Sixty Seconds
A Gakuen Alice Fan Fiction Partnered by
Universal Pictures and Spyglass
Entertainment's Leap Year
Disclaimer: I totally disclaim Gakuen Alice. There is nothing here that I own, neither the plot. But I do own the idea of merging Gakuen Alice's main protagonists Mikan Sakura and Natsume Hyuuga and Leap Yea's story line. I repeat – I do not own Gakuen Alice and Leap Year.
Author's Note: If the site sees that I have broken a policy upon posting this story, then I don't have anything to object to. However, I just wanted to share this wonderful story to everyone with Mikan and Natsume being the protagonists. So if ever this story is deleted or blocked by the site, then it means that you guys cannot read this anymore. But if not, I hope you'll enjoy.
Hi guys! It's been a while!
In Dublin, a city in Ireland, there's a chic restaurant standing proud in the middle of the night. An elegant, trendy, and expensive bistro where Mikan and her fiancé Eyouhan were found in a candle lit table, toasting with Champagne.
Eyouhan showed a playful grin in his face, putting down the glass of sparkling wine on the mantled table. "Miss, I see you're wearing an engagement ring. Would this mean that you're off the market?"
The brunette plays along and gave him a scoff. "Why yes, I am. I'm engaged with a handsome doctor. He's quite dashing." She put her hand up by her throat, showing off the ring. Eyouhan looks at the ring and frowned.
"I should've gotten you a ring in Japan. I could've done a lot a better." He took a drink. "All the guy here wanted to do was sell me this ring with two hands holding a heart. You know what I'm talking about…" He buttered a roll. "He was bordering an aggressive, I almost walked out. The thing didn't even have a diamond."
She looked intimately at him, and then she turned to her ring on her hand. Could it be he's talking about a claddagh?
"They're big on lamb here. Can we find something minus lamb...?
"Kiss me." Mikan suddenly demanded out of the blue. It was so sudden, and Eyouhan was more than startled. But even though, he concluded that his fiancée might just be cooing. After a lot had happened to her, she must've missed her a lot.
"Sure, baby." He leaned over and gave her a familiar peck. Then he looked back at the menu and continued to turn the pages of the carte du jour. "Hmmm. What do we think about haddock? Do I like haddock?"
Mikan frowned and laid both of her palms on the table. "No. I want you to – I want you to kiss me like it's the first time and the last time."
Now Eyouhan looked baffled. He was in bewilderment on how Mikan acts tonight. A waiter then approaches.
"Come on. Kiss me like it's the first time you've ever kissed me and like you might never get to kiss me again." She demanded, ignoring the approaching waiter holding a bight circular silver tray and a piece of white cloth hung on his arm who's now in the table.
"Have you had the chance to look at the menu?" The waiter asked but was cut off by Mikan.
"I'm sorry, we need a minute."
The attendant looked guilty and nodded. "Of course." And he left.
Eyouhan didn't do anything but to whine. "Auuugh..I'm starving."
Mikan's face darkened. "I want you to kiss me like that."
Eyouhan looked at her, confused and hypocritical. "Wait, what?" He seems like he wasn't listening to her, he's not putting on his mind whatever Mikan demands. In short, he was distracted and unserious.
"Like how I said." Her face tensed, waiting for his next actions. She's hoping, somehow, that she did not make a mistake on whatever that led her here.
"Like the first time and the last time?" He gave a short laugh and shrugged. "What is this some kind of a test?"
Quickly, "No."
Eyouhan leaned to her for a whisper, which Mikan looked away and clenched her skirt with her hands. "We're in a restaurant full of people."
Sighing, the brunette accepted she lost. "I'm sorry." She just realized how stupid she was for talking like she is an obsessed fiancée. She gave out a nervous chuckle. "You're right. It's silly. Never mind." She nodded, trying to hide her disappointment but it was the opposite because Eyouhan clearly sees her frustration.
He sighed, guilty of making Mikan near to tears. "No, you know what? I'm sorry." He took his face after leaning over and gave her a big kiss, making her eyes widen. "How's that?" He showed a small smile.
Mikan giggled, a tear fell from her left eye. "Perfect." But the delivery and the look on her face seem like it was less than that. Eyouhan put his menu down, resolved. This is one of the things she was afraid of. Mikan never even thought of feeling this towards her husband-to-be. She hated to conclude the bitter truth that compare to Natsume's kiss, Eyouhan's did not even lasted a chance.
