"Natsume... What are you doing here?"
"You're avoiding me."
"I'm not", Mikan replied, her bangs covering her eyes.
"You're not answering Narumi's calls."
"Narumi- Was that you?"
"If you knew, would you have answered it?"
"There's nothing for us to talk about."
"You and I have an unfinished business. You know that... Do you have any ida how long I've searched for you?!"
"I didn't asked you to find me! Damn it, Natsume!"
"So that's it, huh? You'll just ran off like that and act like nothing happened?"
"Stop! Stop it, Natsume! I already told you it did not meant anything!"
"Really now? Then tell me why'd you kissed me back? You could've just push me away."
"I-I..."
"See. You're in denial. I know you felt it too."
"We're not having this conversation. I'm leaving."
Before Mikan could even walk past Natsume, he has already his firm grasp on her arm.
"No. You're coming with me. I'm not gonna let you go this time, Mikan."
•••
Natsume together with Mikan who was trailing behind him, struggling against his tight grip, went back inside the bar, heading to their table. He quickly grabbed the car keys lying on the table.
"Yome, I'm borrowing this. I promise, I'll bring it back," Natsume said.
"Hey! Hey! You better take care of it, Natsume!", Koko protested.
"I will."
"Don't drive while drunk!"
"I'm not drunk!", Natsume shouted from a far, waving the keys and leaving them behind.
"Isn't that the girl earlier? What is she doing with Natsume?", Ruka asked.
"Hmm, someone's getting laid tonight", Mochu jokingly said, grinning.
•••
Natsume parked the car and removed his seatbelt.
"Where are we? Where did you bring me?"
"I want to show you something."
Natsume intertwined his hand on hers as they made their way to the art gallery. They stopped in front of Natsume's piece. His artwork of her.
"This is..."
"You did not go so I think I'm gonna have to take you here."
"I'm sorry," Mikan apologized, feeling guilty and ashamed.
"I was there when you performed. I heard it. Everything. I heard your voice. I heard that familiar voice. That soothing voice. That voice that speaks of words of encouragement. That voice that made me believe myself again. That voice that gave me hope. That voice that made me want to live again."
"You're there?"
"Mikan, it's you. You're the girl from my memory. You're the girl I've been looking for. I thought I'm never gonna see you again."
"I don't understand."
"Do you remember when you sang near a school?"
Flashback:
It was dismissal time. Natsume was about to go home when the commotion made him curious. Standing there at the road is a girl with a shoulder-length hair and eyeglasses playing her guitar. She sang a melodic song, causing students passing by to gather around and applaud her.
I love this place
But it's haunted without you
My tired heart
Is beating so slow
Our hearts sing less
Than we wanted
We wanted
Our hearts sing 'cause
We do not know
We do not know
To light the night
To help us grow
To help us grow
It is not said
I always know
You can catch me
Don't you run
Don't you run
If you live another day
In this happy little house
The fire's here to stay
To light the night
To help us grow
To help us grow
It is not said
I always know
Please don't make a fuss
It won't go away
The wonder of it all
The wonder that I made
I am here to stay
I am here to stay
Stay
The girl sang as if she was dedicating it to Natsume—as if it was really meant for him; as if she understands what he is going through. Natsume excitedly went home and made his first artwork. An unknown girl with a guitar. He was never able to get the girl's name. That girl was Mikan.
However, that would be the last time Mikan will be able to play. For how long, she does not know. She has to sell her guitar to be able to pay for her studies.
Natsume waited for Mikan the next day but she did not come. She never come anymore which saddened him. He yearned for her even if he doesn't personally know her.
End of flashback.
"I did."
"I was also there. You're that mystery girl from my artwork. Ever since that day, I could never forget you. Even if I wanted to, you always find a way to get in my mind. And now, in my heart."
This made Mikan blushed.
"Mikan, I love you."
"Natsume, th-this is all so sudden. I-I don't know how to answer y-you."
"But I'm not giving you an option."
"Huh?"
"No matter what you say, how much you try to resist, I will not let you off my sight again. You cannot leave me again."
"Oh, yeah? How sure are you?", Mikan challenged.
"Because you loved me. That, I can assure," Natsume remarked, smirking before he continued.
"Actions speak louder than words. Want to continue where we left off?", Natsume whispered seductively on her ear as he hugged her from behind.
From a distance, two people were watching them.
"What did you do?!", Narumi asked in confusion.
"The usual, making myself rich", Hotaru said and smirked.
•••
A/N: The title of the song is 'Little House' by Amanda Seyfried. :)