A/N: Yes, this story is still alive… Somewhat. I'm very sorry for the huge delay. I focused more on drawing these past few months to the point that I ignored this story every single time I open my laptop. It took me a long time to get my inspiration back, but I think I'm ready to continue this.
Her second time of getting introduced to Rin was better than the first one, Miku thought. Despite her being aware that Len should be waiting for her, the blonde pretty much ignored the time and stayed with the tealette. When she asked the blonde why, she replied with a simple 'Because I want to'. She opened a whole lot of different topic to talk about, trying to find something both she and Miku have in common. She is not showing a sign of stopping and the only thing that made her do so is when Len arrived. He said that he got tired of waiting that he had to go back just to remind Rin that they have to go. Rin, of course, didn't like the idea and the two end up bickering right in the front of Miku.
Miku didn't know what to say or do. She and Luka didn't fight like this (mainly because Luka doesn't like to argue at all) so this kind of situation is all too new for her. Len let out a sigh, obviously tired on this conversation he is having with the female blonde.
"At least you told her, right?"
"Oh yeah! I forgot about that!" and so, the bickering continues.
At this point, Miku wasn't worried if the two end up fighting physically. Rather she is worried that the volume of their voices may wake her still sleeping Master just a few meters away. Still unsure, she tried to step between them. She didn't know how but that made them stop. She later asked Len what was the thing Rin is supposed to tell her and that is already enough to divert both of the blonde's attention.
"Miku, whatever you do, do not shut your system down." He warned her.
She asked why and he pretty much avoided her eyes before starting his explanations. He said that both of them went to her lab, a fact that Miku can tell genuine since Rin had her Append outfit with her when she saw her. However, when he kept going, things begin to make sense. If a CV were to shut down, a massive amount of power is needed in order to revive the entire system. The only thing that can provide that power in this day and age is their own capsule located on their own separate laboratories.
"There's something wrong with mine?" she asked, a bit scared.
"Your Maintenance Bot is broken and beyond repair at this point. Half of the machines on your lab are pretty much dead. You cannot use both of our labs because… well, the three of us uses a different engine altogether."
"The only solution is to find someone who can repair your lab and replicate a Maintenance bot but… that's very unlikely with our situation right now."
"So… basically, what you're saying is…"
"Shutting down your system is equivalent to… dying."
Len's words echoed inside her mind multiple times, even after the two already left her. In the end, she didn't sleep at all. She just sit near Luka's sleeping form, hugging her knee's closer to her chest as she was being consumed by what her Kokoro identify as fear…
Fear… of what? Of dying?
'I'm not even awake for a whole month yet and now I found out that I can die.'
When Luka woke up (surprisingly at the exact same time even with all the events that happened last night) the first thing she noticed is Miku's new clothing. She said the exact same thing Rin said when she put it on for the first time; "It looks better than the cloak alone" and yet, Miku felt happier to hear that from her Master rather than the blonde android. Soon, the same happiness made her forget everything she just learned from Rin.
A whole lot of things happened the past few days with them meeting Kaito, Rin, and Len but their objective still managed to stay the same. Luka didn't go back. She keeps on driving forward like she usually does. Before they leave this morning, the tealette asked her Master again what she would like to do and her reply didn't change.
She didn't know.
And yet she's fine with that answer. It reminded Miku that Luka is just a traveler for the sake of surviving. She doesn't have any destination, only using her instinct and curiosity when picking the path she wants to go. Everything stayed the way they are. The only thing that changed, from what Miku can tell, is Luka's sudden fascination to photography. When she saw something that catches her eyes, she stops to take a single picture of the view she sees. At first, the teal haired android has to guide her how to use the device but as time passed by, she seems to start getting the hang of it. When she asked why she's suddenly interested on taking pictures, the woman replied that she wanted to add her own memories in that small device.
Days have passed and they finally left the city. Gone the tall building that she see almost everywhere she look and the same nothingness she began to dislike welcomed her again. No matter where she turn her head, she sees nothing more than snow covering whatever path they are traveling though. Sometimes, she wonder how Luka can tell which way is which without the use of a compass or something similar.
On the third day on the road that seems to lead to nowhere, her Kettenkrad stopped.
Some parts of it broke from the inside, and only then did Miku noticed that Luka lacked both the knowledge and the tools for the vehicle's maintenance. It didn't stop Luka from trying though. She did what she can with her very limited mechanical skills. But after two hours or so, she finally gave up. The Kettenkrad isn't even getting close to getting repaired, and with the sun already starting to set, they should be prioritizing on finding a shelter to rest for the night. So, with a deep breath, Luka began to pack all important things she had on her backpack and leave her vehicle in the middle of the road… or, as Miku worded it, them leaving their 'house'. Luka chuckled at that.
Traveling on foot is, by no surprise, way slower and more tiring than traveling with a vehicle. They took more breaks than usual, and Luka is pretty much burning her own food supply faster than before. When their first week after leaving the Kettenkrad hits, a snowstorm arrived while they're still in the road. Staying out in this weather for too long is a terrible idea; Luka was aware of that. But even though she wanted to stop, there's nothing around them that can be used as a shelter, forcing them to keep moving.
For once, Miku is the one taking the lead, traversing under the harsh weather while gripping Luka's hand. The cloak she usually wore was warped around her Master's shoulders. It wasn't thick enough to keep her warm but in a situation like this, it's the only thing the tealette have to offer as some sort of protection. The next town is still too far away from their current location and, even though she wasn't looking behind to check on Luka, she can tell how hard she is trying to keep up with her. It didn't take too long when the hand she keeps on holding tightly suddenly felt so heavy. A thud that sounded louder than the howling winds made her turn only to be greeted by Luka collapsed on the thick layer of snow.
"Luka!" Miku shouted, turning her body to check her face. Her skin is a lot paler than usual, mist forming on the front of her lips every time she exhales. Staring at her condition caused her to panic. They need to find a shelter. Fast.
She stood up in a record speed with Luka both on her arms and ran without any sense of direction. The heat that her body naturally produces wasn't enough to keep her Master warm no matter how close she hugs her especially if they're under a weather like this. She needs to do something but with nothing but piles of snow around them, she doesn't know what she could do. That until her system notifies her about something.
