15 Balls
The academy bell had rang and just like any other previous days of her stay in AA, the students returned to their class to continue their lessons for the day. Mikan, on the other hand, continued working—well, continued her punishment, to be exact. She piled the scattered books on the students desks on top of one another before carrying it to the shelves, putting them back again and rearranged them.
When her phone suddenly buzzed—she had her phone on vibration mode; duh, she's in the library—she swiftly took it out from her back pocket of her jeans. She looked at the screen. It was Hotaru. Putting away the books for awhile, she answered the call.
"Yeah, what now, Hotaru?" She groaned.
"Stop whining." Hotaru's cold flat tone came from the other line.
"You already called me last one hour!" She reminded her.
"I'm just checking you up."
Mikan frowned. "You're not checking me up. You're checking if Hyuuga is here or not." The same reason why she called her one hour ago as well.
There was a silent pause on the other line. Then Hotaru's monotone reply came.
"Yeah. Exactly that," she finally said, not wanting to beat around the bush at all. "Is that parasite there?"
Mikan sighed. "I told you, he's not here." He's not been here since that day.
"He could be. Maybe you're just not telling me."
"Damn it Hotaru! He's a pain in the neck. Why would I not tell you if he's really here?" Mikan said through gritted teeth. She stopped for awhile, thinking.
"Wait, Hotaru. Where are you exactly?"
Her reply was short. "At my tutor session, of course."
Mikan's eyes bulged out. "You're calling me during a lecture?" She yelled at the phone. "I can't believe you. Just effing hang up already!"
Hotaru's vein twitched. "Don't yell at me, baka Mikan."
Mikan was about to retort back when Hotaru suddenly cut her off, saying, "Oh by the way, Rio-senpai wants your response regarding the offer."
Beep. The line went dead.
Hotaru just hang up on her. All the ill words mentally spilled in Mikan's mind for her dear beloved best friend.
She sighed. So the day she dreaded had finally came; Rio-senpai finally seek her response. Though she thought he would at least give her a month or so to consider the offer. Her face paled. Well, it didn't matter if he gave her a month or not, she still didn't know what to give as an answer. In fact, her mind was filled with Hyuuga—and his blasted kisses—lately, she had not even thought about the offer at all.
Ah yes, Hyuuga. The reason for her recent headaches and mental breakdown. The sole bug that destroyed the sanity of her mind and corrupt the healthy state of her heart. Now her mind and heart didn't even work corresponding to each other anymore to the point that she thought the malfunction was some kind of an unexplainable weird disease.
Hotaru had been checking up on her a lot lately. Ever since that first day she came home after started undergone her punishment as AA library assistant, Hotaru had been breathing down her neck. Mikan had tried her best to not spill anything of that cursed day but knowing Hotaru knowing her damn well, Hotaru could smell something was off. So at the end, she had to spill something.
And that something certainly would not be the part where Hyuuga kissed her—and she would be a homicidal total idiot if she told Hotaru that he actually kissed her thrice!—but only the small part, like Hyuuga came bugging her when she's working at the library; which is technically true. So Hotaru had only known up till that. The rest, Mikan swore she would carry it to her grave. Especially the blasted kisses.
But Hyuuga, Natsume Hyuuga, she had not seen him since that day. She had been around AA for almost a week now and today would be her last day. Tomorrow, she would go back to her school, carrying her normal life just like how she had always been before, as SA vice-president. But still, she would be lying if she didn't feel anything about his lacking of interest in coming to the library. Truth be told, she felt rather empty. Weirdly enough.
Mikan roughly shook her head. Empty? She felt empty? Mikan mentally laughed out loud at herself. What the hell was she thinking? How could she possibly be empty due to not seeing Natsume Hyuuga for only a few days. That Eye Candy parasite, she bit off. Yes, she had resolved to that name calling ever since Hotaru came to her, pissing about Ruka Nogi.
Mikan laughed. Ah, who would have thought..
That day, she was surprised yet, alarmed at the same time.
After she came back from her first day of punishment, Hotaru had come to her house. Her face was real red like she was fuming mad about something. She didn't talk at first, only moving around her room like she's trying to cease down her steams. After that she took a seat but only then stood up again and continued pacing again. After what seemed like half an hour, Mikan saw her usually cold demeanor raven haired best friend, finally snapped. "That effing Eye Candy parasites!"
