Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice. I'm sure you don't, too. But if I did own it… (devilish laugh) anyways, on with the story.
Nine-
"…How long will you be gone?"
"9 months, but promise you'll wait for me."
"…I-I will."
9 months. A lot can happen—and I mean a LOT—can happen during those months. And he'll be gone for that long.
For Mikan, it will be really hard: living without him for such a long time. Only, she will wait—she has to.
But everything is just pretense, right? Everyone just thought Natsume and Mikan are lovers. That's all: no more, no less. However, maybe both are taking it too far. Now the 'couple' is in a line between lovers and friends, and those choices don't even describe what their relationship is. Still, oblivious of their true feelings, the two teens go on living lives full of confusion and façade. Everyday.
Prologue
"Hotaru!" Mikan ran to her best friend, who's always ready with a baka gun.
"Don't you, Mikan," warned Hotaru as she readied her gun.
Time has passed but they still seemed to be the same as when they were younger. In actions, that is.
"Waaaaah! You're mean!" cried Mikan.
Mikan is now a different, more beautiful girl: her long, brown hair down to her back, just above the waist. She even grew a little bit taller. Yet, like before, she's still a klutz sometimes.
"Baka. Baka…" started Hotaru, each mention of 'baka' makes the brunette cringe. "…Baka."
Hotaru grew as tall as her friend. But, unlike Mikan's tresses, her navy blue hair is shoulder-length.
Mikan caught a glimpse of a certain raven-head. An uneasy feeling crept into her, as if she lost something, or was about to lose that something—a stomach-churning sensation. She turned to her friend, "Hotaru, I… gotta go!" trying her hardest to smile, she left.
"Natsume, Natsume!"
Hearing his name, the tall raven-haired guy turned to his caller: Mikan is approaching.
Th-thump
His heart's beats were suddenly set into a rapid motion. Natsume managed to at least say something.
"Mikan."
As always, a smile is seen from her Mikan's face. Aside from that smile, the boy can also see a hint of worry and anxiety in her eyes. He searched for the right words to ask her why, but he found none, so he kept quiet.
Mikan, who seemed to have read his expression, answered his silent question.
"I'm okay, Natsume!" and she smiled her usual sweet smile.
"Listen, I have to tell you something," Natsume started seriously.
The brunette looked serious as well. Her smile is gone, "What is it?"
She was afraid to hear what he will say next: maybe a confession? She's not ready for that; will he ask Mikan what she really feels? No way, he's not one to ask those things; what could be the problem?
These thoughts bother her so she asked again, "What is it, Natsume?"
Now the teen boy looked hesitant, not wanting to let her know but wanting to say goodbye. His heart and mind debating irritatingly, he gave up. 'For everyone's sake, I'll say it.' And Natsume carefully chose the appropriate words to say, commanding his red eyes not to meet the other's brown ones.
"I'm leaving."
a/n! I feel like making this a oneshot. It can be a chapter story, too! Anyways, if you want to make it a chapter story… let's see… maybe I can give you a week to review. And then the number of reviews will be the number of chapters! Yeay:D