Decided to add "Hurt/Comfort" on the genres

There is one small town located in the east where, despite the ongoing war between humans and machines, residents still managed to live peacefully. Outsiders once described the place as a completely different world. It's like an alternate universe where the war didn't happen at all. In that town, there is a orphanage run by two nuns. The orphanage itself was small, currently housing only a total of seven children. But despite that, it was well known to the residents and they're willing to support the nuns in many ways or form.

The date is January 31st. One more day and it's already a full month since the start of the new year.

Snow was still present, and the children on the orphanage used this as an opportunity to play and enjoy the snow as much as they want before the weather start heating up again. All seven of them are currently on the huge backyard of their house, working together to make the "biggest" snowman to ever exist.

One them is a boy around the age of seven years old, with matching blue hair and eyes. He is the second oldest in the group and thus, carry the responsibility of being the big brother to the younger ones. Because all the little ones look up to him, and one due to the fact that he is obsessed with a certain frozen threat, he was made as a model for the snowman.

"What's taking Yuuma so long?" the oldest one of them said, putting both of her hands on her hips. The said boy, Yuuma, volunteered to get a blue cloth back on their rooms to imitate the blue haired boy's signature scarf. Of course, because he is the youngest in the group, everyone expected him to take a long time trying to find the item. Apparently, he is taking more time than what the others anticipated…

"I'll go get him."

"That'll be nice. Help him find the cloth if he haven't yet."

With a smile, and a whisper of 'I'll be back' to the younger kids, the boy stood from his seat and start walking back inside the house. Their home isn't really that big. It composed of two floors where the second floor only exists for their bedrooms. Everything else that they need - bathroom, kitchen, and even their study room, which is a small room filled with different kinds of books - where all located in the first floor.

He was about to make his way towards the stairs but on his way, he saw one of their caretakers, Yukari, talking to another woman that he haven't seen before in the living room. Right in the front of them, there is a rather large basket atop the coffee table.

"They're born yesterday at 5 o'clock in the morning. The girl is older by 20 minutes." The woman said, watching Yukari peek on the contents of the basket. "Their mother died after giving birth to them."

"What about the father?"

"We… don't know anything about the father."

"…that's… so sad…"

"Unfortunately, because the woman only migrated in the city a few months ago, we cannot find any relatives that can take care of them. So we don't have a choice than to bring them under your care, Yukari." Hearing this made the boy curious.

'Could it be… a new sibling?'

"As much as I want to take both of them in…" the nun began, straightening her back to look directly at the woman's eyes. "…I'm afraid that we can only take the girl. Me and Haku do not have enough money to pay all the medication that the other child needs."

"Kaito!" a familiar female voice from behind distract him from listening. "What's taking you so long!? The others are nearly do- "

"Keep quiet, Meiko."

"Are you eavesdro-"

"Shh!" annoyed that she was cut by the boy twice, she crossed her arms and glare at him.

'Wait 'til I tell Sister Haku about this.'

"I already talked to the doctor about this." The unknown woman continued making both kids look at the two adults in the living room. "He said that he's willing to give proper medication to the sick one until someone adopts them. We really need to find someone who's willing to be their guardian and your orphanage is the best candidate for that. So please, Yukari… take them in your care."

It took the nun a full minute to think and, because of the position of the children's hiding spot, they really cannot tell what kind of expression Yukari is making. With a sigh, she kneeled in the front of the basket, whispering some welcoming words to the twins inside it.

"Thank you, Yukari."

"No, I should thank you. You're willing to help us raise these adorable children. "She said with a smile, watching one of the twins curl their hand on her finger. "So, do they have a name yet?"

"Their mother did name them before they're even born." The woman replied. "The girl is Elluka while the boy is Lucian. Elluka and Lucian Clockworker."

Weeks have gone by and their surroundings changed. Miku admit that she rather stare at tall buildings around her all day than to stare at nothing at all. Snow is still present, the cloth they found inside the cargo plane few weeks ago is now warped around her naked frame, acting as her only protection towards the flakes of snow that falls every once in a while.

They are currently stopped in a small street, right in the middle of the numerous tall, and probably empty, buildings. The teal haired android standing beside the Kettenkrad, eyes glued to the darkening grey sky above. On the other hand, the older woman where few feet away from her, trying to survey the area.

"It's getting dark." She said her thoughts aloud. "We should stay here."

Luka patiently waited for a respond. However, seeing how Miku's attention is fixed on the sky, she slightly tilts her head in confusion.

"…Miku?"

