Right To Disapprove

"I can only know and read as far as the fact that the symbols XM2 is connected to your father, and that you have been carrying that empty symbol with you for a long time," Nobuko said again, "the rest is unreadable as I've already realised. To speak truthfully, it feels to me that you are sometimes not you and then-"

Ikuto placed a hand on Nobuko's shoulder, "so you really can read into someone. But Nobuko Saeki, you don't need to read any further into me. Thank you."

Nobuko patted Ikuto's hand and moved to sit at the desk. "Can you start the preparations? I'm sure the students in this school and the headmaster waiting outside is anxious for my readings. You too wanted to do something here."

Ikuto opened the door and the headmaster didn't wait to go over to Nobuko Saeki's side.

The headmaster smiled, "It is a pleasure to meet you here. Well the parents were very shocked but I think this adds to our school's reputation don't you think?"

Nobuko smiled, "right headmaster. I think so too." She waved at Ikuto to leave and he did, closing the door behind him as he headed towards Amu's classroom.

As he walked down the corridors he couldn't help but notice the whispers and looks the students had when they saw him. He checked himself in the reflection of the window a few times and simply couldn't understand what looked wrong about him. When he finally arrived outside Amu's classroom, he waited for a bit before reaching out to touch the door, slightly hesitant whether to enter. What would Amu think? Ikuto was scared that Amu might not like him turning up to her school so suddenly, but there was the Parents Interview week thing, so it should be fine, shouldn't it?

Inside the classroom, Amu was desperately trying to calm her friends down. Both a over excited Yaya and Nadeshiko was hugging Amu rather too tightly for comfort.

"You said your father wouldn't come?" Yaya complained.

Nadeshiko kept swinging Amu's arm, "that's not important. What's most important is… why does your father know Nobuko Saeki? She's the most well know fortune teller… WOW… I can't believe she's here."

"Amu, why did you keep this a secret?" Yaya asked, "your father is simply amazing… did he ask Nobuko Saeki to come here?"

"P-please calm down," Amu asked, trying to get Nadeshiko and Yaya to let go of her.

Tadase who had kept very quiet until now, grabbed Amu's hand and pulled her towards him, holding her gently away from Nadeshiko any Yaya, "will you two cut this crap out? Can't you see, you're making Amu uncomfortable by sticking to her like that. Don't act like children."

"What is this?" Nadeshiko said glaring at Tadase which made him flinch a little, "it's nice that you're a protective boyfriend but you need to know-"

"You need to know when you're just a brat."

Nadeshiko and Yaya both turned around in time to see Ikuto grabbing Amu from a also shocked Tadase. "Hello Amu," Ikuto softly said. He turned to Nadeshiko and Yaya, "and you two, don't bully Amu so much. Actually I should probably say, don't teach Amu any bad things."

Nadeshiko smirked, "we were doing no such thing."

"It's been awhile since the last time we met," Yaya pointed out, "you still look rather young."

"It sure has," Ikuto agreed. He turned to Amu, "I decided to come in the end."

Amu stared at Ikuto rather blankly now, not knowing where to start. He must've heard everything now, the fact that she was dating Tadase. Amu wondered what kind of a reaction or how Ikuto would take the news, especially when she hasn't told him herself. All these thoughts were making her slightly anxious.

Ikuto guided Amu to her seat and sat himself in the desk next to Amu's, his sight never leaving her. There were several whispers now amongst the students who recognised him to be the one walking into the school with Nobuko Saeki and had started to crowd around Amu's desk.

"Who are you?" a girl in the crowd asked Ikuto.

"Do you know Amu?" another curious student asked.

"I'm Amu's distantly related cousin." Ikuto answered with a smile on his face. "It's my pleasure to meet everyone."

"Hold it that's not-" both Yaya and Nadeshiko tried to say before Ikuto covered their mouths.

Amu simply stared at Ikuto; not knowing what he was thinking or playing at. "Fath-"

"I told you I'm not fat," Ikuto said over Amu, "don't call me fat either. Don't be shy and just call me by my name, Iku."

"I-Iku…" Amu repeated after Ikuto, though absolutely puzzled by what he was thinking or doing or even saying.

