I do not own anything, especially "You don't see me" by Safetysuit and "Stranger" by Secondhand Serenade and "Departures" by Supercell.
"When will Ikuto and Amu just make up already? The atmosphere is killing me!" Kukai wailed. In the auditorium for the show down, Kukai was standing on the stage with Nagi. A few meters away from them, Saya, Ikuto, and Amu were being told the whole routine of the show. Although it was a bright afternoon, the place seemed to be drowned in sorrow. Everyone was working silently and quickly with worried expressions that cried for help.
The staff member had first told everyone in the auditorium that the results would take place around midnight of Christmas. On Christmas Eve, the fans would hear the two candidates play. After the concert, the fans were given 24 hours to vote for who they wanted; and at the end of Christmas, the results would be announced at the same auditorium.
Hoshina Utau would be opening for the concert. Ikuto, Kukai, and Nagi would play after that. Before Saya would sing her solo, Ikuto would play Saya's song. When the staff member told them the next singer; Ikuto, Amu, and Saya expressed shock in their own expressions. Ikuto stared wide eyed at the person. Amu screamed, "What?" Saya just shrieked incoherent words, ruining people's ears.
"Ikuto? Isn't Tadase-kun singing my song?" Amu asked as calm as possible. Saya, on the other hand, yelled at the poor man who was breaking down. Nagi decided to aid the poor man, taking his place.
"Didn't anyone tell you?" Nagi asked, earning only death glares. "Yamabuki-san and Amu-chan, weren't you listening during the meeting? Ikuto, didn't Kukai tell you?" He paused to see their reactions. Their glares still bore into his skull. "Since Hotori-san couldn't make it, Ikuto will have to be Amu-chan's partner. You can move on with the routine. I am terribly sorry for my friends and Yamabuki-san." Nagi walked back to his position. Amu, Ikuto, and Santa-san were still glaring at him. Kukai, who was next to Nagi, stepped several paces away from him.
The staff member finished the routine with stutters as he shook uncontrollably. After Yamabuki's performance, Ikuto will sing Amu's song. Amu will perform her song. Closing the show, Embryo would ask Saaya and Amu questions from the fans.
.::Time Skip::.
"Is the sun already setting? Does it really take that long to set up for one concert? No one's even played a single note," Kukai whined as the head of the whole concert set up dismissed everyone. "Hey, Ikuto, Amu-chan, and Nagi, do you want to go out to eat?" Nagi nodded his head, but Ikuto kept a stoic face.
"I'm sorry, Kukai-kun, but I have to go practice for my songs," Amu apologized, grabbing her things. Santa was still holding onto Ikuto's arm.
"I have to go with Amu to get the song," Ikuto shook off Saya and walked to Amu's side.
"No, it's alright. I'll just email the music sheet and lyrics to you," Amu laughed nervously, taking a step away from him.
Saya spoke up, "Yeah, let's go, Ikuto. I'm sure-"
"I have to practice my songs anyway. Why not just practice your song while we're at it?" Ikuto shrugged. Amu responded with a sigh, knowing his obdurate personality. Ikuto and Amu walked awkwardly back to Easter Records. Saya would have tagged along, but she got stalled by her manager who told her that she had a busy schedule.
.::Easter Records::.
In the lobby of the practice rooms, Ikuto was blankly staring at Amu who fumbled with the music. They both were sitting down.
"…Here's the music, but don't e-expect too much," She said, not meeting his gaze. He looked at the music and pulled out his guitar. The music consisted of mostly chords which were either held out for two or four beats. There were a few sections which were chords held out for one beat perpetually, but after that they were only half notes and whole notes.
Ikuto rested his guitar on his thigh and began the slow strum.
"I'd like to tell you and I'd like to say
How I, I feel right now
And I'd like to follow you down the hall
And see where it goes from there
But you, you don't care
'Cause you don't see me that way"
Amu stared at her lap, thinking, "Does he know this song is meant for him? If he does… does he think I'm a stalker?" She occasionally stole a glance at him, but it would only last a moment before her cheeks would flare red.Without her notice, Ikuto had already memorized the first section of the song and had been looking at her through the corner of his eye.
"I stare at you across the room
I maybe make a move at you
I don't think you'd take it too well"
Ikuto noticed her short glances. He continued to stare at her, hoping that she would meet his gaze. He looked back at the music, memorizing the next section. When he looked back up without her notice, he saw her beautiful face with rosy cheeks turned towards him. His hair had covered his eyes. At the next line, she diverted her attention at her fingers.
"I steal another glance or two
I maybe take a chance with you
But you, you don't need me
You don't even see me"
He looked back down at his music, but it wasn't to look at the last chords. The blue haired boy had prayed that when his gaze returned to her she would be looking at him. Sadly, she was still fumbling with her fingers.
