Bittersweet Love

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-Sorry for bad grammar and tenses-

Disclaimer : I do not own Gakuen Alice

Chapter 24 : Blooming

Mikan slowly open her heavy lidded eyes.

She feel horrible.

Like she has been drinking chalk powder, drying her throat completely.

Her pounding headache doesn't help either, though it is not as bad when she had acute stress back then. The worst is her stomach, she feels like there are a lot of bubbles inside and she wanted to vomit so bad, but she can't.

"Ugh. Did I drink too much?" She ask to herself as she slowly pull herself up, only to notice there is a hand on her forehead.

She turn towards the hand owner and gasp. "Hyuuga?!"

Natsume softly groaned as he open his eyes, slowly crack his neck left and right. A mischievous smile make its way to his lips. "Morning, gorgeous."

Mikan pull her comforter to cover her body though she is clearly wearing pajamas. "What are you doing here?!" She half shouted.

Natsume frowned. "You are too loud in the morning."

Mikan's cheek tinted with red, while her eyes scream panic. "You didn't answer my question."

Natsume slowly push himself to stand up, moving his numb body because of sleeping in sitting position. "I do remember someone ask me to stay last night." He answered a smirk play on his lips.

A blush instantly decorated Mikan's cheeks. "W-what? I never do that."

Natsume shook his head. "Well I do not have evidence, sadly." He paused, looking at Mikan with a winning smirk. "But my memory never served me wrong in my whole life."

Mikan bit her lip. Embarrassed. She tried to steel her gaze and look up to him in proud manner. "If you don't have any evidence, then you can't prove anything."

Natsume chuckled. "Its okay. I don't need to prove myself to anyone." He paused again for a moment, leaning forward to Mikan's right ear. "But it'll forever be ingrained in my mind that you are really cute last night." He whispered in husky voice.

Mikan want to scream so bad, but she choose to shut her mouth and just look away to hide her reddening face.

Natsume chuckled again. "I'll see you on breakfast later. The medicine for your hangover is on the nightstand. Bye."

Mikan squeeze her eyes shut before falling back into bed. Oh my gosh. What did I do last night? I shouldn't have drink so much!

"Hello?" Mikan pick up her phone as she dried her wet hair with towel.

"Baka."

"Hotaru!" Mikan's face brightens up. She throw the used towel inside the basket while she walk inside her bedroom with only towel covering her body.

Hotaru sigh. "I know both of you are stubborn heads. So I would generously prevent your relationship fall back again by confirming something."

Mikan frowned. "What are you saying, Hotaru?"

"This is for Hiro. That child would suffer if his destiny is up to his dumb mother."

"Hey! That's not true. He is happy with me."

"Listen to me baka. Hyuuga was the one who pick you up last night. He came here and waited for you to finish."

Mikan gaped. "I thought it was you!"

Hotaru rolled her eyes. "I already said that I don't want to be responsible for anyone last night, that includes you, baka. After all you told me that you are in relationship with Hyuuga now, didn't you? You said that you will give it a try? Why didn't it seems like you are giving it a try?"

Mikan pouted. "Fine. Yeah, you are right." She paused before exhaling out loud. "Truthfully said, I don't even know myself, Hotaru. It's like all the feelings are confusing."

"You should figure it out then. He is also the one who protect you when you are being molested by two guys on the dance floor." She paused. "Though you look happy with them. Should I just let you join them in their house last night?"

"Hotaru! You know I don't sleep around! And.. and, uh, I do promise to give this relationship a try."

"Yes, and you should stick to it. Well, in short. He saved you and take care of you even to this morning, am I right?"

Mikan blushed instantly remembering the event when she woke up with Natsume's hand on her forehead, and realizing that he's been sleeping uncomfortably just because of her sleep talking request. "W-What are you saying."

Hotaru shook her head. This girl is unbelievable. How many times do she have to say that she is the worst liar in the world? "I just want to tell you that. Don't forget to come to XYZ company tomorrow to collect their contract."

Mikan sigh. "Yes, ma'am. Thank you so much."

"You should be." Click.

Mikan throw her phone on the bed with another loud sigh.

