Oha! Lucky! I've received some good reviews from the previous chapter. I'm sorry if this chapter took a while. I managed to finish this in 6 hours since I was trying to get ideas out of my head. Himeno-chan is now ready. This is my second chapter. Enjoy! Oh, two characters here don't belong to me.
Mikan: You've updated! Hooray!
Himeno: That's right. In this chapter, you'll find out more about Natsume.
Mikan: That jerk? I already know that he's a pervert and a moron.
Natsume: Watch your mouth, polka-dots!
Mikan: BAKA HENTAI!
Anna: Himeno-chan, am I gonna be here?
Himeno: Of course, Anna-chan, and Nonoko-chan too!
Nonoko: Really? I'm so glad!
Sumire: I can't believe that Sakura-san gets to be paired up with my Natsume-kun.
Natsume: Since when did I become yours, ugly?
Mikan: Natsume, those fan girls of yours have no taste in guys.
Himeno: Okay, stop right there. We have to go on with the story.
Kokoroyomi: Himeno-san doesn't own Gakuen Alice.
Natsume the Jerk
Episode 2: A Sad Boy in the Dark
That afternoon after school, several classmates went to Mikan and surrounded her like a pack of hungry wolves. These classmates were actually big fans of hers and they wanted her autograph. Mikan, being the popular celebrity that she was, gladly signed every autograph book presented to her. She didn't want to disappoint the fans. Besides, her classmates seemed pretty nice, except for the Natsume-Ruka fan club girls and the jerk, Natsume.
For the rest of the day, Natsume kept glaring at her. She couldn't concentrate well in class because of him. She would love to shout at him during classes, but she didn't want to embarrass herself in front of the teachers.
"Thanks Mikan-san!" the last boy said after she signed his book after classes. "You're really pretty!" He was blushing madly while smiling goofily at the brunette.
Mikan giggled. "Thank you…" she replied.
When the boy went prancing off in glee, two girls approached Mikan. One girl had long, wavy, pink hair and charming baby blue eyes, while the other one had long, straight, dark-blue hair and Prussian-blue eyes. Both of them were fairly cute and they seemed friendly and shy.
The pink-haired girl presented her autograph book and took a quick step forward. She shoved the book closer to Mikan and bowed her head. "May I have your autograph, Mikan-san?" she asked nervously.
"All right," Mikan answered, taking the autograph book from the girl. She placed the book on her desk, got out her pen, and started signing her signature on it. "By the way, what's your name?"
"I'm Anna… Anna Umenomiya," she replied in a soft tone.
"Nice to meet you, Anna-chan!" Mikan said cheerfully. She grabbed Anna's hand, and placed the book on her palm. "Here you go!"
"Umm… Thank you, Mikan-san!" Anna exclaimed.
"Mikan-san, can you sign mine as well?" The other girl—the one with the darker hair—approached Mikan and handed her the autograph book.
Mikan nodded and signed the book. She then gave it back to the girl. "What's your name?"
"Oh, my name's Nonoko Ogasawara!" she replied hastily, her cheeks reddening. She and her best friend, Anna, were big fans of Mikan Sakura. They have practically bought all her albums, watched every movie she starred in, and went to her every concert. That was how dedicated they were to their idol. And since Mikan was officially their classmate, the two of them felt so honored to have the lovely brunette as their classmate.
"Umm… If it's not too much to ask," Mikan asked, fiddling with her petite fingers, as she threw a shy look at the two girls. "Can I be your friend? Since I'm new here and I practically don't know anyone yet, it would be really nice—"
"OF COURSE!" Anna and Nonoko exclaimed in unison. Their eyes were sparkling with enthusiasm. They would be delighted to be friends with their idol.
Mikan giggled cutely and held out her hand to shake. "Thanks so much. I hope we'll be great friends."
Anna shook hands with Mikan first. "You can bet on it, Mikan-san."
"You don't have to be formal with me, Anna-chan, Nonoko-chan," Mikan said, as Ann released her hand. "Call me Mikan-chan, please…" She winked a playful eye at them.
