Hey there readers!
Super Duper excited to get the ball rolling with NastuMikan!
More to come as the story progresses! The song in this chapter is Illegal by Shakira! Listen to it on Youtube if you want to get a feel from the mood during that scene!
RxExR
Chapter 13: Reach
Serina Yamada looks a million times better during our second meeting. Her tired eyes are gone and her 'less than enthusiastic about my job' demeanor is also gone. She sits behind her desk shuffling through paperwork trying to find my file. She seems like someone who could take a couple of lessons from Hotaru about how to organize. Finally she pulls my manila folder out of a messy pile and opens it with one hand and uses her free hand to shove her other papers to the side.
"Okay so what have you got for me?" She asks.
"Um, Youichi's transfer records and a copy of my furniture receipt. Also some photographs."
"Good, good." She says taking the stack from me.
The fact that Youichi got a perfect score on his transfer exam is in bold and I could she her eyes widen with surprise. I conceal my smirk of victory by looking around her office. I included some photographs I had taken using the disposable camera Anna had gotten for the party. There's a picture of Youichi in his uniform and backpack outside of the Alice Academy gates that I had taken yesterday when I dropped him off, another photo of him playing soccer with the other kids in his adorable uniform, and one photo from yesterday night of the two of us sitting on the couch in our pajamas. We had just had dinner with Tsubasa and Misaki so I asked Tsubasa to take a picture of us for my meeting. I also got a couple shots of the apartment before the film ran out, so I included a copy of those. I got the pictures developed right before my meeting and ran all the way here not even bothering to talk to the disinterested receptionist.
"These look good. You're really making an effort." She comments flipping through the pictures.
"I told you. Just tell me what I need to do and I'll do it."
"And you certainly have."
Minus the mattress that will be delivered tomorrow, my apartment looks like a real place to live. All of my furniture was being delivered when I got back from work with Youichi yesterday. Tsubasa used an emergency key to let them in and directed the furniture where I wanted it to go till I arrived. While the men moved busily around my apartment, I made a pitcher of iced tea for them and helped Youichi with his homework. And by help I mean stand there in awe as he blew through the assignments like they were nothing at all. I got a note from his teacher saying that he doesn't really participate in class, but his level of work is above and beyond a kindergartener so he will be giving Youichi advanced assignments to gage his actual grade level.
This boy never ceases to amaze me. I pour him another glass of iced tea and offer refills to the guys as they were wrapping up. Misaki brought some supplies upstairs and made us dinner in our own apartment, the smell was heavenly. We joked and laughed and ate until it was time for me to put Youichi to bed. I cleaned up while Youichi showered and just looked around the apartment. The couch placed next to one of the end tables faces the window. In-between them is the coffee table and the TV stand that is pressed up against the wall. Tsubasa used some sand paper and finishing paint that was left in one of the supply closets in the basement to make them both look like new. I placed the picture frame of me and my parents on the end table and make a mental note to develop the film before my meeting so I can fill the empty frames I got from the party.
We also took a little trip to Bed, Bath, and Body where I put all of my gift cards towards buying a mattress and even returned my second microwave for some extra cash, which I spent on curtains, a painting of a meadow with wild flowers that was on sale, a rug for the living room, and some navy blue sheets for the bedroom. Misaki, after hearing that Tsubasa gave me some flowers, got upset and brought me several lamps from their apartment.
"I swear that boy doesn't think. We kept the lamps that my parents sent us even though we had already bought new ones and instead of giving you those he gets you flowers? I swear he's totally sweet, but such an idiot sometimes."
Tsubasa, who was standing less than a foot away, rubbed his head sheepishly and placed one of the lamps in the living room and the other two in the bedroom. He hangs up the painting I bought and rolled out the rug in front of the couch. He left me his hammer and some nails so that I can hang the large collage picture frames on the walls once I got my photos developed. I put the leftovers away and tuck Youichi into the futon on top of the box mattress in the bedroom.
