It's like I'm trying to make you guys question your morals. Welcome to the forbidden romance between siblings. Will this go well? Probably not. Oh, also, anyone who can name all the references and such, I have used gets extra points!

Act III: Love is War: Chapter 1

April 30, 2014

12:27

"...Onii-chan?"

Rei looks at me oddly.

"Pardon?"

"Nandemonai. It's just… someone important to me said something similar to me."

"Oh… This important person… Is he your boyfriend?"

I laugh.

"No. He… He died years ago."

Rei nods. He starts to leave but I grab his hand.

"Rei. that voice you have. It's not your natural one is it?"

I ask this slowly, almost afraid.

"Of course it is natural! Are you crazy? Did something happen to you that made your brain go odd?"

I shake my head.

1:00

As class starts again I can't help but keep glancing at Rei. For some reason, everything about him seemed off today. Was it the how his hair was tied back or was it the way it seemed a different colour at the roots? Was it the rings around his irises or the way his voice seemed lower than natural? I can't decide.

He looks so normal right now, not like an idol that you would find in a magazine or up on a billboard. He just looks like your average student, He is actually wearing his uniform today and seems to be studying.

I notice the glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. Where had those come from? And wait. Why was he actually trying to study now? Suddenly he raises his hand.

"Kaito-sama how do you say 'daisuki' in english?

Kaito smiles and was it me or was there a glint in his eyes?

"Good question Rei. In english we would say 'I really like you' or 'I love you'. But be very careful, the 'L' sound is difficult to pronounce so don't get it confused with the 'R' sound. For instance…"

Kaito walks to the first girl in the alternative rock section and whispers(presumably the words 'I love you') into her ear as she promptly faints. He smiles again.

"Sensei! Teach us how to be ladykillers!"

Several of the other male students in the class look eagerly at Kaito-san before the girls around them proceeded to hit them with a variety of classroom implements, ranging from their hands to the thick english textbook. I am not ashamed to say I am one of the few who use the book. The lump forming on the boy in front of me was already quite formidable. Rei seemed to have escaped punishment, was it possible that he didn't say anything? Something is definitely off today.

The rest of class proceeded smoothly and without any major events except for the boy that seemed to be friends with Rei stands up and confesses to Luka. Luka doesn't even bother saying no and simply glares at him until he whimpers and sits back down. Miku blows Luka a kiss before returning to her work. It is doubt less that at least one other student had seen that but they don't seem to care as much, probably betting on the fact that they were girls to throw people off. Maybe the student would just think that Miku was thanking Luka for not taking the guy she had a crush on. Anyways their relationship would probably go unnoticed till at least two years.

2:00

During homeroom I notice that Rei is fidgeting more than usual. He hardly ever stays awake during class, but today he can't seem stop moving, whether it's him tapping his pencil or running his hand through his hair. Is he really thinking that hard? He takes a square of paper out and and begins folding it. He writes several words on the wing and before long he has made a beautiful little paper plane which he promptly tosses out the window. Whats the point of making that if you aren't going to show it off? What a strange boy. Thwack!

"Mr. Kagene, I do appreciate your artwork, but I really wish you would pay more attention in class."

Kaito-san was standing over Rei, attendance book still resting on the head of Rei. I bet there was going to be a lump in a few seconds. Ouch, that cannot feel good. He looks rather chagrinned but still manages a devilish smile when he sees me watching. He looks away to make an excuse.

"Idiot."

Rei sneezes. Kaito resumes the lesson, unfazed by the pure red shade of embarrassment no decorating Rei's face.

"Luka, please translate this phrase to english please, 'kochira wa ani desu'"

"Yes sensei. 'This is my older brother.'"

"The sensei part was unnecessary. Good job though, the L was a tiny bit off but I guess that's natural."

Luka sat back down, face still rather bored, She had been learning english since she was little so was obviously good at basics like this. I could see her constantly glancing at Miku, her eyes filled with a look as if she wished that she could walk beneath the trees with the girl she loved. It was then that I realized how much they loved each other. The way they smiled when in each others company was enough for me to tell, a sad smile, not as if they knew it was never going to last but one as if they knew that they would die in each others arms. Why can't I find someone to love like that?

