RinxLen Story ch.12 part 2

?.·°°· ° means time skip

O-o-O means flashback or memory

°??° ·°??° .·°?°·. °??°· °??°

I Just Found out I'm Addicted to You

Chapter 12: Talent Show of Fragile Hearts Part 2

°??° ·°??° .·°?°·. °??°· °??°

Luka's P.O.V

"Next up are Luka Megurine and Gakupo Kamui also singing an original duet named 'Go Google It'!"

I closed my eyes, the moment has arrived.

I slowly walked towards the curtain.

Please let this be over soon...

"Luka!"

I turned around at the sound of my name being called. Miku ran up to me, smiling like never before.

I smiled too. She finally got the courage to confess to Kaito, even if the situation had been complicated.

If she could do it then maybe I...

No. That's a silly thought.

"Give it your all Luka! It's not that hard!" She said while jumping up and down.

"Yeah, thanks Miku. Congratulations."

"Eh?" She asked, her face distorted with confusion.

I sighed. Miku might be my best friend and all but she can be a little, er-slow at times.

"About Kaito."

"Oh! Yeah! I finally did it!" She said happily.

"Luka Megurine..." I heard my name being called from the speakers.

"I have to go, please tell me later?" I asked.

"Sure! Good luck Luuukka~!"

I nodded and resumed my walk towards the stage.

My fingers gripped the red velvet curtain and I took one last breath...

Here we go.

With a swift motion, I stepped onto the stage, bright lights illuminating my path.

"Geez, I thought you ditched me." Gakupo said from my right as I emerged.

"I wish. This is for a grade remember? If it weren't then I wouldn't be here." I said coldly, avoiding his gaze. Recently I had begun to feel emotions that I can't really decipher...

"Why must you always be so mean to me?" Gakupo asked and his bottom lip stuck out slightly in a pout, "Is it because deep down you like me but you don't want to admit it?"

My eyes widened slightly. I turned around and didn't answer.

"Idiot." I said through clenched teeth.

"Okay! I was just playing!" He said in his defense and backed away.

My previous punch must've really hurt if he backed up that much.

The music began playing and walked a couple of feet away. This song might turn out to be a little more true to life than I thought...

"Please do not ask me why~" I began to sing.

"All of you wants to know me, I think." Gakupo sang after me.

Even after hearing him sing in practice it still surprised me that this guy could actually sing...period.

"Please do not ask me why..."

"All of you wants to know me~"

His voice had could hit soft deep and high notes...

We waited a while for a while, letting the music play, until it was time to resume singing.

"This is the first time that I've felt this way."

"Beginners should start by using a ROM."

"I want to get to know you better~"

"Your V.I.P is probably fake."

"If you've got something to say, why not just say it clearly?"

"What do you think of me?"

"Go Google it."

Yeah, our song is pretty weird. That is because Gakupo thought he was smart enough to base this off real life conversations we have had online.

I have actually known Gakupo for quite a while. I don't talk to him at school a lot. Usually, I try to ignore his presence all together but then he gets louder and the task gets harder.

I still remember the first time I spoke with him.

(Flashback)

I hurried into the library...My haven from the outside world full of commotion.

The warm air greeted me and I sighed relieved. Finally safe...

I chose a couple of books and went to sit down at a table. Miku wasn't here today so I felt lonely. Besides books, Miku had been my only friend since elementary. This was my first year of high school.

Feeling the nice smooth cover under my fingertips, I gingerly opened the cover, cherishing that new book smell.

Ways to Cook Tuna... Delightful.

I had begun reading a couple chapters when suddenly, a hand pushed my book down.

"Hey you, too much reading is bad for you no matter what teachers say."

I looked up from my interesting book to see the face of that annoying guy: Gakupo Kamui.

"Go away."

"Why?"

"Because you're annoying."

"You're so mean to me Luka!"

"Exactly, so go away!"

"But-"

"Away!"

He frowned and left. As soon as he was gone I closed my eyes and let out a sigh of relief.

I had known Gakupo Kamui since middle school. He transferred from another city. I was very shy, more than now, and had a hard time making friends. Miku was my only friend. In seventh grade we met Meiko, who was in eighth grade. Meiko's friend Kaito also befriended us. He then brought along Miku's brother and another guy to meet us. I admit that in the beginning I had a little crush on Mikuo. He was really cool and all but then HE came into the picture... Gakupo Kamui. He was the other friend that Kaito had presented to us.

Our first conversation went like this:

"Hello, I think Kaito has already introduced me. I am Gakupo Kamui."

I looked up from my lunch, saw the purple-haired guy, ignored him, and kept on munching my tuna.

"Hello?"

"Mmmm." I mumbled as I kept on chewing my tuna.

"You don't talk much, eh?"

"Not to weirdos like you." I stated simply.

"What? I am shocked! I'll have you know that blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!"

Excuse the "blah"s but I sincerely heard nothing else.

"Mhm."

"So you admit that I'm awesome?"

"In your dreams."

"You two seem to get along so great!" Meiko stated proudly as she approached us.

My right eye twitched. Me... Get along with THIS guy?

O-o-O

That is exactly how it went.

The first time I talked to him outside of school was through an online chat room.

O-o-O

I opened up my pink laptop. Without much trouble, I opened up my browser and went to an online chat room where I hung out often.

Log In: PinkTunaLady

Password: **********

Someone was already in here...

My eyes widened when I saw the name...

