Chapter 7
Painful Choice
Today is their joined class. Itsuki and her are in the same special ability class that's why most of the time they are together. Mikan is asked by Tsubasa to come to class early. He said he has a surprise for her. Mikan did as Tsubasa her but she's not really into surprises right now. All she could think about this days is how will she be able to talk to Natsume.
It's natural for Natsume to be aloof with the others especially towards girls so only few noticed that he's been avoiding Mikan and they all want to know why.
Before Mikan could reach their room, she can already hear people laughing. When she arrived she saw some of her classmates are already there and they were surrounding something or someone.
"Hey guys, I'm here" She announced her arrival.
Someone familiar to her stood from the crowd and greeted her. "Hi, Mikan, long time no see"
"Kaname? Is that really you?" she said surprised then she runs to him. "How are you? When did you come out of the hospital?"
"I'm fine. I've been here since yesterday."
"So you are the surprise Tsubasa was talking about"
"Yeah, I told them not to tell you that I arrived. Anyway this is for you." Kaname handed Mikan a bunch of flowers. The girls in her class giggled as Mikan accept the flowers.
"Wow is this really for me?" she said then sniffed the flowers. While she was sniffing the flowers a small stuffed animal that looks like Mr. Bear popped out.
"Hello Miss Mikan" the stuffed animal greeted her.
"I made him for you as a token of appreciation for looking after Mr. Bear"
"Thank you" Mikan's really glad but then she remembered something "but you didn't have to"
"Don't worry, you're worth it and I didn't really have to use that much power in making that because I got a little help"
"Huh, is there someone else here in class that has the same Alice as you?"
"No. no one else."
"Then who helped you'
Another one from the crowd stood up "so you are the famous Mikan Sakura" the man said.
"Who is he?" she asked Kaname.
"Tonochi Akira, he's also a special ability Alice"
"I've never seen him before"
"Because he's always out, doing some work for the Academy. He's an amplifying Alice so his Alice is very useful during missions. He just returned as well" Kaname continuously introduced him.
"But you need to be careful with him, he likes everything in skirt" Tsubasa murmured to her ear.
"Oh" all she said.
"Good morning Mikan. I came by your room but your already gone" Itsuki cut their little talk.
"Good morning Itsuki. Tsubasa asked me to come here early. Anyway I'd like you to meet Kaname and Tono, their special ability students as well"
"Is there something going on between those two that we're not aware of?" Misaki asked Tsubasa secretly. She's been noticing the closeness between Mikan and Itsuki lately.
"I have no idea. But I'm sure if there is something going on she will tell us like she always does" Tsubasa answered her.
"Is he your boyfriend?" Tono asked Mikan directly.
Mikan blushed then shook his head. "No he's not. He's just a friend."
"I've never seen him here before" Kaname said while looking at Itsuki who is talking to the other students.
"He's a new student here. He came with his cousin just before the school starts." Tsubasa answered him.
"Isn't it unusual to have a new student by their age?" Tono asked curiously.
"It is, but they said that they've been from country to country so the academy couldn't track them earlier." Misaki explained.
"Is he really not your boyfriend Mikan?" Kaname asked her again.
"He's not"
"Don't you like him? Because I think he likes you more than just a friend" Kaname said while looking at Itsuki who's constantly looking at Mikan.
"Itsuki is a nice guy, a perfect gentleman, but I can only see him as a friend and I don't think that he likes me the way you said it"
"Why did you say that?" Tsubasa asked curiously.
"I don't know maybe I just don't want to see it that way?"
"You know Mikan, sometimes, you talk like a matured person" Misaki said to her.
"Would that be a compliment or an insult?" She said then they all laughed.
"Anyway I need to go to my class now. Nice seeing you again Mikan. See you all guys later." Kaname then head out to his class, the technology class.
Throughout the day, the special ability class did nothing but talk. They have nothing to do anyway since Mr. Noda is again missing from his time travel.
At lunch break they were supposed to have lunch together but when they were on their way to the cafeteria, Mikan saw Natsume heading to the forest alone. A thought entered her mind. This maybe the right time to talk to him. With that thought Mikan excused herself to Tsubasa and the others. She said that she's not hungry anymore. She went away with no further explanation and left Tsubasa and the others confused.
