A/N: Chapter 10 is here! Sorry it's late. I woke up at 11 am and I baked a blueberry cheesecake after… So you know… Anyway, this chapter is like the… I don't know how to describe it… Huh…
The OCs' alices are revealed in this chapter! Hooray! By the way, the plot of the novel that Mikan bought is the plot that I am planning to use for a KokoxMikan AU story. I hope nobody had written something like that… Tell me if you already read something like that because I don't want to be accused of plagiarism… :D
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Don't forget to leave a review!
Chapter 10: Feelings
"Tsubasa-senpai," Hotaru called Tsubasa who was talking to Noda-sensei.
Tsubasa bid Noda-sensei goodbye before approaching Hotaru and Ruka.
"Yo! What's up?" Tsubasa asked.
"We want to ask you something," Ruka said.
"Alright. Ask away."
"Not here. Let's go to my lab," Hotaru said.
Tsubasa followed Hotaru and Ruka to her lab and sat on the couch.
"Tsubasa-senpai, does Koko-kun like Mikan?" Hotaru asked.
"Of course he does. Mikan is his friend," Tsubasa answered, confused.
"No, I mean, does he like her more than a friend?" Ruka asked.
"Ahhh… I don't think I have the right to say anything. Why do you ask?"
"It's just Koko's been acting weird ever since this morning."
"Why?"
"I have a feeling it has something to do with the fact that Natsume-kun wants to get back together with Mikan," Hotaru replied.
"What! What did Mikan say?" Tsubasa asked
"According to Natsume, she said she'll think about it," Ruka replied.
"Poor Koko."
"Well?" Hotaru asked.
Tsubasa sighed, "Yes! Koko's in love with Mikan!"
"In love?" Hotaru and Ruka gasped in unison.
"Yeah, he's in love with her. I don't know when it started. He didn't tell me."
"I can't believe this. Does Mikan know?" Hotaru asked.
"He hasn't told her because he knows that Mikan isn't ready for another relationship."
"Wow…" was all Ruka managed to say.
"Yeah, I know."
"That's why he's so protective of her," Hotaru said.
"Yup."
Somebody knocked. Hotaru opened the door to reveal Iinchou and a reluctant Koko.
Hotaru smiled, "I'm glad you could make it Koko-kun."
Koko ignored her and went inside. He was surprised to see Tsubasa.
"Tsubasa-senpai, what are you doing here?"
"They asked me some questions. I'm sorry Koko but you have to tell them sooner or later," Tsubasa said.
"I would rather it to be later," Koko said.
"If you waited longer, Mikan might actually go back to Natsume," Ruka said.
Iinchou was confused, "Uh, guys?"
"Oh, right. Let me explain, Iinchou. Koko is in love with Mikan," Hotaru said.
Iinchou looked at Koko, his mouth slightly open.
"I guess it would be no use denying it," Koko sighed.
"Good boy," Hotaru patted Koko's head. Koko rolled his eyes but managed a small smile.
"So, answer this Koko. When did you fall in love with her?" Ruka asked seriously.
"I don't know. I didn't even know that I was in love with her. I just found out last week, before we left America," Koko said.
"How did you find out?" Hotaru asked.
"It was during Prom."
"Principal Kazumi mentioned something about Prom. He said that Mikan-chan was humiliated and embarrassed," Iinchou said.
"What exactly happened?" Tsubasa asked.
"Carla threw a bowl of punch at her," Koko sighed.
"A bowl of punch? And who's Carla?" Iinchou asked.
"Carla is this girl who had a crush on Koko. You rejected her, didn't you?" Tsubasa asked.
"Yeah, I did. And she immediately knew that I liked Mikan. She saw us dancing after I rejected her and got jealous. She even pulled Mikan's hair and called her a bitch in front of everyone. Mikan left and I went after her," Koko said, sadness and guilt evident in his eyes.
"That's when I found out that I was in love with her. I always hated seeing Mikan cry. I always wanted to see her smile. I wanted to do anything to stop her from crying. I just kept it from her because I didn't know what to do. I mean I used to think that it was just a crush then suddenly I find out that I'm in love with her."
"What are you going to do?" Hotaru asked.
"I'll try to act normal. I just want her to be happy even if it means that she wants to be with Natsume-kun."
"That is so cliché," Hotaru chuckled.
"I know," Koko smiled.
"Anyway, you should still tell her," Ruka said.
