Disclaimer: For the record, I do not own Gakuen Alice.
C H A P T E R 6- CONFUSED
"I have detention today," I explained to Koko for what felt like the hundredth time today. Our first lesson had ended and Koko came to talk to me before the next lesson started.
He frowned.
"I still don't get why that means you can't hang out with us later."
I sighed.
"I need to study for the exams," I said simply.
"But we had practically every lesson as revision."
"Sorry, I really can't," I said guiltily. Truly, I had a lot to catch up to, and more important things to do-Like stop thinking of Natsume.
Detention was definitely not helping.
"Well, if you say so..." he looked slightly disappointed, but then smiled a little anyway.
"'Kay. See you around," he said and waved.
"Bye," I said as cheerfully as I could muster. Then he was gone.
There wasn't much hard work to do this lesson. It was just copying notes in the board.
I took a peek at Natsume, though I tried to make it look not-so-obvious. Well, it was wasted anyway. The sight annoyed me. His head was buried on the desk, with his arms folded, and he was... sleeping.
"Natsume," I whispered.
No answer. I tried again.
"Natsume," I said even louder.
"What?" he asked, clearly irritated. He tilted his head upwards to look at me. The moment we locked gazes, my heart sped up significantly faster and louder, I wonder if he heard it.
"What do you think you're doing?" I demanded, ignoring the strange thumping of my heart.
I don't know why. I just couldn't look at him directly in the eyes.
"Sleeping, what else?"
"Gee, thanks for clearing that all up," I said rolling my eyes. "I meant, why were you sleeping?"
"Maybe you should listen in the listen rather than gawk at someone," he said, then once more, he lay his head back down the table. Did he always have to so... so... I don't know, obnoxious?
It was an unfair thing to ask; I wasn't even gawking- just- well, peeking. I ignored him.
"You didn't answer my question," I said in irritation.
"You didn't take my advise."
He smirked.
I cleared my throat.
"Students aren't supposed to-"
"Lower. Your voice. Down."
"Students-aren't-supposed-to-sleep-in-class," I said slowly, elaborately spacing the words, with obvious strain in my voice. I wanted to keep it low, but he was getting on my nerves now.
"I'm not just any 'student'."
I was about to answer "What's that supposed to mean?", but the teacher silenced the class. She urged us to get on with our work and get into pairs.
Natsume partnered with Ruka- he had that I'm-sorry-sakura-san look.
"Partner, Mikan?"
I turned my head around to see Koko, wearing another big smile on his face.
"Oh, Koko…."
Koko began to speak. At first I didn't take notice of it, until I realized that the voice mirrored my thoughts exactly.
"I missed the old times, Natsume… How I wish it could be back to before," Koko began.
Within that moment, I understood. This guy's alice was mind reading.
"If only you didn't have to leave, if only you didn't just disappear… If you could've sent just one message-"
"Koko!" I called, giving him a death stare. Thankfully, he stopped, and shrugged…
It was too late. Natsume heard everything. I could feel Natsume's gaze, but I didn't make eye contact, because I refused to look at him. I could already predict that he would be glaring again, or perhaps looking at me innocently the way he looked at everyone else- as if I was a total stranger. The second prediction, though, would be even more painful to accept.
It didn't matter if he glared, so long as he acknowledged my existence and I knew what he was feeling, so I could get a step closer to understanding him.
I sat next to Koko, still lost in thought.
"Wow. You're pretty... different," Koko commented.
"What do you mean?" I asked, distracted.
"The last time I read a girl's mind, my head reached the ground 3 seconds flat. When you cross Sumire Shouda, don't forget that."
"I'm not sure I understand what you mean… Sumire's really nice."
"You've met?" Koko asked, frowning. "So where is this 'nice' girl?"
"I don't know. I think she's running late... But it sounds like you're asking for trouble, you know, reading a girl's mind and everything. If I was really in a bad mood, I'd snap and chase you around the school, you know."
"Haha... That would be hilarious. And in the school's newsletter too. Headline: New student chases the innocent mind-reader."
"Innocent," I snorted in laughter.
"Oh, here comes seaweed," Koko reported cheerfully. I was confused at first, until I turned to see who it was.
