Chapter 4: Family Matters
1
Kagamine got up early in the morning to use the restroom. They washed their face with a warm cloth as they looked up at the mirror.
"Such soft towels!" Rin said, looking up at the mirror.
"I know, they feel so nice!" Len said, as Kagamine looked into the mirror.
"I hope Miku is okay..." Rin said.
"Yeah, me too." Len said. "We should check on her!"
"Good idea!" Rin said.
Rin decided to head to the kitchen for a drink of water, however, upon entering the kitchen, they saw MEIKO at the kitchen sink. She was pouring out a large bottle of sake into the sink. Rin was curious, yet unsure of what to think of it. She knew MEIKO practically lived off sake. Why was she pouring it out? Rin thought. Rin slowly and quietly walked away. MEIKO turned around and thought she heard someone in the kitchen with her.
Rin went back into her room.
"Len!" Rin said, as she walked into the room. Len walked toward her from the door.
"What's up?" Len said.
"Uh... I just saw something weird happen, just now." Rin announced.
"What was it?" Len asked.
"Well... I saw Meiko pour out a large bottle of sake in the sink..." Rin said. "It was weird."
"Maybe she finally had sex?" Len suggested, as he chuckled.
"Len!" Rin yelled. "This is serious!"
"What?" Len said. "What else do you think she did to just all the sudden want to stop drinking?"
"I don't know." Rin admitted. "But, it had to have been important, right?"
"Maybe it is serious, you should check on it!" Len suggested.
"Maybe, but what would you say?" Rin asked. "What if I say something that would piss her off, you know how she is when she's angry!"
"Calm down, Rin." Len said. "Did she look upset to you?"
"I don't think so." Rin replied.
"Do you want me to check?" Len asked.
"Okay." Rin responded.
Len walked out, switched out with Rin, and headed out the door.
Len went into the kitchen. MEIKO wasn't there, but he saw about three bottles stuffed into the trash can beside the refrigerator. She was serious. Len thought to himself. What is she up to? Len decided to go check up on MEIKO, assuming she was back in her room. He walked down the hallway, quietly as he walked up to the furthest door from their room. He entered MEIKO's room, as he slowly opened the door.
MEIKO saw Len walking into her room.
"Morning." MEIKO said.
"Morning." Len said. "What are you up too?"
"Spring cleaning." MEIKO said, as she was cleaning up her room, with a garbage bag in her hands.
"It's June!" Len argued.
"It's just an expression Kagamine." MEIKO said, as she sighed.
"Oh." Len said. "I saw you in the kitchen!"
"Yeah?" MEIKO said.
"What were you doing?" Len asked.
"Cleaning up doesn't just mean picking up garbage or putting things away." MEIKO said. "It also means cleaning up myself as well."
"Are you sick?" Len continued.
"I was." MEIKO said.
"Was it because of Miku?" Len continued.
"Look, I'm rather busy right now." MEIKO said plainly. "I will explain everything later on after dinner, okay?"
"Okay?" Len said.
"Okay, just make sure you behave yourself." MEIKO requested. Len was unsure of what to say after that, besides leaving the room. He was confused, and went back to their room. Before he made it to the door, remembered to check on Miku. He turned back to the nearest door to the left, and opened the door.
Miku was laying in bed, listening to music from her laptop.
"Hi!" Miku said.
"Miku?" Len questioned.
"Yeah?" Miku asked.
"How are you today?" Len continued.
"I'm fine, better than ever, actually!" Miku said.
"That's good! I've been worried."
"Oh! Yeah, sorry about that. I didn't mean to worry you guys."
"It's okay."
Len went over to sit on Miku's bed.
"Are you okay?" Miku asked.
"I don't know. I saw Meiko pouring out her sake bottles in the sink."
"Really?"
"Yeah, it was weird. She said she would talk to us about it later on."
"Huh?"
"Did something happen while you were in treatment?"
"Not that I could think of. But, I'm sure it's okay."
