Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice.

Chasing You

Chapter One

Edges and Symmetry

I'm wandering aimlessly within this repetition

And the answer I found is only one; that even if I'm scared, even if I'm hurt

I'll say "I love you" to the person I love

-Sen no Yoru wo Koete, Aqua Timez

"Thanks for coming for me!" the brunette beamed as she placed the last piece of book into one of the shelves of Alice Academy's gigantic library. She walked towards the counter of the library and pulled a piece of paper, also pulling her backpack towards her to get her pen. "Now, all I have to do is to sign this permit and finally this community service will end," she informed her companion and when she finished signing the paper she gave it to the librarian who didn't even look at her.

She ignored the rudeness of the older lady and instead clapped her hands repeatedly but soundlessly in cheer.

The raven-haired guy beside her simply groaned. He simply followed the brunette on her way out as he readied to scold her. "This is what you get for being so nosy," he hissed. He didn't like what she had done and if only she told him about her act, he could have stopped her but she kept it a secret.

She gaped and glanced at his side. "Well, you can't blame me. I got curious and looked at Jin-jin's files but I didn't really plan on getting caught. I was so careful. I was so sure I won't be getting caught in action."

"Of course, you wouldn't." He said in mockery, his eyes rolled in sarcasm and annoyance.

The brunette pouted and said her defense. "I just don't believe that I got that low in Math. I mean, I did study hard. You even helped me and I just don't want to waste your effort and mine. Was it so bad to find out the truth?"

The boy leaned to her closer and eyed her. "Illegally? Yes."

She hit him in the shoulder and said grimly with narrowed eyes, "Oh, shut up, Mr. Legal. You wouldn't want me starting on the first time I saved your life."

He scowled at her. "Yah, saved-my-life-ass."

"Just be grateful to me," she said with superiority.

The boy walked in advance, waved at her, and said, "See yah later."

The brunette panicked and quickly stopped him. "Hey! We are going home together."

He turned around to see her just to say, "Can't. Need to buy something." He didn't mean to leave her just like that but because he really needed to buy something alone, he must. Besides, it was not like they wouldn't see each other again.

The brunette crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at him. She couldn't believe what she just heard. Her friend never bought something for a certain someone. Unless it was for her. "You? Buy something. I find that very impossible. You have maids for that."

"Who says it's not personal?" he retorted with a grin.

She frowned because automatically, she knew what he meant. "Oh. Then let me come with you."

"I think you better not," he suggested, trying not to sound too rude.

The girl suddenly smiled, thinking that her friend had every right to do so, "Okay. Then see you tomorrow!"

He waved at her again and mumbled to himself, "Yah, see yah."

Natsume placed his bag on the free seat beside him and instantly groaned. "She's here again," he said with much annoyance.

He sounded irritable and problematic. He placed a hand on his forehead and lowered his head, sighing. His newly bought backpack was the same as hers. He was enduring the displeasure and waste of time the girl had given to him for the past ten years. But he could not find the strength to shoo her away completely because after all they were…well, they had their moments. They were friends, very good friends. And he didn't even know how they became friends.

He could see her so near.

Oh, how much he hated her.

And how much he hated himself for not really hating her.

Honestly, he was just saying things.

It was almost lunch time and no student would miss this glorious break because of their growling stomachs. The cafeteria was almost crowded and free seats were being taken every second. Chatters filled the room and it was getting noisier and noisier. Some of it was about how food in the cafeteria never developed and up to now was still bad, others were talking about academics, girls talk about boys and boys talk about girls, most of them were just laughing about anything and the rest was history.

Natsume stared at the girl with unhappiness. She had been following him since morning, no, since forever. Since they met. Of all these years that he had pushed her away, he could not still get why she was not stopping yet. He told mean things to her, ignored her constantly, and refused to consider her as a friend, heck, even as a classmate but she was still there. She was unstoppable. So, he gave up on that part because, again, they had their moments.

"And in black. You two really match. Matching chains, color of shirt, and now bag? Really something." A mocking voice commented beside him. Natsume glared at him. Even if he was his boy best friend, he will show no mercy.

"Shut up, Ruka," he said in the coldest manner he can. "I don't need you to make it worse."

Ruka Nogi just laughed and resumed his eating. He enjoyed teasing his best pal to the greatest degree about Mikan Sakura because it could crack Natsume's cool image. He was the best when it comes to pissing his best pal off and anyone could count on him anytime; that was how he loved to make fun of Natsume. Ruka had the talent of getting easily into his skin and at the end of the day they were each other's best boy pal.

