YAY! 10 (sort of, because one of the reviews counted for three ;)) reviews and yes this chapter is up early. It's not that long but I wrote most of it in one day because we were wating in line at this place for 3 hours, and when you have nothing better to do (because your phone runs out of battery...)...
Just a quick message. If you have not read IF I WERE A BOY by BloodyGlaiveDragon (which, judging by those who reviewed theirs and mine, most of you have, haha) then READ. IT. NOW! It's freaking amazing. I'm obsessed with that story. No words to describe it. READ IT NOW!
Chapter 7: Self-confession, a Mutual Connection
It was the end of the day and Ichigo was shifting uncomfortably in her rapidly tightening school uniform. Unable to handle it any longer, she had decided to ask Narumi-sensei for a larger one. In fact, she was on her way there now.
She couldn't help but ponder silently on the events of the passing day. She'd been briefly and sort of illegitimately reunited with her old class. Her old friends; those who had become her family for almost two years. She was surely torn between being happy and sad.
Then she remembered her abrupt conversation with Natsume. It had such a familiar and yet distant atmosphere to it. Even though Natsume didn't know it was really her – Mikan – she could tell that the familiarity was mutual.
And then there was that short exchange of words. Though it wasn't quite that substantial, Ichigo had actually wished it had gone on for longer. They weren't what you'd call the most agreeable pair back in the day, but nonetheless, Mikan missed him. They were partners after all.
She remembered the cold words that he had spoken, "Like her? She was annoying." Even the light, dismissive tone in which he said it did not take away the sting from those words. She knew that he probably didn't mean it wholeheartedly, as his way of speech implied but part of it was true, she guessed.
A sigh escaped the auburn haired girl's lips. Really, what sort of relationship did she and Natsume share? On the outside it seemed like they were friends who were always in disagreement with each other; seemingly in dislike of each other, in a sort of harmless way.
But their relationship, indeed, was peculiar. No matter how many times he'd say he hated her or found her annoying, his actions said otherwise. From saying her name so seriously, so suddenly; to stealing two kisses in a row; to compassionately hugging her out of the blue; and lastly, randomly coming from no where to comfort her when she needed it most. In some way, other than Hotaru, he was her best friend. He certainly acted the part when they were alone.
And what did Mikan make of all this? Over time, she became more and more insightful – even if, on the whole, it only accumulated to a little bit – of who Natsume really was. She ended up accepting him as a good friend – albeit difficult and mean – but a true, close friend.
But was that all? The girl found herself sporting a blush. No, it wasn't, she thought honestly to herself. I ended up thinking of him more than I ever thought I would... didn't I? Although, it was all his far from comprehensible actions that made me think differently about him each time. This may have been the first time she spared the time to admit it to herself.
A sad and weary look formed on her features. She'd finally accepted her feelings, sure, but it's not like they mattered much any more. I'll never be able to speak to him as Mikan ever again. I'll never get the time to confess or even discover if he felt the same... Never...
Narumi heard a soft knock at the door of his office. He raised his head and brought his gaze from his paperwork up to the wooden doorway. "Come in," he said to the anonymous person beyond.
A soft click could be heard as the door swung slightly open. In poked the head of an auburn haired girl with hazel eyes, scanning the room timidly until they rested on the blonde haired teacher.
"Mika- I mean, Ichigo-chan!" he corrected himself hastily as he cheerily greeted his student. "To what do I owe this pleasant visit?"
Ichigo carefully shut the door behind her as she let herself in, "Good morning, Narumi-sensei." She strolled forwards so that she was standing directly in front of Naru's desk. He looked up at her expectantly.
"Actually," Ichigo began, "I need a new uniform, this one's getting kinda tight... well, really tight actually. It;s starting to hurt." She pulled at the lining of her sleeve, only succeeding in lifting it a little bit before she let go and it flicked back into place. "See?"
Yes, Narumi did see. A shocked expression formed on his face, "Already? But didn't you just grab one from me at the start of this semester? I was sure we even gave you one size larger so that you could grow into it..." He stroked his chin in thought.
Ichigo nodded then continued to explain, "That's true, but you see, for some reason I've been having a really big growth spurt lately. And now it's getting really uncomfortably tight." She winced as she remembered the constricting feeling she felt as she sneezed yesterday. Actually, today felt even tighter, more so as the day progressed. Right now, she was even having some trouble breathing, it was that serious.
Narumi examined the girl closely. Even from his distance, it was evident how exceedingly small the girl's uniform was for her. He could see red marks around her upper arms where the lining of her sleeve had squeezed her too tight. It looked painfaul.
A thought occurred to Narumi. His grin faded as he whipped his head back to the little girl. Could it be? He studied the twelve-year-old closely. Alarm bells began to ring in the corners of his mind.
Ichigo was forced to look away as Narumi's observant gaze penetrated her. He had serious, calculating eyes - that were so very unusual for him - seemingly considering a crucial decision or situation.
Rapid growth spurts? Narumi thought to himself, Sudden, more mature features? It was true, Ichigo had an older glow about her lately. Though it was slight, upon close examination, Narumi could tell. How long has it been? The teacher shook his head in disbelief. It wasn't quite clear if it was a good or bad thing. His face didn't let on. But it was obvious that it was something significant.
"Hmm..." Narumi said as he seemed to arrive at a conclusion. "Peculiar indeed." As swift as it had disappeared, a pleasant grin replaced itself on his face. The sudden change in attitude that could be associated with schizophrenia caught Ichigo's attention. The girl raised and cocked her head.
Narumi clapped his hands together and stood up, "Well, we'll just have to take care of that for you, now won't we?" Dodging various decoratives that personalised his office, Narumi made his way to a wardrobe in the corner of the room.
