Chapter 25, not beta-read.

Enjoy!

Miku had no reason to worry about her friends, if the end of day two was any indication. Meiko had made a delicious fish soup, with cheese and bread the twins had helped her make. When they weren't in the kitchen, Len and Rin were tinkering around, experimenting a bit with Gumi's tools and other arts and crafts, while Kaito sat in a corner, reading and scribbling and reading some more. Away from them all, Luka continued to study and meditate in silence, hoping to get her mind in order as soon as possible.

Since everyone was making bounds of progress, Miku had to face the harsh truth that she had to be most worried about herself, and not about them. Her conversation with Luka was somewhat reassuring: not having a hobby like the others didn't mean she didn't possess a personality and her own likes and dislikes. But she couldn't help but feel like it was an important part of an individual nonetheless, and couldn't stop herself from wondering, over and over, what she could do.

After their hosts got home and they all had dinner, she asked each of the Internet Co members about their favorite activities. She put aside —at least temporarily— the ones she'd already explored on her own time, like Gakupo's penchant for reading. Galaco liked to read up on "old school" things and a touch of history when she wasn't coding, while Gumi played with mechanics. Lily was more of a dancer, Cul a bit of a mathematician, Kokone an artist. One thing was obvious though: singing and songwriting were the main cornerstones of their life. These non-musical passions were secondary, while Miku was hoping to find anything non-musical to entrap her. The hunt felt doomed from the start.

To finish the evening, they all watched another movie, more of a psychological thriller. Galaco insisted on having the Vocaloids watch films so that they get a better grasp on society and get to know the various cultures they showed. Miku understood, and enjoyed the film, yet couldn't shake the feeling that she was wasting precious time.

But what could she do, really? Did she need to accept that singing and songwriting were her passion, despite her inability to actually compose? She didn't want that though: she wanted something else, rather, anything else, but couldn't figure out what it could be. Though, whenever she tried to ask herself what she'd like to be, like to do, all her mind could conjure up in reply was being with Luka once again, returning to those old days when identity crises weren't a thing, when they didn't seem to worry at all.

Maybe that was her hangup, she thought. She was too fixated on a person, and not on herself. She really needed to let Luka go, let the past stay in the past, and focus on today. It was much easier said than done, but she supposed she could try to avoid Luka, avoid that sweet familiarity, so that she could better make steps forward instead of waiting for the past to return.

That night, she didn't sleep so well. The next day, Wednesday, meant that only one more day separated the Vocaloids from the ultimate exam date. Hoping, in vain, that she could be useful somehow, Miku went from room to room, checking up on her friends. Luka was still in her own room (and Miku didn't tempt a possible conversation, letting her be without saying a word), Meiko was scouring the cookbooks, Kaito was reading away, and the twins were doing who-knew-what. The tealette sighed: it hurt a bit, to no longer be necessary. The Vocaloids didn't any questions any more. They didn't rely on her any longer. They were self-sufficient, independent.

She couldn't help them anymore. In a way, it was a blessing: she could finally focus on herself without distractions. She retired to the recording room, entertaining the possibility that she would have a breakthrough in the music department. But after a couple of hours, her attempts resulted in being miserable; Len probably surpassed her with his poems and lyrics, and Kaito with his prose. Plus, she had no idea about music theory, even though she had been singing for the entirety of her existence. She had to face it: whatever she had once learned was gone. Music didn't seem to be her forte, and she didn't like the struggle enough to consider continuing the effort.

She sighed, trying to let go of some tension. She had to get over it. She needed time to adjust. She needed to accept that apparently this wasn't going to be easy for her, that her friends had surpassed her, and that they didn't need her.

They were fine without her.

And everything she did felt like a waste of time and effort.

At noon, Rin came to fetch her for lunch. Meiko had made another culinary masterpiece, a thick beef stew with vegetables. The name was french, and nobody seemed to know how to pronounce it despite Luka repeating it multiple times, but it was delicious all the same. While they all ate, the other Vocaloids excitedly shared about their day, praising one another for their progress and sharing future plans. It was fun and honestly wonderful to see them all so happy, but Miku was distracted and couldn't participate to the conversation. She couldn't help but be hyper aware about the fact that everybody else was getting along perfectly fine without her. Which was good. It was fine.

