A/N: Hello. How are you? Me? I'm alive, thank you. I'm sorry for the late update. Better late than never. Thank you for the favorites and for the follows. Now, I would go and list on all the people who left a review with my thanks but you're all waiting to read the story. So, go on then. Scroll down.


"No! You can't get this close to me and then push me away."

7: My, Oh, My

"I can't believe you would do this to me!"

"What on Earth are you going on about?"

"You're my mother!"

"Hmph. Not anymore. Now, please. Take away this beast of a child."

"B-But, mother! Please!"

"Everything she drew comes to life! Everything! It's a nightmare!"

"YOU'RE A NIGHTMARE!" Seikatsu who has just entered the office, stared at the shrieking Azami. The editor jolted with her gray eyes wide open but after those words, she fell back to sleep on her grand desk.

For those who never knew Harumi, they would think of this as a strange thing but really, this is normal. Normal for Harumi at least. She always gets those nightmares and was always shouting in her sleep.

Up until this day, Seikatsu Midori was wary about this habit. She would get the urge of shaking Azami—rescuing her from that nightmare. But when Seika does, the editor would be chastising her for disturbing the "pleasant" sleep.

She exhaled the grief and went to make green tea for she knew Harumi-sempai would wake eventually. But before she could leave, Azami was already stirring. "Mmhmm… Kami?"

"No. Uh, it's me. Seika!" She said, smiling at her sempai with kind hazel eyes. Azami groggily propped herself with her elbow. Harumi looked like a lost child at this moment. The feature writer walked towards her steadily.

"Seika…?" Azami's gray, transparent-like eyes shone and she was choking a sobbing noise. Seika could see that. She reached out to clasp her editor's hand, comfortingly. "Um, are you okay…? Is it… about your mom, again…?" She asked hesitantly.

The editor solemnly spoke, "Who else could haunt me?" She swerved herself on her office chair, avoiding Seika's questioning eyes. But instead of jerking her hand off of hers, she tightened her grasp.

Harumi-sempai…

Seika has no knowledge of her editor's life outside the academy but she was certain that it was anything but good.

"Answer me, Seika." Harumi spoke without looking at her. "What's it like to be loved? What's it like to be free?"

The girl swallowed before constructing a reasonable answer in her head. "Um, I don't know about freedom… No one is ever free, Harumi-sempai. Everyone is troubled. But I know love… It's when you feel wanted."

Out of the blue, Azami turned to her sharply.

"You must have a wonderful family then?"

"Huh…?" Seika blinked. She couldn't see where this is going. "Well, yeah. They still write to me and stuff and—"

"You're so lucky." Azami disrupted. Her eyes hid under her bangs. Shadows played on her porcelain face. "I wonder. I wonder. I wonder. Love is so bittersweet… It sometimes hurt you terribly, right? Nobody wants to get hurt. So why does everyone long for it…?"

Seika did not say anything. She was aware that Azami would randomly speak to herself at times. And this is that time. "I guess this does explain why hydrogen and stupidity are the greatest components in Earth…" Azami mumbled some more.

"Azami-sempai," Seika's lips quivered. "I don't want you to be alone…"

For once, the editor stared at her. Her stare was tender. "Did I say anything about wanting to be alone?"

The feature writer shook her head. "It just seems like your indirectly stating…"

"I have you and Kami. I think it's impossible to be alone."

A smile approached Seika's face. It's nice to know that she was considered as a close person to her sempai. Azami sighed. "The whole point of my sadness is because I've never been loved as a child. My mother detests me. Did I not tell you that?" Harumi didn't let the girl speak as she ranted. "All I want Seika is to get out of this putrid Academy and find a family myself!"

Seika shook her head. "Not every story starts with a happy beginning, Harumi-sempai!" Seika said, hoping it would ease Azami's grief.

"And not every story ends happily…" The editor sighed. She was always hated by her mother. Her father on the other hand, loved her like no other. It's such a shame that he had to leave her at an early age. Azami was no longer listening to her kouhai's consoling words.

