Hello minna-san!

Sorry it took a while to update this story.. I've been binge watching Clannad and Clannad After-Story this past weekend. Also went out with a couple of friends and took a rest.
For those who haven't checked it out yet my other story 'Crimson Rose' has been completed.

Xoxo Lexi1989

CHAPTER 4: SUNDAY MORNING

MIKAN'S POV

"Say my name little girl." His voice was husky and cool. And it turned me on.

I felt his hands in my shorts. Seeking the most intimate of my places. My brain sent out warnings but my body was on fire. I knew it was wrong but I wanted, no needed him. He knew how to work my body like a harpist playing a harp. I couldn't and wouldn't move. I had loved it as much as I hated it. I had given in to him.

The doorbell rung and I was powerless. I feared he would stop just when I was about to reach a blissful state of climax. He didn't. He held my gaze and all it took was those four words from him to send me over the edge.

"Come for me Mikan."

I woke up sweating and shivering as the events of yesterday haunted me in my dreams. I check my phone and see that it's already eight in the morning. I slowly get out of bed, careful not to put too much weight on my sprained ankle. It was still swollen and I doubt I could make it to classes tomorrow if it got any worse. I went down to the kitchen and found that Hotaru had already made coffee. I grabbed one and headed over to where she was sitting near the pool.

"You're up early." I said as I sat down at one of the deck chairs.

"You were too noisy in your room. Couldn't sleep?" She looked at me as if there was something else she wanted to ask. But she didn't say it.

"Yeah. Too much on my mind."

"I know something happened yesterday." She wasn't looking at me now. She was glaring at the house next door.

"I'm confused Hotaru…"

"Do you like him?"

"I don't know. We have a history, not as deep as I would like it to be. I don't know him all that well. But I think I do. I want to get to know him. But I don't know if I should. He's our prof, for heaven's sake. It could get me expelled. It could get him fired! Mou~ why do things have to be so complicated?" I put my head in my hands and feel the tears well up in my eyes.

"We only have two years to go, baka." She said in a soft voice. She rarely lets anyone see this side of her.

"If he really likes you, he will wait." She added.

And that was what I dreaded. Maybe he could, but I knew I couldn't hold out that long. Heck, just a few minutes on his couch yesterday and he already had me twisted around his finger. I was a puddle of putty in his hands. Maybe it's best I avoid him. I decided it would be better to avoid any intimate interaction with him. I need to make sure I am never alone with him again.

"So, was it good?" Hotaru spoke once again, breaking me out of my reverie.

"What?" I didn't understand her question. She gave me a smirk and a knowing look.

"You do know that their couch is visible from our living room window, right?" I blushed beet red and dared to slap her shoulder.

"Mou~ if you saw it, why didn't you come over and stop him?"

"I did come. After you did." She stuck her tongue out at me playfully. The pun was definitely not lost on me.

Though it didn't make the situation easier, I'm glad I spoke to Hotaru about it. It decreased a bit of weight on my shoulders. We finished our coffees and went back in to find the rest of the girls convened in the kitchen. Anna was making breakfast. The smell of waffles and bacon filled the air. We were discussing plans on what to do this afternoon.

"Let's go out on a picnic!" Anna squealed.

"Lame." Hotaru and Sumire both complained.

"How about we go see a movie?" Nonoko suggested.

"There's nothing playing worth spending money on." Hotaru flat out rejected the idea that cost too much money. She was an entrepreneur after all.

"Barbecue and pool party?" I asked tentatively.

"Mikan! That's the best idea you've had so far!" Sumire was suddenly excited.

"But you won't be able to swim with your sprained ankle, Mikan-chan." Anna still liked to call her with her childhood nickname.

"It's alright you guys, I can still get in the Jacuzzi." I gave them a reassuring smile and the topic changed to who they could call to get the party going.

When all the plans were finished, Anna, Nonoko, and Sumire went to the supermarket to buy food and drinks. I helped Hotaru set up the backyard area for the barbecue. When the rest of the girls came back, they had brought along some of their friends to help get the barbecue going. It was a good distraction from my problem and I'm glad the girls had agreed to it. As lunch time rolled around, the backyard was alive and full of people, most of them our classmates, and the party was in full swing.

