Chapter 8

That girl is annoying. She usually turns up; stares at me for some time, then vanishes again. What the hell? She acts like she knows me but she doesn't. No one does. But the way her eyes look into mine feel different.

She was reading me, and I couldn't even read her.

Kira Suichiro isn't it? Well, well, well… it's time to play my game.

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"The schedule for tomorrow's exam as well as the time frame is posted in the East wing bulletin board. Students are expected to be aware of the casualties and the consequences if by chance, he/she fails. Thank you and have a nice day." The paging system announced.

Kira cringed. It was bad enough that she got injured in their Physical Education class. Now, she needs to stay up all night to study, and all she wanted to do now is to sleep. She cringed again. That 'have a nice day' clearly didn't apply to her.

"Calling the attention of all editors of Sev/Ap, please proceed to the Sev/Ap office right now," she sighed. Her bestfriend wouldn't be able to help her go home. "Repeating the announcement," she groaned, "all editors of Sev/Ap, please proceed to the Sev/Ap office right now. Thank you."

The speaker stressed the words 'right now' and she can't help but smile with the thought of Nonoko running for her life in order to arrive at the school paper office. Her blue hair messed by the wind was enough to brighten her day even a little. She stood up and headed for the exit of the gym.

Meanwhile, an amused Koko leaned on a secluded post hidden from view. Good thing was, he could watch her from his post. He had been watching her for quite a time now, and her face was unreadable, but somehow tired, until the paging system announced something that made her groan then smile. He concluded that maybe something was funny with the speakers that made her smile. But then again, he wasn't sure. He was Koko the Mind reader, not Koko, the one who could read expressions.

He watched her smile again and he inwardly snorted. 'Is this girl weird or what?' She stood up and he continued to watch her, until he noticed that she was limping and she tripped. Koko instinctively ran.

"Hey, are you alright?" he asked her and she looked up, surprised. Then he realized…

"Umm, I was just passing by and I saw you sitting on the floor…" he explained but then she raised an eyebrow as if to say that she wasn't anywhere close to believing. He shrugged and extended his hand ..and she stared.

"So you could stand up by yourself? Well, you're a strong girl I take it." He said and took back his hand. He waited for her to say anything, to tell him that she needs help but after a few seconds, she used her hands for support and stood up in front of him. Koko stared in shock. 'What the hell?'

"Thanks for your offer but it's fine." Kira replied politely and walked away, limping on one foot but managing to stand upright. Koko watched her exit the gym in shock but a grin made its way into his thin lips.

She was amazing and he could tell that she was a huge challenge. But hell, he likes challenges, and believing that it would only take a few days to make her fall, he too exit the gym.

Koko didn't take the warning or heed the signs. Strike one.

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Mikan walked. Mikan stopped. Mikan sat. Mikan sighed… and Mikan stood up and walked again. It has been a cycle, repeated and repeated again by some… anxious girl. She didn't know why but-

"We're just going to meet each other at the park! It's just a-a formal meeting!" She stammered and threw her arms up in exhaustion. Her companion rolled her eyes.

"A date, I dare say. When you put it that way- it sounds like you're expecting that there's going to be something more." She replied and Mikan felt her cheeks flush.

"Hotaru, that- that's not true! It's not like we're going to kiss or hug-….." she stopped realizing her mistake. Hotaru laughed and popped chips into her mouth. She tilted her head sideways and observed her companion when the brunette realized and hid her blushing face behind her hands.

"You're awfully obvious Mikan." She explained and Mikan groaned beside her. Putting up a brave face, she faced her bored 'substitute' bestfriend.

"No I'm not! Forget I said anything, or else…" It was Mikan's turn to smirk and with her forefinger raised like the number 1 figure she chuckled.

"…I'd tell clueless Natsume about your huge… infatuation?" she chuckled evilly and Hotaru's eyes enlarged, as if not believing that her friend was capable of doing so.

"No you won't…" she muttered silently, almost like a prayer and Mikan towered over her, a huge monster grinning evilly plus the shadow. (SFX: Bwahahaha)

"Yes I won't, if you won't mention to a soul about what you just heard." She challenged and Hotaru calculated her chances for survival. She hung her head and Mikan's grin turned triumphant.

"What do we have here?" a lazy bored voice made their heads turn to their right. Hotaru blushed and Mikan's heart… skipped a beat.

"Are you torturing Hotaru? She looks like you killed her dog." Natsume continued and placed his hands inside his pockets casually. Mikan turned away and felt warmth spread from her fingertips to her neck. Indeed Natsume's a sight.

