Mikan's red and puffy eyes stare at the ground where Hotaru and Akako were just a moment. Her legs give out beneath her, Ruka calling out to her in concern and running to her side. He wraps his arms around the brunette, holding her while her trembling hand slowly grips tightly to his sweater. The boy was her anchor in this nightmarish scenario that Mikan wished it was. She prayed with all her heart that this was a nightmare. One of the nightmares that she had from the constant worry she held for her sister's livelihood.
Mikan closes her eyes and burrows her face into his shoulder, his body heat reminding her that she was stuck in this reality.
Mikan couldn't pinch herself awake.
When her brown eyes opened again, she wouldn't be welcomed by Akako's worried gaze above her on their bed. Akako would not be there to soothe her back to sleep and cuddle with her, reminding Mikan that she wasn't alone.
Ruka feels Mikan's hot tears soaking into his uniform as well as his own tears that drip onto her hair. He looks over to Natsume's unconscious body while dreading the moment the boy would awaken. His best friend had just left him, trying to make a noble sacrifice for them but all the boy could feel was pain and anguish. Something else burned deep inside of Ruka despite the aching and longing that tugged his soul to and fro.
Anger.
An anger so faint yet it's presence spoke volumes in the silence of his gloomy soul. Different thoughts ran through his mind, wondering why she did it. Akako could have escaped with Mikan... but she would have lost Natsume in the process. She could have escaped and forgotten about them all, living her life free of the academy. She wouldn't have had to give her life to save them, she would be alive and smiling with Mikan. Though these thoughts paced back and forth within Ruka's mind but the shadows of truth that he knew remained.
Ruka grits his teeth, shaking his head because he knew that Akako would never do that. She would never allow Natsume to die. Akako would never be able to forget the place that he holds in her heart and would never be able to erase the mark he's engraved into her soul. Something would always be missing.
Thinking about that infuriated Ruka.
Akako saved Natsume because she wouldn't have been able to forget how special he was to her but the blond wondered if she ever thought of how her actions would affect others. Just as she couldn't do that with Natsume, many others would not be able to do that with her. Did she forget how bright she made their days? Did she forget ow she was a light for Mikan as well as himself and Natsume?
That they wanted to save her?
Mikan's head slowly begins falling forward. Her grip on Ruka quickly loosens as gravity welcomes her unconscious body. Everyone around panics when her eyes slowly close but Tsubasa assures them that she only fainted after examining the girl. Ruka keeps ahold of her, not wanting to let her go. Just as he did for her, Mikan was the only thing keeping Ruka grounded right now.
Across the hallway, Luna continues to hold the principal's body in her arms. She had witnessed the last breaths of her best friends daughter. The sight had caused a tremendous surge of guilt to travel through her veins. It rushes throughout her body like a sudden blizzard attacking a summer day.
Soon, a pair of navy blue pants takes over her view. Her blue eyes skim upwards, taking in the familiar suit until she's met with the face of the high school principal. His slightly red nose and rosy cheeks stood out against his porcelain skin, indicating that he too had just finished crying.
He looks down in the woman with detached eyes as he tries to be calm and take care of the situation at hand. It troubled his heart to see Akako pass as she did. He could only see his brother in her, wondering if that's how his final moments were. The uncle could not afford to lose himself anymore than he already had and needed to take care of the remaining business.
"Luna." His voice hoarse voice speaks, "What do you plan to do...? This person has a lot of enemies. Leaving the academy together... Taking him along with you, using your Alice and watching him die- even to obey the pact you made with your own life... I can promise that you two will leave in exchange for you two never having a relationship with this academy ever again." He states. He inhales, assessing the situation before saying his thoughts, "But you- if I'm not wrong- your body has also begun to regress due to the excessive amount of guliver candy that you consumed?"
Her silence was answer enough.
"Before it's too late, you should begin treatment under the research department." The man suggests while Shiki and Jinno come to his side. "Otherwise- after watching the elementary principal die- if you don't take certain measures, you will change into a child alone. Worst case scenario: you will suffer the same fate as the elementary school principal."
Luna absorbs his words, taking her inevitable fate into consideration as soft tears fell from her eyes.
