Oh god. That's embarrassing. Really embarrassing.

Did... did I make her tear up? I didn't mean to, I swear!

I never mean for Miku to cry... I love her... ah! It's still so weird to say that..

A-And I want to seem manly enough for her! I want to be able to protect her!

It's been about two hours. Everyone's ready to go home. Rin wants to do something else for their birthday month, but... I feel like someone's watching us... it doesn't feel right.

I glance at Miku only to see her at her finest. She changed out of her fitness clothing and back in her navy blue skirt and white blouse, with a little blue ribbon tied at the collar, complementing her green eyes perfectly. She was wearing thigh-high black socks to top it off.

"C'mon, Neat Freak. We gotta get movin.' We're going home." She nudged towards the exit of the door, and I quickly tutted towards her.

"Sooo... you enjoying your birthday month?" I asked, giving her a toothy grin.

She just nods plainly, without saying a thing.

An awkward silence starts building between us.

"So, um-" We both stop, since we said that in unison.

Laughing awkwardly, she starts playing with her hair, puffing out her cheeks.

"Hey! Didn't you guys wait for a us? We have a fun day out today! Birthday month day two! Come on!" I hear a familiar cheery voice yell, catching up to us, holding a sheepish Mikuo's hand.

"S-Slow down, Rin!" He calls, laughing. Man.. why is it always so smooth between them, but between Miku and I, it's just... awkward.

Maybe it's not meant to be.

My face saddens at the thought of not being with Miku, wether it was romantic or not. I just wanted to see her.

Rin nudges me.

"Why are you acting so depressed and shit?" I stare at her in surprise. Did she.. did she just..?

Rin never swears. She thinks it's dirty.

"Well, don't talk all at once!" She huffs, tapping her foot.

"When did Miku rub off on you, Rin?" I ask subconsciously, not noticing the fuming Miku behind me.

"What does that mean?!" God, she's so cute when she's mad. Red faced, hell in her eyes, looking ready to rip out my guts and spit on them...

Yeah. I'm literally the only guy who would find Miku's behavior 'cute.'

Rin laughs.

"It's just that... I've been holding it back all these years! Mikuo taught me to let things loose, and let it go! Haha!" She laughs innocently.

"I even said it to a teacher... what's her deal? It's just a word." I snort.

"Be careful with your words, Rin."

Rin nods diligently, smiling.

"Let's gooo! It's time for a birthday sleepover! Kinda like when we met! Just to bring old memories back." My eyes widened.

Oh, god. What happened last time was super embarrassing.

"I don't think that's a good idea.." Miku said in an almost silent voice, so Rin didn't notice her.

Taking Mikuo and Miku's hand, she skipped towards our house.

Perfect. Just peachy.

Ohohohoho, Lenny boy. I hope he doesn't get carried away~

Nah, I'm just kidding.

Damn. Did I pick up on that phrase from Miku or something?

"Rin, let us get some things for the sleepover first-"

"Got it covered," She reassured me, giving me a wink.

I almost forgot...

"Alright, Mikuo. I'll take some clothes, but don't bring any for Miku. I've got a plan," Rin Kagamine smiled devilishly as she rubbed her hands together, looking like she could take over the world if she wanted to.

"What's she gonna wear then?" I ask curiously, tipping my head to the side.

"Len's old t-shirts. Just imagine his face. It's the perfect prank." She laughed maniacally.

Rin, I love you, but calm down.

"Er.. alright."

This is going to fail miserably. I have a feeling.

I nod at Rin, and we reach their house.

It's as colorful as usual, and I found out that Rin has a hobby for gardening.

However, she does it so messily that Len always has to clean up the dirt. From inside and outside the house.

Jesus Christ, Len.

"Still as neat as ever, Kagamidiot," Miku muttered, and Len gave her a playful shove.

"Y-You're right, Miku. Completely right." He chuckles.

Rolling her eyes, Miku sets down her bag. Rin darts into the house, flashing up the stairs.

"I'll be back in a sec! I need to get something!" She calls cheerfully. Her socks slide down from her legs, and it's completely clear that she's really excited to get whatever it is she's getting.

We all sit down on the couch, and Miku begins a conversation.

"So.. um... Mikuo.. I.. I needed to ask you something." Miku looks dead serious.

"That.. that doctor.. do you remember him? Do you remember IA? Do.. do you think he has any more info?" She taps her fingers together, and Len stiffens.

I do remember that doctor. He was the one that cured our mother.

Well, almost cured.

"M-Maybe, I dunno..." it's clearly a touchy subject from me.

"Could.. we see him later?" She asks, a cautious tone in her voice.

"Sure.." I say awkwardly.

Len pipes in.

"... who's IA?"

Everyone looked at him, obviously filled with shock.

"Oh... she was a close friend of our mother, also our babysitter. Ah, she was wonderful. However, she had major depression. My mother was the one who helped her," Miku giggled, and sighed, looking at the ceiling.

"I remember that Mikuo and I put Skittles in her boxes for pills so she could be 'extra happy."I snorted, remembering that fact.

"She would just scoop us up into a big hug each night, waiting for our mom to get home from work... I wonder how she's doing now..."

Len smiles affectionately, and we stay silent until Rin comes back.

'I wonder how she's doing now...'

I look around the busted old closet, only to find flashy clothing and a carelessly unlocked box. I've seen Mayu open it. Inside are surgical utensils, but she uses them on her victims.

I feel sick to my stomach, since I've only eaten bread loaves and glasses; sometimes shot glasses of milk.

Mikuo is the sweetest little boy I've ever met. I bet those teenage hormones hit him quick.

It's been roughly ten years since I've babysitted them, making me 25 years old.

Great, I'm an old lady now- an old lady that's STUCK IN A CLOSET by some psychopath, mind you- that hasn't had any improvement on her emotions towards the death of Mindori Hatsune.

I need to warn the kids.

"Stop trying, Ivory. There's no way out. You've been trying for three days." Kenji looked over to the side.

"I never thought a business trip would take ten years," He chuckled in a raspy way, probably from all the arguing between us on how to get out.

"Don't call me that," I groaned, trying to kick down the door.

Mayu's laughter can be heard from the other side.

"I'm going to the store, darlings. Don't you go anywhere! Though- I doubt you can," She snickered a maleficent laugh, her signature red heels clicking along with her.

Disgusting.

Kenji turned to me, smiling softly.

"Hey.. soon it'll all be over. Don't worry. They're safe. I can feel it." If he could, he would've probably brought his shaky, bandaged hand up to his chest where his barely beating heart was.

"It'll be alright."

"I hope so.." if I could just... open that box carrying the surgical utensils, I would be able to break free. Break Kenji free. Get out of here.

Neru was pretty dumb to tell us that she was going to go get intel on the kids by stalking them.

She also mentioned two people.. as the Kagamines.

They had nothing to do with it, until one name caught my ear.

Len Kagamine.

Oh, he was that kid that Miku played with at the park..? Right? I wonder if he remembers me.

Hm. He has a sister? I didn't know that piece of information.. they could help me. Although they were simply bystanders while such a big thing was happening, maybe.. maybe they could help.

Maybe nobody needs to die.

Just maybe.