Cinderella’s Glass Slipper - Vocaloid 神威がくぽx巡音ルカ

💜💗💜💗💜 Story 💗💜💗💜💗 The stage lights slowly illuminated the theater as soft music flowed from the speakers. The audience gradually quieted, and every gaze turned toward the stage, which had been transformed into a magnificent palace. Tonight was the drama club’s annual performance, and this year, they had chosen the beloved fairy tale Cinderella. Kamui Gakupo played the prince, while Megurine Luka took on the role of Cinderella. What had initially seemed like an ordinary stage production had gradually become something rather different after the two were cast as the lead characters. Gakupo had always been skilled at commanding the stage. His delivery was steady, his acting natural, and he remained composed even in front of a large audience. He knew precisely how to convey the emotions of his character. As for Luka, she had no intention of simply imitating the traditional image of a fragile princess. Instead, she portrayed Cinderella’s gentleness, inner strength, and shy wonder at the prospect of happiness in a way that was deeply moving. Whenever the two stood together, even the director could not help remarking that their chemistry was far better than expected. Of course, only Gakupo and Luka knew that their remarkable connection did not come entirely from rehearsing together. “Are you ready?” Backstage beside the curtains, Gakupo quietly asked Luka, who was dressed in her elegant ball gown. Luka turned to look at him, a smile appearing on her lips. “Of course. Just make sure you remember your lines later.” “I thought you would be the one worrying about forgetting yours.” “How could I? I take this seriously, you know.” “Is that so?” Gakupo leaned toward her slightly, deliberately lowering his voice. “Then I shall be in your care tonight, Cinderella.” Luka froze for a moment at the sudden closeness before gently pushing his shoulder. “We’re backstage! Don’t suddenly start talking to me in that princely voice!” “I thought you were already used to it.” “That’s because you enjoy teasing me even when we’re not rehearsing!” Gakupo laughed and decided not to argue further. Instead, he straightened her slightly crooked shawl. His movements were natural and careful. He avoided disturbing her carefully arranged hair, and after making sure the shawl was properly positioned, he gently reminded her that it was almost time to go onstage. “Come on, Luka.” She looked at his outstretched hand, and her smile softened. “Okay.” Hand in hand, they walked toward the stage. The story began with Cinderella receiving an invitation to the royal ball, only to be prevented from attending by her stepmother and stepsisters. As the Fairy Godmother appeared, the stage lights gradually shifted into a dreamy glow. Cinderella changed into her beautiful gown and stepped into the palace, surrounded by the anticipation of the waiting guests. When Luka appeared onstage, a soft murmur of admiration rippled through the audience. Wearing her carefully prepared gown, she moved gracefully, her expression reflecting the curiosity and uncertainty of someone entering an unfamiliar world for the first time. Rather than immediately searching for the prince, she first looked around at her surroundings. Only when the music changed did Gakupo, playing the prince, approach her. He extended his hand. “Beautiful lady, may I have the honor of dancing with you?” Luka raised her eyes and met his gaze. “If this is an invitation from the prince, I suppose I have no reason to refuse.” She placed her hand in his palm. The two began to dance to the music. Gakupo’s movements were steady and elegant, and he guided Luka through each turn at precisely the right moment. Every exchanged glance and every carefully timed pause when their hands met made the dance feel especially enchanting. During rehearsals, they had practiced one particular turn over and over again. They had even laughed for quite some time after accidentally stepping on each other’s feet. Yet now, beneath the stage lights, Luka suddenly realized that all the movements that had once made her nervous felt perfectly natural. Because the person holding her hand was Gakupo. She trusted him to catch her, and she knew that no matter how she turned, he would be there before her at the next moment. When the dance ended, Gakupo did not immediately release her hand. Following the script, he lowered his head in an elegant bow. Luka returned his smile. The brief pause between them drew enthusiastic applause from the audience. However, the clock soon struck midnight. Remembering the Fairy Godmother’s warning, Cinderella hurried away from the ball. The prince pursued her but could only watch as she disappeared down the palace steps. Luka