Chapter 5: I'll Still Wait
Thank you to wxlkinginstxrlight for being one of those who have Flame on Favorites and Alerts!
Gakuen Alice and its characters are the wonderful creations of Tachibana Higuchi.
There is still danger in the world that awaits outside.
Featuring detention and a promise.
Natsume walked swiftly into the Administration Area of the High School Division the next morning. Kazumi Yukihira's secretary took one bored glance at him as he approached the principal's office.
"Go on. He's expecting you," she said and returned to her mounting paperwork.
Natsume frowned. He didn't take that as a good sign. Yuu told him that coming here was a terrible idea, but Natsume had to try. He had an appointment he wanted to keep. He knocked on the door.
The High School Principal didn't even bother looking up from his desk when Natsume entered the office. Natsume boldly took three steps forward before hesitating. This was sheer madness, but he was here anyway.
"Principal Yukihira, I came here because I have a request," he said quietly.
The principal signed a document. Then he opened one of the thick folders on his desk.
"Principal Yukihira, I came here because I have a request," Natsume repeated, a little louder this time.
"I heard you the first time, Hyuuga. Would you care to elaborate on this request of yours?"
"Sir, may I please be allowed to serve my detention tomorrow after class and not today?" He hated how pathetic he sounded.
"What do you think?" The principal finally met his eyes.
"I have to be somewhere after class today. It's very important to me, Sir."
"I'm sure it is. You swallowed your infamous pride to come here and beg, after all."
Natsume gritted his teeth. "Sir, I know my request doesn't make sense but-"
"Indeed. It does not make sense. You didn't really think you can get away with attacking that idiot yesterday, did you? We have rules that must be enforced. Natsume Hyuuga, you will serve your 4-hour detention after class today. No negotiations. She'll understand. Now, go back to your classroom. First period is ongoing."
Of course he knew, Natsume thought. It was too obvious. The great Natsume Hyuuga came here to beg because Mikan Sakura wanted to meet him after class today.
Natsume clenched his fists and started heading back to the door. He felt a tiny shred of satisfaction that Akira Tonouchi had been branded as an idiot.
"By the way, Hyuuga. You're serving detention at the Student Records Room. I'm sure Minami would be pleased to have you. He's better than Narumi."
With that, Natsume's tiny shred of satisfaction promptly disintegrated. Kazumi Yukihira was clearly determined to make him remember the incident yesterday. He might as well figure out what kind of document Tono the idiot received from Minami.
Natsume hoped something good might come out of the four hours he had to endure later.
"I'll be there," he muttered and fought the urge to slam the doors.
He walked slowly as he took the long route back to the classroom, brooding all the way.
Screw the rules. Surely Mikan's uncle could understand his hatred for Persona. He would've reacted the same or even worse. But then again, Tono wouldn't be careless in talking with Kazumi Yukihira about Persona. Even he wasn't idiotic enough to do that.
When the bell signifying lunch break rang, Natsume and Mikan remained in their seats.
Hotaru rolled her eyes at her best friend. "Just go talk to him, you idiot. I've had enough of your drama. Settle it once and for all."
"What drama? Hotaru, I thought you were on my side!" Mikan looked very nervous.
"Good luck," Anna whispered to Mikan. Nonoko patted Mikan's hands in encouragement.
Koko tried approaching Sumire. "Can we eat together today?" He was hopeful since Mikan and Natsume appeared to be having a proper conversation in a short while.
"Only if you're treating!" Sumire said in an irritated tone but she hooked her arm to Koko's. Hotaru snapped up the pretty reconciliation picture as Mochu and Kitsu hollered.
Ruka smiled at Natsume before leaving with everyone else.
Mikan took a deep breath before she stood up and took the seat next to Natsume's. She was fidgeting.
Mikan was trying to remember what she was supposed to say to Natsume. She had actually practiced all night. She thought they were meeting after class but he had to serve detention, so lunch break seemed to be the next best alternative. Natsume stayed behind, so Mikan thought he had the same conclusion.
"I heard about your detention," she said, looking at her hands as she tried to steady them.
"I'm sure you did, like many others."
Mikan turned to glare at him. "Are you going to make this difficult, Natsume?"
"How am I making this difficult, Polka Dots? Just go and have lunch." Natsume noticed her eye bags as he faced her.
"No. I'm not going to eat lunch without you. That's final." She crossed her arms.
"Then you're going to starve, Polka."
