Disclaimer: I credit all familiar characters to Tachibana Higuchi. You should play Always by Blink 182 for this chapter. It's perfect. Enjoy!

The Devil's Contract

If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
-Anonymous

Chapter 15. Then, Now and Always

-;-

Hijiri Youichi was a boy without many words. Laconic and subtle, he was quiet, yet the simple things he did for others and the confident way he went about with his life, was clear.

He was just a kid, at eleven years old, but he was more knowledgeable than most of his seniors. He was following the same path as Natsume, after all. And he knew that, at the end of everything, there would be something worthwhile for him too.

He hadn't known for certain, though, until he'd caught Natsume-nii and Mikan-nee making out in the snow a few months before.

Geez, get a room.

They were twenty-two years old and the both of them still acted as if they were his age. Somebody really ought to tell them so. Youichi didn't want to think of the embarrassment he'd have to go through if he happened to be with them when they started acting like that again.

Usually Natsume and Mikan were good with keeping out of the public eye. In Alice Academy, they would sneak off to have a kiss or a good make-out session. Sometimes nobody even suspected them.

But Youichi knew.

He wasn't Natsume's protégé for nothing.

So here he was, waiting patiently outside the gates of the Academy for the car that was supposed to pick him up. The snow was crunching quietly below his feet. Youichi sighed, hooked the strap of his backpack over his shoulder more securely and looked down the road leading up to the school.

He really didn't like tardiness from others. It was a wonder why Natsume-nii was taking so long. Didn't he say to make sure his ass was by the gates by three? If Youichi was not mistaken, and he never really was in cases like these, his ass was indeed outside and by the gates and it was currently about… Youichi didn't have a watch but he could just bet that it was about quarter after three.

His grey eyes looked up at the blurry cars passing by, wondering which would slow to a stop. Running a hand down his cheek, he thought angrily at the fact he was being blackmailed in being the ring bearer to "Hotaru-nee-chan's" wedding.

He frowned.

Who had ever heard of an eleven year old boy being ring bearer?

Even the thought of it made him shudder, it was that horrifying.

He was just thinking about the details of the wedding being held in a few days when a black car drove up and stopped in front of him. Natsume-nii was in the front seat with his sunglasses on and a small smirk on his face.

"Sorry, Youichi," he said, unlocking the passenger door with a click.

Youichi shrugged in return, hopping into the car and buckling his seatbelt. He eased into the soft leather of the chair and looked at his senpai from the corner of his eyes. He didn't bother asking what made him so late. There was no need to nag now that he was here already.

From the corners of his eyes, Youichi could see and hear Natsume drumming his fingers anxiously on the steering wheel as he looked upon the road. His gaze was careful and calculated.

"If you want to go somewhere, you can just go," he remarked easily, smirking at Natsume's face when he narrowed his eyes. "I don't mind. Anything feels better than being at the Academy right now."

"The Academy's not that bad," Natsume pulled the car to a stop. He raised an eyebrow at him and pulled open the door.

Youichi wrinkled his nose and got out of the car. "You're just thinking about the last time you were there with Mikan-nee, you pervert."

Natsume didn't answer, but the smirk said it all.

He ignored the eyes admiring his senpai, and then him. He was just in his ratty jeans and a sweater but they were still eyeing him like fresh meat. Girls were so weird, honestly. It was only a wonder why girls were so completely taken by their appearances, or appearances in general.

Obviously he hadn't found his Mikan yet.

He ducked into the store and immediately plunged his hands in his pockets. "What are we doing here? I'm pretty sure you know none of this would look good on you," Youichi said dryly.

"I'm looking for a dress," Natsume murmured distractedly. He didn't even try to delve into the racks of clothes that lined each and every inch of the room. Instead, he observed quietly, barely moving from his spot in the middle of the room, eyeing every dress with a practiced eye. "Help me find a nice one, will you?"

Youichi frowned.

A ring bearer and now this?

Youichi went to a rack and riffled through them. "What are we looking for exactly? And is this for you or for Mikan?"

Natsume stiffened, turning to glare at the smaller boy. "Youichi, what did you—"

"Just kidding!" He put his hands up in surrender. "How about this one?" He pointed at an orange dress. "They're really all the same. Depends what you're looking for," Youichi pointed out.

"Something special," Natsume was still looking around. "Something white."

-;-

"You smell good."

Mikan snorted. "Natsume, shut up."