In the neighboring house, Natsume was awoken by the loud bass music wafting in through the closed window. His window sill vibrated and he got up crankily to see what was causing the ruckus. He gave an exasperated sigh as he saw the group of people hanging out at the pool next door. He noticed they were mostly students from the university. His eyes scanned the crowd until they settled on the one he was searching for. The brunette had her hair up in a ponytail and was wearing a very revealing one piece swimsuit. He was about to check her out more when he noticed she was talking to a guy. The guy from yesterday. And once again, that crazy wave of jealousy took over his senses.

MIKAN's POV

I don't know why I decided to invite Tsubasa over. We had exchanged numbers yesterday on the way home before my encounter with Hyuuga-sensei. I guess being around Tsubasa made me forget about him. It might be better off this way.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice Tsubasa." I said as I handed him a drink.

"Think nothing of it Mikan. Besides, I'm glad you called. I was planning to call you anyways." He gave me a cute smile and I couldn't help but blush. He is attractive after all.

"I'm surprised you know a lot of people here." A lot of people had come up to him and greeted him.

"I'm a Psychology major in Stanford. It's weird we only bumped into each other just yesterday. But then again, the campus is really big." He explained.

"Yes, it is." Talking about the school reminded her again of her situation. She gave out a sigh and stole a glance at the house next door. Everything seemed to be quiet. The occupants may be out or something.

"I would ask you to dance but I know your ankle is still injured." Tsubasa gestured to her feet. "Would you like something from the barbecue? I can get it for you." He's so sweet. But why do I feel like something's missing?

"It's fine. I already ate before you came." I smiled at him while politely rejecting his offer.

"Oh. Alright. Let me grab something to eat and I'll be right back, kay?" He stood up and strode over to the barbecue where one of our classmates, Mochu was manning.

I leaned back on the chair I was sitting on while surveying the scene. Everyone looked like they were having a good time. Anna and Nonoko were in the pool with some of our friends. Sumire was dancing with some hot underclassman she had just met. Hotaru was near the barbecue, pigging out as usual. I swear this girl has a metabolism anyone would die for. She could eat tons of food without gaining a pound. I always wonder how she does it.

I hear the doorbell ring. Must be some other friends who are late. I glanced around looking for Tsubasa, but he was stuck in the long line at the barbecue, partly because of Hotaru who had queued up a lot of food. I signal him that I was going to answer the door and he gave me a thumbs up.

I slowly make my way inside, still limping a bit. The person at the other end appears to be impatient, with the doorbell ringing incessantly.

"I'm coming!" I shouted.

I opened the door and the person I least expected was standing on our porch.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I placed my hands on my hips and gave him a glare. The crimson eyed devil was on my front porch wearing nothing but board shorts and a towel around his neck. I stared at his six pack abs, that were displayed for all the world to see.

"Ehem." He cleared his throat and I let my eyes stray back to his face. A smug look was plastered on his face.

"We came for the pool party." It took a second for me to register that he wasn't alone. Behind him were three other guys. I recognized Professor Yome from last week and then there were two other guys who I didn't know.

"Ne, Natsume, are you sure we were invited to this?" One of the blonde guys said hesitantly. He had cerulean eyes and looked like a prince. He was gorgeous. I stopped ogling him and glared back to the person in front of me.

"I hate to be rude, Hyuuga-sensei, but I recall that you weren't invited. So goodbye!" I tried to close the door but his reflexes were much quicker.

"That's not very neighborly of you. I did tell Ms. Shouda that I would take her up on her offer for a dip in the pool." He gave me a smirk. "Besides, it would have been a nice day to lie in bed and sleep except your music was on too loud and woke us up." He put emphasis on the word 'us' which caused me to blush. I guess, he had a point and I had been rude enough already. No choice about it now.

"Gomen'nasai if you got woken up because of the music. Please come in." I opened the door and Natsume gave me a self-satisfied victorious look. My plan to avoid him was becoming a bit more impossible to achieve.

