Chapter 1: I am Yours
Gakuen Alice and its characters are the wonderful creations of Tachibana Higuchi.
Necessary conversations fill the precious hours.
Featuring crabs and patterns.
Mikan, Natsume, Hotaru, Ruka and Jii-chan remain at the beach. Bear, entrusted to Youichi, has gone back to the academy. Nobara and Rei, together with their baby, go back to their own home as well.
Hotaru glances at Mikan, then Natsume.
Natsume is standing a few steps behind Mikan, staring at her intensely, willing her to turn around. Mikan continues to face the sea, but is obviously conscious of Natsume.
Hotaru wonders how long these two can stand the tension and who will make the first move. If this were the old days, she'd bet on Mikan. She would never been able to resist Natsume. But her best friend had just gotten her memories back and no one, not even her, knew how much she actually remembered.
Natsume, on the other hand, had lived for this day. No one with a working brain would ever doubt that. She had grown to respect him over the years as the two of them, together with Ruka, did all they could to graduate early. All in hopes of reuniting with Mikan as soon as possible. To make her remember all of them.
The sound of waves is all that can be heard. Besides Jii-chan talking animatedly with Ruka, that is.
Jii-chan is amused by Ruka, who is surrounded with the new friends he made at the beach. Crabs.
Hotaru turns to Mikan's grandfather.
"Jii-chan, Please allow me and Ruka to accompany you home. We'll cook dinner. He'll be my assistant," she says without consulting him. When she said assistant, she actually meant slave.
Ruka knows this. He opens his mouth to protest but she glares at him and that settled it. He was also concerned for the welfare of his new seaside friends.
"Excellent," Jii-chan says. His eyes go over to Natsume and Mikan, who remain motionless and silent.
"Mikan will be safe with that boy, Jii-chan," Hotaru assures him.
"Natsume won't let anyone harm Sakura," Ruka says.
"I can see that. It would be good if that boy is part of that anyone," says Jii-chan. Then he walks away.
Hotaru and Ruka exchange looks and catch up with the old man. The crabs wave farewell to Ruka, grateful to be alive. Hotaru had eyed them hungrily.
When Jii-chan, Hotaru and Ruka are out of earshot, Natsume finally speaks.
"Everyone's gone now, just in case you haven't noticed," he says dryly.
"No."
He waits for Mikan to say something else, but this is the only reply he gets. She doesn't even explain herself. Or face him.
No?
What does she mean? They're the only ones here.
Mikan was so happy when she recognized him earlier. She was shedding tears of joy.
She was happy to be reunited with everyone. She took time to talk to everyone. She was laughing.
But...
Was he just part of that everyone now? Wasn't he special to her anymore?
He didn't endure years of agony for this.
Natsume remembers the letter she left for him. The paper she wrote on smelled of strawberries. She apologized for leaving him. She also wrote:
Natsume, I believe with all my heart that we will be together again. I will surely remember you. I promise! I'll wait for you. No matter how long it takes.
Love, Mikan ❤
"Look at me," he says, fighting to contain his panic.
She finally turns around. Her eyes were brimming with tears.
"You said everyone's gone. But you're here. With me."
"I don't understand. Do you want me to-"
Mikan steps closer and places her hands on his chest, over where his heart is. Then she places her ear on the same spot and embraces him carefully.
Natsume relaxes and embraces her back. They stay like this for a while. Mikan pulls back and holds his face tenderly.
Then her tears fall.
"Oh, Natsume. You're here. With me."
"That's why you don't have to cry anymore." He gently wipes her tears away.
Her skin is still as soft as he remembers it to be.
"Your heart is working properly. You're breathing on your own. Your back isn't bleeding. Your face isn't full of cuts. You're body isn't covered with bruises. I can touch you freely without hurting you."
Mikan smiles.
"You're here. With me. After everything. We're together again, Natsume."
Natsume takes her hands and kisses each one. He finally understands.
When Natsume woke up from his coma, he had tubes in his body and different machines surrounded him. There were plasters on his face and bandages around his torso. He couldn't be touched easily because it hurt too much.
