Chapter 8

It had been at least a couple weeks since I've spoken with Ikuto, and that I've been violated by Tadase-kun. I still occasional abuse, but nothing to cry over for a while. I had truly felt a moment of peace those last two weeks, and I was hoping that it would last until graduation. At the time, I could only hope. The Cultural Festival for our school was upon us, and everyone in our school was busy decorating the school inside and out. Our class was a mix between a cafe, while dressed up in elegant clothing. I had no clue on who came up with that idea, but it seemed to humor most with Rima and Nagihiko. They kept staring at me during the final decision like they were up to something that was gonna embarrass me.

I had heard while working on our classroom that Tadase-kun's class was doing a Paranormal Cafe, while ghouls, ghosts, and creatures of the night. Just hearing it then brought shivers down my spine, and I wanted no part in it. I was glad enough that we weren't doing anything scary for our class. Our homeroom teacher wasn't present during the cultural festival. Had to go somewhere for family matters, so we had a substitute teacher. Though, none were available during that time, and the only current teacher that had time during the festival...was Ikuto. I couldn't imagine him hovering over me while I was working on our class theme for the few days before the Opening Day.

I was working with Rima and Nagihiko so that I could distract myself away from Ikuto, and also made sure I didn't end up alone with him. Nagihiko was making the costumes with some help from the others for our theme, while Rima was just almost doing nothing.

"Wow Nagihiko! You're making great progress with these costumes! And they are so beautiful too!" I gawked at them for several minutes.

"Amu. It's not nice to stare and not do any work. Hurry up and finish your portion." Rima said.

"Saids the girl who is doing nothing and making others do you work for you!" I yelled back while pointing to her unfinished poster.

She pouted. "They offered to help me. So I let them." she said as we stuck out each other's tongue.

Nagihiko laughed. "Now, now girls. We must concentrate on this or we will fall behind. Right, Rima?" He winked.

"Hmph." she turned her head and then continued to finish her poster.

I laughed a little as I watched them get along like always. I still couldn't believe how long ago it was when they started becoming friends. It was a greater shocked when they started getting along. I never found out how it happened, but I was happy enough that they can get along so well. I smiled when I thought about the old days. They both turned to me.

"Amu? What's wrong?" Nagihiko asked.

"Nothing. It's just… I'm glad that I'm still friends with you guys." I blushed. They both smiled.

"Back to work then." Rima said.

Everyone in our class was working really hard on this. Seeing Nagihiko's costumes got everyone pumped up and excited for the big day. Though, according to him, he was gonna make something extra special for me and Rima. I was a little nervous to see what he was up to on that. Rima and I weren't allowed to even see what he was making for us.

I haven't spoken to Ikuto during the whole time our class was working, though that was because I was making sure I wasn't alone and doing something. It was a long time since I worked so hard doing something just to avoid someone. But I even haven't seen Tadase-kun in a while. I imagined he was busy as well with his class, so I didn't really wanna bother him. But I did somehow manage to see a sneak-peek of their class theme.

I was walking with Rima and Nagihiko with some paperwork to bring over to the Student Council Room when we passed by Tadase-kun's class. We peeked inside.

"Oh cool. They covered the windows to make it dark." Nagihiko pointed out.

"It doesn't look scary at all. Look at all the fake props they have, and the blood, masks…" Rima went on and on.

I felt sick looking at the base of what might become of that place. Rima noticed and put her evil grin on.

"Amu…? You're not scared, are you?" she asked rhetorically as she smiled.

"Huh?! N-Not a chance!" I nervously laughed, "See? Just fine! R-Right Nagi-"

I turned my head, expecting Nagihiko still standing by my side and hoping he would comfort me, but instead, I found a large scary figure, standing next to me, staring me down. I screamed out loud and proceeded by running away in fear. I could hear Rima laughter getting quieter as I ran as far as I could. I didn't care where I was going, as long as I stayed away from that class or any other class like it, I would be fine. I never liked scary things, at all. Yet Rima and Nagihiko take advantage of my fear. I wished I didn't have to be scared so much of ghosts, ghouls and all that. I just kept running from it.

I managed to finally stop running when I realized that I was out of breath. I stood against the wall and held my chest as I was panting. My throat was dry and in pain, my lungs were wheezing and my heart was pounding like crazy, like I ran a marathon. When I finally caught my breath, I took a look at where I was. I could see gym equipments, mats and a bunch of other gym related things. I couldn't believed that I somehow managed to run into that place without even noticing. I decided to take a seat on one of the mats on the floor to rest and somehow make my way back to my class. I felt quite embarrassed to leave to begin with, and I wanted to just stay away until the day was over.

