Continuing from Chapter 85, Persona was at where Mikan was, claiming to be in-charge for the student that had caused the accident. He was told to punish the student that had caused the accident. He was there to take Mikan away.

"I heard that this girl is responsible for the accident,"

Mikan was confused and shocked to know that she had been suspected.

"Wait a minute," said someone.

The scene changes to a conversation between Natsume and Luna.

"Oi," said Natsume. "You.." (he used "teme", a very crude and rude term for saying "you")

"What is it Natsume? Making such a scary face... Did i do anything?"

"Don't pretend," said Natsume.

"It can't be helped, can it?" said Luna. "I have already adviced Sakura Mikan to 'not attract attention'. But, still, she did not listen to me and fell into the trap. Result? She had attracted so much attention was because of you guys, aren't i right?"

"What did you say..." said Natsume.

"Don't tell me you have forgotten the words of what the Principal had said,"

[Natsume, since you've said to that extent, i will reconsider Sakura Mikan's punishment]
[I will look at her "behaviour"]

" 'look at her behaviour' meaning Sakura Mikan will be kept in this school for observation. And i will be that 'observer'. Since that incident, she should have been brought to Persona immediately. We were kind enough to let her stay and live in this academy, teaching her,"

"What.." said Natume.

"Just because she's the daughter of the two, for the sake of appealing, i had no choice but to take up this detestful job as given. I thought it was about time to make known that i am not always as friendly as ever through this accident," said Luna. "You people are standing on a very thin layer of ice, like an idiot, not knowing your positions. Should there be any mistakes, that thin layer of ice will break sending all of you down to the cold and dark waters below. I believe you are already slowly realising where i am coming from...?

Before you try to do anything for that girl, make sure you think again before acting. If not then, be careful of not breaking the ice below your feet." said Luna.

Natsume clenched his fist hard and thought, Mikan...Mikan!

Back to where Mikan and the rest were, Persona was accusing Mikan of being the real culprit behind the accident caused. He grabbed Mikan's shirt and said that her 3 Counter sticker was not used during the Sports Festival at all but it was 1 point lesser during the Cheering item. There was no need for Nullification during the play hence the only reason for it to lose 1 point was because of the accident.

After hearing that Mikan was angry at what Persona had said.

"It wasn't me!" said Mikan. "Why would i do such a thing? Don't say things as and when you wish!"

This person, Mikan thought, could it be that Flower Princess Party incident that he is saying all this out of his hatred towards me..

"The reason when my ALICE was used could be..." said Mikan.

"Mikan," said Tsubasa.

"..Could be because something had happened and out of panic it was used unconsciously!" continued Mikan. " I would NEVER nullify that psychic ALICE and ruined the perfomance!" (WELL SAID GIRL!!!!!)

"Not knowing where you are standing right now, defending yourself as usual, that's pretty good..." said Persona.

Mikan seemed to have realised that she had said the wrong thing.

"Teacher Serio (apparently another name of Persona's =D)," said Narumi.

"Right, about the punishment, i shall wait for more results after more investigations," said Persona. "However, as somebody that needed to be watched, Sakura Mikan shall be kept under further observation. As long as there is a little problem, I will not hesitate to take you away."

"This is so weird! Mikan is the victim here, why is she treated like a criminal here?"

"Tsubasa!" said Toono

"This absurdity! She did not even had a chance to explain!" continued Tsubasa.

"Whether or not is this an absurd, the circumstances will decide," said Persona. "But sure, i believe as friends, whatever she said will be believed as it is,"

All that had happened in the room had attracted much attention from students around.

Mikan was still not able to take what had just happened earlier.

"So then, see you again," said Persona as he left.

Hotaru then remembered of something that Mikan had told her some time back.

"Hotaru... i dreamt about Persona. He was glaring at me with those scary eyes from that expression at that time. Voices of that Principal was ringing creepily behind. It was so real that it seemed to turn in reality..."

Hotaru then held Mikan's hand.

"I felt insecure and scared..."

Hotaru and Narumi looked worried.

"It's no use-" popped in Kokoroyomi suddenly. "Students are all talking and spreading about how Mikan had caused the accident.

Both Subaru and Sakurai looked lost while Tsubasa just looked at Kokoroyomi for saying that suddenly and Tono just replied, "I see,"

Hotaru gave a blank look and said, "Haven't you gotten the wrong connection for the information that you should be telling us at this serious point of time?"

