Disclaimer: I don't own ANY of the songs, I don't own Alice Gakuen!
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My Happy Ending
by Little Miss Giggle
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Chapter Thirty Four: Bittersweet Oranges
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The crowd welcomed the two called Final contestants on stage, and when Mikan and Hotaru appeared hand in hand, they went wild. The two best friends waved at the crowd (Hotaru in a less energetic manner) with their free hand, feeding the crowd the desire of wanting attention from the contestants. The two noted in the midst of waving that Andou Tsubasa was already on stage too; Mochu and Crimson Abyss were yet to be called on. The feeling that Mikan was feeling couldn't really be described in a sentence; she felt overwhelmed, she felt nervous, she felt excited and yet she was terrified—terrified of the results (her heart was pounding so very hard) and terrified for the moment when she will have to see Natsume Hyuuga.
"Keep your eyes on the crowd," Hotaru murmured, pulling Mikan out of her four-second trance. "Focus."
Mikan smiled.
She smiled again when she saw Tsubasa give her a warm smile. "Can you believe this?" he asked. "Look at them!" His hands motioned the roaring, jumping crowd.
Mikan looked up.
In all honesty, Mikan had probably never seen something so beautiful in her life. Her gaze rested with the crowd, and for a moment she forgot all together how to breathe. The evening darkness had crept in, and the flashes of cameras, neon banners, mobile phones all illuminated the whole of Tokyo Dome in an irregular pattern—oh, if only those flashes were shooting stars! The screaming of the crowd, Mikan decided as she blew them a kiss, was one of the best things she had ever heard in her life.
"Next," Mr. Prince's excited voice exclaimed, echoing and bouncing off people in the crowd, "please welcome our very own Mochu on stage!"
Just as when Hotaru and Mikan came, the crowd reacted in the very same way when they saw Mochu appear on stage. The only difference was that Mochu came up with a very confident swagger and excited the crowd more by shouting inaudible (due to the amplitude of the crowd itself) messages to them. The anticipation was palpable; everybody in the Dome (even the security guards) were desperate to know who had won this competition—would it be the band? The rapper? The pianist? The female singer? The male singer? They had waited thirty minutes for the answer; they could surely not wait another minute!
Mikan breathed in, and gazed up again.
It was really happening.
This was it.
This could change the winner(s)'s life. This could be the first step to the winner(s)'s new life. This was it. It was really happening.
And yet, Natsume Hyuuga was sat on that floor in the depth of the backstage not even thinking for a second about the fact that he was supposed to go on stage in a matter of seconds, not even thinking for a second about the fact that winning this competition could launch him and his band-mates to a whole new level of success. Somewhere in his abyss of a mind he knew he was being incredibly selfish to his band-mates right now by sitting here and not being there with them, but he couldn't move. He felt numb. Back in August last year, he recalled, when Natsume had first heard of the competition all he could think about was winning it but he could only cruelly laugh at that memory because now winning the competition was not at all what he wanted. Honestly, he couldn't give a flying damn now whether his band won this competition or not; all he could think about was a girl; a girl who he had made cry in front of forty-thousand fucking people . . . He ran both his hands down the planes of his face and tried hard for a moment to forget the image of Mikan Sakura crying but his efforts were futile—the image sequence replayed continuously in his head. On top of that the voice of his sister accusing him of being like the man he hated the most was on loop—You're just as bad as dad! You're just as bad as dad! You're just as bad as dad! You're just as bad as dad! You're just as bad as dad! You're just as bad as dad! You're just as bad as dad! You're just as bad as dad! You're just as bad as dad! You're just as bad as dad! You're just as bad as dad! You're just as bad as dad! You're just as bad as dad! You're just as bad as dad! You're just as bad as dad! You're just as bad as dad! You're just as bad as dad! You're just as bad as dad! You're just as bad as dad! You're just as bad as dad!—it just didn't stop.
Natsume screwed his eyes shut.
What had he done?
Was he really doing the right thing?
Yes. He reasoned for the thousandth time. Yes. This way, he was protecting Mikan from his father. This way, he was protecting Mikan from him. Aoi was right; he was fucked up and Mikan didn't and doesn't deserve someone as fucked up in the mind as him, just as his father had rightly pointed out. He had tried to change, but God! Who was he kidding? He was still the kid that nearly killed his sister. Still the kid that was responsible for everything that happened that night and just because his father and his tyrant of a manager, Persona, managed to cover it up didn't mean that it didn't happen.
He was still a criminal.
Still guilty.
Meanwhile, Tobita Yuu was panting as he ran as fast as his wiry legs could carry him to the blonde a few metres away from him—"Yuu!" Ruka called, when he saw their manager. His exclamation caused both Koko and Kitsune-me to hopefully look up however the trio were all disappointed when Yuu shook his head, which they all knew signified that their manager had not found Natsume Hyuuga. The backstage crew who witnessed all immediately acted—which included sending more crew to find Natsume Hyuuga's whereabouts and also included in telling Mr. Prince from backstage of his absence.
"I've looked everywhere," Tobita Yuu gasped out, "but I can't find Natsume!" Even though his words were barely audible, the three could trace the hints of evident concern and anxiety in Yuu's statement. Yuu was shiny with beads of sweat and he looked as if he was about to burst out into tears any second now.
