Mirene: Hey guys! (: We are finally halfway finished with this story!

Amu: What in the world? You're only halfway?

Mirene: I'm hoping to finish the story by the end of summer, and then slowly post each chapter at a steady pace.

Amu: Yes, let's end this as quickly as possible.

Ikuto: Even so, once this story is over, our love still burns on in our readers' hearts!

Amu: I think it's time to end this intro, Ikuto's getting a little weird from the lack of updates.

Mirene: Ah, I haven't updated since last year, huh. Sorry guys! I love you all for being patient though! (:

Amu: If she owned us, who knows when SC! would have ended. Thankfully Peach Pit got the job done.

Mirene: That was the saddest moment of my tween life!

Ikuto: Finally, something we can agree on!

Amu: I thought you said our love burned on or whatever?

Ikuto: You said it, not me. *smirk*

Amu: Why you!

Mirene: Enjoy the chapter! :D

Chapter 13

The day of the Firefly Festival had finally come, and the school was roaring with school spirit and driven passion.

The class was more than prepared to go on with the fashion show that everyone worked very hard on, with all readying the stage as well as the participants as quickly as possible. This year, what with the bands performing and all, there was sure to be three times as many people coming to the festival as last year, when they only had a famous comedic duo and a magician join the event. Now that actual singers were having a concert here, the crowd was absolutely intense.

Amu looked around the festival as she headed to the classroom to prepare with Ikuto. Everything looked great despite the situation. But looking around now, Amu felt bad that Ikuto couldn't enjoy the festivities as much because of her own problems.

But if she just didn't worry him, and not run into the problem, then he would be able to do just that.

"Remember Amu, if anything's wrong, just tell me. I'm here for you."

A pang of guilt resounded inside of her. "Ikuto, look... I know you want to protect me, and I'm truly happy that you're willing to go to such lengths for me. But today is a positive and special day, and I realize that no matter how much of a problem Rei is, I want you and me to make memories today."

Ikuto gave her a smile of surprise. "Since when did you get so tough?" he teased, lightly punching her shoulder.

"Honestly, when I poured out my heart to you, my past to you... I felt a lot more relieved. Like something heavy had been taken off of me. And that heaviness of guilt has been replaced with the light love you have given to me. So I-"

"Not another word," Ikuto said as he quickly placed a kiss on her lips, so fast that not a single person around them saw. "Or else I might just steal you and go somewhere else to eat you up."

"Wh-what!?" Amu pouted. "G-get away from me then!" she yelled as she stomped her way to class. The one time she tries to be serious with this guy! Ikuto only chuckled to himself as he walked faster in order to catch up with her.

"Everyone, the show is starting in ten minutes! Hurry!" Kairi yelled backstage as he peeked outside the curtains for only a second. Many people had already gathered inside the room around the runway, and the models were running late what with their last-minute make-up and hair checks. Not a single person was even in line prepared for their appearance yet! The whole thing had the young man as anxious as ever.

Sighing, a tap on his shoulder had him turn around to immediately face Yaya, dressed as though it were only 30 degrees outside today. Her thick baby pink coat completely swallowed her tiny figure up, the white fluff lining it resembling snow. Her calf-high boots were baby blue with the same white fluff around it, with a soft gray wool leggings covering the rest of her up. Her outfit truly complimented her looks, similar to his own except his color scheme was green and black.

"You look b-beautiful, Yaya."

"Yaya thinks Kairi is looking quite handsome as well!" His blush was hard to hide, and Yaya easily caught it. "Kairi is so cute that Yaya wants to lock you up and keep you all to herself!"

"Wh-what are you saying?" Kairi sputtered, wondering how she could such words without an ounce of embarrassment. "G-Go get ready for your appearance."

"Of course!" the pigtailed girl laughed before skipping off. "I'm looking forward to you taking me out after this though!"

"D-Definitely!" Kairi replied. That girl really knew how to just shake him up, didn't she. Looking at the time now, he saw that there were only two minutes left. Luckily as he walked around everyone seemed to be ready to go, even Hinamori Amu was standing with the others in her dazzling outfit, waiting for her cue. The show started exactly on time just as Kairi planned.

Everyone was all lined up behind the curtains, and Kairi looked on from a distance as Tadase and Ikuto were wonderfully MC-ing the performance. With Ikuto dressed in a snazzy black tuxedo and Tadase in a cream-colored one, the two complimented each other in a balanced sort of way.

