DISCLAIMER: I DON’T OWN GAKUEN ALICE NOR THE NURSERY RHYMES I USED. DON’T SUE. :)

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XoXo… CHAPTER FOURTEEN …oXoX

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-Falling For You-

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“Hickory Dickery Dock

The mouse climbed up the clock

The clock struck one

The mouse fell down

Hickory Dickery Dock!”

Mikan read aloud, her arms resting on the pillow in front of her where the book also lay.

“I’m bored already,” Natsume complained, playing with Tama like a puppeteer would do to his puppet doll.

The two kids idly read some nursery rhymes to keep them away from boredom for the past hour until they were interrupted by a phone call. A few minutes ago, Natusme’s mother called him. It was almost dinnertime but the little boy stubbornly refused to come home. And Mikan was glad he’ll be eating dinner with her for her Father will not be able to dine with her that evening. But after hearing his last comment, she suddenly felt uncertain of his stay.

“But you will stay for dinner,” she asked, almost pleading. “Right?”

To her relief, the boy nodded- but without looking at her. The things they used during their camping play were already cleared up after they finished their snack. Unfortunately, the battery of the flashlight they used in their play didn’t last that long. For now, the two kids lounged on the bed, with the lamp on the side table on. The rain, which turned out to be a product of the monsoon season- according to Grandma Himiko though both didn’t understand what she meant- didn’t falter but in fact, it seemed to rain harder.

“What do you usually do during rainy days?” Mikan asked.

Natsume just shrugged. “Lots of fun stuff,” but he didn’t add that he mostly spent time with his mom. “What about you?”

“I usually help out in the kitchen in preparing meals,” Mikan said jovially. “I’m not that big of help, but I always get a scoop of ice cream afterwards.”

He raised his eyebrow in irony. “Ice cream when it’s raining?” he scoffed. “You’re weird.”

Mikan stuck out her tongue at him. “You’re just jealous.” She proclaimed.

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-PRESENT TIME-

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The amethyst-eyed girl stared at the pen of her mentor, who tapped it on the desk listlessly. For about an hour and a half, she, together with Miss Jess Will, a journalist for the local paper who was assigned to ‘watch over’ Hotaru- a junior correspondent, had waited for Mr. Conrad Pullman- the interviewee- to arrive at their meeting place, at Sheldon Café found at one of the malls at Mapledukes.

When she found out that she was going to be the junior of the well-known journalist, Hotaru was thrilled- though she didn’t exactly show it. But knowing that she was going to be up close with Mr. Pullman, whose daughter was apparently antagonizing the relationship of her close friends, her day has gotten a whole lot better.

Up until now, that is.

“I don’t care if he’s an international big shot,” she heard Miss Will say, though probably to herself the most. “It’s very rude to keep people waiting, rich or not.”

“Hotaru-san,” she suddenly called out and the teenage girl looked at her. “10 more minutes and we’re off this joint.”

Hotaru just gave a nod in reply. She could’ve walked out of this café an hour ago if she was not in the presence of her admired mentor and if it wasn’t someone she was interested in. She was curious if the big shot dawg was the same as his biatch of a daughter.

The clock is ticking and only 5 more minutes left. The raven haired girl looked outside the glass window taking up most of the wall. She scanned the crowd idly, searching for a bulgy man with light blonde hair and blue eyes, just as Mikan described him. And to her surprise, she found one, looking as smug as his daughter (if he really is Mr. Pullman), and relaxed too, as if he wasn’t aware of his tardiness. So it came no surprise to her that the man headed towards the café, dressed in a semi-formal suit, with his roughish looking bodyguard beside him.

But Miss Will was unknown of this fact and stood up to leave the same time the men entered the café.

“Wait,” Hotaru said, the first words she ever said to her mentor that day. “They’re here.”

And the two men strolled towards them. Hotaru stood up beside the journalist.

“Ah, Miss Will,” Mr. Pullman pulled out his hand from his pocket to shake. “A pleasure to meet you. Sorry for the delay.”

“Charmed. We were beginning to think you would never arrive.” Miss Will replied, sarcasm dripping in her voice. Hotaru looked up at her in admiration.

To that Mr. Pullman just chuckled and his eyes trailed downwards toward her.

“My junior, Hotaru Imai. A talented student from Gakuen Alice,” Miss Will introduced and Hotaru shook hands with him.

“Ah yes, I’ve heard of that school. Very nice to meet you Miss Imai. You’re about the same age as my daughter, I presume.” Mr. Pullman said.

