Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice
My Last Love Story by Hotaru Imai
Chapter Seven: Nearing You
Summer: the season in which things matured and grew. I am no exception and with the nurturing of Ruka, I grew.
I told you before of our after school visits; such wonderful times that I will always treasure. Now I will recount something that is sketched into my memory, as it is the first time ever that I, Hotaru Imai, felt something remotely close to jealousy.
My Last Love Story
It all started when my friends had the guts (or stupidity) to sign me up to an after school class for Home Economics. I mean, I had enough things to do; what good will another class for cooking do? But somehow I am here, in an apron, waiting for the class to begin.
I was standing beside Mikan because, later, I found out that Anna and Nonoko were both afraid of getting hurt by me and so voted for Mikan to be my partner since Mikan is apparently 'immune' to my baka gun.
Oh really? I must have mentioned it before; my gun needs an upgrade.
The entrance of the teacher made me snap back into reality as she announced that today we would be making muffins. Muffins? Those tiny copycat of a cupcake? Oh wait. I like muffins, don't get me wrong, it's just that I was so aggravated at being in this class in the first place.
"Hotaru! We're making muffins! We should take some to Natsume and everyone else!" Mikan exclaimed in glee, jumping up and down on the spot.
I rolled my eyes. "Idiot. If we don't start, we won't have time to make muffins."
Her eyes widened in horror (to my amusement) and immediately set off to collect the ingredients in the pantry at the back of the room.
I secretly smiled while taking out the mixing bowl as I thought of the person that I would give some muffins to.
My Last Love Story
If you're wondering, yes, I am still with my idiotic best friend. Oh yeah, Anna and Nonoko are here too.
After the class dismissal, I was getting ready to leave for home. My muffins were still hot from the oven and I wanted father to taste them as soon as he got home.
Yeah, the person I wanted to give my muffins to was my father. Ruka had a huge impact on me; I value my father even more now.
But no, my plans never seem to go the way I want them to; so now, I am being literally dragged by my best friend towards the basketball court so she could give her boyfriend the muffins she had made.
I was feeling really annoyed at being dragged, but even more annoyed at the fact that Mikan and the others had no fear for my gun. Maybe they earned some intelligence over the week so my baka gun doesn't work anymore. Sighing, I followed them even deeper into the school grounds to the gymnasium.
My Last Love Story
The first thing I noticed when I entered the gym was the smell. Did these people not ever heard of deodorant? I mean, seriously. I had to scrunch up my nose in disgust.
"Hey, Hotaru. What's with the face?" Mikan asked me. She seemed perfectly fine with the smell.
"Can't you smell it?" I answered with a question.
Realisation hit Mikan as she laughed a little. "You'll get used to it Hotaru. It only took Anna and Nonoko a week."
"Yeah, Hotaru. Nonoko and I got used to it in no time!" Anna added in.
Letting my nose relax I said, "Well, lets hurry up and let Mikan give those muffins to Hyuuga. My nose is going to die at this rate."
Laughing at my misery, my friends walked deeper into the smell.
My Last Love Story
"Okay team! We got a big game next week so I wanted 110% effort from all of you!" I heard the basketball coach shout out to his team. I think his name was Tsubasa Andou; but I never did like sport so why bother remembering the teacher's names?
We had just entered the court and all we saw were teenaged boys jogging from one end to the other. It must be the cool down: wow, what a way to cool down your team Andou-sensei.
"Oh hey there, Mikan-chan, Anna-chan, Nonoko-chan. Here to cheer on the team again?" The coach had seen us and was walking over.
Smiling at the teacher, Mikan and the others all hailed a hello.
Coming closer, I think he finally realised I existed.
"You brought someone else with you. And you are?" He asked me with a raise of his eyebrows.
"Andou-sensei, she's my best friend. Her name's Hotaru Imai!" Mikan answered for me.
"Oi, Idiot. I know how to speak you know."
"Hota-chan…" Nonoko gently said as if pleading me not to go angry.
Shrugging my shoulders, I let them know I wasn't going to pursue it any further.
"We're here cause Mikan wanted to give Natsume-kun something that we made in an after school Home Economics class we had just then, Andou-sensei." Nonoko supplied for the teacher as he quizzically gazed at us.
"I see. Well, training's nearly over. Just wait a minute kay?" He winked at us as he turned back to the court to direct some more last minute exercises.
"Andou-sensei is so nice, don't you think Hotaru?" Anna said to me as we went to sit down on the bleachers.
Sitting down, I shrugged my shoulders. "I've only known him for less than a minute. I can't judge him just yet."
I was so bored. I had finished my book yesterday and all my homework for the week was done. There was simply nothing to do now; and I was not a person who would simply sit there and ogle the school basketball team.
"Oh, look." Nonoko said sourly for a second. Whoa, what could have happened to make her so…mad? I looked up and followed Nonoko's pointed finger.
There at the far side of the court were a bunch of girls from the after school class just then. It seemed like a normal sight, idiotic fan girls trying to get the attention of their idol by giving (bribing) them with gifts.
Then I realised. They weren't just crowding anyone. They were crowding Natsume Hyuuga.
And his girlfriend isn't one bit happy.
My Last Love Story
I looked at Mikan storming off to her boyfriend and glanced at my two other friends that were still seated near me. Using a type of power that only best friends had, we all stood up and followed Mikan.
