The Voice that Never Fades:
Chapter 1 - Moments We Cherish
Dressed in a short red leather mini-skirt with top combo and thigh boots, Sakine Meiko was the picture of lovely impatience. The toe of her designer shoes tapped noisily against the waxed floor of the Crypton Records lobby while her fingers rapidly strummed over her crossed arms. Her beautiful brown eyes were narrowed in agitation. They flared when a tall blue-haired man with flushed cheeks ran up, a young tealette waving at the two as she headed down the hall.
"Sorry I'm late Meiko." He offered casually, rubbing the back of his head. Meiko swiftly grabbed the end of Kaito's favorite scarf and tugged down hard, strangling him.
"Flirt with your new girlfriend all you want Kaito but don't you dare make me wait for you to finish gushing over her! I have better things to do than wait on you!" She hissed fiercely while Kaito comically gasped for breath.
"Y-yes ma'am!" he managed to choke out. The brunette released her hold after another painful tug and a warning glare. Kaito rubbed his sore neck, adjusting his favorite accessory so that it fell loosely around his shoulders again. He sheepishly grinned at Meiko. "You're not usually so cruel this early." he teased. Meiko's eye twitched and several passing employees began speeding to their offices as the signs of another Meiko blow-up became obvious. "Kaitoooo..." She growled warningly. He raised his hands in a show of surrender. "I'm joking! Joking!" Kaito claimed frantically before looking away with a blush. "And she's-she's not my girlfriend." He added in embarrassment.
Exasperated Meiko shook her head and leaned down to reach into her bag. She pulled out a pile of sheet music that was clipped together. His music. "Gumi and I looked it over. It's good. Solid. If she agrees to it we think it will be a wonderful duet."
Shion Kaito smiled, taking the papers with glowing pleasure. "Thank you so much Meiko." The gratitude he held for his oldest friend was palpable in the warmth of his thanks. She waved away his appreciation before stopping to inspect her freshly manicured nails. "Just work hard on it. Don't make us look bad." She replied with a huff, thin brows drawing down in displeasure when she noticed a nick in the paint on her ring finger.
"Meiko..."
"What?!" She snarled impatiently, her attention focused on her hands. "I have a meeting with Kiyoteru at the bar on Main st. that I like and I'm already late thanks to you!"
Her head snapped up when she heard the waver of uncertainty in his words. "Do...Do you think she'll do the song with me?"
"Kaito..." Meiko always managed to forget that Kaito, with his usual smiles and soft cheer was surprisingly insecure on the inside. He clutched the score in one hand tightly. While he knew he could sing he was always hesitant when working with other artists. This wasn't just any artist though. He was going to ask the one person who, if she rejected his proposal, would crush Kaito's fragile feelings. Meiko hated to think of anyone hurting her friend but she was confident that he would be fine. She had worked with the other girl for a time in the past and was sure that Kaito had nothing to worry about.
Her eyes softened as she looked at him and said with a tone ringing in sincerity. "Kaito, it's going to be her favorite song ever."
.xXx.
He watched from the left wing of the stage, already dressed for his next song which would come after the trio on stage were done with theirs. His snow dusted hair fought the hairspray the stylist had attacked it with as he bobbed his head up and down to the beat of Shake It. He admired the way the Kagamine twins effortlessly paired with Miku's voice. The blonde duo were a talent all their own whether together or apart. Kaito found them inspiring and had been their lead supporter when appealing the two to the executives at Crypton. The big wigs would have only signed on Megurine Luka but Kaito, with Meiko's help, was able to strike a deal with them to sign the Kagamine's as well. His gut proved fruitful and due to a clause in the contract drawn up when Kaito had made the deal with Crypton, he took a share of the revenue the twins brought in. They pulled in almost as much money as Hatsune Miku, on occasion beating out her sales for the period. The two teenagers adored their fellow members of the Vocaloid division of Crypton, constantly in the company of Miku-chan, Kaito-nee, Luka-san, or pestering their 'onee-san' Sakine-san.