While Hotaru and the others are having lunch the angry Ruka walked towards their table.
"Imai, didn't I tell you to stop selling my pictures" he shouted at Hotaru.
"I need funds for my invention" Hotaru said calmly.
"What's that have to do with me?"
"These pictures sells better than anyone else" She said while waving some of Ruka's pictures.
"Why you… hand me those pictures now" then Ruka tried to snatch the pictures but Hotaru avoided him easily. And their endless chase begins.
Natsume knew that Mikan was following her. He can lost her easily but then it came to his mind that it is time for them to talk.
Mikan saw Natsume stopped she knows that he had already noticed her. He sat under a Sakura tree so Mikan sat on the other side of the tree. There was silence between them. No one knows where to start the conversation.
While the two are trying to find the right words to say, not too far from where they are the cat and mouse chase of Hotaru and Ruka ended. When they saw Mikan and Natsume together they both want to hear what they've got to say to each other.
"What happened to your hand?" Mikan noticed easily the wounds and bruises on Natsume's hands. But Natsume didn't answer. Mikan guessed that he doesn't want to tell her what happened so she just asked her real purpose "Why were you avoiding me?"
"Are you talking to me?" Natsume's answer.
"Who else would I be talking to, there's no else here besides us." Mikan's voice is starting to rise.
"I'm not avoiding anyone" Natsume said calmly.
"Yes you are, me, and I want to know why?"
"I said I'm not avoiding anyone. What do you want anyway" Natsume asked still not looking at Mikan.
"Ok then, if you are not avoiding me, answer me one question." Mikan gathered some strength before asking "Why did you kiss me?"
"Is that what this is all about huh?" He asked back.
"Yes" Mikan answered.
"Ok then. That kiss was nothing. It was just a kiss that's all. There's nothing to talk about it. Why are you making such a big deal out of it anyway?" Natsume then looked at Mikan while asking her that question. He was waiting for an answer but he got no response from her so he continued talking "oh no, don't tell me you thought I kissed you because I like you. Well sorry to tell you but I don't. I don't like you. Tell me, why would I like someone like you? You're nothing" he said continuously. He watched how Mikan's face changes.
"Your right, I thought that was it. I thought that you kissed me because you like me. How silly can I get? What would a perfect guy like you would want from an idiot like me? But can you answer me one more question? What is it about me that you hate so much?"
"Everything, I hate everything about you. You know, I wonder why is it that the academy still lets you stay in here. Your Alice is not that special at all to be considered as an Alice and I also wonder why are they keeping a close eye on you, cause you're not that special at all" Natsume answered her.
After hearing what Natsume said Mikan stood up and said "Thank you for your time. Now that things are cleared between us, I won't bother you anymore" then she walked away slowly at first but every step she takes become faster and faster until she's out of sight.
I'm sorry Mikan, but this has to be done.
Flashback…
After their weekend gathering, Natsume was the first one to step out the group. He didn't go straight to his room for he does not feel like sleeping yet. It's Sunday tomorrow anyway so he don't need to worry about waking up early. He took a walk inside the forest. He was walking for quite a while when he noticed someone was following him. At first he thought it was just Ruka but if it was Ruka he wouldn't have to follow him like that.
"Come out and tell me what you want" he stopped and called out he's stalker. From one of the trees a masked man with black hair emerges. It was no other than Persona. "What do you want?"
"I just want to see how my precious student is doing"
"Stop that crap and tell me what you want"
"Very grouchy. But you're right I'll get to the point. I noticed that you and the little mouse are getting much closer to each other."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Really. Then tell me why you kissed her. Was that only for fun?"
Natsume looked surprised but just for a moment. "Mikan has nothing to do with me"
"Who are you trying to tell that, to me or to yourself?"
"She has nothing to do with me" he repeated what he just said in a much stronger voice.
"Ok. If you say so. You wouldn't want her to see your world right?"
