Mikan looked herself in the mirror. A bitter smile graced her lips when she saw the mask that covered her face. The mask that proof she was a failure. If she hadn't mess up during her first concert, then she won't have to wear this to cover her father's shame. Her blue contact lens eyes and her white hair that lived up to the name Snow Angel were mocking her, taunting her that she will forever shame her parents.

The world will never know Mikan Sakura.

However, a small part of her, was glad. At least, her friends won't know her past.

At least she won't have to leave her friends.

Suddenly, she looked at her watch and realized she was wasting too much time. Making sure that the door was securely locked, she took off her disguise. She took off the mask, choker and contact lens and stuffed them in her bag. Inside the bag, she took out a towel and started to wash her hair at the sink. Her white hair slowly turned chocolate again as the dye washed away. Mikan was glad that her stylist only used hair spray to color her hair instead of bleaching it. Beside, if she did that, she might ever be able to be Mikan Sakura again, just like how her father wanted. She quickly dried her hair and took off her kimono revealing an orange long-sleeved top and blue jeans.

She carefully folded the kimono and stuffed them in her bag. When she was doing one last check at herself, she caught a glimpse at the kiss mark on her neck. A blush colored her face when she remembered the incident a few days ago. She took a tissue and tried to make it disappear but it was in vain. The kiss mark was still there, slightly visible against her pale skin. Knowing that she couldn't erase it, Mikan took out her choker from the bag and secured it on her neck, covering the kiss mark.

Mikan knew it was a risk wearing the choker but she was desperate to make it disappear from her sight. She was too embarrassed whenever she looked at it. Since her hair was slightly damp, Mikan decided to let down her hair. After making sure there was not even the tiniest sign of Snow Angel, she grabbed her bag and left.

Mikan's eyes sparkled in excitement when she saw the merry and colorful atmosphere of the festival. Unconsciously, her stomach grumbled when the smell of delicious food teased her nose. Her mouth drooled when she spotted a takoyaki stand. Suddenly, her brows furrowed when she saw a familiar figure that had black messy hair.

She was sure she know him but who…?

Her eyes widen in realization when one person came into mind.

Natsume Hyuuga.

And that very figure turned around and Mikan worst nightmare came true when her eyes accidentally met his. Without a second thought, Mikan turned around and ran away. Mikan could hear footsteps following her as she increase her speed. Just when she was about to break out into a full run, a hand caught her. Mikan struggled to break free but it was in vain.

Suddenly, another hand covered her mouth when she was about to scream. The scream immediately died in her throat when she felt the hand.

No, Mikan didn't scream because the hand was covering her mouth.

She didn't scream because she knew who the very familiar hand belong to.

As soon as the hands released her, she spun around and hugged the owner of the hands.

"Persona-nii!"

Tears formed in Mikan's eyes when she saw the man she considered as her big brother appeared. She would never admit but she was wishing desperately to see that mask when she was performing at stage.

A warm smile spread through Persona's face as Mikan continued to hug him.

Suddenly, Mikan remembered Natsume. She broke the hug and frantically searched for any signs of the devil. A pat on her head stopped her and when she shifted her head to look at her brother, his next words relaxed her,

"Don't worry about him. It seems that Youichi-kun already adverted him somewhere else,"

Mikan smiled when she thought of Youichi. Persona and Youichi met when Persona came in at the first day for his 'work'. Mikan didn't understand much but when they first met they instantly got along. As if a mutual understanding was made between them. The truth was, even Mikan was surprised when the cold Youichi and the protective Persona were friends the second they met.

"Come on, Mikan-chan. The fireworks will be starting soon,"

Mikan took Persona's offered hand and they were soon leaving the crowd.

"Mikan-nee!"

Mikan barely caught Youichi as he jumped into her arms. Persona only smiled at Youichi's childish behavior and ruffled his hair.

"Good to see you again, Youichi-kun,"

"Ne, You-chan, what did you do to Natsume?"

Youichi grinned all the way to his ares before he answered,

"I threw one of the water balloons I got from a stall at him and Aoi joined in until Natsume-nii was completely wet!" Youichi snickered.

Mikan let out a soft giggle and Persona chuckled hearing the story from the young Hijiri.

BOOM!

"Look, Persona-nii! So pretty~"

Mikan's eyes sparkled as she watched the colorful fireworks decorated the sky. Persona looked over at Mikan and smiled when he saw her excited face. In her arms, Youichi was also once in a while glanced at Mikan's face and a smile would spread through his face. Persona knew what that smile means and that made his smile even wider.

