Chapter 9: The Gang and The Lovebirds

After finish eating, the lovebirds proceed to a store where ties are for sale. This time, Natsume is the one choosing for the best tie to buy. Mikan was just at his back. In about ten minutes, the ten ties were already packed and being carried by Natsume. Natsume said, "Hey what's the last thing to buy?" "Oh! Ten pieces of batteries." Mikan replied. "By the way, are you not going to place those ties in the car?" Mikan asked. "No" Natsume replied quickly. "Why?" Mikan again asked. "Because I can carry them all" Natsume reasoned. "Oh! Ok! Do you know where to buy some batteries?" Mikan again asked. "Huh?! Are you not getting tired of asking?" Natsume asked. "No, why?" Mikan replied. "Stupid girl! When will you ever learn?" Natsume answered. "Learn what? Natsume." Mikan asked again. Natsume, getting so impatient, stopped under a tree and looked at her. He was about to say something to shut her up when suddenly a big branch of tree was about to fall on Mikan. Natsume carried Mikan bridal style and he jumped his way to another tree as the branch of the tree fell. Mikan, not knowing what happened, was already on a branch of a tree with Natsume on her side, holding her back and her hands. Natsume was not aware of what position they are in because he was staring at the branch of the tree as it fell. On the other hand, Mikan noticed that she could hardly move because of their position.

"Uhm, hehe, Natsume." Mikan said as Natsume looked at her. "you might want to release me now because…" Mikan continued as Natsume abruptly let go of her hands and back causing Mikan to lose her balance. Natsume quickly hold her on her body making Mikan hug Natsume tightly. She was crying and her head was on Natsume's chest. Natsume was shocked but then he smiled and hugged Mikan in return then whispered to her, "I'm sorry. It's my fault. You can stop you're crying now little girl. We'll go down now so you won't be scared anymore…" Mikan sat up straight but still crying so Natsume handed down his white handkerchief. Mikan wiped her tears and then Natsume carried her again bridal style. As they got down already, Mikan stopped crying and said, "Thank you for saving my life again Natsume." From the statement of hers, Natsume smiled at her for her to feel better and then walked a bit to pick the packed ties that they just bought.

"Come on, we still have to buy those batteries." Natsume said cheerfully. "Oh my god!" Mikan suddenly said that made Natsume in a panic mode and said, "Why? What's the problem?" Mikan smiled and said, "For all those years, this is the first I see your smile and you know…" Mikan stopped and then Natsume, out of curiosity asked, "know what?" Mikan ran away, giggling and said "you look more handsome if you're going to smile always Mr. Hyuuga!" Natsume blushed, shook his head and whispered to himself, "This is the reason why I can't get over you for all these years… Mikan."

Natsume followed Mikan entered a hardware store but then when he reached the store, Mikan ran before him and said, "I almost forgot that I can't buy anything without you because I don't have any money." Mikan laughed as she pulled him in the store. "god!" That was the only thing Natsume can say. He paid for the batteries that Mikan chose and now all they have to do is to wait for the others. It was then about 10 am, so they still have 2 hours to wait. "Hey we still have a spare time! What do you say we tour the whole town for awhile?" "Great idea Natsume!" Mikan said. They walked and walked around the town until it was 11 am. "Natsume, would you mind if we still rest for awhile? I'm tired." Mikan asked as she saw a Sakura Tree nearby. "Let's rest there!" she said. The two walked to the tree and rest there. Mikan sat in the ground and in the opposite side is Natsume. "Hey did you get tired?" Mikan asked. "Of course! What do you think of me? A robot?" Natsume said. "Fine. Chill. Relax." Mikan said calmly.

After some silence, Mikan stood and went near Natsume. "What are you doing here?" asked Natsume. "Nothing. It's just so hard to talk especially when you can't see the person you're talking to." Mikan said then smiled. "Hmph! You just have to admit that you missed me." Natsume said teasingly. Mikan, who is already tired and doesn't have any time for argue, "Fine… I miss you Nat-su-me…" she said as she placed her head in Natsume's shoulders. "Sleep tight Mikan…" Natsume said in his thoughts. He is also tired so he planned to take a nap and placed his head on the tree's trunk.

