Disclaimer: I don't own Shugo Chara.
Chapter 4
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"Are you even thinking right now!?"
Every staff of the Palace within earshot cringed as the usual happy-go-lucky king growled at the Crown Prince from inside the king's private study. In fact, it was a first for them to hear the king lose his cool.
The king and queen stood by the desk, while the crown prince and the younger prince were sitting quietly at the couch not too far from the king's desk. Aruto tossed a stack of paper to the floor, which scattered by the princes' feet.
"Why can't you wait for the proper protocol? Do you realize how much more damage you are creating right now?" Aruto sighed, dragging his hand across his face in frustration.
"Uncle," Tadase began to speak, but his eyes met the Queen's. Souko shook her head, signalling that he shouldn't say a word.
"I've scheduled a press conference for the both of you to attend. Do it properly."
At his words, Souko got two folders from the king's desk and approached the two princes. "These will more or less be the questions during the interview with the possible answers you can give." She said gently. "This won't be your first press conference Ikuto-kun, so I know you'll do fine."
The Crown Prince continued to refuse to look up at his parents ever since he entered the room. He simply held out both of his hands in order to politely receive the folder from his mother. Souko suppressed a sigh at the sight. "Please guide Tadase-kun during this interview as it is his first." She added.
She turned to smile at the younger prince as she handed him a folder. The younger prince relaxed a little at the Queen's kind demeanor as he also received the folder. "Thank you." He said.
"Now, the most important topic of the day." Aruto folded his arms as he finally took a seat.
As soon as the king spoke, both Tadase and Ikuto froze. They both knew what was coming.
"London." Aruto said, gauging both of the princes' reactions.
Ikuto finally looked up at the king, his expression filled with stubbornness. "Do we have to go that far?" He asked, immediately standing up to fully face his father.
"Ikuto-kun," Souko said soothingly. She tried to reach out and touch her son's arm, but Ikuto only stepped away from her.
"Do you have a better solution to this?" Aruto asked, not backing down from his son's glare, "As far as I can tell, all your solutions are falling apart."
Ikuto closed his fists tightly and was about to talk back, but Tadase beat him to it. "I will leave as soon as the press conference ends." He said quietly.
The Crown Prince turned to his younger cousin with wide eyes, thinking him crazy. In turn, Tadase looked at him with a hopeless smile. "This is the right thing to do, Ikuto-nii."
"Shut up." Ikuto hissed, clenching his fists tighter. "You don't understand."
"No, you don't understand." Aruto interrupted. "You're a fool to think anything you come up with will work."
"Ikuto-kun," Souko spoke up before her son could say another word back at her husband. "I know you're also concerned about Amu-chan, but this is the best way we can deal with this."
Tadase turned to look at his older cousin in surprise as he heard the Queen's words.
"If this is simply about that girl—"
"Dear." Souko said firmly, which effectively cut off her husband. Once again, Souko looked at her son, "I know that the three of you are inseparable," she glanced at Tadase, "but this is really for the best. The Council might interfere if we don't take matters into our hands."
The two princes stiffened at the mention of The Council. Those from the Royal Family know that the Council is a group of people who are close to the late King, they only step into the political affairs of the Palace when unbiased decisions are needed. In fact, they very rarely stepped in which is why they had almost forgotten about their existence.
Ikuto swallowed hard at the mere mention of them, as if it was a threat in itself.
"Ikuto-nii," Tadase said in a small voice, "I choose to leave. Amu-chan will understand."
The crown prince could barely look at the younger prince as he clenched his jaw hard at his own helplessness.
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Ikuto had his arm over his eyes as he lay on his bed. His room was as dark as night with the heavy velvet curtains shielding the light from outside. He didn't bother opening the lights nor the bedside lamp. He preferred this dark surrounding where he felt like he could just be with his thoughts.
He groaned in frustration. He already gave Tadase a fair warning in the past, and he just didn't drill it into his mind enough. He didn't want Tadase to be sent away. Despite his father being right that Tadase's feelings might cause more trouble in the future, his cousin was like a brother to him. Someone who knew who he was inside and out. Just as how he is around Amu, he didn't have to put up the Crown Prince bravado around Tadase.
