My Name Is Dia
Amu stared at the flickering scenery passing by her as the car sped up along the city roads. She had reluctantly got in the car with Sion after seeing how persistent she was. Neither of them spoke to one another, since silence felt most comforting for both. Where is she taking me? This isn't the direction home, Amu wondered, and what about Ikuto? He promised to pick me up today but instead… am I disappointed?
"You're not going to ask where we're heading to?" Sion finally said, breaking the silence.
"Does father know you're picking me up?"
A smile crept onto Sion's face. "Of course he does. He suddenly phoned me at lunch and asked me if I could do him a favour and pick you up from school. He said to drop you off at home and then I should meet him later in the evening at a restaurant he made reservations at."
"Then why aren't you taking me home?" Amu asked directly.
"You know Ikuto also told me to dress up for tonight's occasion, saying it was something special," Sion continued, ignoring Amu's question. "I've been wondering about it all day and lucky me. Just before I got to your school, one of my colleagues texted me saying they've spotted Ikuto at a very special shop." Sion took a quick glance at Amu, "it's going to be a very special occasion indeed and I feel you should be a part of it."
"It sounds like father didn't plan for me to show up with you," Amu said, choosing her words carefully, aware that Sion was up to something. "Perhaps you should drop me off near an underground station. I'll make my way home."
"No need," Sion answered, turning the car down a side road.
After a few more minutes, Sion parked to the side and stopped the car. Switching off the engine, Sion turned to look at Amu with a smirk on her face. "We're here already. Shall we get out?"
Amu did as Sion suggested and got out the car. What is she up to? Amu questioned again. I feel uneasy about all this. I really should've rejected her back at the school.
Sion and Amu walked down the road for a couple more minutes before Sion came to a stop and turned towards a shop. As Amu turned to look in the same direction, she felt her body tense up. She couldn't stop staring at the scene before her. What is this? Ikuto… what is this?
Sion grabbed Amu's arm, pulling her to the side so they were hidden from clear view from the shop. Sion couldn't help but smile though feeling the trembling of Amu's body besides her.
"I was honestly a little surprised myself when my colleague texted me," Sion said, "I could never have believed Ikuto would propose to me so soon. But seeing him now being so serious whilst choosing a wedding ring, I'm honestly delighted."
Propose. Wedding ring. Ikuto is going to propose to Sion, Amu kept repeating in her mind. But… Just why? Amu continued to stare at Ikuto inside the jewellery shop. He was smiling but talking very seriously with the sales assistant. In his hand was a ring with a small diamond set upon it. This can't be happening. Ikuto and Sion will get married. But I… I…
Sion turned Amu to face her, "I couldn't help sharing this joy of mine with you so I secretly brought you here. I want to make sure you will give me and Ikuto your blessing." Sion smiled again, "So Amu, are you going to be happy for us?"
Sion's words hit Amu hard. She opened her mouth but no words will come out. Amu simply couldn't say anything. This sudden revelation, the shocking thought that Ikuto was going to marry someone else was too much to handle. It had never crossed her mind.
"Will you give us your blessing Amu?" Sion pressed on, "Will you give up your love for your father and move on?"
"Move on…" Amu murmured, staring back at Sion.
That's right, Amu reminded herself, trying to ease her tense face and be more natural. I decided to move on… moving on is the best for the both of us since… Amu looked towards Ikuto again. His calm, slight smiling face filling her vision. Since the most important thing is your smile Ikuto. And I need to move on because without night Ikuto, I'm no longer the one to make you smile. I… There was a tight squeeze in Amu's heart, sending a strange pain through her body. She was shaking, even more than a moment ago. It hurts. It hurts so much. I... I just….
"I can't," Amu finally shouted out, pushing past Sion and running away. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry…"
Watching Amu's predictable response with a triumphant smile, Sion took a final glance at Ikuto still choosing a ring before turning away to head towards her car. She took out her mobile and dialled that number, "we're getting closer to our goal. I think it's almost time we ended this charade."
Further down the streets, Amu was still running. She just kept running, running and running. With a strong pain in her chest and her body shuddering with every breath she breathed, she was no longer capable in thinking. She just wanted to run away. I can't. Even though I know. Even though I understand. I just can't. After everything we've been through together Ikuto, are you telling me this is it? For what seemed like an eternity, Amu's aimless running slowly came to a stop. She stood there in the middle of the road near a riverbank. It was quite a long distance away from the city. How far had she ran? Where is she right now? None of it mattered. I can't, Amu kept repeating over and over like a broken record. I can't. I need to move on… Ikuto is getting married… I… I can't…
"Can't… I please... help…" Amu uttered in a very weak voice. Her legs started to move again. Faintly, from a slight distance a soothing melody floated through her ears. A sweet voice that enticed and dragged Amu's lost senses back into the real world. She followed the faint but comforting sound, walking down towards the river until under the bridge, there stood a young woman singing a unique song. The young woman had swept back orange hair that delicately hung over her purple and black dress. She was pretty, but her voice was even more so. And the tears that Amu thought would never be able to fall at last fell from her eyes and she dropped to the floor crying.