That was how Mikan saw him before she left the academy. That was her last memory of him - broken and unresponsive. And now she's seeing him again - whole. He was talking with her. She can touch his face. They can embrace each other.
The last part of her letter had said:
P.S. You better be healthy, you idiot. You MUST! I'll hate you if you're not well when I see you again. Please take care of yourself. Please.
"Yes. I'm here. We're back together. And we'll go through everything together, whatever happens. Together."
Natsume claims her lips.
He thought he understood what fire was, because after all, it is the power he wields. His fire caused enemies great pain. Sometimes they died.
But every time he kisses MIkan, there's a rush of a different kind of fire. There is no pain, only ecstasy.
They break away reluctantly, needing to breathe. He wants to kiss her again but she turns to the horizon.
"Look, Natsume! The sun is setting! It's lovely. Look at all the colors."
He puts his hand around her shoulder as they gaze at the horizon. The sky is on fire too, he thinks to himself.
"So, you want to touch me freely? I don't mind," Natsume whispers into her ear.
Mikan blushes and squirms out of his hold. He doesn't let her get away.
"Let go of me, you pervert! Let's go home! I'm starving!"
"I'm starving too, Polka Dots. And you look absolutely delicious right now. Like a perfectly ripe tomato."
"Natsume!"
Amused, he loosens his hold on Mikan.
"I get it. Let's go. I hope you have a decent sense of direction."
"I happen to know how to get back home, thank you very much."
Mikan crosses her arms and walks away.
Natsume takes one of her hands back and she lets him, after resisting weakly.
"You know, back then... I wanted to say more," Mikan says.
"Back then?"
Mikan stops walking.
"You know, our vow."
"What else is there to say, idiot? Don't tell me you're backing out now?"
"Who's backing out, stupid?! I said I wanted to say more and I'm saying it today, whether you like it or not. We were separated by the barrier before I could say it."
"Whenever you're ready, Polka Dots."
"Goodness. Do you still have to call me that? We're teenagers now, Natsume."
"Why not? I like it. It reminds me of our first meeting. And I'm assuming you still have at least one of those."
Her flushed cheeks confirm his assumption. She most certainly had more than one of those. There were strawberry fields too. And others.
It's dark when they reach her street. Mikan lets go of his hand. Then she brings both of their hands together, palms clasped and fingers interlaced tightly. Just like that winter night when they vowed their love for each other, for all of time.
"So...you told me back then, 'You are mine.' Well, this is what I wanted to say. Natsume, I am yours. For all time."
Mikan suddenly kisses him and before he can react, she is off running to her house. Hotaru, who has been waiting outside, drags Mikan inside.
But not after pocketing a small but high-tech camera.
Natsume takes his time walking to his fiancée's house, treasuring her words.
"Natsume, I am yours. For all time."
"I am yours too, Mikan," he whispers.
Meanwhile, Hotaru has successfully dragged Mikan inside her own house.
"Hotaru! I said it hurts, Hotaru! Let go!"
Hotaru suddenly lets her go and she almost trips. She catches herself just in time to see Jii-chan marching towards her.
She is spectacularly whacked on the head as Hotaru snickers in the background.
"Ow! I'm very sorry Jii-chan! I didn't mean to be late! You have to believe me!"
"Like I would! I thought you ran off with that boy! And where is he, anyway? Is he that afraid to show his face in here?"
Natsume enters and bows respectfully to Mikan's grandfather.
"I apologize for not bringing her home sooner. It's all my fault."
"Since when did Natsume learn to say sorry? It's creepy." Mikan whispered to Hotaru.
"Since now," Hotaru replied. She never thought she'd see the proud Natsume Hyuuga bowing in apology.
"Come with me, boy." Jii-chan's voice was firm. Natsume stood straight and followed him, winking at Mikan before disappearing down a corridor with her grandfather.
"Natsume will be alright, won't he?"
"We'll see. Come on." Hotaru dragged her again.
"Where's Ruka-pyon, by the way?"
"Sleeping."
Ruka was indeed sleeping at the couch, knocked out by Hotaru's demands in the kitchen. He basically did everything while Hotaru barked instructions. He wakes up upon hearing their footsteps.
