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December is such a chilly season. I shivered as goose bumps appeared on my arm. This was worse than last month; much worse, it was like more than a million times worse. I hate this month for that reason, but of course it does have its perks. Like for instance Christmas and our Christmas Dance. That may I add was only a few weeks away. I was really excited about this and couldn't wait to shop. Rima and I had planned to go shopping in the afternoon. It was at the moment late morning, and I had no idea whatsoever why I was in the town now. I guess I was bored, and people weren't picking up their damn phones. But now that I am here I'm even more bored. I don't know what to do, there's no point going shopping now when I'm going later. I sighed as I walked down the street. Also, I had been so fixated on getting out of my house that I had forgotten to dress properly. I seriously looked like I was dressing for August, not winter. I wasn't thinking straight and now look where it has led me. Flipping cold. I really have no common sense what so ever. Normal people would realise that you would wear warm clothes for such weather. But me, no, I decide to where something that will make me turn into an ice cube.

I shivered again noticing people staring at me. That's what I've been getting lately, a lot of stares. No, it wasn't just today; it's been a lot recently. It's probably because of releasing two singles now. Yeah, my other single, one of those girls was recorded immediately. I got 5th place, which is a huge jump from unlucky number 13. When I was on YouTube I found a video of my performance at school, and oh god had it got so many views. I was completely shocked. The comments as well really made me feel flattered and happy. But then I remembered what had happened after I had performed. I hadn't seen Utau after that day, and I don't think Ikuto has either. She kind of disappeared. It was strange how she gave up so easily. She was always warning me about staying away from him, but that time she just gave up. It wasn't what I thought would happen. I haven't seen Ikuto for a while either now thinking about it. They both had disappeared. Actually that wasn't true, I've seen Ikuto around but he hasn't talked to me. I just guess we've both been busy.

"Hinamori-san," a voice said as I turned around.

Tadase. For a second I hoped it was Ikuto, but he never ever called me 'Hinamori-san,' so that was really stupid thing to think. I smiled at him as I stopped in my tracks and waited for him to catch up to me. He smiled back at me as we started to walk down the street.

"So, how are you?" he asked me.

How am I? Good question. I sighed, I should stop acting bored in front of him, I'm probably being a bother. I took a deep breath as I smiled.

"Oh, I'm good, just recorded my next song. You?" I questioned.

He didn't say anything; instead there was a sour expression on his face. It really didn't look right on him. Not at all.

"How's..." he paused as he gritted his teeth, "Ikuto,"

It sounded like he was choking out Ikuto's name, like he felt saying his name was some kind of sin. The expression on his face became worse as he said it. I looked at him wondering why he had suddenly asked such a question, and why he looked so repulsed while saying it.

"Well, he's ok. But I haven't seen him since..." I didn't continue my sentence.

Should I really tell Tadase about what happened? I don't think it's a good idea. I sighed, deciding not to tell him. Tadase looked at me his expression softening, but only a little.

"Sorry, did something happen?" Now he looked hopeful.

Really weird, it's like he wants something to happen. I shook my head trying to forget this thought, nah, it's not like that. He's not like that. I don't think he is anyway.

"No, not really," I replied back as he put on a smile that was all to fake.

"That's good,"

Really? Because you sure don't seem like you think it's good. Maybe I'm just jumping to conclusions. That's probably it.

"Do you want to go in there?" he asked me pointing at a cafe across the road.

I nodded politely as we walked in there. I wonder what Tadase's problem is with Ikuto. He doesn't seem to like him. Correction, he hates him. I think Ikuto might feel the same way. We came to a table as we sat down. I picked up the drinks menu and looked at it. They had Coca Cola; I might as well have that. I put it back as I waited for Tadase to decide. I looked at him at his ruby eyes, I just didn't like that look on his face when he talked about Ikuto. God, his expression was scary. I've never seen someone be so openly despising before. It didn't look right on him either, I don't why, but it just didn't. Ok, now I'm starting to pry again. I should really stop doing that. Tadase put the drinks menu down as a waiter came to the table.

"What do you want?" he asked.

I looked up about to say Coke when I saw who it was. Oh shit. He had noticed who I was and who the boy the other side of the table was too. He narrowed his eyes at me and glared at Tadase. Ikuto, why the hell was he here? Tadase looked at me wondering why I wasn't ordering as he followed my gaze. His face went completely stony when he saw him. He glared back at Ikuto as they both exchanged death looks.

"Why are you here?" I asked him.

He looked back at me and snickered, "What does it look like? I'm working,"

Even after I haven't seen him for a while he still acts the same. But I should have realised something as simple as that. It was pretty obvious. The question I wanted to ask was why he was working here.