Sensei tells us to pair up with a partner to work on english. Miku and Luka are already sitting together, laughing as they translate random phases(most likely dirty) into english. I look over and see Rei sitting alone his odd golden eyes turned like covered lamps in my direction. I gesture for him to come and work with me.

Rei seems odd today, I had noticed it since he had confessed to me. His eyes, hair, his voice, they all seemed off.

I write a sentence out in english.

"Rei, are you sick?"

Rei raises an eyebrow then smiles. He writes a line in messy handwriting.

"I hope not, what makes you say that?"

"Nothing. You just have seemed a bit odd lately…"

His eyes widen for a moment before he breathes out.

"ah… that."

"What?"

"Nothing."

He stands up abruptly and leaves the class. I do not see him for the rest of the day.

4:00

As I open my shoe locker before I leave, I notice something. A small piece of neatly folded paper resting neatly in one of my shoes.

I remove it from the locker realizing that it is the delicate little plane that Rei had been messing with earlier. How did it end up in my shoe locker? Did Rei really calculate the exact angle to throw it so that it would sail into one of the slits in the metal? No. He isn't smart enough for that.

I unfold the letter and read the scrawled hiragana.

Come meet on a date with me this sunday. I am tour for all the other days of golden week so meet me in town in front of the fountain at 3 in the afternoon.

Demanding wasn't he. I thought I had told him I was thinking our relationship over.

Also this will only be as friends so don't worry about me forgetting about what you said earlier. And if you're wondering how this got into your locker, I had Keisuke put it there after I threw it. Keisuke is the blonde dude who asked Luka out by the way.

Well, I guess I could go with him, I wasn't doing anything that day anyways.

For the rest of the week, Rei was absent and neither Miku or myself couldn't contact him.

May 4, 2014

3:00

Sometimes I hate Luka. For whatever reason I had let her choose my outfit for today and the result was… in all seriousness quite nice. The summer dress that she chosen was a light pink fading into a dark orange near the top and a light yellow near the bottom. My typical bow hairband had been replaced with four flowers which had been braided into the left side of my hair. Why did she have to choose something so fancy? It's not like Rei is taking me on a romantic date. I pick at the sash that circles my waist. It looks like Luka actually had to cut it so that it wouldn't be too long. She had mentioned something about me being too skinny…

"You look so beautiful…"

Rei stands in front of me, dressed in a plaid dress shirt, with red suspenders and a loose tie. Waist down he wore black slacks and red converse.

I blush, his compliment taking me off guard.

"Thank you."

His gold eyes gleam as he takes me by my hand, pulling me in the direction of the shops. His black hair bounces as he jogs over to the nearest shop.

"Where are we going Rei?"

He flashes me a grin.

"Everywhere..."

"Wow, very specific."

He takes me to the first place a small outdoor café where we get drinks. As we sip our coffee I realize how little I know about him when he mentions his little sister Kaiko, Kaito-sans daughter.

"She used to hate me when I moved in, but I think she that we made up now. Besides Miku, she is the only other girl I have gone on a date with, people actually thought we were dating."

Before he mentioned that people had thought they had been dating, I had been picturing a small miniature Kaito with female clothes. But when I think of a girl who Rei was thought to have been dating, I can realize that Kaito-sans daughter is probably very attractive. Maybe more so than me.

"She sounds very pretty"

"Yeah she is. I'm proud to call her my sister."

Why do I feel a moment of jealousy when he says that. I'm not in love with him any more. Right?

"Rei.."

"Yes?"

"Is it possible that you have feelings for your sister?"

"No way. Why? Are you jealous?"

I ignore him and stand up. All of a sudden I feel light headed and stumble a few steps before Rei catches me.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. I just got up to fast."

3:43

On our way to the next shop, Rei has me wait outside as he goes into an unmarked store.

