Nibbling on the end of her pencil, Miku puzzled over the numbers and their meaning. Mathematics was never her strong point, yet it was important she learned how to properly manage money. Cinderellas who married bankers or became bankers themselves needed to know this material, but Miku couldn't figure out when she would ever use it again after graduation.
"The way you pinch your brows together and purse your lips in concentration is so cute," Gakuko whispered, giggling.
"Shhh, you'll make me lose my focus." Figuring out the money to save for a trip to another district to attend a wedding and then budgeting that money accordingly in this exercise was stressing Miku out. Even with a sophisticated computer program opened for her use and scrap paper and a pencil to the side for writing things out did nothing to make this problem any easier.
"How is it coming along?" Pro. Stardust said, leaning over to look at Miku's and Gakuko's worksheets. "Hmm, your numbers are right, Ms. Yuzuki, but you have the wrong formula right here." She pointed out the problem. To Miku, "No, no, Ms. Hatsune. I told you to overestimate your costs. Not underestimate them."
I thought I was overestimating them. Sighing, Miku said, "I suppose I need to study a lot harder."
"That's a certain," Pro. Stardust replied. "I expect this answer completed by Monday. Am I understood?"
"Yes, ma'am." After Pro. Stardust signaled that her class, as well as the school hours, was finished for the day, Miku mumbled uncoherent things as she shut down the program and collected her things.
"You could always get a tutor," Gakuko suggested as she packed away her own items.
For the first time since entering the classroom, Miku looked at Juliet CV02. It was the subtlest of nods, but Miku saw what the Juliet was trying to convey.
"I think I shall be fine," Miku said. I already have a tutor, she silently added.
"Any plans for the weekend?" Gakuko asked as they left the classroom.
"Well," Miku answered, her cheeks beginning to burn, "I do have a date pretty soon."
Gakuko gasped. "A date! You and Lord Shion are official then, huh?"
"I suppose we are." Miku twisted the ring on her finger but stopped when she realized what she was doing. "I really like him, and I think he might like me, too."
"Are you hoping he marries you?"
"Well, my dream is to one day be a wife and mother," Miku chewed on her lower lip, "but I don't want to pin all my hopes on Mr. Kaito yet."
"Yet," Gakuko teased. "So, when are you meeting?"
"Oh, about . . . ," Miku looked at the clock, and her heart stopped, "five minutes ago. Oh, no, Pro. Stardust went over time!"
"That's not good," Gakuko unhelpfully observed.
"No, it's not." Miku gave Juliet CV02 her bag and told her, "Take this to my rooms. Mr. Kaito already asked Lord and Lady Zola to be our escorts, so spend the rest of the afternoon as you wish. I'll see you tonight!"
With that said, Miku broke into a sprint down the halls. Ladylike or not, she had no plans to be any later to her date. Hopefully her being late wasn't a sign to the kind of date this was going to be.
"She sure is the character, isn't she?" Ms. Yuzuki laughed to herself. She then smiled at Rin. It was the kind of smile you share with an acquaintance you like but don't really know well enough to call your friend. "I bet she keeps you busy."
Rin raised her eyebrows in a way she hoped came across as, You have no idea. Of Ms. Hatsune's small number of friends, Ms. Yuzuki was Rin's favorite. She also liked Campos Ona, even if Ms. Campos tried to come across as unlikable. Nothing needed to be said of Ms. Megurine.
Laughing again, Ms. Yuzuki said, "I'll walk you to Miku's room."
The walk didn't feel awkward, as Rin expected it would. Ms. Yuzuki followed closely, humming all the way. She seemed aware that Rin was not allowed to communicate with her, for she asked no questions and tried to start no conversations. All Ms. Yuzuki did was hum, only singing actual lyrics when nobody else was around to hear. Rin was tempted to ask Ms. Yuzuki what she was singing but decided it was not worth potentially getting into trouble over.
Ms. Yuzuki's friendly presence helped, if only slightly, ease the gnawing ache in Rin's chest.
"I'll be seeing you," Ms. Yuzuki said as she passed Ms. Hatsune's door, not breaking her stride as she continued on to her rooms.
Rin waved goodbye and was surprised to see Ms. Yuzuki return the gesture. It seemed harmless enough, but Rin did hope the action wouldn't come back to haunt her. She was getting careless.
Closing the door behind her, Rin sighed and said, "You really enjoy making yourself feel at ease in here."
