Lots of explaining and discovering about to happen. Everything not explained here will be in the next chapter (which I am working on right now)

/

The remainder of her weekend was spent in mild depression. Miku found herself thinking of none other than Kagamine Len at times when she thought she might finally be able to relax a bit. The whole situation bothered her to no end, and Mikuo, being the caring, intuitive person he is, seemed to sense his sister was having a hard time recently. He ignored this, knowing that if anything was seriously wrong, she would tell him. At least, he hoped she would.

As Monday arrived and passed with hardly an issue, Miku arrived at the end of her school day with a headache and a heartache. There was something very… Wrong. With Piko. He hadn't been at school that day. Even when he missed school, he always stopped by her house or walked her to school. It was just something he did. Why, she never knew, but he did it, and it was sweet. But today he hadn't shown up, either at her house or at school. And Miku was worried.

Miku immediately brushed off Teto with a less-than kind wave of the hand and half-assed excuse. Quickly, she packed up her textbooks and papers, shoving them into her bag and slinging it over her shoulder. In her hurry she nearly tripped on her own feet on the stairs outside the front entrance. Luckily, she righted herself and set her jaw. Things seemed to be working against her today. Nothing unusual there.

However, it became worse as she noticed a certain "girl" standing at the front gate, holding out her watch and gazing at it in a very transfixed sort of way.

"Not today," Miku groaned quietly as she muttered to herself. There, in all his crossdressing glory, stood Kagamine Len, wearing the school uniform of wherever the hell he went. God, she didn't even remember.

"Hello, Mi-chan," he greeted, a bit warmly, even. A smile appeared on his face, and Miku's teeth pressed together in irritation.

"I don't have time for this today. Bug me tomorrow," she snapped, attempting to rush passed him and failing as he grabbed her arm. An older group of boys passing by snickered, and one even shouted at them.

"Having troubles with your girlfriend, Hatsune?" he called as his friends burst into laughter.

"I'll set Teto on you," she threatened and her harsh tone was enough to catch them off guard. They quickened their pace and hurried along.

Len rolled his eyes. "Morons. Anyway, I wanted to discuss some things with you. Like, how am I going to get close to Kaito-san? Have you thought about these things at all?"

Miku gritted her teeth as the familiar feeling of anger reared its ugly head inside her mind.

"Look, Kagamine-san, I really don't have time for this. I'll deal with it tomorrow, but right now I really-"

"Are you still mad? That's so petty. I really am sorry, alright. Just… Help me, alright? It's important," Len told her. He had yet to release her arm and Miku had yet to care. It was obvious he wasn't going anywhere anyway.

"Fine," she let the word settle sharply into the air, cold and concise, "We can talk, but I have to go do something, and you better not get in the way." She stressed the last few words harshly, emphasizing her complete lack of amusement. Len agreed with a simple nod of his head and a smile that seriously bugged her, but the two began to walk away nonetheless, Miku setting a rapid pace a few centimeters ahead of Len. Piko's house wasn't too far away, but she didn't want to waste any time. Anything could be wrong, and she didn't trust him to be alright any more than she trusted herself to deal with the problem she would most likely encounter when she arrived at his house.

As they approached the beaten-down house that Piko lived in, Miku turned to Len, a glare fixed on her face.

"Wait here for a moment. I'll be right back," she ordered. Len made no move to disobey her. He remained in his place as she slipped across the sidewalk. He became confused as she avoided the front door completely, instead slipping around the side of the house and doing her best to keep as quiet as possible. Piko's room was at the back; a small window opened out onto the tiny backyard , right over the disheveled, dilapidated garden that lay in complete ruin. Long ago, Miku remembered the sweet strawberries that grew right below her feet. She and Piko ate so many, one after another disappearing into their smiling mouths. Those days…

She missed them.

Miku poked her head up to gaze into the window. Stupid Piko never closed his blinds, but it was so dark inside his room she couldn't make out a single thing. As her eyes adjusted, she blinked and finally managed to catch a glimpse of silver hair, fallen across the pillow on Piko's bed. So that's where he was.

Delicately, she tapped on the window, and Piko jumped. Suspiciously, he sat up and eyed the window. His narrowed eyes softened when he was Miku. She stuck her tongue out at him and he tried not to smirk. Quietly, he stepped up to the window. To Miku's surprise, he was shirtless and just as thin as he had always been. His skin was ridiculously pale, but bruises marred his stomach.

"Was wondering if you would show up," Piko told her as he slid the window open, leaning on the frame.

