* Wahahahaha... I finally got time to update this story so here you go. Hope you'll enjoy it. I'm looking forward for your reviews.
"My Angel Love Song"
by Nikoli-chan
Chapter 11
"Ding! Dong! Two Parcels for You"
For so many years, I honestly believed that Hotaru was a man-hater. But I guess I was wrong about that, proving that I don't really know her very much.
But it still remained a wonder how she ended up going out with a man. I could rarely see her having a friendly conversation with any guy. In fact, I could rarely see her having a friendly convesation with anyone at all!
Okay. I admit. I was totally mistaken. Hotaru is not a man-hater. I guess she's only an out-of-my-way type of person, quiet and naturally cold towards people. Maybe that's the reason why only a few nears to befriend her. And oh! I'm very pleased to announce that I, Ms. Mikan Sakura (future Mrs. Nogi… hehe ), am one of those few who could actually approach her without being scared off. Now that is some achievement I got there.
Anyway, dating is not a rare thing for a teenager so I suppose it wouldn't hurt if Hotaru started going out with someone. She does have the right to fall in love but the only thing that keeps bothering me right now is the truth between Hotaru and Natsume. I didn't know my cousin has the hots for the likes of him. Honestly, I thought she'd go after someone better… just like her brother, Subaru. He's very cool, serious, intelligent and – Oh, ew! What was I thinking? She can't possibly fall for her own brother! Maybe Ruka is a better candidate. He's kind, gentle and perfect to say the least. But then again, that would make us rivals! I would hate that to happen!
Gosh! I'm so confused! Oh why did my cousin have to fall for Natsume? Of all the men that exists in this world, why him?
!
My alarm went on. I dazedly reached for it so I could set it to its snooze mode. I have decided to stay in bed for the next hour since I haven't had enough sleep last night. Today was my first date with Ruka but I wasn't feeling enthusiastic as I did before. I feel so tired thanks to Hotaru's shocking revelation.
Date? Did I say today was my date with Nogi-san? I quickly got back to my senses almost falling of the bed as I tried to get up. Today is my special day with my beloved Ruka and I wouldn't miss it for anything in this world.
Before that, I should face the greatest battle yet – a battle against my wardrobe. Yes, I have to open that evil creature which contains most of my clothing and choose which of them I would wear for my date tonight. Obviously, this simple ordeal was giving me a hard time and not to mention, taking a whole lot of my energy. I'm serious! I have been scanning the closet for the nth time but I found nothing suitable enough for the special occasion. I've almost taken everything out and threw them on my bed. Needless to say, my wardrobe is empty by now.
"Hm… this is troublesome." I sighed. "Maybe I could borrow one of Hotaru's dresses. I'd be going over to her house anyway but then again…" Something suddenly came to me which eventually changed my mind. "She would surely let me pay a rental fee."
Greedy is the best word that could describe my cousin. Although we are close relatives I never got something free from here – even If it's just a favor.
Finding my idea to be a little bit pointless, I looked over to my bed where I stashed most of my clothes sighing, "I guess I'd rely on the best of what I've got."
Feeling so downcasted, I walked to the desk and pulled the upper drawer. I wanted to read Ruka's letter once again, hoping it may lighten my mood. I searched under the papers stocked inside yet I could not find a certain red envelope. I pulled the other drawers wishing to see the letter in one of them. I tried looking over at the surface of the desk, under the pillows and on the floor too but I wasn't very successful.
"No, it couldn't be." I gaped my mouth when a thought came to mind. "One of the maids might have thrown it when they were cleaning the house yesterday!"
Just as I was about to panic, the sound of ringing resonated through my ears. I reached for the alarm thinking it was the one making the ruckus but realizing that the telephone was actually producing the noise, I dashed out of my room, rushed down the stairs (thankfully, I didn't trip this time) and swiftly swooped the headset up to my ears. "Hello?" was the first thing that came out my mouth before I leaned my back on the wall for support.
"Good morning kitten. Are you feeling any better today?" I heard a dude's voice from the other line.
