"Mikan, do you know what your grade is in this class?" Narumi said.
"Um...bad?" Mikan murmured, glancing at her most recent test, which had a huge red F.
"I think we need to get you a tutor," Narumi sighed.
"Of course," Mikan agreed reluctantly.
"I can ask Hotaru, if you want," Narumi exclaimed. "I know you're most comfortable with her. And she's extremely bright, too."
"No, no. Hotaru's too busy with her inventions. Is there someone else? Like Ana, or Nonoko?"
Narumi shook his head. "Those girls aren't doing much better than you, Mikan. And tell me, would you be able to focus with them?"
I sighed in defeat. "No."
"Well, I know just the right person." Narumi smiled darkly. "You know Natsume Hyuuga?"
My eyes widened. "No. Narumi, please don't do this to me! I won't be able to work with that conceited jerk! I'd do better with Ana and Nonoko."
"Perfect answer," Narumi said.
Mikan heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Narumi."
"Of course. You'll be in the library this afternoon, at four o' clock sharp. Nobody's in there after three, so both of you will have a quiet environment."
"Wait...then who's going to be my tutor?"
Narumi edged towards the door. "I already said, Natsume Hyuuga."
"But you just said—"
"I said perfect answer. What you said made me want him to tutor you more."
And with that, Narumi was out the door, leaving Mikan flabbergasted.
Narumi chuckled to himself. Somewhere deep inside, he felt a little guilty for letting Mikan have to deal with Natsume. He knew very well how much Mikan objected him. And that was the point. He needed Natsume to be with a person who wouldn't melt into jello under his presence, someone who would defy him.
Natsume was the most active playboy out there. He was cold to most people, rude, and arrogant. But he was also a lonely person. Ever since he was a child, he'd been neglected. His childhood was void of parental support and love. In some ways, Mikan was the same. She'd started with love from her parents, but when she was thirteen, both her parents died in a car accident. But being the cheerful, optimistic girl she was, she inched out of the darkness.
Narumi believed that Mikan could help Natsume do the same. Even though she hated Natsume now, Narumi felt that things would change once she saw through his cold facade.