Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice/ Alice Academy
Chapter 18
After the talk Hotaru and Ruka had, they realized something and that is they need to fix things between their friends.
December 31st , New Year's eve preparations.
Early in the morning and the student are busy preparing for the new years eve. They are having a formal dance and a fireworks display. The most busy are those who are in the student council. Yuu and Hotaru are part of the student council so they don't have a time to hang-out with their friends.
On the other hand Mikan and the others are just walking around the academy while talking about what they will wear. But the preparations Mikan's friends are making are not only for the New Year's eve they also have to do something for Mikan's birthday, which means they need someone to take away Mikan and the perfect one for the job is, Itsuki. It would have been Hotaru or Yuu but they were busy. It could also be Natsume or Ruka but they were missing, It would have been Tsubasa or Misaki but they are the one leading for organizing the surprise party.
While Mikan and the others are walking around, Itsuki popped out from nowhere, and their plan is on.
"Hey guys, can I borrow Mikan for a while?" he looked at the others then stared at Mikan.
Of course their answer is "Sure". Take note they answered in chorus, it is obvious that it was just a plot but knowing Mikan she's unaware as usual.
Itsuki literally drag Mikan away from the others.
"hey, stop. Where are we going?" she asked Itsuki.
"I need you to come with me at Central, I need to pick up something that I ordered." He wasn't lying that he was picking up something but it wasn't him that made the order.
"Why do I have to come with you?"
"Mikan, you are my partner and as long as there is a partner assigned to me I can't go to central without you" he explained.
"oh, that's right" Mikan remembered the times she was Natsume's partner; she always have to beg him when she wants to go to central.
And so Mikan was out of choice and ended up coming with Itsuki.
"So what do you want to talk about?" Natsume asked Ruka who drag him into the woods. After breakfast Ruka asked Natsume to come with him.
"You've changed Natsume, You've changed a lot" Ruka said to him. They both leaning in a tree.
"Is that bad?" Natsume asked.
"No, definitely not. You've changed for the better."
"Is that all this is about?"
"What are you and Mikan right now?" Ruka looked at Natsume to see his reaction.
"So it all comes down to Mikan after all. Why do we end up talking about her all the time?" he asked back.
"Why can't you just answer me"
"We don't really care. It's not important for us, what's important is we understand each other and we enjoy each others company." Natsume said to him seriously.
"So in other words you haven't told her yet what you really feel for her?" Ruka is asking for a confirmation.
"It's not necessary"
"Is that what you think? Unless you make things official between the two of you, Mikan can be snatched from you. Surely you notice that Itsuki is doing his best to get close to Mikan, even that Kaname is making his moves." He said trying to Natsume's senses.
"Won't you include yourself?" he asked with a mocking smile.
"Fine, like I said unless you make things official between you two, you stand on the same ground as us" he said firmly.
Natsume stared at him. "What are you trying to say?" he asked with his brows crossed.
"You have the advantage on her right now because we all know that she likes you. I want her to be happy that's why I'm giving her up to you" he said. The both of them are looking at each others eyes "but remember that if I see her hurt again because of you, I'm going to take her permanently away from you" he stated seriously then left Natsume standing there.
Natsume clenched his fist, he felt insulted. Do you think I will hurt her again?
It seems like their friendship is at stake to whatever happens between Mikan and Natsume. Natsume knew that Ruka give Mikan up not only for her happiness but for his as well, he's thankful for that. Ruka is definitely his true friend.
Ruka went looking for their friends after he left Natsume and not long after he found them Natsume arrived. They were at Mr. Bear's place. They were decorating the place, not inside the cottage but the space outside the cottage. Ruka has no idea what was that for but Natsume he didn't pay attention to what his eyes are seeing but to what his eyes can't see.
"Where's Mikan?" Natsume asked. Everyone is already used to him calling Mikan by her first name and they are aware of their "relationship" if there's any, so no one were surprised that he is looking for her.
Ruka looked around. I didn't even notice that she's not here.
"She's at central with my cousin" Kaoru answered with a mocking smile.
"What?!" Ruka and Natsume asked in unison. They looked at each other.