XxTheAwesomeEggplantGuyxX: Yo~

I sighed and replied.

PinkTunaLady: What the hell are you doing here Gakupo?

XxTheAwesomeEggplantGuyxX: Le gasp! How did you know it was me? Was it the eggplant part?

PinkTunaLady: ...

XxTheAwesomeEggplantGuyxX: What is your email?

PinkTunaLady: Are you trying to stalk me?

XxTheAwesomeEggplantGuyxX: Oh noes~ of course not! Where do you live? -w-

PinkTunaLady: I'm not answering that. Do you really want to know?

XxTheAwesomeEggplantGuyxX: *w*

PinkTunaLady: Go google it.

XxTheAwesomeEggplantGuyxX: Wha-?

PinkTunaLady: google it, you idiot! Why do you even want to know?

XxTheAwesomeEggplantGuyxX: Well, er, you see... Ever since I met you... I think I've liked you.

My eyes widened and my cursor immediatly closed the window. I shut the laptop closed, my face now as pink as the computer.

That idiot...

O-o-O

"Go Google It"

"What is your email?" (See? That idiot made our conversation from that day part of the lyrics)

"Go Google It"

"Where do you live?"

"Go Google it"

"What is your type?"

"Go Yahoo! Google It!"

"Can I see you again?"

"Go Google It"

"Do you eat eggplant?"

"Go Google It."

"Who do you like?"

I averted my gaze. Was this really part of the song? I don't remember writing this...

"I can't tell you that..." I sang slowly, improvising based on my beating heart.

I can't tell him that... I don't even know myself. These complicated feelings inside of me... What do they mean?

Is it possible that I could like Gakupo?...

Nonsense! The only person I've ever liked is Mikuo but that was a long time ago... I've noticed that he has a certain interest in Rin. To be honest, I really don't care. I stopped liking him more than a friend some time ago...

But Gakupo... He is so persistent...

"You will never act proper enough, will you?" I sang, voicing my thoughts.

We are so off lyrics now...

And I think this is going down a dangerous route...

Gakupo's P.O.V

Ah, Luka...

Don't you see that I love you?

She is very beautiful. She has always been beautiful... Her long pink hair... Pale skin... Teal eyes... Who wouldn't think she was a creation of beauty?

"Do you eat eggplant?"

"Go Google It."

"Who do you like?" I added in, wanting a truthful answer.

Luka gave me a puzzled look before averting her gaze. Though we were singing a song, my question had been straight from the heart. It had been something I had been waiting to ask for a long while.

She was silent for a moment. Does that mean she doesn't...

"I can't tell you that..." Luka whispered, but thanks to the microphone we could all hear her.

"You will never act proper enough, will you?"

I sighed. So she avoided the question... Good thing we have two more minutes to go...

I met her in eighth grade after I transferred. Yep, I'm also a transfer student like Rin. I don't even know why I started liking her... Maybe it was her peaceful nature.

Every time Miku and Meiko bickered, Luka calmed them down.

Maybe it was how intellectual she was...

There wasn't a day when Luka didn't read a book. So much knowledge could only add up to her awesomeness.

Maybe it was her kind heart...

One time, after school, I was following Luka- I mean, I was coincidentally walking in the same direction she was and was surprised when she suddenly stopped.

I hid behind a post knowing she had probably caught on to me. I was about to step forward and reveal myself when she spoke.

"Are you lost?"

I looked up. She wasn't talking to me... Then who was she talking to...?

Luka's body was covering whatever she was talking to.

..

What happens if she is talking to a rabid rabbit that looks innocent and fluffy but has concealed fangs filled with poison ready to attack her?...

Okay, so it's not that probable but it could still happen... Right? So I should stay near her,just in case the rabbit strikes, to protect the pink damsel in distress.

I used all of my awesome stealthiness to sneak up behind a post box. From here I could get a good view of the sneaky little-

...Kid?

It was a little girl about six years old. She had her black hair in two ponytails and wore a school uniform.

"I can't find my mommy." The little girl sobbed.

"Where were you last together?" Luka asked, getting on her knees to be at the same level as the little girl.

"At the park."

Luka closed her eyes and nodded, thinking closely about the situation.

"Alright, let's go." She said and took the small girl's hand and began leading her to the park.

Hmmm... Can little girls also be dangerously rabid?

Well, I think I'll have to go just to make sure...

I placed my hood over my head and slowly followed behind them. The little girl looked back a couple of times until finally, she pulled on Luka's sleeve. Luka bent down and the little girl whispered something into her ear. Luka nodded and stood up. She made her way towards me...

Crap, did the little girl figure out that I was following them?

Luka walked past me and I breathed in her rose perfume before finally sighing in relief. So she didn't find-

SMACK!

I got smacked in the face and my body recoiled backwards. I looked up to see Luka slowly lowering her slender leg... Did she just kick me?

She then walked towards me and grabbed me, "YOU LOWLIFE! WERE YOU STALKING US?"

Grabbing my hood, she pulled it down to reveal my long purple locks.

"GAKUPO?"

"Hey?" I said and gave a sheepish grin.

Damn! I knew I should've worn a wig! I have been foiled once again!

"What are you doing here?" She questioned, her pink hair swinging with every sentence.

"Ummm... Taking a walk in the park?"

"See? That's him! He was following you!" The little girl piped in.

"Was not!"

"Were too!"

"He was also staring at your butt."

Luka's eyes flashed anger.

