Holy crap, 7 months. :O
To explain, just been really busy. School takes up more than half my life, basically.
Thank you to these reviewers:
AhYingx3, I like cookies, p0p-ViRg097, XxAmutoLovexX, nab2000, Kenjii Amber Tamerue, MagumiiiChannn, xLolita, Maddiejane94, Jen567, breya007, Mihang, Pikamiki, Layla's Lancaster
So sorry for the super snail-like updates.
This story is ending around chapter 20, depending on how I type everything. The longer the next chapters are, the shorter amount there will be. However, I can guarantee you that there will be no sequel. I think I shouldn't have done a sequel for With You. Should've just put a long epilogue at the end of Love is Painful. Oh, well. I don't exactly regret it that much.
Enjoy this extra, extra long chapter as an apology! (:
Disclaimer: I do not own Shugo Chara! in any way.
X-x-Flashback of Chapter 14-x-X
"Wait!" She latched onto his arm, not letting him escape. "I need to talk to you."
"Look, if it's about today…it's nothing. I overreacted. I tend to do that around you. I'm sorry." Words couldn't express the relief Amu felt.
'Wait, he said he tends to overreact around me…what does that mean?'
"I'm so glad…but I just want to tell you this." She walked in front of him, making eye contact with him. "I just want to say that I don't like Tadase. I did in the past but I don't anymore."
Ikuto broke into a smile…a real one. Amu's eyes widened before she smiled at well. She hugged him.
"I'm glad we aren't fighting anymore…even if it was for a day."
"Yeah…me too."
Amu realized something that day. It had hit her like a ton of bricks.
Amu loves Ikuto.
'I guess I didn't need your help, Mom. Well, about Ikuto and Tadase, that is. Or did you already send me a sign and helped me through?'
X-x-End of Flashback-x-X
X-x-X
Decisions
Normal POV
Kukai inched closer to Utau's face. They were locked in an intense staring contest after they had fallen down to the ground. (A/N: Refer to last chapter for recap.) Utau turned her head away right before his lips touched her lips.
Utau bit her lip. She couldn't. Not yet. Her heart has already been broken by her ex-boyfriend.
"Sorry," they both muttered at the same time.
Utau's head snapped up. "Why are you apologizing? I should be the one saying sorry."
He shook his head. "No, it's my fault. Sorry, I don't know what's gotten into me."
An awkward silence settled.
"Um…" they both said simultaneously, and stopping when they thought the other would continue. But they both stopped.
"You first," Kukai urged.
"No, you."
"Utau, just say what you were gonna say."
"It's all right. Go ahead."
Another silence took place.
Only to be broken by Utau's soft giggles and then Kukai's laughter.
"Hey, thanks for letting me crash here for the night."
"You're welcome. Wanna go to bed now?"
"Sure."
He followed her down the hall and to her bedroom. She opened the door and proceeded to walk to her closet. Kukai stared at his surroundings and explored her room.
"Wow, you have a nice room," he complimented.
"Thanks."
There was a queen-sized bed in one corner of the room. A vanity table was stationed across from the bed. Her walk-in closet was next to the dressing table. There was a desk next the bed, filled with music books, music sheets, etc. The walls were dark purple. One wall was splattered painted. That wall was filled with splotches of pinks, greens, blues, yellows, whites, and more. On the other walls, there was writing on them. They were just random sentences and some were lyrics, written in white or silver sharpie or paint. He went to her nightstand and picked up the lone picture frame. The picture held a young blonde girl—he guessed it was Utau as a child—hugging a blue haired boy. Behind them stood a dark blue-haired man with a woman with flowing blonde hair.
"Are these your parents? And is this Ikuto?" He pointed at the photograph and looked at Utau. She gasped and snatched it out of his hands.
"Don't go touching my things!"
"Is Ikuto your brother?" he shouted, in complete shock.
'Guess there's no denying it.' Utau sighed, nodding her head. She was exhausted already from today. She didn't want to deal with this. "Yes, I'm Ikuto's blood-related sister."
