Who wrote it?

Chapter 8: Acidic accidents.

Mikan had always felt at home at hospitals. They were clean, completely clean, and people who could help you with your injuries were always close by. Even if there was no-one to help you, there would always be tools to help present at the scene. Mikan loved healing people. It was almost like an obsession to help those around her, perhaps because no-one had ever helped her before. The helper helps because she knows what it's like to be helpless. But, now she found her own helper, someone who stood up for her, someone who comforted her, who forgave her for every clumsy mistake she made. He looked tall and scary from a distance, but from up close, he really wasn't that bad. If she ever fell, he could carry her on his shoulder. If she ever cried, he could take her in his arms and comfort her. If she ever got sick, he could put her to bed and make her soup. No, not even could. He would. Without a second thought. He was standing in front of her, in the hospital, looking around with a slightly uncomfortable expression on his face. Mikan's heart was racing. She never thought she'd see Nekomaru in a hospital, it was practically her home. The sports team manager's eyes fell on her, and she clutched her hands together tightly. This was the moment of truth. She was gonna do it. She was really gonna do it.

''You wanted to tell me something, right, Mikan?'' He muttered. Mikan had trouble finding her voice, so she just nodded. He nodded, too. ''I can see you're having difficulty,'' he continued, ''It's okay. Take your time.'' Nekomaru was always so considerate, too, Mikan dreamed, so considerate of her feelings, of the complete extent of her stupidity and her oversensitivity. Part of her didn't want to make him wait anymore. She was gonna tell him. Today. Right now. She was gonna do it right now!

''I love you!'' She blurted. Her nails dug into her hands. She never thought she was going to be able to squeeze out those words.

Nekomaru's eyes widened. ''Mikan,'' he muttered. He needed some time to comprehend what had just happened, how romantic! ''Mikan, I- I'm sorry.'' He cast his eyes downward, there was a small crease between his eyebrows. That didn't look good. Did he hate her, too?! ''I- I don't feel the same way, I'm sorry. Not that I hate you. You're a great friend! But... I've already got a girlfriend, and I really love her. Do you... understand what I mean?''

A dull pain started burning in her chest. It wasn't heartburn, nor a lung infection, but something much worse. Tears formed in Mikan's eyes without her consent and they streamed down her face without leaving her a moment to wipe them away. It hurt. It hurt so much. Part of her was hoping that, when she'd been transported to Jabberwock Island, she'd never have to feel this way again. It was just like the place she called home, everyone was the same everywhere she went. Everyone hated her. Everyone bullied her. No-one loved her.

Nekomaru put a warm hand on her shoulder. ''I'm not gonna lie to you, Mikan,'' he muttered, ''If I lied about this, it'd only hurt you more in the end. But, as I said, I don't hate you. I really don't. There is a fine line between love and friendship, and I wanna be friends with you. I really do.''

Mikan wiped away her tears, but new ones formed as quickly as the old ones could dry up. ''D- do y- you mean that?'' She croaked, ''D- do you really want t- to be my friend?''

''Of course I do.'' He sighed and looked away. ''I know it hurts to be rejected. And... And I'm sorry I have to hurt you like this. I really am. But it's the only right thing I can do.''

Mikan took a handkerchief from her apron pocket and blew her nose in it. Then, she took a small breather and asked: ''Is- is it alright... if I ask who your girlfriend is?'' Mikan held her breath and closed her eyes, suddenly in fear of having Nekomaru lash out at her.

Nekomaru laughed loudly. ''You haven't noticed yet?! Akane and I have been dating since the first day we arrived at Jabberwock Island!''

''S- s- s- s- since the first day?!'' Mikan exclaimed, ''Th- that quickly?!''