"How stupid… I can't believe how much of a scaredy-cat I am. Some people around me still think I'm the Cool and Spicy girl, and yet I'm like this." I sighed. "ARG! I what am I gonna do when I get back?!" I screamed.

I curled into a ball, fighting back the tears of frustration that wanted to come out. I kept thinking about the scene over and over again from before I ran away, like a broken record, and i still couldn't believe how I reacted. Before I knew it, I fell asleep on the mat.

"Ah…. I feel warm…

I feel like I'm lying in the grass under the sun…

But why am I warm?

Ah… That's right. I fell asleep in the Gym equipment place, on the mat…

So I'm dreaming… Right…?

I'm dreaming…?"

"Yes… You're dreaming…" a voice answered.

My eyes opened a bit to see who's voice it belonged. It was Ikuto. He was right over my body. He was staring into my eyes. His cold piercing eyes were making me feel something weird inside my chest. His hair was dangling above my face, almost close enough to tickle my face. One of his hands was placed onto my cheek, stroking it. His hand was cold, but that meant my face was warm.

"Heh… I'm dreaming about Ikuto…

I never thought that this is what i would dream about…"

He chuckled. "What were you expecting? Candies and rainbows?" he smiled.

He proceeded by placing one of my knees in-between my legs and used one hand to start unbuttoning my blazer. I felt a little scared, even though it was only a dream. He finished unbuttoning my blazer and next went to my shirt. He didn't open it all the way, just enough to expose my chest. He looked at me for a moment.

"You've grown, since the last time I saw your almost exposed body. It must be the milk." he chuckled again.

I was too embarrassed to talk back at his rude comment on my figure, even though half of it was a compliment. He unhooked the front of my bra and proceeded into groped my chest gently. At the same time, his knee started rubbing my crotch. I felt extremely sensitive from his touch. I couldn't contain my voice. But I didn't hold back much since it was a dream anyway. But as I was making noise, he kissed me to quiet me down. I could feel his tongue rubbing against mine as he kissed me. We stopped to catch our breath and then he started to suck onto my nipple while squeezing the other with his fingers. The mixed feelings between his touches welded a feeling within me that I haven't felt in a long time. There was something coming. Something inside of me was ready to burst. I knew I was going to scream, but I knew that I wouldn't be able to contain it.

"Ikuto…. Ikuto….

Kiss me…"

He stopped sucking on my nipple and placed his lips onto mine, but continued fondling the other with his fingers. Our tongue's twisted inside our kiss and I felt that feeling coming closer and closer. I was ready to let go. So I moaned.

And that was it. I woke up. Like it never happened. I took a look at my clothes, they were still normal, like nothing was moved. But I still felt out of breath. And I could feel something wet in-between my legs. I didn't know why I was wet. I didn't pee in my sleep, so I couldn't figure out why it ended up that way. I couldn't remember much about my dream afterwards, expect that Ikuto was there, but I was too focused on the time when I looked at my watch.

"Oh shit! It's late! I need to get back to the classroom. Nagihiko and Rima must be worried."

I stood up and patted down my clothes and took a quick look to see if everything is in place, and then I left running back. I got to the class and slammed the door open.

"I'm sorry I took so long! I'm back now!" I announced.

"Good. You can help me clean up."

"Giku!" it was Ikuto and he was the only one in the room. I looked around. "Where is everyone?"

"Gone. They finished up what was left and went home. Your friends were done too, but they didn't wanna leave. I told them it's safer to be home earlier, and I offered to take you home since you were late." he handed me a broom. "Start cleaning so that we can go sooner."

"...Okay…" I was disappointed to find myself alone again with Ikuto. But it wasn't so bad. He's better company than Tadase-kun.

I started to sweep as he was picking up big pieces of cardboard and paper and putting them into a bin to be moved later. It was quiet for a little while, I didn't have anything to talk about with him, but the air felt awkward somehow.

"So… I heard you screamed and ran away, according to Mashiro Rima-san. Something about, a haunted theme in a classroom?"

I blushed. "S-So?! Lots of people would be scared of that kind of thing! And besides, I didn't scream!"

