Chapter six. Her party, his past—Part one

Rima was a person hard to impress. Something like a surprise birthday party was nothing uncommon, though she never had one.

The petite girl was in Yaya's home, more like mansion. Rima herself was a rich person—she had some royal blood running through her veins after all—but she had to admit her friend's mansion was quite impressing. She already acknowledged Hinamori Amu's presence, though she didn't force herself to get used to her. If she would lose the bet, which was something highly possible, she would disappear. She didn't have anything against coming to the party arranged for her, but she certainly didn't like the position she was currently in. Everyone, absolutely every girl from The Guards and the boys from The Snakes had gone to take Hinamori Amu from home with the limousine. Everyone except her and the purple-haired boy that kept giving her an annoying smile every time he would look at her.

She knew the boy well, as well as he knew her. Fujisaki Nagihiko. He was part of The Snakes and her classmate. He was the class president, always the top in exams, sociable and popular. He was talking with everyone, except her. Rima never tried to start a conversation with him either, not even in a thousand years would she start a conversation with a boy she didn't trust or know for a long time, for people would interpret and think she flirts with him. She would never humiliate herself like that. As said, she never started a conversation with him, but neither he did. He was actually avoiding talking or having any contact with her.

Rima was living the farthest among the girls. She took a lot of time to prepare herself and ended up coming after everyone left. She called Utau and she told her they would be back any minute. Everything was fine, Rima didn't mind a little peace before the party would start. Everything was fine before she saw he was there too. That was the first time he spoke with her.

"Oh, Rima." He called as soon as he saw her.

He only said two words and she already found two things incredibly irritating about him. First, he was addressing her with her first name. Did he think they were best friends and had the right to do that? She has never met such insolence before. Second, he didn't even look at her for more than a second. He only called her name and turned around as he continued to speak.

She spent almost two hours to get ready. She was wearing a light-blue dress that came just above her knees and matched it with a pair of white heels. Her hair was kept in its usual style, hanging loose in waves. She only added an lily shaped clip. She was looking gorgeous, no one would think less, but that guy didn't even bat an eye.

"Fujisaki-san." Forced by her good manners, she acknowledged him.

"I didn't expect anyone else to come earlier. Yuiki-san allowed me to arrange the room for the party. I won't be able to keep you company for the moment as I am busy, please excuse me."

Rima couldn't believe her ears. He was speaking as a gentlemen yet he treated her that way. She was sure he was doing it on purpose. She observed that he wasn't dressed bad himself. He was wearing a pair of black jeans with a black jacket and a red shirt underneath.

She didn't reply but sat down at one of the tables. A butler came to offer her a drink.

Amu was currently in the limousine. She didn't want to lose her cool, but she was actually really excited to be in a real limousine. It was her first time. She was more than taken by surprise when everyone appeared in front of her door. She had no idea what they were planning, they didn't say anything besides telling her to get ready. To her surprise, Ikuto was the one to talk with her mother and ask for her permission to spend the night away.

She did her best to get ready and look gorgeous in less than thirty minutes, but she wouldn't have been able to be ready without Utau's help. The girl came in her room as she was trying to decide what to wear and helped her. Amu was more than surprise by her actions, as she thought the blonde has always hated her.

She was dressed in a red, sleeves top, a pink, short skirt and was wearing some red heels. Her hair was also done by the blonde. She had a low, one-sided bun, a few curly bangs falling over each side of her face and at the bottom of her neck. She put a black jacket over her shoulders to keep her warm. She had to admit Utau had style.

Everyone was chatting, Amu being the centre of attention. Ikuto was right next to her, smirking at her from time to time. He was dressed very well and his cologne was making Amu want to jump on him, but of course she wouldn't do that.

Amu was feeling comfortable with everyone there, though she remarked Rima and Nagihiko's absence.

"Just wait Amu-chi, you'll love it!" Yaya kept saying.

"Yaya, that's the third time you say that." Utau complains.

