CHAPTER 8 – The Explanation and the Start of the First Concert
They are still having their break, Mikan and Natsume decided that its time for them to explain, so while they are gathered in circle, Indian sitting on the floor, they decided to break the noise with a loud "ehem" by Natsume.
"Ehem… I know guys that I owe you all an apology and a good explanation of why I left." Natsume said as his eyes were covered by his bangs. Mikan supported him by holding his hand. And Natsume felt that his burden was lessened. "I left because the selected agents were given a mission to be offensive in taking down the anti alice organization. We cannot risk them attacking the school again, in order to do that, we have to go around the world to bring down the instigators one by one, for now, we only have one left, the founder who is slippery as a fish." Natsume decided not to tell that Mikan is the bait. "I left and only Mikan knows the real reason and I'm sorry guys not to tell you because of the risk." Natsume said apologetically. His friends all laughed and said they were never angry because they believe he has a god reason, although Hotaru shot him the bullet she was to give to Mikan for taking her bestfriend's smile and innocence. But Natsume gladly accepted the shot as a man with responsibility. With that action, he earned Hotaru's respect. Then after that, they group hugged and did proceed to their practice.
One month later…
"Well, what can I say… I think you guys will make me rich!" The Director said, he also said that he will air all the songs in one week, if it is a hit, they will have first to make an MTV of all the songs then a small concert in one of the big fields in Tokyo. And he gave them their first salary for their hard work which is a huge amount in yen, not in rabbits. They can buy a new small house with their salary. Then they left the office with the academy's limousine and they went back in the academy.
When they were back in their sacred place, which is built by their own hands and alice near the Sakura Tree, it was a hut with a chimney, a home for them actually. They started building it day and night since the day they became a band and whole. Its decorations is always warm and inviting, it is their own territory, not everyone can enter since it has a password that cannot be deactivated by anyone even with alice, thanks to the work of the great Hotaru. Inside the hut, is a sala beside it is the kitchen and dining table and the stage where they always practice, then if you will go down the stairs, there are rooms for each of them with its own bathrooms. If they have to spend the night practicing, they stay here, and when they cut classes too. Mikan and Natsume's room is specialized as Natsume demanded that their rooms should be linked.
When they arrived in their sala, Anna and Nonoko decided to prepare snacks, Mochu took beers inside the refrigerator and gave it to the boys only, "Let's make a toast for the success of our little family." Mochu said, everyone was shocked to hear that from Mochu, it's a first, Mochu realized it and laugh his lungs out. And everyone then toasted for their success of course except Natsume and Hotaru. Ruka was fidgeting when Hotaru left to her room downstairs, and Natsume noticed. Ruka said that he wants Hotaru to be his but was scared to be rejected. Natsume said he doubt that Ruka will be rejected. Ruka snapped, "You're saying that because you're my bestfriend". Natsume smirked and said go on with it. Ruka sipped the beer til its empty as if his taking his courage from it. Then he excused himself and went to Hotaru's room for which he guess she is working on an invention after the toast. After Ruka left, Natsume took Mikan away from the kitchen and said to Anna and Nonoko that she needs rest. Everyone who heard that giggled. Then Mikan let herself be dragged by Natsume into her room.
Inside Mikan's room, Natsume laid Mikan in her bed and kissed her. They make love quick in time but slowly with passion. Its not their second time, they can't remember actually the times they had made love. They are still in each others arms when they were called for food, they dressed up and went upstairs.
Three Months later… in preparation for the concert
Everyone was busy practicing for the concert, only one week left and they will perform live! Everyone is excited, costumes are already on its finishing touch even the stage and its backdrops. They are practicing as if there's no tomorrow. Natsume was glad to be Mikan's personal bodyguard as his mission but he was really nervous at this live concert, since the founder of AAO might show up his ugly face. Mikan has no idea that she is the bait. He watched her practice some steps while singing in acapella. But his world stopped when he saw Mikan swayed as if losing balance and fell but he catched her on time.
"Polka-dots are you alright?! Hey wake up!" Natsume shouted desperately while shaking her small frame in his arms. The gang heard Natsume's shout and hurried to them right away. Hotaru called his brother to check up on Mikan. They decided to go home to their hut to rest. Natsume carried Mikan to the car and they all went home.
Mikan still is not awake when they arrived, Natsume placed her on "their" bed, two months before, they decided to make one room and the other room as an office or sala of their rooms since its connected. Natsume changed her sweaty clothes into a nightgown after cleaning her with the use of a wet towel. After cleaning her up, Subaru arrived and knocked on their room. Subaru checked up on Mikan, he wanted it to be private but Natsume threatened him because he wanted to stay beside her. He gave in. He concluded that she is just over fatigued and left. Natsume slept on the bed too and hold Mikan tight, never letting go. He is relieved that its only fatigue, he thought he is going to lose her that time.
The Concert…..
They didn't expected that the tickets will be sold out!
All the girls were wearing corsets with skirt one inch above the knee (they wanted it to be mini but the boys were against it). Mikan's color is red, Hotaru is blue, Sumire is green, Anna is yellow and Nonoko is orange. While the boys, well they are so sloppy, they wear a black leather jacket and black pants and a rubber shoes. All of them has make up, even the boys even though they don't want it but the girls said its an exchange for not letting them wear mini skirts. To be fair.
Mikan was dizzy but she doesn't want to tell her friends so she excused herself to the bathroom and throw up. When she was finished, she went out of the bathroom and was surprised to see the Principal, "Mikan Sakura, I want to let you know the real reason why you are chosen, it is to lure the founder of AAO because he wants you. But we need this, I hope you understand. I'm also ordering you to please put up a nullification barrier around the whole field that you can as far as possible. It is a precaution in case there will be an attack. I hope you can put up the barrier until your concert is over." He then looked and stared at Mikan, Mikan was startled and a bit scared, she knows that it will be hard to put up a big strong barrier for that long time specially when she is feeling dizzy. But this is for the whole academy, if she must be a sacrifice for their safety, then be it. "I see, I'm glad to be of help Sir." Mikan replied smiling. The Principal nodded and headed out.
Meanwhile…
"Mikan sure is taking a lot of time in the bathroom, don't you think so?" Hotaru asked Natsume. Natsume nodded and decided to follow her on the bathroom, still scared because this is the first night they will be exposed in public. He should not take his eyes off from her.
Natsume and Mikan…
"Hey ugly what are you still doing here the concert will start in 30 minutes…" Natsume said to Mikan when he entered the room. "I just had a talk with the Principal, he was asking me to put up a nullification barrier for safety." Mikan said half of the truth not knowing Natsume knows the real reason. "Are you sure you can do it for that long?" Natsume worriedly asked. Mikan just smiled and took his hand to run back to the backstage. Natsume smiled his rare smile and let himself be dragged by her only for this time.
Back at the Stage…
The countdown started already, and the audience were screaming… 10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1…