CHAPTER TEN
The Boy With Azul Eyes
We are currently in the city hall right now because it is where the competition which is called 'Statistics Quiz' is occurring. I am still reviewing my stuffs because it would be a shame to me and my group if I didn't do my best in it. But crap to all those solving questions because only some of them can actually make my brain work. Sucks.
So as a solution to our problem. Our coaches, Mrs. Bascillisa Victorina Mandac and Mrs. Neva Jane Manding, just put us into categories. We became files. Are we really just a thing to you teachers?
Because my brain has guts to memorize something, I got one of the hardest tasks in joining competitions. It is actually a group which I silently thanked hard because if ever this competition is in singles, I would've burnt into a crisp. So I was saying I got one of the thickest reviewers among the group and trust me taking these informations out of the paper and into my head is a very super big deal to me.
Because it just felt like they are some kind of secrets. You know, because you can't tell it to others especially when the competition is going on. Who the heck would have the guts to betray your own group by gossiping the answer to other groups?
That's definitely not my style.
Diane got the easiest one; she is the one who has the easiest part among us three. She only does solving and trust me that she has the easiest work because she do know something about mathematics and is one of Jin jin's so called best students in class. He would always brag that to everyone and always tells us who stand out this day, this week, this month and this year. Yeah right, as if we cared.
The one who got the toughest work is none other than Ms. Mayor because she or rather he got all the works of us combined. Yes, both solving and memorizing but I'm kind of shocked that he didn't even say something about it. For a bistch, he is actually something.
So here we are the hallway of the city hall and waited with the other contestants for the show to begin and of course with nothing left to do, we decided to review more and check out for the posters inside just in case.
Memorizing things over the weekend and yesterday is so tiring and not to mention boring but guess what, I did have managed to have guts to ditch Jin jin's class.
Bah! This is just so stupid! Maybe by now, I am already taking down notes about the English Literature and that, people, is my favorite of all. The history of everything especially English men… ummm, not men but the English people in general. I really don't know why but Old English Literature makes me feel like I have lived with them because I just feel something like a connection between us. You know, sparks fly whenever I get to know it better.
I stood up from my seat and went into the poster my group mates are currently looking at and mind you, they called me so I need to go there as soon as possible because who knows what our mayor could do when I did not. He is after all a bistch.
So I was saying I am looking at the stats of the sales of different agricultural products here in our region and I could see plenty of bar lines racing up until it reaches the top but only one reached the top though. Guess I should really have to accept the fact that in everything there is only one winner… I changed my mind; I am going to be the one to break that ridiculous belief of people, what is the use of the word 'tie'?
I mean come on, not everything has a winner and there is also a possibility that there would be winners so we must be open minded into everything. I did even tied myself in first place with Koko when we did our race at the beach last summer.
"Hey." Our lovely mayor asked me while raising one of his brows up and his reviewers in one hand.
"Uh, yeah?"
Mark pointed the bar graphs infront of us and said, "You have to memorize all of this, which is the highest and lowest. No one knows if I needed a back-up… and also memorize those other posters at the edge." He added pointing at the posters near the entrance.
Talk about manners. Somehow, I can't ask myself how he became our mayor. Talk about student's leadership again. I bet this is what leaders truly do to their poor members.
As for me, I acted that I have already faced the fact that I am a 'loser' at school which I will never ever accept till my death. I mean come on, seriously, you yourself telling your own that you're a loser? Geez… not in my plans.
I succumbed to his request or more like his command and made my way to the posters at the entrance. I just hope that there is something worth coming here to get this day, or else I'll be damned. I'm pretty sure that those two would put the blame on me. F*cking bistches.
Do they even know what 'teamwork' means?
I didn't get what happened to me because I just felt my body sprawled to the ground and good thing we are dressed in our PE uniform or else my freaking long skirt would've hiked up again.
I groaned in pain and reached for my back. Seriously, it hurt.
"I-I'm so sorry!" I heard someone say and due to my closed eyes I couldn't see his face. 'His' because I am pretty sure that it is a boy judging by his deep voice which has a tint of… nervousness?
I opened my eyes to see a blond boy with striking sapphire eyes. Heaven. I don't know if I am seeing the true one because honestly, I can really see chibi angels blowing their trumpets in his background not to mention the heavenly aura coming off from them.
