Chapter 7

Finally, the Track and Field Day has arrived. Everybody was gathered on at the PE field to watch the marathon, especially when news of Natsume and Ruka joining it.

"Everybody! We are now going to start the most anticipated part of this day, the Pair Marathon!" The announcer declared.

"Woooohhh!!!"

"Natsume! We're cheering for you!"

"Ruka! Go for it!"

"The objective of this game is very simple. From the starting line, all runners with their partners on their back, must proceed to the North Woods. Along the way, there will be students on post to direct you. Then you will pass along the Infirmary, then the Gymnasium and you're back at the field. Make one more round until you reach the finish line. Alright?"

The crowd cheered. A lot of them have been excited after hearing that Natsume and Ruka were both participating in the game. Although they were quite sure that Natsume will win, they were still enthusiast to see Ruka's first athletic competition.

"Hey Ruka. Hope you did not forget the bet we had yesterday." Natsume greeted his best friend.

"Of course not. Mikan and I will win this one."

Natsume smirked. He could not believe how confident Ruka with his partner beside him. He noticed the way the girl smiles at his bestfriend. He turned his attention to Mizuki and forced a smile too.

"Let the game begin." The announcer called and there was a bang that signals the start of the marathon.

"Mikan, I'm sorry. We were not able to win because of me."

The marathon finally ended with the results in favor of Natsume and Mizuki. Just when Ruka thought he was winning, Natsume passed him with a swift and reached the finish line. Then, he and Mikan came in next.

"What are you saying, Ruka? It's ok with me. I know we did a good job." Mikan smiled at him then continued, "Hey, I'll treat us both fluff puffs for winning second place!" Mikan exclaimed.

Oblivious to them, Natsume had been watching the whole scene out of the corner of his eye and can't help but feel a twinge of jealousy creeping into him. He can't understand it at all but he seemed not happy with the results.

Mizuki noticed the poignant look in Natsume's face and followed the direction of his gaze. After understanding the reason for Natsume's gloomy face, she took a towel and tried to wipe Natsume's face gently.

"Hey, you don't seem to be happy after winning. Is there something wrong?" she asked.

Natsume turned his attention to Mizuki and smiled for the interruption. Unknowingly, Mikan turned to their direction at the same time and witnessed the sweetness between the two. She suddenly felt weak and hanged on to Ruka for support when out of nowhere, another person caught her.

Mikan opened her eyes to get a clearer view of her savior. "Tsubasa?"

"Hmm…you seemed to have gotten heavier, Mikan?" Tsunasa greeted her in his usual happy tone.

"Tsubasa!" Mikan cried out. And as if by impulse, she hugged him and almost forgotten what just happened.

Tsubasa hugged her back and suddenly saw Natsume looking at them with disgust on his face. Feeling a little bit giddy, he called out to him.

"Yo Natsume! So you've returned, huh? He approached him and whispered, "I heard you've forgotten about Mikan. If that's true, then can I have her now?" Tsubasa retreated and showed him a mischievous grin.

Natsume can't help feeling irritated, not only by the words from the guy but his careless moves as well. He remembers him doing nothing but make him feel angry even before. He was about to make a move when he suddenly felt glued on the floor.

"Oh no, you don't touch me, Natsume." Tsubasa said and smiled at the annoyed guy as he steps on the shadow of Natsume making him unable to move. Then, he turned his attention back to Mikan. "Actually Mikan, we were about to discuss the Special Ability Class plans for the coming festival. Wanna come with me?"

"She's not going anywhere." Natsume interrupted. "They lose the bet so she's going to be with me and be my servant as long as I say so."

"Oh, is that so? Then I guess I just have to go with you too and have fun with your shadow, what do you think? Or you can just let me borrow Mikan for the meeting and I'll return her to you. Sounds good, huh, Natsume?" Tsubasa suggested with a playful glee on his face.

"Tsk. I'll give her an hour. After that, she must return or else I'll burn you alive." Natsume threatened.

Tsubasa chuckled. "Very well," he said. Then he took Mikan's hand which Mikan obediently complied, and led her away. "Come Mikan, let's forget that stupid bet for awhile."

Mizuki watched the whole scene silently. Since the day they have arrived, she just observes everything around her, especially Natsume's actions. So far, Natsume had not shown any recognition of Mikan which is in accordance to her plans. She tried to reminisce the events that led her to that situation…

It was a cold dark night when she went out of the house to get some fresh air. She just had a quarrel with her grandfather concerning her plans of going to school. Her grandfather had always been reluctant of sending her off due to her being not normal. Since she was young, she had already noticed that she's special.

