Disclaimer: Gakuen Alice is not mine, unfortunately.
Note: Slightly OOC.
Chapter 2: Umbrella
'Who in the world are you?'
This was the question that Natsume Hyuuga kept on asking the brunette in the picture that he was currently holding. It was the same picture that he held for almost a week now. At that span of time, his mind was always thinking about the lady with weary eyes. It was like his mind was a boomerang and the one throwing it was the brunette. Every time his mind would wander off and think about other things, it'd always go back to her; but he knew he didn't hate it. He wanted to find her.
*knock knock*
Finally, he was able to snap out from his trance.
"Hey Natsume! Are the pictures ready yet?" Koko asked as he walked towards Natsume. "Ruka asked me to get them since he's busy for this week."
Natsume's apartment was bigger than normal and it was even spacious enough for a small family. The living room was simple but well-designed. It had a decent set of entertainment appliances opposite the couch where the photographer was seated. A circular glass table could be found at the center where the photos from the wedding were placed.
Natsume didn't answer his friend's query instead he shifted his eyes from the brunette to the pile of photographs placed at the top of the table.
"Oh so I think they are more than ready." He continued with a chuckle as he looked at what Natsume was staring at. He sat at one of the couches and began scanning the photos.
"Hn." was Natsume's sluggish reply.
Koko, who was disturbed by his friend's comment, stopped flipping the pictures and irritatingly said, "What's bothering you man? You barely hanged out with us after the wedding and now you're acting like a woman PMSing or something! And what's with that worried look on your face? It doesn't suit you at all!" He stared at his friend while waiting for his explanation.
Natsume stayed silent and started reflecting on what Koko said. He honestly didn't notice that he had been acting like that until someone shoved it into his face. He felt guilt and disappointment speared its way through his heart.
"You see, there's this woman that I'm looking for," He uttered with a straight face while trying to hide his frustration. "It's been a week now and I've found not a single clue."
"I-I see," Koko responded with surprise hinted from his voice. It was the first time he heard Natsume mention something about a girl and seeing him act like that wasn't something he sees frequently. He felt somewhat ashamed for asking his friend about something that might be too personal.
"I don't know why I'm looking for her but I-"
"So, what does she look like?" Koko cut his friend from further talking about something he wasn't comfortable sharing. It was kind of ironic how someone as comical as Koko could be shockingly sensitive. He decided to continue scanning through the wedding photos as he listened for his friend's response.
After a pause of silence, the photographer finally answered.
"Long russet hair, pale skin and hazel eyes that seems to see right through me." Natsume muttered as the memory of their meeting flashed through his head.
He could've easily shown his friend the picture of the woman instead of describing her but somehow he felt that the snapshot was meant for his crimson eyes only. He didn't want anyone to catch a glimpse of this mysterious brunette until he finds her. He was being possessive of someone he didn't even know.
"Oh, you mean someone who looks like her?" Koko voiced as he point his finger to the picture he was presently holding.
"What are you sayi-"
Needless to say, Natsume was dumbfounded by this photo that he grabbed from Koko.
It was a typical candid photo of the wedding shot next to the grand piano. The faces at the center of the photograph were foreign to him but what made our photographer speechless was the lady playing those melodious notes that fluttered through the nuptials - the pianist. She was, without doubt, the woman that forbade him from having long and comfortable sleeps. The one whom he was desperately looking for because of reasons that words weren't enough to convey.
"It's her." These words finally made its way out of Nasume's lips.
"See? Aren't you glad you're my friend? Doing something like this is a piece of cake for someone like me!" Koko said wearing his proud face and obviously flaunting his luck.
"Tch. I have to admit, sometimes you can be helpful." He responded plainly. This was Natsume's way of saying thank you. For the 21 years of his existence, not one 'thank you' escaped from his mouth. His friends knew about this but they weren't bothered because they knew Natsume was never good at expressing himself.
"Yeah and by now I think I deserve to be hailed Koko-sama!"
"Don't push it." was Natsume's stern and cold reply. And just like that the cheery atmosphere was buried. "Tell Ruka I'll be the one to deliver the pictures later."
"Yes Natsume-sama!" Koko teasingly stated as he went out of Natsume's apartment.
