A/N: Sorry for the late update! Thank you everyone for reviewing my story! I really appreciated it! So this is the last chapter of the story. I hope the ending was not disappointing. I thought this chapter would be shorter than the last one. I hope you would not get bored. XD.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice.
Chapter III- Luna
My light will forever shine for you…
-Sol
You're my beacon of hope…
-Luna
"Mikan?" called out Hotaru. What's up with her? She thought.
"I'm fine, Hotaru!" she said happily and glanced at her best friend. She seemed to return to herself again. "Let's go Hotaru! Let's go to the Somatic Type's Attractions!"
"Anna and Nonoko told me that the flowers are sold at the Somatic Types. Sumire's in charge of it,"
"The cat-dog girl?" Mikan laughed.
0000000
"So you're buying flowers, Mikan" said Sumire. She eyed her suspiciously. Will she give it to Natsume or Ruka? They're friends now aren't they? But there's a possibility, right? Iie, she's going to buy flowers for Hotaru. I know it. I am just overacting, She sighed in relief.
"Sumire are you all right?" asked Mikan curiously. Sumire is acting weird today. She's talking to herself and her clothes are funny. A rose for a hat, it's even weirder than that mushroom hat.
"Leave her alone," she picked up a white rose from the bunch.
"Hotaru, that will be 10 rabbits," Sumire told her. "I suspect that's for Mikan, right?"
"No!" Mikan yelled and glared at Sumire angrily. Mikan gaped at her best friend hoping that the rose would not be given to her. "Right Hotaru?"
"I'll take this and give me another one,"
She handed Sumire the rabbits. "Do you want me to wrap it? It's three rabbits," She asked.
"Sure. But not the other one, I'm just giving it to Mikan," she said neutrally.
Mikan's world turned upside down, her jaw dropped and her soul seemed had left her body. Sumire laughed. Why Hotaru? You told me that you will never leave me. She was speechless. Tears streamed down her face.
"It's a joke right?" guessed Mikan.
Hotaru looked at her. "No,"
Mikan's world broke into pieces, her jaw no longer in her face, and her soul was no where to be found. Sumire cackled like a witch. "Hotaru! Why? I thought—" Mikan began.
"Don't jump to stupid conclusions, Mikan,"
"But why?" She was still crying
"I'll give you any flower I want, Mikan. I don't want to follow such stupid belief," Hotaru explained.
Mikan's face brightened up. The tears were no longer for grief; it was for her love for Hotaru. "Oh Hotaru! I love you!" She attempted to hug her best friend but Hotaru dodge the attack, making Mikan fell to the ground.
"Let's go, Mikan,"
"Wait, I haven't bought flowers yet," she said. She stood up and started choosing flowers.
"Hurry up," Hotaru said impatiently.
Sumire was gazing at the tulips. I'll give him a tulip. I wonder what flower Natsume will give me. Maybe a tulip perhaps? Her heartbeat increased and she blushed madly.
"Here," showing the flowers to Sumire and handed her the rabbits. Obviously, she bought a white rose because Hotaru gave one to her and she bought a carnation and a tulip.
"Who's the unlucky one receiving the tulip? A carnation, who's it for?" Sumire gave Mikan the flowers. Mikan could see the smirk on her face.
"I just want to buy those flowers!" Mikan said. Her cheeks were turning pink. And they left the store.
"Wow! Look Hotaru! It's the Yellow Brick Road!" Mikan exclaimed.
"I think the Somatic type's going to have the Wizard of Oz theme," Hotaru said as she studied the place.
"So let's follow the Yellow Brick Road! Maybe we can meet Dorothy... the lion..."
Along the way, there were bushes in different colors, sizes, and shapes. There were some bushes portray important figures. There were also booths selling strange merchandises. As they continued walking, they saw a peculiar figure standing beside a huge and odd tree.