As the song finished up Kaito happily watched Miku wave to her fans while Rin and Len called out their love and thanks to the audience. The trio dance/hopped from the stage, faces alight with sheer joy. Kaito high-fived Len, offering the boy a firm nod while patting his bouncing sister on the head. For Miku he merely offered a well-meaning compliment, hoping the paleness of his hair didn't make the flush in his cheeks that much more pronounced. Miku surprised him by leaping forward to hug him enthusiastically around the middle. The starting notes for Snowman began to play and Kaito reluctantly pulled away from the too-brief exchange. With only a moment to spare he grasped her fingers, inciting a blush from her as he gifted her with a wink.
"Wish me luck ne?"
"Always!" She declared with a beam. His heart leapt as he ran to meet his cue on stage. He felt her eyes on him as he danced and it drove him to sing and move far more passionately than he ever had on stage before.
.xXx.
He wasn't there for her specifically. As an alma-mater of Sega High he had felt it worth accepting a request from his old music teacher, a man fondly known to his friends as Big Al, who asked him to sit in on student auditions for the Project Diva program. Kaito accepted, having attributed much of his career's success to the help and advice Big Al had given him.
Several people caught his interest that day. A harsh blonde named Neru, a small cute girl with mysterious mannerisms named Lia, even a silver-haired boy called Piko. There was potential in all of them and Kaito confessed to Al that he believed they would benefit greatly from his teaching. Then she appeared on stage.
She was dressed prettily in a dress that featured a white blouse top that hugged her thin frame well and a black skirt that matched the black stockings on her long legs. Her amazingly extensive teal hair was done up in two high ponytails with ribbons that matched her outfit while one side sported a red feather accessory that seemed to have been added as an afterthought. As Kaito would later learn from Al, she had never been to an audition and had only appeared at her teacher's insistence.
The first notes came, her mouth opened, and suddenly Kaito thought his heart had stopped beating. The spark of interest was lit for him as she got into the routine effortlessly, portraying a confidence that matched her lyrics perfectly. The song was original, addictive, and Kaito could already hear it on radios across the country. Her teacher took time to whisper in Kaito's ear then that the girl had managed and written the score and lyrics herself. Her dance was teasing and cute, lending to the music's theme. As the song winded down Kaito could only feel one thing in his thumping chest as he pulled out his cellphone and scrolled to Meiko's name.
He needed to introduce the world to this girl.
.xXx.
The first time he saw her tears had been an accident. She was hiding on the rooftop plateau of the Crypton building, on the other side of the door where she wouldn't be so easily spotted. His discovery of her had been entirely accidental though in truth he had been seeking her out. She had left the recording studio half an hour ago with her head uncharacteristically low. Even more alarming was her rushing past him despite his calls when usually she jumped at the chance to speak with him. It took a moment, for he had been slightly stunned by the cold display, before he decided to follow her. The roof was only the latest of various places he had searched and he was on the cusp of defeat. He turned back to the door with a frown. The wind gave a sudden lurch and Kaito's favorite blue scarf was airborne. He gave a yell (that admittedly might have been more of a girlish shriek) and dove after it. Frantically chasing after it, which involved tripping over is own feet and ripping the sleeve of his new white duster from the Armani men's line, and smashing backwards into the wall of the roof, until he was sitting on the ground whimpering with distress. Finally, as a stroke of luck or even mercy, his scarf suddenly dropped and landed on the backside of the roof's door. With a happy cry he raced for his scarf only to stop when he saw-
"Hatsune-san?"
Hatsune Miku on the ground with her knees drawn up to her chest and her overlarge turquoise eyes flowing with tears.
"A-ah. Sh-Shion...san." She dismally attempted to hide her face behind her sleeves. "Whu-what are you doing up here?"
Kaito opened his mouth to ask her what was wrong but instead found himself asking, "What's your favorite flavor?"
"Wh-what?" She looked so confused, he was certain she thought him an idiot. Still he was determined to press on with the idea in his head
"To...to eat. Do you have a specific flavor you prefer?"