"I don't want things to get awkward when she rejects me. We're partners during missions and I'm her bodyguard, sort of. I don't want to ruin that," Koko replied calmly.
"Alright, if that's what you want. I'm not going to make you tell her. But know this, I'm rooting for you," Hotaru said with a smile.
"Huh?"
"Well, you always have Mikan's best interest at heart."
"Arigatou, Hotaru-chan."
"I'm rooting for you, too!" Iinchou said.
"Me too," Ruka said.
Koko was surpsrised. He never expected people to root for him when it comes to Mikan especially Ruka. He expected that Ruka would root for Natsume.
"See! You have fans. No need to worry," Tsubasa encouraged.
"Thanks, that means a lot," Koko said with a wide smile.
Meanwhile
Mikan and Natsume were walking in Central Town. They've been quiet ever since they arrived.
"What do you want to do?" Natsume asked.
"Let's go to the bookstore," Mikan suggested.
"You read books?" Natsume was surprised
"Yeah, is there a problem?" Mikan defended.
"No, nothing, it's just that you don't usually read books."
"Well, that's what I do when I'm too tired to go outside after a mission."
"Oh," was all Natsume could say.
Mikan bought a novel.
"What's that about?" Natsume asked, curious about the book that Mikan bought.
"It's about a girl who was engaged to her parents' best friends' son. She asked to finish college before she marries the guy. In the school, she meets a guy who becomes her best friend. Before she knew it, they graduated. It turns out that the guy was one of her fiancé's best friends," Mikan explained.
"So, basically, it's a love story?"
"Something like that," Mikan grinned.
When they passed the comic bookstore, Mikan saw the manga that Koko has been waiting for. She immediately wanted to buy it.
"Wait, let's go inside," Mikan said.
"You read mangas?" Natsume asked.
"No, it's not for me. It's for Koko. He's been waiting for this manga to come out for weeks," Mikan explained.
"For Koko, huh?" Natsume asked, jealous.
"Yup. You do know that even if you say no, I'll still go in."
"Fine."
Mikan smiled. She went inside and bought the manga.
"Koko is going to be so happy!" she thought.
Natsume was watching Mikan. He was curious why she was smiling after she bought the manga for Koko. They've been walking around Central Town for hours and he didn't see her smile like that.
"Let's go to Hotaru's lab. I want to spend some time with her," Mikan suggested.
Natsume nodded his head and agreed. He made a move to hold Mikan's hand but she pulled it out of his reach.
"Ummm… I'm don't like public displays of affection. Sorry," Mikan explained.
"Hn."
At Hotaru's lab
Mikan and Natsume could hear different voices inside. Mikan knocked on the door.
"Come in!" Hotaru's voice was heard.
Mikan and Natsume went in and they were surprised to see Ruka, Tsubasa, Iinchou and Koko.
"What are you guys doing here?" Mikan curiously asked.
"We were just talking," Iinchou said.
"About?" Natsume asked.
"Oh, you know. Hey is that a manga?" Koko asked, trying to change the subject.
"Hmm? Oh yeah! I saw this at the comic bookstore and I immediately remembered that you've been waiting for this to come out so I bought it," Mikan said, holding out the manga with a big smile.
Koko was pleasantly surprised. He didn't expect Mikan to remember that since he only mentioned it once.
"Arigatou, Mikan-chan!" Koko said.
"Huh? What's with the –chan? I thought we're closer than that?" Mikan asked.
Hotaru and Ruka looked at each other. Natsume looked at her with curious eyes.
"We are but do you prefer Yukihira-sama?" Koko teased.
Mikan twitched, "I told you not to call me that!"
"I know, I know," Koko laughed.
One week later
Mikan and Koko were at a meeting. Mikan suggested that parents be allowed to come inside the academy grounds to visit their children.
"That is a wonderful idea, Mikan no kimi. I'm sure children would study harder when they see their parents," Hii-sama praised Mikan
"I agree, but I think we should start implementing that rule during the Alice festival. That way, they could spend time with their parents while going enjoying the festival. Parents can also attend Last Dance so they could dance with their children," Shiki suggested.
"In the meantime, we'll send letters to the parents to explain our decision and we should keep it a surprise for the other students," Kazumi said.
"You should go to your classes. You're already late," Shiki said, turning to Mikan and Koko.
"See, I told you you'd make a great principal. The students are going to love you!" Koko proudly said while they were walking to class.
