CHAPTER 5 – Mikan's Successful Career and her upcoming Birthday Bash
"At last Hotaru I finished all my MTV awhile ago, now I CAN GO BACK HOME! I'm so happy! Hello? Hotaru are you still there?" Mikan asked while looking outside her window in her five-star room. "I'm still here even though you called me at what hour already Mikan for Pete's sake can't it wait tomorrow for you to give the message? Anyway got to go I'm really sleepy. Nightnight." Hotaru dropped the call. Mikan looked sadly at her phone while thinking who is sleeping at the time of ten pm, it is her debut tomorrow and she's not sure if she can go home early tomorrow. Specially it will be tomorrow that her first music video will be released on television worldwide. Sure three months pass by quickly. She then changed to her nightgown and let sleep claim her.
In the United States of America…
"Its so early in the morning who would knock at my bedroom door…grrrr!" Natsume whined as he walked to the door. As he opened it he was shocked to see Persona, its already been 5 years since he last saw him and gave him his mission. He felt there is something bad going to happen.
"Still as cocky as ever huh, won't you let me in inside your five star room hotel specially when the Academy is the one paying for this. Hmpt." Persona said to Natsume while looking around the room. "What are you doing here? What do you want now?" Natsume snapped at Persona.
"I will get straight to the point, the real reason your little girlfriend was chosen to be the representative of the school is not only because of her talent but also as a bait to lure the founder of Anti-Alice to come to us since we all know, Mikan is who they want. Being publicly known and doing things outside the academy gives us the opportunity to lure the founder." Persona explained proudly to Natsume who on the other way around looks very worried. "Damn you for using her, I told you to stay away from them as I am doing these missions for all of you! And…" Natsume was cut off by Persona. "I know that you will act like this and you will like what I will say next because you are now going back to Japan. Because we will wait when the founder will come out to get your little kitty. You will be back to protect the academy and her if you can as her own personal bodyguard. Don't you like your new mission? Though I'm telling you now that if you will be carefree and not alert, you will lose her." Persona said before he left and leaving Natsume's passport and ticket on the coffee table.
When Persona is nowhere in the room, Nastume promised to himself that he will not fail to protect Mikan. Then he smiled because he can return to her now specially it will be her birthday tomorrow. He must be prepared for this.
Inside the Alice Academy…
"Mou, Hotaru, its already late in the evening we are almost finish can't we get some sleep and continue this tomorrow? We are working nonstop for almost a week now." Whined Ruka. "It is her birthday tomorrow, her debut! We must make her happy since Natsume is not here for her. I dropped her call so we can finish this okay?" Hotaru said threateningly to Ruka.
The next day…
Halfway between America and Japan…
Natsume can't believe what he is seeing on the television on the airplane, its his Mikan on her first released music television video. Mikan has changed into a more beautiful woman, a woman. She wore a simple white dress, she let her hair down which curls at the end. She looks so simple yet dashingly beautiful and fabulous. She looks sad as he look on her eyes in the television. But he also knew that Mikan is waiting for him because of the theme in her album, she wants to go to the fire and be burned by it. The song is her second hit, Bring Me To Life (which is by Evanescence originally). "Mikan wait for me, in a few hours I will be with you." Natsume thought. He can't wait any longer to have her in his arms.
At the Alice Academy…
It was already 5 in the afternoon when Mikan arrived in the Academy. She went directly to the college hall as she followed Hotaru's direction. She is still on her pink gown due to the party before she left in the hotel in celebration for her success. Mikan finally arrived to the college building, excited to see her friends. She opened the door and was shocked to see what's inside.
"Happy Birthday Mikan!" Everybody said at Mikan's welcome party. Mikan was stunned to see that the class prepared for her debut. Red roses can be seen everywhere inside the hall of the college building, a tarpaulin greeting her Happy 18th birthday, a large lcd screen where her music video is playing, a large buffet table and a dance floor. Her friends really prepared for this. They asked the teachers to use the hall exclusively for them. Everybody is there including Tsubasa and Misaki. Mikan was so happy and cried because she was so touched by her friends. The only one missing is Natsume. But even though he is not there Mikan is happy with her friends.
They asked Mikan to sit at her princess chair. Then her friends started giving their 18 messages for her. Hotaru is the first one, then Sumire, Anna, Nonoko, Misaki, and her other classmates. Then the music was turned on as Hotaru asked Mikan to be danced by the 18 men, first Mikan danced with Ruka, Kokoroyomi, Mochu, and their other classmates. She is currently dancing with Narumi sensei, her 17th partner.
"Oh my God! Ruka, I miscalculated the boys, I didn't know I unconsciously counted Natsume as part of the 18 boys, we need one now. Oh no, the song is almost finished!" Hotaru worriedly said to Ruka. Ruka thought Hotaru was never this careless, hmm time changes everything I guess, maybe it is because she is not cold anymore.
"Ruka! What are we going to do? I want it to be perfect for Mikan!" Ruka was shocked when Hotaru shouted. He was about to suggest something when someone touched his back. And when he looked,
"NATSUME!" Both Hotaru and Ruka said. "Am I late? I believe I can be the last guy, am I correct?" Natsume said smiling at them. "Since when did you came back?" Ruka asked. "That's not the time to ask for questions, the song ended already. Natsume you still owe me for leaving Mikan but I let you pass tonight and make Mikan happy. Now go, dance with her." Hotaru pushed Natsume to the dance floor.
Mikan is currently facing the other way and was startled when she felt someone hugged her from behind. Its touch is familiar… Mikan looked at her back and was surprised to see Natsume. His hair is so long and messy but he's still handsome, more handsome. And she can see how well built his body is. "Happy birthday my Mikan, I told you I will be back for you." Natsume said to her right ear. Mikan blushed and hugged Natsume very tightly and cried. "You Baka! Why didn't you keep in touch! And how dare you leave me without properly saying…" Mikan was cut off when Natsume kissed her lips passionately. She closed her eyes and responded the kiss, everyone cheered for the reconciliation of the two. They know that they are perfect for each other. After the kiss, the song started, it is Save the Last Dance For Me by the Drifters. (if you know queer as folk, its such as a wonderful dance, just think of it as Natsume being Brian and Mikan being Justin) Natsume lifted Mikan at the end of the song. Mikan received the best gift of the night and it is Natsume.