Chapter 9!

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"Sir Natsume's gone and we don't know where to find him."

"Gone? Natsume?" Mikan asked, trying to make sure.

"Yes. He usually disappears when he is in a really bad mood." Ruka said.

"Can you help us look for him?" Misaki asked.

"There aren't too many people who know. It might cause trouble." Ruka explained.

Mikan, seeing that they were both sweating and panting from running back and forth, decided to help.

Mikan started to look for him and it hit her that she has no idea where to begin.

She went around the rooms and checked. In the café, restaurant, and even in the internet room. He was nowhere to be found. Where could he be?

One hour was already over and they still didn't find him. Ruka was panting already and decided to start the exhibition. He asked a person to do it.

After, they still didn't stop looking for Natsume. Ruka asked Arata's permission to borrow Mikan for a while. So, they went back to the running and panting.

Mikan was already so tired and was almost near to giving up. She decided to go to the garden to relax a little then go look for him there, again.

Not knowing why, she decided to look for him in the forest. It wasn't really a forest, it just so happen that there were a lot of trees in that part. Mikan went inside and realized that it was so beautiful inside. There was a certain tree in the middle, a Sakura tree.

She slowly approached it and found something. No, it was more like someone.

He was sitting behind the trunk. Polo unbuttoned and tie loosened.

"Natsume Hyuuga?" Mikan slowly went near him.

Suddenly, Mikan was grabbed and was already in his strong arms. He was hugging her too tight but Mikan didn't struggle.

"Just stay like this for a few minutes." He pleaded his voice sad.

Mikan feeling his pain hugged him back, moving her hands up and down in a rubbing motion. It was a means of comfort.

They stayed like that for a few minutes; no one was making a sound. The sound that can be heard was just the blowing of the wind and the birds chirping in the background.

"He actually is vulnerable." Mikan thought.

It was him who broke the hug and looked away, ashamed by the action he had done. Mikan just stayed at the same position. She was about to say something.

"Natsume!" somebody called.

"So you were here all along." He said, and then he saw Mikan with a worried and sad look in her eyes.

"Sir Ruka" she noticed and then she got up.

Ruka went nearer and saw Natsume who was sitting on the ground.

"Natsume, let's go back. The exhibition already started." Ruka said.

"Leave me alone." Natsume spurted back.

"Mikan, you can go back now. I'm sure Arata's worried." Ruka said to Mikan and Mikan nodded but before leaving, she gave Natsume a last look.

"Hiding here won't do you any good." He said after Mikan left, "You are being like your old self."

"Just leave me alone, Ruka."

"We need to go back. You have been gone too long." Ruka said, and then he got up.

Ruka didn't leave directly; he waited for Natsume to get up too. Natsume, seeing that Ruka won't leave if he wouldn't come, got up and walked ahead.

Ruka didn't ask him what was the problem for he knew Natsume wouldn't tell him anyway. He'll just wait until Natsume will tell him.


Mikan went back worried and confused. Well, she didn't mind the hug but it does when it comes from a cold person such as Natsume Hyuuga. It was really unexpected.

Mikan can still feel the arms that hugged her, tight but warm. But what she was thinking most was that she hoped that the hug comforted him.

"Mikan!" Arata called her. It was then that Mikan realized how slow she was walking.

She straightened her posture, gave a sigh and formed a smile on her face.

"Are you okay?" He asked, seeing the sweat trickling down Mikan's face.

Mikan nodded just then she noticed that Ruka and Natsume just came in a few minutes after she did.

"You're sweating." Arata said, getting a handkerchief.

Without warning, he wiped Mikan's face. Mikan just stayed put, not really knowing what to do.

Natsume gave a short glance and he saw Arata with Mikan. They were acting like a couple. Natsume just snorted and diverted his eyes.

The event went on smoothly. Everyone had their chances to brag and advertise. It ended just before lunch. Most of the people, decided to eat out since it was already the end of the seminar. Well for Mikan and Arata, they decided to just stay in since they will be leaving right after lunch. It was his brother's instruction and Arata also has tasks to finish.

"The event was great." Arata said as they were eating their meals.

Mikan just nodded.

"I wonder why it wasn't Hyuuga who opened it."

Mikan just didn't say anything and continued eating. It seemed like Arata was having a monologue.

"Is something wrong?" Arata asked Mikan, sensing that she was being less talkative.

"No. I'm fine." Mikan finally said.

"That's great. After we're done eating, we'll get ready to leave."

