Chapter – 1

Wouldn't you confess to me?

A pink haired girl, staring ahead, dazed, was tapping her fingers on the table. She was anchoring her gaze on the group of people across the room, flocked around by hoard of girls around her age. A sigh left her lips, lacing something that suspiciously sounded like envy.

The loud tinkering of the plates and constant chattering of the people around the place was starting to grow on her nerves. She has always hated noisy places, and school's cafeteria was no exception. Her hardened caramel eyes flickered to glare at the random students who she figured were the loudest. Her glare, however, was only as piercing as a petal. Unfortunately enough she wasn't good in any art forms.

Shifting her attention back to the group, more particularly on the boy who was the centre of attention to the girls, she heaves the gentlest of the sighs and continued her male-watching session.

The male that slipped the rosette off her feet was Ikuto Tsukiyomi, the one of most attractive boys in the school, and to her, the world. The boy with brilliant cerulean eyes, and matching hair, was also a fellow member of orchestra club and one of the best students in the school, academically. She's in love, a little too much in love, with him.

"That girl is Amu...That girl is Amu...That girl is me" The rosette chanted the mantra as silently as she could muster. She could only try to imagine herself in the stead of the girl – she recognized her as Lulu Yamamoto – who was clinging to the dark haired male. An very unsettling feeling washed her over and her jaw tensed. As lewd and desperate as that girl was for Ikuto, Amu couldn't help envying the foreign exchange student for her confident attitude. 'I wish I could do that...'

"...just one glance...I beg of you" Amu pleaded, sounding almost inaudibly when addressed to Ikuto. One light colored brow slanted in strong disapproval when Ikuto stalked off the canteen with his 'followers' hot on his trails. She weakly slammed her fist down on the table, and blew a sigh again. She couldn't possibly have followed after him, lest she should get a title named after herself. 'Baby duck', wouldn't they call her names like that; there were already rumors going on about how suspicious she was. Last time a girl called out to her only to ask if she was looking for Ikuto, and indeed Amu had been searching for him that time. Thereafter she never followed him around, instead she saved herself a seat in cafeteria where she knew he always stopped by during lunch and recess, making a good save of energy and time alike.

"He probably sensed your hungry gaze on him again, why else do you think he left?" A voice reached her ears. The only person who had nerves to insult any person on sight was her dreaded excuse of best friend. She gazed skywards and a cocky stare met hers.

"As if I'm always careless, Utau, this time I was careful to watch him without being too obvious" Pride was evident in her tone, and Flaxen haired girl resisted the urge to eye roll at her words. Utau has survived over 8 years with Amu, and she has made it her habit to boast that it was never a easy thing to tolerate someone as clueless, outlandish and annoying as Amu.

"I'm sure you did, it is all that you can do anyway..." Utau remarked, her amethyst eyes crossing in exasperation. Amu was too stubborn for her own good. "Ī don't see why you shouldn't confess to him"

"Oh yes! I should..." Amu chirped cheerily, a brilliant smile playing on her lips. Before she quickly added, "...and then kill myself. Really sounds like a plan" Utau noticed how Amu almost rolled her eyes at her.

"Amu, you're such a hypocrite..." Utau walked away from Amu and took a seat across her. "You wouldn't confess but you are still desperate for his affection...I don't understand you"

Utau never wanted to encourage Amu into dating Ikuto but she had no other choice, Amu was unlikely to change her opinion about someone who she feels like she has promised her life to. Amu has been harbouring feelings for Ikuto since the first year of her junior high. She was now a sophomore in highschool, and so was Utau. Ikuto wasn't someone who believed in long term relationships, he preferred to keep it short and loveless. It was obvious to everyone that he was only after developing physical relationships, and that too on mutual terms. Utau was not sure if Amu was clueless to his reputation or what, but she always find it best in staying away from a characterless person like him. That wasn't the only reason though...

"It is easy...I'm just scared. I know that I'll get rejected" Utau could only sigh at her friend, hopelessly. How careless she was. "Plus that would effect our blooming relationship..." Amu added, a playful smile tugging on her lips.

"..." Utau gave her a long, unimpressed stare. Amu flushed at her response and mouthes 'sorry'. Utau sometimes wondered if Amu was even serious about Ikuto. Amu was just too reckless, falling for him of all people. God probably hates her...

