Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice

Chapter 3

"What now?" Mikan asked her companion as they sat on the train.

"Hm, I do not know. Where is this heading to?" Natsume asked.

"Er, actually I also do not know." Mikan mumbled nervously. "All I want is to go to a place where Reo will not found me."

"Whatever. Let's just stop to next station and from there we will ride Bus then go to a faraway town." He suggested. "By that way, he will never trace on your whereabouts."

"Okay. By the way, why are you hiding from your family?"

"It's a long story."

"I can listen no matter how long it is. I don't want a companion that could be a hiding from crime. Maybe you are a murderer or a terrorist or the most wanted criminal." She pointed accusingly at him.

"You are really an idiot. You think a hot and gorgeous man like me will be classified as those you accused me of." He was irritated by the sudden insult from her.

"Eh? You're so full of yourself. Maybe, what else is the reason you are hiding from your family except you did a crime or forced to an arrange marriage?"

"The latter." He replied and looked outside.

"Huh? You mean you are in the same boat as me? And you are calling me an idiot for running away when in fact you did the same? I can't believe you!" she pouted like a child.

"Whatever."

The rest of the trip was silent until they arrive at the next station. From there, they rode the bus towards an unfamiliar town.

It was afternoon when they arrive at that town. They look for a place to stay for the night.

"Natsume, I'm hungry, let's take a break. It's been an hour since we arrive here and look for a place to stay." Mikan complained supported by her grumbling stomach. He smirked which she did noticed. She was embarrassed and at the same time annoyed. "What's so funny? Hmp."

"Nothing." She let it pass and walk towards the nearest café. Natsume followed her still chuckling. "I hate you." she said. "Hn, same here." He replied and when Mikan was about to talk, she was interrupted by the owner and greeted them.

Mikan ordered chocolate cake while Natsume had only black coffee. "I really think I'm going to faint a while ago, my head really hurts because of the heat." She said as she ate her food.

"Hn, are you sure that it was because of the heat?" Natsume displayed his famous smirk which means he is up to something evil.

"What?" she was confused.

His smirk widened. "You know, the head is just like the stomach."

"Huh?"

"The stomach hurts especially when it's… empty." He coldly said. Silence filled the two for a minute since Mikan is trying to comprehend what he is saying.

….

….

…

'Whack' Mikan hit him on the head and stand up from her seat. "What are you trying to say huh? Are you saying that my head is empty?" she burst out which earned or attract attention of people around.

"Tch. Shut up polka, you're making our ears bleed. It's so annoying."

"Why you-" She pointed her finger at him and glared dangerously not minding the stares of people around.

Natsume smirked. 'This girl is really fun to tease.' He thought. One of the costumers exclaimed: "How cute they are! But too bad they are having a love quarrel." They giggled. Mikan shut her mouth and seated because she was embarrassed as she heard the people around. 'I am so going to kill him.'

"Oi, where are you going?" He asked when he noticed Mikan got up from her seat.

"Hmp, don't talk to me. I hate you!" she approached the counter and talk to the lady. "Uhm, excuse me miss."

"Yes?"

"Did you know an apartment or a house where we can stay?" Mikan asked the lady while pointing to Natsume,

"Oh I see. Well my best friend owned an apartment where she and I stay. There are available rooms and if you want, you and your boyfriend can rent there." Mikan blushed on the word 'boyfriend'.

"No, no, no. he is not my boyfriend. He's just-". She did not finish her sentence when Natsume stood behind her and interrupted. "Oh so you are denying me now polka?" he said. Mikan glared at him and stomped his foot. He winced in pain and glared back at her. The lady just looks at them with amusement. "Anyway, are you going to take it?"

"Yes we will. Thank you. I'm Mikan and this is Natsume. Nice meeting you." Mikan flashed her famous smile.

"Nice meeting you too. I'm Anna. Is it okay with you if we go home after two hours?" she said.

"Yes of course, I will just have to walk around the town and be back here in two hours. Bye polka." Natsume walk away not giving Mikan a chance to reply. 'That jerk, I hope he will be chased by a lot of dogs until they rip him into pieces.' She thought. "Hey Anna, can I just sit here because my head really hurts from hours of walking and heat?"

"Oh sure Mikan, take a sit here."

"Thanks."

"By the way, why are you here in town, vacation?"

"Well, sort of." Mikan hesitantly said. 'Should I tell her the truth or not?'

"oh I see. How long are you planning to stay here?"

"I…I don't know until when."

"Hmm, it's quite weird. Are you sure you here only for a vacation?" Anna suspiciously asked.

Mikan suddenly sweat drop. "What do you mean?"

"Maybe you two are on your honeymoon?"

"Ahahaha. That's the funniest thing I ever heard. Me with that jerk, NEVER!" she sarcastically said.

"But I think you look perfect for each other so I thought you already married. Hehe. Silly me." Anna put a small smile out of embarrassment.

"It's okay."

"Hmm, I get it! The two of you eloped." Anna blurted out which caused Mikan to choke on her drink. 'She is really weird.'

"No we are not a couple and we will never be. To tell you the truth we are really here to escape."

"Escape? To whom?"

