Chapter 8
Even though it was an eerie, early, rather depressing 4o'clock on a Saturday morning: Rin was happily watching out the window of Teto's minivan. Eyes sparkling at all the passing cars, and beautiful landscapes she had never seen before.
"I can't believe everybody came!" Mikuo chimed in happily. Also, all too excited for the morning. Especially 4o'clock in the morning. Len wanted to tell Rin to tone down on the cheer because it wasn't suddenly going to become infectious.
Nobody, for any reason whatsoever should be that happy or full of energy on a dreary, that early in the morning. Len caught Mikuo eye the back of the vehicle. He watched with a brooding expression.
"Come on guys, don't be so gloomy. This is gonna be a ton of fun," he cheered smiling from the front seat. Instantly, the aura darkened ominously. Nobody said a word. Rin just smiled still entranced by the view. Eyes glazed over with excitement. She didn't seem to notice anyone around her. Only the window and the contents of its outside. As if she had never been to such a beautiful country before. Almost as if she had never gone outside.
"Okay then," Mikuo finished spinning around in his seat. He placed a hand on his face and leaned against it. Balancing himself as he stared out the window ahead. The land seamlessly rolled by as he watched. Nobody seemed to be in the mood for talking. None of the people in the car ever seemed like the bunch to talk, or chat amongst themselves. Then again he wasn't really the talkative type himself. Some of the time anyway.
Still, usually people would chat with each other, make jokes or comments. Play silly games of "I spy" and rock out to music during a long drive. Goof off with each other as best friends, or relatives.
However, this wasn't an ordinary long drive, these weren't normal people, or just anybody. None of them were particulary friends, nor relatives. No games were going to be played, and just about everyone in the car hated the other. The only thing tying them all together, the only reason they were in this car together; was because of Mikuo, or more specifically the hot springs. The vehicle itself was deathly silent. Besides the music anyway.
There was a slight acquaintanceship among them all, but not a very strong one. So, the chances of anyone starting a topic in hope to talk with the others, was absolutely zero. Nobody would budge, nobody would join, and certainly nobody would speak.
Lucky for Mikuo, Len deemed him too far out of throttling distance, so Len refrained. He really would throttled Mikuo, just to have something to do. There was no chance of that happening now. That, and Teto was right next to Mikuo in the front.
Death by car crash wasn't on his bucket list last time he checked. It definitely was not on his list of things he had any interest in. Then again neither was a trip with this many people crammed into one minivan.
Originally he had not wanted to go, but Mikuo convinced him otherwise. Rin also constantly bothered him about going. So in the end here he was. And in the end – just as he had speculated – he was here having an awful time. Far too late for second thoughts, he said giving himself a mental slap. Not to mention he wasn't about to cause a scene by jumping out the car door.
He had successfully done it once when his brother was dragging him away to a family dinner. Even then it had been risky. There had been grass to land on, but here out in the middle of nowhere?
He reconsidered the thought. Suddenly the thought of diving head first into shrubs and bushes, wasn't such a good idea. On the bright side, at least this far out he was away from, them. They hadn't come after them, but they were away regardless. Hopefully a trip of this magnitude would clear his thoughts. Recently they'd been cluttered.
Surveying the car, Mikuo had invited quite the audience. From the front to the back seat where he was sitting in the middle next to Rin, Kaito on the opposite side of him. There was; Teto driving the car since everyone else did not yet drive, Mikuo sitting next to her in the passengers seat. Miku in the second row of seats, along with Luka by the window seat.
So far it had been a silent drive. Silent but Len couldn't sleep. Even though his body cried for it, he refrained. It was just like Mikuo to invite people who disliked each other to such a degree. If Len slept, he would either die or be brutally massacred. Whichever came first.
"Len! Len! Look, the sea!" Rin called tugging his sleeve. Len leaned to look out the window. Sure enough they were driving by a vast sea, equipped with an impressive beach. The water glistened in the presence of the dawn. Creating a rather romantic looking scene. The ones couples would run together on in timely old movies and animes, giggling and playfully laughing. His mind played out the exact scene. Rin giggling in a frilly bikini, as Len chased after her in his shorts. Both were laughing to their hearts content. Shouting playfully to each other.
