Not a lot happens, and yet a lot happens, so, yep. Enjoy.
They had been in the talks for a while now regarding a new collaboration between Crypton and Internet. Though Internet was somewhat of a branch under Crypton, they occasionally would combine their entertainers in collaborative work. It was usually quite exciting, as they put quite a lot of effort into such things.
In this case, they had decided to set Miku with Internet's Gumi. Apparently this duet was going to be a bit unusual compared to their previous works. Well, each of them have had their fair share of strange songs, but this one took the cake.
The song was weird. It had a flare to it that I couldn't quite place, but it was catchy and soon grew on me.
What was even more surprising was the PV. Miku begged me to come along, and I naturally gave in to her demands, seeing as how my schedule had been relatively calm at the time of their shooting... so here I was.
Miku popped up in front of me, grinning, "How do I look?"
I almost jumped, but I managed to refrain, blinking, "I... uh... Wow, Miku, is that you?"
She grinned and it looked crazy with the contacts and markings they put on her face... plus the brightly colored jersey suit and gloves.
It was crazy, but it looked rather cool, and I couldn't stop staring, especially at her eyes. I suppose this was the intended effect, was it not? "You look really different." Crazy looking, and yet, perhaps, I am the one who is crazy.
Gumi popped up next to Miku suddenly, "Hey Luka!"
Again, I tried not to jump. She looked even crazier with that hoodie and those faux piercings. She smiled and the look matched Miku's.
"Hello, Gumi. It looks like it'll be rather fun. They've really outdone themselves this time."
They nodded ecstatically. Miku and Gumi began to sing parts of the song, laughing at each other, as they made up weird gestures, pouncing on each other.
My jealousy, please behave yourself. They are merely friends. Good friends who get to work together on a new, fun, and refreshing collaboration.
And yet I cannot help but wish I could work on more collaborations with Miku. Though it's true that I was first brought in to Crypton to be Miku's partner, it's been a while since our last song together. What was the last song? 'magnet'?
Anyhow, I could see how petty I was, feeling bothered about such a silly matter. These are the thoughts that will never escape from the depths. I would rather drown in it.
"Miku, Gumi. Shouldn't you two go get ready? I'll support you two from the other side of the camera."
Miku grinned up at me, as did Gumi, and they nodded, waving to me as they sped off, "Okay! See you in a bit!"
This PV was certainly strange, I had concluded. They took photos of them in particular poses and gestures and animated them, processing them, and so on. The result of it was an impressive, refreshing PV. And I get the feeling this might end up rather popular. (Not that there is a problem with that.)
Miku was always easy and fun to work with, no matter who she was partnered up with. Even the usually cell phone-addicted Neru and the unintentionally gloomy Haku appeared to enjoy themselves when in projects involving Miku.
…
…
buzz... buzz...
buzz... buzz...
It was Gakupo-san again. He sent me a text while Miku and Gumi were working on their shots. The buzzing of my phone on manner mode was tolerated, as the set did not have a "keep quiet" rule, since the the music itself was already quite distracting.
I peered at my phone, one arm draped across my stomach as I sighed.
[Hey, Luka. Are you free later today? Let's have some dinner tonight. We haven't spent any time together in a while.]
It's true that I've been unusually busy nowadays, and when I am free, I am usually accompanying Miku. Or accompanied by her.
Either way, I could see he was interested in me, and to be honest, I did not feel the same way about him. It was not just because I was already head-over-heels in love with Miku, but he simply was not my type. It was not the matter of gender, but the person. I knew he was a good person, and well-intentioned, but sometimes he was ignorant. It had been a bit of a mistake to go out with him a few times before. It wasn't "go out" as in a "date", but simply a "hang out" with just the two of us, but he always had the wrong impression, no matter what I'd said.
I replied to the text message.
[Hello, Gakupo-san. Yes, it has been a while, but I am with Miku while she is working on her new PV with Gumi. Seeing as how it is Saturday, I will probably be pulled off into the game centers with those two the moment when their work is done. I never know what those two have planned, so my apologies. I cannot hang out with you.]
Besides, he was always requesting to work with me and fans were definitely beginning to speculate. I did not want to be so mean to him, but I was not in the mood to deal with his advances. I know I should tell him to stop, but it becomes so difficult when someone begins to try to make moves on you without you expecting them to. He meant well, but... I don't know.
