Disclaimer: I don't own Shugo Chara.
Chapter 3
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"Dear?" Souko looked up when she saw her husband enter the music room she was in. As far as she knew, he was supposed to be attending a conference overseas today.
Without a word Aruto plopped down on the floor by her wife who was sitting on the piano bench. He simply laid his head on her lap and closed his eyes. Souko couldn't help but let out a giggle as she gently ran her fingers through his midnight locks.
"What's wrong?" She murmured in a soft voice, knowing that he only became like this when his work was stressing him out.
"Your son will be the death of me." Aruto said against her lap.
Souko laughed softly as she replied, "You mean our son."
Aruto took a peek at his wife as he continued to lay his head on her lap. In return, Souko watched him with a soft smile. Aruto sighed as he finally lifted his head and passed the newspaper he had been holding onto the whole time to his wife.
Souko had a confused expression on her face as she took the newspaper, but as soon as she saw the front page, her eyes widen. "Dear." She couldn't help but gasp out.
In bold letters on the front page were the words: Hotori Tadase-sama and Hinamori Amu-sama Dating?. Below is a stolen photo of the two in the usual park of from their childhood. Obviously, through the manipulation of angle, it looked like they were doing more than talking in the photo.
Now Souko clearly understood why her husband looked like he was already burnt out. It was difficult to make a move in this situation, especially since they were about to announce the Royal Engagement soon.
But at this point, if they did, the media would stir up different kinds of trouble.
As it is, Amu's status as the princes' childhood friend already sparked lowkey rumors of a love triangle. If they did the announcement while this article is still well talked about, so many things can go wrong.
She watched her husband's tired face. Wasn't it just yesterday when he predicted something like this would happen?
"What should we do?" Souko murmured helplessly.
"Proceed with the Royal Engagement announcement. She's already trained to be the Crown Princess so there won't be any problem." Aruto leaned his head back down onto his wife's lap.
"But this article..." Souko trailed off, glancing at the front page once again.
Aruto stayed silent for a while and Souko could more or less guess what was running in his mind.
"Would that solve the problem? You know how attached Ikuto-kun is to him." Souko murmured softly. "It was his one request."
Aruto lifted his head and searched for his wife's hand. When he did, he gave it a tight squeeze as he gave her a tired expression. "There's no other choice. No matter how much the kid begs us again, Tadase's feelings for Amu-chan will always create trouble. If it's for the image of the royal family, there's no other choice." He repeated.
"Where are you going to send him?" Souko said, already resigned.
"I'll let brother decide on that." Aruto said, referring to Tadase's father. "While this news might linger for a while, sending him somewhere will prevent further damage."
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Amu kept walking ahead towards her classroom with Yaya by her side. She kept a blank expression on her face all the while as the people she passes by stop to whisper. While she could also feel Yaya's curious gaze by her side, she's grateful that her friend chose to keep quiet. Amu, herself, was still unsure on how to deal with what was happening.
"Hinamori-san! You sure scored!"
A classmate joked as soon as Amu and Yaya entered their classroom. Amu rolled her eyes and gave her classmate a cold look as she proceeded to her table. Apparently, her cold look silenced her classmate— in fact the whole class. They also knew better than to push Amu when she was obviously not in the mood.
"Amu-chi?" Yaya approached carefully, seeing Amu rest her chin on the back of her hand. Amu turned to Yaya with a tired look on her face. "I guess this isn't the right time." Yaya said.
Amu shook her head. "I'm sorry." She gave her friend an apologetic look. "This is just blown out of proportion. I didn't really read what the content of the article was. Aside from suspecting that Tadase and I are dating, what else was there?" She winced. It took her by surprise when she saw the front page of today's newspaper.
Yaya looked thoughtful as she grabbed a chair in front of Amu's desk and sat there. "The article talked about the possibility that you're betrothed to Tadase-sama."
Amu groaned as she brought both hands to the side of her head. Why did this happen now? She had always been careful with how she interacted with the princes outside of school— even inside of school. Despite the fact that everyone knew they were childhood friends, she always tried to maintain the proper distance.
