Chapter 8: Trust in Me

Can you believe it's already June? Where did the previous months go? I hope you all find something good for the rest of 2021! :)

Her secret is waiting to be unveiled.
Featuring sisters and first names.

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

Nonoko stretched her arms over her head and yawned, satisfied at the work she and Mikan managed to accomplish on a Friday afternoon. They were partners for a report in their Geography class.

"I think we should call it a day and grab a snack, Mikan. Mikan? Can you hear me?"

She frowned. Mikan looked like her mind was far off.

"Mikan? Is something wrong?" She put a hand on the brunette's arm.

"Ah! No. It's nothing, Nonoko. Sorry about that." Mikan said as she organized her notes. They exited the library where they had been buried deep in research for two hours.

"Are you sure, Mikan? Are you worried about university applications? Yamato-kun and I were discussing it a while ago. I know we still have three years of Specialist Training but I can't be helped but be excited." She scrunched her eyebrows, worried for her friend.

Mikan perked up. "You're still not on first-name basis with your boyfriend?"

"Well, he does call me by first name. It makes me happy! It makes me happier that he asked me first before he did. He told me that he'll wait for me to be comfortable to call him by his first name."

"You two are simply adorable! Are you planning to study in the same university, then?"

"Not really. I'm planning to go to Tokyo University and study take up Chemistry and Biotechnology. Yamato-kun's hoping to attend the Tokyo University of Arts and study Intermedia Art. His older sister is already in her second year there and is taking up the same course. And…he wants to introduce us." Nonoko blushed.

"That's wonderful! She'll like you, Nonoko. Don't worry about it!"

"I hope so. She sounds like a very cool person. I kind of envy you, Mikan. I'm sure Natsume's younger sister definitely likes you. You saved her life."

Mikan looked taken aback and failed to give a response immediately.

"I'm sorry, Mikan. I didn't mean to offend you. Was that why you were zoning out several times today? Were you worried about meeting Aoi-san after we graduate?

"Oh, that's not it. I was thinking about a different matter." She tried to smile. "But about Aoi-chan…it's just…I don't think it's a sure thing that she definitely likes me."

"But why, Mikan?"

Mikan sat on a bench they encountered on the path back to their dormitory. Nonoko sat with her. Mikan tightened the laces of her sneakers and smoothed down her jogging pants before speaking again.

"Natsume already lost one chance to come home. First, he could have left with Aoi-chan, after it was exposed that she was being locked up in the academy. Don't get me wrong, Nonoko. I know that it wasn't just for me that he stayed."

Nonoko nodded in encouragement. "Go on."

"Second, he and Ruka and Hotaru have graduated high school and gone on to specialization early. Fine. They're all smart and they supposedly didn't face dangers in low-level missions. They did that for me. Then they re-enrolled in high school for me — that's certainly my fault. They could have gone ahead back to their families."

"You don't have to be guilty, Mikan. You would have done the same for them. You saved Aoi-san's life and you saved Natsume too. You saved him in more ways than one."

She sounded so firm and Mikan was very touched.

"Thank you, Nonoko. I've never talked about this with anyone. I wished we had more time to have conversations like this." Mikan hugged Nonoko tightly.

"It feels weird to see you all serious, Mikan!" Nonoko laughed as she hugged her back, just as tight. Mikan laughed with her. They started walking back to their dormitory again.

"I guess you're right! Maybe I am becoming just a bit more mature. Just a tiny bit!"

Nonoko started talking about something else, but Mikan was lost in her thoughts.

Maybe I'm just anxious because I have to tell Natsume, Hotaru and Ruka about my secret soon. It's almost been a week. I'm sorry, Nonoko. I can't tell you about that.

"So, are you and Natsume going to university together?"

That brought Mikan back from her deep contemplation.

"Um. I don't think so! First of all, I'm not smart enough. He'll likely go to Tokyo University. Hotaru, Ruka-pyon and Yuu are likely bound to go there as well. You should still be close even if you go to different departments, okay? I'll visit your campus."

