NATSUME NULLIFIED

CHAPTER 2: Mikan's Boys and Natsume's Hitlist

I walked across the courtyard that separated the main building and the gym. From all directions, the usual stares came and I nodded impassively to the people I knew. I tossed the can of soup I carried from hand to hand, That idiot, starving herself to death for something as stupid as a prom. When she told me that she was going to be prom head, I thought it was the stupidest thing I ever heard. But she looked so happy that I couldn't bring myself to say what I thought. For the same reason, I didn't join in when they were discussing boutonnières and tuxes. And I even managed to stop myself from ridiculing Mochu when he asked his own girlfriend to the prom. Have you ever heard of such a thing? Having to ask your own girlfriend for a date. It made Sumire happy though, and the little stooge was actually pleased with himself.

Couples. I will never understand them. Even when Ruka had gotten into his own relationship with Mikan a few years back, I didn't get it either. But then again, I didn't have the chance to understand since I had avoided them both while they were together. After all, just because I told Ruka it was okay, it didn't mean I'd subject myself to actually seeing them with each other. I suppose I should be grateful that Ruka felt that he needed my permission. As my best friend, he considered how I'd feel and as his, why should I deny him? At any rate, it's still good news for me that they broke up after six months because even though he had my blessing, I didn't know what I'd have done if they had stayed together.

Anyway, this stupid prom has turned every student of the Academy into simpering, lovestruck fools. All of a sudden, perfectly intelligent men needed a special someone to make the night "complete." The worse part is, people kept asking me, "Who are you asking to the prom?" When the more relevant question is, "Are you going to the prom?"

No. No, I'm not. This was just another idiotic excuse to get people together in the spirit of camaraderie. We didn't really need it. I will not needlessly pressure myself into asking a girl to the prom. No one was worth it.

With that half-formed idea in my head, I stopped at the gym's doors and finished heating the can of soup in my hands. Then lifting my fist, I banged on the doors as loudly as I can. It slid open. Before Mikan could say a word, I barked, "What do you think you're doing, you airhead?"

She blinked. I thrust the can into her hands then turned on my heel and stalked off. Behind me, I heard her call out, "Thanks, Natsume!"

I smiled. Then calmly reminded myself, No one is worth it.

I leaned back, resting my head on the back of the bench with a damp face towel over my eyes. I was seated outside, underneath the street lamp, resting after a long day in front of Imai's invention 8284: The Ultimate Virtual Reality RPG v2.0. I had gone there with the gang to try out the game and we had stayed longer than expected. The girl was a genius, and practically all the gamers in the Academy were at her feet. Ruka had huge competition from that group alone. I chuckled softly, knowing he had a long way to go before professing to Imai. For my part, my eyes were burning like hell after playing nonstop for six hours. Kinks, she said that she was still working on.

I sighed enjoying the quiet then suddenly, the towel was whipped off my face and an overly concerned voice said, "Natsume, are you hurting? Do you need to go to the clinic? Answer me! Why aren't you answering?"

"I'm not answering because I'm still hoping you'd go away."

"Now, that's not very nice," Mikan pouted then planted herself next to me still peering closely, "Is your Alice causing you to hurt again?"

I glared at her, "It's not my Alice. My eyes just hurt because of Imai's invention."

"Impossible. Hotaru's inventions don't have negative effects," she said loyally. Knowing it was useless, I didn't contradict her. Then I frowned.

"What are you doing out here?"

She yawned, "I just got back from the gym. Prom preparations are coming along fine. We still need a band though. I'm holding auditions tomorrow."

"What? A tone-deaf little idiot like you?" I said in a bored tone.

"Yeah," she said, totally ignoring my comment, "And Anna and Nonoko and Sumire. It's going to be fun." I grunted then snatched back the towel and put it over my eyes. Undaunted, Mikan prattled on, "Do you know what theme we finally chose?"

"What?"

"Guess! You'll never guess."

"What?"

"I'll give you a clue: there'll be magic, and stars and moonlight and roses," she went on, not narrowing down the category one bit.