She and Ikuto always pretend that they were strangers when he comes to school— which he often does in order to borrow books in the university library for his research. With Tadase, it wasn't like they were seeing each other in public— regularly.
"Well that aside," Yaya said brightly, trying to lift the damp mood, "shouldn't they be more concerned with Ikuto-sama's betrothed?"
"Eh?" Amu's heart suddenly felt like it jumped out of her chest. She suddenly contemplated whether she should tell Yaya the truth or not. It didn't seem fair for her to keep it from her. "Yaya," Amu began, but Yaya wasn't looking at her at all, instead it seemed like everyone's attention was outside the classroom. Amu turned and saw Tadase outside her classroom.
Amu immediately stood up in surprise.
"Amu-chan," Tadase called, surrounded by a lot of people. He had a guilty yet embarrassed look on his face.
Amu was about to walk towards him when she suddenly hesitated, aware that everyone was paying attention to the two of them. If I approach him, wouldn't I be fuelling the rumors? If I ignore him, then wouldn't there be new issues surfacing? Amu suddenly felt conflicted as she stood her ground.
"Go on, Amu-chi," Yaya suddenly gave her a slight push towards the door. Amu turned around, surprised. Yaya gave her a big smile. "I know you're not really dating him, so, it's fine! As long as you're not doing anything wrong, things will go back to normal eventually."
Amu gave Yaya a grateful smile as she turned and approached Tadase. "Let's go somewhere quiet." Amu suggested. She flipped her hair as she turned towards the direction of the stairs and the students there immediately gave way for her to pass.
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"You're amazing Amu-chan," Tadase praised as soon as the two of them were up in the quiet rooftop.
Amu sighed, "That's the image I go by at school after all. Cool and Spicy." She walked towards the middle of the open space and randomly sat on the floor while Tadase chose to lean by the door.
"I'm really sorry," Tadase said with remorse, "Ikuto-nii was right. I wasn't thinking properly that time. The media is always on high alert." He thought back on the warnings his older cousin had always given him. While he didn't completely disregard the warning, he just didn't think that it would become this serious.
"It's fine," Amu sighed again, "It was a coincidence that we met anyway. If ever the media persists, we could just say that. The truth is always easier."
Tadase took a deep breath and looked at Amu who was staring at the sky. "The thing is, it wasn't a coincidence." He said in a low voice, but still enough for Amu to hear. Amu's head snapped to his direction as she looked at him with surprise.
Tadase blushed slightly, "That park was where we always used to play. I go there a lot, and recently I see you there too. Of course I knew I had to be careful so I just stay in the car, but that night..." Tadase looked at the floor, "Sorry. I didn't think it through."
"That." Amu paused, unsure of what to say. She invited his company that night even though she also knew that she had to keep her distance. If the news that Ikuto-kun and I are engaged came out earlier, this would become a National Scandal. No doubt Ikuto-kun would have a blast."
As if reading her thoughts, Tadase voiced out her concern. "Your official engagement with Ikuto-nii will be in a few days. This rumor will die down then, but this might stain your image."
"We'll deal with it later. I'm sure the Palace can come up with something. Don't worry too much." Amu smiled at him gently.
"Mn." He agreed doubtfully. "I'm sure Ikuto-nii has a lot of things to say." Tadase laughed wryly, simply imagining how the Crown Prince would react.
Amu groaned as she rolled her eyes. "I'm sure of it." He wouldn't let her hear the end of it. "We should head back, classes will be starting soon. You're still going to have to run to the University Building, so I suggest you hurry." She smiled.
"Amu-chan," Tadase started, still leaning on the door as Amu stood in front of him. "Will you fall in love with Ikuto-nii?"
Amu was surprised at Tadase's question, but she still couldn't help but make a face at the mere thought. "No way!" Unconsciously, she brought her hand around the chain on her neck and pulled out the Humpty Lock. His smile was the first thing that flashed in her mind.
