Chapter III

The Festival

Today is my most awaited day, because today is the annually celebrated Gakuen Alice Festival. I was looking at my reflection as I twirled around in front of the mirror. I was wearing a black maid dress, the skirt was above the knee and I tied my hair in a pony tail. Our class decided to put up a café for the festival. Just then, I heard a knock in my door, "Mikan-chan," Haruno-san called, "Natsume-san is waiting outside."

"I'll be there in a minute," I called back. I took a last look at myself as I grabbed my sling bag from my bed and went downstairs.

I found Natsume leaning on his car, and he was wearing a butler suit. I smiled at him as he stared at me with his usual smirk.

"Good morning, Natsume," I said happily as I approached him.

"Tch," he said with a smirk as he went to the driver's sit, I frowned at him. "Hyper as usual, Polka?"

"When are you going to stop with that stupid nickname?" I asked glaring at him.

He only shrugged as he started his car.

It had already been a month since Natsume and I met. And I still can't believe that it had already been that long. I don't know what kind of relationship I have with him, though he stopped being a playboy, according to Ruka, he never said anything to me. He would always invite me in his concerts with my friends, or we'll hang out, just the two of us, on my favorite places. He never even tried to kiss me, and somehow I felt disappointed and happy at the same time, I mean, does that mean I meant something to him, or he respects me unlike the other girls he used to play with? I'm confused, but I know that I won't be getting anything from him for a while, and I resolved that I'll wait until his is ready to tell me, I just hope it won't be that long.

I didn't notice that we were already in the school grounds, not until he opened my door and snapped at me. "Polka, what are you waiting for?" he said, his face was only an inch from mine.

I was so shocked at the sudden closeness that I could help but froze on the spot. But even freezing didn't stop my cheeks from burning. I snapped myself from my reverie and tried to glare at him. He smirked, "Or are you waiting for me to kiss you?"

Jerk. I pushed him off me as a got out of the car and stomped away, but then I turned to him and stuck my tongue out and walked away leaving him as I heard his light chuckle.

"You're finally here, baka," Hotaru said as soon as I entered the room, she was also wearing the same maid uniform.

"Sorry, Hotaru," I said smiling apologetically, "Are the others here already?" I asked, referring to Anna, Nonoko and Permy.

"Anna and Nonoko are in the back, they're already preparing the menu. Sumire went with Koko to buy some supplies." She said as she arranged the table, "Where's Hyuuga?"

"Dunno," I simply shrugged as I arranged the flowers on a vase, I noticed that she have her eyebrow raised so I added, "He was being a jerk, so I left him at the parking lot."

"Hn," she said as she went beside me, "You know what, if I knew better, anyone would have thought of the two of you as couples. Just be careful, okay? Hyuuga is very sly"

I nodded, "I know, Hotaru. Don't worry. I won't let him hurt me," then I smiled at my best friend, "I don't even think he will."

"He better not," she said "Or I'll personally make him pay."

"Aw," I cooed, "I knew you love me too."

"Dream on, baka," she said with a smirk.

Just then Ruka entered the room accompanied by the jerk. I smiled at Ruka and glared at Hyuuga who only smirked at me as they approached us.

"Sorry we're late," Ruka said as he went beside Hotaru who was glaring at her boyfriend.

"That would be 1,000 rabbits for your tardiness," she simply said as she turned her back on him, I only giggled as Ruka soundlessly sighed.

Natsume leaned on me as he breathed on my ears, "Strawberries suits you, Polka," I blushed, not because he complimented me, but because I was so angry with him, no that's wrong, I'm not angry, I was furious! How can this pervert go beyond the limits of perverseness? "But you know if you want to turn me on you should change your set of lingerie."

The last straw snapped as I tried to hit him, unfortunately he was anticipating my attack and he easily dodged it by stepping backward.

"YOU—," I started to say but was cut off when Inchou arrived. So I went to approach him, leaving Natsume with a satisfied smirk in his face. One day, I'll definitely get back at him.

"Inchou," I said as I smiling, "What's up?"

"Oh, Mikan-chan," he said as he smiled at me too, "I prepared the list of shifts for today," Then he turned towards the rest of the, "Everyone, listen up. I'll assign you to your shift now…" And he went on with the list, but then something caught my ear. I must have heard it wrong, apparently Inchou paired us all so that work would be easier, and he definitely didn't say that Hyuuga and I would be working together on the morning shift, right? Wrong. I have a good hearing so I didn't mishear it.

I sighed as I controlled my temper and approach Inchou and tell him of the great mistake that he made, and that is pairing me with that perverted, conceited fox. But somehow, someone pulled me just before I opened my mouth to speak to Inchou. I looked to see who it was and groaned to find it was Hyuuga.

"Come on, Polka," he said with amusement in his eyes. "We've got some work to do."

I sighed in defeat, "Why do I always end up with a pervert like you?"

He turned to me with a smirk, "Admit it, you like it too, Polka."

"Whatever, Hyuuga," I said as I went pass him.

The work, well I wouldn't say that it was really a work; after all, I have so much fun. But somehow, I felt that Hyuuga was being biased for unknown reasons, I mean, almost all the girls want, no, that's an understatement, they demand that he was the one who should serve them, and when I was about to serve a table of boys he would push me away and tell me rudely that I should take care of those 'annoying creatures' as he so stated. And just when I was about to ask the girls of their orders they would yell at me and tell me to get lost. Now you must be wondering what I meant by fun? It was fun since I get to see Natsume's angry expression at the boys and annoyed ones on the girls; apparently, he was the one who almost did all the works.

"Annoying," Natsume grunted; we were sitting outside beneath a tree in the school yards, still wearing our suits. When our shifts ended, he just pulled me out of the room and run away from his fan girls.

I giggled, "That would hurt your dear fan girls' emotion if they hear you." I took a sip from the iced Chocó I bought.

"Good," he said as he grabbed my hand that was holding my drink and took a sip too.

"Hey!" I said but he ignored me. "If you want it, you should just have asked." I folded my hands on my chest.

He stayed silent, but his eyes were looking up in the sky. I sighed; sometimes I wonder what is running in that head of his.

Then he stood up, I looked up at him as he grabbed my hand and pulled me up too, "Let's go," he said.

"Where?"

"This is your first school festival here, right?" he said as he put both his hands on his pockets.

I nodded, but he only shrugged and said, "Then we should make the most of it, after all, you asked me to fill you with new memories, right?"

"Um-," I started, looking at my maid dress, "But we're still in these uniforms."

"So?" he said with an eyebrow raised, he reminded me of Hotaru, and because of that I couldn't help but giggled.

"What?" he said frowning.

"Nothing," I said as I pulled him towards the festivities.

Natsume and I were walking around looking at the stands; every class had put up all their efforts to make this festival successful through their own attractions. It is also a day where the Academy welcomes visitors in the school, since it is a prestigious school many wants to get a glimpse of Gakuen Alice.

Although I really want to enjoy, I couldn't help but be irritated at all the stares we were getting from the girls and guys alike. What the heck is wrong with them?

"Are they a couple?" I heard a girl say to her friend, I blushed.

"She's so plain," another said.

"That guy is hot; too bad he's stuck with her. She's not even pretty." So what is what I wanted to retort. But being a sadistic pacifist that I am, I held myself. Yes, I know how two opposite words they are. But, hey, to each her own.

"She's so beautiful." A guy said as his companions wolf whistled.

"Maybe I'll ask her to be mine." That was when Natsume stopped. I blinked, trying to wonder what's wrong. I was about to ask when he turned towards the guy who spoke earlier.

I was shocked when he suddenly growled at them, "Watch it, idiots, she's mine. And I don't like sharing my properties with anyone." And with that he pulled me away from them.

