Another long update. I got excited eh! I hope you enjoy reading this. Something will happen in this chapter. Of course. Haha. Enjoy, everyone!
Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice and the Can't take that away Song.
Chapter 10: School Festival (Day 1)
(Mikan's POV)
I paced back and fort in our living room. I woke up too early and I can't sleep anymore. I'm getting too anxious. What if I mess up later? What if I embarrass myself? What if... Oh, there's no use being so pessimistic. I have to calm myself down. Well, in an attempt to calm myself, I ran to the kitchen to make coffee but my hands are shaking that I ended up burning myself with hot water. It's nothing too serious but still, It hurts.
"Mikan, what are you doing? It's too early." I heard grandpa who usually wakes up at this time.
"I'm so nervous, grandpa. I can't stop shaking. The thought of playing in front of so many people makes me so nervous. I'm not even practiced enough. What if I mess up?" I said to him as I miserably sit down at the couch.
"Don't think about it. Just think of the people you want to play for. Think positively. Listen Mikan, a song is a reflection of your soul. It tells your story, your feelings and what you want to say. That is what makes a song so beautiful." Grandpa explained to me. I thought about what grandpa said and somehow I stopped shaking but the nervousness is still there.
"Thanks grandpa!" I smiled and hugged him.
"Oh, this child! Remember Mikan, I'll always be here with you. If in the future I can no longer stay by your side, just know that I'll always be here." He said and pointed at my heart.
"As long as you remember me, I will always be alive in you. I'm not getting younger and I just hope that you won't forget anything that I've taught you." He said and he smiled at me.
"Why are you talking like you're going away? Don't talk like that grandpa, I don't like it." I frowned at him. He put a finger in between my eyebrows to remove my frown.
"Even if you don't like it, it's the truth. And you must live your life like its your last even if you're certain that it isn't because you'll never know when it happens. It just happens without warning. Live your life to the fullest so you won't have any regrets. Now, fix your things. Prepare for your performance so you won't be late." He said and I nodded.
Grandpa went to the kitchen to prepare our breakfast and I went upstairs to my bedroom. I just hope everything will be alright.
"Sakuraaaaa!" I almost jumped in surprise when somebody shouted my name. I looked at where the shout came from and saw Rei waving at me excitedly.
"What? It's too early to be shouting you know" I said in annoyance. It's so early and she's shouting.
"Sorry. It's just that, your dress... is so amazing! You have to see it, now. Let's go!" She said and dragged me to the classroom. We reached the classroom and found people, mostly girls, gathering around something blocking our way.
"Uh... What's happening?" I asked.
"She's here!" Someone shouted and immediately the crowd parted and my jaw dropped, literally.
There I saw, held by Megumi herself, the most beautiful dress I've ever saw. It was simple and just above the knee, it was white with a little pink. It was perfect. (check my tumblr account to see the dress. Tumblr: MitsukaiYuki)
"So, what do you think, Sakura?" Meg asked me with a smile.
"It's... perfect. Megumi you're a genius!" I said and ran to her.
"Put this on and we'll fix your hair." She said and handed me the dress. I nodded and went to my seat—not forgetting to greet people along the way—to put my things there before going to the restroom to change my clothes. Oh, did I forget to tell you that we won't be doing our activity in the classroom? Oh my bad. Hotaru managed to convince the principal to let us use a bigger room since it requires a big room. None of the other classes complained though. I wonder what Hotaru did.
I quickly changed my clothes so that I can do a last-minute practice later after I finish preparing myself. I failed to see myself in the mirror since I rushed back to the classroom.
"I'm done changing." I announced as I entered the classroom.
They all turned to me and froze. Literally.
"What? Anything wrong?" I asked. I suddenly feel conscious. With the staring and all.
"Yes! Something's wrong like, really wrong!" Rei said and she ran to me and dragged me to a chair and made me sit.
"That hairdo is a no no!" She said while shaking her head. She asked somebody for some things I failed to catch. She then turned to me and asked for a brush. I gave her mine and she started fixing my hair. I waited for a few minutes and tada, she's done.
"Wow so fast!" I said in amazement.
"Of course." She said proudly. "Now the only problem is your make-up."
"Do I have to?" I asked. I'm really not so fond of make-up. It's difficult to remove.
"Yes you have to. And we won't need that glasses. You could just use contact lenses." She said as she analyzed me. Probably looking for 'needs improvement'.
"I don't need contacts. I'm fine without my glasses but I won't feel so comfortable without it." I explained but she shook her head.
"No. You won't wear your glasses. It won't go well with your dress." I frowned. I'm starting to like my dress less and less. What's with all this, not this, not that? So annoying.
