A/N: Here you all go! The state dancing competition chapter, and the penultimate chapter of the first arc. Things are coming to a climax now; people showing their true colours. Anyway, read on!
Chapter 9: Sexy Dancer Chara Part 2
Amu, Kukai and Yaya were sitting in the Auditorium. Nadeshiko had forbidden them from following her, and told them she wouldn't let them enter her hospital room anyway. She had insisted they spend the time practicing.
"I can't do it," Amu told them. "I just feel like I'd be replacing her. I'll feel bad."
"I think you should do it," Kukai told her, "I've known Nadeshiko for a while. I think she truly wants you to do it. She wasn't just saying it."
"We should really do whatever Nadeshiko wants," Yaya told them, "Since we need to cheer her up!"
"You think Nadeshiko would truly want me to do it?" Amu asked, still unsure of her decision.
"Yeah, I know she would," Kukai told her.
"Then… we have practice to do!" Amu told them. "I know that Nadeshiko wouldn't want you guys to pull out now. I'll need all the practice I can get, just as you guys will."
The rest of the dance club was shocked when they heard the news; and worried. They asked if Nadeshiko was all right, and Kukai told them that they would have no idea. She promised that she would watch them perform, though. The dance club seemed to accept Amu as a fill-in for Nadeshiko, perhaps because they had seen her dance at the talent show, or perhaps simply due to the fact she had been helping the dance club recently. The dance club practiced into the night.
Ami had been ecstatic when Amu had told her, but was sad that she couldn't watch. Nevertheless, Ami understood the need to awake early the next morning. When Amu got to school the teacher in charge, Mrs. Lee, pulled Amu and Yaya aside so they could change into their outfits. Amu got changed into her short white skirt, making sure to wear white shorts underneath. It was the kind of skirt that easily flew up, just as Amu had wanted. She got changed into her sailor top which was far too short, coming to just below her ribcage. She had already been wearing her push-up bra, and unbuttoned the first three buttons, almost exposing her breasts. She changed into her black ballet flats, contrasting the white shoes. Additionally, she wore a black sailor hat. Yaya was already changed when she came out of the change room.
"Oh my god, you look stunning Amu!" She shouted, "I never knew you had such nice legs."
Amu's skirt had been intentionally shorter than the other girls', reflecting her solo dance, in which she needed to show off her legs.
"You don't exactly look like the little innocent baby you act like, either," Amu told her. Yaya was wearing a similar skirt, but it was slightly longer. Her top was just a simple white tank top, but it only came up to just above her belly button. That was the generic outfit for the other girls. Both Amu and Yaya had their hair let out. Soon, Amu saw Kukai walk out of the boy's change room. He was wearing tight white skinny jeans. He was simply wearing a white singlet.
"Is that singlet the right one?" Amu asked.
"Yep," he told her.
"Well, you're bloody hot," she told him.
"God, and look who's talking…" Kukai said, "I'll have to try hard to focus on the dance when you're right in front of me."
Amu laughed before playfully saying, "At least I don't need to worry about you getting too close to other girls, you'll be too mesmerised by me."
Kukai and Yaya both laughed, too. Soon the saw another girl come out of the change room. It was the same girl who had scratched her nails on the blackboard on Amu's first day at school. Amu realised she hadn't even noticed she was in the dance club.
"Ahh, hi, Utau," Yaya said, "Are you nervous?"
She had an absolutely straight face, "No."
"Oh, Utau is it?" Amu began. She saw Utau nod her head, so she continued, "You'll have to let your hair down, and take that hat off for the performance."
"Yes, I'm aware. It doesn't mean I have to take it off now, though," she told Amu coldly.
"Ummm… I guess…" Amu said nervously.
There was an awkward silence before Kukai broke it, "Well, no matter what happens today, as long as we have fun together as a group, it's fine."
"Yeah, that's right!" Yaya said happily.
"It'd be nice if we could win, though, to make Nadeshiko happy," Amu told them.
Soon, the other girls of the dance club all arrived and got changed, before Mrs. Lee led them onto the bus they were taking.