"Oh!" the android finally respond, turning to Luka with her signature smile. "Yes Luka?"

"Is everything alright? You're spacing out."

"Everything's okay. Don't worry." Despite how she said those words with a smile, the pink haired woman still cannot get rid of the feeling that her companion is lying.

From their numerous conversations, she can tell how alert Miku is. Just a simple word from her and the tealette's attention is fixated on hers. Miku explained that it happen since she have some sort of affinity to sounds and that she is programmed to listen to her Master… or something like that. Technical terms are used to explain that part but Luka have very little to no knowledge at all towards computer or robotics, which makes Miku's explanations sound gibberish to her. So seeing Miku spacing out right after she tried to start some sort of conversation (?) is completely out of her character.

"Miku." She called, placing both of her hands on her shoulders. She then took a peek on the android's earpiece, recalling how the lights blink when she 'adjust her system' . To her relief, it's steadily glowing on its usual pale red color. "I have no knowledge on how you really work so please, if there is something wrong, I want you to tell me about it, okay?"

"Command received."

'Ah… she took it as an order…'

"Of course. But believe me, there's nothing to worry about." Her sentence, like always, ended with a smile. Seeing that there's really nothing to do about it, Luka dropped her hands from the tealette's shoulder and turn back to her vehicle. "Ahh, where are we going Luka?" Miku finally asked when she saw the older woman pull her keys.

"Unlike the other buildings I've seen before, this one looks pretty clean." She comments while pocketing her flashlight. "Want to explore for a bit?"

When she said that the building looks clean, none of them expected this kind of cleanliness. Sure, there's dust and dirt all over the place but aside from that, there's nothing else. No cracks on the wall, no debris on the floor… it feels like the building is made and then left abandoned afterwards. There's nothing really interesting in the first floor; there's just some kind of counter, a set of stairs, and what it looks like a broken elevator. But by the second floor, they are greeted by the sight of numerous rooms.

"It looks like a apartment without doors." Miku said as she randomly enters one of the many empty rooms with Luka following behind.

"…What's an apartment?"

"It's a building with lots of rooms that humans rent and use as a house."

"Ah…" she twists the faucet on the nearby sink, surprised by the rather clear water coming out of it. "It must be nice… having a house and such."

"Hey, Luka. Come here."

Looking at her right, she found her companion leaning on the open window while pointing something below. Curious, the pink haired woman turned off the faucet before slowly making her way to the tealette. Her index pointed at her Kettenkrad parked in the middle of the streets. The few lumps of snow that began to form around it remind her that she forgot to cover it or at least park it under a roof. But she believes that there is another reason why the android suddenly pointing at their vehicle. Unable to guess it, she stared at her, one of her eyebrows raised in confusion.

"Isn't that a house?" she said, the smile on her face shows no signs of fading. "Our vehicle."

"It's not really a house."

"But we live there, right? So the answer is either yes or no."

Luka really wanted to answer with a flat no. no matter what angle she look at it, she cannot see her vehicle as a house. However, if she can blame something for not being able to say her thoughts, she'll blame Miku's face. Why does it have to look so cute? Instead, she just let out a sigh and pats her head with her hands. From Miku's reactions, she can tell that she enjoy having her head patted. The smile she had since the beginning didn't really left but she can tell how happy and comfortable the android looks whenever she move her hand.

Well, she enjoys physical contact in general so this shouldn't surprise her at all.

But Luka can't deny that seeing Miku this way make her comfortable as well. She can't help it but to smile back.

The pink haired woman only stopped her actions when Miku suddenly opened her eyes, smile no longer on her face, as she stares at her Master with a rather surprised expression.

"We're not alone." Three words. Those three words were enough to send chills on her spine. Last time Miku detected another moving signal, her life was suddenly endangered. Seeing her distress, the android immediately grab her hand, trying to calm her down. "Ah, the signal is very similar to yours so I can tell it's not a Burst."

"Similar to mine?"

"It's a human, Luka."

A human.

Not counting whatever she experienced in the past, this will be the first time Luka will see an actual human in person. She don't know how that should make her feel. Should she be happy? Should she be afraid? Because, after all, not because this new signal Miku's detecting belonged to a human, doesn't mean that her life is automatically one-hundred percent safe.

"They're getting closer." Miku's voice suddenly interrupted her train of thoughts. "Would you like me to check them out?"

She nods, her brain we're full of so many thoughts for her to reply verbally. Despite her agreeing to Miku's suggestion, she cannot find herself to let go of the android's hands. Instead, she found herself walking to the entrance of the room, following the tealette from behind.