She blinked up at him through moist lashes and slowly responded, "Oh...um.. leeks."
Kaito openly stared and she blushed heavily. "Ah! B-but if not that then I really like strawberries or peaches!"
A giant smile formed over his face and suddenly he was like a puppy with his favorite toy. "Okay, okay! No problem! Wait here!" He dashed out of sight before immediately reappearing. "Oh, hold this please!" He tossed his recovered blue scarf her way and she just managed to catch it as he ran out of view.
Miku stared at the spot where he had been standing. She had come to the roof to hide from everyone but like always Shion-san was nearby being his kind and wonderful self. Ever since he had introduced himself at her school audition he had been a constant supportive presence in her life. He got her the audition with Crypton. He introduced her to legendary singer and actress Sakine-san as well as talented music DJ Yowane-san. He had even been kind enough to listen to her when she asked him for advice to get her friends Luka, Rin, and Len an audition. Throughout it all Shion-san had never been rude or degrading. He always seemed to value what she had to say and Miku was glad to have someone like that watching her back while she entered the harsh crazy world of music.
The slide of fabric in her hands made her look down and she caught Shion's scarf before it hit the cement. Her thumbs tested the stitching and she felt a reluctant grin tug at her cheeks. She had often wanted to touch the ever present muffler that sat on her fellow artist's shoulders but had never dared to try or ask. It was thick and impossibly soft. She only imagined it cost him a pretty penny. Despite his simple nature she had noticed that he was a man who preferred to always be presentable, which in turn seemed to mean pricey clothing taste. Despite that he never turned his nose up to anyone no matter what.
The blue of the scarf perfectly matched his eye color and she found herself wrapping it around her neck and bunching a large portion of it in her hands to bury her face in. With it's comforting warmth against the windy chill and the thrill of taking in his scent Miku felt her eyes water and with little resistance, began sobbing earnestly into the fabric.
That was how he found her.
Seeking comfort in his scarf, looking so small and frail. Her sobs echoed on the roof, striking him with their severity. So much pain, he thought, in someone so tiny. Quietly he joined her on the ground, leaning his back against the solid brick wall. When her cries had dimmed somewhat he lightly poked her arm with his elbow. She looked up at him, catching the grave understanding in the depths of azure that stared back at her and somehow, just a little bit, she felt a bit of her heart lighten.
"Shi-Shion-san..."
He grinned and she realized then that the reason why his smiles and laughter always worked so well on everyone was because when Kaito smiled, he smiled with only the purest, honest, feelings in him. He was such a genuine person that he couldn't bring himself to fake a grin or flash a half-assed smile. When Kaito was happy he was truly happy.
A cup of pink ice-cream dotted with chocolate sprinkles and garnished with a leek sprig suddenly entered her field of vision. She gaped at the towering three-scoop creation and Kaito chuckled to see the sparkle of childlike wonder in her expression.
"For you my dear." He offered warmly. She took the frozen treat gingerly, barely able to contain her astonishment. "Where did you get this?" She whispered breathlessly.
The blue-haired young man coughed delicately though he seemed pleased. "I ah..have the nearest ice-cream parlor on speed-dial. They deliver special orders. I offered them double to get it here as soon as possible for you. They like your taste in food." He joked. Miku shot him a mock glare, her lips twitching with suppressed mirth. "Leeks are the best! Have you even tried one?" She asked.
"Nope!" Kaito proudly exclaimed, puffing out his chest for added effect. Miku erupted into giggles and Kaito soon joined her. Their laughter bounced off the walls, reverberating around them.
Wiping at the remnants of her tears Miku grasped the long-handled pink plastic spoon in her cup and tasted the concoction. Her eyes widened at the burst of flavor and she began to partake of more generous bites. Kaito enjoyed his own ice-cream, a vanilla and blueberry mash-up settled in a sugar-cone coated in chocolate sprinkles.
When the desserts were finished Miku hummed in satisfaction. "That was the best ice-cream ever!" She happily squealed as she crunched on her leek. Kaito regarded her with a level of contentment. "It always cheers me up." He confessed, lazily turning to watch the clouds in the sky. The young singer looked up at him, studying his profile.
