A/n: Thanks so much for the review and alert! X3 I really loved seeing those! I hope this story is to your liking!
C.C: Thanks! I will. c:
Light.
Sound.
Singing.
Someone's singing in my room?
Gakupo slowly sat up on his bed then opened his eyes.
Lily-san? I've never heard her sing before...
Lily turned around and saw Gakupo in his bed, looking still half-asleep.
"Good morning sleepy! I was sent by Sakine-sama to wake you up. Kaito-san informed her that you had promised to help set up his upcoming concert?" Lily asked in a matter-of-fact kind of way.
"Oh, that. Yes of course I did. I'll be there in few minutes, absolutely."
"Alright, good. I'll see you there." Lily said as she left the room.
Oh geez.
Gakupo sighed as he opened his eyes.
"Noon already? This is bad." Gakupo cursed himself, as he rushed to get up, get changed to his work uniform, then get out.
Opening the door to the outside of the stage, he was greeted by no one but Megpoid Gumi.
"Oh hello, Gakupo-san. Kaito-chan told me you were going to help him out here too. But I got in first, so no trouble okay?"
Gakupo straightened himself out. "Of course not. Kaito-san is a friend and coworker, this has nothing to do with our business, Megpoid-san."
"Not even a hello? Whatever. Sakine-sama needs to give you your assignment, so bye for now." Gumi fake scowled as she walked off.
Yeah, Megpoid-san. Not even a hello.
Gakupo put the thought out of his mind and scanned the room for their manager, Sakine-sama, until he found her at the front of the room with her sake.
Approaching her, Gakupo spoke up. "Sakine-sama, good morning. What do I do?"
She looked over at him and smirked a bit before taking one last sip of her sake. "Gakupo-san! Good morning, slept a little late did we? Why don't you get busy helping Lily-san and Kaito-san clean up the rest of the trash? I swear the fans get messier every year."
Gakupo frowned a bit.
Trash duty? Pathetic.
"Of course Sakine-sama, I'll get to it at once. I apologise for being late."
"Don't worry about it. Just don't make a habit of that and you'll be fine." Sakine Meiko said as she smirked wider this time, leaning back into her chair, looking thoroughly pleased with herself.
Gakupo scowled slightly. "Thank you Sakine-sama." He said as he went off the the edge of the room where he could see Kaito-san and Lily-san emptying one of the many trash bins.
"Oh good morning Gakupo-san! Lily-san and I were waiting for you."
"Good morning Kaito-san. Are you two about done with this section?"
"Almost, Gakupo-san. In fact, Kaito-san, why don't you and Gakupo-san head down to the seats? I only got a few of them done."
Gakupo smiled, looking at Kaito. "Shall we then?"
"Of course Gakupo-san! I'll carry the bags and you collect the items?"
"Sure thing."
Six hours later
A loud voice called out, "Okay everyone! That's enough for today! This place is downright beautiful again! Great job! Tomorrow we'll start making up flyers and signs for the concert. As for the rest of the day, you're all off! Enjoy yourselves and report back at 10:00 tomorrow morning!"
Sakine sat down, grabbed her sake again then walked off to her own room, meeting Gumi on the way as always.
Gakupo, meanwhile, having stood up to hear the announcement, slumped into one of the chairs next to Kaito.
"We got them all. I can't believe we finally got them all, Gakupo-san. You're faster than I thought possible."
Gakupo smirked a bit. "You did well also Kaito-san. Shall we head back to the lounge for a couple hours?"
Kaito smiled. "Yes, I would like to! Do you want to ask about that eggplant ice cream today?"
"Hehe, alright. Let's go then."
Gakupo and Kaito slowly got up, then walked together slowly to the lounge, and found themselves to be alone save for an odd-looking girl at the other end.
"Oh hello guys! You're Gakupo-san and Kaito-san right?" She asked.
"Oh hey Kasane-san. Yeah, this is my friend Gakupo-san, and yes I am."
Kasane?
"You know my name? That's great! My band and I will be performing soon, and I was sent over here to offer you all tickets. But no one else has shown up yet." Kasane said, as she grabbed a small piece of french bread out of the cabinet and started eating it.