She was instead, listening to the cries inside her. A cry for freedom.

~O~

Eight in the morning, Mikan was sitting in front of the moisten mirror. She sprawled her arms on the writing-table. She was going to craft a letter for her Grandpa. She wanted to ask how he was and such. Mikan tapped the bottom of her pen on the table, thinking idly. She sucked the insides of her left cheek as she reread what's written so far:

Dear Gramps,

Here's the letter like I promise from my last letter! I'm doing fine as always. Hotaru is doing well, too! We're still best friends! She's making lots of interesting things. I'm so happy for her! Oh, Gramps, I think my grades in this semester are high. Well, I am terrible at Math! But with the help of others, I think I'll be fine.

Gramps… I kind of have a problem. I don't mean for you to worry. But this is about…

Natsume. It has always been about Natsume these days. Mikan slumped back in her seat, looking at her reflection glumly. They've been acting like a couple the past few days. Trying to "act" like one. They would go to class together—which would be a normal thing for Mikan if they didn't hold hands or stare at each other longer than usual.

It was silly—no, wait, "silly" won't fit it! More like "ridiculous". In everyone's eyes, they were a golden couple. But to them, they were best friends. Best of friends (though Hotaru would always be her number one)!

Life would be just the same if the magazine didn't come and ruin it! Oh, she couldn't blame the magazine. Azami must have a real, good reason for the rampaging lie…

Hmm… She scrawled her thoughts on the parchment paper. By the time Mikan finished folding and sealing her letter it was nine.

And at that point, she was pestered by what she told her Gramps. Is it wrong to ask? Of course, not! She thought lightly.

But when her amber eyes were laid at the calendar on the wall, she realized that today was Saturday. Saturday. She gasped and almost had a heart-attack. Natsume was going to fetch her at ten o' clock sharp! Oh, no! She's forgotten about the "NatsuMikan" conference!

She practically jumped out of her stool and undressed herself to shower. For all she knows, Natsume will so burn her hair!

~O~

Kokoro was done doing his punishment for hiding dead frogs under the bookshelves (that prank led a student to the infirmary due to the shock and such) which is cleaning the second floor while Kitsuneme handles the third early in the morning. The mind-reader wiped the back of his hand on his sweaty forehead. It was exhausting.

It will all be over as soon as he returned the cluttered rags to the janitor's closet. It was somewhere near the Middle School's laboratory. Koko heard that there would be some sort of conference happening this morning. When he passed by the room, he could sub-consciously hear their thoughts.

'Mikan and Natsume would be coming here soon! Ooh! I'm so excited!'

'I'm so happy that this club was formed!'

'Natsume is a lucky bastard. He gets to keep a hot girl.'

Kokoro wasn't planning to stop and see the packed room. But he heard a familiar thought hit him. 'Natsume and Mikan are not a couple. Natsume and Mikan are not a couple. Natsume and Mikan are not a couple. Natsume and Mikan are not a couple.'

It was Sumire Shouda's thoughts on repeat.

A grin has unknowingly crept up on his carefree face. Now, that's something to look at! He followed the murmuring wistful thoughts into the laboratory until he spied those distinguished seaweed-green curls.

Sumire's eyes were drawn down. She was chanting to herself at the corner of the room along with her chatty members. Mischievously, Koko walked behind her and spoke against her ear, "Permy, are you a NatsuMikan shipper now?"

As expected, her scream smacked the high-notes. Sumire glowered at Koko.

"No, I am not!" She scowled. "I'm just here to see if it's all true. Plus, it's for Natsume! Not for her!"

"You've read my mind a while ago, right? I'm sure you did!"

Kokoro shrugged and continued, "The conference will start an hour later, right?"

"Yeah and so?"

"Duh, I have to get here fast before the seats were taken, idiot."

"Did Wakako say anything about this?"

