DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN VOCALOID, OKAY? HAPPY? Sheesh.
Chapter 8
Len's POV:
"Len…N-no matter what happens, remember that I'm always with you. I-I'm your sister, I'm proud of it, and I will always love you. So…don't blame yourself for anything that might happen. Live on!"
"Kagamine-san…Kagamine-san, are you okay?" a girl's voice jolted me from my dazed thoughts.
I rubbed my eyes, still feeling numb from the shock of losing my older sister. Neru, I miss you…
"Kagamine-san!"
"H-huh? I'm fine, sorry," I muttered.
Kagene brushed a lock of blonde hair out of her face, and tugged on her floppy white bow nervously. Fixing me with a concerned look, she said, "Are you still depressed from your sister's…passing? She wouldn't like to see you like this, you know."
It was a few weeks after the fire. Expected to return to my normal life and school activities, I was running an errand with Kageme-san. Our foggy breaths filled the chilly evening air as we walked down the sidewalk together.
Swallowing down a lump in my throat, I forced a smile and said, "I'm fine, just a little tired. Now, which way are we supposed to go? Is it down that street over there?"
Kagene seemed to sense that I was changing the subject deliberately, so she nodded and picked up the pace. After some time of walking silently alongside each other amid the busy evening noises of the city, I tried to break the awkward atmosphere and said, "You know...it's actually not that late. If we finish this errand quickly enough, before dinner, we can go to a café and have a snack. Maybe you can even come to my house and meet my parents."
Abruptly, Kagene stopped and stared at me, as I started to realize what else my suggestion could be interpreted as. Also stopping and turning to face her, I returned the stare. Her striking turquoise eyes widened, and her blonde hair swirled upward in a breeze. Our breaths fogging the air of the large space between us, neither of us could say anything.
"…"
"…"
Gazing deep into her mesmerizing bright eyes, I was suddenly swept into the past, by a long-forgotten memory from my childhood.
"If you want, you can come visit my home," a five-year-old boy said. He was at a playground, sitting on the swings with a young girl of the same age. He sat on the left swing, and she sat on the right, with an unnecessarily wide space between them.
The girl turned her head towards him and her eyes widened. A soft breeze blew by and lifted up her blonde hair, and she smiled happily.
Blinking rapidly, I stammered, "I-I'm sorry, I just…"
"N-no, it's fine! If you want me to, I would love to go with you to a café or visit your house. Just not today, since my dad is coming back from a business trip. I-I want to be at home and welcome him back with a delicious meal! I mean, it's not like I don't want to come. Well, I don't mean that I want to-ah never mind. We can text each other later. If-if you still want to." Kagene blurted out in one huge breath, as a deep red blush spread over her face.
"S-sure, that's cool!"
"Oh! This reminds me of a book I read last year…"
Making casual small talk to each other, Kagene and I walked onto the street at the intersection. For some reason, the air seemed to get quieter. It was almost as if the cars on either side were waiting for us, but with apprehension. Something wasn't right. Cold sweat trickled down the back of my neck and I thought about warning Kagene.
"Hey…don't you f-"
But I was too late.
It was just like before, just as sudden, just as sad. And if I didn't pay enough attention this time, the result would be like before, too.
Gasping, Kagene stared at me in horror, and I realized with a start that I was right in the middle of the uncontrollable car's path. In a single, tense moment, she shoved me aside. But now, Kagene herself was going to get hit.
There wasn't enough time for her to dodge or run, only to wait.
"RIN!" I screamed, as I saw her close her eyes and brace for the fatal strike. Why did I just call her that? I wasn't very close to her, not close enough to call her by her first name, much less without an honorable suffix. My heart pounded like a drum, as I was swept into the past once again, by more memories this time.
"Rin! RIN!"
