Len: Wow Elise-sensei, you're getting a little faster with the updates.

EliseArainai: Must you be so critical?

Rin: *nudges Len* Yeah, she's doing the best she can!

Meiko: Elise-sensei does not own Vocaloid…

Kaito: She just writes stories about us.

Miku: Enjoy! ^^

Glancing anxiously at the clock, I waited for the last bell of the day to ring. Just two more minutes and I would be free to go to Crypton Records to record my first album! I was so excited; I couldn't even hear sensei's voice anymore.

When the bell finally did ring, I was out of the classroom like a shot, racing to my locker to switch my shoes and pick up whatever fan mail fell out again. Once that was done, I waited in front of the school for Luka and the twins.

A few minutes later, Luka dashed up to me looking a little frazzled. "I… I'm here… Miku-san," she said, a little out of breath.

"Luka nee-chan, did you run into a bunch of fans or something?" I asked.

Nodding, Luka straightened herself out. "I barely escaped. How do you avoid it?"

"Honestly, I just run out of there as fast as I can," I answered.

"Eh? You could get hurt doing that, Miku-san," the pink-haired girl scolded. "Where are the twins?"

"Psst! Over here," a couple of voices said, and Luka and I looked over at a bench. Two people were sitting there, their faces hidden behind magazines, but I could tell who they were.

"I think your disguises need work, guys," I commented with a giggle.

The twins sighed as they lowered the magazines. "Well, it worked long enough to lose those fans," Rin said. "This is ridiculous! We've only gotten our single released, and we're already dodging fans!"

"Just a part of the world of showbiz, I guess," Len said with a shrug. "Now c'mon, we gotta get to the studio and start recording."

We got to the bus stop and managed to get to Crypton Records without incident, although a few people did stop us to ask for autographs. "It'll still take me a while to get used to that!" I told the others as we walked through the doors. "Good luck, you guys!"

"You too, Miku-nee!" the twins replied before heading for their studio.

…

It was about 7:30 when Gumi told me that today's session was over. "Good work today, Miku-chan! We'll pick this up tomorrow."

"Okay," I replied before taking a sip of my water bottle. "Hey Gumi-chan, how can I avoid getting swarmed by fans?"

"Ooh, that's a tough question," Gumi said. "Well, Kaito usually disguises himself, and Meiko knows the area well enough to have a few hiding places. Those are both good options, but if the fans do catch you, just go with the flow."

"I'll try," I said. "See you tomorrow!"

I met up with the others and couldn't help giggling when someone's stomach growled. "Okay, that was not me," Len said quickly.

"I guess we're all a bit hungry, huh?" Luka commented.

"Oh, that's no problem! Kaito nii-chan showed me this nice restaurant a while ago," I suggested. "Why don't we go there?" Luckily, everyone agreed.

Of course, shortly after we got there, Rin began her line of questioning. "So Miku-nee, what's going on between you and Kaito-san?"

I gave a quick and slightly flustered response. "N-Nothing's going on, we just had dinner together that one time!"

"But you're calling him Kaito nii-chan now," Rin pressed.

"Because he sort of reminds me of Mikuo," I replied, not technically lying. "He's… like a big brother to me."

"Uh-huh," the female twin muttered with a smug smile.

"Knock it off, Rin," Len scolded, giving his sister a light nudge.

At some point during our meal, a young girl walked up to our table. "Um, excuse me. Are you the Vocaloids?" she asked shyly, fiddling with one of her pigtails.

"Yes, we are," I answered with a smile, just going along with it like Gumi suggested.

"I-I knew it! I listened to your songs, you're amazing!" the girl gushed, her eyes suddenly wide with excitement. "If you don't mind, can you sign my notebook?"

"Sure, no problem," Luka said, smiling sweetly. "What's your name?"

"Yuki Kaai," the girl answered with flushed cheeks. All four of us signed her notebook, and when she took it back she bowed to us. "Thank you! I'm sorry I disturbed your dinner."

"It's okay," the twins said, waving to Yuki as she left. "She was so cute!" Rin commented.

"I don't think I mind having fans like her," I said.

…

The next day, I was once again glancing at the clock in my classroom, preparing to make a run for the door when the bell rang. Finally after what seemed like forever, the bell rang, and I shot out of my seat only to suddenly trip over something, landing flat on my face.

"Whoops, sorry Hatsune," Neru's voice said, and I could hear a few other people snickering. "I must've moved my bag there by accident." I shot her a glare, sorely tempted to retaliate.

"Now now, that's enough of that," Hiyama-sensei scolded before he knelt down to help me up. "Are you okay, Hatsune-san?" Out of all the teachers I had in my 16 years, Kiyoteru Hiyama-sensei was probably the best homeroom and math teacher I've ever had.

"I think my ego was bruised," I answered, pouting.

As the other students left, Hiyama-sensei pulled me off to the side. "I've been meaning to tell you this, but you really shouldn't run out of the classroom like that," he said firmly. "You got lucky this time, but you could get badly hurt."

"Sorry, sensei," I said, hanging my head in embarrassment.

