Gakuen Alice: The Remake: Chapter 25
...xXx...
The school ground was quite deserted, so it was safe for him to talk. Natsume glared at the man before him. "What are you trying to pull, Persona?"
Persona merely glanced at him as if to mock the boy. "You have grown soft. He asked me to ascertain the cause."
Natsume clenched his fists. He wished not to be reminded by him out of all people.
"Somehow, I know why you can't resist the little flower."
Flower? His eyebrows knitted in suspicion. Persona had never called a girl a flower before. When what Persona said finally sunk in, panic filled his senses. The look on Persona's face twisted his gut even more so since a sinister smile had settled on his face.
"It's a pity that you think you're protecting her."
"What do you mean by that? What are you trying to say?"
Persona didn't spare him another glance and left without answering his questions, and he honestly couldn't ignore the uneasy feeling the man had left him with. It reminded him of the time they were kidnapped by Reo. He shook his head mentally to banish the thoughts. Yet… he needed to know the truth. Mikan had never questioned his whereabouts after the mission as though… she knew where he had gone to. The look on her face should have been enough to tell him that, but he turned a blind eye and told himself that she stayed quiet because it was a normal occurrence.
Much to his chagrin, he didn't know his own girlfriend as much as he thought he did. Mikan didn't bother to look for him when the last test of the day ended. Well, he wouldn't blame her because they couldn't be found together all the time. Thus, he had been following her after she parted ways with Imai. Speculations were made. Questions kept flooding into his mind. He couldn't move his eyes from her retreating form to the Flower Palace. What was she doing there? Since he came to this academy, he had always guessed that that was the place where they had taken Aoi to. He waited, waited and waited until she came out. When she did, she was not alone. She was with one of the school representatives Shizune Yamanouchi.
"Shizune-nee-san, thank you for walking me back here." Mikan smiled as soon as they reached the front yard of Hii-sama's Palace.
The spectacled senior returned her smile with a small one. "I'm just doing what Hii-sama asked of me."
Mikan shifted nervously as the older girl gave her a serious look. "What is it?"
"He's here, Mikan-chan," she stated quietly.
It took her a minute to know whom she was talking about. She remained calm, though inwardly, she was panicking. "Could he have been following me? I'm truly so—"
"Don't be. If it wasn't for Hii-sama's barrier, I, too, wouldn't have known. Moreover, he's trained to remain hidden from the enemy."
Mikan cringed inwardly as she remembered Natsume had gone through many dangerous missions. If only she could help him. She was more than worried when she learned his type of Alice, too. A thought to take his place had crossed her mind before, but she doubted her father would appreciate her dangerous idea.
"You can't tell him anything," reminded the short-haired senpai before going back inside.
Mikan kept her face as normal as possible as she left the Palace and returned to her room. However, before she could reach her room, a hand captured her wrist, and she was steered to the next door. Soon, she found herself pinned against the door. After a moment of silence, she softly called, "Natsume?"
She jumped and shut her eyes when he slammed his fist next to her face. Her heart was beating furiously against her chest at his sudden display of strength. Upon opening her eyes, she met his angry and frustrated crimson eyes. For a moment he seemed desperate before he gazed at her with a silent plea.
"What were you doing in there?" he murmured.
He didn't give her a chance to open her mouth as he added, "Don't lie to me."
Just a few days ago, she talked about something similar to Hotaru. It had gone bad the first time. Luckily for her, she knew what to do now. She refused to make the same mistake. Subaru-nii-san's advice had come in handy; she would have to thank him during their next meeting. Mikan looked away from him. "I can't tell you anything, Natsume." Not until you can confide in me.
A humorless laugh escaped him. "So, you're returning the favour because I don't tell you everything?"
Shocked, she turned to him. "What? I didn't mea—"
"You don't trust me. That's why you can't tell me!" His voice raised an octave before he could stop himself.
Her face turned red. She was livid beyond words. "How dare you!"
He kicked himself mentally, but the damage was done. Why couldn't he control his anger better? He had a great hold of his emotions before. Maybe Persona was right; he had grown soft. He tried his best to remain unaffected by her anger.
"Just because I'm your girlfriend, it doesn't mean you have the right to speak to me like that!"
"…"
"You are the one who doesn't trust me! I told you… I'll be waiting…" Her voice grew soft. "You can tell me when you're ready… Why can't you do the same for me?"
As he saw the tears form in her eyes, he flinched mentally. He didn't mean to make her cry. Her anger was something he could take, but her tears? No, he couldn't take that well. She didn't protest when he pulled her into his arms. He suddenly felt so stupid for upsetting her. Perhaps he was more afraid than he admitted to himself. He was afraid of losing her. In the darkness of his life, she was his light. Her presence alone could take away his worries. After pressing his cheek against hers, he muttered, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you."
