It's the day after when Rin's phone goes off.

In her room, she was reading a book (and staying away from Len) when her phone began to buzz like crazy. Picking it up, it's a number she's never seen before, but in her area code- a change for once.

Usually she wouldn't pick up, considering the amount of telemarketers and spam nowadays; but deciding it can't hurt, she hesitates a second before pressing talk.

"Hello?" she asks.

A beat of silence.

"Oh, uh… Is this Rin Kagamine?" A man's voice on the other side inquires, and she notes it sounds a little familiar.

"This is she. Who's calling?"

"This is Mikuo Hatsune. Miku's brother."

Mikuo? His name sends her aback for a moment, surprising her. What in the world is he doing calling her?

"Mikuo? What's wrong? Is Miku okay?" Immediately she jumps to the worst conclusion, but he cuts her off.

"No, no, nothing like that. I hope I'm not imposing on you, but I was calling for something else."

Her brows furrow. "...What is it?"

She can hear him take a deep breath on the other end.

"Well… I was hoping I could take you to dinner tonight. Are you free?"

Her eyes widen.

Mikuo's asking me out?

Her memory flashes to the other day, his eager face as he offered to show her his artwork. The pieces fall into place for her then.

"You want to… go out?" she verifies.

"Only if you'd like to. I would love to take you somewhere. I actually had Castillo's in mind- would that be alright?"

She wracks her brain trying to recall the name, and after a moment of searching her memories, she finally remembers that it's a fancy restaurant a little ways from her house. She's seen it in passing, but never gone in. It's an uppity, high-class restaurant that's reservation only.

Wow, he must be serious about this if he's wanting to take her there. It isn't her type of scenery, but…

Len's face flashes through her mind, and she blanches. She's been avoiding speaking to him since the incident yesterday. She's barely managed three words to him, and it's hard to look him in the eye after what happened. She can't get the memory of his kiss out of her head.

It would give her an excuse to leave the house, but…

"Rin? Are you there?"

"...Sure," she finally answers, casting a glance at her bedroom door. "You said tonight? Is that enough time to reserve…?"

"Don't worry, I know someone there, that part's already taken care of!" She can hear the excitement in his tone, and she lets out a soft, amused breath.

"Alright. I'll meet you there at seven. Is that okay?"

"Of course. I'll see you then."

She hangs up the call after saying goodbye, and stares at the phone held limply in her palm.

She really isn't all that interested in Mikuo, but… it would definitely give her some space from Len for a while. He's been by her side every day, and it's clouded her better judgment, obviously.

She may not be invested in dating Mikuo, but maybe it's going to give her the clarity she needs. Maybe he's what she actually needs, and she can figure out what she has to do from this point.

Especially, whether or not she needs an android lover. If she really needs Len.

Besides, it's giving her the opportunity to know Mikuo a little more. He is Miku's brother, after all; maybe they'll hit it off?

Ugh, dating isn't exactly her cup of tea. She never was good at it and didn't go on more than she can count on one hand.

Well, who knows?

Maybe… this is for the best.

.x.X.x.

It's been awhile since Rin wore a dress out, but here she is.

She'd broken out one of her old light blue knee-length dresses out of the closet. It's an off-the-shoulder number that shines under the light, a silken piece that is comfortable and shifts well with her body movement. She's even put on a little lipstick, blush, and mascara, using makeup that hasn't been touched for months at the least.

When she looks at herself in the mirror, she looks like another person, and leaves her a little hollow. Still, she keeps herself going, not wanting to back out now.

Come on Rin, chin up.

"Where are you going?"

Len's voice sends a little thrill of ice into her bloodstream, and she turns to look at him standing in the bathroom doorway. He's leaning on the doorframe, arms crossed, his blue eyes hooded.

She suddenly feels the need to lie and hide away, but she chokes down the sensation, pulling herself to her full height.

"Out," she murmurs, turning back to the mirror. "I'm going on a date."

