Summary: Natsume's mother died when he was young, only five years old. He never knew his father, only his aunt Yuka - his mother's best friend since their childhood, so Yuka raised him. When Natsume was seventeen, Yuka passed away. Her last words to him were to watch over her daughter and make sure she was okay. Natsume promised he would do so. He just never thought he'd fall in love with the girl too.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice.
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Dying Promise: Chapter Two
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I stare at her; my mouth hung slightly ajar. She is an exact replica of her mother: the same auburn colored hair, hazel colored eyes, same nose and even lips, and small body structure. She looks like what Yuka probably did when she was my age.
She is giving me the weirdest look when I come to my realization. I quickly shut my mouth and take a deep breath. "It's you." Were the only words I could find when my mouth opened again.
Three Weeks Ago.
My landlord apologized for my loss, but told me I had less than a week to come up with this months rent or I would be out on the street. I didn't have money to stay any longer, since I would need all the money I had saved up to get my new place in Alice, so I told him I would be out by the end of the week.
And I was.
It wasn't that hard to find a place to stay cheep in Alice; it was finding Alice that was the difficult part. I traveled, mostly hitch-hiking and walking on my part, for a twelve hours. The place I found was an average, two story house with a room for rent. The house was owned by a Mrs. Serina Yamada – who just happened to be a sixty year old art teacher at Alice High.
She was more than helpful when I told her about my situation, which of course I didn't exactly tell the full truth. I told her I was on my own with no family and that I was looking for a new start, which isn't a lie. She told me that she would help in any way she could, that this town was a wonderful place for a fresh start, and that everyone would be very welcoming. She also didn't seem to mind that I don't talk much.
The room she gave me was the only bedroom on the second floor, hers on the first, with my own full bathroom across the hallway. Also on the top floor was the laundry room and Mrs. Yamada's art room. Downstairs she had a kitchen with a dining table for four – she told me I had complete access to the refrigerator, microwave, and over; a living room with a television which she hardly uses and a huge bookcase full of many novels I'd never heard of; and a second full bathroom.
When I asked her how much a month she wanted, she told me that her house and mortgage was already paid off and that with her job her bills were paid off every month. I wouldn't let her let me stay for free, so we settled at two-hundred-and-fifty a month. She did convince me somehow that I didn't have to pay first months rent.
I didn't have much with me, so moving in was simple. Finding a job wasn't hard either; Mrs. Yamada set me up with an interview at Umenomiya's Cafe. The manager there hired me almost instantly after Mrs. Yamada talked to her. She told me I started next week. The only people who worked with her were her husband, her daughter, and her niece. She kindly told that she would introduce them all next week when I started.
Mrs. Yamada helped me get enrolled into Alice High. She was being more than generous, helping me with everything. I wondered if she had any kids or a husband or anyone, but I never asked. Maybe she had no one like me which is why she helped me so much.
I started work a little less than a week before I was supposed to start school. Working at the cafe turned out to be easier and surprisingly, more fun than I thought. Mrs. Umenomiya, the manager at the cafe, introduced me to her husband, the assistant manager, her daughter, Anna Umenomiya, and her niece, Nonoko Ogasawara - who both are my age and in the same grade as I. They were so excited, saying something about making a new friend.
"I'm Anna." She said holding her hand out, smiling. She had long, curly, cotton candy pink hair and bubble gum colored eyes. She was wearing black pants, a white polo, and an light orange apron with Umenomiya Cafe printed on the front in fancy lettering. I don't shake her hand; she slowly and awkwardly lowers it to her side. "This is my cousin, also known as my twin, Nonoko." Anna nudges her in the arm.
The other girl smiled brightly at me. She had long, wavy, icey blue hair and baby blue eyes. She was wearing black shorts, a white polo, and she had a money pouch tied around her waist. "It's nice to meet you, Natsume." I guess Anna's mother told them my name.
I was wearing the same thing as Anna, black pants and a white polo, minus the apron. "Where will I be working?" I asked the two.
"You'll be a waiter." Mrs. Umenomiya said stepping from behind the counter. "Anna and I both work in the kitchen baking, and usually I send Anna out to help with the coffee and sometimes even take orders. My husband only works mornings while you kids are at school, so you won't see much of him, but he is a waiter too. Nonoko will be teaching you the ropes around here, so don't feel afraid to ask any questions."
When she was done talking to me, she went back to the kitchen, leaving me with the girls. "So when do you start school?" Anna asked, making small talk.
"Next week." I explained shortly. They would learn soon that I wasn't much for small talk.
"Where are you from?" Nonoko continued.
"Far away." They give each other a look, confused, I guess.
"Uh.. So you live with Mrs. Serina, right?" Anna questioned. I nod. "How did that happen?"
No offense against these girls or anything, they seemed nice and all, but I don't just go around telling my life story. "She had a place for rent." I shrug.
Luckily for me, a customer walked in. Anna took her place behind the counter while Nonoko and I walked up to the seated customer.
Work went by fast, and it was kind of fun. The twins, as they are called, weren't that bad. They talk a little too much, but maybe I just don't talk enough. I'm used to only being around one person who knew how I was. They told me that they would see me tomorrow at work and that they would look out for me at school.
In the next couple of days, I got closer with Anna and Nonoko. They seemed okay with my quietness and found a way around it. I got to know about them, and they learned things about me. Nothing too personal, just what I liked; favorite color, what kind of music I like, and all the jazz and vice versa.
I also got along with Mrs. Yamada – Serina as she liked to be called, saying that Mrs. Yamada made her feel old. I helped her out around the house, cleaning up, taking out the trash, and even cooking for her. Yuka didn't raise a cad. She taught me how to be a real gentleman, thought I didn't very often when I think back, and she taught me how to cook.
Then came school.
Which bring me back to now. I think back to first period, remembering seeing this girl. So I had a class with her. She didn't seem like all the other girls who I had met recently, fawning themselves over me. She's starring at me, eyebrow raised. I quickly realize that I am starring at her, mouth hung open. I shut my mouth, wishing I hadn't spoke. How stupid was that? My first words to her are, 'It's you.'
I lower my head, letting my bangs fall in front of my face. I do not get embarrassed or anything, but how can you not feel stupid after what I just did. I don't say anything, I just walk away.
My first encounter with Mikan Sakura; fail. She probably thinks I'm completely brain dead or something.
I walk to third period, which weirdly enough, Anna and Nonoko happen to be in. They are more than happy to find out we have a class together. Anna hugs me the moment I walk into the room, which gives her multiple glares from other girls in the class. I don't really hug her back, but I accept the hug, which she has learned to deal with. The twins insist that I sit beside them on the far side. I oblige, taking my seat next to Nonoko and behind this blonde haired boy who they introduce to be Yuu Tobita, our class president.
The rest of the class went by with me ignoring the whispers through the class about me. Some where about Anna and Nonoko, wondering how they knew me. Others about them were more rude. Some girls were wondering why I couldn't sit next to them. Others were whispering about me; just wondering about who I was exactly.
Word about me seemed to have spread faster than I thought it would have. Guess being the new kid in a small town is big news.