Suddenly Ikuto heard a soft knock on his door. He shifted his body to the side, his back facing the doorway. When the door opened after a few seconds, he guessed that it wasn't any of the maids. Ikuto sat up and turned to look at the silhouette by the door.
"Tadase."
Tadase gave him a half-smile before he stepped inside Ikuto's room and closed the door, once again enveloping the room in complete darkness.
"This won't take long," Tadase said.
Ikuto could hear the resolve in his cousin's voice, and he sighed as he predicted what the younger prince was about to say.
"You know that I'm in love with her." The younger prince said.
Ikuto shrugged in the darkness, "And now you'll be able to spend the rest of your life with her." He said sarcastically.
"Ikuto-nii. Are you serious about Amu-chan?"
Ikuto froze at the sudden question Tadase posed. He stopped for a while, trying to decipher what Tadase meant.
"You never said it out loud, but are you?" Tadase asked in a voice that seemed to be half-pleading. "You gave her the Humpty Lock, didn't you?" Tadase squinted his eyes in the darkness, trying to guess what kind of reaction Ikuto had right now.
When Ikuto still didn't say anything, Tadase added. "I saw it around her neck the other day. The way Amu-chan held it, it was obvious that it held a special meaning... does... does Amu-chan... is Amu-chan in love with you?" Tadase cringed as he awaited the answer.
He flinched when he suddenly heard Ikuto laughing. "What—"
"Amu's in love with me?" Ikuto laughed, "Have you seen how we are when we're around each other? She can barely be around me. If there's any kind of special feelings which Amu has for me, it would be loathing."
"Then what about you?"
Ikuto rolled his eyes even though he knew that Tadase wouldn't be able to see it. "I don't feel like talking about these things. How I feel about her doesn't really matter. I told you to sop being considerate of my feelings."
"It matters a lot, Ikuto-nii." Tadase said in a low voice. "You've always had feelings for Amu-chan, didn't you? But you knew how much she meant to me that's why you didn't do anything nor say anything even though she's your betrothed. If it were any other person, they would've sent me away immediately. But Ikuto-nii, you—"
"I'm not that kind." Ikuto interrupted with a hard voice. "You can't be too sure of what I think. Maybe I wanted you to know how stupid your actions are in the long run via the hard way. Don't give me too much credit kiddy king."
Tadase felt a sharp stab as Ikuto's harsh words pierced him. Yet he knew that it was a front that Ikuto had always put up when he didn't want to let anyone in. He came to Ikuto's room for only one reason. To confirm whether the necklace around Amu's neck had truly been the Humpty Lock. So far, Ikuto hadn't denied it, so what he saw must be the real deal. The Humpty Lock answers a lot of question in itself.
"If you aren't serious about her, then why did you give her the Humpty Lock? You know how important that is, Ikuto-nii." Tadase said quietly. "Even if it's an arranged marriage, if you don't love Amu-chan, you don't have to give it to her. The Humpty Lock is only for the person you're truly in love with."
When the silence in the room stretched on, Tadase knew that it was enough an answer. "Take care of Amu-chan." He murmured, "Don't make her cry."
Ikuto was speechless. "You—"
"I'm leaving Amu-chan to you." Tadase said, trying his hardest to sound bright. "I'm probably not allowed to be in contact with her for a while, so I'm leaving her to you. You're the only person I can trust to make sure that Amu-chan's safe and well taken care of."
"Tadase—"
"I also came here to thank you." Tadase added, cutting off his older cousin's words. "Thank you for fighting for me. I know that you did so much so that I was allowed to stay by Amu-chan's side. Thank you Ikuto-nii. I think it's time I stop being selfish." With those words, Tadase turned around and hurriedly opened the door to leave.
"I want to protect her smile, you know that."
Tadase stopped at Ikuto's sudden words. He smiled a small smile to himself as the words finally sunk in. "Of course, Ikuto-nii." He answered in a soft tone.
