Speculation
Facing Nadeshiko properly, Amu took in a breath, prepared to confess once more with day Ikuto next to her. "I am in love with…" Amu began but stopped as Ikuto suddenly tapped her on the shoulders.
"Hey, you finally came out, I was waiting for you." He looked from Nadeshiko to Amu, "what are you two talking about?" Ikuto asked with a smile on his face. "Care to let me in?"
Both Nadeshiko and Amu stared at Ikuto in shock, both thinking the same thing, what's going on?
"Anyway, can I cut your little girl talk short, I don't want my parents to wait too long for us. Let's go Amu," Ikuto said already dragging Amu to the car as he waved goodbye to Nadeshiko.
What was that? Nadeshiko stared as the car drove off. I kept a close eye on Amu's father and I swear…for a second there, I was looking at two different people…plus…his attitude and aura changed…."Amu, you still haven't told me everything yet have you?" Nadeshiko sighed, "It's not just as simple as you loving your father is it?"
In the car, Amu couldn't resist but glance through the window at Nadeshiko who just seemed to stand there without moving. She was probably shocked with Ikuto's sudden change. Just now, Amu recalled, when he tapped me on the shoulders, the things he said, it was as if he didn't even remember we were in the middle of a conversation. Then…the one who told me to gamble and play along to Nadeshiko was…
"Want to go home and get changed first?" Ikuto asked.
"What were you and Nadeshiko talking about?" Amu asked back.
Day Ikuto blinked at her before he looked back ahead and concentrated on his driving. "What do you mean?"
"Were you trying to help me?" Amu continued to ask, "Did you sense that me and Nadeshiko had a fight and stopped me from confessing…did you…"
"Are you ok Amu?" Ikuto asked stopping the car and leaning over towards Amu. He placed his hand over Amu's forehead, "doesn't seem like you have a fever or anything."
"We were talking…Nadeshiko wanted me to say something…" Amu whispered, her heart beginning to race.
Ikuto tilted his head, staring at Amu, "look I was kind of day dreaming so…all I remember was that I was waiting for you and the next thing I know is that you and Nadeshiko were suddenly right in front of me. I don't remember that Nadeshiko was talking to me though." Ikuto paused as he thought, "You two were staring at each other quite intensely, so you two argued?"
Tears escaped from Amu's eyes and Ikuto quickly panicked, pulling out tissues and passing them to Amu.
"I didn't mean to say that…I mean I'm sure you and Nadeshiko will make up so don't cry."
Amu wiped her tears and smiled. She didn't just smile, she laughed. After all, she hadn't felt happier than she did this moment ever since Ikuto was hospitalised. He's still here, night Ikuto…he appeared, Amu thought as she laughed whilst wiping her tears, I believed you'd come back…I was right….you're still here with me…thank god….
Ikuto just stared at Amu, lost as to what to do. However, after watching her for a few more minutes, he burst out laughing as well, she looked a real sight laughing and crying at the same time. It was so funny, though as a father he probably shouldn't have laughed. Reflecting on his behaviour, Ikuto cancelled the dinner with his parents and decided to take Amu out to a restaurant instead. It was a difficult task pacifying his mother with the cancellation, she sounded so disappointed and would only accept the last minute change as Ikuto arranged another time to have dinner with them. All that mattered was Amu's mood, Ikuto sighed, why couldn't Amu be a boy, my job as a father would be so much easier.
At the restaurant, flicking through the menu, Amu struggled to choose what she wanted to eat. It didn't help that Ikuto had already ordered what he wanted and now the waiter stood waiting for her to speak.
"Just take a random pick," Ikuto suggested.
"But I really can't decide," Amu muttered but was further distracted by her buzzing mobile. She looked at the caller ID that read Nadeshiko and she gripped onto the vibrating device tightly. "It's Nadeshiko," Amu said, knowing she had to talk to her once more at least.
"Take it," Ikuto urged. Though he didn't know what had happened between the two, Nadeshiko was Amu's close friends and he knew Amu didn't want to lose her. He grabbed the menu from her, "I'll order for you so you can have a surprise. Go and talk to her. I'll wait and eat at the same time if you're slow."
Amu smiled and nodded, taking her mobile with her as she headed into the restaurant's waiting area and answered the call.
"Please tell me everything," Nadeshiko said as soon as Amu answered, "I'll listen."
Amu didn't hesitate and she told Nadeshiko everything. From the first time she met night Ikuto, to the whole ordeal with Kazuomi Hoshina; the various people she met, such as Utau, Kukai, and most importantly how she felt about night Ikuto, how she saw Ikuto as two different people. She left nothing untold to Nadeshiko. Perhaps it was the first time she was being so truthful about her feelings, the first time she was able to talk to someone about all this, Amu felt so relieved, like many heavy stones were lifted from her chest and she felt refreshed. She waited for Nadeshiko's reply after she had finished.