"You little-"

"Enough! Yuki and Gakupo can you just get along?"

"But he is a weirdo!"

"And she is a little demonic toddler!"

"I'm six!"

"Toddler"

"Pervert!"

Both Luka and I stared at Yuki. I'm not even going to ask how she knew that word...

"Look, I'll buy you icecream if you get along with the purple pervert."

"Okay!"

"Heeeey! Why am I the only one being offended?"

Luka stopped at an icecream truck and was buying icecream. Yuki, who seemed like a magnet to Luka, was now nowhere in sight.

"Yuki?" I whispered under my breath and my violet eyes scanned the crowd.

Then, I spotted her. She was chasing a rolling ball down the street...

And a car was coming towards her.

My heart stopped. Luka was too far away and Yuki...

Yuki... I must save her.

I ran with all my might towards the street.

"YUKI!"

The little girl looked up at me and then turned to see the approaching vehicle with big, terrified brown eyes.

Just minutes before the impact, I collided with Yuki and pushed her out of harm's way. The tire screech echoed in my ears.

"YUKI!" Two voices cried out at the same time.

Luka and another woman with short black hair rushed towards us.

Yuki pried open her tightly shut eyes and saw them.

"Luka! Mommy!"

The woman gathered Yuki in her arms and held her tightly. I watched the moving scene until someone grabbed me as well.

"You idiot." Luka whispered, "You saved her. I'm glad you're okay."

It took me a while to register what was happening... Luka was actually hugging me.

Hmmm... Maybe I should get into life or death accidents more often...

Her body tensed as she realized what was going on. She quickly put space between us and sat in a kneeling position.

"Y-you actually care about me." I whispered.

Her watery teal eyes widened with surprise, "S-shut up! I could care less about you! It's just- I mean- Yuki-"

Her cheeks were soon flushed a pinkish hue.

"You're blushing."

"I- what? No! Don't think this is due to you! N-no! My cheeks are red from eating all of that great tuna!"

"Sure..."

I felt a tug on my sleeve. I turned to find Yuki standing there.

"Thank you Mr. Purple Guy for saving me."

"Eh, no problem kid." I said as I patted her head, "You're not so bad after all."

"Same could be said for you."

I turned to see Luka staring intently at a tree. Had she just...?

I would never know... Luka is a very mysterious woman and that is another reason why I love her.

For all of these reasons and many more...

I love Luka Megurine.

And though she may ignore it, I know she feels something for me too.

Luka's P.O.V

"I always play your voice on a continuous loop" Gakupo sang.

"I think you shouldn't quit your day job"

"Every time you talk, it makes you even more cute."

"Why is it written in your diary?"

"Will you go home already? You're just being a nuisance!"

"I know your not really thinking that."

"I'll tell you to just 'Go Google It'"

"Go Google it."

"What are your three sizes?"

"Go google it"

"Color of panties?"

"Go google it."

"Are you even wearing any?"

"Go happily Google it."

These are the lyrics we wrote at Len's house. At least we got back on track.

This is how it happened:

"Luka, so what do you want to write about?"

"I don't know. Why did I have to end up with you?"

"'Cus I'm awesome!"

"You wish."

"Okay, how about this: I ask you questions and along with the replies I get, we can make lyrics!"

I sighed, "Fine if you think that will work."

"Okay, for starters, I always play your voice in my head." He stated.

"Don't quit your day job, you are horrible at acting."

"Everytime you talk you get even cuter!" He said and handed me a purple book.

I flipped it open and read a couple of pages, "Why is it written in your diary?"

I sighed and sat down, "If you aren't going to be productive go home. You're just bothering me. I can finish this by myself."

"You don't really mean that... I'll just keep on asking questions."

"I'll simply reply to 'go Google it'"

"What are your three sizes?"

"You jerk! Go google it!"

"What is the color of your panties?"

"You must be very brave to be asking that! Go google it!"

"Are you even wearing any panties?"

"You have a death wish!" I punched him hard, "Go happily google it!"

Gakupo began to write down on a notebook, "Good, good! We're almost done!"

"Are you seriously writing this down?"

"Yep!"

"You are the biggest idiot I've ever met."

"But I'm your idiot..."

I blushed and looked away.

"Are you...?"

"TUNA!"

O-o-O

"I'll always like you!"

"W-what's that?" I asked, absolutely flabbergasted. This was definately NOT part of the song!

"I'll always love you"

"Again, goodbye!" I said and walked to the other extreme of the stage.

"That is how I feel"

"I already know that..." I said softly and clenched at my heart. It was quietly beginning to pick up its pace.

My heart cannot lie to itself forever...

"I'll love and hate the way you act towards me, that much I can understand." I sang softly.

With the way I act towards him, I'll probably end up being hated. I can't really be sure but... I think I love him more than anyone else... Why is it so hard for me to accept it?

"Who is it that you like most of all?"

"You are really stupid!" I yelled and avoided his advances towards me.

"Before you get the wrong idea, I'll tell you that you can't tell when- My face is red, but it's all from eating great tuna!" I exclaimed. He had MADE me add that in.

"You're lying, that isn't the truth."

"It is." I said firmly, trying to hide the blush that dusted my cheeks.

"You really love me." He said and his violet eyes searched mine.

"You're just stupid." I stated and looked away from his intense gaze. How could he see straight into my soul?

"You don't need to go Google my feelings..." I said slowly, "I might just have to tell you..."

"Please do not ask me why."

"All of you wants to know me, I think."

