Act 2:

Arranged Marriage

"Arranged marriage?!" Mikan briskly stood up in protest, "pardon my actions mother," She scoffed, then sat again. "But arranged marriage? Didn't you say you'd want me to marry the man of my dreams? Marry the man whom I would fall deeply, madly, and truly in love with?" Mikan said with a hoarse voice because she was close to the point of crying. She didn't want to marry any one, not yet.

"Oh no dear, it's not just you," Yuka shook her head, still smiling. Obviously she was oblivious to Mikan's feelings.

"I don't get it mom," Mikan sighed, trying to hold on to her sanity.

"Hotaru would be going too!" Yuka clapped her hands gently.

"Hotaru and I?" Mikan imagined as she and Hotaru became brides for each other. She just didn't know who would wear the tux. When they were young Mikan wanted to marry Hotaru so that they could be together always, but growing up changed the meaning of two same genders marrying each other. She hadn't known Yuka would have such taste.

Yuka glared at Mikan, as if she perfectly read what Mikan had thought of. "It's not like that," She scolded. "You two would both have an arranged marriage; same time and place but different rooms. Isn't that wonderful?" Yuka was getting too hyped up again.

'Wonderful my ass,' Mikan wanted to say that, but she refrained from doing so because first it was unethical and second, her mother wouldn't like that, not one bit. "I don't think you understood my feelings," Mikan sighed. "I'm still young and I don't want to get married."

"I, on the other hand, am not going to be young forever. We lost your father and there would be a time that you'd lose me too…" Yuka's face was filled with sorrow. She just wanted what's best for her daughter. "Please accept what I am asking you, give the person you will be seeing some time and a chance. It would be nice if you both fell for each other. If not, then I will get off of your back for good."

Mikan knew her mother too well to make the same mistake of trusting her. If the first arranged marriage didn't turn out so well, she'd have another person lining up. Her chest tightened because Yuka used her father's death as a reason and that there will be a time that Yuka herself will also pass away. "Alright mother, but please do keep you promise." Mikan said in a business like tone after giving off a huge sigh.

"Thank you!" Yuka hugged her daughter and secretly crossed her fingers. Actually, Yuka did have a lot of possible dates for Mikan and she had them on a very long list. She was not about to give up on her daughter and she would never be able to forgive herself if she left Mikan alone. Yuka kissed Mikan's forehead, "You'll be seeing one of them tomorrow," She whispered.

"What?" Mikan's eyes went wide, her brown pupils dilated with surprise.

"I said, you'll be meeting him tomorrow," Yuka giggled. "Let us look for a dress; the place of the date would be at the world class Hoteru Grand Hotel."

"Okay," Mikan still doubted her ears if she heard her mother right. She swore she heard her say one of them. "Don't tell me you've reserved the whole place?"

"Oh no dear," Yuka shook her head. She pushed Mikan back towards the house.

"That's good." Mikan sighed with relief. Her mother shouldn't waste much money on such frivolous and temporary things.

"They reserved the whole hotel," the, young at heart, mother said. "I was astounded when they said they'd be thrilled if you marry their son or even if you don't, they said it was a pleasure that their son was one of my choices,"

Mikan's face turned sour. Her mother's voice echoed inside her head. 'My choice'. Oh well, Yuka was exhilarated with the idea of an arranged marriage and she had her mind off of Izumi's death, so what the heck. She just shrugged and put on a happy face once again. "I'll try my best mom," Mikan gave out a heartily sigh, "I'll definitely try…"

…

"Did they tell you yet?" Mikan was on the phone with Hotaru after Yuka chose the perfect dress for her. She felt tired after all that ruckus.

"Yeah," Hotaru groaned on the other line.

"I hate this," Mikan muttered. "I mean the arranged marriage. I can't even get along with a single guy," She tried to remember a single conversation that she had with a guy and she enjoyed it, but she failed to recall anything.

"Correction, Mikan Sakura can't get along with any guy because she is prone to punch them rather than to kiss them," Hotaru laughed at her own joke although they both knew it wasn't much of a joke because it was the truth. Mikan always punched guys who got on her nerves.