"Permy!" I called out.
"I thought you were sick," I said, grabbing a chair so she could sit next to us. "You... Just called her…. Perm… Permy!" Koko burst out laughing.
"I thought it was apparent that I didn't want you to call me that. Especially in public," Sumire said, clearly annoyed.
"But it suits you," I candidly.
"Imai-san is Hotaru and Natsume-kun is Natsume. Why the heck do I have to be the only one called differently aside from my name?"
"Because you're different," replied Koko, who now managed to suppress a laugh.
"Anyway, I'm fine now... I can't believe that alarm clock didn't ring. Maybe I should just buy a new one," Sumire said in thought.
"Everyone else in class has a partner. I suppose you could go with us," I suggested.
"Yeah, we could work together," Koko said brightly.
When the bell rang at the end of the class, Ruka approached us.
"Sakura-san? Do you want to go for pizza later?"
"What's the celebration?" I asked jokingly.
"Natsume's topped the tests again," smiled Ruka.
"No joke? So you guys celebrate every academic success?"
"Nah, I just thought it was nice to invite you guys over."
That was what I liked about Ruka. Sometimes he can so damn polite and nice, you can't help but act friendly.
Sumire's eyes went wide.
"You can go too... if you want," Ruka said to Sumire. Of course, I knew he was just trying to be nice because Sumire was my friend. It was uncomfortable for him to be with one of his crazy fan-girls, which sadly, included Sumire.
But I didn't miss the crucial part of what he just said a few seconds ago.
"'You guys' over? Who else is coming?" I asked, eyebrows raised.
"Oh, you know, just us. Koko and me and everyone else."
"Well, if that's all..."
"See you after detention," I said.
I hurried to detention when I heard Hotaru mutter, "Enjoy", and my heart sank. I hated detention. Hotaru knew that, and so she just had to have a go at me. I sighed before I took my seat from the far end of the room.
My eyes never left the window ever since detention started. The day just looked so fine, it was such a waste to spend it writing lines and having to help with dreary paper work. Not to mention the fact it was only the two of us in class who had detention on that day. (Alice academy was just too big that different classes had different rooms for detention.)
I sat, bored, elbows resting on the table, face cupped in my hands, waiting for the teacher to set us some work.
It was all just so unfair. Why couldn't I be out enjoying the warm sun and be out having fun in such a beautiful day? Because of Natsume.
"This is all your fault," I moaned. First, he sprained my leg. And now, he landed me on detention. Oh, just perfect. I was having such an oh-so-wonderful second week in Gakuen Alice, but Natsume just had to ruin it.
"My fault? You were the one who was rushing like it was the end of the world."
"I was going to be late," I gritted under my teeth.
"So was I. Did you see me spraining my leg?"
"Why do you have to be so----urghh, that's it. All this arguing is making me sick."
"That's rare. I guess that makes it red-letter day."
"If it's red letter day for me, you deserve a trophy for… for... Best in taunting!"
"A promising title, but I'm afraid you judged me just a little too much. Taunting people isn't actually the only skill I have."
"That may not be so, but it's the only 'skill' you show me."
"Enough. Don't you students ever get tired? Fighting is so troublesome," came a female voice.
"Yet everyone does it," Natsume muttered under this breath.
The teacher for the day had came. She opened her case and got some papers out, probably for us to write on or organize.
"Sensei, you're here," I said cheerfully. "Right when the ice has melted. A speed really worth complimenting."
"Yeah, really here on time," Natsume backed up.
"Geez. You guys, cool your heads off first. Detention is punishment," she said as she handed each of us sheets.
"What's wrong with both of you?" she asked frowning. She went on, seeing our confused faces.
"You're both seating so far away. Don't worry, I don't bite," she said, grinning.
Suddenly, her eyes widened and her mouth opened in shock, as if she suddenly remembered something of importance.
"Oh no- I'll be back on a second. Don't do anything rash," she warned. She then scurried off without another word.
"I wonder what's up with her…"
"Probably forgotten to turn the kettle off or something," he snickered.
"Haha… And she hasn't even arrived for even 1 minute yet."