"You know, I really think that it is best to confess to him" Utau pinned her gaze behind Amu, at a familiar figure who was approaching them soundlessly. Amu argued, oblivious to the smirk playing on her lips. "You've always had boys at your feet so you wouldn't know what it takes to confess..."

"Plus, what's the point? He always rejects those who confess to him..." Amu muttered to herself in disappointment. Amu was right, Ikuto had this tendency to reject anyone who'd propose him out of feelings. Utau herself never understand his point, then again he was one of a kind. He wasn't a flirt and she could hardly call him playboy because not only his relationship with girls was completely platonic and mutual, but he also gets paid for his work. It is also rumored that he only indulge himself with girls for his own benefits. Maybe, calling him a someone who makes his living by sleeping around sounds just appropriate.

"...or maybe you might just be a different case" A pair of hands at once covered Amu's surprised looking eyes when she was about to turn to look at the newcomer. Utau only watched in amusement when they began to play the same old guessing game.

"Hmm" Amu guessed, "Yua? No– wait, I know. Yaya...?" Her own hands covered the ones that were blocking her vision. She sounded so doubtful but yet so firm, and Utau knew why. Yaya was the only one who enjoy playing games like these, but she was a very good voice actress.

"Fufufu~ Bingo! You are correct, but sorry, you wouldn't get any candy" Yaya chirped cheerily, waving a toffee in front of her face teasingly before popping it into her mouth. Amu shook her head at her tactics but smiles anyway. "Here" She patted the seat next to her, "What do you mean?"

Yaya did as she was told, and beamed at Amu. "You only fell for him because he once saved you from a accident, isn't that right?" Amu frowned at the mention of the accident Yaya was referring to, but nodded, albeit unsurely. "I suppose so but–"

Yaya cut her short with a fake cough.

"And you said he comforted you too!" Amu flushed at the memory and looked away from grinning auburn haired girl. "He most likely holds a soft spot for you...! You better confess before he ends up dating someone else"

It was around the spring when Amu met Ikuto. Amu likes to think it as a fated meeting, set just so that the two destinies meet and dance a waltz.

Amu (first year junior high student) used to stay behind to take extra classes at school. On one such day, she had been assigned for classroom cleaning duties too so she was late to leave school. It was already around 6 at evening, so Amu had decided to make a beeline straight to home. And it was from there that her luck ran out, on her way she was cornered by some thugs who tried to abduct her. Had she not screamed at top of her lungs, she'd not have been here...probably sold off in pieces under the price equalling over millions in the black market around the world.

And then she was saved by a person, or her savior as she deems to call, who was Ikuto. He had apparently heard her scream and quickly intervened in time.

"I have already called the police anyway...any moment they would be here" He had said when thugs threatened him. Regardless to say, her assaulters raced away at the mention of police. Amu was safe, unharmed and it was all thanks to him. Though their meeting was brief, lasting not more than few minutes, Amu had strangely felt as if she had known him for years. What had started as a crush developed into something else when he transfered into her school, all girls school. Apparently he had been studying in the school which was the brother school to her school, and the principals of two schools decided to unite the students.

However Amu never managed to confess her feelings to him, because he had become popular among female population in no time, and they were always around him which made him hard to approach. For next 3 years it has remained like this...and now she was doing her sophomore year, and with zero change in her nonexistent love life.

And now, her friends suddenly wanting her to take action was overwhelming to Amu, after all if it was really that easy to do then she'd have done it ages ago.

"I can't! It is impossible...you know how much I hate to stand out...and he's always surrounded by popular students...I'd rather die"

"Then die" Utau challenged in a heartbeat. She looked so serious that Amu began to wonder if she was indeed telling her to die. She couldn't actually do that...so what if her tongue slipped a little from her cool flow? How mean of you, Utau.

"F-Fine, n-not really d-die...but! I can't c-confess...not now anyways..." Amu, feeling defeated, sunk in her seat. Yaya licked her lips and sighed in bliss. She had just finished her candy. Smiling, Yaya reached over and patted Amu encouragingly.

"You don't need to die, ignore Utau, she's a fool to say things like that" Utau shot Yaya a bone chilling glare but she was ignored. "Listen to this angel instead" Yaya pointed her thumb to herself when she said this. "Write him a love letter, that way you wouldn't be needed to tell him in person that you love him, and if he doesn't return your affections then he'll obviously not give you a response"

As much as she felt insulted, Utau knew Yaya had a point, writing a letter was way better than proposing in person. Not only that Amu wouldn't feel embarrassed in front of everyone but she'll get rejected too so ultimately Amu would be able to move on. Utau mentally grinned at the idea of Amu giving up, feeling of relief washing over her. She missed the feeling, never had she thought she'd feel it again, so soon.

