Sweet Days

Chapter 26

Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice nor the characters but this story is entirely mine.

Blankly staring out the window, she noticed that the sun had broken through the masking clouds, unveiling the day. She realized she had lost track of time. Hotaru was asleep soundly in her own bed whilst she had curled up next to the window with a thin blanket draped over her shoulders. When did she put on a blanket?

Her puffy hazel eyes glanced at the ticking wall clock that now struck at 5:13am. Hotaru wouldn't get up until nine, at least. With shaky legs, she brought herself out to the bathroom. The Imai household were never morning people so she knew that she wouldn't be disturbed. Silence was so terrifying when you didn't want to be alone.

It's only been less than a day and she felt like someone had reached into her blissful soul and squeezed out every single droplet of happiness it held. She felt dry.

Mikan splashed her face to freshen up. She couldn't let Hotaru see her upset. She had already conveyed her hatred for Natsume and her unquenchable thirst for his blood last night during her comforting session. It felt good to have someone to lay open to. But when she gazed into the mirror, her plastic smile didn't reach her eyes.

"Onii-san," scowled a fully recovered Aoi, "It's been days since you last saw Mikan-chan and you've haven't even dropped by the studio or the restaurant for that matter. What's going on?"

"I'm busy watching Nobara," he answered, sick of the repetitive question. If it wasn't her it was Ruka. And if it wasn't Ruka, it would be Youichi. Could they not see that he was just sick of it now?

"She looked after me, you know? She helped me through a tough time," Aoi mumbled just loud enough for Natsume to hear. "She doesn't deserve to be treated like this."

However, before Natsume could respond, Ruka had cut in. "The chef battle is tomorrow, are you planning on going to support her?"

"No, I'm not - and why are you in my house?" Natsume groaned. As if the migraine wasn't bad enough, he had to deal with idiots who weren't helping his disorganized thoughts.

"Mikan hasn't been showing up to her lessons and at school she completely avoids Aoi and Youichi. Even when I went up to her house, her parents wouldn't let me in. You won't tell us what's going on either. Are you both just planning to quit then?" Ruka raised his voice.

"I don't care. I'm going to see Nobara."

"For fuck's sake Natsume!" Ruka screamed, the swearing catching everyone off guard. "Can't you tell I'm not bothered over the Chef Battle or even winning? You're being sucked back into the past. Natsume, you're in love with Mikan now."

"And what if I'm not," he spat back at his best friend. "What if Nobara is the one for me? What if I'm really happy now?"

"But you're not."

Natsume pretended he couldn't hear it, just like he couldn't see the way he was slowly hurting himself inside.

If your mind doesn't want to pay attention, time can slip pass you like the water flowing in a river. Mikan was only half-aware she was standing at the set again, with no plan, waiting for competition to begin.

"You'll be fine, okay?" Hotaru comforted her. But even her best friend couldn't promise her that. Would she really be okay after embarrassing herself live on television, in front of thousands of watching eyes? Would she really get over heart break?

At the moment it seemed impossible.

"Of course I will," Mikan smiled, "I'll be great."

She tried filling her head with recipes. She tried naming the types of vinegar available: balsamic, wine, apple cider...

"Mikan," called her mum, "You look pale."

Immediately, Mikan flashed her a bright smile. "Hi! I need to get ready now, so you can just watch as I win."

No one seemed to notice how Mikan's fingers were trembling slightly and how her movements seemed oddly stiff as she took her place at the working desk. Even if they did, it was immediately dismissed as nervousness.

Even after waiting for so long, the adrenaline was no longer pumping through her bloodstream. The thousands of eyes on her seemed petty. Instead, Mikan wondered if she would ever be able to find someone else to be together with ever again. She was counting down the days until Natsume would finally leave her. After all, Nobara wanted him back and Natsume surely liked her as well.

"Alright contestants, take your places!" Tsubasa rowdy voice boomed through the speakers.

Mikan felt submerged underwater. The noises became muted and she was slowly losing focus of the crowd. In fact, beside her mum's anxious face, sat a pallid figure with perfect poise. Their eyes made contact as Mikan lost her grip.

Nobara.

"Mikan!"

By then, the collapsed girl couldn't identify the voices in the comfortable darkness. But she prayed, for once, that is wasn't Natsume.

"This is all his fault," Hotaru spat venomously at Ruka, "And who the hell allowed that girl into the studio in the first place?"

"Calm down," Ruka spoke in a soothing voice but even he couldn't keep his emotions in check. His student had fallen during a live tv show and to be honest, her chances of winning have gone down the drain. It was only days ago that her eyes were gleaming of hope and dreams.

"She hasn't been sleeping. She hasn't been eating. All this because of that bastard Hyuuga. I sure to God, he will pay," Hotaru swore, "All this over a boy."

"Love can drive you to extremes," Ruka sighed, "We can't expect to understand it. Those two -"

"Ruka-pyon!" Aoi called out to him, her heels clicking down the sanitised corridors of the hospital. "How's Mikan-chan?"

"It's nothing major," Hotaru explained, suddenly calm. "She hit her head pretty hard so she's still knocked out - plus malnutrition. Her mum is speaking to the doctor with her right now."

"I hadn't even gotten to the studio when I got told she collapsed. I spoke to the producers and all... it's not looking good. She'll probably not get through at this rate."

"That's not the point," Ruka interrupted, "We just want to make sure she's alright."

Then silence filled the space. There was nothing to say anymore. They all knew the reason for it.

"Did you... call Nii-san?" asked Aoi timidly, "I heard Nobara was at the studio."