“My Felicity,” he continued as they sat down. “Is also fond of journalism. She’s quite good at it you know,” Hotaru had a sudden urge to roll her eyes but stopped herself.

“You could be friends,” he said. “She’s actually transferring to Gakuen Alice after Winter break.”

And this stumped her for a second.

“I’m sure she’s as good as you say she is, sir.” Hotaru replied. Though I seriously doubt that we could be friends... even more now… She thought.

“Yes,” he said, looking thoughtful. “Well, let’s start with the interview proper, shall we? I’m a very busy man.” He added haughtily.

“Yes of course,” Miss Will said. “But would you like anything to drink first? This might take a while,”

And it did. For about 2 hours at least. But Hotaru didn’t pay the least attention. Her mind was far away, and Mr. Pullman’s words- “She’s actually transferring to Gakuen Alice after Winter break.”- kept echoing as thoughts.

But that was until she heard her.

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“You don’t seem to be in a good mood,” Seiji commented as Youichi yawned and stretched on the bench beside him.

“Sundays are for sleeping till the Monday sun is up.” The little boy replied idly and slouched back.

Yesterday, both received a call from Ruka, telling them to meet up at the park before lunch. His girlfriend told them they were going to meet up with some important people. They didn’t know who they were but they had an idea it was related to the whole Natsume-and-Mikan thing.

Seiji was the first to arrive at their meeting place by the hotdog stand. A few minutes later, Youichi arrived looking disgruntled at his lack of sleep. They sat on the bench in silence, but neither felt uncomfortable at it. The little boy, who had felt immense dislike towards the silver haired teen in the first place, thought he was okay now… in fact, he seemed quite nice to him. Youichi knew he liked Tangerine, and Seiji admitted it on the day he joined their secret ‘group’. But the teen was kind enough to help. His words were “I still like Mikan. But I realized she’s better off with him. They suit each other, now that I think of it.” And Youichi didn’t doubt his motives anymore.

“Look, Ruka’s here.” Seiji said, standing up. He ran towards them but without Hotaru by his side.

“Hey guys,” the blonde greeted, panting a little.

Both just nodded. “Where’s Hotaru-sempai?” Youichi asked.

“There’s been a change of meeting spot. She’s at the toy store with Ren and Ayu. We better get there,” Ruka said. “Let’s go.”

“Wait a second, who’s Ren and Ayu?” Youichi asked.

“Ren Kirasaki and Ayu Pullman,” Ruka said. “They’re-”

But Seiji cut him off. “Wait. Ayu Pullman?” he asked, a bit startled.

“Yeah,” Ruka nodded. “She’s Eli Pullman’s-”

“- the evil heiress-” Youichi commented.

“- younger sister.” Ruka finished. “Why? Do you know her?”

“Eli Pullman is the evil heiress?” Seiji was stumped for a second. “As in Felicity Pullman?”

“What’s with you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost- wait. That’s exaggerating too much.”

But Seiji ignored Youichi’s comment. His mind was in a whirl and memories kept coming back… Memories of the little chubby girl he used to play with in the past…

“Takaki, do you know the Pullmans?” Ruka asked, realization dawning on his face.

Seiji could only nod in reply. “I’ve met Felicity Pullman when I was studying in Britain.”

Unlike with Natsume’s case, Seiji’s acquaintance with the heiress became a big advantage.

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Okay. Mikan thought, giving herself a pep talk as she got out of the car. I’m here. There’s no turning back now.

She straightened her white sleeveless blouse and walked towards the front door, clutching the shoulder straps of her small knapsack tightly, trying to ease her nerves.

Taking a deep breath, she lifted her hand to the door…

… and it opened up to reveal one of the Hyuuga sons.

Only, he wasn’t the one she was looking for.

“Mikan-chan?” Tsubasa blinked, surprised. “What are you doing here?”

“Tsubasa-niisan…” her throat felt dry and Mikan didn’t know what to say. She rehearsed all the things she was going to say to Natsume last night… but she wasn’t prepared for this.

“Natsume’s out,” he said, and her stomach gave a little lurch. “It’s a Sunday so I thought he’d be with you.”

“Really… well that’s… too bad…” she bit her lip, looking down at her Chucks in disappointment.

He opened the door wider. “Why don’t you come-” but Mikan started to blabber before he could finish.

“Oh no no no!” she said, waving her hands in front of him frantically. “I-I better go. It was stupid of me not to call in the first place.”

Tsubasa just stared at her, a bit confused. Mikan was never this uneasy with him before. And Natsume…

“Well, I’ll be off. Goodbye Tsubasa-niisan-” But she stopped when he suddenly grabbed hold of her arm.

