By: Yuchia

Author's note :

Well… to ice cream, I guess :З

Chapter One. The Arrival

POV KAITO

"Eh, is this true?!"

"It is true; I've just heard it myself!"

I am vocaloid KAITO, also known as Shion, Kaito, the first male vocaloid in Japan, the last vocaloid in first series and the only one… who was considered a commercial failure. Haha… It was not easy for me back then, you know.

"And where is he now?"

"I believe he is still in the research center… We'd better rush to meet him, or those Kagamine kids… Hey, Kaito, where are you going? Wait for me!"

Sorry, Miku, but this cannot wait. One turn, another, stairs running up, I can hear some voices out there. I strain my ears. Well, I recognise Rin and Len… And who is the third one? Is that a new vocaloid? Like, for real, this time? Few more turns and I actually bump into the twins.

I am gasping for air. It must look funny: Rin is giggling, but it does not matter to me now. I am more interested in him, a new member of our family. We have been barely told anything about him, and at a certain point his creation was at risk because of so many things, like his father's (we call them parents, those humans who gave us their voices) refusal to cooperate with Crypton.

A new vocaloid is always like a new excitement. Will he actually become popular? Will he make it all the way to the top or… no? What kind of relationship we are going to have? Are we going to be good together? Or everything will end up the same as with the twins, like hatred, sarcastic giggles and such? What is he like? His looks? Habits? Favorite things? So much still to find out…

Finally, I raise my eyes and right away it strikes me – the new vocaloid expression is a weird mixture of surprise and somewhat… disgust?! Trying not to take that to heart, I just look at him. All purple and beautiful… reminds me of an eggplant.

"I am Shion, Kaito, nice to meet you."

There it goes my item smile full of plastic happiness. I extend my hand for a handshake. Just to hear how the Kagamines snort unanimously.

" Kamui, Gakupo," he hesitates bit but still takes my hand. Then, while peering into my face, he smirks and asks the twins, "Is he the old geezer?"

What the …! I knew it! I blush and break hands immediately. I just hate the little brats giving us all kind of nasty names! Us, I mean Meiko and me. Well, the truth is she doesn't care much, while I always feel hurt. Honestly! Is there anyone who likes being called geezer!?

I turn away pretending not to notice Gakupo's surprised eyes, it seems he is unaware of his rudeness. I look angrily at still giggling twins. Whatever, I am going to leave now, holding my head up and all, when… My sensory signal system registers minor damage. Miku, it hurts, dammit! What a nasty habit hitting people's heads!

"Kaito, didn't I ask you to wait for me?" looking at me frowningly, hands folded, Miku. I look back sullenly, and then glance at Gakupo again. Len and the girls are all shorter than I am. Miku, dear, you know I always liked people shorter than me. But this Kamui! He… he is taller!

Well, what could be my real reasons? I wanted to see the new vocaloid as soon as possible, that's why I left one big leek eater behind? No, thanks, I hope I am not that crazy to actually say it.

I give one side-glance over my shoulder at Mr. Eggplant. He is eyeing Miku clearly amused. The twins must have told him nicer things about our first diva. Oh man, what the hell, should I just go and cry in the corner?

"Okay, sorry, I won't bother you," I mutter something that sounds stupid even to me, turn around and go back to my room. Well, not this time, again. Again, this is my fault, of course.

"Ah, Kaito, don't forget about dinner, as you did last time, okay?" Smiling sweetly Miku is waving to me with that leek sprout. I have no particularly happy memories about it.

It is not as if I should skip dinner, either. Even if I sit like this hugging my stomach, I can perfectly well hear its rumbling. I ran out of ice cream as well. No way out, after all.

I need to go. You have to, Kaito! You can manage! I was trying to say something like that to reassure myself on the way to our dining room. Last turn; now, open this weird door, it never fails to shock me – its design is really strange… and… and…

This. Is. My. Seat. This is my seat, Kamui Gakupo! Standing there all frozen, I look at my chair taken by the other vocaloid. My first intention is to punch the Eggplant real good in his shameless purple face and get my seat back. The second one is to turn around and run away. But after the short fight between those two urges there appears a more reasonable one – I need to eat. My stomach loud rumbling confirms it.

Thanks to all gods, the twins are not paying attention to anything, just eating their bananas and oranges. Otherwise, there would be one more stupid joke about me. But Kamui has his chance to look at my fiercely blushing face.