Sensei smiled at me. "It's alright, just promise me you'll slowdown from now on."

"I promise," I replied with a nod.

"Believe me, I understand what you're going through," Hiyama-sensei continued as he gathered his things. "Don't let this get around too much, but I'm actually part of a band called 'Ice Mountain.'"

"You're in a band?!" I exclaimed in surprise. I never expected the calm and cool Hiyama-sensei did such a thing! Not only that, but I thought that teachers weren't supposed to have other jobs.

"I know what you're thinking, Hatsune-san, but don't worry," he reassured me. "We're not technically professional, so it doesn't count as having a second job. Regardless, it's tough balancing the band and my job here. I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you ever have any problems, I'm here to offer advice."

I couldn't help grinning. "Thanks sensei, you're the best! I'll see you on Monday!"

"Bye, and good luck," Hiyama-sensei called as I left.

When I reached the school entrance, Luka and the Kagamine twins were already there. "You're a little later than usual," Len commented.

"Stupid Neru tripped me when I tried to run out of the room," I muttered, pouting again.

"Sheesh, what is that girl's problem?!" Rin growled. "I swear, sometimes I just wanna-!"

But she was cut off when she saw a small crowd started running towards us. "Run awaaaay!" the twins shouted as the four of us took off in a run.

"You don't think they were waiting for us, do you?" Luka asked.

"How'd they even find out our schools?!" I shouted, though I had the idea that someone might've spotted us in our uniforms at some point.

"Less talking, more running!" Len shouted as we rounded a corner, trying to lose the fans. This kept up for a while, with no sign of slowing down.

Suddenly, Rin spotted an open gate. "Quick, let's hide in here!"

"What?!" Len shouted, about to protest until he heard the crowd getting closer. "Oh, fine!" All four of us ran inside the gate and slammed it shut, all breathing a sigh of relief.

"How long do you think we'll have to hide here?" I whispered.

"Probably until things cool down," the twins answered simultaneously.

"We're definitely going to be late for our recording session," Luka muttered with a sigh.

Leaning against the fence, I got a good look at where we were. We had accidently ended up in the backyard of a traditional Japanese-style home. "Uh, guys… I think we're on someone's property."

"Crap! What do we do?!" Rin asked, giving her brother a panicked look.

"I dunno! We can't go out there now," Len answered. "This is technically your fault, you were the one who found the gate!"

"My fault?! You agreed to go!" Rin argued, but they didn't go any further when we heard footsteps coming.

"Quick, hide!" Luka whispered as we all hid in a large bush.

"Is someone there?" a male voice called. We peeked out to see a man with long purple hair pulled back in a ponytail and stunning blue eyes. He was dressed in a hakama and a katana hung from his waist. "Beautiful" was really the only word that could describe him, and glancing over at Luka, I could see her blushing.

The man noticed the gate, which had swung open again. Sighing, we walked over and pushed it closed. "I really should get that lock fixed…" he muttered as he walked away.

"He's gone," I whispered, and we all slipped out of the bush. "Now what?"

Rin hopped up and down to try to see over the fence. "Those fans are still looking for us! Don't they ever give up?"

"Okay, so the gate's out," Len muttered. "We'll just have to find another way out, and hope that guy with the sword doesn't spot us."

"I guess we really don't have a choice," Luka agreed, which was surprising for her. She had always been one for following the rules, but now she was agreeing to sneak around this place to look for another exit! Then again, maybe the possibility of running into that mysterious purple-haired man had something to do with it.

Sneaking through the garden, we made it to the other side before hiding once again. It turned out the man hadn't gone that far away. On the contrary, he was outside practicing with his katana, moving through his form before slicing through a rolled-up straw mat. Every moment was smooth and graceful; it was as if he was dancing.

After a few minutes, he sheathed his sword and said, "You can come out now, I know you're there."

All four of us jumped, surprised that he could tell. "Busted," the twins muttered as we showed ourselves.

"W-We can explain!" I blurted out, but I knew that no matter what excuse we came up with, the fact was we had trespassed on this man's property.

"No need," the man said, holding up a hand to cut me off. "I heard all the noise outside. You were being chased, I'm guessing?"

"Y-Yes sir," Luka answered with a nod.

The man then chuckled. "In that case, you can stay in here until things settle down. How does that sound?"

"Are you sure?" I asked. "We don't mean to intrude…"

"Oh, it's no trouble at all," the man said, shaking his head. "Please come in." Removing his sandals, he led us inside through his back door. "Oh, I'm Gakupo Kamui, by the way. What are your names?"

"I'm Miku Hatsune," I answered with a smile.

"I'm Rin Kagamine, and this is my twin brother Len," the blonde girl said, gesturing to herself and her brother.

Luka's face was red as she introduced herself. "…I'm Luka. Luka Megurine."

"Nice to meet you all," Gakupo said. "Make yourselves at home, I'll go make some tea."

"Thank you, Kamui-san," I called as he left the room. We removed our shoes and made ourselves comfortable by sitting on some cushions. The room we were in had only a tea table and a cushion where Gakupo had most likely been sitting before. The floor was covered by tatami mats, and there was a nice view of the garden. "He seems nice, doesn't he?"

