First Sound Future

chapter 8

“Hagane?”

The room fell entirely silent as the white-haired Miku looked up at Hatsune with a blank expression under her stern stare.

Even Sune looked surprised at Miku’s choice.

But she couldn’t shake Hagane off of her mind. Miku felt she was the only right choice.

Zatsune’s scarlet eyes flickered to her friend beside her before flickering away emotionless. She wasn’t one to take charge anyways.

“Are you up to it?” Miku ignored the few stares she was getting.

Hagane didn’t answer, and only stared back. Miku couldn’t read the hidden, passionate hatred and surprise underneath the placid expression. Well . . . not exactly relaxed and calm, but Hagane had a stern look that couldn’t be described.

The white-haired Miku stood slowly, staring boldly a few more moments at Miku before turning away and walking quietly out of the room.

The room exploded with chatter over it.

Miku hid her grimace. She was their leader- she couldn’t show doubt. Fault maybe, but never doubt.

She noticed Kaito watching her grimly. He’d probably try to talk sense into her later, and for that, she was going to avoid him.

“Alright, settle down, guys.” Miku waved her hand over the room.

The Vocaloids and UTAUs did so, but not without buzzing whispers. There was just so much excitement going around, no one could contain themselves.

“Miku . . .” Sune sang lowly into her ear. “Is . . . she mad?”

Miku could only shrug.

“I think . . . she wants . . . to . . . she’s just . . . avoiding the spotlight.”

“You know what, I think so too.” Miku tightened her lips into a thin line. “I’ll talk to her later.”

~

But Hagane had disappeared when Miku tried to find her later. So much for that. Sune loyally stayed by her side, and Miku was happy to have her company for once.

“So what now?” Mused Miku, not really caring for a response.

“Perhaps . . . we . . . could check on . . . the Humvoids?” Sune offered quietly. Even her singing couldn’t cover the slight undertone of fear she had.

Miku understood that fear. The fear of the rejects.

She shuttered at the memory of Kaito’s . . . . No, no, she wasn’t going to think about it. Not now. Not here. It was too daunting, too miserable and definitely not what she needed to focus on right now. It was something to worry over later- once this whole Brivirus situation was out of the way and over with.

“Miku!” a bright, chirpy voice called from behind them. “Miku! Miku!”

She turned. “What Teto?!”

The magenta-haired girl bounced up to them eagerly. “Guess what! Oh guess what, guess what?!”

Miku opened her mouth- but Teto cut in.

“Kasune Te is out of the lab! Done! Complete!” Teto cheered.

“Teto! Oh crap, Teto!” from around the corner, her brother came flying down the yellow-themed hall. He came to a stop in front of them, directly behind Teto, leaning on his knees in emphasis of fatigue. He straightened. “Lord Teto did you have to bother Miku and Sune with it?”

“Oh isn’t it wonderful, little brother? My Humvoid!” Teto cheered again, wrapping her arms around her twin in a bear-grip hug.

“Sorry Miku, I tried to stop her.” Ted breathed, trying to push Teto off of him.