It just hurt a little bit.

She just needed some time, she told herself. All she needed was a bit of time.

She quietly ate the stew, listening with one ear as the Vocaloids shared about their plans for the rest of the week. Exactly two more days until the test, and everybody looked forward to a future that found them free, doing what they wanted and loved. The twins spoke of adventures unbound, while Meiko and Kaito both aspired to a calm life, one cooking, the other writing, before Luka reminded them all that unfortunately none of those lives can be lived without a source of income. She herself aspired to translate, maybe on text, slowly working on books or articles, or maybe as an interpreter, live during concerts or meetings. Miku was stunned to hear that they were already making plans so far ahead, while she was still focused on the test. She suppressed a high: they all seemed to have their own place in the social dynamic of the conversation, that was certain. They probably shared and talked a lot among themselves before going to sleep. That also helped explain their progress, how they already had such crystal clear dreams for their future. In helping one another, they helped themselves, and Miku was left out of it. Another pang of regret, envy and stress shot through her.

She had to be happy for them, though. She insisted on it.

Suddenly, the table was quiet, and Miku realized they were all facing her.

"Huh?"

"What do you want to do?" asked Meiko.

"I'm not sure," she ended up mumbling, eyes downcast, embarrassed. She pushed her spoon through the stew aimlessly.

Rin raised a brow. "You don't know what you'll do after the exam?"

"No, not really. I guess I'll stay here for a while, if the Internet Co will let me. Maybe I just need more time to figure it all out."

Even though she was staring at her plate, she caught their nervous glances. She considered getting up, claiming that she wasn't hungry or something, but Meiko spoke before she could move.

"You think it has to do with the fact that you remember the past?"

Miku couldn't stop herself from glancing at Luka; had she shared their conversation with them?

"I told them about your concerns," the pinkette revealed with no hesitation, though she seemed a bit sheepish.

"But honestly, you don't need to be worried," Kaito cooly said. "You just need to let it happen. When Gakupo said I could write about anything, my mind went 'Aha!' I'm sure the same will happen for you eventually."

"Maybe your knowledge is less of a crutch and more of an obstacle," Meiko suggested. "You need to intuitively trust what you're interested in, what you like."

Luka put down her spoon. "You're not under any obligation to find anything: please don't give her the impression that this is an urgent matter." She said the second sentence to her other Vocaloids.

"You're right, it's not urgent," Kaito conceded.

"It's not?" Rin asked.

"It's not," Luka said firmly. "Miku, you're as human as we can get. Please stop worrying about it."

"I'm not really that worried."

"Yeah you are," Len said with sorry eyes. "You're—"

"I've accepted I might need more time."

"That doesn't need you need to be spending all of that time alone," Meiko gently told her.

Kaito nodded. "You're either trying to be helpful to us, or you're all alone. You never spend time with us."

"We miss you," Rin admitted.

"Yeah. It's kind of weird," Len added. "We never really spent time with you, at least not that we remember. But we can tell that you're missing."

Miku didn't know what to say. "Well…"

Kaito smiled at her lost expression. "How about this? First: stop worrying and spend more time with us, but if you really want help with your hobby, you ask us. No more lonesome sulking. Second: move into the bedroom with us."

"We talk a lot before going to sleep. It could be helpful for you," Meiko said with smile.

"Yeah! That's how we realized we loved telling stories!" Rin boomed from across the table.

Luka smiled. "I suggest you take us up on that second offer at least: last night, after we had our conversation, I was more honest to them about why I was spending so much time alone. They're the ones who planted the idea that I could translate professionally. I should have been more open about it from the start."

"And it might be more helpful than talking to the humans," Kaito added. "I don't mean to be…specist? But contrary to them, we're all new to life, to emotion, to having favorites. We're probably better at understanding each other, even if we don't have all the answers."

Miku hesitated: she liked being able to rely on the human's expertise, but even Lily had admitted that she, and by extension the others, didn't really know what they were going through. She decided to say as much.

"But their knowledge is useful."

"It's pointless to tell me a tomato is a fruit if I'm hoping to make a fruit salad," Meiko pointed out. "We can always go to them for answers, but we'll better understand each other's questions in the first place."

