Rei Serio, "We might talk and tease each other but she's not important to me."

Chapter Fourteen

My hand was a bit shaking as I flopped on the single bed that belongs to Mia. I can't believe it! I talked to a Yukihara! I talked to him without respect and even called him dad!

The Yukihara's aren't even featured anywhere! Their identities were kept a secret due to safety reasons so probably only few of the population around the world knows the Yukihara's personally!

And I'm so lucky to be one of them! I mean, I think my mom and old man haven't even met one Yukihara personally.. I think?

Now I feel like my life's a big quest to search for the truth. I have so many things to know! And this Yukihara thing's just an additional to the list.

'I'll explain everything tomorrow.' I remembered dad (Izumi Yukihara) saying.

My silent pondering stopped as my stomach grumbled, making me groan in frustration. Dad asked me if I ate dinner but then I told him that I'm full.

I just think it's wrong if I eat here, it feels like I'm taking advantage of him. But I need to stop with these white lies. It's becoming a bad habit.

"Mikan? Can I come in?"

"Uhhh sure!" I intoned in a squeaky voice. Speaking of the devil.

He entered the room with a grin and and a silver platter in his left hand. "What's that for?" I asked him, eyeing the glass pitcher, tea cup and brown paper bag on it.

"Well," He started out while staring at me with amused eyes. "I can hear the growling of your stomach from afar."

And at what he said my stomach grumbled and I flushed, immediately looking away.

"And you seriously can't lie Mikan. Let's just say that you're bad at it." His expression suddenly turned so.. unlikely of him. It was a mixture of pain, agony and regret. And what bothered me was that I felt so affected with what he feels.

"Are you alright dad?" I blurted out without thinking.

His eyes widened a fraction and he sheepishly scratched the back of his head. "Sorry. I'm still not used to it."

"Me too."

"Well that's dinner that I made." He laid the platter on the night table and tossed me the paper bag. "That's my specialty and that's water in the pitcher. Don't forget to drink okay?"

I nodded in reply and chuckled a bit. "You act more like a mom."

He grinned at me. "I have to since my late wife doesn't know how to cook. And she's a very clumsy woman."

I suddenly remembered my mom trying to cook breakfast. She made me an undercook sunny-side up, a burnt toast and charcoal like pancakes. She's also a huge mess when it comes to cleaning- the reason why all our collections at home ended up breaking. "My mom's also like that so I ended up being the housewife while she supports us. David's nothing but a drag."

His expression suddenly twisted as he shook his head. "I really wanna see that asshole and-" A melodic song played and he fished his phone out of his pocket, checked the caller ID and waved it before me. "I have to take this call."

I waved my hand dismissively. "Sure. You can go to bed after that. A busy day is ahead of you."

Pulling the phone away from him, he stood up and headed towards the thresholds. "Alright then.. Good night Mikan."

"Night!"

He closed the door with a click and that led me to examine the brown bag curiously. I was about to open it until the door flew open. I felt a blush creeping to my face as dad stared at me triumphantly. "What?"

"Sweet dreams Mikan." He told me, now with a smile before closing the door again.

A happy grin spread across my face until I adverted my attention to the paper bag. A club sandwich was lying there together with fries scattered everywhere. I silently laughed at it's messiness, guess he's still a man deep down.

As I took a bite of it, my eyes widened and I took another bite, making me choke. I felt my cheeks heating up as I gulped down water.

As my fits of cough ceased down, I stared at the sandwich with awe. What did he add here to make it so mouth-watering and addicting? It's just a club sandwich for crying out loud!

I dissected the sandwich to check his secret ingredient but the usual ingredients were present. Oh well. I took another bite, savoring every pieces until I was finished and proceeded to the fries. It's also too good to my astonishment. It doesn't taste like ordinary fries.

A sudden thought popped into my head and I caused me to stop gobbling down my food. Why hasn't Natsume texted? And Koko and also Hotaru? I fished my phone out of my pocket to see it shut down. Darn it! All this time? I turned it on and stood up, heading towards the window. The snow's still a massive blizzard and I suddenly bit my fingernail, my nervousness getting to me. Stop being so paranoid Mikan!

I felt myself jump a bit as my phone continued to vibrate. 3, 5, 10 messages.

I waited patiently until the vibrates ceased down and peered at it to see a total of 19 messages all in all. 10 from Natsume, 5 from Hotaru and 4 from Koko.

There were also 3 miscalls from Natsume. I decided to check Hotaru's messages first.

