It's been a while since I've updated. I'm so sorry! I was busy with school, but I promise I will definitely complete this story!
Rin P.O.V
Something warm is enveloping me. Something familiar. Something gentle. Something sweet...
"Rin? Something the matter?" he placed his large, warm hand on my head, gently stroking my hair. "You're making your sad face again. You can't hide it from Papa, you know." I remember how reassuring it made me feel.
"Nothing..." I mumbled, avoiding eye contact.
"Ehh? You can't even tell Papa?" he cupped his face as if he were crying, "Papa is soooo sad. I'm devastated. My Rin doesn't love me anymore.." He began to sob.
"Don't cry Papa!" I looked up, a wave of guilt hit me. "It's not your fault! It's... me. I was a bad... girl," tears welled up in my eyes. Soon enough, the choking sensation in my throat was too much to bear and pearl-shaped tears began rolling down the
/sides of my cheeks, my body trembled.
"Stupid Rin," he pulled me in for a hug and caressed my head, "Come now, tell me what happened. I won't know what you're thinking unless you tell me. Okay?"
"Okay," I snuggled in his warmth, "Papa, I.."
Before I could finish, the figure vanished and I fell onto the floor. The soft warmth was replaced by the cold sensation of the hard floor. I looked around frantically calling, shouting, yelling out for him. He was nowhere in sight.
Noticing a pale figure in the distance. I picked myself up and ran towards it as fast as I could. As I neared, his silhouette became more defined. It was Papa.
"Papa, where are you going?" My legs seemed to lose its strength. Why wasn't I catching up with him?
"Are you leaving Papa?" he continued walking further away. I was losing him. "Papa!"
I extended my hand and finally grabbed onto his sleeve. He stopped.
"Are you leaving?" I tightened my grip not wanting to let go. Tears began to shield my sight, everything became a blurry mess.
"I'm asking you..." Papa told me to voice my feelings.
"Are you leaving?" I asked again, more assuredly.
"No, I'm not," a voice echoed, "I'm right here."
I felt a gentle hand caress my head, just like what Papa used to do. Somehow, this one felt slightly different. It was more...
I jerked awake and found myself covered by my own jacket. Since when did I...?
Beads of tears fell from my eyes when I blinked. I rubbed them away from my face. I dreamt of Papa again.
I sighed. I wish the dream had been real, that he was by my side again. Yet, I also wished the dream hadn't been real, that he hadn't left.
Now where did my glasses go?
I turned my body to crawl out of the table.
Crack!
The sound came from below my knee...
-The next day-
Len P.O.V
I wonder if Shion's alright? That idiot, she could have caught a cold sleeping in a place like that. Even if it's summer soon that was way too careless. I hope she didn't get locked in school, it was already pretty late.
What if she did?!
The thought of it made me uneasy
"M..maybe I should check out the library, umph," my shoulder bumped into someone. "I'm sorry!"
How embarrassing. Hmm? She looks familiar...
"Shion?"
Her head turned. Narrowing her eyes, she shot a lethal, piercing stare. It surprised me. It's been a while since she gave that look. I looked at her in confusion.
"What's the matter?" I asked. She squinted her eyes.
"Where are your glasses? Forgot them at home?" No response.
"Can you see me?" I waved my hand in front of her, "Shion?"
She rubbed her eyes, blinked a few times and stared at me.
"It's me, Kagamine. Shion, the classroom is the other way," I pointed at the door she just walked past.
She knitted her eyebrows. It must have be extremely uncomfortable for her without her glasses. She pointed, "This... room?"
"Yes, it's this room," I affirmed.
She bowed slightly to thank me and paced a few steps towards the classroom. Before entering the classroom, she stopped, as if remembering something. Turning towards my direction, she bowed again.
"Good morning," she greeted before entering the class.
It caught me by surprise. It was the first time she initiated a greeting with me.
I guess she's opening up.
It made me glad.
-Later that day-
The atmosphere in the class was more tense than usual. Even the teacher seemed slightly out of sorts. Shion seemed pretty restless today as well. Was she always like this during class? I always had the impression she wasone of the hardworking students.
"Would anyone like to answer this question?" the teacher tapped the board and scanned the classroom. "Shion, would you..." the teacher stopped abruptly, "Never mind. Hatsune, would you please answer the question?"
"Yes, ma'am," Hatsune's sweet voice rang. She answered the question flawlessly, as expected of her. What really bothered me was Shion's behaviour today. Without her glasses, she seemed to be glaring at everyone more than usual.I wonder what happened?
Time flew by and the school bells rang throughout the school, signaling recess. Noisy chatter began to echo the corridors as everyone left their classrooms.
Out of habit, I was prepared to accompany Shion to the library. However, she did not nudge from her seat. In fact, she began to eat her lunch at her desk.
