Your Typical New Kid
by
Stars of Gold
Chapter 14: Natsume Admits
Natsume leaned against his Sakura tree once more. Mikan joined him wordlessly, an unusual gesture for her. They sat in silence for a few moments, simply staring up into the pink petals of the tree.
"Hey, Polka Dots."
"Hmm?"
"Who're you going to name for the Last Dance?"
Mikan tapped her chin. "Well, usually Hotaru would name me, just as a joke, but now she's got Ruka-pyon, so..."
She blinked. "Why do you care, anyway?"
"I don't."
She snorted. "Whatever you say, Natsume."
"Hn."
"So have you finally given in and allowed a fan girl to name you for the Last Dance?"
He snorted. "No. But if the right person asks..." He murmured the last bit, but Mikan heard anyway, and squealed in delight.
"So even the almighty Hyuuga Natsume has fallen for someone, nee? Who's the lucky girl?"
He blushed slightly and looked away. Mikan cooed appreciatively. "She's got you blushing! That's so cute!"
He refused to answer. "Do I know her?"
"...Yes."
"Is she pretty?"
"She's the prettiest girl I've ever met, in my opinion."
"So sweet! Well, what color's her hair?"
"...Brown..."
"Hmm, a brunette. I always imagined you with a blonde, preferably one who was extremely pretty to match your perfectness."
"...You think I'm perfect?"
She looked away. "Well, in a technical way...you are."
He raised an eyebrow questioningly. It was unlike Mikan not to deny such a comment.
"Your grades are perfect, your Alice is well-controlled, your reflexes are sharp and God knows you've been blessed with looks..." She sighed. "I admit defeat; I can't defeat a perfect creature like you." Then she grinned unexpectedly. "Moving on - "
"Wait. Who are you and what the hell have you done to Mikan?"
She blushed at the sound of her name. "The Mikan I know is confident, sometimes over-confident, and determined. You're just being a wimp! She'd kill me for calling her nicknames and stand up for herself, but you just take it lying down! What the hell? What happened? She's the one who's optimistic, even through the worst times! She's the one who believes that dreams are meant to come true! She's the one, the only one who can make me smile, just because of her cheery attitude! And Mikan...Mikan was the one that I...fell in love with." He took hold of her shoulders.
"You...you're just a shell. You're a shell of what Mikan used to be. Pull yourself together! I love you, goddammit, and if you don't go back to your cheerful self, I swear upon my mother's grave that I will make you. Understand?"
She nodded, mixed emotions swirling in her eyes. He let go of her shoulders, relief evident in his posture. "Natsume...did you really mean what you said? About falling in love with me?"
He froze, only then realizing what he had said. "Oh crap."
"Well?"
"I...I can't deny anything I might've revealed to you."
"So that means you do love me?"
"Well...yes."
She grinned, much to his surprise.
"Well that's good," She said, a twinkle in her eye. "'Cause I was gonna name you for the Last Dance."
He simply rolled his eyes in response and tilted her chin up, lightly pressing his lips to hers.
Not very long, but cute nonetheless. Review, please.
Stars of Gold