My Candy: Chapter 9

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

A sigh escaped her lips when a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist. She knew it was her soul mate since no one but him who could touch her. While staring up at the blue sky, she leaned against his chest. When he nuzzled her neck, she giggled.
"Are you alright, Sachi?" he murmured softly. They had travelled to the next dimension, but his soul mate hadn't done anything yet. How unusual.

She sighed. "What's wrong, Kazu?"

He tightened his hold. "You're still thinking about them, aren't you?"

"Well… I would lie if I said no, so yes, I'm still thinking about them. I wonder if I did the right thing, Kazu…"

Releasing his hold, he turned her around. He then pulled her close until her forehead touched his. "You did the right thing by sealing their fate, Sachi."

"I feel like I forced them to be together…" she trailed off.

"They love each other."

She sighed. "I give up."

"Good."

After a moment of silence, they said in unison, "Destiny shall make its way to them."

An orb of light appeared at their side. He pulled away from her and held the white, hovering orb. After staring at the orb for a moment, he murmured a soft 'Go.' The orb floated higher before it shot to the sky.

...xXx...

Everyone who knew about Mikan's secret assembled at the head principal's office. Shiro had asked for their presences for an unknown reason. Akira and Mikan were sitting on the sofa side by side. As for Natsume, he was standing not far behind them. The only one who realised how Natsume looked at Mikan closely was Akira.

While watching Mikan, who was having a light conversation with Rin, Natsume pondered about the accident that happened three years ago. He still couldn't believe how Akira's fan club would attack her. Everyone who dared to attack their idol's twin sister must have lost their mind.

Akira, who seemed to know what Natsume was thinking, smiled. "I know what you're thinking at the moment."

If Akira was someone else, he might have shot him with a death glare. He raised one eyebrow at Akira.

Akira gazed at Mikan before telling him, "We don't have a perfect family like you would expect, Hyuuga. Our parents divorced when we were five."

That statement was enough to explain everything. No one knew they were twins as they did not share the same family name. Moreover, both of them only bore the slightest resemblance.

Everyone turned silent when the door creaked open. It was none other than Shiro with Narumi-sensei, who was trailing behind him.

Shiro smiled. "I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting."

It was Akira, who spoke first, "Why did you call all of us here?"

Shiro sat down at his desk. "The one who called you is not me."

Before Akira could say anything, someone piped in, "I called all of you."

Everyone turned to the source of the voice.

Mikan's eyes widened and stood up. "Y-you're Professor Yamazaki!" She blinked. "Eh? Yamazaki? Don't tell me…"

Shiro grinned when Mikan looked at him for confirmation, and Mikan gaped at him in disbelief.

"How did know about him, Mikan?" Akira asked while eyeing the grey-eyed professor cautiously. He knew that the one who was handling his twin sister's case was Professor Kajiura, not him.

While gazing at Professor Yamazaki, Mikan told him, "Professor Kajiura often speaks about him and how he was her colleague."

Professor Yamazaki offered them a small smile as he introduced himself, "My name is Hattori Yamazaki, Shiro's father."

A long pause settled in the room before all of them erupted with, "Whattttt!"

"That's impossible," Ruka muttered while staring at the professor in disbelief. No matter how he looked at him, the man before him was only in his late 40s. He had read the history of Gakuen Alice Japan that Shiro had been their head principal for a couple decades. By right, and no offence, Shiro's father should be like a grandfather, if not older.

Hotaru looked at Shiro meaningfully because she didn't know what he was planning by calling his father here. She had a vague idea about it, but she wouldn't say one word of it. Looking at her best friend, she hoped that Shiro did this for her.

Looking at their entwined hands was enough to tell her what had happened, but still…

"Details please," she commented and earned a bright blush from her best friend.

She never thought of Mikan as a liar, but she still couldn't fully believe what she told her. For someone like her who has the Invention Alice, she would never believe such things as fate or destiny. Apparently, a couple had visited her and Hyuuga. They only managed to get the girl's name: Sachi, and their last words: "Alone, I'm Fate… Together, I'm Destiny." She didn't know what role this couple played, but she had a feeling that they had good intentions because they sealed her best friend's fate with Hyuuga.

"What is your plan then?" Hotaru inquired at the end of the story.

Mikan looked at her twin brother who nodded at her. She smiled at Hotaru. "We're planning to discuss this matter with Shiro tomorrow."

But before they could inform Shiro the next day, Shiro had summoned them.

"I have heard everything from my son," Hattori began and approached Mikan. "You must be Mikan Sakura."

Mikan looked at Hattori nervously. "Y-yes. I'm Mikan Sakura."

Hattori laughed. "Don't be so frightened. I'm here to help you, child."

While reading his daily reports, someone knocked his door. Without looking up, he said, "Come in."

"You have a guest, Professor Hattori," Eri, his assistant, said with a smile.

He blinked because he didn't usually have visitors around this time. When he looked up and met a pair of golden eyes, he smiled and put the report back on his desk and stood up.

When he was about to approach and hug the silver-haired man, the man stopped him by saying, "I don't need your hug, Father."

He frowned. "Don't I have the right to hug my beloved son?"

"…"

He then gave a signal his assistant to prepare two cups of coffee. His assistant nodded before leaving the room.

"I assume you have something urgent to discuss," he started. 'If not, you wouldn't be here.'

He gestured for his son to sit down. Not long after, his assistant returned with a tray.

"Thank you, Eri."

Eri smiled in reply and left them alone.

After taking a sip of his black coffee, he spoke, "What do you need from me, Shiro?"

Shiro glanced at his father before scanning his office. Everything in his room was messy like usual. He half-wondered if all scientists were like his father.