As the door closed, Ikuto groaned out loud. "She won't be happy with me," Ikuto continued to talk to himself, "When she becomes the Crown Princess, her wings will be clipped. She'll hate me to death." He chuckled bitterly. "We'll bite each other's head off eventually."
"I want to protect her smile." Ikuto said out loud, and then he sighed once again. He wants to protect her from the filth of politics. He doesn't want her to experience the pain of betrayal once she enters the life of Royalties. He wants her to stay the same, full of life and dreams. They can't do anything about the political arrangement, all he can do for her is to protect her with his limited power.
He made a promise after all.
When he decided to give her the Humpty Lock. He made a promise to her and to himself.
I will protect your smile.
Suddenly, what Tadase had said earlier began reeling inside his mind. "I saw it around her neck the other day. The way Amu-chan held it, it was obvious that it held a special meaning..."
How could she look at it as if it had a special meaning if she didn't know who gave it to her? He doubt that Amu would think of it that way if she knew it was from him. Did that mean that Amu thinks— Did Amu assume who the giver of that was?
Ikuto wrapped his hand around the Dumpty Key around his neck tightly as the possibility of Amu touching the other half tenderly while thinking of another man entered his mind. "What the hell."
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Tadase fumbled his fingers under the table nervously as he tried to let his eyes get used to the bright spotlights and continuous camera flashes in front of him. Being simply a Prince, he was never really subjected to attend any press conference or any official event, so this was new to him as everyone's eyes laid on him and his cousin.
"Please, everyone settle down, the princes will answer any questions you may have in a short moment." The palace spokesperson said.
Tadase took a glance at his cousin and he wasn't surprised to see the Crown Prince calm as a clam. He suddenly felt stupid for being a nervous-wreck.
"You're a prince, keep your chin up." Ikuto murmured, noticing his blonde cousin's obvious distress.
"It's not that easy," Tadase whispered, without looking at Ikuto.
"Life in the Palace is simply a stage," Ikuto said monotonously, "Everything's a pretend. Everything's a show. And it's showtime."
"To make things easier, the seats you are right now are the order you'll be in when you ask the princes question. Only one or two questions will be entertained per person. Thank you." The spokesperson said, this time he placed the mic he held on the mic holder in front of Ikuto.
"First question!" A reporter raised when Ikuto gestured for him to start. "Crown Prince, what do you have to say about the news that Prince Tadase and Hinamori-sama were meeting late at night? With her being your fiancée and all?"
Tadase slightly flinched at the question the reporter raised. He couldn't help it when his heart suddenly quickened, but despite it all, he tried to keep a poker face. Aside from the media attention, his nervousness was mostly amplified by the fact that he and Ikuto had to lie smoothly in front of the media— and that includes the nation.
"There's nothing to say." Ikuto answered with a short chuckle. Tadase watched with admiration as Ikuto answered calmly and full of charisma. "I guess not everyone recognized Amu, or know about her. But surely, the media present are aware that Amu grew up with the two of us. It's not something scandalous or news-worthy when considering our relationships. To add to that, the park where they met was where they usually played as kids, of course that place would hold a sentimental value that either of them may want to revisit any time."
"Are you not suspicious that there may be something going on between them? Since from what I heard, Crown Prince, you are not as close to Hinamori-sama as Prince Tadase is."
Ikuto grinned, "Well since everything's out in the open, I might as well reveal the reason to that, shouldn't I, Tadase?" He looked at his cousin with a knowing expression.
For a moment, Tadase was confused but when he saw Ikuto slightly tilt his head, he immediately caught on. Tadase laughed shortly, he hoped that his flustered state wasn't obvious. "Yeah, I guess you're right Ikuto-nii."
Ikuto looked back at the people sitting in front once again, a smirk replacing his grin this time. "It was an act."
The room, which was only filled with the sounds of the camera shutters, suddenly erupted with murmurers here and there. Surprise was the most evident emotion inside the room.
"Could you please elaborate on that Crown Prince?"
Ikuto shook his head, "Next person."
The next reporter seemed to be conflicted as he glanced at his small notebook and then to the Crown Prince. He also wanted to know the answer to the previous reporter's statement, but he had questions of his own. Finally, he sighed. "I would like you to answer his question." He said, gesturing to the person beside him.
