Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

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The lights of the house turned on. The Doctor has just finished her shift and hasn't even had dinner yet! After stowing her shoes away, the doctor decides to reheat some leftovers that she had in her fridge from the night prior.

The Doctor rummages through her fridge, reaching for the leftover casserole from the day prior and places it in her microwave to heat up.

She waits. She sits down on the table and brings her phone out and begins to look for a video to watch while eating. Eating alone is a fantastic way to really feel like you're alone. What should be a meal ends up feeling like a constant reminder of her solitude.

A certain video ends up catching her eye

“Static Found Footage (Lost Media)”

The Doctor could feel herself frowning at that title. A show she used to watch, back when she still had her own dreams, is now lost media? Granted it is getting recovered, but still. No wonder she never heard anything about the show anymore, was she just getting older or-

Her train of thought gets disrupted by the beeping from the microwave. Seems like her casserole is done. She carefully takes it out and sets it to cool for a little bit. Usually she’d take a bath before eating, but today was particularly exhausting and due to that, she was extra hungry.

After some consideration, Hatsune decides that she’ll watch the video later, preferably when she’s in some clean clothes.

After finishing her casserole, she heads to her bathroom for a nice and long bath, before switching into her pajamas, and finally crashing into bed and placing her glasses on the nightstand. She can finally relax now that she has her break tomorrow.

Now that she can relax, she starts the video up and begins watching.

She ends up binge watching most of the content found. Which isn't a lot, but it certainly made her feel nostalgic. It was a comforting feeling, she almost felt like she was back at her home. But who’s kidding? That place never felt like a home to her. At least this show did.

It brings back memories. Possibly some of the only good memories she has of her own childhood. To think a show that was so integral to her childhood, to keep her sane at that time, had become lost media? Her heart broke at that. She could feel her eyes growing wet.

“What am I doing? Crying over a stupid kids show…”

Hatsune had never been any more glad that she lived alone.

—----------------

Old habits die hard they say, that could be why The Doctor is up at 5. Which is why she’s forcing herself to sleep in on what should be a lazy Sunday morning.

Eventually she wakes up again at 7 and decides to make some breakfast. Now that she isn’t rushing to head to work she can make a more fulfilling breakfast, so she decides to cook some eggs and make some toast. It’s been a while since she has had a proper breakfast after all.

The toast was slightly burnt, but the egg was perfect and runny. While enjoying her toast, she’s reminded of the video she watched. Reminded of her childhood, but for once, there’s something for her to yearn for.

Suddenly, she recalls the CRT she has stored away in her attic. She used to have tapes of static hidden away. She brought them with her when she moved.

After finishing her food and washing the dishes, she heads upstairs and begins to look for the crt in her attic. Luckily she had managed to tidy up the attic some time ago, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find.

She finds it tucked in a corner with a thin piece of fabric over it.

She gently moves some boxes around, finding some of her old stuff. Which include a few trophies from her high school days, pictures of her and her parents, and some other achievements she’d rather never see again.

She makes some more space and plugs the CRT in, waiting to see if it can even turn on after all these years. Miraculously, it does turn on. She chuckles in spite of herself. To think it’s still working after all these years? It’s a miracle happening right in front of her eyes.

Hatsune carefully starts to turn the dial

—----------------

Pitch black.

It’s so cold. So dark.
Is there anyone here anymore?

There’s a light. Someone is here.

She runs towards it. It’s been so long.

She sees the person. They’re beautiful. Or maybe she hasn’t seen anyone in too far too long. Either way she will let herself be known.

—----------------

Miku is on her screen. But she’s not doing anything. Just staring at her. The Star’s hands hold onto the screen in an almost desperate manner. Before The Doctor could react, the show started up as usual.

Hatsune blinked. Is she going insane? Maybe she shouldn’t have woken up so early, but then again she did fall asleep again, so it’s not like she’s down on sleep. At least not today.

She continues to watch the show in silence, as she used to. It’s a nice feeling, hearing her favorite character sing and seeing that same star dance as she did all those years ago. It’s comforting.

Maybe it’s something about her design Miku’s cyan hair, shaped like musical notes, the end of her dress being soaked in color, and her rosy red cheeks. Oh, what Hatsune wouldn’t do to just squeeze those cheeks. Funny how she has always been quite fond of Miku.

She was enjoying it quite a lot. But when reminiscing about the past, some more sour memories might pop up as well

She remembers how often she used to get into trouble because she spent her Sundays watching Miku instead of studying. An awful reminder on how she has to be perfect. How she has to work hard or else she really is nothing in the end.

“Stop wasting your time on that stupid CRT before I break it!”

Her mom had never let her use the CRT back then. If she was caught she’d be punished, as usual.

“...I think that’s enough for now”

Hatsune said as she got up, getting ready to maybe eject the tape and look for some other channel or something. Anything other than looking at the star in front of her for any longer.

“WAIT! Please! Don’t touch that dial!”

Hatsune froze. That voice. Did Miku just tell her to- She looked back and that’s when she saw it. Miku was right up against the screen, with a truly desperate look in her eyes. But why? And more importantly, how?

“Ah! Didn’t mean to scare you, dear viewer!”

