Somehow, without her really noticing, a week had gone by.

Well, she can't say she didn't feel it pass, but with the addition of another person in her home, it seemed to fly by. After the incident between her and Len, she didn't bring up what had happened and he didn't question her on it after that.

Yet, even though she tried to push the event out of her mind, Rin can't stop thinking about the way her name had rolled off his tongue. Hearing it's been a rare occurrence since then, but she can't, and won't, forget the change.

A welcome one, since he no longer addresses her as 'mistress' anymore. That had been driving her crazy. It had made things a little less…. tense.

The sunlight of the morning causing her to rub her eyes with a bit of pain, Rin exits her bedroom with a soft yawn. Before she's had a chance to contemplate coffee, however, she realizes that her companion is seated cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by volumes of her favorite manga, Lovely Complex.

"...Morning?" she hesitantly speaks, a little concerned about why Len seems so deep in thought staring down at the paperbacks.

His head tilts up, and his bright blues center on her calculatingly. "Good morning," he responds. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes… Was something wrong with my manga being on the shelf?" She walks toward her kitchen, casting another look his way. "Why do you have it spread all over?"

He picks a volume up and turns it this way and that, examining it thoroughly.

"I was actually reading it. It is quite an interesting story, and because it is your favorite series, I was hoping it might help me understand you better."

She pauses, seconds from the doorway, and her heart does a small somersault in her chest.

"...You were reading it because of me?"

"Of course." There's no pause, and he retrieves a different volume to stare at. "I've actually finished it twice in the time you were asleep, once to properly enjoy the plot and once again to appreciate the artstyle you favor. I enjoyed it."

For some reason, that sends a small shiver through her spine, and she finds her cheeks turning a healthy rose. Licking her suddenly dry lips, she hides her face, not wanting to look at him anymore.

His AI is supposed to learn quite fast and adapt, but something about knowing he did it for me…

It leaves a sweet sense of warmth tingling in the center of her chest, and she lets out a small breath.

Remember, Rin, it's just because of his AI.

A familiar jingle plays through the room, startling her for a second until she realizes her phone is ringing from the nearby table Frowning, she approaches it slowly, brightening a little when she realizes it's Miku.

It's a Saturday morning. Usually she's busy doing last minute dresswork, so why is she calling?

Raising the phone to her ear, Rin braces herself before hitting talk. "Hello?

"Rin! Hey, hey, great, I didn't actually have to call you thirty times before you answered!"

"Hey now, it's still too early for snark," Rin responds, wandering into the kitchen and reaching up into her cabinet for her mug.

"Early?! Rin, it's literally ten AM, don't talk to me about early." Miku's exasperated tone can't help but put a small smile on the blonde's face.

"Early for me then."

"I swear—! Okay, look, I called for a reason. Are you busy today?"

There's a bit of rustling on the other end, and Rin winces. "Busy? No, I guess not, why?"

Miku's voice grows louder against the speaker, as if she has it propped between her shoulder and her face. "Perfect. I need your help. I don't have a model for some of my new dresses, and I could really use a cute little body like yours to test them out on."

"Oh no. No, no, no I don't think so." The words rush out of Rin's mouth apprehensively. "I really don't want to be dressed up like a store mannequin—"

"I will throw in a cinnamon dolce frappe and a basket of hand-crafted quips from yours truly," Miku interrupts, near begging. "I really need you, Rin, please? Pretty please?"

Rin heaves a sigh, leaning on the countertop for support.

I really don't want to do this, but it's Miku. I don't have anything pressing to do today as it is…

Risking a look back at Len still situated around the piles of manga, she contemplates a little bit more and then steels herself, knowing she's about to get herself into an afternoon of painful fittings.

"...Fine. I'll do it, but only with a frappe and you better include donuts."

She can hear the smile of triumph on Miku's end.

"Oh, love, I am already out the door for the coffee and I'll have paczki waiting for you. See you as soon as possible! Bye bye!"

The line goes dead, and Rin glances at her phone screen with a quirk of her lips, just as Len peeks around the doorway at her.

"Is something going on?" he asks.

Her eyes meet his, and she shrugs.

"I'm… going to be a model for a day."

.x.X.x.

Standing on the busy streetside, Rin and Len approach the small, unassuming store.

Situated in a crevice between a local bank and a flower boutique, a quaint brick-laden storefront looks out on the bustling road. A curly, cursive sign decorated in pink and blue titled 'Hatsune's Designs' hangs above the ornate white door. A stained glass rose sits in the center of the door, reflecting the sunlight. A very worn set of stairs lead up to it, decorated by two bushes of roses on either side.

