Something You've Read Before
Chapter Seven
Funny Love
Only silence greeted Mikan when she entered their home. To think she was cheerfully yelling when she entered. How ironic it was. Mikan was a bit disappointed since she was more than thrilled to tell her Daddy what good happened today like that 'very good' remark she received from her Social Studies' teacher. She dangled her bag on the coat hanger and went straight to the kitchen to find something to munch. She had no idea what to prepare for dinner since Narumi would always cook beforehand. She found some oatmeal cookies and partnered it with water but Mikan was craving for rice.
She opened the television and surfed for channels until she settled to a comedy show. Jumping into the couch, she cuddled two pillows and continued to eat her cookie. She was slowly getting bored at the show's she's watching and getting impatient from waiting. The comedy show was not so funny after all. Mikan almost jumped from her seat when the door bell rang. She excitedly ran to the door with a yelp and opened it with a quick stride only to be welcomed with shock.
"What are you doing here?" Mikan spat with a bitter taste on her mouth. The cookie she'd eaten must be already past its expiration date.
"Mr. Natsume Hyuuga wanted to tell you something," Narumi said, emerging from Natsume's back.
Mikan crossed her arms, shaking her head. "There's nothing to tell. I'm going inside."
"Wait!" Natsume yelled as Narumi blocked Mikan's way. The father urged Natsume to give his peace offering. "Here," the raven-haired boy said uneventfully.
In the plain yellow box tied in a ribbon contained Mikan's favorite quirky food. Mikan already smelled it and she could tell from the sauce marks on the side of the box that it was newly-cooked. She imagined them (the food) in sticks, toasted, and juicy-looking. What did Natsume choose? Intestines? Mixed rice? Fishballs? Quail eggs? There were lots of weird varieties of food she had in mind.
"What's this?" Mikan asked, raising an eyebrow.
Natsume crinkled his nose, obviously disgusted to the thing he bought himself. "He said you like street foods."
That was the confirmation Mikan waited for. But Mikan would not give away herself in such sly move which was targeting her growling stomach.
"Are you… bribing me? Is this compensation on how you manhandled me last week?"
"Sort of," Natsume admitted blandly.
Mikan heard her dad snickering from her back. Narumi teaming up with Natsume was a new development in her father's scheming. Instead of giving Natsume Hyuuga the cold shoulder and scolding, Narumi was helping him which made Mikan wonder why his father would go such lengths. Meanwhile, Natsume looked unaffected in her ways of being rude to him.
"You can throw that away. Yes, I like street foods but never will I eat one coming from you." Mikan's stomach betrayed her though as it was really growling at the moment. Her saliva thickened, a signal of craving, but her pride was more important at the moment than her hungriness. "Dad, I'm going inside," she announced and pushed Narumi lightly to find her way.
Narumi tried to stop her daughter but Mikan was quick in running towards her bedroom. Frustration crept on Narumi's face but as he faced Natsume again, he just brushed it with a kind smile.
"She's not in a very good mood. Maybe next time?" Narumi suggested, hopeful, although based on Natsume Hyuuga's disappointed expression, the possibilities were already erased.
"Here, I don't eat stuff like that." Natsume let go of the box in which he had no intentions of going bringing home. In fact, he was planning to get rid of it the moment Mikan wouldn't accept. "Also, give her this. If she's smart enough, she would be able to read it."
Natsume grabbed a large frame, covered in brown paper, from the grassy grounds of the Sakura residence. The frame was light despite of its size. Narumi wholeheartedly accepted the gifts with excitement. He did not know that Natsume Hyuuga could be so generous when giving apologies.
"You are aware that you are talking in front of her father, right?"
Natsume nodded, ignoring the purpose of the comment. "Very much. But I act like this because what I did is justifiable."
"And still trying to apologize. You're a good man, indeed."
Natsume shrugged. "Just because."
Just because he witnessed Mikan's heartwarming speech which, in a sense, made him feel secure also. It was uncomforting and assuring at the same time. Natsume had to approach Narumi in the faculty department personally, earning many glances from the other teachers. Good thing nobody tired to eavesdrop on their conversation and the teachers got the message of his death glares very well. So, Natsume asked what he could do to apologize and Narumi suggested the measure. Natsume thought of the frame himself since it would be too dramatic if he said the words.
"Okay. You should go home now. It's a school night so go home straight."
"Sure, Sir."
Narumi watched Natsume go until he was out of sight. He closed the door gently with the box and the frame securely in his arms. He went straight to Mikan's room to deliver the frame but found no one inside so he left it on the study table, careful not to let it slide and crack. Narumi then made his way towards the kitchen where his daughter positively would be. He could already see Mikan preparing the plates and two glasses already full with orange juice.
