Sion Knows
Disguised as an old man, Nikaidou waited patiently at the police station. How long had he been waiting, he didn't care, he only wanted the results. He glanced at his watch, and looked up at the woman still talking to her boss in the room. "Come on," he muttered under his breath, "my lies were flawless, perfect. There's no way they can tell I'm not a relative. I've done plenty of research." He breathed more heavily now, "I don't think my fake documents have any faults either. Come on."
Nikaidou stood up as the woman came out holding a sealed plastic bag. He went over towards her.
"We've considered your situation carefully and have come to a decision," the woman began, "on this occasion, we'll allow you to claim these items." She handed the plastic bag towards Nikaidou.
"Thanks," Nikaidou croaked before turning away to leave. A smile spread across his face as he clutched the bag in his hands. When he was far away from the police station, he pulled his wig off. "Ikuto, let me see you suffer…let me see the face you make when Amu Hinamori leaves you." He stepped into his car and slowly opened the plastic bag to reveal its contents. Nikaidou delicately pulled out a photo and he stared at the smiling faces on it. "You have sinned, and now I wonder how Amu can continue to love you after seeing this…"
His thoughts were cut off as his mobile rang. Nikaidou answered it in high spirits, "it's you kid."
"I'm ready to go," Tadase said on the other end of the phone. "I'll find Ikuto Tsukiyomi and confront him."
"Good," Nikaidou simply said. I'll be confronting little Amu, he thought dropping the photo back into the plastic bag.
Outside the house, Ikuto and Sion stood, waiting for Amu to respond. Amu just stared. It was as if in that split second the entire world had suddenly came crashing down upon her, a heavy sadness lodged within her chest and despair growing from within her heart. Amu stood very still, forcing herself to keep a normal face whilst straining back her burst of tears, staring at the woman who day Ikuto had declared was his girlfriend.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Amu," Sion held out her hand, the smile still upon her face, "I've heard a lot about you from Ikuto. He's very proud of you as his daughter."
Amu twitched, the word daughter sending another painful shock through her body. Shaking, she slowly extended her hands towards Sion, her mind now blank.
Sion took the initiative and grabbed Amu's hand, shaking it lightly, her smile never disappearing.
"Shall we go in," Ikuto said, motioning for Sion to enter the house. He closed the door and seeing Amu wasn't moving, gently gave her a push. He leaned in close to Amu and whispered, "I understand this may be very sudden but please try your best to make Sion feel welcome. I know you can do this for me."
Amu just nodded, following Ikuto into the dining room. He pulled a seat out like a gentleman for Sion to take her place. She smiled at him and he gave her a quick peck on the forehead; his actions squeezing Amu's heart even more. No, Amu thought, I'm going to cry…hold it in…please…
Before taking his own seat, Ikuto paused to stare at the set-up on the table. "Amu, why is there…"
BANG, CRASH, CLANG! A range of noises started to come from Amu's room and she blinked for a few seconds before remembering Nadeshiko was there.
"It's Nadeshiko," Amu quickly said, taking the chance to run into her room and away from Ikuto and that woman.
Amu ran into Nadeshiko's arms as the door closed shut, her tears finally pouring out. Nadeshiko held Amu close, muffling her sobs, gently stroking her friend's back. She heard everything inside the room and couldn't even begin to imagine how upset Amu must be right now. Nadeshiko let out a soft sigh, realising how complicated things were and at her inability to do anything. There was a light knock on the door.
"Is everything alright?"
Nadeshiko felt Amu move in her arms and she let her go.
"F…fine…" Amu struggled to say, wiping her tears and trying to regain her composure. She took in deep breaths.
Before Amu could open the door, Nadeshiko reached out and stopped her. "Let me handle things, you don't want to get found out now," Nadeshiko whispered to Amu before opening the door to stare at Ikuto.
"Nadeshiko," Ikuto said, "Why are you here?"
"I'm really upset over some stuff that's happened at home…." Nadeshiko deliberately said slowly with a shaky voice, so that it sounded like she was upset. "I just wanted to talk to Amu…and…"
"I'm really sorry," Amu said, appearing besides Nadeshiko. "I couldn't leave her alone and I thought you wouldn't mind. I should've asked. I'm sorry."
Ikuto let out a sigh, "you girls." He sighed again, looking at Amu, "I don't know what to say."
"Its fine," Sion said with a smile as she tugged on Ikuto's arm, "I heard everything. We should all eat together. Your daughter is a very kind person. I understand why you're so proud of her."
"You don't mind?" Ikuto questioned, "even though you were looking forward to a family thing."
"Amu will make it up to me I'm sure," Sion said winking at Amu.
"Yes," Amu answered.
Ikuto gently patted Amu's head, "next time just tell me. Let's eat."
