Chapter 10

Amu closed her history textbook and lied down on her fluffy bed. She recalled what happened at this room two days ago while staring at the ceiling. She knew that the time has come for her and Ikuto to move to the next step in their relationship. It's just she didn't realize it'll come that soon. The smell of his shampoo, the touch of his lips on her bare skin, the sound of his heartbeat all were craved in her memory. She felt safe whenever he's near and could only hope for time to freeze every time they spent time together. She never had that kind of feeling before so she really has no idea about how to deal with it. However, his attitude toward her two days ago was beyond her expectation. She felt that somehow he was avoiding her. The thought has been bothering her that she could not concentrate on other things.

"Amu chan"

Yaya's voice brought her back to reality.

"Yes?"

"I decided to start a long distance relationship secretly with Kairi kun"

"Wow!, I'm happy for you" she beamed cheerfully and gave her friend a big hug. They lost their balance and fell to the floor together.

"I'll learn how to use Skype from Rima" Yaya giggled.

"Yeah, she's the expert" Amu replied.

"Anyway, Amu chan. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Why are you asking that?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Because you've been letting out big and heavy sighs since an hour ago"

"Well, it's because I'm bored" she concluded.

"Do you miss Ikuto sama already?"

"Of course not. I'm too busy to even think about him"

"Rima is right, you're a bad liar" Yaya claimed.

"I bet everyone will be a bad liar compared to Rima 'coz she's good at hiding her expression"

"Rima said that you were calling his name in your sleep"

Amu fell in silence.

"Please be honest, Amu chan. Is everything alright with you and Ikuto sama?" Yaya placed a hand on Amu's shoulder.

"We're doing just fine, Yaya. No worries" she grabbed her hand bag from the study desk.

"Hey!, where are you going?"

"Shopping arcade. I need some sweets to cool me down" she replied before closing the room door behind her.

Amu checked her cell phone mail box while walking through the shopping arcade. She grunted and tossed it back harshly into her bag after she read the word "no new message" on the screen. Ikuto and the rest of concierge class students have been out for two days for job training in Kyoto. She glanced at the scenery around her and finally realized that she was heading to the wrong direction. She is always good with direction but today her mind has failed her. Hastily she turned back. The sudden action caused her to bump onto someone.

"Oh my God!. I'm so sorry" she apologized and bowed deeply to the person.

"Amu?"

She doubted her ears when she heard the voice. She turned her head up to examine the person.

"Ikuto!. I thought you went for job training at Kyoto" she said in surprise.

"I did but the job training ended today because we have to prepare for the school play" he took her hand to help her stood up.

"School play?" she asked confusedly.

"Yeah, I just bought some ribbons and colored origami paper for the stage decorations" Ikuto pointed at the a big shopping bag he's been holding.

"So what's the theme of our school play?"

"Beauty and the Beast"

"Sounds interesting" she said while trying to take a look at the contents of his shopping bag. She noticed a slight bruise on his left hand.

"Ikuto, you're injured. Are you okay?" she took his hand but he immediately shoved her hand away.

"I'm fine" he claimed.

Amu froze at his sudden action but soon changed her expression.

"Glad to hear that" she gave him a faint smile.

"Are you serious?" Amu screamed out loud.

"Of course I am. Tadase kun who was supposed to perform as the beast is still in detention and the female student who will perform as Belle caught a cold so she won't be able to be on stage tomorrow" Yaya explained.

"So whose gonna be the substitute for them?"

"You and Ikuto sama"

"What?, we only have twenty four hours to practice"

"I'm sorry to trouble you but we really need your help" Yaya pleaded.

"Well, I guess we have no choice then" Ikuto let out a big sigh.

"Since the decoration team has not finished their job we can't practice here. So, please find other place to practice" Yaya advised.

"We shouldn't waste our time. Let's go to my house where there are plenty of spaces to practice" Ikuto said.

"How many times should I tell you not to step on my foot" Ikuto complained.

"I think I've told you several times before that I'm not good at dancing. Especially while wearing this bombastic thing you guys called dress" Amu clutched the side of her yellow dress.