"Holy crap!" he yelled, his mouth agape.
She winced. "Souma, I'm going to have a headache. Actually, I think I have one." She grabbed the sheets she got from the closet and made a makeshift bed.
"Oh, sorry. But…oh my god." He shook his head, not believing what she just told him.
"Just don't tell anyone. Nobody knows."
"Why?" he questioned, giving her a confused look.
"For many reasons," she said, not wanting to go in depth. "I'm sleeping on the floor."
"I'll take the floor."
"Okay, I knew you were going to say that. If you didn't, I was going to take the bed anyways."
He sweatdropped. "Oh."
She winked at him and smiled. "A girl needs her beauty sleep."
He grinned at her. But he felt this unknown warm feeling deep in his chest. It made him feel weird all over. He shuddered, but for some reason, he liked this foreign feeling.
"I'm turning out the lights in 10 seconds."
"What!" He scrambled to get into the bed she made for him on the floor next to her bed.
"10, 9, 8…"
"Wait!"
"5, 4…"
"Hey, that's not fair! You just skipped six and seven!"
"0."
She flipped the switch off and settled into her bed. Kukai was pretty comfortable, considering he was sleeping on the floor.
"Hey, did you splatter paint that wall over there?" Kukai asked.
"Yeah. With Amu. She said it'll give me 'inspiration.'"
He laughed. "It's cool though."
"I guess."
When Utau was about to fall in a deep slumber, Kukai said, "Hey, Hoshina. I was thinking about what you said today. You said you were depressed and Amu had something to do with it."
Utau saddened at the thought of fight they had recently. "Thanks for reminding me, Souma."
"I'm trying to help you here! My advice would be to talk to her. I still doubt she hates you. She could never hate you. You two are the best of friends. I don't know what you two fought about but make up with her. I'm sure she doesn't like this, either. She'll understand what you have to say."
"She'll understand what you have to say."
That sentence was ringing in her head. Utau hoped with all her might that Amu will listen to her.
"Hey, Soccer Boy."
"Yeah, Pop Princess?"
"Thanks. For everything."
"Sure thing." Kukai grinned, but he knew she couldn't see. Utau had a small smile on her face as well.
X-x-X
In class, Amu ignored Utau completely. When the two passed each other, Utau would glance at Amu but Amu didn't return the glance. Soon after, Utau didn't look at Amu at all. While waiting for the teacher, their friends watched Amu on one side of the room doing her homework and Utau on the other side listening to mystic.
"Geez, what's up with those two?" Yaya whined in frustration. "Usually, you can't even separate the two but now they're so cold to each other!"
"Something bad must've happened," Nagihiko noted.
"Should we go talk to them?" Kairi suggested.
"Of course!" Yaya exclaimed. "Rima, you should talk to Amu. Kukai, you get Utau."
"What! Why me?" he whined, though he was secretly happy to talk to her again.
"You have a thing for her, right?" Yaya nudged his arm. "This is a perfect chance to improve the relationship you two have!"
Kukai blushed and Yaya teased him, making him annoyed.
Little did Yaya know, their relationship had already improved into something more than just a friendship.
X-x-X
"Amu."
Amu turned around and found Rima standing a few feet away from her, smiling.
"What's up, Rima?" I asked, stuffing my books in my bag.
"Do you mind if I come over tonight?"
Amu looked confused at the sudden request but shrugged it off. "Sure, doesn't matter. You can come after rehearsal."
"Okay."
The two got into their own individual car and sped towards Seiyo Records. When they arrived, Amu and Rima headed inside and towards their assigned room. When they got to the room, everyone was here except for Utau and Ikuto. Rima went to Nagihiko and Amu walked over to Kukai. She needed a break from everything that had happened. Kukai's humor and personality would of definitely help relieve some stress.
"Hey, Hinamori!"
Amu smiled. "Hi, Kukai."