Tadase flinched in surprise as soon as he saw the pendant. "Amu-chan."
"Geez, anyway," Amu said, hoping that Tadase didn't notice the slight blush appearing on her cheeks, "I have to get going, if we stay up here any longer the rumors are going to get worse." She gently pushed Tadase aside and opened the door. "I'll see you when I visit the palace." She said, before the closing the door behind her.
Tadase stood there, stunned into immobility. That was the Humpty Lock wasn't it? Why does Amu-chan have it?
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Ikuto clicked his tongue as he entered the university library albeit the trouble he had to go through by the entrance.
The rumors had spread like hell fire and it got worse every time. Truthfully, he got more pissed off upon learning that the two had met up and talked privately, piquing and fuelling everyone's interest. And the rumors just became more outrageous. What were they thinking? Are they enjoying this spotlight?
"Did you know that there's one particular rumor that stayed in tact?" Ikuto's personal attendant whispered as he slid beside him.
"Should I beg?" Ikuto asked, knowing that this particular attendant of his would ask for an exchange whenever precious information is involved.
His attendant laughed quietly, he ignored Ikuto's words and proceeded, "You see, people are speculating that there is a love triangle involved."
"Always the inevitable drama." Ikuto said, clearly not as amused as his attendant. "I don't know why you find this funny."
"What others do not know," His attendant dropped his voice lower, "is that it's all true."
Ikuto chose to ignore his comment knowing full well that his attendant was just trying to get an excuse to tease him. He proceeded to side-step his attendant as he reached for another book on the shelve behind him.
Knowing that his charge already knew his ulterior motive, the attendant gave up and sighed. "Off to more serious matters, I wonder what would happen if your engagement with Amu-sama will be announced to the public."
"I'm sure the palace will come up with an excuse to cover up that late night rendezvous." Ikuto said, referring to the article.
"You seem to be calm about this, Crown Prince."
"This isn't considered a scandal, yet. You can consider it as an entertainment gossip. And anyway, it's required for the Crown Prince to have a cool head to be efficient in ruling a country. If I let emotions get in the way for every decision I made, then that'd be the end."
"Oho, wise words Crown Prince." His attendant looked impressed, "I hope you apply that all the time."
Before Ikuto could question the obvious sarcasm in his attendant's tone, his bodyguards who were on standby were suddenly on high alert as they approached the Crown Prince. They pressed their bluetooth devices onto their ear, signalling that something was going on. "We have to change leave Crown Prince," One of his bodyguards spoke, "We're going to pass through the back gate since it seems like there are media crowding the main entrance."
Ikuto sighed. As usual, the media were on their toes when it comes to news like this, they sure don't waste time. "Where's Tadase?" Ikuto murmured as they began to leave. He knew that the media would hound his cousin and it would be too troublesome to get away from them.
"He was able to leave school earlier, Crown Prince."
"Good. And Amu?" Ikuto asked straightforwardly, ignoring the way his attendant was grinning at him maliciously.
"The last time they saw her, she was already heading home via the back gate."
"The last time?" Ikuto looked at his attendant suspiciously, "and they?"
"With the article becoming a hot topic, we needed all the hands we need so we can guard you better. As a result, we pulled out the bodyguards you assigned to her. Don't look at me so disapprovingly," His attendant added seeing the glare building on Ikuto's features, "Your safety is still our number one priority."
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Amu sighed upon seeing that she was cornered with no way out as three girls, upperclassmen, glared at her. Just by looking at them, Amu guessed that they were in the University Division. With that initial guess, she can conclude that they're either fans of Ikuto or fans of Tadase. With the mean air they're emitting, Amu opted that they're fans of Ikuto.
"We've had enough of your haughty attitude, what's with this?" Amu guessed that the one who stood in the middle and had thrown today's paper at her face is the so-called leader of the group.
Amu kept quiet, knowing that if she spoke, it would only make things worse. She can easily brush them off with her Cool and Spicy attitude, but something told her that they won't let her get away just easily.