hurried offstage according to the script, deliberately leaving behind the glass slipper that played such an important role in the story. Gakupo bent down to pick it up. As he gazed at the crystal-like shoe in his hand, his expression gradually grew serious. “No matter what happens, I will find her.” His voice was clear and resolute. The audience applauded once more, and the curtain slowly fell as the stage was prepared for the next scene. The next part of the story would show the prince traveling with the glass slipper in search of the young woman he had met at the ball. When the stage lights came on again, the setting had changed to Cinderella’s home. Luka had changed back into her simple clothes and was sitting at one side of the stage, waiting for the prince to arrive. When Gakupo entered carrying the glass slipper, she immediately lowered her head according to the script, struggling to suppress the urge to laugh. Although they had rehearsed this scene countless times, she still found it rather extraordinary. After all, the prince was about to kneel before her and personally slip the glass shoe onto Cinderella’s foot. And the person who would put the shoe on her was the man she liked. “I believe the lady I have been searching for is here.” Gakupo delivered his line as he approached Luka. He slowly knelt before her and took the glass slipper from its box. “May I try it on you?” Luka raised her head and met his eyes. “But... I don't know whether the shoe will fit me.” Her voice carried the uncertainty required of her character, though a hint of amusement lingered in her eyes, something only Gakupo would notice. He smiled gently. “Don't worry. I believe it has been waiting for its rightful owner all along.” With that, he lightly supported Luka’s hand and gestured for her to raise her foot a little. Luka followed his movements and extended her foot toward him. Gakupo carefully picked up the glass slipper, checked its orientation, and gently supported her ankle as he slowly slipped the shoe onto her foot. His movements were even more tender than they had been during rehearsals. The transparent slipper reflected tiny points of light beneath the stage lamps, illuminating the hem of Luka’s skirt. After making sure the shoe fit securely, Gakupo finally lifted his head. Their eyes met again. According to the script, this was the moment when the prince was supposed to realize that the young woman before him was the very person he had been longing to find. Yet as Gakupo looked into Luka’s eyes, another thought crossed his mind. If this were not a performance, if he could truly kneel before her on some evening and slip a glass slipper onto her foot just as the prince did in the fairy tale, would he also be able to use that moment to confess the feelings he had kept hidden in his heart? He knew he should not lose himself in such thoughts while performing. But Luka was looking at him. There was anticipation in her gaze, along with a hint of shyness that was almost impossible to notice. “I have found you.” Gakupo finally spoke. “You are the one I have been searching for all this time.” He had delivered this line countless times before. Yet this time, his voice was gentler than ever, as though it were not merely the prince’s declaration but also a confession of what he truly wanted to tell Luka. Luka’s breathing faltered slightly. She knew they were still onstage. Other actors stood nearby, the audience filled the seats below, and everyone was waiting for the reunion between Cinderella and the prince. But when Gakupo extended his hand and invited her to stand, she still could not help placing her hand in his palm. “Then, Your Highness,” she replied softly, following the script, “may I leave with you?” “Of course.” Gakupo held her hand and slowly rose to his feet. “As long as you are willing, I will always hold your hand.” Those words were also written in the script. However, when he spoke them, Luka felt her heart skip a beat. His grip was steady, and the warmth of his palm traveled through her fingers, almost making her forget that she was playing Cinderella. She looked up at him, and Gakupo did not immediately look away. Their brief exchange of glances seemed to slow the entire stage. Only when the background music began again did they turn toward the audience as rehearsed. Gakupo led Luka to the center of the stage. Standing side by side, they bowed to the audience. Applause surged through the theater. Some people were moved by the fairy-tale ending, while others praised the chemistry between the two leads. There were also those who noticed the unusual tenderness with which the prince had slipped the glass slipper onto Cinderella’s foot. But only Luka and Gakupo knew that, in that