Ready To Fall

Author's Notes: So this is the second-half of the original Chapter Six.

You're probably asking: Wait, there's another occasion?

Yes, there's another occasion coming your way. When I decided on my target dates, I didn't realize right away how many special events I would be face with. I decided not to include some of those, since, if I did, this whole story would be celebrating something after every chapter. However, I'm warning you now that there are two more occasions coming after this chapter.

Anyway... Hope you'll like this chapter as well... Enjoy and don't forget to drop your reviews! (",)

Chapter 7: Why should I care

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Why should I care if you found somebody new?

And you look like you're in love.

And why should I care if she looks a lot like me?

And she's all you've ever dreamed of.

I didn't care enough to keep you around.

So tell me why should I care now?

-'Why should I care' by Sara Evans-

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One month, three weeks and five days before that cold and empty night…

It was Mikan's birthday.

It was held in a restaurant in Central Town called Chocolate Touch. It is a restaurant that specializes in chocolate buffet. Their main attraction in the table is the three-foot tall chocolate fountain. Around it are platters of various fruits that they could choose from to coat in the fountain.

Aside from the chocolate fountain, their dishes are also to die for. Mikan and the girls actually enjoyed the food tasting when they were deciding which ones they would have for the party.

It seemed like they made a good choice for the dish selection seeing that the guests were enjoying themselves.

Mikan has been going around from table to table checking if her guests needed anything, making sure that everyone has food and drinks.

Among the guests, aside from her close friends, were her classmates from Middle School Class B, students from Special Abilities Type, some guys who dated her before Christmas, and some faculty members.

Youichi also came with Mr. Bear. The eight-year old said that he was also going to bring Piyo, but he is too big for the venue. Mikan could only smile to the kid uneasily, imagining the disaster if the giant yellow chick was to show up in the party.

"Mikan, you should really stop fussing," Sumire said when she seized Mikan on her way to another table. "It's your birthday, so you should not be working like a waitress."

"I just want to make sure the guests are comfortable."

"They are. Trust me," Sumire insisted. "Now, go to your throne and the program is about to start."

"Program?" the celebrant blinked confused. She does not remember them discussing about any programs.

"Yes, program."

Sumire pushed Mikan to the make-shift stage, and sat her on a high chair placed at the stage right.

Everyone stopped eating when Sumire called their attention through the microphone.

The program started with a "Happy Birthday!" song for Mikan. Following shortly after was a stand-up comedy centering about Mikan by Kokoro and Mochu. Mikan almost fell from the chair for laughing her ass off.

Next were Anna and Nonoko who sang "You've Got A Friend" in duet. She was really touched, and almost cried.

Iinchou also did a number using his Illusion Alice, showing the skit Mikan did five years ago to earn enough money to buy fluff puffs. It was really funny, bringing back memories from five years ago.

If she and her guests enjoyed the performances so far, she was not sure about the next one, Youichi and Mr. Bear. Youichi recited a poem with Mr. Bear "acting it out". It reminded her of a TV show where there's a small ring in the screen. Inside it is a person translating whatever the host is saying into sign language for the deaf and mute. The little boy is also not the most energetic recitalist in the planet. Mikan could actually imagine him like a smaller version of Natsume delivering a sonnet written by Shakespeare. That made Mikan giggled.

As if he would ever read anything with feelings, she thought.

When the two bowed to the audience, everyone was silent for at least ten seconds, until Ruka started clapping and everyone else followed.

"Well, that was some treat, huh?" was the comment of the emcee Sumire as the little boy and the stuffed toy climbed down the stage. "Thank you Youichi and Mr. Bear." She turned to the birthday girl. "How did you like the program so far, Mikan?"

Mikan smiled amiably, "It's very… interesting."