"I'll do your make-up." We looked at the one who spoke. Yamada.
"Don't get funny ideas. I'll do this and we're finally even." She said and I nodded. She went to me and put out her make-up kit. Wow she has so many! As expected of her. She started to apply make-up on me and I just sat there waiting patiently.
It didn't take too long and she finished applying make-up on me. "There. Finished. You don't need heavy make-up. It doesn't suit you. We'll go for natural." She said and nodded in approval like she just finished a masterpiece.
"So, how do I look?" I asked. She handed me a mirror and when I saw myself in the mirror, my jaw dropped for the second time today. I looked so... different. It's like looking at a stranger. My make-up is so light like she didn't apply much on my face. My hairstyle is also great. It's let down and some of my hair are braided together. You know, like a crown.
"Wh–who is this!" I asked in amazement. For a while I didn't recognize myself. I looked at the others and I found them looking like me. Well, they're frozen with their mouths hanging open. They couldn't believe it either.
"Yeah, we couldn't believe it either. My gosh it's you!" Megumi said.
"Wow! You look so different, Sakura!" Aki exclaimed.
"I know right? You look so cute!" Rei shouted. Then the others joined too. This is all so new to me. I've never been noticed before and now they are doing something for me and I'm so happy! "Thank you!" I said to them.
"We're the ones who should thank you. You managed to organize everything. I'm sure with this we'll win." Aki said to me and everyone nodded.
"Just good luck on you're performance later. We'll watch and we'll sure to cheer and support you." Megumi said with a smile.
"Thanks, really. That reminds me, I need to do a last-minute practice. Oh Gosh, I'm getting so nervous." I pat my chest in an attempt to calm my nerves.
"That's to be expected. It's your first time, isn't it? Just do your best okay!" I feel so happy with what they said to me. They're encouraging me. I smiled at them and told them I should go and they nodded.
I went to the auditorium again. It will be my last time practicing this song here. I'll keep in mind, their encouragement. I suddenly feel as though I'm forgetting something. I shook my head and resume practicing.
Time goes by so fast and without knowing it, I'm going to be performing. I'm currently backstage waiting for the cue. I tried calming myself. Breathing in and out repeatedly. Come to think of it, I haven't seen those three at all since this morning. Hotaru and Ruka-pyon are probably busy with things and Natsume's out there somewhere as usual.
"Good luck, Mikan-chan." I smiled at him. The only one who calls me Mikan-chan is Narumi-sensei.
"Thank you, Narumi-sensei!"
"Oh my, you're so beautiful~!" He said and he hugged me.
Something happened that made me forget that I'm nervous for a split second. Narumi-sensei suddenly got kicked off me. "Disgusting. Stop those disgusting acts in front of me, gay teacher." a cold voice spoke. I looked at the three new people who have different looks on their faces. Two are disgusted and one in sympathy. Natsume was the one who spoke and kicked Narumi-sensei.
"She's my daughter, you can't stop me! And she's so adorable, I can't help it~!" He cried.
Hotaru and Natsume glared at him. "Scram."
Ruka-pyon decided to interrupt, "Uh, Narumi-sensei. You're the host. You need to go out there now." I looked at him gratefully for stopping another war. Narumi-sensei nodded and miserably walked out to the stage and started speaking.
Ruka-pyon went to me, "Uh, I have something to do but I just came to say good luck. We'll watch you later, okay?" He said and hugged me of course in a friendly way then someone called for him and he bid us goodbye. Man, he's so busy.
Hotaru recieved a phone call and she muttered a cursed. "Can't you do anything by yourselves? Ugh. Fine. I'll be right there." She said and hung up. She looked at me and nodded.
"Good luck. Better make me watch a good one or else." She said threateningly. Was that supposed to be an encouragement or a threat? She then walked out leaving me and Natsume in an awkward silence.
"Cut it out. This awkward silence is annoying." He said in annoyance. "What. You're so nervous you can't talk? Tch." He added.
I twitched in annoyance, "Why are you here?" I asked emphasizing the you.
"Was dragged." He simply said. I figured Hotaru and Ruka-pyon dragged him in herE considering he was in the middle.
"Oh. Then why are you still here?" I asked.
It took him awhile to reply. "No reason."
"You are so... Ugh. Whatever." I said in surrender. He answers question mostly with two words.
Silence.
"SOMEONE WILL PERFORM FOR YOU TODAY. A STUDENT, MY DAUGHTER! WELL, NOT MINE ACTUALLY BUT SHE'S LIKE MY DAUGHTER." Narumi-sensei went on talking about me and I knew he's gonna call me anytime now. I started hyperventilating.
