Author's notes

Hey, it's me again. I was a bit slower than expected but it's still 2012 so I'm glad.

Thanks for the reviews! This chapter is a bit special so here goes nothing.

Disclaimer: Yes, I own Mai-HiME. I like torturing the fans by not including any ShizNat interaction in the anime. Of course, it's false.

Time To Grow Up : chapter 22.

二二 A normal life

In this room bathed in the dark, complete silence reigned. Some sunbeams seeped through the blinds. Outside, the bird chirps could be heard. No doubt, this spring day was going to be sunny.

7 o'clock.

The strident noise of an alarm clock resounded. Forty-five seconds later the crash of the aforesaid alarm clock against the wall could be heard. The person responsible for this disaster buried herself under the blankets.

Ten minutes later, someone knocked at the door and entered without waiting for a reply, "Hurry up, Natsuki. You will be late for school. And you don't want to be late for the beginning of the term, right?" While talking, the disturber opened the blinds of Natsuki's bedroom.

Bothered by the sunlight, Natsuki turned to the other side and complained, "Mum! I'm tired. I didn't sleep enough last night... I was so worried about the new school year".

"Do you think I'm that stupid? Your father and I heard you talking on the phone the whole night!"

"Huh... I was... under stress. I needed to talk."

"Get up young lady. I won't repeat it." Natsuki's mother headed to the doorstep. Before leaving, she added, "I thought you were more serious about that. Don't forget that this is your final high-school year. You don't want to ruin it, right?"

"No, I don't..." The blue-haired girl sighed and moved to the bathroom.

Kuga Saeko drove her daughter to school: Fuuka High school. Natsuki attended her whole schooling in the Fuuka group because it was told to be the best school in the region. Though it was very expensive. This wasn't really a problem as Natsuki's family was quite wealthy.

When walking to the school building, Natsuki remembered the events of last year,

I hope this year will be quieter and less disturbing than the last one. How can you work in these conditions? Between all the troubles that this new student..., Tokiha Mai, brought and the irritating President being hysterical. You can't definitely work. Not to mention that the school was closed for several days.

Natsuki shook her head, No, this year is very important. Nothing will spoil it!

As she entered the schoolyard, she was greeted by some of her friends, "Natsu-chan! Over there!" shot one of them.

So far, everything was normal. The young girl smiled and ran towards their friends.

The school bell rang signalling the beginning of the lectures and the beginning of the term.

This is the story of Kuga Natsuki, 17 years old. Birthday 15th of August. Daughter of Kuga Kenji, a wealthy businessman, and Kuga Saeko, a famous scientist. No sibling. Has a dog named Duran.

The young Natsuki had always lived in the area. Living there was no piece of cake for many strange events kept occurring. Most of the students didn't seem to notice or really care. Those events were always sources of gossips.

For Natsuki it did matter. Those kinds of events disrupted her oh so perfect life. She wasn't a straight A student thanks to a lucky charm. She did study a lot. She was mad because last year events stained her perfect attendance score. She couldn't help it. Despite her efforts, she was still not able to get as good grades as the previous valedictorian, a certain Fujino Shizuru.

This year would be different. She would complete it in a blaze of glory and set the limit even higher. She was hoping that no one and nothing would hinder her.

Few days later, Natsuki was having lunch with some of her friends.

"I'm so pissed against Uchiyamada-sensei! Giving us so much homework. Does he think we have nothing else to do?" pestered a shorthaired girl.

"I understand your point, but there is no alternative. And we have to understand that this is our last high school year", simply stated Natsuki.

"I know Natsu-chan but I think it's already too much. We just started this year. When we will have our midterms, it will be even worse! I will never be able to endure it!"

The blonde girl seated next to her replied, "Well if you regularly studied instead of pulling an all-nighter every time it will be way easier for you Chika-chan".

The said girl was offended. "Oh! Now you are all against me!"

The emerald-eyed girl shook her head; there was no way they would be able to reason their friend.

Few underclassmen came to them looking a little bit impressed. "Err, excuse us, Kuga-san. We would like to know if you would like to have lunch with us tomorrow."

Natsuki couldn't help it and she didn't really like it: she was quite popular at school. Many underclassmen looked up to her. She didn't like being the centre of attention but she was feeling guilty whenever she tried to ask them to leave.

Lunch with me? "Err... Sure why not", was the simple reply.

The student had illuminated eyes. "Really? Thank you we-" She was interrupted by the school announcement ring.

"Dear first-year students, please make sure to fill in the form about club activities and give it back to your homeroom teacher before next week", said the voice.

After the announcement was over some students took their leave, "We are sorry Kuga-san. We have to go. See you tomorrow!"

"Ah... Yes. See you tomorrow."

After the freshmen left the shorthaired girl exclaimed, "I'm still not used to that. The previous years we had the loud and annoying Suzushiro and now we are stuck with an extremely shy President. I wonder if she will be able to manage all of that".

"You're quite harsh. So far I think that Yukino-san did a great job."

"Yes, it's not that easy", cued the blonde girl in.

"Well, still. I'm sure someone else would have done a better job", she paused, "Come to think of it, why didn't you run for the seat of President? With your popularity you'd have won with no problem Natsu-chan!" She claimed raising her hands.