"Please do not ask me and why."

"All of you wants to know me."

"We search it with this google..." We both sang and motioned towards our hearts.

Finally... It's done.

My heart was beating more wildly than it has ever done so before.

Gakupo smiled and winked.

Now... Now is the time to tell him the truth. Miku did it... So can I...

"Give them a hand!"

The crowd began clapping and Gakupo walked towards me, "You did great."

"Y-You did too... You look very er- nice?" I stuttered and mentally smacked myself for being so stupid.

"You look beautiful as well."

"I, uh... I have to go!" I exclaimed and ran off stage, my face growing hot.

When will I be able to tell him how I feel?

Miki's P.O.V

I paced near the exit. What if he doesn't come?

While my back was facing the door, it creaked open.

"Yo red head! It's getting cloudy. News said it's gonna rain."

I quickly turned around and almost crashed into my friend.

He wore a raincoat and a hood over his white hair. His signature left aqua and right green eye always hid some sort of mischievous spark.

"Piko! I thought you weren't coming!"

"Geez, have I ever let you down?"

"Do you really want me to answer that?" I asked and placed my hands on my hips.

He smiled sheepishly, "Yeaaahhh-nooo."

I smiled too. After many delays, Piko had finally come back. For just a measly week, but he was back...

"Ugh, I'm just glad you're here."

"Me too red, head. Me too..."

Using his hands, he flattened down his silverish-white hair.

"Green or aqua?"

"Eh?"

Piko fished two contacts out of his pocket, "Should my eyes be aqua or green since I can totally pull of either or."

I rolled my eyes. Piko uses his birth defect in his favor. He was born with different colored eyes. Instead of thinking of himself as a freak, he uses his multi-colored gaze for cocky jokes that he uses to show off... Seriously, I love Piko to death but there are times when he can be a seriously annoying smartass... No joke. Don't get fooled by his girlish looks! I remember how I used to love this guy the same way I love Len.

"I think aqua would be nice. Or you can simply not use contacts and just have one and one. I don't know why you make such a big deal about this!"

"You just jealous of my awesomness." He said and winked.

"If you say so..." I said, "Have you been practicing?"

"Of course! I wrote it! Have I ever- er, nevermind."

"Thought so."

"So... When are we going? People are going to totally love me at this school."

"I don't know. I think we're after that tuna freak Luka and Gakupo."

"Did they go already?" Piko asked while fixing his hair and then popping in the aqua contact into his right eye.

"They're going right now."

"So we're next."

"Yeah."

"Miki?" Piko asked cautiously.

"Eh?" I said, questioning his soft tone.

"Don't screw up."

Hah, and here I thought he would say something smart! There he goes again.. thinking the world of himself...

"Give them a round of applause! Next are Miki and Piko Utatane. Piko is a guest singer helping Miki perform. They will also be singing a duet."

Yep, after a lot of begging, we convinced the principal to let Piko preform with me even though he wasn't a student.

"Let's go, Miki the Redhead! Fame awaits us~!" He said and took my hand.

I tried to ignore the spark that I felt when he took my hand. I hadn't seen him in so long that my love for him slowly died out... Or did it?

"It's just a talent show."

"This is one small step for you and a huge leap for myself!" He said while jumping dramatically.

"Selfish jerk!"

"You gotta stop hatin' on me, Miki. Just because you can't be this awesome," he motioned towards himself, "doesn't mean it's ok to call people jerks. My, my, red head, where did you learn such a big word?"

This guy...can be such a (insert synonym for donkey hole here) at times...

"Let's just go before I beat you up."

"Oh nooo~! No please, I'm so scared~!"

"Shut up and keep on walking!"

We emerged from behind the curtain and I heard some people gasp.

Piko is very handsome. His feminine looks make him appealing... Too bad he uses his beauty just to be a stupid smart mouth... These girls better back off. He's MY bestfriend!

"Miki... See? They love me already."

"Whatever."

I grabbed the microphone, "Hey, um we're going to sing a duet named 'Just Be Friends'"

I had gone over the lyrics many times but it still surprised me how full of emotion they were. Piko can be a very emotional guy when he wants to be. As much as I tried to deny it, the lyrics reminded me of the day when Piko and I got seperated. Was that what he had in mind when he wrote this?

Piko's P.O.V

"Just be Friends~All we gotta do is just be friends. It's time to say goodbye-Just be friends. All we gotta do is just be friends, just be friends, just be friends..." I began singing.

"Yesterday morning I was thinking when it came to me. Like picking up the pieces of some shattered pottery, I wondered 'what the heck is this?' And some blood dripped from my fingertips. So different from what it had been, it cut me by surprise."

O-o-O

"Piko! I haven't seen you in forever!" Miki exclaimed and hugged me.

I hugged her back but my eyes reflected sadness. The hug was empty and void. Along the way, something had changed. I no longer hugged her like a caring friend... I hugged her like a man in love whose heart had been broken. For she loves another now.. It feels so different to hug her again after a year of not seeing her... And even then it was just a quick visit. It had been five years since I had moved.

O-o-O

"Deep down inside me, I knew that it'd be for the best. Though it'd be painful for us both, there is nothing left. We're caught in this run around and it's running me into the ground. I'd tell you, but I don't think you've even realized." My voice resounded through the auditorium.

