Chapter 4: Preparations…
Disclaimer: don't own Gakuen Alice…
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'Jeez… Jinno-sensei's such a pain in the butt!' Mikan groaned inwardly as she brushed her hair. 'He's starting to make me angry. AGAIN. I have to do this.' She sighed and started to prepare herself.
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Mikan made her way towards his favorite spot-under the cherry blossom tree. Gladly, she found him there, reading his manga as usual.
"Ohayou, Natsume." She greeted cheerfully. But Natsume didn't bother to look at her and resumed reading his manga. Those made her feel angry. "Natsume." She called.
Still, he ignored her. A vein popped out at the back of her head. Immediately, she shook her head. For now, she should act like behave little girl so he'll agree to go with her to Central Town. Another smile brightened up her face.
"Can I have a word?" she asked in a surprisingly patient tone, trying so hard to be sounds good.
He lifted a brow at her. "…no."
Mikan's smile disappeared once more. How can she act like a good girl if this man would continue being a jerk?
'patience…patience…'
"Well, I'll seat here instead." She side beside him and lowered her gaze.(a/n: familiar ne?) Natsume frowned at this. Whenever she's like this, there's something she wants him to do. Duh.
"What do you want?" he asked coolly.
Mikan whirled her head to look at him. "Er, I just wanna ask you if you can accompany me to go to Cent-"
"No." he butted.
'patience…patience…'
"B-b-b-but WHY?" she asked disappointedly. Now what?
"Because I don't want to." He shrugged. Grr… if only she can eat this man alive!! "But Natsume, it's been a while since we had gone there."
"So?" he smirked.
"So?" she mimicked. "To tell you the truth mr. smart ass, this wasn't my original plan at all! But as usual, our beloved Jinno-sensei told me that I can't go if you're not with me! He left me with no choice."
"…" he didn't response.
'patience…patience…'
"Will you come with me?" she asked, hopingly. She knew he had a kind heart inside. He's just so shy to express it. Like what Ruka mentioned to her before, he cared for all of his loved ones more than he cared for himself.
"…"
"Oh, Natsume. I forgot to tell you that I had a copy of your 'cutie pie' picture. So, if you don't want to get embarrassed to our whole academy. You already knew what to do." Mikan chirped happily.
"There's no way I would do that." Natsume snapped sharply. He was now facing her fully. Guess he's now pretty angry.
"Okay. If you don't believe me, then wait 'til this afternoon." She was about to stand up when Natsume grabbed her wrist.
"You." Natsume muttered through his clenched teeth. "Whatever." He let go of her wrist and continued to read his manga.
"Yey! I knew from the start you'll agree! You're such a kind, kind, kind, kind person!"
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Mikan looked at her side where Natsume was standing. They had just arrived at the Central town a while ago. Obviously, he wasn't so happy about this. What's the reason for being angry anyways? As a matter of fact, he should be thankful that she's making a great effort for buying him a gift. He should be!
But for now, her problem's how can she find the right thing if he'll be always right beside her? "Natsume? If you like, you can just sit anywhere you like while I'm wandering here."
Natsume glanced at her. "No need. I'll come with you." He said simply. His hands were shoved inside his pockets. "You're hanging out with Imai too much." He commented suddenly.
Mikan looked at him questionably. "Why of course! She's my best friend, you see. But I understand your point. Gomen Natsume for blackmailing you. It's just-"
"Are we going to stand here all day long?" he asked arrogantly, cutting her off. Fine, fine… he's still angry. Fine.
She nodded. As she searched for the stores around them, one store caught her attention. Immediately, she made her way towards it without looking back at him. he'd follow her anyways.
She stopped at the front of its door. Slowly, she entered while Natsume follows her behind.
"Aha!" a lady suddenly came out from nowhere. "New customers."
"Hello." Mikan greeted happily. She observed the whole store. 'Nice,' was what she thought mentally. The whole place was painted in light blue. And on its windows were white curtains. But she quickly noticed that they were the only customers around here. She wanted to ask why but decided to shut up.
The things here were in all order. On the right side of the store, there's the kid section. Quickly, she remembered Youichi, that rude cutie little kid (a/n:had any of you guys wondered Youichi's features when he'll turn into nine? Kawai…). There were some robots, small umbrellas, crayons, yoyo, colorful bags, etc. On the other side, there were the different things for boys and girls. Perfumes, rubber shoes, sandals, watches, accessories, watches, sunglasses and many, many more.