"You will be different from the principal. There won't be anyone to protect you in this world full of enemies and nobody will watch you leave this world. You will be alone." Yukihira warns the woman.
After a moment of silence, a tender smile caresses Luna's face. "High school principal...Shiki-San and Sensei.... To say such kind words to someone like me... I'm very grateful." She looks up at the three men before turning back down towards the man in her arms. "Since I'm in this state now, I'm the only one who can share his loneliness and pain... I plan to accept your fate for the future." Luna reveals. The men keep their eyes on her, watching the now introspective girl take responsibility for her past actions. "I will be able to keep my promise. By accepting this fate, he won't be alone."
Her eyes travel to Mikan who lays in Ruka's arms, surrounded by her beloved friends. Narumi teleported into the hallway and now rushes towards the brunette, unknowing of the tragedy that has taken place.
Luna continues, "Although it might be too late... I want to continue Sensei and Yuka's will. Yuka struggles to accomplish it and regrettably left... I hope to use my power to eliminate the clones of the principal that remain. This is my reason for living. As long as I have this goal that Yuka left for me... I will be able to use my Alice proudly. And to continue living."
Luna turns her forlorn eyes to Mikan who has slowly begun to awaken in Ruka's arms once again.
"Sakura-San..." she whispers to Mikan, "I'm sorry."
"And thank you."
///
A week has passed since Hotaru and her brother disappeared with Akako. No one had heard anything or gotten any updates on on the situation, raising the anxiety of both the teachers and students.
At the moment, many students are gathered in Elementary Class B. A melancholic atmosphere hangs in the room, weighing everyone down as they prepare for the decision that the Board has come to.
Ruka sits in his seat, looking off to his left where three people were missing. Natsume was still in recovery, much to Ruka's relief because he wasn't yet ready to witness his reaction to Akako's death. As he stares at the sad lonely wooden bench, Ruka recalls Mikan's first official day as an Alice: when she was announced as his partner.
He remembers watching Mikan walk down the aisle, stumbling about from shock after being told that he was her partner. He, himself, was not too thrilled about the news. It meant that the "fan club" would try even harder to "stake their claim" yet... Ruka was curious of the girl. After all, she was Akako's sister that the blonde admired and spoke so highly of. Ruka had grown fond of Mikan before falling deeply in love with her dazzling smile and optimistic yet determined self. Thinking of the fact that she might leave... it tore at his soul.
"What will happen to Mikan in today's meeting?" Yuu frowns, staring down at the ground. "Does she really have to leave the academy...?"
Sumire shakes her head, wiping away the continuous tears that fall from her eyes, "After so many problems, the academy will face many changes. Besides, Akako and Hotaru haven't come back yet." She hiccups, "Because of her total loss of Alice, Even if the ESP is dead and with the changes if the academy, to change the fundamental of the academy is not that easy or simple." Sumire explains, others moods dropping even more as they realize there isn't anything to be done.
A silent boy speaks from the corner of the room, "The teachers and principals are already dealing with the aftermath of everything. Not only that, the worst situation may happen." Benjiro tells the students. Eyes turn towards him, eager to know what information the boy had that could give any intel. "Mikan... is different than others who were forced to drop out... she's an exceptional case. Mikan's birth and existence is too deeply interconnected with the Academy's central management. This reason might also impact her future..."
Ruka spins around to face Benjiro when she says that. "What do you know? Benjiro-Kun, what has Shiki-San told you?" He grabs the boy's collar, pulling him forward.
The white haired boy stares at the boy empathetically, "Gomene. I don't know anything. This is just from my observations... I can only guess..."
Ruka's eyes widen, 'Mikan...!'
///
Mikan walks down the hall with her head held high. The tapping of her shoes hitting the floor is the only sound to comfort her as she prepares to enter the room where teachers and principals await her. She looks straight ahead, smile nowhere to be found as she witnesses Akako jogging in front of her while rambling on about Koko doing something she didn't like again.
With a blink, she's gone.
Mikan has been so worried about Akako and Hotaru, the two girls filling her every thought since they left.
Her hand reaches out for the door knob, turning it and watching the door swing open to reveal everyone. Her uncle sits in the center with Shiki and Jinno at his sides. Many other teachers fill the room, all eyes turning towards the girl as she takes her first step inside.