I snapped back in reality when I realized that he is offering his hand for too long, there aren't people watching us because they are too engrossed about the contest which I freaking curse a lot especially my so-called teammates who didn't do anything right but to command me here and there.
Oh the joy of having these teammates.
I took his hand and he helped me get up. Such a gentleman, I hope that freaking Hyuuga could've been just like him. Wait. Why is he flying freely around my mind?
Shoo! Shoo! Go away Hyuuga!
"I-I'm so sorry." He is still holding my hand and it's my pleasure to tell you that his hand is soft… so soft soft soft that I could hold it so much longer than he intended to do. He helped me up while I was still busy staring at his lovely blue eyes. Perfect nose, soft creamy skin and not to mention his kissable lips all etched into his beautiful face. So handsome.
Wait.
Am I turning into a pervert already?
No. It can't be.
Maybe I was just attracted to him. Being a pervert when I am only admiring his looks is not a good proof… yes, I am only attracted to him.
He raised his head and looked at me in the eyes. Oh please be attracted with my hazel orbs!
'You've got beautiful eyes my dear.'
My jaws dropped a little and just stared at him with dreamy eyes. Maybe this is the effect of not having relationships until now but having this bubbly feeling inside you is rather soothing.
Kyaa!
Then I noticed his other hand waving infront of me. I still looked at him in my dreamy state.
"Did you just said my eyes are beautiful?" I asked dreamily. Wait, why did that thing slipped through my tongue?!
He chuckled when I asked that. "As far as I remember I didn't told you anything about that matter, miss."
I felt my face flush and my current expression just flushed away in a glimpse. Heck. Don't tell me I was hallucinating of him saying that my eyes are beautiful! I stood up and dusted my pants but my hand was still entrapped by his. I wonder when will he let go of me.
"Ummm… can I get my hand back?" he asked sheepishly and true enough, I was the one who was holding his hand tightly.
Crap.
Now I looked like a desperate girl!
I immediately let go of his hand and muttered sorry. I thought I am not like any of those bistches around school but I am starting to doubt myself. Heck, how can this boy make me feel this way? And the worst is this is the first time that I met him.
I heard him chuckle again and I saw him stretch his hand once again to me. "I'm Ruka Nogi."
Without any further ado I took his hand and shook it gently. "Mikan. Mikan Sakura."
"Mikan, a pleasure to meet someone like you." He said and bowed slightly to me. Somehow there's this feeling inside me that makes me want him to continue saying my name over and over again just to satisfy my guts. He sure do look and act like a prince. Just like a real prince. I won't mind if he decided to run away with me from his castle, I sure would love that ;).
I frown a little bit when he let go of my hand and it seemed like he was observing me, maybe he is also a competitor like me. I looked at his school uniform and judging by the symbol of his shirt it seems like he came from Kitaro High. That school is also one of the elites here in our place and it is well known for its ability that almost all of the students that graduated in there are certified as a professional right after getting their licenses. It would be great for me if I did entered there because their major is medicine and I am forced by my parents to get a course related to that.
Same school with him won't be that too bad.
I smiled inside and started to get out details of the school and him. Ah, this feeling I am feeling right now might've been the effect of me being unsociably active. Too unsociable.
"You're from Gakuen Alice , right?" he suddenly asked and I just nodded in return. Seriously, if ever you met someone like him in your life it's hard to say some answer to him while his handsome face is busy hooking you off. Very dangerous indeed.
Maybe this is what Sumire is feeling towards Hyuuga… but I guess not because I am still not acting head-over-heels with this guy. Possibly her feelings towards him is much stronger than what I am feeling right now.
Wait.
Am I in love with this boy?
No. You must be kidding me.
First time of meeting seriously? I didn't even fell in love with Orlando Bloom the first time I saw him! But I did fell in love with Taylor Swift the first time I saw her… but that's not the case!
"You must be busy, I'll be giving you space now Mikan." He turned to leave but I tugged his sleeve instinctively but because of what I've done he managed to give me a perplexed look. Damn! What am I thinking?
Without any ideas floating in my mind right now I only managed to ask him if he is attending the contest.
"That's why I am here? Are there any reasons?" he chuckled.
Of course damn it! Why do a freaking fifteen year old boy or maybe older/younger is doing in the city hall at a supposedly class hour?
Crap all crapped. The question I gave him was too lame and then with a flick of his wrist, he bid me goodbye and strode away.
