This is the last chapter! Yea! The ironic thing is that I was listening to a breakup song while writing this. :P Hope you enjoy!


Recap: Aoi and Mikan entered the buss with glazed smiles. After the two pals took a seat, the raven-haired crimson-eyed child dispensed Clue 16th to the chirpy brunette. She gladly accepted it and scanned the back. The letter was an "'L'' this time. Mikan turned to the other side and lightly blushed as she read the question.


Chapter 6

Friend?

Question 16: What did I give you for your 13th birthday? When you know the answer, go to the shop where I bought it.

So that's why Aoi-chan wanted to bring me to Central Town,'' Mikan thought. The shop where Natsume bought me the gift is in Central Town.

''Mikan-chan, what does it say?"' Aoi asked then eyed the clue. The brunette showed her the note. ''Oh, I see. You know, you're the first girl to ever receive from my Onii-chan.''

''R-really?'' she stuttered, flabbergasted.

When the girl with roses as eyes bobbled her head, the bus halted. The bus riders were force to lean forward and bang their figures on the seat in front of them, including Mikan and Aoi. The two groaning girls arose from their seat, kindly thanked the driver even though he had inadequate driving skills, and departed from the bus.

''So Mikan-chan, do you know what and where Onii-chan bought for you?''

''Mhm! I knew the answer right after I read the question!''

''Wow, if you knew the answer that quickly, Onii-chan's present you must be really precious to you.''

Mikan's cheeks grew into a dark shade of scarlet. Aoi was correct. The gift Natsume gave her meant the whole world to her. She kept his gift in a special spot in her room where she could see it every night before she slept. The amber-haired miss tried to hide her flustered face from the girl with locks of a magnificent raven, but failed miserably. Before Aoi could comment at her reddened façade, the mortified girl snatched her hand and dragged her away to the next destination.

Aoi's jaw dropped when she entered the store. Her cerise eyes were filled with-in her and mostly ever other girls' opinion- wondrous things. And what was this wondrous, spectacular thing? It was plush toys! It was every little girls' desire especially Aoi's.

''This is such a cute store!'' The brunette bobbled her head in agreement and Aoi added,'' I never came here before, but I wish I did.''

''Wait, shouldn't you know and been to the store since you know the answer to clue 16?''

''You misunderstood something, Mikan-chan, I don't know the answer to clue 16, only clue 15.''

''Eh! Really?'' Mikan questioned and her acquaintance nodded. ''Then, how did you know that I had to go to Central Town?''

''Because Onii-chan told me to bring you here,'' she explained while petting the head of a maroon plush pug. The hazel-eyed girl formed her mouth into an ''O'' shape as an understanding. ''Wait, so Onii-chan bought you a plush toy for your last birthday?''

''Yes. Why?''

The raven-haired miss began to giggle ferociously while the amber-haired acquaintance stared at her companion confounded. Eventually, the tittering girl calmed herself and answered Mikan's mental question.

''I'm laughing because Onii-chan went to such a girly shop just to get you the best present ever!'' she clarified with a genuine smile.'' You really are important to my brother.''

The possessor of the chocolate tresses expanded her amber orbs like saucers. Her heart unexpectedly increased its speed and she held the hem of her blouse firmly, hoping its rapidity will vanish. As soon as Mikan was about to dig deep into this subject, Aoi obliviously interrupted her.

''What type of plush toy did Onii-chan bought for you?'' she interrogated compellingly. ''Was it a panda? A pig? A monkey? A bear?''

''You're last guess was close,'' her comrade stated. ''It was a teddy bear.''

Reminiscences engaged in her mind the day of her birthday and mostly the part where she received Natsume's gift.

The now 13 year old miss gradually revealed her weary eyes. She stretched her arms out and heaved a yarn. She politely covered her overextended mouth with both of her palms.

''Oops, I slept on the Sakura Tree,'' she whispered to herself. ''Oh well.''

The teenager afterwards leaned back on the coarse bark and placed both her hands on each side of her body. Spontaneously, she felt a soft, fluffy sensation on her right palm. She snapped her head to discover what that flurry feeling was. Her half opened eyes expanded to wide ones.