"Of course I would. Wanted to know if you were alright," she replied, staring up at him. He was leaning across his desk, his elbows resting on the edge of the window

"Thanks."

"Welcome," Miku smiled, "Now, come on. We don't have all day."

Piko sighed dramatically. "Alright. I'll meet you out front in a moment. Just go wait."

Miku nodded and turned away from the window, her pigtails catching on the dead weeds growing far too high. Even the snow couldn't suppress those vile plants.

Len was still in the same place Miku had left him, a quizzical look on his face. "What's going on?"

Miku didn't look at him; instead, her eyes were placed on the front door. "I'm bringing my friend along."

"A friend?"

"Yes, I have friends, for your information."

Len smirked. "I know you do. Your contact list in your phone isn't empty, after all. So I bet this is Piko-san, huh? Or 'Piko-kun'? With that cute little heart at the end?" He knew exactly how to get on her nerves.

"What the hell are you talking about?" she demanded, burning up as she turned to glare at him.

"Oh, that's just what he's called in your phone," Len snickered lightly. Honestly, he was just teasing at this point, but she was so damn sensitive, even teasing got to her.

"Shut. Up," she replied flatly, gnashing her teeth into her lip. The name had been a joke, a tease directed at Piko, who used to be very shy around girls, including her. He had tried to wrestle the phone away from her, but to no avail. She had never changed the contact name to something less silly. Until now, it hadn't mattered.

"Touchy," Len told her, "That's what you are."

"Lovely observation skills you've got," she snapped.

Len faked a look of hurt. "Sarcasm is so mean, Mi-chan! I know deep in your heart you care for me."

"Good luck with that."

The two teens had been so immersed in their quarrel they didn't notice as Piko himself quietly exited the house, closing the door as if it might explode when it touched the doorframe. He couldn't help but smirk at the sight on his front walk: Miku, with her arms crossed and nose slightly upturned, facing away from a second, rather cute, girl who seemed to be doing her best to annoy Miku to no end. Piko imagined it wouldn't be too hard to accomplish.

"Ah! Piko!" Miku exclaimed when she saw him approach her and her companion. The sour, angry look immediately melted from her lovely features and she smiled at him. The girl accompanying her looked mildly annoyed as Miku went to take Piko's hand, a habit from childhood she still had. Despite her quick temper, she was still the sweet girl Piko had grown up around, and he knew he'd never forget that.

Miku failed to notice the look Len had adopted and focused on Piko. "Are you alright? You weren't at school today."

"Got in a fight with my stepdad again," Piko replied. He did look rather beaten, with a large bruise splashed against the pale skin on his cheek. Dark circles were present under his eyes, making him look like absolute hell. As far as Miku could see, there had been no blood spilled, but there was no excuse for Piko's state.

"I told you I'll take care of him," she resisted the urge to pout.

"No, Miku. You'll get charged with assault, you insane child," Piko replied, touched at her repeated offer but completely aware of the consequences. A few years ago, in middle school, he remembered, she had been involved in a lot of violence and barely managed to escape without an insane punishment. She probably wouldn't be so lucky if something like that happened again.

"And? He won't?"

"He's an adult. I think. He doesn't act like one," Piko replied, earning a snort from Miku and a look of confused look from Len, who had been all but forgotten, "But that's not the point. His word carries more weight."

"Adults are stupid," Miku stated, irritably.

"Aw, Mi-chan! You forgot about me, didn't you?" Len broke in, wrapping his arms around Miku's shoulders from the back and leaning his chin onto her right shoulder. Miku resisted a shriek and scowled.

"I did it on purpose," she snapped.

"So mean," Len pouted girlishly.

"She is," Piko agreed.

Len eyed him. "I guess we'll be able to get along, then."

Miku was fuming. She released Piko's hand and twisted away from Len, a look of annoyance eating at her. The two boys smirked at each other, sharing the same thoughts, even if they didn't know it.

Miku's adorable when she gets mad, they both decided internally, one reluctantly, one confidently.

Unaware of this exchange, Miku curled her lip and turned away from the pair. "Alright, you idiots. We're going to stop back at my house."

No one argued as the petite girl led them down the street. They had about three blocks to walk, but in the cold it felt like more. Miku tucked her hands into her pockets and Len tightened his scarf around his neck, but Piko had the worst time. All he had to cover against the cold was a beaten hoodie, stained and frayed along the edges. Neither Miku nor Len had the heart to complain about their own discomforts when they saw the violent shakes racking Piko's thin frame.