"Hey, I kinda admire her persistence," Koko said, staring at the girl, his hand on his chin, "At least her resolve has not been broken after all these years. Ten years? If you ask me, it is way too long. Imagine, it's a decade!"

Natsume just shook his head. "Not you too."

Koko chuckled. "Sorry."

"Natsume!" a loud screeching voice filled the room especially his ears.

The owner of the voice was a brunette girl with a charming smile. Students didn't care of her loudness because this kind of scenery was normal already. It was happening every day. The girl looked very bright and radiant. Her brunette hair reached her shoulders, her big brown eyes sparkling. Her positive mood seemed to reach outside and viral for making other students smile back at her.

"Here she comes," Ruka informed, smiling in mockery, "Welcome your girlfriend, Natsume."

Natsume massaged his forehead, indicating he was more annoyed. "Shut up," he hissed at Ruka.

"Good morning, Natsume!" she finally said as she took a seat beside Natsume. "Oh my gosh! This is not happening! Our bags are a match," she said and cheered with enthusiasm.

Natsume gave her a sarcastic smile. "Don't we always?"

She hit him playfully on the shoulder. "Oh, Natsume, don't act as if you don't like that sweet little fact," she said and pinched his cheeks hard and when her hands left his cheeks, Natsume rubbed his face and glared at her.

"If I can only express to you how much I hate it. Damn," he muttered, still rubbing his face.

Mikan glanced at the clock in the cafeteria and paid his attention again to Natsume and pinched his cheeks for the second time today which caused the male to slap her hands away lightly. "See you later, cutie." Mikan said and stood up and eventually began to run as if she was late for something.

Before he knew it, he could no longer see her in the crowd. He returned to his normal position and thought how fast things happened. She just greeted him that fast and gone. He noticed that she was busy these past few days considering the short reunions they had shared for the past week. Not that he was looking forward to it, it just that it was surprising to witness Mikan being busy and all. Mikan was barely busy for other things related to school for the reason that usually she was busy pestering Natsume.

Natsume massaged his cheeks; the heat and ache from her pinches were still present. "Damn that girl."

"No doubt. She's one heck of an admirer," Koko commented.

Natsume smirked and said, "Well if you admired her, why don't you just grab her and take her away from me?"

"Touché," Koko said, smiling and then smirking after awhile, "If I didn't know better, that sentence can indicate you consider her as yours."

Ruka leaned his arms on the table and eyed Natsume. "I don't see why you don't like her. You're childhood friends, right? You guys are each other's best friends."

"Whatever," he answered quickly. "Well, yes. Maybe."

Mikan would be angry if she heard that he just 'whatevered' their friendship when in fact they had been through a lot. Natsume scolded himself mentally and reminded himself never to do that again. In all honesty, yes, they were the best of friends. How? Because she liked him first and eventually wanted to become his best friend. It was not the usual process of getting your best mate but somehow it worked. For Natsume, she was a very important person of his life but Mikan didn't want him to see her as only that.

She wanted them to become more than friends and she was being very vocal with it. He was also very being vocal of rejecting her that it turned out to be a habit. She was confessing her feeling whenever she liked it and he would reject her.

But even after that, at the end of the day, they were still the best of friends.

The blonde-haired boy frowned, feeling a little pity on Mikan. "Come on, at least some consideration."

Natsume stood up and sling his bag on his shoulder. "I said 'maybe', didn't I?"

"Right," Ruka said in a teasing tone, "I heard you fetch her in the library."

"She had eight hours of community service as a punishment for looking up on Jinno's files," Natsume explained. "She got two choices to either clean the tables on the cafeteria or library work. She chose the second one and I just want to check her and scold her for being so nosy."

Koko nodded, his eyes were indicating that there was something about Mikan and Natsume that was not easy to see but was there all along. "In short, you are worried." Koko concluded.

"I'm allowed. We're friends." Natsume said, not denying Koko's implication.

"Best friends," Ruka corrected.

"Since pre-school," Koko added.

Natsume glared at the two and said, "Shut up."

The door of the classroom opened and made a loud sound. Almost all eyes paid attention to the newcomer. They all saw brown, it was Mikan. She waved to all of her classmates; a thing she had been doing since she started schooling. She didn't attend in the morning classes because she didn't think she had the guts to face her Math teacher, Jinno, as early as today.

"Hello, Hotaru!" Mikan greeted. Her energetic aura filled the room, infecting other students in the process.

Hotaru ignored Mikan. "Too nosiy," the ice queen mumbled.

