Waii~ Ganbatte ne~~~~~ xD;;

Mikan's POV

That night, I snuck into Hotaru's room. She barely looked up as the door closed with a small click.

"Ne… Hotaru…"

No comment.

"Natsume likes you."

No comment.

"He told me today."

"Yeah, right," she nonchalantly replied, still reviewing the blackmail pictures of the day. It was only with me did Hotaru show me the her that was present 5 years ago... The side that she hides from most of the class.

One bad thing about this. Hotaru doesn't know that I like Natsume.

"Well, he does. And he thinks he has no chance."

"Sure," she replied sarcastically.

Our serious conversation ended when she showed me an embarrassing picture of Ruka in a swarm of animals. We laughed very hard, and soon, our chat was forgotten. It was only with me did Hotaru show me her real self.

However, when I returned to my dorm that night, I suddenly remembered about Natsume and Hotaru. In the safety of my room, I cried. Small tears. But they were sad, alright.

I let myself drop onto my bed limply, and tears slowly came out in patterns, wetting the new bedding I just brought at Central Town.

I am upset. Upset at no one apparently.

It's not Hotaru's fault Natsume likes her. I mean, she's smart, popular, and pretty. Natsume's heart got stolen by Hotaru, it's no one's fault. I'll just look for someone else.

I sobbed myself to sleep. Although I was seriously overtaken by sorrow, and depressed, it felt good after I let it all out. That night, I slept soundly...

Hotaru's POV

I may not have responded to Mikan's ramblings when she came into my room, but I certainly heard her, alright.

The next morning, before the classes started, I set out to confirm things with Mr. Hyuuga, who, like always, was dozing off under his tree.

"Oi, wake up."

He woke up, fazed.

"NO. I'm not helping. If you need rabbits, go bother Ruka yourself"

Oh. Not that blackmail business. Surprised he remembered, though.

"What in the world did you tell Mikan? She told me that you liked me."

Hyuuga straightened his posture.

"That idiot actually told you?"

"You think? I thought you knew Mikan pretty well..."

"She was bugging me about it yesterday, and I didn't say anything. She has a suspicion I had a crush on you, so I played along."

I knew something was up. Mikan was gullible like no one other.

I laughed.

"She said that you thought you didn't have a chance…"

Hyuuga smirked.

"She's right," Hyuuga replied, "I don't have a chance against Ichigo-kara."

Whoa. A plan was forming in my head. Hyuuga likes Mikan, Mikan doesn't know.

I smirked.

Mikan's POV

Surprisingly, I felt quite refreshed when I woke up in the morning. I washed my face and inspected myself in the mirror. Good. No significant trace of tears.

I flew all the way to school using an Alice stone I had to seal on our last mission for Persona.

I opened the door to my classroom.

"GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY~!!!!"

The usual chorus of "Ohayou" from Nonoko, Anna, Yuu, and Koko greeted her. None from Hotaru, Ruka, and (heart-beat) N…Natsume.

O…oh well.

I walked to my desk, releasing the Fly Alice stone and placing it in my pocket.

"Ne, Mikan, do you have anything planned this afternoon?" Hotaru asked, her eyes glinting.

"Um… I have Cleaning Duty… Why?"

"Oh. Nothing."

Knowing Hotaru, nothing wasn't nothing. Nothing was definitely something.

Hotaru's POV

After the last class was over, I rushed out the door to make the preparations. Not that I had to hurry, anyway. Mikan had cleaning duty.

Anyhow, I nestled safely in my hiding spot with a jar of crab brains while I waited.

Mikan's POV

Cleaning duty went fairly smooth.

I felt as light as a feather.

Okay, maybe not. I still wasn't over Natsume.

But you still better shut up. Tell a soul, and your brain is going to turn into a piece of rock.

I was heading towards my favorite Sakura tree when I spotted a banana peel.

And I stared at the yellow mound. Ever since when did Gakuen Alice eat bananas?

Don't get me wrong. I like bananas. Nothing against them.

I walked to a nearby garbage can near the back of the academy and dropped the peel into a slot when I heard some sounds.

"Ah! Don't! Hyuuga-- stop it!"

Crap.

It sounded like Hotaru's voice. And she was saying Natsume's name.

I crept over to the side of the building and peeked.

Oh my lord.

Mercy on me.

What the hell.

Natsume's tie was undone, his shirt was partly unbuttoned, and he was struggling with a girl whose blazer was on the floor and ribbon loosened.

Natsume was sexually harassing Hotaru.

Oh my lord.

Mercy on me.

Seriously, what the hell?

I turned around and quickly ran away, not wanting anyone, especially Hotaru and Natsume, to see my tears.