Tadase spoke grandly as the spotlights hit both of them. "Introducing the first theme: seasons! Everyone loves a certain time of season, but of course when the seasons come and go, so do the beautiful trends of fashion that come with it side by side! Coming out now are our Spring models, our designers combining floral beauty and exploding colors to rock the meaning of this beautiful season!"

Not one to lose out, Ikuto quickly snapped in right after Tadase finished his sentence. "Welcome Yumi Kazukawa, her outfit was based on the blooming sakura trees during this lovely season, as you can see from the soft pink prints of her flowing dress! And aside her Kyo Kurogane, looking as though he were about to take this lovely young lady on a picnic beneath those very trees on her dress!"

As the two models made their way through the area, the two MC's gave each other a good glare. No way that they'd be losing to each other, whether it was the spotlight or Amu!

Suddenly, the lights turned off with a few flickers. An uproar occurred, leaving everyone temporarily panicked until only a few seconds later when the lights turned back on again.

Ikuto was quick to dissipate the tension in the air. "Must have been a technical difficulty going on! Not even the lights are able to handle the hotness of the next models, who are representing the hottest season of the year!"

Kairi glanced around the room as he returned to his viewing spot backstage. During the darkness, he immediately made his way to the power switches, only to find the box tampered with. But who would want to do such a thing? It was probably a mistake that someone made. Fixing the lock and shrugging the ordeal off as Ikuto successfully dealt with it, he continued to supervise the fashion show.

In the darkness of the blackout, Amu felt someone tug on her arm. "Who is this?"

A hushed voice sounded from the figure. "Come with me." The voice was unrecognizable. She found herself being pulled immediately into the hallway and suddenly pushed into a nearby, unused room. During the few seconds in the hallway, all she could tell was that the person in front of her was hooded and mysterious.

Her body hit the wall as the figure suddenly held her shoulders tightly. Paranoia began to kick in. "I-Ikuto?" she whispered hopefully.

Instead of receiving an answer, the person quickly kissed her, lightly and softly, on the lips. It only lasted for a second before the enigmatic man (she could tell now that the hood was off and the silhouette of short hair could be seen in the darkness) pulled away.

"Who are you?"

A finger went toward her neck and traced two letters before exiting the room and leaving the pinkette to think. Realizing who that person was for sure, Amu instantly left the room to chase after the man, but there were so many people in the hallway that there was no way to find him now. Many people were also staring at her for her outfit.

"I need to get back to the show..." Amu said softly as she made her way back into the backstage area. Not a single person had paid attention as the crowd was going wild over the models doing the vampire theme. They were chanting "Cullen, Cullen" over and over again as the sparkling man waved and posed for the pictures onstage.

But despite all the noise and positivity surrounding her, she couldn't help but think about what had just happened. She had been kissed by him...and then he left just like that. Was all he wanted really a kiss? That couldn't be the case.

The pinkette knew she should be outraged, frightened, anything—but ever since she heard of Rei's coming, somehow she'd been preparing herself for it all this time. And now that it's finally happened, she didn't feel so weak and helpless as before. The girl never believe in the saying before, but was it true that time had actually healed some of her wounds?

Not to mention the kiss was so tender. Nothing like Ikuto's, but not a shred of ill will was in the touch of their lips—the complete opposite of what she had in mind this entire time!

"And now, introducing the final model with a bang! The supernatural queen of them all, the half devil, half angel! Please welcome our last star of today's show, Hinamori Amu!"

Ikuto's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Shaking her head free of them, she made her way onto the stage and posed exactly the way Kairi had instructed her to do. Many ooh's and aah's came from the surprised audience.

"Is that Hinamori Amu for real?"

"She's stunning!"

"The power of make-up is deadly..."

"More like the power of fashion!"

"She's gorgeous!"

The compliments poured over her new appearance, but they never did make her feel any better about herself. Looking around the stage, she accidentally made eye contact with Ikuto, who gave her a look of question.

'Shoot, can he tell?' Wanting to act rapidly as to not worry him, she continued to smile brightly and finished up her routine in no time at all, ending the fashion show amazingly.

Amu whispered to herself with worry. "I hope Ikuto didn't catch me...I don't want him to constantly worry about me. I just want to enjoy the festival today with him. Nothing more." God only knows how much he's already worried himself so much for her.