"Why?" Natsume asked again.
"Someone has to take Mikan away or we won't finish her surprise party" Tsubasa answered.
"Why him?" Ruka asked next.
"Because neither of you are here" Sumire answered.
"Don't worry guys, she's in good hands" Kaoru added with that same mocking smile on her face. Both boys stared at her with an angry face.
"Instead of standing there why don't you make yourself useful and help us" Misaki said to the two boys. "I'm sure you want to be part of this surprise party"
Ruka and Natsume having no other choice, started helping.
Meanwhile, Mikan and Itsuki are already at central town. They were walking when Itsuki noticed that Mikan looks sad.
"I'm sorry" he said.
"Huh, for what?" Mikan is puzzled.
"For dragging you out here"
Mikan smiled "It's ok"
"but you look sad. I thought you don't like coming with me"
"It's not that, so don't worry, ok" she was smiling to ease Itsuki's guilt.
"Is it about your grandfather?"
Mikan's face was again covered with sadness.
"I've heard that you weren't aloud to have communication with him, was that true?" Mikan didn't answer. "I'm sorry for asking such question. It's so inconsiderate of me" Mikan can tell that he's sincere in asking for apology.
"It's true" she said.
"What?" Itsuki was confused.
"It's true that I'm not aloud to have contact with my grandfather"
"But why?"
"I don't know. No one knows"
"Are you angry at the academy for that?"
"frankly, at first, I was. Not just angry but really, really angry. I even did try to escape" she smiled remembering what she did.
"You did?!" he asked amused. "then what happened? Why are you still here?"
"well, I manage to get out of the school grounds, but just outside the gates, I was almost kidnapped. Lucky for me, Mr. Narumi came to my rescue, then he told me that those guys are going to sell me for I am an Alice. It was then when I realized that I can never have a normal life again outside the academy"
"Is that why you started accepting your life here?"
"Not just that. The academy wasn't so bad at all. Here, I met different people and got along with them"
"but what about the fact that you weren't by your grandfather's side when he died and you're not aware of it till later. Weren't you mad at the academy"
"Actually I am, but after thinking it over I realized something. Will my grandfather not die when I'm beside him? He will still die right. And when he die I will be left alone. But here, I am never alone. I have friends here. This is my new family, my new home."
"Are you sure you have no other relative outside?"
"What are you saying?" Mikan stopped.
"uhm, nothing. Look were here. You can wait for me here." Then he left Mikan outside. Damn, I almost slipped.
While waiting for Itsuki, Mikan noticed that it was close to the store where she found the charm bracelet. She walked to the store to see if there is a new product that was like what she saw, but she was just disappointed. I should have bought it when I saw it.
"What's wrong Mikan? Is there something you want to buy?" Itsuki walked to her.
"Nah" she shook her head. "It's not there anymore"
"Oh, ok. Shall we go back?"
"Yeah"
And so they head back.
When Mikan and Itsuki arrived, the rest are already waiting for them at the benches in front of the middle school dormitory. As they approach them they heard different greetings like; "what took you so long?" "Did you get it, did you get it?" "So how was your date?", but they just ignore it all.
Itsuki walked toward Sumire and handed her the box that they picked up, while Mikan walked to the angry looking Natsume.
"Hey, what's with the face?" Mikan asked him smiling.
"Why did you have to come with that guy?" he scolded her. The others didn't hear it since they were a little far for them. It only seems like they are talking normally.
"don't yell at me." Mikan asked him back with the same angry tone.
"You didn't answer my question" still mad.
"Itsuki needs to go at central and as his partner I have to come with him. I'm not like those other partners you see, I do my responsibility." Mikan said really pissed and walked out on him. She walked close to the others "I'll head back to my room guys. I'll just see you later" it visible on her face that she is angry, but no asked why.
"Hey Mikan we'll be at your room around 4:00 pm." Sumire shouted at her back.
"Yeah, sure" she answered.
After Mikan entered the dorm they all looked at the last person Mikan talked to. They look suspiciously at Natsume. They didn't get a word from him as expected instead he just walked away. The ones left just shook their heads. What an unbelievable couple. Even though they always fight, they are also the most sensational and sweetest couple.