I almost smiled, "You're right, I'll never guess."

"Give up? I'll tell you!" She said gleefully, "We're having a fantasy theme! Think unicorns Natsume and fairies and mermaids and—"

I cringed, "And lots and lots of pink."

"Exactly!"

"You're insane," I said, "And I suppose you expect the boys to wear pink tuxes to match the pink gowns of their dates."

"Well… no…"

"It's a stupid theme."

"Always were frank, weren't you Natsume?" She said crossly, "Do you have a better idea?"

"You're asking the wrong person. If it were me, I'd just do everything in black and white," I replied, "Anyway no guy in his right mind would be comfortable walking into a room full of your fluffy pink clouds and flower-printed—"

"Tablecloths," she provided.

"Tablecloths," I smirked, "Even if they did show up with a girl they like. It's unheard of. It's an insult. Screw the decorations. If I were you, I'd focus more on the band."

She didn't answer at once and I wondered if she had left. But after a while she let out a thoughtful, "Hmm, not bad Natsume. Want to join my committee?"

"I'll pass, Pigtails."

"You really should stop calling me that, you know, I've stopped wearing those years ago."

"Whatever."

We stayed silent for a while after that. When she spoke up again, it was to ask, "Natsume, who are you taking to the prom?"

"Not you too."

"Excuse me?"

"Every busybody in the Academy has asked me who I'm taking to this stupid prom."

I could practically feel Mikan bristle, "I am not a busybody."

I laughed, "Could've fooled me. Weren't you the same person who ran here just to ask what's wrong with me?"

"That's what you do when somebody looks injured," she said defensively, "And you're not answering my question. Who are you taking to the prom?"

"No one."

"Oh, I see," Mikan said slowly, "Well, I wonder who'll ask me…" My ears perked. "I was trying to narrow it down to the most likely candidates…" I stiffened.

"What candidates?" I demanded, suddenly sitting up and pulling the face towel off my eyes to glare at her.

"I figured the guys I've gone out with before were likely to ask me," she said casually. I stared at her until she was forced to continue, "There's Ruka for one…"

And she sat there for the next hour telling me about all these other boys that she had gone out with ever since she and Ruka stopped dating. I was stupefied. I didn't realize there were that many boys in school that were interested in her. And I didn't even know about it. Unmindful of the murder in my eye, she went on to tell me where they had gone, what they had done and how fond she was of each of them even now. I sat there, trying hard not to look hurt or jealous just so she'd continue.

"Natsume, are you okay?" She asked suddenly when I wasn't saying anything.

"I'm fine," I said through clenched teeth, "Go on."

It's not like I could stop Mikan from going out with other people. She's become very pretty and she was still one of the most warm-hearted persons to ever set foot in the Alice Academy. Anyone would want to ask her out and that's when it hit me that one of these guys could actually be her prom date. Now, I didn't want that. Because unfounded as it may be, I still believed she was my Mikan.

The following morning, I slapped a list on Ruka's desk with a loud bang. He jumped. "I want to know where these guys hang out and at what times. Year-levels optional."

"What—?"

"I want it this afternoon Ruka. First three."

"This afternoon?" Ruka sputtered, "What for? Who are these guys?"

I lowered my voice and leaned closer to mutter, "Mikan's friends."

"Oh, Mikan's friends, is it?" He said dryly, "I know you Natsume and I know that look. What did they do?"

"They just... they just got too close to Mikan."

Understanding dawned. "Are you jealous?"

"Just find me these guys and we'll find out just how jealous I am."

"Natsume," Ruka began, staring at the paper incredulously, "I'm on this list."

"You are?"

"I'm number one."

"Oh, sorry about that," I snatched back the list and boldly drew a line across his name, "There, start with the first two. And I'll need to know their Alices."

"Well, you already know my Alice," He grumbled.

"Will you just get it done Ruka?" I snapped and my best friend almost laughed.

"Fine, fine," he pocketed the list, "But just so you know dueling is illegal in the Alice Academy."