Fight for Love!
13th Fight: Nekome!
"I'm home!" I shouted and barged into the house.
As soon as I stepped into the foyer, I kicked my soaking wet shoes away and continued to drag the heavy burden behind me. Gosh! Natsume was heavier than I thought he would be!
"Mikan, welcome back... oh?" Mum stuck her head out of the kitchen and paused for a short while before continuing her speech. "Who is the person behind you?"
"He's my senpai," I replied with an uncertain smile. "I need some help..."
"Daddy! Mikan has brought a boy home!" Mum yelled and ran out of the kitchen with her apron on.
I gaped in shock and exclaimed, "Wait! Don't get the wrong idea! Natsume-senpai is..."
"Mikan has brought a filthy guy home?" I heard my father's voice boom and I immediately flinched. "Who is that filthy devil, eh?"
I saw his figure emerged from his room and stood before me with Mum standing behind him. His eyes were staring down at the unconscious boy next to me while his mouth was seen twitching non-stop.
"What is your explanation now, Mikan? I thought I did tell you that you cannot join Taekwondo Club anymore and having a boyfriend now is strictly prohibited unless you have finished your studies," my father bellowed.
Upon hearing that 'boyfriend' word, I immediately put on a scowl on my face and said, "He is definitely not my friend and please don't even bother to think that he will be my boyfriend."
"Then, what happened to him? Why is he out-cold?"
"It's a pretty long story, Dad. While I was walking back home, I saw this guy suddenly fainted along the roadside. When I tried to help him, he was already burning up so I had no choice but to bring him here to see if I could help him a little. I hope you and Mum won't mind about that."
I forced a pitiful smile across my face in the hope of getting their approval for letting Natsume rest in our residence first. I knew I should not be doing this for that arrogant jerk but I had my own conscience. I could not be leaving this 'poor' guy lying outside under the rain, could I?
"I won't mind," Mum said and stepped forward to touch Natsume's forehead. "Honey, he really has a fever. I think we should let him rest here first until he wakes up later. Then, we ask him where he lives before we take him back home. How's that?"
Dad rubbed his nose and spoke, "Alright. Mikan, why don't you take a bath first while your mother and I will call our family doctor and try to help him as much as we can?"
I nodded. Though my parents might seem strict, over-protective of me and scary, they were actually caring and a little soft-hearted. When they saw someone in danger or in need, they would offer their help to them. That was something which I always admired and wanted to be.
Dad picked Natsume up from my back and piggybacked him into my room...
I stood there speechless. Why did they bring him into my room? Why couldn't they just put him on the couch or the floor? It was my bedroom for heaven's sake! I did not want any boys, except for my father, to enter it, especially Natsume. He would definitely read my diary and see my photographs. I could bet with all my life that as soon as he stepped out of this household, he would definitely make fun of me more than before.
No, I had to do something to prevent this thing to happen.
"Mikan," Mum spoke. "Did you notice that his hair was standing up at both sides of his head? He really looks like a cat if you ask me!"
"I did."
"What is that neko-guy's name?"
"His name is Nekome Hyuuga."
I looked away with an evil grin and sniggered silently to myself. That name which I blurted out loud without thinking sounded cute. I swore that I did not do it on purpose as I accidentally spilled the word 'neko' out of my mouth due to Mum's influence. Anyway, since Mum had just called him the 'neko-guy', I guessed I should just leave the mistake alone as it sounded more interesting this way.
"I see. So, I will try my best to get a doctor for Nekome-san." Mum picked up a wireless phone and began dailing the number.
I giggled harder and scurried off into the bathroom. After taking a bath, I came out of the bathroom only to see a doctor walking into my bedroom and I followed him. When I entered into my bedroom, I saw Natsume sleeping on my beloved bed. He looked extremely pale and pathetic. For the first time, I pitied him. I had never seen a weak Natsume before. Usually, he would be irritating, acting all clever and mighty, pissing me off in any other ways he could find, and arrogant. Mum was probably right. He looked like a cat with two small bunches of his hair sticking outwards at both sides of his heads like ears.
"This boy would be fine if he takes these medicines and has enough rest," the doctor spoke after he was done with the check-up.
He placed the medicines next to Natsume while Mum paid and thanked him before he left the house.
"I guess I have to sleep in the living room for tonight since I think that boy may not wake up until the next day and you, Mikan, will sleep with Mum. His fever is too high." Dad let out a sigh.
I looked at Dad with an assuring look and said, "It's okay. I can sleep in the living room myself. If senpai needs any help, I can always help him. Anyway, tomorrow is Saturday so there is no school tomorrow and I have no cleaning duties too."
"Are you sure, Mikan?" Mum queried and looked at Natsume worriedly. "I wonder when his parents will be calling. If they called him, we could at least inform them about his condition and whereabouts. They would probably fetch him too."
Upon seeing Natsume's bag lying next to my bed, I absentmindedly walked towards it and zipped it open. I found his handphone and took it out happily.
"How about we try to search through his contacts to look for his parents' contact numbers? It's faster this way," I suggested.
"Isn't that rude? I think it is not a good idea."
"So, do you want to wait for their call? That would take ages."
"Don't worry too much, Dear. I'm sure Nekome's parents will call him as soon as possible."
Mum gave me a smile and left my bedroom with Dad following behind her. I sighed deeply as I placed Natsume's handphone next to the original owner. I carefully went under my bed and retrieved my diary and my photo albums which were hiding under bed. Since he was staying in my room, be it for a short while or the whole night, I had no choice but to remove these so-called private matters from his reach or rather, sight.