"Okay. Don't worry, Yuu." Ruka kindly smiled, making a mental note that they should give Yuu a long summer holiday after this, but Ruka's eyes contradicted what he said as concern was definitely laced in them—Rukawas dead worried. After Aoi stormed out, she had left nothing but silence in the room and it was only broken when Natsume slowly and rigidly walked out of the room a few seconds later. They hadn't seen Natsume since, and they weren't sure if he had gone to speak to Aoi (or Mikan, for that matter) or if he had just gone to find solitude but either way they needed him now and he wasn't there. They had only started this vigorous search-party five minutes ago and Ruka was now expecting the worse: Natsume had left Tokyo Dome.
"What are we going to do, mate?" Koko asked as he saw one of the backstage crew motion conspicuously to Mr. Prince (from the backstage of course, so the audience couldn't see), notifying him that Natsume Hyuuga was still missing.
"What if, y'know, he's left all together?" Kitsune-me inquired, not letting Ruka answer the first question.
Ruka clenched his fist before he sighed. "We will have to go out, just as a three if the time comes and he's still not here."
Koko bit his lip. Kitsune-me swore as he breathed out.
Ruka knew that the backstage crew were not only worried as they run up and down the backstage, but they were also furious about Natsume Hyuuga's disappearance. It was causing havoc for them and the backstage crew were openly muttering on how selfish and how stupid Natsume Hyuuga was being as it was causing them so much hassle. "He's such a pain in the arse," on crewmember had remarked cruelly, "He thinks he can just disappear like some godforsaken cat because he's the King of the Alice Academy. Prick."
Ruka knew he himself would have probably been pissed off if he was a crew member but the fact was, he wasn't. He was Natsume Hyuuga's best friend and he knew well enough the pain his best friend had endured in his life, and knew right now Natsume was in a really vulnerable state. Ruka Nogi knew his best friend's feelings for Mikan Sakura still lingered (no doubt about that) and also knew that there was something Natsume was not telling him. Ruka wasn't pissed off at Natsume, merely concerned.
"What are we going to tell the crowd?" Koko urgently questioned. "We can't just be like: Sorry folks, Natsume Hyuuga was abducted by aliens."
"We'll just tell them that an urgent problem came up."
And right on cue: "And ladies and gentlemen," came Mr. Prince's voice, "please welcome, finally but definitely not least, Crimson Abyss on stage!"
Mikan gripped Hotaru's hand tightly when she heard the crowd's shouting increase—she had promised herself she'd keep her eyes firmly on the crowd but she broke that promise and let her eyes venture in the direction where she knew Crimson Abyss to be after she heard both Hotaru and Tsubasa mutter, "What the hell?"
Mikan's hazel eyes saw the familiar faces of Ruka, Koko and Kitsune-me but her ex-boyfriend wasn't to be seen; and it wasn't only them who had noticed—the whole crowd started to buzz, the judges raised their eyebrows and some even demanded on the whereabouts of Natsume Hyuuga.
Where is he?
"Is this supposed to happen?" Ryo asked the girls, while his parents furiously snapped photos of their baby girl. "Does he usually not show up?"
"This is the first time." Sumire replied, with her eyebrows furrowed.
Aoi silently gazed on.
Where is he?
The crowd, judges and the contestants on stage observed Ruka Nogi stepping forward and say something into the principle, Mr. Prince's ear and it was only moments later when Mr. Prince turned back to the crowd and said: "Regrettably, ladies and gentlemen, I have just been informed that—"
The spotlight however swiftly left Mr. Prince in the middle of his sentence, causing initial confusion but then all attention was turned to where it was shining now—on Natsume Hyuuga who had just appeared ever so quietly like a shadow onto the stage. And yes, almost immediately the crowd applauded at his presence—they cheered and chanted his names and fangirls started to melt into a pool of gush at the mere sight of him. Natsume Hyuuga crept his way next to his best friend with his hands in his pockets and shoulder somewhat hunched. Unheard to anybody else, Ruka turned his eyes to his best friend as soon as he stood shoulder to shoulder to him and hissed, "Where the hell were you?"
Ruka however was not surprised when he didn't get an answer. Ruka knew, after all, by this point that Natsume really didn't give a damn whether they won this competition or not. Natsume never voiced that but his lack of commitment to band meetings recently told the whole story.
Natsume Hyuuga's initial absence was completely forgotten by now and whilst everyone had welcomed him on stage, Mikan's reaction was completely different; to begin with, it was more of a reflex action. Mikan had snapped her eyes quickly away and tightened her grip on her best friend all unconsciously. Just seeing him for that flash of second made Mikan want to curl up in a ball, far far away.
Mr. Prince on the other hand half looked as if he wanted to kiss Natsume for actually showing up and he also half looked as if he wanted to kill Natsume for not showing up in the first place but nevertheless he continued with his cheery voice into the microphone, "All contestants are now on stage," the crowd cheered and screamed incoherent phrases, "and here is the moment you've all been waiting for. This has been a phenomenal night, I'm sure you'll all agree. But only one will win the prize." The screaming quadrupled. "In this envelope," he held up a beautiful golden envelope, "contains the paper which states who the winner for the Alice Academy's Music Competition is."
