Ready To Fall

Author's Notes: So many months passed by, and I'm still here. sighs Everything has been busy. It's hard when you get to this stage of your life, you have to set priorities and follow them. But anyway, at least, I'm back. I just have to upload this super overdue chapter despite my injured hand (it's really hard to type with it), especially with the season of love like a day away. I can't promise anything else right now but that I will finish this story sooner or later. Hopefully, soon.

Thank you, guys, for reading my story and also for dropping your reviews. I really make time to check on them. I hope you like this one.

Well, I have more to say but seems like my hand has reached its limit. So here it is...

Chapter 10: Some guys have all the luck

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Alone in a crowd on a bus after work and I'm dreaming.

The guy next to me has a girl in his arms.

My arms are empty.

How does it feel when the girl next to you says she loves you?

It seems so unfair when there's love everywhere, but there's none for me.

-'Some guys have all the luck' by Rod Stewart-

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One week and three days before that cold and empty night…

It wasthe day as Sumire Shouda put it.

In different cultures Valentine's Day emerged in various ways. One of the most popular versions is the story of St. Valentine, which did not really involve sentimental love. According to Legenda Aurea, St. Valentine was a priest who did not agree with the Roman Law that states for young men to remain single. The emperor who decreed that law said that married men do not make good soldiers. Valentine then, in return, performed marriage ceremonies in secrecy. When the emperor found out about this, he was thrown to prison.

In other legends, it is said that St. Valentine wrote the very first love letter to a loved-one in a heart-shaped leaf the night before his execution. This apparently what started the note-giving during Valentine's Day.

As centuries passed by, it did not stop from love letters. From love notes, people started giving flowers and chocolates (usually heart-shaped) as a symbol of their love. If they can afford it, they even go out on special dates. No matter how simple or grand, they still celebrate it with the special people in their life. It is the thought that counts, as goes the famous saying.

This concept is no different from the people living in the vicinity of Alice Academy. They celebrate Valentine's the same way other people do, except maybe with just some additional tricks here and there—with the help of their Alices, of course.

Mochu is one of those who can attest to it. No matter how hard and nerve-wracking, he still stuck to his decision to ask Anna on a date.

Anna Umenomiya may be a sweet and gentle girl, but she was a tough shell when it comes to dating. Mochu had to pick himself up thrice before he was able to finally tell Anna his intention clearly in complete sentences.

It was not flat-out rejection that Mochu had a hard time handling. It was Anna's smile. Mochu could not predict if she was going to say yes or no. she did not look apologetic, nor did she look excited. Mochu could only wipe a big fat bead of sweat when she said, "Sure, I would love to."

Just when Mochu thought the hard part was over, his situation did not change much at the course of their date. He bought her to one of the expensive restaurants in Central Town. It was hard to get a reservation there during peak season like Valentine's Day, but a good thing he was able to book a table weeks ago. Mochu has been trying the whole time to impress his date, but she stayed neutral and smiley like she always was.

By dessert, he was ready to give up and score the date as a one-hit wonder until the sweet pink-haired Anna said half-seriously to him, "Why do you even try to impress me, Mochu?"

Before he could even answer, she continued, "We are together everyday. We hang-out with the same group. We are in the same class. We have known each other for more than five years. Don't you think by now, I already know you? Who you really are? If I don't know you, don't know how you have become in those five years, I wouldn't have said 'yes' to this date, and I certainly wouldn't be across from you now eating cheesecake."

Mochu did not know what to say to that. He was not even sure if what she said was a good sign.

"We're friends, Mochu."

Now a red alert just went-off in his system. "Friends" is not exactly what he wants to hear from her next to the words "we" and "are".

"Things should not be awkward," she went on not realizing the ordeal her words are causing to the poor boy. "If our relationship progress to a new level in the future, it should not start this way by trying hard to impress each other. We should be how we really are. No pretensions. Just be you, Mochu. I would not ask for more than who you are. Okay?"

What registered in him was that the words "our", "relationship" and "progress" were all used in the same sentence. He was pretty sure it was a good thing, which helped him relax and turned the course of their date around.

By the end of it, he was seeing already a possibility of a second date in the near future. He could only wish he has Kokoro's Alice to have a clearer idea how big that possibility is.