Mikan's eyes bulged out. Okay, what did just happened to Hotaru? She looked worriedly at her.
"I swore I'm going to flipping cut that Ruka Nogi from limbs to limbs!" she yelled furiously.
Mikan choked on her words. Who would have thought that the real cause of it was because of Ruka Nogi. But, what did Ruka Nogi did actually? She thought it was a group act of the whole members of Eye Candy that got Hotaru so mad like this. After all, Hotaru had the least fondness towards them. Let alone affection.
"Err Hotaru," Mikan tried, "What did he do exactly?"
And that moment, she had thought a dragon finally came out from Hotaru's insides. If she had wings and could breathe fire right now, whatever Ruka Nogi did, he won't be alive at this second. Hotaru was glaring at her. Not actually directing at her, but her amethyst eyes, she was glaring daggers indeed. If looks could kill. And Mikan could clearly see that she was trembling with anger right now.
"He sent me flowers! That's what he did!" Hotaru hissed. "The nerve that gay blondie!"
Ruka Nogi gave Hotaru flowers? Pfft.
Mikan almost snorted but quickly covered it with a cough with her back hand placed on her mouth. She cleared her throat, trying to fight a smile from creeping on her face. "I see he's courting you. So, what's the problem?"
Ruka Nogi really got some balls to go and court Hotaru Imai. The Hotaru Imai.
"What's the problem?" She queried angrily. "You're asking me what's the problem?" She raised her voice again. "That blonde parasite sent those flowers to our damn school!"
Mikan stared at Hotaru. She blinked hard.
Oh Ruka Nogi really, really got some balls to court the great Hotaru Imai.
That's it. She couldn't hold her laugh anymore. Mikan fell on her carpeted floor in her room, while clutching her painful stomach. Her loud laugh echoed throughout the whole house. She didn't giggle or chuckled, but a laugh, a really loud laugh came out. Hotaru scowled at the brunette. "You dare to laugh at me right now? I'm in a state where I could kill him right this second!"
Mikan clutched her stomach tighter and rolled on the floor.
For once, she had to admit, Ruka Nogi does have the balls to court Hotaru Imai, because so far, only guys who were extremely confidence in their own selves that continued through the horrid path in order to claim Hotaru's heart. And she could see Nogi's confidence in the way how he brought himself as AA kaichou. But even as AA kaichou, he's not really a smart bunch.
Because if he was, he won't sent Hotaru's flowers. Especially not to her school. In short, not only it was a dumb idea, it's also a bad move. Why? First, Hotaru disliked flowers. Second, she despised people who mix personal matter with work and third, she damn hate it when a stupid rumor about her started going around the school. And fourth, the most important one, she fucking loathes it if that rumor had to do with a guy.
So yeah, Ruka Nogi had balls but no brain in this matter.
"Just shut up already, Mikan." Hotaru had said when she finally ceased her temper down and ended up laying flat on her back on Mikan's bed.
"I'm sorry." She's not actually. "But really," she said with some bits of laugh left, "It's just so hard to believe that it's Ruka Nogi."
Hotaru threw her a pillow. It went straight to Mikan's head and Mikan just ended up laughing more. Grabbing for another pillow, Hotaru squashed her face with it, all the while groaning.
Mikan shook her head, mentally laughing again when she remembered the whole scene. So now, Eye Candy's name had been upgraded to Eye Candy parasites and the members were now commonly known as parasites as well. The biggest parasites of all, Natsume Hyuuga. Mikan frowned. That damn almighty parasites.
Mikan fished her phone out of her pocket and looked at her vibrating phone. Youichi was calling her. She flipped the phone to answer it.
"Where are you?"
Holding it in her hand, Mikan shifted the phone to her other ear. Her other hand started working with the books arrangement on the shelves.
"I'm at the library."
"Still?" She heard her brother sighed. "What time are you coming back?"
"After I finished with my work. It's my last day after all."
"It's getting dark so don't be so late." He hanged up.
Mikan smiled. She doubted You-chan would stay still at home. If she didn't return home in the next one hour, he would most probably run here and dragged her home himself. Mika chuckled. She better get her work done quickly.
