Gakuen Alice: The Remake: Chapter 26
...xXx...
A sigh of frustration escaped her lips as she let go of the Alice stone in her hand. She had been doing this for hours, but it wouldn't work! Why wouldn't it work? Father Kazumi had even agreed to spare his never ending longevity stones to help her. If she couldn't do this right, she wouldn't able to save Natsume. Tears of frustration started brimming in her eyes.
"Patience, Mikan Princess," chided Hii-sama in a soft, scolding tone.
Mikan snapped her attention to Hii-sama and closed her eyes. "I'm sorry. It's just so…"
"I know." A gentle smile was on her lips. "Even Yuzu Princess couldn't do it right until weeks of practice."
Mother… Mikan thought sadly. "You know, I wish I can meet her, Hii-sama."
The older woman looked at the young girl before her. Even at this young age, she had so many burdens to carry on her tiny shoulders. The world must be ending soon if the adults around her couldn't help her. But then, they truly needed her useful Alices. She herself was hoping to see her mother again. Yuka would be able to assist her daughter with her Alices. Quietly, she closed her fan and reached out to Mikan.
"I'm sure you will meet her someday, Mikan Princess," she said while petting her head for a while.
Mikan let out a grateful smile. "Thank you, Hii-sama."
"So… tell me about your plan for Aoi-chan."
"About that…" she started nervously.
"Yes?"
"Hii-sama…" She bit her lower lip. "Do you really want to let go Aoi-chan without a fight?"
After a short contemplation, Hii-sama replied, "My only role is guarding Aoi-chan in my barrier. If you have Persona's key for her cell, the barrier will dissolve automatically."
Mikan hummed thoughtfully. She knew perfectly that even with her Teleportation and Nullification Alice, she wouldn't be able to penetrate Hii-sama's barrier. Even if she could pass through the barrier, it might difficult for her to get out. Her Alices were not as strong as an adult's yet. Besides, barrier was just like what it stood for; to protect the inside from the outside forces. She sighed wearily. It seemed her only way to rescue Aoi-chan was truly through Serio. Now, how could she convince him to release Aoi without question?
"Are you with me, Mikan Princess?"
Mikan shook her head to clear her clouded mind. She had thought of so many what-ifs that she had forgotten where she was. Looking nervously at Hii-sama, she apologised, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you, Hii-sama."
Hii-sama waved her hand dismissively. "Now, shall we continue?"
Determination filled her pale brown eyes as she nodded. "We shall."
She couldn't give up. Natsume's life was in her hands. She was pretty sure that Aoi-chan wouldn't like it if she lost her brother so soon.
...xXx...
Holidays within the dorm were relatively lively. But, just like the season, it came and gone. Yuu would be returning tomorrow. All of her free time was spent practicing her Insertion Alice with Hii-sama. Unfortunately, her attempts were not so fruitful, but she had gained a little bit of control over it. Well, it was much better than nothing at all. She closed her eyes as the soft breeze caressed her being while she was resting underneath the sakura tree.
Natsume was nowhere to be found. Presumably, he had gone to Central Town with Ruka and Youichi. The Spirit Manipulator always stuck with Natsume like glue. She was somewhat worried that the silver-haired boy would get influenced by Natsume's bad habits. Her wandering minds stopped abruptly when she felt his presence not far from her. Cautiously, she scanned her surroundings, but she couldn't find him. After making sure no one saw her, she made her way to the entrance of the Northern Woods, where she felt his presence.
As luck would have it, Natsume saw her. Though he wanted to stop her, he was curious of what she was doing. Imagine his surprise when he saw her go to Persona, who was seemingly waiting for her in a small clearing. If anyone told him this, he wouldn't believe it. It took every ounce of self-control he had not to drag Mikan away from Persona. Since he couldn't let his presence known, he stayed several feet away from them. He wanted to hear what they were talking about, but it would be too close, and he would be caught. That would be the last thing on his mind.
"Serio-nii-san," she saluted as he turned his crimson eyes to her.
"I'm thoroughly impressed that you can find me so easily…"
As if anyone could miss your dark and threatening aura, Mikan thought absentmindedly before inquiring, "What is it?"
Serio purposely stepped closer to her. A smirk was on his dark lips as he realised someone was watching them. That Kuro Neko was truly smitten. He wondered if the boy realised his mistake. The boy needed to learn about hiding his emotion, especially when he was upset. Leaning down to her ear, he murmured, "You do know that he's here, right?"
Mikan blinked. Of course, she had known that Natsume was following her, and right at this moment, hiding somewhere at her left side. Though she knew she couldn't do this, she had to. Time was not on her side, so she had to do what it took to save his sister. But of course, he wouldn't know that. Closing her eyes, she muttered to Serio, "Does it matter?"
"I guess not," he replied before standing straight before her.
"I thought as much." She nodded.
He chuckled quietly. Reaching forward, he trailed his nail against her right cheek. "Tell me, Mikan… what do you want?"
Ignoring the shiver that ran through her spine, she responded, "You know what I want, Serio-nii-san."
"Ah… I believe I do, but the question is… what will you do to get that?"
"…"
"How far would you go to achieve that?"
"Not so far away," she whispered.
"Is that so?"
"I prefer your cooperation, Serio-nii-san…"
"Oh?"
"I would want you to do it for someone else…"
"You mean for your boyfriend?"
