***Chapter 4***

***Flashback***

The robot hummingbird woke Natsume from his sleep under the Sakura Tree. He was almost ready to burn the mini-bot when he realized that this is an Imai invention. She would most definitely publish those photos now if she learns he burned her invention. The flame caster snatched the bird instead and settled to read the note written in minute writing tied to the robot's leg. It said:

Go with the baka to the Alice Festival. The photos will be given after. If not, consider yourself done. Nice smile, Hyuuga.

A camera was installed on the hummingbird and recorded everything. Fortunately for Natsume, he kept his mask on and didn't let any expression out.

Natsume was fuming. But he knew that if he looked angry, Hotaru will—maybe it would be better if he didn't think about that. If everyone learned that NATSUME HYUUGA smiled, let alone LAUGHED, goodbye reputation forever.

The raven haired boy stretched his feet and slept as if there wasn't a threat over his head.

***End of Flashback***

***While waiting in line***

"I'm going to buy the biggest box!! No, it seems I don't have enough money… Then I'll just buy the middle-sized box!! Just ten is fine with me… Maybe I can take some from Hotaru… Hmm… Yeah, that seems okay…" Mikan went on and on and on and on…

This must be the time when Hotaru left her.

***an hour later***

***Mikan's POV***

"Howalon… Howalon! Sweet sweet Howalon! Howalon—ne, where's Hotaru?"

I looked around. NO Hotaru. Not behind me, not above me, not in front of me, where is she? I reached the cashier and bought a middle-sized box of Howalon. NO WAY was I going to leave my Howalon to search for Hotaru.

But still…

"Hotaruuuuu! Where are you?" I might have screeched, once, twice… Alright only 56. Heehee..

I ran around like a maniac. All the while clutching the Howalon as if it could help me find Hotaru. Right!! I could go to Anna's Restaurant-Stall! (I know, it still sounds weird…)

Turning to a corner, I hit somebody. AGAIN.

"What a klutz. If you continue this, no one will want to marry you. Nobody wants a klutz for a wife." The person said, not even budging to help me stand up… Hey, that voice sounds familiar… I looked up.

Mikan, never look up ever again. It only shortens your life. Always remember that. From now on, in order to preserve my lifespan, I will not avert my eyes to the upward direction again.

What, too corny? Well it's true! The face I looked into gave me a shock and a hint of irritation.

Natsume Hyuuga.

"It's so nice of you to help me stand up, Natsume," all my sarcasm and bitterness was evident in my tone.

"You told me to not hold your hand anymore. So I didn't." So smug. Grrr… I can see he really doesn't care.

"Whatever." I picked myself up and looked at the spilled Howalon. "OMG! My Howalon!" Despair, despair… Why does Lady Luck hate me? What did I do? T^T

Natsume shrugged and left. He really doesn't care, does he? Ouch. Why do I feel so hurt? That guy's nothing but bad news. He wouldn't take a second look at me. Hey, what am I thinking? Shut up, Mikan! You shouldn't think about such things!

I turned around, too. I picked up the fluff puffs and dumped them into the nearest trashcan. I wasn't hungry anymore. It was nearly 5 pm. Wow, time flew so fast.

I let my feet take me to wherever they wanted. I didn't care anymore.

My eyes were blurry. I didn't know where I was going. I stumbled forward. I distinctly remember the sun setting. It was pretty. The rays of the sun shot over the Northern Forest. I followed the light. It was slowly getting darker. I was a bit scared. Was I lost again? Probably. I can't see anything. It was pitch black.

I saw a glint of light ahead. Then it was gone. I took a step and then another. I began to realize that I was in the Northern Forest. How dumb. Why'd I realize this now? I should have known a while ago. I must look stupid. I was tripping over tree roots. My skirt was swathed with mud. It had drizzled earlier. It stopped about an hour ago.

My tears were gone. I must have used them all up.

A few leaves rustled. I twitched. Whatever. My mood was gone with my tears.

I pushed a branch back and what I saw made my bulge. Wow.

It was the lake. They called it Fate's Waters. It is said that if you manage to find the lake, Fate will definitely let you meet your soul mate. Many romantic girls and boys have tried to look for this place, but most back out while in the forest. It's too spooky.

I admit, I am a bit proud of myself. I made it through the 'haunted' forest. I sat on the lakeshore. The small waves made by the cool breeze were very calming. Entirely different from the forest behind me. A few branches overhung the spot I was squatting on. The full moon was mirrored on the smooth and sparkly surface of the lake. Everything was so peaceful.

"Congrats, Mikan!" I congratulated myself. "You made it out of that maze! Now how are you supposed to figure out a way to get back to your dorm?"

Something moved across the lake.

Nope. It had a head, arms and two legs. It's human. I relaxed a bit. Just a smidge. You never know, maybe it could swim over to my side of the lake. Or maybe even fly over. That would be more practical. After all, this is Alice Academy. Anything could happen.

Right. Anything could happen… That means the legend about the lake must be true!

I squinted my eyes and tried to see the other person more clearly. It could be a boy. He was sitting in the shadows. By the moonlight I can only see his silhouette. How I wish I had one of Hotaru's gadgets!

If he (person across the lake) IS a boy, he must be my soul mate!!

Ha! In your face Natsume! There is a possibility I can get married someday!

Hmmm… Natsume…

Why am I so affected? It's not like I expected something from him… It's not like I confessed my love to him… It's not like he left me forever…

What's this feeling? I feel disappointed somehow. Why? I must have hit my head with too many branches earlier. With all that running, my brain must be all shaken and disoriented…

Perhaps maybe, just maybe, my heart has been yearning for him all this time? Could Natsume be the person across the lake? I feel funny. It's like I'm ecstatic… Weird.

Do I really want him that much? Does he want me, too? I will never know.

Natsume. He shrugged and turned his back on me. It was like a sword was thrusted into my heart. It hurt. I want to push it away, to never see that back walking away from me ever again. I was left once. I don't want to be left again. I wanted to make sure this person wouldn't shrug me off, too.

I called to the person, "Natsume?" I paused. I gulped. "Is that you?"

It was then that I realized I was crying. My hot tears were silently dropping to the water. It made ripples. Great.

Silence replied to me. I stood up. I momentarily forgot I was squatting. I let my right foot touch the water. Brrrr… It was cold. No matter. I took a step closer.

He was standing now, too, and took a step forward. His hands were at his sides. From this distance, I couldn't see if they were balled into fists or not. But I could tell he was looking at me. When I took another step, he stepped back, as if telling me not to get any closer.

I took another step. The water was halfway to my knees. My tears continued to pour.

Drop by drop, they fell to the lake. Drip… Drip… Drip… Still he didn't respond. Not a word he uttered to me.

"Is that you, Natsume? Don't go! Wait! Come back! Don't leave me here alone!"

He was taking steps back. I didn't know him, but I didn't want him to go. I had a feeling that if he leaves, I'll feel really sad. I don't know why.

My eyes became all blurry again. I couldn't see. I stumbled and fell. The rocks grazed my knees. It hurt. It hurt all over.

My eyes closed and all I could see was darkness.