Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice/ Alice Academy
Chapter 15
December 24th…
Mikan is really tired because of what happened just the other night but she knows how special today is so she still woke up early but she didn't move from her bed yet she just wait for the time. Their party starts at 9 in the morning but as early as 6 am Mikan already heard knocks on her door. Who was it? Well It's none other than Misaki the one that will dress her up.
"Misaki, you're early" Mikan greeted her.
"It's better early than late" Misaki entered Mikan's room carrying her dress, a make-up kit and a gift. "I'll start with you, so where is your dress?"
Mikan grinned and said "I haven't picked yet"
"What?!!!" Misaki yelled then ran towards Mikan's dress cabinet. She started digging up every dress Mikan has. She found a lot of nice dresses that Mikan could wear but for some reason she's not satisfied until she spotted a shopping bag inside the cabinet. She took the bag out and opened it. From the bag she held out a simple yet elegant knee length tank top dress. "This is perfect" she exclaimed. "This is what you're going to wear. You didn't tell you've been keeping such a nice dress like this."
That's the dress Itsuki gave me. She said but didn't bother voicing out to Misaki.
Supposedly Misaki would work on Mikan first, but since Mikan just move out from her bed she needs to take shower first. After taking a shower Mikan walked out of the bathroom and sees Misaki already dressed. "Wow, Misaki you look great"
"I know dear, I know" she was smiling while twirling. She was wearing a black haltered dress, it was three inches below the knee and has a slit on one side. Her hair was pulled up exposing the back of her neck and she was wearing a two inches silver sandals with ankle strap.
After Seeing Misaki, Mikan is having second thoughts of dressing up. She was thinking what if the dress don't look good on her.
"Now Mikan let me start working with you" Misaki said as she approach Mikan. She started working at Mikan and after more than 30 minutes she finished dressing her up. She was held back by the result of what she did to Mikan.
Mikan gazed at Misaki's reaction. I knew it, it didn't look good in me she felt disappointed.
"What's with the gloomy face Mikan"
"I don't look good right?"
"What are you talking about? You look perfect Mikan"
The dress fits Mikan perfectly, Misaki put a light make up on her just to emphasize her nice features, her hair was curled and was half tied down, on her feet she has a white two inches heeled sandals with an ankle strap. She looks stunning plus the fact that she doesn't know how good she looked.
It was almost 9 am when Misaki and Mikan went out of her room. Since it's cold outside they have to put a coat on the top of their dress, Misaki has a black leather coat that reaches her knee, while Mikan has a pink with white lining fur coat that reaches her stomach.
While they were heading for their classroom it is unavoidable that they passed by some student's who are heading in their own parties. Since their coat are open, what they wear inside is visible. They noticed people stopping and staring at them while they're passing through. When they reached their classroom they received the same reaction specially Mikan. They were held back by her beauty. They know Mikan is pretty but right now, she's more than pretty, she looks like an angel.
For a moment there was silence until Tono approach Mikan while holding a rose that he took from one of their flower decoration. "Good morning young lady, you look really pretty today" he bowed if front of Mikan like a gentleman and hand her the rose.
"thank you" she said while blushing.
"you look even more beautiful when you blush" a voice came from behind her.
Mikan knows the owner of the voice, but she still turn around to make sure.
As soon as Mikan's face him Itsuki bowed just like Tono. "I was wondering when are you gonna wear that dress?" he said then handed her a bouquet of flowers.
Mikan took the flowers and blush even more "thank you Itsuki, for the flowers and for the dress" she said.
"She's beautiful isn't she?" Tsubasa murmured on Kaname's ear.
"Yeah" realizing what he just said Kaname blushed.
Misaki who were just beside Tsubasa giggled from Kaname's reaction. "Don't you have flowers for her too?" she asked while they were watching Mikan continuously receiving compliments.
"I'll give it to her later" Kaname answered.
