Wow am i updating this quick. alright, chapter 6! this one is the longest chapter in the whole story so just a heads up.
Disclaimer: still don't own the Vocaloids.
Ch. 6
Learning curve
*First day of classes, and since the vocaloids are all vocalist students, they all attend the course orientation in the large school auditorium with all the other vocalist students. Neru was pointedly quiet today, not even texting away madly. This may have been due to her two main texting partners, Zatsune and Dell, were engaged in their own business a few seats away from her. Miku was admiring the small leek key chain Kaito had bought her, Mikuo and Meiko were busy flirting away as they had been for the last few days. Everyone else was waiting quietly for the assembly to begin.*
*A Professor walks up onstage and gives a brief speech on the expectations of the "student body" and general lesson plans for each class.*
Professor:...and in addition, Goldvoice has been given the honor of hosting
cybernetic national laboratories' Vocaloids!
Len: How did that name get out so fast?
Lily: that Ayatoba guy must have overheard us...
Neru: Oh this is NOT going to be good.
Teto: HI EVERYONE! *jumps up out of her seat*
Miku: Shut her up Neru!
Neru: Teto! God Damn it woman! *pulls her down back in her seat HARD*
Teto: Ow! What was that for? *notices the 300 students staring at her and the other Vocaloids* Oh. Did I do bad?
Neru: yep.
Dell: Teto, I swear to god.
Mikuo: *whispers to Miku* you ever see x-men? How the humans fear anyone who has a special ability? Yeah, we've got that Vocaloid system in us. This is not good.
Miku: *whispers back* you sound like Gumi, just relax, act casual. Everything will be fine.
Gakupo: I can't tell if those stares are curiosity or some kind of envy...
Luka: No big deal, we just need to keep a low profile. The moment will pass.
*after a very awkward post-Teto silence, the professor spoke up*
Professor: um, right, anyway. On your way out please head directly to your classrooms to pick up your information folders.
*the assembly ended and each student filed out. The Vocaloids all had 1st period together and headed directly to room A-7. There they were met by Ayatoba and a number of his staff.*
Ayatoba: good morning everyone. Ms. Iroha, please take out your headphones. Thank you. Now, to begin, you all have your voices tuned in correctly? To be sure we will need each of you to hit an A note. We will adjust from there if necessary. Ms. Miki, were you able to get your voice box working?
Miki: I think so, do I sound any different?
Rin: Nope, good ol' Miki!
Miki: Yay! I'd jump for joy but my limbs are still a little stiff, they probably need some industrial lubricant or something, I don't know.
*each Vocaloid takes their turn and makes whatever adjustments are necessary.
Dell and Haku seemed to be having trouble initially but eventually found their voice.*
Ayatoba: now that all of that is in order, it's time for you all to get your external Vocaloid interfaces.
Mikuo: and what, exactly, are those?
Ayatoba: *pulls out a small, rectangular box* these!
*he removes a pair of strange looking headphones and a small keyboard-like item from the box. He attached a small battery pack to the keyboard thing. The system booted up and a number of small LED's lit up on both parts of the system.*
Ayatoba: these are relatively simple to use with enough practice. Here are some standard model interfaces. They should suffice well enough untill you decide how your custom ones should look. We've also made them such that you can easily integrate them into everyday clothing with a few modifications to your shirt, pants, or whatever you want, really.*
Lily: That's awesome! Gimmie! *greedily grabs her pair as one of the other men passed them out* SWEEEEET. Let's see... Hey Doc, where's this go? *waves around an AUX cable sticking out of a port on the keyboard* I don't see an AUX port anywhere on the headphones.
Luka: um, mine's the same way.
Kaito: I think everyone's is.
Dell: so where do we plug these things in? Our noses or something?
Ayatoba: well...
Everyone: *Oh shit, WTF face*
Ayatoba: well it's not your noses, the port is right above your right or left hip.
Haku: w-we have to plug these things into...us?
Mikuo: seems like it.
Piko: You guys think you've got it bad... *holds up his big charging cable*
Luka: *plugs in* yeah that feels really weird... Well might as well turn it on.
Ayatoba: careful, you might feel a sharp-
Luka: OW! WHAT THE FUCK! *the normally calm and collected Luka now had an evil look on her face, and her hair looked like she had just been struck by lightning*
Neru: *Laughs so hard she falls out of her seat*
Ayatoba: I was afraid that might happen. We probably should have grounded these things before we handed them out. Alright everyone, touch the primary cable to any nearby metal object before plugging in. that should fix it.
*While everyone grounded thier sets, plugged in the very odd feeling cable, and booted up thier systems, there was a strange vibe in the atmosphere, as it was almost dead quiet. Given yet another opportunity to make things awkward for everyone, a certain Ms. Teto Kasane jumped at the chance.*
Teto: it looks like ive got a tail! Check it out guys! Now all i need is some wings! *bubbly smile*
Scientist: That can be arranged.
Ayatoba: *to other scientist quietly* Did you guys do something to her head during the procedure? Seriously.