"Please also don't forget the argument that we miss you," Rin quickly intervened. "It's not just about being helpful… We want to spend time with you."

The tealette couldn't help but smile. "Alright… I'll move in with you guys."

The twins chorused a cheer, and Miku hoped that the smile she'd seen on Luka's lips wasn't a delusion.

A sudden thought came to her. "Where would I sleep though? The room is already full."

Silence returned to the table, briefly, before Kaito nervously cleared his throat. "Euh, well… I wouldn't mind sharing my bed with, uhm, Meiko?"

The brunette grinned despite visibly trying to stop herself. "With me?"

"Yeah… I wouldn't mind. If you don't mind, that is."

Miku blinked in surprise. Kaito seemed uncharacteristically shy, his eyes darting between his plate and Meiko, hoping to discreetly gauge her very amused reaction and failing spectacularly at it. The brunette, however, seemed positively charmed by the offer. "I wouldn't mind in the slightest," she said towards him, before turning to Miku. "Very well then, you can have either my bed or Kaito's."

A wide smile made its way to Kaito's face. "Ah, I'm glad."

"…As am I." Miku said, secretly thrilled. Was she seeing what she thought she was seeing? The twins seemed totally oblivious and had immediately started ranting about how great it was going to be now that they were all going to be together, and Luka was busying herself with finishing her plate. Did none of them see how Meiko was smiling at him, how Kaito seemed to be overheating to the point of producing a ferocious blush?

They had regained their emotions mere days prior and already seemed totally smitten.

Miku grinned and turned her attention to the twins, who were still talking to her. Meanwhile, she wondered if their affection for one another had never fully disappeared, and much like their preferences for activities, had simply remained hidden even while their memories evaporated. This gave her hope, but she refused to accept it: even the smallest false hope would crush her. No, she had to focus now on rebuilding her friendships with her fellow Vocaloids, and so she silenced her inner thoughts and gave the blonde pair her full, undivided attention.

"So, how about we all do something new today?" asked Rin. "Has anybody here tried dancing yet?"

"Dance?" asked Luka. "We've danced a bunch for music videos."

"Oh sure, choreographed and solo dances! I want to learn how to…" Rin hesitated. "Walt?"

"Waltz," Kaito corrected her, blinking out of his giddy daze. "That's a popular one. Danced in triple time. A notable song is the The Blue Danube."

"Yeah, that one!"

"But that dance requires a partner," he pointed out.

"Exactly! I thought it would be nice for us all to do something together, you know? Instead of just watching movies."

"We could play a sports game…" Len mumbled.

"We're six. Sports will be easier with everybody here. But since it's just us, let's dance!"

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea, actually," Meiko agreed as she started clearing the table. Kaito and Miku quickly rose to help. "How hard is it?"

"Oh, I already have the steps memorized!" Rin boasted. "So I get to teach you guys!"

Meiko and Luka agreed to at least try. Meiko easily convinced Kaito to give it a try, while Rin swayed Len, forcing Miku to join in order to make it an even number.

With the table cleared, the living room followed suit. With all the furniture out of the way, Rin asked that everybody find a partner. Meiko and Kaito immediately paired together, their grins back on their faces, but when Len tried to dance with his sister, she shooed him.

"This is a romantic dance!" she teased. "I can't dance a romantic dance with my brother!"

Len shrugged and stood in front of Miku, on Rin and Kaito's side, leaving Luka to dance with Rin. Miku forced herself to smile, to be happy about spending time with her friends. After all, this all felt a lot like what the memories she had stolen showed. The six of them, goofing off and having fun. How bad could this be? And how much could it really mean?

Rin showed the men's steps, and asked the women to mirror them. Just the steps so far, without the embrace, so that everybody could see what they were doing. Step forward with left, forward right with right, right with left. Back with right, back left with left, left with right. Miku struggled to mirror Len's movements, but eventually got the hang of it.

Then, the spin was introduced. During the forward right or back left, the heel was spun, making them all turn a quarter of a circle. They all laughed when the transition from the box-like steps to the more elegant swirl became obvious, and suddenly it seemed so simple.