Rin's been here quite a few times before, this not being the only time Miku's roped her into modelling dresses. She tries to squish down the apprehension toward the idea.

Walking forward and opening the door, Rin peeks inside, taking a few cautionary steps into the building as the greeting bell rings out. The floor is covered in marble, and the walls are painted blue pastels. Dresses line the walls in all sizes, shapes and colors, and there are multiple racks of them in the space. A narrow path leads up to the front counter and register, and she can barely spot the room of mirrors and runway for trying dresses off to the right, just out of view.

A shuffling bluenette has her back turned to the counter, hunched almost hidden by the counter as she rifles through her back shelves looking for something. Rin approaches slowly, leading Len along.

Seems she's deep in thought. She didn't even turn when I walked in.

"Miku? Hey, I'm here," she says, raising a hand half-heartedly in greeting.

They freeze, before straightening up to their full height and turning around.

Except, it's not Miku.

Donning the same shade of teal hair but cut to his nape, and wearing a tattered button-down plaid shirt and a pair of blue jeans, all of which are dotted with the occasional paint splotches. A strong jaw, dark sapphire eyes and pale skin framed by a pair of half-rim glasses.

Mikuo Hatsune, Miku's twin brother and recluse painter.

"Oh, ah… Rin, hey," he says quietly, offering her a tiny smile before shoving his hands into his pockets. "Welcome."

Unlike Miku, Rin's barely met Mikuo a handful of times. She's heard bits and pieces about him from his sister, but they get along on a day-to-day basis it seems. He paints for a living, and lives down the road from the dress shop. He occasionally helps out with designs for Miku's new dresses and catalog.

Every other time she's met him before, he's stayed mostly to himself or acted polite, but he always seems to have his head somewhere else. It must be a creative thing.

"I didn't realize you were here, Mikuo, I hope I didn't scare you," Rin apologizes and he shakes his head.

"No, you're fine. I…"

He pauses, and she notices his eyes are glued behind her. She glances back, and realizes it's Len he's staring at.

"...I see you brought a friend," he finishes, pursing his lips together.

Rin lightly gestures toward Len. "Yes, well... This is my android, Len."

Mikuo's gaze darkens, but before he can say anything, a light and bubbly voice calls out to them.

"Rin! There you are." Miku unearths from a backroom, coming up on them with Kaito in tow, hands entwined as she flicks a small wave their direction. "Took you long enough. Mikuo, why didn't you tell me they were here?"

"We just got here," Rin replies quickly, glancing at Miku's twin once more before deciding to write off his reaction as distaste. He must be one of those people who don't care much for androids. "No worries."

"Great! Hi there, Len," Miku issues a sweet greeting toward the android, and Len lowers his head politely. "Welcome to my store! Make yourselves comfy! Actually, not you, Rin, we have work to do."

Not waiting for her friend to reply, she reaches forward and snags Rin's hand with her free one, and drags her in the direction of the runway, Kaito tagging close by. Rin casts a pleading look back at Len, but he follows obediently without seeming too concerned for her safety.

I hope I don't regret this…

Pushing Rin up onto the raised platform in front of all the mirrors that show her way too many angles of her figure, Miku lets go of them both and places her hands against her hips, studying her with a keen eye.

"Alright, so… first off, you couldn't have worn something nicer?" she demands, frowning.

"Nicer? This isn't prom, Miku," Rin argues, watching Len stand back and be joined with Mikuo. "Besides, what's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Nothing… if you're going to a local shindig in the country," Miku retorts. "We're gonna get you suited up."

She starts rifling through a rack on wheels behind her, ripping out one orange and one yellow dress and peering at them.

"...Perhaps red would suit Rin?"

Mikuo's voice, smooth but small, causes his sister to glance back at him narrowly.

"Red is fine and all, but I need her to be sunshine and autumn, not sultry and lustful."

Mikuo frowns. "I know, but from a creative perspective, she would look lovely in red or blue."

Rin's face begins to heat up slowly. There's something embarrassing about having people debate your appearance while you're literally standing there. Kaito only has a smile on his face, even when Miku throws a few more dresses directly into his hands to hold.

"Again, I know what I'm doing, Mikuo, and I'm thinking either yellow or orange is the choice I need to make right now."

"...If I may speak?"

All eyes in the room turn on Len, who doesn't back down from the sudden pouring of attention on him.