I didn't even have the chance to say my goodbye to him since I was too tongue tied to everything that happened. Why didn't my time turned slow motion when he's still near me?
This stupid unfair life!
I didn't went to see the posters anymore because I am too caught up from the situation before. So I just went back to my groupmates and just trusted what my guts would say when we are inside the competition.
I wonder if it would turn out just fine like what I have expected because if it is not then I will face the cruel discrimination of both my teachers and teammates. Surely, I would be the one at blame if something like that happens because I am only a mere student. A mere student that doesn't have any status at school except the fact that she's also a ranking student.
Stupid school, maybe going to Kitaro High would be a great solution to my problem but to my dismay I have siblings and because I have them… you know what I mean already.
Sometimes I would wish that someday my parents would actually notice me being me and not me and my grades. I felt like they're taking me for granted. Geez, what kind of parents are they if they are doing that to me? But honestly… I can feel it and it pierces my heart everytime I would become pessimistic to any of that thought.
I would just console myself that it is only an idea of my imaginative brain and not a fact and somehow it works on me.
"Did you memorize it?" Mark entered my train of thoughts. I wonder if I could just lie or just ignore that question of him, I got nothing anyway.
"Kind of."
"Are you kidding me? Kind of? I wanted yes as an answer and if you answered yes then that means you are confident enough that you know facts even if you are not asked with a question, dimwit!" he snarled at me.
I took out my handkerchief and wiped my face. Gross, he just spat at me! I don't need a shower because I already had one back at home.
"You could've just told me that I have to say yes." I shot back.
"But you did not memorize it well stupid so it doesn't make any sense at all if you say yes." He raised his brow and I just stood there looking at him. Somehow during times like this, I still couldn't believe myself on how I could even lose to any person who is putting me down.
"Snap out of it you two. We're already been called in." Diane said plainly. For a devirginized person, I think she's doing well coping up from the news; it's kinda bit still fresh in the academy so it is still a sensitive topic for her especially when the remaining sluts inside tackles topics like kisses, contraceptives, bed, positions and sex. That is what all sluts are good at.
They are an eyesore and yet they have their nerve to call us as an outcast. Talk about them synchronizing with the academy; are those kinds of people even allowed to come to school? Not that I am questioning their rights but seriously people like them are freaky.
"What? Are you gonna stand there all day or you're coming along?" I heard Diane ask. Pssh, even though she has that face of hers she is still like the others. How mean.
I took my things on my former seat and strode myself inside the competition room. It wasn't that wide and the room has this smell of aircondition all in the air, it has maroon curtains on all windows and our seats are in the middle consisting of two columns and three seats per row. Somehow, I could feel the tension inside the room but anyhow I could feel this relief to myself and I just wonder why. Relief inside a room full of tension? Oh please.
There isn't any noises heard inside and we were ushered into our seat which is number eleven while our coaches stayed at the backmost part of the room… to avoid coaching and cheating of course.
Somehow the relief that I've been feeling before changed into nervousness and every bit of tension inside the room is what I can feel now. That's odd. We continued reviewing by asking questions to each other, our reviewers are left outside because inside the competition quarters, they do not allow reviewers to let in.
"Sakura." I heard Mark ask again. I looked at him and mentioned to continue what he is saying. "You better not mess this up, loser. We know that you're not good at this stuff and they must've been took you out of pity. So don't mess this up if you don't want to get messed up too."
It wasn't anything. It isn't a good luck or anything like 'let's do it together' or something like 'let's give our best and hope that we'll win'. Instead of anything like that, he just gave me an early warning… no scratch that, early threat.
"As if you don't do mistakes." I whispered to myself which luckily he didn't hear or else I would be a roasted chicken ready to serve by now. He is an intimidating person after all.
I looked around and started to search for the prince that I saw a little while ago. I know that I might have become someone too star-strucked from a person which I have just seen how many seconds ago. I suddenly closed my eyes and scratch my head messing my pigtails for a bit.
"What the hell Sakura! Are you trying to embarrass us?!" Diane hissed at me. Now what did I do wrong?!
"Do you freaking know that Gakuen Alice is an elite school for civilized people and you don't act like one, idiot!" Mark exclaimed. Keeping their voices down, their lectures towards me came spontaneous that I can't even catch every word they have been saying, 'idiot' here and 'idiot' there, 'loser' here and 'loser' there. Holy crap.
