"Ahhh! I'm so glad to feel the salty breeze on my skin~!"
Miku's shrill, light voice pierces through the air, and she exuberantly throws her hands up into the air. Her expression is nothing but pure bliss.
The five of them- Rin, Miku, Mikuo, Len, and Kaito- are all standing outside her vacation home. It's a little late in the season, but the heat hasn't diminished in the slightest. The stay is for just the weekend, but they've only just arrived.
The vacation house is quite honestly huge, layered in windows and two stories tall. Wood panelled and looking out over a wide expanse of the ocean, it's the ideal place to have a wonderful weekend.
Well, for everyone except Rin, that is.
"I just love it here so much," Miku says, tossing her luggage to the ground and running to the grand white door, peering through the stained glass window set into it. "It feels like forever since we last came here."
"We were here a few months ago, remember?" Mikuo says dryly. "You act like it's been years."
"It feels like years!"
She rushes inside, and Kaito is quick to pick her suitcase up, allowing Rin and Mikuo entry before himself.
Rin steps inside, and is greeted with a spacious living room with mahogany floors and pure white furniture. There are little beach knick knacks lining the built-in shelves along the walls, and a grand staircase leading up to the balconied second floor, revealing.a partial hall and a few doors one could assume lead to bedrooms. On the ground floor, there is an arched entryway to the kitchen, and a side hall that, when Rin glances that direction, reveals a large marble bathroom.
Overall, it's an incredibly nice and obviously expensive living space, that's for sure.
Miku does a cute little spin in the middle of the room, shining a bright smile toward her guests.
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen," she sings, "Welcome to our little party house for the weekend! Bedrooms are upstairs, feel free to pick whichever one you want except for the one at the far end, that's mine. Now, hurry up and get changed, we're going to the beach."
She takes off up the stairs, trailing laughter with excitement, her cute white sundress fluttering around her legs as she disappears around the top corner, and Rin lets out a little breath.
She can't believe she got dragged into this.
She'd completely forgotten about agreeing to the vacation thing a few weeks ago. Actually, now that she thinks about it, it's been almost two months since she got Len. That day seems like years ago now, truthfully.
Her eyes slide across to Mikuo, and she cringes when she realizes he's staring back at her. He offers her a tiny smile, and she barely manages one in return. They hadn't spoken much since the other night and the failed date they'd had. It leaves her feeling awkward, wanting to run away.
Len comes up beside her, and she glances up at him.
"We should find a room for you," he mentions, and she nods in response, happy for the excuse.
"Yeah, you're right."
They make their way upstairs, her small suitcase in hand even though Len had offered to carry it for her. Her footsteps creak through the large house, and she heads for the first door she sees, tossing it open with a loud squeak.
The room is smaller, but still big enough to be its own mini apartment. A queen size bed is up against the wall on the right hand side, decorated in a pure white comforter complete with a big, dark wood headboard. There is an end table, a few chairs tossed in, and a little doorway that shows off a smaller version of the bathroom downstairs. A large glass door at the forefront of the room goes out to a mini balcony.
I really didn't think this house was going to be this humongous, but… wow.
Deciding that this room will do, Rin sets her suitcase on the ground, glancing at Len temporarily. She makes her way to the balcony entry, staring out at the rolling waves just a ways from her. Her stomach flip flops anxiously.
Ah… I really don't like this.
She starts to think up excuses as to why she can't go down to the water, but she forces the thoughts out of her head before they can form.
If I drop out already, they'll catch on, and I really don't want that. That'd be worse than just being in the water.
Gently sliding her shirt and shorts off, revealing her little orange bikini underneath, she tosses the clothes aside before remembering that Len is still in the room. Her face turns bright red, and she crosses her arms over her chest as if it'll cover her back up, flashing him a grimace. He simply blinks, not seeing any problem with this. She notes that he's already slipped into swim shorts when she wasn't looking.