"Well, I'm sure you'll find our finale more interesting," said Sumire as she turned back to the guests. "Before I call on our last performer, let me tell you first something about him. You see, this whole program is actually a surprise to Mikan. We, her close friends, planned this behind her back. However, this last one, I handled personally. Two days ago, I was walking near the fountain at the back of the High School Building, when I heard someone playing the violin. I was so amazed, especially when I saw who it was. I wasted no time and asked him to play for Mikan on her birthday. He said that I don't even have to ask him twice." Sumire paused to hold the anticipation in the crowd. "So who's this mystery guy? Ladies and gentlemen, with no further introductions, please welcome… Tetsuya Kimura!"

Mikan's eyes grew wide when the handsome red-head stepped out from the backstage holding a beautiful wooden violin.

Before he got into position, he borrowed the microphone from Sumire and turned to Mikan giving her the sweetest smile, "Happy birthday, Mikan! This one's for you. It's entitled 'Runaway'."

From the moment the bow stroked the strings, up to when he hit the last note of the coda, everyone, especially the birthday celebrant, was hypnotized by the harmony.

Mikan was indeed surprised to know that Tetsuya was not only good-looking, but he's also quite talented. She could not stop thinking how bonded he seems to be with his instrument. His stance, his profile, all added to his appeal.

Tetsuya even received a standing ovation from the crowd when he bowed to them.

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Everyone loved Tetsuya's performance. Everyone, except maybe for Natsume, who could not help but abhor the red-head, especially when he saw how astounded Mikan was as he played the violin.

The whole time, he was holding back the urge to swallow the wooden instrument in flames.

But what really set him off was that the red-head has been on Mikan's tail ever since Shouda closed the program. He was even sitting next to Mikan in their table—on Natsume's chair.

"Are you alright, Natsume?" Ruka asked him in almost a whisper.

"I'm fine," he replied coldly.

Ruka only shrugged and shifted his focus back to his girlfriend.

To divert his attention, the raven-haired boy focused on his food, but he has lost his appetite to eat it. From time to time, his ears were burning, especially when the celebrant and the violinist were laughing to something only they know.

Control, Hyuuga, he tried to tell himself, and sighed secretly. I should be the one beside her—the one talking to her. I should be telling her—.

"I'm sorry, Mikan, but I have to go," Natsume's head automatically tipped back upon hearing the best news for the night.

"I really love to stay, but I promised my younger sister that we'll spend the New Year together," Tetsuya explained. "She's in elementary," he added as he got up.

"That's just sweet," was Sumire's reaction. Apparently, this little fact added to Kimura's appeal.

"I understand," said Mikan smiling.

"Well see you, guys, around," then he turned back to the birthday girl and leaned forward to peck her cheek. "Happy birthday again, Mikan."

Natsume watched in horror as Mikan's gaze followed Tetsuya. She was evidently blushing.

It was just a kiss on the cheek. Why does she have to be flushed because of it? Natsume yapped mentally. I kissed her on the lips, and that seemed to be no big deal.

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After Tetsuya left, Mikan's other guests also started leaving, since it was already getting late. Even Youichi said he had to go back to the dormitory before it gets really dark. Mikan thanked them all before settling herself back to her friends' table.

Eventually, they were the only ones left.

"So, Mikan," started Nonoko. "Did you have fun on your birthday?"

"I did. I really did," she replied beaming. "Thank you everyone! Today has been a blast."

Right just then, the manager of the restaurant approached their table and offered them a platter of little fudge cakes called Choco Rhumble. He said that it was a new addition to their menu.

Mikan thanked the manager and dug in. At first bite, she tasted something bitter but, as she chewed on, she actually liked it, and reached out for her second piece.

Only the celebrant seemed to be enjoying the treat.

Incidentally, she was also getting more hyper and more talkative than she usually is, especially after her fifth slice.

"I really liked your song, Anna, Nonoko," she said dynamically, motioning her hands along.

"Thank you, Mikan," Anna replied seemingly embarrassed.

But Mikan went on, "You've got a friend? The song is very right. I've got a friend—friends actually, because I don't only have one." She was waving her hand as she spoke as if she was conducting an orchestra. "And I know that… that I could always rely on you, guys. So don't forget that you could also rely on me."

