POKER FACE

by: Suikashan

Summary: "if you want, you can go out with me." He said out of the blue. "are—are you freaking serious Hibino?" She asked. "so is it a deal or not?" he asked. "deal."

A/N: I would like to thank everyone who cared to read the last chapter and who left reviews. In this chapter you'll see Natsume's reaction to Mikan's relationship with Kanata. Hope he wouldn't get furious about it. I won't be updating fast next chapter. And I have decided that there will only be 12 chapters. Nothing more nothing less.

Let it start!

Memory 7: nonchalant

-O-

"So this is what it feels like to be a princess." Mikan half joked as she closed the gate behind her. Kanata was leaning against his car with a small smile on his face, "are you this sweet when you were together?"

"Much sweeter, I greet her with a kiss as she steps out of the gate."

Mikan smiled at Kanata. "She sure is—was I mean, a lucky girl." Mikan skipped towards him and stared, "well, open the door for me gentleman."

He rolled his eyes at her, but then opened the door nonetheless. "Here you go princess, are you ready?" he asked all of a sudden. Mikan gripped hard on the door as she nodded.

"I am ready, Kanata." Her mouth was set into a thin line, "the question is, are you?"

"I am when you are." He shut the door.

Mikan sat down and stared out of the window, as she watched the structures fade as they pass by, Mikan couldn't help but think about their conversation a moth ago…

Mikan and Kanata made a deal to date one another. They decided to go out in order to help one another in their problems. Surprisingly, Mikan found out that it is actually entertaining to be around him and now-the two of them are going to be official. She didn't mention any of this to Hotaru or to Ruka, knowing the two of them; they would freak out when they find out. She couldn't care less about them. Right now all she can think of is Natsume and his reaction to this. She glanced at him as he drove. Kanata seems so serious in driving; he followed the speed limit and often glanced at his side mirrors. It was actually fun to watch him drive.

"Stop smiling like an idiot." He snapped. "And stop staring at me like I'm some kind of person who's taking a driving exam."

"It's fun watching you."

He glared at her but then turned his attention back to the road. "I like to drive like this."

She rolled her eyes and began to contemplate, Kanata is someone a girl should keep. After all he is an artist, a serious type of guy and adding to his serious look is his pair of square rimmed eyeglasses, behind them were two wide ash colored orbs .He is sweet, kind, a gentleman and cute—a girl's dream guy; an exact opposite of Natsume and having a resemblance of Ruka. Even though everything is just an act, Mikan is happy to spend some time with him and to get to know him better.

"Are we going to eat together too?" Mikan suddenly asked, "I mean, I have friends and so do you, I may keep you away from them if you start eating with me."

"Do you want me to make a schedule? Monday for you, Tuesday for them…?"

Mikan laughed. "Yeah, so that they wouldn't get jealous—"

"Of me? Yeah right, who would want a girlfriend like you?" he scoffed immediately. Mikan whacked him with her bag. "cut it out! I'm driving you moron!"

"Asshole…" Mikan crossed her arms in front of her chest and ignored him the whole ride.

-O-

Feeling her heart sink deeper and deeper as they neared the school, Mikan couldn't help but start to sweat and shake. She couldn't help but think of what people would have to say when she steps out of Kanata's car. Pretending is never easy, she finally decided. She closed her eyes and tried to calm herself down. She needs to do this in order to move on, by any chance she has to live with her decision.

Kanata stole a glance through the corner of his eye, Mikan is nervous and so is he. He doesn't know and wouldn't want to know or see what Natsume's reaction is. He still wants to live longer and right now, he doubted his decision in helping her. Feeling the urge to comfort her and himself, he reached over and took Mikan's hand in his.

Mikan surprisingly looked at him, he released her hand instantly, "I'm sorry—I thought it's alright."

"It's fine." She took his hand, "I like the feeling of having someone holding my hand at times like this."

"You're talking as if we were given a death penalty." He said flatly.

Mikan pressed her lips together, saying 'death penalty' made her heart sink deeper and also her body deeper in her seat. Kanata's metaphor made her knees go weak.

"We're in the same boat now anyways," he said coolly, "you're fate is mine. If you die because he or the congregation persecutes you—I have to die with you."