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Kokoro, on the other hand, no matter how useful Mind-Reading Alice is as Mochu thinks, struggled and decided not to use it. He, however, could not come up with any solution on how to go about it. Iinchou suggested a controlling device, but Kokoro thinks that his Alice is not really dangerous nor is it extremely powerful to actually need a controlling device.

Iinchou then suggested controlling his Alice himself.

"Aren't you training to control your Alice in Combination Classes?" the bespectacled-boy asked not hiding the implications in his tone.

"I am," Kokoro answered defensively. "It's not as easy as it seems. My Alice is not like yours."

"I'm not saying it is," Iinchou replied matter-of-factly. "But there is training for it because it means that it is not impossible, or else those classes are just a waste of time and energy."

With that, he left the desperate boy who rejected all that he suggested.

Kokoro thought that maybe he should have listened more to his lessons about controlling his Alice. He then decided to train more.

"I better find our teacher for extra classes," he muttered to himself following it with a sigh.

In about a week before the day, Kokoro still have no luck with controlling his Alice. With the help of Ruka's advice and help, he still went for it.

About three days before Valentine's, Nonoko received a letter, delivered by Ruka's white rabbit, asking her to be Kokoro's Valentine. Included in the letter is an explanation that he did not want to spoil the thrill if he would just end up reading her mind for the answer. When the rabbit returned to the Mind-reader with a reply note, his hands were shaking that he could not even open the small piece of folded paper to finally see the answer. It was Ruka who took the note and opened it.

"Well?" Kokoro asked nervously.

"I thought you're a mind reader," the blonde boy just said.

At that, Kokoro smiled knowing exactly what the note said: "Ok."

"I have a date!" he yelled repeatedly throwing his hands in the air like he just won the lottery.

"Congratulations," Ruka said stifling a laugh because of his friend's behavior. "Now what do you plan to do for your date?"

"I'm not sure yet," Kokoro stumbled his words with obvious excitement. "I guess we'll eat in a restaurant, or maybe in an outdoor café. I'll buy her flowers. What's her favorite flower again?"

"Easy there, Yome," Ruka shook his head in amusement. "What I actually meant was how are you gonna go about it. You're gonna be hearing her thoughts the entire time. Plus, it's Valentine's Day. Central Town will be pack with people. You're gonna be hearing more than just romantic music. It could get nasty, even naughty."

With that, Kokoro's fire just got splashed with water. The excitement was replaced with worry.

"Why'd you have to go and spoil my Valentine's?" he sighed to the animal lover. "Besides, you're the one who insisted I go through with it. You should have an idea how I'll pull it off."

"Well, I didn't exactly expect that she'd say 'yes'," Ruka teased. "I'm just kidding. I do have an idea how to avoid the noise of the Alice Academy population except for one—your date. With her, it has to be all you."

Kokoro looked at his friend with a bit of confusion, but he was starting to picture what Ruka has in mind—literally.

However, no matter how Kokoro would like to postpone the dreaded date to give him more time for everything, he had no choice but to go through with it like everyone else—not that he was not excited with his date. He was just worried. He finally gave up training and decided to just try his best to ignore Nonoko's thoughts while they are together.

The two met in front of the Middle School Building. The mental noise around him was not helping with his nervousness and excitement. The good thing was he actually became too preoccupied that he could not hear Nonoko's thoughts.

"Finally, silence," was the mind-reader's first words when they reached the Northern Forest, just a few trees away from Mr. Bear's cabin.

Nonoko couldn't help but smile seeing how relieved Kokoro was after getting away from all those people.

"This is a really good idea, Koko," she commented as she spread the blanket for their picnic. "Aside from the privacy, it's more peaceful, especially for you. I guess everything would be just fine."

He sat next to Nonoko and opened a bag of chips.

"I guess so," was his reply. "The only problem is—,"

Kokoro suddenly stopped, his hand holding a piece of cheesy potato chip suspended in midair. He was just staring to a smiling Nonoko, and trying to concentrate for her thoughts.

To his surprise, however, he only hears silence.

The blue-haired girl's smile grew even wider.

"What—?"

"Happy Valentine's!" she greeted like it was the appropriate time to do so. "Do you like my gift?"

