Oh yeah! New chappie is here! Thanks a lot guys for the reviews! You guys are super-awesome! (I'm sorry I couldn't reply to any review. I'm so damn busy this week... Even my beta thought that I was already dead... XD)
So, happy reading then.
Disclaimer: I don't own Mai-HiME! Grahhhh~
You Don't Know My Name
Chapter 3
She stared intently at the absently grinning blunette in front of her. They were having lunch together and Natsuki would often smile to herself, much like she was doing now, and it perturbed her. Letting out a sigh, she put her hamburger down and folded her arms.
"Seriously, stop smiling like that. You're freaking me out, 'Nee-chan," the young blonde said as she scowled at the older girl across the table.
Natsuki arched a brow and stared at the concerned face of the blonde before her. "What? No, I wasn't smiling."
"Oh? So what do you call that, then?" she pointed at the blunette's crooked lips.
"It's nothing," Natsuki shook her head and chuckled, placing her arms on the table top. "I'm just happy today, Alyssa-chan," she admitted.
Alyssa's bright sapphire eyes widened in surprise. "Eh? Happy about what?" she picked up her hamburger again and took a small bite.
Alyssa. My sister.
"Nothing," Natsuki repeated. "Just happy that I finally have some free time to spend with my lovely little sister," she said, and she instantly burst into laughter at the incredulous look Alyssa shot her.
Half sister actually. She's been living together with me since she was 9 years old.
"Reeeaaally…?" Alyssa said in a low, unconvinced tone as she arched her brows mischievously.
"Oh, come on!" Natsuki threw her arms up and let out and exasperated sigh. "Give me some credit! I do feel happy that we can finally do this after such a long time," she said as she gestured at food on the table.
But the way we interact with each other like we've been living together since we're born. Funny thing is she's the sister I never knew I have before. She just popped up at my door 4 years ago with one American woman from The Office of Child Support Enforcement.
Yes. America.
"Miss Kuga, I presume?" She could speak in Japanese! Awesome!
"Yes?"
"My name is Maria Graceburt, from America's Offce of Child Support Enforcement… And this is Alyssa Sears…"
That was how we met.
"We barely see each other," Natsuki continued. "I mean, yeah, we see each other at home but I usually get back from work really late and by then you'd already be asleep. And when you get up early for school in the morning, I would still be asleep," Natsuki scratched her cheek sheepishly as she stared at her little sister who looked a little stunned at her Onee-chan's words.
Our mother used to be an engineer in America back when she was still alive. My father… I don't wanna talk about him. I decided I didn't want to follow my mom because my English is so awful… Even my landlord's cat couldn't understand a single English word that came out from my mouth.
Of course he couldn't. He's a cat, moron.
Back to the story…
My mom died in a car accident when I was still in middle school. She did left me some trust fund which I had spent very 'wisely'. I bought a Ducati, DRIII Limited Edition which brought me to a situation where I had to eat plain bread for the rest of year until I got a part-time job at Yamada's Workshop.
And when I graduated from high-school, super-excited to get into college life – BAM! – All of sudden, I got a SISTER!
Nice mom.
Alyssa's dad already passed away when I first met her that day. Miss Maria told me that her father died because of some sort of heart disease. His father knew about me from my mother and had signed a will where I have to be the sole guardian for his daughter when he died. Ironically, Alyssa got no other family member in America who could take care of her.
Nice one, step-dad!
"I miss this. I miss having breakfast, lunch, and dinner with you," Natsuki said and smiled, making the younger girl blush faintly.
"I'm sorry I doubted you, 'Nee-chan. I miss you too," Alyssa chuckled in slight embarrassment, holding back the tears. Natsuki leaned forward and ruffled Alyssa's golden locks, making the young blonde giggle.
Natsuki took a deep breath and leaned back against her chair. "But actually… I'm also happy for another reason," she grinned.
Alyssa's shoulders slumped almost immediately. "I knew it." she muttered under her breath. Her older sister laughed.
