Act 6:

Mikan Yukihira and Nastume Hyuuga

"I forgot to tell you," Hotaru said out of the blue while eating.

"Tell me what?" Mikan asked after she finished eating her broccoli.

"We—Natsume and I—called off our engagement," Hotaru thought for a moment. "That was wrong," she muttered. "We stopped dating each other."

"Why?" Mikan's eyes widened. "Why would you?" She began to think that Natsume would suit Hotaru. He was sort of kind, a gentleman despite of being arrogant, and—Hotaru's favorite part—rich.

"I don't really want to date anyone." Hotaru just shrugged and munched on some of her vegetable salad.

Mikan didn't reply. She couldn't think of anything to say, but then a thought entered her head. She knew it was rude to ask, but she couldn't help herself. She fondled with her fork first, then glanced at Hotaru, and then glanced back on the fork. "Who broke up with whom?" She whispered softly.

"Both of us," Hotaru wiped her lips with a clean tissue. "We had the same thought when we told each other that we wanted to talk."

Mikan muttered a short "Oh," and began to stay quiet. She didn't feel like eating anymore, so she placed her utensils down and took a sip of her orange juice.

"Are you depressed about that?" Hotaru raised a brow.

"Oh no, not at all," Mikan laughed awkwardly. She didn't have any valid reason why she would feel depressed about Hotaru's circumstances.

"Then why did you become silent?" Hotaru pointed out.

"It's just that…" Mikan didn't know what to say. She bit the nail on her thumb. "Maybe, I just feel left out? I mean, Ruka-pyon and –" Hotaru covered Mikan's mouth with her palm.

"People with great hearing will hear you," Hotaru said.

"And it's okay to say that you and Natsume stopped dating?" Mikan raised a brow.

"Yes, because it's all over the tabloids." Hotaru rolled her eyes and implied that Mikan was being stupid again.

"Right," Mikan nodded. She began playing with one of her pigtails. "I'm scared," she muttered.

"I'll be right here to support you." Hotaru held Mika's shoulder for assurance.

"Thanks," Mikan smiled. "For 'Aunt' Yuka…"

…

"I hate it when I look at those girls." Kokoro sighed sadly. He gazed at the two girls who were about two cafeteria seats away.

"Why?" Yuu asked in order to be polite.

"I can't read their hearts…" He cried as he covered his face with his palms as if he was really crying. "Boo-hoo… Boo-hoo…"

"It's alright, you can read my dirty thoughts." Kitsuneme patted the Kokoro's back and when Kokoro looked at him with goo-goo eyes, Kitsuneme winked.

"That's so thoughtful," Kokoro hugged Kitsuneme.

"Bromance alert," Mochiage rolled her eyes. "Really, you can't read Imai's thoughts?" He asked in disbelief. "I know that she's a genius and all, but I don't think she's that invincible."

"I can't she's wearing that stupid earring." Kokoro muttered while he still hugged Kitsuneme.

"She has a piercing?" Mochiage was surprised. "That is so not Imai. Isn't that against the school code?" He paused for a second. "Exceptions are the Alice suppressant earrings, am I right?"

"No," Kitsuneme shook his head. "It's a type of earring in which you can just clamp it in order to put it on."

"So what's the effect of that sort of invention?"

"It renders my Alice useless. I think she made it with Sakura's Nullification stone." Kokoro gave out a deeper sigh than earlier. He let go of Kitsuneme and then took a bite of his burger.

"Why would you read their thoughts anyway? Do you like them?" Mochiage asked bluntly.

"No," Kokoro grinned then sulked. "Imai is a cruel blackmailer. I hope I could do the same for her so that she would quit blackmailing me. You'll never know what she's thinking."

"She could be thinking ecchi," Kitsuneme smiled from one ear to another.

"Or worst! Sakura and her could be thinking H—" Something hit the back of Kokoro and Kitsuneme's heads really—really—really—really hard. They were Hotaru's horse hooves and Mikan's fist. They towered behind the boys' backs. Their eyes were emotionless, but obviously cruel.

Kokoro and Kitsuneme held the back of his head as they cried. "What did you do that for?!" They chorused as they hugged each other in fear.

"I had a feeling that you two were talking ill of us." Hotaru's eyes twinkled in an evil way. "Treat this as a warning."

Kokoro suddenly cowered behind Iinchou. "Protect meeee~"

"I don't think I can…" Yuu sweat dropped.

"Then Kitsuneme~~" He turned to his side and saw Kitsuneme retreating. "You traitor!" He ran after Kitsuneme.

"You girls are crazy," Mochiage commented. "Don't you agree, Iinchou?"

