Like all gossip, 'we' died down eventually, too, in the eye of the public. Of course, we didn't really die down. If anything, we got even closer.
My mother's birthday came up soon after the sadness dissipated, and Gumi and I both thought it was a good occasion to meet her and my dad. We didn't tell them, though. I knew it would have been OK, and she knew, too, but the time just wasn't right. Despite the meeting, party, and everything going exceedingly well, I don't think Gumi was totally over her clash with her parents. She wasn't crying at all and slept well, but whenever the subject hit a bit close to home, she got silent, only to be viscous when talking. I could only do so much, and that hurt, too.
On the bright side, she knew my folks, my childhood friends and peers. She got to see my high school, and all of my favorite hide outs.
Time and distraction made it all better, I suppose. Time flew by as it tended to; our six month anniversary was celebrated, almost despite myself. Gumi had kept track, and while we both thought that anniversaries every other week were silly, the first half year really was something. The fact that she had actually remembered was the sweetest thing.
School kept going, too. She dealt with it as it went. Gossip never changed, and she managed to stay level-headed, no matter the news. Work was something we shared; being a singer wasn't a laughing matter in the slightest. We spent entire afternoons separated, talking with crew, managers, supervisors, designers, and the other Internet Co. Vocaloids.
It was a real surprise when Gakupo asked us straight out if we were dating or not. He had picked up on the hints, he said. Of course, because he was asking out of pure curiosity, all the while being understanding, we realized he would take it well. Gumi was the one who actually said it, by the way. It's marvelous to hear her say 'Yes, we're dating'. It makes you feel proud, you know?