"Hey! Happy stuff need to be shared, okay?" said Natsuki. "Sharing is caring, you know…"
"Yeah, right…" Alyssa deadpanned as she continued to munch on her burger. "Like, 'I'm so happy that she finally talked to me' kind of stuff?"
Natsuki's eyes widened in an instant. "How did you know that?" she exclaimed.
Alyssa pointed at her hamburger. "The burger told me via telepathy," she nonchalantly stated.
"Really, Alyssa?" Natsuki sighed, and shook her head. "I'm serious here."
Alyssa tried her best to contain a giggle as she took another bite of her lunch. "It was all over your face, 'Nee-chan," she said. "What else could possibly keep you smiling like that since the very moment I saw you at the school gate?" Alyssa shrugged as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You're so easy to read, 'Nee-chan. Other people might take advantage of you."
Natsuki narrowed her eyes. "How old are you again?"
Taking another bite, Alyssa blinked a few times before saying, "Thirteen."
"You talk like a 60-year-old granny sometimes, Alyssa. It's scary," Natsuki pretended to shiver slightly. Alyssa tossed a crumpled tissue at her face and the blunette laughed. It was true, as Alyssa would often act more mature than what was expected of her age. While Natsuki was proud of this, it was still fun teasing her little sister about it.
After her laughter subsided, Natsuki took a sip of orange juice from Alyssa's glass. "So, do you have any school activities after—" Natsuki stopped mid-sentence and made a face. "Damn! It's sour!" she exclaimed pertaining to the juice, making the blonde girl giggled.
It's not like I'm complaining. I'm actually grateful that Alyssa came into my life. She made me understand one word which I never gave a damn about before.
Responsibility.
"Hahaha~ No, I don't have any more things to do at school, 'Nee-chan," Alyssa said mirthfully. "What about you? Are you free after this?" she asked expectantly.
Natsuki smiled apologetically with a shake of her head. "I'm sorry, Alyssa. I have work at the workshop until eight and I need to help Mai with the midnight food delivery too."
"Don't you think you're working yourself too hard, 'Nee-chan?" Alyssa said with concern. "Why don't you let me go find a part-time job? At least you don't have to work all day long," she offered with a cute puppy look, hoping that Natsuki would fall for it.
"Don't give me that look, Alyssa," Natsuki chuckled softly. "And you already know the answer to that. Besides, who's going to hire a middle-schooler anyway?"
"Well, I did ask around the town and I found this—"
"No."
Alyssa pouted. "Why?"
Natsuki leaned forward and gave her sister an assuring smile. She reached out for Alyssa's hand and said, "You know I will never allow you to work. Don't worry. I can manage. All I want from you are good marks in school." She grasped the smaller hand gently. "That's not too much to ask for, right?"
Holding back her tears, Alyssa nodded her head a few times. "I'm just sorry I can't be of help."
"I've told you many times before. Don't worry about it," said Natsuki earnestly.
Besides, it's happy to know that there's someone waiting for you at home after working all day long…
"Okay." Alyssa sniffed and willed her tears not to fall. Her sister truly cared for her and she only wished she could be of help somehow to keep Natsuki from overworking herself.
Giving a soft pat on Alyssa's hand, Natsuki smiled again. "Don't cry. You know how much I hate to see that. Just finish up your lunch."
Alyssa easily acquiesced with a light chuckle. "Okay."
And at least, I don't have to be alone anymore.
"Where to?" Natsuki asked, turning to Mai while fastening her helmet on. "Hop on, Mikoto!" she gestured at the empty seat behind her. The spiky-haired girl didn't wait long and hopped on the seat happily.
Mai handed over a piece of paper where the addresses were written. "Only three deliveries and you're done for tonight. I want to close the restaurant early. I'm kinda tired to stay up late," Mai explained.
Natsuki nodded as she took the paper and read it. "Nice. Means I can go home early too."
Mai smiled as she secured a helmet on Mikoto's head. "Hold on to Natsuki, okay?" she told her and the younger girl nodded.
"And you!" Mai shot a glare at the dumbfounded blunette. Natsuki widened her eyes in surprise when she saw Mai's intimidating violet orbs.