"Are you pumped for today's rehearsal?" he asked excitedly.
"I guess."
"Aw, come on, you have to sound like you are excited! Oh, guess what happened today in music class?" He then went on this rant about a funny story between his new friend and another classmate. Amu sniggered when Kukai said he was being teased a bit.
In the middle of Kukai's storytelling, the door was kicked open. Amu's laughter faded as she looked at who it was.
"Hey, Utau-chan!" Yaya greeted.
Utau nodded her head to acknowledge her. She made her way to sit next to Kairi, far away from where Amu was sitting. Amu rolled her eyes a bit before she heard yet another late member come through the door.
"What gives, Tsukiyomi? You're so late!"
"Sorry, had to do something."
"I'll go tell Satoru-san we're ready." Kukai stood up and walked out of the room, leaving Amu with no distraction. She looked up and saw Ikuto leaning against the wall gazing intently at her. She went pink and returned her gaze to her fingers as she fiddled with the hem of the shirt. She felt someone sit down next to her which caused her to bring her head up.
'Holy crap, he's so close!'
Ikuto had (somehow) settled himself in the seat next to Amu in a matter of a few seconds without Amu noticing him walk across the room. He was purposely leaned towards Amu, his left arm dangerously close to her.
"Hey." Just that simple word made Amu's heart skip a beat. Actually, just seeing him made Amu's heart flutter.
"Hi, Ikuto."
"Are you feeling ok? You seem weird today."
She brushed it off with a mock expression of being offended. "You called me weird? You're so mean!"
"You've always been weird. In a good way."
She stuck her tongue at him like a little kid and turned the other way. He tapped her shoulder that wasn't near him. Instinctively, she turned to the left and saw nobody. Puzzled, she turned to the right and Ikuto's face was right in her face.
"Gah!" She leaned back as far as she could with her hands covering her flaming cheeks. Ikuto boomed with laughter at her reaction.
"Amu-chi seems so lovey-dovey with Ikuto!"
This made both of them quiet down and look away. Most of the members made murmurs of agreement. Yaya was teasing Amu by poking her cheek and nudging her arm.
Little did Ikuto and Amu know, Tadase was watching Ikuto's antics and Amu's reactions the whole time with an unreadable expression...
X-x-X
"Again!" Iori ordered.
"How many times do we have to do this?" Yaya complained.
"Until I say so. Now, come on, you're still young! You have plenty of energy, I bet!"
And so the music began as the group members sung along to it.
"Amu-chan, you're off-key! Put more feeling and emotion into the song."
Amu was extremely frustrated at herself. She was being distracted since one, Utau was right next to her and two, Ikuto wouldn't stop staring at her.
"Okay, ten minute break. Amu-chan, come with me."
Amu sighed, rubbing her tired eyes. She followed her manager out the door and shut it behind her. Yukari checked left and right to see if they were alone. Feeling rest assured they were, she turned to Amu.
"Amu-chan, is something wrong? You're completely not focusing today and it shows in your performance. I honestly don't care if you're daydreaming or fiddling with something as long as you're in-key and singing with emotion. Today, you were out of it and I can tell."
"I'm sorry, Iori-san, but I guess I'm just really tired."
Her manager's face softened as she gripped both of Amu's shoulders. "Amu-chan, I've known you for years and I am so glad I'm your manager. You're a great individual who has an amazing talent. I often think of you as my daughter."
Amu's face turned pink and she said, "Iori-san…"
"That's why if there's anything you want to talk about, I'll always be available to listen."
"Thank you." Amu smiled. "I appreciate it. Things just haven't been going on so well between Utau and me."
"I noticed. Do you want to talk about it?"
Amu froze for a second and said, "Thank you but it's ok."
