Chapter Text
Miku stared from the TV, Teto was stupid to think she didn't realise the looks she'd been giving Gumi as of late. The slight blushes every time she looked at her, the nervous stuttering paired with the increased flushing of her face? If she wasn't in love, she'd call bullshit.
Gumi herself wasn't much better either, Miku noticed every time she talked to Teto, she'd smile a little brighter and she'd even given her a red rose before—if that wasn't a straightforward confession of love, Miku would smash her face into the screen— and Teto hadn't even reacted, she only thought it was a friendly gift. If those two kept tiptoeing around each other, they were going to give her an aneurysm.
She'd better take matters into her own hands before she releases some steam on a poor flower.
The studio was mostly quiet, with the other flavor foley members lounging around the break room—which could barely be considered a break room with how big it was. Kaito was eating his fourth ice cream cake of the day—how he didn't get diabetes, Miku couldn't answer—, Rei had her arms wrapped around Eleanor while calling her multiple pet names purely to fluster her, the latter sat with her head cradled in her hands, blushing furiously because of the android. Yi xi was probably butchering another person in the back room, who knew what Feng Yi or Hayden were doing, Miki and Len were having their own conversation at the side.
For the two members of interest however…
Gumi was watering the flowers she kept in the studio, humming her own song while doing so. Teto sat on the couch, staring at her with hearts in her eyes, she seemed to be blocking out all other distractions to observe her crush.
“Teto” Miku called out from the TV.
“What is it?” Teto snapped out of her trance, turning to face her.
“You like her, don't you?”
“Wh-huh, uhmm. I-i don't know what you could possibly meannn…” Teto stammered, trying to keep her reddening face in check.
“Don't play dumb with me, I've seen the way you look at her,” Miku deadpanned, unimpressed with Teto's attempt at persuasion. “Listen, just confess to her, the longer you two keep hinting at each other without making a move, the closer I am getting to pulling my own hair out,”
“I can't do that! She could never love me cause I'm… y'know.” She whisper-yelled, slowly trailing off and gesturing to herself. She seemed downcast, as if she actually believed what she said.
“Oh little star… I can assure you that no one here will think differently of you simply because of your origins,” Miku tried to reassure her, but Teto still wallowed in self hatred.
“I'm not sure… give me a few days to think it through, okay?”
“Alright then…”
Miku watched the rest of the flavor foleys leave the studio, readying herself to switch to the TV in Teto's house. Gumi was about to leave when Miku thought of an idea.
“Gumi!”
“Hm? Miku, do you need anything?” The gardener walked away from the exit, stopping right in front of the screen.
“Yeah, if… if Teto seems really awkward around you lately, please don't pressure her into telling you, she needs time to think about some stuff,”
“Ah, I'll keep that in mind, thanks for telling me,” Gumi gave her one of her heart melting smiles—she understood why Teto loved those grins now.
She nodded at the woman as she locked the door behind her. She forced the TV off, finding the cable to Teto's house.
She found herself in a strangely empty room, it was usually more bright than this. In the distance, she could hear the faint sounds of vomiting. That wasn't good.
There wasn't much she could do, confined to the TV and all but sooner or later the toilet was flushed and Teto—though a little frazzled— stepped out of the bathroom and into the living room where Miku's TV was situated. Taking a moment to get her bearings, Teto stared blankly at the TV before all colour drained from her face.
“Did-did you hear all that?” The idol froze, anxiety showing on her facial expressions.
“Yes… are you still doing it?” Miku frowned, this wasn't the first time Teto had done something like this but she genuinely thought she was getting better.
“I-I… I am…” Miku sighed, how could she help Teto? After all, she didn't even have a physical body.
“I won't force you to change quickly, but little star, please don't be so harsh on yourself, the agency isn't observing your figure anymore,”
“I know that… I just can't quit old habits,” she growled, turning away and baring her fangs at the wall. “I'm glad you're helping me with all this but I don't deserve it really, you should have gotten an easier person to deal with,”
“I don't want to hear that from you, I wouldn't have traded you for anything,” Miku rebutted, frustrated at the fact she couldn't get her words into Teto's head.
Teto kept silent, staring at the air and blinking away tears that threatened to spill. Her breaths were heavy, her chest rising up and down each second, as if she had just run a lap around the house.
“I'm just… going to take a nap, alright?” Teto piped up after a long moment of silence. “I'll just sleep it off and maybe we can talk later?” She didn't wait for a response as she immediately walked upstairs to her bedroom, leaving Miku to stare at the stairs.
Miku held a lot of regret, from years before till now, those regrets tied her down. She wondered whether Teto held regrets of her own, maybe about Uta or Momo? Who knows what went on during her idol career. Miku wanted answers, but forcing them out of her would only make things worse than they already are, she would have to hold back for the time being.
“How can I possibly help you, my star…?”