I push the coffee table to the side and pull out the mattress from the couch. The woman from the furniture store assured me that the mattress was new because the old one smelled like cigarette smoke so lucky for me all I need to do is get sheets for it. I lie on the naked mattress just staring at the ceiling thinking about my meeting and what other possible things she might criticize me for. I know she thinks I'm just a kid and Youichi will be better off with an adoptive family that lives in a two story house with a yard and a dog, but I know the only place Youichi wants to be is with me. He doesn't say it outright, but for some total strangers to just take him from me, he would definitely freak out and run away.
Everything that I'm doing and trying to do is going to make a better life for both of us, but what drives me is Youichi. I want to send him to college and see him get married and have a job and a great life even if I end up being the old lady that comes around once a month to check up on him and give his kids presents, I'll be perfectly content with it knowing that he has a great life because of me.
"Mikan?"
Earth to me.
"Yes?" I say snapping my attention back to her.
"I was saying that you still need to pass your test and prove to the social worker that you are a mature and competent caregiver. How is Youichi getting to and from school?"
"Well right now I'm taking him there by bus and picking him up the same way."
"And what about your boss? Does she mind you leaving early?"
"Well if I know Hotaru she definitely minds, but she also understands. I can make up my missed hours on Saturday since I don't normally work in the restaurant that day. I'm also looking into getting him into a carpool of some kind, but most of the kids have personal drivers and I don't think that's in my budget."
"Understandable. You don't have a driver's license do you?"
"No, I'm looking into it, but I'm prioritizing right now."
"Always a good thing. Now the social worker assigned to your case is Sato Akira. He's kind of a hard-ass, but it's only because he himself was in the system and he knows firsthand how placing a child with the wrong caretaker can mess a child up for life, but with what I've seen he should have no problems."
"Okay."
"Next item and I know you're going to hate me for this one, but you need a phone, in your apartment and on your person. If there is an emergency and you can't get to the front desk what will you do? Jump out the window? I should hope not."
"Phone. Got it."
"Clothes as well, he's big on appearances. You can go. Take this." She says handing a piece of paper with some notes on it.
"Thank you." I say taking the paper and turning to leave.
"Oh and Mikan?" she says making me look at her again, "Initial meet is in two weeks."
"It's like it never ends! No matter how much I do they just keep wanting more and more. Do they think money grows on trees?" I say flopping into the chair opposite Hotaru's desk.
"Well you certainly sound like a parent." She comments.
"You would think I've done more than enough." I mutter.
"What do you expect? People to throw you a party every time you do something right? You're asking for the rights to a child Mikan. Of course they're going to make you shell out as much as possible."
"At this rate I'm not going to be able to pay my rent next month." I sulk.
"What about a loan?" She suggested typing away at her computer.
"Yeah right. What bank is going to give me a loan?" I ask tugging at the hem of my sweater.
"I would. You're not comfortable with hand-outs so this is my proposal. I give you enough money for your house phone, cell phone, some clothes and even appoint one of my drivers to you and all I ask in return is that you do whatever I ask." She says not looking up from her computer screen."
That's ominous.
I sit up straight, "Whatever you ask like what? Can't I just pay you back?"
"Money I have, but a personal lackey is priceless."
"What could you possibly want me to do for you that you're willing to give me money and not get any of it back?"
"Oh I'll get it back. In due time." She says finally looking at me again.
More ominous.
"You're terrifying me." I say leaning back in my chair a little.
"Take it or leave it Sakura."
Suddenly I feel like the temperature has risen beyond boiling point and I'm about to sign a contract with the devil. No, Hotaru is my friend. She won't make me do anything illegal that could make me jeopardize my adoption or corrupt my already slightly gray area morals.
Right?
"Fine."
She opens the desk drawer and hands me a pre-written check. Unbelievable. She already had the check written out and ready to hand to me.
. . .
Hold on.
Sweet mother of all that is good.
"Are you insane? One million yen! Are you out of your mind?"
