So here's the next chapter. I hope you all like it.
Disclaimer: Too lazy to come up with something interesting so, nope, still not mine.
Natsume stood outside Mikan's door, waiting. He had half a mind to just rush into her room to check on her, but he was doing his best to restrain himself. He didn't want to start another fight. His patience paid off. A few moments later, Mikan opened the door and stepped out, ready for class. Natsume's eyes scanned over her quickly and immediately registered just how flat out exhausted she looked. It made his blood boil and his heart break at the same time. He was full of rage for Principal Kuonji and Persona and tenderness for her. Despite the emotions roiling within him, he kept his face carefully schooled as she registered his presence there.
Mikan stared at him for a minute in surprise. She thought of a million things she could or should say, but she couldn't conjure up the energy to speak. Micah's face kept flashing in her mind and looking at Natsume now she was once more reminded how easily it could be him.
After another moment of silence, Natsume stepped towards her, breaking the ice.
"Hey, you slept in so late you missed breakfast. Here," his voice was quiet, gentle, as he shoved the bread roll into her hands. "It's not much, but it should keep that obnoxious stomach of yours quiet till lunch." There was no venom in the insult, just the same gentle tenderness and concern.
Mikan stared at the bread roll for a minute like it was a foreign object. Then she smiled, just a little. She was very hungry. It was so kind of him to think of this for her. Natsume read the thank you in her eyes and nodded, then grabbed one of her hands and started leading her down the hall.
"If we don't get going now, we're gonna be late for class," he explained. Mikan simply nodded and followed him, munching on the bread roll as they went.
They made it into class just as the bell rang, and Mikan took her seat beside Natsume. The whole class – inquisitive little grade-schoolers that they are – noticed the two arrive together and how utterly exhausted Mikan looked. As her friends watched her with concern, whispers started flying between the other students. A moment later, Narumi-sensei and the assistant teacher entered, and the room fell silent.
Narumi's gaze shot briefly over to Mikan and a slight frown creased his brow before he turned to the rest of the class with his usual smile.
"My dear students, as you all likely know, the results of the first term exams will be posted outside the class after school. Well, that is all for announcements today. I am very busy as usual, so I will be leaving you to the gracious tutelage of my dear substitute."
The usual routine of the assistant teacher pleading with Narumi-sensei ensued. But, as always, Narumi was out the door and gone, and the assistant was on his own. As soon as Narumi had left the classroom, Natsume turned to Mikan, who was struggling to keep her eyes open.
"Hey, this class isn't all that important, and I'll take notes for you for anything that might matter. Why don't you sleep for a bit? I'll wake you up for Jinno's class." Before Mikan had a chance to argue, Natsume wrapped one arm around her and used his other hand to push her head down onto his shoulder. "Sleep," he whispered.
Mikan was surprised how comfortable this spot was. He radiated warmth, and she could hear his heart beat thumping a steady, calming rhythm in his chest. Despite herself, she soon was lulled to sleep. Their classmates watched the exchange with a wide range of emotions, primarily shock. But after a quick glare from Natsume, they turned their attention elsewhere. Ruka leaned over to question Natsume.
"Hey, what's wrong with her? She looks dead on her feet."
Natsume shrugged. "Mission last night," he whispered back. That was all he needed to say. Ruka understood immediately. With a sad glance at the sleeping girl, he turned his focus back on the class.
The rest of the day went by much like this. Natsume hovered over Mikan constantly, like a fiery-eyed guardian angel. True to his word, he woke her for Jinno's class, but it didn't do much good. Mikan could hardly keep her eyes opened. It was a testament to how pitiful and weary she looked that Jinno acted as if she weren't even there.
Through her haze of sleepiness, Mikan was amazed at Natsume's actions. He was so unabashedly kind and tender. She knew he was at heart, but he had so rarely shown that side of himself in front of other people. But then, if Natsume was anything, it was committed. Whatever he chose to do, he did it absolutely and completely, without hesitation. He would do whatever it took to get the job done. It warmed her through and through that he had turned this dedication to looking out for her. So this is what it feels like to be loved by Natsume. She giggled a little at that happy thought, attracting his attention. He looked at her with a little surprise, than a slight smile twitched at his lips. He was glad to see she was recovering a little.
In fact, Mikan felt much better by the end of classes. She had caught up on sleep, and Natsume's constant ministrations had chased to the back of her mind most of the horrors of last night. She was reaffirming her inner resolve to act like her old self as they approached the posted term results.
It was no surprise to see that Natsume and Yuu were listed with the highest scores, as usual, though it sent a little pang through Mikan's heart that Hotaru's name wasn't there as well. Once more, Yuu would be getting the best student award and the week home. Mikan was happy for him. She trailed her eyes down the list and sighed heavily when she found hers. Dead last. She had expected it, but still. Staring at her abysmal score posted on the wall, she felt something inside her snap. Pivoting around, she darted down the hall. It took Natsume a moment to register this; then he went tearing after her. As the two disappeared around a corner, the whispers recommenced.
Mikan made it out of the school building to the gazebo where they often ate lunch and broke down in tears. Natsume was hot on her heals and arrived in the gazebo moments later to find her sobbing. He did the first thing he could think of. Sitting down between the seats, he pulled her into his arms and let her cry. He felt like his heart was being wrenched with each little sob that emanated from her sweet mouth.
"Shhh…I'm here. It's okay. Everything will be okay," he whispered gently into her ear. It probably wasn't true, but he didn't know what else to say. After a moment, her sobs quieted enough for her to start talking.
"I can't do it, Natsume. I can't. I'm not a genius like you. I can't go do missions all night and then still do well in class. I barely make it by in class with putting in my whole effort. I'm gonna fail, and then you all are going to graduate and go to middle school, and I'll be left behind here repeating the same classes over and over again. I'll be the oldest elementary student ever." With that, her sobs picked back up.
Natsume sat bewildered for a moment. This was not the sort of thing he had expected her to pour her heart out to him about. It was just so like her to pick this silly thing, out of all the myriad of things she could and should be upset over. Between the Elementary School Principal, Persona, the missions, and so much else, she was afraid of being held back? It was so ridiculous that if it wasn't also so heartbreaking, he might have laughed.
"Hey now, it's okay. You're not gonna get held back, baka. I can help you study and catch up, and I'm sure Yuu and the others will want to help too." He didn't say that he also highly doubt that the Elementary School Principal would let his precious favorite get held back, however much he may want to keep her in his division. Principal Kuonji was too proud for that. He delighted in elevating his stars, even if he also ostracized them. They were icons to be feared and respected.
Mikan sniffled and nodded into his shirt, which now had a decent sized wet spot on it. He sighed and leaned back as she slowly calmed down, rubbing his hand over her back to sooth her. It occurred to him that most of the people on campus would be floored to see him acting like this. But then, love makes people do strange things.
Back at the group of students surrounding the posted test results, Sumire was taking charge.
"Hey people, what kind of nasty loser goes on talking about people when they're not around to defend themselves, huh?" Sumire's voice was so overpowering that the speculations among the other students – which had risen to the level of a small din – was fairly effectively hushed. Koko snickered to Kitsuneme.
"She would have in the past."
"Oh how our bossy little girl is growing up." Kitsuneme threw in, with a snicker of his own.
"Really though, I wonder what's wrong with Mikan. What happened last night?" Anna commented on the subject of all the gossip.
"Well, regardless, Natsume will look after her. Those two have made so much progress. They're so cute! Natsume has changed so much thanks to her." Nonoko smiled, nodding knowingly.
"I wonder if they're officially going out yet…" Mucho mused. He turned to Koko for an answer. The others in this little gathering followed his lead as well. Koko grinned.
"Not yet, but I'm sure it's coming soon."
"If the principal doesn't do something to stop it…" Yuu added in a soft, sad voice, looking at Ruka who stood silently gazing in the direction his two dear friends had gone with an expression of deep concern. That brought the others back to the reality of the situation, and soon they all were frowning, except for Koko, with his normal placid expression.
Nonoko sighed glumly. "I wish there was something we could do for Mikan. I'm sure she's the reason we all got off so easily from that whole big mess a few months ago."
The others nodded in agreement, brows furrowed in thought. Meanwhile, Sumire had finished breaking up the others and came to join in the conversation.
"What's with all the gloomy faces? Moping around isn't going to help Mikan. We have to take action!"
"How?" came Koko's cheerful, pointed question.
"Eh…um…well…I dunno. But we'll think of something!"
"Yeah!" The other's chorused in, pumping their arms in the air.
Further down the hall, Narumi watch this small group with a soft smile. Mikan had followed his instructions well. She had a good strong group of loyal friends. He felt certain they would find some way to help Mikan and save this academy. Just as he had been right to pair her with Natsume, he now believed he would be right about this as well. Between those loyal to her and those loyal to her mother, the Principal was doomed. He just didn't know it yet.
Yuka paced across the floor of the Hanahime Den. She felt so useless and frustrated. Why wouldn't Mikan talk to her? What could she do?
"Staying here and worrying about her isn't going to help anyone," Hī-sama pointed out, bluntly. "If you want to help her, you and Shiki should return to your original goal of eliminating the ESP's clones on the outside."
Yuka rubbed her eyes, discouraged. "But what good would that do now? It's an endless task."
"That may be so, but every one that you eliminate is one less she has to worry about. Besides, I can't hide you here forever. Sooner or later Principal Kuonji is going to make a move to get you back in his clutches once more. Just because he has her now doesn't mean he'll give up on you so easily. After all, the two of you are his biggest threats."
Yuka sighed. She knew Hī-sama was right. But the idea of abandoning her daughter here in his clutches deeply upset her. However, even if she stayed, she could do nothing for her. It was time she focused back on what she could do.
"Very well. Shiki and I will leave tonight." Yuka paused, inhaling deeply. "Please…would you look out for her while I'm gone? I know you can't do much…"
"I'll do whatever is in my power. You know that."
Yuka nodded and turned to go find Shiki in the other room. They had to prepare.
Principal Yukihara rested his head in his hand, sighing heavily as he sat at his desk.
"Yuka-senpai has chosen to leave tonight." Sakurano watched the older man with concerned eyes. Kazu had been struggling with himself a great deal the past few days. He nodded absently at the information. It was good for her to go. She'd be safer and more effective outside. Sakurano continued talking.
"That thing we were afraid of has happened. Hayami got confirmation from a source last night." The High School Principal's brow furrowed even more, but he remained silent. "We are going to have to make some kind of move soon. Principal Kuonji is not going to wait forever and give you time to plot. He is well aware of how much a threat you and the Middle School Principal are. We have to preempt him if we hope to stand a chance."
Kazu nodded again and looked up at the former student council president with weary eyes.
"I know. But what can I do for that niece of mine now? It's my fault it's come to this. I should have acted decades ago. I did nothing for her father and now what can I do for her?"
"The best thing we can do for her right now is focus on removing the Elementary School Principal." Subaru spoke up this time with his usual stoic expression. And for my sister as well.
"I know. I know." Principal Yukihara sounded so worn down, so world weary. Silence descended over the room once more.
Natsume walked with Mikan back to her room, discussing schoolwork. As he tried to get a better understanding of what she needed help on, he couldn't help but sigh internally. This was going to be a lot of work.
Well, there it is. I hope you liked it. Please, please, please, please review! I see a lot of people are reading this, but I'm not getting many reviews. It makes me cry. They don't have to just be good stuff. Critiques and such like are welcome as well. I can't tell how I'm doing if you don't review! Anyway, so yeah…R&R. And thanks! I'll try to have to next chapter up in a jiffy. And I know these chapters have been on the depressing side. Please bear with me. I have to get to a certain point, but then I promise there will be more fun interactions between the characters.