Himeno: Aoi-chan, all your troubles will be over here!
Aoi: Eh? Really? That's great! I was getting tired of all the bullying.
Himeno: Yeah… And that brother of yours is going to act like a brother here for the first time.
Aoi: I can't wait. Let's start now, Himeno-chan.
Himeno: Wait a minute… I have to make a few announcements first.
Aoi: About what…
Himeno: After the bullying problem is solved, we'll be going to Tsubasa's love life.
Aoi: Will Tsubasa-sama make up with Harada-senpai?
Himeno: You have to read to find out.
Aoi: By the way, Mikan-chan, Shouda-san, and Kokoroyomi-oniichan are planning something against the Morisato-san and Sumeragi-san.
Himeno: I assure you that things aren't going to be pretty for them.
Aoi: Can we start the story now?
Himeno: Go on ahead.
Aoi: Himeno-chan doesn't own Gakuen Alice. All rights belong to Higuchi-sensei.
Natsume the Jerk
Episode 29: Being a Brother and Friends
The bell had just rung. It was time for lunch. Everyone who didn't have packed lunches were making their way towards the cafeteria, the others stays in classroom or went to their favorite spots to enjoy their food. Normally, Aoi would eat together with Mikan and Kokoroyomi. However, she can't hang out with them because of Fumi and Momoe's threats. Basically, they were running her life in school, making her more miserable everyday. She can't do anything but to submit to them.
With a sigh, she got out her packed lunch from her bag and set it on her desk. "At least, I still get to eat Mikan-chan's home-cooked meals," she muttered to herself. She opened the lunchbox and smiled. It was her favorite food. "It looks delicious as usual."
Fumi and Momoe walked up to her and slammed their hands on her desk. Aoi swallowed hard as she looked up at them. They had their nasty little grins on their faces. Aoi knew they were going to do something bad again.
"What do we have here?" Fumi said, picking up Aoi's lunchbox. "I didn't know a little wrench like you knows how to make an elegant lunch like this."
"Please don't do anything with it," Aoi said, rising up from her chair. "That lunch was made by Mikan-chan." She immediately realized what she just said and covered her mouth with one hand.
Momoe raised a brow and grabbed Aoi by the collar. "What did you just say?" she said grimly. "This lunch was made by Mikan Sakura? Are you pulling our leg, Hyuuga-san?"
Aoi started to tremble in nervousness. "Um… That's… Well…" What was she going to do? Why did she have to say that? If they find out that Mikan lives with her and makes lunch for her everyday, then she'll be in more trouble. "I-I didn't mean Mikan-chan…"
"Hmph… That's right… There's no way an idol like Sakura-san would make lunch for someone as useless as you," Fumi said, throwing the lunch to the floor.
"No! Why did you do that?!" Aoi exclaimed, shoving herself away from Momoe. "My lunch…"
Momoe shrugged. "You don't need it," she said. "Besides, we're doing you a favor, Hyuuga-san. You should really think of going on a diet. You're a bit chubby now." She laughed as she flipped her lavender hair.
"Hmph… I don't think a diet is going to help Hyuuga-san become attractive," Fumi said with a chuckle. "She's too ugly… Ugly like her brother, who's a complete asshole."
Humiliated yet again, Aoi lowered her gaze to the tips of her shoes. Their words pierced her like knives. They were too much. Her classmates have also started talking bad about her and laughing at her predicament. She didn't want to cry, but she couldn't help it. The tears just came out on their own.
Fumi and Momoe walked towards the door, with satisfied smirks on their faces. As they opened the door, they were suddenly splashed with white paint. Their lovely and silky hairs were completely drenched. For a few seconds, they were too stunned to move. When they snapped back to reality, they let out an ear-splitting scream and started complaining.
"Who's the bastard responsible for this?" Fumi shrieked, wiping the paint from her face. "Oh, my hair totally ruined and my make-up! AHH!"
"My beautiful hair!" Momoe yelled out, holding her head. "This is going to take forever to remove."