"Thanks. I just wanted them to see their parents again. I'm sure it's been a long time since they last saw them especially the high school students," Mikan explained.
Mikan and Koko opened the double doors to their classroom.
"Sorry we're late, Narumi-sensei. We were-" Mikan trailed off when she saw five familiar students in front of the class.
Koko's eyes widened. In front of the class were Daniel, June, Amanda, Leon and-
"Carla-chan," Mikan whispered, her eyes widened in shock.
"Mikan-chan! Koko-kun!" June and Amanda gasped simultaneously while the boys just stared with shocked expressions.
"Mikan-chan, Koko-kun, please take your seat," Narumi requested.
This seemed to snap them out. The rest of the class just stared at them, also shocked.
Mikan and Koko started walking to their seats when Carla walked and put a hand around Mikan's wrist, stopping her from walking.
"Carla-chan, please let go of her," Koko pleaded. He really didn't want Mikan to be humiliated again.
Hotaru and Ruka looked at each other across the classroom, "So, this is Carla."
Carla just ignored Koko. Mikan was just staring at the floor. Carla tightened her grip on Mikan's wrist.
"Mikan-chan, I-I want to apologize for what I did. I didn't mean to do that. It was just that I was so hurt from being rejected. I was humiliated that I didn't see the signs that Koko didn't like me the way I liked him," Carla started explaining.
The rest of the class' jaws dropped, except for Hotaru, Ruka, Iinchou and Natsume. Natsume narrowed his eyes.
Carla released Mikan's wrist.
"It was prom and I didn't expect to be rejected. I was jealous of you because the two of you are so close and I saw you guys dancing just after Koko rejected me and I just saw the punch bowl and I was angry. I didn't mean to call you a 'bitch'. I regretted everything-"
Carla wasn't able to finish what she was saying because Mikan hugged her.
When Mikan broke from the hug, Carla saw that there were tears welling up in her eyes.
"I forgive you, Carla-chan," Mikan gave her a smile and the tears went down. Carla wiped Mikan's tears away.
"Arigatou, Mikan-chan," Carla smiled.
June and Amanda were now smiling, wiping tears from their eyes. Daniel and Leon also smiled.
"I'm sorry too, Koko-kun. And yes, I would very much like to remain friends," Carla said, looking at Koko.
"That's great!" Koko said.
"But Carla-chan, I still don't get why you felt like you had to do that. I mean, why were you jealous of me?" Mikan asked.
"Huh? That's because Koko-kun's in-" the rest of Carla's sentence were not heard because Koko covered Carla's mouth.
Mikan tilted her head and looked at Koko suspiciously.
"Koko's what?" Mikan asked.
"Don't mind her, Mikan," Koko gave her a grin.
Amanda and June looked at each other and smirked.
"Koko-kun!" they said in unison before they tackled Koko from behind resulting in Koko falling to the ground.
Mikan, Carla, Daniel and Leon all laughed.
"Yo, Mikan-chan!" Daniel and Leon gave Mikan high-fives.
"Hey guys!" Mikan said.
Daniel put an arm around Mikan's shoulders. The temperature rose. Natsume was getting jealous and gave Daniel a Take-your-arm-off-of-her glare.
"Um, a little help here," Koko said from his position on the ground.
"Girls, let go of Koko," Mikan half-heartedly requested, she was still laughing.
"Sorry about that. It's just we missed you guys!" June squealed and hugged Mikan.
"Sorry to interrupt your reunion," Narumi interrupted, "but could you introduce yourselves to the class?"
"Oh yes! We're very sorry!" Carla said.
They all went back to the front and Koko and Mikan sat at their seats.
"I'm Carla Jacobson and I have the Levitation Alice," Carla introduced.
"I'm Daniel Smith and I have the Divination Alice and no, not the one where you have to dance," Daniel said before anyone asked.
"I'm Amanda Taylor, Speed Alice."
"Leon Taylor, also Speed Alice."
"June Vance, Invisibility Alice."
"Any questions?" Narumi asked.
Sumire raised her hand but before she could ask, Koko answered, "Yes, they're twins."
Sumire glared at Koko. Koko made a peace sign.
"Anything else? No? Okay! They will be staying for a day and they will leave tomorrow. I'll leave you guys now because I have a meeting! Bye!" Narumi waved before leaving.
The five in front smirked. Mikan and Koko gulped audibly. Natsume turned to Mikan and raised an eyebrow in question.
