WHAT THE TRUTH REALLY IS…
Disclaimer: I own nothing of Gakuen Alice, if you want you can take it but I surely know that what you will get is only a lawsuit from the real author, which is Higuchi Tachibana. Therefore, if I were you, I'd rather not take what isn't yours, make just story out of it, but a fiction that is- just like mine! Read and Review please. (MY FIRST FIC EVER!).
The truth never seems to be true most of the time. It's always something distant and unreachable. Once you try to catch it- it disappears from your grasps- like a mist. It blinds you from your path but then it never was there in the very beginning, you never could touch it, but only feel it. If that is what truth really is, how can we know what truth is. Well… for starters, here's a story for you to find out.
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Chapter 7: The Moment
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Three weeks. Three weeks more, and it's already the beginning of the much awaited merrymaking - as what Mikan and the rest of the organizers called it – the "Faeries' Touch" and soon followed by the 'Clock at 12 Dance'. Moreover, as what these names suggest, were all from the faerie tales that Mikan Sakura had grown to lived with before entering Gakuen Alice. The other alice users whom hadn't heard a single thing about it were glad about its wonderful happy ending love stories. Each dreaming, as all the girls were, about the romantic tales and their prince charmings.
Mikan arrived earlier than she was expected at school. There weren't roaming students yet and she felt glad to have come early. Upon reaching the room, she heard some feint sobbing? sounds. She stopped and just as she was about to turn the knob, upon hearing it, froze. Those feint cries could be anything to Mikan. Any scary ghosts as what she was scared of. Checking the clock situated at the far end of the corridor, she found it was early and thought that no ghost, in their right mind, would come and greet her openly in the morning- or so she convinced herself. Feeling a little more convinced she turned the knob around and slowly crept inside the room. She scanned the room quite slowly and soon found herself facing the back of her so- called ghost. The ghost doesn't seem anything close to being transparent and her hair is quite familiar and even her voice.
"Mi-Mikan?" The ghost stopped itself from crying as it heard someone approaching. The ghost knows her, who is the ghost?! Frightened as what her mind had told her, she stopped and just looked at the ghost's back. Noticing the ghost moved, Mikan readied herself to what might happen to her. "Mi-Mikan!" This time, to Mikan's eyes it wasn't a ghost, it was Sumire hugging her. Crying so early in the morning. THAT'S RIGHT!
"It's early in the morning Sumire, why are you crying-and alone at that?" Mikan asked, Sumire still in her arms sobbing uncontrollably. Sumire did not respond and Mikan could only hear silent whispers.
"Nat-natsume-kun's birthday…" Sumire replied. Well that's not something. She might just haven't bought any gift for him knowing that his birthday's on- OH MY GOSH!
"We've missed his birthday!" Mikan cried upon realizing Sumire's despair and finishing the statement for her. "What are we gonna do? I forgot about his as well." Sumire just looked at her, her eyes, where some tear tracks can still be found, had a mischievous glint of happiness. Upon realizing Mikan's own confession, the two laugh, a hearty laugh.
"So, what are we gonna do?"
"That's a start." Replied the brunette.
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The first week of the month of December passed, 2 more weeks, 2 more and it will be the big night. Students were cramming – not because of the many tests that may await them – but because of all the preparations they would want to do in order to make themselves most presentable (the fact about this only refers to most of the ladies though). Though students may be busy for this reason, there are still some who have other things to prioritize and worry about.
Natsume, bored even though it's just so early in the morning, debated on whether to skip classes or not. The good thing he thought about skipping is that he could go to his favorite sakura tree and sleep, the bad thing, there's something deep inside him that wants to go to that annoying classroom of his and look at someone even just for a glance. Reviewing over this and deciding on the first option, he found himself walking, not towards the fifth sakura tree but to the middle school building. His mind's functioning well, that's for sure but his heart don't. Reaching the door, he stopped, took a deep breath, then slowly but surely turned the knob. Nothing could surprise him more than the happenings that soon followed. Students, he thought were busy with the program, were there inside the room, greeting him belated happy birthday.