"I don't want to…You smell delectable, as a matter of fact."

"That means the same thing. Please stop talking."

"That's the same thing as telling me to shut up," he drawled lazily, his eyes dancing from the wad of white silks to the woman holding it.

She glared at him, blowing her bangs away from her face before placing the fabric carefully onto the table. She turned sharply to face him, her hands on her hips. "Why are you here, Natsume? Don't you have work to do?" she asked as he watched her carefully, scrutinizing her tired, but glowing face.

He shrugged, taking a seat near the window of her studio. "I pay people to work for me for a reason," he said pointedly, shifting towards the sun, "—so I can hang out with you whenever I want."

She snorted. "And what about Youichi? Where is he? You did pick him up, didn't you?"

He looked at her, unimpressed. "Of course I did. What do you take me for?" Mikan merely shook her head. "I was a little late, but he's fine. He's at Imai's right now."

Mikan whirled around to look at him with astonishment. "Are you serious? Natsume, are you nuts? It's dangerous out there! What the hell were you doing that could possibly make you late?"

He rolled his gaze over to her, her eyes wide open with unsuppressed shock. "It really isn't a big deal."

"He says it's not a big deal," Mikan snorted, storming over to him. When she made it in front of him, she jabbed him in the shoulder and snarled, "I don't know if you've forgotten but Youichi is an Alice! There are people after us! How could you take this so lightly when he could've been kidnapped? How could you live with yourself if he'd been taken?"

"He wasn't taken," Natsume rolled his eyes.

"That isn't the point! I said if, Natsume. If! What would you do then, Hot Shot?" She fumed angrily, crossing her arms over her chest.

Natsume leaned back in his chair, looking at her expectantly as if he was waiting for her to continue ranting. When she didn't, he opened up his palms and laid them onto his kneecaps. "You're right," he started, taking Mikan off guard, "—he is an Alice, a Dangerous Ability Alice, Polka Dots. He's not completely unprepared and since the Alice War, no one really needs to worry about it. After two years of no activity, they're letting more students visit their families now. Don't tell me you haven't been keeping in touch with Naru."

She opened her mouth angrily, then closed it. She huffed quietly, "You're so annoying when you're right. You know that? And of course I've been talking to Narumi-sensei! I just… I'm not used to it being so safe there."

He smirked.

She glared at him, wavering. "You still should've picked him up on time. Better yet, you should've come early."

"Don't worry. Nothing happens when I don't want it to."

"Yeah, because whatever Natsume Hyuuga wants, Natsume Hyuuga gets, right?" she agreed sarcastically from behind him. He felt her warm hands rest lightly on his shoulders and smelt the faint odor that was so distinctly hers when her hair brushed his ear and she murmured playfully, "You're such a spoiled bum."

He almost smiled. "Bums can't be spoiled if they don't have any money," he told her, matter of fact. He turned quickly and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. "I'm glad you acknowledge my prowess."

She rolled her eyes and slapped his arm lightly. "I know there's a reason why you're here. I told you I was busy finishing Hotaru's dress and for you not to come unless it was important," she reminded him with a pointed look. "So what is it?"

"Oh, so wanting to see you isn't important?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow and smirking as she pursed her lips.

"Natsume…" she warned, a glare on her face.

He turned fully away from the window and watched her mock stern expression. Her expectant look made him reply, "I really don't want you to go to the wedding in that green dress."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Why not? You said you liked it before…"

Mikan knew something was up when Natsume merely shrugged and said uncommitted, "I was walking down the streets today—"

She snorted. "You don't walk, Natsume. You never walk. Not with the dozens of cars you have in your garage."

"I don't have a dozen cars," he argued. "Only four or five. That's not the point. So as I was walking today, I saw a dress that I thought would look better on you. You should wear it to the wedding."

Mikan looked at him dubiously, crossing her arms again. "Are you telling me you went dress shopping to get something you liked?"

"It's not for me. Why does everybody think I'm getting the dress for myself?" He looked affronted. Mikan thought he looked so cute when his eyes were flustered like that. "I was not looking for a dress for you. I was… I was passing by."

"Right," she answered, clearly not believing him, "So where is it?"

As if on cue, the door opened, a flustered delivery boy coming in with a white package. "S-sorry I'm late, Mr. Hyuuga s-sir."

