So about the snow: I thought twenty-eight inches was a bit unrealistic. Guess who got two feet of snow on Tuesday and Wednesday? So I felt better about my snow day in this story after that. I also got two snow days myself and wrote around 10,000 words. I feel productive.
Except that I didn't do much for this story...
Anyway, enjoy!
/
Miku left the Kagamine household not long after dinner. When she did, Rin tackled her in a good-bye hug.
"Bye-bye, Mi-chan! I hope you come over again soon!" Rin smiled happily before skipping away, up to her room where Neru was still settled.
Len and Miku shared an eyeroll.
"Yeah, bye, Miku," Len told his friend, letting a different sort of smile slip onto his face. This one was less amused and a bit happier, maybe even warmer. This was the smile of Kagamine Len that Miku didn't mind. He seemed to have many smiles; one for teasing, one for cruelty, one for kindness. She liked his current smile best.
"I'll see you later, Kagamine," Miku replied with a very, very small smile of her own.
"Yep," Len responded with a lazy wave as she closed his front door behind herself.
Miku was thrown back into the cold, icy outdoors. The snow had stopped, luckily, but the wind blew just as fiercely, throwing cold flakes into her face and hair, sticking closely to her clothes like a chilly blanket. Her cheeks burned with cold, turning red as she began to make her slow way back to her own house.
Mikuo greeted her when she arrived, accompanied by a large mug of hot chocolate and cookies on a platter. He seemed a bit annoyed that she had been gone the entire day, but held his comments to himself, which was surprising.
Miku happily ate four chocolate chip cookies and guzzled down two mugs of hot chocolate. Both were very enjoyable. It was odd that Mikuo chose to sit by her and wait as she steadily ate through what she had been given. When Miku finished, she looked closely at Mikuo. He had a very serious expression on his face, filled with worry and even a bit of anger. Mikuo, angry? That was something she hadn't seen in a while. He was the level-headed one, after all.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Mikuo sighed heavily. "Mom called earlier."
Those three words buzzed through Miku, chilling her blood more than any freak snowstorm could.
"Yes?" Miku replied after swallowing a large lump of anxiety in her throat.
"We're going to have a very long talk, Miku."
And they did.
/
Miku was numb for the remainder of the weekend. No one texted or called her. No one bothered to check up on poor little Miku, which was a real shame because she might've just hit an all-time low attitude-wise. She herself attempted to make communication with other people. She resorted to Rin once, but no one answered when she called and her texts remained the same. Len was the same. She wasn't even going to try calling Kaito right now. There was no way she'd go as far as to seek comfort from Neru or Teto. It just wasn't even mentionable.
So Miku was left alone with news of something that made her head spin for the entire weekend. What was she supposed to do? She could barely process what Mikuo had told her. It was all building up with no way to release everything she wanted to say. Maybe if she tried Len's cell one more time, he would answer.
It never worked out that way.
Neru and Gumi greeted her in the school hallway on Monday with mixed expressions. Gumi offered Miku a polite hello, whereas Neru acted as indifferent as always.
"Len's been depressed all weekend. Did you two have a fight or something?" Neru demanded as soon as Miku had replied to Gumi's greeting.
"No," Miku snapped. Gumi flinched a bit at the harsh tone.
Since discussing her past with Len, Miku had given up on acting like a perfect little girl anymore. She just wasn't. Every time she tried now, it felt so wrong and painful. Fake-Miku reminded her of everything she could never be. Fake-Miku was as harsh and vile as angry-Miku.
Neru looked unconvinced. "You sure?"
"Of course I'm freaking sure," Miku spat. "He hasn't even talked to me since Friday."
"Huh. He's been acting like a total brat since Saturday morning," Neru replied. "I think it was after he came back from a recording session or something."
"That's nice," Miku said sarcastically. "I don't really care." Although she did. Only a little bit, though.
"Yeah, sure. Just try to call him later. Maybe you'll be able to cheer him up," Neru ordered with a wave of her hand, as if she was dismissing Miku.
