Ready To Fall
Author's Notes: I owe you, guys, the biggest apology of all. I am so sorry. If you have been reading my profile page, you'll somehow know the reason why I was not able to update for so long. Things are quite more stable now, so hopefully I could update this story little by little until it's ending. If ever, it takes me again a long time to update, just check my profile page, because I might have a message there about what could have happened. As I have said, do not worry, the story already has an ending. It is now just a matter of finding time to write it all down.
Again, just like with Chapter 8, before I proceed, I would just like to acknowledge some reviews I received for the past two months:
Kagome's heart102 & may520: You, guys, are so right. Natsume is really dense. Most guys I know are naturally like that, or maybe they just pretend to be. Hmm...
flora0moonstone: I have heard somewhere that very intelligent guys tend to be kind of dumb when it comes to love.
spica-sakura: I take it as a good sign that you're getting nervous for this story. Hehe...
Mican-chan: Quite an imagination. Hehe... I think, though, that we should give a little more credit to Tetsuya. I bet he wouldn't go running to Mikan like a baby after Natsume hurts him. Hehe... But that could be very interesting... (",) I know, I was late. so sorry.
hyuuga jan: Thanks. I'll keep up the good work!
Jaizel: Thank you for that. I hope you keep reading... (",)
ladalada: I know, so sorry. Anyway, it's here now. (",)
Arahi Sakura: Hello! Nice to read from you again. Thanks for the favorites. (",)
megumi natsuyama: I also agree with "myself". Hehe... Sometimes, I tell myself, "Why do I write the story that way, with all those complications and stuff?" But then again, there would be no story without them. Thank you for adding me to your favorites as well. (",)
Whew! It's hard to be away for a long while, since I have to reply to more people. Just a brief recap... In Chapter 8, we found out some of the someones. Someone's worried, if memory serves me correct, was Mikan; someone stinking jealous is obviously Natsume; while, someone irritating is also obviously Tetsuya Kimura, our red head. As for the last statement: "Someone would finally think about asking someone out", we'll finally find out in this Chapter.
Who are these remaining someones? Why don't we start reading, and don't forget to drop your reviews, guys...
Chapter 9: Just so you know
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It's getting hard to be around you. There's so much I can't say.
Do you want me to hide the feelings and look the other way?
And I don't know how to be fine when I'm not
'cause I don't know how to make a feeling stop.
Just so you know, this feeling's taking control of me.
And I can't help it. I won't sit around. I can't let him win now.
-'Just so you know' by Jesse McCartney-
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One month, two weeks and three days before that cold and empty night…
It was a routine for the animal lover and the genius inventor.
Every morning, Ruka waits for Hotaru outside the Middle School Dormitory, and they would make their way to the school building together. She would be riding on her scooter and drive side by side with the walking blonde-boy.
The set-up looks pretty unfair, but Ruka never complains about it. He is happy enough as it is.
"So," Hotaru started their usual conversation in the morning. "Are we going to expect any confessions today?"
Ruka shook his head. She has been asking the same question for quite a while now, but his answer has always been the same.
"I didn't think so," she replied knowingly.
Ruka suddenly groaned in frustration, "If only we could tell Natsume that Mikan loves him, and vice versa, then this whole thing would be over."
"You know we can't do that," she pointed calmly despite him being rattled. "Besides, they haven't really admitted to us that yet."
"I know," he sighed. "But you should have seen Natsume. He was pacing. He never pace. He's always calm and cool. I also think he's really jealous with Tetsuya."
"Why?" she asked curiously.
"Exactly my point!" he exclaimed. "Maybe it would really help him if he knows that he actually stands a chance. Maybe it would give him the push that he needs to come to his senses."
"Honestly, I don't care much about Hyuuga," she said casually with a shrug. "I'm only in this for Mikan. I'm actually having second thoughts now. Your friend is becoming really moody lately. I don't know if I should still encourage Mikan on him."
"You're not serious, Hotaru, are you?" he asked wide-eyed. "There's a reason for Natsume's behavior lately. It could only be solved if those two come out in the open. We have known for how many years that they belong together, but they just don't see it."
"Maybe that's just it. Maybe they don't really belong together, if it is so hard for them to come clean with their feelings."
Hotaru has a point, and Ruka knew it. But he could not help feeling that he should do something. They are their bestfriends after all.
"How about we change tactic?" he suggested energetically. "Instead of trying to make Natsume admit to Mikan, let's do the other way around. Let's make Mikan admit to him."
"Seriously?" Hotaru stopped her scooter and eyed her boyfriend in disbelief. "Haven't you ever heard of a girl's integrity? Prudishness? Pride?"
