S/S14: Aloha! I have returned from my long, --at least 2 months-- slumber (cackling laughter)! For reasons I cannot tell in this author's note, I will keep the cause of my delays to myself, lest a mischievous soul may find it their object of pun. (Psst. If you want to know why, you can PM me. I'll tell you I had a cold. Heh :)) Anyways, I am delaying the inevitable. So if I may be gracious enough to commence the introductions…
I'm dedicating this chapter to SPRINGFAIRY14 for sharing her sentiments with me. The thought was well appreciated.
Hope you like this chapter…
:)
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Circumstances of a Love Story
CHAPTER SEVEN
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When Mikan woke up in Hotaru's experimental lab, it was already morning, or so she thought. The sudden throbbing of her head was a nuisance to count on for recall, like drinking too much alcohol from a hangover. This was worst, actually.
Slowly, she took off the helmet and wondered what happened… She couldn't even remember what day it was, or even if the helmet and its amnesiatic- properties had an effect on her at all; the events of which brought her here clearly manifested itself as clear as she was seeing this experimental lab before her eyes.
…which was something. The phone receiver is hanging on its cord, her quickly alert eyesight told…
Lying there, beeping like an insistent siren, the busy dial tone of the phone reverberated loudly around the empty room, its noise loud enough to waken any person deep in his sleep.
"Hotaru must be busy..." Mikan's first thought was, noting how she often leaves the phone hanging in that condition when she's sick of hearing the other end's voice, "He probably continued talking even when nobody was there at all… Poor soul."
Feeling a sudden pang of pity for that guy, Mikan thought it best to do him honor and replaced back the receiver in its place. When she did, she noticed something different.
"Something's… wrong…?" the question formed in her mind, unsure.
But then, how can something be wrong in this well-guarded place?
First of all, no soul can invade this place, much less inside, without getting a taste of Hotaru's security robots. By the record so far, no one had attempted such. Hotaru was one of those people who'd volunteer to burn those who loved invading the privacy of others if the chance would present itself to her. She would even go so far as to vote for its rightness if questioned. She hated the concept that much even the thought of it was enough to earn a glare from her, Mikan knew that from experience. "Human curiosity should be in its proper, rightful place", Hotaru would say, "but if it's for lucrative purposes, I'm an exception to the rule." She would add the last with indifference. If she was the one doing it however, it was on the path of money, not curiosity; she would bluntly point out and never say anything after that. Her lab and dealings with her inventions were a private matter, period.
That's the reason she went to the trouble of obscuring her experimental lab so fanatically. To even imagine someone possibly invading her lab was… unthinkable.
So, what was wrong?
Mikan definitely felt that feeling of being watched ever since she opened her eyes… she can never be too sure though. Her instincts failed her a dozen times over in the past.
"Get a grip. You can remember well enough to recall that you are still in your right mind, Mikan." The voice in her mind reminded, "You-are-not-paranoid. Yeah, you may be sensitive as hell and cry a lot when pinched by Hyuuga, but you're not feeling things that are not there to begin with. Remember? There's no one here. Your assumptions are groundless." it made sense. The plain emptiness and silence around the room was enough proof to allay her doubts. But suddenly, she had another issue to deal with.
Why didn't the helmet blot out the bad memory when it should have had?
Last night's? Yesterday's? The session with Natsume Hyuuga remained true and unfabricated in the realm of her thinking, as well as all the quarrels they've had of date. Like some wicked device.
She could remember everything. Maybe even five times the clarity and vivid details of the bad experiences. She swallowed hard, puzzled.
Whatever the helmet had done, either it hadn't work its forget spell on her troubled mind or nothing happened at all.
"If that's so, how do you explain this hammering headache?" she thought, suddenly glum.
Simple. The casual voice in her mind answered, That's the consequences of running away from reality, Mikan. A headache. and then it laughed with all the mocking quality of one who knew it hit a nerve. Mikan felt the blow as surely as if it were real. How stupid she behaved…
It felt like she did something bad already…. By escaping her petty problems, she felt like a coward. And maybe she was, after all.
For the past few days she had behaved exactly like that. A coward afraid to face the consequences and get hurt. Why haven't she been more braver?
