Chapter II- The Flu
"Yep. It's the Flu," the doctor said to everyone in the clinic. Mikan had been rushed in by all her classmates only moments earlier.
"Will she be alright?" Hotaru asked, voice not mirroring her worry.
"Oh, don't worry. She'll be fine in a few days," the doctor assured. "Now, everyone, Mikan needs her rest."
Everyone took this as a hint to leave. When everyone had gone, only Hotaru, Natsume, and Narumi were left with the doctor and the sleeping Mikan.
"Alright. Spill it," Natsume said to the doctor. "What's wrong with Mikan?"
The doctor waited a beat. "Alice Flu."
"No!" Narumi reacted, glancing on the girl sleeping on the bed.
"What? What is it?" Natsume and Hotaru asked in unison.
"The Alice Flu is a terrible illness for Alice Academy students," Narumi started. "It sucks the Alice of any student affected with the illness. Of course, it's only temporary," he added when both students' eyes darkened.
"But it puts the patient in a very vulnerable position," Hotaru finished.
"Yes, especially with Mikan," the doctor said. Natsume's gaze locked on him. "You do know that the Academy wants to use her for missions, right? They'll do anything to have their way."
Immediately, the doctor's lapels caught on fire. "What? Don't tell me you didn't know," the doctor said, unflinching. The fire died, leaving a huge hole where his lapels used to be. Natsume stared at the ground, fists clenched.
"What we should do now is have Mikan guarded day and night," the doctor continued.
"I'll guard her."
"He'll guard her," Hotaru and Natsume said at the same time.
"No," Narumi cut off, ignoring the way Natsume's head snapped around to face him. "No," he repeated. "It would put you in too much danger," he said to Natsume.
"What about Mikan? Won't she be in danger, too?" Natsume countered.
"You'll both be in danger and you'll put her in a situation you can't get out of!"
"Sir," Hotaru interrupted. "No one must know of Mikan's state. If we have another student guard her, it would be obvious that she has the Alice flu because of the changes in class schedule of the guard. I assume this isn't the first time someone in the Academy got this flu. However, if we let Natsume guard Mikan, people would most likely assume that it's his duty, being her partner and all."
A beat passed then the doctor let out a laugh. "She got you there, Narumi."
Narumi kept silent and then blew out a breath. "There's just no arguing with you, right, Hotaru."
Hotaru smiled. "No sir."
"Alright then. Natsume, you are appointed official guardian of Mikan for the length of time she is sick," Narumi said to Natsume then followed the doctor out the door.
"Thanks," Natsume said to Hotaru.
Hotaru just smiled. "Keep her safe," she replied then walked out the door.
"I will," Natsuem said when he was alone.