The side of Len's face cringed at the image. He definitely couldn't pull something like that off. Mentally he beat the picture with a steel mallet. Crushing it, till not even the splinters were recognizable. It broke rather easily, like glass.
In its place he placed a new image. One of him still running happily laughing. Still set in the same scene. However, now he was equipped with a metallic bat. Swinging away lightheartedly at a running, panicking, and balling Kaito.
Sighing Len leaned back into his seat. Smiling as he relaxed against it. He enjoyed the daydream set before him. This time Rin's happy cheers broke the wonderful image. And though vivid, it broke just as easily as the first. His hands twitched leaving him rather peeved.
Being this happy in the morning definitely had to be a crime. He was never this cheerful in the morning. Hence, neither should anyone else be. Yet as he opened his mouth to scold Rin about it a growl in his stomach replaced his words, and he was unable too.
His hunger had only been minor when he left his house earlier this morning. He had ordered Rin to focus on her packing, and in the end, she didn't make breakfast. Of course he wasn't supposed to be growing accustomed to someone making his food. He just felt he deserved to have it ready for him in the morning. A genius wasn't supposed to be also making his breakfast among other things.
He had possibly just been too tired to really contemplate his hunger. It completely slipped his mind, because out of all the things he was thinking. Food hadn't been a main one.
Nausea was burning a hole in his stomach from the hunger he was feeling. Nipping at the sides, scrounging around for what food it had left to take from. It grumbled again announcing it's failure. He needed food. Luka would probably have some, since there was no way he was about to ask Mikuo, for anything, ever. So he tapped her shoulder.
"Hey Luka," Len started dreading the action already. Hopefully he wouldn't get his arms lopped off before the ride was over.
Luka was one of the most dangerous girls in all of Vocalo High. Her parents owned a chain of big time companies. The stereotypical, troubled pretty rich girl, as everyone had labeled her.
Though that was not the case. If you were as unlucky to seriously cross Luka Megurine, it was absolute, that you won't wake up tomorrow morning. If you did, it surely wouldn't be for long.
All girls at Vocalo High were cruel, but Luka took the cake. Compared to anyone else she was a clear winner. A definite one. Someone who disposed of their competition, rather than best them. To make sure her win was definitely sure kill. She rarely missed and took pleasure in that fact. She was more of a sadistic mob boss daughter with no hope of mercy than just a troubled pretty rich girl. The only thing deeper than the roots of her hatred was her need for revenge and the need to come out on top.
Rumor was Luka had apparently been kicked out of all kinds of fancy fine prestige private schools before she ended up at Vocalo High. She had demanded things from teachers and treated all students as commoners. Ordered respect as well as loyalty while constantly looking down on everyone.
He didn't doubt it, that was exactly the type of person she was. She expected everyone and everything to bow down to her. Lick the tips of her shoe, and crawl in her presence. She hated defiant delinquents, especially Len. Who viewed other people in nearly the same regard. Minus the extreme disrespect.
Smiling brightly, she turned to him "What is it that you need Lenny?" she asked still a placid smile plastered on her face. It wouldn't last long, Len knew.
"Um," he started, his words were giving him difficulty, they weren't coming out. Forcing courage, he continued.
"Well, got anything to eat? I skipped breakfast for this stupid trip." Somehow, he had managed to get the words out. He scratched his head, waiting for a reply. Mentally readying himself for the brick she was about to throw. She frowned.
"Oh my," Luka began, sympathizing him with her fake compassion. "Well, that's not good is it? You really shouldn't have skipped breakfast Len, know why?" He gulped. "Because I definitely won't be giving out any food until lunch time." She showed him her diamond encrusted watch, as to further prove her point.
Her watch read; 5:14am digitally. At the rate of how hungry he was growing, Len would never make it past five thirty. He leaned back in his seat, sighing again. A hand over his stomach. A pair of pink eyes bore into his. He caught a sliver of a smile creeping across her face. Not fully but slowly advancing.
"I'm sorry Len, that's just how it is." Luka apologized. He rolled his eyes at the empty apology. Deep down she was probably laughing. Hysterically so.
