Sweet Days
Chapter 10
Disclaimer: Honestly, I'm tired of typing this everytime! I don't own Gakuen Alice! There, happy?
Youichi struggled keeping up with his devious angel. She was playing cupid for sure. He just wasn't sure if Aoi was actually planning or just going with the flow. It was definitely difficult to ask if she was in this state also...
"Oh god, I'm getting the worst headaches I could ever imagine!" Aoi groaned for the billionth time. She was whining before school, during school and after school. Youichi wondered how long it would last because he wouldn't last long.
"Aoi-chan, if you want, you could go home and rest. I'll call Ruka-san to help me!" Mikan grinned as she continued to stuff the raw chicken.
Aoi's eyes seemed to sparkle with excitement as she replied, "Oh! Will you? That'd be brilliant Mikan-chan! I'll leave you my number just in case you forget home to get home, alright?"
"No problem. Ruka-san will probably help me with it, Aoi-chan. You should go home with Youichi and get some rest for tomorrow," Mikan suggested.
"No, no. You should be getting some sleep too. The next round is in a week! That's only seven days! Gosh, I cannot imagine how fast time goes by when..."
"Alright, alright. Let's talk in the car. See you hag," Youichi smirked at Mikan who stuck her tongue out at him childishly. Aoi waved at her as she was dragged out by Youichi. "Spill it. What's with you trying to get her to be alone with Onii-san. And why is she still with you guys? She should be with her parents!"
Aoi sighed, "She's having some problems and we were the ones who caused it. It's our responsibilty." Her solemn face disappeared as a cat-like grin appeared instead, "You know, when Mikan-chan ate the bento Onii-chan made the other day, she was blushing! Yes, she was blushing - did you notice? Probably not, I thought it was the sweetest thing ever. So now I want them to get together and -"
Youichi shook his head, "Slow down there. Just let them be for the moment. We haven't had alone time for a while either."
She laughed, "You're jealous?"
"No! And by the way, was it deliberate that you put Onii-san's number down instead of your own?" He started up the car.
"Oh crud! I put Onii-san's down?!" Aoi gasped but then gave her sly smile again, "I guess it was meant to be."
"You creepy, creepy girl," Youichi exhaled but Aoi just leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
"You still love me though right?"
Natsume's eyebrow twitched. "You have got to be kidding."
"I'm sorry Natsume, but I called Ruka-san first but i was voicemail. And Aoi-chan left her number then it turnedout to be you. I'm sorry!"
"Whatever. Ruka was going to find you anyway." He ran a hand through his sleek dark hair. "Here." He passed her a similar note like before and Mikan took a deep breath before she read:
Chef Battle 2013
That was a brilliant attempt for some and a glorious victory for others.
40 chefs remain to fight, 20 have left and there are 4 more rounds.
The easiest task has flown by now it's time to announce the second round... Oily Olives.
The Nogis say once again:
'Cheating will be counted as an insult towards the Nogi Family. Well done to the remaining contestants and we wish you all good luck in the upcoming challenges.'
"Olives? I've never tasted olives! Much less cook them," she felt the pressure raising once more.
"Then you better start," Natsume growled at her.
Mikan whimpered and hurried off to the loaded fridge that had a little jar of olives. "I found them."
"Then hurry up!"
Ruka finally burst, yelling at the paparazzi, "Step away from my home or I will call the police. You are damaging property!"
"Then will you please at least tell us, is Mikan Sakura really your pawn?" one reporter asked sticking a recorder close to Ruka's face.
His face boiled and he screamed, "No! Now get lost!"
Most of them scurried off and the others just complained and sat down on his lawn again. Ruka sighed. Getting a competitor was easy, but stopping rumours was a completely different thing. About their love triangle, Mikan's devious plan to win, his and Natsume's blackmails, their cheats and it was all because of Luna Koizumi and her bitchy contestant.
They spreaded them, along with Mikan's private secrets.
Although Ruka had not known Mikan long, he knw this would hurt her. He could tell she was a nice, caring girl who couldn't bare to hurt her friends. And here she was. Being made fun of by her own good friend because of a stupid cooking show. Was it really that important as to break someone's strong bond? All he could now was to hide it all from Mikan.
He sat down on his couch and re-read the magazine article:
Chef Battle 2013
That was a brilliant attempt for some...
Behind the Scenes
No matter how the Nogis continue to bring up the idea of an honest battle, there are still liars amongst us:
Cheaters.
Mikan Sakura, a perfectly fine girl on the outside but who can tell when she bunches together with the famous two? Natsume Hyuuga and Ruka Nogi.
They are both victims of her evilness. She has been seen threatening them into giving her a spot just because her good friend (Anna Umenomiya - see page 23) was also included in this. She has also blackmailed the judges into giving her a spot in the finals and forcing her mentors into cheating for her.
Mikan Sakura: liar, blackmailer, cheater.
In her normal school, Alice Academy, she has been called these names all too often.
Wakako Usami states: 'Ever since she got a one star in cooking a stupid tart in Home Ec, she's been too confident - thinking she's the best and all. Anna is a brilliant girl who cook quietly but wonderfully. Mikan is always jealous. She keeps making Anna mess up. It's so cruel to see her messing with a good friend just because of some jealousy over her talent of cooking.'
Now, onto the judges comments on the recent battle. It is revealed that both Koko and...
He ripped up a page of the magazine. The top half had the annoucement and the bottom was... well, the rumours. That was the reason why Mikan always recieved a note instead of the magazine. Sighing, he remembered what Natsume had told him when thy were judging the cupcakes.
"Ruka, if we have this girl then that means we'll have the responsibilty of protecting her too. You understand, don't you?"
Rua ndded in response and Natsume continued, "Don't put her down for any interviews if avoidable. And don't put down her real address for anything. That'll make her too easy to track down. Don't let her even close enough to see a gossip magazine on Chef Battle. Do you understand?"
"Yes... But what about in school? She's completely vunerable there."
"I know. That's why Aoi volunteered to go to that school."
Ruka shouted, "But that's unfair to Mikan-chan! She's our problem now..."
"It'll be fine Ruka," Natsume gave him a reassuring smile.
Hotaru stepped in, "So you were in on it weren't you?"
He turned around and gave her a brilliant smile, "Of course. You are her best friend so I didn't expect you not to hear about all this. You won't tell her though, will you?"
"Depends. If it is vital, then you can't expect me to sit down and watch as she falls," Hotaru remarked and sat down next to Ruka. "The thing is, she doesn't know her parents have seen it. You are going to sort this out, correct?"
Ruka just shook his head, "Mikan-chan... She believes her parents are keeping her away because they refuse to let her compete right?"
"Yes."
"Then... We'll figure something out." Ruka stood up, "Want anything to sooth your nerves?"
She raised a brow, "You mean your nerves Nogi. I'm in no way involved. I'm simply an onlooker who happens to be her best friend."
"Then I suggest a jasmine tea... for both of us."
End of Chapter 10
Merry Christmas guys! Awesome reviews! I hope to make this story romantic as possible! Thinking of possible situations... I'll update soon. But if you're anxious, there is a notice on my profile. ;) Oh! Notice anything different about this chapter?