Hey guys! Welcome to another chapter of Runo's Alter Ego. I, even though it's summer, have not been working on fanfiction. So, I decided, before summer ends, I would have two chapters of Runo's Alter Ego up and running. So enjoy and thanks for the reviews.

Runo's POV

"So, you're saying that this boy is in love with you and Miku." Kea stared at me with a look that said "I can't believe what I'm hearing." I meekly nodded my head. She sat back into her seat. "And how is this, a problem?" I stared at her. "It's a problem because of my rough history with him, and he's probably going to be at my concerts now." Kea glanced at her clipboard, which was filled with things to do for the day.

"Runo, there are things that some people need to face, especially when that person is someone dear to you," Kea said. I shook my head. "He is not someone close to me anymore," I muttered.

Kea hummed in response. The silence was threatening to choke the other occupants in the room. They shifted nervously, wanting to get on with work.

I felt sick to my stomach. I accepted this to make myself a name, to stamp a place into this world. And the moment bad memories comes back, I collapse. My mind would sneer if it could.

No, I'm not letting this get in my way.

I stood up and told the people waiting to prepare the studio. Kea studied my figure with apprehension.

"I'm not going to let things get in the way of my dreams," I explained. It seems like I answered her question because she smiled and gestured to the door.

"Well, then. Shall we prepare for your next concert then?" she asked. I only grabbed my microphone headset and gave a confident smile.

Third Person POV

Kea knew that Runo had ups and downs in her life. She made a mental note to have a private conversation with Runo later. Hopefully she could pull through…

However, that wasn't the most troublesome news she has to worry about. Much of her thoughts rested on the fact that the same boy is attempting to reveal Runo's identity.

"As her manager, I must not let that happen," she secretly vowed. In the back of her mind, she silently thanked the anonymous person for this piece of information.

"You're welcome," said a malicious voice echoing into the hallways.

With the peanut gang…I mean Dan and Marucho

The duo stood behind a building, looking at Vocaloid Production.

"So, this is the place, huh?" Dan examined the building. It is an 8 story building with the letters "VOCALOID" plastered on the front. A crowd surrounded the entrance, making it look impossible to go in.

"Well, Marucho, what's the plan?" The blond rubbed his head. "We can always try sneaking from the top." Dan stared at his friend. "From the top? How are we going to do that?" Marucho shrugged. "With a helicopter." Dan sweat dropped. "And how are we going to make it so that it doesn't attract attention?!" he shouted with an indignant expression. His companion quickly clamped Dan's mouth shut. "SHH! We already look suspicious. Do you want to get caught?" Dan sulked.

"Really? So what you got…" Dan turned his head and saw the crowd move from the entrance. "What the…" he never finished his sentence, for Miku stepped out of the building. The crowd screamed and ran, trying to knock down everything that got in their way. A lady in a business outfit spread her arms out in front of Miku.

"You are to move now!" The woman exclaimed. Several bodyguards appeared and attempted to push away the screaming fans. Miku looked both ways before slipping out to the side.

Marucho turned to Dan. "Now's our chance." Dan nodded and ran towards Miku's direction.

Runo's POV

God, these people are savage. I looked behind me and saw someone clawing at my manager. Kea turned to me and nodded. I gave one back and started to run.

I didn't look back and kept running. I felt sorry for my manager, but she insisted on going through the front door. I shook my head, not daring to look back and see if she is okay. Then out of nowhere, someone bumped into me and sent me to the ground.

"Oh, god. I'm so sorry." I rubbed my bottom and shook my head. "No it's okay," I said. But, when I looked up, I saw the brown eyes of Dan Kuso. In the corner of my eyes, I saw a flash of yellow heading towards me. Marucho.

My heart pounded painfully against me, and my brain immediately went to work to calm it down. Apparently, Dan was speechless too. He kept staring at me. I started to open my mouth to speak, but I quickly remembered that I was Miku, not Runo.

"Miku, I'm sorry." Dan apologized again. He looked stunned. I opened my mouth to say something, but it was caught in my throat.

Luckily, Marucho broke the silence. "Hey, Dan! Are you alright?" He ran up to him and looked at me. "M-M-Miku?! Are you okay? Sorry about my friend here." He gave a little bow. I snapped out of my trance and stood up. "I cannot speak," I chanted. Marucho let out a sigh of relief.

Dan took the chance to speak. "Hey, Miku, you got a huge crowd after you. Do you want to go somewhere a bit more private?" Trying to keep up the act (and trying not to snap back to being annoyed), I shook my head. Dan's face lit up. "Can I walk you there? You know, as repayment?"

My mind shut down. Crap, if he walks me home…

I quickly shook my head. Then, I turned around, bowed my head, and sprinted off, leaving Dan and Marucho standing there, speechless.

Dan's POV

Damn…that went horribly. Marucho can sense my mood change. He looked up to me and asked, "Okay. That was horrible. Obviously she's hiding something. What happened between her and you during the concert?" I panicked.