Nadeshiko and Amu stood watching as Sion naturally linked arms with Ikuto making their way to the dining table again.
"You ok," Nadeshiko whispered and Amu smiled back at her to show she was alright to go on.
"I can do this, with you here," Amu whispered.
They joined Ikuto and Sion at the dining table and began their meal. It seemed like an over-stretched night, dinner never-ending. There was no proper conversation between them as Nadeshiko took over with her various complaints or otherwise outpouring her ideas to the other three. Amu noticed Ikuto's repeated sighs, clear that he wished Nadeshiko would shut up for a moment to let someone else speak. Sion managed to keep her smile throughout and Amu was relieved, thankful that she didn't have to directly talk to Sion. Just like that, with Nadeshiko being the centre of attention, the night went by.
"Honestly I can spend the night here," Nadeshiko protested after dinner, as soon as Ikuto offered to drive her home.
"Come on young lady," Ikuto sighed for probably the hundredth time this night. He half-dragged a complaining Nadeshiko out the house towards the car. He smiled at Sion and Amu who remained in the house before disappearing off with Nadeshiko.
How did it end up like this? Amu wondered, feeling awkward that she was now alone with Sion. I shouldn't be surprised, Ikuto deliberately offered to take Nadeshiko home so I could get to know Sion…but…
"Amu," Sion said, "why don't you close the door and come back in. It's cold outside."
"Y-yes," Amu said closing the door.
"Not coming in, this is your home," Sion continued seeing Amu remain by the front door. "Why are you so anxious?"
Amu walked into the living room where Sion made herself at home by sitting down on the sofa. She watched as Sion began to flick through the TV channels before stopping on a romance drama.
"You like romance dramas?" Amu said, trying hard to make conversation with Sion. For Ikuto's sake, Amu reminded herself, I have to try my best to get along with her.
"I don't," Sion began, "don't you find happy ever after love too fake? Drama's like this give false hope." She switched off the TV, her smile and nice, polite demeanour suddenly disappearing. Sion turned to stare at Amu.
Amu was at a loss for words, not expecting Sion to say the things she did. "Err, do you perhaps want some coffee?"
"Love won't end happily ever after," Sion repeated.
Amu remained silent, not knowing what to say to Sion. She only wished Ikuto would return sooner. She tried again, "Maybe you'd prefer tea?"
Sion let out a small chuckle, "see, just as I said, love won't end happily." She began to approach Amu, "foolish girl, your love for Ikuto won't have an ending. You'll only suffer. You're suffering now as your pretending to be nice to me."
Amu gasped, staring eyes-wide at Sion. Did I hear wrong? Amu questioned, how…why…
Sion stopped when she was only inches away from Amu. "You don't think of Ikuto as your father right?"
"What…"
Sion grabbed hold of Amu's face, squeezing her cheeks lightly, "it's a feeling I've got when I look at you. You're in love with Ikuto." She let go of a shocked Amu, "I'm sorry I'll be taking him away from you. As I've said, love won't have a happy end, especially for you."
Before Amu could respond, before any of Sion's words could sink in, the front door opened and Ikuto stepped back in. Sion rushed towards Ikuto, giving him a hug and she immediately started talking about how she had a great time chatting to Amu about various things. A dumbfounded Amu just smiled, even though it was clear that Sion was lying to Ikuto. What concerned her more though was the fact that Sion easily saw through her.
"Amu, goodnight," Ikuto said giving her a quick kiss on the forehead, "I'll be back as soon as I've dropped off Sion at her apartment. Don't wait for me."
"It was lovely to meet you," Sion said with her smile on again.
The two left the house and Amu returned to her room. She collapsed onto her bed, fatigued from the whole ordeal. What should I do now…Sion knows…will she tell Ikuto? Amu kept asking over and over, love doesn't have a happy ending…I cannot believe that… Amu gritted her teeth at the thought of Sion. She's declaring to snatch Ikuto away from me, I won't let her. I can't let her. Amu held her hands against her chest, closing her eyes, many thoughts drowning her conscience. A buzzing distracted Amu and she picked up her phone to read the text message. She had two, one was from Nadeshiko asking if things were alright. She replied with the standard fine. The second was from aunt Lulu.
'Have you found out day Ikuto's trauma yet? You're slacking aren't you? I haven't heard from you in a few days so you must be slacking. Anyway, just a little tip, have you been looking through his stuff as well. Maybe you'll find some clues in his belongings. Just hurry up whatever you do. Lulu.'