But of course, that didn't seem to be the case as she found Ikuto immediately next to her.

"We need to talk."

"I-Ikuto!" Amu said as he continued to pull her away from the classroom despite Kairi's constant yelling for them to return immediately. "Ikuto, stop! I said to stop!" the pinkette yelled helplessly as her childhood love continued through the corridors, sparking gossip and stares.

But the man before her didn't stop. He continued to walk until they reached an empty classroom, and he quickly went inside and pushed the girl against the wall. One hand held one of her wrists by her head, while the other pinned the side of her neck in place.

"What happened during the show?"

His question made Amu freeze instantly.

"N-Nothing."

"Liar. You always stutter whenever you're nervous."

Amu couldn't help but look down. "I know this is going to sound bad. But if I tell you, promise me you won't go off on your own. Promise me..." She picked her words carefully. "That you'll stay by my side."

Ikuto leaned in and his forehead rested on top of hers, their eyes connected in one gaze. "Isn't that obvious? I said I would protect you, didn't I?"

Amu felt Ikuto's courage fill herself up with more confidence, his touch once again reassuring herself. Now that she had someone like Ikuto by her side, she was determined to not allow Rei to intimidate her any longer than now.

The gap in between both opened, and the taste of the two mingled as one as seconds continued to fly by. It was as though their feelings melted into their mouths and were transferred through their tongues towards their rapidly beating hearts. Amu nor Ikuto could feel anything but each others' love.

It was only when the pinkette could no longer hold her own that she slid to her knees, desperately trying to catch her breath. With a look of love, Ikuto lowered down to Amu and clinked their foreheads together again.

"I love you, Amu. I trust you, and I promise to protect you. I want you to feel the same way as I do. So please tell me why you looked as though you wanted to break down in the middle of the performance."

Amu's eyes widened as she thought that she had masked her feelings onstage perfectly. No one had noticed a thing, and yet Ikuto did. "But how..."

"I can tell from your eyes. They're usually so bright and upbeat, but onstage, they looked dull and down."

He was too observant for his own good.

"The truth is," Amu said quietly, "Someone pulled me into this very room before the show. I couldn't see who since the lights were off and the hallway lights weren't on like they are now, so there was no light at all in the room. The person suddenly threw me against the wall and kissed me, and then traced his initials into my neck before leaving."

He already knew the initials. She didn't even have to tell him.

"Rei Kuroku," Ikuto snarled.

"Yes... But you know what, Ikuto? Your kiss...blew me away. There's nothing of Rei's kiss left behind. All I can feel on my lips are you."

That only drove Ikuto more and more crazy as he quickly kissed Amu yet again. How did this girl do this to him? Ever since Kindergarten...he had always been wrapped around her sweet words.

Just as the couple began to stand up and exit, the speakers began to blare with the sound of a beautiful and cheerful voice. "Hello to all the Firefly Festival participants! This is Ran from Character4, and we're just about ready to explode with a pop! Head on over to our pop concert right now as we'll be performing shortly for all our fans! Hop, step, jump baby!" A loud clatter sounded as the speakers turned off.

"Don't worry, I heard the two bands are switching off consistently. There's no way Rei will be able to leave backstage during the concert," Ikuto quickly mentioned, prepared to comfort the girl in his hands, but instead she was beaming a smile at him.

"I'm actually a fan of Character4, especially Ran," Amu said with a laugh. "I looked them up a while ago when I heard they were coming to our school. They make some pretty amazing music..."

One look at her face and he already knew what to do. She wasn't going to let Rei stop her from having a good time, and he wouldn't either.

"Then what are you waiting for? Let's go see them perform."

They weren't far from the stage, but the two did not manage to get exactly very close either. However, they were at a distance enough to distinguish the idols via on stage rather than on the big screens located on each side of the giant stage placed inside the school stadium.

"Wah, we're quite close despite all the people that are here today!" Amu smiled as she stood by Ikuto's shoulder, keeping her gaze on the stage. So far, it seems as though Character4 was stalling for time, what with the MCs continuously talking over random topics in an attempt to cool down the fans closest to the stage, chanting for the celebrities to come out and perform.

"...It's been twenty minutes and still no sight. Even though it's the supermodel Miyako and rising actor Jun who is MCing, I'm really starting to get impatient..." someone muttered beside Ikuto. He turned his head and found that it was Nagihiko who was muttering on and off the entire time.

