Chapter 12
Where could he be? He's so hard to find this days. Mikan was a little worried not only because of her dream but also because of Mr. Narumi's often disappearance.
Mikan was the first one in their classroom because since she can't find Mr. Narumi she decided to go to class rather than returning to the dormitory.
"Wow Mikan you're awfully early today" Yuu greeted her. He was always the first one to arrive in class. he checks if everything is ready.
"Good morning Yuu. I just had an errand, I manage to finish early so I decided to go straight here."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. Uhm, Yuu, by any chance, did you happen to see Mr. Narumi?" she asked worriedly.
"Now that you mention it, I hardly see him, even in the faculty. The last time I see him was a week ago and he looks sick. He was really pale and look like in deep pain." He said thinking back.
"I wonder how he is or where he is?" Mikan sounds really worried.
"Good morning" Nonoko entered the classroom. "Good morning Mikan, good morning Yuu"
"Good morning" Yuu and Mikan said in unison. They looked at each other then laughed.
Their other classmates started coming in. Everyone noticed Mikan's lively self. They were thinking the same thing She's back. But to someone, something is still missing.
"Good morning" Mr. Jinno entered the classroom. Everyone was silent. "Today is the last day of class. Starting next week you will have your Christmas vacation. We will have three weeks off. Starting next week we will be preparing for the Christmas Party and also starting next week you can start your Christmas shopping. You will go to your joined class after this for the preparations you need." He stated continuously then went out of the room. He can hear the students cheering after he went out. They're really looking forward to this.
Just as Mr. Jinno said they went to their joined classes after they finished rejoicing.
"Wow, this is going to be exciting" Mikan exclaimed while she and Itsuki are heading for the special ability class.
"You're really in to it huh?" Itsuki commented.
"Of course. Oh, yeah, this is the first big event you're going to witness since you arrive at the Academy. You will surely love it."
"Maybe, the way you react looks like it's really fun"
'It is trust me" Mikan said smiling. "Good morning everyone" Mikan's voice echoed throughout the room.
"Wow Mikan you're extremely energetic today" one of their classmates commented.
"Of course I am, Christmas is here, and it's time to have fun"
"That's the real Mikan" Misaki murmured while they watch the excited Mikan.
"Yeah, it seems that there's nothing to worry about anymore" Tsubasa agreed.
"It's so nice to watch her in this mood" Tono said.
"I hope she stays like this" Kaname added.
"Speaking of Christmas that means her birthday is also near" Tsubasa remembered.
"When is her birthday?" Tono asked.
"New year" Kaname answered.
"Really, what a lucky date. New year, new life, new age" Tono laughed, the others laughed as well.
"Hey, what are you guys talking about" Mikan approached them.
"Nothing just plans for the festival" Misaki answered.
"What are we gonna do anyway?" she asked.
"Oh, yeah I almost forgot about that." Tsubasa stood up from his seat and walked to the front. "do any of you have a suggestion of how we will spend our Christmas"
"Party" everyone shouted. It's what they do every year; December 24th morning they organize a party for their class then in the evening the Academy holds a dance.
"Why don't we have exchange gifts as well" Itsuki suggested. Everyone looked at him. "I know you give gifts to the people close to you, but the exchange gift I'm talking about is we'll draw a name of one of our classmate then you'll buy a gift according to the personality of that person, then while where having a party we'll distribute the gift one by one and explain why did you choose to give that particular gift." He explained.
Everyone was quite when…"That's a great idea" Mikan broke the silence.
"It is" "yeah that would be great" everyone agreed to his suggestion.
"Since everyone agreed to Itsuki's suggestion, we should do the drawing now. Everyone write their name in a piece of paper and put them here." Tsubasa said then put a box in front.
Everyone started writing their names and one by one they put them on the box. "Is everyone done" Tsubasa asked after a while. Everyone nodded. Tsubasa shake the box and the drawing begins. "Guys as much as possible keep the name of the person you draw a secret, but if you are having a hard time deciding on what gift to give you can ask someone's help" Tsubasa explained while the others are drawing.
After the draw, there are different reactions from the class. some are satisfied, while there are also some who are disappointed. "No switching guys" Misaki announced.
After they were done Mikan and Itsuki walked out together.
"Who did you picked?" Itsuki asked curiously.
"Tono, and you?" she asked back.
'It's…" he stopped for a while "it's a secret" he smiled and started walking fast.
"Whaaat? Hey that's unfair" Mikan chased Itsuki.
When they got tired of running, they stopped and find a place to sit. While resting, a question suddenly popped out of Mikan's head.
"Why is Kaoru so mad at me? We were fine before, I don't remember doing anything to her. Do you know if I offended her in any way?"
