VanaN'Ice: ParaNorm Smile "Joker"
Disclaimer: I don't own Vocaloid. Just the story
A/N: Here's the second chapter. This one gave me a hard time making with the struggle of putting which idea first. Anyway, let's enjoy this one. Here's chapter two.
Case 2: Wait, she's the WHAT?
"Teto, I appreciate you driving me home like this." Gakupo said with a grateful tone. He was seated on the back, close to the window on the right side. He looked at he through the rearview window, showing the cute redhead's eyes through the reflection. "I hope this isn't too imposing for you."
The girl smiled as she kept driving, keeping her eyes on the road. "Well, anything we do for our agents. This is part of our services."
"Thank you." Gakupo chuckled as he looked at the window and watched the sidewalk.
This situation was just like old times. He and Teto were friends since high school, along with her brother Ted and his roommate Kaito. They have this habit of walking their companions home after the day is over, usually after school and such. This was no different. A peculiar thing (in a good sense) about Teto is that she still looks the same from the time they were still high schoolers. It's as if she found the fountain of youth, much to her dismay.
"Say Teto."
"Hm?"
"Have you found someone yet?" Gakupo asked calmly.
"If it's about a boyfriend, no, I haven't." She flatly answered. "I don't bother with it anyway."
He chuckled after hearing that. Time hasn't changed that much, and Gakupo didn't dare to ask her out for one good reason. Never date your buddy's sister.
"Well, trust me. I can be sure there are guys who are after your type." Gakupo casually stated. The car stopped soon after, making him look outside and nodded. "Well, looks like I'll see you at work then."
"Sure thing." she answered cheerfully as he stepped out of the car and walked away, umbrella shielding him from the rain.
"Ok guys, I'm home." Gakupo loudly said after removing his shoes and laying it on the rack before continuing. Usually, he would be greeted by either Len or Kaito. This wasn't the case though. Wondering why, he walked through the living area.
No one's here? He thought as he looked about. He tried going to the dining area.
"Hey guys we have a-" he was cut off with the sight of Kaito, Len and a girl eating supper. From the looks of the meal, it was soup with bread on the side. He paused. A girl is in the house without his knowledge, not to mention wearing what seemed to be Kaito's shirt. He looked at the two lads, giving a glare that demanded answer. "Kaito, Len, wha-"
"Wait, Kamui-san," Kaito stood up with a flustered look, "I can explain..."
"Objection overruled." Gakupo interrupted him with and arm perched on his waist. Kaito was left with a gaping mouth while Len looked at the purple-haired man with a languid expression. "First off, drop the honorifics when it's just us three. Second, I told you about bringing a girl to the house. Len, tell me what's going on here."
"Well, he came here, carrying her while she was unconscious." Len answered as Gakupo gave a glare at Kaito.
"You kidnapped the girl?" he dryly asked.
"I DIDN'T KIDNAP HER!" Kaito shouted as he flailed his arms around, his face as white as a sheet. "I was heading out to get some groceries when she bumped into me and we fell to the ground. She was unconscious for some reason and I can't leave her behind like that. So I brought her home, tried to change her clothes so she won't catch a cold. Then, she screamed and slapped me around because she thought I was going to do something to her. I only intended to get dressed with fresh clothes. I'm trying to help her out, I swear."
Gakupo eyed the girl and then back at Kaito. "Fine. No comment on this one." He took a seat by the table and joined them, his expression softening to a gentler look. "You did the right thing, not letting her stay knocked out in the middle of the street."
Kaito sighed in relief with that particular statement.
"However, you didn't do what you're assigned to do and didn't inform me about this. I won't put you off the hook just yet." The mention of that made Kaito twitch like a nervous squirrel. "We'll talk about your punishment later."
The girl watched the whole event with a loaf of bread placed on her mouth. The bewildered look caught Gakupo's attention.
"Pardon us about that." He said with a calm tone. "And forgive the actions of this fellow over here. By the way, my name is Gakupo. I presume you know Len and Kaito already. May I know your name, miss?"
"I'm Miku." She answered with a smile and a more jolly tune. Kaito noticed that she is getting comfortable with their company now. She took a glance of the three lads before bowing. "I'm sorry about earlier."
"It's alright, everything's fine now." Kaito answered with a smile, his hand making a motion to dismiss the ruckus.
"Like you're the one to talk, Kaito." Len deadpanned, bread still caught in his mouth.
