Dreams

"You're kidding. Why would he want to see me? I'm not that great."

"Who knows? Just go."

"But..."

"Just go, alright? I won't be there. I promise. I know you're unhappy to see me because I suddenly kissed and hit you on your face."

"Wha... what?"

"I know. Shion also had the same response so I know how guys will be like so upset about this type of thing."

"Huh?"

"It's normal. Even girls will have the same reaction."

"Are you all right, Miss...?"

"This Friday afternoon, okay? Don't be late. And... don't even think of avoiding me... because I won't be there!"

Chapter 46: A Talk with the Director

Days were getting a little chiller after mid-autumn, especially mornings and nights. Len had been noticing how frequent his mother would dress in thick clothes and leave their apartment very early in the morning before sunrise. He knew that there was something going on with her but whenever he tried to question it, his mother would tell him that there was nothing for him to worry about and that she wanted to exercise. She would say that he should relax and give her some space instead of letting her stay at home all day. He was such a worrywart and it was not like she would die from taking a stroll.

What made him more worried was how his mother would say that her medical reports were fair. He was not sure if she was trying to make him feel relieved but it was not making him feel that way, not even the slightest. She did not even show him her medical reports and in contrast to what she had assured him, she always claimed to have slight fainting spells.

Sometimes, he felt like stalking her and confirming her safety with his own eyes.

"Man... I feel like a mother," Len mumbled softly as he managed to poke through the meatball which kept rolling away whenever he tried to pierce with a fork.

His colleague who sat beside him dropped his utensils on the plate and looked at him in bewilderment. "Hold... hold on! You're a single dad?"

If Len had popped the meatball into his mouth, he would have choked to death when he had heard what his colleague had just called him. Seriously, a single dad? What had happened to the mum?

"Do you always jump into conclusions? I have a mother to look after," Len said, looking partially annoyed. "Plus a child? No way. I will be financially broke."

His colleague stifled a laugh. "I was just teasing you. Well... why do you feel like a mother? Have your mother instincts kicked in?"

"I beg your pardon. Don't make me sound like a transgender."

"But you said so yourself!"

"I did not!"

His colleague cleared his throat and sighed dramatically. "Man, I feel like a mother... hen."

"Mother hen?" Len blushed and pointed accusingly at him with his meatball on his fork. "I didn't say that!"

"The former, yes."

"Please stop teasing me." Len sighed in defeat and put his fork back on his plate as well. "I was just... worried about my mother. That's all."

His colleague furrowed his eyebrows and muttered apologetically, "Ah... is it? I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay," Len assured with a small smile and picked up his fork again to continue his lunch.

"I heard you are taking another leave this afternoon. What happened?" his colleague asked.

"Oh... actually, I have a meeting with someone."

Someone who managed ALICE Studio...

-:-:-:-

"I didn't pass the audition," the girl said shyly and let out a soft laugh. "I guess I wasn't good enough yet."

He stopped sketching on his favourite sketchbook and looked up. He stared at her fair face which was signalling him that she would cry at any moment. No matter how much she tried to hide her emotions with a smile, they were still very obvious to him. Perhaps she could lie to others with this tactic, but she could never lie to him.

"Don't worry. There's always a second chance and it mustn't always be that talent agency, yes?" he tried to cheer her up.

The girl's face lit up and returned him a smile. "You're right. Thanks, Len."

"Uh... you're welcome." He blushed and looked down again, staring at his own sketches. "Just believe in yourself. I'm sure you can fulfill your dreams."

The girl cupped her cheeks and giggled as her long ponytail swayed along with the gentle breeze. Her soft giggles sounded so beautifully to his ears that he thought there was something wrong with his ears. It felt as if his 'ear-strings' were pulled by her voice, like a harpist running her fingers along the strings of the harp. The girl shifted closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. He shuddered at the soft touch of her fingers which were on top of his hand.