"Please settle down now ladies and gentlemen and the competition will start shortly."
That made them shut up for a while. Oh please bless their stupid butts along with their blabber mouth that only say freaking irritating things. It has been several minutes when the announcer came back once again with a cue card on hand.
"Welcome to the 23rd National Statistics Month Celebration. It has been an honor to be infront of everybody once again after my retirement in my position last year. I am the competition's host for today and I am glad to announce who are our judges for this year…etc."
The announcer was also a blabber mouthed guy so please bless him too. Sigh, never thought that competitions like this are far too boring. I wonder when this competition will start… and just like a cue the announcer officially announced the beginning of the contest.
He announced the schools that are participating and the names of each team and I'm a bit disappointed on how he said my name. Seriously, has be ever in our place before? He pronounced my name Sa-ku-ra as Saku-ra. The three syllable word became two! Great, now my name is one of the news tomorrow judging by the snickers I heard beside me.
Mark is seated in the middle since he is the one who is going to write down our answers, me on the left and Diane on the right. They provided us cardboards together with a chalk and a roll of tissue, that my friend is our answer sheet which we will show up if the announcer tells us that our times is up. Talk about grand.
I even saw Mark and Diane cringed as they took our materials from one of the facilitators. Can't blame them if they act too mighty and high all the time, they didn't even say any word to the facilitator when in fact Mark is our supposedly leader. Child nowadays.
I saw the prince from before again and my instincts are right, he is definitely from Kitaro High and his team looked like definitely professionals with all those glasses and all but Ruka is the only one who doesn't have one; of course, why would my prince hide his majestic eyes?
Wait, when did I ever decide to be his?
Holy fish crackers! I am too engrossed by him already and maybe this will become the reason why I couldn't concentrate myself on the contest. I swear if this one wouldn't turn out just great then I am 100% sure that I am a dead man.
Why would I dream about a boy like him anyway? There isn't a thing of mine that is attracting, other than my so-called ridiculous pigtails but it's an insult so I don't consider it as an attractive one in a sense that it could magnet your heart in just a glance. I just really hoped he mentioned that my eyes are beautiful.
Stupid life.
Stupid me. I have to let go of this stupid feeling before it starts to become too complicated. Being single forever is even a good thing… is it?
I sighed and let the contest go on in a blur. I wasn't even thinking and tried to tell facts to my teammates but they shrugged me off. So much for warning me then letting me off this suddenly, somehow I really hoped that we'll lose because another day with them makes me sick.
With nothing left to do, I just let my teammates answer the questions and let them bother me if they needed help. Geez, I knew they were scheming for this. Maybe they would tell me to our coaches so that they would get rid of me, crap for them I am seen unnoticed by our coaches and I purposely peered my head on their direction saying anything I want. Take that you bubble butts!
Just then, I noticed that Diane's computations are all in jumbles and all but I am certainly sure that her answer is wrong. The question is about some poker cards and the probability of getting this card and this so obviously it wouldn't get any farther than making the freaking long method. The answer is 14 but they put 4.
I held my breath and let Diane do more computations just to check their answer. I know it is wrong but when she said to Mark that it is the answer, my bag of patience burst and screamed: "The answer is 14 you idiot!"
Everyone stared at me: the judges, facilitators, competitors and not to mention, the coaches. And what's worst? The time was too far away from the time out.
And so some competitors started to scribble something on their cardboard, some believed me and some did not but honestly I know that it is the right answer.
"It isn't necessary to shout it out loud you freaking dimwit!" Mark scolded me.
"You are ridiculous Sakura." Diane said and wrote 14 in the cardboard, "I'm going to kill you if this is wrong."
It's embarrassing for several reasons and I'll just keep it. Crap everything including my stupid mouth!
Then thank God it is right but to my dismay, I never get any gratitude from them. They never liked me after all so I didn't take it deeply.
In a glimpse, the contest proper ended and guess who's the winner?
"Before we announce the winners of the contest, we would like to thank everybody for coming for the 23rd National Statistics Quiz Show especially to the participants who flawlessly shared their knowledge about the subject Statistics. I hope you all had fun though." He slightly went away from the microphone and discussed something with one of the judges, maybe the results.
"And now ladies and gentleman, the winner of this year of the 23rd National Statistics Quiz Show is…"
Drum roll for dramatic effect please!