In some other parts of the academy the other classes are also holding their party, even the dangerous ability class has their own party, excluding Persona, Natsume was also there since Youichi is there but instead of talking about their parties or their abilities they were talking about a particular girl.
"Hey have seen her earlier?"
"who? Mikan?"
"Yeah"
"Yes I saw her while I was heading here, she looks really pretty"
"She looks like an angel"
"I will ask her to dance with me tonight"
"You wouldn't have a chance, I'm sure Natsume and Itsuki won't let her dance with anybody"
"Mikan said it herself that there's nothing going on between them so she can dance with anyone she pleases."
Mikan's friends, including Natsume and Ruka, just listen to others while they praise Mikan. Since none of them seen her yet they have the urge to see her, but they have to wait until their party is over.
Even the girls are talking about Mikan. They envy her. They envy how she can manage to be so simple yet so attractive and she doesn't even know it. But one of them think otherwise that girl; just wait till I see her. I'll make her see that she's nothing compared to me. These people just don't know what real beauty is. Kaoru's really irritated hearing Mikan's name all the time.
Special ability party…
Everyone's having fun. They already started eating, they did some light games since the girls are wearing dresses, they give prizes to the winners and a consequence for the losers, even Mr. Noda joins their games.
"Everyone we're going to start exchanging gifts so prepare for your gifts and your speeches" Tsubasa stated. He heard the excitement of their classmates. "Since this is Itsuki's idea, let's start with him." He said grinning while watching Itsuki walks to the front scratching his head.
"Ok, I'll start now. The one I picked is…" Itsuki called out a girl's name but it's no Mikan nor Misaki.
And so the gift giving begins. Everyone were really excited to know who has their names. There are those who gave funny stuffs which includes funny descriptions, the others took it seriously that it is visible that they used so much time finding the right gift, while others looks like they just picked whatever they saw then wrapped it.
They were almost done, it's time for Tsubasa's turn. "Misaki" he called out her name.
Misaki walked forward thinking so it was me, that's why he didn't tell me. I wonder what he has for me.
Misaki sat on the chair at the front and took a large wrapped box Tsubasa handed her. She opened it and from inside the box she pulled out a soft heart-shaped pillow.
"I chose that pillow because it only gives you nice dreams and I chose a heart shape because.." Tsubasa took a deep breath then "I love you"
Everyone was surprised by the sudden confession. They know Tsubasa likes Misaki but to say it in front of everybody it's just not like him.
"You love me?" Misaki stood up from her seat and look at Tsubasa.
"You didn't know?" Tsubasa asked disappointed.
Misaki smiled then said "Of course I know, but it's the first time you said it to me straight"
"Well…" Tsubasa can't find the right words to say.
Misaki was overwhelmed by the fact that he said those words in front of their classmates. She knows that Tsubasa is feeling a little embarrassed by what he did so without any word she hugged him. Everyone around them applauded, it's just like a movie.
Almost everyone else's are finished even Kaname and Mr. Noda, the only ones left are Tono and Mikan which means they draw out each other's name.
"There's only two left, you can open your gifts together" Tsubasa said.
Mikan and Tono walked to the front and handed each others gift. They received small boxes with almost the same size. They opened it slowly and were surprised to see what was inside. A necklace. They both gave each other a necklace. The others were surprised too.
"You talk first" Tono said to Mikan.
"Ok. I just met Tono and I don't know much about him so it's hard to decide what gift I should get, but when I saw that necklace I just know that it would look good on you." The necklace she gave to him was a long thick silver necklace with his name as a pendant.
"Thank you Mikan, and I liked it." Then Tono put the necklace on. "Now it's my turn. Just like what you said, I just met you and I don't know much about you. All I know is that you only use your Alice when you help other people. The pendant of that necklace is a amplifying stone. I made it using my Alice. Someone thought me how to do it. That is the first one I made and I know that you're the perfect one for it" Tono explained. Everyone agrees to what he said. "So, shall I put it on you?"
