First Sound Future

Chapter 3

She tried to focus. Every scrap, every piece, note paper, word about the Briviruses were spread before her. It would’ve made sense, if only she could focus. Sune was consuming every bit of her thought. There was just no logical conclusion as to why the Corporation felt the need to advance Vocaloid further. They were already insanely popular, and then when they were actually given bodies to function in, the world went berserk over Vocaloid; they had to hear them, see them, touch them, watch them.

They still had to do concerts the same before they were created bodily wise; for safety precautions. But the people loved them nonetheless.

“Miku, you’re driving yourself crazy over this.” Kaito said. He came up behind her, looking over her shoulder at her work.

“We can’t keep letting this happen, Kaito. You know that.” Miku explained.

“I know, but you’re taking it harder than the rest of us.”

“Oh . . . you’re not talking about the Briviruses are you?”

“No.”

Miku grimaced. Kaito was too smart to lie to. He knew she was concerned. Very concerned.

“I just want to get things straight. Zatsune was made to destroy me. She never chose to, or even came close. Haku was made to take down my image. Hagane was made to cause me and the other original Vocaloids to die out from lack of popularity. Sune is being made to advance us further. Briviruses are apparently unknown to the Corporation, yet are after us to destroy us.

“Why are we still alive? And why are we being hunted?”

“Perhaps you should look on the bright side of things.” Kaito said calmly. “If Humvoids are successful, they’ll be more abundant and less complicated than Vocaloids. We can be deleted- you know how that works. Most of us came near close to complete deletion. Miki had to be renamed because of it, remember? No one remembers her original file.”

“So she’s stuck now with SF-A2.” Miku whispered thoughtfully. She rested her chin on the back of her intertwined fingers.

Kaito placed an assuring hand on her shoulder.

“And look at Neru. She has no original voice. Look at Haku. The poor girl was programmed in a distasteful manner, yet no matter how hard she tries, humans always see her as a slur, whether her music is good or not. And Meiko is considered drunk all the time, but we all know she isn’t-“

Miku opened her mouth to respond, but Kaito continued.

“-Len and Rin are being constantly rumored to be having incest. They’re androids, for Pete’s sake! Gakupo is said to be obsessed with feminine image and runs around naked all the time- but does he? No he doesn’t. Come on Miku, I can go on.”

“But Kaito! You’re missing my point!”

“I know you hate Sune. Or rather, the idea of her. But think about it, Miku. You, of all Vocaloids have the least issues. You and Haku are close friends; Zatsune isn’t trying to destroy you; Hagane respects you. Humans love you, and hardly throw any dirt on you. Don’t you think your being vain?”

“Vain? Vain?!” Miku turned to face Kaito. Why couldn’t he ever agree with her?

“Calm down, Miku. I’m not trying to argue.”

She didn’t answer.

“Just try not to take it too harshly. None of us likes the idea of being replaced by humans- I mean Humvoids. But we’re all here for each other, Miku. That’s what friends are for.” Kaito said calmly.