DISCLAIMER: I do not own Gakuen Alice. We all know that. Hehe

A/N: I can't help iiittt! I know I have an upcoming exam tomorrow, but... NOOO. HAHA I can't really say it now but OH GOD HERE'S AN UPDATE lol

Chapter 12: Cold Mikan

It was our literature exam when I started to ignore everyone. It was really hard not to be me but, Sumire's my friend, a close one indeed, and I couldn't help but agree with her.

I had been close with Koko, we were going out together, studying together, which means he wasn't able to spend enough time with Sumire. Natsume, I don't know, but he might find it annoying to find me and Koko together because Koko's his friend, or because he's jealous? I shook my head. That's impossible. It's probably because he hates me and he doesn't want one of his best friend staying with me. I nodded this time.

"Ms. Sakura, do you have any problem?" Narumi asked me while giving me a worried look.

"Nothing." I said emotionlessly as possible.

This is hard but I have to live with it! For my friend! Yes! I nodded once more before focusing on my exam.

After an hour and a half, we were dismissed. I went directly to Hotaru who was, coincidentally, waiting for someone at the door.

"Hey, Hotaru. Wanna study with me?" I gave her a small smile.

"I was waiting for you to ask me. Let's go." She said and was about to walk away but Ruka called her name.

"Wanna go out with me and Koko?" Ruka looked at us expectantly.

"No." I blurted.

"No. We'll do it next time, Ruka. Sorry." She looked at Ruka and there was some sort of telepathic conversation between them and once their eye contact broke, Ruka sighed heavily.

"Mikan, let's study together!" Koko gave me his usual boyish smile.

Sorry, Koko.

"I'm busy." I turned my back at them and walked away. Hotaru followed me after a second or two.

.

The whole night, I studied with Hotaru. Unexpectedly, she was patient with me. Unlike those days when she hit me with her infamous baka gun if I couldn't understand the topic.

It was past midnight when Sumire arrived, an obvious smile plastered on her face.

"Mikan!" Sumire chirped, causing me and Hotaru to look at her.

"Yes?" I smiled at her warmly.

"Thank you!" She ran towards us and hugged me tightly.

"Eh?"

"Koko studied with me tonight. Before that, I had a good afternoon snacks with Natsume. I'm really happy right now!" She said and honestly, you could see it in her eyes. It was shining like never before. She was truly happy. And it made me happy to see my friend happy.

"Why are you thanking me?" I laughed lightly, "Anyway, you're welcome." I gave her a slight pat on her butt and she walked away, giggling.

"Are you okay with this?" Hotaru asked the moment we heard Sumire closed her room's door.

"Okay with what?" I asked.

"Idiot. Never mind. Let's continue." She easily dismissed the topic which was really quite alright with me because we still have to study 265 pages.

.

After a week or so, I was used with this "straight face, no emotion" game. It wasn't that hard now. Every now and then, Koko still joked around but I wouldn't laugh anymore, I would just give him a smile or nod at times to acknowledge his joke and that would be it.

Actually, Hotaru and I already gained a title "The Coldest Best Friends", which was sort of funny for me because I never imagined to have that title but I liked it! I mean, Hotaru has been like this since we were born and I could never describe her awesome-ness and cool-ness because she could supress her emotions and all. And that's how I felt, 'I'm so cool' and all that.

"Mikan-chan?" Koko turned to look at me.

"Yes?" Emotionlessly, I replied, expecting for a joke again.

"Why are you being cold to me?" He pouted.

I was taken aback. I wasn't expecting that. Then for the first in n years, I heard him make a sound.

"Tch" was Natsume's only reaction.

.

(Hotaru's POV)

Even though Mikan thought it was cool to be cold, it just didn't fit her. It was... weird. Totally.

It was dismissal time when Mikan made her way to me when I noticed Natsume following her, about to grab her by her arm. My eyes slightly narrowed, excited for the possible talk between the two, when Sumire caught Natsume's arm. I sighed.

Sumire was looking down while holding the already stretched arm of Natsume. She was sad, obviously. Hurt? Betrayed?

Sumire, how long will you make Mikan suffer?

.

The exam week was finally over. We planned to eat dinner together but me being me and Sumire being Sumire, we would rather stay at the dorm. Mikan was being persistent which caused her to buy some food for us three.

This is the perfect time.

"Sumire." I walked towards her who was sitting at the sofa, reading a fashion magazine.

"Yes?" She lowered the magazine a little.

"Can we talk?" I placed down the mug of coffee that I was holding and sat beside her and as I placed down the mug, she did too with her magazine.

"I think you're asking too much from Mikan." I straightfowardly said, not wanting to waste the time.

"What?" She glared at me.

"We both know Mikan's not like that." I said with a disgusted tone.

"I don't like where this is going, Imai. Are you blaming me?" She hissed.

"Mikan and Natsume, you can't blame her. They were childhood lovers. You can't blame Mikan if Natsume's jealous when Mikan's with Koko." I stated.

"Wha—NATSUME'S NOT JEALOUS!" Her voice started to rise up.

"Really now." I raised my brows.

"You know what, I'm going in my room." She stood up but I continued before everything would be too late.

"Koko likes you. You know that. And you like him too, don't you? Why are you making things too complicated?" I got my coffee, wanting to relax my pounding heart.

I wasn't really good at this kind of thing, but I had to. For Mikan's sake.

"You know what, first of all, I like Natsume. Secondly, I don't like Koko. Nor does he like me." She ended then stormed to her room but I heard it. I heard the sadness at the last part of her statement.

I couldn't help but smirk, knowing that I was able to bring Sumire back to her senses. It wouldn't take too much time before everything would be back to normal. I could feel it.