Angelic Silence: Hey! Thanks for the review. I really appreciate it. It's not always that someone says something good about what I do. Anyway, about that statistics thingy. Thanks for the info, I found more inspiration in writing just by seeing the number of people who stumbled upon my story. The one you are telling me is under the tab "Traffic" and then you choose the options under it. Really, thanks for that. Though I wish that those silent readers would finally leave me a review. :)
blackroseneverdie: Thank you, really. Here's the next chapter. Enjoy reading! :)
Disclaimer: Nah ah, I don't think I own Gakuen Alice.
Chapter VII: Confirmation of a Hidden Love Affair
The moment he said that, it barely registered into her head. She could not believe it. It was just yesterday when she thought about them finally getting along together and surpassing the level of "just friends". But here he is, right in front of her own two eyes, asking her to be his. How the hell would she answer him? She lost her tongue, worse is, she can't seem to find it.
Her wide eyes and shocked expression turned to a overwhelmed one and smiled. She still could not find her tongue that she just decided to give him a peck on the lips to show that she agrees and says yes to his proposal.
The moment her lips left his, all Natsume said was, "I'll take that as a yes. You can't seem to mutter even just the word yes." And then he hugged her tight, happy that she did not reject him and was clearly returning the same feelings he has for her.
She just smiled and returned the hug. She felt another kind of happiness. Not the kind of happiness when you get the latest designer gown or the latest gadget, but joy. Pure joy that she has found her long-awaited love and to think, this is real, really real.
After a few minutes of talking and hanging out with each other, with a few teases and shouts, she said, "I think we have to go. It's getting quiet late."
Natsume just stood up and held her cold hands. He then walked her to his car. The moment they reached there, he did not directly opened the car for her. He made her lean to the car and kissed her passionately. It did not last long like the other kisses they did, though. They both had to make it quick, afraid of both of their parents' wrath the moment they get home at this time of the day. It was already 6:34 in the evening. A parent should be worried by that.
Few minutes later, they arrived at the Hasegawa mansion. Mikan could tell no parents were waiting for her inside, just siblings. "Are your parents home today, Natsume?" She asked.
"I don't think so. They left to London yesterday night. Why?" Natsume said.
"Well, why don't you come inside for just awhile? I would like you to meet my sister and brother, you know." Mikan said with a warm smile.
"Sure." Natsume said as he unlocked the car doors and they both got off. Some maids were quiet surprised that Mikan brought a guy here at her home. She never did that stuff before. It was always girls whom she brought home with her.
"I'm home!" Mikan exclaimed the moment she stepped inside the enormous mansion her family owns.
"Mikan! Oh, I see you've brought a guy with you. Who's this, may I ask?" Mizuhara said upon hugging Mikan, welcoming her home.
"Oh, nii-chan, meet Natsume Hyuuga. I bet you've seen him around somewhere. He's my boyfriend." Mikan said.
"Natsume, this is my older brother, Mizuhara Hasegawa." She added. Mizuhara held out his hands which Natsume politely took.
"Where's nee-chan?" Mikan asked as she invited Natsume to sit beside her.
"She's not yet home. She's out with her boyfriend, I guess. It's their anniversary today. But hush my dear, we don't want to get in trouble with mom and dad because of that." Mizuhara said as he sat down on their opposite side.
"Oh, I see. Any of you wants cookies or anything?" Mikan asked happily.
"Yes, please." They both chorused. How polite.
Mikan just nodded and went to the kitchen with a happy face. She could cook very well, but she could never surpass Anna's abilities in cooking. Heck no, she was far too advanced in terms of cooking. The moment she was gone, the two men talked with each other.
"So, are you serious with my sister? Well, you'd better be." Mizuhara started.
"I'm pretty much certain that I am." Natsume replied.
"Are those rumors that you just play around with girls true?"
"I won't deny that but I'm sure that this time it won't be like that. You don't have to worry about your sister. She's in good hands."
"You better not make her cry. I would be buying a grave in advance just in case you screw up." Mizuhara said in a serious tone.
"I must assure you that I won't be the one placed in that booked grave." Natsume replied in his usual bored tone.
After a few minutes of chatting that way, Mikan finally came back with a small silver tray of newly-cooked cookies with a maid following her carrying a pitcher of juice with some glasses, too. A snack, to be specific.
She put the tray of cookies on the table and asked them to grab some since she's the one who made those. Suddenly, the door opened revealing a girl who was familiar to both Mizuhara and Mikan for quiet a long time already. It was Michiyo Hasegawa, Mizuhara's twin sister and Mikan's older step-sister whom they were waiting for quiet sometime already.