She dragged Hotaru to the tree and to the weird thing. Looking at the weird man closely, the tangerine recognized it, "Look Hotaru! It's the tin man!" She said as she poked the tin man's head.
"Oh Mikan, Hotaru!" the tin man spoke. The voice was familiar.
"Ruka-pyon!" she cried out. "Is that you!"
Ruka took off the tin man's head and replied, "Hai,"
"Kawaii!" Mikan said to Ruka. It made Ruka blush. He looked away to hide his blush, unfortunately Hotaru caught him. Then there was a flash. It was from Hotaru's Frog Camera.
"Imai!" yelled Ruka attempting to get the camera but Hotaru was able to dodge it.
"That was the fruit of avoiding Mikan's hugs. It's getting handy," she said. Mikan was in anime tears. Then a photo emerged from the frog's mouth. She took it and said,
"I am going to be rich." She showed Ruka the picture. Ruka's face dropped.
"Oh Ruka you're cute here! No, handsome!" Mikan complimented as she stared at Ruka's picture. It made Ruka blushed more. Again, Hotaru took a picture of Ruka.
"Yes… yes… I am going to be rich after this festival. Keep flattering him Mikan; I'll give you a small share in my profit. Make him blush more," Mikan could see money in her eyes. She could sense that money possessed her best friend. "What should I call these pictures? I know…"
"What?" Mikan asked curiously. She seemed excited rather than being worried.
"Don't you dare, IMAI!" warned Ruka who was red as a tomato.
"I call it, 'The Blushing Tin Man'," she said triumphantly but still her voice was emotionless. "The animals would love it,"
"AAAARrrrggghhh… .I'll let you go for now, Imai. I have more important things to do than chasing you. I'll get you!" said Ruka calmly and he walked away.
"What is he going to do?" asked Mikan.
"I dunno. Let's go, Mikan. I want to duplicate these pictures as soon as possible," Her eyes still showed signs that she was thinking about money.
"How much will it be for each picture?" Mikan asked strangely.
Hotaru raised her right eye brow, giving Mikan why-you-ask look. "You're human so it will be 500 rabbits but for the animals it will be 1000 rabbits. Are you going to buy some?" she replied. What's with her? Is she going to buy pictures?
"You know Hotaru, sometimes you're mean. But still I love you!"
After going to the Somatic Type's attraction, they went to the one of Latent Type's attraction, Murder Case: Cracked!
"You must have a partner to be able to enter this attraction," said Yuu cheerfully.
"I have one!" Mikan said as she hug Hotaru's arm.
"All right, pick a no. in this box." Mikan picked a no. and she got a no. 12. "The number represents a crime. There is a time limit. Of course, you would look for clues to be able to crack the case. If you failed to solve the crime under the time limit, you lose. If you solved it, you will be rewarded two coupons for the most luxurious restaurant."
"Let's go!"
"Proceed in this room," Yuu said.
After 25 minutes in the room of case no. 12…
"The killer is… you Mr. Okada!" concluded Hotaru. Oh yeah, I am good at this.
"You have no proof!" the killer shot back nervously. He was sweating.
"Yes I have. You were the first one to approach the body so you have the opportunity to hide the murder weapon," Hotaru ordered.
"How could I?" growled Mr. Okada. He was now shaking. Beads of perspiration can be seen in his face.
"Just I suspected it. You have the murder weapon in your hand. I know it. After you approached the body, I saw your hand was clutching something but nothing was there. So I thought maybe it's because you use your Alice to be able to hide the weapon. I think you have an Invisibility Alice that makes you and one object invisible,"
"You're a smart one. Yeah, I did it. I just want to avenge my daughter that's why I did it. He broke her heart into pieces making her to commit suicide. If he hasn't met her, my baby girl would be still here,"
They left out the room to get their prize.
"You're awesome Hotaru!" praised Mikan. Her eyes gleamed with amusement. "How did you do that? You use your Alice?"
"No one can hide the truth from me," she said expressionlessly as she waved the coupons in front of Mikan's face.
