mr. Kaito bowed.
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lord Shion."
"The pleasure's all mine, and please, call me Kaito."
Standing upright, Luka turned to Miku. "If I recall correctly, croquet allows more than two players. Why not have Mr. Kaito join us? After all," Luka giggled, "from what I heard, you still owe him for getting his suit wet."
"I believe you may be right, Luka," Miku replied, grateful for her friend even though the image of Luka slapping Juliet CV02 still played within the back of her mind.
Rin could not fall back asleep after Master Tonio left. Her mind kept racing alongside her cramps keeping her from getting comfortable again. Deciding fresh air would do her some good, Rin changed into one of the dresses Mistress Prima ordered for her – a simple light blue dress with elbow length sleeves – and left Ms. Hatsune's chambers.
As she made her way to go outside, Rin wondered what she would do once she entered the garden. She didn't necessarily want to join Ms. Hatsune again, but she didn't think she could get away with going wherever she wanted whenever she wanted. Rin may have had more freedom than the other Juliets at the academy, but she still had a strict list of what she could and couldn't do.
"Rin?"
Heart pounding, Rin turned towards the familiar voice and whispered, "Gumi!"
The greenette quickly walked towards Rin, smile on her face. "Am I ever glad to see you." Without waiting for Rin to respond, Gumi threw her arms around the blonde and held her tightly.
"I missed you," Rin said softly as she returned the hug, tears threatening to spill. After Ia's and Cul's cold treatment of her, Rin didn't know how much she feared the same from Gumi until this moment.
Sensing something wasn't right, Gumi broke the hug, held Rin at arm's length, and asked, "Are you okay? What's wrong?"
After Rin quickly explained what happened, Gumi sighed and shook her head. "Ignore them. They're just jealous."
"Jealous?" Rin laughed without humor. "How can they be jealous of me when I'm the one who's been pulled away from my friends and tossed into a crowd that thinks less of me than a bug?"
"Certainly you've noticed how much better treatment you've received since getting this temporary position," Gumi pointed out as she linked arms with Rin and had the girl follow her. "Your food is richer, your clothes are nicer, and for crying out loud, Rin, you actually get to use nice soap when you bathe. Ia and Cul aren't jealous because you're lonely; they're jealous because of all the nice things you've been getting. Can you really blame them for it?"
To that, Rin had no answer. "They probably believe I think I'm better than them, too," she mumbled.
"Don't let it get to you," Gumi advised. "I'll give them a real talking to later, but don't let it get to you any more than it has already. You know they're not bad friends, even if they are acting like it right now."
Rin didn't know what to say, so she let Gumi lead her. Recognizing the path they took, she questioned, "Why are you going to the kitchen? You're not wearing your uniform, so you can't be working."
"Not until tonight, to clean up after the party," Gumi confirmed. "Gives me plenty of time to celebrate."
"Celebrate?"
"You know how Ms. Lily adores me, right? Well, every holiday, she sets aside some of the extra food for me. I take it, hide out, and enjoy my little holiday meal in private."
"Just you?"
"Ms. Lily helped raise me, so naturally I'm going to be her favorite Juliet."
Rin furrowed her brows. "Do the others know about this?"
"Not really."
"Then why are you telling me?"
"Because I think you really need to spend quality time with a friend right now. You're not busy, are you? I probably should've asked that first."
"I'm not busy," Rin confirmed.
"Good!" Gumi exclaimed. "Now let's hurry before someone comes by and sees us."
They snuck into the kitchen and received the food from Lily, one of the cooks. Rin noticed that Lily was an Alice – still a servant, but possessing a much higher status than Rin and Gumi. Yet when she spoke to Gumi and greeted Rin, she talked to the two as if they truly were no different after all.
"This way," Gumi said after they climbed to the third floor and entered an empty room. Based on the scarce furniture and decorations, Rin assumed the room was a study, possibly an old office for a former teacher at the academy.
Opening the window, Gumi ordered, "Be very careful when you climb out. The roof isn't slippery, but that won't mean you can't fall if you don't pay attention to where you put your feet. There's a little corner we can sit, eat, watch everything, and still remain undetected."
Without waiting for a response from Rin, Gumi shimmied out, basket of food in hand. Rin swallowed her fear and followed her friend.
As carefully as she could, Rin crawled up the roof until she was beside Gumi. She sat next to the greenette, eyes wanting to look at the ground below. A fall from this height wouldn't kill her, but broken bones were still worth avoiding.
Once settled, Gumi opened the basket and handed Rin a sandwich. Inside the woven basket were sandwiches, summer fruits, and a slice of cake. Ms. Lily also included two bottles of fruit water.
"Now, we feast!" Gumi declared before taking a big bite out of her sandwich. Some of the yellow condiment dripped down her chin, and she either didn't notice or didn't care.
Following Gumi's example, Rin bit into her own sandwich. It had been a long time since she had such a meal, and the combination of bread, meats, cheeses, and vegetables made her close her eyes and sigh at the taste. It wasn't like the bland food she ate while in the Juliet quarters or the seasoned food she ate as Ms. Hatsune's shadow. It was simple enough to enjoy with not so much flavor that it was too much on her taste buds.
The spot they sat also had a good view of the festival. Rin could see all the people engaging in their activities. Despite herself, she tried with little success to locate Ms. Hatsune.
"Hey, Rin," Gumi said suddenly, calling Rin's attention back to her. She set her sandwich down and stared at something Rin could not see. "Can I tell you something?"
