Dreams

"Where the hell is the black sheep?" Dell groaned as he headed towards the operation theatre which he was in earlier.

He knew Haku might be still dwelling on the thought of not saving the deceased but being a doctor, she had to be emotionally strong. Seeing dead bodies is not a big deal to doctors, that was what his parents had told him before. Honestly, he hated the sight of the dead body earlier. As much as he wanted to puke right after he had left the operation theatre, he had reminded himself not to be so girly. Everyone was watching him and he knew whatever actions he made would reach his parents' ears very soon.

"No, I'm the one who's so lucky to have a father like him. No matter how many times I've failed to meet his expectations, he still supported me and tried to lead me towards my dream. He worked so hard and finally bought me an expensive sketchbook last week. I could never feel any more blessed than this."

Dell stopped walking and turned his head to the left.

"What's your dream?"

Sitting right outside the operation theatre were the 'black sheep' and the deceased's son. The teen had the face of a ten-year-old but his body built was that of a twelve-year-old. He was so thin and slightly shorter than any thirteen-year-old teen Dell knew. Maybe puberty had not hit him yet or he was malnutritioned.

Putting that aside, Dell wondered what Haku was doing with that blonde teen and why they were talking about his dream out of the blue.

"To become a fashion designer."

"Ah... that's cool. You like to design clothes then."

"Yeah."

"I wish I have a cool dream like yours."

Dell rolled his eyes. Wasn't becoming a doctor even cooler than becoming a fashion designer? Even a toddler knew that! He guessed that Haku was being sarcastic. After all, she wanted to be a doctor. If not, why would she want to study in a medical school? She could have gone to somewhere else instead with those obvious good high school results of hers.

"Becoming a doctor isn't your dream?"

"Not really. I actually don't know what I want to be in my life. All I want is to let my parents and myself be happy."

Well, that was typical. Dell knew it anyway. He knew that the reason why people wanted to be doctors was because of the attractive salary. What about saving lives? He did not even want to think about it. It was bullshit! Who in the world working in hospitals still carried that 'childhood-fantasy' mentality?

Dell looked at the teen, feeling a little envy. The teen had a supportive father who did not even mind if his dream was so girly. Fashion designing... seriously?

"So unfair... if only your father were my father instead," Dell muttered softly to himself as he looked down staring at his bloodstained coat. "I wouldn't be wasting my time here wearing this bloody coat."

Suddenly, an evil thought struck him. He smirked. Perhaps he should thank this teen for sparking this great idea out of his not-so-creative mind.

He was going to be one carrying the coat of the black sheep...

Chapter 42: The World within her Eyes

"Doctor Yowane! How dare you prescribed that medication to that heart diseased patient! Do you want to kill him that badly?!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

Dell stood in between his mentor and Haku and pretended to look apologetic at his mentor.

"It's me who asked her to do it. Don't blame her," he said and looked at Haku who was speechless by his confession.

"Doctor Honne, you!" their mentor yelled as he balled his fists in anger. "This is not the first time, young man! What's up with you?"

Dell lowered his head and muttered, "I'm sorry."

Haku pushed Dell away from her view and corrected, "No, Doctor Honne didn't tell me to do it. I was the one who was stupid enough to make that mistake."

"Don't try to protect me, Doctor Yowane."

"No! Really! I'm the one at fault! Doctor..."

Their mentor raised both of his hands and interjected loudly, "Enough! I will talk to the both of you later. Now go and help your teammates in Unit 34."

Lowering her head, Haku hurriedly left the room and headed towards the said location. Dell followed after her and caught up with her as soon as she pressed the elevator button.

"What's your problem, Doctor Honne?" Haku asked in a low voice without looking at him. "Do you want to die that badly?"

"Yeah. So?"

Putting her hands into the pockets of her white coat, Haku shifted her standing position and faced him. "For the past few weeks, you have been trying to protect me, take my blame and the others'... why? Who was the one who said that he didn't want to fail because of a black sheep?"

"Me, of course. But I have a reason for doing this," Dell answered nonchalantly. "Obviously not for the others' and your sake."

"Still, don't you want to pass? You're nearly completing your final year as a medical student. Take it seriously."

"I'm taking my actions seriously," Dell growled and glared at her. "Remember that blonde kid? I'm going to chase my dreams and prove to my parents that I'm not suitable to be a doctor."

Haku fell silent. She did not fully understand what he had said. She knew that Dell was very skillful in treating his patients and he was definitely well-liked by them. Yet, why did he want to get out of this medical field badly? What did that blonde teen have to do with him wanting to chase his dream?

"Why?" That was all she could say.

"Why? Didn't I say it just now? I don't want to become a doctor and I'm going to take whatever means to get out of this hospital... no, out of this field."