Nonoko nodded as she took Mikan's hand to shake. "If you say so, Mikan-chan!"
It was Mikan's first time to have normal friends than celebrity friends. Don't get her wrong, she actually loved her celebrity friends, but she doesn't get to spend time with them all the time because of their busy schedule.
As Mikan was packing her things, Natsume marched up to her and pulled her hair. "Ouch!" She quickly stood up and faced the raven-haired jerk. "What's your problem?! Don't you have any manners?!"
Natsume rolled his eyes away. "You still have to pay me for the manga you threw away, polka-dots," he said nonchalantly.
Mikan snorted. "And why should I, pervert?" She spun around and went back to her things. "You can still get your manga back."
"You think you're all that just because you're a celebrity," Natsume said, pulling her hair again.
"Can you quit it?!" she uttered, slapping his hand away.
"You shouldn't really mess around with me, polka-dots," Natsume said in a deadly tone as he stared at her with vicious crimson eyes. "You'll regret it."
"Then why don't you leave me alone, jerk!"
Natsume shrugged. "Unfortunately, I can't," he answered. "Remember, I'm your partner. I still have to show you around." From the way he sounded, it seemed like he was scheming something.
"No thanks!" She grabbed her bag and swung it over her shoulders. "I'm leaving. I still have a taping to do at the studio." It was true. She was the star of Japan's new romantic drama series, known as Sakura Kiss. She walked pass him, but Natsume grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
"You're not walking away from me that easily," Natsume grumbled, tightening his grip.
"Hey… That hurts!" Mikan wailed, trying to shake her hand away. "Let go of me!"
The other students in the classrooms were starting to get worried for Mikan. They've always feared Natsume's attitude and bitterness. He'll not tolerate anyone, even if that person was a sweet girl. They didn't know why he was acting like a jerk all the time.
"LET GO OF ME, IDIOT!" Mikan wailed and slapped Natsume on the face. Oh, she slapped him hard and good.
Natsume was quite surprised. It was the first time he had been slapped by a girl. He retained his stoic look and glared at the brunette.
"That's what you get for being a stubborn jerk!" Mikan quickly turned around and faced her classmates. "I'm sorry for the commotion, everyone." She bowed her head politely. After that, she ran out of the classroom.
The Natsume-Ruka fan club girls rushed to Natsume's side to see if he was all right. They acted sweet and tenderly just to please Natsume.
"Oh, Natsume-kun, are you hurt?"
"Who does that Sakura think she is?"
"That Sakura must pay for what she did to Natsume-kun!"
"Natsume-kun must be treated with respect, right girls?" Sumire spoke with enthusiasm as she placed her fists on her hips. "Don't worry, Natsume-kun, we'll make sure to humiliate Sakura-san tomorrow!"
The others in class didn't agree with Sumire's ways. They didn't want their beloved idol to be humiliated. Besides, Mikan had the right to slap Natsume. Natsume really deserved it. Some feared for Mikan's safety and some were impressed, because she stood up against Natsume.
"Get away from my sight, hags," Natsume blurted out in rage. Everyone could see how angry he was through his blood-shot eyes. Man, he was being scarier than a monster. Natsume was scheming of ways to get back at Mikan. It was his first time to get slapped by a girl. He grabbed his back and left the classroom in a hurry.
"Ah! Natsume-kun!" the fan girls shouted.
"Natsume…" Ruka immediately ran after his best friend, completely ignoring his fan girls around him. He managed to catch up with Natsume in the hallways and called his attention. Ruka stopped when Natsume turned around to look at him. "Hey, Natsume, are you okay?" he asked in concern.
"No, I'm not," Natsume plainly said.
"Natsume, please leave Sakura alone," Ruka said, pleading in a way, as he lowered his head to avoid the piercing stare of his best friend.
"And why should I?"
