A/N: I'm uploading this 4 days short of 60 days. Better than 4 months right? xD Anyway this chapter might be a bit disappointing for those not all that interested in Amu's story, but I think it's necessary to understand what she was thinking x3

Chapter 16 - The Reason

"Oh Amu-chan?" Nagihiko said, turning around when he realized she had walked up to him. "Where'd Tadase go?"

"He's coming." Whether that was true or not, Amu didn't know. She couldn't decide whether to tell Nagihiko that she heard everything. She studied his somewhat saddened expression and thought she should wait for the right time. "What about Rima?" she asked, already knowing what he was going to say.

"She says she was feeling a bit dizzy. Must be all the pollen around."

"Guess I'd better go too then," said Tadase, who had just reached them. Amu could see that he was wearing that fake cheerful expression again. "Today was fun, see you on Monday."

He left with Amu and Nagihiko waving to his back.

"You know...I think I want to go home as well," Amu said. "I'm feeling kind of tired."

Nagihiko took her hand like he usually did, although this time Amu didn't feel any warmth in it. "Let's walk together then."

"...Okay." The two walked home in silence, while Amu's guilt started building up from even being next to Nagihiko.

Xxxxx

Rima had slammed her door shut when she reached home and curled up into a ball on top of her bed. She still couldn't believe what had just happened. She was grateful that it was the weekend the next day, but she would still have to face Nagihiko on Monday. She hoped Nagihiko would agree and keep quiet about the whole thing. If he told Amu...well, it was all over. Amu would surely hate her.

Her phone rang, breaking the silence of her room. Rima slowly reached out to it and checked the caller ID. Tadase.

"Hello."

"Rima-chan, you and I both know you're not allergic to pollen. What happened with Fujisaki?" Rima was taken aback by the fact that Tadase knew something was up. Maybe Nagihiko had also showed signs of looking different.

"You're not going to like it," Rima warned him.

"I don't care. I'd rather know what it is, no matter how bad."

She had the feeling Tadase was also talking about something else but decided to answer him first. "That other day when I was with Nagihiko fighting those X-eggs, I nearly told him that he was the one I loved." Rima gripped the phone tighter. "He knew what I was going to say and he...he told me that he loved me today. And then he hugged me."

She heard Tadase take a sharp intake of breath. "You mean he doesn't love Amu?"

"No, he said something about dating her so that she wouldn't be hurt anymore."

"I don't understand this...she was hurt? She's the one who broke up with me."

Rima decided to ask Tadase something she was curious about for a while now. "Tadase-kun, why did you and Amu break up in the first place?"

"I don't know." At this, Tadase sounded pained. "Today when we were separated from you and Fujisaki, I asked her. She didn't answer me." He then laughed humourlessly. "I'm pretty sure she knows I still have feelings for her now. Guess we both messed up today."

"Guess we did..."

A short pause followed.

"Hey Tadase-kun. I think we should end our fake relationship. It'll give me one less thing to pretend about."

"Funny how all my break-ups happen on the phone." Oops, Rima thought, he did mention something about that before. "Sure, is our exact breaking up time now?"

Rima thought for a bit. "No, let's make it that we broke up on Sunday – while we were out on a date. Oh by the way, I dumped you okay?"

"What? Even I have some dignity, I can't be broken up with twice. I broke up with you."

"I have my reputation as well!"

"Fine, we both decided to mutually break up after deciding we were better off as friends."

"Deal." Another short pause.

"Hey, can I still call you Tadase-kun? I've gotten used to it."

"Alright, then I'll keep calling you Rima-chan. Oh, I've got to go, grandmother needs some help getting dinner ready. Bye."

"Bye." Rima hung up with a small smile.

If there was one thing good that came out of this whole ordeal, it was that she and Tadase had become better friends. She just wished she could've been as good as a friend to Amu.

Xxxxx

Amu fell onto her bed after having her shower. There were too many things going around in her head right now. It was all her fault. She should've noticed that Rima had been hiding her feelings. As well as Nagihiko. Some friend she was. They were doing this all for her sake, just so she wouldn't feel sad anymore.

She didn't deserve their concern, she thought. It was her own fault that she had been feeling so hurt after the break-up in the first place. She was the one that caused the break-up.

She had been telling herself that it was better this way, better for Tadase. He asked her that question. The one she dreaded to answer.

