Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice nor any of its characters
If Only You Knew
by wontbiteyou
Chapter One
Mikan waited for Natsume at the ferry dock. He sent a message, saying that he'd be arriving today on the afternoon boat. Mikan was nervous. It had been 3 years since she'd last seen him. She was only 15 that time, he three years older, but was already in love with him. His departure was sudden and tragic. He was her childhood friend but had moved to the city with his parents. She wasn't sure if he was still the same boy she knew 3 years ago.
Waiting there at the ferry dock didn't seem new to Mikan. She suddenly wanted to be the one who arrived instead of the one who waited. She realized that she had always been the one who was waiting.
They had known each other since they were kids. At that time, Mikan Sakura was still 6. Natsume Hyuuga's family moved in the vacant beach house beside the Sakura's house. They lived in a small village, at Washboard Point, in an island with a small population. Everybody knew everyone and newcomers were warmly welcomed. She first saw him when they arrived and immediately knew that he would be trouble. He had dark black hair and the most tantalizing crimson orbs. He was scowling the first time she saw him and wouldn't even think of saying hello to her. She thought that they would never be friends, she being a shy and timid girl, but surprisingly, they became very close.
"You know, you should really have a haircut."
Mikan, upon seeing him, immediately thought how different he looked. He now has long dark hair, reaching just above his shoulders, not like the short one he had the last time she saw him. He seemed really grown up. Mikan didn't want to look at his face. She knew he was looking at her and would just get frazzled under his stare. Sheesh! This is Natsume, your childhood friend, Mikan thought. Get a hold of yourself.
"Yeah? Well I didn't have the time. I've got a lot going on in my mind recently," Natsume said.
Mikan wanted to know what he was thinking. Natsume had always been discreet and secretive. She never knew what was in his mind. Mikan decided to look him in the face to see his expression and as expected, he was looking at her.
"What do you mean by that?" Mikan asked warily.
"Hm. I'll tell you some other time. For now, let's just go home. The ride was exhausting."
"Natsume! It's been a long time," Yuka squealed as she hugged Natsume. Yuka is Mikan's mother. She considered Natsume as a son, being best friends with Natsume's mother, Kaoru, when they moved in next door. She was also devastated when the Hyuugas suddenly left.
"We really missed you, especially little Mikan here," Yuka said jokingly.
"Mom! Seriously?!" Mikan can't believe how embarrassing her mom can get. But she does love her.
"Yeah? Well I really missed you all too. It was hard leaving home. By the way, where are Izumi and Misaki?" Natsume thought.
Izumi is Mikan's father and Misaki is Mikan's older sister. Compared to Mikan, Misaki was prettier and more outgoing, being the envy of most girls in their village and the admiration of the boys. Unsurprisingly, even Natsume's. He had confessed this to Mikan when he was 8. Misaki, though, was way older than the two of them, being 23 now. Though popular in the island, Misaki was never boastful and arrogant of what she has. She had been very friendly and down-to-earth. She was a kind sister to Mikan and never grabbed the attention of their parents. She now works as a lifeguard down at the beach.
"Izumi is at the market, buying ingredients for dinner and Misaki, well, as usual she's down at the beach. No one can get her away from her post." Yuka laughed as she said this. "By the way, stay for dinner Natsume. It would be our welcoming party for you!"
"Sure, aunt Yuka. That would be great. I'll just unpack and I'll be back for dinner."
Mikan was fretting. She can't find anything to wear for tonight. She really wants to impress Natsume, making her look like she has really matured. At 18, Mikan still doesn't know that she was just as pretty as Misaki. She worries that Natsume might still have a crush on her sister and would never notice the younger Sakura. Just before dinner, Misaki came home and saw Mikan worried in front of her closet.
"Hey, I heard Hyuuga's back in town. Is that why you're in such a fuss?" Misaki asked teasingly.
"Shut up Misaki! You know I'm not as pretty as you all dolled-up," Mikan said weakly.
"Oh you shut up Mikan! Well all know that Natsume's got his heart in a knot because of you. You're like practically together! That's why no one ever had the courage to ask you out when he was around. And, you are very beautiful. You just don't see it yourself. Natsume's lucky you even give him the time of day. I heard even that boy Kyouta Takahashi asked you out."
Kyouta Takahashi was the most popular and handsome guy in their school. His family was the richest in the village and owned the biggest house in the island. He dated many popular girls and would bring them to the yacht club which was the most expensive restaurant in Washboard Point. Mikan was 16 and Natsume was away. Mikan had turned into a real beauty and was suddenly noticed by the boys, including Kyouta.
Mikan was working as a waitress in the yacht club when Kyouta noticed her. She was the waitress of the table he was sitting in. He decided to add her to the list of the girls he had dated in the island.
"Hey, I didn't know you were working here," Kyouta said. That night, he was on a date with a girl.
"Uh, yeah. I just started. What will you have?" Mikan asked indifferently. Mikan paid no mind to Kyouta for she was still very much in love with Natsume.
What Kyouta wants, he gets. That's his motto. So, he paid no heed to her cold greeting and decided to impress her.