"GO CRIMSON ABYSS!"
"GET THEM, MOCHU!"
"HOTARU! MY LOVE!"
"ANDOU! YOU BETTER FUCKING WIN I'VE BETTED MONEY ON YOU!"
"MIKAN SAKURA FOR THE WIN!"
Random statements were being thrown around in Tokyo Dome and as Mr. Prince started to carefully rip open the flap of the envelope, a drumroll started creating nothing but suspense.
Mikan gripped onto Hotaru.
The girls all held onto each other.
The Sakura's and Imai's held their breath.
The crowd valiantly continued with their shouting and cheering.
Lights flashed.
Mochu closed his eyes.
Tsubasa intently watched Mr. Prince now open the slip of paper.
Hotaru sighed, hoping he would hurry the hell up.
Koko squeezed his best mate, Kitsune-me tightly. Kitsune-me, of course, squeezed back.
Ruka held his breath.
Natsume didn't even care.
Mr. Prince looked up at the crowd with a I-know-something-you-don't-know grin before he looked down at the judges' panel. After being given a signal from Mr. Narumi, Mr. Prince vaguely nodded and put the microphone to his lip, ". . . aaanndd the winner for the 2008 Alice Academy Music Competition is—"
"GO CRIMSON ABYSS!"
"GET THEM, MOCHU!"
"HOTARU! MY LOVE!"
"ANDOU! YOU BETTER FUCKING WIN I'VE BETTED MONEY ON YOU!"
"MIKAN SAKURA FOR THE WIN!"
"GO CRIMSON ABYSS!"
"GET THEM, MOCHU!"
"HOTARU! MY LOVE!"
"ANDOU! YOU BETTER FUCKING WIN I'VE BETTED MONEY ON YOU!"
"MIKAN SAKURA FOR THE WIN!"
Time went on, and Mikan watched up move on in front of her as if it was a river, flowing further and further away.
.
.
.
.
.
"—Mikan Sakura!"
Screams. Cheers. Tears. Yelling. Applauding. Whooping.
All these exuberant sounds could be heard as confetti exploded above the stage; shiny scraps of tinsel paper were fluttering down and all Mikan could do was look up at them and watch them twirl and whirl down, down, down—"YOU DID IT!" she vaguely heard Tsubasa shout from next to her, and before she knew it she was in the familiar arms of her best friend. Hotaru may or may not have said, "You deserve it, Mikan." she wasn't sure, (she could have even said, "Dinner's on you, Mikan.") because she was quickly swept off her standing place and pulled by Mr. Prince closer, closer to the audience.
Screams. Cheers. Tears. Yelling. Applauding. Whooping.
Screams. Cheers. Tears. Yelling. Applauding. Whooping.
Mikan finally grasped the gravity of what had just happened, as she watched the screaming audience proudly wave their handmade banners high up into the air. These people were screaming, cheering, crying, yelling, applauding and whooping for her.
This was for her.
She had won the Competition.
She had done it.
And before she realised, she was crying. Yet, unlike last time on stage, she wasn't crying because of a boy; Mikan felt overwhelmed, so overwhelmed she was scared she was going to be sick from all the love she was receiving from the audience—gratitude and happiness were rolling out of her in forms of tears. With all her heart, Mikan started to wave and blow kisses at the audience and was all of a sudden presented by Mr. Prince with a cheque (of money, money, money!) and a congratulating kiss on the cheek. "Well done, Mikan Sakura."
"Thank you so much—" the microphone was thrusted in her direction by Mr. Prince. "—Oh, okay!" she cleared her throat before she started, "I-I . . ." her voice rung in the Dome. She paused for a moment, to not only get her words sorted out in her head but she also stopped and stared and admired the crowds' beauty. "I-I don't know what to say but thank you." She finally said. "Thank you for the support and thank you Alice Academy for giving me this chance."
While most thought her Southern accent was a breath of fresh air, Natsume Hyuuga felt it squeeze his insides . . . his eyes were fixed on the back of her head and he could remember the feel of her soft brown hair against his fingers as he watched it swish ever so slightly as she spoke.
Mochu clapped with a smile on his face.
Tsubasa cupped his hands around his mouth and whooped.
Hotaru regally clapped with an evident smile on her face.
Three members of Crimson Abyss were clapping with smiles on their faces. The odd one out simply gazed longingly at the winner of the Music Competition.
"Really. Thank you so, so, so much."
She smiled brightly when the crowd happily responded and thought vaguely to herself how much love and support she was receiving right now. The cruel, cruel thing was however, yes, she was receiving much love, but it broke her heart to think that she wasn't receiving love from the one she wanted it from the most.
In this world, we always want what we don't have more than anything else.
Screams. Cheers. Tears. Yelling. Applauding. Whooping.
She didn't know what as to come in the future, no, Mikan didn't understand then and there how much her life will change by winning that competition. All she knew at that moment (about the future) was the fact that she would have to buy not only all her friends but also her family and the Imai's dinner later that night.
Screams. Cheers. Tears. Yelling. Applauding. Whooping.
All for her. All her's.
0.0.0
It was you and me against the world
And you promised me forever more
Was it something that I said?
Was it something that I did?
