Author's Notes: This chapter is long, 2047 words. This is my apology for the delayed update. I wasn't able to put in the previous chapter that I have exams during the first two weeks of January, and so I was busy. Thank you to all those who reviewed the first chapter!

Summary: Chapter 2: Sakura Mikan was not daydreaming. Imai Hotaru just sold her to the devil. AU. A tale in which screams of frustrations and crumpled papers lead to something worse than insanity. NxM RxH

Folie à Deux
-shackled wisteria-
Intimacy
Treatment No. 1

"Imai Hotaru."

"But why Imai?!"

BEEP!

Nogi Ruka could not help but stare back at his mobile phone; wisps of golden locks partly covered his eyes – a sign of worry. His calm demeanour did little to banish every bitter feeling he felt right now. Suspicious was merely an understatement considering his troubled state of mind – he was livid. Not only did Ruka feel that Natsume's brain cells had gone out of control, for his were also thoroughly blasted to the peak of insanity.

A blasted brain is equal to the square root of zero minus one. Yes, an imaginary unit, i.

Ruka often finds himself furious whenever Natsume asks for his help to formulate a plan involving a certain auburn haired girl, who used to make his (Ruka) heart flutter like Tweedledum and Tweedledee. However, that was a zillion years ago (eight years approximately) and Ruka can hardly remember what kind of idiocies he had performed in front of Sakura Mikan just to catch her attention.

Oh, the author would like to say that she is in no position to pollute the readers' minds by elaborating Ruka's futile attempts to make Sakura Mikan fall in love with him. Everything regarding that subject has to be dealt with the readers' imaginations. The only information that will be provided is that our very own Nogi Ruka lived through those eight years purely by blackmail.

How he had been willing to sacrifice his insanity for the sake of Sakura Mikan eight years ago had long been buried with his embarrassment. The present was pretty much different. Whenever Natsume plans of humiliating Sakura Mikan, he can now go along with it, void of any bitter feeling. His feelings have completely changed and now he has his eyes set to one person who probably requires more money than love.

This is the first time ever that Hyuuga Natsume, certified slayer of Sakura Mikan's sanity, decided to involve Imai Hotaru, which gave Nogi Ruka the right to be furious.

There he stood, shaded by a pine tree, looking as though the world has fallen on top of him.

"This is frustrating," Ruka said through gritted teeth. "Why can't Natsume just bloody damn admit it to Sakura that he has fallen head over heels in love with her since day one? I don't believe that he hasn't realized it yet!"

A voice replied, "You know Hyuuga Natsume. He will never admit it unless love itself fails him."

Ruka continued to stare at his phone, oblivious to what or who stood behind him. "I can't help but feel frustrated that he has to involve Ima-"

"Who? Me?"

When Ruka finally recognized the voice, he tried his best to make sure that the shock he received will do nothing to harm his manhood further. This was Imai Hotaru we are talking about – a camera is all you need to receive a one-way ticket to hell. Even the slightest tint of red on your cheeks could mean death.

"What are you doing here Imai?!" he faltered.

Hotaru rolled her violet eyes at him while sarcastically saying, "You and your friend wanted to see me. I heard you."

"What are you–"

Before Ruka can even react, Natsume, with hands coolly placed inside his pockets, has come into the picture, looking more serious than ever. Ruka could not help but gulp; this was serious.

"Shall we get down to business Imai?" Natsume asked, his ruby eyes twinkling in delight. He averted his eyes towards Ruka who has finally regained his composure, "It is a good idea for you to listen too, Ruka."

Shaded by the pine tree, three figures gathered around in one circle. Gestures were made to prevent misunderstanding and scrunched expressions were seen to emphasize the feeling of doubt. Three hands joined in the center of the circle signalled the coming of a new era, in which brains will be used merely for personal gain and hearts will have to be used to create mishaps.

"You know the drill Hyuuga. One wrong move and I will have your head served on a golden platter. Do I have your word?" Hotaru threatened.

"Make that a diamond platter. You have my word," agreed Natsume.

Hotaru coldly turned towards Ruka, whose life seemed to be spinning out of control. "As for you Nogi, just the faintest and slightest sign of intimacy will require your whole body chopped, sprinkled with seafood relish and served on a diamond platter. Do. I. Have. Your. Word."

"Yes-s. You have my word."

Only a nod from Hotaru was needed to conclude their 'small' talk and so she did nod after a few seconds. "It's settled. Deal. For one whole year."