I felt a warm hand rested on my head and when I looked, imagine my surprise it was Natsume. "It's not the end of the world, stupid. Calm down."
Strange, it was not an encouragement but rather it was an insult yet why do I seem to calm down with just those words. Could it possibly because he doesn't seem to be the type to encourage anyone? I don't know but my breathing automatically slowed to its normal pace.
"HERE SHE IS... MIKAN SAKURA!" There goes my cue. I felt the warm hand on my head disappear and I suddenly felt disappointed. But I was suddenly pushed gently. "Get going, polka."
My head snapped to his direction. "Don't call me that!"
I smiled at him before going onstage but is it just my imagination or did I just see a ghost of a smile in his lips? Him? Smiling? Impossible. Must be my imagination.
A student came to me and handed me a mic. I thanked him and went to where Narumi-sensei is. "Hello everyone!" I smiled at the audience. I heard gasps from the audience and some comments like 'is she really Sakura?', 'Wow, she's cute!', 'Her dress is so beautiful!' And so many more.
"What will you be performing for us today, Mikan-chan?" Narumi-sensei asked.
"I'll be singing and playing the piano." I answered.
"Well, if you please." i nodded and walked towards the piano already set on stage and sat down. I placed the mic on the stand and breathed in and out. "This is a song I made for both myself and everyone. I hope you enjoy it." I smiled at the audience again and then began playing. I started with the intro and I started singing the lyrics. I closed my eyes and concentrated.
"They can say,
Anything they want to say,
Try to bring me down,
But I will not allow anyone to succeed hanging clouds over me,
And they can try
Hard to make me feel that I,
Don't matter at all,
But I refuse to falter in what I believe or lose faith in my dreams."
I won't let them degrade me. I won't give up. I'll make them see that I'm strong. I'm not weak. I'm not alone. Grandpa, Narumi-sensei, my classmates, new friends, Ruka-pyon, Hotaru and believe it or not, Natsume is included. They're my strength... to keep moving forward.
"'Cause there's,
There's a light in me,
That shines brightly,
They can try,
But they can't take that away from me
From me"
I'm certain that some things changed and some things didn't and some things will but this time, I will try my best in everything. For sure. I hope those who are listening to me and to this song, I hope it will reach their heart and for them to understand.
"Oh they,
They can do
Anything they want to you,
If you let them in,
But they won't ever win,
If you cling to you pride, and just push them aside,
See I,
I have learned,
There's an inner peace I own,
Something in my soul that they can not possess
So I won't be afraid and the darkness will fade"
This song is for those who were like me. Like who I used to be. Those who are bullied, alone, who lost their way. I hope they will be reached with this. The bullying won't stop. I know that. But I won't lose...
"'Cause there's,
There's light in me,
That shines brightly, yes
They can try,
But they can't take that away from me"
...Because I'm not alone. I know that now. Still, I can't shake off the feeling like something is missing from my life. I have friends now so it can't be that. I have a family, grandpa and Narumi-sensei. What could it be?
"No oh oh,
They can't take this
Precious love I'll always have inside me,
Certainly the Lord will guide me where I need to go"
While playing and singing, I thought of all the things that happened to me. I experienced so many firsts ever since I've met them. Hotaru, Ruka-pyon and Natsume. I'm glad I met them. I opened my eyes. I saw Natsume standing in the corner. He was still standing from where I entered the stage watching me with an unreadable expression. Next, I saw Hotaru and Ruka-pyon in the audience where I assume has a great view of me. Hotaru is recording my performance and I could see money shinning in her eyes and Ruka-pyon smiling at me. I close my eyes again after seeing them.
"Woah, woah
They can say
Anything they want to say,
Try to bring me down,
But I won't face the ground,
I will rise steadily sailing out of their reach,
Lord, they do try,
Hard to make me feel that I,
Don't matter at all,
But I refuse to falter,
In what I believe or lose faith in my dreams,
'Cause there's a light in me,
That shines brightly yes"
Suddenly, I remembered what grandpa told me this morning. Live your life like it's your last. I'm sure I would from today on.
"They can try but they can't take that away from me."
I opened my eyes as I sang the last words. I was surprised to find myself crying but I am more surprised to see the audience crying too. Some are totally crying their eyes out, some cried a few tears, and some are nearly there. Somehow, Natsume, Hotaru and Ruka-pyon disappeared from where they used to be. I couldn't see them anymore. I wiped my own tears and stood up taking the mic with me. I went to where Narumi-sensei is standing only to find him frozen with an unreadable expression.
