Enchanted – Taylor Swift, I do not own the song and Shugo Chara!
x
The school bell echoed in the air. In an instant, chattering and laughter took over the silent atmosphere of the school ground. Kids were pouring onto the street.
Amu sat in the royal garden with the guardians. Today was just another normal school day. Nothing special happened. There weren't anything for the guardians to do, so everyone sat around the table, telling jokes and laughing with each other.
Amu laughed along, but she felt like she wasn't truly happy from the bottom of her heart. She was just faking laughter and acting like nothing is wrong. In fact, she herself had no idea what is wrong with her as well.
The meeting ended, and everyone went their separate ways home. Amu stopped in front of the traffic lights, waiting to cross the road. She watched as the cars sped past her, all heading straight towards their destination while she stood there alone.
There is a nudging sensation in her stomach and it was confusing her. She felt like something is missing, but had no idea what it was. She had already completed everything she had to do for the day. She did her homework, she attended the guardians meeting, she locked the door of her house, she did everything she should today.
But the feeling was getting stronger and stronger. She decided to wander around the city instead of going home, maybe she could find the answer.
There I was again tonight
Forcing laughter, faking smiles
Same old tired, lonely place
Deep in thought, Amu let her legs wander around the town. She wandered through the big crowds at the mall, passed a playground filled with laughter of children, and walked passed by the lake where she and Tadase had their first date.
Realizing she had been spacing out for quite a while now, Amu looked up and stopped dead in her tracks. There it was, in front of her, the amusement park. Ikuto's face immediately popped up in Amu's mind, remembering their time together in the teacups. She smiled. The amusement park was always a place special to her, even though she'd never admit it out loud. After all, it was the place where Ikuto and her opened up to each other for the first time.
Pushing the gates open, she stepped inside. 'It was still the same', Amu thought as she looked around. 'The merry-go-round and the teacups.' A grin found its way onto her face.
She walked around and stopped at the teacups, remembering how Ikuto's tall figure had managed to fit into the teacups awkwardly. She giggled lightly, feeling happy just by the thought of it. He simply looked like a big kid.
She scanned the park. There was nobody in here. The park was silent, so quiet that she could heard her own heartbeat.
And then she heard footsteps. A black figure caught her eye. With its back towards Amu, she turned around just in time to see the figure disappeared behind the merry-go-round.
Walls of insincerity
Shifting eyes and vacancy
Vanished when I saw your face
She recognized who it was. She was sure that the figure was Ikuto. His image in her head is so clear that she could remember everything about him. The way he walks with his hands in his pocket, and how his footsteps are merely light taps on the ground that are hardly audible. She knew him so well that he could put on a disguise and she'd still be able to recognize him in a huge crowd.
She found herself dashing towards the spot where he disappeared. She didn't know why she was so glad to see Ikuto, but she just couldn't control her legs as she ran behind the merry-go-round.
"Ikuto!"
All I can say is it was enchanting to meet you
Amu stood and watched the teenager turn around, not expecting to hear his name in a deserted amusement part. "Amu?" His deep blue eyes met her honey gold ones. She was mesmerized, she just stood there, lost in his stare.
They stood there silently, just staring at each other. Nobody moved, both of them not wanting to take their eyes off each other. After what felt like eternity to Amu, Ikuto started to make his way towards her, still staring deep into her eyes as if he was trying to read her mind.
Your eyes whispered "have we met?"
Across the room your silhouette
Starts to make its way to me
He stopped in front of Amu. "What are you doing here at this time?" he asked, studying her from head to toe, "and you're still in your uniform too."
Amu didn't know what to answer. If she told him the truth, saying how she loved the amusement park because it reminded her of the time they spent together, he would surely tease her. But another voice in her mind just urged her to tell him the truth.
"I-it's nothing. I-I just happened to pass by." Amu tried to sound casual, but Ikuto could just read her mind.
"Tell me, Amu." He smirked, "You know you can't lie to me. You're not telling the truth."
"N-no, i-it really was nothing special." Amu stood her ground, "What about you? Why are you here?" She thought to changing the subject might be a good idea right now.