Ichigo overcame her confusion and quietly followed him. He threw open the doors which revealed a large assortment of various uniforms. It catered for all the divisions – boy or girl – and in every imaginable size. It was a collection to rival even that out the uniform shop. Ichigo's sweat dropped as she was rendered unable to figure out why he had such a collection.
"Let's see," he said as he sorted through the multitudes of hanging uniforms. It seemed he had something specific in mind. A cheeky, crooked and manic-looking smile had graced his face. He looked like he had been hit in the head a few times as he continued to search. That look on his face couldn't mean anything too good. This was Narumi after all.
After a few moments of rummaging through sizes, he finally uttered, "Aha!" Ichigo stared at him curiously as he extracted a girl's uniform from the closet. "Ichigo-chaan," he chirped, "I'd like you to wear this." He leaned forward, an ultra peppy smile on his face. He held it up high next to him to show her.
Ichigo took one look at the set of clothes and upon recognition, her jaw dropped. "THAT?"
Natsume stood before a large tree, staring hard at the familiar spot at the base of it. Three years ago, this was still his favourite place to lounge lazily, read manga and forget his problems. Forget the world.
The raven haired boy wasn't sure what had compelled him to revisit this spot. Perhaps it was all the nostalgia from today that had sparked the urge. Perhaps it was something else? All he knew was that he was here on some strange calling.
A fork in the matured roots of the trees that gave way to a perfect depression for sitting called out longingly for him. Carefully, Natsume moved towards the tree and nestled himself in the ever as comfortable spot. His spot.
He leaned his back on the soft bark of the tree trunk. As he sat serenely, he remembered why he had picked this spot in the first place. It was secluded, shaded and silent. It was perfect. It was where he would constantly escape to. Where he could be alone and no one could find him...
His eyelids shut, blocking out the sprinkling of light from the setting sun that had penetrated through the canopy of leaves. He quietly reminisced on his elementary days. Back then he'd be sitting peacefully, right in this very spot. He'd either be busy in a book or taking a nice afternoon nap. And any moment now, she'd come.
True, no one usually came to find him at this spot. No one, except for her. He'd be lounging lazily when she'd arrive and interrupt his thoughts. Always, she'd ask for permission, "Is it alright if I sit here?" And always for some strange reason, he'd silently consent.
Sure, he'd show some annoyance at her appearance and interruption of his peace but secretly, he enjoyed her company. She'd take her usual spot at the base of the trunk, opposite where Natsume was; back to back. Then they would begin the usual routine. In some ways, Natsume had learned to feed off of these small – but to Natsume, significant – afternoon chats.
She had a way with people, especially Natsume. She could start absently voicing her thoughts and make him listen, make him care. And even with all of his problems, she could make him feel that much better. It was revitalising and refreshing for Natsume whenever she magically stole all of his problems. Even if it was just briefly.
When she wasn't speaking, a comfortable silence ensued like a blanket had been dropped over the immediate area. It was refreshing. It was a break from the business of school life and he daresay, her never ending chatter. He liked it the most. Natsume contented himself, basking in her presence; knowing she was there.
But now she wasn't, and that alone tore him apart. I miss her, Natsume thought honestly. He missed her so much that he wanted to tear his chest open and rip out his heart. That was the first time he had properly thought those words and admitted it to himself, although he'd known it for a long time.
Perhaps that was the purpose for coming back to this spot, to clear his mind. Perhaps that was the reason that every time something reminded him of her, he'd lose it.
Sighing to himself, Natsume continued his honesty streak, and I love her too...but I wasted every opportunity to tell her, to show her. That thought depressed Natsume to no end. Regret filled his heart. He could've. He should've. But he didn't.
With that in mind, Natsume promised himself, then and there, that if such an opportunity should ever arise for him to do so again, he'd leap up and grab it with both arms, holding it tight so it would never slip away again.
The flames of his heart roared as they authenticated that vow. But they shrunk once more as he remembered that she was gone now. He would never be able to see her again. He would never get the chance to fulfil that promise.
"Is it alright if I sit here?" an all too familiar voice interrupted Natsume's solemn session.
His eyelids shot open to reveal a pair of bewildered crimson eyes. He turned his head ever so slowly to the source of the noise, anxious as to what he might see. He found the source. Sure enough, he stared in disbelief. It's her.
Natsume blinked his eyes to ensure that it wasn't just a dream; that he hadn't just dozed off while sitting under the tree and found himself having the most magnificent dream ever. However, true to reality and to his disappointment, it was in fact, not Mikan.
Of course it isn't, Natsume scolded himself, she's gone. It was that and that the girl before him was twelve years old that made it all but impossible. Nonetheless, he knew the girl before him. He had mistaken her for Mikan once before. Plus, he couldn't be blamed to make that mistake for a split second given his recent thoughts and current situation.
"Natsume-sempai," the girl said, "I'm not sure if you remember but I'm Ichigo Hana, from Class B." Yes, Natsume knew this girl.
"Stupid," he uttered automatically, without even answering her original question, "how could I possibly forget?"
Teehee, I wonder (and I actually really do, because I haven't written it yet) what will happen in the next chapter... Oh and to clear things up (because when Asian Ranga had read of this, she sort of went 0.0), what Narumi gave her to wear isn't something... you know. It's just out of the ordinary, that's all. Surprising. You'll she next chapter, okay?
I love your reviews! As always: long, short, one-word, no words... tell me! And I'll reply if when I think it deserves one. Who knows, you might get spoilers... Anyway, seeing as I haven't written the next chapter, it may take me the full five days to complete (maybe longer, dunno). Inspire me, guys!