I nudge Narumi-sensei and he blinked in surprise. I mouthed a 'it's your turn.' to him and I'm glad he understood me. "Wow! That's uh... I don't know what to say, really. I'm speechless, Mikan-chan. You made that song?" Narumi-sensei asked after wiping his own tears.
"Yes." I answered through the mic.
"How did you come up with such heart-warming song?" He asked. This question is so not in the script. And I was startled a bit by that but I didn't show it.
"I don't really know. It suddenly came to me. I was just talking to a friend and he gave me the idea. Unconsciously. Also, my grandpa told me that a song is a reflection of the soul. So I decided to give it my all to perform that song today." I said.
"Oh! Thank you for that wonderful song, Mikan-chan! You've truly melted our hearts with it." Narumi-sensei smiled at me proudly.
"I'm so glad it did." I muttered and smiled at him and the audience. I bowed and went backstage again. I found the others there waiting for me.
"Wow, Mikan that was super!" Aki came to me first and handed me one flower. A red rose. He hugged me to congratulate me and I thanked him.
Megumi came to me next also handing me a single red rose. "You are so amazing back there! Congrats!" She said and hugged me too.
Rei came next. "Ah. I'm speechless. You made me cry!" She said and hugged me before giving me another red rose.
The others also came to me to congratulate me. Each and everyone of them giving me a single red rose. Yamada and her group also gave me one but didn't hug or say anything more just 'Here. Congrats.' I thanked them with a smile. I went to our classroom while everyone went back to watch the program.
I came back and saw Ruka-pyon and Hotaru. Hotaru has a small smile, what a surprise. I walked towards them. "I did it! I didn't mess up!" I shouted in joy and the two of them laughed at me. Well, Hotaru laughed a little.
"I'm pleased, Mikan. This video will make me rich!" She said.
"You're already rich." Ruka-pyon and I said at the same time with the same blank expression. "I know." She said. Ruka-pyon and I looked at each other and laughed.
"Congrats on not messing up, Mikan! Here." He said and handed me a white rose.
"I'll give you this and a free copy of your performance since I feel like being kind. Don't get used to it." Hotaru said and also gave me a white rose. "Thanks." I said. I'm so touched by all the kindness I've received today.
"Come on Ruka. I have to record the other performances. More money." Hotaru said then she grabbed Ruka-pyon and dragged him out leaving me alone in the classroom. I placed all the roses I received on my desk. I looked out the window and saw the sakura tree Natsume and I claimed. Suddenly, I want to go there. It seems so peaceful and so right to be there. So I left the classroom and walked to where the sakura tree is.
When I got there, I automatically looked up and sure enough he's there.
Without saying anything, I sat down and leaned on the tree. I knew that he knew I was there but we both stayed silent. I closed my eyes to rest and I suddenly felt tired. I don't know how long I sat there but I opened my eyes when I felt something soft drop on my lap. It was a bunch of sakura flowers. I looked up but I found Natsume gone. How long was he gone? I didn't even hear him leave, was I really that tired?
I got up and dusted my dress. I brought the sakura flowers with me and I ran back to the classroom to get my things and change my clothes. I have to ask Narumi-sensei permission to leave early. I'm sure I'll fall asleep right after I lay in my bed. I reached the classroom and I went to my seat. I found a different flower on my desk separated with the roses I received today. It was a daffodil.
I picked up the daffodil and wondered who might be the one who placed this here. Was it Natsume? Ruka-pyon, Hotaru? no. They just gave me one. While I was busy wondering who it might be, Hotaru, Ruka-pyon and Natsume suddenly appeared beside me. "What's that?" Ruka-pyon inquired.
"Someone gave me this daffodil. I don't know who though." I said.
It happened so fast that my eyes almost failed to see what happened. "Throw it." Hotaru said at the same time Natsume grabbed it from me and crushed it in his hand and threw it to the ground and Ruka-pyon stepped on it, completely destroying the flower.
"What are you doing?" I asked as I watched them disbelieving. The others also turned to us to see the commotion.
Hotaru turned to me with a hard look and spoke, "Giving a bunch of daffodils means rebirth, new beginnings and eternal life. It also symbolizes joy and happiness. But..."
"A single daffodil foretells misfortune."
End of Chapter
Yay! Long!
Who gave the daffodil to Mikan? Was it Natsume? No. He just crushed it. It can't be him. Was it one of her classmates? Was it someone who hates her? Or are they just being so paranoid? Who knows, maybe the sender don't really know what it means...
-MitsukaiYuki