Chapter 3: Of Course Not

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Here's a shorter chapter than the previous ones.

Gakuen Alice and its characters are the wonderful creations of Tachibana Higuchi.

Remembrance brings bittersweet relief.

Featuring international organizations and sleepovers.

Mikan was certain she made the right decision. She was determined not to take any medication to help her sleep.

"I'll weather the nightmares. I have to know who those two people are. I will remember them sooner if I don't take medication."

This was what Mikan told Subaru during the first and last time they had a brief meeting to discuss the subject. She didn't regret it.

With each passing night, Mikan felt that she was coming close to figuring out their identities. She also believed it was possible to remember why they died so tragically. It was only a matter of time.

One morning, Mikan woke up and finally realized that the people in her nightmares were her parents. She remembered how they came to the academy, how they met and fought for what they believed in until the very end.

"I accept what happened. I'm very happy because I finally remembered my parents," Mikan told her uncle calmly.

After a few days, Mikan visited Yuka and Izumi. Her uncle, Narumi, Shiki, Jinno, Sakurano and Subaru came with her. Mikan laid flowers at the grave.

As a gentle breeze caressed her hair, Mikan closed her eyes. She imagined her parents standing before her. Her mother and father were holding hands. They looked happy. They told her they loved her, that they were proud of her and would always watch over her.

I love you too, Mommy and Daddy.

In another life, Mommy could have been the one to teach me how to put my hair up in pigtails. I wonder if Daddy would have preferred braids, or maybe a ponytail.

Would they have debated over what type of pancakes to serve at breakfast?

I'm sure they would have given me big birthday parties.

We would go on trips together.

I can picture myself helping Daddy hide his anniversary gift to Mommy.

Our family won't be perfect but we'll be very happy.

When Natsume came over to her room that night, Mikan allowed herself to cry in his arms. For the first time in months, she slept peacefully.

The following morning, Hotaru was surprised to find Mikan waiting outside her room.

Mikan smiled at her best friend.

"What are you doing here, Mikan?"

"Thank you for the lavender patches, Hotaru. They really helped me calm down every time I had a nightmare. I don't think I'll need them anymore. I'll be fine now."

"Very well. You can sleep over at my room tonight."

"Eh? Tonight? Really?"

"Don't tell me you've forgotten already, you idiot. You begged me to sleep with you the day we met again. Hyuuga should be able to last one night without visiting you. Let's go to class."

"That's a great idea! Finally! Thank you, Hotaru! I knew this day would come!"

They walked together. Mikan started to think of what pajamas she would wear later. She was also deciding how many pillows she would bring to Hotaru's room. Then she remembered something and ceased to think about the sleepover.

"Wait, Hotaru. Earlier you said something about Natsume lasting one night without visiting me. How did you know about that? Does everyone know? What am I going to do now?"

Hotaru rolled her eyes.

"If everyone knew, do you think you could have kept your nightly arrangement for this long? Hurry up, I don't want to be late to class for the first time in my life." Hotaru proceeded to walk faster.

"You won't tell anyone, right?" Mikan laughed nervously.

"Don't be ridiculous. Of course not. Just don't come running to me for help when his extended visits eventually get discovered."

"Hotaru?"

"What now?"

"Can I ask you for a favor?"

"I've already done you a favor by keeping your secret." Hotaru frowned.

Mikan stopped walking. "The next time I visit my parents, would you come with me?"

Hotaru's face softened. "Did you really thought I would refuse?"

Mikan smiled, then laughed. "I guess I'm not that ridiculous. Of course not."

Hotaru smiled back. "Idiot."

"I know what your room would look like, Hotaru! There must be thousands of cool things in there. I can't wait to see them all."

Hotaru glared at her. "You are prohibited to touch any of those cool things."

"Why not?" Mikan pouted.

"You'll ruin everything."

"That's not true! I'll be very careful. I'm not as clumsy as you think."

"I highly doubt that. You must remain within the confines of my bed unless I say so. I'll be working later, so go to sleep first."

"We're supposed to have a pillow fight, watch a movie, play a game, eat and more!"

Hotaru sighed. "Didn't you listen to me? I said you can sleep over at my room tonight. I didn't say I would indulge in your fantasies."

"I might as well finish my bibliography for my Macroeconomics paper or revise the drafts of two others!"

"You can do that on my spare desk. I'm working on some very important documents. I need to send them to CERN next month."