"Not to mention super gorgeous!" Rin gushed, hearts appearing in her eyes.

Len rolled his eyes at his twin's behavior. "I don't know why, but I somehow get the feeling that I had seen him before. What about you, Luka-nee?"

It took Luka a second to respond to the male twin's question. "… Eh? I'm sorry, what did you say, Len-kun?"

"Oh, forget it Len," Rin said. "I think Luka-nee's got Kamui-san on the brain right now!"

"N-No I don't!" the pink-haired girl protested, shaking her head.

"And who's your current crush, Rin-chan?" I piped up, both saving Luka and turning attention to Rin.

"Uh…" Rin paused for a minute before answering. "Well, this is embarrassing, but I kinda like Mikuo-nii."

"My brother?!" I exclaimed.

"Okay, we share an apartment, and I've never heard you mention that," Len said, crossing his arms and giving Rin a suspicious look.

"Well, now you know," Rin said, although for some reason I thought she might not have been telling the truth. "What about you, Len? I haven't heard any crush talk out of you lately, either."

Len turned his head, but he wasn't fast enough to cover the blush on his cheeks. "T-That's because guys don't talk about it as much."

"Here's your tea," Gakupo piped up as he re-entered the room. He was holding a tray with four cups on it, and he offered one to each of us. "So if you don't mind my asking, are you those Vocaloids I've heard so much about?"

"Uh-huh," I answered before blowing on my tea and took a sip. "Those were some of our fans chasing us. Also, we're very sorry for intruding."

"We're really sorry!" Luka and the twins added, bowing their heads.

"It's alright, all is forgiven," the older man said as he picked up his own cup and sipped. "I don't get a lot of visitors nowadays, so I actually don't mind that you snuck in."

"Sprinted in is more like it," Len commented. "You're really good with that sword, by the way."

"Oh, thank you!" Gakupo said with a smile. "This katana has been in my family for generations, and I practice with it every day. It's known as 'Music katana, Miburi.'"

"Music katana?" Luka inquired.

"They say that if the blade is swung down just right," Gakupo continued, "it makes a sound like a musical instrument, due to the unique patterns on the blade."

"That's quite a story," Rin said.

"Isn't it? I've always liked it," the older man said before sipping his tea. "Getting back to you, I'm impressed you've gotten so much attention in such a short amount of time."

"Um, have you heard our songs, Kamui-san?" Luka asked shyly.

Nodding, the man replied, "Of course! I hear them on the radio all the time. You're all extremely talented; I can see why Kaito and Meiko chose you."

"Kamui-san, you're making me blush!" I said, moving a hand behind my head.

We talked with Gakupo for a while longer before Len suddenly piped up, "Hey guys, we really should get going. We're supposed to be recording right now!"

"Ack!" I exclaimed, horrified that we had lost track of time so easily. "I'm sorry Kamui-san, but we gotta go."

"Go, then!" the older man said. "And you're all welcome to come visit me anytime."

"Thank you!" Luka said with a bow before grabbing her shoes.

The rest of us followed her example and left through the gate we had come through before. "Bye, Kamui-san!" I called back.

"Good-bye, and good luck!" he called back, waving to us as we rushed to get to the bus stop.

…

Watching as the four teens raced off, I couldn't help but smile. They were already becoming a success in the music industry, and I was very proud of them.

Standing up, I walked down the hall to another room where, displayed in a glass case, a special outfit was kept. It consisted of a white and light blue Jinbaori, a kind of kimono which was used as a battle surcoat, with parts of Japanese armor, navy blue boots, and a fan with the kanji for "music" written on it. This was the outfit I used to wear a couple of years ago before deciding to retire it.

But thanks to those four, I was starting to become inspired again. "Hmm… perhaps now is a good time to get you out of your case, old friend," I said, placing one hand against the glass.

…

"Now I remember where I've heard that name!" Len suddenly piped up.

Turning to him (which wasn't easy on a crowded bus), I replied, "Who, Kamui-san?"

"Yeah!" the male twin replied with a nod. "A couple years ago, there was a street performer who used to dress like a samurai. He had long purple hair, and I'm pretty sure his name was Gakupo Kamui, aka the Dancing Samurai."

"No way! He was the Dancing Samurai?!" Rin and I exclaimed.

"I'd heard he had dropped off the face of the earth," Luka added. "I never thought he was in that house the whole time!"

"You think he'll ever take up dancing again?" I asked Len.

The 14-year-old just shrugged and said, "Who knows?"

…

Having donned my Jinbaori and taken up my fan once again, I turned on a boom box and my trademark song "Dancing Samurai" started playing. My dancing was a little rusty, so I had to get in as much practice as I could. As the music played, I slashed my fan through the air, hoping that someday soon I could return as the Dancing Samurai!

Next time…

Miku: Kaito nii-chan, are you feeling alright?

Kaito: What do you mean? I feel fine.

Miku: But I thought I heard you coughing earlier.

Kaito: Just a dry throat, nothing serious.

Miku: I hope so…

Next time: Track 7 – Last Night, Good Night