"I own this room. Ms. Hatsune is merely borrowing it," Master Tonio replied. He turned off his tablet. "My wife and I are having a fight right now, and she's not letting me into her office. That's why I need you to do a little favor for me."
Without missing a beat, without asking what Master Tonio needed her to do, Rin said, "I'll do it."
Master Tonio smiled.
"Kaito's in love. Kaito's in love." Mew sang like a little girl as she twirled around in her long-sleeved sundress. Her black hair was worn down, and it became wild as the woman danced barefoot in the grass as if it was acceptable for a Cinderella to do such a thing.
"Will you shut up?" Kaito asked, annoyed.
"No, she won't," Wil answered for Mew. He then teased Kaito by joining in with his wife and singing, "Kaito's in love. Kaito's in love."
"Frack the both of you," Kaito said, laughing. "One date does not mean I'm in love."
"But it does mean you like her," Mew pointed out, "and that's pretty much the same thing."
"No, it isn't."
"Trust me," Wil said, stopping his spinning wife by placing a hand on her hip, "you have to like your wife before you can love her."
Mew rested her cheek on Wil's shoulder, and her husband responded by kissing the top of her head. Kaito smiled, both happy for them and envious of them. What they had, he hoped to share with the woman he loved someday soon.
"Oh," Mew's eyes lit up as if she just found a new toy to play with, "I think that's her!"
"Play nice," Wil ordered.
"No promises," Mew sweetly replied.
"I am so sorry!" Miku exclaimed as she ran towards him. It looked as if Mew wasn't the only one who didn't care about proper Cinderella behavior. "Class let out late, and I came as soon as I realized."
"It's all right." Kaito took Miku's hand and kissed it. "No worries in being a little late. It's my fault for asking a time so soon after your academic day ends."
"It is my fault as well for not correcting you." Miku smiled sheepishly. "So, what do you have planned for today?"
"Before he tells you," Wil stepped in, arm around Mew, "I think we should be properly introduced."
"Oh, right." Kaito felt sheepish himself. "Ms. Miku, this is Zola Wil and his wife Mew. Wil, Mew, this is Ms. Hatsune Miku from the Venus District."
Wil bowed while Mew curtsied. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," they said in perfect sync. Kaito wondered if the couple was truly that in tune with each other or if they practiced speaking simultaneously like this on their free time. Truly, it could have been either.
Delighted, Miku returned the curtsy. "No, the pleasure is all mine. It's such an honor to meet you both."
"I hope we get along." Mew showed one of her wicked smiles. "I'm really competitive at One Card."
"Mew," Kaito hissed before turning to the hopeful looking Miku. "I hope you, um, like card games. I thought we would all get to know each other over a few friendly rounds of One Card and then enjoy a packed picnic for dinner. Is that all right?"
"Of course!" Miku exclaimed, the pure happiness oozing from her features.
"Except One Card isn't a friendly game," Wil said, chuckling. "Kaito here decided to pick the most violent card game in the history of card games."
"I don't know many other card games," Kaito muttered. Wil shrugged.
Mew stepped forward and reached for Miku. She began dragging the other girl forward. "Come. Let's find a place to set up everything and begin giving each other death threats over a silly game."
Miku, Kaito quickly realized, was horrible at One Card. It wasn't that she didn't know the rules, those she understood to the letter, but she couldn't translate the head knowledge to gameplay. Her reactions were too slow, she had no poker face whatsoever, and she was too nice to play any of the "mean cards." If anything, it was adorable.
Her laughter was like bells. Her voice like a song. Every time she moved and her silky hair brushed against Kaito's arm, he wanted to pull her onto his lap and bury his face in her turquoise locks.
Perhaps the girl he brought home for his mother didn't have to be nothing more than a friend.
It was a simple enough task. Sneak in. Download the files from Mistress Prima's computer. Return the thumb drive to Master Tonio. One, two, three.
Rin needed the distraction. Ever since the ball the week before, a rock had set itself in Rin's chest, interfering with her lungs and heart. There wasn't much room to breathe, and her chest hurt where her heart hit rock every time it beat.
The sensation wasn't constant. It was only whenever Lord Shion and Ms. Hatsune's relationship with him were brought up that the pain presented itself. Rin could never decide if she wanted to cry, scream, or break things to ease the pain. Maybe all three. She wasn't sure.
