Chapter Three. The Game for a Wish

POV Kaito

It's been almost a year. Gakupo… I think I got used to him now. I am not sure though that I will ever get used to him annoying and teasing me, as always. Well, maybe just a little bit. I try not to miss a chance to fight back though. It's getting old, honestly, but isn't it his fault too, right?

Yumi gave me strict orders to keep an eye on him, so that his excessive "affectivity" would not harm either himself or anybody else. Surprisingly, it has been quite an easy task to follow; Gakupo's amazingly perfect at acting as a spaced out hottie, too grand and fabulous to approach.

I won't say anything about how long it took to get his room ready. Whenever I asked anybody for how longer he would be staying with me, they would just raise eyebrows as if saying: why you are even bothered? The thing was that all the time Kamui used to sneak into my bed at night so quietly that I would not even wake up. Moreover, every time I eventually woke up hugging him, I would always feel so embarrassed, blushing and pushing him from the bed. Even though it didn't stop him from coming to my room now and then, even when his own room was finally done.

xxx

By the way, do you think it is always great to get a song from a big-name producer, obsessed with the seven deadly sins theme? I wish I could get at him, that big-name ass, huh! I would definitely make him wear the same kind of crazy corset dress! It was horrible and suffocating, I tried to resist as much as I could, but Rin giggling like a villain from some third-rate movie drew laces so tight that my vision went swimmy and dark.

My only relief was that I was allowed to wear sneakers; nobody could see them under those pretty frills. Before I used to think it's only Len who they are always trying to dress up as a girl.

My anger was piling up; plus, that horrible suffocating dress didn't make it easier at all, so I was getting more and more irritated, and Gakupo kept staring at me, mainly when I turned away. Honestly, I could feel his eyes burning a hole in my back!

"Is there anything wrong?" I snapped finally. He looked at me weirdly as if I dared him to duel or something.

"Not really," he replied cautiously, but then changed his mind and kept talking. "I wonder though. We are not allowed to change the song's story line in any case, are we?" What kind of stupid question is that? "Even if it's a little bit?"

"Why, don't you want your own sweet harem?" I asked, finishing off the last ice cream. I knew what it might cost me if I ruin the dress but the cold was more important.

"I do… But even more than that I want…" I tensed at that short pause. "you to be there as well."

I was standing nearby, but he said it aloud. He probably wanted me to feel embarrassed. But I just shook my head hoping nobody else heard this rubbish. Only Meiko giggled but having met my eyes, she put finger on her lips as a promise to keep silent. Everybody else luckily were far enough chatting.

"Look, darling," this dress wouldn't let me walk normal so I had to mince this couple of steps between us. "We do not create the story line," I folded my arms while he looked up staring at my face curiously. "So we do not decide what we sing and what we don't. Got it?" Nuggie.

He grasped his forehead, beaming like a happy puppy; he totally forgot how he should act in public.

Oh man, I thought I liked puppies before...

"I know, I know!" He replied impatiently. "But still…"

"No 'stills'!" I cut him off.

We sighed both at the same time.

xxx

As soon as I am back to my room, I just collapse on the bed. I hardly sang this time, but I still feel so burn out. All these double shots, extra runs, errors… Sometimes I wish I really were one of those full metal robots from fantastical mecha animes.

The door's squeaking. I sit up alarmed.

"Kaito, can I ask you something?" Gakupo enters and falls close to me, taking up the most of the bed; he grabs my pillow, too. Damn, he's got some nerve!

"Let's have it," I very patiently watch the pillow.

"Isn't it wrong to kiss someone you don't like?"

"That's a weird question."

I don't have my pillow anymore, so I hang over the bed searching for the nail polish on the floor. I manage to capture the small bottle and with a dull expression, I start making up as it used to be; I mean I had to remove the polish for the video.

"No, not weird at all!" Gakupo suddenly turns to me and grabs my shoulders; he is so excited that he fails to notice what I am busy with right now. "I like only you, which means I want to kiss only you! Even if it is work…"

He looks at the blue stains on the blanket startled. For a moment, I also look there gloomily, blaming myself for not considering something like this to happen. Being in the same room with the unbalanced vocaloid. On the same bed.

Usually, most of us do not go touching each other just like that, but not his guy. Oh, don't say that, he is the great Gakupo-sama, he can do whatever he wants!

"Hey, it is no good!" I move him away a bit; he is so quiet. "This feeling is not real, it is just a bug, programming error, got it? Error." I say it again slowly, so that he realizes already.

Kamui flinches but then stays silent, his shoulders drop. I don't know why, but I feel so bad.