Ikuto chuckled easily. "Maybe you'd want to answer that for me, Tadase?"
"M—Me?" Tadase suddenly felt his hands become wet with sweat. "Um— Well, you see. Uh..."
"Excuse him for a few seconds, it's his first time attending a press conference, so he's not really used to it."
Short giggles were heard inside the room. Ikuto gently kicked Tadase's chair and murmured as low as possible, "Get a grip Kiddy King."
Tadase swallowed and tried to remember Ikuto's earlier advice. Pretend. Stage. It might as well be similar to acting in a school play.
Tadase smiled politely at the people present as he cleared his throat. "Sorry," He apologized. "But it's true that everything's been an act up until now. Ikuto-nii kept his distance from Amu-chan to make sure that no one would discover the fact that Amu-chan's his betrothed. Most especially since everyone's keeping an eye out for every girl Ikuto-nii seems to be showing attention to." Ikuto chuckled at that and Tadase followed with a quiet laughter of his own.
"That was a bother," Ikuto complained.
"Since that was brought up, was Hinamori-sama ever going to be revealed to the public as your fiancée, Crown Prince?"
Ikuto seemed to suppress his smile as he answered the reporter. "Next week." Everyone began murmuring once again. "That's why I didn't bother hiding it anymore."
The reporter simply nodded as his turn was finished.
"Sorry, but I would like to press on with this question. Tadase-sama, do you not have any feelings for Hinamori-sama at all? There are rumors in your school that you have romantic feelings for her. If it were not for the fact that she's the Crown Prince's fiancée, would you have had made a move on her?"
Tadase felt Ikuto stiffen at the seat beside him. For a moment, Tadase felt a little hurt at the fact that his own cousin didn't have much faith on him. But he's going to prove him wrong. He's already committed a mistake and this was a result of that. At least, he knew that he has to clean up his own mess.
Tadase smiled brightly as he laughed gently, "That's two questions in a row." He pointed out. "My feelings for Amu-chan would be that of a brother's. As Ikuto-nii pointed out, the three of us grew up together, so it can't be helped if there are people mistaking my feelings for her. For your other question," Tadase seemed to blush, "Bias aside, Amu-chan's kind of hard to miss." He let out a laugh when the crowd stirred. "But like I said, my feelings for her are like a brother's. I only see Amu-chan as a sister."
With that, Tadase glanced at Ikuto and saw that he has loosened more or less. After the other day, Tadase had decided that he would support Ikuto's feelings wholeheartedly now. After all, his cousin had been considerate of his for as long as he can remember, it's time the he does something for him.
"Since the issue about Hinamori-sama and Tadase-sama's late night rendezvous is more or less cleared up, I'd like to clean the slate. Why did you and Hinamori-sama meet up so late at night, Tadase-sama?"
"Oh."
Ikuto glanced at Tadase. I'd like to know that as well. He thought to himself. Since he didn't want to seem interested, he'd left that thought to the back of his mind.
"We didn't plan it. It was actually a coincidence we met. Like Ikuto-nii said, that place hold sentimental values. It seems that Amu-chan frequents there though. I was only going to pass by the park, but when I saw Amu-chan, I went on and accompanied her."
Ikuto wasn't satisfied with the answer, he could feel that there was something more about that night they met. But seeing as the media seemed to swallow that answer without a single complaint, he might as well deal with it.
"Then, I'd like to direct the next question to the Crown Prince. We're all aware that this is a political marriage arranged by your grandparents, but we've seen how you declared to the public that she's your betrothed. Does this mean that you truly want her to be your Crown Princess?"
Tadase wondered how Ikuto would answer that question. The reporter was practically asking in a roundabout way whether the Crown Prince is in love with Amu or not. This press conference would be broadcasted later in the evening, which means that Amu would be watching.
Tadase's eyes widen in shock when Ikuto immediately answered, "Yes."
Ikuto scratched the tip of his nose to show that he was embarrassed as the media went crazy. "Like Tadase said, Amu's hard to miss. She's a great girl." He shrugged easily.