Meanwhile, the rest of the gang is so happy because the plan – letting the flowerpot and the big branch fall – was working. Now, all they need to do is just one last accident before they could go back to the academy.

30 minutes later…

"Hey guys! Look I've found them!" Mucho shouted. The others ran to the Sakura tree, all pretending that they didn't know anything that happened to those two. "Ahh! Aren't they sweet?" Anna and Nonoko said in unison. They all laughed, but then, because of their noise, the two woke up and Mikan said groggily, "Hey? What are you guys doing here?" "Don't you remember that we're going to take our lunch here but then you we're sleeping there with Natsume the whole time?" Sumire demanded. "Oh yeah!" Mikan exclaimed. "So! How was your nap?" Ruka said. "Fine. I'm already hungry. Where are we supposed to eat?" Natsume said trying to change the topic. "Where do you want to eat guys?" Yuu asked the others. "I know! I saw an Italian Restaurant there! Why don't we go eat there?" Aoi declared. "Are all in favor of Aoi's suggestion?" Mucho said slowly and crazily. "Hey Mucho, what are you still doing there? The gang is already leaving and yet you're still under that tree?" Sumire yelled at his boyfriend.

"Rrrr… I don't know why I fell in love with that jerk?!" Sumire said regretfully as Mikan heard the statement she said, "When you like someone, you like them in spite of their faults. When you love someone, you love them with their faults..."

"So! How the heck did she come up with those words?" Sumire asked. "If you're inspired, you can make even a billion!" Koko answered. As they reached the restaurant, the waiter greeted them, "Good Afternoon, Madams and Seniors! Welcome to our brand new restaurant! I see you're 11; so you ought to as well sit ov'r there!" "Thank you for your warm welcome!" Mikan said. Natsume went to the comfort room while the others sat in a round table. The seating arrangements are as follow: Ruka, Hotaru, Aoi, Mikan, blank seat, Koko, Anna, Nonoko, Yuu, Sumire, and Mucho. The chairs are exactly ten so when Natsume went to their table, he has no choice but to sit beside Mikan. (the seating arrangement was also part of the plan)

"So! What's thy order Madams and Seniors?" asked the waiter as he distributes the menu to each of them. "I'll go with the traditional pasta." Mucho quickly said. "Baked Mac for me!" Anna said. "Me also!" Nonoko said. "Pasta in Carbonara is my order!" Sumire said. "Lasagna Senior!" Aoi said. "Do you have crabs here?" Hotaru asked. "Of course Madam!" the waiter answered. "Then it's decided. That's my order!" Hotaru concluded. "I'll go with the pasta with meatballs." Ruka said. "How about you, Madam and Senior?" asked the waiter to Natsume and Mikan. "We'll go with the pasta of your specialty." Natsume ordered. As soon as Natsume stated their order, the waiter went away. "Wait! What kind of food did you order Natsume?" Mikan asked panicking. "Chill. Relax. Calm down." Natsume answered.

"Hey, that's my line for you!"

"Well, it also suits you in anyways."

"Hey Mister! Are you making fun of me again?"

"Ooops! I didn't say anything funny and they're not even laughing!"

"But it's obvious! You're making fun of me again!"

"I didn't say anything! It came from you!"