Walking down the halls, Rin kept her head down. At any minute, Mistress Prima would leave her office to pick up a coffee from the kitchen. It was the same time every day, Master Tonio told Rin. His wife, going straight to the kitchen and straight back, would leave her office open. The trip usually took five minutes. If Master Tonio snuck in, someone was bound to notice. Someone as invisible as a Juliet, like Rin, would for the most part remain unnoticed or uncared for. As long as Rin didn't display any suspicious behavior, everything would be fine.
Peering over the corner, Rin watched as Mistress Prima exited her office and walked in the other direction. The five minute countdown began. Rin didn't waste a second.
Rin sat in the large office chair and unfolded the paper with the information Master Tonio gave her. Those three things Rin needed to do were made up of smaller things that had to be done for the big things to be accomplished. The realization paralyzed Rin for a second, but she went back to work.
The password Master Tonio gave Rin granted her access to Mistress Prima's computer. Rin shoved the thumb drive into the port and did everything Master Tonio told her to do. Highlight the files he listed on his paper. Drag them to the thumb drive. Wait for the files to load.
Unfortunately, there was nothing to do while Rin waited. The blue slowly, ever so slowly, filled the bar to indicate the files had been loaded. Within the folders were dozens upon dozens of individual files. If these files took more than three minutes to load, Rin could kiss her life goodbye.
Tick. Tick. Tick. The clock on the wall mocked Rin. She did not dare look at it to see how much time was left. With all the panic she was already going through, reminding herself of the timer would only make it worse.
When the files finally loaded, Rin said a prayer of thanks under her breath as she erased the download's history and removed the thumb drive. She put the computer to sleep and stood, but footsteps echoed through the halls, growing louder with each step.
It was the sound of Mistress Prima's heels on the marble floors. There was no time to escape. Rin was as good as dead.
Miku was having the time of her life. After playing One Card so many times she lost count, Kaito brought out the picnic basket. He packed so much food it seemed as if he came prepared to feed an army. Sandwiches, fruit, pretzels, cheese and crackers, and rich chocolate cake – she eagerly tried everything.
After her conversation with Len, Miku decided she was no longer going to wear her corset. No longer would she listen to her mother's voice. Every time Miku heard her mother make a comment about the bites of food Miku took, she made a point to herself to take a bigger bite. Since the others seemed to be eating so much as well – "Please, I don't want any leftovers!" Kaito exclaimed a few minutes ago – Miku allowed herself to feel no shame as she popped more fruit into her mouth or helped herself to another slice of cake. When she was done eating, Miku could feel her belly pressing against the fabric of her dress.
"You must get the recipe of that chocolate cake for me, Kaito," Mew said as she set her plate down. "It was simply divine!"
"Did you get it ordered special from a bakery?" Miku asked. "It didn't taste like any of the chocolate cakes we have here at the academy."
"My mother sent it, actually," Kaito answered, a blush crawling up his face over something he didn't voice. "It's an Idun District specialty."
"Then expect me to visit the Idun District soon," Wil said. "Our cooks can't bake to save their lives."
"They were a wedding gift from your mother," Mew reminded him.
"So? The woman thinks salt is too much seasoning for her chicken." Wil laughed. "Kaito, we must visit you in the Summer Continent sometime."
"Getting to know you and to meet the girl you fancy has been a real joy," Mew said, smiling warmly. Miku could feel her cheeks and neck growing hot.
"Or we can just go for the cuisine." Wil elbowed Kaito playfully. "Of course, seeing you will be a plus."
"You must come for Christmas then," Kaito said, pushing Wil away just as playfully. "Or at least during the season, since you must already have plans."
"Family obligations are a must, I'm afraid." Mew rolled her eyes. "However, I think we can visit during that time. What do you say, Wil?"
"We'll make it happen." The man stood. "Now, how about we walk these gardens before it gets too dark? It's not often we get time to ourselves like this."
While Wil and Mew walked ahead, Miku and Kaito followed a few paces behind. Miku watched the couple walk with linked arms, admiring the flowers around them. They spoke softly with each other, laughing at things Miku couldn't hear.
"They seem so happy together," Miku observed aloud.
Kaito, who walked beside her but kept a respectable distance, agreed. "They're a team through and through. It's the kind of relationship I want to have one day."
Not knowing how to respond, Miku kept quiet. She and Kaito pointed out the flowers they thought were prettiest, and occasionally their hands would brush. The little contact sent sparks shooting through Miku, and she would retreat her hand and hope her burning face wasn't too obvious.