"You can just quit, you know? Why work hard to get yourself into trouble when you can just submit a withdrawal form?"

"I can't. Maybe you're slow to realise it." Dell gave her a lopsided grin and ruffled her hair. "My parents... they are the directors of this hospital. That's why it's not easy to escape and I, as a good son, had always listen to them but now... after listening to the blonde kid, I thought..."

"You have to chase your dreams as well, right?"

His eyes softened and gave her a slight nod. "Yeah."

"So, when you manage to change your parents' mind, what are you going to do?"

"Simple," Dell casually replied. "Graduate smoothly from this course and pursue my dreams elsewhere. I can wait till next year though."

Haku arches her eyebrows quizzically and asked, "You're not going to quit or something? Why would you want to waste your time here then? One year is too long."

"Not really too long if you ask me. I'm this type of person..." Dell paused and laughed at himself for revealing too much of himself and his stupid goals to a young woman whom he had just met three weeks ago. "... who will work towards completion in anything I do no matter how much I hate it."

Haku stared at him for a brief moment without any expression on her face before the elevator came and they had to board it. In the elevator, she was reflecting his words and her dreamless self.

What exactly she wanted in her life?

The following day, Dell was called into the director's office after many doctors complained about his carelessness and frivolous behaviour. Haku knew very well that he was innocent but she could not protect him from his parents. She wanted to protect his dream instead and helped him to achieve it, though she had no idea what his dream was.

"What are you thinking about, Doctor Yowane?" a blonde female patient interrupted Haku's thoughts.

Haku stopped bandaging the patient's hand and answered with a weak smile, "It's nothing. Why?"

"You looked a little distressed. Boyfriend-girlfriend problems?" the blonde teased with a cheeky grin.

Haku's face turned deep red and quickly shook her head in response. The blonde just laughed and immediately moaned in pain as she had just twisted her elbow which Haku was bandaging earlier.

"Are you an intern?" the blonde queried.

"Yes..."

"That means you're still studying."

"Er... yeah."

The blonde shifted her position on the hospital bed and leaned forward.

"Are you interested in working part time? Like during weekends and holidays?"

"Eh... not really," Haku muttered a reply as she secured the bandage with a teeth-like clip.

The blonde stretched out her other arm and reached for her purse which was lying on the bedside table. She skillfully fished out a small card and placed it on Haku's palm.

"I'm Neru Akita, a manager from ALICE Studio, looking for suitable candidates to take part in a modelling audition," the blonde introduced herself. "If you pass the audition, you can be our model. We don't mind part time models as well."

Haku stared at the name card with suspicion and confusion.

The blonde flicked her fingers and continued, "Oh, and if you're really interested and signing up for the audition, just say that Neru Akita has scouted you."

Haku's face became dull and said in a monotone, "When you've an audition, I don't think you should be saying scouted..."

"I will be one of the judges there so if you said that, I will remember you."

Knitting her eyebrows together, Haku put the name card down on the bed and asked, "Why me? I'm a doctor and I've no interest in working part time jobs. Really. Not even modelling."

"Aw... that's a pity. I really think you're cut out for it." The blonde used her free hand and touched Haku face with her cold fingers. "You have a stunning face. You're fair, tall and slim. Even your eyes are pretty. You are definitely a model material."

Haku raised her hand in front of the blonde and said with a laugh, "You know what? Flatters don't work on me."

The blonde withdrew her hand and smiled kindly at her.

"It's okay if you reject it now. But if you have thought about working with us, do kindly drop by our office and sign up for the audition," the blonde patient said. "Hope to see you soon."

As the blonde stood up and left the ward, Haku picked up the name card again and took a long look at it. The same old question ran through her mind again.

What do I exactly want to do in my life?

The following weeks passed by smoothly for the team working in the Emergency Unit department. While Haku had totally forgotten about the modelling audition and begun to work hard to do well in her internship programme, Dell was struggling to cope with the pressure induced by his parents who had taken the choice to ignore whatever 'bad' deeds he had done. His parents had high hopes for him and did not believe that his medical skills were not up to standard. Being his parents, they knew his knowledge and skills very well.

Dell had always been a good child, obeying his parents and even trying his best to fulfill their wishes. When they told ten-year-old Dell to become a doctor, Dell just gave them a sad smile and nodded, promising them that he would become one in the future. He read up a lot about medicine and diseases, and even joined the Red Cross when he was in middle school and high school.

It was until he became an intern, he decided to follow his own dreams instead. He had told his parents what he wanted to be before in middle school but they had harshly rejected it, calling it a girly dream. Again, after many years, he told his plans after graduating from university and was then chased out of the house by them.

