Edited version. Enjoy.
This chapter is dedicated to x X x . romance . x X x .
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My BestFriend's GirlFriend and The GirlFriend's BestFriend
Written by LunarChan
Chapter 10
Japan, Here We Come!
-RUKA NOGI-
"Will you please act normal, son?" My Dad hissed silently at me.
"Y-Yeah, sure." I nodded. You know I was getting chills all over me like this will be the first time I'll meet her. But it was just because of my own selfish, cowardly nature. This was my entire fault why she's mad… And why another soul was broken.
I am so selfish. I only think of my own good.
The door opened, breaking my reverie, and there entered her Dad, smiling at the both of us, and her.
She smiled a little at my Dad and nodded one sharp nod before taking her seat beside her Dad. Mr. Imai smiled at me – but his eyes reflected something. Doubt.
Doubt that we're okay. I doubt that, too.
But then again, better get this over with.
I have two choices. First, break up with Hotaru, tell my Dad I have a girlfriend and tell Hotaru I'm so sorry for every little thing I did that hurt her. Second, I could be my Dad's pet and will follow everything he'll say to me and make him happy. Break up with Mikan, tell her I'm really sorry. Apologize to Natsume, too.
Hotaru and I both wanted to make our Dads happy.
I made up my mind. It seemed that option number two is the best choice I could grasp, for now.
My Dad and her Dad blabbered on and on and I actually can't remember everything they said 'til one word echoed throughout my entire being like it was the loudest word I've ever heard.
"…engagement." My Dad nodded.
W-What? This fast? We're going to get engaged?
Hotaru looked up at her Dad and smiled – it was sickening to watch. It wasn't the smile that she had the moment I got her the teddy bear. It was the smile… Of the first time we met. Like she was hiding all her emotions.
Sealing up all her emotions just for everyone around her to be happy. I really adore this person, I wanted to hug her and tell her don't stress herself about the things she doesn't have to worry about.
She's brave. And I also have to be.
I made up my mind now. I'm going to be responsible for every wrong action that I did. I'm going to do the right thing.
I love her now, and it would hurt me to see her suffer like this because of me.
I didn't know that the only thing they were waiting for was my reply because I was busy staring at her. She stared back at me, too. And her stare was like a dead man's stare. Seeing nothing. A blind man.
I nodded, loss of words. "I love her, Dad."
And my Dad smiled wide. I know if there were only the two of us, he would playfully punch me on the arms and would tell me, That's my son!
-HOTARU IMAI-
Did I hear it right? I have to check my ears.
"I love her, and it's not because my Dad wanted me to do so." He explained further, his eyes seeing through me. "The moment I saw her, I thought, she's like me. A bird that wanted to get out of the cage. Her smile that doesn't even express happiness… It broke my heart. I wanted to hold her. I wanted to tell her how much she's loved. How much my life wouldn't be perfect without her. I know I did some painful things to her, and I regret every little bit of it. I'm not saying these things just because I wanted her to forgive me…" His eyes shifted to my Dad. "I wanted everything to be okay and I can't bear to get engaged with her if she's angry at me…"
He smiled, and then his smile turned into a frown. "So, no." He shook his head. "I won't accept the engagement unless I hear it from her. Unless she says she really wants to. Unless it comes from her mouth that she did want to get engaged with me, and I wanted the reason not to be her father. I wanted the reason to be me… I know I'm so selfish, asking this of her. But I wanted to be sure… that she'll not regret this thing."
His words cut deep. Like there's a knife inserted into me. I couldn't dare to move myself. Like I was paralyzed.
His Dad looked like he's going to rip his head off, but he then stared at me again. His blue eyes were deep, and I wanted to touch his cheeks and tell him I want him, too.
"I've done many things in life that I regretted… And I can't turn back time just to correct them. I have to correct them in the near future. And that meant I wasted time. Because I was enjoying doing something wrong… I thought it was okay…" He continued. "But I don't want you to experience those things… I don't want you to regret… I can accept the fact that you hate me. Just say so. Don't hold it in, anymore."
That means that's the end of his speech.
They all looked at me, hopefully. Even my father squeezed my hand under the table and I glanced at him. His expression was hurt. That I kept everything for myself just to make him feel better.
I sucked in a deep breath. "I hate you. You're a coward, spoiled, rich kid…"
-RUKA NOGI-
Those words rang throughout me like it's a broken CD – again. This time, it hurt me more, because her tone showed more emotions.
"But that doesn't mean that I don't love you."
My eyes almost popped out of my socket.