She can see his face in the mirror change infinitesimally.

"...A date?" he inquires slowly.

"Yes. I'm going on a date with Mikuo tonight." She can't help the sharpness in her voice.

He visibly bristles for some reason, his eyes narrowing immediately. "...Mikuo? Hatsune?"

"Yeah." She brushes her bangs out of her face, trying to pretend she's uninterested in the conversation.

"You shouldn't go."

She pauses, before glancing his way. "What?"

"You shouldn't go," he repeats, shaking his head. "I don't like it."

She nearly laughs, a harsh sound that buries itself in her throat.

"Excuse me? What does that mean?" she demands, facing him again with both hands on her hips.

"I don't think this is a good idea," Len frowns. "Why are you going?"

"It's isn't your problem, Len, lay off it," she pushes past him, shutting off the light and heading to where her purse lies on her bedspread. He follows behind.

"It is. Your wellbeing is my 'problem', as you put it," he replies coldly, and this time she whirls on him.

She's never heard him talk to her like this, and something about it rubs her the wrong way. He sounds worried about her, but in a way that sets her temper alight- like she can't think for herself.

"I said drop it," she hisses, walking past him into the living room- and he grabs her arm, stopping her.

"Rin, please," he asks seriously, staring into her eyes and temporarily paralyzing her with his gaze. "I am asking you to not go. I don't know what I did wrong, but I don't want you to go. I'm worried about you."

She rips her arm out of his grasp, spinning away in a blur.

"Stop me, then."

No sooner are the words out of her mouth than his hands are on her shoulders, twisting her around. Her purse drops to the floor as she's pushed into the wall.

Her wrists are twisted within his fingers, and he pins them up above her head with a firm, unshakable hold. She's forced to look up into his face, and she feels her breath catch in her lungs when his nose brushes hers, his face right beside hers, too close for comfort.

"Don't go," he says again, this time in a velvety quiet voice. "Don't go on this date."

Her heartbeat is thrumming in her ears again, and she's lost for a moment, drowning in his cinnamon scent and the warmth of his breath on her cheeks. His lips just inches from hers sends flashbacks of their kiss the day before ziping through her thoughts.

Struggling to maintain her cool, she makes herself glare up at him, her fingers futilely fumbling against his hold.

"Let me go," she commands through clenched teeth. "Let go of me, Len."

His blue eyes flash with something indecipherable- and then he releases her. Her arms fall to her sides.

"...Rin…" he begins, but she plucks her purse off the floor and brushes past him, desperately trying not to look him in the face again. If she does, her resolve will crumble.

She reaches for the door handle of her home, and takes a deep breath, wavering softly.

"...Don't worry about me, Len," she finally says, feeling his eyes on her back. "I'll be okay. Don't come with me- I'm going alone."

"Rin-"

She doesn't wait for his answer, nearly throwing herself out the door to avoid hearing the rest.

It leaves her feeling cold, and his expression is burned into her retinas. It tugs at her heartstrings.

She keeps telling herself this is for the best… but is it?

Is this worth it?

No looking back now. It'll be okay.

For now, let's see where this goes. I've made my decision already.

.x.X.x.

Len paces the length of Rin's living room a few hours later, wearing a mental rut into the floor.

He's clenching and unclenching his hands, feeling a sense of uneasiness. He can't help frantically panicking over Rin going out with Mikuo.

Everything about Mikuo since that day at the boutique has set alarm bells as to whether he should be around Rin, and with her going out with him without Len nearby, he's worried something terrible will happen. The man unsettles him, a strange feeling for an android.

Without his charge here where he can keep her safe, he feels useless. But he can't leave Rin's home unless she says so.

Because she had ordered him not to leave, it had made going after her impossible. Her word is like a God's decree for him; her voice is his command, and because of it, there's an invisible barrier at the door. He's trapped inside, waiting for her to come back while he does nothing.