"Is he gone?" Mikan asked with a serious face.
"Yes."
Then, Mikan smiled, cheered at the fact. "Where's the food?"
"Here," Narumi said and stretched his arm to shift the box to Mikan's hands.
Mikan clapped her hands as if she won a one-year supply of chocolates. "Oh yeah! Hyuuga is one rich jerk so he must have bought this in a nice place."
She then opened the food container slowly, sniffing its smoky smell. As expected, variety of exotic foods in sticks welcomed Mikan. It didn't matter to her if some of them were overly grilled or freakish in color, all she could think about was the deliciousness that would satisfy her and the fact that Natsume Hyuuga made an effort to reconcile with her.
Narumi watched his daughter in amusement. "I don't get you. Acting all cranky in front of him and yet you eat the food he gave. Don't give me the common reason that you cannot say no to your favorite food, dear."
"Maybe because I can stomach this already since I have forgiven him," Mikan said with a smile.
Narumi could not help but automatically smile at what Mikan said. He knew it all along. "What's up with the act?" he asked, grabbing a stick of chicken intestines.
"It's nice to see him get off his high horse for once."
"You forgive people easily," Narumi muttered.
Mikan nodded in a dismissing manner. "You know why."
"Are you enjoying the food?"
Mikan held a thumbs-up as she was busy chewing the liver with hardness of stone. She drank her juice in one go and raised her hands in victory. "I must admit. That Natsume "Jerk" Hyuuga has a taste when it comes to buying exotic foods like this. I am actually enjoying but if he asks you who ate them, tell him it's you."
Narumi chuckled hard and loud, aimed to ridicule his daughter whose face was getting distorted at his reaction. "I don't think I need to lie," he said after recovering from intense chuckling.
"Why?" Mikan asked with worry.
"He surely knows," Narumi said with a teasing smirk. "By the way, there's another sorry gift. I left it at your room."
"Oooh, fancy."
Mikan jumped from her seat and ran as fast as she could to unveil the other gift.
The next day, Mikan plastered a disappointed emotion on her face, pouting her lips in the sheer inferiority and insecurity she felt for herself. Just last night, she was feeling elated on the fact that Natsume prepared two forms of bribery for her but the feeling did not last because the gift was a puzzle that could rival the perplexity she associated with Natsume's moods. So, today Mikan decided to express her frustration by making fun of other people. Although that sounded like bullying, that was far from Mikan's idea of making fun.
A known fact that you were approaching the SC office was the countless numbers of bulletin boards of different clubs lined up on the glossy white walls of Alice Academy. Mikan rushed upon seeing the door of the office swinging, meaning people were already there. The students passing who witnessed Mikan's quick pace questioned themselves if they were late for something.
Panting lightly, Mikan turned the door knob slowly and greeted her friends with a lively good morning. She was showing her face again in the office after a long time because of the Yuu issue.
Sumire almost screamed with the surprise visit. "Mikan! Wow, good to see you again here."
The brunette waved her hand and walked boyishly towards Sumire. "Hey, hey, Sumire. Did you miss me? I bet you did."
"What's with the weird sentences?"
Mikan snorted. "Sorry. I was trying to be funny."
Sumire was not delighted nor entertained a bit. "It was just creepy."
"You are only saying that because you're used to your boyfriend's high caliber jokes," Mikan teased.
"What boyfriend?" Sumire huffed.
Mikan immediately hinted a lover's quarrel between the two. To confirm her suspicion, Mikan planned to make Sumire spit it out instead of asking direct questions which was too forward and too meddling.
"Huh? Don't tell me you got amnesia. But that's not possible because you know me. Are you alright, Sumire?" Mikan teased.
Sumire groaned, messing with her neat hair in a bun. "Don't be nuts, Mikan. I was being sarcastic."
Sardonic remarks from Sumire was a usual thing but only when the mood was lighter and not like this when her expression could be easily read as tired and not so good. Mikan rested her elbows on the beautiful long table of the SC office and placed her chin on her hands. Blinking a few times, the brunette was thinking of the next best thing to say and when she realized that Sumire, even if she was the queen of rumor and news, was still the kind of girl who liked her private life to remain private.
"Why?"
"Why what?" Sumire retorted, looking blankly at the door.
Mikan sighed, feeling defeated that she had to really ask her friend directly. "Are you and Koko fighting?"
Sumire paused for a second before letting out a hesitant, "No."