With his black pants matching his hair and indigo polo with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, it was enough to make a normal girl drool.

Mikan tried to laugh casually but failed tragically.

"Of course I'm not. I'm just reminding her of something…" her grin was back and poor Hotaru wanted to vanish right at that moment. Natsume chuckled and walked over to Hotaru.

"Tell me if she's bullying you or something, we'll beat the crap out of her." He ruffled Hotaru's hair and playfully pointed at Mikan whose heart constricted for a moment.

"So now you're siding with her? I thought I was your best friend?" she countered with unknown poison on her voice. Natsume took no notice and smirked.

"Well, you're used to being the bad guy, right?" he replied and Hotaru didn't make any effort to shrug of his hand that was unconsciously resting on her shoulder. She almost smiled at what was unfolding in front of her before reminding herself that Mikan was her friend.

Mikan seethed. She didn't know why but it was painful to watch the two of them together with his hand resting on her shoulder. There was a burning sensation in her chest that was filling her with anger, and so she let it overcome her.

"Ah-if you say so. Excuse me; I have a date to attend." She said casually and turned around, her voice higher than usual. She clenched her fists in frustration. That's a lame comeback Mikan, lame.

"Wait." Natsume's eyes suddenly narrowed and he shoved his clenched fists inside his pockets. Mikan turned back and winked, loving the look on his face when she mentioned it.

Hotaru watched from the sidelines, observing each others' reactions. It was like a dance- one move and the other one's going to mold himself to fit into you. A pang of jealousy hit her when she saw Natsume's expression turn hard and controlled.

"Yes?" Mikan said playfully and twirled a strand of her hair around her finger. Natsume drew a deep breath to slow down his quickening heart beat before replying, his tone changed.

"A date? With whom?" he demanded acid present in his voice that Mikan didn't fail to notice. She smirked.

"It's none of your business. I'm usually the bad guy, am I not?" she replied and Natsume strode forward when another voice interjected.

"She's with me Hyuuga. Is there a problem?" another masculine voice interjected and they all turned their heads towards the source of the sound. Natsume's eyes narrowed to slits and he tilted his head in mock amusement.

"Miyazawa. So it's you." he replied and Dylan smirked while Mikan tried to mask her shock but in vain. Hotaru bowed her head and watched Natsume who was staring pointedly at Mikan whose eyes were glued to Dylan.

"Excuse us, but we have to go." Dylan muttered pleasantly and walked over to a frozen, blushing Mikan and captured her hand when-

"She's not coming with you."

And it was a long day for all of them.

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Mikan walked calmly along the corridor and people didn't stare. People didn't stare yes, and it was enough to make Mikan's day. She couldn't still believe when the school student council as well as the administration posted an order that bans the school to have any fan clubs and other groups related to that as long as it involves liking/loving/worshipping/praising/flattering/admiring a person. It was posted in all corners of the school, in every department and when the girls and boys saw it, they fell into a deep trance, involving a few broken window glasses of the student council and scattered stones. But when the higher-ups made it clear that anyone who doesn't abide by that rule will get a massive punishment and they better not know it, a student insisted and was given the freedom to come with them. After a few hours, the student came back with an ashen face and shaking hands, no one dared to ask.

Mikan owed her life to Yuu, and she made up for it by bowing and even offering to kneel in front of the student council president who refused and shyly smiled at her.

Now, she felt very, very free.

She could go eat in any canteen branch she chooses, she could walk by the corridors without having to deal with, 'casualties', she could wave to no one without being photographed(that's what she believes). She could go live her life as a normal kid.

But beneath the momentary relief, she wore a mask of agony and she forced herself to act normal. She raised her hand to touch the bruised skin on her cheek.

"It's not your business. Stop bothering me. You're only my daughter." He shouted.

"I am your daughter? I didn't hear that in ten years." she replied angrily then it came. She was anticipating it and Mikan didn't even flinch when his hand came into contact with her face.

SLAP!

"Yukihara-san!" a voice called her and on impulse, she was tempted to run. She forced herself to a stop, and looked around the deserted corridor.

"I was thinking of encouraging you to join the Chess Club, since we lack members. Please!" The male student, maybe a year younger than her bowed several times before realizing what he just did. He blushed.

"Ah-..Ah-I'm sorry! I deeply apologize for my rude actions! Please forgive me!" He bowed again several times before offering to kneel. From being carefree, Mikan went indifferent, all the while being drowned in the feeling she suppressed in a decade.