"You know, I had a friend—best friend actually—and we got into this huge fight one day. She did something horrible to me and won't admit it. We started bickering at each other every chance we got. Soon, that faded and we began ignoring each other. Later, I found out the truth of what caused the fight. It wasn't her fault at all. However, it was too late to apologize. She had already moved and I wasn't able to contact her." Iori took in a deep breath. "I guess what I'm trying to say is make up with each other. Don't let this argument break your tight friendship with her. In the long run, would you rather have her being your friend or a stranger?"
Amu didn't say anything as she looked away.
"I'm hoping you two will make up soon because it's also hindering your performance and you know it."
"I know."
"Ok, let's head back now. We wouldn't want them to get impatient, do we?" She grinned and headed towards the door.
"Iori-san!"
Amu's manager turned around and responded, "Yes?"
"Thank you. For everything."
"That's what I'm here for." She smiled and opened the door, letting Amu in. All eyes were on them when they came through the door. Iori told them to get back to work. When Kukai passed Amu, he nudged her and asked, "What's the punishment?"
Amu stuck her tongue at him. "Stupid, I'm not in trouble."
He laughed and joked, "But you're a very troublesome girl."
Amu laughed and wasn't watching where she was going. She turned around, only to bump into someone's side.
"Sorry." She looked up and felt a blush coming.
"Be more careful, Amu," Ikuto said, in this low tone that made Amu melt.
Amu simply turned away and sped away from him, embarrassed. Ikuto looked on, confused at her reaction. He shrugged and followed Amu inside the recording room.
X-x-X
Utau walked out of the company, completely exhausted and sad. She missed talking with her best friend. Even worse, Rima was her ride home but something came up so Rima was unable to drive her. Now she had no ride home. She thought which would be better: walking home or risk being recognized on a bus. Walking was better, she finally decided.
When she had walking for about five minutes so far, a car pulled up next her. Being extremely cautious, she sped her walking, hoping she could escape.
"Hey, you're just going ignore me?"
She raised an eyebrow and turned on her heel. "Souma?"
"Yup, the one and only!" Kukai got out of his car and walked towards Utau. She never noticed how tall and handsome he was until now. Maybe the events from that night changed her mind...? "What were you doing?"
"Walking home," she replied.
"Don't you have a car?"
"Rima was my ride home today but turns out, she wasn't able to drive me home."
"Oh." Kukai took a glance at his phone and suggested, "Wanna get a ride from me? I have plenty of free time."
"It's ok. I don't want to bother you."
"You're not. Like I said, I have lots of free time. I'll treat you to a nice big bowl of ramen too."
"Great, if you insist. You're paying for everything I eat though when we go get ramen." Utau smirked as she walked past Kukai and to his car. Kukai shook his head, chuckling to himself.
X-x-X
"Another bowl. Same toppings and everything."
"God, woman, how much can you eat?" Kukai checked his wallet to see if he had enough cash on him.
"It's not like you're poor." Utau adjusted her hat as she waited for her bowl of ramen.
"At this rate, I will be." Kukai took his sunglasses off and loudly slurped his noodles. Utau grimaced at his behavior. She looked at her surroundings to pass the time. When she was looking at a painting, Kukai pulled her out of her daze. "Hey, how have you been?"
Utau narrowed her eyes. "Be more specific."
He finished his noodles and pushed the bowl away from him. He sighed, content, and patted his stomach. "You know what I mean. It's about you and Hinamori."
Utau rested her chin on the palm of her hand as the elbow rested on the table surface. "There's nothing much. You saw how we were acting towards each other today."
"You guys didn't even look at each other today! Hoshina, at least attempt or do something."
"But she'll never listen!" She slammed her hands on the table. "All this time, I've been hiding this huge secret from her! You think it's easy to just tell the truth right now? She'll never forgive me!"
Kukai's eyes were wide from her outburst.
Utau breathed heavily, her shoulders slumping after her steam ran out. She groaned and buried her face in her hands.
"The last part of what you said was wrong. She will forgive you. You two are practically sisters. Even if it'll take a while, she'll forgive you."
"But what if she doesn't?" Utau whispered.
"Then we'll see what happens."
Utau glared at him. "You're not helping."
