Summary: Preparing for the Wedding of The Year is definitely not the ideal way of reuniting with your former lover.
Wedding Bells
Chapter Two
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By: cheerry-blossoms
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Within the confines of the apartment's small living room, a gentle melody playing from the laptop was filling the silence that usually enveloped the unit. There on the beige-coloured couch was Mikan cozily half-lying with her laptop rested on her stretched legs, happily humming along the tune of the relaxing music.
Her mother leaves for work when the clock strikes eight AM, and then returns at around seven in the evening; therefore, she has their apartment all to herself during the day when she has nothing scheduled. Despite her unstoppable loud mouth and love for socializing, she actually preferred working in tranquility, especially when she's doing research as it makes her think better.
"I'm surprised you think." She pouted remembering Hotaru's words to her when they first entered university in Gyeonggi. She may not be the brightest student, but she always did her best during examinations. For her, it was enough to get a passing mark, 'cause she knew she could never be one of the top students. That was Hotaru's goal, anyway.
And she thinks, for Kami's sake!
Excitedly, she browsed for unique wedding articles and pictures in the internet, her round honey eyes sparkling at every interesting discovery she had made. People are getting more creative and innovative these days! The themes today were viewed unacceptable and inappropriate before. Due to the culture and tradition, people back then stuck to following the conventional, but as years passed by, unique ways of celebrating were getting developed and are now becoming a trend. This was why events was quickly becoming an in-demand industry nowadays.
She then began taking notes on possible themes which will suit her new clients' taste based on their personalities.
Her Tsubasa-senpai is one of the most famous actors in Japan. Aside from being included in the lists of most attractive male celebrities for years, Tsubasa was known to have stayed loyal to his non-showbiz girlfriend of twelve years in his entire career, despite the number of gorgeous celebrities and fans flocking towards him; thus also making him the ideal guy of young girls, not only in Japan, but in Asia. He was branded a rare gem.
Their love story was adored by many. A charming and naughty celebrity, and a beautiful and tough policewoman—they're a strange combination but their relationship worked out! Who would not find them interesting?
Mikan will not deny the anxiety she's feeling. As much as the couple's dating years were peaceful, their engagement was suddenly causing uproar. People label the upcoming event as the 'Wedding of the Year' due to the couple's popularity, and now everyone was having high expectations for the wedding. This will have to be the biggest and most successful she will handle, not only for her reputation in the industry, but also because these two were the closest upperclassmen to her.
She treats the two of them as the older siblings she never had. They cared for her, as well. They were some of the first to trust and accept her in the academy, so she will make sure to give them the best wedding a couple could ever have in return for everything they have done for her.
After all, her senpais are really weird and outrageous—reason why they got along. And because she knew them so well, she's already preparing herself for the most unique and challenging request from the engaged couple.
Tsubasa and Misaki were clear on not accepting sponsors for the event, for they intended on spending their own money for it. Except for the photographer and his team, they had entrusted her on the searching of the remaining suppliers. As this will be the first event she'll handle in Japan, she'd normally find difficulty in looking for trusty suppliers. Fortunately, she had met some of her academy friends in a bridal fair in Jeju last year. It was a joyful reunion, really. She had never expected they would end up in the same industry! They, too, were surprised because no one thought Mikan would be a coordinator (and was just staying in the neighboring country all these years).
She had already contacted Osagawara Nonoko and Umenomiya Anna for the cake and catering; they became business partners and are managing a bakery and restaurant together. Of course they said yes and were ecstatic about it. Tobita Yuu, who she once thought would run for the government, also agreed to be in charge of the invitations and souvenirs. Shouda Sumire, though, was playing hard to get at first, saying she was in Paris and then will fly to Italy, blah blah blah. In the end, Mikan decided she won't ask Sumire; she will force her. Sumire was slowly getting recognized for her designs, anyway, and being Tsubasa and Misaki's designer will definitely push her more upwards. Who else will help each other?
As for the other suppliers needed, they'll have to wait after her official meeting with the couple a few days from now.
She was getting excited. She finally had a reason to come back to her homeland and reunite with her friends! She can't wait to hear their stories and how successful they are now. After all, Alice Academy was a school not only for the rich, but also for the genius. Their alumni always come a long way, always remarkable in their chosen field. Students there were honed since young to be the best of the best in the world. No one disappointed the expectations. Except, perhaps, her, but she was a special case.
