Chapter 1: Accidental
" Woohoo~! We're finally at our long awaited girl's day out!" Cheers Yaya, jumping and her fist punching the air.
" Good thing my mum finally let me hang out, even though it's just nearby locations and for a short time; my curfew is in an hour's time," comments Rima in a monotonous way, walking along, away from school.
" Then we better make the most out of it! Especially that there's no more pesky boys to disturb us!" Utau cloes her eyes and smiles in gratefulness, with her hands behind her head.
" Speaking of Boys, what are your going to do on Valentine's Day?" Amu turns to face them, walking backwards.
" Nagihiko and I are going to watch traditional plays first and later head for gag concerts," Rima says as if she's reading off a checklist.
" We'll be at a hotel," Utau bluntly states.
" Are your doing what Yaya thinks you're doing?!" Yaya exclaims bewildered, everyone stares at Utau in shock.
" No, we're not doing that, we're only sixteen, under-aged, and we don't want to rush things," She replies. "Besides, we'll be going to a pool and bar."
" Yeah right, not old enough to do that but old enough to go to a bar," Amu mutters under her breath.
" I heard th-"
" Then what are you going to do for Valentine's day Amu-chi?" Yaya asks, cutting Utau off.
" You little brat!" Utau attempts to hit Yaya but Yaya successfully dodges sidewards, closer to Amu.
" I'm going out with Ami to the amusement park," she answers.
" Going out with Ami? Why not with your boyfriend! It's Valentine's day!" exclaims Utau.
" Cuz I-...I..." Amu looks downwards at the ground, unsure of what to say next. The whole group keeps quiet, awaiting for Amu's reply.
...
" Ne Ne Amu-chi, aren't you the only one that's single?" Yaya asks, breaking the silent tension among the group. The whole group turns to face Yaya and erupts into an uproar.
" Eh~ Is that really true? The cool and spicy Amu doesn't have a boyfriend?"
" And Yaya thought she had one all along!"
" But it makes sense, we've never seen her with anyone else."
" And to top it off, she's never been onto any of our double dates!"
" Yaya thinks she's a Lone-"
" MAATTEEE! I am not a loner!" retorts Amu, getting everyone's attention. Why did I bring this up...
" Then where's the guy?" smirks Utau.
" You were never good at making guy friends..." whispers Rima.
" Yaya only sees Amu-chi with girls," Yaya chirps in.
" I am dating someone! And I do hang out with boys kay! Just... Just... My boyfriend... He's not here!" she defiantly looks at them.
" Yeah sure Amu, your boyfriend sure does disappear when we're around. Is he a magician?" Mocks Utau.
" No he isn't!"
" Yaya thinks Amu-chi's boyfriend must be so boring that she's embarrassed to let us meet him!" Yaya laughs at Amu, Rima joins in and giggles, changing into her Kushukushu personality.
" No he isn't! He's just a normal guy that I've met!"
" A normal guy that you met eh? So how did you meet this normal guy?" Utau playfully traps Amu. Yaya stared hard at Amu while Rima, having reverted to her normal self, just simply looked straight ahead.
" I... I..." Amu pauses, unsure of what logical explanation to come up with for her 'normal guy'. "...How did your meet your boyfriends?"
" Cherry Blossom Festival," Rima simply states.
" He was at a fansign event, sadly he wasn't a fan," Utau sulks about how on earth such a hot guy wasn't a fan of hers!
" I- choutomate! Yaya doesn't have a boyfriend!" Yaya pouts back at them.
" Yeah sure Yaya, spending lots of time with Kairi," Utau mocks Yaya, having found herself a new target.
Amu let out a sigh of relief that the conversation was finally not about her and wouldn't be put on the spot by all the tormenting truth. With the remaining time she had, she thought of how she would get a boyfriend to prove them wrong! She isn't single! Just haven't found him yet... Who can I get to be my boyfriend...? Kukai, Nagihiko and Kairi were definately out, they were her friends' boyfriends. That small whatever-he-is guy is sooo not her type; he's a nerd for heaven's sake! And besides, he's younger than her. She wouldn't want to called a cougar for that. Nikaidou-sensei... He's too old and teacher-student relationships were forbidden. Even though Amu's exterior personality is cool, spicy and bad, her interior personality wouldn't allow her to break the rules, even those of being late. Who else can be my boyfriend...?
...
Of course! Tadase! He's a student, same age, hot and to top it off, he's single! Why didn't I think of him earlier?
" Gomen minna! I need to ask Tadase! Sayorana minna!" Amu turns and head off in the other direction; towards school, and waves everyone goodbye.
" Good luck in getting Tadase!" Utau mockingly shouts to Amu, knowing that the internally shy girl won't have the guts to do it. Yaya and Rima, who once again changed to her kushukushu personality, snickers at Amu's attempt.
