Hey lo~ Again with me chatter.

Meshi agare! Ooops, it sounds like I am serving you food.

Anyway, enjoy

STING

The next day Mikan went to school habing already her cold unapproachable demeanor.

"Yukihira-sama, welcome." Natsume said as he took Mikan's bag and opened her car door for her.

"Thank you, Hyuuga." Mikan replied.

Some onlookers that had heard and seen the scene were shocked and frozen in their spots because of how it unfolded in front of them.

"Hotaru, what happened to Mikan and Natsume?" Ruka whispered to Hotaru as he also welcomed Hotaru who arrived just in time of the scene.

"The line was drawn and Mikan died." Hotaru replied with a downcast tone but remained a poker face. It may have seemed like she was unaffected but Ruka knew better.

"Did something happen between the two of them?"

"It was tragic." Hotaru said as they watched Mikan walk inside with Natsume behind keeping a two-feet distance between them.

"I can see that. Natsume may be holding a straight face but I know him. He is probably dying inside."

"There is no more chance now. Unless it's Mikan who will take action."

"Why do you say that, Hotaru?"

"That is not Mikan. That has no heart. It is only a container with Mikan's face. But it is not her."

"I see. I feel sorry for Natsume."

"We better get inside. I don't want to be late."

"Yes, Hotaru."

A week later, Luna came back and they were summoned to Yuka's office.

"Mother, why have you called us here?" Mikan asked.

"Kaoru has something to tell you about Natsume."

"What does that have to do with me?" Mikan asked bluntly.

Yuka and Kaoru exchanged looks.

"Well, we took note that since you are his master, you have to be here." Kaoru spoke.

"But if it is a personal matter, I have no part in it." Mikan said. "And what does Hotaru and Ruka even have to do with it?"

"Ruka is Natsume's bestfriend and so he has a part to know about his life. As for me, I had free time and I wouldn't want to know last of a possible future trending topic." Hotaru matched her venomous words.

"Will you stop asking now? Can't we just finish what we called you here for? You're acting immature, Mikan." Yuka boomed.

"Well, get on with it." Mikan replied, seeming unaffected by Yuka's rage. She lowered her head and closed her eyes as if imagining that she is not in that office.

"Ok, so we gathered you all here because I have an announcement regarding my son and Luna." Kaoru spoke.

"What does Koizumi have to do with it?" Natsume asked, nervous of what's about to come.

"Mou~ Can't you wait, Natsume-kun?" Luna squealed in a higher than expected tone.

"Stop it you two, you'll get more time to flirt after I finish." Kaoru scolded. "So, continuing my words, I have decided to engage Natsume to Luna." Mikan with head still down opened her eyes, suddenly.

"What?!" Ruka, Yuka and Natsume exclaimed.

"Mom, you can't be serious."

"And?" Hotaru asked, still stoic.

"I am, Natsume and I asked Mikan to be here because I was planning on relieving her and Natsume from being bound as master and butler."

"Kaoru-sama, I suggest we do not do anything about that." Luna said.

"Why is that dear?"

"Because, I don't want to have my fiance as my butler."

"Seems like a legit reason. Very well."

"May I be excused as my supposed part in this is no more?" Mikan spoke in an even tone and straight face but when she looked up, Hotaru noticed something. The others seemed oblivious to it since Yuka and Kaoru nodded in agreement for Mikan to be excused.

Gaining their affirmation, Mikan stood and Natsume followed but stopped in his tracks because of Mikan's words.

"Natsume, stay here and continue talking about your...engagement." Mikan immediately shut the door before Natsume could reply.

"Ruka, stay with Hyuuga." Hotaru said and then left off.

After Hotaru left, with fists clenched at his sides, Natsume stood frozen a few feet near the door at where Mikan had stopped him. Kaoru sent Ruka a look that said he should bring Natsume somewhere and snap some sense into him. Ruka sighed but obliged otherwise. As the two had left Yuka looked at both Kaoru and Luna sternly.

"Will anyone tell me what is truly going on?" She asked earning a nervous laugh from the two.

When Hotaru followed Mikan who was walking at an abnormally fast pace, she noticed that the way Mikan was going was to her favorite sakura tree. Mikan had made that place her favorite because she felt nostalgic, Hotaru of course knew what it meant.

"Mikan!" Hotaru called out for the nth time, this time they were already under the protective shade of the tree.

Mikan turned and the sight was enough to make Hotaru cry tears of joy. Mikan had tears in her eyes. But instead she just asked.

"Why are you crying?"

As if just noticing it, Mikan wiped her eyes dry. "I don't know."

"You do. You are just hiding it."

"When I knew about that engagement, I felt like it had happened before. The feeling that someone special is leaving again."

"Because it did."

Mikan looked at Hotaru and tears flowed down her eyes. Hotaru walked closer to Mikan and opened her arms for a hug. Mikan fell to her arms and broke down.

"Hotaru! Why does it hurt?" Mikan screamed.

"Let it out. What are you truly feeling? Tell me everything."

"Hotaru, why do I feel so hurt? I feel like I don't want Natsume to be away from me."

"That is jealousy."

"Why would I be jealous?"

"Check your feelings one step at a time. One will be enoigh for now." Hotaru said gently. 'I can't answer everything for you, Mikan.'

Mikan cried out in Hotaru's arms.

Hey guys!

Dou desho?

Stay tuned~

Signing out~FrozenCrimsonCroissant