Chapter Eleven


Meiko went out that evening. She didn't like brewing over things alone, and not doing anything for too long was against her rules anyway.

Also, she hadn't been to the local bar for a while.

When the brown-haired Vocaloid arrived, she wasn't surprised to see Lily and Haku at the bar. They were friends of hers, and regulars at the bar.

"Meiko! Long time no see, you scumbag," Lily cheered, holding her beverage high in the air. "I thought we'd lost ya, lovie."

Haku didn't smile. She wasn't one for being happy. Always full of put downs, directed towards herself. "Hey, Meiko."

"Sit down, sit down. I would get you a drink on me, but I'm absolutely skint, aren't I?" Lily moved to the next bar stool, and then patted the empty stool between herself and Haku. "Where have you been, then? We thought maybe you'd 'reformed'. You know, replaced all this good drink for coffee or water or fruit juice, even."

Meiko began to laugh and sat down in between her two friends. "The usual for me, Tonio," she said to the bartender, who knew all three of the ladies well.

"Lily's right," Tonio beamed. He had been working at the bar for two years, and Meiko, Lily and Haku were by far his favourite customers, despite the fact that they never tipped him. Cheap skates. "You've been gone far too long. Your first sake's on the house, lovely." He winked at the brunette before gently pushing an opened bottle in her direction.

The bar wasn't posh or fancy in any way shape or form. The fanciest thing there was Tonio, in fact. The red bar stools were peeling, and the whole place could do with a good cleaning. But that was what made it nice, to the three women who often went there. It wasn't pretentious: it was a dusty bar that served good, cheap alcohol.

"So, what have you been up to, Meiko?" asked Haku curiously. "Didn't all you 'real' Vocaloids get advertised or something? You lucky things." There was a slight hint of jealousy in Haku's voice, but Meiko supposed that was fair enough. Haku was one of the sweetest - and saddest - people she had ever met in her life. The silver-haired woman worked hard, and she did deserve some kind of recognition.

Then again, she was a shrinking violet. Always hung around with bold, loud people: the type of people who took the attention away from herself. She wanted to be known, but she didn't want people to know her, really.

Strange.

Meiko nodded and began to explain the campaigns that Master had created. Lily and Haku faced Meiko to listen, and Tonio rested his arms on the bar and also listened to the story.

"So, you and that Luka doing martial arts?" Lily was smirking at Meiko. "Who would've thought that someone like that Luka would associate with you? Isn't she supposed to be pretty tough to please?"

Tonio's lips began to twitch. He turned around and pretended to organise the bottles of drink that were on the shelf, to try and hide his grin.

"What's so funny, you?" Meiko growled.

The man shrugged, standing upright and wiping his eye. "She's right. Lily's right, for once. You and Luka are chalk and cheese." Seeing Meiko's slightly confused expression, Tonio decided to elaborate. He took an old looking wine bottle from the shelf. "This, is Luka."

"No it ain't. Although, with a few more curves-"

Lily was interrupted. "Shut up," Tonio ordered. He then went back to his explanation. "As I was saying, Luka is this wine. Very fine and classy, you see." He then put the wine back on the shelf and brought another bottle out. "This, is you, Meiko."

"What's that?"

"Put it this way: the bottle's full because nobody wants to drink it."

The bartender, Lily and Haku all burst into howls of laughter. Meiko frowned and drank more of the sake that she was nursing. "I'll have you know Luka didn't mind me too much," remarked Meiko.

The laughing began to grow quieter. "You must be joking," Haku said.

Meiko shook her head proudly. "Nope. It's hardly a surprise though, is it? Mostly everybody finds me charming," she joked. "Another sake for me, Tonio!"

"A classy bird like that," Lily mumbled. "How the hell is she friends with you? Of all people."

Tonio was shaking his head. "Hey, Meiko, don't you get involved. Someone like you doesn't belong with someone like Ms. Megurine."

"What do you mean by that?" Meiko demanded, feeling slightly offended. "You all make me out to be the most undesirable friend in town."

The bartender smiled a little. "That's true. But, you being friends with her will end badly. You'll either offend her and drive her off, or she'll change you. Stop your coming to the bar. We don't want that again, now, do we?"

"Stop fishing for business," Haku grumbled. "And you can top me up, too."

Lily was stroking her chin thoughtfully. She blinked, and took a sip of her beverage. "You know, old Tonio does have a point. And anyway, the last time I heard, this Luka person drove you up the wall." The blonde haired woman paused, before shaking her head. "You belong with us lot, anyway. We're all the same, here."

"Except I'm male," Tonio commented as he filled up Haku's glass. "But I'm sure you get the point, Meiko. Don't go shooting above your target."

Meiko tapped the table and rolled her eyes. "You're all making it out like I'm a peasant and she's a princess. Different people can be friends. Lily, aren't you friends with that Kiyoteru guy? He seems very refined compared to you."

