Note: I'm so excited that this story is slowly growing! Writing this story is really making me feel better about myself!
Other Vocaloid characters will also eventually be involved in this story too, so look out for that. Haku will soon have a lot of friends, and a lot of confidence. There will also soon be some fluff, friendship, and fun moments too. I also decided that Haku and Merli's bond will develop into some romance eventually as well.
Ever since Haku had mustered the courage to sign up for the vocal lessons she wanted, her life had been like a journey. There were sad moments and difficult moments, but also wonderful moments that made it all worthwhile. It had been eventful already, but it was far from over. In fact, it had really only just begun.
Haku's quest was to find the confidence she needed to fulfill her dream. She finally truly felt she was a step closer to her goal. Even though it was only one step so far, it was important progress. It meant the world to Haku to be able to advance.
Haku at first thought that her vocal coach, Merli, was harsh and strict. But when she ended up pouring her heart out to Merli, Haku found that she was a very kind and supportive mentor who even once struggled with the same problems Haku did. It was still hard to believe though, since Merli now came off as so poised and accomplished. Haku wondered if she could ever be that confident too...
"Haku, I can hear your improvement already." Merli stated, during their next lesson. Haku had finished singing Part of Your World consistently for the first time, without having to stop in the middle to catch her breath or to compose herself.
Haku's heart pounded, this time with excitement and triumph. She smiled.
"Really?" She asked.
"You're getting it more under control lately. I can tell you've been practicing." Merli said. "Keep up the good work."
"Ah!" Haku have a small cheer. She felt so accomplished! Merli couldn't help but smile as well. She had watched her student transform from a nervous, crying wreck to a budding singer who was improving.
"Your higher register also isn't as breathy and shaky as it once was as well." Merli said. "I can tell you are an alto, so it's a big accomplishment."
"I'm an alto?" Haku asked.
"Yes, that's what I've determined." Merli said.
"Oh..." Haku said. "So that means I'm not special?"
"...What ever would make you believe that?" Merli asked.
"Because... I don't know." Haku said. "Forget it."
"Hm... It somehow seems to be a pretty common misconception that altos aren't as special or talented because they don't sing as high as sopranos." Merli said. "Frankly, it's a closed-minded view. No voice type is better or more special than the other. Altos are versatile and can still hit a wide range of notes. Don't forget that."
"Okay, thanks..." Haku said. "Are you an alto?"
"I'm actually a contralto." Merli said. "I have a naturally lower voice, so singing high notes is something I still currently struggle with."
"Oh... cool." Haku said. So Merli struggled with some aspects of singing too? For the first time, it hit her that maybe Merli wasn't totally perfect after all. Of course. Nobody was perfect after all.
"Now let's sing Part of Your World again." Merli said. "I know it's the same song you've been singing all day, but there's never such thing as too much rehearsal."
"Okay!" Haku said. She was able to now sing it all without even looking at the lyric sheet.
Feeling even more confident than ever, Haku gave this attempt her all and sang loud and clear. It made her feel alive, like she was soaring... until...
"Pfft... haha." Haku saw two teenage boys smirking rudely at her from outside the small studio. She sang every word quieter until she abruptly stop. Merli stopped playing the song on the piano as well.
"Is anything the matter?" Merli asked, once Haku had stopped.
"Um..." Haku said. "People... they're staring."
"Well, then they must be envious of your hard work." Merli said.
"Hard work?" One of the smirking boys said, suddenly opening the door rudely. "I thought there was a dying animal in here!"
"I..." Haku held her hand to her chest and looked down. "I... I'm... sorry..."
Her infamous apology.
"Ha! What's wrong? Can't think of anything to say back to us?" The other boy was laughing obnoxiously. "You can't sing. Now do us all a favor and stop."
Haku didn't want for two complete strangers to ruin her day. But she couldn't fight off the shame and hurt she felt from their words.
Abruptly, Merli got out of her seat in front of the piano and grabbed one of the boys by their arm.
"Back off." She said. "Leave her alone."
The boys only pointed at Merli and laughed mockingly even more.
"I said, back off!" Merli raised her voice.
Haku was standing as still as a statue amidst the scene. She felt bruised by the boys' words, yet grateful Merli was standing up to them for her. She had never seen Merli so angry and assertive before. But Haku felt disheartened that she couldn't stand up to them herself...
"Why should we?" The boys answered to Merli's threat. "Why would we?"
"You oafs!" Merli scowled. "You were being extremely insensitive, belittling my student like that. People like you are why some people feel they can't do the things they love! You should be ashamed!"
"Why should we be the ones ashamed when your student sings like a dying pig?"
"She's my student. She's my friend." Merli said. "I don't tolerate this kind of hurtful foolishness. Back off."
The two boys looked at each other. One of them shrugged, and the other nodded back. They both fled the scene.
As soon as they were gone, Haku buried her head in her sleeves.
"Haku? Are you alright?" Merli asked.
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine." Haku said, fighting back sobs. She couldn't be crying in front of Merli again!
"I'm sorry." Merli said. "Don't take any of what those fools said to heart. You're wonderful, and have improved so much since I first met you, okay?"
"But they're right. I still sing like a dying pig." Haku said.
"You don't." Merli said. "You are a beginner, but I promise you're not as nearly as bad as you perceive yourself to be. Have some confidence in yourself."
"Okay..." Haku said. She wiped the tears in her eyes with her sleeves.
Merli pat Haku on the back and smiled for her.
"You know..." Haku started saying. "Um ... last night I had a dream that... I was performing. I was in a musical play, singing a song surrounded by a bunch of friends... it was so much fun... and then the audience cheered and it felt so amazing..."
"That sounds wonderful. Didn't it feel good, to have a dream like that?" Merli said to Haku, smiling.
"Ah... yes." Haku answered.
"Well, If you keep persevering, it could become reality one day. What do you say? Let's make your dream a reality!"
"Yeah!" Haku smiled and gave a small cheer. Haku was actually so buoyant when she was able to be happy and reassured. It warmed Merli's heart.
"Haku." Merli said. "After your lesson is finished, I'm free for the day. I've always wanted to perhaps spend more time with you. Let's go somewhere together."
Haku's cheeks began to glow. She was going to hang out with Merli as a friend?
"Ah... sure!" Haku smiled.
"But you see, I can't drive." Merli said. "I usually come here by bus. Would you mind driving me?"
"Oh, no problem." Haku said. "How about we go to the mall right down the road?"
"I would like that very much." Merli said smiling.
As they walked outside of the building, and approached Haku's unique lavender car, Merli noticed Haku's license plate. It was customized to say the words "I CANT".
"Haku?" Merli said. "You know, if I were you, I'd really recommend doing something about that license plate."
"Hm?" Haku said. "Oh. That. Well... I guess it's been my motto, up until now."
"That's a discouraging motto to have." Merli said. "How about changing your license plate to say I CAN?"
Haku's eyes grew big. She had never thought of that.
"You know, that's actually a great idea." Haku smiled. "I'll get it changed right after our trip to the mall."
"That's the spirit." Merli smiled. Haku smiled back.
Every day, Haku was building more and more confidence. She was improving at singing, and now her bond with Merli had even deepened. She was now not only just her student, but a true and trusted friend to Merli. And Haku thought of Merli, who she once thought of as stern, as a true and caring friend as well.