It's been a year and a month since the dance between Mikan and Hotaru took place during the Dance Festival. Although there had been changes with regards to their age, nothing really seemed to have changed in Alice Academy, especially in Class B. Same classmates, same teachers, same fights, same idols, same stars, and definitely same excitement with every happenings inside the school.

Yeah. Nothing's changed.

But among the many routines and customs inside the school, one relationship started to bloom out of nowhere. A relationship that started with petty fights, quarrels, misunderstanding and friendship. A relationship that everybody in the school never really thought of. And now, a relationship that everybody's envious of. The relationship between Natsume and Mikan.

How it started, nobody knows. All they know is that, these two have been mortal enemies since both laid eyes on each other. Since the "polka-dots" embarrassing event, to the festival, to the kidnap, to the stray apple that came flying during the play of Ruka and Mikan, and eventually to the School Dance, no one really thought that the once-most- fearful-but also-sought-after-black-cat in the Academy will eventually…soften. And it's all because of Mikan.

Of course, close friends like Hotaru and Ruka know all about this just by seeing the way these two would fight each other. However, they have also seen how Mikan get very concerned when Natsume's on a mission or how Natsume would secretly glance at Mikan's side when she's not looking.

And eventually, the time came when their relationship became the talk of the school. It was a very lovely sight. The ever-famous-special-star-black-cat Natsume Hyuuga holding hands with not-so-famous-one-star-nullifying-alice Mikan Sakura, walking along the hallways. Everybody have different opinions with their relationship, both positive and negative. But one thing's for sure – the relationship is real and such connection exudes a powerful magic that even people who personally don't know them just can't help but agree.

Sadly though, in every relationship, there are just time that it has to end…

"And lastly, you have to accept the fact that Natsume's dead."

NOOOOOO…Mikan screamed inside her head. She still doesn't believe that Natsume is dead. She truly believes on what Natsume told her, that he'll be back…And she's patiently waiting for him. But then, the memory of the event one month ago still runs inside her head…

"Oh, I can't wait to see Natsume," Mikan proclaimed while shoving her bag to her armchair next to Natsume's seat.

"You seemed so sure of yourself Mikan." the voice of Sumire suddenly came into hearing.

"What do you mean, Sumire?" Mikan asked.

"You and Natsume became an item just weeks ago. If I'm not mistaken, when he returns here, he will find another one." Sumire smirked while saying this.

"You're just jealous." Mikan said while smiling to herself. She knows how popular her boyfriend is to the girls in Alice Academy and she can't blame Sumire for acting like a brat.

"Oh, you wait and see." Sumire said in such a know-it-all voice which irritated Mikan.

Mikan was about to blurt out another comment when she noticed Mr. Narumi entering the classroom feeling a little bit preoccupied.

"Class, please settle down. I have very important news for all of you," he said while trying not to look at anybody's face.

"You see, there had been a very unexpected event last night…and, ummm…Natsume, as you all know, was tasked to be a part of an operation again. However, due to unanticipated circumstances, little was known that a bomb was planted on the ship where he was supposed to attack and…"

"Mr. Narumi, are you trying to say…"

"Did something bad happened to Natsume?"

"Is he still alive?"

Oblivious to everybody's questions, Mikan sat on her chair, unable to move. She seemed to be lost in her own thoughts of Natsume. She doesn't believe anything bad could happen to her boyfriend. The next words of Mr. Narumi made all her senses blurred.

"He left us."

A loud thug was heard and Mikan was found lying on the floor, unconscious.

Hotaru looked at her sleeping best friend. Despite her frequent tardiness, Mr. Jinno just can't seem to punish her because he too was taken aback by Natsume's loss along with almost everybody who heard the news. She knows that Mikan is still having a hard time accepting the fact that her boyfriend's dead. She'll get over him. Soon, she will realize that it's not yet the end of the world. She smiled as a thought passed in her mind. Hmm…maybe it might help her. Who knows? And she drifted back to sleep beside her now-snoring best friend.

BAKA WAKE UP! BAKA WAKE UP!!!!!!

"Whoa! This alarm clock that Hotaru lend me is really effective." Mikan proclaimed as she woke up. Just as she was about to stop it, she noticed the ring that Natsume gave him the night he went for a mission.

"And every time you miss me, just touch it and you'll feel my presence."

She remembered those words as if it were just yesterday. Just when she was about to touch it, she remembered her promise to herself that night to move on. She retreated her hands and then tried to smile as she look at the ring carefully placed at her bedside table.

"This is a start of a new day!" Mikan shouted to no one in her room. Yes, I don't need to touch the ring every time I miss him because he's here, inside my heart. Natsume, I know. We'll see each other soon!

And she started her way to the bathroom to face the brand new day that awaits her.

Whew! I'm sorry for updating so late. I got tied up in a Hikaru no Go fanfic that has 49 chapters in it and I just can't forgive myself if I don't finish it soon. Well, I guess this looks like a second part of the prologue. I never really thought it would come out this way because I have something in mind before I started to write. But I guess this one is better. I just have to see how I would make chapter 3 a better one because I think it's too soon for me to reveal the hidden plot of this story. Anyway, thank you for the reviews. I don't really know Eoin Colfer but I really appreciate you for comparing a certain writer to me. As to how this would continue, let's just wait and see…Please review! Thanks! )