"These are my housemates Ruka Nogi and Yuu Tobita. You already know Professor Yome. Ruka is a vet and is part time teacher at the university. Yuu is a med student." He introduced his companions as I led them to the poolside.

"It's nice to meet you all, my name is Mikan Sakura. I'm one of Hyuuga-sensei's students" By the time I mentioned my name, I saw that Yuu and Ruka looked shocked. I narrowed my eyes at Hyuuga-sensei who feigned an innocent look. As I was about to confront him on what he had told these guys, Sumire sauntered over and interrupted.

"My, my, my, who are all these hotties you have here Mikan? Are you ditching your date for these guys?" She teased. She looked at Hyuuga-sensei like a cat who had seen its prey. I saw his eyebrow twitch when Sumire had mentioned my date. And recalling that I did invite Tsubasa over, I gave him a smug look.

"No, Sumire, Hyuuga-sensei wanted to take up your offer of a dip in the pool. He brought along his friends, Professor Yome, Professor Nogi and Yuu. Why don't you escort them to the barbecue area so they can eat before they jump in the pool. And if you'll excuse me, I have to go and find Tsubasa." I gave them a sickeningly sweet smile and turned to leave.

NATSUME'S POV

"And if you'll excuse me, I have to go and find Tsubasa." The little minx got away. The nerve of the brat to invite that star tattooed freak after what happened yesterday. I didn't really get a chance to talk to her after Imai dragged her home. Imai had barged in, interrupting what was supposed to be a very private moment between Mikan and I. The guys went to the barbecue and I sat down on a deck chair after grabbing a beer from the cooler.

I watched Mikan slowly saunter over to a deck chair on the opposite side of the pool where that loser was. She was still slightly limping but it didn't hinder her poise. She was wearing a very revealing one piece suit. It was low cut in the front, showing a peek of the inward curve of her breasts and ended at her bellybutton. There were cuts in the middle of the fabric revealing her creamy skin and flat stomach. She looked so hot and sexy as she laughed. The only problem is that her attention is not on me. I clenched my fists which are hanging on my sides.

"She'd better not lose her scholarship because of you." I glanced to my left and see Hotaru Imai sitting on the deck chair next to me. She had a plate piled with grilled shrimp and calamari.

"That's no way to talk to your teacher Ms. Imai." I muttered giving her a glare.

"We're outside school premises, so drop the Miss. Just call me Imai. Also, that's no way to treat your student Hyuuga-sensei." Her gaze was on Mikan. Then she gave me a look that tells me she knows more than she lets on.

"What exactly are you talking about?" I decided the best approach was a direct one.

"I know your history. The girls all do. It's unfortunate that you had to be our teacher. She's worked hard to get this scholarship. I don't want to see her get expelled." She said it in a monotonous voice. Cold and unfeeling yet her words indicated she cared about Mikan.

"What if I told you, I really liked her? Would your perception of me change?"

"I already know that. It's already obvious. Jeez, for a teacher you sure aren't that smart." She gave me an annoyed look which I returned in earnest. She ignored me and continued eating her food. She was right though. I had to think this through. Pursuing Mikan meant putting her scholarship and my job at risk.

"What do I need to do?" She didn't look surprised with my question.

"If you really are serious in liking her, get to know her and earn her trust. Wait until she graduates. It's only two years." She said nonchalantly. Easier said than done.

"She seems to like that other guy." I gestured to the laughing pair on the other side of the pool.

"So she does. You can't do anything about it." I gave her a pained look and said nothing.

"Look, I'm just stating the facts, sensei. Whether you like it or not, that is the truth. I do not dictate how you act or react to whatever happens in her life. All I am telling you is that I want her to be happy. She's confused right now and scared. Anyone in her shoes would be. I don't expect you (and she gave me a sort of condescending look) to wait two years to get her. I'm just telling you to be discreet about it. You can't date her in public. At least not in this general area."

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked her.