Her friends were all looking at her weirdly when she started swaying as she spoke.

When Mikan stifled a hiccup, Natsume suspected something that cannot be good. He seized her arm as she was about to take another bite of the fudge cake.

Even if he was not really fond of sweets, he took the cake from her and sampled it. His suspicion was immediately confirmed as he tasted something bitter.

"These cakes have alcohol in it," he announced acrimoniously.

They gasped at that, and looked at Mikan who was smiling foolishly.

"Just to prove I'm a real friend, I help you Nonoko. I help you," she then turned to Kokoro who was sitting across from her. "You! You know for mind-reader, you quite dense."

"Uhm, Mikan—," Nonoko started to protest, nervous of what she was about to say.

"Dense!" her voice only increased by a decibel, making Nonoko and Kokoro flinched. "You're like the other guys. Didn't you know that she—Nonoko—is actually—,"

"Okay, that's enough," Natsume cut her off—to Nonoko's relief. "Party's over."

But it was too late for Kokoro, since he has already involuntarily mind-read from the girls' minds what Mikan was about to say. And he was left all-red, which was matched by Nonoko's face from the other end of the table.

"I'll bring her back to the dormitory," he asserted as he hoisted her arm over his shoulders and supported her on the waist. "You, guys, take care of the rest here."

"We'll go with you," said Hotaru dragging her boyfriend along. Ruka, then, helped his bestfriend with the intoxicated Mikan by supporting her on the other side.

"We'll take care of the gifts and the bill," Iinchou stepped in, his leader-side kicking to the surface.

The birthday celebrant, however, did not seem to agree with what was going on, "What dormitory? I still have my party." Then she posed as if thinking, "This is my party, right? Yeah, my birthday party. So why are we leaving? What about my guests?"

"Your guests already left, Mikan," Hotaru sighed in disbelief. Who would have thought that her friend has a very low tolerance for alcohol?

"Left? Why? Is it not a good party?" she turned her head towards Ruka. "Ruka, is that you? You know Hotaru really loves you."

Ruka laughed, amused of what the brunette has just said. However, his girlfriend was not thrilled, and resisting the urge to use her baka gun on her bestfriend and her boyfriend.

Mikan only continued, "But, you know, she said that she only keeps you because you're handy, especially when carrying things around."

Now it was Hotaru's turn to laugh.

"Hotaru," Ruka pouted to the apple of his eyes.

Then Mikan shifted to Natsume, "Natsume, hi! You know you are sweet. You're like those Choco… Choco… what are they called again? Choco Rhumble! Can we bring some of those fudge cakes?"

Natsume just smirked, "No more Choco Rhumble for you—ever."

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Mikan has been babbling in the bus from Central Town to the Middle School Dormitory. Even when they dropped her to her bed, her mouth did not falter.

"Hotaru," she watched her bestfriend relieved her own feet from her shoes. "Why didn't you sing for me? You have a good voice. I remember when we won before at the karaoke contest."

"That was a long time ago, Mikan."

"She needs cold compress," said Natsume with a hint of concern in his voice.

"I'll ask the dorm mother for an ice bag," his bestfriend volunteered and left the room.

Seeing Mikan red from drunkenness, Natsume could not help feeling over-protective. He made a decision that she would never ever touch any alcoholic beverage in the future.

"I'll see if she has a towel and a basin," he told Hotaru and went to the bathroom. He found a plastic basin under the sink and started filling it with water. Afterwards, he got a face towel from the rack and submerged it in the liquid.

"She's fine," he didn't realize that Hotaru followed him to the bathroom. "There's no need to worry."

Natsume only sneered, "I'm not worried."

"Right," she replied mockingly. "Well, then." She straightened from leaning at the doorway. "I'll just check what's taking Ruka so long."

He only nodded to her, and carried the basin towards Mikan as Hotaru closed the door.