"There should be no room for us to loosen up but the situation was loosened up in that minute..." said Subaru.

"Whatever it is, the number of people taking in the rumours are far more than what was predicted. Also, there are some discontentment between students that the previous competition was not taken into account due to the accident," said Tono.

"Since most of the students that had believed in the rumours are people that are not close with Mikan there is nothing we can do but under this situation to continue the main event, Kibasen (erm.. direct translation: Horse Riding Battle f^_^) it's still hard."

"I am so sorry everyone," said Mikan.

Tono was startled to hear that because he thought she was not around.

"It was all my fault that things became like this.."continued Mikan.

"Mikan," said Tsubasa as he pushed Tono's head, "Silly! It's not your fault!"

"Instead of that, Senior," said Hotaru. "Are you intending to let Mikan take part in the next competition?"

"Well... Mikan's Nullification would come into good use...." began Tono.

"Please stop it, will you?" said Hotaru.

"Eh?"

"Hotaru..."

"I have a bad feeling about it," said Hotaru. "If Mikan is to participate in the next event, i am afraid that something bad will happen to her,"

"What are you talking..." said Subaru.

"Mikan," said Hotaru. "During the Sports Festival practice session, what on earth happened between you and Koizumi?"

"Hotaru..."said Mikan.

"I am certain that she has something to do this accident and the ruckus that had happened during the practice," said Hotaru. "You have been keeping quiet whenever it has anything to with her.

Tell it already, Mikan. It will be too late if anything like this happened again."

Hotaru... Mikan thought in her heart. Hotaru had been watching Koizumi's actions and me all this time...

"Thank you Hotaru," said Mikan. "I am very happy that you were worried for me... but..."

Mikan remembered what Luna told her at the room.

"If you wish the number of victims around you to decrease... you are to "keep quiet" and "not to attract attention"

"Sorry...i have no idea," continued Mikan. "I will work hard for Kibasen!"
she continued with her smile, "I will not cause any trouble to anyone anymore!"

"Mikan..." said Hotaru.

"Thank you, Hotaru," said Mikan. "All thanks to Hotaru that i am all energetic now! I shall now go and explain to classmates i have made worried!"

Mikan thought in her heart that she did not want anyone to worry for her anymore and that she cannot keep looking depressed.

Mikan had left to find her classmates. She saw Sumire telling off some students that had taken into the rumours about Mikan causing the accident. Mikan, however, hid behind a bush when she saw Sumire.

Just then Natsume came. Sumire wanted him to say something to those people who are 'friends' of Luna.

"Do not bother with Sakura Mikan any more," said Natsume.

Sumire and Ruka were shocked to hear that.

"Do not talk to her anymore. If you are not willing, get out of my sight this instant," continued Natsume. "She is not worthy of your protection at all!"

Luna smirked when she heard that.
Mikan was more than shocked when she heard that.

Natsume was reminded of what Luna had told him earlier - to be careful of not breaking the ice and to think before doing anything for Mikan.

"Natsume..." said Ruka, "What are you talking..."

"You heard me, get lost immediately. You're a pain in my eyes," said Natsume.

He was directing that to Mikan because he knew she was there. (I CAN ALMOST CRY!!!!!)

Ruka and Sumire could not believe what they have heard. Neither could Mikan.

Mikan then ran away.

Meanwhile, the guy whom Natsume had 'borrowed' his mask from for the Item Borrowing competition appeared. He tried to explain many things to Natsume. He told him that he had admired Natsume for a long time. He liked Natsume so much that he even imitated his hairstyle (boy...you can join Sumire in her Natsume Fan Club... but.. thanks to you Natsume confessed his love in the last competition xD).

Not listening, Natsume grabbed the mask that he was holding and chase after Mikan who was crying away as she ran. She could not understand what Natsume was trying to do. She did not want to cry but tears just kept flowing down.

Just then, someone from behind grabbed and HUGGED her! (NATSUME!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
It was a tight and long hug. Somehow, Mikan knew it was him.

Natsume let go of her and left.
He returned the mask to the boy that he had borrowed from. The boy promised that he would not leak a word to anyone for what had happened.

Little did Natsume know that after he had left, Mikan was looking at his back as he ran.

Side note: The feelings that could not be delivered to Mikan... Natsume could only get it through the mask...

END OF CHAPTER 86

The next chapter will be released on 5 Oct 2007 Hana Yume vol 21