I Like You, Mikan-sensei

Chapter 38: Aspire

"Mikan Sakura-san, I'm glad to say that there are some improvements! Look! You can walk from one side of the bar to the other! That is a great achievement. Doctor Imai will be so proud of you," the nurse praised Mikan.

Mikan blushed. She was extremely elated to hear those words. All she got to do was to practise walking independently more often. She rolled the wheelchair out of the room and spotted Hotaru reading a book at a corner. Mikan called out her and the latter looked up.

"Hotaru-chan! I have decided!" Mikan said excitedly.

Hotaru tilted her head to a side while raising an eyebrow. She had no clue what Mikan was trying to tell her.

"What is it?" Hotaru asked calmly.

Mikan continued smiling and replied, "I want to take up that job offer! Can't I?"

Hotaru dropped her book onto the hard and smooth floor. She looked rather surprised than shocked.

She asked again, "Are you sure? No backing out after you have agreed to it."

Mikan nodded and replied, "Yes, Hotaru-chan. I have been thinking about it since just now during the therapy session. Since young, I have always wanted to do something which can help others. That was why I chose to become a teacher as I want to help those children and educate them right. On the second thought, I think that my dream to help others could also be fulfilled through helping those patients who have kidney problems. This is what I was thinking earlier on."

Hotaru smiled and said, "Thank you, Mikan. I thought you might reject it. You really aspire to help those who are in need. How admirable!"

Mikan returned a smile too. Hotaru picked up her book and stood up. Both of them left the hospital together.

Hotaru opened her car boot and turned to asked Mikan, "Want me to give you a lift home?"

Mikan shook her head and replied, "No, thanks. Natsume wants to pick me up so we can have dinner together later. He had just messaged me about this a few minutes ago. How sweet he is!"

"Oh yeah. He is very sweet. Sweet enough for you to be head over heels for him, Mikan. Good luck for your date," Hotaru said as she got into her car.

Mikan waved to Hotaru and her car sped off. She waited patiently until a figure stood right in front of her. Shocked, she immediately looked up and realised it was Natsume. She smiled and looked around as if she was looking for something.

"Hey Natsume, where is your car?" Mikan asked casually.

There was no response. Mikan looked back him and she saw a frown on his face.

"Do you think I will have a car when I haven't gotten my driving license yet? Not to mention about me knowing how to drive," Natsume replied. "By the way, sorry to disappoint you, I will take you to the nearest restaurant by foot and fortunately for you, you will have a free ride on your wheelchair with me pushing it."

Mikan laughed, "Oh, come on! You are the one who suggested to have dinner with me today so no complaints."

Natsume flinched and said, "Pardon? I can always return home..."

"Just kidding! Let's go there, is that okay?" Mikan interrupted and laughed sheepishly.

Natsume sighed and pushed the wheelchair. Very soon, they reached their destination. It was the same Japanese buffet shop which they had went to the last time. That brought a few great memories.

After checking in, they went to their table which was specially reserved for them.

Natsume got up and ordered Mikan, "Wait here. I will be back."

Mikan nodded with hesitation as she saw him standing up and left the table. She wanted to grab the food first as she was hungry. Well, she waited for him obediently. After a few minutes, Natsume came back with two plates. He placed one of them in front of her and the other in front of him.

"Ah! Salmons!" Mikan exclaimed while gazing happily at her plate. "I can't believe you still remember my favourite food."

Natsume blushed and retorted, "Well, of course, I do remember you nearly ate all the salmons in the buffet tray at that time."

Mikan gasped and shot back, "I... I did not!"

Mikan angrily shoved a few slices of salmons into her mouths while glaring at Natsume. He ignored her glare and continued to eat his different flavoured sushis.

There was an awkward silence between them, except for the soothing music being played over the speakers.

Finally, Natsume broke the silence, "Mikan, I have something to tell you."

Mikan looked up and asked with her mouth full of salmons, "Me too! Hear mine first! I have already decided on my job. I will be working with Hotaru on her company's project as a research engineer. Great, isn't it?"

"Great to hear that. Good luck!" he replied.

"So, what's yours?" she queried.

"It's about..." Natsume paused.

He looked uneasy and seemed afraid to tell her something. Mikan continued to look at him patiently until he finally spoke again.

"It's about furthering my studies in Law."

"So, you are pursuing Masters?" Mikan asked. "Good luck!"

"No, I mean I want to further my studies in the Law on Medicine, not Masters."

"I see, but how long will it take to study that? Another 3 years?"

"I am not sure either. Either way, I still have to be specialised in an area of Law."

Mikan removed her worried look off her face and replaced it with a gentle smile.

She clenched her fist and raised it up high, "I will root for you, Natsume! Do your best! Oh yes, when are you taking off?"

"What?"

"Don't you have to go to England again?"

Natsume stared at her for a short while and said softly, "Since when did I mention that I am going to England? You're weird."

Mikan stopped munching and mouthed, "You're not?"

"Yeah, of course not! You're definitely funny."

Mikan heaved a sigh of relief and laughed awkwardly, "Thank goodness! I thought you are leaving me again. Thank..."

"As if I will leave..."

Suddenly, a voice interrupted their conversation, "Good evening, valued customers. We are starting the Couple Game in a minute time. Are you two interested to take part? It will only take up 15 minutes of your time. Oh yes, it's for couples!"

Mikan blushed heavily at the waiter while Natsume acted nonchalently and continued to eat the sushis.

Mikan stammered, "We... We are... not..."

"Sure, why not?" Natsume replied with a smile.

Mikan choked on her salmons and coughed violently. She immediately drank a glass of plain water which was placed next to her.

She frowned and asked, "Excuse me?"

Without replying, Natsume stood up and pushed her wheelchair towards her side. Mikan shuddered. She couldn't believe that Natsume really meant what he said. Natsume lifted her up and gently put her on her wheelchair. The waiter beamed and quickly assisted them to the stage with other couple contestants.

The game would start at any moment soon.

Here is a small peek for Chapter 39:

Chapter 39: Love You

During the Couple Game...

"Natsume has a bad mouth! He likes to criticise others!"

"What? What about you, Mikan? You are very childish and dumb."

"What did you just say?"

Everyone's attention focused on the bickering couple. They couldn't stop calling each other weird names. What a weird couple.

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