Because – Chapter 1
Author's Notes:
Like the prologue, I revised this chapter too.
I would appreciate if you read and review.
My apologies for my rare updates.
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Currently, Natsume is a 4th year high school student, and he is having the time of his life. Why? Well, recently was his sixteenth birthday which makes him have his own car.
Well actually, since he turned twelve, he already had his first car. But today, it's different…
He will now be the one to drive his very own cars! Goodbye chauffeurs! Although there are a couple, I mean, throngs of times that he had ditched his chauffeurs – he drives alone! Yes, he knew how to drive way back, just a little self-studying on driving – he's a genius anyway – then he's good to go!
But now, given the youngsters' license (I know that 18 is the legal age for driving but here in my fic, 16-year-olds are tolerated to drive, they are given the license that was mentioned), his time will not be wasted in ditching his chauffeurs and being scolded by his parents by his naughty act. He'll be able to drive freely!!
--- ---
*vibration of cell phone*
"Hello?"
'Hey Natsume..'
"What's up Ruka…?"
'We're here in the The Gulch. Join us!'
"10 minutes."
*hangs up*
Natsume tossed his cell phone on his special-star bed and went in his bathroom to have a quick shower….
Saturday. It's a day of freedom here in Alice Academy. Students are allowed to go out of the campus – visit their families, go to resorts, eat in restaurants, shop in malls…although there is a place called Central Town in the academy where you can shop, and all that. Students use this opportunity to spend their lives outside as long as possible.
Some students, however, prefer to stay – just like Natsume. Not that he dislikes it outside. Not that he refuses to visit his parents….NO. He just loves to take a nap under that Sakura tree, or read a manga while lying on one of its branches, listen to the breeze, write a new song, tune his electric guitar, to have a walk – not even minding where his feet would bring him…
He really just loves it in peace…to have some time alone. And that Sakura tree which is important to him that he considers it as one of his refuges. And hey, here's another major thing why he prefers to stay: his annoying fan-club, especially that ape-like Shouda Sumire, are always out during Saturdays – which gives him a special chance to be all alone because, you know, all he want is some peace and quiet.
Natsume's best, best friend Ruka prefers to stay and rest as well, but at the same time, he also wants to have some fun outside the academy's grounds – he's somewhat in the neutral side, unlike Natsume who rarely goes out.
But the rest of their band mates – Koko, Mochu, and Yuu – continue to nag the two to join them partying outside. The three of them really love Saturdays. They love gimmicks, parties, and discos – but Yuu is a little more…uh, conservative than the two. They find it easier to convince Ruka to join them – Natsume is not a piece of cake. That's why they often ask Ruka to call his best friend to come over, though sometimes Natsume is just so stubborn. They usually jump with joy when Natsume utters '15 minutes' or '10 minutes', blah, blah…which indicates that he'll surely arrive. No, don't think that Natsume says an hour or so. He's not a slowpoke. But if he's going somewhere far away, that's a different situation.
After doing his rituals, Natsume grabbed his cell phone and hastily ran to the parking lot – exclusively for students sixteen years of age and above – and got in his devilish red top-down (roofless) Porsche.
--- ---
"How many minutes?", Mochu asked intently as he saw Ruka return, entering their reserved spot.
"Ten."
"Nice!", Koko cheered as he and Mochu gave each other a high-five.
"Did you tell him that we invited Hotaru, Anna, and Nonoko?", Yuu asked after he removed his blue contacts and replaced them with his trusty glasses; he's actually more comfortable with those glasses, but either way, he still looks cool.
"Oh shoot. I forgot that.", Ruka said, slapping his forehead.
"It's okay!", Mochu paused. "Let it be a surprise!!", Koko finished.
Ruka smiled, "Surprise it is then."
"Okay, all we have to do now is to wait for them and our food!", Yuu said.
The four of them laughed.
--- ---
The solid sound of rock music made its way to Natsume's ears as he nods his head to the beat. His Porsche ran smoothly as he drove towards a shortcut.
A shortcut named The Road.
It was named by the higher-ups of the academy. It is located at the east of the school grounds and stretches at about a thousand feet; five meters wide. It obviously leads outside the campus, and that outside part is where most shopping malls and restaurants of Japan are located. It is separate from the main exit of the campus, and is only open during Saturdays – 5am to midnight. This shortcut was purposely made for students, and even for teachers, who love to spend their luxury first before anything else. Outsiders are strictly prohibited to use or be in the shortcut.
As Natsume drove past the guardhouse at the center of the gate of The Road, he switched from moderate to full-speed. The wind blew his raven hair as well as the tall grasses around as the car accelerated.
Suddenly he saw a glimpse of a yellow car in the middle of the road in a horizontal position, about 9 meters away. And, is that a girl who's flailing her arms in the air?
"Crap."
Natsume continued to curse in his thoughts. Her car is blocking the way! He slowed down and turned off the stereo. As he neared the yellow car, he can hear the wailings of the insane girl. He regretted turning off the stereo, he decided to turn it on again.
When he was close enough, he hit the brakes. He noticed that the girl is crying for help. He looked at her car. There's a flat tire. He cursed again.
Natsume got out of his car and approached the insane girl. It seems that she didn't even notice him despite the loud sound of his rock music.
What an idiot.
"Oi."
--- ---
"Hi!", Anna and Nonoko greeted in unison as they entered the reserved room, Hotaru between them.
"Oh! They're here! They're here!", Mochu said as Ruka, Koko and Yuu looked towards the glass door.
The three girls sat down the table, leaving one chair behind.
"We lack another chair.", Hotaru said out of the blue.
" We already have a chair for Natsume.", Ruka stated.
"I invited my best friend to come. She's probably by The Road right now." Hotaru explained coolly.
"Nani? But outsiders aren't allowed!!", Mochu said.
"Idiot. She's not an outsider. She moved in yesterday and will attend classes on Monday.", Hotaru said, leaving the rest surprised.
"So that explains your absence yesterday!", Ruka said as he nodded a couple of times.
"Does that mean, she'll be staying at the dorm?", Mochu asked, but instead of having a decent answer, he received glares from all of them as if telling him: Isn't it obvious?!
Mochu cringed. "Uhh, s-sorry."
Suddenly, Hotaru was bombarded with questions.
Ruka: What's her name?
Anna: How old is she?
Nonoko: Is she friendly?
Yuu: Is she our classmate?
Koko & Mochu: Is she pretty?
Later on, the interviewers found themselves sprawled on the floor.
"Don't ask me.", Hotaru simply stated as she patted her legendary baka gun. The rest just showed apologizing expressions. Ruka then suddenly spoke.
"Guys, don't you find it strange?"
"What?"
"It's already 4:25. He's not yet here."
"Now that you mention it, it does sound strange. Natsume can't be one minute late!", Koko said.
"I'll call him.", Ruka said as he dialed Natsume's number.
What Ruka heard in his phone is not what he wanted. It's the woman who's stating that the receiver's phone is unattended or out of coverage area.
"Damn. I remembered that there's no signal at The Road.", Ruka said.
Now, only one thought engulfed all of them.
Something's going on.
End of Chapter 1.
Author's Notes:
You did notice that Hotaru has her Baka Gun. Take note that all the characters here in this fic are not Alices. But for Hotaru, let's just say that she is very intelligent that she can invent things.
Thanks for understanding.
Um, review? :)