"Do you share the same feelings as Tadase-sama has for Hinamori-sama or is it different?" This time the media personnel seem to be on their toes.
"Of course it's different." Ikuto grinned.
"Would you be able to tell the nation your feelings for her, Crown Prince?" A reporter asked eagerly, discarding his notebook just as everyone seemed to have done.
Ikuto chuckled. "I haven't told her, so it would be rude to announce it to the nation before I tell her."
"When will the Royal Wedding be held?"
"We're actually hoping to take things slowly. Since Amu and I had to hide this for years, we haven't really been together like a couple would have. So I'd like to have more time for us to get to know each other more."
"Does Hinamori-sama share the same feelings then?"
Tadase held his breath.
Ikuto laughed easily, "You have to schedule a press conference with her yourself to know the answer to that."
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"You have a scheduled meeting in the afternoon with the Budget Department staffs, Crown Prince." Ikuto's personal attendant went over the Crown Prince's schedule for the day in the Crown Prince's office.
He glanced at the Crown Prince who has not responded for the whole duration, when usually he would already be complaining here and there. The attendant adjusted his glasses, knowing why the Crown Prince was acting so. The press conference was released two days ago, at the same time Tadase had left for London yesterday. Throughout these happenings, he had yet to hear a word from the future Crown Princess. But the attendant had an ominous feeling that a storm is about to come any time soon.
"Crown Pr—"
"Crown Prince, the King is asking for an audience."
At the voice of one of the palace guards outside the door, the two men in the room froze. The Crown Prince's brows furrowed, wondering what it could be about.
"Amu-sama is also in attendance." The voice added.
The said storm has arrived. The attendant thought to himself, shaking his head at the impeccable timing. He placed a hand on his charge's shoulder.
Ikuto looked up at his attendant questioningly, wondering what the gesture meant.
"You didn't talk to Amu-sama after the press conference and after Tadase-sama left, so I'm sure she has a lot to say to you." His attendant began.
"And?" Ikuto arched a brow, trying to guess where the conversation was going.
"Please be honest." His attendant said pleadingly. "I think I can predict how your conversation with her is going to be when you two will be left alone. She already misunderstands you as it is. Don't make her think any more less of you."
Ikuto chuckled at the obvious concern his attendant was showing. "I'll be fine." He carefully brushed of the hand that was still on his shoulder.
"Be honest." His attendant repeated, before seeing the Crown Prince out the door.
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"Your lifestyle will remain as it is." Aruto said, pointing at his son. "While you, Amu-chan, I suggest you should start taking private lessons in the Palace again." Aruto said as he took a sip from his tea. He looked at Amu who sat across him on the sofa as she nodded in understanding.
"Amu-chan," Aruto addressed her again, "I hope you understand I'm not going to say anything about the incident to you anymore because the situation has been resolved as of the moment. But I'm hoping I don't have to deal with something like this again."
The pinkette could only nod solemnly at the king, unused to his serious demeanor.
"We're really sorry for the inconvenience Ikuto-kun's impulsive announcement and the press conference has caused you," Souko said apologetically as she sat beside her husband. She knew that for the past few days Amu had to stop going to school to avoid being questioned by the reporters and stalked by paparazzi.
"It's alright," Amu flushed at having the queen apologize to her.
Souko giggled as she saw Amu's reaction, "Please Amu-chan, you don't have to be so uncomfortable."
"I-It's just that, it's been a while since I've come to the palace again." Amu looked at her hands which were placed on her lap as she mumbled in embarrassment. In her embarrassment, she had momentarily forgotten Ikuto's presence beside her until he spoke.
"Give her a few hours and you'll be hearing her voice all over the palace," Ikuto snickered.
"Ikuto-kun." Souko chastised.
Amu resisted the urge to glare at Ikuto while in front of the king and queen. So she chose to ignore his comment instead as she looked up from her hands. "Thank you for receiving me warmly." She smiled.
"This is nothing," Souko returned her smile. "You've sacrificed a lot already."
"And you'll still sacrifice a lot more when you start living with my stubborn son." Aruto chuckled.
Souko gently elbowed her husband.
