Sweet Days
Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice nor its characters but the story is entirely mine.
It was winter and it was freezing. Her toes were numb to the core although she was wearing her warmest pair of boots.
Shivering, she entered the dimly lit house. "Mikan! Are you home?" her mum cried.
"Yes, I'm home," she sighed unhappily at her.
"Great! I need someone to watch the house while your father is out with his friends." The beautiful woman kissed her forehead, "Sorry honey, my client suddenly called. Merry Christmas, darling." And she rushed out the door.
Mikan sighed as she took off her wet shoes soaked by the melting snow. It was such a horrid day.
In the morning, she had changed in her best clothes to visited Hotaru. But Hotaru was out of town with her family so instead Mikan decided to find her other friends. Strangely enough, no one else was in. By the time she came home, it was late and the snow had started to sink into her beautiful clothes.
Since it was so cold, she went to get a warm shower. Finally, she came out of the bathroom in warm Christmas pajamas and fluffy pink slippers. She laid on the sofa and watched television sideways.
"And for Christmas, it's brilliant to sprinkle some sugar on top of your log just to make it more… Christmasy!" laughed the chief on television. She was making a spectacular Christmas log and it left her poor stomach growling at her.
"Jeez, it's Christmas and I don't even have dinner. It's not like I'm asking for something high class! I just want some food!" Mikan complained out loud to the empty house.
"And remember, a Christmas log is not at all difficult! Have a good night everyone!" The chief blow a kiss at the camera and winked before leaving.
"Hm… Christmas Log huh?" Mikan smiled and hurried to the kitchen. "If I remember correctly…" She dragged out some eggs, caster sugar, flour, cocoa powder and got some Cadbury chocolate to decorate it too. "Alright! It's baking time!" she cried excitedly and put on a simple red apron.
Following the instructions she remembered, Mikan made a Christmas log.
Feeling satisfied she laughed, "Yes!" Mikan opened the window so that the lovely aroma of chocolate would literally fly out the window. She observed the spongy cake and then poured some melted chocolate over the top.
Grabbing a knife, Mikan prepared to cut it. However a knock on the door prevented her.
"Dad?" she guessed as she opened up.
Standing outside with the snow still in his hair was a handsome man. Handsome would not describe what he looked like. He didn't look old either but mature enough.
"You are the person who made the Christmas Log right?" he asked, ruffling his raven hair.
"Who are you?" Mikan asked, annoyed. It was not right for a stranger to suddenly barge in and ask that.
He ignored her question and stepped into her house. "You aren't one of my parent's friend, are you?" Mikan asked suspiciously, eyeing the fellow.
"Hn." He walked into the messy kitchen and took the knife. "You watched the cooking channel a while ago didn't you?"
"W-what are you d-doing? Put down the knife!" Mikan cried, completely stunned. "I don't even know you! Get out of my house!"
He smirked, "I'm Natsume Hyuuga." Natsume cut the log and took a little bite of it. "Now you know me, so shut up," he glared at her.
"What are you doing to my cake?!" Mikan screeched in horror.
"Your log is horrid. Follow the instructions next time will you?"
With that, the man departed.
"What in the world was that?" Mikan screamed and looked at her ruined log. The chocolate had cracked up so the roll was slowly unrolling. "I wanted Mum and Dad to be the first ones to eat it…"
"Onii-san! Why'd you suddenly barge into someone else's house?" scolded his little sister.
"Tsk. That person knows me," Natsume remarked. "Aren't you tired after tonight's show?" he asked unconcerned.
"Not at all! But now I have this Christmas log! Let's hurry home! I want to show it to Dad!" Aoi grinned at her brother.
Natsume brushed some flour out of her sister's hair and she giggled because it tickled. "You're not a very clean cook."
"Neither are you Onii-san!" snapped her feisty sister.
"Don't you want to have a date with Youichi?" he smirked.
Aoi blushed beetroot red and grumbled, "He's away with his family. It's Christmas…"
"Well, he did call and say to me that he enjoyed your show. But if you don't want to know –"
"I do! What did Youichi say? Can you call him again? Did you tell you anything? Is he okay? Did he tell you to pass on a message? Please Onii-san! I love you!" whined Aoi.
"We're getting home first," Natsume got in the car and began driving again.
The entire ride was filled with constant whining and begging from Aoi while Natsume kept teasing her or just remaining silent.
Meanwhile Mikan was cleaning up the mess she had made upsettingly; afterwards she sat and stared at the cut Christmas Log with rage.
"I hate you Natsume Hyuuga!" she yelled. "You completely destroyed Christmas for me and I will remember this for the rest of my life!"
Natsume sneezed.
"Onii-san, are you alright?" asked Aoi. "You didn't catch a cold did you?"
"You're not my mother, Aoi," Natsume growled and wiped her nose.
Aoi sighed and rummaged through her bag until she found a wrapped up present. She quickly undid the ribbon and ripped the beautiful elegant paper. "Onii-san, hold still," Aoi told him and put her handmade muffler around his neck.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm just worried you'll catch a cold. If you did, then you won't be able to enjoy New Years' with us!"
"I'm not sick. But I have a hint of who it might be… Must be that girl."
"What?"
"Nothing," smirked Natsume.
End of Chapter 1