"Are you ready to go?" he only asks, and she sighs heavily.
"...I guess."
"Rin! Hurry up!" Miku's voice yells from downstairs, carrying up like a siren's call. "We're headed out!"
Feeling nothing close to excitement for what's to come, Rin walks past Len, following after her friends.
Through the kitchen and out the sliding back door, Rin steps barefoot upon sand. The tealettes and Kaito have already made their way to the beach, Miku (in a revealing sky-colored swimsuit) diving straight into the waves, whilst Kaito sets up a large umbrella to cast shade on a sitting spot.
Rin hesitantly makes her way towards them, Len following suit right at her heels. When she gets close enough, Kaito turns to her, bowing his head.
"I have extra towels for you all," he says simply, his blue hair bobbing around his face. "Please, take one."
"Oh… thanks," Rin replies, gingerly taking the light colored towel from him when he extends his hand. He just nods, and quickly hurries to catch up with Miku, who's shrieking and flailing out in the blue ocean. Mikuo heads in after them, and Rin watches Miku splash water at him, quickly causing a splash fight to break out.
They look like they're having fun.
Instead of joining them, she lays out the towel to its fullest under the umbrella, and seats herself on top of it, electing to just watch them go at it. Even if she's gotta be on the beach, it doesn't mean she has to get into the water.
Mikuo, drenched and dripping from the top of his head to his toes, slogs out of the calm waters and up to her and Len, drinking in her appearance when he gets close enough to see her.
"Hey, Rin," he says, "You look great."
Rin purses her lips, her cheeks turning pink. "Oh, um… thanks."
"You want to go swimming?" he asks. She shakes her head quickly.
"No." Her answer is sharp, curt, and she tries to soften it quickly. "I mean… I just don't want to right now, you know? I ate not too long ago, I don't want to cramp out in the water. Thanks, though."
He frowns a little but shrugs.
"Well... if you decide to join us, feel free," he says, giving a strange glance to Len before heading back out.
She lets out a trapped breath. Holding up this charade is going to be harder than she expected.
"...Do you not like swimming?"
She peeks up at Len.
"...No, not really," she says in a quiet voice. "I'm really not a fan of it."
"Is that why you're not out there with them?"
The question seems pointed enough that she winces a little, hating how easily Len can cut to the heart of her excuses. He always sees right through her.
"...Yeah," she admits. "It is."
He plops down beside her, crossing his legs under himself, and she gives him an odd look.
"I'll stay here, then," he says, shrugging, and she narrows her eyes.
'You don't have to," she argues. "I don't need you to keep me company. You should go with them."
"Rin, I don't want to leave you alone," he returns, and she bites her cheek.
I don't need pity or fake compassion, even from my android.
"I just don't want to get wet," she continues, placing a hand on his bare shoulder. "Go, Len, I want you to be with them."
His expression flashes with something she wasn't expecting, something similar to pain. "Rin…"
"Go," she enforces, shaking her head. "I'm not going to let you stay here. I hope you realize that. You should go and have a good time. I'll… join later."
Len looks her over, not seeming even remotely convinced, but then gets back to his feet.
"...Alright," he finally relents, and then walks off to join in with them. He barely makes it a few inches into the water when Miku gives him a wildly mischievous look, and flings water at him, absolutely coating him in salty sea water. It brings a strange, silly smile to her face.
Here she is, sitting out what looks like an incredible time, because of her fear. This irrational, throttling terror of the sea.
Well… Or it's her own making. But neither makes it easier.
Her chest grows tight and painful, observing her friends enjoying themselves without her. It leaves some kind of hollow ache in the pit of her stomach, a dull throb that threatens to take her breath away at the slightest moment.
She wants to join them. In her heart, she knows that she wishes to be out there having fun and playing around like a kid again. But she holds herself back, missing out instead.
It's okay. Really.
Maybe someday I'll get to be out there too.
.x.X.x.