"Len," Luka called again watching him. "If you're really hungry feel free to lick the dirt off my shoe. I'm sure such filth would soothe your peasant stomach." Then she giggled, laughing a rather demented laugh. One he had heard so many times before. Always directed at others, usually him. Always him.
It had been the first bit of real noise for a while. Besides the radio of course, and Rin. Though he wouldn't exactly classify Rin's voice as noise, but Luka's was.
"I would rather starve first." He smiled politely back at Luka, who gritted her teeth at his defiant action. He wouldn't allow her to take satisfaction in an action that didn't even graze him. A sandwich was shoved into his face.
"Eat mine and quit complaining already." Miku butt in. She turned around after dropping the sandwich into Len's lap. He didn't say thank you.
"I never said you had to give this to me. What did you do to it?" Len stated, looking skeptical at Miku's sudden kind gesture. She shot a glare back at him and he ignored her before he added "I was speaking to Luka, not you."
She disregarded his statement
"If you don't want the sandwich I'll take it back. I just couldn't stand the racket your stomach was making. So either shut up or eat it." He noticed the abundance of options she gave him. Slowly, he opened the sandwich and took a rather satisfying bite out of it.
"I made it myself." Miku added, commenting again from the seat ahead of him. It was egg salad, no matter how tasty it was, he wasn't going to say anything. Not like he had to say anything. If she already knew the sandwich was tasty there was no need to say anymore. He'd only be wasting oxygen if he commented. He didn't feel like depleting fresh oxygen in a car that was already full of stale air.
Glancing over at Rin, her eyes were still dancing as she watched the scenery pass by. It slowed down to just trees, mountains and trails. Yet she watched as if it was the most amazing thing she had ever had the privilege of laying eyes on. Without all the tugging of his sleeves and excitement, she was rather tolerable. It was amusing now, how easily she was entertained. He smiled at her.
Mikuo caught a glance of Len's smile in the rearview mirror, and smiled himself. Returning his eyes to the road afterwards. Soon they would be at Megurine's Summer Condominium & Hot Spring. Not a summer house but a condominium with much more rooms. Luka's parents had bought it especially for such trips, according to Luka. He couldn't wait to arrive. More importantly he couldn't wait to get out of the car. Just a few more hours or endurance and it would all be theirs.
. . .
"Whoa..." Miku said pushing the door to the room open, taking the first step into their room. "This is great!" She yelled running in and tossing her bag onto the floor. She plopped down onto the couch. Luka plopped down next to her with a smirk. While everyone else was busy piling into the room. By the smile on Luka's face, Len knew she couldn't wait to brag about a million things he didn't care about, or have the time for.
The condo was luxuriously spacious with a grand window opening up to an even grander balcony. The interior was more than well furnished. Along with the glossy black granite countertops, and stainless wooden floor that complimented the whole room. Not a floorboard creaked and everything was well polished and kempt. Len had to give Luka's dad props for style, and efficiency.
Mikuo clapped his hands once everyone was gathered, all impressed by the room.
"Everyone your attention please! We need to assign rooms before we set our luggage down," he hollered, trying to calm the constant chatter.
"Who died and made you king?" Kaito argued plopping down on the couch next to Miku. Instantly she moved over. He either didn't notice the movement or didn't relaxed his hands behind his head.
"We can make our own sleeping groups." And before anyone said anything else, Luka stepped up. Turning to face everyone else.
"I'll assign the rooms, technically I do own this place." Len noticed her glance around for anyone who would argue otherwise. He took note that she was staring directly at him. Whatever expectation she had, he didn't live up to them. Kaito's voice filled the room again.
"Look, I already have rooms decided, kay Lulu? All the girls are bunking with me. While Len and Mikuo do their own thang." By the intensity of Luka's glare, it was clear she detested slang. That, or people questioning her authority in total. Len decided on both.
"You even mentioning the possibility of me sleeping next to you, is the worst insult I have ever had the displeasure of reaching my ears. Speak out over me again and you'll perish. Slowly." She didn't add any further, and that had been the last time Kaito spoke out. In fact, it may have been the most silent Len had ever heard him in his life.