Dell put down his luggage and pressed the door bell of Haku's apartment. After a long wait, Haku finally opened the door with a towel wrapped around her head, looking as if she had just taken a bath. Well, she really did just take a bath. Seeing Dell standing at her doorstep, Haku gaped in shock.

"What are you doing here? How do you know my address?" she said in rapid staccato while her face began to turn very red.

It was so embarrassing to appear in a baggy t-shirt and an old pair of track pants in front of Dell. As usual, she knew Dell would mock her sense of fashion.

"I'm the son of the director so, of course, I know your address," Dell stated smuggingly. "And I'm here to ask you if you would allow me to stay with you temporary."

Haku waved her hand as of to brush him off and said, "Go back home, boy. I can't allow a boy to live with me."

"You live alone?"

"Yeah, of course. That's why I can't allow you to..."

"That's great! Let me stay here with you! I promise I will pay the rental fee!" Dell exclaimed and forced himself inside her apartment.

Haku gritted her teeth and followed him behind.

"What the hell are you doing?" she shouted and grabbed his shoulder. "Go back home, you idiot!"

"I can't!" Dell turned his body around and looked at her seriously which made Haku's heart stop momentarily. "I was chased out of my house by my parents for having other dreams instead of wanting to become a doctor. I know that's ridiculous but... it's the truth. I have no one to go to now but you, Doctor Yowane. So please... help me out for once, okay?"

At that moment, Haku did not know what to think. All she felt was pity for this man so she nodded and pointed her finger at a guest room.

"This will be your room. When you have find another place to stay, just leave and don't bother me again."

"Thank you!" Dell said happily and embraced her without thinking. "You're my life saviour!"

"Stop it! You stink!" Haku pushed him away and looked away to hide her growing red face from him. "I'm only doing this because you're my teammate. In return, you have to help me with the house chores."

"Yes, Doctor Yowane!"

This was perhaps the beginning of their relationship. As weeks passed and finally till the end of their internship programme, Haku realised that she had gotten closer to him in many ways. She had known him better too. Dell was actually a hardworking and clean freak, totally different from the first day she had met him. He could be really sweet to her at times after he had found himself comfortable with her. He was probably the type of person that would soften himself to people whom he had grown closer to. She even knew what his dreams were. One of which was to become a...

"Make-up artisit."

The chocolate milk burst out of Haku's mouth and spattered on Dell's face. She quickly covered her mouth and upon seeing how disgusting Dell look with brown coloured milk dripping from the tip of his nose and fringes, she burst out laughing.

"I knew you will laugh, evil woman," Dell bellowed and crossed his arms. "You're so biased."

Haku stifled her laugh and asked with a grin, "Biased? Why?"

"You didn't laugh at that blonde kid's dream but you laughed at mine. Whose dream is more girly?"

Haku rolled her eyes and said in a teasing tone, "Yours, obviously."

"Hey!" Dell stood up and wiped his face with his bare hands. "Take that, Haku Yowane!"

"No!" Haku screamed as his wet hands touched her face and began carassing her cheeks. "Disgusting freak!"

She slapped his arms countless times but he still refused to let go of her face. Instead, he leaned in and planted a kiss on her forehead, which made Haku stun and speechless.

Dell pushed her chin upwards and made her look at him.

Staring into her eyes, he whispered, "I want the person whom I like to have her make-up done by me after I've become a professional. I want to give my best to her. Only her."

Haku pursed her lips as his words made her heart beat rapidly against her chest.

"It only has to be you, Haku."

This was the day their relationship had taken another step forward. After the internship programme was over, their lives as students resumed normally, except that they still lived together, seeing each other at Haku's apartment after a long day at school and going out with each other as boyfriend and girlfriend. This period of life was probably the best time for Haku as she never had someone who loved her deeply and accepted her for who she was. She wanted to introduce him to her parents but was too shy to do so. Regardless, she really wanted the internship programme to last longer so that she could spend more time with him at the hospital.

"It feels so good to be a teenager again."

Haku always sighed upon saying this phrase over and over again as she began to think about her future with Dell after graduating from their respective universities. Unexpectedly, her dream of her future with him was cut short after she tried to clear the mess in her bedroom. She picked up a thick book on different diseases which was lying underneath her bed and a familiar looking name card dropped out of the book. She picked the card up and stared at the name 'Neru Akita' for quite some time before she could actually recall how she got this card and what it was for.

She shoved the card back into the book and closed it. It had been six months since she had last seen the blonde patient. The audition was probably already over. Anyway, she was not really interested in taking on a part time job. Just when she was about to put the book on the shelf, she paused her action and pondered for awhile.

Do models earn a lot? What about part time models?

Haku opened the book and took out the card. Maybe she should give this part time job a try. With these money earned, she could pay for her own utility bills without relying on her allowance from her parents. She wondered what Dell would say if he knew about it.