"Then you'll starve with me!" By then she was smiling.
"I can get out of here and eat lunch. Why are you smiling? You're such a weird, foolish girl, Polka Dots."
He had missed her smile. He had missed being so close to her. The three weeks of their silent war felt longer that it actually was.
"Because we're talking or arguing or doing whatever we always do. You're calling me Polka Dots. That's actually better than you not talking to me at all. You can have gone ahead to eat lunch but here we are sitting together. I just…I really missed you, Natsume. There, I admitted it."
He smirked. "Idiot. You were the one who told me not to talk to you."
Mikan dropped her smile. "I wanted you to admit you were wrong! Well, you were never going to do that anyway."
"Hn."
"Natsume, I want to apologize. I found out about Ninomiya-kun. I was looking for a volunteer at the Middle School Division yesterday. I was worried because Chiharu-chan was running late. You know, for the Alumni Homecoming. I bumped into Ninomiya. Don't be angry at him for telling me everything."
"It's not even important."
"Being under your wing freed Sora Ninomiya from bullies! You should have just told me about it. I still don't approve of your methods, though."
Natsume sighed. "I said it's not important."
"There is also that thing that happened yesterday. I also don't approve of what you did to Tono-senpai but I'm really sorry for how I acted. You had every right to be angry at what… at what Tono-senpai said. I should have been more understanding. Natsume, I'm sorry for being immature."
"It's fine," Natsume said after a while.
"No. It's not fine, Natsume! You don't have to pretend it is. No one expects you to forgive that person. I don't! I swear I don't expect that of you. I'm sorry for being insensitive. Also, I'm sorry for running away. I'm just so sorry."
"Let's just drop it. You need to eat, Polka." He stood up.
"Hey, Natsume?" Mikan looked at him expectantly.
"Polka Dots. I'm not Koko. Don't expect me to treat you."
"Oh my goodness! I'm not asking you to treat me!"
Natsume grabbed her hand. "And I never will. Let's go."
"Natsume. There's one last thing. I just want to tell you this. I'll wait for the the time when you'll be comfortable enough to talk to me about your past. I'll wait, Natsume. No matter how long it takes. I know I can't really do anything about what happened but when the time comes, I'll be ready to listen to you. I promise."
"Mikan. Don't wait for a time that will never come." He kissed her forehead gentlly.
She frowned. "I'm still not dependable enough, am I?"
"You're being silly again."
"I'll still wait. I promise you, Natsume." Mikan's eyes burned with the sincerity and determination that he loved. She would wait for him to share his pain and Natsume knew he would keep her waiting.
Natsume thought about her promise as he served detention that afternoon. Kyousuke Minami's first task for him was to sweep the floors of the Student Records Room. The room wasn't really dirty so he finished quickly.
He wondered how the remaining three hours and 45 minutes would go. He hoped that it would involve finding out what information Minami gave to Tono. He'd have to be careful.
"Nice work!" Minami said while nodding. "Hmm. What do you want to do next?"
"You're supervising my detention. Is that a trick question?"
Minami shrugged. He was pale and appeared to be in his early thirties. He stood as tall as Natsume, with short, black hair and piercing green eyes.
"I highly doubt you're someone who can be tricked, Hyuuga."
"I think you're exactly the same," Natsume replied, eyeing Minami's controlling devices.
The man who supervised his detention had three hoops in his right ear. Natsume wondered what Minami's Alice was. Hotaru probably knew.
"We're the same because of another thing, actually." He gave an enigmatic smile.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"My life was stained by that demon too. Now, take the folders on top of that coffee table. Return them to the bottom shelf of the bookcase at the rightmost corner. It's the one with the chipped paint."
Natsume glared at him. "I'm not going to be your friend because of that similarity."
"I wasn't going for that, Hyuuga." Minami laughed. It sounded genuine.
"Still, I'm going to tell you something else. I know you're curious. If it's any consolation, the information I passed on to Akira yesterday wasn't that grand."
"Consolation? Why are you telling me this?"
"Consider it an act of goodwill. Akira's dating my younger sister and obviously, I don't approve. It was funny to see him in the state you left him in yesterday. Very funny, indeed." Minami laughed again.
"The information he received is about a former student. The said student is being considered for assignment to a sensitive position in the Ministry of Defense. That's all."
"How is that not… grand, as you call it?" Natsume took the folders to their right place. Minami waited for him to come back before answering. He was serious this time.