He loathed Luka's authority to do that to his enemy. He hated when others did something he couldn't.
"So, that settles it. Girls bunk with girls and guys with guys." Luka finished the sentence pointing to one side for the girls and another for the guys. But Rin had other plans as she was gripping Len's arm tightly. Eyebrows narrowed at the decision.
"I wanna," she slowed her speech. Possibly considering her word choice. He had talked to her about it. He didn't go into details as to why certain words were wrong, he had just told her what words not to use together, and that sometimes people got the wrong meanings out of completely innocent things. Especially, his people.
"I wanna bunk with Len." He breathed a sigh of relief. She was safe on the word choice. Miku placed a hand on Rin's shoulder.
"Trust me Rin, you don't wanna bunk with the guys. Especially not Len. This is a trip. We should get to know each other. Us girls should be friends." Teto nodded, Luka stared at Len. He resisted making a face. Rin also glanced at him.
Not in a way that was shy and asking him if such a thing were okay. But in a way that showed her excitement upon the word friends. Her eyes were sparkling. Dancing in the room's light. He felt himself smiling at her in a way that answered yes, more than the words he could say. She answered Miku immediately.
"Yeah! Sure." Strangely enough, Miku smiled back at her. Scary, even Luka smiled. Both were sincere. Maybe Rin was wearing off on them. Maybe she was their ticket to actually having a good time. The reason they all weren't gonna slash each others throats in the middle of the night. Why he might live to see tomorrow's daylight. Currently it was evening.
"We should all go and check out the hot springs too! Oh and maybe I'll make breakfast in the morning. We can have a campfire!" Rin went on about all this and more. She had read endless books that Len had given her. All about the outdoors and activities. Since he hadn't felt like explaining everything. She had read all of them from front to back cover and have even develed into the books that sat on his bookcase.
Mikuo stood up joining in Rin's excitement. "That's the spirit Rin! Instead of breakfast can you make lunches for the hike tomorrow?" She nodded, and shortly after Luka, Miku and Teto were all gonna make the lunches tomorrow.
The guys were assigned luggage packing and route planning. Everyone who had been so deathly silent in the car were all planning activities. Even Kaito joined in promising endless fun. Which made a few of the girls feel sick at his idea of fun. But nonetheless, planning. For the first time Len thought this trip wouldn't suck. That dare he say it, he might actually become friends with some of these people. Some of his acquaintances. Maybe deep down, they wanted to have fun. He knew he did. Then finally Miku gripped Rin's arm.
"Hate to say this but can we perhaps get to the hot springs now? They won't be open all night." Lighthearted laughter filled the room. That's when everyone paused and they all glanced around. As if they couldn't believe they'd laughed. Everyone except Rin of course, she continued to giggle.
Slowly the laughs returned. Then they blasted back to full laughter. Everyone laughed as if it was okay. Along with all his firsts, Len's mind was clear. He headed to his room, followed by Mikuo, and Kaito. It was rather late, but a bath is just what he needed.
Steam rose up from the springs fogging up the glass as Rin tried to stare out. She was wrapped in her towel, listening to the chatter behind her. Watching in the reflection.
"But don't you think he's cute?" Teto asked nudging Miku. As they waited for Luka to exit her change room.
"If I fixed his face up permanently for him, maybe Kaito would be cute. That's if I don't beat it in during the process." Miku answered, Teto pouted.
"Oh come on he's totally cute." Miku just faked a gag in response.
"He's a player, there is nothing cute about that." Miku said bringing truth into light. Teto gave Miku a slight shove. Then she waved her hand at her, batting her eyelashes.
"Yeah I forgot, you're too busy being wrapped up in Lenny." Miku's face changed to a bright red. She avoided eye contact with Teto.
"I definitely don't like that jerk! Did you see the way he treated me in the car?" She slammed a nearby locker out of fury then stared down at her feet. She twiddled her thumbs. "And after I made that sandwich for him too." Her tone was low; almost shy.
"Do you think he at least liked it?" Miku asked. She gave a quick glance of eye contact to Teto. Who skipped away from her.