“Mikan-chan, can we talk first?” his gaze on her was so penetrating; it reminded her much of Natsume’s crimson eyes…

“Bu-but it seemed as if you’re going out…” Mikan said, eyeing the camera dangling on his neck.

“Oh, maybe next time,” he said lightly. “But wait, do you have any plans?”

“Well… not really…”

“Then we can talk.” He declared. His tone was so final, she couldn’t oppose any more. He gestured her to come in and she complied, hesitantly.

“Have you had lunch already?” he asked.

Mikan shook her head timidly. Tsubasa smiled. “Well I hope you fancy spaghetti.”

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The plan went like this: Seiji, together with Ren and Ayu, will distract Eli for today, and hopefully- even if it’s a small chance according to the two kids- manage to change her mind about Natsume. After all, Seiji was the childhood friend… much like Natsume is to Mikan. Meanwhile, Ruka and Youichi will be in charge of Natsume. It wasn’t a problem to meet up with him because according to Ruka, Natsume wanted to meet up with him that day in the first place. That leaves Mikan in Hotaru’s hands.

It seemed like a bulletproof plan. That was until Hotaru received a call from Miss Will telling her to help out with the article for the paper. And also, Mikan was out of the house when Hotaru called to check on her. She tried to contact her through her cell phone but it seems her phone was turned off, for none of her messages reached her.

“Where could she be?” Ayu thought out loud worriedly as Himasaki-san drove her together with Seiji and Ren to Mapledukes where she was staying.

“Maybe she’s out shopping,” Ren suggested. “That’s what you girls mostly do anyway.”

“But Mikan-neechan is-”

“No need to worry, Ayu-chan,” Seiji interrupted. “Imai-san will find her, I assure you.” But even he couldn’t stop and worry for the brunette as well, though he didn’t show it in front of the kids.

After a hearty lunch, the group went separate ways. Ren and Ayu, bringing Seiji along, was to go back to Mapledukes after ‘looking around the toy store’- the excuse she told her parents. Hotaru went off to meet Miss Will, saying she’ll go and find Mikan afterwards. And Ruka and Youichi headed to where they’ll meet Natsume, hurrying because they were already half an hour late.

“So Seiji-niisan,” Ren started conversationally. “Are you excited to meet the hag heiress?” he teased.

Seiji chuckled. “I’m sure she won’t like you if you called her that.”

“She already doesn’t like me,” Ren said indifferently. “Right, Ayu-chan?”

The little girl nodded. “She really changed a lot from when you last met her.” Ayu said sadly.

“How did you meet anyway?” Ren asked.

Seiji looked thoughtful for a second. “At a playground in the park,” he said. “When she escaped from her guardians.” He added, grinning.

“She must have been really different from back then,” Ren said. “You wouldn’t want to be friends with her now.”

“Aren’t you going to defend your sister, Ayu-chan?” Seiji teased playfully.

The little girl just blushed. She looked down at her clasped hands and said. “She’s really different now, Sei-chan.” Her voice was really soft when she spoke. Seiji couldn’t help but smile at the nickname she called him from all those years…

“Hey isn’t that- Stop the car Himasaki-san!” Ren shouted and the car stopped to a halt. Seiji looked over to where he was looking, and his eyes widened in surprise.

His old playmate, Felicity Pullman, sat crossed legged in one of the chairs outside a café, busy with her phone.

Her looks had changed a lot, from the small and chubby little girl he used to play with, to a teenage girl- looking much like her mother.

But it wasn’t her appearance that startled her. For on the table beside her was an ashtray. Putting her cell phone beside it, she took a cigarette and began to smoke.

She changed that much.

To both Ren and Ayu’s surprise, Seiji stepped out of the car and strode towards Eli, who was too busy to notice someone walk towards her.

Seiji stopped directly in front of her, grabbed the cigarette from her hand, threw it on the ground and stomped on it.

“Hey what the fu-!” Eli looked up and saw Seiji, a grim expression on his face. She was too surprised to say anything else.

“Is that my greeting, Felicity?” Seiji raised an eyebrow at her. Behind him, Ren and Ayu stood; a bit surprised at the way he talked to her.

“It couldn’t be…” shock was written all over her face. “Sei-chan?”

Seiji smirked and stepped back. “I never thought Felicity, the fairy princess, smokes.” He said sardonically.

“What- what are you doing here?” she asked, standing up.

“Keeping a leash on you.”

