"Summer Vacation"

Chapter Two

"Please stay in this designated area and wait for your parents or guardian to pick you up and sign you out. Failure to do so will lead to immediate suspension once school recommences."

Mikan could hardly believe it, but she heard the words come from her favorite teacher's mouth herself. Everyone heard it; the entire student population stood outside the gate of the academy. When the academy's golden gates locked, it felt like the closing of her home. She shook the feeling of her nervous anticipation off from the day to stay upbeat. Golden gates. Ha, gold, something so closely synonymous with heavenly things equated to a dark place like this. Some of Natsume's dislike of the academy had rubbed off on her, but overall she wouldn't have traded her experiences there for anything. It was through the deceitful academy that she had met her closest friends, her family, and her lover. Well, would be lover, Natsume had been distant since the announcement last week.

In the corner of her eye, she saw Koko and Sumire, who was still fuming, sitting on their matching zebra print suitcases. Once Sumire had calmed down from her fit in class, she had grudgingly agreed to pack her things. Koko and Sumire—It made Mikan want to shed a few tears to think that the two students with the liveliest personalities were orphans. Whether they had both been orphans all along or just recently she didn't know. It hurt her worst than her friends because she knew without her grandfather she would have been one too.

"Hey, Mikan over here!"

A smiling Tono towered over her. His arms wrapped around a short, plump woman, and his angular face pressed against her round one. His mother was nearly identical to him. She remembered her senpai Tsubasa saying that Tono was a momma's boy, and judging by the proud look on the newly graduated Tono's face she knew he was right.

"I will be seeing this little lady a lot more often," he said referring to his mother. The woman laughed at her son's comment and motioned for Mikan to come closer. Instantly, she was plunged into a bone-crushing mother's hug. It was so rare for Mikan to meet someone as friendly and loving as herself!

"Kindred spirits always seem to run into one another. It's no coincidence why my baby boy looks after you. I always knew he liked younger women," His mother said, winking. "Once Tono takes over the family business, I hope you'll be the one to make him settle down." Mikan didn't have the heart to tell the sweet lady how misinformed she was. However, Tono couldn't have looked more amused, until a random shoe mysteriously clocked him in the head. His mood darkened. Why did foreign objects always seem to hit her senpais? Hmm...

"Mikan!" She heard her name called in the midst of the rush of parents locating their children. A flurry of reunions took place around her. Her heart beat happily watching the joy on her friend's faces. A purple headed man, presumably Nonoko's father, swept her up in his arms. Class president Yuu's entire family met him in a warm embrace, and their group hug hadn't dissolved yet. Misaki, who was like her older sister, reunited with her own female siblings, all of them with tears running down their face and ruffled up pink hair. Tsubasa walked over to introduce his girlfriend to his two older brothers, dad, and mom.

"Don't tell me you didn't hear me, Mikan?" The voice of the black-haired, fire-caster stole her attention and did not intend to give it back anytime soon.

His hair was combed back and he wasn't wearing the usual black academy uniform; instead, he wore a casual black shirt and pants, which for Natsume meant he made an effort to get dressed this morning. He looked handsome. Even he was happy.

"Huh? No Polka?" She teased. "You missing me already? Aw, Mr. Hyuuga you're getting sappy now. Don't forget me over the break, kay?" She dropped her bags and reached for a hug. He met her midway, engulfing her in his warmth.

"How could I ever forget you... Your high pitch voice and piggish eating habits will forever haunt me," he mumbled into her hair, arms still coiled around her waist.

Their hug was comforting. Natsume hadn't mentioned any of his summer vacation plans to her once, and it hurt to find out, from Ruka, how close they were to her small town. The only distance they would have to face to see each other this summer were two buses from Mikan's side of town to his. Spending time with her didn't seem like a concern to him, or at least that was what it felt like.

Still, she had to push those nagging, insecure thoughts away! Natsume spent a lot of time with her in the academy, especially after she regained her memories. Their relationship was progressing so well that the minor departure from each other seemed more like a hindrance than a blessing.

Nope! He deserved time alone with his family whether she got to see him or not within the three-month period. While she lived four, ignorant but blissful years with her grandfather, he was left to whatever devices he had by himself. If anything, he needed some family time to recover.

She subconsciously squeezed him tighter. One last hug before their separation. Ugh, she was becoming so melodramatic. She giggled inwardly at a scenario where she would cry for Natsume to come back to her with black, inky mascara dripping down the curves of her cheeks. He'd blow her a kiss and say 'stay strong for me, babe.' The word babe made her giggles become audible. The thought of him actually saying that was hilarious!