"Don't turn your head down to anyone every time. It will become a habit." A cool voice interjected and they turned. Natsume had his hands in his pockets, a blank expression on his face.

"If it's for a cause then why not? He's asking me to join his club. I need to see the sincerity in his plea." Mikan countered and motioned for the guy to stand up. She wanted to get it all out, and if this was the only way, she still would. Greed and desperation has a way of messing your thoughts. You know that wrong is wrong yet you do it. You need it, you beg for it.

"Get your head down from the clouds, idiot. You think of yourself too highly." Natsume replied. They're best friends yet their common characteristics are scarce. The two of them are just too lonely. Too lonely for so long. And Natsume wants to spit it out, all of it.

"Now,now. So you're being righteous for once?..." she laughed and let it hang there. "Don't give me that bull Natsume. We both know I don't need it." Her voice turned into a hiss.

"Ah, sorry if I deflated your huge parachute of an ego, didn't know it was just a small balloon from the very start." He smirked. Mikan smiled a fake smile.

"I'm afraid you're mistaken. Are you talking to me, or are your statements directed to yourself all the while? It suits your case more." She said coolly and slowly, letting the words sink in his brain.

He closed his eyes, and waited for it to end. The cold sudden breeze grazed over his face, letting She sighed and walked ahead, her heart pounding faintly that she could barely feel it.

She smiled and let her footsteps echo along the corridor, listening to its every sound.

It's all going to be over. She smiled again.

"Stop drinking! Uncle Yuki has no other woman, only you. He said that himself, why don't you believe him if you truly love him?" he shouted and snatched the bottle away from her grasp. His mother was sprawled on the kitchen floor, singing pop songs and replacing the lyrics with obscenities. Tears littered his mother's worn out face and her eyes were swollen, and tired.

"What if… What if he has-"Kaoru stuttered and clawed at her hair.

"You're the one who's destroying your relationship. Stop accusing him of something when you don't have anything to prove it." His tone hardened and he held his mother's hand. She looked like a lost child, more like a hopeless teenager madly in love. But his Uncle wouldn't do anything like that. For more than eleven years, she is the apple of his eye. Natsume looked at his mother straight on and he softened.

"He wouldn't hide anything like that from you." he said and smiled at his mother who seemed to go back to her senses.

Because for one thing, he trusted his Uncle Yuki too much.

After all, the world was pulling them down, and they were doing nothing to stop it.

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Koko groaned in frustration. His bandage was a nuisance, he couldn't hear anyone's thoughts and… he was bored. Bored and frustrated that Kira wasn't even sparing him a glance. No matter how you look at it, he seemed pitiful. And no way in the hell does Koko think of himself in that aspect.

The chalk was scratching the board noisily, and the sound echoed across room where more than half the students were snoozing. Some of them were still trying in vain not to sleep… While one or two students were still fighting, taking down notes that he was sure would appear at the exam. He scratched the back of his ear and used his arm to support his head.

"Come on, look now. Be good and turn your head sideways and look at me." He whispered and waited for five seconds but the girl wasn't falling to his trap.

"So in a hypotonic solution, what would happen to a cell?" The teacher paused from his writing and stared directly at him. He was shocked. Normally, he would know the answer just by reading the teacher's mind but now, it was as if he knows that Koko himself wasn't capable of that ability now.

"Umm…" he tried to think but because of the panic, nothing was making sense in his mind. The world has taken revenge on him and now he can't do anything to protect himself.

"Excuse me sire, but I think it wouldn't be fair if you ask him now. He was just hospitalized a few days ago and I doubt that he has had the time to read his notes." A cool, female voice interrupted and he turned, just to meet her startlingly gray eyes.

Koko's heart pounded and his eyes were glued to her still figure who was staring pointedly at the teacher.

"If that's the case Kira, would you mind to answer in his place instead?" The old man answered after an empty silence and her eyes narrowed.

"In a hypotonic solution, the cell will swell then burst. Because the hydrogen molecules would enter the cell, therefore making it swell. But it varies if it is an animal or a plant cell." She answered and the teacher nodded approvingly.

"Well said, well said. You may now sit down Mr. Yome."

"You may now sit down, Mr. Yome."

-cough-

"Ah, sorry, thank you.. sorry, thank you…" he was at loss for words and embarrassment welled up and drowned him. For a moment he was able to catch sight of Kira staring at him with an amused expression.

