Chapter 4: The Pact: I Love You And I'll Always Do
Disclaimer: Gakuen Alice doesn't belong to me. It is owned by the great mangaka Higuchi Tachibana.
Nikko walked back to her room (which was just as nice as Natsume's) and paced back and forth like a caged tiger.
I don't like this. I don't like this at all, her mind was screaming. Of all the guys in the academy, why him? WHY HIM? His bestfriend!
She groaned at loud like someone in terrible pain (Hmm.. And yeah, she is in terrible pain.) She remembered how she kept on sneaking glances at Ruka every now and then. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop herself. She just couldn't resist it.
It felt like there was a stampede inside her head 'cause she couldn't think straight.
Argh. She whirled around and collapsed on her bed, then slept. Slept not at all.
OOO
Ruka walked back and forth in his room while petting his bunny, err, rabbit. Okay, bunny rabbit.
I'm confused.
OOO
Nikko couldn't sleep at all, so she decided to take an evening walk around the academy. Unaware of where her feet was taking her, she ended up going to the ginko tree she and Natsume shared. She flopped down and leaned her back against the trunk of the tree.
"Who's there?", a voice asked, almost as sharp as a blade.
Nikko squinted at the dark and thought she recognized that boyish voice somewhere.
"N-N-Natsume?", she quavered.
"It's you, Nikko.." Natsume came and sat down beside her. He stared up to the crescent moon with an expression she couldn't quite decipher.
"I think we need to talk, Natsume-kun.."
"..."
"..I agree", came Natsume's mild reply.
silence
Nikko hesitated a bit. "Things just aren't the same between us, Natsume-kun.."
silence
She went on, "I think it's time we.. go different paths now.. Explore new things.. and new people." She stopped and stared at her slippers.
Finally, Natsume turned to look at her in the eye. "Yeah.. I think you're right."
The silence between them lost some of its tension but the two still can't breathe properly. They just sat and stared at the moon for a few moments. Finally, Nikko moved and took Natsume's hand in hers. (Natsume being himself didn't respond but we all know he wants to )
She turned to Natsume and caught his face in her hands. She faltered and looked into his eyes.
"Natsume.. I.."
He didn't say anything but his eyes told her to go on. "I love you and I'll always do but I guess.. Our feelings just went beyond that stage. You know, the kind where people go on dates, have fun and tease each other." She paused and went on, "I guess.. Our understanding of each other went up a notch higher than that.. Uhh.. Do you get what I'm saying or am I just making a complete fool of myself?"
Natsume gave a small nod to show he understood.
Nikko was wavering but she still went on, "This is really hard to say for me and I know I'm being a total cornball and all but.."
"..I guess our love reached its most mature stage.."
She let go of Natsume and sat down again. She hugged her knees to her chest and bowed her head.
A few moments passed until she felt Natsume's warm hand on her shoulder. She was already crying, a rare thing for her to do, but she stopped when she saw Natsume's kind eyes. This was a side of him that no one has ever seen before, except for..
She threw her arms around him and hugged him tighter.
"It's okay, Nikko.. I understand. We.. We both feel the same way, though..", came Natsume's almost inaudible reply. She just nodded.
He turned to her and gave her another small smile. She felt tears welling up in her eyes but she glanced up to the sky to stop them from falling.
"Friends?", both asked at the same time. Nikko grinned. "Natsume, uhh.. Even if we're not together anymore, I'd still would like to let you know that.. that I'd always be here for you no matter what. I would always have time for you. If I don't have time.. I'll make time.", she said smiling.
"Hey.. Natsume.. Let's make a pact, okay? ..That when we both turn 40, and still not married.. We'll marry each other, alright? I know it's ridiculous but.. I'm scared of growing old and alone..", Nikko stopped, looking embarassed.
Natsume nodded and gave her a (very) little smile, yet again.
She stood up and turned to the direction of her dorm. "Goodnight, Natsume.." He nodded in acknowledgement.
"..and Nikko?", came Natsume's tentative voice.
She stopped but didn't turn.
"The same goes for me.."
She smiled to herself and said, "Good.."
And that's that.
A/N: Does it suck? winces Please review! Easy on the flames, please!