"Don't think hypothetically. Think of things you're certain of."
She looked at him blankly. "Normal people will say "What if this person does this?" or "What if blah blah blah?" You can't be certain of things until it happens. That's why humans think hypothetically."
"Fine, I'll reword my phrase. Think optimistically in every situation."
Utau blinked at him. "You're such a kid." The man handed Utau her bowl of ramen. She blew at the noodles suspended in the air by her chopsticks.
"I am not a kid!" Kukai fumed.
"You sure about that?"
"I'm older than you," Kukai pointed out.
"I'm wiser than you," Utau argued.
"At least I'm not the one who's lying to my best friend!"
Utau's chopsticks slammed down on her bowl and that's when Kukai knew he crossed the line.
"Wait, Hoshina—"
Utau stood up and left without a word. Kukai smacked his head repeatedly. "I'm so stupid! And I didn't even get to convince her to talk to Hinamori! I hope Mashiro will get Hinamori to talk to Hoshina..."
X-x-X
"How's Ami doing?" Rima asked as she and Amu walked towards this cafe down the street.
"She's doing well. She really likes living with Hoshina-san. I'll be visiting her as soon as my schedule isn't that full."
"That's good." Rima smiled and opened the cafe door for Amu. They ordered their food and took a table by the window where it's far from everyone else.
Rima took a sip of her cappuccino, and breathed contently. "We haven't had just alone time between the two of us for a while."
"I know. With the new album coming out and everything and school, we've both been really busy."
"So what's been going on with your life?" Rima asked, taking a bite out of her warm muffin.
"Nothing much. Just the same old every day."
Rima nodded understandingly. "I'm sure it'll get more exciting." She winked. "Hey, I'm planning a girls' night out this weekend since I think all the girls' weekends are open. How about it?"
"Sure. I think I need it."
"I completely agree. You should get more sleep and take care of yourself more." Rima pointedly stared at the dark circles under Amu's eyes.
Amu waved her hand dismissively. "I'm just a light sleeper."
"Huh, is that so?" Rima sipped her beverage. "Hey, do you mind inviting Utau? I wanna tell everyone the details in person and I also have some business with them. Could you help me by telling Utau?"
Amu frowned a little but this didn't go unnoticed by Rima.
"What's wrong?" Rima took another bite of her muffin.
Amu cupped her hands around the drink, warming her cold hands. "I don't think it's a good idea. I'll ask Nadeshiko or someone else to help you."
"I have some business to attend to with the rest of the girls but with Utau, I don't have any business with her at the moment."
"So? That doesn't mean you can't tell her yourself in person."
"What's up with you two? I've been starting to notice that you and Utau are ignoring each other."
"Is that why you told me to invite her personally?" Amu glared at her good friend.
Rima looked away. "I wanted to help." As much as Rima want Amu all to herself, she knew deep inside that Utau was the closest to Amu.
"I don't need help."
"Then when are you two going to make up?"
"When she knows she's wrong and comes to me first."
"That's so selfish!" Rima exclaimed, now angry. Amu widened her eyes at Rima's outburst. Very rarely was Rima mad at Amu and even if she was angry, she would just quietly fume at Amu.
"Hey, Rima, calm down—"
"What do you mean 'calm down'? It's not all about you! Did you even try to put yourself in Utau's shoes? It's probably hard for her as well to come up to you first," she fumed.
"How is this any of your business?" Now Amu was starting to get irritated. Even though the two were in a secluded corner near the window, some people started to stare.
"Of course it's my business! How I can just watch you two become complete strangers? I know both of you are at fault, whether or not you think otherwise; in every fight, each person is wrong in some way so don't even think you're right and that you're the innocent one of the situation because you are absolutely not." Rima took in huge gulps of air after her vehement rant.
Amu looked at Rima with shock. Never had Rima been like this, to anyone.
Amu abruptly stood up. "I think our conversation is over." She gathered her stuff quickly and walked away from her table, leaving Rima even madder.