Yuu stayed silent. Mikan smirked as she looked at Mochiage. By her simple act, Mochiage felt the chills run up to his spine. After the girls left, Mochiage gave out a sigh of relief. "I don't know what just happened."

"So do I," Yuu nodded.

…

Mikan's eyes twitched when they reached the cafeteria door. She closed her eyes as she breathes in and out. "You again," she heard Nastume say.

"Your highness," Mikan gestured her arms towards the direction where Natsume was going.

Natsume smirked. "It's good to know your place." He brushed past her.

Mikan couldn't tolerate this attitude of his. No matter how kind he was, he still acted like a jerk. She wanted to punch Natsume, but it was against her beliefs to strike a man behind his back.

Natsume stopped walking and turned his head to face her. "You have anger issues. I say, you need to seek professional help."

"Leave it Hyuuga," Hotaru rolled her eyes. She ushered Mikan away from her total polar opposite.

"I felt really relieved that you aren't going to marry that guy," Mikan growled.

"Yeah," Hotaru agreed instantly to shut Mikan up.

…

"Winter is finally coming. It could come today, tomorrow or the next day!" Narumi said as soon as he entered the room.

"We already know that," one of the students said. "It's getting cold," He retorted.

"I know, aren't you all excited for the Christmas ball?" The blond haired teacher squealed.

"We are," Nonoko joined in the excitement. Suddenly everyone began talking about the Christmas ball preparations.

"But first, let us talk about who will be our class representatives," Narumi took out two brown boxes and stuck his hand inside. "It will be decided via draw lots, yey!" He took out a piece of paper. The students fell into silence. "Mikan Sakura." Everyone looked at her. "For the boys," Narumi took out another piece of paper. "Natsume Hyuuga."

The students gasped. They thought Narumi was out of his mind for drawing the worst possible partners ever.

"Any problems?" Narumi asked. No one made a sound.

"I refuse to be a representative." Natsume glared at Narumi.

"I refuse to be his co-representative." Mikan also glared at Narumi.

"Well then, please do your best, it's just for today. The both of you will be called later for further instructions." The teacher waved his hand and walked out of the room.

"Well that sucks," Mikan muttered to herself after her classmates became noisy again.

Hotaru shrugged and continued to work on her mini android.

…

"Calling all class representatives, please proceed to room 3-C of the middle school building." The PA announced.

"Mikan-chan, Natsume-kun…" Yuu said nervously.

"Alright, Iinchou. Leave it to me." Mikan gave him a warm smile. It made Yuu blush a bit.

Natsume stood up and left the room.

"Well, I guess I'll be going too," she laughed. "See you later Hotaru."

"Yeah," Hotaru still worked on her mini android.

When Mikan and Natsume arrived there was no one else on the classroom, except for Noda. He was arranging sheets of paper and it looked like a total mess. "Oh, are you guys are one of the class representatives of the middle school division? Which class do you belong to?"

"2-B," Mikan walked closer to Noda. "Nodacchi-sensei, could I be of any help?" She looked at him worriedly. He seemed like he was having a tough time sorting all the documents.

"It's nothing," Noda smiled. "It's just that Narumi gave me so much to do. I think I've been doing all of his bidding," he sighed. He handed Mikan a folder.

"Narumi-sensei is always like that," Mikan took the folder.

"Un," Noda gave out another sigh. "Just distribute that to your classmates and your duties will be done."

"This is it?" Mikan asked again. "I mean, why do we need representatives?"

"What? Do you want to do more work? Do it by yourself." Natsume snatched the folder from Mikan's grip and left the room.

"Anyway, what did Narumi do to make you think being a class representative will be a hard work?" Noda asked. "Wouldn't the original Iinchou be the one getting these print outs? Class 2-B is the only class to have two representatives come."

"Narumi did draw lots." Mikan sweat dropped. "He's so sneaky."

"Indeed," Noda nodded.

"Well, I'm off," Mikan bid farewell and left the room.

…

Mikan decided to go to her green house after school since she didn't have to do anything. She sat at the garden set with a Ceylon Tea on the table.

"Mikan are you here?" She heard her mother call out from the entrance.

"Over here mom," Mikan called back.

"You should get ready; you'll be meeting with the Hyuuga Corporation?"

"I thought you could handle that?" Mikan protested. 'I don't want to see more of that jerk.' She thought to herself.

"Well," Yuka looked around slyly like she was hiding something. "I'm not feeling well…" She pretended to hold her forehead in pain.

"Which part of you is not feeling well?" Mikan sweat dropped. Obviously her mom was just acting.

"Everything," Yuka started to cover her face. "I feel so sad…" She began to cry.