Miku now looked apologetic and nervous, fiddling with her bow. Hatsune would be lying if she said the star wasn’t cute, but she had to steel herself first.

“Please, just call me Hatsune!”

“Of course! Dear- er Hatsune!”

Hearing Miku call her dear made her a lot happier than it should’ve. But she'd rather not mention that right now.

“So, Miku, would you care to explain how you're talking to me, or why you're conscious?”

“Hmm? I've always been conscious! As for why I've been talking to you, can't a Host just miss her dear viewer?” The Star answered, her voice cheerful. Almost forcefully so at least.

“It's been a while, hasn't it?” Hatsune says, looking at the girl in her TV, she can't help but smile. The Host really hasn't changed, even after all these years. Something about that brought Hatsune a lot of comfort.

“It has! You're all grown up now aren't you, Hatsune? You look so mature now!” The doctor held back a blush. Usually, when people compliment her, they have some sort of interior motive, but not Miku. It felt real, it felt sincere.

“Jeez, you're gonna make me blush, aren't you just the sweetest?” Hatsune said, taking a closer look at the girl on her screen, noticing her rosy cheeks getting even rosier. Somehow.

“Of course I am!” The Host states, it's been so long since anyone has talked to her, let alone complimented her.

The two continued their banter and conversation. The damp and cramped attic suddenly felt like home. It felt like a place where the two of them could be seen for who they really are.

“Say, Miku. How about I move this old CRT to the living room? Or even my room?”

“Eh? But why?”

“Well I wouldn't want to have to climb all the way back up here just to talk to you, would I?” The doctor explains, giving her a little snicker that didn't fail at making Miku's heart race a little.

“Alright, just remember to keep me plugged in down there, alright?”

“Of course, of course! You can trust me, you know?” Hatsune said, her tone a little tad bit bitter

“Oh please, don't misunderstand! I trust you it's just- been a while, you know? I don't want to go back.” Miku said, her tone nervous yet sincere. Almost begging.

Hatsune just nods, before she unplugs the CRT and begins the slow descent back into her living room, being careful to not trip over and drop the heavy CRT, especially when descending from the attic.

The green haired lady fiddles with her doorhandle until it opens, and she gently sets the CRT down onto her desk and plugs it in. The CRT boots to life and she sees Miku, but the background is pitch black. Before she could say anything the screen glitches and color is returned to the world in there

“You kept your word!” Miku beams, her tone hopeful.

“Of course I did! What kind of doctor- person would lie to their…Friend” Are they even friends at this point? Hatsune considers the question, but after seeing how happy Miku is when she calls her a friend, the answer becomes obvious.

Maybe they’ll grow closer and become something more. Hatsune would be lying if she said she didn’t want more. But, maybe she’s asking for too much? Is she being too selfish?

Either way, she shouldn’t rush the Star into anything. She’ll take it slow and see where they’ll go. What matters right now is that they do have each other now. She’s no longer alone in this world.

She's in this with someone who cares about her for who she is now. And that's enough.

Chapter Text

Convincing Miku to let Hatsune go to work was not an easy task. It took The Doctor a good deal of effort until she was able to convince The Star to let her go for work.

“Hatsune, could you leave the CRT on while you're gone? I don't want to go back there”

“Why of course, don't worry about it. I'll be back soon, so just sit tight here. Alright?”

“Promise me you'll come back?” Miku asks, her tone stained in desperation.

“I promise.” Hatsune answers, her tone steady and unwavering.

Oh, how she wishes someone would make that promise to her and keep it. But, now she's the one making promises. Ironic, isn't it?

“Stay safe and come back quickly! Don't leave your dear host hanging for too long now!” Miku says, her tone more playful.

Hatsune places her hand against the screen of the CRT, as if giving Miku a pat on her head, before she departs for work.

They keep this routine up for a week or two, when Miku decides to ask Hatsune if there's any way for her to come along with the Doctor when she's on the clock. As being all alone in the house for hours reminds her of some less than pleasant memories.

“I see. I think I can attempt to arrange something then”

“Oh? Really?!” Miku says, her tone hopeful.

“Yes. I have some connections, and I think they can connect this CRT to my phone, so you can be there. Although I must warn you, if this does work, you may not snoop around in my chats, and whatnot. If you want to look at something tell me first. Okay?”

“Yes! Of course! Thank you so much Hatsune!!” Miku jumps in joy, before squishing her face against the screen, as if she's trying to hug the Doctor.

Hatsune sees this and reciprocates the hug with one herself, hugging the CRT. It doesn't feel the most comfortable, but while hugging, she swears that she can feel the screen heating up more, and that she saw Miku's blush get deeper.

Sometime after that conversation, Hatsune tells Miku that she will be taking her to an electronic store, which would mean unplugging the CRT for some time.

“Is this…really necessary?”

“Well, only if you'd like to be able to move to my phone”

“Well- alright. Just promise me this'll go well?”

“Of course it will, Miku. Just, try not to worry about it alright? It shouldn't take long” Hatsune reassured her, patting Miku's head on the screen.

“If you say so, I'll see you soon then, Hatsune!”

“See you soon too, Miku”

Hatsune unplugs the CRT from the outlet, and begins to carry it out to the living room, making sure not to run into any corners, while also keeping the CRT safe as well.

