Note: Tsubasa and his batch will only be two years older than Mikan's so that makes Mikan's batch 17, alright?

An Understanding

Mikan Sakura was your average next door kind of girl. There wasn't really anything exceptionally special about her. She wasn't that beautiful nor was she a genius. She even embarrasses herself from time to time and doesn't know much of anything. She's innocent, naïve and takes life as it is to put it simply. That's why for a lot of girls in the Alice Academy, it was a wonder how the guys seem to be wrapped around her little finger and the fact that she doesn't even know it made it more infuriating for them.

Hotaru shook her head in pity as another guy fell for Mikan's charm. Mikan was once again dressed as a genie of the lamp because since it was festival time again, they had done a remake of the RPG they invented seven years ago. And Mikan, being her usual sweet self wanted the other people to make them try out their new, improved RPG and she was doing a very good job at it since she managed to convince a guy who really didn't want to, to come. Though it was no need since the line was getting pretty long but Mikan was Mikan, she wants everyone to enjoy their RPG.

He's lucky, Hotaru thought as she readied her baka gun if ever the guy tried to do anything inappropriate to Mikan. No one's around but me.

Hotaru saw the guy smiled shyly and then let Mikan lead him towards the front part of the line and made him enter first making some of the students complain but one sweet smile from Mikan was enough to make them shut up. Hotaru was quite surprised but at the same time, it should have been expected. Gone was the time when she was frowned upon and insulted by others because she was just a no star, and replaced with the time where everyone respects her for becoming an honor student and loves her dearly. Hotaru wasn't really shocked by the sudden turn of events. She knew Mikan has this natural ability to make people love her. It was what made her stuck with Mikan even if she can become incredibly annoying.

"Hey," A voice greeted from behind her.

She didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

"Natsume," She greeted back.

"So how's she doing?" he asked bluntly.

"She's still an idiot." she answered simply.

Natsume rolled his eyes.

"Tell me something I don't know."

"Well, she was worried sick about you and constantly pesters me if I could go and ask the principal how you were." Hotaru said and smirked as she saw a blush crept up Natsume's cheeks. "Because apparently the principal threatened to expel her if she asked one more time."

"Ah I see." he replied quietly as the blush intensified.

"It's a good thing you're back though," Hotaru commented softly. "I think I'm going to damage that brain of hers for all the shots I have to shoot."

A hardly noticeable smile appeared on his face.

"Yeah, I guess so."

"So when do you plan to see her?" Hotaru asked.

"Maybe later." He said and then left.

Hotaru looked at his retreating back knowingly. She knew Natsume had fallen in love with her best friend years ago but then again, many guys already did and still do, so what makes him any different?

Only time can tell.

Tsubasa looked up worriedly at Mikan who was painting the front side of their RPG since it has lost some of its color.

"Mikan, do you really have to do this? It's our break time for goodness sakes." Tsubasa said, exasperatedly. Mikan had persisted to paint the front part since she thinks it bad for business if the discoloration was seen but unluckily, the front part can only be painted during lunch time and therefore nobody wanted to do it so Mikan had no choice but to paint it herself.

"I'm almost finished. I just have to do this last bit." Mikan said and tried reaching the topmost part. She tiptoed but unfortunately, suddenly lost her footing and fell. She instinctively closed her eyes and waited for the impact that never came.

Mikan slowly opened her eyes and saw Tsubasa had caught her.

"Oh god! Thank you so much, Tsubasa-kun." Mikan exclaimed gratefully as she hugged him.

Tsubasa blushed but he quickly replaced it with a stern look.

"You should be more careful, Mikan." Tsubasa scolded.

"Sorry, Tsubasa-kun." She said as she lowered her head shyly.

"It's alright, it was just an accident." He said softly as he looked at the girl in his arms. "But next time, I won't let you do that again, okay? Just imagined what would have happened if I wasn't here?" he added as his grip on her tightened.

Mikan nodded and was about to hug him again when a voice interrupted their little moment.

"What the heck were you thinking, idiot?" a cold voice suddenly said.

Both Tsubasa and Mikan's head shot up to where the voice was coming from and saw Natsume Hyuuga standing a few feet away from them with the coldest expression in his face.

Time seemed to stop between him and Tsubasa as Natsume glared icily at him while Tsubasa simply stared at him. He saw the whole ordeal that has happened between the two of them. Mikan's fall, the way he acted like a hero and caught her. He also knew that Tsubasa has feelings for Mikan but he'll be damned if he would give her up easily.

But their silent battle was interrupted as Mikan suddenly spoke.

"Natsume-kun!" she cried out as she quickly got out of Tsubasa's grasp and hugged Natsume.

Surprised, Natsume awkwardly hugged Mikan back.

"I was so worried about you! You didn't even tell me where and when you were going!" she said worriedly and hugged him tighter. Natsume remained silent as he returned his focus to Tsubasa who was still looking at him stoically. Natsume's glare hardened and a silent message was sent.

You've had your time with her, now I'll have mine.

Ruka sighed heavily as he lied on the ground. Natsume had gone on a mission a couple of days ago and he hadn't really told him when he'd be back though he hoped he was doing a lot better than he was. Oh, what he would give to exchange places with Natsume now! Ruka reckoned it would be much easier to fight with the Anti-Alice Academy than dealing with a certain auburn-haired girl and his feelings. At least when fighting, you only have one thing on your mind and that is to win but what he was dealing now was a lot harder and it was tearing his mind and heart to pieces.

"If there's a god out there, then show some sign and help me." Ruka thought out loud as he looked up at the heavens.

"Problem?" a voice behind him said as the person who spoke sat beside him.

"Natsume?" Ruka said, shocked as he quickly sat up and looked at his best friend with widened eyes. "When did you get here?"

"Just a couple of hours ago," Natsume simply answered and then looked back at him. "So what's your problem?"

Ruka averted his gaze from Natsume as a small blush tinted his cheeks.

"Uh, nothing really," Ruka said sheepishly as he scratched his head. "Don't mind me."

Natsume sent him a calculated look and sighed.

"You should know by now I'm the one person you can't lie to, Ruka."

Ruka looked at Natsume for a moment and then decided to finally answer.

"You already know my problem, Natsume." He said seriously.

Natsume remained silent as he turned his eyes to the ground.

"We're two fucking best friends in love with the same girl for Christ's sake!" Ruka exclaimed grimly as he put his hands on his head.

Silence was what followed after Ruka's confession. The two were very aware of their growing feelings for the little polka-dotted panty girl who slowly made her way to their hearts. It all started seven years ago, at the dance party when they finally told each other their somewhat affection to the infamous no star and knew it would become a big problem as time passes by. Though both of them thought that it would go away; that it was just some sort of childhood crush since not many girls would not willingly throw themselves at their feet but they were clearly wrong and now they have to face the consequences.

It was after some time when Natsume finally decided to broke the silence.

"Sorry, Ruka but I can't give her up." Natsume said truthfully as he looked at his best friend straight in the eyes.

Ruka nodded in understanding.

"I know and I'm not asking you to." Ruka said softly as he lied back again and looked up at the heavens. "But I'm not giving her up either."

And so, an understanding transpired.

May the best man win.

To be continued...