For a few moments, we just kept looking into each other's eyes. He was not going to avert his gaze, me neither. Who knows for how long we would be playing this staring contest game if someone did not push me on my back.

I nearly fell. Meiko, who else it can be…

My dearest onee chan took her seat on the right to Miku's chair. I used to sit on the left. Our star usually is the last one to come. I wonder what makes her so busy…

I finally sit nearby Kamui, opposite the twins. They don't look up, just keep munching, but both say hi and make cute faces at me. Well then, I forgive you, little devils. It is just that I am way too kind.

We all wait for Miku patiently. The twins are still stuffing fruits down, whatever left on the table. The food is usually served only when the whole family gathers.

Family… It sounds nice, huh. Meiko and I would be older sister and brother. She would be a disorganized, a bit frivolous but loving sister. Miku would be our younger one, a sight for sore eyes. Gentle, sweet and smiling… And the twins would be those two naughty but cute little devils constantly asking for trouble. Well, and who would be the Eggplant then? I carefully look at him. Hmm… Well I don't know. Maybe a diligent but a bit sarcastic brother, younger than Meiko and me?

Deep in all these thoughts, I have not noticed anything around until Miku storms into the room. She storms into everywhere, homes, stages, lives. It is impossible not to fall in love with her. She narrows her eyes as soon as she sees me not at my right place. I just nod and smile, showing her that all is fine. She calms down but still looks at Gakupo suspiciously. No, Miku, I of course wouldn't offer my seat just like that, but I do not want to ruin our peaceful family moment fighting over some stupid seat.

I look from time to time at Kamui. I cannot but worry that he keeps silent all the time. Maybe he still needs time to get use to the place. Or is there something bothering him? Oh, why would I care anyway?

Miku's cheerful chirrup and the twins' laugh are awfully disturbing. I cannot concentrate and think of ways to deal with this new guy… I look at my ice cream gloomily... Ah, everybody is silent all of a sudden. What is that for I wonder?

"Hey, Kaito," Meiko repeats annoyingly, "Say something already!"

Eh? I jump surprised, they have been talking about something and now they all are looking at me. Wha-what to answer? Oh my, whatever it is…

"Oh, yeah, sure, it's great, just wonderful", item smile.

Damn, I shouldn't have lost it right when all the talk started.

"What, like for real...?" Miku is staring at me. The unusually quiet twins look like they are in shock. Meiko whistles. It sounds so loud in this odd silence.

My hopeless smile is getting wider. What on earth was that, anyone please tell me?!

"You both looked a bit unfriendly, so I was worried. I am happy you agreed, Kaito."

Our Diva sighs relieved.

Miku, you mean the Eggplant? Friends? Me and him?! No way! Just in case I look at Gakupo, he also seems to be blank.

"Ah… Yeah…" I manage to utter and quickly get up. That's more than enough for today. "Okay, I'm off to sleep."

"But it is only seven!" The twins pout and giggle. "Are you are a baby, onii chan?"

I would usually just smile and shuffle their hair. Now I am in panic!

"I wanted to run through one more song today, so I need time. Bye!" I feel stupid and awkward rushing like this.

No, it is not that I run away. Honestly, I haven't. It is true, I am singing a new song with Miku soon. So the more practice the better. I swear that purple guy is staring at me when I leave the room.

But when I get back to my room the first thing I see is my bed - my dear, so soft and so ever beloved bed – so my plans to practice anything, even Cantarella, just vanish from my head. Yeah, my wonderful bed, you are my only weakness. Well, I am not counting ice cream, of course. I fall on the bed and hold on to the pillow, smelling in the clean linen. I am about to fall asleep when…

Loud knock on the door. Startled I jump, and only when I stumble over and hit the bedside table, I realize that I am not sleeping, and that horrible rhythm somebody's hand knocking on my door is quite real, not the part of my dream. I have to answer I guess. Why even they bother to come when I made it quite clear I am busy!

Oh damn… Having made those freaking few meters to the door, I finally open it. There he is, Kamui Gakupo himself. Why, goddammit, I have to lift my head to look at him, I am not used to it, so annoying! Maybe it shows all on my face, as if I am sick and tired of the whole freaking world, because he steps back, looking at me weirdly.

"Do you need anything?" I rub my eyes sleepily, trying to wake up.

He raises his eyebrow. Surprised. Why, what's wrong with my question?

"But you said yes, didn't you?"