She paused. What about Natsume? What about Ruka-pyon? What happened to them? How is he? What are they doing now? All she knew was Ruka-pyon choosing to stay in Alice University for College.
She stared at Google's homepage, her gaze particularly glued on that long rectangle under the colorful and animated GOOGLE letters.
Maybe she will find something about Natsume in the internet. He will surely be popular, because of his looks (never mind the attitude), in whatever career he was in. Perhaps, he was already managing his parents' business. He did not have a dream job, for he was expected to take over the 'Hyuuga Group of Companies', with his younger sister, Aoi.
She did not ask her friends, even Tsubasa and Misaki, about him. She did not have the courage to. Moreover, Hotaru told her if she wanted to move on, she'd have to completely cut all communication with Natsume and the people he's very close with—and that's only Ruka.
So, even if her tongue was itching to ask something about Natsume, she endured it and tried forgetting about it. Thankfully, her friends were considerate enough not to open any Natsume topic, not even the fruit.
She was not that bitter, really. It was more like she did not have the right to.
She just thought she was special to him.
Or, maybe she was not, at all, that jerk. She was just another annoying girl.
And yet, there was not a day Natsume had not crossed her mind.
Just a little peek won't hurt, she chanted in her mind. She really was curious! Six years have already passed, and she has moved on from those silly childish feelings. Even if they did not part in good terms, Natsume was still her friend. Of course she was—can be—concerned, yes?
Tentatively, she typed 'Hyuuga' on the search box. A dialog box appeared under it displaying a list of automatic suggested subjects. Her heartbeat rate increased double as she read the items.
Hyuuga Hinata...
Hyuuga Neji...
Hyuuga Hanabi...
Hyuuga Natsume
'Eep! There he is!' she squeaked in her mind.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she harshly pressed the backspace button until the box was left blank, lingering there for a moment before she opened her eyes.
Her slightly shaky hand was pressed against her chest as she inhaled deeply to steady her erratic heartbeat. How can a mere name do something like that to her? How can he still have that effect on her, when he was out of her life for half a decade?
Why was she still scared?
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"Are you sure you can do this alone?" The black-haired woman calmly asked, though her amethyst eyes showed genuine concern for the brunette. Yuka was beside Hotaru, looking as worried as the inventor for her daughter. It was Mikan's first time going overseas alone.
Hotaru and Yuka had to stay because of work. Hotaru's team was in the middle of an important experiment so she can't accompany Mikan to Japan for now. Besides, she's not even in the entourage, so there will be no need for her constant presence. Yuka was working extra hard recently so she could have that promotion she had been waiting for.
"Mou, I'm not a baby, Hotaru..." Mikan whined while pouting. Her best friend really had a weird way of showing affection. Hotaru can be mean to her, but then gets protective of her the next time. Good thing she already knew the "Hotaru language" by heart which not everyone had the privilege to do so. That girl was one complicated person, just like Natsume.
"But you're an idiot." Hotaru retorted, shifting back to her normal mean self.
"Meanie!" Mikan stuck her tongue out, only to receive a flick on the forehead as punishment.
"He might be there..." The taller girl intended it as a murmur, thinking the noise coming from the people in the airport will block it from Mikan's hearing. However, the crestfallen expression on her best friend's face signified she was heard. She forgot Mikan's hearing was quite sharp in contrast to her slow pick up.
Yuka shot her daughter a worried look. Though Mikan was still finding it hard to open up to her, Yuka knew who this Natsume was in her only child's life.
The thought of a certain crimson-eyed bastard touching a single strand of Mikan's hair made Hotaru's blood boil. "Your idiotic senpai will surely invite him." Hotaru almost growled.
I know, Mikan thought. She was aware of it. She had expected it. Sure, Tsubasa and Misaki were enraged at what Natsume did, but she just had this strong feeling that guy was invited by Tsubasa just to annoy him or something. Or maybe because Ruka will be invited, too?
Whatever the reason, the real question should be: was she ready to finally face him again?
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On second thought, Natsume will surely say no.
Right?
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"Natsume! What's up?" Nogi Ruka's jolly voice rang from the other side of the line. They had not talked for more than a month, now.
