Over-Voiced Answer

Tadase gulped, waiting anxiously to hear Amu's answer with the feeling of suffocation filling him. He had confessed without much thought since Nadeshiko and Yaya gave him their support but now, he didn't know what will happen if Amu said no. He crossed his fingers and hoped deeply in his heart that the word he'll hear is a yes.

"I have an answer," Amu said again, trying to calm herself down. She knew Tadase was a nice guy and she knew for certain she would be happy with him, that is why her answer was simple. "Tadase, my answer is Y…"

"It's a YES," both Nadeshiko and Yaya exclaimed, shouting before Amu could finish. Yaya pushed Tadase towards Amu as she said, "congratulations in becoming a new couple."

Tadase looked away from Amu, blushing. He never thought Amu would say yes and it was like his dream come true. "Thank you Amu," he whispered, unable to stop himself from smiling.

Nadeshiko and Yaya were running around them in circles, chanting congratulations and Amu made sure her face was not seen by anyone this moment. Her face; it was wrong. She knew she was showing a shocked and reluctant expression on her face. This shouldn't be what she was expressing, it should be that of happiness. Why? She was certain that her answer was a yes but she couldn't finish it. She couldn't bring herself to fully say yes to Tadase. When she was about to say it, an image of night Ikuto suddenly flashed into her mind and there was an uncomfortable feeling within her. Amu didn't recognise this feeling but whatever it was, it stopped her from saying yes.

"Amu," Tadase softly said, "thank you for being my girlfriend. Please take care of me from now on."

Amu slowly turned to face Tadase and forced herself to smile. She didn't properly say yes to him but she was about to and did want to. Amu was confused this minute and she wanted to tell Tadase of her uneasiness but seeing his happy face she couldn't say a thing. It wasn't wrong or bad to become his girlfriend was it? Amu nodded, not knowing anymore of her feelings.

"Isn't this good?" Nadeshiko asked, "we've always had the hint that you two like each other. It was just missing a push."

"You two be happy together," Yaya said.

Tadase smiled, "thank you."

Amu forced another smile and again an image of night Ikuto came to her mind. "Why am I seeing his face?"

"What did you say Amu?" Tadase asked.

"Oh nothing," Amu replied, "I think I'm just nervous and I'm not quite used to this is all."

Tadase took hold of Amu's hands, "I'll make you happy Amu. I promise."

Amu nodded, knowing Tadase was capable in doing what he had just promised. It wasn't wrong was it, her decision?

Amu would much prefer to go home by herself but Nadeshiko and Yaya were being over-pushy and insisted that since Tadase and her are now a couple, they should walk home together. Tadase seemed awfully happy about it and Amu just couldn't refuse. She was uncertain about it at first but after a little while, Tadase was so chatty that she forgot and she acted like her usual-self around him. She soon became comfortable again being with Tadase and only wondered what her hesitation was about before? As for why she kept thinking of night Ikuto, maybe it was because she was spending way more time with him than anyone else, even day Ikuto.

"Amu, would you like to go on a proper date tomorrow?" Tadase asked, blushing again.

"Yeah, where should we go?"

"Anywhere you want…" Tadase began, "I'll plan it out. Do you mind if I decided?"

"I'll look forward to it," Amu said. She looked at the street she was headed to and back at Tadase, "we're going separate ways now so-"

"Can't I walk you all the way back?" Tadase asked.

"Tadase, I just think-"

Tadase smiled, "don't worry, I understand. Let's take our relationship step by step. See you tomorrow Amu."

They said goodbye and headed their own separate ways. As Amu was walking, she felt very uncomfortable and she quickened her pace but the more she walked faster the more she felt anxious. She kept turning back to look behind her and saw no one, but it felt to her that someone was following her and that scared her. Amu ended up running back to her own house and she quickly locked herself in, inhaling deeply to calm herself. "What was that?" Amu whispered, "I swear, someone was following me."

"Amu you seem flustered," a yawning Lulu walked towards Amu, "what's wrong?"

"Nothing," Amu said, "I just did some exercise. I'll go and prepare dinner now. Father should be back early today."

"Amu," Lulu said slowly, "what do you think of Ikuto?"

Amu stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Lulu, not expecting her to ask something like that.

"You've been with Ikuto for some time now," Lulu continued, "I want to know what you think of him."

