-1- Small Prelude

"I'll try my best," he whispered, fastening the tie around his neck whilst staring at his own reflection in the mirror. "I will definitely try my best."

"Don't look so frightened. Wear your glasses properly and are you sure you want to leave these bangs of hair covering your eye?" she questioned, straightening his tie for him, "oh well, it doesn't matter how you look. Ikuto you made a promise. Don't forget that."

Ikuto sighed looking away from the mirror and at his little sister. "I'm sorry Utau, but I don't think this will work out. The me now… just for me to become a teacher is impossible. I simply don't have the confidence to do this, even if it is a deal made when I was…"

Utau smiled weakly, "true. I understand since you have returned from that place, you've lost most of yourself. I noticed you are different from before but, it is precisely because you vowed you'd become a decent person that our family will be back together again. For that, even if you are not how you used to be, go along with it."

Ikuto nodded and waved goodbye to Utau as he left. She stood very still by the door, watching as he completely disappeared from her sight. "Certainly," Utau said softly, "this was not the you, not the Ikuto, not the brother that I wanted returned to me."

"Dear me, isn't Ikuto energetic today? I wonder if Aruto will be happy the way things are going."

Utau turned around and smiled at her mother, running over towards her to help with the washing. "He was very uncertain and insecure about the whole idea but you know, I think it's the best that he goes through with the deal he made with father. Brother Ikuto will pull through, especially if we take into consideration the him now."

"You're so certain Utau," Souko said eyeing her daughter with a strained expression, "you seem so optimistic about everything's that happened and whenever you're around Ikuto, you put on a fake innocent and happy mask. Utau, aren't you tired?"

Utau stopped wiping the dishes and her smile disappeared, "I don't want brother Ikuto to come home to a family that has too many changes from when he left. However, I am tired and am beginning to feel sick being around the Ikuto now. I don't like seeing him so weak and vulnerable."

Souko nodded, "as you've said, I believe Ikuto will win the bet. As he is now, he is a very decent person."

"Mother," Utau whispered, looking at Souko.

Souko put on a faint smile, "Ikuto has changed and there is nothing we can do. After all Utau, Ikuto had just spent a long time at that place… he's literally just returned from hell. You can't expect that he wouldn't change. As his mother, I will accept him as he is, what about you? You are his sister."

Utau walked out of the room, not wanting to answer the question posed to her. She clenched a fist, a strong uneasiness filling her as she already knew her answer.

…..Ikuto stared at the high school before him. Something felt really off about this place and Ikuto sensed that perhaps this was the reason why Aruto had allowed and agreed to their little deal. It was Aruto who specifically allocated Ikuto to become a teacher here at his friend's school, so there was no way he wouldn't know what the place was like. Ikuto walked around the place, noting the beautifully furnished flooring and the intricate glass windows that spread along the cream painted corridors. A rich school it seemed and Ikuto knew it would be hard to mix in. Ikuto gulped, approaching the principals office at last, realising that this school was no ordinary school. He knocked on the door.

"Come in," a voice called out from within.

Ikuto opened it and entered. "H-hello, my name is Ikuto Tsukiyomi, I'm, I'm here to-"

"I know already," the young looking man said, standing up and outstretching a hand towards Ikuto, "don't be so nervous. You are Aruto's son right? I am aware of your conditions already. Welcome to Clandeshire Academy. I am Amakawa Tsukassa. It's a pleasure to meet you Ikuto."

Ikuto took Tsukassa's hand shakily, whilst looking at the floor, "t-this is a very nice school. Really grand."

Tsukassa smiled, "well I'm not surprised since this is one of the most prestigious and rich schools in the area. But Ikuto, please loosen up and don't be so anxious. I understand that you and Aruto have a bet?"

Ikuto simply nodded, taking a quick glance at Tsukassa before staring at the floor again.

"I'm a little speechless," Tsukassa said, "you're father Aruto, when he came to me and told me he wanted to place you into my school to be a teacher, I was surprised. I've heard a lot about you from him and I'd never expect you to be like this."

Ikuto remained silent, still staring at the floor.