"Yeah, maybe you're right."
Len smiled, but it was weak as Miku smiled back. He grabbed her hand, and dragged her in for a hug.
"Oh!" Miku said.
"Please Miku, I was so scared. I didn't know what to do..." Len cried. Miku held him, and was saddened by Kagamine's words.
"I'm sorry. I promise I won't do anything like that again, okay?" Miku said.
"You promise?" Len said.
"Yes." Miku said, she held out her pinkie in front of Len. Len saw, slowly held up his, and connected his with Miku's. Miku saw it, and she saw that faint memory again. She held her pinkie with someone who was pale skinned, cold as if she was a living corpse, long nails. However, this time she didn't want to let go of this memory with Kagamine. "Hey...?"
"What is it?" Len asked.
"Thank you for always looking out for me, I know it was out of your hands and you couldn't really be there to help, but I still care that you worried about me. Thank you." Miku said. Len smiled, as he dropped a single tear down his cheek.
"You're welcome, Miku." Len said, as his voice was cracking, having restrained his emotions.
Miku pulled up her laptop on her upper thigh to get back into her music. She held up a small earbud for Kagamine to listen in. Kagamine took the earbud, and stuffed it in his left ear. Miku played a soft melody. It calmed him. It soothed their emotional moment, and it made Kagamine lay with Miku on the bed. They both smiled, and closed their eyes to feel the music.
2
Neru got up, she checked her phone. She hasn't heard back from Haku. She was worried about her. She was happy that Miku made a recovery, but she was uncertain with Haku. Maybe I should finally check on her? Neru asked herself. I hope she's okay…
Neru got up, and got herself dressed. She wanted to finally be out of the Complex after everything that went down. Finally some time for herself, as things settled.
She walked out of her room, and was greeted by Luka coming down the hallway. Luka was silent, as she walked to her room. Neru didn't mind not speaking to her anyway. She went into MEIKO's room, and MEIKO walked out with a huge garbage bag in her hands.
"Neru, I need your help!" MEIKO begged.
"Okay!" Neru said, as she went down to help her carry it down the hallway. MEIKO noticed that Luka was standing outside of her door watching them carry the bag. Luka turned away and went into her room. "Where are we taking this?!" Neru said, as she struggled to hold it up.
"We need to dump this outside!" MEIKO demanded.
"Aren't there patrols?!" Neru asked.
"It's a Sunday, no one is working today!" MEIKO assured.
"Fine!" Neru said.
They carried from the hallway, and made their way to the living room. Neru and MEIKO took a break, having to open the door. They had to carry all the way down the steps, and out into the dump, nearby the Complex.
"What the hell was in there?" Neru said, relieved from carrying a hefty load.
"Just some things I had to get rid of." MEIKO assured.
"Did you throughout your entire wardrobe?" Neru said sarcastically.
"It doesn't matter. Thanks for helping." MEIKO said.
"Yeah sure." Neru said. "Hey listen, I'm going to be out for a while."
"Okay...?" MEIKO said. "If you don't mind me asking, where do you go?"
"Huh?" Neru scuffed.
"You have a boyfriend?" MEIKO asked.
"Why does everyone assume I have a boyfriend?" Neru yelled.
"Sorry, sorry..." MEIKO said.
"I do go visit someone, a friend." Neru said.
"Who?" MEIKO asked.
"Please don't, it's the reason Miku went all crazy!"
"Fine, be back by dinner!"
"Of course!" Neru said sarcastically, as she walked down the stairs and out the gates. MEIKO watched her, how she manages to get by everyday was inspiring.
What they didn't know was that Luka was watching from the window above, she was watching Neru walk out the gates and to the streets. Luka closed the blinds when Neru was out of sight.
3
Neru arrived at the ghost house at the end of the road. The same as always. If there was a dead body left, it wouldn't even start to decompose, it would sit there as if it were a prop in a crime investigation drama.