Miku turned to head to her own classroom, Gumi remaining with Neru as she left the bustling hallway. Miku noticed the look in the green-haired girl's eyes. Was she frightened?
Good. Who cared, anyway? Miku certainly didn't.
Despite these thoughts, she felt guilty about frightening Gumi. The girl had always been fairly sweet and friendly to Miku. But being looked at with fear made Miku feel sick and so angry. It hurt more than most things she could imagine.
With a sigh, Miku slid into her seat, letting her forehead slip to the desktop. Her body felt drained already and many hours of school were left. How would she manage?
Simple. Ignore everything going on around her.
/
School ended, leaving Miku with a solid feeling of relief. She really couldn't stand one more minute inside, surrounded by stupid teens who she felt were constantly judging her. Why would anyone like school? The idea was insane to Miku. No one she knew liked school.
She really expected to see Len standing by the front gates. It had become habit to glance out the window during her final class to check for that familiar head of blond hair. But disappointment that she wouldn't admit to filled her chest when she saw no one there. Even after school, she stood hesitantly by the gate, eyes glancing over students. No one was Len. Would he be there?
Miku shook that hope from her thoughts. Without him hanging around, she'd have a chance to rush home before Neru and Teto dragged her off somewhere. But…
She didn't want to leave. If she did, would Len show up? Would he be left there waiting? Miku didn't want to risk his complaints later on. Of course that was the only reason. Why wouldn't it be?
God, Miku was bad at lying to herself.
"Miku?" she heard and turned hopefully. She was let down when the only person she saw was Piko, who looked concerned.
Why am I disappointed? It's Piko; I love seeing Piko, Miku reasoned quietly as the boy approached her.
"You've been standing there for a while," Piko told her.
"Does that mean you've been staring for a while?" Miku smirked in an attempt to lighten the mood hanging between the pair.
Piko blushed in a very un-Piko-like way. Miku couldn't help but notice.
"N-no," he replied. "I was just a bit worried."
"No need," Miku waved away his concern. "I'm fine."
Piko rolled his eyes, which was a lot more normal for him. "Don't be stupid. I can read you pretty well."
"Oh, really?" Miku questioned bitingly. "Well, same to you, Piko. What's up with you? Blushing really isn't like you."
This caused Piko to blush again and lie through his teeth about it.
"I haven't blushed since I was ten," he retorted, red-faced. Miku could resist a rising smirk. He was ridiculous sometimes. Even a little adorable. Just like the little boy she had tried so hard to protect from cruel bullies. Despite his attitude now, he used to be so weak. Miku would never forget the times he would openly cry.
"I believe you just as much as you believe me," Miku replied. "Is it a girl?" She knew it was, but teasing him was so fun. A small amount of pain clenched at her heart as he once again blushed.
"Absolutely not. You're so pushy," Piko told her.
Miku was done playing around the topic. Just completely done. "Piko, I know you like Rin-san."
Piko froze. He looked surprised, as if he never believed Miku would notice.
"She's… funny," he stated. Miku gave him a knowing look. "But I don't like her!" he added quickly.
"Cut the bullshit, friend. I've known you long enough to know the type of girls you crush on," Miku rolled her eyes, holding back the feelings rising in her chest.
Piko eyed her. She couldn't identify the look in his eyes; it was too complicated for words.
"This may sound egotistical of me," Piko began, "but why aren't you upset?"
Miku blinked. "What?" she asked, hoping he wasn't referring to what she thought he was.
"I thought… You… Have a crush on me?" Piko stated it almost as more of a question. Miku's hard smile froze and broke to pieces.
"What gave you that idea?" she questioned, resisting the urge to gulp down fear. Fear? Of what?
Rejection, her brain told her.
The truth, her heart whispered.
The truth about what? She already knew Piko didn't like her. It was obvious. That was the only truth she could see here.
"It's just a guess," Piko replied quietly.
"You're as bad at guessing in real life as you are on quizzes at school," Miku smirked easily, attempting to cover any stray emotions that might run across her features.