"… She pretended I didn't exist…"

"I see." Koko said, after receiving her thoughts. When she starts communicating to him in the head, it means she was very despondent.

They both stood side-by-side at the lonely corner.

Koko watched Sumire's best friend organize the upcoming meeting. He has to admit. Wakako was doing well. She and Nonoko were having fun along with the other members.

Permy's face fell. "Koko…"

"Yes?" He responded softly.

"Are they really together?" Her thought was small and not-so-Sumire. He pursed his lips. He didn't like it if his girl was acting that way. Even so, the mind-reader maintained a calm composition. "No."

It's the truth yet Sumire was hesitant.

"Do you really like Natsume that much…?" Koko asked without missing a beat. The Cat-Dog Alice user gazed aimlessly at the room.

"Yes."

Obviously. What on Earth were you hoping for Koko?

~O~

Mikan came out of the shower, feeling refreshed and all. But she snapped out of the sensation and glanced at the alarm clock hastily. She has at least ten minutes to get ready. Oh! That's not enough time!

The nullifier dried her body with the damped, light pink towel before rushing to her closet for clothes. "Oh! Oh! Oh!"

She was panicking as the chilly air prickled her bare skin.

Mikan has forgotten to ask what kind of clothes she needed to wear for the "NatsuMikan" conference. How could she forget about asking!?

Didn't she make a mental note for it? Ugh! She didn't want to seem so casual or everyone would think she didn't care about the meeting they've pulled. But she shouldn't wear something fancy. It would be too eye-catching and the last time she did was when she was at Elementary.

Natsume Hyuuga sent a few boys to the hospital that time.

She swallowed at the thought of the black, raven-haired boy. Maybe she should have asked him what he would wear so they could match.

A couple does that, right? Oh! She sighed.

"How could this happen to me…?" She murmured miserably while scanning for a perfect outfit.

Mikan plucked a white one-piece dress and grinned, letting go of her woes for once. "This looks just right!" She said, cloaking her depression with cheerfulness. That's right!

She's just going to have to deal this day positively! Then maybe, perhaps, slight chance, she should have a marvelous time.

The slim brunette was on the middle of adjusting her bra straps when there was knocking on the door and a voice stung the atmosphere, "Hey, Polka, you done?"

"U-Um, no!" She replied aloud. Her voice has somehow gotten sore.

"Fine. I'll wait here then. But hurry up." He said. Mikan knew Natsume couldn't see her but that he was standing behind the door made her self-conscious. She shook her head, blushing for some strange reason.

Ah. That's a new thing for Mikan. She has been blushing more than usual. Could it be…? No! No! No! This is all the works of her horrormones!

She slipped herself into her one-piece dress, cringing from the cold that touched her naked skin. She inhaled shakily, closing her amber eyes. What is Natsume doing to me?

As soon as she's done changing, she swung the door to find a dashing boy before her. The fire-caster worn a red-checkered plaid shirt, dark blue jeans and matching red sneakers—and yes, even if he was being casual, he was still the definition of hot. Natsume stared at her frame. Almost long enough to bore a hole in her.

Mikan's cheeks were pinkish and warm. "Uh…" Well. The silence is creating such awkwardness. Natsume's stoic face evolved into an incredulous one. The nullifier wondered if there was something wrong…

She nipped her lower lip. "Uh, let's go now, Natsume!"

Mikan seized his callous hand and started to walk. But he didn't budge. He yanked her back and glared at her. It was a very icy glare.

"God, do you have to let me do everything?" He muttered for a split second before dragging her back into her dorm. Mikan was bewildered and was going to protest but Natsume asked, "Where's your blow-dryer?"

"… My blow-dryer?" She shuddered.

"Your hair is still wet." He announced it like it was going to cause a commotion in the world. The popular nullifier lifted her hand to brush the tip of her hair. Sure enough, it was still soaked.

She was in a hurry that she's forgotten about drying her own hair. Whoops!

