Wings to Fly
Her first year of university life Mikan started very carefully. She decided to study at the Tokio University of Technology in the School of Design department. The University consisted of five departments: The Design Department; Health Science; Media Science; Computer Science; and Graduate School of Bionics, Computer and Media Science.
She decided to improve her designing skills and after a while, she realized she made the right decision. Her classmates were a bunch of funny people and she befriended them, although a little reluctantly. She did not speak much in class; she also avoided big crowds; and did not hang out with her peers much. She was still very affected by her high school life; She also had her weekly sessions with her therapist with who she talked about her high school experience.
When her mother Yuka received the information about what had been going on, she immediately did everything to help her daughter. She blamed herself for being so blind, but eventually Mikan persuaded her that she really had been too embarrassed to tell her. Mikan made quite a progress since she started talking to her therapist; she was happy again, and did not start shaking whenever a big group of people talked to her.
A few of her classmates; Tsubasa Ando, Misaki Harada, Kaname Sono, Hayate Matsudaira, Akira Tonouchi, and Hotaru Imai became her friends. At first, Mikan was reluctant to talk with anyone. The only people she considered true friends had been up until now Anna and Nonoko; but the two of them were attending other Universities. Nonoko decided to become a Kindergarten teacher, and Anna a cook. The three of them met every weekend and chatted about what was going on in their lives, but other than that, they did not have much time for each other.
And Mikan, at the beginning of the school year, was still too shy to start a random conversation with a stranger. She still flinched if someone raised his arm near her; she still started breathing heavily and felt claustrophobic if she found herself in a crowd; and she still stuttered if someone asked her too many questions.
But it seemed Hotaru Imai liked Mikan in a way, because she was the first one to befriend her. After the final lecture of that day, she walked towards Mikan and stopped in front of her. Mikan looked at her in confusion.
''Y-yes?'' she stuttered, being a little afraid of the stoic girl.
''Hey, I was absent yesterday. Would you mind lending me your notebook, so I could take it to the copy room and make a copy of your notes? I noticed you write almost everything what the professor says, so…'' Hotaru explained, watching the girl in front of her struggle with different emotions.
''It's just a favour, Mikan. She's not threatening you. Don't panic.'' Mikan thought to herself and finally nodded. ''Of-of course I can lend it to you.''
''The copying won't take long. We could go drink some tee, while waiting.'' Hotaru suggested, and noticed Mikan's hands shake a little. Mikan felt overwhelmed. She was happy and scared at the same time. She felt tears in her eyes, but she tried to control her emotions. ''Yes… Yes, all right. Th-the cafeteria is next to the copy room, isn't it?''
Hotaru smiled at Mikan's shy behaviour. ''It is. Let's go.''
The two girls walked towards the copy room and Mikan lend Hotaru her notebook. She gave it to the lady behind the copy machine and they had half an hour to wait. They entered the cafeteria and Mikan stopped for a second breathing in and out, and prepared herself to enter the crowd. Hotaru noticed her struggle and led her to the terrace. They sat down and ordered tea.
''Thank you, for your notebook. I had classes in the technology department yesterday and couldn't attend.'' Hotaru started the conversation.
''R-really? You-you're in the t-technology department as well? How do you manage?'' Mikan asked in surprise.
Hotaru shrugged and smirked. ''I guess I'm good enough to do both. I'm Hotaru Imai, by the way.''
Only now did Mikan realize that she did not introduce herself yet. ''Oh, um… I'm Mikan Sakura. Nice to meet you, Imai-san.''
''You can call me Hotaru. I don't like to be too formal with my classmates. May I call you Mikan?''
''S-sure, no problem.'' Mikan felt happy once again, but she did not know what to ask her new acquaintance. Hotaru was faster.
''So which high school did you attend, Mikan?''
''Oh, um… Gakuen Alice. It's not far away from this university.'' She explained.
Hotaru heard of this high school. It had to be shut down for a few weeks some time ago, because someone reported massive bullying going on in that school. Several teachers lost their job because they did not do anything about it, while it was going on and many students were send to community homes to receive their punishments. Half of the student population had been bullying victims.
Hotaru realized Mikan Sakura must have been one of those victims. Her behaviour was simply too obvious. However, she did not say her thoughts out laud.
''Ah… I attended Tokio High School, and a few of our classmates did too.''
''The group you're usually with?''
''Yes. I'll introduce you if you want. And I'll ask you if you can lend me the notebook whenever I'll have to be at the Science Department.''
Mikan thought about it. This would be a big step for her. Her therapist told her she should start meeting new people, and this would be her chance. ''All right. I would be happy to.''
When the copies were made, the two girls bid goodbye to each other and Mikan went home. She told her mother what just happened and Yuka hugged her.
The next day, Hotaru introduced Mikan to her friends. Mikan was hiding her shaking hands behind her back, but smiled at the group that welcomed her with open arms. Hotaru smiled at her new friend and carefully touched her shoulder. Mikan looked at her with slightly teary eyes and laughed when Hotaru told her a few funny secrets about the boys.
''Hey! I wanted to make a good first impression, Hotaru you traitor!'' Akira whined and the others laughed.
''These boys are harmless. They have big mouths, but nothing behind it.'' Hotaru mentioned to Mikan. Mikan nodded and the group decided to sit together in class. Mikan sat near the door, a habit she developed at high school. She was lucky the teacher decided to revise stuff that hour, because she really was not able to concentrate at her studies with the group telling funny jokes and making her laugh the whole time.
A weight fell off her shoulders. She felt relaxed. And she told that to her therapist who was very satisfied. From that point on, Mikan made progress. She accepted this group as her friends and started hanging out with them. At first she only went to study sessions with them; after some time, they persuaded her to go to festivals and other big events with them; and eventually Mikan caved. And she did not regret it. She had a lot of fun, and after almost a whole year, she finally told Hotaru what she went through in high school.
Hotaru listened to her stuttering words and let her cry. Mikan was still not comfortable to be hugged, but after a few hours of emotional roll coaster, she let Hotaru hug her. And at first she wanted to move away, but she felt Hotaru's hand caress her back and relaxed. After Mikan calmed down, Hotaru admitted that she had a hunch that this was the case with her. She had noticed her reactions and when Mikan had told her which High School she had been attending, she was sure what the problem was.
Mikan was glad she had a friend who knew everything.
The rest of the year was pure bliss for Mikan. She gained great friends; received excellent grades; and her mother got a rise at the hospital. Life could not be more perfect.
Her second year at the University started with a shock. As already mentioned, the Tokio University consisted of five departments – in other words, five different faculties were put in one building, which meant people from all these departments had to co-exist in the building.
And guess who started his first year in the Computer Science Department?
Natsume Hyuuga. After a year of serving his punishment, he graduaded from High School with flying colours and was accepted into this University.
Mikan noticed him in the entrance hall, where he looked around a little confused. From appearance, he did not change much. He was still extremely good-looking; but there was this lack of his self-centred smirk. He was alone and he seemed not sure where he had to go.
Mikan stopped in her tracks, her face visibly paler than before. Her friends noticed her being left behind and stopped.
''What is it?'' Akira asked confused.
Hotaru tried to follow Mikan's stare, but Mikan averted her eyes too quickly and stepped back. ''Uh… Um… I-I have to rush to the library. You guys go on without me.'' And off she was, quickly walking away.
Her friends watched her disappear.
''What just happened?'' asked Misaki concerned and looked around to see what made Mikan react like this. Hotaru did the same, but could not figure it out. She did not notice the black-haired boy glancing their way with a disappointed expression.