Vocaloid Acting
(timeline: between chapter seven and final)
It was just another day at the Vocaloid home. Alex was already helping Miku with her next song down below.
"Okay. Do not hesitate to dance a little. Put a lot of feeling into the words." Alex explained as he turned the melody on once more. Miku lightly bobbed her head and tapped her foot to the beat, singing her words. As this happened, Teto burst through the door and nearly fell down the stairs.
"Alex, sir! I found this in the mail!" she saluted like some kind of soldier. Alex took the letter and noticed the logo.
"A film company? What do they need?" he opened the letter and read the following out loud while Miku finished her song and stepped out of the booth.
"Dear Alex. We are producing this new film called Black Wing and figured the following Vocaloids could act the parts we listed here. Miku as the heroine, Chell. Meiko as the evil counterpart, Melody. Rin and Len as the two who try to save Chell, named Marisa and Draco. And the rest can fill in the other bits. Please bring them down to the studio with this letter. Security should guide you to the studio. Best regards, Wavelength Media." Alex folded the letter. He turned to Miku who's eyes were full of determination and pride.
"Guess you want to be involved as well? Okay then, I guess it should be easy." Alex turned to walk up the stairs and tell the rest. Miku smiled at Teto.
"You know, this is the best way to start your Vocaloid career. Act here and you will soon be known." Teto shined up to Miku. She was ready for anything.
As a few days passed, they all took a trip to the studio where the movie was first taking place. Alex showed the letter and followed the guard to the studio building with the number five on the wall. Inside, the equipment and various cast gathered. The group was excited to be here. Alex caught sight of the producer who came over.
"Glad you can make it Alex. I am Hitoshi Tanua. If I could get each of the actors to line up there?" Hitoshi shook Alex's hand while he told the group to line up. The Director pointed the planned ones out. Miku, Meiko and Rin all went to the women's dressing room as Len went to the men's. The director took another look at the cast list and noticed something among them. He caught eye of Neru.
"You, the one with the cellphone. You are PERFECT for this part." he tried to call Neru over, who at first denied before Alex forced her to hear him out. The Director looked at her figure and hair style.
"You are just PERFECT to play as second heroine, A.I! You have the height and the figure for her and the pigtail there just made you look even more amazing! Please consider acting? You do not have too many lines but it's enough to make you a character in the cast!" Hitoshi knelt before Neru and praying for her. Neru looked at the others and then at the other actors. She was unsure what to do. Haku walked up and put an arm on her shoulder.
"Neru. I bet you would be great for the role." she smiled lightly and showed her support. Neru nodded and agreed. She was taken to the dressing room while Miku and Meiko walked out.
Miku's outfit was a simple sleeveless white shirt with a collar and V shaped cut down to the top of her chest with a light gray short skirt and black shoes. Meiko's was the same only she had a black shirt and white skirt. Miku hopped around in joy at how they matched in style.
"Look look! We match, Alex!" she pulled Meiko next to her and grinned. The director scratched his chin and walked to Miku.
"I'm sorry, but the Protagonist has no pigtails. Mind taking them off?" He pointed to her weird hairpin like objects. Miku nodded and let her long hair down. It was longer than expected. Hitoshi sighed and gave her real hairpins.
"Well then, let's improvise. Use these so it looks more natural."
Rin and Len came out, wearing what looked like uniforms from the fake school. Rin's bow was removed for the movie.
"Perfect! I need you four to study your lines well. You are the group that makes this movie what it is. As well, we may have to film some fighting scenes between you two." he pointed to Miku and Meiko. Alex was curious about the movie. He asked the director to tell him the story.
"The movie is about two women who were test subjects in order to make angles a reality. However, they could only make one wing spawn from their back. Chell has a black wing and Melody has a white wing. Melody and Chell soon developed powers like flight and strength. Melody breaks Chell free and explain her plan to kill the inferior humans. Chell, still sane, tries to convince Melody but she leaves Chell for her own plans. Chell tries to live with the humans but no one treats her like one and they think of Chell as a freak. That is when Marisa and Draco come in. Twins who live with their father. Their mother died after giving birth and upon meeting Chell, they offer her to come home. They see her wing as she gets up but then pulls her into their life. The story revolves around Chell being treated with kindness and will soon escalate into a power struggle to defend the city from Melody. As well, there is a third character named A.I who is very important. But I should stop, I already spoiled a bit of the film." The director turned his attention to the other actors.