Natsume nodded curtly before taking the package. He all but threw the box into her hands and handed the boy a large tip. She was looking at him with a small smile on her face when he turned back to look at her, the box unopened. "What are you doing? Open it."

Mikan rolled her eyes and slowly lifted up the box lid. "It better not be something perverted, Natsume," she warned, sending him a wary glance. "Because if it is, I will kill you."

He put a hand on his heart as if he was wounded but the smirk on his face belied his actions. "I would never dream of it."

"Liar," she rolled her eyes, lifting the lid off all the way and taking out a very beautiful white A-line dress. "You know I can't wear this," were the first words out of her mouth.

Narrowing his eyes, Natsume fiddled with the box lid. "Why not?"

"I'm the maid of honor, Natsume. I can't wear white. The bride does. No one's allowed to wear white unless they want to outshine the bride and to be honest, that's the last thing I want," she said, still admiring the dress. "I guess that means you won't be able to see me in this white dress, huh? It is beautiful though. Thank you."

He spread his arms open, dragging her onto his lap, folding her legs over to the side. "I guess not," he replied seemingly disappointed. "On the other hand," he replied, his fingers brushing the surface of the dress softly, "It hardly matters. I'll see you in a beautiful white dress someday. That's a promise."

Mikan instantly blushed. She wondered if he could feel the beat of her heart through her back and into his chest. It was beating so hard. "I… ahem… I hope you're talking about a party sometime," she said nonchalantly, hating the fact that her voice wavered.

His arms tightened around her torso and she could feel his smirk as he pressed a kiss to her shoulder blade. Softly, with a smile in his voice, he murmured, "Or a wedding."

Our wedding…

She gulped.

He smirked.

-;-

The sound of rustling skirts and resounding feet making their way into the church was deafening as the one hundred or so invitees were ushered into their seats. The Nogis occupied the first two rows on the right side of the simple gothic wedding chapel as the Imais occupied the first two rows on the left, both facing the altar.

The sound of the traditional organ was absent as the melodic flutter of a beautiful piano piece filled the air, hoping to appease the growing crowd that had come to attend the wedding of the year. No one invited had declined the invitation because this wedding was between Imai Hotaru and Nogi Ruka, Alice Academy graduates and famous among the people of Tokyo, Japan.

The place was lavishly decorated with drapes made of white and lavender lace. The lights were bright and cast the room in a golden glow. The pew was simply done, flowers adorned the walls and the whole place was bustling with excitement and movement.

Each and every person held their breath as the seconds ticked slowly, the sound of the piano playing, building up to the wedding march that resonated around the room.

When the crux of the song came on, everybody turned as the doors were opened. Smiling nervously and squeezing the cuff of his tuxedo, Ruka walked almost stiffly towards the altar. He smiled at his family and threw a charming smile at the Imais. The black of his suit outshone most of the men in the room as he made his way to the front where the wedding officiate took his place at the elevated part of the altar.

After him, Natsume walked casually to the front after his best friend, toning down his apparel by wearing a black suit as well, with tails and a green silk tie, his eyes flashing curiously as he turned his gaze back to the direction where he had come from, in time to see the maid of honor.

She took his breath away.

Never mind that there were three bridesmaids following her, his eyes were trained on Mikan who was wearing the lovely green dress he'd bought her two months before. She was radiant, the green of her dress making the light brown of her hair seem darker, more beautiful as it was put up softly in a mass of silky curls and framing tendrils.

Her smile was radiant as she looked at the groom and the best man.

He couldn't wait to see her walking up to him like this, in a church like this, but wearing a white dress.

The thought made him smile.

As the flower girl, Hotaru's nine year old cousin and the ring bearer, a grim faced Youichi walked to the front, the doors opened wider, the "Wedding March" floating from the piano making Natsume's heart race as he looked with anticipation at what he hoped to be what Mikan would look like someday.

Imai Hotaru was captivating with her arm wound around her father's outstretched arm.

From beside him, Natsume could hear Ruka gasp with surprise and gulp loudly, the pulling of the cuffs of his tuxedo becoming more urgent as the Wedding March sped up.

Hotaru drew closer and closer.

The dress Mikan had made for her was a masterpiece. It floated off from Hotaru's shoulders to the bodice of her waist. It was cinched at the waist to accentuate her slim frame but loose enough not to show the weight she'd gained from giving birth to Haori. There were intricate designs dancing along her waistline and into the flowing skirts of her dress. From the waist down, the dress pooled around her feet like a ball gown, except it was loose and flowed elegantly, something that worked very well for the Imai. Her hair, the familiar short black was styled modestly with a simple veil pinned at the top of her head.