''A teddy bear?''

The mystified girl picked it up and placed the plush toy in her lap. She petted its head gently and when she rubbed its back, the teenager felt something not furry. She drawn the not-fuzzy item from the teddy bear and positioned it in front of her face. It was a note. It read:

Happy Birthday, Polka Dots. –Natsume

Her lips unconsciously curved into a gentle smile. She afterwards examined the bear more closely. Her irises broadened for the second time when she noticed one crucial detail. Its eyes. The teddy bear's eyes. They're red. Red as a bloomed rose. It's just like his eyes, she thought. Mikan pulled it closer to her and enveloped her arms around her new favorite and precious stuff toy.

Whenever Natsume wasn't there with her, the bear was the replacement. However, even if the teddy bear had the same shade as his eyes, to Mikan, it wasn't as beautiful as Natsume's. Mikan's lips curved into a great big smile and now, it was Aoi's turn to stare at her bewildered.

''Mikan?''

''Eh? Yes?''

''You've been staring off into space for a couple of minutes now,'' she proclaimed.

''Oh sorry, Aoi-chan,'' the brunette tossed her friend an inward smile. ''I've been having a lot flashbacks today, so don't be surprised if I have another one.''

Her good humored friend snickered. ''Gotcha.''

''So, um, what now?'' Mikan questioned.

''What do you mean?''

''I already answered the 16th question. What am I supposed to do now?''

''Well, you're supposed to gain the next clue, right?''

''Right,'' she replied. ''But how?''

''I think I can help,'' a familiar voice commended from behind the two misses.

Mikan and Aoi whipped their bodies to discover who voice that belonged to. The chestnut girl expanded her amber orbs and her mouth let out a gasp. Immediately, she clicked her heels and rushed over to embrace the honey-eyed lad.

''Kanama-senpai!'' she exclaimed and tightened her grasp.

''Mikan-chan, I...I can't breathe,'' he proclaimed with a sheepish grin plastered on his facade.

''Eh! Sorry,'' Mikan replied and released her senpai. ''I haven't seen you in a while! When were you discharged from the hospital?''

''Just yesterday.''

You see, Kanama, or to be more precise, Sonō Kaname, possess the Alice of placing souls into stuffed animals, thus giving them life. Sadly, the usage of his incredible Alice affects his lifespan therefor he spent most of his days in the care of the hospital. Whenever the doctors and nurses discharged him, he would spend his precious time in the shop the three friends were situated now. He was after all the owner of the store.

The brunette's lips curved into a graceful smile. She afterwards turned around and dashed to the raven-haired girl and positioned both hands on her bony shoulders.

''This is Aoi! Hyuuga Aoi! This younger sister of Natsume.''

''Nice to meet you again, Aoi-chan.''

''Eh? Again?''

''We met yesterday,'' the cerise eyed girl explained and took a pregnant silent before adding,'' at the party.''

''Oh, the party I wasn't invited too? Iinchou told me about it.''

''Sorry, it's just that it was about you and this whole scavenger hunt-''

''You don't have to apologize, Aoi-chan. It was for my sake, so there's no reason to apologize.''

''Thanks, you're such a kindhearted girl.''

''Nah,'' the modest and slightly blushing brunette opposed. ''So Kaname-senpai, you said before that you could help me.''

''Yes, I did.''

''How?''

The moment he presented her a small piece of paper that had the letter ''F'' written on one side, a gasp leaked from her mouth.

''You're part of the scavenger hunt?'' Mikan debriefed.

''Mikan-chan, why do you think he was at the party then?'' Aoi pointed out while letting titters escape from her rosy pale lips.

''Oh, right!''

''Always the funny one, huh?'' the fair-haired chap commented after he rubbed the top of the amber-haired girl. He afterwards handed the clue to the young mademoiselle. ''Here you go.''

''Thank you Kaname-senpai!'' the hazel orbed girl exclaimed. ''But Kaname-senpai, why didn't Natsume just tell me in the last clue to meet you here in the store?''

''It would give away the whole answer.''

''It would, huh.''