"Okay. We need the small Chell and Melody for this scene! This is the flashback scene where Chell and Melody meet for the first time!" Hitoshi yelled In a megaphone as the actors got in position and the cameras were placed right.
Suddenly, one of the costume designers ran up to the director. "Come quick ! It's Neru!" she pulled his arm. Haku heard Neru's name and followed them.
Neru was locked In the dressing room, too embarrassed to come out.
"Neru? Are you okay?" the director knocked on the door. Neru replied "Do I really have to wear this outfit?" lightly opening the door and sticking her head out. Her face was all flushed. The director answered her in the most honest sense.
"It's only for that one act, where Chell and Melody see you passing by. It's only less than a minute there. After, you can change back." Haku looked over and caught eye of the reflection. Neru was wearing some sort of wrapping outfit that protected her private areas and made a rib cage design over her stomach area. She blushed too.
"Okay. But if it's more than two minutes, get someone else." She opened the door to truly expose her outfit. Another man carrying what looks like a man operated lift for boxes came up. He wore the suit that the fake organization is wearing in the movie. The director then told her. "You do not have lines for this scene. As he rolls you buy the cage, look at the girl with green hair. Give her a stare that says something like 'Don't let this be you.'." Neru got on the lift as they strapped her in with the brown belts. Her hands staying besides her.
The scene already played Miku's narration of the past as they started to let the small children act. Neru could feel the pressure building. The cue for Neru to roll up came on. She rolled up past the kid, gave her a very straight face but hinted at some despair. She finished rolling off, walking back to the dressing room. She caught sight of Haku waiting for her. She handed her a bottle of water.
"No thanks. I did not need to say any lines." Neru walked back in the room to put her normal attire on. Haku then talked to Neru through the door.
"I-i think you were very lonely up there. The eyes did want me to leave but I felt like I wanted to save you then and there." Haku held her arm. She watched what the camera caught. Neru sighed.
"Haku. I am glad you think I did good. But the real acting for me is not till later in the months. They still have to film Miku's scene where she is roaming around the city and people look at her in a weird way or say things." Neru stepped out with her normal attire and pigtail. She walked back to the set with Haku while watching more of the scene.
It was the part where Chell and Melody escape the lab. Meiko played the part of the insane Melody well while Miku showed to be very afraid of her only friend going insane. Meiko did her best to show how heartless the character was and did the moves the director and Alex told her to do. Various disarm techniques. Punches and kicks. Firing the fake guns as they cut before they jumped through the window.
"CUT! That was excellent, Meiko! And Miku, you made the character really confused and sacred. For a minute I thought you did not want to act." Hitoshi clapped as he directed most of the film crew to go outside the breakable window and place the landing mat. Miku put her smile on once more before she had to go back. Everyone watched the cameras. One on the inside and the other outside.
"And... ACTION!"
"Damn. Chell, do you know how to fly yet?" Melody cried to Chell. Chell shook her head slowly as her face showed much fright. A sniper shot hit the beam close to them.
"Well learn now!" Melody took Chell in her arms and crashed through the window.
Miku and Meiko landed on the mat below while the cameras stopped rolling. Everyone applauded at the jump.
"Alright. That's great work you two. But I may need to retake the start of the break out. Meiko, you are suppose to show a bit more anger when breaking the bars. Pretend that someone died by your friend. You want to get revenge on him or her at all cost. You are insane. You are power hungry!" Meiko listened to his instructions, practicing the face for the retake. Miku applauded at Meiko.
"I guess throwing Kaito out of the window really worked in the end!" Meiko laughed while looking over at Alex.
The weeks were on an off with filming each scene again to get the shots right. The next major shots were taken around the city. The on lookers were wondering what they were filming and mainly trying to see Miku acting.
