Chapter 7 - Get to Know Each Other!
Len's P.O.V.
"Yo, bitch!"
I wince instantly at his colorful language and have half a mind to not turn around so he could have his way with me. Of course, that half of my mind was stupid, so I listened to the opposite, rational half and did a 180 degree turn to face him. "Yes?"
The cigarette between his teeth tilts up as his grin grows across his face. "No need to be so formal, Lenny." My breath becomes caught somewhere in my windpipes as I step back for every step he takes forward. "Hasn't anyone taught you how to be more, I don't know, casual? Weirdo."
His hand clutches mine in a rough way once I run out of room to back up into. I could just feel his touch leaving goosebumps behind as his hand trailed up my forearm and towards my chin. The tip of his fingers felt ice cold against my cheeks as he practically breathes into my face. "Hey, I just had an idea. Y'know what it is?"
Those fingers of his stretch out to play with a lock of hair that had fallen out of my ponytail, and I could feel my shoulders rise a bit as my body switched its 'defense' switch on. This just can't be good... "I-I've no idea what it is you're proposing."
He gives me a questioning look for just a brief second before that wild grin of his returns to his face. "That made no sense to me, Len. I don't speak smart. But I'll show you a language I do know."
Dell licks his lower lip in a way that makes me think this couldn't possibly just be the normal beating. And the way he was bringing his chest closer to me was the last warning my mind acknowledged before I dropped to my knees, causing Dell to knock into the wall behind me. He doesn't get mad this time, though. No, instead of going off about how much of a brat I was and kicking me senseless, his demonic grin grows big enough to compete with the Cheshire Cat's own as he leans down and grasps a fistful of my hair. The pain I immediately feel on my skull causes me to close my eyes and hiss a little under my breath as Dell brings me back up near his face.
"Naughty boy. You shouldn't get away from me like that. Now you'll receive a little punishment..." He tilts his head slightly to the right and gives me the creepiest smile I've ever seen before he claims my lips in a forceful kiss. Dell had taken the cigarette out of his mouth beforehand, but that wasn't enough to save me from its horrible taste as he practically shoves his tongue inside my mouth. I try to cry out, and once I realize to whom my first kiss had just gone to, I struggle to free myself from his grip on my wrists and give him a good punch. But, thanks to my negative thoughts on athletics, I wasn't strong enough to pry him off of me, and once I feel his cold hands roaming inside my shirt, I close my eyes so he wouldn't see me cry.
All my firsts, all of me, will go to Honne Dell without any question.
Such a thought only plagues my mind with horrible, vomit-worthy images. But what could I do? I wasn't strong enough to push him off, let alone move my head so he could at least stop leaving trails of saliva on my neck.
I was never, and will never be, strong enough. I'm weak. I should just... Just...
"No...!" I find myself screaming the word out as I bring my hand towards my forehead. Why...
Why did that memory come up now of all times?
"'No' what? D'aww, did wittle Wenny have a nightmare~?"
I could practically feel all the sarcasm dripping from her tone as I turned around to face the blonde with an annoyed face. "'Wittle Wenny' did not have a nightmare, thank you very much! I...!" Letting the sentence trail off, I simply decide to sigh as I slouch into the wall with an arm over my forehead. "Never mind. You couldn't possibly understand."
Rin laughs, but it wasn't her usual, boisterous laugh. This laugh had no humor behind it, but before I could question it, she says, "Sure. Because I couldn't possibly understand your teenage girl problems." That dark look she had in her eyes left and now that usual wild look she always seems to carry returns as she continues, "Uh-oh. Is someone on their period?"
Teenage girl problems? Period? Dear God, please tell me she didn't come into my room to talk/complain about... OH GOD, NO. Following this thought, I bring my hands up towards my ears to block the girl from saying anything that could mentally scar me as I repeated a mantra of 'nananananananananananana' out loud.
"What the fuck?" I could hear Rin shouting this as she forces my hands off my ears. Of course, I immediately fight back. I mean, c'mon, what kind of teenage boy wants to hear about... Ugh, thoughts like those deserve to be shuddered at!
"Man- Boy, calm down! Geez, I come here to check up on you and here you are, wrestling me!"
To this, I raise an eyebrow, because I was really curious for the answer. "Check on me? You actually care?"
Rin places a hand over her heart in mock heart, earning her a good chuckle from me. "Oh Len, you hurt me so! Why are you this cruel?"
A couple more laughs escape me (what? The girl could definitely be a stand-up comedian in the future) before I throw my jacket at her playfully. "Alright, stop. But seriously, why are you here? I kinda expected for Kaito to run after me."