The group was waiting in anticipation when they arrived at the venue. Before long, nearly every seat in the stand seemed to be filled. The host of the event began to talk to everyone. He explained the event, and introduced the judges. There were a total of 10 judges, who all had very stern looks on their faces, and looked hard to please. Soon, he began announcing the 8 teams who had made it through the preliminary rounds to come this far. Amu had not heard of any of the groups who were announced at first. The Seiyo Academy Dance Club was announced 2nd last. The last group, though, Amu definitely knew. The last group was Easter Corporation. A few gasps were heard throughout the auditorium as this was said. How could Easter be entering a dance competition? It was for people 16 and under. Perhaps it was only recruits from Easter, rather than anyone who had actually debuted. He told the audience that the order they would perform in would be the same as the order he announced them in. Each judge would give a score out of 10, giving the group a total score out of 100.
After the host had finished talking, Amu, Yaya and Kukai all decided to head to the toilet. The other girls also agreed it would be good to go to the toilet before they actually need to go on stage. As Amu was walking past, she heard a familiar voice from inside one of the rooms. She knew that it was familiar, but couldn't quite pinpoint whose voice it was. Amu opened up the door to the room, to see Mrs. Sanjo talking to talking to Utau. Yaya and Kukai walked into the room behind Amu.
"What? Why are you talking to Mrs. Sanjo, Utau?" Kukai asked.
Utau started laughing, "Aren't you people so thick?" She took her hat off, and let down her hair. Amu recognised her now, obviously Kukai and Yaya had too, by the gasps that came from all three of them.
"Utau… Hoshina…" Yaya mumbled.
"Yeah, a star of Easter. Why do you think I joined the dance club? To be a spy, of course. All along, the Easter dance club has known your every move. Let me tell you right now, you are going to lose. Our dance routine is way better than yours."
Amu walked up to Utau slowly, before slapping her. Utau slowly looked at Amu after she had slapped her.
"How dare you?" Amu asked, "HOW DARE YOU? Nadeshiko put so much effort into this, yet, all along, you were sabotaging it? She even ended up with a broken leg!"
"Yes, I was telling them every detail of your dance."
"Why…?" Yaya asked.
Utau started laughing once again, "Why? Because I'm a total bitch that wants to ruin you."
"You were in on this, weren't you, Mrs. Sanjo?" Amu asked.
"What do you expect me to do? Easter is my company, I'm sorry Amu," she told her.
"What do I expect you to do?" Amu shouted incredulously, "I expect you to play fair. I can't believe you're the type of person that would do something like this."
"Well, you better believe it," Mrs. Sanjo said coldly.
Kukai grabbed Amu's hand, and slowly led her out of the room. Yaya followed after her.
"There's nothing we can do about it. Them knowing our dance routine doesn't change anything. It just means we need to perform it extra well, and blow them away," Kukai told them.
"You're right," Amu began, "It makes me so angry, though. How can she betray us like that…?"
"Well, that just makes Yaya more determined to win!" Yaya said.
"You're right. Let's win, no matter what," Amu told them, "I can't believe Easter was like this all along. There's no way I'm going to continue working for a company like this… I'm definitely going to quit. Mrs. Sanjo seemed so nice, too."
Yaya and Kukai only nodded. The three no longer had any desire to go to the toilet, after witnessing the event they just had. They walked back to backstage, Amu holding Kukai's hand the whole time.
It took a while before it was almost Seiyo Academy's turn. The group that was performing just before Seiyo was on their group dance now. The scores up to now had been 60, 66, 54, 74 and 84. Amu noted that the judges were very harsh. A score of 84 would be very hard to achieve. The group going just before Seiyo finished their dance and the judges talked to each other for a few moments. Soon, the head judge announced they had scored 88. Amu began to worry now. She wasn't sure if she could beat them, and she was sure that Easter would get better than 88. Kukai calmed her down though, simply by holding her hand.
"Don't worry, you're better than any of them were," he told her. "You need to believe in yourself, Amu."
"Thanks, Kukai," She told him. She pecked him, before they turned their attention back to the front.
"Our next dancers are our only school group that made it to the top 8. In other words, they are the most talented school dance group in our state already. Aiming to be higher, though, they have tried very hard to get to where they are. Next is Seiyo Academy, dancing to 'Genie' and 'Supa Luv'."
