I do not own Shugo Chara or any of the characters.

Ikuto's P.O.V.

"I did it!" Amu exclaimed with excitement, staring at her paper in awe. I smirked softly, gazing at her.

"I guess you actually do have a brain. Who would have guessed?" I teased her and chuckled, Amu giving me a glare. She had just aced the practice test I came up with for her on history, and she was currently beaming with pride.

After a moment of admiring the practice test's grading, Amu's gaze floated up to me...who just happened to be looking back at her at that time. I felt my stomach clench up, and I tried not to look uncomfortable. "Ikuto," she finally said softly, "do you have any homework?"

Dammit.

That stupid calculus project was due at the end of the week, and I hadn't even read what the assignment was yet. I really should have started that by then.

"Just a project. Nothing important." I said, turning my head and looking away with boredom.

"Projects are important!" Amu insisted, leaning over the table and staring at me.

I found it hard continue looking away from the pinkette, so I gazed back at her with a slight smirk. "Alright, alright. Whatever you say. I'll text my partner a time we can work on it this week." I took my phone out then glanced at the girl in front of me again. "What day do you not need tutoring?"

"Well I'm going over to Rima's on Wednesday..."

I flipped my phone open, texting Kukai because I refused to exchange numbers with that dumb redhead. "Could you tell Saaya we can work on our project after school on Wednesday in the library?"

Moments later, I received a reply. "Sorry dude, I'm a little busy right now. I'm with Utau! You know, the hot one! Heheheheeee Tell her yourself."

I rolled my eyes at his text, annoyed. He acted like a stupid schoolgirl swooning over the guy she liked. What ever happened to their pact about not falling in love?

"What'd they say?" Amu asked curiously.

"I couldn't get a hold of her, so I'll just tell her in class." I said nonchalantly, putting my phone away.

"O-Oh..." Amu looked...different. Her expression had changed, but I couldn't figure out why and by the look on her face, she couldn't figure it out either.

I glanced over to the clock hanging on the girl's room wall, surprised to find it only be 4pm. Without realizing why, I said "Let's take a break and go do something." I stood up, then grinned down at the pinkette who was still sitting.

A soft blush appeared on the girl's cheeks and she, too, stood up. "W-What are we going to do?"

"Ice cream's on me." I said with my infamous crooked smile.

Amu's P.O.V.

"So many flavors!" I stared at the options, quickly trying to decided on one. But how could anyone only decided on one!? "Chocolate? No, no... cookie dough. Or maybe peppermint? But what about..."

Ikuto's laughing interrupted me, making me turn and glare at him. I could feel the heat radiating off my face, which made me even more embarrassed. Why was it I always had to seem so weird when we were together? Why couldn't I have been my cool and spicy self that I used when it came to other boys? Why did I have to blush so much!?

I suddenly remembered what Rima had told me about how your pupils dilate if you see the person you like. Wait, why did that just pop into my mind? I found myself gazing into Ikuto's eyes, studying them. Were his pupils bigger than before?

...Why did I care?

I took a breath and tried to forget about it. After all, that fact is probably fake.

"A-Aren't you conflicted about flavors too?"

"Nah, I always get chocolate."

I scowled at him. How could everything seem so easy to him? Sighing with defeat, I looked back at the options and tried to pick something simple. This, however, was just as difficult.

"Ikuto-kuuun !"

I turned my head to the direction of the voice, wondering who it was who had called out Ikuto's name so familiarly. Confused, I looked to see that some girl with red, curly hair who I had never seen before was hanging onto Ikuto's arm. She pressed her whole body against him, her million dollar smile beaming up at the bluenette. She was gorgeous and she seemed to know exactly how to use makeup, for she wore a lot of it. Without thinking, my gaze went to her green eyes and I had to bite my tongue so I wouldn't gasp when I saw her pupils grow bigger as she stared up at Ikuto.

"I'm so happy we ran into each other! Ikuto-kun, when can we work on our project together? Hopefully soon..." The girl pouted, tugging softly on Ikuto's arm.

My stomach dropped, and I stared at the girl with...I couldn't explain what the feeling was. Disappointment? Why would I be disappointed? Because she liked Ikuto? No, I wouldn't be disappointed because of that. Plus, I don't even know if the pupil thing is real.

My chest tightened, but not the usual way it did which made me feel good, but in a way that hurt. "S-She's your partner, I-Ikuto?" I didn't know why I was stuttering so much. For some reason, I didn't like that girl.

"...Yeah." Ikuto said unenthusiastically; the complete opposite of his pretty partner. She seemed to be so excited just to be around the boy. After an awkward moment passed, Ikuto turned to the redhead. "We can work on the project on Wednesday after school in the library."

The girl beamed for the second time, gazing up at Ikuto. "Really? That's great!" She giggled with happiness and clasped Ikuto's hand between her own. "I'll see you on Wednesday then, Ikuto-kun!" She stood on her tiptoes and planted a soft kiss on his cheek, then let out another girlish giggle before turning and skipping back to her group of friends at the other end of the ice cream parlor.

I could tell Ikuto was annoyed by the expression on his face but for some odd reason, I felt as if I was even more annoyed than him.

~Chapter End~

I'm sooooo sorry guys! I didn't mean for this update to be this late... I was away for a week and I couldn't write this chapter, and when I got back I felt like I needed to update a different one of my stories more than this one so I'm this happened to be so late. :( Forgive me! Dx

But anyway, I really hope you liked this chapter. And for those of you who want more fluffiness, I'll definitely provide that soon. Patience is virtue :3 Please review and tell me how you liked this chapter! :)

~AmuletFortune98