Ruka didn't know why he felt like defending the brunette. Maybe it was because he was a fan of hers or was it something else? Still, he knew Natsume was going to take his revenge on her, and as his best friend, he can't support that. He had been quiet about Natsume's ill-mannered action for long enough. "Stop it, Natsume. Don't waste your time."
"I'm just going to teach that girl a lesson," Natsume replied, uncaring as usual. He spun around and took a step forward. "If you're going to help that girl, then don't ever show your face to me again." He started walking away, leaving Ruka dumbfounded.
That Natsume… I wish there was some way to change him. Ruka sighed at the thought. He and Aoi had been trying hard to bring a smile on Natsume's face again. But all their efforts ended in vain. Natsume won't just change for the better. He preferred to stick to his rotten self.
"Onii-chan, is it true that Mikan Sakura-san is in your class?" Aoi asked that night, smiling sweetly at her brother. "I heard it from my classmates."
The raven-haired boy raised his brow at his sister's enthusiasm and then frowned at her. "Yeah, so what?" he responded. He seriously didn't want to be reminded of the brunette.
Aoi jumped up and down for joy. "You're so lucky, Onii-chan! I wish Mikan-san is my classmate instead!" She pictured the cheery brunette in her head and sighed dreamily. Aoi was a certified fan of Mikan Sakura, much to Natsume's annoyance.
"Will you pipe down, idiot?" Natsume grumbled as he picked up his manga from the coffee table. "You're making my ears bleed." He plopped down the couch and started reading his manga.
"Onii-chan, can you ask her to sign my autograph book?" Aoi asked, showing him her book. "Please! Please! Please!"
Natsume's eyebrows twitched. Without a care, he threw his manga at Aoi's face and stood up. "Go ask her yourself, stupid!" he exclaimed, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Besides, I hate that girl."
Aoi's smile faded, as the manga slid down her face, and she looked distinctly sulky.
"What?" Natsume glared at her. "You're gonna cry? Then cry! See if I care." He walked toward the front door, opened it, and stepped out of the house. It was already dark outside. It was the perfect time to hang out at his usual place. He left the premises of his so-called home and walked into the streets.
Aoi crumbled to the floor when Natsume left. She began crying silently.Onii-chan, you're really hopeless. You're such an idiot! She hugged herself tightly as she allowed her tears to fall down to the floor.
Natsume sat down on a bench at Central Park after he bought a burger and soda from McDonalds. It was his nightly routine to buy food from his favorite fast food restaurant and eat at the park. He always had fast food for dinner after his parent's death.
He took out the burger and took a bite out of it. He concentrated his mind on the brunette. He didn't want to admit it, but he can't stop thinking about her. He can't blame himself for that, though, since Mikan was the first person to stand up to him and the first girl to hit him. After years of being feared and admired in school, finally there was someone who treated him differently. However, he hated her so much. He hated her smile, her good nature, and her friendliness. She just seemed too good for her own good. He sipped his soda and stared at the night sky.
No stars today… He said to himself.
While he stuffed himself up with the burger, someone was hiding in the bushes, spying on Natsume. It was Ruka, along with his pet rabbit in his hands. Every night he would sneak out of his mansion just to see how's Natsume's doing. He knew that Natsume would always eat dinner at the park. He tried telling Natsume that eating fast food for dinner wasn't healthy, but the jerk just shooed him away. His disappointment simmered inside like a bubbling pot of soup. Was he a total failure as Natsume's best friend? More or less, he thought.
Then Natsume, being sharp all the time, but still cold, began to walk over to Ruka's hiding spot.
"I know you're there, Ruka," Natsume said.
Ruka could feel his heart jumping out of its place.
"Come out, idiot."
Ruka shrugged and came out of his hiding place. He revealed a concerned face to Natsume. "Why don't you stop this ridiculous habit of yours?" he said. "This isn't good for you." He patted his little rabbit friend who just wrinkled its cute little pink nose.
"I don't care."
"Natsume…" Ruka said quietly, flashing his best friendly a meaningful look. "Please…"
Natsume shook his head. "Just leave me alone," he grunted, turning around. "Every single day is always the same. You and that idiot sister of mine—can't you guys just quit messing with me?!" He was enraged, furious, and upset.
