A/N: To all my beloved fans out there, please write your reviews in English so I can actually understand what they say, this is a humble request from me to you. I hope you'll abide by it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice.

A/N: And I'm really sorry, I guess I could have made this chapter a little better so, I deleted the previous one to create this. Sorry if this one also turned out to be crap. Let me know if you'd like any other changes. I believe it's averagely nice to a point. But your thoughts are the ones that matter so please, convey as many as you have and please, ENGLISH!

Mikan's P.O.V:

Mikan stood there wide eyed, like a deer staring at car headlights, wondering if she was day dreaming. She wouldn't be surprised if someone shook her violently and magically, she found herself back in the car, having fallen asleep on the job.

But no, this was all too real to be a dream. The chalky paint that fell in fragments to the ground, the uneven brick walls, windows that had gotten wavy and yellowed by time and the cheerful, thrilled and over energized soothing voice of children.

Yes. We'd come to our destination. An orphanage. To be precise, the White Orchid Orphanage Home. Kind of perfect and meaningful I guess, since white orchids do signify innocence, elegance and beauty – Ideal for the birth of a baby. Orchids are also synonymous with joy and new beginnings.

But, I didn't get it. Why are we here? "What do you want? A written invitation, newbie? Carry those boxes and get in here already, I don't have all day." I have to admit and I'm rather embarrassed to say so, but not a word he says to me registers in my mind. It's all going in one ear and out the other.

Then he comes over and snaps his fingers in front of my face. "I didn't hire you to stand there daydreaming. GET INSIDE THIS INSTANT." He said in a frightening tone of voice.

I blinked back to reality and nodded. "Y-Yes sir!" I said and hurried back into the car, carrying the boxes inside all by myself. As I walked through the front door and through the threshold, I felt something grab both my legs and lost my balance.

"What the?! W-Whoa!" I almost fell on Natsume. But fortunately, someone behind me caught me before I could. I sighed in relief as I found myself back on my feet. I turned to thank the person to come face to face with an extremely handsome man.

He was incredibly pale with jet black hair, thin lips and a well built muscular body. And although his eyes were cold as ice on first glance, there was profound warmth hidden deep in them, somewhere.

"Thank you so much!" I replied hurriedly. He smiled at me. "Not at all." He replied and let me go and took half of the boxes I was carrying as if it was the most natural thing to do.

He introduced himself to me as Rei Serio, the caretaker of the orphanage. And his incredibly delicate and sweet wife, Nobara. And their 1 year old baby, Midori-Chan. A blue eyed, blue haired delicate beauty just like her mother. Her thin pink lips are smiling up at me in a mysterious fashion, I feel attracted to her immediately. "She's beautiful." I compliment her to Nobara. Both mother and daughter smile at me.


Soon, Rei takes me to the living room. "Now, behave nice everyone, we have a guest." Rei said to the tiny tots. They were all curious, looking me over as though I was some kind of new species of animal.

"Hello, my name is Mikan." I said as they all replied enthusiastically, "Hello Mikan Onee-Chan!" They shouted in a uniform manner. Then most of them, the boys in particular, turned around, spotting Natsume.

"It's Natsume! Over here!" They all shouted with mischievous grins. "Don't you dare touch me, you tailless monkeys!" He replied harshly with a deathly glare. I was left utterly dumbfounded, how could he speak like that to such sweet kids?

But the boys didn't seem to mind, and continued to climb on his legs. "What's with you? That's so immature!" They whined cutely. "I do NOT want to hear that from the likes of you." He replied back sharply.

The boys snickered in response. "Then from whom do you want to hear it from? Kookie can't talk or else we'll make him do it." As they said this, a golden retriever puppy came up to us, barking at Natsume as I giggled, understanding who 'Kookie' was here. "Heh, even she is laughing at you." The boy said.

Natsume sharply looked at me and I bit down my laugh. "Har-Har, very funny you all, simply hilarious!" He said. "I agree!" The little boy with brown hair said. As though on cue, Natsume looked at me, signalling me to do something. I acted fast, marching myself to them.