He seemed to notice that was the question running through my mind as he said, "I need to earn some money. I'm kind of broke,"

He was broke? That was really odd hearing that from him. Was he planning on getting something? He smirked at me, seeming to want to keep that a secret. Tadase at this point was clenching his fists and glaring so fiercefully at Ikuto. He didn't look happy at all. He looked furious. I turned my head to say something to him but I was taken aback by the look in his eyes. Ikuto noticed this as he raised an eyebrow. He put down the piece of paper he was going to write on as he sat it down on the table. He pulled a chair from a vacant table and sat down. Tadase didn't say anything, but a snarl was slowly appearing on his lips. Ikuto smiled crookedly at him.

"So, how are you Tadagay?" he questioned the same smirk permanently placed on his lips.

Tadase went bright red with anger as he stood up thumping his fists on the table. He looked like he was going to say something but he bit his lip instead. He looked at me, a look I couldn't quite place as he stormed out of the cafe. I watched him go aghast. I stared at Ikuto as he grinned back at me.

"That wasn't very nice!" I exclaimed as he chuckled.

"Who said I am nice?" he chuckled.

Maybe Tadase hates him because he calls him gay? That could be one of the reasons, but his hatred is pretty deep. There must be something more. I stood up as Ikuto did the same thing. I didn't feel like staying here anymore, and I'd soon have to meet Rima anyway. I walked out of the shop Ikuto tagging along behind me. I spun around.

"Aren't you supposed to be working?" I asked.

"Yup,"

"Then go back in there,"

"Nope,"

I twitched with anger. He was being so stubborn. Was he in some kind of teasing mood? I took a deep breath trying to calm my emotions. He'll get fired if he tags along. Though he is a famous singer, I don't think they would care. Probably.

"Where are you going now?" He enquired.

Was he really planning on tagging along everywhere I go? He sure is acting weird.

"Shopping, for a dress for the Christmas Dance,"

He nodded as he walked beside me.

That proved that he was going to follow me. I sighed, oh well.

"Amu!" Rima shouted as I hurriedly walked towards her.

She smiled at me but when she saw Ikuto behind me her face went bright red. She blushed violently as she pointed at him. He smiled awkwardly; he was used to things like this. We had both been giving a set amount of money for the dance so there weren't many places we could go to. But there was a perfect shop that both of us loved. We walked into it as I stared at the dresses in awe feeling the gorgeous fabric. Ikuto didn't say anything when we were inside there, all he did was keep quiet and try not to be recognised as 'Ikuto Tsukiyomi,' He didn't want to be swarmed by fan girls. I went down an aisle of the dresses as I heard Rima squeal behind me.

"Found it!" she grinned as she showed me it.

It was a really pretty shade of green, like jade, and had a black bow on a belt. I stared at it and gasped. It was really pretty.

She smiled at me as she walked happily into the changing rooms. Now I had to look for mine. I searched down the aisles and couldn't find the perfect one. I had given up when Ikuto walked over to me and pulled out a dress.

"What about this one?" he asked.

I gasped as I touched the fabric. It was perfect, who knew that Ikuto had such good taste. I thanked him for picking it out as I rushed into the changing rooms to try it on. Ikuto waited outside tapping his foot impatiently on the ground. I finished putting it on as I took my x clip from my hair. Wow, it was great. I loved it. I fiddled my hair so it looked ok as I walked out of the changing rooms hoping Ikuto thought it looked ok. He at that moment was looking into thin air. He heard me walk out as he looked at me and blushed. His cheeks tainted red as he stared up and down me. He looked away quickly but couldn't help but steal quick glances every few seconds.

"What do you think?" I asked him making him look at me again.

The red on his cheeks had disappeared as he took a deep breath and grinned at me. He didn't say anything, he just grinned. Did that mean it looked nice? I took it as a compliment as Rima came out from nowhere with a bag in her hands. So she had bought it. I walked back into the changing rooms, leaving Rima and Ikuto on their own. Rima looked up at Ikuto suspiciously.

"You're blushing," she pointed out.

Just saying that had made him go even redder. He looked away from her but she walked in front of him.

"What did you really think of her?" she asked.

Ikuto didn't say anything but when he did he looked up and stared at the dressing room that I was in.

"I thought she looked beautiful,"

I gasped quietly my back against the mirror of the changing room. I covered my mouth as I blushed. He thought I looked beautiful? I turned around and looked at myself in the mirror. Beautiful, huh?

I've never ever heard someone say that about me before.

Never.

End of Chapter

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