"You're always like this!" Rima's loud accusation made Amu halt. "You always run away from your problems and just do nothing except watch what happens. You never try to do something to change the problem and maybe even solve the problem as well. Take action for once in your life and take the initiative to talk things out!
The door of the cafe was slammed shut the next second.
X-x-X
(1) new message!
To: Rima
From: Kukai
sorry mashiro! i screwed up pretty bad with hoshina
To: Kukai
From: Rima
Go shoot yourself.
To: Rima
From: Kukai
-gasps- how could u do that to me?
To: Kukai
From: Rima
I just can.
To: Rima
From: Kukai
bleh. :P
did u have any luck w/ hinamori?
To: Kukai
From: Rima
To be honest, I screwed up pretty bad too.
To: Rima
From: Kukai
ur such a hypocrite mashiro!
To: Kukai
From: Rima
STFU. I am NOT happy right now.
To: Rima
From: Kukai
whoa, what happened to U?
To: Kukai
From: Rima
Amu.
To: Rima
From: Kukai
did something happen between u 2?
To: Kukai
From: Rima
Obviously.
I tried to make her go to Utau but we got into a fight instead. I just hope my "words of wisdom" made Amu think a bit about what she's doing and how it's wrong.
To: Rima
From: Kukai
i spoke a few wise words or two to hoshina but idk if she listened to them. i'm sure hinamori will think bout ur words. and i'm sure ur a great friend to hinamori.
what did u say to her?
To: Kukai
From: Rima
Words.
To: Rima
From: Kukai
no, u said stuff about elephants. srsly, what?
To: Kukai
From: Rima
None of your business.
To: Rima
From: Kukai
ur so mean!
To: Kukai
From: Rima
Bye.
X-x-X
Adept hands flew across the keys as a beautiful melody soared across the room. The pianist had her honey-colored eyes closed as she played on and on. Her hair swayed as her head bobbed up and down slowly to the dynamics.
Then something crossed her mind and her fingers slammed into random keys, making the melody crash to the ground. She buried her face in her hands.
"This is ridiculous," Amu murmured, agitated by the fact that Utau is still in her mind. She decided to retire for the night—despite it being 8, which was the earliest time she even thought of going to bed—and so she headed towards her room.
Before she did, she decided to just get out some old notebooks with lyrics in them for inspiration for tomorrow. She went into her closet and kneeled down. She dug her hands through the boxes and pulled out a medium-sized box.
She opened it and pulled the first thing out, which was the notebook with her lyrics. After pulling the rest of the notebooks, she was going to close the box before she saw a photo album. She took it out and opened it to the first page.
She remembered now. This album was solely dedicated to only Utau and Amu. The first page was when they were babies. Of course they didn't know each other until they were kids but Utau and Amu wanted pictures from when they were born and the present time. So for the next half hour, she flipped through the pages, reminiscing and laughing about all the times they shared together and all the memories that were created.
She reached the last picture. It was taken just last week. They both were hugging each other and making funny faces at the camera.
How did so much change since last week?
Yukari's words floated to Amu's thoughts. Amu really wanted to have Utau as her friend. It would absolutely be stupid if a silly fight broke their friendship. Rima's words stung the most. She played what Rima said earlier today over and over again like a broken record.
That's when Amu decided what to do.
She got up and sprinted out of the room. She grabbed her keys and put on her shoes. She slammed and locked the door to her apartment and then she was in her car in a flash.
X-x-X
Utau twirled her hair around, bored out of her mind. Maybe she should've just let Kukai's insult—her mind says it was a fact—slide. At least then, she could've had something to do since he's Kukai.
She laid down on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Maybe she can just sleep and forget her troubles. But alas, sleep did not come. She turned on her side and found herself staring at the splatter-painted wall Amu and she painted. Utau zoned out and her mind took a walk on memory lane.
"Why are we doing this again? For fun because we couldn't find anything to do on a Saturday afternoon?" Utau sarcastically questioned.
