Chapter Twenty-Four

-Rin-

Oh, it's nice outside. As the refreshing summer breeze sings in my ear along with the brilliant sunlight that brightens my golden hair, I take a deep breath. In and out. In and out… In… and out…

You didn't make the right choice, Rin. In and out. In… and out… He hates you now… In and out… That's why he won't talk to you anymore… Inandout, inandout, inandout… What do you say? Isn't it true? Why else won't he-

"Rin!" calls a voice from behind, sharp winded breaths following. The sound of heavy footsteps stumbling against the hard pavement grows as it approaches me. I turn around to shockingly see Len running straight toward me. I stagger backward in disbelief as he skids to a stop right in front of me. "Rin," he says again, his breaths strident and choked.

"L-Len?" I ask dumbly, "What are you doing here?" He leans forward, coughing, as he places his hands on his knees to steady himself. I wince at the painful sounds that are forced out of him. "Len, are you okay?" I try again.

"I'm fine, okay?" he pants, finally managing to stand up straight. "Just listen to me, Rin," he starts.

"How far were you running?" I interrupt. "Len! You can't do this to yourself!"

"Rin!" he shouts, placing a hand firmly on my shoulder. I watch in silence as his teal eyes harden as he stares intently at me. "Rin, look…" he trails off, "I'm sorry, okay?" he tells me.

"Y-You're sorry?" I ask, "Look, I was the one who should have found a better time to tell you, okay? Don't blame this on yourself, alright? It's not your fault," I say softly, taking his hand and pushing it away from me.

"It's not your fault either," he points out.

"What do you mean?" I ask, "I was the one who brought you to-"

"Rin," he stops me, "It's not your fault, okay?" he repeats. This time his voice is strong and secure, lacking the instability that it usually has. "Alright?" he asks. I quickly nod my head. "Okay, look, we need to find out more about this. I say we go and find more information about our family," he suggests.

"Len, are you sure that's a good idea?" I ask, my voice shaking.

"Rin, just trust me," he says, his sharp eyes relaxing into a sea of azure. I swallow as he holds my gaze. Since when was Len like this? He was always so… careless and casual.

"Len, you've changed," I point out bleakly.

"I know," he responds. "I-I'm sorry," he whispers.

"You don't need to be sorry," I remind him. Suddenly, both our faces break out into grins. I let out a laugh and he does the same, his eyes twinkling. "So, should we start with Ann and Al?" I ask after clearing my throat.

"Yeah, that was pretty much my original idea," Len says. "Come on," he says, wrapping his fingers around mine. I let out a yelp as he yanks me down the sidewalk and down the street.

"Len!" I laugh, attempting to wriggle from his grasp. He's so strong. He's even stronger than me! "Len! Let me go!" I shriek in between laughter, drawing tangled attention from bystanders passing by. Someone's stronger than me? This can't be happening. Not even my twin brother is allowed to be stronger than me. He laughs as well as we keep running down the street like little kids, hands intertwined around each other's.

"So where is this house, exactly?" Len asks, slowing down. I finally slide my hand out from his.

"You've been there, you should know," I tease. He sticks his tongue out at me. Never mind. He hasn't changed one bit. "It's just down the street from here. But can we go get some food first?" I whine, tugging on his sleeve.

"You're so immature," he comments.

"Ah, yet you stuck your tongue out at me," I retort, "And ran down the street holding my hand." I watch smugly as he rolls his eyes, yet a small blush begins to sprinkle across his cheeks. "And now…" I pause deviously for emphasis, "You're blushing, Len!" I giggle, poking his cheek. He sticks his tongue in his cheek, pushing my finger away.

"Am not," he murmurs, turning his face away from me. "That's… stupid," he adds. Why would he even be blushing?

"Like, why would you even be blushing?" I ask playfully, echoing my thoughts. He still doesn't look at me. "Len," I say, "Earth to Len!" I wave my hand forcefully in front of his face. The blush suddenly goes away. "Come on Len! Stop acting so stupid!" I laugh, flapping my fingers in front of his nose.

"Don't you ever know when you're crossing the line, Rin?!" Len suddenly snaps. I draw in a breath.

"Len-"

"Okay, look? Rin, I love you as a twin sister and all, but…" he starts irately. Suddenly, he's cut off by… his sudden facial expression. Something like… Unhappy…? I've never been too good at reading faces… "But have you ever considered that maybe before I learned about us being related…" he continues. Where is he going with this? I give him a confused look, signaling for him to finish the sentence. "Maybe I loved you as more than a twin sister," he finishes quietly. I wait in silence until he lets out a deep breath.

"L-Len…" I start. I had no idea… yet for some reason… the whole time… this was what I had hoped for… why?! "I don't know what to say," I mumble, avoiding his eyes. Why? In… and out… In… and out… In and out… In and out. In and out. In and out! In and out! Inandout! Inandout!

"Rin?!" Len asks, placing two hands on my shoulders to steady my trembling body. "Rin, are you okay?" he asks, his eyes widening with fear.

"I'm fine," I say, beginning to balance my respiration. Still not returning his gaze, I lightly push Len's hands off of my shoulders. Slowly, his face falls into a hurt look.

"I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. You're right, I'm stupid," he shrugs.

"Len!" I say, "No! I didn't mean it! You're not-"

"Just forget I ever said anything, 'kay?" he says blandly, turning and walking away from me with his hands in his short pockets.

"Len…" I whisper. What is wrong with me?

"You coming or not?" he asks, shaking his head, his shaggy blonde hair falling around his face. I wordlessly quicken my stride, rushing to catch up with him.

"Len, I'm sorry… again," I say. Only the sounds of silence follow. What happened to 'it's not your fault'? Oh, right. It is.

Maybe I loved you as more than a twin sister… loved or love? And to think… It was only a couple days ago when my friends were teasing me about my crush on Len… how could I even like my twin brother?

Oh hello there again! Sorry, wasn't really sure how to end this chapter... :/
But alas! (Felt like using that word) My plans for the next chapter are like... *Cackles again* remember Gumi's "revenge quote"?

Mmhmm. That's where I'm goin' with this. :P

Eating: Nothing
Drinking: THIS IS THE SAME AS LAST TIME! STOP ASKING MEEEE! D:

Sorry. Whoops. :3