In a way, is it not quite difficult to turn a person down? You have you admit to that person that you simply have no interest in them, don't feel the same way. You already love someone else... who you must keep your feelings a secret for. You hurt that person by having to answer.
I know that it would hurt the person if I did not answer but really led a person on, but I have already expressed my disinterest in him. He remains a bit delusional about the matter, honestly. Perhaps I am not clear enough with him?
Those concerns and that discomfort in turning down another seems rather silly, but it weighs on me quite a lot. I've been told in the past that I'm too kind, too soft. I wonder if one day I must really put my foot down with Gakupo-san? I do not like his attitude about this matter in the least. And because he goes ahead and does as he pleases, with his immensely inaccurate assumptions, it's difficult to find a moment to tell him no.
This was not the first time I've experienced such a thing... At least with Gakupo-san, he's just a little bit more reasonable.
Then again, there are always people who don't stop until you've started going out with another (or with them)... or just plain don't stop.
I sent the message and looked up at the set. My eyes immediately made contact with Miku's and I was honestly a little surprised. Had she been watching? I hadn't meant to take my attention off the photoshoot/taping for so long. I couldn't read her expression well from this distance, especially with her make-up and those insane contacts.
"Hatsune-san!" Miku jumped a little.
"Y, yes, Director?"
"Pull yourself together! I know this is supposed to be a little crazy and aloof, but don't get too distracted!" He scolded, though not in a harsh voice. He was more amused than anything.
Miku grinned with an 'ehehe' of embarrassment, then rubbed the back of her head, nodding and saluting, "Yes, sir!"
…
…
After the shoot was over, everyone exchanged their usual otsukaresamadeshita's and wrapped things up. Miku bounced up to me with Gumi in tow, and as I figured, "Luka, Luka, let's go to Akiba and play some games!"
I gave her that 'oh, you...' smile, shaking my head, "All right, but first we should go have some dinner. Anything in mind?"
Gumi spoke up, "Humm~ How about that place with the giant karaage chicken?"
Miku perked up, "Oh!"
I blinked for a moment, "That... would be all right, but it's not really the place for you two, you know?" It was an izakaya, after all. Gumi and Miku weren't that far under age, but I did not want them running off and drinking.
They both looked a little disappointed. I know, I know they wanted the giant karaage, but again, not a place I should be taking them to.
It wasn't particularly dangerous, and that izakaya was rather clean and well kept, but … perhaps another day.
I smiled at them comfortingly, "How about all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu?" Miku lit up. "The one place with all you can eat vegetables?" Then Gumi followed, staring up at me. The place also had all-you-can-eat ice cream, but it didn't need any mentioning, as a certain ice-cream-devouring fiend was not present. We'll be sure to enjoy it in his place.
And it was off to Akihabara's Yodobashi-Camera's food court floor where we wrote an alias into the waiting list. I decided to sign as 'Renko', after someone I knew. We didn't go so far as to really disguise ourselves, but most of the denizens here in the food court knew better than to bother us even if they could tell. There was an incident in the past involving pushy fans and an irate Meiko.
"Renko-sama, Renko-sama, party of 3."
"Yes, present." I stood up from the waiting seats lined up outside. Miku took Gumi and me by the hand, giddily skipping in along after the waitress. Speaking of the waitress, her eyes got a little sparkly when she saw us. Oh my.
I could see that she was doing her best to respect our privacy, showing us to our table and taking our orders. When she left, I smiled to Miku and Gumi knowingly. We would be sure to leave her a present for being so considerate.
…
…
For such young and tiny girls, Miku and Gumi sure ate a lot. We had to call the waitress over every 10 minutes or so for another plate of sliced beef. I suppose the restaurant owner might be feeling some regret over allowing girls a lower price than boys after seeing these two.
Miku definitely topped up on the sliced negi while Gumi went all out with the sliced carrots. I enjoyed the variety of vegetables at a more even ratio than the other two. Near the end of the 90 minutes, we got started on the ice cream.
What I noticed was that Miku had started eating her mint-chip ice cream with her chopsticks as though she hadn't a single care in the world.. I was not sure what to think. Gumi just watched Miku in amusement.
It isn't really such a particular feat to eat ice cream with chopsticks, but definitely unusual. I decided not to comment on it this time.
…
…
"Oh, more to the left, the left!" Miku squirmed, pressing herself up against me. The sweat made her skin stick to mine.
"Like this?"
"Ah, that's good. That's it!" Gumi squeezed out in her excitement as she watched.
"Should I...?"