Eeh? Oh, that thing… I wish I knew what I signed for. Okay, man, tell me already.

"My room is not finished yet, because nobody knew for sure that I come. Therefore, I am going to stay with you for a while. And, you said it yourself: Ah, yes, sure, everything is great, just wonderful, right?" Gakupo asks suspiciously. He is still standing at the entrance.

Oh holy Crypton, I am an idiot.

"Why it has to be me?" I sigh defeated; I've already decided to put up with it. A bit rude roommate is not the worst thing happened to me.

"Do you suggest I stay with the girls?" He sounds amazed. I am sure he is not all against the idea, but the girls…

"Len?"

"There is a transparent glass wall between his room and Rin's. Though Rin is quite cute…" He added smiling thoughtfully.

Pedo. Whoever has been working to develop his personality, they are horrible.

"Okay, come on in then…" Unwillingly I step back letting him in, looking at my messy but still dear room.

Gakupo enters, closing the door and looking around with amusement. I don't know why but it seems so that the door shuts me off from the outside world, leaving me all alone with my younger brother. Or should I even consider him a brother now? He, not wasting any time, welcomes himself and burrows into music sheets. Irritated, I look at my forced roommate and decide to clean up, at least a little. I mean stuff all the things scattered around under the bed and to the closet.

"Hey!" He calls out and I turn around. "What is this song?" Holding my Cantarella in hand.

I wince and clumsily jump at him trying to take back the notes. No way! This shameless brat is holding the sheet high up and watching me with a disgustingly pleased look on his face.

"Give the notes back to your older brother, be so kind," I hiss, looking at Kamui angrily.

"Okay-okay, oni-chan," Is he making fun of me? "Why don't we sing it together then?"

Yes, he is making fun of me, that's for sure! He hands me over those notes and I take them with my most sullen expression.

"I will be singing it with Miku," my voice sounds almost calm. Practice makes perfect.

"Miku? That girl with turquoise hair?" He asks, smiling and watching me arranging all the notes in order.

"Exactly"

"Well, you can at least practice with me."

"Huh? You are not a girl to sing love songs with!"

"Oh wow, what is it in there? Let me see."

Don't you dare, you damn eggplant! He snatches those papers from me again. I clench my teeth trying to keep calm.

"Whisper of the old clock welcomes your moan again…" At this moment, I blush hotly.

" Didn't know you were such a perv…"

"Oh, just shut up! Vocaloids do not produce songs, and it's not like we can choose what to sing either."

"Okay, then let me sing it? It's a beautiful song," he comes closer and all of a sudden shuffles my hair, smiling. I just don't understand… Is it the same as mine – his smile?

"Miku won't sing it with you," my voice is cold as ice now. I step back trying to arrange my hair the way it was. Touching my hair, huh! Enough, enough of this crap already!

"Why is that?"

"Ask her. And give me back the notes."

I put the papers in the closet, then look at the clock – it's only eight, too early to sleep still. Now I don't even want to sleep anymore. What should I do then? Should I visit Miku? Well… there is something better, maybe.

"I'll be right back," I blurt out and escape, not expecting any answer. A loud "hey" follows me. Just look at him – is he my wife or what?

When I pass Miku's door, I hear her singing. She does have a beautiful voice. But I still walk further. I am sure not a single vocaloid soul knows about the place I am going to. There is something very special, only for me.

Freezer! I would have kneeled in front of you and made you my personal queen, if only I could. Nobody can cheer me up as you do…

I open the door and close my eyes as the cool air coming out. Ice cream. Everywhere ice cream. This is my ice cream realm, hehe.

I hurry to pick a couple of my favorite flavors but then I stop doubtfully. Should I take one for Gakupo? I don't even know if he likes it at all… But it is aisu! How can anybody hate it?

So not hesitating any longer, I pick a blackberry flavored one in a purple wrapper (he likes purple, doesn't he?) and head back to my room, walking slowly and eating my fruit ice popsicle.

Well, I should have taken some bag. That "couple" of ice cream, it looks like they all are going to fall from my hands any time soon. So trying to grip those tightly and barely holding that slippery ice stick in my mouth, I kick the door open.

What I see almost makes my jaw drop, but then right on time I realize that ice cream on the floor would look too sad. It looks like this idiot Eggplant was sneaking around and checking everything in the room. Now he is standing barefoot on my sacred bed looking at the wall and shivering, Crypton only knows for what reason.