The segregation was obvious. No one in class approached her. It was as if she wasn't even there. It wasn't difficult to tell that she was alone.
Should I talk to her? Will she find me a nuisance? What if...
I shook the negative thoughts out of my head and my sense of justice prevailed. She needed a friend. She needed me.
Buckling up my courage, I got up and walked towards her. My footsteps felt light, an unusual feeling. Must have been the milk this morning.
Unfortunately, I was interrupted before I could approach her.
"Len! Let's go to the cafeteria! Sandwiches are half-priced! Lets go, already!"
"Huh? Um, alright," I walked away from Shion. Perhaps now isn't a good time, I'll talk to her later.
Rin POV
I didn't need to turn around to recognise the sound of him leaving the classroom.
No, I'll ask him about it later. Now isn't a good time. I can't disrupt the time he's spending with his friends.
In the end, I never found a good opportunity to approach him. I decided to ask him durging cleaning duty after school, instead.
Everyone had left the classroom. He was the only one left. I took a deep breath and walked towards him.
"K..kagamine-san?" my voice sounded pitchy and weak.
"Yes?" He smiled back.
"Today, during class... My glasses... You see, um, notes... and..." As each word came out of my mouth, I grew less confident. Thoughts rushed into my head too quickly. I could not put them into words.
I should have planned this through in my head. Does he understand me? What if he doesn't? Am I allowed to ask him for help?
W..what if he thinks I'm using him for my own convenience? It's not like that... How do I explain myself?
"Oh, that's right, you couldn't see without your glasses today, could you? Do you need the notes from today?"
I nodded, relieved he understood me.
"About that, um... Hang on, give me a moment."
He took out his phone and began fiddling with it for a while.
I waited patiently, wondering how I could thank him.
"I'll lend you Gumiya's notes, he gave the 'okay'," he started messing around through Gumiya's slingbag. Is that what friends do, I wonder?
"Here you go," he handed it to me, "now you just sit here and copy your notes. Leave the rest to me."
What is he saying?
He appeared to understand what I was thinking as he explained, "I'm starting to get the hang of this, see. I'll finish cleaning in no time! We can leave once you're done with the notes. You just sit down and start doing your thing, alright?"
He turned around and started to clean, alone. I couldn't find the right words to thank him for I could not think of a way to express my gratitude. I started to copy the notes as fast as I could so I could start helping him. After all, cleaning the classroom is my responsibility as well. Thankfully, the notes were legible and easy to understand.
Humming and light footsteps emitted from the corridors. The door slid open and Hatsune-san entered the classroom, humming cheerfully.
Startled, she hid her face in embarrassment. "Ah, there were people in the classroom? D..did you hear me?"
"So you were the one humming!" Len replied.
"Ahh... I wasn't expecting anyone to hear me how embarrassing!"
"That song sounds familar. What's it called again?" Len asked.
"Oh, you know..."
Their conversation carried on so naturally. I admired that they could do it so easily. I wanted to emulate that.
"...but enough about that, geez. What are you doing, Len? Cleaning duty?"
"Yeah..."
"Why are you cleaning alone?" Miku tilted her head, confused. "I know! I'll help you!"
She glanced this way. Our eyes made contact.
"Rin-chan, you're studying? Ehhh you're so hardworking. Aren't you going to help Len? If I recalled correctly I thought you were on cleaning duty as well." Guilt welled up from within me.
"Well, she is but..." Len replied.
"Ah I thought so!" Miku clapped her hands in delight that she was right.
"But... why are you studying now? Shouldn't you be helping Len?"
He said I could but...
It's not nice to leave all the work to him, you know..."
I should be helping him out... I clenched my hands, worried that Len felt that I was making use of him.
"It's alright Hatsune-san," I looked at Len. "I told Shion to stay put."
"Eh? Why? You're too nice, Len..."
"She injured herself he other day," Len explained. "Her arm bruised really badly. So I'm doing the work for her, less she makes it worse somehow."
"Really?" Miku exclaimed in astonishment. "What happened? Let me see!" She walked this way.
"Are you alright?" she reached for my arm.
Instinctively, I jerked my arm away. I was touched by her kindness. Because of that, I did not want her to find out that I got the injury from helping her. She would feel guilty.
Perhaps I moved my arm too quickly. I startled Hatsune-San.
"S...sorry Rin-chan. Did I scare you?"
I did not know how to explain myself.
"It's alright, I understand. I'll help out with the cleaning, Len!" she skipped away.
What would she think if she saw the bruise on my arm? I shouldn't let her know, it would make her feel bad...
Len P.O.V
How sweet of Miku to help out. Like a kind goddess.
I guess Shion didn't want Miku to see her arm, huh. I wonder if it still hurts?