"I'm sure we'll get along just fine." Ikuto smirked.
Souko looked at the two, the tension between them was so obvious that she didn't know what to do about it. If only Tadase was here, she knew that the boy would be the icebreaker between these two. Speaking of Tadase...
"Amu-chan, I hope you understand why Tadase-kun had to leave. I know that the two of you are close, but..." Souko trailed ofF as she saw the sad expression on Amu's face.
"I understand that it happened so that this incident won't be repeated again." Amu said in a small voice.
"I'm glad you understand that." Aruto said, looking at his son pointedly. "Some are not as understanding and as smart as you are." At his words, Ikuto looked away from his father.
"Dear." Souko said in a low voice, warning him not to say anything more in front of the guest.
Aruto shrugged.
"We'll give you two time to talk," Souko began, knowing that they have yet to talk ever since the incident in campus. "But I want you two to remember this." She waited until the two looked at her properly before continuing. "In this world where you two will be treading, it's a world filled with loneliness. The only person you can depend on is your partner."
As she said that, she felt her husband hold her hand. "Refrain from teasing Amu-chan too much, okay?" She said, looking at her son.
Ikuto shook his head as he let out a chuckle, "I have to make up to the past few years that she's been away."
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As soon as the king and queen left, the tension grew as the two sat beside each other in silence. "Let it out," Ikuto decided to say, knowing that his attendant was right about them both having a lot of words to say to one another.
"You just let it happen?" Amu began in a small voice as she refused to look at Ikuto, "You didn't even fight for Tadase? You just agreed on letting him leave?" She clenched her fists shut as they remained on her lap.
Ikuto remained silent, knowing that Amu still had more to say.
"Why did you have to announce the engagement out of the blue without giving me a warning? Did you know how much a mess that created?" Amu felt her anger rising. "And what's with that press conference? Couldn't you have answered it in a way that you're lying yet it seemed like the truth? Aren't you good with that?" She finally looked at him and Ikuto was surprised at the tears welling in her eyes.
"You don't have any idea how much it hurts. I feel like you're just making fun of me by announcing to the world that you're in love with me when that's not even the truth!"
"What was I suppose to say?" Ikuto asked in a cold voice as Amu's words stroke a nerve. He knew that he deserved this since all he ever let Amu feel was anything but the fact that he cares about her. Yet he couldn't help but feel insulted by her accusation when she doesn't even know half the truth. "We're engaged, might as well feign a happy engagement life."
"This life is anything but that."
Ikuto resisted the urge to grind his teeth, "Don't worry, you won't live your whole life with me. If everything gets settled after the wedding, we can just get a divorce. And maybe you can run off to the sunset with that person you met at the U.S."
With that comment, Amu's eyes widen. "Don't you dare do anything to him!" She said in an incredulous tone as she glared at him.
"As if I could do anything to him. You don't know him."
"You don't know him!"
Ikuto abruptly stood up. He couldn't bare sitting beside her with the way she was defending the person she met in the States. "What else do you want to say? Regarding the engagement? You knew that it would've been revealed sooner or later. You should be thanking me instead for defending you back there."
"I didn't need your help!"
"Stop being so stubborn Amu," Ikuto practically hissed. "You needed my help and from now on, you're going to need a lot of it."
"You haven't been in my life for seventeen years, you were never there! What makes you think I need you now?"
Ikuto was speechless this time as he realized once again that there was something more than the recent incidents which Amu had been keeping buried inside her. Was she angry because he was never by her side when he was in fact her betrothed? Just the thought that Amu wanted him by her side was something Ikuto couldn't comprehend.
"I've been fine for those past years as you can see." Amu continued. "This engagement is just a mere obligation for the both of us. You don't have to act like you care about my well-being. I get it that we have to look good in front of the public, but that's just it. Behind closed doors, just leave me alone!"
"I guess you wish you were engaged to Tadase instead." Ikuto said darkly.
This time, Amu stood up too. "Why did you allow him to be sent away? Don't you care about Tadase? I thought that you at least had something human in you, I thought that you cared about him. I guess I was wrong." She muttered in the end.
