Karin: I'm aliveeeeeee! Here is the Chapter Ten!
Also, since it is wayyyy past 2012 when this story started, we're just going to ignore the previous year stated in this story to upgrade to current times so disregard the year stated in the story.
Songs used to write this chapter: One in a Million- Bosson, One in a Million- Neyo, and Never Knew I needed- Neyo.
Note: the song Reo sings and plays in the end is "Never Knew I Needed" by Neyo from Princess and the Frog.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice
Of Compositions and Comforts
Piano keys went out of tune as violet eyes tiredly closed. A sigh escaped his lips as his hands stilled from playing. The book in front of him was blank and the pen remained untouched. He looked outside, noticing the time of day, or rather lack of day, and closed the piano case.
"Ugh, that late, huh?" he spoke. Gathering his bag, he made his way out of the empty studio.
Mikan cracked her back as she exited Kitsuneme's deli at the end of her shift. Wearing a slim navy hoodie to match her baseball cap and ripped-at-the-knee jeans, she tapped her worn out sneakers on the pavement. It was getting colder, she noted. She wondered if she had enough money to be able to afford a winter coat this year instead of just using one of her hoodies, but she figured that Narumi would just buy her one if she asked.
Though, preferring not to ask, the independent girl told herself she would save up for one with the money from her job. She then made a move to journey home when she heard a giggle and a cry of "Akira-sama" making her turn to find her oldest stepbrother with his arm around a woman possibly in her twenties. They were casually flirting, causing Mikan's tongue to stick out with disgust and a "blegh".
"Ah, well if it isn't my precious imouto-chan!" Akira called, noticing her. He and his date walked over to her and Mikan just wanted to flee in the opposite direction. "Shizuka-san, this is my imouto Sakura Mikan-chan."
"Ara, it's nice to meet you. Akira-sama never mentioned he had a younger sister." The woman said graciously.
"Isn't she cute though, Shizuka-san?" Akira said proudly. Mikan stared at the two of them silently before directing her attention to the pavement.
"Onii-san is a creeper." She stated bluntly, going along her merry way, leaving the two to gape after her.
"Oh my…"
"Ah! Sorry Shizuka-san! I'm going to have to cut this date short!" with that, Akira left the woman in order to pursue the teenager. Catching up, he grabbed her wrist, "Wait!"
"Ah, what is it, creeper Onii-san?" Mikan asked, raising an eyebrow. Akira sweat dropped.
"I get it—don't do stuff like that." Akira said with a nervous smile. His smile then turned sincere as he gestured to the road ahead. "Have dinner with me."
"It's quite rude to leave a lady and ask another lady out to dinner." Mikan replied, moving to get away from him.
"What a mean one you are…" Akira tutted, running a hand through his long hair. "Perhaps if I pay?"
This made Mikan suddenly stop and backtrack to where he was standing causing Akira to sweat drop again.
"So that's what gets your attention, huh?"
It turns out that Akira was true to his word as they sat at a sushi restaurant across from each other. Mikan was licking her lips at the tasty food laid out in front of her while Akira watched in awe at how fast she was chugging down her sushi.
Is she inhuman? Akira asked himself.
"Getting full there?" he asked hopefully, fingering his wallet, and crying at how much she's going to cost him.
"Nope." Mikan said, swiftly grabbing a bowl of rice and chowing down. Akira cried anime tears.
"So uncute..." Akira sighed.
"Don't care."
Akira watched her eat, examining her and reviewing what she said in his head. Leaning back, he smiled.
"I can see how you did it."
"Hmm?" Mikan paused in eating to look at him.
"Got Natsume to stand down." Akira informed her.
"Natsume…?" Ruka looked at him. Each of them were gathered in the living room, the most recent news of what Natsume shared running through their minds. It was late outside, and everyone was already asleep. All the brothers exchanged looks with each other before giving their attention to Natsume, who appeared to be deep in thought. He turned his crimson eyes towards Ruka, waiting patiently for him to speak.
"I'm sorry, Natsume… I'm sorry everyone." Ruka announced. "But I… I can't try to torture Sakura-san anymore. It's not… it's not right."
"Me too. Mikan-chan is so kind… I know you all have your reservations, but please understand that I don't think Mikan-chan's a bad person." Yuu spoke his defense.
"Man, I gotta back out too. I'd like to keep my balls intact, thanks." Tsubasa voiced out like the smartass he was.
Youichi tugged on Natsume's sleeve making the older boy turn his gaze to him. The youngest merely shook his head at his older brother, staring solemnly into his eyes.
"Do whatever you want…" Natsume said at last. And with that admission, the rest knew that Natsume was backing off.
"Meh, it was boring messing with her anyways." Reo spoke, turning over. Akira rolled his eyes at the redhead and turned towards his brother.
"I'm not against it. Dad is really happy with Yuka-san…" Akira voiced his thoughts.
"Even if her daughter is a pain." Natsume commented, rubbing his head from where Mikan hit him with her frying pan.
"Say what you want, Natsume, but she is clearly something." Akira laughed, recalling Natsume's story and his own observations of the girl.
"Hmph."
"You're sprouting weird shit again." Mikan pointed out.
"I do not."
"Says the guy who goes out with older women."
"I'd prefer to think of it as entertaining the ladies of all ages."
"Then stay away from my mother, creeper Onii-san."
"I'd rather entertain her lovely daughter."
"Did you have to eat an entire romance novel to spew that crap out?"
"You don't see yourself as charming?" Akira asked, curious. "Your no-nonsense attitude definitely has a certain finesse to it."
"It's because I'm surrounded by idiots like you."
"How rude!" Akira gasped. "And here I thought you'd love to be showered by compliments!"
"I'm not one of your flimsy dates, Creeper Onii-san."
"Hey now," Akira sweat dropped, "No need for name calling."
"You started it by calling me your cute little sister." Mikan crossed her arms.
"Touche`."
"Now then…" Mikan held out the empty bowl. "Oji-san! More please!"
"My poor wallet…" Akira moaned as they walked home. Mikan just blankly looked ahead, her stomach satisfied. They were entering the shady part of town where Mikan's apartment resided. Akira noticed there were several men looking at them, or more precisely, Mikan with hungry looks in their eyes.
Mikan jumped a bit when Akira placed his arm around her and pulled her close.
"What gives?" Mikan tried to pull away but Akira held tight. He leaned down and whispered in her ear.
"Do you always walk home by yourself after work?" he asked her, his eyes darting about.
"Yeah, why?" Mikan asked, giving into his arm and internally cringing.
"Ask me, Ruka, or Yuu to walk you home from now on." Akira told her, passing the men and nearing the apartment.
"Why should I? And why do you care?" Mikan raised an eyebrow in suspicion. Akira sighed.
"Despite trying to torment you, I do see how you treated my brothers, and despite being mean, you also tell them what they need to hear." He told her. "I'm willing to see you as you are, which isn't that bad as I start to get to know you."
"Whatever." Mikan replied, ducking under his hold now that they were home. She journeyed up to the entrance without sparing him a glance, "You guys are weird."
"Wrong answer!" A stick slapped her desk, causing Mikan to jump. Jinno stared at her with a stern look. "Sakura-san, when you said you needed extra help in class, I thought at least you were smarter than a kindergartner with math."
"I wasn't lying when I said I suck at math, Jin-Jin." Mikan pulled at the bill of her cap. She had to ask off from the deli as she noticed her math grade wasn't up to par as she would've hoped. The deadline of her grades being posted to her parents creeping closer as she remembered the deal she made with her mother. If she wanted to return to her old school, she was going to need all the help she can get.
Luckily for her, her math teacher sucked at tuning his old television.
