Chapter 5: It's YOU That I Like

Disclaimer: Gakuen Alice doesn't belong to me. It is owned by the great mangaka Higuchi Tachibana.

Unknown to Nikko and Natsume, a figure saw them from behind a tree. He stared for a few moments then, vanished (Hmmm.. He was whisked away by an animal of some sort ).

OOO

Nikko was walking back to her room when she happened to glance out the window. She saw a figure on the bench and narrowed his eyes to see who it was.

R-Ruka? What is he doing there, she mused.

She made her way to the bench but hesitated. Ruka still didn't know she was there. She made her presence known by faking a small cough.

"Nikko-san?", Ruka said questioningly. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to know what's up with you. Are you alright?"

Ruka blushed a deep rose and spoke up, "..Yeah."

"Oh, come on." She sat close to Ruka on the bench and said, "You can tell me, you know.."

He nodded a little and stared at the grass at his feet. He clenched and unclenched his fists, Nikko noticed.

silence

Nikko couldn't hold off much longer and she clutched Ruka's right arm tightly, with her head down. "Ruka.. I.. I.."

"I like you, Ruka!" The words flew out of her mouth, faster than you could say "Alice".

Ruka's eyebrows shot up and his mouth did opening-closing motions (like a goldfish). He turned to look at Nikko, whose head was still down.

His expression softened and he pulled her closer, surprising her.

"But.. but.. I thought you were with Natsume..", he said softly. "That's why I never did anything to get close to you.. I didn't want to destroy my friendship with Natsume.."

She pulled back from him and stared at his silvery-blues in surprise. "But..but.."

"I like you too, Nikko", came Ruka's gentle voice, looking into her eyes.

Without hesitation, he lifted her chin gently and kissed her.

Nikko's eyes widened. Her eyes filled with unshed tears and she kissed him back.. tenderly.

White doves, as if having a sixth sense, all flew off at the same time.. as if marking the start of a new and blossoming love.

And who could guess what happens next?

A/N: A bit too.. OOC? XP

OOO

Hotaru muttered under her breath, Get a move on, idiots.

Yuu-chan turned to her and said, "Did you say something, Hotaru?"

"Nothing nothing.."

Yuu-chan looked surprised but didn't volunteer anything more. He shrugged and turned back to his copy of "A Complete and Unrevised History of the Alice Academy".

OOO

Mikan woke up as the first rays of the sun hit her face. She groaned and turned to her other side. What time is it anyway?

Wait a minute..

I actually got up before my alarm clock rang. She sat up, feeling energetic. I have a feeling this day is gonna be wonderful, she thought cheerfully. I'd better get ready.

Mikan pranced to her classroom and surprise! surprise, she bumped into someone.

"Watch it, polka dots", Natsume practically growled.

"NATSUUUMEE! Don't you get tired of it at all? It's been four years, for Heaven's sake!", Mikan complained, with her hands on her hips.

"Oh, sorry, idiot. I forgot. It's 'blueberries' now, isn't it?", he smirked.

"Pervert! I ought t-"

"Good morning, Sakura-san", a certain blond boy behind her greeted.

"Morning, Ruka-pyon!", Mikan said giving him a very cheerful smile.

"Good morning, Natsume", Ruka turned to Natsume.

He grunted something that vaguely sounded like "G'morning".

Ruka and Mikan entered the classroom together, leaving Natsume staring after Ruka. Something's different with him. Wonder what it is. He then shrugged. I'll figure it out sooner or later. He entered the classroom and closed the door with a bang. (Typical Natsume )

OOO

Natsume was about to fall asleep when an annoying voice pierced his thoughts.

"Hey, Natsume!"

Go away, he wanted to groan out loud. Can't I even sleep around here. If you don't go away in 5 seconds, I'm going to burn something, he thought grimly.

"NATSUME!"

True to his thoughts, he did set something on fire. A skirt, to be exact.

Mikan screeched and began to run around the classroom, like a chicken with it's head chopped off. "Put it out! Put it OUT!"

Luckily, someone with a water-related alice did it for her.

Mikan knelt on the floor, trying to catch her breath. "What's wrong with you, Natsume?", her eyes shooting daggers at him. Wow, if looks could kill, Natsume could be a human dart board by now.

"What were you trying to say, idiot?", he asked in a bored tone.

To his surprise, Mikan brightened instead of hurling insults at him. Natsume turned a light shade of pink at this.

"I wanted to ask you if you would like to go to the 200th Anniversary of Central Town with me."

Natsume's head swiveled back to her in surprise. Is she serious? She'd like to go with me?

"So, would you?", Mikan asked with an expectant look on her face.

"Whatever", he grunted and tried to go back to sleep.

"Yay! Natsume's going with me on Saturday!", Mikan yelled happily.

Natsume turned red like a cherry tomato because of this. He tried to hide this but Hotaru, Yuu-chan and Ruka noticed, anyway.

Sumire heard this and charged towards Mikan with a murderous look on her face but was restrained by Yuu-chan and Ruka.

Obviously, Mikan didn't notice Sumire's loud swearing and cursing her very existence.

Natsume's face was still red and he was frantically trying to find something to cover his face. A magazine, a manga, anything! What's the matter with me today?

Again, Hotaru muttered under her breath, Get a move on, idiots.

OOO

"Oh, and Mikan?", Hotaru called tonelessly.

"Hmmm?"

"We don't wear kimonos for that occasion."

Mikan's cheeks turned red and said, "Really? Uhh.. I.."

"Idiot", Hotaru punched her with her baka gun.

"HOTAARUUUU!" sob sob "You're mean!"

"Whatever idiot", Hotaru said calmly. "Now go and find something decent to wear. Better start now or you might end up looking like a clown or something".

She gave Mikan a little push and off Mikan went.

Something should happen, now, she thought exasperatedly.

A/N: 200th Anniversary of Central Town? O.o The hell did I get that:P