Getting closer, I saw that there was someone else next to Natsume as well: but that didn't concern me. What concerned me what getting my best friend to stop whatever evil plan she was planning in her head.
Quickening my pace I was side-by-side with Mikan and with a slight tug on her sleeve, I whispered.
"What do you think you're doing Mikan?"
"What do you think I'm doing Hotaru?"
"You are not going to barge in there." I said to her as I abruptly pulled on her sleeve, making her stop altogether.
"So I'm just going to stand here and watch them try and steal my boyfriend?" Mikan answered me as she pointed towards the group. I followed the finger and I suddenly saw what we all had missed.
Smiling at Mikan's jealousy, I reasoned with her.
"They aren't giving it to Hyuuga, Mikan. Look, they're giving it to the person next to Hyuuga."
Mikan looked once again to the group and sure enough, Natsume was only standing there looking bored as the person next to him tried his best to hold all the paper bags that were being given to him.
What Mikan said next shocked me.
"You're right Hotaru. They're not giving it to Natsume, they're giving it to Ruka-kun!"
The heck?
My Last Love Story
Okay, hold up. They were giving it to Ruka. So what? Why am I feeling so agitated all of a sudden?
"Natsume!" Mikan shouted out from beside me, making me jump at the sudden intrusion of my thoughts.
Natsume looked up from where he was and smiled as he made his way to Mikan.
Anna and Nonoko had caught up and were right beside me but that didn't matter anymore. I was feeling weird and it wasn't a good thing.
Wanting something to do to keep my mind off it, I looked at my wristwatch.
Oh no. It was getting late and if I didn't get home, I would be too late to give my father still hot muffins!
I glanced one more time at the girls surrounding Ruka and when my gaze ran over the man himself, he looked up and saw me.
Okay. That wasn't weird at all. He must think I'm some weird girl to stare at him.
But wait. He smiled at me, as if saying hello.
I was bewildered. I didn't know what to do. So I ran away.
Saying a short, "I got to go" and off I went.
What I didn't know was that there was a pair of pained, cerulean eyes that followed me all the way to the door.
Stopping for a split second, I turned around to see him still looking at me.
My heart constricted as in my vision, I saw all the girls that surrounded him.
And within the next moment, Hotaru Imai left the room.
Fate was probably laughing at the mess it was making. It was making me go insane.
I am idiotic. I got jealous over some idiotic fan girls giving that idiotic Ruka some idiotic muffins. Wait, I did not just call Ruka idiotic. I think my overwhelming past is getting the better of me.
Okay, maybe you are thinking that this chapter of my life may seem a bit different from the rest. Maybe you are right. I don't know why, but I had to write this chapter.
It seemed like a good starting point for all of you who want to keep reading my story, because for the next few chapters, my life is going to take a turn for the worst.
Say goodbye to the happy days, because no matter how long the sun stays out, the storm will come eventually.
My Last Love Story – Chapter End.
Author's Note: The last chapter may be the most reviewed chapter yet, thank you!
papaya1212: Thanks for giving this a chance. I specifically updated faster than normal because of this first review. I have read some of your own stories and they gave me inspiration to keep writing, keep updating your own soon too, kay? -smile-
JustSomeone(Anonymous): Hahas, that first line of your review made me laugh. Well, to answer your question, Hotaru really doesn't believe in the word love anymore remember? She had just begun to love her family again so it'll take more time to love Ruka. Oh don't worry, they will eventually kiss, I'll make sure of it!
Keyheart: Yeah, I know, I feel really sorry for Hotaru as well. But it was indeed her fault that Ruka died and I guess she won't ever forget it. Hopefully this 'happier' chapter will lighten up the mood a bit.
listen2music4ever: Ahahas, yes, Ruka's awkward staring moment. The idea came to me when, um, well yes, lets just leave it at that (: Oh yes, I really do hope I will be able to answer all your questions in the future, if not, ask me again later, ne? I have a bad memory.
eufinley: As always, your reviews are always so sweet! Thank you; and I hope I won't disappoint!
yuthika vemosa: I'm glad you like all those elements mixed together. And yes, I've tried my best to put this 'brooding' atmosphere about Ruka's life, but don't worry, even if they are separated, one day, that will meet again. I mean, fate's one tricky little midget! Hahas
Chapter Dedication: to papaya1212 and yuthika vemosa. You two are people that gave my story a chance even now and I'm so happy that more people like it.
P.s: Before I leave, I'd like to promote the Alice Fiction Awards. They are holding nominations in the month of July and stories published during the first six months of 2011 all qualify to be nominated. Below are the stories that I am going to nominate, check them out!
Best Friendship:
Tainted by papaya1212
Mystery:
The End by Damaged Angel Wings
Best Drama:
Rejected by Damaged Angel Wings
Best Romance:
My BestFriend's GirlFriend and The GF's BestFriend by LunarChan
A Servant's Duty by sakuraharuno0012
Family:
Restless Hearts by Vanilla Coated Love
Best Humour:
The Day Before Valentine's by Prose Vanity
Equation by MischievousRose
Best One-Shot:
The Guide to Fic Writing by Ariisha-chan
The link to nominate is on my profile under EVENTS.
Please do take the time to go and nominate you own personal favourite stories for an award.
Please leave a review,
x X x . romance . x X x