I Love You: Chapter 1

#07: Gakuen Alice (Natsume & Mikan)
...xXx...

"Good morning," Narumi-sensei greeted with a smile, but only some of his students replied.
"A new student?" Koko stared at his homeroom teacher curiously.

Now the class started paying attention to him.

"Yes, Koko-kun." Narumi-sensei smiled and turned to the door. "Please come in."

A raven-haired boy walked inside the room boringly.

The class stayed silent for a moment before the girls started squealing over him while their eyes turned into a heart shape, a sign of complete adoration and worship.

"Kyaaa… He is so cool!"

"OMG! I want him to be my partner!"

"Tell me, what's your name?"

"Natsume!" Ruka exclaimed in disbelief.

Everyone immediately went silent and looked between Ruka and Natsume.

"Ah, so the two of you already know each other!" Narumi-sensei said and looked at the class. "Everyone, please welcome our new friend, Natsume Katou."

No one but the group noticed his emphasis on "friend."

*The group consists of Hotaru, Sumire, Anna, Nonoko, Ruka, Mochu, Yuu and Koko.

Narumi-sensei smiled. "Since each and every one of you already has a partner, Natsume-kun's partner will be Mikan-chan."

As expected, the girls went wild.

"That's not fair, Narumi-sensei."

"Mikan-chan has never had a partner."

"Leave her alone, Narumi-sensei."

The sky was so blue; today is definitely going to be fun. That was what she thought until she heard her name being mentioned by her classmates. Sighing softly, she looked at Narumi-sensei, who was grinning at her. She sweat dropped. Then, that was the first time she met a pair of crimson eyes. For the first time since she joined Gakuen Alice, she felt her heart call for someone.

Is he the one? she asked mentally. Immediately, she pushed away the thought as she had come to believe that no one would be able to help her. They broke eye contact as she closed her eyes. She realised that her classmates were trying to convince Narumi-sensei to choose someone else for the new student's partner. As she raised a hand up, everyone stopped talking and looked at her questioningly.

Narumi-sensei smiled. "Yes, Mikan-chan?"

Mikan smiled back and told him with her Telepathy Alice, 'Please choose someone else, sensei. I do not want to be involved with raging classmates.'

Narumi-sensei sighed dejectedly. "As you wish, Mikan-chan."

Even though he wouldn't admit it, he, Natsume Hyuuga, was absolutely confused now. This Mikan seemed to be able to communicate with Narumi-sensei with only a smile.

Is that even possible in this school? he pondered. What was nagging his mind was when their eyes met. Her hazel eyes somehow conveyed her loneliness. Somewhere deep down, his heart was telling him that she needed his help. But then again, what help could he offer to someone whom he just met? He stared at her curiously.

Mikan looked out to the window again as she felt uncomfortable under Natsume's intense stare.

Narumi-sensei looked at the raven-haired boy beside him. "Natsume-kun…"

The boy remained silent as he was staring at Mikan.

"You can choose your own partner, Natsume-kun," Narumi-sensei said.

The class gasped in surprise. Narumi-sensei had never let his students choose their own partner, especially a new student. Everyone turned to Natsume. Just who is he?

"Mikan," Natsume said after a few seconds.

The whole class gaped, and Mikan immediately darted her eyes to Natsume in disbelief.

Narumi-sensei grinned and clasped his hands. "That's good! Everyone, please respect Natsume-kun's choice."

Again, no one but the group noticed how he emphasized "respect."

"You can sit beside Mikan-chan, Natsume-kun." Narumi-sensei sweat dropped when the girls glared at him angrily.

Unemotionally, Natsume walked towards his seat beside Mikan, and Narumi-sensei just bid his goodbye before walking out of the classroom.

Everyone remained silent because of the unexpected event.

"Natsume… how?" Ruka asked in low voice as he approached his best friend.

Everyone looked at the two handsome boys curiously.

"Hn," was his only answer.

Ruka sighed in defeat. He already knew the black-haired boy before him would give him that kind of answer. Coming from a royal family, he knew Natsume had changed his last name so no one would ever notice that he was the prince of Japan. He was the only heir to the throne, Natsume Hyuuga.

Hotaru glanced at Natsume with an evil grin. You will help me produce more rabbits, Prince Natsume.

When Natsume tried to look at Mikan from the corner of his eyes, she suddenly stood up.

The class looked at her knowingly when she grabbed her white mask and put it on her face.

Natsume's eyes widened as he watched the girl in front of him tie her long brown hair into a high ponytail.

Mikan walked towards the window near her and opened it. 'I'm leaving, everyone.'

"Have a safe trip, Mikan-chan," the group replied in unison.

Koko gazed at her. "Be careful, Mikan-chan."

'I will,' Mikan replied him before jumping out from the window.

From the window, everyone could see Mikan elegantly jumping from tree to tree as she went deeper into the Northern Forest.

Natsume did notice that everyone who bid Mikan was wearing a thin silver bracelet. What was that?

Chapter 1—The Mute Girl Chapter 2—The Black Witch Chapter 3—The Prince of Japan Chapter 4—The Special Condition Chapter 5—The Decision Chapter 6—The Unexpected News Chapter 7—The Forbidden Family Chapter 8—The Ancient Memory Chapter 9—The Other One Chapter 10—The Price Chapter 11—The First Pact Chapter 12—The Pain Chapter 13—The Endless Love Next