The lights on the stage went off, turning the stage completely black. Amu slowly walked into the middle of the stage, and after about 10 seconds, the music came on.
Turn it up, just turn it up
That's right, c'mon
A single light shone down to reveal Amu standing by herself on the stage as the song started.
Tell me your wish. Tell me the little dreams in your heart, draw the ideal woman in your head and look at me. I'm your genie, your dream, your genie
As the actual song started, Amu took a large step forward, and the light illuminated the whole stage now. She pointed at the head judge, before moving her hips in a circular motion. She made sure to go as wide as she possibly could. She licked her lips as she did this. At the end of the third line, she ran her hands down her body, beginning from her face. She made sure to open her shirt as much as possible as she did, without actually revealing her breasts. She heard wolf whistles from much of the audience as she did this. At the end of this stanza, she pointed at two different judges this time, winking at them as she did.
Ride your dream car and race along, sit next to me. Throw your everything into my enticement. Even if your heart bursts and flies in the wind. In this moment, the world is yours
At the start of the stanza she once again walked forward. She made sure to use her hips as she walked, and put one leg in front of the other, but not so far it looked ridiculous. As she swung her body to the side in the second line she made sure to flick her hips, so her skirt flew up, revealing her white shorts. At the fourth line, as she began to move forward while flicking her legs, she made sure her skirt flew up with each flick. She also made sure to show off her legs as much as possible. Many of the audience members were cheering by now, obviously enjoying the show Amu was putting on.
That's right, I love you. I always believe in you. Dreams and passions, I want to give them all to you. I'm a good luck goddess that wants (wants) to make your wish come true. Tell me your wish (I'm genie for you, boy). Tell me your wish (I'm genie for your wish). Tell me your wish (I'm genie for your dream). Tell only me (I'm genie for your world)
At the end of the first line, as Amu was dragging her hands up her body, she made sure to pull her shirt up with the palms of her hands. She pulled it up until the audience could see the very bottom of her bra, before letting go and raising her hands into the air. As the leg part came again, Amu maintained what she had done last time. She looked the judges in the eye as she performed this part of the dance. She noticed that one of the younger male judges was totally into her performance. That made things easier for her. At the end of the third line, as Amu swung her hips, she made sure to stick her bum out. At the second last line of the chorus, as she swung her arms around the bottom of her body, she made sure she kept her arms close to her body, lifting her skirt as she swung them. At the very end of the chorus, as she slowly lowered her body, she swung her hips in wide circles. The stage went dark and only a single light illuminated Amu. She smirked and then the light turned off and the music ceased. As soon as the lights went off, the group quickly got up and got into the ready position for the start of their next song. They got into their V shape, with Amu at the front. Directly behind Amu was Yaya. Kukai was not in his ordinary position in the V, though, instead he stood in front of Amu.
DJ, put it back on
Suddenly, the lights came back on, revealing the whole group being on stage. Kukai stood at the front of the pack, shirtless. He lip synced the 'DJ, put it back on.' Girly screams could now be heard throughout the auditorium, as a direct opposite to those that were heard while Amu had been dancing.
There was a slight pause in the music. Kukai ran back into the V shape and put his shirt on quickly. After a few seconds the music started again.
Oh! I got that Supa Luv, that Supa Luv, no. Oh oh, ooo oh oh, ooo oh oh, ooo whoa-oa. I make them say, I make them say, say, let's go
The group was all facing the ground. As the lyrics started, their heads shot up, almost mechanically. As the second line started, the group all made sure to pump their chests with each beat. For the girls, this pushed their breasts out further. In the third line, while they pumped their hands in the air, they made sure to be pulling their shirt down with the other hand, exposing their chests.
Who knows you other than me? You say he loves you just as much as me (refuse, refuse) now stop what you are doing, stop thinking, accept me (believe, believe)
At the start of the verse, Kukai and Amu came forward, as the rest of the group stayed in their place. Kukai dropped his body to the floor, as he kneeled in front of Amu. Amu picked him up by the shoulder. After he stood, she pulled her body closer to his, and slowly began to bring his shirt up. As she got it to the top of his chest, though, she let go and moved behind.