This showed that I did not trust him at all. Yeah, he deserved it. After all he had done to me, why should I trust him?
I walked out of the room and hid those precious belongings underneath the couch. Just when I was about to slump my back against my couch, my handphone rang. I picked it up and answered.
"Yukihira-san, this is Shizune Yamanouchi."
I flinched. Why did the chairperson of Special Club call me? Did Nobara tell her that I had failed to spy on Tsubasa effectively? Oh no!
"Good evening, senpai! Wh... what can I help you?" I laughed awkwardly.
"Yukihira-san, I have heard that you did not gather enough information about Tsubasa Andou but it is alright."
Ah, I knew it. It was not surprising that Nobara would tell Shizune about the embarrassing incident earlier.
I said, "I'm very sorry."
"According to Narumi-sensei, Tsubasa Andou will usually train by himself behind the gymnasium after afternoon classes every Monday. So, I want you to spy on him this Monday. I want you to get this job done quickly so that you can proceed to spy on another person from another Taekwondo organisation."
"Sure... but why must it be Tsubasa-senpai?"
There was silence. Oh, I got it! Shizune and the others probably wanted me to study Tsubasa as a test for my capability to spy. If I managed to complete this task, I could move on to the next level! Hey, that was like playing a game. It was interesting. I thought I had heard of a saying before: Before you fool your enemies, fool your friends first.
Everything suddenly made sense to me. Maybe I had gotten cleverer!
"Senpai, have you heard about a Taekwondo tournament which will take place in two months time? Are we participating in it?"
"A Teakwondo tournament, eh? I don't see what is so charitable about that."
"I think we can make use of this chance to gain recognition from other organisations and if we are lucky enough, we may be able to be sent for more fund-raising competitions. By the way, Tsubasa-senpai and Ruka-senpai are most likely taking part in it too."
There was a short pause before Shizune continued again.
"I will think about it and discuss with the others first. Thanks for the information, Mikan."
"You're welcome. Bye!" I laughed sheepishly and ended the call.
I yawned and curled up on the couch. I could not believe that I had to continue to spy on Tsubasa. Somehow, I got a bad feeling that whatever happened this afternoon would happen again. To me, joining the group of Tsubasa's fan girls was not a problem, but spreading rumours about me liking Tsubasa was a big problem. It would tarnish my reputation and those angered girls would take away my high school freedom which I wanted to treasure badly since the day I met Ruka and Natsume.
Suddenly, I heard a loud groan, followed by a few coughing sounds, coming from my room. Oh dear! Did something happen to Natsume? Maybe he was choking on his saliva while sleeping soundly, or maybe he was coughing out blood! Startled by these thoughts, I immediately stumbled out of the couch and burst into my room.
"Are you okay, Natsume-senpai?" I merely shouted and took a look at his pale sleeping face. "Thank goodness that you are not coughing out blood! Do you need water? Ah, I will get a cup of warm water for you! Wait a min..."
"Sh...shut... up. Noisy..."
I stopped and looked at Natsume again. I swore he had just spoken earlier! I stepped forward and placed my hand on his forehead. It was still burning. He coughed again and shifted his head to the side which was opposite from where I was standing.
I removed my hand from his forehead and said, "Noisy or not, I am getting you a cup of water."
Just when I was about to walk away, I felt a pull at the hem of my shirt and I instantly turned around.
"Don't go..."
I raised my left eyebrow quizzically at him. His eyes were half opened and was looking at my direction.
I gently pushed his hands off from my shirt and smirked. "I can't, boy. You need water and I am getting it for you. Now, go and sleep."
I smugged as I felt like I was overpowering this currently weak boy who had always bullied me. It was definitely a payback time, Natsume!
"... Aoi."
I stopped smirking and stared harder at him. Who was Aoi? Did he mistake me for another person? For some reason, that name sounded very familiar to me. Did I have any other friends whose name was Aoi? So far, Hotaru and Yoichi were my friends for a long time. I thought so hard that I almost forgot about Natsume until he coughed loudly again, totally getting my attention.
"Are you..."
"Stay by my side... Aoi," he interrupted me and extended his weak hand towards me.
I sighed and held his hand. Of course, I was doing it out of pity. There was no way I would want to stay by his side, after all he had mistaken me for another person. I guessed I would leave him alone after he fell asleep again. Geez! He was so troublesome.
"Thank you," he whispered softly and gave me a weak smile before closing his eyes again. "Aoi."
My eyes widened upon seeing him smile. Natsume just smiled! Though it was a weak smile, I could feel the passion and his feelings in it. For him to smile like this, that Aoi person must be very important and close to him. I returned a smile and brushed his hair with my fingers. Maybe I should take back my words about leaving him alone after he had fallen asleep.
I sat on my favourite stool and rested my head on the bed with his hand gripping onto mine tightly.
Maybe I should stay with him just for this night only...
No, I swore I was doing this out of pity. Or... maybe not?
Hi, everyone! It's finally my first anniversary in FanFiciton (I joined this site on 2nd April 2012)! I'm also happy to be able to update this story despite my editor's and my busy schedules lately. So, thanks for reading Chapter 13 and thanks for the reviews too. :)
Here are the reviewers:
- ChocoChipzCookie
- KLP-Chan
- jennifer8-Mikan Hyuuga
- Vehemens Ford
- miramisa90212
- Shardstar
- crimson hazel hearts
- Haruhi-chan131
- lisaOpine
Lastly, I would also like to thank those who had story alerted and favourited this story. :)
It will take quite a while for me to update the next chapter so while waiting, please do check out my other GA fanfics. :)
Anyway, please don't forget to review this chapter and tell me how it is! Thanks! :D