"I'll have the most expensive dish here. And, I'll give you a really big tip if you would go out on a date with me. What do you say?" Kyouta said conceitedly.
"Kyouta, you've got to be kidding! I'm way prettier than her. Plus, she's a waitress! My daddy can take us to the most expensive restaurant in the world!" His date cut off.
"Shut up will you? I'm bored now, so you can go. I'm interested in Mikan now."
"Gosh! You'll regret this! You too, Sakura. You'll pay for this humiliation!" The girl stormed off, leaving Mikan alone with Kyouta.
"I'm sorry about that. She's a real bother. So, what would it be?" Kyouta was pretty sure she'll say yes. After all, he is the Kyouta Takahashi. No one says no to him.
"I'm sorry but, I'm not interested. I have to get back to work," Mikan said and hurriedly left. She heard Kyouta call after her but didn't stop to turn around. As she reached the kitchen, she thought how stupid she was. There was Kyouta Takahashi, the most popular guy around and all she was thinking of was Natsume. He's not even here anymore. She doesn't even know if he'll be coming back or if he even loves her. If she continues being like this, she's sure she'll die a spinster.
Mikan went down to dinner. She decided on a scarlet dress, with a low cut but not improper. It fits her very well and was glad that she had her long brown hair cut. It suited her face well and made her look more mature. When she reached the dining area, Natsume and Misaki were already there talking like Natsume never left. Mikan felt a pang in her heart but decided to ignore it.
"Mikan, what took you so long? Our food would get cold. I'll get the chicken from the oven. You sit down and we'll start shortly," Yuka said.
Mikan sat beside Misaki and looked at Natsume. He was wearing a crisp black shirt, folded at his elbows. He looked really good, Mikan thought. No wonder many girls liked him. He was very handsome. Even if he wouldn't admit it, Natsume was quite popular with the girls but never dated any of them. He said that he didn't have the time. Mikan thinks that this was because of Misaki. He even probably still likes her now.
"Okay! The chicken's ready. Misaki, will you call your father in his study and tell him that dinner's ready? We're all very hungry. We can't have our most important guest waiting!" Yuka said.
As soon as Misaki left, Natsume turned to Mikan and looked at her.
"You look really great Mikan. You've grown up. I can't tease you as a little girl anymore," Natsume said.
Mikan felt giddy inside. Small compliments from Natsume mean the world to her. He rarely gave off compliments and whenever he does, Mikan treasured it. She was glad she decided to fix herself. It had been worth it.
"Thank you. You look really great too. The city's given you the looks of a very successful man. How's your job, by the way?" Mikan asked. Natsume just recently started working as an assistant in a famous sports magazine, the Sports Daily. Natsume's not really fond of sports but is really interested in writing. Ever since they were children, Natsume had been very talented in expressing himself through writing. He was highly praised in Washboard Point.
"My job? Well, it's a start. What I would really want to do is to write my own book but being new in the business, I'm still unknown and would have a hard time in selling it." Natsume said unhappily. Mikan knows that writing had been Natsume's first and only love. It would break him if he did not end up being a famous writer.
"Well, I hope you would get what you want someday. I know that you're excellent enough to get that." Mikan said encouragingly.
Natsume looked at Mikan. He was very happy. It really means a lot to him that Mikan's very supportive and trusting of him. He would never meet a girl like her.
"Okay! Let's start eating," Misaki said as she and Izumi entered the room.
As they finished dinner, Yuka and Izumi left to sleep. Misaki also decided to leave Natsume and Mikan to themselves for she knew that they have been wanting to talk alone all day.
As soon as they were alone, Natsume sat beside Mikan who was sitting on the couch in front of the television. Oh, how he truly missed her beside him.
"I heard Takahashi asked you on a date when I was away. I'm sure you said yes."
"Actually, I didn't. I don't like him, you know that."
"Yeah right. Every girl likes him. I'm sure even you are interested."
"How would you know? It's not like you can read my mind. Plus, I have been waiting for someone to return home." Damn. What was Mikan thinking?! She hopes Natsume wouldn't notice her feelings for him.
"Oh you were? Well, even if I was here, you don't need my permission to go on any dates you want."
Mikan was hurt. It was obvious with what he said that he wasn't interested in her. He never was. He always saw her as his little sister. He was still the same boy who never saw her as anything else. All her waiting was for nothing. She was certain that Natsume would never see her as a woman.
"Whatever. I knew you would say that," Mikan said quietly. The air around them suddenly felt awkward. Natsume must've felt this too and decided to leave.
"Well, it's been a great dinner. Tell aunt for me. I better get going. Goodnight Mikan."
And just like that, he left. Mikan looked at him walk home. She saw him through the window walking in his house, all alone. His parents were in the city and wouldn't be able to come because of their work. Mikan suddenly felt very tired and depressed. She thought that now that she's 18, Natsume would look at her differently. But no. There's still no difference. He's still cold towards her. She hopes that one day, she'll have the courage to move on and forget about him.
End of Chapter One
