Here's the eighteenth chapter. Last time, as the gang went on a hike, Rin got sick yet again. Len was able to catch her in time before she fell to the ground and headed towards the camp site. We'll see what happens next. Enjoy. ^-^
Chapter 18
I sighed as I sat on my living room couch. My place was dark and gloomy like it normally was but now it felt worse. I rested my head on my hand and ran my fingers through my hair. The only thing I had in my mind was Rin.
She was sick again. During camp, she fell ill and was taken care of in a flash. However, Luka and Miku couldn't do much. We had to cancel out trip and send Rin to her parents which they immediately took her to the hospital. All this happened incredibly fast and just yesterday, it felt like it was today. Yesterday was yesterday and today was a new day. But would it be any better?
I looked around the living room. My piano was still set up from last week and some of the music sheets were still scattered around. I picked up one sheet and read over the lyrics written.
"How about...Why Don't You Call me Yet?"
I sighed. Rin, why would you suggest a title while your sickness overcame you? Either way, I grabbed a pencil and wrote down the title.
Suddenly, I heard a beep. I turned to my phone and grabbed it. I received a text from Kaito saying: Visit her.
I hesitated. Visit her? Why would he send that to me? It was like he knew exactly what I was debating in my head: To visit Rin or ignore her. I could visit Rin, it's what I really wanted, but I'm not even sure if she's still at the hospital or not. I can't call her because they would be a bit disturbing and I had no idea what her house number was to call her parents. I can always ignore the fact that she was sick in the first place and let everything resolve on its own. It wasn't my responsibility...
That would be a sin for me. I can't do something like that.
I got up, put on my jacket, grabbed my keys, and headed straight to her house and see what I can find.
I knocked two times and waited patiently. I was hoping someone would answer quickly and explain to me everything that's going on. I have to know.
The door opened slightly, revealing Rin's mom. She raised an eyebrow but smiled afterwards.
"Hello there," she said.
"Ma'am, is your daughter okay?" I asked.
The woman sighed and opened the door, letting me enter. Once I did, I noticed Rin's dad talking away on the phone. He looked serious and a bit frustrated. Something was bothering him.
The woman lead me down the hall towards Rin's room. We both stopped in front of the door and she looked directly at me.
"She may be resting. If she is, don't wake her up. If she's not, you can speak with her," she whispered.
I nodded. The woman smiled and began walking away until I whispered out to her. "Ma'am, may I know what sickness she has?"
The woman stopped. I turned to her to see her back facing me. We stayed standing in silence for a while until the woman turned slightly and gave out a soft, sad smile. "Let her tell you herself," she said before walking away.
Not even her mom wanted to tell me. Why not? I sighed and turned to face the door. I have to ask Rin. She has to tell me. I have to know. She has to trust me with it. I tried to do it last time, but it didn't work. The common cold, she said, but I doubt it's that.
I sighed one more time before gently knocking on the door.
"Come in," I heard Rin's voice.
I grabbed the door knob and slowly turned it. I opened the door a crack and peeked inside. I saw Rin laying on my bed, snuggled up. She turned her head towards me and nearly jumped out from her bed.
"L-Len?!" she stuttered.
I came in and closed the door behind me. "Sorry. Did I wake you up?"
Rin blinked but shook her head. "I was already awake."
I leaned against the wall closed to the door and examined Rin. She looked like she normally would, healthy and bright. However, I knew she wasn't as healthy as I thought she was. She had a monster clinching onto her, causing her to get sick and I needed to know what it was, so maybe I could counter it.
"Feeling better?" I asked.
Rin sat up with her covers over her. She looked cold even though the temperature was mild, not too cold nor too hot. "I'm fine. Just a bit cold."
"It's not even cold in here. It's actually a decent temperature."
"I'm sure it is, but I feel cold. My hands and feet are cold."
I walked over toward her and sat down on the foot of her bed. Rin blinked.
"Can I see your hands?" I said as I stretched out a hand to her.
Rin frowned. "They're pretty cold."
"I don't care."
Rin sighed and struck out a hand to me. I gently grabbed it and cupped my hands over it. She was incredibly cold it was insane.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked.
I didn't look at her. "I wouldn't want you too freeze. Other hand."
"Huh? O-oh..." Rin gave me her other hand and I did the same with that one. Why was she so cold?
"Has anyone else visited you?" I asked.