"Wow, Amu you never mentioned you had such a relative," a girl said, "must be great to have such a good looking cousin that can take care of you."

"-Amu, you shouldn't call your cousin fat, he's fine as he is."

"-Nice to meet you Iku…"

Amu forced herself to smile, not knowing what else she was supposed to do now that everything had turned out like this. Ikuto finally let go of Nadeshiko and Yaya who took in deep breaths after almost being suffocated. The door to the classroom opened and Nikaidou stepped in, trying to calm his students once again. The students this time very obediently and quickly sat at their seats, which surprised Nikaidou, but it didn't take long before his eyes settled upon Ikuto.

Nikaidou held his breath and clenched his fists tightly to calm his excitement as he slowly walked towards him. He stretched out his hands, "it's nice to meet you. Who may you be?"

Ikuto looked at Nikaidou and took his hands, shaking it, "I'm Amu Hinamori's guardian."

"So you're her father, I-"

"Mr Hinamori died three years ago," Ikuto stated, "I'm her cousin, Iku Hinamori. I'm currently financially taking care of her."

Nikaidou nodded, staring at Ikuto, wondering what he was doing by lying about him being her father. This alerted Nikaidou to be more cautious. At the minute, Ikuto didn't display any signs that showed he was night Ikuto but the part where he refused to admit he was Amu's father was perplexing. "Were you not with Nobuko Saeki?" Nikaidou asked after the awkward long pause.

"Yeah, I'm supposed to be interviewing her but she had business to do in this school so I accompanied her," Ikuto explained, "then I thought I might as well visit Amu as well. You don't mind if I sat here and observed a little do you?"

"This week is the Parent's Interview week. I don't have a reason to decline," Nikaidou slowly said. "In fact, I'm very happy with that you're here. Well, the seat you're sitting in is actually Tadase Hotori's but I'm sure Tadase can sit elsewhere for the day."

Tadase gave Ikuto a long glare before silently moving to sit in another free seat. Ikuto turned and gave Amu a wink which made Amu want to laugh but also confused and worried at the same time.

Nikaidou asked Ikuto another question, unable to wait any longer, "So Iku, I guess this is the first time we've met. I almost forgot to introduce myself, I am Yuu Nikaidou. I'm Amu's homeroom and subject teacher. Say I wonder if-"

"Mr Nikaidou, it would be extremely rude of me to keep you here talking to me," Ikuto said, "Shall we arrange to talk after the lesson?"

"Of course," Nikaidou answered, returning to the front of the class and to begin his teaching, knowing he had plenty of time to get to Ikuto and he should observe him for now.

Amu couldn't concentrate on what Nikaidou was saying at all since Ikuto was constantly staring at her. She scribbled on a piece of note and passed it to Ikuto who read it and threw it into the bin behind him. He then sat closer to Amu and whispered, "Do you always send notes during class? I didn't know you were the type to not take your studies seriously." Ikuto glanced at the back of Tadase who was sitting a few rows in front, "you sit next to that guy don't you? Does he distract you?"

"No," Amu whispered back, "It's just I don't want you to keep staring at me."

"How am I going to know whether you're concentrating on your studies or not if I don't look at you at all?" Ikuto asked. "If I find out you're slacking, I swear I'll make you study extra hard at home. You need to study and get into a good university so in future you can get a good job and earn enough money to provide me my living expenses, I'm am being very serious here in trying to make sure of my future living standards are high after I retire."

"Stinky old man," Amu commented turning away from Ikuto, annoyed that he was still going on about retirement at his young age. It was sometimes unbelievable how crafty he could get, despite what he was saying isn't wrong. She did plan to treat him like her proper father until the end, meaning she will eventually have to financially support him, but for him to be talking about it now was way too early.

Amu ignored Ikuto's stare for the rest of the lesson and when the bell went to signal it was the end, she sighed, happy to be free from Ikuto who caused her quite some problems. Amu looked at Ikuto, "its lunch time now," Amu began, "I usually go outside to eat. Do you want to come?"

"No," Ikuto replied, "I need to meet up with Nobuko Saeki and interview her now. You must be happy that I'm not around to watch you."