"I said you could buy clothes too."
"I don't need this much money for clothes!"
"Pipe down idiot. Spend what you need and save the rest. Besides when was the last time you bought something for yourself. Food doesn't count."
She had a point, but I wouldn't feel right about taking so much money. Then again it is a loan that I just sold my soul for. And I do need clothes, a cell phone, a house phone, and maybe I can even get a television. I sigh in defeat and sit back down.
"You might want to deposit that." She comments.
"I don't have a bank account."
She sighs in annoyance and pulls out her cell phone. She holds her hand out for the check and I give it back to her. She swivels her chair away from me and calls someone that I assume works in a bank. After several commands and providing them with my name, age, and address, she hangs up the phone and shreds the check.
"Wha-"
"I've deposited the check into your new bank account and someone will be here with your card before your shift has ended. I will call Grant one of my drivers to pick up Youichi afterschool and to bring him here. Anything else?"
What have I gotten myself into?
"You're amazing?" I suggest.
"Noted. Now there is something I want you to do for me."
Oh God.
"Tonight at approximately eight o'clock Ruka is forcing me to engage in the tedious ritual of public dating and he insists on bringing Natsume and his new tart. You will be replacing the tart because I am more confident in my ability to tolerate you than some hormone driven floozy."
"You want me to go on a date with Natsume?" I repeat.
"Think of it as a business transaction." She says leaning back in her chair, folding her hands together.
"You're paying me to date Natsume?"
"If you want to be blunt about it."
"Absolutely not."
She goes back to her computer, "You don't have a choice. My money, your time. That is the deal."
"What about my inability to tolerate Natsume?" I offer.
"Your brother seems to like him, maybe you can learn."
"What if Natsume wants to date his floozy?"
"What Natsume wants is completely irrelevant. So I suggest after your shift you go shopping for something to wear while picking out your mom-clothes."
I open my mouth to argue but she just points to the door both dismissing me and shutting me up. A date? Is she kidding? Not only have I never been on a date, but I also do not want the first guy I date to be Hyuuga Natsume. I could kick and scream, but I know that I should be grateful. Not everyone can have a rich, ice princess for a friend who just gives you one million yen because she hates Natsume's floozies more than being in anyone else's company in general.
It's kind of sweet when you think about it.
And if I maintain that this is just a business transaction, then maybe it won't count against my dating history. I force myself to not think about while I work my shift. Every time I go into the lounge I half-expect to see Youichi on the couch reading or watching an anime, but his empty spot makes me both happy and sad. Happy that he's finally in school and getting into a stable routine, but a little sad that I can't see him whenever I want. I wonder what he's doing. I've almost forgotten what it's like to sit in a classroom all day long: reading by the window, taking notes, eating lunch, hearing bits of everyone's conversations as they talk about their weekend plans. Because of my home situation I felt very out of place at school. I never had interesting weekend plans or was able to get iced coffee afterschool with some of the girls in my class all because of Persona.
Here at Imai's it's different. Not just being on my own and away from Yuka and Persona, but saying hello and smiling to everyone, chatting in the lounge with Anna and Nobara, eating lunch with Misaki, forcing Hotaru to come over to my apartment, making fun of Sumire and Luna, and even having a few laughs down at the bar. Maybe my situation is not ideal, but I've come so far from the person I used to be.
My shift finally comes to an end and as I'm changing into my regular clothes, Nobara brings me a box that is addressed to me and is stamped 'PRIORITY'. I open the box and inside along with a letter is my new bank card.
Dear Miss Sakura,
Thank you for banking with us. Imai-sama is one of our most valued customers so we will be sure to take good care of you. Your temporary pin is: 1103.
To change it just go online to the website below, call us, or just come into a branch.
We look forward to banking with you.
It is signed by the bank owner himself and includes all of his personal information if I have any questions or concerns. The power of the Imai name knows no bounds. I tuck the card into my jacket pocket as I pull my coat up over my shoulders. I shove the empty box into my locker and slam the door shut in time to see Youichi and a man in a chauffeur uniform standing in the doorway.