The past week in Seoul took up most of his time attending exhibits, conferences and interviews which all did not seem to end. He would always go home irritated and exhausted to the bones, and then headed straight for bed without changing clothes, no matter how many times Youichi told him to do so.
His schedule in Mumbai was a little loose. In his one-week stay there, two rest days were given to him which he decided to use for travel purposes. India was a beautiful country, home to natural breathtaking sceneries. There was no moment he had hidden his camera whenever he's there. The exotic places in the country were perfect for his artistic style, begging to be captured by his lenses.
She would love it here.
"Hn. I'll be going back for the bald guy's pre-nup." Natsume uttered as he slumped on the brown couch. His legs suddenly felt numb from walking around the freaking gigantic museum all day. Maybe he should go to the gym again once he returns to California.
"Wow, you agreed to be the photographer?" Ruka gasped. That was definitely unexpected, his decision.
Natsume smirked; his best friend knew him very well. He had never tried for events, or people, and he was certain he never will. It was just not for him. He can convey messages through his landscapes; however, perfectly capturing a person's emotion seemed impossible for him. He could not do it.
He was unfamiliar with that area; therefore, he sought help from Mochiage, another academy friend who did a sideline as a videographer in corporate events. Mochu said yes, and even suggested tagging Kokoroyomi and Kitsuneme along. Apparently, the two idiots started a small advertising agency, and it was gradually making its own mark. He figured they could be helpful to both pre and post prod periods, so he agreed.
He had just left Koko a message since he did not want to talk to that strange psychic. He had always wanted to strangle that dork for his annoyingness before.
"Aa." Honestly, he was not surprised to know Ruka was in the guest list. The blond was in good terms with the couple since Ruka was his total opposite—nice, princely and all the other good shit he did not possess. He still wondered how Ruka had put up with him, just like Mikan.
'She's gonna be there, you know...'
"Ruka..." he trailed off, "Hage said she's attending..." It had not fully registered in him until he finally said it out loud. From the time Tsubasa told him that, he had kept it inside him, not wanting to tell another soul for it might get jinxed. Silly, yes, but this was his chance to meet her again, to fix things between them. He did not want anything to ruin the chance. But telling it to Ruka made him feel incredibly lighter.
"Isn't that good news, Natsume?"
"I know, it's just..." He pressed his lips into a firm line, thinking of the right words to say, "I don't know what to expect..."
Ruka's silence urged him to continue.
"I never promised her anything..."
It was his fault, that he knew very much. He did not know why he had that crazy thought of not telling Mikan the truth then. Mikan, the only person aside from Ruka who can read him like a book, had noticed something was wrong with him. She confronted him about it, but because he was resolved on not saying a thing, the interrogation turned to their first and biggest argument they have never solved at the end of the day.
That was their last conversation, if that was even the right term. And it was all his fault.
"She loved you, Natsume."
He chuckled bitterly. "Loved. Past tense. What if she doesn't anymore?" His heart sunk at the thought.
"Then you'll make her fall for you again, won't you?"
Natsume's gaze shifted to the large framed photograph with the letters NH neatly printed on the lower right corner of it.
"Hn."
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For Mikan's birthday, he brought her to his family's villa by the sea. The beach was Mikan's favourite place. She loved the feeling of her small feet sinking onto the smooth white sand, she loved the fresh sea air she breathed, and she loved how beaches give her a wonderful view of the sunset.
She said it was the best birthday gift.
He almost said the three words. She was so, so beautiful it's painful.
She will be the death of him.
When the sun started to set, painting the sky red and orange, Mikan stood up from the picnic cloth and ran towards the shore with her arms widely spread at her side, letting the wind gently caress her hair and body.
In an instant, seeing her so happy, so contented, his deft fingers reached for his camera, and before he knew it, he had already captured that beautiful moment.
That was the first photograph he took using his new digital camera.
He found the picture again years after, and decided to feature it in every exhibition he joined, because that single photo, which conveyed all of his emotions he thought were nonexistent, will qualify in any theme.
That was his only photo that featured a person, and the only photo he never sold.
It was what happiness meant to him.
TO BE CONTINUED
They will meet again... soon! :D
I hope you're still interested in this! I'm trying my very best!
Oh, and please please let me know your thoughts :)
cheerry