CHAPTER 4: Goodbye's not Forever

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The following morning...

The day after discovering the tragic news about Mikan's grandfather has already started. This day was not quite that cheerful. The tiny drops of rain sulked the academy grounds.

Mikan woke up in her deep slumber. Reminiscing of what had happened at the past. She could feel her heart ache, like though it is slowly being pricked by painful needles.

Regardless of this strange and uncomfortable feeling, there is still one request she had in mind, to see her grandpa.

"I guess this is what it feels when you lose someone that is dear to you. But I can't help thinking that this whole incident is all my fault. I am to be blamed. If I hadn't left grandpa alone, I could have taken care of him. I know despite his old age he's still strong but... but..."

Mikan was cut off her deep thought when someone has knocked in her door.

"Who is it?" she asked rather in a low voice

"It's me"

Mikan already noticing the owner of the voice quickly went to her door and opened it. It was Hotaru.

"Could I come in?" she asked rather emotionless

"Yeah sure, come on in"

They sat on the sofa perpendicular to the bed. They took their seat and Hotaru began...

"Mikan I know what happened, I confronted Natsume last night about the incident. And I don't want to wake you up" she said

"Oh so you know" Mikan answered quite lonely.

"So how are you know?" she asked rather concerned

"Hotaru... I'm fine don't worry"

Hotaru noticing that it was futile helping her friend in her depressing moments she just left her alone. It would be best if she could think about this all by herself. She twisted the doorknob and was about to go out when she faced Mikan again and gave her a small cheery smile.

The PA system rang...

"Attention! Mikan Sakura please proceed top the Headmaster's lounge as soon as possible"

At the canteen...

"Oh its the second time the PA rang and Mikan's name was called. I wonder what happened" Nonoko asked.

"Yeah, it seems Mikan is quite different today, she hasn't even approached us and say good morning even though it already became one of her routines everyday" Yuu butted in

While on the other side of the table, Natsume was deep in thought. " I wonder what happened to her after I took her in her room last night. Probably she's still depressed of what had happened. That's it I can't take it anymore! I'll visit her later"

In Mikan's room...

"Huh? I'm being called again. I wonder what is it this time. I better go now and find out"

Mikan got out her room and started heading towards the Headmaster's lounge. After a few minutes she arrived at the door panting. She quickly recomposed her self and knocked.

In the Headmaster's lounge...

"Ah Mikan" the headmaster started. "Please have a sit" the headmaster said pointing at the seat near her wooden table.

Mikan quickly took her seat and waited for the headmaster on what he is going to say next.

"Mikan, I believe that you wanted to see your grandpa that badly, considering of what had happened. So, know I'm giving you this rare opportunity. Mikan I will ask you, I will give you three choices. So are you ready to hear them?" the headmaster said calmly.

Mikan shook her head lightly.

"So your first choice is... You will not visit your grandpa and will continue studying here at the academy. The second choice will be... You can visit your grand father for a week's time and after the burial the academy will pick you up again and lastly... You can now go home and live a normal life. Since your alice is not quite noticeable in the outside world it will not be a problem." The headmaster said awkwardly.

Mikan was puzzled upon hearing this direct from the headmaster. It's true that the academy does not give opportunities like these. But what are the consequences of these three choices of hers.

The first choice's consequence will be she will not be able to see her grandpa anymore. This will create doubts that she has been an irresponsible grand daughter.

The second choice's consequence will be she will still be able to see her grandpa for at least some time but she will still go back to the academy that she once despises off.

The third choice's consequence will be she will be able to see her grandpa and she will not anymore study at the academy. But despite these there's one thing she was afraid of and that's leaving her friends behind.

"What am I going to do?"

After some time thinking she already made a "wise" decision...

"Headmaster I have already decided" she said quite straight forwardly.

"So you have already made a choice. But I wish to tell this to you Mikan, whatever your decision is this will reflect a sudden change in the future so please choose wisely."

"Headmaster... I wish to leave the academy and live a normal life outside. I think its best if I do this."

"Oh so that's your choice. Don't worry whatever your choice is we know you chose it because it's what you think is what's best."

"Thanks Headmaster" she said quite amused

"So you better get going now and pack your things. The car will fetch you at exactly noon. Be sure to eat a heavy lunch because it will be quite a long trip" he said smiling

At her room...

Mikan was busy packing up her things when suddenly a knock in the door was heard.

Knock Knock

Mikan went to the door, to her surprise she saw Natsume.

"Oh Natsume good morning!" she said cheerfully

"So how are you feeling" he said quite "caring" his bangs covering his face to hide his blush. "Damn it Hyuuga this is not the right time to blush!"

"Natsume, I wanted to say thanks about yesterday" she said smiling

"Hn, don't mention it"

"Natsume you know I'm lucky having a friend like you upon staying here in the academy. Really I am grateful. Thanks!"

"Wait why did I just have this feeling that this will be our last moment being together. It's not as if she's going somewhere very far and never come back"

"Hey, what are you busy about? I hardly saw you in the campus this morning."

"Uh... Natsume I wanted to tell you something but promise me you won't tell the others because they will probably hate me" she started quite depressed.

"What is it?" his voice shaky. "Please don't tell me my guess is right... No, No, NOO! I haven't been able to tell her how I feel damn it!"

"Natsume I'm leaving the academy. And I might not be probably going to go back here" she said calmly

"B-but why the hell are you going to leave us suddenly you've been here for quite some time now and your saying your going to leave us! leave me!?!" he said quite angry

Mikan began to shed tears and then he hugged Natsume tight.

"N-natsume I'm sorry but this is what it goes and I can't back away now... I already made my decision." she said as tears continually falling down her eyes.

Natsume hugged her back really tight as if not letting go.

"M-mikan promise me that will meet again in the future and don't you dare break this promise" he said with a weak smile while he tightened his hug more to Mikan.

"Natsume I promise in the near future... I will be able to see you again, together with the others..."

After some time...

Beep Beep

Mikan already got in the car before she go, she smiled a very genuine smile at Natsume.

While Natsume smiled back weakly"

"Mikan don't ever break you promise... I'll wait for you..."

The rain did not entirely stop. The academy grounds were soaking wet while little raindrops drenched the outside of a certain raven haired boy's window.

Destiny has already planned something for our two lost lovers. It will continually spin until it reunites again to broken and divided hearts... The rain... This will serve as a reminder of how two lives will be separated and maybe in the near future be reunited once again.

A/N: So how was it? Please correct me with my grammar, spelling etc. I kinda typed it really fast with out even looking.

So stay tuned in my next chapter. The next chapter will be what is it going to be after 5 years of longing. Hehe more mushy moments for NXM. Please REVIEW it will surely come in handy!