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Natsume rotated the can of coke mindlessly as he waited, sitting on the steps of the National Museum. He glanced at his watch briefly, and then resumed to watch street performers, mostly magicians, entertain a crowd of children with their parents or nannies. When the magican finished pulling out different colored handkerchief from his gloved fist, the audience clapped and threw coins into the magician’s top hat as he bowed.

Then he felt people sit on his sides.

“Is this why you called me? To watch a magician perform or to go to the museum?” Ruka, sitting on his right, asked, amused.

“New interests Natsume-sempai?” Youichi, on his left, asked.

“So you’re here too.” Natsume said to his kouhai. It didn’t mind him that they were about an hour late. It was even a miracle that they met up with him… considering what happened at the party…

“If it concerns you and Tangerine, I’m game.” He replied.

Natsume raised his eyebrow. “What makes you think this concerns Mikan?”

“Well, what is ‘this’ anyway?” Ruka interrupted.

“This,” Natsume said, standing up and walking down the steps. “Is the way to arcade that just opened up.” And he threw his empty can of coke on the trashcan at the end of the railing.

Both Ruka and Youichi looked at him, confused.

“Aren’t you guys too rich enough to play in an arcade?” the younger commented.

“I have an Xbox and a PS3 at my house in case you’re tired of Wii…” Ruka said.

Natsume just shrugged and stuck both his hands in the pocket of his jeans. “Just trying something new…”

But Ruka and Youichi just continued to stare at him dumbfounded.

“… it’s not as if I have anything else to do.” And at that, both boys suddenly cracked and stood up.

“What do you mean by that?” Ruka said outraged.

“Why don’t you talk to Tangerine! Don’t you know how miserable she’s been!” Youichi exclaimed at him.

A few passers-by stared at them, also the people who entered and exited the museum.

Natsume was surprised. They were even joking around with him moments ago… He didn’t realize they were so worked up about…

“What happened to you Natsume? How can you do that to her?” Ruka said, clenching his fists at his side.

“Ruka…” Natsume started. “This isn’t the place-”

“Do you seriously like that heiress?” Youichi glared at him. Never had he seen his kouhai so aggravated before.

Natsume frowned. But he held Youichi’s glare.

“No.” he answered.

“Well Mikan gets the wrong idea. If you just try to talk to her-”

“She doesn’t want to talk to me right now.” Natsume replied, remembering the way she looked at him that night.

Youichi groaned and rolled his eyes. “Oh cut out the drama will you!”

This caused Natsume, who felt really guilty though not showing it, to raise his eyebrows at him, finding his reaction droll.

“Do you know that we- Hotaru, me, Youichi and even Takaki- are doing our best to get you guys together,” Ruka said, startling Natsume a bit at his outburst.

“The party was all a set up to bring you guys together,” Youichi said. “But it all went wrong in the end because of that bitch.”

The raven haired teen just stood there, not meeting their eyes, silent- not knowing what to say or how to react. His friends just stood there as well, looking down at him. A few people even stopped to see what will happen next, not that the three boys cared anymore.

After a while, Natsume broke the ice. “I’m sorry,” he said.

Ruka shook his head. “It’s not us you should apologize to,”

“… I know… it’s just that… ” he clenched his fist in his pocket tighter. “I just need time. I thought she understood me why I kept putting up with that heiress…” his voice was so low that they barely heard him.

“I thought she knew…” He wanted to say out loud but stopped himself.

And a few hours later, they found themselves in the arcade, playing against their opponents. They were guys after all, and all the emotion-talking isn’t really their forte. But amidst the sound of gun shots and profanities inside the arcade, Youichi managed to tell his sempai.

“She told me she doesn’t know what she feels about you,” he said, his eyes on the game. “I wonder, what about you?”

But Natsume couldn’t answer him right away. Though Youichi and Ruka, who overheard him, could pretty much guess it.

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“It’ll be alright, Mikan-chan,” Tsubasa comforted as her playfully ruffled her hair, like what he does to his younger brother.

“Tsubasa-niisan…” she couldn’t look him in the eye, especially after what happened that afternoon. “I… thank you… for letting me uh… bawl on you earlier…” Mikan felt her cheeks go red.

The older guy chuckled. “No, thank you. Natsu-chan’s been off-color these few days. And you know guys don’t talk about stuff like this with each other.” He grinned at her.

After lunch, Tsubasa asked Mikan all sorts of questions about Natsume’s behavior lately. At first, she was hesitant to answer him, feeling terribly shy and thinking about her best friend’s reaction if his older brother knew. But soon, the defensive wall cracked and she began to tell him all about her mixed emotions, with sometimes tears dripping from her amber eyes. Tsubasa listened to her patiently and tried to comfort her.

