*Love doesn't make the world go round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile.
"Hey, did you hear?"
"Where are they?"
"What class are they in?"
Murmurs and excited whispers from the other students echoed across the corridors as Mikan, Hotaru, Anna, Nonoko and Sumire passed through. They saw a group of girls giggling and squealing who immediately ran off towards the other direction. Another group also came rushing after them.
"Doesn't everyone seem to be a little bit too hyper today?" Mikan pointed out. "Anyways, what are they so enthusiastic about?" She couldn't help but ask her companions.
"I heard something about gym." Hotaru said.
"What about gym?"
"I don't really know."
Mikan looked at Anna and Nonoko, who just shook their heads.
"Wait a second; the boys are having their gym class today." Sumire exclaimed.
Gym was the only period wherein the whole class would be participating together. Well, not technically; the girls and boys are divided into two groups and each has separate sessions with different instructors.
The girls' gym instructor, Shizune Yamanouchi, who was a past student from Alice Academy, had to take a temporary leave due to some important commitments outside of the school. And because of that, the girls had no gym class for a whole week, much to Mikan's disappointment.
Curious as to what all the excitement was about, Mikan and her friends hurriedly went to the gym. When they got there, the entrance was crowded by groups of girls who were typically, cheering and screaming their heads off.
Mikan and the others squeezed their way into the front of the crowd, dismissing glares and yells from the other girls whose feet were stepped on. That was when they saw what all the commotion was about.
The boys were having a game. And it wasn't just any game, it was basketball. All of the boys of Class 2-A were split into two groups: the red team and the white team.
"Mikan!" Someone called from the group that was on the right side of the court. Mikan immediately knew who it was. Standing right at the center of the group, with a white jersey on, was Eiji. When he saw that he got her attention, he jogged away from the group and approached them.
"I'm glad that you're here." He grinned at her. Mikan couldn't help but smile back.
"So, who are you guys up against?" She asked, although Mikan already knew that Eiji's team would win hands down. After all, he was captain of the school's basketball team.
"Them." Eiji pointed towards the other group on the left side of the court. When Mikan saw who were the members of the other team, her heart almost stopped.
Right in the center of the group, with a red jersey on, was none other than Natsume Hyuuga. And on his team were Ruka, Koko, Yuu and Kitsu. Mikan couldn't help but stare at them in shock. When Natsume raised his head, their eyes met.
Embarrassed, Mikan immediately looked away, her face starting to get warm. She couldn't believe that he caught her staring at him! Sneaking a glance at him, she saw that he was smirking, much to her dismay. Eiji must have seen this, because he immediately grabbed her waist and looked straight in her eyes, his emerald green eyes tense and mesmerizing.
"If my team wins, you owe me one kiss." He grinned at her before he gently let her go. Afterwards, he turned away from her and ran towards his team.
Mikan couldn't help but blush even more. She didn't expect Eiji to act that way, especially in front of almost every girl in the High School Division! But she didn't have time to ponder on, because Shuuichi Sakurano, the boy's instructor and coach, blew his whistle.
And thus the game started.
Screams and squeals echoed across the gym as the girls cheered for the team that they supported. Mikan didn't know who she should cheer on. Both teams were very good and the score was tied. Whenever one team scored, the other would catch up. Both teams were neck and neck.
When she turned towards her side, she found Anna, Nonoko and Sumire who were also cheering and surprisingly, for the white team.
"Where's Hotaru?" She asked. Where the heck did her best friend go to?
Sumire pointed towards the other side of the stands, wherein a large crowd was immediately forming. And right in the center was Hotaru, who was unbelievably, collecting money from the fan girls.
Mikan immediately ran towards her.
"Hotaru, what the heck are you doing?" She demanded.
Hotaru actually smiled at her. She was holding a very thick bundle of cash, and her expression was joyous.
"Well, these girls are fighting over on which is the better team. I'm just helping them out."
"You're just taking advantage of the situation." Mikan couldn't help but scowl in disappointment. This was so typical of Hotaru. "Anyways, how much are they paying for?" She couldn't help but ask.
"A thousand yen for one bet." Hotaru grinned mischievously. Mikan rolled her eyes.
Suddenly, the whistle was blown once again and the game was over. Mikan looked at the score board. 64-65. The red team won by only one point. And there, lying on the floor, gasping and out of breath, was Eiji. Mikan immediately approached him.
He had his eyes closed, and sweat was dripping down his face. He must have heard her coming because he immediately opened his eyes.
"Hyuuga was good. It makes me wonder why he isn't in the team." He said between deep breaths.
Mikan helped him get to his feet. He looked devastated, although she didn't understand why. After all, it was only just a practice match.
"It's okay. It is only one loss after all." She tried to cheer him up. "At least you only lost by one point."
Eiji shook his head.
"It isn't really because of my team losing."
"Then why—"
"Because I really wanted to win that kiss." He admitted. "Call me selfish if you want, but that's really the reason why I wanted to win so badly."
Mikan couldn't help but smile at him. Then, unexpectedly, without minding the rest of the students in the room, she kissed him on the cheek.
"You don't need to win me anything. After all, I am your girlfriend."
Eiji grinned at her.
Afterwards, Mikan went back to Hotaru and the others since Eiji had to change. Just as when they were about to exit the gym, Mikan stopped at her heels. There, standing at the door of the gym, was Natsume who was (can you believe it?) kissing a girl!
Immediately, Mikan's heart ached. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. And yet, she should have expected this to happen sooner or later. After all, Natsume already has a girlfriend.
That girl's name is Megumi Shimizu, another student from Class 2-B. She had long caramel-coloured hair and muddy brown eyes. She is captain of the gymnastics club and the cheerleading squad. She and Natsume started dating about a week ago. Mikan should know because Natsume actually asked Megumi out right in front of her.
But despite her best efforts not to get affected, Mikan couldn't help but feel angry. After all, he already got her jealous by asking Megumi out in the first place. He didn't need to kiss his girlfriend right in front of her!
"Excuse me, but would you two lovebirds make out somewhere else?" Hotaru grumbled, much to Mikan's surprise.
The two immediately broke off and looked at them. Natsume glanced at Mikan for a second then looked away.
"Hn." He muttered as he turned around and walked away, Megumi hurrying to catch up with him.
Mikan smiled at Hotaru and mouthed "thank you". Hotaru also smiled back.
'Cause I'm going to replace him. Natsume's words ran across her mind. He actually had the nerve to say that he was going to replace Eiji? Nonsense. Instead, he actually found someone else to replace her.
Too busy scolding herself for actually hoping that she and Natsume would get back together again, Mikan didn't notice the five-year-old boy waiting for her in front of their classroom not until he hugged her.
"Mikan onee-chan!" The little boy exclaimed.
Mikan who was too surprised, jumped back.
"You-chan, what are you doing here?"