"Shut up already. Jun is great comedian aside from his acting career. You should learn to love him more," a certain blonde beside him replied. Ikuto noticed that it was the blonde worker that worked at the cafe with Amu. The two must be going on a date. "Guess the little pompous blonde finally gave in to that guy."

Amu overheard Ikuto talking to himself and peeked over at the two as well. "Ah, is that Rima? Why is she with Nagihiko? Gosh, I never thought those two would make such a cute couple!" The pinkette tried to call to her co-worker, but the area was too loud for the other couple to hear.

However, their attention was soon drawn away from the fellow couple as one of the MCs, Jun, began speaking in a louder voice than before. Miyako had also gone offstage for some reason. "I'm sorry to disappoint the large crowd that's gathered here as of now, but Character4 is currently having some technical difficulties. As a result, please welcome The Titans back onstage for an encore!"

A group of six men shortly poured out from behind the curtains, all dressed in suits of black and gold. The crowd went wild, ecstatic at the sound of the boy band performing another song, but Ikuto and Amu were the exception. Immediately the indigo-haired man turned towards Amu, who was slightly confused at the moment.

"Is Character4 not performing? Why...? Did something happen?" Amu asked nonchalantly at first, but Ikuto could hear the panic in her voice slowly begin to escalate. "Why are The Titans coming out? I'm not here to see them... I'm not..."

"If you're not, then let's leave," Ikuto said as he grabbed her hand and began pulling her out of their standing spot. However, the crowd behind them refused to budge. In fact, they could barely hear the couple trying to exit over the loud cheering and blaring of music.

Suddenly, Amu stopped trying to get through and Ikuto felt her stop. "Amu?"

"There... There's no reason to leave. After all, the other members of the band are fine, and they're attractive as well. Rei will definitely not notice us from this distance. Let's just stay until Ran comes out to perform."

He felt hesitant about the situation, but realized that it was Amu only trying to strengthen herself. And the only one that could her at this moment was he himself. "Are you sure about this?"

The pinkette nodded firmly. "It's time I faced my past anyways. Besides, it'd be a waste if we lost out spots when we finally get to see Character4, right?"

Ikuto couldn't feel any prouder of the one he loved. "You're right, Amu."

The two turned around back towards the stage, recognizing the six members running around of stage into position. The music roared as loud as all the fans in the crowd did. It was then that they began to sing, and Amu listened carefully. There was no need to hate the entire band just because of one person. If their music was good, that was enough for Amu.

A squeeze came from Ikuto's hand. Amu couldn't have thanked the heavens enough for the man beside her now.

She would completely disregard Rei Kuroku.

.

It's you...

As your sweet pair of lips kissed mine,

I knew immediately this was only a dream

Just as your smile made my world shine,

Your tears reduce my own into steam

.

This crowd screamed for the spiky, red-haired person singing this verse, who stood in front of the other five onstage. "Miyake Shin!" they chanted.

.

All that matters is you in this very moment,

I am sorry, please believe me, for my sins...

Come back to me, my love from which heaven sent,

Release me from the pain I've been stuck in

.

This time, the girls went absolutely wild, screaming "Daisuke Sora! Daisuke Sora!". Even Amu acknowledged the short-haired brunette's talent for singing as he hit the high notes beautifully in this song. However, she couldn't help but notice how this song somehow felt like something. Was it the lyrics?

.

If this is a dream, let me live in this fantasy forever

I will not let the bond between you and I sever

We are bound by the destiny of lover and child

Return to my side before my mind goes wild

.

As the song hit the chorus for the first time, she heard two people singing at once. Thanks to the crowd, she determined the one with silky long blond hair as Ryuu Furusato and the one with black spikes as Yuugo Ten. They harmonized in a charismatic way that somehow achieved both power and beauty. Ryuu's smooth singing and Yuugo's rough assisting with rapping was more than pleasant to listen to. The only thing she found uncomfortable were the words that came with their voices.

"This song definitely has a message," Amu said to herself. Ikuto didn't notice.

.

If this is a dream, let me die in this fantasy never

I cannot let the bond between you and I sever

I've done wrong, I've gone mad, but my love is true

All I ever wanted in my life was simply you

.

Now, a singer with short blue curls named Kuro Hasaki began singing. Yet another voice Amu added to her list of pros about this band.

