A/N: I'm down with illness now so I'll just put up a chapter today...
Thanks for bearing with me :)
"I went to our first date," Akaito reported, walking into Mikuo's room, "But I still haven't asked what her name was."
"Oh, I got that covered." Mikuo looked up from his laptop. "Her name is Anone Muri."
"Oooh." Akaito blinked. "Anone Muri... sounds kinda cute."
Mikuo didn't say anything to the comment. "She's our kind, but she refuses to sing due to reasons unknown."
"Vocaloids that don't sing? Cool!" Akaito whistled.
"They can hardly be called Vocaloids." Mikuo frowned.
"Don't be so serious about it." Akaito hit Mikuo on the back a tad bit too hard.
"Ow." Mikuo glared at the redhead.
"Sorry." Akaito rubbed Mikuo's back. "I think I'm falling in love with her."
"Congrats." Mikuo turned off the laptop. "I'd appreciate it if you don't forget about me."
"How could I ever forget my best friend?" Akaito laughed. "You can be so strange sometimes."
"That's what they all said." Mikuo looked to the side. "'I won't forget about you', huh! I bet they can't even remember my name now."
Akaito was accustomed to this. Once in a while Mikuo would remember his painful past. He would appear to be angry about what others did to him, but in truth the boy's asking for a promise that the same won't be done unto him again.
So, as usual, Akaito draped an arm over Mikuo's shoulders and comforted him, saying, "I won't do what they did, Kuo. Never. So don't worry, 'kay?"
Mikuo continued sulking, but Akaito saw the corners of his mouth turn up, signalling that everything's okay now.
Akaito removed his arm and was about to leave when the door opened.
Meito stood at the door, a small smile on his face. "Aka, your girlfriend's on the phone."
Akaito beamed and left the room in a hurry, leaving Mikuo alone with Meito.
"Hello, Mikuo," Meito greeted. "It's so easy to guess where Aka would be at, isn't it?"
Mikuo nodded. "That's Akaito for you." He felt a bit uncomfortable. He doesn't talk to Meito much, but he did know that Meito was Akaito's best friend before he came.
Mikuo thought this to be awkward, but Meito didn't seem to mind at all.
Meito leaned against a wall. "So, did dear little Aka find out the girl's name?"
"I found it out for him," Mikuo answered.
Meito chuckled. "That's just so him. So, what's her name, Mikuo?"
"Anone Muri."
Meito raised an eyebrow. "So she's finally made the move! I hope Aka takes good care of her. She's such a dear."
"You know her?" Mikuo looked at the man with curious eyes.
"Sort of. She's been liking Aka for two years now. Not bad in today's standards, eh?"
"Now I hope even more that Akaito will like her back." Mikuo sighed.
"Don't worry, Mikuo." Meito patted Mikuo on the head. "Aka's a kind soul."
"Liking someone out of kindness is just-"
"Kindness comes from love, Mikuo." Meito smiled. "And I'm sure Aka won't forget you. He's too kind to do that."
Mikuo tensed up. 'Did Meito overhear what I said...?' His face warmed up in embarrassment.
"Which means he loves you too much to forget about you." Meito winked. "Don't tell him I said that."
"That's just too creepy," Mikuo complained, "You could've put it in a less creepy way."
"But you don't hate it." Meito smiled. "I wonder who Aka will choose. You or Muri-chan?"
Mikuo found no meaning in answering that so he kept quiet.
"Muri-chan definitely doesn't want Aka to choose someone other than her... But you can't bear to be alone again, can you? Even though you have other friends..."
"Akaito doesn't have to choose. He can have both," Mikuo said curtly.
"You're avoiding the question, Mikuo." Meito sighed. "Never mind. You'll find out soon enough that Aka doesn't have time for everything." He then added in a dark tone, "Like I did when he became friends with you. You know what he said? 'Kuo needs more care. The kid's attempted suicide before. I can't just leave him alone like that. Maybe next time.' But 'next time' never came."
Mikuo panicked at first, thinking Meito might harm him, but then he found that Meito wasn't angry.
"We're the same, Mikuo." Meito gave Mikuo a sad look.
"I don't trust Akaito for nothing," Mikuo said firmly, "I believe that the 'next time' will come soon. He may be an idiot, but he's a caring idiot. He may forget names, but he'll never forget promises. That's Akaito for you."
But somewhere deep inside him, Mikuo was unconsciously starting to doubt his own words...
Meito sighed and smiled. "Ah, yes. That's just so Aka." He ruffled Mikuo's teal hair. "You're a good kid, Kuo-kun."
"Kuo-kun...?" Mikuo didn't comprehend the change in the way Meito addressed him.
"Welcome to Sakine Meito's circle of friends." Meito smiled warmly. "Sorry for having a grudge against you before."
"It's okay." Mikuo beamed. He's got a new friend today.
A/N: That's all for today! Please forgive my inability...
If I don't write a new chapter in the manuscript soon, all the chapters will be used up and there will be no more frequent updates BWAHHHH T_T