I'm back with another chapter of Runo's Alter Ego. School is almost out and it's a great time to get these uploaded. Anyway, let's recap.
Last time on Runo's Alter Ego
Third Person POV
"Dan Kuso! I will absolutely never forgive you for what you did! I will have repayment for the pain that I went through! I will make it so that nobody will notice you." Her face grew an evil smirk, and the atmosphere around them darkened deeply. Runo continued in a much darker tone than her usual self, "Be prepared to pay for your mistakes!" She spun on her feet and chuckled darkly. Then, she walked away…
And now…
Runo's POV
Everything was a haze.
One minute, I was glaring at Dan for his outburst. And the next…my body suddenly rebelled against me; this indescribable force of pure darkness invaded and took over me. It was like watching myself do these things, say those words through a fogged window. I vaguely remembered what happened. Shock overcame my body, and I fell to the floor.
Julie found me kneeling on the floor, staring at the rain. Something warm slid down my cheek and blend with the cold, piercing rain. My face started to streak with tears.
What have I done?
Just then, a dark, but strangely comforting voice drifted inside my head. A female's voice that's similar to my own voice. "So what? You have him where you want him, begging for you. It's time to give him some payback," she cooed.My eyes widen. If she had a physical body, her face would hold a sickly sweet smile. "Oh, dear Runo. Isn't this what you wanted? This is the perfect opportunity to show how much you have changed. Let him be the helpless one." As "she" spoke, I found myself giving in. It was soothing, tempting. I clutched the sides of my head, her voice echoing everywhere.
"You mustn't forget our deal, little girl," she continued, "I'm allowed to intervene at any time if it contributes towards your end of the deal."
True…those were the conditions of our deal…how can I forget…?
"She" mentally grinned again. "Well then, Misaki-san. I hope I can do this more often. Being stuck inside your body with nothing to do is certainly boring…if you know what I mean." I felt her presence leave me, and a huge weight slammed back into me. The impact was too fast and sudden. I couldn't feel anything but my own sobbing breath. My body barely registered Julie at my side, kneeling with her arms around me. I gritted my teeth and stared up at the pouring rain.
Curse you, Dan Kuso. Why did you have to come back?
The Next Day
Dan's POV
Darkness. That's all I can see. I keep walking. A flash of blue appeared. I walk closer, and saw a horrid sight. Runo was chained, blindfolded. She silently screamed, with tears streaming from her face. Then, in a blink, her head lowered itself. I ran and tried to free her, but a dark aura surrounded her, pushing me back. Her head snapped upwards, her eyes now a dark purple color.
"Dan Kuso, you made this girl like this. There's nothing you can do to save her. As long as she has this hatred of you, she is mine. You can try to defeat me, if you can." Runo flashed a malicious grin, and I stepped back in response. She continued speaking. "Know this though; my strength comes from her hate. And she…well let's just say that it's not going to be easy to get her to forgive you." "Runo" let out a sickly brittle laugh that echoed against the walls.
I growled. "I know I did something wrong, but I'm going to do whatever it takes to save her." "Runo" gave her sick smile again, "Good luck with that, Dan Kuso."At that point, Runo screamed. I tried to rush forward and hug her, but the dark aura flared and pushed me back. I couldn't do anything but hear her scream the most terrifying sound I ever heard. It rattled my head and my ears threatened to copy her actions. Despite this, I shouted, "Runo…Runo…Runo!"
"RUNO!" I gasped and panted. Sweat was all over me.
"Dan! Dan! Are you alright?" Drago flew to my side. I turned to him, "Yeah, I'm fine." However, on the inside, I was panicking. "What kind of dream was that? No…it's not a dream. It is a challenge."
"Drago, I don't know what to do, but I will move forward and find an answer." Drago perched himself onto my shoulder. "Good for you, Dan. Now then, let's get your girl." I nodded, and then processed to head out the door. Drago suddenly shouted when my hand reached the doorknob.
"Dan, wait! You're in your pajamas!" I turned and looked down. Drago sweat dropped, and I gave a sheepish smile.