Mikan give the necklace to Tono and he put it carefully around her neck. "Thank you, It's beautiful and would be useful." She smiled at him very sweetly. Her necklace was a thin, not too long, feminine chain with a glimmering emerald green, oval shaped pendant.
It's already 1 in the afternoon and the party just ended. They are now cleaning up their mess. Mikan was about to throw away some garbage when Kaname walked to her.
"ahmm, Mikan" he called out.
"What is it?"
"This is for you, I wasn't able to give it to you earlier because your too busy" Kaname handed her a bouquet of flowers. "You look really beautiful today"
"Thank you" she accepted it and smiled. She is still clueless of the meaning of his actions. After accepting the flowers Mikan continues what she was supposed to do. She didn't know what was happening inside.
"Did you see that? What was that just now?" one of their classmates who was watching them curiously asked.
"That was the second time Kaname gave flowers to Mikan, he never does that to other girls even with Misaki" another one commented
"Could it be that…"
"Just shut up you guys" Tsubasa cut their chatting.
On the other hand, just outside the room…
"What are you guys doing here?" Mikan asked her friends who accidentally meet up outside their room.
"ahm, we were just looking for you. All of our party ended already and you and Itsuki are the only one missing?" Yuu made up an explanation.
"Was that Kaname who just gave you flowers?" Nonoko curiously asked.
"Yeah. Itsuki and Tono gave me flowers too"
"What?! Really?! Why is it only Mikan received flowers?" Sumire protested.
"Aren't you done yet?" Hotaru asked her.
"Yes, we just finished. We were only cleaning up"
"You can go now Mikan" Tsubasa said who were on the door "You too" he added then pushed Itsuki out.
"But we're not done cleaning yet?" Mikan said.
"It's ok. We're almost done anyway" Misaki answered her.
"Ok then, Thank you. See you later at the dance" She waved goodbye to them.
Mikan together with the girls were walking ahead of the boys. Far behind from anyone else were Itsuki, Ruka, Youichi an Natsume.
"doesn't she look pretty?" an out of the blue question from Itsuki.
Natsume and Ruka just look at him as if giving a warning.
Itsuki answered their warning look by a mocking smile then catch up with his cousin.
In the dormitory, everyone was taking a rest because tonight would be a long night for them.
"What were you thinking giving flowers to that girl?" Kaoru yelled at her cousin. They were inside her room. They went straight there after the party.
"And were thinking when kissed Natsume?" he asked back.
"You saw, did she see it too?"
"yes"
"Good then."
"What are you trying to do? We can take them both if they are in good terms. Why do you always have to break them apart"
"You're the one to talk dear cousin. No matter how many times you say it you don't want that girl to be with Natsume, you want her for yourself. Now tell me I'm wrong."
"I'll go back to my room. I'll see you tonight"
That girl.
For t he preparation for the dance, the girls decided to meet at Sumire's room since she has make up sets. Mikan, Hotaru, Nonoko and Anna went to her room by 4 pm with their dresses and Kaoru arrive not later after them. By 4:30 they started dressing up and make-up each other. Anna and Nonoko, Kaoru and Sumire, and Hotaru and Mikan.
"Are you still mad at me?" Mikan asked her best friend while she fixes Hotaru's hair.
"I was never mad at you. I'm just irritated because you don't know what's best for you"
"Maybe, but what can I do I feel much happier when I'm with him"
"You hated him before"
"Yes Hotaru, before, but saw a different side of him. You can see it to right?"
"He already hurt you"
"That was my fault for expecting too much"
"Hey are you two done yet" Sumire butted in their emotional talk.
"Yeah almost" Mikan answered.
By 6 they finished, just the right time before the Dance. The six of them went to the venue together.
The venue set up was very classy. It was set outside, lucky for them the snow is not showing signs of falling down. There is a single stage set up at the front and behind the stage were the sound system. At the center of the place was their usual giant goblet with fire. All over the place where Christmas lights, balloons, and flowers. There is a shed on the side where their buffet table and other foods are placed. It was a perfect set up.
