Chapter 2

Sitting down on her plush bed, Mikan sets her alarm for tomorrow. She isn't exactly sure what time to get up but she's absolutely positive it's before 4. Even if they're filthy rich, being punctual always helps.

Her phone beeps and she glance at it. It's from Hotaru. She smiles when she reads the message. She's already told her about the plan taking into action and it seems she's the one more excited about it. No surprise there.

Examining her almost-bare room, Mikan lets out a long sigh. It's truly weird how sudden it is. Just yesterday, she just finished a long, extensive photoshoot and tomorrow she's leaving for Japan.

Her parents do love surprises.

She jumps up off her bed and moves toward the big window. She folds her arm as she lean on the wall, gazing outside. When she's had her fill of the scenic view of the pool and nature, she reach forward to the red satin, floor-length curtains. She holds on to the left side and tugs the right one and pulls them half-way, closing them.

Next, she changes into her sleepwear, which consists of a unicorn onesie and nothing else. Unless, of course, if her underwear counts.

She slips in under the covers, ready to snooze before facing the lifetime changing event, when her phone rings. She glowers at the phone and turns her back to it. Seriously, who in their right mind would call her at this—

Her eyes meet the clock. 9:12 it flashes. She sweatdrops when she realize this is not a normal time for someone like her to be sleeping in. She rolls back to her other side and reaches for the still-ringing phone. Not bothering to look at the screen evidently as it's blinding her, she swipes to answer.

"Hello…" She mutters disdainfully.

"Excuse me? What's with that tone?" A very familiar voice scoffs.

Mikan's eyes that are slowly closing immediately widens. "Excuse me? Excuse you! You meanie, fiend, no-good—"

The person on the other end of the line laughs. "Mikan… were you sleeping? At this time? I didn't know you're a grandma." The person cracks again. "It's Sumire, you baka."

Mikan's tone is full of glee when she squeals, "Permy-chan!"

The phone line crackles then die, leaving Mikan uttering her friend's name over and over until she realizes the call has ended. Then her phone lights up again, but before she can speak a very antagonize voice cuts her off.

"For the 1001th time, Mikan Michelle Sakura Yukihira, my name is Sumire Syoda! Should we introduce each other again?! Do you want me to fly out there and slap you?!" She screeches.

Mikan tensely laugh. "Of course not Per— Sumire." Mikan imagines her friend's reactions right now. Sumire is always dramatic.

Sumire huffs. "Good. Now I just want to confirm if it's true about Home Landing?"

"What? Home what?"

"Oh you know," Sumire's voice went low, "the Home Landing."

Mikan's eyebrows scrunch. "What are you talking about?"

Sumire sigh and Mikan imagine her throwing her hand in the air. "You know, the codename! Where you're flying back to Japan!" She gasps, "Oh my god, I'm so sorry. Is this line secure? What if this news will leak to the public?"

Ohh. Mikan finally grasps what she's talking about. "No, no. Don't worry about it. We already tipped them off that we're flying to Brunei tomorrow instead of Japan."

Sumire releases a relief breath. "Oh good, good. Hotaru told me if the press finds out she was going to let me taste something she created. Whatever that is, it must taste terrible if she threatening me with it."

Mikan looks horrified. Terrible doesn't even describe the Bazooka Gun. She assures her friend, "Don't worry. Everything will go smoothly tomorrow. By the way, Hotaru told you everything, right?"

"Yep. Ohh, Mikan. I cannot, cannot, cannot wait to see you two! I will feed you everything you've missed." Sumire gushes and goes on a passionate tirade about every rumor, gossips, and tales with people Mikan has no interest with.

Mikan gives back interested answers to her friend but in the back of her mind, a thought lingers. Hotaru didn't tell Sumire or the other two about the undercover plan. Oh well, it'll be okay. She'll tell them when they arrive there.

Finally, after being informed about a person who dressed up as a kangaroo in a Halloween party, a teacher throwing an egg to a student, and a group of students getting kicked out of the academy, she says goodbye to Sumire and promises to text her once they land.

She plugs her phone to charge, rolls to her side and goes to sleep.

The dark-haired lad. She sees him again.

This time, they're in a deserted street with cafe's and empty store chains lining the block. He's ahead of her and as always, she just sees his back. Why? Why does she always have the same man in her dreams? Well, it's not often that she's aware of her dreams. But she may not remember this when she wakes up.

She musters the courage and slowly paces herself towards him.