She took a bunch of steps forward and look downward to started to search. She picked the black watch placed in the open blue box. She examined it for a while then frowned.
'Strange.' She thought mentally. All of the things here seemed normal. She was about to ask the lady when she talked.
"I know what you're thinking. The difference of this store was that all of the things here that were being sold were made normally. I mean, these things around here were made by the people who had no alices." The lady explained thoughtfully.
"Sugoi!!!" Mikan cheered, amazed. She would love to but here every now and then. "That's great!"
She looked at Natsume who snorted. She ignored him. "Thanks." Said the lady while smiling beautifully at her.
Mikan looked down at the watch once more. She turned to Natsume who happened to looked back at her. Natsume cleared his throat before saying, "Polka, that watch's for boys in case you didn't know."
Instead of being angry, Mikan smiled at him as if he didn't say anything. "I knew it." She remarked. Better to think of any excuse. "Er, I'm planning to give Ruka-pyon a gift, you know. So, if I would give this to you, will you like it?"
Natsume shrugged arrogantly in response. She glared at him. "What kind of answer was that?"
He glared back. "Why were you asking me?"
"Because you're a boy as well! Well, if you really are." She giggled loudly, pissing Natsume. He narrowed his eyes and looked at the watch. "No."
Mikan blinked twice but nodded as she placed the watch back to its original place neatly. She continued to search again. She pointed at the sunglass while looking at him, "about that?"
"No."
She showed him a navy blue shirt, "This?"
"No." he answered.
She picked the 3pairs of white sack. "This?"
"No."
A perfume. "…no."
A cup, "No."
Mikan sighed. Next, she took the box of gray colored brief in front of her. "Er, 'bout this?"
His left eye twitch and glared at her. "No."
The lady just smiled at the couple arguing on something in front of her.
"This?"
"No."
"This?"
"No,"
"Ugh! I just showed you ALL of the things here and yet, you didn't answered yes even once! What do you want anyways?" she asked impatiently, hands on her waist, pouting.
"…"
"Fine." Mikan said and turned to the lady. "Well, I guess I'll just visit you some other time miss."
The lady smiled at her and escorted them to the front door. "Sure."
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"I'm so hungry!" Mikan whined. They stopped inside the manga shop where Natsume bought all of his collections. He said they'll gonna stop here for a moment but then, they have been here for nearly 1 hour! And all she did was to stand alone in the one corner, sulking. Natsume looks like he didn't care at all.
"Natsume, can't we just eat for a while?" Mikan asked hopefully. She's so hungry… she's so hungry… and Natsume didn't even look worried at all! If she'll suffer on a diarrhea sometime after, she'll strangle him, really!
Suddenly, Natsume grabbed her wrist and started to drag her out of the store. "Natsume, what're we gonna do now?"
"Eat, what else? You're acting there like some kind of an idiot that made some of the customers there to be frightened. Your actions embarrassed the hell out of me." He snapped coolly, still dragging there.
She didn't bother to get angry of Natsume's words because she's really hungry already. "Really?"
"Hn."
As they entered the restaurant, she quickly got a sit and called the waiter.
"What'll be your orders, Ma'am? Sir?" the waiter asked politely. Mikan searched for the menu and smiled widely at him.
"I'll have the strawberry cake, extra large please. And a cheesecake… what else? Let's see… and oh! I want Apple juice!! That's all…" Mikan muttered happily.
Natsume lifted a brow. "Pig." Mikan gave him a peace sign in response. "I'm hungry, remember? That's why."
"How about you sir?" the waiter asked.
"Iced tea." He shrugged.
"And?" Mikan and the waiter asked in unison.
"And what?" Mikan asked again.
"Why? Got a problem?" Natsume glared.
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"Do you ever know how to chew?" Natsume asked irritably. She swallowed the last slice of strawberry cake before answering him, "Of course."
"Then why don't you chew them first before swallowing? You eat like a real pig." Natsume muttered.
"That's none of your business!" Mikan snapped. She's like this whenever she's really hungry. Come to think of it, she's like this even though she's NOT hungry.
"Whatever."
Mikan drank her apple juice first before asking him, "So, Natsume, can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"What's your favorite color?"
"Of all questions, why that?" he frowned.