"S-Sorry! I was afraid that you would get mad at me for being late…" Mikan etched a smile, embarrassingly. She watched Natsume poked through her drawers in search for the hairdryer.

"I never expect a moron like you to be early." Natsume shook his head and spoke with a blunt tongue. He dug through one of her drawers and finally pulled a forest-green hairdryer (Anna bought it for her birthday gift).

Mikan has no choice but to sit again on her wooden stool as the fire-caster plugged it. In a few moments, there was a whrring noise and heated blows parting through her chocolate-brown hair.

The nullifier was pouting the time to hide the pleasure of having her best friend doing this for her. She gazed at the polished mirror yet again. From the reflection, she was able to meet those bloodshot eyes.

Red is a dangerous color. It didn't make it to her top favorite colors. But somehow ever since Natsume came, she liked it.

Natsume doesn't seem to mind drying her hair. In fact, he was swallowing the joy. That meanie was tossing her hair around as if he was cooking salad or something and he kept complaining that the shampoo she used was too fragrant.

But Mikan swore his eyes were whispering to her otherwise…

"What's that?" He asked with his usual bored face. The brunette watched his eyes land on the letter. She smiled.

"It's… a letter for my Grampa!"

"Hn."

"What?"

"Nothing."

Mikan pouted. Then, there was a click and Natsume jerked the plug. The brunette's fingertips caressed the tip of her hair. It was no longer soggy as before. "Thank you, Natsume!"

"Tch. You need to do more than just thanking." He said and his arrogant smirk resurfaced. Mikan sighed. She has forgotten about his ego. She cocked her head to one side. "Then, what?"

"Kiss me."

It was quiet but if anyone were in Mikan's shoes, they would most likely hear a heart drumming at full volume. She felt her own chest tightened. Kiss. That day was the most confusing day ever. Mikan wondered how she even managed to survive it.

Natsume killed the silence with a malevolent chuckle, "What the hell… you're so easy to fool."

He flicked her forehead, muttering. "Perverted idiot."

This causes the disconcerted Mikan to stick her tongue out. "Ugh! You're the perverted one! You… You jerk!"

"Was that disappointment I detect?"

"No! I'm not disappointed at all! I was appalled!"

"I'll tell you what's appalling. You, knowing such a complex word like 'appall'."

"Meanie!"

"Moron."

She laughed lightly. The fire-caster rolled his eyes and glimpsed at her alarm clock. He coiled a scowl. "Shit. We're already late. The blame goes to you." He turned around to leave but Mikan grasped on his hand.

"You said a bad word!" Mikan tattled and crossed her arms. Natsume rolled his eyes. "We're not in preschool anymore idiot. Now, stop acting like a kid and just grow up. It's annoying like hell."

The nullifier groaned. "B-But, Natsume—!"

Her protest was never finished because she was swept away by the devil.

~O~

Misaki Harada always gets what she wants. She drummed her fingers impatiently on the table. Her long, bitten nails were chipping on the long wooden table. That blond-animal lover was surely visiting the library at this time of hour (according to the Ruka fan girls). She grind her teeth together, hoping that she could consult the boy.

Ando Tsubasa was poking his own face out of boredom. Later on, he was whistling the "A Whole New World" of that Disney movie. It's annoying Misaki but she didn't snap just yet. Yet. She heard a heavy sigh beside her and she saw Ando lean on his chair. He was seriously bored.

"Who knew waiting for someone could be so tedious?!" He said aloud, perhaps trying to test Misaki's patience.

"You didn't have to come, you know." She told him crossly.

"I thought I didn't have a choice since you dragged me here." He said, then groaned. "He must be at the barnyard or hiding at the corner of the room crying for the loss..."

She spoke confidently, "My sources told me he would be here."

"What sources? Oh, right... that fan club you didn't bother telling me about." He muttered indignantly. Misaki slapped the back of his head. He yowled and it was contenting enough for her.

Ugh. Why did she even like him?

