The Second Book

Chapter Six: Disclosure and Feelings

Written by: keaRy anCe

"I want to know about Mikan." Those are the words came from Natsume's mouth. Everyone was surprised when Natsume approached Hotaru during their break. For them, it was a rare scene. Everyone in the class gets intrigued why Natsume asked for her. They aren't sure anymore if the reason has got anything to do with Mikan since she transferred schools months ago but they are determined to listen to their conversation.

"You don't need to know anything." Hotaru replied frankly, her voice is cold and her tone is the same.

Natsume urged to explain more. "Imai. I'm asking this out of pity." He was stating the truth and he wants Hotaru to see that he is being serious on finding Mikan.

Still, she didn't budge. "What? You love her now?"

Natsume didn't answer. "I just-" he paused for a bit, "want to see her smiling face again." His reason is lame and not enough but that is his purpose for now. He doesn't want to lie about it. He will do anything to make her talk.

"You should have felt that way when she loved you but you blew it and I'm afraid that she will never see you again as her life." She replied. She does not care of his feelings or his determination to find her best friend. "You blew all your chances. She gave you days, weeks to change but you threw it all and now you're actually here looking for her." She laughed in sarcasm and disbelief.

"I'm aware of that."

"Then why are you still asking me if you knew I won't answer you?" Hotaru mocked coldly and exited.

"Dammit." Natsume cursed. He really wanted to talk to Mikan but the problem is he can't find her and he has no idea where to start hunting her so he swallowed his pride and approached Hotaru even though he knew she won't tell a thing. He searched on the internet to have a hint at least but there's no record of her which he finds odd. He also tried to ask the school but nothing came out also.

He leaned on the wall, sat down and closed his eyes because of irritation. He doesn't know what to do anymore. His time of stay here is going to be over soon and yet he hasn't accomplished anything about Mikan. In the middle of his thoughts, he heard footsteps. A figure sat beside him. He knew who it was. She was here to confront him.

"You're avoiding me." The voice talked. Natsume opened her eyes and looked at the girl.

"I don't have the time to talk to you now, Sumire." He replied coldly. His tiredness is eating him up. His mind can't process normally and his body is feeling all worn out.

Sumire made a protesting move. "That's a bull. You are sitting here doing nothing. You just don't want to see me. Natsume, why? Is it because of Mikan?"

"She is none of your business."

"Natsume!" Sumire's eyes raged in anger and she is catching her breath. "You always say that but clearly it is my damn business! I'm your girlfriend. I want to know everything about you. I am not satisfied to only what I see. I want to know more than that. Before, you always tell me everything and you let me see through you but after she came I don't know anymore. Your guilt is out of place. She left for Pete's sake. It is not your fault, it's her choice. You shouldn't be this affected. I hate seeing you like this."

Natsume realized how much burden he is to Sumire. She thinks of him. "Let's go back." He only said. He stood up but Sumire held his arm making him stop form his walking.

"We are not going back until we finished this talk." She said in authority.

He think for a while before replying, his voice seems tired so as his face. "Sumire. I'm just feeling guilty. You know me. You know how my fault affects me so just let me do everything my way. In the meantime, it's time for us to go back at the academy."

Sumire didn't reply. "So Spring Fest is coming huh?"

"Right and we promised to stay here weeks before it happens."

"I'm sure that everyone is waiting for us." Sumire is looking forward on going home. She will taste the feeling of being superior again.

"Probably."

It's been almost a year since they went away. They have given the permission to leave Alice Academy because of the request of Sumrie Shouda, the granddaughter of one of the founders of the academy. There's been a family problem that occurred last year on the Shoudas. Her father, Sato Shouda, was accused as the Anti-Alice Organization's current insider to bring down the academy so conflicts rose and Sato is afraid that his daughter might also take the effect of the, according to him, wrong accusations. The only thing that came up to his mind to save his daughter from any discrimination is to send her out temporarily and after a year she should go back. Sumire complained at first, she doesn't want to back out and escape their problems and moreover she doesn't want to leave Natsume. Weeks haves passed and Sumire stayed so her father decided to hire Natsume as her personal bodyguard since he is the Academy's top alice user and at the same time her boyfriend.

After this, Sumire agreed and they had given a permit to leave but there's a condition: One, no using of Alice. Second, Alice Academy and Alice should not be said or regarded by any means. That's the only condition they need to follow. Their permission to leave is approved by more than half of the academy's board of trustees. Their allowances are given so obviously, they have nothing to worry about only their safety because AAO might attack them and have them as their newest assets but so far nothing like that has happened.

That's the whole story of their coming to Sumiasen High.

That's how everything started.

Sumire held hands with Natsume and swayed it gently. "Natsume. I don't want us to talk about Mikan Sakura anymore. She is not our business. Let's end our discussion about that girl here." She didn't let Natsume talked more because she knew in her heart that he can't do that. "Do you think father has been saved?" She changed the topic.

"They wouldn't contact us if not."

Sumire shrugged her shoulders. "I know but that doesn't mean that everything's fine now."

Natsume wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her forehead. "Don't worry. I'm here."

Sumire smiled and hugged him back. "I know that's why I can't help but feel happy."

Meters away, these two didn't know that Hotaru and Ruka is watching them. These two witnesses how sweet Sumire and Natsume are to each other.

"The nerve of him to ask where Mikan is." Hotaru gritted her teeth.

Ruka looked away. He also wants to know where Mikan is but what can he do? Hotaru won't tell anything. "I know what he feels. It's not easy for him." He sided with Natsume.