She smiled sadly, "You don't know him, I personally feel that he wouldn't give a shit—he threw me away, he doesn't have anything to do with me anymore. Luna will be ecstatic about this when she finds out." She squeezed his hand. "Nothing will happen."

"I hope so."

Kanata suavely entered the gates of the Gakuen, several people were still in the parking lot. He mentally crossed himself, he is not only afraid of Natsume's reaction, he is also afraid of Mikan's friends' reactions, especially Imai Hotaru's. Mikan told him several stories about her being hit by the 'baka gun.' Whatever that baka gun is, he is sure that it is very excruciating.

Mikan snapped out of her thoughts when she heard the engine get killed. She turned to Kanata who was still sitting there, not moving a bit. He is also afraid, Mikan thought grimly. She released her seatbelt and beamed at him. "I thought you are ready."

"I am," he snapped, "I abide by the rule 'ladies first.'" He mocked with an on off smile.

"You're supposed to open my door." She stated matter of fact. Kanata's smile faded directly. Without further ado, Kanata stepped out and went to her door. Mikan tensed immediately when the door opened.

"Look, let's just get over this so that we can go home safe." He offered his hand and Mikan took it. She stepped out and took in a handful of air.

"No one's going to die, believe me." The two walked hand in hand towards the entrance, several girls made a loud gasp and began to call their friends. Mikan felt that this will spread faster than fire. Every step she takes felt like the last, the two of them just have to survive this day, the next would be easier and the next—people will forget about the two of them. At her side seniors whispered to one another. Not having a doubt that it is about the two of them, she chose to move on and ignore. Men at the end of the corridor called out to Kanata who disregarded them completely. She squeezed his hand tightly.

"I'm going to walk you to your room." He said, loud enough for the students to hear. Mikan cleared her throat and nodded happily.

'As long as Kanata's with me, I will be fine.'

-O-

Sliding the door behind her after saying goodbye, Mikan heaved a loud sigh. She went to her seat instantly and ignored her classmates who stared at her. She sat down and closed her eyes. A long day is awaiting her right now. Before she can rest her head, her classmates surrounded her and began asking her about the two of them. Mikan didn't know whether she should say anything about it at all. She and Kanata have not planned anything about this—and judging her experience right now, she knows Kanata is being bombarded by questions like this too.

"Come on Mikan, when did you start dating? Are you completely over Natsume?" one of them asked. Mikan decided to laugh nervously.

"Really guys… I can't—" she tried explaining, thankfully, her phone started to sing out, Mikan took it and excused herself from her friends and classmates. Looking at the screen she saw Kanata's name.

"I can't stand them!" She said at once. On the other line Kanata chuckled, "why is it that there is no disturbance in your place?" she pressed her phone to her ear more.

'Guys here just congratulated me, no wonder you're so upset about coming to school with me.'

"No fair Kanata!" she frowned, "why is it like that there? Here they almost killed me just to get an answer."

'Well, I'm lucky I guess, I saw several girls cry, probably they are sad that I am no longer single.'

She growled, "and you think that ever girl wants you?"

He laughed. 'Yes. So you are lucky. So, have you seen Hyuuga or your friends?'

"No… not yet." A group of girls passed by and smiled at Mikan and congratulated her. Mikan waved back and sighed. "I'm not even sure if he's here already."

'Oh… hey gotta go. Rui wants to ask me about my new painting. So,' he paused dramatically. 'no ' love you' coming from you?'

Mikan rolled her eyes, "dream on you dolt."

'You may never know someone might be listening and they might think that—'

"Alright! I love you, happy?" she growled.

'Hey that's not even—'

"I'm hanging up. Bye." She hit 'end' and walked back inside the room, once inside all her classmates smiled at her. "Why the hell did you listen to my conversation?" everyone laughed and began teasing her about their little quarrel. Amidst their conversation the door slid open, Natsume stood there with a grim expression on his face, some people theorized that he already found out about Mikan or Luna just got him angry again. All of them backed away and continued what they were doing before he came. Mikan wiped her forehead and mentally thanked Natsume's presence.

"Let's talk." He said flatly. Mikan blinked at him and thought why.

"About what?"

He didn't answer, instead he dragged her out of the room. Mikan jerked her arm away. "What do we have to talk about?