"I don't believe it… When Yumi says, even when you say the same, I don't believe it," his teeth clench. "I can feel it!"

"You'll have to believe," I mutter and sigh heavily. There is no arguing against the truth! I also cannot believe you like me for real. It sounds like a big joke!

After a minute of tense silence, I return to my previous task, that is nails. It wouldn't be so nice to get scolded for an unsuitable public image.

"Kaito, when Meiko had been corrected, she turned out to be different, not as everybody expected her to be?" disturbing words. I also feel disturbed when I look at him. "In a couple of years with technology progress the chances of same errors happening will become less and less, isn't it?"

Well, our talk turns less and less pleasant. I doubt technology will progress so much any time soon.

"Don't even think about it."

"But…" He jumps right away to defend his point.

"Don't even think about it, I say!" Only after Gakupo backs away startled I realize that I raised my voice. I don't even know why.

I lose this staring contest and I cannot keep painting my nails. It is programmed that my hands start shaking when I feel nervous.

"But I am not happy about the situation at all," he relaxes.

"The situation?" I repeat unemotionally just to pretend I keep the unpleasant talk.

"You don't even believe me!"

How can I believe, if even a tiny favour from any stranger and you start liking them too?

"After system restart vocaloids usually lose their short-term memory completely," my reply sounds harsh but I hope it will end our fight and calm him down.

"All the better!" on the contrary, Gakupo gets excited. I wish I knew why.

"Which way is it better, b-baka?" my eye twitches nervously.

"It means when I meet you again and my feelings are the same, you've got to believe me then, right?" Gakupo is smiling and again turning to hug me. Only I am unable to push him away this time. I feel as if something is icing out deep inside my chest, I do feel it, even if it sounds funny.

"There is something else," Gakupo firmly states with a most serious face and in a quiet voice. "You are blushing, it means you feel embarrassed. You feel embarrassed, and it means I still have my chances!"

"B-baka!" I do blush and push him away with all I can, so he nearly falls from the bed. He leaves the room then, still smiling.

This night I can barely sleep.

xxx

The next few days the Eggplant ignores me in a most arrogant way. Fine, I'll play your game.

But then everyone feels it is their duty to scold me for being distracted all the time. I admit there is a bit of my fault, too. Every time I spot a glimpse of someone passing, I freeze, trying to guess if it was Gakupo. Every time his name is mentioned, my face darkens.

So what should I do?

I cannot go on like this, I have to sort things out.

Well, on the way to his room I realize how 'great' the idea is.

This purple door makes me feel so nervous. I stop in front, biting my lip and with my hand raised, hesitating to knock. Now, Kaito, no time to slow down! Yes, right! So…

Why. The Hell. You. Open. The Door?! I was about to knock, and you!.. W-what are you smiling about? I lift my head and angrily stare at him. Oh, seems like I am not the only one who couldn't sleep. So baggy eyes. I barely keep myself from laughing and chuckle covering my mouth with hand. You don't have to make a surprised face at me! He steps back without a word, inviting me in. Bad idea, it was a bad idea to come.

Damn, so hot! He's got a fireplace here, or what? In an instant my faces turns red, I pull off the scarf and sit down on the floor, my hand touching the forehead. Dammit, my brain is melting…

"I didn't think you would come so soon," Gakupo sits down beside, leaning against my back. I tense – it is already so hot.

All the words I have been repeating in my mind, something like 'What happened?' or 'Why are you avoiding me?' have gone entirely out of my mind. For a second I feel at loss and then start raving nonsense.

"What kind of field circus is going on these days?" I think I am dying. "Why does it feel like hell here?"

"Hell?" Surprised Gakupo asks me, he hasn't expected anything like that.

"It's too hot!"

He chuckles.

"It's normal room temperature. It's even a bit colder than usual. Just for you."

And what am I supposed to say in reply? I sigh heavily.

"You haven't answered my question," I remind staring at dark stars dancing on the ceiling.

"What to answer…" he shrugs. "Let's play cards, for a wish."

I frown in suspicion but all I notice is his most innocent look.

"No, honestly, nothing bad!" He starts reassuring me on the spot.

"Okay then," I have my own interest. "I'll turn your room into a fridge and I'm going to keep my ice cream here!"

"That is if you win," he makes sure, reaching the side table for a pack of cards. "Just simple Dai fu gou."

"Uh-huh"

"I don't mind though if you'll visit me more often."

"Dream on."