"If you wish to ask for more of your medicine, you could have sent a letter. You don't have to come all the way here. Don't you have students to look after?" his father stated.

Shiro sighed inwardly. He may be a good principal, but he was not a good son. Unless it was really urgent, he never visited his father. He turned to his father. "I'm sorry, Father."

He ruffled his own silver locks before looking at his son's eyes. "What are you apologising for?"

His son's golden eyes told him 'Everything.'

"So? What do you need?"

His son remained quiet until he took another sip of his coffee.

"I need the cure…"

'Cure?' He blinked. "What cure are you looking for?"

"For my predicament."

"I told you the cure can be ma—"

"Please," his son interrupted him immediately.

He eyed his son carefully. "I thought you didn't mind remaining like this."

His son looked away from him. "It's not for me… It's for Mikan."

That name sounded familiar. After a few moments, he finally remembered what his colleague Kajiura told him.

"The girl who has the same predicament?" He wished to confirm it.

"Yes."

For a moment, he stared at his son before closing his eyes. From the look his son had given him, his son wouldn't back down until he got what he desired. His only child rarely asked anything even for himself. He was pretty sure that his son must have been considering his actions during the night to ask his help, too. This son of his was someone who would never asked help from anyone even from his own father if he could help it.

"I can't promise you anything, Shiro," he said honestly and opened his grey eyes. "I need to use my older brother's legacy if you don't mind."

Just for a moment, his son's golden eyes flashed with unreadable emotions. "Use it as you see fit."

"I see you really love this little girl."

His son's eyes narrowed.

He laughed. "One-sided love, huh?"

When he felt his son's glare on him, he shook his head.

"That's enough, Father," Shiro said as he looked into his father's eyes.

Hattori smiled. "Don't give me such a scary look. You know he won't be happy if you do that."

Shiro sighed and closed his eyes. "Apologies."

Everyone in the room watched them in silence.

"Ne…" Mikan started.

"What is it, child?" Hattori smiled.

"I'm sorry, but are you really Shiro's father?" Mikan asked innocently.

Shiro stiffened, and Hattori grinned. "Why child? Of course, I am." I'm his father by law.

Mikan hummed, and Akira stared at Hattori. "Why did you call all of us here?"

Hattori gazed at Akira. "You must be…"

"Akira, Akira Yukihira, Mikan's twin brother," Akira supplied as he introduced himself.

"Yes, yes. I heard from Shiro that Mikan's other half likes your blood. It was a rare case. I shall use the information for future references."

Hattori rubbed his chin and earned various looks, mostly suspicious looks. He sweat dropped and laughed nervously. "I'm sorry. I just got carried away by the situation. But, what I said earlier is not a lie." He turned to Mikan. "I'm here to help you, Mikan Sakura."

Before he could continue, someone knocked on the door.

Everyone was curious as to who would dare to interrupt their important meeting.

Mikan gasped when she saw the person who appeared behind the door. She smiled before running to the person. "Professor Kajiura!"

The woman who was in her late 30s with dark green hair and deep green eyes laughed as she hugged Mikan. "It's been a while, Mikan-chan."

Mikan broke the hug and smiled at the woman. "How have you been, Professor Kajiura?"

The woman smiled. "As you can see, I'm good. I take it that you're fine, too."

Mikan nodded with a big smile on her face. Why Professor Kajiura was here, she didn't have a clue, but she was still happy. If Professor Kajiura was here, she could rest assured that everything would be alright. She had been afraid of her other half since the accident with Natsume's fan club.

Hattori grinned. "I see that you have accepted my request, Shiina." I'm surprised. I didn't know you would accept my request.

With narrowed eyes, Shiina faked a laugh. "I wouldn't dare to refuse the opportunity to work with you again, Hattori." I won't leave you alone with my beloved Mikan.

Hattori laughed. "Oh, I'm honoured to know that. It will help me a lot." I'm truly happy you accepted my request. I mean no harm.

Everyone felt uncomfortable as both scientists maintained a glaring contest. They startled when the two began to laugh.

Hattori held out his hand. "Pleased to work with you, Professor Shiina." I give you my word. No harm will come to her.

Shiina took his hand and smiled. "Pleased to work with you, too, Professor Hattori." Prepare to lose your life if you dare to harm her.

Everyone turned dumbfounded when both scientists started exchanging news about their lives.

Hotaru meant no disrespect, but she couldn't stand watching both scientists who seemed to forget about them. She took out her baka gun and shot her only target: Mikan.

Mikan cried in pain, successfully gaining both scientists' attentions. While rubbing her head, she whined, "Why did you shoot me, Hotaru? I didn't do anything."

"It's because you didn't do anything that I shot you," she replied nonchalantly, and everyone sweat dropped.

Hotaru moved her amethyst eyes to Hattori. "Can you please tell us the reason why we're here now?"

"Eh? I didn't tell you?" Hattori answered as he was trying to throw a joke but received a death glare from Hotaru.

Shiina blinked and looked at Hattori in surprise. "You haven't told them yet?"

Hattori shook his head. "I didn't want to say it before you got here. I know how you hate being left out of the main event."

Shiina grinned. "You know me too well, Hattori. Well, what are you waiting for? Tell them before someone shoots you with her invention."

Hattori laughed and then stood side by side with Shiina. "The reason you all are gathered here is that my partner Shiina and I have found the cure to Mikan's and Shiro's predicament."

Prev Chapter 1—The Transformation Chapter 2—The Golden Cat Chapter 3—The Truth Chapter 4—The Other Half Chapter 5—The Release Chapter 6—The Silver Cat Chapter 7—The Battle of Love Chapter 8—The Seal of Fate Chapter 9—The Curse Chapter 10—The Wolf Chapter 11—The Candy Next