"That's different," Lily protested matter of fact-ly. "I didn't want to be friends with him. He just wouldn't leave me alone."

Haku was smiling to herself shyly. "Yeah, because you're so irresistible Lily."

The pair began argue comically. Tonio kept them all topped up with drinks, and so, they got into the spirit of things. They drank and drank, and eventually, none of the three women were sober.


Luka couldn't sleep. She refused to, until Meiko came home.

At ten o' clock, the twins had gone to bed.

At eleven, Miku had switched off the television and told Luka goodnight.

When the clock reached twelve, there had been a polite reminder from Kaito of the time. He had told her that Meiko would be home safe and sound, just like always.

However, Luka couldn't help but worry. It was a quarter to one, and it was dark and dangerous outside. Where was Meiko? Was she with people? Was she safe? How was she going to get home?

At exactly twelve fifty-eight, there was a rattle of the key in the door. Luka rushed off her seat and opened the door. Her hands had been shaky and hasty. It had to be Meiko.

And, it was.

"Have you not seen the time?" the brunette asked, placing her hands on her hips. "Good girls ought to be in bed."

Luka closed her eyes for a second, and pretended that she was sat alone drinking tea. She imagined herself in a serene environment. "You're home." Her words were fragile. Really, Luka had wanted to tell Meiko how worried she had been, and how relieved she was that Meiko had returned home.

"I think I'd better go to the bathroom," Meiko muttered. "I'm not feeling too good." She began to walk up the stairs. Luka followed every step, worried that Meiko might fall.

The pair went into the bathroom, and Luka locked the door behind them.

"I don't need someone to hold my hair," noted Meiko, who was hunched over the toilet. She wiggled a lock of her short hair in Luka's direction, raising her eyebrows.

Luka had been leaning against the door, but now she sat on her knees behind Meiko, stroking the brunette's back cautiously.

As she was stroking Meiko's back, Luka couldn't help but feel upset. "You shouldn't have drank so much," she murmured, before resting her forehead against Meiko wearily. Why did Meiko do this to herself? Why did she damage her reputation so much, just to drink some god awful tasting liquid?

"I drink because it tastes nice," Meiko replied. She sounded less arrogant now. Luka's loving actions had calmed her a little, although, she wouldn't admit that. "My friends. We all drink together."

Luka's cheek had found its way onto Meiko's back, and that was where it stayed. "It's not good for you. Unless you find it pleasant, hanging your head over a toilet at one o' clock in the morning."

A slight chuckle escaped Meiko. "You don't have to look after me. I don't want you too." She hesitated. "And I'm still angry with you."

The blue-eyed Vocaloid raised her head as the brunette began to vomit. Her fingers still traced Meiko's back, however. It was uncomfortable, watching Meiko like that. Meiko wasn't a weak person, but when she was drunk…She seemed so vulnerable. What if something had happened to her?

Luke shook her head. Didn't think about that. A tight knot had formed in her stomach, as she thought about all the things that's could've happened. Could have, but didn't.

Lucky escape.

"Do you feel a little better?"

"My head hurts."

"You'll have to bear it," Luka sighed. She paused, before letting her right hand creep along Meiko's spine and neck, until it met the woman's cheek. "Don't be angry with me."

There was a small silence. "Too bad. I am angry with you and I don't want your pity. I like getting drunk. It's what I do." Meiko pushed Luka's hand away, frowning to herself. She hated that she'd allowed Luka to see her like this. She didn't want her help or her pity or her love: she wanted nothing off her.

"I'm not ashamed of you," Luka said quietly. "Although…."

Meiko could feel the hotness within her cheeks. "Although what?"

"Although, this is…this is sad." Luka bit her bottom lip. Kept her hands to herself, this time. "When you're upset, you shouldn't go and get drunk. That's not a good way to deal with things."

"I'll deal with things how I like!" The brunette woman closed her eyes tightly. She didn't realise that her voice had become louder.

"Goodnight, Meiko."

Luka stood up, left the room and closed the door behind her.

Nothing happened for a moment. Meiko sat in silence. Afterwards, she stood up, washed her face and looked into the mirror. The reflection looked upset.

Didn't matter.

'I'd better sleep,' she thought to herself, touching her forehead gingerly. She could feel the blood rushing through her head, and it hurt. Every step she took, she could feel in her head.

Bed was the answer. Definitely.

In her room, Meiko didn't bother changing into pyjamas; she could sleep in her underwear. She took off her outer clothing and then curled up in bed. The sheets were cold. Not like the times when Luka had been curled up against her…

Once again, Meiko closed her eyes firmly. She just wanted to go to sleep.


The next morning, when Meiko awoke, she was glad to see two pills and a glass of cold water on the desk near her bed. She stayed in bed for a while and eventually took the pills.

She couldn't help but wonder whether it was Luka who had left the pills for her.

Afterwards, Meiko took a shower. She switched the water between hot and cold, as she always did the morning after heavy drinking. Then, she got dressed and went downstairs.