Natsume was indeed a step closer to finding the brunette. Now that he knew that she was the pianist at the wedding, it was only a matter of time before he'd find her and that made his blood pump like crazy. Calling him excited was definitely an understatement.
After finishing the day's work, he went off to his first clue…
Ruka's house.
"Hey Ruka! I'm on my way to your house so you better be home when I get there." Natsume said with a threatening but jovial tone in his voice to the answering machine that had answered his call instead of his bestfriend. It just proved that Ruka was indeed busy, but he couldn't stop himself from being selfish especially now that he was getting close to knowing this brunette. He was just so happy that he couldn't wipe this smile that resided on his face. Indeed, Natsume Hyuuga couldn't stop his lips from curving a smile.
The time passed quickly and he was already nearing his best friend's place. It was as if even time wanted him to meet with the lady right away.
*ring ring*
Natsume quickly answered his phone anticipating that the caller was his best friend.
"Ruka, I'm ten minu-"
"Natsume!" a high-pitched tone escaped from the other line of the call. No, it was definitely not his best friend. The voice sounded dangerously familiar and he knew who she was before even looking at the caller's name.
Haru Hyuuga, his mother.
"At last you finally decided to answer my call! Do you even know how long it has been since you last spoke to us? Your father and sister are very worried about you! You should've at least e-mailed or something if you don't have the time to call us!" the voice sounded anxious and happy at the same time.
"I'm sorry mom." He replied flatly. He regretted answering his phone. He knew what his mom wanted him to do and there was no way he would grant her request.
"It's alright honey, just make sure you won't do it next time. You had us all worried!" She paused for a while before continuing, "Natsume, your dad wants to see you."
With that statement, Natsume's mood completely altered. He knew that the word 'see'actually meant 'come back home' and help run the family business. His family started a small company in the US and it was currently expanding which was why Natsume was needed there. True, his parents were against him being a photographer at first but they had no choice but to accept their son's decision. No one can stop him once his mind is already made up.
"I told you mom, I'm not going back there." His voice sounded firm and decided.
"Now now Natsume, even Aoi misses you! Come on honey, just a week would do!"
'What a witch!' Natsume thought. He recognized the fact that his mom knew he cared for his sister very much so she decided to use her against him. Aoi was his parents' ace card.
"This conversation is nonsense. I'm hanging up." He cut the call and turned off his phone. He didn't know how to respond to his mother's last sentence so ending the call was his best option.
He decided to cancel his visit to Ruka's house and parked somewhere near a children's playground. There was no way he'd let his best friend see him in this state, down and disappointed.
Natsume sat at one of the playground's benches as he watched the children play. He reminisced on how he would play on one of those swings with his sister when they were little. In contrast to their poor relationship now, his family was pretty close back then. Though he seemed cold and indifferent on the outside about family matters, he missed the times when his parents were considerate and supportive. He didn't know how it all ended up like this. Him running away and almost losing connection to his family was something he never thought he could do. He hated to admit that even though his parents were like that, he still cared for them. But everything was different now and he knew that.
As if the whole thing was not already as bad as it is, it started raining hard. Natsume didn't care anymore; he didn't run nor seek for shelter. He let the rain devour him as he kept pondering on his memories and emotions.
For minutes, he stared at the pavement, watching the rain furiously envelop the already damp ground.
As he noticed the truancy of the raindrops from his skin, he felt an uninvited presence.
"Umm... Are you ok? Do you want to share with my umbrella?" A soft, puzzled voice asked him.
When he turned his gaze to the sound that disturbed his thoughts, enticing amber eyes met his crimson ones.
Again, he felt his heart leaped.
He couldn't control himself from staring at the lady before him nor couldn't he believe that the one he was desperately searching for was right before his very eyes. It definitely took him by surprise.
The brunette's presence made Natsume's entire dilemma flush down with the pouring rain. He stared at the brunette who had a quizzical look on her face before answering...
"Yes," he saw her lips curve a small smile as he stood by her side under the umbrella.
"Sorry for intruding."
Author's note: Thank you for reading and reviewing my first chapter! It was overwhelming and motivating, didn't expect to receive that much reviews. Thank you very much! \(^o^)/ I hope you continue to support this XD Please review ;D