"The others have earlier today. They were all making me laugh as usually," Rin smiled. "They're such great friends."
I rubbed my hands against hers. "They worry about you. A lot."
"I'm sure they do. I hate to have them worry about me. I told them I would be fine. I am fine."
I frowned and looked at Rin. She caught my eyes as I gave her a serious look. "Rin, we'll all worry about you. Don't ever say you're fine when you know you're not."
Rin hesitated and turned away from me. "I am fine. You're not feeling what I'm feeling. I am fine."
"You're only hurting us more than you think you are with telling a lie like that." I let go of her. "Rin, can you tell me what's wrong with you?"
Rin turned to me with a frown on her face. "Why do even care?"
I frowned. "How do you know I care? I could be asking just for the others' sakes. They want to know. But...I'll honestly say that I also want to know. I...I care..."
Rin clutched tighter to her covers as she looked down. "Len...please don't lie to me. I know you don't care..."
I growled. "Does it really matter if I care or not? Can you please just tell me?"
Rin jerked her head to me. "Of course it matters if you care or not! I can't go around telling people about my sickness if they don't care. This is serious business, and I wouldn't want those who don't give a damn about me to know about it!"
I grabbed Rin by her shoulders and stared down into her eyes. "Rin, I care! I care! Why don't you believe me?"
Rin stared back. "Because you've hurt many other hearts..."
I hesitated. She was right. I, Len Kagamine, the player of the school, has hurt many other hearts and not caring about the broken pieces. I never cared before. It all makes sense now. I was someone Rin couldn't trust with her deep secrets. No wonder she hesitated to tell me anything.
I let go of her and turned away. I was such a disappointment. Why did I ever thought Rin would tell me something as important as her sickness? Len, you're so stupid.
I sighed and stood up. "You're right, Rin. I'll just leave you alone. I'm glad you're feeling better." I walked towards the door and opened it. I thought I heard Rin whisper my name but that could always be me...
Suddenly, I felt arms wrapped themselves around my chest. I hesitated and turned my head over to the owner of the arms. Rin rested her head against my back but didn't look at me.
"I'm sorry, Len. I didn't mean to hurt you like that..." Rin said.
Her cold hands reached my skin even through the jacket and shirt I had but I did not mind. I turned back over to the door and sighed. "I'm the one who's suppose to be sorry. I shouldn't have forced you to tell me anything. I don't deserve to know anything about you. I am the player after all..."
"Len..." Rin turned me around to face her. "...you're not the person I thought you were. Or maybe you changed through time for some reason, but you..." Rin bit her lips and looked down. "I think I can trust you with this secret."
"Rin..."
Rin hugged me tightly, something she had never done to me. It was sudden and unexpected but it felt so right. My arms trembled, wondering if I should hug her back.
"Len...I have...leukemia..." she whispered.
My world suddenly shut down. Everything became a blur to me and dark as if the sun was turned off. I suddenly began feeling cold, icy cold as if I was inside the freezer naked. That news was not what I expected. It was too much for me to handle.
Then, out of all my negativity, I heard Rin crying.
I blinked back to reality and looked down to Rin who was crying on me. She wetted my shirt and jacket, something I would normally get mad about. But I didn't care about that. I immediately wrapped my arms around her and felt my own eyes gets watery.
"Len..." Rin sobbed.
I closed my eyes and tried not to cry. "Rin...you'll be fine. You'll be fine..."
Was that a truth or lie? I wasn't sure but I did hope it would be true. I needed her to be fine. If she wasn't...I would disintegrate along with her. It's like we're connected somehow and whatever she's feeling, I feel it too. If she gets worse, I'll get sick. If she...
I continued to hug Rin as tightly as I could, trying to pass my heat to warm her cold body. "I'll never leave your side, Rin. I'll be your butterfly on your right shoulder."
And there it was, the chapter most people have waited for, the chapter where Rin's sickness is finally revealed...what a sad thing to know. Poor Rin...please get well soon.
Len decides to visit Rin and make sure she's feeling better. The two get into a little argument and all but they made up to each other with hugs and sadness. Aww Len does care. But now that he knows about Rin, what is there for him to do? Stay by her side of course. This is where the title gets into action once more. I don't know. I had to. Man, poor Rin. I can't keep the fact that she has such a horrible sickness. I'm sorry, Rin! T_T
Tune in for more and please review. Thank you. ^-^
