Reo stands, watching the boss sag against the couch, seemingly in pain. The man groans in agony, panting.
"The Boss looks weird. Ever since yesterday..." someone trails off, watching the long haired man mumble to no one in particular. "S... stop...." he speaks but not to anyone in the room. It's as though he's fighting off some invisible force, threatening to take over.
"Boss?" Reo questions, watching the man's condition worsen, "Boss! What's happening to you?!"
///
A man in the body of a young boy sits in a chair in an office, staring outside of the windows which separated him from the cool and starry night. He watches the stars shine and gleam in the pitch black sky.
Meanwhile, "So you're saying that the reason only a few of the ESP's clones are left is because you and Yuka took their Alice stones from them, causing their elimination?" Principal Yukihira and Jinno-Sensei stare at Shiki.
"Yes. But even though we've had those clones' alice stones with us for a long time, it doesn't seem that it had an effect. However, now that we've returned the stones to the ESP, there is one great thing I fear of." Shiki stares off to the side, "The clones that the ESP created... and the clones created by those clones. In that continuous cycle of division within them, comes a distorted subspecies like Z's Boss."
It's those words that slap realization into the others.
"Even though they have the same personality and know how each other thinks, this subspecies has this added hatred towards his species and this illogical strong feeling of rebellion." Shiki refers to Z's Boss, "For the ESP, the Boss is just one of those 'troubles', but initially, he didn't consider him as an 'enemy'. The time when their relationship worsened and fell into a state of restraining each other's actions was when he couldn't control the Boss or telepathically communicate. Gradually, the Boss went head to head with the ESP by starting to control some of the clones."
Yukihira's blue eyes grow at hearing those words. 'A clone controlling other clones...! Is that even possible?!'
"The ones who are responsible for this possibility, was me and Yuka." Shiki admits, shocking the fellows around him. "In return for letting us into Z, we had no choice but to insert some of the stones that we stole from the other clones that the ESP made into the Boss."
By putting those powerful stones into the Boss, he was granted a lot of power like that of the original ESP. He was able to control the other clones. Because of this power, Z's Boss was able to control clones who were high in society for many years, using them and others as mere puppets.
After learning of his intentions, Yuka and Shiki had refused to insert any more stones into the Boss; their positions in Z were not affected by their sudden declaration. It was assumed that it was because Yuka's Alice was a great asset to the boss. Instead, the boss was more concerned about not letting the stones fall back into the hands of the ESP.
"If the ESP acquires the clones' Alice stones back, he will regain all of his lost power. Just like what happened with the Boss, his control over the clones will increase. He will be powerful enough to control the uncontrollable Z. If that happens.... yes, worst case scenario, the elementary school principal will control Z's Boss... and manipulate him."
///
Mikan stares at a special book that she received. It had a drawing of a beautiful young girl and boy, holding hands while running away from a scary looking witch.
(A/n: Idk if there's a book or cover for this story, I read it on a folktale website and thought it was perfect for Mikan and Ruka, so I made up the cover.)
"No matter what befalls upon you, I will always be by your side."
-Ruka
Mikan's eyes tear up as she reads that simple note from him. Ruka was always there to help Mikan and make her feel better. He was always there. And just because they were separated, didn't mean he would simply stop. Although he wasn't present in person, he wanted to project to Mikan his love for her. Reading the story, Mikan stumbles upon the page where the boy announces his love for the girl. The page looks slightly different than the rest. It seemed like there was a bump in the page, like someone had taped something onto it and painted over the tape.
Mika picks at the concealed tape, eyes widening as tears fill her eyes once more. There, on the page, was a small light brown stone. A stone that seemed to hold such warmth and love...
Ruka's Alice stone.
///
"Natsume." Ruka walks through the snow, surprised to see his best friend in between some trees. "What are you doing in a place like this? Did you go somewhere again?" He questions.
The only reason that Ruka had found Natsume was because a puppy had run off into the snow and he chased after it, not wanting the creature to become lost. That's where he found Natsume laying in the snow.
Natsume sits up and stares into his friend's blue eyes, slowly lowering his head. "...Ruka, I went to see.. Akako."
After muttering those words, Natsume glances up at the blond when he doesn't respond. Ruka simply stands still, processing the words that were uttered. Finally, they sink into his brain and a bright smile comes across his face.
"Wow... Christmas is really unbelievable!" Ruka grins, "Natsume... the thing that you and Akako wished for and wanted the most came true!" Natsume's eyes soften at Ruka's words. "Every night you've been using all of your strength to find them... God saw it all and that's why.. I'm glad... that Natsume's and Akako's feelings connected to each other! I prayed for it this whole Christmas. I'm glad..."
Ruka becomes silent, a silly and cheerful smile still present on his face. Though Natsume knew his friend better. "Mikan is doing fine. I didn't speak with her but she's fine with Akako." He speaks the words to answer the question he knew Ruka was asking in his mind.
The blond's entire face relaxes at that, "Yogata." He looks at the ground, being very aware of the small Alice stone in his pocket. "I know for a fact that Natsume and Akako have a strong connection. I too, have one with Mikan but it has only just begun. The connection between you and butterfly.. it has developed for so long, that's why I'm not that upset about not being strong enough to see Sakura. Our bond... it is definitely strong but in time it will grow." Ruka stares at the sky, seeming to sense that Mikan has received his stone. "I will see her. Soon."