"Oh, I will be glad to buy a ticket, Kasane-san. Did you enjoy my concert last night?"
"Yes Gakupo-san, I totally did! I brought my boy with me, even! So does Kaito-san also want a ticket? They're at a discount if purchased together, to a limit of two people!" Kasane said with a little wink.
Both Kaito and Gakupo blushed a bit, fully knowing what she was implying.
"We're not quite, like that, Kasane-san. But yes, I would like a ticket please."
"Oh don't worry, you don't have to be a couple to get the discount!" Kasane said with a simple, big smile.
Gakupo and Kaito looked at each other for a minute, then Kaito turned back and answered, "Alright then, yes please Kasane-san."
"Alright! That'll be 1,200 yen in total please!"
"That's cheap." Gakupo said bluntly.
Kasane blanched. "Uhh, seriously? Well we're not really huge stars like you all are, really..."
Kaito reached into his pocket and pulled out at least 2,000 yen, then handed it to Kasane, who's eyes went wide.
"Don't worry about it. We're quite fine." Kaito said with a kind smile.
"Ahh ahh thank you Kaito-sama! You too Gakupo-sama!" Kasane said as she gave Kaito the ticket and nervously started jogging out of the lounge, to someplace unknown.
Scowling a bit, Gakupo spoke up first.
"Why did you do that?"
"Because she seems nice enough."
Gakupo closed his eyes and straightened himself out.
"Alright then, I can't complain. So when is it for?"
"One week and two days, hmm. It's starting at 8:00 at night."
"Convenient. So would you like to go together, Kaito-san?"
"Yes I really would, Gakupo-san! I'd love to!" Kaito said, smiling at Gakupo.
Alright. I can go with that idea.
Gakupo then put his left hand all the way on Kaito's left shoulder, stretching his arm across his friend's back.
"...Gakupo-san?"
"Let's go back to my room."
Kaito fidgeted a bit.
"Okay Gakupo-san. Let's go then."
Gakupo took his hand back off Kaito and they both got up, then started walking toward his room.
"Leaving so early?" called the voice of Sakine Meiko.
Gakupo and Kaito turned to see Sakine and Gumi walking side-by-side toward the lounge from the other hallway, leading to Sakine's room.
"We were heading back to our rooms, actually." Gakupo lied, trying to make it look better.
"I don't really care about that, Gakupo-san. I wanted to talk to you about being over two hours late today, actually. Especially considering your cordial relationship with Kaito-san there." Sakine said while Gumi winked at Kaito.
"Uh what?" Kaito asked, only to get shushed by Sakine.
"I thought that wasn't a problem, Sakine-sama?"
"I didn't want to distract you out there. But you're usually one of my most serious employees, Gakupo-san. I did not expect such odd behaviour from you. Shall I call a doctor?"
She isn't going to give this up, is she?
"I'm fine Sakine-sama. I simply... overslept. The concert was exhausting. It won't happen again, however."
"Overslept because you were up late talking with Kaito-san?" Sakine asked, a sour smirk on her face.
"That's not true." Gakupo did his best to answer calmly. "I would have in any case. I was... troubled by my substandard performance."
"If you feel your music is slipping, perhaps you need a vacation? Or some more incentive?"
"Sakine-sama, a... a vacation might be good, I suppose."
Sakine Meiko smirked widely. "So you do want a vacation eh? Alright, don't come in tomorrow. I'm sure Kaito-san'll find someone else who can help him!"
Gakupo's eyes flashed with anger. "I will not abandon my duty! My relationships are not your business!"
Sakine Meiko and Megpoid Gumi burst out laughing. Kaito looked shocked.
What?
Did they just...
No, no that's ridiculous. Just look at them!
"Hahaha! You're rich, Gakupo-chan. Don't worry so much. I'll help out Kaito-san myself, take a vacation for a week. Doesn't mean you need to leave here if you don't want to, just don't work."
Gakupo's eye twitched.
Gakupo-chan?
How... how...
...-chan?
"... I understand. Thank you Sakine-sama."
"Take it easy. I'm really not a bad person, Gakupo-san. Next time though, call me if you're so tired, alright?"