Even if the sky and ocean are big and wide, they can't do as much as my heart, no. I'm yours. You are my other half. La la la la la tell me that u love me, too. Even if you look, there is no one like me
At the start of the verse, Kukai now came to the front for the dance, and the group followed the quick actions of the dance. At the third line, however, Kukai moved to the side, and Amu now stood in the middle. The other members of the group kneeled to the floor, excluding Yaya who was now standing directly behind Amu. Once the others had kneeled, Amu danced her part, making sure to flick her skirt up each time she leaned forward. At the fourth line, Amu moved to the side and around to behind Yaya. Yaya held her hand on her crutch, thrusting her hips as she swung her arms side to side. Then at the start of the fifth line, Yaya ran forward. She slowly lifted her skirt, before letting go of it and moving back, as Amu came back to the front of the group.
I got that Supa Lu-u-u-u-uv that Supa Lu-u-u-u-uv. She want my Supa Lu-u-u-u-uv, my Supa Lu-u-u-u-uv. Incredible, special and thrilling, I got that Supa Lu-u-u-u-uv
At the start of the chorus, as they jumped in the air all the girls made sure their skirts flipped up, revealing their shorts to the audience. They made sure as they moved their arms, they kept their hips involved in the dance, swaying them side to side. At the start of the fourth line, everyone except Kukai kneeled to the floor. Kukai licked his lips seductively as he looked at the judges. He then danced the last line solo.
Oh oh, ooo oh oh, ooo oh oh, ooo whoa-oa, oh oh, ooo oh oh, ooo oh oh, ooo whoa
As the next part started, the rest of the members quickly jumped up. The group totally upped the sexiness of this part from the original version. As they stepped backwards, they dragged their shirts up, to just above the very bottom of their breasts. As they stepped forward on the 'whoa-oa' part, they thrust their hips as they let their shirts fall back down. The audience was whistling as they pulled their shirts up.
You pretend you don't see me, but sometimes our eyes are meeting, proof of my feelings - I hear my heart beating. You want it Supa Luv
At the start of the verse Kukai came to the middle as everyone made a large circle around him, kneeling as they did. He began to slowly lift his shirt, before completely ripping it. As he ripped it, girly screams could be heard from the audience. It was understandable, after all, he was freaking hot. By now, he was sweating too, from both the dancing and the lights. The sweat beads glistened on his abs. Half way through the second line, he began to slowly pull his jeans down. It revealed the waistline of his boxers. As the third line started, though, he let go of his jeans, and they came back to their original position. He raised his hand in the sky, lip syncing the third line.
Anyway, it's my choice. Decide after considering ahead of time, eventually, you will go crazy for me, it's certain no matter who sees the truth. Like a hurricane sweeps it all away. Now listen to my worries, I am different, just cut my love spring will never dry
Kukai ran forward, out of the circle that had been created by the other dancers. As the third line started, the other dancers got up, and lined up. At the start of the fourth line, Kukai turned away from the audience, and back towards the dancers. He ran behind the dancers, and walked across the line of the dancers, slapping the ass of each one as he walked across. As each dancer got slapped, they went from bent over to standing straight, exaggerating the slap. As the last line started, he went back to his position, which was now directly behind the front person and Amu came back to the front.
I got that Supa Lu-u-u-u-uv, that Supa Lu-u-u-u-uv. She want my Supa Lu-u-u-u-uv, my Supa Lu-u-u-u-uv. Incredible, special and thrilling. I got that Supa Lu-u-u-u-uv.
Yeah, see what I'm trying to say baby, is your love, plus my love, Supa Luv. You know you want it, how's that sound?
As the last part of the song started, Kukai once again came to the front, Amu stepping out of the way as he walked past her. As he lip synced 'your love' he pointed right at one of the female judges, while licking his lips. At the end of the second line, he blew a kiss to the judge, as the rest of the dancers began to walk to the back of the stage. He, too walked back after blowing one final kiss to the audience. After they finished the dance, the screams from the audience were almost deafening.
It took a few minutes before the audience had quietened down, and the host came back to the stage, and came to the microphone, "Well that was one sexy performance from Seiyo Academy. They had me sweating for a few moments there. Anyway, we'll see what our judges thought after they have decided on their votes."
