DISCLAIMER:

I do not own Gakuen Alice. All credits go to the great Higuchi Tachibana.

...

a/n: I AM BACK PEOPLE. Though my busy days are far from over I have found it rather hard to neglect this story; it's like neglecting a baby. T.T And I find that instead of being focused on my studies I find it harder to concentrate when I remember this story. So until I finish my business I'll be updating sporadically. You find that agreeable, I hope?

Explanation of term(s):

Sparse- scant:thinly spread, or occurring with many spaces in between

Enthuse- say with enthusiasm: to express enthusiasm about something or say something enthusiastically

maître d'- headwaiter: a headwaiter in a restaurant or a hotel dining room


...

...

Chapter 4. Arrogance

...

...

...

"Andou Tsubasa-san has signed a contract with

the famous Hyuuga Group. Though this particular

piece of news does not really come as great shock;

seeing as Andou-san and Hyuuga-san attended the same

school (Alice Academy), it is in my opinion that any piece

of news concerning guys of this caliber must be

written indeed!

-Melissa's Society Papers-

...

...

...

...

"Tsubasa-san called you?" an eager voice inquired.

Natsume delicately wiped the corners of his mouth with a table napkin and answered, "Yes, mother. He did."

"And? What did he want." his mother continued the interrogation.

"Nothing."

"Nothing? What do you mean by that, young man? He would not have called if he didn't have anything important to say." Mrs. Hyuuga persisted.

"Yes, he did call for something, but not for the reason you are expecting." Natsume answered blandly.

"Then what did he need?"

"It's nothing, mother. He just told me something." Natsume answered politely.

"Told you something, huh?" his father inquired.

"Yes, father."

"And what might that something be?" his father asked, amusement evident in his eyes.

"Nothing of importance, father." Natsume replied, the same sparkle of amusement apparent in his ruby orbs.

"Hmmph. Whatever that thing might have been, I hope you accepted it with good grace. I need you to be agreeable with him, Natsume. We are after all, trying to convince him to sign a contract with us." Mrs. Hyuuga finished mildly.

"Yes, don't worry. I know what I must do, mother."

...

...

The following day; Mikan's 1st day on the job.

...

...

Mikan entered the room apprehensively. It was 8 o'clock and her 1st day on the job as that arrogant man's secretary. She would not have accepted the condition if she wasn't in desperate need to keep her job.

"Good morning, Miss..." Mikan trailed off.

"It's Mitarashi Sheila." she said with a friendly smile.

"Ano..." Mikan began but couldn't find the word to continue.

"It's okay. Hyuuga-san told me that he employed you as his Personal Assistant." Sheila said with a slight smile.

"Personal Assistant?" Mikan asked, clearly confused.

"He told me that he was employing me as his secretary." Mikan continued.

"Oh. He means the same thing. So he did?" she asked politely.

"Uhmm... Yes, he did. Mitarashi-san..." Mikan began hesistantly.

"Yes?" she inquired with a smile.

"Ano... You see... I... I'm so sorry. If I had the choice I would not have agreed to be his Personal Assistant, but I really need the job. So I ask you to please understand. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to tread on your foot." Mikan finished, bowing low to the ground.

"It's alright. You don't have to apologize. It's high time he employed a Personal Assistant. I've been telling him for years that he ought to get one. He couldn't expect me to show my full potential while playing his social calendar and girlfriend categorizer." Sheila said with an amused laugh.

"You do those for him? Keep track of his girlfriends' names and social engagements, that is." Mikan asked, clearly intruiged.

"Yep. What with all his girlfriend parading about, and it doesn't help that he changes them in the wink of an eye. It's not improbable for him to confuse the new one with the old ones he had. I expect you'll be doing that for him, now that you're here." she explained sympathetically.

"I've been having such a hard time keeping all his girlfriends' names, social and business engagements as well as other things straight." Sheila finished.

"Now, now, Sheila. Surely, you must not think that I have been over working you?" Natsume asked, an amused glint and a smirk clearly visible on his handsome face.

"Oh, not at all, sir. Not at all." she replied with an amused smirk of her own.

"I think it's only fair that I warn her, don't you think?" Sheila teased him lightly.

"Fair enough." Natsume said, amusement in his eyes.

He turned to Mikan and said, "Follow me."

"Hai." Mikan said politely then turned to Sheila and said, "I'll see you later, Mitarashi-san."

...

...

Natsume settled himself behind his large oak desk. He leafed through a couple of documents, then motioned Mikan to sit on the chair opposite his.

"Whatever it was that Sheila told you before I came, let me assure you that none of those are true." he paused, then continued, "What she told about your job, however, were all true." Natsume said blandly.

"..." Mikan raised her brows at Natsume, urging him to continue his explanation.

"So, yes, you will be taking care of my social engagements; the parties that I will be attending, opening ceremonies, birthdays, etc. You get the idea." Natsume said, gesturing emphatically.

"So basically, I will serve as your personal human organizer..." Mikan slowly said.