"What happened to you?" someone asked them, and they immediately glared at the person. "Ah… You two look scary…" The two girls immediately put on a pleasant expression as they realized that it was Mikan Sakura. They felt so embarrassed for letting an idol see them in such a state.
"Sakura-san, it's terrible!" Momoe said, pouting like a puppy-dog. "Someone played a mean trick on us. We were dumped with white paint."
Mikan took out her handkerchief and started wiping Momoe's face. "Actually, I saw the person who placed the trap for you," she said, giving off a smile, as she turned to wipe Fumi's face next. "It was a girl and I think she went towards the chemistry lab." She pointed a finger straight ahead.
"Thank you, Sakura-san," Fumi said, her eyes beaming with admiration. "And thank you for being so nice. You're the best."
Momoe held Mikan's hand and giggled. "After we're done dealing with the prankster, allow us to treat you to dinner," she said.
Mikan nodded her head. "Sure… I'll be looking forward to it."
After that, Fumi and Momoe rushed towards the direction where Mikan pointed.
"Mikan-chan?" Aoi called out as she stood by the door. "Who dumped white paint on Sumeragi-san and Morisato-san?"
She giggled as she hugged Aoi happily. "Aoi-chan, your troubles are over!" she said. "Those girls won't be bullying you anymore."
Aoi's eyes widened in surprise. "Um… What do you mean, Mikan-chan?"
Mikan only giggled more and said, "You'll find out soon..."
"The prankster's going to feel our wrath!" Momoe said as she opened the chemistry room door. "Okay, you better come out and face us!"
"We are so making you our slave!" Fumi said as they both stepped into the room. Much to their surprise, nobody was there. "Don't hide from us! Come out, coward!" She kicked some chairs, knocking them down.
All of a sudden, they heard the door closing. They quickly turned their heads at the door and saw Sumire Shouda. "You're the prankster?!" Fumi gasped. "I don't believe this. I'd always known you were a bitch, but I didn't know you were a stupid prankster as well."
Momoe had a frightened expression on her face. She seemed like she had seen a ghost. "Shouda-san… did you really dump paint on us…?" she asked with a stuttering voice.
Sumire placed a hand on her waist and smirked. "That was just a little payback for what you did to me before," she said in a firm voice. "Because of you, I blamed someone else for your foolishness."
"W-What are you saying…?" Momoe turned her head away. "What foolishness? I didn't do anything to you."
"Don't play dumb with me, Sumeragi-san," Sumire said. "Admit it; you were the one who dumped white paint on me. I have proof here. Do you want to see it?"
Momoe shook her head violently. "Proof?! No, you're only lying! There's no proof. Besides, I'm not the one who dumped paint on you. I would never do such a thing, even though I don't like you."
Sumire sighed in frustration. "You don't like me and that's enough reason for you to do it," she said. She took out a picture from her pocket and showed it to them. "This is yours, right?"
"Eh? That's…" Momoe couldn't believe it. "H-How…How did you get that?!"
"Isn't that your picture of Kokoroyomi-san?" Fumi asked, noting the surprised expression on her friend's face. "Why is it with her, Momoe-chan?"
"So, this is really yours… Natsume-kun was right," Sumire said. "You see, Natsume-kun was the one who picked this up at the scene of the crime. He also caught a glimpse of your stupid face. And look, this picture has white paint smudge on it. I think this is proof enough. Momoe Sumeragi, you're guilty!"
Momoe bit her lip in anger. "All right, I admit it! It's true. I was the one who dumped paint on you. Do you want to know the reason why? It's because I hate you so much, Sumire Shouda!"
"You're mad at me because I stopped you from confessing to Kokoroyomi when we were still in elementary. You're mad at me because you have feelings for Kokoroyomi," Sumire said. "You like him so much that you can't stand seeing other girls get close to him. That's why you bully Hyuuga-san."
"Wait a minute, Shouda-san," Fumi uttered, blocking Momoe from Sumire. "We always bully Hyuuga-san because we hate her. It's not because of Kokoroyomi-san."
