The tension is the room is palpable.
Ruka's expression is impassive, his arms folded in an uncharacteristic show of resolution. His eyes are steely and his jaw is set.
In contrast, Natsume's glare is pure venom. "And why," he grits out, "on earth would I do that?"
"Because you're causing trouble for everyone!" Ruka explodes. "Just because your ego won't let you admit you care about Mikan, we're going with this endlessly complicated plan that might very well result in injury and property damage and Hotaru's infinite wrath."
The room shudders, and Ruka points an accusing finger at Natsume's face. "And this all could have been avoided if you'd just tell her already."
Yuu winces very slightly. Natsume's mouth opens – no doubt to issue a cutting response – but Ruka beats him to it.
"Don't even try. No confession, no labrador retrievers." He points to the door. "I'm walking right out."
Natsume rolls his eyes. "What makes you think I'll keep my word, even if I do agree?"
Ruka smiles smugly. "Because I'll tell her, that's why."
"You wouldn't," Natsume retorts disbelievingly. Ruka, usually so sweet and angel-faced, smirks. It's an odd look on him.
"I would. So it's either the confession comes from you, or it comes from me, pal. So what's it going to be?"
Natsume grinds his teeth. There's a moment of tension as the two boys glare at each other.
"Fine," Natsume finally grumbles. "But if anything goes wrong, it's on you."
Koko scoffs. "Please, Natsume. Who do you think you're talking to?" He gestures to his blackboard. "Everything is going to go just as we planned."
:.:
As Natsume so sagely predicts, the plan goes wrong almost immediately.
For starters, one of the labrador retrievers – barely more than a puppy, by the looks of it, despite Ruka's objections – absolutely refuses to leave Ruka's side, snuggling adamantly into his chest and barking loudly when Kitsuneme attempts to levitate him.
The remaining dog, instead of attacking the costumes, decides to attack the assortment of meat pies instead.
"They're a Umenomiya specialty," Koko says brightly, by way of explanation.
"Whatever," Natsume hisses. "Time for Plan B."
Plan B includes Kitsuneme levitating through the window himself and cutting up the costumes with scissors instead – a much riskier strategy, but a fail-proof one.
Or so they think. Turns out, Hana-chan's Sewing Alice is a little too good, and the threads are strong as steel.
"Never mind the scissors," Koko whisper-shouts from the first floor. "Just get the costumes and get out."
Unfortunately, the door sweeps open at that very second, and Kitsuneme nearly throws himself out of the window in panic.
"What now?" Yuu demands. Natsume grimaces.
"I didn't want to do this, but I guess I have to," he mutters. "It's time for Plan Stampede."
All four boys wince. "I hate Plan Stampede," Ruka mutters.
:.:
In the main classroom, the girls are getting dressed. "Anna-chan, you look so cute!" Mikan squeals. Anna blushes and curtsies shyly.
"It's time," Hotaru announces. "Remember, tips are welcome and encouraged, ladies."
Mikan dusts off her apron and eyes the door anxiously. Everything's going great, she wonders, so why do I have a bad feeling about this?
As if on cue, a deafening siren blares through the school. Nonoko claps her hands over her ears.
"Attention, all participants of the Valentine's Day Festival," a voice announces over the loudspeaker.
"In the spirit of Valentine's Day, Natsume Hyuuga-san and Ruka Nogi-san will be hosting a surprise event, just for you, our beloved classmates!" The voice pauses for dramatic effect.
"A surprise auction – of their old uniform sets! In the main classroom. First come first serve. Like, right now." The announcement cuts off, as abrupt as it begun.
The whole school is so quiet, you could her a pin drop.
For all of two seconds – and then, all hell breaks loose.
:.:
An hour later, Mikan surveys the remains of the room in stupefied horror.
The decorations have been pulled down and ripped apart. The furniture is in pieces. Even the food is gone, thanks to a labrador retriever that had somehow – she doesn't quite understand how – made its way into the kitchen.
"Snap out of it," Hotaru commands. Mikan blinks.
"What - just - happened?" she asks, faintly. Hotaru scowls.
"Ask Hyuuga," she bites out. Mikan slowly raises her head.
Natsume, at the very least, has the decency to look faintly guilty.
"Hyuuga Natsume," Mikan says, very quietly, "what did you do."
Natsume looks sulky. "You started it," he mutters.
"What the fuck did you just say?"
"All right," Ruka says loudly, as Mikan practically steams with righteous indignation. "Before you kill him, Mikan - Natsume has something to say."
Nobody moves, and Ruka gives the boys a pointed look. "Everybody out," he commands.
There's a whole lot of grumbling, but the group eventually clear out of the room. Ruka is the last to leave, the effect of his steely glare – directed straight at Natsume – only slightly diluted by the joyful retriever at his heels.
Natsume clears his throat. "Well – um," he says lamely.
Mikan raises an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"I had a totally reasonable – um, reason for all of this," he says. He's babbling, and he knows it. "So I read this article about maid cafes, and harassment cases, and –"
"Would you get to the point," Mikan says tersely.
"I didn't like that you would be dressing up for other guys." His words come out in a rush, and his face feels strangely hot. "And so – um – I tried to stop you."
There's the tiniest smile beginning to form on Mikan's face. "And you didn't think to, I don't know, ask?"
"I'm asking now," Natsume replies quietly. He's not talking about the cafe anymore, and they both know it.
Mikan's grin widens. "Well," she says airily, "better late than never."
She slips his hand into his. "I suppose," he says gruffly.
"By the way, Natsume?" She smiles at him, bright as the sun.
His heart melts a little. "Yes?"
"You owe me so, so much money."
Whoa. So yeah, better late - like seven years late - than never!
mixed feelings and maid cafés has always been one of my favourite stories. I can't even tell you how many times I've come back to this fic, re-read it, and just felt this rush of nostalgia for my fandom days. It's crazy to think what a big part of my life fanfiction was, and it's really become quite the fond memory.
I don't know if this will be my last story, but well...I'm not a teenager anymore, so it very well might be. Writing this chapter, the words didn't flow quite as easily as before, and even looking at it I'm not completely happy with it, I just kind of wanted a resolution. I think it's just one of those things about growing up. You lose the passion, the emotion of youth, and with that some of the creativity just falls away.
The fanfic fraternity is so different now, but to anyone who's still out there, I just want to say thank you. For sticking with this no-longer-kid, for reading my stories, for being such a major part of my youth. Stay beautiful.