'Cos I gotta know
What made me unbeautiful.
I've been told
What's done is done
To let it go
And carry on
And deep inside
I know that's true
I'm stuck in time
I'm stuck on you
We were still untouchable
It was you and me against the world
And you promised me forever more.
Was it something that I said?
Was it something that I did?
'Cos I gotta know
What made me unbeautiful.
Good morning, Tokyo
Issue 87397
Date: 3rd June 2008
Mikan Sakura wins Alice Academy's Music Competition!
Many spectators of the renowned Alice Academy's first ever Music Competition are reported to be 'stunned' from last night's performance. Many however also came home surprised; surprised by the fact that the famous band, Crimson Abyss, and famous rapper, Mochu of the Alice Academy did not win the Competition; instead an unknown-to-society singer of the Academy with a pretty face and a cute Southern accent won the Competition. She goes by the name, "Mikan Sakura" (not a stage name) and is reported to be only sixteen years old, furthermore it is also reported that she only actually entered the Academy last year. Spectators were 'touched' by her raw, tearful performance ('My Happy Ending') and many agents are rumoured to be interested in employing her in their agencies. There is no doubt we'd be hearing more of Mikan Sakura in the future. No doubt at all.
Vivi
Issue 86462
Date: 3rd June 2008
Mikan Sakura takes Tokyo Dome by a storm!
See pg. 3 for more!
Ginza
Issue 2942
Date: 4thJune 2008
Who is Mikan Sakura?
The truth about the girl who captured our hearts.
Vivi
Issue 86471
Date: 7th June
Mikan Sakura signed with Tono Star Records!
Akira Tonochi said to be "delighted" to have Mikan Sakura in his company . . .
Read more pg. 6!
Seventeen
Issue 230593
Date: 9th June 2009
Exclusive Interview with Mikan Sakura!
It's only been a few days since the legendary competition held by the famous Alice Academy however Tokyo is still buzzing about Mikan Sakura. Seventeen have managed to speak with Mikan Sakura—she came into our studio in a plain white teeshirt and washed out jeans and down-to-earth is definitely a word that describes this newcomer.
See more pg. 19!
(snippets from the interview):
M: It's surreal that I, you know, won that competition. It's an incredible feeling and sometimes I have to remind myself by saying, you know, something like: "Oh yeah. That actually happened."
I: Do you feel any different?
M: No. I mean, it's still me. I'm not any different to when I was before the competition. The only difference is that people actual want to know about me. Which is totally bizarre.
I: How do you feel about this sudden attention?
M: Oh. (laughs) I'll definitely need to get used to it. But it's not quite sinking in yet—as I said it's still me. But I'm not going to complain about this attention; I've always wanted to become a singer, and if this is part of the deal then so be it!
I: Oh, really? You've always dreamed about this?
M: Yes! My best friend, Hotaru, could complain to you for days about how I just didn't shut up about this dream, (which is scarily now a reality!) when I was younger. Now I think about it, my whole neighbourhood could actually tell you about that!
I: Where do you come from? I can tell by your accent you are not from Tokyo.
M: I'm from rural Nagoya.
I: By your ear-to-ear grin, I can tell you're very proud to be as well.
M: Yes, I love Nagoya! I'm so glad I grew up there—there were only a few hundred living in my area in Nagoya (it was a really rural area, haha) and . . . yeah, I just loved it.
I: I see! . . . Hold up, you did say Hotaru before, correct?
(M nods)
I: You don't mean Hotaru Imai, one of the finalists of the competition?
M: (smiles and nods) The one and only! Hotaru Imai is my best friend. She basically grew up with me—we lived on the same road.
I: What a prosperous road indeed!
M: (laughs) Well, we're going back to that prosperous road indeed this summer! Some of our friends plan to visit for a few days too.
I: Of course! Summer holidays, starts soon, no? Sheesh, I completely forget you were still sixteen there for a second . . . do you plan to stay in school for the next two years?
M: Oh yes, definitely! And my summer starts on July 1st.
I: Excited?
M: And relieved.
(end of snippet)
Fudge
Issue 0029471
Date: 20th June 2008
Mikan Sakura and Natsume Hyuuga?
The streets of Tokyo are all buzzing about the rumour of Natsume Hyuuga and Mikan Sakura! According to many, many sources (from the Academy and some from bystanders of Tokyo) Mikan Sakura and Natsume Hyuuga (Crimson Abyss, photo below) are dating—Mikan Sakura has also recently been identified as the past-Unknown girl to be kissed by Natsume Hyuuga in Ueno Kouen earlier this year in April. What a beautiful pair!
. . .
Grazia
Issue 2893
Date: 21st June 2008
Mikan Sakura and Natsume Hyuuga: Are they or aren't they?
Many spectators are gossiping openly about the relationship of these two teenage sensations. Natsume Hyuuga who has been in the business for over a year now (lead singer of boy band, Crimson Abyss) is two years senior to the new, fresh-faced phenomenon Mikan Sakura. While many claim that these two are exclusive to this day, many students from the famous Alice Academy itself have contradicted this rumour; they let the fire die by stating, "That's old news. They're not together anymore." So are they or aren't they?
Natsume Hyuuga will be graduating from the Academy in less than two weeks while Mikan Sakura has confirmed herself she will return to the Academy come September.
