Chapter 8 – It's Because…

The next day, Mikan was walking seeing Natsume and the girl again. She can't take it anymore-the pressure, the tense, the feeling of Natsume being with that girl? She really can't take it anymore. Then, she saw them again. After that, she thought of a plan-to use Yujiro as an alibi. So, she was pretending to give Yujiro a walk when she is leading the big dog to the place where Natsume and the girl were talking. Then, she listened to the conversation.

"Natsume, why did you quit fire casting in the first place?" The girl asked.

"Look, we talked about this a lot of times and it's not your fault." Natsume replied.

"Was it because I asked you to make a big fireball for my birthday? Natsume look, just continue fire casting." The girl replied.

"We talked about this a lot of times. It's because of-." Natsume wasn't able to finish his answer because Yujiro went out already pulling Mikan. Mikan struggled to stop Yujiro, but he went out anyway. The two were looking at Mikan as Mikan's eyes widened, her mouth opened wide and she blushed.

"Ah, look! Yujiro and I were walking by and we didn't notice that you two were talking there. Anyways, bye!" Mikan waved her hand to them as she walks away with Yujiro.

"She must be from the academy on the other side; the academy for girls only. Well, why would she go here to talk about Natsume's decision again and again? Well, I haven't known her name yet, but I'll try to go outside to see. I'll be going out the other day." Mikan thought.

The next day, Mikan decided to go to the school where the girl was studying. As she was walking, the girl herself found curiosity with Mikan so she herself went to the all boys' school. She appeared in front of Mikan.

"Good Afternoon," The girl bid

"Ah, you were the one who Natsume talked to yesterday! My name is Mikan Sakura." Mikan said.

"Mikan, what a girly name! Anyway, my name is Sumire and I am Natsume's childhood friend up to now. Nice meeting you." The girl, or should I say, Sumire said. Mikan got insulted from what Sumire said. What a girly name.

"Oh yeah, sorry to bother you two from the conversation you had last time. That dog," Mikan said. Sumire laughed.

"But actually, I'm here because… I need help." Sumire said.

"Help for what?" Mikan asked.

"You see, you and Natsume are room mates right? I actually like Natsume. So, I am asking a favor of you to set me on a date with Natsume." Sumire says as she bowed her head. Mikan was shocked to hear what Sumire said. She wouldn't just give away her love to another one.

"What? This girl also has a crush on Natsume. Mikan, don't let her win. But she's begging and I'm a boy. I must grant her wish." Mikan thought.

"Alright, I'm going to tell Natsume." Mikan replied. Sumire smiled and told Mikan; "Thank You." as she ran away going back to the other academy.

"Sheesh, just for that?" Mikan thought.

Evening came, and Mikan went to her room. Natsume was on the computer, doing something as he noticed Mikan has returned. Mikan threw her bag on the ground, getting dog-tired from the day. But she almost forgot the request from Sumire, so she stood up and talked to Natsume.

"Natsume," Mikan called.

"Yeah," Natsume answered.

"Uh, how will I say this? Uh, Sumire asked me to ask you to go out with her." Mikan said. Natsume turned his head towards Mikan.

"Ok, I'll drop by the other academy to go with her." Natsume said.

"Ok,"

The day after tomorrow, Mikan can still remember the invite that she told Natsume.

"I wonder what happened." Mikan said. As she continues to walk, she sees Sumire again. She called her name.

"Ah, Sumire" Mikan called as she goes towards Sumire, "So how did the date go?"

"Well Mikan, I can say that it was okay," Sumire says as she had her hands on her waist, "But I think it's better if you stay away from him." Mikan opened her mouth, widened her eyes just like how she'd react when something no good happens.

"But why? How can I keep away from him when we're room mates?" Mikan asked.

"It's because you're just bothering him from fire casting and I know how much he loves fire casting. The only problem here Mikan is you. You're just bothering him. But I'm not allowing that." Sumire said as she raises her hand, about to slap Mikan but Natsume came in time, stopping the slap of Sumire. Sumire was shocked to see Natsume.

"Natsume," Sumire said, "But I'm doing this for your own good."

"Sumire, why don't you go now?" Natsume said.

"But,"

"Go…" Natsume replied as she ran away. Mikan on the other hand thanked Natsume and ran away. Later that afternoon, Natsume was sitting down, staring at nothing. Then Mikan begins to ask him.

"Natsume is there something wrong?" Mikan asked.

"Would you just leave me alone?" Natsume said.

"But," Mikan insisted.

"Just GO!!!" Natsume replied as he punched his hand on the table as fire released. Natsume was so mad, it made Mikan cry and run away. Ruka went to her and asked; "Mikan, why are you crying?"

"It's because of Natsume; he just got mad at me with no reason…" Mikan replied as it breaks his heart to see a crying Mikan. His heart kind of like sparkled. Then, she ran after.

As she continued to cry, she bumped onto Senior Nanba, the playboy.

"Mikan, why are you crying?" Senior Nanba asked.

"Nothing," Mikan replied.

"Come, let me just take you to somewhere you will be comforted.

Natsume regret that he got mad at Mikan, so he decided to find her.

"Ruka, where's Mikan?" Natsume asked Ruka.

"I saw him being with Senior Nanba." Ruka said.

"Oh no," Natsume said.

"Oh no, Nanba's a playboy, so what if?" Natsume thought. He just ran and went to every room in the school just to know where Mikan is. The reason is Mikan's a girl. And if Nanba knew, she would be- I don't even want to imagine.

Then, he went to the auditorium. He opened the doors, and saw the two in front of the stage.

"Mikan," Natsume said.

"He was just with me. We were having coffee." Nanba said.

"The coffee's very good." Mikan said as she raised the coffee in thin air.

Natsume looked and asked if he would talk to Mikan privately. Nanba left after, leaving the two alone.

"You really want to know why I quitted fire casting." Natsume said. Mikan was speechless and can't she show any action.

"It's because of my health. Last two years, Sumire's birthday, she asked me to make a big fireball for her birthday. I said that I can make a fireball even bigger. But, when that day came, it didn't happen. I ended up in he hospital since every time I use my alice, I lose my life. Because of you, I realized that there were still people who are supporting me even outside the country. They highly appreciate my alice, so I've decided to fire cast again." Natsume said.

"But Natsume what about your life?" Mikan asked.

"You want to see me fire cast in person am I right," Natsume said as Mikan nodded, "Then you'll see."

"Of course because I'm your fan!" Mikan said, cheering up.

END OF CHAPTER…………………….