The signal is pretty close to them, as if they heard her and Luka's previous conversations and decided to look for the source, so it didn't really surprise Miku when she took her first step towards the entrance of the room, a man slightly bump into her.

Just basing from his appearance, he should be around mid 20's. He have short blue hair, wearing three layers of clothes, pants that are little too big for him and a pair of combat boots. A digital camera dangles around his neck, lanyard hidden under his blue scarf. His eyes are covered with some kind of goggles that glow in green color.

"Oh! Sorry, I didn't notice you there." He said, scratching the back of his head. "I heard some voices so I decided to look arou-" his voice died down when he saw the pink haired woman behind Miku. Whatever expression he is making, both of them are unable to tell for half of his face is still hidden.

"Are you okay?" Miku asked

"I can't believe it…" He said, completely ignoring Miku's question. Instead he took a deep breath, lips forming in a wide smile. "I've never thought I'll see you again, Luka!"

That caught the woman's attention. Before she could even react, the man walked beside her, putting one of his arms around her shoulders as he pressed their bodies together. The sudden action made her let go of the tealette's hands, to Miku's disappointment.

"Dang, girl! It's been what? Five years?" he laugh, pushing the goggles up to let it rest atop his head, revealing his deep blue eyes to her. "I missed my lil' sis! So, how's it going?"

"Lil' sis…?" her reply made the man frown.

"Huh? Hey, don't tell me you forgot already?"

"Umm…"

"Excuse me." The tealette interrupted, pushing the mysterious man away from Luka. She stands between them, not wanting him to get close to her Master. "You're bothering Luka and we still consider you as a stranger."

The man only stared at her, then to Luka, then back at her.

"A android huh…" he whispered. "This is quite a surprise, especially from you Luka. …Anyways." He smiled again, hands spread in the front of him. "I'm Shion Kaito. What I do… Hmm… I make maps. I hope that's enough for introduction."

"Ah, I'm-"

"Oh, no need for your introduction, Luka. I've known you since you're an infant." Kaito said with a smile. "Though, I'm curious on your android companion." Hearing this, Miku stepped forward and took his hand.

"I'm CV01 - Miku. First unit of the CV series created in the year 2078 by Master Masuda Lily."

"Oh wow… this is a surprise indeed." he whispered slowly shaking the tealette's hands. The pink haired woman didn't know which part of Miku's introduction did surprise him. She personally found it pretty basic. But then again, she doesn't have any kind of knowledge with machineries and stuff related to it. "Nice to meet you."

"Can I ask what are you doing here?"

"Well, I'm just taking a break from my travels. There's a really comfortable room here so I decided to stay for a while. Then, like I said earlier, I heard voices so I look for the source. I believe you're here for the same reason as well, yeah?"

"Half, actually." Luka answered. "I noticed that this building is cleaner compared to the others so we decided to explore. If it's safe, I plan for us to stay here for the night."

"That's great! Come on, I'll show you to the room where I stay!"

Without waiting for any kind of reaction, Kaito turned his back on the two and started walking to the direction of 'his' room. Both Miku and Luka didn't follow him though. The android only stared at Luka, eyes asking the question if they should trust the blue haired man. As if understanding the question, Luka took a deep, shaky breath

"He… know who I am…" was the first thing she managed to say. "I don't know if it's safe to trust him or not, but I don't think I'll find another person who can tell me about my past…"

"Don't worry, Luka. I'll protect you."

"Please tell me that doesn't include any kind of destruction…"

"Of course not." and they decide to follow Kaito before he disappeared on their sight.

The room Kaito use to stay is completely different compared to any other rooms available in that floor. For starters, it has a door. It has no locks or any kind of security but just having that piece of thick metal separating the room from the hallway is already a huge difference to them. The insides, for some odd reason, are not empty unlike the others. It still has a sink with working faucet, but just next to the open window, there are two arm chairs and a small coffee table. There is also a single bed on the left but without any mattress, pillow or blanket.

"Have a seat." The man said, removing the messenger bag on one of the arm chairs.

The woman took his offer and carefully, almost hesitantly, took a seat on the armchair. It was a lot comfortable compared to the driver's seat of her Kettenkrad, was the first thing that registered on her mind. She look beside her, eyes meeting the glowing pair of teal orbs from her companion, waiting for her to take the other chair just in the front of her and experience the same amount of comfort. However, no matter how much time has passed, Miku didn't move from her spot.

"Ahh, don't worry about me, Miku. You can sit on the other chair." Kaito said as if reading the situation on hand.