"Okay Miku. This is the scene where it's the present. Chell is trying to avoid conflict but you always get stares because of that black wing on your back." Hitoshi noted to the very well made fake wing protruding from her right backside. Miku was reading her lines before they started to film. Alex and the rest looked on to see how Miku would fair.
"and...ACTION!"
Chell walked down the street, a help wanted ad in hand from the newspaper.
"This is the place?" Chell looked at the sign for the deli. She walked in and placed the ad on the counter, lightly. She asked "Excuse me. I saw this ad and I am willing to work for you." a big smile on her face. Her wing folded but still noticeable. The owner looked at her weirdly.
"I'm sorry mam. But I can't hire you." he pointed to the television that was airing a breaking news report about two test subjects that escaped from the facility and killed a few workers. Chell tried to explain.
"Sir. I assure you that I never killed an-" she was stopped when the owner bowed.
"I'm really sorry. But you would attract unwanted business here."
Chell walked outside and heard two police officers yell out "FREEZE!" while aiming their tazers at her.
"And CUT! Great job everyone. Miku, you really showed much sorrow. Even I was about to jump from my chair and give you a job myself!" Hitoshi laughed. Miku went back to her normal look and walked over to Travis. The crew was setting up the chase scene.
"Alex. Do I look really great with this on?" She twirled around to show her costume and wing. Alex lightly blushed but managed to say in a steady tone "You do. Maybe we should make an outfit with wings next time?" he thought to himself. Miku laughed for a bit before she was called for the chase scene. Neru watched Miku's acting and started to get a true feel as to what the movie was like. She approached the director after the scene was shot twice.
"Excuse me. But what role does A.I exactly play?" the director liked the keep secrets, so he whispered to her.
"Promise not to spoil it. But A.I Is the mother of Chell and Melody. A.I was forced to give birth to two children but they were imperfect angles. Hence the one wing on each one. Your character has never aged a bit but she does keep that very warm expression." Neru had an idea while looking back at Haku.
"Say. Why not let Haku fit that motherly role now? Make it look like she went back to normal? I mean, my body is more like a child. Her's is very mature looking." she convinced the Director to look at Haku, fiddling with the water bottles and helping with wires, nearly tripping.
"Hmm. I will give you that. But I need to practice the lines with her."
Later that day, Alex explained to Haku that Hitoshi wanted to see her in the lot. She openly agreed and met both Neru and Hitoshi.
"S-sorry if I am interrupting anything." Haku said as she entered. The director smiled warmly.
"Haku. Glad you can make it. Neru had this idea to change the body of A.I. So follow her to the dressing room." Neru took Haku's hand lightly. In the dressing room, Haku was stripped of her normal clothing to wear the outfit. Haku was embarrassed to show anything to Neru, even with underwear.
She put on the long, white gown with gold lining. The golden bracelets over her wrists and arm. And the final touch, the artificial wing pair. She guided a very bashful Haku out on the floor as the light shined upon her.
"You were right, Neru. Haku has that motherly look. But something about her hair color strikes me as odd. Makeup!" two crew members quickly fixed a yellowish long haired wig on her head. The same tone as Neru's. She looked up at the director. He nodded. She was handed a script with A.I's lines.
"Okay Haku. Neru told me it takes a bit to work up the courage, but she said you had the voice of a very mature woman. Sometimes like a mother. Now then, say the first line as if you are very concerned with the characters. Telling them everything. And...Action."
Haku shook for a bit, her hands and arms unstable. But she found her steady point and read the line she was told to in the most motherly way possible.
"Chell. Melody. There is a reason why I know who you two are. You are my children. For years, I was enslaved to that hideous experiment. They forced me to give birth to new humans with wings. I was treated horribly. There were others before you, but you two are the only ones who did indeed live. You are imperfect. I had much hope in you two becoming friends with the humans, but it is Melody who has lost all hope. She is jealous of you, Chell. You had two children and a man who cared for you like a normal being. You had a wonderful life. Melody wanted that too, didn't you?"
she stopped there. Throughout the line, her facial expression was showing a mix of sorrow and love. The director sat on the seat for a long time, reading the next line to her.
"That's not true! I never liked humans! They are scum!" A.I responded with "You can not hide anything from me, Melody. If you would of looked into my eyes back in the facility, you too would be in the same position as Chell. Loved, cared for, and always making things bright. An Angle never kills. They protect."
