Chapter 6: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid

[WARNING]
The following contains its handful of profanity and the eventual (possible) trigger. Please proceed with caution.

Miku faces away from Chocolate when her brother offers her some pocky from a small, red box. Brightly, she takes a couple out and begins cheerily snacking on them, ignoring Chocolate's pleas to use them to stab Mikuo's eyes out so they could go back home. Even though she didn't exactly find the Hibiki estate "comfortable", her brother was obviously anxious about meeting this guy (Pin? No, that wasn't it) Rin had more-or-less introduced. She'll just have to endure, for her kid brother's sake.

"What do you think he looks like?" Mikuo mutters as he lets his head fall on his sister's shoulder, causing the latter to tense up at first, but slowly accept the feel of his hair. "You think he's rough or skinny? Fat? Total nerd or popular jock?"

"You're worrying too much," Miku says and adjusts her focus on the red pocky box between them. "You think Chocolate would like these? I gave him some when we were kids, but all he did was ignore me. How could anyone not like pocky?"

"Chocolate is a weird cat," Mikuo responds inattentively, a bit worried over Len. Damn, if this was a drama, Len probably would've fallen for Rin by now and this would be some kind of climatic confrontation. But hey, since when do dramas ever put real life into perspective anyway? He's over-worrying, and he felt stupid for feeling like this because there was nothing to worry about; Rin belonged to him in the same sense he himself belonged to her. That would not change, newcomer or none.

"... Mikuo?" the older Hatsune sibling warily says as her entire form begins to tremble.

Mikuo notices this and chooses his next words extremely carefully as to not sent the girl into another episode. "Yes, ane?"

"I think...y'know...hallu-"

Before the word could even be finished, Mikuo turns his head towards the laptop in front of them to see a boy probably around his age with messy blonde hair and the faintest of smiles on his exhausted-looking face.

Ha... He really had been worried for nothing.

The younger Hatsune takes his sister's hands into his own to reassure her. "That's not another one. It's the guy Rin was talking about."

Len takes a quick once-over on the room before facing Mikuo. "Is Rin here?"

"Family emergency," is the only answer Mikuo provides before returning his attention back on more pressing matters. "Miku, are you alright?"

"Oh, I'm fine!" she reassures. Excitedly, she reverts her focus on the teen behind the screen, all too glad to finally meet the person causing her brother's earlier distress. "I'm glad you're real! My name's Hatsune Miku; what's yours?"

The newcomer thinks about asking her about the him being 'real' bit before he thinks better of it and simply decides to answer the girl's question. "Kagamine Len."

Miku's smile only grows wider. "Tell me, do you go to normal school?"

The oddity of the question causes a brief hesitance on Len's part, but he soon responds with, "As normal a school as it can be."

"Is it fun?" She presses, excited for whatever answer the young, normal teen would give her. "Or is it depressing, like I've seen in all those high school dramas? How is it, to be able to sit in a desk for hours and deny yourself much movement? Do the teachers drone on and on, or are they interesting? Where would you fit on the social ladder? Is it true that some teachers even dare to start scandalous relationships with stu-"

"Miku!" Mikuo lightly yells as he shakes their still touching hands. He turns towards Len and frowns. "This is too much. We should-"

"I'm back!" Rin cheerily announced as she put the tray of cookies she had been carrying on the table, right next to her orange laptop. "So, what did I miss?"

"Cookies!" Miku exclaims, her hand shooting forward to grab a sugar cookie. "Sakura loves cookies. Don't you, Sakura?"

Mikuo sighs before taking a chocolate-chip one for himself. "Not much. Miku got a bit too excited."

"Oh?"

"Don't really wanna explain, if you know what I mean." Mikuo's cookie was a third way gone at this point, the part in his hand crumbling a bit from the frustration he was trying to keep back.

"You guys do know I'm still here, right?" Len says as he eyes Mikuo with a bit of annoyance.

"Sorry, Len!" Rin exclaims, her eyes now completely transfixed on her online friend. "This is-"

"We did intros already," Mikuo notifies his girlfriend with a smile before turning towards his sister. "Miku, if you want, you can go play video games in the other room."