"I... alright. I understand, Sakine-sama. I will return to work refreshed and with renewed spirit and voice."
"Good! See you around then! Have a good time at the newcomers' concert!"
She knows about that? How does she learn all these things?
"Likewise."
Sakine smirked one last time and led Gumi into the lounge then.
"... What was that, Gakupo-san?" Kaito asked, with an odd expression.
"... We'll talk about it in private, Kaito-san. Come."
"Alright, I guess."
Gakupo led Kaito over to his room, both trying to break through the awkward atmosphere.
When they arrived, Gakupo opened the door, let Kaito go in after taking off his shoes, took off his own shoes, then brought them and stepped inside, closing the door and turning on the light.
"They planned that. I know they did.", Gakupo said with a stressed face.
"Are they-?"
"What else could it be? How odd though with Sakine-sama being the manager..."
"... Why did you break up with Gumi-chan?"
Gakupo froze.
This again?
Do I have a choice now?
"Kaito-san..."
"No, Gakupo-san. Please tell me, for real."
"Kaito-san, I... it's awkward and unimportant."
"Is it really unimportant Gakupo-san? Really?" Kaito's face was upset, scrunched slightly.
Uuu! Will he not give up already?
"Yes it is Kaito-san!" Gakupo yelled unnaturally loudly.
What...
Too loud, why did I do that? I shouldn't have done that!
"Gakupo-san!" Kaito was flustered now.
No...
"Kaito-san." Gakupo suddenly grabbed Kaito and pulled him into a hug, both of them trembling.
"Alright, I'll tell you. Are you ready?"
"... Okay."
"Megpoid-san... Gumi-san... and I got together last Winter, right? I suppose Winter was pretty good, if awkward. But when Spring rolled around, we had both... gotten tired of being together, being chained to each other. Neither of us were faithful in our hearts, but we finally spoke openly about our issues before any actual infidelity occurred." Gakupo sighed.
"Gumi-san was... well, you may have guessed by now. One time when she came back to our room, this room, from a visit with Sakine-sama, she just played it really cool-like, telling me it was done. I privately welcomed the news, because I also had my eye on someone. It would have been easier perhaps if I hadn't insisted we keep the real reasons secret. But I feared for my reputation." Pausing again, Gakupo broke off the hug and looked away.
"We had a bit of a tussle then. She didn't want to be so restricted. I guess I can't blame her, it's kind of hard keeping a secret like that. During the argument as you might imagine, we both brought up every little thing we hated about each other. She went and visited Sakine-sama in tears, while I sat alone in here and... cried in the bed. That's the night when I called you over, remember?" Kaito nodded, shining tears having formed ever so slightly in his eyes.
"And... I guess that's about it. I was relieved to be free of a false romance, but her words hurt, and I was very scared of what the others... especially you... would think. But now, I suppose I should... let Megpoid-san know it's all right. Because, because I won't seal your tongue over something so trivial, and in doing that, I can't seal anyone's. Is that okay?"
Kaito looked genuinely surprised and touched. "... Okay Gakupo-san. Shall I go with you then?"
"I would love it if you did... Kaito-chan... may I call you that?"
"Actually, I'd prefer just Kaito, if you'd like." Kaito said with a blush.
Gakupo opened his mouth in surprise, then closed it again.
"All right then, Kaito. Just Gakupo is fine with me, then."
"Sure thing Gakupo." Kaito then hugged Gakupo briefly, causing both to smile.
"Shall we go, then, Gakupo?"
"Certainly."
Having now donned their shoes, Gakupo and Kaito left Gakupo's room and started walking down the hall to Gumi and Kaito's room.
"Do you think she'll be in there, Kaito?"
"I don't know, Gakupo. Maybe in there or maybe still with Sakine-sama?"
Gakupo frowned a bit.
If they're in Sakine-sama's room it'll just have to wait.
"I was thinking though, maybe we should call each other normally when we're out like this?" Kaito asked, suddenly a little tense.
Oh. Of course.
"Alright Kaito-san, that's a wise idea."
"Not that I don't like the other way or anything, but... yeah, you know?"