"And you're never going to be able to fool me," Piko replied, voice edging towards a cold tone that Miku didn't want to hear directed at her.
"I know the truth," Miku replied. "You're just going to have to trust that I'm telling it to you. Now, Piko," she took a breath, "what's stopping you from telling Rin?"
"Way to change subject," Piko stated. "She's four years older than me, for one thing. For another, we're not similar at all. I'd get rejected."
"If you say so. We'll finish this conversation later. It's too damn cold for this nonsense," Miku told him. He seemed to agree as he was the first to turn away to leave.
Miku sighed. Her chest ached at the sight of him leaving. It was silly, really. She had never been very serious about her crush. Not only that, but countless other teens lost people they loved every day. Not just teens; adults and children, too. Those people, the majority, managed to live through that pain. Miku wasn't even losing him. They were still friends. But why did she feel so alone now?
Miku sniffed heavily, felling the potential for tears build against her lids. Holding down sobs hurt physically and mentally. But crying felt so weak and stupid. It was just Piko. Even if he ever got a girlfriend, he would never leave Miku.
Right?
So that was her fear. If Piko directed his attention at any other girl, she would be almost completely alone. Miku couldn't handle that. Was that the basis of her crush on him?
Pathetic.
Miku ducked her head and turned to walk home. She hadn't forgotten she was still on school grounds. No doubt someone would notice the teal-haired Hatsune girl before long.
She was blocked, however. Four tall senior girls with gentle-looking features and neat uniforms stood before her. Not one looked happy, but not one of them looked unhappy, either. Maybe "serious" was the word for them.
"Hatsune Miku-san?" a blond girl (with bunny ears?! That was odd, even for someone at Miku's school) asked darkly.
"Yeah?" Miku replied, gulping down emotions as she often did.
"I'm Amane Luna. You might not know my name," the blond girl held out a hand, her serious expression shifting a friendly smile. "I'm a reporter for the school paper. My mother is the editor of a popular gossip magazine."
"And?" Miku asked, not liking where this conversation seemed to be heading.
"I was wondering if you could spare a few minutes for an interview. I've heard that you are dating Kagamine Len," the girl winked suggestively. As soon as she had heard Miku's confirmation of her identity, all seriousness had escaped her.
"I-" Miku began. The girl instantly read the look of displeasure on her face.
"It won't take long! Just twenty minutes! I want the scoop on that idol boyfriend of yours!" the girl excitedly removed a pen and a small notebook from her pocket, leaning in, pen poised to jot down notes and quotes. Her friends seemed equally interested, yet slightly less hyperactive.
"I'm not-" Miku tried once again to get in her response, but the pushy reporter talked over her.
"How did you meet Kagamine-san?" the blond demanded, eyes narrowing in concentration. "How long have you been dating? How serious is it?"
"W-wait a moment-" Miku blinked in confusion as more words and questioned poured from Amane Luna's mouth.
"Have you kissed yet? How long have you know Kagamine-san? Hatsune-san, can you tell me-"
The girl was finally silenced as a new person arrived, butting into the conversation easily. Miku suddenly felt someone beside her, drawing her a bit closer. She glanced up to see Rei. Dark-haired, gloomy-looking Rei. Rei with intense golden eyes. Rei who also happened to be the boy Miku attempted to beat on. What was he doing?
Miku didn't try to move away as Rei spoke. Quite frankly, she was a bit surprised they were making any sort of contact again. Most people tried to avoid her after being pounded on. Maybe it was the surprise that froze her. She wanted to know what was going on.
"Hatsune-san never agreed to speak with you or answer a single question," Rei stated bluntly. The blond girl, Luna, blinked and then narrowed her lovely blue eyes. Threateningly, she brandished her pen at him like a danger.
"Come on, Kagene! Don't ruin my scoop!" Luna demanded, the other seniors nodding in agreement next to her.
"Amane-san," Rei began in a low voice, "Don't be so rude."
Luna allowed herself to snort in amusement. "Says the Ice Prince," she retorted.
Rei didn't react to her comment. When she realized he was quiet, she put her hands on her hips and centered a glare at the dark boy.
"What's it to you, anyway?" Luna asked rudely. "Kagamine Len is the most famous celebrity. I just wanna know the details."
"No one has even proved Hatsune-san and Kagamine-san are dating," Rei reasoned in the same monotone voice he had used throughout this exchange.
"Has anyone disproved it?" Luna stated angrily. Miku had to admit she had a point.
"That is not the point. Don't bother people. I've received many complaints about you especially, not just the newspaper club. Keep it up and I'll have you disbanded," Rei told the girls. Luna looked furious.
"It's technically after school, Mr. President. You don't have any authority," Luna challenged.
"These are school grounds," Rei pointed out. Luna glared in response.
"Why can't you just bug off!" Luna retorted, stomping her foot in a very childish manner. "Hatsune-san never said she wouldn't answer questions! I want to know about her and Kagamine Len!"
Rei sighed. "You're very childish, Sempai. I suppose if I must, I will tell you," Rei spoke cryptically, more to himself than anyone else.
"Hatsune Miku and I are already a couple. Of course she isn't dating Kagamine Len," Rei said. Miku felt a mug grin rise to her face as Luna looked completely surprised. Then the pigtailed girl realized what the boy had said.
"You can't be serious! Why would such a bright and cheery-looking girl date someone as depressing as you?" Luna demanded in disbelief.
Rei once again sighed, a bit dramatically.
"What have I said about rudeness?" Rei asked. "Now, will you leave her alone? It's quite bothersome."
Rei had managed to wrap his arm around her waist to make the lie seem more plausible. Although his warmth was nice is such snow-dampened cold, Miku felt very awkward. Imagine if anyone saw her. That would be unbearably embarrassing.
"Fine! You win again, Kagene!" Luna snapped, turning to storm off. Her friends rushed after her, scarves bouncing in the air.
Rei rubbed his eyes after he had released Miku from his close hold. The two stood silently.
"You-" Miku began, her voice breaking a bit. Coughing briefly, she tried again, "Thanks, I guess."
"After our fight, I felt as though I owed you a favor. I hope I haven't embarrassed you too much," Rei stated.
"Not too much," Miku grumbled as she avoided his eyes. Those golden beauties scanned the small girl carefully; she could feel them trace over her cold face.
"It was not my intention to make you uncomfortable," Rei replied. Was he trying to reassure her?
"I know. You did help," Miku told him quickly. Now she was reassuring him? What was going on?
"I'm somewhat glad, I suppose," Rei dully stated. "If there is nothing else to be said, I will be leaving. Good afternoon, Hatsune-san."
Miku nodded, but in the next second found herself loudly stopping him.
"Kagene-san!" she exclaimed quickly. He turned back to look at her, a quizzical expression on his face.
"it's just… I…" Miku started, haltingly. "I'm trying to say… What I want to say… Will you accompany me to a café?"
Rei blinked. Confusion was an emotion he didn't often feel, but it was evident on his handsome features.
"Yes," he finally agreed after an uncomfortable silence. Miku felt her face redden.
I just wanted to apologize. Why did I have to ask him that? Miku wondered with an ounce of self-loathing. Sometimes her own stupidity amazed even her.
/
The two teens entered the warmth of the small café some time later, a blond girl greeting them from the counter.
"Mi-chan!" Rin called happily, pausing as she caught site of Rei. "Oh! And Mi-chan's friend!
"Hello, Rin-san," Miku replied as Rei eyed the hyperactive blond.
"What do you want to drink?" Rin asked brightly when the pair had made their way to stand in front of the counter. Rei scanned the menus hanging above her, dulled eyes skipping over drinks and pastry options.
"I'll just have hot chocolate," Miku told Rin. "Small, please."
"White chocolate mocha. Whipped cream, please," Rei added his order. Miku blinked. That was a surprisingly sugary order for someone like Rei.
"Excellent! Go sit down and I'll bring over the drinks when I finish them!" Rin instructed, waving the pair away. Miku and Rei found a table in the corner to sit, away from most everyone else occupying the small café. Rei gazed around, eyes landing on paintings for sale on the walls. A lovely one above Miku's head showed a simple meadow scene, rolling clouds lazily spreading across a blue sky.
"That girl… Is very excitable," Rei decided quietly.
"That's one word for it," Miku mumbled, crossing her legs in an attempt to make herself look as small as possible. Rei's scrutinizing gaze made her feel so odd. She couldn't explain it, really.
"I was being kind," Rei stated. Glancing up at him, Miku saw his eyes directed out the window they sat by and relaxed a bit.
"Why did you ask me here?" Rei broke a silence Miku was quite content with.
Miku shifted her weight from one side of her chair to the other, searching for an answer.
"I don't know," she confessed. "I guess it's my way of apologizing."
Rei's eyes slid back to her. The way he had his chin placed on the palm of his hand made him look like a disinterested student. "Apologizing," he repeated. Miku didn't understand the look on his face and kept quiet as he looked at her. Damn it. Why was he so hard to read?
"No need for that," he finally said.
"Of course there is," Miku argued a bit roughly. Rei eyed her oddly.
"Perhaps we should accept the unsaid apologies of each other and move on," he suggested after a while.
"I can agree with that," Miku replied. They remained silent and content until their drinks were brought to them.
"Here you go!" a blond person who was most certainly not Rin exclaimed as the drinks were placed before them, steam rising up through the lids. Miku jumped a bit at the sound of the overly happy voice.
"Damn you, Len!" she glared at the boy (who was dressed as Lin at the moment) and pulled her cup closer. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Len snickered as Rei offered his attention to their exchange. "Rin's co-worker called in sick, so I decided to help out today." He winked at her. "What do you think of the outfit?"
He wore a simple blue dress, a ruffled apron over said dress. It clashed with his eyes, making them much more intense.
"Idiot," Miku sighed, lifting her hot chocolate to her lips. After taking a burning sip, she set down the cup as her eyes watered and her tongue sizzled in her mouth.
"It's hot," Len warned playfully, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.
"Shut the hell up," Miku snapped. "Why'd you ignore me all weekend?"
Len pouted very girlishly. "I was depressed. Besides, you aren't upset, are you?" he replied.
Miku snorted comically. "As if," she lied.
Len allowed a smile to sneak onto his lips. "Tsundere," he sang teasingly. Miku shot him a fierce glare.
"Jackass," she stated. Len smirked, clearly unfazed.
"Whatever, Mi-chan. Enjoy your drinks! Oh, and you too, Miku's friend who I don't know!" Len disappeared back behind the counter as Rin giggled to herself.
Miku found this odd. Normally, Len would probably stick around and bug her. Not only that, he would want to know about her "friend," which would likely involve teasing. Len wasn't the type to ignore such an opportunity. Miku was surprised he didn't even ask for Rei's name or something. Len just… left. So unlike him.
"You have odd friends," Rei told her, staring into the coffee he had clasped between his hands. The lid had been removed, revealing a large amount of whipped cream sprinkled with cinnamon.
"I noticed," Miku replied with a half-hearted chuckle. Actually, Rin and Len were quite amusing. When they weren't irritating. Which was most of the time.
"You are less of a loner than I expected," Rei stated as he sipped at his coffee. Miku didn't know whether to laugh or glare. She chose to glare.
"Says you," Miku retorted. "I haven't even heard of you before, and we go to the same school. What does that show about you?"
Rei shrugged. "I guess you just weren't paying attention at the right times," he replied. "I am the senior class president."
Miku was confused by this. "Senior? You look too young to be a senior."
"I skipped a grade," Rei explained. "I'm about to turn seventeen."
Miku gaped. "You're my age."
"I thought you were younger before I looked at your record," Rei replied bluntly.
"I didn't know students were even allowed to do that," Miku challenged a bit angrily. Who was he to make such assumptions? Yes, she was a bit small and maybe even underdeveloped, but you don't tell people stuff like that!
"A teacher had me sort file cabinets on an off-period I had. I ran across your folder and glanced at it," Rei admitted in a very unashamed way.
"That… I can't even… What made you think that was okay?" Miku spluttered as her face turned red.
Rei shrugged again. "I've seen the files of other students. I don't see a problem. It's not like I look at anything past the basic information. Age, class, grades, name. All the information on the first page is mine for the taking. I'm not that rude."
Miku's face would not settle back down. She felt invaded. No one should be able to find out things about her so easily.
"You're just an academic miracle," Miku told him sarcastically in response to his school success.
"Not really," Rei replied. Miku couldn't tell if he was being humble or if he honestly believed it. Probably the second one, but she really couldn't read this boy enough to decide.
"Probably first in your class," Miku snorted ruefully. Admittedly, she was jealous. She had to work very, very hard on her school work for her academic placing.
Rei nodded simply. The two sat silently for a long time as the chilly wind outside blew and their coffees grew steadily colder. Just as Miku was about to say something to break yet another silence, she heard Rei's phone ring. Carefully, the boy pulled it from his pocket and raised an eyebrow before answering the call.
"Hello, Rui," he paused, waiting for the person on the other end of the line to reply. An angry shriek could be heard ever so slightly under the lull of chatter in the café. Miku couldn't make out the words being said but Rei's face remained impassive.
Rui is Rei's sister, right? The girl from before, Miku thought, remembering their first interaction on the day she decided to skip school. She had been called Rui, right?
"I understand," Rei replied after a pause in the shrieking.
Miku cringed as she heard a loud yell from the phone.
"Do you?! Do you really?" the angry voice of a high-pitched female demanded. Rei remained emotionless, listening to a barrage of hate from the phone's speaker.
"Yes, of course I do, Rui," he said. Miku tried to read any amount of emotions that might pass over his face. Nothing happened. A stoic, empty expression remained there as Rei stared into space, his angry little sister yelling loudly at him through a bad phone speaker.
"I'll be home at once," Rei reassured the girl submissively. He ended the call with the press of a button and slid the phone back into his pocket. Looking dead at Miku, he bluntly stated, "My sister heard about my lie. She believes that I am actually going out with you, Hatsune-san. I don't think 'angry' is the correct word to describe her."
Miku bit her lip nervously. So his sister was angry because of that? Did she hate Miku that much? Or was she just possessive of Rei? It could be either one, although Miku thought the first one would be more plausible.
"I'm sorry for that, then," Miku said. "It was only to help me, after all."
Rei waved away her apology. "No such words are needed. Rui has a temper, as I know well. But it is entirely my fault for letting her act that way."
Miku accepted this, watching him stand.
"Do you just let your sister control your life?" Miku demanded.
"Some may see it that way. I don't," Rei replied. "Rui is… very unbalanced. She's my little sister. I can't do anything but care for her."
With that final sentence hanging in Miku's ears, the boy left, a bell over the door tinkling lightly as the door opened and closed, letting in a brief blast of cool winter air.
Everyone in my life seems to have family issues, Miku thought. Though his sound the worst.
She really should've guessed that Len (Lin, if you want to specific) would come over and sit across from her, right in Rei's seat. Well, Rei's vacant seat. He had left, after all.
"So, Mi-chan," the blond boy began with a twinkle of teasing light dancing in his blue eyes, "who was that boy? Someone special I should know about?"
"Idiot. He's the one I beat up," Miku replied coldly. "You stopped me, remember?"
"Eh? Oh, yeah," Len replied. Miku had to snicker at the look of realization on his face, as well as the mirror of that emotion in his voice.
"He's no one special. Not the way you mean, anyway," Miku added casually, sipping at her diminishing hot chocolate. It was almost gone now.
"Well, that's good," Len decided.
Miku glanced up at the boy to find him completely serious.
"What?" she asked blankly.
"Do you want to know why I didn't talk to you all weekend?" Len continued, looking almost ill. Was he nervous? "I was thinking things over. I had a recording session on Saturday and Kaito was there."
Miku felt ill now, too. She had wanted to forget about the Kaito situation. Bringing it up again made her feel downright horrible.
"We talked. Actually, it kind of turned into a fight," Len admitted, avoiding Miku's eyes now. "He knows I'm Lin. God, I've never seen Kaito so livid. Or so heartbroken. Except when… well, when you two broke up."
Miku shifted awkwardly in her chair, crossing and uncrossing her ankles and moving her eyes to the tabletop as Len had.
"He admitted some things. I admitted some things. We both got pretty angry. In the end, it came down to this," Len folded his hands together carefully, studying each finger before continuing. "The only reason Kaito ever got over you was because of Lin. Without Lin, he'd still be just as in love with you as he was two or three years ago."
Miku's stomach flipped. She couldn't even process that properly.
"He also kind of said… um… now that he knows I'm Lin, he's pretty much gotten over her." Len chuckled half-heartedly. "Wow, it's weird referring to Lin as a different person." With a sigh, he slumped a bit in his chair. "Kaito decided he's still in love with you."
Miku's head shot up. That was news. Big news. Miku had never imagined that Kaito would like her for so long. Kaito wasn't the type to chase after girls, especially after they broke his heart. Miku knew she had done that in middle school. She hadn't trusted him enough. That was reason enough for a broken heart.
"I ended up telling Kaito something similar."
Len's confession sent a jolt through Miku. She fought for contact with his eyes, which he finally permitted after feeling her hot gaze burning into him.
"Miku, I think I'm starting to fall for you myself," the boy admitted. Miku felt her heart rate speed up.
Was he serious? They hadn't known each other very long. Miku could count the weeks on her fingers. Could Len really like her after such a short time? Admittedly, she found him attractive. But she didn't have a crush on him. She liked Piko. Who liked Rin. What a cruel twist of fate this was turning out to be.
"Len," she started, gulping down a nervous knot winding itself up in her throat. Her eyes burned. Was she going to cry? It wouldn't be a surprise if she did.
"Miku, I think I like you," Len repeated, as if he himself could not believe the words. "You're so broken and weak but my God, do you have a temper. You've honestly interested me since we first met. I wanted to know those secrets you had kept for so long. I wanted to see kindness from you."
"Len," Miku repeated his name with a heavy heart. She didn't like him. She didn't.
So why did she feel so guilty? So willing to say 'I like you, too?'
"I suppose I should expect a reaction like that," Len chuckled wryly. "You like Piko, after all."
Yes, I like Piko. But please…
Len smiled sadly at her. "It's so obvious, Mi-chan. You aren't nearly as good at hiding things as you think."
Len, don't…
"I'll go, then," Len decided after gaining no reaction from Miku.
Don't leave me.
Miku stood before he could go, tackling him from behind in a hard, tight hug. She would've enjoyed it more if Len had been dressed as a boy.
"Len," she whispered. "Don't do this to me."
He froze at that. Though Miku couldn't see with her face pressed into his back, soaking in the scent of the blue fabric, his eyes widened in confusion and shock. What did she mean by that?
"I can't lose someone else," she continued. Now Len was very, very confused.
"I'm not leaving you," Len reassured, swallowing his pride.
"I'm leaving you."
Len's heart stopped.
"I'm moving to Germany."
/
Sorry for the stalling towards the end. I was trying to get 100 pages on Word. I wrote.. Over 5,000 words. I'm so happy.
If anyone's confused about the sudden "moving to Germany" thing, it was what Miku and Mikuo talked about at the beginning of the chapter. I think. It's been a while since I wrote that part...
I kind of fell into a bit of a depression while writing this chapter. The kind of depression where you have no motivation. Oddly enough, the thing that got me writing again was being reintroduced to Sherlock. I love that show. So. Much.
I'm done talking. Next chapter should be out before next Friday.