Chapter 7: Dating the Jock

Amu hated being in a different classroom from the other Guardians. The only person she knows in this class is Saiya, and they're not exactly on good terms.

"Can't believe that we won the last match! Our soccer team used to be a bunch of idiots but now they were coordinated."

"That's because the captain is now Kukai Souma! He scored most of the goal for Seiyo."

"Do you think we can win the finals, though?"

"Seeing the last game makes me believe that we can."

There was a pause and suddenly, the girls started squealing.

"Kyaaaa!"

Amu was startled so she looked around the room. Sure enough, she saw Kukai standing around the door. Upon meeting her eye, he winked and waved. "Yo, Amu!"

Suddenly, all eyes were on her. She started fidgeting but she still stood up to approach Kukai.

"So cuuuute. They really look great together."

"The gothic princess with the captain of the soccer team. It seems like they were destined!"

"They look like models."

Amu was admired by the school body, being famous as someone who is "Cool and Spicy". She never really understood why she was labeled as such because truth be told, she's the opposite of all that.

"Are you free?"

"I think so. The next class would be in 20 minutes."

"Alright! That would be enough time. And don't worry, I'll walk you back to the classroom."

They started walking but Amu was still confused. "What's this all about?"

"You'll see." They walked hand in hand as Kukai lead her down to flights of stairs until they reached the Royal Garden.

"Don't worry, the others won't be here for a while." He motioned for her to come in with him.

There was a table in the middle of the garden. Plates and utensils were properly aligned and the smell of food wafts through the air.

"I'm sorry that dinner at our house went awry. I wanted to make it up to you so I prepared this. I wanted to do this after school hours, but I have soccer practice, with the upcoming match and all."

Amu hugged him tight. "This is so sweet of you, Kukai! But I already told you that I had a great time."

"They bombarded you with questions and you were fidgeting all the time so I figured you didn't have much fun." He gestured for her to come over. "Please, have a seat."

"Did you cook all of these?"

"I had Nagi help me with dessert but I cooked everything else."

They started eating while talking about random stuff. How Amu was annoyed with everyone thinking of her as high and mighty, how Kukai feels the pressure of winning the upcoming match, about the other guardians, about school, and plenty more. Soon, Kukai noticed the time.

"Amu, I'm sorry but it's already been half an hour. You're already late for class."

"I'll just skip. This is more fun than listening to Nikaidou blabber anyway."

And they stayed there. Even after the food was all gone. They talked and talked and talked.

The last bell for the day started ringing.

"Why does time fly so fast whenever I'm with you, Amu?"

They started cleaning up. "I'll take care of this Kukai, go on ahead. I'll wait for you here, alright?"

"No, I can't just leave you here."

Just then, the door to the Royal Garden swung open.

"Don't worry, Kukai, we'll help her out." It was Yaya.

"Yeaaah. So don't go missing practice. I've been looking for you, Kukai." Nagi was in Nadeshiko mode. Up to this day, it still baffles Amu how Nagi manages to change his appearance within a short amount of time.

Nagi starts dragging the helpless Kukai.

"Soooo, how was your date?" It was Rima.

"How about you? How was your date?" Amu retorted.

"Wh-wh-what? How?"

"I have my ways, Rima."

"Awww, you both had dates while I'm still living the single life." And Yaya faked a sob.

"That's because you're taking time saying 'yes' to Kairi. You should just go for it!"

"But, doesn't Kairi like Amu?"

"In my case, Nagi used to like Amu, too. But that doesn't mean that what we have now isn't real. Amu shines brightly, and if I were a guy, I would have also fallen for Amu. Still, you shouldn't doubt Kairi's feelings."

"Well, I also doubt my own feelings."

"Alright. Take your time, then. Just be sure not to regret it when Kairi finds someone else. People get tired of waiting, too. The waiting time just vary per person."

Yaya was silent, but then, she started sprinting towards the exit.

"I guess I'll look for him. See you guys later!"

And she was out, just like that.

"Rima, you should stop manipulating us."

"Hey, that's not a good way to put it. I'm just being a kinder version of Cupid. I only match people who like each other."

"You were right, Rima. Nagi liked me but now likes you. Kairi liked me but now likes Yaya. Do you think it wod be the same for Kukai?"

"You shouldn't worry too much, Amu. The guy is head over heels for you. And besides, in this case, he used to like Utau but now he realized that he likes you. What else will explain this?"

Rima pointed out the stuff they were cleaning up.

"Yeah, you're right."

Once they were done cleaning up, Rima and Amu took a nap.

oooOoooOooo

Amu started hearing Rima shouting "How dare you!" and as she opened her eyes, she saw Kukai about to kiss her. Groggy and thinking that she was still dreaming, Amu put her hands around Kukai's neck and hair and pulled him closer and closer, deepening the kiss. She roamed his mouth with her tongue and Kukai let her. Kukai's tongue started exploring Amu's mouth as well.

She heard Nagi whistled and that's when she knew she messed up. Amu pulled away from the kiss.

Kukai was blushing and it was a deep shade of red.

Rima was avoiding her gaze and Nagi still finds this amusing.

"Rima was mad at me for brushing my lip unto hers while Kukai gets to have a french kiss." Nagihiko faked disappointment by sighing.

"Th-that's because I want my first kiss to be something special and not just stolen from me."

"A-ha, I knew it. You and Rima never kissed before." And after saying these words, Amu realized that she and Kukai shared a passionate kiss and Nagi and Rima even witnessed it. That was their first deep kiss and now she's feeling embarrassed by it.

