Chapter 25 – The Best Performance Ever
It was night already, and Mikan was at the doghouse of Yujiro. She's there to talk to the kind dog. She felt sorry for her. She was doing many things; scratching her head, pounding the chair. She feels awful to her brother. She thought of what happened a while ago.
FLASHBACK:
"A caster who can't fight or duel is useless." Shiro said that made Natsume mad. Mikan tried to defend Natsume.
"Bro! How can you say something like that?" Mikan asked her brother. She already had her eyebrows crossed. Then, a guy appeared and reported Natsume.
"Look at him, a useless guy! I talk down on him and he doesn't even get mad. He is so useless." Shiro says. This time, Mikan was very mad.
"Brother," Mikan said as she turned her back away from him, "I hate you, I HATE YOU!!!"
"How can you say something like that to me?!" Shiro asked Mikan. "My insults were to stimulate him to gain progress. It was all for you. Okay, I was rude to talk to him like that. But it's because I'm your brother. A brother that cares for his sister, do you understand?"
"Brother, if you really love me, you have to respect the person I love! When you hurt Natsume, you're hurting me too! Do you know that?!" Mikan asked her brother. She stepped his foot so hard, and ran away after.
END OF FLASHBACK……………………………………………………………………
"I guess I'd better apologize to Natsume. But my brother, even if he hates Natsume, he shouldn't be saying those rude words to Natsume. It's over the limit. He doesn't know anything and he says something like that?" Mikan said to herself as she covered her eyes with her hand. Suddenly, Natsume appears behind Mikan.
"Why are you sitting here all by yourself, not making a sound, do you want to scare other people away?" Natsume asked Mikan, "Why aren't you having supper yet? If you wait any longer, I'm sure Ruka's going to eat it all." Mikan stood up from where she was sitting, and talked to Natsume about what happened a while ago.
"That… Natsume… That is," Said Mikan, afraid of talking the topic with Natsume, "That I fought with my brother, so I realized that I should be saying…" Natsume was afraid of what Mikan is going to say, so he changed the topic
"What's for dinner?" Natsume asked as this puzzled Mikan.
"Um, I think its fried shrimp." Mikan replied, still wondering what Natsume's thinking.
"I only need one crispy fried shrimp to forget today's events. So let's go and eat some big shrimps." Natsume answered as Mikan was making that same, indescribable action. She widened her eyes, and begins to feel special.
"Natsume, you're such a good person. I feel of wanting to cry." Mikan said as Natsume gave a laugh after.
"A man's tears are not easily shed. Eating fried shrimp makes you feel so touched like this? No pride at all." Natsume said to Mikan.
"Hey, I didn't cry. That's good, so let's go eat dinner." Natsume said as he messed up Mikan's hair again. Mikan nodded as her reply, but before she followed Natsume, she gave some last words to Yujiro.
"Yujiro, be good. I'm going to eat fried shrimp!" Mikan says to Yujiro, and finally follows Natsume back to the canteen, "Big shrimp, here I come!" She shouted out loud as she ran to Natsume going to the canteen.
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It was the day of Natsume's duel. He will be fighting using his Alice of Fire to whoever he may duel with. On the other hand, Shiro, Mikan's brother, was standing outside finding her. Mikan turns out to be hanging out with her friends going to the duel match, watching Natsume whether he wins or loses. They were really excited as they were making noises. They were there to cheer Natsume.
"Let's go, let's go! Come on everybody! Let's go!" Mikan called as she jumped for joy. Then, Ruka said some words to the gang.
"Hey, I don't know what Natsume's condition today, but with a supporting cheering team," Ruka says as he points out to the gang, "He must be very proud!" The gang agreed, but Mikan was really worried on Natsume. He might lose and she will be forced to go back to the US, so she told her problem to Ruka (but she never revealed her secret.).
"Ruka," Says Mikan, who was very anxious "I'm really nervous." Then, Ruka patted Mikan.
"Mikan, why would you be so nervous," Ruka says.
"Nervous, why?" Koko asked.
"Right, I'm telling everyone that there will be lots of girls coming. First kiss!" Yuu said this to the gang.
"Yeah right, I think I have a good chance today. Help us a bit, c'mon!" Koko said to Yuu.
"Me too, me too," Says Taiki who was acting very, very weird.
"Hey, we're here to support on Natsume, not gaze on girls and focus on them! You should leave all this boys and girls love aside. But anyways, with me, Ruka Nogi, you won't have many chances. " Ruka says to the three, who felt a little bit of ashamed of their selves. Sure, this is a big moment for Natsume so they should cheer him on. Then, he faced Mikan, "Anyhow, I'm a light bulb that uses oil, isn't that right Mikan?" Ruka asked Mikan. Then, Shiro saw Mikan with her friends. He wanted to talk to his little sister. So he walked to her. Ruka saw him walking. His face got surprised, and he defended Mikan.