A few hours pass this way.
A couple instances occur where Miku tries to get Rin out into the water, but Rin manages to blow her off every time. It's not an easy feat, either; the tealette doesn't like to take 'no' for an answer.
Still, Rin gets away with it for the most part, dodging any pointed questions and evading it with skill she's honed over the years.
It's not fun, and it makes her feel a bit terrible, but she still does it.
She also doesn't appreciate the way Len looks at her every time she comes up with a reason not to get into the water. his eyes grow soulful and thoughtful, and it worries her. She knows he can see right through her despite her best efforts.
It causes her to grow a little distant to him, trying desperately to avoid him breaking apart her already thin barrier.
"Alright, guys!" Miku slaps her hands together in the light of the setting sun, grinning ear to ear and absolutely dripping with salt water. "You all know what time it is~! Bonfire time!"
She snaps her fingers, and her blue-haired boyfriend quickly comes to her side. She leans up and plants a soft kiss onto his damp cheek.
"Kaito, sweetheart, go grab the wood from the house for me please?"
"Of course, my love."
Len walks past them, sparing Rin a glance. "I'll help as well."
They head off toward the house; in the meantime, Miku cups a hand over her forehead to shield the light from her eyes, squinting into the distance before throwing a hand up into the air and waving frantically.
"Hey! Heeeey!"
"Miku, what are you doing?" Rin asks, climbing off the sandy floor to give her friend a strange look.
In response, Miku grabs her arm and points off in a direction. "Take a look!"
Rin struggles to see through the still-painfully-bright light, before realizing that there are three people in the not so far distance. They seem to have seen Miku, and are headed their way.
"Oh, is that who I think it is?" Mikuo asks, coming up behind the two and startling Rin.
"Who…?"
Rin doesn't have time to finish her sentence, as the three individuals approach and become clearer to her. To her surprise, two are familiar faces. Gumi dressed in a slimming one-piece orange bathing suit, and Miki, in a little skirt and bikini top ensemble all hot pink. Beside them, however, is a man Rin has never seen before. He's a handsome, tanned young man with jet-black hair slicked back, a few strands of his bangs hanging over his charcoal eyes. He's got an athletic figure, wearing a pair of deep blue swim shorts.
"Oh, hey, you guys," Gumi says, smiling and raising a hand in greeting. "Is it vacation weekend, Miku?"
"You betcha!" Miku grins ear to ear, gesturing behind her. "Nice to see you all. I assume you've met Rin?"
"Of course." Gumi's emerald eyes sparkle. "How's Len doing?"
"...Much better," Rin manages softly chuckling under her breath and casting her eyes backwards as if he'll appear from thin air. "He's in the house right now."
"Great. I'll give him a good once-over when he comes back." Gumi replies, before making a motion toward the man beside her. "Oh, right. By the way, this is Yuuma. You've never met him, Rin, but he's a friend of mine and Miku's."
"A pleasure," he says in a deep, smooth voice, looking Rin over. "Hope we can get to know each other better."
Rin coughs, feeling a little embarrassed. "Ah, um… sure."
Suddenly an arm wraps itself around her neck loosely, and Rin casts a wild look up at Mikuo, who is suddenly a lot closer than she'd like. He seems to give Yuuma a wooden smile.
"Yes, Yuuma, it's great of you to be here," he replies, his teal eyes a tad steely.
Miku interjects herself between them, looking vibrant as ever.
"This is great! You guys gotta stay for the bonfire, at least. Are you staying at a hotel?"
"Mm. We were just up here for the day," Gumi says, and Miku tsks.
"You can stay at my place if you'd like. I'd love to have more people to join us. This weekend is all about cutting loose and having a great time, after all."
"I did bring along a case of beer," Yuuma says, his lips curving into an easy smile. "I'd love to hang out awhile."
"'Course you would," Gumi smirks, and Miki sheepishly smiles.