''Um, mister, can you help me?'' a redhead teenager requested from behind the group.

''Aoi-chan, Mikan-chan, I have to go help a customer, so I'll see you later. Good luck with the scavenger,'' their pal said while dashing to the shopper.

''Thanks!'' the raven-haired and amber-haired girls replied in unison.

They exited out from the endearing store. Mikan flipped to the other side since she already distinguished the letter which was ''F'' and perceived the question.

Question 17: Take 12 steps forward, 20 steps left, 15 steps forward, and then look up.

''Yea, this is an easy clue!'' the russet-eyed adolescent exclaimed.

The loyal friend of the joyous brunette giggled. Her laughter decreased when her phone vibrated. She gripped it and pressed the button.

''Hello?'' she said. ''Onii-chan? What is it?''

Mikam intently gaped at the sister of Natsume. She was pondering what the siblings were chatting about.

''Yes…ok Onii-chan. Bye bye,'' Aoi separated her mobile from her ear, pressed the off button, and shoved it right back in her pocket. ''I have to go, Mikan-chan.''

''Aw, so soon.'' Her companion reacted disappointed.

''Sorry, it's an urgent call. I'll meet up with you later, ok?''

''Ok!'' the Nullifier responded sounding jovial again.

''Goodbye, Mikan-chan!''

''Bye Aoi-chan!''

With the exchange of kind words, the two friends went their separate ways. Mikan carefully began counting each step she took. She didn't want to mess up, if she did, she would have to start over again. When she reached the end of her steps, she followed what the note said, Mikan looked up.

''A water fountain?'' she murmured.

It was a large stone-made water fountain. The water was peacefully rippling. Mikan couldn't call any memory of a water fountain in Central Town. Maybe it was just built a few weeks ago, she thought. The 14 year old girl slanted her cranium further up. She watched in awe. There was an elegant stone angel that held tightly a cupid's bow. Suddenly, her eyebrows furrowed. She blinked a couple of times to make sure her eyes weren't deceiving her. When she was positive it wasn't a figment of her imagination, Mikan's heels rose from the ground. She grabbed the note that was stuck onto the bow of the angel and deciphered.

''So the letter is ''R'' this time,'' she muttered to herself. Mikan turned the paper to the other side and read the note.

Good, you know how to count, Polka.

''That jerk. He thinks so low of me,'' she mumbled under her breath with clenched hands.

Question 18: Take 21 steps in the direction where cupid's arrow is pointing at, take 14 steps right, then enter the store in front of you. Someone you well know will be waiting for you.

''Hmm, I wonder who could it be?"' she contemplated.

She shrugged it over and began to skip. Mikan counted in her little head the amount of steps, so she won't be erroneous. Eventually, she was situated at her terminus. She stared at the name of the store for a whole minute. This shop wasn't like the other one. It wasn't for plush toys, but for men's clothing. Mikan was hesitant at first, but then took a deep conclusive breath. She located her hand on the handle and pushed the door wide open. Her body involuntarily jolted in surprise causing her back to hit the door.

In front of Mikan was a lady whom wore a simple blue blouse with ripped jeans and a pair of black checkered converse. She had carmine pink hair and tannish-red orbs. On her right arm, a pale yellow bag was dangling. A great smile swept across the brunette's face.

''Misaki-sempai!'' she yelled.

''That's Misaki-sensei to you,'' she countered with a grin.

When Misaki graduated from Alice Academy, she too like Tsubasa, didn't want to be far from her precious school. So she became the gym teacher. No one was surprised at her new occupation since she did have the personality to be strict and hardcore. Anyone could see she was perfect for the job.

''Funny, that's what Tsubasa-sem…I mean Tsubasa-sensei said.'' Mikan remarked. ''What are you doing here?''

''You made me wait long, kohai,'' she uttered with slightly a peeved expression.

''Wait…you're the person who's been waiting for me.''

''That's right,'' Misaki confirmed then added playful wink.

''Yea!'' Mikan cheered and jumped in the air. She afterwards bowed at her upper-class. ''Sorry I made you wait, sempai.''