'Oh, gods of Olympus.' He cursed inside his head. Meanwhile Kira was having fun watching him. His behavior changed drastically over the past few days and she can't help but feel suspicious. Don't get her wrong- she liked Koko. Liked. But then she woke up to the reality of his attitude and thought better of it.

Koko drowned in embarrassment.

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"Students, it is a must that you study hard on these tests. You cannot afford to fail, your last month's exam happened to have the worst result in my teaching history. Understood? For those who want to know their standing, just consult me at the faculty office." Their teacher declared with a firm nod and they gulped inwardly, afraid of tomorrow's tests. With that final note, he exit. Koko slumped on his seat and put his head on the desk.

"Those two had a fight again." A worried male voice sounded close, and amidst the noise of the people filing out of the classroom, the voice stood out.

"Obviously." A cold voice responded, though she couldn't hide the worry in it. Hotaru Imai and Ruka, he thought.

"Wouldn't it be to our favor if they fight?" a pleasant voice interjected and even with his eyes closed, Koko could feel the tension.

"What the hell are you talking about Dylan?" Ruka hissed and Koko cringed. He heard the other male laugh.

"Oh stop pretending that you don't like the situation. It provides a bigger chance of getting Mikan-" he paused. Koko felt the temperature drop in a matter of seconds. "and you Imai, your rescuer, Mikan turned out to be your rival eh? Don't act like you don't despise her." He finished with an air of triumph. Koko could almost bet that Ruka was seething with anger now. Hotaru? He doesn't know what to think of her. When he had a glimpse of her mind, it was so muddled that he couldn't almost decipher what she was thinking. But there were apparent things that stood out clearly. Pride, greed, loneliness and longing.

"Well, I'll be leaving you two to think…."

"Miyazawa, don't think that I don't know your condition." Hotaru whispered, loud enough that he froze.

"What the hell are you talking about?" he spat. Koko held his breath. Who knew people would still be so kind to let him know of this despite having his ability gone?

Hotaru chuckled a high, cold chuckle.

"It is very rare that I encounter someone, a boy I must say, with severe bipolar disorder and…schizophrenia." She announced and Koko caught his breath. This guy..?

"No, you're lying, you're making that up, no one will believe you, and you're the one's who's delusional, crazy Hotaru, crazy Hotaru, crazy Hotaru…. No, no one will believe, no one… you won't tell!" Dylan stammered and shouted as if his life depended on it. He's lucky they're the only ones in the room. Koko didn't dare look up from his position. 'Let them think I'm asleep. Let them think I'm asleep.' He willed.

Suddenly the door banged close and he just knew that Dylan's gone. Ruka let out his breath.

"Is it true?" he gasped.

"Of course it is. His parents sent him working at that little convenience store in hoping it would be better for his condition. At first, yes. But when Mikan came, he started to think he has those feelings for her. He got confused. He even questioned his sexuality because of you." she said seriously and he could almost see Ruka shudder.

"So… how're you? Is Mikan's father treating her same?" Ruka changed the subject abruptly. Embarrassed about his name being involved.

Koko's head throbbed. Mikan's father…

"Yes. How about Natsume?" 'Why the hell are they gossiping about their friends?' Koko thought angrily, his headache worsening.

"Aunt Kaoru… something's wrong with her." Ruka replied worriedly.

Mikan's father. Aunt Kaoru. Uncle Yuki. Natsume… things kept flashing on Koko's head he wanted to scream in pain.

"Ahhhhhh…." He groaned and clutched his head. Hotaru and Ruka turned to him in surprise.

The same. Natsume. Mikan. Mikan's father. Kiss. Aunt Kaoru. Uncle Yuki…

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!" he screamed. They rushed to his side. Memories flashed on his mind… But they weren't his.

"Yuki stop it."

"Father."

"Let's make it clear. You don't meddle with my business and I'll not meddle with yours."

'No no no, this can't be happening…' Koko thought. 'Mikan's father…'

His head shot up. The pain doubled but the sudden realization dawned on him.

"My god." He muttered.

(END)

(HAHA, I WAS JOKING, CARRY ON, CARRY ON.)

"The hell is it with letter y? Why do we always have to find its x?" Kitsuneme complained and regarded his math notebook with distaste. Kira raised an eyebrow.

"That's lame. That statement's a hundred years old." She retorted and went back to studying her notes. Every second seemed to count in Gakuen Alice this time. A moment could define remembering the answer to a question, a second would count on looking back at your book. Exams were the cruelest and the most gruesome time of the year, they say. 'So make the most out of it!' one of the teachers said.

