A/N: This is the sequel to my first ever fanfic, "Unspoken." If you haven't read "Unspoken" yet, I hope that you would take the time to read it first (and also submit a review!). But if you have and kind of took pity on Ruka, well then, here's a happy ending for him. I hope that in this sequel, I justify the saying that "everybody deserves a happy ending."

Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice. And if you find the story similar to other stories you've read, it is, again, just a coincidence.

A HAPPY ENDING FOR RUKA

Chapter One

"Spring is finally here!" Mikan announced one morning in a loud and cheery voice.

The students of Class B were all inside their classroom, waiting rather noisily for their teacher, Narumi, to come.

Mikan had been looking out the window, watching as the first signs of spring appeared.

"Oi, polka dots," Natsume's deep voice drowned Mikan's. "Get over here."

Mikan turned around, her face red with anger.

"Natsume!" She screamed. "Until when are you going to keep calling me those names?"

"Until you stop wearing those kinds of panties," Natsume simply replied, placing his arms behind his head and his feet on his desk, while the rest of the class laughed.

Mikan's face contorted with fury, steam coming out of her ears. She looked like she was about to attack Natsume but resorted to looking out the window instead.

"Spring is here," She sing-songed dreamily. "That means the spring dance is just around the corner."

The class began discussing the spring dance amongst each other.

"Good job, Mikan. You finally got the class buzzing around again," Natsume told Mikan sarcastically.

But Mikan just smiled at him sweetly, causing Natsume to slightly blush.

Ruka quietly watched all of these happen as he sat beside Natsume.

It had been a couple of months since that day when he set Mikan free for Natsume.

It had been autumn then.

(Flashback)

"Ruka, I–" Mikan began.

"It's alright, Mikan. Natsume is waiting for you by the Sakura trees."

Mikan stared at Ruka, shocked. It was already dinnertime, but the two of them sat together by the front steps of the elementary building.

"I love you, Mikan. That will never change. But what I can never change is your love for Natsume."

Mikan opened her mouth, even more surprised.

Ruka smiled sadly at her.

"I can never give you the same happiness that only Natsume can, no matter how I try. The only way I can make you happy is by sacrificing my own happiness at the same time.

That is why I am letting you free."

Mikan could see Ruka trying to keep the smile on his face, but in his eyes, she could see sorrow.

She finally had the courage to say, "I'm so sorry, Ruka. I am such an idiot. I could never understand love. I let you suffer ever since that night while I only thought of myself, how I couldn't understand everything that was happening. Instead of talking it out with you, I tried to get away from you."

She held his hands.

"I know there is someone out there whom you will learn to love and will truly love you in return. Someone who will be able to give you greater happiness than you thought I can only give you. I know that someone will come, someday. Just be patient."

She smiled at him.

Ruka smiled back, and this time, the smile reached up to his eyes.

"It had been Natsume who first set you free, thinking you would be happier with me. He just wanted you to be happy, you know. But I see now that you are happier with him after all. What is important right now is that you are happy, and knowing that kind of makes me happy too," He told her.

"Go now. Natsume is waiting."

(End of flashback)

Ever since then, Mikan and Natsume had become closer to each other.

Although Natsume would still tease Mikan, he had become subtler, kinder and more affectionate in his actions towards her.

Now, it was spring.

Ruka was happy for the two, but there were times when he could not help but feel envious of his best friend.

Of course, he didn't want to interfere with the two when they are already so happy, so he tried not to show them what he felt.

Only one person seemed to see through his mask.

That person was Hotaru.

The girl who rarely showed any emotion even when her own best friend was crying her eyes out at her. The girl who made other people think that she did not care for anyone at all but herself.

Hotaru understood what he felt.

Come to think of it, it was also Hotaru who made him realize that it was Natsume whom Mikan really loved.

(Flashback)

Ruka was sitting on the floor outside their classroom door when Hotaru passed by, riding her duck mobile.

Seconds later, she came back.

"What's wrong, Ruka?" She asked him.

"N-nothing," he muttered, staring at the floor. "Just leave me alone."

For a while, there was only silence.

"Mikan is really innocent when it comes to love, you know," Hotaru finally said.

Ruka looked up at her, surprised, but didn't say anything.

She got off her duck mobile and sat beside him.

"Strange feelings come to her which she really can't understand," She continued. "Feelings that she feels only towards Natsume."

Ruka returned his gaze on the floor.

It was Hotaru's turn to look at him.

"She likes you, Ruka," She said. "But only as a friend. It is Natsume that she loves."

"I knew that," Ruka said bitterly. "But Natsume told me it was okay for him if I confessed to Mikan. I thought, if I told her what I feel towards her, she would learn to love me. But I guess I can't change what she feels towards Natsume."

Hotaru stared at him for a while before finally saying, "The best way you could show your love to Mikan is to give her what will make her happier."

With those words, she stood up and went off on her duck mobile, leaving a dejected Ruka behind.

(End of Flashback)

A/N: Hold on, this isn't the end yet. But how do you like it so far? Hope you send me a review! Just stay tuned for the next chapter!