Ruka Nogi Class of '08
Natsume Hyuuga Class of '08
(1st July 2008, Graduation Day.)
Grazia
Issue 2986
Date: 10th July 2008
Rumour was just a rumour, folks.
Claiming that she was single in her short interview with Radio 1 last week, Mikan Sakura has single-handedly thrown that rumour (of her dating Natsume Hyuuga) in the garbage can. We're sure however that the two dating in the past is not a just rumour—check out photos of them together below. (Left: Mikan Sakura and Natsume Hyuuga in Ueno Kouen taken by Hikari Kitamura) (Right: Mikan Sakura and Natsume in Ueno Kouen kissing taken by Yamato Murakami) What happened to them? That's what we'd like to know.
. . .
Spotted! Mikan Sakura and Hotaru Imai with friends from the Academy in Nagoya. (Date: 21st July 2008)
Jelly
Issue 9137
Date: 8th August 2008
Summer love?
Paparazzi and fans of the new Mikan Sakura and Sono Kaname (famous actor, see below) are having a field day after yesterday; local people from the Aichi Prefecture managed to snap many, many photos of the two buying an ice-cream in the streets of Nagoya together and these alleged photos are now all over the world wide web. Mikan is said to have been bought a strawberry flavoured ice-cream by gentleman, Sono Kaname (look below for photo). Uncertainty still buzzes in the air about how the two met and what their relationship is (must be something as Sono Kaname most likely flew or took the train all the way down to Nagoya to meet Mikan Sakura!) but all we can say now is that we'll definitely keep an eye on these two.
Quote from Mikan Sakura (from Vivi): Kaname and I? Going out? Oh no, no, no! We're just friends! Why is it when a girl is with a guy she has to be going out with him or else she's labelled a you-know-what? I mean, can't we just have guy friends without being judged?
(Date: 18th September 2008)
Welcome to the Mikan Sakura Official Website
Date: 27th September 2008
Heads up guys! Mikan Sakura's single, No Parade, is coming out next week on iTunes! Make sure to support her by buying it!
Good morning, Tokyo
Issue 87464
Date 16th September 2008
Sakura's single about breakup's a success!
Read more on page 13 . . .
Artist:Mikan Sakura
Song: No Parade
user1842: This song was written by Mikan Sakura herself, and the message is simple (even an idiot can deduce it): a certain relationship she had fell apart without any "parade", i.e. warning. She's basically saying her relationship, which was doing really good ("you were never supposed be just somebody in the past, somebody I used to see") suddenly collapsed as "trouble crept up on us (her and her boyfriend, well, ex)" and "before I (Mikan) knew we were dust". Simple really. Simple yet really, really damn sad nevertheless.
Grazia
Issue 3008
Date 29th October 2008
Mikan Sakura's song about Natsume Hyuuga?
While back in June we were all in frenzy thanks to the rumour of these two couples dating it quickly fizzed out (when Mikan herself denied it) and it turned into a different hype when pictures of Mikan and Sono Kaname were taken. However the original frenzy on Mikan and Natsume Hyuuga (Crimson Abyss) have ignited yet again after there has been buzzing and talking on the Internet that her single, No Parade was actually written about her break-up with her rumoured ex-boyfriend, Natsume Hyuuga. "They had something special," a source from the Academy claims, "but then one day, poof! Gone." Mikan's winning song, My Happy Ending(now available on iTunes) also seems to follow the same pattern and students from the Academy are "certain" that that piece was written about Natsume Hyuuga . . . could it be? Is Mikan Sakura singing about her ex-boyfriend?
Grazia
Issue 3009
Date 5th November 2008
Mikan Sakura refuses to talk about her song . . .
Read more pg. 72!
Fudge
Issue 003972
Date 28th November 2008
Where is Natsume Hyuuga?
Yesterday, on the 27th of November, Natsume Hyuuga, lead singer of boy band Crimson Abyssturned nineteen. Many fans camped outside Serio Records in Tokyo hoping to get a glimpse, or even better give their birthday gifts to Natsume Hyuuga however many went home with disappointment and their gifts still unwrapped. Natsume Hyuuga is reported not to be seen at all the whole of yesterday and many are starting to actually question his whereabouts as his face in society is becoming more and more scarce. "He's just busy," says manager Yuu Tobita when asked, "now he's not in school he's out in the real world, you know." Yes, thank Yuu, we know however this brings us to question: what has Natsume Hyuuga been doing? There have been no releases of singles or albums from Crimson Abyss despite the high anticipation. Where are they? Come back, boys, we miss you! And happy 19th; hope you had a good one!
Spotted! Mikan Sakura and friends in Chinese restaurant for her birthday! (Date: 1st January 2009)
Welcome to the Mikan Sakura Official Website
Date: 15th February 2009
Heads up guys! Mikan Sakura's second single, Haunted, is coming out next week on iTunes! Make sure to support her by buying it!
Good morning, Tokyo
Issue 98753
Date 23rd February 2009
Mikan: Another successful Single!
Read more on pg. 13 . . .