That is, until she heard that last part. "'I've done wrong, I've gone mad... But my love is true. All I wanted in my life was simply you...'" It made sense now. This song was definitely about her somehow. Where was Rei trying to go with this, putting his apology into a song?

Despite that, she knew she couldn't continue to allow Rei to continue affecting her after all these years. The first step to that would be accepting this band, whether the lyrics were about her or not.

So what if he was apologizing? It was too late for that.

Much too late.

.

Standing before me, not in reach but in sight

My hands hold you but you slip through my fingers

One moment you are with me, the next you are in flight

Even then the feeling of you continues to linger

.

This time around, the whole band sang the chorus, and for the first time Amu laid her eyes directly onto Rei's. He looked the same except for his blonde hair and golden contacts, the change turning him into almost a whole new person...as expected of an idol.

The buried memories all of a sudden began to rush back.

Her eyes wanted to cry. It hurt both her heart and body to look at him, he whose appearance had changed, but personality must still be the same. But at least one thing didn't have to affect her, as Amu could not recognize Rei's voice mixed in with the others through the song, despite his mouth opening and closing clearly onstage.

.

If this is a dream, let me live in this fantasy forever

I will not let the bond between you and I sever

My love, how could you leave me in the first place

Stay beside only me through time and space

.

If this is a dream, let me die in this fantasy never

I cannot let the bond between you and I sever

I've sinned, but still I pray, for my love is true

All I ever wanted in my life was simply you

.

That all quickly changed as soon as the bridge began a series of rapping by the one person she never wanted to ever have to see again. And despite herself, her ears heard every single word he said, every line and rhyme entered her mind and forced her to listen to it, to process the meaning of it.

.

Time has passed and judgement followed, the poison of this love, we have both swallowed

The love in our hearts was never meant to be hollowed

The payment has been paid, the very one we all owed

My love, you are the only one I can see,

in my past, my present, my future, for all of me

belongs to you just as you belong to my destiny

Even in my sleep now, yours is the only name I call

It's finally time to end this lonely chase once and for all

.

Time has passed, indeed. Judgement followed. Her fate was sealed the moment she met him, she knew that by now. And still, he had the guts to say he wanted her back...that he deserved her after all that he had done?

Why did he have to be so obsessed over her?

If only she had never met him...

If she had never loved him...

"'It's finally time to end this lonely chase once and for all...'"

If only she had never existed...

.

If this is a dream, let me live in this fantasy forever

How could I let the bond between you and I sever

My love, how could you leave me in the first place

I apologize, so stay with me through time and space

.

If this is a dream, let me die in this fantasy never

How could I let the bond between you and I sever

I've done wrong, I've gone mad, but my love is true

All I ever wanted in my life was simply you

It's you...

.

The song ended with the six members saying sweet words to the fans and bringing in Character4 to do a quick interaction between the two bands. Despite finally seeing Ran onstage, Amu felt sick to her stomach. The suicidal thoughts were coming back... And just as she thought that, she could have sworn she saw Rei blow a kiss toward her direction with a wink. A thousand girls swooned at the action.

But for Amu, it made her memories all return.

It made her legs shake.

It made her body tremble.

It made her want to vomit.

"Amu," Ikuto said as he pulled the pinkette closer to him, wrapping his arms around her. The thoughts slowly began to fade. "Amu."

Ikuto's voice...

It made her regain hope.

"That song was an apology from Rei, wasn't it?"

The pinkette nodded, whispering. "But why would he apologize? I don't understand his intentions..."

Just the thought of Rei apologizing to Amu made Ikuto's blood boil. It made it steam when he imagined Amu actually forgiving him. Taking a look at Amu—whose face was slightly confused in her distress—in order to somehow to do something about all this, probably for their relationship's sake, she would probably say she forgave him.

Him.

Ikuto frowned. He would never allow that.

Amu glanced at Ikuto's face, noticing how his expression was stiff in serious thought. "...Ikuto?"

Her voice managed to snap him out of thinking for one second, but only one.

"Amu. You can never forgive Rei. Understand? He's unforgivable. He's kill-able."

"Ikuto..."

The blue-haired man gritted his teeth, gripping Amu's hand tighter. "Let's leave the concert."

Feeling it'd be the best for Ikuto at the moment, who looked absolutely stricken with stress, Amu replied in agreement. "Alright, Ikuto."

The two wandered the front of the school, which was lined with food stands and carnival-like games.