"Then what's the problem?" Mikan asked somberly.
"You really like to pry on someone else's business, don't you?" Sumire remarked.
Mikan literally knocked her head for being such an insensitive friend. She really needed more practice when it came to timing, like when to ask the question swimming inside her mind because not knowing the perfect time could result into this.
"I apologize then," Mikan said politely, understanding Sumire's feeling in all this. "By the way, these files are from Anna and I. Proposals for the school trip. We included the review blogs of the different places, security measures already present on the area and what the school could add, the transportation means, and the average budget when large groups like companies go there."
Mikan placed the yellow envelope neatly on the corner part of the table as Sumire kept watching her.
"Shouldn't you pass this directly to Natsume?"
"Anna said it should be discussed first with all the student council members present," Mikan replied nonchalantly.
Sumire frowned with head down, feeling slightly more miserable than before Mikan came. "Okay. Why didn't I think of that? So stupid."
Mikan planned to ease Sumire's sorrow even a bit by tapping her shoulder but the brunette backed out on the last second. Instead of giving a therapeutic touch, Mikan's feet betrayed her heart and led her near the door.
"Bye, Sumire!"
"Great. Bye."
Mikan figured out that if there was a person Sumire would like to confide to, it was not her.
Nonoko let out a deep breath after her continuous narration on what she knew about the current mishap. It was against her nature to story-tell a private matter concerning her friends but Mikan convinced her greatly and used the 'friendship' card on her. If only Mikan didn't put up her pouty lips and soft-spoken eyes, Nonoko would never agree in a million years.
"Can I repeat that, Nonoko?" Mikan politely asked with a smile, playing with her fingers. "Koko is avoiding his dear girlfriend Sumire and this started two weeks ago but was surprisingly halted then he is avoiding her again and this time you guys think it's the real deal. Sumire is having a hard time figuring out what went wrong in their oh-so-perfect relationship."
Nonoko nodded repeatedly then remembered what was lacking on Mikan's summary. "You forgot the two most important details," she reminded.
Mikan snapped her fingers, wanting to beat Nonoko from saying anything. "That Sumire started acting like a dying chick and that's an excerpt from Koko's words and that Koko feels possessed, jailed, enclosed, and suffocated by her."
Strong words coming from the comedian himself. Terms like possessed and suffocated were not something Mikan was expecting to come out from Koko's mouth which used to blurt out nothing but words of adoration for Sumire Shouda. Mikan listed the key words on her tiny red notebook. She did take these things seriously. Unknown to the brunette, a certain important figure was rolling her eyes and gritting her teeth while Nonoko was spilling out what she knew.
"That's the gist of it," Nonoko breathed out.
Opening her mouth to say something, the famous Hotaru Imai beat Mikan into it.
"What is with you and meddling, Mikan?" Hotaru scolded, her tone a little bit higher than normal.
Giving a small smile and acting like she was hurt, Mikan replied, "Hotaru, I am affected by this."
Hotaru wanted to hit the table then throw it to her best friend but the sophisticated and cool part of her higher brain function said 'no'. She thought of a quick way to get to the point and divert Mikan's attention into something more important like her studies and project in English that could really affect her future. Hotaru smiled sinisterly. She was such a nerd sometimes.
Tapping her fingers on the table, Hotaru began her way of barricading Mikan into doing something. "How? Are you involved in their relationship? Were you there when they started going out or even started being friends? Were you there when this conflict arose? Can't you do your usual activities now that you discovered that Yome and Shouda are on a stupid lover's quarrel?"
Mikan wanted to laugh at her best friend's face. There was no way she would back out now and Hotaru should know that of all people. Once she was in, she would not go out. Mikan refused so. For the quirky brunette, offering herself to help in whatever people were going through was one of the perks of the friendship she had given.
"Nope," Mikan replied with a wide smile.
Hotaru lost it and finally hit the table but only lightly, like a quick thunder. "My point exactly," she said.
Nonoko was surprised at the outburst made by the Ice Queen. She wanted to run, literally, to escape Hotaru's wrath and save herself and yeah, leave Mikan who dangled her into this. Well, no one really forced her and she was just freaking out because she witnessed Hotaru's anger once, just last year when they forgotten to send the guest of honor an invitation for the Closing Ceremony. Although, Nonoko would not lie, Mikan's calmness surprised her more.
The Student Council office had never been so tensed like this. Mikan held Hotaru's hand with a smile before standing up. The brunette stood beside the door with arms crossed and a face glowing then before. Whenever Mikan's interest perked up, her body reacted positively on her. Instances like she found it easier to memorize something, answer odd Math problems, her metabolism's quicker, she could save more money, and many other nonsense things.