The room was suddenly filled with deadly silence. The silence wasn't one of the unbearable, awfully silent ones, just dreadfully awkward. Without fighting, what was there to talk about? I just couldn't think of what to say… 'Oh Natsume, where have you been all these years? …. 'Living in a rock?' I wanted to shout out.
"Pigtails"," Natsume said to my surprise. Him coming up with something first shocked me a little.
"Eh?" I asked in confusion. I was lost in my own train of thought, thinking of what to say to Natsume.
"You still wear those pigtails."
"What's wrong with wearing pigtails?" I asked in exasperation.
No reply. Just an annoying smile I wanted so badly to wipe off.
"Natsume, can I ask a question?"
"You just asked one," he pointed out.
"Geez, why do you have to be so obnoxious? It's only a question."
"Ask it then."
"What's your alice?"
No reply. Another smile.
"Is it ice?" I asked, racking my brains for alices.
"No."
"Teleportation?"
"No."
"Hmmm… Invention?"
"No."
"Oh, I know. It's water."
"No."
"Wind?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"Go on. You were so close."
"Flying?"
"No."
"Wind Barrier? Wind trapping?"
"It's not a wind alice."
"But you said I was close!"
"You were. You just had to name one more element…"
"Metal? Silver? Mercury? Helium?"
"No no no and no."
"Wahhh… Is it…Don't tell me it's also nullification?"
"Of course not."
"Any clues?" I said.
"I just gave you one."
"But … But… I still didn't guess it."
"Why am I not surprised. You were never that smart anyway."
That. Was. Offending. Why is he so… so...so- WHACK
"Hey! What the hell did you do that for?!"
"What are you saying? That I'm mentally incompetent?!" I blurted out, vexed.
"I never said that," came his defense.
"What's going on here?"
Oops. I hadn't realized that our voices were really loud. Our teacher came back in the room with a face that read : "SHUT UP OR ELSE…"
"Sensei, Natsume provoked me!"
"Well she literally whacked me with a hardcover book."
"Enough! I don't care who started it, but get on with your work if you don't want to visit this room everyday this week."
The warning was effective, because none of us spoke after that.
OK. So that was detention- which didn't go so smoothly if you ask me.
By the end of the day, the teacher gave me another detention for tomorrow because Natsume didn't quit complaining that 'it hurts' and I had to fetch him a freaking band-aid. He even went as far as saying to put it on him, which I responded with a "In your dreams, you egotistic bastard ", and the teacher scolded me just for saying that. I mean, it wasn't like it was all my fault. Natsume started it.
I didn't whack him as hard as he exaggerated, but for some reason he seemed to take pleasure in angering me. Same goes for me, but he obviously had more power, so there was absolutely no justice in that.
"That guy... Who does he think he is… What's Natsume's alice, anyway-"
'Natsume?Natsume Hyuuga?"
I turned around and saw Sumire.
"Permy?" I asked, wondering what she was doing here.
"Permy again, huh," she said. She didn't say anything after that. She seemed not to be in the mood for arguing, so I guessed that she must have let it drop.
"You know Natsume's alice?"
"Yeah. Everyone knows. But before that- why do you call him 'Natsume' like you're so close?"
"Eh? We are close… Well, used to be," I said, remembering the hostility and coldness he showed just now.
"Well… That's …. Certainly news… Natsume didn't react like he knew you at all…" she spoke, unsure.
"That's because… I don't know, he's changed! Natsume was my childhood friend… He didn't used to be like this, he's usually really nice and …" I stopped short when I remembered the what Natsume used to be like.
"Anyhow, Natsume's alice is the alice of fire. It's really cool. He's the only Everyone in the class… idolizes him."
"Figures," I said.
"What?" Sumire said
"No, no. It's just… Everyone's like… 'Kyyyaaa- I wanna sit next to Natsume-kun' it's just … kinda funny. But I should've figured his alice out earlier. I mean, he burned the skirt of a girl on my first day…"
"Well, Mikan, I'm in that category. I hope what you said wasn't an insult."
"Seriously? But Permy, isn't it just so… tiring? Chasing after Natsume and everything. I sort of pity you guys… You deserve someone better…Someone who's gonna feel the same way."