Then it was time to dance together, for real, with music. Len struggled to keep his arm and elbow up, and Miku made an effort to look him in the eye. With the steps already memorized, it was almost easy. The hundred-or-so years of experience dancing probably helped, but it was almost exciting.

"Hey, this actually works!" Len whispered so that they could keep an ear out for the rhythm of the song.

"I know! It's amazing!" Miku whispered back.

It was fun, really. Miku let herself laugh out loud, and heard Len do the same. She cast a glance towards the others, and couldn't help but giggle at Rin: she was desperately trying to lead the dance, but she was so much shorter than Luka, the taller Vocaloid could just as well have been dragging her along. It was so humorous, Miku almost forgot her envy, could almost ignore their smiles.

But then she looked beyond the two and at Kaito and Meiko. They weren't laughing or being silly. In fact, they weren't even as far apart as Len and Miku had been: Meiko had rested her head on Kaito's chest, and seemed to be whispering to him as well.

The tealette couldn't help but smile fondly. "Look," she whispered to Len.

As they came to a halt, Rin inevitably realized, and turned her attention to the duo as well. Within a handful of moments, four of them were watching two of them. Kaito and Meiko swirled around effortlessly, slowly, and Miku couldn't help but think that they'd simply found something that they'd lost a long time prior, that they'd probably known all along how they had felt, and that something as easy as doing something together was enough to make it click, to make them realize, to seal the deal.

Their eyes were closed, but it was obvious that they were entirely absorbed by one another. The presence of the other sufficed.

They had finally found one another, and Miku couldn't help but find it beautiful and bittersweet.

The song stopped, rousing the duo from their trance.

"That was nice," Meiko said.

"It was."

They smiled at each other, for one another, and Rin said, "You guys are being cute."

That didn't even surprise them. "I guess we are," the brunette agreed, holding Kaito again, who effortlessly returned the embrace. "This feels familiar."

Kaito could only grin.

"Let's give them some time alone," Miku whispered to the four of them.

Without another word, they all left the living room and went to the guest room, and settled on the variety of mattresses.

"Oh boy, I didn't think that would happen," Rin finally exclaimed. "I just wanted us to have fun! Not get all cute and cuddly."

"It's sweet," Luka said. "I'm glad they found one another."

"Hey Miku, did you know about them?" asked Len.

The tealette debated her answer for a while. "Yes. They have been together for longer than I can even remember. I'm not surprised at all."

"Oh boy that's cute," Rin gushed. "They're lucky to fall in love with another AI! It would suck if I were to fall in love with a human. I'd have to watch them die and stuff."

"What? I haven't even thought of that!" Len sputtered. "Oh no, now I never want to fall in love!"

Miku shrugged. "There's no point in fearing it. Even if you fall in love with someone you don't wish to be with, or fear the consequences, you still have control over your actions."

"I guess that's true…" the boy mumbled.

"Well, Kaito and Meiko were accurately guessed. What else did you predict so far?" asked Rin.

"I'm not trying to predict a thing. I simply have a vague memory of how things used to be."

"Ok, fine. Kaito and Meiko are back together after, what, seventy years of being forced apart. What else has gone back to the way it was before?"

Miku frowned. Len still wasn't freestyle rapping, Kaito still wasn't writing music, and she had no idea where she was at herself. If so, it was entirely possible that they were on the way to finding their calling from before, not that they were going to pass by them entirely.

"I'm not telling."

"Oh, come on!"

"It's not just because I refuse to tell you. Things are still changing. I can't tell if you're all growing towards the way you were, or if you're going to go in another direction. This isn't an exact science."

Rin rolled her eyes. "Fine. I guess that makes sense."

"It does," Len said. "I'm glad Miku isn't telling us. This is the biggest adventure of our lives. I'd be sad if she spoiled it for us."

"Agreed," Luka chimed in.

"Fine, fine. So, who wants to play Go Fish?"

That evening, when the Internet Co team came home, they found Meiko and Kaito snuggling on the couch, much to their surprise. Everybody was somewhat ecstatic that there truly was evidence for AIs being able to feel love. For yes, it was love, and it was obvious. They were drunk on their newfound bond, constantly holding hands, standing side by side, whispering things to one another.