"This is the modern world," he reminded pointedly. "Girls should also exert an effort in trying to build a relationship. It should not be solely up to guys when it comes to professing about love. It's not such a bad idea if flowers and chocolates come from the girls sometimes. Or the girls serenading the guys instead of the other way around."
His statement caused his girlfriend's eyebrow to rise.
"I hope you're not expecting me to give you flowers and chocolates, and serenade you in front of the student body, because you could just die hoping," that was all and she drove ahead leaving the blonde-boy behind.
"Hotaru!" he called after her. "That's not what I mean!"
He sighed and added silently, "Although that is not such a bad idea."
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By the end of the week, Ruka was already losing hope. Maybe Hotaru was right. Maybe their bestfriends do not really belong to each other.
Natsume was still obviously jealous, but at least he has refrained from walking out on them every time the name Tetsuya or Kimura is mentioned.
Mikan, on the other hand, was still the same—being childish and fussing around everyone, especially his bestfriend.
He could not believe Natsume does not see the reasons behind her concerns for him.
Hotaru got another thing right—their relationship is pathetic. No matter how hard they argue and snap at each other, they still always sit next to each other at the dining table. They have obviously grown comfortable with each other, but they are too blinded to see beyond that zone. Ruka could not believe that there are actually living human beings who are that dense.
I bet they could even defeat the Dead Sea when it comes to density, the blonde-boy thought.
"Why is everyone so quiet?" Sumire suddenly commented at the lunch table. "Do you, guys, know what date it is today?"
Everyone just looked at her.
"It's January 14," still no one got the idea.
Frustrated, she explained, "Seriously, boys and girls. Don't you see, only exactly one month from today and it's already Valentine's Day!"
"What's the big deal?" Natsume uttered almost inaudibly.
Sumire sighed, and raised a finger to make her point, "Valentine's Day is the season when boys look for dates. It's the season for lovers. Aren't you even thinking about that? I mean you, guys, should be preparing for it by now."
"But, Sumire," Iinchou interrupted. "Didn't you say that Christmas is the season for lovers?"
"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk," she waved a finger towards the blonde-boy's spectacled eyes. "You weren't listening. I said Christmas is ONE of the seasons, but Valentine's is THE season. Got it?"
"Does that mean that you're already doing recon work for your prospect dates, Sumire?" Anna asked in her usual sweet voice.
"You bet, I am," she replied confidently. "A lot of girls are. So word of advice to you, boys, better make your plans earlier, and act faster if you don't want to end up dateless on that special day."
"You make asking someone out sounds easy," Mochu mumbled.
Ruka thought that, thankfully, he does not have to ask someone out, since he already knows that he is dating Hotaru for that day.
Then, he realized. Valentine's Day!
It is just probably what they need. What better time to bring two people together than Valentine's Day?
He looked at the mind-reader sitting opposite him from the table.
This time, we need back-up, he said mentally and smiled mischievously. I guess a little slip would not hurt.
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For the first time in few weeks, Natsume was seriously reading his manga. He was still bothered where a certain brunette is concerned, but he felt a little relieved after his talk with Ruka. He realized that all is not lost—yet.
There is one thing for sure though; Mikan Sakura is in love with someone. Who that someone is would be the question.
Natsume could not help thinking that there is a possibility—a probability that the "someone" she is in love with could be him.
Is that a wishful thinking, Hyuuga? he mocked himself mentally.
"I have this feeling," a female voice startled him from behind. "That you're mad at someone, and I'm afraid that someone might be me."
Natsume did not have to turn his back to know who it was. He could recognize that voice even from sleep. What surprised him, however, was that he did not feel her come. Persona would surely be disappointed on how low he lets his guard down, especially where a woman is concerned.
What is it with people lately, he commented internally passing a thought on how he also did not felt the guys came the other afternoon. They just seem to pop out of nowhere.
And to think that he is the Black Cat. He should be the one doing the quietly-sneaking-around, and not the one being sneaked at.
"What do you think?" the girl probed when he did not answer. "Should I be afraid?"
He closed his reading material and looked straight ahead. Hearing her voice made him remember again.
Mikan is in love with someone, and that someone could be him.
This thought made his heart beat faster. He could hear the loud thump rhythmically in his ears.
How could he be angry with her when he does not know what to do if she is not with him? How could he neglect her when she is the one person who gives him warmth? How could he be mad at her? Maybe madly in love, yes.
"They say, silence means yes."
"No," he finally replied almost inaudibly. "I'm not mad at you."
He heard her release a sigh of relief.