What's wrong with that guy? He's such a jerk. Mikan is still pissed about Natsume's behavior.
It's already 3:00 pm the girls will arrive at 4:00 so Mikan decided to bathe so that she can dry her hair before they arrive. After 30 minutes she was done and just as she walked out of the shower, she heard knocks on her door.
"They're already here?" Mikan opened the door and saw Hotaru standing there with Amanatsu and her things. "You're early"
"I hate being late. You can put my things down on the bed Amanatsu and you can go"
"Yes Miss Hotaru" after putting her things down Amanatsu left.
Hotaru sat at the couch while Mikan sat in front of her dresser and started brushing her hair. After few brushes Hotaru walked close to her and took the brush off her hands, then Hotaru continued brushing her hair. She smiled at her friends gestures.
"How did the preparations go?" she started the conversation.
"Fine" she answered simply. For a while there was silence again then… "Why didn't come down for lunch?"
"Oh, I just had a little fight with Natsume"
"Again. How are things going between the two of you?"
"What do you mean?"
"What's the status of your relationship?"
She smiled sadly "I don't know"
"What do you mean you don't know?" she stopped on what she was doing.
"We hang out, we talk, we have fun when we're together and we fight, that's all I know aside from that things aren't really clear."
"Why don't you ask him?"
"I tried that once remember, I don't want what happen before to happen again. I'm fine with what we are now" she said she's fine with it but tears are starting to form in her eyes. Hotaru noticed that so she hugged Mikan from behind.
Mikan was surprise but happy. "You know I'm always here, right Mikan"
"Of course. You're my only best friend after all"
"then why are you keeping secrets from me?" Hotaru's hug loosen.
"What are you talking about?" Mikan faced her friend.
"About you r mother"
"How did you…?" Mikan was wondering how she found that out and remembered something "You heard us?"
"Yes. I ran after you after you walked out but Natsume got to you first. I heard you talking about your grandfather's letter telling you that your mother is still alive. Why did you have to tell that to Natsume and not to me?" Hotaru's angry. She is standing while looking down at Mikan. Her angry face triggered something in Mikan's memory.
"You did the same thing remember?" Mikan was talking about Hotaru not telling her about her brother that was in the academy. "If that accident didn't took place, would you tell that to me?" she is angry as well and stood up to level with her friend. Take note, it's their first serious fight.
"That was years ago and I already told you the reason why I keep it a secret"
"Fine. If you heard the whole conversation you should've heard my reason but I will still tell you. I have no idea that I still have a parent. I was told that they died in an accident. After 13 years, without evidence but a letter telling me that I still have a mother, do you think I would accept that? I lived all my life with only my grandfather beside me. I will never accept her even if it's true" Mikan's clenching her fist while saying those words and unknown to her tears started falling out of her eyes.
"Mikan, I'm sorry" Hotaru apologized and hugged her friend tight. Mikan hug her back. They were in that position when they heard knocks. The girls are here. Mikan wiped her tears and opened the door.
The girls started dressing up with the same partners as before.
"Mikan do you have hair pins?" Nonoko asked.
"Just open my dresser's drawer, I know I have some there" she said. Hotaru was fixing her hair so she can't move.
Nonoko asked Sumire to get it since Sumire is closer to the dresser. When she opened it, she instantly saw the pins but aside from that, she noticed a silver locket in there. It was round about 2 cm in diameter and about 5 mm thick. She was curious so she picked it up and tried to open it but she was unsuccessful.
"Hey Mikan, why can't this locket be open?" she asked Mikan.
"huh?" Mikan look at her direction and look at what she was holding. The others did the same thing. "oh, I don't know. I haven't seen what's inside it either"
"It's yours, how come you haven't seen what's in it?" Hotaru got curious.
"It wasn't really mine. Do you remember the fortune teller at central town, she gave it to me"
"Why would she give you that?" Nonoko asked.
"I don't know, but when I met her just a few days ago she told me that it would open by itself when the time comes"
"Talk about something weird" Sumire muttered.
