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"Serious Dilemma 2/2"
Their iris shrank while still gasping in horror (remember exceptions) at the chap's last statement. The Academy's whole population will attend that party! They can't possibly risk that much lives and to think that November one is just another day ahead!!
Hotaru breaks the ice, "Do you think they're that desperate to catch them? If that's so, possibilities of someone becoming a hostage are great. In short, it's a STUPID gamble to make."
Mikan can no longer control herself, she really had less idea of what they're blabbering about! She's starting to get dizzy just thinking of these things. Let's see… quiz trivia number 2: a pinch of confusion mixed together with her brain plus a drum of tense atmosphere cooled at 5000 degrees… equals? A tsunami! She of a sudden stood up looking angry and fired up, "I CAN'T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT?!" but without much of a warning… BAKABAKABAKA! What else happens after a tsunami? -Destruction of public properties and loss of casualties, also, a grave to dig… poor Mikan, bursting like a bubble really is annoying, I'll give you a candy after this fan fiction so just hang on there.
"We're not expecting you to fully understand, baka. The truth is, we ourselves are confused, as much as you are… well, much lesser confused than you." though she's thankful to her sudden outburst, but she's still Hotaru Imai after all.
Mikan's behavior somehow lessens the tenseness they're feeling a while ago, thanks Mikan. Even though she's dumb and dense, everyone appreciated her sense of humor, even though she had no idea about it. Once again, the atmosphere lightens, they can now analyze the situation better. And so, they resume.
"Hotaru-chan, do you have any lead with this case?"
"That's what I'm about to say… I've been investigating this case for a while, I instructed some of my inventions to search for any potential clues on the forest –strange footprints, pieces of cloth, anything that could possibly give us a hint of what's we're dealing of, and so far, these are what I got." Hotaru let everyone look at the handkerchief on her hand.
"Oi, Hotaru, that's yours, right?" Mikan, with layers of bumps on her head, points at the name stitched on it, it says 'Hotaru Imai'. It was Mikan's gift for her before so she recognized it.
Hotaru's brow twitched, though her face remained blank, "I know you're stupid, but I didn't expect you're also blind. I'm not referring to my handkerchief, baka."
"You're a greedy person, Imai, but I didn't know you know how to share your blessings." Natsume smirked while she just shrugs.
"These crystals are scattered all over the western part of the forest, mostly to where kids disappear."
Ruka reached to her hand where the crystals were, "Really? Well, does it mean anything? Aside from making you rich that is." He took a small light blue crystal (not the same as most crystals, you can tell if you'd see it but good thing you can't) and inspects its features.
"Haven't any of you seen anything like this?" No one answered. Hotaru let out a sigh and fished a remote out of her pocket. With a push of a button, the table split in the middle, slowly parting, and out came a pink bow and arrow. The room went silent. "Permy, take it and shoot at anyone." Hotaru's cold voice startled Sumire, she turns to look at the inventor. Hotaru is pointing her baka gun at her while backing up a little. Everyone, seeing Hotaru's actions felt the urge to back up as well. They don't know what she's planning, but by the looks of it, it's not good.
Sumire, on the other hand, fully understand Hotaru's reaction, she, as a fully pledged president of Natsume-Ruka Fans Club, knows what the bow and arrow is for. She's still having second thoughts about this though, "What if he moves, or do anything against me?"
Hotaru then glared at everyone, making them sweat drop, "No one moves, no one talks, and just stay still. If someone misunderstood me, my Baka gun is more than willing to be shot." They gulped, then nod.
A certain mind reader is sweating furiously. I think this happened before. But he is somehow relieved, knowing that he's not in danger this time.
A big evil smile crawl on her lips, she then started an evil chuckle. She takes the bow and arrow to her hands and prepared herself. With an agile movement, she shot the arrow, screaming "Natsume-sama!" Natsume choked on his seat, he must act fast. The arrow is quickly approaching and he must pull a stunt right away! Good thing he's been trained for these certain situations when the enemy gives a surprise attack, he acted on his reflexes, pulling the person beside him for cover… Sumire and the rest gasped and then gaped.
You should've seen Permy's face; she's monster-struck! She felt her face paled, she was on her knees. She wanted to pass out that exact time, the truth is, she almost collapsed, but a securing arm wrapped itself around her waist, and a soft charming voice came along. "Sumire, my love, are you hurt?" Sumire slowly open her eyes to have a glimpse at her lover. Not much of a glimpse, that is, because her eyes shot WIDE open when she saw him… again.
Concern is painted all over his blushing figure. He then, assists her to stand to her feet again, but every time he does, she just slumps back on the ground. She felt light-headed for a moment, leaving the lad no other choice but to make a good action to bring her back to her senses. He breathes in air, slowly closing the distance between their faces. Sumire's eyes widen some more, then blushes when she smelled his perfume and feel his warm breath on her face. A little bit more and… BAKABAKABAKABAKA!! Should I say 'happily ever after?' So much for that. Hotaru's just a kill-joy.
