After a few more positive reviews and some time on my computer, chapter 9 is done! at the end i will try to make it a habit to reply to any and all reviewers. This one's a bit long just FYI.
Disclaimer: I don't own the vocaloids. still. That's not really changing any time soon.
Ch.9
Showtime!
*The next week passed before the Vocaloids even knew it. Nerves had been getting the better of them. According to Miku, this was exactly what needed to happen. "Put two men who hate each other in a sinking boat and watch how fast they reconcile" is what Miku's father had told her many years ago. The concert was this evening, and it was already 1pm. Miku needed to gather up everyone before they got cold feet or wound up drunk (Miku was thinking of two or three particular cases). She sent a group text out, telling the others to meet at the stage in one hour. That left her one hour to do what she needed to. It was time to place her personal, and final, piece of the puzzle.*
Miku: *Calls Kaito. He answers quickly*
Kaito: Hello?
Miku: Hey Kaito, are you busy?
Kaito: Not really, just whipping Gakupo's ass in Tekken. What's up?
Miku: *It was now or never, and Miku damn well knew it. She had never returned his advances openly, and she wouldn't be surprised if he was caught totally off guard. So naturally being a nervous wreck she did the most illogical thing she could think of.* WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO OUT WITH ME?
Kaito: *reeling from the very unnecessary scream on the other end of the line* Wow, I didn't know you felt that way too! Honestly I thought you really didn't want anything to do with me.
Miku: nope!
Kaito: Um, you want to go get-
Miku: ice cream? I'd love to!
Kaito: *shocked at the ice cream comment* uh, yeah! Sounds like a plan! We can go after the concert tonight.
Miku: see you then! *hangs up* HELL YES!
-Scene change-
*Cut to backstage 15 minutes before the first performer, Miku, was set to go on. The atmosphere is becoming increasingly tense with each passing minute. Gakupo had already calmed Gumi down from one panic attack, but it was doubtful he could do the same for the rest of the Vocaloids.*
Lily: Ok, I'm freakin out. FREAKIN OUT.
Luka: Calm yourself! You'll just get me freaked out too!
Len: it's sure packed out there... Who knew we would attract an actual crowd?
Mikuo: I think it's surprising to us all, really.
Stage director: Miku, you're on in 30 seconds.
Miku: *takes a very deep breath* Ok, world is mine, world is mine, world is fuckin mine...
*The time comes and Miku dashes out on stage to be met by bright lights and applause. She says nothing and just looks at the crowd, trying to build a stage presence. Moments later the instrumentals come on. She remembers the dance she so carefully practiced and began to move to the music. Next was the hardest part, actually singing. She began belting out the lines as best as she could, moving to the music as if her life depended on it. She was met with thunderous applause from the audience. She barely hear herself over the powerful instrumentals, but she knew she had nailed it. She finished her song with a powerful note*
Miku: *To the crowd* thank you Goldvoice academy! *sprints off stage*
*backstage*
Akaito: That was damn impressive Miku. I've never seen anyone with such a powerful stage presence their first time.
Luka: Ok! I'm next! *Luka was shockingly excited for her song*
Luki: Never seen you this excited before sis...
Luka: You're the same way.
Luki:...
*Luka's turn comes up, and as she turns away Gakupo runs up to her*
Gakupo: wait a sec. *pulls her close and kisses her in full view of the other Vocaloids*
Others: Ooooooo!
Gakupo: *to Luka* Good luck!
Luka: *Dumbstruck and blushing hard* T-thanks!
Gumi: Saw that one coming a mile away!
*Luka runs on stage and signals the instrumentals for her new song "Stardust Utopia" to begin. Her dance isn't nearly as flashy as Miku's but it flows much more freely with the light, jazzy beat. The crowd went as wild as they did for "World is Mine" She finished her song, thanked the audience and ran offstage.*
Kaito: *To everyone* If we keep this up we'll top the charts by the end of the night!
Lily: Ok, my turn. Time to mix this shit up a little!
Rin: What do you mean by that?
Lily: SUPER SONIC DANCE TIME!
Gumi: uh, have fun?
Lily: Damn right!
*As the night progressed and more Vocaloids performed, tension seemed to be melting and a powerful air of comradeship seemed to drift in and take its place.
Everything was going along smoothly until it came to be Gakupo's turn.*
Gakupo: Shit! Shit! Shiiiiiiiiit!
Luka: You ok!
Gakupo: I forgot the lyrics! I'm so screwed!
Len: To your own song!
Luka: Ok, as much as I don't want to... Do you remember the song you wrote for us?