Kira snorted. 'They should make the exams a surprise, that way, they could test the students' stock knowledge', not the recent study, the recent lesson that would soon wash away from their brains. She thought and grumbled, seeing the light Kitsuneme saw and propped down her notebook.

"If I fail, you fail with me." He retorted and rested his head on the desk. It was almost noon, and the teachers gave the 'free time' for studying their lessons for next day's exams. That's their problem- their exams are one time big time. All the subjects in just a day.

The minor subjects were the most gruesome part-students forget them and choose to focus on the major subjects. Turns out how ever hard they try to study the major subjects, they get low, or better, just passing grades. They get a lower score in the minor subjects, and both areas drag down their grades.

Kira groaned and closed her eyes, and felt Kitsuneme stand up from his seat.

"Just going for a grab." He said and didn't bother to wait for her reply. The door to their classroom closed, enveloping her in the silence. She thanked the gods for making her classmates review instead in the library, therefore giving her peace.

The door opened again, almost reluctantly, and she wondered how Kitsuneme got something to eat that fast.

"Don't tell me you bullied someone to get their lunch." She joked and sighed, letting her eyelids rest for awhile.

"Erm-"

"Ah- you got it from the trash bin! I never knew you could be so desperate!" she laughed and deciding it too strange for him not to answer, she opened her eyes. What she saw came as a shock.

"Erm, sorry if I disturbed you or…" Koko trailed off, amused by what she said. He can't hide the smile that was forming at the corner of his thin lips.

Meanwhile Kira wanted to evaporate into thin air. She remembered how hard she tried to look composed and cool in front of him, as if nothing happened. But now her act was crumbling, showing her true self. Oh how she liked to grab his hand earlier at the gym, she even stopped herself from saying thank you and tried to embarrass him in front of the whole class. But now… he himself caught her dead on.

Kira scratched the back of her head in frustration. Why the hell does his smile look so handsome, why the hell does his amused eyes looked so princely… still? She can't help but blush and hated herself for it.

"I'm sorry if I was interrupting something." He said and smiled, mortifying her because of the heat on her cheeks growing hotter.

"It's nothing, nevermind." She sighed and placed her head on the table. 'So obvious' Koko thought, more amused by her actions.

He sat by a chair and opened his book, a novsel by Paulo Coelho, By the River Piedra I sat down and Wept and let the silence consume them when…. the throbbing began again. This time it was worse. He groaned and buried his head on the desk.

Kira didn't need to hear his groan twice and immediately rushed to his side.

"Is it still painful? Did your ability come back?" she asked worriedly. Koko turned to look at her, sweat beading his forehead and his gray eyes embedded on her.

"How do you know about my ability?" he asked and was once more consumed by it. He felt like crying out, it was as if his head was being hammered again and again with a flaming sword. Still he managed to speak.

"How do you know it's gone?" he whispered and closed his eyes. It was another painful memory, having the ability to read minds. His eyes felt heavy and he forced them to close.

"I saw it in your eyes." She whispered back. Koko was surprised, taken aback by her sudden reply. It might sound cheesy to others, but for some reason…. It felt strange. He smiled, and Kira's heart went beating rapidly.

"I lost all the memories I read when I had that…ability." He opened up, his mind tired of the pain.

"But somehow, I retained memories of two people." His smile turned sad, as if remembering a melancholic moment of someone else's. She remained quiet, studying his face, his lips moving with his eyes closed, and the straw-colored bangs on his forehead.

"It's Mikan and Natsume, right?" she said and this time he wasn't surprised. Maybe she knew him better than he did himself.

"It's going to be chaos, but… it will all pass." He said and felt a cool hand on his forehead. Immediately the pain started to recede, leaving him exhausted.

"Yes." Her voice felt far away and he was starting to drift away. But in that instance, Koko knew that Kira could be trusted.

He just didn't know why his cheeks felt like they were flaming, and why his heart was beating so fast.

Author's Note:

Hey, I edited this for Spica 14. I'm afraid I wasn't able to make some things clear when I first wrote this chapter, so here I am again. PasserBy, thankyou for appreciating this story, and to you, another passer by who came across this.

Dylan's out of the bag already, so that means…He's going to get out of this story for a while. The start of the first climax is going to be at the next chapter!

The question is, what do Koko and Kira know about Mikan and Natsume?