CHAPTER 14: Central Town and a phone message

After three days, Mikan was able to copy a lot of Alices just like the Invention, Fire, Cooking, Chemistry, Illusion, Mind reading, Levitation, Ice, Shadow Manipulation, Elemental, Flying, Animal Pheromone, Voice Pheromone, Barrier, Speed, Elastic, and Force field.

Although she gets a bit tired of using the CSS Alice at first, she got the hang of it. She doesn't have too much of a hard time since Hotaru is always there for her whenever she needed help.

One fine Saturday morning, the gang has decided to go to Central Town that afternoon.

"Hey guys! Would you like to go to Central Town this afternoon?" Asked Nonoko.

"I thought you have part time jobs?" asked Yuu.

"Anna and I have day offs today." She answered back.

"Ok then. That's fine with me." Hotaru said.

"Yay! I'll come too!" Mikan added. "It's been a long time since I last went to Central Town and I also want to eat some Howalon!"

They have to meet at the bus stop at four in the afternoon since Hotaru still has a few things to fix with her inventions and stuff and Yuu still has a meeting for the class representatives.

That afternoon, all of them are present except for their brunette.

"Where could that baka be?" Hotaru mumbled.

"Probably running her way here since she realized that she was late." Natsume replied.

"There she is!" Nonoko answered.

"MI-chan! over here!"Anna yelled while waving.

"You girls are really excited." Commented Yuu

"Of course! It's been a while since we last went to Central Town for a stroll or something since we always go there for our work. And we really miss that place a lot!" the 2 girls chorused except for the Ice Queen.

"Hotaru, what are you going to do there?" asked a panting Mikan

"I'll buy some materials for my inventions and if there would still be time I will sell the latest pictures of Ruka here." She answered while Ruka was shocked.

"What pictures?"

And then Hotaru held out a picture of Ruka sleeping while wearing a blue striped pajama and hugging a brown teddy bear while sucking his thumb.

"Kawaii!" the three girls squealed.

"Tch. Goodluck Ruka. Looks like your exposure would be too much for today." Natsume said

"Wh-where did you get that? You really don't plan on selling those right?" he nervously asked her beloved girlfriend. "Please say no, Hotaru. please say no." Ruka silently prayed.

"I have my sources. And yes, I do plan on selling them. Now shall we go? The bus is here already."

They all boarded the bus and sat with their boy/girlfriend. Since Mikan and Natsume do not have a pair yet, they were the ones seated next to each other.

Since everyone else is silent, Mikan fell asleep and then her hear suddenly fell on Natsume's shoulder.

"Oi! Baka! Get off!" he hissed but to no avail, Mikan didn't budge at all. Natsume just gave a small sigh. "This Polka. Tch. I guess she would stay like this until the trip is over. She better not drool on my shirt."

He thought and then he heard someone chuckle.

"Don't worry Natsume. I'm sure you're enjoying anyway." Complimented our mind reader.

"Enjoying what?" asked Yuu as he turned to face Koko. As Koko received a death glare from the fire caster, he just made an excuse.

"Ano… Uhm.. I read Natsume's mind and e said that Central Town is just another typical thing and nothing of the ordinary. He was even wondering why he came with us." He said with a nervous laugh.

"Don't worry Natsume. It would be better going with us anyway rather than staying in your room doing nothing." Reassured Ruka.

"Hn."

Once they got there, Mikan immediately bought some Fluff Puffs. And then they roamed around. After visiting at almost every single shop in Central Town, Nonoko proceeded to the pharmacy while Anna went to the Bakery. While walking through its busy streets, Mikan's phone beeped. She looked at it and there was a message.

From: Persona-sensei

Message: Ms. Sakura, you need to report to me at the usual meeting place right this moment. I expect you to be here on or before thirty minutes since I currently found out that you're out with your friends. See you there. Ja.

"What's the matter Mikan?" asked Hotaru while Mikan just handed Hotaru her phone so that she may read Persona's message. She just gave a small nod as a signal that she can go now.

"Oi Mikan, I thought you have to meet Tsubasa and Misaki now? You should get going. It's already getting late. Better go ahead if you still wanna see them there." Hotaru told Mikan with a voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "Just play along okay? I'll make it easier for you to leave so that they won't suspect a thing."

Mikan was able to read Hotaru's mind so she just played along. "Oh! Thanks for reminding me Hotaru! I almost forgot about that!"

"Tch. It's typical for a baka to forget things." Natsume shot back with a smirk.

"Why you!!! You're so lucky that I have to leave now!!! Well then, I better get going. Ja minna! See you later at dinner!" and then she left.

"Ja Mikan-chan/Sakura-san!" replied her friends.

"Mikan, please be safe. I don't trust that guy. I hope you won't do stupid things." Hotaru thought.

"Hey Natsume! Where are you going?" asked Ruka as he noticed that his best friend was leaving.

"Somewhere else. You go on without me. I don't wanna ruin your moment together and I more likely don't want to see the two of you doing mushy and cheesy stuff right in front of me." he said while waving his hand and walking away from Hotaru and Ruka.