"But you bully her even more now that Hyuuga-san is close to Kokoroyomi."
"That's…"
"Sumeragi-san, you're never going to get Kokoroyomi's attention with that rotten personality of yours. Even though he's annoying as hell, he has some preferences in girls. And you are definitely not his type."
"What makes you so sure about that, bitch?!" Fumi yelled, clenching her teeth and her fists. "You don't even know Kokoroyomi-san that much. You guys are not in good terms."
"Oh, really? Well, you girls really don't know anything. But I know something that will probably surprise you. Let's just say that one of your friends told me about this."
"About what?" Momoe was almost afraid to ask.
"You actually threatened Hyuuga-san by using Kokoroyomi's mother. We all know that she's working at Sumeragi-san's company and you can get her fired easily. Nevertheless, I don't think you would be heartless enough to do that. After all, she is the mother of the guy you love, right, Sumeragi-san? You don't want to do anything to make him hate you."
"Why don't you just fuck off, Shouda-san?! What we do is none of your business!" Fumi was screaming so loud that Sumire had to cover her ears.
"Damn… Can't you just talk like a normal person? Sheesh…" Sumire then snapped her fingers. The door slid opened and in came Kokoroyomi. The two girls gasped in surprised at his presence. "Didn't expect him, huh? Well, for your information, he's been hiding behind this door from the start. He heard everything."
Momoe felt like it was the end of her world. Her biggest crush of all, Kokoroyomi, had just heard her ugly side. She couldn't believe it. She was so ashamed. As tears came to her eyes, she rushed out of the room through the other door.
"No, come back!" Fumi said before she shot a glare at Sumire. "You're going to pay, Shouda-san."
Kokoroyomi sighed. "You're still wiling to put up a fight? Please give up." He was wearing his usual cheery expression. "Oh, before I forget, please stop bullying Aoi-chan. Tell this to your friend too."
Fumi let out a malevolent laughter. "What makes you think I'm going to listen to you? I don't have feelings for you. I don't need to worry about being hated by you."
Sumire approached her and slapped her across the face. "I have never met such a dim-witted girl," she said, as Fumi touched the sore part of her cheek. "I guess I have no choice but to tell your parents how bitchy their daughter is. I'm sure they'll be very disappointed in you."
"Do you think they're going to believe you?!"
Sumire held out her hand towards Kokoroyomi, and then he placed a recorder on her hand. "Kokoroyomi here took the liberty of recording our conversation," she explained. "I can gain access to your parents easily, because they happened to be good friends of my mother. I'm sure the name Sachiko Shouda rings a bell?"
Fumi was stunned, speechless. "NO…Please don't… If my parents finds out, I'll be in big trouble…" She fell down on her knees, shaking. "I promise not to bully Hyuuga-san anymore. Just don't tell them."
Sumire and Kokoroyomi looked at each other and smiled in triumph.
Getting ready to go to work, Mikan was packing her stuff into her bag. Since the taping for the hit romantic comedy drama series, Sakura Kiss, has ended, Mikan was offered jobs by several well-known producers, directors, and people from modeling agencies. Serina, her ever so wonderful manager, have already taken offers to do commercials on a new perfume product and shampoo product. Of course, Mikan was excited to do the commercials, and she can't wait to star in another series. She hoped she could get another good role like the one in Sakura Kiss. In addition to that, there was a new song composed just for her, and that song was going to be featured in an Anime.
She was one of the few students left in the classroom. Ruka and Natsume had already left half an hour ago. Ruka had to take his rabbit to the vet and Natsume went to the Special Math Class. At least, she didn't have to worry about facing Natsume. For the entire day, she hadn't spoken a word to him. She kind of felt bad for ignoring him. It was all because of what she said to him the other night—about her friend's death.
Sighing deeply, she walked towards the door as she started thinking about her friend. She really missed her. It had been years now since her death. In the past, she blamed herself for losing her, but the people around her helped her gain the courage to move on. One of those people was Tsubasa. He comforted her until she was all better. He was the best senior a girl could ever have, Mikan thought with a smile as she opened the door.