When they arrived inside Miku's house, Mikuo greeted them.

"Yo, Miku. Oh, hi, Piko, Lin-san," the boy eyed the two as they shoved their shoes into the closet by the front door. Miku didn't offer an explanation and he didn't ask for one.

The three teens made their way to Miku's room, where Miku left them momentarily. She had gone to the kitchen to get an icepack for Piko's bruises, although she wasn't confident that it would help him. The two boys were left alone together for several minutes as Miku went to dig through the freezer.

"So," Piko began, despite his natural urge to remain silent, "We haven't been introduced yet. I'm Utatane Piko, Miku's childhood friend."

So that's his connection, huh? Len thought, admittedly feeling only the slightest bit jealous of him. He teased Miku and she didn't seem to hate him. Maybe it was the perk of an old friendship.

"I'm Kagine Lin, Mi-chan's new friend! She's helping me with something!" Len replied with a bright smile.

"That's nice." Piko honestly felt no interest. As long as this Lin character was trustworthy, he had no problem with her being around Miku. Oh, if only he knew.

"You and Mi-chan seem close," Len couldn't help but pry. After all, he had promised to discover Miku's secrets, right?

"Oh. Yeah. We grew up together," Piko replied, settling onto his friend's bed. Lin had taken up residence of Miku's deck chair, so he really had nowhere else to relax. Unless he considered the floor. Which wasn't going to happen.

"That's what 'childhood friends' tends to mean," Len resisted the urge to frown. He hoped Piko wasn't going to be too difficult.

"Hm," Piko seemed a bit lost in thought, "We met in kindergarten. She was a lot different back then. Happier. More energetic."

"Mi-chan doesn't seem that sad. Just kind of angry," Len responded, offering his two cents.

Piko sighed, as if the words Len had said were the most depressing he had ever heard. "Oh, she's sad. When you're around her enough, you start to pick it up. Anger is easier then sadness. That's how Miku works."

Len was still confused. "Why would Mi-chan be sad? There's nothing extremely wrong with her life."

To the boy's surprise, Piko snorted, followed by a real laugh. "Then you don't know her very well yet. Keep beating at that shell of hers and you might discover what exactly is wrong with that girl."

Well. That wasn't helpful at all. He already knew Miku had some sort of secret. But for the life of him he couldn't guess what it might be. Obviously, it seemed a touchy subject.

Len remained silent as they waited for Miku. He felt awkward in the silence, but Piko seemed relaxed and at ease. What was up with that boy? He was weird. Len was also a bit intrigued by him, really. He seemed so apathetic towards him, but when he had been holding Miku's hand… No, there was something weird going on between them. He could tell Miku liked this boy. It was so obvious. The way Miku couldn't look at Piko quite straight, the way she stared at him when he turned away. That smile she got when he was close. It was so obvious. He couldn't believe she would act that way because of any boy. He was, dare he say it, envious. Yes, he had to admit his fondness for Miku was growing, bit by bit. But it was so clear what she thought of him that he knew they would never be real friends. It was a bit sad, but nothing to cry over. She just couldn't see how great he was, he guessed.

His own ego caused a smirk to grow on his face. Miku, who had entered just second before, as his inner monologue ran, eyed him, irritation springing into her eyes.

"What's so funny?" she demanded, handing the ice pack she had managed to find to Piko, who sat cross-legged on her bed.

"Oh, just a random thought," he told her, "Nothing important."

Miku seemed to agree, as she turned away from him and focused on Piko. "Alright, dude. Off my bed. Go hang out with Mikuo. Lin and I have things to discuss."

Piko allowed himself to smile. "Girl talk, huh? Why would I want to miss that?"

"Because I said so. Bye-bye." Miku forcefully dragged him to the closed door, opened it, and threw him out. They heard him laugh as the door slammed against him.

"So lady-like," Len scoffed, "Hey what's up with my name? Just 'Lin'? No honorific?"

"You'd know," Miku snapped, "And what's the point of an honorific if it isn't your real name, Kagamine-san?" The name was filled with as much spite as she could muster.

"Okay, okay. No need to act so defensive. Or mean. Seriously." Len brushed a lock of hair from his eye, crossing his legs beneath the long skirt that was part of his uniform. Normally, he'd have changed into his regular clothes by now, but seeing as he was at someone's house, he couldn't very well do that. Miku noticed, and admittedly cared a bit. She hated her uniform.