"What?"
"Drive slowly! I know you drive like a speed demon! I don't want Mikoto to get hurt, okay?" Mai scowled.
Natsuki sighed. "Okay, mom. Don't worry," she waved offhandedly. "I won't be driving too fast. Only about a hundred miles per hour—"
"Natsuki!" the orange-haired girl yelled, but only a trail of smoke was left when Natsuki revved up her bike into full speed and charged forward, leaving her busty friend alone at the restaurant's back entrance.
They stopped at the final destination for the night; a luxurious-looking apartment complex.
Taking off her helmet, Natsuki gazed up at the tall building. "Damn… What a beautiful place."
"Natsuki, we need to get to the 55th floor," Mikoto said as she hopped off the bike while carrying the box of food.
"Why don't you stay down here while I take the food upstairs?" Natsuki suggested. "You did the other two deliveries. Let me do this one."
"Okay!" Mikoto nodded and Natsuki took the box from her hands.
Natsuki grinned and started walking until she reached the security booth by the large gates.
"Good evening, sir," she greeted. "I have a delivery from Kagutsuchi for 55-B."
The middle-aged security guard gave her an intrigued stare before nodding. "Please enter," he said as he unlocked the gate. Natsuki gave him a nod and proceeded inside.
The area was quiet, much to her liking. Damn! When I have the money, I'll be sure as hell to bring Alyssa to live here! She inwardly smiled at her thoughts while heading for the elevator. Upon arriving she pressed the upward call button and leaned her back against the wall next to the elevator door, waiting.
DING!
Natsuki instantly straightened up at hearing the familiar sound. The elevator door slid open to reveal three girls walking out. Natsuki could feel them eyeing her from head to toe and giggling as they walked past.
Stupid rich kids… Natsuki shook the thought off her head and stepped into the elevator, pressing the button for level 55. Resting her back against the cool metal wall, she sighed. She stared at the blinking red digital display above the buttons. She mentally counted along as the numbers shifted on the display.
53… 54… 55…
DING!
"Finally… And it has to be at the top floor of all places," she inwardly grumbled as she stepped out the elevator. Her eyes roamed the area, searching for 55-B. Each floor has ten residences. This floor starts with 55-J, 55-I… That means 55-B must be at the end of this corridor.
Natsuki gripped the food box she was assigned to deliver and accelerated in her step until she reached 55-B. She halted in front of the door, her eyes spotting the name plate beside the doorframe.
Fujino Shizuru Residence. Oh, so the customer's name is Fujino Shizuru...
She brought a hand up to knock, but paused to read the name plate again, mentally practicing a couple of lines.
Good evening, Fujino-san. Here's your order—
She blinked.
FUJINO? Natsuki's eyes almost bulged out of their sockets in realization. The surrounding air felt thick all of a sudden, like there was an invisible pressure on her chest. Her heart thumped loudly against her ribcage, she swore she could hear it.
What am I going to do? What am I going do? Natsuki found herself pacing back and forth along the corridor in panic. Shit! Get a hold of yourself, Kuga! You're not going to stand here until dawn breaks and Mikoto gets hit by a petrol truck when she falls asleep on the road! Mai will kill you!
Taking a deep breath, Natsuki lightly slapped her face to regain her wits. Alright, this is the chance for me to properly introduce myself… as a girl, not some courier boy she always thought I was. Natsuki nodded, feeling confident. She again lifted a hand and knocked on the door. After a few seconds, a voice from inside the room spoke,
"Yes?"
She could feel herself shiver slightly when she heard the voice. "I have a delivery from Kagutsuchi, ma'am," she calmly replied with all the confidence she could muster. She could hear footsteps approaching from behind the door. She stared at the floor, waiting for the door to be opened.
"Ara."
What the—? Her brow twitched on its own accord when she heard an unfamiliar voice, but with a familiar accent. Looking up, she was presented with a brunette clad in a dark purple bath robe, leaning against the door frame as she regarded Natsuki with curious eyes.