"Oi Imai, is that what you wanted us to see?" blurted a pissed off Natsume.
Hotaru let out a raw sigh, "Tell me where's the arrow?"
"It… disappeared?" asked Nonoko.
"No it didn't." Hotaru then walks to Natsume's direction, stopping just in front of him, and then she picked something on the floor. "It's just reduced to these crystals." showing her open palm with a crystal particle on it. She continues, "This is what happens when you fire one of those arrows."
"What's your point?"
"In case you don't recognize the bow and arrow, I'll tell you. Me and my partner are the ones who made it. She uses her Alice to make it, while I made a way so that it will remain to its material form, even if she's not the one to use it. It's almost like the concept in making an Alice stone."
Nonoko, as if getting her point, cuts her off, "So that's why you asked me to test those crystals." Hotaru nodded, while everyone remained silent, waiting for farther explanation. Nonoko continues, "Hotaru-chan gave me three different samples of those crystals, one is taken from the crystals from the forest, the other is from the remains of the arrows after it's fired, and the last is the one from our class room, then, she asked me to check whether the three sample match. I worked over time with Anna-chan last night just to finish it, we even forgot to change from our uniforms." She fiddled with her fingers then continues, "You wouldn't believe what the result is… they MATCHED!" everyone gave her a confused look as Anna tries to clear Nonoko's point, "So you're saying… Hariko-chan and Hotaru-chan are the kidnappers." She felt like fainting, Mikan fanned her and gave her water.
"Of course not! I mean, not Hotaru-chan. If she is the kidnapper, she won't investigate this case, right? But I don't know about Hariko-chan. I mean, she could easily use her Alice to make the kids follow her commands."
Mikan wanted to defend her friend, "Wait, how could you say that! Hariko-chan is a good person. And besides, how can you explain the moans and groans and those glowing-" a thought hit Mikan, a flashback replayed in her head.
-flash from the back-
Clouds rolled from above, seizing the shine of the sun as the wind whistles, carrying leaves, twigs, plastics, and anything it can carry along with it. No sound of animals nor insects can be heard, only the gush of the wind bending the tall grasses forgotten to be cut off by anyone, or rather, they didn't bother, for this place is long abandoned and disregarded. Even if you knew it is there, you'll just ignore it. But though the clouds covered most of the sun's light, this place is somehow bright. Something here is glowing, even though there's no lamp, no fire, nor any device that can give brightness.
On the ground, there's something, which seemed to be shinning! The ground gave off a radiant blue light, which formed into some kind of drawing of rings and a six-pointed star on the center with incomprehensible writings, which is neither calligraphy nor hieroglyphics.
Amidst the plane, someone's floating just above the center of the star, as if gravity no longer exists for her. Her position is of resemblance as those monks in the temples, meditating and giving off energy from her body as she murmurs to herself words that are inaudible. The wind blew a bit stronger, but she didn't move from her position, instead, she seemed to be the one controlling the wind. Her blue long hair dances with it as the collar of her shirt flips and flops. With her eyes closed and her hands clasp together, a certain necklace started radiating blue light as well.
In a distance, a certain brunette is hiding herself behind a big tree, brown orbs wide open, filled with confusion, misbelieve and at the same time marvel. She is sweating and trembling. She wished to run, but out of curiosity, she stayed, observing everything the girl does. She didn't dare take a step nor move a bit in fear that she might get caught. Questions started to flood her brain but she doesn't have the guts to voice it out. She's just standing there while trembling, as if waiting for something else to happen.
Her heart skipped a beat when she heard… THAT sound… she'd heard it before! Then, it finally hit her; it is the same sound as the one she heard… in the forest! She started shaking like nuts; her vision is fooling her, that's what she thought, because orbs of blue light started forming in the air as the groans became louder. She can't help it anymore, she felt her knees slowly giving up on her weight, and so she's forced to take a step back, unintentionally breaking a twig. That's the worst thing that she could do! Now, the blue haired gal seemed to have heard her, she can feel the sudden change of atmosphere. Her head went blank as her body stiffens, the groaning sound feels close… so close… as close as… one step behind! She panicked. The only command that her brain was able to give to her body is to RUN. She hurriedly left the place, using all her might and power, just to escape. Soon after, she bumped unto Natsume.
-What she saw before is either real or not, she wish it wasn't and that's to end the flashback-
"What's the matter Mikan?" but what she meant to ask is: Why did she suddenly stop. Hotaru eyed her a suspicious stare. But then, she had to shrug it off.
"No, nothing… I'm just saying that you shouldn't accuse people so easily."
"We're not accusing her like we don't have any proof Mikan-chan." Anna's eyes show concern and doubt.
