Bittersweet Love

Hi guys! I really deeply apologize for the messy update It's really challenging to reach the internet that can be used to access fanfiction because of this pandemic. I sincerely thank you for all readers who have stayed with me until now despite the very random update, and I really wholeheartedly be forever grateful for those who spend time to drop amazing reviews 3 Love you guys so much!

I only can upload one chapter though this time, I'll try to upload another bundle next time, thank you very much! :D

This chapter would be longer than usual! A special gift for those who are still in quarantine. Maybe this chapter equal to 2 usual chapters? Idk. But please, enjoy! :D

-Sorry for bad grammar and tenses-

Disclaimer : I do not own Gakuen Alice

Chapter 30 : Introduction

They used an airplane since Natsume was the one who paid.

Mikan insisted on splitting the bill into two, but Natsume wasn't having any of that.

He said that, if she is going to date him then she must bear all of her needs being paid by him. They debated about it for a few days, until Natsume said that she would hurt his ego as a man if she insisted on paying, he want to spoil her, to love her, and one of the way is by buying her needs. After all, he is her boyfriend, and unofficially the head of the family.

"It still doesn't sit well with me." Mikan grumbled as they go through the airport, each of them pulling their own suitcases, except for Natsume, he brought another travel bag which being put above his suitcase.

Natsume chuckled. "Well, you can pay for the next trip."

Mikan look sideways, her eyes unbelieving. "Really?"

"If you can be faster than me in paying, yes, of course. Why not?"

Mikan rolled her eyes. "You knew you would be faster than me!"

Natsume shrugged, mischievously smirking. "I never says that."

"Ugh. You are really frustating."

Natsume steps closer to her side and drop a quick kiss on her crown. "Please let me love you Mikan."

Mikan blush, she still can't control her reaction when it came to Natsume's sweet talking. "You are infuriating!"

"Hey, I am not that – "

"Natsume here!"

"Onii-chan!"

Two shouts can be heard over the crowded airport, as three tall figure can be seen standing on a nearby pillar.

"Oh, there they are." Natsume commented, nodding back to his family who has promised him to pick him with his family at the airport.

Mikan bit her lip out of nervousness. Oh no, what if she ruin everything? What if his parents don't like her?

Natsume casually grab Mikan's hand and squeeze it gently. He lean down and whispered, "Relax, they won't bite. If you can be with me then you definitely can with them." After that he drops a kiss on her cheek.

Mikan take a deep breath and pull a smile on her face, wanting to make a good first impression.

"Is that Dad's family?" Hiro quietly ask, he is half hiding behind Mikan right now.

Natsume smiled encouragingly. "Yes they are. You'll love them and they will love you Hiro. Come on, don't be shy."

"Uh. I don't know Dad."

As they closing in, Mikan can make out the three figures consist of two women and one man. The two women have similar features as Natsume. Raven hair, striking crimson eyes which being framed with long, thick eyebrows. Sharp jaws, tall nose, and high cheekbones. All in all, they have stunning beauty.

The man has quite different features, and he is not as prominent as the women, or Natsume. He has a pair of gentle green eyes, with sleek dark brown hair. He looks stern and kind at the same times, and he has this sharp look which feels like he can see through everything, just like Natsume's gaze. Guess she knows where his penetrating gaze comes from.

"Father, Mother." Natsume greeted his parents, awkwardly hugging them.

"You finally came to visit us, naughty son." His mother commented, slightly smacking his shoulder.

Natsume smiled apologetically. "I will visit you more often."

The other women, the one that looks younger, whom would be Natsume's younger sister as he has told her scoffed, crossing her arms. "You know mom, if onii-chan said that he is definitely lying."

Natsume grin and give a ruffle on his sister's head. "Hello to you too, buriko."

"Hey! Stop doing that! And stop calling me buriko!" She protested, swatting his hand away.

"You won't introduce us, Natsume?" His father inquired, looking straight at Mikan who has been standing nervously, not knowing what to say.

Natsume gently pull Mikan to his side, with Hiro attaching himself to Mikan's legs.

"Father, mother. This is Mikan, my girlfriend."