"If you don't think Kaito is cute, then Len definitely hated your sandwich. It probably gave him indigestion." Teto stuck her tongue out at Miku. Winking as she did it. Miku yelled Teto's name but, by her tone Rin could tell it was playful.
They both made their way over to Rin.
"Do you like anyone Rin?" Miku asked, the sudden question made her turn. Teto watched Rin from the locker she was leaning against. Her eyes were firece and knowing.
Rin tilted her head at the question "Like?" She didn't understand what they meant.
"Yeah you know, like like someone." Miku repeated trying to emphasize what she meant. Rin was even more confused. The repetition of like wasn't a definition. Miku was about to repeat the question, emphasizing like three times this time around. That was before Luka spoke first.
"Rin, is there anyone you're fond of?"
"Fond?" She repeated the word as if she had never heard of it. Rolling it around on her tongue as if it was foreign.
"Come on Rin, you know, love? Do you have anyone you love?" Luka asked pressing her more. However this word stumped her most of all.
"Love? I'm sorry I don't understand what you mean." She would never forget their stares. The way they had watched her after she had answered. Their disbelieving faces. It scared her. A weird wave hit her. One that showed her she was different. That she didn't belong among them. It was the first time she felt out of place, and it was terrifying.
She had the thought once before, but this was the first time it felt real. She wanted them to stop watching. She wanted to hide, to run, to scream. Most of all she wanted them to stop staring, to stop looking. To stop singling her out. Pushing her into a corner. She raised her hand at them, palm facing outwards. A voice was speaking to her in her head.
'That's right, Rin. Watching eyes are bad. Don't let anyone see you. Deal with anyone who does. Silently, swiftly, quickly.'
She knew she could do it. She knew she had to do it. He would be angry if she didn't. He would scold her if she didn't. She was petrified of him, of his anger. She knew she could do it.
'You know you want to do it.' The voice corrected. "He'll praise you." That's when she heard the music.
Subconsciously she hummed to the melody. Like she learned too, like she was taut too. By whom, was just out of her reach. The music only got louder, ending her thoughts. She needn't think about anything else. She'd forgotten the lyrics, but they are still lingering within. It's a song she was used to singing. A song she adored, a song she hated, yet used. She closed her eyes.
She felt warm inside. Something building. She felt it deep inside her, power, waiting. Waiting for her to set it free. She didn't need her hands to use this one. So she set them down. She didn't even need to move or even see to finish this job. She hated these jobs, ones that were easy. But they were all important.
Feel it..., and she did. As if it had always been there. Then the voice told her. Ordered her.
"Destroy them." A smile creeps across her face. He'll be pleased, but Len won't and I won't. A new voice resounded. A voice that was much like her own. Angelic, it snapped her from the trance.
Rin's eyes snapped open. Miku and Luka were no longer in front of her, only Teto who watched her intently. She wondered how long Miku and Luka had watched for. There was no doubt this time the voice had almost got her to do something. Even now something was still simmering within her, just under the surface.
The voice she was afraid of seemed to have gotten a stronger hold on her. That or she had gotten weaker, to the point where she almost crumbled. This time unlike others, she had almost hurt someone. More than one person, she reminded herself. Teto was still watching.
"Um, Teto, about just now..." Teto raised a hand to her.
"I told the others to go ahead. As soon as you stated you didn't know what love was." Rin sighed in relief. She hadn't blown Len's cover. However Teto was still here. Teto, was someone Rin thought she knew. She looked so familiar all of a sudden.
"I won't tell anyone who, or what, you are Rin. You need to go back though. This isn't where you belong. You've become unstable. You're dangerous." Teto left through the foggy glass slide doors. She passed by Rin into the hot springs.
Again someone she swore she didn't know asked her to go back. To come back. They just never told her why, or where she had to go. What she was or who she was. Rin hugged herself. Suddenly she felt very cold. One thought came to her mind; Len.
Len would be warm, Len would care, he would help. She told herself to go find him later tonight. But something inside of her craved to see him now: immediately. She fought it. She had to be strong. She couldn't cry. She had to be strong for him. Len had told her to be. So even when tears stung the sides of her eyes. She didn't cry. Instead she turned around and headed to the spring. Forgetting all thoughts.