After some effort, Hatsune managed to open her front door and haul the CRT out. After which, she puts it down on the pavement and opens the trunk of her car, and places it inside the trunk, before closing it and driving off to the electronic store.

—----------------—----------------—----------------

The doctor walks into the electronics store with the CRT in hand, carrying it with both of her hands and with the proper posture so as to not cause any back pain.

“Oh? Doctor you're here! Oh, let me help” The girl behind the counter calls out, before running towards the doctor to help her carry the CRT to the desk.

The girl takes her goggles off to take a good look at the CRT, “How'd you even get your hands on something like this? I knew you were old but, c'mon doc. It's doing awfully well for something of its age, don't tell me you've been using this ancient thing?”

“Come on now, Gumi. I'm a professional, I simply found this in my attic while I was cleaning it up. And besides, I'm only a little older than you, so don't compare ages now” The Doctor replies, snorting a little bit.

“Well, luckily I'm not going to be the one who helps you with this! Older pieces of tech aren't my thing. I do have someone who can help you! Neru!”

A younger lady stumbles out from the back, her hair yellow and tied into a side ponytail. She doesn't seem to be all that happy about getting called.

“.-- .... .- - / .. ... / .. - / -. --- .-- ..--.. -.-.--”

“Hey! It's the Doctor, you can thank me later” Gumi says, she's annoyed by Neru’s demeanor, but also seems to be used to it. Gumi eventually just slips away into the back

“- .... . / -.. --- -.-. - --- .-. ..--.. / --- .... --..-- / .-. .. --. .... -” The Technician clears her throat before deciding to talk again.

“Apologies, I'm Neru. I'll be the one assisting you today, as a certain someone doesn't like dealing with this” Neru says, her tone flat, but not hostile. At least not towards Hatsune.

“Well, nice to meet you Neru. I'm Dr. Hatsune, you have heard of me though, yes?”

“Who hasn't, Doc?” The Technician seemed quite a bit annoyed at that, before sighing and looking at the TV on the table instead. She begins to inspect the CRT closely.

“Say, Doc, where did you find such a well kept piece of tech like this one?”

“Oh? This old thing? I found it in my attic and I was wondering if you could…Help me out with it” The Doctor said, noticing how close Neru is getting to the screen, the Doctor gently moves the CRT away from Neru, and closer to her.

“Easy, I’m not gonna take it with me or anything” Neru says, backing off a little bit, but she does feel that the mistrust is odd, but not quite misplaced.

“So? What do you need help with?”

“Is there any way you could connect this to my phone? Or at least some other device”

“Are you serious?” Neru says, looking dumbfounded. It’s been a while since anyone has brought a CRT in, let alone ask to connect it to their phones.

“Yes, why? Are you unable to do it?” The Doctor asks, her tone smug and challenging, with a sly smirk on her face. Her hand on the top of the CRT, feeling it around.

This catches the Technician off-guard, “Are you doubting my abilities already Doctor?” She replies, trying her very hardest to keep her tone from being overly hostile.

“Why, of course not! I was simply wondering why you seemed hesitant” The Doctor answers, her smirk still present, just less challenging.

“.-- .... -.-- / -.. --- . ... / - .... .- - / --. .. .-. .-.. / .... .- ...- . / - .... . / .-- . .. .-. -.. . ... - / ..-. .-. .. . -. -.. ... .-.-.- .-.-.-” The yellow haired girl states, before clearing her throat again.

“Can Gumi really understand you when you do that?” The Doctor asks, sounding rather amused and confused at the same time.

“Yes. Now do you want me to connect that to your phone or what?”

“Of course!”

—----------------

After some time, Neru eventually gets Hatsune’s phone to connect to the CRT.

“What did you even need this for?” She asks, “Usually, clients ask to scrap their CRT’s, they rarely bring one in, let alone connect it to their phones like this” Her tone just shy of being curious.

“I was just curious. Besides, the prospect of connecting a device from decades ago with the current smartphones is quite fascinating!” The Doctor replies, without missing a beat.

“...” Neru just stares at her. After a few more seconds of awkward silence, Gumi calls for Neru from the back.

“Neru! Could you get back here real quick? I need some help”

At hearing this, Neru lets out another sigh “- .... .- - / .. -.. .. --- -” She mumbles, before turning to the Doctor “Stay here while I help her out”, and with that, Neru has also vanished to the back, leaving Hatsune with the CRT.

Without wasting any time, Hatsune starts turning the dial until she finds the right channel, and is met with the sight from before. Miku staring at the screen, her hands desperately clutching at the sides of the screen, and her piercingly blue eyes staring ahead. Hatsune would be lying if she said fear was the only thing she felt when she saw her.

The screen cuts to static before returning back to normal. Miku is standing there, her hands fiddling with her hair a little bit before turning her attention back on Hatsune.

“Hatsune!! You’re back!!” She says, jumping at the screen, getting all close up again, just less terrifying this time.

“Easy there, My Star, I’m not going anywhere” Hatsune answered, taking pride in seeing the way Miku’s face gets redder the more she speaks.

“Hey! No fair! Besides, did you get that thing to work? Y'know? The one for connecting your phone to this CRT?”