I knew that moving would be painful. I knew that the more visits I made, the harder it would be to leave Miki behind. That is why when my mother would offer me to visit Miki, I would refuse. If my memory of her faded, I hoped the pain would do the same... She loved another now... I had hurt her and she had moved on... Why can't I do the same? I should try telling her but she probably doesn't even have a clue...

"That you and I are in a world that is gradually decaying. This is the only way to get ourselves out of here. You smiled at me weakly and said, "Don't think so bleakly." Then I pulled the plug." We both sang, our voices in perfect harmony.

O-o-O

"This is the end."

"N-no it's not." I said with a weak smile, "We will get through this somehow."

"..."

"Maybe it would be better to just forget about each other."

"Don't be silly!"

My smile was a heavy mask to hide my weeping heart, heavy with the knowledge that this would have to end... I started pulling apart our connections that tied us together.

O-o-O

"I heard your voice shout out to me, hounding, sounding, rebounding, and echoing all in vain... Nothing remains, nothing's the same, let's just make a clean break. There is nothing keeping us here now, we've unfastened the chain. There are no second chances this time, now they're spent, disconnected and dead under false veneer. You ask me why, and I sigh, "That's just the way it is" and I walk out, lest we find out whose dry cheeks are now wet with tears." We once again both sang.

O-o-O

"Why did you have to leave?" She often asked me.

"That's life for ya."

"It's not fair!"

I kept my gaze fixed on the ocean waves shattering against rugged rock. I stood up and walked away, sensing that something had changed between us. We were no longer childhood friends. Time had molded us into juvenile accomplices. She wants me to help her get her new love and I silently oblige for my heart is her slave. The ripping pain that sears through my body makes me leave her and I try to ignore salty tears slowly slide down my cheeks. I, the one who had always told Miki not to cry over trivial things, was now crying my soul out to the compassionate ocean who listened patiently.

O-o-O

"Just be friends...All we gotta do is just be friends. It's time to say goodbye- just be friends...

Just be friends, just be friends, just be friends..."

Miki is the only thing in my life that I want but I can't have...

Miki's P.O.V

"Last night when everything calmed down a bit, I realized, like picking up the petals of a flower past its prime, its bloom is gone, there's no going back. Every petal is a death in the palm of my hand. And so, a while ago, our time together simply stopped." I sang out to the audience, but my heart knew that the real target was standing next to me.

O-o-O

I sat down on my porch, picking up some flower petals that had long ago lost their life. Their life was so short... Just like our time together. He was my first real friend... My first love... Why did he have to leave?

What am I going to do without him?

O-o-O

"I still recalled the day when I was introduced to you. When I first saw your smiling face, it melted me right through. But now we've thrown the past away and we've hurt and hurt each other just to deal with the pain. Our hearts are filled with thorns but I can't say that I forgot." My voice sang what my heart had been hiding all of these years.

"Hey red-head..."

Those words had become so dear to me. The image of him smiling on that first day will forever be burned into my memory. The past cannot be relived yet it is still causing us pain... My heart breaks every time he leaves... And I know Piko is saddened when I speak of Len even if he tries to play it off.

That jerk…His emotions are something that he cannot hide easily. At least not from me…

Piko's P.O.V

"When we were trudging right through the days before I made to end it. When I was pulled in two by my still reluctant mind. Even though I still loved you, I told you we had to separate."

"Would you like to come over for the weekend?" Miki chirped from the other end and the hope within her voice placed a heavy burden on my heart.

"Eh, isn't this getting more difficult every single time?"

"Nah! We can manage!"

"I-I think it would be better to stop seeing each other so often."

"What? Why?"

Because I don't want to be a burden to you anymore... My heart wants to stop burdening me with unrequited love. She has found new love... Let her keep on going with that.

"It's more than three hours away, my butt hurts on those trips."

"Piko!"

I always use humor and a sassy attitude to hide my true emotions.

My true self... My true pain.

Miki's P.O.V

"There is a rainstorm drenching my heart, and dumbfounded and cowering, my eyes start watering."

This line always reminds me of the time when I ran away after Piko left. I had felt so confused, angry, sad, depressed, and disappointed. Crying was inevitable even if I had once promised to be strong.

"Why did you leave me?"

Piko's P.O.V

"My minds made up so what's with this hesitancy? I'm shaken down to the bone by pain and we've loosened the bonds and let them go. Now the seam has been opened, and it's fading more every day. This is goodbye, at least we tried, this is over my friend. We cannot stay, just walk away and never look back again."

Every time I come to visit, my goal to lock away the past becomes even more distorted. My heart wants to stay but my mind says no. The wound I always mend with the thread of time opens up and the stitching becomes more and more loose... I must learn to say goodbye... We tried to stay together... But time and life have ripped us apart.

"If I had a chance, just one chance..."

"...to wish a wish and make it come true..."

"If you and I could be born once again, then after all, I- again, I-I'd still want to meet you."

I would never, in a million years, regret meeting Miki. And I would do it over and over again if I could... Even if it meant I would suffer and she would eventually just become a beautiful distant memory... I would love to meet her again and again...

"I heard your voice shout out to me, hounding, sounding, rebounding, and echoing all in vain... Nothing remains, nothing's the same, let's just make a clean break. We've loosened the bonds and let them go. Now the seam has been opened, and it's fading more everyday. This is goodbye, at least we tried, this is over my friend. We cannot stay, just walk away and never look back again."

"This is the end of our love, now..." Miki sang.