"You can go shopping tomorrow, Utau. And it's to give you inspiration," Amu simply answered.
"How will this give me inspiration?" Utau flung neon pink paint at the wall.
"Because the wall is interesting."
Utau gave Amu a blank stare. "That's what'll get my mind thinking?"
"Yup." Amu splattered purple paint on the wall.
Utau looked at Amu like she was crazy before resuming her painting.
Half an hour later, they were finished. The wall was truly a spectacle to see.
"It's so cool!" Amu squealed like a little girl.
Utau rolled her eyes but secretly agreed that she thought the wall looked amazing.
When Utau wasn't looking, Amu sunk her hand into the bright sky blue paint can. With a mischievous grin plastered on her face, she raised her hand from the can and crept towards Utau from behind. Amu slapped Utau's butt, leaving a neon blue handprint on her old jeans.
Utau gasped as her hands flew to her butt. She snapped her hand around and spotted Amu, now a few feet away, grinning. Her painted hand was held up in the air, making Utau twitch her eyebrow.
"Amu..." she dangerously drawled out. (?) "You are so dead!" Utau sunk her hand in pink paint and then chased after Amu around the room. Amu squealed in excitement as she escaped from Utau's awaiting hands.
Utau remembered that day clearly. She had so much fun and didn't regret not going to the mall. She had fun.
She rose from her bed and proceeded to her closet. She pushed all her clothes to the left, trying to find something all the way in the back of the closet. She fished out what she was looking for and smiled.
Her hands held the same pair of old jeans she wore when Amu and she painted her "inspirational" wall. The handprint was still evident. Utau didn't throw it out like she usually would for any other article of clothing. She couldn't throw it out because it represented a precious memory.
Utau sat down on her bed with the pair of pants on her lap. Her thoughts drifted to today in the ramen shop. Kukai's optimistic words left a mark in her brain. She couldn't forget what he said.
Maybe it won't be so bad. Maybe Amu will forgive her.
Deciding it's now or never, she stood up and grabbed her keys and threw a pair of shoes on. When she was all set and ready to leave, she opened the front door.
What she wasn't expecting was Amu to be right in front of her, her pointer finger hovering over the doorbell.
"Amu? What are you doing here?" Utau was clearly shocked.
"Uh..." Amu wasn't prepared. She thought she was before she was about to ring the doorbell but now that Utau was in front of her, the words she wanted to say were stuck in her throat. Amu took a deep breath and said, "I came here to apologize."
Utau gave Amu a 'what-are-you-talking-about' look.
Amu sighed but continued. "I'm sorry for being cold to you these last few days. I was being very childish. Someone told me a story and hearing that, I realized I didn't want to lose a great friend like you." Amu bowed and said, "I'm sorry." She lifted her head and saw Utau looking at her with a shocked expression. "That's all I wanted to say. Bye, Utau." Amu turned on her heel and began to walk away from Utau's condo.
"'I'm sorry'? Why are you apologizing?" Utau yelled. "There's no reason for you to say sorry!"
Amu stopped and turned around to face her friend, to listen to what she had to say.
"Everything is my fault. I was the one who caused our fight. I was the one who was with your parents on the day they died."
Amu's blood ran cold. "What?" Amu began walking towards Utau.
"That day, I was with your parents at your house because they wanted to hold a surprise party for you."
"Me?"
Utau nodded. "It was to congratulate you on releasing your first solo single."
"They were planning a party for me?" Amu asked incredulously, her voice cracking at the end.
"I was helping them plan the party. We were going to have so many decorations, games, singing and dancing... So many people were going to come," she rambled. "But then three men broke through the back door."
Amu's jaw went down in horror. "Oh my god."
"They wanted money. Then they noticed me, the famous "Hoshina Utau," she spat bitterly. "They changed their mind and just decided to hold me hostage. They thought your parents were my parents. The men demanded money from your parents."
"I'm so sorry that that happened to you, Utau."