The first three were asking where the heck am I and the last two was saying that I'll be dead when she sees me. I shivered, thinking of her baka gun and texted her saying that I'm at the principal's room and I can't go to the dorm since there's a blizzard outside. I also told her that I'm sorry for texting her later since my phone was off. I then proceeded to Koko's text. Relief washed me as the first 3 texts said that they already lost the gang. The last text was asking where the heck was I and again I texted him saying where I am.

Natsume's first five texts were saying that they were safe. The next two were asking where I am.

Dang polka where are you?! If you don't reply back then I'll think you were kidnapped!

I blinked my eyes at what he texted and proceeded to the next message.

Don't worry I'm gonna find you. Just please be safe...

Wait, in this blizzard?! I immediately checked his last message before I reply and blinked at it confusedly. I thought I saw wrong but is this some kind of a joke?

Are you Natsume Hyuuga's girlfriend?

I texted Natsume saying that he shouldn't be out in the blizzard and that I'm fine. I also asked him what he was talking about at his last message.

I suddenly had a glimpse of the weather outside and sighed in relief as the torrential snow started to calm down, but it's still a storm out there. Hypervelenting was never a good option so I trailed back to the bed and lied down. I checked the time on my phone to see that it's already a quarter before eleven. A caller ID suddenly popped out and I sighed in relief as Natsume's name flashed on the screen.

"Natsume!" I immediately exclaimed as I pressed the answer button. "Where are you? Are you safe? What happened?"

"I'm not Natsume." A gruff voice answered back, making my heart rate spike rapidly.

"W-who are you then?"

He chuckled in reply and his chuckle's actually unnerving. "Where's Natsume!" I cried out, my nerve getting the best of me.

"He and his stupid friend actually escaped. I should have killed Hyuuga both but-"

"Are you insane? Why are you gonna kill him?!"

"He won't listen to me." He intoned nonchalantly. I can imagine him shrugging with his lack of care.

I felt my mouth hanging loose and I immediately sat up, feeling myself hyperventilating. "That's not enough reason to kill someone!"

"It is to me."

"So that's what gangsters act like," I commented without thinking. "-you people are so heartless! You even dragged an innocent girl along!"

"So you know about the gang thing. You must really be important to Natsume when he decides to share his deepest darkest secrets to you."

I felt my heart skip a beat at what he said. "N-no, he didn't tell anything to me! I-"

My remark was cut of with his chuckle. "You're actually fun to talk to. I wonder how Natsume would feel if I.. steal you away from him."

My mind blanked at what he said and I suddenly felt my palms turning clammy. I was about to say something until my phone beeped. I checked it to see it shut down. Dang, dead battery! But it's a good thing right? I wouldn't have to talk to that creepy man.

But what if he thought that I hanged up on him? That might add more reasons for him to come after me!

I immediately jumped out of bed and slapped my forehead. Stupid! Stupid! I don't have my charger! It's in my dorm!

Dizziness suddenly swept all over me and it caused me to collapse on the bed. Maybe I'm just too tired right now. My body can't seem to take all these stress.

The sudden pressure I felt by my arm made me apprehensive. Was that the man I was talking to last night? How did he find me? "Let me go!" I exclaimed while pushing him away.

"Hey it's just me!"

The familiar voice made me crack an eye open and I stared at him with relief. "It's just you."

Dad cocked an eyebrow at me. "Just me? Who were you expecting anyways? And do you always push people away when you wake up?"

No! My mind screamed. I'm just acting paranoid after I talked to that man... "Why did you wake me up?" I asked, wanting to change the subject. Keep that man who called off your mind- I keep chanting to myself.

"It's already noon you know."

"What?" I exclaimed, immediately throwing the comforter off of me. Crawling out of bed, I checked the weather outside to see it a lot calmer than yesterday. The sun's shining a bit and the misty atmosphere's not present anymore. "I have to go now!"

"You won't eat lunch?" He called out, staring at me sadly. "I already cooked lunch. It will be a waste.."

I kept silent, feeling guilty. "I want to stay but I really need to go now. My friends are getting worried and my phone's dead."

"Then I'll just pack you up some food. You can eat it with your friends." He suggested while pointing to me. "Come with me."

"Okay." I answered back while trailing behind him. I took the opportunity to study him and only now have I noticed him wearing a black tuxedo jacket over his white long sleeve polo. His black slacks made his legs look like it's going on forever. He's really tall! My subconscious screamed to me.

The pleasing aroma of food filled my nose, making my stomach grumble in protest. I stopped by the thresholds, leaving it open and fixated my weight on it's frame. "What would you like to eat?" He suddenly asked to my right, making me jump a bit.

He snickered at my reaction and smirked, his sharp green eyes glistening. "You sure like jumping." He commented while pushing his auburn hair away from his face. Mr. Yukihara's really handsome. My mind reiterated. I wonder how many girls are chasing after him? Must be gaggles of them.

