Incompitable

Chapter 15

Sonika sent us to our rooms later that night. I didn't want to go at first; all I wanted was to stay by Rin's side and hold her hand. If Rin had a limited amount of time to live, then I wanted to spend it with her as much as possible. I tried to tell that to Sonika, but she insisted I get rest, so Miku began to walk me to these individual rooms in this large, gray building that looked like a hospital inside. Our shoes hit the floor slowly as the sound resonated against the enclosed plaster walls. All that time, Miku held my hand tightly in hers, and I thanked her for it, but on the inside, I wished it was Rin's hand; her soft, warm hand. I wished I could turn to my right and see her, smiling like her usual self, and her happy eyes that shone a sparkly cerulean. But it was only Miku's upset face.

And that whole time, I wondered why I loved Rin in the first place. Why I felt like I need to protect her and make sure she was happy and content. Maybe it was because she cared about me so much. But why me? Why did we have to love each other? Why did she need to suffer? I didn't want…I didn't want her to die. I wanted to hear her voice as much as she can, for her to say my name over and over and over again. I wanted her to smile at me and laugh, I wanted to hold her in my arms like that one night, and I wanted her warmth to be mine and mine to be hers. I…I wanted her to live, and be with me forever.

I …loved her.

"Len-kun?" I looked over at Miku, slowly, as she stopped walking. She seemed concerned, confused, even. I walked back over to face her.

"What do you mean?" I asked, and she brushed her thumb below my left eye.

"You're… crying, Len-kun."

That morning, I woke up in an unfamiliar bed. It smelled clean, but not in a laundry-clean-kind-of-way... more like a hospital-kind-of-clean. I wrinkled my nose and rubbed my forehead lazily. I stared at the ceiling blankly, not remembering much from last night. I remembered Miku telling me that I was crying, and then I fell apart. I just cried and sobbed and wept and bawled and any other synonym for crying on her shoulder. She just held me, patting my back. We didn't say anything except for my crying, and then I guess I must have fallen asleep, because I didn't recall anything else.

I groaned inwardly and dragged my fingers across my forehead, then letting my arm fall down onto a lump. A… lump? Startled, I turned my head to my left and saw… Rin…? I immediately shifted over and pulled her into my arms. I think she was still asleep, but I still only wanted to hold her. I held her in an uncomfortable position, but I didn't care. The warmth that shot through my body tingled, and it only made me hug her tighter. I nestled my face into her sweet-smelling hair and my whole body clenched. I squeezed my eyes shut, and took a deep breath, fighting the tears that threatened to surface. I love this girl, and here she is, about to die, and what can I do?

"Len?" Yes, say my name…Your voice…

"Len?" Again, once more, please…

"Len, are you okay?" Again…

Finally realizing that she's awake, I let her go to hold myself up against the bed.

"Rin-!" I gasped, and she smiled, the smile that I love so much.

"Hi, Len." She greeted, still smiling, and then the tears just poured out.

"Rin, I…oh, Rin…" I stumbled on the words, cursing myself for crying in front of her.

"Len?" she frowned, surprise crossing her face, and I wiped at my eyes, falling down against the pillow.

"Sorry, Rin…I…" I tried to stop crying, but the tears wouldn't stop falling. "…I…" then I began to make those strange, unattractive noises you can't help but make, and I covered my face with my hands, embarrassed, which only made the tears fall harder and faster.

"Len?" Rin sounded worried, and then she hesitated. "I don't know what's going on, but…" I felt her arm slide underneath my back and her other across my chest; she scooted next to me. She was hugging me, but not knowing why. She must have been so confused.

"Rin, I'm sorry, I…" What was I trying to say? I wasn't sure, but I still was crying. Despite that, I turned to her and hugged her back, softly weeping against her neck. She patted my back gently and told me;

"It's okay, Len, you did this for me when I was having a hard time."

I smiled sadly, trying to blink away the tears, and then I realized what I was trying to say.

"Rin…I…don't want you…to go…"

Rinta's POV

"Agh, are these peppers hotter than usual?" Akaito groaned, waving one in my face. I swatted at his hand, and grunted.

"I don't know, Akaito-nii."

"Well, is this ice cream colder than usual?" Kaito asked, mocking Akaito, and then they started to bicker about God knows what. I ran my hand through my hair and sighed, pacing around the kitchen in lopsided circles. Akaito has been on edge the past few days, seeming strangely inpatient for something, and unusually annoyed about something else. It's probably because Rin's gone or for some other reason or another. But whenever that happens, Kaito would get in his face and act even more annoying towards him. But what can I say? It's brotherly love. Or hate.

"Rinta-nii!" Rui called from the stove. "Is the curry done?"

"I'm not sure; ask Rei-kun." I answered, trying to stay calm, scratching my forehead in concentration. Rui was one of the good kids, always willing to help me out no matter what the task was. She and Rei was a good working pair, and thank God that they did not have to go to Tokyo as well. They help me remember what I'm doing in the first place, and well as keeping me sane.

"Rei~!"

"Ted-kun, get out of the way, I can't see the screen."

"Well, sucks for you, Gumi-chan, heh!"

"What? No, move! And Gakupo, quit poking me."

"You liiiiike it."

WHAP.

"Shut up!"

"Ugh, where's the phone service connection?"

"Go on the roof."

"No frickin' way!"

"Heeey, Kaito! Didja' get *hic* biiiigger?"

"Uh, I dunno', Meiko."

"Well, I *hic* think my boobs did! HAHAHA!"

"…"

"Yeeek, the curry's bubbling, Rei!"

"Wait, hold on a sec."

I clenched my fists in frustration, trying not to scream. I literally was on my last thread of sanity with these people. Being in charge without Luka or Len or Miku was…excuse my language, hell. They had been gone for about a week, and I could not take it anymore. It would take something as loud as fireworks to get these guys's attention, if not my voice.

Which, by the way, I never raise.

But should in this rare and torturous situation before I snap.

"SHUT UP EVERYONE—JUST FOR A MOMENT."

And just like that, all the chatter stopped and curious faces turned to me. Everybody was speechless and obviously confused, so I took this great opportunity to talk before they did.

I cleared my throat, and said, "Miku-chan called last night," I paused; silence. "She says they're coming home tomorrow."

And then, just like that, all the chatter exploded and hit me in the face.

"Whaaat?"

"Miku-chaaaan?"

"Hoooome?"

"Huuuh?"

"Whaaat?"

I sighed, and continued. "Therefore… I thought that we should throw a small party for their homecoming and safe return."

A wave of cheers broke out, and I swear I heard Gakupo say 'ow' but that's besides the point.

"So…" I took Miku's notepad that seems to have become the planning notepad out of my pants pocket and looked at it, then up at everyone else, smiling sweetly.

"Here are the plans."