Footsteps in the sand draws everyone's eyes to the side, and Rin sees Kaito and Len coming back, each with an armful of wood. Realizing that Mikuo's arm is still around her shoulders, her face flames up, and she quickly shrugs it off.
It feels awkward and weird to let Mikuo act that way while Len is standing right there.
She can't meet Len's eyes suddenly, taking a step to put distance between herself and Mikuo.
"Oh, perfect!" Miku claps her hands together. "Let's start putting this together."
"Let me help," Yuuma offers, and Gumi jumps in.
"Me too. Miki, let's get this together."
Together, they get the fire going in no time. The fire is beautiful shades of red and orange, and it casts neat shadows across the beach as the sun continues to drop below the horizon.
Gumi and Mikuo are talking off to the side, and Miku is exuberantly chatting up Yuuma with a glint in her eyes, making offhand comments about making clothes while he just laughs it off. Miki and Kaito are off to the side, both with identical smiles on their faces. It's actually a little eerie; they're just human enough to look like they belong, but they're just androids. They're not making conversation, or doing anything but watching over the humans. It's… unnerving.
Yet, here's Rin, doing the exact thing.
She's been nothing but awkward. She can barely get two words out in conversation. She feels so out of place that she can't help but lowkey want to run away.
This is why she doesn't like big groups. She has one friend for a reason. When it's like this, she's just a bystander off to the side, a stranger in a family. She doesn't belong here.
Hell, the way she acts sometimes, she could be an android herself.
Her chest yawns open an empty hole, a blank darkness that feels so hollow.
She wants to join in, but she doesn't even know where to start. If she could just open her mouth and pop herself into the middle of a conversation, she could break this feeling. But it paralyzes her, wrapping around her vocal cords like a rope.
Heh. She could use liquid courage at a time like this, but the thought of drinking alcohol disgusts her. She's never been a fan of it in the first place. Another thing that makes her feel like an imposter.
"Hey, you want a beer?" Yuuma approaches her, offering the glass bottle, and she recoils as if he'd read her thoughts.
"No, I… thank you." She can't breathe all of a sudden. her chest is tight, restricting, and she just needs air away from the group. "Actually, I'm gonna go take a walk."
Miku walks over, tilting her head questioningly. "Rin, you want us to go too? It's starting to get kinda dark."
"No," she answers quickly, shaking her head fast and taking a step back, feeling all pairs of eyes on her. "I'm okay! Just want to explore the beach, maybe grab a snack, that's all. I'll be back in a bit."
The tealette seems concerned, but just shrugs. "Well… suit yourself. Just be careful out there, Rin."
"Yeah."
She swallows hard, spinning away from the ground and beginning to plod away from the group, when-
"Rin, wait."
Len's voice. She freezes as if he'd ordered her to, risking a look at the blond.
"What?'
"Let me go with you."
She stiffens. "No. I said I don't need anyone."
"It isn't safe to wander alone," he continues, ignoring her feeble attempt to tell him off.
A potion of frustration and irritation bubbles up in her center, and she whirls on him, eyes ablaze.
"I said no! I don't need you, I don't need anyone to baby me. Leave me be! Stay here, don't come after me, Len!"
Not waiting for his response, she takes off, running through the gritty sand and nearly tripping over her own two feet.
Here I am, lashing out again for my own stupid feelings. I don't get myself. I can't make up my mind anymore.
I just need to get away.
Wanting to put as much distance between Len and herself as she can, Rin takes off, not caring about the direction or where it takes her. She just needs to get out of here.
Anywhere but there.
She feels like she's running for an hour, but in reality it has to be only a few minutes. The sky continues to darken, matching her feelings, and when she finally stops to catch her breath, feeling her lungs struggle to keep up with her foolishness, she realizes she's in front of what looks like a little cavern set into part of the beach. It's a yawning hole that sparks intimidation into her heart.