She knocked on the door, unfortunately there was no answer, or any hint of movement inside.
"Haku?!" Neru cried out. "Haku, it's me! Please open the door, I'm sorry for everything!"
Neru continued, until she remembered something she said before when she met her.
4
One night, after the Crypton singers and some of the singers of the UTAU program had done a collaborative album to unify professional and independent producers of the music industry.
They had a party after the success of their album. Unfortunately, there was tons of security that attended the event, so Neru couldn't be present at the party. She felt like nothing was working out for her anyway, they continued to shower her with guilt and embarrassment by making her unofficially the cleaning lady. She decided to sneak out before they became suspicious of her.
As Neru walked down the streets, she met up with a person laying on a parkway bench just outside the facility. She was intoxicated and was sobbing. She was a woman who had long platinum hair, red eyes, and had a sexy body given her tightly fitted shirt and pants. Neru thought she was weird, and did not make her way to her. It was until the woman thought she was Miku.
"Miku!" She said. "MIKU, I'm over here!" Neru was confused, and looked over to her. "Miku!"
"I'm not Miku!" Neru said plainly.
"Huh?" She questioned. "Not Miku! Where is she?"
"Whatever, what are you doing here?" Neru asked.
"I don't know anymore..." She said, as she held up a cheap bottle of sake in her hand to her lips. It smelled sour, and not pleasing to her in the slightest.
"I'm going to go now!" Neru said.
"Oh wait! Wait!" She said, as she got up, and dropped her bottle to the ground. It shattered on impact. "Can you take me home?"
"What?!" Neru yelled. "Are you serious?!"
"I-I'm lost!" Haku said.
"Well, call a cab or something!" Neru suggested.
"I lost my phone!" Haku said.
"I'll call one for you." Neru said.
"I don't have money!" Haku said.
"Seriously?!" Neru flustered. "Why does this have to happen to me?!"
"Yeah, I'm not feeling so good..." Haku said.
"What do you expect me to do about it?!" Neru asked.
"Take me home, please?" Haku said. Neru sighed heavily.
"Fine..." Neru said, as she picked her up and lifted her arm over her shoulder. Haku was heavy, and every step was difficult to keep on the sidewalks, as she continued to slouch over her and Neru couldn't withstand the weight on her shoulders. "Where do you even live?"
"St. Alistar Street..." Haku said.
"St. Alistar street?! That's halfway across town!" Neru yelled. "How in the hell...?! That's it, I'm calling it, not dragging your ass all the way to St. Alistar street!"
"Hehe... you're funny..." Haku said. "We need to stop anyway..."
"Why...?" Neru stopped and looked down and saw Haku throwing up on the grass. "Ugh... you're so disgusting!" Neru dialed a cab, and they said they would arrive in 10 minutes. "Now we wait..." Neru said, as Haku continued to throw out everything in her system.
"You know something... you kind of remind me of her..." Haku said softly.
"Remind you of who? Wait... I don't care!"
"She was much nicer though... always so optimistic... she's gone now..."
"Good for you..." Neru said, as she rolled her eyes. "Here, let me help..."
"No, no... I'm fine!" Haku said.
"No you're not!" Neru said, as she drew closer to her to lift up her hair out of her face. "There..."
"Thanks."
"Seriously...?"
About fifteen minutes later, the cab pulled into the street, as Neru had to flag it down as they were about to pass by them almost seconds later. The cab inside was disgusting, as if someone else was found drunk and puking all over the seats the same evening.
"Took you long enough!" Neru yelled to the driver.
"Ya know, it's been a long night, ah don't have to drive yer ass anywhere!" The driver said.
"If you want my money, then take us to St. Alistar!" Neru replied.
"Yeah, whatever bitch!" The driver said. Neru ignored the guy, as she stuffed Haku in the backseat. She hopped on with her to help her to her house. "Hurry up!"
The cab took off, and Neru saw they were heading there quickly. Even though that night was becoming a total disaster, it was at least something more than her boring life with the singers. Absolutely nothing seemed to amuse her these days.