"You'll wear that on the H-day and for your information we have no rehearsal so today is your only chance to practice"

"Aye, beast"

"Do you think I enjoy wearing this ridiculous wild boar mask?. I really look stupid!" Ikuto pulled out his mask and dumped it to the floor.

"Okay, why don't we have a break and calm ourselves down for a moment" Amu said.

Ikuto let out a big sigh and sat at the nearest couch. Amu handed him a glass of ice milk tea served by Tsukasa san then she sat on the same couch.

"I prefer lemon tea" he pointed at her glass.

"What?, go tell Tsukasa san to make another one then" she replied after she took a gulp of it using a straw.

"That's not necessary" he smirked and grabbed her glass all of sudden. She was about to complain when he used the same straw she has been using.

"Ikuto…how could… you…" she gritted her teeth.

"Why are you shy to share an indirect kiss with me when we already had the direct one several times before?" he gave her his trademark evil smile.

"I don't understand you"

"What?" Ikuto raised an eyebrow.

"You left me alone in my room when I was sick then you swept my hand away when I touched you. But here you are teasing me as if nothing happened!" she raised her voice.

Ikuto walked closer then grabbed both of her arms while staring at her.

"I may be born in a rich family but you may not forget that after all I'm just an ordinary man and I don't think I have to explain the details about man's personal desire"

Amu fell in silence.

"You know what, Amu. I have to admit that deep inside I'm dying to claim you as my own property but I don't want to ruin your life with my own ego" he let go of her arms and was about to leave the room when suddenly she hugged his waist.

"You don't have to hesitate, Ikuto. I'm all yours" she blushed at her own words.

Ikuto turned around and tilted her chin up. He could see that she was trembling a little bit.

"Don't force yourself, I still can wait for the right time" he kissed her fully on the lips.

Ikuto placed his head on Amu's shoulder after they broke their kiss. She caressed his midnight blue hair while he breathed her scent.

"Amu" he called her.

"Hmm?"

"I've seen a lot of couples from different status ended up their relationship because of different point of view"

"Well, I think they're not making any sense. Even twins have different traits. It's useless to keep mentioning how different we are. What's important is to respect the difference and cope with it"

Ikuto smiled at his girlfriend's explanation.

"I'm lucky to have you as my girlfriend" he whispered.

"Did you catch a cold?. I don't think the usual Ikuto would say such thing" she placed a hand on his forehead.

"I'm just trying to be honest and listen to my heart" he took her hand and kissed the back of it. She flushed to his action and lost her words.

"Amu, I know I'm not perfect but I'm willing to understand our difference and cope with it" he planted his lips on hers again.

"Go back to the stage for the last scene, Amu" Yaya ordered.

"Got it!"

"Anyway, make sure that you kiss him on the lips for more than ten seconds" Rima added.

"What?. You said we just have to kiss on the cheek for less than three seconds"

"The scenario has been changed and I already let Ikuto sama know about that"

"Who changed it?"

"Me" she replied with an evil smile while showing her the edited version of their scenario.

"You…" Amu gritted her teeth.

"Hurry up, Amu chan!" Yaya said.

Amu walked as elegant as she could with the yellow bombastic dress equipped on her and found Ikuto who's not wearing the wild boar mask anymore. He was dressed in blue jacket and black trousers. He smiled at her then offering his hand while kneeling on one knee. Amu blushed and took his hand as they began to dance. Fortunately, she managed not to step on his feet until the end of their dance. He held her shoulder and stared at her kindly. She closed her eyes when she felt his lips on hers. She could hear big applause from the visitors chairs in front of her. She opened her mouth to get some air but Ikuto took it as the opportunity to slide his tongue inside her mouth. He pulled her head nearer to deepen his kiss.

"Guys, the curtain is already being closed" Kuukai said.

Amu gasped and pushed the beast in front of her away. She could see from the expression of Ikuto's face that he wasn't satisfied for what she just did.

"Congratulations!. You were kissing each other for about fifty eight seconds" Rima showed her stopwatch and smiled with satisfaction.

"You guys can continue that later. Let's get back to the stage to give the audience our special thanks" Yaya pointed at the main stage with a happy smile.

Ikuto and Amu joined the other performers at the main stage and bowed deeply to the audience.

To Be Continued