Chapter 4:
Meiko sighed heavily, closing the car door with a loud bang. Those girls were going to bleed her dry… How much had they spent in the store again? She didn't want to remember… all she knew was it was more than they should have. She, again, glanced at the rearview mirror. At least they were happy, laps full of bags while they giggle with each other, she was starting to grow a little less wary of Miku. She was actually very sweet, smart, eerily perfect… Ok, maybe Meiko was still a little afraid of her.
"You guys wanna' go home or to Hiyama Recording Studios?" Meiko asked although she was already sure of the answer.
"The studio of course!" Gumi cried.
"Yeah! We're gonna' be stars!" Rin insisted eagerly.
"Ok then…" Meiko sighed, starting the car.
Rin was grinning from ear to ear. "This is gonna' be great! Miku, what song are you going to sing?" She asked, sparkling blue eyes turning on the green-haired robot.
"Um…" Miku looked up, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "We should sing World Is Mine together!" She declared with a smile. "Can we?"
Rin's grin didn't falter, if anything it grew larger. "Of course! This is going to be fantastic!" She sang clapping her hands together gleefully.
They soon arrived at Hiyama Studios, a huge skyscraper with shiny windows that sparkled in the light. Miku gazed up at it with wide eyes. It was the most beautiful thing she had seen yet. Meiko guided the girls out of the car and into the extravagant building. The white floors shined as they made their way to the front desk, past the people in suits that were bustling in and out along with beautiful people that were obviously stars. Meiko was starting to regret bringing the girls in the clothes they were wearing and not wearing a suit herself, at least she had a pair of dress pants on and one of her nicer jackets.
"Stay here," Meiko ordered the girls when they were halfway to the front desk. "I'll be right back." She said, turning to head to the wide, curved desk where at least ten people were sitting, answering phones, typing away on their computers, and pointing people where they needed to go. She went up to stand before one of them, a small woman with short black hair and dark eyes.
"Hello, how may I help you?" She asked, smiling sweetly at Meiko.
"Yes, I am Meiko Kagamine, I work for Isamine Robotics and I have something that Kiyoteru Hiyama would find extremely interesting." She said quickly.
The girl blinked before nodding sharply and dialing her boss. She told him what was happening in a hushed voice then directed Meiko to go to his office. Meiko smiled, thanking the girl, before heading back to the three little girls watching her expectantly. "Well… it looks like someone got you all a meeting with Kiyoteru Hiyama…"
"Kya! Meiko-Chan you're amazing!" Rin cried, throwing her arms around her older sister as Gumi squealed in delight and Miku clasped her hands to her chest.
"Well, ya' know…" Meiko replied smugly. "Now come on, we better not be late." She said guiding them to the crowded elevator.
The building was huge, at least seventy stories high if not more. It took a few minutes to reach the large door that would open to Hiyama's office. "Ok, just let me do the talking unless he directly speaks to you."
"Jeez Meiko, calm down." Rin replied crossing her arms.
"Hush," Meiko replied knocking on the door.
"Come in!" Called a male from inside.
Kiyoteru Hiyama was intrigued to find out why a representative of Isamine Robotics, the biggest technological company in the world, was coming to him, the biggest record company in Japan. Sure they had worked together before on minor things, but never had a rep. came to him without notice. He watched the small group come in with his brows raised. He recognized Meiko Kagamine from one of the many meetings he had been to where her and her boss Isamine had attended, and of course he had known of her famous father, but the three young girls that followed were new to him.
"Hiyama-San," Meiko bowed slightly as did the girls. "I apologize, I should have scheduled a proper appointment."
"It is fine, but I am afraid I have little time…" He replied.
"I understand, it will only take a moment." Meiko replied giving Miku and Rin pointed looks.
Rin looked to Miku who nodded, with that, they began. The look on Hiyama's face was priceless, Gumi had to cover her mouth to keep from giggling. Meiko watched his reaction warily, hoping that his shock was a good sign, not a bad one. Then her phone in her pocket vibrated. She bit back a curse, stepping out of the office to check the i.d. Gakupo, of course…
She growled under her breath, then it hit her… he could be calling to tell her that something had gone horribly wrong and her brother had been blown to pieces… "Gakupo?" She hissed into the phone. "Is everything alright?"
"Huh? Of course everything's fine!" He replied cheerfully making Meiko breath a sigh of relief.
"Well, why are you calling? I'm right in the middle of the meeting with Hiyama." She snapped, keeping her voice low.
"Another success Meiko!" He sang. "Haku is wonderful! She can sing too!"
"Oh," Meiko sighed. "Well… good. I hope to be home soon, just… keep an eye on your little robo-friend."
"Not a problem Meiko! She's currently upstairs drinking with Kaito!"
"Wiat, what?" She hissed, shock returning to her face.
"Well… maybe I should say she's draining your never ending supply while Kaito eats ice cream." Gakupo said thoughtfully.
