It was lunch time and everyone was busy scrounging for their money to purchase something from the cafeteria or eat their home-made bento boxes. All the boys seemed to crowd around the girls who were crowding around the new transfer student. He seems normal I guess. Well, if you are the class representative and the top student amongst your grade then you'd have to be normal…maybe. But still, he doesn't seem very…happy, just very…moody. As it turned out, Natsume scored the highest on the entrance exam for this high school and was automatically picked as the class representative. Good looks and brains, what a great catch huh. Mikan continued staring at Natsume from across the class, munching on melon bread at the same time. All her friends noticed her lack of participation in their conversation and her sudden interest in their new transfer student. They couldn't help but give her a little tease.
"Well now Mikan, I see that you like the new transfer student there. Are you going to go over there and talk to him?" said one girl.
"I never knew moody smart boys were your type Mikan. Look, it seems you have a lot of competition with that group of girls over there," said another.
Mikan choked on her melon bread, and blushed the whole time Hotaru was patting her back.
"Look, it's nothing like that. I just want to know what kind of person he is and why he transferred to this school from Kansai. Don't they have some of the top ranking high schools in that region? I'm just curious as to why he had to transfer all the way out here is all. And is it a crime to look at people?" Mikan continued to defend while her friends continued their laughing.
Sigh, I need a drink. I almost choked to death there. Was I really staring at him for so long that they noticed and had to tease me about it?
"I'm going to get a drink from the vending machine. You guys want anything?" No one within the group needed a drink. Hotaru offered to go with her, but Mikan just told her that she'd only be gone for a minute or two, so there was no need for her to come along.
Heading back from the vending machine with a can of mango-peach juice in her hand, Mikan noticed Natsume talking with a tall man in a black, pin-stripped business suit. The man seemed very domineering, with his hair slicked back into a pony-tail. He was wearing shades, but there was a noticeable cross insignia below his left eye. Natsume seemed to be angry at the man, but he wasn't shouting at him. He was just standing there with his hands balled into fists while the older man was talking to him. I wonder what they are talking about, and why is Natsume so angry. I better walk away before they notice me. I wouldn't want them to think I was eavesdropping or anything. But wait, I have to walk this way to get back to class. Okay, what to do.
While Mikan was contemplating her dilemma Natsume noticed her standing at the end of the hall, looking deep in thought at her can of juice. She kept on making gestures with her hands and was just rooted in that one spot. Is she talking to that can of juice? What a weird girl. What was her name again? Sakura right? No wait, the others call her "Mikan" though.
"Natsume!" snapped the man in the dark suit.
"Are you listening to a word I am saying? I am not going to repeat myself. The president
has allowed you to choose which school to attend to and has allowed you to live on your own in a rented apartment. His condition however is that he is not going to accept any failure from you! Getting into Tokyo University is your top priority. No fooling around whatsoever! I will have constant check-ups on you. If I find you foolishly wasting your time here and neglecting your studies I will report back to the president and you will find
yourself back at the manor, and at the school of the presidents choosing. Of course, the family business comes first and so it is the presidents top priority to see that you are fit to take over the business when the time comes." With that said, the man in the dark suit left, passing Mikan on the way out. He didn't say good bye to Natsume, nor give a glance to Mikan on the way out.
Damn. Why does he have to keep saying that? I know it all already. It's always about the family business and having good grades. Why can't I decide my future for myself? Why am I forced to take on this burden?
Natsume stood there, anger still held deep inside him. He didn't notice Mikan standing next to him until he felt her hand on his forearm.
"Natsume? Are you okay? Was that man a friend of yours?" She asked hesitantly, wanting to ask more questions, yet afraid she might become a bother instead. As she was walking towards them to get to class she heard parts of the man's speech.
Natsume looked at her, the calm demeanor she held and that simple concern she had in her eyes. Such interesting eyes she has, a light sparkling brown color.
"I'm fine. And who he is is none of your business."
There he goes, being distant. Mikan stared at him and the words just popped out of her mouth. So much for not butting in.
"You know Natsume; I believe everyone has the ability to decide their own future. It is after all, our life to live. There is still plenty of time to decide what you want in life and what's most important is how you live your life now. I don't really know the particulars of what your friend said, but don't dwell on it so much. You're free to do as you wish now aren't you? So come on, let's head back to class. Oh yeah, my names Mikan by the way."
Mikan grabbed Natsume's arm and led him back inside the classroom. She didn't know why she said those words, but maybe it was because she wanted to help him, and see a real smile break out on his face.
I can't believe I just butted in like that, but he just looked so frustrated and distant there at the moment. I hope he's not angry at me for listening in on him and his friends conversation, but I just can't believe that guy. How can he treat Natsume a doll, like an object that is only meant to be used and played with? No wonder Natsume seems so angry, with that moody face of his. Well, I'll just have to change that and make sure that he enjoys school here.
Natsume was too shocked to do anything but let her drag him back to class. He forgot about his anger for the moment and was now focused on this small, weird, but cute girl, who was showing concern for a complete stranger. He couldn't help but feel a strange warmth inside.
Just who is this is Mikan Sakura? How can she be so nice, so caring towards a stranger like me? I know I'm still bound to my father's wishes, and I still harbor this anger towards my family, yet, those words that came out of Mikan's mouth hit deep within me. I can live life the way I want to, even if it's for a couple of years. I do have the ability to decide my future, but to do so I would have to face my father. Do I have the strength to face him now? I know I don't, but maybe coming to this school and with the help of a certain girl, I may find the courage and the strength to face my father and finally tell him what I want to do with my life.
As Mikan led him to the classroom door, she tripped unexpectedly and landed on her knees, palms bracing her weight from the floor. As she stood up and dusted her knees, she turned around, face flushed pink.
"Oh man, that hurt! how embarrassing! Hahahaa just my luck to trip on nothing but a flat surface!" Mikan laughed. She opened her gaze to see Natsume's reaction.
Natsume had a HUGE smirk on his mouth. Well hey, this is something new. I get to see a new emotion on his face!
Natsume bent down and picked up the can of juice Mikan dropped when she had tripped. He stared at the can and then slowly handed it to her. As he passed her and stepped into the classroom he couldn't hold it back anymore.
"Be careful when you open that can of juice. You wouldn't want it to overflow on you, Polka-Dots."
Mikan watched Natsume head towards his seat and his fan club suddenly swarm around him.
Polka-Dots?
Why did he call me Polka-Dots?
Mikan stared at her drink and then down at herself. It took her a while to piece it all together, but when she did her face flushed red as a lobster and her eyes were ablaze at her new found enemy, who was staring at her with that same smirk he had on earlier. He was waiting for the ensuing reaction.
"NATSUME!!!!!!! YOU PERVERT!!!!!"
And the smirk got bigger.
Now THIS is fun.
Life is only going to get harder for Natsume, but school will be his solace, and with a certain brunette around, he is sure to triumph over all his obstacles.