Gakupo: You had a hand in it too!
Piko: I hate to remind you guys, but Gumi's just about done. If you're gonna do something, do it quick!
Luka: Ok here's the plan. Babe, you head out first and get the beat going. I'll pop out and hit the first line, then you have to be ready and follow me right through. The song is more like a rhythmic conversation right?
Kaito: Gumi's done! Hit it my purple haired companion!
Gakupo: *Battle cry* For eggplants!
Ted: Anyone else find that weird? No? Just me?
Gakupo: *charges out onto the stage to be met with thunderous applause, then looks over at the instrumentals and signals them for "Go Google It".* Hit it!
*The beat begins, and with perfect timing Luka jumps out and sings her first line. Gakupo follows flawlessly and the timely duet continued*
*Backstage*
Miku: Those two are so darn cute together...
Zatsune: Who the fuck are you talking to?
Miku: Oh, no one in particular.
Zatsune: riiiight. So you're dating Akaito's brother now?
Miku: That got out fast.
Zatsune: word moves quick. I'm gonna go grab a drink before my set. How much time do I have?
Miku: About 15 minutes.
Zatsune: see you in 15 then. *she walks off, leaving Miku alone in her part of the room*
Miku: *to herself* I dont think this could have gone any better...
*30 minutes later*
Miki: *poking Miku with her big red ahoge* You ok?
Miku: Yep! I'm fantastic, actually! Just a little lost in thought.
Miki: Good to hear! Haku and Dell decided to do a duet for the last act. They just went out on stage.
Miku: we should probably all go out and do the "thanks everyone!" thing afterward.
Miki: I suppose so.
*The song ends and everyone takes the stage for a final bow. But instead of a simple applause, they hear something else. The crowd was chanting. Not just chanting, but chanting "VO-CA-LOIDS! VO-CA-LIODS! VO-CA-LOIDS!". Miku immediately recognized the call for an encore. Unfortunately, they had run out of songs. All except one. Miku and Gumi looked at each other uncomfortably.*
Miku: *to Gumi over the chanting* Should we do this?
Gumi: Well... Ah, the hell with it! *Yelling to the instrumentals* MATRYOSHKA! KICK IT BOYS!
*A strange, metallic beat comes thundering from the amps. Miku and Gumi take their positions on stage. As Miku and Gumi sang the rather strange final song of the night, the other Vocaloids looked on, reflecting on their performances. In all, it had gone flawlessly. The prototype Vocaloid interfaces functioned well enough to provide all necessary adjustments. And there was something else in the air as well. Each Vocaloid could feel it, a closeness they had not felt before. It was sense of almost... family. The only one who truly understood exactly what had occurred was Dell. He stood at the back as he normally did, but that rare smile was affixed to his face and wasn't saying a word.*
Haku: Dell, are you alright? You're very quiet.
Dell: Yeah, I'm fine. For the first time in a while, honestly, I'm at peace.
Haku: *smiles brightly* me too. *kisses him briefly and walks over to speak to Gakupo*
*The set ends, and Miku and Gumi come offstage. Applause eventually died down as the audience departed. The only people left in the theater were the Vocaloids joined by Ayatoba.*
Ayatoba: That was superb! I think you guys made a few fans today at the very least. Congratulations to all. I've called two limousines to take you all back to the dorms.
Miki: A limousine! Sweet!
Gumi: Yeah... I really don't want to walk a mile back to the dorms.
Lily: Especially after that acid trip of a song!
Miku: It wasn't easy to sing!
Lily: I never said I didn't like it! How in the world did you two come up with those lyrics anyway?
Gakupo: I'm actually curious about that too...
Miku: Just some creat-
Gumi: SHIT TON OF BOOZE!
Luka: *sigh* naturally.
Meiko: Wait, who's got booze?
Kaito: no one.
Meiko: Fuck...
Mikuo: There's a bar close by if you want to go...
Meiko: You read my mind.
Kaito: That reminds me, Miku, I believe we have a date?
Mikuo: Wha? When did this happen!
Miku: Relax! I asked him-
Kaito: correction; screamed.
Miku: Uh, yeah, sorry about that. I asked him out before the concert.
Gakupo: I can vouch for that.
Kaito: Yeah, I kinda forgot, Gakupo was there.
Gakupo: Oh, thanks...really...
Gumi: Well, we should all get back soon. It's been a long day. Have fun on your date you two!
Miku & Kaito: We will!
*The Vocaloids leave the backstage room and pile into the two limos that were waiting. Kaito went to take Miku's hand but someone called her name. Dell walked up to the driver's side window and told him not to wait for him.*
Dell: Hey Kaito, mind if I borrow your girl for a minute?