"Nobara was - "

"We did not and will not call Hyuuga," Hotaru growled as if a tiger had awaken inside her. "Just tell him to get the hell out of Mikan's life. She never even wanted to do the Chef Battle and then Hyuuga comes in and - "

"She found a dream," Ruka retorted, "I'm not defending Natsume but you need to understand that Mikan right now really loves cooking and she has the talent and ambition."

"I don't care - as long as Hyuuga stays away from her."

Aoi bit her lip. What could she say in this scenario? The tension will build inevitably if she doesn't do something. It was times like these that she would rely on someone to break the ice.

"Why don't we discuss this after Mikan-chan recovers?" she suggested, "But Nii-san will find out regardless so let's just let this slide."

In a silent agreement, all three of them sat down at the waiting area.

Natsume stood at the reception. They probably never noticed that he was lingering there when the ambulance halted outside and paramedics rushed Mikan away. He had come with Nobara to observe how it would go but this was not one of the scenarios in his head. In fact, he had almost hoped Mikan would come up to him and start yelling so that they could completely forget about what happened.

"Natsume, are you not going to the hospital?" Nobara urged me, "It seems serious."

He remained like a statue, stiff and stone-faced.

"She's your girlfriend right now, isn't she? As a boyfriend, you should be supporting her."

"We... aren't," Natsume choked out, "She doesn't want me there. All I do is hurt her anyway. I'm going to speak to the panel and see what they can do -"

"Natsume, you've been looking after me this entire month. I think I have a grasp of your expression and intentions now. Right now, you want to go to hospital. Even though this doesn't mean I'm giving up, I want you to see Mikan-chan. If it were me..."

Nobara gave him a light shove towards the door. "I'll stay here and watch the rest of the battle."

"What can I do if I'm there?"

When did he get this indecisive? Back in Greece he was as stubborn as a mule.

"Fine then," she clutched at his arm, "Stay with me. You pick me. Just forget all about Mikan-chan. After this week of spending time with me, don't you recall all the times we were in Greece. We were in love - we still are."

"I really do wish it was that easy Nobara," he murmured, "If I never met Mikan - "

"Then why are you still here?" she rolled her eyes.

Without turning back, Natsume sprinted off to his car, leaving Nobara to stare at his silhouette.

"You've changed from our time in Greece," she chuckled as she headed back towards the studio. The results should be out soon. There wasn't much to look at though she could make idle conversation with contestants, stare sceptically at the laid out dishes, introduce herself to some of the high-class mentors or she could sit at her seat quietly. She chose the latter. There wasn't much that was interesting anyway. Everyone could see that the girl who made the Chinese meatballs would win.

This was the end for her and Natsume. She should probably book her flight back tonight so that she wouldn't get in the way. But then again she was intrigued by who Mikan Sakura was to be able to change her stubborn Natsume. Perhaps she would stay until then.

"Hello there."

Even if she went back now, her dad would just pester her about the business and that was the last thing she wanted. Maybe she should just stand up to him. But the business was still precious to her. Without it, she probably would never join into the culinary world.

A prod to the back finally caught her attention.

"Huh?"

The dark man raised a brow, "So the doll does speak."

Slightly offended, Nobara frowned. "And you are?"

"I'm Persona."

"How fucking dare you?" Hotaru was seething with rage, glaring at Natsume with looks that could kill.

"I don't fucking care Imai," he replied bitterly. He did not drive over a higher illegal speed limit and over six blatantly red lights to be stopped here. He was going to see Mikan whether she liked it or not. And they were going to get this sorted out.

"This happened all because of you. Did you come just to inspect the damage just so you can get some shitty joy from it? You hurt her. And I want you to get the fuck out of this hospital right now."

"Natsume, maybe you should lay off for now - " Ruka began, not liking where the conversation was going. Not only that but the nurses were beginning to grow suspicious of the dangerously low growling.

"I know it was a stupid fight and I know I was stubborn but she hasn't been the only one hurting. And this past month, I worked things out. It's never been about Nobara or the Chef Battle, I just want us to us. And I need to tell Mikan that."

"And what the hell makes you think I'll let you? You already fucked up once what's to say you won't do that again?" she scoffed, "I entrusted Mikan to you and you failed me. It's pretty obvious you don't get a second chance."

"That's not your decision."

"Well it certainly isn't yours either."

"Nii-san, Hotaru-chan," Aoi spoke up boldly, "It's already past visiting hours anyway. Only Mikan-chan's mum is allowed to be here so we should all go home. Maybe after we calm down..."

"Fine," Hotaru picked up her bag. "But don't think this is fucking over."

With that, she stormed off.

End of Chapter 26

All my exams are over as of today so woohoo! And I am so so tired. Do you guys think the tiring part is studying, doing the exam or waiting for results? Because I think it's all of them. Well at least now I don't have an excuse not to write.

jdcocoa girl - I'm going to be honest, I originally planned out a lot more drama with Nobara involved but then you know, the year flew by and so did the idea. So I had to get rid of her real fast. Whoops. Hope you forgive me. You have no idea how good it feels to see a review after such a long break so thanks so much!

bunnyboo143 - That's really sweet of you! I'm so glad you're enjoying it, I feel as though it's not really that good anymore because I lost track of it. I'll definitely continue it because of your awesome encouragement.

YellowOrangeRed - Aw man, I am gonna make him suffer through hell and back. No one ditches a girl and expects to be taken back easily - mwahahaha. I'm really touched by your review and hopefully you enjoyed this chapter

ciltiam - It's been so long since I last saw you too! Yeah, I pretty much had to reread then entire fic to catch up and man, how the heck did you guys put up with me? I am ALL over the place. Thanks so much for keeping up with me!

CrimsonPrincess14 - Yes your highness, I will update ASAP! I'm working hard so you can count on me. Thanks so much for your review, it really makes me feel as though you are all enjoying the fic and that's really encouraging.