"Hi You-chan," I say ruffling his hair, "You must be Grant."
"Yes Miss." He says bowing his head.
"Please just call me Mikan. I'm no Hotaru Imai." I say bowing back to him.
Grant is old enough to be my father. Salt and pepper hair rests under his driving cap and his suit looks brand new and pressed to perfection. His white gloves are crisp and gleaming and his black shoes are shined. He looks like a solider standing there with his arms at his side and his feet together. He follows us out of Imai's back entrance and to the car.
Leaning on the hood of the posh black Mercedes is Anna wearing a trench coat over her school uniform. A white beret rests atop her candy pink locks. I can see the stick of a lollipop hanging out of her mouth as she stares up at the early evening sky. Her eyes light up as we approach and she leans up off the car.
"Hey!" she calls giving a wave.
"Anna, what are you doing out here?" I ask genuinely surprised since she has the day-off today.
"Hotaru said you desperately need my help. So I rushed over." She says.
"Help? I don't need any help I'm just going to get some clothes." I say.
She beams, "Then you definitely need my help."
I'm trapped in a world gone mad.
After leaving Youichi with Misaki so he can get some dinner and do his homework. Anna hauled me away to her favorite store. She promised me that the prices were decent and they almost always had things on sale. The store is called 'Cherie's' and it looks like a store that was meant for girls like Anna, really frilly, girly, pink, and brightly lit. The salespeople are really friendly and one of them even knows Anna by name. The best part about shopping when you have money is the money part. Everyone is so nice to you when they know you have plastic because it usually means business.
I'm glad that that Anna is here because I obviously needed her help even though it wasn't obvious to me. She pointed her finger like a magic wand and had salespeople picking up things, showing it to her and putting back what she doesn't like. Meanwhile I'm locked away in a large changing room trying on all of her nod worthy choices.
"I like it!" Anna says.
"It's a little binding." I say tugging at the material.
Anna has great taste in clothes, but she can go a little overboard at times. I've tried on several sparkly mini dresses that squeeze me in all the wrong places, but Anna refuses to let me leave unless I have something to go out with the girls on Saturday to Celebrate Anna's acceptance to the Parisian school of her dreams.
I manage to wiggle out of the dress without tearing it Thank God.
So far I've been approved for:
A tan trench coat (which is in this season if you hadn't heard)
A grey pea coat
Several pairs of jeans that don't have holes forming in the knees
I've lost count of how many tops because Anna just keeps piling them up
Three cashmere sweaters
A couple of dresses in different styles
A new scarf, hat, and gloves set
A pair of sunglasses
Shoes, shoes, shoes
Skirts of various lengths
And then I saw it. In Anna's hand hanging from a wooden hanger. A white dress with ¾ sleeves and a wide neck hole so the dress can be pushed off the shoulder, but what really grabs me is the corset lace-up back with gray ribbon. You can see peeks of gray lace behind the ribbon making the dress a little edgy, but it retains its elegance. I take it from Anna's hand and scurry back into my dressing room forgetting that I was in my underwear. I pull it carefully off its hanger and step into it. Like a glove, it slid up my body perfectly caressing my body with its soft fabric. I step out of the dressing room and Anna literally gasps as I spin around to show her in full.
"Mikan it is so you!" she practically squeals.
I look at myself in the mirror and it is quite the dress, falling to my mid-thigh and holding my body the way a dress should.
"You know what you need now?" She asks with a mischievous grin.
Something tells me I'm about to find out.
I swiped my card and punched in my pin like a regular pro. I tried not to let my mini heart attack show when my total showed up as 80,000 yen. Once again I find myself pretending that I do this sort of thing all the time. Poor Grant had no idea what he was in for when Hotaru appointed him as my driver. His professional lack of facial expression turned to shock when he saw the mountain of bags and boxes the salespeople were carrying out to the trunk of the car. Anna and I smile sheepishly and take cover in the backseat.