"I don't!" I snapped while pushing my thoughts away. "You just caught me off-guard!"

"Uhuh."

I ignored his jibe and focused my attention on the long marble counter at the center of the kitchen. It was filled with copious amount of food, causing my eyes to dilate in surprised. "You cooked all of this?"

"I don't know what you prefer so I made a little of everything."

"A little?" I queried with my eyes widening for the second time. "T-this is too much!"

"No it's not." He intoned with a roll of his eyes.

"Yes it is!" I insisted, fixating my attention back to him. Only now have I noticed the light creases on his forehead. He must be really stressed out. That thought actually made me worried. Being a CEO's already a huge responsibility but then he also has to be a principal. I think that's a bit too much.

"Hey are you alright? Your expression dropped." He spouted with a frown. I watched him as he made his way to the sink area and opened the cupboard above it with ease. I felt my lips tugging upwards, his height's really a blessing. If that was me, I would have gotten a stool to be able to reach the cupboards.

"Here." He passed me five plastic containers and hastened me towards the table filled with ambrosial looking cuisines. "Hurry along."

"I think this will take a while." I grumbled while steering him a scowl. "Everything looks so good! I'm already having a hard time choosing!"

He chuckled a bit, looking complacent. Okay, I think I just boosted his ego more. "Want me to help you then? I'll pick out a few of my specialty." He ripped the containers away from my arms and trotted towards the counter. "You're not allergic to anything right?"

"I'm only allergic to spicy food."

"Really?" He droned out while gazinh at me with his green eyes. "I'm also allergic to spicy food!"

"Wow. That's such a coincidence.."

He nodded his head in agreement, his face scrutinizing. After a few moments, his face turned stolid and he proceeded in filling the plastic container with food. I don't know what it is since they look like concussions mixed together but nevertheless, it still looks appetizing.

I rested my body against the wall and crossed my arms, watching him do all the work. Mia's really lucky to have a father like him.

"Why do you look worried a while ago?" He suddenly brought up out of the blue.

His attention was still fixated in what he was doing so I tried to ignore him. It's weird to tell him that I'm worried over his wrinkles! Well his stress actually..

"Answer me Mikan."

I chewed on my bottom lip and sighed. "It's nothing."

"You can't lie to me." He chirped out while staring at me with his piercing eyes. "Now answer me before I secretly add some chili spices in your food."

"You'll end up killing me and live in jail for a life time then." I drawled back with a smirk.

"Seriously Mikan, why can't you tell me? I'm your dad now remember? Or you don't consider me as one.." He suddenly stared at me sadly and gripped on his wooden spoon tighter.

So he's using the guilt card, like Hotaru. I pushed myself off the wall and sighed defeatedly. "Fine. I'm just worried about you.. and also about Natsume."

"Me? Why?" He closed the 3rd container and proceeded in filling the next one.

"Well," I started off while walking towards him. I checked the first plastic container to see it filled with the food I was eyeing on a while ago. That'll definitely be what I'm eating later. "I just think your overly stressed. I mean, you're already the CEO of the Yukihara Empire! And you're also the principal. Isn't that a bit too much? Maybe you should just choose either one of them.." I suddenly felt my cheeks heating up. "I-I'm sorry. I think I'm being too nosy. I'll shut up now."

He bursted out laughing and I gazed at him questionably. He clutched his abdomen while wiping the slight tears leaving his eyes. "O-oh Mikan! You really do amuse me."

"So I'm just an amusement toy to you?" I barked at him, feeling piqued.

"No!" He asserted while staring at me weirdly. "I think you interpreted it wrong. Just forget about it. But I'm really glad I met you." His face turned stolid serious and that caused me to feel flustered.

"M-me too." I scampered a bit which caused him to chuckle again. I watched him keenly as he closed the last container and got a paper bag out of the cupboard with ease. Only now have I also realized how reserved and collected he is while doing his work. He even looks demure while scooping out food for crying out loud!

Just like Natsume..

Urgh, the pit of my stomach suddenly felt queasy and I heaved a shaky sigh. I hate this unsettling feeling setting to me.

"It's not like I have a choice." I gazed at him questionably. He suddenly heaved a deep sigh and grasped on the edge of the counter. He was facing down so his auburn tresses concealed his expression.

"My father forced me to be the heir of the Yukihara Empire," He started out. I kept quiet, insisting him to continue and he did. "-I don't even want to be the CEO since it's really a huge responsibility but my dad died.. and it was partially my fault. So due to the guilt, I decided to comply with him since it's also his last request." He looked up and smiled at me. It actually crushed my heart since he looks so.. broken. "It was actually my dream to be a principal.. that was due to my wife's influence since she likes kids so much."

