Rock and Roll

- Part II -

Oliver flashed a smile as he entered Miku and Gumi's flat. Walking after the blond was the silly Kaito, the bartender Miku hated the most. While Gumi received them well, the teal-haired pissed off girl was glaring at them from the counter.

Miku and Gumi's place was really small. It had enough space to receive a few visitors, but it never meant Miku wished to see these two. Well, she'd rather receive anyone but these two and Len. Rolling her eyes, she forcefully brought the glass of water down on the sink and stomped her way to her room. She even slammed the door to make the two guys feel unwelcome.

Smiles wiped off from their faces, Kaito and Oliver exchanged inquisitive looks. Miku did that on purpose, no?

"Did you tell her we'll be coming today?" Kaito turned to face Gumi, pushing a wisp of his midnight blue hair away from his eyes. "That's kinda cold for a greeting. Tell her."

Shrugging, Gumi said, "You know she'll kick you out if I do that. So no." She tapped Oliver's shoulder and waved a hand, leaving Kaito behind. "Nice to see you again, twisted tongue. Did your cousin know you're here?"

"He doesn't," Oliver smiled. "He doesn't have to. I'm here because I want. I will visit Miku whenever I feel to, Gumi."

"It seems so," standing up straight, she stretched her arms. "But sadly, your lady's not in the mood to talk today...and tomorrow...and for the next day."

Gumi went straight to the kitchen to prepare something for the visitors. Since it was such a small space, Kaito and Oliver could still see her as she rummaged the fridge to find something. The guys tried convincing her that there was no need to busy herself, but Gumi insisted that this would be a rare opportunity for them to witness her hospitality. Next time they come, they'd help themselves.

Kaito and Oliver walked up to the counter and watched the girl as she poured the contents of the cookie bag on the bowl. Gumi said it was all she got. They just giggled and urged her to continue whatever she was trying to do.

Giving them a brief smile, Gumi turned around to grab some drinks. Miku wouldn't face the guys. She told the motherly-Gumi that she would never see anyone coming from Hastings until the day she gave birth to her kid. True enough, she had refused Len's attempt of wooing her and now she was on her ninth month.

Gumi, Kaito and Oliver met each other when Miku went back to Hastings, nine months ago. Kaito and Oliver were Len's friends from the band, with Kaito as a mixer and lyricist and Oliver on drums. All members of the bands actually liked Miku, and they were all delighted when they learned that Len would be a father soon. Oliver was the happiest person when Len made that announcement, literally hopping here and there as he held Miku's hand.

Oliver Cody was Len's cousin in his mother's side. He was only nineteen, barely out of high school, whose talents would soon bring him into fame. His voice was actually nice, sometimes he would sing with Len during some of their gig. They were like brothers, so the boy was concerned with his personal affairs. He had met a few of his former girlfriends, but he didn't liked any of them. Once there was one he almost approved, however when he got to know her, Oliver changed his mind.

Beautiful outside. Rotten inside. The blond teenager advised Len to find someone with a better personality rather than bringing home witches. Len was a magnet for witches, Oliver said. So when he talked to Miku for Gakupo's wedding, he instantly liked her. If only their age gap was a little closer, he might have taken a move on her. In fact, he had a little crush on her. Pretty face and pretty heart, these were Oliver's "ideal wife" starter pack.

During Miku and Gumi's short stay in the borough, they had befriended Oliver the easiest. He was approachable and funny, and Gumi found him cute when talking. The green-haired woman told her friend that it was like he was twisting his tongue or pulling it back. Miku just sighed and told her that she was just speaking the same.

"The boy's from Yorkshire," Gumi protested. "I can hear him talk in his mother tongue. It's cute."

"Yeah and I'm in front of you?" Oliver grinned, unsure how to feel with Gumi's statement.

He got to know Miku more and Gumi, too. Oliver gave them a tour in their place, showed the historical sights full of aesthetics. When the girls left, he almost went off with them. Had his mother not called that day, he might have been in Seaford until the school break was over.