The school comming into view of Amu's vision, she spots Tadase standing on the right hand side of the left pillar of the school gate, facing towards school. " Tada-" She stops herself before she could say it finish, suddenly remembering to maintain her 'cool and spicy' image. Instead of a dash, it becomes a slow stride. Instead of hands flailing in the air, they were tucked snugly in her jacket pocket. Instead of an excited facial expression, it was changed into one that was calm and collected, looking as if nothing was of interest to her. This is taking too long...! She quickened her pace to reach Tadase soon but as she reaching him, she saw him talking, laughing and with his brightest smile on his face. Who's that making him so happy?
" Woohoo!"
" Eh...?" Amu wonders aloud.
A curled red-haired girl jumped in the air in delight proclaiming, " I did it! We're set!"
" S-Saaya?" Amu asks in disbelief.
" Oh, there you are Hinamori, glad you came in time! You know, I've always worried about you snatching my Tadase but I guessed I've worried too much, it was absolutely easy! The first thing he said was yes! He didn't stutter or whatever Amu shit, cause he never thought of you! Now he's mine and we're set for Valentine's Day! Ha Ha Ha Ha!" Saaya laughs haughtily with the back of her hand covering her mouth, drawing attention from a currently circled group of schoolmates.
" Saaya's with Tadase?! On Valentine's Day?!" Amu stumbles backwards, losing her stance.
" Oh look, the cool and spicy Amu Hinamori is acting like a little, petite girl," snickers Tamaya*, appearing out of the blue by Saaya's right.
" Yeah, breaking down just cause she can't be with Tadase! What a loser! Ha ha ha ha!" Dakaya* joins in, laughing.
Amu glares at them not letting their words get to her, regaining her composure. " Who said I was breaking down?"
" Eh?! Weren't you just now?" Saaya questions in shock.
" It's sad that Tadase got taken," Amu answers indignantly. By some girl like you.
" But that are many other guys in the world," she continues.
" So I wish Tadase the best of luck," she ends off through the student-crowd and heads home in her calm facade, even after having seen Tadase's shocked and solemn expression from the crowd.
" Tadaima..." Amu greets monotonously.
" Okairi Amu! Why do you sound so sullen?" Midori asks, walking towards Amu.
" Umm... It's nothing oka-san," Amu fakes her brightest smile at her mom.
" I know you're faking it Amu, I've known you for the past sixteen years of your life," she reasons.
" I'm really fine oka-san," Amu says, looking right at her mom in the eyes.
" Your eyes looks dull; they don't look sincere," Midori once again reasons. " Tell me what's the problem Amu."
...
" I... I'm the only one that doesn't have a boyfriend," she lies smoothly. It's technically isn't a lie... I can't find a boyfriend... Tadase... Gomen! I'm sorry I turned out to be such a bitch, I hope you forgive me Tadase... No, I can't ask for your forgiveness, I'm not worth that, how could I outright denounce you? I don't know how I would ever look at you in the same light again. Gomen, Tadase.
" Just that? What's there to be sad about? I didn't have a boyfriend at your age! In fact you're too young to have a boyfriend!" Midori jokes it off, snapping Amu back to reality.
" Oka-san... Even the Yaya has a boyfriend!" Amu pouts.
" Your friend's that's a year younger? She's definitely way too young for a boyfriend! I need to go look for her mom..." Midori says, trailing off.
" Haiz... I'm fine mom, I'll be going to my room now," Amu says as she turns to head off to the stairs.
" Choutomate! I was just kidding! It's alright for you to have a boyfriend, I just think... You might not be ready for it," Midori confesses.
" Even you aren't confident in me getting a boyfriend? Thanks for the support oka-san," Amu mutters sullenly, walking up the stairs.
" Amu, come here," Midori calls in a gentle, soothing voice. Amu stops in her tracks and turns around to face her mum, staring at her with suspicious eyes. She smiles and motions Amu over with her open arms. Amu reluctantly walks over and into her mum's embrace. Out of nowhere, Amu's vision clouded, something cold went sliding down against her hot skin. She was gasping for air profusely. " It's okay, let it all out," Mrs. Hinamori comforts her, patting and stroking her head.
" Ne Ne, do your think Amu-chi got Tadase-kun yet?" Yaya wonders aloud, her chin resting on her hand.
" Maybe, she likes Tadase, she'll have the guts to do it. After all, if 'cool and spicy' Amu can't do it, who can?" Utau states, taking a sip from her smoothie.
" But Tadase has always rejected girls, even pretty and popular ones. Who know he might also reject her?" Rima rebutted straight across the table.
" Minna knows that Tadase-kun is good at acting right? That's why he's always the lead role in plays. So Tadase-kun could be hiding his feeling for Amu-chi," Yaya adds.
" Oh please, the only one he doesn't hide his feelings would be his mum," Utau rolls her eyes.