" I do love you, too, you fool." She muttered and almost smiled. "You – being a dork – is what makes you cute, but sometimes, you have to take courage in accepting the consequences of what you've done. And then again, I wasn't the one supposed to be telling you this, because this will be the first time I'm going to speak out for myself. And maybe that's why fate handed you to me. I know that was a corny thing to say…" She flushed, which was rare. "But I just can't seem to find words… I'm really sorry that I've been mad at you – for no particular reason. And even if I do have my reason, it's a little bit... Embarrassing. And… you taught me a lot of things… Like to be myself."
"Thank you." She looked at my Dad, then at me, and then at her Dad. "I love him, Dad."
Silence lasted for a minute 'til my Dad chuckled. "Then, what are we all waiting for?"
His Dad hugged her. "That was the first time I heard you say a whole paragraph, sweetheart." She flushed, once more.
She looked my way and smiled. Her true smile. It was the most colorful smile I had seen my entire life.
"It's settled then, we'll be off to Japan tomorrow!"
"Japan, here we come!" Hotaru's Dad cheered and laughed.
Wait. What? Tomorrow? That fast?
Oh, well. After I'll be back to Japan, I'll tell my father I had some business to attend to at Seattle and I will tell her everything.
The right thing that I should have done before.
Before I knew it, tomorrow was here, and was slapping me in the face. Both our Dads booked for an emergency flight. Though this situation wasn't really an emergency.
I rested my head on the airplane's seat and looked out at the window, then closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.
V^.^V
-NATSUME HYUUGA-
After almost a week of asking for her house, here I am in front of her apartment. At last. Really. At long last.
I composed myself and rang the doorbell.
I was expecting her high voice to yell, "Coming!" but no. Silence lasted. I tried again. Maybe she's asleep… I tried ringing again.
"Excuse me, dear…" I heard a raspy, old voice behind me and I looked behind. "Are you looking for someone?"
"Yes, ma'am." I nodded. "I believe this is her rented apartment."
"Who?"
"Mikan Sakura."
"Oh, the girl with the brown wavy hair?" She checked.
"Yeah, that's right!" I felt hope, for once.
But that hope vanished once I heard what she said next.
"She left early yesterday…" She put her hand on her chin. "Said she's going back home…"
"Home?" I asked. "Where?"
"Japan?" She shrugged a little bit. "I don't know, but whenever I pass by her apartment and she gives me something to eat, I can hear her watching Japanese movies…"
"Oh," I nodded.
"Oh, and she left me one thing." Her hands went to her pocket. "Here."
She handed me a small envelope. "What is it?"
"She said that if anyone finds her, I have to give it to that person…" She smiled. "This was the only thanks I can give her for being so nice to me and for giving me something to eat for almost three years."
"Thank you." I muttered and walked away.
I wonder what this says… I quickly opened the envelope and blinked.
This letter…
V^.^V
JAPAN!
-HOTARU IMAI-
"Sweetheart, wake up…" I heard my Dad's faint voice and I struggled to keep my eyes open.
"Mmm?" I asked.
"We're finally here." He murmured. "Japan."
My eyes fluttered open and glanced at the window beside me. It's nice to be back home.
I glanced at the opposite side and I saw Ruka was also staring outside the window.
I can't believe it. Everything happened so fast. It was like a blurry TV, 'til he came and fixed it. Fixed me.
And I am so glad I met him.
"Please wear your seat belt for we are about to land Japan International Airport. This is San Seto, your flight attendant with Yano Narugami, the head pilot. Thank you for riding with us, we hope you enjoyed your trip and we hope to see you again soon."
I yawned quietly and stretched my arms out.
Home, at last. Japan…
-RUKA NOGI-
The airport was fully loaded today. I wonder why. We got our bags and headed out. At the far exit, I saw a brown-haired wavy girl – exactly like Mikan. Her back was turned to me so I really can't see. I narrowed my eyes and looked clearly. She really does look like Mikan.
"Hey," Hotaru poked my arm. "Are you okay?"
"Uh, yeah." I nodded and my gaze landed on the other exit again. But the girl with the brown wavy hair was gone. "I guess I'm seeing things."
I really thought I saw her. Maybe my conscience is hunting me… I should book a flight tomorrow morning. But what will I tell my Dad?
I'll tell it later. After we got settled on our own homes.
Ah, it's good to be back.
-MIKAN SAKURA-
"MIKAAAAAAAAANNNN!" I heard Anna's piercing scream and I laughed.
"We missed you so much!" Nonoko hugged me very tight.
I giggled. "I miss you both, too!" I smiled at them and they returned my warm smile.
"Come on, let's go home…" Anna reached for my hand carry bag while Nonoko grabbed my backpack.
"Thank you." I smiled.
"Anything for you, Mikan-chan!" Anna smiled.
I am so very lucky to have great friends like them! They smile like there're no problems…
Smile…
"You should smile a lot…" He forced my lips to smile.
"No." I continued to pout.
He tsked. "Smile! It's the second best thing you could do with your lips."