Scientist: no sir, I think she's just THAT happy.
Ayatoba: Good grief.
Miku: This is pretty cool!
Meiko: these come in red right?
Gakupo: *finishes a drawing* can you guys make these? *shows a picture of a custom design for the interface*
Ayatoba: well, let me see... *scrutinizes design* yes, i think that's doable.
Anyone have their custom designs?
*everyone just looks around*
Ayatoba: I'll take that as a no. Well, let's get started on using these things.
*after about 20 minutes of practice Miku and Luka had already been able to expand their already impressive voice ranges. However, control was another issue.*
Luka: It works, but if I go to high or low it seems to overtax the system...
Ayatoba: if you strain it's going to do that.
Miku: well that sucks!
Mikuo: would you just be patient? No one's gonna master it overnight. By the way do you have any more leeks? I'm starving...
Miku: Not the time.
Kaito: So can these things be used to compose music too? Like, piece fragments together to form songs and stuff?
Ayatoba: The base models should be capable of that, if only slightly limited in scope.
Neru: so let me guess: our homework is to write a song or something?
Ayatoba: well, I suppose if you want to. Ok, here's the plan. A few of you can write songs, and others can cover them. It's not really homework but it would be an excellent test of VOCALOID's capabilities as well as your own.
Miku: *to herself* hm... I think I have an idea! If I'm gonna make it as a diva, I might as well say so!
*4 days later*
Miku: Mr. Ayatoba! I wrote a song! I got a few of the others together and they agreed to do instrumentals for it, would you like to hear?
Ayatoba: I suppose I have the time.
Miku: *Squees with joy*
*in the school's recording booth*
Ayatoba: alright, what's it called?
Miku: World is mine! It's a little pretentious, but the others think its good!
Neru: (on drums) speak for yourself...
Miku: oh shut up! Your only jealous 'cus your song sucks!
Neru: can I kill her? Please?
Ayatoba: just play it already!
Miku: ok! Gakupo, pick up the guitar! Len, you manage to tune the bass in right?
Len: Yup!
Miku: alright, 1, 2, 3, 4!
*sings World is mine perfectly, and Ayatoba is dumbstruck at the success of his creation and the raw talent and stage presence these "vocaloids" have. He knew it was time to take things to the next level.*
Ayatoba: That...that was excellent! Do any of the others have songs?
Gakupo: Well i have one, but it's a little stupid...
Ayatoba: Neru, didnt you say something about having one?
Neru: um, no...
Miku: It's called Stop Nagging Me!, And its atrocious!
Neru: yeah you're not waking up tomorrow.
Miku: *sad anime eyes* you're so mean!
Neru: yup.
Ayatoba: Well, let's hear it! It can't hurt!
Neru: Ugh, fine. Places people. And by the way, I managed to figure out how to use the interface's editing controls for this one.
*she sings Stop nagging me! and Ayatoba is again enthralled by his success*
Ayatoba: I don't honestly see what's so bad about it, I kinda like it! Definitely catchy.
Neru: R-really? I didn't really, um, think it was all that great...
Len: I liked it too!
Neru: *Blushes madly*
*Miku noticed Neru blush, and took note of it to capitalize on later*
Ayatoba: well, do any of the others have songs?
Gakupo: I know Luka has one on her own, and I've got one I've been working on but every time I show it to her she just turns into a cold hearted- oh, never mind. But yes, Luka has one.
Ayatoba: *picks up a phone and quickly tells Luka to come down to the recording studio. She arrives shortly thereafter.*
Luka: what did you need me for?
Ayatoba: Gakupo tells us you have an original?
Luka: well, yes, but i wasnt planning on sharing it...
Gakupo: *leans over her shoulder* come on, can't hurt!
Luka: *blushing madly* F-f-fine. Here's the set up. *hands Ayatoba a small sheet of paper* gonna need you on the synthesizer.
Ayatoba: not a problem. Just get started.
Luka: OK, here we go.
*Luka sings Just be Friends with a seemingly choreographed dance*
Ayatoba: Amazing! You all seem to have had colossal talent for singing even before VOCALOID. I am very impressed. *to himself* I think I can actually turn a profit for these kids... Not to mention snag a nice reputation for myself.
Miku: Why don't we get everyone's song's recorded and set out an album!
Gakupo: are we any good though? I mean, sure we can sing but are our songs good enough?
Miku: just what exactly are you trying to imply? My song sucks?
*starts choking him* I'll just let you know that I worked on that for the better part of a week! And if you think I'm just gonna sit here and let you trash- *suddenly yanked off of Gakupo*
Len: Calm down, you psycho! He made a good point. Are we ready to really put ourselves out there yet? I mean, none of us asked to be the way we are now, but circumstance can be a real bitch. But we have to be responsible now.
Miku: We're being given an opportunity to get big!
Len: and in 6 months we'll be tweaked out in a dumpster somewhere in downtown
Tokyo.
Gakupo: Thats pretty pessimistic...
Neru: Usually I'm the one killing everyone's good moods.