"But that doesn't mean I won't do something," Mikan announced.
"What could you do? It's their relationship, not yours."
"Anything!" Mikan exclaimed, her arms free again, "I can help them talk."
Hotaru frowned. "Oh, great."
"Would the two of you lower down your voices?" Nonoko muttered, her head down.
Hotaru huffed, heard Nonoko's mumbling from afar. "Tell that to this prying, annoying, child."
"Hotaru!" Mikan yelled.
Suddenly, Mikan was pushed back because the door just swung in. She almost hit the table but no one seemed to care because her companions were already entertaining the newcomer. Not much to her delight. Mikan glanced at Hotaru who was not even looking at her then to Nonoko who finally stood up from that prolonged sitting.
"Ah, Natsume!" Nonoko greeted, like she was waiting for something or anything to happen already and Natsume coming in was adorably perfect.
Mikan maintained her back facing Natsume and divulged a plan to get her bag without having to face the raven-haired boy. "Oh my, I suddenly remembered all the things I need to do. Gotta go, guys."
No more questions asked then Mikan was out of the room. Nonoko was clueless while Hotaru found the situation favorable because her source of irritation already ran for her life. So, Hotaru was back to her composed self again as if nothing happened.
"Nice timing, Hyuuga."
Natsume let out an automatic smirk when Mikan avoided him. He was not expecting her to do that. What he really had in mind was that Mikan would confront him, tell not-so-nice things about him, become bitchy, demand a more sincere apology, but she was actually embarrassed instead of aggressive.
"Are you two reconciling?" Nonoko asked, hopeful to get an affirmative answer.
"I don't answer stupid questions," Natsume replied, resting his bag on one of the open drawers. He only grabbed his phone and made way to the door.
Nonoko covered her mouth, eyeing Hotaru Imai. "Oopss, sorry."
"Later," Natsume bid and made his exit. And he just came in. What the.
As Natsume ignored the two of them, Hotaru only let out a small, knowing smile. Nonoko could only guess what was inside the treasurer's mind at the moment but she was hoping it was the correct presumption. A few seconds passed before Hotaru said that they better leave the office to witness more humane acts outside. Nonoko did not argue because she also needed to meet up with Anna because of the upcoming fun run in their community that they would like to join.
Just like that the office was once empty and quiet. All the noise were transferred to the hallway especially the one Mikan was travelling and it was all because Natsume was determined to make her talk and reach her boiling point to the zillionth time.
"Hey, you!" Natsume yelled, making other students turn their heads towards him.
But Mikan did not even flinch or attempted to face him whose target was clearly her. Adding more speed to her steps was the first thing she did upon hearing his voice but he still found it easy to catch up on her. Ha! Talk about determination.
"What do you want?" Mikan asked in an irritated voice. She did not even glance at her unwanted companion.
Truthfully, Mikan wanted Natsume to make drastic actions to get her sweet forgiveness and that was the reason why she was avoiding him but there were also other explanations included like the fact that she was kind of embarrassed to face Natsume. No vivid justification why she was uncomfortable of his confrontation but she really just found it so hard to ease up when she was near Natsume.
"Wow, acting so cranky after eating that disgusting food I bought you," Natsume stated casually. Mikan was almost scared to sense no emotion from it.
The brunette stopped from walking, inhaled and exhaled deeply, and finally faced Natsume. He was teasing her with that smile while she just tightened up her defenses by using utter denial. "Who said I ate it? I didn't even look at it."
If Natsume was not the kind of person who was so stiff and hard to please, he would be applauding Mikan's act right now. It's just that she sounded so proud of what she said when they both knew better and the truth.
Natsume made two steps to level his face on hers. They were looking eye to eye, uninterested on how the other students could interpret their current closeness. "Should I ask your father again?" he let out with his raspy pitch.
"Oh no, you didn't," Mikan replied, marching backwards and hitting her head on the wall eventually.
"Yes, I did." Natsume almost laughed with the ordeal of Mikan hitting the wall just to respect their personal spaces. "So, stop making me follow you," he added with eyes so bored.
Mikan gritted her teeth to control her emotions; her crossed arms were squeezed tightly. A lot of people could probably hear them. Every time students or even school personnel passed by them, they would lean their ears in the hope of hearing anything juicy and grab the opportunity of spreading it to the whole school. This would not even happen if Natsume Hyuuga was not so popular. Coming to think of it, Mikan was horrified. She was challenging their school's popular figure who could have back-ups just around the corner waiting to tie her in a chair and make her kneel on salt.