"We're here!" The driver said. Neru got Haku out, and paid the driver. "Yeah, how about ya lift yer skirt, for treating me with disrespect!"
"Kiss my ass!" Neru said, with a middle finger up in his face.
"Love ta, but ah gotta a call!" The driver said. "See ya 'round!" The driver took off.
Neru held Haku up.
"Haha, he was friendly!" Haku said.
"Just, hurry up and get to your house!" Neru yelled.
They arrived at a white mansion, near the dirt roads, the place felt ominous and cold. The chills were breathing down her neck, as she approached the front door.
"Oh... no..." Haku said.
"What now?!" Neru asked.
"I... uh... lost my keys..." Haku responded.
"Are you fucking kidding me?!" Neru yelled.
"Yeah... there's another way in..." Haku said, as she burped.
"Where?!" Neru grunted.
"In the garage, there is a door, that can't lo… it broke... it's open if... if you push... push hard enough..." Haku stuttered.
"Unbelievable!" Neru said, sarcastically. Neru went through the back to find that door, and it was a busted lock, so it was openable from the outside. "What kind of place is this?!"
Neru travelled through the kitchen, and then the living room. It was dark, and freezing from the inside as well. She found the front door, and turned on the lights beside the door. The place from the inside was clear, as if it was untouched by anyone.
"Does she even live here?!" Neru said to herself. "If we are breaking into someone's house, I'm calling the police!"
She opened the door, and carried Haku in.
"My room is right there!" Haku said, as she pointed out the first room, opposite to the front door. A white gloss door, and as she turned the knob, the old wood and metal would creak as she opened it. There was an empty room, with a plain white bed, a small night stand beside it, with a small lamp. Over in the corner, a small wooden dresser. Neru tossed Haku over the bed, and allowed her to go on her own.
"Alright, you're home!" Neru said. "Now, goodbye!" Neru said, as she was about to leave. She saw Haku get up, and she went over to hug Neru. Neru felt her cold body, her large breasts pressed up against her, her arms encapsulating her head, choking her to death, the smell of that cheap sake on her breath. "Get... off!" Neru said, as she pushed her away.
"Sorry!" Haku said, as she turned around. She started to undress in front of her. Neru quickly ran out to the living room. "The hell is wrong with her!" Neru left the house, feeling extremely uncomfortable about everything she had witnessed that day.
5
Neru remembered that same door she went through. She walked out to the back, and there was still a chilling silence that surrounded the house.
She found the door, and she pushed through. She walked into the garage, and it was as empty as she remembered. Haku wasn't exactly a pack-rat, but there was absolutely nothing given the amount of space she had for anything. She walked through the garage and to a door on the right, there was a door that led through to the kitchen. It was still left open, however, that door in particular can lock, but no one was crazy enough to walk in for her to fear intruders.
Neru walked into the house. She was slow, and quiet to see if she heard anything from inside. There was not, but the emptiness she continuously felt throughout the house. She walked passed a door that led into the master bedroom, but she hesitated and wanted to walk through the front way from the living room.
She approached the door, and gently pushed it open. She saw a hand on the ground, the bed was blocking her from seeing Haku. Neru ran to her, and there was Haku, shaking and going through a traumatic seizure, oddly similar to what Miku was having a week ago. Neru grabbed her phone, and called Momo.
6
Several hours of being in the waiting room, Haku was under emergency care. Momo came walking in, and notified Neru about Haku's condition.
"Momo, is she okay?" Neru asked softly.
"Thankfully, she recovered in time, she was overdosing on the alcohol. If you weren't there Neru, she would have died. We thank you." Momo said calmly, as she gently bowed her head.
"That's not necessary, Momo..."
"No, we are all thankful. First saving Miku, now Haku... you really care for them... it makes Momo know the amount of strength and compassion you have for them. It's inspiring to us all."