Slowly, she slid her fingers in between his and whispered to him, "I'm sure you can fulfill yours too. I know you can."

"I hope so..."

"Don't hope so. Make it happen."

Smiling to himself, he closed his eyes and silently enjoyed the breeze on the rooftop. She did not understand him but he did not really care about this. He was actually a selfish person. While he was trying to cheer her up, he was inwardly relieved that she did not make it through the modelling audition...

"Yeah, I'll try," he whispered back.

... because he already knew that he could not live up to their promises with each other.

"Sir, erm... Mr Kagamine?"

Len's eyes flew open upon hearing his name being called out by a feminine voice. A lady in office wear was standing in front of him with a worried look on her face. Len immediately straightened his back and stood up from the seat.

"I'm sorry. I fell asleep," he said awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his neck. "May I go in now?"

"Yes," the lady replied with a smile plastered on her face. "The director is sorry for making you wait. His meeting has just ended a few minutes ago so now you can see him."

"Alright. Thanks."

The lady led Len the way into the director's office. As soon as the door opened, Len could see how ordinary the director's office looked. It looked like his supervisor's office- a desk, movable chair, shelves, a couch, a small coffee table and a green plant next to desk. Len silently laughed at himself. Well, what did he expect?

"Sir, Mr Len Kagamine is here to see you," the lady spoke and signalled Len to enter the room. "Mr Kagamine, this is the director of ALICE Studio."

"Good afternoon, Sir. I'm Len Kagamine," Len greeted, sounding a little rigid.

The director who was sitting on the couch stood up and bowed to Len politely. "Good afternoon, Mr Kagamine. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Me too, Sir."

"I'm sure Miss Kagamine has told you the reason why you're here today."

"Er... Yes, she has told me about it."

"Good. I don't have to explain more, do I?" The director chuckled softly and signaled Len to the couch. "Have a seat first, Mr Kagamine."

Len nodded and walked towards the couch. When he sat down, the lady left the office quietly while the director sat next to Len. The director picked up a file which was on the small coffee table and held it in front of Len. Len looked at it curiously and when he was about to grab it, the director quickly withdrew it.

"Before that, I need to ask you a few things," the director said.

Startled, Len looked at him and nodded slightly. "S... Sure."

"The payment for Miss Kagamine's outfit."

"Oh that..." Len scratched his head and smiled sheepishly at the director. "It's a free service. Miss Kagamine is my friend so obviously I would help her. No charge."

"Really? It's a really good piece of outfit though."

"Really."

The director gave him a confused look and turned to look at the file again. Len was strange, he thought to himself. It was a nice outfit, albeit not to the professional level. Obviously, he should be paid for saving Rin and Laugh-UpCity show. Since Len did not want anything in return, he was not sure if he should push this issue further.

"So, what do you want to talk about?" Len asked as he looked curiously at the file in the director's hands.

"Ah, that..." The director immediately snapped out of his thoughts and handed the file to Len. "I heard that you're not attached to any fashion industry, instead you're attached to... a transportation industry."

Len looked at the director and forced a smile. "Miss Kagamine must have said that."

"Yes. I feel that it is quite a waste for such a talented person..."

"Wait..." Len interrupted him with his hand raised up around the level of his head. "You probably don't understand my situation."

"No, listen, young man. I'm trying to say that there's an opportunity for you to work in the fashion industry. We can't let your talent go to waste."

Feeling a little skeptical, Len opened the file and scanned the words on the first page. "Japan-Universal Agency for Fashion and Design?"

"Yes, JUAFD. It's a joint agency with ALICE Studio."

"So..."

The director clasped his hand together and said in the tone of excitement, "Would you be interested in working in JUADF? JUADF isn't just a normal agency, you know. Many small fashion companies are under it. A great opportunity, I would say."

"Yes, it's a good opportunity but..." Len mumbled as he traced the words on the paper with his finger. "It says here... a diploma in fashion design is preferred."