"You're our guest so make yourself comfortable." Gakupo flashed a cool smile, the signature that Kaito and Len recognize as his "dazzling makes-girls-swoon-over smile". The purple-haired man suddenly changed his topic. "By the way, Len, bring out the laptop and set it up on the living area when you're done."
"Why?" Len asked. "What's up with it?"
Gakupo raised his hand, showing a disk clutched between his index and middle fingers. "We have a job request."
Rustling, dancing before the grasp of adept hands as each card from the deck was being shuffled. A twisted smile marked the stranger's face, covering the eyes with a mask as the overhead lamp illuminated the table directly. After a few times, ten cards were set on the table, lined up and face down. Concealed eyes looked over the other side of the table with an inviting look.
"Now then, let's play a game." The voice spoke as it brought a pale hand to put the offer in a gesture. "Name your wager, and we will play."
A woman smiled as she took the hand offered to her, eyes already glazed over. The game was already set with one outcome, nigh impossible to change.
"Of course, Joker."
"Miku, the bath's ready." Len's voice boomed from the corridor.
"Bath?" The young lady turned around quizzically while she was curled on one of the couches. She didn't remember asking for a bath or anything. It was then that Kaito interrupted as he carried the dishes to the sink.
"Well, it's something most of us here do after getting soaked in the rain."
"What for?"
"To prevent yourself from getting a cold later on." Gakupo answered as he sat down on another couch. He was holding the disk that he brought with him. Setting the case on the coffee table beside the laptop, he looked at Miku with a calm expression as he began to explain. "It helps regulate your temperature and feel fresh at the same time. Since you've been dried up moments ago, I guess it's time to take a nice, warm bath."
Miku simply nodded, though finding the note peculiar. Len joined them in the room, standing behind the sofa where Gakupo was.
"Not to mention your clothes are dry and good to go. It'd be a good time to change into those."
"Ok," Miku chirped as she got up and started walking. She paused for a moment and looked at the boys in the room. "Uh, well..."
"If it's about a towel, you can use mine." Kaito stated in the background. This made heads turn to him. He could feel their stares as he twitched. "What? I have spares stashed in my room. Trust me, they're fresh."
The stares were still at him. This time, Kaito turned around, flicking his hands to rid it of the drops of water. "I'll even get them and hand it to her right now, if that's what you're also wondering."
"Why do I have a feeling he's asking for more trouble?" Len mumbled with a sweatdrop.
"Don't ask me why." Gakupo answered with a sigh.
He brought his attention to the laptop and opened the clear plastic case. Len, on the other hand, watched Kaito as he dashed to his room (presumably done with his work on the dishwashing). Miku stood by the bathroom door, waiting as Kaito reappeared and handed a fresh blue towel to her with a smile. She nodded, mouthing a 'thank you' before entering the bathroom and taking a bath.
Gakupo slid the disk into the drive of the computer, waiting for the machine to load and process the data. He felt the couch shift a bit as the two joined him.
"What could the mission be this time?" Kaito asked.
"That's what we're here to find out." Gakupo laid back and brought his legs to cross, right leg resting on his left knee.
The screen started up and a video transmission began to play. It showed an office, the view on the windows revealed to be underwater scenery. The leather chair held a silhouette of a person, probably the chairman. It was here that the program made its work.
"Gentlemen, your reputation is renowned in terms of accomplishing the task given without any fail, especially when the three of you are together. Normally, this task would require other agents to take but this situation requires the combined expertise of you three."
"Is this a difficult mission?" Kaito mumbled.
"I'd like you to work as bodyguards for a certain client."
"Great." Len sighed, leaning back with exasperation. "A babysitting mission."
"I don't think that's the case." Gakupo interrupted as he continued listening.
"This client is an important one and the circumstances are dire. She is being chased by an entity known to us as Joker."
The blond boy gave a mere sigh while the purple-haired gentleman looked at the other two. Kaito held a bewildered expression, smeared with shock upon hearing the name.
"Something wrong?" Len asked as he looked at Kaito.
He said nothing, only shaking his head as the clip continued and the group shifted their attention back to the computer.
"Your client is..." the display flashed as it revealed a number of pictures. A girl with teal hair in pigtails, wearing a gray short-sleeved blouse and skirt ensemble with a green necktie to accent it. The group ended up with gasps.
"Hatsune Miku."
"THAT GIRL?"
