'Cause You are Precious'

akinohime

Summary:Mikan was always treated as a useless person. She keeps smiling and working hard. Now, Natsume, the coolest boy in school happened to be partnered with her.

Disclaimer: I'm not the owner of Gakuen Alice. I'm just a little girl who wants to share my love for it.

Author's Note:Minna-san, welcome to my first fanfic! I really hope you'll enjoy it. By the way, they don't possess Alices here.

I

With a Smile

MIKAN'S POV

I want to be useful so I have a reason to be alive… I try to be helpful in any way I can. But why? Just why? I'm doing my best but still, Yagari-san, the only relative I know now, can't accept me.

She was obliged to take me in ever since that horrible accident—no, I don't even want to remember it... Because I'm such a burden, Yagari-san would give me beatings. Not that I can blame her. She probably hates me… to the point I'm starting to hate myself, too.

I clenched my fists hard, without a care about my nails breaking my skin.

NATSUME'S POV

What the heck is wrong with this manga? I can't believe what the story turned out to be like.

Tch. Useless.

Where the hell is that baka sensei anyway? I'm getting more and more impatient every second.

I'll count to three and if Naru still does not show up, I'm getting out of here.

One…

Two...

Thr—

BANG!

To my dismay, he arrived just before I can proclaim my freedom.

Tch.

"Gomen minna-san! I really enjoyed my breakfast that I forgot about the time…hehe," that so called homeroom teacher of ours greeted with his usual cheery self while scratching the back of his probably empty head...

I dislike people like him—all smiles. And what a lame excuse he had.

I choose to just look through the window. It's probably the best thing to do for the next one and a half hours.

BAAAMM!

Another late-comer? Well, whatever.

MIKAN'S POV

" Narumi-sensei! Gomen nasai! I had to walk my bike halfway because the front wheel got flat… I'm really really sorry!" I rapidly said upon entering the classroom ever so loudly, bowing very low several times.

"Ohohoho! Sakura, maybe you need a diet. The wheels got flat because you're heavy! Hahaha!" Sumire said out loud with her well-manicured fingernails covering her mouth.

Soon enough, laughs and giggles from my meanie classmates could be heard.

"That's not it! I accidentally tripped the bike in a sharp stone because my hands-" I stopped myself from saying anymore.

"Class, stop now. Don't laugh at others' misfortunes. Now, Mikan-chan go to your seat for I'm just about to start class anyway," my favorite teacher said with that kind smile of his.

I nodded and smiled back. I wish he was my father… He always make me feel better. I went to my seat, which was in the last row.

MIKAN'S POV

Itai!

I inwardly sighed as I looked at the board with Narumi-sensei writing on it. I'm trying to take down notes but it hurts to hold the pencil.

With my injured palms, I couldn't even drive my bike properly. I tripped on a stone which probably made the wheel flat.

I pouted. I should have known better than injuring myself. Having bruises from Yagari-san's beating is bad enough. Adding some myself is really idiotic. I sighed again, audibly this time.

I was still caught up mentally scolding myself when I heard Narumi-sensei's talk.

"By the way class, before I forget, we're having a really exciting out-of –the –classroom activity," his voice failing to hide the sheer enthusiasm, "and you have to be in pairs. That's not a problem since the number of boys and girls in this class is even ne?"

I heard squeals of delight – yup, my girl classmates.

EHHH? Why are they all turning in my direction with those eyes of hearts? Oh no - wait!

They are not looking at me but at the one next to me, who is supposed to be the coolest and most popular boy in school. All of them probably want to be his partner… I tried to glance at him in the corner of my eye without turning my head.

I wonder what this 'really exciting activity' Narumi-sensei is talking about… But if it has to be in pairs then who would my partner be? Uwa~ I hope I'll be teamed up with Iinchou-kun. He's really nice and he won't tease me or play tricks on me.

"We'll use the method of drawing lots to decide who your partner will be. The boys will draw the name of their partner. No switching of partners ne?"Narumi-sensei asked.

I just nodded while the others were murmuring about how excited they are. I have to admit I'm also excited and nervous at the same time. An out-of-the-classroom activity? My eyes started to sparkle. I love adventure!

Narumi-sensei took out a glass box from under his table. The box has little pieces of papers on them.

"Ok boys! Line-up and draw your partners!"

The boys stood and lined up except for my seatmate. Boredom is really visible in his eyes…Hey, now that I've mentioned it. His crimson eyes are really good to look at. It's like I can stare at them for….

"EEEHHH?" I stopped.

What am I thinking? I shook my head.

"Well, I'm just stating facts ne? Ahaha…Nothing to be bothered about. Ahahaha" I softly told myself.

NATSUME'S POV

Tch.

When will that stupid school bell ring?

From the window, I turned my eyes back in the classroom.

What's this? Why are they lining up?

I haven't been listening. Whatever. Don't care...

Those girls are very noisy. It's really irritating.

"EEEHHH?" I heard the one beside me blurt out. I glanced at her and saw her shaking her head. She muttered something to herself then chuckled.

Is she nuts?

Tch. I was about to look back at the scenery outside when Naru called my attention.

"Natsume-kun. You haven't drawn yet. Well, since you're the last, there's only one paper left."

I gave him the look of nonchalance. I don't even get what he's talking about.

"Ok minna! Let's open the lots together and know who are your partners. I'll open this for you Natsume-kun… 3…2…1…Go~!"

Then I heard gasps and shrieks…

"Natsume-kun, your partner will be…"

I saw Naru's smile get wider.

"… Mikan-chan!"

"EEEEEEHHHHHH!" I heard everyone chorused.

Whatever.

MIKAN'S POV

"Natsume-kun, your partner will be… Mikan-chan!"announced Narumi-sensei.

My jaws dropped and my eyes went wide. What the… Natsume? As in the Hyuuga Natsume whom almost every girl in the academy chases?

I swallowed a lump in my throat. Well, might as well greet him at least. I put on a smile and turned to him.

"Ne, Na-natsume-kun. I'm looking forward to working with you…ehehehee." I scratched my head. Am I embarrassed? Hehe.

One second.

Three.

Five.

His expression didn't change. What the… It feels like talking to a wall!

I pouted. Hmph. Better turn my attention back to class.

Whoah! What's with those death glares from the girls?

Thank God, Narumi-sensei started to speak again.

"Minna, the activity, or game rather, will be held in the Northern Woods,"

The murmurs went up.

"You have to pass some challenges in order to meet the "goal." Working with a random classmate is part of the challenge. I'll explain the mechanics tomorrow. It would start at 10am and ends till the sun sets. It's not going to be easy, I assure you. So wear something that will be okay for you in all conditions,"

The murmurs got even louder.

"So, we'll meet each other in the entrance of the forest 30 minutes before the starting time, ok?"

"HAAAI!"

Brrrrrriiiiiinnnnggggg!

That's the bell.

"Okay class! Dismissed!"

I stood up and picked up my bag. What's my next class again? Hmmm…..

Uh-oh. Crap, its Math…with Jin-Jin…

I took a deep breath. This is gonna be a long day… Fighting!

Author's Note:Thanks for reading! I fixed some typos here. For those who read the previous version, you might have noticed. Please drop me a review. It would be much appreciated. And take a look at the next chapter too