Hotaru only smiled. Natsume smirked. Ruka pretended to look calm.

And Mikan?

She's currently on her way to the school, huffing every now and then while cursing Hyuuga Natsume to hell.

"Damn you top student Hyuuga Natsume. How luck am I that your intelligence is way beyond my grasp. I'm glad that I won't see you after this blasted graduation. HA! Find someone new to annoy once you're inside the grounds of Tokyo U!"

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Natsume heaved a sigh. Whether it was out of relief or out of habit was purely not the question. One would say that he is crazy, well in fact, when his mind is corrupted by THE Sakura Mikan, no one can argue that he is indeed insane.

When did their hateful relationship begin anyway? Oh well, the author thinks that it is too early for that.

Natsume ran a hand through his black hair, followed by a smirk, this time, purely out of habit. His smirk was something comparable to an insignia; it was his trademark.

"So I'll see you two later," said he, before turning away and walking towards the senior high school division of their school.

When Natsume was finally out of earshot, Ruka has decided to walk away too, but not until Hotaru's hand suddenly came out of nowhere and pulled his collar.

"Where are you going Nogi?" she inquired, with hands tightly holding him back. "Aren't you even curious as to why I agreed in that stupid arrangement made by that stupid best friend of yours?"

Ruka, who decided that it's better to pull himself out of Hotaru's death grip before starting any conversation with her, responded with a hint of sarcasm, "Fine. It is indeed a stupid agreement, made by my stupid of a best friend, which you stupidly went along with. If you think it's stupid, why did you agree in the first place?"

Hotaru's violet eyes coldly widened at Ruka's response. "Because I know that Hyuuga Natsume is not intelligent for nothing. Besides, it's also because the three of you are all stupid."

"Wha-"

"I'm sick of hearing Mikan screaming Natsume's name everytime that it bursts my eardrums until I can no longer hear. Simply put, I want peace," Hotaru replied in as a matter of fact tone.

It was then that Ruka's curiosity was perked up. "Are you sure that that's the only reason you have for… you know what?"

Hotaru rolled her eyes at him. "What do you expect Nogi? I'm getting a free rent for a year in a VIP style condominium, who would decline such offer? This agreement, for me, is solely for personal gain."

Ruka scratched his head and said, "Errr. Aren't you, you know, not nervous that you're living with me for one whole year?"

"Tsk. What are you exactly? It's not like I will do anything to you," Hotaru started to turn away. "As for you, you will die first before you can touch me."

After finally realizing that he has been scratching his head for too long, Ruka took one step towards Hotaru (who has her back facing him), in which Hotaru decided to react by taking a few steps forwards. "Aren't you afraid that something will develop between us?"

She turned her head around, "First of all Nogi, there was never an 'us' and never will be. Second, I'm not crazy enough like you. Third, you wouldn't want me to tell Mikan how you've been dreaming about her before, right?"

With that, Hotaru speedily walked away, leaving a stunned Ruka under the pine tree. He was anything but calm. If only the heavens were listening to him at that moment, he would have wished for a few more hours to spare before his wit vanish in the middle of nowhere.

"I am getting insane. Nogi Ruka, whoever told you to fall in love with Imai Hotaru?!"

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

A crowd of students gathered around the senior high school division's stage. Some, who probably have had troubles with secondary school, have bright smile on their faces, which emphasized their freedom. Some, who probably have had developed relationships during their stay in secondary school, have tears on their faces, a mixture of joy and slight misery.

As the principal talked to the students with an overrated melodramatic face, there among the crowd, sat Sakura Mikan, looking as flustered as ever, when Natsume, who was sitting in front of her, quietly turned around to say:

"Polka dots, I've heard that you're wearing a thong today?"

Mikan clenched her fists tightly, prepared to hit Natsume in retaliation. "You bastard!"

Fortunately for Natsume, their little heated argument was interrupted by the principal's voice. "May I call on Hyuuga Natsume, this year's top student, to please come in the stage to deliver your speech?"

The commencement ended with applause a few hours later, which made Mikan, flash her trademark grin, contrary to Natsume's trademark smirk and scowl. Today was the last time she will ever see that smug look of Hyuuga Natsume. Today was the last time that he will ever be capable of addressing her according to the prints of her panties. Today was the last time they will ever see each other. But the thing that bothered our heroine the most is the fact that she and Hotaru will be renting a dorm, which is a 15-minute walk away from Tokyo U. And since Hyuuga Natsume will also study in Tokyo U, the chances that they will see each other rose to 10. Oh well, for now, it didn't matter. For now.