"What the hell are you doing?" I put the ice cream on the table and now when my hands are finally free I can take out the ice out of my mouth, too. I come up closer still staring at Gakupo. What is going on, I wonder.

He falls on the bed and curls trying to hug himself. I still don't get it.

"N-n-now it's s-s-sum-mer, w-why it's s-so cold in h-here?" He barely manages to utter, his teeth chattering.

Ah, that thing.

"I just like it when it is cool," I take off my coat, only pants, t-shirt and scarf left. I am lucky that it's just a regular summer scarf, not a warm one. Gakupo looks at me, his eyes getting bigger. I can read them saying "Aren't you crazy?!"

Well, no, I am perfectly fine. I do love cold. Tropical resorts or something like that is not for me though. I feel bad in hot weather. Last time when I was so stupid to go with everybody to Okinawa, it was horrible; I don't even want to remember.

I come to the table, take the remote control and turn off the hidden a/c. I think Kamui was looking for it. He sighs with relief. But he is still shivering. I feel a bit bad. I know that there is nobody else who prefers cold weather, only me. I knew it but I forgot.

I take off my scarf and in a rush of generosity wrap it around Gakupo's neck, carefully pulling away stray strands of his hair. Then I look at him. He's got blue eyes. Like most of us, actually. Well, purple would sure suit the Eggplant better, but it will help him get warmer at least. I mean the scarf. He is mumbling something I cannot track; maybe he wanted to say thanks.

I feel how the room is getting warmer bit by bit, and as a result, I start feeling worse. I fall on the chair; I am determined to finish off the first ice cream. If I am not fast enough, it will all melt. Well, okay, I admit, it was cold here to keep my ice cream safe and sound!

It disappears too soon. Well, I am happy it made me feel better though. I sigh and put hands on table to rest my head on; I stare at the last ice cream. Blackberry. I brought it for the Eggplant, dammit. Well, he is cold anyway, so there is just no sense to offer. Right?

It's weird, but I don't want to eat it. But it's not like I am going to take it back to the freezer! The cover flies to the bin like all the rest. I am about to lick it when nearby my ear a thoughtful voice asks:

"Purple… Can I have it?"

Damn, what the..! I choke and cough covering my mouth.. I don't want to cough on the ice cream.

"Don't scare me like that," I finish coughing and scowl. Then I turn to him. He looks a bit confused shrugging his shoulders. I sigh and hand him over the ice cream. "Here"

"Yeah, thanks," he takes it and steps back.

Well, time to sleep now. I doubt my brilliant idea to make him sleep on the floor will work. But still...

"Now, you!" He jumps in surprise and cautiously glances at me, speeding up to finish his ice cream. "YOU are sleeping on the floor!"

Now it's his turn to choke and cough.

"On the floor?! How..?" He asks in panic.

"Well, not exactly on the floor. There is a futon," I happily specify. "You can even take the blanket."

"But even like that… It IS cold!"

"You are going to be just fine, I even turned off the a/c," I am not surprised that he is so reluctant. I myself would never sleep on the floor. Even on the futon. "Objections are not accepted!"

I drag out the unlucky futon from the closet, and we, depressed Gakupo and I, spread it on the floor. I really gave him all the blankets! I didn't even take my scarf back! Is he really still cold?.. I feel horribly hot now.

After taking bath, I send Gakupo off to shower too and fall on the bed. I think I collapse right away.

While asleep I was singing some lively song in some fairy ice cream town, and it is so beautiful dream! Now, wait, something is trying to sneak into there. Something shameless and totally unrestrained. I slowly open my eyes trying to figure out what is going on. How should I put it, was I surprised to see Kamui peacefully sleeping right next to me? No, I was shocked. Yes, shocked, that's it.

If I started screaming, he would wake up for sure, but then it will not be only him alone actually, all vocaloids here would wake up. Oh yes, I can scream all right, so loud until my voice goes hoarse. I don't need that now though, so I just cover my mouth with both hands and crawl back from him. Dammit, I nearly fell from bed! What the hell is he doing here in my bed? Carefully I touch him. Ah, cold as ice! Looks like it was still too chilly…

I sigh and snuggle up closer, trying to warm him. It feels so wonderfully cool. Vocaloids use to call me "heater"; I am always warm, no matter what temperature is outside. Well then, I'd better hug him tight, so that he doesn't get cold in the first day of his life.