(Just be friends All we gotta do is just be friends... It's time to say goodbye)

"Just be friends All we gotta do

Just be friends"

(Just be friends)

"It's time to say goodbye"

"Just be friends"

(Just be friends)

"All we gotta do is just be friends

(Just be frien~ds)

"It's time to say goodbye"

"Just be friends~"

"All we gotta do...Just be friends~"

"It's time to say goodbye...Just be friends.."

We should really do that... Just be friends.

I think I now know why I agreed to come for a week to live with Miki...

I made up my mind... I'll let her go... It is the best thing to do...

Miki gave me a smile and I smiled back. I'll have to enjoy our last week together...

I won't drag her behind anymore...

It's time to say goodbye.

Len's P.O.V

Everyone was enthralled with Miki and (Piki, Piku, Piko?) THAT guy's song. Yeah, I might not get along with my ex-girlfriend and have no idea who the stranger is, but the song was nice. Well I know that Miku, Rin, and even the stoic Luka were entranced in the flow of the melody. Miku had started crying and Rin was blinking back tears, yet I felt perfectly fine...Must be a girl thing. I heard sniffing from my left. Mikuo was fighting back tears as well. Okay, scratch that, it must be a girls and Mikuo thing. Yet, with all his whining he is basically a girl too right?

Must hold back...

System does not comprehend command. Error... Error... Error...

"Hahahahahahaha!" I started laughing uncontrollably.

Rin jumped from suprise and Mikuo slowly edged towards her and whispered, "He's finally lost it."

"Hahahahhha...I h-heard th-thaat, hahahha M-Mikuo!"

"Len, seriously... I think you really did lose it." Kaito said from behind me.

"N-no! It's just really f-funny!" I said while clutching my sides.

"What's funny? I wanna laugh too!" Gakupo put in.

"That guy Piku!"

"Piko." Miku corrected.

"Whatever! THAT guy! Did u see him? Better yet, did you HEAR him? You guys said that I sounded girly and looked like Rin here, no offense to you Rin, but c'mon! He took it to a whole new level!"

"Awww Len! Don't be mean to Piko! He's really nice!" Miku stated.

"How do you know? And besides who is this Piki fellow anyway?" I asked.

"PIKO! Say it wrong once more and I will start calling you Lin. I know because I was talking to him and he is Miki's best friend!"

"You are defending a friend of... Miki?" I asked.

As far as I knew, Miku hated Miki with a burning passion.

"Hey, just because I hate her doesn't mean I have to hate him too! Plus, did you hear his voice? He looks so cool too-"

"I get it." I cut in, annoyed with how much attention Piku- Piko was receiving and he didn't even attend this school AND is a friend of Miki...

"Are you jealous that he might take your spot as best looking guy in the school? He might steal all your fangirls..." Miku taunted.

"One, he doesn't go here. Two, he can keep all the fangirls 'cus I have Rin. And three... Three... He can't match my long record of awesome. Mikuo is the only allowed rival when it comes to Rin so yep, nothing Piko can do here." I stated confidently.

I couldn't help but notice the small blush that appeared on Rin's cheeks and the smirk that Mikuo plastered on his face.

"Awww~, Lenny no worries~! You're still the King of Shota! Piko can be the prince! Or he can be the Earl or Duke..."

My left eye twitched while I closed my eyes, and then pinched the bridge of my nose.

Do not smack Mikuo. Do not kick Mikuo. Do not punch Mikuo. Do not do anything that might get you in trouble that has to do with Mikuo getting hurt.

"You got him mad now..." I heard Kaito say.

"The so called King of Shota is restraining himself from kicking a certain teal headed moron..."

"My apologies your Majesty, I bow down to your superior shotaness because I know I will never be shota enough to match your-"

SMACK!

"Oww! Len, for a small guy that hurt."

"Serves you right!"

"Riiin! I see the light..." Mikuo said dramatically while pretending to gasp for breath, "If I die... Keep Miku company-"

"Cut the crap," I said and kicked him, "You're next."

"Next in the line of heaven?"

"No you idiot! You're performing next!"

Mikuo got up faster than if I had shown him a leek.

"Eek!" He almost tripped while getting something from behind a box.

"What is that?" Rin asked.

"Eh? This? It's my guitar."

"You're playing?"

"As you see Meiko is absent so of course I needed to plan ahead."

"Oh..."

"Watch me Rin... I'll show you what a talent is." Mikuo said and winked.

I growled, MY Rin. He might as well have said, 'Look Rin... I'll show you how much in love I am with you!'

Stupid jerk thinks he can still win? ...

...

Geez, I should be nicer to my friend... It's just that Rin makes me get...Protective? Plus she loves ME right?

... I hope so...

Before walking onto stage with his electric guitar in hand, Mikuo gave me a look. I rolled my eyes and glared back.

Can he stop reminding me that I must tell Rin about the bet?

I know what I have to do and I hate the mere thought of it.

Mikuo's P.O.V

I took one last look at Rin before heading towards the curtain.

Her blue eyes sparkled and she gave me a reassuring smile. I smiled back and stepped onto the stage.

"Here we have Mikuo Hatsune!"

"Hey everyone, um today I will play and sing a cover of the song, "Message from Kathlene" by the Alkaline Trio."

With Rin's face always present in my mind, I stroked the few beginning chords of the song.

"I guess I'll always stop and see you, and we'll run into each other's lives. yeah, i guess. although it tears me up inside."

O-o-O

My fingers carefully traced its smooth skin...

I knew it was the one meant for me...