She sighed and shook her head. "If you were Ruka, what section in the library would you go to?"

Ando raised his brow.

~O~

"Hey, have you seen Hyuuga and Sakura?"

"Nope. I haven't!"

"They should be here now!"

"Perhaps they were taking an early lunch…?"

There were lots of rumors and a lot doubted that Natsume and Mikan would arrive. Everything was slowly collapsing to disaster. Wakako shook her head. "Oh! I know they would come!" She clapped her hands, hoping it would bring everyone's hopes high again. But it must have hit closer to rock bottom because some were standing by the doorway.

They were all getting ready to leave.

Wakako sighed. Never did she thought of being a President of a particular fan club would be hard. Perhaps it's because Sumire handled it all so well… She knew that her former best friend was lurking behind the crowd with her club mates. It wasn't a good sign but Wakako prayed Permy wouldn't do any brash things. She flipped her hair over her shoulder before turning around.

"Hey, Nonoko," She turned to the Vice President. "Thank you for convincing the teachers to let us use the laboratory for our meeting, again."

The sweet blue-haired girl simply shrugged. "It's not a big deal at all!"

"Although... Maybe I should have booked the auditorium instead... I mean look at this place! It's filled with people!" She sighed, throwing her hands up to exaggerate. It really is true. They need to lift all the tables out of the laboratory for everyone to occupy more space and for more chairs. Nonoko built a small smile. "A lot joined this club. In fact we're the most popular club now!"

"NatsuMikan" Club. Wakako wondered what would the outcome be if she didn't follow her heart... Sumire might be the only stressful thing in her life. No more dealing with those "RukaMikan" pranksters. No more members to tend. No more arranging these kinds of meetings. She turned away but Nonoko lightly tapped her shoulder.

"I know they would come!" She said cheerfully. Wakako nodded meekly and excused herself to see how the preparations are going and if the microphones are working. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see her best friend. No more fights. But the show must go on.

As if on cue, there were squeals of delight and assortment of gasps and rising murmurs. Appearing in the entrance was the hottest couple of Alice Academy.

~O~

The laboratory room doesn't even look like it was before.

It's more of a "Hollywood" red-carpet style—what with all those flashes of cameras and blabbers and hollers.

Tch. Natsume never liked to get any sort of "attention". But this very period, this time—he loved it. He could see his fan girls choking in hysterical sobs and the nullifier's fan boys were dropping their jaws. It's almost like half of the population of the academy decided to take part this conference.

He smirked. Being bolder than ever, Natsume wrapped his arm on her waist, bringing her closer. His nose was able to consume a sweet scent of her shampoo. The memory of him drying her hair was smoldering in his head. It was admittedly a pleasant feeling. If he had it his way, he would ensnare his fingers on her brown locks now and kiss her repeatedly.

The fire-caster felt her spine shuddered. He glanced at her with his stoic face. "What's the matter?"

"Nervous." She whispered, fidgeting with her own fingers. That's when Natsume remembered: Right. It's all pretend. His heart wrenched. Holding her close meant "supposedly" nothing. Their schoolmates were cheering for a lie. Not a fact.

It's all pretend.

He glanced at her while trying to support a solid face. Mikan looked so beautiful in her one-piece dress. Natsume blocked the thought of her in a wedding gown. He moved his hand on her waist to her shoulder. He rubbed circles until she relaxed.

Natsume tilted till his breath wafted near her ear. "I'll take care of everything." She blushed and he called it a win. It's all pretend. But he would make her fall for him little by little. He'll make her see that they're both right for each other.

They were escorted to the platform by Nonoko and were motioned to sit on a shared table with two glasses of water and microphones on top.

"Everyone, please calm down! Calm down!" Wakako affirmed aloud, gripping on the microphone, hushing all those murmurs and hoots. Natsume helped Mikan on her seat like a gentleman before trudging to his. He could hear the dreamy, longing sighs of ladies and disappointing grunts from his fellow male schoolmates. How fucking happy could he get?