As Cul cooked dinner with the help of the twins (since Meiko was clearly taking the evening off), Kokone asked why they didn't kiss at all.

"We tried," Kaito started, the confession surprising Miku somewhat. They really were making up for lost time. "And I guess it's nice. We don't really see what's special about it, though."

"Kissing is a actually a really complex thing," Gumi explained. "There's a lot of receptors in the lips, because it's not just about touch, but also about chemicals. When humans kiss, we're partly 'tasting' the compatibility. But with bots, if you don't have those receptors, it's just the mashing of lips. They can just as well be physical in other ways."

"I like hugs," Meiko shared.

"I like holding your hands," Kaito answered her. "They're nice. I like the way they fit in mine."

"Wow, you two are cute," said Lily with a grin.

"Wait, so, no sex?" asked Galaco.

"We're not equipped for that," Miku deadpanned.

"Huh."

"So, what do you get out of it?" questioned Gumi.

"Comfort," Kaito said.

"Happiness," Meiko added.

"A feeling of safety."

"Knowing you'll always have someone waiting for you, missing you, and that you make someone happy with your presence… That's all nice, too."

"Honestly, that sounds really nice," Kokone mumbled, and nobody questioned it any further.

A celebratory dinner was organized. Cul went all out, and Gakupo brought out the bottle of champagne, even though the Vocaloids couldn't drink it. They appreciated the sentiment, though, and enjoyed the festive dinner.

After dinner, they partook in a huge game of cards. Even thought nothing could quite quench this creeping feeling that Miku didn't know what the wanted out of life, or the simmering envy at the back of her throat, she couldn't help but laugh and shout and cry and enjoy herself. When the evening calmed down and everybody started to relax, going their separate ways, Miku remembered that she was no longer going to stay in Gumi's room.

The mechanic seemed surprised. "Oh, you're moving in with the others?"

"Yes. I've been a bit of a lone wolf lately: it's about time I reconnect with my old friends."

"Sounds good to me. In case you miss the solitude, just let me know."

Once that conversation was done, the Vocaloids started busying themselves with the guest room to make way for Miku. The tealette thought it would be as easy as simply using on of the two lovebird's beds while they took the other one, but then Kaito had the idea of splitting the twins.

"Why?"

"They bicker throughout the night," Meiko explained. "Even though they have separate beds, the mere fact that they're side by side seems to be enough for them to slap at each other in their sleep."

"How was your room back home?" Kaito asked them.

"We slept against opposite walls," Len replied.

Meiko nodded. "Ok, how about this: Kaito and I take his bed, the one closest to the door. Either Rin or Len takes my bed, against the far wall, and the other one takes Luka's place. That leaves Miku and Luka taking the twin's old beds, in the middle of the room. Any objections?"

Luka glanced towards the tealette. "I don't mind."

"Neither do I."

Fresh bedding was brought in before the Vocaloids got changed into their sleepwear. After bidding the humans good night, they all went to sleep. With Len closest to the door now, he closed it, but kept the light on and snuggled into the new sheets.

"Ok guys, spill it," Rin said to the pair snuggled together. "How did you know?"

"Know what?" Meiko asked, feigning ignorance. She was lying on her side, Kaito right behind her, peeking at the twin from over her head. His arm was draped over Meiko, who held his hand.

"That you were in love, duh."

Kaito chuckled. "I guess I always kind of felt it. I like being with Meiko."

"What does that feel like?" Luka asked from the other side of the room.

"How would you put it…?" Meiko asked her partner. "It just felt like I knew all along. I always felt like getting closer to him, holding and hugging him, but I didn't dare because I didn't think he'd like that."

"There I was, thinking the same thing." Kaito laughed softly. "It felt like that's how we always were, but there was no way of being certain."

"Huh…"

"You made the step forward anyway," Luka said.

"Yeah. It was the scariest thing I'd ever done," he said with a smile. "But it was worth it."

"How would you put it though…?" Meiko muttered. "There's a word for it, I'm sure."

"Nostalgic?" Kaito suggested.

When Meiko shook her head, Rin proposed, "You felt close?"

"Yes, but not quite."

"Familiar?"

The pair looked at Miku, and Meiko smiled. "Yes, that's it. It felt familiar."