Once the trunk slammed shut, Grant got into the driver's seat and Anna gave him an address I didn't know. Twenty minutes later, we pull into the driveway of a two story Victorian style house with a wraparound porch. Anna instructs Grant to take my purchases, except for one bag, back to my apartment because 'This will take a while'. He waits for my bow to actually get in the car and drive away.
Anna jogs up the front steps to what I am guessing is her house. I follow not too close behind admiring its beautiful white and light blue painted siding and the wind chimes hanging from the awning. There's even a porch swing off to the side where someone has left a book and large mug of a beverage that is still emitting wisps of steam. I hurry behind Anna who is holding the screen door open for me while shouting for her mother.
Somewhere in the house something breaks with a crash and a woman mutters something in frustration.
"Anna for the millionth time stop doing that." A woman says coming from what I assume is the kitchen.
Anna ignores the woman, "Mikan this is my mom. Mom this is Mikan."
"Nice to meet you sweetie. Would you like some pie?"
"Nice to meet you too, and sure." I say shaking her firm hand.
Anna's mom is a curvy woman, not skinny, not fat, but what some would describe as thick with wide hips. Her stomach lays flat under her strawberry printed apron. A blue bandana is tied over her pink hair that matches Anna's perfectly. She leaves the room and heads back to the kitchen.
"Rule number one of my house: Just say no. My mom will have you leaving ten pounds heavier."
"I heard that." Her mom shouts from the kitchen.
Anna just smiles and leads the way up the stairs to her bedroom. A foul odor practically knocks us off our feet as we reach the second floor landing. Anna doesn't even question it and goes to the first door on our left and pounds on it with her free hand.
"I swear to God Nonoko! I'm going to tell daddy to make you move to the garage!"
"Keep your pants on!" Nonoko yells back through the door.
"Hi Nonoko!" I say trying to cut through the sudden tension.
"Hi Mikan! Sorry about the smell!"
"It's okay!"
Anna rolls her eyes and leads the way down the hall into her bedroom, which is a light peach color with white accents. We pass her canopy bed which is littered in stuffed animals and throw pillows. She puts the bag on her bed and sits down so she can take off her school boots. Underneath her trench coat is her Alice Academy uniform with a yellow checkered skirt insteand of red like Youichi slacks.
She removes her beret and puts it on top of her vanity. I take off my coat and wander around her room looking at pictures of her and Nonoko in middle school with some other girls I don't recognize except one.
"Oh my god. Is that who I think it is?" pointing at the slightly pudgy little girl.
Anna emerges from hair bathroom with scissors and several combs and brushes, "Ugh I know. Back when Sumire wasn't all that bad. Then we started high school and she couldn't be seen with us."
"What happened?" I ask as she puts me to sit down at her vanity.
She puts the hair stuff on the vanity's bare surface, "Same old girl drama. She wanted to be Queen Bee with her ladies in waiting and it didn't go over well. Everyone just kind of went off doing their own thing, even Nonoko and me."
"Weird."
"Yeah I know. I think back to all of the birthday parties and sleepovers and I can hardly believe any of it when I see her now." She says with a shudder as she takes down my hair.
"Time changes people." I say looking at my reflection.
She drags the brush through my hair, "Time doesn't change people Mikan, life changes people and people change people. In Sumire's case when her dad came into a lot of money through smart investments her life changed thus changing her. All of a sudden every conversation we had was about her daddy's Porsche and her mom's boob job and how she's going to summer in Paris. It got nauseating. I mean my mom owns her own very successful cake shop and my dad is a Physics professor so it's not like we're poor, but because Nonoko and I are used to our comforts we never became conceited brats."
"I see." I reply grinding my teeth as she pulls through a knot.
"Sumire just couldn't handle it. I mean I blame her parents mostly because her mother's always wanted that kind of lifestyle and when they had it, it was like they couldn't get enough. We all took bets on when the money would run out, but Kami-sama seems to have smiled on the Shoudas for whatever reason."