The blond teenager would come with Len to visit the lady every month, but a few months ago, something changed. Miku shut the door on their faces. Oliver didn't know what happened between her and Len, but he wished he wasn't included with her cold and silent treatment.

"I think 'twas weird to see Miku like that," said Oliver, leaning his cheek to his palm. His amber eyes had the most distant look as if they were lost in his thoughts. Gumi was still preparing the drinks. "She almost cracked the wall. What's up wi' her?"

"That I don't know." Kaito mirrored Oliver's pose, eyes fixated on the dull red bowl of cookies Gumi placed before them. A moment later, she came back carrying two glasses and bottle of soda.

"Hey, Gumi. Do you know why Miku refuses to see Len until today? She's due in a week." Oliver picked up a cookie and munched on it. "It would be nice if Len's gonna see his babe, you know. Won't you tell her that?"

"It is their problem, not mine. Not yours, either. They're mature enough to handle their own problems, Oliver."

The blond sighed. "Well, I haven't seen any progress between the two for the past months. They won't reconcile, it seems. That saddens me. I really like Miku for my cousin."

"I thought you like Miku for yourself," Kaito raised a brow, suggesting something, as he drank a little from his glass. With this, Gumi laughed. Everyone knew that Oliver liked the girl, even Miku herself.

"Yeah," Oliver rolled his eyes. "Sure, whatever you say. Just wanna remind you that we came here to help them get back together, Kaito."

"Yes, and they're not an official item at that. I don't know what's the point of going here," the silly bartender beamed at their host. "Len got no spine to go here himself. Silly, isn't he?"

"Stupid jerk, yes," Gumi claimed the seat next to Oliver and stared at the empty space before her. "I really thought he was a nice guy. I had my hopes high, I guess."

It was Miku's dream to have a complete family she never had. When she first talked with Len about her pregnancy, everything was smooth. The early stages of her maternity seemed ideal too, because Len would always find a way to visit her. He would dote her, give unnecessary gifts she wouldn't use. They looked cute together as though they were a real couple, however Gumi knew better. Miku never mentioned anything about Len admitting his feelings, if ever he felt anything at all. It was a one-sided affair for Miku, for every day that Len would give Miku those smiles the girl was slowly falling for. Miku had fallen deep when she realised these feelings were wrong.

Gumi let out a sigh. It was truly depressing. She wondered how Miku could handle all this sort of stress while carrying the unborn child in her body. Gumi learned from school that it was bad for a pregnant woman to be stressed while on their maternity. It might affect the child's health.

"Miku avoided Len on her fifth month," Gumi mumbled. "She said she won't see him even until she gave birth. I don't think I can do anything about that."

"Do you know any reason why she'd say that?" Kaito leaned forward to see Gumi from his seat. "That's quite...hm. I really don't know."

"I'm not sure, Kaito. I think it has something to deal with the fact that Miku and Len didn't know each other really well. Miku mentioned something that Len still has a girlfriend, and she can't take him away from someone he loves just because she's carrying his child."

Oliver stirred hearing this. Girlfriend? Len didn't have one ever since Miku came into their lives. "No, that's wrong. Len's not seeing anyone ever since he met Miku. How did she come to such conclusion, Gumi?"

"Not sure," the girl shrugged.

That was when the three heard a piercing scream coming from Miku's room.

"Gumi!"

Author's note:

Ey up. If you're reading this note, that's cool. Just wanna let you know that we need your presence in our forum, guys. If you're a fellow Lenku fan, or simply a Vocaloid fan, come and join us. Let's make some noise. It'll be nice to befriend you all. The forum guidelines will tell you what is that group all about. The fandom is dying lol. I love Lenku too much to stop writing for it yet. Help us! Join us! (I sound like a commercial agent. Whatever.) The link is on my profile. This one won't direct you there, I guess. forum/story-exchange/196943/

I'll see you there!

- xo, ivan.