Mikan bowed deep towards them. "Hello, nice to meet you. I am Mikan Yukihara."

"Aw. No need such formality. It's nice to meet you too, Mikan-chan. Oh, can I call you that?" Natsume's mother asks, covering her mouth with her hand with surprised looks.

Mikan straighten up her posture and smiled. "Yes, of course auntie."

"I'm Kaoru Hyuuga. Thank you for taking care of my son."

Mikan blushed. "No, it's nothing, auntie."

"I am Ioran Hyuuga, Natsume's father. I think you already know." The man said kindly, smiling while extending his hand.

Mikan grab his hand and shake it. "Nice to meet you too, uncle. Yes, Natsume told me things about you."

Ioran arch his eyebrow towards Natsume. "You should told me about it then."

Natsume sigh. "I didn't tell weird things you do, father."

Kaoru chuckled. "Well, our family dinner tonight will definitely be interesting."

"Hello nee-chan! I am Aoi Hyuuga, his little sister! Nice to meet you!" Aoi said excitedly. "I am so happy for I finally have a big sister!"

Mikan can't help but chuckled at her statement. This girl's excitement is contagious. "Hello, Hyuuga-san. Nice to meet you too."

"I have a surprise for you guys." Natsume said carefully, watching their reaction.

All of his family's eyes quickly landed on the little figure who has been hiding behind Mikan all this time.

Natsume squat down, gently pull Hiro into his arms, and straightening up his posture again.

Hiro shyly buried his face on Natsume's chest, clutching his shirt.

Natsume chuckled lightly. "Kiddo, come on, introduce yourself. Usually you are so brave."

Mikan poke her child's arm. "It'll be fine Hiro."

Hiro glance sideways towards Mikan.

Mikan smiled encouragingly. "I'm here."

Slowly Hiro turn towards Natsume's family, smiling nervously. "Hi." He said in small voice.

All of Natsume's family member let out an instant loud gasp seeing Hiro's features.

"Oh my godness!" Kaoru shout aloud. "Natsume! How come you didn't tell us all these years!"

"Onii-chan! You didn't tell me that I've become an aunt?!" Aoi protested.

"Is Yukihira-san his mother?" Ioran ask softly.

Natsume nodded. "Yes. We've just met, it's a long story but he is mine and Mikan's."

Kaoru looks toward the nervous child kindly. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you. Hello to you too. What's your name?"

Hiro shyly looks towards Kaoru. His crimson eyes shined. "I am Hiroyuki Yukihara, uh, grandma."

Kaoru give him a big smile. "I love that."

Aoi squealed. "He is so cute. How old are you, Hiro-kun?"

"I am nearly 7 years old." He answered, still in small voice.

Aoi smile brightly at him. "Can I carry you? Please?"

Natsume look down at Hiro. "I think he needs to adapt first, buriko. Get to know him first then you can play with him."

"I'm sorry to impose on you so suddenly." Mikan said, slightly bowing.

Kaoru waves her hand dismissingly. "Oh hush. Don't say that child, I am more than delighted to have you here, and I am overjoyed to hear that finally Natsume attach himself to someone and I have a grandson!"

Ioran chuckled. "Yeah, she has been going on about it for three years now, about Natsume giving her a grandchild."

Natsume give her a glance. "I told you." He mouthed.

Mikan smiled. "Thank you."

"It's okay. Let's go then, our chauffeur and car has waited on the front door. You guys must be hungry."

Natsume's family is really kind and welcoming. They treat her like she is their daughter or big sister, and they pretty much spoiled Hiro to the max, which make him really happy.

Right now they are enjoying dinner after a tour around the Hyuuga mansion, which is twice bigger than Natsume's mansion. There is even a garden maze inside, and Mikan 100 percent sure, without Natsume or any member of his family guidance, she would get lost, thus the reason why she make sure Hiro stays by her side.

"Did you enjoy your first day, dear?" Kaoru ask gently, smiling.

Mikan nodded, smiling back. "Yes, thank you so much for your hospitality, auntie."

"You are too sweet. How come you can like Natsume?"