The director chuckled. "Well, what are you waiting for?"

"I... I can't," Len answered in a soft voice and closed the file. "I'm not qualified."

Taken aback by his response, the director asked worriedly, "Not qualified? Why?"

Len hung his head low, feeling embarrassed. Firstly, the director must have thought he was an experienced fashion designer with a certain qualification. Secondly, if the fashion industry was so easy to get into, he would pick that instead of becoming a cab driver. There must be a reason for a talented person to be landed up in a field which was not his cup of tea. Len sighed. Okay, he was self-praising himself. He was not that talented at all.

He looked at the director again and replied his 'why' question, "I only have a high school qualification... unfortunately."

-:-:-:-

As she poured the hot water over the coffee beans, she inhaled the gentle aroma of the dark coffee and placed a lid over the cup after pouring. It has been so long, in fact only a week, since she last drank dark coffee. Hey, not drinking coffee for seven days was a long time! To coffee lovers like Haku, definitely. Believe it or not, Haku could write an essay of eight hundred words describing her love for coffee. She had written it before in her high school final examinations. Her craze for coffee did not end there obviously. During her final year of her medical degree, she made her group members to agree with her on a topic for their major project. That's right. Coffee Beans. Her favourite finding of everything besides caffeine was that coffee beans could prevent heart attack so she concluded that people should treat coffee as a prevention to heart problems and all the more they should drink this natural medicine.

Preparing to leave the lounge room, she lifted her cup of coffee and headed towards the door. When she was about to make a left turn, she saw a figure slouching outside the director's room with a ear pressing against the door. She frowned as she headed towards the blonde-haired person.

"Rin, what are you doing here?"

"Ahh!" Rin gasped loudly and immediately covered her mouth.

The blonde turned around and pressed her finger against her lips, signalling Haku to keep quiet. Haku's eyes travelled to the gold plate which was stuck against the door and the words engraved on the plate was the director's name. Oh, she got it. Her crush was inside this room. The director's room, to be exact.

"There's no need to hide. Mr Kagamine would be glad to see you," she teased with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"No, shush! I'm trying to listen," Rin spoke softly and pressed her ear on the door again.

"Don't be a busybody, Rin. You can talk to him after the meeting."

"No, I can't." Still pressing her ear against the door, Rin looked at Haku and gave her an awkward grin. "I lied to him... that I won't be in ALICE Studio today."

Haku put her free hand on the side of her hip and frowned. She was not sure what was going on but the way Rin was trying to avoid Len was stupid. Eventually, the door would open anytime soon and she would be caught. Her lie would be busted. The feeling would be far worse than being criticised by her and her colleagues during the modelling audition.

Yes, she still remembered how badly Rin was being mocked during the audition. She swore she did not do or say anything bad to Rin at that time so her conscience was clear... or was it?

"Then, why are you here? Aren't you afraid that the door might suddenly open?"

Rin grinned. "It won't! I mean, not yet. I'm sure of it!"

Haku shook her head and let out a sigh. "Eavesdropping is bad, Rin."

"Shh!" Frowning at Haku, Rin pressed her finger against her lips again and listened hard at the conversation in the room. "I'll talk to you later."

"Actually, Mr Kagamine, JUAFD would be pleased if you're interested to work with them. I've been told that JUAFD provides a few scholarships for aspiring students who want to be fashion designers."

"Sir, like I said, I'm not studying now. I'm working and not interested in going back to school at all."

"Please think about it, Mr Kagamine. You've seen the benefits of the different study awards and scholarships... Look here... and this pointer... You see, you will be given a chance to study again under the scholarship from JUAFD. Your school and tuition fees will be fully paid by JUAFD and you will receive monthly allowances too. In return, you'll have to serve your bond in any fashion companies under JUAFD."

"I have no time, Sir. I need money... for my family. Schooling will eat up my resources so I can't accept this offer. I know it's great to have this advantages but looking at my situation... I just can't."