Artist:Mikan Sakura
Song: Haunted
user1842: Me again. Okay, another simple deduction—especially easy to deduce as this song has very, very similar features as her song, My Happy Ending. Simply: the ghost of her past relationship haunts her and she believed to have had him "figured out" but then he "walked away from everything" they had together. But interesting new point: there's another guy ("he will try to take away my pain") buuuut "the whole time I'm (Mikan) wishing it was you (ex-boyfriend) instead". Yowch. Sorry another guy. So yup, sounds like the same break-up with the other two songs to me. Must have been pretty bad if it's all she can sing about, eh? Get over it, girl!
Grazia
Issue 3008
Date 29th February 2009
Another one, Mikan?
Although she refuses to comment on this matter, we have an itch (that just needs to be scratched!) that all these past songs are about the same guy (cough, Natsume Hyuuga, cough.) Tell us what you think on our wesbite.
Good morning, Tokyo
Issue 98965
Date 14th March 2009
Crimson Abyss Disbanding?
Many fans panic at the rumour on the world wide web that famous boy band Crimson Abyss are in the process of disbanding and the cruellest thing of all is that (if this is indeed true!) they are disbanding before even releasing a song (let alone an album!) in the world!
Read pg. 21 for more.
Good morning, Tokyo
Issue 98967
Date 16th March 2009
Are Crimson Abyss disbanding because of Mikan Sakura?
Thousands of Facebook users have joined a group which claim that Mikan Sakura (Natsume Hyuuga's ex-girlfriend) is the cause of the band's rumoured disbanding over the past couple of days—Comment from Ayaka Suzuki reads: Ever since the Competition CA (Crimson Abyss) have stopped whilst MS (Mikan Sakura) has grown in fan numbers! She's obvs(iously) threatened CA with her songs (sob, sob I'm playing the smallest violin for you, MS!) and her aim is to shun them out of society by painting Natsume-sama to be bad!
Read more pg. 3.
RukaNogi
twitter
RukaNogi despite recent talk, we are not disbanding. Just saying. And thanks for b'day wishes!
17th March
Good morning, Tokyo
Issue 98985
Date 26th April 2009
Crimson Abyss in dangerous waters?
So they aren't disbanding (hurrah!) but could they be dropped from their record label (le gasp!)? Last night at the premiere of new thriller, Three Phone Calls, Serio Persona, world-wide famous producer and owner of the renowned Serio Records made an appearance in his usual black clad and when questioned about Crimson Abyss by one of our reporters, Mr. Persona made no efforts to hide he was "disappointed" by their lack of work since graduating from the Academy last year in July. Even worse, when asked (as a joke, no less!) whether he was planning to drop Crimson Abyss, he didn't say no (he didn't say yes either though . . .)! What's written in the stars for famous boy band, well, only time will tell.
Spotted! Mikan Sakura and Hotaru Imai attend premiere of Sono Kaname's new film, Lip Ring. Mikan Sakura and Hotaru Imai both wore beautiful dresses designed by "a very special friend." (Date: 3rd May 2008)
Ginza
Issue 85624
Date: 17th May 2009
Mikan Sakura and rapper, Mochu, collaborating?
Mochu, an ex-pupil and famous rapper from the Alice Academy has been climbing to the chart's Top Ten ever since he graduated last year in July, and there have been rumours that now twenty year old Mochu is desperate to get the seventeen year old Mikan Sakura to work with him.
Read more pg. 8!
Fudge
Issue 92894
Date: 22nd September 2009
Mikan Sakura's album release date delayed . . .
Who could blame her really? She's still seventeen, in school—girlfriend's got a lot on her plate right now! Mikan Sakura herself apologized to her fans with a homemade video (posted on her website) saying that her album won't be released any time this year but definitely next year (she pink swore to that!) probably in Summer when school will be over for her.
See her video at her website . . .
Spotted! Mikan Sakura, Hotaru Imai, Andou Tsubasa, Sono Kaname and friends at Nobu for Mikan's eighteenth birthday! (Date: 1st January 2010)
Welcome to the Mikan Sakura Official Website
Date: 7th June 2010
Mikan Sakura's album, Bittersweet Oranges, to be released in exactly a month! Pre-order now on iTunes!
Aoi Hyuuga Class of '10
Sumire Shouda Class of '10
Anna Umenomiya-Ogasawara Class of '10
Nonoko Umenomiya-Ogasawara Class of '10
Hotaru Imai Class of '10
Mikan Sakura Class of '10
(1st July 2010, Graduation Day.)
Welcome to the Mikan Sakura Official Website
Date: 9th July 2010
Mikan Sakura's new album, Bittersweet Oranges, was released exactly two days ago! Buy your very own album of her first album here!
Professional ratings
Review Scores of album, Bittersweet Oranges
Allmusic 4/5
Robert Christagu A-
Entertainment Weekly A
The Guardian 4/5
Los Angeles Times 3/4
The New York Times (favourable)
Rolling Stone 4/5
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2010
15th July
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Natsume Hyuuga rolled his ever-crimson eyes under his sunglasses as he noticed the girl at the cashier pushing her body onthe till in order to get a better look at him, while a quizzical brow was lifted on her face. Her eyes were squinted, and Natsume found it quite rudehow she was shamelessly ogling at him. Natsume Hyuuga coughed rather pointedly, hoping she'd get the message to stop, but hey who knew that would spike her interest even more, eh? Finally accepting that his girl won't quit, Natsume mentally started to pray—he prayed to the Lord above that she wouldn't realise who he was. Natsume pulled his cap further down his face and pushed his dark glasses further up the bridge of his nose at thought.
