Chapter 5

Disclaimer: I hate to say diz but… I have 2 say it! I do not own Gakuen Alice! Tachibana-sama does!

"YATTA!!!!" A 15 year old brunette squealed happily and dancing round and round like a happy little girl.

"Hey idiot don't shout to attract attention," the emotionless raven-haired girl said nonchalantly. She sucked her apple juice through her straw. The class already ended and they strolled down the grassy street to their dormitory.

"Mou, Hotaru! It's already summer vacation tomorrow!" Mikan said happily with a big smile on her face.

"Of course. So? What's the matter with that?" Hotaru asked, looking at Mikan.

"You asked me 'what's the matter'? It's summer vacation! Most people would be happy with summer vacation! Hotaru, don't you feel happy?" Mikan turned to look at her best friend.

"I feel… normal," she sighed.

"Eh?"

"Don't 'eh' with me. Summer comes every year, and nothing's changed. It's just a plain normal day," she explained, with eyes closed.

"That's right. People go to beach and wearing yukatas during the Hanabi Festival. It's the same every year," Shouda Sumire, their classmate explained to Mikan.

"But… I never enjoyed those moments during my stay here at Tokyo and of course in school," Mikan pouted cutely.

"But even so, we can go to the beach every time you like during summer vacation!" Umenomiya Anna chimed in. Next to her was her best friend Nonoko.

"Sou yo (that's right), Mikan-chan," Nonoko smiled.

"Hontou (really)?!" Mikan said, her eyes filled with amusement.

The two nodded.

Again Mikan squealed happily and dancing, spinning around like an idiot. Suddenly a baka gun aimed at her, and Hotaru shot her with her invention. Mikan shrieked in pain.

"Mou, what's that for, Hotaru?! I didn't do anything wrong!" Mikan whined.

"That's because you're being noisy," Hotaru said, putting back her baka gun in her bag.

"Just because we agreed to bring you to summer vacation, doesn't mean that I'm being too nice to you," she continued.

"Eh? Really? That's unusual of you, Hotaru! To bring me to the beach, Hanabi Festival, it's like being in a dream that my Hotaru would say that!" Mikan said happily. "Thank you, Hotaru!!!"

Mikan tried to give her best friend a teddy bear hug, but she got shot instead with Hotaru's baka gun. "Since when did I become yours? Don't treat people like they are your toys," she said coldly.

"I'm just joking, Hotaru! Don't be angry at me!" Mikan said, with a hint of laugh in her voice.

"I'm not angry," Hotaru said, looking away.

"We already arrived at our dormitory. Okay guys, see you tomorrow!" Mikan walked away to her room, waving at her friends. Anna and Nonoko waved back. Hotaru and Sumire just went to their room.

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Mikan's POV

That Hotaru… always hits me with her baka gun! Always so cruel at me! Hmfh! I won't care about her anymore! I tossed my school bag on my dresser and I lied lazily on my cozy bed. Just as I remembered, I have to get a shower. I didn't get a warm shower since last night…..

Urgh!! My body smelled… horrible when I sniffed both my armpit.

I took off all my clothes. After that I turned on the shower and I set the water, making the water warm. I stood under the raining hot water.

Ah… I felt really good and refreshed….

I fetch my cherry smell body shampoo bottle. I squeezed the bottle and the liquid come out on my left palm.

I spread the liquid throughout my petite body. I felt my body being covered with cherry-smelled liquid. I smiled to myself, as I continued enjoying my bath.

After 13 minutes, I went out from my bathroom. I took my towel from the banister besides the bathroom door and wipe my body with it. Then I put on my pajamas and opened the fridge. I had been…. felt something strange just now, but I ignored it. It feels like something is missing….

I took out my leftover potato chips and eat it. I turned on the TV and switched on different channels.

"Nothing's entertaining tonight," I whispered to myself.

Then I came on to this channel that caught my attention. The program was about a teenage girl that always got picked on by her best friend, a teenage boy.

This situation is like… me and Natsume…

Then it hit me.

Natsume!!

"Oh no!!! Natsume!!! I totally forgot about him!!" I shrieked.

I didn't even remember about him at all! That's why I felt like something is missing just now! Argh!!!!!!!!