"That's Jinno-sensei to you, Sakura. Remember to do the extra problems I gave you and we'll review from there next time."
With that being adjourned, Mikan made her way out of the classroom to journey home.
Walking down the vast halls of Alice Academy, Mikan reviewed formulas in her mind in hopes of understanding them more when she got home. However, a sound drifting down the halls interrupted her musings. Curious, she made her way to follow the sound and coming upon two double doors, she decided to open them.
The sounds of a piano entered her ears as she walked inside what appeared to be the auditorium of the school. The music was elegant and fierce—the product of only what a skilled musician could produce.
Wanting to get a closer look, she walked down the stairs towards the stage. Her footsteps were quiet, not wanting to disturb the person playing. Nonetheless, it seemed like the fates like toying with her for she lost her footing and tripped down the stairs loudly.
"Oof!" she let out, face planting on the floor. "Owwww" she groaned.
"Yo, chibi." A voice greeted.
Mikan's ears perked up at the familiar tone and she found herself face to face with Reo, who was sitting at the piano on the stage like he belonged there. Another groan escaped her, this time not from the pain, and rose up from the floor, dusting herself off.
"It's you." She voiced out. Reo titled his head, an amused smirk appearing on his face.
"Yes, it is me. Were you expecting someone else?" he teased.
"Perhaps someone I am not going to be related to soon, yes." Mikan replied bluntly. Reo couldn't help but laugh at her obvious displeasure at seeing him. He rose from his seat at the piano and stood on the stage, surveying her from his height point with hands on his hips and a grin on his face.
"What's the matter, chibi? We're not terrorizing you anymore, so you shouldn't have such a long face." He pointed out. Mikan rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, but you're still annoying." Her response only made him laugh harder.
"First time I heard a girl call me annoying, but I have to say it's pretty refreshing not to be liked just for your looks or talents." Reo commented. Mikan raised an eyebrow at the statement.
"Maybe if you showed girls your true colors as the demons you are that would change." Mikan stated. Reo just chuckled and shook his head at her.
"Where's the fun in showing my true colors to people who don't want to get to know me for me?" he asked, and Mikan couldn't help but find the statement relatable with her own way of forming relationships. He surprised her by jumping down from the stage, standing in front of her, and crossed his arms. "What's the chibi doing here spying on me during practice?"
"Practice?" Mikan questioned, not bothering to kick him for calling her chibi. Reo struck her as the type of person that would just disregard her insults on the matter anyway. Reo nodded.
"Yup! Didn't dad tell you that I'm a musician for the school?" Reo asked her. Seeing her shock, he figured she hadn't ever been listening when Narumi talked about his sons at the table. Rolling his eyes, he flicked her forehead, making Mikan squawk. The sound caused him to smirk in amusement. "Gotta pay more attention, chibi, or else someone's going to pull the wool over your eyes someday." He teased.
Mikan rubbed her capped forehead and narrowed her eyes at him.
"Why are you being so nonconfrontational?" Mikan interrogated him. Reo put up his hands in surrender.
"Hey, as far as I am concerned, you've proven yourself to be genuine, and frankly picking fun at genuine people isn't really that appealing." He confessed.
"Ah." Was all Mikan said. Reo just shook his head. He went over towards the stage and got his stuff.
"Anyway, you've pretty much spoiled the mood to create music, so you owe me some food."
"Get your own food." Mikan retorted.
"Guess I'll have to tell everyone you were spying on me then." Reo winked, grinning, and Mikan pinched the bridge of her nose, sighing.
"Fine, but I'm picking."
"What is this place?" the redhead blinked, surveying where Mikan took him in a nosy manner. She rolled her eyes, shaking her head at how dense rich people could be to normal stuff.
"It's a deli. You get sandwiches from here." Mikan explained.
"You're just treating me to a soggy sandwich?" Reo complained. Mikan yanked his ear. "Ow!"
"Hush, I will not have you insult such a holy establishment." She responded. Reo rubbed his ear to rid of the pain, grumbling as they journeyed inside. As she expected, Kitsuneme and his father were behind the counter making sandwiches.
"Ah, Mikan! I thought I gave you the day off today." Kitsu's father announced her presence. Kitsuneme grinned at seeing one of his best friends. Though, his expression turned confused when he caught sight of the handsome red head beside her.
"You did, Oji-san. I just want some sandwiches." Mikan informed him. Kitsuneme's father grinned.
"Sure! What will it be for you and your boyfriend?" the statement caused both Reo and Mikan to blanch violently.
"No… just no." Mikan said. Reo choked on his spit beside her. "Just give us two house specials, please." Kitsu's father nodded in understanding and he and Kitsu got to work.
"Well at least you're not cheating on Mom huh Mikan." Kitsuneme's eyes sparked in mischief. He gulped however when he sensed Mikan's glare from under her cap. "Right, right! As if you'd cheat on mother—of course that's silly!" he laughed nervously, wrapping their orders and handing it to her over the counter. "See you for your next shift!"
With that, Mikan and Reo left the deli into the cold air. Both shivered at the change in temperature and made their way home. Not wanting to wait, Reo unwrapped his sandwich and took a bite. His eyes widened at the warm and fresh taste on his tongue.
"This is amazing!" Reo said in shock. Mikan smirked and decided to start eating hers as well. "What? How? Do they make these all the time?" Reo fired questions at her rapidly. He began to gobble his up, realizing how hungry he was.
"Yeah, it's a deli. That's what they do." She stated amused at how childlike he was being. Reo was eating so fast he ended up choking a little and coughed. He hit his chest a little bit and Mikan couldn't help but be entertained. "I feel like this should be coming from Tonouchi-san or Ando-san instead of you, Mouri-san."
"Haha, don't compare me to those morons. I'm way cooler." Reo sassed her as he took another bite of his sandwich. "I forgive you for spying on me. This food is delicious!"
Mikan rolled her eyes at his statement and continued trekking home. Reo followed her, hands in his pockets after finishing his sandwich.
"So you're not going to ask what I was doing?" Reo voiced, his lips close to her ear. Mikan swatted him away like he was a fly.
"It's not my business." Mikan replied simply. Reo made a look of disappointment.
"Aren't you even a little bit curious about us?" he pouted.
"Not really."
"How unfair—you're not interested in anything to do with us, and yet we can't help but find you interesting. The struggle."
"I'm only interesting because no one's ever told you bastards no."
"It's more than that honestly."
"Stop hitting on me. It's creepy."
"Don't flatter yourself. I have great taste in women and I don't plan to soil my good streak."
"Then why are you saying stupid things?"
"Because they're true. You just don't wanna see it."
Mikan rubbed her temples, finding herself getting a migraine as usual from her future step-brothers. Reo laughed as they finally arrived at the apartment and she hurried up the stairs to get away from him.
"Be careful, chibi. You may end up liking us if you got to know us." He called.
"Fat chance." With that, she slammed the door to her room, glad to be in her sanctuary.
"What are you laughing about?" Natsume raised an eyebrow at his brother as it seemed the redhead couldn't seem to stop chuckling about something. Natsume's eye twitched as Reo's chuckling was getting in the way of them sleeping. Reo just snorted again, and turned to him.
"Sorry… just remembering a funny joke."
"You mean your musical talent?" Tsubasa jabbed with humor. Reo whacked him with a pillow.
"You wish you had my musical talent."
"Honestly, I'm kind of relieved to see you laughing about something." Akira remarked. "You've been very stressed what with the concert at the school coming up." The caused Reo's face to darken, as he was reminded the source of his stress and trouble. He sighed and slammed his head into the pillows. His brothers watched him worriedly. Tsubasa patted him on the shoulder.