Neru saw the Momo bots surrounding her, they all smiled, cheered and clapped, so innocently. It was too much of an emotional impact for Neru, so she broke out into tears. The Momo bots were confused by the lack of happiness, but rather of sorrow. One of them concluded, she was heartstruck by the amount of stress and hurt she had gone through the past week and a half. One of the Momo bots went over to hold her tightly. Neru felt that hugs weren't really necessary, but it felt different this time. She couldn't comprehend the feeling she had. She was troubled everywhere, never amounting to anything besides being a housekeeper for the spoiled singers, having a friend who disregarded her, almost took her own life, and now... appreciated... for saving two lives that... that meant nothing to her before.
"Who am I?" Neru asked herself, as tears fell. "I'm no hero..." Momo unattached her arms from Neru, and looked deeply into her eyes.
"You are who you choose to be." Momo said softly.
7
Later that evening, MEIKO set up the living room, as they all gathered for dinner. MEIKO actually prepared dinner this time around, giving Neru a break from all the work she had done. It was different, Kagamine noticed the food looked like MEIKO tried too hard to make something look good, but failed. Miku was there, sitting beside Kaito who was staring silently at the food as well. Luka was there, standing against the wall down the hallway. She was not necessarily interested in being present, but MEIKO told them it was mandatory. Neru sat across from Miku and Kaito, she was still worried for her friend. MEIKO demanded she return as quickly as she could, immediately right after she had a moment with Momo.
"Okay everyone..." MEIKO said. "Luka? Are you going to join us?" Luka rolled her eyes, and walked closer towards the living room. She sat down on the couch and rested beside Kaito. MEIKO sat next to Neru on the couch opposite to them, as Kagamine sat down on the floor, laying their head on the glass table where all the unappetizing food was set. "Okay, there is something I must confess... I know it may sound a little stupid, strange, and unappealing to you all... but, I am sorry." Everyone perked their heads up to look at MEIKO directly. "I am sorry. I know I'm not the greatest person in the world, who may not even deserve your forgiveness, but I want to just ask that you... hear me out..."
Kagamine sat up, feeling their heart pump so intensively hard inside their chest. Neru looked at MEIKO, sitting flat on the couch, next to her, but she felt every sense everyone else was feeling. They all were tense, and were shaking with sweat. Miku and Kaito, who were sitting across, were wide-eyed, looking deeply at the couch opposite to them. Luka was even shocked by the turn of events in terms of the Complex.
"I know things have been tough... especially with everything Miku has gone through... it was the most stressful and most difficult thing I have ever faced in my years of working with the industry... but I want you all to know that... it was a wake up call for me... You know why? I realized the mistreatment I put you all through, because I was not willing to give up my pride. After all that's happened... I snapped... and took everything into my own hands. I wasn't going to wait any longer. Then I saw the hurt in your eyes, all of you, the pain and torment I had brought to you everyday since they first initiated you into the industry. Neru, you are a different story, which I will ask you to listen in as well." MEIKO admitted.
"Okay?" Neru whispered softly.
"I haven't been fair to either of you... and admit to you all, that I'm no longer going to be that person anymore... It will be difficult for me, as it is for all of you. But, I want to establish my concerns, my sins, and my gratitude to be your guardian." MEIKO said, as she had tears running down her face.
"What does this mean, Meiko?" Miku said. MEIKO reached down to the side of the couch, and took out an envelope. She reached inside, and pulled out a couple of certificates of both Kagamine and Miku. Everyone was stunned to see that MEIKO held out the papers. "So... what you're saying...?"
"Yes, I am your legal guardian. From this moment on, you two are mine, and I will do whatever it takes to feed you, clothe you, and teach you everything about the world we live in." MEIKO continued.
"Wait, wait...?!" Kaito said, befuddled by the turn of events. "Are you seriously their...?"
"Yes, I had Momo help me get the papers needed for it to be notarized and legal." MEIKO said. "As I was saying... I'm your mother... the two of you, Kaito and Luka will need to help in this well!"