"you didn't do anything. She's just insecure. Like I told you before she's used having all attention to her self but here, she's no one."
"I was a no one when I got here, a no star for that matter, but I did my best to prove my worth. And now I'm a three star. She just need to show everyone that she's worth giving attention."
"Yeah, you're right, but you know, Kaoru is stubborn."
Mikan and Itsuki stayed longer in that place until it's time to have lunch. Everyone agreed to have lunch together in the cafeteria, so Mikan and Itsuki headed for the cafeteria.
When they arrive, everybody else was there waiting for them.
"you guys are late." Kaoru said irritated.
"Sorry, our meeting took long" Itsuki apologized. There are only two seats available on their table, it was between Kaoru and Ruka. Mikan and Itsuki walks to the vacant seats and the ever gentleman Itsuki pulled the chair beside Ruka for Mikan. He didn't have to say that the seat was for her because Mikan knows that Itsuki won't let her sit beside Kaoru.
"thank you" Mikan smiled at Itsuki before sitting.
Everyone's brows raised. "Is there really nothing going on between those two?" "What was that?" those were the thoughts in everyone's head.
After lunch, they went separate ways. Everyone has their own things to do. Since Mikan has nothing to do, she decided to take a walk in the woods and see how Mr. Bear is doing. (speaking of Mr. Bear, Little Bear is with the other stuffed animals, playing)
Before she reached Mr. Bear's cottage, she saw Natsume sitting under a tree reading his manga. This is my chance. I need to fix things. With those thoughts Mikan walked near Natsume. She was sure he can see her but he's showing signs of leaving. That's a sign for Mikan. She walked on the other side of the tree then asked "can I sit here?"
"Do what you want?" he answered blankly.
Mikan sat leaning her back at the tree. For a moment they were silent, perhaps gathering some strength to talk.
"Natsume" "Mikan" they called each other's name at the same time.
"You go first" Natsume said to her.
"well, ahm, a-about what happened before, can we forget about it? I-I mean, can we pretend it never happened? I'm not used having someone avoiding me and it's also difficult avoiding someone"
"Sure. I'm not used having no one to tease anyway" he said then smiled.
"What did you say?!" Mikan walks in front of Natsume. Natsume looked at her. They stare at each other they were silent for a while then they suddenly burst out laughing.
I've never seen him laugh. "We were silly weren't we Natsume?" she was now sitting beside him.
"You are silly" he said teasing.
Mikan make face then…"Anyway, what do you want to tell me?"
Natsume sit properly "Do you trust me Mikan?" he's back to his serious mood.
"Yeah" she answered with puzzlement in her tone.
"If I asked you a favor, would you do it?"
"It depends. Tell me what is it and I'll tell you my answer?"
Natsume look straight at Mikan "I want you to stay away from Itsuki" it sounds more like an order than a favor.
Mikan stood up and look down at Natsume. "Why would I wanna do that?" she ask puzzled.
Natsume stood up as well now he's looking down at Mikan since he's taller than her "well, I don't trust him. I think …"
"You don't have to say it" she cut Natsume. "I know what you're going to say, that they're up to something dangerous right?. I know that already" she said.
"What?" he was surprised.
"I may be silly but I'm not an idiot. I know for a long time"
"Then why are you still..?"
"Hanging out with him? Well it's because as far as I know, he hasn't done anything wrong yet. And besides we're not sure yet are we and even if we are he might change his mind."
"you know sometimes I can't understand your way of thinking but I get your point. Just be careful around him then."
"I will. Thanks for the warning, and you know something Natsume, I have friends, nothing's gonna happen to me. And maybe just maybe, friend is just what he need to change his mind " she said while slowly walking away. "see you around Natsume, I still have to look for Mr. Narumi" she waved goodbye but before she got away Natsume called her …
"Mikan, try looking at the storage room at the back of his house"
"thank you"
It's a good feeling. They were both thinking the same thing.
"aren't you glad they made up?" Ruka asked standing beside Hotaru not too far from where Mikan and Natsume were.
"Not at all" Hotaru answered irritated and left Ruka.
"Hey wait for me" Rika chased her. "What are you so irritated about? Shouldn't you be glad they're back to normal now. It only means that Mikan finally moved on"
Hotaru suddenly stopped causing Ruka to bumped at her. She turned around with an angry face "You're wrong Mikan haven't move on yet, I know her. What this mean is that she already fall deeper to him that she can't stand a day without him, which gives him the power to hurt her again. Now, tell me, are you glad they made up?"
"Of-of course I am" he answered stuttering.
"Don't fool yourself Ruka." Then she ran off.