"Saaya," One spoke to the supposed leader, "We should be careful." The girl looked wearily around them.
Saaya rolled her eyes as she continued to glare at Amu, "No one's going to find us here. The media up front are causing a stir, so everybody's there." She crossed her arms across her chest, "Not bothering to answer Hinamori?"
Saaya didn't seem to like her silence. She moved in and grabbed Amu by her chin. "So the rumors of you dating Prince Tadase is true then?"
Amu jerked her face away from her and kept her expression cool. But despite her efforts to keep her mouth shut, Amu managed to say, "Is this your jealousy speaking?" And instantly regretted it, because the last thing she wants it to pick a fight.
"You bitch!" Saaya's other friend spoke, clearly annoyed as she pulled Amu's hair. "Fine! You already have Tadase-sama! Stop putting your paw all over Ikuto-sama!"
Amu's eyes flashed as she felt the sharp pain. Finally she snapped. "First of all," Amu said in a cold attitude, "Tadase and I aren't dating. Secondly, can't you see how much I can't stand Ikuto-kun!? That jerk! If you're all so hung up on him, please direct all your attention to him, because I've done nothing for you to be harassing me like this just because I'm childhood friends with them!"
"A jerk!?" The three girls gaps upon hearing Amu call their beloved crown prince a jerk.
"You really need to be taught a lesson!" Saaya shouted in a rage as she raised her right hand.
Amu closed her eyes and braced herself for the slap.
"Saaya!" The remaining girls gasped.
"I—Ikuto-sama!" Saaya also gasped.
Amu opened her eyes as soon as heard Ikuto's name. Ikuto, surrounded by his bodyguards, was indeed there. Ikuto glared at the girls who had Amu cornered. He had heard the girls talking and wasn't supposed to interrupt since things like these always happen— until he heard Amu's voice.
Saaya bit her bottom lip upon being discovered. She glanced around them and saw that there was a media personnel or two who had spotted them. She smirked as she stood straighter and looked at Ikuto confidently, "Then Crown Prince, please clear everything out since things are getting out of hand. Is there really a love triangle between the three of you?"
Amu's eyes narrowed at Ikuto, also noticing what Saaya had noticed. Don't tell them. She kept repeating in her mind. Hoping that Ikuto got the message. The last thing she wants right now is to get the media crazier than they already are. If their engagement is revealed right now, that would be the nail to her coffin.
Ikuto glanced at Amu and made eye contact, then he looked at Saaya. He smirked at her and walked to Amu's side. "It was supposed to be a secret, but." He said in a seductive tone which suggested a lot of things. He watched in satisfaction as Saaya and her friends' mouths opened.
Amu glared at Ikuto and was about to protest when he suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist. Amu tried to struggle but Ikuto held her more tightly. "You all want answers?" Ikuto said, seeing that the paparazzi and media reporters had already caught sight of them.
"Even without Tadase and I around Amu, she would still stand out. After all, she built the name Cool and Spicy herself before I transferred to this school. If you girls are so jealous of the attention she receives then I suggest you try and do something that's worthy of being noticed." Ikuto said as he glared at Saaya.
"Ikuto-sama, why are you defending her?" Saaya said in a weak voice, still unable to accept that the crown prince favors such a girl. "W—What secret are you talking about?"
Ikuto smirked darkly at her, "I'll make this clear ahead of time. If any one of you dares to lay a finger on Hinamori Amu again," and then turned to the paparazzi and reporters who had already gathered around them, the only thing keeping them from standing near or surrounding him were his effective bodyguards serving as a barricade, "Or harass her and get out of line, you're all going to have to face me. Because this stubborn brat over here is my fiancée."
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Ami heard her mother's gushing voice which usually appeared whenever her older sister and the Crown Prince were together. She turned her head as she sat by the dining table doing her homework. Indeed, she saw her sister and the Crown Prince entering the house.
"Take a seat," Their mother ushered, gesturing to where Ami was.