"That's good to hear," she walked around to sit opposite him. "I thought you might be avoiding me."
Natsume shifted his eyes on her, but realized he could not look straight at her. Instead, he looked at his hands holding the manga he neglected once again.
"Why would I be avoiding you?" he smirked, hoping to sound normal even if his heart was trying to escape through his mouth. He almost smiled when he realized, "Even if I try to avoid you, you'll just try to find your way back to me."
Mikan smiled, amused by how Natsume stated it. He probably did not even realize how it sounded.
"That's right. I definitely will."
Natsume turned red hearing how sincerely she said it, and snapped at her to hide it.
"Where do you even get the idea that I'm avoiding you?"
Mikan knew she should feel angry with him for raising his tone at her, but instead she felt relieved. At least that was the normal Natsume, not the one who ignores her even when they sit next to each other.
"Never mind," she said smiling sweetly. "Forget it. So we are friends, right?"
For some reason, the word friend crushed his heart a little.
"Whatever," was his simple reply to her question even if his mind was exploding with contradictions.
I don't want to be just friends, he realized. After five long years, he just realized that he wants to be with her, and that he is not satisfied to be just her friend. To hell with his reasons and complications. He is going to be with Mikan Sakura no matter what. She is going to be his girlfriend.
"Good," she replied taking his answer as positive. "Well, since we are friends, would you tell me your deepest secret?"
He instantly looked at her as his heartbeat suddenly escalated. He felt like he was given the window to finally admit to her his deepest secret: he's in love with her. No, he's madly in love with her!
Natsume swallowed the lump on his throat and started opening his mouth.
"I…"
"Gotcha!" she exclaimed pointing at his dumb-founded face, and then laughed so hard that it probably echoed to the whole vicinity of the academy.
"You should have seen your face," she said still chuckling.
The nervousness the Black Cat was feeling suddenly turned into rage. Fortunately, he was able to control his temper before it totally snapped.
He looked away with a smug on his face trying to ignore her still audible giggle and snorts.
"I know you do not like personal questions like that, Natsume," she said still smiling at him.
Natsume was about to reply something mean, when he caught a glimpse of someone standing nearby.
"Mikan?" the guy said. It was the dreadful—to Natsume's concern—Kimura.
The brunette looked at the red head and instantly gave him her sweetest smile, which did not go unnoticed to Natsume's red eyes.
"Tetsuya?"
"Hi, Mikan," he glanced at Natsume. "Natsume."
"How are you doing, Tetsuya?" she asked casually.
"I'm good, especially now that I see you."
Couldn't he come up with better replies? the raven-haired boy thought snobbishly.
She actually giggled—to his horror, "What brought you here?"
"I was actually on my way to the Tea Garden when I heard someone laughing," he was not taking his eyes off of her, which annoyed Natsume more and more. "And somehow, I knew that it was you."
"Are you sure you didn't hear a pig snorting?" Natsume couldn't help blurting out due to his temper.
Mikan's eyes narrowed down to Natsume, "What do you mean by that, Natsume?"
"Exactly how you think it means," he replied without thinking.
"Why you mean idiot!" she snapped at him throwing her poise out of the window. "I thought we're friends, but you do not say things like that to a friend, you know?"
Natsume shrugged, "Imai says things like that to you."
"That's different!" she yelled. "She's my bestfriend."
Any other person would have probably left the two by now, afraid to get caught in the middle of the brawl. But Tetsuya stayed where he was. He was actually amused as he watched them snapped back at each other.
When Mikan finally breathed deeply and settled down, Tetsuya couldn't help but smile at the scene he just witnessed.
"Uhm, I'm going for a tea," he started. "Would you, guys, want to come?"
"Sure," Mikan replied instantly with no traces of the argument she just had with the Black Cat.
Tetsuya looked at Natsume and asked him as well.
"No, thanks," he replied. "I don't drink tea."
"Don't mind him, Tetsuya," Mikan jeered as she stepped closer to the tall red head.
"Well, then," Tetsuya shifted his gaze to Mikan. "Shall we, Mikan?"
Mikan nodded and they both walked away, leaving Natsume glaring after them. When they were already far enough, Natsume released his frustration through a ball of fire on his right hand. And just as suddenly, it disappeared without any traces of smoke.
"This doesn't mean I'll leave you two alone," he mumbled to himself clutching the poor manga too tightly in his left hand.
Natsume argued mentally that he may not be going with them but it does not mean that he was not going to watch.
One wrong move and he's toast.
