Surprises from him like that became common to me. It looked like he knew my every difficulty and helped me in it, knew every like and dislike and gave suitable things, knew whenever I was even slightly sick and kept medicines next day on desk, gave lunch every day, and so did things never expected. I was growing impatient and tried to find him, but could not. But I felt happy. Happy that there was someone who cared for me without expecting anything in return. Due to that, I became less cold to people who were good and made a few acquaintances (friends actually, but he won't accept) in class too. They were not greedy people.

At the same time, I was growing to like Mikan more. She was a decent yet cheerful girl who used to talk to me nicely and openly. She was so innocent and friendly and open, that I could not help but open up slightly to her. I started to give her normal replies, tell her about what bugged me, and accompany her in school when needed. It was like she was immune to my cold self and saw me from within. I used to talk less, never help her, but all the same she never left or changed. I started liking her. To the extent that I even told her about that guy and his surprises, and that I was desparate to see him soon. As soon as I said that, she became silent and said some silly excuse to leave me that day. I think I saw her blush a little.

But what I saw later was that even Luna heard our conversation. She was sitting right behind us.

As the Christmas was nearing, the school got involved in frenzy of activity. Even Mikan and Ruka were participating and so I was alone most of the time.

One day after school, when classes were over, a guy bumped into me outside class.

"Oh sorry. I did not see you coming. Hey Mikan! Why are you late? I've been waiting for so long. Come let's go."

"Okay I am coming Tsubasa senpai. The classes were a bit late today."

And Mikan went out with him. I thought that maybe Mikan was already taken so I should not care. But I felt a pang in my heart. Without realizing why, I was following them without them knowing. Luna joined with them soon. Then Mikan was called by Narumi, and she went with him. To my surprise, I saw the two of them walk to the shed and take the same bike out. Then both of them started walking away with the bike in between. Just a moment later, Luna looked back and gave a small smile at me.

I was confused. The person I saved could be that Tsubasa guy, but he gave no reaction to me at our bumping today, and I wonder how he would know about our assignment. Of course Mikan could have told him. I liked that possibility. Or it could have been a girl, I mean Luna. She did smile just now and she was in my class. So she could do everything that she did till now. But it was hard to imagine her being secretive and not wanting anything in return. Because as far as I knew, she was a snobby, proud, selfish, high headed girl who still used to bug me during classes about how lucky I would be to have her as a girlfriend.

So I was confused. I could accept Tsubasa being the one, but it seemed unlikely and not possible. If Luna was the case, I did not like it. I did not like that girl and would not accept her offerings and helps.

By next day, as I ran through the various arguments, I concluded that it must have been Luna, and decided that I would stop taking her surprises. But just to confirm, I went to Tsubasa the next day at lunch. He was sitting with Luna, Mikan, and another girl. When Mikan went to give orders, I went to him.

"Hey you, do you know the guy whom I saved. I want him to know that I am not accepting anything from him now onwards. Bye."

"Excuse me, I don't know you well. Only that you are Mikan's partner and Hyuga corporation heir. And I don't know the guy you saved. Sorry but I think you are mistaken."

And I left. As I was leaving I saw Luna's face glow brighter. I wondered why. Anyway from that that day onwards, I stopped taking those boxes or gifts from that guy, I mean her.

That day was two days before Christmas, and classes were called off. I was assigned the job of arranging some setup. Luna came to me.

"Natsume, why did you stop accepting things from me? You know I don't help anyone just like that. If I am doing it for you, it is just because I like you. I told you that you are meant to be able to achieve my attention and love. Maybe that's why you even saved me without knowig who I am. So I am asking you, be my boyfriend. Or at least till Christmas is over, pretend to be one. If you don't like it after that, then we will see."

I do not like her. But if that meant that I will be able to get rid of her, then three days is okay price. So I nodded and accepted.

I saw Mikan later that day; she was having a sad face when she was alone. Then Tsubasa came to her and she brightened up. They happily went through the preparations, laughing and enjoying. I felt a pang in my heart. I was so used to her that she somehow felt like mine, that I would be with her, that I would propose to her someday soon. But it looked like she was already taken.

The next day there was no lunch box. Luna stuck to me like glue. She even dragged me to her house. No one was there in the house that day. She started flirting with me. I kept quiet and did not say anything. Just 2 days more. So I told her,

"Luna why don't you make some snacks for us. That chocolate bread was delicious. I liked it better than others."