"I will be back in a minute so stay here please."

He says this so seriously, what could be so bad about going into a store? Was it possible that this was a store that sold indecent magazines? Couldn't he just ask any of his fans if he needed that sort of thing? Wait. He isn't that sort of person. Was he?

Again it hit me how little I knew about Rei. Then again, it's not like he'd tell me that sort of thing.

When he comes back out, he is holding a small bag with several english words written on the side. The only one I recognise is 'lense', the rest are all lost to me.

3:56

After walking a few blocks we arrive at a the next place. Upon entering In catch my breath. Lining the walls are racks of beautiful dresses. Each rack boasts the sign 'HAND-MADE'. The only thing was...

"So expensive…"

I finger a price tag with the price of 30,000 yen. Rei smiles at my expression.

"Pick any one that you want."

I stutter out something about it being too expensive and I couldn't impose on him, but he simply pushes me towards the racks. I give up and start to wander through the rows. There are all sorts of amazing dresses ranging from chinese influence(like something Luka would wear) to high tech styled to wedding dresses to yukata. Finally my gaze falls on a beautiful yellow dress with black trim and embroidered black roses near the bottom. I check the tag. 50,000 yen. Even if he had said I could pick any I wanted, I couldn't make him buy this.

"Do you want to try it on?"

The attendant had noticed me looking at the dress. Well… I guess since I'm not buying it. I nod and the attendant and she takes me over to the dressing room. After I put on the dress I look at myself in the mirror. The flowers in my hair look out of place, but overall I think I look pretty good. The black contrasts with my blonde hair and the yellow matches it.

"Have you picked one yet?"

Rei's voice carries over into my small space. Should I show him? I really shouldn't be questioning myself, we're just being friends right?

I push aside the curtain, stepping barefoot onto the carpeted floor, the small threads tickling the instep of my foot.

"When I saw you earlier I thought; "This girl could not possibly be any more beautiful" but now I stand corrected. Do you want it?"

"No. It is way too expensive! I couldn't possibly ask you to buy this for me."

"Who said that I'm buying it? I already own the store."

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhh?"

I later learned that he hadn't actually bought the store, instead he had done something even more ridiculous. Designed the dress.

6:00

As we walked through the park together watching the setting sun, I could sense that Rei's attitude had changed. He no longer was trying to impress me with designs or stories but now seems as if he is working up his courage for something..

His steps slow to a stop. His gold eyes glint as the sun reflects off of them.

"Rin…"

"Yes?"

"Listen…"

He takes a breath, eyes directed towards the ground, dark hair falling over his eyes.

"I want to apologize. I haven't been honest at all to you… Even though you are the one I love with all my heart."

His hands are shaking slightly.

"This isn't me."

...Huh? What is that supposed to mean?

"My name, my voice, my hair, even my eyes… They aren't who I really am."

"WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?"

My voice breaks, I don't know if it is his anguished voice or my confusion, but something inside me breaks, letting a reservoir of emotions forth.

"WHY? WHY CAN'T YOU MAKE SENSE AT LEAST ONCE?"

My vision blurs as warm drops of liquid sadness drip from my eyes.

"You'll understand soon… I… I promise."

More promises, more oaths that I can't help but feel like they will be broken. His outline rimmed with the orange light of the sunset, Rei reaches his hands up to his face. As his face is obscured, I can see his hand pulling his cheek down while the other moves over his right eye.

"I will see you soon."

His hands fall, something circular in one of them. An aquamarine eye gleams at me from his face, its partner still left that unnatural shade of gold... and after a second he runs.

9:20

"What is with him!?"

I can picture Luka wincing on the other side of the phone.

"Please don't shout so loud, I may or may not have a very bad headache."

"Sorry. It's just that… I… He is so frustrating! Why can't he be like a normal boy and make sense?"

"True, that would be easier. But would you still love him if he was normal?"

"I don-... No…"

I hadn't told her what he had said, about his eyes, or how he had said he was fake. I didn't feel like she would believe me. She would probably say that it was probably my imagination.