I'm staying here in Alice Academy for two more years after Specialist Training anyway, so I'll be doing distance learning. I don't even know what to specialize on, much less the course I ought to take. I really hope I can visit Natsume, you and everyone.

Mikan shook her head and focused on what Nonoko was saying the rest of the way. They talked about Sumire's suggestion to visit the new spa in Central Town next week.

They find Kazuki Yamato nervously waiting by the entrance of the high school dormitory and Mikan gives a not so subtle nudge to her equally nervous friend. She tells Nonoko that she forgot something at the library and runs off with a big grin on her face. She saw Yamato holding tickets behind his back. Nonoko may not be able to join them at the spa, after all.

Mikan is still giggling when she stops, hearing a familiar voice saying something unexpected. Ruka is briskly walking towards her, oblivious of her presence. He is muttering to himself about "how incorrigible Hotaru is."

"Ruka-pyon! Are my ears deceiving me? Did you just call my best friend by her first name? This is wonderful news!"

"It's not what you think, Sakura! I just forgot myself for a moment. " Ruka is blushing furiously and he can't meet her eyes.

"Don't worry, Ruka-pyon! I won't tell her. You better be careful around Koko!"

Ruka sighs and shakes his head. "Don't remind me. By the way, aren't you heading back to the dormitory?"

"Yeah, I was there." She giggles again. "I had to give some people much-needed privacy, so I came back this way."

"If you say so. Well, I'm heading back. Wish me luck with Koko."

"Hmmm. Maybe you could list all the animals you know in your head! That might help."

"Thanks, Sakura. That seems like a great idea. See you later!"

Ruka is a few paces away when Mikan remembers something.

"Wait, Ruka-pyon!" He smiles at her.

"If you're looking for Natsume, he's with Youichi. They're at the soccer field. They were waiting for Mochu and Kitsu when I left them."

"Not really, but thanks for the tip! Err... I want to tell you something, three days from now. It's very important. I'm telling you, Natsume and Hotaru. Good luck with Koko!"

Ruka forgot all thoughts related to Hotaru and her consistent cold, calculating personality. "I thought you were only meeting with Natsume?"

"Wait, how did you know about this?"

"He said something about it. I hope you don't mind." Ruka looked apologetic.

"Oh my goodness! I forgot to tell him you and Hotaru were coming too," Mikan said, horrified. "Great, he'll be more upset. I'm heading off to the soccer field right now."

She was gone before Ruka could utter another word.

"What could she say that concerns Hota- Imai and me? At least it's all but confirmed that she isn't breaking up with Natsume."

Mikan found Natsume coaching Youichi on executing penalty shots in the soccer field. Mochu was acting as the goal keeper. He was failing miserably to block Youichi's shots most of the time. Mikan clapped and cheered for her favorite underclassman from the side line.

"I can't believed I just blocked three out of 10 shots! I barely managed those three. Let's take a break!" "Mochu sat down by the left goal post.

"It's a mind game," Youichi said, looking smug.

Natsume scrutinized Mikan. "Miss me, Polka dots?" He smirked.

"You wish!" Mikan rolled her eyes.

"You didn't even bring us anything to eat. How useless." Youichi said.

"I wholeheartedly agree! Pass me a bottle of water from the cooler, won't you?" said Mochu. Mikan scowled at them before tossing Mochu a large bottle.

Natsume made her way to her side as she moved to sit in the bleachers.

"Well, are you really here just to watch Youichi's prowess?"

"Can't I?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"Is it that obvious I want to tell you something?" Mikan sighed.

"What do you think?"

Mikan lowered her voice. "About what I'm going to tell you three days from now…I forgot to say that Hotaru and Ruka-pyon are going to be there to hear it too." She laughed nervously, gauging Natsume's reaction.

"Oh, I heard Ruka-pyon talking to himself before I went here. He was saying something about Hotaru! He was calling her Hotaru! I can't believe it finally happened."

"Imai probably blackmailed him into doing so," Natsume drawled as he played with her hair. He was trying to decide what Mikan could possibly be hiding that involved him, Ruka and Hotaru.