She accepted his apology by hugging him back. They held onto each other for a while. He broke the embrace. Despite her tear-stained face, she was still beautiful. Holding the back of her neck, he nudged her to look up at him. When she did, he crushed her lips with his in a kiss. Rather than shying away like their first kiss, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Slowly, instinct took over as he nipped her cherry lips. They started off a bit clumsily, but they eventually made it like a dance. Seconds passed by and their kiss grew more intense and more urgent. The need of air was close, and they had no choice but to break apart. They remained close while trying to catch their breath.
Still holding her close, his mind wandered again. Would things get complicated if he told her everything? Should he confess now that she held secrets of her own? To be honest, he wished to know everything. All this time, he was the one who had been keeping secrets. Was this how it felt when someone you loved hid things from you? He was brought back from his thoughts when he felt her hand on his cheek.
"Natsume?"
Shaking his head, he softly murmured, "It's nothing."
A sigh was her reply.
"…"
"To be honest, I have a lot of things to tell you, Natsume… but…" she trailed off.
Cupping her face, he brought his lips to her temple, brushing them against her soft skin. "It's okay. I'm not ready to tell you everything either."
Her arms wrapped around him. "Thank you."
There was a big chance that someone had told her everything about his secrets. The question was who told? Ruka would be impossible since his best friend didn't know the details of what he did for the school. As they pulled apart, he gazed into her pale brown eyes, trying to find answers to his endless questions. Too bad for him, his girlfriend was as good as him when it came to staying indifferent. Her eyes never belied her true feelings, unlike the first time she came here. Now that he thought about it. Somehow, Mikan had changed along the way, and since the changes was too subtle, he didn't notice it immediately. Really, he didn't know if that was a good or bad thing. On the other hand, it might be good because Persona wouldn't be able to read her. Persona… that name brought back the uneasiness he felt earlier.
"It's a pity that you think you're protecting her."
What did he mean by that? Did Persona try to tell him that Mikan was the one who was protecting him at this very moment? It sounded that Mikan was putting herself in danger for him. No, he refused to think of the worse scenario. Yet, he would have to be prepared should that be the case. He shook his head mentally to throw away his bad thoughts. Honestly, because of Persona, negative thoughts were what he was having all day. It would be best for him to stop thinking about that. Now, all he needed to do was to tell her everything and there would be no more guessing. Caressing her cheek, he muttered, "Stay."
A smile blossomed on her lips as she nodded.
Soon, he would tell her everything. Soon, he told himself.
...xXx...
The test result was not unexpected. She scored second place after Iinchou. If only they knew that she purposely let him be first. Father Kazumi was here, so she had no reason to go back even though she did miss Jii-chan. But, Iinchou, who came here earlier than her, deserved to go home. As soon as homeroom ended, she left the classroom. Once she was outside, she teleported herself to her father's office. Father Kazumi didn't look so surprised to see her. In fact, he seemed as if he had been expecting her. He opened his arms, and she gladly accepted his invitation, running into his arms immediately. Burying her face in his chest, she felt his hold tighten around her. The comfort of his arms was what calmed her the most. They remained like that for several moments. Neither spoke a word.
"Father…" she muttered, still hugging him close.
He hummed softly. "I'm listening."
"I know it will be dangerous, but… don't you think it will be better if I work for Principal Kuonji?"
His suddenly tense body was enough to tell her that he didn't like her idea. Nevertheless, she went on, "If I work for him, it will be easier for us to bring him down…"
Kazumi was having a war with himself. It was too early. He was not ready to let his little daughter go and face the danger, which would inevitably come for her. On the other hand, this cruel charade involving Principal Kuonji might be over sooner if he let her do what she deemed right. Years ago, he had decided to wait, but what did it cost him? The death of his own little brother.
She waited for her father's answer anxiously.
"I don't think that's a good idea, Mikan. Your mother is working for AAO as we speak. You will cross path with her if you decide to join Kuonji. Moreover, I do not wish to put your life on the line. For now, I need you to stay focused on releasing Aoi."
The subject was dropped just like that. Mikan knew that she couldn't push the idea since it would gain her nothing but her father's displeasure. Though she loved her Jii-chan as family, Father Kazumi was her real family, one who shared blood with her, and she didn't wish to upset him by going against his word. Finally, they pulled apart, but she was sitting on his lap. "I met Serio-san the other day."
"And?" he urged gently.
