My Pride: Chapter 1

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

Poll Results
Best Boy: Natsume Hyuuga
Coolest Boy: Ruka Nogi
Naughtiest Boy: Yome Kokoro
Intelligent Boy: Yuu Tobita
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Best Girl: Mikan Sakura
Coolest Girl: Hotaru Imai
Naughtiest Girl: Anna Umenomiya
Intelligent Girl: Nonoko Ogasawara
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"As expected."
"They both are the best!"
"Natsume-sama is coming!" one girl told the crowd eagerly.
All eyes turned to the raven-haired boy who who wore a bored expression. Behind him were his three best friends: Ruka Nogi, Yome Kokoro and Yuu Tobita. All the girls sighed in admiration. Breaking apart to form a walkway for them, they gazed in wonder at the dazzling boys standing in front of bulletin board.
"As usual," Yuu commented.
Koko smirked. "Well, Natsume always wins every year."
Natsume Hyuuga was well known for his cool personality which contrasted with his handsome face.
"The girls are as usual, too," Ruka said while looking at the board with a smile. He was staring at a certain name.
A pair of crimson eyes also stared at a certain name for a while before walking away. Before they could walk too far away from the board, the four most popular girls came from the opposite direction. They were Mikan Sakura, Hotaru Imai, Anna Umenomiya and Nonoko Ogasawara. All four chatted animatedly as the leader glanced at Natsume. Their eyes met for a few seconds as they passed by each other. They didn't say hello or anything as they didn't know each other. It was unbelievable, but it was the fact. The most popular boys and girls were in the same grade–first year of high school, but they were not in the same class. Though they knew of each others' existences, the only reason was because of their popularity in Alice Academy, the most powerful, wealthy, and famous academy in Japan.
The girls stopped in front of the bulletin board, and Anna hugged Mikan. "Mikan, you won again!"
"Congratulations!" Nonoko added with a grin.
When Mikan was about to reply, a bullet hit her forehead, and she cried in pain. Obviously, Hotaru had shot her with her Baka Gun in her own way of saying "Congratulations." Of course, she wouldn't accept it as she glared at Hotaru just for the sake of glaring at her.
Hotaru grinned.
Before Mikan could make a comment on that grin, one of the girls approached her. "Congratulations, Mikan-sama."
Mikan turned to look at the girl and recalled her to be Rin. With a smile, she replied, "Thank you, Rin-chan."
Mikan Sakura was well known for her cheerful personality that contrasted with her beautiful face.
Everyone always wondered why the best boy and girl didn't try to get to know each other as deep down in their hearts and minds, they could tell they would make a perfect couple.
It was too bad that they didn't know what actually happens between the best boy and girl when doors are closed.

...xXx...