"Alright, enough mischief for one day. I call for a time out." I said, walking over to him, setting the boxes down on a table. "What's your name?" I asked the little boy, he blushed. "Takuma" He introduced himself with a smile.

"Nice to meet you Takuma. Now, you all have to promise to behave or else I won't be handing out what he brought for all of you. I bet you, it's something very delicious..." I said with a sweet, honeyed tone. The kids took the bait and started chatting instantaneously.

"What did you buy? Cookies? Ice cream? Pastries?" Takuma asked enthusiastically. "I bet its Fruit Custard!" One of the kids said. "No, no, he already brought that once. I believe it is pudding." Another argued back. "Maybe shortcake?" A girl suggested. "Or maybe Madeleine?" another spoke up. I was taken aback by the list of sweet delicacies that was pouring out from these kids. They seemed to know better than any patisserie would.

I smiled. "Why don't you all sit down first? Takuma-Kun, will you help me distribute the sweets?" I said and once they'd all settled down I set about opening the boxes one by one. "Cupcakes!" They all shouted! "Right! Kirin had requested for cupcakes last time." Takuma said.

A short and sweet girl with dark green hair which she keeps tied in pigtails came up to us. "I did. Thank you, Natsume Onii-Chama!" She said with a bubbly smile. To my surprise, Natsume smiled back. A really thin smile, the size of a caterpillar.

"I practiced and mastered Mozart too! Will you listen to me?" She said expectantly. "Maybe. I have to leave soon, so if you can play within 5 minutes, sure." He replied. Who'd have thought that he'd be this harsh to a child?

But that doesn't seem to discourage Kirin, she smiles confidently. "I will!" She said in a cheerful voice and ran towards the big white piano in the middle of the drawing room. She starts playing twinkle, twinkle little star by Mozart as everyone sings along.

Obviously she couldn't play all twelve variations in 5 minutes and finished with six. I listened with utmost earnest, she played so beautifully. As she finished, everyone clapped to the performance. "Not bad. Well done." Natsume clapped too, kneeling down to her height. "You've grown to be quite the pianist in a month," He said.

The girl giggled. "I practiced every day." She said. "I loved it. And..., here's your reward." He said and from the box, he took out an extra large cupcake with lots of frosting and strawberry sprinkles. "Just like you requested it." He said. Kirin gasped. "You remembered!" She said and Natsume smiled at her.

Kirin took it happily, kissing him on the cheek. "Thank you!" She said. I checked my cell, "Time to leave sir." He turned to me, as did the kids. "SIR?!" Takuma said in shock. "Oh right, I forgot to introduce you. This is Mikan Yukihira, my PA." He said as I smiled. "What's a PA?" Takuma asked.

"Personal assistant/aide." Natsume explained. Takuma burst out laughing. "You're a grownup man yet you can't even do your own work?" He said as everyone started to laugh out loud. "She assists me in my daily business dealings and personal tasks" He explained in a tense tone.

"Exactly! What kind of a gentleman are you to hire a lady to do your work for you? How disappointing!" He said in a snide tone. I tried not to laugh out loud. "Well, not everything can be done by one person alone right? That's where I come into the picture." I said instead so as to not invoke Natsume's fury later.

"So you do accept then, that Natsume can't do everything by himself." Takuma said. "I can! And I never even hired her in the first place and besides, the position is only temporary." Natsume replied before I could. I shook my head. "So he says. I hope I can see you all again soon though. Goodbye." I said bidding my farewell to the tiny tots. They all waved goodbye to me.


I feel an uncomfortable silence settle between us as we head to our next destination in the car. "So, um... Just to be clear, is this like one of your charitable contributions to the community or is it something you feel passionate about? Feeding the world's poor and underprivileged?" I asked.

"Is that how you see them? The world's poor and underprivileged?" He asked with a blank face. "No, of course not! I love children; I just meant to ask if you like being with them? Some people like doing social work, you know? It gives them happiness to know that they're contributing something to society."