"Nothing special." He mocked.
Amu frowned. "You are not telling the truth either."
"Either?" Ikuto's smirk widened. He slowly leaned down so he could look straight into Amu's eyes. "You just admitted you are lying." His eyes were dancing with amusement.
Ikuto's face was so close that Amu could feel his breath on her face, taking in the peppermint smell of his fresh breath. She blushed a bright shade of red.
"Y-yeah, so? Stop being so close to me, p-pervert!" She exclaimed while trying to push Ikuto away. But he was way too strong for her, he didn't even budge. Ikuto slipped his arms around Amu's waist and pulled her close to him, her head resting on his chest.
"H-hey! Let go of me! I-Ikuto!" Surprised by his sudden move, Amu yelled and struggled in an attempt to free herself from his hug. She could literally feel him chuckling at her futile attempts. As much as she hated to admit it, the sound was music to her ears, and she loved the way his body vibrated against hers when he laughed.
"You could just honestly admit that you came here because you missed me." Ikuto whispered seductively into Amu's ears, snapping her out of her thoughts.
"W-what?!" Amu blushed fiercely, caught off guard, "o-of course not! W-who would miss someone like you!"
"Stop lying. I just could read your mind." He replied, tightening his hug. Somehow, Amu sensed a little disappointment in his voice, along with a hint of desperation.
Not knowing if she was mistaken, she decided to be on the safe side. "Okay, m-maybe a little. But could you please release me?"
"Only a little?" Ikuto said sarcastically, but Amu was almost certain that he was just trying to cover up the disappointment in his voice. But why is he upset? Did something unpleasant happened? Amu couldn't tell what was going through his mind, so instead of responding, she stood there in silent. Ikuto tightened his hug once again.
"Just let me hug you for a while. Please."
The playful conversation starts
Counter all your quick remarks
Like passing notes in secrecy
Amu stayed silent. She was actually enjoying it. She felt comfortable and safe in Ikuto's arms, so much that even if someone were to throw a chair at her right now, she wouldn't even budge. She didn't want him to let go. Without realizing what she's doing, she closed her eyes and buried her head into his chest, listening to his strong and steady heartbeat as his chest rose and fell with his breathe. Her weird feeling from before disappeared, and a pleasant feeling took over.
And it was enchanting to meet you
All I can say is I was enchanted to meet you
His heartbeat was soothing to her, and just as Amu began to fall asleep in Ikuto's arms, he released her. Amu was disappointed, feeling the warmth leaving her, but tried her best to act as if she didn't mind.
Ikuto flicked her nose.
"Ouch, what was that for?" Amu demanded, covering her nose and taking a step back to glare at the taller boy.
"Don't ever come out alone at this time again, it is dangerous." She could tell he meant it by the serious look on his face.
Amu nodded, looking away. Then suddenly, she was swept off her feet, lifted up by a pair of strong arms.
"Hey! What are you doing?"
"I'm bringing you home." Ikuto, said. And he jumped into the dark sky.
Amu relaxed in his arms. The night stars were shining in the sky. She looked up at Ikuto, the moonlight reflecting on his midnight blue hair as his eyes stared straight forward, concentrating as he jumped from roof to roof. She smiled unknowingly, it was the first time she noticed that he was so handsome. Once she realized what went through her mind, she blushed a dark shade of red, not believing that she actually thought Ikuto was handsome.
She shook her thoughts out of her mind as Ikuto landed on her balcony softly. He gently put her down.
"Goodnight, Amu." He smiled to the little girl.
Amu secretly hoped he would stay a little longer. But as he turned around, ready to leave again, she forced a smile.
"Goodnight, Ikuto."
Ikuto jumped onto the railing of Amu's balcony.
"W-wait!"
Ikuto turned around, looking at her confusingly.
"U-um, thanks." Amu stuttered, blushing and avoiding eye contact.
It took a while for him to recover, but Ikuto sent her his signature smirk, and with that, he's gone.
"I just wanted him to know, he did help me a lot today…" Amu murmured to herself, staring at the place where Ikuto disappeared.
