My Captive Amu~ Side Story...
I ran, desperately ran. Sweat started running down my cheeks like heavy rain, but I still ran. I don't care as long as I get there...
To the…
"BEACH!" I beamed as I got closer and closer to it.
When I got there, the place was loaded with people on their swimsuits and swimming trunks, people of all ages ran toward the huge body of water or stayed on the sands making sand castles or burying someone on them. I watched them all with beaming excitement. I'll definitely make this day the happiest day of my young life!
"Amu!" Tadase called out from behind.
"You know we can't keep up with you when you're in your 'excited mode'" Rima said walking towards me.
I smiled at them apologetically. This week will be the last week before school starts and after finishing my dreaded summer homework yesterday, this is my reward! A trip to the beach with my friends Yaya, Rima and Tadase!
"Yea Amu, slow down," said an annoying person who isn't supposed to be here, I grit my teeth and ignored his stupid comment, why did he have to come?
"Ikuto's right, Amu!" Yaya agreed, nodding her head, "now help us carry these to the cottage!" she continued putting the bags down in front of me.
I sank down and took a deep exasperated breath, why is everyone so mean to me?
"Don't worry Amu," Tadase said smiling down on me, "I'll help you carry them,"
An angel in the form of Tadase came to my aid, "thanks!" I smiled back at him gratefully.
The rest house where the four of us plus one freeloader will be staying is owned by Rima's family. It's a 2 storey building. The two rooms, where Tadase and Ikuto will be staying are on the first floor while we will be staying upstairs.
When I got to my room, I put down my bag and opened the window, welcoming the cool breeze into my room and watched in absolute amusement the blue hue of the ocean and sky, and the waves as it crashes down to shore. I breathe it all in, relaxing myself.
"Everyone! Lunch is ready!" Yaya exclaimed from down stairs, and one by one, I hear the doors of the other room open and everyone say saying, "coming!"
I still admiring the view and the fresh breeze when Yaya cried out my name loudly, "AMMUUUU!"
I chuckled to myself as she repeated again, "coming!" I said opening the door and closing it as I ran towards the dining room.
After eating some sandwiches that Rima made for lunch, we headed out to the open ocean, changed in our swimsuits, swam and splashed each other except for Rima that was just sitting idly under the umbrella and Ikuto that was nowhere to be seen.
a few minutes after,
"I got the ball!" Yaya said as she reaches towards it, jumping high.
After swimming, Rima and the others decided to play beach volleyball. While they played, I rest myself under the umbrella.
I wonder where is that stupid thief gone to? I asked myself, like hell I care about him, he must be out stealing some bikinis, or hanging out with sexy girls on their sexy bikinis. WHAT A PERVERT! I grimaced
PERVERT!
PERVERT!
PERVERT!
PERVERT!
PERVERT!
PERVERT!
"Amu, would you like to join us? You look really lonely here so—"
"PERVERT!" I said my thought out loud unknowingly turning and glaring at—
"T-Tadase?" I looked at him, dumb-founded. What the hell did I just say to him? How stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid Of me!
Glancing up at his flabbergasted expression, I've come up with three scary conclusions:
One: he'll hate me.
Two: he'll hate me more.
Three: he'll hate me the most!
And the scenario where he won't talk to me no matter how much I tried and I would live my life filled with nothing but misery and regret for the rest of my life.
Thinking this, I started to sob to myself. I'm such an idiot! I'll never forgive myself! I hate myself!
I'll have to apologize to him, that's right! That's the only way. Apologize!
"T-Tadase I—"
"Yo! Tadase!" said a brown-kind-of-spiky-haired boy who from the looks of it, is the same age as us, wrapping his left arm around Tadase's neck, "didn't know you'd be here as well!" he grinned widely.
Is this guy hitting on Tadase? I glared at him suspiciously. Well, Tadase does look like a girl. He sometimes even acts like one.
As if sensing my menacing aura locked on him, he turned to me, "hey Amu! Didn't know you were with him as well!"
I blinked, surprised, "you know me?"
He chuckled, "of course, we are classmates after all," he turned to the others playing beach volleyball and seeing Yaya he yelled out her name, "YAYAAA!"
Yaya turned to him, a huge grin spreading across her cute face, "KUKAIII!"