"Don't involve her in this. Don't lay a single finger on her"
"What a very protective guy to someone not involve with him. But don't need to worry" he said then move closer to him then whispered something to his ears. "I'm not doing anything to her yet. What happens to her depends on you, just like what happened to dear Aoi." Then he smiled a walked away.
Natsume was left alone in the woods clenching his fist. He needs to let out his anger somehow so he punched the closest tree to him with all his strength. His fist bleed because of the force he used but it was nothing. He didn't feel anything because the anger he is feeling at the moment cannot be compared to anything else.
End of flashback…
Natsume watched Mikan's back as she walks away. He is sure that Mikan is crying. Even though she managed not to let him see a single teardrop falling from her eyes, he is sure that inside, she's already crying. He had said too much. He just realized that. I'm so sorry Mikan, but what I did was for your own good. Believe me I wouldn't do it if I had a choice. He said but not letting out any sound. He was cursing himself that very moment. The very last thing he would want to do is to hurt Mikan. I just lost her. The only light I have. She's gone. With that thought Natsume felt that pain he just gave to Mikan maybe even worse than that.
After hearing the conversation, the two people eavesdropping rage in anger. Natsume just hurt the person closest to them both. When Ruka saw Mikan walked away crying he wants to hit Natsume that very moment but Hotaru stopped him.
"Let go Imai, I'm going to teach that friend of mine a lesson." He said to Hotaru already filled with anger.
"Don't do it?" Hotaru said to him. "Talk to him if you want, but don't do anything stupid. I'll go and talk to Mikan, you fix your friend, he might have some explanation for this" Hotaru said calmly then left Ruka and looked for Mikan.
Ruka tried to calm himself before facing Natsume. When he felt that his calm enough to confront his friend, he came out of the bushes. He noticed the surprised look in his friend when he came out.
"What was that all about huh, Natsume?" Ruka asked his friend as calmly as he can.
"So you've heard everything" Natsume stood up and look at his friend.
"Yes, I've heard everything. Why did you do that? I though you like her, but why hurt her this way?" Ruka's already losing his temper.
"I did that for a reason you don't have to know" that's what Natsume said then tried to walked away but Ruka grabbed him and punch him on his face. Ruka totally lost control.
"I have the right to know the reason Natsume. I gave her up for you to take care of and not to hurt her like this. Are you trying to tell me that I made a wrong decision?" Ruka asked his friend still holding his collar.
Natsume grabbed his shirt from his friends grip then looked at him with a dark expression. "I love her more than you know Ruka" he said to his friend.
"Then why Natsume, why hurt her?" Ruka said trying to get his composure back.
"I did this not with the intention of hurting her but to protect her. To see her hurt because of me would be the last thing I would do. But this is for her protection. She is not the only one hurting right now, for what I felt this very moment is much worse than I caused her." That was all he said then left Ruka alone thinking. Yes Ruka, what I'm feeling right now is much worse than what I caused her.
Hotaru on the other hand were still looking for Mikan.
"Just where did that idiot gone to? I've been looking all over for her. How could she just disappear?" Hotaru demanded but continue looking for her friend.
The missing Mikan appeared to be with Mr. Narumi. After that talk she had with Natsume, she just felt like running, and hiding anywhere just so she could not see Natsume. On her way back to the dorm, she bumped into Mr. Narumi.
"Good afternoon Mikan" Mr. Narumi greeted Mikan joyfully but then when he saw Mikan's face his face change quickly. "What's the problem Mikan, were you just crying?" He asked her.
When Mikan heard those questions, she just hugged Mr. Narumi tightly and cried even harder. Mr. Narumi then brought the crying Mikan into his room.
"Have some tea, it would help you calm down." Mr. Narumi handed Mikan a cup of tea then he sit beside her. "Now Mikan, can you tell me what happened?" He asked when he saw Mikan finished her tea.
Mikan did not hesitate to tell Mr. Narumi everything that happened for she sees him not just as a teacher or friend, but a father. Telling the story made Mikan cry nonstop again, she just can't help it. She buried her head into Mr. Narumi's chest. Her tears won't stop falling.