This night is sparkling, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
I was enchanted to meet you
Amu laid on her bed, flipping over and over, trying to fall asleep, but failing miserably. She had too many things on her mind. After she met Ikuto at the park, the nudging feeling was gone. But now she couldn't keep her mind off him.
'What is he doing right now? Where was he? Why did he come to the amusement park?'
She found herself wondering, and shook her head fiercely, trying to clear her mind. But instead a question popped up in her mind.
'Who was Ikuto with right now? His friends? Girlfriend? Who does he love?'
Amu was now fully awake and she sat up. She gave up on trying to fall asleep. A weird feeling made its way back to her, but this time she knew clearly what it was. She wanted to see Ikuto right now, she need to see him.
'Why do you even care, Hinamori Amu? That is none of your business. You like Tadase, not that pervert. Why do you even think about him?' She questioned herself, confused at her own thoughts.
She took a look at the clock. 2 a.m.
The lingering question kept me up
2 a.m., who do you love?
I wondered 'til I'm wide awake
She got up from her bed and strolled towards the balcony. When she opened the curtains, hopping that Ikuto would be standing there, smiling at her. But of course, nobody was there, and she stood staring at her empty balcony.
Amu was beyond confused now, she was frustrated with herself. What was she doing staying up at 2 a.m. hoping to see Ikuto on her balcony? Is she out of her mind? For all she knew he could be asleep right now. But Amu felt unbearably lonely. Where was that stupid cat when she needed him the most?
She didn't care if he would tease her anymore, she just wanted to see him. Now. Badly.
And now I'm pacing back and forth
Wishing you were at my door
I'd open up and you would say, "Hey"
Her thoughts drifted to the first time they met each other. Never in her dreams would she thought that they would eventually grew close and developed a special bond. She just thought he was another guy that appeared in her life, and before she knew it, he would have nothing to do with her anymore and they would continue their daily lives without each other, like a passerby who you shared an eye contact with, you'll both simply continue your separate paths in the end. After all, Ikuto and her were indeed, enemies.
But Ikuto was the most important person to her right now. She totally didn't see that coming.
It was fate. She found her thoughts ridiculous, but she knew in the back of her mind that it indeed was their fate to meet each other.
It was enchanting to meet you
All I know is I was enchanted to meet you
Amu looked out into the starry night through her balcony glass doors, her mind going through the memories she had with Ikuto. There were times when they fought each other, when they argued, when he made Amu mad with his nonchalant attitude. But there were more times when they had fun together, when he saved her whenever she was in danger, and when they fought side by side.
There were so many memories with him. All of them were remarkable to Amu, it was the first time in her life she met such a guy. He was cold on the outside and a pervert, taking every chance he had to tease Amu, annoying her to no end. He acted like he cared about nothing and no one, like a self-centered selfish guy. But Amu knew better. She knew that deep down he was actually a nice and caring person, and that he sacrificed a lot for the sake of others without taking any credits. Especially when it comes to protecting Amu, even though she had no idea how he always knew when she needed someone, but she could always count on him to be her knight in shining armour coming to her rescue. She could trust him with her life.
'He is even strong and handsome, that's an added bonus.'
The thought of that made Amu blush. Knight in shining armour? Well that made her realize how important Ikuto was to her and how much she relied on him. He actually had a place in Amu's heart, a big place.
And that's when she suddenly understood.
Those weird feeling she had earlier, was her missing towards Ikuto. She hadn't saw him for a long time.
This night is sparkling, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
This night is flawless, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, dancing around all alone
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
I was enchanted to meet you
Realization hit her like a truck. The reason why she'd miss Ikuto. The reason why she felt so comfortable and safe in his arms. The reason why she's feeling unbearably lonely now. She finally understood herself.
She didn't love Tadase. Her feelings towards him were just admire.
She loved Ikuto.
He didn't have a big place in Amu's heart, he had the whole of her heart.
To her surprise, Amu shook her head and let out a few giggles. Now that it all made sense, she felt like a heavy weight was lifted off her shoulders. Relief washed over her. When she realized that just the thought of her being in love with him made her feel so lightheaded, she couldn't help but blushed a bit.