Mikan sighed, looking around. The machine which powers up the oblivion helmet stood on the corner like an obscene gray doll master, peering down on its doll with its green lights for eyes. Strangely enough, the chair eerily resembled like a seated wooden puppet, blank and devoid of expression. To think she was sitting there all the time…
"That's how you were behaving yesterday. A puppet of your own emotions." The eerie voice in her mind told.
Feeling bad again for herself, she continued staring desolately at the machine, when she noticed something different.
Green eyes green eyes,
Red means stop,
Green means go,
Orange means stop look and listen.
The lights on top of it were on.
They were green.
Supposedly, that machine should stop working when no one's on it. …Right?
Suddenly apprehensive, Mikan inched her way towards the side of the machine. The helmet was still were she left it; on the side of the arm of the chair. Inside it was buzzing with invisible energy that was doing its job clearing out bad memories which were supposed to make her grow up. Grimacing at the thought, she ignored it and looked on the side where the buttons were located.
"It's on…" she said aloud. On the left side, a counter indicated the duration set.
"Why is it set for… 72 hours?" in surprised she questioned no one. "That's three days! I'd probably have amnesia by then! All my memories will be gone…" the impact of the realization disquieted her.
Why would Hotaru do such a thing? She was never too open to speak up if something was wrong. Nor was she that much of a monster or a careless simpleton to leave that helmet on long enough for her to have considerable memory loss.
If she hadn't woken up before the end of three days, she would've had amnesia by then…
But the question was, if Hotaru really did it with that purpose in mind. Hotaru, now plotting against her…
The thought was unbearable for Mikan. Before, the extent to which she trusted her no longer seemed a point to be stressed further, because she had never questioned her friend's character and loyalty. Now, she was in doubt so much it was confusing to think about it right now.
Still, a part of her wanted to believe on the good side.
Whatever she did must have a motive I guess… But what?
Mikan went to the side and turned off the power. The lights above turned to red and blinked on and off, its consistent sequence hypnotizing, and somehow eerily dangerous. It suddenly felt it was an omen of bad tidings ahead of her.
--
It all started when Mikan stepped out of Hotaru's house.
As if a signal was ignited not a moment ago, the silence pervaded the streets around her, a silence pretty much like when a coming storm was at hand.
Mikan felt something bad awaits her.
Ignoring her best instincts and being a constant believer of good, she walked on and paid heedless to the unsettling change…
"It's Sunday. They're probably in church…" she thoughtwithout much comfort. A quiet place like this, very much unlike the usual busy people strolling around the street, was enough to make her imagine people peering from behind curtains in their houses at her. Like some stranger.
"Stop your paranoid delusions, Mikan!" desperately she looked around and heaved a sigh of relief. Crossing the street and on the sidewalk, there were people all right.
"There are people, see? This is not a ghost town—"she stopped suddenly.
Did she just saw them looking at her?
"Well, maybe I'm the prettiest they've ever seen." She chuckled dryly at the thought. Not very convincing.
"It's not like this is the first time everyone just looks at me the same time." She reasoned after a while, rather angrily, "For instance, I've just emerged out of no where. That would get anyone's attention." She finished, with forced conviction to believe in it, then strolled off.
On the way, she passed them by. Their expressions remained blank.
Like bunch of zombies—
"H-Hi!" Mikan greeted with an attempt to cheer and received one nod of agreement out of five. The rest turned away and went on with their businesses. The little boy holding the hand of his mother sulked at her sight when the mother whispered something to him.
Mikan, in an effort to convince herself nothing out of the ordinary was happening, tried to please the little boy. He only cowered more than ever. The mother noticed this and gingerly planned to move away, leaving Mikan to wilt in her embarrassment.
What was suddenly wrong with everyone? Did they all get the flu or something?
Puzzled, she attempted no further inquiry for an answer.
She had a feeling she'll figure it out soon.
--
The air conditioning system was on, immediately cooling the bedroom Natsume was in as he stood in front of it with his eyes closed. Only the bright white light of the room, the freezing, almost numbing cold air coming from the vents, and himself.
Maybe this was what he needed: a cool-off. Maybe even an ice pack.