Upon being interrupted by Amu, the young woman stopped singing and looked over towards her. There was a bubbling anger in her now, waiting to erupt. She approached Amu. "Hey bitch," she shouted, "what's the deal here?"
"It's beautiful…." Amu cried, "You're voice, you're song… I couldn't stop myself. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."
The young woman stared long and hard at Amu.
"You're hurt aren't you?" she asked.
Amu shook her head, wiping her eyes. It was rude and shameful for her to have broken down crying like that in front of a stranger, let alone interrupting such a beautiful song. But this woman's voice somehow struck her.
"It's ok, continue to cry until you feel like stopping, I'll continue to sing," the young woman said before she continued to finish her song.
Gentle and consoling, it was as though she was telling Amu through her song that it was ok to let her true feelings show, to release her emotions. Before the end of the song, Amu had stopped crying. Instead, she calmly listened.
When the young woman finished, Amu properly apologized, "I'm sorry about before. I heard your voice and just ended up following it."
"You're hurt aren't you?" the young woman asked again.
"No, I didn't hurt myself."
The young woman placed her hand over Amu's heart, "You're hurting right here. I can tell."
Amu quickly took a step back from the young woman. No matter how beautiful her song or voice was, she was still a stranger. It's awkward. I must be more shocked than I realise to have started talking to a stranger, Amu thought, her mind slightly clearer than before. I should apologize and head home.
"You don't have to worry," the young woman spoke before Amu could, "We don't know each other so it's not like I'm going to do anything to you." She sat down, leaning her back against the bridge. "This is my special place for me to sing. So if you could leave me alone now I'd appreciate it."
"I'm sorry for intruding," Amu said, turning to leave.
"Hey," the young woman called out. "I'll return the favour and listen to you. If you want."
Strange, Amu thought as she took a seat next to the young woman. I don't know her, yet I still feel like talking to her. Its ok isn't it? This is alright. I can talk to her.
"Do you know why I sing here?" the young woman spoke, once again initiating the conversation between them. "It's because my dream is to be a singer, to stand upon a large stage and shine."
"Your song was lovely," Amu stated, "I'm sure you'll be very popular as a singer."
The young woman's cheek flushed pink, "y-you can't be so direct when complimenting someone."
"I'm just saying what I think," Amu said.
A large smile spread across the woman's face, "Is that your honest opinion? You think I'll be a great singer."
"Yes I do," Amu began to smile. She seems nice.
"Thank you. I've not heard anyone directly compliment my singing before so this makes me really happy." The woman then let out a sigh, "but I won't be a singer."
"You won't?"
"It's because I've already moved on from this dream a long time ago," the woman explained, "I only sing now out of boredom."
"But isn't it a shame," Amu blurted out, "you have such a beautiful voice. When I heard you sing I felt comforted and-"
"It's not a shame and I don't regret it because I properly said goodbye," the woman continued, "It was so hard at the time to move on from this dream but I made the decision. My family was more important to me than singing."
The young woman stretched out her hand and gently patted Amu's head, seeing a saddened expression appear on Amu. "You shouldn't be upset for me if I'm perfectly fine myself idiot."
"It's just, from hearing you sing I know how much you must've loved singing," Amu spoke gently, "I may not know your reasons for giving up but at least I understand how hard it is to move on."
"I see," the woman said, observing Amu, "So you're having trouble trying to move on from something as well."
"From love," Amu honestly replied. "It's something I should do but I'm too weak. I can't bring myself to face the pain. I can't even take the first step to convince myself to properly give up."
"Have you been rejected?"
Amu looked at the woman, slightly surprised by the question. "N-no… it's complicated. He… he doesn't know I feel this way towards him."
"Then go and get rejected," the woman said.
"What?" Amu gasped.
"The reason you keep hanging in there unable to move on or do anything is because you have hope," the woman pointed out, "but once he's properly rejected you. That is your goodbye."
"There's no way I can tell him," Amu whispered. How could I ever tell day Ikuto I'm in love with him? He sees me as his daughter. This will hurt him. And most importantly day Ikuto isn't night Ikuto.