A signal extremely similar to Luka's. It was faint but it's still there.
Never she have thought that the one red mark on her radar will be the cause of relief and happiness. Without wasting any time, the teal haired android immediately followed the source of the signal, wishing that whoever it belonged to can help the pinkette in her arms.
The location where the signal was coming from came to a surprise for Miku. It was from a small one story building hidden under the snow. She is pretty sure that if there's no one inside, she doubt that she would discover its existence. Trying her best to stretch one of her arms without putting Luka down, Miku knocked loudly on the thick metallic door.
"Hello?! Is anyone there?! I need help, please!" She shouts even though she can tell that there is someone behind the door. To her relief, the red dot that she detects began to move right after her call.
It was a young woman, probably younger than Luka by a year or two. Her shoulder length green hair was unkempt with only the red tinted goggles keeping some strands away from her face. Her clothes were thick and worn out, just like Luka's and Kaito's. The only difference she noticed is that the woman in the front of her doesn't wear any sort of jacket at the moment.
Miku noticed the woman's surprised expression when she saw the tealette on the other side of the door. Getting a visitor at a time like this under this harsh weather is understandably surprising especially if the one knocking on the other side have eyes and ears that glow in teal and red respectively. She was about to slam the door back but stopped when her eyes dropped to the woman Miku was holding in her arms.
"What the heck!?" she shouts, rushing to the pinkette and putting two of her gloved fingers on the side of her neck. Miku only watched as the stranger examine the sleeping Luka as much as she can without removing her from her arms. "You're not supposed to bring a human outside in a weather like this and expect her to be alright!"
Immediately after saying those words, the tealette saw her spread the door open while gesturing them to come inside. To Miku, she only have one thing in mind; Luka's safety. She doesn't notice nor care how the house's interior looks like or how the temperature inside was a lot warmer compared to the bone chilling weather outside. She didn't move on her spot. Even though the woman is still a total stranger, she decided to listen to whatever she will say of that will help the woman on her arms.
"Come here." The woman instructed in which Miku followed without any kind of hesitation. She gestured Miku to follow her on a room located a few steps away from the entrance of the house. It was a bedroom, although aside from the rather empty bed covered in white bed sheets, the room has nothing else to offer.
Seeing the woman hurriedly pulling a what it looks like a change of clothes from the old backpack resting on the corner of the room, Miku gently drop the unconscious Luka on the empty bed. Numerous cloths of different shapes and sizes soon piled up beside the tealette as the still unknown woman throw them out from the bag. With how much is being pulled out, Miku have to wonder how she managed to fit all of them in such little storage.
Her thoughts however were halted when the woman sat near her master and began fidgeting with the zipper of her jacket. She immediately perked up upon noticing the action. Even though she knew that the woman will only help Luka, the teal haired android can't help it but to feel uncomfortable with the scene of someone else touching her.
"I'll be quick." The woman said as she stopped pulling down the zipper of Luka's jacket when she noticed the tealette's reaction. Refusing would put her Master's life in a greater risk, so even though she hated the feeling, Miku tried to just watch in the sides, holding back her emotions as much as she can.
Her eyes are pretty much glued on how the woman's hands work – pulling and pushing buttons and fabrics. She didn't care how nervous she is making her feel right now. All she know is she have to make sure those hands won't do any harm on her unconscious Master. The last button of shirt was done and only then did Miku notice that Luka wears a third layer of clothing. The simple cotton shirt retains its pure white color for being hidden under two layers of clothing, serving as a heavy contrast to the others, which are worn out and almost tearing apart. Just like the jacket, the pinkette's remaining top were removed and thrown with almost no care to the concrete floor.
Miku was aware of what Luka was eating during their travels. To see how thin her body wasn't a surprise at all. However, there is something else she saw on the pinkette's body that made her eyes widen.
Scars. Way too many scars covering Luka's body. Her left arm is pretty much covered by it down to her wrist and a rough patch of skin warping her sides extending to her back and, probably, her leg. Seeing as how Miku's expression suddenly changed, the woman let out a sigh, grabbing a fresh shirt from the pile she got from her bag.
"She's been through a lot huh…"
"I… didn't even know they existed…"
She didn't reply to that. Instead, she just focused putting on a new shirt on the pinkette to replace the damp ones she removed. With how Miku reacted to the scars adorning Luka's body and how she can tell that there's probably more down there, the green haired woman decided to cover Luka with two layers of blanket before replacing her pants.
"It should be enough to keep her warm for a while." She said, picking up the pinkette's clothing from the floor. "I'll hang these on the other room to dry and probably adjust the heater while I'm at it. Call me if something happens, alright."
"Thank you... um..."
"Megpoid Megumi. But you can just call me Gumi."
The woman left the room right after her introduction, leaving the teal haired android with her sleeping Master alone in the room. Now that she's sure that Luka will be alright, Miku began to examine the room and notices the things she ignored when she set her foot on the entrance.
The house was nice, although it feels a little empty due to the lack of furniture and other stuff, it was very clean in comparison to the other buildings they've been to. There's no window, as far as she could see and the humming of what she guesses as the heater Gumi mentioned, masks the sound of the howling wind outside.
It was nice, Miku thought. A place where they can stay safe. She just wish they both can live like this.
Despite Gumi said that she will only hang Luka's clothes to dry, she's taking too much time that Miku thinks she won't return unless she called her in the first place. Leaving the pinkette alone in the room in such a defenseless state is out of question, so she just closed her eyes and wait, holding one of Luka's hands with both her own.
She was about to sleep when, out of nowhere, her system suddenly alerted her of a new signal appearing on her range. A blue one. With how she is programmed, she know that all living things, whenever they are human or Burst, will appear red on her radar with the only difference is on how they act. Blue ones only appear if someone emits a signal extremely similar to her own - like Rin and Len. But to detect one right after Rin said they will return to the other side of the globe is strange indeed.
