First Sound Future

chapter 4

After Haku was calmed, Miku returned to her room with Neru. Sometimes when Neru was upset, she looked to Miku as her older sister- which was what she really felt like. Neru needed comfort, and was a very thoughtful, emotional android underneath her indifferent, I-don’t-care attitude.

Neru returned back to her normal self, texting away presumably to Teto. Or maybe Gumi. Miku never kept up. Neru also hadn’t spoken since. Sometimes, Miku found it easiest to just ask ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions, for Neru would eagerly nod or shake her head without hesitation.

“Neru, I’ll be right back. I want to go find Kaito.” Miku said to her friend, standing up and straightening her skirt.

‘I believe he’s with Gakupo and Luka.’ Neru texted.

Miku nodded, thanked her and left the room.

He sighed as she made her way down the brightly lit hallway. The only bad thing about these maze-like hallways, was that they all looked the same. So similar, in fact, that the Vocaloids had color-coded them with various objects. The Corporation hadn’t minded.

Miku turned out of the cerulean-hall and into the navy-hall. If Kaito was with Gakupo, then she’d have to look in Gakupo’s room. Just before she reached the violet-hall, a chime-like voice sang out behind her.

“Excuse me.”

Miku paused and turned, recognizing her own voice. It was Sune. The poor girl looked distressed, like always when she faced a Vocaloid. Her hair wasn’t in Miku’s signature pigtails, but it was still that bright turquoise color.

“Yes?” Miku hesitated. She didn’t much fancy speaking to the girl, let alone be near her. But, she’d have to be mature about it.

Sune hesitated. She held a hand to her throat, as if she was trying to speak but couldn’t. “I . . . just wanted to . . . talk with you.” She sang. Yes, sang.

Miku tilted her head curiously. “Can’t you speak?”

Sune shook her head mournfully. “I don’t know . . . how.” She continued singing her words. “Singing . . . is my communication.”

Her singing mimicked Miku’s perfectly, in some random melody that she seemed to make up as she went along. But . . . why couldn’t she talk? Had they not taught her? Well, of course not! They took her voice box when she was only two, poor girl. It was amazing to some extent. She couldn’t talk, but could sing perfectly. Well, at least she knew how to pronounce and say words.

“Oh.” Miku almost felt sorry for her. The girl looked so pitiful- she was certain she had to have depression. But then again, Miku would too if she were human. Sune was all alone. She was the one and only Humvoid- so far. No one talked to her, no one visited her . . . she was left alone to wander around by herself. No wonder she wanted to reach out to Miku- perhaps she was the only one Sune felt distantly close to.

“I was . . . wondering . . .” Sune sang, seeming to think her words over carefully. She brought her fingertips together, as if in deep thought. “if you knew . . . where Luka . . . was?”

“Oh, well, actually I was looking for Kaito, and I was told he might be with Gakupo and Luka- so I’m looking for them too.” Miku answered.

Sune hesitated. She seemed to hesitate involuntarily. “Oh. Well, thank . . . you.”

Miku thought for a quick second. Luka had the kindest, most gentle spirit of all the Vocaloids, so it was only natural that Sune would seek comfort there.

“But, would you like to come with me?” Miku asked, without thinking. Why did she just ask that? Well, she couldn’t be mean if she wanted to, so she supposed it was simply her nature trying to reach out to the girl.