"From our families. You see they are forcing us to an arrange marriage." Mikan lowered her head because she remembered her family.

"Sorry about that. At least you are now together fighting for your love for each other. It's so romantic!" Anna squealed and sighs dreamily.

'What part of the line we are not a couple she doesn't understand?' she sighed. "Whatever."

Minutes have passed and Anna continuously does her work while talking with Mikan. When Mikan's headache was gone, she decided to help her bake cookies and other pastries. Anna offered her to work there which she gladly accepted since she cannot rely on the money her brother give. Also, she enjoyed working there and bake. She remembered the times when she and her mother spend time together in the kitchen preparing food for her father and brother. But that was before her mother died from a car accident.

Her father dedicated his time working hard in the company to forget the pain of losing his beloved wife. Her father did not approve her studying culinary and forced her to business. She did as she was told because she knew that it will only remind him of her mother. Sakura Corporation dominated the country throughout these years. The thing that saddened her is that her father never trusts her to manage the company but instead betrothed her to his business partner's son, Reo Mouri.

"Guys, this I Nonoko. She is my best friend and the owner of this apartment." Anna introduced them. "Nonoko, these are Mikan and Natsume. They are looking for an apartment so I suggested here."

"Nice meeting you Nonoko." Mikan beamed.

"Hn"

"Well, never mind him Nonoko. He is just like that but he's kind."

"I'm glad Mikan- chan and Natsume-san. I'll take you to your rooms." She showed them their rooms which was next to each other and also showed them around the apartment. After they familiarize themselves at their new place, the four of them eat dinner.

Mikan was enjoying her food when suddenly she chocked the second time around because of Anna. "Actually Nonoko, Mikan and Natsume run away from their families. In short, they elope! They really love each other that they are willing to defy their parents for the sake of love!" Anna and Nonoko squealed and giggled. Mikan turned crimson from both embarrassment and lack of air.

Natsume pat on her back so she was been able to breath and drink water to swallow her food. This action caused to look at them and giggle more. They find it…sweet.

Meanwhile, the two remained quite. Mikan ate faster to avoid further embarrassment while Natsume remained expressionless but deep inside amused. After the dinner, Natsume crept behind her and whispered, "I never knew that you like me that much polka. You actually told them were inlove." He smirked.

Mikan went beet red and elbowed him. "Shut up! I did tell her that we are not a couple but she seems to never hear that." Her anger arose.

"Ouch, relax girlfriend. I'm just fooling around. That is better for people to think that way. Annoying fan girls will leave me peacefully."

"Hmp, you're the only one that will benefit on our situation. What about me? I'm sure your fan girls will kill me." She complained.

"Tch, it's now your problem polka. Unless you want it for real to be my girl." His smirked never leave his face since he is enjoying teasing her.

"Argh, I really hate you. Stop that very annoying smirk of yours if you don't want me to remove it personally from your face." She threatened but it will never affect him. "And besides, my name is Mikan and not polka. Are you dumb or something that you don't understand?" She balled her fist and ready to punch him.

"Hn, whatever." Her leaves her behind just like that and entered his room.

Mikan stayed there giving murderous aura. "One day I'm sure going to kill you! I hope you die from your sleep and if not, you fall on your bed and hit your head hard and die."

Natsume only chuckled on what Mikan said. He lays on his bed and think of the next day. Tomorrow, he will be having an interview from the company there. Earlier that day, when he leaves Mikan at the café, he spotted a job offer and decided to try. He knew that working there will never be a problem since he was trained well in their family company by his grandfather. But, he will only inherit it if he married a woman his grandfather chooses. That is why he decided to leave. He is stubborn and wanted to live freely so he looks for his own future than being planned by them. For him, money is not important and has a simple living. He wanted to have a family one day but he is going to make sure that they will never influence his choice of woman.

The next morning, the four of them eat their breakfast. Mikan was looking to Natsume intently and wondered what he is up to for wearing business attire. 'Hmm, he looks great in that suit. He is so handsome.' Then, realization hits her and again choked on her food. 'What the- what am I talking about. I must be going nuts. Yeah that must be the effect of stress from previous days.' She convinced herself.

Natsume noticed her stare and smirked inwardly and pretend he doesn't care. "Are you alright Mikan?" Nonoko asked worriedly.

"Yeah, I am do not worry."

Anna lowered her head and mumbled sadly. "There must be something wrong on the food I cook because Mikan choke three times in a row."

"No, do not think of it Anna, the food is really great. It was just an accident." Mikan said and smiled kindly.

"Yeah, don't blame yourself. Polka just ate like a pig that's why." Natsume interrupted. She smiled and nodded to Anna but unknown to them, she kick him hard to shut up.

"Oh okay." They continue their breakfast.

"I'm glad you two are here, Anna will never be alone tonight." Nonoko said.

"What do you mean?" Mikan asked.

"You see, I work in a medical laboratory and for tonight and tomorrow, I will spend my time doing my research at the lab. I will be gone for two days. I am really worried for her when I have work at night. But now that you two are here, I will no longer worry."

"Don't worry; we will take care of her." Mikan assured her.

After their breakfast, they went on their separate ways to start the day on their new life.