{Vocaloid} Where the Odd Ones Lie

After Party

            Mayu opened her eyes. The crowds were cheering louder than ever. She looked at her body. Pale arms held her. She looked up. There Fukase was, looking just confused and anxious as she was. They both looked towards the crowd. They were going ballistic. The two looked at each other, then back at the crowd and smiled.
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      "Mayu! You did so well!" Flower held her in a tight hug. Mayu laughed. "I couldn't have done it without my pal here." she elbowed Fukase. He stared at her for a while and smiled. She was surprised he didn't have a sly remark.
      The group began heading backstage and to the secondary tents. Mayu heard that after the shows , master treated them to actual meals. Mayu was beyond excited.
      "That little part in the end added a nice touch. You were lucky that he was there to catch you, though." V said, with a tone of worry in the last words.
"That's gonna start all kinds of drama." Al said with a laugh.
Mayu turned to him. "What do you mean?"
"Well, we run a bit of a facade. We put on more than a show."
Piko caught up with the rest of them.
"Oh, yes. Our audiences will think he has eyes for you, dear Mayu. Our next show will have to have a routine to accommodate to that." Piko explained.
         Mayu blushed and nodded. She wouldn't mind that at all. She looked over at Fukase. He had the same expression.
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        "I'm so proud of all of us!" Miku squealed, bursting open a bottle of champagne in the center of the tent. A huge feast had been prepared for them. An enormous, elegant, dove circular table covered in all kinds of delicacies waited for them. They all scrambled to a seat. Mayu sat in between Flower and Fukase.
       Miku began pouring glasses for everyone. Mayu was a bit nervous. She began thinking of her parents again. Thinking of her parents again, at a time like this?   She figured she'd be over it by now, but the guilt still lingered.
    She nudged Flower.
"I've never had champagne before.." she whispered. It wasn't exactly what she wanted to say, but there was a hard knot in her throat.
Flower only chuckled.
"Don't worry, even Oliver drinks it."
Mayu turned to see Oliver drinking two glasses at once.
She gulped. "I..suppose it wouldn't hurt to try."
       Miku handed her a glass and winked. "Drink up, honey. You've earned it!"
Mayu took the glass hesitantly. She swirled it in her glass a few times before taking a small sip.
It was bitter-sweet, but Mayu loved it and drank it in one big swig.
"See! I told you it's good!" Flower said, pouring her third glass.
Mayu felt mischevious. She knew if her parents saw her now, they'd be outraged. A wave of energy rushed over her.
"Pass a plate everyone!" Luka passed the stack to Miku, then from her to Fukase, then to her.

Was this real? Is this really happening?

The feeling of family came over her.  The beautiful lights strung over the tent. The sound of the crickets. The clatter and laughter of her friends. It was overwhelming. She felt so alive.

      "Oh, Mayu! You must try this!!" Oliver passed over a plate of cakes. They were bunny shaped and smelled amazing.
"Oh, Mayu! Have you ever had this?"

"Mayu! Mayu! Here!"

  She couldn't help but laugh. She was so happy. She looked around. She wanted to try everything.

"This all looks so wonderful! Who could've possibly made all of this?"
"Ollan !-"
Miku and Al reached over to cover Oliver's mouth.
It caught Mayu off guard.
Ollan?

"Um.. My father did.." Al said, partially under his breath. Oliver laughed nervously. "Yeah..sorry!" he began digging back into his plate.

Ollan?He had two names??

She tried not to think too much about it.
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       That was the most Mayu ihad eaten in weeks. She felt so satisfied and hummed to herself. Everyone around her seemed just as satisfied. Oliver and the little girl were both passed out on the floor.
V and Miku were both singing through their hiccups. Luka was sitting back while Piko braided her hair.
Al had left a while ago, making Mayu even more curious.
Mayu got up.
"Where are you going?" Flower asked. Her big, curios eyes made Mayu flustered.
"I'm just going out to get some fresh air."

She exited the tent but stopped. Fukase was standing there, looking up into the big, beautiful night sky. His expression was hard to read. He looked content, yet longing. The light of the tent glistened off of his costume. A wave of emotion swept over her. She didn't know if she should go or to stay still.
"Ah, hello, Mayu."
She was snapped out of her trance. Her cheeks were hot and she averted her gaze to the ground.
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"It's quite alright." he said with a smile.
He took a seat on the ground and pat the area next to him. Mayu felt her stomach tie into a knot. She slowly approached him and sat down.
"The sky looks so beautiful tonight." he said. His voice sounded strained.
Had he been crying?
"Indeed."
The wind began to pick up. Mayu tried her hardest to keep her eyes on the sky. She didn't want to make things awkward.
"I can tell there's something on your mind." he said softly.
She slowly turned to him. He looked directly into her eyes. He didn't cover them. This was her first time getting a good look at him. She quickly turned away.
"Yeah, I'm just..so confused."
"About?"
"Just..everything right now. And even besides that, just the obvious. Why would master prepare all this food for us but never feed us otherwise. What's the big secret that I seem to be oblivious to?"
"It's..a long story. But I think you should focus less on it. Especially tonight. You had fun, right?"

Mayu hated when they changed the subject like that, but decided not to press any further.

"Yeah, I did. And thanks for being there for me. I'd probably be dead without you."

He laughed.
"Don't mention it. And hey."
He held his hand out to her.
"I'll always be here for you. We're a family here."

Mayu wasn't as hesitant this time. She eagerly shook his hand and smiled.

The sky was beautiful. The wind felt so good. The show was absolutely grand. The food was delicious. The warmth of his hand sent tingled down her spine.

Now she understood. This moment right here. Made everything worth it.