Me: Hello minna-san! ^_^ it's me aerith-chan, bringing to you another chapter of my sister germs' fanfic =)

Germs: Enough with the author's note, just hurry up and explain what this chapter's all about -.-

Me: Alright, geez. Well, for this chapter, you guys might get confused why the story jumped all of a sudden ^_^ The truth is, the story didn't jump at all. What you are about to read happened in the past before our dear Ruka-pyon got his hands on the notebook. And if you guessed correctly, what you'll be reading will be what Hotaru have written in the diary. Although note that it's not on the format of someone writing in a diary, it is more of what Hotaru is feeling and experiencing during that part of her life that she wrote on her diary. (Hotaru-chan… T_T)

Germs: Geez, stop crying. You're spoiling the chapter. -.-

Me: How can you say that? T_T And to think that you're a fan of Hotaru-chan, and you also wrote this fanfic! T_T

Germs: Whatever, just stop and let the readers get on with the chapter.

Me: Well, anyway, that's all everyone. Enjoy reading (Germs, you're mean. T_T)

Hotaru's POV

Christmas Eve this year was wonderful. Tonight, at the traditional Alice Christmas ball everyone is happy. Everyone I know also have their own partners for the night. Sumire and the mind-reader boy are finally dating and went to the ball together; they're kinda like Mikan and Hyuga, pissing each other off to the point you won't even know they're a couple if you don't know them personally. Iinchou and Anna are also together now; apparently they're the shy couple since the two always end up blushing furiously about little things in their relationship. Nonoko and the flying boy, as you guess, are also dating; they're the good-natured ones, a balance of the earlier two couples. And of course, Mikan and Hyuga were also there currently dancing and smiling at each other. Overall, they all look happy that time.

As for me, I was with the wind-boy Hayate that night. Yep, you heard it right. I agreed because he said that he will pay me if I become his date for the night. I thought it was a good deal, since I earn money at the same time I get rid of those annoying old rich tycoons hunting and asking me to be their date at the ball. But even though we were dates, I never danced with him and just ate my crabs peacefully at a corner. After some time my plate became empty and I started craving for some tea.

As I was heading to the buffet to get some tea, I saw bunny boy staring at Mikan…

I forgot about him. I guess he still not over Mikan yet, so I have to take back what I said earlier about everyone happy at the time.

Really, I think he's an idiot. Why can't he just move on? Duh, it's annoying. But with that face he's making, I can really sell them now…

Click Click Click!

Yup, I took the photos. He then looked at my direction angrily, but was surprised because he didn't do anything like try to grab my camera or shout something like "knock it off". Instead, I saw his blue eyes fill again with sadness and pain. Seeing him like that, I suddenly have the urge to comfort him. Damn, I was moved by that moment. I recovered quickly and took a photo of him again.

"With that face you're making, I can sell a lot of pictures now." I smirked at him.

Suddenly, a tear came out from one of his eyes. I was really shocked. I already have a hunch why he's crying, but still it really shocked me.

"H-hey Nogi, don't cry…I was just joking…"

"I know," he said, trying to explain what he's so upset about, "it's just that it really still hurt me whenever I see Sakura and Natsume together."

Why the hell is he venting this all out on me? But after he said that, he continued to look at me. I just keep up my stoic face at him. Then I asked him, "Then, Nogi, why did you give up Mikan to Natsume? Is it really because Hyuga is your bestfriend?"

"Actually,no. The truth is…" His blue eyes were again suddenly filled with pain and sorrow, and without realizing it I was captivated by its depths. My face suddenly felt warm, but at the same time I also felt pity for him.

"The truth is, Imai, I love her so much that's why."

Suddenly, I felt warm and heavy. It wasn't like what I felt earlier; I don't like the feeling at all. But I can only think of one thing that can describe this feeling: jealousy.

What the hell am I jealous for? I'm jealous of Mikan? Seriously? And to think that I'd fell for a baka like Ruka Nogi…that's something I would never dare dream of. Heck I would have thought it to be a nightmare!

But what I didn't realize was that during that night when he just stood there and looked so melancholic and beautiful, my mask suddenly developed a crack that can never be fixed again.

And even though I never wanted it to happen, without realizing it, that night I started falling for Ruka Nogi.