"There isn't such a guy! All other guys, if not idiotic, really have no idea how to make a girl feel better. Natsume is like… The perfect guy… He's smart, he's really cool, he's someone to look up to, and he's also… every girl's dream guy."
"Oh, I don't know so much about the 'every girl', Natsume just an annoying, narcissistic-"
"But you don't like Natsume? He is your childhood friend after all."
"Hell no. We're just… Just friends," I felt an odd feeling as I uttered those words.
"Hey, aren't you heading back?" I asked.
"What are you talking about?" Sumire said shocked.
"What do you mean?" I asked, perplexed. Sumire was dragging me to the opposite direction-
"Where are you bringing me?" I asked, even more puzzled by the minute.
"Have you forgotten?! We're suppose to go to that pizza thing."
"Oh no! I completely forgot," I said, now rushing. We reached Ruka's room in less 2 minutes. I saw a person walking towards that very same door. With a jolt of shock, I realized it was Natsume.
"What are you doing here?" Natsume asked.
"I was invited... Oh no, there must be some sort of mistake," I said.
Sumire looked annoyed.
"No, we were. And it wasn't a mistake." Sumire smiled broadly at Natsume, which he didn't see because he was staring directly at me. I felt my heart jump again. I really had to get used to looking at him in the eyes. It really wasn't normal.
"Oh, Natsume, Sakura-san, you're here," Ruka said opening the door.
"Ruka-pyon," I called.
He looked surprised. I forgot I had never used the nickname when I talked to him.
"Sorry. It's a nickname," I apologized quickly.
"It's OK," Ruka said with a laugh.
"Ruka-pyon, you didn't tell me," I said, feeling more irritated.
"Hm? Tell you what?" Ruka asked as if he missed something.
"I didn't know 'everyone else' included Natsume."
"Oh. Natsume always goes. I didn't feel the need to say it. After all, didn't I say it was his top-of-class celebration?" Ruka said.
I scowled. "I'm serious. Things are not going to go well if you put us in the same room."
"One night isn't going to hurt," Ruka said kindly. I sincerely hope that was true.
Sumire looked strangely grumpy.
"What's wrong? Aren't you just so overjoyed?" I nudged Sumire.
"He didn't even acknowledge me."
"Oh, cheer up. You're here."
"Hey, come in. What happened to you?" I heard Ruka ask as he turned to Natsume.
"Nothing. Just an accident," Natsume said.
"Hi guys. Want pizza? Hey Natsume, what happened to your face?" Koko asked as he saw Natsume.
"One more word about my face and I'll make sure your face is going to end up worse," grumbled Natsume.
"OK, OK. I got it," Koko said, grinning.
"Ruka-pyon, I can help with the food and stuff… If you don't mind?"
"No, it's alright. Go ahead."
I wasn't going to stick around hearing them talk about a face that I damaged. I really felt guilty now. I saw Hotaru sitting cross-legged at the ground, counting photographs she's taken. I didn't see what they were, though. I greeted Hotaru with a smile.
"What's the silliest thing a girl's ever done to you?" Koko asked all of a sudden when they've gathered up in the center table.
I could hear the question from the kitchen very clearly, and I wondered what Natsume would respond to the question.
I came back carrying all the boxes and laid them in the center table and sat next to Sumire. I took a bite straight away. I was hungry when I remembered that I forgot to eat lunch.
"Well, for me, a girl tripped me once because I really annoyed her when I read her mind…"
I saw Sumire shift from her uncomfortable position. She looked oddly stiff…
"Who would do that? Wow."
"How about you, Ruka?" Koko asked in curiosity.
"Umm… Well, A girl … threatened to sell photos of me if I didn't help her tame an animal," Ruka said, looking slightly embarrassed.
Why does that person sound so familiar. I looked at Hotaru who was innocently eating her sandwich.
"Really? I guess Nothing can be sillier than mine," Natsume answered wearing a wicked grin.
Don't tell me he's going to say...
"What happened, Natsume?"
"I was whacked right in the face because I didn't tell a girl my alice."
Wow, Natsume, thank you for sharing that out.