From the first time he met Youichi Hijiri, he knew that he could be trusted. He saw how protective of Youichi over Mikan and how even if he didn't show it much, he truly care for the older brunette. And because of that mutual protectiveness did they both got along so well.

Because they both had the same goal.

And that was to protect Mikan's smile.

Two days later~

Mikan fidgeted in her seat. Truth to be told, Mikan was feeling fidgety since the end of the festival two days earlier.

The reason?

Natsume Hyuuga.

Even though she wasn't sure, Mikan had the feeling that Natsume already knew her identity and that made her would flinched eveytime the door to the class opened but a sigh of relief would escaped her when the person entering was not the devil himself.

However, her smile immediately broke out when she saw a certain ice queen,

"Hotaru!"

Mikan immediately ran and flung herself to hug the ice queen but Hotaru easily dodged her, resulting in her slamming to the walls.

"Itai... Hotaru meanie!"

Mikan pouted as she winced at the bump throbbing painfully on her head.

"Baka,"

Just when Mikan was about to retort back, Hotaru cut her off,

"Baka, wait for me outside the school gates after school,"

Confused, Mikan nodded at her best friend's sudden serious tone. Sadly, after all the commotion, Mikan completely about Natsume so she was not prepared when she was face to face with Natsume when she was about to go to her seat. Mikan let out a yelp of surprise and fell on her butt.

Her heart skipped a beat when she felt his eyes baring through her head. She didn't dare to meet his eyes. With her head still bowed downwards, without warning, she turned around and made a mad dash for the door.

Pitifully, luck was not on her side.

Natsume managed to grab at the back of collar shirt, making her choked in the process.

"Polkadots,"

Mikan mentally shudder as a sudden chill entered her body. It had nothing to do with the cold.

"N-N-Natsume!" Mikan squeaked

Suddenly, Natsume leaned close to her and whispered to her ear

"Don't even think about running away,"

Mikan had to bit her lower lip to suppress herself from stammering,

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Mikan's tone was a little higher than she wanted it to be.

Mikan avoided his eyes and pretended to whistle.

Before Natsume could do anything else, Narumi-sensei entered,

"Good morning my wonderful students!"

Mikan took this chance and ran to her seat, all through the class avoiding Natsume's piercing eyes. Mikan scowled that Natsume just had to be her partner in everything.

"Mikan-chan~ You will be Natsume-kun's partner for clean-up duty next week~"

Mikan's eye twitched. Yup, partners in everything.

As soon as the bell rang for recess, Mikan made a run for the door and for the first time was not caught by Natsume. Mikan mentally cheered in head thinking she finally escaped Natsyme's wrath.

She was dead wrong.

"It's very unlike you tu let her escape as easily as that," Hotaru commented.

Natsume only shrugged.

"I'll do it after school,"

Hotaru nodded and left while dragging poor Ruka behind her.

After school~

As son as Mikan saw Natsume at the school gates, she turned around and was about to run before a hand stopped her,

"Don't you even think of running," Natsume muttered darkly.

Mikan nervously nodded before she face her best friend who was as usual had a cold expression.

"Why did you want to meet me Hotaru?"

Mikan cocked her head in confusion when Hotaru's and Natsume's turned dead serious.

"Mikan, how is your father?"

Mikan stiffened at Hotaru's sudden question but she forced herself to relax, making sure her answer gave nothing away,

"Why the sudden question, Hotaru? Of course he's fine," Mikan lied through her teeth.

Silently, Natsume eyed Mikan. He noticed the slight change in tone and apparently Hotaru too. Both of their gaze sharpen on the brunette. Hotaru cleared her throat before she continued,

"Listen, Mikan what I'm going to say next might shocked you so please take this seriously,"

Mikan suddenly became nervous .

"What's wrong, Hotaru? Are you alright?"

Hotaru shook her head before she shifted her focus back to Mikan,

"Actually, Mikan, your father, Izumi Yukihara,..."

Suddenly, a wave of dread and fear washed through Mikan's heart even before her best friend finished her sentence. Her world came crashing down on her when she heard Hotaru's next words,

"...is dead,"

And everything went blank.

Hey guyz~!

Like usual, sorry for the horrible English since it's not my first language and for the really short chapter!

Truthfully, I'm really running short on ideas so any suggestions are very welcomed! Since I already update three chapters in one week, one chapter for 'When will it end?' and two chapters for 'The mask that never show', I'm quiet satisfied for now. I'm already have to go back tomorrow DX so I'll do my best to update both stories tonight but no promise! That's all for now, arigatou, minna-san~!