Walking towards her locker, she saw Misaki Harada. She put up a good smile, greeted the senior student, and asked her why she was in the middle school building.
"About the dinner on Saturday…" Misaki began, turning her gaze away from Mikan. "I've been thinking…"
"Don't tell me you're not coming, senpai?" Mikan asked.
Misaki shook her head. "No, I'm coming… It's just that… I'm pretty nervous…" She can't believe she was saying it. "Tsubasa will be there, right? I know he's trying to make up with me. I don't know if dinner will be enough for me to forgive him. He's done a lot of damage to me in the past. You already know that."
"Umm… I'm really going to treat you," Mikan said, thinking She saw through my plan already? No, I have to tell to convince her that Tsubasa-senpai has nothing to do with this.
"Can you tell this to Tsubasa?" Misaki heaved a sigh before she continued. "If he wants to apologize to me, I'm willing to listen. I don't want him to give me any surprises like peace offerings. A talk would do just fine. I've realized that I've been angry at him for a long time now and it's time for me to put those feelings aside."
Mikan could see the sincerity in Misaki's eyes and knew that she was serious. "I'll be sure to pass the message, senpai," she said. "You can count on me."
"Thank you, Mikan," Misaki replied, smiling beautifully. "You're really a nice girl. It's no wonder Tsubasa's fond of you."
The brunette blushed and giggled. "Well, you're nice too, Misaki-senpai."
"I have to go now," Misaki said, picking up her bag. "I still have tons of homework to do. See you, Mikan. Take care on your way home." She spun around and walked away.
Mikan was glad that everything was going to be all right between Tsubasa and Misaki. The two of them deserved one another more than anyone else and it would only be right if they become a couple again. Mikan was sure that Tsubasa won't commit the same mistakes again. A call from her manager made her hurry to her limousine. An idol's work is never done. There was an exciting job waiting for her and she would do her best in it.
The Special Math Class had ended, and the selected students were relieved. The teacher gave them several hard problems to answer. It was no treat for them. Calculus and Trigonometry were hell. At least, they managed to solve them all. The teacher was really determined to have them win first place for the sake of the school. For Natsume, he was trying hard in order to impress a certain girl he admired.
After stuffing his things into his bag, he walked out of the classroom where he saw his sister standing across the door. He was a bit surprised to see her, although his face didn't show it. With a cold voice, he said, "What are you still doing here in school?"
Aoi was smiling brightly as she motioned over to his side. "Onii-chan, let's walk home together," she said, taking hold of his hand. "We haven't done so in a long time."
Natsume shrugged, pulling his hand away from hers. "I know you only waited for because Ruka and polka-dots are not here to accompany you home," he said.
"No… You're wrong, Onii-chan," Aoi said, her voice sounding a little firmer. "I waited for you because I wanted to."
"Is that so? I think you just want something from me. What is it? Help with homewo—"
"ONII-CHAN!" Aoi shouted, stomping her foot on the floor. She didn't mean to raise her voice at her older brother. She was surprised herself. But she was getting irritated with Natsume's attitude. "Look, is it really wrong to wait for you? Is it wrong for a little sister like me to walk home together with her older brother?"
Aoi never ever spoke to him that way, so Natsume was in awe. "You didn't have to overreact," he said, a small yet gentle smile appearing on his face. "You're really a mindless idiot. You're stupid, clumsy, and annoying. I always consider you a pain and even though I push you away, you still care for me. I can't believe I'm saying this, but it's good to have a sister like you."
His words were almost too good to be true. Aoi never thought that Natsume was happy to have her as his sister. "Onii-chan…"
Natsume placed a hand on her head. "I know I haven't been a brother to you," he said, heaving a sigh. "It was stupid of me to neglect you all this time. I thought that if I started caring, bad things would happen again like what happened to our parents. I failed as a brother. I even failed as friend to Ruka."