Why did you break up with me?

XOXOX

Back when they were still in the seventh grade, Amu and Tadase had been dating. Those were one of the happiest times of her life. They walked to school together, Tadase took her out on a date at least once a week, and if he told her 'I love you' every single day. If he couldn't tell her in person, he'd call her.

Once, Tadase couldn't get a hold of Amu's phone since she had forgotten to charge it the night before. She and Utau had gone out for ramen that day and when she met up with Utau, the idol said, "Hey, please don't forget to charge your phone. Your boyfriend called me to make sure to tell you 'I love you' for him. Does he seriously tell you that every day?"

"Yep," Amu had replied, giggling happily with a faint blush on her cheeks.

Utau smiled at her reaction. "He has a good effect on you."

"You think?"

The blond nodded. "Our little prince is all grown up."

Amu, by habit quickly looked behind and to her sides to check Tadase wasn't there. "Phew."

"Does he still character change when someone says 'prince'?" Utau asked, amused.

Grinning sheepishly Amu rubbed the back of her head. "Yeah." Although, that's one of the things I like about Tadase.

xxxx

"There you are Tadase-kun!"

Tadase looked down to see Amu standing by the door of the planetarium. She walked over to sit next to him, and gazed up at the stars. He held her hand and Amu leaned against his should.

"I never get tired of watching the stars."

"They're beautiful, no matter how many times you look at them," Amu said. Although no one else was there she lowered her voice. "Tadase-kun…is there something wrong?"

Amu had noticed that Tadase had felt a bit distant for the past month. She was sure their other friends had caught his expression too, and she was concerned about him.

Tadase squeezed her hand. "No, there isn't. I mean, well yes. I mean…" He let out a sigh. "It's about time I let you know anyway."

"Let me know what?"

"My dad got a new project and is being transferred to Hokkaido. My family…we're going to move."

Amu felt an empty feeling starting to settle in her stomach. Tadase was…moving?

"I tried to convince him to let me stay with grandma, who's going to stay here," Tadase explained, "but he said he wants me to come as well."

"Oh." That was all Amu could say. She should be saying something like 'that's great' or 'congratulations.'

Tadase held her hand tighter. "I don't think its permanent Amu-chan. We'll be able to move back after the project's done."

She couldn't seem to be able to speak out her thoughts. I don't want you to go. I really don't want you to go. Please.

"Amu-chan?" Amu blinked as she felt Tadase wipe her face with his handkerchief, only now realizing that a small stream of tears was running down her face.

Amu cupped her face with her both her hands. "I'm sorry Tadase-kun. I don't know what came over me."

Tadase quietly wrapped his arms around her and Amu buried her face in his shirt, sobbing.

xxxxx

"Nooo!" Yaya clung onto Tadase's leg. "You can't go! I'm going to get less candy if you go."

Tadase patted Yaya's head. "I'm sure you'll be fine." Being the baby character she is, Yaya burst into tears and rolled on the floor screaming. A few passers-by stared at the girl, wondering if she was lost.

"We don't know her," Rima said decidedly, turning away from the sight.

Nagihiko chuckled then turned to Tadase. They shook hands and grinned at each other. "Take care Hotori."

"You too Fujisaki."

Also grinning, Kukai put an arm around Tadase. "Make sure to bring us lots of souvenirs when you get back!"

"Is that all you can say?" Utau huffed, crossing her arms. "What a kid."

"Didn't I tell you not to call me a kid?" Kukai said with a smirk.

Rima let out a cough to remind the two that younger kids (like Yaya) were present and that Kukai could not start 'punishing' Utau for calling him a 'kid'. "Where's Amu-chan?"

"Here!" Amu ran towards the group, her charas trailing behind her.

"How dare you commoners be late for our departure?" Kiseki yelled.

"Oh, don't ruin it, you useless king," Miki said.

"Useless?" Kiseki spluttered, which made everyone laugh.

"Tadase-kun…" Amu took out a small pink package from her bag. Feeling everyone's eyes trained on her, she turned slightly pink as she gave it to Tadase. "It's a goodbye present. You know, to remind you of me."

"Oooh what is it?" Yaya asked curiously.

"Shush, don't ruin the moment," Utau said uncharacteristically. The group turned to stare at her. "What? Carry on."