In the kitchen, Kaito was making an omelette. Luka was sat down reading a newspaper and drinking tea.

"Hi, Meiko," Kaito greeted, smiling at the said woman. "I left those pills for you. They usually do you some good."

Luka didn't speak.

"Thanks Kaito. They did the trick."

"Good. Anyway, I'm gonna go eat this super tasty omelette. Unless you want me to make you something?"

Meiko shook her head. "No, no. You go and enjoy your omelette."

Kaito dished the omelette out on a plate and glanced at Meiko. She looked pretty rough. There were bags under her eyes, darkened by shower-smudged mascara. She also looked vacant, in her eyes.

Then again, at least Meiko had come home.

Once Kaito left the room, Meiko busied herself with making a coffee.

"How are you feeling?"

The brunette turned. Luka was still reading the paper.

"Okay."

"Do you remember last night?"

Luka was being colder with Meiko, compared to how she had been last night. It made Meiko wonder.

"Of course I do," Meiko replied, sitting down at the table with her coffee. She was lying, a little. Parts of being in the bar and getting home were gone completely, but she could remember being in the bathroom. That odd intimacy and closeness that Luka had been showing. Stroking her back, the hand on her cheek. Luka's cheek on her spine. Meiko used her forefinger to gently pull down Luka's paper. "Don't hide from me."

"What makes you think I'd hide from you?" Luka's blue eyes had narrowed. "I was simply trying to catch up with current affairs."

Overnight, Luka's sympathy had waned slightly. Meiko was hurting her. Luka had tried her best to be a really good girlfriend; the kind of girlfriend that Meiko wanted.

Apparently, she hadn't done the job correctly. She had failed.

Meiko shrugged. "How would I know? You'd have to tell me."

"Are you trying to pick a fight with me?" Luka swatted the newspaper down on the table. She wouldn't be able to enjoy it now. Irritated. She couldn't read while she was irritated.

"No," Meiko replied innocently. Although she still…loved Luka, she was angry with her. And when Meiko was angry or annoyed, she didn't think straight. She turned into another person, really. "What makes you think that?"

She teased and prodded and aggravated people, to get rid of the anger that boiled inside her. Kaito had always warned her that it would get her into trouble. That one day, Meiko would hurt someone, or someone would hit back with words crueller than she could imagine.

Not that Meiko had listened to him.

"You're trying to argue with me so you can accuse me of being ashamed of you again," Luka replied, resting her cheek on the knuckles of her hand. "Perhaps we ought to spend some time apart."

"Get rid of me for a while, right?"

Luka closed her eyes. She was sat on a beach, reading her favourite book. The sun was shining, and cool waves of water lapped at the foot of the beach.

Then, her eyes clicked open.

"It's not like that at all. I just think you need to calm down. Get this anger out of your system, so we can talk about this properly."

"Aren't we talking now?"

"Yes. If you have something to tell me, please go ahead."

Meiko hesitated. Should've expected this. Luka was ruining the plan. Meiko wanted to shout, show the world that she was an angry person who was angry with Luka.

If she talked through it all…then it would be revealed she wasn't even that angry anymore. She was hurting; her heart was hurting. She wanted Luka to love her and be okay with people knowing that.

She wanted everybody to know that she loved Luka. Show all those fools at the bar that her and Luka were a great team.

"I have…a lot to say!" Meiko began. Her throat was tight with unshed tears. "You're… Everybody thinks you're too good for me. And you do too! You look at me and you see a drunken failure of a Vocaloid. And I'm not!"

Luka eyed Meiko. Frowned a little. Meiko was losing her composure, it seemed. "You're upsetting yourself." She paused, and moved her free hand a little way across the table. "You're not angry this morning, are you?"

'God damn it! What is she? Some kind of emotional analyzer?' Meiko shook her head. "I still think you're ashamed to be with me. Because you're Luka Megurine, the one and only. Generation two, and all that jazz."

The pink-haired woman flinched. Her hand drew back towards herself. "You sound like you did when we first met," Luka said nervously.

'You sound like you did when you hated me.'

"I'm right, aren't I?" Meiko continued. She was not upset. She never allowed herself to get upset. She wasn't hurt, she was angry. That was what she told herself, anyway. "If you like me, God knows if you do, you hate it because I'm some… I'm some shitty Vocaloid who isn't right for you. And you're this superstar, and you think I'm going to drag you down. Admit it, Luka! Tell the truth!"

Luka turned her face away. "You're being unfair. I've never…I've never felt that way about you."

Meiko watched as Luka stood up. The pink-haired woman was brushing her face with her hands; walking towards the door.

"You said we should talk!" Meiko called.

"Just forget it. There's no point wasting my time with your childish, stubborn behaviour."

And then, Meiko was alone.


AN: Another argument filled chapter, I know. Hope you guys enjoy, anyway! Please read and review. :-)