She even had a small smile on her face.

Ruka seemed to be having a hard time breathing.

Natsume could hear the quick, uneven breaths coming from Ruka's parted lips as he shifted from one foot to the other. Annoyed, Natsume jabbed him none too gently in the ribs. Ruka rooted his feet to the ground and clasped his hands together.

"You're whipped," Natsume drawled quietly, glancing at Ruka from the corners of his eyes.

"I'm trying to remember how to breathe. Shut up," he whispered back. Deep breaths followed this declaration and Natsume could only smirk.

By the time Hotaru had made it to the altar, her father had already handed her off and Ruka had taken and led her to stand in front of the officiate.

A long exhale from Ruka and their eyes met, chestnut clashing with ruby as he promised her, without words, that that would be them someday.

Yes, someday… they'd have this moment and as he looked on at Ruka and his bride, he couldn't keep the sincere smile off his face as he looked at their glowing faces, ready to make the world theirs.

-;-

Loud applause ricocheted off the walls of the chapel as Ruka dipped Hotaru, earning a gasp and a squeal of delight from the ladies as he kissed her on the lips.

Natsume looked over at Mikan, her eyes shiny with fresh, clear tears. She ran up to Hotaru and gave her a tight hug before Hotaru and Ruka turned around to the entrance of the church to go to the reception.

Natsume waited for her to pull herself together.

"Wasn't she beautiful?" Mikan murmured affectionately, wiping a stray tear from her eyes. "Oh my God, I'll remember that for the rest of my life. I've never been so happy."

Natsume stood a few feet away from her, watching as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. Her skin was already red and splotchy from crying and the area around her eyes was puffy and wet. She turned away from him, shy, as she tried to fix herself up. "If this isn't embarrassing, I don't know what is."

"True," Natsume answered gruffly. "I honestly don't know why girls cry at weddings," he grumbled, reaching for her. "Weddings are supposed to make people happy."

She looked at him with dismay. "I am happy! That's why I'm crying!" She took his hand and shook her head. "You're so clueless sometimes."

He snorted, shooting a furtive glance at the girl beside him. Even with her eyes red, the tip of her nose a dull pink and her cheeks and complexion a strange string of colors, he couldn't help but think that she still looked like the most beautiful woman in the world.

Not that he would say that out loud.

Instead, he entwined their fingers, squeezing her hand softly as she sniffled. "Then I want you to cry a lot when you're with me."

She giggled as they made their way across the church's snow covered lawn, crawling into a horse drawn carriage that would take them to the Nogi estate.

Arriving late, Natsume jumped out of the carriage and helped Mikan down as they entered the house and into the enormous reception they'd set up where a bunch of friends and family had gathered, a huge chocolate wedding cake towering over the tables of food.

The majority, Natsume mused, were filled with different sorts of seafood ranging from fish to caviar and finally to crab. And Hotaru Imai was already filling her plate high with food with Ruka already balancing two others.

Once again, Natsume smirked, Ruka was so damn whipped.

"Natsume, let's get to our table," Mikan called.

He nodded and led them to their assigned table. Unfortunately, the bride and the groom were to sit with their parents for the reception dinner so as Mikan left to get them food, Natsume looked after her, a thoughtful expression on his face.

I've been here before a few times
And I'm quite aware we're dying
And your hands they shake with goodbyes
And I'll take you back if you'd have me
So here, I am, I'm trying
So here, I am.
Are you ready?

She was everything he'd ever wanted, he realized, as he watched her reach for a plate. She was a strong woman, maybe not physically - but mentally. They'd already been through so much shit and she'd always been able to pull him through. He couldn't even imagine how he could've gotten through the years of Alice Academy without her.

She didn't give a damn about what others thought of her and never gave up on something she believed in. She was hardworking and dedicated, emotional and kind. She was a loud mouth and a sadist but even then, Natsume mused, he wouldn't have her any other way.

She was perfect for him.

He'd always believed he'd need somebody who was just like him, just like Hotaru, actually. But to think she was the one he loved. It almost made him laugh, at the irony.

They were so opposite.

She was so stupid sometimes, but she had a way with words.