"But we're trying to help you, Natsume," Ruka told him.
"I didn't ask for any help in the first place," Natsume argued.
"Quit being stubborn, will ya?" Ruka grasped Natsume's shoulder and forced him to turn around. He looked straight at Natsume crimson eyes. "You're becoming worse each day. Aoi and I can't stand seeing you like this. I know you're upset of what happened to your parents, but can't you just forget it and move on?" Ruka didn't mean to bring up Natsume's parents, but he wanted to knock some sense into his best friend.
And Ruka was right about the stubborn part. Natsume didn't seem to feel anything with what Ruka said. He gave the blonde a good shove and walked off in a hurry. "If you'll follow me, I'll definitely hit you," he threatened. Natsume was always serious when it comes to his threats.
Ruka knew when to pursue and when to give up. He sighed in frustration. "It's been five years…" he muttered, fighting the desire to hit anything. "I still can't change him. What should I do?"
"Ruka Nogi-kun?"
That voice. Ruka recognized that voice. He turned around and saw Mikan standing a few inches away from him. She was wearing her roller skates and protective gear.
"Nogi-kun, right?" Mikan beamed a smile at him.
Ruka's heart fluttered, and his face turned red. He examined the young brunette for a minute. She was wearing a pink off-shouldered blouse with ¾ sleeves and a white micro mini-skirt with small slits on the side. There was only one thing Ruka could think of her in that outfit. So cute…he said in his mind. "Yes, that's me, Sakura."
"What are you doing here at a time like this?" she asked.
"J-just t-ta..taking a walk…" He could not believe that he was stuttering. "H-how about you, Sakura?"
"The same reason." Mikan then saw the rabbit in his hands. "Kyah! It's adorable!" she pointed out.
Ruka eased up a bit and smiled. "Oh, his name is Bunny," he told her as he patted the rabbit's head. "Want to hold him?"
"Really?" Mikan's eyes sparkled with excitement. She absolutely adored cute and fluffy animals.
"Sure." Ruka gave her the rabbit. "Be careful with him."
Mikan hardly heard him. She was blinded by the cuteness of the furry critter. She took the rabbit and hugged it tight against her chest. "Kyahhh! Bunny-chan, you're so cute!!!"
Ruka sweat dropped. "Umm…Sakura…Sakura…" He kept calling her, but the brunette won't listen.
She twirled around, still strangling the poor creature in her arms. "Yay!"
At this rate, Bunny is going to die… Ruka laughed nervously at the dreadful thought. "Sakura, my rabbit needs air."
"Eh?" Mikan stopped twirling and looked down at the rabbit. She gasped as she saw that it was about to faint due to lack of air and dizziness. "AHHH!!! Sorry! Sorry!" She quickly handed the rabbit back to Ruka and bowed her head.
Ruka chuckled. "It's all right. My rabbit is still alive."
"I got carried away there." Mikan felt really awkward. "So, do you always come here at night?"
"Yeah…" And it was because of Natsume, Ruka thought.
"I see… Then I should come here often."
"What?"
"I recently moved near here." Mikan spun around and skated towards the bench. She sat down and patted the space beside her. "Come and sit with me, Nogi-kun!"
Ruka sat down beside her. "So, your house is somewhere near here?"
Mikan nodded. "How about yours?"
"Pretty near."
The two of them talked for a while and got to know each other better. Ruka admitted to Mikan that he was an animal-lover and an only child, while Mikan told him about her celebrity life and the friends she made at the studios. Then, all of the sudden, Mikan thought about Natsume, and she got pissed.
"That Natsume," she exclaimed. "He's the worst guy I've ever met. What's his problem? I know it was wrong of me to throw his manga away, but he was being rude to me!"
"Natsume is not that bad once you get to know the real him," Ruka explained.