"Excuse—"

The ground shakes. Her body fills with panic and she looks around only to have her vision disappear. Everything is black. Like a void, she's the only one filling the space. Her mind is hazy and before she knows it, she falls back to sleep. And not until long moments later, she wakes up to a very, extremely loud sound.

Her subconscious takes in the noise until it finally reaches inside her whole body, mind, and soul. And Mikan screams.

"HELP ME! They're after me! I'm trapped!" She howls, eyes still close, thrashing her arms around. "CHICKENS! Aghhh…" Her eyes shoot wide open when she hears an obnoxious laugh beside her. She narrows her eyes to the noise culprit and surprisingly not, it's none other than her wickedly stupid of a brother.

Youichi clutch his stomach, his other hand banging on the carpeted floor. He's choking on his own laughter. "Her face! Your face! You're so ugly nee-san."

Mikan trying to reel her own mind does the most necessary thing to do. She grabs the lotion bottle on her stand and hurls it at his head. He yelps and scratches his hopefully throbbing head.

She fumes and shakily points at her door. "YOU! Get out! NOW!" She jumps off her bed and bolts towards her 2 years, sorry-of-an-excuse, younger brother. "You stupid, idiotic, moron, hellish person! OUT!"

Youichi, despite the blow on his head, is still dying of laughter even after she chases him out.

"Did something happen, sweetie?" Their mom calls out.

She opens her door a crack and yells back, "Yes mother, your horrible, obnoxious son just dug up his own damn grave!" She slams the door.

Oh my lord. Mikan huffs and pats her face. It's way too early in the morning to be a tomato red. She takes long deep breaths but the vengeance is still there. She evilly smiles when she remembers that she can always terrorize her baby brother as soon as they get to Japan.

She is, after all, the oldest sibling. The boss.

She goes inside the bathroom and fills the tub with warm water. After completely scrubbing herself clean, she dries off and padded her way inside her closet.

She eyes her clothes, searching for something comfortable but stylish. Long-sleeve? But it's like 60 degrees hot outside in this very early morning. Then just a normal shirt? Hm, no. That's not what she have in mind. She drags her finger on the cabinet and stops on a certain drawer. She pulls out that one and takes out a blue tank top.

Very simple but it matches her mood. Maybe a pair of high-waisted shorts to pair it off. She changes into her selected clothes and perform her other morning habitual arrangements.

A knock on her door. Mikan replies, "Come in."

"Hey, kiddo." Her dad steps in the room, a slender laptop case slung on his shoulder. "You ready?"

Mikan closes the compact mirror and beams at him. A butler comes in her room, bowing at the both of them before hauling two of her luggage. She takes her brown Prada purse and heads out towards the entrance with her dad.

There, she sees her mom shuffling through numerous papers and she sees two passports on her other hand. And the devil, her brother, is lazing around the recliner chair, earphones in.

Mikan walks over to him, sneaks behind and pushes down the chair. Youichi jolts up, probably thinking the chair fell off-balance.

"Onee-san!" He hisses when he found her behind him simpering.

But before he can step any close to her, Izumi claps his hands. "Juubon! Enough already. Truly, now I'm having doubts whether or not you two will survive without any actual parental guidance."

But their mom touches Izumi's shoulder, chuckling. "We've been on them for a long time, this could be their big break."

"Mom's right, dad." Mikan solemnly nods as she clings to her dad's idle shoulder. "You can't watch out for us forever."

Izumi tears up and envelope Mikan in a bear hug. "Oh, my daughter. Daddy's going to miss you very, very much. You take care of yourself okay? Daddy will send you tons of chocolates if you eat healthily!"

Yuka scowls at him. "Hazu, dear husband, you're not making any sense."

But Mikan grins at her dad and hugs him even tighter. "Yes, papa."

Youichi despite the disgruntled sounds he's making has a gentle look on his face. He leaps off the chair and starts walking out the door. "Car's here."

They all head out and one by one enters the SUV. Her parents on the middle seats while Youichi and her settle themselves on the last row. She plugs in her earphones and closes her eyes.

The airport is about 40 minutes away. Even then, there is still solid traffic on the main roads. She might as well catch some z's as much as she can.

Then suddenly the music sounded off. She peers one eye open and glances to her side. Youichi is dangling one of her earbuds in his hand.

She gives him a dirty look. "Tch, what do you want now?"

"Gee. No need to be cold, just want to say sorry princess." He puckers his lip and lowers his eyes. That infamous puppy-look of his that miraculously always gets him out of trouble.