"I wouldn't worry about it, bro." Tsubasa tried to comfort him. Reo snapped his head up to glare at him.
"No, it's only the most important event for the music department and it's my job to compose and sing a song for our entire school, its sponsors, and the general public." Here he growled and bowed his head. "And now I haven't been able to compose or write anything new in weeks. I'm bone dead dry! If this fails, we'll lose sponsors from our music department and the school will blame me for it." He hissed.
"Reo…" Ruka called, feeling pity for his brother. Reo just huffed and turned away from them.
"It's fine, guys. I will be fine."
Youichi surveyed the scene and found himself not able to get sleep with her brother brooding nearby. He quietly rose up from his cot and made his way to a bedroom door. His brothers were all nodding off, but he found himself wide awake. Finding the door not locked, he entered and shut the door behind him. Surprisingly, despite Mikan and his brothers' feud, she never had to lock her door for his brothers knew better than to try something like do something to her room. Mikan groaned, blinking her eyes to adjust to the darkness. She squinted them in confusion when she saw it was Youichi. He just climbed into bed with her.
"Ugly, let me sleep here tonight." He commanded. Mikan snorted.
"If it will get you to stop calling me ugly then sure." He snuggled closer to her under the covers, gesturing she hold him too. Mikan's eye twitched and she sighed, compiling with the request and pulled her close to his chest.
"Ugly…" Youichi called.
Oh for the love of god…
"What? Your ugly big sister will kick you out if you continue to interrupt her hibernation." Mikan snapped tiredly without any real bite. Youichi's eyes looked up and he could see amber eyes shining at him in the dark. He could see how expressive they were and how alive they seemed. He wished the lights were on, so he could look fully into her eyes, but didn't dare request that for fear she'd kick him out.
"I'm scared for Reo-nii-chan…" he whispered. Mikan's eyes widened, examining him with curiosity, before closing, and sighing. She clutched him closer.
"Relax. You're all a bunch of cockroaches. You'd survive the nuclear apocalypse. Trust me when I say you are that relentless."
Youichi looked at her, thinking, before accepting her answer and snuggling into her chest, finding it easy to fall asleep next to her.
Meanwhile, Natsume couldn't help but stare at the closed bedroom door in contemplation as his brothers slept on.
Despite not wanting to, it was then that Mikan started to take notice of her redhead stepbrother after Youichi's statement. She noticed how tired and frustrated he was. How he seemed almost irritable when interacting with his family, and then stayed silent at the table at meals. She squashed the burning curiosity down, not wanting to get involved, but finding herself going that route despite her wishes.
It was when Mikan was passing by the school auditorium, the music, stuttering and angry, drifted into her ears, that she took the bait and peeked into the auditorium. There he was at the piano seat, playing like she saw him play before. Yet, she had noticed, and realized the same as last time, the undertones of frustration filtering through her ears, like she was staring into a precipice of agony and despair, before the music abruptly stopped. The piano keys being slammed on and a shout of fury echoed through the hall. She saw Reo run his hands through his hair and took them away, his fingertips shaking.
"Why…?" he asked mournfully. "Why can't I create? Why can't I feel my music anymore?"
With that, Mikan shut the door to the auditorium, sealing his anger from the world.
Tsubasa hummed as he sipped his water bottle during gym class. He yelped when someone kicked his back from behind lightly, making him choke on his water. Coughing, he turned to see his sassy stepsister looking down at him. He nervously greeted her.
"Ah! Mikan-chan, how are you doing?" please don't chop off my balls…
"I want information." She told him bluntly. Tsubasa sweat.
"Oh... well wouldn't Ruka or Yuu be better suited for this than me?" he tried to weasel his way out, but she wasn't having it.
"Nogi-san and Tobita-san are closer to Hyuuga-san than they are to Mouri-san. You, being close in age, are more close to him, and therefore the person I need." Tsubasa gulped.
"W-what about Tono?!" he exclaimed. Mikan gave him a deadpan stare.
"He's too weird. I don't wanna ask him." She stated. Tsubasa sweat dropped. She startled him when she grabbed his hand, making the older boy yelp in shock as his face turned red from her touch.
"H-hey! Watch it! People are going to get the wrong—" she yanked him along, not giving him time to finish. "We have class—"
"It doesn't matter." Mikan cut him, pulling him along across the campus. Tsubasa's ears turned red at her not letting go of his hand. He could feel all her callouses from baseball and her hard work. He felt himself strangely drawn to her hands, finding it not gross compared to the dainty hands he's held of other girls. In fact, he found himself liking the feel of her hand more than other touches he's had. He liked that she seemed to work for herself towards what she wanted, and didn't make others do it for her. In fact, he remembered she recently bought herself a new phone instead of letting his dad buy it for her, and Tsubasa couldn't help but be attracted to her work ethic and honest way of living.
"Why are you letting him become like this?" her voice jolted him from his thoughts, and he heard the sound of angry piano playing in his ears. He was shocked to see she dragged him to the auditorium. "What is so important that he is this distressed with his playing?"
Tsubasa gaped at her, realizing she was talking about Reo—that she was immersing herself in their problems of her own free will. He couldn't help but have a giddy smile on his face at the thought of her opening up to them like they were starting to open up to her. However, she flicked his forehead and he yelped.
"This isn't funny. Your brother is having a crisis and for some reason, I give a shit." Mikan looked aggravated with both him and herself, as she had her arms crossed against her chest in order to protect herself from the pesky thing called emotion.
"Sorry, it's just… why do you care?" Tsubasa asked her. Mikan sighed and tapped her toe against the floor.
"Well… you guys may not be my favorite people, but I can't ignore someone who's clearly having a problem to the point of it affecting their life." Mikan confessed. "It's not my way of doing things."
"Ah, you're a good person then." Tsubasa smiled. Mikan felt her cheeks redden, shame filling her at being found out to not be as cold as she gives off. He winked at her. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
He peeked into the auditorium to see for himself how his brother was doing. Frowning at the sight of his brother giving off angry curses, he turned to Mikan.
"There's a special concert coming up. He's been chosen to compose and sing a song for not only our school, but it's open to the public and very important sponsors. Not only that, but he and the entire music department students have to play the song that he's going to sing; so, he has to compose something not only for himself, but for everyone else too. If he messes up, we could lose a lot of funding." Tsubasa explained. Mikan nodded. No wonder Reo looked like he was about to crack.
"When is it?" Mikan questioned.
"A month from now. He has to submit a song though two weeks from now." Tsubasa told her. Mikan sighed and rubbed her temples. "We've tried to help as best as we can but none of us are musically inclined like he is. It's like a different language to us." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "He's kinda having a brain blank right now with composing. Hasn't found anything to inspire him really in a while. Not since…" he stopped short, realizing he was giving away too much information, and he coughed awkwardly.
"Not since you guys were last happy." Mikan stated. Tsubasa nodded. She peeked in to gaze at Reo with a pensive expression. "Guess that's sort of our fault…"
"Ah! It's not really your fault. We didn't know about Yuka-san either until Dad proposed! It was just a shock to all of us. The engagement. The move. But we don't really blame you specifically for dad and Yuka-san's choices." Tsubasa rushed to soothe her. However, Mikan's eyes narrowed, still thinking.
"They should've told us…" Mikan said bitterly. Thinking about it, it probably would've been a lot easier on both sides if their children knew about the relationship sooner, and Mikan couldn't help the feeling of betrayal she felt when Yuka announced her engagement to rear its ugly head.
"Yeah… but we can't change it." Tsubasa explained. Mikan nodded, still appearing to be thinking about something. She turned away and made her way down the hall, leaving Tsubasa behind.