It was just past midnight now—outside was dark, but not pitch black thanks to the neon lights and by God was it hot out there. Nearly reaching 40degrees Celsius, Tokyo was at its summer peak, but there Natsume Hyuuga was alone in the air-conditioned 24 Hour CD shop.
Technically speaking of course, he wasn't alone—the girl made the two of them and Natsume noted she was still gazing at him now with her mouth slightly ajar. He wondered briefly if she was staring at him because she could see past his rather lame disguise or because she thought he was a spy (you know, with the black sunglasses, jeans and cap. C'mon, who else would wears sunglasses this late at night?).
Pushing his thoughts aside, his concentration was regained and both his crimson eyes and fingers skimmed through the row of "Most Popular" CD's. His fingers trickled over many CD's, and he recognized a few of the artists from his days at the Academy but finally his fingers abruptly came to a stop . . . and almost gentlyhe held up the CD that his fingers halted on. The CD bore the name, Bittersweet Oranges, and it also bore a beautiful girl on the cover, who was looking straight up from the CD cover to his eyes. Looking up at him with those hazel coloured eyes he missed so bloody much. He gazed down at her lips and spotted the small beauty spot that rested on the top of her cupid's bow.
. . . he brought his index finger to her lips and touched the top of her cupid's bow affectionately. "You have a beauty spot here," he announced softly, taking Mikan by surprise again. This time however, she couldn't help the sheepish smile that made its way to her lips before she replied, "And you have one," she placed her index finger on his strong, masculine jaw line, "here."
He was stuck in the past for a few moments before he blinked, and remembered where he was. And after that, without any second thoughts, Natsume turned around with the CD in his hands and made his way to the counter. The girl, noticing with a delay that he was heading her way blinked before she squeaked.
Honestly.
"G-Good evening," she breathlessly said as a smile leisurely formed on her face, "how can I—"
"Just this please." Natsume bluntly interrupted as he put the CD down on the counter.
"Of course . . ." was her rather slow answer and Natsume could feel her gaze burning into his face. He coughed, as he inclined his head to the side in vain to shield his face from the penetrating look. "That'll be 3000Yen."
As quickly as he could, he tossed over three 1000yen notes over to the girl, refusing to make eye contact. Sluggishly, the girl retrieved the crinkled up notes, never taking her gaze off Natsume. Time couldn't go more slowly as she put the money in the till, as placed the CD in a plastic bag, as she secure the bag with a short strip of sellotape, and when she finally handed the bag to him, she gasped, recognition now evident on her face. "Oh my God! Are you Natsu—"
"No, never heard of him." And with those five words, Natsume rapidly walked out the CD shop, and once he exited it, he jogged swiftly down the streets of Tokyo, never looking back.
That was close.
The last thing he wanted right now was a squealing fan asking for a signature to proceed by updating her Facebook status/twitter tweet: I just met Natsume Hyuuga! And he bought Mikan Sakura's new CD! SCANDAL.
Definitely not. If the news of him ever buying Mikan Sakura's new CD came out to the open, he would be chased to the goddamn toilet by the paparazzi. They'd have a field day and God could only imagine what kind of ridiculous headlines would appear on the gossip column on the news: Natsume Hyuuga buys beloved ex's CD at the dead of night. or maybe even: It's been two years and Natsume Hyuuga still not over Mikan Sakura. or maybe even: Natsume Hyuuga buys ex-girlfriend's CD with tears in his eyes.
. . . Alright, apart from the last imaginary headlines that ran wildly through his mind, they weren't at all ridiculous. He knew that. He knew that very well.
Natsume's pace gradually slowed down, and his crimson eyes caught the bright colours of Denny's. He looked at it for a moment before he decided he was craving a coffee rather badly so after checking his cap and sunglasses in a car's window reflection, Natsume entered Denny's. Immediately, he was hit with the smell of curry and soya sauce and chirpy voices that all sang a "Welcome to Denny's!" to him.
"For one?" a waiter asked as his eyes flickered behind Natsume to double-check he was indeed alone.
"Yeah."
"Smoking or non-smoking?"
"Smoking."
"Of course sir, follow me!" The man grinned before he swivelled around on his heel and directed Natsume to booth. Natsume took in that there weren't many people in the restaurant—a tired looking business man; a teenage girl who was texting viciously on her phone; a group of boys all slurping on their noodles and finally a happy looking couple, who had their hands knotted together in the middle of the table.
"Please call me when you are ready to order sir—"
"Can I just have a black coffee please? And a portion of chips." Natsume ordered as he sat himself down in the seat. After the waiter had jotted the order down, Natsume threw him a rather tight smile, which was supposed to be thankful. When he was finally alone, Natsume looked down at plastic bag which was placed upon the tabletops. Without hesitation, Natsume proceeded by tugging open the bag and carefully took the CD out. He peeled the think plastic wrapping before he managed to open the CD case. He looked at it, and as he picked up the CD pamphlet he realised that his breathing had become irregular. He coughed before he mentally slapped himself: he needed to get a grip. Natsume then gingerly flicked through the thin pamphlet, and his eyes caught that the lyrics of all the songs in her album were in the CD pamphlet.
