Bittersweet Love

Please, enjoy! :D

-Sorry for bad grammar and tenses-

Disclaimer : I do not own Gakuen Alice

Chapter 26 : Birthday Party

Mikan nervously play with the hem of her dress.

Today is the day where the group decided to make a birthday surprise party for Natsume.

The group decided that it would be best to hold it at Mikan's apartment, since Natsume always drop by after work every day thus less the suspicions.

Right now all of them are hiding behind couch, table, chair, anything that can be used to hide while Mikan is standing a few meter from the door with Hiro right beside her.

Mikan feel really nervous since it is the first time she actually do something for Natsume. Usually it would be him to make surprises, giving her gift. She is afraid to mess it up.

"Relax, Mikan. Natsume will love it, no matter how it turns out." Ruka whispered kindly from Mikan's right side.

Mikan take a deep breath and let it out. "Thanks, Ruka." She whispered back.

Step, step, step. Ding dong.

"Mikan? Are you home?"

"He's here, prepare everyone!" Nonoko whispered loud.

There are shuffling everywhere for a second before it is back to silent.

Knock, knock.

"Mikan?"

Hiro look up at Mikan as if waiting for approval.

Mikan smiled, nodded. "Go."

Hiro run towards the door, careful not to reveal himself as he open the door slowly.

Natsume frowned at the darkness in front of him. What is this? Is Mikan not home yet? Then who is the one opening the door for him?

Mikan take another deep breath as she light up the birthday cake and start to step forward with the cake on her hand.

"Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you." Mikan softly sing with her angelic voice. "Happy birthday, dear Natsume. Happy birthday to you."

Natsume look at Mikan with stunned expression which nearly made Mikan burst out with laugh. Its not everyday that you can see Natsume with shock expression.

"Mikan? Whoa. What is this?"

Mikan nervously smiled. "Its your birthday. Make a wish and blow the candle."

Though still confuse as to why the sudden surprise party, Natsume close his eyes for a moment to make a wish before blowing the candle.

"Whats up with the dark setup? Where is Hiro? Did you make this all by yourself?" Natsume ask, looking around while stepping inside.

Mikan let out a short chuckle. "You sure ask a lot." She replied, putting the cake away and step closer to him.

"Mikan?" That earn her another questioning look from Natsume.

"Happy birthday Natsume." She whispered softly, tip toeing and giving him a brief kiss his on his cheek.

Natsume gently pull her away. "What is this all of sudden? This is not like you."

Mikan look away. Thankful for the darkness that hide her tomato face. "Its your birthday, of course it has to be special."

Natsume chuckles, a smile unconsciously made its way on his lips. "Where is this sudden bravery?"

"Stop teasing me you pervert! It takes me a lot of effort you know!"

Natsume let out another chuckle, before enveloping her in a warm embrace. "I know. Thank you Mikan. I appreciate it more than you know."

Then suddenly, all the lights turn on and a loud "SURPRISE" greet Natsume's ears as everybody jump up from their respective hiding places, blowing trumpets and popping confetti.

Natsume arch his eyebrow, the smile still on his face.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATSUME!" Everybody shouted.

Natsume look down towards Mikan who is still hiding her face in his chest. "Did you plan all of this?"

"Maybe." Mikan mumbled.

"Daddy happy birthday!" Hiro's voice came from his back before he hugs Natsume with his own bone crushing hug.

Natsume chuckles again. He slowly let Mikan go and turn around, squatting to return his son's hug and drop him a sweet ruffle on his head. "Thank you kiddo. Did you plan this too with your mother?"

Hiro look up and show him a toothy grin. "Its a secret!"

Natsume let out a short laugh. "Fine, if you don't want to tell me."

"I love you!"

"I love you too, kiddo." Natsume replied, dropping a kiss before straightening his 6'3" posture with Hiro in his arms.

"Happy birthday brother! I wish you a happy family!" Ruka congratulate his best friend, giving him a punch on the shoulder.

"Thanks, man." Natsume replied, grinning.

"Happy birthday Natsume! I can't wait for another child." Koko said, snickering with mischief clear on both of his eyes.

Natsume rolled his eyes at that. "Please refrain yourself or you would find yourself in another world in a few hours. Can't you see I'm with a child right now?"

Koko carefully step back. "Whoa calm down man. I was just kidding."

"Happy birthday Natsume!" The twins chorused together.

"I wish you a happy life ahead!" Anna said, smiling wide.

"And beautiful journey with Mikan!" Nonoko added with identical smile.

Mikan face palm herself, these wishes are something. She don't want to imagine what are their wishes on her birthday later on.

"Well, I guess I need to put up another year with you." Hotaru coldly said, sipping her wine.

Natsume smirk. "Yeah, I guess that applied to me too."

"Dad, I have a gift for you!"

Natsume stared at the child in his arms. "Really?"

Hiro nodded enthusiastically. "Let me down please, Dad. I'm going to take your gift!"

Natsume chuckles and squat down. "Of course. There you go."