Amu and Kukai were holding hands, and standing at the front of the group. Amu's grip tightened on Kukai's hand, as she was very nervous. Kukai gripped her hand tightly, as if he was telling her everything would be alright. The judges finished their talking, and the head judge took his microphone.
"Seiyo Academy – 92!" He announced. Amu jumped up in excitement and hugged Kukai as he said this. Many of the other girls jumped in excitement too.
"What a surprising turn of events this is," the host began, "Seiyo Academy came into the competition as the least favoured to win, but has now come out on top! Can they hold their lead against the final act; the most favoured to win, Easter Corporation?"
The dance club made their way backstage, and everyone hugged each other, congratulating each other.
"Well, we can't celebrate too much yet," Kukai told them, "If anyone was gonna beat us in this competition, it was always gonna be Easter. After all, we now know they have Utau Hoshina on their side… she could prove a challenging rival."
"You're right," Amu told him, "But even if they beat us, we've still gotten 2nd place. That's 2nd place in the whole state!"
"Yeah! I hope Nadeshiko saw us!" Yaya said excitedly.
"Yeah, I'm sure she did," Amu addressed the whole group, "And I'm sure she's proud of each and every single one of you. You guys have come a long way, even in the two days I've been with you guys."
"There you go again, Amu," Kukai began, "Always lowering yourself. I love ya to death, but you need to give yourself more credit." Amu looked at him questioningly. "I mean that we're not the only ones Nadeshiko is proud of. She'd be proud of you, too, Amu. Whether you're part of the dance club or not, you're always in our heart."
Amu smiled at Kukai, before embracing him and kissing him. They were interrupted, however, when Yaya said, "Oh! Easter's performance is starting."
The group all looked at the stage, which was currently pitch black. Suddenly, a single light shone down to illuminate the solo artist. Amu, Kukai and Yaya all gasped as they saw who was standing on the stage. Amu's legs almost failed her for a second. Standing on the stage, about to perform Easter's solo was Ikuto.
"Since when has Ikuto been a part of Easter?" Amu questioned.
Ikuto stood there in black trackies. He wore no shirt. As the music started, he began dancing to 'Lucifer'. Amu noted the fluidity and sexiness of his motions. Additionally, he made the dance look easy. When looking at the steps, though, Amu could tell the dance was extremely difficult. At the first part break in the lyrics, the actions were too fast that even Amu hadn't been able to catch on to how to do the dance. A dance that Amu couldn't learn after watching it once meant it was a very hard dance. The girls were screaming as he danced, and it was understandable. He was so sexy as he danced.
"This looks bad…" Amu began.
"I know," Kukai told her, "Who knew that Ikuto was such a good dancer. He's better than me…"
"And he's better than me. He could probably rival Nadeshiko," Amu told him.
The applause and screams that ensued when Ikuto finished his solo were massive. They died down as the lights came on as the second song started. The lights revealed Utau standing at the front of a group of 5 dancers. Ikuto was nowhere to be scene. The dancers were all wearing black simple clothes, while Utau alone wore a white dress. The song started and Amu recognised it as 'Run Devil Run'. Compared to 'Lucifer', the dance was quite easy, as Amu saw. However, it was a naturally sexy dance. Utau then took the sex appeal to a whole different level. The second dance had to be a group dance, but it was basically a solo for Utau. The background dancers had known the dance well, and had danced well. The positioning and colour of Utau's dress, though, bought all attention to her. No one payed any attention to the background dancers. It was really a very smart tactic. After she had finished her dance, Ikuto came back onto stage, and the applause was massive. As Amu listened, she couldn't help but hear the applause last for longer than it had for them. The judges began talking to each other, and counting their scores. As the head judge grabbed his microphone, Kukai grabbed Amu's hand, nervous to find out the result.
"Easter Corporation – 94!" Amu felt her heart drop when she had heard this. Utau had won. Justice had not won out in the end. Amu could tell Kukai was disappointed too.
"Well, we still got second place," Kukai said.
"Yeah, true. And we still did a bloody good dance," Amu told them.
"We have nothing to be ashamed of. Our dance was awesome; we couldn't have done any more. Sudden last minute changes put us at a disadvantage, yet we still only lost by 2 points. Think of it that way," Yaya told them.
"Yeah, well, we're being called out on stage," Kukai told them, and the group all walked out on stage.
