Author's notes: After such a long time, here it is. One step at a time, we'll get there, you know? The regular basis updates. :)

D I N N E R D A T E

By Acrianz

:-:

Chapter One

The sun grew restless and it hurried to meet the sea, kissing the clouds goodbye along the way. The blue skies retired and darkness soon crept its way to take charge. The cold win accompanied darkness and it guarded the Earth, kissing its inhabitants and lulling them to sleep. The birds seemed to be affected as they flew towards the mountains, retiring to their homes. The moon peaked at the windows, high and bright, fully taking the sun's place. The tiny sparkling dots called stars became visible.

With a final glance at the proud moon, Mikan Sakura unlocked her door and went inside her humble abode. The familiar scent that she always loved was overwhelming and she felt her tense muscles relax. She removed her coat and slumped on the couch. She glanced at the digital clock that was on top of the shelf. It read 7:12 pm.

The twenty-three year old lady sighed and closed her eyes. She was out under the sun for almost ten hours. She had to make weird positions just to capture the right angle. Her whole body was sore and she was itchy all over. But on the other hand, it was worth it.

She was satisfied with her photos and Mr. Suzuki was impressed. Ten out of Fifteen photos that she took would be featured in the next month's release of Enviture, the number 1 magazine that talks about the environment and way on how to care for it. Ten out of Fifteen was already something, since Mr. Suzuki was hard to impress. And besides, there were a lot of photographers who were as great – if not greater – as Mikan. So it was a shock for the lady to have the most number of photos chosen.

Just then, Mikan's phone rang. The caller ID revealed that it was her friend, Anna.

"Hello."

"Mikan! How did it go? You home?"

Mikan raised both of her legs and rested them on the couch's arm. "It was great, Anna! My shots will be on next month's issue. I'm so excited! And yes, I'm home."

She could feel her friend smiling. "Oh my God, I'm so happy for you! Finally, you're on your way to achieving your dream."

"Yeah, thanks. I'll go to your shop tomorrow, okay? I miss your cakes."

The other girl giggled. "Sure you can, honey. I'll be glad to let you taste my new recipe. Anyway, gotta go. I have to close the shop. Rest well. Bye!"

"Okay. Bye."

And the line went dead.

The thought of cakes made her hungry. She went inside her kitchen and inspected her fridge. There wasn't much left. She needed to do shopping soon. But for the night, she settled for a hash brown and some peaches.

These were nothing like Anna's cooking. The girl was just pure genius when it comes to food. Mikan missed the pink-haired girl terribly. She couldn't wait to meet her again.

After dinner, she took a warm nice bath. Contented and relaxed, she wiped her body clean and wore her favorite cupcakes-printed pajamas. She decided to read a book while letting her hair dry. An hour later, drowsiness greeted her. She got her phone and speed dialed number 1. The voice mail was ready.

Mikan wanted to sigh but thought better of it. She smiled though no one would see her. "Hi, Nat. I'm home now. It was a great day. My pictures will be in the next month's issue. How about you? Did you eat your dinner already? Don't skip meals, okay? I guess your schedule is still hectic. Just call me when you have free time. Take care of yourself. Good night."

She ended the call and pressed her lips, making a thin line. She was getting tired – of everything. But she had to hold on. She believed in him. They would make this work. With that thought in mind, she dozed off to sleep.

She woke up at 7 am the following morning, feeling great. Ten hours of sleep was really refreshing. After a quick shower, she was dressed in a navy blue sweatshirt and jeans. She sat in front of her closet mirror and combed her hair. She noticed that her auburn hair had grown long, reaching up to her middle back. Her eyes were of the same color. Black circles were starting to form under her eyes but she refused to use a concealer. Those eyebags were proofs that she had been working hard. Besides, they would disappear before she'd know it.

Her stomach seemed to grow impatient as it growled at her, telling her that it was time to fill it with food. She went out of her room, fished her car keys and drove to Anna's shop.

The drive took ten minutes. The brunette parked her blue Porsche and went out of the car eagerly. Even from here, she could already smell the aroma of coffee and the scent of Mocha Chiffon. She practically jogged and pulled the glass door. She looked around. It was weird. A lot had changed but somehow, it still felt as if everything stayed the same.

The interior design changed. The wooden chairs were replaced by black leather couches that encaged a circular wooden table. The porcelain flower vases that usually held calla lilies were now filled with white roses. The rectangular lights that were attached to the walls were gone as well. Lights that were inside a cocoon-shaped Japanese paper greeted her instead. She was almost at a new place except for that familiar homey feeling that made her instantly comfortable.

She spotted Anna at the counter, writing Today's Menu in the blackboard. Mikan smiled and walked towards her. "Can I have one of your new recipes, please?" Hearing this, Anna turned around. Her eyes widened and she hugged the brunette. "Oh, Mikan. I missed you!"

The photographer chuckled and hugged her back. "I missed you, too."