The blonde in front of me only lifts her hands up in defense, "I'm sorry for not being a guy so I could satisfy your homosexual needs."
I instantly wince. Oh God, I don't need a reminder right now. So, being the coward I am, I search for a change of topic. Desperately. "Haha, so funny! Hey! Now that I think about it, we should get to know each other!"
Why, dear Kami-sama, do I have the tendency to revert back to my 'old-self' whenever I'm nervous? Just why? Do you somehow hate me?
"... Okay, that was the weirdest way to change a topic I've ever heard, but then again, you're a pretty strange guy, huh?"
You can't even begin to believe how relieved I was that she agreed to talking about something else. But she was joking... Ugh, whatever. I'm not ready to face such things just yet... "So... When's your birthday?"
She laughs a bit when I ask; God knows why, but she does. It wasn't even funny, but this is Rin we're talking about. Ah, whatever. The girl's a complicated mess. And her answer only complicates her further. "Such a cliche question! My birthday's in December."
I wait for her to continue, but when I see that that was it, I raise an eyebrow. "On what day?"
Rin shrugs, and I can't help but find it strange. "Who knows, and I could really care less. Birthdays only mean I'm getting older, so I gotta mature in order to pay Meiko back for all she did for me."
At the mention of the woman, I just couldn't hold the question that's been bugging me beforehand. "You mentioned her before. Is she your mom?"
Her cerulean eyes turn dark for a minute, and that's when I realize my mistake. Don't tell me she's adopted or something...
"I consider Meiko my mom, since I never knew my real one."
Okay, this is a shocker. "R-Really? So you were an orphan-"
"None of your business," she harshly interrupts, and I immediately close my mouth. Rin obviously doesn't want to talk about it, and why force her? There's just some things you can't talk about, but c'mon, her life couldn't have possibly been all bad.
With this in mind, I decide to ask other questions about her childhood. "Did you have any best friends when you were younger?"
Rin's eyes cloud over, making me wonder what it is she's thinking about. Could she be having some kind of flashback? Well, I guess it's fair. I mean, I pretty much had one ten minutes ago... It was depressing, but I had one!
"... Yeah. His name was Olly - Oliver. His name was Oliver," she tried to cover up her mistake, but I totally caught it. And what do I do?
I laugh like the douche I am.
"O-Oh God...! Ahahahahaha! I...I'm dying! You... Hahaha! Nickname!"
"Oh hardy-har-har. Yes, Len, laugh it up because I just told the funniest joke in the world. Asshole."
Her death glare is the only warning I need for me to take the hint and calm myself down. C'mon! She just doesn't seem like the type of person to give nicknames like those! But if she really isn't a nickname-y (yes, that's totally a word) person, then this Oliver guy must've been someone special in her life.
... Anybody want to explain to me why that makes me feel bad?
I shake the feeling away. It was the flashback... Yep, definitely not over the flashback. "So this 'Oliver'... Do you still hang around him?"
She frowns, "He was taken from me at age six. Haven't heard nor seen him since then."
'Taken'? The fuck does that mean? Ah, whatever. I'll let it slide. "My childhood friend is Kaito, as unbelievable as that is. Well, not really my 'childhood' friend. More like my 'preteen' friend..."
Hey, now that I thought about it, I was a bit of a loner back then, huh? Didn't I have the most wonderful childhood ever. And I dearly hope you guys recognized that as sarcasm, or I will hunt you down for thinking otherwise.
"Wow, who knew Mr. Popularity was a lone child. Hey, that'd make a pretty kick-ass headline!" Rin snaps me out of my thoughts and I frown at her. "Speaking of which, how in the hell did you get discovered? I listened to that song of yours - Fire Flower, right? Whatever, anyway, I listened to it, and I couldn't help but think your voice was way too high for the normal teenage guy. Well, there is a high pitch in your voice normally, but-"
Is she serious right now? "Oi! You're just jealous 'cause I can sing better than you!"
She scoffs, "Don't bet on things you know you won't win."
Oh, are we doing this right now? 'Cause I sure hope so. "Really? Then why don't we-"
"I'm not singing, if that's what you're implying. Just know I do it better, and keep that fact to haunt you." She says, and I immediately feel the need to say 'you're chickening out 'cause you can't sing', but she probably knew me well enough (which is crazy, 'cause she's only been with me for a couple days - almost a week) to expect that and kept on blabbering. "Anyway, how did you get discovered? Some nutjob must've been high-"
"Don't even!" I warn before I rest my hands on my lap and take a short inhale. "I got discovered back in Yokohama, actually. My dad was on one of his business trips again, and-"
"Whoa, whoa, hold it!" Rin does an 'x' with her arms, causing me to raise a brow. "I don't need the details of your vacation! Geez, just get to the point!"