"I'll make sure he'd be the one to back out whoever he is," Mikan said with full determination. "I'll be in my best stuck-up and spoiled brat attitude."

"My attitude depends on how rich he is," Hotaru nodded a few time as if Mikan could see her. She could be kidding or not.

"There we go again with the money," Mikan smiled. Hotaru never changed. Not even one bit. She would always mention the importance of money but sometimes, by the end of the day, money hadn't really affected Hotaru's decisions. Sometimes.

"Well," Mikan yawned. "Shall we get our beauty sleep for tomorrow?"

"I agree, good night Mikan," Hotaru yawned.

"Oyasumi Hotaru,"

…

Mikan woke up early as usual. The so called meeting would be occurring later around six o'clock in the evening. She started her daily routine. Mikan jogged on their vast garden, watered the flowers in her very own small green house, and then sat down on the veranda to drink the Darjeeling tea and eat the pastries that the family chef made.

In about an hour, after Mikan took a warm bath, Hotaru arrived together with her personal servants. They brought her things that were necessary for tonight. She greeted Mikan with a frown while saying, "these guys should better be worth it; I'm getting behind of my schedule because of this,"

"Come on, loosen up," Mikan giggled. "They could be very rich you know," she said as she tugged on Hotaru's sleeve.

"Uh, he since you'll be meeting one guy and the other will be mine to meet."

"That's true…" Mikan blushed.

…

Mikan's round brown eyes widened when she saw a familiar face when she entered the room, but then tried to remain calm. He was wearing a black tuxedo, white inner vest, black shoes and a dark blue neck-tie that brought out his ocean blue eyes. He looked tall despite from sitting, slightly masculine and different from the perspective of Mikan Sakura.

Ruka Nogi gave Mikan a warm smile when he saw her enter the room. "Good evening Yukihira-san," He held her hand and pressed it on his lips. His golden hair slid on his beautiful face. Ruka then looked up at Mikan with a gentle smile. "Have a seat," He pulled down a chair for her to sit on.

…

Hotaru's brow rose when she saw a familiar face as she entered the room. She was void of all emotions as usual. The person waiting for her was wearing a black tuxedo, a white inner vest with blood red neck tie which complimented his ember eyes. She didn't really care about the person in front of her.

"Good evening," Natsume stood up and pulled out a chair for Hotaru.

The newly arrived lady just sat down as she said her thanks.

…

Mikan and Hotaru planned to be excused at the same time. They decided to report who their so called soon to be or not fiancé. They met at the bathroom.

"Who's yours?" Hotaru asked casually.

"Ruka Nogi," Mikan was all fidgety, "yours?"

"Natsume Hyuuga," Hotaru sighed. "Seems like a decent man, quiet, just like how I'd like my man to be, and not to mention richer than me. I'm going to take him for a consideration."

"Him? Decent?" Mikan scoffed. "Do you remember what he did to me?"

"To Sakura," Hotaru pointed out.

"Touché," Mikan nodded. "Ruka's not a bad guy either; I guess I'll also take him for consideration." She unconsciously rubbed her chin.

"Did he notice?" Hotaru asked whether Mikan's jig was up.

"Nope," Mikan shook her head.

"I thought you were going to be in full brat mode?" Hotaru chuckled.

"I take that back, Ruka is so kind." Mikan's face turned right red.

"Then seal the deal," Hotaru winked as she walked out of the bathroom.

…

"I'm sorry for making you wait, Nogi-kun." Mikan smiled casually. So far, Ruka didn't mention that she resembled Sakura. Actually, she was nothing like Sakura today; she was completely in her best Mikan Yukihira mode. Her hair was tied in a side ponytail with wavy curls, her eyes had no contact lenses and were emphasized by her mascara, and she wore a thousand-worth, light blue long gown which highlighted her petit body. The sleeveless dress showed her shoulder blades that were obviously as smooth and flawless as her other skin parts. She even sat straight with proper posture.

"Can we drop the honorifics? And you can call me Ruka… since…" He averted his eyes from hers.