"It's complicated. Aoi owns that orphanage." He said as my eyes widen slightly. "I-I don't know what to say. Aoi?" I asked again.

He sighed. "Yeah, on her birthday, she asked for the most preposterous gift. Really, what kind of an 11 year old asks for an orphanage to be built on her name as a gift? My father was stupid enough to do it and left me in the lurch instead and flew away to America. I go there every once a month to check on things." He complained.

"So, you don't enjoy going to the orphanage? Those kids absolutely adore you." I said and I knew it somewhere in his conscience that despite what he says, he did enjoy it at least to some extent. I notice him blushing a little. "It's not about if I like to go there, it's that I have to. I don't have a choice."

"And you hate that?" I pressed the matter again, batting my eyes innocently at him. He grimaced, changing the subject. "Didn't I tell you not to talk without my permission?" I giggled to myself. "Denial's the clincher or so they say." I replied. He glared at me.

"Ok, ok. I'm sorry; I won't bring it up again. I don't understand why you're getting so upset though, I think it's wonderful." I replied smiling. "Kirin-chan said she practiced the verse for a whole month just so that she could impress you."

"I know that, I was there too and if you didn't notice, I was impressed." He argued. "Well, you certainly didn't look it." I argued back. "She knows I was, that's all that matters." He replied. "I'm sure, but it wouldn't have hurt to have had an expression on your face for once."

He glared at me again, at a loss for words. "Jesus, I get it already! I'm sorry." I said in a hurry. He looked away sighing.

"Look, like I said to you that day beside the pool, I do appreciate people when they show me something worthy. And if not worthy, they should at least put in a quarter of effort she put in. It's like; she acts as though her whole life depends on me praising her. I'm no... Good with words so, I brought what I said I would, if what she played amazed me. You can't help but appreciate that kind of diligence. That's what I expect from all the members of DC."

I nodded thoughtfully. Again, but this time, a peaceful silence rests between us. "You sure know how to get along with kids." He commented abruptly. "That's because I love children, they're all really sweet and innocent and adorable." I replied. "I guess you're mental age is low?" He said rudely all of a sudden. "Huh?!"

"They say that people with low mental age get along quite well with children of the same age as their mental age." He said as I blushed. "It's quite the opposite actually from what I've heard. You and Takuma are like brothers! You're both stubborn, childish, rude and-"

From the corner of my eye, I saw Natsume's eye twitch. He reached over to grab my left cheek. "Owww! That hurts! I'm sowwy, I'm sowwy." I said as he pinched my cheeks forcibly and hurtfully. "Huh? What was that? I didn't quite hear you, come again?"

"I'm sowwy!" I shouted as loudly as I could and he finally let me go as I rubbed my cheeks. "You'd better learn not to talk like that with me commoner, you don't the 1st thing about me or the things I'm capable of. Don't push your luck."

"Yes sir..." I replied in a whiny tone, rubbing my cheeks frantically.


Natsume's P.O.V:

Her eyes were like a kid's looking at a cotton candy seller from afar. Her mouth wide open in awe. Her face flushed. Through her eyes, I could see a building as big and luxurious and beautiful like the Eiffel tower. From my eyes, all I could see was the same old building I see every Sunday. We rode the elevator up to the 22ndth floor, as soon as we got out; she gasped and walked over to the life size window, peering through it.

"You can see the whole city from up here!" She exclaimed childishly. I narrowed my eyes at the view. "Big deal. It's just a plain old view of the city, what's so good about it?" I asked. She stood staring at me silently for a second. Then she turned to gaze at the city, her eyes glistening like the lights below.

"You see it all the time and you hate it. I don't. I've seen it for the first time today and I think it's simply breathtaking. To fully appreciate something, you just need a little perspective. Different from the one you're used to. Just... Close your eyes and keep your mind wide open, then maybe you'll see what I do. Maybe you felt what I did, when you first saw this sight." Her words didn't make sense to me.