" Hey! That's not nice to Tadase-kun you meanie!" Yaya points a finger at Utau.
" Why you disrespectful bitch! Pointing me the finger!" Utau attempts to grab Yaya's pony tails.
" Yaya didn't even point the middle one!" Yaya cries out in pain on Utau's successful attempt.
" Umm, I'll just go now..." Rima whispers, carrying her chair up so she wouldn't bother the bickering two.
" Hold it!" their heads snaps to the direction where Rima is at.
" Hai..." Rima sulks, sliding down her chair. Why is it that whenever Amu is not around, those two always end up in a cat fight? This is going to take forever...I want to go home...
" Ready to talk?" Mrs. Midori asks, pulling away from Amu and flashes her a bright and sympathetic smile. Amu nods her head. Midori giggles. Amu looks at her, confused. " You agreed that you're ready to talk but you didn't talk! You can be quite the joker even when you're sad," she jokingly explains. Amu laughs at that comment and even agreeing to how everyone also calls her the joker.
" So what made you so emotional?" Midori asks backs away a little to see Amu's face.
" I don't have a boyfriend yet, and my friends' are teasing me about that. I know it sounds pathetic for someone like me but I want one so badly! Going out together with just your boy and not your girlfriends, doing things that a couple do, and even just walking home together, why can't I experience that?
"It's just so unfair to see that all my friends have a boyfriend, even Yaya! It was so shocking to everyone that there'll be someone who would date her; so childish and young and... Cute and ... Charming... I guess I was even jealous over that," Amu laughs and wipes a stray tear threatening to fall.
" But why am I the only one that doesn't have a boyfriend? Does fate not like me? Am I not destined to meet him?"
" Woah woah, I think you're thinking too far dear, fate doesn't doesn't like you, it does likes you, just that it something special in store for you. You know the best things always happen at the grand finale? That's why they call it 'happy endings', cause the the best things in life makes one happy and they end off happily. And sometimes these happy endings only happen after waiting and persisting for a long time. So don't worry dear, your chance will come." Midori rests a hand on Amu's shoulder.
" Are you sure?" she questions her mom in doubt.
" Of course! Why wouldn't it not happen?" Midori beams at her.
" Arigato oka-san! Your advice's really helpful! I feel a lot better now," Amu beams back at Midori.
" Is that sacarsm I hear?" Midori jokes.
" Aish oka-san!" Amu playfully scolds her mom, pushing her away.
" Hai hai ha ha-san," Midori playfully apologises, moving back closer to her daughter.
" Ne oka-san."
" Hmm?" Midori turns to face Amu.
" How did otou-san and you meet?"
" Ah, meeting him... It was like a fairy tale! You wouldn't believe what happened!"
" Nani Nani?" Amu eagerly asks.
" We bumped into each other!"
" So...?"
" So, it was love at first sight! He was so charming, running towards me with a large stack of papers in his arms, making it look as if it was nothing, and I couldn't help but to stop in my tracks and bump into him," she sighs dreamily. Amu gave her a quizzical look.
" Oh yes, really! I can assure you Amu, that you would do that too,"
" Yeah right, which sane person in the world would do that? You'll get a hell of a beating for bumping into someone..."
" Not always Amu, the world isn't always as you think it is. Sometimes, it becomes nice and would give you a shot at what you want, like how I met your otou-san when I'm always single, and was lucky enough to live through to see you this day!"
" Oka-san!" Amu shoots a warning glare at her mum.
" It's true Amu! Some mothers die before their child grows to be as big as you," Midori in a joking manner, pinches Amu's cheeks, and Amu attempts to swat her hands away.
" And some don't even get a chance to see them ever again," Midori expression changes a hundred-and-eighty degress, looking forlornly at Amu, stating an undeniable truth. Amu looks away from her mum's eyes, a guilt-wrenching feeling tugging her heart. I've been taking things for granted, life's too easy for me. From getting the latest designer labels to getting a sheltered life and not facing troubles from the world... I'm spoiled child.
" Oka-san, I'll go wash up now," Amu says as she walks away. This time, Midori didn't stop her, just letting her go. She isn't ready yet... She doesn't understand the cruelty of destiny... How it twists our lives at the flick of her finger... She hasn't seen the ugly side of things... She isn't ready yet.
" So you couldn't get Tadase in the end?"
" Yeap... If only I went earlier, I wouldn't go through this humiliating situation, seeing Saaya being all so haughty, bitchy and annoying, the most of all, I wouldn't have to hurt Tadase..." Amu says into her phone, thinking back about the day's happenings, drying her hair with a towel.