"Ah! What about class?" Tsubasa called. Mikan stopped and let out a "hmm"
"You go back. I'm skipping." With that, she bid him adieu and left to do whatever. Tsubasa scratched his head in bafflement.
"First I think I understand her, and then she puts me back at square one…"
"Sakura," Jinno's eyes twitched. "If you're not going to pay attention, then why are we even doing this study session?"
"How do you make yourself happy?" she asked suddenly. Jinno blinked at the change in subject.
"I beg your pardon?"
"How would you make yourself happy when everything is changing around you beyond your control?" Mikan repeated. "Like how can you feel like yourself if you can't even control what's happening around you?" Jinno continued to stare at her, and took on a pondering expression.
"Honestly, Sakura. I can't answer that one for you, but I would advise you to look into the things that make you happy and share it. Sometimes all it takes is a listening ear and someone who cares."
"I see." Mikan said. She rose up from her desk and grabbed her bag. "Thanks, Jin-Jin. That helps." With that she left the room, and Jinno, despite himself, gave a fond look, finding the girl to start to grow on him. However, his expression turned to anger when he realized she just ditched their tutoring session two hours early.
"Sakura! You're supposed to be studying!"
Reo was snoring on top of the piano keys, having been worn out for hours. However, he jumped when someone dropped a bag on top of the piano. His violet eyes snapped open and he yelped, falling back onto the floor. He glared at the intruder, getting ready to spit fire, but instead raised an eyebrow when seeing it was his future stepsister.
"Can I help you, chibi?" he asked.
"Start by calling me by my name." Mikan replied, going over to help him up. Reo accepted her hand and the both of them stood on the stage. He felt a spark from holding her hand, and he dropped it, as if it burned him.
"What are you doing here?" he asked. Mikan held up the bag.
"Bringing dinner, of course." She supplied. She sat down in the middle of the stage and pat the space beside her. "Courtesy of Kitsuneme's deli. We have the best sandwiches in Japan, pickles, chips, and good ol' rotting teeth cola goodness."
Reo blinked at her before walking over and joining her. She took out his sandwich, unwrapped it, and maneuvered his hands to hold it, before going to devour her own. Reo just watched her flabbergasted. Mikan paused, looking at him. He was looking at her like she grew a second head.
"What?" she asked.
"You're here… you're here willingly. Sitting here. Eating food with me. All willingly." Reo spoke, convinced he was just dreaming. "Couldn't my dreams have conjured up a prettier girl?"
WHACK!
"Ow… okay, sorry, this is real." Reo moaned, holding his head where Mikan hit him.
"Quit with the jabs. We're having a nice family dinner. No fighting." She told him. The red head just gaped at her.
"Family dinner? It's just the two of us." Reo responded, furrowing his brow. "Also, as far as I am concerned, you consider me the farthest thing from family."
"Yes, normally I do." Mikan admitted, wiping her mouth with her hand. "I may not be family, but I can be… a friend at least." She said the last part quietly, as if she was afraid to say it. Reo's eyes bugged out.
"Alright, I'm convinced. You're an alien. What did you do with the real chibi?"
WHACK!
"Owww… how are we supposed to be having a family dinner without fighting if you keep assaulting me?" he moaned. Mikan just bit into her sandwich.
"Knocking sense into you isn't assault." She told him simply. Reo sweat dropped.
"Friends don't hit each other either." Reo told her. Mikan smirked teasingly.
"Clearly you never had friends then."
"I have friends!" he protested, embarrassed. Mikan just chuckled.
"Brothers and fangirls don't count." Realizing she had him there, he glared down at his food, blushing in shame. She laughed.
"It's not funny…" he grumbled.
"It's hilarious—I finally have one over you."
"Yeah, well you just said you're my friend, so I guess I ain't a friendless loser like you thought!" he smirked smugly.
"Jokes on you, I'm an abusive friend."
"You just said friends hit each other!"
"Of course they do. Someone's gotta knock you out when you're being a twat, and it makes perfect sense for your friends to do it. However, I won't deny I abuse my power to instill fear into my friends sometimes." Mikan smirked. Reo just stared at her, and Mikan burst out laughing. Pointing at him, she spluttered. "Y-your face! You look like one of those dog memes where the dog gets bamboozled!" she continued laughing.
"Hmph. I'm beginning to think you just came here to insult me." Despite the claim, there was a smile starting to appear on his face. Mikan's mood was very infectious, and he found himself wanting to join in with her brash laughter. Mikan calmed herself down, wiping a tear from her eye.
"Perhaps. You make it easy after all." She chuckled.
"You said no fighting this family dinner." He reminded her.
"Ah yes, but we're not family, as we've both acknowledged. We're friends. Completely off the table with friends." She grinned. Reo huffed, and in his frustration, he launched a pickle at her. She yelped, the pickle hitting her straight in the face, before dropping right in her cola. Mikan's mouth opened and closed like a fish, as if she couldn't believe he had actually done that. She gaped further when Reo just responded by falling over laughing at her expression.
"Hahahahahaha now who's the one looking stupid!" he was losing himself in his giggles while Mikan wiped pickle juice off her face. Looking mournfully down at her soda, she swiped Reo's and took a swig from it. Reo promptly stopped laughing. "Hey! That's mine!"
"Mine now." Was all Mikan said as she drank some more. Reo armed himself with more pickles and she glared, arming herself with chips and the remainders of their sandwiches.
"Don't you—" a pickle landing on her face cut her off and she choked. Reo chuckled, but his laughter died when a piece of tomato landed in his eye. He gave her a glare in challenge.
"Oh. It's on now."
"I can't believe we both now smell like pickles and chips." Reo mourned at the state of his uniform. Mikan scoffed and pulled at the bill of her cap.
"Yeah, good thing you have the excuse of composing or else Serina-sensei would've given us detention for running around the auditorium throwing food at each other."
"I can't believe how much fun that actually was." The red head confessed, ruffling his hair. "I've never done something like that before."
"Eh… I've done worse actually." Mikan admitted sheepishly. Memories of her shenanigans with Kitsuneme, Mochu, and Kokoro coming across her mind, a fond smile birthed on her lips. "But they were fun…"
Reo watched her out of the corner of his eyes. Seeing her so relaxed in his presence stirred something in him. He clenched his beating heart, shocked at how it was picking up pace as he found himself looking at her. He glanced at her again, his own smile coming on his face. He had meant it when he said he had a lot of fun. He never thought his future stepsister would be the one to make him feel like he was free. It was exhilarating being able to laugh with no restraint. His brothers made him happy, sure, but they never lost all inhibitions and just let loose like Mikan did. He felt her outlook on life very refreshing compared to the brooding outlook he and his brothers had. For once, ever since his father announced his engagement to Yuka, he found himself at ease.
They arrived at the apartment in a comfortable silence. Reo was so relaxed, he even let Mikan shower first, despite being covered in pickle smell.
"You stink." Natsume remarked, making a face at the smell. Reo just laughed and pat his head. Natsume's eyes narrowed and he swatted the hand away.
"Did Polka give you a disease? Every time you come home with her, you're laughing like a loon." Natsume commented. Reo raised an eyebrow in question.
"Polka?" he asked. Natsume shrugged and smirked.
"Secret."
"I'd say whatever she's given to Reo, she's giving to you too, Natsume." Akira grinned. "In fact, I'd daresay we're all getting it." Akira chuckled. Natsume glared at him.
"Please, like she could infect me with her stupidity." Natsume crossed his arms. The rest of his brothers shared a chuckle.
"It certainly is a little more lively here though." Ruka observed.
"You certainly are a lot nicer openly, Ruka." Tsubasa teased. "Has someone been trying to impress a certain sister, hmm?" Ruka blushed.