But just as quickly as her blush rose to her cheeks, her face dropped, remembering the question lingering on her mind earlier. Who does Ikuto love?
The fact that she didn't have a single idea didn't help cheer her up. And she started realizing that she knew nothing about his life. Ikuto is in high school, so of course he would have his own life, friends, and girlfriend.
She could only wish that she is actually a part of his story. Or preferably the female main character of his story.
This is me praying that
This was the very first page
Not where the story line ends
My thoughts will echo your name
Until I see you again
These are the words I held back
As I was leaving too soon
I was enchanted to meet you
Amu closed her eyes, dropping her head in a sigh, there's nothing she can do about it, Ikuto could choose to be with whoever his likes, and Amu wasn't about to selfishly interfere.
Please don't be in love with someone else
Please don't have somebody waiting on you
She felt a shadow cast over her and looked up, just in time to see Ikuto had landed on her balcony with a soft 'thud'. Ikuto seemed surprise to see her standing in front of the balcony, expecting her to be deep asleep in her bed, having sweet dreams about Tadase.
Astonished would be an understatement when Amu unlocked the door immediately and rushed out, jumping onto him, hugging him tightly.
"Amu…What happened?" He asked worriedly, recovering from his shock. This was not what the usual Amu would've done.
Amu did not answer, but tightened her hug.
He glanced around. There wasn't anyone, and the petite girl in his arms didn't seem to be hurt. He relaxed a little and pat her head gently, running his fingers through her soft hair. "Amu, tell me."
"Nothing happened," Amu said softly, burying her head deeper into his chest. "Why did you come back?"
"I missed you." Ikuto stated.
That took Amu by surprise. She wasn't expecting that. She looked up, expecting to see his smirk in place, but instead she was met with sapphire eyes filled with care, concern, and something else Amu couldn't quite put her fingers around, but there wasn't a single hint of playfulness. "Really?"
"Yeah. I missed you. Really."
Trying to hide her tomato red face, she buried her head in his chest again, "I missed you too." She whispered.
Ikuto's eyes widened. Did he hear her correctly? She missed him?
"Amu…You missed me? Are you okay?" He gently pushed her away, one hand holding onto her shoulder while placing the other on her forehead.
Amu pushed his hand away before he could say anything else. "I'm completely fine." She paused for a while, not knowing whether or not she should say it, but decided to be honest. "And I mean it."
Silent fell upon them.
"Amu-"
"Ikuto I-"
They both started, only to have Ikuto put a finger on Amu's lips. Amu blushed lightly.
"Let me speak first, Amu."
Amu nodded.
"Before I met you, I was all alone. I didn't know the purpose of living. I didn't care much about anyone or anything at all."
Ikuto looked away. "But now, I found my light. Someone who gave me direction, someone who brought me hope, someone I truly care about."
He turned to look deep into her eyes, as if he's trying to search for something. Then unexpectedly, he leaned down and gave her a quick peek on the lips. "I love you."
Amu was completely surprised, standing there with a dark blush on her face, eyes wide. She searched those eyes for any hint that he was simply playing a joke on her, but his eyes still said the same thing, except that the concern was gone seeing that he knew she was fine and unharmed. She looked again, and suddenly recognized the emotion unknown to her previously in his eyes. Love. He was looking at her with love in his eyes.
He loves her.
A wide grin broke onto Amu's face. She wrapped her arms around Ikuto tightly, not planning to let go anytime soon.
"Amu?"
This night is sparkling, don't you let it go
I'm wonder-struck, blushing all the way home
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
This night is flawless, don't you let it go
I'm wonder-struck, dancing around all alone
I'll spend forever wondering if you know
I was enchanted to meet you
She released her hold slightly, sliding her hands up to wrap them around his neck instead. Standing on her tiptoe, she brought his head down and gave him a gentle kiss. She felt his arms wrap around her waist as he deepened the kiss, filling it with passion and love.
"I love you too, Ikuto."
Please don't be in love with someone else
Please don't have somebody waiting on you