Amu put on an apron, walking into the kitchen and facing away from Lulu. "I think," Amu slowly said, the thought of day Ikuto alone already made her happy, "he's a very good father."

Lulu stared at Amu's back, "so he fulfils all the criteria's to be a good father? He hasn't once done anything a father shouldn't."

Amu got some vegetables out the fridge and started to wash them in the sink. She was still faced away from Lulu. "No, he's a good father," Amu replied, deciding that night Ikuto was more like a different person anyway, he didn't count when judging whether Ikuto was a good father or not. Amu had always had pleasant memories with day Ikuto and they really did bond like real father and daughters at times. "Father is an extremely nice person, he took care of me all this time without complaints," Amu continued, "I'm happy I became his daughter."

Lulu quietly opened a drawer and got out some sharp scissors, creeping silently towards Amu. "So Ikuto has always been kind to you?" Lulu continued to ask, "He's tried hasn't he to become a good father?"

Amu smiled, "yeah, at times I can see he tries but I don't think he needs to. I believe he's a gentle person at heart and being himself would be fine."

Lulu took a few more steps towards Amu. The hand she was holding the scissors in was shaking. She was shaking from the rising anger within her as she listened to Amu, unable to accept her. It was obvious to Lulu by now that Ikuto's drastic change was because he wished to become a good father to Amu. He was doing all this because he owed her and this girl was taking advantage of him. "Don't joke," Lulu hissed, "do you honestly think Ikuto can be himself before you?"

"What did you just say?" Amu asked since she couldn't hear what Lulu said with the water splashing from the tap.

Standing right behind Amu now, Lulu raised the scissors into the air, "I'm sure Ikuto will be free when you are…"

Amu's eyes widened and she dropped the vegetables she was washing as she saw the reflection of Lulu behind her in the window. There was a cold glare in Lulu's eyes and the scissors was poised above her. Amu turned in shock as Lulu shouted, "JUST DIE!" and the scissors came falling towards her. A loud thud noise followed when the scissors hit its target and Amu dropped to her knees onto the floor, her hands over her mouth.

"See, it's better if you die," Lulu smiled looking at Amu, "wouldn't you say sweetheart?" Lulu removed the scissors from where it now stabbed and held it before Amu's eyes, "this bug was annoying me. Sorry if I scared you Amu."

Amu breathed heavily to calm herself down, feeling her heart beat unusually fast; no doubt it was from the shock Lulu just gave her. She gulped looking at the tiny bug that was stuck to the end of the scissors. "You really did scare me there aunt Lulu," Amu admitted, "I thought you were going to-"

"You thought I was about to stab you," Lulu laughed, "don't be silly." Lulu stroked Amu's hair and walked over to the bin to dispose of the dead bug before giving the scissors a good wash. "I just couldn't stand watching that bug in the house. I hate bugs, especially those that don't know their own place." Lulu loomed over Amu, "you understand me don't you?"

"Y-yeah, I think… you hate bugs…"

Lulu smiled, "well, I'm sorry I gave you a bit of a fright. Can you continue to cook dinner. I'm hungry and Ikuto should be home soon."

"Yeah." Amu slowly stood back up and stared at the vegetables in the sink. She took a glance at Lulu who placed the scissors back into the drawer and couldn't help but wonder how good Lulu's eyesight was. Did she see the bug all the way there or something else? Amu suddenly remembered the first time she met aunt Lulu. She wasn't the nicest women and somehow, it was only now but the way aunt Lulu acted just then and from the very first time they met, where Lulu accused Amu of being a underage prostitute, Amu saw a resemblance to night Ikuto. Amu started to wash the vegetables again, thinking maybe that connection was too much. Aunt Lulu was sometimes strange but most of the time she was really nice, there was no way she was like night Ikuto, she wasn't dangerous. Amu took in a deep breath. She was just over thinking things and that wasn't any good; what aunt Lulu did just then wasn't really unusual anyway, so there was nothing more to it.

"Amu, I want to watch TV in the living room so is it ok if I leave you in the kitchen?" Lulu asked.

Amu turned and smiled at Lulu, "I'll tell you when dinner's ready."

"You're the best Amu," Lulu commented before disappearing into the living room. She closed the door behind her and closed her eyes. "Lulu, just what were you doing?" Lulu asked herself, "just then… I wanted to really stab her." Lulu laughed again and then she bit he lips to stop. "Ikuto you idiot, hurry home and quickly change back. Be the normal you please."