Amu didn't know how she felt about Lulu's text but it did get her moving. Lulu's words seemed to have motivated Amu, reminded her that there was night Ikuto and she took the chance to sneak into Ikuto's room. Normally she would never do such a thing, but perhaps the reality of meeting Sion had changed her. Amu realised if she didn't move fast enough, Ikuto would really be out of her reach. The image of night Ikuto flashed before her eyes, "I will see you again," Amu whispered. She carefully searched through Ikuto's room. Amu constantly glanced at the clock, checking to see if Ikuto would be back soon and she strained her ears to hear of any noise outside. Her hands continued to rummage through Ikuto's belongings though, his books, papers, CD's, anything and everything. Her fingers poised as she felt a card-like object at the back of Ikuto's drawer. As carefully as she could, she ripped the card from the wood, taking it out of the drawer and opening the lights to see what it was. Amu stared blankly at the old-dusty coloured card in her hand. She wiped it a little with her fingers. The word 'Sorry' was written across it. That's Ikuto's hand-writing, Amu recognised, turning the card over to look at the other side. Amu gasped as she stared at a faded photo. She looked at it for a long time trying to make out the faces but it was so faded that she could barely see anything. She looked at the date printed upon the photo, indicating it was taken during summer 3 years ago. Why is it so faded, Amu questioned, it's only three years so… Amu looked at the photo more closely, vaguely making out the photo to be of a family of four. She flipped the photo to the back again. "Sorry," she uttered, "could this be day Ikuto's trauma?" Amu closed the lights, taking the photo with her back to her room, "if only I could see the photo properly…" She lay on her bed closing her eyes. At least now, I'm one step closer…
Outside her own apartment, Sion waved goodbye to Ikuto and she watched him drive away. She turned her head slightly, observing the shadow in the corner. A smile appeared on her face as she rushed to hug the young man.
"I'm so happy to see you," Sion cried, squeezing the young man in her arms tightly. "It's been such a long time."
"It has," the young man replied.
"You're quite mean," Sion commented letting go, "to contact me for a thing like this and suddenly asking me for a favour. I was surprised."
"I know, but thanks for helping me," the young man said.
Sion smiled but her attention shifted to the girl standing behind the man who was now glaring at her. "Oh dear, did I make your girl jealous?"
The girl with blond hair positioned herself between Sion and the young man, still glaring at Sion, obviously unhappy with the hug.
Sion giggled, "that's twice today I've been misunderstood as a love rival." Sion pressed the numbers on the keypad; a beeping noise sounded, she opened the door, "you two should come in for some coffee."
The morning next day, Amu prepared breakfast as usual. Two things were constantly on her mind, Sion and the photo. Since there was nothing she can do about Sion right now, she focussed on the photo. She smiled as Ikuto yawned, coming to join her.
"Good morning," Amu said.
Ikuto smiled, "Good morning sweetie." He picked up his fork and poked at the poached egg on his plate, "how do…I mean…what do you think of Sion? Do you like her?"
Amu observed Ikuto. He was clearly waiting for her answer and he was fidgety; nervous to know. This was something she couldn't avoid. Lying Amu replied, "I think me and Sion might get along."
Ikuto looked up from his plate beaming, "really. I'm glad."
There was a pang in Amu's chest seeing Ikuto so happy and clueless. She gripped her own fork, frustrated that he wouldn't realise her feelings for him. Was it really not obvious? Amu stopped debating to herself, Forget about Sion, right now I need to focus on getting back night Ikuto… "Ikuto, have you ever," Amu paused, trying to think of a natural way to approach the subject.
"What is it?" Ikuto inquired.
Amu took in a breath, deciding to be direct, "have you ever done something you've regretted?"
Ikuto stared at Amu, not knowing where this conversation was headed and surprised at the sudden topic. "Of course I have," he spoke quite truthfully, "like the way how things were with my parents."
This approach won't work, Amu thought, trying to think of another way to ask. I can't just show him the photo and ask. He'll probably be mad if he knew I was searching his room. "Say, is the Tsukiyomi family close to any other families? I mean, even though the Tsukiyomi family is running the company alongside the Sanjo, they don't seem very close."
"Not that I'm aware of," Ikuto slowly answered, staring at Amu, not knowing what she wanted from all these weird questions. Is she nervous from meeting Sion, Ikuto wondered. "Amu, is there something you want to-"
Amu stood up, wiping her mouth, "look at the time. It's late, I need to go or I'll be late for school." She rushed out the house before Ikuto could question Amu back.
Ikuto finished washing the dishes before also heading out for work. He stopped in his tracks, noticing a piece of paper stuck to the side of his car's window. "This wasn't here yesterday," Ikuto muttered, taking the piece of paper to read it.
Amu will disappear from your life very soon, won't you come out, the other Ikuto?
Ikuto clenched a fist, staring at the small note. He didn't recognise the handwriting. Who is it? What was this about? Ikuto scrunched up the paper and tossed it into the bin. "Must be a prank," he said dismissing it. He stared at his own reflection momentarily on the car mirror as he was about to open the car door, "the other Ikuto," he repeated. "There's no such thing as the other Ikuto."