DISCLAIMER: I do not own GA.

CHAPTER 24: Sakura or a Hyuuga? We'll soon find out

It was on ordinary morning and all students are gathered in their respective classrooms since every teacher has a few announcements to make before the selected students can continue on with their practices. Everyone was present, even Natsume who usually skips class if Mr. Narumi was the teacher. But to their surprise, Mikan was not in her seat.

"Where could she be?" Natsume thought as their teacher came in the room.

"Ohayo my dear students! I have good news for you guys! Today, you'll be having a new classmate! You may come in now." Mr. Narumi announced as a brunette with amber eyes entered the room.

"Ohayo minna. I'm Mikan Sakura. Nice meeting all of you." Mikan greeted but not as cheerful as she used to be before.

"Damn! She chose to be a Sakura?!? I bet she'll be leaving our house and be with that Miyu girl that okaa-san was talking about last night since she doesn't want to see me anymore!" Natsume thought.

"Okay, are there any questions about Miss Mikan Sakura?" Narumi asked as Sumire raised her hand.

"What is she trying to pull? We all know that she's a Hyuuga and that she's Natsume's sister so why do you have to introduce her with another name?" Sumire asked while eyeing Mikan as Mikan just sighed. "We definitely need an explanation for this." She continued.

Mikan was supposed to explain everything but Hotaru took the liberty of speaking on behalf of her friend since she knew that Mikan doesn't wanna say a word about it.

"Listen up. Mikan was just adopted by Natsume's mother so she became a Hyuuga and Natsume's sister. But when Auntie Yuri signed a contract, it was only for a temporary custody. This means that Mikan was given the chance to choose whether she remains as a Hyuuga or be back to the original Mikan Sakura that she used to be before she was adopted when she turns 16." Hotaru explained.

"And since I turned 16 a few days ago, I needed to choose. And last night, I called Yuri-san and told her about my decision. And my decision was to be back to a Sakura." Mikan continued.

"Yuri-san?!? Shit! She even stopped calling okaa-san 'okaa-san'! Is she really leaving us? Is she really leaving me?" Natsume thought.

"Okay, since no one else is asking any more questions, I guess I should start my lessons now. The crimson warriors team and cheer squad members are free to leave the room and practice now." Narumi stated as some students exited the door.

Natsume was about to go to Mikan so that they could talk but Mikan headed the other way and went along with Hotaru. During whole day, Mikan was completely avoiding Natsume and this was totally affecting their performances. Because Mikan is confused, she cannot focus properly on the routines and she ends up making mistake every now and then. And since Natsume is too preoccupied with his own thoughts, he cannot play properly as well. He can't shoot hoops the way he used to shoot them before.

Since they were both in the same gym, the shouting and scolding of their coaches could be heard by the whole people.

"Hyuuga! Get your head in the game! You're the damn leader so focus! The team would lose if you're spaced out most of the time!" Coach Izumi yelled at Natsume.

"Sakura! What on earth happened to you?! just because you're not a Hyuuga anymore doesn't mean that your cheerleading skills would disappear along with it! The whole squad would be lifeless if you're physically present but mentally absent!" Coach Takashi yelled at Mikan.

These scenes happen every single day. And ever since Natsume told Mikan how he felt for her, they were still not talking to each other. Mikan is still staying at the Hyuuga residence although she has decided that she would go with Miyu right after the game ends. This made Natsume more frustrated than ever but he can't do anything else about it since Mikan already has made up her mind.

During their practices, the both of them are still in their own worlds. They can't seem to focus and their teams are affected by it. The basketball team was not as tough and challenging as it used to be since Natsume rarely attends the practice and the cheer squad is not as cheery, graceful and energetic as it used to be since Mikan is spaced out in her own thoughts most of the time.

~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~

During one afternoon break, Hotaru and Ruka were talking in Hotaru's lab.

"Hey, what should we do? This isn't good at all. Tomorrow is the game and if Natsume and Mikan doesn't patch things up, the whole Crimson Warriors are doomed!" Ruka stated.

"I know. It would certainly be such a waste of all of your practices if that happens. The both of them are zapped into their own worlds. If only Mikan would be able to realize her feelings for Natsume soon." Hotaru replied.

"You're right. But is it also true that she'll be going with Miyu-san after the game?" Ruka asked while Hotaru just nodded.

"But she'll not go with Miyu AFTER the game. I think she changed her mind and that she'll go with her TOMORROW instead."

"What?! But tomorrow is the game! Does that mean that she won't be attending the game along with the squad?" Ruka asked in a panicky way.

"I guess. She said that she'll try to catch up if there's still time. That baka is being too hasty. She didn't even think that Natsume will totally lose his mind tomorrow once he noticed that Mikan is not there in the gym."

"And if Natsume loses his mind, the team will be history! We'll definitely lose when Natsume is not there! What should we do?" Ruka stated.

"I don't know. Just pray for the best that could happen tomorrow, I guess." Hotaru quietly replied.

"And pray that Mikan will realize that she really loves Natsume tonight or anytime sooner as long as it's not after the game." Ruka added as Hotaru nodded.