Chocolate immediately tells Miku to go, but the girl pays him no mind, her curiosity winning over the voices for now. "No, I'm fine! I'll try not to get so bothersome..."

Mikuo frowns worriedly. "That's not what I meant-"

"Well!" Rin exclaims, noticing that Mikuo was starting to feel guilty. "Why don't we get our little meeting started, ne?"

So, how'd it go? Tell me onegai! xc

Len hesitates, fingers freezing over the slightly warm keys on his laptop. He gave the question a moment's thought, recalled some of the recent events that had unfolded, and finally decided on:

Had I not opened my asshole of a mouth, it probably would've gone a WHOLE lot better.

And what better way to phrase it? If he had taken time to take in Rin and Mikuo's actions combined with Miku's excited and odd behavior, he would've gotten it. Had he been the slightest bit more patient - had he been a bit more smart, he would've pieced it all together.

Words cannot possibly describe the guilt hanging above Len's head like a stormy cloud on a bitter person.

I feel terrible, he went on to add. Worst thing about the whole thing is that I haven't apologized yet.

Imagine his relief upon seeing he wasn't going to be questioned as to what he felt terrible about.

I see, his friend has said. And why haven't you said sorry? Makes you seem like a grade-A asshole. dx

Len would've laughed if he didn't actually feel like a grade-A asshole. Mikuo cut me off the connection the moment I said it. Left me no room to apologize. A bit of a pause, followed by a grimace and a thought. What if Rin thinks I'm the biggest bastard to walk the planet earth now? She'll never talk to me again; not after the horrible things I said.

Listen, I don't know much about Miku, she had admitted. But I have heard a couple things here and there. Rumor has it that she's a crazy chick with violent tendencies.

Len's eyes widened. Holy shit. Are you serious? No wonder they don't let the poor girl get exposed... Now I feel ten times worse. Grumbling, he sarcastically went on to add, thanks for the therapy, Ms. Depressive.

At least I'm trying to help! :c Anyway, hate is such a strong word. I'm sure Rin's probably upset, 'cause hello, you pissed off her guy, but I'm positive she doesn't hate you.

The next couple of sentences took quite a while to get out. You guys seem to be friendly, so don't worry. It'll be fine. Just call them. Apologize.

At the same time, a buzz generated from the cell phone next to his mouse. Anxiously, he picked it up, only to be slightly disappointed upon seeing it was his sister whom had texted him.

Hey lenners rushing practice case filed can't make it home reheat da stuff in da fridge k bay xoxo ;)

... Why couldn't Lily ever just call him?

Gotta go. Need to reheat some frozen dinner. Woohoo.
Have fun burning down the kitchen! c; And remember: A.P.O.L.O.G.I.Z.E.

With a mute shake of his head, Len shut his laptop before making his way towards the kitchen. As he stuck the leftovers into the microwave, he contemplated on how to go about in apologizing. Obviously, he would have to make the first move since he was the one in the wrong. All he really had to do was pick up his cell, call Rin, and hope for the message to get through to not only her, but the Hatsune siblings as well.

So why was he still gripping his cell phone and fumbling over the screen?

"Son of a bitch," was the only thing Mikuo could think of to describe Len Kagamine at the moment. No, he was worse than a son of a bitch; far worse. A fucking heartless demon; that's what he was.

"Please watch your language!" Yohio was quick to point out. "There's children in here!"

"Every single one of us is old enough to know what he's talking about, Yohio," Oliver muttered out, only to have his ears covered by the older male.

"As I said; there are children in here!"

With a scarlet blush, Oliver made quick to swipe Yohio away as he addressed Mikuo directly. "Please tell us what went on. I'm afraid we're all confused; who caused you to become so angry?"

Mikuo threw out a string of curses, but eventually went on to vent everything out. "That asshole called my sister a crazy freak - on top of a whole plate of insults. If he had said those words right in front of my face...!"