"I never said that," Amu said though she was more relaxed without him constantly staring at her to make sure she was concentrating in class. She watched as Ikuto left the classroom. The morning spent at school with Ikuto around felt rather weird but not uncomforting for Amu. When she thought back to him sleeping half way through and his constant complaints that Amu was doing her work wrong, or when he got so bored he intentionally distracted her despite saying she should concentrate in her studies, it was all fun. It was more fun than she would usually have at school but still Amu could not believe how immature Ikuto can act at times. Amu grabbed her lunch and made her way outside as well. Nadeshiko and Yaya's parents, along with a few other parents had joined the class part way through like Ikuto so Amu expected to be eating alone with Tadase. When she arrived at their usual eating spot, she found Tadase already waiting for her. She ran over to him and sat down.

...Closing the door behind him, Ikuto walked down the empty corridors, relieved that he'd managed to finish the interview. Peering out the big windows, he was surprised that nearly all the students were outside the building. "Maybe I should look for Amu," Ikuto whispered to himself.

"Oh, so it's you Mr Hinamori, no I should say Mr Tsukiyomi."

Ikuto turned from the window to look at Nikaidou who was standing before him with a smile. "Oh, hello," Ikuto said.

"I hope you're having a nice time here and I hope today has been useful to parents like yourself. Actually," Nikaidou began, "I am slightly confused with your introduction of yourself. I do remember reading Amu's details and her guardian's name was Ikuto Tsukiyomi. I didn't ask back in the classroom but, why did you introduce yourself as Amu's cousin?"

"Must I answer that question? I don't think it matters."

"You're right, it doesn't matter," Nikaidou smiled, "you must have a reason. I wonder if you know someone by the name Kukai Souma."

Ikuto stared at Nikaidou with a quizzical look, "I've never heard of that name before. Why do you ask?"

"You honestly do not know who Kukai Souma is," Nikaidou continued, "he's currently in trouble. Are you not going to help him?"

Ikuto yawned and began to walk away, which startled Nikaidou for a second.

"Wait," Nikaidou said, "do you honestly not know him? He really is in trouble-"

Ikuto waved his hand in the air, "I'm sorry, but I don't have a single clue what you're talking about. See you around."

Nikaidou watched as Ikuto continued to walk further and further away from him. With each step Ikuto took, the smile on Nikaidou's face widened. He simply could not suppress the thrilling enrapture within him any longer, as he realised this was the other Ikuto. This was who they call day Ikuto and the one who is the key to XM2. Nikaidou let out a laugh and shouted quite care-freely, knowing there was no one else but him and Ikuto in this entire corridor, "Ikuto Tsukiyomi, where exactly are you keeping XM2?"

Ikuto stopped walking and became very still at the mention of XM2. "Who are you?"

Nikaidou began to walk towards Ikuto, certain from his reaction that this Ikuto did know about XM2, "I am someone interested in XM2. To be more precise, I am someone who desires to see him."

"I asked who are you?" Ikuto repeated without turning to look at Nikaidou.

"I am one of your father's friends," Nikaidou answered, "I've been searching for him for awhile. When I first read your name on Amu's data, I was shocked and I have been dying to meet you."

"It's a shame," Ikuto said turning to give Nikaidou a stern look, "You may be searching for that man but I have nothing more to do with him. I won't be able to tell you anything. A word of advice to you since you claim to be that man's old friend, don't bother looking for XM2 because even I don't know what it is."

"No," Nikaidou whispered, "I can not believe…"

"I have only heard of XM2," Ikuto said clearly and loudly, "but I've never seen XM2 before in my entire life. I only know it's connected to that man, but it's probably a flux or myth. There is nothing more for us to discuss about this matter. Good bye."

Nikaidou clenched his fists watching Ikuto disappear from his sight. He punched the wall with his fist and breathed heavily. "Night Ikuto claims he does not have XM2, this Ikuto says he's hasn't seen it at all, so which one of them is lying?" Nikaidou rubbed his forehead to ease his headache, "If I treat day and night Ikuto as two different people. The one most likely lying is… then again, I should verify once more." Nikaidou turned to walk in the opposite direction to Ikuto, "XM2 is the only thing left in the world that will lead me to that man. I will find him at all costs."