"Can you go five minutes without breaking into a smile or laugh?" He said, rolling his eyes. As if it were possible for her to stop being an all-consuming ray of sunshine. Her giggling threatened to withdraw a smile from his facial expression bank, so he tried his best to make her stop. In a Natsume way... "Oi, you know you haven't apologized yet."

"Huh?" She blinked.

"From blatantly ignoring me earlier." Natsume pulled away from the hug, giving her a deadpan look.

"Honest! I did not! I wouldn't ignore you, Natsume! It's just all the love and happiness in the air is just bursting out of everyone. Aren't you mesmerized by it all? I have never heard so many 'I love yous' or 'welcome backs!" in my life. It's... It's so beautiful."

Surprisingly, he nodded in agreement. A black car had driven up the Academy driveway. She saw Mr. Hyuuga and Aoi, bright and all smiles, approaching.

Mikan walked with him toward his family, and he unexpectedly grabbed her hand.

Natsume glanced at her. "Worried?"

"A little... I know Aoi likes me, but I haven't formally met your dad so..."

"Don't ever be worried about impressing him, he's not worth it. I like you and that's what matters."

She blushed, squeezing his hand. Oh, Natsume!

"Natsume! I have missed you so much!" Aoi hugged Natsume. Her eyes were healthy as ever and smiling in their own way. "Oh! And Mikan!"

Aoi squealed and ran over to Mikan, who let go of Natsume's hand before they both hugged. It was an intense hug, and she didn't want her lover's hand severed between it."You are so pretty! You and big brother have kept out of trouble?"

"Well..." Mikan drawled.

"Uh, uh our devilment is our own business. What about you? You are keeping out of trouble, right?" Natsume answered his sister's question with another one. His tone was a mixture of teasing and brotherly interrogation.

"Pffffft! I will never tell!"

While Aoi and Natsume had their first sibling quarrel in years, Mr. Hyuuga caught up with the three. Aoi had outrun him to meet her brother and his girl.

Natsume's father pulled him into a firm hug much to the boy's chagrin and delight, and he smiled at the pretty brunette in front of him.

Mikan gulped. His eyes were on her now!

"Dad, this is my girlfriend"

Mr. Hyuuga nodded as if he knew the rich history his son shared with her. She extended a hand to him and was happily pulled into her umpteenth hug of the day.

Everything was going to go well. She really didn't have to worry.

"—Polka."

NATSUME!

"What I thought you were sad that I hadn't called you that all day?"

"Polka? Brother, why do you call her polka?"

"Oh, I am hip! If that's what the young kids are saying, I'll call her Polka too! It's short for polka-dot, right?"

"No, Dad only I can call her that."

/+/+/+/

It was evening now. The morning had fulfilled a large share of reunions, and Gakuen Alice alumni revisited old memories. Mikan lost track of how many moms, dads, aunts, and everyone else she had met today. Jinno-sensei was even revealed as a divorced father of a non-alice teenage daughter! One by one her friends left until it was just the teaching staff, Anna, and Yoichi. Mikan had finally convinced Natsume to go with his family after the sunset though it took immense protest for him to leave her alone. She gave him her phone number to call when he got back.

Slow as molasses, she could see him climbing the hill. Dressed in a bright orange robe, backpack, and sturdy sandals. His brown walking stick looked freshly glossed, as Bear and he sauntered over to her. The living stuffed bear had spoiled her sweet grandfather, hadn't he?

"Jii-chan," His name choked out her lips. She had held in the tears of happiness, but now they were falling. The fact that they weren't blood-related didn't deter her because this man loved her like a daughter. He was the first father she had known (before Narumi!) no matter how silly he was. Instead of a hug, she graced him with a kiss on the forehead, a small token of her affection.

The old man patted her head in response, a lone tear falling down his wrinkled face. It had been a long journey on foot to see her.

"Please, please tell me you bought a car, while I was away! It took you the entire day to pick me up!"

"Hush, child! Cars are the devil!"

"BUT JII-CHAN!" She cried out. The sky was darkening by the minute! By the time it was midnight, they would only be halfway home! Her grandfather was so old-fashioned! Before she had followed Hotaru to the academy, she had only just taught him to use a cell phone.

Narumi, who held Yoichi's hand, smiled at the scene. Mikan was in good hands now. Yoichi's eyes were downcast, unaffected by the reunion.

"Well, Anna and Mikan, you two are the last ones here. Let's get going, shall we?" Narumi said. The streetlights around them began to flicker on.