There was a short pause before Nadeshiko said, "let me take this in and think," before ending the call.
Amu put away her mobile, not expecting much reaction from Nadeshiko. No matter what she decided later though, Amu was prepared to accept them. Amu made her way back towards the table, sitting down she said, "sorry if I took too long."
There was no response from Ikuto so Amu stared at him. He didn't seem to notice that Amu was back and he was blushing. Amu blinked and took a closer look at Ikuto. At first she thought she was seeing things but the more she looked at him the more she was certain. Ikuto was blushing and he had an expression upon his face that she had never seen before. Amu turned to look in the direction that Ikuto was so focussed on that he didn't notice her coming back. It couldn't be, Amu thought, finding herself staring at a young women who was playing the piano. She had light brown hair pinned up in a bun and was wearing a waitress uniform. She was pretty but compared to Utau, she was very ordinary in appearance. The young woman finished playing her piece and people started to clap their hands. Amu noticed the smile on Ikuto's face as he applauded.
"That was really a beautiful piece…" Ikuto whispered in a dreamy way, his eyes never leaving the young woman, "Sion…was her name…"
Amu felt her chest tighten and for some reason, she was beginning to get anxious. Ikuto's expression, Amu kept noticing, why he is staring at that woman with that kind of expression…as though he's…captivated….
The night went by. Amu tried to make conversation with Ikuto but he seemed to be in a daze most of the time and whilst they were still in the restaurant, Amu observed how Ikuto kept looking at Sion with interest. Maybe I'm being oversensitive, Amu convinced herself, as she drifted off to sleep.
During school the following few days, Nadeshiko kept her distance away from Amu, which didn't surprise her. Tadase didn't show up at all, which was worrying. Despite their break-up, she had hoped they could remain as they were before, able to talk and laugh together. All she could do now was to wait and hope Tadase would be alright, that they would soon be alright. How did things turn out this way? Amu always wondered, Yaya was the only one left that talked to her, though Yaya was getting very suspicious. Amu had promised Nadeshiko not to tell Yaya anything, so she would always come up with excuses for Nadeshiko not joining them for lunch. Her friends were one thing that constantly worried Amu but recently Ikuto as well. It wasn't her usual problem of missing night Ikuto either, but day Ikuto was acting weird these past few days. She had noticed how cheerful he always seemed to be; there were times when Amu caught him day dreaming with a big grin on his face then there were times when he just laughed out of nowhere. He seemed to be on the phone a lot more than usual as well. It didn't sound like a business call since Ikuto had a very happy expression every time he talked. Amu kept thinking over and over if it was something she had done or said but thought of none that would cause Ikuto to act the way he did. She gave up thinking about it though, glad that Ikuto was happy.
Tonight, Ikuto and Amu was to have dinner with Ikuto's parents. Amu made sure to dress up a little, wanting to present herself better. As soon as they arrived though, they were quite surprised to see Lulu opening the door and greeting them.
"When did you come back?" Ikuto asked.
"Hmm, yesterday," Lulu answered, closing the door. "I kind of missed Souko. I won't be staying for long. I plan to fly again in a few days."
"Lulu, you should stay longer," Souko said.
"Of course she should," Aruto added frowning at Lulu.
"Your expression sure matches your words," Lulu twitched, staring at Aruto.
"You two don't fight," Souko said loudly, "there are children here."
"I'm not a child," Ikuto commented.
"Neither am I," Amu said, unheard though as Souko protested that Ikuto would always be a child to her.
Lulu decided to join the little quarrel of whether Ikuto is still a child or not, helping Ikuto and stating how childish Souko herself was. Aruto simply disagreed with whatever Lulu said and made the little quarrel that much intense. Amu had to try very hard to calm the Tsukiyomi family, which took her a good 10 minutes before they all sat down happily eating dinner. Unfortunately, Amu was a better cook than Souko and Ikuto wouldn't hesitate to complain about his own mothers cooking. An upset Souko would always seek comfort from Aruto, which was the cause for Lulu's remarks on how childish Souko was again. There were a few times that Amu was afraid the four of them would start to quarrel again. Thankfully, they didn't. There were times though when she tried hard to hold in a giggle and she would always think, whilst spending time with Ikuto's parents that, it must be nice to be a part of the Tsukiyomi family. If I had a proper family; if my mother, father and little sister are still alive, I'm sure this is what my family will be like.
After dinner, whilst Amu was helping clearing the dishes off the table, Lulu quickly suggested, "Souko, why don't you, Ikuto and that guy go out for a walk? I'll stay and wash the dishes. Also, I'm sure Amu would be delighted to help me."
"Do it yourself," Ikuto said, "Amu, want to go for a walk with us?"
Lulu quickly shot Amu a smile which to Amu looked more like a warning to comply to her request.