It's insufferable, really. If she had listened to him, then they wouldn't be in this situation. But he had seen some kind of coldness behind her gaze, replaced with sadness as she went out the door. She's warring with herself, and he can see it. Yet she still won't open up to him about her feelings.

Rin's feelings are so complicated, it seems. Humans are complex creatures, surely, but he's Rin's android. He's supposed to know exactly what to do for her, and how to care for her, but he just keeps making mistakes that upset her. The night before seems to have clinched something for her, and he's struggling to follow her line of thinking.

She had kissed him with such passion and fire in her soul that he had felt it surge through him the same way. In fact, her lips against his had triggered his response to love her, but for some reason it felt incredibly powerful. His desire to have Rin be his own is stronger than ever, and yet it feels oddly… specific.

He loves her. It's clear as day that he can't be without her, but when she had pressed him close to her and stolen his lips, it felt like his own chest had responded. Androids don't have hearts… but for a moment, it felt like he did.

A silly thought, one that rationality threatens to crush. The technical side of him knows it's not true, but there is something else underneath the logic and reasoning that says otherwise.

Over the last while, he's begun to feel truly strange, if it can be said that way. Rin is his lover by default, of course, yet… Now, when he looks at her, she is more beautiful than anything else. Her laugh is the tinkling of bells and sweetness. Her sorrow is his own. He feels her ups and downs like they're his own, but it's natural and realistic. Too realistic.

It's awakened something outside his software. his programming says nothing about human emotions interfering with his code. But…

It's there. Something that can't be reasoned through or doubted. Something even his high intellect AI can't decipher.

Is this feeling truly just artificially created?

Better yet, why is it that the feeling is so strong that just the mere thought of her being with Mikuo causes him distress? This sense of anger, frustration, distaste…

...Is this jealousy?

Len walks to the front door, and reaches out to take hold of the knob- and his fingers freeze inches from it. He can't move his arm, it's been locked in place.

In front of him, in his vision a barrier lays across the doorway, glowing bright and refusing him access. He struggles against it, wanting to follow after her, to keep her safe.

It refuses. He can't gain any leeway.

He backs away from it, and his arm falls to his side limply. It's like something else controls him, preventing him from breaking the contractual agreement between humans and robots. He can't disobey Rin's commands.

He glances to the side, and realizes that the darkened world outside seems a little wet. Rain splatters against Rin's windows, and lightning flashes off in the distance.

Rin is out in that storm right now, and I'm not there.

His eyes drift downward, toward her door frame, and the telltale bright yellow of her umbrella leaning there makes him grit his teeth.

She didn't take it with her, either. She'll get soaked, and then sick.

I have to take it to her.

Picking it up and holding it delicately in his left hand, Len reaches for the door again, feeling the now-familiar sensation of his joints locking. His eyes narrow, and his chest heaves slightly.

I can't stay here. I don't care what Rin says, I need to go to her.

Rin needs me, and that matters more than her orders.

The force of the thought that enters his head seems to crack something deep within him, the strength of his willpower and resolve sending something through him in a deep surge.

Len watches as the barrier in front of him begins to flash, as if losing power, before crumbling to pieces at his feet, vanishing into thin air. His arm relaxes, and his palm rests against the door handle. He stares in disbelief, his processors firing rapidly trying to understand it.

I… I broke free. Somehow, I cracked my own coding.

...I can't dwell on that right now. Gripping tight on the sleek metal, he twists it open.

Rin…

Please, wait for me.

.x.X.x.

Rin's fingers tap unsteadily against the dining table.

The atmosphere is quaint, a haughty air surrounding her, and she can't help feeling out of place. Even in this nice dress and this makeup, she feels like a fake.

Still, she's trying to have a good time, especially since Mikuo seems to be trying his hardest to make her comfortable.