"He deserved it." This time Ikuto knew that he couldn't just shut up anymore. She had to understand at least this much. For the past years he accepted whatever misunderstanding Amu had of his intentions. But saying that he didn't care about Tadsae was just too much. She should at least know that he had warned him several times just to prevent this outcome.
Amu glared at Ikuto. "It wasn't like we were dating or seeing each other on purpose! You know that the paparazzi made it seem like something was going on!"
"It wasn't just about that night." Ikuto said through his teeth, he closed his eyes as he tried to hold himself back.
"Then what was it?" Amu demanded.
"Tadase's in love with you. Are you too stupid to see that!?" Ikuto finally snapped.
When he saw Amu's face filled with surprise, he sighed. Great, now I've lost it. He ran his fingers through his midnight blue tresses, "At least understand this much Amu. He's been in love with you ever since." With that, Ikuto felt all his energy drain from him, he decided to leave the room.
Amu fell back onto the couch as she stared blankly ahead in shock.
Her childhood friend. Tadase. He has always been in love with her? She couldn't believe it. But the way Ikuto had told her, it was obvious that he was telling the truth. Amu's mind was suddenly reeling, how come she never noticed it? She felt stupid because she never noticed Tadase's feelings— Tadase, who was always right by her side.
Due to the shock, Amu belatedly realized that she had been gripping the Humpty Lock. As soon as she let go of the locket, she saw that its shape left a mark on her hand. She closed her hand shut and closed her eyes. "If only you were here..." She murmured.
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Ikuto groaned as guilt suddenly overwhelmed him. He lightly banged the back of his head on the door he just closed.
He knew that he shouldn't have outed his cousin like how he did, but he couldn't help it anymore. He knew that if his cousin didn't mention a certain piece of news, he wouldn't be as pissed as he is now. He knew that he would've taken all of Amu's accusation with ease.
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"Send me a message when you get there." Ikuto said quietly as he stood in front of the entrance of the Palace, watching the butlers load Tadase's things into the car's trunk.
"Thank you for your help during the press conference." Tadase smiled bravely, trying to push down the sadness from his expression.
"You're irreplaceable Kiddy King." Ikuto smiled warmly for the first time in a long while, and that just made Tadase tear up once again. Ikuto chuckled shortly, "Come back when you've become a man."
"Yeah," Tadase managed to choke. "Ikuto-nii," He swallowed. "There's something I have to tell you."
"What's up?" Ikuto asked, seeing as Tadase kept his eyes trained on the floor, unable to look at him.
"Ikuto-nii, you may not know this, but Amu-chan met someone while she was in the States. To be honest, I was worried about her so I had reports sent in regularly." Ikuto saw the edges of Tadase's ears turning red, indicating his embarrassment at having to admit something so unethical. "Recently, I was informed who the other party was."
Ikuto flinched at Tadase's words. At the same time, Tadase handed him a thick brown envelope. "I think you should be careful Ikuto-nii." Tadase said, watching as Ikuto stared as the envelope.
"Careful of what?" Ikuto asked, suddenly curious as to who the other party was.
He clenched his teeth tightly as he mentally cursed himself. This was the kind of temptation he didn't want in the first place. Ever since Tadase had mentioned of how Amu was thinking of another person while holding the Humpty Lock, he already had a feeling that she was thinking of the person she met in the States. It might not be a good idea to know the other party.
"Maybe you should take a look at what's inside first," Tadase said carefully, sensing the rising tension building within his cousin. He knew that Ikuto would react like this, but he did so many things wrong already that keeping things from his cousin will only add to his wrongdoings.
Ikuto opened the envelope immediately and pulled out a file which had a transparent cover. The picture on top of it immediately caught his attention. Ikuto's eyes widened.
"The person she's with during her time in the States had been Kukai-nii..."
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Ikuto pushed himself from the door as he banged his fist onto the wall beside it. "Dammit Amu," He muttered.
Unconsciously, Ikuto touched his neck, clutching at the Dumpty Key. Knowing that the person she might be thinking of when touching the locket is that person...
Ikuto clenched his teeth at the thought.
He couldn't bare it.
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