Author's Space: Hello, readers! Thank you for reading and reviewing! I'll try my best to improve and try to reduce as many mistakes as possible! So here is Chapter 2!
Chapter 2: Goodbye
"What should we do?" Mikan asked Natsume as she lay down on her bed. The sky had turned dark and it was already time for them to sleep. But no matter how hard she tried to sleep, her eyes just stayed wide open and she was far from feeling sleepy.
Natsume just stayed quiet but for some unknown reasons, Mikan had a feeling he was still awake too. She then sighed and thought about what happened earlier after Narumi left.
After knowing Natsume and Mikan might have to leave home, Grandpa was clearly upset. Not wanting to believe it, he kept on saying, "There's no way in this world I will let that happen!"
But both Ruka and Hotaru explained that nobody ever had a choice. Hotaru tried explaining it to Grandpa, "Once the Academy finds out you're an Alice, you have no other choice but to enter Alice Academy."
Things happened too fast in just a day and it was difficult for Grandpa, Natsume and Mikan to accept reality. Even though Natsume simply stayed quiet, Mikan knew very well he felt troubled too.
Ruka and Hotaru said they were already too tired to run away. They had a feeling they will end up getting caught by Narumi no matter how hard they tried to escape. The two of them decided to stay in Grandpa's house until the next day, when they will be going back to the Academy with Narumi. Ruka borrowed Natsume's clothes while Hotaru borrowed Mikan's. Grandpa helped them wash their uniforms so they can wear it again the next day.
Before Grandpa forced Mikan to go back to the bedroom, she asked Hotaru about Alice Academy.
"How is it like? Is it full of dull-looking buildings?" Natsume just stayed quiet as Mikan asked questions.
Hotaru stared at a curious-looking Mikan before answering, "Well, it's actually a nice place. Even though I feel like a prisoner sometimes, the Academy is actually a better place than the outside world."
Ruka then continued, "Since everybody inside the Academy has an Alice, almost every corner of the Academy is full of things or places created by Alice. There are all sorts of things inside there that you won't be able to find outside."
"There are things like talking dolls, walking vegetables and of course, flying people." Hotaru explained as she continued staring at an amazed-looking Mikan.
"That sounds so cool! Does it have a beautiful garden?" Mikan asked in an excited tone.
"There's a forest inside the Academy." Hotaru answered calmly but it made Mikan jump around in excitement.
"Really?! That is so awesome! It might actually be fun living there!" It was as if Mikan forgot every single reason why someone might hate the Academy.
"Well, it is a place someone might actually like staying in. But the fact that we can't get out is what makes us hate it sometimes." Ruka had a sad face when he said that.
Mikan's happy face was quickly ripped off when she heard Ruka say that. She imagined herself not being able to meet Grandpa and she just can't help but feel sad too. A thought suddenly came to her mind and the sad thoughts vanished.
"I almost forgot to ask!" A smile came back to Mikan's face. "What are your Alices?"
Hotaru was the first to answer Mikan, "Invention Alice."
Mikan moved closer to Hotaru with sparkling eyes filled with curiosity and amazement, "What is that? What can you do?"
Hotaru then took out a device that looked like a gun, "I can do this." Loud noises could be heard and the next thing everyone saw was Mikan getting blown few meters away.
Everyone just stared at Mikan, who looked like she was surprised and felt pain at the same time. She stayed on the floor for a few seconds before suddenly jumping up and running to Hotaru with some bruises on her, "What was that?!"
"Baka gun, a gun specialized in shooting idiots." Hotaru answered and put away her device.
"Are you calling me an idiot?!" Mikan looked annoyed but nobody really took her seriously.
"Aren't you?" Natsume responded after staying quiet all the time.
"What did you say, Natsume?!" Mikan continued complaining about how mean the two of them are but nobody really responded.
After a few minutes, she turned to Ruka and asked, "How about you, Ruka? What's your Alice?"
Ruka seemed hesitant to answer and even blushed a little bit. With a soft voice, he answered, "Animal Pheromone Alice."
"What does it do?" Mikan asked and it was as if she was waiting for Ruka to demonstrate something.
"Well…" Ruka seemed embarrassed for some reasons and he stopped answering.
"It makes animals fall in love with you." Hotaru explained with a teasing tone.
"I-It's not like that!" Ruka's blush deepened. Even though he disagreed with Hotaru, he really didn't want to explain more about his Alice. Seeing Ruka looking embarrassed, Mikan grew even more curious about it.
"If you really want to know how his Alice works, I can show you some pictures I took when he's using his Alice on the animals." Hotaru told Mikan with a creepy smile.
"Hotaru!" Ruka was looking both annoyed and embarrassed at the same time.
"Really?! I want to see!" Mikan jumped in front of Hotaru.
"Pay first."
Mikan looked at Hotaru with a blank face, "Pay? You mean give you money?"
"Of course. What else? I earn a lot of money by selling pictures of Ruka to other students." Hotaru looked happy and proud when she talked about that.
"I don't have money." Mikan sounded disappointed.
"Too bad then. Come to me when you have money. Ruka never used his Alice in front of other people unless it's an emergency. So if you really want to know about his Alice, the best way is to buy the pictures from me."
"I'll see about it." Mikan never had much luck when it comes to money so she had a feeling she probably won't have the chance to see those pictures.
The four of them spent the rest of their time listening to Mikan asking questions about the Academy. Ruka and Hotaru would then answer her questions and there was never once Mikan did not felt amazed by what they say.
The reason why Mikan felt confused was the fact that she actually wanted to see the Academy for herself. But at the same time, leaving her Grandpa would be something she didn't want to do. Since she just can't fall asleep, she kept on asking Natsume for his opinion, hoping he would answer her.
"Natsume, what should we do now?"