''It's ok,'' she assured and rubbed her head. ''During the time I was waiting for you, I was able to buy my idiot boyfriend a gift.''

''Why did you buy him as gift?''

''Silly, don't you remember? It will soon be our three-year anniversary.''

''Oh yea! Wow, time goes by fast huh. I can't believe you and Tsubasa-semp…urgh sensei have already dated for almost three years! That's a lot!''

In high school, Tsubasa and Misaki became a couple. The shadow manipulator finally had the guts to ask the doppelganger out during their first years. Well, it was all because of a student who flirted non-stop with Misaki. Tsubasa tried to conceal his jealousy, but failed miserably. The day when Tsubasa asked Misaki out was when the flirter was about to kiss the doppelganger and immediately, the shadow manipulator punched the daylights out of him. He confessed his feelings right on the spot and she did the same. Now three years later, there are still together.

''What did you buy him?''

''An expensive jacket and a hobo hat that he always wanted.''

Mikan chortled. ''I'm sure Tsubasa will love his present!''

''He better. I have no rabbits left because of him.''

The chestnut girl sweat dropped. She felt she was talking to Hotaru. ''So Misaki-sempai-''

''Misaki-sensei,'' she corrected.

''Right, Misaki-sensei, do you have clue 19?''

''Yes I do,'' she answered and took the clue out and handed it to Mikan. ''Here it is.''

''Thanks!''

''Anytime kiddo.''

The brunette discovered the next letter which was an ''I'' and grinned victoriously since she was coming to an end to this long and fun scavenger hunt. She turned to the other side and read the question.

Question 19: What color rose did I give you on White Day? When you know the answer, go to Misaki's greenhouse and find a rose that has the same color as last time.

White day was just a month ago, Mikan thought. She remembered that day clearly. When the amber-eyed lassie was sleeping peacefully in her dorm, Natsume secretly slipped inside her bedroom from the unlocked window and gave her a box of chocolates Fluff Puffs-yes they now feature chocolate flavored Fluff Puffs- and a rose.

''I guess I have to go to Misaki-sensei's greenhouse then!''

''I have a greenhouse?''

''The other Misaki-sensei, Misaki-sensei,'' Mikan clarified.

''Oh, hehe,'' she responded while scratching the back of her head and sheepishly smiling.


''Did you find it yet, Mikan-chan?'' the redhead questioned while leaning down to examine the flower pots on the floor.

''No, did you?''

''Nope,'' she answered.

Mikan arose from the floor and wandered further in the green house. Why did the green house, she thought, have to be so big? She walked up the four steps leading into another section. More flowers, she thought and sighed. Mikan and Misaki have been searching for the rose for several minutes now, but no luck. But they didn't give up. When the brunette turned her head to the right, she saw a field of roses. She strolled over to the small meadow and her orbs widened. Mikan reached her hand out and grabbed it.

''I found it!'' she cheered.

Suddenly, there was a high-pitched screech. The alarmed and frightened girl hopped up and turned to the direction where the shriek came. She knew who's scream that belonged to and dashed towards the sound. When she arrived, she saw Misaki clutched her oddly swollen hand and the other Misaki by her side.

''WHAT THE HELL!''

''Are you ok?'' the chestnut lass asks, concerned.

''I knew I forgot something,'' Misaki, the manager of the greenhouse, states.

''Which was?'' Mikan questions.

''Put the warning sign on that plant.''

The brownish-eyed lady explained what happened. During the search, Misaki fell upon the most elegant and sweet-smelling flower she ever seen. When she laid her finger to caress it, the flower bit her hand. The doppelganger shrieked and Misaki, who was nearby, heard it and rushed over to his green house.

''IS THAT EVEN CONSIDERED A FLOWER!''

''Yes, yes it is,'' the greenhouse keeper confirmed.

''BUT NORMAL FLOWERS AREN'T SUPPOSE TO BIT PEOPLE!''

''You're right, normal flowers aren't supposed to bit people. However, this is not a normal flower. The flower that bit you was made by an Alice.''

''What…?''

''The flowers that were grown by that Alice user insert poisonous venom on enemies.''