"I'll take that one as well."

The lady nodded and handed me the bag of leeks.

I payed for the leeks,"Thanks."

"Anytime Mikuo. Tell Miku I said hi."

"Sure!" I said and waved behind my back.

Miku and I were regular customers. We usually always bought a bag of leeks every day.

I was walking down the streets, wishing for something interesting to happen. I don't know... It could be anything, a flying chipmunk, super sized leeks... Anything to make my boring life a little brighter.

The bus stopped a few yards away from me and people started filing out. I ignored them and kept on walking but something caught my eye... Something white...

A girl got off the bus in a traditional school uniform and she wore a big white bow in her hair. She had golden hair and... looked awfully similar to Len.

"Rin?" I whispered under my breath, "What is she doing here?"

Hm, maybe I should follow her...

Why is she crossing the street?

Rin, with a depressed look upon her face, had begun crossing a seemingly empty street. Why did she look so-

A car.

A car was coming her way. Rin... She is about to get run over... Doesn't she see it?

Something kicked into my mind and I threw the bags to the ground.

"WATCH OUT!" I yelled and ran towards her with all my strength.

Rin didn't even have time to turn around before I tackled her, a mere minute before the car made any sort of impact.

I shielded her small frame and towered over her, making sure not to crush her, now on the other side of the street.

Rin's eyes which had been shut tightly all along, slowly relaxed and opened to reveal sparkling sea blue orbs.

In that instant, my heart leapt. On that moment when our eyes met, teal finding blue, something changed within me...

"Mikuo?"

"The one and only." I replied and gave her a smile.

"How...why -er thanks for saving me. I-I don't think I'd be alive right now if it weren't for you." She said, blushing a little.

Heh, so cute.

"No problem. 'Cause you know it's what I always do, look for girls in distress and save them. Especially pretty ones like you."

The instant I said that I regretted it. Len is gonna kill me. He may be an adorable fluffy ball of shota but he can cause serious damage...

"Argh! What am I doing? I shouldn't be even closely flirting with you! Len's gonna kill me!" I muttered in dismay.

A look of anger flashed through her angelic face...

"Meh, stupid idiot is probably still making out with Miki...or cleaning her up... or both."

I raised an eyebrow in curiosity. Cleaning?...Making out?... CLEANING!

Miki... Miki... Where have I heard that before?

"Miki?" I asked finally, "as in Len's ex-girlfriend?"

"Yeah, though I'm not so sure about the ex part."

Miki... Yeah, I'm pretty sure Len dumped her... Awww~ Rin looks so confused. I'm gonna have to clear this up no matter how much I don't want to... I'll admit that I am a bit jealous of my friend. He, who had been an incurable player jerk, now had Rin by his side. How it had happened, nobody knew... It was a story only they knew. Even Miku had begun to notice that they were getting closer and slowly changing each other. At first I hadn't even noticed Rin because she was a silent blond mouse. Yet somehow she had begun to interact with the group more... And Len began to smile... Smile for real... I was jealous that Len had found someone for him... Yet, a dreaded feeling seeped into my heart as I figured out that... No, it can't be true...

"Hmmm from what I know, he broke up with Miki about a week ago didn't he? I may have been absent for half the week, but," I said and fished a black cell phone out of my pocket, "I have ways of knowing things."

Her eyes widened, then she frowned in recognition and finally sighed. Hah, she probably barely remembered that I still go to school. Hahahahaha, I'm so easily forgotten. Waah~, I want my emo corner... Yet, something about her gaze made me think that she needed an emo corner more than I did at this moment.

"Well he may have said that but..."

Rin's eyes focused intently on the floor, as if by doing that her problems would be solved. Okay so there was definitely something wrong between Len and Rin... What happened?

None of your business Mikuo Hatsune.

"Listen, I don't really know what's going on between you and Len but I'm pretty sure I can't help you. So we'll have to go visit an expert."

Miku would surely know what to do.

She looked up to me with sorrowful eyes that soon sparked hope and she smiled for the first time since we began talking.

"Okay... And thanks again for saving me." She said softly.

"It was no problem! Heh, I had just finished eating anyway so it was a good workout! I was glad that I was in the right place at the right time." I chuckled.

My phone rang and I looked at the screen... Speak of the teal princess...

"Hello? Miku?"

"Mikuo? Where are you? Did you go buy leeks?"

"Yes, can you send Kotaru for us?... Yea we have company."

"Kotaru? Why are you bringing someone?"

"Fine, I'll wait here. See ya!"

"I'll tell you when we get there. Mhm. Okay, bye!"

I hung up, "Kotaru is on his way. My parents won't let me drive until next year... Even if I'm sixteen already."

She giggled slightly. We began walking to the corner and she shifted her weight every now and then. I wonder what was going through her mind... I had never actually spent time with her before... I was always too busy flirting with Luka and Meiko to notice her... She is really nice actually...

When we got on the car, I looked out the window. Rin silently stared at her lap.

I wanted something interesting to happen today... But that didn't mean I wanted to fall in love at first sight.

O-o-O

"Every time it burns my eyes with tears, but I know you're worth the pain. i've so much more to gain by waiting for you." I played the chords vigorously as one would when playing a rock song.

Every day I saw her... Every day we talked... It ate me inside... But Len toyed with her... She was just a game to him... When she finds out, I'll be there waiting for a chance to be with Rin...

"You're going away, but you're not going far. so if he decides to leave you alone and crying, you know I'm still here, the faithful one, waiting for a message from Kathlene."

