Chapter 10: Tonight is the NIGHT

Mikan, before going directly to her room, went first to the Sakura tree. There, she stood beside the tree, look around the venue, and said, "The party tonight will sure be successful! Everything has already been prepared – from the program to the food to be served later. Well, that means I should also get ready already!" She went to her room, but then, she forgot that her dress was in Hotaru's room; so, she went to Hotaru's room and knocked. As the door opens, it reveals a woman of purple crush chiffon strapless evening gown with beads on top and her hair that is straightened that gently reaches her shoulder. Mikan was astounded of what she saw and said, "Hotaru, is that you?" Hotaru suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her in. Hotaru was already done preparing herself and said, "You can just change here in my room; anyway, all the materials were here already. Come on, I'll fix your hair and your face first." Mikan sat on a chair and in her front is a mirror. Hotaru placed a light make-up on her face because that is what suits her best while her hair has a curl at the end. While fixing Mikan, she suddenly said, "Oh, Hotaru, thanks for the bracelet! It was very lovely and I love it!"

"What bracelet?"

"The bracelet with dangling garnet stones all over it and you know it's very heavy!"

"Garnet! That means those stones are real and way too expensive for me to buy you one knowing that you might just lose it!"

"For your information, I do not loose any of my stone jewelries!"

"Who said that I'm the one who bought that thing?"

"Natsume! Why? Isn't it that you asked Natsume to buy this bracelet and give it to me?"

"Huh?! Natsume told you that?"

"Ya!"

Hotaru didn't answer and pause. Then suddenly…

"I think I already know what happened."

"What 'what happened'? Haven't I just told you yet what really happened?"

"Let's put it this way, the bracelet that Natsume gave you is the one that he really bought but I – did – not – tell – him – to – buy – that – thing! Don't you know how much it costs?"

"Then why is it that he bought it and gave it to me?"

"Simple. He gave that to you for a purpose – it's either because of an occasion or because he is still in love with you!"

"Still in love? Are you kidding me? Natsume never fell in love with me, in fact, I'm the one who fell in love with him but that was a long time ago and…"

"And what, idiot?"

"He's already getting married."

"Married? Really?! And who the heck is the unfortunate girl?"

Their conversation suddenly stopped when someone knocked on the door and opened it, it was Aoi. She has been at the door, listening to their conversation and she has already finished fixing herself. She wears a cocktail dress of a superbly elegant black taffeta and her hair is tied on one side with a black velvet ribbon. She entered the room, jumping with joy and said, "Hey, guess what, I just heard my brother talking to someone on a phone and they're talking about a proposal! It's a proposal for a new product that will be endorsed by the company! And, that's not all – I am the one that's going to handle that product and everything! Oh! I'm so happy! Please don't tell my brother that I already know what his surprise proposal will be!"

"Oh! Really!" Hotaru exclaimed as if she doesn't know anything about their plan of telling Mikan that what she have heard is just not true, then she continued and asked, "hey, idiot! What is it your saying?" "Ow, nothing…. hehehe just never mind those statements of mine." Mikan replied and just said in her thoughts, "That means, Natsume isn't really going to be married! How jerk am I! And because of that, I drank and was put into danger but then I was saved by the one who made me cry! How ironic is that?!" "I have to go back to my room to get my other accessories! See ya later!" Aoi said as she bade good-bye to the other two. Hotaru continued fixing Mikan's hair while Mikan just remained quiet.

Meanwhile at Natsume's room…

"Hey Natsume! I'm already done! How about you…" Ruka said as he fixes his watch and then continued, "are you planning to do it now?"

"What 'it'?"

"Oh come on! Tell you feelings for Mikan!"

"What 'feelings' are you talking about?"

"Oh god! I know that you're still in love with her for all this time!"

"And how the hell did you come up with that kind of conclusion?"

"I can feel it! And this is the reason why until now you haven't court any girl yet!"

"Because I don't have any time for those stupid things!"

"Who the hell are you kidding? Me or yourself? The whole world already knows that you're in love with her and she is in love with you; so, why the hell you two haven't had any guts to tell that to each other? Are you two just stubborn or dumb?!" After that statement of Ruka, he went out of his room and went somewhere else just to cool himself. On the other hand, Natsume said, "You just don't understand, Ruka, but I hope someday you will." In the midst of the Northern Forest and above a tree, a man there stood and said, "One more chance nullifier, but if you break our agreement, I'll just break you in pieces."

Meanwhile in Anna's room where Sumire and Nonoko are also there…

"Sumire you look awesome!" Anna said to Sumire who is wearing a low waist polyester satin dress with ruffle train and a left side split open, her hair is tied on one shoulder with curls. "Thank you Anna! You too look gorgeous in your dress!" Sumire said to Anna who wears a long burgundy evening dress that is pinned with a rose of same color at the left waist and her hair is straight with tiara on her head. "By the way, where's Nonoko?" Sumire asked. "Looking for me!" Nonoko said as she suddenly went out of the restroom. She was wearing a straight neckline, full-length and two-piece gown that is black and white; her hair is tied on a back ponytail. "You look great Nonoko!" Anna exclaimed. "Thanks! You guys look wonderful too!" Nonoko complimented them. "Ooh! I can't wait to see the others!" Sumire said. "Then, let's go!" Nonoko said as she approached the door. Nonoko opened the door, revealing three manly men – Mucho, Yuu, and Koko – all wearing their tuxedos. The boys have this is-that-my-girl-friend reaction. They just stared at them when Sumire suddenly said, "Can you let us out?" The boys returned to their senses and said in unison, "Of course, my ladies!" The girls had their way and they went straight to the venue and sat in a round table – which is fit for 11 people. There they met Aoi and Ruka.