"Those two are quarreling again. For heaven's sake! Although, I missed that scene!" Mucho said. "It's better that way than they'll just stare at each other." Koko said. They were just stopped when they're orders came. "Wow, my food looks delicious! I hate to say this but thank you Natsume!" Mikan said looking at him cheerfully. They ate and finish their lunch. Everybody just finish their lunch when Hotaru said to Aoi quietly, "Hey, did you make sure Mikan left her wallet in her room?" "Of course! You know, I think it was my brother who bought all the things that you told Mikan to buy because she doesn't have any money with her right now!" Hotaru answered, "Good Job!" After that, "Wow! I'm so full! I think I can't stand alone!" Mucho said with a burp in the end. "Yeah, me too. I feel like my stomach's bursting anytime now." Yuu said. "I'm sorry to disturb you guys, but I just want you to know that this is an 'EAT YOUR OWN, PAY YOUR OWN' lunch. To the one who can't pay, he or she will wash the dishes of this restaurant." Hotaru said to them. "WHAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!" Mikan yelled and then continued, "Wait Hotaru! I left my money in my room a while ago! I don't have any money right now! Hotaru!" Everybody stood up and heading for the main door but Mikan followed Hotaru, begging her to pay for her, and Natsume who is still sitting on his chair.

"HOTTTTTAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU, oh please!!!!!!!!!!" Mikan yelled as she held Hotaru's hands very tight. After a couple more begging, Mikan just let go of her hand and said, "It was just washing dishes! I know I can do it!" Mikan stood and walked through the restaurant again. On the other hand, Natsume stood and went to the counter and paid the bill of his food and Mikan's food. When Mikan entered the restaurant, he saw Natsume who is about to go out already and said, "Hey, little girl, where are you going?" Mikan stopped and said, "Oh! Hehehe, hi there! I'm going to wash the dishes because I wasn't able to pay for my food! Hehehe! See you tonight!" then she hurriedly ran away, but before she can go far enough, Natsume grabbed her hand and said, "No need to wash the dishes. I already paid for your food. You can now go and do your last minute shopping." After saying that, Natsume let go of her hand and he was about to walk away when, "THANK YOU NATSUME!!" Mikan yelled and unexpectedly, she hugged him with her hands wrapped around his neck. Mikan was astounded of what she has done when she suddenly put her hands back to her hips. "Oops, hehehe. I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Mikan said in panic mode. Natsume just walked away and said, "Just do your shopping thing!" Mikan just followed him. They were quiet the whole time while searching for their companions. Until, "Mikan! Natsume! We're here!" Anna and Nonoko shouted. The two just went there without any word. They went inside the store. Natsume went with the boys who are sitting in a bench while Mikan went where the other girls are – choosing their accessories.

They bought their own and when finished at exactly 3 pm, that is 2 hours before the party, they all headed home. "Mikan, you ride with Natsume and we'll just take the bus." Sumire demanded. Mikan, who is still guilty of what she had done, just nodded. The others went in the bus while Natsume and Mikan ride on the car. Riding on a car about a minute after Mikan took a deep breath and said with her eyes covered by her bangs, "I'm sorry for what I've done a while ago, I was just shocked, hope you can for-", she was cut off when Natsume suddenly said, "It's nothing, polka dots, forget it like nothing unusual ever happened." "Ok, you said it!" Mikan said with a bit of guilt inside her. Still bowing her head, Natsume noticed it. Uncertain of what he is supposed to do, he brought out of his pocket a red small box (but not as the size of the ring) and tossed it to Mikan's lap. Surprised of what it is, she asked, "What is this?" "Open it." Natsume demanded. Mikan opened it and saw a silver bracelet with dangling stones of garnet. "Wow! Is this for me?" Mikan asked directly. "That's why I gave it to you little girl." Natsume replied with the duh-tone.

"This is unexpected! And what's the occasion?"

"Hotaru happened to ask me to buy you that."

"And why is it garnet?"

"Maybe because of your birthstone."

"Oh yeah, my birth month is January! This is so nice! Although, this costs a lot from how it looks like."

"You don't need to pay me."

"But…"

"If you want to pay me, then pay me, but I will not accept it."

"Fine… Anyway, thanks! Very much!"

Mikan has been staring the bracelet until they reached the dormitory. There they proceed to their own rooms, both the women and the men, to prepare for the party that night…