The award ceremony took place, with Seiyo taking 2nd place, and Easter in 1st. After the award ceremony, Amu was walking through the halls, as she saw Ikuto.
"Hey, Ikuto!" She yelled.
Ikuto slowly turned around, "Ah… Hello, Amu."
"You're a really good dancer… like really good. It's a pity we were on different teams, eh?"
He smirked, "Let me tell you something. If you're on the side with the guardians, we will always be on different teams. Don't think we can ever be friends while you're friends with them."
After saying this he turned around, and walked away. Amu was left speechless. There was obviously something that had happened in the past between the guardians and Ikuto. Suddenly, Kukai came up from behind Amu.
"Ahh, today was tiring," he whined.
"Yeah, tell me about it. I want to try and find Nadeshiko," she told him.
"Oh, good idea. She should be in here somewhere." The two of them began walking around, trying to find Nadeshiko. Amu spotted the principal, and quickly ran over to him. Nadeshiko was next to the principal, sitting in a wheelchair.
"You're in a wheelchair?" Amu asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine though. They said it was lucky it was only a minor break, it'll only take 2 or 3 weeks to heal."
"Did you see our performance?" Kukai asked her.
"Yes, you two were so good!" Nadeshiko said excitedly, "And the intimacy was definitely there! Way better than if I had done it."
Amu scoffed, "No way. I know I'm good but comparing me to you is a total no-no. I will never be as good as you."
The time passed as they talked to Nadeshiko, telling her about Utau and Mrs. Sanjo and just about their past two days in general. Before long, they had to get back on the bus to head back to school. Nadeshiko, too, came on the bus this time. Apparently the principal had taken her here personally.
When they got back to school, it was about time to go home.
"Amu… do you wanna come with me for a bit? I have something to talk to you about," Kukai told her. He sounded unsure of himself, which worried Amu. What if it was something bad?
"Yeah, sure. I'll see you at home Nadeshiko."
Kukai led Amu to a hill, where he laid down. Amu laid beside him, cuddling up to him.
"I want to try the key again, Amu," he told her.
"Uhh, sure… but why? I love you no matter what," Amu told him.
"Please… this is important to me."
"Sure then," Amu told him as she leaned in to quickly kiss him. As she pulled out, Kukai pulled his necklace from under his shirt. "Only two on the necklace now?"
"Yeah. I took off the one I know is wrong. Now, it's a 50% chance it's the right one… Adding the chance from the first one, altogether we've had a 66% chance to get this. We must be cursed if it doesn't work…" he told her quietly.
"Kukai, you're scaring me. I love you no matter what. I don't care about fate or chance. We can't let that overrule our love."
"Don't worry, I won't," he told Amu. He slowly picked one of the keys, and bought it closer to Amu's necklace. He tried to fit it into the hole, but it didn't fit.
He started laughing when it didn't fit, "I knew it. Maybe we aren't meant to be?"
Amu silenced his thoughts with a kiss, "Shut up!" Amu yelled. "After you were the one that chased after me, and made me fall in love with you so bad, you're gonna have doubts and second thoughts because of some stupid chance game?"
He closed his eyes, "That's not the reason…" Amu could see pain on his face; not physical pain though. It was emotional pain.
He hugged Amu slowly, as he whispered in her ear, "Amu… I'm moving."
A/N: … Well, there you have chapter 9. I know that was a very evil ending. But remember a few chaps ago he said that the time when they were going to part was sooner than Tadase knew? That time when I gave you guys the false idea that Kukai was leaving. Well, this is what he was talking about. No tricks this time.
Things to think about:
Will Kukai really leave? I may as well tell you guys, if Amu asks him not to go then he won't. Will she ask him not to leave? Will anyone else try to stop him from leaving?
Amu is quitting Easter? Will she really be able to quit? Will Easter do some nasty manoeuvre to get her to stay?
Both of these above points lead into the second arc… New characters will be introduced, friendships will be made, and friendships will be destroyed. Some characters will have more major roles, and some characters will have more minor roles. Pasts will be revealed, and will come back to haunt them. Evil plots will be uncovered and, of course, relationships will be broken and destroyed! Any guesses on the second arc?
Well… until next time!