She ran towards him, "on a last minute vacation as well?" she asked.
He smiled sheepishly. That answered her question.
"I see you also brought Nagihiko and Kairi!" Yaya said looking at the long-haired guy and the plain looking glasses guy walking towards us.
"They're our classmates too?" I asked Rima who was sitting beneath the umbrella with me.
"Yea." She answered drinking her juice.
I really didn't know he was my classmate. I wouldn't even know Tadase's my classmate too if he didn't come right at me just to greet me good morning back then. I don't even know more than half of my classmates at school.
I took a deep breath, I seriously need to expand my attention span.
"Hey Nagi!" Rima greeted him nonchalantly.
He smiled at her, "good afternoon, Rima," he said politely at her.
Such a polite person, he then turned to me and smiled at me, "good afternoon Amu," he even smiles like one too. Kukai on the other hand is a very cheerful person and a close friend of Tadase's. But other guy, Kairi, Is a really quiet person, he doesn't talk much.
"You guys went to the beach with just the three of you?" I asked Nagihiko.
"No, the others went home last night, we decided to stay a little longer here." He answered.
"That so?" I muttered to myself
"Okay! Let's continue playing beach volleyball!" Kukai announced excitedly running towards the court and the others following him.
"...And tonight will be our test of courage!" Yaya added.
What? Test of courage! I flinched hearing that, I hate that! Most especially ghosts!
"A t-test of c-c-cou-"
"Kairi'll be the scorer!" Yaya said tugging him along with her, "you coming Amu?"
I shook my head, "n-no, I-I'm good here," I ruefully smile at her but looking away.
She shrugged, "suit yourself then," and ran still tugging Kairi who was screaming for help. I'm sorry Kairi but not even the great me can stop Yaya when she is in that state. I clap my hands together and pray for him.
There I sat, alone once again. Looking nowhere, then, catching a glimpse of Tadase playing with them I am once again, haunted by that seven-letter word I said that wasn't supposed to be for him.
I rest my head on my knees. I'm such an idiot. No matter how many times I call myself that it won't change the fact that I said it directly to him.
"Amu,"
I looked up only to see a cool can of juice coldly kissing my left cheek, and behind it is Ikuto holding it up to me as he drinks his can of milk.
I took the can from him, "thanks," I muttered but enough for him to hear.
He turned and stared at me for a moment, "why aren't you playing with them?"
I refused to look at him and drank my juice, "I'm not in the mood," I said indifferently looking at the vast ocean in front of me.
"So this is the idiot who said that she'll make this day the happiest vacation?"
I frown angrily looking at the ground
"W-where were you?" I asked changing the topic and glancing at his direction.
"Nowhere," he answered then looked at me.
I stared down at the sand. This was supposed to be a happy day for me, but then I suddenly said something awful to Tadase, and being flustered and shy just because this guy was sitting next to me. There goes my fun before-school memory. I pouted to myself.
"Well, all I know is that it's not your fault," Ikuto said as he stands up.
Of course it's not because it's your fault.
The next thing I know, he was patting me softly on the head, "it was an accident, right?"
All of a sudden, I felt weird, good weird, it'd like he just said the magic words to open a closed door. How bizarre. I frowned deeper. It's really hot today.
Then smiled mockingly, "everything you do is always an accident whether it's good or bad anyway," he chuckled then walked away.
"Hey! W- what's that supposed to mean?" I yelled at him, annoyed.
He just waved his hand, "I'll sleep on the rest house if you need me!"
"Why the hell would I need you, stupid ikuto," I mumbled to myself then looked back at the others playing.
I hesitated but he was right I have to make this the happiest vacation day! Ahh... I feel so stupid letting that guy tell me what to do...
"I WANT TO JOIN YOU GUYS!"
-THAT NIGHT-
I hate test of courage because of the dark places.
I hate test of courage because in those dark places, there might be something ghostly lurking there!
I hate any paranormal entities; it really scares me out of my wits!
I could go all night telling how I hate test of courage if it means canceling what's about to happen tonight!
We gathered behind Rima's rest house to begin the dreaded test of courage. The night was clear with no signs of dark clouds or rainy droplets much to my dismay. Everyone was present, all except for Ikuto that went God-knows-where DANG! I should've gone along with him!
