Dark Hood
Chapter 5
Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice nor its characters but the story is entirely mine.
Secrets? I never really thought I had any. I guess I must have though. People always do.
But what was mine? Now I hope that whatever the girl comes up with is a good idea.
"I know what it is," she murmured in a soft tone, keeping her eyes hidden.
"Then tell me," I answered anxiously, "What is my secret?" I placed the empty cup on the coffee table and Mikan inhaled.
"Luna-chan told me! She said you were into cats!" she finally laughed. Her eyes were revealed, filled with light. She was normal. So I must really not have much of a secret then.
I sighed, "I don't have a thing for cats. Last time, we saw a stray and I picked it up because it was in the way - that doesn't mean anything."
"But Luna-chan said something completely different," she grinned, "She told me that you say it was trying to get up a wall but it couldn't so you helped it. And that the expression on your face was really sweet. I wish I was there to see... Which reminds me, how are things with Luna-chan and you?"
"Hn"
"What's that mean?" she scowled.
"Hn"
"Fine. But I can't keep arranging dates for you. You'll have to plan one out yourself."
I smirked, "Then I guess we'll probably be going to some weird club for the night then."
"Is that what you guys do?" Mikan frowned. "I'll have to get Ruka out of that habit then..."
"Hell no. Ruka's my buddy. I can't just let some girl take away our drinking time," I retorted, "Plus, I bet you're never even been to a club."
"I-I so have!" she stammered, unsure of herself. "But you always drink coffee and such. How can you suddenly change from coffee to... that? It'd just taste weird wouldn't it?"
"Whatever. I'm going back round. Don't be late for work."
She smiled as I headed out, "Alright! See you tomorrow, goodnight Natsume!"
"Ruka, I don't give a freaking damn about it!" I screamed. "I'm already dating her, isn't that enough?"
He sighed, "Well, you'll have to deal with this yourself. I've tried my best to convince them but they still don't believe you guys are dating. Why don't you take Koizumi to meet your parents?"
I thought about Ruka's suggestion. It was a good one but a little risky. "Are you sure that'll shut them up?"
Ruka shrugged, "It'll be your best bet."
"Fine," I called to reception.
"Yes Natsume?" Oh god, she's still using my first name. Relief? Nope. Probably just shock.
"Oi, I need you to call Koizumi and tell her to meet me at my office in an hour. Ask her to dress formally - we are not going on a date," I informed Mikan. I don't know if she got it all but she usually does.
She responded in a curt manner, "Yes sir." Then the line went dead.
It wasn't only me that noticed the change in names. Ruka raised a brow, "You're quite friendly with Mikan-chan now, are you?"
No point trying to hide it all. "Well she is your girlfriend, my neighbour and my employee. So it's quite natural for her to know me well."
He smiled, "I see. It's great you guys are getting along. Well good luck with Koizumi, Natsume. Can I take Mikan-chan out?"
"Only if she's finished," I groaned and continued with my own work. Only a little more...
"Okay, I'll see you later."
I never knew when later was since I was completely stunned by the re-decorated house. We only reached the buzzer but I could tell already.
"Hello? Hyuuga residence," the person on the other side answered us. I'm not sure who it is though.
"It's Natsume Hyuuga and I've brought Luna Koizumi," I replied boringly. On the other hand, Koizumi was so frightened I think she was shaking.
"The mistress has been expecting you. Come in." The gates squeaked as it pulled itself open, revealing the house I grew up in. A stupid house if you ask me. It gets bigger every time I come back. The gardens, the gates, the windows... My dungeon.
We entered through the doomed doors and sitting on the exquisite couch with a divine wine glass in hand was my mother - the one who controls my life.
"Ah! Luna-chan! It's great to see you again. You've grown so much. Has Natsume treated you well?" she laughed, hugging the girl. Koizumi smiled and began the lady she was born to be.
I rolled my eyes. She just never gets enough of being the hostess. No one else seemed to be in the living room. I waited for someone to come but it was seriously empty -besides my mother.
"Natsume, how rude are you getting if you don't greet your mother when you finally come home?" scolded Mother.
