"Harmonies of the Heart"

Chapter 14 : Poisoned Ambitions

Gumi sat in her dimly lit studio, the faint glow of her computer screen casting shadows across her face. She tapped her fingers against the desk, her mind buzzing with thoughts of revenge. For too long, she had stood in Miku's shadow, overlooked and underestimated. But now, she had the perfect pawn to help her bring Teto and Miku to their knees.

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She turned as Gakupo entered, his usual cheerful face shadowed with concern. Gakupo, her close friend and faithful admirer, had agreed to meet her after rehearsal. He'd been her sparring partner, her confidant, and her quiet supporter, always eager to be near her, no matter her mood.

"Gumi," he greeted, bowing slightly, a habit he'd kept from his samurai training. "What's going on? You sounded... intense."

She smiled slyly, patting the seat beside her. "Come sit, Gakupo. I've got a plan in mind, and I need your help."

He blinked, eyebrows furrowing, but did as she asked, always drawn by her confidence and charm. "A plan for... what?"

Gumi's gaze hardened, her smile twisted. "It's time for Miku and Teto to pay for everything they've done to me."

Gakupo's face fell, his eyes filled with doubt. "I don't think Miku or Teto are really out to hurt you, Gumi..."

She scoffed, waving him off. "Oh, please! When I was desperate to be Miku's backup, no one cared. I was just 'good enough' for her leftover spots, always overlooked. They made me feel small, and now it's their turn to suffer."

Gakupo shifted uncomfortably, watching her intently. "But Teto's... well, she's never been unkind to you, Gumi. She just wanted to find her own place."

Gumi's eyes flashed with bitterness. "Her own place? Right. And she thinks that means getting in my way. I've tried to be patient, Gakupo, but they keep shoving me aside. Don't you see? They're leaving me no choice."

Gakupo swallowed hard, his fists clenched as he tried to reason with her. "There's no need to go down this road. Rivalries in music are normal. But hurting Teto... that's going too far."

Her expression turned cold, her voice sharp. "You're always so quick to defend her. Is that how little you care about me, Gakupo?"

He froze, guilt flashing across his face. "Gumi, it's not that. I... I care about you deeply. You know that."

She tilted her head, giving him a sly, knowing smile. "If you really cared, you'd help me. Just a little nudge, Gakupo. Next time you see Teto, do something to shake her up. Make her realize she's in over her head."

Gakupo's heart sank, torn between his loyalty to Gumi and his sense of honor. He'd trained Teto himself in samurai arts, teaching her to defend herself. She respected him, trusted him even. The thought of betraying that trust made him feel sick. But his gaze drifted back to Gumi, who was watching him with a look he couldn't resist—a look that made his heart race.

"What exactly... do you want me to do?" he asked reluctantly.

Gumi's smile widened, the predator glint returning to her eyes. "Push her. Humiliate her. She needs to know her place. A stumble, a trip, something to remind her who's in control here."

Gakupo hesitated, dread pooling in his stomach. "Teto's never done anything to deserve this, Gumi. She's just... trying to make a name for herself."

"And her 'name' shouldn't be anywhere near Miku or me," Gumi sneered, her tone venomous. "You want my respect, Gakupo? Do this for me. Show me you're on my side."

A pained silence filled the room as he wrestled with the decision. His respect for Teto was deep, almost brotherly; he didn't want to be the one to break her spirit. But the admiration he had for Gumi, his unrequited love, pulled him into the darkness.

"Alright," he said finally, voice low. "I'll... do what you ask."

[Later that Day - Vocaloid Studio]

Gakupo paced outside the studio doors, hands shaking slightly. He'd told himself that he wouldn't go through with it, but Gumi's words echoed in his mind, twisting his sense of loyalty. As he turned the corner, he spotted Teto laughing with Rin and Len, her vibrant personality lighting up the room. She looked so carefree, so innocent—and in that moment, he felt a wave of guilt wash over him.

But Gumi's warning replayed in his head: "Show me you're on my side."

He walked toward them, forcing a neutral expression. Teto looked up, her face lighting up when she saw him.

"Gakupo-sensei! It's been a while! How are you?" she greeted warmly.

He forced a smile, the weight of his decision pressing down on him. "Hello, Teto. I just... thought I'd check in."

They exchanged small talk, her excitement and friendliness making him feel worse with each word. Rin and Len eventually excused themselves, leaving him and Teto alone in the hallway. He took a deep breath, summoning his courage—or, perhaps, his cowardice.

 Gakupo tries to subtly steer her near the staircase, talking about innocuous things, keeping her guard down. As they near the top, he hesitates, feeling the weight of what he's about to do, but Gumi's piercing words echo in his mind. Before he knows it, he's given her a light shove, just enough to send her stumbling.

Teto gasps as she loses her balance, her hands flailing as she tumbles down the stairs, hitting each step hard. She lands with a cry, clutching her ankle, pain shooting through her leg and arm.

"Oh no, Teto!" Gakupo rushes down after her, acting horrified. "Are you okay? You...you slipped!"

Teto, her face pale from the pain, nods, trusting his explanation. "I guess I wasn't watching my step," she says weakly, not once suspecting him.

Just then, Luka, Meiko, Kaito, and the Kagamine twins appear at the top of the staircase, having heard Teto's scream. Miku follows closely behind, her heart pounding.

"Teto!" Miku cries, racing down the stairs, her face stricken with fear.

The others follow, their expressions a mix of worry and shock. Meiko kneels beside Teto, gently assessing her injuries. "Teto, are you okay? Does anything feel broken?"

"I...I think my arm..." Teto winces, trying to move her arm and leg but wincing from the sharp pain. "It hurts so much..."

Miku's hands tremble as she takes Teto's uninjured hand. "Why were you alone? Are you sure you just slipped?"

Gakupo tries to keep his composure, guilt gnawing at him. "She...she must have lost her balance."

Luka's gaze hardens, eyeing Gakupo suspiciously. "Strange that she'd fall like that out of nowhere..."

But Teto, still disoriented and in pain, looks up, whispering, "I guess...I wasn't careful." She smiles weakly, trusting Gakupo's words.

The group exchanges worried glances, and Miku's heart aches as she gently strokes Teto's hair, vowing to stay by her side. As they call for medical help, Luka and Meiko exchange a knowing look, silently promising to uncover the truth behind Teto's tragic fall.

Gakupo, guilt tugging at his heart, wishing he could undo what he'd just done but knowing he's too deep into Gumi's web. As they part, he can't shake the memory of Teto's trusting face, wondering how long he can keep up this façade before the truth comes crashing down.

[Back at Gumi's Studio]

Later, he returned to Gumi, his expression dark. She looked up, noticing the tension in his posture.

"Did you do it?" she asked, voice dripping with satisfaction.

Gakupo nodded, his voice flat. "I did."

She smiled, reaching out to touch his arm. "See? I knew you'd come through. This is only the beginning, Gakupo. Soon, everyone will see that I'm not someone to cross."

As she spoke, he realized just how deep her hatred ran—and he wondered if, by helping her, he'd just crossed a line he could never come back from.

(I feel like this is Teto bullying😭😭😭 I really dont have motivation to make it fluff with MikuTeto so im just adding random angst in this srry, im very glad most of you enjoy this stupid book)