A Father's Reaction

Amu looked away from Aunt Lulu, who seemed to be in a really good mood as she walked and skipped back towards their house. Amu was shocked to see Lulu on the streets and without thinking, she told Tadase she just needed to go home. In the end, she wasn't prepared to let Ikuto know about Tadase; that was the main concern running through Amu's mind as she saw Lulu stare at them. She didn't want Ikuto to know yet.

"Amu, that's sneaky of you," Lulu slowly said to make an impact, "You should have told me and Ikuto if you have a boyfriend. So how long have you two been dating? Have you two-"

Amu quickly covered Lulu's mouth to stop her from saying anymore than she already has. Anxiously, Amu unlocked the front door and pulled Lulu into the house. She closed the door and stared at Lulu with a serious face, "don't tell father."

Lulu tilted her head, looking at Amu. "You need to tell him these kinds of things. It's wrong to-"

"I said, do not tell him," Amu repeated with more force in her tone of voice. "Between me and Tadase... it hasn't been long so before it's definite, I don't want to tell father."

Lulu nodded, "I won't tell him. It's better if you were the one who told anyways. I'm going to the bathroom. Can you make me a snack?"

"Yeah," Amu answered, "I'm sorry I shouted Aunt Lulu."

"Don't worry about it," Lulu said as she disappeared into the bathroom. She couldn't stop herself from smiling now that Amu wasn't around. She took out her mobile and stared at the picture she took of Amu and that boy on the streets. They were holding hands and walked pretty close to each other. Lulu let out a small giggle, "I wonder what Ikuto would say to this picture. It's better for you to explain after all Amu." Lulu put away her mobile, staring at her watch, "Since I'm bored, I'll create myself a worthy show."

Through the whole evening, Lulu loitered around Amu, teasing her about her boyfriend and helping her make dinner. To Lulu, who saw Amu as an eyesore, it was fun that she finally had something to go against her. Lulu wasn't certain what Ikuto's reaction would be but as Amu's father, she guessed he might disapprove of her relationship, and then the two might get into a massive argument. For Lulu, she wanted to see them argue and hopefully, Ikuto and Amu would never be on good terms after the argument. It was also the perfect chance to separate them. Just thinking about what was about to happen made Lulu excited and she could barely hide it. The hour seemed like eternity and finally Ikuto was back from work.

It was the usual family meal they always had; the only difference was Lulu managed to stay out of a random argument with Ikuto. She ate her meal quietly, listening to Amu and Ikuto talked as she carefully thought of the best time to tell Ikuto. There were a few things for her to consider. She had promised Amu not to say a word about her new relationship so she needed to speak to Ikuto when Amu wasn't around. Lulu sighed, knowing she'd have to wait until night time.

"So," Amu said retrieving the Parent's Interview form from her bag, "will you be going?"

Ikuto stared at Amu and sighed, taking the paper from her and reading it. He shook his head and sighed again, "there's no way I'm going to that Parent's Interview Day. I'm sorry Amu, count me out of it."

Amu nodded, taking the paper from Ikuto, "I knew you wouldn't want to go."

"It can't be helped," Ikuto muttered, "I hate duty-like things like that. It's grim and boring. Besides you're doing fine at school aren't you? It'd be a waste of my time to go."

"The way you speak really makes you sound like such a good parent," Lulu commented.

Ikuto threw Lulu an irritated look then quietly asked, "Amu, you're not disappointed or anything are you that I don't want to go... I mean, are you upset by what I've said?"

Amu smiled, "I'm not bothered at all. I already anticipated that you wouldn't go."

"Really... so I'm that predictable."

Amu let out a small laugh and seeing it was already late excused her and went into her own room. As soon as Amu was out of sight, Lulu approached Ikuto but he was already going. Ikuto went into his own room, despite Lulu complaining that she wanted to talk to him about something. Annoyed that Ikuto was concentrating on his work instead of listening to her, Lulu hit his door hardly. Hearing Lulu make such a tantrum outside his room Ikuto told her to wait until near midnight, when he finished his work to tell him, before going into his room again.

Lulu spent the whole night staring at the clock in the living room, waiting for Ikuto. She was slightly annoyed that Ikuto was so serious about his work that he made her wait until he finished. She yawned, "How much longer am I going to have to wait for him? I should've just told him at dinner then, even with that girl there." Lulu stared at the clock again, it was exactly midnight. She then turned to the sound of the door opening and immediately rushed towards a tired looking Ikuto, unable to wait any longer to break the news. "You took way too long," Lulu complained.

Ikuto who seemed to be swaying as he walked looked at Lulu. His expression was tired and lost. He didn't say anything but just looked at Lulu with his half focussed eyes.

"I have something to show you," Lulu said, taking her mobile from her pocket. "Before I show you, can I ask, what do you think of your Amu? Is she a good girl?"

Ikuto held his head with one hand and faintly answered, "I guess. Can we talk tomorrow, I don't feel well."

Lulu grabbed hold of Ikuto's arm, not letting him go. She's waited for long enough and it was Ikuto's fault for doing work and straining himself. "I just think you need to know Amu isn't such a good girl."