"Gakupo! Your letting a ROBOT drink?" She hissed.
"Oh, sorry doll, gotta' go!"
Meiko groaned, stuffing the phone back into her pocket before re-entering the room to find Hiyama gushing over the girls.
"That was fantastic!" He cried. "You both are going to be stars! I promise you that! You'll go on tour, get rich, have fans all across the world!"
Miku and Rin were, of course, grinning ear to ear although Miku was a little confused she still knew that this was a good thing.
Hiyama glanced at Meiko and sobered. "Miss Kagamine, may I speak to you alone for a moment?"
"Girls, go out in the hall and wait." Meiko ordered and they quickly did as they were told. "Is there a problem Hiyama?"
"No, both girls are amazing, they will easily become stars. They're cute, have talent, and their songs seem to be pretty original, at least if they are all like that. But… Rin is your little sister, correct? That is what she told me…"
"Yes, Rin is my little sister." Meiko replied, nodding slightly.
"Who is Miku to you? Her voice is unnaturally perfect… You work for Isamine, has he created some sort of device to perfect the girl's voice?" Hiyama asked slowly.
"Actually sir, this has nothing to do with my job." She informed him, watching his brows furrow slightly. "I am not here representing Isamine but my brother, Kaito, he is also a scientist… He created Miku."
It was silent for a moment. She was afraid that this wasn't good…
"Created?" Hiyama murmured. "You mean…"
"Miku is the first robot to be able to function like a normal human being, she has a mind of her own." Meiko continued. "She has feelings and thoughts and she wants to sing. There is another, her name is Haku, I could bring her by if you are interested to see her too."
Hiyama nodded slowly. "Yes, I would like to meet her." He replied carefully. "So, Rin and Gumi are human girls, correct?"
"Yes, Rin is my sister and Gumi is a family friend. Currently the only two robots my brother has created is Miku and Haku but I believe he may create more…" She explained, mind going to the robot Gakupo had designed, Luka, and then to Isamine... "I would prefer if this information was kept between us for the time being." She added.
"Of course, such a great thing should be revealed at the proper time." He replied. He hadn't known her father well but he respected the man and figured the girl's wishes should be respected as well. "Now, shall we make the girls official stars?" He asked, smiling at Meiko as he pulled some documents from his desk.
"Paperwork, what a joy…" Meiko grumbled making Hiyama chuckled in response.
"My dear Haku, you certainly are a lovely woman…" Gakupo purred to the intoxicated woman leaning towards her, smirk on his face and eyes sparkling dangerously.
Haku only threw her head back and laughed before downing the rest of her alcohol. Sober she was nervous and shy, drunk she was giggly and carefree. Kaito found it amusing, he would have with any human but somehow her being a robot made it even more so, but Gakupo's constant flirting… eh… not so much. "Your pretty cute tooo-ooh…" She giggled, head lolling to the side.
"Yeah… who knew alcohol can affect robots too…" Kaito sighed, plucking the empty bottle from her hands before she dropped it.
"My dear girl, would you like to join me in my-"
"Gakupo, stop hitting on her." Kaito growled, finally snapping, but Haku only giggled, hopping up, unstably, to seat herself in Gakupo's lap, snuggling against him.
"Aw! But you have the little green one…" Gakupo pouted playfully, wrapping his strong arms around the curvy girl. "And my lovely Luka hasn't been created yet…"
"Once you have your lovely Luka, you may do with her as you please…" Kaito sighed. "Wait, maybe that's not such a good idea…" He mumbled, rethinking his response.
"Boys! We're home!" Called a familiar voice from the door.
"Huh? Gaku-Kun, who's that?" Haku mumbled, rubbing at her eyes sleepily as she peered up at him.
"Haku, darling, that is your new drinking buddy…" Gakupo informed her, tapping her nose so she giggled like a little girl and her cheeks flushed even darker than they already were. "Meiko! Come in! You simply must meet our new friend!"
Kaito sighed, stabbing his spoon back into his vanilla ice cream, knowing that Meiko was sure to be angry. But he was also eager to hear if they were successful on their journey to the recording studio. He wanted his little Miku to be happy, she was like a child to him in a way, he had created her… she was his special girl. Haku was also special to him of course but there was something about that Miku… she was special. She would always be number one in his heart but he would not ignore Haku.
Meiko cautiously entered the kitchen, the other girls peering around her, eager to see Haku. "Uh… so this is Haku?" She asked, eyeing the girl snuggled against Gakupo, struggling not to fall asleep.
"Creator!" Miku chirped, slipping around Meiko to launch herself at Kaito.
"Woah!" He laughed, catching the girl and pulling her fully into his lap. "Hello Miku…" He said, giving the girl a gentle kiss on the forehead just like he did Rin when she was small.
Meiko saw it.
She didn't know what to think anymore.
"I'm sorry, Haku's just, ah, had a bit too much to drink." Gakupo exclaimed, smiling brightly at Meiko, who's eye twitched.