"Wait here." Hiro said, dashing to his room.

"Hey man. Long time no see. Happiest birthday to you!"

Natsume arch his eyebrow in surprise. "Yuu? When did you come here?"

A man with red brownish hair, striking pair of green eyes, and cheery smile give Natsume a bro hug before answered, "This morning. I prepare everything for my stay and directly went here."

"Thanks for your time man. How long will you stay here?"

Yuu smiled mischievously as he take a short glance towards Mikan who is talking with Hotaru and Ruka right now. "I think just enough to know your family."

Natsume rolled his eyes. "Sure. That would make sense."

Yuu chuckled, pushing his glasses further on his nose bridge. "Why don't you introduce me to her, brother? I haven't had the time to greet her since I arrived here late."

Natsume sigh. "Yeah, why not."

"Daddy! Here is your gift!"

Natsume look down towards the little boy and squat down again, receiving a messy wrapped, small sized gift. He give Hiro a brief hug and kiss him on his cheek. "Thank you so much kiddo. I never received any gift before this."

Hiro's eyes widen. "Really? Why Dad?"

Natsume smiled. "I never received any gift from you, didn't I?"

Hiro pouted. "That's not the same dad! We just met how can I give it to you years before."

Natsume chuckled. "Thank you for the gift Hiro."

Hiro blush cutely. "I hope you like it Dad."

"Of course I would love it."

"Hello there little guy. We haven't met before, have we?" Yuu chimed into the conversation, smiling wide.

Hiro look up to Yuu before bowing. "Hello uncle. Nice to meet you. I am Hiroyuki Yukihara."

Yuu arch his eyebrow in amazement. "Your kid have a really good manner."

Natsume smirk. "Of course. He is a genius. My gene."

Yuu shook his head. "I can't believe you."

"Are you still on with meeting Mikan?"

Yuu nodded. "Of course. I want to ask her a few question."

"Questions?"

"Like how can she melt your stone heart?"

Natsume glared at Yuu, which make him laugh. "I am capable enough to fall in love."

"Oh, wow. Did you hear him, Ruka?" Yuu ask as both of them nearing the group.

Ruka grin and nodded. "Crystal. He has fallen hard, Yuu. We can see that."

"Daddy, Is uncle Yuu your friend too?" Hiro suddenly cut into the conversation, curiously.

Natsume just give another deathly glare towards Ruka before he put his hand on Hiro's head lovingly. "Yes. He is one of my friend back then in college."

"Best friend." Yuu added, winking.

Hiro's mouth shaping into a perfect 'O'. "Really?"

"Yep. I help him a lot through the college." Yuu paused, scrutinizing Hiro for a moment. "I just notice that your looks really resemble your father, though your personality isn't."

Hiro's eyes widen curiously. "Oh, what is he like when he was in grade school?"

Yuu grin. "Well let's see. He is like a grumpy old man. Never smile and really rude."

Ruka nodded in affirmation. "That's true. I have a hard time to be his friend. Though actually his heart is really soft."

Mikan let out a short chuckle. "I finally know after such a long time wondering how is he back then. These guys won't tell me a bit about it."

Yuu smiled at Mikan, bowing slightly. "Nice to meet you ma'am. My name is Yuu Tobita."

Mikan bow back, extending her hand. "Hello Tobita-san. I am Mikan Yukihara."

Yuu happily shake his hand with Mikan. "Ah, I want to know how you manage to catch this man's heart." He inquired with mischief clear on both of his eyes.

Mikan instantly blush. "I – I don't actually know."

"Yuu, stop it before grilled you alive." Natsume warned. He keep his voice calm though, he doesn't want to scare Hiro.

Yuu raise both of his arms in surrender manner. "Whoa, calm down there man. I don't intend to do anything bad to your woman."

Ruka chuckles. "Chill Natsume. Its your birthday."

Natsume sigh. "What's this all about anyway? I already told you guys that I don't like surprises."

Hotaru elbowed Mikan none too gently, which make Mikan give a glare at the ice queen before touching Natsume's upper arm with her fingers.

"I am the one who arrange all of this." Mikan said quietly. "I want to do something for you. All this time you are always the one who do everything for me."

Natsume's eyes softening as his cold mask slipping away. "No, I don't mean it like that. Thank you for arranging all of these for me."

"Hey guys! We are going to eat! Come here!" Anna called from the kitchen.

"Did you order them or the twins' cooking?" Natsume ask as they walk towards the kitchen.

Mikan force herself to be casual and put up a smile. "Of course the twins'. They make the best cooking."

Natsume nodded as he lean down. Gently dropping a peck on her cheek. "Thank you so much."

Mikan's hands shoot up on her cheek as she blush deep red. "Uh, I. W-well. You're welcome I guess."

Natsume grin seeing Mikan's cute reaction. Though he doesn't like surprises, he definitely delighted to celebrate his birthday with his love ones. "Let's go."

Thank you!

Aquabluemarine