"Aoi-chan introduced us, and I called him 'nii-san'."
"Hmmm… Do you think you can gain his trust?"
"I'm not sure. He's quite scary…"
Kazumi smiled. "My younger brother was able to change him for the better, so I know you will do just fine."
"I do hope so, Father." Mikan sighed. She, of course, had heard how Serio was not as bad as now. Serio was just like any other child with a dangerous Alice who didn't know what to do, but he changed drastically after the evil principal brainwashed him, which made her fatherless. As much as she wanted to blame Serio for her father's death, she couldn't. It was not his fault that he couldn't control his Mark of Death Alice. She could only hope that she would be able to find the good side of Serio as betraying someone's trust was not what she wanted to do even though it was not for personal gain. Guilt would follow her for the rest of her life even if she would be forgiven.
"Natsume knew I had been to the Flower Palace…" she muttered while lowering her gaze. It was her own fault for not using her Teleportation Alice to avoid being followed. There was no use crying over split milk, but she still felt guilty. She would have to be extra careful next time.
Kazumi gazed at his little daughter solemnly. He knew that it took a great deal of her willpower to keep everything secret, but at this moment, they had no choice. "I'm sorry."
Surprised, she looked up and shook head. "Please don't apologise, Father. I understand that I can't tell him, for now. It's just getting difficult without saying anything. I hope you won't mind that if I talk to you even though you already have enough trouble dealing with the students. I—"
He interrupted her by hugging her close.
She relaxed immediately while hearing her father's strong heartbeat.
"Talk to me about everything, Mikan. You're not alone. And I'm sure Jinno-sensei won't mind lending his ears to you."
After imagining her attempt to chat with Jinno-sensei casually, she giggled. Nope, it was too difficult for her to talk to Jiino-sensei like friends. She was grateful for his help and guidance in her studies, but that was all. She hugged her father. "Anyone else?"
"Perhaps Hii-sama?"
Hearing the Middle School Principal's name, she shuddered. "Definitely not."
Kazumi chuckled in response. Of course, he knew his fellow principal loved to look at and admire young, pretty girls like Mikan. Given time, his little daughter would get used to Hii's strange habit and would open up to her. After all, he himself was aware that Mikan couldn't share everything with him. "What about Yamanouchi-san?"
Mikan pulled away and looked up at her father. "I'm only comfortable with you, Father."
A caring smile appeared on his lips as he brushed her bangs aside and kissed her forehead. "Then you can talk me."
Smiling, Mikan murmured against his chest, "Thank you."
Soon, Mikan talked about her trouble with Hotaru, her conversation with Subaru-nii-san, who helped her a lot, and her trouble with Natsume minus the aftermath. It was embarrassing to share what she did with her boyfriend even though Father Kazumi seemed to know that they were going out. Nevertheless, her intimate moment was something to be shared with her girl friends and her mother… She really hoped she could meet her mother someday. The weight on her shoulders seemed lighter after she talked to her father. If she knew this beforehand, she would have sought him out sooner. Their meeting was ended when Jinno-sensei wished to speak with her father. After giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek, she teleported herself back to the school ground. And what greeted her vision were several stuffed animals with a bucket of water.
Through these stuffed animals, she finally met Kaname Sonō, Tsubasa-senpai's best friend. She was surprised to find out that the handsome senior was actually the creator of Bear-san. Earlier, when she met Bear-san, she cringed a bit, remembering how he beat her into a pulp. In actuality, Bear-san didn't hurt her, but he did express his strong dislike for children. Still, she was glad to meet such a wonderful Alice user. However, she was sad when she found out Kaname-senpai had the same type of Alice as Natsume. Despite his poor health and Alice type, Kaname-senpai never stopped making dolls. Somehow, he didn't care what would happen to him as long as he could make the people around him happy. After helping around in Bear-san's cottage, they parted ways.
Dressed in her pyjamas, she stared at the ceiling in her dark room under her blanket. She couldn't catch a wink of sleep since Kaname-senpai's condition reminded her of Natsume. His condition was not getting better because he often used them for his missions. He tried to hide the pain, but she knew better. Closing her eyes, she tried to think of a way to restore Natsume's lifespan. She refused to lose him without doing anything. It might have been an hour later when her father's face suddenly flashed in her closed eyes, and she snapped her eyes open and sat up. Didn't Father Kazumi have Longevity Alice? Maybe she could ask him to share his long life a bit for her boyfriend. She glanced at the clock and groaned. It was already so late. But then, she smiled. There was hope. Still smiling, she lay down and let sleep overtake her. Tomorrow, she would talk to her father about it.