'...was there another CV we don't know about...?' Gripping Luka's hand a little tighter, she kept her focus on how this blue dot on her radar moves. When she notices it coming closer to their location, followed by the sound of the metallic door opening, she lets go of the pinkette's hand and stood up out of reflex. It's here, and it's walking closer to them.
Whispering a short "I'll be back" to Luka's ears, she carefully made her way to exit the room. It's impossible for it to be either Rin or Len specially with how both took their purpose so seriously. For them to come back and search for her for something that wasn't that important would be a total out of character for them.
Turning her head to the hallway, Miku spotted a new face and the source of the signal she was detecting.
It was a girl with red hair, standing at the same height as her. Her glowing pair of scarlet eyes were fixated on her, as if trying to examine her by her looks alone. There's no doubt, she is an android - a type of android that Miku herself cannot identify. Something inside her clicked. Even though the red-haired girl didn't show any sign of attacking, the teal haired android can't help it but to stay on the defensive side. Her eyes slowly shift to crimson-
"Error: Permission from Master Megurine Luka is required to initiate Combat Mode."
-and then reverts back to teal.
"Teto!" Miku heard Gumi shouts, snapping both androids back to reality. "At least let me know if you're already back, okay?"
"...aCknOwLeDgEd..."
"Sorry about that. I forgot to tell you I have someone with me." she said and tap Teto's shoulder. "This is Teto. I found her here when I first arrived. She's still incomplete and I agreed to fix her as much as I can, in exchange, she'll find stuff for me."
"...You found her here?"
"Yeah. believe it or not, this place is like a lab of some sort. There's a room here full of machineries and stuff." Gumi explained, letting go of the red android as she does so. "Considering that you're the same as Teto, I assume that you're interested to see it?"
"I do." Miku said, a little hesitation traced on the sound of her voice. Gumi was about to ask why but the moment she saw Miku slowly return to the room where her Master is, she began to understand why.
"I see. You're worried about her more." Gumi said as she and the red head behind her watched Miku sit on the bed without removing her gaze towards the sleeping pinkette. "What's her name again? Megu... Megu... Ruka-something."
"...You know her?"
"No, no. I just saw it on the back of the pendant she wore. I assumed it's her name."
The teal haired android didn't say anything else, letting the silence fill the room. Looking back, Gumi noticed how Teto stares at Miku. Her face shows no emotions, but she can tell how curious the android is getting, considering there is another one of her kind right in the front of her, acting as humane as anyone can imagine. She have a trouble voicing her thoughts, so instead, the woman sighed and decided to ask her for her sake.
"Say, um... What's your serial number?" Gumi asked, causing Miku to remove her gaze towards Luka. Immediately, as if she was programmed to do so, the tealette stood up from her seat and extended her hand in the front of her.
"I'm CV01, Miku. First unit of the CV series created in the year 2078 by Master Masuda Lily." she introduced herself in a well-ordered manner as if she practiced it for so long.
"Wait! C-CV01? As in THE CV01!?"
"Yes...?" Miku answered, confused by Gumi's reaction. Looking at Teto, she noticed how her eyes widen as well. If she recall correctly, even Kaito was surprised when she told him about her serial number. The same reaction from Gumi and Teto made the tealette wonder what the humans think of her. "I'm sorry if it took me this long to introduce myself despite helping Luka."
"No no! I don't mind! I don't mind at all!" she then stared at pinkette sleeping in the bed. "Man, if we're a few years back, she would be famous as heck!"
"Gumi-san, I'm rather confused." She slightly tilts her head to her side as she spoke. "Aside from Luka, you are the second human I met during our travels but the two of you share the same surprised reaction when I revealed my name."
"…She's not aware of it? Luka, I mean."
"Luka lost her memories days prior our meeting."
"Ahh…" Gumi scratched her cheek at the revelation. "Well, you see, Rin and Len are the only known machines that can effectively fight Burst. So naturally, they are pretty well known. Their serial numbers are 'CV02' and 'CV03' respectively, making people wonder if there is a 'CV01'. They say that a search was done to find you, the CV01, but it was cancelled because… well, the war goes out of control and humanity was reduced by a large number. It was a very old story, but everyone heard it at least once in their lifetime."
This is the first time Miku heard of such a thing. She was never aware that she, of all things, is the topic for humans to discuss for so many years. Her gaze dropped to Luka. If what Gumi said was true, then she was once aware of who or what she is made for. If so, Miku can't help but to wonder what it would be like if she met Luka with her memories intact. Will she be delighted? Intrigued? Scared? Will they still end up traveling aimlessly together? Or will Luka use her for something more than a companion?
The teal haired android was so lost with the thought that she forgot one important thing on the different scenarios in her head. Right… If Luka didn't lose her memories, chances are they will never meet in the first place. She would be aware of her goal - her destination – assuming she had one to begin with. Discovering her lab was never really Luka's intention. It was a complete accident due to her overly curious mind. If things were different, Luka would probably end up traveling alone, looking for her brother or something similar, while she will still be asleep inside that capsule hidden in the deepest part of Lily's laboratory, waiting for someone to discover her chambers.
She shouldn't be thinking about it, but she was glad things end up the way they are.
The sound of gunshots rang on her ears, alerting her of her current surroundings.
The walls, the ceiling, the furniture around the room, the smell of gunpowder lingering in the air. It's all too familiar. Although her mind is a bit foggy, she could tell that she have been here before. A rather old man appeared on her vision, kneeling in the front of her without her noticing his presence. She could feel the thick and slightly heavy fabric brush on her arm as the old man warp it around her. A military jacket. It was worn out but surprisingly it feels warm when she puts it on.
"Listen, Elluka." The man began, catching her attention. "There is a Kettenkrad waiting for you at the back. You do remember your training well, right?"
Training? What Training?
She wasn't given a chance to ask the question as the old man stood up and walk closer to the other occupant in the room that she failed to notice. A young man sitting right beside her. His hair have the exact same shade as hers and she cannot deny both of them share the same face.
"Lucian may look well right now, but he's still recovering. Traveling for too long can strain his body. I know you are aware of this, Elluka but-"He paused as he grabbed one of her hand and placed a single key atop her palm."-he will have to rely to you on everything from now on."