“I did, try it out”

Miku nods, before walking out of frame.

—----------------

There was a bridge.

She could turn her back on it and let things stay the same.

Or she could cross it and enter an entirely foreign world.

She should turn back.

She can’t.

For someone who’s so scared of change, she feels like welcoming this one.

So, she takes a deep breath.

And steps onto the bridge.

—----------------

Hatsune keeps her phone on. Watching in suspense.

Eventually, after what felt like forever, her phone turned on, and there she was. The Star of Static, on her mobile device. She felt like she could kiss the screen of her phone in joy.

The Star looked tired. Happy, but absolutely exhausted; like she just went through the most harrowing and tiring experience of her digital life.

“Are you alright, Star?” Hatsune asks, and she gently taps on where Miku's head is on the screen. The odd thing? Miku reacts to it a lot more than last time.

“Keep doing that” Miku said, her tone on the verge of begging. She seemed to melt under the Doctor's touch, which is odd. She's usually not this responsive.

“It's almost like you can actually feel my touch,” Hatsune remarks, testing her theory out by tapping all over the star on her phone. Each tap is met with excitement and embarrassment.

Before she could continue any further, the sound of the two technicians returning, causes Hatsune to turn her phone off in a panic. One of the technicians gave her a weird look.

“See! I knew you could do it!” Gumi remarked, hitting Neru's shoulder playfully which incites a glare from the yellow haired girl, temporarily taking her eyes off the doctor.

“Whatever. Anyway, that should be it, now are you two gonna catch up or?” Neru asked, her tone annoyed as usual.

“I'm afraid I need to head home soon. Although I wouldn't mind catching up with you next time, Gumi. I'll clear out my schedule later, how about we continue discussing this through text?” Answered Hatsune

“Alright then, I'll see you when I see you!”

“Bye.”

Hatsune could barely focus on driving back home. Not when her Star had reacted so positively to the changes that had happened.

She could not wait to test out more things with Miku, but for now, she'll have to focus on the road, lest she wants to be memorialized and left in the past as well.

Chapter Text

Hatsune couldn’t wait to try out new things with Miku, and it seemed like Miku was somehow even more excited than her.

So, after getting home and cleaning herself up, she decides to run a few “tests” on Miku. Most of which include her tapping on where Miku is on the screen, dragging her around, or holding on that area.

“Hey! Could you be a little more gentle? I'm not used to this yet!” Miku protested, and pouted after getting dragged around the home screen of the Doctor's phone.

“Alright, alright” Hatsune said while stifling a chuckle. She'd be lying if she said she didn't find Miku particularly cute when she pouted. But she'll have to keep that one to herself for now.

She puts Miku down on the bottom of the screen, before tapping on the top of Miku's head over and over again, patting her head. Miku replies by very visibly melting into her touch.

Even if Hatsune can’t feel the way Miku is melting into her touch, she can see it. And seeing how comfortable Miku is, it makes her heart flutter. She can feel her face heating up
Ever so slightly.

She grabs Miku’s cheek and pulls it slightly. This incites a whine from the Star “Ah! You’re so mean!” She yells out, her face slowly growing redder until Hatsune decides to let go. After which, she gently goes over Miku’s cheek, sort of nursing it in a way.

It’s been a while since either of them has felt this comfortable in someone else’s presence. To one, it’s comforting, to the other it’s scary. Hatsune knows that she’s growing feelings for the Star, she’s not stupid, she knows what it feels like to be in love. And to her? It’s scary.

To fall in love with someone who you can’t even feel. Someone who, despite that, does everything in her power to spend time with her anyway. Hatsune doesn’t want to make Miku uncomfortable by confessing. She knows how lonely Miku must’ve been and she doesn't want to ruin what they have, what Miku has been craving for who knows how long.

Hatsune doesn't want to rush Miku.

“Hey! Why'd you stop?” Miku asks, ignoring how desperate she must've sounded.

This seems to snap Hatsune out of her thoughts to continue patting and playing with Miku, which Miku is happy with.

“You know, if you have something on your mind you can tell me, alright?” Miku says, holding onto where her finger is on the screen, as if trying to provide comfort to Hatsune.

The gesture makes Hatsune tear up a bit, just a bit. “I'll have to keep that in mind then” she says, before holding Miku's hand.

“Hey, Hatsune? I feel a little weird…”

“What's wrong?” Hatsune replies, letting go of Miku to see if that helps.

“Dunno, I'm just not feeling…Great” Miku replies, her face is clearly uncomfortable and she's pacing around as if not feeling well.

“I have an idea”

Hatsune goes back into her room and plugs the CRT back in. And after some more encouragement, she gets Miku to go back onto the CRT.

“This actually…worked? I feel better now! Thank you!” Miku can't help but feel so grateful that Hatsune has been there to help her out.

“Don't mention it, although I am worried that might happen again. How about we meet up with my friends again? They could probably find out what's going on with you”

“And if they can't?”

“They'll find out” Hatsune answers, her voice full of unwavering confidence in them.

“Well if you say so…” Miku says, her voice still harbouring some doubt in it. Hatsune tries to pat her head again, but she can't feel it. Even then, the gesture alone is comforting enough to her.