"Whatever." She mutters and holds out her palm. He gives her back the ear-bud and when she sticks it back in her ear, Youichi rests his head on her shoulder.

That instantly melts almost all of her anger away.

She flicks his forehead and he grumbles an "ouch" before she also leans her head on his. He is still such a stupid, idiotic baby.

"Yo nee-san. Wake up, we're already here." She feels a finger inside her nose then a stinging pain on her forehead. "Ew, you're drooling. There's even a booger in your eye. Honestly, you're so ugly nee—"

Mikan lifts her hand and whacks Youichi on the head. Her auburn eyes blinking open and a terrifying glare forms.

"You horrible, despicable boy. How dare you say those things about your beloved onee-san?!" Being woken up that way is extremely unpleasant. Her hand is ready to smack him again when the car suddenly brakes and Mikan feels her heart in her throat.

She looks out the window and gasps. There are loads of reporters and paps crowding the front lot. Mikan immediately turns to her parents.

"Oka-san, Otou-san, how did they know about this?" They were forced to take utmost measures to keep their travel confidential. But her parents return a reassured look.

"Don't worry, Mikan. They are not here for us. They're here for your brother." Yuka responded, winking at the idiot beside her.

Mikan frown and looks outside again. Ahh, I see. Now for the second time, she notices the horde of girls that's helping push the paparazzi through security.

She pivots around and wraps her arm around his shoulder and squeezes him real tight and secure. "Wow, Yo-chan! As expected of an Idol." Honestly, being his sister, Mikan often forgets that Youichi is a very well-known singer and vocalist from the band D.A. which stands for Dangerous Ability.

She doesn't know what the heck their band's name means but they're pretty famous all around Asia. And now it seems their band is starting to influence the western part of the world too.

This gives her an excuse to strike him again, though. "Now thanks to you, we might be stuck here and miss our flight."

Youichi sharply inhales, shooting Mikan a deep scowl. "It's not my fault I'm that famous."

"Yes, it is! You signed yourself up for this."

"Okay, okay," Yuka calls out. "We're not going to be cooped up here for long. Larry's team is coming up so just gather your stuff and sit ready."

A few minutes later, approximately 30 security men come over to their vehicle and cautiously opens the door. Instantly, flashes of cameras are blinding them.

Youichi holds out his hand all the while covering his face. "Nee-san, come on."

Okay, that gesture definitely melted any left of her irritable anger at him to ashes. He takes hold of his hand as he guided her through the path the security people made by blocking both sides. Their parents, on the other hand, looks like they're escaping quite easily.

Mikan mentally smacks herself in the head. Right. They aren't here for dad or mom or even her. Maybe she should've stick with Otou-san but then again, she couldn't exactly leave her adorable baby bro for the lions to savage.

"Lindsay looks, look, it's Youichi-sama!" Sama? Wow, Yo-chan is definitely being treated like royalty. But he is already one so I guess it counts.

"Oh my god, he is so beautiful!" Yes, yes he is adorkable.

"Ah, look how at how shiny his aura is. He is beyond perfect!" Perfect? That, Mikan, will disagree with. This snotty, sometimes bratty, brother of hers is perfect?

Even if Youichi is dragging her through the tight space, Mikan continues to lift her head, plastering a big grin to everyone. She catches the eyes of one girl whose eyes widen and blood starts gushing down her nose.

Mikan can't help but let out a shriek and the gory sight disappears as her brother finally pulls her inside to safety. Her mom rushes to her, inspecting her body for any scratch while her dad takes a once over at Youichi before deeming him unharmed.

Izumi grabs Youichi and headlocks him. Ruffling his head, he chuckles, "Now that's what I call a ladies' man. Ain't that right, son?"

Youichi groans. "Dad! We're still out in the open…"

Mikan deviously grins at him. "Mou, Yo-chan, do you have a girl you like now?" With her statement, Youichi blushes. "Ara! So you do have one?"

"Oka-san!" Her brother grumbles. Yuka directly breaks up the interrogation.

"Enough poking fun at him. Mikan, I think that's Hotaru right there." Yuka points to an open cafe.

"Ha? Where?" Mikan hastily sprints towards the place. Upon entering, she rightfully smacks by something awfully familiar on the face right away. Rubbing the pain, she frowns at the approaching figure. "Geez Hotaru, I haven't even said hi to you yet."

Her best friend shrugs. "Exactly. That was the purpose of it." Hotaru side-steps from her and bee-lines to where Mikan's parents are. Mikan can only follow with a pout.