"Well, it's his fault in the first place. He is trying to find her to clean his conscience. He does not love her so when Mikan and him meet again, I'm very sure that she will be heartbroken to pieces again. And I don't want that to happen. It's enough."

Ruka's hope rose. "So you know where she is?"

Hotaru faced him. "She didn't even say goodbye. Do you expect me to know where she is?"

"We are expecting you to give us a hint." He asked and hoped.

Hotaru smirked. She won't do that, ever. It's a secret, a family secret to be exact. She was lucky enough for the Sakuras to trust her about that secret. But she knew that eventually, Natsume and Mikan will find each other but she is not letting that happen this early. Sooner or later, things that aren't finished will end. She is sure of that after all she knows everything.

"Sometimes, it's better to leave everything the way it is." That's the answer he gave to Ruka.

Anna, Hotaru, Yuu, Nonoko and Ruka are having their lunch.

"Spring is coming. The best season of all!" Nonoko exclaimed as she kept munching her food. Yuu is actually looking forward on this season also so as Anna. "Leaves fall, weather's fine, our clothes are not too thick and not too thin and the best of all it's gonna be a party!" She continued with her voice squeaking.

Anna nodded her head repeatedly in happiness and excitement. She swallowed her food and accidentally glanced into the direction where Sumire and Natsume are eating. Her happy expression suddenly changed. "I don't know why but I still feel angry to those two." She said.

Ruka also looked at the two. "It takes time to heal a wound. Maybe Mikan left because of a reason."

Anna shrugged and continued her eating; her emotion is still the same. "If it weren't for them, I bet Mikan's here joining us at our laughter and thrill for the coming spring." She looks like she hasn't the will to eat more. "What a waste."

"She hasn't called yet and we don't have any news about her. Sometimes, it also worries me. Her data on school has been mysteriously deleted too." Yuu informed. "It's like she really don't want us to find her anymore."

"Maybe she did that on purpose." Nonoko concluded. "Since she is going to leave, she does not want us to follow her or see her but I know when the right time comes we will all reunite. What do you think Hotaru?" Nonoko gave a hopeful look that Hotaru might agree to her.

Hotaru who is listening carefully to her friends' exchange of words and ideas about Mikan replied. "She left. It's just Mikan. What she did is normal. Everyone can transfer schools."

"Her reasons are not normal." Anna quickly added.

Hotaru's faced frowned. "Her reason is childish."

Anna wanted to protest but Yuu interrupted.

"Why don't we go back to our classroom? We have a test remember?" He smiled nervously and stood up.

Hotaru and Anna hushed down. They finished their food and walked towards the classroom. Ruka changed directions which made Yuu asked where he will go.

"Ruka, classroom's here." Yuu said, confused.

"I know. I'll just catch up later." Yuu cocked an eyebrow but still continued on walking.

Ruka wants to see Natsume and talk to him, man to man. He is still involved in this because his liking towards Mikan didn't change a bit. He wants answers directly from him. He just can't be satisfied by sitting in one corner and observing at everything.

"Ruka." A rough voice stopped him from searching for his best friend. The figure walked forward, his hands on his pockets, and his crimson eyes are looking bored.

Ruka quickly looked on the voice's direction. "Let's talk."

"What is it you want to talk about?" He knows who their topic will be but he still wants to come it from Ruka.

"You know who." Ruka growled.

Natsume remained at his standing. "I know you like her but that doesn't mean that you can meddle with our problem." He said growling, more irritation is sensed in his growl.

"I still like her." Ruka said with so much purity. "Even though the reason she left was you I still can't help but to like her." He confessed. "So what can't you like about her? She loved you, isn't that enough?" he finally asked what he want.

"I am not interested with her. You know how much I feel for Sumire."

"Natsume, stop being the bad guy. I know you came to like her."

"I don't." Natsume rapidly denied.

Ruka looked away and smirked in doubt. "Really? Because that is not what I'm seeing in you."

"Look, I'm guilty, okay? I don't like her. She's not my type and she is clingy, an idiot, and I don't like a girl with a personality like that. My mind is so messed up when she came to me and said that she will help me with my problems and besides I didn't even know that she likes me so I was also surprised to see her happy and accepting my stupid offer. I thought I can recognize her and see her as my girlfriend but I can't." Natsume did his best to explain his side.

Ruka gritted his teeth. "Hearing that from you makes me want to punch you."

"Do you think I deserve that?" Natsume sounded so arrogant.

Ruka smirked and grabbed Natsume by the collar. "She loved you. So much. I witnessed her love for you. When she cries, I always tell her that maybe you are adjusting since you don't know each other too well but the when she cried more that's when I convinced myself, you don't deserve her love." His voice is angry and high but Natsume is doing nothing. "She still proved that she loves you by leaving. Can't you get it? You changed her life. You brought her into a different course and yet you don't care. How dare you. How dare you make her cry."

"I won't deny it. I played her feelings. I actually had fun." Ruka gripped his collar harder. "But I won't feel guilty if she didn't make me happy in those times that we're together."

Ruka loosen his grip and looked down. "Why didn't you tell her that sooner?" He asked with grieve.

"Because I still don't love her."

Natsume regained his composure and left Ruka who is smiling and looked angry at the same time.

"When you see her, just make sure I'll be the first to know." He whispered to no one.

End of Chapter

Wow! I waited for this chapter to come. I miss Natsume. It was so long since he made his appearance and now he is here again. If you notice, Sumire and Natsume's story here is fast forwarded that's because I plan to elaborate the story on the upcoming chapters but I hope you understood it.

Review please?