Three swift knocks on the door and Nonoko enters with a tray of three pie slices and some milk.
"I come baring a peace offering. The smell is gone so please do not tell dad."
"Like I would." Anna says plugging in her straightener.
"Hope you like cherry pie Mikan. Mom's been experimenting with different kinds of cherries."
"I love cherries." I say taking the plate and fork.
She put my glass of milk on the vanity, "So what's with the primping?"
"Mikan has a date."
I nearly choke on my pie, "No I don't!"
"Come off it Sakura. Ruka spilled the beans when Hotaru called him during P.E."
"Wait what?" Nonoko asks sitting on her sister's bed taking off her lab coat.
"Mikan is going on a double date with Hotaru, Ruka, aaaaaaaaaaand Hyuuga Natsume tonight." Anna says with a giggle while dragging the straightener through my hair.
"Shut your mouth! Way to go Mikan!" Nonoko says between bites of pie.
"No, no, no, no, no. It isn't like that. Hotaru asked me for a favor. It's a business arrangement, that's all."
The twins give each other doubtful, mischievous smirks.
"It's not a date." I maintain.
But when Ruka's silver Cadillac pulled up to Anna's house, I looked like a girl who was going on a date. After straightening my mane, Anna gave me a trim and then proceeded to put my hair in a very complex but elegant up style with several braids, some curls and a million bobby pins thrown in so that I could show off the back of my already favorite white dress. I wiggled my feet into a pair of grey ankle boots and threw on my new pea coat. Anna went all out with my make-up giving me cat-like eyeliner and shimmery silver eye lids and clear lip gloss over my lips so that she doesn't 'overdo it'.
Overdo it was about an hour ago when she plucked my eyebrows.
Ruka, being the gentleman that he is, came to the door to get me and his eyes almost fell out of his head when he saw me.
"You look amazing." He says.
"Thanks." I reply trying not to blush.
Anna and Nonoko wave from the porch as Ruka walks me to the car and even opens the door for me. I slip into the backseat which is surprisingly empty.
"Where's Natsume?" I ask unable to stop myself.
"Natsume doesn't like not driving. He's going to meet us there."
"I'm supposed to be his date and he doesn't even pick me up?"
"Natsume doesn't go out on dates Mikan-chan. Usually he just gets flocked by whatever girls happen to be there."
"Disgusting." Hotaru mutters from the passenger seat.
We back out of the twins drive way and speed off down the lamppost laden street. I buckle my seat belt and settle into my seat with my head against the window. Without Natsume in the car I can relax a little bit and revel in the fact that I, Sakura Mikan, am all dressed up and going out with friends. On the one hand it's completely irresponsible because I have Youichi at home with Misaki. I can see him now stuffing his face with Misaki's home cooking and doing his homework while gulping down iced tea.
But I did promise Youichi that I would try to like Natsume or at least rehabilitate him and by getting mixed up in this loan business with Hotaru the universe is forcing me to spend time with him.
Date or no date.
The place we go to is a little restaurant called 'Mayonaka no Sora' meaning Midnight Sky, known more charmingly as Sora's. It is a classy bar/restaurant where the social higher ups wine and dine and listen to live music. The valet takes Ruka's car to be parked and for a moment he places his hand on the small of Hotaru's back which I find cute and odd. Contractual relationship? I don't think I'll ever know. Hotaru leads the way through the main entrance where there is someone to check our coats and hats.
Ruka leads us to a table near the dance floor and we take our seats. Still, no sign of Natsume and I'm starting to feel like a third wheel. A waiter comes over leaving menus and taking our drink orders. I try to order water with lemon, but Hotaru orders champagne for the table instead. Because of Yuka I have a firm stance against alcohol consumption because I had this deep rooted belief that alcohol was evil and it turned people into unrecognizable forms of themselves. I blamed everything around me for my mother's disintegration into the person I call Yuka, but I had to face facts. People drink alcohol all the time: wine at dinner, champagne at weddings, a beer after a long day. And maybe some people do abuse it at parties or when they're just hanging with friends, but that's their choice. That was the part I had a hard time facing: the fact that my mother chose alcohol over me. As the waiter filled my glass with the bubbly golden liquid, I find myself staring at the little bubbles floating so delicately to the top.