Meanwhile in Hotaru's room….

Mikan was staring at the gown that was hanging in a closet. This was the gown that Hotaru told her to wear but then she is hesitating and said, "Isn't this gown 'over'?". Hotaru was fixing her bed when she said, "What over, idiot? Just go to the bathroom and change! The party is about to start any minute now! Make it fast!" Mikan, upon hearing this, went to the bathroom carrying the gown and changed. After a few minutes, she went out and then Hotaru said quickly, "Wear the bracelet that Natsume gave you and do you have any appropriate necklace?" "Yes, I do have one but it's in my room" Mikan replied. "Get it then proceed in the venue, I'll be waiting there for you!" Hotaru said, but Mikan just nodded. They both went to their agreed places – Mikan went to her room and wore a silver necklace with a heart-shaped locket and the garnet bracelet; Hotaru went to the venue and talked to Aoi.

In the venue where everyone is except for Mikan…

Hotaru dragged Aoi near the stage and gave her a paper then said, "Aoi, you will be the one to host the program. This will be the format of the program, I have asked all of them about the program except that of Mikan, but I know that she will. Mikan will be arriving here any minute now and after five minutes, start the program. Are we clear on that?" Aoi just nodded for the things that she is supposed to do are too many and she thinking if she could ask any help from anyone. After a couple of minutes, Mikan arrived and Natsume who was just sitting down, first saw her. He was astonished and couldn't move in his place. It seems that he was suddenly occupied. The others saw Natsume's behavior when Koko said, "Natsume are you alright?" Then, Natsume didn't reply so the others placed their eyes where Natsume is staring. There, they saw a princess wearing
an elegant high-end chameurse ivory ball gown. The ladies stood to go near her then Sumire said, "You're so fabulous, girl! I like your attire! I love it!" "It's so beautiful!" Anna exclaimed. "You go girl! I know that before this night ends, someone will propose to you!" Nonoko concluded. "Hehehe, you look wonderful too guys! How can you say so, Nonoko?" Mikan asked. "Ow, come on! With that kind of beauty, even I can also assure you that!" Sumire agreed. "Oh guys, please, don't think that way! Let's just enjoy this night because tomorrow, we're all leaving! Right!" Mikan said. "Ok, fine! You said it!" Anna said.

The girls are about to sit in their table when suddenly Aoi started, "Good Evening, ladies and gentlemen! I will be your host for tonight! Moreover, for those who don't know me, I'm Aoi Hyuuga, the younger sister of your classmate, Natsume Hyuuga! Well, to start, may I invite your dearest adviser, Mr. Narumi to come up here on stage for a couple of inspiring words! Let's all give him a round of applause!" With that, everybody clapped their hands and Mr. Narumi made his way to the stage while the three ladies are still standing. "Good evening my wonderful students! It has been some time since we last met each other. I can still remember the times when you guys are in your classroom, sometimes; one is being left alone so, just like the old days, I prepared a sitting arrangement for you all!" Mr. Narumi exclaimed. "What!" the students became noisy; all complaining that until now that they're all grown up, sitting arrangements are necessary. Mr. Narumi then continued, "In the back of each chairs are your names,

that means, that is where you are supposed to sit. I'm now giving you 5 minutes to look for your own chairs! Time starts now!"

All of the students stood and look for their own chair; all have their own chair except for Mikan and Natsume who is standing under a tree. "There are only three chairs left; that means that on one of them is my name." She went to the chair and saw the name AOI in it. She looked for another and found out that it was her name and beside it is another chair but no one's sitting on it; so she looked at its back and saw the name NATSUME in it. She sat down and saw that the persons in that table are also Sumire and the others. "WHHHHAAAAAATTTTTTTTTT?!! This can't be! Mr. Narumi, what the hell are you thinking? He's been my seatmate since I started studying here and now, he is still my seatmate!" Everybody heard Mikan's complaints, Mr. Narumi said, "Mikan, just like what I've said a while ago, I arranged you in a way where you'll not be alone for the rest of the night. Do you understand?"

"But you can just place my chair beside Hotaru's."

"If I'll place you beside Hotaru, you will just disturb her because she's with Ruka."

"How about Anna or Nonoko or Sumire?"

"They have boy friends already Mikan!"

"Then why does it have to be Natsume?"

"Because Natsume is single and you too are single; so I may pair you two as well."

"But Aoi is also single!"

She will be hosting the program tonight that's why she might not be able to keep her eye on you?!"

"This is so unfair!"

"Just shut up! I'm also tired of sitting beside you! But thanks for finding my chair!" Natsume burst in. "Natsume! I hate you!" Mikan exclaimed. "They're starting it again!" Yuu concluded. "I wonder in what way will that conversation end?" Mucho asked teasingly as the two continue to argue. "This will be a memorable night, I tell you guys!" Koko said…