The NatsuMikan President stood in front of the crowd.

"First of all, I am so happy that you were all able to come…" And the introduction was rolling out. Natsume absentmindedly looked at the brunette. His brunette. She smiled but it was a faltering one. He hated that kind.

"... as we all know, Natsume and Mikan are given the title as the 'Hottest Couple' in the Academy by our one and only school paper, Daily Amuse." Wakako pointed at a girl whose hair was purely orange and bright eyes. She was sitting in the front row, jotting a few things.

"Seika?" Mikan choked. He glanced at her. Her hands were clasping on her pale knees shakily and her small pink lips quivered badly as well. She's such a wimp.

Without speaking, Natsume reached for those warm hands under the table. They didn't say anything at all during Wakako's speech. But that doesn't necessarily mean they were listening.

"... the NatsuMikan club members have all provided a question and have all placed it in that box"—

Nonoko raised a box slip as those words escaped—

"but I will only pick eight questions randomly and you guys will have to answer it."

Seaweed-Girl's best friend was focusing on them. "So, are you ready?"

Wakako was mostly staring at Mikan. But the nullifier was tongue-tied so Natsume spoke coldly through his microphone, "Whatever. Get this over already."

The NatsuMikan President nodded and hastily plucked a piece of paper.

"So, Natsume, the first question is for you!" She cleared her throat before dramatically continuing. "If Mikan chooses Ruka at the end, what will you do?"

The listeners were then fervently awaiting for his response. Tch. They have to ask, huh? Still holding Mikan's hand, he scowled and leaned closer to his microphone. He spoke sordidly, "That's never going to happen because she's with me already and I don't plan on letting her go." It was like he said that line hundreds of times.

The fans were hyped and were doing what fans usually do. It was plain stupid. When the hoots calmed, Wakako blindly pulled a crumpled paper. She read it aloud, "This second question is for Mikan: What attracted you to Natsume? Was it looks or was it something more?"

At that time, the idiot raised her head, jaw dropped. "U-Uh, w-what I like about him?"

Her microphone screeched to add more tension in the air. Natsume gritted his teeth from irritation. She's a nerve-wrecking moron...

"Yeah. What do you like about him? Is it because he's handsome?" Wakako pressed on after several more earsplitting screeches. The fire-caster did his best not to show much interest at that question but he couldn't entirely cover it up.

"O-Oh. Well. It's n-not because he's handsome..." She struggled to find her voice which was so unlike of her. Natsume decided to squeeze her hand for encouragement. "It's... It's because... he's always there for me!"

Wakako tilted her head, indicating her to go ahead.

"Natsume is always a bully and a pervert!" Mikan grinned, squeezing his hand back. "But he's actually the nicest guy in the world! He's my best fr—!" It was a good thing she stopped herself before the words "best friends" fleeted. She coughed to hide her mistake. "He's the best friendly guy I guess."

It was lame and dumb but no one suspected her anyways and everyone cheered for them.

"Third question: If you and Mikan are going to have children, what would be their names?" Wakako peered over the paper expectantly at them. Before Natsume could reply, Mikan shot hers.

"If it's a boy, his name should be 'Natsu'!" She said, utterly gleeful.

Natsume raised a brow. "No way am I going to name our son after some moron in a manga."

"But he does fire stuff like you!"

"Hn. If you're naming our son, I'll name our daughter. I want it 'Mizutama'."

"... Mizutama?"

"Polka dots."

"Ugh! I knew it! Why name her after my underwear?!"

"I didn't name her after your underwear. I name her after the pattern of your underwear."

They were exchanging blows again. It was always entertaining but Natsume and his pride will not die easily. What really ticked him during that discussion was the crowd watching them ignorantly. They were trying to get involve but failed miserably. Tch. They're so frickin' annoying.

"Fourth question belongs to you, Natsume!" Wakako tugged his attention. "If... If this was your last day to live, what would you do?"