I'm reserved to not having so much as a sip.
I distract myself by looking over the menu. Ruka looks around the room searching for Natsume, who I assume by now has stood me up. Isn't that ironic? I'm the one dreading the whole affair and he actually stands me up.
"Oh God." Ruka mutters under his breath.
But unfortunately I still hear him and follow his gaze across the room to the bar where Natsume is sitting and upon his lap is a girl with long black hair.
"I told you. He is perfectly content with his floozies." I say looking at Hotaru trying to mask how utterly pissed of I am.
I don't want to be here for one thing and not only does he stand me up, but he came here anyway and brought another girl? I mean he could have at least gone to a different restaurant.
"That's Gretchen, the foreigner who's been 'appearing' where Natsume does and not by coincidence. I happen to know for a fact that she pays people to let her know when he shows up somewhere. It's perfectly plausible that he got here before us and someone tipped her off that he was here. At least Sumire would have some kind of dignity in a place like this." Hotaru says and then takes a sip from her glass.
I look over my shoulder at the two of them. Natsume looks as bored as ever in his black pants, matching blazer and a red button down slightly undone with a vest over it. He looks pretty dapper compared to his usually alley sulking/bar clothes.
"I should probably go help him." Ruka says about to stand.
"No," I say surprising everyone including myself, "I'll do it."
Ruka sits back down and looks at me with a playful smile showing his curiosity. Hotaru just takes another sip of champagne. I stand up from my chair and look at the pair across the room again and then back to the table.
Desperate times.
I pick up the champagne glass delicately and take a small sip. Its bubbles tickle my nose and throat. I toughen up and take a gulp without looking too much like an amateur. As I place the glass back down on the table, I pretend those tickly bubbles are penetrating my body and transforming me into the Mikan who wears high end couture and goes out with her friends to fancy bars and is accustomed to being driven around and spending money on clothes because only that Mikan can pull off whatever the hell it is I'm about to do.
Her back is to me and her body is placed in between Natsume and me blocking his view giving me several seconds to think.
"Come ooooon Natsume-kun. Let's get out of here. This place is sooooooo boring." She whined obviously in a state of slight to mild inebriation.
"Why don't you just go home?" He says mildly irritated.
"Yeah why don't you just go home?" I repeat stepping in front of the couple.
They both look shocked to see me standing there. Natsume probably doesn't even recognize me under all the primping which makes me feel a little powerful.
"Who are you?" Gretchen asks her expression melting into annoyance.
"A really pissed off girlfriend." I say to my surprise.
I guess I still have a little juice leftover from theater back at my old school.
"Girlfriend? Hyuuga Natsume doesn't have a girlfriend. He has several if that's what you want to call us. Get in line." She clarifies wrapping her spaghetti arms around his neck.
"Listen here Skankerella, what he may or may not have done with you and rest of the female population is in the past. He's here with me."
"Really because he looks like he's here with me." She chastises with a smug smile on her narrow face.
"No, he looks like he should be picking you up off a street corner after negotiating the price of your hump day special."
That made her stand from Natsume's lap, which allowed him to stand as well but he looked rather amused.
"Are you calling me a Prostitute?" she asks eyes ablaze.
"You don't call Prostitutes; you just leave the money on the bedside table when you're done."
My tone is fiery and I know I've struck several nerves and it looks like she's about to strike back, but Natsume steps between us snaking his arm around my waist.
"Just go home." He says more firmly and guides me through the tables towards Ruka and Hotaru.
"What happened?" Ruka asked eagerly as we sat done.