"So, we missed you guys," Daniel started.
"You guys didn't really say goodbye but I guess that was Carla's fault," June said.
"Hey!" Carla protested.
"That's why," Amanda started.
"You guys are going to give us a tour!" Leon finished.
"But first, we want to know who Natsume is," Carla said.
Everyone turned to Natsume while Mikan hit her face with her palm.
"Wow, you are hot!" June said.
"June, you're drooling," Daniel teased.
"No, I'm not," June whacked Daniel on the head.
"I can't believe you let him go, Mikan-chan. He's a catch," Amanda said.
"Well, look at it this way, Mikan-chan can finally give Koko-kun a chance," Leon winked at Koko.
The temperature continued to rise.
"Please stop before you all burn," Mikan pleaded.
"Hmmm? Why?" Daniel asked.
"Because Mikan's ex is currently very jealous and he has the fire alice," Hotaru answered.
"Hmmm? You must be Hotaru-chan, Mikan-chan's best friend!" Carla exclaimed.
"I wonder who Permy is," June said.
"She's right behind me," Hotaru answered.
"Huh? You're a girl!" Leon said.
"No! I'm a guy!" Sumire sarcastically said.
"Koko-kun, I didn't know you were a ladies man," Daniel winked.
Suddenly, Daniel's face met the ground. Mikan hit him on the back of his head.
"Ohhh! Somebody's jealous!" Leon laughed. Mikan twitched, "Do you want to join your best friend on the ground?" she asked sweetly.
"Nah, I'm good!" Leon answered.
"That's enough you guys. You've had your fun," Koko intervened before things went out of hand.
"Sorry, sorry!" Carla, Leon, June, Amanda and Daniel laughed.
The rest of the day flew by with Mikan and Koko giving them a tour of the school and meeting up with Tsubasa, Misaki and Nobara. Of course, they couldn't pass up the chance to tease Mikan and Koko again.
The next morning, they were at the gates, saying their goodbyes.
"So you're already leaving?" Mikan asked.
"Yeah, we just came here to fix our friendship. Carla really wanted to apologize face-to-face," June explained, giving Mikan a small smile.
"Here you go, Mikan-chan," June handed her a necklace with five alice stones.
"So that you and Koko-kun will remember us. He already has his own. And here are the alice stones that you can use."
"Thanks guys. We'll miss you! Visit us again sometime!" Mikan said.
They all hugged each other.
"Good luck with Mikan-chan, Koko-kun. I know that she feels the same way. Don't give up," Carla encouraged.
"Thank you, Carla-chan."
"Bye guys!"
They all waved until the car was out of sight.
"I'm happy that they came," Mikan told Koko.
"Me, too."
"Koko, you're not keeping anything from me, right?"
"Hmmm?"
"You do know you can tell me anything," Mikan said, looking at him.
"Yeah, I know. Thanks," Koko said with a smile. Mikan seemed to accept this because she smiled back.
"I'm sorry Mikan but I have to keep my feelings to myself."
It was Saturday so there were no classes. Mikan and Koko went straight to Mikan's new office. Everything that Kuonji used to own was thrown out right after he was captured.
Paper work comes with being a principal. Mikan's desk had a lot of papers on it and she had to read all of it before the day ends.
Mikan sighed when she sat on her chair.
"Don't worry Mikan-chan. I'll help you with the paper work," Koko grinned.
Mikan smiled gratefully.
After a few hours, Mikan's stomach growled. They decided it was time for lunch. At the table they saw their friends eating.
"Where have the two of you been?" Natsume asked.
Mikan just ignored him and started eating. She was really hungry.
"We bid our friends goodbye this morning," Koko answered for her.
"They already left?" Anna asked.
"Yeah, they still have a lot to do back in America."
"Hey, what's that around your neck?" Sumire asked.
Mikan swallowed and answered, "June and the other made us some necklaces with their alice stones to remember them."
"Oh, that's very thoughtful of them," Nonoko said.
"Why did they come here?" Sumire asked.
"Carla wanted to apologize to Mikan," Koko replied.
"Yeah, what was that about? She threw punch at you because Koko rejected her?" Sumire said.
"And what was she saying before Koko covered her mouth?" Kitsu asked.
"I thought you guys were going to Central Town?" Hotaru said, trying to save Mikan and Koko from the interrogation.
"Yeah, we are. We just want to eat here first so we can save money," Sumire replied.