…Ikuto wandered around the school, keeping an eye out for Amu. It wasn't long before he spotted her sitting by a bench next to a tall oak tree, with the brat. Feeling slightly irritated, he slowly made his way towards them.

"Amu, do you want one of my muffins?" Tadase asked holding the muffin out towards her.

Amu smiled about to take it as she said thanks but Ikuto got there before her, taking a massive bite at the muffin whilst still held by Tadase. "It sure is tasty," Ikuto commented with a smirk as he glared at Tadase.

"Fa- I mean Iku," Amu said, unused to calling Ikuto by a fake name and surprised that he just came out of nowhere. "Did you finish you're work already?"

Ikuto forcefully sat himself in-between Tadase and Amu, separating them, which made Tadase clench his fist in anger, though he tried to suppress it.

"I finished interviewing Nobuko," Ikuto answered, "I'm hungry, can I have a bite?"

Amu smiled, picking up a strawberry from her box and holding it before Ikuto's mouth. "Here you go."

Ikuto frowned, "I meant that caramel slice."

"You need to eat something healthy for a change," Amu complained. "These strawberries are really sweet as well. You like sweet stuff so don't complain and eat."

"If he doesn't want it, then I'll have it. I love strawberries," Tadase said trying to get Amu's attention but was ignored when Ikuto just let Amu feed him the strawberry.

Ikuto continued to frown, "what about the-"

Amu gave a small laugh, passing the caramel slice to Ikuto, "go ahead. I know you'll never give up until you eat it."

Ikuto took it and ate it with a smile, "where did you buy this from? It tastes different to the usual ones I have at home."

"Really, can you guess?" Amu questioned back.

Tadase sat there quietly as Ikuto and Amu constantly talked to each other. He tried to join in the conversation at times but somehow, he couldn't. There was a strong ache in his heart, watching Amu's attention being completely on that man. He didn't understand, how and why can Amu still be so happy around her father? Didn't he abuse her? Tadase couldn't suppress his feelings any longer and he reached over, initially wanting to grab hold of Amu's hand but found Ikuto and Amu had already left and were walking away. "Amu," Tadase shouted, "where are you going? Lunch hasn't-"

Amu looked apologetically at Tadase, "sorry. Iku said he wanted me to pay a visit to that fortune teller. I'm going with him now."

"Wait," Tadase said, "then, I'll go as well."

"No you won't," Ikuto stated firmly, "Amu, go and find Nobuko Saeki and ask about yourself. It's a one off chance that you'd get to meet such a famous fortune teller. I'll stay here to keep your friend company."

Amu smiled, "then I'll be off." She turned and ran towards the school, slightly curious herself as to whether Nobuko Saeki was truly someone who can read the future. If so, there was only one thing she wanted to ask.

"Wait-" Tadase said wanting to follow Amu but Ikuto stopped him.

"I said clearly that I'm going to stay here with you," Ikuto said, "you're not going to go with my daughter. She doesn't need a follower."

"Follower, I'm her boyfriend," Tadase reminded Ikuto, "don't try and pretend I'm not." Tadase pushed passed Ikuto, "as her boyfriend, I have the right to care about her future as well."

"Don't talk as if you're going to be with Amu for the rest of your life," Ikuto said, slightly more than just irritated. "She can always choose another and an insolent brat like you couldn't possibly be serious about my daughter. I won't approve of your relationship. I will find a better man for her in future to marry so stay away."

Tadase stopped walking and turned to glare at Ikuto, "what did you just say? Do you plan on dictating her life? You-"

"I'll say it once more," Ikuto slowly said, "I don't approve of you as her boyfriend, so I won't let you be with her. She's my daughter and everything I do is for her best interest. From now on don't speak as though you're important to Amu when you are replaceable."

Completely wrapped up in rage and hatred, Tadase clenched a fist and ran towards Ikuto, punching him at the side of his chin. Tadase then grabbed onto Ikuto's shirt, shouting, "What right do you have to disapprove of me? What right do you have?"