Finallllyyy, I finished the next chapter.

I had to rack my brain for ideas since I honestly forgot how this story was supposed to go.

But still, here it is. Please have a good read.

"Is there something here that I don't know?" Mikan asked as she glinted her eyes towards the two.

"Baka" Hotaru softly tap Mikan's head with the phone she was holding and walked out of the airport.

Ruka followed, pushing the cart with Hotaru's luggage while Mikan followed too, with a confused look but nonetheless just shrugged off her thoughts.

"I'll drive you home." Ruka offered as he opened the trunk to his car.

Mikan just looked at Hotaru, waiting for a sarcastic reply or something. Nothing came. Hotaru was even already in the front seat, comfortably seated.

"Thank you." Mikan simply said to Ruka before going inside the passenger seat.

The drive home was quiet but not awkward. Of course, there were a lot of glances from Ruka to Hotaru who was just too focused on the highway. The passenger was just as quiet, wondering how the two of them met and are obviously quite close.

Mikan faked a cough. "So, how was the trip Hotaru?" Starting the conversation to eliminate the silence.

"Stop asking me stupid questions Mikan." Mikan pouted. "You should be the one telling me something." Hotaru turned to face Mikan with her "I know you're hiding something look". Hotaru knows Mikan too well and no secret of Mikan is undisclosed to her.

"Wha—t do you mean? Thereisnothingtotellyou." Mikan looked away. She spoke too fast and Hotaru obviously caught on with that.

"Oh, Mikan. Did you confess your love to someone this time?" Hotaru guessed and she was right on the target.

"NO!" she almost shouted. Hotaru just stared at her with her knowing look again. Mikan knows that Hotaru never stops until she learns and gets what she wants.

So, she just surrendered to that look. "Fine. I did. I did such a shameful thing. Hotarrruuu, save me." she tried to hug Hotaru by the neck. Hotaru slapped her arm away. "Don't touch me baka."

Ruka was just silent, listening to the girls' conversation. "Mikan confessed? Then what happened?" He was curious as well, since he knew who the lucky man is.

"There is really nothing shameful about confessing, you know." Hotaru softly said, giving Mikan a soft tap on the head. "What's shameful is the guy who did not accept it." then she looked away.

Ruka looked at her, yes, this is Hotaru. She may seem cold and heartless but of course, that is just all an act. She is sweet and kind in her own unconventional ways. He smiled. His heart smiled too. He saw through the mirror, Mikan wiping a small tear.

No one said another word all throughout the ride. The only sound that filled the car was from the radio playing songs that were meant to keep the spirits alive.

Days passed quickly and Mikan was back at the Yumiko's with her usual tasks, her plain looking table and her moody boss. In totality, she didn't hate working for Natsume Hyuuga but she hated how he can just simply kick her out. Well, exaggeration but she did feel that way.

"No use in moping, I'm just a secretary and replaceable." She always said to herself the past also told herself that she should stop thinking about her laughable feelings and that Natsume Hyuuga would tell her to come back and hire her. She was a woman of simple dreams and maybe, just seeing and working for him would cure her sadness. Just maybe.

"Hey, Mikan? Mikan?" she heard a snap of fingers. She looked up. "Sir Arata?" then she stood up, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Are you alright Mikan?" Concerned for the smiling Mikan was not present today either.

"Yes, I'm okay sir." She gave a small smile. She used to have a big crush on this guy in front of her. She gets all bubbly on the insides every time he talks or smiles at her. A lot sure has changed in a few months. Not even Arata Yumiko can bring that back.

"I'll just believe that for now." He smiled. "By the way, your ex-boss is having his little presscon about your incident."

"Yes, I've heard." She gave a sad smile and glad that Arata hadn't noticed.

"I'm so happy he is finally going to clear it all out, you know." He said, stroking Mikan's cheek with one hand. She moved back a bit. She did not want to appear disgusted or annoyed.

Then, the telephone rang. "Excuse me." and she picked it up just like how a secretary should.

After the call, Arata had already gone. And Mikan was glad that he had already left because she felt awkward with how he was treating her. Since Mikan came back, he was there everyday and was always checking up on her, asking her out for lunch, sometimes dinner which Mikan always politely declines due to work.

The day was longer than Mikan had anticipated and glad that it was finally over. She directly went home as usual. And as usual, Hotaru was already home but this time no Mr. Nogi was around. Although, Hotaru hadn't explained anything about Ruka coming to visit her often, Mikan, even dense had caught on. She knew that they were dating and glad that there is someone who complements her best friend well.

"Hi Hotaru!" she said, a smile on her face as she sat beside her on the couch. "What are you watching?" she continued when Hotaru was just looking at the television in front.

"Can you just watch and keep quie?" Hotaru glared at her and picked the remote to increase the volume. She was watching the night news. Then it showed, the handsome young bachelor, Natsume Hyuuga. It was during the press conference. Mikan just watched silently, trying not to look obvious of her pounding chest with a little tightness. Hotaru just stayed as she was, unaffected.

"Mr. Hyuuga, there have been rumors circulating that you are seeing someone?" a young man in a blue shirt asked.

"I don't respond to rumors." Typical Natsume reply.

"Who is Mikan Sakura, then, Mr. Hyuuga?" another asked. "Is it true you're dating your secretary?"

Mikan took a deep breath. Of course, her name would come up.

"She is, I mean, was my secretary." He replied, nonchalantly. "And whether I'm dating her or not is not really the concern of this crowd. That's all." And he stood up. Just like that. There was no clear answer given. He was giving them more reasons to be suspicious and curious. And the crowd went ballistic, trying to squeeze as many questions as they can but the Natsume Hyuuga was already gone and had no intention of answering any more.

"Why is he not saying that there is nothing between us?" Mikan said to the television screen then looked at her best friend. "Why is he being petty with his words? How hard can it be to say it?" she was furious (partly) because she needed to hear it. She needed to know that she was just a secretary and nothing else. She needed to trample on every stupid hope that is lingering on her mind. She needed it.

"Stop overreacting, Mikan." That was all Hotaru said as she got up to leave the heartbroken Mikan in the living room.

Her phone rang, it was a call from Ruka Nogi.

"Hello. Mikan speaking." She politely greeted, although she was in no mood for a conversation.

"Hi Mikan. I'm sorry to call you but I really need to—" he wasn't able to finish.

"Hotaru's awake, she's just probably eating or cooking." She quickly assumed, he only calls her to ask about Hotaru.

He laughed. "I really meant to talk to you Mikan. Are you busy? I really need your help."

"Help? What can I do? Are you going to surprise Hotaru?" She excitedly asked.

"There's a surprise, you're right about that. Can you come at The Palace? You know where that is right?" A smile can be heard from his voice.

She knew that place, of course. It was where she had a fancy dinner and a dance.

"Yes, I'll be there."

"See you Mikan." Then beep. End of call.

How was it? I know it wasn't that long and I suck at writing long chapters, sorry. :(

I would really love to hear your thoughts so don't forget to write your reviews, pretty please? :)

Thank you.

Love you all.

-ECO