His birthday's way over already, that's for sure, but still, he could hear them greeting him. Was this just a stupid dream? He hated cheesy dreams like this. Dreams… ouch! That hurts, he wasn't the one who pinched himself on the cheek, it was…
"Mika-" he stopped. Hold up! Was I about to stay the little girl's stupid name? Her first name!? this REALLY is freaking the hell out of me!!
"Natsume-kun! Otanjoubi omedetto!" Mikan greeted cheerfully oblivious to the slip Natsume did a while ago. Natsume's reaction was clean – no reaction at all. His usual eyes showed the look of boredom. Upon reaching for her turn, all the other girls flocked over to Natsume and all did their usual routine of ogling around him then greeted him. Natsume looked around looking for a certain animal- lover Blondie. On the far end corner of the room, he found the Blondie, sitting casually with a smile plastered all around his face while his arms itching to embrace the oblivious brunette. Just how fast is that blonde boy with his hands on someone, this was something new to him.
Ignoring the fan girls that flocked and cornered him, he tried to concentrate on what the date today was supposed to be. Surely today's no longer November, right? He already saw lots and lots of banner indicating the arrival of December just last week. This isn't a dream also for the certain Mikan Sakura had just a while ago pinched him in the cheek for no reason at all. Convincing himself that this really was December and this was just a simple greeting, he found himself back to reality once more and soon noticed that he had already taken all the gifts the girls offered.
Most of the gifts he had in his hands were bulky, too girly and some even have flowery and hearty designs. Just looking at them makes his stomach lurch. Kokoroyoumi, seeing Natsume looking at him and instantly read his mind, took all the gifts from Natsume and received lots of boos from the fan girls. He just ignored them and just kept on collecting those bulky trash as what Natsume said in his mind. Feeling the burden in his hands now lifted, he eased out of the crowd that was thinning and went to sit himself next to his best friend.
"You sure have got lots of gifts today Natsume…" smiled Luca coolly at Natsume. Mikan just looked at him with delight. "Thought you would just ignore them and leave instantly. What's with the change of heart?" Added Luca as he saw him expressionless once more.
"What do you mean by that, Luca- pyon?" Mikan, seating beside Luca and a person away from Natsume, suddenly felt interested with the topic. "I mean, he does celebrate his birthday every year right?"
"Right and wrong." Luca's answer only confused Mikan more. Seeing her confusion, he began to explain. "He does celebrate, or so I think he's the one who celebrates his birthday- the fan girls does with all the well planned activity and all, and receives lots of gifts- only that, secretly. He never, but I guess today's a different case, takes these gifts personally." He explained with Mikan giving a slight "o" expression. "But, because of a golden touch by a certain someone, he lost his senses and suddenly found himself accepting the gifts." He looked once more at Mikan. "Oh… The poor lad." He ended poetically while shifting his gaze to Natsume with a tone of mockery.
"That girl must be something." Mikan only shrugged but was still curious about who the girl might be. "But still, who could she be? Do you know?"
"You." He stopped only to receive a shocked expression from Mikan. "…have no idea." He laughed heartily.
"Oi." A voice a person away from her spoke. "I'm right beside you, Luca…" Natsume reminded the two as they were all but talking about him.
"Oh? Could you really had a change in heart – caring about the talks around you?" Countered Luca once more. He saw Natsume shifted a little that only he, with his experience and being his best friend like almost forever, could only notice. "Really, Natsume what has gotten in to you." He added in mock disbelief.
"Like you didn't know the answer already." Natsume only grunted in response as he averted his eyes from the two. He noticed the classroom quite different from before. There's something quite catchy that he seem to feel different but at the same time feels nothing was different at all. He looked around once more… Oh, so it's those lights from before. She must have really planned about my birthday, huh?
"Weeellll, as I was saying… I think this is the time that I choose my partner, right?" This statement returned Natsume to the present as he clearly, and surely he'll, never forget this voice talking nonchalantly to the group. Everyone got curious, stopped chatting and ogling at Natsume, and listened intently at Mikan.
"Well, why not make m-" Luca stood up but was unable to finish his proposal as the door opened and came Imai Hotaru. Oh, and just what you expect from her best friend... Mikan quickly rushed to greet her best friend but, as usual, hugged one of Hotaru's Chirstmas Edition Baka gun. The 'baka' shouts could be heard followed by a childish yet monotone "Merry Christmas" greeting.