Later that day
"Drago, that was a great battle, don't you think?" Drago and I was walking down the river, recalling the last brawl we were in. Drago sighed. "Yes, it was, but you completely diverted from what you were supposed to do."
I put my hand behind my head. "I couldn't help it." Drago grew a tick mark. "Dan! This is why Runo hates you. You would never last in a relationship." I frowned. "He's right…" I lowered my head. "How can I possibly commit…when I forget about her so easily?"
Is that what Runo wants? For me to pay attention to her instead of everything else for once?
Drago immediately felt guilty. "Look, Dan, I'm sorry…" I cut him off, "You're right. You don't have to apologize." I stared at the river, and remembered the first time I ever saw Runo fight. That determination could easily match mine. It was the first thing that stuck to me. That was the first thing that I loved about her…
Of course, after all this time, I love everything about her. Her smile, her laugh, and the way she look like on our first date…
I gritted my teeth. Whoever was in my dream better be ready, because I'm going to get them for using Runo.
The sound of a familiar voice drifted towards me. I turned my head and saw Runo walking, staring at a folder. Drago jumped out of sight. I looked closer, and found that she is lip-singing.
Lip-singing? Why would she be doing that?
"Runo! What are you doing?" I called. She turned and immediately a frown appeared on her face. "What do you want, Kuso?"
Ouch, that really hurt.
"I was wondering…umm…" Come on, Dan, think. "Uh…I was wondering if you like to catch a movie or go eat something together?" I flashed a hopeful smile.
She scoffed. "Too busy." Then, she walked away, once again staring at the folder in her hands.
That left me feeling rejected. That was the shortest conversion I ever had with Runo. Drago flew out and landed on the shoulder. "So how did it go?"
"Just horrible." I replied.
Runo's POV
I can't believe that guy. He just never quits.
I stared at the music that given to me. This song seems strange. And the lyrics…how odd. They look familiar…
"RUNO!" I turned, expecting to be Dan. "What do you…?" I cut myself off when I saw Julie running to me.
"Runo! There's a problem!" I immediately became alert. "What is it?" Julie took a deep breath. "I overheard Dan talking to Drago, and now they're heading to Marucho's house!" I raised an eyebrow.
"And how is this," I gave her an annoyed look, "a problem?" I asked. She stared at me. "Well…"
Few minutes ago
Julie walked by the riverside, enjoying how nice the wind feels. A "Just horrible" caught her attention. Dan was sitting, talking to Drago. Julie stopped and started to eavesdrop on their conversion.
"Drago, I don't know what to do. She won't give her a chance." Drago gave a tsk. "How ironic, considering the fact that you did the same thing."
Dan hung his head down. "I know, I know. I made a horrible mistake. But how can I fix it if I can't even be with her?" Drago sighed.
"You humans are so stubborn." Drago stated. Dan turned to Drago. "I know we are, but it's a good thing, too." Dan stood up, a sudden smile appearing on his face. "Let's go to Marucho's. I heard he is still trying to get tickets to a Hatsune Miku concert. Maybe I can get one, too." Drago at first raised an eyebrow, wondering how to react to the change of the subject. But then, Drago grew a little tick mark, obviously trying to calm down his anger at Dan's stupidity.
"And why would you like one of those tickets?" Dan glazed at the river. "There's something about Miku that caught my attention. She looks just like Runo. Do Runo have a twin?" Drago sweat drop at the question.
"Really? Is that it?" Dan turned to look at Drago. "What do you mean?" Drago replied, "I see the way you look at her. It's the same look as when you see Runo when you guys were still together."
Dan widens his eyes. "What? That can't be true. I still love Runo. It's just that…" Dan stopped; the full knowledge of Drago's comment came knocking on his face.
"Oh, no…"
Julie paled. This was not good for both Runo and Miku.
Present time
Third Person POV
Runo turned the same white color as Julie when she found out. Dan likes both me and Miku. Both sides of me…
Runo turned to Julie. "I have to go back to the studio. I'm going to have a chat with Kea."