Amu giggled. She already knew she'll love whatever they planned, because everyone will be there. The twenty-minutes ride ended in the blink of an eye, they all laughed a lot.

Amu was the last to exit the limousine. Ikuto was outside, waiting for her hand. She put her hand in his and he didn't let go.

She was in front of the biggest house she has ever seen, but everything was dark. There were no lights.

"Trust me." Ikuto said seeing she was hesitating.

She nodded and relaxed. Just as she stepped inside, the lights turned on and confetti started falling from nowhere.

"Happy Birthday!" They all said at the same time.

There were Rima and Nagihiko too, as well as many other people Amu recognised from school. Classmates, kouhai and senpai, there was everyone Amu knew.

She couldn't help but cover her mouth with her hands and start crying.

"Amu-chi, what happened?!" Yaya suddenly asked. She was panicked. "Did we do something wrong?"

Amu shook her head furiously, unable to stop crying.

"She's happy." Ikuto said and she nodded, she could feel his arm around her shoulders.

Amu has never received anything like this. She has always been the popular and lonesome girl, she thought she didn't need friends. Only now did she realize how wonderful having friends is. Even though she didn't know them too well, she could feel the true warmth in their smiles.

Yaya hugged Amu, followed by Ikuto who hugged the two girls.

"Group hug!" Kuukai yelled as he hugged the three of them.

With a move of his head, Tadase encouraged the others to join the hug, something they all did.

"T-Thank you." Was all Amu could say.

When the others released her, Ikuto still holding onto her hand, Utau approached and smiled. It was a gentle smile.

"The party has just begun, you'll cry when it's over, because it will be the awesomest party ever." She smirked.

"Ready to partyyyy?" A voice echoed in the big room. It was the DJ at the other side of the room.

In the next moment, the music turned on and everybody ran to the dance floor.

Utau had to admit that Amu was beautiful. With all the make-up and the gorgeous outfit, she was breath-taking beautiful. Though, Utau herself was just as beautiful.

She decided to enjoy the party with everyone. Yesterday, she would send Hinamori Amu back to where she came from if she'd have the chance. Now, she was ready to enjoy a full night in her presence. She couldn't believe how much she could change in a single day, because of a single person.

Flashback

Utau was in front of her house trying to find her key in her school-bag. The girl was already sure she forgot it when she left by now.

Utau sat down on her bag in front of her door, her knees bought up to her chest. She sighed and decided to wait for her parents to return with their spare key.

If anything like this would have happened before Ikuto left, when they were still friends, Utau would go to Ikuto's house as his house was just across the street and wait for her parents' return. But no way in hell she would do that now. Two weeks have passed since he returned and he didn't try talking with her once. He didn't tell her anything, though she had every right to know.

She sighed again when a shadow blocked the sun. She looked up to see the person she least expected to. Souma Kuukai.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"What are you doing here?" He replied with another question, raising an eyebrow.

"I asked first." She said.

He sighed defeated. "Girls." He whispered for himself and sat down as to face her. "I was walking home and saw you here."

"You still didn't ask my question." She persisted.

He looked away and replied. "I was.. Curious! Yeah, curious, so I came to see what you're doing here, which brings us back to my question."

Utau could see a hint of blush on his cheeks, but she decided to ignore it.

"I decided to spend some time here and enjoy the sun." She replied proudly, looking away.

It was then that she heard a chuckle followed by a loud laugh. She looked at Kuukai and blushed in embarrassment as she saw him laughing.

"W-What's so funny?" She asked.

"Do you.. Do you honestly expect me to believe that?" He asked as he wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. Utau didn't reply. He raised an eyebrow, waiting for the true reason.

Utau blushed even more and replied. "I forgot my key at home and I can't enter. Go ahead and laugh!" She then snapped.

She suddenly felt something hitting her head gently. It was Kuukai who hit her head with his fist. "

Idiot." He said with a serious face. He then got up and lend her his hand. "Come on, you can wait at my place."