—----------------—----------------—----------------

“You have WHAT on your phone!?” Gumi yells, loud enough for everyone at the diner to look at them.

“--. ..- -- .. -.-.-- / -.-- --- ..- .----. .-. . / - --- --- / .-.. --- ..- -.. -.-.-- / -.-- --- ..- .----. .-. . / -- .- -.- .. -. --. / ... --- ..- -. -.. / .-.. .. -.- . / ... .... . / .... .- ... / .--. --- .-. -. / --- -. / .... . .-. / .--. .... --- -. . / --- .-. / ... --- -- . - .... .. -. --.” Neru says to Gumi, equally distressed but much quieter

“What?! No that's not what I mean-!”

Hatsune sits in front of them. She just watches and waits for them to calm down first. Last time she tried to interfere, things didn't go so well.

“Alright, alright, so you're telling me you have a sentient cartoon character on your phone?” Gumi asks, not sounding much calmer.

“Yep”

“Could you…show us proof or?” Neru asks, sounding a lot more skeptical.

“Here,” Hatsune says, turning on her phone. Lo and behold the one and only TV star from all those years ago. Miku.

“Hello friends!” The Star says, waving enthusiastically at the two speechless girls in front of her. Both of them raise their hands, as if reaching for the Doctor’s phone, but they stop themselves before that.

“Could we have a look?” Gumi asks politely. Hatsune gives them a nod before handing the phone to them.

Both of the technicians interact with the TV star who's now stuck within the Doctor's phone.

“So are you like…real?” Neru asks, her voice still carrying some doubt with it. This gets Gumi to elbow the yellow haired girl's shoulder.

“She talked to us! And she's practically in front of us too!” Gumi says, which simply gets a scoff from Neru, before anything could escalate, Miku answers the previous question.

“Yep! You can drag me around too! Just remember to be gentle, alright?” She said, her tone as cheerful as ever. This catches the two of them off guard.

“So were you always sentient? And how does it work when there are dozens of kids watching your show at the same time? Do you split into multiple clones or-”

While this was a little overwhelming, Miku couldn't lie. She really liked the attention. Having two people interrogate her was making her a lot happier than it should have.

On the other hand, Hatsune had spotted a familiar face, walking out from one of the employee-only areas. It'd be rude if she didn't greet the familiar someone.

—----------------

The meeting had gone quite well for the CEO, the owner was quite cooperative even though she had her own set of rules and demands. Her day would've been better if a certain someone didn't choose to pester her.

“Oh? Fancy seeing you here at a diner, Ms. Kasane. I didn't expect you to have stooped so low in such a short amount of time” Said the Doctor, slowly creeping up behind her.

“And I suppose you're doing any better, hm? Last time I heard you ended up venting to a patient, Doctor.” Kasane answered sharply, she doesn't have the energy to deal with her ex right now.

“Where did all your bite go, Kasane? Or, maybe you're reserving all of that energy for someone else, hm?” Hatsune said, her teasing tone is laced with venom.

“And I thought you were meant to keep it professional between your patients, Doctor.” Kasane bit back, she was really starting to get annoyed.

“You and I both know what we had was beyond our professions, yes?”

“Still a smartass I see. Some things never change do they? What do you even want?”

“You always hate it when I'm right, and besides, is it illegal now for me to check up on a patient?” Hatsune answered, drinking up the sight of Kasane gritting her teeth, even if it's just a little.

“You just want to pester me, don't you? You've grown less subtle as time goes by, Doctor.” Kasane remarks, her tone sharp but not as annoyed as before.

“Did it really take you this long to notice?” Hatsune asked, her tone as teasing as ever, her smirk growing ever so slightly larger. In response to this, the CEO started moving closer to the Doctor.

“You-”

“Ah, none of that. We’re in public after all. You wouldn’t dare lay a hand on me would you, Kasane?” Hatsune teased yet again, this time getting even closer to the CEO.

“Do you really want me to book an appointment with you this badly, Doctor? I don’t recall you being this desperate before” Kasane bit back, her frustration slowly melting away.

The Doctor grin drops, before it returns even stronger than before.

“So you do enjoy this!”

The CEO looked like she had just gotten caught red handed after committing a murder. And to her it might as well be one, more of a murder to her pride though.

—----------------

“So, the reason Hatsune over there decided to go to our place was so that you could be on her phone?” Neru asked, her tone slightly suspicious as always.

“Pretty much! I really can’t thank her enough!”

Neru nods, before turning towards Gumi and whispering a few things between them. After that they turn back to the TV star on the phone.

“So, brushing that aside for now, you said you get dizzy after staying in her phone for too long?” Neru asked.

“Yeah, it makes my head feel funny, and the only thing that helps is going back to the CRT!” Miku explains, sounding worried.

“It seems that you're just not used to being formatted onto the phone yet. So long as you slowly spend more time there, you'll get used to it and be able to last longer there” Gumi explains.

“It'll feel pretty bad at first, but it's the sort of thing that gets better with time. So just keep this up and you'll be fine in no time!”

“Woah! Thanks a lot for your help dear vie- I mean- Gumi and Neru!” Miku could feel her cheeks getting redder than usual. She simply got a little carried away.