"Wha-what!" enquired a flabbergasted Natsuki, "I-idiot! Don't say such things! It's ridiculous and stupid!"

"Why not? You are already our class rep. Being the student council president wouldn't be such a big deal for you!" Chika turned her head to the underclassmen, "What daya think?"

One of the students wore a big smile and stated, "That would be wonderful if Kuga-san was our President".

"Sorry but this is too embarrassing! I don't see what can be more embarrassing than that."

Chika snickered, "Well, what about being seen without your panties..."

Natsuki shrugged, "Like this would ever happen".

Days and weeks passed without encumber. That year seemed to be a normal one.

Finally came Natsuki's special day, her 18th birthday.

Being popular was somewhat great for many students wanted to attend the school queen's birthday. Being wealthy was even better because it allowed Natsuki to invite all of these people.

Many people came and she got lots of presents. The party was in full swing until incessant honking interrupted it. Natsuki and some guests went outside to see the source of the ruckus.

In the middle of the street, a man was standing next to a cobalt blue car, a Suzuki Swift. Harbouring a large smile he said, "Seems to be a pretty good party!"

The young woman was overwhelmed with joy. After regaining her composure, she dashed to the man, "Dad! I'm so happy you're back!"

Kuga Kenji hugged his daughter, "Of course. I said I would be there for your birthday, didn't I?"

He did yet Natsuki learnt how not to be too hopeful. Her father was often away due to his multiple business trips. She discarded the bitter thought away and looked at the car with sparkling eyes, "You bought a new car? It's fabulous!"

"You like it?"

"Yes, I do!"

The middle-aged man smiled. "Then I'm glad. It's yours", he said while giving the keys to the blue-haired girl.

"What? R-really?"

"Happy birthday, Natsuki."

The other students clapped their hands and expressed their excitement.

The birthday girl stared at the keys. She had trouble believing it.

"I know it's not a motorcycle but I hope you still like it", he added trying to comfort his daughter.

Oh yeah...

Since she turned 16, she had always wished to take the motorcycle licence exam but her father was deeply against it. These two-wheeled vehicles had always fascinated her.

Her father owned one and she was always ecstatic when he allowed her to ride with him.

She gave a sincere smile. "I really like the car, dad. Thank you." She paused, "You gave me the best present I could wish for".

The young girl was really grateful for this gift but she was even happier that her father was present, "I'm really happy that you are here".

He scratched the back of his head, "He he, enough with that. You sound like I'm nev..." He trailed, realising what he was about to say.

Minutes elapsed until the blue-haired girl finally broke the awkward silence. "I... I think I should look after my guests."

"Yes, sure". Taking back the keys the man went back into the car, "I'm going to bring it home".

Natsuki exclaimed, "Hey! But I thought it was mine!"

"It is... but not until you pass your driving licence exam", reminded her father.

"Tsk", dejected she went back to her guests.

This eventless year finally ended. The day for which Natsuki waited the most finally arrived: her graduation.

She almost dedicated her life to being a perfect student. Only focusing on her studies and nothing else. Romance, parties were not things of which she was truly fond.

Sure, she had friends and liked talking with them for hours or going shopping with them – Natsuki had a thing for lingerie – yet that was basically it. She never tried to have her special someone.

It wasn't as if she never had the opportunity to find one. Numerous boys, and even girls, confessed to her. Nonetheless Natsuki rejected all of them.

"You think I've got time to waste on romance!", that was what she told her friends.

All these efforts and restrictions were not in vain as Natsuki became the valedictorian.

Despite not being able to beat that Fujino, shoot, it was still quite an achievement.

As the best student of the class, Natsuki was asked to give a speech in front of all the student body, "I thank you all for all for being here. Thank you for having giving us these last three years..."

While she was talking, the other students were charmed by the speech. The valedictorian had such a presence that it was hard not to stay focused. Natsuki could have been a great leader.

"She totally could have been the Student council President!" Ranted Chika under her breath.

"Why are you so insistent with this?"

"Duh! If she were the President, we would have been the Queens of this school!"

Her blonde friend shook her head, "I really don't think so..."

At the end of the speech, the director gave Natsuki her diploma. Natsuki bowed and climbed down the stage with pride and happiness. She finally reached her goal, I did it.

When the ceremony was over, the students dispersed themselves.

Natsuki went to the Flower Garden and rested her back on a cherry tree. Diploma in hands, she closed her eyes and recalled her high school life. She was truly happy. Even though sometimes, deep down in her heart, she felt as something was missing.

End of chapter 22

I made up everything in this chapter. However, I got the following parts from the Prelude:

- I assume that the father is wealthy as he can pay the expenses of his daughter in the original. And he was a lot absent and on business trips (and then he ran away with his lover, the b******)

- Fuuka is said to be a very good school (maybe the best)

- Shizuru wasn't the president as she was the president in the original only to help Natsuki (whom she didn't know nor meet in this alternative version)

Kind of a filler but I wanted to write a "what if" story when I started this fanfic. It's pretty useless but I had fun. I hope you had fun as well.

I tried to keep Natsuki's personality a bit but I probably messed up. I've no idea how bad it is, nobody read this chapter before.

I hope you're not too disappointed. In any case, next and final chapter is on its way. It will be a short one (unless I've anything more to add in the meantime).