Don't Lie in Love
Formerly: What Happened When I Lied
Authoress: iTomo
Summary: If you asked me whether or not I liked Natsume Hyuuga, I would give you a straight face and answer, "No." Guess what? I'm lying. NatsuMikan; Formerly: What Happened When I Lied
Chapter: Four – Like Nighttime
Published: April 4, 2012
Notes: Mikan's first-person-POV is easy enough to write, but it was a challenge to deal with Hotaru and Natsume. They're not chatty people, so I can only fathom their thoughts.
Pairing(s) In Chapter: One-Sided NatsuMikan; hint of NatsuHotaru [Please note that these pairings are never final, they just appear in the chapter randomly and are liable to change.]
Disclaimer: iTomo doesn't not own Gakuen Alice. The authoress also would like to express the fact that since she has no sense of humor, you should not expect to find creative disclaimers every chapter.
Amateur Authoress' Office
From the Desk of iTomo
Dear lovely readers,
Okay. What to say? Publish date for Chapter 3 was September 6, 2010, and it's already April of 2012. I would apologize except nobody reads my stuff anyway. Heh. Heh.
Well, I have no excuse, other than the fact I lost interest in this animanga. . . . I recently found my old USB, filled with my chapter drafts and incomplete ideas! But I did have some fond memories with writing, and since I already had part of Chapter 4 saved somewhere I dug it up from my email. I suppose I might as well complete this chapter and see the response.
But then! After I typed it all up I realized I already uploaded an old version of Chapter 4 on the site. . . . So here's the edited version while I work on Chapter 5?
Well, it's really been a while, but enjoy.
iTomo
Hotaru and I wandered aimlessly down the streets of town, window-shopping, stopping occasionally to buy sweets from a vendor. We didn't buy much, except for two tee-shirts, a stash of Howalons, and a new laser gun (guess who?), but once we got over the awkward aftermath of meeting with a certain Hyuuga, we started discussing a BLOG - Big Load of Gossip.
"And then she slapped him! And he was hurt, obviously-"
"What a wuss."
Okay, scratch that, I was spewing a BLOG, and Hotaru was offering a colorful commentary of sarcasm.
"HAHA - Koko's not a wuss! Well, he's got a six-pack now, and he's not afraid of reading . . . Natsume's mind, I guess," I trailed off as naturally as possible, trying not to show my hesitance at saying his name.
"Oh whatever," she said, "At least you're back to your chatty self. Let's go to a café."
Somewhat touched by the fact that Hotaru actually noticed that I was being poopy the past day (even if she was half the cause of it), I eagerly followed her through the doors of the famed Coffee Story.
We found a decent little table, and once we settled down, we ordered a cup of hot chocolate with a heaping serving of whipped cream (for me), a cup of French vanilla cappuccino (for Hotaru), and a plate of almond biscotti to share.
"So," she started after our delicacies came, "With no further delay- what do you think of Hyuuga?"
I was in the middle of taking a huge whiff of my drink, and never was I so glad that my mug was there to hide the surprise etched on my face. I lifted my hot chocolate up to my face to take a sip, holding out a finger to Hotaru, signaling that I needed a moment.
Holy shit, I thought as I was drinking, I was right! Natsume asked Hotaru out, and she wanted to make sure that I didn't mind them going out because she's a sweet girl like that- Does she know that I like him? No, I never mentioned anything- Oh-mah-gawd, what do I say? Okay, I want happiness for those two so-
"You're taking a really long sip."
I brought my cup down.
"That was good," I smiled at her.
Hotaru raised an eyebrow but nonetheless took a tiny sip of her cappuccino and shrugged in agreement.
"You haven't answered me yet," she paused, "What do you think of Hyuuga?"
I was prepared this time.
"Oh, is that what you were asking? I wa- Anyways," I stuck out my tongue. I was still in conflict with my internal emotions. Might as well buy myself some time.
She coughed to cover up a laugh. It wasn't really a laugh, actually; it was a small hint of amusement, not quite feminine enough to call a giggle. It was possibly the closest to a laugh you'd get from this girl. At times I hear the rare laughter come from a relaxed Ice Princess, I realize how lucky I am to be her best friend, to make her laugh, giggle, whatsoever- and actually see her doing so.
"Natsume. He's arrogant. And his ego is the size of Piyo (the gigantic chick Ruka is fond of)."
But it's kind of attractive. . . .
Hotaru broke apart a biscotti, "Nice."
"And now that I think about it, you two would make the cutest couple ever," I forcefully gushed, because it was kind of true.
Pang.
"What?"
"I can imagine it- the Ice Princess, and the Fire Prince . . . Please insert a total fan-girl moment here."
Ice and fire, steam.
"Mikan. Are you okay?"
"Nah, I'm too busy realizing how cute you guys would look together. . . . No wonder he likes you and thinks you're unreachable. The Ice Princess!"
Steam. . . . Passion.
"Let me get to the point here: Are you fond of him?"
I blinked.
"Wait, what? Do I look and sound like I do?" I laughed at the irony of the situation.
Yes, I like him! So much, you know.
She drank more of her coffee.
"Of course, I don't," I grinned cheekily.
I'm lying, I like him, I love him!
"Oh."
"And because I'm such a sweet best friend, I won't ask why you asked me that~"
Because I'm not sure if my heart could take it.
"Good, because I wasn't going to tell you anyway. Here, have some more biscotti."
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Hotaru's POV
"Bye."
My cheerful best friend waved before running off to her dorm. Instead of going back in, I leaned against the fence and pondered in silence, but not for long.
"Hey," he appeared next to me, like nighttime, stealthily and silently.
Sigh. A deep breath. Should I exhale now?
"I don't see the point in beating around the bush, Hyuuga," I mentally apologized, "Why did you need to know?"
He was still for a moment, and between us I could hear the sound of our breathing. "Why? You just want to hear it again, what, for your sick entertainment?"
I laughed. "No, I'm just making sure. You're probably the most unpredictable person I know."
"I like her."
"Well, my dear Watson, I hope you weren't planning on courting her, because her answer was a no."
-flashback-
"Imai."
"Explain?"
"Hm?" the raven-haired man closed his eyes once more. How could he act so nonchalant?
"Did you say anything to her?"
I finally had his attention. There was only one "her" I would ever talk to him about.
"Oh," he massaged his temples, "She mentioned you, actually."
"I heard."
"She said I liked you."
Beautiful. Deception is just beautiful.
"But you know otherwise."
"I suppose."
"But it's not like that matters," he murmured, "I'm too dangerous for her. She'll like someone happy . . . like Ruka."
"Not quite."
He sat up, and his eyes bore into mine like a drill, "Ask her for me. Ask if I have a chance."
His eyes.
"Alright."
His red eyes.
-end flashback-
Sigh. A deep breath. Should I exhale now?
Amateur Authoress' Office
From the Desk of iTomo
Dear lovely readers,
Wow, that came more easily than I expected. . . . Anyways, I may continue this if I feel the spark again, but please let me know what you think by reviewing, maybe? Smiles for all! And I'm so sorry that it's Chapter 4 again, not 5. . . .
iTomo