Mikan arrived at Mr. Narumi's house, she walked around and look for the storage room just like Natsume told her. She saw a small room connected at the house, the door was slightly open and the light was on so she walked closer. "Mr. Narumi, are you here?" she called out as she enter the room. "I'm coming in Mr. Narumi" When Mikan got inside the room she saw Mr. Narumi sitting in a long couch while looking over at some pictures.
"Come here Mikan" he said slightly smiling.
Mikan walked over to the couch. "I've been looking all over for you, Mr. Narumi"
"I was just cleaning up. Come sit here. I want to show you something" he smiled, a sad smile.
Mikan sat beside him.
"You know, this photos, I've been keeping them for years. They are my memories from when I'm still a student here." He handed the photos that he was holding to Mikan.
Mikan started scanning the photos. She was smiling while looking at them until she saw… "Isn't this boy beside you Reo?" Mikan asked.
"Yeah, that picture was taken when we were in middle school. You know, we used to ditch classes when we were a student"
"You were really close weren't you?'
"like brothers. He look up to me. I look after him, or I thought I did. He does what ever I asked him to do, that is why I feel responsible for who he become now. I wonder where did I go wrong" as usual he's still blaming himself for Reo's action.
"it was his own choice Mr. Narumi, just like you choose to stay in the Academy. You tried to protect him just like you're trying to protect us now. Don't blame it all on yourself." Mikan tried comforting Mr. Narumi. She continued looking at the photos. She found a picture of a man. A man who seems to be a teacher because the picture was taken from the faculty. "Who is this man?" she asked curiously.
Mr. Narumi's sad face sadden even more while looking at the picture. "he was a teacher here in the Academy. He's the former teacher of the Special Ability class."
"My class?"
"Yes, and you know what Mikan he is the best teacher ever. He's the one I'm telling you who has the same view in life like you. He also didn't think that we should always rely on our Alices. He even have the same Alice like yours. He's one of the reasons why I decided to become a teacher." He was smiling as proof that the one he's talking about is a good man.
"Really?! Where is he now?"
Mr. Narumi's face sadden again "He's dead"
"oh!, it would have been nice if I was able to meet him"
"yeah it would have been" It would have been nice seeing you together. He thought but didn't voice it out.
"Mr. Narumi, who's this girl beside him?"
Narumi looked at the picture Mikan was holding "Yuka"
"Yuka? Isn't she the same girl who was with you in the picture you had in your room? The one beside your bed." She look up to him.
"Yeah. Yuka was two years my senior but we get along. Yuka, Reo and me are best friends. She was a great girl. An energetic, clumsy girl just like you. She's also sweet and very beautiful" he was smiling while picturing the times he had with Yuka.
"Mr. Narumi likes her, did she become your girlfriend?"
Narumi was surprised of Mikan's question. How did she know that? "No, she didn't become my girl, it's kind of complicated. I like her, Reo also like her but she love someone else. Someone far better than us and someone I admire a lot." He smiled sadly.
"The teacher?" Mikan stared at the picture she was holding.
She's more mature than I thought. "Yes"
"Where is she now?"
"I'm not sure. I'm not even sure if she's still alive." he looked at Mikan. He noticed that Mikan is staring at the picture with a questioning look. "Is there a problem Mikan? You've been staring at that picture for a long time"
"No. nothing, it's just that I can't help my self to stare at them, and this Yuka, I felt like I've seen her before. She looks so familiar"
Looking at her is like looking at you Mikan. Of course she would look familiar. Narumi said to himself. "Say Mikan, why are you looking for me anyway?"
"Eh? Oh yeah, I just had another weird dream last night and it's making me feel uncomfortable for some reason." She handed the pictures back to Mr. Narumi.
"What did you dream about?"
"I was in this dark room alone, when I heard a voice of a man. He said that things are just getting started, he also said that things are going to get more interesting from here on. The way he said it, it sounds like a warning to me, but I'm not really sure. But what bothers me most is my grandfather." she stopped.
"Your grandfather? Why?"
"he appeared in the dream just after the voice faded. He was standing in front of a door with a very bright light. I ran to him and tried to hug him but then I just passed through him when I looked back at him he smiled at me and headed for the door. I was calling for him but he never look back until he vanish with the bright light." She looks really worried.
"Don't worry Mikan, I will go check on your grandfather"
"really, thank you Mr. Narumi." She hugged him as a sign of gratitude.
"You should go back to your dormitory now. It's getting dark. It seems like we lost track of time"
"Ok. Thank you again Mr. Narumi" she ran to the door waving her hands and smiling.
When Mikan was out Narumi clenched his chest in pain. He dropped the pictures on the floor. Again. They know my every move. But I will still do what I promised her. This is what you would want right. He said while looking at the picture of Yuka and the teacher.