"I'm not—don't point this just at me." Ruka spluttered as the brothers shared a laugh at his expense.
"It's alright, Ruka, I find the princess charming, myself." Akira comforted him. Besides Yuu, Reo, and Ruka, all the other brothers gave him a look like he was high. "Come on, she's not that bad."
"Are… are we talking about the same person?" Tsubasa asked, flabbergasted. Though his face turned red when he thought back to the time she held his hand while she dragged him across campus. He hid it from his brothers.
"I'm sorry but don't insult my taste in women with yours." Natsume commented.
"Come on, guys!" Akira whined. He turned to Reo. "You can't say she isn't as bad as we thought she was, right?" Reo flashbacked to Mikan with a fond smile on her face and relaxed posture, and he choked as his face turned bright red.
"D-don't bring me into this, Tono!" he stuttered turning away from them.
"Do I even want to know?" Mikan asked, entering the living room. She was wearing her baseball hat over her wet hair, wet hair loose around her shoulders. Dressed in flannel pajamas on her lanky form and fuzzy slippers, they couldn't help but think she looked adorable.
"Ah, Princess!" Tono called to her. "I see you've let Reo escort you home! Thank goodness you're not walking by yourself anymore."
Mikan scoffed and journeyed to the small kitchen, opening the fridge to get out the juice. Going over to the cabinet, she pulled out the bag of Doritos and looked at him.
"We were at school together so of course we would walk home together." She pointed out, taking a sip of her juice. "Also, why are you calling me that?"
"Well you didn't like my other nickname for you, so I thought I should bestow upon you something that fits." Akira explained. Mikan scowled, chomping down on some doritos.
"If I didn't like being called your cute little sister, what makes you think I'd like to be called your princess?" she asked. She jabbed a thumb at Reo and Natsume. "You're just as bad as them with not calling me by my name."
"I think we're close enough to call you by nicknames." Akira smiled at her. Mikan's eye twitched.
"Don't push it."
"Well you're out here talking to us instead of going to your room as usual." Tsubasa pointed out, grinning. "So we definitely are closer than we were when we started out."
"It's more of I tolerate you." Here she jabbed at thumb at Reo, Ruka, and Yuu, "Except them. They've been upgraded." Akira and Tsubasa pouted.
"I've been upgraded?" Reo asked, shocked. Mikan nodded.
"Yeah, we food fought, so, we're friends now." Mikan said. Reo blinked at the simple logic she had.
"You're all giving me a headache is what you're doing." Natsume snarked out, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Polka, either shut up or go to bed."
"Alright, I'll let the pussy cat get his sleep." Mikan sassed and Natsume glared at her as she traveled to her room. "You-chan, if you can't sleep just come inside." She added. Youichi nodded and blushed a bit when his brothers' attention was on him.
"Ugly nee-chan is comfy…" is all he said as he disappeared under his covers.
"Just play stuff that makes you happy." Mikan said, as her and Reo were in the auditorium. He was excused from classes to work on his piece and Mikan decided to keep him company instead of being bored in classes. She was sure Jin-Jin would hook her up with make-up work with a few twinges to his tv. "Or just play some random stuff. Just anything to relax yourself." She added. Reo sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"Why would I do that? That's not going to make me create something."
"No, but it will help you relax." Mikan reminded him. "How can you expect to create something people like to hear when you're stressed out?" She reclined herself on the stage floor, placing her hat over her eyes to shut out the bright lights of the auditorium. Reo watched her in envy.
"Easy for you to say. You're over there taking a nap while I do the work." He said dryly. Mikan sighed and stood up, adjusting her cap, and Reo caught a glimpse of the girl beneath the hat, but it was too quick to notice any features. She stood around, shifting from one foot to the other, like she was swaying to some imaginary music. She went over to Reo and pulled him out of his seat, dragging him to the center of the stage. Before Reo could question her actions, she explained.
"When I'm really stressed, my best friend makes me get up and do silly dances with him." Mikan continued swaying and waving her arms slowly back and forth in the air. "It sounds stupid, I know—trust me I know—but then he gives me this stupid grin that lets me know he's happy I'm dancing with him, and I find myself focusing not on how ridiculous I look, but on how I'm being silly with someone who I care about, and who cares about me in return." She grabbed his wrists and began swinging them back and forth. She looked like she was dancing to imaginary swing music.
As she spoke about this person she cared about, Reo was given insight on that even Mikan has people she cares about, and she needs help sometimes with feeling better. It made her look human for the first time in his eyes, and not like some robot that sprouted sarcasm all the time. Suddenly, he had the urge to remove her baseball cap and look into her eyes. What color were they exactly? Were they blue? Green? Brown? Were they some exotic color like his and some of his brothers' eyes? His hand itched to take the cap away that concealed her face from him. However, he knew that would be disastrous. Especially without her permission.
"Why do you wear that hat all the time?" he voiced out, despite his inner protests at asking that. Mikan paused in her dancing, he supposed, to look at him.
"It's precious to me." Was all she said, and started dancing again.
"Why?" he wanted to know. Why was it so important to conceal her face from his view? Mikan furrowed her brow.
"Why is it so important to know?" she replied simply, curious. Reo's swallowed, not wanting the effect she was having on him to end.
"Cause it's important to me." He responded. This made Mikan stop, lowering her arms to her sides. She surveyed him with curiosity and confusion, as if she was an animal making sure he was safe. He waited patiently.
"It was my dad's. He gave it to me before he died." Mikan finally said. His heart clenched in sorrow for her loss, as if he felt his own. Every note in her voice carried remorse from her grief, and he wanted to encase her in his arms. She sounded… so vulnerable. So different than the embodiment of steel he was used to. Yet, he was relishing in how he was seeing more of her—like she was baring more of her soul, and he was reminded of his own soul carrying its own scars.
Maybe they weren't so different after all…
Mikan jumped when Reo stepped closer to her, placing a hand on her hip while the other was holding her hand. He smirked down at her.
"If we're doing this silly dance, of course I'm going to be the one to lead." He stated. His heart skipped a beat at her returning grin.
"Lead on then, Mr. Musician."
"You seem happier." Kitsuneme remarked as they worked. Mikan shrugged at him.
"Things are improving at home." Was all she said. Kitsuneme wiggled his eyebrows.
"So did any of them ask you out yet?"
"What?"
"Well, I mean, you are a pretty girl, so I wouldn't be surprised if they started to like you." his answer was lettuce to the face. "Right right. You have standards. Forgot."
"Good boy. Besides, I'm pretty average and they haven't even seen all of my face. Plus, I don't want someone to think I'm pretty cause of my looks—I want someone to like me for my personality."
"I was just kidding. I know they'd never ask you out. You'd beat the shit out of them for trying." Kitsu laughed. "Besides, we all know you're saving yourself for Mom."
Mikan swatted at him as Kitsuneme continued to laugh.
"The day they end up liking me like that is the day Hotaru treats us to breakfast at an all you can eat pancake place."
Hotaru's eye twitched as she fixed one of her inventions.
For some reason, my wallet feels like it lost some money. She checked it to be sure, and to her relief, all her bills were there.
Kokoro squawked as an object was flung in his face. He blinked as he realized it was a phone. Mikan looked at him passively. They were hidden in her room again this Friday. They were thinking of talking Yuka into letting them save up for a cheap tv for Mikan's room, so they could still continue the traditional movie night.
"Did you… did you get me a phone?" he asked surprised. Mikan then looked a little nervous, fidgeting with her fingers.
"Yeah… I saved up for us both to get phones, so we can text each other now." Mikan averted her eyes, anxious Koko might not like the gift or think it's too much. "I know they're not the best quality or really fancy, but we won't be limited to Fridays—" she was interrupted when Koko hugged her. He was smiling widely.
"Thank you."
Mikan smiled and hugged him back, happy he liked her gift.
"I'm so putting your contact as Tangy."
"Sure, Coco puff."
Yuka sighed happily as she snuggled into Narumi while her and the boys watched movies on the big flat screen tv. She was happy things seemed to have calmed down now in her household with Mikan and the boys, however, she was still a little wary something could go wrong. While Mikan and the boys seemed to be warming up to each other, she couldn't help but feel like it was going too perfectly. Narumi noticed his fiancée's distress and kissed her cheek, pulling her close.
"You're being a worrywart again." He pointed out. Yuka gave him a weary smile.
"Sorry, you know I think too much." She apologized. Narumi just chuckled.
"Relax. Things are finally turning up."
"It's cold, chibi." Reo complained as they climbed the fire escape on a Saturday night. Mikan just rolled her eyes.
"It's Mikan. And stop being such a baby." Mikan got on the roof and pulled him up. He surveyed the rooftop with interest, seeing two lawn chairs and a firepit (Kokoro bought it with his new job's money. Cost him three paychecks but it was worth it to have an unlimited supply of smores at their disposal) with a comforter.
"Wha…?"
"This place." She began seriously. "Is sacred. Be honored I am showing you this. It goes against the bro code to show outsiders one's mancave." He approached the lawn chairs, touching them tentatively. He looked at her in wonderment. "Someone—not me of course—thought it would inspire you if I let you see something that makes me and him happy; so, here you are." She sat on one of the lawn chairs, pulling the comforter close to her lanky, pj-wearing form. "I didn't feel comfortable with it, but he convinced me if I really wanted to help inspire you, then I would have to show you something beautiful, and well, this is the most beautiful place I can think of."
"It's okay to show him our spot, Mikan. I think it will be good for him and help him figure out what he needs." Koko told her. Mikan made a face, leaning against him as they sat in her room. She fiddled with a loose thread on her jeans.
"I don't know…" that was their spot. To invite someone else up there seemed blasphemous to their bond. Yet, Kokoro smiled at her tenderly. He ran some of his fingers through her short caramel locks.
"It won't make our special spot any less special to us." He soothed her.
"A dingy apartment complex's roof?" Reo asked raising an eyebrow. Mikan puffed out her cheeks and pulled on the bridge of her cap.
"Look up, you dingbat! Jeeze!" she commanded laying down. He climbed on the lawn chair beside her, covering himself with the blanket (seriously, why did she think coming up here was a good idea?), but his thoughts halted when he glanced up and his eyes were filled with stars twinkling above him. He gaped at the sight, their brilliant shine mesmerizing him. He turned to her, seeing her looking up at the stars by the tilt of her head, and he found her smile under starlight to be the most mesmerizing thing he's ever seen.
He swallowed, looking back towards the night sky, his mouth open in awe. Where his father, his brothers, and him lived there was too much light pollution for them to see something like this. For the first time, he felt like this whole engagement thing wasn't ruining his life. Being there, with Mikan, under the same starry sky, made him feel like it was worth it in the end.
"My mother…" he spoke quietly, afraid to break the serenity around them. Mikan turned her gaze to him. "She was a musician. I remember singing songs with her as she played the piano when I was a kid. She was very beautiful. And she had the most wonderful voice…"
"What happened to her?" Mikan whispered. He turned to look at her, sadness shining in his eyes.
"She got sick. She died when I was just a kid." he confessed, his throat tightening. Remembering his beautiful mother, her soothing voice, and bright smile made his chest hurt. He inhaled a breath, refusing to cry in front of Mikan. "I was just a kid…" he put an arm over his eyes.
He didn't jump when he felt Mikan's hand grabbing his own in comfort.
"My dad died in a car crash." Mikan whispered. "It was raining outside. A really bad thunder storm…"
He intertwined their fingers, and Mikan found herself agreeing with Jinno-sensei.
Sometimes what people need most is someone to listen to them and show you care.
"I… I think I know what I want to sing." Reo said quietly as they climbed into her room through the window. "It's like the melody is a lullaby, soothing me and yet rushing me to create it all at once." Mikan grinned.
"I'm glad the stars were able to inspire you." She responded, mindful of everyone probably being asleep by now. Reo remembered her smile under the stars, her comforting touch, and her gentle voice as he shook his head with a warm smile.
"Yes, they have." He told her. He stepped forward, one of his hands softly grasping one of hers. "I know when I play it, I want you to be there. I want you to hear my song."
Mikan's eyes widened at the confession while looking at his earnest face, and she found she couldn't deny him.
"Okay."
"An exam?" Mikan gasped. Jinno nodded.
"Yes, you missed an exam while practicing with Mouri." Jinno's eyes glinted. "Be here on this day for the make-up exam." He handed her a piece of paper containing the information. Mikan's eyes widened.
"Jin-Jin! This is the day of the concert! I can't do this day." Mikan protested. Jinno gave her a stern expression.
"If you want to pass this class, you will have to do this day." He told her, not wanting to hear excuses. Mikan slumped in her seat, disappointment flooding her system.
What was she going to tell Reo?
"Wow so you got jipped just like that?" Mochu asked with his mouth full. Mikan nodded, not really touching her food. Kitsuneme and Mochu gave each other worried glances. A Mikan who wasn't touching her food was an upset Mikan. "I'm sure he'll understand. Besides, if you miss this exam, you can't come back to school with us."
Seeing Mikan's distressed expression, Kitsuneme patted her shoulder.
"Look on the bright side, it's a Friday and that's when Kokoro's coming back." He tried to cheer her up. Mikan gave him a tiny smile before turning back to the window and frowning. He took out his phone and texted Kokoro.
She paced back and forth in her room, wringing her hands together. She didn't know why this bothered her so much. It was just a concert…
But then she remembered the boy who still missed his mother. The boy who looked at her so earnestly to hear his song and she pulled at her hair.
"Ughhhh! Why is this so hard?" she was going to scream into her pillow but a knock at the door stopped her from her dilemma. Opening it, she was panicked when she saw it was Reo. He looked nervous.
"Can I come in?" he asked politely. Mikan silently nodded, too afraid to speak, and moved aside to let him in. He stepped in, taking a look around, before facing her. He appeared to be holding a shopping bag. Mikan looked at it in confusion.
"Dad and Yuka-san and my brothers are going to be in the seats to see me play." He told her. He averted his eyes and thrust the bag into her face. His face turned red. "I… I know you don't like to dress up, so I got you something casual. Your mom helped me pick it out." Here his ears turned red. "It is a thank you for helping me." He quickly explained, apparently thinking her silence was because she was weirded out. He cleared his throat. "You don't have to wear it. You can go in your own clothes if you want. You can even wear your hat. I know how precious it is to you…" here he paused, realizing he was babbling while she was just staring at him. He coughed. "Anyway, thank you." He let himself out.
Mikan shut the door behind him and went to open the shopping back. It was a long-sleeved, black, casual dress with the skirt starting just under the bodice and ending above the knees. She looked through the bag further to see her mom and him picked out flat heeled black boots that went up to the knee, so she'd be warm, and finally she found he had gotten her an oversized triangle plaid navy, turquoise, and white scarf to wear with the dress.
It matched her cap…
"You can even wear your hat. I know how precious it is to you…"
She couldn't tell him.