"Salmon."
Natsume rode the bus back home. After having a profound and emotional talk with Nobara, he was enlightened that his ex-fiancee still and will always love him. He hates her seeing like that. But what can he do? He can't rewind what happened and bring back the past. He surely feels pitiful at her, with Nobara ending up like that.
"I wanted to call you but I was ... well I was embarrassed, I mean, I was only here a month, and ... I sure as shite couldn't come back to Dingle, what would people say?"
"They already said it."
She laughed and nodded a little.
"'I'm sorry' doesn't really have the greatest ring, does it? There should be somethin' better."
"There should."
"I am though."
"I know."
A burly looking guy raps on the window of the pub. Nobara turned.
"Oh, we're jammers tonight. I gotta…" She took a step closer to Natsume, hurried and desperate. "I miss you, Nats. I miss our life. Can you come back? Come back when I'm done here tonight. We can talk…" She touched his face and landed her forehead at him. "I hate Dublin. I wake up thinking about you, the Sakura's and you." Near tears, she leaned and kissed him. "I'm wrecked without you."
Natsume gently pushed her away. "Nobara."
"And I still love you." It was sincere. It was the truth.
He went out from the bus, it was morning. Natsume walked down the little village street and unlocked the doors to Akura's. Then he headed to his tiny office. There's an antique wooden cigarette box on the desk. He emptied it off receipts and notes. Then he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his mother's claddagh ring. He put it in the box, shuts the cover and puts the box in his desk drawer.
That day, Natsume busied himself for the tavern. He put out a ladder in front of the tavern and decided to work on the broken sign.
Meanwhile, there's Tsubasa and Koko watching him distantly, looking curious on what is happening and what is he doing. The two have noticed Natsume's different aura, and it was worse than that of the normal. His depressive atmosphere lingered around, and they're one of those who sniffed it.
Natsume is putting the "S" back at the top of the sign. It took a while and now it's fixed. It reads "Sakura's."
Sakura is the Japanese term for Cherry blossoms, a tree with pink leaves and petals and was famous because of its superb and beauty especially in the season of Spring. It was a one of a kind scenery among else of nature. The tavern was named before it because when Kaoru first visited Japan in her early ages, it was also the very first time she watched the Cherry blossoms do its magic and it was the time when she met her husband, which is Japanese in nationality. Now, in conclusion, Natsume Hyuuga has the blood of a Japanese running through his veins.
Meanwhile, in the streets of Dublin, the couple is walking together.
"We need to get you a souvenir before we go. A shillelagh? What is a shillelagh?"
Mikan shook her head. "I have no idea." Then she looked at her ring. "But I already have a souvenir." The brunette doesn't realize it, but they're coming up in front of a church. The Carmelite Church, where St. Valentine is interred. The only reason one might know this is that many women have chosen this as a place to propose. And it's happening now. There are quite a few cameras capturing the event.
"Maybe something for the apartment." Eyouhan mumbled until he noticed the crowd. "What's all this?"
Mikan looked. Oh, there it is. That could've been her.
"I- don't know."
Eyouhan tried to stop a police officer. "What's happening over there?"
"February 29th, Leap Day. Women can propose marriage to the men." Said the police officer.
Eyouhan looked surprised. "You're kidding." The officer shook his head. "That's great! Look baby! I could've waited one more day and made you propose to me!" He laughed and Mikan awkwardly walked in.
After the familiar commotion that could possibly happen, Mikan and Eyouhan rode in a cab, following the signs to the airport to fly back to Japan. There's no other reason to stay in Ireland in the first place. Eyouhan's seminar had ended, and her plan to propose to him was already finished by him. And because of all this happenings, her mind was flying around far from her physical body.
They are boarding their flight back home after they arrived in Dublin International Airport. As Mikan approaches the gate agent, she surprisingly hesitates. Eyouhan began to look at her in confusion. He asked her if everything's okay, and that's when she snapped out of it. She handed her ticket to the agent.
They headed into the plane, she feels very down and she tried to control it. She should be happy, right? This is what she wanted. This is why she went from Japan all the way here. To propose to him, to make him hers forever. That is her main goal, why is she like this? She wanted to scold herself. Since she and Natsume parted ways, she felt this separation anxiety. What now? She's gonna back out? No. No way. She went through hell just for this to happen.
As the plane takes off, Mikan gritted her teeth. She looked out the window as Dublin shrinks away.