And her smile, it was no wonder he'd hated it so much when they were little. He never quite understood what she had to smile about, but now that he had her, he could kind of understand. She was charming and delightful, any person would adore her. Mikan was fearless and wonderful and possibly…

Come on let me hold you, touch you, feel you
Always
Kiss you, taste you, all night
Always

She was everything he'd ever wanted in his whole life. He'd never wanted anything as much as he wanted her.

Was that the reason why he had fought so hard to be a part of her life? Was that the reason why he had annoyed her to the ends of the world just so that he could have her attention?

The answer was simple.

It had always been about her.

And I'll miss your laugh your smile
I'll admit I'm wrong if you'd tell me
I'm so sick of fights I hate them
Lets start this again for real

The rustle of her skirt and the clink of the plates hitting the table top startled him out of his thoughts.

"You know," her voice was amused, "You are such a lazy bum. I really don't know what I see in you." She sat primly onto her seat and looked at the two plates. One was piled higher than the other and Natsume could see she was eyeing the higher plate hungrily.

So here, I am, I'm trying
So here, I am, are you ready?
So here, I am, I'm trying
So here, I am, are you ready?

"You obviously like me for my good looks," he answered, taking the smaller plate. "You can stop glaring at the plate now. I'll take this one."

She glared at him. "You… ugh, I hate how you know me so well. Are you sure that's what you want?"

"What?"

She rolled her eyes and nudged him with her elbow. "I was asking if that's what you really wanted. But since you're apparently not listening to me, I'll grab the bigger plate." She made a grab for the larger plate, already salivating, quite oblivious to the look of affection thrown her way.

"Wait."

Come on let me hold you, touch you, feel you
Always
Kiss you, taste you, all night
Always

He looked thoughtful again, as he watched her confused expression, her hands leaving the plate to curl together on her lap. "What's wrong? You're acting kind of weird."

He got to his feet, offering his hand to her and though she was confused, she took his proffered hand and they made their way out of the house. Darting a glance down the streets, he narrowed his eyes at the scenery, or lack thereof. "C'mon," he tugged her towards a carriage.

"Natsume," Mikan laughed at the randomness of it all. "What are we doing? This is ridiculous. It's Hotaru's wedding today!"

He frowned. "I know, we'll be back before it's over. I promise." Natsume looked up at the sky, still blue with tinges of grey. "We have a lot of time. Trust me."

She looked at him curiously.

He really was so handsome in his tuxedo with the messy hair and the flashing red eyes. He wanted her to trust him. To be honest, he didn't even have to tell her. She trusted him with her whole life, her whole heart.

She was surprised he didn't know that.

Come on let me hold you, touch you, feel you
Always
Kiss you, taste you, all night
Always

She smiled, a small, wan smile at him and held out her hand.

The ride was a short one.

From the corner of his eyes, Natsume could see her furrowing her eyebrows, probably wondering what was going on in his mind as they walked into the grounds of Alice Academy once again, teleporting to the other side when the guard wouldn't grant them access.

Her shoes kept sticking into the slush of the snow and Mikan stopped in front of their Sakura Tree and turned to look back at him, wondering what brought this on.

I've been here before a few times
And I'm quite aware we're dying

"Okay," she said softly, raising an eyebrow at his tender expression. "So we're here." Before she could question him, Natsume took her face in his hands and looked at her softly. She had to crane her neck to do the same.

And Natsume couldn't help but think of how close he'd been to losing her. He'd lost her once, but no matter how many times he looked at her, he couldn't believe his luck, finding such a perfect girl that happened to feel the same way he did. It was a miracle they managed to put their pride aside to fix things.

Looking back at all the troubles and problems they'd gone through and the time it took them to solve them together, he couldn't help but think it was worth it.

She was worth it.

Come on let me hold you, touch you, feel you
Always
Kiss you, taste you, all night
Always

"Natsume?"

"Always," he said, dropping one hand to hold her arm and keeping the other cupping her cheek.

She looked at him confused, "What?"

He looked in her eyes, gouging her reaction and taking every shift or flutter of her eyelashes as he answered, "You asked me what I wanted, back at the reception." He looked away, embarrassed. "I always want you."

She shook her head, her heartbeat speeding up. "You say that now, Natsume Hyuuga, but you can't say that or promise me that. Nothing's certain."