"Uh…nothing. Look, how about we go back to your place and research the place some more?" I suggested, eager to change the subject. My companion looked at me funny, and then shook his head.

"Fine." I let out a sigh of relief.

I couldn't tell Marucho what happened between her, considering the fact that I was entranced by her. Her eyes that were covered with sadness; her kind yet guilty tone in her voice; her appearance… I want to just hold her in my arms and tell her that everything's alright. I shook my head at that. What am I thinking?

I still love Runo, right? My mind swirled the images of Runo and Miku together, eventually overlapping them into one person…

I was probably stuck in my thinking trance because Marucho was jumping up and down like a lunatic trying to grab my attention.

"Hey! We're here!" He shouted. I sweat dropped at this and realized that we were at his enormous house. "Oh..." I dumbly replied.

We walked in, spotting Mira standing on a ledge, typing some things and looking at some screens laid out in front of her.

"Hello Mira." Marucho called. She raised her head and gave a small smile. "Hello boys. Got any more tickets to Miku's concert?" My blond friend nodded and Mira gave a sigh. "Honestly, I hadn't heard her songs yet, so I don't know how good they are." Marucho's eyes were going to pop out after she said that comment.

"You need to go to her concerts or listen to it online." Marucho ran up to Mira's ledge, pushed her away from whatever she was doing, and dragged her down the hall faster than you can say "Bakugan Brawl."

Drago sweat dropped at this. "I never thought I see him run so fast because of some idol." He commented. I looked at this with the same expression as my partner, a look of utter amazement.

I nervously walked down the long hallway, afraid of a certain, idol-crazy person of a friend.

Runo's POV

I couldn't believe that I'm crying over him again.

When I got home, I ran straight to my room and burst into tears. My parents looked at me with worry, but I ignored them. But, I was so confused. Why am I crying over him? I should be seething in rage, wondering why he would be back.

Next to me, my Bakugan Tigrerra popped up and stared at me. "Runo, my dear, what's wrong?" I shook my head, trying to dry my tears.

"Sometimes, a girl needs to cry right?" I wiped my eyes and gave her a smile, but I knew it's getting harder to convince her. When she made the deal with me, she also told me to never tell anyone about our agreement or anything related about Dan, claiming that it would help me move on.

Tigrerra spoke up, "My dear, a girl like you can't cry like that unless it's something." I stared at her, wanting nothing more than to tell her everything.

"Tigrerra, the thing is…" a sudden pain in my heart appeared, and a familiar, dark voice enter my head. "You know the conditions of our agreement, and yet you dare to defy them. You must be so desperate." She chuckled, while I clutched my chest, struggling to hold it in. Tigrerra looks over with worry.

"My lady, are you alright?" I sank to the ground, tears reforming in my eyes as the pain sharpened. "You must learn your lesson dear. Never break your promises…unless you want to end up like your ex-boyfriend after I'm done with him." As pain coursed through me, I never felt more alone in my entire life.

Third Person POV

It's been three days since Runo's encounter with Dan at Vocaloid Production, and Julie was getting concerned. Her blue-haired friend looked paler by the day and her eyes were always bloodshot.

"Runo, this has gone far enough. I want to know what happened. You don't look so good." Julie examined Runo, who was wearing a black t-shirt with a white jacket, faded jeans, and black boots. However, her hair was put in a messy ponytail and her expression said, "Hi, can you tell I'm exhausted?" They were at Julie's café, sitting at a table far from the customers.

"Julie, I can't tell you. Please trust me." Her friend shook her head.

"No can do, Runo. I can tell you are having some big problems." The white-haired former brawler took a sip out of her drink. "Why won't you tell anyone? They can help you; maybe even get you to forgive…" Runo slam her fists into the table.

"I WILL NEVER FORGIVE HIM!" Runo shouted with abnormal anger. Their drinks went flying to the ground, and people were staring at them.

Runo may have fooled everyone else, but it wasn't fooling Julie. She may look angry, but inside her eyes showed despair, hopelessness, and…fear. Runo was lost. She didn't know what to do anymore, but she had to keep going, or else Dan will never be able to understand how she really felt.

Done! Phew, delayed this chapter by a lot. I want to thank you all for supporting this fanfiction. I will try my best to deliver. Oh and for my last reviewer, no love triangle here. Kaito and the other Vocaloids make a small appearance but that's about it.

Next time

"Will things ever get better?" Runo asked with a choked sob as darkness flowed through her.

"Dan, we need to talk." Julie crossed her arms and looked at the boy who ruined her best friend's life.

"Please! Take me to Neathia!" She begged. Her friend took a minute to think over it and then reluctantly nodded.

See ya next time!

A.N. well apparently, this didn't take very long to edit, which is good! So hopefully the next chapter can be edited and ready to go. Happy Valentine's Day!