"Y-you don't have to tell me! It's just hurting you!" My eyes started to feel stingy and I immediately wiped my upcoming tears away. Stupid tear ducts! Stop it!

I heard him sigh a bit and he neared me while giving me his handkerchief. "I'm the one who's supposed to be crying. Why are you crying for me Mikan?"

"I-I'm not!" I sniffed while snatching his handkerchief away from him. I quickly used it to wipe my tears away.

I heard a few scrambling to my front and I looked up to see him grinning at me. I'm glad that he was able to "I have something to instruct to you Mikan."

I nodded my head in reply since my throat feels like it's been rubbed by sand paper. Yeah, that's the side effect of me crying.

"You see this container?" He placed it at the top of all the containers in the paper bag. "Give this to Koko. It's filled with his.. favorite food." A sadistic smirk suddenly made it's way to his face.

"Okay..." I answered back suspiciously. He countered it with a raise of an eyebrow. "I'll go now dad. Bye!" My voice sounded raspy but I shrugged it off.

"See you later Mikan!" He called out.

"Don't stress out!" I called back when I was out. I shut the thresholds and hastened off.

It felt like hours passed and a familiar looking building came to my view- the dorm building. A sigh of relief escaped my lips. I thought I took the wrong route! I haven't even seen a single student or staff out here!

"Mikan!"

I looked straight ahead to see Serio entering the dorm building. My eyes dilated from shock and I jogged towards him. "What the heck are you doing here?" I asked him after entering the building quickly studied him with concern. There's still a cloth wrapped around his head and his left hand was still casted.

A silly grin made it's way to his scratch up face and he slowly wrapped his free arm around my shoulder. "Stop being such a mother! I'm fine!"

I retracted my left hand away from the paper bag I'm carrying and used it to put pressure on his biggest bruise, causing him to hiss in pain. "Yeah, you're sooo fine." I started out while glaring at him. "How were you even allowed to come to school? You just woke up from a coma Serio!"

"Mikan. As much as I know how attractive you are, your constant worrying makes you more attractive. So stop it. Stop attracting me!"

I stared at him dumbfounded. What did he just said? "Wha..." I felt my lips drying up so licked them and that caused him to smirk for some reason. He suddenly neared his face to me and I felt my breath hitch. "You also look attractive when you lick your lips-"

"Serio!"

Hearing somebody calling Serio, I moved away from him but he kept a sturdy hold around my shoulder so that caused me and the paper bag filled with food to plummet against his hard chest. His chest started rumbling due to laughter and that caused me to scramble away with a blush coming to me.

With an irritated look, I threw his arm away from me with all my strength since I'm a right handed person. My left hand barely has the strength to carry this paper bag! He placed it back and I pushed it away. We continued with the arm war until I heard somebody clearing her throat.

"Excuse me." A familiar strawberry blonde girl entered my view. Luna's blue eyes were piercing on the arm around my shoulder so I did my best to shrug it off. It's a good thing Serio got the message since he didn't put it back. "Hi there baby! I miss you!" Luna suddenly pushed me out of the way and tackled Serio with a bear hug. It's a good thing I was able to balance myself. Me and my food would have hit the floor hard.

"Me too." Serio begrudgingly replied which caught me and Luna off-guard. I saw her sending me a dirty look but it was suddenly replaced with a sweet smile. I blinked a few times, my eyes must be playing tricks on me.

"Hey Mikan!" She greeted me with a sweet smile. "How have you been?"

"Fine," I replied, a bit uncomfortable. "-and you?"

"I feel better since Serio's here with me!" She suddenly gave Serio a peck on the lips and it made me look away. It feels awkward to watch couples having.. public display of affection.

"Baby not here." Serio reprimanded with a tight smile.

Luna scowled but it was immediately replaced with a happy grin. That girl seriously has mood swing issues. "Have you considered attending my party Mikan? It's two weeks away!"

"Umm.." I started out while hoisting the paper bag on my arm until I felt comfortable again. It's really heavy. "I-I'm still not sure.."

"Here's an invitation!" She placed it inside my paper bag and grinned at me. "Make sure you'll come!"

"Don't force her Luna. I think it's better if she doesn't come anyways," Serio's remark actually caught me off-guard. I stared at him with surprise, only to find out that he's giving me a stolid look. "-she'll only be a bother there. You know how your peers are right? They'll use Mikan to ruin you."

"Oh. Are you sure Serio? I actually invited her because I thought you would want her to come."