"The others seemed to be afraid of him," Mikan said, remembering the event in the classroom. "Nogi-kun, you and Natsume have your own fan club. You two are really popular. I can understand why you're popular, but Natsume? Get real…"
Ruka pursed his lips. "You don't know him that well. Don't judge him so easily."
Mikan neared her face near his. "You seem to know him much," she said.
"That's because I'm his best friend."
"EEHHHHH!!!!" Mikan screamed so loud. "That Natsume actually has a best friend! Tell me, did he threaten you to be his best friend?"
Ruka shook his head vigorously. "No…Natsume would never do that to me."
Mikan took his hand. "I'm sorry for saying such things about your best friend…" She looked sympathetically at him.
"Ermm…" He was blushing again. "T-That's okay."
"Tell me something…" Mikan looked up at the starless sky. "I heard that Natsume is a trouble-maker, despite being a genius and a good athlete. Why does he act so mean all the time? He doesn't seem to have friends in school either, except you."
Ruka hesitated to answer. Revealing the Hyuuga family's past to anyone would only anger Natsume more. "Let's just say that he has his reasons. He just can't let go of his past."
Mikan's hatred for Natsume decreased because of what Ruka said.
Natsume Hyuuga sat slumped on the edge of the bleachers, as far removed from the rest of the group as he could get without attracting attention. He glanced across the gym to where his new enemy stood surrounded by fans. The mere sight of Mikan Sakura irritated him. He tried to find the right time to take revenge on her. He was going to do it before classes, but it seemed that luck was on the brunette's side. She came in late for class on her second day.
Mikan saw Natsume glanced at her as her fans continued to discuss about Mikan's songs and commercials. She looked away so she wouldn't have to meet his piercing gaze. No one would want to stare at those vicious crimson eyes. Mikan wished Natsume would stop being a jerk around her all the time.
Ruka, who was sitting on the bench below Natsume looked up and said, "Natsume, we're doing…" But at the sight of Natsume's scowl, Ruka hesitated to continue.
"What?" Natsume grunted.
"We're doing rope climbing today. You ready for it?"
Natsume shrugged and rolled his eyes.
Sighing, Ruka looked across the gymnasium and watched Mikan in the center of a group of excited fans, all trying to talk at once as they complimented Mikan. Ruka surely wanted to join them and get to know Mikan a lot better, but he doesn't want to leave Natsume alone.
Later, after several students had tried the rope climbing, the PE teacher called on Mikan Sakura.
Mikan took her time stretching and examining the rope she'll be climbing. Not one trace of fear was seen in her face.
"You ready, Sakura-san?" the teacher asked, resetting his timer.
"Yup!"
"Okay begin!" the teacher said as she pressed the timer.
In an instant, Mikan climbed up the rope in record breaking speed. It was like she was made for climbing. Considering her figure, she seemed to only weigh less than an average middle school girl. Mikan was sure fast. And when she reached the top, she rang the bell, and slid back down. "How I'd do?" she asked innocently.
The whole class, except for Natsume and the fan girls, cheered for the cute brunette. They were impressed on Mikan's performance. Even Natsume had to admit that she was good for a girl, but he didn't dare to say it.
Mikan giggled. "Thanks…" She fiddled with her fingers and blushed lightly.
"You're so good, Mikan-chan!" Anna said. "I wish I could climb as fast as you."
"Your rope climbing reminded me of your movie," Nonoko said. She stopped to think first as she tilted her head. "Umm… Child's Play! You also did some rope climbing there, because a guy actually dared you to!"
Mikan nodded. "That's right. I actually did some training before doing the real thing."
After the teacher had dismissed the students, Mikan went outside to drink water from the fountain. Natsume happened to see her and followed her outside. He took his time watching the brunette drank water. When Mikan was done, he revealed himself to her and pulled her hair.
"OUCH!" Mikan exclaimed. "What do you think you're doing?!" She glared at Natsume, waiting for a response.
"Pay up or else," Natsume said, his voice hard.
Mikan blinked twice. "What?! No way!"