"No reason. It's just that you never tell me your favorite things and stuff." She answered, pouting.
"…"
"So?"
"Black."
"Black? That's not a color!" Mikan shook her head.
"It is." Said he.
"FINE… next question. Favorite food?"
"Why do I have to answer your questions anyway?" he asked, staring at her intently.
Mikan smiled. "Come on. Just answer it. Or I'll just have to bug you all the time."
"Chicken."
"Favorite tv program?"
"None."
"Eh? Ugh, favorite number?"
"I don't have one." He remarked.
"Okay, I'll not question it. Favorite cartoon character?"
"You." He answered simply.
Mikan's left ear twitched in annoyance. "Me? I'm not a cartoon character!"
"Oh really?" Natsume faked a cough. "I didn't know it. 'Cause you look and act like one." He smirked.
"You're such a sick bastard." Mikan glared at him.
"Now, stop asking." Natsume snapped. He called the waiter and asked for the bill. After paying it, he stood up. "What're you waiting for?"
"Oh, coming."
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They went into a bakeshop. Mikan's eyes widen in amusement. All of the cakes were sooooooooooooo beautiful! She can't resist to taste it! How she wish she can bake a cake as beautiful and delicious as that. Natsume observed her in the corner of his eyes. "Don't drool too much. You look pathetic."
Mikan shook her head in response. "I can't help it. It's just they're so delicious looking!"
"Yeah yeah… whatever." Natsume rolled his eyes.
"Hey, if I'll ask you, what do you prefer more? A cake made by a baker or by a friend of yours?" she asked suddenly.
"By a friend." he answered.
"Why?"
Natsume shrugged. She nodded as an idea popped up from her head. "Okay…"
…
"Are you going to buy or not?" Natsume asked in annoyance. A boring expression was plastered on his face.
"No."
"Then what're we doing here then?" He asked again. All of that fuss just for this? This girl is hopeless. He started to walk away without uttering a single word on her. "Hey! Wait for me!" Mikan called as she hurriedly catches up on him.
"Natsume, can I buy fluff puff before we go?" Mikan looked at him with her puppy eyes. Even though she didn't accomplish her mission today, at least she already knew what'd be her gift, she has to but a fluff puff no matter what happens!
"Hn." Natsume nodded as he followed her behind.
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"Argh, this was just a wonderful day!'" Mikan announced. They were already inside the bus, preparing to leave. And as for her, she's still enjoying the taste of her beloved fluff puff.
"Only for you." He said sarcastically.
"Natsume?" he tugged his sleeves and stared at him.
"What?"
"Thanks for today. You made me happy, really. Though I blackmailed you, still, I'm happy… thank you, thank you, and thank you." A smile brightened up her pretty face. "Thank you."
"Speaking of blackmailing. Now, do your part. Make sure you have no any more copies 'cause if you do, I'll not forgive you anymore." He stated.
"Sure, sure. And this. This is for you." She stuffed a piece of fluff puff inside his mouth. She giggled at the look of surprise on his face.
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Mikan nodded. "I understand."
Ruka and Hotaru gazed at each other. "Good, his birthday's already next week. Remember our plan correctly, okay?" Ruka said.
Hotaru placed a shoulder on her right shoulder, "Did you but him a gift already?"
"No, but I'll do something on it." She smiled and placed her hands on her waist. Hotaru nodded and smiled a little, "Good."
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Dear grandpa,
I had a great day today. Natsume and I went to Central town and we had a lots of fun! Well, that's for my opinion… and I had the chance to eat my favorite fluff puff again!! I'm in heaven… I'm in heaven… Ruka-pyon and Hotaru told me our plan for Natsume's birthday. I'm sure he'll like it… I'm sure.
'til here, grandpa… I'm pretty tired already! Stay strong, okay? I love you!"
Mikan
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Author's Note: before anything else, I wanna thank these people who reviewed…
ladaladadbzgtfan2004xXxNaNa-cHaNxXxLeenstarzkishi.tenshiokaixangelakawaiigirlonthemove210, and -aNimEdArkU-
Thank you so much for reviewing! I really, really, really do hope you liked the chapter four… sorry for some mistakes, I didn't got the chance to edit this 'cause I'm kinda busy these days.. so, if you have some questions, comments, suggestions or something, just tell it to me… again, review plz!
-Yoorin29-