"I wish that I could tell you
Every single thought I ever had about you and me
But you don't see me that way
No, you don't see me that way, no, no, no
No, you don't... see me... that way..."
When he had strummed the last chord, she looked up at him. Their eyes had met. They stayed like that for a while. To the both of them, their one-sided unrequited love seemed to have become mutual, but Amu caught a hold of "reality" and broke their connection.
"So…W-What are you, Kukai, and Nagi, going to play?" She looked around him but not at him.
"Would you like to listen?" He asked. She nodded her head, not trusting what her tongue might say against her. They both sat down, and Ikuto rested the guitar on his thigh once again.
"Turn around, turn around
And fix your eye in my direction
So there is a connection
I can't speak, I can't make a sound
To somehow capture your attention
I'm staring at perfection"
Throughout this whole song, Ikuto was hoping his feelings would get across to her, but he wouldn't even look at her even though he stared at her without his bangs blocking his eyes. Amu seemed to still look at her lap, but in truth, she was using Ikuto's trick. She bowed her head slightly so that her eyes couldn't be seen. Her flaming cheeks could still be seen, but if he asked, she would blame the "heat" in the room. Although it was winter, her mind came up with heat.
"You call me a stranger, you say I'm a danger
But all these thoughts are leaving you tonight
I'm broken, abandoned, you are an angel
Making all my dreams come true tonight"
Amu stood up which caused Ikuto to stop for two beats. He continued playing and observed her. She walked around the table that was in between them and sat next to him on the couch. She murmured, "I-I can h-h-hear better this w-way." He smirked and let out a soft chuckle. She looked up to hit his shoulder but was met with a warm smile, causing a smile to break out on her face.
"Take a look at me so you can see
How beautiful you are
Take a look at me so you can see
How beautiful you are
Your beauty seems so far away
I'd have to write a thousand songs
To make you comprehend how beautiful you are"
Amu looked away from him once again, turning the other way. Despite her refusal, he didn't feel any negative feelings. He could feel that she was nervous and embarrassed. She didn't seem to hate being with him.
"You call me a stranger, you say I'm a danger
You call me a stranger"
Amu stood up, saying "I guess that's it."
"Wait, Amu, may I listen to your song?" Ikuto requested, grabbing her wrist for her attention. Amu nodded her head and walked to her practice room with Ikuto a few paces back. She sat down on the piano seat with her music and Ikuto leaned against the wall giving her space. He had left his guitar at the couch as well as his music and things. She took a moment to gather her courage and play.
"I'm no longer loved by you,
I'm no longer needed by you.
And thus, just like this…I'm alone…
What was it that you said back then?"
Ikuto was just looking at her smiling. He knew she had composed and sang this song with her feelings. He could feel her emotions as clear as day. The pink haired composer was lost in the music. Her mind went to the reason behind this song. Her mind was filled with Ikuto. His sad, happy, and mad moments – every moment was filled with emotions. Amu could never comprehend what was behind Ikuto's actions, yet she put her trust in him. They stayed there, listening to the words and melody.
"Don't let go…
hold my hand tight…
say we'll continue being together…
our held hands used to be so warm
and so tender.
You were always like that,
making me angry and in the end, making me cry.
But afterwards
you would apologize…
I loved your face while doing so."
It came to Ikuto. He desperately hoped that what he was thinking was true. "Were these words for me? Does this mean that she…? No, she wouldn't. I don't remember apologizing to her that often," The wheels in Ikuto's head began to turn.
"Don't let go…
hold me with all your might…
I want to stay in your arms…
I want us to sleep with our foreheads
together.
Did you know we would never see each other again?
Don't let go…
hold tightly, I love you…
You will not smile for me ever again…
so before your warmth disappears,
hold me in your arms."
"Hey, Amu?" Amu turned in her seat to look at him. "Was that song meant for me?" Her face was a dead giveaway. Her face grew red, and her honey golden eyes began to water. She turned her head away from his gaze at the moment their eyes met. Amu accidentally bumped the piano which caused the music sheets to fall down. She knelt down hastily to pick them all up. On the last sheet of music, there was a note that said, "To Ikuto." She picked up each page, looking for the last page. When she had picked up all the pages in sight, she couldn't find the last page.
Ikuto muttered something underneath his breath.
"I-I-I-Ikuto," She turned to see him standing with the last page in his hand. "W-W-What did y-you j-just say?"
"I'll tell you after Christmas when they announce the winners," He smiled at her.
I really should've put a number on how much new stories I should've done when I asked, but I could have just chosen two new stories from what you've voted. I dug my own grave. Sigh, thanks for reading my story.