"Because I do my research. I know you have been looking for her in Japan since that day. I don't think any guy would do that if it were just a plain one night stand. She has always remembered you which is why she wears that shirt of yours." That was surprising news to me. She made it sound like Mikan liked me too.

"Why did she leave Japan anyways?" She put down her plate and looked at me with a bored expression on her face.

"I was with her that night. Her ex was cheating on her with her ex best friend. We took her out clubbing. You took her home. We all know what happened there. She really liked you and wanted to leave her number but she knew she was leaving for Stanford anyways. So she decided to leave no connections behind. Fate must really want you to meet again because you suddenly pop up and become our teacher. The rest is up to you." Then she stood up and left me there to my own thoughts.

Imai was right. I couldn't take her out on dates where the public could see us. Anyone who knew us could immediately report to the school. Maybe I have to change my approach. I scanned the crowd again and could no longer see Mikan and the other guy. I immediately walked around in search of them.

MIKAN's POV

I felt his stare all the way across the pool but I pretended not to notice and kept talking to Tsubasa. He's a cool guy. He's attractive and has a great sense of humor. Why couldn't I just like him already? The way I liked sensei.

"Mikan?" Tsubasa asked.

"I'm sorry what did you say? I spaced out a bit there." I blushed.

"Looks like it, but it's okay. I asked if you wanted to join me in the Jacuzzi? Since you can't swim with your injury." I nodded while thinking of how considerate Tsubasa is. Maybe if he asked me, I would go out with him.

He helped me get in the Jacuzzi and handed me my drink. The Jacuzzi was a gift to Sumire from none other than her dad. She had asked for it during our sophomore year. And it could hold at least 8-9 people in it. It had backlit double waterfalls and nine water jets that could knead key muscles. It was better and more fun than going to a masseuse. Most of the people opted to be in the pool so the Jacuzzi was empty except for Tsubasa and I.

Despite the other seats being vacant, he chose to sit next to me. It made me nervous being real close to him. I closed my eyes and leaned back to relax as the jets behind me were pounding water on my back. I felt relieved.

"So Mikan, I was wondering…" I opened my eyes to find Tsubasa awkwardly seated, his hand around my shoulder. I blushed.

"Yes?"

"Would you like to go out with me next weekend? Watch a movie or something?" I hesitated. I knew I wanted him to ask me out but now that he did, it didn't feel right.

Before I could answer, another person stepped into the Jacuzzi and sat across from us.

"Mind if I join you?" Crimson eyes clashed with blue.

This is going to be trouble.

END OF CHAPTER 4

We have a TsubasaxMikanxNatsume love triangle now. Let's see how Mikan responds in the next chapter eh?

Stay tuned!

Anilissa – I'm guessing it's a case to case basis. (I've never had one myself so I really wouldn't know) LOL. In this case, it was memorable for the both of them. Mikan was also wearing a thin spandex sports bra in this case. That was on my mind, forgot to describe it in detail though.. Gomen Gomen (Bows repeatedly)

frozenbutterfly and sunnybutterfly – no plans as of now. I am actually an I.T person though I love reading and writing so I'm staying an amateur for now. Thank you both. I do hope though that you guys get along. You don't have to fight everyday but well, you are sisters after all. I know very well the feeling but getting along is much better than fighting ;)

Sakura Shiragiku – here ya go! :D thankies. Love your story by the way!

Seiren Rindo – you are welcome XD I intended for that part to be humorous and I'm glad you got it. There's more conversation from them in this chappy too so I hope you like this one too. No scene yet for this one. Maybe in the next couple of chapters, we'll see ;)

love crimson red ray88 – thank you. Sorry it took a while to update , Enjoy!

xNatsuMikanx – great to hear from you my friend! And thank you! :)

So just to update you guys, Crimson Rose has been completed and I wanna thank all of those who support me and my stories! I'm not the type of author that counts reviews, I just really like to hear from you guys as it inspires me to write more. :)

Please check out my other works as well. Right now only this story and Delicious Taboo are in progress, the rest are oneshots and completed but I do have plans of a new story in the works. Stay tuned!

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xoxo Lexi1989