"Pay up, little girl," he demanded. He stepped forward and grasped Mikan's shoulders. "That manga cost me a buck."
"You think you can get me to pay by using force?" Mikan mocked him. She will never give in to the jerk no matter what. She can't just let him do as he pleased.
Natsume's face darkened. The girl was really testing his patience. "You better learn your place here, polka-dots. You don't know who you're messing with."
Mikan smirked. "You're Natsume Hyuuga, right?" She challenged him with her words. "You're a student here and you're a complete jerk. See, I know who I'm messing with."
"Tch." Natsume's anger flared up. "Don't screw with me!" He pushed Mikan to the ground and leaned on top of her. He raised his fist, attempting to punch her pretty face.
"Go ahead," Mikan said as her innocent hazel eyes turned serious. "If it'll make you feel better, then go ahead and hit me as much as you want."
Natsume was shocked. Did he just here her right? The girl was okay with it? Was she crazy? Natsume had never met anyone brave enough to say that to his face. He could see the seriousness in her hazel eyes. Somehow, because of that, his fist trembled. He was hesitating to hit her now.
"I may not know you much, Natsume," Mikan spoke softly, "but I heard that you have quite the bad reputation here. I don't know your reason for being a jerk and I know it's none of my business."
"Shut the hell up!" Natsume demanded.
"Everyone has their reasons for doing things," Mikan continued, still speaking in a calm manner. She held up a smile, which surprised Natsume a lot. "Even you, right? You don't like me for a reason, right? Then fine… Just go and punch me already."
With those words, with that smile, and her angelic look, how could he punch her? Natsume gritted his teeth in frustration. He got off of Mikan. He didn't have the courage to hit her anymore.
"What's the matter?" Mikan patted her shorts as she stood up. "I thought you were going to punch me."
He looked at her again, with crimson eyes full of rage and meaning, and saw her brave face. What is up with this girl? She wasn't like any girl he had ever met. First of all, the girl wasn't like his fan girls. Secondly, the girl was always cheerful and nice. And third, the girl wasn't afraid of him.
"You scared of hitting a girl?" Mikan said, taking a step forward. "Can't do it, huh?"
"Shut up!" Natsume spun around. "I figured that you're just a waste of my time." After saying that, he quickly ran off.
"Natsume…" Mikan could feel the sadness in him, even though his eyes were scary. "That guy… He needs help…" Now she was more curious about Natsume's past. But she can't go on and asked him about it. She could try asking Ruka later. She just hoped that Ruka would open up to her about Natsume.
Natsume took his time exchanging mangas at his locker, hoping to get to the lunchroom late so he could avoid most of his fan girls. Instead, when he walked into the big, sunny room, Natsume saw three guys waiting a few feet from the doorway.
"Well now…" One of the guys said. He had unruly spiky hair and slit sharp eyes. He was wearing the Alice Academy High School uniform. His name was Hayate Matsudaichi. "Who do we have here?"
Raito Tsurugi stepped forward with a smug on his handsome face. "It's Natsume Hyuuga, the Black Cat," he said, his voice sly. This guy had short, emerald-green hair and aggressive topaz eyes, and he was a middle school student.
The last guy, who was also a high school student, crossed his arms. He had orange hair and cherry-colored eyes, and his name was Kyo Souma. "Hey, Hyuuga, you still owe us big time!" he exclaimed.
These three guys were famous for being notorious in school. They blackmail teachers, cause ruckus around the campus, and they hate rules. They don't even wear their uniforms right just like Natsume.
Natsume rolled his eyes. "You guys are just mad, because I beat the crap out of you last time." He slipped his hand into his pocket. "Sore losers…"
"I dare you to say that again," Kyo said.
"Are you deaf or something, idiot?" Natsume scowled. "You guys are nothing but a bunch of sore losers."
"You just think you're so good, don't you?" Hayate sneered.
"Do I have to answer that?" Natsume was awfully hungry, and his hunger was adding up his crankiness. "Why don't you guys get out of my sight before things get any worse?"