She was actually a little surprised by how nicely he cleaned up. His teal hair was slicked back a bit, a few wisps hanging over his eyes. He had put on a nice white dress shirt and tie, along with black slacks. The collar of his shirt is unbuttoned at the top, revealing his slim collar, and his eyes seem to glitter every time he looks at her.

The setting is romantic, too; candlelight dinner, pure white tablecloth, few patrons around them so they're in their own bubble. It's an ideal situation for a budding romance.

He has one hand at his plate, and the other lying off to one side of the table for some reason. Hers, however, are firmly pressed in her lap. Her salmon lies growing colder by the minute, and she takes another bite of the savory, buttery fish in the hopes of making it seem like she's not anxious.

She's been trying to make small talk with Mikuo for the last while, and he seems nice and all, but there's something just not clicking about their interaction. It frustrates her more than she was before, truthfully. She doesn't like not being able to act normally or become interested in another person.

If anything, Mikuo would be the perfect person to be with, if I were looking for practical.

The brother of her best friend, a well-known artist not hurting for wealth, who seems to really be into her judging by his furtive looks and nervous laughter from time to time.

"Rin?" His voice draws her back to the present, and she offers him a non-committal smile.

"Sorry, what was that?" she asks, and he frowns slightly.

"I wasn't asking a question, I just… noticed you were daydreaming."

Oops. She's been found out. She winces.

"Sorry, Mikuo," she says, reaching for her ice water. "My head's elsewhere. I don't mean to seem like I'm… bored, or anything."

He gazes at her for a moment.

"...You're fine," he murmurs, before smiling her way.

Clearing her throat, she tries to scrounge up conversation between the two of them. "You said that you wanted to show me your artwork, right?""

He brightens immediately.

"Yes, of course. I actually… I could paint you something, if you like…" he says, his voice dropping a bit with each word til she can barely make it out.

"What was that?"

"N-Nothing. But you should definitely come by at some point. I would love to show you some pieces I think you'd really enjoy," he says, enthusiastic. "You seem like a person who can appreciate my work."

"Ah, yeah, sure…"

She's fiddling with her silverware now.

It's hard for her to hold up the charade of conversation like this. Obviously Mikuo's trying to get her to talk more, but her head's just not in it. Maybe this really wasn't such a good idea after all. She's not even giving him a chance right now.

This isn't like talking with someone who has the same interests as you do, or knows you like the back of their hand.

...Like Len does.

His face from earlier haunts her thoughts, and her grip on her dress becomes tighter. She hates to admit it, but she feels remorseful about the way she acted.

Len is always thinking of her best interests, android-programmed or not. He's always able to talk with her easily, never fighting to find something new to talk about. He's comfortable, stress-free (unless she's acting stupid about how she feels.)

Her heart aches softly.

"...Rin, is something bothering you?"

She blinks at Mikuo, pursing her lips.

He looks concerned for her, and she sighs.

"...I'm sorry," she murmurs. "I just have a lot on my mind today."

I have Len on my mind.

This is all her fault.

She's been acting irrationally, making impulse decisions. She's acting like a teenager again, and frankly, it's starting to wear on her.

I don't have enough time to do this back and forth. Why do I cause myself issues like this?

"If you'd like to talk about it, I'm here to listen," Mikuo says softly, leaning a bit across the table and gazing at her. "That's why I'm here, anyway. To… To listen to you."

Her cheeks turn a faint shade of red.

Coughing a little, she shakes her head. "Listen, Mikuo, this has been… This is really sweet, you know? But, I…"

He holds his hands up suddenly, silencing her.

"Please, don't worry about it," he says. His eyes twinkle. "I can see it on your face. Your heart isn't in this date."

This time her face flushes with embarrassment.

"I'm… I'm sorry," she barely manages. "Really, I don't mean to waste your time."

"This isn't a waste."

The calm firmness in his voice doesn't waver, and his expression doesn't change.

"You being here isn't a waste, not to me. I'm just… glad you came at all," he laughs, a somewhat mirthless sound. "I've learned more about you in the last hour than I did before, so to me, every minute has been worth it."