Thank god it's not Fujino-san, but… Natsuki eyed the anonymous woman before her. Her hair had almost the same shade as the hair of the woman whom she was madly in love with, only the length was shorter.
"If I knew the Kagutsuchi restaurant had such a cutie for a delivery girl, I'd order take out every day," the woman said with an alluring smile as her grey eyes stared intently at a flabbergasted pair of emerald orbs.
Wait… A cutie? Natsuki was about to retort when the other woman turned to look inside the apartment, and called out,
"Shizuru-honey, did you order something from Kagutsuchi?"
Natsuki could feel her heart ripping when she heard it. Shizuru-honey? What in the—? Did she just call my Shizuru— *cough* —erm, I mean Fujino-san, 'Shizuru-honey'? Who the hell is this woman?
"Yes, I did. Has it arrived, Anh?" came the faint reply from inside, implying that the speaker was somewhere far from the door.
Turning to face the troubled-looking blunette, the woman named Anh smiled at her again, to which Natsuki unconsciously frowned in response. "Yes, it's here…" Anh's smirk grew wide as she locked her gaze at the undeniably attractive girl before her.
"Why are you looking so distressed, kawaii ojou-san?" Anh deliberately leaned forward, inching closer to the raven-haired girl.
By reflex, Natsuki stepped away, earning another wide smile from the brunette.
"N-no reason… I'm just here to do my job. H-here's the food that you ordered." She held up the food box with her right hand and tried her best to avert her eyes from meeting the mischievous grey ones. She could feel a good amount of heat rushing towards her cheeks.
Oh my god… So cute! Anh had to restrain herself from squealing when she saw Natsuki's blushing cheeks, "Thank you…" she said and reached out for the box, intentionally grazing her hand against the blunette's pale skin.
"Would you mind to waiting for a moment? I'll get the money for you."
Natsuki simply nodded and watched the brunette disappeared inside the apartment with the food box. Letting out a heavy breath, Natsuki rubbed her sweaty palms over her face, trying to ease her thumping heart. Dammit! Why didn't I find this out before? She already has a bloody girlfriend! A damn beautiful girlfriend! Oh god. Why did you have to let me face this now?
"Sorry for the wait."
Snapping out of her thoughts, Natsuki tried to keep it casual as she watched Anh opened her purse to pull out a few bills. "6000 yen. Pretty cheap for something incredibly delicious," she said as she handed the money to the blunette.
Natsuki managed a small smile and reached a hand to grab the money, but Anh suddenly pulled the cash away.
"Tell me your name first." Anh smirked.
Her dark brows unconsciously twitched again. "What?" she snapped.
Anh slowly folded her arms, keeping the money away from Natsuki's reach and repeated, "Tell me your name."
Ugh, if I wasn't working for Mai, I'd punch this woman right here, right now!
"Kuga," she muttered through gritted teeth.
Anh quirked an eyebrow. "Kuga what?"
Natsuki took a calming breath before speaking. "Natsuki. My name is Kuga Natsuki. Can I have the money now?" she monotoned.
The brunette chuckled lightly. "Okay, Kuga-san. Thank you for your hard work in sending the food here," Anh giggled lightly as she handed over the money.
Annoyed, Natsuki snatched the money and glared at the brunette before walking away in a huff.
"See you tomorrow night!" Anh called out to her from afar as she stepped into the elevator.
Like I'd want to see you again, you damned woman! I'll let Mikoto send you the food next time you order! Natsuki closed her eyes and tried to calm her pounding heart.
Fujino Shizuru already has a girlfriend. Great.
Banging her fist against the metal wall, Natsuki grit her teeth in frustration.
"Just great."
The restaurant was almost empty when Natsuki and Mikoto arrived since Mai had already flipped the sign outside the door from 'Open' to 'Closed'.
"We're back."
Natsuki and Mikoto stepped into the restaurant and found a familiar pair of women seated at the counter eating a late dinner.
"Could you give the money to Mai, Mikoto? Thanks," Natsuki handed Mikoto their total collection and the younger girl quickly disappeared into the kitchen.