When Ikuto arrived home, it was just another normal day. Neither Lulu or Amu mentioned about the weird bug incident and it was the usual bickering between Ikuto and Lulu.

Irritated by Lulu's comment Ikuto asked, "so when are you planning to move?"

"Move where?"

"Move anywhere, I don't care," Ikuto said, "you've been living here for quite awhile already."

"How cruel," Lulu sighed, "it's not even been a month since I arrived."

"Father…" Amu began, intending to break up Ikuto's and Lulu's argument and wanting to tell Ikuto about her date with Tadase tomorrow. She stopped though not knowing how to tell Ikuto. She remembered how oddly Tadase had acted towards Ikuto on their first meeting each other and no Ikuto must have a really bad impression of Tadase. Furthermore, when she looked at day Ikuto, there was a strange feeling in her and sometimes she would suddenly see night Ikuto. Then there would always be something heavy in her chest that followed.

"What is it Amu?" Ikuto asked softly, "it seemed like you wanted to ask me something?"

"I'm coming home a little late tomorrow. Nadeshiko and Yaya want to go shopping with me." Amu said, deciding not to tell the truth about her and Tadase yet. She wasn't prepared for it and Ikuto definitely wouldn't be either. "Is that ok?"

Ikuto smiled, "of course. Do you want me to give you a lift?"

"No," Amu said, "we already planned out our evening."

Ikuto nodded, still smiling, "make sure you have fun then."

Watching Ikuto be so sweet towards Amu, Lulu felt herself shiver. She kept chanting in her head to endure. There would most certainly be another chance for her to get rid of Amu. Lulu stared at Amu who was talking again. She took a sip from her cup of water and an uneasy thought crossed her mind. She was certain Amu was kidnapped the other day, so what happened after? Why did her teacher show up and say all the crap about a sudden school trip? Lulu exhaled, realising something wasn't right but she didn't know what at the minute. Possibly… Lulu wondered, she isn't as innocent as she seems… she may be involved. That means, I have more reason to kill her.

…The next day, Amu felt nothing but nervousness. She and Tadase kept glancing at each other the entire day but would always feel more anxious after. When the school bell finally rang to signal the end of the day, Amu found herself really lost and nervous. She met up with Tadase who waited for her at the school gates and they made their way into town. This was her first date with Tadase as a couple and Amu was looking forward to it. It was always fun being with Tadase and she expected her date with him to be full of nothing but smiles and laughter.

"I've decided to go to the cinema first," Tadase said, "is that ok?"

Amu nodded, "whatever you planned is fine Tadase."

Tadase smiled and walked Amu to the cinema's where they picked a film and started queuing up for the tickets.

Tadase blushed, "I'm sorry. I didn't buy any tickets because I didn't know what film you wanted to watch so… I didn't know we had to wait for so long."

Amu smiled, "please don't worry. I don't mind waiting a little."

"Oh, would you like some pop corn?" Tadase asked.

"That would be nice."

"Wait here," Tadase said as he slipped into the crowd to buy pop corn.

Amu stood to a far corner away from the crowd, holding their tickets and waited. The crowd slowly dispersed and Amu walked towards Tadase as soon as she spotted him. As she approached him, she realised he was talking to someone.

"Amu," Tadase called waving at her.

Amu smiled running towards him, "Tadase-"

She stopped a few steps away from him and dropped her tickets to the floor as she stared at the guy standing next to Tadase.

"Ah be careful Amu," Tadase said picking up the dropped tickets. "Let me introduce you two. Amu, this is my friend, Musashi Sanjo." Tadase pointed at Amu, "Musashi, this is my girlfriend Amu Hinamori."

Musashi looked at Amu and placed his hand out towards her, "it's a pleasure to meet you."

Amu stared at Musashi, not knowing how to react. This guy was related to Sanjo, the one who wanted to kill night Ikuto, plus she pointed a gun at him before so how can he greet her so calmly. Amu slowly took his hand but she was already trembling. Just pretend you don't know him, Amu told herself. "N-nice to meet you."

Musashi gripped Amu's hand and shook it. He then lowered his voice so that Tadase couldn't here and whispered, "so you have this kind of courage too. I wonder how Ikuto is doing?"

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