I frown, but don't argue. You'll have to be an idiot to argue with Rin, this I know for sure. "Fine, fine. I was doing a charity concert for this little girl I knew..."
...
"Waah! Len-kun!" I hear Akiko yell as I strum my acoustic guitar for the final time and sing the last note. "Papa will be very happy! You'll raise tons of money for sure; someone will probably discover you, too! Isn't it exciting?"
While she was fangirling her butt off, I put my guitar down and walked off to retrieve my case. Discover me, she says. Hmph, there's a one-in-a-billionth chance of someone even considering me as star material. As much as I adore Akiko (mostly because she's the only friend I've had thus far), I can't help but laugh at her ridiculous fantasy. Look at me! I'm such a freaking looser! Oh yes, I can see the headlines now: "Biggest Joke to Ever be Discovered! Is Music Taking a Downfall in Society?"
Unknowingly, I laugh silently at my sarcasm. Biggest joke indeed...
Once I spot my guitar case, I pick it up and carefully make my way back. Why did I even agree to do this? I shouldn't be doing this; no one will show up! Akiko's charity event is going to go to shambles, all because of my appearance. People would be demanding refunds once the see me, and all the money that had been saved up will be for nothing...
God, what's wrong with me? It's just a fucking concert in a small fucking café! I shouldn't be thinking about this... Argh!
"I really hate this!"
"Len!"
Without even realizing it, I had screamed and thrown the case in my arms to the ground, which caused enough commotion for Akiko to run over towards me. What am I doing? I shouldn't have...
"Len, are you alright?" Akiko soothes, but I'm too out of it to answer back. I'm alright, right? What I'm doing is normal... Everyone goes through stage-fright... I'm not being too sensitive about the whole thing; my reaction is totally normal. It's okay to have second thoughts. It's totally okay...!
I kept thinking thoughts like this, but deep inside, I knew I was wrong and what I was going through was not normal.
"Maybe you should go outside for a bit? I have kept you in here for way too long; and it reeks of coffee!" Akiko laughs, probably to loosen me up, but it's not working. Nevertheless, I thank her, grab my jacket, and head right outside.
"Just a tiny piece I have come to find
Goes a long, long way to change my mind
Right from the start I have always known
That the day would come when I'd end up alone"
This song has been one I had always treasured. Whenever I sing it, I feel like some of my frustrations melt away and I feel completely at peace. I sing it quietly, though; I don't want any unnecessary stares. That said, I keep on.
"For every time I cried I laughed a little
For every time it hurt I smiled a little
Even when things were bad
I was never really sad"
I think back to when I was about six. Aunt Neru would always sing it to me whenever I felt down. Relationship troubles with her boyfriend, I believe. Not exactly sure what happened, but it doesn't really matter right now.
Finishing up the song, I sigh and scroll through and imaginary list of songs in my brain. Singing seems to be my only outlet nowadays...
"I am the target.
Some people were gossiping about me.
"Isn't he so annoying? (haha)"
For a reason as simple as that."
"I have now been contaminated by bacteria,
and you won't be able to escape anywhere.
Recently my heart has gotten ill, too.
It hurts, hurts, hurts, hurts, hurts."
I keep singing the song, finding a bit of comfort in it. Bacterial Contamination; a very much complicated song that describes my very much complicated situation. Of course, I haven't been completely driven off the wall. ... Yet. My depression was much higher than the average person, of course, but not that high enough. But in time... My demise could be my own doing...
Shaking my head of those negative thoughts, I look down to distract myself with anything I could find on the sidewalk. Oh, look! Someone has dropped a couple yen! Quite unfortunate... Ah, someone has spit their gum out over there. Gross. You know, I've never noticed how there's so many cracks on the sidewalk. Kinda weird, if you were to ask me.
"Hey, kid! Wai- OOF!"
My body suddenly falls down to the floor, and I swore a bump had formed on my head from the collision. Ugh, what just... I rub the top of my head, trying to soothe the pain down, before I realized that yes, someone had quite literally bumped into me just seconds ago. With a groan, I get up to see who the heck it was that pushed me down, and when I do, I don't hesitate to show my displeasure. "He-Hey! Wh-What did you d-do that f-for?!"