I wasn't so sure on how to properly respond to this greeting. I wasn't even sure who I was talking to. I don't know any person addressing me with the endearment of the word kitten. My father often calls me his cute little piggy (please don't ask why) while my mom gave me the nickname Mi-chan. Other persons like Hotaru calls me other names such as stupid, moron, dimwit and the like but I don't know anyone ever calling me kitten. Ever!
"Yo! Still there?"
I hesitated to answer. I didn't want to sound awkward but I have to say something anyway so what the heck?
"Uhm… excuse me sir, but I do believe you have dialed the wrong number." I tried to be polite. It's nice to maintain proper decorum at all times.
"Oh…" I then heard an expression from the other side. "Well, is this not the little girl I know who ignored me for a remarkably long time and accused me of being a pervert because I called her names after her undergarments? Is this not the same brunette who kissed me three years ago and the same girl whom I kissed two nights before? Am I truly mistaken that I am not talking to –"
"Okay! Shut up already!" I managed to cut him off from refreshing more humiliating memories inside my head. It's clear that I wasn't talking to a mere stranger but a person so horrible beyond reasonable doubt. A person who's oddly forcing himself into my life again. "Alright Natsume, what do you want now?" I rudely tagged a question. Forget about proper decorum or politeness whatsoever! It's Natsume for crying out loud!
"I was just checking up on you." I received his reply. "How are you feeling?"
Strange. Why is he concerned about me? "I… err… I'm fine."
"No headaches?"
"None whatsoever. Why are you asking?"
"Just checking." He repeated.
Okay. This plainly screams AWKWARDNESS all over it. Is he actually worried about me or did he want me to think he was? Either way I didn't speak; I lingered for him to say something which unfortunately did not happen to my dismay.
We both fell silent – for five minutes to be exact – not until I took the initiative to break the ice in between.
I itched to get rid of the eerie silence, plus, I wanted to know the truth from his side regarding my cousin's last statement last night.
"So Natsume… is it true that you used to take my cousin out for a date before?" I asked.
"Cousin? Oh, are you referring to Imai?"
"Obviously," I rolled my eyes. "Were you dating or not?"
His response: "I'm not sure… kind off… maybe?"
"What kind of answer is that?" I fired back. He wasn't even certain! "Don't tell me you couldn't remember ever taking out Hotaru! I know you've dated lots of girls in your entire life but that doesn't mean you can just forget about them afterwards!"
"That's not it, stupid!" Natsume retorted.
"Oh really? So what did you mean by 'I'm not sure', 'kind of' and 'maybe', hm?" I ridiculed.
"Look. It's not like I forgot about it. I just can't explain it and – Hold on! Why are you making me answer this question again?"
"Because… because I just want to know!"
"Know something about what? Sheesh! You almost sound like a nagging wife. Maybe Imai's gun still has its effect on you."
Come to think of it, my head does hurt a little. It's the same pain I suffered last night. The slight discrepancy was that it was throbbing in a lighter scale – meaning to say, it wasn't as agonizing as it was yesterday. But enough with that and let's get back to the story.
I heaved a sigh, making sure it was audible enough for Natsume. "I apologize for my sudden behavior. I just can't get over the truth that a pervert such as yourself fitted my cousin's high standards of a guy worthy enough to be her date. I was worried since you are an all around playboy and I feared you might have broken her heart somehow."
A bitter laugh came from the other line. "As harsh as that might sound, it holds a sense of truth in it."
I smiled at his remark and nodded agreeably. Nonetheless, it shouldn't stop me from asking. He's only distracting me so we would not touch the subject – which, by the way, I would never allow! Hotaru is at stake here and I'm an overly protective cousin to her.
"Putting that aside, let's start this conversation all over again, agreed?"
"Agreed."
"Now… is it really true that you have taken Hotaru out on a date before?"
"Yeah, you could say I did. However, it wasn't an official date. I do hope I have properly answered what you ask of me and provided you enough comfort this time."
"Erm… Not really. I sort of didn't get you there. What did you mean by 'it wasn't an official date' ? Isn't it the same as any other dates?" I asked ingenuously. "Ooh! Is there such a thing as a non-official date too?"
"God! How innocent can you get?" Natsume was greatly moved with disbelief. I could sense it by the tone of his voice. "How many dates have you gone out in?" he suddenly asked.