As she about to put her phone back inside her pocket, the phone vibrated again. This time, it was a text and it was from Hotaru. Mikan knitted her brows, feeling uneasy. Hotaru usually called if anything happens. She didn't do texting and messaging. Feeling dreaded, she flipped the phone open and her fingers slowly dragged the screen to click the text.
FROM: HOTARU
SUBJECT:
'WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING, DROP EVERYTHING.
YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS NO MATTER WHAT.'
.
Just below the texts, was an attachment of a youtube url. Feeling anxious, Mikan quickly clicked it.
Books dropping on the floor, her mouth fell down. Eyes wide and blinking hard, she stared at the screen of her phone. As if it's not enough to confirm her eyes, she drew the phone nearer to her eyes.
God, it's happening. It's happening again. She hated it so damn much when they released a new video. Mikan glared at the bolded title and huffed in irritation.
'EYE CANDY- U MAKE ME WANNA'
She clicked it. She wanted to see how good this one could be—though in truth, she hoped it'd suck.
The video played.
She caught the soft sound of violin and drum played at the back and it started off with the camera—whoever was recording them—recorded the whole members were all siting on a chair each. Mikan couldn't guess where they're recorded. All she could see behind them was white walls and white floor everywhere. They're donning nothing fancy like they usually put on in their previous videos. This time, they were wearing their regular AA uniform. What's with that? Mikan furrowed her brows. What, are they changing their concept now? So they're not dancing this time? Mikan watched the continuous of the video. Wait whaaaat? She furrowed her brows deeper. Creases started to form on her smooth forehead. They're doing an acoustic!? Mikan'e eyes widen.
The camera began moving and took a close shot on each of the guys. None of them really looked at the screen though. Hyuuga was seating in the middle with Nogi on his left. She could only figure out the name of the two lads. The rest, well, she had no idea. Mikan paused the video, finally realizing that aside from Hyuuga and Nogi, she had no idea who the rest of the Eye Candy was. She saw them a couple of times during her time in AA but she believed she had not once known their name. So, Mikan started Googling where she believed it's the fastest way to search for the guys' names. She furrowed her brows. She opened another tab to look at the images and back to the video again.
Ah, so the glasses one on Hyuuga's right is Tobita Yuu. And next to him is Kokoroyome. Next to Nogi would be Kitsuneme then.
This time, an image of blonde hair and baby blue eyes came on the screen. His voice wasn't exactly too deep but maybe because the tempo changed a little. Mikan stared at Ruka Nogi. She suddenly remembered Hotaru and immediately, inwardly chuckled.
To start it off I know you know me
To come to think of it, it was only last week.
That I had a dream about us, oh.
Mikan tilted her head a little. Watching Ruka Nogi singing on the screen, she had to admit; she could feel the attraction he's letting out now. Blonde hair and baby blue eyes. He was good looking, that's for sure. Most girls would definitely go for this type—well if they weren't stupid to go for Hyuuga's type—Nogi, he has this prince-like look and something about his air seemed nice as well. Mikan stared at the singing blonde in the screen, and he looked much sane compared to Hyuuga.
The screen now focused on Kitsuneme He was looking directly at the camera. His posture was straight with his one leg tucked under the chair. His gaze fixed ahead. And when he sang those words, it was as if he was feeling every single words.
That's why I am here, I'm writing this song.
To tell the truth you know I have been hurting all along,
Someway let me know, you want me girl.
An image of Kokoroyome came to the screen. To be honest, Mikan was slightly startled by his image this time. He looked the same with his AA uniform but this time, he brought out a different persona somehow. Gone was the goofy Kokoroyome that she saw in the library before. What she's seeing was a man singing the lyrics out like he meant it.
Everytime you see me what do you see?
I feel like I'm a poor man and you're the queen.
Oh baby, you're the only thing that I really need.
Baby that's why:
And now the camera was back focusing on the whole lot of them. It's the chorus, Mikan thought.
You make me wanna call you in the middle of the night.
You make me wanna hold you till the morning light.
You make me wanna love, you make me wanna fall.
You make me wanna surrender my soul.