We now sit opposite one another and he hands out. How sweet, I've got no aces. I frown again looking at him, is he cheating? It was a bad idea after all, I've agreed in the heat of the moment… But if I win I am sure the ability to think clearly will be back again along with the cold. Now I can barely recognize the cards, I have to bring them so close to my eyes and squint.

He plays first hand. So unlucky, not at all what I hoped for… With most sour face, I collect the cards. He laughs.

"This face doesn't suit you," Gakupo shuffles my hair. I frown wearily and wave him off.

I'll get it back, don't even doubt! The first hand does not make the game! I look at him still frowning.

Later on, the game sways to and fro. Sometimes my head just stops processing and I do something stupid, like, give away all my aces just like that. Sometimes following the self-preservation instinct, I play something, which I don't even understand, so it lets me go ahead.

And he keeps yawning all along, god dammit. Catching yawning, that is…

"Didn't have good sleep lately?" I ask him as if unintentionally.

"Look who is talking," he smirks.

Well, me neither, I admit.

"July, it's just too hot," I invent.

You don't take that? Whatever.

"Soon it's my birthday… Just to think, I've known you for almost a year," Gakupo sighs watching my hands. Yeah, yeah, I can tell I've lost already.

"What kind of gift do you want?"

Even I do not remember when we started our first family tradition – giving each other birthday presents. All other events and celebrations are usually ignored, because, as you understand, we are never given permission to leave the building without escort or officially signed letter of approval, so obviously shopping becomes difficult. Usually, our requests are fulfilled by the employed researchers, like Yumi or others who are allowed to give us something only after they fill out tons of report papers.

"I want you actually," not letting me say anything sarcastic, he adds "I know, I know! Okay, if I win now you'll be at my will for three days. Nothing that you won't like, I promise."

If it's really nothing weird, then fine. I only nod in reply. Again this fishy smile, but frankly speaking I can barely concentrate any longer, just trying to hold the cards in my hands.

"Well, I win then! Get the trump ace!" Oh, this was the last card… I am so angry I want to scream.

"You really are so red…" He touches my forehead ruffling the unruly bangs.

"Just lower it down, you dumb!" I hiss looking meaningfully at the a/c.

"Right. I am so kind that I will, even though you have lost the game," so much self-satisfaction in his words, it just makes me roll my eyes.

Where is he hiding the remote? I should remember the place… No, don't stand in front! Perfect, now I only have to get up…

"Where are you going?" he sounds disappointed.

"Ice cream," there is so much happiness in these two short words.

"Oh, I'll go get it"

How did he learn about my secret stash? I narrow my eyes in suspicion.

"Or the others are going to steal it," he chuckles.

My sacred ice?! My family is literally eating the meaning of my life!

"I'll be right back."

Okay, it's a good chance to look around. Well, if I forget that it's purple all over. Oh, and these eggplant pictures on the walls!.. Damn, even I don't decorate my room with ice cream art! Hmm, it's not a bad idea after all. Purple closet, purple bed, purple table. The standard set. Except that, we are allowed to do everything we want with our rooms. Some build up a gaming station, some grow plants or whatever.

Okay, what is next? The table, aha. What is it in the drawers? Well, the usual stationary, notes… Now, what is this?

I open the thick unsealed envelope. Holy… Crypton!.. Is he a stalker?! W-why he's got so many of my photos? My eye starts twitching again. I hear steps and hurry to stuff everything back into the envelope, and then the envelope – into the drawer. I turn to him with my most innocent smile, which obviously makes him uneasy. Thanks Crypton, he does not say anything, just gives me the ice cream.

Where did he actually get a camera?

As soon as my eyes fix on the ice cream, my mind becomes completely empty. Right under the working at its coldest conditioner and with the ice cream in hand, I feel like I am in heaven. If only the room owner didn't keep staring at me, I would have probably melted with happiness.

"Hey, Kaito…"

"Hmm?"

"Why are you licking this ice so temptingly?" Gakupo asks me with a thoughtful expression. I am sure he is about to laugh. Fine, one more joke. "I wish you…"

He is stopped by the pillow, which I throw exactly at his head. I jump at once and picking up the ice cream I run away.

"Anyways, you've lost! The wish is mine!" Kamui's shouts still follow me.

Tomorrow… Tomorrow I'll definitely make him feel sorry for that... While the safety programs installed in my head are blocking all possible variants of shutting down a vocaloid by force, I manage to kick into my room and slowly sink down the wall to the floor. Baka, why even… you keep telling me all these things?..

Slowly my face turns red again and I bite my lip.

Oh right, I forgot, if you press those two spots on the wrist and on the neck at the same time…