Complete silence.

He's been asking that sort of question to himself for the last couple of years but since the Academy's bubbly idiot came to his life, that question became meaningless. What was he going to do? He glanced at Mikan who was staring at him. She was clutching his hand up until now as if he was fading.

"I would do what I always do." He said. "Except I'll do it with more motivation."

There were murmurs cast above but Wakako's next question brought them all to an end. "Last question, Mikan. When and where will you both plan to get married?"

"M-Married?" Her pure, round amber eyes have disbelief and wary living inside. Fortunately, she managed to think some more. "Um... under our Sakura tree?" Natsume was going to back her up again but life is shitty.

"THAT IS IT!" A shout from behind traveled to them. And it wasn't just going to piss Natsume.

~O~

Permy. Mikan was sure of it.

That protesting shout came from her.

The familiar bouncy curls and sea-green hair was unmistakably her. Sumire shoved everyone off of her path. No one dared to stop her. She was threatening by baring her fangs and revealing her cat claws. She was dangerously heated. Mikan felt something strangling in her stomach. First the questions and now she has to deal with this? How could this day turn so evil!?

"You and Natsume are not a couple! You're faking it all! This can't be!" She threw her rage. Sumire is definitely asking for haters. Wakako sighed and shook her head. "Permy... It's not fake. It's true love."

True love.

Not fake.

True love.

Fake.

Mikan searched for Hotaru's face in the crowd. She swore the inventor was the there. She has to be. The brunette could feel herself falling apart from the indecisiveness she's feeling.

"I won't believe it all!" Sumire ranted on. "I just won't, including my whole fan club!" Her club members who were loitering at the back nodded firmly but some were skeptical. Oh, great. Mikan has to stop this before it generates to another massive mayhem.

"Ne, Permy... listen. Me and Natsume are—!"

"Kiss him then! Prove it to me! To all of us!" Sumire was practically screaming. Mikan stood there dumbfounded. She's going to kiss Natsume? She's. Going. To. Kiss. Her best friend. She can't do that!

"But I..." She bit her lower lip helplessly.

"Ha! See? See? If she couldn't kiss him then they're a fake!" Permy was at a paranoid state. Her cat-like eyes were twitching.

You know, if Mikan didn't agree with Hotaru's idea, she would gladly agree with the sea-weed haired girl in a heartbeat. Argh. How did it all get so complicated?!

Seikatsu, the only Elementary student in the room countered that immediately, "She's not used to doing it in public!"

"So, you're implying that she's afraid to express her emotions in front of everyone? This is Mikan we're talking about for god's sake!" Sumire snapped.

"Could you shut the fuck up?!" That one came from Natsume Hyuuga beside her. He was extremely irritated by all this. She could tell from the way his eyes darkened and the temperature rising. Sumire reluctantly settled but the rest weren't. They were all steadily processing the "fake" couple.

"Maybe it is fake after all. Maybe Hyuuga forced her into this."

"Or maybe it isn't. They were staring at each other this whole time!"

"The only way to find out is if she kisses him."

The faint whispers were increasing its volume.

What should Mikan do? This is what she wants right? People to know that they weren't really a couple...

Out of the corner of her eye, in the middle of the violent fans was the blackmailer. She finally found her. Hotaru Imai was holding her own model camera and was also looking displeased. She mouthed, "Just do it".

Do what? Oh. Oh...

No! No! No! No way is she going to follow a motto of a shoe! But everyone were waiting intently for her next move. She could feel their eyes. If she doesn't do it then the plan of stopping this lie completely would be a waste! She trusts Hotaru more than anyone. She has to go with the scheme and be Natsume's "girlfriend".

"Mikan."

That was her name. It came from him! Her best friend said her name again! Yay! No—wait a second—this isn't a time to celebrate. She felt him squeeze her hand. He was standing up but Mikan hauled him back to his seat. He was shocked but regained his unreadable look. The brunette laced her fingers on his. It was hot though it made her shudder. Their eyes were locked on each other. Funny how her heart suddenly dropped. Horrormones.