"Yeah" Mikan agreed.
"Hey Sumire the pins" Nonoko yelled and their attention is once again back to dressing up.
After hours of dressing up they were done.
Anna and Nonoko are both wearing a spaghetti strapped long dress. Anna's dress was blue and Nonoko was red. They look like twins even their hair style are the same.
Sumire is wearing a black knee length tube dress. Her short hair just lay down and she has a mild make up on. On her feet, she was wearing a silver sandals. She looks hot in her simple dress.
Kaoru on the other hand is wearing a long, silver backless with plunging neckline dress. It even has a slit on one side from half of her thigh down. Her dress was pulled up and she is wearing a heavy make up which she put on her own. On her feet was a three inches high black sandals.
Hotaru is wearing a long pink tube dress with shiny beads embedded on it. Her hair being the same length and style as before stays that way she was with a mild make-up. And she's wearing a silver sandals.
Mikan is wearing a white dress cut with one strap on her right shoulder and none oh her right. At the bottom of the dress, the right was knee length then it was cut sided until the left side was ankle length. Her hair was braided half. She has a very light make-up as usual, it was done by Hotaru, she always say that Mikan looks better on a light make-up. On her feet is a while sandals, plus on her neck she is wearing the necklace given to her by Tono, it really add to her looks, since what she is wearing is all white. She looks like an angel with her all white dress, an enchanting angel.
They were all satisfied with the come out and with that they went out together and headed for the party venue.
The venue was the same place where they held the Christmas dance only different arrangement. There were round tables and chairs arranged enough for all the students and teachers. There were white balloons an white flowers all around the place. (I wonder where they got those flowers, it's winter). The place was really set for formal parties.
When the six of them arrive, there were already students there. Everyone were on their best dresses, even the young ones. The boys are all wearing tuxedos of different kinds and colors.
When they arrive, they seem to have a magnet effect, everyone is looking at their direction.
"Why are they all looking at us? Is there something wrong with us?" Mikan is feeling uncomfortable.
"there's nothing wrong girl, they just noticed my charms" Kaoru said confidently.
"Your charms, look carefully to whom they are staring" Sumire said with irritation but smiling.
While walking closer to the crowd they examined where the people are looking. And of course they are looking at Mikan. Why would they not look at her? Who would've ever thought that the nosy, no star before would look like an angel right now. Realizing who's getting all the attention, Kaoru left them.
"I'm going to look for someone, excuse me girls" she said with a fake smile on her face. They just let her go. Sumire was smiling inside seeing the disappointed look in Kaoru's face.
They found a vacant table. They were about to sit when someone pull a chair for Mikan. She turned around just to see Tono behind her together with the others.
"Hey guys, how long have you been here?" Mikan asked.
"We just arrived. When we arrived the attention was ours but then they found someone more interesting to watch. Some princesses for that matter" Tono said referring to them.
Tsubasa shook his head.
Mikan noticed someone was missing. "Where is Kaname?"
"he ran back to the dorm. He said he forgot something" Tsubasa explained. "Anyway we'll go ahead guys. We'll just see you around."
Before leaving Misaki leaned on their table and murmured something to the girls "Prepare for the long night girls, seems like all the boys hear wants to dance with you"
After Misaki, Tono leaned forward at Sumire then murmured on her ears "save a dance for me young lady" then he caught up with his friends.
Sumire was still blushing even Tono already left.
"What did he say, what did he say?" Nonoko asked curiously.
"Yeah tell us" Anna seconded.
They move their ears closer to Sumire including Hotaru. They were waiting for an answer. "He told me to save a dance for him" Sumire said giggling.
"What, really?!" they blurted out.
"you guys are so noisy" Mochou said while approaching them together with the other guys.
The people's eyes that was recently focused on Mikan's group now caught another view. All the boys that are walking towards Mikan's group looks gorgeous. They have their different charms.
Yuu is wearing a black suit with black pants. Since he is wearing contacts now, he looks good. Ruka is wearing a blue suit. Itsuki is wearing a gray Chinese collared suit. And the one that stands out is Natsume who is wearing a white Chinese collared suit with white pants and white shoes.