Rin bit the collar of her blouse and nibbled it anxiously. When she heard that JUAFD and the director were interested in Len, she was happy that he was being recognised by famous companies. It felt as if he had taken a small step forward. Since he had helped her to achieve her dream, though not entirely fulfilled yet, she wanted to help him to achieve his. She might seem inconsiderate for not considering his financial situation but she really meant well. She had tried to provide as much information about Len, except for the fact he only had a high school certificate. This was a society where qualifications were the most important requirement in applying a job. He could not lose this good chance just because of his low qualification, could he? However...

This guy rejected it by himself.

Could someone tell her why she was excited to help him in the first place?

He would definitely hate her for sticking her nose into this. But she could not afford him to hate her. That was because...

"Let's end our talk here. Please think about it."

"Thank you, Sir."

Rin's eyes widened as she heard footsteps heading towards the door. Flustered, she immediately stood up and ran to hide behind a wall. On the other hand, Haku continued to stand there leaning against the wall and enjoying her coffee. Then, the door opened and two people walked out of the room. The older man stopped right in front of Haku and waved at her.

"Miss Yowane, this young man here is Len Kagamine."

"I know," Haku stated with a small smile. "I have good memory."

Len smiled uneasily as he noticed Haku staring hardly at him. No, more like she was staring at him in an unusual way as if she had seen a strange person from another part of the universe. Her glasses were slightly tinted brown, as if she was wearing sunglasses but she was actually not, but he could somehow read her just by looking into her eyes.

"You don't really trust me, do you?" Len blurted after 'reading' her thoughts.

Shocked by his words, the director stared at Len with wide eyes. He turned to face Haku and pretended to laugh.

"Oh, that boy. He must be tired after our discussion."

"Yes, I don't really trust you," Haku replied Len casually, ignoring her director.

Len grinned and said, "Your eyes say everything. Try not to make it obvious next time."

Haku felt her veins beneath her skin going to explode in rising anger. She was about to call him a jerk but luckily, the sight of her director made her bit her tongue and hold back that word. Just then, she knew why Rin had always become so angry and mad whenever Len's name was brought out into topic. He might look like a nice guy but he could be so annoying. If she was not wrong, Rin liked him as well!

That love-hate feeling towards a person... How did Rin even deal with it?

"Now, now, Mr Kagamine... Miss Yowane may look fierce but she's actually approachable." The director tried to ease the seemingly growing tension between the two of them. "Miss Yowane, aren't you supposed to take Miss Kagamine for her next night trainings now?"

Rin who was still hiding nearly jumped up in fright upon hearing her name being called. She stole a glance at the people standing directly outside the director's office and let out a sigh of relief. It seemed no one except for Haku knew she was actually eavesdropping their conversation. Suddenly, she caught Haku staring straight at her and a smirk appeared on her manager's face. Rin immediately paled and placed a finger over her lips to signal her to keep quiet about her whereabouts.

In response, Haku's lips formed into an oval shape and diverted her gaze back to the director. "Not now, Sir. The training will start much later because the instructor said he will be late."

"Late? Oh well..." The director rubbed the back of his neck in deep thought before continuing what he wanted to say. "I have to leave now. Would you mind escorting Mr Kagamine to the main entrance?"

"Sure. Have a nice day, Boss." Haku waved goodbye to the director and after seeing him walk away, she looked at Rin again at the corner of her eyes to see if she was still there. "Young man, would you like to to meet Rin?"

Len tilted his head slightly and asked in puzzlement, "Miss Kagamine? No, why?"

Haku gave him a weak smile in response and turned herself around, facing her back towards him. "Nope, nothing. Just asking."

"Anyway, she's not here today..."

"Right."

Rin pulled up her collar and bit it hard. Did he just say that he didn't want to see her? That was so mean!

"Kagamine?" a sweet cheery voice sounded behind her, causing her to flinch.