"You mean she doesn't know your alice?"
"Well, now she does."
"Desert?" I asked calmly when I saw that Sumire and Natsume had aready finished their pizza.
I thought back to when Permy told me Natsume's alice…
"Natsume is like… The perfect guy…"
Nobody's perfect. Not even Natsume. I guess that wasn't right...
Natsume's not even close.
In the kitchen, my eyes spotted a chocolate cake. Some kind of celebration. I knew there were other desserts, but I was getting this first.
"I don't like chocolate cake," Natsume began when he saw me bring them in the room.
"Hey Mr. I-have-the-fire-alice, I don't care whether you hate brown cakes but you are going to eat-"
"Uh, Mikan, I don't think it's the best idea force Natsume to eat that," Koko warned.
I wanted to blurt out, "Yeah, I know", but I stopped myself. This was not one of the days I was going to put up with him.
"OK, OK, shut up. I'll eat it already."
Natsume, since I've met him, didn't like chocolate cake. It kinda made me feel good to make him think I had forgotten that part of him. He wanted a game of who "Who-can-show-they've-forgotten-the-other-most"? Two can play at that game. Although I must admit, I didn't play well.
"So who was it?" Koko asked, filling up the silence. He was asking a question from what Natsume said earlier.
Natsume gave me a piercing stare, and I instantly felt guilty.
"It's not- I didn't mean it, okay?" I blurted out. He raised his eyebrows, and with a sigh, I added, "I'm sorry."
There were confused expressions around the room, save Koko, who seemed to be enjoying every moment of this.
"The new student is apologizing for slamming a book at my face?" Natsume asked.
"Do you have to be such an arrogant, jerk? I apologized already, OK? Even when it was your fault in the first place."
"Oh, so it was Mikan," Ruka said in realization.
"Do you even know what an apology is, Polka? You say sorry because you admit that it's your fault."
"An apology doesn't have to mean that it's my fault. It's just that I was sorry for hitting your face. And don't. Call me. Polka!"
I placed the fork I was holding into plate, and stood up.
"Thank you for the meal, Ruka-pyon, but I have to go. See you, Koko, Hotaru, Permy."
I stared at Natsume coldly and headed for the door.
"Wait, me too. I've got to finish that English essay… Bye Ruka, Sumire... Imai-san," Koko said, standing up quickly and headed for the door.
"Let's go, Mikan," he said.
He was silent for a moment, when he suddenly spoke.
"He really cares about you, you know. He's been feeling almost the same way you've been feeling since you first saw him."
We walked for 10 seconds of silence before he spoke again.
"Hey Mikan, do you want to know the story of how Natsume embarrassed Luna Koizumi?"
"Yeah, I suppose." Luna Koizumi. Huh. That girl who made those posters.
"You see, everybody was fussing over Natsume when he first came, especially Luna…. That was about less than 3 years ago.… And one day, she called him by his first name without the honorifics, and then Natsume got angry."
"Natsume got angry?" I reiterated.
"Wait- let me finish… Natsume got angry. Then he said, 'I won't allow any other girl to call by my first name, except for one girl.'"
"You don't mean-"
"It's you."
"But he reacted as if he didn't know me!" I said with a mix of emotions. I had just said what I had felt deep inside but was never able to fully express. He didn't say something to me the moment we met. It hurt, and I wanted to hell him that, I just realized. I wanted to tell him that so bad but I didn't know how. When.
"That- it's his story to tell. But he has a reason, Mikan. Natsume's been a good friend of mine for a long time. I can tell that cares for you more than he shows. And… Here's my room. Good night."
"G'night Koko."
Great. Today was a total mess. Yup, there was no denying that. I had been miserable when he left, and when I saw him again, I was worried that he hated me, scared he forgot me. Now Koko was telling me that my assumptions might have been wrong.
Now I didn't know what to think.
yaaaayy I got wireless now. Now I can pretty much go to internet whenever I want with my laptop.
So how's the chapter? Good? bad? Longest chapter I have ever written. Went past 3500 words.. ^^ I realized I might as well post it now, because I wouldn't be able to tomorrow or on Sunday- maybe even the whole of next week.
Thanks!