"M-mom," Mikan walked closer to Yuka. "I—I'll go,"

"Good," Yuka's face lit up, and then she patted Mikan's head. "I'll be going out with Mrs. Imai," she beamed. "Uh, we'll shop for, um, medicine and stuff…"

Mikan gritted her teeth. "You're so lazy. Why do I have to suffer because of your laziness?" She complained. "Dad, please come back!"

"Shush dear, your dad is too lazy to come back that's why in the future I'll be the one going there." Yuka hugged Mikan and then held her shoulders. "Don't tell your father I told you that,"

"Mom," Mikan groaned.

"Mikan," Yuka groaned.

Mikan was glad Yuka moved on and so did she. "Alright, but please keep your word. You told me you could handle the company."

"But it is date night with Mrs. Imai," Yuka's lips quivered. "And the Hyuuga Company just informed me about the meeting."

"Seriously?" She looked at her mom in disbelief. Yuka chose shopping over a meeting.

"I know," Yuka's shoulders slumped. "Who would call an emergency meeting, right? Those Hyuuga's. Kaoru would never have done that if she didn't pass away because of her illness." She shook her head. "Even if I trust them, I won't forgive them if they cheat on me."

"What?" Mikan's forehead creased. She wasn't following one of Yuka's delusions.

"Izumi and Kaoru!" She wailed. "Don't you guys dare cheat on me~"

Mikan sweat dropped, her mother's jokes are so out of hand. "You're hopeless." Mikan said. "Alright. I'll prepare."

"Oh, no need, casual clothes are more than enough," Yuka clasped her hands.

"This woman," Mikan's eyes twitched as she balled her fists. "You told me to get ready,"

"I meant you should change into fresh casual clothes." Yuka smiled. "Well, I'm off," Yuka walked out of the green house.

"Mom is so unpredictable," Mikan sighed.

…

The meeting was held at the Kissaten coffee shop. Natsume, Mikan and two others were present to discuss the matters regarding some company issues such as the next release of their new products and the management of the franchises.

After the conference, everyone went out of the Kissaten. Natsume escorted Mikan out on the parking lot. There were a few cars and almost no one was there. One of the street lights was buzzing as if the light bulb needed to be changed.

"You don't have to wait for me," Mikan said with a smile.

"You are dating my friend," Natsume answered. Mikan kept quiet. Natsume smirked. "Or are you breaking up with him?"

She ignored his statement. "I'll be waiting here for a long time." Mikan looked away. She didn't want to owe him a favor. "The car broke down. It's being repaired right now. You should leave."

"Let's go for a walk," Natsume offered.

"I don't want to," Mikan refused.

"Stop acting like a brat," he held her hand.

"I am not acting like a brat." She pulled away from him, but his grip was stronger than her strength, although it doesn't hurt her. "Let me go,"

"Tell your driver and your mother you'd be going home late." Natsume shook his head.

"I'll shout rape," Mikan glared at Natsume.

"Like anyone would hear and believe you," Natsume grunted. "I'll kiss you on the spot if you do,"

Mikan's face flushed. "Seriously, I'm dating your friend." Frustration filled Mikan's voice. "Why are you so aggressive?"

"Why are you so stubborn?" Natsume retorted.

"I give up," Mikan took out her phone and called her mother. "Good evening mom, I'm going to go home late… Yes…Huh?... I'm with someone… Hyuuga-san? Psh, no… someone else…no, no, no… It's a secret…" Mikan laughed gently. "Alright, I promise, bye… I love you too." After hanging up the phone she looked at Natsume with her eyes void of all emotions. "Where are we going?"

"Where do you want to go?" Natsume asked as he let go of her hand.

"I don't know Hyuuga-san, you were the one who invited me," Mikan said without any emotions.

"Well it can't be helped. Follow me," he instructed. Mikan did as she was told. He led her towards his car. His driver opened the door for him and Mikan. Mikan sat about six inches away from Natsume. He didn't bother to start a conversation and just looked out of the window. The engines came to life and off they went towards their destination. Obviously, Natsume already planned everything because he didn't tell the driver the place, but the driver still knew where to go.

"We're leaving town?" Mikan asked when she was the sign that they were indeed leaving the town.

"What do you think?" Natsume replied without looking at her. He continued to look outside of the window.

"That's right, I'm sorry Hyuuga-san," Mikan cleared his throat.

"Natsume…" He said in a soft voice.

"Pardon?" Mikan looked at Natsume.

He tore his gaze off of the road and focused on her. "Call me Natsume,"

"That would be in appropriate, Hyuuga-san, we don't have any close relation." She replied with a straight face. She wanted to call him Hyuuga-san as many times as she could because it was obviously annoying him. It was evident on his face.

"Call me Natsume," He replied firmly.

"Hyuuga-san," Mikan shook her head.

"Stop it," Natsume's face twitched. "If you call me Hyuuga-san one more time I would leave you here and take away your phone," He threatened.