Breathing all the oxygen and courage, the happy-go-lucky nullifier leaned in. She's going to do it. She's going to kiss him.

"Natsume..." He closed his eyes and time froze just for the two of them. Mikan's lungs were light. From the distance, she could hear the eager squeals and subtle gasps. Her blood was rushing in her veins and all she probably wanted to do was to hide and cry softly on the corner.

Before her lips could even make the slightest contact on his, Sumire was having an outburst. She was screaming, "Stop it! Just stop it!"

Mikan distanced herself from Natsume and watched as the tear-stricken Permy shoved the fans to find a clear path. "This can't happen! This can't happen at all!" She screeched before exiting along with her downhearted companions. The "NatsuMikan" members were all visibly disappointed at the interruption.

Oh, no. She hurt one of her friends. She hurt Permy.

She would never be forgiven! Mikan's instincts cracked but before she could chase after, Natsume grabbed her hand. "Don't."

"But Permy!" Mikan was beginning to cry. "I have t-to..."

I'm sorry, Permy.

~O~

"Unbelievable." Misaki's eyes widened while Ando was chuckling. "Well, I didn't even think he'd be in the animal section..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean, sure his Alice is Animal Pheromone but..."

Ruka shifted his eyes at the two incredulously. "U-Um... Is there something I can do for you guys?"

Misaki smiled gently as can be. "Ruka, we just want to uh," she cleared her throat. "Ask how you are!"

"Huh? I thought we're going to give him a pep-talk about Mika—!" Ando quickly shut his mouth when he received a glare and an elbow from his girl.

The blond sighed and shook his head. "I appreciate what you're doing." He smiled at them faintly. "But Natsume needs her more than I do."

"But... But Ruka!" Misaki grabbed his arm before he could turn away. "Your fans—us RuMi—would want you to be happy."

"It's not for you guys to decide my happiness." Ruka tried to escape from but her grip was locked.

"But... But you do love Mikan, right?" She shook him almost violently that Ando was afraid she would tore the boy's arm off.

Ruka sighed. "... Can I go now, please?"

Misaki puffed her cheeks. A shadow darkened a portion of her face and Ruka felt an evil aura spreading. "Ruka Nogi." A snarl came from Misaki. Ruka glanced at her grip on his wrist and he gulped. "Y-Yes?"

"YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE HER UP, ARE YOU!?" She shouted.

Ando began to sweat-dropped. She can't be seriously making a scene in the library!

"N-No..." Ruka replied hastily.

"WHAT!?"

"NO!" Ruka yelled.

"THEN WHAT ARE YOU STANDING FOR!? THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF GUYS ONE WHO GETS THE GIRL AND THE OTHER WHO DOESN'T! DO YOU WANT TO BE THE GUY WHO GETS THE GIRL!?" Misaki continued her wild way of encouragement.

"... Yes."

"WHAT!?"

"YES!" He yelled once more.

"YOU SHOULD FIGHT FIRE TO FIRE! HAVE MORE HOPE! SO WHAT IF HE NEEDS HER MORE!? YOU WANT HER MORE AND THERE'S NO WAY WILL WE LET MIKAN-CHAN GET STUCK IN A LIFE WITH A BASTARD!"

"YEAH!" Ruka has finally gave in.

Ando nodded. Impressed that Misaki actually got Ruka in spirits. But a stern voice froze the three,

"Who in the world was yelling nonsense!?"

Ando blinked. "Was that...?"

"Gah! Jinno-sensei!" Misaki dragged the petrified Ruka with her. The trio made a swift getaway before the raging Math teacher could get a hold on him. "What was he doing here!?"

"How should I know!?"

"Bakando! You should have stopped me from yelling!"


A/N: I really am sorry for the late update. Now, Bob is hungry. Feed him with all the violent reactions you have. Thank you~!