The dumb-founded Kokoro was almost lost for words. He did not understand what was happening.

"How?" he finally said still quite motionless.

How come he was not hearing her thoughts? There was nothing wrong with his Alice, was there? Or could his training be actually paying off? But then, how come she seemed to be more knowledgeable of what was happening and how it was happening?

"It's my new discovery," she finally started to explain how come his Alice seemed to be not working on her. "I have been mixing chemicals and stuff for this very special medicine."

"Medicine?"

"Yeah," she continued as she served grilled chicken and Caesar Salad. "It actually took me a while to get it right. I knew eventually I would have a use for it, especially for you."

"This medicine," Kokoro started as things slowly sunk in. "What does it do exactly?"

"Well, it keeps my thoughts all to my self, that's what."

"That's some medicine," was his reaction, actually amazed at her incredible invention. "Is it possible to give that to anyone who come two-feet from me?"

Nonoko laughed thinking Kokoro was trying to be funny. In reality, however, he was dead serious.

It would really help me sleep soundly at night.

Seeing how his date was having fun, the mind-reader felt better and more relaxed. He has come to think that his Valentine's Day is going to be just fine.

Thanks to Ruka who insisted I go through with it anyway. It is really worth it.

Then he could not help but wonder, I'm curious how his plans worked-out.

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Contrary to what Mochu and Kokoro thought, things were not easier for Ruka even if he did not have to go through asking anyone for a date on Valentine's Day. Even if it is already a given that he is dating Hotaru, she is one girl who is not so easy to please.

Knowing this very well, Ruka has been planning for this very special day for weeks. In fact, he has gotten so busy setting everything in motion for their first Valentine as a couple that he was even—for the first time in months—not minding his bestfriend's love life.

But just as the saying goes, everything has to come to its end. Plans have to be, at some point, executed. For Ruka, that judgment day has come and all were in place—hopefully. He could only wish for his one last variable to fit perfectly in his equation, and hope that the end result is a positive number.

When the bell echoed signaling the end of the classes for the day, the animal lover quickly brought his girlfriend to the school ground just outside the Middle School Building.

"Where are you dragging me, Nogi?" Hotaru asked unpleased. "You better not do something embarrassing or you'll regret it for the rest of your life here in the Academy."

Ruka knew more than anyone how capable the raven-haired girl in being true to her words, but he was very much willing to take the risk for her.

"All talk," was his casual reply. "People hearing you talk to me like that is already a hit against my ego, and not to mention my reputation. So I guess I'll survive whatever the consequence is."

"What are you saying?" she asked suddenly quite confused.

He stopped when they arrived at the spot and faced her.

"I'm saying you're worth it," he reached for her hands and held them tight in his. "I'm saying you're worth the pain, the happiness, the embarrassment you put me through, the forgotten ego, and you're worth even the ruined reputation. You're worth it and more… because I love you. And I'll do anything for you. I'll do this for you."

The stunned Hotaru turned where her boyfriend has motioned for her, and saw a big group of different animals making different harmonious sounds. Right at the middle of the group were three boys singing along with the animals.

The tallest of them started the verse of the familiar song.

You need a friend, I'll be around

Don't let this end before I see you again

What can I say to convince you to change your mind of me?

I'm gonna love you more than anyone

I'm gonna hold you closer than before

And when I kiss your soul, your body'll be free

I'll be free for you anytime

I'm gonna love you more than anyone

"More than Anyone" by Gavin DeGraw was playing on the radio in Central Town when Hotaru agreed to be his girlfriend, which is why it is really special for both of them. The song could not be any more right than it already is.

Just when Hotaru thought that was all there was, as the song neared to its end, a group of birds carrying a long white pole-like thing flew above the choir. The pole opened into a streamer saying:

"Hotaru Imai, would you be my Valentine? Ruka Nogi"

The Genius Inventor looked down, not knowing if she should feel embarrassed, when she saw her boyfriend's white rabbit in front of her holding up a single white tulip with a red satin ribbon. She took the flower and gave the animal a light pat.

"This is the part where you would give me an answer," Ruka whispered to her ears.

Hotaru maintained a neutral face as she met his eyes. However, Ruka could already see through her violet orbs how much she appreciated his gestures.

