"You got to be f*cking kidding me," Mikan swore. The principle blinked at Mikan, shock relevant on his face. This was clearly not the reaction he was expecting.
"Miss Sakura please watch your language, you are a teacher. As I just said, during your stay, you will be working with here. You will be put in a dorm with two rooms, living room and a kitchen. We can't provide you a room on your own since we didn't plan for you to be staying for long," the principle said giving Mikan a knowing look.
Mikan looked away; it was true that she was going to fleet the moment the problem was solved. She didn't want to stay here any longer than necessary.
"Can't I stay with Hotaru instead?" Mikan asked desperately. Anywhere is fine, just not with Natsume.
"Miss Imai is staying with . As for your other friends, they have each chose their preferred companions," the principle said knowing what Mikan would ask next. She was on the brink of swearing again when she caught the principles look. She suppressed the words by biting her lower lip. "If there is nothing else, I would suggest you two to get ready for class," the principle said clearly unwilling to entertain a pissed off Mikan.
"Hyuuga will you please leave the room first, I have something to discuss with the principle," Mikan said finally acknowledging his presence. Natsume could see the strain in her eyes; she was clearly frustrated and annoyed. 'Is it really that bad to stay in a dorm with me?' he thought.
Natsume just turned around and left the room. As soon as he closed the door behind him, Mikan slammed her hands on the table grabbing the principle by his collar.
"What the heck is all this f*cking shit about me being his partner?" she demanded her eyes burning with flames of fury.
The principle just gave her a bored look; it was no use getting scared. The more fear you show, the more opening you will give to the enemies.
"Look, its not going to be for long anyways. You are not going to stay here more than a few months right? I even gave you a room on your own; you are just going to share the dorm. If you refuse to see his face, then lock yourself in your room after classes and never come out," he replied running his hands through his raven locks, avoiding her threatening glares.
"Onii-san are you kidding me? You know why I left; I left because I didn't want to see that bastard anymore. Now you are making me share a damn dorm with him?" Mikan said furiously releasing her brother, the principle.
"Mikan, I can't help you even if you beg me right now. The dorms are all full because the new semester has started and there are more students enrolled this year for some reason," he replied adjusting his attire. Seriously, his sister should learn to be gentler, he thought tying his tie again.
"Do you take me as an idiot? You got blackmailed by Hotaru, that's why you are doing this. The part about the attack was also false; the academy is in danger but not because of the past ESP. It's about some other attack by our beloved mother, Yuka. I am so stupid for falling for some pathetic tricks," Mikan cursed flopping down on a chair. She sighed and covered her face with her hand.
"You wouldn't come back to see us, if we didn't use this method Miki," the principle said moving towards her, his voice more gentle now.
It was true that she didn't have any plans of returning, not even to see her beloved brother. She wouldn't even return during his engagement to Nobara, she didn't want to set foot anywhere near the academy as a matter of fact.
"Serio nii-chan you bastard. Couldn't you use any other method, seriously…?, Mikan though.
"I will handle those bastards kidnapping our students and I am sure Hotaru will handle the hacking that has been going on here. Then I will take over the missions around here, none of the students or staff will be going out on missions while I'm here," Mikan said finally releasing a long breath. Serio's eyes sharpen when she talked about the missions, no brother in their right mind will allow their younger sister to handle dangerous missions on their own. Mikan saw that and gave him a take-it-or-leave-it look.
"Fine, but I want constant up dates and I want to know if you are injured," he said with a sigh. There was no point arguing with her when her mind is set on something.
"Thanks nii-chan. I'll see you tonight for dinner at your place. Don't burn our dinner again alright? Let your soon to be wife do the cooking" she said with a smile as she left the room. She quickly exited the room before her brother could yell at her for bringing Nobara into the conversation.
As soon as the door was close, a hand grabbed her and she was dragged away. Mikan was about to give the person a piece of mind when she saw that it was no other than Natsume. Instead of fighting against him, she just allowed herself to be dragged.
"If my guess is correct, he won't stop until he gets the answers he wants out of me. If I resist my hand would most probably hurt more," Mikan thought as Natsume dragged her away from the principles office.
Sakura tree
"Alright Hyuuga, you got me where you want me to be, so what do you want?" Mikan asked, her face gave away an emotionless façade. She wanted to get over with this and returned to her dorm… rephrase, their dorm. "Seriously, this feels like they were married or something. It this was the old me, I would be very happy for I get to spend more time with him," she though.
Natsume stared at her hard.
Natsume's POV
Is she really the Mikan I know? Where is her cheerfulness? Why is she so cold?
She gave me the cold façade but I know for sure that under that entire act, she wants to know why I dragged her all the way here. I took in a long breath and calmed myself, I am going to need this if I want to ask her this.
"Polka, why the hell did you run away from me back then?" I asked finally.
All these years, I couldn't shake of the feelings I had with her. I couldn't forget, no matter who I went out with. I tried to fall back to my old character and continue to sleep around but I couldn't. It didn't feel the same like how it was with Mikan, she sincerely loved me but the others were after one thing or another.
She looked shock at the question, but the expression soon disappeared behind her façade. Suddenly a smirk started to form on her face; it looked so familiar to the one I used to wear around.
"Really, you are asking me that question? Are you trying to piss me off?" she asked her smirk disappeared and was replaced by a glare.
I know back then I was not a good boy friend to her but she should at least tell me which part she hated before leaving me half hanging like this. She just told me we were over then the next thing she is gone from the academy.
"I'm serious, I really want to know why," I said sincerely.
I rather be told off in front of my face instead of second guessing the reasons. I can't carry on like this; my head is just filled with Mikan. I don't want to be half hanging like a lost puppy. I don't want to be the person I was in the past.
Mikan, won't you save me again from my darkness?
End of POV
Mikan stared at Natsume, how dare he asked that stupid question.
Is he kidding me? The heck would I need to tell him why now…he should know why, Mikan thought. She remembered the days well, the disappointment, the pain, the wrench feeling as thought her heart was being stabbed multiples of time… she didn't want to remember.
"I'm sorry Hyuuga, I have forgotten all about the past that I can't remember the reason. I would like to start fresh again. "So… how about it?" Mikan said to Natsume holding out her hand waiting for his reply.
So this is how it's going to turn out, Natsume thought. He sighed and grabbed her hand, not to be clique or anything but both of them felt an electric shock shoot through their fingers when they made contact.
Mikan flinched a bit but refused to let go of his hand. Natsume felt it but seeing that Mikan didn't react he ignored it. Mikan smiled as thought nothing happened.
"Friends?" she asked with a smile gracing her beautiful face. Natsume just smirked at her and nodded.
It's a start that they needed, it was better than ignoring each other. If they were going to be working together, they needed a mutual understanding.
"From friends to lovers then, slow and steady, " Natsume thought a plan forming in his head.
"I hope I'm not making a wrong decision," Mikan thought.
God please give me the strength of the rising sun, Mikan said looking up to the sky.