"Mikan…" Hotaru began monotonously addressing the girl who just flew to the other side of the room head first. "Jinno – sensei is looking for you at the staff room, he said something about work. He thinks that sparks could make you work lightning fast if you don't get your butt there in a minute or so." She walked over to Mikan, but stopped her tracks in front of Luca and Natsume and greeted them, then held out her hand. Mikan's eyes watered because she, for once, was about to be helped by Hotaru.
"Hota-!" Baka! Baka! Baka! --- Hihihi. Merry Chrishtmash! Is what followed Mikan once more.
"I didn't held out my hand to help you, 50 rabbit coins for that message. You'd better hurry, he's angry." Upon getting the pay, she left the classroom. This time, Mikan got into quick steps as she hurried to the door going to the staff room but stopped at the door and held her head inside again.
"NE, Luca pyon, gomen. Jinno- sensei's quite angry today. I'll meet you some other time later, ne?" she smiled then left. Luca only smiled in return. Natsume smirked and purposely did it for Luca to see.
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It was quite early in the afternoon when Mikan was dismissed from the staff room by Jinno – sensei and so she decided to look for Luca. Before looking for Luca, Mikan remebered to visit Hotaru in her building as she terribly missed bothering her and missed her a lot – though, she might have forgotten the little greeting they had a while ago.
Walking from the staff room to Hotaru's building wasn't as tiring as walking from there to the school dorms. Hotaru's building, like any other school building, is a bit larger than the rest. It stood elegnantly as wall brick stood firm on the sides. The door that led to the hallway was made of mahogany tree that made creaky sounds whenever it would be opened and closed. Mikan waited for the receptionist robot to come out, but no one greeted her. She then just decided to go on her own way towards her room. A little bit more walking and she could have reached the room when she heard faint voices coming from that same room. She moved stealthier and tried to listen a bit. The conversation the two, as Mikan could only hear two faint yet familiar voices, intruiged the brunette a little.
'Ah! It's Luca – pyon. Hhurrah! Good thing Ii decided to visit Hotaru first! LUCKY! Mikan gleefully told herself as she was about to enter. She turn the knob around a little when she stopped.
"… Uhm, are you… I mean – do you have plans with any partner during the night of the dance?" Luca fidgetted from his position across Hhotaru who cared less to his question. Mikan, on the other hand, let loose of the door knob but didn't try to push it open as she stayed still at the doorway.
"Sure." Came the monotonous reply of Hotaru who was in no mood of starting up a conversation. Mikan, feeling sadder than ever, left the building with no second thoughts of listening for more.
"Hey! Can't you at least reply more with enthusiasm?!" Luca cried out as he was feeling bluer. "You're destroying my mood. How can I ask her if beforehand, I'm way distracted already by your half – hearted replies?" Luca added. Hotaru wasn't even bothered by that fact and just continued working.
"If she would…" Hotaru mumbled to herself as she hasten up with her invention completely fogetting – no not yet – ignoring another occupant in the room. Luca, looking hopeless, left as he found no more reason to stay.
Mikan wondered down the park and felt the chilly yet welcoming breeze of December. Merry alice users were around the park at this time of the afternoon together with their special someone. Deciding to stay away from the laughing crowd, she then lead herself astray from the path and walked towards the lined up sakura trees. As usual, she would stop at the fifth sakura tree, admiring its intimidating appearance and found someone up there.
"Ah! Natsume – kun!" Mikan called out from below as she saw the fire caster up in a big branch supporting him. Natsume looked down and found her climbing up the tree.
"Go away, ugly girl." Mikan continued climbing up looking as if she didn't heard someone spoke. Once up, she scooted herself inches away from Natsume and near the trunk to support her back. Natsume, seated in a cross legged manner, looked at Mikan passively. Mikan brightly smiled. "Problem with the partners, huh?" Natsume started out. Bullseye!
"Eh?! I…You.. How did…?" Mikan found herself stammering as she found no words nor expressions to cover up her mistake and Natsume's pin point accuracy.