Natsume rolled his eyes. "Should that be an insult?"

Aoi chuckled. "Well, you literally scare all women around you."

"You don't like the women around me either."

Aoi frowned. "That's true though. Thank goodness you have changed. I don't like a playboy as a big brother."

Natsume glance towards Mikan, secretly sighs in relief seeing that she is not sensitive about the playboy issue. "They are nothing compared her."

Kaoru laughed. "Well, dear Mikan, you have our son whipped."

Mikan chuckled. "I hope he stays like that."

Natsume smirked. "Oh, turns out you like it, little girl?"

Mikan smacked him none too gently. "Oh, don't say anything please."

"Ignore your parents and just eat, Hiro." Aoi commented, shaking her head at Natsume's and Mikan's antics.

Hiro smiled up at her. "I know they are not fighting."

"You are smart, Hiro," Ioran commented, arching his eyebrow.

"Of course he got the smart gene." Natsume replied arrogantly.

Aoi shook her head. "You are always unbelievable."

The dinner full of swapping stories and laughs at jokes that were thrown around the table. Mikan literally want to cry the whole dinner, she missed the feeling of being in family so much. She ought to fix her relationship with her parents as soon as possible.

"You guys must be tired. I'll show you to your room." Kaoru said, wiping her mouth with a napkin.

"Thank you, aunt Kaoru," Mikan replied politely.

"No need mom. I want to enjoy my time with Mikan."

Ioran arches his eyebrow, Aoi gaped towards him, while Kaoru just stared at him with unbelieving eyes.

Natsume frowned. "What is it?"

Aoi chuckled. "No, that's just a weird statement coming out from you."

Ioran shook his head. "I still can't believe if I don't hear it mysellf."

"Right? I won't believe it either if its not from my own ears." Kaoru chimed in, smiling amusedly.

Natsume rolled his eyes. "Come on Mikan, Hiro. We'll retreat to our room."

"Is it okay if I am the one who lead Hiro to his room?" Aoi said, smiling widely at Hiro.

Hiro, being quite comfortable now with Hyuuga's family nodded slowly before give Aoi a small smile. "Thank you aunt Aoi."

Aoi squealed. "You are so cute! I can't believe I have such a handsome nephew!"

Natsume sigh. "I'm sorry for my annoying family."

Mikan chuckled. "No no. I love them." She paused, slightly looking away. "I can feel you guys are such a warm family."

Natsume arches his eyebrow at Mikan's voice whose has a tinge of sadness in it, but he doesn't ask further as he just grab Mikan's hand and started to walk to their room.

"Okay, so spill, Natsume." Ioran said from his seat on the sofa in his study, crossing his arms while looking at his son with deadly eyes.

Not long after Natsume and Mikan have a shower, separately of course, seeing that Mikan is still taking her relationship slowly and Natsume doesn't want to ruin it, and making sure that Hiro is comfortable in the new room right beside their bedroom, Kaoru called her son to her husband's study. They clearly need to talk.

Kaoru sigh. "Do you know how hard it is not to get shocked at the sight of Hiro who is a doppelganger of you?"

Natsume shrugged, plopping himself across his father. "I know. Everybody reacted like that, even me. I don't believe it on the first time either."

Ioran watches Natsume carefully. "It was accidental, wasn't it? If Hiro is nearly 7, then it must be one of those days when you were still sleeping around."

"And you knew it not long ago." Kaoru added with a final tone.

Natsume smirk. "Well, you guys are my parents indeed."

Kaoru rolled her eyes. "This is a serious matter Natsume."

"Well, I did do the responsibility. All this time I never knew that she was pregnant with my son, and I tried to court her when I did know." He paused, thinking what kind of wording he should use in explaining what kind of accident did it actually happened for them to have Hiro.

"What is it Natsume?" Ioran ask again, frowning.

"Well, there was this one time when I am careless. I don't use protection, and also turns out that Mikan was being drugged by the Madame's."

Kaoru looks horrified, while Ioran look grim.

"Did I just hear that my son raped someone?" Kaoru whispered, still horrified.