She blinks, realizing something is sparkling on the inside. It's a very slight glint in the darkness, but it's enough to capture her interest.
What is that?
Tentatively wandering closer, feeling a thick cold breeze from within, she glances back at the beach. Noting the absence of her friends, including Len, she shakes her head.
I'll check this out, and then… I guess I'll go back. I can't just keep running away from everyone like a child.
The shine catches her interest again, and she softly slides into the slick, rocky entrance. It's cool against her feet, the sand lessening as she moves further and further inside.
What is inside of this…?
She feels a chill arc throughout her spine, and she debates heading back- but then she realizes that whatever it is lay just in front of her, and she hesitantly keeps going.
When it seems like it's right in front of her, she stops, reaching down to touch the silver item- and then screams.
It's a severed arm. A metallic, torn object in pieces of tan and blue, the false skin worn and dirtied from being in the area for who knows how long. The blue liquid that androids spill seems to be caked around it, and she hops away from it in terror, hitting the cavern wall.
Losing her footing, she accidentally slips to the side, realizing too late that the cavern dips sharply down from that point. She topples forward, the light of the cave entrance vanishing above her head as she painfully slams down against the rocks and dirt, feeling cuts open up on her legs and arms.
She tries to scream again, for help, for anyone, but then her body hits something cold and wet that envelopes her entire body- a yawning, dark abyss of water that drags her under. Her voice is swallowed amongst bubbles, and her entire body panics. She tries to push herself to the surface, but she seems to break through it for a moment before losing her grip on anything around her, her body sinking-
-because she can't swim.
Someone help me, please!
Someone, anyone!
Am I going to die here?
Just one face comes to mind, as she struggles for her life. Just one, the only one that she yearns to see right now.
Please, Len, come save me!
I need you!
.x.X.x.
The bonfire roars.
The idle chatter around the night illuminating fire seems to never end, but Len is listless and quiet.
His fingers keep tapping across his knees- a nervous habit he picked up from Rin.
Speaking of Rin…
"...You know," Miku says, drawing the attention of the group with the volume of her voice. Her bright eyes glance around, settling on Len. Her expression becomes concerned. "I feel like Rin's been gone a long time."
"...Yeah, I think so too," Gumi responds, crossing her arms. "Didn't she say she was going for a walk?"
There is something ticking at the back of Len's mind, a warning signal- something that feels off about the fact she hasn't come back yet. It's not like him to irrationally fear, but his programming hasn't been so reliable lately.
Her face before she left flashes behind his eyes. She had ordered him to stay, just like that time at her home, but… This time there's no barrier forcing him to stay here. In fact, he only stayed because he had chosen to follow Rin's wishes of his own volition.
She had seemed so bothered… and yet, he didn't want to get in her way if she didn't want him there.
"Maybe one of us should've gone with her anyway," Miku frowns, standing up and brushing off her bare legs. "Let's go see if we can grab her. It's not fun to hang out without her being here anyway."
"I agree," Mikuo says, turning to Len with narrowed eyes. "You're her android, aren't you Why didn't you go with her?"
The accusatory tone he uses doesn't go unnoticed by half the group, but Len only turns away.
"...She asked me not to," he replies quietly. "But I'm going to go find her. You're right; I am her android. If anyone needs to find her, it's me."
He starts to walk off, before a hand claps itself down on his shoulder. He glances aside, where Miku stands. She smiles at him thoughtfully.
"Well, you may be her android, but we're her friends," she says. "We'll all go."
"Let's split up," Gumi suggests, straightening her bathing suit. "Miki, Yuuma and I will head to this side of the beach. You three head for the other."
"Okay," Miku says. "Let's go."
With that, the group departs in either direction. The three plod along in the sand, before Miku grabs Mikuo's arm.
"I didn't think about the boardwalk. Maybe she's out checking the concessions?" she suggests. "It's worth a shot."