It was already 3:00 PM when they decided to rest. They sat on the bench near the Technical Type's attraction.
"Here Mikan," she said as she gave her best friend a gift and the white rose.
"Thank you! Hotaru!" she said gratefully. It was the happiest moment of her life. She opened the gift carefully and the gift contained a watch. It was shaped like a tangerine and smelled like a tangerine.
"That's invention 101. It's called Idiot Watch or Mikan Watch. It's only for you, no one else. Anyway, it's a very handy. It does what other watch do. But I've programmed some special features. It can record appointments, reminders, and can be an alarm clock. 5 4 3 2 1…"
After Hotaru's count down, the thing spoke, "MISSION COMPLETED!" It was so loud and it made everyone to stare at them. Mikan's eyes were filled with excitement.
"Awesome! How can I put reminders?"
"Use the keywords, "Reminder, Clock, Time", to be able to use it. It has voice recognition. I've programmed your voice in the watch; therefore, you are the only who can use it. Every time you manage to complete one task, it will say "Mission Completed". You see Mikan it's really nifty. It will also remind you that there will be thirty left to accomplish the task. If you failed to finish the task, it will say "Mission Failed," Maybe you're wondering how it will know that you didn't finish the task, don't you?"
Mikan nodded. "Why thirty seconds only?"
"To put pressure on you. I've put censors in you watch Mikan. It can detect your heartbeat rate, breathing rate, sweat rate, anything that are required to finish your task. Well, it all depends on what reminder you put in. Itself can analyze what your reminder is, Mikan so it can know responses you can do." Hotaru finished explaining.
"You're the best! Thank you, Hotaru!" she kissed Hotaru in the cheeks. Hotaru was surprised and immediately took out a handkerchief and wiped her face.
"What's that for?" said Mikan angrily. "It's just a friendly kiss!"
"No, it is germs disguised as a kiss,"
"Why you-! Hotaru this is for you!" she gave Hotaru the white rose she bought earlier. Its radiance was the same as ever.
"Thank y-" she was cut off by Mikan who was now putting a reminder in her watch.
"What do you want me to do?" asked the watch.
"Reminder"
"Loading… Ok convey the message,"
"Meet Hotaru, 10:10 PM, at the entrance of Technical Type attraction,"
"Loading… Completed…"
"Meet you at 10:10 PM? Why?" asked Hotaru.
"I am going to give you my present! See you later Hotaru!" and she ran off.
"What is she thinking?"
"Welcome again everyone in the Sol-Luna Festival! Now's Sol is over, let's enjoy the Luna! Tonight, the Technical Class and the Special Ability will be presenting their attractions! So everyone enjoy! Don't forget the fireworks! It will start at 10:50 PM!
000000
The moon was shining beautifully and was clearly visible from the night sky. And it was also a starry night sky. Bright lights surrounded the academy. Excitement filled the air. Luna already started and as expected there were couples all around the place. But mostly students were with their groups enjoying the festival.
"Where's Natsume?" worried Sumire. "I forgot to ask him where we will meet!" She sighed. Use your brain Sumire! Think where he can be! "I know I'll use my Alice! No, we're not allowed to use our Alice for silly things. But this an-"
"Hey Sumire," a voice interrupted her.
"Don't bother me! I am trying to think- oh Natsume-kun!"
"Hn, let's go,"
"Hai!" said Sumire as she followed Natsume. "Where do you want to go?"
"…"
"How about the Technical Type's attraction?" I have to keep on talking or else he will get bored. And this is the first time we'd be alone together. Moreover, I am the president of the Natsume Ruka fan club! This is really an honor and a pleasure to be with him.
"Whatever,"
"Let's go!"
"Hey Mikan that was great!" praised Tsubasa while tapping Mikan's shoulder. "You're a great actress!'
"It's all about practice!" Mikan said happily as she scratch her head. "I still can't believe that our attraction drew crowds!"