"Rinrin, I gotta go cause this headache ain't getting better, plus Miku is calling me…"

"Right. Didn't need to know that."

"Oh really, do you want to join us?"

"NO! What are you saying! Goodnight!"

"Just kidding, goodnight!"

"..."

I hung up shaking my head.

As soon as my head hits the pillow I fall asleep.

Rin… Don't cry… Please…

My aunt holds me close trying to abate my tears.

I can hear words through the door. My name and my brother's. Words like memory, dead and Despair.

Why are they talking about us? My brother is dead! Don't they know that!?

My throat is raw from screaming and now I almost feel like my throat is bleeding.

My aunt squeezes me tears falling from her bloodshot eyes.

I'm sorry, you were two young to be separated. Some day you will meet again… I promise…

I can't see him again! He's dead!

Please… Don't cry…

May 9, 2014

8:03

"Over the rest of golden week I decided not to leave my house. I turned of my phone and studied. I also had gotten a bad sleep the night of the date but I can't really remember why."

Luka nodded, obviously not paying attention as she held Miku's hand. In all honesty they were the cutest couple I had seen in a while.

"I wonder where Rei-kun is, I haven't seen him. He usually waits outside your house Rin."

I cringe internally. I hadn't seen him either… I didn't want to see him after the events of sunday.

He had mentioned being on a tour for the rest of golden week but I didn't think he also would've meant today.

"I'm surprised at how much Rei-kun has changed since we had been together."

"What do you mean?"

What did she mean by change?

"When I was with him he was always kind of sullen and his hair was in his eyes so much more. He also ditched school to do concerts more, his voice was gravelly from screaming, and his clothes were always ripped up."

That does sound different doesn't it.

"I was wondering what he was like even before that. When his hair wasn't dyed."

"It's dyed?

I thought as much…

"Right before he asked me out it was a completely different color but I can never remember what it was."

"Couldn't we find out on the internet?"

"True."

MIku took out her cell phone.

"Thats funny… Nothing is coming up."

Did she spell his name right?

Looking down at the phone all I can see is fanart.

"Looks like he was a famous utaite before being an idol."

All the art I can see looks a lot like him, the same chains, the same gold eyes.

We reach school and the three of us head to our class.

9:00

"...And so Empress Kōgyoku decided…"

"Soooo booooorrrrinnnnng..."

I looked over at Keisuke who was laying on his desk moaning something about preferring his moms burnt omelette over this. The guy behind him was asleep and the girl in front of him was passing notes. I guess this can be considered average for this class.

*krrrrrrrrrnnn*

"Sakurai, please stop passing notes to Hitori, Keisuke I'm sure your mother's omelette tastes wonderful and also, please wake up Tomonori-kun."

"KAITO-SENSEI!"

Immediately the class is awake.

"Have you come to save us from Gackpo-sensei"

"Will you teach this class instead?"

Kaito-san shakes his head.

"I am sorry to disappoint you but I am afraid that I will not replace Gackpo-sensei. He is also more suited for this subject… Instead is shall be introducing a student."

Whispers arise from the class. A new student this late in the year? Who was it? Why another student since Miku and Rei have already transferred in?

"Please enter!"

The door slides open and a shock of blonde hair makes its appearance. He is dressed in the schools uniform, his bright blue eyes look as if you could drown in them.

He looks exactly like me.

"Hajimemashite. My name is Kagamine Len. I will be in your care."

I can feel all eyes fall upon me as the class notices the name and the similarities between us.

"I am my sister Rin's little brother. Until today, I have been attending this school under the name Kagene Rei, the alias I have used for ten years while I was presumed dead. I am sorry I had to decieve you all"

My dead brother walks over to me. I shrink away from him, not believing that it's him. It can't be.

He puts his arms around me, I can tell that it is him. Rei the boy I love, and Len my brother, are the one and the same.

Any feedback is appreciated.

-Yamada Sora

山田空