Natsuki placed her helmet on the counter before taking a seat next to Chie. "Quite late for dinner, Chie. Had a lot of work today?"
"No." Chie answered curtly, slowly slurping her ramen.
Natsuki quirked a brow in surprise, not used to receiving such a response from her friend. She turned to the redhead on her left who was currently enjoying her midnight meal as well.
"You guys know it's not good to eat after midnight, right?" Natsuki asked, her gaze swinging back and forth between the two women on either side of her.
"Just shut up, mutt! We're hungry, okay?" Nao snapped and shot her a glare.
"Okay…" Natsuki frowned, a little taken aback by her two friends. She placed her arms on top of the counter and said cautiously, "What's going on with you guys?"
Chie sighed heavily as she put down her chopsticks. "Have you ever been just chillin' around one day and you ask your woman to do something so trivial, but then suddenly it turns into a civil rights movement, Natsuki?"
"What?"
"She's never had a girlfriend before, Harada. No point asking her," Nao took the liberty to interrupt. Natsuki glared at her menacingly.
"Fine! I don't want to know about it, then." Natsuki waved a hand dismissively and muttered, "I got myself a big slap on the face already."
"WHAT? Who slapped you?" Both her friends stared at Natsuki in complete shock.
"Not a real slap," Natsuki explained with a sigh. "But it was a real shocker, you know." She leaned down to rest her chin on the counter. "I should've known about this before…"
"About what, mutt?" Nao asked in anticipation as she pulled her stool to sit closer to the blunette. Chie pushed her ramen bowl away as the two turned their attention to Natsuki.
"Did you know that your boss already has a girlfriend?" Natsuki told Nao in a miserable voice. Her two friends gasped at the revelation.
"Whoa, really?" Nao slightly frowned. "I never knew about that. How'd you find out?"
"Yeah. I had to deliver food to her apartment earlier but I didn't know it then. And then this woman came out and called your boss 'Shizuru-honey'." Natsuki sighed and shook her head at the memory.
"I don't know why I even try," Natsuki continued. "Her girlfriend is beautiful, rich and all the other adjectives you could think of to describe a classy person. I feel like a moron…"
Chie patted Natsuki's back comfortingly. "I'm sorry, Natsuki…"
"I really don't know what to do," said Natsuki, sighing once again. "I'm so lost right now. She's the main reason why I work for her company day and night… But now…" Natsuki trailed off and buried her face into her arms.
"Compared to your problem, mine's in a different league, mutt," Nao said with nonchalance. "Stop whining like you have prostate cancer."
Natsuki straightened up at Nao's lack of sympathy and glared at the redhead. "What the hell, spider! You should at least have some sympathy for what I'm going through!"
"Well, you should at least be grateful that you don't have to deal with a man who farts every damn second!"
After a moment of silence, loud laughter erupted, the sounds reaching as far as the kitchen.
"Hahaha! Oh my god!" Chie struggled for balance on her chair as she laughed so hard. "So your boyfriend farts? Everybody does that, Nao! It's not a big deal!" she said between guffaws. Natsuki was laughing hysterically, burying her face into her arms to muffle her giggles.
"Shut up you two! You're not helping! And FYI, he's not my boyfriend anymore," Nao harrumphed and arrogantly folded her arms. "And I can't believe he does it in public!"
"Yeah, it's real hard to believe that men have the ability to let air out from their colons. Call Ripley!" Natsuki mocked, earning another hysterical laugh from Chie and a smack on the head from Nao.
"Come on, spider! You're talking like you fart sunshine and cute kittens. Truth is, you don't. Unless your fart starts smelling like cinnamon buns with raisins, quit whining." Natsuki said with another laugh and slung an arm over Nao's shoulder.
"And the last thing I want to hear before I close my restaurant is people talking about farts! Go home you three! You're ruining my night!" Mai yelled from inside the kitchen, making the three girls scampered out of the restaurant in panic.
Once they got outside, Natsuki stretched her arms and chuckled. "Oh, man… At least I don't feel so down anymore. Thanks for that fart story, Nao." She giggled and Nao shot her a death glare.