Kaito: Sure, just don't be long.
*Dell and Miku walk over to a quiet area so that they can talk in private. Dell lit a cigarette and spoke.*
Dell: That went well.
Miku: Yes, it did. I liked you and Haku out there. You two are perfect, you know.
Dell: *laughs* yeah, She's my drunken little angel. I don't want to keep you from your boy any longer so I'll say what I need to and let ya get out of here. What you did tonight... It worked. Even Neru seemed happy.
Miku: Well well well! Is big bad Dell trying to say thank you?
Dell: *looks away, embarrassed* N-no, I was just, uh...
Miku: You're welcome. Now go home, I'm sure Haku misses you.
Dell: Uh, Right. See ya later Miku.
Miku: *just smiles as he walks off.*
*Miku walks back to Kaito and takes his hand. They walk together for a while before either of them speak.*
Kaito: So what was all that about? I know Dell can be kind of cryptic...
Miku: It was nothing important, just saying thank you.
Kaito: *Shocked* He said what?
Miku: He didn't say it exactly but something pretty damn close.
*they arrived at the ice cream shop at 8:30pm, half an hour before closing time. There was a bright sign on the outside of the window that read: "Mystery ice cream challenge! Eat one scoop of the mystery ice cream flavor and win a free cone!"*
Miku: Oh I am SO doing it.
Kaito: Ok? I don't see anything wrong with that I guess. How much is it?
Miku: It says 2.00¥. *she pulls out her wallet but Kaito stops her*
Kaito: My treat.
Miku: My my, what a gentleman!
Kaito: *Walks up to counter* One scoop of chocolate and one mystery flavor challenge.
*Kaito handed the clerk the money and she quickly returned with the order. The mystery flavor was a deep green color and, at least to Kaito, smelled absolutely awful.*
Shop clerk: we haven't had a person yet be able to eat the whole thing. Good luck!
Miku: thank you!
*Miku sniffs the ice cream. Her eyes immediately light up at the seemingly awful smell. She takes a bite.*
Miku: It can't be... Can it?
*She took another bite. After that it became a bizarre ice cream feeding frenzy. As soon as that scoop was gone she grabbed her wallet and ran up to the counter to ask for 4 more scoops.*
Store Clerk: How did you... You like it? How can anyone like leek flavored ice cream!
Miku: Give me the damn ice cream lady.
Store clerk: *now noticeably worried* y-yeah, sure. B-be right back. *she hurried to get Miku's order. In the mean time Miku had the expression of a strung out addict waiting for their next fix. The only other person Kaito had ever seen like this was Miku's brother Mikuo after a weeklong camping trip in the American Rocky Mountains a year ago. They had lost some of their food when they nearly fell off a cliff a day into the trip, and among those provisions were Mikuo's leek stash.*
Store clerk: H-here you go. Please leave...
Kaito: *Quietly to the obviously terrified young woman behind the counter* sorry about this, really.
*The two walked hand in hand back to the dorms. Kaito spoke up*
Kaito: We forgot our free ice cream.
Miku: Oh, shoot! We did!
Kaito: Next time I suppose. *looks up at the starry night sky* beautiful, aren't they?
Miku: *Looks up as well* Yes, they really are.
*At the same time the two notice a bright shooting star streak by*
Kaito: *Takes a deep breath* I don't think I'd rather be anywhere else right now.
Miku: *Blushes* Me neither, Mr. Stargazer.
Kaito: *Pulls Miku in close* I had a lot of fun tonight.
Miku: *Obviously embarrassed about the closeness, but thoroughly enjoying it.* M-me too, who knew they had leek ice cream?
*Kaito Slowly leans in for the kiss. Miku picks up on it immediately and gave it everything she had. As the two shared their first kiss together, another shooting star passes by overhead.*
Miku: *in her head* I'm kissing my new boyfriend, I've just come off my début performance, and I've brought my new family together. And to top it all off I think I've found a name for that song I've been working on... Stargazer sounds perfect...
-End chapter 9-
I had a lot of fun writing this one! For all of you Miku x Kaito fans out there, this one's for you! i just think they seem to fit together. I also wanted to include some of my favorite vocaloid songs in here as just sort of a shoutout of my own personal taste (threw in stargazer at the end there, i love that song). And now time to reply to recent reviewers!
To MikaFika- I was thinking the same thing! thanks for reading!
To MonochromeButterfly- Thanks for you're support! i sure will! P.S. you have an awesome username.