Tadase reached out and hugged Amu. "Thanks Amu-chan. Not just for the gift, but for everything."

Amu felt a warmness spread as Tadase held her. "If it's for everything, I should be thanking you too." Tears were threatening to appear again but she blinked them back. "Remember our promise?"

"Yes, I'll call you at least once a week."

"Awww…" Utau let out. The others glared at her.

Tadase and Amu, ignoring the small disruption finally let go of each other. Looking at Tadase's beautiful pink eyes for the last time for a long time. "I'll miss you Tadase-kun."

"Me too."

After a few last cries from Yaya and manly-goodbyes from Nagihiko and Kukai, everyone, including Amu, started heading out the airport.

"Wait, Amu-chan!" Tadase called out as she was turning. He took her hand. "Before I go. Can I kiss you?"

Her mind froze, but she must have said yes because the next thing she knew she felt Tadase's soft lips on hers. Their first kiss.

It lasted only about five seconds before Yaya and Utau came back squealing and taking pictures.

"I got a shot!" Yaya yelled gleefully.

"Send it to me!" Utau said. "I never thought this day would come. They grow up so fast."

Of course, by now, Amu was used to Tadase's affections and wouldn't make a big deal of it.

Not.

In true Amu style, the pinkette started squealing, completely red-faced and almost certainly floating.

Tadase laughed in adoration. He was really going to miss her.

xxxxx

As promised, Tadase did indeed call every week, at least once. Amu looked forward to these calls. Even if she was having a bad day Tadase could always cheer her up with just a few words.

Then it came to a point when Tadase started calling her every two days. It was understandable; they were both busy with school life and everything else.

One day Amu sat down on a bench outside school. Tadase hadn't called for a week. She wondered how he was doing, at that moment a shadow fell upon her and she looked up to see Saaya looming over her.

"I'm guessing Hotori-kun didn't call you today?" A triumphant smirk played on Saaya's lips. Ever since Tadase and Amu had officially become a couple, Amu could feel Saaya's increasing jealousy radiate from her.

"He's probably busy," Amu said nonchalantly, putting up her cool-and-spicy persona. It usually worked well against Saaya, but it seemed the girl was a little bit more persistent than usual.

"I think he's probably bored of you."

Amu nearly scoffed at that. Tadase could never be bored of someone. It just wasn't in his nature.

"Maybe he found another girl wherever he's at."

Of course not! Tadase was an honest person and would never dream of looking at another girl if he was with someone. Amu at this point actually pitied Saaya for liking Tadase so much yet knowing so little about him.

"I mean, anyone else would be better than cold-hearted Amu Hinamori."

Ouch. That was low, even for Saaya. "Who are you calling cold-hearted?"

Saaya's smirk broadened, knowing she had struck a nerve.

"Well, from what I've seen, you haven't shown much affection for Hotori-kun. It's common knowledge that he used to tell you he loved you on a daily basis." She pointed an accusing finger at Amu. "But I find it fishy how you've never said it in return."

Eyes narrowing, Amu had to restrain herself from not getting up and just slapping that girl. It was a lie, she always said…okay, maybe not always but usually…then it dawned on her. She had never said 'I love you' in return. Come to think of it, she didn't think she had actually said 'I love you' to Tadase since the day she blurted it out in front of everyone during the school assembly, before she really knew Tadase.

Her guardian characters had been observing the exchange between the two, not thinking it was in their place to say anything. Miki felt that she had had enough and promptly floated to Saaya's head and kicked it.

"Ahh!" Saaya yelled. "What the heck?"

Amu blinked at looked up at Saaya who was looking around for the culprit of her sudden pain. Unluckily for them, a few little boys were just across the road, aiming slingshots at each other.

"Hey you brats! How dare you hit the great Saaya Yamabuki!"

Saaya rushed towards them in a rage. Using this chance, Amu made her way back home.

Xxxxx

Amu tried to ignore whatever Saaya had been saying, but to her annoyance it kept coming back to her mind. The worst part was that some of it rang true. So she decided to call Tadase (after realising that she had never thought of calling him before instead of waiting for his calls.)

"Hello, Tadase-kun."

"Who's this?" Amu nearly dropped her phone. The voice had been sharp, and it was a girl's voice.

"Who are you? And why do you have Tadase-kun's phone?"

The phone was silent for a while, before the stranger decided to reply. "I'm Tadase's girlfriend."