"Oh Mikan," said Misaki as she smiled at Mikan. "Believe it!"
"Hey Mikan, nice watch!" said Tsubasa. He noticed Mikan's new watch.
"Oh this? Hotaru gave it to me," she replied as she proudly showed it to her class. "It's a special watch invented by Hotaru just for me,"
"Isn't that sweet!" Misaki said. "So Mikan, what did you give to Hotaru?"
"Oh no, I completely forgot! It's in the dormitory! Tsubasa-sempai, can I go now?"
"Sure, our attraction is over now,"
"The attraction of the Special Ability Class strikes again," Sumire said. They were sitting on a bench near their dormitory. Sumire checked her watch. "It's already 10:05! Forty-five minutes to go till the fireworks!"
"…"
Sumire continued talking about the play. Natsume was getting annoyed. It's already 9:50 and I haven't bought a flower yet. Natsume thought. True, Mikan's a great actress.
"Hey, I—" Natsume began but was cut off by a loud girl's crying.
"I'm going to be late! I hope Hotaru would not kill me!" cried Mikan while running. She spotted Natsume and Sumire together. She stopped crying and was now giggling.
"So you two are—"
"Don't jump to stupid conclusions," said Natsume quickly.
"Oh really?" said Mikan teasingly. She saw Sumire was blushing madly.
"Hey little girl," Natsume said as he approached Mikan.
"What?" she said as backed away from Natsume.
Sumire glared at Mikan. What the-? What's Natsume saying to Mikan? What are they doing? I can't see their faces, it's too dark.
Sumire heard Mikan said yes and she sped off. Natsume returned to the bench and sat.
"Sumire meet me at 10:30 near the lake," said Natsume and left Sumire alone, not waiting for her reply.
"Reminder" said Mikan to her watch while running faster now.
"Loading… Ok convey the message,"
"Meet Natsume, 10: 45 PM, near the lake,"
"Loading… Complete"
"Good. I wonder what's going on Natsume's head and he asked me to meet him. Anyway it's a perfect chance to—"
"Thirty seconds to complete the next task" said the watch.
"Oh NO!"
"Mikan's still late even she has that watch," said Hotaru impatiently. She was at the entrance of the Technical Type's Attraction. She checked her watch again. It was 10 seconds to go till 10:10.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6….
"Where is she?"
…3, 2….
"HOTARU!" called out Mikan.
"MISSION COMPLETED" said the watch loudly making everyone looked at them. Mikan was panting hard.
"I've made it!" she said breathlessly. She then took something from her paper bag and gave it to Hotaru. Hotaru accepted it.
"I hope you like it!"
"I hope this is not stupid," said Hotaru. It was slightly big and rectangular. A picture frame? Hotaru ripped off the wrapper. Mikan's gift was a picture framed with tiny tangerines and fire flies. It was a more of a collage of pictures of Hotaru and Mikan. She smiled and was happy for Mikan's effort in making the gift. She noticed at the bottom left corner of the picture, a small message was written in blank ink. It said:
Best Friends Forever 'till the End
Mikan and Hotaru forever
"Did you like it? I made that all afternoon," Mikan said proudly and happily.
"Mikan, thank you very much," said Hotaru with a smile.
"Oh Hotaru!" said Mikan as she wiped her tears with her sleeves.
The two decided to check out the Technical Type's Bump Cars. Of course, Hotaru's the one who's in charge of the attraction. At the entrance, Mikan saw Ruka.
"Ruka! Kochi! Kochi!" shouted Mikan. Ruka turned around and he waved at the two girls. He approached them.
"So tin man's here to play," said Hotaru teasingly.
"Don't start-" Ruka began.
"So why are you here, Ruka? Are you here to play too?" asked Mikan cutting off Ruka.
"Nothing, just checking out some stuff," he said.
"See you later Mikan, I've got some work to do," said Hotaru.
"I'll go with you," said Mikan.
"No you stay," said Hotaru. Before she left, Hotaru gave Ruka a tell-her-or-you'll-regret-it look. He blushed, meaning he understand the message.
"So… Ruka where do you want to go?" asked Mikan happily. She was now holding his hand.
"Wherever," he replied. He looked away so Mikan would not see his red face.
"Let's get something to eat first. How 'bout some cotton candy?"
"Sure"
They went to a nearby candy store to buy some cotton candy. Candy comes in different colors. Some were blue, yellow, violet, etc. Mikan picked the violet colored cotton candy and Ruka picked a turquoise colored one. They decided to sit on a bench near a Luna statue.
"Nee, Mikan," said Ruka softly. This is now or never Ruka! It's a perfect chance to ask her.
"What is it?"
"Would you…" But how about Natsume? He likes her too.
"Would you what?" said Mikan as she moved closer to Ruka making him blush.
"Nothing," he lied. I should not or I would ruin our friendship.
"Oh," Mikan said. She continued eating her cotton candy. Mikan glanced at Ruka who was staring blankly at the night sky. His cotton candy was still uneaten. "Ruka, are you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," he said. He can feel Mikan was staring at him. "I'm all right, Mikan,"
"Hmm… Nee, Ruka," Mikan said. There was a hint of uneasiness in her tone. "Would you like to be with me in the fireworks? I think Hotaru would not bother to accompany at that time 'cause she has many things to do. Yuu would be busy. So may be you would go with me? It's all right if you don't want to,"
What will I do? Should I say yes? Or no? She said she just wants company that's all. It's not a date. Ruka smiled at her and said, "Sure, I'll go with you,"
"Great!" Mikan exclaimed happily. "Let's go then!" She checked her watch. "It's only 10:40 so we— OH NO! It's 10:40 already! I am going to be late!"
"Late for what?" asked Ruka curiously.
"Natsume! Uhmmm…. Ruka meet me at the Sakura Tree. I'll be there before 10:50! See you!" said Mikan hastily. She finished eating her cotton candy and left. Ruka watched Mikan sped off.
Why Natsume? He thought.
"That Natsume! He forgot to tell me where near the lake! This is going to be hard!" Mikan said angrily. "It would be only minutes before the alarm starts. Good thing that the lake was only beside the Technical Type's attraction,"
Mikan was stopped in her track when she heard two people talking. She decided to ignore it but she suddenly heard a sob. Mikan looked where the sounds are coming from. Mikan saw Natsume and Sumire near the lake. She hid behind an oak tree knowing that the two was talking about something important. From her position she could not see the faces of the two.
"Thirty seconds remaining,"
Mikan ignored the warning. She was still busy eavesdropping the two.
Why is Sumire crying? Did Natsume do something to her?
"MISSION FAILED! MISSION FAILED!"
She completely had forgotten about her watch. How stupid of her to ignore the warning. She tried turning it off but Natsume already spotted her.
"Little girl, what are you doing?" asked Natsume coldly. His eyes showed annoyance and irritation.
"Gomen! I did not mean to eavesdrop! Promise, I did not hear anything!" squealed Mikan and bowed her head low.
"Silly girl," said Sumire and she walked away. Mikan gawked at her in bewilderment. She eyed Natsume angrily.
"Hey what did you do Sumire?"
"None of you business,"
There's no point to argue to Natsume since Mikan knows that she will never get an answer from him. It's always been like that. Natsume would not always give her a decent reply.
"Hmph! So what do you want to talk about?"
"Huh?" said Natsume there was a faint uneasiness in his tone.
"I said what do you want to-?" Mikan was getting impatient.
"Mikan…" he said softly. He looked at her face with a serious expression.
Mikan was surprised that he called her by her real name for the second time in her life. She looked at him in the eyes. Time seemed to have stopped.
"I…I… want to say…"
"Say what?" asked Mikan eagerly.
"That you have…"
"What?"