The director sniffed a little, hearing the last line. "Cut! That was beautiful, Haku. Neru was right to choose you. How would you like to act the climax of the final battle between the two?"
Haku blushed. She did not expect to be praised for talking. Neru grind big and hopped over to her friend.
"Of course she will! Haku is the mature girl with the big breasts!" Neru teased Haku by grabbing the underside of her breases.
"N-neru! St-stop it!"
Weeks passed by and soon turned to months. Their movie was already being edited. The Vocaloid group could not wait for the premier! Each one was waiting in their own way. Neru was already messaging the people that follow her and play the online game with her to explain she has a small part in the upcoming movie. Haku was nervous and unsure about meeting Neru at the moment. So she talked to Travis in his room.
"T-travis? Do you have a moment?" she poked her head in slowly, noticing Alex on the computer.
"Sure Haku. What is it this time?" he turned around and faced Haku as she took a seat on his bed. She fiddled with her fingers.
"Alex. I noticed how close you and Miku have become after you shared your feelings. But I was wondering when I should tell Neru that I truly love her? I am afraid she might not think the same because of our gender being the same. I even heard a few guys asked her on dates." she was quiet. Alex closed his eyes for a second to think. Miku walked in and noticed the two.
"Oh Haku. Am I disturbing you?" she looked at Alex who looked back at her.
"That's it!" Alex stood up, pulled Miku over to his computer and edited her hair color and style to look like Neru.
"A-alex! This is not the time to cosplay!" she looked the part, her eyes still the same. Haku looked at her feel.
"Okay Haku. We can practice with Miku. You want to give your love to Neru, right? Well only by confronting your fear of rejection can you tell her for real. Now, tell her." He pointed to Miku, who did her best Neru pose. Standing in a slant with one arm on her waist.
"Ne-neru. There is something I wanted you to hear." Haku looked up, Miku pretending to be on the phone with her hands.
"Can it wait Haku? I am trying to talk on the phone." Haku looked back down and said "Okay..." feeling sad.
"No no no! You have to put some strength in the words! You can't be so weak all the time. You have to explain why it's more important than her call." Haku gave a slight smile as she tried once more.
"Neru. I need to tell you something." Miku held her hand up as if to not talk to her. Haku got up from her chair and put her hand phone down.
"No Neru. I need to tell you this now. It's been clawing at my heart since the day we met. I could trust you more than anything. You liked me. I liked you. We were best friends. But now, I came to realize that you are more than a friend to me. Because I Lo-lo..."
Haku froze there. Unable to finish the words. Alex placed a hand over his face.
"You are still holding back, Haku. Just cast aside the things you think will happen and aim for the top like Miku. Sure, there is a negative somewhere, but not as big as you never telling her your true feelings. Now we are going to do this over and over till you get it right!" Alex was determined.
The day of the movie premier came. Each of the actors and the Vocaloids walked down the carpet. The various news stations wanted some words before the film premier from each actor. Haku walked down with Neru, Kaito, Alex, and Teto to get their seats first. Alex made sure he was next to Haku while she sat next to Neru.
"Okay Haku. Try to tell her how you feel after the movie or after you take her from the theater." Alex whispered to Haku. The movie started up as they each watched the scenes with care. The premier was packed. Neru was really focused on the movie that Haku felt bad to pull her away. She leaned to Alex.
"I can't do it. She is having a good time already." Alex shook his head "No. It would be even better if she knew about how much you love her." but Haku was shaking. She was afraid to admit it. In her shock, she walked out of the theater. Alex followed her with worry while Neru caught them off the corner of her eye. She was very curious. So she followed them and listened in on the conversation in the lobby.
"I can't stand it anymore, Alex." Alex shook her head. He caught eye of Neru. He had a new plan.
"You can't stand what? Being so close to me?" he asked as if he was interested. Haku blushed violently.
"N-no! That's not-" he wrapped one arm around Haku's waist and pulled her close. He planed to make Neru butt in.
"Haku. Don't deny it. You like me." Haku stood there in his embrace, too scared to move. She didn't know his plan at all.
