Chapter Two
The wintery winds bite at my red perky nose as I struggle to lift each foot out of the heavy, thick snow. I swear, it's like nature decided to do this to me on purpose. I guess it's my first day, though I'm not really sure why I'm guessing… because unfortunately, it is. I bite my bottom lip and continue deeper into the blizzard just so I can get to some remote high school that seems like it's about a thousand miles away. Vanessa Carlton, I'll make sure to wave when I get there (points for you if you get the reference!).
"It really is cold out today, isn't it?" says a voice from behind me. I turn my head sharply to the direction of the voice as I keep trudging through the snow. Great, it's one of those brats called a Vocaloid. "You're a Vocaloid, aren't you?" I ask, my voice coming out softer than I intended it to, but just for emphasis, I narrow my eyes, which comes out more like a squint.
In front of my squinted-up face is a boy with shaggy, blonde hair that falls all over his face, yet sticks up in all different directions. One thing that catches my eye is his deep sea-green eyes that stare into mine curiously. However, his eyes aren't deep in color… but in volume.
"Vocaloid? I guess so, why?" he asks, after clearing his throat. I shift my eyes to the ground.
"I dunno," is all I say. I mentally smack myself in the forehead. Of all the intelligent, flirty, or friendly things I could have said right at that moment, those were the ones that left my stupid, disobeying, uncontrollable mouth!
"I've never seen you before. Do you go to Vocaloid Academy?" says the boy, quickening his pace to walk up right beside me. Apparently he's one for second chances. I bite my lip and want to scream at how rude his question was, but instead, I calmly grunt an answer.
"I'm starting today, actually," I say, continuing to walk. The snow is beginning to lighten up on my tall, mid-thigh length black boots that I had to wear as part of my winter school uniform.
"Today? How exciting!" says the boy.
"Yeah," I retort. I watch his cavernous aqua-marine eyes shift uncomfortably to the sparkling white snow beneath his feet.
"Do you, um, have a host yet?" he asks, softer than previously.
"Host? No, not really," I ask, looking down as well. I notice the trimming of his shoes and uniform are yellow, unlike mine, which is a bright sunset shade of pink. I guess the Vocaloids here have a little bit of freedom in choice of uniform.
"I guess I could be your host, then," says the boy a little more excitedly, looking back up into my eyes. I can't help but smile in response to his. "My name is Len, by the way," he adds, his cheeks reddening. I don't think the blush is because of the cold.
"Nice to meet you, Len-san," I say. "I-I'm Madoka," I add, a chill running through me until it reaches the tip of my toes. I don't think that was because of the cold, either. Len looks down at his feet, and my guess is that he's hiding a smile.
"Is that it in front of us?" I ask. Len jerks his head up, and I am left in awe as his turquoise eyes rapidly widen.
"Yeah!" Len says, a sideways smile on his face. "I can't wait for you to meet my sister Rin!" he grins, walking faster with every word. I smile and shake my head, looking down as he runs ahead of me. "Come on Madoka-san!" Len calls back to me with a wave of his hand.
A delicate snowflake falls onto my eyelash. I wipe it away with my mittened hand. However, I don't think anything is going to wipe away my smile anytime soon.