"Well then, let's start!" Rima exclaimed, "This is where we will carry out the test of courage!" she said extending her arms at the dark creepy forest behind the house that emits an eerie aura.
"If you follow this path it will lead you to a bridge," she explained pointing at the straight path that stretches all the way to the deep dark forest, "but there's a story behind this certain bridge," she said lighting a flash light from her chin up to her face, making her seemingly scary.
"there was once a woman there who waited for her loved one's return," as she tell the rest of the story, she turned and locked her eyes on mine and smiled darkly as if she was telling the story only to me, I flinched and looked away but I can still feel her gaze on me, "day and night she waited and waited until a tragic end befell her, and she died," she seems to enjoy my misery a lot.
She each give us lighted candles as she explains what to do next, "you will put the candle on the bridge and offer it a prayer for the lady!" she said
"We will all go in pairs!" she said looking around at us, "but two boys will have to scare the others…" she said as we listen intently, "and that would be…"
And as if she had a sudden eureka moment, she pointed at the person standing next to Kairi with a goofy smile on his face, "Kukai!"
His jaw dropped, "ME?"
"Yes," she indifferently said looking straight into his eyes and his with hers as if they were talking telepathically. And as if he got what she's trying to tell him, he brightened up again and said, "COUNT ON ME!"
Then she glanced at the boy near Yaya and said indifferently, "...and Nagihiko."
Nagihiko just smiled, going along with the flow.
"The pairs will be Yaya and Kairi," she said glancing at them, then she turned to me and smiled mockingly, "Amu and Tadase,"
I stared at her, panic-striken. why would she do such a wonderful thing that could lead to something disastrous?
She came up to me and whispered, "be thankful,"
I smiled at her ruefully, oh Rima, I love you so much but you couldn't have picked a better time to plan something so romantically wonderful just for me! MAN THIS IS BITTERSWEET!
"And my partner will be Ikuto!" she smiled brightly at the tree where he was leaning into, since when has he been there?
He turned to Rima and smirked, "fine by me,"
"Well then let's begin! the first to go are Yaya and Kairi, after 15 minutes, it's Ikuto and I," then she ran to Ikuto and hugged his arm, "and it's Amu and Tadase"
What... What is she doing? hugging Ikuto like that? I didn't know she... Damn it why am I getting extremely angry for?
"Amu?" Tadase called popping in front of me out of nowhere, "is something wrong? you're frowning... it is be-"
"No! it's not because of you! it's just..." I looked down, unable to look at him thinking of what I said to him
"Yaya and Kairi is in! after fifteen minutes the next pair will go in!" Rima announced, still hugging Ikuto and making conversations with him and giggling cutely that somehow, makes Ikuto smile at her,like a cute annoying couple. It's irritating. I grimaced, turning my head way from them.
Fifteen minutes passed and Rima and Ikuto went inside, leaving me and Tadase alone, and the awkwardness continued.
To break the silence that I feel could go on forever, I decided to break it, by saying something, ANYTHING! just to prevent this silence from breaking my last strand of hope to be with Tadase!
"The w-weather's great, huh?" was the first thing that popped out of my mind, saying this, the cold gust of the wind made me shiver and immediately regret what my big mouth spout out. The stupid misery of it all!
He looked up at the dark scary sky, "but it's cold,"
I sank down, defeated mentally. I might start writing a letter of transfer to my school for this, so embarrassing!
He then smiled and turned to me, "but the stars are beautiful,"
I stared at him, still ingesting his warm smile into my heart before i could respond, "YEAH!"
And, as hard it is to believe, just like that, we made up. I apologized for what I suddenly said to him and swore that it was not meant for him to hear. He also apologized and even said that it's his own fault for suddenly butting in while I'm so deep in thought. Such a down to earth person he is!
Glancing at his silver watch, "our 15 minutes is up Amu," he said extending his hand to me, I took it without hesitation, smiling to myself, "let's go!"
It's supposed to be a test of courage, a night of fear and darkness just as I remember it from before, which is why I have always hated it. But right now, In fact I'm enjoying it! And even thought that if this is what the test of courage would always be, I wouldn't miss it for the world!
I may have to thank Rima a million times for this, whether this was her intention or not. Speaking of Rima, I wonder where are they now...
And as if reading my mind, Tadase said, " Rima likes Ikuto?" turning to me shyly.
