Till There Was You
Friends and Stuff
''You think this is ok?'' Mikan asked nervously, clenching at Natsume's hand. He let go of her hand threw his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer, kissing her head. ''Yeah, don't worry. They know about you, and we've been together for more than a year now. I think it can't be worse than my family.'' He reassured her with a smile.
They were standing in front of the entrance door of his studio, where they would meet Natsume's co-workers and friends. His co-workers were after all very important people in Natsume's life. After so much time of being together, Natsume asked her if she wanted to meet his team, and Mikan said yes, of course; although a little insecure.
Mikan gulped and took a breath. She was a little scared.
Fact was, she was a normal girl, with a regular income, just enough to get by. And she was a librarian for Kami-sama's sake. How boring can a person get? Natsume, on the other hand…
She shook her head. She should not think about this.
She looked up at Natsume in determination. ''All right. Let's do this.''
Natsume grinned at her and planted one on her lips. Mikan smiled, but soon the gentle kiss ended. They both turned towards the door, determined to go through this. Natsume pushed the door open and they walked in.
It was a huge building made of glass. You could not see in, but you could see out. The corridor was wide and open and on each side of the long way, there were some closed and some open doors. Mikan did not hear music as she expected, but she guessed that was because each room was sound proof.
Natsume led her two floors up and when they walked in, another spacy corridor awaited them. Here, there were not many doors and all open. And Mikan could hear music and loud conversations. Natsume smirked. ''So they couldn't wait.''
Mikan stared at him in question.
''I told them I would bring you today and that they mustn't listen to the new examples. Guess, they weren't able to wait.''
Mikan smiled at him. ''That reminds me of someone.''
Natsume nudged her playfully. ''I'm not that impatient…'' he muttered, knowing very well he was.
Mikan laughed and kissed his cheek. ''You're just fine, don't worry.''
Someone cleared his throat. Mikan and Natsume stopped and looked up. Mikan blushed furiously. In front of them was standing RED. The whole group. Grinning like there was not tomorrow. Mikan did not notice but even Natsume got embarrassed.
''So…'' Tono, the drummer started. ''Will the introduction come any time now?'' the band laughed, and Natsume rolled his eyes. Quite a few other people came looking and Mikan guessed they were all in Natsume's team. She felt so shy she wanted the ground to swallow her.
''All right. Guys, this is Mikan Sakura, my girlfriend. Mikan, these are my colleges and friends. The band, my manager, my agent, composers, computer technicians-'' and so he introduced everyone to her. Mikan shook hands with each one of them, smiling shyly. She soon became a little more confident as everyone included her into the light conversation about Natsume and she. Natsume's manager was the first to completely warm up to her and was already laughing at one of her jokes about something that happened to her some time ago. Natsume watched her with a goofy smile, his friends watching him with a knowing smile.
He noticed their stares, and glared playfully. ''What?''
Tsubasa, his guitarist laughed. ''You have it bad for her, man… But she really is something…''
Natsume punched him in the shoulder playfully, but then the men threw themselves at him, patting him oon the shoulder and laughing, just as usually do. Mikan glanced his way and caught his eye. They smiled at each other before focusing on their conversation partner.
Sometime later, Ruka and Hotaru arrived and Natsume introduced Mikan to them.
''So, we meet again.'' The blonde smiled and shook Mikan's hand. The girl blushed and smiled. ''Yes, it's been quite some time since you brought those books back.'' Ruka laughed. ''Ah, I know. I was very mean then. I'm sorry for that.''
Mikan shrugged her shoulders. ''It's ok. It had been quite a nasty situation.'' She turned then to Hotaru Imai, Ruka's girlfriend and shook hands with her. Mikan knew right away that it was this woman she had to impress if she wanted to be accepted completely.
''Nice to meet you Imai-san.'' She smiled warmly and it seemed this was enough for Hotaru to be pleased.
''Nice to meet you too, Sakura-san. I've heard many things of you.'' Mikan noticed Imai smiled just like Natsume.
''Hopefully only good ones.''
''Only good ones, no worries. And I also heard you've got our little Natty wrapped around your finger. I must congratulate you for that by the way.'' Hotaru smiled evilly and Mikan blushed, glancing at Natsume. He rolled his eyes and nudged Hotaru in the shoulder.
''Quiet you. Don't let me start on you and Ruka.''
Hotaru brushed the matter off. ''This is far more interesting.'' Then she laughed and pulled Mikan closer. ''Come, little girl. Tell me everything. I need to know.'' The two girls moved to the side, happily chatting and laughing like they knew each other for ages, and Natsume stared at them incredibly.
Ruka patted him on the shoulder. ''Give it up, man. Hotaru liked her since she heard about you two, and it's possible the two of them will become best friends.''
Natsume looked at his best friend. ''Don't scare me… And Mikan already has her best friend.''
Ruka shrugged. ''Then her other best friend. I'm just telling you to be prepared.''
Natsume glanced at his girlfriend, who was in the middle of a serious discussion with Hotaru. They both erupted in laughter at a certain point and Natsume shook his head.
''I hope I'll survive this…''