"She's right. But even though my partner is or is not one of the abductors, it seems she has something to do with this case, she could help us if ever. But as for now, it's better to keep it a secret to her." Seriousness can be heard in Hotaru's voice.
"So that's why I can't see her anywhere here." Yuu meaningfully let his eyes search the room, "She's our first…SUSPECT."
"Achu… Achu, achu, achu!!" sniff; she covered her mouth with her sky-blue handkerchief with blue floral designs. "Someone's talking about me again…" trip, bang, groan.
"… more on backstabbing me. Who can it be? Talking rubbish about me, the gorgeous Lady Cupid! Maybe the ones who bought those stuffed mini-Cupids. I told Hotaru-chan that my Alice won't work on soft materials like cottons or clothes. Achu! Bless me." Then, she notices someone walking towards her; she raised her head to have a clear view at a red-haired chick looking aggravated. She didn't move, waiting for her to come closer.
"Hello there, Tanaka-chan! Have you seen…" such a straight forward way of approaching a kohai, geez. She's still turning her head from side to side in search for her PREY that she missed the smirk on the girl's face. But after a while, not hearing the girl answer, she finally noticed the strange, somehow dark, aura around the place; she could feel the chills on her spine. She cautiously lowered her head to look at Hariko -her bangs covered her eyes as the smirk on her face remains-. From anger, her expression changed as the cold sweat trailed through her cheek, she gulped in saliva, feeling as though her throat was dry. The blue-haired girl's voice even startled her.
"Sempai… would you like to…"
"Can we eat now, I'm hungry. And besides, it's time for lunch already." Mikan is practically loosing much of her energy already while lazily eyeing her wristwatch.
Hotaru just raised a brow at her; she looked at her wall clock and saw it's still an hour before twelve. She then gave a glance at her own wrist watch, she slightly frowned, but no one noticed, she then let everyone go take a break, but she warned them, "If ever you come in counter with the subject, act like nothing happened, act natural, or else, she might become suspicious. And besides, we still have a lot to discuss."
They exited the lab one by one or by group so that it won't make such a sight. Someone might discover their secret meeting. Hotaru, Anna, Nonoko and Mikan were the last to come out the lab. They just stepped out of the door when they saw a familiar someone. "Tatsuki-sempai?"
"Yo, girls."
"Are you waiting for someone, sempai?" asked Nonoko.
"Yeah, I'm waiting for Imai-san, there."
"What do you want?"
"I just wanna ask if you still have any of those rockets."
"Rockets?" Anna, Nonoko and Mikan asked all at the same time.
The five began to walk and talk together, and the three –Anna, Nonoko, and the one who's not Hotaru, asked him lots of questions. They walked through the corridors while chatting.
Tatsuki, Yuki, he prefers Yuki, 17 years old, is a high school student from the Active type class/Latent class since his Alice is a Mechanical Control Alice –which he uses with his wheeled chair that's specially designed for him and his needs like climbing stairs, etc.-. If you can still remember, last time Mikan met him, he suddenly disappeared, he said it was because of Hotaru's invention rocket, he broke it that time, so he's asking Hotaru if she had another. He said that he almost became a part of the Dangerous Ability type class, but that time, he got an accident and got lame, so there's no reason for him to become one. He answered much of their questions, and they think he look, sound, and is cool, but not for the owner of those piercing crimson orbs who's been watching the group for a while, while trying to contain his anger –jealousy. The group's topic then changed.
"This Hariko kid, what is she like? Do you really think she's the you know what?"
The girls' expression saddened, "Frankly, no. She's kind and sweet and looks as if she can't kill an ant." Anna remarked as the other two –Hotaru's not one of them, nods in agreement.
"You seem to be close to her, I guess it's hard for you to hear that she's a suspect." They nod again.
Noticing the gloomy atmosphere, he changed the topics, but before he could even say a word, a certain sempai came running onto them. Mikan's face brightens at the view of her favorite sempai, "Tsubasa-sempai!!"
Tsubasa greeted them with a warm smile, also noticing the wheel chaired blond, he waved a hand and receive another wave as a reply. "You two guys know each other?"
"Of course, we're class mates!"
"EEEEHHHHHH?!"
"Yo, Andou, where's Harada-chan." chirped the blond.
"I don't know and I most certainly don't care."
"Geez, let me guess, another L.Q.?"
"ANDOU, TSUBASA!!"
"There's your answer, well, gotta go. Bye guys!" after that, he made a run for it. Not long, a red-haired figure dashed along with just, "Hi!" and then "Bye!" Mikan didn't even blinked.
"They're so worked up with each other, right?" noted Anna; still looking at the direction her sempais went.
"Yeah, but what's with the headband with additional hanging and blinking heart? She looks like an angler fish." Noticed Nonoko.
"It's a love detector, one of my inventions. It works just like a tracking device, but in a different way of course." Hotaru announced.