"We won't leave." The young man beside her suddenly spoke, catching her attention. His expressions were so serious, showing no signs of fear despite the very loud gunshots and explosions right outside the house. However, the cracking of his voice made it clear how much he is holding his tears. "I know we made a plan to escape but not like this!"
"We cannot escape all together, Lucian. It's better this way." At this point, she was so lost at what's happening. She knew that she have seen this before and yet she found herself confused on what's going on. "Listen carefully, you two… Once you leave the border, go north."
Those words surprised the woman. Ever since she first woke up, she was never aware of what she should do. She wakes up only to survive. To hear that at least, in these weird dreams she was having, she can find out her original destination. The reason that made her a traveler in the first place. She turned to the old man, questions ready to be asked. But before her words can even leave her mouth, she noticed how their surroundings began to turn white.
"WAIT!" She shouts as she stood up from her seat. Despite how much her voice echoes around the room, both of the two occupants didn't show any kind of reaction. They stay in their spot not giving a single care of how she reacts. The old man's mouth moves, but just like her previous dream, no matter how hard she listens, his words never reached her ears. "At least let me hear it, please!"
Her pleads were never answered. Instead, the world around her starts to fade. She began to panic. Not only is the house starting to fade but the two other occupants of the room began to blur as well.
"What…er you… do… do…n't… go... back…" It was the last thing she heard before the void swallows her whole.
When Luka opened her eyes, she was greeted by the sight of an unfamiliar ceiling. She didn't recall them taking a shelter under that massive snowstorm, let alone finding one, so waking up under a roof caught her by surprise.
'Where am I…?' she mentally asked as she let out a shaky breath.
Despite only waking up for God knows how long, her body still feels heavy. Not to mention, the very soft fabrics placed atop her and the warm temperature feels really relaxing; she just wants to close her eyes and indulge on this rare comfort-
Then she recalled her dream.
If she remembered correctly, it was the second time she had the same dream. Although she pretty much forgot what they are talking about inside her dream, the pinkette is pretty sure that this time, they are talking about a certain place - Her original destination even.
"North huh… Do I still want to go there…?"
Completely ignoring the protest of her whole body to move, she sits up, pushing away the numerous blankets hugging her entire body. Upon moving away some of the fabrics, she noticed the clothes she was wearing.
Instead of her usual military jacket or the dark green shirt she wore underneath, she is currently wearing a white button up shirt. The size is way too big for her – she could literally hide her hands on the sleeves and, even though she's not standing, Luka could tell that the shirt will end around her thigh area. Staring down, she saw that her pants was also replaced by a rather tight-fitting pair of shorts. The sight of the rough patch of skin on her thigh that the shorts failed to cover made her bite her lower lip. She doesn't remember where she got all these scars, but she dislikes seeing any of them in their full glory. She wishes that the shirt is long enough to hide it.
"Luka!" Before the pinkette could even react to her name being called, a pair of arms warped around her shoulders as the familiar warmth began to envelop her. "I'm so glad you're finally awake!"
"You might knock her out again if you keep holding her like that."
"Ah!" The arms around her immediately loosen, giving the pink haired woman a moment to examine her surroundings. Beside her is her teal haired companion, sitting on the bed she is currently occupying. Her face shows a expression of great relief as she place one of her hands atop her own. Behind her was a woman she doesn't know, sitting on a small wooden chair right next to the bed.
"Hold on, I'm gonna get you something to drink." The woman said as she stood from her seat and ran to the other room.
"…Where… are we…?" Luka voiced her thoughts aloud, in which she instantly regrets when she realizes how dry her throat feels.
"Where at Gumi-san's house."
'House…'
"You collapsed on the road two days ago. I found and followed her signal and ask if she could help you."
"Two-?!" She gasped, not knowing what to say. Two days… She was out cold for two days. She looked at Miku again, imagining how she keep up with those days she missed. Knowing how overprotective the android can be when it comes to her safety, the pink haired woman can already see Miku ignoring her wants to explore her new surroundings (which is 'Gumi's house') and stayed beside her until she woke up.
It made her a little guilty inside.
Now that she think about it, how much freedom does Miku have in the first place? She never understood nor question how the 'Master' relationship work. All she know about it is that Miku considers things she says as commands and she follows all of it no matter what they are.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." The woman returned, handling Luka a cup filled with warm water.
"Thank you…"
"Megpoid Megumi. But please just call me Gumi."
"Megurine Luka." She took Gumi's stretched hand and give it a single shake before she took a sip on the water in the cup. It was surprisingly sweet, although not too much but it was still noticeable. The pinkette stared at the rather cloudy water inside the cup while slowly smacking her lips.
"Oh, I mixed in some sugar on it. I heard it's good to give something sweet to those who passed out in a cold." Getting no respond from either of the two occupants in the bed, Gumi waved one of her hands in the front of her. "Y-you don't have to worry about it! I know sugar are rare these days but Teto bought like a pack of them and I don't know what to do with them! It's totally fine!"
"No, its not that." She took another sip of the sweetened water. "The taste just took me by surprise. Thank you."
"You're welcome." Gumi pulled the wooden closer as she return on her previous seat. "So, where did you two come from?"
"Hmm… I don't really know…" Her answer made Miku turn her head to her. To think that someone like Luka, who she thinks have a good sense of direction for completely avoiding south every time she travels, don't know where they came from. "There's a city; a really big one. It took us weeks of driving to find the exit."
"Ahh… must be the one from the west. Teto mentioned it a lot." She replied, staring at the ceiling. "Lucky. I'm from the south."
"S-south…?"
"Guess even for those who have memory loss are aware what's up with the south, huh."
"Someone advised us not to go there."
"You should follow their advice then. South isn't a very good place. Although there are more people there traveling in group, Burst are always following their tracks. It's much, much better traveling alone than with group." Memories of her days as one of those travelers began to flood back on Gumi's mind. She took a shaky breath, trying her best to suppress all the bitter memories. "Say, you said you are CV01, right Miku?" She asked, in which Miku confirmed with a nod. Even without letting the green haired woman finish what she is trying to say, Luka can already guess where this conversation is going. "Tell me, why do you travel?"
