C O N F E S S I O N
by Revitalize !
I don't own Gakuen Alice. Oh, and so far, I've only watched the anime and read up until volume 3 of the manga-- so this follows the anime, 'kay? Enjoy anyways!
xxx
"I... I l-lo..." Natsume stammered, his face twisting in embarrassment. His blond-haired friend from beside him let out a soft chuckle.
"You can do it, Natsume," Ruka said, nudging the fire Alice playfully. "You've kept this quiet for seven years! It's a wonder she hasn't gotten together with anybody yet."
"Actually, she has."
"I don't think dumping them five minutes later with a very emotional apology counts, Natsume."
"Hn."
"I speak from experience. She only sees me as a friend."
"What makes you think I'm any different?"
Ruka sighed and laid down on the roof they were lounging on.
"We're getting off track and running out of time... But if you must know, Hotaru told me that the night you called her by her name, she started... changing... They were pretty subtle changes, but she is her best friend..."
"Wh-whatever," Natsume grunted, absentmindedly fiddling with something in his pocket, "She's not the only one changing... Since when have you become so encouraging?"
"Well, she can make you smile, Natsume. I want my best friend to smile more often."
"Mikan's annoying vibes are rubbing off on you."
"But you love us both anyways, neh?"
"..."
"Okay," Ruka said, sitting back up. "Enough procrastinating. Let's try this again. I. Love. You."
"I can't."
"Please?" Ruka coaxed. Natsume rubbed his head and let out a groan.
"No."
"It's your last chance, Natsume. Tomorrow's the real Last Dance before we graduate. I want you to be happy..."
"This is ridiculous. You really will do anything for Imai."
"H-hey! That was just totally uncalled for! Besides, that's not the only reason--"
"I'm going to bed."
"B-but--!"
Before Ruka could continue, his disgruntled friend had already gotten up and headed for the open window. Swift and agile, Natsume slipped in and disappeared from view.
"That Natsume," Ruka started, sighing regretfully. Just when he was about to follow suit, a piece of paper that rested on Natsume's now vacant spot caught his attention. The boy reached over curiously and flipped it over, his light blue eyes scanning the sheet.
"'Mikan. I have to tell you something," Ruka read softly, bringing up the paper so that he could see it in the dark. His lips curved into a smile as he continued-- he could almost imagine Natsume, strained but determined, practicing the lines on the little note to himself every evening. "'I don't know if you've noticed, being the air headed idiot you are, but you're a real nuisance, pretty stupid, and not the best-looking girl out there. You're always getting into trouble and dragging all your friends down with you. To tell you the truth, I actually hated you in the beginning. Despite all of that, laugh at me and I'll burn you, because I don't know how or why this all happened, but...'"
Ruka noted how many times Natsume crossed out the final sentence.
"'...I love you.'"
Ruka smiled wistfully as he stuffed the paper in his pocket, standing up and walking to the window. He had to give the paper back-- his friend would definitely need the last minute practice.
"Aah, Natsume... I should've known..." Ruka sighed for what was the third time that evening.
"But did you have to be so blunt and harsh in the beginning? I really hope Mikan resists the urge to hit you until after your confession."
xxx
You just gotta love drabbles. :) Hope you enjoyed this short little piece. Could've been a little OC, but hey-- I haven't done fanfiction in a while and this is all set during Class B's last year at the Academy, so they could've gone through some personality changes, right..? Haha, excuses, I know.
Reviews make me happy, so drop one in for me, please?