I would very much love to abandon this conversation but seeing his shy face looking at me makes me unable to do so!
"I-I don't know," I said "Rima's been acting strange lately," she has been acting weird, what is she planning?
There was a short pause as he looks at me and said, "I see, so she's in love then," and smiled at me ever so brightly, OH THE BRIGHTNESS! THE BEAUTIFUL SHINING BRIGHTNESS!-wait, why is he so happy?
Though I highly doubt that could happen, but indeed, Rima is acting strange, so there's a possibility that she could be-
"No! that'd be completely impossible Tadase, no way would Rima ever fall for that kind of guy!" I said waving my hand back and forth, "And it's Ikuto we're talking about here!"
"why not?" he said looking at me, "the look good together to me,"
I stared at him in disbelief, and started to recall Rima and Ikuto's laughing faces as the went inside the forest, with her still hugging his arm tightly that annoyed me. But i don't understand...
I really want to end this conversation because I'm starting to feel funny, why is he pulling the subject back?
"...Amu?" Tadase called looking at me while I was lost in my thoughts.
I just laughed it off and turned to him, "sorry, I kinda got lost my-" it is then that i caught a glimpse at the dark bushes that was moving irritably and saw something looked back at me, I shivered, frozen in fear.
"Amu?" He repeated, "are you okay? you look pale,"
Not that I can't speak, I'm just too scared to do so, the bush kept moving and I can't move out of fear for what might happen if I did, I just watched it as the leaves one by one fell in it's constant moving, I can hear Tadase calling me but I couldn't respond. You could say I'm too much of a coward to even do anything from this point on.
Then, all of a sudden, it stopped, and I feel the worst happening. It flashed its eyes at me and all at once, stood up and the next thing I knew, I was running for my life.
I scream at the top of my lungs but could still hear Tadase's voice faintly saying something like "it was just..." or something along those lines as I fled but paid no absolute attention since all I wanted was to be out of this maze-like forest!
I'M SO SORRY TADASE!
For minutes I ran, panting, my knees are starting to hurt and in no time, finally gave up and I fell flat on the ground. Such a worthy death for a unworthy person, I am such a loser! Looking up, I noticed that I was already at the bridge Rima spoke of and saw Ikuto at the side fighting the urge to laugh out loud, but gave up and finally laughed at me mockingly.
I quickly stood up ignoring the pain on my legs ,"stupid, " I muttered to myself. Thinking that I have to get away from this idiot as soon as possible before he asks why I am "hugging the ground" in a fainting like pose, I turned away and walked back, I'll just go back here with Tadase...
Tada...se...
Realization hit me and I once again sank down miserably on the cold ground.
I can't believe it... I left Tadase all alone with that beast-like creature! I'M THE LOWEST!
THE COMPLETE AND ABSOLUTE LOWEST!
And we just made up as well, then this happens! One Damn problem after the other!
As I sob and throw tantrums at myself, I hear Ikuto walking near me, I did my best to pull myself together, the last thing I need is another laugh in the face from him, then again, I do need a punching bag right about now.
"So you hate ghosts that much, huh?" he asked looking at me with both interest and amusement, "Interesting." I glared at him fighting back both rage and tears, "leave me alone!" I sputtered. If he makes another rude and stupid comment, he'll so get it!
"...And see you running to the ground again," he said saying what is most likely to happen a few minutes from now, "sure, do what you want," he agreed looking down on me with cold eyes that seemed to scare me more. He doesn't mean that, does he?
Walking pass me, i slowly hear his footsteps fade. I started to really regret my words to him, I wanted so badly to turn around and apologize, ask him to wait for me not caring if I'm being the nuisance and troublesome...but... what if I turned around and he wasn't there? That would be so embarrassing! and the feeling of loneliness would quickly overwhelm me completely. So it's better if I don't turn around, I'll just have to believe in the illusion that he's still waiting for me, mocking me from the shadows, making stupid faces behind my back and other stuff only he is capable of doing.
But please...
*BONK
An unidentified object came and bounced up my head to ground, and on closer inspection, turned out to be a box of matches.
"Pick up the pace!" he said behind me followed by a loud yawn, "I need some rest too you know!" I flinched and stood up, glancing behind me to see if it really was him and not some g-ghost or something.