"Love must be fair," the woman carried on. "Everyone should get the chance to choose, from all the options available."
"Love must be fair," Amu repeated. That phrase stuck to her mind as she pondered on it. Then she laughed, realising how stupid she had been. Whenever it came to Ikuto she always ended up lost and hopeless. This time as well. It took a stranger to remind her, to make her realise the truth. "Thank you."
The young woman poked Amu's cheek, "looks like you've made a decision."
Amu nodded, standing up, "yes. I know what it is I want to do. I know and I want to do it now."
Without wasting another second, Amu already started to run off. "Thank you for listening and talking to me," Amu called back, "if I see you again…"
"Dia," the young woman shouted back, "my name is Dia."
"Dia," Amu repeated, "thank you Dia. I'll remember you. My name is-"
"Don't bother," Dia interrupted before Amu could finish, "I don't think we will see each other again. But if we do, tell me your name then."
"We will see each other again," Amu smiled, "I've a feeling we will."
Dia waved her hand in the air, watching as Amu ran back up the riverbank. What a weird girl? Dia thought. She looked so desperate and vulnerable that I couldn't help but reach out to her. Then again, when she said my song was beautiful, I did feel slightly happy. Yawning, Dia did a little stretch before closing her eyes and allowed herself to fall asleep. Much time must have passed by because when she next opened her eyes, it was already night time and she was face to face with her clearly irritated friend.
"You should've told me where you were going Dia. You know how long it took me to find you."
"Are you worried about me Yukari Sanjo," Dia teased.
Yukari frowned, "Of course I'm worried. You suddenly returned to Japan and at a time like this."
"At a time like what?" Dia deliberately questioned, "At a time when Aruto Tsukiyomi has finally succeeded Xerxus Corporation. A time where the balance of the four families has finally tilted."
"Since you came back, it could only mean the last family has decided to make a move right?" Yukari quizzed, "But with Kazuomi Hoshina's recent arrest, the Sanjo family are going to lay low. We're not readily prepared to overturn the Tsukiyomi's."
"As your friend I will give you an advice," Dia's tone was serious now, "Be ready to take a side Yukari Sanjo. Only one family's side."
Tick, tick, tick. Back at home, Amu stared at the clock hanging in the kitchen wall, its hand steadily moving round in a circle. It is already midnight but as expected Ikuto wasn't home yet. Of course he wouldn't be home, Amu mused, Ikuto might even stay the whole night with Sion after the proposal. Squeeze. There goes her hopeless heartache again at the thought. I wonder what Sion's answer is. Idiot Amu. Its obvious Sion will say yes. She even took you to see Ikuto buy the ring. Amu let out a sigh, returning to her own room and immediately flopping herself onto her soft bouncy bed. Thanks to Dia, I finally remembered my promise to night Ikuto. I promised I would stand by him no matter what. So I will. I also told myself I will learn to protect Ikuto the right way. To be honest and let him decide but I forgot. As soon as night Ikuto disappeared I reverted back to how I was before. I tried to protect Ikuto using all the wrong ways again. I'm sorry.
"I've been saying sorry all day," Amu muttered, "I won't anymore. Unlike how I started with you night Ikuto, with lies and hidden truths, this time I will do things right."
Thud. Amu bolted up from her bed hearing a light thud outside her room. Is Ikuto home? It couldn't be right? Amu wondered, already at her room door. I was expecting him to spend the night with Sion. But, it doesn't matter because… Amu lightly slapped her cheeks to compose herself. I know what I want to do and say to you.
Amu opened the door, stepping out into the living room she faced Ikuto.
"Did I wake you up?" day Ikuto asked, his voice as gentle as ever. "I'm sorry about this afternoon. I promised to pick you up but I ended up asking Sion to do so instead."
"That's ok," Amu said.
"Well, it's late and you have school, you should go and sleep," Ikuto suggested, feeling slightly awkward from the way Amu was staring at him. Is she really mad that I didn't pick her up? Or that I didn't tell her I was coming home late.
"I'm ok," Amu simply said.
"Oh, alright," Ikuto responded.
There was a few seconds of awkward silence between them before Ikuto drew in a heavy breath. Since Amu is awake perhaps I should break the news to her. It's better to get this over and done with.
Ikuto stood so that he was directly opposite Amu now. He announced, "today I proposed to Sion."
Silence. No response from Amu so Ikuto went on, "Amu, I know this is quite sudden so I understand if you need time to adjust. I just think I really like Sion so I proposed to her. She's also said…"
"I'm not ok," Amu said sternly, loud enough to interrupt Ikuto.
"Amu…"
"I said I am not ok," Amu repeated.