Mikan walked toward Hotaru's table and sat at the chair in front of her best friend. "Don't be too cold. It's so early in the afternoon!"

"Yah, too early for your squeaking voice," she pointed out.

The brunette pouted. "My voice is so not squeaking!"

"Hello, Mikan, Hotaru!" Another voice entered the scene.

Mikan quickly looked at the figure and waved her hand. "Why hello, Anna!"

"Hello, to you three. It's really a good thing we have English together." A calmer voice greeted.

"Good afternoon, Nonoko." Mikan greeted back.

Anna and Nonoko took their seats near Mikan. These two were up for gossips at any time of the day. If you wanted to know that latest news in the campus, all you had to do was ask them. They had their reliable sources. But Anna and Nonoko had a certain story that they always follow up and that was Mikan and Natsume's story. They had always asked Mikan first thing in the morning to see some developments.

"Any progress with Natsume Hyuuga?" Anna started.

Mikan nodded and squealed. "We have matching bags."

Anna frowned, wanting juicier information. "You always do, Mikan. Remember how you always sneak to him in the morning? But that isn't the topic, when? I mean, when will Natsume Hyuuga notice you? It's been ten years since you proclaimed your crush to him. You've been pursuing him constantly since then. Tell us now, what is happening?"

"Nothing," Mikan said nonchalantly.

Nonoko raised her eyebrows and gave a furious expression. "Nothing? As in none? Zero? Nothing?"

Mikan was surprised at the reaction and got slightly nervous. "Yes, nothing."

"Mikan," Anna sighed, "Don't you find that a little sad?"

Mikan stayed silent. Yes, she did. Sadness almost overcame her at that moment but she could not let that happen because that will be sadder. Staying strong was one of her expertise and up to now she was standing strong despite of the negative feedbacks she had been hearing like being obsessed over Natsume Hyuuga, a martyr, a stupid girl and many more.

"Just let her. It is her choice to act like that." Hotaru interrupted. Mikan smiled at her.

Anna shrugged her shoulders and leaned on the desk. "I don't know, Hotaru. But at least Natsume Hyuuga should have like her now, right? That's how it is. It is supposed to follow the process of getting to know each other, become friends, and eventually lovers. Like in those clichéd movies we watch."

"That will come, Anna." Mikan replied with determination in her voice. "I've been working hard. I believe in the end Natsume will see all of that. In the end, he will finally come to like me that way it should be."

Anna's eyes softened at Mikan's admirable words. She wanted to support Mikan more and more each day and as a friend she will never leave her side until Natsume Hyuuga finally answers her or Mikan answers herself. "Very well then, I wish you luck, Mikan." Anna said, her voice soft mixed with sympathy and hope for her friend.

The brunette cracked a smile. "Thanks."

It was five in the afternoon and students were making their way home. Mikan got her books from her locker and ran her way out. At this time, she could probably catch Natsume and her estimation was precise. Natsume was walking and almost near at the gate when she saw him. Mikan paused for a bit from running and smiled. This was her favorite part of the day because she got to be with Natsume alone.

"Hey! Wait for me," she shouted, enough for him to hear her and ran to him. She didn't care if she looked like hilarious with her backpack bouncing on her back just to get close with Natsume as soon as she can.

Natsume turned and sighed. "Not again."

"Happy to see me?" Mikan teased while panting.

He poked her sweaty forehead and wiped his finger with her uniform. "In your dreams," he replied.

Mikan pouted at the cold reaction. "Can I walk you home?" she asked in a hopeful tone.

"It's a guy's responsibility to walk a girl home and not the other way around. Don't you ever stop?" His voice was irritated, like he was enduring something.

"No," Mikan replied quickly. "Come on, I'll walk you home." she said and grabbed his hand, dragging him immediately.

He ran his fingers through his hair and groaned. "I don't want to. Stay away from me." Natsume said and freed his hand from her grip. He saw Mikan frowned for a second and he was surprised on how fast she recovered and made a smile afterwards.

"Don't be like that. She won't like it." Mikan reminded. She got him.

The boy glared at her. "Don't drag her into this."

Mikan chuckled and nudged him on the side. "So serious. I'm just joking."

"Well it's not funny," he snarled.

Mikan could not help but to feel a little jealousy at how Natsume didn't want to make fun of this girl. She stared at the ground they were travelling and smiled sadly. The walk all the way their homes seemed to be longer as the silence grew and as Mikan pondered about her relationship with Natsume. The way they talked to each other could classify them as best friends but sometimes she didn't feel like that. Others didn't need to try as hard as her just to know something about Natsume but on her case, she needed to irate him first before he would blurt it.