Anna waved at Mikan from afar. The pink-haired cook was standing next to Narumi's pastel purple, glittered car, which Mikan knew due to the many times of preventing Natsume from vandalizing it. The suave blonde teacher twirled a set of car keys in his free hand. Yoichi barely acknowledged them. Mikan wondered why the newly turned nine-year old acted so emotionless.

"Mikan, would you and your grandfather like a ride home? Miss Umenomiya lives in the same place as of you so it would be no inconvenience. Her dear parents don't own a car, and the bus system is prohibited from reaching Alice property."

"I would love a ride but—"

"And... Don't worry I was kissed by the angels of God, themselves, and I can assure you of no demonic or devilish activity anywhere near or inside my car." Mikan's grandfather's qualms relieved, he stepped into the flashy car. Mikan mouthed a thank you to Narumi who waved it off.

Mikan was about to sit next to Anna in the backseat of his car when she felt two little hands tug at her blouse. There was Yoichi before her with a stoic face with tears watering in his eyes. He seemed sad she guessed dumbly.

"Don't go, Mikan..." He mumbled. He had grown out of baby talking and moved to mumbling. She had to focus to hear his squeaky voice.

Aw, she understood now... Yoichi saw all of them leaving and he felt alone. No problem! Her slender arm wrapped around Yoichi's shoulders. "Hey, it's okay! I will wait with you until your mom or dad arrives. Which one is supposed to get you?"

"...They are not coming."

"Now, just because it's late doesn't mean that! Look at Anna! Her mom and dad asked Narumi to bring her to them. Your parents probably called ahead of time—"

"NO!" A quick flash of anger flared and he gently moved her arm. It scared Mikan how much in that moment he reminded her of past Natsume. Hurt and pushing everyone away."Momma and daddy are missing. I know it whether the evil people admit to it or not."

Missing?

Narumi nodded giving them both a sad smile. If anything it made the poor child feel worse, that he was getting pity. He was like a copy of Natsume. "True. If Alice Academy hadn't gotten a hold of Mister Hiriji child protection services certainly would have next."

"Let Yoichi—I mean let ME stay here. I have no home."

"Sorry. Your home isn't the academy either. The gate is already locked. What do you want me to do? Leave you homeless? Make you live with me?"

Mikan bit her lip. Narumi sounded like he was legitimately asking the broken boy what to do. It was clear what she had to do next.

"Yoichi, say that again."

"Wha? That I have no home?"

"...That's right you don't." Yoichi's eyes watered despite his struggle to keep up toughness. No one could fathom Mikan being cruel on purpose. "Your home's with us, silly. The people who love you! You can live with Jii-chan and me! You already get along with Bear, so it will be perfect! You can sleep on the extra futon, as Bear and I normally share a bed." She giggled.

"Really?" His face brightened.

"OF COURSE, YOICHI," Mikan said loudly. She tried to talk over her grandfather's rants about there not being enough room or money for another mouth to feed. He would get over it sooner or later.

They all buckled up in Narumi's car. She looked out the window. The next time she returned here she would be three months older and wiser she hoped.

Waving one last time to the empty academy with Mr. Bear and Yoichi in tow, Mikan wondered why the day wasn't quite complete. She knew why. Somewhere she missed the feel of a baka gun.

Oh yeah, there was supposed to be a mini spat between Koko and Sumire because he got matching zebra luggage like her just to annoy her, but I got lazy. :p Also, Yoichi lives with Mikan (at least for the summer) now! :D

Besides referring to the GA teachers and Mikan's grandpa I might leave the honorifics alone. Some of the GA gang are close enough to call each by their first names anyway. So... Question: Keep some honorifics or no honorifics for all?

Not sure if you know but I have a particular fondness for: Tsubasa, Tono, Yoichi, and Sumire. Besides, Mikan and Natsume those guys are my favorites.

Also, Anna lives in Mikan's same town where she helps work at her parents steakhouse, and Natsume (and Ruka) are only two buses away. Koko and Sumire live at an orphanage (they didn't realize they knew each before the academy) in an entirely different region. Tono lives in Tokyo with a single mom and uncle who all run a family business. Tsubasa lives next door to Tono, to his dismay, with a mom, dad, and two older brothers. Yuu lives in a Okinawa type of place with a bunch of baby sisters. Although Yoichi's mom and dad are missing, he used to live overseas in America. You can find out where the others live later!

Thanks for reading and/or reviewing! Have a lovely life!