Chapter 10

Amu was waiting nervously in a big time corporation waiting room. Songbird it was called. Her heart was about to explode with how much it was beating. A thousand thoughts went through her head. What if they don't like me? What if I don't fit the criteria? What if the plan doesn't work? What if Easter finds me? As Amu was drowning in her 'What ifs' Ikuto was pacing around the small room. He hated when people were late.

He looked over to see that Amu was about to choke on her own stomach. He sat down next to her and grabbed her hand. She was still in her trance but now she was squeezing his hand so hard it was about to break. He tried to suppress the pain and chuckles he knew were breaking through his calm façade.

"Don't worry. They'll love you." He whispered in her ear. She snapped back and looked him. He smiled and immediately felt the pressure on his hand vanish and her heartbeat slow. He knew how to calm her down and laughed at what a vulnerable little girl she was being, not even trying to use her out dated 'cool and spicy' mask. She was completely scared out of her mind.

"Thank you" She said. With that, the door flew open and a girl with glasses and a dress suit walked into the waiting room. Without even looking up from the paper she was holding and called out "Hinamori Amu". Ikuto immediately felt the pressure return to his hand. He wanted to curse the lady for ruining Amu's 20 second reverie. Amu then stood up stiffly, let go of Ikuto's hand, and walked through the door. Ikuto followed her.

The business woman was still looking at her papers while she trailed on "We're going to put you in room B. Soma san will be in in about 30 minutes. From there you will be doing some basic warm up and….." All the while Amu stared straight ahead, lightly nodding every time the lady said something. There were several twists and turns that they took, all of the hallways looking exactly the same.

Finally, they reached a room with a B engraved into the door. "Here you are" The lady said as she robotically opened the door. Amu walked in with Ikuto right behind her, he had been laying low because he didn't want anyone to recognize him as the famous violinist. It was a music industry building after all.

There was a large, wooden table in the center of the room, surrounded by some swivel chairs. Amu sat down in one of the chairs by the window and fixed her hair nervously. If this were the real Amu then she would probably be spinning all over the room, but she was so freaked out right now that not even her cool and spicy mask could cover it.

He sighed and walked over to her. "Hey." She jerked a little bit but still didn't give a response. "Hey." He said again, this time flicking her ear. "What was that for?! Can't you see that I'm f***ing scared out of my f***ing mind?!" she shouted back at him, annoyed. Then he had her in a quick embrace.

"That's the Amu I'm looking for. Just be the stubborn, up to no good girl that you are, ok? Don't be freaking out" he pecked her forehead and finally received what he wanted, a smile. Just then the door flung in and the uptight lady from before cleared her throat.

Amu straightened up when Ikuto let go of her. "We are ready to see you now, Ms. Hinamori." Amu followed the lady out the door and left Ikuto alone to wonder what was going on in the other room. After some short time Amu came bursting through the door.

"I did it, Ikuto! They're going to let me sing with Utau!" he pecked her on the forehead the hugged her "You thought I doubted you? Of course you made it"

"Excuse me…" the uptight woman started "….we need you in the other room for awhile Ms. Hinamori, for fittings and what not" she turned to the Ikuto "It wouldn't be anything of your concern sir" "Anything that has to do with her is my concern" Ikuto shot back bitterly. The woman replied "It would be a lot easier for her to focus without you distracting her" she motioned for Amu to come and, afraid for her job, reluctantly followed with a 'don't worry about it' smile.

When the woman turned Ikuto flipped her off, trying to give Amu a laugh, but with her giggles, came a cold stare that immediately shut her up. Ikuto was then afraid that he was making her do something that she didn't want to, and deep down, it killed him to see her forced. He would do anything to protect her happiness.