Mikan seemed asleep and silent for the first time that night. He sat at the side of the bed and watched her for a minute.

"I'm not worried," he mumbled trying to convince his self. It was not like she was sick and dying. She was just a little tipsy. She would definitely be fine—just probably a hang-over in the morning. Then why am I worried?

He squeezed the excess water on the towel, and started wiping Mikan's face gently.

"Cold," she muttered. She slowly opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. "You know what, Hotaru? You're actually right."

Natsume's hand stopped in mid-air. Mikan was probably talking to Hotaru before she left, and she did not notice that her bestfriend was no longer in the room.

"You're always right, aren't you?" she continued still not looking at him. "You were right when you said I like him. You're also right when you said I love him."

Natsume froze. He almost felt his heart stopped for a full five-second. What is she talking about?

"The first time I met him, I really didn't like him—not at all. But really, he's a nice guy. Recently, I'm always thinking about him, especially after Christmas. I think he cares about me more than he admits. I'm not sure yet though."

He was weighing whether he was going to tell her he's not Hotaru, but curiosity got the best of him. Who is Mikan in love with?

"Are… you… talking about… Tetsuya?" he held his breath, both afraid and anxious to hear the answer.

Mikan fell silent for a while.

"Tetsuya?" she smiled. "Yeah, he's really nice, isn't he? And he's really sweet and talented. Did you hear the music he played for me at my party? He's also very handsome, tall, and he has those gray eyes. He's really something. He's very different from Natsume. They're like east and west."

So it is Tetsuya.

Natsume did not know that he dropped his hand with the towel on his hip. He also did not feel that he was using it to release his frustration. Realizing this, he placed the now-dried scrunched steaming piece of terry cloth at the rim of the basin.

"Wait, Hotaru," Mikan uttered with cringed brows. She was oblivious to the fire burning inside the guy she thought was her bestfriend. "Your voice sound deeper than usual." She giggled and, before dozing off, added, "You're actually starting to sound like Natsume."

Because I am Natsume, you idiot!

He stood and stepped away from the bed—away from her.

He did not know what to feel. He wanted to be angry with her, but he could not help blaming himself.

You knew this would happen. Now it has, what are you gonna do, Hyuuga?

The revelation, he felt, was crushing his chest. He has to be somewhere else right that moment. He could not stay alone with her, but he also could not just leave her alone.

"We have the ice bag," Ruka announced—to his relief—when he opened the door and stepped in. He was followed shortly by Hotaru, who went straight to Mikan and placed the cold compress on her forehead.

"Are you alright, Natsume?" his bestfriend asked him sounding concern.

No. I think I could really use an ice bag as well and some aspirin tablets, he wanted to tell him but he only nodded.

"I… I have to go."

At least Mikan would not be alone anymore if he leaves. He just had to get out of there.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Natsume looked from the blonde to the raven-haired, who was apparently staring at him like she could see right through him.

No, I'm not okay. But he said "Yeah."

He did not wait anymore for their reply, and walked out of the room.

He sighed after closing the door behind him, "I should really stop ending up in this room."

When he left her room that morning after Christmas, he was already almost admitting his secret feelings for her. But as he left her room that night, he figured that it was a one-way road. No reason to make his secret known after all.

Author's Notes: (currently hiding behind a sofa, peeking from time to time) Is it over?

So what do you, guys, think? I really want to know what you think. Good or bad, it's okay...

Credits: "Mikan almost fell from the chair for laughing her ass off." Got the idea from WizdomGoddess. Hope you don't mind, it just popped in my mind while thinking of how Mikan should react to Kokoro and Mochu's performance.

Next Chapter: Someone's worried. Someone's stinking jealous and utterly irritated with someone irritating. Someone would finally think about asking someone out. Who are these "someone's"?

Can you feel the cold air coming? Yes, it's almost here. First, something would cause a fire. Then, someone would be confused; another would be jealous. Next, a rumor spreads. Finally...

I think I just said too much... I'm zipping it now.