Founding an opening on Natsume's left side, Mikan scooped herself on the space. Much to Natsume's enjoyment.
"Excuse me. You're the one who is following me willingly."
Natsume rolled his eyes with this unending cycle. "Just accept my apology," he finally blurted.
His pleading made her feel victorious but making it easy for him was not even in the plan. Wait, there was no plan in the first place. Never mind. Mikan took advantage of his sentence.
"Apology? Where is the apology? Have I heard a thing? You just came into our house yesterday to bribe me," she said, letting out her disappointment.
Natsume was quiet for a moment before saying, "Don't… tell me."
"Tell you what?" Mikan asked, alarmed at Natsume's sudden grin.
"You still didn't get it," Natsume said then could not hold it any longer. He laughed but not too loud as he wanted to protect his much known reputation of being cold-hearted and unapproachable.
"Get what?" Mikan asked for clarification. "Hey! Why are you laughing?" she asked again, starting to worry if she displayed some kind of ignorant act again in front of her enemy. Mikan did a rerun of events starting from her exit at the SC office up to her but she could not pinpoint anything.
"You're so stupid."
Mikan growled. "Ugh, that's it. You're so rude!" she yelled and stepped on his shoe, savoring each moment by putting weight harder and harder.
"Ouch! What the hell."
Natsume examined his shoe before glaring at Mikan who thought she won this time.
"Bye-bye," Mikan kindly said and then like lightning she was nowhere in his sight.
With his foot slightly aching, still Natsume made his way to their homeroom without difficulty and on time. Almost his classmates were already inside, eyes on their notes because of they would be having a long test today on Math. Of course Natsume did not even bother opening a book or memorizing a formula since it was all in his head long before. As he was near at the door, his two friends made an appearance, delaying comfort on his much-awaited seat.
Koko was all smiles as he was walking, high-fiving Natsume when they were standing near-enough with each other. "You look happy, my man."
"Shut it, Koko."
Natsume forgot to remove the grin on his face despite of the aching foot.
Koko made more probing questions, curious on what heavenly happened to his friend who was always in a foul mood. "What? He looked happy just right now! And Natsume Hyuuga is never just happy," he explained.
Natsume only knocked Koko's head and signaled that he had to go inside to which Ruka nodded. Koko watched his friend take his seat at the middle of the classroom, still thinking on what could precipitate Natsume's grin.
"Maybe something good happened to him," Ruka tried to reason.
Koko could only shrug his shoulders. He had no idea also but he could take a wild guess. He and Ruka resumed their rather slow walking until they heard a high-pitched voice.
"Koko!" Sumire yelled, still a few meters afar. "Koko, don't you dare run away from me again."
But Koko's form was already suited for running. He shrieked when Sumire started running for him. Immediately, Koko patted Ruka on the shoulder. "Gotta go, Ruka. Geez, I suddenly realized that I have lots of things to do. Tada!" he said and ran as fast as he could.
The president did not know that Koko continued his ignoring spree with Sumire. He actually thought they were sailing smoothly again but apparently the power couple was not. Ruka could only rub his temple and shake his head upon seeing that funny escape.
"Kokooo!" Sumire chanted, disrupting other students' peace.
"Hey, Sumire. You two still on it?" Ruka asked, aiming to ease the tension.
"Obviously," Sumire answered, panting. Her eyes stuck on Koko's path of flee. Sumire then grunted in irritation and messed her hair. "I hate him. He could just say what's wrong then we'll fix it."
"I think Koko needs time and space. At least that's what he said weeks ago," Ruka informed.
That was not good enough for Sumire, of course. "Why not just asked for it? Why is he avoiding me? This is so infuriating."
And then Sumire went to the opposite direction. Ruka become worried on what was becoming of his officers and something told him that this fight would soon be finally a public problem. He sighed. Gotta take action and he could use as many friends as he could.
Free time. Such glorious words that every student could have especially when everything was hectic and happening at the same time. Mikan was having a free time but only because school's over. It sucked majorly. She found a free bench just outside the SC office and took a short rest before entering the abode of her friends. Overall, it was an exhausting day because apart from lectures and recitations all day, she had to add extra effort just to stay out of Natsume's way.
Good thing there was a drinking fountain just beside the bench. It was a free way of releasing the tiredness and feed her dehydrated organs. After wiping her mouth, Mikan slowly reached for the door and silently hoping that Natsume was not there or else all her effort was for nothing.