"Sakura! Welcome back. Where's Natsume?" He yawned.
"Err. With Jii-chan."
"He'll live. Ruka, warm up the food now," Hotaru orders.
"I'll help you, Ruka-pyon."
Hotaru blocked her. "No, stay here. You'll burn our hard work in your distracted state. I won't have Jii-chan eating a charcoal dinner because of you."
Ruka smiled at Mikan. "I'll be fine, Sakura. I slept well. You can wait here with Imai."
Mikan and Hotaru sit down.
"Hotaru..."
"I said he'll live, idiot. Stop frowning." Hotaru flicks her forehead.
"Is he… really healthy now?"
"You saw that for yourself."
After a few minutes, Ruka brought the food to the dining table. He walked over to the two.
"Ask him if you don't believe me that Hyuuga's fine."
"Sakura, Imai's telling the truth. He refrained from straining his body. He told me you'd hate him if he didn't."
"I'm glad. Thank you for taking care of him, Ruka-pyon. Hotaru too."
"I had absolutely nothing to do with it," Hotaru said. It wasn't entirely true.
"Enough about Hyuuga. How about you, are you feeling alright?"
"Of course! I got my wish to be by the sea with everyone! And I was so happy to see Nobara, Rei and little Yuki."
Hotaru and Ruka wondered if she caught the significance of the name.
Just then, Jii-chan arrived with Natsume behind him. Natsume did look fine.
Mikan chattered happily as they ate a simple dinner. She told her friends about life with Jii-chan and Bear.
"I'm going to wash the dishes," Mikan announced after they had finished eating.
"Of course you should! Don't break anything," Jii-chan said. "I'm going to bed."
"I won't." Mikan kissed him good night, then started clearing the table.
"Shouldn't we help her?" Ruka said after she waved them off to the porch.
"Of course not. We should be preparing for tomorrow," said Hotaru.
"Any warning from your friends, Ruka?" Natsume asked.
"Nothing. I told the owls to alert me if something seems awry."
"Imai?"
"My devices haven't picked up anything suspicious, either. Except your pretty little scene at the street earlier." She smiled.
Natsume glared at her. Ruka was tempted to ask what that was about, but decided not to. It must be about Mikan.
Ruka still loves Mikan, but he knows his place. He'll protect her in his own way.
He remembers venting his pain to the Middle School Principal the day after Mikan left. Shiki-san's eyes were sad, his voice gentle and his words true.
"Nogi-kun, unrequited love will always hurt."*
Hotaru eyes Ruka briefly before turning back to Natsume, who clears his throat.
"Tsubasa told me that he and Tono are going out tonight. We'll be notified immediately if anything turns up."
"Ah! Sakurano-senpai reminded us to watch out for possible adverse effects in Sakura," said Ruka.
Hotaru rolls her eyes.
"That must be my stupid brother's words. Like we'd forget. Did you observe anything after we left you two alone, Hyuuga?"
Natsume shook his head.
Ruka told Natsume about Yuki.
"She didn't seem to recognize that the child was named in honor of her Father."
Natsume thought that was the best, for now. If Mikan remembered everything today, it might be too much of a shock.
"I'm done with the dishes!" Mikan was practically skipping towards them after a while. She hugs Hotaru.
"Hotaru! We have to sleep together. It's been so long! Please!"
"You're in high school. Stop whining like an annoying kid and sleep by yourself." Hotaru prys herself away from Mikan and leaves quickly.
"Ruka-pyon! Why does it seem like Hotaru became meaner?"
"I can't answer that, Sakura."
"She's just not fair!" Mikan puffs her cheeks in frustration.
Natsume made up his mind.
"I'm going ahead to our room, Ruka. I'd like to protect my eardrums."
"What did you say?!" Mikan is fuming.
Natsume sticks out his tongue at her and leaves while covering his ears.
"Natsume, you are still the meanest person that I know!"
"You might wake up your grandfather, Sakura," Ruka reminds her.
"Ah, thank you Ruka-pyon. I am so glad that you, at least, are not mean to me."
"I would never be mean to you, Sakura."
"I know! And that makes me happy."
