DISCLAIMER: I do not own GA.

CHAPTER 53: Things will never be the same again.

Mikan was very happy for Mico, the whole team, and most of all, for HIM and HER. She thought that maybe, just maybe, Natsume would finally be able to tell his mystery girl how he felt for her tonight.

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People were finally beginning to leave the whole court and bleachers since the game were over.

"Mimi, you should make sure that you'll go and your brother." Yuka reminded her daughter while Mikan nodded. "Be a good girl and make sure that not too many people will show up to your room tonight or else your rooms will be a total mess. I'm leaving your brother to your care. No drinking and no fighting, do you understand? I'll be going to the airport once I leave the court." She reminded while Mikan nodded and she couldn't help but flinch when she heard about the no drinking part because she knew very well that parties involving Mico and the other two best friends always involves alcohol.

"What time will your flight be?" Mikan asked her mom.

"By midnight, sweetie. I'll just call you when I get to Canada already." She replied while Mikan nodded. "I love you guys and please tell your brother that I'll just call him in the morning since he needs to rest."

Mikan then nodded her head again and waved her mom a goodbye. She then looked at her watch and sighed. Hotaru has already left along with Tsubasa since they told her that they'll go to their room ahead of her because they'll make some of the preparations for the after game party.

MIKAN'S POV

30 minutes passed since the game was finally over. Natsume, Mico and Ruka were still inside of the guy's locker room probably celebrating. They were probably going to leave soon as well since they are all party maniacs. And that also meant that Natsume will tell her soon. But somehow, I was getting kind of nervous. Mico-nii wouldn't forget me here in the bleachers, right?

"Mikan-chan!!!!" I heard a voice call out my name as I turned around only to see Shizuka.

"Have you seen the guys come out of the locker room? You see, Natsume told me to look for him after the game so I'm looking for him right now." Shizuka stated while the smile on my face suddenly vanished. Every ounce of happiness in my body flew away. Everything suddenly went cold for me.

"Mikan-chan??? What's wrong???" Shizuka asked me while I struggled to breathe since there are many things filling up my mind again. The only thing that I could see is the shiny floor of the basketball court in front of me. I felt like my life was over and I swallowed and shook my head.

"I haven't seen him or the other guys around." I managed to mumble. "Don't worry about a thing. If ever that I see Natsume, I'll tell him that you're looking for him."

Great. why do I have to such a good girl to my friends?? Is this really how it makes you feel when you feel heartbroken?? Only one thought is on my mind right now: Shizuka is the mystery girl. I mean, why would Natsume tell her to go and find her after the game when he has nothing to deal with her, right? Their auction deal because of the bidding already ended last night.

How could I be someone who is so stupid? Where did I ever get the lousy idea that I could be the mystery girl of Natsume? My very first fantasy in life kills me. I then fiddled my fingers on the tip of my hair and then sighed. It was probably midnight and I am still here, sitting on the bleachers in front of a pitch black basketball court, alone since Shiuzka already left.

My stupid twin of a big brother is probably gone and partying at our room right now, getting drunk and wasted as far as his body could still take and most likely, our ever dearest room might have been destroyed to pieces all because of the other party animals other than my brother.

Ruka? He's probably somewhere with Hotaru, as always. Those two are inseparable. And as for Natsume, he's probably on a moonlit walk outside with the girl of his life. Great. My life is so not good.

But, who am I kidding? In the end, the great Mikan Sakura always end up sitting somewhere alone. The fantasy that I was the mystery girl of Natsume was still lingering on my mind but I try to shrug it off. I even felt so embarrassing for myself that I came to such a conclusion.

It's getting really cold and I should have been back in my room by now with my brother who apparently forgotten about me once again. And here I am, moping and sulking under the sky of stars that seems to always witness me whenever my life is a mess. I should be happy but I'm not. But the good thing was, I was not crying anymore. I figured out that crying will do no good. I then buried my face in my freezing hands. There's only so much for a girl could take before she breaks….

And then unexpected warmth suddenly fell upon my shoulders and it made my head snap up in surprise. I blinked at the sight of a jacket wrapped around me. The expression on my face turned to be more shocked than usual when I saw that the owner of the jacket was none other than the crimson eyed flame caster. How on earth was he able to get up here without me noticing it? Am I that too busy with all of my sulking moments in life with the stars?

I gasped upon seeing the guy. He was wearing a casual black shirt and jeans. At first, I was wondering why he didn't even seem to feel the cold of the night but then again I remembered that he had the fire alice and that it could make his body warm during times like this so he didn't need a jacket. "What are you still doing in here?" I asked him quietly.

"I've been looking for you. I should be the one asking you that. What are you still doing in here?"

"I was just thinking…" I mumbled. It was true. I was thinking on how my life could be this miserable.

"About what?" he asked again while I wrapped his jacket around me tighter. I didn't even bother on answering his little question.

"Shouldn't you be at the after game party? It's your party after all." I stated.

"I already told you that I was looking for you."

"Then how did you know that I was here?" I asked him again while he looked at me and gave me one of his rare smile – the smile that I already missed seeing since the day that I slapped him.

"Just a hunch."

And then there was an awkward silence between us. Maybe it was because I really had no idea why Natsume was here. Even if he already told me that he was looking for me, I can't still find out what reason would be sensible enough for him to look for me in the first place. Maybe Mico-nii sent him back here after realizing that he has forgotten his only sister here in the bleachers for the past four hours.

"Congratulations." I whispered while Natsume took a seat next to mine.

"For what?" He asked me.

"For everything. You were able to get everything that you wanted tonight, right?" I replied slowly.

"Hn. I did." He replied, and he did look very happy. This was probably the happiest and most honest expression that I have seen in his face for the entire time that I have known him.

*sigh* "That's good. I'm happy for you." I replied softly. I was beginning to think that my voice was so soft that I couldn't even hear my own voice when I utter my words.

Natsume nodded and then ran a hand through his hair. "You know, before the time that you came and talked to me, I really thought that the whole game and then whole team would be screwed up."

I nodded slowly and turned to look at me. "Are you forgiving totally by now?" I asked.

"Polka Dots, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be able to have the courage to tell her." he replied while his crimson eyes were piercing through mine. My throat went dry. Just by hearing him say those words made me feel sad again. I just nodded stiffly at his statement.

"No problem." I replied with my voice sounding kind of hoarse. "So I assume that everything went well according to your plans?"

Natsume then smiled again. "Somewhat." He replied gruffly.

I then stood up slowly, his jacket falling off of my back. If I stayed here any longer, I would probably break my promise to myself that I wouldn't cry anymore. And it might ruin Natsume's perfect night too and I wouldn't want that to happen.

I took a deep breath and picked the jacket up and then gathered all of my energy to force a smile on my face. "Let's do. It's getting kind of cold." I muttered but he grabbed my wrist. I didn't even know what was happening but the next thing that I knew that Natsume was hugging me.

"What are you doing?" I whispered with my eyes real wide. His lips were hovering just right above my lips and I felt my heart do thousands to cartwheels, summersaults, flip flops and other sorts of stunts. And once again, the butterflies returned to my stomach. I wouldn't be even surprised if he could feel my heartbeat racing so rapidly since our bodies are really against each other.

Natsume was staring right at me, his eyes were piercing through mine again and then his face was filled with nothing but determination. He tightened his hug and then tucked a stray hair behind my ear.

"I'm finishing the plan…" He replied breathlessly. His voice was so soothing and warm at the same time.

And then… he… kissed me.

At this very moment, I knew that things will never be the same again.