Kathlene... Hah, might as well be saying Rin. If Len destroys her fragile little heart, I'll be there to catch her when she falls... I'll be waiting for an opportunity at happiness...

"Then I'll come... faster... than I ever thought that I could run... cause I... I need you more than I ever thought that I could need someone, yeah... someone, someone else. that I could need someone else... someone else."

O-o-O

I stood outside of the door that led to my sister's bedroom.

Rin and Len were back together... Sure, she wasn't his girlfriend but might as well be. I felt my eyes swell with tears but I swallowed the sadness. I know I shudn't interrupt but I couldn't stand this...

"Who wants... cookies.." I said as I entered.

Len gave me a mixed glare and Rin broke away from the hug they were sharing.

Seeing as Len and Rin had been hugging, I tried to play innocent, "Am I interrupting?"

"N-no," She said and smiled as she took Len's hand, "Let's go eat some leek cookies."

He gave me another glare and I responded with the same treatment. They walked on ahead but I strayed behind, trying to pick up the pieces of my heart which had been scattered all over the cold floor.

Later that day, Miku said something that surprised me.

"Do you like Rin?"

"W-wha-? What kind of a question is that? I barely talked to her today!"

"You can't fool me... You never have liked any girl. You flirt with my friends as a type of sick hobby but you feel nothing towards them. Yet today you were staring almost adoringly at Rin. And not to mention that you were also starting daggers at Len when he came in."

"I-I no! I don't like her! I am in love with Luka Megurine!" I said, not admitting that my sister was right. Luka was pretty and smart but I felt nothing towards her.

"Sure whatever..." She said and walked back inside.

The stars twinkled and I took a deep breath.

Goodnight Rin... My newfound love.

O-o-O

"I know I will always stop and see you and we'll run into each other's messed up lives. Yeah, i guess, although it tears me up inside."

"Everytime it burns my eyes with tears, but your waking up is the start of my lost cause. And then you decide to leave me alone and crying, but you know I'm still here, the faithful one, waiting for a message from Kathlene."

"Then I'll come... faster... than I ever thought that I could run... cause I... I need you more than I ever thought that I could need someone. Yeah... someone, someone else. that I could need someone else... someone else."

I played the last chords and then I stood up.

Everyone began clapping, and I bowed down.

Heh, I had just indirectly told everyone about my love-life.

I hope a certain someone had understood the message...

Piko's P.O.V

...

I was sitting on a box of props behind stage.

These people are so easy to read. Like seriously, do they always act this way?

Thanks to Miki, I had almost learned all of their names.

The teal haired one that is sitting next to a tall blue haired guy is Miku, Miki's enemy. Sure, I love Miki but Miku is nice.

The guy with the royal blue hair and eyes is Kaito, Miku's boyfriend. Miki described him as an "ice-cream addict".

Next to him were two similar looking people. One was a guy and the other a girl. Both of them had golden blond hair. The difference was that their eyes were different shades of blue. Rin's features were more delicate and she had...er-girl parts. I thought they were twins until Miki said, and I quote, "I wish they were freaking twins!" Her outburst really surprised me until she revealed the names of the two... Rin and Len.

Rin as in the, and I once again quote, "F-cking washboard who stole my boyfriend!"

Len as in the, and I quote again, "He's the jerk who dumped me for that washboard!" Or also known as: Miki's new love.

Yes, Miki could use very colorful language when she was mad.

The purple guy was Gakupo and the girl with pink hair who was avoiding him must be Luka the tuna lover.

Well I think that is everyone.

Now this is the part where I say that everyone's feelings are pretty obvious here...

Okay so let's start off with Miku and Kaito. Kaito is basically looking like an idiot smiling to himself.

Miku is similarly happy but something seems to be bothering her I guess. Since she keeps on sending perplexed glances my way I guess she is still trying to figure out what I meant when I said that what I want I can't have. Well good luck figuring that out.

Gakupo looks confused over why Luka is avoiding him. Luka is looking away, with a blush on her face. Judging by her lines, she has indirectly confessed to Gakupo yet the bonehead doesn't get it and thinks it was all part of the song.

Geez...

Now for the funniest ones... The two blondes and the teal guy who I'm guessing is Miku's brother since Miki didn't mention him.

Okay, so the teal one was glaring at the blonde guy which was doing the same thing to him. The girl meanwhile was glancing from one to the other, looking pretty helpless and confused.

I may be wrong but I suspect that Len and Mikuo have some secret between them that Rin wants to discover. Hmmm... Love triangle maybe? Meh, it probably is since the song the teal guy sang was probably directed at Rin... Yes, I could be wrong again but it was kinda obvious by the way that he looked at her before going on stage.

Heh, see what I mean by easy to read?

"So if he decides to leave you alone and crying, you know I'm still here, the faithful one..."

Hm, that line specifically really hit something deep within me...

Miki loves Len, but he leaves her alone and crying time over time, but I'm always there waiting...waiting for a chance at happiness.

I looked at Mikuo who stared at Rin, who was currently talking with Len, and I knew we had more in common than I would've ever thought.

In him I saw myself... A stranger and I had something in common. Nice to see what a small world we live in.

THIS ISN'T THE END!!!!! THERE IS A PART THREE! dA WOULDN'T LET ME POST IT ALL TOGETHER SO LOOK AT PART 3 FOR THE END OF CHAPTER 12!!!