"Don't sympathize because what happened next was all my fault." Utau's voice rose and the sobs came. "I wanted your parents to get away safely. I kept screaming at them, provoking them with profanities, and I was so damn stupid for doing that." The tears fell from Utau's eyes like the beginning droplets of rain before a storm.
"The men were furious. Their initial goal was money but afterwards, they just wanted to kill us and get the money as well. So they started to burn the house down and began to steal money and anything from the house that was valuable. Then we heard sirens which made the robbers panic."
Amu's expression was unfathomable the whole time she was retelling a memory. "They killed my parents." Her question came out as a statement because Amu was so sure that the men did indeed kill her beloved parents.
Utau shook her head as more tears fell. "In the end, they still wanted more money and wanted to abduct me but this time, they would threaten my real parents. Your parents wouldn't let it happen. Your dad charged at them but he was thrown to the side. When he tried to defend your mother and me again, they shot him."
Amu visibly paled. "They shot my dad." This was too much.
"They shot his arm so he was still living. At this point, the police cars were closer and the house was suffocating. The flames were as high as the ceilings as it started to burn the top floors as well. They left with the money. They left us stuck in the burning house.
"A burning piece of house fell on me, preventing me from moving. My clothes started to burn and I was terrified. Your mom then saved my life by removing the burning object from me and putting out the embers on my clothes. She ushered me to the only window that wasn't surrounded by flames. She forced me out the window since she saw I was reluctant to go. When I was safely outside, I extend my arm but she didn't take it. She told she was going back to save her husband."
Amu's face held no expression the entire time Utau spoke. Utau, on the other hand, had tears streaming down her already tear-stained cheeks.
"I tried to go after her but it was too late. Another part of the house fell, blocking me from going into the house again. I could still see your mom through the haze. She was looking at me before she disappeared. I never found out what her expression was. But she told me this before she went back for your father. 'Take care of Amu and tell her that her mother and father have always loved her dearly.'" Utau's voice cracked at the end as she cried once again.
"She said that? So she knew she was going to die," Amu bluntly stated in a dull tone with a straight face.
"Amu—"
"And so you just watched her die right in front of her eyes."
"Amu, listen to me, I tried—" At this point, Utau was pleading with tears falling freely from her eyes.
"But you didn't try hard enough," Amu deadpanned. Her eyes were stone hard; her face wiped out any hint of an expression. Amu turned around and began to walk away.
"Amu, wait!" Utau grabbed her arm and spun Amu around. She was shocked to see Amu looking at her with a venomous glare.
"I don't want to see your face right now so just leave me alone." Amu yanked her arm away roughly and stomped off, her boots tapping loudly against the ground with each step.
Utau slumped to the ground, looking down. "I knew it wouldn't work and yet I tried. In the end, I only got hurt." She buried her face in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably.
"What should I do?"
X-x-X
Amu stopped the engine and proceeded to get out of the car. She walked over to the tombstone and knelt down.
"Hey, Mom, Dad. You must be wondering why I'm here so late at night, huh? I've been real busy lately and..." Amu touched her mother's name, tracing the outline of the letters. "Everything is just falling apart." Before she knew it, she had knelt down to the right of the stone and hugged it from the side. Tears cascaded down her face. She sobbed into the stone, overwhelmed by the anger, sadness, everything.
"Why did you have to leave me?"
The wind howled in response as Amu wept.
X-x-X
INTENSE STUFF YO. :O
I was gonna add Ikuto at the end when Amu was crying but nah. Kinda ruins it because would Ikuto really be there at the right time in the right place at that moment? The chances are slim to nothing.
Hope you enjoyed this uberly long chapter! (: I think it's longer than the chapter when Amu and Ikuto had their "Date" :O Because I have 20 pages on Microsoft Word.
I made this chapter extra long as an apology and added more drama and goodyness to the story~ It took me such a long time to write. But I hope it was maybe worth the wait?
Review! (: