I did not own Gakuen Alice

Warning: characters may be slightly OOC

Superstars

Chapter 5

This chapter was dedicated to Lanel & Relatively Abstract,
Thanks for your heart-warming reviews again!

–

"Prior to signing the contract, Sakura-san and Nendo-san had to part company."

"Otherwise, please find someone better qualified."

Natsume successfully stunned the two ladies with these words.

"Natsume-kun…" Nobara had never imagined he would really make this move, i.e. to "threaten" them

"That's all I have to say. Please give me a reply after you've made the decision." Natsume resolutely stood up and saw a pair of furious watery eyes from Mikan. Leaving the disturbed Nobara and the displeased Mikan, Natsume left the room.

"Nobara-san, Hyuuga-san and I do not get along well. We'd better find another manager!" Mikan declared plainly that she would not give way to Natsume's threats.

Nobara noticed that Mikan and Natsume were somehow hostile to each other. What the earth happened to him the night before? Finding a new manage was a must, and Natsume was the best choice. Nobara would not give up easily.

"You go home with Anna first. I'll contact you later." Nobara did not express her opinions for now. She went straight to Natsume's office.

Natsume sat on his chair comfortably, expecting her complaints. Nobara got to the point directly, "Don't you think you're too strict?"

"I have no other options. I don't want to be harsh on her, but she lacks awareness." Natsume was obviously talking about Mikan's secret date with her boyfriend yesterday night, and her wrong-headedness.

"She's still young and inexperienced." Nobara loved Mikan dearly.

"You know about my principals. There's no room for discussion." Natsume understood that Nobara wanted to shield Mikan. However, prolonged protection inside an artificial greenhouse was not good for an artiste. The industry was never a peaceful one. One had to grow up and learn how to survive there.

"You understand why those gossips are bad for her, don't you?" Natsume said monotonously. "She was marketed as an idol, not a singer. People knew her for her looks, not her voice. Her fans stemmed from her lovable and truthful image."

Nobara sighed at the fact.

Natsume went on, "Having a boyfriend may not be a problem for some artistes. But that's not her case. First, her partner is a lady-killer. Do you remember how hostile his fans are towards his ex-girlfriends?"

Nobara could say nothing but moaned.

"Second, if their relationship is publicized, no one knows how the media is going to portray her. But I bet it'll be against her existing icon. Images are changeable, but transformation should be made before any harmful reputation came about. As you know, prejudice is lethal for artistes. Once the public has certain negative perspectives, not many people are open-minded enough to give the artiste a chance to impress them."

It was rare that Natsume talked that much. Maybe he was justifying himself to convince Nobara that his decision was purely based on commercial consideration? Was there something else that affected him when he was making up his mind? Only he knew the answer.

Nobara knew she could not refute his points; she pleaded instead, "Can't you give her some more time?" Asking Mikan to break up with her boyfriend in a week was cruel.

"I won't put an instable bomb by my side. That's too dangerous." He was unwavering.

Though it was unlikely to succeed, Nobara still tried another approach to arouse his sympathy, "This is Mikan's first love. It's not easier said than done to give up. She may appear to be easygoing and obedient, but she is not a submissive girl. She has her own ideas and she won't parrot others' words."

"I know." He could sense Mikan was not a vulnerable person. She had her strong-willed side. "It's up to her to decide."

"You are so unfeeling," Nobara said half-jokingly. She knew she would never be able to persuade this willful man. She decided not to dwell on the issue with him, "I'll contact you later."

How come he kept being criticized as "unfeeling" recently? Natsume shook his head and continued with his work.

–

– – – – – –

–

Inside a conference room, the noises from the air-conditioning made a lonesome sonata. Koko was on his own waiting for his guests. Only fifteen more minutes to go, but time walked like a snail. It was torturing when one's mind replaying the past by itself.

Fourteen years ago, Koko had his fateful encounter with Sumire.

It took a total of seven years before they met each other again for the second time. That was a day he would never forget.

– Flashback -

- 7 years ago -

After meeting his clients, Koko straddled his scooter parked on the roadside. He was about to pull on his helmet when he heard some quarrels in a dark alley. He curiously followed the sound, and saw several stylish adolescent girls surrounding a short-hair teenaged girl, who had peculiar curvy elongated hair dripping in front of both ears.

Wait, that hairstyle looked very familiar.

Koko was astounded, "She can't be in Tokyo, can she?" He longed to see her for years. That time he felt so disappointed when he knew that she had moved away from the place where they first met. She was indeed living in Tokyo, the same city as he was? Was life a bit too harsh and unfair to him?

He could not help remembering her words.

"Life is never fair."

The group of girls seemed to be threatening the short-hair girl, who refused to succumb. Then, they started fighting. At first, the short-hair girl got the upper hand; however, she was at a disadvantage as she was hopelessly outnumbered.

Koko hurriedly shouted, "Hey, policemen, there was a fight over there!"

The girls stopped at once and rapidly escaped to the other end of the lane. Having her hands on the wall, the short-hair girl stood up painfully.

"Are you okay?" Koko offered a helping hand to her without the least hesitation.

Nevertheless, the girl took no notice of his aid, "Mind your own business! Don't think that I will thank you!"

It was not uncommon to get no thanks for one's good intentions. Koko could not stifle a laugh when he saw the girl limping along. Her stubbornness seemed to increase with age. Yet, Koko would not let her go easily this time, he ran to her front to stop her, "Hey, you've twisted your ankle!"

The pig-headed girl was unwilling to accept his aid. She gave him a ferocious glare instead, "Get out of my way! It's none of my business!"

Koko lost his mind for few seconds in the girl's eyes. Those pair of unforgettable dazzling eyes that revealed her adamant nature could light up everything in dark. Koko's heart was palpitating with ecstasy.

It was natural that she did not recognize him. It had been seven years, through which he had changed a lot. He was no longer the self-abased boy who looked dull and miserable all the time. Now, he always wore a smile and was well-liked as a light-hearted guy. As for the girl, she had become even more beautiful. Her facial features were delicately craved to attain perfectness. Koko could not take his eyes off her anymore.

When he collected himself, an idea popped up. He swiftly took the girl up in his arms and looked at her attentively, "A gentleman can't be heedless of an injured lady."

"Who cares if you are a gentleman or a barbarian? Put me down right now!" The girl yelled and struggled angrily.

Koko disregarded her over-reaction. He strode forward to his scooter, and made her sit on the rear seat. "I'll give you a ride home." He gave the suggestion enthusiastically. This time, he would definitely get more information about her.

The girl glanced at Koko annoyingly. Just then, she could not see the guy clearly under the dim lights. Now, she could thoroughly take a look at him. He was an imposing figure. His lips had their corners curled up, and his eyes sparkled with shrewdness. His smiling face seemed to have caused tiny ripples in the innermost part of her mind.

The previous anger and loatheness gradually faded away. She did not dislike him as much anymore; how could one hate a smiley person? She even had a sudden impulse to play around with him, "I don't have a home." She slowed down her tone, with her eyes glistening with slyness.

Koko sensed that she was prompting him to suggest something. He compressed his lips into a smile, "Go to my place then?"

"Sure." She agreed easily.

Koko did not say anything. He carefully helped her to pull on the helmet, and put her arms around his waist. He remembered to turn around and remind her, "Hold tight."

Without any bashfulness, the girl clutched his waist, and leaned against his back.

All she wanted now was to escape from reality. Though that would only last for few moments, she just wanted to rest her mind.

Feeling the soft body behind, Koko became stiff. Her trust and dependence of him gave him a feeling of fulfillment and an unfamiliar sensation in his chest.

"So you come from a rich family!" The girl was awed at the huge house, as Koko carried her inside. Koko's place was of course the Hyuuga's mansion. Bringing a young lady home at midnight attracted servant's attention unquestionably.

"Naku-san, please prepare a guest room for this lady. Please bring me a first-aid kit too," Koko told the butler.

"Did you hurt yourself, young master? Is it serious?" asked the butler worriedly.

"No. This lady has twisted her ankle," Koko explained patiently.

Naku-san felt relieved at once. He peeped at the girl for a while, and then left, "I'll go to prepare the room now." He said to himself, "Among the boys, I've never guessed that Koko will be the first one to bring a girl home."

Koko smiled wryly. He knew that he would see lots of querying eyes the next day. He talked to the girl, "Let me treat your wound first."

"Are a medical student?" He looked a bit older than she was. Maybe he was studying at college?

"No," replied Koko as he brought her to the guest room.

"Thanks for your kindness, but you don't need to help me." She rejected him politely.

"Don't look down on me. First aid can't beat me." He spoke confidently.

Koko put the girl on the edge of the bed and winked at her playfully, "I'll be here shortly."

"What a strange guy!" The girl made a face behind his back. Well, she was a strange girl too. How daring she was to follow a stranger to his home! She could not be blamed, as she was somewhat homeless now. Her home did not welcome her. The warm loving family was gone long time ago. She might as well take this chance to turn into a rebellious bad girl.

It did not take long for Koko to return with a first-aid kit in hand. The girl did not feel like taking notice at him. She focused on combing her hair. Koko found a chair to sit in front of her. He gently held her chin up to examine her face.

"It's lucky that the wounds are not serious to damage this pretty face," he murmured. He did not know he was comforting the girl or himself. He applied some ointments on the bruise, followed by catering her wounded ankle.

Putting her delicate leg on his knees, Koko rubbed her reddened wound carefully with medicinal lotion. The girl instantaneously felt an electric shock from his massage. She withdrew her leg by reflex, but Koko caught hold of her faster.

"Let go of me! It… It hurts!" The girl embarrassedly found excuses to get away.

"I'm sorry. I'll be gentler." Koko gave her a mysterious bright smile.

The girl's cheeks glowed reddish. The thrilling sensation spread through her body.

He did that on purpose! This cunning guy deliberately performed such lecherous act to make her suffer from arryhythmia. She could hear her heart beating like mad.

There was no need for Koko to treat her wounds by himself. Yet, he wanted to spend as much time with her as possible. He yearned for looking after her, doting on her. It felt so good in his hands that he hated to let go.

The long torture ended eventually. The girl heaved a sigh of relief. Koko chuckled in his heart as he sensed her embarrassment.

"Take a good rest." Koko patted her head lightly, after he tidied up the first-aid kit.

"You're leaving now?" The girl's eyes sparkled with unusual radiance.

"Or you want me to stay here?" His eyes were smiling.

The girl changed her posture to kneel on the bed and put her arms around his neck in a loving way. She whispered seductively, "Not only you saved me, you let me stay at your house, and you treated my wounds warmheartedly. You did all this so that I have to repay you for your kindness. Am I right?"

Koko did not mind her throwing herself on him. He gazed at her with keen interest, "How are you going to repay me?"

"Isn't it natural if I offer my body to repay you?" She gave a charming smile and winked her innocent eyes while she was playing with his muddy blonde hair near his neck.

She was halve-joking and halve-serious. She partly wanted to indulge herself, and she would like to take a revenge on him for his previous salaciousness.

"What's your name?" He knew it but he wanted to hear her saying it again. This might serve as a distraction too.

"Sumire. Shouda Sumire." The girl answered agreeably.

Koko blew a whistle praising, "It's a beautiful name." He had always longed to tell her this. He continued, "How old are you?"

"Fifteen," Sumire nearly yawned. Kneeling was tiring for her knees and she could not maintain this pose for a long time.

"You're two years younger than me. If I do touch you, I'll break the law." He expressed his grief.

"What? You're afraid to have sex with girls under age? How lame!" She hastily pushed him away and grumbled. He was so anally attentive that she could not stand him. "You're so conservative! Don't you know that lots of girls of my age or even younger ones aren't virgins long ago?"

Sumire felt hurt, to a certain extent, because she failed to seduce him while he managed to hook her up.

How changeable her facial expression was! Koko suppressed his laughter and pretended to be shocked, "Nowadays, high-school students are so open-minded?"

"If you don't want, then shut up, old man!" Being rejected was a humiliation to her, especially when she had just resolved to be a playgirl.

"Okay then, itadakimasu!" Koko pressed Sumire on the bed.
(Note: itadakimasu is a Japanese phrase said before a meal, it means 'I humbly receive')

Sumire did not expect him to take the active role suddenly. She was half dead with fright. Koko found her flabbergasted expression amusing. He teasingly caressed her cheeks, as a mischievously charming smile appeared on his face. His strong physique on top of her made her lose her breath. She came within an inch of a heart failure under his playful stare.

"How many men did you have before me?" Koko intentionally blew air onto her red face to spread the fire.

"What?!" She could not believe he would ask such an awkward question.

Koko tilted his head to ponder, "I am not your first one, am I?" Derision was clearly heard from his tone.

In order to protect her dignity, she would never admit she had no experience, "Of course not! I've slept with countless number of men, how will I remember the exact number?"

"Oh! I never think you are so experienced!" He saw through her lies effortlessly.

Stay calm! Don't panic! She said with bated breath, "Of course."

"But why are you shaking?" He put on an innocent look.

Don't shake! Don't shiver! But her body was out of her control, so she could only deny loudly, "No, I'm not!"

"You look deathly pale." He pointed out the second flaw, appearing to be harmless, as usual.

"Don't forget I am injured! Of course I look pale!" She insisted not to concede.

She was really full of vigor. Her bravado was bizarre. Koko cracked a smile and decided not to make fun of her. He released her, sat upright, and reassured her, "I won't take advantage of a wounded person."

After hearing his words, Sumire was no longer on the defensive. Yet, her relaxation was accompanied with some kind of slight disappointment.

"Since you said you will use your body to repay me, I can use it at will, can't I?" Koko looked as if he was up to no good.

Sumire frowned at him, "Hey! I only promised to sleep one night with you! You can't be so greedy!!"

"Don't ever try to deny. You promise to repay me with your body." Koko kindly reminded her.

"You purposely distort my original meaning!" Sumire would not allow him to trick her.

"But you're injured now; it's not suitable for 'vigorous activity'," Koko glinted at her. "How about repaying me with another format?"

Sumire turned her nose at him, "I thought you're a gentleman. Turns out you're a bastard with ulterior motives!"

"I won't deny I have my motives when I bring you home," Koko admitted honestly. He wanted to know her better and hang around with her.

"Huh! Your mask's finally torn off!" Sumire despised him.

A wild thought came to Koko's mind, he changed the topic abruptly, "Do you have any dream? What do you want to be in the future?"

His questions were rather brusque and silly. Sumire's mind could not function right away. She narrowed her eyes, "Don't preach in front of me."

"If no, do you want to be a star?" He stated his intention.

Sumire waved her hand impatiently, "Do you want to cheat stupid young girls?"

"Do you want to be an artiste?" Koko persevered.

Sumire looked at him from left to right, "What a pity to have such a good-looking outer shell when you have mental problems."

"Don't waste your beautiful appearance. I guarantee you can become very popular." Koko pledged.

He was crazy.

Koko moved on with a serious expression, "Though the Hyuuga Entertainment Limited only established recently and our scale was incomparable with other huge corporations, I'll do my best to nurture you as the shiniest star."

Sumire finally realized he was not joking. He looked very excited and enthusiastic, as if he was talking about his life-goals. His driving ambition and determination made him become so blindingly bright that she could not even look at him anymore. She flagged and lowered her head, "I'm not interested."

Koko lightly lifted up her chin and stared at her with his keen eyes, "Since you don't have any ambition for the time being, why not entrust your life in my hands instead of idling away your time? Trust me; you won't lose your pool!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Eh?

It should be Sumire hesitating for a while and then agreed in the end. She even asked him to deal with her family on her behalf. There should be no such sound that time.

Ah! It was the door knocking sounds at present. Koko collected his thoughts. He was going to have a meeting with Sumire now. Koko sighed.

Who would have guessed that they would end up like this?

–

Please review!

(Sigh) My original plan:
1. Not-too-long section for Natsume, Mikan & Nobara
2. Not-too-short section for Youichi
3. Not-too-short section for Koko
4. Not-too-long section for Hotaru
5. Not-too-long section for Misaki
6. Not-too-long section for another meeting between Natsume & Mikan

Obviously, I underestimated how long-winded I am... (sigh) I only finished 1 & 3, and it's already 3000+ words =v= (I plan to keep each chapter not more than 4000+ words =w=)
In fact, I've written something about KokoxSumire's first meeting, but it'll be wayyyyyy too long if I put it here, so... it's an omake itself!!!!! YEAAAA!!!! The omake title is DeAI , please go ahead to read it!

Anyways, I hope you've enjoyed the chapter!

to Lanal: Other than what I've said in PM, I don't think I'll add more 'mysteries' to the story for the time being, I'm revealing things slowly instead. Thanks for your review again!

to Relatively Abstract: I won't repeat my PM again, but thanks again for your review! Here comes Koko x Sumire (finally), hope it's looking good!

to OtakuShigatsuGalz7653: Thanks for reviewing!! I hope you'll like this chapter too!

to babee-angel: Well, well, well, it's Natsume we are talking about, right? So, his motives are, hehee, (definitely) worth suspecting

Please review!
(please let me know if there are mistakes, I am sure there are many...)