Aoi couldn't help but to hug her brother. "That's right… You did fail in a lot of things. You were always mean to me and Ruka. That's why I was so happy when Mikan-chan came to our life. You started changing because of her." She faced her brother again and smiled. "Right now, you're talking to me like a brother would. It's kind of surprising, but I'm glad."
"Tch… Stop acting so jolly about it…" Natsume flicked her temple and pinched her cheek hard. "I hate this kind of talk. Let's go already before I get sick and puke all over the place." He was going to his cold self again.
Despite that, Aoi's heart was at ease knowing that her brother was still a brother to her. "Onii-chan, how about if you treat your little sister to dinner tonight?" she asked with a giggle.
Natsume shot her a glare. "Don't push your luck, stupid," he said, and walked off.
Aoi let out a cute pout. "You're so stingy, Onii-chan!" Yup, the old stingy brother she loved very much.
The moment Tsubasa stepped into the mansion, Natsume Hyuuga was there waiting for him in the living room. Before he could even asked the guy what did he want, Natsume stood up and approached him, wearing a serious expression as usual. "I'm not here to fool around with you," Natsume said, and Tsubasa raised a brow. "I want answers from you. I want to know about polka-dot's friend—the one who died. You mentioned to me before that polka-dots blamed herself for the death of her friend. The thunderstorm brought back some memories and she doesn't want to talk about it." Tsubasa was amazed that Natsume talked a lot. Normally, he would only talk in one sentence or two.
However, the thing about Mikan's friend was supposed to be a secret. Tsubasa knew that he just blurted it out by accident back at the hospital. He was just mad at Natsume for pushing Mikan away. "Sit down and I'll talk," Tsubasa said, as the two of them sat down across each other. "Before I begin, tell me why do you want to know? Did something happen to Mikan?"
Natsume recalled the pained expression Mikan had during the thunderstorm and clenched his fists. "I don't want her to act so weird just because of a past memory," he said, pretending to be nonchalant about it. "She becomes more annoying than usual."
Tsubasa sighed, seeing through Natsume's façade. "In other words, you're worried about her. You don't like seeing her sad, which is why you're asking me about her friend." His lips curved into a mischievous grin. "Am I right, brat?"
Cursing silently in his head, Natsume kept up his composure. He already sounded cold, but Tsubasa still saw through him. "Tell me about her friend already," he demanded. "Do you think it's a treat for me to stay in the same room as you for more than five minutes? Your face makes me sick."
"You're saying those mean things because I hit the nail, right? You're embarrassed. Why can't you be honest and say that you're worried for my junior?"
Natsume was losing his patience fast. "If you're not going to tell me, then I might as well leave," he muttered through gritted teeth. He seemed like he was going to erupt any minute like a volcano.
Tsubasa laughed. "Chill, man… I was just messing with you." His expression then changed to serious one. "Mikan's parents died in an accident when she was only four years old. Her whole world crumbled in a snap and she couldn't stop crying for her parents. They were everything to her. Serina-san, our manager and a good friend of Mikan's parents, adopted Mikan. Even though Serina tried her best to cheer up the girl, Mikan would still cry, asking for her parents. One day, Mikan was crying alone in the park, and then a girl came up to her. That girl's name was Hotaru Imai."
Himeno: The jerk's acting like a brother for the first time. I can't believe it.
Natsume: What's not to believe? Besides, it's your fault. You're the one who wrote this chapter.
Himeno: But you actually like it, right?
Natsume: As if…
Tsubasa: Hey, Natsume, you ready to listen to more about Mikan's childhood?
Natsume: Just don't bore me to death.
Tsubasa: You can count on it.
Himeno: You'll get to find out about Hotaru and Mikan's past. It's exciting.
Tsubasa: I'll be making up with Misaki soon too.
Himeno: Misaki-senpai is willing to forgive you. Don't mess things up, okay?
Tsubasa: Don't worry… I won't…
Himeno: Please review this chapter. No flaming. See you soon.