" It's alright... You know how he is, I'm sure Tadase won't take it to heart, being nice and all, not like that barking bitch," Utau comforts Amu from the other end, the last part causes Amu to laugh. " And it wasn't even humiliating! Instead, they're the ones that's humiliated! You stood up to Saaya and her fags, I can imagine them going home and crying like princesses they've always thought they are, after you gave them a taste of your 'cool and spicy' vibe. You have to worry about being humiliated by them ever again, cause they'll just end up humiliating themselves again! And really, I think that's what makes you attractive to your fan boys, maybe even Tadase."
" Nah, he wouldn't like cool and spicy me," Amu brushes off the compliment, but deep down inside, she blushes at that comment, taking a sip from a bottle of milk.
" Who said he doesn't?" Utau smirks on the other side of the phone.
" Wait, he does?!" Amu asks in shock of a revelation.
The line goes dead.
" Aish that Utau, always hanging up whenever she wants... whatever, time to look for a boyfriend," Amu gives up and sits on a swivel chair. Now what to do.. Should I go to a festival? She swivels to the other side. Nah I can't, the nearest festival is around the same time as Valentine's Day and I doubt we'll look convincing to them within a short period of time of knowing each other. Amu swivels back to her original position. I can go a fan meet! She swivels to the opposite side. But there's no fan meet anytime soon and I'm no superstar, so no hot guys will be willing to meet me... She sighs as she swivel back to her original position. Look for a boyfriend in school! Amu once again swivels. But I've been doing that for the past half a year and I still haven't found one... Even if I found one, he's taken... Amu swivels back and slumps onto the table. What should I doooo... Amu looks up to see a photo of small her and her parents, a time where Ami wasn't born yet. She stares harder at the photograph. Oka-san and otou-san bumped into one another, fell in love, got married, had a child, no, two children, and are now living happily ever after with their family. Will that happen to me too? She stares at the ceiling. Mai mai! Why am I thinking so far? I'm just getting a boyfriend! Not like I'm getting married to him! Amu tumbles around on the chair as if she was on a bed, breaking the swivel chair. " Itai..." Amu rubs her sore bum. Why did I do that... She rubs her head.
" What happened?" Midori shouts from the kitchen.
" Nothing," she shouts back.
Amu gets up from the broken swivel chair and onto the bed and continues staring at the ceiling. What should I do... Should I really do what oka-san did? ... Aish! This is so difficult to decide! She once again tumbles out of frustration, with certainty of not breaking anything.
The unexpected happens.
" What happened? I'm coming up this time!"
This time, she doesn't stop her mom from coming up.
" What happened?" Midori pushes open the door. " Oh My Gosh! What happened!"
" It's just the chair-"
" And the bed! Hinamori Amu! Do you know how much this bed costs?! This is a designer!" She exclaimed to her utter horror and fury.
" Hai hai, a whopping five thou-"
" And yet you can say so casually! How can you keep breaking things? Really Amu, you never cease to amaze me, like how you could fall asleep on the drawer for the whole entire night! And the new one has yet to arrive! Gosh Amu!"
" Oh Sorry! I didn't mean to break your precious designer goods, joosama! I'll banish from your sight then! Bye!" Amu grabs a coat and stomps out of the house.
" Fine! You thoughtless daughter!"
Bright pink eyes and tear-dried face, swaying as she walked, most people walked along the sidelines of the pavements as she took the center lane. Unknowingly, she led herself straight into a dim-litted park where surprisingly, there were still many couples together, probably taking a stroll. Of course there were some who still walked in the center lane and she ended up bumping against or brushing shoulders, earning glares or vulgarities which she simply couldn't care less about. Tired... Tried... Tired... Tried...
As her wobbly legs could no longer hold her, she collapsed onto a bench with her limbs sprawled all over, hitting someone next to her. " Watch it!" came an angry voice beside her. She turned her face the voice. " I'm sor-" Amu stopped midway when she saw the person's face. Wow... His midnight blue hair, his ocean eyes, his v-shaped jawline; he's perfect... am I dreaming?
" Is there something wrong with my face?" the person asks in annoyance, snapping her out of her thoughts. " Iye iye, there's nothing wrong, it's just that..." she looks away blushing, trying to find an excuse.
" You're another one of those fan girls aren't you? Purposely trying to get close to me by accidentally hitting me. Stop bothering me, your are annoying." He coldly dissed Amu as he got up.
Feeling insulted at that comment, Amu felt re-energized and shouted back, " I'm not a fan girl! Who said I am! Who wants to be a fan girl of jerk!"
" Whatever." She heard him say as he widened the distance between them. " Arse!" she retorted. This time, he did not reply, but he knew he was out of hearing range and would not have heard that last comment. Stupid arse! Who cares about him! There's nothing nice about his stuck-up attitude of his; he thinks so highly of himself! What a jerk! ... Mai, whatever, not like I'm going to meet him again right? Amu let out a sigh. " If only he was nicer..." she says wishfully as she picked herself up and headed home.