"Oh, yes," Mikan smiled. "Ruka-kun, why are you here to be exact?" Her expressive brown eyes became void of all emotions.

"Why do you ask…" He paused for a while, "parents' decision?" He laughed gently.

"I see," Mikan predicted right.

"But I'm glad I came," He said seriously. "It's like I've known Mikan-chan for some time now…"

Mikan's heart began racing and her palms were sweating like mad but she remained calm. Would he notice that she was the brute-forced, short-tempered Mikan Sakura. She prayed to God, 'I know I'm asking much for this but please don't let me get caught'.

"It must be because you are easy to be with," Ruka's words made Mikan's blood rush in relief.

"Nonsense Ruka-kun," Mikan giggled sweetly, but still with elegance, "It was Ruka-kun who was kind and made the atmosphere as it is,"

Ruka's face flushed. Mikan was oblivious to the color of Ruka's face. She talked to him casually but with poise like how ladies were supposed to behave. Mikan was taught etiquette as early as at the age of five. Frankly she was an expert on the subject.

It was already past ten o'clock when the waiter came in. The two were so hung up on chatting and drinking wine. "Pardon me, but the owner said the balcony is ready for tonight's star gazing."

"That's so nice, I can't remember the last time I went star gazing," Mikan commented although she knew in herself that every night she would climb up their mansion roof with a telescope and watch the stars.

"Really?" Ruka seemed astonished. "Shall we go?" He held out his hand and she gladly accepted it. They went up while holding hands.

…

Natsume and Hotaru's night were quiet. Both of them were doing things of their own.

"It'll be an obligatory marriage," Hotaru said out of the blue. "We're not even a couple yet,"

"Yeah," Natsume just said without looking up from his book.

That was it and their night continued in silence while they drank their wines and did their works.

…

"Good evening Hotaru," Mikan greeted Hotaru with a smile. She expected to see Natsume, but she wasn't ready. She wasn't sure if this arrogant guy would actually know her, but she wasn't implying that Ruka was sort of stupid for not noticing.

"So this is the pride of the Yukihira family," Natsume nodded to himself. "You seem well bred,"

"Pardon me, that is not the way to talk to your friend's fiancée," Mikan gave him the sweetest smile that she could ever come up with while thinking, 'Compared to me, you are not as what you call well bred, you arrogant bastard'.

"What makes you think he's my friend and your fiancé?" Natsume raised a brow.

"Is he not?" Mikan was playing innocent. "Hyuuga-san, I am a well-informed person, if you were thinking otherwise then you're wrong."

"I like the tone of your voice," Natsume smirked.

"Could you not flirt with another man's fiancée while your own fiancée is watching?" Hotaru said casually. Ruka just nodded, he was caught up, but lost at the same time regarding to what just happened.

"Saying the word fiancée casually, it's not even decided yet," Mikan whispered, but then looked at Ruka. She also realized she was the first one to call herself Ruka's fiancée. "Sorry for that Ruka-kun," Ruka still held her hand. Her grip on his hands was not as firm as Ruka's grip on her. Her probable fiancé just shook his head and smiled with complete understanding.

Natsume just grunted and looked at the stars above. The moon was full, and it shined brightly but it didn't cover the stars' light. There were no clouds in sight. The breeze was cold, Mikan suddenly shivered. Ruka instinctively gave his coat to Mikan. Natsume did the same with Hotaru.

"Thank you," The girls chorused.

"Ruka-kun,"

"Hyuuga-kun,"

Mikan looked at Hotaru. Her best friend looked back at her like she was saying so what? Mikan just thought, 'Still with the honorifics. Poor Natsume, he was going to be with Hotaru forever after their marriage. Of course both of them could still back out if they want to. At some point, he's also lucky to marry Hotaru.'

It became a short night for Mikan. She enjoyed Ruka's company. He made her forget about the stressful things. He would talk about random stuffs from peanut butter and jelly facts to places around the world. Maybe Ruka is the right man for her and marrying him would definitely please her mother. There might be something missing but she was willing to overlook it.

…