She shook her head before looking into his crimson eyes. "For my father Izumi… the man who you killed unintentionally years ago…"
Everything happened so fast that she didn't see it coming. The next thing she felt was the sting of Serio's Death Alice at the back her neck. The pain was unbearable, but she hid it quite well while gritting her teeth. She could already feel her Nullification Alice started working in self-defence while her Stealing Alice tried extracting the deathly power in her. Serio's face was so close to hers as he inspected her face. The stinging of his Alice was gone as soon as he released her. As he looked away from her, she tried to regain her breath while clutching a small deathly stone in her right hand. If she didn't know about her Alices, she would have fainted just for this ordeal. Another thanks to Father Kazumi was in order.
"No wonder you look familiar…" he muttered quietly. "Why won't you blame me for his death?"
After pocketing the stone secretly, she hesitantly reached out to his hand. "It was not your fault, Rei-nii-san."
Serio closed his eyes shortly in reminisce. It had been so long since anyone called him by that name. This girl before him was truly his mentor's daughter. His mentor Izumi was someone he looked up to, someone he desired to call as his own father. All this year, he had been living in hell for killing the only man who accepted him for who he was. For years, he had been looking for someone who could accept him for his deathly power. Looking into her brown eyes, he believed that he had found that person. He knew without a doubt that she had forgiven and accepted him, just like her father, despite his terrible mistake. He wouldn't wonder anymore why she called him 'nii-san' the first time they met.
"I will have your cooperation, right?" she pleaded softly.
His gaze softened slightly as he muttered, "I believe so, Little Sister."
Mikan's heart leaped in joy. She did it! Rei had agreed to release Aoi-chan without question! Father Kazumi would be so proud of her. So happy, she couldn't help but throwing herself at him. Burying her face in his black attire, she chanted, "Thank you. Thank you so much."
Serio chuckled as he could clearly feel the boy's ire increased, seeing as his girlfriend was hugging the guy he hated the most.
"Mikan." He patted her little head gently. "Don't you think it's time for you to call him out from his hiding place?"
Mikan gasped in realisation as she broke the hug. After using her boyfriend's anger to locate him, she sweat dropped. Oh dear… Natsume was livid. Still, she called him, "Natsume…"
They were not disappointed as Natsume stepped out from his hiding place. Mikan cringed inwardly at his furious eyes. What should she say first? Telling him that she had a little chat with Rei? Nah, she doubted he would believe it. Then what? Telling him that she was trying to save his sister? Nay, it was a bad idea to be honest now.
Serio was the one who broke the uncomfortable silence between them. "Kuro Neko, you would better learn to control your emotion from now on. Should you endanger her further, you will deal with me."
After giving his new sister a soft pat on the head, he left the young lovebirds alone. He could sit back and watch, but if he was gone for too long, someone would get suspicious. Moreover, he needed to make a plan for releasing Aoi without making a big fuss. To be honest, he was getting tired of working under that heartless Principal Kuonji. Everyone in Dangerous Abilities probably viewed him as a heartless jerk, but that was his job; to be heartless. After all, he, too, was being watched, albeit loosely.
Mikan blushed slightly after hearing what Rei said to Natsume. On the bright side, things were looking up for her. Hopefully, it would continue like this.
Natsume didn't know what to feel after being told that by his hated enemy. He was furious, confused, and then suspicious. Was this a dream? He was pretty sure he must be in one because the Persona he knew wouldn't be kind to anyone. Kind and Persona didn't come together. Besides, why the sudden change of heart? Or maybe he had hit his head somewhere? He shook his head to dispel the never ending question that kept flooding into his mind.
She bit back a giggle as she saw myriad of emotions cross her boyfriend's handsome face. He must be so confused. Walking towards him, she smiled. "Natsume…"
Their eyes met in seconds. Still smiling, she hugged him. "Everything is okay. I know that you're very confused at the moment, but I can assure you that everything will be alright."
Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath to clear his mind. He had so many questions, but he highly doubted that he would get answers anytime soon. What was Mikan's relationship with Persona? What were they talking about? So many things he wanted to tell and ask her, but he couldn't even form a coherent thought at the moment. Maybe… maybe it was best that he stopped questioning everything. Sometimes, things should be left just the way it was, so it wouldn't complicate everything that was already complicated.
After heaving a defeated sigh, he hugged her close. "If you say so, Mikan."
Mikan smiled against his chest. Today was a beautiful day! Pulling away from him, she grinned. "So? How's your day at Central Town?"
"My room," he stated shortly.
She took his hands and closed her eyes to teleport them to his room. As soon as they were in his room, Natsume went to his bed, where a small white box was waiting innocently there. As he sat on the bed, he took the small box and held it to her.
"For me?"
"Hn."
She took it before opening the box. Her eyes widened as she found a rainbow satin ribbon. It was so simple, but so beautiful. This ribbon was his first present since they started going out. Looking at her boyfriend, she smiled. "Thank you. It's beautiful."
"Hn."
Putting back the lid of the box, she pecked his lips. "Really, thank you."
The desire to touch one another was too much, so they both followed the pull. Soon, both were on his bed with him on top of her. Lips collided in a passionate kiss while their inexperienced hands started roaming one another. Both never stopped until the need to breathe was overwhelming. They pulled apart at the same time. He then pressed his forehead against hers while trying to catch their breath together.
"You will be the death of me," he commented quietly before laying his head on her stomach.
"I don't think so, Mister." She giggled as she played with his raven hair.
For now, all was well. Both were content with each other's presence, and sleep was not far to claim them in peaceful dreams. Neither was aware that this was calm before the storm. Soon, everything would start breaking apart.