Banana Flower (A Vocaloid Ship Flowlen Story)

Cendrillon AU Beginning

The village (masc) maiden, with his blonde hair, which was thick and tied back into a working ponytail. He had to fend for his sick mother and his older sister. Being the guy of the house, he did daily chores in this small setting of a village and often gazed at the castle nearby, with the known elegant royal family. Princess Yuzuki, Queen Haku, Queen Teto and so much more... they had two twins Hime and Mikoto who were known to be mischievous, just like himself and Rin. But there was another royal...who seemed to be a mystery. The heir to the throne, although being the youngest to Yuzuki...she seemed to be popular. 

Len realized they were zoning out, and immediately went back to work. He had to finish sweeping up the floors, he had no time for thoughts or fun!

A weary figure came into the room, with a small soft smile, "Hi brother.." it coughed badly. Len looked up from his sweeping and looked at his faint sister, "Rin? Why are you out of bed..?" He dropped his broom gently, holding Rin's hands looking up at her. "You should rest...are you hungry? Do you want me to make something?" He looked at her with worry. 

"No no..I'm fine..!" She pulled away, "Seriously...Len..you're such a worrywart. I just wanted to check up on you...mom said you shouldn't push yourself more..ever since dad died.." Rin looked up at the portrait of their father, with his blue hair and sophisticated scarf. He was a merchant, selling all kinds of gelato and ice cream. He sadly died over the same sickness that infected Rin and their mother. 

Len sighed sadly, "But Rin.." He caressed her face. "I'm not pushing myself, ok? You need to rest..besides...Dad left us some money so we could provide for ourselves, we have a big house..and I'm the man of the house. Count on me, ok?" He dusted off his rags with his hand, giving a confident smile. "And...yeah..we're kinda running out on money, I'll find a job for us around here, so I can take care of you and mom both!"

Rin sighed, she was worried her little brother was eventually going to tire himself out taking care of her and their mother, MEIKO. "Fine...but take breaks..ok? We can take care of ourselves too.." She coughed, putting a hand up to her mouth. Len gently took Rin back to her room, and to bed. "Just sleep sis, ok?" He ran his fingers through Rin's silky soft hair. "I'll always be here." He kissed her forehead and smiled, where Rin rolled her eyes and smiled back, "Ok...well...do well. I love you.." She slowly closed her eyes from the exhaustion and went to sleep.

Len sighed, The stress of their money problems were getting to him. He was at the right age of working but he also had secretly wished his mother were better so she would find the right job with good pay! They were slowly going into rags, eventually becoming a "maid" for the house. Sometimes...they all wished their father wasn't taken away..and it pained Len to see his own family going through the same sickness. 

Len swept near the door, finishing his sweeping chore. "Time to get some groceries...I guess I'll make some dinner! And banana bread for an ensemble!" He grabbed the money pouch along with the basket and headed off to the far end of the village where the grocery and bakery were. 

A perky shop owner with pigtails that were as long as very large leeks peeked over to him and smiled. "Hello there Len~!!" She waved and tilted her work hat to greet him. "How are you? You wanna buy some fresh leeks?" She used jazz hands to present her beautiful green as her hair leeks. Len smiled, "Hi Miku!" He waved coming near her shop. "Wow...these leeks sure look yummy...how much are they?" 

Miku looked, "Oh just about..$3 each! Since they're fresh in the market, I decided to pay the price for this lovely kingdom." She smiled. 

Len looked at his money pouch, "I really don't have that much...." He panicked, there was only $20 for groceries since the goods were sold for less in this area, and to save money.

"Hmmm..how about this? Since I fancy your big sister...do hope she's well though!" She sighed in love and sadly. "I'll lower the price...how does $1 sound?" She looked over resting her hands on her face, and elbows on the shop kiosk. 

"Y-yeah! That sounds..actually a good bargain." He smiled, "Thank you Miku, I hope if Rin gets better, you two can go out for a dance..or even a date!" He smirked, and handed the dollar. Miku blushed, "I sure hope so! See you!" Len waved goodbye, and went to other kiosks to get milk, vegetables and other groceries. 

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Finally, after having only about $5 left in the money pouch, he decided to get banana bread and orange jelly, and some cookies for his family. He crossed his fingers entering the bakery whispering to himself.. "I hope they didn't up the price today.." 

An elegant lady was at the counter, with flowy long pink pastel hair, a wooden name tag on her chest said, "L She looked over and smiled, "Ah, hello there...how may I help you?" Len shyly went forward. "I would like some...of those, please." He pointed at the box of delicacies having all the things he needed. 

The baker smiled, "That would be $15. Had to increase the price since there will be a grand ball soon for the future royal." 

Len looked panicked, "I-I see...is everything else..?" He couldn't finish his sentence, it was scary.

"Well, yes.." Luka sighed, putting a hand on her cheek. "Everyone seems excited for the ball, I heard the whole kingdom was invited! And I am their main chef!" She giggled delightfully. 

Len sighed, furrowing his eyebrows. "I see...guess no dessert for today." He pouted, thinking of his family, and walked ahead. "Ow!" He bumped into something...or wait, someone. 

"Oh my..sorry." A hooded figure with small white strands with a hint of purple peered out of the front of the hood. "Are you hurt?" They asked rather bluntly. Len looked up to see this strange person, "I'm fi-" Red had come onto his cheeks, as he stared at their face. "U-uh.." He held his basket close..this person was..strangely handsome, pretty and all in between. "I'm so very sorry!" He bowed apologetically in fluster. 

"No worries..just be careful next time..." They giggled at Len's embarrassed actions. "I would like two of the delicacies boxes, please." They had a androgynous tone to their voice. It sounded...charming, as they sounded a bit shy and cold. Len couldn't help but be drawn to this charming voice. 

"Two? My my, alright then!" Luka went over to the shelves and grabbed the two boxes, placing them on the counter. "Wrapped or bagged?" She asked with a smile.

"I'd like one not wrapped or bagged, and one bagged." The person looked over to Len shyly, then went back to the counter. "Thank you." They said coldly, and bowed their heads...paying. "Here you go.." They handed a box to Len. "For you..friend." They nodded, and went off carrying the box. 

"Wait I never got your name!" Len looked up at them. They looked down, shy. "You can call me Flo." They smiled, softly. "It was nice to meet you...?" 

"Len, my name is Len." He became serious, hiding his blush and overall surprise and happiness. "Thank you..very much for this kind of offer, but I cannot take this!" 

Flo looked at him, and shook his hand giggling. "Just take it, as...a gift of friendship? You seem very nice." They gently said, which made Len get goosebumps, and fluster more. 

"I-I see...well, thank you very much!" He brightly smiled, "I hope to see you again Flo! Goodbye..for now." He walked along, slightly embarrassed that someone as charming as them saw him in rags...and looking odd. He held the gifted box close, and smiled walking ahead in confidence.