“No wonder that Doctor is fond of you” Neru remarks.

“Yeah! She used to be fond of cuter things back then, looks like it's still true now, huh?” Gumi laughed, reminiscing on their high school days.

Hatsune was a very different person back then, a lot more meek and focused on her studies. Much more than Gumi ever did at least.

“A- ah wha? Are you sure about that?” Miku's face had gotten redder. Much redder than it is yet again. “I mean- you really think she's fond of me?”

“You're not a star for no reason. Even if you're not as popular now, that doesn't make you any less cute!”

“...Yeah, you're right! Thank you! Again!”

It felt nice to get complimented. She missed those days when there were hundreds of people watching her show. She really did, but that's not saying she doesn't like what she has now. Just because it's slower doesn't necessarily make it worse.

“Hey, -.-. .- .-. .-. --- - / -.-. .- -.- . Hatsune is talking to that person again” Neru said, whatever she called Gumi seemed to make her smile and grow a little red. Although hearing what she's actually talking about made her seem more upset.

“Who? -!” Before Miku could say much more, Gumi moved the screen forwards so Miku could see the sight.

The CEO of chimeraworks, and The Doctor, up real close with each other. With an awful lot of frustration, anger and maybe something else in their gaze.

This sight upsetted Miku. A lot. More than it should actually. Although, seeing the sight of that CEO scared her more than anything, so she turned the screen off. As if that would do anything to actually help. Sure she won't see them, but they'll still be there.

“The phone’s turned off, that's odd.”

“Have you ever considered that maybe she didn't want to see her crush flirt-fighting with someone else?”

“...Fair enough”

The other two turned to look at the direction of the technicians, who both coughed very loudly.

Kasane scowled, pushing Hatsune to the rest of them, before walking out of the diner entirely. Hatsune stumbled back, but with the combined support of Gumi and Neru, she didn't fall.

“She still got that bite in her. I'll admit” The Doctor stated, her tone bordering on frustration and intrigue.

“That's great and all, but you should check on Miku. She didn't seem very…happy about it” Gumi said, sounding fairly annoyed.

” Neru remarked, which leads to Gumi rolling her eyes and telling her something along the lines of ‘just give her time'

Hatsune goes to check on her phone, opening it and seeing Miku. She looked mostly the same.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Star, have they helped you find a solution yet?”

Miku could feel herself blush a bit at the nickname, but not as much as usual. She shakes the blush off before answering with a nod.

“Are you alright?”

No. She wants to say no, Miku wants to tell Hatsune about how she felt, but she's in no position to do so. All she's been doing is freeloading off the Doctor, living in her CRT, and then in her phone. She's in no position to make demands or get upset over something like that. Besides, they are just friends after all…Right?

“I'm fine! Don't worry about me! Especially with what they've told me I'll be doing better in no time!”

“...If you say so” She can hear Hatsune's doubt, but it seems that Hatsune has let it slide for now. She's got mixed feelings but she's glad for now.

They all spend some more time, order a few more drinks and chat a bit more before heading back to their respective homes.

But before they left, Hatsune and Gumi ended up reminiscing on their high school days again, this time leaving Neru and Miku to their lonesome.

“Miku” Neru calls.

“Yes?”

“Talk to Hatsune.”

“W-what?”

“Talk to her about what's on your mind.”

Before Miku could protest or anything, Neru gets called by Gumi and Hatsune comes back. Looks like it's officially time to go home now.

The car ride home was uneventful, but what happened today certainly was.

As much as Miku hated what happened, she can't exactly say anything about it, as much as she wants to, she can't. She's in no position to confront Hatsune about this, is she? ‘I’m just a friend. Am I not?’ Yet, the feeling of dread continues to burn in her chest.

She doesn't want to dwell on this for too long, but the dread lingers longer than she herself would want to. Maybe, maybe she should give what Neru said a shot.

Chapter Text

“Who was that?”

“Hm? Oh you mean Kasane? Don’t worry about her, she’s just a…past fling of mine. Why? Are you jealous or something?” Hatsune says, not passing up the opportunity to tease the girl in her CRT.

Miku starts to blush, embarrassment creeping in as she’s caught.

“C’mon! Don’t be shy about it now!” The Doctor says as she begins to play with the antenna on the CRT. Miku’s blush deepens, it seems she's almost sensitive, and eventually she lets out a whine.

“Hey! Don’t play with them!” She squealed.

“Aww, but it’s fun!”

As Hatsune continued to play with the antenna, the CRT kept on getting warmer and warmer until eventually-

Static. The CRT bugs out, and the only thing she sees and hears is static.

“Hey! I was just playing with you, come back!”

After a bit more convincing Miku does reappear on the screen, her face less red and more serious now.

“I need to ask you something, Hatsune.”

“Is something bothering you? Do you feel- ah nevermind, I should let you talk first, shouldn't I?” Hatsune asks, her curiosity and habit getting the better of her for a moment.

“Thank you. But I need you to answer me truthfully, but what does being in love feel like? How did it make you feel?” Miku asks, her voice only wavering slightly.

Hatsune's eyes widen in shock for a moment, before she regains her composure. She'll have to give Gumi an earful next time they meet.

