CHAPTER 35: Return for the second time around

HOSPITAL…

The doctors did everything that they can to revive their precious brunette. But it seems that everything that they can but nothing was working. They were even using the Healing Alice while reviving her but it was no use. So they just left the room and told her friends.

"How is she?" Hotaru asked.

"Sorry. We did everything that we could but it seems that every effort was futile." Subaru said as he started walking away.

Upon hearing the news, all of them broke down. They were all crying their hearts out since they cannot accept the fact that their friend has already passed away. Even the guys are still crying, and Persona was not an exemption. Everyone was busy grieving and that they didn't notice Natsume enter Mikan's room.

"Oi, Polka Dots! Wake up! You can't leave us now! Don't leave me!" Natsume yelled upon entering the room but he got no response. He stood there still, looking at her girlfriend's face while tears flowed passed through his cheeks. A few moments of silence, he suddenly heard something. It was a beeping sound. He then looked at the machine. The machine that once had a flat line now had zigzag lines on it.

He was shocked with what he has seen. He then saw Mikan who was opening her eyes slowly.

"Na… Natsume? Where… am… I? she asked in a very weak voice.

Natsume then suddenly hugged her.

"Nat… Sume… Too tight… Can't breathe…" she said in between her breaths as he let go of her gently.

"Sorry. I was just so happy that you're back. I thought you will leave us permanently." He replied.

Before Mikan could even reply to what Natsume have said, everyone from her gang went in to check on her. They now have teary eyes. But these tears are now tears of joy since they knew that a very important person in their life is still alive. Narumi then instantly called Subaru to check up on Mikan.

After a few minutes, Subaru then came in. He did some tests to make sure if everything else about Mikan is alright.

"It was a miracle that she was able to live again. She's in pretty good shape and she only needs to rest for a few days until she regains her energy. Well, I gotta go now. Ja."

After a few minutes, the whole group chatted with each other since they missed Mikan a lot.

"I guess that would be enough everyone. Mikan-chan still needs to rest and you need to get some sleep as well." Announced Mr. Narumi as everyone bid their goodbyes but Hotaru and Natsume were left behind since they volunteered to take care of Mikan.

"Demo, you don't have Hotaru. You guys need to rest as well. You've been stressing yourselves all because of me." said Mikan.

"Baka. We're fine. Now go to rest. You need it more than we do. Look at Hyuuga over there. He's already drifted to sleep." Hotaru answered while they both looked at Natsume who was now in a sitting position but his eyes are closed. But little did they know that Natsume was just pretending to sleep.

"Hai. Oh, do you remember the time when I fell off a tree and I hurt my head then they rushed me to the hospital too?" she asked while Hotaru simply nodded.

"Well, I met an angel a while ago. I was wondering why the face was so familiar. And then he told me that he was also the same angel that I met when I was six." She continued. "He was inviting me to go to heaven with him so that I could be an angel as well just like him and grandpa."

Hotaru just sat there in silence while Natsume was still there pretending to be asleep while he was also listening to what Mikan was talking about.

"What did you say?" asked Hotaru.

"Well, I really wanted to go with him that time. But then again a part of me was saying yes while a part of me was saying no. it was a yes since I want to see heaven and I want to be an angel too. It was a no since the angel told me that if ever I went there, I won't be able to see you again since I'll be staying there with them forever."

"So what was your decision?"

"At first, I really wanted to go back to earth with you guys. But I was kind of hesitant in returning since I know that things will never be the same since Natsume is mad at me all because of the mission thing. But then again, remembered something that you told me when we were 13. And that's the thing that convinced me to come back here. I just really hope that everything will be alright."

"Baka. Of course everything will be alright. But what was the thing that I said that you remembered that made you come back?" asked Hotaru.

"You told me once that I am really an idiot. But even though I am an idiot, I can always find ways to solve each problem no matter how idiotic the process may seem. Once I remembered that, all the memories that I have had with you guys suddenly came to me. And then I told Angel Kenji that I'll still stay here with you guys and I know that grandpa will be happy with the decision that I've made even though I can't join him in heaven that time." Mikan said softly so that Natsume won't wake up.

"So you do have a good memory. You can still remember that huh?" she said with a smile.

"Of course. How could I forget? Hahah. That line helps me a lot, you know. Somehow, your words and Natsume's words are always helping get through the tough time in my life. And the presence and concern of our friends helps a lot too. I'm really lucky that I have you guys. But now, I don't think that things between me and Natsume would still be the same."

"Why?" asked a puzzled Hotaru.

"Well, I think he's still mad at me. I haven't gotten the chance to even talk to him properly today. And to think that I've been unconscious for many days already. I've told him practically everything that night and it seems that he's so mad." Mikan stated. "But there was a time when I think I heard Natsume's voice while I was asleep. I don't know if it was just a dream or if it was real."

"What did he say?"

"It's something that a normal Natsume wouldn't say anyway so I guess I was just dreaming that time. But there was a time that I think I heard him shout out my name. And then I saw all of you crying and such so I came back to see what was wrong." Mikan said while yawning.

"You should sleep now. Let's talk tomorrow. You still need to regain your strength. Goodnight Mikan."

"Goodnight Hotaru."