Everything's so confusing. She doesn't know what to think anymore. Mikan tried to convince herself that sooner or later she's marrying Eyouhan. He is her destiny. Heck, she doesn't even believe in destinies. Like luck, you make your own destiny. And she made this. Yeah, he might be her destiny. Oh whatever, Mikan just put on some headphones and tried to sleep.
Several hours later and poof! Hello Japan again! The streets of Tokyo are crowded with life. And THE NAGIHIKO'S gleams above all.
After a few days, a housewarming party was underway for Mikan and Eyouhan in their new dream apartment. Expensively dressed couples mingle and admire the expensively decorated apartment. They see to find the engaged couple very, very blessed to have such. After all, THE NAGIHIKO'S is a hard catch and they were the ones who caught it.
The doorbell rang. The couple then welcomed Hotaru, Ruka and their twins.
"Congratulations!" Ruka cheerfully greeted. It's been a while since they last saw each other, and yet back then Mikan is still getting problematic on how would she make Eyouhan her husband. Now, it seems like it'll come true.
Hotaru then gave her best friend an excited hug. But her eyes were really pinned to the expensive apartment. It captured her amethyst interest and swore to herself she'll get one of these and Ruka will definitely help her.
"I like your apartment, Mikan." She turned to Ruka, who just carried Haruka on his arms while little Takaru tugs his pants, wanted to be lifted too. So he scooped him up and lugged them both. Seeing her husband having difficulty, Hotaru took Takaru from Ruka and lugged him herself.
"Thanks." She gave him a nod and then the family went ahead for a tour. It seems like the twins will likely have a tantrum as for the moment.
Soon, Nonoko and Kitsuneme arrived. Like everyone else, they admired the new place. Mikan and Eyouhan gave them a little tour. The latter is showing off some amazement in the place.
"And watch this…" He held a universal remote. And when he pushed a button, a very large flat screen TV rises up out what looks like an ordinary credenza. Magical. Kitsuneme almost opened his eyes.
"Wow, Hotaru would be fascinated." Kitsuneme said, knowing that the Imai girl loved such technology.
Nonoko simply nodded. "Anna and I needed the walk-in closet Mikan got." And they chuckled. And suddenly, Nonoko noticed the very large diamond on Mikan's finger. It seemed like Eyouhan had upgraded her ring.
"That's from Beacon Hill, isn't it?"
Eyouhan proudly answered for Mikan. "I upgraded her. Ring 2.0."
"Well, we're so happy for you guys. We were thinking you were one of those "evolved" couples who'd never get married. And then you'd have to register your kids for school and you have all those different last names going on. So messy." Nonoko said.
"Uhp…she gave you the ultimatum, didn't she?"
Mikan was shocked and Nonoko just have to swat her husband. "Kitsu!"
"Nope. Did it all on my own. It's a funny story. When I was in Dublin, when the board called to tell us we're getting the apartment? Well, they asked if we were planning on getting married. Apparently they prefer married couples living here, something about showing them you're taking your commitment to the apartment and the building seriously." Eyouhan narrated, which Mikan made to look at him. This is news for her.
"Anyway next thing I know I just blurted out, "we're getting engaged"! Just like that! I didn't even have to think about it. It was like, sure it's kind of crazy but you know what? It's right!" He held up Mikan with the ring. "Ta-dah!"
Everyone laughed, except Mikan.
"You didn't tell me that." She spoke with a very serious tone.
"Sure I did." He defended.
"So, you mean to say you just proposed to me so we could get the apartment?"
"We already have the apartment. I proposed to you so we could have everything." He said, leaning to her for a kiss.
Nonoko was awed by this.
After a little more chat, Nonoko and Kitsu went over to see the view from the balcony. Eyouhan accompanied the other guests while Mikan went to the bar and sat there, processing what she had discovered.
It didn't seem like what Eyouhan said. She felt stupid all of the sudden and she can't throw away the feeling. If by chance Eyouhan had notified her about the board asking them if they were married, and he quickly responded they would soon get engaged…it would give her the idea that he just proposed to her just to get the apartment. Apparently she'd be disappointed by that time and a lot could've happened.
What? She tries to figure out what would she do when she came to learn about this much earlier. Would she back out? Would she still go? Would she stop, and maybe just be with Natsume? Ridiculous, she will never think of going with Natsume that time…because…
"Look at this place! I'm afraid to put my drink down anywhere!" It was Izumi's voice, lingering around the place. Her thoughts disassembled by the moment and turned to see her Dad.