"Sakura. Do you remember the time we spent together before you left? We lay on a grassy patch and talked."
Mikan paused. She was remembering now.
"You... you promised you'll come and see me someday. And that... you'll wait for me... together with Natsume."
"Do you remember the next part?"
"Ruka-pyon..."
"I just want to say that you don't have to worry about it anymore. Keep looking Natsume's way. I'll keep on praying that you two will never be apart. I will protect the happiness you both deserve."
"Thank you, Ruka-pyon."
"Good night, Sakura."
"Good night."
Natsume was listening. He quickly left his hiding place and went to the room he was sharing with Ruka for the night.
Hotaru was in Mikan's room, watching the exchange from a handheld monitor.
She went to her own room after snapping Mikan's suitcase shut. Hotaru had taken the trouble of packing for Mikan before she returned from the beach with Natsume. And yes, she put in polka dots and strawberry fields. Hearts and smiles too.
When Ruka reached their room, Natsume was staring out the window.
"Aren't you going to sleep, Natsume?"
"You go ahead," Natsume said.
"Natsume?"
"What is it, Ruka?"
"Thanks for earlier. Good night." Ruka lay down and closed his eyes.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"I do. You gave me time to talk to Sakura. You should go to her," Ruka whispered. "Don't mind me."
Natsume struggled to find the right words. Ruka had kept him sane as he struggled to cope with Mikan's absence. He blamed the Elementary School Principal's greed. He blamed the academy's officials who decided that Mikan should leave the academy and have her memories erased.
But mostly, he blamed himself for almost dying. It was his fault that Mikan lost her Alice and left the academy with no memories of him.
"I should be the one thanking you, Ruka. After I woke up-"
"Natsume, I'd do everything all over again for you. You're my best friend. Now, go. Just make sure Jii-chan doesn't catch you."
"I won't let that happen."
Natsume thought of entering her room from the window, but then she'd expect an entrance like that from him. He'll do that when they get back to the academy. Let her be surprised by his 'normal' entrance tonight.
He reached her door and knocked as quietly as he could. No answer.
He knocked again, a little louder this time. Still no answer.
He tried twisting the doorknob. The door opened easily.
"Mikan?"
Her window was open and he saw Mikan in the garden, admiring the moon. He leapt outside and landed beside her without making a sound.
Mikan had very nearly screamed but Natsume covered her mouth quickly. He removed his hand when she calmed down.
"What do you think you're doing?" Mikan whispered. "I almost had a heart attack! What if Jii-chan sees us? Didn't he lecture you enough earlier?"
"Your grandfather did not lecture me. He just made me promise to keep you safe and I did. And I will. I won't fail again."
"That's all?"
"Yes. Now, do you want me to leave?"
There was more, but he did not want to talk about it.
Mikan's grandfather told him that she cried every time it snowed, especially during Christmas. She would also be distracted by the moon. She always wore a sad expression when she left for school on the day of their school's cultural festival. The same thing happened on Sports Day.
Mikan tugs at his hand.
"Don't be ridiculous. Of course not. Stay. I want to prolong this moment. I know things won't always be this peaceful."
Natsume tensed. "What do you mean?"
"I know you're not supposed to tell me but I guess I'll eventually know what's going on after I get back, right?"
Natsume frowns. Knowing about the different anti-establishment organizations won't do Mikan any good. He wonders if he, Ruka and Hotaru did anything to make her suspicious. She couldn't have heard them strategizing earlier. They kept their voices down the whole time. Nor could she have encountered Ruka's friends or Hotaru's gadgets. Impossible.
"I thought so," Mikan sighs.
"Won't you stop worrying, Polka? I don't plan on breaking my promise to your grandfather. And I will definitely won't die on you again."
Mikan hugs him tightly. Natsume mentally cursed himself for that last sentence.
"Won't you smile for me?" His voice is gentle.
After a few moments, Mikan looks up and smiles. Just for tonight, nothing else matters than prolonging this precious moment that they have together.
And so they kiss.
The moon is still their witness.
End of First Chapter
*See my other story, Because I Love Her, in which Ruka shares his pain with Middle School Principal Masachika Shiki.