Bittersweet Love

Please, enjoy! :D

-Sorry for bad grammar and tenses-

Disclaimer : I do not own Gakuen Alice

Chapter 25 : One Step Closer

"Hi Mikan!" The twins shouted simultaneously, barging in to her apartment.

Today is one rare weekend where Mikan and Hiro actually stay in their apartment without any trace of Natsume.

As soon as the twins got the news, they immediately rush there, wanting to spent the long awaiting hang out moment. Its been weeks since their last meet up at the Road 97 where Mikan got drunk, and she has been busy with her family and work, thus the reason why the twins didn't dare to bother her.

"Aunt Anna, Aunt Nonoko!" Hiro greeted enthusiastically. His crimson eyes bright with happiness.

Anna quickly scoop Hiro up and tickles him. "Hello to my favorite guy! How are you? Are you doing fine at school?"

Hiro laughed out loud. "Aunt Anna! Stop it!"

"You guys are always so energetic." Mikan commented, appearing from the kitchen with a mug of tea in her hand. "Welcome to Yukihara's humble abode."

Nonoko chuckles. "Long time no see, Mikan. How are you doing?"

Mikan returned Nonoko's hug, careful as to not spill her tea. "I'm doing great. Thank you. How about you? I heard that you guys quit being teacher? What are you guys doing now?"

Nonoko smiled. "Oh, we are planning on opening our own cafe and bakery shop! You should see it Mikan. Its beautiful."

"Wow, that is amazing! I know you guys would open your own shop someday, your cooking and baking skill are too insane!"

Anna chuckles, still carrying Hiro. "Would you come to our testing menu day?"

Mikan nodded, smiling. "Of course. I would love to. Now let's go inside first, or we'll cramp our legs."

Nonoko laughed. "Yes, of course mommy Mikan."

Mikan rolled her eyes at that. "Just come in, naughty twins."

Anna and Nonoko followed Mikan to the kitchen with loud laugh.

"What do you guys want? I have some hot chocolate in brewing."

Nonoko's eyes brighten. "Oh, I would love that! I have been wanting hot chocolate with marshmallow since forever. Do you have it Mikan?"

Mikan start to rumage around her cupboard. "Wait... Oh, I do. You can put it later on your hot chocolate." She said, sliding the bag of marshmallow towards Nonoko.

"Nice. Thanks, Mikan!"

"We'll opening the shop two weeks from now, on Sunday. Can you make it, Mikan?" Anna ask, finally putting down Hiro on the seat beside her.

Mikan pick up her phone and scroll through the calendar. "Yes. I don't have anything. 12th December isn't it?"

Nonoko nodded. "Yes. Exactly. At 9 PM."

"When will the tasting take place?"

"Oh that's right. A week before that. Both on Saturday and Sunday to make sure everything is perfect."

"Okay, noted. I'll cleared everything on both days."

"Oh, no need Mikan. You'll just need to be there in the morning until lunch time. You can squeeze in any schedule after that." Nonoko replied.

"Yeah. Thank you for making time for us Mikan." Anna chimed in, smiling.

Mikan smiled back. "Anything for my favorite twins."

"Mommy. I think the hot chocolate is ready." Hiro called from in front of the pot. He has been standing there for 2 minutes, watching the chocolate boiling. Its one of his favorite drink after all.

"Careful there, sweetie. Its hot." Mikan said, turning off the stove and carefully take the pot to pour it in three big glass. She added some milk to them and serve the hot chocolate.

"Mm. Thank you Mikan. You make the best hot chocolate." Anna commented, sipping the drink.

Hiro nodded. "Yes! I know my mom is the best at it!"

Nonoko chuckled. "Of course, Hiro dear. We even can't beat her in this."

Mikan shook her head. "Stop it you guys. I know I won't beat you in cooking or anything related to that."

"But its true! You don't believe my tongue Mikan?" Anna ask, pouting.

"Yeah. This time we're serious." Nonoko nodded in approval, putting some marshmallow in her glass.

Mikan chuckles. "Fine, whatever floats your boat."

"We are serious Mikan. You do make the best hot chocolate." Nonoko said pointedly.

"OH, you should definitely make one of these for Natsume on his birthday! It would be a perfect gift!" Anna chimed in excitedly.

Mikan arch her eyebrow. "His birthday?"

Anna nodded. "Yes. On 28th November. You didn't know?"

Mikan slowly shook her head. "I never ask."

"Oh, my. How come you'd never ask Mikan? Its a crucial thing."

Mikan shrugged. "Well, it never cross my mind. Maybe because everything happening so fast."

"Daddy's birthday?" Hiro finally joining the conversation.

Nonoko ruffled his head. "Yes, Hiro. Next week is your father's birthday. Do you want to make something?"

Hiro nodded. "Yes. I want to give a gift for him."

"Okay. Let me help you browse through to search for something. Let's go to the living room?"

Hiro smiled. "Yes! Thank you aunt Nonoko."

Nonoko chuckles. "Don't mention it. Come on."

"Will you give him something Mikan?" Anna ask as her twin and Hiro vanish behind the door.

Mikan sigh. "I don't know Anna. I don't know what to give him. I don't even know how is my feeling towards him right now. It feels complicated."

Anna give Mikan a brief hug. "Aww. You poor thing. You definitely need an advice from love goddess."

Mikan chuckles. "You?"

Anna wink. "Of course!"

Mikan chuckles again. "Okay. What should I do, love goddess?"

"Now, let's start off with how's your feeling. Do you like him?"

Mikan instantly blush at the question.

Anna laughed. "That is a really fast answer."

"Ugh. Don't tease me Anna."

Anna smiled. "Be truthful to yourself, Mikan. I know he has been a bad memory for you. But what do you think of him now?"

Mikan look away, to one of the kitchen window. "Well. I think of him as a good friend, no best friend maybe?" She paused, hesitating. "He's been my support, my anchor all these months, and surprisingly everything felt easier these days with his presence. I don't know, its not that you guys are not helping me, like you guys are my biggest supporter all this time and you guys even help a lot with Hiro. But it just feels different with him."

"I understand what you mean Mikan." Anna replied, smiling wider.

Mikan shuffled nervously. "Yeah, it felt like that. And... I guess. Uh. I like him at some point?"

Anna want to tease Mikan so bad, but she restrained herself since she know Mikan won't admit it fully again if she do that.

"He's been a good father to Hiro. Hiro like him a lot, or maybe loves him?" Mikan wondered to herself. "He's been pursuing me non stop too, proving his faithfulness and gentleness. He also take care of me a lot." Mikan sigh. "I already told you that I told him I want to start trusting him again, and we have been trying to pursue the relationship for more than three months now, though I don't even know what kind of relationship we've been doing till now."

Anna chuckles. "Well maybe you guys haven't reach the dating point, but there is definitely a good progress there. You make a beautiful family Mikan."

Mikan bit her lower lip. "You know Anna. I've been thinking about this for a few days. I think I want to step forward, taking a commitment."

Anna smiled brightly. "Does it mean you want to date him?"

Mikan blush, looking down again. "Uh, yeah maybe in other words?"

Anna laughes. "Its okay Mikan. I'm totally rooting for you. Nonoko too. Even Hotaru. Sumire, Koko, and Ruka too. They all rooting for you. We have known Natsume since he was still little. We know he is harsh and rude a lot of time, though he seems like has grown out some of it as we aged. But he is actually kind hearted, and gentle. He is also strong and a really good man inside."

"I.. I don't really know how to explain this feeling. I've only been in relationship once when I was fifteen, and back then no one want to date a woman with a child thus I am too busy to built our stable life, so .. I kind of having a hard time sorting my own feeling. It feels foreign, like unknown feeling."

"Oh Mikan. You are a super woman for enduring all the things till now." Anna said softly, hugging Mikan.

Mikan smiled, patting Anna on the back. "Its fine Anna. Let the tears be part of the past. I don't feel sad anymore since I already have you guys."

Anna grinned cheekily. "And Natsume?"

Mikan blush, looking away. "Yeah. That too." She mumbled quietly.

Anna squealed happily. "I love the way you accept things now Mikan. You have change a lot. Love is really a wonderful thing."

Mikan chuckled as she shook her head at Anna's antics. "So, what do you think I felt about him?"

Anna smiled gently. "You like him enough to date him Mikan. What's more to think about that? You are comfortable with him, I can see that you can be yourself when you are with him too. He takes care greatly of you and Hiro. He is a great father, and a great boyfriend in the future I guess."

"Well.. Yeah. If you put it like that."

"He was a jerk yes. I know your instinct would be to protect yourself from any harm from him again. But he already prove it to you, didn't he? And you already willing to trust him."

Mikan slowly nodded. "True. I know."

Anna smiled. "Then why? What are you doubting again now?"

"I .." Mikan let out a sigh. "I guess I just need convincing."

Anna chuckled. "Its okay, Mikan. Its normal. Its your first time and all. I understand. Now." Anna lean forward with sparkling eyes. "What are you going to give him as a birthday gift?"

"You said I should give him my hot chocolate? I was thinking of making him a homemade dinner?" Mikan paused for a moment, thinking. "Or should I add it with a watch or tie or shirt?"

"I think he will love it."

"But he is already filthy rich, Anna. Does he really need more things?"

"Oh Mikan. Yes. Of course! Some things that he bought by himself and a gift from you would be totally different! The sentimental value. That what's make it precious."

Mikan sigh. "Alright. I'll choose something out from the shop tomorrow, and will surprise him with a home cook dinner or something."

Anna clap excitedly. "That's great! I can't wait to hear your story!"

"Don't you guys have a surprise party for him too?"

Anna nodded. "Of course, but don't worry about that. You just need to attend the party and worry about your own surprise." She paused. "Oh, I nearly forgot!"

"What is it?"

"This is our first time holding a surprise for him Mikan!" Anna said, grinning.

Mikan frowned. "Why?"

"He never like surprises." Anna answered, giggling."So we never hold it anymore since grade school. But now with you and Hiro, I think we'll make it."

"Are you sure Anna? Because it suddenly doesn't seems like a good idea."

Anna chuckled. "It'll be fine Miikan. Trust me. Just prepare yourself."

"Err, sure, okay."

Best friend moment!

Thank you for reading!

Aquabluemarine