Chapter 3!
Read. Read. Read.
"Damn that old man." Natsume said to himself while driving home.
"But he can never make me leave her." He thought angrily.
Natsume didn't fall asleep directly when he arrived home. He got his phone and dialed a particular number.
It just kept ringing. She wasn't answering the call.
"Maybe she fell asleep already." Natsume thought trying not to worry.
So after that, he eventually fell asleep.
The sun shone brightly. Another day has come.
Natsume went to school driving his Porsche, feeling not so bright every time he remembers what happened the other night.
He arrived at school and parked his car.
"Good morning Natsume." A voice greeted.
His not so bright day, brightened a little because of the owner of the voice. He turned around and slowly walked to the direction to where she was.
"Good morning too." He greeted sweetly.
The girl gave him a kiss on the cheek and smiled. She seemed fine.
"Just on the cheeks?" he asked teasingly.
"Whatever." Azumi poked him on his stomach, and then walked away to the school building.
Natsume jogged a little to catch up to Azumi and when he did; he placed his arm on her shoulders.
From afar, they were the perfect couple and Natsume seemed different with her. He seemed somewhat not him. But that was a good thing, right?
The day went on smoothly and the same as usual. There were discussions, tests, exams, going to the library, eating at the cafeteria, and a little sleeping too.
"Natsume, I have a meeting to attend to. It will be late." Azumi said, as they were in the library, trying to help out.
"I'll just wait for you." He simply said.
"It will be late. Really late." Azumi warned, knowing that Natsume was really impatient.
"I'll wait." He repeated, assuring her.
"Okay."
After helping out in the library, Azumi said her goodbyes and went to her meeting. When Azumi said her goodbye, Natsume caught a little glimpse of sadness and gloom in her eyes but he thought it was nothing.
She was right. They actually finished late just like she said.
"Bye guys." She said to her friends.
Natsume was just standing at the door of the place they were having a meeting in, waiting for her.
"How was the meeting?" Natsume asked as they were walking down the hallway on the way out.
"It was okay."
"Great. What was it about?"
"It's about the upcoming graduation. 2 weeks from now. We decided that we will help in the designing of the stage and preparing the place." She said.
"You are too kind." Natsume said.
"Aren't you excited that we are about to graduate?" Azumi excitingly said, grinning.
"Not really." Natsume said, arriving at the car.
He opened the front seat car door and let Azumi in.
On the way, Azumi was talking about all the ideas they planned out and all about graduation.
"We will be finally graduating." She said happily.
"Yeah. We could hang out more then without the worry of exams and quizzes." Natsume said.
Azumi's big smile turned to a little one and she looked out the window. Natsume didn't notice since he was focused on his driving.
After a few turns they have finally arrived. Azumi's house is not as grand as you think. She is from a middle class family. Her mother is a housekeeper and her father is just a common office clerk. Thanks to the scholarship, she was able to get in such a famous and good school.
But she never wanted just this kind of life. She wanted to have a life where her mother doesn't have to work and her siblings to have a very comfortable life. They wouldn't have to loan just for the school tuition fee.
"Thanks Natsume." She said, slowly getting out of the car.
Natsume just nodded in reply then drove off.
Graduation time…
Graduation has finally come. Everyone was dressed in their togas, all ready to receive their diplomas.
Natsume was excited not because of the graduation but because after the graduation, he is going to propose even though his father is totally against it.
Right after the graduation, the taking of pictures and all the hugs and tears, Natsume excused Azumi from the crowd.
"Let's go." He said.
"Go where?" Azumi asked, not so happy.
"Just follow me."
They went to the parking with Natsume dragging Azumi by the wrist. They arrived and Natsume was about to get in the car but Azumi just stayed where she was.
"What's wrong?" Natsume asked, worried.
Azumi didn't reply or said anything.
"I just have a surprise for you as a way to celebrate our graduation." Natsume continued.
"No Natsume." Azumi said, shaking her head.
"What do you mean?"
"We are over." Azumi said, no tears falling from her eyes.
"What?" Natsume said. "Stop joking with me. It is not funny, you know."
"But I'm not joking." Azumi simply said, looking Natsume straight in the eyes.
"Why?" Natsume asked, anger and sadness welling up altogether.
"Because we don't match. Your father thinks so too."
"What my father said has nothing to do with us." Natsume said, trying to convince Azumi.
"I know."
"Then, why?!" Natsume asked, a bit furious.
"I have someone I like already." Azumi started. "He has been pursuing me ever since high school even after he knew we were going out." She continued.
Natsume just stayed silent, waiting for her to continue.
