Chapter 5: True Feelings and A Plan

Friday night….

Dinner then took place. All of them had their own bonding that night except for Natsume and Mikan. They haven't talk to each other since they both arrive at the academy. Mikan is getting bored so she planned to have a walk. Natsume on the other hand also walked but in the opposite direction where Mikan headed. Mikan reached the Sakura tree and touch its trunk while tears roll down her eyes, took a deep breath, remembering what had happened in the past. Natsume, not knowing that he walked into a different route but still heading to the Sakura tree. There he saw Mikan crying. Natsume, trying to hide in one of the walls of the academy, can't help but pity on the girl. Yes, he's been dying to know the reason for those tears but he just can't let himself go there and ask her what her problem is. He needed to approach her in a different way. A way in which others won't put any malice or wrongdoings...

Meanwhile at the table in the front of the Northern forest…

Looking in all directions, "Hey, guys! Have you noticed where Natsume and Mikan have gone to because they're not here." Ruka said worryingly. "I saw them both walked but having a different direction." Aoi said to them. "Oh" Ruka said satisfyingly. Silence took over the place for a little while when, "Uhmm, guys. Have you notice anything weird with those two?" Yuu said. "Yeah, Natsume's evil stare suddenly turned into a mild one. And, god, did you notice the way they stare at each other a while ago? It's as if they want to say something to each other but just can't. And I can't believe Natsume is been hit by that baka gun of yours Hotaru!" Mucho said with a loud laugh. "Do you still remember when we were young? Every time I tried to read there mind, they easily notice it but now they don't." Koko said seriously. "You mean, you read their mind? Come on; tell us what's on their mind at that moment." Sumire shockingly.

As the time stopped for the two of them, they're just staring at each other. Mikan said to her thoughts, "I've been longing to see you and tell you that I'm very, very sorry. I hope you can still forgive me. I'm sorry. I know that I've hurt you so much. I'm glad you're already with your sister. If only I didn't agree with that agreement, I should've told you that I love you very much. Oh, how dense can I still be?" On the other hand, on Natsume's mind, "I've missed you so much. You don't know how long I've waited to see you again. I hope you're going to talk to me already. And whatever the reason is, I'm very, very sorry Mikan. If only you know that, I'm already free from Persona's hand. Free. Free to love you, Mikan…"

"What the hell?! Those two are so, so… urgh" Sumire shouted. "So that's the problem, she's been keeping to me all this time." Hotaru concluded. "What problem?" Mochu asked. "The agreement that Mikan had with someone. The agreement that has something to do why she avoided Natsume just a week before our graduation. Remember?" Hotaru answered. "Yeah, I remember. She's been avoiding him before we graduated and they didn't say goodbye to each other." Anna agreed. "But Natsume told me that the reason is because of him teasing her all over again." Ruka said. "Maybe Natsume just made an alibi for you or us not to be worried." Yuu said. With all of them puzzled, Aoi whisper to herself and smiled, "Now everything's making clear. Al I have to do is to know what the agreement is but also with a help." Everyone was puzzled that very moment until Aoi said, "Why don't we let them talk to each other first?" Yuu nodded and said, "But, how?" "I know" Hotaru suddenly popped in and then continued, "…but we need the help of someone very close to him and have not known that deep yet Mikan." Everybody turned their eyes on Aoi. She was worried on what they're about to let her do and said confidently, "Alright! Just for the sake of my brother's happiness." Hotaru smiled and said, "I like your attitude, young lady."

Hearing Hotaru's compliment, they all gathered close to each other and arranged a plan to be started or put in motion as soon as possible. As they finished planning, Mikan arrived with a handkerchief on her hand and sat on the dining table and beside her is Aoi. Hotaru gave a signal to the others; a signal that the plan must be put in place already. Meanwhile, Aoi has just started to eat her dinner. Mikan, who is a bit absent minded, unintentionally pulled the tablecloth – mistaken as her handkerchief, making Aoi's water fall into her clothes. Aoi stood speechlessly while Mikan was shocked and trying to dry up the wet clothes of Aoi. Mikan repeatedly said "I'm sorry!" but she had heard no reply from Aoi just "AHHHH!" The others stood in unison, nervous if the plan is going to work and nervous on how the plan is going to work. Aoi stopped and said angrily, pointing Mikan with her finger, "You… you…. You…. You stupid person! How can you do this to me?"

"Oh, I'm very sorry! I didn't mean to!" Mikan replied.

"It's pretty obvious! You meant it! It's not an accident! I saw how it happened!"

"I'm sorry!"

"Do you know how much this skirt is? Do you know? It's expensive that you can't even afford it!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

"You're such a stupid…. Dense…. Person I ever knew! Dunderhead!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Mikan said, crying as she ran away to her room.

Aoi took a deep sigh, "Hay! Thank god, my part is already finished. I just hope she'll not get that mad at me. I'm very sorry, Mikan." " Woo… you have a very nice acting there, Aoi." Ruka complimented her. "I just hope this plan would work." Koko said. "I have a feeling something bad might happen like… like Natsume's on the way! Oh no, he's going to kill us! Hide yourselves!" Mucho said trembling and hid under the table. "I didn't know I could have a boyfriend that's so coward!" Sumire said to her companions. Hotaru approached Aoi and said, "Relax because your brother's going to scold, for sure, because of what had happened but please bear it just for the sake of the plan. This is just the first part and you haven't completed your task yet so please bear with us." Aoi hesitated but nodded in agreement. "Good Luck Aoi." she said to herself.