So I was listening to a song and it inspired me to make another story. !

xoxo Lexi1989

STARTING OVER AGAIN

PROLOGUE

I shiver as the car door opens and the chilly breeze wafts in to the car. I step out and look around. I can barely recognize the place. It's been years since I last set foot in this fine city. Everything has changed.

"Mikan? Is that you?" I turn to the person calling my name and find myself in the presence of a dear old friend.

"Hello, Ruka." I gave him a reserved smile.

"My God! I didn't recognize you until they told me it was really you! You look so different!" He exclaimed as he gave me a big hug. He steps back with his hands still on my shoulders, as if taking a good look at me and I blush.

"It's still me Ruka. I'm still the same Mikan Sakura you knew before. A little more grown up in wardrobe maybe." He chuckled and asked where I was going.

"I have some business here in the city. With HIN-Tech. I'm working on a project for my company that requires a presentation of a business proposal today."

"Which company is it that you're working for?" He inquired.

"I'm working with Li enterprises from Hong Kong. Miss Sakura Kinomoto was supposed to be doing the presentation but had to take a leave so I was sent in her place."

"Actually I am one of the board of directors at HIN-Tech. And the project you're talking about is a collaboration of our biggest project this year." Oh dear. I wasn't really supposed to be in this project. But since Miss Kinomoto had to work on an urgent matter, i had no choice.

"Yeah, I know. Hyuuga-Imai-Nogi is what it stands for right?" I'd done my research and I specifically asked not to be assigned to this project. But of course the Universe doesn't ever listen to me.

"You have certainly done your research. Must be why you were gone for so long huh? Busy with work?" He said offhandedly.

"Yeah. I'm sorry if I haven't kept in touch." I said sheepishly. The guilt from what I've done to them in the past creeps up from where I've buried it.

"Well, no need to get caught up in the past. You're here now. I'm just happy to see you doing well." His words were calming however I could see in his expression that there was something more he wanted to say.

"My presentation isn't until four this afternoon. Care to accompany me to get a cup of coffee? I'm afraid I don't know much about this city anymore. It's been awhile." I said in an attempt to get a conversation going. A part of me wanted to keep this visit to Japan as strictly for business, but there was still that part of me that wanted to know about how they were all doing.

As Ruka agreed, I heard the warning bells in my head. I shouldn't be doing this. But it was too late. He had offered me his arm and told me about a quaint little café a couple of blocks from here. I'd already given my schedule away and I couldn't get out of it. I had no choice.

My car pulls up at the sidewalk of my building as another leaves. I see Ruka talking to someone near the entrance. The woman's back is to me but I can't help but feel like I know her. I tell the driver to keep the engine running and stay inside, until I can determine who that woman is.

I leaf through the documents in my case as I wait for them to either get inside the building or for the woman to turn around when my phone rings. I check the caller ID and answer it on the third ring.

"Hi hon." My fiancée greets me in a cheerful tone.

"Hey."

"Are you in the office yet?"

"Almost. I'm still in the car."

"Oh ok, well then, I'll see you at lunch then?" She asked.

"Of course." I feel guilty for being curt with her. I'm not usually like this.

"I love you Sumi." I told her in a light voice and that seems to change her mood immensely.

"I love you too Natsume. I'll see you later, okay?" I could sense that what I said made Sumire happy. I rarely initiated affection towards her.

"Yeah. Bye." I hung up just as I see Ruka offer his arm to the woman.

She was really familiar. It wasn't until they turned in this direction that it hit me. It was Mikan. She looked different. Her hair was shorter, and she had this air of sophistication and confidence in her. She was bundled up in a trench coat, had a scarf on her neck and sunglasses on her face. She was also wearing five inch heels. I couldn't help but admire how much more beautiful she was all grown up compared to the girl she was back in the day. The girl who broke my heart.

So what do you think? Interested to know more?

Let me know!

P.S. Cameo from CCS' Sakura Kinomoto and mention of Li Enterprises (Company of Li Syaoran) XD who are characters of CardCaptor Sakura by CLAMP

P.P.S. All characters are not mine, obviously, they are from our wonderful fandom of Gakuen Alice which is created/owned by Higuchi Tachibana.

P.P.P.S. The song this was based off of is "Starting Over Again" covered by Toni Gonzaga (original song by Natalie Cole) There is also a Filipino movie with this title but it has a different plot.

This joins my current story cycle (excluding those pending epilogues)

The Scam - Secrets - Fairie Tales - Starting Over Again

Pending epilogues - Delicious Taboo - Karaoke Nights - The Guy next Door

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Ja Ne!

xoxo Lexi1989