Anything to quell the burning anger and helplessness boiling inside him which had a lot to do with the recent news he received…
--
"Why did you do it??" in his anger he slammed on the low coffee table in front of him, nearly upturning the glass pitcher on it. "Answer me!"
The man with the slit like eyes grinned and stared back at his angry crimson eyes, unmoved. If possible, he looked like he was even on the verge of laughing out loud, like Natsume was acting on a parody of a bad comedy show.
"She doesn't have anything to do with this! Why can't you--all of you understand that??" Natsume tried his best to talk some sense to this person in front of him. But he figured people like them never change.
It took all his restraint to control himself from jumping at him and tear his grinning face apart.
With a huge grunt, he pulled himself back up and paced around the room. Anything to keep himself from seeing that crazed, cynical face.
"You are greatly affected, Natsume." The slit-eyed person observed.
"You bet I am. And I wish I could show you just how much." Natsume thought with his back to him. But instead said, "Right. Thanks for implying the obvious." He couldn't help but answer, not attempting to hide his sarcasm. Then, as if he realized what he just said, swerved and face him.
Sure enough, the moron was smiling as though he knew something he didn't.
How couldn't they? They would go along parading how they own the world if it came to it.
"Ah yes, I see it now. Your mere actions defy your words." he drawled out his speech in mocking realization, "Mikan Sakura has affected you that much." He ended with great satisfaction in his conclusion.
Now, Natsume knows what this is all about... To his dismay, it had something to do with his—influence again. As if the thing hadn't caused enough damage already.
Nothing to do about it now…
Natsume sat, feeling hopeless for himself, and her.
"With great power such as you possess comes at great consequence. Surely you realize this?" he was saying.
Of course. Natsume replied in his mind, Consequences such as people like you prying me off like a loose board and incriminating everyone I know, that is.
He said nothing.
Slit-eyes took that as a yes, as usual. "You should be careful with whom you mingle… in fact, be careful in whatever you do." For it comes at a cause for us to destroy, his silence seemed to say. He continued, nonetheless, feeling like a sage from the tone of his voice, "Be perfect, if that is possible." He ended with the hint of a philosopher advising a dumb junkie.
The fact remained that he was the culprit though. Advise Natsume, and then kill him the next. Portably equipped as a double-faced freak if the situation asked for it.
Natsume didn't have to be told twice. For a long time, he had grown used enough to know that resisting them was futile. And so was any point in reasoning.
His freedom was there, but it was limited to actions dictated by them. Should he stray from it, he would pay the consequences. It was to forcibly play their game for his own good--maybe none at all. What purpose does this have anyway? Except for their enjoyment at picking at his flaws and discrepancies, Natsume couldn't think of other reason why they'd waste time of their life in order to make someone else life miserable.
Maybe they didn't have a life that's why they make others suffer in order to feel it.
On the other hand though… wait—is there even a better part in this? He thought. Not if one calls publicity a better reward. Not for him. And he didn't know anyone who'd love to suffer on their own accord, even just say, for the experience of it.
And now, for Mikan to have this fate…
Sometimes, it wasn't so bad. He gets all the publicity, praise, popularity, recognition and attraction he wants. But he didn't know about her. This sure wasn't a good bargain to begin with anyway.
And to think that many people actually consented to cooperating with these schemes…! The thought was appalling. When he realized that fact a few years ago, it totally shattered his concept of "the good, kind world." Now he's fully aware that some people would be willing to slice off his leg if they heard a rumor that they could sell it for a sum equal to a king's ransom.
Natsume looked at the slit-eyed man rambling.
"Unbelievable." He was thinking, looking at slit-eye with a quality that was almost awe. "This guy looks just ordinary, rambling on with his speech like that."
Slit-eye took no notice of him looking and continued, as though from a rehearsed piece of a play, "You know what will happen to her after this. She will be seen and judged by many. It's a terrible misfortune indeed. She is young, I heard, so young a soul to be destroyed…" he added the last with a sympathy that was convincing as it was fake.
"And he knows just how to play a hypocrite. If this was a deaf show, mutes would think he was giving a presidential speech instead of a dangerous scheme meant to ruin and change one's life." his expression darkened at the hypocrisy of it all, "Bastard."