"Gakuen Alice!"
And cheers were heard on the background including several moans like: 'What? Again?' and 'Gakuen Alice sure is unbeatable.'
We jumped on our joy and we held hands together with my freaking teammates but then suddenly the next thing I knew is I am jumping without holding anything. Geez. People like them are so complicated.
We were called infront and we took a picture then we were greeted by several people inside including the judges and the announcer but amidst the crowd, there is someone's greeting that stayed too long in my ears.
Voice so familiar and cool. Just like his own two orbs. "Congratulations." He smiled at me.
My teammates are gaping at us and looked from him and then to me. There's nothing between us though so I am not that too affected by their stares but when I think of it, having some kind of relationship with him is not too bad.
Here goes my heart again.
Stupid puberty.
"Y-you know him Sakura?" Diane asked, well I think she shouldn't have try to get this guy infront of me since I am already considering the fact that she has a boyfriend and that boyfriend of hers got her very everything already and yes, he is the one who took her.
As I was about to reply, Mark pushed me on the side and I kind of stumbled a bit. Who wouldn't? Seriously, a sudden push like that?
I glared at him but he continued to talk to the boy with sapphire eyes and started to chat things again… especially nonsense things. I composed myself once again and just stood there while looking at them. I didn't even have the chance to thank him for congratulating us.
Crap our class mayor.
"Ehehehe, really?" I heard Ruka say while rubbing his nape gently.
"Oh yes. And we even did a lot of things like this and that." Yep! Certainly nonsense things! And it is humiliating!
"W-well? I guess I have to say congratulations to you and your team then. You are truly awesome just like these past few years. Always the winner." He chuckled a bit and I swear that I could feel a tinge of uneasiness around him. First time meeting a blabber mouthed gay I presume?
To ease a bit of his tension I started to speak, "Thanks for greeting us." I smiled to him and he smiled back.
He came near me and reached out his hand for me to shake. "The gap is kind of bit far and the sudden shout was kind of helpful in a way." He chuckled and I blushed.
I took his hand and shook it. "You're group isn't bad at all too and about the shouting thing… I guess, that's not too important. Congratulations."
I kind of felt a satisfying feeling inside me and maybe that's because I have showed these two fellas here which are my so-called teammates that they aren't only the one who could do something unusual.
Take that for someone like me you stupid hags!
"Thanks I guess."
Awww… he looked so cute. Just then a flood of compliments are ready to get out out of my mouth, that's when Mark decided to screw everything.
"Wait. You mean you know this guy?" he asked pointing his middle finger to me. Whoa! Rude alert! Rude alert!
"Ah. Y-yes. Right, Mikan?" he asked looking at me. Oh yeah, he still didn't let go of my hands yet. Crap all of those crapped! I'm getting flushed at every second now!
"Ummm… yeah. So… can I get my hand back?" I asked him sheepishly. Hah! Using his own words towards him.
"Sorry." He immediately took his hand away fully flushed. Ahahaha, I'm soooo very embarrassed right now. Just by looking at him like this makes me all giddy. Again, crap puberty.
After some time of Diane's ranting about how I knew him, Ruka glanced at me and took my hand.
"I must say goodbye now, Mikan. I hope I'm going to see you again in the future." Then just like that. He bent his head and kissed the back of my palm.
Somebody kill me now.
He walked away after he gave me a gentle smile and I am too bewildered at what happened. I stood there with my mouth slightly hanging holding the part he just kissed, I wasn't even sure what was happening on my background now and I don't even care. Just when I decided to set my thoughts straight and just forget him, then he suddenly comes pulling me again to him.
Arggh! Why is this so complicated?!
But never mind, I think I won't mind that too seriously if ever we would meet again. I'll just get ready to our next meeting though, I wouldn't want myself bumping on him once again… but it's a great feeling bumping on his hard shoulders. I wonder if he's attending gym sessions.
My eyes widened and then I realized… I am so getting pervy now.
I shook my head and composed myself, blond hair with azul eyes. I'll definitely watch out for our next meeting.
To be continued…
Author's Note: Mikan Sakura meets Ruka Nogi! I wonder what will happen now. My updates are kind a bit slower than ever now and you will expect some slower updates soon since school starts on Monday (06/03/13). Ugh! Busy days are coming over once again but I hope you will still continue reading this. Thanks! =)
Reviews?