Disclaimer:

For the third time, Gakuen Alice is not mine.

Author's note: Thanks a bunch Iysabelle and Marskillers! You guys are the first to review my story!!

Sorry for the late update. Something went wrong with my pc. Gomen!

Chapter 3: Ailing

"It's hard to listen to your voice these days, isn't it?"

I ignored him.

I felt militantly sick.

My mind forced me to keep myself away from this man. However, despite the urge to let go, my heart was secretly betraying my evil plans. I knew better that a part of me was enjoying every single bit of this walk.

I was alone for too long, I thought.

I missed having company.

Should I, or should I not escape from this silent world I had been living in for the past eleven months?

I could feel Ruka's firm grip in my hand. Thank goodness all of his fan girls were still asleep, or else I might have died, murdered for touching one of the most sought after guys in the Academy.

Besides, I knew very well that Ruka wouldn't dare approach me in public. Hotaru always keeps an eye for him, ready with her infamous digital camera and money bag, collecting rabbit fortunes as opportunity strikes. With a click of her camera and pictures of Ruka, she would definitely be a millionaire. Well, after Natsume, Ruka is considered 'hot stuff'. Most girls would die to win his heart.

Natsume.

How would he react if he sees me with Ruka, like this?

I sighed.

Ruka, if only you knew.

I could never be like any of your fan girls.

I pulled my hand away from him almost immediately as we reached the door of our classroom. I hesitated to look at him, for I knew how cruel I was for treating him that way. I completely ignored his startled look, walked into the classroom cold-heartedly and buried myself in an enormous pile of books.

Gomen, Ruka.

It was the only way to make you hate me.

After everything that happened, I don't think I could ever learn to love someone again.

I chose to be in my world of reticence after all.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVV

Flashback #3

Location: Class B, Middle Branch

Mikan's age: 15 years old, 3 days after Jii-chan's death

"Oi, baka! Watch where you're going,"

I tripped, and fell backwards.

For a second, I believed that the world had come to an end. My heart literally stopped beating as gravity pulled me to the ground. Panicked, my body froze in action while my brunette hair swung frantically in mid air. I closed my eyes and braced myself for the sudden impact.

However, strangely, I didn't touch the floor.

I wondered why.

I felt it then, thank goodness someone managed to grab my hand just in time. I opened my eyes meticulously to face my saviour of the day.

I would have gratefully thanked the person then, but unfortunately, all I saw in front of me was a bloke with bewitching ruby eyes and dark, raven hair.

Who else could it be?

"Darn you, Sakura Mikan! How dare you touch my precious Natsume-kun!!!?"

I glanced to the left. Indeed, my instincts were right. Sumire Shouda, president of the Natsume-Ruka fan club, was screaming at me in agony. She was glaring at me murderously; I could have sworn I saw a few fangs growing between her teeth. Worst, the other fan girls were forming a massive army behind her, all ready to attack me under Sumire's vengeful command.

I sighed hopelessly.

This must be one of the most disastrous starts of the day I've ever experienced.

But there was something much worse than that.

Oh dear.

Natsume, who was still holding my hand...

Smirked at me.

I knew better that nothing good ever happens when he does that.

"Tch, you're annoying," he mentioned heartlessly.

With that, he let go of my hand.

Failed to regain my balance, my back hit the floor, hard.

What the heck????

I paused for a minute to think about what has happened.

Bump-fall-hand-shout-fall-pain.

Oh, everything made sense now. I accidentally bumped into Natsume a while ago, again.

Some things never change, even after five whole years.

But sometimes, I wonder whether they were really accidents, or just another deliberate act to...

"Strawberries again, huh?

I clenched my fists tight and gritted my teeth forcefully. I took a very deep breath to appease myself and stay composed.

Naturally, as we bump into each other, my knee-high skirt would flip over, revealing what lies underneath. Lucky for him, today I was wearing strawberry printed underwear. Curse the Academy for designing such inappropriate uniforms!

That pervert!!!

I would have lost control of my temper, yelled at him irascibly and immediately start a fight. But then, I realised something entirely different.

I was just not in the mood.

I stared at the floor despairingly.