"Wow, Hotaru, your inventions sure come in handy. What else are you selling?" cheeped Mikan.
"I don't have enough time to sell most of my creations, so I assigned someone else to do the job." As if on cue, Hariko stepped in. The three girls tensed at her presence.
"Sorry Mikan-chan, it's all sold out. Misaki-sempai bought the last of it."
Hotaru coolly greets her with a nod while the other three wear nervous smiles. The guy, well, he's just love-struck!
-Tatsuki's POV-
Thump!
Oh my god, what's happening to me! I can feel all the blood on my body raise up to my head. Heck, I know I'm blushing! Don't rub it on my face, will yá. As I look up at the angel in front of me, I took note of every single detail of her figure. From the cute blue sandals she's wearing, up to her slender thigh, to her knee-length shorts –pretty conservative for my taste, but I just can't help my gaze travel through her figure, from the tip of her hair to the, the, the…
Thump!
Breathe man! Breath! I kept reminding myself when I set my eyes on her face. Oh heaven, I must be dead! For in front of me now is an angel. I wanted to introduce myself, but I can't help but stutter. I've met many ladies before, but no matter how they would beg me into choosing them as my girlfriend, I will never give this chick up!
"H-H-H-Hi!" I finally spoke, I cleared my throat, and "I'm T-T-Tat- Yuki! Just call me Yuki." Man, this sure is tough, I'm panting already as I offered my trembling hand for a handshake. I glimpse at her face once in a while, but the racing beat of my heart just kept on accelerating.
I heard her say, "Nice to meet you Yuki-san, I'm Tanaka, Hariko, but just call me Hariko." Then she presented me a heavenly smile!
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!! Thump!! Thump!! Thump!! I felt I melted. I wanna blast off my wheel chair and land on the moon!
I think I've heard that name before, but who cares! I know, I should make up a topic so that she won't notice my nervousness. What? What am I going to tell her? It would be too obvious if I talk much. Wait, what would I do if I meet with other girls? I know, I'll seduce her, I mean, what am I going to do?! I better act up soon!
"Uhhm, hi there, he, he, uhmm. Have you seen dinosaurs before? You know, dinosaurs are for real! He, he…" what am I saying?!
-End of his POV-
-Mikan and Hariko's POV-
M: He's acting weird…
H: … he starts to talk nonsense…
M: Should I tell him that his jokes are lame, or…
H: should I just kick him off that wheeled chair for a cause?
M: He really sounds stupid…
H: Could this guy be…
Mikan and Hariko covered their mouth while the gasped at their thought…
Both: OH NO, maybe he's a mentally retarded, or worse… AN EPILEPTIC!
M: What if he's…
H: having an attack of his disease…
Both: what should we do?!
H:I can notice Yuki-san looking at me once in a while, then, he starts acting weirder than last time he did. I think he noticed my sad expression when he suddenly stopped. I finally felt better, maybe I'm just thinking too much about that epileptic thing… I'm relieved when he stopped, then I gave him a warm smile. Oh no! Bad move! He started to become redder and redder and he went on with his bad puns.
M: Oh no, there it is again! If this goes on…
H: there's a great possibility that he'll…
Both: DIE!!
-END POV!!-
Anna: Tatsuki-sempai is…
Nonoko: acting kind a…
Hotaru: stupid.
… So much for a 'cool' sempai, what do you think? I think first impressions are just never lasting…
"Konichiwa, this is Ogasawara, Nonoko speaking. As you all know, the author V-knight or whatever he- I mean she call him- I mean herself is confused with the flow of her own story, so she asked me to answer some of her questions that's been bugging her for a while now… lets see… here's one question:
'Why did Hotaru-chan chose Hariko for a partner?'
Yup, the same question is on my mind since that day when Narumi-sensei announced that Hotaru-chan is her partner… so, to answer that, we asked Hotaru Imai herself to give her reasons… Hotaru-chan please greet our readers."
"Hi."
"Hotaru-chan, we're frankly surprised that you personally asked for a partner –that is Hariko-chan, so tell us, what are your reasons in accepting her as your partner? Rumors had it that it's because of the faculty."
"Aside from that, there's two -First because the AUTHOR asked me to, and second is because of this."
"What's that, a magazine? I thought things like these are forbidden inside the academy!"
"I've got my own resources… turn to page 12."
"Hmm…WHAT'S THIS?! 'a fifteen-year-old girl won the contest for selling more than… 100,000 boxes of CHOCOLATES… in just a week?! And because of that, she was awarded 1,000,000 American dollars and was asked by the American embassy to work for their state!'… is this all true, Hotaru-chan? I can't believe it is possible."
"Of course it is, this is a fan fiction, after all."
Yeah? Anyhow, everything will be explained as the story goes on so might as well buckle up for it will be a bumpy ride folks!