"Knock, knock!" she announced and opened the door only to find Sumire in a sulking position. Mikan took that as a hint but still said, "Oh, you're here alone. Again."
"Go away," Sumire said, sniffing.
Uh-oh. Not a very good sign and a sulking Sumire meant a defeated Sumire. Faking a cough, Mikan just had to ask or else she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.
"Sumire, why are you crying?" Mikan asked, sitting beside her and patting her back.
Only Mikan did not know why Sumire had to cry in the office when she could do it somewhere more private where no busybody like her would ask what was wrong. Mikan thought that behind that 'go away' statement, Sumire wanted to be comforted deep inside. So, Mikan had no qualms of comforting her friend now especially that she had an idea on what happened between Koko and Sumire,
"I think Koko doesn't love me anymore," Sumire said, her tone low and sounding sorrowful.
"But that's impossible," was Mikan's quick response.
Sumire wiped the tears on her eyes and made hand gestures. "Surprise, surprise. It is."
Still, Mikan refused to believe so. There was no way Koko would fall out of love just because Sumire asked him to live life to the fullest. That was way too non-sensible. Mikan stared at her friend's heartbroken look. Sumire's make-up all smudged, no trace of poise and sophistication in her posture and facial expression, her hair was looking wet because of the sweat maybe from chasing Koko and crying.
Mikan tilted her head to the side to take a clearer view of Sumire and also to make sure that she would hear the next thing the brunette would say. With a serious look, Mikan said in a somber and deadly manner, "You should ambush him, point a gun at him, and make him talk."
"Do you think this is a laughing matter?" Sumire said, feeling insulted and pushed Mikan.
Mikan only laughed at the reaction she received. It was worth the try. "I'm sorry. I thought it was funny."
Her laughing did not falter and Sumire was boiling than ever. Of all the people that could go in and comfort her, why did it have to be Mikan? Mikan was such an ass! Sumire could explode any minute now and she made it very well-known through her angry face but still Mikan was laughing at her problem.
But Mikan could not help but make fun of the situation because Sumire was just over thinking. It's just that Sumire thought she didn't deserve the truth thus also thinking that Koko has no feelings for her anymore. Mikan stopped from laughing because of the grunts Sumire was making. When Mikan finally recovered from amusing herself, she formed wise words inside her head. Although, Mikan had lost the time to say it because the door opened, revealing her worst nightmare.
Sumire ran towards the door, knocking chairs and moving the table in an awkward manner in the process. She hugged Natsume's figure as if the boy was a cuddly stuff toy. Mikan felt uneasiness at the scene before her and planned to leave but the two were blocking the way.
"Natsume, my loves! I am so glad you're here."
"Get off me, Shouda."
Natsume only said that but made no effort on pushing Sumire away.
"Be gentle to her Natsume. Koko's being rude to her for a few days now," Yuu said, appearing behind Natsume.
"You noticed it too, Yuu?" Sumire asked, releasing Natsume from the grip.
Yuu nodded and waved at Mikan who waved back. He then placed a white medium-sized box on Ruka's table before saying, "Sumire, you can tell us what happen and then we can help. We're friends to both of you so we must avoid being biased to whoever."
Mikan applaud in agreement while Natsume rolled his eyes on the silly reaction.
"Hey, guys. Are you having a meeting?"
Another person entered the room who happened to be Yuu's romantic interest, Anna. Mikan gave Anna a wave. They had not seen each other the whole day.
Yuu offered the pink-haired girl a seat beside him. "Hello, Anna. We're just trying to help Sumire."
"Sorry about what's happening between you and Koko," Anna condoled in full sincerity as she took the place beside Yuu.
Sumire almost gagged at the boyfriend-girlfriend act. It made her miss how Koko used to save the seat beside him every time there was a school event or any other event. Mikan just squealed but not too noticeable because she was avoiding Natsume's eyes which happened to be rolling all the time. She hoped he was not dizzy by doing it always.
"I appreciate the concern, guys. Thank you for the initiative," Sumire said, eyeing everyone. "You know how I always say that our relationship is sometimes a joke? It's because I really feel that way. I would get all serious and say sweet things to him but Koko always turned it into a joke. When I asked him how much he loves me, he answered that I should not worry or I'll get skin as flabby as those of an old chicken. I mean, what is he thinking?"
"I can't believe I'm being dragged into this," Natsume mumbled, feeling allergic with all the drama.
The door swung again. Mikan was slowly getting irritated by the sound the door was making, tempted to put a chair on the door to keep it open. But seeing more people inside the office calmed her down. She had not seen the room filled with so much people after avoiding them for weeks.