“Well,” he said as they stood by the front door as Mikan’s ride entered through the gate. “From what I understood, I think Natsume doesn’t like that heiress at all. Trust me on that.”

Mikan looked up at him, a bit confused. Tsubasa just grinned at her.

“And,” he continued as the car pulled up in front of them. “Whatever you feel from my little brother, I’m sure- very sure- that he returns your feelings.”

Mikan was startled at first, but after seeing Tsubasa’s comforting smile, she was sure…

… she believed him.

“Thank you, Tsubasa-niisan,” and like what the old, carefree Mikan would do, she hugged him in gratitude.

He was surprised at first, but returned her sentiment, patting her back. It lasted only for about 2 seconds and she pulled away, her trademark Mikan-smile painted on her face.

“You’re welcome,” he replied and Mikan bowed to him before getting into the car. Tsubasa closed the door for her, the window rolled down.

“Take care, kid.” He said. “And give my love to Misaki.” He winked.

Mikan giggled. “Yes, I will. And I’ll tell her that Tsubasa-niisan isn’t really a jerk as she thinks. Though it’s also partly your fault for harassing her with a dozen roses,” she replied.

“How can a dozen roses torture somebody?” he said, giving a mock-sigh.

And the car drove off.

It’ll be alright now. She thought happily and made herself more comfortable in her seat.

It’s confusing at first… but thanks to Tsubasa-niisan… I’m sure…

--x--x--x

The raven haired boy watched as his older brother and best friend embraced.

She saw her smile… her trademark smile that brightened his day, whenever she graced him with it. It was the same smile, all those years ago, that captured his attention…

As he watched her car drive away, his mind floated to the question his kouhai asked him earlier that day…

And he knew what his answer is… He knew it months ago… And it worried him, upon realization, and tried to deny it at first… but now, Natsume was sure.

“You’re just jealous.”

And it was because of jealousy that he realized it.

I’m in love with my best friend. He thought.

--x--x--x

I’m in love with my best friend. She thought.

And wasn’t alarmed by that fact. Maybe because, deep down, she already knew it long ago.

In the past, all she ever wanted was to be his best friend. Wherever he went, she followed. That’s why she was so worried about him and Eli. She thought she was loosing him… drifting far away from her…

But she got it all wrong. He wasn’t taking a step away from her.

The clock struck one

She was just falling in love.

And for all the tears she shed for him… she knew she fell really hard.

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“Hotaru-san,” Miss Will called her. “Give the hard copy to Mr. Rizaki- room 7, 4th floor- and the soft copy down to Jenna in the copyreader section. You may go afterwards,”

Hotaru took the folder and the USB from her, bowed politely and exited her office, finally finishing the article- Mr. Pullman’s interview- for tomorrow’s paper.

She walked out into the hallway where a couple of people hurriedly walked past her towards the elevator that opened up. Unfortunately, it was already full so she had to wait for the next lift.

Hotaru decided to read the article while she waited. Mr. Pullman, as she deduced through his answers, was an ambitious man. He said, that he planned to merge with one of the major companies here in Japan, though no official announcement to which company has been made.

The elevator door opened and she stepped inside accompanied by only 3 people. She was on the 14th floor, and soon she was only left inside with a drowsy and phlegmy-looking (much to Hotaru’s disgust) woman, holding a cup of coffee from Starbucks in one hand and a bunch of folders tucked under her arm.

The elevator stopped to the woman’s floor and the door opened. A man hurriedly walked in as the woman was about to exit. They bumped into each other and the woman’s folders fell onto the floor.

This awakened the woman a bit, Hotaru noted, as she bent down to help, the man apologizing profusely. Hotaru picked up the pieces of paper that were scattered on the floor. It was a bunch of newspaper clippings, on business, pasted on bond papers. One caught her eye- it was a graph of the finances of 7 major companies in Japan. The Twilight Corporation was leading, next to the Silver Lining Corporation with a difference of 5.8.

Then she remembered Mr. Pullman’s words, about merging with a major company…

It couldn’t be… she thought.

It wasn’t only her friends’ relationship that was in trouble after all…

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To be continued…

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Thankies ‘berry’ much for your reviews! Bear hugz for you guys! I hope you leave a review for this chappie as well. :)

Well, it’s coming to an end… I think only 4 more chapters to go or so… and well, was that a sudden twist in the story? (winks to animefreak94296929)