There it is. Gumi asked the question she knew she was going to ask. The pinkette's grip on the cup tighten as she think of a proper way to answer. With how Gumi react while telling where she came from, and the knowledge on what Miku actually is, she could already see how the other woman want her to answer.
"I…" She couldn't find her voice. "I don't know…" Luka said, a bit scared of her answer.
"Gumi-san, I appreciate that you let us stay for two days and help Luka when she needed it the most." Miku spoke when she finally recognized the situation. "But I disapprove guilt-tripping my Master for not using me for my intended purpose. I know Rin and Len are not enough to fight every single Burst out there and I know I can help them at any time. However, Luka is still my Master. Whatever she wants to do, wherever she wants to go, I'll stay with her even if others say I shouldn't."
"Miku…"
"…Sorry." Is what Gumi can say. "It came out wrong. I'm sorry."
"I-It's alright."
"We are pretty much in a same page, you know… I mean, I have Teto too, the only difference is Teto is still incomplete. To be fair, if I ever complete Teto, I don't know if I want her to go and fulfill her purpose or to have her stay with me."
"Who's Teto?"
"She's an android too, just like Miku. As much as I want to introduce her to you as well, she is currently asleep. You should too. I know you just woke up, but it's nighttime right now. You can leave tomorrow if you want, but you're also free to stay for another day or two; I wouldn't mind." Gumi said with a smile as she prepares to leave the room. "Oh and one more thing-" She stopped walking when she reached the door frame. Turning back, she gave Miku a knowing look. "Miku, I'll take my payment tomorrow."
And with that, she left the two alone in the room.
Once Gumi is out of sight, the pinkette turned to Miku, wanting to know what the other woman meant. To her surprise, Miku is avoiding her gaze – something she never knew the android could do. The cup of water on her hands were now forgotten, Luka inched closer to the other girl sitting on the bed, trying to get a glimpse of her expression.
"Miku?" she called, in which the android responds by flinching a little. "What is it?"
"I-" the tealette stuttered, not knowing how or even where to begin. She took a deep breath, causing both the light on her ears and her left thigh blink twice, she slowly faced her Master. "Luka, I agree to let her take a peek on my system."
"…You what?"
"It's a little risky. Teto did warn us that if we're not careful enough, there is a chance that I'll get infected." Her glowing pair of teal eyes met her ocean blue ones. Although she could see how her Master is trying her best to warp the information on her head, she can easily tell how concerned she was despite not completely understanding the situation. "Teto is incomplete. She was built by Sir Leon, Master Lily's assistant, therefore; the two of us share almost the exact same system. Gumi-san needed a basis on how to fix her and I volunteered to help."
"…By risking yourself? Is that it?"
"No! There's another reason Luka." She said. "When Len checked my system few weeks ago, he sent me a message, Luka. A message addressed to you. Specifically, to Elluka Clockworker." The mention on the name made the pinkette's loosen her grip on the cup she was holding. When Miku saw how the liquid is threatening to spill to the bedsheets, she immediately reached out and hold it firmly between her hands. "I know I should have said this earlier but, to actually show you the message, we need a working computer. I know how your curiosity could affect you; I don't want you to change your goals just because I hold a message for your past self from someone Len don't even know. But the moment I saw a working computer in this house, I wanted to deliver it to you… and this is the only way I know to ask Gumi-san to let me use it without feeling guilty for everything she have already done."
"You don't have to do it, Miku. If it means risking your safety, I rather not open it at all."
"Luka, you don't understand…" her grip on the pinkette's hands tighten as the same emotion her Kokoro identify as grief began to take over once more. Her sudden change of emotions caught Luka by surprise. She never expects that the android she knew for giving her a smile every single time she looks at her will show her an expression that makes her look like she's ready to cry at any given moment.
"Miku…?"
"I opened the message, Luka… Since it's inside me, I can open it and view it as if it's from my memory… I can't show it to you without Gumi-san's help, but please believe me when I say you have to see this message… It's… something you should know…"
None of the two said a single word after that. Aside from the low humming noise from the heater on the ceiling and the faint sound of howling wind from the outside, there are not other sound can be heard from the room. The pinkette was the first one to move. She slowly pulled her hands away from Miku's grip; an action that caused the said android to flinch. Sighing, Luka set the now lukewarm cup of water on the chair beside the bed and warped her arms around the tealette's shoulders. She don't know if this will work – considering that Miku is never a human in the first place - but just by looking at her face, she couldn't help it but to give her a hug.
"I believe you." She said, stroking her long teal hair. "I'll let Gumi look inside you or whatever it is. But once something happens, I want you to stop immediately, okay?"
"…Command received." Despite how Miku said it in her monotone voice, she slowly warped her arms around her Master's back, returning the hug.
When Gumi checked both Miku and Luka in their room the next morning, she nearly dropped Luka's newly washed clothes to the floor when she saw them. Sure, she was aware of how much the teal haired android care about the pink haired woman, judging by how she talks about her when the other was unconscious, but she never expected them to be this close.
On the bed, Luka was asleep - covered by all the soft blankets she allowed her to use on her stay. On the other hand, Miku was sitting on the same bed, back pressed against the headboard as she let the pinkette use her lap as a pillow. Upon closer look, she could see how the android hold her Master's hands as she sleeps.
"Oh wow." She whispered to herself.
Unfortunately for her, that was already enough to wake Miku up. All the lights located on her body began to flash in teal, followed by green, before she finally opened her eyes. She stayed unmoving in that position for a good three seconds before her eyes start to focus and her expression return to normal.
"Ahh, Gumi-san." She greeted the woman standing in the front of the door with a smile. "Good morning."
"Good morning. It's the first time I saw an android waking up. Does it usually take you that fast to start up?"
"Normally yes. It takes longer if I detect something out of ordinary."
"You also do a system scan in that short amount of time? Wow…"
"Anyways, is there anything you need, Gumi-san?"
"Oh," She showed Miku the dry clothes she was carrying on her arms. "Was supposed to give this back but since Luka's still asleep, I'll just leave it here instead."