"I don't know—how about your dog." He said sarcastically.

"I don't have a dog." Mikan snapped. "Well? What?"

"Are you really dense?"

"What gives you the right to insult me?" she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Well, this is just a waste of time—I'm going back." She turned to her heel and started walking.

"I'm talking about Hibino and I'm not insulting you, I'm stating a fact." The way he said Kanata's last name was like poison needed to be spit out.

She turned to him, "what about Kanata?" she asked innocently.

"Are you together?"

"Yeah, we are."

"Since when?"

Mikan started to think of a day—the day they had a deal? No that's way too early, or the day he took her out first? She couldn't remember the day. "When?" Natsume snapped.

She frowned at him, "I don't see why you have to act angry, I mean, I was not the one who had an affair when we were together. We started dating a week ago."

"What affair are you talking about? I never had one."

"Don't think that I'm a fool Natsume. I know everything about you and Luna."

"You heard one gossip and you start to believe it? You're so stupid."

Mikan gaped at him, "and you have the audacity to tell me that I'm stupid? At least be happy for me that I found someone who can take care of me!"

He snorted. "Yeah I'm happy; you're not my burden anymore."

"Well. I'm glad he doesn't think of me that way. Thanks for being happy for me." She walked away and never looked back. Having this confrontation is much worse than being ignored by Natsume. she can feel her blood begin to boil at what he said, it was a good thing she had self control or else she would've slapped him.

Natsume on the other hand stared at the door she just entered. Mikan is going out with Hibino, that's what he heard from Luna when they went to school. At first he didn't believe it but now he certainly does. He hopes that he'll treat her nicely and love her more than he did. He ran a hand through his hair and made his way downstairs.

-O-

Chatters filled the hall as everyone filled inside for lunch. Mikan seated together with her friends (including Natsume, to her surprise.) and Kanata mentally cringed whenever someone passes by and giggles or congratulates the two of them, being a superb actress, all Mikan did was fake a smile reaching her ears and say 'thank you' in the sweetest voice she could muster. Opposite her was a scowling Luna, who continuously complained that when she and Natsume began dating, no one dared to congratulate her. At that time, Kanata, who could not control his laugh anymore snorted loudly. Mikan pinched him by the arm and Natsume glared at him.

"… to think of it, I have the perfect boyfriend, but I was never congratulated."

"Who'd congratulate a slut who stole another girl's man anyways?" Sumire offered nonchalantly. She picked at her food, clearly showing her loss of appetite at the sight of Luna.

Luna raised an eyebrow, "look who's talking, the girl who never got my so called man. You must be so jealous."

"Why would I be?" she sneered back. The table has gone quiet; everyone paid meticulous attention to their spat. "You're a whore, everyone has had you. You're a bitch, no one would be friends with you and you're a gold digger, no one would want you."

"I suggest that you keep that fat garbage filled mouth of yours Shouda, you don't know who you're fighting." Luna hissed back.

"I know who I'm fighting, why don't you shut up? This isn't you're territory, if you can't stand me might as well as leave. Many of us here lost our appetite already."

Natsume who was silent all the time finally glared at Sumire, "the two of you are acting like kids. Grow up." He then grabbed Luna's arm and pulled her out of the hall.

The remaining people in the table sighed, "There's too much tension if you put Sumire, Luna, Natsume and Mikan together."

Mikan looked at Koko quizzically, "why involve me in their spat?"

"Oh come on, Mikan." Koko snapped, "You barely ate, you barely raised your head to look at him and her and you barely talked." He stopped abruptly. "is it me or it's just that you're not over him yet?"

At this point Mikan pressed her lips together. Her face turned ghostly white. Why does she have to be so transparent in front of her friends? Why can they see through her like air? Why do they have to point that out especially in front of Kanata?

"I am, believe it or not. I've moved on because of Kanata, because he's here. Now if you'll excuse me." Taking her tray in her hands, she sped off. Kanata on the other hand fixed his stare on Koko before following her, too much drama has occurred in this table, does he really know what he's entering right now?

A conclusion was made when the two left the table:

Mikan has not moved on yet.

-O-

A/N: hey guys, another chapter is finished, please leave a review. Thanks.

Ja,

Suikashan