Len: I'm just saying that maybe we should make sure we can handle whatever comes with the package. People are going to notice twenty some cyborg pop stars suddenly releasing an album.
Ayatoba: You...actually have an excellent point.
Neru: *makes "old japanese guy" face* And wise sensei says...
Miku: Ugh, fine.
Ayatoba: However, we should still get everyone's songs recorded. How many others have songs?
Luka: Well I know Gakupo and Len here have their own.
Len & Gakupo: ...
Ayatoba: really? Well, you're already here, let's get it done.
Gakupo: Alright, fine. Mine's called Dancing Samurai.
Neru: *laughs*
Gakupo: shut up.
Len: Mine's called Spice. Honestly I think it's pretty good but maybe a little, uh, suggestive. And maybe a bit weird.
Neru: Can't be that bad, I'm sure it sounds good.
Len: Neru? You feeling ok? You never say stuff like that.
Neru: *blushes* n-no, I, uh, oh forget it.
The rest except Len: Oooooooooh. Everything makes sense now.
Len: huh?
Miku: don't worry about it.
*awkward silence*
Ayatoba: alright then, uh, disregarding that last awkward moment, I think its about time we got started.
Len: *is still confused*
Neru: I think I should just kill-
Len: Neru you sound like my crazy ex stalker when you talk like that...
Miku: Tei? Holy shit was she the definition of CRAZY. I can't count the number of times she tried to kill me.
Luka: that, and her obsession with, um, strange uses for cucumbers.
Len: *shudders*
Ayatoba: That's horrible.
Len: You're telling me...
Neru: *checks her phone* Zatsune said she'd be over in 15 minutes with everyone, but count on 30. She and Akaito are probably, uh, never mind. I think you guys get the picture.
Gakupo: Hahaha, those two are freakin' animals. Zatsune can be kind of a bitch sometimes though.
Luka: Can she? I never noticed.
Gakupo: well, maybe it's just to me then.
*everyone arrives with Zatsune at the studio with mixed expressions*
Gumi: so what's all this about? I had to quit my game of Call of Duty for this...
Ayatoba: I've called you all here to record songs you have written.
Lily: Uh, I didn't think we would have to record them.
Teto: I HAVE ONE!
Neru: not that one...please...
Teto: OH YES. *jumps into the seat in front of the studio synthesizer and starts punching in beats and adjusting things. No one knew she could even do that.*
Gakupo: uh, do you need our help?
Teto: nope! *steps into their recording studio and tells Miku to hit the play button. A happy, upbeat tune starts to play with Teto moving her head side to side. Neru recognized it immediately as "Fukkireta", her pink haired friend's song she wrote a year ago in math class.
Neru: God I hate this song...
Luki: Shit, I'm still impressed with how fast she programmed in that beat! Hey luka, 500 yen says you couldn't program that thing as fast as she could.
Neru: She has the settings in a file dump on the internet. All she had to do was adjust the synth. She had her, ugh, otaku friends do it for her.
Miki: still, I like it!
Len: Me too.
Gumi: What do you have against otakus?
Neru: I hate them. No life losers who spend all day playing video games and drooling over comic-con crap!
Gumi: I DO NOT- I mean, I don't think ALL otakus are like that...
*Most of the others stare at Gumi*
Gumi: *pauses and realizes that she's not a closet otaku anymore* well, shit.
Kaito: Ya know it's not necessarily a bad thing.
Neru: Yes, it is.
Gumi: FUCK YOU NERU.
Neru: *continues texting with a grin on her face. Moments later Zatsune and Dell begin laughing*
Gumi: What's so funny!
Dell: Neru... She got that whole outing on video! God DAMN you should see your fa- *Gumi punches Dell in the face*
Gumi: You three are terrible people. Really.
Zatsune: Hey sister, i didn't say anything.
Gumi: *looks away* whatever.
Teto: I'm glad you guys like it! I worked super hard to get it juuuuuuuust right! *bubbly smile*
Neru: You are just too fucking happy all the time.
Len: Ya know Neru, you might be a little more attractive if you just smiled now and then. *he smiled are a clearly pissed Neru, but she seemed like she was actually trying to smile when he said that*
Everyone except Len and Neru: Yep. Saw that coming.
Len: Huh? Why am I always left out of the loop!
Rin: Because you're an idiot.
Len: *sigh* I still don't know why I just take it...
Rin: Well, being a shot-
Len: Say it and die, woman.
Rin: *Actually looks scared of Len* jeeze, alright...
Luka: *cute smile while poking Len* someone's a little sensitive?
Len: I hate you guys... *pouts*
Ayatoba: alright, everyone who has a song put you name on this list and we can begin recording.
*as they all record their songs, Miku can't help but notice a sense of... Well, things seemed uncomfortable. She decided that if they were to function well together, and as a family (she hoped), they needed to get to know each other. An idea pops into her head, and she became instantly committed to bringing the Vocaloids closer together.*
-end of chapter 6-
And there you have it! chapter 7 still needs some editing but that should be up tomorrow. Thank you to all my readers! -Rocketman182