"What did you say?" slit-eyes' voice snapped in the silence, and Natsume realized that he just spoke the last word out loud.
In a second, he was strongly tempted to burst out all the complaints, hurts, curses he's been keeping bottled up for years because of the injustice, to spew it all out in this one moment and hold nothing but his knuckles back.
But instead, a logical, reasonable instinct told him to keep it low.
"You wouldn't want to know just what slit-eyes can do. He may still be keeping that poker face in front of you now but don't count on it; he'll get rid of it soon. And by then, maybe a few days later you'll find your treatment is ten times worst than—"
"I-It's my tongue." Natsume's darkly-crimson eyes stared at him. He couldn't keep the anger from showing though, and spoke, his teeth gritted into a half-snarl, "I bit my tongue." He looked away.
For a moment, slit-eyes' deceptively sympathetic smile quivered, as though from doubt. But professionalism kept it in track and it stayed on firm, plastered on his face that looked so much like a hexagon.
"Hm." He said, somewhat meditatively, "I hope that is all it is… Well, I'm sure you didn't mean it." he added, "My, indeed what a sad fate for her. Mikan. Hmm." Slit-eyes played with his fingers.
"Why are you still telling me this?" Natsume couldn't help but blurt out. He didn't manage to meet his eyes.
It was only his voice he heard, that slow, drawling yet ruthless voice, "Natsume, you will be responsible… I'm here to remind you."
--
Rain falls heavily upon the streets as Ruka dashed forward and skipped the distances to reach the place before he succeeds in getting thoroughly soaked.
Just his luck that he had to be out on the street on a day like this…
Yeah, it was a Sunday. A holiday and a workday for him at the same time. He just had his nice break from the grueling exam drills last week and then this rain came pouring from the heavens to ruin the only reasonable break he had for the weekend. Great. Just one of the many ways to kill his good mood.
The tiny bells hanging over the door of the internet-café shop clinked together with an underlying harsh sound that was probably the sound of rain. Ruka stepped inside, dripping wet in his green raincoat. He took it off and tossed it on the corner, wiped himself and his soaked polo shirt with a towel that was lying on the table and went up to the counter to sign in.
Ordinary day of work for him…
The customers were either playing or surfing the net, busily minding their own computer screens and typing or banging on the keyboard he often kept meticulously clean. The tables and soft chairs lying around the corner were occupied as usual, but it seemed today was especially numerous.
"I wonder what this is all about?" he wondered distantly then went on to mind his own business as though nothing had happened.
"Hey Ruka!" the punky guy in charge before him was behind the counter, "Early as usual. Good thing the rain didn't keep you out of work. The ladies were worried you wouldn't show up." He teasingly pointed. From the other table sat old and crinkly middle aged women eyeing him approvingly, especially his "slick" appearance fresh from getting soak in the rain. There were more flirting looks coming from the younger women on the stands looking as though they came here everyday just for this mission to see him and openly flirt. None so far had successfully managed to get even a minimum of thirty seconds of his attention. He sighed.
Yep, usual day of work. His work-mate Akami's usual gothic-style get up of brown and black and cool hairdo was enough of the reality Ruka sees everyday. Although his partner may not sound as clean and nerdy like him who preferred neat outfits, Akami was someone you can rely on.
"See those crowds over there?" Akami said in his gambler's voice, "You just see what happens. Soon, we'll be raking up cash, so be on standby for anything they want. Alright?" he tapped his shoulder, "I'm leaving it all up to you, bud. Call me, I'll stay for a little while and see what happens."
"Sure, sure…" Ruka replied indifferently and sluggishly went behind the counter. He just felt so drained and apathetic, he probably couldn't care less if another brawl pops out in here. He couldn't wait to get home and take a good long rest.
From the nearest table, the low buzz of whispered conversations arose from the small group of women huddled together.
"Did you know what's causing this ruckus lately? Oh wait, my mistake. It's supposed-to-be a secret kind of ruckus." The informer actually whispered the word gravely.
"What, you mean that kind of ruckus?" for a while, the very nosy-looking woman who appeared to be the main pillar of the gossips was unbelieving. Dressed up so fancily with a big pearl necklace adorning her neck, silky fuchsia dress and skirt and long black stockings with four inches high-heeled shoes, she looked ready to go out shopping and boy-seeking on a rainy day like this.
