Ikuto wiped his forehead as he calmed his breathing. Kukai came bounding over to him and slammed him with a high-five.

"Nice! We won!" he grinned from ear to ear.

"With you playing soccer, how couldn't we?" Ikuto gave a sideways smirk. Kukai slung his arm around Ikuto's shoulder as they walked off the field, continuing to point out and remind Ikuto of all his great shots throughout the game. Once they recovered, they headed over to where the girls' relay was being held. Yaya, Nadeshiko, Utau and Amu had formed a relay team and their race would be starting soon. They reached the running track where the girls were stretching and preparing for the race, heading to their positions across the track. Amu would be running last. Ikuto and Kukai found a good seat on the sidelines as the starter pistol signalled the beginning of the race, the noise from the shot echoing across the field. People started cheering as the first runners took off. The two boys watched intently as Yaya ran and passed it to Nadeshiko in second place. Nadeshiko passed it to Utau as the girl in the lane next to them overtook her. When the baton was passed to Utau, Kukai starting cheering at the top of his lungs, standing from his seat. Utau ran with all her might, still managing to look beautiful. She brought the team from third to second, only just behind first place. Ikuto was on the edge of his seat. He watched Amu begin to run as she held out her hand for the baton, as Utau swiftly passed it on. Amu took off. She sprinted with all her might, getting into first place. It quickly changed to second, then back to first as her competitor was really fast too, and eager to win. Ikuto's eyes wouldn't leave Amu as he willed her to beat the girl who was in the lane next to her. Amu looked effortlessly good as she ran; Ikuto couldn't help but admit to himself. It was nearing the end when Amu fell to the ground, sliding a bit along the track. Ikuto stood up as he saw Amu fall. He knew she didn't trip; she was clearly pushed when they were going around the corner. She quickly got up and kept running, finishing the race in second place, only by around 2 metres. As soon as she passed the finish line Amu fell to the ground, placing a hand on her ankle. Ikuto began to make his way over to her, walking down the stalls of seating. His Amu was hurt; he had to get to her. When he was on the ground level two girls blocked his path as they stuck out their chests and butts, asking Ikuto what year he was and if he wanted to spend time with them. They looked about a year below Ikuto. Ikuto frowned in aggravation and tried to go around them.

"Aw, c'mon, don't you want to hang out with us?" one of them batted her eyelashes at him as the other stuck her lips out a bit and looked up at him innocently.

"I'm busy." Ikuto finally got around them and as he began to continue heading toward Amu he looked over to see her being picked up by Tadase. He lifted her up and carried her bridal style toward the school building. Ikuto heard some girls swoon in the crowd.

"Just like a prince!" one of the girls sighed as her friends nodded in agreement.

Ikuto scowled as he made his way to the drink machine, he would get Amu one and meet her at the infirmary, where he guessed Tadase was taking her.


Amu blushed slightly as Tadase told her how great she was until her opposition cheated. He carried her into the infirmary and sat her down. The nurse wasn't there so he retrieved a bandage from the cupboard and knelt down to wrap it around her ankle. Amu told him she could do it but he insisted. Once he had finished he sat down next to Amu. Amu stared at her foot as it throbbed in pain until Tadase caught her attention by calling her name. She looked at Tadase, who was staring intently at her, a slight blush on his cheeks.

"H-Hnamori-san….I have to tell you something" he paused before continuing. "You're always on my mind. I've never met anyone like you. I…I really like you" he leaned closer to her.

Amu gasped as her eyes widened.

"T-Tadase….I…." suddenly they heard something from outside the door as it was the flung open. Ikuto walked into the room, straight over to Amu and took her arm. Amu was pulled up from her seat as Ikuto stood in front of her, in between herself and Tadase. He held one arm held out protectively in front of Amu.

"W-what is it?" Tadase asked nervously.

"Stay away from my Amu" Ikuto threatened.

"Your Amu?" Tadase questioned.

"You heard me" he retorted. Tadase looked a little shocked to Amu, just as she was.

"You're interrupting us, Amu hasn't fully replied to what I told her-", Tadase didn't get to finish his sentence.

"Sorry." Ikuto stopped Tadase, "But I love Amu too. You can't have her, give up" Ikuto turned and left the room, dragging Amu along with him. Amu saw two drinks on the floor just outside the door. Ikuto must have been bringing her one. It was all happening so fast to Amu. After being dragged for a while Ikuto stopped in front of her and leaned against the wall of the corridor.

"Aren't you going to reply?" he looked at her expectantly. Amu stared at him for second.

"Huh?" she was confused due to all the events that just took place.

"I told you I love you" he said impatiently.

After a minute Amu laughed nervously and patted him on his shoulder saying how he was funny, and thanked him for helping her get out of there.

"What do you mean?" his irritated curiosity shone through.

"You said that to help me get away from Tadase, right? How did you know that I was clueless as how to respond? Thanks", she was genuinely glad she was pulled out of that situation. Although the confession made her really happy, she could feel herself getting carried away in the moment, and she didn't want to say anything she would regret. She barely knew Tadase, apart from the fact that he was her school's heartthrob. Amu didn't need another complication at the moment; she's already avoiding her uncle and living at Ikuto's place. Although she blushed at Tadase's confessed feelings, Amu knew how she truly felt, despite her resistance. It was painful to hear Ikuto confess to her, just to get rid of Tadase. She knew he said it to help her, but it actuality, it secretly hurt her. Deep down she wished it were real. She wished Ikuto loved her, just as she loved him.


Confessions galore in this chapter. Poor Amu doesn't believe Ikuto :/ Stay tuned to read what happens next! R&R :)