A month has passed since then and Rin fell into depression and decided to lock herself in her house, refused to see anyone or even communicate with anyone, even refusing to see Miku whenever she came over to see how she was doing.
Rin couldn't let anyone see just how pitiful she was. She felt ashame and saddened that everything she has done...all her effort was nothing but a waste. Why did this have to happen to her?
Rin laid completely still on her bed, staring at the wall with a blank expression on her face. She didn't like moving at all. In fact, she didn't want to do anything at all today. The house was completely silent and dead...just like her. Rin closed her eyes for a moment until-
Ding Dong
She heard her doorbell ring loudly in the silence. Rin chose to ignore it and just laid still.
Ding Dong Ding Dong Ding Dong
Rin let out a soft groan as she grabbed her pillow and buried her face underneath it. The doorbell continued to ring nosily and repeatedly. She can already tell who it was but she refuses to go down and open the door.
Ding Dong Ding Dong Ding Dong Ding Dong
Rin had enough and sat up, tossing her pillow onto her bed in irritation as she stomped out of her room and down the stairs. She marched up to the front door and opened it, revealing a certain teal haired female, wearing sunglasses and a hat.
"Finally you opened the door!" Miku huffed. Rin glared at her before she turned and walked back into the house as Miku followed, closing the door behind her. "Really Rin, its unhealthy for you to lock yourself in this house for an entire month! I'm still amaze you manage get by without me here." Miku remarked.
Rin of course, didn't respond and simply walked into the kitchen while Miku moved to the living room. She glanced around and frowned. "Its also really dark in here! Seriously Rin, you are not a vampire." She said as she walked over to the curtains and pulled them open, letting in the sunlight.
Miku then turned and leaped onto the couch with a sigh, tossing her sunglasses and hat to the chair next to her. A few minutes later, Rin walked out of the kitchen with tray that had a teapot and two tea cups, along with some biscuits. She set down the tray onto the coffee table and sat down on a chair close by. Rin poured a cup of tea and offered it to Miku, who took it with a small smile.
"Thanks." She said as she took a sip of the warm tea. Miku hummed at the sweet flavor. "Delicious! Is this lemon tea?" She asked and Rin nodded as she poured herself a cup as well and took a sip.
"That's good since...I hear tea is good when you have laryngitis." Miku quietly said. Rin paused, lowering her cup to her lap and stared at her reflection in her tea. There was a long pause between them, to the point it was almost suffocating. Miku sipped her tea once more before she placed her cup onto the coffee table and turned to Rin.
"Seriously Rin...how have you been? You've locked yourself here without seeing or...communicating with anyone. Not even me so I was a little...worried." Miku muttered. Rin remained silent as Miku continued. "Look Rin, I know after everything that happened, you're...depressed but locking yourself here isn't going to change anything."
Miku paused for a moment. "How about...we go out today?" Rin quickly looked up at Miku in surprise. "Oh don't look so surprise. As I said before being this house for an entire month without stepping out once is not healthy so I'm taking you out." Miku said as she stood.
Rin quickly shook her head, waved her hands in front of her in refusal. Miku frowned at that. "Why not?" She questioned as she placed her hands on her hips.
Rin looked away in discomfort as she thinking of a way to explain it to Miku. Rin raised a hand at Miku, signalling her to wait before she stood up and walked out of the room. A few minutes later, Rin came back into the living room with a sketch book at hand.
She flipped the sketch book open and pulled out a pen from her pocket as she began scribbling down on it before she turned it around and showed it to Miku.
'I just don't want to go out today.'
Miku frowned deeply at that. "Haaa? Rin, you haven't stepped out of this house for a month. How many times do I have to repeat that part. An entire month! And you don't want to go out?"
Rin frowned as well and turned the sketch pad back at her to write but Miku suddenly interrupted. "No, I'm not going to lis- I mean, read any complains or excuses from you." She deadpanned. Miku then grabbed Rin's wrist and tugged her out of the living room, despite Rin's silent protests.