"Hello, aunt Yuka," Hotaru bows to the oldest brunette then turns to Mikan's dad, "Uncle. My parents are handling the immigration papers but they should be back any minute now. Oh, there they are." Hotaru indicates behind them.

While the parents exchange pleasantries, Mikan sees Hotaru take something out of her purse and hands it to Youichi.

"A mask?" Mikan questions.

"Do you see the crowd that's starting to gather?" Hotaru blandly gestures to the girls that are in the airport slowly crawling their way near them. "Just wear it and save us the inconvenience."

Youichi chuckles and puts it on. "Thanks, Hotaru."

The parents walk towards their little circle and Yuka wraps her arm on Mikan. "Well, everything is all set. Now you just have to get on the plane and jet off." Then her face breaks into an agonized look and her eyes tears up as she grabs Youichi too. "Now remember kids, mommy is with you everywhere you go doing who knows what with God knows who."

Her brother shows a horrified look. "Okaa-san!"

Mikan sympathetically pats her mom on the shoulder. "Even I wouldn't agree on that."

Their mother rolls her eyes and tightly squeezes the life out of them in response. "Whatever. I suck at this things. But just remember I love you and that I will kill you if I find out the mess you've created."

"Not if we're good at hiding them." Mikan hears Youichi muttering and their mom eyes her brother suspiciously but before Yuka can ask, their dad interrupts by pulling both of them into his infamous bear-hugs.

"Oh, kids." Their dad sniffs, "If you miss us too much, you can always fly out here every weekend. We can send the air-mobile there or we'll book you a flight every Saturday. It doesn't matter!"

Mikan giggles and even her brother can't help but let out a laugh as well.

"We'll miss you too, dad." Mikan kisses him on the cheek.

Yuka claps her hand. "Okay, okay, enough mushy stuff. You're boarding soon so we might as well start heading to the hangar."

They ride in a club cart to the private hangar where Mikan knows the huge Yukihira aircraft (or air mobile as her dad likes to call it) is waiting. But as they arrive on the spot, she notices it isn't the same gold, black, and white appearance and the intricate design of their last name isn't on there too.

Hopping out of the cart, she turns to her dad. "Er, is this a new addition?"

"Oh, no honey, this is sponsored by the Tobita's." Izumi replies, "We had a new contract with them and this air mobile is an indication of our partnership."

Mikan nods. "I see." Does this mean the Tobita's know they are coming back? Thinking about it now, who is the next in line to the throne of their airlines? Argh, she'll have to re-read those files again. But the new plane does look gorgeous. The top half is painted gold and the rest are thick black. Ah, she knows exactly the person who would fall in love with this.

She glances at her only sibling who looks so starstruck as he gazes at it. Mikan hides her laugh as she sneakily takes her phone out and snaps pictures of her idiotic brother.

Well, now it's finally time to go. She looks for Hotaru and finds her best friend conversing with her own parents. Then Hotaru shakes hear head before hugging her tearful father and her mom who look as calm and compose as Hotaru.

A domineering matriarch is definitely passed down in their genes.

Mikan turns to her own parents and says their final goodbyes before the three of them step into the plane and the plug doors close. The interior of the aircraft is even grander. Plush carpets, white leather seats, a mini-bar on the far corner and… is that a fireplace?!

"Wow." Youichi echoes what Mikan is thinking. He nudges at her. "Hey nee-chan, this is ours, right? New business with dad means this is now our property, right?"

She dumbly nods. "Hm. Uh-huh."

Then someone bonks the top of their head. They turn and meet an irritated-looking Hotaru.

"You fools. Stop being so lost in your world. The stewardess has been trying to tell you to take a seat." Hotaru walks in-between of them then plops down on one of the most comfortable-looking sofas Mikan has seen.

Behind them, the stewardess' eyes grow wide as saucers and pales. "Ah. Er, I'm sorry young masters. Should I leave you be or…"

Mikan laughs, waving her off. "Nonsense. We apologize for causing delay." She walks over to the seat beside Hotaru and slumps down on it. She lets out a content sigh. "This feels good. I admit, I like this one better than our own jet."

"Told you! Let's get this one if it isn't ours already." Youichi calls from afar. This distance could mean he's at the very far corner which is the mini-bar.

"Sure…" Mikan mumbled, yawning before sleepily closing her eyes. Turning to her side, she stretches her arm, hitting the girl beside her. "Good morning, Hotaru." And with that, she drifts off to sleep.


Don't be a silent reader. Share your ideas. You never know, you might be shaping the story.