Mikan stood up and ran to the front door and hugged Michiyo. "Nee-chan! You're home! How was your day? Did you have fun on this special day of yours?" Mikan asked happily as she let go of him and led her to the living room.
"Oh, nee-chan, this is Natsume I suppose you know him." Mikan added as they both sat down on their enormous sofa.
"Why, yes, of course, I do. How are you, Natsume-kun?" Michiyo politely said as she grabbed a cookie.
"Fine, I guess." Natsume muttered.
"You don't have to act like a complete stranger here. Treat us like your own family." Mizuhara said, smiling at Natsume.
Michiyo just nodded in agreement to what her brother said as she stuffed her mouth a large piece of cookie and munched it until she was satisfied. Mikan, who was a little bit uncomfortable at these kind of talks, just stifled a laugh. A few minutes later, Natsume had to go. Mikan accompanied him to the door and watched him ride his car and dashed off to his home. But, before going out, he gave her a kiss, a goodnight and a goodbye kiss, perhaps.
"Mikan." Michiyo called out to her sister who was still by the door.
"Eh, nee-chan? What is it?" Mikan asked as she turned to face her and sat down beside her.
"Know your limitations, dear. You don't want to get in trouble with dad. Did you ever know Kazuma is a leader of a gang? Dad could use Kazuma, you know." Michiyo said to Mikan worriedly.
"Really? I did not know about that. But, I assure you nee-chan, you don't have to worry about me. I'm pretty sure Dad won't resort to that kind of stuff if Kazuma himself would be the one to ask him to cancel the engagement." Mikan said, smiling at Michiyo.
"Let's just hope so, Mikan-chan. Now go to bed. You still have class tomorrow." Michiyo said to her sister.
Mikan just nodded and went upstairs. She changed and tidied up and finally went to bed, still happy about what had happened earlier this day. She tried to think if this was all true, if this was not just a fruit of her imaginations of things. She was afraid to sleep because maybe the moment she'd wake up, everything would be back to how it was once. But despite that, she drifted off to sleep unconsciously.
The next morning, her alarm clock woke her up. She sleepily reached out for her alarm clock and put its ringing to a stop. Then, she sat up straight on her bed, rubbing the sleepiness out her eyes. It was another day. She wondered how she was going to face him after yesterday. She just smiled to herself and called the maid to prepare her bath and breakfast for her.
The moment she finished preparing, she went down to their dining area to eat her breakfast. The man who was eating at the table shocked her the most. He was not here yesterday, what the hell is he doing here early this day? It was Kazuma Nakajima, her soon-to-be fiance.
Kazuma turned to face her with a smile and said, "Oh, Mikan. Why don't you join me here?"
Mikan's shocked expression turned to a calm one and managed to answer him calmly, "Sure."
The moment she started eating, she couldn't help but ask him, "What are you doing here, Kazuma?"
"I'm here to spend time with my soon-to-be fiancee, of course. What else?"
"Did dad send you here, or mom?"
"Nope, I just thought of this idea myself. Knowing that you would just decline every date I would invite you to, I thought of staying here for a long time to get to know you better. It's better that way, I think."
"Kazuma, you have to understand. I really disagree with this arranged marriage. You do know yourself that I'm seeing someone."
"Then break up with him. There is not one thing that would change my mind, Mikan. I've purposely told my parents about this, so yeah, I'm the one who asked them to do this for me for their birthday gift for me."
"What? I can't just do that!"
"You can, of course. 'Cause if you won't, I'm afraid, you both will suffer. The Hyuuga's and the Hasegawa's hate each other, I suppose you didn't know. Didn't you notice your mother's reaction when Natsume brought you home?"
"I know, but nobody can stop me!"
Kazuma leaned to her ears and hissed, "I'm no nobody, so I can. So follow my advice and stay away from him if you don't want to get into trouble with your dad, Sakura." And with that, he left.
The moment he was out of sight, Mikan told herself, "I'll show you that your nobody, Kazuma."
Later at school, news spread like wildfire that Mikan and Natsume were already together. Some fan boys and fan girls could not accept the fact but they know themselves that they could not do anything. Some were so happy for them especially their closest of friends. Just this day, Kazuma Nakajima transferred to Gakuen Alice and was at the same class as Mikan. The news too, reached to him which infuriated him much more. So what Mikan told him before was really true, they were really together.
When break came, Mikan did not go with her friends. Of course, her friends understood. They wanted Mikan to be happy anyway, and this is her chance to be one. She ate with Natsume at the cafeteria and later hung out at the Cherry Blossoms tree.
"Ne, Natsume. I've heard from a news that you would be interviewed later this day. Would you go?" Mikan asked.
"Maybe. I'm not really interested, though." Natsume said plainly.
"And why not?"
"I'm not happy with my career. I only accepted their offers not because I wanted to but because my mother won't take no as answer."
"Still, you must go later. I'll go with you."
"Whatever." Natsume said, Mikan knew this was his way of saying yes. So she just lied down the green grasses and relaxed.
When dismissal came, Mikan went with Natsume to his interview. After the interview, they went out together to grab something to eat. The show ended at 7:30. Seeing Mikan in the set, they asked her to come to the stage with them so that they could interview her about some sort of things.
"Gee. I'm really hungry. Where should we go?" Mikan asked Natsume who as driving at full speed.
Natsume did not respond and just fixed his eyes on the road. A few moments later, they arrived at a five-star restaurant to dine in, it was the nearest he knew. And he too was quiet hungry already.
The moment they stepped out of the car and entered the restaurant, people looked their way. It was a nice view seeing them together like normal teenagers. They were really cute together. And they looked happy together.
After a few minutes of eating, they were both finally done. Mikan ate really a lot that no one could imagine where she'd store all the food that she ate just awhile ago. Natsume wondered why Mikan was so slim despite the fact that she eats like a pig.
When they exited the restaurant, unexpected paparazzi's flooded them and took picture of them together. Some people asked few questions which Mikan politely answered. But when Natsume felt like Mikan was having a hard time already, he shoved some of them and held Mikan tight and finally got out of the crowd.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"Y-yes, I guess." Mikan said, arranging her hair. It was really crowded over there, she had to admit.
"Get in the car. I'll drive you home." Natsume said as he pushed the button of his remote, unlocking his car doors.
Mikan immediately went inside the car and closed it, seeing that the paparazzi's were heading their way. Natsume too, went inside his car and started it hurriedly and dashed off to Mikan's home.
"Phew. That was close." Mikan said, feeling a little relieved that they got away from those annoying paparazzi's who kept on asking random questions. Natsume just smirked at what she said. A few minutes later, they arrived at Mikan's home. Natsume did not bother anymore going inside but before Mikan got off the car, he gave her a goodby kiss then, he dashed off.
The mansion's empty, again. She hated it when its like this. Sometimes, she wished that their home was just small and humble so that it won't feel this empty and creepy when she would be alone. She shrugged the thought and got ready for bed. She felt quiet tired after such a long day.
The next day, she woke up early and got ready for school hurriedly; all because she doesn't want to see Kazuma's damn face. Just remembering what he said yesterday, which was more like a threat, he makes her blood boil just by seeing his face.
But knowing that he was on the Hasegawa for quiet sometime, Mikan could never avoid seeing him around the house. She can't do anything to escape for now, she'll just have to bear with it for a while, she thought that maybe if she could do enough proving that she doesn't really love him nor like him, maybe he would just go away.
Every time Kazuma sees her, he would flash her a smile with eyes glinting with wickedness. Now she could say that he's evil, really evil. She would just snob him and go away from his gaze. If only she could ask Natsume to stay with her at this house.
When she reached school, she hurriedly got off her car and went to search for her friends who were probably already waiting for her. Just when she turned around a corner, there they were, tapping their feet impatiently.
"Sorry, girls. Someone stupid just came for a vacation at our house." Mikan said as she approached the girls.
"Who's this stupid someone, may I ask?" Anna asked.
"Kazuma. Don't bother asking about him, he's just a wicked little runt." Mikan said, going ahead of the girls.
"Sure." The girls chorused, following Mikan in the process.
Then, they reached their classroom just in time. The bell just rang and the students just started arriving. They never really arrived late. Shortly after the students finally settled down, their adviser Narumi-sensei came in and greeted his class a good morning. The day went on with Narumi-sensei discussing his topic until break time came, everyone's favorite time of the day.
The students hurriedly exited their classroom, and rushed off probably to the cafeteria. Most students are found there during break time, even though only a few of them really eats.
Anna, Nonoko, and Hotaru went on their own ways, leaving Mikan with Natsume. They both went to the cafeteria and ate. When they both reached the cafeteria and were already eating, Kazuma came into the picture.
"Oi, Mikan." Kazuma called out as he sat down beside Mikan, putting a hand around her shoulders. Natsume glared at him, as if saying "go away or I'll make you sorry". Kazuma did not budge from his seat and tightened his hold on Mikan.
"Kazuma! Let go." Mikan said, trying to shrug Kazuma's arm off her.
"Let Mikan go, you idiot." Natsume spoke venomously.
"Say, why the hell should I follow you?" Kazuma answered.
"Because I'm her boyfriend?"
"Yeah? Well, you're just a "boyfriend", nothing serious. I am her fiance. So you best be out of my sight or I'll make you sorry for stealing my wife-to-be away from me."
"Really? I don't think so." Mikan spoke for Natsume. She stood up, freeing herself from Kazuma's grasp and added, "Let's go, Natsume. This darn son of a bitch is getting annoying."
Natsume just stood up and never bothered looking at Kazuma's reaction. He snaked his hands around Mikan's slim waist and walked her outside of the cafeteria.
The rest of the day went normal for the students and finally, it was time to go home.
When Mikan arrived home, she went to her room to change. The moment she finished changing, she went down to grab some snacks from their kitchen. The moment she reached downstairs, Kazuma spoke, "Gee, Mikan. You're putting in danger Natsume's life and yours."
"What the hell are you talking about? Are you trying to threaten me?" Mikan asked, confusion obvious on her reaction.
"If you want to understand it that way, then you may. All I am saying is that, your father might go wild about this stuff. 'Cause honestly, your father hates the Hyuuga's the most."
"Look, Kazuma, I don't care. Don't stick your nose in others' business."
"Fine then, I won't." Kazuma said, raising both of his hands and walked off to the living room.
"Oh gosh, can't he just disappear?" Mikan asked herself and went to the refrigerator to get some snacks.
Few months later..
When she arrived home, she was happy to see that none of Kazuma's things were here already. But then her father was there, sitting at the living room, probably expecting arrival.
"D-dad, you're home." Mikan said as she kissed her dad.
"How are you doing lately, dear?" Her father asked, turning on the television.
"I'm doing great, I guess. Are you home for quiet sometime?"
"I'm afraid so."
"That's great. Is mom home too?"
"Yes, of course. She just went to the salon to have her hair redone."
"Oh, this is great then!" Mikan exclaimed.
"Mikan, dear, your mother and I came back here to tell you to stop seeing that Hyuuga kid."
"H-huh? What is it with him that you are forbidding me to see him?"
"You cannot understand, but he's just trouble. Both of you might get into trouble if you don't distance yourselves away from each other."
"Dad, if you have a problem with his parents, then leave him out of it! He doesn't know a single thing, dad."
"I'm sorry, Mikan. But I have already tasked Kazuma to split you apart. As your dad, I could feel that he is just plain trouble. Now if you still want to see him alright, you better break up with him for both of your safety."
"I don't understand you, dad. Deciding a fiance for me is tolerable enough but asking me to break-up with the only guy that I love just because of some stupid family conflict? That's another story." And with that, Mikan left her dad and went to her room to change. She did not go down for dinner or just to greet anyone in their house. When people came and knocked at her door, she would never open it for them nor unlock it. She was too frustrated to show her face to anyone else.
The next morning, she gloomily got ready for school and picked a car of her choice to drive to school. She drove it at full speed and finally, after a few minutes of driving, she finally arrived at her destination. Later that day, Mikan called Natsume.
"Natsume? Where are you?"
"Why, what is it?"
"I need to see you, now. I'm at the school garden."
"Okay." And then, he hung up.
Moments after waiting for him, he finally arrived. Natsume is wondering what happened to her because she had a gloomy expression.
"What is it?" Natsume asked as he sat down beside her.
"Natsume. You see, dad here wants me to stop seeing you."
"What are you going to do? Are you going to break-up with me?"
"N-no, of course not. But maybe we could just keep our relationship hidden from now on? I don't want you to get into trouble because of me."
"I don't understand. What really is the problem here?"
"It's too complicated to explain, I cannot give you the explanation you want."
"Does this mean we are going to see each other secretly?"
"I'm afraid so, Natsume. I'm afraid we have to show them as if we're already over."
"That's fine by me. I'll find ways."
Mikan just hugged him and thanked him for understanding her. Natsume just grabbed her and kissed her. He knew that it would never be this often that he could get to kiss her from now on, so he'd better grab the chance while she's still here.
Chapter 7 is done! Please review! :]
Next chapter on Modern-day Monarchy:
"Pretensions and Revealed Lies"