"We are going to hang out like we use to and you are not going to stop me so..." They then paused in front of the stairs as Miku tugged Rin and lightly nudged her forward. "You better go up and get yourself ready, and you better not lock yourself in your room...unless you want me to break it down just to get you." Miku added.
Rin glanced at Miku over her shoulder with a frown before she let out a soundless sigh as she climbed up the stairs to her room. For now...she better listen to Miku of she didn't want to have to replace her door...again.
"Ahhh, Isn't it nice outside today Rin?" Miku exclaimed as she stretched and sighed happily as Rin followed her from behind. Rin rolled her eyes before adjusting her hold on her sketch pad under her arm as they strolled down the park.
The sun shown brightly in the sky as a couple of clouds lazily floated in the sky. The atmosphere was calm and peaceful as people walked by each other in the streets, minding their own businesses while children played happily in the playground with their parents close by. It was just so peaceful today.
Rin quickened her pace to catch up with Miku and tapped her shoulder. Miku span around as Rin scribbled on her paper before showing it.
'Can we leave now? I wanna go home.'
Miku frowned at that. "But we've only been here for about 10 minutes and you want to go home already?" Rin nodded in response and Miku sighed. "Rin, staying at home all day isn't going good for you. You should go out at least once in awhile." She then twirled around once more and stretched her arms. "Look around, its a bright and sunny day! We should enjoy the moment for now!"
Rin looked around, realizing there were more people in the park than usual today...it almost reminded her about the times she would sing with crowd like this...
Rin suddenly felt gloomy as she reached out for the bandage on her throat. Her eyes softened with sadness. She really just wants to go home...
Miku glanced behind her, noting the sudden change of atmosphere around Rin. She frowned for second. She was hoping that taking Rin out would lift up her mood even a little bit since staying there in her house the whole time would only make her even more depress, but apparently, it just made things worse...
She turned her head and looked around to see if there was anything she could do to cheer Rin's spirit. She then noticed an ice cream stand just a few meters away. Miku smiles and span around to face Rin.
"Rin, can you wait here for a second." Miku said. Rin didn't say a word though Miku wasn't really expecting a reply anyways before Miku skipped over to ice cream stand. Miku bought two cones of vanilla ice cream and smiled at the ice cream seller.
Hopefully this will cheer Rin up and bring back the cheerful, bright girl she once knew. Miku turned around to go back to Rin and froze when she realized...Rin was no longer there.
"Eh?"
-0-0-0-
Rin somberly walked down the street in silence. She knew leaving Miku like this was wrong but she rather go home than spend the day outside here. She appreciated Miku's effort in trying to help her but...she just didn't want to trouble Miku over this.
Rin let out a soundless sigh as she continued to stroll down the street until she paused. Close by...she could hear the faint sound of a piano playing. The tune was slightly shaky but there was something captivating about it.
Rin couldn't help but follow the tune. The more she followed the tune, the more it sounds familiar to her. It was just so...
She paused in front a house where the piano can be heard playing. She stared at the house for a moment and before she knew it, she was walking up to the front door of the house. She reached for the door to knock...but instead she reached for the doorknob. Rin twisted it and blinked when she realized it was unlocked.
Without a second thought, Rin stepped into the house. She climbed up the stairs and walked down the hall as she followed the sounds of the piano. The closer she got to the music, the louder and clearer the song was.
The tune was indeed rather messy and shaky now that she could hear it clearly but...Rin couldn't help but feel captivated by it.
She paused in front of the door where the sounds of a piano was playing could be heard. She reached for the doorknob and ever-so-slowly she opened the door. The music was even more clearer than before as she stood at the doorway.
Within the room, she immediately spotted a male with bright blond hair sitting in front of a small, old fashioned piano. His back was turned towards her as he played frantically on the piano, unaware of her presence.