"Thanks for the offer but I'm fine standing here."

"This is making me look like a bad host, you know…"

"Umm, you can seat beside me if you want." Luka interjected whatever reply Miku is about to give. Finally catching the attention of the teal haired android, who is giving her a look that spells 'how', she tap her right hand on the armrest.

She didn't need to repeat herself. Before both can even react, Luka already find the android happily seating on the armrest, one of her arms warped around her shoulders.

"She is really attached to you." Kaito comments, sitting on the other chair. "It's really surprising you know? Finding a android attached to you of all people."

There it is again. Kaito mentioning something about her that even she herself don't know. She took a gulp of air, wanting to push down her curious side for suddenly bombing him with questions. This person is someone close to her. So close that he considers her as a sister. She wonder if it's alright to drop the bomb.

Miku and Kaito are discussing about something but she cannot find herself to listen. Instead, she pretends to take interest on their conversation. One thing lead to another, and the next thing she knew is that the blue haired man opening his bag and spreading its contents on the coffee table in the front of them. Papers. Lots and lots of papers with different lines, symbols and notes.

Oh, right. He makes maps.

"Is everything alright?" Miku's voice snapped her back to reality. When she look up from the stack of papers on the table, she was greeted by two worried looks from the other occupants of the room.

"Oh… Y-yes. I'm fine."

"You want to ask him about your past?" her question made her lower her head, trying to hide her expressions under her bangs.

"Wait, what is this about Luka's past?"

"Well, its-"

"Miku." She interrupts. "I… prefer to tell it myself…"

Despite how she said to the teal haired android that she want to do it herself, she cannot find herself to do so. Her fingers fidgets while she try to find the right words to use while on the other hand, the blue haired man only stare at her, waiting for her to start her explanations. She still haven't find the courage to lift her head, but she could feel Miku shifting on her seat. Her hands later found itself atop hers, making her stop fidgeting. Taking a deep breath, trying to calm herself, she began.

"Kaito, I… don't remember anything. Who you are, who I am used to be… I don't know." She waited for a reply, wanting to know how the man will react to her words. However, all she got is silence. So much silence that she even wonder if she's really talking to someone. In what it feels like an hour, Kaito finally made a sound; a sigh.

"…How much do you remember?"

"Few weeks."

"So it's not because of the Megurines." That statement surprised her. Lifting her head, he saw him with his head resting on both hands. "Thank goodness, they didn't do anything to you."

"Kaito?"

"You know," he removed his hands revealing a rather heartwarming smile. "Just hearing you address me like that, I can already tell you don't remember me at all."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. It's not really your fault."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Can… you tell me everything? About my past… who am I?"

"I really want to say that who you used to be doesn't really matter but considering how curious you are…" he joked, leaning his back further in the chair. "…And it seems that Miku here want to know the story as well."

"I promised that we'll find everything out together." Was the tealette's retort, which made him laugh.

"I'm willing to tell you everything but I have to warn you, it's a one long story."

"It's fine." Luka replied. There's really nothing to do other than to listen to his stories to be honest. Besides, this is what she wanted from the start right? She should be fine no matter how long will it take.

Taking a deep breath, preparing himself on for what it looks like hours and hours of talking, the man stared up on the ceiling trying to recollect several events from the past.

"It all started 20 years ago. I still remember it, it was January 31st. A woman we don't know took you and your twin brother at Serenity Orphanage. Sister Yukari said that you two were only a day old, and that your biological mother died while giving birth to you. No one in town knows who your father is. We are informed that your name is Elluka Clockworker while your brother is named Lucian. Kids, especially those who are young, tend to have trouble pronouncing your names. So me and Meiko gave you the nickname Luka and Luki."

"Luki… is not normal from what we can tell. Sister Haku said he was born with a weak heart that's why he needs to see the doctor way more often than us. Because of this, you tend to get overprotective towards him. I still remember how me and Meiko leave you for an hour and the next thing we know, you're fighting over older kids just because they made fun of Luki. Or the multiple times you try to act like a spoiled brat in the front of your potential parents because you don't want to leave the orphanage without Luki. You're the loud and adventurous one while he the quiet kid who's afraid of the outside world. We sometimes wonder how you two managed to get along despite being a complete opposite of each other."