Come on let me hold you, touch you, feel you
Always
Kiss you, taste you, all night
Always

"Nothing else may be certain, but I'm certain about this." He took one of her cold hands and sent a thrill of heat into her body, since she was still wearing her dress and just his jacket. "You'll see. I'll always want you. I wanted you then, I want you now and I'll want you forever. That's a promise."

She smiled shakily, vaguely remembering the last promise he'd made her. Something painful and warm made her heart bloom and with the rush of warmth, she grabbed the back of his head and kissed him. "Then don't leave me. Never leave me."

"Never," he didn't skip a beat. "Then, now and always. Do you trust me?"

She smiled.

Always,
…always…

-;-

After some time

-;-

"Hey Natsume?" she asked, fiddling with the collar of her shirt as Natsume lay sprawled on the leather couch of his manor.

"What is it?"

She looked thoughtful, a finger on her chin as her eyes glittered with sudden realization. "Don't you think we're an unlikely couple?"

He turned his head in her direction before rolling his eyes. "We aren't an unlikely couple," he assured her. "You're being ridiculous. We're just fine."

Mikan shook her head and looked down at his closed eyes. "I think we are, Natsume. I mean, you're this tall, dark and mysterious guy and me? I'm a short, bright and bubbly girl. Plus, our personalities are totally opposite."

Natsume looked at her strangely before righting himself, sitting with his back against the couch's back rest and his hand resting on the armrest. He pushed her head a bit playfully.

She merely pouted when he said, "Now that I think about it, you're a loud mouthed girl that is too dense for her own good and I'm handsome," he deadpanned with an emotionless shrug.

She snorted and then laughed. "You're right. That's all you are, handsome."

"You're saying that as if it's a bad thing."

He watched as she slowly shook her head, a wry smile on her face. "Seriously though, you have to agree with me, we're a strange couple."

He sighed and looked at her for a while, deep concentration in his dark, ruby eyes. He blinked and leaned back again before saying, "Nope, I don't see it. We're not unlikely."

"And why not?"

He shrugged. "We're both smart, though it's safe to say one of us is smarter than the other. It's also safe to say that we're both good looking and charismatic. Stubborn, too," he added.

From her seat on the floor in front of him, she pointed a finger and poked him in the shin. "And that's where the similarities end."

He ran a hand through his hair, sighing. "Where'd this idea come from anyway? It's not a bad thing being different from each other, or else we'd be boring and ugly," he concluded. "But as it is, we're interesting and that makes us beautiful."

She rolled her eyes, huffing. "You are so cocky, Natsume."

"But you love that about me," he snickered.

She didn't answer. Instead, she shifted over on the ground, her back facing him as she rested her temple on one of his kneecaps. "I'm telling you, Natsume. Unlikely couple here," she told him, gesturing between them.

Silence ensued between them and just as Mikan turned around to see what was wrong, she felt a pair of hands grip her under the shoulders to lift her high onto his lap. Her legs folded over to one side of his legs, her arms pressed to her sides.

She flushed and looked at him curiously. "Umm… Natsume?"

"For the last time, we're not an unlikely couple. All great romance stories start off with a boy and a girl and that's all that's really needed for a great story. It doesn't matter that the boy is magnificent and the girl is stubborn. We're in love. That's all there is to it."

Mikan smiled and put her hands around his neck, kissing him gently on the cheek. "That was so cheesy." He told her to shut up. Laughing into his neck, she smiled.

"So in our story, I'm the boy and you're the girl. We had a problem but we're in love. We were meant to be together from the very start because that's the destiny the book of Fate had written for us. You love me and I love you, do you know what that means?"

She smiled at his speech, "It's the end, right?"

He scoffed, kissing her square on the lips. "No, silly. It's hardly the end. It's just the beginning."

—The Beginning—

…and the rest is still unwritten…

Did you notice that in this story, there were practically no "I love you's" thrown around? I think it's a really big statement to say and I wanted to show you guys that just because it's not being said by the characters, doesn't mean that they don't feel that way… you know?

I can't believe this story is gone, finished, completed and stuck in the vaults of the completed section of the Gakuen Alice stories, to be forgotten. I'm feeling melancholic about this because I loved it so much.

I'm so depressed but still happy about the support and great suggestions/opinions that I got from this story. Your reviews made me grow, made my writing in this story mature and I can't thank you guys enough. Thank you for staying with this story and joining me in this unforgettable journey.

Thank you. (:

So how about a review for old time's sake?

—My Hopeless Romantic