"Uhm… well…" Good Lord! How am I supposed to answer this? My social life probably sucks comparing it with his. I bet the number of times he ever dated is more than the number of years he has been breathing. As for me, I'd zero in with nothing.
"Well?"
"Wait, I'm thinking!" I blurted out of pressure. Shoot! Why the heck did I say that? I could simply say the truth. I haven't gone out with anyone yet. Oh, except for Hotaru. We sometimes visit places together. But I doubt that's even counted as a date. I sighed. I should be honest – not only to Natsume but to myself too.
"It's a zero." I spoke it like a whisper. Unfortunately, Natsume hadn't heard it so I was forced to repeat. "I said it's a zero. I haven't been asked out by anyone before." Gosh! It feels so embarrassing having to say that again. "Y-You could laugh at me all you want but I'm telling you the truth."
I expected him to have done what I said – to burst out laughing due to my inexperience.
"What's there to laugh at? I don't find anything amusing about it and besides you were being honest. It was tough having to say that, wasn't it?" Natsume's voice didn't have a stain of mockery in it. It soothed me in a way.
I've always – most often forget how gentle and considerate Natsume can be. How awful of me to think badly of him.
"Ne, Natsume."
"Hm?"
"I'm sorry."
"For what in particular?"
"… nothing." I laughed softly. "Just forget I ever mentioned that."
I then heard a chuckle coming from the other line. "Weird girl. Anyway, having a zero experience in dating is actually a good thing in your case."
"Really? How?"
"Come now. You know what I mean."
"No I don't." I said confused. "What is it that you mean?"
I heard a sigh from him. I knew he was pissed at my slow-picking brain. He wouldn't have told me I was an "idiot" if he wasn't.
"Meanie! I'm not an idiot. Why don't you just go straight to the point to make it easy on my part?" as soon as I was finished with my retort, the door bell rang.
"Looks like someone's at your door. I'd be calling you again later. Goodbye for now, little girl."
"Wait a sec! You haven't exactly answered my -" BEEP! The call ended.
I was disappointed. I still hadn't had enough details as to what's going on between Hotaru and Natsume. Some questions are yet to unfold – eventually, I hope.
DING! DONG! The door bell rang twice.
"Yes, I'm coming." I rushed to open the front door.
"Good morn', ma'am. I've got something special for ya'." A delivery man now stood by my doorsteps.
At first look, I thought him to be strong since he's carrying two boxes in one arm and the other holding a clipboard and a pen. He stretched the latter towards me, gesturing that I should take it. As soon as I did, he told me to put my name on the blank space just above the words recipient's signature. Eventually, he took them back after I scribbled my signature and moved as if to hand me the two boxes. I slightly hesitated to hold them. I was afraid they might be too heavy for a slim (not thin… there's a slight difference with these two words) girl like me. The man smiled reassuringly before he dropped the boxes onto my arms. To my surprise, the boxes weighed lighter than what they look on the outside. Okay. I was wrong. The man wasn't as strong as I thought him to be. But he was undoubtedly nice! He even gave a slight bow and a kind "thanks" before he left.
I then hipped the door close and placed the two boxes on the floor. I stared at the two – one was large and the other one small. My thoughts deeply pondered as to where these boxes came from, who had sent them, what they contained and why had it been sent to my place. Other question consequently followed afterwards.
…
I almost skipped when I heard a faint sound coming from one of the boxes. I went near just to seek which one was creating the noise. I picked up the small box noticing that the sound was louder when I came close to it. Carefully, I unpacked the box and discovered what was inside – a brand new celphone!
The phone vibrated and was still ringing. It's as if someone was trying to make contact through it. I didn't answer it too soon. I was being cautious so I left it ringing momentarily until it stopped. I sighed when it did but it started again.
It was then that I finally decided to pick it up since the caller was quite persistent. "H-Hello?" I stuttered, wishing I wasn't talking to a stalker or any psycho on the loose.
"So have you received it yet?" Gratefully, it turned out it was not.
"Natsume?"
"Told you I'd call. So did you like the dress?"
"What dress?" I uttered out of confusion.
"Didn't you open the larger box yet?"
"No."