I know this is a feeling that I just can't fight.
You're the first and last thing on my mind.
You make me wanna love, you make me wanna fall.
You make me wanna surrender my soul.
The camera moved towards Hyuuga. Mikan found it hard to digest that he was not smirking at all—but that small grin of his this time, Mikan narrowed her brown eyes. She glowered at the sight of grinning Hyuuga —almost doesn't like he was grinning because it was such a small act it's actually unrecognizable. But. Yes true, he's grinning—even if it's a small one and so hard to see it—but if you looked closely, he had this deep grin, which Mikan knew, it was a deceitful one. All she saw behind Hyuuga's deceitful grin was cunning, scheming, devious and conniving words.
Well I know that these feelings won't end no, no.
They'll just get stronger if I see you again.
Baby I'm tired of being friends.
Mikan cringed at the word 'baby' he sang. Ugh.
The camera slowly moved to his right where Yuu Tobita was sitting. He made a gesture of grabbing for his left chest, where his heart was, when he sang 'And could you tell me do you feel my pain?' with a very hurtful looking expression etched on his handsome face, she bet the whole girls were swooning right now. Mikan mentally rolled her eyes at that thought.
So this is Yuu Tobita?
I wanna know if you feel the same
And could you tell me do you feel my pain?
Don't leave me in doubt.
All this time, she had not bother about the rest of the members except Hyuuga because whenever she watched one of their videos, only Hyuuga seemed to piss her off so much; with that smug smirk of his. Obviously he thinks he's better than everybody else. She looked at Yuu Tobita singing face. Well, certainly he has that smart brainy looking face with glasses perched up on his nose. And he looks sane too, compared to Hyuuga.
And the chorus came again after the verse.
You make me wanna call you in the middle of the night.
You make me wanna hold you till the morning light.
You make me wanna love, you make me wanna fall.
You make me wanna surrender my soul.
I know this is a feeling that I just can't fight.
You're the first and last thing on my mind.
You make me wanna love, you make me wanna fall.
You make me wanna surrender my soul
Kitsuneme's part came out again.
I'll take you home real quick
And sit you down on the couch
Pour some Dom Perignon and hit the lights out.
Baby we can make sweet love.
Hearing the lyrics, Mikan arched one of her brows. Dom Perignon? Despite his looks right now, she's sure Kitsuneme didn't really know what Dom Perignon is; because the way he said it was so weird. Still she continued listening to the song where Hyuuga's part came, but her hands, they were already gripping the phone hard.
Then we'll take it nice and slow.
I'm gonna touch you like you've never know before
We're gonna make love all night.
Both of her eyebrows were raised so high that they disappeared under her bangs. What did Hyuuga just sang? Her veins twitched irritatingly. 'Touch you like you've never know before', she mentally quoted back the words she heard him sang. Mikan clicked her tongue in resentment. Now she knew who bloody wrote that song.
The final chorus came after that. She knew because the video was about to end anyway. Every each one of them was singing their hearts out. The video came to an end with the last shot of the whole of them, grinning. Just at the last part of the video, Mikan caught a glimpse of Hyuuga, smirking. Ugh. She knew it. That guy couldn't live his life without smirking at all! She bet he could go on days smirking like it's his sole energy.
And he even winked!
"THEHELLLLLLLLLLLLL!" Mikan screamed in agitation.
It was nothing to be mad about. The wink at the end of the video, that is.
But still.
She was fuming mad. Enraged even. She flipped her phone shut with her trembling hand. Trying her best to level her raging breath, she took a seat but only ended up kicking the table and both hands slamming on top of it.
How dare he used her to write a song! How fucking dare him!
He had balls to go that far.
Oh this is war, indeed.
TBC.
Disclaimer: The song is not mine.
A/N: I would like to officially apologize. Seems like my last chapter caused quite a few dissatisfaction. So I've asked a few people regarding the part where Mikan should've been able to break free from Natsume's grasp since she learns hapkido. From what I understand, when it comes to guys' strength, girls can't be compared. Mikan has the skills, but not the strength apparently. So, correct me if I'm wrong, when a guy lock you down completely with his entire strength, will you be able to break free? If head-butting and kicking his precious groin couldn't be applied at that current moment.