"I don't understand you. If you really like her, why aren't you making a move yet?" she asked, her head still down. "You've been talking about her for a long time now and up to now, you still haven't asked her on a date or a little dinner? Come on, Natsume. I should be your example when it comes to these things. Be frank. Be straight."

It was funny on how Mikan was giving him advice on this kind of things when in fact she was pursuing him. Natsume wanted to laugh but this was one of those situations that were not laughable.

Natsume looked at her for a moment and paid attention again on the road. "How can I do that when everybody thinks you're with me?"

Mikan looked up, a sad smile plastered on her face. "I am, right? I'll always be with you even if you don't want me to and I will be there more when you need me. She is none of my business, you are. So I won't care about her or what you will do for her. All I care about is you. Others…they don't matter to me."

Her little speech almost made Natsume blush. Was she going to confess again?

He shrugged and patted her head lightly. "I'm not surprised you said that. But I know you're feeling uneasy because of this."

Mikan shook her head and stared at him. "When you're with her Natsume, others don't matter also."

I'll do mine and you'll do yours.

Natsume gave her a sad expression. "Why are you being like that? I mean, don't you find that a little bit disheartening? I'm rejecting you all over again."

And just like after he rejected her, she just smiled with full sincerity. "It didn't. In fact, I'm seeing it a challenge. Can I ask a favor?" she asked.

"Sure."

Mikan grinned in an awkward manner. "Don't tell anyone."

Natsume understood what her purpose was. "Sure. I am not planning to."

She felt relived with his words. Natsume always kept his promises and so far none of it was broken and that was why Mikan entrusted Natsume most of her secrets because she knew it will not be spilled to anyone. She was the same to him. Surprisingly, they trusted each other. They brought out the best of each other.

The only problem was that they didn't see each other as the same. Mikan saw Natsume as her future while Natsume only saw Mikan as a friend.

"I like it when you are being like that," she confessed.

He glanced at her, confused with her words. "Like what?" he asked.

Mikan felt excitement when she realized Natsume was interested with their conversation. "Considerate. Kind. Adorable."

"Words not describing me," he said and shortly chuckled.

"Oh, I'm sure! I'm sure those are fitting for you." Mikan defended. "How was your life these past few days, Natsume? I didn't get to talk to you much," she asked and said quietly.

"You call this not talking too much?" he teased and Mikan just laughed. "I'm still bugged by you. No changes. Nothing that you need to know of since I am still the same."

Mikan liked that answer. "Do you think it's possible for nothing to change?" she inquired, her tone was sad.

Natsume looked at her with all seriousness and stated, "If we don't let it happen."

His words made her heart jump. She took it as an encouragement and proof that even when the time comes that he would make his choice, they will still be the best of friends. Something that Mikan didn't want to vanish.

"Yah, you are probably right," she finished silently and then broke into a smile. "See, Natsume? I still walked you home," she said and pointed at Natsume's house, her smile didn't fade.

Natsume looked around and realized that they were already standing at the front of his house; Mikan's house was just across. He smiled a little. "I hate it when you had your way."

Mikan just smiled and waved goodbye at him.

"How was your day?" Yuka, Mikan's mother, asked as soon as she entered the house.

Mikan who was currently putting spread on her sandwich smiled and took a bite. "Same old, same old. Nothing much happened."

"How are things going on with Natsume?" Yuka asked with a giggle. She had been a fan of her daughter's longtime chase with her best friend's son and she had been supporting Mikan all the way.

"We went home together and we have matching bags. You know, Mom, I feel closer to him as another day pass. Natsume makes me happy without even doing anything. Yeah, he is rude, arrogant, insulting, and harsh sometimes but there is no denying that he is kind in his own way," she said dreamily.

Yuka rested her hands on Mikan's shoulders and took a look on what her daughter had been making. "I know that you know what you are doing but Mikan…"

"Yeah?"

Yuka stared at her daughter with concerned eyes. "Liking someone is a wonderful feeling but it also hurts. I'm just preparing you for whatever that could happen and I am saying that you should be ready to accept Natsume's answer no matter what."

Mikan nodded, thankful for her Mom's words. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Great," Yuka cheered and took a bite on her daughter's sandwich.

Mikan saw her mother taking the stairs and took a bite on her already-bitten sandwich while mumbling, "Seriously, why does everyone thinks Natsume won't return the feelings?"

End of Chapter

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