"don't worry," he reassured, "I'll wait."
It's weird... his words, somehow makes me want to believe in him regardless of the fact that he's a thief and his whole existence is a mystery to me. I mean, how can he say the right things to me at the right time just when I needed it?
I lit the candle and put it beside the other candles that had their light blown out by the wind, except one that looked like it was just placed there, I instinctively placed my candle beside it, smiling all the while.
I again looked back at him once again making sure if he really is there, it's funny how he makes a face like he's going to kill someone but in reality, he's just fighting the urge to fall asleep. I chucked quietly to myself, "c'mon, let's go!"
He just stared at me, a bit surprised, making me fluster as i walk pass him. Geez! this guy! Making me feel weird and embarrassed for no reason at all!
...huh?
Turning around, I saw that he wasn't walking towards me at all, his eyes was fixed to the bridge. Is there something wrong with the bridge? I turned and examine the said bridge, true it does look kinda cool and creepy, and it looks like it'll give in in any given moment and it's lived a long time so... why does he kept staring at it? Is the structure of the bridge really that amazing to look at, well, what the heck...
"Ikuto, I'm going!" I repeated. He then turned to me and shrugged to himself, "took you long enough," he said smirking.
"Shut up, you're the one who took your time," I muttered angrily to myself, "anyway, I forgot to mention, but, where's Rima?"
"She went back, It was time for her favorite show," he sighed, "that unbelievable woman," he muttered.
"Oh," I said turning away from him to the ground below, "is that so?" I can clearly hear the sadness in my voice, but somehow, I can't help it, with this pain feeling in my chest I...
"And so that ends our Activity the Test of Courage!" Yaya said enjoying the fact that they won and that their prize is an eat all you can sweets in her favorite cake shop. LUCKY HER.
Sigh, I just want to sleep already! It's already 2am for Pete's sake! Plus, looking at Rima and Ikuto at the side laughing again annoys the heck outta me.
"Amu?" Tadase said walking towards me.
Realizing what I had again did to him, "I am so sorry Tadase! I didn't mean it! I was just so scared and my cowardice got the best of me-"
He shook his head gently, "It's alright Amu, I understand," he assured, smiling his angelic face at me.
I smiled back at him, "thank you! Anyway, are you alright? that monster didn't do anything to you?" I asked him seriously, If he ever hurt one hair in Tadase that monster is in for some beating... from the others!
"That's so mean Amu!" Kukai said walking towards us, smiling sheepishly, " I didn't mean to scare you that hard."
"Eh... you mean to say..." I said turning from Kukai , back to Tadase, "he was the..."
"That's what I've been telling you but you just kept running," Tadase said making me remember what he was saying as I was blinded by my stupidity, "I'm...sorry," ...that I'm such an idiot.
"Did you manage to light your candle on the bridge Amu?" Tadase said changing the subject, "I manage to put mine up but..."
"Oh yea! I did, Ikuto helped me," I smiled, feeling quite happy to mention his name, "It was actually surprising that a bridge like that still stands until now," I said with a laugh.
I noticed everyone's confound expressions as they look at me. Did I say something wrong?
"But Amu, that bridge was destroyed during the earthquake last year," Tadese said, "It was all over the news,"
What are they saying? "but I saw it! And Ikuto saw it too," I turned to Ikuto, "Right Ikuto?"
He just looked at me, "I don't remember," he said Indifferently, IS HE AN IDIOT OR WHAT? "But what I saw was a lady, a few steps from Amu as she was lighting her candle, starring at her," he continued.
"what did I tell you guys! the place was haunted," Rima reminded
"S-So... that bridge was...a-all," was all I manage to say before my vision became blur and in no time, went blank.
"Amu!" I heard the others yell in unison
"Scaredy cat," the annoying one said
"Shut the hell up... stupid... Ikuto"
So needless to say, I will never go back to that bridge or house because that experience permanently scarred me and I will forever hold on to that traumatizing memory... forever.
YEA, SUCKS TO BE ME.
THANK YOU FOR READING!
this is just a side-story,
with, school starting, I'm having trouble balancing my schedule (heh, as i if i even have one)
I have a pretty good idea what happens next but... busy busy.
anyway, please bear with me...
I'M VERY SORRY!"