Curse my tendency to crack whenever I feel unhappy! Whatever. My voice will change eventually... Ahem, ANYWAYS. The man on the floor rises up while dusting off his suit, probably to give me a more 'professional' impression, but it just isn't working. "I'm quite sorry, but I couldn't help but notice... You sing pretty well."
I-I do? W-Wait, I don't.. "... Th-Thank you, I guess..."
The man nods. "Yes, well... If you don't mind, I'd like to speak with you privately. The name's Tonio, I'm currently the manager of Vocalia Records."
V-V-Vocalia R-Records...! Does he mean, like, The Vocalia Records? The same record label that signed some of the best pop stars ever? What does a manager from such a label want from me? O-Oh God...
"S-Sure," I unconsciously agree to his offer, my mind feeling as if it was on cloud nine. This is too much...
...
"After that, we talked for a bit. I sang a couple songs for him, and he listened intently while taking some notes or something on his little notepad. We kept meeting each other for about three weeks before he took me under his wing and offered me lessons. Prima was a kickass teacher, and with her help, I was signed in about a month later." I finished off the story and looked at Rin to take in her reaction.
She stays silent for a while before she says, "So, in short... Your discovery was completely accidental. Kinda makes sense."
Accidental?! Oh no she didn't- "'Accidental' my ass! I got discovered because I was talented and he saw it! There was no 'accident'!"
"Alright, jeez... It was just a joke, Mr. Diva!" She sarcastically says before I mumble a small apology for overreacting. Really, this isn't like me, to get so oversensitive over things...
"You guys? Len, are you alright?"
Kaito's voice flows through the walls of the room, and I would be a liar if I said I wasn't surprised. "We're fine! We were just talking..."
I hear a bit of shuffling before the door creaks a bit, revealing a pretty worried Kaito. "Dude, you scared me when you ran off! Don't ever scare me like that again!
Nodding my head, I make a small promise to myself. I'm never going to break down like that ever again. Not over something so stupid, anyway. Why would fighting with SeeU trigger a memory anyway? That makes no sense... But, then again, the mind is a pretty mysterious thing, huh? Guess I'll have to learn to understand myself better... Somehow get through this mess.
But ain't nobody got time.
I sigh and get up from the floor. "So... Let's go home, yeah? I have another meeting after this, but screw it. I'll deal with my mom."
Kaito and Rin both nod and say nothing to me as we all say goodbye to SeeU and head on out, ignoring the protests coming from the Korean all the while.
Wonder how Miku's doing... Ha, she would probably cry over me and start to treat me like a baby. That girl sure knows how to exaggerate. Then Rin... That girl's only an exaggerated mess. I save her damn life and in return, I get morning sarcasm and endless insults. Gee, isn't karma just such a wonderful thing? Yeah, thanks karma. For nothing.
A.N./ Seems like a good a place as any to end this, no? Gah, I'm so sorry for not updating this earlier! Trust me, I've been editing this chapter for nearly a month now. It shouldn't have taken that long, but I had a couple complications... Whatever, I have no excuse. Shoot me all the tomatoes you want; I deserve it! Dx Well, a month of my summer has passed already, and since I'm a lifeless turtle, I have all the time I want to be updating. So... Expect me in your inbox! :D Anyway, I hope you like this chapter! We learned a little bit more on Len-kun! I apologize for the...creepy...image of Dell, but I needed a menacing-looking Vocaloid for the role...
S.A.D.L.I.A.R: No hard feelings! I don't really mind... Miku bought him that particular pair because she thought it fit her boyfriend's personality! I always see Kaito as more of a childish adult; don't know why, but it just sticks. xd Len's a bit complicated for this story, but I freaking love him. Bullying does break down a person's self-esteem, so I used this fact for that particular scene. Not sure if I used it right though...
Kagamine-RinCVO2: That makes me happy to hear! :D I'm not the best author though; I'm still learning everyday to improve myself! (That's largely the reason why sometimes it looks like I've fallen off of the face of the Earth...) I imagined Len doing that too... xD He's just so shota; it's kinda mandatory that he poses girly!
WonderRin: Thanks for enjoying the story! x3 I'm glad you like it so much!
Kireina Yume: You pretty much nailed Len perfectly; that's exactly what he is. Of course, with some complications. Poor Lenny... I make him suffer! But it's necessary...! Sorry Len-kun! ;^;
Lolly1o1: I kinda feel sorry for him as well... But the story must go on! Don't worry though, Len-kun will eventually get his happy end! c:
I'm starting to think that maybe I should PM replies from now on... Eh, review~