She was actually shocked to hear that ruckus of those kind merited any further attention, like how she would take one glance at a distasteful ornament without a second thought. But then, what the hell? Anything can happen these days. In the realm of idle chat and scrutiny and mingling with other people's lives, anything was possible. "Sure, let me hear it. Another hot intrigue will give me a good day." She smiled, pouting her fat, red lips in turn.
"It's about this guy…" the informer was emphasizing slowly, "…and this girl… get it?" she said, rolling her eyes to hers.
"Oh, okay… all right, I see it now…." She was listening very intently, "Ah… hah…!" she exclaimed loud enough to turn heads from the customers. It looked intentional.
Ruka from the counter only distantly heard them talking. He was concentrating on formulating complex equations and codes on the computer screen, with an intent to eradicate a very resistant virus plaguing the computer. Actually, because of the virus' resistance, he was reduced to hacking the computer system just to get rid of the pest, which was a harder task that demanded patience and skill.
Normally, the droning noises and chattering did little to distract him from his work. But with today's dreary and bleak atmosphere, it was possible that he was a little bit distracted. The buzz of conversation carried out to him like an unpleasant smell. He couldn't help but overhear every audible word they were saying.
"So, is she considered famous now? From what I've heard, I think she already is. But you know, I don't want to think she deserves it. Not ever."
"Girl, you don't know half of it yet! This supposedly ugly bitch had the rat's ass to insult and say crazy things to him. Not only that, she…"
"Oh, how bad. Tsktsk, that's just a terrible thing… First she rudely leaves him, and then that poor guy had to chase after her sorry self..! After all she's done to him??"
"That guy really must be into this girl a lot. Why, I won't even do that if that girl was that selfish. And she's not even treating him right! For someone in his position, she has the nerve to assume herself very special. That !#."
"Personally, I think that is just not right. Nuh-uh. It's wrong, very wrong to have someone as--"
"Ssh, not so loud. People will hear you. This is supposed to be a private matter."
The lady looked both ways before lowering her voice to talk again. Their mutterings sounded tiny but enough to make Ruka lose all interest. He sighed wearily.
It was raining hard outside, the customers were noisy, and he had to fix an invasive virus on a day like this where he can't even focus well enough without feeling groggy.
"…And a flock of well-rounded gossipers to make my day especially torturous. They really should be keeping their opinions to themselves if they have a care at all…Why don't they discuss this on the phone and not here?" he was thinking dismissively.
"Having a hard time, Nogi?" Akami's concerned voice floated to him.
His head was suddenly feeling very light and woozy.
"Yeah…" Ruka managed a smile in reply. Akami's the last person he wanted to worry for him. He had the tendency to go overboard when he does. "I'm fine, Akami. I can handle this." he reassured, but his work-mate was still worried.
"…Are you sure? You look somewhat pale-looking today." Akami observed, then had the mirth enough to throw a joke, "The ladies won't find you attractive enough if you keep up that pasty face. And then we'll find our customers growing less. You don't want that to happen right?"
He smiled, or at least tried to. Akami always made sense even though he often joked about it. "Yeah, you're right... Don't worry, I won't keep this face up for long."
"Well, at least I see you have the spirit enough to finish that! Keep that pace up, alright?" he tapped his shoulder and went out.
After a while, Ruka took off his hands from the keyboard and moved away from the computer, inclined in the office chair and stretched his head far back from the seat. The sounds inside the café appeared so distant, like they were coming from afar. The headache that made him rest for a while even in his seat throbbed once more like a giant pendulum swinging and banging inside his head. Ruka looked at the computer screen again, watching the cursor on and off, awaiting for his input. Then he moved forward, cancelled the program and shut it down.
"Good thing Akami wasn't looking, he'd get very curious if he saw that I suddenly quit in my work, especially when I've never done it before." He thought, "…I don't think I can give him the reason why…."
Ruka looked at the women on the corner talking feverishly to each other in hushed voices, wondering what to do from what he had heard. Then he decided that he just didn't care enough.