Natsume sigh. "Mom, please. It's already long ago. Not that I don't feel guilty about it. I still live in hell with that burning memory. We both know, I already told Mikan, and she accepted me somehow."

"Right away?" Ioran ask, arching his eyebrow.

"No, of course not. I already hurt her so much and let her struggle alone being a young, single mother. I regret it and I love her for real."

"You sure? Its not just because of Hiro?" Kaoru ask, scrutinizing her son. She doesn't want Mikan to become a victim again after such a hard life in the past.

Natsume shook his head. "You see it with your own eyes, mother. I love her. I actually caught at the first sight, and when I met her again, and seeing that she has my child, I fall in love with her quickly."

Ioran and Kaoru look at each other. This is clearly not the Natsume they know. He changes a lot after falling in love and having a family.

"But still you should told us in the first place. Do you want me to have a heart attack and die on the spot?" Kaoru reprimanded him.

Natsume grinned. "Surprise is your thing, isn't it?"

Kaoru glared at him.. "Not like this, Natsume. You suddenly have a girlfriend and have a child that nearly 7 years old?"

"Make sure you apologize again to Mikan-san later, Natsume." Ioran said, still watching his son's expression, though with Natsume's poker face there is not much expression to read.

"I already apologized a lot, father." Natsume answered. Now he started to get annoyed. His parents dwell too much in his business! "I am an adult. I can take care of myself, and I know what I am doing."

Kaoru chuckled as she put a hand on her husband's shoulder. "Chill Ioran. He is right. Look at him now, worshipping every step Mikan on and she is looking happy with him too. And they have cute son."

Ioran sigh. "It's just because you've been wanting a grandchild, right?"

Kaoru chuckled again. "Don't be like that, honey." She moves her gaze towards Natsume. "Have you two spent time together, I mean as in holiday?"

Natsume looks at his mother seriously. "That's why I'm here mother, besides announcing that I have girlfriend and a son, I want to ask for your help."

Kaoru smiled widely. "Anything for my son, and for another grandchild." She giggled. "Maybe you both can have a daughter now."

Natsume sigh. "Mother please."

"We'll take care of Hiro." Ioran said suddenly, as if reading his mind.

Natsume smirk. Well, genius minds think alike. "Thank you father. You understand my intention."

Kaoru claps her hand excitedly. "Do I see a wedding in these few months?"

Natsume sigh again. All his mother thinks about is his marriage and having grandchildren. "Maybe if I manage to get her hand."

Ioran chuckled shortly. "I bet you can son. With a three days honeymoon. I think you guys would end on altar pretty fast."

Natsume smirked again. "I want to request to a five days honeymoon father. What do you think?"

"Of course, Natsume. Anything for you two to get married fast!" Kaoru responded immediately.

Natsume glared at Kaoru. "Mother. Please."

Kaoru smiled. "Are you sure Hiro is going to be okay? We're strangers after all, and what about school and works?"

"I already ask both the school and Imai to exempt Mikan and Hiro for family purposes, so we can stay around two weeks here. I think we can stay here for a week before going to honeymoon, to make sure Hiro is comfortable enough."

"Oh, how delightful. I get to see my son and daughter in law, also my grandchild for quite a long time." Kaoru commented, her eyes sparkling.

"We'll take care of him Natsume. Don't worry, and we'll try to bond with him in this one week so he'll get comfortable with us. Maybe you should ask Aoi. She is good with kids." Ioran said.

Kaoru pouted. "I'm good with kids too. Especially my own grandchild."

"Honey. We need to work together. It means you can't take care of Hiro alone."

" it please." Natsume can feel his annoyance spiking.

Kaoru laughs sweetly. "Alright boys. Run along now, Natsume. I've other things to discuss privately with your father."

Natsume shook his head as he stood up. "Thank you, mother, father." He said, bowing slightly before going out from the room.

Natsume opens the door to their bedroom and arches his eyebrow at the sight of Mikan still sitting on the sofa, watching TV.

He slowly walks beside her and takes a seat while slipping his hand around her waist, pulling her towards his chest. Hm. Strawberries. His favorite smell.

