Okay, I kind've gave in, although I said that Ruka-pyon a Bouncy Conclusion's already an Owari (which means end) and as said in the story's status 'complete'…I oddly had the urge to continue it…and, some of the reviews kinda helped me out to be decisive in continuing.

Janine 07 – I really liked your fic Song! I was in a critical condition but reading it helped me throughout this one…and yes! I've decided to make it Rukaru, yay!

Disclaimer: As said before, I don't own Gakuen Alice.

…Oh yeah, (this is the last…promise!) I haven't really pinpointed what their ages are, ne? So…since their in Middle School already, they're fourteen… (Mikan, Hotaru, Ruka, Natsume) and Iinchou's fifteen…Permy too. Kokoroyomi-kun, Nonoko and Anna are thirteen by that time…well that's about everyone; I'm not sure if I'll have them appear here but just to keep you informed! Enjoy!


-0o0o0o0-

Laughter is the best medicine…or is it…?

"Hahahaha…do I sound convincing? Hahaha…" Nogi Ruka said trying his best to laugh in a way Kokoroyomi-kun laughed in any situation.

His infamous Usagi looked at him with a freaked out expression, his master isn't acting normal today. (well, it's not like Ruka acts normal when he's with his furry friends…but, oh well…)

As the blonde boy kept up with his laughing charade, a girl with shoulder-length black hair can be seen sitting on a tree with a camera that flashes almost every second. This mysterious girl had a look of mischief in her cold, but brilliant amethyst orbs, yet her smile clearly expresses a hint of pity and admiration.

"…I better stop; it's just upsetting us both…" Ruka said returning to his usual self, he stroked the soft fur of his animal friend and smiled sadly.

The wind blew almost as soon as the boy decided to stay silent. Passing by, it gently made some of his kind of messed up hair stand up, his bangs fell in accord to cover his eyes. The girl eying him couldn't help but capture that rare…and tranquil moment. And before realizing, it struck her that she carelessly lost grip of the handy cam, making it fall into the bushes.

"Darn it…" She muttered mutely. (is that even possible?)

Being an unusually smart individual, she had been ready for any possibility of getting caught by her recent (not really, it's been four years) blackmail victim. She pulled out another one of her inventions; Hatsume # 001.1, the crab-like grabbing device that can reach an object her hand can't easily reach. She slickly used it to regain her fallen camera.

Turning out to be a success, she held on to the camera as if her life depended on it, and once again, she returned her eyes on her subject. But it appears that he wasn't anywhere to be seen anymore. She scanned around to see if he hadn't left the forest but unfortunately, it seemed that he already go—

"Nani yo surunda, Imai?" (1)

'Imai' had chills up her spine. From the look of things, our very own blackmailer has been caught off-guard by our not-so-poor victim. Ruka had been sitting next to her since she got hold of her camera.

"Nothing that interests you." She retorted regaining her slightly lost composure.

"Looks that way." He said glaring at the camera she had.

"Surprising that you don't look frustrated."

"I had more frustrating encounters."

"Oh?"

"…Don't…pretend you don't know…"

The atmosphere became a bit awkward after that.

"…I didn't see it coming…"

Ruka looked up after hearing that. "Dooyu imi da?" (2)

"I thought she was fussing over rubbish…after all, exams are coming soon…"

"Huh…"

"My bad, I didn't notice it sooner…I wouldn't have asked you to talk to her."

"…are you okay?"

"What are you talking about…"

"N…nothing…"

It's not that it's strange or anything…but for Ruka, words like that coming from Imai Hotaru made it sound so…weird. After all, she was a kind of person that doesn't give a care. Ruka had these thoughts as he listened intently to her point of view.

"…it doesn't mean to laugh over nothing and act all weird with your poor rabbit."

"I had to cheer myself up, it wouldn't do any good if I stayed sad…"

"True…demo if you want to relieve yourself off your misery you can always kill yourself. It doesn't need so much of an effort and you wouldn't have to laugh so annoyingly fake."

Ruka had a sweatdrop at that point. "Thanks for the advice, Imai." He stated sarcastically.

"On second thought, our little innocent tangerine might get upset if you end up dying. And think about the school, they would have to pay for the coffin, the burial and the priest…it would cause a fortune."

"Is that a joke?"

"Now why would I joke about death, Ruka-kun?" She asked bluntly.

"I find it funny." Ruka said smiling at her.

"Good."

One branch could only stand so much, but due to constant weight it ends up breaking…especially if that branch wasn't meant to hold human mass. Just like the branch Ruka and Hotaru was sitting on, it was on the verge of breaking down but they still breathe oblivious to it.

"I'm…glad we had this talk, Imai." Ruka mustered up.

"It was a displeasure." She coldly answered.

"I kind of saw that coming…"

"Then you could've said something more…non-mushy."

"I meant every word."

She looked away in embarrassment. "Whatever…"

Ruka just looked at her and smiled, it was the only thing he appreciated all day. And Imai being the one who did it, made him think that she wasn't just a bully who exposes embarrassing pictures. But just as he was about to feel better, the tree branch couldn't stand two people's weight any longer. Abrupt as it is, the branch gave in to the credence and…

Snapped.

When one realized that they were on the brink of landing on their butts, he held onto her for shield. (bwahahaha) But seeing that lady-luck always left him for tea parties when he was in trouble, he resulted to be the one securing her from landing on hers' and him having the pain all to himself.

Shocking as it may seem, but after that very accident, the girl renowned to be cold but calm under pressure, rarely smiles and never laughed, emotionless enough not to feel anything suddenly…giggled…like a normal teenage school girl.

"…ow…what're you laughing for…huh…?"

Ruka had his eyes wide, with mixed shock and bafflement. Seeing Imai Hotaru laugh was such a strange but treasure-able sight. And as if on cue, he chuckled with her…both looking happy. Understanding it makes you think that they were children that got what they really wanted…

Guess what…it really is…

-0o0o0o0-



Ah before I go, Japanese words:

Nani yo surunda – What are you doing

Dooyu imi da – What do you mean