"Topic dropped. Now, what's the plan?" she asked, "You want a date with Kaito."

"You're supposed to help me come up with a plan," Len rolled his eyes as he tapped his fingertips against his knee.

"I know. I just wanted to know if you had any ideas," Miku replied, somewhat less irritably than before, "You're lucky I'm not asking you why you want a date with Kaito."

"I never said I wouldn't tell you."

Miku stared at him long enough for the silence to become very uncomfortable.

"Did you hear me?"

Miku shook herself out of her state of shock. "O-oh, yeah. I just… Expected it to be something private. Something you didn't want to share."

Len couldn't help but smirk; such respect for his privacy. It really was kind of her. Or maybe she didn't like getting mixed up in the affairs of others. Either way, she was a part of this nonsense now, so it wouldn't hurt for her to know.

"I'm quite willing to tell you. I'll do it now. In fact, it gives me the chance to clear a few things up," Len looked directly into Miku's eyes, conveying how serious he was. For once.

"So, Mi-chan, this is how it goes."

/

The day was nice. The air was fresh, a spring wind carrying the scent of newly-growing flowers and the sounds of birdsong. Grass perked up, green as green can be, soft underfoot as children ran shoeless through their yards, through parks, wherever. People were out and about, enjoying the lovely sights and the warm atmosphere. This didn't exclude a certain Kagamine, who found himself awkwardly traipsing about in a skirt. Yeah, a skirt. It was a recent acquisition, suggested by his sister, who had listened to his complaints of fangirls one too many times. If they bug you, she had told him, wear a disguised.

He had tried. Nothing worked, not for too long, anyway. But no one would ever suspect that the famous Kagamine Len would be caught dead in girls' clothes. That was the ingenuity of it, his sister stated. That's how the whole thing started, only a week ago. No one had caught him yet, but it was an insanely uncomfortable thing. He really didn't like dressing as girl. God, imagine if someone found out?

With these thoughts haunting him, Len found himself running an errand for her dear mother, who was sick. They were out of tea, if you can believe it. The Kagamine family always had tea.

The last thing he expected was to run into someone he knew.

As he finished paying for his items at the store (tea, honey, oranges for Rin, and cold medicine), he noticed a growing crowd outside the glass doors. Curiously, he tilted his head and decided to investigate.

The crowd mostly consisted of girls. Teenaged girls. A blue head stood out above the crowd, the height of the person it belonged to considerably more than the others around him. Len knew exactly who it was. Shion Kaito, his fellow idol. The boy who had helped him more than anyone else in the last year. Advice on dealing with fans, songwriting, what to do to help a sore throat after a concert, you name it. Kaito had even started teaching him the basics of bass, but neither expected Len to ever be any good at it. Len owed a lot to the boy, and wanted more than anything to be able to return the favor, though he doubted he'd be able to.

Shoving through the crowd, Len came out right in front of the blue-haired boy, who was busy fending off a pair of girls who wanted an autograph.

"Shion-sempai! It would mean everything to us!" they were saying, hope shining in lovely eyes.

"I'm sorry, girls. If I gave you autographs, I'd be obligated to give everyone an autograph. But I'm really flattered it matters so much to you." Kaito was smiling, not a trace of annoyance to be found on his handsome features. Len wondered if he should help the boy, but didn't want to run the risk of being noticed.

"Please, Shion-sempai?" one of the girls asked, so sweetly and innocently it almost made Len sick. Maybe her intentions were pure and she was just being flattering, but nagging fangirls were some of the most annoying things in the world.

"I'm really sorry, but-"

Len knew even Kaito had his limit, and he seemed to be approaching it, even if he wasn't showing it.

"Hey, you two! He already told you he can't. Hell, maybe his agent told him not to sign anything unless she was present, you never know," Len broke into the conversation forcefully, planting himself next to Kaito.

"Actually, that is the case," Kaito smiled apologetically at the put-out crowd, "I really am sorry, everyone! But I'm glad I got to see you all! It's great for an idol's ego to meet fans so often."

The crowd cheered, with a few shouts of "What ego?!" ringing in Len's ears. Without a moment of hesitation, Len grabbed Kaito's wrist and dragged him away, off to hide somewhere away from fangirls.

When the two stopped, they found themselves outside a large clothing store. They were at the back, outside by the loading area. As far as Len could figure, it was a Wal-Mart.

"What the hell are you doing out without a disguise? Huh? Don't you have sunglasses or a wig or something?! Or do you like fangirls attacking you left and right?" Len demanded, panting a bit.