The rosette led her to a couch and excused herself for a while. When she came back, she was bringing a tray of food. Mikan noticed two cups of hot choco-mocha drinks. "This is Choco-Berry cream delight. My new recipe. Have a taste, honey," Anna said.

Mikan looked at it. It was a strawberry brownie topped with a chocolate brownie and covered with heavenly chocolate. There's custard cream on the center and finished with a slice of fresh strawberry. Mikan took a bite and couldn't help but smile.

"Oh my God, Anna! This is delicious!" Mikan said, making her friend blushed. Anna returned the smile and asked, "Thanks. Do you think many people will like it?"

The brunette fought back a laugh. "Are you kidding? Of course they will!"

They chatted for half an hour, catching up on each other's lives. Mikan was out of town for almost two months and a lot has changed. God, how she missed this place. Anna told Mikan about her plan of opening another branch at Okinawa, her hometown. Mikan was excited about it and told her friend to push through the idea.

At around 8 o'clock, people started to fill in the couches and Anna had to return back to the kitchen. Mikan finished her meal and told the rosette she'd go shopping.

She drove to the nearest supermarket. This too, had some changes. The Santa Claus hats were gone and they were replaced by beach balls. The snow flakes were nowhere to be found but miniature surf boards greeted her. Ah, Summer.

She got a basket and headed towards the Dairy Section. She wanted Milk and some Cheese. After that, she added eggs and a box of taco shells. She also got some vegetables. She then proceeded to the Meat Section to get a kilo of chicken and a kilo of ground beef.

Mikan checked her basket. Almost finished. Now, what was missing? Oh yeah, stuff for the bathroom. Shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste. . .and. . where was the soap? There was it. Mikan wlaked towards the shelf when she heard a familiar cry.

"Shh..baby..shh. Here, milk? Don't you want milk? God, what the fuck do you want?"

Mikan giggled. She walked towards the green-haired lady. "Permy? Oh my, Permy!"

The lady turned around, frustration apparent in her face, but as soon as she saw Mikan, her eyes widened and she smiled. "Mikan! Hoy shit. I missed you, you biatch!"

The brunette gave her a peck on the cheeks and hugged her lightly so as not to crush the baby boy in her arms. "I missed you, too. Oh hi, baby Jun. How are you?"

The baby looked at her through his tears. He immediately stopped crying. When Mikan slightly pinched his cheeks and played with his hands, he giggled.

"Oh, son of a . . I swear, this child likes to torture me! Are you sure you aren't his mother?" Sumire asked.

Mikan laughed. "Sure as hell. Anyway, where's Koko?" She pulled baby Jun away from Sumire to give her some rest. "Oh you know, at the hospital. He's always busy these days. I swear if he doesn't show up for Jun's birthday next month, I'm gonna skin him alive!"

Kokoro Yome and Sumire Shouda – Yome were Mikan's friends and classmates back in the days of Gakuen Alice. Maybe Mikan had guessed the two were having sex since High School but it shocked her when Sumire said she was pregnant. Good thing, the last year of College was already coming to an end. At least she was able to avoid the rumors. Sumire may be a tough girl and all but pregnant women were insecure and easily ticked off.

"Come on. He wouldn't miss it for a million bucks."

Sumire laughed. "No, of course not. That guy is filthy rich, or at least, his parents are. He is now, too. Whatever. If he wasn't rich, I'd dumped him already."

Both of them knew she was lying. Even if Koko didn't have a whole freaking hospital to inherit, Sumire wouldn't leave him. They both loved each other to bits but both were just too egoistical to say it out loud.

"Anyway, you done with that? Wanna have tea in my place? " Sumire offered. Mikan smiled at her and agreed. They decided to meet up at the Yome residence ten minutes later. After paying for her groceries, Mikan drove to her house to put the other stuff in her fridge. After that, she immediately left for her friend's house.

The Yome residence never failed to make her smile. The house wasn't what people called a mansion but it was big enough to hold a neighborhood party. When Mikan rang the doorbell, Sumire immediately let her in. She led her into the garden where a tray of tea pot and tea cups were waiting for them.

"Wow. Excited much?"

Sumire rolled her eyes. "Well, I'm getting used to this whole housewife thing, although it sucks sometimes."

Her friend smiled. "Where's baby Jun?"

"Sleeping. Apparently, your body is as soft as a comforter and mine's not. I hate that he got Koko's stupid genes."

They both cracked up.

Sumire poured earl grey into their cups. "Anyway, how was the trip?" Mikan took her time recalling all the activities, telling her how great it was.

"I'm glad for you. Have you seen Natsume lately?" Sumire asked.

Mikan's smile faltered.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Mikan! I-I just. ."

"Nah, it's alright. No, I didn't see him. Not for months. That's because we're both busy."

Sumire shot her an apologetic look. "Don't worry. I'm sure you'll see him soon."

Hopefully, Mikan thought. Hopefully.

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