Urgh so my wi-fi is on and off and it kind of sucks, but I managed this finally.


Nine

A couple drinks in, Nagihiko and Rima arrive, and neither look surprised at Ikuto's presence. Amu has stayed stiffly on this side of the room, refusing to talk to him. Saaya she isn't interested in talking to either, but straight up ignoring the other girl seems to be a little immature.

Utau is uncharacteristically excited, a gleeful hint to her every movement. She's not shy about singing, and so she starts off the machine while Kukai and Ikuto mix drinks. Kukai does it with great bravado, presenting Amu with a pinkish yellow concoction, which he claims is his own invention. Amu thinks it would probably be safer to get her drinks from Ikuto, but she's not inclined to do that.

"This is awful," Amu mutters into her glass when Nagihiko takes his seat next to her.

His features are not as clear in the darkness, but his dark eyes are calm and even, as always. She can make out the curve of his jaw.

"Ah," he says, shrugging. There's a nonchalant tone to his voice that sounds light but probably has deeper layers if she had enough energy to peel them all away. He's like an onion during the best of times. "Seems alright to me — drinks, soon to be music, friends, what else could you ask for?"

"You know what I mean," Amu grumbles, sure that he does.

Nagihiko's perceptiveness is razor clean, honed through years of observations and a mild personality that calls for something sharper. If he weren't heir to a hotel empire, he would probably make a great psychiatrist. He proves it, now.

"You need closure," he offers, waiting for her to accept or deny the statement. When she does neither, he continues, "Rima thinks he's the one for you. We couldn't let him escape. Besides, earning Utau's approval is quite the Herculean task but you've accomplished it. That must mean something."

"I was going to talk to him," Amu says, voice hesitant. She leans back into the couch, cradling her drink. "Eventually."

"You wouldn't have done it," Nagihiko evaluates. "Fear of rejection stays even the bravest hand."

"Says who?" she asks testily, crossing her arms and awkwardly minding the cup. It sloshes anyway, almost spilling over.

"Erikson," Nagihiko responds breezily. "In his intimacy vs. isolation stage he states that a deterrent to building relationships is this concept of rejection."

Amu makes a face. "I hate when you're smart."

"Go talk to Ikuto," Nagihiko advises. "Before you or he are raging drunk."

Amu thinks that she has to toss down a couple more ounces before she finds the courage. She starts to say as much, but then the intro music to Black Diamond is playing. When the beats start, Utau's clear, lovely voice rings out. They both stop to listen. It's different without a stage, screaming fans, and extravagant costumes to support the act, but Utau's talent is obvious. Amu sways with it, caught with emotion.

The room is dim, but the peace on Utau's face is apparent. The siblings were both obviously blessed with musicality, though they took it in different directions. It seems like it takes an eternity for the feeling to fade even after the sound does.

Perhaps it's immature to refuse to talk to Ikuto. If Nagihiko is right, which he always is, then there is still something to resolve. Maybe they can be friends after that. Her heart clenches, but then she consciously loosens her grip, making a decision. It won't be tonight. She doesn't need it tonight.

The microphone switches hands several times (Kukai unsuccessfully tries to serenade his girlfriend, his talents lie more with athletics and Saaya goes for an upbeat dance anthem) before Utau calls that they should start the foreign songs too. To be specific, she challenges Nagihiko's English, who good naturedly rises to the challenge. He and Rima sing a duet of Just Give Me a Reason, which hits all the high notes surprisingly cleanly.

When it ends, Rima sends Amu a grin, which she returns with a little hesitation. Wavy blonde hair cascades down her back, a little mussed from some of the gesturing. She rakes it up into a careless ponytail, tying it together with a band.

"Killing it," Utau whistles. "Didn't you guys had it in you."

"Looks like interacting with all those American guests actually had some use," Ikuto snipes at Nagihiko, but a bright expression lights his face in a way that is rarely seen.

With a pang, Amu's reminded of their walk in the gardens.

Next, Rima takes on the world solo with No Scrubs, while Nagihiko protests that he "ain't no broke ass, I swear it."

When it's finally Amu's rotation, her mind immediately drifts to a popular pop song she's heard several times on the radio. Unfortunately, it's about love and she's made her decision about no love at the moment, but then she figures to hell with it she might as well. Ikuto has no right to interpret anything from it anyway.

The beginning of Adele's Someone Like You sounds, the quiet piano setting an ambiance. Saaya looks like she might be scoffing. Amu ignores it, launching into the opening verse.

Ikuto's watching her, dark eyes pensive. If he's reading into it, it's his business.

Amu focuses on the lyrics and making sure her accent isn't too awful. She recalls Adele's soulful rendition and throws himself into it, slipping away with the story. "Never mind I'll find someone like you-oooh," Amu sings. "I wish nothing but the best, for you too."

Perhaps it's stupid to sound like she's given up before even trying, but it's a song she likes and she doesn't care. He's looking at her so delicately. It's almost uncomfortable. She didn't think her singing was that awful. When the song fades into silence, there is tension in the room. Kukai doesn't even mimic wiping away fake tears, and the reason steps up, a cool expression on her face.

"You," Saaya hisses, emerald eyes filled with spite. "Are you so pathetic that you would try and steal my boyfriend right in front of me?"

Amu opens her mouth and she sees Rima surge to her feet. Kukai also looks disgruntled and steps forward, eyebrows furrowed. Before anyone can say anything, Ikuto cuts through.

"That's unfounded."

His eyes are cold, and the glint that reflects from the lights is icy in the hardest way.

Saaya turns on him, fury colouring her features. Her green eyes flash once again in response to his gaze, darker in the dim lighting. There is a special affront to the way she tosses her hair. "You would defend her? That... That commoner? After you chose me?"

Amu personally thinks it's a pretty pathetic defense, but she doesn't interrupt. She stands there at the front, rooted in place, hands still clutching the microphone.

"Perhaps I shouldn't have," comes Ikuto's detached response.

Amu's eyebrows arch. Perhaps she was too quick to judge the level of Ikuto's vitriol. After all, Utau's is legendary.

Saaya gasps, slaps a hand to her chest in an overdramatic fashion that seems over exaggerated but probably isn't. Drama queen comes naturally to her. "I won't dignify that with a response."

"You've proven that you're vindictive and judgemental," Ikuto continues over her. "If you keep attacking Amu, I don't think you'll fit in here."

Saaya stands, wobbling for a moment on high heels. Then she stalks out of the room, shutting the door with a thud. Ikuto turns back to the rest of them, a casual shrug gracing his shoulders.

"So much for her," he says.


Turning point is fin. Bear with me, we're almost to the end. Two chapters left - I made the choice to keep things pretty light, but it was just a choice for this fic because tbh I haven't seen Shugo Chara in a while haha so I'm not well versed enough to explore deeper.

Please leave any thoughts - it makes me warm and fuzzy when I read them :)