Chapter 9

The Brightest Star

Saturday morning... snow are falling outside…

"First snow of the season, no wonder it's cold these days" Mikan said to herself while watching little snows falls outside her window. She was smiling. "everything is going to be fine now" she said then took a deep breath.

Their plan starts in the afternoon so they have the rest of the day for themselves and to practice. A lot have decided what to do but there are also some who haven't decided yet and that includes Mikan.

Trying to decide what to do for her presentation Mikan decided to take a walk around after the snow stopped falling. She did not bother to ask any of her friends because she was thinking that they might be busy for tonight.

On the other hand Mikan was not the only one who are out walking. Natsume also decided to take a walk. He thought that it would be such a waste to spend a nice day inside his room so he went out with his manga as usual.

Natsume reached the forest and was looking for a perfect spot to read his manga when he saw a figure of a girl standing under a tree. Thinking that it was Mikan he walked near her, he just wanted to see how she was doing. Few more trees from the figure Natsume noticed that it wasn't Mikan it was Kaoru. She was standing under a tree humming a very lovely song.

He was about to walk away when he noticed a branch of a tree was falling right on top of Kaoru and she seem not to noticed it. Without any word or by instinct he moved from where he was standing and through Kaoru and in just a nick of time he moved Kaoru out of danger. For a moment there was silence.

"Watch were you stand" Natsume said to Kaoru. He looked at her but for a moment there while staring at Kaoru it wasn't her that he was seeing it was Mikan. He remembered when he first kissed Mikan accidentally, they were in that same position "Mikan" he murmured but then return to realization. He didn't mind the awkward position they were in but someone did.

Mikan could not believe what she was seeing…Natsume entwined with Kaoru on the ground. She was shocked…she can't move a single muscle…she can't even blink. The sight was too much for her to bear. She gathered all of the strength left in her and with that she ran… she doesn't know her destination… all she know is she need to get away from that place.

Natsume without knowing anything stood up, straighten his shirt and walked away, he didn't even bother helping Kaoru up.

When Natsume was out of sight it was then when Itsuki who was hiding behind a tree showed up. "So this was your plan" he said while walking towards Kaoru. He noticed Kaoru frowning while fixing herself. "it goes as you planned, why don't you look happy"

"That bastard, he rescued me but still thinking of that girl" she burst out in anger. "What is it about her that caught him? I'm prettier than her, I'm sexier than her. Why can't he take his mind away from that girl"

"the answer is simple, she's different… different from all the girls" Itsuki said while looking at the direction where Mikan went.

After hearing what Itsuki said Kaoru felt much irritated "Don't tell me your falling for her as well?"

"So what if I am?" he looked at her cousin in the eyes.

"That is not part of the plan"

"Is what you are doing part of the plan?"

"Grrrr" Kaoru turned her back at Itsuki and walked away.

Without knowing Mikan went straight to her room. When she got there she locked her room…she leaned her back on her door and the tears that she was holding back started falling. She just can't help it. She's feeling the same pain she felt when Natsume told her that he has no feelings for her.

Why am I feeling this way? Why do I have to feel the same pain over again? I don't have the right to feel this way. She kept on saying that to herself… she covered her eyes with her hands trying to stop the tears but it was no use no use at all. The more she tried to forget what she saw, the more the picture of Natsume and Kaoru keeps appearing in her head.

Mikan didn't notice the passage of time. It was almost time for their gathering yet she was still lying on her bed staring at the ceiling. She didn't even had her lunch but she doesn't feel hungry at all or maybe she does but the feeling of the depression is much stronger than her hunger.

Finally the time of their presentation came. They decided to conduct their activity on their stage. They were all sitting on the ground in front of the stage in the middle of the stage and the students there was a bonfire, it was their only source of light and heat as well since it is cold due to the season.

Everything was set…every one was there except for one… they were all waiting for one person… Mikan,

'Why isn't she here yet?" Misaki asked Mikan's friends.

"We have no idea. We haven't seen her the whole day, she didn't even help us set up" Nonoko answered.

"she said yesterday morning though that she might not be coming" Yuu added.

"But she was the one who invited us yesterday afternoon" Kaname said.

"Maybe something happened" Kaoru said with a mocking smile. Everyone look at her with questioning eyes.

"Do you know something?" Hotaru asked with serious yet worried look.

"I don't know anything, it was just a guess" Kaoru defended herself.

"You guys start, I'll go check her" Itsuki said then without waiting for any word he headed for the dormitory.

Every one were still puzzled but decided to start their program. Yuu was the host and he was the one calling the names of the performer. The first one that was called was Misaki.

"Me?! Why me?" she said.

"Everyone in here will perform that's why we ask you to write your names" Hotaru said while preparing her camera "this will be a good source of income" she added.

Tsubasa and the others pushed Misaki to the stage. They were laughing and excited to see what Misaki would do. But deep inside they were also worried that they might be called next… also deep inside they were cursing Mikan for putting them into such trouble.

