Thick as Thieves
Chapter 2: Kettle Burn
Yukito Fukada was a second-year high school student from the Special Ability Class. Mikan had never met him before because he went in and out of the hospital and the Academy itself for years without actually taking any classes. The doctors considered him a textbook Fourth Form Alice, as though there was anything textbook about these cases.
Mikan thought he had the disposition of a snow angel. He had jet-black hair and pale blue eyes that made her knees knock together every time she entered his room. Still, it was his smile that captivated her. It was warm and friendly, flashing from a perfect set of teeth. He also had a nick on his cheek, just beneath his left eye. It was a defining trait that saved him from being perfect.
"You're talking with crush goggles on," Sumire said. "He can't be that flawless."
"The nick! I just told you about the nick!"
Sumire rolled her eyes. "Oh please, we both know you threw that in because you actually find it adorable. You, Mikan Sakura, have a crush."
Instead of denying it, Mikan gave a rueful smile.
It thrilled her. She felt good liking a guy that wasn't Natsume or Ruka, to be around someone who acted like she was always a welcome presence. So if the assignment was only to put in a couple of hours each week visiting the hospice, what did it matter if she was putting in more than her share? Of course, she had no illusions. He was in the hospital after all so she was constantly reminded that he had a condition. However, when he conversed with her, played card games or taught her to play chess, it was very easy to forget for a few minutes why he was always waiting for her to arrive.
Therefore, it was no surprise to her friends when they noticed Mikan going out of her way to make him more comfortable where he was. When he commented he missed Fluff Puffs, she went out and bought them in Central Town. When he said the hospital's air-conditioning could get very cold at night, she brought him an extra quilt from her own closet.
"I think he may be taking advantage of Mikan," Yuu commented one day when they saw her rushing there with the latest Academy newspaper tucked under her elbow.
"Should we do something about it?" Koko asked.
But Natsume only shrugged. He seemed determined to mind his own business and it was very likely that he would have been successful if not for Yukito's one particular request.
"I kind of miss brewing my own tea, but I don't have a kettle around here."
Mikan, all bright eyes and flushed cheeks, gave an energetic nod. She beamed at Yukito as she promised. "I can get one for you."
Contrary to popular belief, Natsume Hyuuga was not indifferent to what was going on around him. In truth, he was always aware of things and that's how he managed to get involved if he really needed to at just the right moment. Unfortunately, he often found himself too tired to care and this was one aspect where Mikan Sakura was definitely his negative foil.
The girl was relentless. She would shove empathy down his throat if she had the chance and in those moments when she was on crazy advocate mode, he strove to shut her down in two seconds flat. It was really regrettable that she knew his schedule, where he hung out and where his room was.
"You are the only student I know who owns a kettle," Mikan said with a huff. "You're supposed to be my partner anyway, so why won't you help out a little?"
"Who is this for?" he asked in a bored tone even though he already knew the answer. They were standing outside his bedroom. Mikan hounded his door until he couldn't stay away anymore because he was too sleepy.
"Yukito Fukada," she answered. "You know, the guy you should've met two weeks ago."
"So he's that lame friend of yours."
Mikan bristled. "No, he's cool, only he can't walk very well because of his condition."
"That's what lame means, stupid."
"I know," she retorted. "But if you've met him, you'll understand why lame just doesn't apply."
"Well-said," he snickered. Mikan getting the last word happened rarely enough for him to appreciate her comeback. "So how's your differently-abled friend?"
"I told you! He needs a kettle!"
"Well, he's not getting mine."
Natsume stepped inside his room but before he could shut the door, Mikan slammed a hand against the wood to stop him.
"He's like you."
"Don't say that."
"It's true."
"Still, don't say it." His voice took on a hard edge. Mikan was going to wedge the door open with her foot. He could see that by the way her shoe trespassed into his room. He frowned. "Why should I help you?"
"Because we're friends!"
"We are?"
She was startled for a moment. "Yes, we are. You know we are."
"Well, how about that?" Natsume laughed softly then he gave her a little shove. Mikan yelped backwards then he closed the door on her face. When he was inside he leaned back for a moment, wondering why she bothered with him so much.
"Is that your final answer?" came a shout from outside.
Despite himself, his lips curved into a smile. "Yes."
Natsume was furious and that was an adjective that hadn't been attached to him since the episode earlier that year. He should have known better than to underestimate Mikan. She was not nice. She was not good-natured. She was not playing fair. He had specifically told her that his kettle was off-limits. Maybe it was petty and maybe it was selfish but it was his goddamn kettle and he was allowed to withhold it if he well damn pleased. So what did she do?
She stink bombed his entire room.
Three bombs went off at seven in the morning, right after he took his shower. He'd stumbled outside in boxers and an undershirt. He didn't know how she managed it but when the smoke cleared, his window was open and the kettle was gone. It was a freakishly good elementary stunt and he hated her for pulling it off. It did not help that their class found it hilarious.
"She stink bombed your room?" Ruka said in amazement.
"Yes!" Natsume shouted as he changed into his best friend's uniform. Then he realized Ruka was grinning. "What?"
"She stink bombed your room. Respect."
This sentiment was echoed by his friends. When he talked to Hotaru Imai about it, she insisted that it was all Mikan. The only thing she had to do was provide her with a gas mask. That information shot the prank notches higher. Still, Natsume had been trained for years to look past the incident and to focus on the motive behind it. It was very easy to discount the kettle and zero in on Yukito Fukada.
That's how he ended up standing outside Yukito's hospital room, located at the wing he already knew too well. He had earphones on and he was playing a handheld game console. He was so absorbed in his video game that he didn't notice Natsume's arrival. This gave Natsume time to study him. He wasn't a snow angel. He didn't have eyes the color of the deep blue sea. The nick on his cheek was obviously from a fight that went badly.
Yukito started when he realized Natsume was there. He whipped off his earphones and grinned. "Hi, may I help you?"
He stepped inside. "I'm Natsume Hyuuga."
"Of course," Yukito gave a short laugh then nodded slightly to the side where there was a small table with green tea brewing. "And that would be your kettle."