But I closed my eyes. I tried to free my mind of all thoughts. Focus all my thoughts on the view I wanted to see. Then, when I opened my eyes, I saw it. The lights were somehow brighter, twinkling, the short glow of twilight that set upon the city, and the fact that there was so much to see yet I always saw so little. I somehow saw the me from 6 years ago back there, when my father first brought me here...

I'd forgotten it. I was glued to the windows, my cheeks flushed, my mouth left hanging in awe and my eyes taking in everything I could out of curiosity. I'd never felt so alive. And in due time, I became so used to this sight that I left that awed kid back in my past. I forgot how to perceive. To see.

Sparkling lights, city sights, busy street below. She saw the world for what it was...

"You're so lucky Natsume... Back in our village, the power goes out most of the times and we can't see the stars at all due to cloudy skies... You don't have that problem at all; you have stars in the sky and on the ground that light up this whole town... It's like magic! Like a witch cast a spell on this city to keep it forever young!" She said in an innocent tone as I laughed out loud.

"Where did you come from? It's like you popped out of a fairytale book..." I said, laughing sincerely as she stared, smiling shyly. "You're right though... I'd forgot how... Beautiful it was up here." I said joining her to gaze as the sun set upon us, enveloping the whole city in a tight embrace of the dark as the lights shone brighter than ever, making the city known, fighting the darkness... Never yielding to the night. Forever young and bright.

I laughed again. "You were right." I said turning towards her. She also turned to meet my eyes. "All I needed was a little perspective." She smiled. "But... I'm getting late for work," Her face dropped immediately and she groaned. "All right, all right. Let's go. Sir,"


"Should we get dinner already?" I asked and Mikan turned immediately, "Yes! Thank god, I thought you'd never ask!" She said enthusiastically, "You were that hungry?" I asked and she looked away embarrassedly. "Hey, I-It's almost 7, it's natural for a person to get hungry by now." She replied offended.

"I'm not. Not that much anyways. I always eat by 8." I said, mostly to annoy her. "It's not my fault you work like a horse and yet not get hungry! And you always have coffee or some kind of appetizer to fill you up." She complained. "I didn't have anything since lunch."

I smirked. "Fine. As you wish." I said and asked the driver to stop by my usual favourite restaurant. Mikan however, was less than happy. "What in the world is this?" She asked, poking around with the spoon, trying her best to pick up the lettuce from the salad I'd ordered. She made a disgusted face.

"Main course salad. Very nutritious." I replied to which the disgust in her face worsened. "Broccoli?!" She exclaimed in shock. I laughed lightly as I signalled the waiter. "Your bill, sir." He came back, and after paying a generous amount with my credit card, I dragged Mikan back into the car.

"But what about dinner?" She asked all the way. So many times that my ears started to bleed. I gave instructions to the driver as to where we were headed now. He sounded sceptical. "A-Are you sure, sir?" He asked as I nodded. "And step on it." I said as he nodded.

Within 10 minutes, we were in McDonald's. "Excuse me." I said and soon we were surrounded with burgers, pizza, fries, cola, hotcakes, you name it. I learnt today that Mikan Yukihira has a huge appetite. Way bigger than a normal person. "Slowly. The pizza isn't gonna sprout legs and run away." I commented mockingly. She nodded, stuffing her mouth with donuts now. "I know... It's just that I'm really, really hungry..." She said as I stared at her with amused eyes as I sipped my iced tea.

"Aren't you... Going... To eat?" She asked in between bites. "My order's not yet here but don't worry about me. Eat your fill." I replied. Somehow looking at her made me... Happy? I don't know what this rising fascination was. But I liked it. Soon we were both finished. We reached home somewhere near 9:30.


Mikan's P.O.V:

I wonder what it was, but something, somewhere in this night, I got closer to Natsume Hyuuga. He teases me like he always does. He mocks me, pulls my leg, annoys me but is also kind to me. He ate at McDonald's for me. And as we came back to the Hyuuga estate near 9:30, he dropped his bag with his butler and stated abruptly that he'd drop me home.