He liked albums that had that.
Filling his lungs with a gust of new air as he inhaled deeply, Natsume finally opened the CD pamphlet on the first page. There, a picture of Mikan sitting down on a wooden chair in a big woolly jumper that reached her knees and present on her feet were silver ballerina flats. Her expression was unreadable; her face, which was hardly touched by makeup, was looking dead into the centre of the camera. Her hair was let down in big lazy curls.
Thank you so much for buying this. I love you all!
xoxo Mikan
That was printed on the left hand corner of the picture and Natsume couldn't help his fingers trace her kisses and name; her handwriting was still the same—all joined up, neat and curly.
Natsume stared down at the picture for a few more seconds before he turned the page. It was a double page; on the left page it consisted of the track list, and on the right page, a picture of her again; this time with a smile present. He took in every detail of it—her dimples, the colour of her cheeks, the sparkle in her eyes . . .
Rumours had been splashing on the tabloids about his past relationship with Mikan Sakura ever since 2008; and by God did they all piss him off (he still can't believe people actually buy these trash and actually enjoy reading about exaggerated stories of other people's lives), especially as none of the tabloids got it right. Not that they should—after all, it was still only him who knew why he broke up with Mikan Sakura. But when tabloids sprouted things like, "Natsume Hyuuga still thinking about Mikan Sakura; that's why he's still single!" the story themselves pissed him off (as they were totally exaggerated and 99.9% fake) but he knew himself more than anyone knew that he was very much not over Mikan Sakura.
He still loved her.
Two years later, here at Denny's.
Natsume bit his lips as his eyes flickered back to the track list.
1. In Gakuen Alice
2. Haunted
3. No Parade
4. Broken Strings feat. Andou Tsubasa
5. Airplanes feat. Mochu
6. Set The Fire To The Third Bar feat. Andou Tsubasa
7. Firefly
8. Your Song (Cover)
9. Keep Breathing
10. Bittersweet Oranges
He had already seen the track list on the internet before the album was released and immediately his curiosity peaked, and with a heavy heart, Natsume turned the page.
A double spread picture of the Alice Academy. Printed on top of it, were the lyrics of In Gakuen Alice.
Slowly but surely, he started to read them. No air went in, and no air went out as he read the lyrics written by Mikan Sakura, his ex-girlfriend, the only girl he had ever loved.
In Gakuen Alice
Crashed on the floor when I moved in
This little dorm room with some strange new friends
Stay up too late, and I'm too naïve
We promise each other it's 'til the end
Now we're spinning round in circles
It's the six of us
With pretty eyed boys girls die to trust
I can't resist the day
No, I can't resist the day
Permy screams out and it's no pose
'Cause when she dances she goes and goes
Beer through the nose on an inside joke
And I'm so excited, I haven't spoken
And she's so pretty, and she's so sure
And maybe I'm more silly than a girl like her
Summer's all in bloom
Summer is ending soon
It's alright and it's nice not to be so alone
But I hold on to your secrets in Gakuen Alice
Maybe I'm a little bit over my head
I come undone at the things he said
And he's so cool with his bright red eyes
We were all in love and we all got hurt
I sneak into the car's cracked leather seat
The smell of gasoline in the summer heat
Boy, we're going way too fast
It's all too sweet to last
It's alright
And I put myself in his hands
But I hold on to your secrets in Gakuen Alice
Love, or something ignites in my veins
And I pray it never fades in Gakuen Alice
My first time, hard to explain
Rush of blood, oh, and a little bit of pain
On a starry night,
it's more common than you think
He's my first mistake.
Maybe you were all smarter than me
I gave myself up so easily
These silly little wounds will never mend
I feel so far from where I've been
So I go, and I will not be back here again
I'm gone as the day is fading from Gakuen Alice
I lied, wrote my injuries all in the dust
In my heart is the six of us
In Gakuen Alice
And you, maybe you'll remember me
What I gave is yours to keep
In Gakuen Alice
In Gakuen Alice
In Gakuen Alice.
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End of Chapter Thirty Four
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A/N: I don't own any magazines used in this chapter either. Don't forget that they are tabloid snippets. And what do tabloids notoriously do? Exaggerate information.
Poll results:
Mikan Sakura: 63% (82)
Crimson Abyss: 16% (22)
Andou Tsubasa: 9% (12)
Hotaru Imai: 8% (11)
Mochu: 2% (3)
Thanks for participating!
1. In Gakuen Alice (White Houses by) Vanessa Carlton (N.B lyrics changed)
2. Haunted by Taylor Swift
3. No Parade by Jordin Sparks
4. Broken Strings by Nelly Furtado and James Morrison
5. Airplanes by b.o.b and Hayley Williams
6. Set The Fire To The Third Bar by Snow Patrol
7. Firefly is an own song I wrote (hence crap.)
8. Your Song (Cover) by Ellie Goulding
9. Keep Breathing by Ingrid Michaelson
10. Bittersweet Oranges is also an own song I wrote.
PS: Don't miss the secret messages in her song, In Gakuen Alice . . .