"Do it! Do it now!" Miku clung to me, as did Gumi.
I kept my hand just hovering above it, looking at them in amusement, and after a moment of hovering, Miku grabbed my hand and forced it down.
I laughed at the two and pressed the button with Miku's assistance. We stared tensely at the claw lowering itself towards our target.
A little more and...
"YES!" Miku jumped up, Gumi reacting similarly. "You're always the best at UFO catchers, Luka!"
I smiled and reached down for the prize from behind the door latch, bringing it up to Miku.
We each saw particularly cute RenRen Dog plushies in this machine and they set a task upon me to get each of us one to match. I could only shake my head with a smile and help them. Well, at least... Miku and I matched. Gumi asked to get matching carrot plushies for her and I. … Of all things...
They each hugged their respective plushies gleefully, latching themselves to me. One on each arm, that is.
After playing around with a few other UFO catchers, shooting games, music games, and even some purikura, it finally began to get rather late.
And so, Gumi headed home first, as Miku, as usual, asked to stay over.
She and I decided to spend a little more time looking around the game centers, so we wandered about with her glued to my arm.
…
…
A familiar, purple-haired figure approached and greeted us, "Hey, you two."
I was surprised at seeing him here. Well. Maybe not, since I mentioned game centers and this was the only place filled with those.
I felt Miku's grip become a little firm, but she didn't seem to realize she was doing that, as her expression seemed to be the usual cheerful one.
"Hello, Gakupo-san." I greeted.
"Hi, Gakkun!"
He let out a sigh, shook his head a little and smiled, "Luka, how many times have I got to tell you to drop the honorifics?" He glanced at Miku, "Hello."
I raised my shoulders slightly in an ambiguous shrug.
"Well, what are you up to now?" You? What about Miku? Shouldn't it be 'you two'?
"We're browsing the game centers!" Miku replied.
He glanced over at Miku again, then back to me, nodding, "Huh, I see. Well, you feeling up for a drink or something?"
He asked this knowing very well that Miku could not come along. I could tell.
Sure, the group are all friends, but of course there will always be varying degrees of friendship.
"Sorry, Gakupo-san, I already told you I made plans with Miku." Miku, who is right here, you idiot.
If we went for a drink, she wouldn't be able to come along. And from what I've seen before, the types of izakaya he liked to go to weren't the types I usually would go to.
He looked disappointed and vaguely annoyed, "You know, if you guys keep hanging around each other like that, people are going to think things."
"Think things? You know well enough that there is nothing like that here, and even if it were so, I do not think a relationship between two girls or two boys would be anyone's business. If they are happy and it does not impose on us, then that's fine." I was not very happy about the tone he had used. What right do you have to judge such a thing?
He shrugged, "Fine, have it your way." Then he turned and stomped off childishly.
"If only his fans knew this side of him..." I looked down at Miku, "You all right?"
She nodded, huddling closer to me, despite the heat and humidity, "Thanks for not leaving me out."
I couldn't do that to you.
She took me by the hand, her other arm still wrapped around mine, and smiled up at me, "But are you sure you don't want to go? I'm always hogging your time, after all... You haven't seen him in a while, right?"
"Hmm? We're not particularly close friends, though. And I don't mind spending time with you." Because I love you.
Miku seemed a bit surprised, "Eh? Really? I thought you guys were relatively good friends..." Probably because of how he seems to behave as though we're closer than we really are. He might be rather ignorant, to be honest.
Miku, you should remember how uncomfortable he has made me before. Silly girl.
…
…
We walked along the sidewalk for a moment in silence until Miku let out an extremely strained sigh.
I looked at her, raising a brow with a small, amused smile on my face, "You okay?"
"Yeaaah... it's just so hoooooot!" She fanned herself using exaggerated motions with the free fan we picked up from Yodobashi-Camera earlier.
I watched her walking next to me in the dim lights of Akihabara.
I'm sure the length of our hair doesn't really help the situation. I could understand her suffering.
"Well, then, should we stop and have a look at the Taito Game Center?"
Miku started making a beeline for it without answer and I could only laugh softly as she pulled me along.
…
…
It was the usual when we returned to my apartment.
I let Miku shower first so, when I came out, she was already changed and parked in front of the TV.
"So, did you finish your homework yet?" I grinned.
"Eeeeh... yeah... You know I can't let myself procrastinate too much. If I did that, I'd never get it done." She pouted, looking over to me.
"And how are your English classes? You've been doing better, haven't you?"