"Oh you screamed. I heard it. At the time, I was wondering who and why, and at least now I know for sure. It was adorable." he chuckled.

I hit his leg with the broom. "Shut up! It's not funny!" I pouted.

"Hey c'mon! It wasn't that bad." he smiled.

I didn't speak. I just continued sweeping as I ignored him. I could still hear him behind me holding back to laugh. My face must had ten shades of red by then.

"...But you know, you could have thought of a better place to hide. You could have gotten locked in there, or worse…"

"I wasn't thinking! I just ran…. Hey wait… How did you know where I was hiding?" I asked suspiciously.

I looked away scratching his cheek, "Uhh...well… I saw you running down there. I was too busy to check on you, and I was sure you would be fine."

"Uh huh…"

"I was going to check on you if you didn't come by now, but here you are. You saved me the trouble, since you seem to get yourself into trouble no matter where you are. Or is it because you like me rescuing you?" He smirked.

"...I….A… That's not it! And don't change the subject!"

"Hmm? What subject?" he turned away. "Besides, shouldn't you be cleaning already? I'm done, and you haven't finished. Should I just leave you to it, or do you want me to wait for you?"

I stayed quiet and continued to finish cleaning and grunt in-between each sweep. After a little while, I was finally done and ready to go. I wasn't entirely looking forward to walking home alone with Ikuto again, but I had no choice in the matter since it got so dark by the time we left the school. We walked silently together, side-by-side for the majority of the walk, until I started to shiver a little.

"Cold?" he asked.

"Yeah. Just a little."

"Here." He placed his jacket over my shoulders. "It's gotten quite cold out at night lately. You should start wearing something warmer."

"Hmm." I started rubbing my hands together to keep them warm. He took one of my hands and placed it into his pocket while holding onto my hand.

"Ikuto…! Wha-" I blushed slightly trying to pull my hand back.

"Shh… I'm trying to help keep you warm. Put your other hand in one of the sleeves of my jacket."

We were holding hands, and I was sure he did it on purpose. I still couldn't believe how sly he still was. He always knew how to make my heart beat faster and get me excited. I haven't felt like this in a long time. He always pushed himself onto me, like it was so easy. And I only pushed away most of the time. But I accepted it sometimes, because I did care for him.

I smiled as we continued our little walk together holding hands as we were coming up to my home. I could see a figure standing in front of my house, but i couldn't make out who it was ight away since it was kinda dark. When we got closer, it was easier to see.

"Tadase-kun?"

He turned to face us. He noticed Ikuto next to me, and saw that our hands were together. He immediately grabbed my arm that was holding hands with Ikuto away from him firmly. I shrieked a little from the strong sudden force of pain. Tadase-kun took the jacket off me and threw it onto Ikuto.

"What are you doing with her?! Why were you holding hands with her?!" he yelled.

"Tadase-kun, stop! It's not what you think! He was just making sure I was warm, so that I didn't catch a cold!" I pleaded as I tried to pull away from his grip.

"Shut it! Don't lie to me!" he slapped me and I fell down. He let go afterwards as I sat there in shock.

I could see Ikuto wanting to come at me out of worry. I could also see that he wanted to punch Tadase-kun as well. I just looked at him in the eyes and worded my mouth.

Don't. Just leave.

He shook his head.

"Nii-san! No. Ikuto. Stay away from her. She's mine and mine alone. You will not take what is rightfully mine again." he glared at Ikuto.

Ikuto smiled. "Seems you haven't changed much Tadase. The only difference is that you finally grown a pair. But all I see in those demonic eyes of yours, is a little King that doesn't get what he wants."

"Ikuto… Please stop." I pleaded.

"Amu. Go inside. Rest. And I will see you tomorrow at school." Ikuto insisted.

"But I…" Tadase-kun picked me up and shoved me to the gate of my home.

"Just get inside!" he yelled.

As I was about to open the front door, I turned to see the both of them walking in opposite directions to their homes. I sighed in relief that they didn't fight each other. I went inside and went straight to my room. Throughout the night, the only thing I thought was that this was only the beginning. There was going to be no way that that was going to be the last time a conflict like that would happen. I was worried, for both of them. As much as I want Tadase-kun to get punished, I still rather not see him get hurt. All this was not his fault, and Ikuto doesn't see that yet.

That night, I didn't sleep. I kept thinking about Ikuto. And what might happen to him if something were to go wrong. I prayed that he didn't do anything rash.