Since Mikan was raised by her grandfather, whose health was deteriorating for the past few years, it was questionable, whether she can afford to enter a university. Although her intelligence was also questionable, it didn't matter for she was accepted in Tokyo U anyway (despite of being the 20th in the waiting list for the course she wants). Her parents' whereabouts, she knew not and besides, she never asked either. For her, everything was decided; she will get a good job first, before studying full-time.

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

"HOTARUUUU!!!!!" Mikan clung to Hotaru like a fungus, no objection. However, the people around them tend to wonder oftentimes, how the cold and introvert Imai Hotaru has learned to tolerate Mikan's delirious antics. But since no one asked Hotaru, no one knew the reason. Imai Hotaru was branded as the worst blackmailer ever, so who would ever want to cross her? Unbeknownst to them, a certain Nogi Ruka has already been bewitched by her blackmailing charm.

Mikan grinned at her best friend for the umpteenth time since the graduation ceremony ended yesterday. "Hotaru, are you going to come with me to our new dorm tonight?"

Hotaru averted her gaze from nothingness towards Mikan, "Sorry Mikan, I have some business to attend to tonight. You can go ahead first."

Mikan grinned in response, while waving her hands to indicate her leave, "I'll see you later then. Ja!"

A few moments later, Mikan was out of sight.

Hotaru was left to reminisce her best friend's retreating figure – jumping and full of enthusiasm. "I'm really sorry Mikan."

TTTTTTTTTTTTT

- Inside Hotaru and Mikan's new dormitory -

Hot vapour came from the shower room.

Mikan carefully wrapped her shoulder-length auburn hair with her pink towel and put it into a bun above her head. She giggled as she took a larger piece of towel, which she soon used to cover her whole body. Where was her fluffy bathrobe when she needed it?

She walked towards the bathroom door and opened it. "I wonder. Where should I start looking for a job? It's not like Tokyo is as small as the town where I grew up."

Mikan's eyes widened in surprise and glee quickly overcame her senses, when she heard the sound of drawers being opened in the kitchen.

"Hotaru? You never told me you're here already!"

Now, Mikan was once again being too clingy than usual that she didn't stop herself from hugging Hotaru from the back and rubbing her cheek against it, with eyes closed.

Wait.

Since when did Hotaru have a lean and muscular body? Moreover, since when did Hotaru become a head taller than her? AND since when did Hotaru smell of peppermint instead of lavender?

Now this was odd.

"Oi, can you take your hands off me?" A male voice inquired, which Mikan has adamantly ignored.

With eyes still closed, Mikan replied, "Hotaru, since when did you develop such a manly voice?"

"Polkadots, in case you haven't noticed, your best friend is nowhere to be seen. Are you now lusting over me?"

Now, this was hell, so the author once again, brings you the greatest cliché of all times.

Roses are red. Violets are blue. But his eyes scream hell and so adieu.

Natsume glanced at the girl who was still comfortably hugging him from behind. 'So, the idiot still thinks this a dream, eh?' Natsume thought,

"I'd just like to tell you that I just bought you from your best friend."

And when she has come face to face with Hyuuga Natsume's smirking face, Sakura Mikan has finally convinced herself that was not daydreaming or whatsoever.

"HYUUGA NATSUME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Instead of letting him go, Mikan, who is still in her towel, bumped her head to Natsume's back, which earned her a groan from the latter.

She definitely was not daydreaming. Imai Hotaru just sold her to the devil.

And so when the knot of her pink towel loosened, the madness between the two of them began.

My dear readers, I hope that you can imagine Natsume painfully muttering curses under his breath with eyes wide like saucers, upon seeing a naked Mikan in front of him.

Folie à deux begins.

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Author's Notes: Waiii!!!! I'm so happy! Hahaha, I know, this chapter is isn't that funny like the previous one, but I really cannot help it. I just realized that it would be easier for me to build up Ruka and Hotaru's relationship than Natsume and Mikan's. I also apologize for the lack of interaction between the characters. It's my problem that I tend to focus more on narration, than dialogue.

I do believe that the last part was hurriedly done, but no worries since it will be drawn-out in chapter three. By the way, I just scanned this chapter after I finished writing it so beware of the inconsistencies of my tenses and grammatical errors.

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