"Oh, hey guys! What's happening here?" Yura asked with a smile and beside her was Hotaru.
Yuu was delighted to see more people coming in and grabbed more chairs for the girls. "Perfect timing, Yura and Hotaru. Sumire is just discussing the problem concerning Koko. You guys should join in."
"Wow, this feeble lover's quarrel is turning into a public spectacle, isn't it?" Sumire commented but welcoming her friends still. She was actually relived to see Yura in the group because Yura always had something mature to say. "Anyways, so I'm done with him making a joke out of our relationship. Then I realized that after the death of Yuu's mom that I should live lie to the fullest. I started a bucket list and I wanted to achieve all those with him. I thought it was a chance to bond but he found it too possessive of me. I accused him of not being committed enough and then he just walked away."
"Koko did that?" Yura asked in disbelief.
Sumire nodded, her attention now paid to Yura completely. "He did. Unbelievable, right? He avoided me then he was with me again and now he was just running away over and over again. I am so confused. What should I do? Every time I make a move to approach him, he will just run again."
"You two need to talk," Anna said. It was the simplest and quickest way to solve the equation.
"How?" Yuu asked, also aware of Koko's antics just to evade Sumire.
There was a short silence since almost everyone was thinking of ways to ambush Koko. Sumire observed her friends, hopeful that one of them would come up with at least one good idea. She herself could not think straightly so she was depending on her friends now. A snap of fingers came from Yura and everybody knew that a plan was just born.
"We could set it up. Let's tell Koko that we should hang out tomorrow only to find out it's you who's only present, then you'll talk," Yura said, not much any details on the draft plan.
"What if he refused to come?" Sumire asked, already worried that the plan would become a fail before its commencement.
No one said a thing. Even Yura could not support her idea. Yuu was not used in schemes like this. Sumire was becoming hopeless again but that was until Hotaru opened her mouth.
"Tell me, idiots. If this problem will be solved by that childish idea, would you two stop yapping about this nonsense quarrel?" Hotaru asked. It was obvious on the way she asked that she was getting annoyed by this meeting.
Everyone looked at Sumire, waiting for an answer.
"Of course," Sumire said without an inch of hesitation.
Hotaru sighed. "Then, I'll make him come. Leave it to me."
"Oh, yeah! Thank you, Hotaru."
Hotaru stood up, a sign that she was taking the role of being the initiator of this plan. s"We should polish this idiotic plan but not here. Yome might barge in anytime and he would immediately suspect something if he saw us crowding like this."
Yuu stood up in agreement. "Good idea. Then, let's go somewhere more private."
Everyone exited the office, looking out if Koko was around the corner and luckily he was nowhere in sight. Yuu walked with Anna while Yura, Sumire, and Hotaru were forming details of the plan. Mikan wanted to catch up with Hotaru but Natsume had his way again. Almost making Mikan fall by extending his leg and the girl falling for the classic trick.
"I'm surprised to see you not talking all throughout," Natsume began.
"I'm more surprised to see you acting so civil to me," Mikan replied, changing the subject. She then added, "Bribing me with food and giving me a mysterious frame won't make our acquaintanceship from horribly bad to suddenly good overnight. Yes, you did give me gifts but where is the actual apology? The words I want to hear?"
"What did you call it? Mysterious frame?" Natsume chuckled again, making all his friends' heads turned on him. He gave them a deadly glare which snapped their heads back to the right direction.
"I don't get it. Why are you laughing every time I mention it?" Mikan asked, this time taking the insult laugh more professionally.
"Because you not being able to decipher that mysterious frame is a proof of your stupidity," Natsume replied in monotone. As if he was not aware that that statement was the epitome of insults.
"Ha! Whatever. You have no sense of humility in you," Mikan retorted, planning inside her head ways to destroy Natsume Hyuuga layer by layer. "Although, I'm curious. I can tell that you giving me gifts is not because Yuu told you to. Right?"
"Hn."
Mikan frowned, unable to get what he meant by that. "What kind of answer is that?" she asked, demanding an explanation. Natsume only shrugged his shoulders, no plans of giving her a reply.
"Hey, you two. What are you doing there? We just turned," called Anna.
Mikan was in distraught, unable to notice that the rest of the group already made a turn and there she was walking with Natsume Hyuuga. She glanced on more time at the vice-president before letting out a 'hmmpp'.
"I'm coming, Anna!" Mikan yelled and ran for it.
The gang came out of Alice Academy's main entrance door in a line. Everyone was taking a glimpse of them, well, they were prominent people of the school but they continued walking like nothing was happening outside their circle. Just in time, Ruka and Koko who were carrying boxes of papers for the accounting department saw them.