Thanks to Miku, cleaning finished faster than I expected.
Miku sighed in relief. "Well I guess that's about it!" She glanced at her watch. "Sweet leeches, is it that time already? Sorry Len I need to head off to work!"
"Thanks for your help, Hatsune-san!" A part of me was sad that she was leaving.
"I've already told you, it's Miku!" She smiled sweetly and gave a wave, "See you!"
Now that Miku was gone, the classroom was eerily silent again. Only the faint sound of pencil scribbling could be heard. I looked at Rin who was still copying Gumiya's notes. I had to lend her his, I hardly understood anything in class, let alone write down anything.
"Are you done, Shion?" No response. She was too engrossed in her work.
I waited, curious to know when she was going to finish. I returned to my seat and continued to watch her while she scribbled her notes busily.
After a while, she finished. She didn't seem to notice that Miku left or that I returned to my seat. She looked around the classroom as if looking for me.
"Just put it on his table," I pointed, picking up my bag.
She turned towards my direction and squinted. After making out who I was, she did as I said.
"Well I guess we're done for today then. Let's go!"
She nodded and packed her things. We made our way out of school.
"Which road do you take home?" I asked, curious.
"The park."
"Oh, you mean the park near.."
Umph
Shion bumped into someone walking beside her.
Did she not see that guy? Or was it just a coincidence?
...
Apparently not.
In mere 3 minutes, Shion managed to bump into 4 people on the crowded street.
Oioioi, isn't this really dangerous? I know you can't see clearly without glasses but this is too much!
"W..whoa hey!" I stopped her in her path. "You were gonna crash into that pole! Did you not see that?!"
She squinted her eyes and reached out her arm in front of her to feel for the pole.
"Can you see my face clearly, Shion?"
She squinted and shook her head. I knew it.
"You know what, I'll walk you home today."
She looked at me, her eyes widened. She shook her head in denial.
"It's no trouble I'm walking the same way. Take it that I'm trying to save your life. Who knows if you're going to crash into a pole or a person or a tree or even a CAR!" I exclaimed, agitated.
Finally, she conceded. She must have realised how dangerous it was for her to walk home in her current state. It's fortunate she didn't manage to get into any accident on the way to school this morning.
She didn't live far away from the park. It was only moments before we reached where she lived.
"We're here," she stopped.
"So this is where you live, huh," I observed the house, "Well, I guess I'll be on my way then! See you tomorrow!" I waved goodbye.
"Thank you very much, Kagamine-san," she bowed.
"It's nothing, geez," I scratched my head, embarrassed.
"Ah, Mama." Shion muttered, looking behind me. I turned around and saw a brown-haired woman wearing bright red clothing holding a bunch of groceries making her way towards us.
"I'm home, Rinny... Help me with the groceries, will you? There was a sale today and..." she lamented with each step she took. Her eyes landed on me, her gaze intense. I guess that's where Shion got it from.
"Who is this boy?" she questioned.
"Kagamine-san, my classmate," she took the bags from her mother. "Kagamine-san, this is my mother," she introduced.
"Kagamine?" She continued to stare at me. The way she stared at me reminded me of Shion.
"N..nice to meet you, I'm Shion-san's friend. I was walking her home because she couldn't see without her glasses and I thought it was dangerous," I explained, frantically. Her mum didn't seem friendly.
"Ehhh a friend?" She smiled cheerfully. I take that back.
"Would you like to come in and sit down? Thank you for taking care of my little Rinny! Would you care to stay for dinner as well?"
"Ah, um it's okay," I replied, embarrassed by her hospitality.
"I insist, I insist! Come in!"
"But I really.."
"It's fine, come on in!"
...
"Make yourself comfortable!" she served me some cake and tea in the living room before exiting the room.
"I'm sorry," Shion muttered. "I hope she didn't force you to stay against your will." She seemed bothered by what happened.
"Well, it's nothing I had nothing to do anyway. At least you made home safely," I reassured her.
"Thank you, Kagamine-San," she bowed again.
"Don't mention it," I tried to change the topic," Hmm. Hey, this cake looks really good! Where did you buy it?"
Tilting her head, Shion began brushing her fringe again. She looked down and muttered, "I... made it."
...
Meanwhile, in the other room. Shion's mother flipped through some old newspaper clippings and photos. One of which she picked up and examined closely.
"Kagamine... I knew it."
Hope you enjoyed this chapter! I hope it wasn't too boring, I really wanted to finish writing it! (It's 2am in the morning) I've been waiting to write this chapter for a very long time but I never got to completing it. I apologise for the wait! I will try to update the next one soon! My style might have changed over time. My grammar and writing skills really aren't the best so I'm grateful for those who continue to read the story. I will write again soon!