She doesn't know how to respond, floundering. His words are honest, but underneath, there's a little bit of an edge.

God, what am I even doing here right now? Her internal voice is yelling at her for being a dunce.

"...You're right, Mikuo," she says, standing up. He looks up at her in confusion. "This has been nice. Maybe we could do it again sometime, when I'm not thinking about other things. But I think I'm going to head on home now."

As she reaches for her purse, he stands up as well.

"Wait, Rin, can I at least escort you home?" he asks, almost desperate.

She pauses, and then smiles at him.

"Thank you, Mikuo. But, I'm okay. I'll see you later."

Not waiting for his response, she slings her purse over her shoulder and walks away, heading toward the exit of the restaurant. She lets out a deep breath once he's not in vision any longer.

Sometimes, I feel like I'm too complex for even myself to understand? Why am I doing these things?

I don't have the luxury of options.

Thrusting open the elegant glass doorway, Rin takes a single step out before being battered with rain. She stops in her tracks, feeling the downpour drenching her dress through to her skin, cold chills tingling through to her bones.

She didn't realize it was going to rain. Ah, how unprepared she was for this entire endeavor.

The moonlight dimly shining through the clouds above casts enough light for her to adjust to the darkness, the streetlights barely helping. The streets bustle with life even at this time of night, however, and happy couples and late-night partiers are out in full force.

And amongst them, standing at the entrance of the restaurant with her bright yellow umbrella open over his head, is Len. His long hair is plastered to his neck and forehead, and his clothes are absolutely soaked. He looks at her, his face cast in shadows from the pale light, a small oasis from the rain. It looks like he's been out here a while.

She can't help staring at him, even as the rain makes her makeup run and makes her dress clings to her body.

"...Len?" she nearly chokes, not expecting him to be standing there. "What are you…?"

"You forgot this," he answers softly, making a small gesture toward the umbrella. "I wanted to bring it to you, even though you told me not to come. I didn't want you to get sick in this weather"

Her heartbeat thumps erratically in her chest, matching the thunderclap that bursts above them.

Taking a step forward, paying no mind to the rain, she gapes at him. "You… brought this all the way from home because I forgot it? How did you even know where I was? I didn't tell you."

"Your notes," he replies, his blue eyes hooded by unwavering. "You left your written directions on the bathroom countertop."

I can't believe it.

He really did come all this way just to give me this.

"...Are you angry with me?"

She blinks at him, noting the sense of dissonance in his voice.

"...What?"

He raises his chin, his jaw clenched. "I disobeyed you. I came here despite you telling me not to. You seemed quite upset with me earlier, and I just want to know if I've made you angry with me. If so, I'm sorry."

Rin can't fathom his words, the syllables ringing in her ears but not making any sense.

Len… You idiot.

It's almost laughable, thinking of him that way, but he's like a puppy. He never hesitates to do things for her, he always thinks of her, and he even stood out here for who knows how long to keep her dry.

Her heart feels ready to burst just looking at him. She presses a hand to her chest, feeling her feeble heart racing within.

..Maybe I'm the idiot.

Maybe I need to stop questioning how I feel so badly. Because Len doesn't think twice about it.

...Maybe if I stop telling myself I'm wrong, the way I feel will sort itself out.

Letting out a long exhale, Rin walks forward. He stiffens, but she simply threads her arm through his, taking shelter under the large umbrella. Somehow, his body emits a sweet warmth that easily combats the rainy chill.

When he looks at her questioningly, she only shakes her head.

"...I'm not angry," she tells him sincerely, letting herself lean against him for real this time. "Thank you, Len. I appreciate it."

Len's blue eyes seem to channel the stars when she meets his gaze.

"You're welcome," he responds, letting her close and tightening his arm in hers. "Now, let's get you home."

Rin closes her eyes, letting the moment wash over her.

"...Okay. Let's go home."