''POISONOUS VENOM!'' the brunette bursts out.

''I'M NOT AN ENEMY!'' Misaki furiously proclaimed.

''I know, but that plant doesn't,'' the other Misaki said. ''I should take you to the nurse.''

''But I have to help Mikan-chan search for her rose.''

''Don't worry about it, Misaki-sempai. I already found it. Look!'' she responded and displayed the flower to both Misaki's.

''What a beautiful rose!'' she exclaimed.

''Those are one of my favorites,'' the greenhouse managers stated. ''Hyuuga-san told me yesterday about the scavenger hunt and that he was going to put a rose in my greenhouse. I guess that's it huh?''

''Yep!''

''Well since you've found it, I'm going to take Misaki-san to the infirmary now.''

''Ok, take care Misaki-sensei!''

''I'll be fine, kiddo,'' she affirmed with a playful thumbs off.

Mikan waved goodbye to the two teachers and gazed at her rose in awe. Meanwhile, the two Misaki's were having a conversation about the rose.

''Do you know what the orange rose means?'' Misaki, the plant lover, asked to the wounded gym teacher.

''No, what?''

''The orange rose is a symbol of desire and passion,'' he explained.

''Hmm, I wonder if Mikan-chan knows that.''

''I don't think so.''

''Me either.''

And they were right. Mikan had no idea what the orange rose symbolized. She had no idea what any of the other roses meant either. She just assumed the reason why Natsume gave her an orange rose was because her Alice Stone is a mandarin orange and her name meant that as well. But that was not the raven-haired lad's intentions at all.

The 14 year old teen closed her eyes and deeply inhaled the scent of the rose. She then revealed her hazel orbs and smiled at herself. When she took another glance at the rose, she notices a note on one of the stems. She detaches it from it and carefully scans it.

''Hm, 'E' is the letter,'' she mutters to no one in particular. Mikan flips to the other side to read the next clue.

Question 20: What did you get me for my 11th birthday? When you know the answer, go to the store where you bought my gift from and search for it there.

''Roger that!'' she exclaimed with a beam.

She stuffed the clue in her pocket and pulled up her sarong. The kilt was slipping downwards since the weight of the papers was a bit heavy. Mikan thrust the door and began to run towards her new destination. Suddenly, she forced her dashing feet to come to a quick spot. The amber-eyed girl lifted her hands and placed them on both sides of her mouth.

''NONOKO-CHAN!'' the brunette stridently yelled.

The hair of a bluebird twirled around to see her classmate. Her navy irises expanded like bowling bowls much to Mikan's confusion. Mikan dashed to her friend and beamed.

''Hi Nonoko-chan!''

''Mikan-chan…hi,'' she replied back somewhat nervously.

''Why are you carrying all of that?''

The chestnut girl eyed all the bits and pieces her pal was carrying. There were cerise candles, boxes that held something didn't know, and flamboyant balloons. She could tell she was having trouble holding them since her expression was troubled and the articles were slowly slipping from her petite arms.

''Here let me help you,'' she kindly offered. When Mikan was about to take one of the items, Nonoko retreated back and furiously shook her head.

''I'm fine, Mikan-chan!''

''Really?''

''Really!''

''Ok,'' she replied still ambiguous. ''What are all those stuff for?''

''Um….it's for….um-''

''Nonoko-chan!'' a shrill voice shouted.

Mikan turned her head to the direction the accustomed voice came from. She observed her good friend, Umenomiya Anna, running towards them. Her wavy pink as flamingos' mane was swishing side to side and her midnight blue eyes slightly showed unease. Anna always held several heavy items in her arms.

''Nonoko-chan, what are you doing? We have to bring this stuff to Hyu-''

''Shh! Mikan is here,'' she quietly whispered to her sister, but unfortunately to them Mikan heard it.

''Who do you have to bring those stuff to?'' she interrogated compellingly and suspiciously.

''No one!'' the geeky sisters shakily responded in unison.

''We have to go now, Mikan-chan!'' Nonoko expeditiously shouted.

''We'll catch you later! Bye!'' Anna hastily added.