"Mikan." The high school principal speaks, "regarding you, who lost your Alice, we have to tell you our decision on what will happen in the future." Yukihira pauses, preparing himself for the words he has to say. "Mikan. After all the preparation work is done, your memories of the Academy will be erased. After leaving the academy, under the protection of the middle school principal's barrier, you will return to your grandfather and the life you had before."
Everyone is silent. Mikan's eyes widen as she stares at them, processing what her uncle had just said.
"My memories... erased..." she mutters. It takes a moment but tears begin filling her eyes, "Why even my memories...? When you say memories, you mean all my memories from my time here?! All of them will be gone?!" Mikan shouts, "If so, then even the memories of my dad and my mom... Akako and everyone...!"
'...believe and wait for us...'
"No..." Mikan brings her hands to her face, sobbing into her hands, "NOO!" She shrieks, not wanting to lose her memories of her time here. Her happy memories with everyone she loved... "Don't take my memory of everyone!" Mikan begs, "don't remove my memory of everyone important to me!"
All the teachers in the room watch in shock at the girls outburst, overwhelmed by her desperation to keep her memory of those she loved.
The girl makes a dash for her uncle, throwing her small body at him. She grips his suit tightly, staring up at him with her teary brown eyes. "I'll do anything! Please, just don't take my memories away from me! I beg you!" Mikan cries, "How can I forget my time here with everyone?! What... what about Akako...?" The girl's legs become weak, "Will I forget that Akako..."
'No...' the girl's heart clenches, not wanting to forget Akako's smile at the academy, 'if I leave... I won't be able to keep my promise to Hotaru!'
Mikan buries her face into her Uncle's suit, "Please!"
Narumi walks up behind the girl, releasing pheromones which results in her legs giving out. She becomes drowsy, falling into his arms while the man holds her tenderly.
"You can take it slowly... but I hope you understand everyone's thinking." Narumi whispers to the girl. He watches a few stray tears fall from her closed eyes, "Everyone treasures you a lot..."
The blond man holds her tenderly, with such affection that to any other party, it may have looked like a father consoling his daughter. Narumi couldn't fathom the inner turmoil that swirled within Mikan... she had lost her whole family and she was about to be forced to forget about her parents she never knew about as well as the death of her sister. She was going to forget about her dearest friends as well as her love...
But this was for Mikan's safety. They couldn't keep a non-Alice within the academy and people out in the world might go to extreme lengths to acquire her memories. They might resort to hurting Mikan or those she loved in order to learn the secrets from within the academy.
"The method of removing partial memories is very complicated. Even if it's done by an expert Alice user, it may result in a burden too heavy on your brain that is not fully developed." Narumi mumbles to the girl whose golden eyes slowly open. "Even if it poses a threat and harm to your body, even if it's a difficult decision, we still feel that erasing your memory is the safest way." Narumi raises his hand, running it along Mikan's head in an attempt to give her any type of comfort. "Trying to have you live in the academy without an Alice... all the principals tried to think of many different ways until the very end but.. We face a new wave on the academy reform, now standing with the position to protect all students. We're unable to accomplish the goal in keeping you in the end... I hope you can forgive me, Mikan-Chan."
Her heart aches. It seems to never stop doing that. Mikan's fist grips Narumi's suit tightly as pain flows throughout her body. She knew that everyone indeed tried their hardest and looked at the situation from every which way. Knowing that they tried so hard.... It made her feel even worse. Because it meant that there was truly no way that she could stay at the academy.
///
Mikan enters the classroom, her usual grin making home in her face as she greets all of her friends. Smiles fill the room at the sight of Mikan's joyful expression. Many students jump from their seats, all darting towards the girl while enveloping her in hugs for it had been four long and excruciating months since she had been in the classroom with them.
Ruka makes his way to the door, prepares to enter the classroom when he hears the commotion. Curious eyes watch the crowd of his classmates all gather and excitedly babble about the topic of attention. His curiosity is erased when his eyes meet hers, Ruka's heart setting off fireworks of joy when she calls out his name over the crowd.
"Ruka-Pyon!" Mikan uses her arms to gently move people aside, wanting to get to him as quickly as possible. Ruka runs to the edge of the crowd, opening his arms when Mikan reaches the end and allowing the girl to launch herself into his embrace. She leans away, giving him her best smile as she relishes the normality and comfort she felt being back in the classroom. "I'm back!" Her voice jingles throughout the air, ridding Ruka's world of the dark grey clouds that had slowly began filling the sky.
'She hasn't changed a bit.' Ruka admires the glowing girl before him. 'She's back with us... with her smile that shines brighter than the sun. Therefore, we should all smile too. No matter how much more time we have with one another...' Ruka reaches forward and places his forehead against Mikan's startling the girl. She looks at him, unknowing of what he was trying to do but his loving smile creates a rainbow that shines over her heart.
"Welcome back!" Ruka grins.
This wasn't the first time Ruka had seen Mikan since the incident but this was indeed the first time that he had gotten to speak to her. He had seen her before but that was when...
"Natsume!" Mikan looks over Ruka's shoulder, greeting the boy who had entered behind the blond. Ruka turns around, watching Natsume stand in the doorway with his hands in his pockets as usual.
A gentle, faint smile comes to the boys face. Ruka watches him closely, he could tell that Natsume was glad to see Mikan in the classroom but... the agony and despair that lurked beneath the surface of his eyes was as obvious as a blinding billboard with lights to everyone. Though he tried very hard... This was as difficult for Natsume as any of the others, it was a pain he couldn't describe.
::
Natsume's recovery took eight days, which was way longer than expected due to the fact that Subaru was somewhere traveling in time with Hotaru. The other Healers worked day and night to repair all of his internal damage that Akako had tried fixing. Although the girl had stopped his bleeding and healed the stab wound, they needed to heal each and every tear from the wound inside his body to prevent any future mishaps that could cause him internal bleeding. That itself took four days, the rest of the time was Natsume healing on his own as his body adjusted to such major changes happening to it.
He began stirring on the eight day which caused nurses to call for the principals as well as Narumi-Sensei. Even Toni and Tsubasa were there because they had taken the boy under their wing and wanted to be present. Ruka, who had been by Natsume's side as much as he could, was ready for the boy to wake up. Although... he was shaken at the thought of how Natsume would react. His scarlet eyes peek open, blinking and flinching at the bright white light that shone down upon him.
"Natsume!" Ruka jumps from his seat, trying to get in his vision that way he wouldn't be too worried. Narumi takes a step forward as well, worries for the health of the boy, "Natsume, can you hear us?"
The raven haired boy looks around at the people in the room before his body shoots upright, startling them. Now fully awake, his wild and panic filled eyes dart around the room, searching for any enemies and the principal.
"What happened? Why am I here? The principal.... Where are the twins?! Have they already escaped?" One question after the other rolls off his tongue. Ruka places his hand on Natsume's shoulder, taking notice of how he's gotten a little skinnier from lying in bed for over a week. "Natsume, calm down. Take a deep breath." He tries to soothe the fire user.
Natsume looks into Ruka's eyes, noticing something. Something was hidden in Ruka's expressive eyes that always told Natsume everything.
"...How long have I been out?"
Everyone seems to lose their voice for a moment, causing Natsume to look around in anticipation. Finally, Narumi finds the courage to speak, "You've been unconscious for eight days."
His vision distorts. It seems like the vision Natsume was seeing before him was cracking like someone had taken a hammer and hit the world. His body says down, realizing that by now, many things must have happened. "So the twins... they've escaped...?" He mutters, "The principal, is he still...?"
"The principal is no more. He is gone." Yukihira-San assures the boy. Hearing this, Natsume's body is released of the stress that had burdened his soul for years. Yōichi and everyone would never suffer from the principal which brought a wind of relief to Natsume.
"Although the matter of the twins... is another story."
Those were not comforting words. Natsume hasn't gotten the chance to take Akako from the school or see her out, hearing those words brought all of the worst scenarios to Natsume's mind. "What do you mean?" He clenches his fists, preparing himself. Ruka's face falls to the floor, the action causing anxiety to fill him to the brim. What could have possibly happened to the twins if the ESP was gone?
"Natsume..." Narumi exhales. He and everyone began to prepare for what was to come.
Natsume watches Narumi's mouth move but a ringing fills his ears. His body seems to freeze, afraid to move from the fear that if he did, hi might just crumble away and cease to exist.
"What did you say?" He breathes, swallowing the lump in his throat though his mouth felt like it was full of cotton balls.
"Natsume. Akako.... She's gone."
'Gone? Like "she's left the academy" kind of gone? She's left with Mikan?' Natsume tries thinking of any type scenario except the one that he knew true deep in his heart. He looks towards Ruka for any hint but all the air leaves his body at the sight of tears streaming down Ruka's face.
Natsume couldn't hear anything. Whatever Marumi was saying sounded like background noise as the boy is crushed by the reality of what has happened. He didn't focus on the part where Narumi said "she did it for everyone" and he didn't care that "she was happy at the end" because that wasn't Akako. There was no way that Akako was dead. The both of them were supposed to grow up and live together and always be bickering. The girl that passed wasn't Akako because she was supposed to be alive.
Natsume reaches for the IV in his arm and pulls it out, concerning everyone. Tsubasa steps forward, calling out for the boy while urging him to lay back down. Natsume slaps the shadow user's hand away, head lowered.
"Shut up. I'm going to see her."
Tsubasa hesitates, feeling a few tears fill his eyes as well. "Natsume, you can't. Akako-!"
"You're lying." Natsume's eyes glare up at the crowd, a ferocious gaze that breaks their heart. No matter how much passion he held in his eyes, it couldn't mask the despair that swirled within his soul. "Akako said we'd be together forever, she doesn't break her promises. Akako isn't dead!" Natsume tries getting out of the bed but Tsubasa and Ruka jump forward to try and calm the boy.
"Natsume, please-!" Ruka cries but Natsume shakes the blond off and tries to crawl out of the bed. Tsubasa wraps his arms around Natsume's waist in an attempt to hold him down on the bed but the boy isn't having it. Natsume tries crawling away, even resorting to hitting Tsubasa on his back to get him to let go.
"Let go! I'm going to see Akako!" Natsume growls at him, pushing him away. Others begin yelling but all of the commotion stops when a voice calls out his name.
All eyes turn towards the doorway where Mikan stands, watching the scene. Her eyes lock on to the disheveled and weak Natsume who was trapped within Tsubasa's arms. His red eyes meet her own and he pauses.
A nurse runs up behind Mikan, panting as she leans on the doorframe. "Forgive me principal, she ran past me even when I told her she couldn't come here!" The lady apologizes but Mikan still enters the room, not looking at anyone else.
"Mikan." Natsume whispers, everyone watching as she makes her way across the room towards the boy. Mikan stops in front of the bed while Tsubasa moves to the side, allowing the two to properly face one another. Mikan takes notice of Natsume's slightly pale skin as well as the fact that he had lost some weight. It saddened her to see her friend in this state. And the fact that as soon as he woke up, they told him about Akako... it made Mikan question their thought process.
She pushes those thoughts aside for now, simply staring at the boy in front of her. Natsume looks into her eyes and that's when he knew it was true. Something inside of Mikan was missing.... And he could see it clear as day. She reaches forward, wrapping her arms around his neck while he simply sits there. He can't find the energy to hug her as a wave of misery fills his small body. Tears fall from his eyes without his permission and his heart felt as though it were being repeatedly beaten by a hammer made of glass shards. His hands grip the back of Mikan's uniform and eyes shut tightly. He grips Mikan as though she were Akako....
Natsume was giving his final goodbye to Akako. The goodbye they never got to have when she was to leave the academy. He was giving her the hug like when she left for Gakuen Alice. He was giving her the hug that he should have given her that one time when they were at central town... or that time when she lost her memory. This was the hug he was supposed to give her after the New Years party. This was Natsume making up for all the times he didn't hug her when he should have.
He was going to make up for all of it when he graduated and met her again on the outside... and now he never would. He would never get to hug Akako for the last time or say "I love you" one more time. He wouldn't get to see her expressive face when he made her happy or annoyed her... he wouldn't be able to see her cheeks flare up when she gets embarrassed or witness her smile anymore.
"Natsume!" Her cheeky voice filled his head as he saw her standing before him, giving him her usual cheeky smile when she was going to annoy him.
"Akako..." he whimpers.