Ikuto lightly brushed Lulu's hand off his arm and held his head in his hand again, closing and forcing open his eyes again. He breathed heavily.

Lulu showed the mobile with the picture of Amu and Tadase to Ikuto, "I just found out today. It seems like she's dating this guy in the photo. I asked her and she's admitted it. She also told me to keep it from you. What do you think? For her to be dating someone behind your back is rather disrespectful to you isn't it, especially keeping it a secret from you."

Ikuto took the mobile from Lulu and looked closely at the picture without saying a word. His grip on the mobile seemed to tighten and unlike before, his eyes seemed much more focused.

Lulu pressed on, wanting to get Ikuto angrier, "It's not just disrespectful but what does she think you are? Does she even care about your feelings? I mean-"

Ikuto grabbed Lulu's cheeks and squeezed it, stopping her from speaking. He let go after a few seconds, leaving a faint mark over her face and a surprised Lulu staring as Ikuto took her mobile and locked himself into his own room.

Puzzled but thinking her little plan may have worked, Lulu went into her room and quickly lied down onto her bed. She rolled onto her side, still unsatisfied. She sighed, "Did it actually work? He didn't really respond." She closed her eyes and slept.

Lulu was expecting Amu to come into her room and gently pat her, telling her to wake up and that breakfast was ready, however, this morning that routine disappeared. Instead Ikuto came rushing into her room and started to drag her out the bed, which surprised her. "IKUTO, STOP IT. What are you doing? Do you know how to respect your elders?" Lulu complained.

A highly irritated looking Ikuto shoved Lulu's mobile into her face, "Amu... AMU is dating this guy?"

Lulu yawned, "Where's Amu? Go and ask her."

"She left for school already," Ikuto explained, "I told her to go earlier so I could ask you now. Why do you have this picture and what do you know? Tell me this instant."

Lulu frowned, "you woke me up for this."

Ikuto grabbed onto Lulu's shoulders and began to shake her, "this is important. Amu... she's always been my good little girl. She's the daughter I'm most proud of so why... what's with this picture? Did you create this to play a prank on me? Answer me Lulu."

Lulu hit Ikuto's hand to stop him from shaking her. "I didn't create that picture. It's the real deal," Lulu began to say, though she was a little dizzy, "were you not listening to me yesterday night? I told you she admitted she was dating that guy and she didn't want you to know."

Ikuto dropped the mobile to the floor, "h-how can Amu be dating?"

"What's so surprising?" Lulu asked picking up her mobile. "She's in high school now and as long as she's happy-"

"No," Ikuto whispered, "I don't want it. I don't think its right."

"Ikuto..."

"What is she thinking?" Ikuto quietly said, "Dating at this age is pointless. It'll drag her studies down and I won't have it like that. This will ruin her future. As her father, I can't allow her to continue... especially if she's dating that brat."

"What are you going to do then?" Lulu asked, sensing that her plan hadn't worked at all. It didn't seem that Ikuto was mad enough to lash out at Amu and that meant, Ikuto and Amu wouldn't be arguing anytime soon. Though, Lulu did find Ikuto's reaction strange. Last night, the way he didn't speak made him look as though he was angry but this morning, he seemed to just be bothered that Amu was dating and like any other father, complained that their little girl has finally grown up or something like that. Lulu sighed, "You can't do anything if she likes him. You don't have the right to separate them."

"Watch me," Ikuto smiled, "I'm not giving my daughter to that insolent brat. Everything I do is for her best. It's a feeling but I think that brat isn't the one for Amu and I don't want her to waste her time on him. I'm going to drag her back on the right path."

"What strange things you say," Lulu sighed again, still disappointed that Ikuto reacted normally, "how would you know whether he is the right one for her or not? Don't be stupid."

"I told you it was a feeling and a strong one too. I just know that brat isn't the one Amu needs or wants. Something inside me tells me that and usually my premonitions aren't wrong."

"Well, I wish you luck then, the idiotic and pathetic father with the gut feeling that this kid is not the person his daughter truly likes, seriously how silly this is. It would've been more interesting if you were mad at her." Lulu commented.

"Aunt Lulu, can I get you to do something for me?" Ikuto asked, ignoring her last statement.

"What is it?"

"Go to my work place and tell them I'll be taking today and the rest of the week off," Ikuto instructed.

Lulu blinked at Ikuto, "you usually take your work seriously. What's with this-"

"I have something more important to do."

"Is it alright to take so many days off? Will they let you?" Lulu questioned.

"It's fine. Well I'll be leaving now."

"Where are you going? What are you planning Ikuto?"

Ikuto turned to look at Lulu once with a smile, before leaving. Lulu yawned and went back to bed, still sleepy, not bothered anymore what Ikuto was up to. Her initial plan to get Ikuto mad at Amu had somewhat failed and she couldn't care anymore.

...The bells rang in the school, signalling the end of another period. Unlike usual, when al the students started to walk around and hang about the corridors, everyone stayed in their own classrooms. Many parents were wandering around the school and the students were in their best behaviour as instructed by the teachers.