After eating, Sumire, Anna, Nonoko and Kitsu left with Mochu to go to Central Town. Tsubasa came by and asked Natsume to help him with something. He grudgingly followed Tsubasa. Koko, Mikan, Ruka, Iinchou and Hotaru were left.
Mikan took a deep breath and said, "Come with us. I have to show you something."
They went to Mikan's office.
"Why are we here?" Iinchou asked.
"Well, this is my office," Mikan replied and sat behind the desk.
"She's the new ESP," Koko replied.
Their jaws dropped.
"B-b-but… Y-you're only a student!" Ruka stuttered.
"Well, they need me. I am a Yukihira," Mikan said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Alright. So I'm guessing you need our help with these?" Hotaru said, pointing at the paper work on Mikan's desk.
"Yes, please."
And so the rest of the day passed with them doing financial reports and complaints about students who were considered delinquents.
"Finally! We're done! Thanks guys," Mikan said.
"You think this is for free? You have to pay me," Hotaru said.
"You're so mean, Hotaru."
"I know and I don't care."
Ruka silently laughed at their banter. He then looked at the folder he was holding and opened it. It read: Parents' Visitation.
"Hey Mikan. What's this?" Ruka asked.
"Huh? Oh! You weren't supposed to see that! I am so dead!" Mikan banged her head on the desk.
"Let me see. Parents' Visitation?" Hotaru said, confused.
"What's this about, Mikan-chan?" Iinchou inquired.
"Well, Mikan suggested during a meeting yesterday that parents be allowed to come to the academy and visit their children," Koko explained while trying to stop Mikan from panicking.
"You mean, they actually approved?" Ruka asked, sounding hopeful.
"Yes, they did. But it was supposed to be a surprise," Mikan whined.
"When will this start?" Iinchou asked.
"At the Alice Festival," Koko said.
"Please keep this a secret. I really want this to be a surprise," Mikan pleaded.
"You do know that you have to pay me, right?" Hotaru said with a strange glint in her eyes.
"Fine!" Mikan sighed.
The next day
"Oi Polka," Natsume called while Mikan and Koko were walking towards the Library.
Mikan didn't expect to hear that nickname again and of course she was irritated.
"What do you want, Pervert?" Mikan irritatingly asked.
Natsume looked at Koko first and when Koko didn't leave he said, "Can you give us some privacy?"
Koko knew why, after all he is a mind reader, but he wanted to annoy Natsume. Maybe it was jealousy. Maybe it was annoyance that he called Mikan by the pattern of her underwear. He didn't know but he still asked, "Why?"
Natsume's eyes twitched in annoyance. Why did Koko always have to be with Mikan?
"Because I have something to say to her," Natsume snapped.
Mikan intervened before it got out of hand, "It's okay Koko. I'll meet you at the library."
Koko looked hesitant before he walked away.
Natsume waited for Koko to disappear before he faced Mikan.
"Take a walk with me," he said.
"Can you just tell me what it is? Koko and I have a lot to do," Mikan answered.
"No. Come on. Just for an hour," Natsume begged.
"Fine."
Natsume led her to the Sakura trees. Nobody was there. Then she saw a picnic basket and a blanket.
"Natsume? What's this?"
"Let's have a picnic," Natsume grinned.
"Look, I really don't have time for this. I'm kind of busy," Mikan said.
Natsume took her hand and pulled her down to sit on the blanket.
"Eat," he ordered, giving her a slice of bread.
Mikan just raised an eyebrow at him. Natsume took her hand and put the bread on her palm.
"Have you thought about it yet?" Natsume asked, after a few minutes of silence.
"Thought about what?"
"Us, getting back together."
"No," Mikan honestly answered.
Natsume looked at her with a wounded expression.
"Do you love me?"
"I don't know," Mikan honestly answered … again.
"You don't know?" Natsume was raising his voice now.
"Yes, I don't know, okay? Look, I really have to go," Mikan said while standing up.
She had only taken two steps when she felt a hand on her elbow. Natsume spun her around and forced her against a tree.
"Maybe this would help," Natsume said and he leaned forward, about to kiss Mikan. But Mikan slapped him, hard. The impact echoed through the quiet environment.
"Ass," she said before shoving him and walked away.
Natsume stared at her in disbelief. She just slapped him. Yeah, she punched him and kicked him but she never slapped him.
"Oh my god! What did I just do?"
End of chapter.