Before the brunette could comment on their strange behavior, the two sisters ran off in a different direction. When Anna and Nonoko were far away from their baffled friend, the stopped to catch their breaths.

''That was so close!'' Ann remarked.

''Our cover was almost blown!'' Nonoko added.

''I hope Mikan-chan didn't discover the plan.''

''Yea,'' the carmine haired girl responded. ''Let's bring this to Hyuuga now. He's been waiting for a long time.''

''Mhm!''

As Mikan was making her way to the store, she kept pondering why her two friends were acting weird. What are they hiding? Mikan thought. She shook her head to dismiss the thought since she assumed it was a trivial matter. The brunette heaved the door open and entered the store. The last time she's been in this shop was three years ago when she bought Natsume a gift for his 11th birthday. She smiled since she felt it was so nostalgic. If her memory was correct, the cameras would be in the back shelf of the room. Yes, Sakura Mikan, bought Hyuuga Natsume a camera that you could only use one time. The reason why she bought a single-use camera was too reserve the precious memory of celebrating Natsume's birthday. And she couldn't think of anything else that would make him happy.

Mikan waltz to the back section of the store and searched for the single-use cameras. When she found them, there were at least twenty of them on one shelf. Why is he making this hard for me, she pondered. Since it was on the top shelf, she had to go on her tippy toes. When she finally found the camera that had the clue tapped on it, all the other cameras were on the ground. Of course, one of the employers scolded her and commanded her to put them back the way they were. She immediately followed. What a mean person, she thought. Shouldn't he be the one to place them back? Mikan heaved a sigh. When she was finished with her assignment, she snatched the note from the camera.

''So the letter is 'N'?'' she murmured then quietly recited the question.

Question 21: How many days have we known each other?

''WHAT!'' Mikan instantly screeched out loud.

Do the math, Polka.

''Oh gosh,'' she mumbled. ''Is he trying to kill me?''

When you know the answer, tell the employer at the counter.

With her head hung low, she walked to the counter and asked the employer for a pen and paper. He nodded and gave her the required items. Mikan then began to write several numbers down on the paper and add them all together. It took her countless of minutes before she came up with the answer. She placed her chirpy gaze at employer who had his feet on the desk and was reading a porn magazine. Of course, impractical and naive Mikan didn't know it was that kind of dirty magazine.

''Is the answer 1,825 days?''

(Author's Note: I don't know the actual answer, but I multiplied 365, which is how many days in a year, and 5, because that's how long Mikan and Natsume knew each other in my story, and got 1,825. I'm too lazy to actual do the math :P)

''Yes,'' he merely answered and then through a note at the chocolate orbed miss. ''Here.''

''Thank you!'' she responded with a beam and curiously eyed the magazine. ''What are you reading?''

''Porn magazine.''

''What's that?''

Since the employer didn't want to fill her raw mind with inappropriate things, he lied. ''It's full of sweets. Delicious sweets.'' Well, in his perspective, he kind of didn't lie.

''Cool! Can I read?''

''No.''

Mikan lowered her head yet again in disappointed. Afterwards, she popped her head up and remembered she just received a note. When she read the side where the letter was written, she was confused.

''There's a 'D' and a question mark. Why?''

''That means you finished the scavenger hunt.''

''I DID?'' she shouted. ''OH MY GOSH, I DID!''

''Don't scream, you're scaring away my customers,'' he hissed with a scowl.

''Sorry!''

The proud brunette then flipped to the other side.

You finished the scavenger hunt. Now place the letters in order. The letters will spell something. When you know the answer, meet me in Northern Forest.

She couldn't help but let out a triumphant smile. Mikan removed out all the notes from her pocket and positioned them on the floor. She arranged all of the letters in order. It took less than five minutes before the letters she found all by herself, spelled a questioned. Her hazel orbs widened and her jaw dropped. Mikan's heart began to thump so loud that the employer was able to hear it.

''Oh my…Natsume.''

Tears were falling onto the notes. The manager noticed sniffing and looked down at the kneeling girl. His eyes also widened when he read the message. He looked at the weeping girl and a small smile swept across his face.

''What are you doing? Your man is waiting for you, go!''