It was indirectly confirmed when she stepped closer to him and whispered back, "You forgot the chocolates."

The blonde-boy instantly enveloped her into his arms, and was surprised when they heard applause and cheers around them.

Hotaru suddenly took a step back, but kept her hand in Ruka's, and was seeing for the first time how big their audience was.

They have forgotten that people just came out of their classes and they were all just in time to witness the whole thing happened.

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Among those people was Natsume, who did not know whether he should feel embarrass for his friend.

"Hopeless romantics," he mumbled to himself as he walked away from the scene. "I think I'm gonna be sick."

Natsume knew that just the other night, he has resolved into asking Mikan out. However, no matter how much he wants it, he just could not picture himself going through it.

But all of his friends were on their dates. Correction, everyone have dates. Not only his friends, but everyone. Probably everyone in the planet. This verity, however, should not pressure him into the whole deal as well. There has got to be at least a single being not on a date for Valentine's Day.

Then he thought of Iinchou. He has not heard of any date plans from him. Maybe he is the one single being he needs to prove that he is not such a lonely boy.

As if the bespectacled boy knew that someone was looking for him, Natsume spotted Iinchou walking towards where he was going.

"Natsume! Funny bumping into you here," Iinchou greeted in an unusually cheery mood—even for him.

"You ok?" was his simple question, curious about his friend's odd behavior.

"Of course," he replied smiling. "Why won't I be?"

Could this also be an effect of the Valentine's Syndrome? He thought.

"Forget it," he said as he decided to avoid the V-Day topic.

Instead, he casually asked him, "I'm going to the Dining Hall for some snacks. How about you?"

Iinchou was obviously taken aback to what his friend has just said.

"That sounded like an invitation that I thought I would never hear from you, which makes me want to accept since it just might be a once in a lifetime opportunity, but I can't because I have a date that I should be already going to right now. So I would have to pass, regrettably."

Natsume thought, as Iinchou walked away, that he did not have to elaborate his answer the way he did. A simple reply would have done the job.

Something was really not right about their class representative that day. He wonders, to his surprise, what it could be.

Wait, a thought just came to him. Did he just say that he has a date?

Natsume Hyuuga could not be mistaken. He really did hear his friend right.

Yuu Tobita has a date.

Even Iinchou has already been infected by the love bug.

This revelation only made Natsume think even more that he was the only one not on a date that day. But he just made a resolution a while ago that he would not be pressured to ride the bandwagon.

Even so, he was surprised to find himself looking for a certain brunette who loves to smile.

I'm really becoming more and more pathetic.

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He found her at the fountain located behind the High School building. She was sitting sideways talking to her reflection in the water.

No. Not talking, but arguing, he realized in amazement as he walked towards her.

He breathed in trying to calm his heartbeat, but it was impossible. He was totally smitten.

Who wouldn't he be? Just staring at her… even if she's flustered, she manages to look so beautiful.

What more if she smiles? He could just faint on the spot.

He gazed at her from head to toe. Her long brown hair was braided to the side dangling on her left shoulder. The sleeves of her pink hooded-jacket were drawn to her elbows. Her low-cut pink sneakers were also obvious at the hem of her dark-washed jeans. For him, she looked graceful despite her sporty get-up.

He must be really head-over-heels with this girl. No more doubts about that.

"How long could I keep this up?" he heard her say aggravated. "I don't know if you're just dense."

She shook her head, "No, you're just plain idiot."

He could not hide a smile, "I hope I'm not the idiot."

Mikan was obviously startled to find out that she was not alone.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he did not want her to think he was stalking her. "I did not mean to bother you. It's just that I was surprised to see you here."

She smiled—to his relief, "It's alright. It just so happened that this seems to be the only place not crowded with Valentine couples."

"Speaking of Valentine's," he started smoothly turning the topic around. "Don't you have a date waiting for you? Or are you the one waiting for him? Should I walk away now before your date thinks you ditched him for me?"

She could not help but giggle, which melted his heart, "No, I don't have a date waiting for me nor am I waiting for anyone. How about you? MaybeI should walk away."

"No, don't walk away," he uttered reflexively. "I mean, you don't have to. I'm not waiting for anyone."