The carrot-head, Kyo, grabbed Natsume by the collar and threw him to the lunchroom. "You're gonna get it this time, Hyuuga!" He lunged forward to punch Natsume.
Natsume swiftly evaded Kyo's punch and moved to the left.
"Take this!" Hayate suddenly appeared behind and punched Natsume on the face.
Natsume, caught by surprise, lost his balance and fell backward into the middle of a group of students seated at a long table. Unable to catch himself, he jostled on a girl, then hit the table. Several of the girls shrieked in alarm as their food spilled and slid across the table. The fan girls of the Natsume-Ruka fan club cried out Natsume's name in concern.
Natsume, regaining his footing, turned to look at Mikan Sakura. She had been about to take a sip of orange juice and now stared in surprise. The carton in her hand had been jolted; orange juice spotted her uniform.
"Watch out!" Mikan cried.
Mikan had hardly uttered her warning when Hayate lunged forward again.
Natsume swung around, but not soon enough. Hayate's punch hit him in the stomach and he doubled over.
"No fair!" Sumire yelled. She was extremely enraged by the rude actions of Hayate and his boys.
Mikan, who had been talking to Anna and Nonoko about her new drama series, sat wide-eyed, still in shock from Natsume's body catapulting into their midst. Anna had dropped the apple she was eating, and then watched in dismay as it rolled under the next lunch table. Nonoko had dropped her sandwich.
Now Natsume, trying to stand upright, brought up his arms in an attempt to protect himself.
Hayate kicked the raven-haired boy and pushed him aside. "Get him, Raito!" he told his fellow comrade.
The topaz-eyed boy gladly hit Natsume's back and pushed him towards Kyo. "Your turn, Kyo!"
Kyo pulled Natsume's hand and twisted it back, locking him in his spot. "How does it feel to be beaten up, Hyuuga?" he asked.
Natsume's eyes were glimmering in anger, his mouth drawn into a grim line. He didn't answer him.
"Natsume-kun!" Sumire and the other fan girls cried.
Several boys edged forward to stop the brawling, and then hesitated.
Hayate, Raito, and Kyo were black belts in martial arts, but they used their skills for bullying and nonsense. Nobody had the guts to face them, except for Natsume. Natsume, also being an expert in Karate, had single-handedly beaten them a couple of times already. Not being able to accept the straight loses, Hayate, Raito, and Kyo have constantly challenged Natsume to fights.
"Leave Natsume-kun alone," Sumire called out. She wanted to give those three a piece of her mind, but knowing them, they will show no mercy—even though she was a girl.
But Kyo glared at her, while the other two ignored her.
"Come on," Hayate urged Natsume. "Try and hit us!"
Natsume's expression hardened. "You guys are so dumb," he said. At that moment, Natsume stepped on Kyo's foot and pulled away. He regained his composure and faced the three confidently.
"Hyuuga, you bastard!" Kyo spatted out the words. "Screw you!"
Natsume lunged forward, and his fist connected with Kyo's face with a force that surprised Kyo.
"Oh, no," Anna shrieked.
Mikan caught her breath, watching the red drops being to appear at the end of Kyo's nose.
Nonoko covered her eyes with her hands. "This is horrible," she said.
"You're going to pay for that, jerk!" Hayate exclaimed, raising his fist. He threw punches at Natsume, but none of his punches ever hit him. "Darn it!"
Natsume evaded Hayate's punches with ease. His expression remained calm and cool. When he spotted an opening, he took the chance to kicked Hayate in the stomach.
"Ack!" Hayate fell down to his knees and shut his eyes closed in pain. "Damn…" He held his stomach and coughed several times.
Raito would love to continue fighting Natsume. However, his friends needed medical attention, and it would only be right if he attended to them first. He helped Kyo and Hayate back to their feet.
"What's the matter?" Natsume said emotionlessly. "Chickening out?"
"Shut the crap, Hyuuga!" Raito retorted, throwing one cold glare at Natsume. "This isn't over. We'll get you next time." He slowly headed for the door, with his two companions leaning against him for support.
