Anthem 1: Fools

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

What if we ruin it all, and we love like fools?

And all we have we lose?

And I don't want you to go but I want you so

So tell me what we choose

Friends, I watched us as we changed

The feelings in my headspace rearranged

I want you more than I've wanted anyone

Isn't that dangerous?

- Fools by Lauren Aquilina

It was late afternoon on a Saturday, and three friends were in the middle of dinner preparations.

"Sumire, you know how much I hate romantic clichés," said Mikan. She looked at her phone and re-read the carbonara recipe from Anna Umenomiya's popular blog.

"This is The Natsume Hyuuga we're talking about, the crowning jewel of our Film Department! No, let me correct myself. He is the crowning jewel of the entire university," Sumire said. She shook her head and fetched the bacon from their brand new fridge.

"Yeah, yeah, Natsume Hyuuga, my childhood friend. It's the perfect romantic cliché," Mikan said impassively.

Hotaru pulled a chair and sat by the dining table. She looked grumpy.

"Just start slicing the bacon, Permy. Mikan, don't overcook the noodles."

It's as if Hotaru was in a production set. She was using her 'director voice' to command them. It only meant one thing. Hotaru was hungry.

"Got it, Hotaru!" Mikan laughed as she started heating water in a pot.

Sumire wasn't letting the matter go away just yet.

"Hotaru, surely you know that Natsume and Mikan belong together?"

Hotaru drummed her fingers on the table. "I know, I know. Now, hurry up with our food."

"Hotaru, please. Not you, too!"

"Ha! It's not just the two of us, darling. Koko and Ruka also agree," Sumire said victoriously as she started slicing the bacon. Hotaru rolled her eyes.

Mikan scoffed. "Sumire, Koko is your boyfriend. And Hotaru, Ruka is—" She promptly shut her mouth when she saw Hotaru's expression. Mikan added salt to the steaming water then whisked eggs in a bowl.

Sumire was blissfully oblivious to Hotaru's death glare. "Ruka is courting Hotaru," Sumire said nonchalantly.

"That is a blatant falsehood. Sumire Shouda, shut up, get a pan and start frying that bacon right now or I'll add to your debt."

Sumire quickly started to do as Hotaru ordered. Only Hotaru could boss Sumire around. Usually, she was the one barking orders to the younger costume design students. Koko would cheerily take the scared lambs aside and show them how to correct their errors.

Not long after that, Hotaru set the table. The carbonara pasta was a big success, much to everyone's relief.

Sumire didn't mention Natsume again over dinner, so Mikan figured that she could end the day without a further discussion of her non-romance with Natsume.

She was wrong.

Koko called and Sumire excused herself. She headed over to the balcony to have some privacy. Hotaru dragged Mikan over to the couch.

"What is it, Hotaru?"

"Mikan, you are an excellent scriptwriter with a penchant for very original dialogue. You give twists to romantic stories. You detest romantic clichés, but stop using that as an excuse. You're just scared of getting into a romantic relationship with Natsume Hyuuga."

Mikan frowned.

"It's not an excuse, Hotaru. I've always been like this and Natsume knows that perfectly well. Anyway, what about you and Ruka? What's going on with the two of you? Is he really courting you, as Sumire claims?"

"I've told that aspiring sound editor not to wait for me because he'll always be second to my ambitions. He doesn't deserve that. It's unfair. There, I said it. Are you satisfied?"

Mikan was speechless. She had certainly not expected Hotaru to be honest regarding Ruka. It felt like she was in a bizarre alternate reality. She automatically formulated a script in her mind.

"I swear, Mikan. If you tell that to anyone else, I'll make your life a living hell. Now, it's your time to be honest."

Mikan settled for a nod.

"Do you love Natsume Hyuuga?"

"Yes… in the friendly sense. That's it, as a childhood friend."

Hotaru narrowed her amethyst eyes, clearly unconvinced.

"Hotaru! I already answered your question!"

Hotaru raised an eyebrow.

"Fine. Yes, as a very dear childhood friend."

"Don't be an idiot."

"Hotaru, it's just… I don't want to complicate things."

"You are scared."

Mikan couldn't sleep that night. She got up, made herself presentable and went to the nearby convenience store, like she always did when sleep evaded her.

She almost laughed when she got inside the store.

Natsume Hyuuga was by himself in the eat-in area, carefully pouring a spice packet over soba noodles. When she appeared in his line of sight, he didn't seem to be surprised to see her. He gave her a cursory glance and started eating.

Mikan had never seen Natsume surprised by anything. He was always calm and collected whatever happened around him. A lot of girls said that was part of his charm, besides his innate talent for cinematography, his athletic ability and his looks.

Everyone in school, except for his haters, said that The Natsume Hyuuga was perfect, except for his lack of musical talent. People generally didn't care that he was fluent in sarcasm.

Mikan bought a cream-filled sponge cake then took a seat beside him. They ate in comfortable silence. She briefly wondered what her very dear childhood friend was doing in this part of the city. In the end, she decided it didn't really matter. He'd tell her if he wanted do.

When they both finished eating, Natsume opened the door for her as they left. It was rare, but he could be a gentleman when he wanted to. Mikan only saw him act this way with his younger sister Aoi, with his mother Kaoru, when she was still alive and… with her — only when they were alone. She briefly wondered if that mattered. Of course, it did.

"Thanks, Natsume."

"Let's go for a drive." He showed her his trademark smirk. There was a mix of emotions in his crimson eyes that she couldn't decipher.

They have never drove around aimlessly in the wee hours of the morning.

"Sure." Mikan showed him her trademark smile.

For a split second, Natsume seemed to be relieved.

Screw the romantic clichés. Spending time together with Natsume like this felt perfectly natural. Mikan wasn't scared anymore.

End

From the Author

I managed to update Flame, my other Gakuen Alice story, three times last week, so I finally ventured to upload this. I sincerely hope that readers will like at least one out of the 15 songs featured in this anthology. Thank you for reading and take care. :)