“Ah, looks like they filled you in then. No matter, that makes it easier for me to explain. You mean this in reference to me and Kasane, yes?”

“Who else would it be about- wait- you've been with other people before Kasane too?”

“Ah, must I answer that question?” Hatsune answers, her tone teetering on the edge of playfulness and nervousness.

“Well-” But Miku stops. She's just a friend to Hatsune. What right does she have in prying into the taller girl's past relationships?

“Well you- you don't really have to” Miku says, her tone much quieter and a lot more meek than before.

“Oh? Well if you're curious about it I don't mind answering” Hatsune says, her tone taking a softer edge, as she rests her left arm on the CRT in an attempt to comfort the digital girl. The gesture works, somehow, she can hear Miku's breathing slow down just a little bit.

“Really?”

“Really. What would you like to know?” Hatsune's tone is much softer now. She can feel the walls she's built around herself melt away in the presence of the Star in her CRT.

“How many relationships have you been in? If you don't mind me asking. You don't have to answer if you're uncomfortable with it!”

“No it's fine, don't worry. I've been in a relationship with Kasane before as you know. But I've also been with Gumi in the past, before that”

That bit of information incites a little gasp from Miku, which Hatsune can't help but find quite cute. Her wide eyed expression isn't something that Hatsune could take her eyes off of either.

“Yes, I have dated Gumi before. We were both in college at the time and wanted to try it out. We both ended up falling out and got busy with our own things, but we've decided to stay as friends. She’s happier with that Akita girl anyway”

Miku just stares for a moment, processing the information. After a bit, her look of shock from before somehow got even more extreme, and her eyes even wider now. Hatsune has to fight back the urge to tease her and to give her forehead a little kiss-

Hatsune shakes her head a little. She can't be thinking this way about her friend. So what if she had a little crush on Miku back then? She's older now and the crush is…Still as strong as ever. Possibly even stronger now, after getting to know Miku more.

“Anyway, after that was my…relationship with Kasane. To call it a romantic relationship wouldn't be incorrect, but it wouldn't be correct either. While yes, there were some feelings between us, neither of us were any good at expressing them, which isn't a very good thing for relationships. While yes we had passion, she lacked commitment to actually keep the relationship going. After seeing her own inaction, I decided to end it between the two of us”

Miku listened intently. Hearing how Hatsune's most recent relationship turned out broke her heart. She was even more sure that she didn't have a chance, and that confessing would do nothing but put a strain on their relationship.

“I see. I'm sorry you had to go through that de- Hatsune” Miku replies, trying to comfort Hatsune in her own way but also fighting her own bad habits.

Hatsune chuckles and pats the CRT a few times.

“Don't apologize, it's not your fault anyway.”

The two of them sat in silence for a bit more time. The silence wasn't tense, but it was almost comforting. Almost.

“If you don’t mind me asking, how was it when you were in a relationship with Gumi?”

“Oh that? I’d say those were rather pleasant actually. Even if in the end we both lost interest, we spent a lot of time together and held each other responsible for assignments so it was quite beneficial for both of us”

“Could you tell me more about how it felt?”

“You’re rather curious today, aren’t you?” Hatsune said with a chuckle, before tapping on the screen a few times, specifically near the spots where Miku’s cheeks are.

“Hey! I saw that!” Miku said, annoyed, although she doesn’t seem to be enjoying it as much this time around.

“Alright, alright. Anyway, as you asked, I’d say that it felt awfully warm and comfortable. She was always there for me and I was always there for her. But eventually we drifted apart somewhere after we got busy with work. But I suppose a healthy communication and relationship wasn’t enough to stop us from losing feelings, huh?” Hatsune said with a sigh, her tone was rather bittersweet with a hint of yearning.

“I see” And with that, Miku can confirm one thing about herself.

She IS in love with Hatsune. Romantically. She wants to go on dates with the green haired girl, she wants to get spoiled, she wants to kiss and be kissed by Hatsune.

Right now her head is a mess. And Hatsune can clearly see that, so she does what she knows best. She tries to tease the Star.

“Hm? You’re actually getting hotter! I never knew you could do that!” She said, placing more of her palm on the screen. Miku replies by abruptly cutting contact yet again, and the static returns.

It took quite a while before Miku came back. Longer than usual, this only left Hatsune with a nagging feeling of guilt. It took a more sincere apology for Miku to come back this time. And when she does, she doesn’t look all that happy, instead she looks rather serious.

“Please take this seriously, and don’t laugh at me. Okay?” Her tone was much more stern and devoid of the shakiness from before.

Hatsune has never seen this side of Miku. Actually she isn’t sure if anyone has, so she’s pretty sure that she’s messed up in some way. It’s scary, it makes her feel things she shouldn't, but she’ll never admit that, so she does what she’s best at.

She takes a deep breath and gathers her composure yet again, “I won’t. Sorry if I was teasing you too much”

“Just- it’s fine, but please listen to me, alright?”

Hatsune nods in response, and Miku takes that as a sign to continue. She takes a deep breath, composing herself a little bit before talking.

This could be a mistake. This probably is one, for all she knows she could be ruining what they both have. But she'd confess now while she still has the courage to.

“I’m sorry for snapping at you, but I need to tell you something. Hatsune, I like- no, I love you Hatsune.”

