One out of Three :: Gakuen Alice :: Natsume Hyuuga Story :: Chapter Six || Howalon ||

"NATSU!!!"

Bam. Crash. Skid. Bang. Thud.

"QUIT IT TSUKI!"

"WHY DON'T YOU EVER PUT ON THIS DANG RIBBON?!"

"I WILL THE DAY YOU DO!"

We were arguing again. You see, if you haven't noticed, Natsume never wears the thin red ribbon that's required of the uniforms. I don't either actually, but really, he should! He should at the very least! Okay, I'm a bit of a hypocrite, but the ribbons do choke me.

"Fine. Anyway let's go Natsu! It's allowance day."

"Jotto matte!"

I turned around for a second and he grabbed the back of my shirt and dragged me onto the floor. I fell down backwards,

"What?!"

He pulled my long dark blue hair back and grabbed a brush with his free hand.

"You're a girl. Tidy up."

I never really cared what my hair would turn itself into, so I never minded.

Natsume took thee brush running it through my hair, and then he took a rubber band and tied my hair up. A side pony-tail.

"You're way too maternal for a guy."

"You're to masculine for a female."

We glared at each other and walked the rest of the way to class not facing each other.

-- Classroom B --

Natsume and I were given 300 rabbits. Being the Specials, money is given in order of ranking. I was smiling at that point, I love money, but then it faltered when I kept on thinking, That means... Mikan... is going to get... Only...

I looked over and saw Mikan with a gloomy aura standing next to Iinchou. I came around and patted her shoulder,

"It's aite! I'll share!"

I winked at her and she looked gloomier. "What's wrong?"

"It's alright Tsuki-chan... Five rabbits is enough..."

I sweatdropped. Mikan, you can't buy anything with only five...

"Ho ho ho!"

Looks like grassy is back.

Shouda shoved a wad of money in front of Mikan's face, being a three star, it consisted of 50 rabbit bills. She waved it in front of Mikan's face, then brought her hand to her mouth and laughed.

"I've been saving up! Let's go to central town!"

Her follower, and the levitater boy started to cheer, "Central! Central!"

Mikan's pigtails literally shot up, her hair can move... Her mood was changed suddenly too, "Central?! What's that?!"

Hotaru who was eating crab brains, (Oh gross) gave a short curt explanation, "It's this school's marketplace." She grabbed her spoon and took another dip.

Iinchou continued the explanation, "It's not an ordinary marketplace though! All products there were made using Alices."

"Uwahhh!"

Mikan made a sound of admiration. Then Hotaru said, "Seeing is believing. Why don't you go?" She brought the jar to her mouth and tapped the back of it with a spoon. I kind of groaned, but then laughed as she took away the jar. It left an impression around her mouth made from the rim of the jar. It left a bit of dark green around her mouth. I laughed harder at what Mikan said.

"C-could it be?! Could it be that Hotaru is asking me on a date?!"

I brought my hand to my mouth and snickered into it. Talk about weird.

Me, Iinchou, and Hotaru all waved our hands in a form of a no-way. "Not at all."

Iinchou came up with an idea then, "Ja! Why don't we all go together?"

"Honto [really]?! DOKI DOKI! I'm so excited! I can't believe we're going shopping together in Central Town! With all my friends!"

Mikan twirled as she thought of being able to shopping for her first time. Since she grew up in the country, she probably didn't know too much.

I brought my hands together in front of me and gave a short bow, "G-gomen!"

Everybody looked at me weirdly.

"I can only go if Natsu lets me."

I sweatdropped and everybody fell. Natsume was like keeping a leash on me 24/7. Ever since that incident with the mind reader, I looked over at him and the mind reader turned red and looked away. I fake cried, Natsu won't let me out of his sight! He's always stalking me somewhere...

"You go? You think a no-star can go to central town?"

The mood changed as the sensei told off Mikan. He adjusted his glasses, "Permission denied!"

Mikan's happy moments were over, she slumped over to the sensei, "W-H-Y?!"

"You're a no-star, and a complete moron who's incredibly loud. You'll just cause a commotion there!"