"I wish we didn't have to stay in this room," Nadeshiko complained, "I mean, it's not our parents that are coming today anyway. Why do we have to be perfect?"

"Don't be like that," Yaya said, "it's just for this week."

"Even so," Nadeshiko said turning to look at Amu, "I can't believe your father isn't coming."

"It can't be helped if he isn't interested in these kinds of things," Amu explained. "Besides, the reason you two want to see him again is a little wrong."

"We can't help it if your father seems interesting," both Yaya and Nadeshiko argued.

"It's stupid," Tadase said, "we'll be with our parents anyway so there won't be much time for you two to chat to other people, let alone another parent. That guy isn't even interesting. Someone like him probably isn't fit to be a father anyway. The way he acts is so immature and..."

"Tadase," Amu began.

"Tadase, do you hate Amu's father? That's what it sounds like to me." Nadeshiko asked, speaking over Amu.

"It's not that extreme," Tadase whispered, "I just don't have a very good impression of him. Sorry Amu, but I just don't like him very much at the minute."

Amu wanted to say something but Nikaidou had entered the classroom and was already shouting for everyone's attention, so she faced the front. The lesson went on with little chatting amongst the students and full attention on Nikaidou since what he was teaching was a difficult subject. It was near the end of the lesson when everyone started to loosen up their attitude again and begin chatting. Nikaidou sighed, knowing it was pointless to try and stop his students from talking once they started.

"Hey… look over there," a student said excitedly pointing outside the classroom window. "Isn't that guy there…" The other students ran over and started to watch as well, then many of the female students started to scream and shout with excitement.

"What's going on?" Yaya asked, walking over to Amu and peering over her to look outside the window. She stared around and spotted the small crowd of people in front of the school gate. "There are people gathering at the front of school, parents and students and teachers. Amu aren't you going to look as well?"

"Sorry, but I don't really care," Amu said moving away to let Yaya have a better look.

"What, is something special happening?" Nadeshiko asked, not bothering to move closer for a look.

"I can't tell from here…" Yaya answered.

The noise and cheering in the classroom from students who could see rose, most were beginning to scream and shout as well. Seeing this, Nikaidou rushed over to the window, trying to pry his nosy students away, but failed miserably only to get himself into the excitement as well.

Unable to stand the noise, Nadeshiko went over to the window as well then she gasped an pointed in the direction of the crowd, turning with her mouth wide opened at Yaya and Amu.

"What is it?" both Amu and Yaya asked.

"It's… the one at the gate is… Nobuko Saeki," Nadeshiko shouted, "the famous fortune teller."

"No way," both Amu and Yaya said running over to take a better look as well. It was no wonder that all the students were in a uproar since such a famous person has arrived at the school.

"This is amazing…" Amu whispered looking at the distant Nobuko Saeki that was now making her way into the school. As she came closer to view though Amu's smile and excitement was replaced by confusion. Walking alongside Nobuko Saeki was no other than Ikuto. Amu stepped away from the window, "why is he here?"

From across the classroom, Nikaidou had stopped looking outside the window and was now staring at Amu. Once he had spotted the person he most wanted to see, he couldn't help but smile. He bit his lips to suppress his laugh as he whispered to himself, "I finally get to meet the other him. I finally get to meet day Ikuto. XM2 will be mine."

…Walking towards the school building, Ikuto smiled, making way for Nobuko Saeki. "I believe the school has already prepared a room for you. The headmaster was rather surprised by your sudden visit but he welcomes it very much," Ikuto said. "I will also do the interview with you today, if you don't mind."

Nobuko smiled back, "don't worry Mr Tsukiyomi, I will definitely take a good look as to whether that young man is right for your daughter. After all I can read anyone and everyone's future, but are you certain you want to know?"

"I don't need to know," Ikuto whispered, "I just want to make sure her future is happy. If you can see her future with that boy as happy then everything is fine."

Nobuko nodded, "what a loving father you are. I understand your worries and am quite touched to see fathers so protective of their own daughters. Guess you were lucky you needed to interview me then, conveniently, I can help you this time." Nobuko took a glance at Ikuto, "Well, Mr Tsukiyomi, what about letting me read your future as well."

"No need," Ikuto declined, "besides, I wonder if you can read my future."

"Indeed," Nobuko agreed, "long ago, I've also attempted to read one man's future but I failed to predict correctly and that had cost me my pride."

"That's really unfortunate," Ikuto commented, leading Nobuko through the corridors that were filled with students who wanted a glimpse of the famous fortune teller.

"Indeed," Nobuko agreed again, "You look exactly like that man… you resemble him so much that I already know I won't be able to see anything of you. But there is one thing…"

"Just, what would that be?"

Nobuko took a breath, "whether in the past, present of future, you will be haunted with that man's existence, like now, you have been carrying his burden as well. It is shown by the three symbols you constantly carry in your mind."

Ikuto opened the room prepared for them and made a quick greeting with the headmaster before sending them out so he and Nobuko could settle down, before anything began. Ikuto turned to look at Nobuko, "you were saying…"

"XM2," Nobuko said, her eyes focussed on Ikuto, "XM2 is connected to that man. The one who haunts you for eternity, your father."