Go where this voice gets stronger

**eventually Kaito just pauses and puts his hands in his pockets**

... I had no idea all of this was out here.

**he said this thoughtfully, wondering what part of this scenery was unsuitable for human life. Was it possible that the people of his city weren't aware of its existence out here? He wondered if maybe he should go back and tell them of his discovery.

But he already promised KAITO that he'd help him search for other societies - and though he could take him back to his hometown, technology was forbidden there, and so his friend might not be received. Both were important to him...**

From:

[He stops as well, watching the other Kaito.]

You really couldn't see over the walls?

From:

No, not even a little. They were taller than the buildings, and thick. All we could see was a bit of the sky... so the only animals and plants I knew about were brought there a long time ago, bred and grown for consumption. With a few exceptions. **like my bird.**

I could identify some things from textbooks. **points at an insect with yellow wings** That's a butterfly.

But I've never seen one in person before.

From:

[That's... quite an environment. KAITO looks over to the butterfly, wondering what it'd be like if he'd never seen it in person before. What if he wasn't able to see the white flowers and smile fondly, remembering how they used to bloom in the Master''s yard? That was too sad to think about.]

There's a lot of things here. There haven't been any humans in a long time, so a lot of plants and animals came back.

[And he watched them all, going from a few to many within a decade.] Humans used up everything. And they couldn't live because there wasn't anything left. That's why they...

From:

Yeah, I understand. We did it to ourselves.

**though, he says it in a bit of a detached way, since he was born after the fact. The ruined world handed to him in the form of a cage. He still says 'we,' since as an adult he understands his responsibilities and respects his ancestors. But in the walled city, they had no choice - conserve their resources or die like all the others. Therefore, Kaito knew nothing of the ways of his frivolous predecessors.**

. . . . .

**Yet suddenly, something hit him like a ton of bricks, and it felt as though their entire weight was on his shoulders. If he really did find other humans, or even if he went back home - if he told them what was out there, would they have learned their lesson? Or would they revert to their own ways? Apart from the ruins of humanity, he felt that the scenery was so pristine. Perhaps it was because he'd never seen it before in his life, but ... what was he supposed to do, now that he knew it was there, and nobody else did? He squinted his eyes, blinking back some tears that snuck up on him. What in the world? He never cried... not since he was a kid... his voice was even cracking a bit.**

I'm truly... so lucky I get to see it...

From:

**looks up at Kaito in confusion! He's never seen his master act this way, and human emotions are pretty foreign to him. But since he is making a bit of a grimace, Mekaito's eyes quickly search Kaito's body for injury**

From:

[KAITO doesn't react like Mekaito, knowing the different types of human emotions. In fact, he can relate to Kaito; just moments ago, he felt like he would break down and weep at the sight of a human. After losing so many fellow Vocaloids one-by-one, he thought he wouldn't be able to last before finding anyone still alive.

He moves forward to put a hand on Kaito's shoulder. It was a small gesture of comfort that he learned long ago. His master used to do the same whenever he was upset about something.]

From:

**finding nothing, Mekaito is slightly frustrated with his lack of insight, so decides to be direct**

Master, does something hurt?

From:

**suddenly notices what KAITO's doing, but doesn't quite get it**

... Is it your shoulder?

From:

**a solid hand resting on Kaito's shoulder made him glance into the Vocaloid's face, connecting with his blue eyes full of empathy. For that, he was grateful. Those small things reminded him that he wasn't alone. He opened his mouth to say something, but Mekaito cut him off. Listening to his concerns, Kaito gave a short laugh, brushing away the remnants of his tears**

My shoulder's fine. I... don't know what's wrong with me.

**he chuckles again, smiling crookedly as the waterworks try to come up again. Somehow, Kaito wasn't able to admit what he was afraid of. So he just shakes his head and wipes his eyes again.**

From:

... Oh.

**well...hmm. Let's try holding hands again. People seem to like that. He walks over and grabs the hand that Kaito's not using to wipe his tears**

Do you feel better now?

From:

**he's calming himself down, and he appreciates what both of them are doing, so he nods**

Y...Yes. Thanks.

From:

[KAITO watched the two interact, stepping away and giving them room when Mekaito reached up to take his master's hand. The little robot was still so new to everything, but still doing his best to help his master. It was so eager and willing, and the human Kaito was so genuine in accepting the help. It was like they were a family, trying hard to take care of each other.

A bird landed on the branch near KAITO's head. He looked up at it, watching it peck and eat at the small berries there. Sustenance, of course. All living things had to survive somehow. Thing with no life -- non-living things like him, no matter how human he tried to be -- didn't have to.

He glanced back at Kaito and Mekaito and realized he wanted both of them to live well, together.]

Should you go back?

From:

Go back?

**he repeated, surprised. Where did that come from? I mean, honestly, he'd been thinking about what would happen if he did, but was he that easy to read? No, couldn't be. So did KAITO think that since he'd cried just now, he was too weak?**

But -

**he shook his head, feeling a little defensive**

- we've only just begun.

From:

[KAITO didn't answer at first, just looked at the two of them sadly.]

If you say so.

[He turned away from the two before asking:] Should we keep going?

From:

**Kaito blinked again. His eyes had still been a bit blurry from crying, but he could read KAITO's face a bit more clearly now. That sudden sadness... and the vague questions. "Should we go back?" "Should we keep going?" It was hard to say, even for himself. This was already stressful. Maybe KAITO had sensed what was on his mind, after all... or maybe it was something else. Either way, they both had their concerns. Perhaps they should lay them on the proverbial table before continuing**

... are you worried?

From:

[KAITO paused. Of course... of course he'd be so easily read like this. He could never hide anything very well. It was part of his personality. His program. Whichever was more appropriate.]

Yes, [he admitted. He faced the other man again, instead of turning away.] Humans need things to live, like food and shelter. Without it, they can't survive.

What are you going to do? [He only grew more and more concerned as he voiced his opinions.] If you need to eat or live somewhere... it's not here. There's nothing here for humans. You shouldn't--

[His voice hitched before he could get the next part out.]

...you shouldn't die. It's not fair to leave him [he gestures to Mekaito] behind.

It's not fair.

From:

.... **doesn't really understand what KAITO is talking about (other than that it's SRS BIZNIS)

This is probably a good thing**

From:

Oh, I see...

**KAITO's worries were a lot different from his. It just went to show that you couldn't predict others - even if they were robots, oddly enough.**

... Well, if it's food, you don't have to worry about that too much. I left home with provisions.

**though it wasn't apparent where he was keeping them!? Still, he's trying to speak reassuringly**

And, by the time they run out, I'm sure I'd have figured out some way to get food. Humans used to live out in the wilderness a long time ago, so...

From:

[KAITO seems skeptical for a moment before accepting the answer. If it came down to it, maybe he could help as well. It wasn't exactly in his programming, but he was sure he could do it. There had to be a way.]

I see. If you say it's okay. [But that left him with another question.]

What were you worried about?

From:

**oops. So he could tell. Still, KAITO had been searching for the humans for a really long time. Wouldn't it be a little rude to voice such cynical thoughts to him?**

Er... well, I'm not sure it's something you'd want to hear.

From: