Chapter Four

Mikan and Natsume proceeded to the dressing room.

As soon as they entered the room, Mikan slumped down on the floor, looking totally dejected.

Natsume sat in front of the mirror.

Neither spoke a single word.

Half an hour has passed and, still, nothing happened.

Meanwhile, back at the stage, the girls couldn't help wondering what was going on in the dressing room.

"I wonder how they are doing." Ruka said to himself.

"What could they be doing right now? Could they be – could they be kissing already?" Sumire exclaimed in horror.

"Natsume would never do that," Ruka told her.

"Why does it bother you so much, Ruka? Could it be that you are," Hotaru started to ask him. "Jealous?"

Ruka's face turned a deep shade of red.

"N-no, I'm not!" Ruka retorted. "Why would I be jealous?"

"I could tell by the look on your face," Hotaru said, clearly enjoying the fact that Ruka was in denial. "You're red as a tomato."

Going back to Natsume and Mikan,

"What are we going to do now? Are we just going to sit here and do nothing?" Mikan asked.

"Well, it's you who aren't doing anything," Natsume replied.

"Fine, I'll go first," Mikan stood up, then looked at her script. "Oh, it was me who was supposed to go first."

"I was waiting for you to start," Natsume said sarcastically.

Mikan sweat dropped.

"Oh."

"Why are they taking so long?" Ruka asked, starting to panic.

Narumi laughed, "Be patient." He patted Ruka on the head, then announced to the class, "Come on, guys. Let's practice!"

"Jealous," Hotaru whispered to Ruka.

Ruka looked at her, surprised, then blushed.

Mikan lay on the floor, while Natsume kneeled beside her, holding her right hand.

"I'm sorry, Nozomu. Because of me, we weren't able to finish our wedding. Please say you will love me forever." Mikan said after a quick glance at her script, trying to make her voice sound weak.

"Mika – I mean, Midori, my Midori! I promise that my love for you will never cease," Natsume said, starting to sound as if he really meant to say those words to Mikan.

Mikan was trying hard to act weak.

But Natsume looked as if he wasn't having a hard time playing his role at all. He was almost crying when he said, "I love you!"

Mikan stopped pretending to be weak. She was really surprised. Even though the "I love you" was really in the script, Natsume sounded as if it was real, not just acting.

Natsume's face was only inches away from hers, and coming closer.

Mikan's heart pounded.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"