The rain had stopped yet the clouds lingered, covering the sky with gloom. By that time, dusk had fallen and lamps began to light the way. People find this a good opportunity to fold the umbrellas and walk on without getting wet. Among by passers, a young woman ran through the sidewalks in panic. Frantic, fear-driven with hysteria, she ran. At time she looked back to see if her pursuer was there.
She didn't bother to care, instinct drowning every reaction. Taking a turn, she began to run through a maze of avenues and alleyways, hoping to lose her pursuer.
Finally, she stopped at a dead end, covered with buildings similar to the backstreets. Haggard breaths were heard, the sound of her pounding heart rang in her ears. She hoped that she was able to escape the reason of her paranoia.
A familiar chuckle filled the air. Her eyes dilated with shock.
"Running away from me?" the voice sounded with a mocking tone. "We're not yet finished playing the game."
She looked up and saw the face with a silk mask covering its eyes of amber. It glowered with malice as a twisted grin curved its lips. The masked figure raised its gloved hand, aiming the gun on her head. If prayers were to be raised, now is the time.
"Since you lost the game," the stranger pulled the hammer as it paused. "I think I'll take that away from you."
She gasped, finding herself trapped to this fate. No options, no escape, only despair. She screamed at the top of her lungs.
Then a loud bang ended it.
"I think that's about it." Kaito sighed as he walked out of the convenience store. On one hand was a bag filled with groceries and supplies while the other had a shopping list.
"Well, I think this isn't a bad punishment." Miku chirped with glee. For some circumstances, she had to tag along with Kaito.
Looking back, the assignments Gakupo gave with regard to the mission seemed to lean towards maximum suffering for Kaito. He could not see why but he still remembers the whole spectacle.
"Now that our client is here with us, let's get this into order." Gakupo started with a serious tone.
Miku had joined them, after taking a bath and getting changed. She didn't seem to have caught the 'client' part but she sat down and listened.
"Len, I'd like you to get the data and make a cross analysis using the Logic Machine." Len looked at Gakupo and nodded at the older man's command. "Is there any way for you to access it when you're on field?"
"I'll try to find a way to it." the blond lad answered.
"Good. I'll do my end of the investigation, ask my informants for anything." Gakupo turned to Kaito and spoke. "As for you..."
"Eh? What about me?" the cobalt-haired youth asked, noticing the glare shot at him.
"You'll be staying with the client."
Kaito ended up being frozen with a gaping mouth. Miku looked at the three and tilted her head.
"So, I can go?"
"Miku, due to the situation, you'll need a bodyguard." Gakupo pointed at Kaito and smirked. "He's your bodyguard."
"I'M THE CLIENT! NO FRIGGIN WAY!"
"Yes, you are." the purple-haired man said as he rose from his seat. "Now time to get working."
Why me? Kaito sighed as he looked at her. "Well, since we're stuck with each other, might as well make it worthwhile."
Miku looked at him, her hand tugging at his blue scarf.
"Something wrong?"
"Uh, thanks for helping me." she said shyly.
"It's no biggie." he said as his expression brightened. "Let's go home-"
BANG!
The pair turned their heads towards the alley. Miku, taken over by curiosity, simply darted towards the alleyway without a word. Kaito followed right away, duty prevailing.
They neared the alleyway. From the shadows, something limped out into the bright light of the lamppost. The pair halted right away, finding that these wierd figures walked out, slouched and limping. The black bodies they bore and the cracks found on its surface seemed to tell Kaito this isn't normal. The white masks that acted like faces bore an expression of anguish. It was dreadful.
Miku staggered back, fear triggering her to stay away. It's coming back to her. The vague images in her head, the memory of running away, it replayed. Her heart began to pound. Her mind raced.
She screamed.
Rant Corner:
Well, in lieu of following the same template as Paranoid Doll: Renunciation, I'm naming this the Rant Corner.
First order of business, I was trying to figure out how this is going to appear. I'm not sure if the humor came out well but I'm having fun writing this.
Well, now some of you are wondering what the Logic Machine is. I'll reveal more of what that is later on, but to give you a basic idea, it's Len's special thing. Note that the three guys have special abilites. Gakupo can fight like crazy, as shown in the previous chapter. With Kaito, you'll have to wait for the next update.
By the way, do check out Paranoid Doll: Renunciation.
And of course, leave a review and tell me what you think of this one. It drives me to write more. See you next time.
Sydney Grise