DISCLAIMER: I do not own GA.

CHAPTER 16: What should I do?

HOTARU'S POV

Mikan and I have just finished eating our dinner and we are now currently watching movies here in my room. But as of now, something's different about her. She's so quiet. Too unusually quiet to be exact and this type of Mikan that only a few people like me gets to witness.

END OF POV

"Mikan? What's wrong? A normal baka like you would not be quiet for almost half an hour already." Hotaru said while looking at her best friend with worry.

"Nothing much. It's just that mu birthday is already coming soon and I haven't made a decision yet. I'm so confused." Mikan replied.

"Baka. Just do what your heart tells you and then go with the choice that makes you happy."

"That's the problem. Okaa-san said that if I remain as a Hyuuga, I'll be a real part of their family and if I choose to be a Sakura, I'll still be living with them unless I would make the choice that I would go back to the orphanage with Miyu-san."

"What's the problem with that?" asked Hotaru.

"My problem is that I can't seem to get the point on why I should still make a stupid choice when I still get to be with the Hyuuga family in no matter which choice I choose. Because either way, I'll still be happy 'cause I know that I'll still be with you guys." Mikan replied.

"I see. But being a Hyuuga and a Sakura are two different things, Mikan. If you choose to be a Hyuuga, you'll be a permanent part of their immediate family. But if you choose to be back to a Sakura, you're not an immediate family member anymore and that means that you're just a friend to them unless…"

"Unless what Hotaru?"

"Unless you get married to Natsume, then you'll be a Hyuuga again. But not exactly as a daughter to Auntie Yuri but a daughter-in-law instead."

"That would be an impossible option. Yup, that would be a very impossible one indeed." Mikan said in a low voice. "Although I wish that it would come true."

"*sigh* This best friend of mine is really dense. She can't even notice that she's already falling for Natsume. Well, I guess I just have to talk to Ruka about this and then help the two of them to get together pr something." Hotaru thought. "So what do you really wanna become, Mikan? Because no matter what you do, you still have to choose because it's what the contract tells you to do."

"I don't know. Maybe I still need some time to think about it." Mikan replied. "This is hard. *sigh* I really don't know what to do. My mind tells me something but then again my heart tells me another thing. I really don't know what to do!"

"OI, speaking of your birthday, what do you plan to do anyway?" asked Hotaru.

"Nothing special. I don't have any plans at all." Mikan replied.

"You could at least do something. It's your sweet sixteenth birthday. It's a special day for you. Even I threw a little get together when I turned sixteen." Hotaru.

"Uhm… How about a pool party at our house?" Mikan suggested.

"That would be great as long as there are no unwanted people in there."

"Of course. I don't a mob to enter our home, you know." Mikan replied with a chuckle. "I guess only a few people would only come since I don't want it to be too grand."

"Okay then. I'll be in charge with the lights and music as usual. Have you told Auntie Yuri about it?" asked Hotaru.

"Not yet, Hotaru. I guess I'll be telling her tomorrow when I get home."

"Ok. Shall we go to sleep then? It's getting late." Hotaru said while Mikan just nodded.

Then they both went to king sized bed of Hotaru and started to lie down.

"Ano… Hotaru, what if I make the worn choice and then I would regret it for the rest of my life? Would you think my life would be miserable?" Mikan suddenly asked out of the blue.

"Don't think of things like those. Everything will be alright. Just be true to yourself and you will surely find the proper answer. Now go to sleep if you don't wanna have panda eyes tomorrow morning." Hotaru answered while Mikan just kept quiet and then closed her eyes. Eventually, she fell asleep a few minutes after.

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That night, Hotaru texted Ruka about the matchmaking plan that they would be doing for their friends. Hotaru took the opportunity of texting her boyfriend when Mikan was already asleep. Here are their messages:

Hotaru: Oi, can you help me with something?
Ruka: Sure. About what?
Hotaru: It's about my baka best friend and your best friend.

Ruka: Okay then. What about them? is something the matter between the two of them?

Hotaru: I just wanna ask something and I want you to tell me the truth. Is Natsume starting to fall for Mikan?

Ruka: I think so. I thought I was the only one who noticed it so I thought I was just imagining things. But now that you've told me, I'm quite sure of it.

Hotaru: ok. Could you help me match them up? You know, like be cupids for a while. It seems that Mikan is falling for him and yet she's too dense to notice it.

Ruka: Really? That's great. At least Natsume won't be that much disappointed when he tells her.

Hotaru: IF he tells her, that is. You're friend is too stubborn to admit how he feels so you better convince him to do it as soon as possible.

Ruka: ASAP? Why?

Hotaru: because a part of the adoption contract that Auntie Yuri signed is that Mikan would have to choose when she turns 16 whether she wants to remain as a Hyuuga or be back to a Sakura. So he better do it soon.

Ruka: Ok. I'll talk to him first thing in the morning tomorrow and then we'll go there too. But does Mikan have to choose on her exact birth date?

Hotaru: I don't think so. I think she has an allotment for 1-2 weeks. So I guess by the game, she has already made her choice.

Ruka: Oh, okay then. I hope she'll choose to be a Sakura so that she and Natsume would really have a chance to be together.

Hotaru: Yeah. I just hope that baka would make the right choice.

Ruka: don't worry. Even if she's like that, she always does what's right in the end. Now you better go to sleep since it's already late. I love you. Oyasumi, Hotaru.

Hotaru: Oyasumi, Ruka. I love you too. Oh, and don't you dare tell anyone about the deciding thing. It's supposed to be secret. Got that?

Ruka: Hai. Got it. Good night.

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