"Mother," I greeted in monotone, "I need to call someone. Excuse me."
"You're excused," she nodded her head in my direction and I hurried off to call Ruka. Anything to get away from this hole!
"What'd you need? I just sent Mikan-chan home so I'm free. Talk away," he sighed.
"Have you been to her apartment?" I asked curiously.
"Um... Just for a while when she went to get a jacket. Why?"
Oh god. The jacket. I shivered, "You know that -"
"She's your neighbour? Sorry, I forgot to tell you. She lives right next to you. Take care of her alright?" he added. "She's from the countryside and I don't think city life suits her but she seems really happy. Fitting in and all..."
"Ruka, I'm her boss. I'm not her damn friend," I barked back at my daydreaming best friend.
"Well you can be! Anyway, how's Luna-chan with your mother?"
"You know my mother. She's completely idolizes girls like her. I'm just dozing off listening to them. But there's a catch today isn't there?" I went straight to the point. I knew there was something wrong when Ruka told me to visit. "My mother wants something as usual and I have to do it. You know that I won't obey so just tell me."
Ruka heaved, "I knew you'd figure it out. Worth a try anyway... Mrs. Hyuuga wants to announce something. I don't know what it is exactly but I'm guessing you have an idea what it is. If Luna-chan is there, it must be - "
"Call you back," I immediately switch him off. No point beating around the bush. The evidence was there. Now if I just piece it together...
My mother - a woman who cares the most about the Hyuuga name - calls Ruka to get me and Koizumi to my house...
If you are stupid and still don't get it... This must be about the engagement.
"Mother, can I speak to you?"
She turns around to place the delicate cup of fresh red wine on the table, "Of course." She swished her dress as she strutted her way over to me in the corner of a room. The same ruby eyes I look at in the mirror stare into mine, "What'd you want Natsume?"
"You're going to do something - an announcement - during dinner, aren't you? I just want to know what it is," I demanded.
"Natsume, you should be clever enough to work it out. And if you can't, then why don't you just sit back and watch the show?" Mother smirked. God, she is so devious!
"I would. But this includes me, doesn't it? I know it does. And if it's what I think it is then I might as leave now."
"Too bad. It'll still continue even if you run away. I told you before Natsume, even if you choose to move, to immigrate, you'll still be a Hyuuga by blood. You just have to accept it." Her haunting voice seemed to be chains, slowly binding me.
"But I won't. Mother, I'll wait for your announcement. But that doesn't mean I'll accept anything. Anything you force on me as a Hyuuga, I can't accept. I'll do everything with my own hands."
I stood determined until Koizumi interrupted from afar. "Um... Mrs. Hyuuga, Natsume-kun? Dinner's ready."
Mother gave me a knowing smile and went off to the dining table.
I'm so anxious now...
Starters flew by as did the main course. Delicious and perfect as always. Koizumi kept on kissing up to my mother and she just adored it. I waited and waited. Desserts came and went too but still no announcement!
Mother sipped her wine and looked down the table, "Well now. You two are getting along fine. How's your job Natsume?"
"Fine," I growled. She knows I hate talking about the job that I got while defying her. She wanted this, I wanted that. So I headed in another direction.
"Good. Then what about that secretary of yours?"
I froze. She couldn't possibly have been spying... "She's Ruka's girlfriend."
"Yes. Mikan-chan is a great girl Mrs. Hyuuga," complimented Koizumi. For once, she's helping!
"I see... Then you must know, Sakura-san has come to join us today," Mrs. Hyuuga announced. "I just felt that I really need to meet this girl. Running a little late but here she comes."
At the doors, wearing a long dark jacket with a dark hood pulled up, was a girl. She was dripping wet and the scenario was sort of like at the sushi place but this time when she pushed the hood back, she grinned, "Mrs. Hyuuga, thank you for inviting me to your lovely home. Hello, Luna-chan, Natsume."
"Natsume, Luna-chan, meet my personal new maid."
End of Chapter 5
I'm not lying when I say I was shocked there were people following this story. It's an honour for me that you guys read it, review it, enjoy it... Just thank you! Happy 2013 and I hope I start to plot up this story...