It was a bright sunny morning and everyone is still relaxing. It was the day after their dreaded exam and everyone celebrated it by peacefully going to class.

Yet, our heroine IS STILL the heroine of this story.

Loud and rapid footsteps echoed across the hall. "Yuu!" the familiar shrill voice interrupted the silence of the whole classroom.

Every attention turned to our very own heroine after a glimpse of her state the students went back to their own conversations. Yuu Tobita approached her, sweatdropping when he saw her scrambled state. Her blouse had been buttoned wrong and her skirt is crumpled indicating that it hasn't been ironed yet. Still panting she looked at him straight in the eye. "Have you seen Natsume?" she cried out.

Hearing her voice made our beloved black cat straightened from his sitting position.

"Gomen, Mikan, but I haven't seen him" Yuu replied. It was true that he didn't see him since the bell rang. It was a good thing that they were given the day off to do what they want without the teachers eyeing their every move. Of course, provided that they stay inside their rooms.

Mikan then turned her head to Ruka. "Sorry Mikan. I didn't see him either." He grumbled. He was too busy covering his face from Hotaru, who was also busy taking adorable pictures of him. He didn't even see Mikan's crumpled uniform that could possibly make him blush. "Hotaru?" Mikan turned her attention to her. Hotaru, still expressionless, pointed at the window while still taking shots of Ruka.

o 0 o

He was back in the world of slumber even when he was interrupted a while ago. Unfortunately, the serenity has to end and make way for our leading lady.

Very aware that SOMEBODY is looking at him Natsume braced himself. Only one student has the guts to stare at him with such intent. He was expecting it anyway although he still hoped she wouldn't find him sleeping outside the window. He had no choice but to open his eyes. "Now what?" he grumbled.

Mikan drew a deep breath and kneeled infront of him. She clasped her hands together and produced her best puppy dog eyes. "Please, oh, please come with me to the Central Town!"she pleaded rather intently even though it was no use.

The Hyuuga mentally rolled his eyes. 'Damn it! Why does she always do this kind of things?' he thought. Natsume is very aware of her indecent attire. A little bit portion of skin at her tummy can be seen because of wrong buttoning. He's really fighting very hard not to blush infront of her. Still, the Hyuuga pride won. He looked away. "No way. Just go by yourself." He said yet it really isn't what he wanted. "I don't wanna waste my time with you." he then added.

'Did he become an idiot all of a sudden?' she thought 'He knows I can't go unless he is with me. We're partners for Pete's sake.'

Although she knew he will stand his ground she still tried her luck, if she has any. Straightening her back, "Please?",she pleaded again. "The answer is no and that's final," he replied coldly, and added "strawberry."

Mikan was taken aback. "S-s-straw-be-berry?" her eye widened in shock. She was so engrossed in pleading that she didn't even notice that her crumpled skirt slide upward when she kneeled before him. She instantly stood up and backed away. Y-you p-pervert!" she stammered then dashed away muttering something incoherent that sounded like 'I'll find a way.' Natsume's gaze followed her then returned to his slumber with a smile of triumph.

o 0 o

Narumi had just finished his paperworks for the day. 'The day off for the students really helped a lot.' Narumi thought. He was on his way to the restroom when he spotted Mikan dashing towards him.

"Narumi-sensie!" Mikan attached herself to him and cried her heart out."Sensie, Natsume doesn't want to go with me to the Central Town! And I really, really, really wanted to go. I saved for this day to come so I could buy incredible things and fluff puffs! You know how I like those things and..." Mikan complained not even stopping far a breath. "and all my friends are going. You know I can't just go to the Central town without Natsume. This setup is really annoyi.."

"Mikan, maybe I can help you." He just didn't have a choice. It would have continued on and on if Narumi didn't cut her off. Snivelling she focused her tear-stained to Narumi.

"I could ask for the headmaster to permit you to go with another partner." He proposed to her. At this, Mikan gave out a bright smile. 'He, he. Back at you Natsume.'

"But first, fix your uniform Mikan."

"AHHHHHHHHHH"

o 0 o

"You know she has to stay with Hyuuga-kun every time just to control him right."

"Yes, I know that headmaster." Narumi replied in understanding. "But it is quite unfair in her part to just..." he added but was cut off when the youngest headmaster raised his hand.

"Although she has to stick to Hyuuga-kun to control his rather violent actions, this setup is needed also for her not to be taken from us easily. She is a very dangerous Alice user if we consider the risk of letting her off." He informed Narumi. "She could easily take away all our respective alices because of her Nullifying Alice. She is good natured so we know she isn't willing to harm anyone but if she falls in the hands of that organization it could be our downfall."

'You people just wanted to avoid being her enemy.' Narumi thought. Still, he forced himself to nod in understanding. "She could be guarded by an older student so harm won't come in her way. And by the way, she complained too that being Natsume's partner annoys her and you should know that it might trigger her Alice.." after what he had said the headmasters became alarmed.

"Fine then, Narumi-sensie, but it would be your responsibility if something might happen." The youngest retorted in a resigned tone.

'Ah, Triumph is so sweet.' He smirked inside. He then went out and informed Mikan about the permission and the condition. This earned him a shout of joy from the very eager brunette.

o 0 o

Natsume woke up when he heard the sound of the bell indicating the end of class. 'Strawberry printed panty might still be sulking somewhere.'

Natsume walked towards the building where Yuichi is. 'I might as well bring Yuichi to the Central Town with Mikan.' Calling her by her name can make her enthusiastic which he'll like BUT if it will make him look soft then no thanks. But bringing her to Central Town will also make him soft, oh well...So what if he will be considered soft? It's just for one girl anyway and he doesn't act like that to others.

He was quietly walking on the path that leads to Yuichi while still looking out for Mikan when he heard laughter in his right direction. What he saw stopped him from his tracks. Mikan was eating Howalons and she's carrying a large box of fluff puffs. He fully knows that she can't purchase those things if didn't buy from Central Town. 'Imai might have brought it for her.' He concluded.

Inserting his hands inside his pockets he walked towards her and called out her attention. Mikan diverted her eyes to him and gave a sweet smile. Too sweet for his liking. 'What's with her?' Natsume thought.

He had guessed she would be sulking but here she was smiling all too brightly. He scowled at her but she still sported a smile. It was then that he noticed the Andou guy just a few feet away from her. His face darkened and glared at Andou then looked at Mikan again. He stared intently at the box in her hands.

"How come you have that?" he said curtly. Mikan looked down at the box then beamed at Natsume. "I was permitted to go because Tsubasa-sempai was with me." Mikan looked up to Tsubasa with adoring eyes. Obviously oblivious to his bad mood.

After hearing Mikan's excited answer Natsume walked pass them without saying a word. They didn't even notice him clenching his fist and his face becoming impassive. 'So much for my plans.'

The two remained on where they stood and watched Natsume's disappearing figure.

A/N: This is my first fic so please bear with me.