The click clack of the keyboard echoed within the room. Mikan pursed her lips as she saw the best boy entered the chat room called Special. It was a chat room that was created by Mikan, who used the pseudonym Girl. One by one, the boys and girls started filling the chat room.
Girl: Welcome to my chat room! XD
Rabit: *Baka!
Girl: T_T
Rabbitto: Rabit, bad girl!
Mikan smiled as she knew Rabbitto was Ruka Nogi, the Cool Boy.
Girl: Thank you, Rabbitto :)
Rabit: Rabbitto, *Baka!
Mindy: Flirting! -roll eyes-
Pinky: Just be honest that you are jealous!
Gemini_Boy: I see it has started again -sigh-
Libra_Girl: As usual -giggles-
Mikan chuckled as they all still started their conversation with some flirting. She always thought that Ruka would be perfect for Hotaru since they held the same title of Cool. Koko, who named himself Mindy, would definitely be Anna's. The same case could be applied to Yuu and Nonoko. Smiling, she began to think about what might happen if they all got together; however, one thing made her smile gradually fade. She was left with Boy who was none other than Natsume Hyuuga, the leader of the boys. Unfortunately, every time they were in the chat room, he would neither talk to her nor talk at all. It saddened her to remember that he wouldn't allow her to enter his territory.
Girl: Congratulations to everyone! XD
Mindy: Perfect acting you had today, Girl! ;)
Girl: Thank you, Mindy! :)
Gemini_Boy: I think we can start meeting up for real now –pushes glasses up-
Mikan let herself smile. Finally, someone brought the idea up.
Libra_Girl: I agree! But we still need the leader to decide…
Rabit: I never thought of her as the leader.
Pinky: That was a mean thing to say, Rabit.
Rabbitto: What do you think, Girl?
Girl: Hey, am I the only leader here?
Girl: I don't think so…
Mindy: Boy will leave the decision to you.
Girl: …
At that moment, three girls smiled.
Rabit: I have a good idea…
Rabbitto: I know what your idea is!
Rabit: Rabbitto, *Baka!
Libra_Girl: Not again -roll eyes-
Mindy: Let the leaders decide then
Pinky: We should let them speak alone
Gemini_Boy: Tell us if both of you has come to an agreement!
From this moment, all boys and girls grinned except Mikan and Natsume who rolled their eyes. As expected, they all left the chat room at the same time.
Mikan let out a sigh as this night might not be a good one for her. She didn't know how to start a conversation with him. Nervously, she bit her lower lip and waited.
Natsume stared at the screen blankly. He was sure the boys were purposely left him alone with Girl who was none other than Mikan Sakura. Sighing audibly, he didn't know how to start a conversation with her since he never talked in the chat room. He wouldn't admit it out loud that he loved watching her talking with the boys or the girls. The clock on his desktop showed him it was already 12:00 AM. Today was the weekend, so they wouldn't have to attend any classes. When he was about to type something, she beat him.
Girl: Hi…
Natsume almost could feel the uncomfortable aura from her words. He realized that both of them were nervous.
Mikan let out the breath that she was unintentionally held when he replied.
Boy: Hi
Boy: Ladies first
Mikan smiled because of his gentlemanly side. She decided that right now was her chance to be his friend.
Girl: Thank you, Boy.
Girl: First of all, do you mind if we exchange yahoo id?
Girl: I'm going to close the chat room so we could continue in the messenger. Is it okay?
Natsume pondered for a while as he thought this would be his chance to make up to her for not talking with her until now.
Boy: Raven27
Mikan smiled and almost jumped up and down happily.
Girl: Tangerine01
Girl: See you there! :)
They both closed the chat room, and Natsume took the initiative to add her first.
Tangerine01: Back! :)
Raven27: Hn
Mikan had the feeling that she would be smiling for the rest of the night.
Tangerine01: Have any ideas about the meeting?
Raven27: You decide
Mikan frowned. She didn't know whether she should be happy or sad right now. She knew that he was not a talkative person. To her, he looked like he didn't care about the meeting. Could it be that he didn't want to talk to her face-to-face?
Natsume stared at the messenger window as he waited for her to reply. His pride wouldn't just let him tell her the truth that he really wanted to talk to her directly.
Just for a little while, he decided inwardly. Just for today, he would let himself choose Mikan over his pride. Making up his mind, he finally told her.
Raven27: Today, lunch at Central Town
Smiling, Mikan quickly typed an answer.
Tangerine01: Sounds good to me! :D
Tangerine01: I'll tell the girls in the morning
Tangerine01: I guess I'll see you tomorrow then
Raven27: Hn
Tangerine01: Good night! :)
After a few minutes passed, Mikan smiled again.
Raven27: Night

...xXx...

Nonoko and Anna followed as Mikan and Hotaru talked quietly in front of them.
"How was it?" Hotaru asked.
Confused, Mikan turned to look at her best friend.
Hotaru rolled her eyes, and Mikan told her, "I think I have passed the barrier."
The girls made their way to the bus stop to wait for their ride to Central Town.
Mikan's smile became wider as she saw the boys arrive as well. When the boys saw them, Koko informed Natsume, and the leader glanced at her.
Crimson eyes met hazel eyes as they stared at each other for a while.
Natsume gave a small nod in greeting, and she nodded with a smile in reply.
When they stood in front of each other, Yuu spoke, "It's a pleasure to meet you, ladies."
Mikan smiled as she held out a hand. Yuu accepted it as she said, "Girl."
"Gemini Boy," Yuu replied, and everyone except for Natsume introduced themselves.
They rode the bus to Central Town. As expected, they all paired up with each other and left Mikan with Natsume. Both of the leaders didn't converse while sitting together until they arrived at Central Town as both enjoyed each other's company in a comfortable silence. After having lunch together, they explored and played around until dinner time. During their journey, Koko and Nonoko were holding hands as they talked to each other.
Mikan looked at them with a smile as she was happy for them.
In the end, all pairs were holding hands except for Mikan and Natsume.
Natsume glared at Koko, who smirked at him. He sighed inwardly. Even though he and Mikan were the leader, they were left behind the boys and girls.
Too occupied with their own thoughts, Natsume and Mikan didn't realize that the rest of the boys and girls had disappeared.
Natsume was brought back to reality when he heard a gasp. He turned to look at Mikan, who was looking around frantically.
"Don't tell me that they left me," she murmured.
Natsume looked around and sighed. Without a second thought, he grabbed her hand. "They left us."
Before Mikan could react to what he was doing, Natsume guided her out of Central Town and made it to the bus. During the entire journey, they didn't talk but continued to hold hands. Luckily, the bus was not crowded, so no one looked at them with curious eyes. Her heart beat faster as her hand started sweating. He gave her hand a squeeze, and she looked at him in surprise. Although he was looking out of the window, she smiled at him and squeezed his hand in reply.
Since both of them were special stars, their rooms were located on the fourth floor. Mikan's room was at the end of corridor and Natsume's was at the other end. He walked her to her room. Fishing her key out, she opened the door, and at that moment, Natsume let go of her hand.
"Thank you for walking me back here," she said.
He nodded in reply. After a few minutes, he turned around and walked away, but before Natsume could walk too far, she caught his wrist. When he turned around, his left cheek met with her lips.
His eyes widened as she pulled away.
"Good night, Natsume," she whispered before closing the door.
He blinked and stared at the closed door.
Unknown to him, Mikan, who was leaning against the door, was blushing prettily.
He smirked. Taking a step closer to the door, he quietly replied, "Good night, Mikan."
After hearing those words, Mikan began to smile like crazy.