I was at first hesitant since I didn't want to trouble him as it had been a tiring, long day but then, he insisted. "I'm not making a request. Stop whining and come on already." He said.

"My home is very near. I can walk home by myself." I protested. "If it's as near as you say it is, then you wouldn't mind me dropping you. This is an order, get your bag, we're leaving." He said, his hands in his pockets.

I sighed, knowing that there was no winning with this man. "Okay, fine. Thank you by the way." I said meekly as we walked together. I realized that he was trying to keep his pace with me and smiled lightly, feeling pleased for absolutely no reason.

The night sky, the lamps, the chilly road, I wondered why but I'd grown to enjoy all these things a lot more. Was it because Natsume was beside me now? I glanced up at him and his features, he was breathtakingly handsome in every way. His deep red eyes, more than ever, were even more beautiful tonight.

Suddenly he looked at me. "What?" He asked. I panicked. H-He knew I was staring at him! "N-Nothing. Nothing at all." I replied hurriedly, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. He tilted his head in doubt.

I looked around and past him to spot an ice cream cart. "I-Ice cream! I was thinking about getting some chocolate ice cream." I said. Natsume took the bait and looked around at the ice cream cart and raised an eyebrow. "Ice cream? At this hour?" He asked.

"Can I? It'll be fun, I promise! I do this all the time with all my cousins, it's not raining but it's plenty chilly." I said enthusiastically. "Rain?! You eat ice cream in the rain?"He asked, sounding shocked. "Why not? Don't judge if you haven't ever tried it. Come on." I said and dragged him to the cart.

But in the end, only I bought a chocolate ice cream cone and since it was already this late, the man had given me an extra large scoop, almost worth 3 in one. I was delighted and licked the ice cream contentedly.

Natsume soon forgot that I'd been staring at him and walked silently beside me. We soon passed through the college. "Say, Natsume. What are your plans after college? Are you going to work in your mother's company or are you going to take acting? You're pretty good." I asked.

"Who knows? I haven't really decided yet... I like to direct shows, write plays but I can't keep doing that for a living..." He replied in a terse quietly tone.

"Why not? If that's your passion, you should go for it! I mean, you're already soo good at it." I encouraged him. "I don't know. I'm still flipping through my options. I don't mind taking over the family business. I understand how it works and it's not like I don't have any interest in it so, I don't really know..." He replied.

"Hmm..., I see... Anyways, don't you want some? It's pretty big anyways." I said holding the cone out to him, where still half of the ice cream is still intact.


Natsume's P.O.V:

It's bothering me. Her brown hair that was let down and flying in all directions in the night air and the ice cream, her attempt at making conversations, it's all beginning to get to me. This idiot has no fear or sense of danger at all whatsoever and that's the only reason why I accompanied her but now I'm starting to regret it.

Above all, that small drop of chocolate ice cream that was stuck on the far side of her bottom lip. It was really bothering me, eating away at me and she seemed really oblivious to it which only added to my misery.

And to top it off, the literal cherry on top, she's asking me if I want some ice cream, holding the cone out ever so innocently, that it's gnawing away at my soul. I really want to lick that drop. To hell with the bloody ice cream.

"Actually..." I said, bending down to where she held the cone. "I would." I said and bending down further so that my forehead was touching hers I ever so lightly licked the side of her bottom lip, making sure I didn't get in contact with her lips.

She stood there, completely petrified. Unblinking, unmoving, like a statue made out of stone. I moved back and licked my finger that had a little chocolate on it.

Then, she blinked and snapped back to reality and the cone dropped out of her hand and fell to the ground with a slosh, splattering away in all directions.

"Sorry. Didn't have a napkin." I replied coolly. Somehow the gnawing settled down and suddenly, I felt better and contented. "Y-You could have just t-told me!" She stuttered. "I think I did, only I did it through my actions." I said and smirked.