"That look on your face. Escaping people. Coming here." He sighed and shook his head. (A/N: His eyes were the chibi ones. The cute, cute one…) "It's not a puzzle to me." Natsume explained passingly which Mikan understood.
"It's just that… I've thought that I could, you know, ask if Luca – pyon could be my partner." So the girl does the asking now, huh? He dared not to comment and just listened to the brunette. "Well, ne… Natsume-kun. Are they going out?" This puzzled Natsume as he did not know who they are.
"Who?" Natsume asked. Surely it is Luca whose she's referring to but with whom. He knows no one as of now who could be and judging from Mikan's question, it could never be her or she could be, God hope she's not, a stupid one to ask what their relationship really is.
"Hotaru and Luca –pyon. See Luca – pyon asked Hotaru to the dance a while ago." Mikan answered giving Natsume a more puzzled mind.
"You eavesdropped, right?" Asked Natsume and wondered to himself what has gotten to him, talking more than before. Must be the chill of December.
"Err, it's not really eavesdropping as I just happened to visit Hotaru and just… well, err, … overheard. It's not a serious crime now, is it? A-hahahaha." Mikan faked smiled and laughed to hide her embarrassment and… depression. "Well, looks like I'm out of partners again…" Mikan trailed off and slumped her shoulders down.
It's my chance, right? 'Who the hell are you, my sub- subconscience?' –A helper here! 'I need no helper on this matter.' –Rr-r-iighht-o! 'grunt, mumble, mumble'
"sigh So, how about this…" Natsume stopped, looking for the right words to use in the situation. Mikan looked up eagerly waiting for him. "… well…" He stopped, rubbed lightly his neck and inwardly felt embarrassed. –THE NATSUME felt embarrassed? Now, that's a new thing. 'Shut up!'
"Ano, Natsume – kun…" Mikan moved further towards Natsume wanting to hear clearly what Natsume is about to say.
"Well, that is… I can be your, your partner… until-you-have-found-one-to-take-to-the-ball." Natsume hastened and lowered the volume of his speech. This only made Mikan moved closer to him. "I mean, I'll be your partner until you find one." He said louder enough for Mikan to hear and process.
"You.. you will? B-but I thought you have a partner already?" Mikan was flabbergasted to Natsume. He's asking me to the ball. I know he's nice but not this nice! "Ah! No, no… would it be alright with you if I'm your partner, I mean. We've been partner for years now, surely you would be quite, err, sick of being partnered with me."
Stupid girl. Just say that you don't want to be partnered with me already rather than saying those stupid words. "If you don't want, it's a much better thing on my part." This only angered Natsume.
"Ah, no… I'm fine with it. ARIGATOU Natsume – kun" Mikan beaming and glowing with happiness. Natsume only shook his head in response.
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"So, how did you do it, Natsume?" the animal lover asked the fire caster inside the boys dorm minutes later of having found out that Mikan's partner is Natsume.
"Thanks to you… she overheard. So… who won, again?" Natsume, his head facing Luca responded and a small smil found its way to his face.
"What overheard? And with who?" This only confused the blondie as he knew nothing about talking to someone but Hotaru and that was just a while ago. Surely, Mikan would have thought of her partner already and not just now, right? And he knew he would be the one asking her as she is eager to be asked by him or was he just speculating nonsense matters?
"Asking Hotaru… or was it just a practice to ask her?" Natsume filled in the single answer to all his questions. This shocked Luca. He knew that practicing with her – Mikan, the person to be asked –bestfriend is kinda wrong and awkward but for Natsume to realize that, Mikan must have confided with Natsume. He don't doubt Natsume's intelligence and cleverness but he wouldn't know unless someone told him.
"This… I lost… but in love – she's still not in to you." He honestly surrendered.
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AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Wooohooo! Updated at last, to those who reviewed and waited for a very very long time, soooo sorry. Looks like I always beg for forgiveness. Heheheh…. This is the climax, now that the partner's revealed, the curtains now yet gonna close as we are yet to find Mikan's partner. Would she fall in love with her seemingly forever partner of would there be a budding new relationship with Luca?
Oh yeah I added Natsume's birthday as a passing because it would be wrong to just overlook HIS birthday…
Hope to get more reviews from you and to the other readers. Thanks for always reading my work!!!