"Don't worry about it."
As they arrived at their destination, each heard faint voices.
Gakupo knocked on the door thrice.
It opened soon enough, revealing Lily.
"Oh? Hello Gakupo-san, Kaito-san. Sorry for being here so suddenly, Megpoid-san called me over."
"It's fine Lily-san. Gakupo-san and I will be coming in now, though."
Lily frowned a bit. "Megpoid-san is just inside, okay?"
Gakupo coughed a couple times. "I have business with her, actually. I need to enter, Lily-san."
Shrugging, Lily gave up. "Whatever. So do I, so I guess we'll see each other inside. Come in."
Gakupo and Kaito removed their shoes then stepped inside, Kaito leading the way but trailing Lily.
"Who is it Lily-san?"
Just then Kaito and Gakupo entered Gumi's vision.
"... Why are you in my room, Gakupo-san? Kaito-chan? Are you moving him in?"
Scowling a bit, Gakupo walked right up to Megpoid Gumi, who was laying on her bed like normal.
"Megpoid-san, I just came to inform you that the promise is void, now. Kaito-san knows. You're free."
Gumi seemed to think a bit before answering, "Is that so, Gakupo-san? You who were so very afraid for your reputation and how one simple man saw you? I'm surprised."
Megpoid Gumi. Why?
"There's no more use in taunting me with Sakine-sama, Megpoid-san. Sometimes situations change." Gakupo said like it was something obvious.
"Well duh, of course they do. You finally came out and admitted yourself to Kaito-chan, did you?"
Gakupo blanched. Kaito looked simultaneously nervous and sheepish. Lily was obviously annoyed.
"That's none of your business, Megpoid-san."
"You mean like crying to me about how much you need him for two hours isn't my business? He's my little cousin anyhow. What makes you think it's not my right to know?"
"Just accept it Gakupo-san, I'm sick of this. I'm tired of your drama, okay?" piped up Lily.
Gakupo started looking deep red.
"I'm not going to stand here and be scolded by you two!" Gakupo began walking off in a huff, but Kaito grabbed his shoulder.
"Look, it's alright. Why did you go after him like that, Gumi-chan?"
"Aww, Kaito-chan. He obviously told you his story, but seriously listen, okay? I've been bugged by that for months, and people are starting to doubt my authenticity because of it. Weren't you too, just last night? Don't you understand why I hated that little promise so much?" Gumi frowned a bit.
"... I don't want this either, okay? But you're split up now and just, it's over, you know?" Kaito said, frustrated.
"Look I'm not trying to get in your way or whatever. It's just kinda funny that he'd break his own promise then finally come over here and tell me that."
"Megpoid-san, it was mine to break. You know that."
"I do, Gakupo-san. I'm glad you did, alright? But I don't appreciate you acting so weird about Sakine-sama and I, either. Just look at yourself, geez."
"I'm not with my boss."
I so needed to say that.
Gumi suddenly did a double take and covered her mouth, chuckling already.
What?
"Wait, you think Sakine-sama and I are... together? Really, Gakupo-san?"
Lily also started giggling a bit, while Kaito decided to fake nervously laughing.
"You mean you aren't? But you spend so much time together!"
"Yeah, we're best friends, actually. But trust me, Sakine-sama isn't quite the kind of person that..."
Did I really get that wrong?
"Megpoid-san. If you aren't with Sakine-sama, what was earlier today then?" Gakupo asked, confused and frustrated.
"Oh, that? Sakine-sama told you half of it then. I admit I may have slightly nudged her to help me help you realise something, though.", Gumi said with a mischievous wink, sticking her tongue out.
Gakupo blushed badly.
"Wait, you wanted Gakupo-san and I together, Gumi-chan?" asked Kaito with a wide face.
"Why not? It's obvious to me from both of you. I actually wanted to do something for you, Kaito-chan, is that okay?"
"I-I, ahh, of course. Thanks, Gumi-chan."
"That's... it, then?" Gakupo asked, with a weird expression.
"Yeah that's it."
Standing up from her bed, Gumi fixed Gakupo with a tired but slightly frustrated look. "Now if you would kindly leave with Kaito-chan for now, I have some things to discuss with Lily-san."