"I think yellow would suit Rin best."

A silence follows, with Rin and Miku both looking surprised, Mikuo's lips pressed together like he's eaten a lemon, and Kaito still holding a small smile on his face.

"...Yellow it is, then," Miku finally says, giving Len a fascinated look, unable to hide the smile on her lips. "I think I agree with you, Len."

Cheeks burning even brighter, Rin stares down Len, who looks back at her without an indecipherable expression.

What was that all about? He said that completely confident in his choice. Has he actually started to know me well enough, or was that just a guess…? The AI for androids like him are so sophisticated.

"I've got it!" Miku's outburst draws her back to the present, and she presses the dress up against Rin's body forcefully, her eyes sparkling with ideas. "I know exactly how to stylize this and what to add."

Spinning around, she points at Len and Mikuo, side-by-side.

"You two! I need you to go grab something for me," she commands. "Go into the storage room, on the right side in the boxes is a tiara. I'm not quite sure if it's top or bottom of the pile, but I need it pronto."

"He can go get it," Mikuo begins to protest, but Miku stares daggers into him.

"Go with him anyway, you know where it is and will be faster about it. Hurry up!"

Grumbling, Mikuo follows after Len and the two leave the room. When she turns back to Rin, the blonde reels back at the look of absolute mischief on the girl's face.

"Oh yes…" Miku promises, grinning. "You're going to look fantastic."

.x.X.x.

Walking into the stuffy, dark storage room, Len quickly goes to work on the right side of the room, not the large pile of boxes. She had said it could be in either the top or bottom, so he had better check them all.

"Could you tell me what the tiara looks like?' Len asks, beginning to sift through the first box.

Silence. Mikuo must not have heard him, so he speaks up again.

"Mikuo, could you tell me—"

"...Disgusting."

Len pauses a moment, hearing a strong note of revulsion.

"Excuse me?"

"You. The state of you. Just disgusting."

Len turns around, expecting to see his clothes covered in some sort of grime and dirt. It would be most unappealing to Rin if he became filthy in here, and he wouldn't want to embarrass her. Instead, he is met with a steely gaze and a grimace on the teal human's face.

Mikuo is dangerously close to him, and there is nothing but scorn in his expression.

"I don't understand. I appear to be clean." Len checks twice, just to be sure that he is spotless. "Is there something I cannot see?"

The male leans back, arms crossed, seeming to grow only more distasteful.

"The bigger picture. I can't believe Rin made… made you. I can't believe that she created something flawed."

Something tickles at the back of Len's mind, something that balks at Mikuo's words, but his mouth stays sewn shut as Mikuo paces back and forth in front of him, eying him up and down with a scorching eye.

"Your clothes are wrong, your body is wrong, your hair is wrong. You're pathetic. You dare wear the guise of a human and act like you're entitled to the rights of one, but you're just a glorified tin can. You can be ripped apart and destroyed, and then remade, without anyone batting an eye. I can't believe that she settled for an android."

His words are meant to pierce, but Len meets his eyes unflinchingly.

This must be an example of human repulsion of androids. His programming has a small manual about how to defuse situations like these.

"My apologies. I meant no offense toward you." Len's voice is steady, unfazed, and all it does is make Mikuo visibly angrier.

"Offense? Your existence offends me. Are you going to apologize for that?" He glares at Len, an inch or two shorter than the blond. "You… You're no good for Rin. I don't know why she was desperate enough to create a fallible android when there is much more suitable options. You can touch her, and sleep in the same bed as her, which is a privilege meant for someone worthier. You'll fall apart before she reaches old age."

Just like that, Mikuo spits directly onto Len's shoes, and a strange smile settles over his face as Len does nothing in retaliation but stand there.

"...You can't even fight back. You're conditioned to be a servant. If I wanted to, I could pull you apart piece by piece until you're unable to be reassembled. I could create a mosaic of your mechanics and you wouldn't raise a hand against me. The flaws in having a spineless little robot."

There is something poking at Len's sense of self now, something that feels strange and against the ways his programming has taught him, but his mouth still remains shut, even though he feels like there's something to be said.

"A pretty boy fake in the place of a human. What does Rin need you for, anyway?" Mikuo's resentment is palpable, and he takes a step closer to Len. "You should disappear along with every other android."

That feeling grows stronger, and Len finally regains control of his mouth, but this time, the words he issues are nothing like his software dictates.

"...Are you finished?"

