Bittersweet Love
I think this story is going to be quite long. Please kindly bear with me! XD
Enjoy ! :D
-Sorry for bad grammar and tenses-
Disclaimer : I do not own Gakuen Alice
Chapter 20 : A Date?
"What do you think of going around the town and have a date today?" Natsume ask with a brilliant, handsome smile which melt Mikan if only she doesn't catch herself.
"Do I have to?" Mikan retorted back, composing herself.
Natsume's smile widen. "Well, we should get to know each other since Hiro want us to be together."
Mikan stop on her track before whirling around, gaping. "Where did you heard that?"
Natsume shrugged. "Hiro told me himself. He ask why I haven't invite you and Hiro to my home to live permanently."
Mikan face palmed herself. That child. His wish must be really strong that despite he already know it is impossible for Mikan right now to be together with Natsume, Hiro still ask the question to him.
"I do intend to keep you by my side forever." Natsume pointed out, smirking.
Mikan blushed as she look away. Why does this man is so infuriating. "Why should I agree to your date?" She ask, diverting the topic.
"To forget your fear yesterday." Natsume answered simply, smiling.
"Wh-what?"
"You rarely smile these days when we are getting together as a family. I want to make you more comfortable with me. You deserve happiness Mikan." Natsume said again, explaining.
"I really don't understand why you care so much for me."
"Didn't I already told you the reason? I do lov – "
Mikan's cheek reddened again. "I know." She mumbled quickly as an answer.
Natsume inch closer towards her. "You said you are willing to trust me."
"Yes?" Mikan replied, shuffling nervously.
"Then we might as well trying to work this trust thing between our relationship." Natsume said gently, extending his hand as an invitation. "Let's go?"
Hotaru did say to give it a try, and Mikan can see all these months Natsume be nothing but a gentleman, a really considerate one, and an amazing father which she has mentioned several time.
Mikan stared at Natsume's palm for a few seconds, before finally give up and reach for it, interlacing her palm with his.
Okay. She is going to a date with Natsume Hyuuga. It'll be okay, for sure. Maybe?
After making sure that Hiro would stay at Kou's house till night, and the chauffeur on stand by, waiting for their son, Natsume and Mikan are back to their respective room, getting ready to go out.
Mikan immediately rummage around her suitcase, searching for casual but pretty clothes. She never thought of going out on weekend, thus the reason why mostly her clothes only consist of working clothes and pajamas.
"Ugh. Why?" Mikan growled out in frustration, not finding the perfect clothing.
After several minutes rummaging again, Mikan finally give up and choose to do her hair and make up first.
She already did the basic coverage since she need to hide any traces of her crying last night, so she only need to add contouring, eyeliner, and lipstick. She doesn't need much, courtesy of micro bladed eyebrows and eyelashes extension.
After that she plug in her hair straightener, before picking up her brush and straightening any tangled tresses.
She choose to put her hair in half ponytail, casual but pretty, and curl the rest of her hair, making them have this wavy look.
Mikan scrutinize herself in the mirror. What should she do about her clothes? Should she just wear this shirt and black dress short pants?
She shook her head and search around her suitcase again, which already look like a storm touch all of her clothes.
"Oh? When did I buy this?" Mikan inquired in surprise, pulling out a knee length white sundress, with spaghetti strap and pretty laces.
A card fell down from the dress as she pull it up to have a good look.
"What is this?" Mikan mumbled to herself, reading the card.
You should be forever in debt to me for this. Next time prepare yourself properly, baka.
Mikan laughed. Unbelievable. Her best friend is really something. How can Hotaru know this moment? Is she a seer?
Knock, knock.
"Are you done yet, Mikan?" Natsume's voice called from behind the door.
Mikan jerk up, throwing the card into her suitcase and peeling off her clothing before pulling on the dress. "Give me two more minutes!"
"Okay."
Mikan quickly take her bag and fill it with her necessities, then checking herself in the mirror one more time before half running towards the door.
"Wow, you look gorgeous." Natsume commented as soon as his eyes landed on Mikan's figure.
Mikan look down, blushing, but not before checking Natsume out.
Just now Natsume only wear simple t-shirt and pajamas short, which strangely still looks dashing. But now, his looks this morning can't be compared to now.