"Oh, hey Dad! Didn't see you come in." Mikan stood up and approached her cheerful father.
Mikan gave her Dad a kiss on the cheek. Izumi then presented her a hearty laugh. "Well! So Grandma was right! You went all the way to Ireland and you came back engaged! Your Mom would have thought this was hysterical…" It made Mikan smile a bit. "At least you can say I gave you one good piece of advice in your life."
"C'mon, that's not true."
Izumi chuckled a bit as he reached for his daughter's shoulder. There are times you have to be serious even though you are a "goofy" kind of a guy. He might always crack jokes and laugh at all times but remember, those who always talk silly and foolish could be the most serious and meaningful person there is. One of the reasons why they act unserious at most of the times is because they are hiding something horrible or hurtful inside.
"I really am glad you turned out to be a real Yukihira." He blinked his right eye which Mikan became confused for.
"W-What do you mean? Am I not?" Mikan chuckles as she startles.
"No, lassie! What I mean is, there's this very thing that can be seen inside our family lineage. I thought I wasn't able to carry that thing coz you see in my early ages I am the "womanizer" type. But I guess I also hauled it when I met your mother."
"And…what is this very thing?"
Izumi laughed. "That when it comes to love, marriage and deciding who you'll be picking as your lifetime partner, Yukihiras never muddle up. My great grandfather knew his fate just as he had seen your great grandmother. My grandmother, well turned up just as you. And me, I know I am. Our family never had done divorces or annulments."
For a while there, Mikan was speechless.
"So! Congratulations, orange. You know all I wanted is for you to be happy." Izumi laughed, but Mikan remained silent as if she is distracted. Of course, as a father, Izumi felt that something was wrong with his darling. "You are happy, right?"
She looked around and spotted Eyouhan with the crowd having a few laughs with their friends. It took a while before she answered. "Yes. I am happy."
Not convinced, Izumi's lips curved down. "You sure?"
Mikan nodded.
"Okay, banana." He gave her a kiss on top of her head. Mikan can't help but to get emotional and hugs his father tight. She wanted to ask for comfort, but it was a little late and out of place for that. After they broke the hug, Izumi waved goodbye as he headed to the buffet table to get a refill on his glass.
Mikan found herself sitting on the edge of the gorgeous tub, and takes a deep breath. She seemed overwhelmed. And conflicted.
She looked at herself in the gigantic silver mirror before the sink. "Come on, get it together."
She brushed some wrinkles from her dress and stood after calming and gathering herself. And just like that she heard the sirens echoing through the house.
Confused, Mikan opened the door. She saw Eyouhan hustling into the bedroom. He quickly grabs some items from his night stand. The sirens are much louder now, and along with an alarm sound coming from inside the building.
"Shit shit shit ..." Eyouhan seemed uneasy as he pick up things in his hands.
"What's going on?" Mikan inquired, emerging from the bathroom.
Eyouhan looked really annoyed. "The fire department's here. There's a gas leak in one of the apartments so we've all got to evacuate. Unbelievable!"
Confused, Mikan could only ask what. This scene seems very familiar.
As their friends and family hustled out to the stairs, Eyouhan started grabbing some items from various rooms. "They said it should be okay by tonight, but I'm not taking any chances. I got my computer and insurance papers and cash and - Where's my new laptop?" He rushed into the other room. Mikan slowly wandered out into the hall.
"Grab - I don't know - your jewelry, your good bags - anything else you want just in case it all goes up ..." He crossed back into the hall, arms carrying more stuff. "Where the hell is my Kindle ...?" He went into the bedroom.
Mikan is just calm as she looks around the place. All this stuff. She slowly sat down on a chair in the living room. She can't believe this is really happening.
"Mikan, they want us out, like, now!" Eyouhan yelled from the bedroom as he saw Mikan sitting like she doesn't care in one of the chairs.
Meanwhile the brunette just watched Eyouhan scurry around the apartment, grabbing as much as he can. As if, if he would have one wish he would certainly desire for eight more arms like an octopus to grab everything up.
She looked very calm. Mikan gazed at an old fashioned clock pinned at the wall. Sixty seconds have come. She had realized so many things. Just as that, Mikan stood up and walked out.
"Hey, could you grab the Bang and Olufsen thingie in the kitchen?" He walked out of a room, arms loaded with possessions. But as soon as he realized Mikan is no longer there, he stopped on his tracks and called for her name.
She's gone.