"Where are they going? Ruka, look!" Koko called out.
Ruka had to think of something to divert Koko's attention. "Come on, Koko. We don't have much time."
"But, won't we ask them?" Koko asked, still looking at his friends.
"There's Sumire. If you go there, Sumire will have her opportunity to talk to you. Do you want that?"
Koko was silent for a while, looking sad and out of place. "Of course, I want that. But, not yet."
"Don't need to be so serious, Koko. Let's get moving."
"Natsume will tell Koko, the subject, about the student council's emergency meeting tomorrow. The meeting place is Glassroots Café near the academy. If the subject makes excuses of not making it to the meeting tomorrow, Hotaru will come to the scene and bring up an auditing problem to Koko. All of the conflicts pertaining to the Student Council tomorrow are all false so no rumor should come out from this," Yura stated, giving out the whole description of their plan. "When Koko finally agrees, Sumire will meet him once he has taken a seat. Silent onlookers who should not be eavesdropping are the following: Mikan Sakura, Anna Umenomiya, and Hotaru Imai. The smaller the group, the better."
"What will be your role, Yura?" Anna asked.
Yura gave out an apologizing façade. "Sorry about that. My grandfather is having his 80th birthday tomorrow. I could not participate in this plan on its application stage."
"That's alright," Anna said with a smile. Yura being present on the planning stage was enough especially that she had a valid excuse.
"If Koko makes any violent reaction upon seeing Sumire, entrances and exits of the café will be closed," Yura continued. The statement was suggested by Hotaru. According to the Ice Queen, Koko and Sumire's chance were decreasing by the moment so they need to secure this one chance.
"Wait, can you do that?" Mikan interfered.
Yuu smiled at her, debunking her worry. "Don't worry, Mikan. The owner of Glassroots is Ruka's family."
"Oh," was Mikan's only reply. She was surprised on how these rich kids work.
Yura waited for another reaction but when she sensed everything was going smoothly, she continued. "Doors and windows will not be opened until Sumire Shouda says the magic words: It's okay already."
"This is getting a bit far-fetched," Mikan commented, resting her hands under her chin.
Anna placed a reassuring touch on her hand. "This is how we do it, Mikan."
"You guys are scary," Mikan mumbled.
"Are there any questions, comments, violent reactions?" Yura asked, waiting for someone to say a thing. When no one flinched again or made a disagreeing sound, she resumed. "Nothing. Okay, good. Meeting adjourned."
"Thank you, everyone!" Sumire cried, touched by everyone's participation.
Readying for their departure, almost everyone stood up, chatting about how excited they were for the plan. This was actually the first time they would hang up against someone who was also under their circle of friends.
"Wait!" Mikan yelled, halting everyone from leaving.
"What is it now, Mikan?" Hotaru demanded, eager to go home as soon as possible.
All eyes on her and yet she had not said anything yet. Mikan looked everyone in the eyes and with a serious grin, she said, "I want to be the neutralizer."
"Is that something you put on your face?" Anna asked innocently.
Mikan just laughed.
"You are surprisingly okay with all these ideas," Mikan said.
Natsume was just beside her, also waiting for the rest of the guys. Suddenly, they decided that they were hungry and wanted to taste some fast food. Sumire and Anna were just waiting in line to use the comfort room while Yura excused herself early because she had a train ride to catch. Yuu was waiting for Anna inside and also discussing something with Hotaru. When Mikan saw Natsume making his way out, she had to follow him. Just an urge, she felt.
"If it's not obvious to you up to now, would it enlighten you to say that Koko is my friend?" Natsume replied in mockery.
Mikan only nodded, resisting to give a smile. "I know. You care about your friends, as far as I remember."
"Stop talking to me so casually," Natsume said suddenly but it had no rudeness on it.
Mikan pointed at him, giggling like a child. "But you did it first. You approached me like we're friends."
"I approached you to confirm your stupidity," he clarified.
"Doesn't that idea entice you?" Mikan asked, her face so neutral all of a suddenly. Her giggles faltered leaving no trace of humor in her voice. Natsume had to wonder if Mikan's voice was that soft all this time.
"Idea of what?" he asked, sounding uninterested but he really wanted to know the answer.
"Of us being friends," Mikan replied and patted him on the shoulder. "Goodnight, Hyuuga."
End of Chapter
Hope you had a good time reading! : ) One of the longest chapters of this story. Point out any grammar or spelling mistake you can see and I will gladly edit it. See you on the next chapter.