"Aruto told me you were a confident and prideful person," Tsukassa continued, "he said you were someone to be feared and it was precisely to get rid of your violent persona, that he wished for you to learn to become a decent person through becoming a teacher. But looking at you now…"

"A lot of things has happened," Ikuto whispered, "please tell me where I am supposed to be."

Tsukassa passed Ikuto some paper, "please go and teach these classes for today. I have already taken you on a brief tour of the Academy yesterday so hopefully you know where to go."

Ikuto nodded and walked quietly out the room without another word. He kept his head down, avoiding eye contact with the students in the corridor and went straight to the classroom he was allocated to go to. He opened the door to find the students already inside. Rather quietly he started to speak, trying to get their attention and take the register but the students simply carried on chatting amongst themselves. "Please listen to me…" Ikuto spoke again, "I need to take the register…"

"Everyone please listen," a girl suddenly started to shout.

All the students went quiet and looked at the girl who shouted.

The girl smiled, "thank you for your attention, the teacher has arrived so shall we let him start the lesson?"

"Was he there all the time?" a guy asked, looking at Ikuto, "we never noticed him coming in."

"It doesn't matter, we should start our lesson," the girl said, "we can always chat during breaks right?"

Everyone in the class nodded and smiled. "Since it's you asking, Amu, we'll obediently listen."

Amu stared at her classmates, "really guys, please don't make fun of me because I'm eager to learn."

"We didn't mean that Amu-"

"We were not making fun of you."

"We just wanted you to know, if its you who asks us a favour, anyone here wouldn't refuse."

Amu blushed and turned to look at the front, "shall we let the teacher start?"

Seeing the students attention was now on him, Ikuto took the register and half covered his face whilst muttering, "I'm your new teacher, Ikuto Tsukiyomi. I'll be taking the register now." He read out the names on the list, getting simply replies of yes and when he came to the name Amu Hinamori, he paused for a bit and took a good look at her. She was the one who easily got the whole class's attention and helped him out. He said her name, "Amu Hinamori."

"I'm here," she called with a smile.

Ikuto quickly moved on to the next student, but feeling rather comforted by Amu's warm smile. Maybe, he can slowly get used to being a teacher. The class continued and it wasn't too long before it was lunchtime. The students emptied the room like a swarm of bees, eager for lunch or possibly to get at the front of the long queue in the cafeteria. Ikuto slowly packed his books and began to make his way towards the teacher's office. He walked around the entire school practically, officially lost but he didn't dare ask a student, lest they might think him strange. He sighed, wanting to disappear from this place. The him now, he really just wanted to stay inside his own room and never come out.

"Mr Tsukiyomi."

Ikuto looked to see Amu waving at him. She said a few things to her friends that stood besides her before she ran towards him with the same friendly smile on her face. "I was wanting to take this to the teacher's office. Shall we go together."

Ikuto nodded and followed Amu. He noticed on the way that many other students waved and smiled at her. Amu Hinamori seemed quite to be a popular girl.

"Here we are," Amu said opening the door.

"Oh, if it isn't Amu," a teacher said coming to the door, "Mr Tsukiyomi's here as well. The staff were wondering where you went. Lunch time is almost over. Is there anything you need Amu?"

Amu shook her head, "I was just walking past and I thought I'd say hello. Well, I'll see you next lesson sir."

Ikuto stared at Amu as she walked away. Didn't she say she needed to hand something in? Could it be she realised he was lost and said that to help him?

"She's a kind girl isn't she?" the teacher asked, letting Ikuto into the office. "Amu Hinamori is very popular in the school."

"Yeah," Ikuto simply replied.

"You can count on her as well. Most teachers here rely on her. Amu's helpful and she's always friendly. The nicest thing about her is, she's such a cheery person, always with a smile on her face. Everyone likes her. I suppose anyone would."

Ikuto nodded and without another word quickly ate his lunch, before he left the office again to teach. It seemed to drag on forever but finally it was the end of the school day and Ikuto could leave and go back home, where he didn't need to see so many people. Constantly staring at the floor to avoid eye contact with anyone, Ikuto accidentally walked into someone, knocking both him and the other person down. The next thing he knew was, this young guy grabbed onto his shirt tightly and pulled Ikuto towards him roughly.