"When you reach 12, you got interested in cooking. You often ask Sister Yukari to teach you different recipes. Your passion for cooking grew so much that it comes to the point that you're the one preparing lunch for all of us. However, despite that, you're terrible at anything related to a computer. You fail to understand even the simplest computer terms and accessing the internet is already a chore to you. So imagine my surprise to find you years later traveling with a android!" that part made Miku stare at Luka, in which Luka only give her a nervous smile. "…The town was destroyed at the same year. We lost so much back then… out of everyone from the orphanage, only the four of us managed to survive. But no matter how hopeless it may seem, we still decided to stay in that place. We believed that it's not right to leave the town we love... Kind of childish if you asked me now…"

"You're 15 when the Megurine couple visited our hometown. Apparently, they saw you and Luki... where and when, me and Meiko didn't know. They are so kind to you, saying your appearance reminds them of their dead daughter. At first, we're okay with them being close to you. But the same day they left, you two disappeared as well. We got so worried, especially Meiko. She's the one closest to you aside from Luki after all. It was actually Meiko's idea to travel and find you. Me wanting to make maps only came few months after. Though, to be honest, I didn't even think I'll manage to find you."

"So… Luki disappeared with me…?" Luka asked in which Kaito only replied with a nod. "Where is he now?"

"…I don't know the answer to that, Luka. I never saw you got separated before. So seeing you without him…" He paused, watching the light bulbs on the ceiling automatically turning on to illuminate the room. "… I don't want to ask because… I'm afraid I might open up some old wounds."

Despite how Kaito worded it to be less direct as possible, Luka perfectly understands what he's meaning to say. Her hand clenched to fist, pulling the ends of her jacket in the process. She don't even know what Luki looks like but just thinking of his name followed by the word 'dead' sends pain to her heart. She feel numb. She wanted to cry. And yet, she doesn't understand why.

Beside her, the teal haired android only stared at her, sadness traced on her face. Her Master is so close, biting her lip, forcing herself not to cry, and yet, all she could do is to press her hand a top hers.

No words were said after that.

The morning came and Luka is back on her usual self. The feeling of sadness is still there, Miku can tell, but like she said, they just can't stay sad all the time. Besides, there's no proof if Luki really is dead. Maybe they just got separated and he's still alive out there somewhere.

'I mean, even I thought you're dead as well, and here you are, In the front of me with no memories but still very alive!' she remember how Kaito cheered her up.

They are now in the front of the building's entrance, the blue haired man adjusts his digital camera in atop the counter, humming on a song that neither Luka nor Miku don't recognize. The two of them just finished cleaning up their vehicle. Apparently, leaving it unattended for so long under the snowy weather is a terrible idea. Luka noted to herself to never do that again.

"All set."

"So what is this again?" the woman asked, eyeing the small blinking device on the counter.

This time, Kaito didn't answer and only ran (which earned him a raised eyebrow from Luka) towards them. He positioned himself between the two girls, wide smile on his face. The next thing she knows is Kaito's arms warped around both on hers and Miku's shoulders, pulling them as close as possible.

"Say cheese!"

"Wha-!"

CLICK!

The sound from the camera echoed in the room, confusing the already confused woman even more. The man let both of them go after the sound fades and immediately went back to the device. He slowly walk back to the direction of the two, eyes glued to the small screen behind the camera, lips pouting as he stare at the newly taken photo.

"Oh come on, Luka. I'm about to leave… can you at least smile for the camera?"

"I don't even know what that thing is. How can I smile?"

"I did explain beforehand though."

"Can I see?" Miku interrupt, hand extended in the front of her.

"Sure." He handled her the camera. "As a matter of fact, I want you to have it. I don't know how Luka can handle such little digital device."

"Hey!"

Whatever convesation they're having, Miku blocked them out. Her attention is way too focused on the image on the screen. Kaito is in the middle with the biggest smile he can have, while she's on the left side, making a small peace sign that the camera almost miss. Luka, on the other hand, were there on the other side, looking at the camera with a mixture of confusion and surprise painted on her face. It made her smile.

But what caught her attention the most is the set of numbers right on the lower right of the screen. Her smile suddenly fades the moment she realized what those numbers actually represents…

'12-06-2161, 8:38'

She spent 83 years in that capsule…

- 'Elluka Clockworker' is the name of Luka's counterpart in the Daughter of Evil light novel.

I just realized I mention a lot of names in this chapter xD

Funny story; so I was listening to some Vocaloid songs on my playlist in shuffle while writing this and when I'm reach the part where the kids want a snowman based on Kaito, the song 'Snowman' played xD

I decided to lay out all the events I planned for this story and I think this will take up to six chapters before I hit the end… unless I want to add more things to it (and completely destroy everything) …I hope I find myself motivated enough to finish all those remaining three chapters…