The next day, the same routine followed. Mikan went to Natsume's place and posed for the remaining last two sessions. Narumi left them to meet someone regarding the exhibit event.
Impressively, Mikan finally overcome her shyness and posed like she has been doing it for a long time. It came out sexy yet still modest. She looks ethereal with her long brown hair sprawled on the sofa bed, complementing her skin tone.
However, the tension between them still haven't loosened up especially after what happened yesterday. Natsume did not know what took over him to tell that to her. More so, he expected her to push him away which she did not. She even responded to his kiss with the same fervor as him.
'We almost did it', Natsume thought.
•••
"Playing matchmaker, huh?", Hotaru Imai said as she drink her champagne and went back to typing on her laptop.
Narumi was having a fancy dinner with the organizer of the exhibit event to be held in Contemporary Arts Gallery. He smiled to himself as he received a reply from Mikan. His plan is working. She actually believed that he was stuck in traffic.
"Uh-huh. Natsume's been tiring himself too much with all those projects. Give him a break, Imai."
"I don't care about him being workaholic. Just make sure that you'll give me the quality of work I'm asking for."
"If you must know, Natsume, my man is the best at-!"
"Whatever. I don't wanna hear it."
•••
"You hungry?", Natsume asked nonchalantly.
"Not really, thanks," Mikan quickly replied, not wanting to prolong the conversation. She wanted to avoid Natsume at all cost even if her stomach secretly grumbled. She left the room and changed to her clothes as soon as possible.
She rested her body on the couch at the living room. Her phone vibrated. Narumi told her in a text message that he will probably be late due to the heavy traffic. When she saw Natsume getting near, Mikan hurriedly kept
her phone and pretended to be asleep.
•••
Natsume found Mikan sleeping on the couch and he can't help but be mesmerized at her calm state. He quietly sat beside her and placed her head on his shoulder. He caressed her cheeks.
"I wish she was you", Natsume softly whisper.
Soon after, they both fell asleep.
•••
When Narumi arrived, he caught them still sleeping so he took the chance and take a photo of them. Being as keen as ever, Natsume woke up first and glared at him. Mikan was awoken by the shuffling noises on the couch. She yawned and stretched her arms, forgetting that she just laid her head on Natsume's shoulder a while ago.
"Oh, Mikan! I'm sorry if I took so long!", Narumi said dramatically to convince Mikan.
"It's alright, it's alright," Mikan said, waving her hand.
"I'll just set up the car. You follow. I'll wait for you outside."
Mikan nodded as she slipped her backpack on her shoulder. Suddenly, Natsume, who was sitting beside her, spoke.
"When can I see you again?"
Mikan motioned her head to the side. She suddenly remembers what Narumi and Natsume said.
'I don't know. But I believe that that girl is the one who inspired him.'
'I wish she was you.'
"I'm afraid we'll never see each other again", she replied, standing up and taking a few strides.
Mikan was facing her back so she cannot see the confused expression on Natsume's face.
"What?"
"I just came here for the money. Now that my job is done, I am not to set foot here again."
"What are you saying? Yesterday, we-"
"Yesterday was a mistake."
"Mistake? Stop shitting on me, Mikan."
"Let's forget about it. It didn't mean anything. We just got carried away. It wasn't part of the deal. I gotta go."
"Mikan! Wait! Damn it!"
"Don't follow me."
Then she walked away, leaving an aggravated Natsume in the living room.
"Fuck", he cursed.
•••
"Any progress with Natsume?", Narumi teased.
"I told you nothing's going between me and Natsume", Mikan replied in bored tone.
'Is that so? We'll see', he thought. The smile on his face doesn't seemed to falter.
"Anyway, here's your payment. You should come at the exhibit. I'll text you the address", Narumi said, handing her a thick white envelope.
"Thanks."
The car stopped by the place they met.
"Are you sure you don't want me to bring you directly at home? It's pretty late."
Mikan shook her head.
"I can handle myself. I enjoy long walks", Mikan said, smiling.
"Take care! 'Til next time!"
•••
'Next time? There will be no more next time... She must be special. I don't have the right to take her place', Mikan thought, feeling downcast. She straightened herself and happily greet the people inside the house.
"I'm home!"