"That's right!" Utau stood up, sheer determination shining brightly in her eyes. Amu was scared, Yaya was creeped out. Utau never sounded so enthusiastic before. "You'll write a love letter and you'll be giving him tomorrow, and I don't want to hear–" She declared at once, ignoring the horrified look of Amu. She was cut short though.

"W-What!? No way! I-I can't do that" Amu quickly interjected. She too stood up, backing away few good meters from the duo. Utau's angry gaze sliced through Amu but she was ignored, again. Yaya chuckled nervously, feeling bad for her friend.

"Your opinions don't matter, Amu, you have to do it. If you don't then...that would be end of us" Utau's penetrating gaze probed her as though they were looking right through her soul. Utau was looking so solemn that it stunned Amu who only watched in silence when Utau walked out of the place, not looking back as she did.

"Utau..." Amu whispered in disbelief, clearly not expecting such a reaction from her best friend. End of us? Was she serious? Amu was at loss. Yaya eyed the pink haired girl sympathetically for last time before trailing after Utau.

When she caught up with Utau, Yaya couldn't help but question her motives. They were walking back to their class as the lunch break was about to go over.

"Utau, don't you think you should give her time? Threatening her with your friendship is quite overboard...she looked so heartbroken" Yaya complained, crossing her arms over her chest. Her brow furrowed as her mouth turned grim. Yaya knew, so does Utau, that Amu hates everything to do with letter. One can say that her history with letters, and writing in general, wasn't very pleasant; only consisting of memories where she's humiliated, insulted and ditched by the club for her horrible writing skills. Amu used to be member of Literature club but was kicked out when she presented her speech in front of everyone. They had continued to give her a cold shoulder for weeks. Another bad memory would be a boy who she liked rejected her when she write him a love letter, he was never seen after that incident. Amu obviously didn't want to repeat the history.

"Who was the one to suggest this idea?" Utau shot a angry glare at Yaya who shrunk in fear. The caramel eyed girl holds her hands up in defense, not meeting eyes of her friend. "B-But if she doesn't want to do it t-then we can't force her, right?"

"We better end everything before it grows worse" Utau shook her head at Yaya who cocked a brow in surprise. "You mean her feelings for him?"

"It is freaking obsession, she'd go nowhere at this rate. She'll give up once Ikuto rejects her, and then live a happily ever after" Utau pointed out confidently, throwing her hands around Yaya who eyed her strangely.

"And you think he'll reject her? What if he didn't?" Utau stopped on her tracks, so did Yaya who was being dragged. Yay continued, "And what about Amu? She's persistent, I doubt she'll give up on him that easily"

Yaya definitely had a point, then what would happen of Amu? Even if Ikuto rejected her, Amu wasn't very likely to give up. In fact she was already quite sure that she was going to get rejected...does that mean she'll continue to chase after him? Utau pressed her lips together and spoke coldly.

"...I'm sure Ikuto would reject her...my only concern is Amu" Utau pulled away from Yaya and gripped her hand tightly, her eyes glimmering with a mysterious shine. "I only want her to not get involved with Ikuto...anyone but him...he is off limits to her"

'Utau...' Yaya's eyes widened in wonder. She wasn't Amu's childhood friend for nothing. Yaya has always envied their friendship. Utau heaved a heavy sigh and looked ahead when she turned to the window (they were in corridor). "So...what about the letter? Do you think she'll give up just like that?" Yaya probed.

Utau smirked at Yaya's reflection.

"Oh she will...I'll make sure that she will give up on him. But of course, you'll continue to give me your support...right?" Yaya began to sweat uncontrollably when Utau proceeded to explain her plan.

A/n: Was it better? I tried my best to keep Utau in shape. At least Amu is not a emotional wreck anymore. Yaya is now more sympathetic friend...while Utau deformed into a gamemaster. I wonder why Utau is so against Amuto...oh well. I have cut short some parts, but I have altered the role of Ikuto in the story... Are you still interested in the story? I hope so...

So are you liking the personality of characters so far? Please tell me in comments! Thank you.