I can't believe I'm going to not say anything… Mikan thought, looking at the clock in the exam room, sad that the concert would be starting soon. She had spent the last two weeks making excuses on not to see Reo, but it seemed he liked her company enough to seek her out. Mikan found herself choking to spill the beans every time, but when he would tell her how great things were going with the orchestra and how excited he was to play his song, she found she couldn't get the words out of her throat. She looked back at Jinno who was watching her strictly, and she turned back to her test paper. She felt like an absolute coward.
I have to do this though! She argued with herself. If I don't, I won't get to go back to my old school with Koko, Kitsu, and Mochu!
But is it worth crushing someone's hopes? Her conscience asked her. Mikan wanted to pull her hair in aggravation. Can you really face him after he realizes you weren't there when he specifically asked for you?
Mikan bit her lip, eyes snapping towards the clock again. Her fingers tapped against the desk rapidly.
"My mother… She was a musician. I remember singing songs with her as she played the piano when I was a kid. She was very beautiful. And she had the most wonderful voice…"
"She got sick. She died when I was just a kid… I was just a kid…"
"I know when I play it, I want you to be there. I want you to hear my song."
Inhaling a deep breath, she opened her mouth to speak.
And promptly got cut off by the sprinklers going off.
Jinno gave off a surprised yell, covering himself from the water.
"Sakura! We will resume the exam another day! For now, just study more." He told her as he ran out of the room. Mikan sighed in relief and looked at the clock. She wasn't wearing the dress, but she could still make it!
Running out of the classroom, she sped down the hall. Rounding a corner, she gasped when someone grasped her arm and pulled her to their chest. She looked up into shining chocolate eyes.
"Koko!" Mikan exclaimed in shock. He let her go and she looked him up and down, like she couldn't believe he was really there in Alice Academy. "What are you doing here?"
"Someone called and said you needed a hand. So, here I am."
"You set off the sprinklers?" Mikan gaped. Kokoro laughed and winked.
"Of course. Gotta cause mischief wherever I go. You know me, Tangy." He held up a familiar shopping bag. "Now go get changed, Cinderella! Your Prince is waiting for you."
Not even bothering to slap him for his remark, Mikan hurriedly entered the bathroom and got changed into the outfit. She found she liked the material against her skin, apparently Reo took into account her comfort as well as style. She maneuvered the scarf around her neck, its soft material making her want to snuggle into it. Tying up her laced boots, she looked at herself in the mirror. She frowned a bit, examining herself. Something wasn't clicking right…
Her amber eyes looked at the cap on her head in contemplation. She reached up towards it, removing it from her head. She gazed at herself in the mirror, seeing her pale face staring back at her. She reached up and tied her hair into a stylish messy bun, completing the look.
Satisfied with her reflection, she exited the bathroom and grabbed Kokoro. Koko's eyes widened as he caught sight of her without her hat, but then grinned in approval. They both ran outside where Kitsuneme and Mochu were waiting in a golf cart meant for four.
"All aboard the magical pumpkin carriage!" Mochu grinned. Mikan and Kokoro laughed and climbed aboard. Kitsuneme had a thoughtful look on his face.
"It just occurred to me, guys…" Kitsu said. Koko and Mikan turned to look at him.
"What's that Kitsu?" Kokoro tilted his head. Kitsuneme gazed at them seriously.
"We're letting Mochu drive…" he told them. Suddenly, the other two's eyes bugged out.
"Mochu wait—"
"GOTTA GO FAST!" Mochu shouted as he slammed on the pedal, the golf cart taking off at breakneck speed, his three friends screaming in horror deaf to his ears.
Reo peeked from behind the curtains to see the full auditorium. He scanned the crowd for a familiar capped girl, but found he couldn't see her. He bit his lip anxiously. He could see his family towards the front row. Yuka-san caught sight of him and waved lightly, smiling encouragingly, but it did nothing to ease his nerves.
"Looking for someone special?" Serina-sensei came up behind him. He promptly shut the curtains and faced her.
"Not really." He evaded her question. Serina-sensei eyed him knowingly, her lips quirked up in a smile. She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sure she'll be here, Reo-kun." Serina-sensei said gently. Reo averted his eyes and coughed, blushing in embarrassment at being caught. "She's probably making herself look pretty." Serina-sensei winked. Reo choked on a laugh.
"I doubt it. She's probably going to show up in her usual worn out jeans, beat up sneakers, and baggy hoodies." Reo responded, his eyes glinting affectionately at the thought of Mikan. Serina-sensei's smile grew. It was nice to see one of her students finally experiencing a crush.
Ah, young love. She thought heartwarmingly.
"We're going on in ten minutes." A stage director told the duo, Reo and Serina-sensei nodding to show they understood, and the redhead checked the crowd again anxiously.
"Where is she…?" he whispered.
"WHY ARE WE IN THE FOREST?!"
"It's a shortcut!" Mochu sang, running over plant life. The other three were hanging onto the car for dear life.
"NO IT'S NOT!"
"Hey… isn't that the bear from last time?"
"Oh shit—"
"RAAAWWWWWWGGGHHHHHHHH!"
"FUUUUUUU—"
Yuka worriedly examined the crowd, wondering where her daughter could be. Her and the boys were seated towards the front row, and she bit her lip at the empty seat beside her and Narumi that was meant for Mikan. She wrung her hands nervously, hoping that Mikan wasn't skipping out when she knew Reo was excited for her to be there.
"I'm sure she'll be here soon." Narumi placated her. "She's probably is just running late."
"OH MY GOD I'M GOING TO DIE!"
"MOCHU GIVE ME THE WHEEL!"
"FIRST I'M GOING TO THROW UP, AND THEN I'M GOING TO DIE!"
"I got this, Dad! We're fine!"
"YOU LAUNCHED US ONTO THE SCHOOL'S ROOF OFF A CONSTRUCTION RAMP!"
"At least we lost the bear…"
"I DON'T WANNA DIE YET!"
"Relax! I got everything under control-oh crap baskets the roof's ending…"
"AAAAAHHHHHHHH!" they all screamed as they drove off the roof and crashed through the next building's second floor window. The beat-up golf cart skidded down the hallway, pieces flying off in its wake.
"We can't wait anymore." The stage director told him. "We've already delayed an extra ten minutes. People are starting to get antsy."
Reo grumbled, running a head through his hair, and nodded. Disappointment flooded his system at Mikan not being there to hear his song, but he squashed down his feelings and put on a mask of nonchalance.
"Okay."
They skidded to a stop in front of the auditorium's double doors, what was left of the golf cart screeching to a halt. Mochu gave them all a nervous grin.
"At least the wheels are still intact…"
The cart groaned and then the wheels all broke off, rolling away from them. Kitsuneme, Mikan, and Kokoro all sent him a dirty look.
"Sakura-san?" Serina-sensei questioned, having heard the crash and was sent to go check it out. Her eyes were wide as she surveyed the destroyed vehicle in the hallway. "What happened here?"
"No time, Serina-sensei!" Mikan jumped out of the golf cart and ran to her. She grasped her sleeve hurriedly. "Did the concert start yet?" she panicked. Serina gave the girl a soft smile and shook her head.
"It's just about to." She answered. Mikan fretted.
"I have to get to my seat!" before she could open the double doors, however, Serina stopped her. She looked at the older woman baffled.
"I have a better idea."
Applause broke out as Reo, dressed in a suit, appeared on stage. The lights blinded him, allowing him to not see how many people turned up for the event, but he knew by heart that Alice Academy would have its large auditorium packed. He bowed respectfully as students and his family cheered, and went over to the grand piano on the stage. Taking a seat, he scanned the crowd one more time hopefully, but still he didn't see a familiar navy baseball cap. He sighed mournfully.