Not knowing where this was going, Rin slowly replied, "Of course, Gumi. You can tell me anything."
Gumi pulled her knees closer to her chest. She took a few deep breaths, as if preparing herself. Then, "I think I like Megurine Luka. You know, the girl I talked to at the ball that first night. The one I've talked to as Gumo every chance I can."
"You like the Cinderella?" Rin furrowed her brows. She again looked where Gumi gazed, this time locating what held Gumi's attention. Luka, the pinkette with the sharp slap, played a game of croque with a man and a girl Rin finally recognized as Ms. Hatsune. "You want to be friends with Ms. Megurine?"
"That's not how I like her."
"How do you like her then?"
"I like her as in . . . I think I might be falling in love with her." Gumi buried her face into her knees. "I don't know how long I've been this way, but I don't like boys. All the people I ever liked were girls. Every crush, every touch, every stolen kiss – all girls. So much of me knows I shouldn't give into these feelings, not when Juliets don't have happy endings; but at the same time, I go ahead anyway. Then afterwards, I feel . . . wrong. Not like I regret anything, yet I still feel like I'm doing something I shouldn't be doing. Rin, is there something wrong with me?"
Never once had Rin heard Gumi sound so timid. Normally Gumi was braver and more confident than any Juliet Rin had ever met, but right now, that mask was gone. This Gumi was open and vulnerable. Her whole heart was on display as she awaited a response from Rin.
Reaching out, Rin laid a hand on Gumi's back and rubbed her palm up and down. "Gumi, I don't think there's anything wrong with you. Nothing could be further from the truth! However, you are human. You can't help falling in love, can you?"
"But girls don't get together with other girls," Gumi argued. "Only elite Cinderellas have female lovers, and they're more for pleasure and amusement than for love."
"I don't know what you want me to say," Rin replied after a moment of silence. "I'm not going to sit here and tell you whether I think you're right or wrong. You're my friend regardless of your preferences. You're kind, brave, and just overall a good person. I'm glad to have met you, and no matter what, I accept you for who you are."
"Even though I like girls?"
"Even though you like girls."
Gumi leaned into Rin and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Thanks for saying that," Gumi said. "Normally people either get disgusted or try too hard to convince me it's okay when I tell them that. It's really refreshing to hear someone focus not on who I like but who I am. Makes me feel human, you know?"
"I know all too well." Rin's smile slowly turned into a frown. "I once liked a guy, or at least I thought I did."
"What happened?" Gumi asked, her lips brushing Rin's neck from where Gumi tucked her forehead on her friend's shoulder.
"His name was Nero. He drowned two years ago. I couldn't swim at the time, and there was no one else there to help. It was all my fault."
"Oh, Rin, I'm so sorry."
"He died not knowing how I felt about him." Rin sighed. "To this day, I still don't know what I felt or still feel."
"What do you mean?"
"I liked Nero so much that I wanted to marry him. We were courting, and he was saving up to pay the bride price. Sounds as if we were for sure going to get married, right? Except . . . one night we were out, doing things we shouldn't have been doing. We were kissing, each kiss deeper than the last. My heart hammered in my chest, and I could feel his racing heart, too. Then he started unbuttoning my dress, and I knew what was going to happen. I freaked out. Pushing him away, I yelled at Nero to stop. He did and asked if I was okay, but I couldn't figure out why I reacted the way I did. I should have wanted to go all the way, shouldn't I? How come I didn't want to? What stopped me?"
Tears fell now. Rin tried to wipe them away, but every tear she removed, another three fell in its place. This still shouldn't hurt so much, Rin thought, angry at herself for crying.
"I'm not a girl who likes boys," Rin went on to say, the words almost bitter. "I'm not even a girl who likes other girls. I don't know what I am. Who knows? Maybe I'm nothing."
"You are not nothing!" Gumi immediately jumped in, sitting upright but keeping an arm wrapped around Rin's shoulders. "Even if you don't like anyone like that, you are not nothing. Besides, didn't you say you liked this Nero?"
"Not enough if I didn't want to sleep with him." Rin furiously swiped at her eyes. "I just felt so repulsed, like what we were about to do was something disgusting. We were practically engaged, yet I couldn't commit myself to him in that way. How can I say I loved him when I didn't want to go all the way with him?"
"Just because you didn't want to go that far suddenly means something's wrong with you," Gumi tried to reason. "Okay, I admit that's different from anything I ever heard before, but still. Don't belittle yourself so much. Your feelings are real, Rin, even if you can't make sense of them."
"It would be easier if I knew what they meant." Rin stared at her sandwich, suddenly at loss for an appetite.
"You'll figure it out one day," Gumi promised. "Trust me, it took me a while to understand my own confusing feelings. The answer's out there, but you have to find it."
"You're right." Rin sighed. "I'm sorry. You told me something personal, and I turned around and made this all about me. I'm being a very bad friend."
"Don't apologize. I'm glad you told me. Besides, I think it's a good thing we know each other more personally. Shouldn't friends really know each other?"
"Yeah, they should. So, you don't think it's weird I'm repulsed by the thought of sleeping with someone, no matter how much I like them?"
"I don't understand it, but I don't think you're weird because of it." Gumi shrugged. "Not to mention how accepting you are about my liking girls. I'm clearly not in the position to be judgmental, am I?"
"I suppose not." Rin smiled. "Just don't start flirting with me, okay?"
Gumi snorted. "I wouldn't worry about that. You're not my type at all."
Silence stretched on for half a minute before Rin responded. "What did you say?"