"What do you want to eat, Amu?"

Amu looked around, searching until her face was smiling as she pointed at a stand she found. "Definitely cotton candy. Ah, but the line is a bit long, so maybe we shouldn't."

"I'll get it," Ikuto said, still deep in thought about Rei and Amu. The song was seriously getting to him. "You wait over on this bench. I'll be over as soon as possible with the cotton candy."

"Ah..." the pinkette began until she realized how clingy she must have seemed. Even if Ikuto said he'd stay by her at all times, it's true that Rei would definitely still be stuck backstage. He was only getting food... "Okay." Ikuto sauntered off without another word.

As she sat alone on the bench, she herself began thinking about the song. "Hmm... I wonder if that apology was genuine. If it was, am I able to forgive him? Or is it impossible, just as Ikuto said?"

The lyrics continued to haunt her as the melody played inside her head.

"He said he was going to end the lonely chase once and for all..."

"Hey, Amu!" a voice suddenly yelled, startling the pinkette with a jump. At her side now was a hyper Utau, dressed casually in a violet tee shirt dress and leather leggings. "Where's Ikuto? Why are you alone?"

"Ah, uhm, I was just, uh-"

"Oh forget it, you're totally tongue-tied from sitting here doing nothing! Lucky for you, I've got an extra ticket for the haunted house attraction! Come on," the blonde said happily as she grabbed Amu's hand and pulled her along.

"But Ikuto-"

"It'll only take a while! I'll text him! He can wait outside the attraction until we're done! Isn't it boring just waiting for him anyways?"

A person really couldn't argue with Utau without losing.

"I guess," the pinkette laughed as the two went inside the school. At least Utau would help take her mind off the stress...

"One pink and one blue cotton candy please," Ikuto said as he finally reached the front of the line after half an hour. The girl working at the moment looked grouchy from working so much, but one look at Ikuto and she seemed completely revived! No wonder the line was so long—this girl had absolutely no motivation to work fast.

"Here, just take these for free," she said with a heartfelt sigh, passing the cotton candies to Ikuto. Shaking off her longing gaze distastefully, he quickly hurried over to the bench where Amu should have been waiting.

When he got there however, the pinkette was nowhere to be seen.

"Amu!"

'Wait, calm down Ikuto... Calm down. This is nothing at all. Maybe she went to the bathroom or something. If she did, she would have definitely left a text.' Pulling out his cell phone, he checked his inbox. There was only one text from Utau, but it only said to bring her some cotton candy at the haunted house booth. Maybe Amu was with Utau?

He quickly made his way into the school, climbing the stairs and rapidly getting through the corridors. If he remembered correctly, the haunted house should be placed at the end of the fifth floor. He was currently at the end of the fourth floor when suddenly someone behind him bumped into him, causing the blue cotton candy to fall to the floor. A foot instantly stepped on it, squashing the cloud back into its sugary form.

"Watch where you're going," Ikuto said with an annoyed expression, not really caring since he was going to just give it to Utau anyways. About to go past the man he bumped into, the same blonde guy snatched the pink cotton candy out of Ikuto's hand and casually took a bite out of it.

"That was for Amu," Ikuto said calmly, although anyone who heard it would have known it was jam-packed with anger and annoyance. There was no one around, however.

Ikuto turned around to face the rude passerby, prepared to push him out of the way until he took a good look at the person's outfit. It was a black and gold suit.

"You. I saw you with her... Tell me who you are and what you are to Amu, and I'll forget that you ever bumped into my million-dollar shoulder and incurred my wrath."

Ikuto snarled. "It's you."

Rei only smirked. "Oh, so she did tell you about me."

Ikuto grabbed the blond-haired man by the collar and before he even knew it, his fist went straight for the man who hurt the woman he loved.

Mirene: An extra long chapter for an extra long wait!

Amu: And yet you still ended it like that. Your readers must hate you.

Mirene: That can't be! D:

Ikuto: It did make me look pretty cool.

Amu: No, we're both quite emotional in this chapter.

Mirene: It must have been the gap of updates...maybe I turned the mood too serious?

Ikuto: It was bound to get serious anyways. Halfway checkpoint, remember?

Mirene: Right! Also, as a sidenote—I realize I'm not a great songwriter. The song is more like a poem because it doesn't follow any specific rhythm. Sorry about that!

Amu: Well, please review!