"Harmonies of the Heart"

Chapter 10 : The offer

Teto sat alone in the dim light of the UTAU practice room, the silence pressing down on her like a weight. Every time she closed her eyes, she replayed the painful memory of her last rehearsal with Miku. The image of Miku's shocked face, her own words of anger, and the aching hollow that had grown between them all looped endlessly in her mind.

Suddenly, a quiet knock sounded at the door, and it creaked open. To her surprise, Gumi stepped inside, wearing a warm smile that softened her usual sharp gaze. "Hey, Teto," she said gently. "Mind if I sit with you?"

Teto hesitated but then shrugged. "I guess. I'm just... thinking."

"I heard things got intense between you and Miku," Gumi said, her voice sympathetic. She sat down beside Teto, leaning forward with a concerned look. "You seem really down."

Teto sighed, resting her head in her hands. "I don't know what to do, Gumi. I feel like... maybe I'm just a shadow, following Miku around, and I'll never be able to stand on my own."

Gumi nodded slowly, as if she truly understood. "It's tough, isn't it? I mean, Miku's a powerhouse; she takes up so much space. It's easy to feel like there's no room left for anyone else."

Teto looked at her with a glimmer of hope. "You really think so? It's just... she's amazing, and I admire her so much, but sometimes I feel invisible."

Gumi leaned in closer, her tone dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You're not the only one who feels that way, Teto. A lot of us do, honestly. But I've been watching you, and I know you have something special—something that deserves the spotlight, not the sidelines."

Teto blinked, taken aback by Gumi's words. "You... you really think I have that kind of talent?"

"Absolutely," Gumi replied firmly. "And I don't just say that about anyone. It's not fair that you're stuck in Miku's shadow when you could be out there, shining. Maybe it's time to start thinking about what's best for you."

Teto's heart raced as she tried to absorb what Gumi was saying. "But... what do I do? I can't just leave Miku; we've been performing together for so long."

Gumi gave a small, understanding nod. "I get that. But I've been working on some new projects, and I'm looking for someone to join me on stage. Someone who deserves to be seen for who they are, not as a background character in someone else's story."

Teto looked down, her fingers twisting together. "But if I join you, wouldn't that just make me your backup? Isn't that the same thing?"

Gumi placed a hand on Teto's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "No, Teto. I don't need a backup. I need a partner. Someone with a voice that complements mine but still stands out. You'd get equal footing, a real chance to show the world who you are, without any overshadowing."

The idea tempted Teto, and the guilt gnawing at her only added to the confusion. "I... I don't know, Gumi. Miku's been my best  friend, and part of me feels like I'd be betraying her if I did this."

Gumi let out a small sigh, looking at Teto with genuine empathy. "I know, Teto, and that's what makes this so hard. But think of it this way—have you ever noticed that Miku always takes center stage? Even when you're both up there, people come for her. You deserve to be somewhere people come for you."

Teto swallowed, feeling a pang in her chest as she considered Gumi's words. She had always wondered what it would be like to be the one everyone focused on, the one whose voice rang out the clearest. "You really think I could have that?" she whispered.

"I don't just think it," Gumi replied confidently. "I know it. You don't have to let anyone else define your worth, Teto. And I'd be honored to share that stage with you—both of us as equals."

There was a long silence as Teto tried to reconcile the flood of emotions within her. She had always believed Miku was her friend, her partner, but lately, that friendship felt strained, warped by something she couldn't quite identify. The idea of finally stepping out of Miku's shadow was alluring.

But she couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that Gumi's offer was a betrayal of her friendship with Miku. "I'll... I'll think about it, Gumi. This isn't something I can decide right now."

Gumi smiled, but there was a glint in her eye, almost as if she'd won. "Take all the time you need, Teto. Just remember, opportunities like this don't come around often. If you want to make your mark, you can't let anyone hold you back."

As Gumi left, Teto sat alone, her heart heavy. She was torn between loyalty to Miku and the aching desire to be seen, truly seen, for her own talents. The decision loomed over her, as confusing as it was enticing, and for the first time, she wondered if maybe, just maybe, Gumi was right.