Turning her head around, she saw her favourite pink-haired model standing behind her with a curious look on her porcelain face. Rin blushed and quickly stood up.

"Miss Luka Megurine!" Rin cried out as she dusted her jeans in a frantic manner. "It... It's ni... nice to see you today!"

Luka smiled. "Good afternoon, Kagamine. What are you doing? You look suspicious."

"Suspicious? No way... I was... hiding..." An awkward laugh escaped from her lips as she tried to think of a way to get out of here before Len knew that she was hiding behind the wall all along. "What about you? I seldom see you here in ALICE Studio."

"Well, I was busy filming."

Rin gasped. "Ah! The 'Beyond Reality' drama!"

"That's right! The filming of the drama ended this morning so now I'm back here to have my normal routine back."

"That means... the drama..."

"Will make its debut next month!" Luka exclaimed excitedly and took both of Rin's hands. "Speaking of debut, Kagamine, I've seen yours last Friday. You're awesome!"

Rin forced a smile on her tense face and asked, "In what way?"

She kind of knew what Luka would say though. She nearly lost her modelling career because of her stupidity. Furthermore, what made her tense was how Luka was holding her hands. Luka wrapped her hands tightly around hers and held it high, around the height of her chin. If she told Gakupo about her physical contact with Luka, he would be dead jealous.

"Everything. From your clothes to your marvelous acting!"

"Eh?" Rin looked at Luka shockingly as she felt the latter inched her face closer to hers.

"I wish I was there to cheer you on. You were so cute up there!" Luka spluttered, finally removing her hands from Rin's slightly trembling hands. "Man, I wish my debut was as fun as yours!"

Rin took a step backwards and quickly hid her hands behind her back. "What was your debut like?"

"Mine? It was boring. Just a staged beauty contest."

Staged... At least it was a beauty contest rather than a comedy variety show. The blonde knew she had no right to feel jealous over such a matter since her debut was already over but it hurt her deep inside. She remembered Haku accidentally hinted that ALICE Studio had made her appear in Laugh-UpCity on purpose, but Haku had immediately covered it up and refused to touch on that matter. The voices of those cruel judges began echoing the words 'comedian model' in her mind.

Finally, it made sense to her. Her debut was definitely 'planned'... to get rid of her.

"Now, what do I see..."

Rin snapped out of her thoughts and jumped in fright as the pink-haired model had walked past her and the wall, exposing herself to Haku and Len... or so Rin thought.

"Hold on!" Rin whispered hoarsely and frantically as she grabbed Luka's wrist, trying to pull her back behind the wall. "Don't let them know I'm here!"

"Who?" Luka turned her head towards Rin's direction and blinked questionably. "There's no one..."

Before Luka could say finish, Rin titled her head a little and peered at the empty space outside the director's office. She did not know whether to groan or sigh, but all she did was standing still and gaping like a dumb person.

"He's gone."

Hello! I'm back after so long. Finally, my semester exams are over. I am determined to finish Part Two by end of November or before my school starts again.

Special thanks to the reviewers:

- mirrors02
- xXHana-ChiXx
- SnowQueenStya
- Yuu da best
- Ella-Of-Zelda
- Mimi02
- Blue Neonlightshow
- Guest
- Mery-san

Next, I would also like to thank those who had story alerted and favourited this story. You have made my day!

Preview of the next chapter:

Chapter 47: Excuses

"My mother's health is my priority now so I've no time to think about studying," he stated casually as he waved her words aside.

"Really?" Haku clenched her fists and then snapped angrily, "Stop using your mother as an excuse! You're just running away. I bet you're always complaining about the lack of opportunities but now... you're not doing anything even when there's a huge opportunity!"

Len glared at her and bellowed, "Who are you to say this to me? What do you know about me? You know nothing."

"True. I know nothing. Just like a male teenager who knew nothing about me made me realise to take opportunities and fight for my real dreams."

"Teenager?"

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