"Why us?!" Luka complained. "Why are we in this mess?!"
"You signed up to be in our group, so yes, it involves you!" MEIKO replied.
"Bullshit! You know I had no say of where I was going to be placed!" Luka responded.
"Language!" MEIKO yelled, as Luka rolled her eyes. "It doesn't matter. You are in this industry along with us, so you will need to at least compromise with us on all matters concerning Crypton!"
"Whatever!" Luka yelled. "Don't try to act all motherly now, don't act like they haven't seen the side that you are so desperate to hide!" Luka ran into the hallway, and slammed her room door shut. Neru also rolled her eyes, as she was sick of her bitchy attitude.
"Anyways, there is one more thing I must say to you... but I know you are all hungry... so let's dig in." MEIKO said calmingly. They all partook of the food that was in front of them.
After a single bite, they all gagged and spat out every piece out on their plate.
"Well..." MEIKO shouted. "I never cooked a single meal in my life... sorry..."
"That's alright, wanna just order pizza or something?" Neru suggested. Everyone was delighted to hear that.
"Well, we do appreciate your gesture Mei... mother...?" Kagamine said hesitantly.
"Yeah, we do appreciate it!" Miku said.
MEIKO smiled, and felt she was really coming through to them.
"Kaito?" Miku asked. "How do you feel about this?"
"Well... it sure is some interesting news, but... I... really don't know what to say..." Kaito said softly.
"It's okay Kaito, but I do want all of us to start being more productive in each other's lives. Sound okay?" MEIKO asked.
"Sure." Kaito said.
"What did you want to say to us?" Neru asked.
"Oh... before I lost my train of thought, I wanted to share something about what this industry is. I know it doesn't concern you Neru, but I thought you'd like to know about what it is." MEIKO said.
"Okay?" Neru said.
"I would like to have evidence of these things, but the industry isn't what it is, not what it used to be... I'm not sure how far back it goes, but it is built on greed and pride. So, there are rumors of the industry trying to one-up another, in every way possible. And the media only will pay attention to who is at the top of the list as far as popularity. And popularity is just hard to maintain, which is why you are all working so hard to keep up the hype that continues to drag on and on. So, yeah, it is hard on all of you, but I want to keep you all going as long as you all possibly can." MEIKO said.
"I see..." Miku said.
"So, that is why they ask so much of each of you. But, I know... Kaito..." MEIKO said.
"Yeah, I know..." Kaito said. "It's fine."
"It isn't fair, and you all will be used too much, to the point that you will only hope to get a single view in the long-run, so that is why I will step in, with more care for your well-being to continue this soul-crushing demand. I will do what it takes to keep you all in it, not because of the artist's compensation or benefits, but for you all not to be discarded like trash in the end." MEIKO admitted.
"So, what people say on the streets is true then..." Neru said. "About the discouraged artists..."
"Yes, there are a lot of them, who used to be in it, but no longer are because they weren't good enough. And also, failing to comply with the demands from each of the artists, but luckily there's me to do that for you." MEIKO said. "I want us all... to be like... family... being there for each other, no matter what."
Neru looked at MEIKO, and saw that she was serious with her choice of being their guardian. It wasn't the same for her, however, she was just a random girl who was lucky enough to be there, only to be treated like a housekeeper.
"Neru?" MEIKO asked.
"Yeah?" Neru replied.
"I know you are not a part of the industry, and we have been asking so much of you since you came to live with us... but... I want you to be in this family as well..." MEIKO said softly. "I also know you are more fit to care for yourself, but I want to make this place as welcoming and free as much as I can."
"...Sure..." Neru said. Unsure of what to say, but had to answer. Now she was going to be included, however, she was still confused about everything.
"Thank you, Neru." MEIKO said sincerely.
For the remainder of the night, they all stayed seated in the living room, and had pizza. Even with the turn of events, the Complex was starting to become livable and tolerable for all of them.