"Hey," Ruka says to Shiro, "What do you want to do? Where did you come from? You certainly can't bully Mikan. I'm telling you. I am Alice Academy's golden right foot. I'll send you to the moon in one kick, huh?!" Then, the gang held him because Ruka might lose control and really kick Shiro sending him to the moon. Then, Mikan stood out and talked to her brother. Ruka was about to kick Shiro, but then…
"Hey bro," Mikan says, frowningly to her brother as Ruka stopped the plan, "Why are you here?" Ruka was shocked to hear what Mikan called the one that he thought was a bully.
"Mikan, I finally found you." Shiro replied, as the gang pointed to him, surprised also that he is Mikan's brother.
"He…" Ruka said, gulping, "He's your brother?"
"You are my brother's friends, huh?" Shiro asked as Mikan wondered why he was being kind today. "Thank you for taking care of my brother. I am Sakura Shiro." Then, Ruka held Shiro's hand, and knelt down on his knees.
"Brother," Ruka called to Shiro, "At home we rely on our parents, but outside we rely on our friends. We're all brothers, he he." Ruka stood up after, "If Mikan calls you brother, we shall call you our brother too. And, we are all one family, am I right?!"
"Thank you, thank you. Now please let go of my hand, you are very embarrassing to be with." Shiro answered, but Ruka won't let go yet.
"No worries," Ruka replied as he let go of Shiro's hand. Then, Ruka put his hand on the other side of Mikan's shoulder. "Anyways, we're all friends. Taking care of him is my responsibility." Then, Mikan called her brother.
"Bro, thank you for rushing here." Mikan said. It was like she was saying, "Bro, I'm sorry."
"It's nothing," Shiro replied, and he was like saying "That's okay," but in a different matter.
"Hey, I think we're going to be late. We must witness Natsume's duel! We should go inside quickly, okay?" Yuu asked the gang as they all agreed.
"Brother, why don't you come join us?" Ruka asked Shiro.
"C'mon let's go!" Mikan said as she pulled Ruka going inside.
They were inside the court, and were very excited to see different people who'll cast and fight with their different Alices. The seats were all full, and you can hardly find one for yourself! But still, the gang found a place to sit. Natsume was at the back, doing warm ups before he could fire cast. He took a pill, so that he could not get tired easily, and control his life span while using his Alice. Too bad, it was very expensive. It's kind of like 15,000 yen. After that, he was doing some warm ups again, as our protagonist proceeds. She brought something for Natsume.
"Natsume," Mikan pulled out something from her pocket, which was a good luck charm. "This… I'm giving to you." Natsume accepted the gift, and looked at it closely. Somehow it's very familiar to him. But Mikan continued on talking, "It's not that I don't believe in you or questioning your ability, it's because this kind of thing by one's side keeps one's mind clear. It may give you good luck. It's better than nothing." Then, Natsume looked at Mikan suspiciously, and said his opinion.
"I'm not telling you off, but this is actually used for luck in romance." Natsume answered, which Mikan doubted. "Where did you go and asked for it?"
"What?! Is there a difference? I went with Senri and he said that he was getting one for Senior Nanba. And I was such a baka, it's used for romance. Then, maybe you should return it to me." Mikan said to Natsume, but he didn't want to take it back.
"It doesn't matter. I know what you mean, so it's good." Natsume answered.
"Okay," Mikan said, "Natsume, good luck! I hope it can bring you good luck. I will be with the audience cheering you on!"
"You better go now. I need to do more warm ups." Natsume replied as he bid goodbye to Mikan, and she walked away.
The duel was starting, and still they were both nervous and excited.
"This is fascinating." Ruka said.
"You said that you are Ruka Nogi, eh?" Shiro asked Ruka, as Ruka was surprised.
"Brother, I said my name once and you remembered it? Wow, a person with good memory like yours is uncommon. But, I am one of those people too. I'm embarrassed." Ruka bragged.
"What a coincidence." Shiro said, "I would like to ask. What kind of person is Natsume Hyuuga? I mean, is he good, nice?"
"Natsume, he is a very kind person." Ruka said.
"Oh really, besides that," Shiro asked.
"Besides that… hmm, I really don't know what to answer on these types of questions. But smart people like you must know that already." Ruka answered.
"Hey Yuu, don't look at the girls already. The announcer is about to report." Koko said.