They continued eating and enjoying their last meal there. Mikan will surely miss the food. Although, home still has the best food.

After eating, they went to their hotel rooms and packed their things. It took them only a short while to pack.

It was Arata who knocked on Mikan's door.

"You ready?" he asked just as Mikan opened the door with luggage in hand.

Mikan went out and they were now ready to leave.


They arrived almost four in the afternoon. Arata dropped Mikan by her apartment and then he went straight home or maybe to the office.

"Home sweet home" Mikan said aloud as she entered the empty apartment. She'll be

alone for a couple more days since Hotaru is still not back from her trip.

She placed her luggage somewhere and dropped her body on the couch. Then, she suddenly remembered Natsume's hug. The hug was firm but gentle, she remembered as she let her hands move on her arms.

"I wonder what made him like that." She thought.

After a few minutes, Mikan was already fast asleep, not minding to unpack since tomorrow will be back to usual.


"Ruka, she's back."

"Who is back?" Ruka asked.

"Her."

"What? How sure are you?" Ruka asked again.

"I saw her at the hotel."

"Oh. No wonder you were acting like that, Natsume."

Natsume looked out at his office window and sighed. Ruka just looked at him and can't think of anything to say.

"It's getting late. I should get going." Ruka decided to give Natsume some time alone.

Natsume just nodded and Ruka said his goodbyes and left.


Morning came quickly and thankfully Mikan got up early without anyone waking her up. She fixed herself some breakfast since there is still time left and prepared to report for duty.

When she arrived, it was just as she expected. Her officemates were all gathered around her, waiting for a good story. She just looked at them acting like she doesn't know what they are up to.

"Come on Mikan. Spill it." A person said.

"We know that Natsume Hyuuga was there." Another said.

Mikan just tried to cover her ears, not wanting to say anything for there really wasn't anything to say. Until, somebody called her or more like shouting her name. Then, like bees they disappeared.

Mikan gave a sigh of relief before following the voice. She got ready for another scolding.

The week went by normally and usually. She woke up just almost the time and she has to hurry. She got some cleaning to do and replacing of the mugs. She still didn't get the coffee right. But it didn't bother her anymore. At least, everything was still the same. That's what she thought.

That day, she was busy filling the schedules of Mr. Yumiko. She checked the schedule for that day too and found out it was empty.

She got up and went to the restroom but before she even arrived at the restroom, people gathered around her.

"Mikan! Why didn't you tell us?"

"Tell you what?" Mikan asked, curiously not really getting what they mean.

"Stop playing dumb with us."

"I really don't know what you mean." Mikan said, assuringly.

They gave each other questioning looks. This made Mikan more curious.

"You really don't know?" They asked again.

"Know what?"

"That Natsume Hyuuga is coming today!" They said, almost to squealing.

Mikan's eyes widened, "WHAT?"

They nodded with big grins on their faces and Mikan could tell they weren't lying. She excused herself and went to the restroom.

"But the schedule today is empty. Why didn't he called for an appointment?" Mikan thought, "Oh! I almost forgot, he is the great Natsume Hyuuga." She added, sarcastically.

She went out of the restroom after giving herself a small splash of water in the face. Mikan went back to her table and sat down. She checked her phone and saw there were already 7 missed calls. And it was from Hotaru.

"Hotaru?" she thought, "Why would she call me?"

She dialed Hotaru's number and before she even got to say hello, Hotaru was already yelling at her.

"WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG TO CALL?"

Mikan moved the phone a couple of inches away from her ears but the message was still so clear. She slowly placed her phone back to her ears.

"Umm…why did you call? Are you coming home? Do you want me to pick you up? What time?" Mikan suddenly asked the questions all at once.

"Stop asking so many questions. I am not coming home. I just called to say that I am staying for another 3-4 weeks. They want me to do a job here and I'll be back when it's done. That's all." Hotaru said then she hanged up.

"Wai…" Mikan wanted to ask something more but just placed the phone down. She felt sad for she was going to be alone longer and it was getting boring with no one to talk to.

"Why the long face?" a voice said.

She looked up about to say something but decided to close her mouth when she found out who it was. She just got up and said a simple good afternoon.

"Please wait for a minute. I'll inform Mr. Yumiko of your arrival." Mikan said and she sat down and took the phone. She was saying something in a low voice.

She got up again and said, "Please follow me."

While walking, Mikan was avoiding talking and saying anything. She was also avoiding his eyes when she excused herself.


What did you think of this chapter? Don't forget to let me know by dropping in a review.

Thank you for reading!

-ECO