This Is My Battleground

Chapter 9
Episode 2: Scene 3

I fell asleep while waiting for Miku to bring Luka up to the office. The reason was because I didn't get my normal hours of sleep last night. For once, I was glad to dream a dreamless dream. It was relaxing and the darkness cooled my pounding head. The minute I woke up, I found myself shaking as if someone was carrying me. I looked up to see Kaito and sighed in relief. If it was Len, I'd probably freak out and lose my cool again. I just relax and enjoyed the ride as he carried me to Meiko's gym. Apparently, it was to let me help with the newbies and to whip them into shape. You know, Kaito was like an older brother to me. he was always nice, always helpful. Why didn't I love him instead of Len? No...that wouldn't be right. It would hurt anyone.

"I'm going to put you down now, alright?" Kaito warned. I nodded and he placed me down. I noticed my clothes had changed from my Nike short and tank top to sweat pants and a comfy, forest green sweatshirt with the Vocaloid logo on it. "Miku changed you, don't worry." I nodded and started walking over to Meiko who was making the newbies run laps around the gym. When she saw me, she patted my head and told me to run with the newbies. I love Meiko, I really do, but she needs to stop ordering me around like I was one of her newbies again. But, nonetheless, I ran. Meiko knew better than anyone that I worked out to clear my head. It gave me the right kind of buzz booze could never give you. Best part: it's good for you and keeps you in shape.

"Hey Rin, what's wrong?" I turned to my side and saw Neru running along with me. She held her old cellphone in her hand and jogged to keep to my pace.

"I just have a lot on my mind, that's all," I sighed. She frowned and ran ahead of me...to trip me. I landed on the gym floor, on my face, groaning in pain. "Ow..."

"Okay Rin, this is heavy," Neru said, helping me up. "You never fall like that, especially when I try to trip you."

"I told you, I have a lot on my mind," I said, sighing.

"You want to tell me about it?" she asked. I shooked my head and she pulled me onto the resting benches. "Too bad, because you're telling me anyway."

Talking to Neru made me feel a bit better about everything, but I still don't think I could face Len. All those memories...they still ache in my heart because... I'll admit it. Somewhere, a spring of emotion for him surged into my mind. It was scary, unexpected... I loved every minute of it. I could remember every sensation when we touched and I remembered the times when we kissed. And those memories were always haunted by the sin I commited against him... I knew I didn't deserve him by this point. I was blind to the pain when he saw Yuki. It made sense now... In the picture, his eyes were pained as well, but mine were filled with sinful joy. Yet, he treated Yuki as if she was his own child. Yet I, her real mother, couldn't bare to see her at the moment...

"Rin." Hot tears blurred my vision as a warm hand pressed against my cheek. "Didn't anyone tell you how weak you look when you cry?" His thumb wiped my bottom eye lid and sighed when even more tears streamed down my face. "C'mon, stop crying..." I didn't make a sound, but I really wanted to. I knew he was right about the weakness, but the sound would revert myself into a child again. Crying. Helpless. Begging for someone to be with her...

"I-I..." I said, hoarsely. I heard him chuckle gently.

"If you're trying to say sorry, you're doing a bad job of it," he said, giving me a wry smile.

"Y-you're m-making it h-hard..." I mumbled to the floor. I felt him lower to my ear and breath against my neck.

"...that's what she said," he whispered. I looked at him in surprise.

"Really?" I said, crossing my arms. "I'm trying to apologize to you and you call out a 'that's what she said' joke? Really mature, Len." I smiled at him and he mirrored the smile perfectly.

"Hey, I got you to smile, so it worked," he said, giving me a wink. "Anyway, I forgive you. So stop holding it over your head because, just face it, Rin Kagamine wasn't meant to apologize to anyone." I wiped my face on my sleeve and nodded.

"I guess you're right," I said.

"Babe, I'm always right."

"You're pushing it," I said, elbowing him ribcage gently. "H-how's Yuki?"

"I got Luka to babysit her," Len said, using his thumb to point to Luka's office. "Now, I know you're starving."

"What?" On cue, my stomach growled to agree with him and his smile grew.

"Because I'm magic," he said, grabbing my hand. I sighed at the relaxed feeling that followed through me when I held on. We walked together to the cafeteria to get a snack. While we were in line, he casually hugged me from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder. "Hey, now that I forgave you and that you know about the past now. Would you marry me?"

...

"WHAT THE FUCK?"