All over the place were the students, dancing, chatting and eating. The teachers were spread all around watching the students have fun. Even Mr. Narumi who were supposedly on vacation is present.
"When are you gonna tell her?" Ms. Yamada asked Mr. Narumi.
"Not now" he answered.
"But you need to tell her"
"I know but not tonight I don't want to ruin her fun" Narumi said while watching Mikan and friends chatting happily then in an instance he felt another unbearable pain in his chest.
"Are you ok, Narumi"
"I'm fine, Thanks"
On the other hand the boys started asking the girls for a dance.
"Hi girls, having fun?" Misaki asks as they approach Mikan's group.
"Yeah. How about you guys?' Mikan asked back.
"Isn't it obvious, were having so much fun"
"May I have the honor of this dance?" From Mikan's side Tono offered his hand.
"Of course" Mikan accepts happily.
"Ooops, someone asked her first" Misaki said teasing.
"Oh shut up. That Tono" Kaname said.
"Don't blame him, you're not making a move it's natural that someone would"
The girls that was left on Mikan's group were clueless of what they were talking about but they didn't bother to ask since the boys started approaching them it seems that Tono's move became the sign that they are ready to dance.
Mikan and Tono are dancing their second song when Kaname finally approach them.
Kaname taps Kaname's shoulder asking for Mikan and so Tono handed Mikan to him.
"This is the first time I ever dance with Kaname" Mikan said to her partner with a sweet smile.
"Because this is the first time I was able to attend such party because of my time I spend on the hospital"
"It's good that you haven't been to the hospital much lately"
"Yeah, just a regular check up is enough. It seems that ever since you came here I was able to heal properly"
"It's not because of me, It's because you want to be better that's why your body is getting stronger"
"I just want to become better because I want to be with Mikan all the time" he said looking straight into Mikan's eyes.
Mikan blushes, looks like she's having a clue of what Kaname is trying to tell her.
"You're becoming more beautiful every time I see you"
"Stop teasing me already" she said blushing even more.
"I'm not teasing you Mikan. I like you. Aside from Tsubasa and Mr. Bear, you are the only one who are able to see what's inside of me." Kaname is still staring at her.
"B-But…" Mikan stammered and looking down on the ground she said "I only see Kaname as an older brother and I –I like someone else though he doesn't feel the same way for me I still like him"
"Then it's the same for me, though you don't like me the way I like you that's fine as long as we can stay as friends and I have said what I felt"
"Of course we can stay as friends"
"Thank you" Kaname felt sad but he felt happy at the same time. They finished dancing just in time the song ended and from behind the Tsubasa appeared
"May I?" he asks the both of them.
Kaname handed Mikan to Tsubasa. Mikan and Tsubasa talked about Kaname's confession. Mikan found out that Tsubasa and the others already knows about it.
"why didn't you tell me?"
"Why, would you prefer hearing it from us than hearing it from him?" Tsubasa's question was left unanswered. After Mikan's dance with Tsubasa other boys asked her to dance as well including Yuu, her guy friends and those guys she just found out existed.
Mikan was now eating with her friends in one of the table when the party organizer walked up the stage and called her name.
"Mikan Sakura. There are requests here asking you to sing even just one song" the speaker look around the crowd searching for her. Everyone looked in her direction. She was doesn't want to come up but thanks to her friends who pushed her she has no choice.
While Mikan walks to the stage everyone's gaze was focused on her. She was on stage when she realized she has no guitar and at that exact time Itsuki walked close holding a guitar.
"Used this" he handed her the guitar.
"thanks" she smiled.
"Thank you won't do"
"Huh?"
"You have to sing this song for me" he grinned while giving Mikan a piece of paper.
Mikan has no choice, she's too kind to decline a request. She walked at the center of stage where a chair is already set. "I'm not sure about this but I'll try my best. You can dance with this requested song. This is about a guy who fell helplessly in love with a girl." She said then started moving her fingers on the guitar creating a wonderful melody.