"Hyuuga, I don't consider anything grand if it doesn't have to do with any of the Anti-Alice Organizations lurking around."
Natsume tensed. "What's the general situation out there? Surely you have that information as well. Are you willing to tell me that?"
"Sure, Hyuuga. I don't see why not. Two of the little organizations have merged. We almost caught the leader of another. That was really a shame. But you didn't hear that from me, okay? I don't really like Akira but I agree with him on one thing. Enjoy the rest of your student life."
He winked. "Now let's see what else you can help me with."
Natsume thought Minami would eventually tell him how his life was 'stained' by Persona but he didn't. He never alluded to Persona again.
Should he trust this man? Mikan's uncle did. The High School Principal would know that Minami would impart some information to him, no matter how vague. Did that mean he had Kazumi Yukihira's trust too?
"Hyuuga, you have allies to support both of you whatever path you choose to take. I'm one of them even if you don't want me," the Student Records Custodian told Natsume before he left.
Natsume made it back in time before dinner ended. He looked for Mikan. She and the other girls of the whole High School Division were watching Hotaru in fascination. She was demonstrating her latest inventions to them. They ooh-ed, aah-ed and clapped at almost regular intervals.
As if Mikan felt his eyes on her, she smiled at him before turning back to Hotaru's demonstration.
He saw Ruka wave at him from another table away across the room, away from the crowd.
"Welcome back," said Ruka.
"How did it go? I thought detention usually lasted for two hours. Yours was four hours and you don't seem so irritated as I thought." Koko was back to his happy self.
Mochu smacked him. "Let him sit down first, you love-struck boy. Making up with Sumire's got you on a sugar high. Tell us, Natsume. Was Minami bossy?"
"He was barely tolerable," Natsume said.
"Minami-san doesn't seem so bad," said Yuu. "I asked for his help once and I remember that he was quite friendly. He kept the Student Records Room tidy, so I don't imagine you had to clean up that much."
Natsume scoffed. "He was obnoxiously friendly, you mean." And willing to share his knowledge about the dangers outside, he didn't add.
Ruka caught Natsume's eyes. Ruka's eyes were full of questions. Natsume nodded imperceptibly, a sign to let him know they'll talk about it later.
"Let's not talk about my detention anymore. What's Imai displaying over there, anyway?" Natsume said, to steer the conversation away from him.
Kitsu chuckled. "We're not entirely sure. Hotaru made all the boys stay away but I did my best to catch a glimpse. The first contraptions she presented seemed to be a series of high-end jewelry cleaners. They come in different shapes and sizes. I got shot down by her Baka gun before I could see the other gadgets."
"She did warn you, Kitsu." Ruka said.
"You're taking her side now, Ruka?" Mochu said. Ruka blushed.
Mochu turned to Koko. "You should get one of those jewelry cleaners for Sumire!"
"He can't afford it, Mochu. Natsume could!" Kitsu said.
Natsume smirked at Koko. "Koko. Call me Hyuuga-sama and I'll consider lending you enough rabbits."
"Don't let Mikan hear you," Yuu reminded Natsume while smiling.
"Thanks, guys. You're the best." Koko said sarcastically.
After dinner, Natsume excused himself from the guys with the pretense of being interested in making a purchase from Hotaru. Ruka knew otherwise.
Mikan was beside Hotaru and her eyes twinkled when Natsume walked over to them.
"Are you buying me a gift, Natsume? That's so cute!"
"No, you idiot. Stop calling me cute!"
"Go away, Mikan. You're scaring my customer," said Hotaru.
"I'll look forward to what you'll choose for me," Mikan giggled and left the two.
"Hyuuga, information will cost you more than any invention of mine," Hotaru said quietly.
"When did Minami start working here?"
"He came here from abroad three months after the war with Kuonji. I don't know which country he came from. You were still in physical therapy then."
That was not a time Natsume wanted to remember. "How many alices does he have and what are they?"
"One. He controls water. You're perfect for each other."
Natsume ignored Hotaru's taunt. "Only one alice? Just water?" He raised an eyebrow. Water. Three controlling devices.
"Just water. Our bodies are mostly made up of water. I'm feeling generous tonight, Hyuuga. I won't charge you." She walked away.
Natsume understood Hotaru's underlying message. Kyousuke Minami could control water to the extent of manipulating water inside people's bodies. A very dangerous ability.
He smirked. He and Ruka had a lot to talk about.
End of Chapter