"You could visit too," Kaito said so suddenly Miku had to ask him to repeat himself.
"For winter break," he explained. "Of course, it needs to be okay with your family, but I would love it if you were able to come home with me and meet my family."
The weight of what Kaito was saying pressed against Miku's heart. Meeting his family would be a big deal. There was no way he would invite her unless he was serious about her.
"I will need to call my parents," Miku sadly confirmed, "but I would be honored to go home with you and meet your family."
Kaito's warm smile nearly had Miku melting where she stood. He stopped, and so did she. Wil and Mew kept going forward, oblivious. Mesmerized, Miku watched as Kaito held out his hands. She slipped hers into his. The setting sun painted the scene in a golden light, bringing warmth to the moment.
Maybe he initiated it, or maybe she did. Miku didn't know. All she knew was Kaito and she leaned forward, and when their lips met, she knew she was kissing the man she hoped to marry someday.
It was only now Rin realized how silly she was being when she thought waiting for the thumb drive to load its files felt longer than it actually did. This was worse. Sitting under Mistress Prima's desk while Mistress Prima, unaware, sat with her legs a mere inches from Rin's body made time seem to stop altogether.
Rin didn't know how long it had been. Minutes. Hours. Centuries. No clues save for the never-ending tick tick tick of the clock as it laughed at her misfortune.
This can't last, Rin thought. Sooner or later she might feel me, or maybe I'll cough, or I might sneeze. Then it's all over.
As if she summoned it, Rin felt herself preparing to sneeze. She pinched her nose with one hand and covered her mouth with the other. Her heart beat so loudly she wondered how Mistress Prima didn't discover her from Rin's beating heart alone.
"Mistress Prima," someone called from the doorway.
"Yes." Mistress Prima could not have sounded less enthused.
"There's a glitch in the library search system," the other person said. "It keeps bringing up . . . um, let's say inappropriate images whenever someone tries to search something."
"Are you sure?" Mistress Prima sounded as if she didn't trust it.
"Try for yourself if you don't believe me." The voice sounded as if she was challenging Mistress Prima.
Sighing, Mistress Prima rose from her desk. "Stay right here."
"Yes, ma'am," the other replied. Footsteps grew quieter as Mistress Prima retreated, then the other speaker walked into the office.
Rin's heart caught in her throat. Things were going from bad to worse. She started to wonder if she really should have listened to Master Tonio.
"Hurry, Juliet," the speaker then hissed. "Before Mistress Prima comes back."
Part of Rin believed this was a trap, but that part was overridden by her desire to crawl out from under the desk and stretch out her stiff limbs. Also in the room was Ms. Campos. She quickly explained, "I saw you sneak in after Mistress Prima left to get her coffee. When she came back and I didn't hear her shouting, I figured you had to be hiding. Took me a while to get that bug into the library computers, but I did what I had to."
"Why?" Rin asked as she rushed to the doorway, not understanding why the Cinderella would go through so much trouble for her.
"Let's just leave it at we're playing on the same team," Ms. Campos answered.
Rin scurried down the hall to leave, but she stopped when Ms. Campos asked about someone.
"Who?" Rin questioned.
"Aria. She's my cousin. A Juliet like you," Ms. Campos quickly clarified. "Do you know her?" Rin shook her head, and Ms. Campos replied, "I see. Thank you."
"No," Rin corrected before she fled from the scene, "thank you."
Miku couldn't recall the last time she felt so light. While Kaito escorted her back to her rooms, the Zola couple following close behind, she wanted to surprise Kaito by kissing him again. She didn't, knowing full well such behavior would not be appropriate.
He tasted just like the chocolate cake he brought, and Miku was sure she did as well. Electricity ignited her body, awakening senses Miku didn't know remained dormant until that moment. Her core felt hallow. Parts of her began to burn with longing. Desire finally blossomed, and now that it had a taste, it began to crave so much more.
Goodbyes were muddled in Miku's mind. She was on a high she could not contain for much longer. When Kaito kissed her cheek before departing, Miku nearly squealed with delight.
Miku practically danced into her room. A big, stupid smile stuck on her face as she undressed and changed into her nightgown, all without requesting the help of an Alice. She plopped onto her bed, holding her still bulging stomach. Her belly was full, but her heart was fuller. As she drifted off to sleep, she thought of Kaito.
During all of this, she did not notice Juliet CV02's absence.