"Natsume!" Mikan managed to let out after she broke away from the raven-haired's kiss. She quickly jumped off the bed and armed herself by sitting next to the snoring Youichi. "Now I tell you! You stay there until everybody else arrives! One step towards me and we're through!"
Natsume groaned and lied on his stomach. "Why can't your boyfriend have a little chocolate once in a while?" the black cat hissed as he bit the pillow.
Mikan paused halfway fixing herself. There was something familiar about the line that just escaped from his lips, and after it rung a bell to her, she quickly darted off the bed and stood before him.
"Hand it over." the little brunette commanded, her left hand on her hip and the other stretched at him. The she looked much like a cop asking for the he's driver's license after the he was caught over speeding.
His face twitched in a what-do-you-mean-hand-it-over way.
"Now you sit straight and hand it over nicely. Come on. Don't make me mad."
He gave her a pretending face of innocence. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't you give me that look young man. I know you from the way your nose twitches and your brow arcs! Now what could it be this time, eh? More like those with cute girls and cute guys doing weird stuff to each other?!" she closed her eyes and gulped in a huge amount of air, "Natsume," shifting her weight on her right foot, she bit her lip, "When will you stop reading... bad... manga with all those... fluffs and lemons?"
"Hn." he looked away with a red face, crossing his arms behind his back.
"Don't give me that reaction..."
Really. Why can't guys be like girls in such things? he mumbled in his head as he crossed his arms before his chest, while she made her sermon.
"...and could you imagine what those things might bring your head? Once they enter it, it'll never give you peace. You'll spend the rest of your life-"
"Alright. I get the message." he said after he was able to fix himself into his usual cool demeanor.
But despite it, it was clear in the red flush on his face that the black cat was embarrassed. Indeed she was right. He had been spending some time alone fantasizing on what he had been reading. After a deep sigh, he dug out four volumes from his pocket (and to think it actually fit in there), slowly placed them on her hands and hid his face from her view.
Feeling a little pity on him, Mikan softened her voice, "Thank you."
She quickly disposed of them down the toilet and came back with bright eyes. "Now let's have a deal, shall we?"
"What?"
"I understand how you feel. But Natsume, I am not that type of girl. Look, I may act like an idiot at times, but..."
"I know. You're..." his eyes slowly crept toward hers. "Innocent... I'm sorry."
She gave him a gentle smile as she slowly took out a black bag. "Now here's the deal." She bent and reached his ear for a whisper.
Natsume's left brow rose as she gave him the black plastic bag. "I've got a bad feeling about this."
When the others arrived, Mikan was the only one left awake, though there was a mystery why Natsume was sleeping with his head in a black plastic bag. They tried to ask Mikan of it, but the latter claimed she hadn't noticed.
So, after they stuffed their stomachs full, everyone went to bed.
oxoxo
The smell of dew.
"Mmm..."
Sunflowers.
"Natsume..." he heard her whisper in his ear.
"Mikan... I knew you'll still agree." Natsume groaned as he yawned.
He rolled on his belly and smirked. He caressed her hair. "Could this be a dream?" he asked her, still with closed eyes.
"The smell of dew... Sunflowers..." a bass toned voice reached his ears which gave a chill along his spine which immediately sent waves along his optic nerves and instantly sent his eyelids flutter open.
"SON OF A-!!!"
-
Everyone was silently busying themselves as they prepared for the day. It was about four in the morning and all, except for Youichi were awake. They hardly had enough sleep, yet they had to get ready before the clock struck five which was the hour that they'd begin their temporary job.
"It was a good thing the two early birds managed to wake us all up early!" Koko commented and glanced at Ruka, but when their eyes met, the bunny boy hid his face unexpectedly and pretended on fixing his tie.
"Woah! Mikan-chan! You look so cute on that outfit!" Tsubasa applaud as he polished his shoes.
"It was so nice of Mr. Ganba to lend us the waiter uniforms!" Mikan said with a cheery smile.
"Ano... All restaurants provide their waiters uniforms, Mikan," Yuu corrected with a slow tone.
Tsubasa scratched his head while Mikan had a drop of sweat on her left forehead.
"Oh nevermind that, Yuu. Oi. Ruka, Natsume! Doesn't Mikan look nice on her outfit?"
But the two weren't listening.
Natsume was busy crumpling the bedcovers absent-mindedly, while Ruka was spacing out with his little bunny playing along his left shoulder, poking his cheek.
"I really thought it was her. They had the same smooth skin and I ALMOST FELL FOR IT," Koko read aloud as he stared Natsume in the eye, face to face.
At that instant, Natsume snapped out and soon after dodged his face out of view as Koko's right sleeve went into flames.