"Second best thing?" I raise my brow at him and he snickered.
"The best thing you could do with those lips is to kiss mine."
I laughed and so he did. "You little…!" I grabbed his head and playfully tousled his hair.
UGH. Why on earth at this moment should memories with my unfaithful boy – no, I mean – unfaithful ex-boyfriend should enter my mind.
Go away! Go away you creepy thoughts!
"Mikan-chan?" A worried voice.
"Oh, what?" I realized that I was standing on the airport with my hands on the air, like shooing something that wasn't even there. I laughed sheepishly. "I guess we better get going…"
"Uh-huh." Nonoko nodded.
V^.^V
-NATSUME HYUUGA-
"I'm really sorry, sir." The girl frowned at me. "I can't book your flight. Your credit card has been closed."
"Oh." I muttered and bit my lip as I fished out my ATM and handed it to her. "Use this, please."
"Yes, sir." She handed me back my credit card and carefully got my ATM.
Sheesh. I can't imagine my Dad would even close all my credit cards. Good thing I got my savings. But I won't hold for long with my savings only.
Shit. Damn it.
"Thank you, sir." Your flight is…"
-xXxXx-
Damn it. That flight almost cost a fortune. Because it was an emergency flight.
I opened my phone as I sit on the chair at the boarding area. I should text him. Ignoring my best friend forever will accomplish nothing.
I'm going back to Japan. You should head home, soon, too. I have something to give you. A punch from me and a letter.
-Natsume
And clicked send.
As I remembered the letter, it was like it weighed almost ten pounds from my back pocket and I sighed.
Ruka,
I love you. You know I really do. But I have to leave you. Maybe you found someone who's better than me – someone who can meet all your needs, but despite all of it, I knew you loved me. And I was happy.
I can't ask anything more, actually. You are a great man. Go be happy and do what you think is right.
But I can't bear to see you. It would hurt me so much. There will be a time where I can see you and we'll be able to smile like the old days, but not now. I am sorry for not telling you this personally.
I know you're happy and you have to be.
Remember what you told me? Choose what you think is right and where you can be happy.
And you did. Don't worry. You did the right thing.
Thank you for everything. I will cherish them, forever.
I know you're going to tell me this soon, but I'm going to tell you now.
I'm breaking up with you.
-M.S.
P.S.: I'm giving you the ring back. I can't throw it away; it'll be a waste of money if I did. I can't sell it, because it has our names on it. Thank you. And I hope you for the best.
Inside the white envelope was a silver ring – not fancy much. There were engraved initials of M.S.N.
Meaning Mikan S. Nogi
I felt a stab on my chest as I read that, actually. Things got really crazy. I hope by going back to Japan, everything will be resolved…
-xXxXx-
Right. I have no place to stay to. I don't actually want to do this. I don't really.
But I have no choice. As soon as I was at the airport I called her. Yes. I called my sister. I actually don't want to ask her to let me stay. But…
Thinking about this is making me whack.
I rang the doorbell and it opened on the third ring. And there stood my sister, with her nightgown and shower cap with face mask on. UGH.
She smiled and her eyes looked like it might pop out any moment. I expected what she'll do next. She'll hug me and squish me and kiss me like she never saw me the other month.
And she did. Right. I am a freaking genius.
"Come in, Nattie!" And she likes to call me nicknames. She called her husband. "Youi? Youichi! Nattie's here!"
My older sister – Aoi Hyuuga.
And sometimes, I do hate her. Like I wanted to strangle her and never let her go. Like right now. She's asking me why I was here. And I don't know what to tell her. If I tell her it's about a girl, she would bug me all day long, asking who that girl may be.
UGH. Girls are so…..!
Irritating.
And I guess there were exceptions to those girls, though. My brain suggested which made me smile.
Some important notes: Yes, I made Aoi to be Natsume's older sister since all of the fictions I've read so far – Aoi was Natsume's little sister. Just to be different and unique. :)
Author's Notes:
Yaay! Yaay! I was so happy when I finished this... I hope you guys are not angry at Ruka anymore. He's innocent! Blame me! XD
Haha. The question is what will happen now to them on JAPAN? !
Hahaha. :) I wanna keep you on the edge of your seat, guys. XD Actually, I was having a hard time at this PLOTLINE on my mind. I kept arguing with myself. XD
Maybe i'll feature why Mikan's angry with her Mom next chappie. Hihi.
I really don't know. I'm having a writer's block. O.O And I don't know how to deal with it. I guess I just have to leave it to my imagination. ;)
Anyways, thank you for reading and I hope you had fun reading.
Please leave a review and make me happy!
I love you all and thank you for the powerful 93 reviews. :)
I'm closer to my goal! :)
Thank you again.
Loves,
~ LunarChan (Edited as of 08-29-11; 6:42pm)