Julie nodded and watched as Runo headed off. She felt torn between keeping Runo's secrets from Dan and wanting the two to make up. Julie clutched her head and shook it, not knowing what to do.
"No, I will wait a little longer. When things get out of hand, then I will tell Dan everything." Julie spun on her heel and left.
Over with Dan
"Phew…made it." Dan wiped his forehead, tired from his quick sprint to the blond, still short friend of his. As Dan entered the building, he saw Mira in the entrance.
"Mira, is Marucho here?" Said girl looks up and nodded. "He's somewhere in this place. I heard him talking about winning tickets…" She never finished her sentence, for Dan already ran off.
10 minutes later
Dan finally arrived at Marucho's lab. Now, he's having a chat with him, regarding the tickets he won…again.
"Dan, are you saying that Miku has you hooked? I knew you would like her." Marucho smiled like a Cheshire cat. Dan sweat dropped.
"Well, I guess…but doesn't Runo look a lot like Miku? I mean same hair and same eyes…" Marucho shook his head.
"Maybe they do, but they're completely different in terms of personality. Can you imagine Runo singing?" An image of earlier flashed through Dan's head.
"Well, I saw Runo earlier lip-singing…" Marucho raised an eyebrow.
"Really? Hmm…that doesn't change anything. Miku looks more polite and calm." Dan shrugged. "I guess…" The blond boy changed the subject.
"So, you want the extra ticket I got, right?" Dan nodded. Marucho continued, "In that case, it couldn't hurt to give it to you." He handed over the ticket.
Dan smiled with victory. "Yes!" he shouted. Drago finally made his appearance. "Tsk, distracted again, Daniel." Dan gave a sheepish smile. Marucho tilted his head in confusion.
"Distracted? Was there something you were supposed to do?" questioned Marucho. Dan gave another smile. "Well, I was supposed to find Runo and explain to her about me leaving, but uh…I got sidetracked." Drago would have slapped his forehead by now.
"Is there ever going to be a time where you took your problems to heart?" Drago asked with a "huff." Dan looked down, touchy about the subject. "Drago, I'm honestly trying, but she just won't listen. How am I going to convince her?" Drago was honestly so confused on how complicated a problem can get with humans. Marucho sat there, trying to come up with a way to comfort him.
It was silent for a moment. Dan hung his head down, while Drago and Marucho brainstormed some ideas.
Finally, Marucho spoke, "You know, I keep seeing Runo head over to this building called the Vocaloid Productions." Dan's head shot straight up. "Marucho, can you search up some information?" His blond friend nodded and a screen popped up in front of him. He typed some things in, and immediately smiled.
"Well, it says here that this company started 6 months ago. Its first debut was a vocaloid, Hatsune Miku. They specialize in mixing human voices with technology. Since Miku, they had major success in Len, Kaito, and Rin. They are thinking of bringing out yet another person, Luka." Dan stared at the screen that displayed various people on stage, with most of them featuring Miku.
"Wait…if Miku looks like Runo, and Runo goes to this company, then…" Marucho's eyes widen. "No, that's not true. It might be a coincidence. Maybe Runo works there as an intern." Marucho instantly shook his head in a comical way. Dan shook his head.
"No, that can't be. It's too much of a coincidence. I'm going to investigate." Dan rose from his seat. Marucho looked at him, obviously trying to make his decision.
"Alright, I'll come with you. But only to prove you wrong." Dan raised an eyebrow. "Now why would you like to prove me wrong?"
"So that I know that I'm not fawning over Runo. She scares me." Dan gave a smile, probably agreeing with him. "Well, we should probably meet up later tomorrow. I'll catch you later." Dan rushed out the room, not noticing a figure hiding in a corner.
"Oh no you don't. You are not discovering Runo's secret just yet. You will not ruin it for her." The shadowed figure rushed off; its destination: Runo Misaki.
And done! Whew, this story is getting popular. Too bad it's not in a well-known area of fanfiction. Anyway, read and review. Tune in next time to see Dan's (failed) attempt to prove Miku's identity.
Revised A.N