"Watch where your going teach. You know it's a sin to walk into me."

A crowd of students were beginning to form and Ikuto saw the shocked expressions on most of their faces. Whispers began to circulate around Ikuto and the young boy who gripped tightly onto him.

"Isn't that the boring new teacher?"

"That's the delinquent Yoru."

"…Yoru's going to beat another teacher up…"

"Yoru…" Ikuto muttered, staring at the young boy who glared at him.

"I didn't give you permission to say my name," Yoru hissed, raising his fist, "know your place…"

Ikuto closed his eyes at the sight of Yoru's fist coming towards him, his body trembling.

"Enough," a strong voice shouted. "Yoru, behave yourself. I told you I won't tolerate any violence on school grounds."

Ikuto felt Yoru let go of him and he opened his eyes in time to see him leave.

Tsukassa dispersed the crowd of students before he turned to look apologetically at Ikuto, "are you hurt? I'm sorry about Yoru but he is a problem child at this school."

"I'm fine," Ikuto whispered and he began to run. He only stopped when he was far away from the school. He felt his body still trembling from what that boy Yoru had done or wanted to. It brought back the dark memories of when he was in that place and he knew he would keep feeling fear. Ikuto started to slowly walk again, trying to keep his mind blank. It was best if he didn't think of anything.

"Hey teach, wait up."

Ikuto felt himself freeze up at that voice. He turned, knowing and was right to see that Yoru was behind him. Yoru had a few more friends with him and from the way he smiled, Ikuto sensed he was in trouble.

Yoru placed his arm around Ikuto's neck, "I was pissed off by you and I didn't get to vent my anger. Now, I'm not a unreasonable person, I don't go picking fights with everyone but you walked right into me and knocked me over. Is there something you want to say to me?"

Ikuto just stared at the floor but he said clearly, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I walked into you."

Yoru smirked and with a swift movement pushed Ikuto onto the floor. With another swift click of his fingers, Yoru's followers helped themselves to a few hits at Ikuto who just curled himself up on the floor, trying desperately to defend himself.

Yoru laughed, "now to look pathetically like that on the floor is what shows you know your place. Learn not to be around me next time tech. Hey, shall we…"

"Over there police officers, there's a group of students injuring a man."

Hearing the distant voice, Yoru bit his lips in frustration, then he immediately motioned for his little gang to make a run for it, leaving Ikuto lying still on the ground.

Ikuto didn't move but remained curled up on the floor. His hands gripped tighter around his own body, sweat falling from his forehead. He found his mind suddenly full of the flashing images of when he was at that place and it gave him a spine-shivering chill. He only slowly loosened up when a soft warm hand started to stroke his hair and that sweet caring voice spoke.

"It's alright now, Yoru already left. You can get up now. Are you hurt?"

Ikuto slowly turned to look at Amu who had a very gentle smile on her worried looking face. "Did you help me again?" he whispered.

Amu nodded, "I hope you don't mind me interfering. You looked like you needed help so I pretended to call some police officers. Luckily Yoru and the lot fell for it. I wouldn't know what to do if they stayed."

Ikuto slowly stood up, "thank you."

Amu smiled, "if Yoru bothers you again, just let the principal know. I'm sure he can help you more than I can."

"You really are a very nice girl," Ikuto muttered. "Someone as kind as you really does exist. You make me feel comfortable around you."

There was an awkward silence after Ikuto's mutter as Amu felt a little embarrassed from his words. She took a quick glance at her watch and breaking the silence she said, "I think we should both head home. If you're injured, go to the hospital ok."

"Oh yeah. I-I'll see you at school tomorrow," Ikuto said and without another word he walked off.

She smiled again, "see you tomorrow Mr Tsukiyomi."

Amu stood very still, watching as Ikuto disappeared from her sight and her smile quickly vanished as well, replaced by a odd smirk. "I will most definitely see you tomorrow, for you are absolutely perfect." Amu's smirk turned into a small chilling laugh, "you are exactly the perfection I was seeking for all this time. My most perfect…."