Both boys sit in the cold snow, seeming to be lost in their own thoughts for a moment. "Ruka..." Natsume starts up but quickly retracts what he was about to say, deeming it better not to speak of anything that happened on the balcony.
"Hmm? What is it, Natsume?" Ruka tilts his head to the side, seeming innocent as ever, "What's wrong? Did something happen up there?" He questions, worried that his friend suddenly stopped talking.
"...Nothing." Natsume mumbles. Usually, Natsume tells almost everything to Ruka. But this... Natsume wanted to keep this precious moment to himself. Not to mention that if Akako found out he blabbed, she'd surely die of embarrassment or at Natsume's hands after she tried yelling at him.
"Haha, you're weird." The blond laughs, his carefree grin causing a small smile to grace Natsume's face as well.
Off in the distance, Tsubasa walks down a trail when his eyes happened to glance up. "Oh... it's Natsume and Ruka-pyon. What are they doing in there?" The older boy ponders but stops walking when he sees Natsume begin to cough into is hand.
"Natsume?!" Ruka cries out in worry, watching helplessly as Natsume rides out this coughing fit. "Natsume," Ruka calls again once the hacking seems to calm down, "Are you alright?"
Clenching his fist, Natsume moves his hand down to his side. "It's nothi-!"
Ruka's hand darts forward, grabbing Natsume's wrist if the hand he was attempting to hide. He holds the hand for himself to see the palm, freezing at the sight. Blood covered the white glove, the sight similar to blood in the pure white snow. Natsume watches Ruka's frozen face anxiously, unsure of what to do at this point.
"Ruka..." he trails off, not knowing what to say to make this situation any better. He wanted Ruka to be laughing and smiling again.
"Stop it... Natsume...." Ruka tightens his grip on his best friend's wrist. "You haven't been alright for a long while now, Natsume. I knew it all along..." he tells the Raven haired boy, "Please don't hide it from me anymore." Ruka pleads, gently holding Natsume's hand that was covered in his own blood. "Natsume, I want you to understand this: We're both here but you always carry the heavy burden... by yourself."
Ruka has been in this academy as long as Natsume and they were always together. They had each other to lean on as they transitioned into their new life and yet... it almost seemed as though Natsume made the harsh reality a little softer and fluffier for Ruka, taking the pain of reality by himself. They were supposed to dive in head first together...
"Even if I want to help you carry the burden, even just a bit of it... I always end up seeing you suffer, and I can't do anything about it." He whispers, "That's what's painful above anything else..." tears brim in Ruka's eyes though he doesn't let them fall. He doesn't want to be weak any longer. He wants to be strong for Natsume and Akako... He wants to be strong for Mikan.
"As your best friend, in your difficult times, I want to be your best support..." They state into each other's eyes before Ruka's closes. He holds Natsume's hand, "That's one of the things I'm wishing for most, this Christmas."
Tsubasa stands behind a tree, listening to the conversation occurring. He hears Ruka's desperate plea to be of help to Natsume.
"Ever since-..." Ruka trails off, figuring out how to word his next thoughts. "- You've always wanted to ask, right? I see it in your eyes and when you try to, I always answer you, with the strong feelings, the same thing." Ruka looks into Natsume's eyes once more, "Meeting you, and coming to the academy with you... I never once regretted it."
Natsume was speechless at that point, watching his best friend that he loved and would do anything for. He has known that's how Ruka felt but doubt always clouded the fire users mind. The warmth radiating from Ruka's hand, the amount of love he was emitting....
Natsume's hand wraps around Ruka's, "Ruka..." he looks down, "The truth is, I'm afraid.... I'm afraid even thinking about the future a year from now..." Ruka's face falls hearing his friend finally spill all of his looming thoughts. Ruka knew where this was going, "I don't know if my heart... is still working fine by that time, or if it's still beating... I'm afraid that the time will come when I can't protect her anymore. Or.. will she be here a year from now for me to protect? I'm afraid of that more than anything else..."
Ruka's heart drops to the pit of his stomach. 'Natsume and Akako...' his heart aches, 'Will both of them be here next year?'
"That's why, if possible, even if it shortens my life span, I want to take her out from that darkness. Both of them. But there's always this feeling..... that I don't want to abandon my life... For the future, to be together with her in the future.... I never want to see her sad face again...."
These words, thoughts, concerns that Natsume's having... tears fall from Ruka's face as he realizes the clock is always ticking down. The thought of losing Natsume or Akako... it seemed unfathomable.
"Natsume, I know I'm not that dependable but... I always support your future together.. from the bottom of my heart. If there's anything I can do for the both of you, I'll do it. I want to be your strength, Natsume...."
Natsume watches his best friend as silent tears streak down his pale face. "Ruka... I have a favor to ask." He starts, "In the near future, if something happens to me, please,"
Ruka's heart twists. 'The two of you...'
"Take care of Akako."
'...I love you both. And I don't want to imagine my life without either of you.'
TADAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!
I FINALLY UPDATED!!!!!! I'm so sorry for taking so long, a lot has been going on but I'm so happy I was able to update 😭😭 sorry, no Akako in this chapter but that's okay cause we got some Mikan and some boy best friend action with Natsume and Ruka!!!
So anywhooo how have y'all been? How's life treatin ya? I know that I'm really sad cause I want to go to school in person instead of online because it's my last year and I need my hours for COSMOOOOO bht anyway...
Comment and vote!
Much love😘