moment, their thoughts had gone far beyond the events written in the script. After the performance ended, they returned backstage. Luka sat down in a chair and looked at the glass slipper prop she had already taken off, unable to resist gently swinging her foot. “Finally, it's over.” Gakupo hung up the prince’s cape and turned toward her. “You did wonderfully.” “So did you,” Luka replied with a smile. “Especially during the part where you put the glass slipper on me.” “Was there anything special about that scene?” Luka looked up at him, pretending to ponder the question. “Well... perhaps the prince was simply too serious. I almost thought you really believed you were a prince from a fairy tale.” Gakupo walked over to her and leaned down slightly. “What if I told you that I was, in fact, taking it a little seriously?” Luka’s smile immediately faded into surprise. “What?” He did not answer at once. Instead, he picked up the glass slipper resting nearby and gently placed it in her palm. “I mean, I was happy to put the slipper on you and make you Cinderella tonight.” He paused, his gaze softening. “But more than being the prince who finds Cinderella, I hope that someday, even away from the stage, you will be willing to let me hold your hand.” Luka stared at him in astonishment. She had forgotten every joke she had prepared, feeling only the warmth spreading across her cheeks. “Gakupo... do you realize what you're saying?” “I do.” His answer came without hesitation. “And I'm not acting.” The backstage area remained lively. Other actors were organizing their costumes and props, while the director and crew could be heard discussing the arrangements for the final curtain call in the distance. Yet in that little corner, Luka felt as though she had returned to the center of the stage. Only this time, there was no script to tell her what to say, nor any lines to hide behind. She lowered her gaze to the glass slipper in her palm. After a moment, she looked up again. “Then...” She extended her other hand and gently wrapped her fingers around Gakupo’s. “What if I told you that I want you to keep holding my hand, too?” A flicker of surprise and delight appeared in Gakupo’s eyes. Then he held her hand a little more firmly, a tender smile forming on his lips. “Then I will take your words to heart.” Luka finally could not help laughing. “You're always so composed, Gakupo. Why are you suddenly so serious at a time like this?” “Because there are some things I don't want you to misunderstand.” “Such as?” Gakupo looked at her and answered without hiding behind the role of the prince. “Such as the fact that I like you.” Luka’s heart raced. She felt as though she had been waiting for those words for a very long time. And when they finally came from Gakupo’s lips, she realized that what she had been hoping for was neither the happy ending of a fairy tale nor the romantic scenes onstage. It was this man standing before her, looking at her so sincerely and offering her his heart without reservation. She gently returned his handclasp. “I like you, too.” Gakupo said nothing for a moment. He simply looked at her with a smile, as though making sure he had heard her correctly. Luka felt a little embarrassed under his gaze, so she picked up the glass slipper and lightly tapped his arm with it. “All right, Your Highness. The performance is over. It's time for you to return to reality.” “Very well, Cinderella.” He smiled as he took the glass slipper from her, but his other hand remained intertwined with hers. “However, before we go back, may I invite you to dinner?” Luka pretended to think about it for a few seconds. “That depends on where Your Highness intends to take me.” “Then you can decide.” “Really?” “Really.” She finally gave him a satisfied smile. “Then I want dessert. And tonight, you're not allowed to order only the things you like.” “Very well. I'll remember that.” They exchanged smiles. The backstage lights illuminated their joined hands. The glass slipper rested quietly on the table, as though it still held the magic of the beautiful fairy tale they had brought to life. In the story, Cinderella met her prince because of a glass slipper. But outside the story, Megurine Luka discovered after a theatrical performance that the person she loved had already been standing by her side, waiting to begin the next chapter of their journey together. As for Kamui Gakupo, he needed neither a royal palace nor a grand ball, nor did he need to become an all-powerful prince from a fairy tale. All he wanted was to hold Luka’s hand, just as he had tonight, and walk beside her through every road that lay ahead. And this time, no one called for the scene to end. Because their own story was only just beginning.