Mr. Narumi noticed Mikan's cry turn to sobs gradually. She has fallen asleep. He carried Mikan and tucks her to his bed. "What you are feeling right now will pass Mikan. You'll be fine, I know you will" He whispered to the sleeping Mikan and he kissed her forehead then walks out.
"Have you talked to Mikan? IS she alright?" Ruka asked Hotaru. After his conversation with Natsume, he quickly looked for Hotaru and Mikan.
"I haven't found her yet" for the first time Ruka saw how worried Hotaru is.
"Let's look for her together" he said.
"You don't need to" someone behind them interrupted.
"Mr. Narumi?"
"Mikan is fine now. She's sleeping in my room."
"She told you what happened?"
"Yeah. Don't worry about her. She's a strong girl. She'll get over it in no time. How about Natsume?"
"I don't understand him anymore, he admits that he likes her and now he did this. He said that what he did was for her own good. But he didn't tell me exactly what he means. I don't get it anymore."
"This problem is for them to fix we should not interfere all we can do is to be there. Now off you go, you still have afternoon classes."
"Mr. Narumi, give this to her when she wakes up and tell her to call me. My number is on number 1." Hotaru handed a cellular phone to Mr. Narumi then headed for her class
You have your friends Mikan, you'll be just fine. Mr. Narumi said to himself while looking at the phone Hotaru gave to him.
Four hours later Mikan woke up. Mr. Narumi was not in the room so Mikan didn't recognize the place at first but when she saw the picture on the bedside table she remembers where she was. She walked out the room to look for Mr. Narumi and she found him playing a piano on the living room.
"So you're awake"
"How long have I been asleep?"
"Four hours"
"I missed my afternoon class"
"Don't worry I'll talk to Mr. Noda"
"I'm going back to my room now. Thank you for staying and listening to me"
"You know I'm always here to listen. Anyway did you know that Hotaru and Ruka saw your conversation with Natsume?"
"They did?" the surprised Mikan said.
"Yeah and they were looking all over for you but I told them that you're ok now." He said then took something out of his pocket and handed it to Mikan. "Hotaru asked me to give this to you and she said that you must call her. Her number is on number 1"
"Thank you Mr. Narumi. I'll be going now. I'll call Hotaru later." Then Mikan left.
No matter much Mikan tried to erase what happened on her mind it just keeps on popping. She tried to calm herself or she would cry again. Before she reached the dormitory Mikan saw familiar figures on the bench near the dormitory.
"What are you guys doing here?" she asked when she reached them.
"What are we doing here?" Misaki repeated in an angry tone.
"We were searching all over for you Mikan" Itsuki said.
"You walked out during lunch without an explanation and you skipped the afternoon class. You made us all worried even Mr. Noda." Tsubasa added.
"I'm sorry guys; I didn't mean to cause such trouble"
"Where have you been Mikan? We also found Hotaru and Ruka looking for you during lunch" Kaname asked worriedly.
"I don't feel good earlier so I went to the clinic and the nurse advised me to take a rest for a while, so I take a nap at the clinic" she said covering what really happened.
"Are you feeling ok now?" Itsuki asked.
Mikan smiled and said "I'm fine now. Thank you and sorry for making you guys worry." Then she bowed her head.
"It would be better if you go to your room now and take some more rest. It would make you feel much better? Misaki said in a calmer voice now.
"I'll take you to your room" Itsuki volunteered.
But Mikan didn't accept "No need Itsuki, but thank you" then she left.
"Was it just me or you guys noticed it too?" Misaki asked her friends.
"We noticed it too. Mikan is lying. But if she don't want to tell us what happened let's just leave it that way. She will tell it to us when she feel like telling it" Tsubasa said.
"Yeah, you're right. She will ask for help when she needs it. I think little bear would be staying with me for a while" Kaname added.
When Mikan reached her room she lay down on her bed and decided to call her best friend. She told her not to worry. She was preparing for a bath when she heard knocks on her door. It was Hotaru.
The moment Mikan opened the door Hotaru hugged her without a word. It was the first time Hotaru did that so Mikan can't help but to cry again. Mikan fall asleep peacefully that night on Hotaru's lap.3475