"Exactly. Your job concerns my social engagements while Sheila concentrates on the professional aspects. She's been badgering me to get a Personal Assistant for years, she keeps on telling me that she can't play both secretary and nanny." Natsume said, rolling his eyes heavenward.

"So you're telling me that I will have to accompany you to certain events?" Mikan asked cautiously.

Natsume, who quite honestly, haven't thought of that until she mentioned it smiled a Cheshire Cat smile and said, "Yes, that's it. That's your job. You will accompany me to events when I require it, may it be on weekends or holidays." he finished, clearly satisfied with his requirements.

"Even on holidays and weekends?" Mikan asked incredulously.

"Yes, that's part of your job. However, seeing as most of these events may take place after office hours, I will also be paying you overtime salary." Natsume stated as convincingly as he could.

"So, you'll basically be paying me to attend those events with you?" Mikan asked, clearly fascinated with the idea of being payed to have fun.

"Yes, that's it precisely." Natsume said, all smug and confidence.

"Alright. I'm getting the picture... Uhmmm... Mitarashi-san told me that she keeps track of your girlfriends' name for you as well? Will I be taking over those too, or would the job remain with her?" Mikan inquired.

"She told you that?" Natsume asked, exasperation evident on his features.

"Yes, she did. Why? Was I misinformed?" Mikan asked, brows raised.

"No, no. Never you mind that. If the need ever arises, yes you will take over that aspect of her job as well. But for the moment, I don't see any need for that. So don't concern yourself with that first." Natsume said, the first traces of annoyance tingeing his voice.

"But, sir, I don't think you understand. Seeing that it's my job now, I don't see why I shouldn't concern myself with that." Mikan --never one to be prevented by annoyance--,persisted.

"Fine. Suit yourself. If you want to familiarize yourself with my previous girlfriends, go ahead." Natsume paused, then continued, "But I'm telling you that you don't have to bother with that for the time being since I have not yet found a new girl who interests me." Natsume finished.

"You have not found a new girlfriend yet, huh?" Mikan asked, starting to get annoyed herself.

"Exactly. I'm glad you finally grasped the concept." Natsume said severly.

"Finally grasped the concept?!" Mikan exclaimed, clearly scandalized at having her intelligence belittled.

"Don't talk to me as if I'm retarded!" Mikan huffed.

"Do remember that I am your boss, Ms. Sakura." Natsume said sharply then continued, "So I'd appreciate it if you never use that tone with me again." he finished quietly, clearly starting to get irate.

Mikan, sufficiently humbled and reminded of her place, blushed then said, "H-hai. I'm sorry, sir." she apologized, bowing low.

...

...

Mikan entered her sparsely furnished apartment, though it was by no means shabby, it was a bit ordinary when compared to the mansion she grew up in. Mikan placed her things on top of her center table and promptly entered her small kitchen to cook dinner. She was half-way through slicing the carrots she planned to include in the stew when the phone rang.

Ring

Ring

Ring

"I'm coming, I'm coming." she muttered to herself as she discarded the carrot she was slicing.

"Good evening, Sakura Mikan speaking." she said pleasantly.

"Mikan-chan." a masculine voice greeted, warmth and affection evident in his tone.

"Tsubasa-kun!" Mikan exclaimed happily.

"Have you eaten dinner?" Tsubasa asked eagerly.

"I was cooking when you called."

"Don't bother with that. I'll take you to dinner so we can catch-up." Tsubasa enthused.

"Dinner? Hmmmm... let's see..." Mikan replied, clearly trying to tease her friend.

"C'mon, Mikan-chan! You promised!" Tsubasa said, his tone of voice like that of a child denied his candy.

"I'm just kidding." Mikan chuckled, then continued, "Of course I'll accompany you to dinner." she said patronizingly.

"Heh! I knew it." Tsubasa said, all smugness and airs.

"Alright, alright." Mikan said with a laugh.

"Just give me a few minutes to get ready, ok?" Mikan said.

"Alright. I'm only halfway there anyway, with the traffic it will probably take me 45 minutes or so." Tsubasa said agreebly.

"Okay. I'll see you then. Drive carefully." Mikan replied.

"Yep. See 'ya." Tsubasa said then hang-up.

...

...

Natsume was highly satisfied with the recent turn of events. He honestly doesn't know what possessed him to hire Sakura Mikan. All he knows is that from the first moment he saw her, he felt a deep inclination to keep her as close to him as possible. She gave him the most wonderful idea when she asked if it was part of her job to keep him company during the tedious hours he spent attending several functions. Thus the reason for his good mood.

"Just what happened today?" Ruka asked his friend curiously.

"Huh?" Natsume distractedly asked. He was examining a particularly intricate and expensive vase.

"What happened today? You seem to be in such a good mood." Ruka explained.

"Nothing." Natsume shrugged his shoulders noncommittally, then continued, "Do you think my mother will like this?" he asked Ruka.

"Probably. Why are you asking me anyway? She's your mother, you know her better. That's why I asked you to come help me choose her gift in the first place." Ruka replied.

"I'm sorry." Natsume said, then smiled at his friend impishly.