"What in the world is that? Is that a company?"

"The acronym stands for Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire. It's the European Council for Nuclear Research. Don't ask me to explain."

"You're no fun but at least I get to spend time with you."

"I can't wait to see Hyuuga's face when you tell him about the sleepover tonight."

"Why? Should I tell him before lunch break then?"

Hotaru's eyes sparkled. "No, you should wait. Maybe even after the last period. It would be more interesting."

Mikan stopped to greet an underclassman before turning back to Hotaru.

"I'm sure he'll be fine with it. You're my best friend. You shouldn't be so worried, Hotaru."

"Oh, I'm definitely not worried. You can be sure of that."

"Sometimes, I really don't understand you, Hotaru. I'm really looking forward to our sleepover!"

They arrived at their classroom.

"Remember, don't make a mess in my room. I'll kick you out if you do. Now, go to your seat and don't bother me."

"You're so mean! Don't kick me out! Next time, I want to go to your laboratory."

"That is never going to happen."

The night was young, and they were lying side by side on the rooftop. It had been a long time since they were together like this.

"Let me guess, Natsume. You got kicked out."

"Shut up, Ruka. She's having a sleepover with her best friend who also happens to be your sovereign master."

"I am not her slave! And I don't have much choice since Imai's upgraded her blackmailing schemes. The Ice Queen's got video clips now. She told me they're uploaded on a secure server and stowed for future use. This has gotten way too far."

Natsume was amused. "I should ask her to let me see some, if not all. I'll pay good money for it."

"Don't change the subject, Natsume. We were talking about you. Well, maybe it's for the best that you're here with me. I was getting really jealous."

Natsume flinched.

Ruka sat up.

"Relax. I was getting really jealous of Sakura, I mean. I miss hanging out with you."

Natsume sat up as well.

"Don't even think of apologizing, Natsume. It will never suit you. I'll go back inside if you say sorry."

Natsume snickered. "I had no intention of apologizing to you."

"Of course not." Ruka grinned.

"So, what you have been up to, anyway?"

"Nothing much. I adopted a tiger last week."

"You've been busy. Do you need help?"

Ruka laughed. "Look at you, trying to make amends with me. I'll also answer your unspoken question. No, I didn't think of you when I decided to adopt the tiger. I didn't miss you that much to find solace with another cat."

"Right. I suppose I should be laughing now."

Ruka turned serious.

"The tiger I adopted is not in the academy grounds. I made a symbolic adoption. In return, I got a framed certificate and other stuff. The money I donated in the adoption process goes to global conservation work."

"Will you get to see that tiger in the future?"

"I hope so. I've also been in touch with the Wildlife Conservation Team of the World Wildlife Fund to find out how I can help save other animals. They facilitated the adoption. Illegal hunting is a grave evil. Why do species have to go extinct for the whims of wicked people?"

"You'll make a great conservationist, Ruka. You already are." Natsume paused. "It's not only because you're my best friend that I'm saying this."

"Thank you, Natsume. By the way, were you serious about paying for the video clips?"

Natsume smirked. "Look at the bright side, Ruka. I think it's better for me to purchase the copies instead of someone else. Do you want Koko, Kitsu or Mochu to get their hands on videos exhibiting your precious moments?"

"I'm quite sure that they won't be able to afford them. Besides, Imai will still keep the original footage." Ruka grimaced.

"Ruka."

"What is it, Natsume?"

"Let's do this again tomorrow night."

"Tomorrow night?"

"Yeah."

"You want us to hang out here in the rooftop tomorrow night? Are you sure about that?"

"Mikan has three term papers to finish and I've run out of manga to read while she toils through the night."

"Sure." Ruka smiled.

"You don't believe me, do you?"

"I know there's a newly opened shop in Central Town where you can stock up on new titles. I think you really got kicked out, Natsume. Don't use me as an excuse."

"Shut up."

Ruka laughed. "I'll be happy to this again tomorrow night or any other night. It can be our own version of a sleepover."

"Yes, I know things won't always be this peaceful," Natsume muttered.

"What did you say, Natsume?"

"Nothing. It was just something I heard from a foolish but perceptive girl."

End of Chapter 3

Yes, this work is written in a slow burn approach. CERN and WWF are real organizations I am not affiliated with. Thank you for reading and stay safe! Chapter 4 will be uploaded next week.