"Please believe in me"
.
.
.
Natsume grabbed my hands and held them tight as we made our way to the waiting room near the competition hall, our team mates crowded around us as we entered.
"MIKAN!" Cried Aoi as she hugged me, "you're finally here!"
I smiled as I patted her head, she's like a little ray of sunshine.
She grinned as she looked up at me but her lips twisted into a pout as she noticed Natsume next to me.
"NATSUME!" She screamed, her crimson eyes glared up at him, "YOU'RE SO SLOW! WHAT WERE YOU DOING?"
Natsume just looked at her, tightening his hold on my hand in the process. I glanced at our entwined hands and looked away.
"Sakura was feeling anemic so I took her to the Nurse's room", he replied in a monotone voice.
Aoi touched my forehead, "so that's where you were", she took a step back and beamed, "glad you're alright".
Natsume pushed her to the side with his free hand and smirked, "she's fine, idiot, now get ready".
Aoi smacked him, "you don't need to tell me that", she ran off but turned back to shout at him, "IDIOT!"
.
Natsume faced me, and handed me a piece of paper.
"Mikan, here's your number tag".
I swiftly snatched the paper, earning a glare from Natsume, and studied at it.
.
2
.
He must've seen my look of confusion as I inspected the paper, "I swapped our positions" he said, not looking at me as he did.
I raised an eyebrow at him, "what?"
He sighed as he pinched my nose, "you completely overturned my feelings back there", he turned around to leave, "but get this straight". He paused, "to me…"
His voice sounded quiet and weak, as if he was telling me a secret.
He faced me, giving me a chance to look at his stunning eyes.
"This is love".
.
.
.
.
Meanwhile, with Koko, Anna and Tsubasa
.
Anna sat down in the audience's seat in the competition hall, she surveyed her surroundings as she turned to Koko, "why does it feel like the audience has increased?"
Koko took a sip of his coke, "I guess it's all the fangirls of Natsume", he covered his ears as a fan screamed out Natsume's name, "Jesus Christ, why is a lazy guy like him so popular?" He swiveled around to face the fan, "SHUT UP WILL YOU!?"
Tsubasa grabbed Koko's shoulder and made him face the front, he sighed as he held his temple, "you act worse than Natsume". Koko looked offended as he opened his mouth to contradict Tsubasa, "EXCUSE M-".
Anna grabbed his coke to silence him, "hush, you idiot! The contestants are here!"
The hall fell silent as the lights dimmed:
"HELLO ALICE ACADEMY!" Yelled a loud, somewhat feminine voice, from the darkness
"Oh no" groaned Tsubasa as he leaned back, "here we go again".
"WELCOME TO THE 21ST ALICE ARCHERY COMPETITION HOSTED BY YOURS TRULY, NARUMI!"
Tsubasa clicked his tongue as he looked around for the announcer who was no-where to be seen, "this is why I don't come here" he muttered.
"WE HAVE GATHERED MULTIPLE SCHOOLS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY TO FIND OUT WHICH SCHOOL HAS THE BEST ARCHERS" continued Narumi, "NOW GIVE IT UP FOR THE BEST SCHOOL IS THE NATION, ALICE ACADEMY!"
The crowd went wild as Natsume's name was heard buzzing throughout the hall. Tsubasa covered his ears as he cringed. Koko glanced at Anna who was simultaneously screaming Natsume's name along with the other girls, he gave her 'the look' as he returned to face the front.
.
Fangirls
He thought as he took a sip of his coke
They're worse than Hota-
He sat up and surveyed the hall.
Speaking of the witch, where is she?
.
.
Back to Mikan
"PLEASE WELCOME ALICE ACADMEY'S TEAM A, NATSUME, MIKAN AND KUSHIRO!"
I winced at how loud Mr. Narumi was, his voice alone sent vibrations throughout my bow.
.
What a loud teacher.
.
I took my place behind Natsume, the number 2 stuck onto my uniform.
This is the first time…
Natsume raised his bow, preparing to shoot.
Looking at Natsume from such a close distance.
.
I know how he's better than everyone else,
How he's so agile while holding the bow.
But why am I getting so nervous?
.
He tightened the string as he pulled it back, his eyes focusing on the target.
The sound of…
.
PANG
.
Silence enveloped the hall as everyone leaned forwards, attempting to see the result of Natsume's shot.
"N..NICE SHOT!" Yelled Narumi, the tone of his voice showing how amazed he was by Natsume's ability, "IT'S A PERFECT BULL'S EYE!"
.
Everyone applauded, fangirls chanting Natsume's name as rivals from the other schools stood there, nervous as they looked at their opponent.
Amazing!
.
"IT'S NOW MIKAN SAKURA'S TURN!"
I yelped as I heard my voice being called out in such a loud tone.
I breathed in as I raised my bow, adrenaline pumping through my blood.
.
It's stunning.
.
Natsume glanced at me as he moved out of the way.
.
His presence, it's…
.
The sound of the string drawing back made the hall grow quiet as all eyes were on me.
.
No… more than him being here.
This feeling, how do I explain it?
.
I need to focus but my heart won't calm down.
I released the pressure on the string, letting the arrow fly freely into the air.
This feeling…
I can't control it.
.
PANG
.
I heard a round of applause as the arrow hit the target, I breathed out and wiped the sweat dripping from my forehead.
"Nice".
.
I'm enchanted by Natsume.
NOTE:
Yeah, where is Hotaru?