"Then what are you waiting for?"
Natsume sounded like he had just given me an order so I eventually untied the knot on the other box, removed the lid and carefully pulled out what it contained. It was an elegant looking white dress!
"It's gorgeous!" I told him as I folded the cloth back into the box.
"I know right. Did you know how hard it was for me to find that?"
"You sent this?" I took the chance of asking since he had already mentioned it.
"Yes, it's my gift to you." He told me.
"But it's not even my birthday yet."
"It's not a birthday present. Today is a special day, is it not?"
"Eh?"
"I'm talking about your date with Ruka, stupid!"
I could have given him a retort for calling me stupid but I was too surprised to do so. "How did you know about our date? Did Ruka tell you?"
"No, I saw it written on your calendar when I was roaming around your house."
"Calendar? What calendar? I don't have a calendar at home."
I suddenly heard him laugh. "I lied. Now here's the truth – I knew about you little affair when I found a particular red envelope."
Oh, so he took it! There's no wonder I couldn't find it!
"I didn't steal it if that's what you're thinking. I used your telephone to call my household yesterday and as I was waiting for someone to answer, I fiddled through the pages of your phonebook and there I found it." He tried to explain things. "I thought of returning it to you as soon as you woke up but I forgot and brought it home by mistake."
"It's alright as long as you give it back and you don't open it." Something then struck me. "You didn't read what's inside right Natsume?"
"If I said no, would it please you?"
My face fumed outrageously at his response. "NATSUME YOU JERK! DIDN'T YOUR MOTHER EVER TOLD YOU NOT TO TOUCH OTHER PEOPLE'S BELONGINGS WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION TO?"
I didn't hear an abrupt comeback from the other line. It's as if he was gathering his thoughts and form it into words. "I guess my mother forgot to tell me. She didn't have much time."
I groaned. Alright. I'm defeated. There's no use trying to reason out with Natsume.
"Anyway, that phone you're using now – it's all yours." He informed me.
"S-Seriously?"
"Yours was crushed to tidbits, wasn't it? So there I bought you a new phone."
"B-But… this phone and that… that dress… it looks so… expensive! I'm sorry Natsume I don't think I can accept this for free.
"Why not?" he shot back, sounding quite insulted. "Didn't you like them? I could buy you another one if you'd want me to."
"No, no, no! It's not like that. Uhm… these things… they're just so… so wonderful and… it's way too much for the likes of me. I'm really sorry." I politely rejected his gifts. "But hey! Since you've already sent them to my house, why don't I just buy them from you?"
Natsume laughed. "Buy? Could you even afford to?"
"Sure I can!" I told him. "So how much is it?"
"Hm… let's see. The dress I gave you came from the Paris Collection last season so the price may reach up until half a million."
"Yen?"
"No, francs."
"Francs!"
"While that phone you're using now is the latest model and it wouldn't be released in the market until next month so the cost may be…"
"Let me guess. Higher than what I can pay you?"
"Yes, it's thousands higher than what you can pay me." Natsume reiterated. "So have you changed your mind yet?"
"No! I'll pay for it. Even if it takes years, I'll pay for it. So just add it to my other debts." I answered stubbornly.
"Why don't you just accept my gifts rather than burdening yourself?" Natusme suggested.
"I already told you. No!"
"Have it your way then." He confided to my will. "Might I ask? What time is your date?"
"Eight in the evening. Why do you ask?"
"Alright. I'll send an expert stylist to tend to you before eight. So don't act surprised if a stranger suddenly appears on your doorsteps later this afternoon." He informed me.
"Eh? I don't want it! You've done so much to help me."
"Please don't refuse my offer. I'm doing this for Ruka's sake. I'd like you to look pleasant tonight so I recommend you to just accept it."
I pouted. "I know I'm not that pretty so you need not tell me."
"I wasn't insulting you or anything. It's just that… it's Ruka's first time to ask a girl out so I'd want this one to be perfect."
I blushed. Whoa! For real? I'm the first girl he ever dated?
"Well, I guess I've said too much. Wish you luck for tonight, Polkadots."
I wanted to scream at him but before I could even say 'pervert' he hung up.
- End of Chapter 11 -
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