I'm back! Thanks for all the reviews!
A lot of reviewers happen to think that Natsume is a little bit OOC here in this fic. Well, I purposely did that and this is, after all, an Alternative Universe story. So Natsume is really not his cold, mysterious self. I hoped that helped you understand why he behaves like that in the fic. I think his behavior here is quite cute and charming, ne? Who's with me?
Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: The last time I checked... I didn't own Gakuen Alice. So I guess up to now, I still don't own it. Haha.
Red Lining
You're mine...
You're mine...
You're mine...
Mikan couldn't help herself as she repeated the same words that Natsume whispered to her that early morning.
Mikan didn't know where to classify Natsume's behavior exactly. He was supposed to be making her life a living hell. Well, change that, he was making her life hell due to the fact that she was now the target of his die-hard fans because he was getting all sweet and charming with her.
But thinking of that...it was not even a problem compared to what she was getting knotty about. Though she was now the target of the next possible murder of hate from those die-hard fan girls who would do anything to be in her position (Natsume-rockstar hugging her in public, Natsume-rockstar bringing her peace offerings, Natsume-rockstar sleeping in her room and the like), she actually... kind of...
liked it.
There goes all the days she spent on loathing him. But that didn't change the fact that she still considers Natsume the thief of the CD of one of the best bands that made its way in her life.
And though, she (kind of) liked what Natsume was making her feel, even if it makes her crazy, she was never going to tell it to the jerk.
"NEVER!" Mikan shouted with conviction as she stood up from her seat and slammed her table quite loudly.
"Ms. Sakura," Jinno-sensei said as his class became disrupted due to the loud shout of Mikan. "Would you like to recite Verse VII of this magnificent poetry or would you like to share with us what you have been daydreaming?"
Mikan face became red like that of a very ripe tomato. "N-no, Jinno sensei. I mean—"
Her classmates started giggling because of her.
"Yes, Ms. Sakura?"
"I was—"
"Jinno-sensei, the truth is Ms. Sakura was daydreaming about me. So could you just let her off this time so that we could continue discussing about this magnificent poetry you have?"
The classroom became silent as everyone looked straight at Natsume who looked comfortable on his seat at the back, just a couple of seats diagonally behind Mikan.
Mikan didn't know whether she was supposed to be grateful for Natsume's save but it got the better of her anyway.
"I was definitely NOT daydreaming about you!"
Natsume smirked. "Quit denying it, Polka."
Mikan glared at him. "I was not!"
Natsume leaned forward in his chair as he lazily smiled at Mikan. "Don't contradict me, love. It's all in your eyes."
Mikan froze.
He was using it on her again.
That look and that word 'love' which was supposedly sacred to lovers only. And what's worse is that he used it in front of her classmates and her most-hated teacher.
Her classmates gasped loudly as they heard the words that were just spoken out from Natsume's mouth.
Jinno-sensei was about to stop the commotion going on in his classroom when suddenly the bell rang. He sighed, "Ms. Sakura, I would not accept another behavior like this in our next meeting. Goodbye class." He then walked out of the room leaving as fast as he could for the reason that he just didn't want to get into another complicated love-hate mess experienced by his students.
It's all too complicated for an old man like him.
The students didn't even have the time to say goodbye to their teacher, as they were still left gawking at Mikan and Natsume.
Though the bell rang signaling the dismissal of class, Mikan and everybody else in her class, still hadn't gotten over what Natsume said.
Different assumptions were being made, and each one leading to another more complicated assumption.
What broke the eerie silence was Sumire's screech shooting out from the front of the class.
"Noooo! This couldn't be! My Natsume! It's true! Pigtails had done something to him! How could you?!"
Mikan glared at Sumire, "You, Permy! Stop your nonsense already! I didn't do anything to 'your Natsume' okay? So quit your babbling—"
The class started erupting as each one finally found their voices.
Mikan wanted to scream and get the hell out of the room, out of this mess. How did her life become as complicated as this anyway?
Suddenly the same enchantingly, irritating deep voice that said those sweet , crazy words to Mikan cut the rest of the students' voices. "Polka, see you later." He stood up from his seat and left.
Ruka smiled at Mikan and followed Natsume out of the booming classroom.
Mikan was dumbfounded.
See you later...
See you later...
See you later...
Suddenly Mikan remembered what he was talking about.
Blackmail pictures suddenly appeared on her mind.
"Ooohh... You moron! I'm gonna get you later!"
She ran out the classroom leaving her classmates baffled.
---
Mikan looked at her wrist watch as she changed her uniform into casual clothes. She had no idea what Natsume had on his head but she knew she needed to be ready.
Scissors to cut the negatives.
Check.
Matches to burn negatives if needed.
Check.
Spray for bad guys.
Just in case.
Check.
Mikan placed everything on her small bag and ran out of her room.