I quickly dashed out from my room and went to the boy's dormitory. I didn't even bother to turn off my TV.

I climbed the stairs slowly, afraid if I drew any attention. People might suspect something if they saw a girl went to boys' dormitory. I inhaled and exhaled inwardly, trying to calm myself.

I walked along the corridor quietly and started searching for Natsume's room.

"Damn it, where is his room?" I whispered, a bit angry. I don't even know where the heck is Natsume's room!

I didn't even hear slow footsteps coming over to me.

"Oi," a voice startled me.

I turned around to face the culprit. I saw no one behind me. I sighed in relieve.

"Oi, I'm here," the voice said again.

I looked down at the voice's owner and saw none other than Natsume. My eyes widened.

"N-Natsume?" I whispered his name.

"Yeah, it's me, idiot. What are you doing here---''

I cut his sentence off as I leaned down and hugged his little body tightly. I felt so, so, so relieved to be able to see him.

Natsume struggled to get out of my grasp. "L-let me g-go…"

"Natsume, I'm so relieved to see you! I thought you're gone! Where have you been?" I asked continuously in one breathe as I still didn't let him go.

"Natsume?" I began to feel worried as I didn't get any respond.

"I-I c-can't breathe…" I heard a faint voice.

I realized that I've been hugging him too tight.

"Oh I'm sorry, Natsume!! I'm very sorry!! I didn't realize that I---'' I instantly released him.

"Geez...why are you getting so mushy all of a sudden?" he asked, irritated in his voice.

"I-I'm sorry… I didn't mean to…" I stuttered. I felt my face heat up. Luckily Natsume didn't see my red cheeks, since the corridor had already dark.

Silence fell upon us….

"You smell… horrible," he said, breaking the awkward silence. I felt a vein popped on my head.

"What did you say?!" I said, almost shouting. Geez, what's his problem? I'm trying to be nice here, and he suddenly insults me!

"Shut up; don't make too much noise here in the dark. People might hear us,"

"I-I'm sorry," I rubbed the back of my head.

I heard him sigh. "So, what are you doing here?"

"I'm searching for you," I replied, grinning innocently.

"Why are you searching for me?" he asked again.

"I totally forgot about you, but then I suddenly remembered, so I went out to look for you,"

"I-I thought… you're gone, or have been kidnapped by someone…" I didn't realize a tear trickled down my cheek.

"Hey, who do you think I am? I couldn't be gone just like that or being kidnapped by someone."

"B-but now you're become like this, so I thought…"

"Don't worry bout me. I couldn't be captured that easily," he cut off my sentence and assured me.

"I-it's just that… this is my entire fault, and if you're being captured, it will be my fault too," I said, my voice cracked.

"I said, don't worry bout me. I'll be fine,"

I didn't answer him.

"And also… wipe your tears. Tears doesn't suit you (aww Natsume you're so sweet!),"

"Eh?" Then I realized my eyes teary. I started wiping away my tears as I muttered, "I'm not crying." I'm trying to sound cheery as possible, but it's useless.

"Whatever."

"So, Natsume, where are you staying tonight?" I asked, after I wiped away my tears.

"I stay in Ruka's room for a while. It would be dangerous if I stay in my own room." He reasoned.

"Oh…"

"What's with that 'oh'? What, you want me to stay in your room?"

"No freakin' way! Not by any chance!! Who would want a pervert stay in their room!?" I said angrily as I blushed. I could feel him smirking at me as I look away.

"Yeah right, whatever. I'm going back to Ruka's room." He started walking away.

"Ah, Natsume…"

"What?" I saw him already in front of Ruka-pyon's room, right hand on the doorknob.

"I…no, I mean take care of yourself!"

"Yeah yeah…" he turned the doorknob and went into Ruka-pyon's room.

I smiled in satisfaction. I began walking along the corridor to the stairs and walk away from the boys' dormitory.

Natsume is really a strange guy. I couldn't really understand him.

First, he's being mean.

Then, he's being nice, suddenly.

After that, he's back to his old self again.

Natsume, you're one hell of unpredictable guy.

I gazed at the starry night for a little while before going back to my room. The air tonight is so warm...

TBC

So how's this chapter?