"B-but what about Miku?" Alex laughed lightly.
"Who said I had to have one special person? Now give me a kiss." He leaned forward and noticed Neru was no longer looking. He released Haku who slapped his face.
"Well. That plan failed. Neru was suppose to butt in on us and tell your love. Time for plan C." He ignored the pain on his face. He walked back to Miku to ask "Where did Neru go?"
Miku turned around and said quietly "I think she went to the bathroom? I do not know." while turning to the movie once more.
Alex walked out once more but now his voice showing concern.
"Okay Haku. Neru is hiding somewhere. You search the lady's room and I will search around the balcony area." he instructed Haku to look.
He made his way over to the empty movie theater and saw one small light. He cried out "Neru!" making the light shut off.
"Neru! I know you are in here! I noticed you were looking at me and Haku but I would never do that to her for real! Please come out!" he walked down to where the light was, noticing Neru huddled in a ball with her head between her legs. The cellphone was on the floor. He read what she typed...
"ALEX RUINED MY LIFE" It repeated over and over again. Tears dripped onto the floor as she kept her sobs to herself.
"Neru. This is not what it looks like. I was-" Neru batted his hand away, not saying a word or making a sound. He took out his headset and called Haku to come to the empty room. He walked out as Haku trotted inside.
"Thank god you are safe Neru. About what Alex was doing, he was just playing. He didn't mean to hurt you." Haku tried to persuade Neru to lift her head. Neru sobbed silently as tears continued to flow.
"You..." Neru rose her head up. Her face full of despair, sorrow and heartbreak in one. It was hard to look at her as she said "But why did he try that on you." her tears still pouring. Haku did not know what she should say. But then she remembered what Alex told her about ignoring the negatives. She let her heart speak for once.
"Neru, he was helping me." She lightly pulled Neru out of the chair and position and into her arms. Neru's face rest against her chest.
"I was just so afraid and scared that you would be taken by a person I do not know. I always wondered what would people think if they saw me with a woman. But I say screw them. The reason I was acting so weird over the time we have been with Alex and the rest is..." Haku paused a second. Her own tears beginning to develop. Neru looked up, seeing her smile and tears.
"...It's because I love you Neru. More than a friend. I was never good around others and you helped with that. If I never met you in that park, imagine what would of happened to me? I have you to thank most of all for even saying the two words to me. 'Hey You'. Isn't it funny? I remember the first line you said to me that started the chain of events. I did not want anyone else to be so close to me other than you. I am gla-" Neru covered Haku's mouth with her hand. Hear tears drying up as her face started to return to normal.
"Enough Haku. You do not have to say the words in the first place. Mainly because I loved you way before we met Alex. You were the one who never could harm another. And you always had those breasts that I envy. Maybe it's because of the size or just how round they are..." Haku tightened her grip around Neru, sobbing with joy.
"Oh Neru. I am so glad you love me too. I never wanted anything else." Neru's face was pressed against her chest, almost suffocating her.
As that all happened, the movie was just done. Alex returned to the empty theater and noticed the scene. Miku looked over as well.
"It's best if we not even tell them the movie is over. I will tell the driver to wait."
A week later-
Haku, Neru, Miku and Teto were playing a go-kart game on the T.V. It was looking intense with how Miku leaned with her character. The final lap was coming to a close. Neru was in the lead and had a clean win, till Haku used an Item that knocked out the leader. Teto ended up getting first while Neru was second. Miku was third and Haku was last.
"WOO! Thanks for that Haku!" Teto grinned as she received the five dollar bet from Neru. Haku sighed and frowned.
"Sorry Neru. I didn't know the item did that." Neru crawled over to Haku and looked in her eyes.
"It's just a game. I still have the real Platinum Trophy right here." she kissed Haku as if she did not care, with much passion on the lips. Miku and Teto did not see that coming.
"N-not in front of the others! It's embarrassing." A very red faced Haku commented. Neru grinned "But you were enjoying it, right?"
It seems Neru and Haku finally got the strings together.
Oh and about the movie, it was a box office smash. Tickets sold out and it had an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. Just in case you wanted to know how the movie did.