Why was I such a brainless, feeble-minded klutz? Is that the reason why everyone underestimates me so much? Is that the reason why no one ever really listens to what I say?

Is that the reason why Jii-chan left me, just like how I left him?

I paused at that thought.

Tik.

A pearl of tear dropped onto the magnificently polished marble floor.

Narumi-sensei lied to me. I knew he did. Jii-chan's not dead. He seemed to be perfectly well when I received his letter. Jii-chan would have told me if he got sick or...

I gripped the end of my skirt tightly. My body was slightly shaking as I forced myself to stop the tears from flowing.

I didn't even get to see him for one, last time.

Tik.

Another drop of tear.

But no, I couldn't let everyone see me crying like this, especially Hotaru. I promised her I wouldn't.

I bent my head slightly to the ground. Eyes hidden under my bangs, I urged myself to stand on my feet and thus, I walked straight to my sit.

I swore I saw Natsume's startled look, but he managed to regain his usual heartless expression after a while.

Well, he wasn't the only one to be surprised.

Everyone was.

"Ohayoo, mina-san!!"

The shocking drama was interrupted by none other than Narumi-sensei, who burst the door open and stood in front of the class with his usual charming smile.

I looked away dolefully, unable to stand the sight of him.

Surprisingly, a beautiful young girl stood next to him.

"Ohayo," she greeted courteously.

I was completely stunned by her good looks. Her lovely, curly blonde hair was tied in a ponytail, it moved swiftly as she entered the class. She walked gracefully like an angel; her fascinating sea-green eyes glanced wildly around the classroom, as if she was searching for something, or someone.

My thoughts stopped dead as she looked straight into my eyes.

She smiled cunningly then.

Weird.

"Everyone, say hello to Sasaki Mayumi," Narumi-sensei briefly introduced her to us. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other business to attend to. I'll leave Mayumi-chan under the care of Yuu and everyone else. Adieu!"

Thus, he disappeared in a blink of an eye.

For a moment, no one said anything. The class was as silent as a graveyard.

Until...

"Mayumi-chan, I'm Tobita Yuu, the class president. Everyone calls me Inchou here. Nice to meet you and welcome to the Academy," he greeted pleasantly.

The girl barely even noticed him. She nodded hesitantly in reply.

"So tell us Mayumi, what kind of Alice do you possess?" Sumire asked in her usual demanding tone.

The girl refused to answer. Instead, she walked around the classroom conceitedly.

Surprisingly, she stopped right in front of me.

"May I sit next to you?" she asked.

I startled as she spoke to me. Her voice was remarkably melodious, it sounded almost as if she was singing.

I glanced at the empty seat on my left. It was supposed to be Natsume's but considering the fact that he was sitting with Ruka and the gang at the back of the class, I instantly thought it would be nice to have a new friend sitting beside me.

I nodded in reply.

Mayumi carefully placed her belongings on the table, stationeries, Alice Academy identity card, a bottle of plain water, when she was suddenly interrupted by an outraging scream.

It was Sumire.

"Sasaki, how dare you ignore me!? I demand you to tell us what you're Alice is right now!!"

"I hold a letter from the higher administration, an approval to keep my Alice confidential from other students. I trust you wouldn't want to mess with them, would you?" she replied sarcastically.

But still, she had the most beautiful voice I have ever heard.

"That has never happened before. Everyone knows each other's Alice here. It's even a rule to enter our class!" Sumire acknowledged her furiously.

I noticed that Mayumi-chan opened her mouth slightly to answer Sumire, but it closed all of a sudden as her eyes were suddenly transfixed at the back of the class.

I followed her gaze.

She was staring at Natsume.

She smiled at him too.

"But for your information," she began her reply, "I'll be in the Dangerous Ability Type Class, together with Hyuuga. Right, Natsume-kun?"

Everyone gasped in astonishment.

As far as I remembered, no one has ever mentioned about Natsume since she entered the class. How did she-?

Natsume, on the other hand, looked away uneasily.

I wasn't sure whether I was imagining it, but he looked worried.

I couldn't understand why, but deep inside, I was silently feeling perturbed by this startling incident.

End of Flashback

To be continued...

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