There are others who wears the same but for some reason the effect of these guys are different.
As expected when they reached the girls the three most gorgeous walked beside Mikan.
For a while no one dared to talk. No dared to give compliment because they can feel the tension building within the boys surrounding Mikan. but that tension will build up even more because another guy is approaching their group. The guy was wearing a black Chinese collared suit. He is carrying a bouquet of flowers. None on Mikan's group noticed him until he got closer to Mikan.
"Hi Mikan. This is for you" the guy smiled then handed her the bouquet he was holding.
"Oh, thank you Kaname" Mikan smiled at him with seems to add on the tension building.
But luckily before the tension explode the speaker walked on the stage.
"Good evening everyone. Again we are gathered here tonight to welcome as one the new year. Please have fun and enjoy the night." After the speaker finished, a sweet music surrounded the place
Somehow Mikan can feel that the four boys around her will ask her to dance together. If that happens, things might go wrong. Their friends feel the same way to so one is making a move yet. To ease the tension Mikan made a move.
She stood up from her seat and said "Excuse me guys, I need to talk to Mr. Narumi for a while" then she move out of the group. With her move everyone was silenced until one by one the four boys left. After that the ones left behind sweat dropped and sighed in relief.
"How are you feeling?" Serina asked Narumi.
"Fine. It already stopped hurting" he was holding his chest while saying that.
"Of course it would stop. There's no reason for you to disobey the academy now" Mr. Misaki said.
"Yeah. I guess that was it."
"What are you gonna do about Mikan now?" Serina asked.
"I'll take care of her, of course"
"What about……..Yuka? what are you gonna do about her? Misaki.
"I'm not sure"
"If what we heard is true, don't poke your nose on it unless you are ordered. This is different that before. The punishment will be more severe" Misaki warned him.
He didn't answer anymore. What could he say, he didn't even know what to do.
Mikan is now dancing with Tono. After she left her group she went to Tsubasa and told them what happened. They just laugh at her. They said that it's just like her to escape from such situation.
"So do you like Sumire?" Mikan asks Tono while they were dancing.
"the girl in black? Well she looks cute"
"you didn't answer my question"
"Well right now I like someone else so it's not possible for me to fall for someone else" he explained.
"Someone else? Who is this someone else?" she asked curiously.
"She's the one I'm dancing with right now." He said while looking into Mikan's eyes.
"stop joking and answer me seriously for once" she told him.
"I'm being serious Mikan" he definitely looks serious but then he noticed Mikan's uncomfortable look. He laughed and said "I was just joking silly"
"why do you always make fun of me?" Mikan punched him lightly.
"Because you look cute when you are troubled" he said smiling.
"May I have the next dance?" from behind Mikan, Tsubasa appeared.
Tono left Mikan with Tsubasa.
"How are you holding up? We never had a serious talk since we receive the news of your grandfather's death" Tsubasa asked sincerely.
"I'm doing just fine. even though it is hard to accept, I can do nothing about it anymore. It makes me feel better when I accept that." She said.
"You've become much stronger than before"
"I need to"
The time passes much quicker than they expected. It's almost time for the fireworks. The girls are tired and were just sitting on their place. Mikan already danced with Kaname and Itsuki. Natsume was again missing.
On their table the girls were having a nice chat when Kaoru butted in and destroy their nice time.
"So Mikan are you and Natsume officially on?"
Mikan's face saddened and Hotaru noticed it. "Don't poke your nose into someone else's business" Hotaru ordered Kaoru.
"What's wrong with asking? Everyone's curious about it" Kaoru defended herself.
"There's nothing going on between me and Natsume. Are you satisfied now?" Mikan answered hiding the pain she's feeling.
"Mikan" Sumire tried to console her.
"So that means Natsume is still available" Kaoru added.
Hotaru and Sumire looked at Kaoru as if they're gonna eat her. "shut up" they said in unison.
"You can have that guy for all I care, but that is if he'll have you." Kaoru's really picking a fight on her and that pisses off Mikan. She doesn't remember doing anything wrong with that girl. "Excuse me girls I just need to go to the powder room" she excuse herself before she heat up.