"Yep! Thanks to you! So I think Crypton might have me sing a few English songs. It'd be great if we could sing them together!"
I nodded.
"It must be nice not having school anymore, though, huh?" Miku looked up at me, a little enviously.
"It's all right. I rather enjoyed being in university."
"Whaaat?"
I simply smiled.
…
…
I love you...
Miku looked up at me in the dark. My eyes adjusted to the dimness of the room and I could see her smiling happily up at me.
I reached up and rubbed her head gently, "Good night. You and Gumi worked hard today."
"Ehehe~" She nuzzled her face into the pillow a bit as she enjoyed the petting, grinning, "Good night!"
As she closed her eyes, I slowly stopped and pulled my hand away, back to myself.
I observed her peaceful face and my smile faltered.
I love you so much.
I sighed softly, closing my eyes as I, too, nuzzled into the soft embrace of my pillow.
I felt Miku's soft breaths against my cheek and opened my eyes again to look at her sleeping face.
She is always near, so close, like this, and yet, in a way, she's out of my grasp.
A fleeting, innocent touch. A friendly embrace. Things such as these I let myself indulge in, and yet I feel lonelier than ever... even with a person such as Miku in my presence.
And I gradually fell into a slumber.
…
…
"Luka... Luka, wake up..." I felt a soft voice mumble into my ears as I was gently shaken awake by a petite hand.
"Mmm...?" I rubbed my eyes. "What is it? A bad dream?" I looked over at her.
But before I could get a clear look at her, I felt some weight atop me. Blood rushed to my face when I felt...
"M-Miku...?"
"Luka..." Her voice caressed my ears. "Do you love me?"
I stared wide-eyed at her, I could feel my face turn red. "I... uhm... I-I..."
Before I could register it, she had already grabbed hold of my hands and pressed them above me, into the pillows. She arched her body in a way so that she was leaning down, chest to chest, hovering near my face. "Tell me the truth."
"I... – ah!"
I tried to move my arms. I needed to stop her before this got out of hand.
"Oh? What was that?"
"M.. Miku..." I panted softly, "What are you doing, Miku...?"
I turned my head away. This was too much for me.
She leaned closer and closer to me and I could not help but look up at her again. "What do you think I'm doing, Luka?"
I shuddered at the tone of her voice. "E..explain..."
And she answered me with a soft, but needy kiss.
…
I sat up suddenly, breathing hard as I moved to clutch my shirt at my chest.
What...? That was...
I turned to look at Miku, hoping I hadn't woken her.
It seems that my abrupt awakening did not stir Miku from her sleep. I let out a soft sigh.
If I had made any strange movements or sounds while asleep, who knows... I would die from embarrassment. I wouldn't be sure if I could explain myself in this haze.
I took a few deep breaths to steady my heart... laying back down hesitantly.
I turned onto my side to face Miku for a few minutes and sighed softly, turning around to face the opposite direction.
I was startled, tensing up, when suddenly a pair of arms clumsily latched themselves around my waist.
"M..Miku?"
Nothing but the steady sound of her breathing...
I relaxed a little and slowly... slowly, I allowed sleep to claim me again.
…
…
"...Luka.."
Yeaaah. Sorry. I feel this chapter was rather short and not a lot really, REALLY happens. It's not quite a filler, and not quite progressive. If you think on some aspects of this update, maybe there's something there. Nevertheless, I hope it was enjoyable.
The next chapter is being worked on right now but I'm not sure how far along it is at the moment. I write these chapters most of the time when I'm free and not too tired (at work). There are a couple of days next week where I don't have to be in the classroom or anything but I also need to study for the JLPT, so we'll see.
Also, if you are interested, I'll be holding a live on Livestream (生放送) on Sunday, Japan time. More details can be found at: renko (dot) walfas . org
Akiba – Short for Akihabara.
karaage chicken – Deep-fried chicken. The giant karaage chicken place exists and I enjoy going there from time to time. The all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu place mentioned in the story is also an existing restaurant that I enjoy going to. I enjoy making them regret having a cheaper price for girls, haha.
izakaya – A type of restaurant more intended for drinking. Not a bar, so to speak. The food ranges from deep-fried foods, nabe (hot pot-type foods), pizza, etc. There are nicer kinds and rowdier kinds. You'll find plenty of people on the streets and sidewalks from the izakaya trying to get you to go to their izakaya because there are so many of them. This is especially the case in places such as Shibuya and Shinjuku.