Mikan flailed her arms and squinted her eyes in the form of an X. "DARN YOU JIN-JIN! Why, why?!"

Then I felt the most dispicable aura and frowned. I grimaced and walked three feet away from the door.

"Now now Jinno-sensei! I feel so bad for her since she wants to go so badly! The two class representatives will also be joining her! I don't see a problem!"

Baka Narumi.

"NARUMI-SENSEI!"

Mikan leapt up and glomped him. I slapped my forehead, "Baka..."

Jinno-sensei gave a hmph, then he replied, "Hm, fine. On one condition. I'll only allow it if your partners go with you,"

"I don't mind Mikan-chan!"

I smiled at her, bringing my hands to my hips, she rejoiced and grabbed me and spun me around. I stopped her body with my Alice, I didn't enjoy being spun.

"Both parnters."

I fell. "Doushite?"

"You are too friendly with the no-star!"

I crossed my arms, and Mikan cried. I sighed and shrugged, "Oh well. Ganbayo [good luck] Mikan-chan!"

Her mind seemed to shatter. Mikan's body became completely limp and like jello. She started to flutter around, "No! My perfect shopping date!!"

--

Iinchou, Hotaru, and Mikan made some banners to even persuade Natsume. I kind of laughed nervously. All four of us approached Natsume.

"Natusme-san, Natsume-san..."

Ruka and Natsume looked up at us. Wow, Mikan-chan even added a suffix! Haha. I snickered but then I stared blankly when Mikan slammed her forehead to the ground, along with her hands. She was even going low enough to bow down to him. Mikan then shouted, "Please come to Central Town with me!"

Natsume and Ruka both looked at me, their eyes intense. I sweat dropped and made my arms form an X. It was written across my face, Gomen Natsu and Ruka! I'm not part of this!

Iinchou also knelt down, "I also request of this!"

Natsume stopped staring at me and turned over to Ruka. Indicating towards Mikan with his thumb he asked, "What kind of act is this girl putting up?" Ruka just sighed, "I don't know."

"Maa! Little miss no star just asked Natsume-kun on a date!"

Shouda was going around flaunting herself. Her little copy cat also had something to say, "Oh my! She sure doesn't know her place!"

Mikan, at the word 'date' burst. She shouted, "THAT'S NOT IT!" She then resumed the bowing pose and asked once more, "But please! Come with me!"

He glared at her. "I beg of you! Huh?"

Mikan had approached closer. That's when I also noticed what she noticed. The little boy on Natsume's lap. The boy was really young, his turquoise eyes stared at Mikan intently and she stared back. "Kawaii!! What's with this child? Is he yours?"

"I'll burn you."

I gave a nervous laugh. Not good.

"That's Hijiri Youichi. He's three years old. He's a student in Class A, attached to Natsume. He comes over to play sometimes."

Shouda clasped her hands around her face, "Natsume-kun is even more wonderful when he's taking care of a child!"

Little pink hearts fluttered about. I popped one.

Mikan knelt down closer, "A child being attached to Natsume is sure rare! Is it okay to call you You-chan? Come here!"

Then Shouda completely overlapped Mikan and landed on top of her. Her head on top of Mikan's and her arms also outstretched. "No no! Come here!" I sighed.

You-chan just stared. Mikan then said, "Such a weird child."

Ruka continued to talk, "He's in the Dangerous Ability Class with Natsume and Tsuki. So you could say Natsume softened up to him. Same with Tsuki."

I wasn't going to bother in this. If You-chan noticed me. He won't let go of me. Haha... I remember the last time... I had to take him to the bath with me... Natsume never forgave You-chan for that... Haha... Oh and there was that time where You-chan followed me to the girl's locker room. My bed. My room. Everywhere... Thank god he hasn't noticed me yet.

Truth be told, I was kind of facing my back to them. Looking out the window, trying not to catch any attention.

I looked back a second and I noticed that Shouda's and Mikan's face were almost plastered in front of You-chan. Only about 4 inches apart.

The little boy then said, "Baka."

Then Natsume said, "Ugly."

Then You-chan said, "Ugly."

Then Natsume said, "Stay away ape girls."

Then You-chan said, "Stay away ape girls."

I sighed when I heard this. I thought this would be coming. Now do you see why being NOT called ugly is complimentive enough?

Shouda was crying and Mikan rose, "Natsume! What are you teaching this child?!"

I shrugged and walked over towards the little boy. His eyes sparkled at the sight of me and struggled in Natsume's grip. You-chan rose his hands at me, "Gorgeous!"

He waved them everywhere, and I sighed and picked him up from Natsume's lap. Then Natsume replied to Mikan's comment, "Teaching him good taste."

I sweat dropped. You-chan was glomping me, digging his face into my shoulders. Then Mikan walked over towards where I was with You.

"You-chan! You can't stay with Natsume! He's a guy with bad influence."
Oh no. "Jotto matte Mikan-chan! Don't talk bad things in front of--"

Too late. Mikan tried to pluck him from my arms, and the boy of course wasn't going to let go. His grip fastened likea seatbelt around me and he glared at Mikan. Then Ruka continuced his explanation, "Oh. I forgot to mention..."

Then an evil aura emitted from You-chan and spread across the room. Sending dead spirits everywhere. Shouda and Mikan screamed like they'd seen hell.

"He has the evil spirits Alice."

I laughed as I watched Mikan being chased around by evil spirits. I then patted You-chan's back and whispered, "It's okay. I'm not going to let go You-chan."

Natsume then retorted. "Che! You only act feminine around Youichi." He then looked away and snorted.

An anime vein popped on my forehead. "Thank you Natsume. I'm sorry for not being feminine."

Mikan fainted by that time. You-chan sneezed and the spirits stopped haunting Mikan. I smiled at You-chan, and he grabbed my cheeks.

Natsume stood up and patted Youichi's head and ruffled his hair. I smiled at Youichi. Mikan started to slowly rise from the deathplace, "W-what and i-incredible child...."

Natsume and I were both smiling at Youichi and Mikan gasped for a second. Right. I'm pretty sure Mikan has never seen Natsume smile...

His smile faltered though. When Youichi grabbed my hair and Natsume's shirt. We both looked at him. "Hm?"

Then his baby fingers pointed to the signs that Mikan had drawn earlier. One had Central Town written on it. Ruka then said, "Looks like he wants to go to Central Town."

You-chan then started to sparkle his eyes and make his puppy face at me. I've become so used to it I'm pretty much immune, but... Natsume... He looked at Youichi intently. There was this cute baby family aura coming from us. Not particularly me because I was trying to look away and avoid this feeling. Same with Ruka, he had been inching away from Natsume. This seemed to be like Natsume's and Youichi's 'moment'. Everybody else had also walked away from the intense atmosphere.

--

"Thank goodness Natsume-san decided to go to Central Town with you Mikan-chan! He let Hiyoto-san go as well!"

Iinchou was sitting next to Hotaru. She said, "In exchange of being his gopher...."

"Hello... Would anybody like ice cream?" Mikan was actually being Natsume's servant for the whole bus ride and more. I sighed and slumped down on my seat.

The levitater started to talk, "Oh! I want one! WAIT! That's chocolate?! I only eat Vanilla!"

He rose in an uproar and then Shouda headbutted Mikan and added, "I want strawberry~"

I was in the seat in front of Levitater boy. I was sitting three in a seat between Ruka and Natsume with Youichi on my lap. He wouldn't let go.

Ruka was just looking at Mikan being trashed and Natsume had a comic book over his face. Letting one hand go off me, Youichi tugged at Mikan. I tried to use this chance to escape You-chan's grip, but he swiftly turned his head around and glared. I laughed nervously and let go of his hand. You-chan then resumed his gaze at Mikan, "Massage my shoulders and my back."

Mikan was crying, I said, "Gomen Mikan-chan! You-chan is really stubborn..."

She then pumped her fist, "I'll try my best if it's for Central Town!"

--- Central Town ---

We all stepped off the bus. I was trying to be carefuly with Youichi who was being carried in my arms. It was quite tiring actually. When I had hopped off, Natsume and Ruka helped me down from the steps. Then I heard Mikan shout, "Woahh! This is Central Town?!" She was literally jumping our of her place. Hotaru waved her hand, "Calm down."

"YOSHI! I'M going to a ton of shopping!"

Mikan officially announced it, but I sweat dropped beacuse I knew she couldn't do that with just five rabbits.

--

We had entered a shop. It sold mutltiple things and I placed Youichi on the ground and Natsume and I looked over him as he shuffled around playing with things.

"Sugoii sugoi!"

I heard Mikan's loud comments. "Everything is so amazing!"

Mikan went around touching and trying out everything. Finally realizing, after playing with talking mechanical pencils, that everything was created by Alices.

I noticed what Youichi was writing and knelt down. "Who's that directed at?"

Then the letters popped up and circled around Mikan shouting, "Aho! Aho! [Idiot]"

I laughed. She looked at Youichi and made a face, "You-chan..."

--

Mikan eventually realized that the shops were too expensive for her and finally left.

--

Youichi was in Ruka's arms right now holding a box of Howalon. I was standing next to him staring at Natsume who was busy dozing off. The mind reader came around and dug his hands in the box and took one out, "Thanks for the food!" But You-chan was busy calling Mikan an Aho. She heard and became enraged, "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"

I sighed, Honestly, how does somebody become broke in a blink of an eye? Mikan had lost all her money due to saving a talking apple from being eaten. What a baka.

Youichi was busy feeding Ruka by that time with the Howalon. Natsume was standing next to me and Ruka at that time too, but he wasn't going to take any. Then Youichi put some in his mouth. He was so cute. But then he did something funny. He didn't stuff all of it in completely. Then with his finger he motioned me over. I looked at him and bent down a bit. "Hm?" Then Youichi went full frontal. He placed his three year old lips on top of mine. The howalon that was sticking out stuck to my mouth. This was cute an all, but I just had my first kiss with a three year old... The howalon was sweet, and so was Youichi. His eyes sparkled and he said, "Like?" I had to smile, but I secretly sweat dropped. "You're very cute You-chan."

I felt flames around me though. I noticed that Ruka and Natsume were flaming. Being dense I just shrugged it off, they were probably burning up because of the sunlight. They can't be mad at a three year old right?

But Ruka jerked Youichi away and faced another direction. When Natsume ruffled his hair before leaving, he did it kind of harshly, like a noogie.
I laughed nervously and then looked into the box again. There was one more piece. Then Mikan approached us, "What's that candy?"

Then her eyes dazzled when she looked at it. "It looks so good...!"

Ruka looked too flustered to say anything so I had to explain, "This is 'Howalon'. The number one product Central Town is famous for. It's a really popular candy."

I pointed towards the shop which was practically engulfed with people. Then Ruka came in,

"It's kind chewy, light, and delicious. Like a marshmallow."

Mikan had a light pink ambience around her. All fluttery. Then the mind reader continued it, "It has a milky taste when you taste it as it melts in your mouth. It makes you feel good and happy."

Then I placed a finger to my lips, "It's really soft. It feels like eating cotton candy though, even if it's chewy. But the taste leaves more sugar and it's more milky."

Mikan then started drooling. Ruka and I both said, "You-chan. You still have one left, why don't you let her try it too?"

Youichi reached out his hand towards the box and took the last one out.He stared at it for a second, then stuck it out at Mikan. She clasped her hands together and sparkled, "Honto?! Really? You're giving that to me?! You're such a good boy You-chan!"

Ruka and I watched as Mikan opened her mouth, seriously wide at the Howalon. But... Youichi raised his hand in the air and Mikan followed the motion. Then You-chan waved his left, and Mikan's mouth followed. Then he lowered it. Then he drew it left. And basically it was going in circles now, his hand and Mikan's face. Then Youichi splatted it intomy mouth with his hand. I accidentally swallowed. Mikan's swirling motions slowed down. I laughed nervously and said, "G-gomen Mikan-chan... You-chan is stubborn..." Tears burst through her and she literally pouring buckets of them.

Ruka just stared, but smiled at me. The mind reader started snickering.

--

Mikan was thrashing around drooling, "I want one Tsuki-chan! I want one Ruka-pyon!"

We both turned around to look at the shop, "I'd say the smalled box is 10 rabbits."

Mikan turned pale white.

Hotaru and Iinchou crept up towards Mikan and said, "We can lend you money!" Hotaru then added, "With interest of course..."

She was about to say thank you. But she stopped suddenly and started to say stuff about understanding her grandpa... Then she finally shouted, "I'll get Howalon with my own strength and earned money!"

I smiled.

--

First Mikan opened up a Massaging Shop, but it soon closed down when her first request came from a huge buff man.

Her second shop was shoe shining. But that also came to a stop when her first customer was Piyo with a gigantic shoe that was fifty times larger than Mikan herself.

--

"I've been crushed and lost confidence in myself!"

Mikan was crying her eyes out, I tried my best to comfort her. Iinchou told her to just give up and save up for next time. Then Hotaru said "If there is a next time."

Mikan burst saying she wanted some now. It got to the point where it was annoying. I groaned and was going to by it myself but a loud crowd interrupted us. There was a performer in a panda suit and that gave Mikan a 'perfect' idea.

--

Natsume and I were leaning against a wall. We left Ruka in charge of Youichi, him and the mind reader came around carrying twigs and handed them to Mikan.

"Alright, here are the things you asked for."

Mikan stuck her hands out and said, "Sorry about that. And thanks You-chan."

She grabbed the sticks and rose them in the air, "I CAN MAKE MONEY WITH THESE! A WHOLE 10 RABBITS!"

We all looked at her with curiosity.

"Iinchou! I expect you to create that atmosphere I asked for before!"

He nodded at Mikan. She started to cheer.

I then heard Natsume give a hmph. I looked at him, but he was busy glaring at Mikan.

--

The mind reader started to whistle his bird whistle, "We'll be starting our show now! "The Little Match Girl Mikan!"

The standbyers and people were noticing the commotion and stopped by to check out what Mikan had planned.

Ruka walked across the "stage" [floor actually... Ground is a better term] with a sign covering his face and Youichi tagging along with a peace sign.

The crowd started to murmur,
"The match girl?"
"That boy is so kawaii!"
"What's all this about?"
"This looks interesting..."

Youichi came out again and sat on the ground with the sign.

"He's so cute!"
"How adorable!"
"Cute!"
"Kawaii!"

The scene turned intense as a snow storm brew. It was actually Iinchou's illusions. He was sitting down working hard.

Mikan started to slowly appear and talked, "It was a cold cold evening during a blizzard,"
"it's the no star."
"The no star alright..."

"I'm the little match girl! . . . Will anyone buy a match from me? At this rate! If I return home without selling a single match, I won't have food and my cruel aunt will...!"

Hotaru popped up, with a purple bandana wrapped around her hair she pointed a gun at Mikan and shot it. A pink fist flew around charging at Mikan. The snow scene disappeared as Mikan tried her best avoiding it but it slammed her down.

The crowd started to laugh,
"So it wasn't a drama!"
"It was comedy after all!"
"Haha!"
"This is so funny!"

This actually was funny. Mikan looked ridiculous.

The snow scene returened and Ruka and the mind reader walked out with 'windows' that displayed 'people'. She started to walk around and talk, "And inside these windows people seem to be really enjoying themselves... And are smiling... The smiles... And I'm alone this evening." Then Youichi walked out kind of late with a mini window. Mikan continued to talk. "Oh even this tiny window!"

"Please God! I beg of you! Grant me the little bit of happiness that warms my heart! -- OH even this HUGE WINDOW! It's gonna fall it's gonna fall! Stay away from me---!"

Too late, the mind reader and Ruka's grip slipped and it slammed on top of Mikan.

"Talk about a huge change in atmosphere!"

The crowd was literally bursting in laughter. They were laughing their heads off in a boistrous uproar.

Mikan continued and talked about how she needed to light the little match she had to warm herself from this freezing weather. While Iinchou was busy making the weather, I touched Iinchou's shoulder and used his illusions to make Mikan's match light up. It was a small light and the crowd seemed to awe.