Every little piece of love
I'll give you everything…
You make me weak,
Girl, you stand out from the crowd,
You are so strong,
Never let life get you down
I can't go on
Pretending I don't see
Just how good I'll be for you
And how good you'll be for me
And it doesn't matter how hard I try,
I can't suppress this feeling,
This feeling inside
I think I'm fallin' girl
I'm fallin' for you, I'm fallin' for you
Doesn't matter what you say,
Doesn't matter what you do
Baby it's true
I'm fallin' for you, I'm fallin' for you
You know how much I care for you
Everyone was silent. Feeling her song. Some are dancing and some were just listening. They watch her fingers go across that guitar, how her mouth opens and a lovely voice come, how the reflection of the fire glimmers in her eyes.
Sometimes in life
You can search forever more
Searching for life
Never able to be sure
Be sure your heart
Won't be broken up inside
Cause inside the realm of love
There's nowhere to run or hide
And it doesn't matter how hard I try,
I can't suppress this feeling,
This feeling inside
I think I'm fallin' girl
I'm fallin' for you, I'm fallin' for you
Doesn't matter what you say,
Doesn't matter what you do
Baby it's true
You know how much I care for you
There's nothing that
I would, I would not do
Mikan continued singing until she finished the song. After she's done she noticed the silence all around the place, no one speaks, no one moves, no one breathes and from that silence a deafening applause broke out. Mikan was very happy she was able to obtain the crowds expectations.
"Wow that was an awesome performance" the organizer said when Mikan left the stage. Everyone else congratulate her especially her friends.
"Wow she can really sing" Ms. Yamada said to Mr. Narumi who was still beside her.
"Her song, there's something into it"
"What do you mean?"
"It's like she's talking to people with her song"
Back to the students, their most awaited part is about to begin but at the moment Mikan is dancing with a young boy.
"you sing well" the boy smiled but his eyes, they were so serious, no emotions written on them at all.
"Thank you. May I know your name"
"Even if I tell you, you won't remember anyway"
"Why?"
"Because you've dance with almost all of the guys here, do you really think you can remember all their names"
Mikan didn't talk again until the song ended. Before the boy left him he murmured something in his ears "be careful with what you do, do you know that there is a person suffering because of you and enjoy the night while you still can" then he went into the crowd and vanished from Mikan's eyes.
"Hey is there anything wrong?" Hotaru asked her when she got back on their table.
"That guy, he's scary" she said.
"Scary, he's gorgeous" Sumire exclaimed
"No, It's not his looks. He said something to me that scares me"
"What is it Mikan?" Nonoko asked worriedly and curiously.
"He said that I should enjoy the night while I still can"
"What was that?' Sumire asked.
"Maybe, you should do what he said" Kaoru said with a suspicious smile then walked out on them.
"Everyone, I know that you are all enjoying the night but we all know that these has an ending. We have come to our last five songs, so those of you who want to call their last dance can come forward" the speaker stated to everyone "oh, and for a change, the boys are also allowed to call for their last dance, it's unfair for the guys that only girls are allowed to do it. And just a reminder you can accept as many last dance you want as long as you didn't call for it"
For the 5th to the last song Tsubasa walked up the stage to ask for Misaki, of course she accept. Surprisingly Yuu asks for Hotaru and as a friend she accepts. Also Itsuki asks for Mikan. Mikan didn't know what to say so Itsuki walked closer to her and kneeled in front of her, not the begging kneel.
"Will you have this dance with me?" He asked while lending his hand.
People are already watching them so Mikan accepted "S-sure"
Mikan and Itsuki were really quite while dancing. Mikan's one hand were placed in Itsuki's shoulder while the other was inside Itsuki's hand, Itsuki's other hand is placed on Mikan's waist.
"The song you asked me to sing, who was that for?" Mikan broke the silence.