Like usual, Dell listened to her plan carefully but just nodded without saying anything. All he said was just 'okay' and 'work hard'. Haku was not sure if he allowed her to be a part time model but she still went ahead and called ALICE Studio up. Surprisingly, the audition was postponed due to the lack of response and would be held again the following month. With this information, Haku thanked God and was extremely glad that she was given a chance to sign up for the audition.

With her looks and natural personality, Haku successfully past the audition and her manager was that blonde patient whom she had treated before, Neru Akita. Neru was the same age as Haku so it was a little awkward for Haku to work with Neru who was her superior in some ways. Nevertheless, they became good friends and Neru had always given Haku endless support in the tough training sessions which Haku must endure to become a full-fledged model. Because of Neru's support, Haku enjoyed the process and worked hard to improve herself as a model.

It was then, through the third month of her intensive training to be a model, Haku made up her mind that she would pursue modelling as a full time career after completing her degree in medicine. Modelling had became her dream.

When she told Dell her new plan, he was a little indifferent about it but he still encouraged her to try it out if being a doctor was not her cup of tea. She seriously needed to know what he was thinking and what his opinion was, but he did not say a word even when she prompted him until one day after their graduation...

"Let's break up," Dell suddenly spoke his mind.

Shocked, Haku dropped her spoon on her plate of curry rice and said in confusion, "What... wait... Why?"

Dell rested his forehead on his palm and sighed, looking extremely stressed as if he was trying to hold back whatever he was feeling.

"When the time comes, we'll meet again."

She knitted her eyebrows together and spoke calmly, "What are you saying?"

"Haku, our dreams... let's prove each other that we can make them come true and hopefully, we can work together... again."

"Work together again?"

Dell looked at her with a smile and nodded. "Yes, again. When that time comes, I will appear in front of you as your make-up artist. Your personal make-up professional. And you will be my personal client. My one and only professional client."

Haku felt stinging sensation in her eyes. She knew what he meant. They were going to be separated to pursue their own dreams. When they had grown as an individual, they would meet again. By the time they had grown up, how long would that be? As much as she wanted to protest, she knew Dell wanted all the best for the both of them.

"When are you leaving?" Haku asked in a soft quivering voice.

"Next week," he answered as he reached his hand out to touch her face. "To Paris."

His thumb brushed against her lower eyelids, wiping away her tears.

"I love you, Dell..." Haku choked her words out of her mouth, muffling her soft voice.

"I know..." Dell leaned in and kissed both her eyes. "I love you too."

Haku touched his fingers and intertwined with his. She would miss him very much and her house would be very quiet without him.

Pressing their foreheads together, Dell looked into her eyes and whispered gently, "Your eyes, Haku... Even when they have tears in them, they're still beautiful. Very beautiful."

Author's notes:

1) Hi everyone, thank you for reading up to Chapter 42. Sorry for the late update again. I am finally done with my final year research-based major project. Time flies. I can't believe that I am left with a semester of study before I graduate. I really have to spend my semester break well to decide which path I want to pursue after graduation. But there are so many things I would like to pursue... Oh well.

2) I would like to thank those who had reviewed Chapter 41. Thank you for all those encouragements. Hope to hear more from you again! :D

Here are the reviewers:

- VxONekomimi
- Damn You Len
- SnowQueenStya
- mirrors02
- xThisIsDada
- elixxxrangel
- Mimi02

Next, I would also like to thank those who had story alerted and favourited this story. Your support is valuable to me. :)

3) Most importantly...
Before I proceed on to the preview, I would like to explain myself for this chapter before any of my readers jump into conclusions. This is a LenXRin fanfic. Yes, you and I know. But why this chapter is so focused on Haku and Dell?

Let me spoil you readers a little:
Without them and their past, Rin wouldn't be a model (with great people around her to give her support) while Len would still be stuck in his 'no-opportunity' mentality. Haku and Dell would be great role models to our main leads, don't you think? ;)

Preview of the next chapter:

Chapter 43: Greedy for Love

"Who's that special someone?" Meiko asked eagerly. "I promise I won't tell anyone."

Rin blushed and shook her head rapidly. "Like I said, it's embarrassing!"

"You know who I like, right? In exchange, you tell me yours," Meiko demanded and wriggled her eyebrows again.

Rin suddenly recalled that embarrassing moment when she had unintentionally planted a kiss on Len's cheek and then smacked his cheek with her handbag. Her eyes widened and she thought she would have a heart attack for thinking about this again. She could not even have a good night sleep because of this memory!

Rin covered her ears and blurted, "No, I don't like Len Kagamine! He's an idiot!"

"Len?" Meiko mumbled the name softly as her brain slowly processed it. "Wait... Len?!"

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