The XEffect
They called it quits, started anew, and moved on. But what if one day, after their trudging 4 years of cold war, they find themselves stuck with each other in a reality show called "The Xeffect" where exes were coupled once again for a whole weekend. Worst is, they already found comfort in other peoples' arms.
"WHAT??"
"Uuuhh..yes?" the blonde man couldn't help but flinch and put his finger to his awfully aching ear at the scream craze this brunette is spatting at him.
"I won a free Alice Hotel Weekend Bonanza?! And with FUREE SPA accommodations and FUREE unlimited FOOD services?!"
Flashback
Ding dong
A brunette by the name of Mikan Sakura ebulliently skipped to the door to welcome whoever visitor that wielded the effort of coming to her warm abode. If she only knew what's in store for her the moment she pull that golden door knob. But then, she's just a mere ordinary 22 year old jolly lady and hasn't been blessed with a sixth sense that could let her foresee the future.
"Good morning miss. I assume you are Miss Sakura Mikan?"
A very good-looking blonde man in his 30's, dressed in a formal grey tux greeted Mikan. A pleasant smile plastered on his face convinced our Mikan that he's a good trusty gentleman. For the age of 22, she sure is naïve.
"Uhm, yes I'm Sakura Mikan. Can I help you with something?" Mikan asked the gentleman.
"My name is Sakurai Shuichi of Tokyo Central Bank, and I'm here to discuss some certain important matters to you." He genuinely replied and showed her his i.d.
"Oh come on in then Mr. Sakurai." Mikan then motioned the man in.
"Who's that hon?" said a voice emerging from the kitchen.
"He's Mr. Sakurai of the Central Bank. Says he has stuffs to talk to me about." Mikan faced her 3 year boyfriend Ruka, a baby-faced blonde lad about a year ahead of Mikan, as she talked. The younger flaxen head then offered a handshake which Sakurai genuinely obliged and introduced himself.
"I'm Nogi Ruka. Mikan's boyfriend."
"So I've heard." Sakurai answered amusingly.
Mikan noticed Shuichi's words and mouthed a "Huh? What do you mean?" which Sakurai hastily ignored and started a new converse.
"Sooo. Let's get down to business. We haven't got all day."
The brunette is now lost in uncertainty. Few minutes ago this guy couldn't seem to harm an ant and now he's all acting like a villain in disguise. Something's up, but she can't possibly put her finger on it.
She let the thought slip and motioned for the two of them to take a seat at the living room while she makes the tea. After that, she sat beside Ruka while Sakurai settles across them.
"I'm here to inform you Miss Sakura, that you have won a Weekend Bonanza at Alice Hotel with free spa accommodations and free unlimited food services, courtesy by Tokyo Central Bank." He explained in a very convincing and professional way.
End of Flashback
"You heard it right miss."
"B-but, how? I didn't join any raffle, bingo, or whatever pick-a-prize wingding."
"You're credit card availed the prize when you earned a million points from buying the latest Sony Vio Laptop. Now the bank has rules that reaching that certain amount of points or maybe higher will get you a privilege of a Weekend Bonanza to one of their sponsored hotels. It just so happens that the Alice Hotel is selected via raffle." he elucidated to the brunette in 10 seconds flat and took a sip of his tea after.
"……"
"…"
".."
"Uuh..hon? Are you ok?"
"Miss?"
She seems to be in a pretty bad mood. Her hands tightly clutching her skirt and her eyes are hidden behind those bangs. Is winning a prize so luxurious as that?…bad?? Or maybe she's thinking that she's in one of those reality shows wherein the victim gets punked and the next thing you'll see is a bunch of crew, hidden camera men suddenly bursting out your pastry cabinet and Ashton optimistically hugging you while telling you, you just got your arse punked! But then again, this is Mikan we're talking about. Doubt, second thoughts, thorough calculation of the current situation, is nowhere near her vicinity.
"I.."
"H-hon? You wanna glass of water?"