"Don't take too long Mikan, the countdown will be starting soon" Nonoko yelled at her back.
"Yeah sure"
Mikan didn't went to the powder room as she said. She just wanted to get away from Kaoru. While walking around Mikan heard someone calling her. She thought it was another guy who wants to dance with her but when she turned around the place was empty.
An illusion she thought. Then she saw a figure in the nearby woods. She walked closer to the figure. "Who are you?"
"First dream of the year is very important. The tendency of it coming true is ninety nine percent, so you better remember your dream" The figure said then it started fading away.
"Wait" Mikan called out but the figure was already gone.
"What are you doing here?" someone asked from behind her.
"I was just… never mind" she said then she tried to walk back to the crowd.
"Wait" Natsume grabbed her wrist before she got away. "I'm sorry about earlier, for yelling at you"
"It's very rare for you to ask for forgiveness"
"I lost my temper earlier"
"Yeah, you lost your temper, for no reason"
"You still don't get why I got angry?"
"No I don't"
Natsume pulled Mikan and pinned her to a tree. His one arm still holding Mikan's wrist while the other is leaning on the tree near Mikan's face. "I hate seeing you with that guy. I warned you to stay away from him yet you still spend time with him, alone for that matter" Natsume's really pissed.
"I told you before, he's done nothing wrong for me to avoid him." Mikan's trying to struggle out of Natsume but he's just too strong for her.
"but I hate seeing you with that guy".
"Why? Tell me why so that I could understand you acting this way"
"That's because, it's because I love you damn it and seeing you with other guys especially that Minami guy" he said without looking at Mikan's eyes.
"w-what did you say?" Mikan wants a confirmation because she was not sure if she heard it right.
Natsume now look into Mikan's eyes, he took a deep breath then "I love you Mikan" after his words the fireworks display began. They didn't hear the countdown since they were too busy and now they didn't even bother to watch the wonderful fireworks in the sky.
"You-you love me?" Mikan couldn't believe it.
"How many times do I have to say it, damn it" Natsume's feeling uncomfortable saying those things.
"It's- I just – I can't believe it" Mikan is struggling for words.
"Is that all you're going to say?" he asked.
"What do you want me to say?" Mikan asked back.
"Say that you love me too" it was an order.
"Who ever told you that I love you?" Mikan's trying to tease Natsume.
"You - you don't?" he ask hesitantly. He was surprise that he loosen his grip at Mikan's wrist.
Mikan smiled at her reaction then suddenly hugged him. "Of course I love you silly. Everyone knows that"
Natsume smiled, one of his rare true smile, then he hugged Mikan back. It seems that they don't want to let go of each other. They stayed in that position for a while. When they loosen the hug Natsume hold Mikan in her shoulder than they stared at each others eyes. Slowly Natsume lowered his head. His lips slowly touched Mikan's lips. It was just a soft kiss but it was full of love.
"Happy New Year and Happy Birthday" he said to his girlfriend then from his pants pocket he pulled out a small white bag then handed it to Mikan.
Mikan opened the bag just to see the charm bracelet that she wanted to buy. "This is…"
Natsume took it from Mikan's hand. "Give me your hands" he said then he put the bracelet around Mikan's right wrist. "I knew you like it"
Mikan smiled while looking at the bracelet on her wrist "I came back for this but it was already sold out. Thank you" she said then hug him again.
Natsume hugged her back then murmured something on her ears "We have to go back now. We already missed the fireworks display"
"Oh, right" she said. They walk back to their friends hand in hand.
When they got back to their table everyone was there, Tsubasa and the others and even Mr. Narumi and Mikan's other favorite teachers. They didn't let go of each other's hand even though they noticed the puzzled look in their friends eyes.
"Where have you guys been?"
"We've looking for you"
"You already missed the fireworks display" These are the greetings the get.
Author's note: Mikan's birthday party on the next chapter so watch out for it. Anyway I hope you like this chapter. Things are going perfectly fine but stories needs twists and turns watch out for it. We still have a long way to go. Enjoy and Thanks.