"Thank you. I'll tell her when she woke up." The teal haired android watched Gumi place the clothes atop the chair not too far from the bed. She noticed her peeking on the contents of the cup nearby before lifting it from where it is placed. "Gumi-san…"
"Hmm?"
"…Can we start when Luka wakes up?" She asked, making Gumi lift her head to stare at her. The other woman noticed the sad expression on her face, making her wonder what's really going on with the android.
"Yeah." Is the only thing she could muster. "Miku, if it bothers you too much, we can cancel it. I mean, I still got those blueprints to guide me."
"No. I'm fine. I'll do it."
"You sure? I don't want to force you or anything-"
"It's okay, Gumi-san." She said, making the other woman sigh in defeat.
"Alright. Once she wakes up and you're ready, just come to Teto's room. I'll be there preparing some stuff." And with that, she leave the two of them alone in the room.
Miku only stared at the exit of the room, hoping that she didn't sound too pushy on the other woman. She really want Luka to hear out the contents of the message Len sent to her but she doesn't want to push Gumi into her plans. After all, if something happened to her, Gumi would be the one responsible for it. She made a mental note of apologizing to her later – probably before they start the process.
Her thoughts were halted the moment she felt some movement on her thigh. Looking down, she noticed the pinkette slowly rubbing her eyes.
"Good morning. How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay." Luka replied, followed with a yawn. "What was that?"
"Oh. You heard about that?"
"A little."
"Gumi-san said that we can see her at Teto's room when we're ready. She also brought your clothes. You can change to them before we go if you want."
Luka only nods in reply to Miku's suggestions. She carefully removed the blanket covering her body before she stood up, leaving the teal haired android alone in the bed. Spotting the familiar military uniform placed on the lone chair in the room, as well as her backpack leaning in the wall next to the door frame, she began to slowly unbutton the oversized shirt she is wearing.
Miku stared at her Master as she does her business. Although she know she isn't supposed to look ('humans tend to get embarrassed when it comes to things like these.'), she couldn't help but to stare at the pinkette as she slowly work though the fabrics covering her body. The final button came undone, and the white shirt slides down from her shoulders, giving Miku a front view seat of her Master's backside. Although her long, unkept hair is pretty much hiding a large portion of her back, Miku could still see how much the rough patch of skin covers the entire area. The size of it is too big, even extending to her midriff area and, from the looks of it, her thighs as well. She wonder just what on earth did fall down to her Master in order for her to get such-
"…Miku…" Luka called, snapping Miku from her thoughts. "…Can you stop staring at me like that, please? …I know you don't consider yourself as a human but …It's still… embarrassing…"
"Ah, yes, of course!" the teal haired android caught a glimpse of her Master's red face. So instead of continuing to stare at her, she turned around to face the nearby wall and wait. When the rustling sound of fabrics stopped, she turned around to see Luka on her usual clothing minus the jacket.
It didn't take them too long, but once Luka is finally ready, Miku guided her to Teto's room. The house is pretty small and very straight forward. There are only three rooms – four if they count the tiny little bathroom near the entrance. One is the one they are currently using, one that, from the looks of it, Gumi uses as some sort of storage for all the broken machineries she collected, and the last is the brightest room in the entire house located in the very end of the hallway. With the layout of the house, figuring out which one is Teto's room isn't that hard even without her companion guiding her.
The two of them arrived at the entrance of the bright room, only to be greeted by Gumi who's busy preparing some unknown stuff in the computer. Teto was the first who noticed their presence and immediately walked in the front of Luka and bowed.
"i hOpE YoU'rE fEeLiNg wElL." she said in a broken voice that caught Luka in surprise. "i'M UTAU PrOtoTYpE nUmBEr 001 – tEtO. pLeAsED tO bE At yOuR SErViCe, lUkA-sAn."
"You're here." Gumi said, standing up from her seat. "Ahh, sorry, this is how Teto speaks. I'm still figuring out how her vocal cords works. Anyways, you didn't take long to prepare at all. You sure you're ready for this? I mean, I'm still inexperienced and things may get ugly…"
"Gumi-san, I apologize if this may feel like I'm forcing you to do this, but I'm fine." Miku sighed before she glance at Luka. "I'll be fine." Despite the tealette's words, Gumi's gaze shifted to Luka, as if asking is she is okay with all of these. She never get the chance to explain to her what their plan is (she hope Miku did), so it took her by surprise when the pink haired woman gave her a nod in approval.
Letting out a sigh, Gumi instructed Miku to stand on a metallic platform right beside the computer. Teto was assisting her on how and what program to actually prepare to see what kind of files and programs does a living, breathing CV have inside. On the other hand, Luka was just there, standing behind Gumi, watching every single window that pops up in one of the old screens of the computer. She have a single pack of ration on her hand that Miku insisted her to eat, but at this point, she is too nervous that she forgotten about it completely.
"All set." Gumi's voice snapped both of them back to reality. "We're going to plug the cables now, Miku."
Taking Miku's nod as a sign of her approval, Teto tilted her head to the side to locate the port in one of her earpiece before she finally plug it in. Like before, Miku's vision were blocked by the numerous pop ups trying to scan the new device. However, unlike the previous one, she noticed that the scan took 10 seconds longer compared to how it scanned Len's. Could it be because her system considered Gumi's computer as a threat…?
"Woah…" When her vision finally cleared, the first thing she saw is Gumi's amazed reaction and the worried look of her Master.
"Miku, are you alright?"
"I'm okay."
"You look like you blanked out for a second there. It's kinda scary though."
Despite she have never gave Gumi the permission to access everything on her mind, she could tell that the other woman is still satisfied on what she is currently seeing on the screen. She could hear her hum and occasionally whisper 'I see' while scratching her chin. Her gaze suddenly shifted to Luka, only to find her ignoring what the green haired woman was staring and is currently focused to her and her alone.
"Gumi-san." The teal haired android called. "Before I grant you some access, can I request one thing?"
"…Huh? You're letting me see more?"
"It's… necessary for my request…"
"Well, I mean… Sure? What is it?"
Miku let out a deep breath, trying to ignore her Kokoro when the same feeling of grief starts to take over her mind again. "I want to send you a file. Can you please open it before we continue?"