"I want to help aunt Lulu," Amu lied with a smile, "all of you should go and take your time."
"You sure?" Ikuto doubled-checked.
Amu nodded and so Ikuto, Souko and Aruto went out for a walk, leaving Amu and Lulu to wash the dishes.
"Gosh they really did go for a walk," Lulu complained pouting, "They really don't know how to treat a guest. I blame Aruto since he's the man of this house."
"Aunt Lulu, I can wash all this up myself, you can take a rest if you'd like," Amu offered.
Lulu shook her head declining the offer, "did you honestly think I'd ask for you to stay behind if I wasn't aiming to talk to you?" She took one of the wet dishes and began to wipe it, "I've something I want to discuss with you alone."
Amu remained quiet, waiting for Lulu to get to the main point.
"During the time I was away, I went to do some research on D.I.D," Lulu continued, wiping another wet plate, "in other words, I wanted to know more about how split personalities work, how they are created and all that."
"Why did you research it?" Amu directly questioned, unsure what Lulu wanted to do by telling her.
"I'll be honest," Lulu said, "I still want to meet the real Ikuto."
"But the real Ikuto is…"
"You'd logically assume that the personality that remains is the real Ikuto but," Lulu continued, "split personalities are usually created from experiencing trauma. All along, we've been thinking that night Ikuto was created from the trauma of experiencing Souko's fake death and Aruto abandoning him. Once he was reunited with the two, he no longer needed to keep that personality and night Ikuto vanished."
"I believe he's still here," Amu blurted out by accident. She was still very emotional when it came to discussing night Ikuto's existence. Why can't anyone just accept that night Ikuto could still be inside day Ikuto? Why must they separate the two so clearly?
Lulu smirked, "that's why I chose you, Amu Hinamori." She threw the drying cloth to the side, stepping closer to Amu and taking her hand, "we're on the same boat, both of us wanting the other Ikuto back. Help me."
"Help you," Amu uttered, perplexed by Lulu's intension. "This isn't something…"
"I've a speculation," Lulu pressed, "that night Ikuto is the real Ikuto Tsukiyomi and day Ikuto is the created personality."
Amu stared at Lulu, unable to give a response as what Lulu said sounded so far-fetched to her. "You sound so certain," Amu began, looking away from Lulu, a little shaken by the idea, "it's just speculation right? It's not something that can be proved."
"The proof is the time that I've spent with Ikuto before he possessed two personalities," Lulu declared, "I helped raise Ikuto when he was a child and believe me, there are way more parts of his personality as a child that matches with night Ikuto than day. Surely, that's enough for speculation and proof."
"Even so…."
"I wouldn't have come to you if I had someone else," Lulu admitted. "Souko and Aruto both feel they owe Ikuto for leaving him, despite the fact that they meant to protect him by doing so. To them, whichever Ikuto is fine as long as they get the chance to fulfil the duty of a parent again. You though," Lulu squeezed Amu's hand tighter, "you won't be able to get what you want unless the real Ikuto returns, until night Ikuto that loves you as a woman returns."
Amu snatched her hand out of Lulu's grasp, stepping away from her. She stared at Lulu, uncomfortable with her. This woman always seemed to place her in an uncomfortable spot and make her feel tense. However, it was as she said, they were practically hoping for the same thing. It wouldn't hurt to go along with aunt Lulu's request, Amu convinced herself, if there is even a slight chance that I can be with Ikuto again like before. "Go on," Amu said, waiting for Lulu to continue.
"Since you're the one that spends the most time with Ikuto, try and find his fear," Lulu finished.
"Fear," Amu repeated, unsure of what Lulu meant.
"The traumatic experience that created day Ikuto's personality," Lulu clarified, "assuming night Ikuto is the real one, find out the traumatic experience that made Ikuto create day Ikuto. Once we know the trauma we can work to heal it and then…."
"Just like how night Ikuto's personality disappeared, day Ikuto wold also," Amu slowly tried to make sense, "wouldn't both Ikuto..."
"No," Lulu assured, "if my speculations are right, the reason why night Ikuto can't return is because day Ikuto's trauma is stronger now that night Ikuto has none. Therefore, if we eliminate day Ikuto, the real Ikuto will return." She paused to allow Amu time to think things through. "What do you say Amu? This may be your final shot."
"I'll do it," Amu answered, "I'll find what trauma day Ikuto has, if your speculations are right."
Lulu headed towards the door, "my speculations are usually right." She stopped at the door for a few minutes before turning to give Amu a look, "I should warn you perhaps of another speculation of mine."
Amu stared back at Lulu. What else was she going to say tonight? I don't think I can take anymore.
"Ikuto is falling in love," Lulu smirked, "and it isn't you that he's falling in love with. Your warning is to be quick, otherwise…who knows what will happen."