"Back when I first started to sing professionally," He continued. "Even though there were so many wonderful things happening for me, some times it all became too much." Miku realized then that she had forgotten that Kaito had also been signed when he was in his teenage years, being only fifteen when he was picked up by Crypton. He was now almost twenty-one years old and his music had changed so much since his first album. If anyone could understand the kind of pressure a seventeen year old like her was under, it would certainly be him. "I had to balance school, a career, my home life, and everything that comes in between. Sometimes I just wanted things to stop." His face was angled from her, causing a shadow to cross over his eyes resulting in Miku's inability to make out his expression but she didn't need to see it to know what he was feeling.
Kaito stiffened slightly when he felt a weight on his shoulder. He looked down to see that Miku had inched closer until she could lay against him and settle her head in the space between his shoulder and neck. He heard her shyly say "Thank you." and it warmed him to his core. Feeling daring he leaned his head against hers, placing his cheek on her soft hair. The two spent the next hour in companionable silence.
Later when they stood to return to their respective lives both flinched with embarrassment when they noticed that their fingers had somehow been laced together.
.xXx.
It was in the middle of the dance.
The sound stage they were shooting the video on had been transformed into an elaborate victorian ballroom, complete with spiraling columns and elaborate arched windows. Heavily embroidered fabric hung from every surface while gold-leaf glittered from the walls and floor all the way to the silverware that had been placed on grand dining tables in the background. She was dressed elegantly in a white gown that made her look as fragile as a rose petal but as exquisite as an angel. The stylists had lightened her hair to a pale true-green, adorning it with white flowers and tying it into her signature ponytails while the tips coiled and curled alluringly. Her face was hidden behind a white glittering masquerade mask that gifted her with a mysterious charm. He was dressed to counter her in a dark suit and draping coat lined with gold. His own locks were the color of midnight, his mask an intricate design of navy and black.
They had rehearsed the steps for weeks, working together long after the day's rehearsal had ended. He had written the score, refusing to allow anyone to play the violin accompaniment besides himself, and had worked closely with a reputable director to storyboard the video. When asked who would play the female lead there had been only one name in his head. She had been ecstatic to accept, citing their previous work on Cendrillon as some as the most enjoyment she had experienced on a set. Excitement filled him and he had done everything in his power to ensure that his latest hit 'Cantarella' would not fail to impress her.
The two were familiar with each other in the world of dancing and were able to create a routine that worked for both easily. He took her suggestions with appreciative grace, she took his invitations to dinner with sophisticated ease. Their relationship began to blur from the lines of friendship and into territory still unmarked. Yet both were happy to experience so much time in each other's company.
As they began the next take and the music started up he locked his eyes on her. Though her character was not meant to smile he could see the unmistakable emotion in her clear teal eyes. When they came together on the dance floor and her hands were in his grip, her body following his lead without hesitation he looked into those eyes again and that was when he knew.
He loved her.
End Ch.1
I'm sorry this is such a slow start. Things will become clearer with the next chapter and pick up by chapter three.
Track List: (Songs that are mentioned in the chapter or used for inspiration in a specific scene. I will list in the order that they were mentioned or listened to. All songs are VOCALOID and I highly suggest listening/buying them. Most I find on youtube since I adore PV's as well as Kaito covers.)
1. Cendrillon - Music by Dios/Signal-P and Lyrics by Orange - Features KAITO and Hatsune Miku
2. Shake It - Music and Lyrics by Emon - Features Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin, and Kagamine Len.
3. Snowman - Music and Lyrics by Halyosy - Features KAITO
4. World is Mine - Music and Lyrics by Supercell - Features Hatsune Miku
5. Love Trial (Kaito Cover) - Music and Lyrics by 40mP - No idea who did the Kaito cover because I saw it on youtube and next day the channel had been banned. T_T
6. Cantarella (Grace Edition) - Music and Lyrics by WhiteFlame (I think…) - Features KAITO (in some versions also Hatsune Miku)