Chapter Nine:

"Hehehe... Err... Hi Natsume.." I said as I stood up and brushed the dirt off my skirt.

Ruka was also standing, both of them were looking at me.

"I'm sorry I eavesdropped, won't happen again. I promise!" I said as I bowed numerous times.

"What have you heard, Mikan?" Ruka asked me with a small smile.

"Hmm..." I started as I looked up to think. "Oh yeah, that Natsume likes someone but he denied it." I said as I pointed to Natsume.

"Did you hear anything about the girl?" Ruka asked gently, it's like he's talking to an eight-year old. Natsume went back to lying down while Ruka interrogated me.

"Only that her name starts with an M." I said.

Ruka smiled. "See? I guess you don't have to worry about it." He told Natsume.

"Like I would care if that idiot knew." Natsume told Ruka.

Ruka laughed. "So, you're saying you don't care?" He laughed again making Natsume glare at him.

"Who are you calling idiot?" I interrupted.

"Shut up, Polka-dots. We were peaceful until you came." Natsume retaliated.

I ran to Ruka, I looked at him for support.

"Natsume, don't be too hard on MIKAN." Ruka told Natsume.

It's weird that he emphasized my name. Is there something going on?

Natsume simply looked away. It's the first time I saw Ruka, actually teasing Natsume.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked Ruka.

"Oh no, Mikan. It's just Natsume." He answered with gritted teeth, he looked at Natsume, who glared at him in return. "Ah well, I've got to go, I think Hotaru's waiting for me. I'll leave you two alone."

"Wait, Ruka. I'll go with you, I feel sleepy already." I said as I yawned. "Good Night, Natsume."

He didn't say anything so we left him.

Ruka and I walked together on the way to our dormitories.

"Ruka? Who's the girl you were talking about?" I asked.

"Err... I don't think we should talk about that right now. Besides, maybe Natsume wouldn't like it if I told someone, right?" Ruka told me.

I considered the fact. Natsume has always been that secretive.

"Why do you ask?" Ruka asked as he walked me to my room.

I shrugged. "Curiosity, maybe." I said.

"Is that all?" Ruka asked. "I mean, just curiosity?"

"Err... Yeah."

This conversation is getting weirder every second. Was Ruka expecting more than curiosity?

Ruka just nodded in my response with a smile. There's something weird going on but I'm too sleepy to even ask, maybe tomorrow.

"Good Night, Mikan." Ruka said as he opened my door, for me. I just waved him goodby and closed the door and went straight to bed, I was really sleepy, I dozed off immediately.


I woke up the next morning from a really good sleep. I looked at the alarm clock.

"I'm late!" I stood up and ran to the bathroom, took a bath as fast as I can, dressed up and ran out of my room.

I'm gonna be late... AGAIN!

I ran as fast as I could but I bumped into someone, we both fell on the floor and I was on top.

"Get off me, idiot."

I opened my eyes and stood up immediately. Natsume also stood up and brushed the dirt off his clothes.

"I'm sorry, Natsume." I apologized.

"Just watch where you're going, Polka-dots." Natsume said as he walked away.

"But, Natsume! The classroom is this way!" I pointed to the other side.

"So?" Natsume said. He stopped walking.

"We have classes today! And we're late! Are you going to cut classes again?"

"You idiot, it's Saturday today." He said, now facing me.

"Oh yeah!" I said as I slapped my forehead, then laughed.

Natsume shook his head and continued walking. I went the other way, to Hotaru's room. I remembered what Ruka and Natsume we're talking about last night. It's weird that Natsume likes someone. I thought about it as I walked through the hallway. Maybe it's one of his fangirls. One of them got close to him. But Natsume never really fancied girls. I wondered how somebody like Natsume, liked a girl that fast. I mean, that was just now, or maybe he liked that girl ages ago?

I shook my head, I don't even know why these thoughts kept running through my mind. I wish they would just go away.