A/N: Right, so, I finally had enough shopping! I bought a total of 3 shorts, 2 tops, a jumpsuit and a pair of shoes over a span of three days :D I'm such a shopaholic, but so what? Anyway, i was busy writing a story for my good friend's birthday, so I didn't update yesterday. Sorry about that ^^ Hm, this chapter's linked to, uh... there's a direct link to two chapters, and another two chapters in a mild way. Eh, so without me blabbering more, here's Chapter 29! (OHNOZ, 30 is the next one!)
Genre: Romance/Humor
Characters: Mikan, Natsume
Suggested pairings: N/M
Of Links and Collections
Written by Rock-n-Round
XXIX: Of Sakura Trees and Body Language
Mikan Sakura always understood body language. It was easy to her—everyone was like an open book; how they act was usually according to their feelings, thoughts and wishes. The one part of Natsume she had been attracted to, actually, was his unique way of expressing himself. His body language had been a great mystery to her; and she longed to understand him ever since that day. And after being with him for a couple of years, she had finally cracked his code. Needless to say, she was a proud woman.
"I've said it already, Polka. I don't care whether you're busy or not; you're coming down to the Sakura garden with me." Natsume said as he dragged the poor girl by her hand, with her scowling.
"But Natsume, it's the summer festival today and I have duty!"
The boy stopped and turned to glare at Mikan. "Shadow freak already said it was okay, didn't he?"
Mikan rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Yeah but, you practically threatened him. How could he say no?"
Natsume sighed and grabbed the girl's hand again, pulling her towards the Sakura garden. "I know you'll thank me later for this." The brunette remained silent as she gave in and decided to follow Natsume. His jittery body language told her that something was up, but she didn't know what. Soon, the Sakura garden came into view. Since it was around mid-July, the Sakura-blooming season had already ended a couple of months ago. The Sakura trees where now mostly barren, with them being unable to withstand the arduous heat of the summer sun.
Mikan silently wondered where Natsume was doing, bringing her to the Sakura garden when the Sakura trees weren't even blooming any—
Wait a second. There was a shade of light pink contrasted with the other barren trees. Mikan gasped in surprise; it was practically impossible for it to be blooming, let alone for it to be so luscious.
"Natsume, is this what you wanted me to see?"
The ruby-eyed boy gave a little smile. "Yeah."
"But how'd you—"
"I don't know either actually; I just found it here yesterday." The raven-haired boy looked down, unsure of what to say.
Mikan just continued staring at the beautiful tree before them. "It's so pretty, ne, Natsume? Thanks for bringing me to see this."
Natsume looked up, and nodded at the girl. "No problem, little girl." The boy looked at the Sakura tree in front of him. "So, you want to grab lunch?"
The brunette squinted her eyes at the boy suspiciously. First, he had dragged her off during her shift, jittery, and then claimed to be showing her this Sakura tree. After that he asks her for lunch—at, what, ten-thirty in the morning?
There had to be something up; and Mikan thought she knew what.
The girl smiled warmly. "Aw, Nat. You're so sweet—bringing me out because we haven't been spending much time together. With our last few dates ruined and all; the poem thing, and us looking for leprechauns, and the summer festival—"
"Okay woman, I get it. But, how'd you know?" Confusion was evident in Natsume's voice.
Mikan smiled warmly. "It's all in the body language, Natsume. It tells me much more than you think."
"I mean it, Natsume. Your body language really tells me more. So you'd better start talking more or else you'd regret it."
"… Alright, Polka."
A/N: Ah, I think I need to study the art of body language more. Right, so anyway, thanks for reading this chapter, and for sticking with me throughout this entire series (if you have been, that it). I really appreciate you doing this and I'm sorry to announce that the next chapter will be the last ): I will make the last one good, though, so please wait patiently for it!
Hope you review! :3