Rin stood there, mesmerized by the music he played on the piano. It was harmonious and strong despite its disorganized tone but the emotions within the song was enchanting. But there was something she noticed within the song as well. Rin could easily feel the frustration and slight anger as he played but what stood out the most for Rin was...the sadness in the tune that made her heart ache as she could relate to that emotion.
Rin took a step forward which was a mistake as the wooden floor creaked under her weight. She froze instantly as well as the male, who immediately stopped.
"Who's there?" The male demanded. Rin was horrified and remained still as the boy turned around. Oh no, she was caught. Rin wanted to explain but then blinked when she noticed a bandage wrapped around his eyes and realized...he was blind.
Rin subconsciously reached for her own bandage that was around her neck as she was lost in her thoughts but then she was brought back to reality when the blond haired male demanded once more. "Who's there? I know you're in here so stop pretending and say something!" He sneered.
Rin panicked for a moment and opened her mouth to say something but then she soon realized it was huge mistake. Instead of words, what came out of Rin's mouth was a hoarse croak before she fell into a coughing fit. She cringed as she wheezed and panted for air after her coughing. She completely forgot she had a throat disease.
The boy near the piano was silent during all this and muttered. "Are you okay?" Rin looked up at him and looked away before nodding, even though she knew he could see it. But apparently the male understood as he had nodded as well after a few moments of silence.
"Who are you anyways? Are you a thief?" He questioned cautiously. Rin leaped back and shook her head frantically. Again, this was a useless attempt but oddly enough, the boy seemed to understood it despite being unable to see and he frowned. "If you're not a thief then what are you doing here? And how did you manage to get in my house? I'm pretty sure the door was lo-"
He then paused and clicked his tongue. "Kaito. I told him to lock the door before leaving. That damn idiotic ice creaming loving-" He began to grumble to himself then sighed. He then turned his head to her direction and furrowed his brows. "Anyways you should just leave if you don't want me to call the police for trespassing." He said before he stood up.
Rin paled as she began to panic. She didn't want to get into trouble! She was about to dash out of there until the male wobbled forward, accidentally tripping on his own foot and was about to fall forward.
Rin let out a silent gasp and ran up to him. She quickly grabbed his arm and shoulder to steady him in place. The male froze at the sudden contact but then he relaxed slightly. "Thanks.." He muttered as Rin lead Len back to his seat near the piano.
The boy sat down and Rin slowly let go of him. Just before she could fully pull back from him, the boy grabbed her wrist, causing her to squeak in shock. "Hmm..." He hummed thoughtfully. "Judging from your hand. You're a girl, huh..." He said out loud. "Hey...What's your name?"
Rin blinked at the sudden question. She looked at him hesitantly, wondering if she should really tell him her name or not.
"Don't worry, since you did pretty much helped me a moment ago...I'll let this slide for now." He said. "So tell me, what's your name?"
Rin paused for a moment before she thought of it. Well, he did seem rather sincere and he didn't seem bad at all. Rin then frowned. How on earth was she going to tell him her name?
Rin thought about it for a moment before she grabbed the boy's hand and began tracing on his palm."R...I...N..Rin...Kagami. Your name's Rin Kagami?" He questioned as soon as Rin finished spelling out her name. Rin then traced her reply on his skin once more.
'Yes.'
"I see." Len nodded then paused. "Well...I won't ask why you can't speak but tell me, why did you come here? You do realize that this is trespassing."
'I was following the sounds.'
"Sounds?" He repeated. "You mean the piano?"
'Yes'
The boy laughed awkwardly as he scratch the back of his head with his other hand. "I see. How embarrassing." He said. "The way I was playing was horrible wasn't it? Since I can't really see, some of the notes became disorganized and messy. I'm ashame..."
Rin frowned and traced her finger onto his palm once more. 'Its wasn't bad at all.'
"You think so? Well, that's nice to know but..." The boy then smiled sadly. "You don't need to be that nice. I know it was horrible." Rin then began to quickly write on his palm.
'No, it wasn't horrible at all. It was simply amazing and was so beautiful that I-'
The boy then let out a quiet snort and pulled back his hand. "Sorry." He apologized. "It suddenly became ticklish that I couldn't help it."