As she was surveying the movement of the waves, her eyes caught something life form somewhere near the seashore. She run fast to the location of the body and found a young boy, almost lifeless. When she tried to assess him, her heart skipped a beat when she saw how beautiful he was. Then, all of a sudden, the boy started to speak.

"Mikan…Mikan…" the young boy was calling out in a soft whisper. Then she noticed the ring being touched by the boy, as if it contains the person he's trying to reach. Then he passed out.

"Mizuki?"

Mizuki's thoughts were interrupted when she heard her name. She saw Natsume looking at him and she started to blush.

"Let's go over there. I want to rest for awhile." Natsume said, pointing to the rows of Sakura trees nearby.

"Okay." Mizuki said and followed him.

They arrived at Natsume's favorite Sakura tree and both sit down underneath it. Natsume then reached out his latest manga collection and started off reading. Meanwhile, Mizuki was just observing him and felt downhearted for Natsume's lack of enthusiasm.

"Natsume?"

"Hmm..?"

"Do you still remember our deal about me returning after the festival?"

"Of course. If in case you realize that you won't fit here, I will do all in my power to get you out. Although I don't find any reason for you to go when I'm here with you" Natsume answered. Then he eyed the girl suspiciously. "Did something happened that makes you want to leave?"

Mizuki quickly disagree. "No, that's not it. I'm just thinking if you like it here again now that you're back or you would still like to stay with us if given the chance."

Natsume remained silent. Mizuki has a point. When he was still outside, he was dreading his return to the Academy. But now that he's back…

An image of a young girl in pigtails came into his mind. He quickly shake his head and looked away. Ever since his return, Mikan keeps on coming into the picture. He heard people saying she was his girlfriend, even his best friend Ruka, but that's impossible because he had no memories of her. And he's not even the type to be stuck with a girl. It might be a ploy to lull him to the Academy's hands, just like how they used his sister against him, and do their biddings again. Tsk. Such a pathetic move. He thought.

Mizuki was studying his reactions and felt like she was losing the battle. Natsume's silence somehow had proven it. After being in the Academy for only three days, she had noticed that his actions have already started to change…especially the way he reacts when Mikan is around. Her thoughts drifted again to the time when they were back home…

"You seemed lost in your thoughts." Mizuki asked as she approached the silent Natsume sitting along the seashore.

"I was just wondering if she's okay." Natsume replied.

"Is it Mikan again?"

"Yeah. I hope she did not forget about me. I mean, I know a lot of guys have been eyeing her since the start of this school year but if ever someone would hurt her, I would definitely blow their heads away!" Natsume said with a sound of hatred.

"Well, how about you tell me more about her so that negative things won't come into your mind? That is, if it's okay with you." Mizuki suggested.

Natsume simpered and let out a crackle. The thought of Mikan and her idiotism entered his mind and he can't help but be amused. He turned his attention to Mizuki and started talking. "You know, Mikan is the most stupid, brainless idiot you'll ever meet. She's so friendly to everybody, even those she doesn't know. She always stumbles whenever I'm near and shows off her polka-dot panties. But on top of that, she's the only girl who made my cold heart melt…and that's why, she's the only girl I'll ever love."

A tear trickled on Mizuki's face after recalling such memory. But that was the past…I have him with me now. And after all these will be over, I will have him all for myself. Mizuki thought to herself and quietly wiped off the streaks. Then, she slowly moved near Natsume's side, trying to be closer to him.

Natsume noticed Mizuki's near presence and was about to move away lightly when she noticed Mikan walking at the far end, as if looking for something or somebody. As if by impulse, he quickly slid to Mizuki's lap and just lie down while still reading his manga. Mizuki was startled but eventually eased down and joy was evident in her face. She tried to play with Natsume's hair and tried to hum while closing her eyes. Beneath the manga, a sly grin formed on the boy's face.

Meanwhile, Mikan had just finished with the meeting of the Special Ability Class. The meeting went good but her mind was not on it. She was supposed to enjoy this much-awaited event, the School Festival, but memories of Natsume and that girl keep on playing in her mind. Good thing it did not take long for them to come up with a good idea and the responsibilities were divided in a quick manner.

And just when she thought her worries are over, she caught sight of two people under the Sakura Tree. The guy was lying on the girl's lap while the girl was playing with his hair. Mikan was so shocked that she felt her body shaking and her legs unable to move. She thought she was going to fall when suddenly, somebody pulled her close and hugged her tightly from the back.

"Don't worry Mikan. I'll catch you over and over again."

I'm back! I'm so sorry for the late update. I have been too busy lately and I just couldn't find time to sit down and type. More importantly, I got this thing called "writer's block" and the rest is history. Anyway, please RxR! I'll try to update as soon as possible since I have the idea in my mind now. /wink/

Thanks!