The Replacement

-by Banana-sama-

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Born on the same day, month and year, Mikan Sakura is adopted as a 'replacement'. And as innocent Mikan steps into the world of high class living, her life turns upside down, and she wonders if she is only loved because she is a replacement.

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Part I: Orphan

"It is necessary; therefore it is possible." - G.A. Borghese

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"Mikan, I'm leaving now." A girl said. The brunette reached over and hugged her. "Hotaru... Do you have to leave?" She said, blinking back tears.

"Baka… I'll come back and see you guys. Don't cry. You're already ugly enough." Hotaru said. Mikan sniffed, wiping her tears. "B-But…" "Not buts." She hushed her, letting go of Mikan. "And don't wipe your face on my clothes." Hotaru reached into her pocket and handed her a pink handkerchief. Mikan wiped her face and then looked sadly at Hotaru's new royal purple dress that matched her eyes. It was provided by her new family. Mikan couldn't help but wonder if she would also get a beautiful dress one day.

"Okay, it's time to go. Goodbye, Mikan." Hotaru looked outside at the car waiting for her and smiled softly. "I won't forget you." "Hotaru…" Mikan started crying all over again. But Hotaru just patted her head and walked away.

Just like everyone else.

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Mikan looked at the sky above her and sighed. Hotaru left five years ago. She wondered how she was doing. She put down her paper and pen and yawned. She had written countless letters to her friend over the years, but she never sent them. She kept them all in a box under her bed. Why? Because, for one, she had no idea where in the world Hotaru lives. Although she had promised to visit her again, she never did.

Mikan wanted to trust Hotaru, but she had given up all her hope of seeing her again. Maybe she had even forgotten her.

Hotaru was her favorite person here. She was really pretty, with midnight black hair and beautiful amethyst eyes. Not only that, she was also a genius. She was always the top in their school, and she was always inventing things that were very odd but useful. It was no wonder why she got adopted. Her talents would be wasted if she stayed here anyways.

Mikan looked at the pink handkerchief in her hand. She had kept it specially, but it had worn out a little over the years. She kissed the handkerchief softly. "Hotaru... when will I ever get to see you again? Have you forgotten me...?"

Mikan had been in this orphanage for ten years, ever since her parents died in a fire when she was five. She couldn't remember much about her parents or the fire. All she could remember was waking up after and being told that her parents were dead. After a number of tests, she was then told that she suffered from amnesia, probably due to the shock from the fire.

Now that she was fifteen, she still hasn't been adopted. But she knew only little cute children would be adopted. When they were grown like Mikan, no one really wanted to adopt them anymore, with the rare exceptions like Hotaru, who was pretty and was a genius. So Mikan had given up hope of ever getting adopted, and she concentrated on her studies, so she can get a scholarship and go on to university.

She sighed again, but smiled brightly, extending her hands towards the sky. Everything's okay, Mikan! Whatever happens, you can stay strong!

But her thoughts were interrupted by a little boy. "Mikan-onee-chan, Hiyagi-sensei wants to see you!" "Oh okay, I'll be right there!" She waved at him, and started back towards the orphanage. I wonder what Hiyagi-sensei wants with me? She thought.

Hiyagi-sensei is the director of the orphanage. He's the one who organized this place. He's a gentle and kind man in his forties, and everyone loves him.

"Hiyagi-sensei, did you want to see me?" Mikan asked as she closed the office door behind her. "Oh, yes." He looked up from his desk and smiled warmly at her. "Come here and sit down." Mikan nodded and sat down, smiling. "Is there something you wanted to tell me?"

"Congratulations, Mikan. You're adopted."

The sentence was followed by a long silence.

Then Mikan burst into laughter and said, "I'm sorry, but I won't be fooled by you. I know you're just kidding. Is this all you have to say?" And then she started laughing again.

But Hiyagi-sensei's face turned serious, and he said, "Mikan, I'm not joking around. Someone wants to adopt you."

Mikan stopped laughing, and she stared at him. "… Are you… are you serious?"

Hiyagi-sensei closed his eyes and clasped his hands together, pushing some papers towards her. "Here is the information of the family." Mikan slowly took the papers, her hands trembling. How can this be possible? No one ever wanted to adopt me. Why would they? Why now?

She scanned the paper, trying to stay calm.

BASIC ADOPTIVE FAMILY INFORMATION

Adoptive Family: Haruto

Father: Arata Haruto (42)

Mother: Honoka Haruto (deceased) (Age when deceased: 30)

Children: Kimiko Haruto (deceased) (Age when deceased: 15)

Occupation: Arata Haruto President of N.K.H.

City: Tokyo

Connections: Andou, Hyuuga, Tonouchi, Nogi, Hijiri

Other: None Specified

Mikan stared at the paper, her honey brown eyes huge. "Haruto?! Do you mean the Haruto?!" She cried in disbelief. Hiyagi-sensei nodded. "Arata Haruto, the president of N.K.H., the richest and most powerful man in Japan."

Mikan gasped. "B-But why would he want to adopt me?" Hiyagi-sensei sighed. "As you see, a very sad thing happened three months ago. His only daughter, Kimiko Haruto, passed away from cancer. She was the same age as you. And his beloved wife, Honoka Haruto, had already passed away ten years ago. As you can see, he is very lonely now." Mikan nodded, feeling a bit sad for him.

"But that still doesn't explain why he wants to adopt me. It can be anyone else." Mikan said. Hiyagi-sensei looked away now, and he said, "You see, there is a coincidence. Not only are you the same age as Kimiko Haruto, but you are also born on the same day, month, and year as her. And oddly enough…" He peered at her over his glasses. "You two look almost identical." He slipped a photo towards her.

Mikan picked it up and stared at it.

The girl in the picture had a different hairstyle than her, but it was also light brown, she had the same honey brown eyes, face, features, and they had the same figure. Of course, the girl wore makeup, jewelry, and expensive clothes, but there was no mistaking it—they looked very alike.

"So… this is why he wants to adopt me? Because we look alike?" Mikan asked, bewildered.

"Yes… you're being adopted as a replacement."

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To be Continued...