"Mikuo!" Miku cried, her eyes trying to smile, but she knew her brother could still see the (slight) hurt behind them. "I've gotten this all my life. It's no big deal-"

"It is a big deal!" He continued on to add everything that had bothered him about the insult. "And the fact that you've gotten it all your life is what pisses me off the most! Assholes - Assholes like him are what's wrong with this world! Why do people have to be so quick to assume? Why can't they just learn to let a person live their life care-free when they've had enough bullshit to put up with? Why..." Mikuo's teal eyes watered up and his fingers curled into a fist so tight that it was visibly shaking. "Why did you have to play the mentally-ill sibling? Why couldn't that role be cast on me? I just..."

While Mikuo was about ready to burst into tears, Miku had beaten him to the river first. As the two siblings tried to get their feelings together, the Hibiki clan sat by patiently, their forms more than ready to jump in when comfort was sought. After all, they had known the Hatsunes for quite a long time; they knew a discussion like this had to be brought up at one point in their lives.

Rin sat by silently, her heart completely torn. Her boyfriend looked so hurt by the comments made, so naturally, she had every right to be mad at Len. But she wasn't. Sure, she was surprised and disappointed in him, but for some odd reason, she couldn't bring herself to hate the guy.

"I told you to be careful," Rinto whispered, his hands clutched tightly together above his lap, eyebrows creased in troublesome worry. "And now-"

"Don't say it," Rin warned, completely aware of what Rinto would say next. "This is the first time Len had ever acted out like this. Besides, it's not like - um..." She trailed off, not entirely wanting to finish that thought out. She couldn't. Not now.

"OW!"

Everyone in the room jumped, an array of eyes immediately landing on the Hatsune siblings. A loud gasp from Rin was heard, followed by the flurry of clothes as Yohio hurried to Mikuo's aid.

Miku had scratched the teen's arm so hard that it was now bleeding.

Although most of the Hibikis present knew better, they couldn't help but deep down feel a bit scared. The tealette hadn't harmed anyone in such a long time. Why would she suddenly strike now? What was wrong with her?

What was wrong with her?

Mikuo pulled away from Yohio, insistent on getting back to his sister. "Miku! Miku! Are you alright?"

Miku couldn't hear him. Not over Chocolate, she couldn't.

Look at what you've done, he says. You're such a bad girl.

"I-I didn't mean to," she argued out loud. "I-I... I was just... You see..."

Tears were starting to build up rapidly, causing her vision to become blurred. Mikuo saw this and tried to reach her, which Yohio allowed him to do after seeing the damage made was barely even more than a scrape.

"Miku... Miku, look at me-"

"No! I don't want to hurt you like the last time! Get away!" By now, Chocolate was in near control as he kept pushing her to scratch. Scratch at Mikuo some more. Make his arm a bright red, make the crimson run down his arm...

She began lightly scratching her right forearm.

"Call Dr. Aria!" Yohio yelled over Miku's hysteria. "Tell her to come over here ASAP!"

"On it!" Rinto assured as he brought his phone over his ear as calmly as he could.

Rin couldn't stand to just sit by and let her brothers take care of things. Hastily, she got up and ran towards Mikuo, her thin arms wrapped comfortably around his torso. "Mikuo..." She tried, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

Mikuo didn't really know what she was apologizing for. But the warmth radiating from her body to his was more than comforting as he brought her into his chest and laid his head on top of hers.

Neither spoke a word as Dr. Aria rushed in to relax her patient, a buzz of a phone ignored over the calamity of the night.

Len didn't know what to do anymore.

He sighed as he sent out his umpteenth apology for the incident. Why wasn't Rin responding? Did something come up?

Or did she really hate him after all?

"Fucking hell," he muttered, his hands frustratingly raking through his long bangs.

New message from Kokone-chan.

Smiling despite his stress, Len was quick to open his messaging app back up to talk to his long-time friend.

She's not answering. I'm stressing out.
Yeah, I can tell. c:
Don't send me smiley faces at a time like this!
Well, what do you want me to do? I would hug you, but I'm too far... Would a virtual hug and kiss on the cheek be enough?
Guess so. Not.
What an ungrateful child! *you can't see but I'm giving you my pouty face*

I wish you were here, he subconsciously typed before hitting the backspace key to erase the embarrassing message. Telling her that would be way too awkward.

Listen, I have to go, he finally decided. I'm gonna call Piko. Talk later?