The look on Mikuo's face grows startled, before furious. He grabs hold of Len's shirt, fist tight in the collar and pushing against the android, though Len stays steady. "What did you just say?"

"I asked, 'are you finished?'" Len can't stop himself now, wearing a perfect poker face against the fire in Mikuo's. "I understand your concerns, but Rin will be safe and taken care of in my hands."

"Don't talk like you're human!" Mikuo spits.

"I am not human," Len corrects slowly. "I will never be human. But my entire program is built around Rin. I live for her smile, her voice, her well-being. She gives my existence meaning. I was made for Rin, to take care of her. I was not built to please you."

The flavor of those words feels different, and Mikuo lets go of his shirt in shock. Len quickly brushes down the material hoping it won't leave permanent crinkles in it. Rin had planned this outfit for him, and he won't let anything ruin it.

"...Androids like you are the reason the world's population is declining, and one day, you'll all return to the scrap heap where you belong," Mikuo growls. "We'll all realize we don't need you anymore, and you'll cease to exist. Rin doesn't need you. Just you wait for that day."

He turns on his heel, and storms out of the room. Len stands there a moment longer, before pressing his lips together and returning to his search for the tiara.

The encounter with Mikuo stays in his mind, and he ponders how it could've been different. Perhaps he should have handled it some other way.

"What does Rin need you for, anyway?"

That sentence brings an image of her to his thoughts, the day she had collapsed. The look on her face as he laid her into bed is still so strong, the soft part of her lips and the glazed, teary eyes pinned on him.

...He may not know what for, or why he was made, but human beings choose androids because they seek something in their life they lack.

Whatever it is, he will fill that void for her.

.x.X.x.

"There! You look gorgeous, Rin!"

The blonde does a small sway of her hips atop the runway, watching the skirt of the dress billow around her.

At least twenty minutes had passed since she'd become Miku's little dress-up doll, and honestly, it wasn't as bad as she thought it'd be. The dress itself is a lovely sunshine yellow, a one-shoulder piece with a jagged hem to her knees made of chiffon and silk. The bodice is laden with a few gemstones and a frilly edge, framing her rather nicely for a change.

She doesn't usually wear dresses often if at all except for social gatherings, but it's been a good year or so since she went to anything. Parties are more of a Miku scene than a 'Rin' scene. It's definitely something she'd rather avoid.

"...I actually kinda like this," Rin voices aloud, watching her reflection in the mirrors around her and trying to ignore the wide, smug grin on Miku's face.

"I knew you would. I know you pretty well, after all."

Rin swishes her dress around again, enjoying the soft feel against her skin, but her eye catches something behind her that makes her freeze in place.

Dark topaz eyes stare her down from the doorway. Mikuo seems to stand there and stare for an uncomfortable period of time, until Miku turns around and sees him. She snaps her fingers.

"Hey! Tiara, where?" she demands.

"Oh. The storage room was too crowded, so I left it to the android," Mikuo replies coolly, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, while Rin faces them both again with a nervous fiddle of her fingers.

There's just something a little bit weird about Miko sometimes, she's realized. He always just seems a bit… off. It might be just the way he studies everything like it's his next muse, but he makes her uncomfortable. He's never done anything to hurt her before or said anything weird, but she… well, what is it that bothers her?

Actually, that's a good question. Mikuo's not a bad person that she knows of. Her aversion to getting close to people may be coloring her viewpoint of others. Len had made that crystal clear the other night when he had laid bare her weakness like it was as transparent as glass.

As if on cue, the blond android comes through the doorway with a small opaline tiara in hand, but he stops in his tracks upon seeing her. Something warm trickles through her bloodstream this time, as his contrasting sapphire eyes gaze at her. It's a different kind of look than Mikuo's, one that seems too affectionate and warm. It could only be described as loving, admiring. In love.

The blush from earlier returns with full force to her cheeks as he slowly approaches her not breaking eye contact for a single moment.

"...You're beautiful, Rin," he says softly, only loud enough for her to hear, and her breath catches in her throat. Her heart begins to pound like mad within her ribcage, and she can't explain the way her chest flutters.

Leaning up, he raises the encrusted tiara above her head and softly mounts it onto her hair, letting it rest comfortably among her blonde strands as if it were meant to be there. His fingers brush against her cheeks, and it sends little streaks of electricity through her skin.

"Oh, my God!" Miku's exclamation startles her, as the tealette claps her hands to her face with a squeal. "It's perfect! It's exactly what this look needed! Quick, quick, stand out of the way, I need my camera-!"