Ruka saw and heard it all and he too hid his face as he remembered what had happened earlier between the two of them..
flashback-
Earlier..
"Son of a!!!" Natsume blurted as he jumped off the bed.
"Natsume?! You were touching my neck and you almost..." Ruka cried in panic, goosebumps crawling the place where the raven-haired boy had touched him.
Both nervously checked their surroundings and felt relieved when they heard snores among their friends.
Sigh. "Let's wake 'em."
end of flashback-
"Are you sure both of you're fine?" Mikan asked as she felt their foreheads, awakening them from their deep thoughts.
The two best of friends were now sitting side by side on Natsume's bed. Both had flushed faces and they tried to avoid each other's glances, but instantly replied to her question.
"H-Hai!"
"Okay, that settles it. Now we're ready for the day!"
"Ehem, Mikan." Yuu coughed and pointed at the watch that lied peacefully on a chair next to their bed. "You're still a girl."
"Oh! Come to think of it! I haven't actually seen Mikan's boy-form yesterday!" Tsubasa said as he approached her.
"Right!" Koko added as he jumped on his just-made bed. "I didn't notice you yesterday either!"
"Come on, Mikan-chan! Wear the watch so all of us can be familiar of you!"
At this, Natsume flinched as his eyes fell on the watch that was now on Mikan's hands.
That thing. Natsume thought. "Er, Mikan."
Mikan stopped at the sound of his voice.
"Ne, Natsume?" Mikan asked, her hand halfway clasping the watch around her wrist.
"Ano..." he stood up, "You'll use it?"
The rest exchanged confused looks.
"Weren't you the one who gave me the watch in the first place, Natsume-kun?" Mikan asked, tilting her head to the side as she examined his sweaty face.
But he wasn't looking at her. His eyes were on her watch and he was deep in his thoughts. How dumb of me to even suggest using that thing. I knew she had used it once... And it didn't turn out good. But... It was for a whole summer. This time it'll just be a week... Maybe it wouldn't cause much trouble... Who's face would it be this time?
"And besides, I won't be able to stay here if I won't use this watch to disguise myself as male..."
Maybe seven days won't bring many problems. If I'd take it back and suggest not using it, I'd be forced to tell them the reason. I couldn't.
Natsume stared at the watch one more time and closed his eyes. But... who's face would it be? He thought once more as his eyebrows met.
"Hello Natsume-kun..."
He snapped out from his thoughts. Everyone was now looking strangely at him and he finally replied. "H..Hai."
"There, there Natsume-kun!" Mikan once again felt his forehead "Are you sure you're alright? You're all sweaty."
"I'm fine." Natsume grunted and caught Ruka looking at him worriedly.
"Bah-bah, Natsume!" Tsubasa jeered as he messed Natsume's hair, "Go on, Mikan! Wear it already."
"Mm!" the little brunette nodded, "Here it goes!"
CLICK!
When she had finally locked the watch, a bright light burst from it and filled the room. When the light faded, only Mikan was left shining in the dimly lit room. But this time, the figure standing on Mikan's previous position, was not that of the brunette they knew. But of a total stranger.
"Wicked!" Koko and Tsubasa exclaimed at the same time.
"I feel weird!" a low voice said. It was Mikan, in her new form! The figure was still unclear to them, for it was still shining.
At last, Mikan stepped out from the light and everyone scratched their eyes.
"Well, guys? How do I look?"
"Woah. It worked!" Yuu added.
"Cool..." Koko said with mesmerized eyes.
Natsume and Ruka were speechless as they stared at the form before them.
The form that was before them was taller than the usual Mikan, but not taller than them. His skin was pale and fair and he had a slim figure. His hair that reached his jaw was purple and it matched with the color of his eyes. Truly, he looked more feminine than the real Mikan, but with his stern face and thin lips, he was male.
"Kawaii..." Yuu said, "What'll your name be, Mikan-chan?"
"But you still look like a girl. Oh I know!..." Tsubasa jumped next to Mikan and tried to pull his shirt off when Natsume and Ruka quickly took hold of his neck and threw him out the window before he even succeeded.
"Tsubasa!!!" the new Mikan cried out the window but the two best friends pulled him back.
"Tch. Idiot."
"Jerk."
"Eheheh." Yuu and Koko forced a laugh as they wiped off their sweat.
So, in the end, all of them decided the best name that fit his appearance.
Yuki Sohma.
so how was it folks? hoo.. i really forgot the other parts of this story...been a long time since i thought of this story..
and too lazy to go back on rereading some parts so they might have some errors...
anyways.. review are welcome! even flames if you want... just make em constructive.. onegai!