"A fire place... A warm place. I'm beginning to feel so happy like my heart is warmin-- huh?!"

I slapped my forehead cause Youichi walked onto the stage and blew out Mikan's light. The scene changed to the normal background again and the crowd laughed hysterically. Mikan started to panic, "You-chan! You can't be here right now! Leave!"

She then started to nudge Youichi away, and I knew what was going to happen. Youichi made a pouty face and evil spirits flowed out. They started chasing Mikan, "GOMEN GOMEN! I WAS WRONG! MERCY! PLEASE STOP!"

The crowd definately thought it was comedy by now.

The spirits were hugging Mikan, they were tickling her, she was laughing. But you could see the pain and terror streaked across her face.

She lashed backwards and was about to whip out her match, "See if you can take this! Begone!"

Then I heard movement and I saw Natsume point at the match. It burst into flames.

"KYA!!!"

Mikan flailed around panicking. The crowd was laughing.

She waved it everywhere, "OHMIGOD! IT'S REAL FIRE! FIRE FIRE!"

Then a pour of water shot out at her. Youichi stopped by this time.

"Now I'm soaked head to toe..."

Mikan was drenched. Then Hotaru rode out on her elephant mobile that shot out water, "I am the cruel aunt after all. You have to go through this all the time, right?"

I noticed that even Shouda and her partner were even laughing by now.

Mikan shook her head and stuck out the match again. I tried my best to recreate the same light. But then I accidentally messed up cause fire spouted instead.

"What the--?"

I turned around and Natsume had placed his head on my shoulders. "GOMEN MIKAN!"

I shouted over to her as she repeated the steps of the fire. I flicked Natsume on the forehead, he rubbed it, "Itte..."

Then Mikan fainted, and the audience was in an uproar. I guess it was successful in the end as a comedy.

--

We were all gathered around except Natsume, who was resting under a tree. Mikan started to hand out her howalon to everybody. "Minna! Thanks for your cooperation!"

I asked if I could have two. She said sure, and I carried it over to where Natsume was resting. He was busy reading a comic book. With the back of my hand I whacked his head, "Baka!" He looked up and glared for a second but softened quickly and patted the seat next to him. I sat down and stretched my limbs, "Good day, right?"

"Hn."

"Neh, Natsu close your eyes."

He looked at me weirdly, all red and blushy. Baka I'm not gonna do anything like that. But he closed them anyway.

Then I shoved the Howalon in his mouth and he almost gagged. I laughed at his action, and he looked real mad at me. I sighed and tugged his ear so his face was close.

I gave a light kiss on the side of his cheek and his eyes looked blank.

Then I smiled, "That's what you really wanted, right? You're such a perv."

He was tinted red, but he didn't say anything, so I was about to get up and go but he tugged me right back down.

Then he leaned sideways and smiled, "Yeah. Thanks."

I smiled back, This is so not like you Natsu. I want to tell you. I want to tell you the truth. But... I looked up at the sky through the trees, "I can't say it now..."

Natsume looked at me weird. "Baka." Is what he said and then he held my hand and tugged me right up.

--Natsume's POV--

Tsuki... I want to tell you. I want to tell you everything. That's not like me though. I stared again at the smiling girl next to me. The one I loved before even now, the one who forgot me completely... But I can't... I... I filled your head with such bad memories... I cause something bad. And now you don't know of your past memories at all... I don't deserve you. At all.

I sighed, looking at the ground, but then Tsuki lightly bumped into me, "Weirdo. Stop sulking." She hit me lightly and laughed. She never laughed like this when she was little. I started to think for a second, maybe it was good she forgot everything.... Maybe... But she had forgotten him as well, and their childhood.I grimaced at that, but then there was the fire... She forgot about that, andI sighed in relief.

We were heading towards the busses. I tug at her tied up hair and dragged her up, I pulled her hair so that her head tilted backwards and now her view was an upside down me. "What?"

I leaned forward and smirked, "Baka." She pouted. "I'm doing your hair tomorrow too Tsuki."

She was about to throw a fist at me and flip me over, but I caught it and dragged her to sit next to me.