"So, are you going to work tomorrow?" Nao asked while stroking her hair, glad that she found something else to talk about.
"Hell, if I'm not going to work, who else will be paying the bills? Maybe I just need to learn to get her off my mind." Natsuki smiled faintly and sighed. "Well, see you guys tomorrow then," she waved and headed for her motorbike.
"Yeah! Don't worry, Natsuki! There will be a lot of women lining up for you! Stop by my studio sometime! I'll introduce you to some cute girls!" Chie waved as the blunette laughed, waving back at her.
"See you tomorrow, mutt. Don't cry in bed because Fujino has a girlfriend already," Nao laughed as she dashed towards her car.
"Damn you, spider…" Natsuki muttered, her voice trailing off as Nao disappeared inside her car. Shaking her head, she proceeded to walk until she got to her bike.
Lifting up her helmet, Natsuki stared at the glossy black surface. "Get her off my mind, huh?" she spoke to herself and laughed bitterly.
I just wish I knew how.
Natsuki woke up earlier than usual the next morning not because she felt refreshed or excited, but because she couldn't sleep.
Alyssa had gone to school and Natsuki found breakfast already prepared for her. She stared blankly at the empty bowl, the box of cereal, and the jug of milk on the table.
No point feeling upset now. You have your own life. You have a sister to take care of.
Smiling silently, Natsuki pulled a chair and poured cereal into her bowl.
Put yourself together and get to work! You can do it, Kuga Natsuki!
"I can't do it."
Natsuki banged her forehead on top of Nao's desk and grunted in frustration.
Nao sighed for the umpteenth time that morning ever since the blunette arrived whining on about how she couldn't get a certain Fujino Shizuru out of her head.
She rolled her eyes. "Do you want me to do it for you? I'll crack your skull open and wash it with bleach to make sure anything related to Fujino will no longer exist in your stupid brain," the redhead droned. Natsuki just glared at the red head.
Tilting her head to the side, Natsuki stared at Shizuru's office door. "Is she here?" she asked apprehensively.
"Yeah, along with a bunch of other people," Nao answered while she crossed her legs and continued polishing her nails. "Maybe they're having a meeting," she added.
Natsuki pulled her hair up, tying it into a ponytail and putting on her cap. "Maybe I should go to work now. Her meeting might go on for hours so there's no point waiting for her. Oh god, I'm so pathetic." She shook her head and put on her jacket to leave.
"Gotta go now, spider—"
BAM!
All eyes in the office turned to look for the source of the noise. An annoyed brunette stepped out of her office and strode briskly towards Nao's desk. Natsuki stared wide-eyed at the uncharacteristic expression on Shizuru's face.
Shit! Nao blindly tossed her nail polish away and stood up from her chair in a panic to greet her boss. "F-Fujino-sama! What can I do for you…?"
Nao's voice trailed off when Shizuru didn't answer; instead, the executive grabbed Natsuki's arm and dragged the dumbfounded girl into her office.
"Fu-Fujino-sama? Mutt…?"
Nao was stunned. Natsuki was yanked into the office and the door was slammed shut.
Natsuki almost stumbled on her feet when the hand on her arm released its grip. Inside the office, she was met with the inquiring stares of two other women. They were silent for a few moments as Natsuki shifted her gaze between the other occupants of the room, a busty blonde and mousy-haired woman.
"What is going on—?" Natsuki was unable to finish when Shizuru took her left hand, entwining it with hers. Natsuki couldn't believe her eyes as she stared at their linked hands. Oh my Lord. Were you listening to my constant prayers last night? Fujino Shizuru is holding my hand right now! Yay!
Shizuru tightened her grip on Natsuki's hand and stole a glance at the blunette's face behind the cap. He has a really soft hand for a man, she thought fleetingly.
"Haruka-san, Yukino-san," Shizuru broke the silence and spoke. "Let me introduce you… "
Shizuru's next set of words had Natsuki completely astounded.
"This man here… is my boyfriend."
What the hell—?
Haha~ Another cliffhanger! (Laugh evilly...) XD
Review anyone?