Oh, sure! See ya!

With that, he opened his contacts and found Piko's number quickly.

A low, almost sleepy noise greeted him once his best friend answered the phone. "Len? Is something wrong?"

"Dude... Are you okay?"

"YeaAAaaAAH..." He yawned, his tiredness poorly concealed. "I'm waiting for mom to come back from the stank."

Len laughed, but felt sympathy for his friend. After his father had disappeared wordlessly when he was six, Piko's mother had made a habit of going to bars, clubs, and all that type of stuff on weekends. The duo had summed up those places as "the stank" because of the fowl way Ms. Utatane would smell whenever she came home.

"My pitiful life aside," Piko began, "what is it you needed?"

An answer. "Actually, did you get that project with English? The one about the celebrity prompt?"

Piko glanced over at his opened laptop before answering, "Yeah, yep. What about it?"

"I'm kind of at a hard place with my celebrity," Len revealed without telling too much. "I've apologized over thirty times and I haven't gotten a reply yet."

"Ugh, hold up, my celebrity found out I was online." A couple clicks of a keyboard, following by some shuffling. "Sorry. Maybe something got brought up?"

Kokone's been telling me the exact same thing! He wanted to yell as much but he kept his tone calm for Piko. "Maybe. Hey, who is your celebrity? You haven't told me."

"You never asked," He sarcastically replied (sleepiness did that to him often) before sighing. "I got - oh my..."

"What?"

"You know that gossip show with all the really loud people-"

"Yeah, what about it?" Len nervously asked, a bit afraid of what Piko might have seen.

"Just... Find it."

Without a second to waste, Len fumbled for the remote control before turning the TV on. It took about a minute of flipping channels before he found the one Piko was referencing to.

"-doctor! You'd pretty much assume that someone in the household was killed or something," one of the gossipers; a man that looked to be in his twenties yelled. "It's kind of disturbing, really. What if this is about the concealed Hatsune freak?"

Crap!

"I wouldn't be too sure," another one, this time a woman of about the same age, said. "After all, they were seen bringing in a guy with an eyepatch earlier in the week."

"I thought he was a pirate hired to Yohio's 'Welcome Back' party!"

As the group laughed and discussed the possible things the eyepatch boy was doing, Len was internally screaming for them to get back at the part about Miku. He had the heaviest bad feeling in his gut that the doctor and Miku could very well be linked back to him.

"Ah! News in from out team!"

"Len?" He could hear his name coming out from his phone.

Without taking his eyes off the television screen, Len raised his phone back up to his ear and replied, "Yeah?"

"I figure I might as well tell you now. My celebrity is Hibiki Yuu." A moment's pause before, "He just told me everything. Of course, I had to decipher it from a series of emojis-"

"What did he say?" He interrupted, silently apologetic for cutting him off mid-sentence, but this was just too important. "What happened, Piko?"

"Well..."

A.N./ Aaaaaaaand that's enough for this chapter! Damn, this one turned out pretty long... I wonder how next chappie will turn out. Oh, I just realized I left you guys off on a cliffhanger. Oops. Don't worry though! All will be revealed next time, which shouldn't be too far away if all goes as plan. To be honest, I hadn't initially planned for this chapter to be so dark, but y'know, I kind of wanted some things you may not have expected (such as Len's lashing out, Miku's short episode (which I admit, is half-assed and not as good as it should be, but my research on schizophrenia is limited) and look! Piko's celeb is Hibiki Yuu!). Ah, and one more thing... You as readers would probably disagree with me (especially since, spoiler alert, Len's gaining slight feelings for Rin), but I as the author (and practically professional fangirl) feel like maybe I kind of shouldn't break the Rinkuo up. I don't know, it just kinda happened as I was writing Miku's meltdown. I already feel bad for Mikuo, knowing that I may just have to break him off from his source of loving comfort. What do you guys think? Should I continue with the Rinkuo throughout the series, or should RinxLen prevail above all else? Please tell me below! I'm seriously debating this...

Anonymous:

Midori Hagane: Thank you! I hope you enjoyed this one, even if it wasn't very cute!

Review~