"A-anyways..." It was Kukai who spoke next. "Nagi and I would be free this Wednesday."

"Tsukasa gave us tickets for the amusement park. Maybe we should go on Wednesday?" They were startled to see that Tadase was there with them.

"H-how long have you been there, Tadase?" Amu asked.

Tadase couldn't look her in the eye. "I saw Nagi and Kukai enter so it was just a few minutes after they came in."

Tadase's presence used to be bold. But now, he had to speak before they noticed him. Maybe Tadase is also starting to change and as his friend, they all failed to see this.

"I'd love to go, actually." It was Nagi who spoke.

"Same," said Rima.

Amu met Tadase's gaze. He smiled at her. "How about you, Kukai and Amu?"

"We'll go, too."

"Alrighty, then. See you there after class."

oooOoooOooo

Kukai and Amu were the first to arrive.

"Is this okay, Kukai? I mean, I turned him down, should I continue hanging out with him?"

Kukai ruffled her hair. "Stop worrying so much. Everything will be okay."

Kukai's hand found its way into Amu's. "If anything, shouldn't we talk about the kiss at Royal Garden? It's been two days but we avoided the topic."

Amu blushed. "I thought it was a dream so I just went for it. If I were thinking straight, I would have had the same reaction as Rima."

"Harsh. So I was the only one who enjoyed it."

"It's not like that. I just don't want to rush into anything. I'm sorry."

"It's alright. I'll just wait until you are ready."

Soon, the others came and they did everything as a group. However, at one point, Amu needed to go to the washroom. As she was making her way back, two guys approached her.

"You alone, miss?"

"N-no. I'm with someone." Before she managed to walk away, the other guy stepped in.

"Come on, don't give us the cold shoulder." And he went so far as to touch her back.

"I, I really should be goi-"

And Kukai punched the guy touching her back. Tadase punched the other guy, and surprisingly, even Tadase outmatched the other guy. The two guys hurried into escaping.

"Are you alright?"

"Are you hurt?"

They asked in unison.

"Y-yeah. Thanks."

The rest of the day went by peacefully. However, this time, Kukai never left her side and firmly held her hand.

He cherishes and protects her. He worries when they're not together. He makes time for her. He is always ready to wait for her. It was plain to see.

He truly loves her.

This is what it's like to date the jock.

She dragged him away from the group and hushed him. "Let's ride the ferris wheel."

As if entranced, Kukai nodded her head. She beamed him a smile.

They ran towards the wheel and waited for their turn. Once inside the ride, Amu took a selfie of them with her phone. Kukai brushed her lips on hers. "You're so adorable, Amu."

"You are, too."

"The last time we rode this, we talked about you and Tadase. This time, let's talk about us."

"But what's there to talk about?"

"I dunno. Like where do you want to have our next date?"

"Maybe we should have a double date with Rima and Nagi."

"That doesn't sound appealing but I'll go if you really want to."

"But why?"

"For one, I think dating should be between the couple. That way, they won't have to worry about what the other pair would think."

"Yeah. That did not cross my mind."

"And Nagi used to like you, right? What if he sees your cute side and falls for you again?"

"That won't happen."

"And what if it did?"

"I am yours so you don't have to worry about some guy stealing me from you." If any, you did the stealing without being aware of it.

Then, it hit her. She was slowly forgetting about Ikuto. Their last conversation was when she asked about the gift Utau mentioned. Maybe this is a sign that she should end things with Ikuto?

Kukai noticed that Amu was distracted. He leaned in and kissed her. Amu's eyes opened in surprised but she kissed him back. This time, they're kiss was gentle.

They pulled away once the ride came into an end.

Upon leaving the ride, the others were already waiting for them and were shaking their heads in disapproval.

Kukai and Amu bowed their heads. "We're sorry."

They had dinner within the park and while eating, Amu's phone rang. She excused herself for a moment then answered.

"Hello, Utau. What's up?"

"Are you free? Can we meet up?"

"Sure, but where?"

"Just come over to our house."

"I might get there in an hour. I'm still with Rima and the others."

"Should I have one of my drivers pick you up?"

"There's no need for that. Just stay put and I'll be there."

"See ya."

And she hung up.

"Hey guys. I should be going now. Utau was asking if I could come over."

"I'll walk you there." Kukai volunteered.

"There's no need."

"I insist."

"Amu, just let him go with you. He was distraught when two guys suddenly approached you, y'know?"

"Fiiiine."

End of conversation.

"So, what did she want?"

"She just told me to come over. And I did promise last time that I'd meet up with her."

"I see."

Amu could see it in Kukai's eyes. The guy wants to tell Utau the truth. And there's no need to prolong everything. During the ferris wheel ride, she already made up her mind. She just has to act fast so that it would not get out of hand.

"We'll tell her soon, okay? We'll tell her together. But not today."

"I-I wasn't worrying about that. What's it to her whom I date? She was the one who ended it first."

"Stop being so bipolar. You were so excited to tell her before."

"But I did tell you that we would do this on your own pace, so, just think everything over."

Even now, Kukai was willing to do as she asks.

Soon, Utau's house finally came into view.

"Guess this would be my stop. Call me when you get home."

"Will do."

They shared a short kiss before Kukai left.

oooOoooOooo

A/N: Wew. I'm on a roll so I'll be uploading two chapters for today. Enjoy!