"Cotton candy in your face,"
"Oh!" said Mikan embarrassedly. She wiped it using her handkerchief.
"Very typical of you," sneered Natsume
"Well sorry for that!" Mikan said sarcastically. She was about to say something again when she saw something on the ground near Natsume's right foot. It was a yellow rose. She picked it up and admired its beauty.
"This is beautiful! Where did you get it Natsume?"
"Do you want it?" he asked.
"Yes! I love it!" she then put it to her paper bag.
"Then it's yours. I don't want it anymore because your germs are all over it," he said bluntly.
"NAT-" she began but Natsume cut her off.
"Mikan…"
Mikan looked at him again surprised. What's with Natsume? He's acting weird.
"Stay with me forever,"
Her eyes widened and she blushed. She couldn't believe what she is hearing. It sounded not like Natsume. Mikan suddenly remembered what Anna said about the fireworks.
"If you're with the one you love when the fireworks start, you two would be together forever!"
The one you love…
Together forever…
Fireworks…
Ruka…
She snapped back to reality when Ruka suddenly popped in her mind. She promised him that she would be there before the fireworks start.
She promised that she will be there…
To be with him…
"Hey little girl," called out Natsume. He could see that Mikan seemed miles away.
"Nat-Natsume…I-I," Mikan stuttered.
"What?" he said but now his voice showed kindness.
"Sumimasen…I can't!" she said not looking at him.
At the same time, the fireworks started. The sky was now illuminated with different colors. The fireworks formed different shapes. And above them a firework formed a golden eagle whose wings were spread widely.
Natsume was surprised in Mikan's reply. Time seemed to stop for Natsume. He looked at her with confusion in his eyes.
"Sumimasen… But someone's waiting for me and I- I don't want him to wait any longer," Mikan said as she looked at him in the eyes deeply.
His eyes widened.
"What's taking Mikan so long?" said Ruka worriedly. He was pacing back and forth under the Sakura tree. Maybe she's still with Natsume. He thought. Jealousy filled his heart. She's with him.
He looked up at the sky. Ten minutes before the fireworks over.
"I'll wait,"
Natsume couldn't distinguish if he's feeling nauseous or he couldn't bear the fact that Mikan like someone else. There was a long silence between them. Natsume decided to break the silence.
"Who?" he asked quietly,
"Huh?" said Mikan.
Who is it? Andou? No I saw him with Misaki.
Ruka?
"Is it my best friend?" he said still looking at Mikan's eyes. Natsume felt his heart was being prick by thousands of needles.
Mikan blushed madly. How did he know? She replied, "Yes"
"And you're supposed to meet him now? I suspect you're late?" he said in mono tone. He turned his back from her so she could not see immense sorrow in his eyes.
Mikan uttered a small yes. He felt his heart was being sliced by thousands of blades.
"What are you still doing here? Go! Don't make him wait anymore, little girl,"
Even it hurt so much, I must let go for the sake of my best friend's happiness.
Mikan smiled. "Hai! Arigato!"
She was about to leave when she remembered something. She took out a pink carnation from her paper bag. She tapped Natsume's shoulder. Natsume turned around.
"We can still be friends, right?"
Mikan was again running fast. There would be only three minutes before the fireworks will start.
I am late! I hope he would still be there!
Mikan was too busy thinking when she tripped from a rock. She fell on the ground. Her paper bag flew from her hands and landed on a tree nearby spilling out its contents. Luckily she didn't have a wound at all. She hastily put the contents in the paper bag.
Mikan stood up and ran as fast she can. Not knowing that she left something.
Something she may never receive again.
One minute left.
Ruka looked up at the sky one more time. Mikan I wish you would be here with me looking at the sky. He was about to leave when he heard someone called out his name. He turned around. Ruka smiled widely.
She came.
End
A/N: At last it's finished! So how was it? I hope it's not disappointing. Well, thanks anyway for reading! Drop a review!