She should be grateful, isn't she? He help her through so much these past months. He is a good, uh, boyfriend? Though she agree to give the relationship a try, she never knew what to call their relationship as, plus, there is nothing significant changing.

Only these past months after she agreed, he often pick her up after office hour, or going to pick Hiro up together. He also drop by her apartment nearly everyday, IF they don't spend several nights in his mansion. Uh. Maybe those are significant changes?

Sigh. Whatever.

Now she need to wear something first before she gets cold.

She pull a simple soft pink sweater and a comfy jogger pants, before slipping into her white sandals and go down to the dining room.

As always, Natsume and Hiro already waited in the dining room with the table already full of delicious looking food as breakfast.

"Good morning, Mikan." Natsume greeted casually, his eyes twinkling with mischievousness that she clearly know what it means since it is the second time he greeted her, not the first time today.

"Mommy! Morning!" Hiro smiled widely.

Mikan choose to ignore Natsume and went to give a kiss on Hiro's forehead with a soft good morning before taking a seat across her child.

"How's your hangover?" Natsume ask quietly, watching her with sharp eyes. Its her first time to be drunk after all.

The medicine Natsume gave was amazing. It instantly made her feel better. Like 50% better then when she woke up this morning.

"I.." She paused, looking down to hide her blush. "I'm okay now. Thank you."

"What did you do yesterday mom? You didn't come back until late at night." Hiro ask curiously while taking some of the food to his plate.

Natsume quickly smooth his expression as he chuckles. "She is having fun kiddo. Adult's way of having fun."

Mikan glared towards Natsume before staring back at her son with a big smile on her face. "No. I just went with the aunties and uncles, sweetie."

"Oh. What did you guys do?" He paused, thinking. "But why dad didn't go with you guys?"

"Well." Mikan glance at Natsume again, not knowing what to answer.

"Oh, I like to be with you little guy. We have a lot of competition last night didn't we?" Natsume answered smoothly, smiling.

Hiro nodded excitedly, munching on his food. "Yes! Do you know mom, I beat dad 5 times in the race!"

Thank goodness despite the genius trait he posses, Hiro is still easy to distract.

Mikan smiled. "That is superb dear. I love to hear that more."

"Oh, but before that I already ask dad. I told him I usually get a game day on Sunday, right mom?"

That's another rule that Mikan strictly apply to Hiro. No games on weekdays. But on Saturday and Sunday, he can play to his contentment as long as his homework for Monday already done.

Hiro clapped his hands excitedly. "I already done with the homework yesterday. Dad help me to finish them!"

Mikan chuckled. "Good job. Thank you for abiding to the rules sweetie."

Hiro smiled cutely. "Its my responsibility."

"Hmm. Should I move my gaming station to somewhere else?" Natsume look serious, frowning and tapping his forefinger on his chin.

Hiro look at Natsume in pure horror. "No! Why dad? Your gaming station is the best I've ever seen!"

Natsume chuckled again. "Just kidding, kiddo. You can use it as you like. As long as you are responsible about it."

Hiro nodded as he shoveled the last bite of his breakfast inside his mouth.

Mikan laughed lightly. "Slow down sweetie. You'll choke yourself if you do that."

Hiro gulp down the last of his breakfast, drink the rest of his milk and he stand up. "Can I play now?" He ask, his eyes literally sparkles.

Mikan arch her eyebrow. "What did we usually do on dinning table?"

Hiro look down dejectedly as he back on his seat. "Waiting for everyone to finish."

Mikan nodded in approval. "That's true."

"You can have some dessert while waiting for us." Natsume said, pointing at the chocolate pudding that just arrived on the table.

"Wow. Is it chocolate?" Hiro look in awe towards the pretty looking pudding.

Natsume chuckles. "Yes. Of course. Its one of your favorite, right?"

Hiro nodded, smiling brightly. "Yes. Thank you dad."

After half an hour, they finally finished. Hiro quickly stand up and look at his parents with hopeful eyes.

Mikan shook her head and smiled. "Yes you can go Hiro. Just remember to always drink your water and don't forget to take a bath later."