"Curious aren't we?" Itsuki said with a teasing smile.
"If you don't want to tell me that's fine" she said with an irritated tone.
"Hey, I didn't say I won't tell. But you know Mikan you're being too naïve in what's happening around you."
"What are you saying?" Mikan was clueless obviously.
"That song was for you."
"What?!" people look at their direction because of Mikan.
"See, that's what I'm telling you. You have difficulties understanding the feelings of people around you. I do everything to please you yet you didn't notice it."
"Let's move to the next song" Mikan was about to say something but the speaker cut her out.
For the next song Nonoko and Anna took the chance to ask someone they like, but it's not Mr. Misaki this time, and they were accepted. But the surprise was Kaoru asking for Natsume. Natsume didn't accept nor declined because Kaoru didn't give him a chance, she drag him to the dance floor. Natsume didn't want to humiliate Kaoru in front of so many people so he just went along with her.
Everyone was talking about them.
"The nerve of that girl" Sumire wanted to run on the dance floor and pull out every strand of Kaoru's hair.
"You ok?" Hotaru asked Mikan.
"Of course I am" she said but deep inside Natsume never dance with anyone before not even with me, why did he accept? Mikan was asking herself while staring at the pair. She can see the Kaoru was enjoying it but Natsume's reaction, she can't see it but her reaction there are few who noticed it.
After the song…
"Thank you Natsume" Kaoru happily said.
"Next time you do that, I won't hesitate to leave you in the center" he warned her then walked back to his group.
For the 3rd song Mikan was asked again by Kaname this time and without hesitation she accepts.
The 3rd song is finished Mikan was on her way back to her friends when…
"Ruka Nogi asks for Mikan Sakura for his last dance" hearing that Mikan turned around just to see Ruka already standing there.
"May I have this dance?" he asked.
"Of course" she smiled sweetly.
"we haven't talked for a while. You're not avoiding me this time right?" Ruka asked her with a serious face.
"Of course not" she answered quickly.
Ruka smiled "I was joking. I know you're not avoiding me. This past few days were just busy days for all of us"
Until the whole song ended they talked about what kept them busy for the past few days. Ruka escorted Mikan back to her group and before leaving he whispered something on her ears "By the way Mikan, you look beautiful earlier and even tonight"
"Now were down to our very last song. Now who do we have here?" Everyone were surprised to see who's behind the speaker…..Natsume?.
"I asked for Mikan Sakura to be my last dance" he said without hesitation.
Everyone was surprised but not that much, after the rumor they were expecting something like that might happen. But still that's not the Natsume they know.
Finally. Ruka sighed while looking at his best friend.
Bastard. Itsuki were glaring at the confident look in Natsume's face.
Damn you both. Kaoru's heating up.
From the stage, Natsume walked to were Mikan was standing. Everyone that was on his way moved out and watch his every move.
"You will accept right, Mikan" Natsume lend his hand and smiled his very rare smile.
Mikan smiled back, she doesn't know where to put joy "of course, Natsume" then she gave her hand to Natsume.
They slowly walked at the center. Nobody else took that last dance. They just watch the two with envy, jealousy, actually they were filled with mixed emotions.
Natsume put Mikan's both arms around his neck then he put his arms around her waist. Mikan was leaning on Natsume while Natsume lips were at the same height as Mikan's ears.
"I'm sorry Mikan" he whispered.
"What for?"
"About what happened before"
"I thought we agreed to forget all about it"
"But I want to apologize for all those things that I said. They were all lies"
"It's ok Natsume"
"I wish we could just stay like this"
"Yeah me too"
The night ended. Natsume took Mikan to her room. They didn't clear what is their status right now but it seems unnecessary. What's important is they understand each other. Words are not necessary anymore.
Author's Note: This story is pretty long, i hope you guys like it. About the song, that's the song that i heard first while typing this chapter, but it's pretty nice anyway and has a nice meaning too. so thank you for reading and i hope you like it too.