--
"Mom, I'm home!" Mikan's cheery voice rang across the halls of her home. She took off her cloth shoes soaked from the recent rain then hung her thick fur coat on the hanger. The usual cloying yet pleasant smell of her mom's perfumed talc spread across the living room, confirming her that she got home, maybe earlier…
She looked around the house. Her mom should be home right now…
Why wasn't she answering?
"Mom…!! I'm going inside now…! I'll be in my room okay…!" she called out.
Weird. The same uneasy feeling she felt when she was in Hotaru's lab broke up like a rotten smell inside her mind, making her doubt how that was possible...
Her own mother would never do anything that would harm her.
Mikan was about to head for her bedroom when she heard the faint hum of the television. It was coming from the kitchen.
"…Mom! You're here?!" startled, Mikan saw her mom sitting casually on the kitchen table, looking haggard on her traveler's clothes. In front of her the black-and-white television with the forked antenna crackled its tune.
"What are you doing here?" Mikan asked, "I called out to you earlier and you didn't answer…" she asked miserably.
For a moment, her mother said nothing. Her blank eyes, robbed of its luster, stared fixedly at the television screen. Then she looked at her daughter.
"Cutey," she said Mikan's name without its usual loving drawl, her lips contorted to a derisive smile, "As you can see, I just got home. The news is a great way to unwind things after a tiring day… Why don't you watch with me? I'm sure you had a tiring day." She ended with sarcasm. Mikan failed or didn't try to accept it as sarcasm; sometimes her mom was like that when she was stressed.
"No thanks mom." She managed giving her a sunny smile despite how odd she's feeling then headed for the stairs. Things are definitely getting weirder by the moment.
"Did something happen?" her mother Yuka's somewhat concerned voice stopped her on her tracks. Unusual.
Mikan debated staying or fleeing. Right now, her thoughts wanted to make her flee; even that voice, the voice she longed and loved for so long, didn't sound so right to her own ears. Like it was scripted; planned; so fake. From what happened earlier…
Hotaru's experimental lab… The scene from the street… Her own confusion with Natsume.
The fact is, she didn't want to know what her mother will say.
But when she did, she thought she already knew what to expect.
"Mikan, you shouldn't run away from your own problems… It's time you learn how to face them." Her mother finally said, sounding very…
…familiar.
Feeling very uneasy, Mikan ignored her mother and rushed upstairs, went to her bedroom and slump herself on her bed. Even then, her thoughts keep coming back to the confusion jumbled up today and thought of an answer… For now, she figured she'll just settle with coincidence. Yeah, that sounds possible, even better. Everyone acted unusually, but it's not like you can expect them to act normally every day. Sometimes, people, in general, tend to act—weird. It's just coincidence that they did, that's all.
Who knows maybe tomorrow she'll find herself in her classroom and everyone she knew and loved were back the way they were. Happy endings were always so good.
And as Mikan went to sleep with that assuring thought in mind, she'll soon realize how wrong she was. The game was just beginning to unfold its wickedness.
--
Fin
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Next chapter: Now that we know there is something fishy going on with Mikan's closest loved ones, Hotaru and her mom, even to the people on the neighborhood she barely even know, on the next chapter I'll be revealing the situation with her friends/classmates. Find out what will happen as the once friendly and amiable friends and classmates of Mikan, Anna, Nonoko, Sumire, Tobita, and others, take a change of attitude for the worst. She gets to hear all their eager comments about her recently unpleasant exploits and begin to be ostracized. Poor Mikan will definitely be sympathized with pity she doesn't need, and what's more! It comes from the very people who hurt her! The schemes are thickening and the irony begins to play itself where Mikan is caught in the middle… Will there be hope for her? Will she get her answers? Find out.
:)
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S/S14: I've got nothing to say! I can't explain my excuse for being so late, so...there! Oo I'm a miserable, busy girl… Sigh. Okay, tell you what though. Here's my condition for the next week… IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL AGAIN! Sigh. What does that mean for me? For a school girl? Sigh. An unpredictable delay on updates depending on my assignments and god knows what else school throws at me (I hope its more on arts or designing or science)… I don't know if I should be happy or not… puuh.
Any review or thought will be very well appreciated. Thank you. :)