Rin frowned slightly but nodded in understanding. There was a short silence between them until the boy suddenly spoke up. "How about we do it like this?" He began as he reached out in the air to feel his piano. "If I ask you a question, press the high notes for yes and the low notes for no. Will that do?"
Rin tilted her head at the suggestion but then quietly moved to press on one of the high keys. The boy smiled. "Alright then." He then moved over to the side and patted on the seat next to him. Rin walked over and sat down next to him.
"So did you really think...the piece was okay?" He asked. Rin reached for the keys and the high pitch of the piano key echoed in the room. The boy nodded. "Alright. Do you think the piece was too...messy?"
Rin then moved her fingers to the left side of the piano and pressed the low keys. The boy then chuckled. "Okay then. Now.."
The boy continued asking her simple questions such as if she enjoyed the piece or if she wanted to hear more if she had the chance, and Rin would respond by pressing the keys on the piano. Rin began to enjoy her time with him and she let out a smile for the first time in a month. She had hoped this moment would last.
"Its getting really quiet outside." The boy suddenly pointed out. "Is it already late?"
Rin blinked and checked on her watch. She then realized it was getting pretty late. Rin never even realized just how long she had been there with him. How time flies.
Rin then stood up and the boy turned his head to her direction as he felt her move. "You're leaving now?" He asked. Rin reached for the keyboard and pressed one of the high keys. The boy then nodded. "I see..." He muttered. Rin honestly didn't want to go yet. She was just starting to enjoy his company but she knew she had to go before Miku starts calling the police to start searching for her.
She was about to leave the room when the boy spoke up. "Hey..." He began, causing Rin to turn to him. "If you want...you could come back again. If you want that is."
Rin looked at him with surprise as he sheepishly scratched the back of his head. Rin thought about it before she smiled and turned to the piano, pressing the high notes once more. The boy smiled as well. "That reminds me...I never did tell you my name, did I?"
Rin blinked as she realized she indeed didn't now his name. If she could, Rin would probably laugh at the fact she had spent what seemed like hours in a room 'chatting' with a someone she doesn't even know his name.
The boy then lifted his head. The bandage on his eyes shuffled slightly as he grinned. "My name's Len. Len Kagamine." He then stuck out his hand towards her, not realizing he nearly hit her on the stomach if she didn't move. "Its nice meeting you, Kagami-san."
Rin stared at him before she grinned and took his hand, shaking it lightly. She then pulled her hand away and turned to the door. Her footsteps creaked against the wooden floor and she paused as she reached the door. She glanced over to the boy- Len who simply sat there in front of his piano with a soft smile. He waved aimlessly, probably waving goodbye and Rin smiled before she left the room and out of the house.
Rin looked up at the sky to see that the sun was already setting. Had she really been in there for that long? She then shook her head. Well, it doesn't matter. Rin glanced back at the house, memorizing its details so that she wouldn't forget it before she moved down the street, feeling oddly refreshed for the first time in weeks.
She smiled once more to herself as she moved down the road. Looks like she now has a reason to leave the house now. She thought as she happily skipped off to the distance.
A/N: Hey guys! Its been awhile since I last updated this story. Though this chapter is honestly a little...shaky for me. I'm having a little trouble keeping up with stories because I'm trying to juggle my social life and my time with this. Its almost exhausting. Ugh.
Anyways I hope you like this chapter. It took me awhile to do this but it was worth it.
BTW I made a poll in my profile to ask you, my dear readers which story should I focus on more. As you may have noticed I have a lot of stories that aren't complete and Its a little stressful if I just update one of my stories randomly so I thought 'how about ask the readers which story should I focus on first?' that way I can work on one story and set the others aside. When I'm done with the first story, I'll then focus on the next story to be more organized. What do you guys this?
Well, that's it for now. I think. Stay tuned for the chapter. See ya, guys!
-Yugao702