Sumire rushed to Natsume's side, with a clean paper napkin, and then watched the three boys disappear through the doorway. They got away just in time, too, she thought. A very strict teacher was quickly making his way across the lunchroom.
"What's going on here?" the teacher demanded.
Natsume ignored the napkin Sumire offered and walked off.
The teacher's brows lifted. "Natsume Hyuuga, I assume you're the cause of this mess," he said, flashing Natsume a stern look. He was the teacher in charge of discipline, and his name was Jinno.
"No, sir," Sumire defended. "It's not Natsume-kun's fault."
"Don't try to defend him, Shouda," Jinno said, without taking his eyes off of Natsume. "I know a trouble-maker when I see one."
Ruka walked into the lunchroom just it time to hear Jinno's words. "Natsume? What did he do this time?" He glanced around the lunchroom and noticed the big mess. He got into a fight again? Oh, no…
"Hyuuga, you get the best grades in class, but your behavior is ghastly." Jinno tapped his stick in his hand. "If you're so smart, why do keep doing stupid things?"
Natsume clenched his fists. The teacher would always get on his nerves. For the past five years, he had been nothing but thrash to Jinno's eyes. "Maybe I'm just stupid," he blurted out.
"Oh, so you admit it," Jinno said as he turned around. "Detention after class, Hyuuga."
Ruka waited until the teacher walked away before he approached his best friend. "Natsume, are you all right?"
Natsume had his eyes hidden under his raven locks. "Just fine," he grumbled. He shrugged and walked toward the door. The other students watched him go, then turned back to their lunch.
The Natsume-Ruka fan club girls surrounded Ruka in an instant and told him what happened to Natsume.
"He was attacked by Matsudaichi-kun and his two companions," Sumire said loudly. Her eyes were close to tears.
"Those guys are such jerks," one of the girls added.
"I see…" Ruka sighed. Natsume got into trouble again, and he wasn't there to stop him. He moved away from the crowd of girls, and the moment he stepped out of the crowd, he saw Mikan sitting together with Anna and Nonoko. Ruka approached the brunette and said, "Can I sit here?"
Mikan nodded and moved to give space for Ruka. "That teacher a while ago…" she started speaking in a low voice. "He didn't even give Natsume a chance to talk."
"That's Jinno-sensei," Nonoko told her. "He's very strict and he hates trouble-makers. He specifically hates Natsume-kun."
"Jinno-sensei has been like that to Natsume since grade school," Ruka added, letting out a deep sigh. "And Natsume doesn't care."
Mikan looked down at her uniform. It was a good thing her uniform was black, because the orange juice didn't stain it. She shook her head and said thoughtfully, "I think Natsume does care. He just doesn't show it."
End of Episode 2
Himeno: Phew, that was pretty long. This chapter wasn't meant to be long, but JC-Zala forced me, wah!
JC: I forced you? No way… You're the one who's been bugging me to edit your work.
Himeno: Bugging you?
JC: You're annoying, stupid. You even stole my character, Raito Tsuguri!
Himeno: Wah! JC, you're mean. Your character is just so cool and I figured it would be only fitting for him to be Hyuuga-kun's enemy.
JC: Then learn to do proper crediting. Wait, why don't you create your own character?
Himeno: I'm not confident enough.
JC: That's because you're an idiot.
Himeno: Yeah, I am. But I'm still your friend, right?
JC: Excuse me?
Himeno: JC, you act mean and cold, but sometimes you're nice.
JC: That's how I am. Now, please stop disturbing me. I still have my own fanfics to write.
Himeno: Oh, yes, ma'am!
Mikan: This chapter was pretty brutal. Is Natsume going to be all right?
Himeno: Why? Don't tell me you're worried for that jerk?
Mikan: Well, I am… Kinda…
Himeno: No! Mikan-chan, you're falling for him!
Mikan: It's not like that!
Himeno: Yeah, right… Ahem… Please review and no flaming. I'll update soon.