Tears streamed down the five-year-old's face as he watched his best friend get struck. He screamed her name in horror, feeling helpless. The little girl had pushed him out of the way, and took the hit for herself. The white car, now stained red with blood, abruptly stopped. As the headlights flashed, the little girl crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
…
In the hospital, a young woman gazed at her injured daughter on the bed, lying deathly still and barely breathing. Her husband, standing behind her, tried to put a hand on her shoulder, but she brushed him off. Instead, she buried her face in her hands and started sobbing uncontrollably.
Tentatively opening the door a crack, a young boy peeked in, followed by his grim-faced parents.
"I-Is Rin okay?" he inquired in a quavering voice.
Ceasing her sobs, the young woman slowly raised her gaze to him, and held it for three heart stopping moments.
"Why did you do this?" she whispered. "What did she ever do to you?"
"I-I-I'm sorry! Rin saved me! I didn't meant to-"
"You almost killed her." These words, softly spoken but full of venom, pierced the young boy's heart as if she had stabbed him. He started to cry, and his parents gazed at the woman in disbelief.
"Lily! Don't say that!" the woman's husband tried to calm her down, but she ignored him coldly.
"You have no right to be her friend. You almost killed her." The woman repeated, now trembling with fury.
"Lily…we're so sorry…" the boy's mother tentatively stepped forward, "but…it was an accident. If you think it's Len's fault, we can discuss it later, but not in front of-"
In one swift motion, Lily stood up and marched to the boy's mother, slapping her across the face.
"What did you say? My daughter almost lost her life! You can't just-"
Trembling, the boy started the wail loudly. His father tensed, furious at Lily for slapping his wife.
"Lily…what's wrong with you? You're not like this. Get it together!" Lily's husband urged her, trying to keep the panic out of his voice.
Gritting his teeth, the little boy suddenly turned around and ran. Rubbing her newly bruised cheek, his mother looked helplessly at the woman one last time, before shutting the door and leaving with his father.
…
"Ever since the accident, he has been showing signs of being depressed. He won't eat, play, or even sleep! This cannot continue! Just look at him; he's only five years old, for heaven's sake!" the boy's mother said in frustration. She and her son were in a hospital check up room with a doctor, with the boy sitting on the bed. He had dark bags under his haunted eyes, and his mouth turned down in a grim line.
"Are you still in contact with his friend's family?" the doctor asked, eyebrows furrowing.
"Her mother has shut us out! She still blames him for what happened!"
"Well…I'm sorry to say that I can't control your social life. But as a doctor, it is my responsibility to ensure that he remains in strong physical and mental health. You very well know how I have to solve problems like this."
"…"
"…"
"Yes, I see that it's necessary. Go ahead, then."
The doctor nodded curtly, and turned to the boy, who recoiled in fright.
"W-What are you going to do to me?!"
"Relax," the doctor said in a soothing voice. "This might hurt a little bit, but afterwards, you'll be strong, healthy, and happy. Everything will be perfect."
Struggling, the boy turned to his mother for help. She merely nodded and said, "It's necessary, sweetie. Be brave."
"Will I get to see Rin again?"
"…Yes." His mother automatically replied.
The doctor pulled out a large syringe filled with a clear liquid. Trembling nervously, the boy reluctantly held out his small arm, and it was injected. After a few moments, his eyes closed and he fell off the bed, unconscious, into his mother's arms.
…
"Len, didn't you used to know a girl called Rin?"
"Did I?"
"I'm talking about your friend from when you were five! Do you still talk to her?"
"…I had a lot of friends when I was five. But I'm pretty sure I didn't know anyone called Rin."
How could I? How could I have forgotten my dear, childhood friend? And after she sacrificed her life for me, too…
But she survived. Kagene Rin…was the exact same person I used to play with when I was little.
And finally, the buried, neglected memories resurfaced.
Oh, you ship Rin X Len, huh? Well, my favorite anime character just died! If I'm not happy, no one is! MUHAHAHAHAHA :D
Rin: Um...I think she went crazy.
Len: Since when has she not been?
Please review, everyone, and stay tuned for Chapter 9! Thank you!
~Rikasa