"That's harassment!" Mikan's eyes widened. "Hyuuga-san,"

"I see no witnesses," he shrugged. "It's not a crime if no one saw," he smirked.

"N—Natsume-kun is such an evil person," Mikan scowled.

Natsume just shrugged. "You like Ruka best, huh?"

"I prefer Ruka-pyon," She corrected.

"Why?" He asked, but it seemed like he doesn't really care whether she answered him or not.

"He doesn't threaten people." Mikan answered without hesitation.

"True," Natsume chuckled. Mikan laughed despite of herself. She could never imagine Ruka threatening people. If that was the case, she could see him blush.

"Pardon me. We are here, young master," the driver suddenly interrupted.

"Where are we? It seems lively outside." Mikan took Natsume's outstretched hand which was supposed to escort her out of the car.

"It's a fireworks festival of this town." Natsume said. He placed his hands inside his pocket.

"It's so crowded." Mikan told herself. She loved festivals since it was always so lively. Natsume looked at Mikan. Her eyes were sparkling.

He held her hand. "Don't get lost."

Mikan followed Natsume through the crowd and they stopped in front of a mask stall. Natsume purchased a bear mask and a cat mask. He put the bear mask on Mikan's face. "Just accept it," Natsume said while putting it around her head to cover her face. After that he wore the cat mask.

"Are you hungry?" He asked.

"Not really," Mikan shook her head. It was true, but she could smell the Howalons which made her mouth almost drool. Natsume led her through the crowd and she obediently followed him. She almost got swept by the crowd two or three times. She was astonished when someone held her hand, but then she relaxed when she saw that it was Natsume who was holding her.

"Wait here," Natsume made her sit on the bench far from the place where the people were. After Natsume left she took off the mask and watched her surroundings. There were a lot of trees and in front of her was a huge pond with bushes close to the perimeter served as the railings or boundary. The festival's lights were nothing compared to the waning crescent moon's light. It was perfect for a fireworks display. She inhaled the cold air and smiled despite of herself. She felt relaxed so closed her eyes.

When she opened her eyes Natsume was already beside her. 'How long did I close my eyes?' She asked herself mentally.

"Here," Natsume handed her a box.

"What's this?" She looked at him then at the box. His mask was positioned on the upper right side of his head.

"It's a snack while we look at the fireworks." He shrugged.

Mikan opened the box and her eyes started to sparkle again. "Thank you," she took a bite of the Howalons. "Do you want some?"

Natsume shook his head. "They are quite popular here since it was the first and only stall here." He said afterwards.

"I see, it was nice of the Academy to share the Howalons to the normal people," Mikan took another bite of her favorite food.

"The fireworks should be starting now," Natsume said.

"Tha—"

Whistle… Boom… Whistle… Boom… Boom… Crackle…

Mikan looked at the colorful fireworks which slowly came exploding slowly, one after another. They seemed like paint thrown into the sky. Their location was perfect. It was like the remains of the fireworks fell into the pond. There were different colors like blue, green and red.

"Wow, Natsume-kun, thank you for bringing me here," Mikan said enthusiastically without looking away from the fireworks display.

"It's nothing. Don't you think they're too slow lighting the fireworks?" Natsume replied.

"A little," Mikan nodded. Suddenly, the fireworks burst at the sky continuously. The colors flooded the sky beautifully. "Nastume-kun," Mikan laughed.

"What? All I did was give them a hand," he smirked.

"Still, you shouldn't use your Alice that way," Mikan unconsciously and playfully shove him.

"So the elegant Mikan Yukihira knows how to shove people." He nodded to himself. "How unlady like."

"So the cold Natsume Hyuuga knows how to smile." Mikan replied.

"What? Do you like me now?" Natsume joked.

"You? Psh, no way," Mikan laughed. "I'd never like an arrogant man such as you." Mikan said.

Natsume shrugged as if he agreed. "Anyway, we should get going, won't your mother get worried? You didn't tell her where we are."

"R—right," Mikan blushed, despite of the short time they had, she was actually enjoying herself.

Natsume held Mikan's hand again. Her face flushed for some unknown reason. When they arrived at the parking lot, Nastume talked to the driver. The man nodded and went towards Mikan.

"Excuse me may I have your permission?" He asked Mikan.

"Um, yes?" Mikan was taken aback when he held her on the shoulder. In a blink of an eye, they were already in front of the Yukihira mansion.

"The young master bids you farewell and good night." Then he excused himself to go back to where Natsume was.

Mikan looked at her watch. It was already twelve o'clock. "So the clock stroke at midnight and Cinderella has to go back huh," She smiled. "Stupid Natsume, didn't even let me finish the fireworks,"

…