Len does as she asks, but Rin follows him with her eyes. The feeling in her chest refuses to subside, and it's starting to feel even stranger to the point where she can't hold her eyes on Len any longer.

What is wrong with me? Is it just because he called me beautiful…?

The next hour passes in a blur of photos and more dresses, with Len protectively standing by and Mikuo joining the entire thing with a keen eye. By the end of it all, Rin is incredibly tired, and when Miku brings out another rack full of dresses, she has to hold hands up in surrender.

"Look, look, I really gotta go home soon, Miku, I have… I'm getting pretty tired," she tells the tealette, and Miku's face twists in a frown.

"Don't let that stop you, Rin, you've got so much potential right now. I will literally pay you to become a model for me."

This isn't the first time she's offered, but Rin just laughs it off and shakes her head, readjusting her shirt and enjoying being back in her own clothes again.

"You know I can't do that. I really don't want to commit to being the pincushion," she laughs, and Miku rolls her eyes.

"Fine, fine…" She pauses. "Well, I did get quite a few perfect photos today. I appreciate the help. But we've got to start hanging out off work-hours, Rin!"

Rin glances over to Len, and shrugs. "I know, I just… don't really go do a lot right now. It's still an adjustment living with Len." She realizes Mikuo has vanished off somewhere, the first time he's left the room since the tiara search.

"I know, I know! But I've got this dream, okay, this dream that Kaito and Len will be best buds, and we'll go on double dates." The excitement in Miku's voice is absolutely palpable now, and Rin lets out another chuckle. "At least give me that."

"Okay, okay, I'll think about it."

"Don't just think about it! ...Wait!" An invisible lightbulb seems to go off above the tealettes head, and she reaches out to grab Len's arm, drawing the android over and booking between the both of them. "I know just the thing! My vacation house. It's on the beach, I'm going next month. You both should come!"

Rin balks immediately, despising the thought. "Miku, look, I don't know if I…"

Miku grabs her arms, forcing her to stare into her bright eyes. "Please? You've never gone before and I think it'd be the perfect opportunity for us to have a good time! You've got to go! I even have a perfect bathing suit for you to have, and it'd only be for two days out of your busy schedule. Promise you'll go!"

Wincing, Rin heaves a sigh, her stomach doing flip flops, before she slowly nods. "...I'll still think about it, but for now it's a tentative yes."

"Yes! Oho, yes!" Miku does a small fistpump in the air. "It'll be amazing, just you wait. Kaito~!"

"Yes, my love?" The blue-haired man seems to surface from thin air, and she kisses his cheek.

"Prepare my sewing desk, please? I have quite a lot of work to do!" She waves a hand at the two of them. "I'll get started on my projects then, and I'll see both of you later. You make sure she gets home safe, will you, Len?"

"Of course," he answers smoothly.

"Perfect. Toodles!" She walks off toward a back room, and Rin turns to Len.

"...I'm ready to go home. Let's get going."

The two head for the front door, but a voice calling out to them makes Rin turn.

Mikuo walks up to her, a new splotch of bright yellow paint on his cheek, and a somewhat nervous look on his face, one she's never seen him wear before.

"Ah, Rin, before you leave, I um…" He pauses, glancing between her and Len for a moment before settling on her. "I was wondering if I could, well… invite you to see my artwork. I would love to know your thoughts on my pieces."

"Oh. Oh," she says, realizing what he's trying to do and raising a hand as if to wave him away. Her chest tightens. "Mikuo, I, well… I don't know…"

There's something puppylike in his expression, and he clasps his hands in front of himself.

"You don't have to decide now, of course, and I would love to treat you to— to dinner, possibly, if you'd like. It would be my treat."

"Mikuo!" Miku's voice rings out through the store like a siren. "Mikuo, c'mere, I need you to help me with this!"

"Be right there!" He shouts, then offers Rin an apologetic smile. "Well, just… think on it, please? I'll see you later, Rin."

He takes off through the dress racks, and Rin finds herself staring after him, blinking in astonishment.

That might be the first time he's spoken with her so openly. Actually, he's never seemed that friendly before. The implications of his request seem to hang in the air like a fog, making her rethink her viewpoint of him. Mikuo has never really seemed like a bad person, and it might not be so bad to take up his offer sometime.

She got Len so that she would stop secluding herself, didn't she? Then maybe… it's time to take those first steps.

Unbeknownst to her, she misses the way Len looks at her from the side, and the soft quirk of his jaw clenching.