Heartbeat

Len peers at his younger sister under his white hoodie, taking notice of her clothes. She is wearing a short skirt, a white hoodie (it does not look very thick) and sandals. But this is only for a brief moment, and before she knows, he leaves. Drops of rain splatters on the concrete sidewalk, a few manage to fall on to her, mocking her failure. Her feet do not bother to move from her spot, she can feel commoners' stare piercing into her back. She hears familiar voices, one cheerful and high, the other calm and serious. Not bothering to see who they are, Rin simply decides to walk farther away from them. Rin isn't an idiot; she knows that it is none other than Miku and Luka. She can predict that the aqua-haired one will attack her with inquiries on her disappearance for the past weeks. Sitting on a bench to rest, she leans her head onto the arm of the seat.

Still, part of her yearns for the happy days again. It was where Rin and her brother would be singing their hearts out cheerfully if needed, depending on the song's mood. The producer would proudly say that they were amazing, and ask if want to have coffee later together. In response, the talented twins would thank him and reply that it would be delightful. Every time they were rewarded, Len would congratulate his sister for having opportunities like that.

Unnecessary or not, Rin loves being rewarded. Len did, as well.

Unfortunately, the studio had shut down due to the fact the owner was spending too much time gambling and Vocaloid had the decision if they wanted to produce songs with the new leader. Miku and the others were reluctant, but they agreed afterward. Len thought it was best he and his sister followed, but Rin did not want to. The memory of the event is easy to recall for Rin, everything is clear whenever she thinks about it. In fact, to her it is as if it happened yesterday:

"So, do you want to keep singing?" the unfamiliar person asked politely, his hands folded together. Miku glanced at Kaito, who at the moment was absentmindedly swirling his spoon in a cup filled with vanilla ice cream. Tapping his shoulder urgently, he instantly looked up and noticed impatience surrounding the room.

"Kaito, focus!" hissed Lily in an annoyed tone. Kaito was hesitant at first, but he reluctantly put the cup of ice cream on a nearby table. Tapping his two pointing fingers together, he awkwardly slouched. Miku took the choice to speak up in reply.

"It depends," began Miku, her two long ponytails trailing behind her as she stood up and walked back and forth around the room. "Are you trustful?"

"Of course I am," replied the man. He sat up straight and lifted his chin. "I don't know about you." Miku didn't answer. Instead, she stole a glance at Len and Rin carefully. Luka slurped on her smoothie, and then set it down the same way Kaito did.

"She is. I have not seen her lie once." She spoke in a slight nervous tone, her eyes often looking left and right. The man studied her intently until choosing to move to a different topic.

The conversation headed its course to run smoothly as possible, they talked lightly and spun tales of humorous stories. Soon enough, most of them learned to trust the man. But Rin could not. Standing up abruptly, she left the room.

Refusing to hold her tears any longer, Rin bursts to tears. She lost her career and now her brother. Her bottom lip trembles with fear of what might happen next. Placing her cold fists onto her lap, she swings her legs back and forth to distract her.

"Why?" Rin asks to herself quietly, lifting her head to gaze at the sky. Rain continues to pour endlessly, but she ignores it. Shivering, she wraps her arms together to warm herself. "I was so happy. . ."

"Yes, cappuccino is correct," Miku says, handing money to the employee. She exchanges glances with Luka, who is draping her black coat on the chair she is going to sit on. The fuzzy ear-mugs resting beside Miku's ears are taken off. The café is surprisingly warm; after all, it is a coffee joint. On the table is a cup of tea (for Luka) and honey buns, which has been already paid for.

After the employee hands her coffee, she places the drinks and honey buns onto a tray and begins to walk to the table Luka is sitting at. They had decided to stop their trip to the mall to rest. Setting the tray on the table, she sits down herself.

"This place is comfortable," comments Luka, lifting the cup of tea. Before she sips, she adds, "Not to mention warm." Miku nods in agreement and takes a bite of the honey bun. It's sweet and soft. It reminds her of how Rin was. She chews thoughtfully for a moment and glances around the restaurant. Not many people are here for some reason.

"There aren't many people here," says Miku, gesturing the many empty tables. The only other person here is Luka and a blonde boy that looks fourteen. Her eyes widening, her gaze diverts itself back to Luka. "It's Len!"

Luka does not react much but turns around and sees him.

Len is simply stirring his mug, staring out the window without any notice of the two friends gawking at him. He rests his chin onto the palm of his hand, sighing. It's been rather lonely in the current hotel he's been living in, ever since Rin left the house. He has nothing to do in his room, really. Usually, he practices vocals with Rin or they just relax.

But one thing that hasn't occurred in his mind for a while is that . . .

. . . He likes her. Len knows it is inappropriate to like your own sister, he just cannot resist. What with Rin's positive attitude, it is hard not to love her. It is what people call incest if you like your sibling. It isn't good to fall in love with your sister, especially if you share a room together. What awkward things might happen . . .?

"Len, what are you staring at?" a voice asks. He pulls his gaze away from the window and sees Miku and Luka at their table. Miku must have said that. She has a higher pitched voice than Luka.

"Oh – nothing," Len mutters, pushing his chair back, as if in a hurry. He tosses the foam coffee cup (now empty) into a trashcan and walks up to the cash register. Miku rolls her eyes and puts her hands onto her hips in a sassy way. Out of character or not, she might as well convince him.

