Chapter 6: Do I have to do this?

That last night… Natsume told me that he wanted Luna and him to breakup from their relationship. I don't know what really happened to them because he never told me about that red mark on his face. I never even tried telling this to anybody until one day at the corridor, I heard some girls say that Natsume was breaking up with her already.I don't know if Youichi was telling the truth about them because Natsume never told me the reason why everything is over between them.

Flashback… Saturday Night

"About Luna and I… I was thinking of breaking up with her…"He said coldly but I'm surprised that this time, he was dead serious.

My eyes widened as I tried to ask him, "W-what? Why? Luna loves you as you love her!"

"Shut up…"

"Why would I, huh? Just don't be ashamed to show how you really lo-"I was cut off when he yelled, "WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP?! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANOTHER STUPID PIECE OF ADVICE! WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT, HUH? TELL ME!"

I knew it. Those words stung, I know, he doesn't need me, he doesn't like me, and MOST of all he doesn't love me. I feel like crying and falling into pieces. I clenched my fist, trying to hold back my tears. "Fine, don't tell me… You always were a jerk, you bastard."

I stormed out of the room and then slammed the door behind me. I don't care if that awaked Youichi from his sleep.

'You never changed, Natsume… for three years, you never changed ever since…' I sobbed even harder. I don't care if he hears my cry, because I know he will never listen to me.

End of Flashback

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"What's wrong, bro? Why did you break up with Luna? You finally had a chance with the hottest girl in this school so why-" Koko asks his seatmate, but he was cut off, "Don't ask me about it, if you want your life." Natsume threatens him with his deathly glare, and then he continued, "Now, leave me alone."

"O-okay, I-I'll leave you now!" Koko's sweat dropped, and then he ran, scared of Natsume's dark aura around him.

I looked at Natsume as I entered the classroom, as he looked at the boys coldly and deadly as they tried to talk about him. Then the boys tried to talk quietly until he stopped staring at them, but their attempt failed. Natsume approached them in a blink of an eye with his aura which is darker than before, and then he threatens them with an even scarier look. The boys screamed, and ran outside the classroom.

As Natsume returned to his seat, he started staring at me. The long stare was not as scary as he did with the boys. He looked at me as if he wanted to apologize what happened that Saturday night.

But I looked away, pretending that nothing really happened.

*5 minutes later*

Narumi arrived hurriedly with a bunch of paper works in his left hand, "Good morning class, sorry I'm late. Now… today, I'm going to pass your test papers with your results in it" then, as he gestures one of my classmates, he said "And, don't mind changing your scores, because I already recorded that last week."

Koko moaned in disappointment as he looks at his test paper, "Awww… Is this my partial credit?"

After Narumi gave me my paper, I sighed as I looked at my score: 23 over 100, F. Greaaaat. Then I looked at Koko as he said, "Wow, Natsume! You got an A plus! You're really good at Math."

Narumi clapped as he said, "Congrats, Hyuuga-sama. I have to tell you this earlier that you made it to the top 5, after the overall deliberation of the scores. So everyone, give him a round of applause."

Everyone clapped while Koko did high-fives with him, then he looked at me as he said…

"As of with Sakura-san, you're the only one who got a failing grade in this class. You're quite brilliant at English and Science, but in other subjects… In order for you to pass to junior high school, you need to improve yourself. Sorry for telling you this."

I sighed, "I-Its okay, Narumi-sensei. I don't mind having the lowest score, but I promise I'll try my best so I can make it into the top 5."

But Luna mocked me as she said, "Well, good luck in that, dork." Then everyone laughed except Narumi, Natsume, Ruka-pyon and Hotaru.

"Koizumi-san, stop that, do you want another detention?" Narumi warned her, and then he appeared to me, "Don't be discouraged, my dear, good thing your partner is one of the top 5." Then he faced at Natsume, "Hyuuga-sama, since you're her partner, will you mind helping Sakura-san in her studies?"

WHAT? HELPING MY STUDIES WITH THAT JERK!?

"Now, wait a sec, y-y-y-y-you're joking with me, r-r-r right?" I stuttered in panic, Natsume's glare gives me creeps.

Narumi smiled sweetly, "Of course not, darling… I hope you and Natsume make good friends!"Then he stared at Natsume, "Right?"

Natsume just nodded calmly and nonchalantly in agreement.

Narumi grinned happily, "Good, then it's settled! Now, let's start our lesson!"

WHY? WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE HIM?!

-xXXXXxxxxxxxxxxXXXXX-

During recess, I walked out of the classroom, staggering. The first person I met along the corridor was Anna. She just greeted me with a smile, "Oh, Good Morning, Mikan-chan! I'm glad Natsume-san agreed helping you study!"

"Why are you happy all of the sudden?" I asked her with my dumbfounded look.

She grinned, "Did you ask Natsume-san to help you?"

"No, Narumi-sensei said it all by himself, because he's still my partner and also one of the Overall Top 5 students…"
"Aw… you were smart when you wore those big glasses three years ago…"

I was pissed off, "I had poor-eyesight. Wearing glasses doesn't make you smart!"