Tadase's girlfriend? No! She was Tadase's girlfriend. Not whoever this imposter was.

Amu laughed. "Nice try, kid, but Tadase already has a girlfriend and I know it's not you."

"You haven't answered me, who are-" The voice abruptly stopped and Amu could here Tadase was speaking to the girl.

She heard a faint 'Tadase-kun, your phone rang so I picked it up.' Amu rolled her eyes, who went around picking up other people's phones for them? 'Oh…' Amu smiled as she could tell Tadase was confused at this girl's behaviour. 'Could I have it please, Kiyo-chan?' Hah, now this Kiyo-chan would know that it was Amu who was Tadase's girlfriend – wait, Kiyo-chan. He was on a first name basis with her? It took him a year to call her Amu-chan and he'd only been away for four months.

Before Amu could think any more on this Tadase's voice called out her name.

"Hi Tadase-kun! It's been a while."

"I'm sorry for not calling earlier Amu-chan, our school is having a festival and I've been really busy since I'm our class's representative for this term."

"Really? Congratulations Tadase-kun," she said, feeling proud of him. Tadase would of course be a perfect representative, he was kind to everyone.

They talked about everything from school to what they're friends had been up to and even what they both had had for lunch. Amu did not, though, mention what Saaya had said to her before.

Finally, Tadase said, "I'll talk to you again soon Amu-chan. I love you."

This was her chance, Amu opened her mouth to say 'I love you too' but Tadase had already hung up. Amu felt her heart ache as she realized that it was because Tadase was already used to not having a reply.

xxxxx

Amu got a call the next day. But not from Tadase – it was the girl who answered for him: 'Kiyo-chan'.

Before Amu could say something along the lines of 'why the heck do you even have my number?'

Kiyo sped into a quick string of sentences. "Look, I don't care if you're Tadase's girlfriend or whatever. I love Tadase and he knows it. I'm pretty sure he likes me too." What a conceited brat, Amu thought. She was even more of a brat than Saaya. "The only reason he's not with me is that he's too noble to cheat and he doesn't want to break your pathetic heart." This girl didn't even know Amu. "I think it's pretty selfish of you keeping him to yourself. And I checked his phone's history." What a creep. "And you've never called him until yesterday." Well, okay, that part was true, but still – "He's told me that you never tell him 'I love you' you know." What? No way. But how did she know-? "And it's breaking his heart. Tadase deserves a person that can appreciate him." Amu held back a scream. "Not someone who can't even say three simple words."

With that last sentence the girl hung up.

Amu threw her phone across the room and it fell with a thud. She didn't care if it was broken or not. She flung herself onto her bed and buried her head in the pillow. She cried.

Cried because no matter how bratty that girl was it was true. She never did show Tadase that she loved him. But Tadase loved her anyway and she knew he just didn't deserve someone like her, he deserved much better.

xxxxx

"What?"

Amu stared at the floor, both her hands holding her phone to her ear.

"But…why Amu-chan?" He sounded confused. "Did I do something?"

"No…it's not your fault," said Amu hollowly. "I just think…you deserve better."

"What are you talking about Amu-chan?"

"I think we should just be friends." She was breaking his heart, she knew. But it was for the better. He would find someone better.

"But I don't –"

"I'm sorry Tadase-kun." She let out an involuntary sob but quickly covered her mouth. "Goodbye."

He called. He called every day. This time she didn't answer.

It was for the better.

xxxxx

It hurt. It hurt knowing that Tadase had no clue as to why she had broken up with him. He must think of her as heartless…but that was good. It would mean that he could find someone else.

She knew he wouldn't hesitate to still be friends. She would prepare herself so she could take it as well.

Amu wasn't all that good at hiding her feelings. She knew her friends could tell she was upset about something. They knew she had broken up with Tadase but she wasn't going to tell them why.

She allowed herself a small smile. At least Nagihiko and Rima had been trying to cheer her up. Nagihiko was trying especially hard. In fact she was one her way right now to meet up with Nagihiko to go shopping. She was sorry Rima couldn't come; she had a dentist's appointment or something. Oh well.

A/N: I've finished this chapter and just realized I have 200+ reviews. Thank you so much everyone, it really means a lot to me x3 I'm a quarter through writing the next chapter, so hang tight! Happy White Day in advance xD