"Nothing," Miku repeats. She closes her eyes and sighs. "Len, I know you're thinking about Rin! But you have to say goodbye. She's never coming back . . ." Her voice trails off, realizing what she just said; she stares down at the floor. Sometimes, Miku goes too far when she tries to help someone. But that's just Miku. Although attempting to fix someone's problem, she causes another along the way.

He takes a deep breath and says, "She's here. She's outside." At first, Luka laughs heartedly, believing it to be a lie. After a while, her chuckle fades away to nervous giggles and then quiets down.

"She is?" asks Luka curiously. Her eyebrows knit together. "I didn't see her."

"Maybe she's wearing a jacket," Miku suggests. "And the hood is pulled over her head."

"Off topic," says Len with an exhausted tone. He glances at the door. "I want to help her but . . . she doesn't want my assistance. . ." The pink haired girl studies Len for a while. Clearing her throat, she walks back to her table to continue her break. The blue-haired one, however, stays with Len.

"Just help her," Miku says. She heaves a sigh and walks over to him quickly as she could manage. Len can smell blueberries from Miku, a lovely scent. Before he knows it, Miku is wrapping her arms around him and he can fill her breath on his neck. His heart is racing, his cheeks are flushed. He feels Miku rest her chin on his shoulder. "I know you miss her, Len. Just admit it." Her voice is affable and comforting, and it seems like it can convince him. He groans in annoyance, attempting to seem not like a total idiot.

"All right, I will."

Rin lays her eyes to her lap, wondering when she will ever find a home. She isn't really warm and the chilly weather is starting to get to her. The tears she once had already dried up, not slithering down her chin like they had. She shifts her gaze to the coffee joint across the street. It looks like it's warm in there, and it probably has good food and drinks, too. However, she does not have any money with her at the moment which is unfortunate, considering the fact she is starving. Hunger already filling her mind, she begins to think about food.

Cinnamon rolls . . . the edges dripping with gooey icing. Warm and pleasant, they are . . . aside the rolls are sweet giant strawberries. Maybe pineapple-strawberries, that sounds good. Oh, but how am I supposed to find them? I don't think they sell those in markets.

She feels drool dripping down from her mouth. Wiping it away frantically in embarrassment, she examines the area if they saw her drooling from hunger.

"I'm starving," Rin mutters, laying her back on the hard, unpleasant bench. "What am I going to do?" Her forehead is boiling, she can barely think straight. She coughs hoarsely, her eyes squint. Hail begins to form and fall onto her. Everyone is in buildings, and she doesn't realize this until a hard piece lands on her. Rin can feel blood rolling down her cheek. Footsteps are beginning to approach - panicking, she wipes away the blood and attempt to seem fine.

"You can come back," a voice says softly. She looks up and sees her brother. A crooked smile forms on her face slowly, but her voice is hesitant to reply back. When she doesn't respond, he decides to add, "I missed you. A lot." Rin blushes and shoves her fists into the pouch of her hoodie.

"Really?" Rin mumbles in a questioning tone, not looking up to meet his gaze. "Then why didn't you help me earlier?" Len bends down on his knees and holds her hand.

"It's because I like you," Len confesses. He leans his face closer to hers and admits, "Love you, to be honest. And I know it's wrong but . . . I couldn't help myself. It's difficult to hate someone as charming and beautiful as you." Rin doesn't know what to say. The corners of her mouth perks up even further.

"T-thanks, Len," Rin says, awfully afraid he might be lying. "I . . . I love you too." Len pecks a kiss onto her forehead and embraces her tightly, never wanting to let go. Her legs shiver, her heart is racing. But she suddenly realizes what is happening to her. Tilting her head up, she screams, "Len! I don't want to leave!"

Alarmed, Len looked at her directly in the eye. Chuckling, he asks, "Why not? We're going to be in a warm, safe place!" Rin shakes her head and her eyes darts back and forth.

"No . . . I don't want to leave this world. . ." Her head tilts back and her eyes roll rearward. He frantically clutches her in his arms, her beat becoming slower and slower. Eventually, it just stops. His eyes widens in horror. Len lets go of her and staggers back, staring down at his sister. His stomach churns; he feels sick. Tears begin to flow out out of his eyes endlessly.

He needs her by his side, alive. Someday he has to accept the fact that she is gone, but it is not today. He will never feel that heartbeat he felt when she was alive. That fast, racing heartbeat.

You can pretend she was safe all along and that she faked her death.

You can pretend that Len died with her and reached Heaven with his sister.

But none of this actually happens.

Her grave is mournful, really. She never had a chance to explore life longer like Len is going to. This is the second time Len has visited this grave. The first was the funeral and the burying of his sister. Everyone cried sorrowfully, but none had more grievance than Len did. It was not expectant, to die in his arms. He realizes she is in a better place now (as someone had stated), and she is watching him from above.

He swallows the lump down his throat and closes his eyes. "Hi," he tries, but the result is his voice dying in his throat. He has to clear it before speaking it again. "I'm sorry if I came to you . . . so, so late." The grave does not answer, obviously by his disappointed eyes. A twinge of guilt hits him.

Honestly, he had hoped to die with her, but he couldn't. She once told him to live his life happily as long as he could - but here he was - denying to live any longer. Fortunately, he decided follow her suggestion. Inhaling, he adds, "I miss you." He stares at the ground and wonders if he could bury himself in the ground and sleep with her. But that's a ridiculous idea.

Her death has a big impact on him. Especially on the closest friends. They probably moved on by now, but Len could not. He can't sleep at night, and hates the fact he will wake up in the morning and not see her shining face.

"I'll never forget the way my heart raced when I saw you," he states one last time before exiting the cemetery.