"I…I WON!! GAWD I WON!! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!! RUKA WE'RE GONNA SPEND ONE HELL OF A LUXURIOUS NIGHT AT A HOTEL!!" she then started jumping around then captured Ruka into a tight bear hug. Which Ruka casually accepted and hugged her back. Sakurai merely sweat dropped and chuckled at her childish performance.
"U-uhm that's another thing I need to talk to you about." Sakurai suddenly cut in as he managed to survive Mikan's volcanic rupture of happiness.
"What is it?" Ruka asked.
"The prize is good for one person only. Apparently, another person won the same prize thus, making that person your company for the rest of the night. So I'm going to ask you if you still want to go albeit you have a stranger as an associate for the whole night." Shuichi said in a matter of factly voice with his index finger thrown upwards.
"And apparently who's that person?" Mikan asked, still caging Ruka in her arms.
"Unfortunately, I was not informed with that piece of detail. I was only tasked to hand you the news and leave with me your final decision."
"What if that person is a guy?" Ruka questioned him in a slightly frustrated manner.
"Which is why I require your decision."
"Sigh… Guess I can't go after all." Ruka and Sakurai eyed each other meaningfully then faced Mikan with pity.
"Uh why not honey?" asked Ruka as he put an arm around his girlfriend's slender shoulder.
"What if that other person is a man?? I can't go sleeping and fancying around with some random guy!"
She gazed at her boyfriend's ocean blue eyes. Ruka could really see concern brimming through her auburn orbs.
"Don't worry, I trust in you." He said as he beamed at Mikan's troubled face then kissed her forehead.
Sakurai shook his head slightly oblivious to the two. And after a couple more spirit uplifting, Mikan finally agreed to the bargain and signed some papers.
Their conversation ended with handshakes and nodding of both men's head to each other. As if commencing a legally signed contract.
'Such poor, sweet girl. She made me have my second thought about accepting this job.'
"Hey."
"Hn. I see you're back."
"Yeah."
Crimson orbs and mauve ones gazed at each other in an irky way. Ambiance of boredom and irritation filled the room.
"What are you doing in here?" asked the raven haired, 23 year old guy, as he went back on reading his manga yet again.
"Mr. and Mrs. Hyuuga asked me to come for dinner." She said in a cold voice.
"Whatever."
The girl, 22 years of age, motioned beside the lad and grabbed a randomly scattered manga. One that's probably done with.
"What?" he asked. His voice almost not questioning.
"Nothing."
Several soundless minutes have passed and the lass had downed the manga. She then stood up and started walking towards the door. She stopped half way turning the crystal doorknob open then looked back.
"Hyuuga."
He looked at her through the corner of his eyes as a sign he's at full attention.
"Just so you know, my parents booked us a weekend reservation at Alice Hotel. Tomorrow to be precise." She returned her gaze down at the doorknob as she spoke. Still posing a deadpan façade and unfazed tone. She knew for a fact that this stone hearted guy can't say no to her parents thus didn't bother waiting for his reply.
The raven haired guy heaved a heavy sigh and said nothing. As she was about to exit, he called out to her.
"Imai."
"What Hyuuga?" She asked as she faced him. Don't get me wrong. Despite the sarcasm and last name calling, they are, as a matter of fact, boyfriends and girlfriends. Or better yet. They're engaged for 4 years now and to be married by the end of the year, which is 3 months from the present. And no, it's not one those lover's quarrels. Just a moment of normality.
"When are you going back to France?" She needn't ask why the sudden spew of question. It won't take five stupid skipping Sherlocks to figure the answer out. He clearly doesn't want her around.
"When I'm done with my mission here." She said, looking over her shoulder.
Hyuuga eyed her oddly but then shrugged, a gesture that he doesn't want to press the subject any further.
"Dinner's at seven." And with that, she left and closed the door behind her.
She stood outside the room for a couple of seconds. As if calculating some future proceedings.
"Better convince the baka Sakurai." She whispered to no one in particular before walking off.
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