I don't know why but the look on her face amuses me. Her face is red, all the way to her ears. "Anyways, this is your house, correct?" I said and she turned to verify and truly enough, it was.

"Please, D-Don't do that again." She said, blushing furiously.

I wasn't imagining things. Ever since that day I saw her, I've been attracted to her, in a way I just can't describe. She's passive yet feisty, she's stubborn yet obedient, she's hot yet cold, she's adorable but all she does is frown at me. Guess Ruka was right. I smile realizing that I'm never going to hear the end of it from him. Knowing him, he would've known this all along.


Mikan's P.O.V:

"Do what?" He asked, whispering lightly in a husky tone. I stepped back having not yet recovered from the mental shock I received thanks to the guy in front of me.

"I-It's getting late, I-I need to go home." I said in an attempt to run away. Let's just say I wasn't that successful.

"Not that fast... Besides, we're outside your front gates and your cousin has waited this long, she can wait a few more minutes, I'm sure." He said and pulled me closer to his chest, by grabbing my wrist.

I looked to the side trying to break free. "Finish what you were going to say, then I'll let you go. Don't do what?" He asked me again, whispering softly in my ear as I close my eyes.

"Well?" He said tightening his grip around my wrist. "D-Don't l-lick me..." I said with great difficulty. "Lick you where?" He asked. My eyes widened. "Y-You said you'll let me go if I—" He stopped me with that gaze of his.

I felt my body go warm pressed to his. "T-The side of my l-lips." I said in detail so he won't be able to ask me further questions. "What am I supposed to do instead?" He asked. "T-Tell me... Using your words." I said, half accusively.

He smiled and let me go. He stepped forward and I involuntarily stepped back. And soon, he cornered me against a pillar. I looked up into his red eyes as he gazed into mine... He stepped in closer and buried his face in my hair as I closed my eyes in a tight hold.

And again, he whispered into my ear lightly, his breath hot on my ear. "I'll keep that in mind next time." He said and lightly grazed the outer lining of my ear with his lips as I clutched his shirt. Then, out of nowhere, he bit me. I let out a gasp.

He smirked as he pulled away from me. "Opps. Am I not allowed to do that either?" He asked with a boyish, playful grin. I really had no idea what to do and wriggling out of his vise like grasp, I stated as clearly as possible: "G-Good night! I wish you a peaceful sleep and sweet dreams! B-Bye!" I said and literally, as fast as my legs could take me in these ridiculous shoes, I ran.

I ran away from Natsume Hyuuga coming face to face with the fact that I'd have to meet him again tomorrow morning once I was inside, safe and away from him. My breath was still hitched and my heart was pounding furiously.

But that was just because I ran inside. It's because of the blood pressure rising in my body due to running, right? I told myself this to assure myself since I really didn't know why I'm reacting this way.

As I rest my back against the wooden doors of my room, I feel an unexplainable anticipation and thrill rising in me. I think back to what happened today and touch the side of my lips and my ear and I realize that my body is burning.

God, what am I going to do? Why am I feeling this way? I-I, I hate him! I know no one is truly evil and cruel but he is. He definitely is. Cruel, rude, mean and, and- and-,

As I search for words in my head, today's events flash before my eyes. His sweet, sincere smile, his rude and forceful way of pinching my cheeks, his eyes that saw what I wanted him to see. His lips that grazed mine...

If he's so cruel, why do I feel so attracted towards him? Why do I love seeing him smile? His sweet and gentle and sincere smile... I feel myself beginning to smile too and the pounding returns. I place my hand on my heart, and I feel it beating faster and faster.

I see myself in the mirror and somehow I feel as though I've changed. Why is that? Will somebody tell me, why?


Will Mikan ever find the answers she's looking for? I guess you might already know, but let's let Mikan stay a little clueless, shall we? The real problem starts from here on, after our two lovebirds fall in love, as all love stories do! Stay tuned and rate and review please šŸ˜€!