"Go ahead," Len says, shaking his head. "I'll go along this part of the beach a bit more, but if I don't find her, I'll locate you."
"Okay."
Then it's just Len, walking along the glittering sea.
She must be here somewhere. She went this way before.
The ocean breeze caresses his hair, but he only flips it out of his eyes, before glancing at his hand with surprise.
It's not as if I need to be able to see. My sensors detect everything as it is. This little bit of hair shouldn't bother me,but I reflexively chose to move it aside.
Another human trait I've picked up from Rin, no doubt.
It seems that she's starting to wear off on me. Even my thoughts seem… human-like.
Rin…
He turns a small corner, crossing a path through a rocky terrain, but something small catches his attention. He pauses, training his hearing on whatever it happened to be. His range extends outward, amplifying the sound.
Splashing, echoing… harsh breathing. A familiar voice?
...Rin's voice?
"I-I can't-! I can't b… breathe!"
It's unmistakable. That's Rin's voice, terrified and struggling.
He spins around, neurons firing, every instinct in his body turning on in a flash. He's on high alert, and he pinpoints the sound from the nearby cavern. The dark opening beckons him, and he can hear her voice still- until suddenly it stops.
He practically flies into the cave, his feet pounding the ground in a rush he's never felt before. He can't hear her anymore. Where is she?
"Rin!" He yells out, his voice carrying into the deep recesses. "Rin! I'm here! Where are you?"
Why isn't she answering?
His danger sense is strong. He hurries forward, his keen eyesight piercing the dark, illuminating everything with his night vision. He can see a steep decline, and when he reaches it, an ominous pool of water below that seems much too deep.
Could she be-?
He knows the answer- and it's only confirmed by the little wispy bubbles breaking apart over the surface.
Rin's life is in danger.
He doesn't wait a single second. Skidding down into the icy depths, he submerges himself, staring through the murkiness, looking for any trace of her.
He spots her in an instant. Her small body succumbed to the cold, oxygenless water, her hands outstretched as if reaching for him, her eyes sewn closed and her mouth parted in a silent scream for help. The last remnants of her breath seem to leave her in that moment, and he wastes no time.
Like a torpedo, he swims like a professional, sinking to her level and wrapping her into his arms. Pulling her to his chest, he quickly moves upward, forcing her limp body with him.
I have to make sure she's safe. I can't let her die.
Once he's broken the surface, he makes her head tilt upward to catch the air.
"Rin, Rin, please wake up," he urges her, and her eyes take a moment before blearily peeking open. The relief he feels is immense.
He moves her up where he can climb the both of them out, her arms wrapped around him loosely, and he hears her coughing, water dripping from her blue lips. The moment he's on stable ground, he picks her up in both arms, bridal-style carrying her out of the cave.
Her little hands find purchase in the back of his neck, clinging to him as she comes back to the world, and when he looks down at her, her blue eyes are soulless, filled with only fear. Her whole body is shaking like a leaf in the wind.
He's never seen her look so tiny and so afraid.
"L-Len," she manages, her body wracking with coughs. She buries her face into his chest, frail and cold as ice. "Len, I…"
"Shh," he quiets her, holding her close to his chest. It feels as though his heart rests with each word she utters, a silent feeling of gratefulness she's alive.
The feeling is immeasurable, and encases his entire body.
He smoothes her hair, holding her tightly in his arms.
"Don't worry," he whispers, watching tears begin to roll down her cheeks.
"I'm right here. You're safe."
He breathes in the scent of her, cherishing the feeling of holding her close.
He could have lost her.
"You'll never have to be scared like that again," he softly murmurs to her alone.
"I'm always going to be here to protect you."
A/N: Yo.
Fair warning. The next chapter might be a little... spicy.
I also would like to seek forgiveness for all the grammar and spelling errors I've been making lately. Nano does that to a person, and I don't have an editor.
But, you know. Frequent updates, amirite?
Anyways, read on.