I smiled at myself; maybe my relationship with Natsume is not that bad as I thought.

"Natsume, look," I said as I pointed at one of the occupied rooms. It was the class 2-C's Dating Challenge Game. "Could we check it out for a bit?"

"Tch," he said as he faced me, then he grinned mischievously, "You want to join that stupid game?"

"Hey, it's not stupid. I think it is sweet," I said pouting, "And I did not say I want to join. I said I want to check it out."

"Whatever," he said as he pulled me to the registration booth.

"What are you doing?" I said aghast. Don't tell me he's planning to join? Please, no.

"We're joining," he said to the girl on the booth. The girl was taken aback, and then she glared at me, and muttered something unintelligible under her breath.

She handed Natsume some registration form and he paid the fee. After that he went to me and placed a heart shaped necklace on me. "What's this?" I asked.

"That's the game proof." He simply said as we went inside.

There were also other couples. Everything was decorated like it was Valentine's with all the pink, hearts and frills. But what surprised me is that, Koko and Sumire were also there.

"Permy," I called and both of them turned towards our direction.

"Mikan," she said as surprised as I am, "What are you doing here?" then she noticed Natsume beside me, then she grinned at me, "Oh, I see."

"Well," I said back, "This is also a surprise, Permy. You and Koko?"

"This idiot won on our bet and he's wasting he's wish on this game," she said shrugging. "You?"

"He just pulled me here," I sighed.

The game organizer finally assembled everyone, "Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Tadase Kiseki the game organizer for this event, and I'm here to announce the game rules. First, throughout the game, the couples should not let go of their partner's hand. There are five rounds that you must finish. You must finish every round to proceed to the next. The game masters will assign you your challenges for every round. Failure to follow the rules will disqualify you from the game. That is all. Enjoy and have a nice day. We'll begin in 3… 2… 1… GO!"

Natsume and I went to the first booth, it was the Guessing Game.

"Welcome to the Guessing Game," the game master said, "The rules are simple. First, can I ask the girls to fill some of the questionnaires? While doing so, the guys will have to turn their backs until the girls are finished."

We did what were asked. Natsume was holding my left hand as I wrote. I filled in the questionnaires and gave it to the game master. After we all had finished, he called a few number of his members to assists him.

A girl with red hair who was so eager to approach us, or rather Natsume, squealed as soon she was near as and was about to faint but thought better of it. I saw Natsume rolled his eyes with a scowl in his face.

"Okay, Natsume," she said in a very flirtiest way while batting her eyes, "You have to answer questions in order to proceed to the next round." And then she added, "Well, you could stay with me if you like?"

"Just get on with it," he barked as the girl tremble in fright. I stepped on his foot and look at him meaningfully. "What?"

I only sighed.

"Um, well," she mumbled, "The first question, when is Mikan's birthday?"

I never told him that. I don't even know if he knew anything of the things I wrote in that paper the girl is holding on to now.

"January 1," he simply said as I gaped.

"Favorite food?"

"Howallon and anything sweet."

"Books?"

"Do you even read?" he said as he looked at me with bored eyes. I grinned inwardly, at least there's something he doesn't know. "No, you don't. So, none." How? was all I could think of.

"Sports?"

"Gymnastics, and Track and Field."

"Lastly, what is Mikan's habitual characteristic?" Ha! That's a hard one. But as I looked at him, he doesn't seem to be nervous, in fact, he was smirking.

"She likes to crawl under the bed every time there's lightning and thunder." Shock was an understatement. I could feel my mouth hanging as wide that it could that it would have almost hit the floor, and my eyes were as round as saucer plates, I'm exaggerating, I know. He cheated, yeah, that's it. Because there's no way this guy absolutely knows me. Not even Hotaru knows me that much to the point that every single detail in my life is held like an open book on his hand. That is just preposterous.

I was more than enough sure that he has something to do with my forgotten past. I would definitely find it out, and when the time comes be prepared Hyuuga Natsume.