"Why are you thinking so hard anyway? Didn't you hear what that girl said? Once the Academy finds out you're an Alice, you have no other choice but to enter Alice Academy."
"Oh right, that's true. But is there really no other choice?"
Natsume didn't answer Mikan, causing her to feel annoyed. She then went back thinking in her own mind, "I really don't want to leave Grandpa. He will be all alone."
She forgot how she finally fell asleep that night. The next morning came faster than she had expected and whenever the thoughts of having to separate with her Grandpa came to her mind, she can't help but felt like crying.
After taking a bath and had breakfast with the others, knocks on the door could be heard.
For a few seconds, everyone just stared at the door as the person at the other side continued knocking.
Grandpa began to feel annoyed so he stood up and walked towards the door. He already knew who's at the other side of the door but he wished it wasn't who he thought it was.
He sighed before he opened the door. It was as if he could feel reality giving him a punch in the face after he opened the door. It was indeed who he thought it was and Grandpa felt hopeless all of a sudden.
"Good morning, Sir." Narumi said with a smile and sounding cheerful. The expressions of the others inside the house were the complete opposite of his.
Everyone just stayed quiet before Grandpa finally said something, "What do you want?"
"I'm here for the kids, Sir." Narumi answered. Even though he knew what he'll do will hurt the others, he had no other choice.
Grandpa really didn't want to see Natsume and Mikan leave. He knew how lonely he'll be after they left. He knew how quiet the house will be without Mikan. He'll miss the mean words Natsume would say to Mikan all the time. He'll be so lonely without the two of them and he didn't wish to continue imagine life without both of them with him.
Mikan saw the sadness on Grandpa's face and felt like crying all of a sudden. She walked to him and hugged him tightly as she said, "Grandpa, I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing, Mikan?" Grandpa hugged his granddaughter. That was when he realized how small Mikan was. The thoughts of himself not being able to watch her grow up just made him felt like crying.
Tears started to form in Mikan's eyes as she said, "I'm sorry I need to leave you. I know you'll be lonely. I don't wish to leave you too."
Narumi approached both of them and said, "Don't worry. Students can send letters back to their family after they enter the academy. Their family can also write letters to the students too."
Both Grandpa and Mikan felt slightly happier knowing that they can still send letters to each other. Even though they won't be able to see each other face to face, they'll be contended to know each other's well being through the letters.
Natsume then walked towards Grandpa and Mikan. He never really showed much expression but that time, Grandpa was able to see hints of sadness in his eyes. Though it was weird and even slightly awkward, hugging both Natsume and Mikan at the same time was something Grandpa wished to do that very moment.
As Grandpa tried to hold back his tears, he said, "The two of you must take good care of yourselves and each other, okay? Grandpa really don't wish to see both of you leave but looks like none of us has any other choice. Promise Grandpa the two of you will write letters once in a while, okay? So I can know how the two of you are doing there."
Natsume nodded while Mikan answered, "We promise, Grandpa."
Those types of goodbyes were always heartbreaking. But everyone knew it had to be done.
After the three of them broke the hug, Narumi showed Natsume and Mikan their new uniforms, the ones Ruka and Hotaru wore that time.
Narumi had a cheerful smile on his face as he said, "I asked the Academy to bring these uniforms for the two of you. Why don't the two of you change into these now?"
Grandpa could see Mikan's eyes sparkle as she admired the uniform. Grandpa smiled a little before he placed one of his hands on Mikan's head and said, "It seems that you like the uniform, Mikan. Remember to always stay optimistic no matter what happens okay?"
Mikan smiled widely and said, "I will, Grandpa!"
Mikan happily changed into the uniform, as if she forgot all possible reasons to be sad. But seeing Mikan that way made Grandpa relieved and happy. But Natsume seemed annoyed after changing into his new uniform. But then again, almost everything was annoying to Natsume.
A car from the Academy arrived in front of the house. Narumi went out of the house and told the chauffeur they will be ready to go after a while.
Narumi went back into the house and saw the kids bidding goodbye to Grandpa.
Ruka and Hotaru thanked him for taking care of them. Grandpa then said, "You're welcome. I hope all four of you can be good friends from now on."
Ruka and Hotaru nodded and smiled at him. It just made Grandpa more assured that both Natsume and Mikan will be fine.
Natsume and Mikan found it difficult to say goodbye but they knew very well that no matter how much they tried to stall for time, they eventually had to say goodbye and leave Grandpa.
"Goodbye, Grandpa." Natsume and Mikan said as they were told to go inside the car.
Mikan never left her eyes away from Grandpa even when she was already inside the car. She saw the tears forming in Grandpa's eyes but despite feeling sad, he tried his best to smile. It made Mikan's heart ache and when the car started moving, Mikan couldn't help it but cry.
Natsume was sitting by the window and Mikan was right beside him so he was able to see her cry. Hotaru was beside Mikan and also saw her cry.
Natsume then placed his right arm around Mikan and placed his hand on her head. Mikan started to cry even more and Natsume had no choice but to try and cheer her up a little, "Come on now, stop crying. You look ugly when you cry."
Natsume's words might sound mean, but somehow, Mikan knew it was just his way to comfort someone.
"Don't worry, I'll always be there for you." Natsume's words to Mikan sounded reassuring and it made Mikan more optimistic that things will be fine.
But what could possibly happen next?
Author's Space: That's the end of Chapter 2! I sincerely apologize for the mistakes I made in the previous chapter and this chapter. I promise I'll try my best to improve and minimize the mistakes as much as possible. I hope everyone will continue reading the next chapters and please review too! If you want to suggest or correct my mistakes, please be kind. I accept suggestions and corrections but I really hope you won't be too mean. I guess that's all for now! I hope I get to update the next chapter soon. Thanks for reading, everyone! Bye now!