"Mikan!"
Mikan stopped at her tracks and looked around and found her best friend staring at her. "Hotaru!"
Hotaru stared at Mikan who cheerfully ran up to her. She sighed. She knew from Mikan's actions that she definitely still has no idea about what might take place in the Music Hall.
"What is going to happen tomorrow, anyway?" Hotaru quietly asked Ruka as they walked out of the movie theatre.
"What do you mean?" Ruka asked.
Hotaru eyed Ruka. She knew that Ruka was still loyal to his best friend even though they were already going out. Hotaru almost laughed on how cute it made Ruka look.
"Ruka, I already know it and I talked with Natsume already. He said that I should ask you because he actually knows that we are... going out." Hotaru said as a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
Ruka laughed and hugged Hotaru. "I thought he didn't know... that moron." Ruka jokingly said.
Hotaru equally hugged him back.
"Natsume is planning to propose."
Hotaru stopped at her tracks. "What? Propose? They're too young."
Ruka laughed again. "No... no. Natsume wants to tell Mikan that he loves her and have her as his girlfriend. This is the first time I've ever heard Natsume say that so I believe that he won't do anything bad to her. I guess he's planning to woo her into saying yes, tomorrow night. The plan still isn't that clear to me but I know I hope it works out well..."
"Mikan, promise me something."
Mikan stared at her and smiled. "Of course, Hotaru!"
"Please don't do anything stupid tonight."
Mikan looked at her weirdly, "What do you mean? I'm just going to see Natsume and snatch those negatives away from his hands. See... I even brought scissors and matches."
Hotaru wanted to smack Mikan in the head. "You won't need any of that tonight. Leave your things and go meet Natsume."
"Huh? But—"
"No buts, Mikan." Hotaru pulled Mikan's bag away from her and pushed her out the door. "Have fun!"
Mikan stared at the closed door of their dorm. "Hotaru's weird tonight..." Mikan muttered as she slowly walked down the street towards the Academy.
In her walk towards the school, Mikan didn't realize that she was walking too slow and that she was undeniably going to be late.
"Waahh..." she panicked as she ran faster than usual towards the music hall of the school. "I'm going to be late."
Mikan was always happy living in a dorm near her school but having her home near her school didn't make much of an improvement in terms of her getting to school on time because it almost, always makes her late.
And now, she was still late even though she knew that her life depended on this night.
Five minute had already passed since the clock ticked seven as Mikan pushed open the door of the Music hall.
Once she was inside and was definitely out of breath, she realized that the lights were off and silence was enveloping her.
She quickly panicked because she hated the dark. "Mou... this is not a good joke. Open the lights. I know you're here! Come—"
Suddenly the lights flashed open, causing Mikan momentary blindness.
"You're late."
Mikan adjusted to the light of the hall and saw a figure standing in the stage. She took a step forward and saw that it was Natsume.
Mikan's jaw dropped. Was she staring up to a god? Natsume did look like a god. He was wearing a dark polo shirt, black pants and sports shoes that looked very fashionable compared to Mikan's casual clothes. Mikan cleared away the thoughts and glared at him. "Seven minutes just passed. It's not as if—"
Suddenly Natsume jumped off the staged and pulled Mikan into his arms. "You came."
Mikan's heart skipped a beat. "Hy-hyuuga—"
Natsume sighed against her hair and tightened his grip around her. "I thought were finished with surname calling."
Mikan couldn't think straight anymore. His smell was making her senseless again.
Natsume pulled out of their embrace and smiled down at Mikan.
Mikan could only stare up at Natsume's ruby orbs as she was rob of her communication skills. Mikan wanted to reach out and touch Natsume's lips because of his smile but she stopped herself and pushed out of Natsume's loosening grip.
Natsume just smiled at her. "I thought you weren't coming... come." He said as he pulled onto her hand again, his fingers entwining with hers.
Mikan pulled away. "We're not finished talking yet! Where's the pictures? And my CD?"
Natsume cocked his head to the side. "Mikan, is that all you think this is?"
Mikan stared blankly at Natsume. He was making her confused again. "What do you mean?"
"Look at your surroundings, Mikan."
Mikan stared at Natsume and finally it crashed. The hall was fully decorated with candles and cherry blossoms were scattered everywhere. There was a table for two on the stage and Mikan suddenly smelled the tangerine fragrance she'd always loved and the mouth-watering scent of the foods that she knew was the smell of her favorites.
Mikan finally grasped the point of the letter, the blackmail, his sweetness, his possessive streak and his wonderful smile. It struck her and her heart started beating faster than ever before.
She looked at Natsume, her eyes widening. "Don't tell me..."
"I'm in love with you, Mikan."
CLIFFHANGER!!!
Waaah... what will happen next? I'm scared. Haha!
Reviews are highly appreciated.