Mikan tilted her head to look up at the administrator. She wiped her tears away and nodded. The chestnut girl pushed herself from the floor and soared out the door, forgetting that she left the important message lying on the floor.


When the bus driver was about to close the door, Mikan's figure stopped it. The driver's head back jerked back at the surprise entrance. He pulled the trigger and let the girl in. She smiled at him as a thank you. She sat down at the first seat and stared out the window. She watched as Central Town began to decrease its size.

Her fingers were wrestling with each other. If only this bus was faster, she thought. Suddenly, the bus came to a sudden halt. Mikan rose from her seat and stared at the driver, perplexed. The bus driver also rose at his seat and faced the bus riders.

''Sorry, the bus is out of gas.''

''What!'' Mikan bursts out.

''I will have to call someone to bring gasoline.''

''Can't we walk back to our dorms?'' a high school girl asked.

''It's too far to walk. It will take at least thirty-five minutes to walk back to your dorms.''

''Aw,'' she reacted and slumped.

Mikan looked across the disappointed riders. No, this can't be happening, she thought. I have to meet Natsume! She rushed from her seat and pushed the door open.

''Hey! What are you doing?''

The brunette ignored the bus driver and started running. She didn't care if she had to run a mile or two. No, Mikan didn't care at all. All she cared about was Natsume. She needed to answer him no matter what.


The sun was already set and the moon and the stars appeared in the night sky. The exhausted brunette leaned against a tree. Loud respiring was heard from her dry mouth. She was finally at the entrance of Northern Forest. The bus driver was right, she thought. It did take me twenty-five minutes or maybe even more. The hazel-eyed lass pushed herself off the tree's bark and began to proceed in the depths of the forest.

Mikan was growing terrified and anxious. Her ears could perceive the whistling of the wind and the brushing off trees against trees. It was dark since the sun already set. When she put her hand in front of her face, she could barely see it. She was all alone in the darkness of the woods. Unexpectedly, she saw a faint light in the distance. Excitedly, she hurried towards the illuminant. The owner of russet locks stopped when she reached the light. There were pink candles at her feet. They were making a long path. She smiled and continued to walk further in the forest.

''So that's why Nonoko and Anna had candles,'' she whispered while gazing at the lit candles.

Eventually, the pathway of candles came to an end. She tilted her head upwards and impulsively expanded her eyes. She was speechless. No words could describe how she felt. Amazed? Stunned? Dumbfounded? They were not good enough. In front of the flabbergasted miss was a wooden gazebo. Glitzy balloons displayed at the entrance. She ascended up the four steps and onto the gazebo. The 14 year old noticed Sakura petals were scattered on the floor and ignited candles surrounded each rem of the platform. Behind, she heard footsteps. Mikan whipped around and gasped. She covered her opened mouth with her palm and bit her lower lip. Tears were forming in her hazel eyes.

''Natsume,'' she murmured.

In front of her was Hyuuga Natsume wearing a dashing tuxedo.

''So what's your answer Polka?'' he questioned and wiped her tears with his thumb.

''What do you think?'' she responded with a playful smirk.

Before he could reply back, she smacked her lips with his. Natsume's crimson eyes widened, but quickly relaxed and closed. Mikan wrapped her arms around his neck and he placed his hands on her waist to bring her closer. Soon, the brunette removed her lips from his to breathe. She leaned her forehead on his and he did the same thing.

''So Polka, will you my girlfriend?''

Yes, when Mikan arranged the letters in the order on how she found them, they spelled four simple, but powerful words.

She nodded her head. ''Yes, I would love too!''

The new couple passionately kissed once more. When Mikan pulled away from Natsume to catch her breath, she genuinely smiled.

''This is the longest way to ask a girl out.''

''Is that a bad thing?'' he asked with his eyebrows lifted.

''No, not at all,'' she answered. ''It was a sweet scavenger hunt.''


Hope you enjoyed this story! I enjoyed writing the last chapter so much. I know that girlfriend is one word, but because it would be too long to combine this chapter with the other one, I separated it. Please comment, and if you want an epilogue tell me, kay?