[A/N]: I don't know if you guys even want me writing anymore since I'm so slow and horrible （ ; ; ）but thank you for sticking with me! Um, idk but if I get this typesetting job for a manga scanalator I might have a lot of time taken from my writing orz I still love writing this story and hope to wrap it up soon!

~lonelybutlovely

"Where the heck were you yesterday?"

"Ah, I was a bit...tied up yesterday," Ikuto shrugged. "It happens."

He sighed. "I called you a few times; there's a new girl on campus and she's a super babe!"

"I've got myself a girlfriend now," he informed him. "Remember?"

"The cute little pinkette?" Kukai laughed. "I knew you guys were becoming friends but I didn't think you'd become that - especially since she's a little...small."

"I don't know Kukai, you can't judge by appearances."

"I'm all about looks," he answered wistfully, "any pretty lady catches my eye."

"I know that too well," Ikuto crossed his arms. "Who's your girlfriend now anyway? I lost track a few times..."

"Well, I think I'll start with the new beauty - "

"Kukai, your girlfriend."

"What about her? I mean, she's pretty cute but she does everything I tell her. No resistance. Who wants a girl like that? No passion or fire at all. Not me!"

Ikuto rolled his his eyes. "You might wanna apologize..."

"Why? I guess we can break up, it's not like she really mattered anyway. It's almost like a little game with her - "

"K-kookie bear?"

"Oh, shit."

"I...I have a girlfriend to get to so..." Ignoring his pleading look, he slipped away from the couple.

"You...you don't l-like me? !" Her voice was high-pitched and on the verge of tears. "I-I love you and I never - hic - never wanted anyone else b-but you! Wha-what did I do wrong, kookie bear?"

Ikuto shook his head and went off to find his love. She was easy to locate; a hard working student that kept to herself could only be found in one place. He opened the door to the library and inhaled the scent of old books and the pleasant sound of pages turning. But a sweet strawberry wafted towards him from the secluded corner where he found her curled up on a bean bag fast asleep, one thin volume tucked under her arm.

His lips curled up with an unstoppable smile. His cute little Amu...so innocent and pure. Falling in love with her wasn't really nothing he expected, a silly identity mistake found ways to a new journey. It was really a pleasant time for him - it had been a while since he could remember the last time it was this peaceful. No crazy family, no murderous urges...it was nice.

"...ngn..."

He returned his attention to his sleeping girlfriend and crouched down, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Such a peaceful and open expression; like a small child, he thought. The touch of his cold fingertips brushing against her skin raised goosebumps on her neck. She curled up tighter.

"...Ikuto..."

He listened closer.

"...you...baka neko..."

He pulled her cheek. "Oi, who you calling stupid?"

"Wah..." she shook her head slowly and opened her eyes. She squinted at him and frowned, "Ikuto what are you doing?"

"I was bored so I came to play, Amu~chii!"

"Oh god, please don't call me that," she blushed. She yawned and pushed him away, sitting up right. She looked around at her surroundings and then looked back at him. "What time is it?"

"Time to play with me!"

"Aren't you acting a bit immature?" Rolling her eyes, she stood and stretched her arm over head. Her eyes widened as she looked out the window, "My, I've slept a very long time."

"You were gone for the last two classes..."

"Are you stalking me?" She gathered her books in her arms. Ikuto trailed after her as she checked them out and then started down the hallway. "What do you want? I have to study and ask Rima for notes."

"I'm bored..."

"Go bother someone else!" Amu hissed. "I have to study!"

"Why do you always study?" He pouted, unaffected by her bad mood. "You're already smart and I can tell you whatever you wanna know."

"That's like, cheating," Amu said as they crossed to the hallway downstairs. "I can't do that."

"How is it cheating? I already know everything."

"Exactly!" Amu blew a strand of her hair from her eyes. "You're like, four hundred years old - "

"Am I?" Ikuto thought about it. "I'm not that old, Amu."

"The point is that you're not really here to learn," she harrumphed. "It's all like a game to you, Ikuto, not everything is a game."

"You weren't a game," he murmured.

She was quiet after that.

"Amu!"

"Eh? Tadase?" Amu raised her eyebrows. "Where did you come from?"

"I have two tickets to the play," he held up a small envelope. "I was wondering if you'd like to come with me tomorrow night."

"A play?" Ah, a soft spot for plays. Ikuto rolled his eyes. Amu smiled. "Of course I'll go with you! I really adore plays...so many pretty costumes, dancers..."

"Cool," he smiled back. "I'll pick you up tomorrow around five, okay?"

"I'll be waiting!" Amu laughed as he was pulled into a group of girls in uniform. Ikuto eyed them then returned his gaze to Amu.

"Hnn." Ikuto walked ahead of her.

Amu gave him a questionable look but continued on to her dorm. Ikuto was uncharacteristically silent while they walked together. As they crossed to the girls hall, Headmaster Hinamori stopped them.

"Ah-ah, Ikuto you can't be following my little darling around - "

"U-Uncle!" She blushed. "Don't call me that here!"

"It's against the rules for boys to cross to the girls hall!" He shook his finger. "Now off you go, my little darling is off to study and you're nothing but a bother!"

Amu groaned in embarrassment. "He was only escorting me, Uncle. He's off to his own dorm now, aren't you Ikuto?"

Ikuto sighed. "Fine, yeah, whatever. See you later."

When he was out of sight, her uncle turned to her. "Now, Amu, he's a bit shady that fellow."

"But I thought you liked him - "

"Ah, but walking a girl back to her dorm with no others? Nonetheless, walking you back by himself with no witnesses! It's dangerous, Amu. I'll be watching both of you carefully now!"

"Jeez," she sighed as he stepped off. "Men are ridiculous creatures."

She continued down the hall by herself and fumbled with the keys in her pocket. As she shoved them into the lock, the door was pulled open, her hand along with it. The books went tumbling and so did she. Sprawled on the floor, Amu groaned and rolled into a sitting position. She looked up at the culprit and widened her eyes.

Utau looked down at her with unreadable eyes. "So you're my roommate?"