"I won't be long."
Ami smiled upon hearing the deep velvet voice which solely belongs to her future brother-in-law. "Ikuto-onii-sama!" She called out as Ikuto entered the dining area.
A chuckle was heard as Ikuto walked towards her, "Hello Ami," He waved and then turned towards their mother again, "I'm sorry I can't stay longer, there are a lot of things to take care of back at home."
That was when Ami saw her older sister's sour expression. Ami tried to hide a smile as she watch her older sister glare at Ikuto as she folded her arms in front of her chest. She didn't want to say it out loud, but every time her sister had an annoyed expression whenever the Crown Prince was present, it amuses her to no end.
"Is this regarding the rumors between her and Tadase-kun?" Their mother said worriedly, "I know that rumors will eventually die down, but."
Ikuto shook his head as he looked apologetic. "I might have announced our engagement too soon."
"Oh my!" Ami heard her mother gasp. She looked at her mother and saw her suppressing a smile. "This is indeed troublesome." Their mother continued, though Ami thought that her mother looked anything but troubled.
"I'm really sorry." Ikuto said earnestly, "It was something I blurted out without properly reflecting on the consequences. That's why I have to head back as soon as possible."
"Of course. Of course."
"Thank you," Ikuto bowed briefly.
"Okaa-sama," Amu, who had been silent the whole time, spoke in a tight voice. "Can I please talk to you for a moment? Alone?"
Hearing her tone, Ikuto couldn't help but chuckle. Amu shot him an irritated look.
"Hear it comes," Their mother said jokingly. "Ami-chan, why don't you see the Crown Prince out for me?"
"Sure." Ami said enthusiastically as she jumped up from where she sat.
As soon as her older sister and mother were gone, Ami finally let out the laughter she was trying to hold in. With that, Ikuto turned to look at her with a grin. "Your sister's scary." He joked as they walked to the front door.
Ami laughed again. "You're going to have to live with her soon."
"Should I savor my peaceful mornings then?"
"I know how much you like Onee-chan." Ami said knowingly, "I'm sure you'll enjoy every morning spent with her."
Ikuto chuckled at Ami's comment. He knew that there was no point in denying what was true in front of Amu's younger sister. Between the two sisters, he also knew that Ami was very insightful. Sometimes he thinks that she acts too mature for her age.
"I'm sure she'll be loathing every second of it."
Ami rolled her eyes. Ikuto couldn't help a smile as that action reminded him so much of Amu. "She'll grow out of it." Ami giggled as she opened the door for him.
"I'll see you again soon Ami." Ikuto grinned as he reached out and ruffled her hair. Ami was about to protest when a sudden unexpected gleam caught her eyes. With Ikuto leaning forward and reaching out to ruffle her hair because of her small height, his shirt hanged loose from his chest and Ami saw a familiar chain. The gleam which had caught her attention was from the pendant which hang from the chain. It was brief, but Ami was certain that she saw a Key pendant which almost had the same design as her older sister's.
Ami had been too shocked to say anything as Ikuto retracted his hand and said his goodbye once again. Her mind was racing all of a sudden as she stared at the closed door. She felt her heart thumping loudly at the possibility of the giver actually being Ikuto.
Still, there were so many unanswered questions, so many holes in her assumptions. Yet that gleaming pendant around Ikuto's neck kept flashing into her mind vividly.
She wasn't sure whether she should say anything to her sister or not. After all, she knew how her sister held the pendant as a special memory of Kukai, the boy she met in the States.
Selfishly, Ami wished her older sister would end up with Ikuto instead. For as long as Ami could remember, she already knew that the Crown Prince has feelings for her older sister, he just had his own way of showing it. For a Crown Prince who is always cool and collected, her sister was the only person Ikuto seems to annoy and tease. She could see that the Crown Prince persona disappeared whenever he was around her older sister.
Ami could only sigh as she turned away from the door that had been closed for quite a while already.
First thing's first. She had things to confirm.
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