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Natsume was thankful that Tetsuya did not make any move on his Mikan. He does not know what he could have done if the irritating red head did anything he would regret for the rest of his life. However, this did not stop him from wondering and worrying, which was why he was not really paying attention to what the guys were discussing that afternoon under the Sakura tree in one of their all-boys time.
Apparently, what Sumire said about Valentine's Day had an impact to the boys, and made them started thinking about the dreaded date.
"I've decided," Yome started seriously. "I'll ask Nonoko to go out with me on Valentine's Day."
"Finally!" they all, except for Natsume, exclaimed.
"It's been a long time coming," said Iinchou.
"Yeah, you've known for so long that Nonoko has a crush on you," Mochu added. "So you're already sure that she's going to say yes." And mumbled, "Unlike me."
"I know that," Yome looked down on his lap trying to hide his reddened face. "Having a Mind-Reading Alice actually makes it harder for me to ask her out. I don't want her to think that I'm only asking her out because I already know that she likes me. Besides, it's hard to go on a date and hear your date's thoughts while you're at it."
"You have a point there," Ruka concurred. Right there and then, his respect for Kokoro just went higher. Their friend has surely learned a lot in Alice Ethics class, which, somehow, made Ruka felt a little guilty for trying to involve him with his scheme.
"You're very lucky, Ruka," Mochu stated losing hope for himself. He still did not know how to ask Anna out, and it was only around two more weeks before chocolates start brewing. "You do not have to worry about your date. You don't even have to think how to ask her out. You only have to think what you'll do for it."
Ruka only smiled, not wanting to say anything that will further make the other guys feel frustrated and envious.
"By the way," Iinchou uttered curiously. He, compared to Mochu, did not look hopeless, or at least he did not seem to be. Ruka wonders if there was something Iinchou was not sharing to them. "Do you already have plans for your date with Hotaru, Ruka?"
"Sure," the blonde-boy with the rabbit replied casually. "But I won't go into details. I assure you that it's really special and Hotaru would surely fall head over heels with me again."
"Again?" the quiet raven-haired boy suddenly smirked when he heard what his bestfriend has just said. "How sure are you that she's in love with you now?"
Ruka knew that Natsume did not intend to offend him, and he was not offended either way. Instead of answering, however, he retorted, "How about you, Natsume? Do you have any plans for Valentine's Day?"
"None," his bestfriend replied casually with a shrug of the shoulder.
"You don't plan to ask anyone for a date?" Iinchou asked.
Too cheesy, he thought. I wouldn't be caught dead giving flowers and chocolates to anyone.
Besides, the only girl he wanted to ask probably already has a long list of potential dates with a certain red head leading the race.
When Natsume said that he has no plans, Ruka made a comment about his idea of dating, "That's right. Natsume Hyuuga doesn't go on dates. He just watches other people date."
Everyone burst out laughing, but abruptly hushed when a pair of red eyes warned them of a possibility of being burned at the stake.
"Maybe you should ask her before someone does," said Kokoro breaking the silence. "It may not be too late."
With this, he was almost certain that he saw flames emerged out of Natsume, and instantly gave Ruka a nervous glance.
He heard the Black Cat's thoughts so clearly as if he really mouthed it, "Stay away from my thoughts or I'll burn you alive."
The mind-reader let out an uncertain laugh and followed it with a mumbled "sorry".
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Whatever it was, Ruka's plan worked. It started Natsume thinking of stepping up and asking Mikan out for Valentine's Day.
The Black Cat has been sleepless for many nights just pacing around his spacious room. He was arguing to himself the pros and cons of asking Mikan for a date. He was thinking what it would do to his pride. Besides, she would probably just laugh at him when he asks her to be his Valentine.
I don't even know what to do on dates.
This made him think of places they should see and go to if she agrees.
I'm way ahead of myself. I don't even know yet how to ask her.
He imagined the way guys in the movies ask girls out, and he felt like throwing up whenever he tries to see himself doing it.
I'm hopeless.
He stopped in front of the full-body mirror near his closet and stared at himself.
If I love her, I think this is my chance to tell her how I feel.
"I cannot believe I'm embarrassing myself," he shook his head and gave up.
Author's Notes: I hope you liked this chapter as much as the other. Hopefully, we're getting somewhere.
So who were the someones here? I think there are four in total. Remember? "Someone's would finally think about asking someone out"
Don't forget your reviews, guys. I really want to know what you think, since it has been a while since I last wrote the other chapters. I'll be waiting.
Next Chapter: Valentine's Day. A lot of things happen on this fateful day. What would Valentine's be like for our favorite couple?
It's really almost here, guys... That cold and empty night... Only one more week and three days...