"It didn't seem so! You see, I told Ruka-pyon that I won't tell Hotaru and he didn't tell me that he was being blackmailed. Ruka-pyon's expression didn't give me that impression. Natsume, what do you think? Dare we hope something really good is going on between those two?"

"Tsk. Count me out, you stupid girl. Why would I hope for that?"

"Hey, Hotaru's smart, beautiful, hardworking! She shows her concern in quite a different way, but it's endearing."

Natsume flicked her forehead. "You mean she shows her concern in a deadly way."

"Natsume! Stop that!"

"I only flicked you once, Polka." She swatted his hand away.

"Once is enough. Hey, since I'm here can I shoot penalty kicks too?"

Mikan stood up without waiting for Natsume's answer and went to the field.

"Suit yourself. I'm not coaching you."

"I don't need you barking orders at me anyway. I'll do well." She reached Youichi's side.

"You're going down, Youichi! Let me show you my athletic abilities!" He looked at her condescendingly and stuck out his tongue.

"This is going to be entertaining," Mochu said and laughed. "Too bad Koko's stuck in detention. He ought to see this."

Kitsu showed up, out of breath.

"Hey, Mikan! I didn't know you'd be joining us. I'm sorry! I was actually doing research for Geography this time around. Our one and only Yuu Tobita was not willing to let me slack off. I deserve a reward for my hard labor as his unwilling partner."

"After I defeat Youichi, let's compete, Kitsu!"

"Well, well, well, Mikan. I accept! Are we betting on something?"

"Loser pays for tokens at Central Town's Grand Arcade for a whole day!"

That night, Mikan wrote a letter to her grandfather.

Dear Jii-chan,

I'm very happy that your Tea Club has gained new members. Fujitaka-san sounds very friendly and interesting!. I'd like to meet him someday and hear his jokes in person. Please don't argue too much with Mrs. Evans over her belief that English tea is the best there is! She's English, Jii-chan! What did you expect? You can be friends without agreeing on everything, take it from me.

Speaking of my friends here in the academy, I'm happy to let you know that they're doing well. Hotaru has made around 59 more inventions but that's the only the ones I know of. She still doesn't let me enter her laboratory. I won't give up even if you repeatedly tell me not to bug her about that. I'm her best friend, Jii-chan. I won't make a mess. Why would I destroy Hotaru's precious devices? Is it really too much to ask? You should be on my side.

Bear and I have tea at his cabin occasionally. He's as strong and as hardworking as ever! Every time you write to me, I make sure I visit him and read him your letters. Don't worry about Bear. I know he misses you and I always tell him that you feel the same way. He does kick me when I say that but I think he's just shy.

I don't know why you keep calling Natsume that boy in your letters. Can't you at least call him by his surname? You always tell me that you hate him so why do you keep asking how he is? He's pretty much the same. He's still an arrogant lazy genius who's actually caring. It's true and I won't tire of telling you just that. He just got taller and his hair gets messier by the day. He's become more subdued in a way but we still bicker. That will never will never change but I don't mind that much.

I assure you that he takes care of me. We're alright, I guess. You don't need to hit him or me. He makes me happy.

Ruka's fine. I'll send him your love. Why do I get the feeling that you favor him over me? I do like animals too. It's not my fault that he has a natural skill with interacting with them. I'm trying to make sure of something. I think he and Hotaru are getting closer. I'll update you in my next letter.

Youichi, Sumire, Nonoko, Anna, Koko, Kitsu and Mochu are doing well too! I haven't seen Imai-san and Sakurano-san lately but I'll visit them soon. Narumi-sensei, Shiki-san and my uncle are fine too.

I visit my parents at least once a week. I feel calm every single time I do.

Grandpa, I have something I need to tell you about my future plans. For now I'll conclude by asking you to trust me. Please trust in me. I love you so, so, so, much!

Your most beautiful and incomparable granddaughter who longs to hug you tight,

Mikan

End of Eighth Chapter

The schools and courses are real, by the way! :)