Mikan blushes at Natsume's affection, but she cuddle back to him and leaning her head on his wide chest. "Are you done with the talk?"

Natsume drops a kiss on her crown. "Yeah. They ask me about how I met you and Hiro and about surprising them with this."

Mikan shook her head. "It's still isn't a good thing. I thought you already told them from the first we met."

"Nah. I like to keep my life private."

Mikan smiled a little. "Really?"

"Yeah. You would like it too, won't you?"

Her smile widens. "Maybe."

Natsume chuckled a bit. He gently tugs her chin up, staring right into the pool of hazel orbs that he has come to love so much. "You look beautiful today too."

Mikan pouted. "I really don't want to imagine how many women you have lured into bed by saying that."

Natsume arch his eyebrow. "Where is this come from?"

Mikan close her eyes and sigh. "Aoi told me bits about your days when you were a playboy."

Natsume sigh. He'll definitely take revenge for that to his little sister. She ruined their first night in Osaka! "Mikan. You don't believe me?"

This time it's her turn to sigh. "I told you I trust you."

"Good." He replied, planting another kiss. "This side, no one ever seen it before. I usually indifferent to everyone, ask my family, Ruka. Maybe you can ask Imai too. Women have been chasing me, not the other way around. There is no way that I would give any compliment to them and women literally throw themselves to me."

This time its her turn to sigh. "Fine." She paused for a moment. "You are warm." Mikan pointed out and cuddle deeper into his arms.

That made a slight smile on Natsume's lips. "I'm glad you found me warm enough."

They stay like that for another minute, enjoying the silence and each other presence.

"Mikan."

"Yeah?"

"What do you think of going somewhere just the two of us?" Natsume ask quietly, watching her expression.

Mikan frowned. "Leaving Hiro alone?"

Natsume shook his head. "Of course not. My parents agreed to take care of him while we are away. So how is it?"

"You already planned this, don't you?"

Natsume smirked. "You got it right."

Mikan sigh again. She is fiddling with her fingers for a moment, and not answering, which make Natsume worried she will reject him, again.

"You can say it if you are uncomfortable spending time with me." Natsume added, gently tuck her hair behind her ear.

"No. I just... I've never been away from Hiro my whole life. I'm worried."

"Do you trust me?" Natsume ask again, looking straight into her eyes.

Mikan slowly nodded, watching Natsume's crimson eyes melted into a warm lava as a handsome smile tug on his lips, successfully enticing her.

"Hiro will be fine. My parents can take care of him perfectly, especially with my mother excited of having a grandchild."

"Okay I trust you." Mikan whispered.

Natsume's smile widens before he sweetly captured her lips as his hand pressed on the back of her head, as if wanting to pull her more to him.

Mikan instantly responded, her body already gets used to his touch somehow.

Natsume gently kiss her, taking his time as he slowly explore her mouth while his fingers caressing her cheek.

They both stop at the same time, as Natsume lean his forehead on her, panting slightly.

"Do you trust me, Mikan?" Natsume ask again, capturing her lips in another hot make out session.

Mikan pull herself away from him a bit. Her cheek red and her eyes glazed. "I do."

Natsume smiled. He swipe her up into his arms as he walk to their bed.

Mikan squealed in surprised and quickly put her arms around his neck. "Natsume! What are you doing?"

"Can I take this further?" Natsume ask, still smiling as he gently deposited Mikan on the bed.

Mikan blushed deeper. She looks away. "Why?"

Slowly, still watching her reaction, Natsume climb to bed and towering over her. She looks breathtaking right now.

"Because I love you." He answered simply. "Can I?"

"Yes." Mikan answered in nearly unheard voice. She can feel her heart beating so loud, that she is sure Natsume would hear her.

Natsume smiled the most handsome smile Mikan had ever seen as he lean down to capture another kiss from her.

WARNING : Please kindly skip the next chapter if you are not on the age yet :)

Newroz : My forever supporter 3 thank you so muchh! Yes I would definitely like one Natsume hahaha

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Hope you enjoy this long chapter!

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Aquabluemarine