Kaito put on a very stupid smile and looked a bit sheepish. "Well, I guess I didn't feel like it today. I just broke up with my girlfriend and I haven't really been thinking very well."

"Girlfriend, huh? The fangirls will love that," Len said, sarcastically.

"Well, it's over now. Besides, they like celebrity relationships," Kaito laughed, "Girls are strange."

"Tell me about it," Len said in a moment of complete stupidity.

Kaito looked confused. "But aren't you a girl?"

Len mentally cursed himself out. He had forgotten exactly what he was wearing.

"Yeah, but girls are still weird," he tried to cover his mistake. Luckily, Kaito went along with it.

"Yeah," Kaito laughed a bit, "It's nice someone understands. Anyway, thanks for helping me. I wasn't sure what to do."

"You're welcome. You know, you don't have to be nice to everyone," Len replied, smoothing down his rumpled clothes. He normally wouldn't do something like that, but it seemed like a girly thing to do.

"Yeah, I know. But I figure it makes up for all the horrible people around here," Kaito told Len, revealing a smile that was a bit sadder than his others.

Len was caught off-guard by this answer. He figured Kaito was constantly lost in his world of ponies and sparkles, where everyone was nice. It was like bad people didn't exist to him or something, like he had never known a bad day or harsh words. Or so Len had decided throughout his time with the older boy.

"That's… You're a very nice person, Ka – Shion-san," Len was at a loss for what else to say. What can you say when your perception of someone is forever altered?

"Thank you," Kaito responded, "I'm glad someone thinks so."

"W-well," Len thought of a way to escape the situation, "I-I have to go. My mother needs help with something." And it wasn't a lie. His mother was pretty sick.

"What a girl you are. Standing up for idols and helping your mother," Kaito teased lightly with a smile upon his face.

Len turned red. Whether it was because he wasn't used to being called a girl or he was actually embarrassed, he didn't know.

"I just… Have nothing to say," Len muttered.

"I do. I like you, strange girl. I hope to meet you in the future," Kaito decided. And as they parted ways, Len hoped just the opposite. However, it didn't work out that way.

Several weeks later, Len found himself once again in the company of Shion Kaito, once again in a situation where he was dressed as a girl, once again reluctant to talk much with the boy for fear of discovery. The two met in a park, this time by and ice cream truck. Kaito had the sense to wear a decent disguise; glasses with thin wire frames and a brown wig. He looked different enough that Len was surprised to be approached by him.

"Hello," the taller idol greeted. Len wasn't exactly surprised to see an ice cream cone in his right hand. The idol had just stepped out of line in front of Len, who was now waiting for his own cone.

"Oh. Hello. It's Shion-san, correct?" Len asked, as innocently as possible.

"Ah. Yes. It's weird to have someone call me Shion-san. It's usually 'Kaito-sempai'," Kaito looked a bit embarrassed.

"Unlike other girls, I know how to be proper," Len stated curtly, "But it's nice to see you, Shion-san." He was lying through his teeth. More than anything else, he wanted to turn and run like a bat out of hell.

"You, as well. I honestly wanted to see you again. I think it's because I might be developing a bit of a crush on you, honestly," Kaito admitted, allowing a light blush to dust his cheeks.

"Oh?" Len managed to say, despite the rapid beating of his heart. Well, this is awkward…

"If you can believe it. Sometimes, you just meet someone and they stick with you for a while, you know? I was hoping for a chance to ask you out," Kaito couldn't meet his eyes. If Len was a girl or attracted to guys, he might find this cute. But it was just weird to have his friend, no, his mentor unknowingly confess. Really. He couldn't believe it. He felt as if he were suffocating.

"Didn't you just break up with your girlfriend?" Len clutched into this fact like he was drowning and it was the lifeline back to shore.

"Well, yeah…"

"I'm sorry, Shion-san, but maybe it's just that. I know people often get into relationships that immediately fail after breakups. I think you should wait until you are certain of how you feel," Len stated, his heart in his throat. The look on Kaito's face just about killed him. That pathetic puppy look. But it was so weird. And explaining this situation to Kaito would be so awkward. That pride of his was such a bothersome thing.

Kaito accepting this answer, however. He promised that, eventually, when they saw each other again (not if, when), he'd definitely feel the same. That he would try again. And that he wouldn't forget his "love at first sight". And when he left, Len felt like dying. That look, that last look of complete rejection had shaken him to the core. And when he got the chance, he would give him a better explanation for turning the boy down.