"Sure. Go ahead."
The permission is given, and the same feeling of being exposed that she detest is there again. From her angle, she cannot really see what's part of her mind is currently displayed on the screen or how it actually look like. But from what she can hear from Gumi, and the slight widening of Teto's eyes, she guessed it's something far bigger than what they ever imagine. Wanting to get this part over with, she immediately searched for the memory file Len sent her and began it's transfer to the woman's computer.
"'File:CV03'? What is this?"
"This is it." She started, looking directly at her Master. "This is the message addressed to you, Luka. Please remember, after you hear what it says, I want you to know that I'm here for you."
The room went silent right after Miku said those words. Even though that Gumi have absolutely no idea what's going on, she could sense the heavy atmosphere starting to build up in the small room they are in. She looked at Miku, then to Luka only to notice how the two completely ignore her presence and way too focused on whatever it is that they have in their minds.
"Open it, please…" Luka finally breaks the silence with her shaky voice.
Once the file is done transferring, she opened it like what the other two occupants of the room wanted. It was a video file from what she could see, but unfortunately, her computer is too outdated to play the actual video recorded by something so advanced as a CV. In the end, she could only get the audio going and hopes that that alone is enough for Luka to understand the context of the message is.
"Ten years…" The recording is already on it's seven second mark before they finally heard someone spoke. The voice wasn't that clear but both Miku and Luka can recognize Len's voice. "…If I didn't find Elluka Clockworker in ten years, I'll have to delete the message…"
"That's fine…" An unknown voice of a man replied. From the sound of it, he was very weak – almost like he is in a verge of death. To Luka, it was the first time she heard that voice, however, some part of her recognizes it all too well.
"…You can say it now."
"Thank you, Len…" There was a slight pause before they could hear the man take a sharp inhale. "…Hey, Luka-nee… I'm sorry… I… I broke our promise… I… I was never a fast runner… they got me…" upon hearing it, the pink haired woman dropped the packed of ration she was holding, and tears began to form on her eyes.
"I never… got a chance to repay you… for everything… from the beginning, you always… Argh… You always think of me… before you think of the things you want… I want to… at least do something to thank you for that… I'm sorry… I… I hope you're safe… Luka-nee… I hope…. You weren't waiting for me… I hope…" he paused for a second before he continues. " …I hope you're exploring the world… Meeting different kinds of people… finding out what the sea looks like… what the forest looks like… finding out how… accurate they described it in the books I always read for you… I hope… You're doing all the things you like to do… not waiting for someone who will never come…"
"Ahh… it's… getting harder to see… Luka-nee… I'm sorry… I… I have… to leave… I… hope… you won't… blame yourself again… for losing… another… fa… mi… ly…"
With a click, the recording ends leaving a heavy atmosphere around the room. No one dared to break the silence; all of them are concerned about the pink haired woman standing frozen on her spot. Gumi was the first one to move. She turns her body to face Luka, her movement caused the chair to be pushed back a few centimeters with a brief screech.
"…When…?" is the only thing Luka managed to say.
"December 2nd… three days before we met Kaito…"
Even though she cannot confirm it, nor she remembers it, Luka is sure that the man on the other side was her brother. The void in her memory is still there but she cannot help it but to feel a sharp pain on her chest while listening to his message. It confuses her. To her, Luki is just a stranger that, according to Kaito, is her brother. Aside from the younger pictures of them that she saw in Meiko's camera, she have no idea what he looks like or who he really is for that matter.
…So why does it hurt so much?
Suddenly, it felt so hard to breathe. Her chest feels heavy, she wanted to be alone – she wanted to leave. With a shaky breath, and completely ignoring how the water blurs her vision, she ran away. She doesn't care where her feet will take her, all she knows is she wanted to run.
"LUKA!" Miku shouts, wishing that her voice is enough to make her stop. Unfortunately for her, it wasn't as she watched the pink haired woman bolts out of the door. The tealette ignored the uncomfortable feeling of her mind being connected to something else. Her Master is leaving, and she needs to chase after her – fast. As she stepped away from the metallic platform she was currently standing on, the cord that connects her mind and the computer fell off without her disconnecting from it.
"SYSTEM ERROR!" those words appeared in red, covering her entire vision, forcing her to freeze from her spot.
"Miku?! Teto, follow her, quick!"
"Attempting repairs. Please standby…"
"…tsu…" She could hear a voice. A voice she failed to recognize.
Upon opening her eyes, the huge error message already disappeared, replaced by a sight of a room covered by white tiles from the floor and walls, while the ceiling is way too bright for her liking. It confused Miku at the sight of her surroundings. Few seconds ago, she was in Teto's room, her mind connected on the computer that Gumi operates. To find herself suddenly in alone in a white room is a complete mystery.
'A memory file…?'
Turning her head to her side, she began to examine the area. It took her a second, but she finally noticed the flames surrounding her. Different metals parts that are either broken or completely shattered to pieces scattered on the floor not too far from where she is standing. There are also two men lying face down on the floor; both of them wearing the same white lab coat with thick red liquid staining the tiles under their unconscious bodies.
"What's going on?" she asked but her words never left her mouth. Raising one of her hands on her eye level, she noticed the absence of her clothes and…
The same red liquid covers her entire arm.
"…Hatsune… I order you to stop…"
"Corrupt Memory File detected." it was the last thing she heard. Before she knew it, she was back at Teto's room with Gumi right in the front of her.
"You okay? You suddenly stopped moving out of nowhere there."
Miku didn't answer her question. Her mind is too busy trying to figure out what it is that she just saw. It was… it was a… What was it again? It shouldn't be possible for her to forget something so bizarre. Was it one of the Memory File that her previous Master altered before she undergoes her update?
"Miku?" Gumi's voice snapped her back to reality. Right. It's just a Memory that her previous master wants her to forget. It wasn't that important. Right now, she need to see Luka.
"Luka… where's Luka?"