...xXx...

Just like any other day, Natsume and Mikan talked to everyone else except each other. It was such big news that the whole school knew about it. Still, all of them wondered why the leaders were not going out. It was lunch time when Youichi Hijiri approached the most popular boys and girls that gathered at one table.
"Natsume," Youichi greeted shortly.
Natsume nodded in reply.
Youichi gazed at Mikan and stared at her.
Everyone in the table realised this, but they kept quiet.
Currently, Mikan was playing with her food as she looked deep in thought. A hand stopped her movements, and she looked up and met with emerald eyes.
"Youichi?" Mikan was surprised.
Youichi smiled.
By now, the whole canteen stayed still as they watched the Best Girl and Youichi Hijiri.
"Can we talk?" Youichi asked and squeezed Mikan's hand.
She slightly tilted her head and looked into Youichi's eyes. After a few moments, she replied, "Sure."
Youichi was about to drag her out, but she placed her free hand on Youichi's hand. As he turned around to look her, Mikan smiled and turned to the girls. "I'll see you later, girls."
Holding hands, they left the silent canteen. After that, all eyes turned to look at Natsume to see his reaction, and everyone was surprised that he seemed unaffected.
Nonoko nudged Anna's arm, and Anna nudged back.
"Hotaru?" Nonoko called with a sigh.
Hotaru gave her a "what" look.
Anna frowned. "Do you know anything about this?"
Hotaru looked at the spot where they last saw Mikan and Youichi and shook her head. The girls were left with their own thoughts. Obviously, they didn't know anything about Youichi as Mikan never talked about him before.
The boys looked at Natsume anxiously. Of course, they knew about their leader's feelings towards Mikan Sakura. They were surprised when Natsume stood up suddenly and walked away from them.
"Natsume?" Ruka called out as he stood up.
The boys became more anxious as their leader didn't give any response. They looked at each other and shrugged as they didn't know what to do now.
Youichi… Natsume thought as so many questions flooded in his mind. He was walking to his Sakura Tree, but he stopped when he spotted Mikan and Youichi. They were talking in front of a Sakura Tree that was not far from his Sakura Tree. Silently, he started observing them as he, too, was curious about them. Mikan was leaning against the tree while Youichi stood at her side with an arm above her head. In everyone's eyes, they looked like a happy couple.
He didn't know what they were talking about as Mikan giggled in response. Youichi smiled and took her right hand before kissing it. She blushed. At the moment, he felt as though his heart was being stabbed by a dagger. It hurt to see the girl he liked being so close with other guys. Youichi let go her hand and caressed Mikan's left cheek, and he saw her close her eyes. Cupping her face, Youichi leaned down and kissed her closed eyes. His heart broke into pieces.
Unknown to him, the boys and the girls were behind him, watching Youichi and Mikan, too. Some of them had their jaw dropped, shocked.
He went rigid and his breath hitched at what he was seeing at the moment. That was the last thing he wanted to see, so he walked away with a broken heart. The moment he reached his room, he realised it was too late for him to get the girl he wanted for five years. Yes, he had been in love with her for 5 damn years. It took him these five long years to finally admit that he was in love with her. He cursed himself for not being able to do anything about his pride.

Chapter 1—The Popular Group Chapter 2—The Declaration Chapter 3—The Confrontation Chapter 4—The Pride: Natsume/Mikan Chapter 5—The Pride: Youichi/Mikan Next