"Nah… who cares, and now you look attractive when you took off those…" She was flustered as if she's ignoring everything I said. I gave up, "ANYWAY! Can I go now?"

She just smiled and said, "Oh…kay!"

"Oi, you're too positive…" I said, before I could turn back and walk away.

-xXXXxXXXXxXX-

After cleaning the classroom, I was about to exit out from the school, when a cold familiar voice halted me, "Oi, polka…"

I turned around just to see Natsume staring back at me. I shrugged at his sudden appearance, "What do you want from me?"

He answered firmly, "We're partners, of course, aren't we supposed to be studying together?"

I was surprised by his statement for a moment then I said, "Aren't you just being ignorant? Why don't you don't just walk away? Don't you just want to help me with my studies?"

Then he stepped closer, "Please let this be my way of apologizing everything I said that night… I just want to say… I'm sorry…"

But I was not tricked for long, "Are you seriously playing with me? Or is it because Youichi-kun pleaded you to say sorry to me?"

"Can't you see I'm already a sincere person?" He asked me

And I replied rudely, "Well, I can see you as a big jerk, who pretends to be 'sincere'…By the way, nice one there, lover boy."

He sighed, "Fine. If you don't accept my apology, I guess I'll be on my way now…"

Natsume closed his eyes, then he turned back, and walked a few steps… While I was thinking hard, I began to fight myself about him. That Saturday night, he was really kind to Youichi which made me think of him as his father, I guess he also has a soft side. But I really thought that Natsume's way of apologizing wasn't really the perfect time for me. I'm still frustrated at him, but I don't want to make this too late.

I admit that I still have tiny feelings for him… I have this feeling that I don't want him to disappear. I want this guy to be my friend…Geeez MIKAN, why don't you act naturally?

After those deep thoughts, I open my mouth and speak before he could open the glass door in front of him. "W-why?"

Then he turned, "Hmm?"

I said it again, "Why are you so kind to me?…"

"No reason, really." He answered in low and nonchalant voice as he shifted his eyes up the ceiling.

"Natsume, why do you want to help me with my studies at this time? Why now? And why are you being kind to me lately?" I asked him again,

He sighed as he looked at me irritably, "Woah! Geez polka, you got a lot of questions…" he said as he puts his hands in the pocket and turned back, then he continued" You already know why I want to help you and why I am being kind to you."

I was confused, "I don't know a thing about it…"

He sighed again, "Well, I-I…*sigh* I just wanted to repay your kindness for taking care of Youichi last Saturday, a-and this also has to do with that commotion we had that night," he looked at me and said, "I just want to say thank you and I'm sorry, and I just want to help you too… There I said it! Happy?" then he looked away again as if he was embarrassed.

I was struck by his words. He does have a soft side… Not only to Youichi, but for others as well. I just simply smiled at him and then said, "I guess you don't really feel guilty at all, though I never thought you're obliged to do that to me."

"What do you mean?" he asked

"I forgive you, but in only one condition…" I said, and then he looked me as I raise my hand forward in front of him.

"What is that?" he asked as he points at my hand.

"We're settled! You are my partner. I promise that we will help each other, you are my friend. Let this be my oath of our recognition as partners and as friends."

"Do I have to do this? This is stupid…" he complained as he crosses his hands.

"Oh, come on! This is a contract, we are still partners. If you don't want to do it, or you think this is still stupid, then fine! I guess I don't need your help. Besides, my arms are getting tired."

He sighed then stayed silent for a minute and then after that he shakes my hand. As our hands touch, it was warm and smooth. But I don't have this feeling anymore. I gave up this useless dream being together with our hands entwined, three years ago. I gave up this madness of chasing him wherever he goes after knowing that he will never love me. In fact I already gave up everything I want to do with him after someone already gave him everything he wants. As of today, we're…

Partners, friends…

Or just like that helping each other… nothing more, nothing less.

AN: Hey guys, sorry for the very, very, very, very late update! It's been four months (maybe) that I left this story Un-updated. It's because I lost my USB for over 3 months and fortunately someone found it! Hallelujah! Chapter 7 is almost finished but I couldn't continue it because I saved the document in the laptop which is not mine, while my usb is gone. I can continue it unless she (it's my mom's best friend's laptop anyway) will let me borrow her laptop and let me copy my file into my usb. Anyways, my beta reader or proofreader and editor is my little twin sister. And she owns this notebook I am currently using to make my story.

Well, sorry for inconveniences and I guess you will wait for another 4 months for the next chapter, HEHE (Fingers crossed, okay? Don't throw some tomatoes or shit at me!) Thank you for reminding me, guest reader! I hope you enjoyed reading out there. But keep your heads up! I have raging hulk twin sisters here who keep reminding me for my story and manga, because they like my story, and they won't miss a chance on reminding me. So there's this possibility that I can make it earlier. HA-HA. Laugh while you still can! LOL. Just kidding. Seriously. XD

Lots of sugar,

Ruby X Sapphire~ nya!