She looked at his hand hesitantly for a moment, but after she realized her parents may come in more than five hours, she decided to take his hand and accept his offer.

His house was right next to Ikuto's, but he only moved there a year ago.

Utau stepped in his house and took her shoes off.

"Pardon the intrusion." She said.

"Don't bother, there's no one home." He cut her off, his tone somewhat cold.

She followed him upstairs and in his room. She was a bit hesitant, but didn't show it. His room was nothing special. Cleaner than she expected a boy's room to be, though.

"Do you want something to eat?" He asked.

As she was about to shake her head and refuse, her stomach growled. She looked away embarrassed again. He smiled and begun searching for something in his school-bag.

"Here." He said as he threw her a bag of potato chips. "Sorry, my big bro usually makes food but he comes late tonight. It's all I have."

She looked at him. "What about you?" She asked.

"I'm fine." He said as he sat down on the floor at a small, study-table.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"Homework?" He asked as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Some of us have to study pretty hard to get in a good university, not everyone's blessed with a good brain."

Utau didn't expect that reply. It was harsh and cold and made her feel bad for asking. She didn't say anything else.

It would be normal for a student to make his homework when he gets home, but having the reputation he and his friends had, Utau would have never guessed he bothered to study.

He took out all his notebooks and begun to scribble down. Utau watched him in silence, still not opening the bag of chips.

She didn't know why, but she moved from the edge of his bed where she was sitting and sat at the table next to him. She opened the bag of chips and took the first one.

Kuukai looked at her surprised and then smiled. "You want to feed me?" He asked.

"If you're hungry, eat alone." She said coldly.

"Yeah, didn't expect you to actually do it." He said as he took a chip.

Two hours later, Utau was lying on Kuukai's bed. She was very comfortable, his bed smelled nice. Actually, it smelled like him. She was looking at some pictures on her phone with her and Ikuto from old times.

"Done." He stated. "What are you doing?" He asked looking at her phone.

She quickly hid it away and stood on her elbows.

He was looking at her with a serious expression. "Did he tell you yet?"

Utau's eyes widened. "What are you talking about?"

Kuukai sighed. "Nothing. You'll find out eventually."

She didn't push it any further.

"How old is your brother?" She asked, more out of boredom but she was also curious.

He got up and sat on the bed as well, leaning against the wall. She also got up from her position and brought her legs up her chest.

"Which one of them?" He asked with a chuckle.

"How many do you have?" She asked surprised by his question.

"Four, all of them are oldest one is Kaidou, he's the one who cooks but he's busy with his new job."

"It must be hard." She said.

"I never thought you'd say something like this."

"What's so surprising?" She asked, looking at him.

"I always thought you were just an arrogant, selfish, stuck-up—"

"What?!" Utau snapped. She was about to jump at his neck and struggle him, how dare he say those things about her!

"Wait, I didn't finish. Stuck-up—"

"You already said that." She reminded him, a few veins popping on her forehead.

"Self-conceited and bumptious little girl." He completed. "But I discovered some days ago that you're not really like this. Why do you keep that façade?" He asked serious.

Utau looked at him speechless.

"I.. I don't know what you're talking about." She lied looking away.

"Yes, you do." He said as he approached her. She looked at him and his face was close, too close. "You always look away when you lie."

Utau was overwhelmed by a lot of emotions in that very moment. How did he found out so many things about her in such a short while? Why did he even care?

"I'm going home." She said as she wanted to climb off the bed, but she soon felt Kuukai grabbing her wrist and throwing her back on the bed, placing himself above her.

She could only look into his light-brown eyes.

"'What is she hiding? Who is she in reality, behind that shell? What made she build that wall?' I keep asking myself those questions every night, I don't know why your face keeps appearing in my mind."

Utau's heart was throbbing like crazy, something that only happened when she would be with Ikuto. Until now.

It was then that he leaned closer and pressed his lips onto hers into a gentle kiss. It was so sweet it made her cry.

A/N: I'll leave you with this beautiful cliffhanger XD Please review!