Itsuki on the other hand just arrived at Mikan's door. He had an idea what Mikan might be doing because he know the whole story. He took a deep breath, then he knocked.

"Mikan, Mikan I know you're there. Open the door. Every one is waiting for you so come out." He said continuously but heard no answer. "Mikan please, if you have a problem talk to me. Every one is worried about you, I'm worried about you"

Mikan heard everything Itsuki said. She doesn't want to worry her friends again so she stood up from bed and walked through the door. She opened the door and saw Itsuki standing there with a worried look "I'll just fix myself can you wait for me" she said.

"Take your time, no problem"

Mikan closed the door again and fixed herself. She washed her face to freshen up. She wiped it dry and put on a little powder so that it won't be obvious that she's been crying. She looked at herself in the mirror when she was satisfied she smiled and said "you'll be fine Mikan just be yourself you have no reason to be acting like this anyway" She then walked out the door. "sorry for making you wait."

Itsuki smiled and lend his hand to her "shall we?"

Mikan accepted his hand and said "sure"

Hand in hand they walked out of the dormitory. Itsuki let go of Mikan's hand when they were near the crowd.

Tsubasa noticed them first. "where have been? You are the one who asked us here yet you are the one who are late" Tsubasa said slightly frowning.

"I'm sorry. I fell asleep and lost track of time. If Itsuki didn't arrive I wouldn't have woke up." She was bowing her head over and over while explaining.

"sit here Mikan" Kaname said pointing a space beside him.

Mikan took the seat while Itsuki sat beside her. "How was it going?"

"Most of us already performed. It was a lot of fun." Misaki answered her.

"Really. It's sad I didn't get to watch the others."

"That's because you're such a sleepy head. Anyway you're friend taped every thing" Tsubasa said pointing at Hotaru.

"up next is Sumire and company" Mikan heard Yuu.

Sumire and her best buddy walked up the stage. They started singing the latest cat-dog song. Everyone was quiet not because they liked the song but because they don't understand it. Sumire was followed by Kaoru. Before starting Kaoru stared at Mikan with a mocking smile the she gazed Natsume with a flirtatious smile.

Mikan, Natsume and most of the people there felt irritated at Kaoru but when she started singing every one was awed with her lovely voice. She was singing a love song and every one's irritation was overpowered.

After Kaoru there was a lot more who followed. When their name was called no one can say no. Prepared or not they are forced to come up the stage even Tsubasa, and Kaname and even Tonochi, well all he did anyway was model himself at the stage to attract more of the girls and what do you know he succeeded, even Nonoko who had a crush on Mr. Misaki liked him now.

Natsume didn't join the crowd though that means he does not have to perform but he was watching everything even Mikan's late arrival with Itsuki.

Mikan felt that it was getting colder. She is starting to shiver and she didn't brought her jacket because she was not herself when she went out. Itsuki noticed it and without a word took off his jacket and put it on her. "use it, you're starting to shiver" he said.

"What about you?"

"I'm used to cold"

"thank you"

A lot of people noticed this little gesture of Itsuki. No one dared ask anything they keep their questions to themselves.

"it's a good thing they do things like this once a week." Ms. Yamada's crystal ball.

"It brings them together" Ms. Yamada agreed.

"Yeah'' Mr. Narumi said while looking particularly at Mikan's happy face. Suddenly he felt the pain from his chest again. He tried his best not to make a sound to avoid Mr. Misaki an Ms. Yamada from noticing it.

Back to the students, it was Itsuki who was performing. He was playing a lovely melody with his guitar. Every girl was amused including Mikan. Girls adored him even more, but he didn't care. All that matters to him is how Mikan would react.

Finally Mikan's turn. She haven't prepared for anything but she had a clue of what to do. She borrowed Itsuki's guitar then walked to the stage. She sat from the chair that was already on the stage. She started playing the guitar. Everyone thought that she was only gonna play like Itsuki did but together with the sound of the guitar her voice echoed. She was singing a very sad song. Every one can feel the emotion that was with the song. It was really sad yet really beautiful. Every one can really feel the emotion in every line of the song. It was sung perfectly. She looks really lovely playing the guitar and singing. Her face is really sad, but for everyone she looks really lovely. Her face…the ambiance… the song… and the fire in front of her… they all matched up. They didn't know Mikan can play even Hotaru, but listening to her, she sounds like a professional guitarist and singer as well.

Most of the boys who were there fell for her, and those who already liked her fall for her even more, that includes Ruka who was sitting beside Hotaru, Itsuki, and Natsume who are watching them from above the tree.

God Mikan you look really beautiful. Ruka said to himself.

I really can't help falling for you. Itsuki thought.

I really lost this time. Natsume said while gazing at Mikan.

I there are those who admired her there's also someone who hated her, who envy her, who's jealous of her…but there's nothing they can do weather they admit it or not that night she is the one who shines the brightest.