"I already told one of the maid to check on you every hour. Make sure to hydrate yourself kiddo." Natsume added, giving his hair a ruffle.

"Okay. I'll do that. Bye mom, bye dad." With that Hiro vanished behind the door, zooming like there is no tomorrow.

Mikan sigh. "I wonder how your gaming trait could be passed down to him when he just start to hang out with you these past months?"

Natsume smirk. "Well, maybe its infused within the DNA."

"Yeah, sure it is." Mikan replied in resignation.

"How's your hangover? It should been better after breakfast."

Mikan nodded, taking her glass and fill it with water. "Yes, it is. I feel so much better." She take a few gulp on the water. "But I think I like to rest up for a bit. I still want to vomit somehow."

"Sure. Sleeping would make it better. You look a bit pale by the way."

Mikan turn around as her eyes meet with his eyes. He genuinely look worried.

Natsume arch his eyebrow. "Is there something on my face?"

Mikan clear her throat, feeling her cheeks burn. "You know.."

"Yes?"

"Natsume." She said softly.

Natsume now arching both of his eyebrows. "Are you still drunk?"

Ugh. She can feel her cheeks burning more. "I will start to call you Natsume from now on." She said, steeling herself.

Can't say that Natsume isn't surprised by the sudden bold statement Mikan made.

"Are you okay, Mikan? Because you starting to act weird." Natsume commented, slowly standing up to check on her.

Mikan glared at him and swat his hand away from her forehead. "Stupid! I'm not joking! Can't you see I'm trying hard here?!"

"Then why? Suddenly?" Natsume ask back, he still can't believe what he heard a few moments ago, since he can plainly see that Mikan hasn't trust him 100 percent.

Mikan look down on her lap, fiddling with her fingers. "You know. I give it a thought. About." She hesitated for a while. "Our relationship." She whisper, glancing up for a second before back to her lap. "I already said to you that I'm willing to trust you again, and I'll give this relationship a try, and its been a few months since then. I.. I can started to see. Uh, how can I say it. I'm bad with words."

Natsume smiled a ghostly smile. He can guess where Mikan is going.

"You see." Mikan continued again, still struggling with her words. "I can start to see that you." A deep breath. "Really loves me, and I .. I want to trust you fully without doubt."

"I already told you that I love you and I'll prove it to you."

"I know. But it just doesn't make sense!"

"It doesn't make any sense either for me." Natsume shrugged. "It even drive me crazy back then. Natsume Hyuuga falling in love? Ha. There is no way."

Mikan chuckled a bit. "I think the Natsume back then was really scary."

Natsume smiled, taking a seat beside her. "You don't want to imagine it."

Mikan arch her eyebrow. "Oh, I definitely can imagine it. I'm guessing that you are a big jerk back then, and a playboy."

Natsume smiles wider, shrugging again. "Well, maybe I'm a big jerk, but I don't sleep around until I went to college. It all went down from there." He paused as he avert his gaze on the counter nearby. "That's the darkest years in my life."

"I.." Mikan trailed off. Looking at the blank expression Natsume's have right now somehow feels weird. He shows so much expression in front of her, though sometimes, especially when they start to argue or in front of his friends, his mask would be there again.

Surprisingly, she detest his mask. She doesn't like it when it appear. She feels like the mask distancing her from him.

That's funny isn't it? Is this the impact from starting to trust him? Or maybe because they spent so much time together these past months?

Mikan take another deep breath before she brave herself to take a step closer to him. She gently touch his cheek. "I'm sorry for whatever happened back then." She whispered softly.

Natsume close his eyes and lean more on Mikan's hand. He slowly circle his hand around her waist and gently tug her closer. "Can I do this?"

Mikan bit her lower lip. "Uh, sure."

Natsume push himself away for a bit. "If you are not comfortable, I can move."

"No." Mikan answered quickly, surprising herself. "I- I mean its okay. I'm okay."

Natsume hide his smile as he buried himself deeper into her intoxicating scent.

"Let's stay like this for a while. Can we?"

Mikan is silent for a moment, before answering with a nearly unheard 'yes.'

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Thank you to all the readers!

Love,

Aquabluemarine