"Psst!" he blinked as he heard a sound. With the silence of the audience, he was able to pick up the sound. His violet eyes looked to where Serina-sensei was standing, the curtains blocking her from the audience. Beside her was a girl around fifteen years old with caramel locks in a messy bun. Her eyes were a brilliant warm amber, lighting up at making eye contact with him. She grinned and waved, bouncing up and down, and he raised an eyebrow in confusion. His attention was then directed to what she was wearing—black long-sleeved dress that stopped above her knees, knee high black boots, a plaid navy scarf—Wait a minute!
His lips parted in awe as she swayed back and forth, waving her arms back and forth in a silly manner, and it hit him like a ton of bricks on who exactly was standing beside Serina-sensei.
She nodded, confirming who she was, and he recognized her easy-going grin and laidback posture immediately as she placed her hands behind her back and rocked on the balls of her heels. His heart swelled in happiness.
She was here!
The audience were muttering to each other in confusion, wondering what he was staring at and curious on when he was going to start. Reo jolted out of his musings, an elated smile on his face, and spoke into the microphone.
"Ah, sorry about the delay, ladies and gentlemen." He spoke politely. "I was very nervous about this. It's been a while since I have composed something, especially something so meaningful to me." His eyes caught Mikan's and he resumed his speech. "I was encouraged to write this song because of a special someone. I hope you all listen and feel the same emotions she inspired me with."
With that, he signaled the orchestra to be ready. Taking a deep breath, he began the first notes, the orchestra following. Turning to the microphone he began to sing.
For the way you changed my plans
For being the perfect distraction
For the way you took the idea that I have
Of everything that I wanted to have
And made me see there was something missing, oh yeah
Amber brown eyes sparkled in excitement at hearing his voice. She grinned at the sound, its passion radiating throughout her body like adrenaline.
For the ending of my first begin
(Ooh, yeah yeah, ooh, yeah yeah)
And for the rare and unexpected friend
(Ooh, yeah yeah, ooh, yeah yeah)
For the way you're something that I'd never choose
But at the same time, something I don't wanna lose
And never wanna be without ever again
A hand landed on her shoulder, and Mikan turned to see Kokoro looking at her happily. Kitsuneme and Mochu were behind him, also looking at Reo in amazement.
You're the best thing I never knew I needed
So when you were here I had no idea
You are the best thing I never knew I needed
So now it's so clear, I need you here always
Kokoro stepped away from Mikan, and the girl looked at him curiously. He bowed to her, keeping eye contact, and held out a hand, never dropping his friendly smile. Mikan chuckled, knowing what he was asking, and took his hand. The two began dancing clumsily. Kitsuneme and Mochu partnered up into their own little routine.
My accidental happily
(Ever after)
The way you smile and how you comfort me
(With your laughter)
I must admit you were not a part of my book
But now if you open it up and take a look
You're the beginning and the end of every chapter
The music soared, captivating the audience at the pure emotion coming from the music and Reo's voice. Everyone could feel themselves flying though the heavens to the precious melody, the sun's rays warm against their faces. Reo's eyes locked with Mikan's and he grinned at seeing her and another boy her age looking at him while bumping each other's hips and waving their arms back and forth like they were at a rock concert. The two boys behind them were swaying their lit cell phones back and forth in the air.
You're the best thing I never knew I needed
So when you were here I had no idea
(When you were here)
You the best thing I never knew I needed
(That I needed)
So now it's so clear, I need you here always
(Now it's so clear)
Reo continued to watch Mikan with affection in his eyes, his heart and soul pouring into his music. His heart pounded in his chest as he looked over her features. She appeared to have a babyface, not something he'd expect with her type of personality, but he found himself not caring, too enthralled with the fact that he was even seeing all of her face to begin with.
He stored her face into his memory, coveting like a dragon who guarded his treasure. This was something he wouldn't share with his brothers for he knew her standing there was just meant for him, and he wasn't like Yuu or Ruka. He was selfish, and he was going to keep this precious memory for himself to keep close to his heart.
Who knew that I could be
(Who knew that I could be)
So unexpectedly
(So unexpectedly)
Undeniably happier
Sitting with you right here, right here next to me
Girl, you're the best
"He's been looking at you the entire time." Kokoro whispered to her, and Mikan couldn't take her eyes away from Reo's either. His song resonated with her, and she couldn't stop smiling. This was the boy that sung songs with his mother so long ago. This was the boy who just loved music for it being music, and not for what he could gain from it.
"I probably am giving him a culture shock without my cap on." Mikan replied, self-consciously playing with a loose strand of hair. Kokoro grinned.
"You look good." Koko complimented her sincerely. Mikan grinned. "With or without the cap. It's your smile that draws people in." he patted her head. Mikan gave him a coy smirk.
"Now I know you're hamming it up."
You're the best thing I never knew I needed
(Said I needed)
So when you were here I had no idea
(When you were here)
(Said I had no idea)
You're the best thing I never knew I needed
(That I needed)
So now it's so clear I need you here always
, (Now it's so clear)
(So clear, so clear, I need you always)
"Nah, just speaking from experience." Kokoro grinned, his posture laidback. The music was dying down, and both of them turned to see Reo play out his last notes. Violet eyes connected with amber.
Now it's so clear, I need you here always
The last notes of the song played out blissfully ending the spell, and the audience erupted into cheers and applause. Their cries echoed throughout the auditorium. Yuka, Narumi, and his brothers were cheering the loudest among the crowd, and Reo's face hurt from all the smiling he was doing, but couldn't bring himself to stop.
He turned to see Mikan clapping fiercely as the boys beside her whistled. Her eyes were brighter than the brightest stars and her smile was like sunshine. Reo engraved her expression into his memory, and he knew he would remember it forever.
Mikan yelled out cheers as her boys danced in circles. She saw Reo take a bow to the crowd, but she was surprised when Serina-sensei handed her a bouquet of roses, and pushed her gently onto the stage. Mikan's mind blanked out as she registered she was now in the line of sight of the audience and her knees buckled. However, Reo turned to her, giving her a confident grin, and she found herself only focusing on him, moving her legs forward. He met her in the center of the stage, taking the flowers from her. Having done her duty, Mikan expected for her to be able to head backstage again, but her eyes bugged out when Reo embraced her, pulling her close to him.
"Thank you, Mikan." He whispered, and somehow, it was louder and more profound to her more so than the cheering of the crowd. Mikan came to her senses then, laughing, and encircling in her arms as he nuzzled her. Kokoro gave them a thumbs up from backstage with his camera phone out while Kitsu and Mochu pumped their fists into the air.
Yuka's eyes widened when she caught sight of her daughter on stage, but her eyes sparkled with joy while she clapped louder, tears sliding down her face.
"She made it." She whispered. Natsume, sitting close to her, heard her statement. His eyes widened for a fraction of a second before turning to normal, his attention now back on the stage where his brother and future stepsister were embracing. He carried a pensive expression on his face.
Hotaru's phone buzzed. She grabbed the high-tech device she invented herself and opened the file that was sent to her. What greeted her was a low-quality picture of what appeared to be Mikan without her cap with her actually dressing stylish for once. Amethyst eyes traced Mikan's features in adoration as she edited the picture to appear more high quality.
Yet her eyes narrowed when she furthered examined the picture to see a handsome boy she didn't know embracing her friend. She texted Koko for details as she edited the picture to draw funny faces on the boy, leaving Mikan untouched. Satisfied with her modification, she saved the pic and went back to work.
Someone had some explaining to do.
Karin: DONE! 30 pages in just two days. Very proud of myself. Here's hoping you guys enjoyed it. Seriously thank you all for everyone who reads, reviews, favorties, and follows this story! Please let me know what you think of this chapter if you can.
See ya Next time!