"Good morning to you all. I am Sato-San telling you all that the duel will be beginning. We will see each other fight with their different abilities, and witness the enormous power lying among them. Here are the directions for the game; one, the casters will fight their enemies chosen for them, whoever is knocked-down for ten seconds loses, and the winner takes place. Two, no cheating will be occurred. Cheating will cause disqualification of the caster. Three, no death shall be occurred, or in a more meaningful way, no player must kill their enemy. But, they must fight to win. Surrendering or quitting is allowed, but it looks like no one wants to quit." The speaker said as he showed the board, "This is the board which will tell who will be fighting first. And it's selecting, at last it has decided! The first people who will fight are Hideaki Shuichi and Hyuuga Natsume! Audience, let us welcome our first players!" Mikan was shocked to hear it. But she should never lose hope. Shuichi comes out with Natsume, preceded to their positions. The referee was between them, and announced the time when they'll be fighting.
"Ready, and FIGHT!' The referee shouted. Then Shuichi released his Ice powers, but Natsume tries to get rid of it as soon as possible. He creates a fire ball, and it shot Shuichi on his abdomen. He landed on the ground as the referee counted the seconds. But Shuichi stood up after, like he didn't feel anything at all. Then, Natsume and Shuichi fought for a long time, until they were too tired. Then, Shuichi was panting heavily, but since Natsume had taken the medicine, he created a huge fire ball. Shuichi's eyes suddenly widened. Natsume has really improved. Natsume makes it a little bigger, puts his strength into it, and he lets it go. The fire ball was getting near to Shuichi, but Shuichi can only use his Alice for a short period of time, so it was useless. He still remained standing, and had the fire ball. He was knocked down; his eye sight was very dim. The referee counted ten seconds.
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8… 9… 10! We have a winner and it is none other than Hyuuga Natsume!" The referee announced, and. On the other hand, Shuichi was lying on the ground. He smiled at Natsume, happy for what he did. Then, he said to himself; "Natsume Hyuuga, you've really done it this time. I knew it from the start that you can do it, that you can defeat me even if I did my best. I always wanted to fight you again, and here I am, losing to you. You've been encouraged already. You did it. You were a success; many people are inspiring you again. I… thank you, Hyuuga Natsume, for the best performance ever."
Then, Mikan was so happy; she went down the stairs and crossed the fence. She went towards Natsume, and hugged him for the success that he had done.
"Natsume, you did it!" Mikan said to Natsume as she was hugging the winner.
"I defeated Shuichi!" Natsume answered. Then, Mikan was jumping for joy. She was really amazed. Her brother Shiro saw the two hugging each other, and he curved his lip. He was happy for Natsume.
"Natsume, you really jumped over it!!!" Mikan again said.
"STUDENT, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?! The duel is still in progress! Stay away from here now!" The two heard a shout from nowhere. Mikan and Natsume stopped hugging, and they went back to their places, grinning.
After the duel ended, Mikan was with Natsume, saying that his performance was very good! After that, Natsume drank some water and the gang suddenly ran to him and cheered him. Then, Mikan thought; "Natsume won over Shuichi and the beauty of it has been imprinted on my heart." Then, Natsume's friends Ruka, Koko, Yuu and Taiki were there to congratulate him. Ruka ran to him, next to Yuu and Koko and Taiki.
"You did good Natsume. You showed Shuichi what he's made of!" Ruka said, and then Ruka turned towards Mikan. "Oh yeah Mikan, this is from your brother." Ruka handed her a note.
"My brother?!" Mikan said. She gets the paper, and reads it with her eyes. It said; Mikan, good luck! At least during Christmas and New Year you can come home. Good luck! From bro,"
"What's that?" Natsume asked Mikan.
"It's a note from my brother." Mikan replied.
"Well what does it say?" Natsume asked.
"my brother told me to work hard." Mikan answered as Natsume smiled at her.
"So that means that you're staying here in Alice Academy?" Natsume asked, but Mikan just jumped for joy.
"I'M STAYING AT ALICE ACADEMY ALL BOYS' SCHOOL!!!" Mikan cried as her friends cheered up for her too. Then, Mikan thought; "Right now, I really wanted to cry. I want to cry because Natsume has overcome all of his obstacles. I want to cry because I can stay with Natsume and my good friends. Brother, thank you, thank you for finally understanding me! For you, I'll continue to work hard."
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Mikan's brother Shiro was walking outside. He was just so happy that Mikan is in good condition, and will continue being hard-working. Then, he pulled out his wallet, and took a fat picture of Mikan before. He said; "When brother is not here, you must work hard. Mikan, good luck!"
END OF CHAPTER………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