"I'm sorry? Did you just say you're sorry?" Ruka asked, clearly bewildered.

"Uhuh. What's wrong with that?" Natsume asked.

"Nothing. Just that in all the years I've known I rarely hear you say that. Something good must have really happened today. You're in such high spirits." Ruka smiled at his friend.

"Yep." Natsume replied.

"And you're not going to tell me are you?" Ruka asked.

"Yep. Not now, at least." Natsume replied.

"Suit yourself then. However, just make sure that you do tell me sometime." Ruka said mildly.

"Alright. Let's leave this conversation at that for the moment." Natsume smirked at his friend

...

...

Tsubasa parked his car near Mikan's apartment complex, went down and walked the short distance between his car and the building. Tsubasa was wearing dark blue casual polo, partially unbuttoned, dark brown slacks and black shoes. He reached the entrance and searched for the button labeled Sakura. Having located the button, he gave it 3 short presses and waited.

"Tsubasa-kun, is that you?" Mikan asked.

"Yep."

"I'll buzz you up." Mikan replied.

The gate to the apartment complex opened and Tsubasa went inside. He waited for the elevator to reach Mikan's floor, stepped out and headed for Mikan's unit.

He has been here countless times before; Mikan has been staying here since she turned 18 and it was he and Misaki who told her that this was the best place for her to settle down. They tried to convince Mikan to stay with Misaki but she refused, adamant to have her own place, so they looked for this place for her.

He knocked 3 times to let Mikan know that he was there and waited for her to open the door.

"Tsubasa-kun." Mikan greeted him warmly.

Mikan was wearing a simple peach halter top; adorned with a hand-stitched flower vine at the side, white balloon skirt; printed with cute butterflies near the hem, and peach doll shoes.

"I see you're as lovely as always, Mikan-chan." Tsubasa said.

"Thank you. The same goes for you." Mikan smiled at him.

Tsubasa merely smiled, offered his elbow for Mikan to place her arms on, then said, "Shall we go?"

"Yep." Mikan replied, taking Tsubasa's proffered arm.

...

...

Tsubasa took Mikan to a classy Italian Restaurant, the restaurant was their all time favorite. He, Misaki and Mikan often eat there to celebrate or just plain hang-out.

"I missed this place." Tsubasa said, looking around.

"Well, you have been in the states for the past 2 years." Mikan replied.

'Good evening, sir. Do you have any reservations?" the maître d' asked.

"Yes, a table for two is reserved under the name Andou Tsubasa." Tsubasa replied.

"Oh. Right this way sir." the maître d' inclined his head, indicated for them to follow him and turn around.

He led them to a table near the restaurant's alcove.

"Your reserved table, sir." he said.

"Thank you." Tsubasa replied. He pulled out a chair, motioned for Mikan to sit down and claimed his seat.

"Your waiter for the night will be with you shortly." maître d' said, then left the 2 alone.

"So, Mikan-chan, how have you been?" Tsubasa asked, grinning at the girl opposite him.

"Same old, same old." Mikan replied, a gentle smile gracing her beautiful features.

"Same old, same old, huh? Nothing new happened while I was away?" Tsubsa inquired.

"Uhuh. I'm sure whatever the things I may have neglected to tell you have reached your ears via Misaki-chan, right?" Mikan grinned at her friend.

"You got that one right." Tsubasa laughed, then sobered, "But seriously Mikan-chan how have you been? Misaki and I worry about you." he said.

"I get along just fine, Tsubasa-kun. Honestly. I may not live as comfortably as you guys do but I can handle everything. So you needn't worry, really." Mikan replied.

"I'm sorry, you know how I am, Mikan-chan." Tsubasa grinned sheepishly, then suddenly remembered, "How did it go with Hyuuga-san, anyway?" he inquired curiously.

The waiter arrived, took their order and left Mikan and Tsubasa to continue their conversation.

"I'm not out of a job, to put it simply." Mikan replied.

"He didn't fire you?" Tsubasa asked as innocently as he could.

"Yep. Strange man, isn't he?" Mikan asked.

"Uhuh." Tsubasa replied then asked, "So you're still working in that hotel?"

"Nope. He transferred me to the main office."

"The main office?" Tsubasa asked curiously.

"Uhuh. He hired me as his Personal Assistant." Mikan stated.

There was a pause in the conversation as the waiter arrived with their food and both concentrated on eating. Tsubasa was particularly pleased with his food, having missed the dish a lot. They conversed in between eating and Tsubasa was about to ask Mikan what she wanted for dessert when a voice interrupted him.

"Why are you with him, Sakura?"

...

...

...


a/n: That ends my fourth chapter. LOVE it? HATE it? DROP me a REVIEW, so I can continue. I also ask you to PRAY that I MAY PASS all the EXAMS that I WILL BE TAKING! :D

P.S: I'd really appreciate it if you drop me a short yet meaningful review. I am FRUSTRATED whenever I open my inbox and find, that some people put me in their alert list yet does not submit any review. I ask you to please REWARD my SACRIFICING the time I should spend on schoolwork and the likes with a REVIEW. Thanks. :D