A beat passes and then another. Hatsune takes her time, taking her arm off the CRT, and moving it so it faces her before speaking.

“And you’re sure of this, correct?”

“100% sure” Miku states confidently.

Hatsune can’t believe this, she looks at the other girl, desperately searching for any kind of deceit or pity in her blue eyes, she finds none. Is she dreaming? There has to be some kind of mistake here.

“Humor me for a moment. But what if the real me is someone far different than you know? What if ‘I’ was someone who was much less grandiose than ‘I’ appeared to be?” Hatsune questioned, using every bit of her strength to keep both her words and her body steady.

“I would be happy that you trust me enough to let me see a more vulnerable and real version of you,” Miku answered truthfully. Not wavering one bit.

“But what if the real ‘me’ is someone you wouldn’t like?” Hatsune asked again, her tone more strained this time.

“Only I can make that choice Hatsune. It is up to you whether or not you show me this ‘true’ self, but I will be the one who decides how I feel about it.” Miku answers yet again, equally confident of her answers.

After another brief moment of silence, Hatsune moves closer to the CRT, and wraps both of her arms around it.

“...Idiot” She mumbles out, before moving to face the CRT and planting a kiss on Miku’s forehead. Miku’s face burns crimson now, the whole thing, not just her cheeks.

“Hey! That’s not fair! It’s not like I can even kiss you back!” Miku pouts, before noticing that Hatsune is looking away as well, with a hand covering her mouth and that area of her face.

“Wait a minute, are you-! YOU kissed me first! Why are you acting all shy now?” Miku said, equal parts annoyed and teasing.

Hatsune brings her hand behind her glasses, wiping her eyes momentarily, before taking the glasses off entirely. Revealing her brown eyes, and slightly glassy eyes.

“!!”

“I know they’re unsightly-”

“Your eyes! They’re gorgeous! But are you alright?” Miku said, cutting off whatever self-deprecating thing Hatsune might’ve had in mind. Worry staining her voice and eyes.

Hearing this, Hatsune’s eyes widened. Nobody has told her that about her eyes, especially not her parents. This is the first time anyone has said anything like this to her.

“...Oh! Why don’t you come closer?”

“Hm?” She starts moving closer to the screen.

“I gotta tell you a secret! C’mon get closer!”

Hatsune moves her head to the side, practically squishing the side of her face to the screen, curious as to what Miku was gonna do, until-

“Mwah!” She feels the area of the screen around her cheek get warmer.

“Did you just-” Hatsune moves a bit away from the screen, gently touching her cheek, at where Miku ‘kissed’ her. She looks at the CRT only to find Miku smiling back at her, looking as cheeky as ever.

“Now we're even!”

They might be even now, but if there's one thing to remember about Hatsune, it's that she isn't always someone who always likes to play fair.

—----------------

The next day, as Hatsune goes to open her phone, she notices how the CRT has been moved to be right next to her. And more importantly, how the screen is covered in green lipstick.

After turning on the CRT, she's met with the sight of Miku, who's still sleeping all sprawled out in her pajamas.

Seeing this, Hatsune decides to not get up yet and just admire Miku for a little bit longer. Just a bit.

She ends up staying there until Miku wakes up.

“Did you sleep well, dear?”

“Good mor- hey wait a minute, were you watching me?!” Miku accused, her face already getting red.

“You're just too cute! I couldn't help myself!”

“You sound like a creep!” Miku scolds, but her tone is devoid of any venom, “You're so unfair!” She pouts.

“I won't do it again if you don't want me to”

“No- well-”

This back and forth continues, even while Hatsune is wiping the lipstick marks off of her CRT.

“Hey Miku, mind if I gave you a little nickname?”

“Don't you already have nicknames for me?” She asked, sounding curious but willing to entertain the idea.

“How about I call you Itsumi-chan?”

“Is that chan part really necessary?” Miku asks. Was it really necessary for Hatsune to make a cute nickname sound cuter? Probably not. Does she care? Nope.

“I can already see how much you like it, Itsumi-chan!”

“Just Itsumi is fine!”

—----------------—----------------—----------------

“.... . -.-- / .-- .... -.-- / -.. --- / .. / ..-. . . .-.. / .-.. .. -.- . / ... --- -- . - .... .. -. --. / .. -- .--. --- .-. - .- -. - / .... .- .--. .--. . -. . -.. ..--..” Neru asked casually, with her phone in one hand and Gumi around her other arm.

“So suddenly? Did you contribute to it or?” Gumi asked, still trying to focus on the movie.

Neru just shrugs “-.. ..- -. -. ---”

“Or maybe you just missed me too much!”

“-.-- --- ..- .----. .-. . / .-.. .. - . .-. .- .-.. .-.. -.-- / -- -.-- / -.-. --- -....- .-- --- .-. -.- . .-. / .- -. -.. / .-. --- --- -- -- .- - .”

“Hey! You forgot-”

Neru cuts the other girl off with a kiss on her cheek, before continuing to scroll and half watch the movie. Gumi just sits there, smiling like an idiot, before kissing Neru back. A few times.

In the end the movie is forgotten, as they both decide to cuddle on the sofa instead.