DISCLAIMER: I do not own GA

CHAPTER 23: Me and my mother

That night, Natsume is playing basketball at their backyard. His mind is so puzzled that every time he attempts to shoot the ball, it never enters the ring.

"You know, if you continue playing with a frustrated self, you'll never get a chance to shoot the ball." Yuri said as she came near Natsume. "Is something the matter?" she asked but Natsume just stayed quiet.

Yuri sighed and then started to speak to his son again. "I see that you've already told Mikan about the thing that you've been hiding for so long." She said as Natsume gave him a what-the-heck-do-you-mean type of look.

"Come on, Natsume. I'm you mother. I know things. And I also know that you've fallen for your sister and it seems that you already told her." Yuri explained.

"It doesn't matter. I just confused her even more. I bet she won't even talk to me tomorrow at school." Natsume replied coldly.

"Don't say things like that Natsume. Don't lose hope that easily." Yuri answered.

"But what the heck should I be expecting, okaa-san? Even if I already told her that I love her, she still thinks that I'm joking around because we're siblings and that it's not right."

"Well, Mikan is just confused for the moment. Give her some time and she'll understand. And I think it's about time for you to know some things." Yuri stated.

"Know what?" Natsume replied.

"You see, the day that I adopted Mikan from the orphanage, they made me sign a contract of temporary custody for Mikan. This means that Mikan has the right to choose whether she wants to remain as a Hyuuga or be back to a Sakura when she turns 16. And now that she's 16, we're just waiting for her decision." Yuri explained.

"What happens if she chooses to remain as a Hyuuga?" asked Natsume.

"It's simple. She'll stay here with us. But this time, she's a full pledged Hyuuga."

"What happens when she chooses to be a Sakura again?" he asked again.

"Well, that's a different case. It's either she chooses to remain and then live with us here in the mansion or she decided to go and live with Miyu-san again."

"Oh. Ok." Natsume mumbled. "In this case, she might choose to be a Sakura again since she might not wanna see me again." Natsume thought disappointedly.

"Actually, Mikan was supposed to give me her decision today. But it seems that I'll just have to wait until tomorrow since she's not here for the night." Yuri continued.

"What do you mean she's not here?"

"Well, just a few moments ago, Hotaru called and then she told me that Mikan would be staying there at their place for this night so I told Reika to bring her clothes to their house. I just don't know if Reika left already."

"So, she's that mad at me?" Natsume whispered but Yuri still heard him.

"She's not mad at you. I already told you that she's just confused. I guess she just chose to stay at Hotaru's place tonight so that she could think things through." She answered as she heard her phone ring so she answered it.

"Hello. Oh hi Mikan-chan. What made you call at this time of night?" Yuri answered as Natsume just listened since he knew that Mikan was on the other line.

"You've made a decision already? *pause* Isn't that a bit too hasty, sweetie? I mean, I know that I need the answer now but if you still need to think, you can just tell me tomorrow. *pause*Okay then. If you say so. So what's your decision then? *pause* Are you sure about that? *pause* Okay then. I'll tell Miyu first thing in the morning tomorrow. *pause* What is it? *pause* Okay then. I'll inform your school as well. *pause* What about it? *pause* If you say so, sweetie. Now you go to sleep. It's late. *pause* Oyasumi, Mi-chan. I love you." Yuri said as she hung up.

"What did she say?" Natsume asked immediately.

"She told me her decision already. And it looks like she already made up her mind." Yuri replied quietly.

"So what's her decision?"

"Gomen ne. but she told me not to tell you for tonight."

"Why?"

"She said that you'll now tomorrow. Well, you should get some sleep as well. You have morning practice." Yuri said as she left the backyard.

"You could at least give me a hint on what she chose." Natsume retorted.

"Fine. The choices are within being a Hyuuga or a Sakura." Yuri replied.

"That doesn't even make a sense, okaa-san! I know that already! You could at least tell me something I don't know!" Natsume answered back.

"Okay then. I'll tell you something you don't know. And that is if you don't go to bed this very instant you're grounded. Now enough with the question and answer portions since you'll be knowing the answers tomorrow anyway. Just wait for a little bit." Yuri said as Natsume lazily walked up to his room.