He is wearing a black leather jacket over a white t-shirt, with ripped jeans and a pair of white shoes. A wristwatch glowing proudly on his left wrist while his usual messy hair gelled back, perfecting the undercut look.
"You don't look bad yourself." Mikan mumbled, started to walk first.
Natsume chuckled. He definitely knew that Mikan was checking him out just now. Well, he does know that he is handsome beyond words.
"Do you know where the garage is?"
Mikan force herself to keep walking, though her cheeks tinted with red again, this time from embarrassment. "I don't."
Natsume chuckled again. "Then why do you walk so fast? Its that way not this way."
Mikan doesn't answer, but turn around and walk to the other side.
Half laughing, Natsume follows right behind her, pulling out his car keys.
"Shut up, Hyuuga. Don't laugh at me." Mikan grumbled in annoyance.
Natsume grinned, pulling the car door open. "Please get in, Princess."
Mikan glared at him for a moment before slipping into the car, still cursing him under her breath.
Natsume can't help but let out another chuckle as he round the car, getting into the driver side. Mikan definitely has colorful vocabulary, her being polite is just for her son obviously.
"Seatbelt on." Natsume reminded as he pressed the button for the garage door to open and step on the accelerator, slowly moving the car forward.
"Done." Mikan answered, annoyance still leaking in her voice.
"You look ugly if you are angry like that."
"I don't care."
Another chuckle. "I'm sorry."
"I hate you!"
"I love you too."
"Hyuuga!"
Chuckle. "Are you ready Mikan?"
Mikan sigh. Her cheeks still feels like burning. "Yeah, whatever."
"Good." Natsume step again on the accelerator, bringing them out from the mansion gate, zooming down to the road.
At first she is not sure whether she would have fun or not.
But turns out, surprisingly, despite the harsh exterior, Natsume is really good at having fun, and infecting it to her.
They went out from the mansion around 11 o'clock, so the first destination would be a place to have lunch which landed them at nearby Mc Donald's.
"Why here?" Mikan stared at him incredulously.
Natsume shrugged and grinned. "Its close from the house, and delicious too."
Mikan glance at her attire before sighing out. "Yeah, sure."
Natsume smiled. "Don't worry, you look beautiful."
Mikan want to pull on his hair so bad. "Its not what I mean!"
Natsume chuckled. "Let's go, Mikan. We are going to have the best lunch of your life."
Guess what? What he said is true. She wonders how did Natsume made a simple lunch at McDonald really good and memorable. Mikan ordered a meal package of cheese burger with a McFlurry – well you know now where did Hiro inherited his ice cream gene – while Natsume choose the classic one with a big cola.
They bicker and talk about nearly everything, spending two hours and a half at McDonald. After their tummy are full, Natsume bring Mikan to a nearby jewelries market, which make her eyes sparkling for two hours straight.
The market is not packed but still bustling with people, shouting prices and all.
After shopping in the market, Mikan came out with two small bags filled with jewelries and a happy smile on her face, which make Natsume smiled too.
"Where do we go now?" Mikan ask as Natsume pull from the parking lot, putting on her seatbelt.
Natsume smiled mysteriously. "Just wait. Its a surprise."
Turns out Natsume is bringing her to an amusement park.
"Are you a fan of amusement park? Last time we already went with Hiro." Mikan commented, glancing at her watch. "And its already 4.30 PM."
"Don't worry about it. Its still open until 11 PM. And no, its not my favorite, but I know you like it."
Mikan bit her lip. How did he know? Did Hotaru tell him?
"Nope. Imai didn't tell me anything. I told you I care for you a lot. I see a lot of things that you don't even notice."
Mikan blushed again. How many times has she blushed in the presence of this man?
"Stupid mind reader."
Natsume chuckled. "You are too easy too read, Mikan. Now, what kind ride do you want to ride first?"
Mikan can't help but smile. Despite the annoying teasing that Natsume always do, he actually manage to make today a beautiful one. She is obviously enjoying the day, and she feel refreshed after a long time.
"I think I want to ride that one." Mikan pointed.
"Okay. Let's go then." Natsume said, grabbing her hand in the process as they walk towards the biggest roller coaster in the amusement park.
Please tell me what you think! :D
Much love,
Aquabluemarine