'Just talk like I'm not here.' I would have said that but I just decided to yell it in my mind.

"Nah." Serio replied while smiling at Luna. "Why would I want her to come baby? We might talk and tease each other but she's not important to me." I felt like a ton of bricks hit me in realization. My eyes started to burn and I blinked furiously, wanting the tears to disappear. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have expected. I thought we were friends because we tend talk and tease each other.

But just because of that?

You're so shallow Mikan! You're already eighteen yet you act so naïve and stupid!

I thought I saw Serio staring at me regretfully but I think my eyes are just playing tricks on me. Yeah, even my eyes are playing with me!

I suddenly saw Luna smirking at my sorrow but she caught my gaze so she immediately coughed while covering her mouth. That actually caused my irritation to multiply further if that's still possible.

"You know what, I don't even want to go!" I stared at Serio with loathe and glared at him. "I'm so SORRY for shaming people! I'm so SORRY for being a bother! I'm so SORRY for acting so naïve! I'm so SORRY for even thinking that you were my friend!" My breathes suddenly turned shallow and heavier. It's as if I ran a marathon.

He suddenly looked worried (most probably feigning it). "Mikan stop that. It's bad for you-"

"You know what? Let's just act like we've never met each other. Not acquaintances. Just merely strangers alright?"

He looked as if he was about to protest but I don't want to hear it. With my hazel eyes filled with tears, I glared at him to the fullest. "Just. Shut. Up." I immediately rubbed my tears away and grasped on the paper bag tighter. It's the only way to make me calm down since it reminds me of dad.

Feeling myself calming down, I faced Luna and said nonchalantly. "Thanks for the invite but I don't think I'm coming."

And with that I turned around, my back now facing them.

"Mikan wait!"

I ignored Serio's pleas and exited the dorm building. As I got outside, I placed the paper bag on the floor and my tears started to flow freely. That was really painful. I considered Serio as my friend... I tried to forget the bad things he did to Natsume since I thought he just needed a second chance yet.. he proved me wrong.

"Ughhh..."

I suddenly heard a groan and I looked around but nobody came to my sight. Just the calm snow and the tall marble pillars surrounding the dorm building.

"Ugh."

I suddenly saw a bloody hand at one of the pillars and I gasped. What was that? Is that a human.. or a ghost?

A shiver ran down my spine and I felt my body turning cold. It was because of fear and the cold weather.

Leaving the paper bag behind, I quietly walked towards the said pillar. I heard another groan and I readied myself.

One

.

Two

.

Three

.

I immediately peaked to see who that was and my eyes widened at the sight. A feeling of nausea swept to me and I felt my knees buckling.

He was using one hand to hold on the pillar for support and the other one was clutching his bleeding abdomen. Bruises and scratches covered his skin and he looked like he's in so much pain. My eyes burned again and free tears ran down my face. Why was I gonna do? How can I ask for help? I don't even know where Hotaru and the others are! And I can't carry Natsume to the clinic! It's a bit far and I can't even handle his weight! And nobody's even out to help me!

My shaky hand covered my mouth, to keep myself from screaming and hyperventilating.

I feel so useless!

"N-Natsume.." I stuttered out. "N-Natsume!"

•Poppy's note:

It's actually amusing for me to know that my mood affects my writings so much. I tend to make the characters cuss more when I feel irritated, tense or mad. But when I feel happy and calm, making the characters cuss makes me feel bad so I tend to restrict them from cursing. Don't ask me I also don't know why (LOL).

Anyhoow,

I dedicate this chapter to my best friend Sophia. She's actually like Mikan- so caring, loving, selfless and a girl with a big appetite. She's a best friend anyone will ever wish to have! I lab lab lab and miss you Hopia- she gets irritated when I call her that.

And another thing. Somebody actually messaged me saying that I WON 3rd place in the BEST DRAMA category this Gakuen Alice Reader's Choice Awards 2012! I was actually surprised since I wasn't really expecting that. I didn't even know there were awardings (LOL)! So I checked it out to see that it was true so I wanna thank all my readers. Thanks for all your support and thanks for voting me! It really means a lot to me! And I'm really happy since I'm a first class amateur when it comes to writing stories. c:

Anyhoooooow,

I was hoping you guys like seeing some twists since that's what you'll be getting for the next chapter! So stay tuned! I promise I'll do my best to update faster!

Don't forget to review, follow or favorite! It's just a click away! But I'm not forcing you dudes. c:

Guest: She did grew up in UK but because of the threats, her mom and grandpa send her to Japan. Did I say States? I might have gotten confused. c: Tell me what chapter so I can correct it! c:

Signing out,

*Poppy Scarlet*