Confused as she may be with his sudden reaction, she just smiled and nodded.

What is becoming of me? I should just ask her out and stop wondering.

"Well," he cleared his throat. "Since we've established that we don't have any dates waiting for us, would you like to go out with me instead?"

Mikan looked at him as she considered the invitation.

"Are you asking for a date?"

He just shrugged his shoulders, "We don't have to call it a date, if you want. We can just call it hanging-out."

"Hanging-out?" she smiled obviously amazed.

"Sure," he said also smiling because of her contagious smile. "If it makes you more comfortable. At least, it doesn't sound too formal."

When she laughed, he thought he was going to faint.

"I guess it's okay," she finally answered. "So, where to?"

"I don't know yet," he confessed, which made her laugh even more.

This just might be the happiest day of his life.

Finally, Mikan Sakura is officially going on a date with Tetsuya Kimura,he sighed secretly. This day could not get any better.

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This day could not get any worse, was Natsume's thoughts as he followed the red-head and the brunette to Central Town.

It is official. He really hates that Kimura. He is now just waiting for a chance to burn him to ashes.

The guy practically beat him by a second. He has already spotted Sakura by the fountain. He was going to ask her. He already took the step towards her. Then he showed up from nowhere. They even almost had the same strategy on how to ask her out. And this frustrated him the most.

He could not believe his Mikan was snatched away right under his nose!

Stupid Natsume, he scolded himself. If you only acted faster. If you only stopped arguing with yourself as she sat there alone. If only… if only…

So many "if only". When would it stop?

He should have been the one walking next to Mikan. He should have been the one eating ice cream and corndogs—even if he doesn't like processed foods on a stick—with her. He should have been the one sitting next to her on the park bench. And not the very irritating and hateful Tetsuya Kimura.

He knew it was his fault, but he could not help throwing the blame to someone else. Like Mikan for example.

Why was it so easy for her to say "okay"? Did she really want to go out with him? Maybe she really likes him. Then, it hit him, could it actually be Kimura that she is really in love with?

The thought of it crushed the Black Cat's heart no matter how much he wanted to deny it. The thought also made him hate Kimura even more—if it is even still possible.

However, no matter how hateful the red-head is, Natsume could not deny that the guy has the romantic bone girls adore that he does not have. He seems so prepared for the date even if it was a last-minute thing. Could it be that he has been planning the date even if he was not sure yet if he was going to have a date?

Come to think of it, Kimura always asks Mikan on the spot. He never asked her a few days before the date itself.

Is it his strategy?

As a guy who thinks of strategy as well for his missions, he would have to admit Kimura's is a very good one. Because, unless he resolves to watching Mikan twenty four-seven, he would not be able to prevent him from dating her.

Now, he has no choice but to just watch them.

Compared to the other dates of Mikan, this is the most dreadful to watch. He knew she had fun with the previous ones, but this is different. She looks happier. He could not even watch anymore. So he just sat on a tree branch where he is covered by leaves from the couple's sight. He was no longer looking but he could still hear them. And that did not lessen the pain.

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They stopped walking. Mikan said something about the surrounding becoming more yellow because of the sunset.

"It's like a painting coming to life," she said enthusiastically. "So beautiful."

"Really beautiful," he muttered.

Mikan was surprised to see Tetsuya looking at her instead. She turned reddish herself, and it was not because of the setting sun.

She did not even realize what Tetsuya was about to do—not until his soft lips touched hers. She felt her heart skipped a beat. She felt her knees weaken when his hand gently caressed her face, urging her to respond. She almost complied.

Instead, she immediately stepped back when a nearby trash bin suddenly burst out with fire. She automatically looked around and up—her heart beating so fast—almost expecting to see a certain someone, but was relieved to know they were alone.

All she saw was a branch hurriedly vacated by a cat.

If only she looked up sooner.

Author's Notes: I hope you like it. Who would have thought it would take me months to think about the characters' dates in this chapter? Don't forget to review, guys! (",)

Next Chapter: The aftermath of Valentine's Day. How would this affect Natsume and Mikan's relationship? Would Natsume actually beat up Tetsuya? I wonder what he is thinking right now?

It's just one week and two days before that cold and empty night...