"He can help me through a lot so that's why I'm going with him to States."
"Help you with what?" Natsume asked, still trying to keep his cool.
"He can help me with my career."
"Is it that important?" Natsume asked, now furious because of her reason.
"My career is on top of my list." Azumi simply said.
"Top of your list? Hmpf. Where will that place me?! Second?!" Natsume almost yelled, not being able to control his emotions.
"Actually, no. you are just in the third." She said this with much confidence.
Natsume is now very furious, not trying to hold back anymore. He went to where Azumi is.
"Why are you doing this?" he said. "I gave you everything. I would even be willing to give up my heritage just for you. You are my everything."
"But you are just nothing but a third to me." Azumi said, looking at the furious Natsume.
"I can't believe I made of a fool of myself with you." Natsume said, regretting everything.
"No one asked you to do those kinds of things." Azumi stated, not feeling a little sorry.
"I lost my character because of you. The image I made was all gone because of you. My relationship with my father became worst because of you. The things I prepared for tonight was all a waste and a mistake." Natsume said, raising a ring then threw it to the road.
Natsume got in the car and drove away. He needs to get away from the person who fooled him, the person who was so selfish.
"I gave you everything but I was just nothing to you. I changed for you and I even became the person you want me to be." He thought, sadly.
"Dad was right. She is not fit for me. She isn't strong enough to be with me." Natsume thought, realizing how right his father was.
Shockingly, Natsume didn't feel a hint of pain. All that was inside him that time was anger, regret and disappointment.
She was left there alone. She watched Natsume drive away.
"I know this is the best for me." She thought, trying to hold back tears.
"Azumi!" a person called.
Azumi turned around and see no other than the person whom she chose, the person who can help her fulfill her dreams.
"What are you doing there? Everyone's waiting." He said, smiling at her.
"Sorry. I'll be coming." Then she left.
End of Flashback
"Natsume. I think I'll be going now." Ruka said, getting up.
Natsume just nodded and with that nod, Ruka left his best friend alone.
After a few minutes since Ruka left, Natsume's secretary came in.
"Sir, the meeting will start in 10 minutes." She informed.
"Okay. I'll be coming."
Natsume got up and fixed his tie then got all the documents needed. He left his office with a last look on the picture on his cabinet. The one that was only for keepsakes, he says.
"I can't believe it." A brunette said to herself. "Early in the morning, he is already in a bad mood. What does he eat for breakfast? I wonder?" she sighed, trying to wipe off a stain in her blouse.
'Morning Mikan." A voice greeted.
Mikan quickly dropped the tissue and faced the owner of the voice.
"Morning too, Sir Arata." She replied, bowing her head.
'No need to be so formal with me. I'm not my brother you know." He said, noticing the formality.
Mikan just replied it with a smile then bowed her head again.
"I'll be going then." Arata said, going inside the devil's lair.
Mikan sat down dreamingly.
"He is just so sweet." Mikan thought, placing her palms on her chin.
She completely forgot about the mess on her blouse.
Just then her phone rang.
She turned around and looked for her phone. She rummages her bag to search for her phone. She wasn't as organized as her best friend, too bad. Speaking of her best friend, it was no other than her who was calling.
"What took you so long to pick up?" Hotaru said, demandingly.
"I'm sorry. I just have to empty my bag to find it."
"Whatever. I called you because we will be having lunch together at the Italian restaurant."
"Really?"
"Don't be late" then Hotaru hanged up the phone.
Mikan was really so happy and smiling about the good news though it seemed kinda rude to hang the phone without saying goodbye but who cares about that when it comes to Hotaru. It isn't usual for her to invite Mikan to lunch.
Mikan tried her best to finish all the tasks given to her but she just can't for it keeps adding and adding.
"Waah! I don't want to be late for lunch." Mikan whined, mentally.
"Hmpf! I don't care; I'll just finish these after lunch." Mikan decided.
She kept her things and was about to go but Mr. Yumiko came out.
"Where do you think you're going?" he asked.
"Sir, I have a lunch date with a friend." Mikan said.
"Lunch date? You know you are working." He said, rudely.
"But it is already break time sir." Mikan tried to reason.
"You can't…" Mr. Yumiko wasn't able to finish what he was about to say because of a specific person.
"Don't be so rude to your secretary Mr. Yumiko." The approaching figure said.
"Mr. Hyuuga!" he said, bowing his head.
How was it? I seriously don't like Natsume acting like that for someone else other than Mikan. :( But anyway, it's all in the past and this is still a NatsuxMikan story.
Let me know your thoughts. I would really appreciate it. Thank you!
-ECO