"She's on my room now. Teto managed to catch up with her before she could run further." She replied with a sigh. "Miku, I think we should stop here. Luka… Is still trying to accept the news while you, I don't know what happened to you, but that scares the heck out of me. I know you wanted to help, so you could repay me or something, but this is more than enough."
"I think so too."
"I never really need it that badly." She said with a sigh. "Though you look so desperate that I cannot say no to it…"
"I'm sorry."
"Hey, Miku, you should go and see Luka. Like I said, she's still having a hard time accepting it, and she needs someone to support her at least. As much as I wanted to, I can't. I only knew her last night, and even then, I said something that shouldn't be said. I'm not the right one she needs right now."
With only a soft thank you as a respond, she bolts out of the room leaving Gumi alone. Being left with no one else around her, her mask finally crumbles. This wasn't the first time she saw someone lose a person so important to them. She came from the south of all places – a part of the country infamous for having so many Burst wandering around. It hurts to see the same scenario every time. And it hurts her more that she doesn't know what to do or say to the one being left behind.
Unlike the door in the entrance of the house, the room that Gumi let them use was door less. It still have some hinges on the door frame, hinting that at one point, there is an actual door there separating the room from the hallway. Because of it, when the tealette arrives in the front of the room, she immediately saw Luka, sitting on the floor with her back pressed on the edge of the bed, burying her face on her knees. Teto is standing beside her. Although the red-head doesn't word it, Miku could tell that the only reason why Teto is there is to make sure she wouldn't run again.
She entered the room and gave the other android a nod, requesting her to leave the two of them alone for a time being. With a simple 'excuse me' on her broken voice, the red-haired android left the two on their own. Aside from the occasional sniffle from Luka, there are no other sound to be heard from both of them. Miku was the first to move, sitting right next to her Master and gently pat her head like what she always does to her.
"…Why?" Luka finally spokes with her muffled voice. "…Why does it hurt so much? I never even met him but…"'
"It's…"
"…Is this how it feel to lose someone Important?"
"…"
"…Will you feel the same way in the future?" Luka finally lifts her head to look at Miku with her tear stained face right after she ask that question. Miku's eyes widen when it hit her what is her master is trying to say. No matter how much she is tied with Luka just because she is her Master, doesn't mean that they will never be separated. Miku was aware of this since the very beginning; ever since Lily gave her final command.
They are different; Luka is a living, breathing human while she is a machine. She is built to last long, to be able to do her purpose for centuries if she wasn't reckless. She can and will outlive Luka no matter how much she hates it. Time is not something she could stop. Somewhere in the future, she will feel exactly what Luka is feeling right now. And even though her Master just found out she lost someone (supposed to be) so important to her, she is still thinking of her companion.
She smiled. To Luka's surprise, Miku gave her a smile. Not the usual contagious jolly smile that she always makes, but a rather sad smile. The tealette lifts her arms, slowly warping it around her body.
"I'll be fine." She whispered on her ear while rubbing her back. "We'll be fine."
Warped by the familiar warmth that she begin to love, the pinkette hugged her back as she continue to cry on her shoulders.
"Are you sure you wanted to leave?" Gumi asked the next day as the four of the stood right outside the house.
The storm already calmed down some time yesterday, and for the first time, Miku is able to see the clear blue sky. It was beautiful, she thought. So bright, so warm, a complete contrast to the dark and cloudy weather she always experienced ever since she stepped out of her lab. Though, even they could manage to see their surrounding much clearer now due to the sunlight, the teal haired android still couldn't see a glimpse of the next city. And with how thick the snow is thanks to the previous snowstorm, and the absence of the Kettenkrad, she realized how difficult their future travels may be.
"Yesterday was… Well…" she rubbed the back of her neck, not sure on how to word it properly. "You can stay longer if you wanted. It's the only thing I know to help."
"I'm okay, Gumi." Luka said with a smile. "I already stayed far too long. I don't want to intrude even longer."
"Nonsense! You're not intruding or anything! But then again, if you really want to leave, then I should respect it. I just wanted to make sure you're ready both physically and emotionally before you go."
"Thank you for your concern, Gumi." The pink haired woman said, her smile slowly fading as she does so. "To be honest, it still hurts. Part of me don't want to accept it but…" She looks up in the sky. "…With how Luki worded it, he'll be pretty upset if he found out that I stop moving forward just because of him. I don't remember who he is, yet, at the same time, I don't want to upset him either."
"What do you want to do now?"
Gumi's question caught Miku's attention. She once asked Luka the same question before, twice if she recalled, and in both situations, the pink haired woman gave her the same answer. She wanted to know, if in this circumstance, her answer will remain the same or will it change entirely.
"I want to go north." She said with eyes still fixated in the sky. Unknowingly to them, Miku smiled at her reply. "I have a dream that I was told to go there. I don't know why, but I want to find out…"
"Good luck then. I know it's not advisable to go back, but if you ever do, come visit us again, okay? You're free to stay even if I'm not here!"
"Thank you, for everything. For taking care of me and for letting me hear Luki's final words. And sorry for all the trouble we caused."
"Don't worry about it. I don't really mind."
Giving one last goodbye to both Gumi and Teto, Luka turned around, preparing to leave with Miku taking the lead. Once again, they're back on the road. Unlike before, there is somewhere she wanted to go. There's a destination that she wanted to reach. Despite staying in Gumi's house for only three days, to Luka, it felt like she hasn't been in the road for too long. It feels great. Lifting her head up in the sky, she recalled what Gumi said before her depart and smiled to herself.
It feels nice… to know that there's a place you could come back to.
- Teto is supposed to be incomplete (as in she's not operational yet) and Gumi is trying to finish her. I changed it while writing the last part, which is the reason why she's barely there in this chapter.
- Also, Teto and Gumi's roles were changed 5 times while I'm writing this…
Is this a filler? I tried my best to make it look less like a filler. My original plan for this chapter (which was written like a year ago) makes every single event here feel unnecessary (except the Rin Len part in the beginning.) It was so bad that if I skip this, nothing will change at all in the future chapters. In the end, I keep rewriting scenes until it finally made some sort of impact to the story.
…Though, I gonna admit, this turned out to be a lot heavier than what I expected. I hope I managed to deliver it properly…