A New Generation: A ZoroMiku Story

19: Apologies

Miku

It was the end of the fourth day since the last meeting and Miku had been talking to Hyaku on the beach again. He hadn't opened up to her much since telling her about his dead partner, which was fine for her, seeing as she was dealing with the sharp pang of grief she felt whenever she thought about how things had become between her and Zorome. 

At the end of that evening, however, Hyaku did something different. Something she hadn't been expecting. They'd been talking about their experiences as parasites and what their plantation caretakers had been like when he suddenly turned to her with a strange look in his blue eyes. 

"Miku?" He asked, his eyes blazing with an intensity that reminded her of fire. 

"Yes?" She asked, feeling a bit nervous. 

"I enjoy every minute I spend with you," Hyaku began. "You light up my life like the sun lights up the sky." He pointed at the sun that was beginning to set on the horizon. "You're like 988, so fiery yet sweet. You're exactly like her! You're what I need in my life. You can replace her and become my partner, Miku!" 

Miku flinched away from him. The look in his eyes was wild. "H-Hyaku!" She cried. "I have a partner already!

"What, you mean Zorome?" Hyaku sneered. "That dumb kid will never be right for you. I'm shocked a boy like him even managed to join the ranks of parasites when Papa was still around. He's an idiot. A bonehead. Why don't you be with someone intelligent like me?"

Rage began to boil beneath Miku's skin. "What the hell are you talking about?" She asked him fiercely. "He's my partner! Just because we're not getting along right now doesn't mean I don't want to be his partner anymore. We always fight...but I wouldn't want my life any other way! I know he cares about me, I really do, even if he's too dumb to say it, and I care about him too." Her gaze softened. "Don't be mad at him, please, Hyaku. He's a good partner when he wants to be, I promise. I...I haven't been really nice to him lately and I feel bad. He may be a bit dumb at times, but he's still the most important boy in the world."

Hyaku's voice was cold. "So you don't want to be my partner after all the time we've spent together?"

Miku shook her head. "N-no! Of course not!" She felt exasperated. "I like being your friend but...well, I feel like I'd be betraying my bond with Zorome if I chose another partner in my life. Besides, I barely know you! Zorome and I go really far back!" 

She jumped up and brushed herself off. "I...I have to go," She said quickly, her mind spinning. "I should smooth things out with him. Our little argument has gone on too long." 

With that, poor Miku ran off toward her house. She could feel Hyaku's eyes watching her until she was out of his line of sight.

Zorome

The door flew open suddenly and Zorome was startled to see that it looked as if Miku had run home. She was panting heavily. With what was left of the natural light outside, he could see that sweat was dripping from her skin. She had a wild and almost scared look in her eyes.

"M-Miku?" Zorome stammered. "What's wrong?" 

"Zorome," Miku marched over to stand at the foot of his bed and put her hands on her hips, glaring at him. "I'm done with this stupid rift between us. Done with it! You need to get off your mopey ass and do something about it right now!"

Zorome felt scared and swallowed nervously. But the angry girl didn't give him a chance to even open his mouth to reply before she continued ranting. 

"We agreed to be partners together!" Miku cried. "We agreed to do everything together, make decisions together, and even accept help! Why are you making things so difficult because I want to let the others help us now, and why are you trying to make becoming headteachers all about you? I thought it was about us! And the children! I want the school to run as smoothly as possible! We have to listen to the others...but even if you don't, listen to me, at least! You asked me to help you, now do something damnit!" 

Zorome felt defensive. But more than that, he felt bitter. "Oh yeah?" He asked bitterly. "Then what's the deal with you and that Hyaku kid, huh? You spend practically every waking moment with him now! I feel like you've forgotten about me, Miku, and that you wanna replace me!" The words were practically tumbling out of his mouth before he even knew what he was saying. 

"I needed someone to talk to!" Miku snapped. "And he was around to comfort me and help me through this dumb argument. I hate not spending time with you, Zorome, and I missed you whenever I was with him! I don't ever want to replace you, dumbass! I want to be included in your life! I want to be by your side, not his! Not any other stupid boy...I want you!" 

Zorome stared at her for a moment, feeling something within his heart change. Guilt pulled at his chest as he remembered calling her a bitch during that one meeting. He'd seen the look on her face. It had been heartbreaking to know he'd hurt her, but he'd ignored it for so long. He hadn't realized how much of a jerk he was being by not including her. He had asked her to teach alongside him...as partners. He'd let his big head get in the way and she was right: he truly had made this all about himself, not about them or the children they'd be teaching someday.

"Miku...," Zorome's eyes began to water, "I'm...I'm so sorry!" He wailed, leaping out of his bed and throwing himself and Miku, wrapping his arms around her while resting his head on her shoulder.