Gakupo blanched slightly, while Lily seemed to perk up from looking continually annoyed.
"Of course Megpoid-san. We'll take our leave now." Gakupo answered as he grabbed Kaito's arm and started leading him out.
"See you tonight Gumi-chan!"
"Yeah, you too Kaito-chan."
Gakupo led Kaito to the door as both redonned their shoes then exited, Kaito closing the door behind them.
"... I can't believe that, y'know?"
"I suppose I had an error of judgment."
All this time I thought that...
Perhaps I see things that aren't there, too often.
"I'm glad though, Gakupo." Kaito said with a smile as they arrived at Gakupo's room.
"As am I." Gakupo smiled back gently.
As they opened the door and entered like normal, Kaito broke the hand-holding that had developed so he could reach out and stretch.
"I'm tired, Gakupo."
Gakupo glanced at the clock.
9:48?
"Of course you are, Kaito. It is late, I suppose. You can... sleep in here, if you like."
"Oh? But Gumi-chan..."
"Would she really care that much, just for tonight?"
Kaito looked down a bit, as he seemed to be thinking.
"I'm not sure Gakupo. But I would love to spend the night with you."
Gakupo smiled softly at first, then turning a little odder.
"Turn around for a bit, will you Kaito?"
Looking surprised then understanding with a blush, Kaito complied.
"Would you consider me to be a silk man, Kaito?"
"Hmm. I guess so, maybe."
"Trust your guesses more, Kaito-chan."
Kaito turned back and blushed a bit. "Okay, Gakupo."
A couple hours later, exhausted, they smiled at each other as the new couple retired to bed, Gakupo in silk violet pajamas.
xx
"Finally, that's over." Lily said with a sigh.
"I know Lily-san. I'm sorry it took so long."
Lily smiled a bit. "It's alright Megpoid-san. It was new for me too, besides. Even if I wasn't with a clouded eye." Lily said, trying to smile a bit.
"Hehe, yeah. I'm kind of surprised he'd think that, though I guess I shouldn't be."
"Eh, at least he won't spread any more rumours now."
Gumi smiled a bit. "That's true."
Glancing around the room, Lily soon changed the subject. "So, do you think you could teach me to cook carrots?"
"Eh? Of course I could. I'm kinda tired now, though. Would you want to in a couple days?"
"Oh, whatever works with your schedule, Megpoid-san." Lily said, smiling as she sat on Kaito's bed.
"Why do you want to cook carrots, though?"
"Because Hatsune-san is coming back to visit in three days!"
"What? Hatsune-san?" Gumi's eyes widened as she spoke a little more loudly than normal.
"Yeah, I can't believe it either, right?"
"Well if that's the case then I need to prepare something too!" Gumi said, half talking to herself as well as Lily.
"I'll help, if you want."
"You'd do that for me, Lily-san? I don't want to impose on you..."
"Of course I would. We're friends right? Besides, you promised to help me out anyway, least I can do is return it." Lily smiled at her friend.
"Oh thank you! Thank you!" Gumi excitedly bowed to Lily.
Bowing back a little awkwardly, Lily just shrugged a bit.
"It's not a problem. So, a couple days from now?"
"Tomorrow, actually, after work if that's fine?"
"Oh okay, Megpoid-san."
"Hehe, alright, Lily-san."
Suddenly standing back up, Lily turned back to face Gumi.
"I have to get back to my room now, though. I need to prepare a bit."
"Alright, I'll see you later then! Goodnight! And make sure you wash your carrots!"
Lily chuckled a bit. "I won't forget! Goodnight, Megpoid-san."
With that, Lily walked over to leave the room.
Gumi laid back down on her bed, trying to stay awake but soon failing in the pillow's warm comfort.
I need to start writing chapter 3 now! I'm also thinking of starting side stories explaining what happens at some points with the other characters as well as Gakupo and Kaito's night. ;D Dunno though, would anyone be interested?
Please R&R! x3
Disclaimer: I do not own Vocaloid, Utauloid, or any of the characters of them. I only own this story. I am not making any monetary profit from this work.