"Words were said and she decided it was in her best interest to go home." I say taking another sip of champagne.
"Doubtful. The look on that man's face and the wine that that woman just spewed out tells another story."
"I may have verbally assaulted her, a teeny bit."
Natsume just smirked and picked up his menu, but he wasn't looking at it.
At all.
After that it was all very tame. Dinner is ordered, light conversation is had, food is eaten, and dessert is served. It isn't until the band starts to play a slow sultry song that things start to take a turn for the. . . intimate. The blonde singer is wearing a velvet red dress and heels. Her lips are close to the microphone as she begins to sing.
Who would've of thought
That you could hurt me
The way you've done it
So deliberate
So determined
And since you have been gone
I bite my nails for days
And hours
And question my own questions
On and On
So tell me now
Tell me now
Where you're so far away
When I'm still so close?
Ruka takes Hotaru's hand and she allows herself to be guided to the dance floor with some of the other couples. Their slow waltz is very hypnotizing with the singer's sultry vocals and the band's smooth rhythms. I preoccupy myself with the red velvet cake in front of me and watch Hotaru and Ruka dance. They remind me of a music box I wanted when I was little. The kind that winds up in the back and when you open it the little figurine rises slowly and twirls around to the melody. My dad promised to get it for me for Christmas, but he died in the summer. The music box haunted me for a while. I wondered if that's why he was out that day, to get me that stupid music box. Ruka is saying something to Hotaru, she's not responding, but she looks at him intently. I ponder if her jeweled headband has real jewels in it when I feel a warm hand touch mine.
I look at Natsume who continues staring straight ahead as if he didn't just touch me.
For some reason this reminds me of Youichi. Whenever he wants something he nudges me, bumps me or squeezes my hand and then pretends he didn't and never voices his wants. I don't think the same rule applies to Hyuuga Natsume the personal space invader, but that doesn't stop some obtuse part of my brain from standing and walking to the dance floor. He just watches me stand there even when I wave him over. He takes a drink of his champagne and doesn't move.
Fine, I'll dance by myself.
The music slows again and I concentrate on the lyrics and move without a partner. I probably look ridiculous, but good food, good cake, and good music is a recipe for a little silliness especially when things have gotten a little awkward date-wise.
I tried so hard
To be attentive
Do all you wanted
Always supportive, always patient
My eyes close down and I just allow myself to be swept in the song moving slowly and rhythmically in my own bubble.
What did I do wrong?
Wondering for days and hours
It's clear, it isn't here where you belong
Anyhow, anyhow
I wish you both all the best I hope you get along
A familiar pair of hands take both of mine and place them on firm shoulders and then retreats to my hips.
"So he does dance." I say giving a somewhat victorious grin.
"You look like an idiot. I can't be seen at the same table as you if I let that go on." He responds sourly.
"Always with the appearances. If I don't have a partner, I'm happy to dance by myself."
"You must have a lot of lonely nights then." He retorts.
"Funny coming from someone who is always surrounded with people yet can't even crack a smile. Not a smirk, a real smile."
He pulls me closer making me realize we were dancing like middle schoolers at their first boy-girl dance: arm length apart. I think I prefer it to the alternative where there is only a sliver of space between Natsume and me and one hand is on the small of my back with the other above it and his long fingers are touching my ribs.
Distraction Mikan, Distraction.
"Youichi and I talked about you a little while ago."
He didn't say anything, but I know I've caught his interest.
"He seems to be the only person to think you're not a bad person. Ruka doesn't count because contract or not, he's dating Hotaru which throws his psyche into question."
Still nothing. He's not even looking at me, which is really starting to piss me off. First almost standing me up only to be in the same restaurant with another girl and now he can't even converse?
"Jerk."
He looks at me with a blank face.
Oops. I said that out loud.
"Yeah, you're a jerk. I didn't even want to come on this date and you're acting like its Chinese water torture after I went and rescued you from that Gretchen girl."
"More like you were so overcome with jealousy that you had to stomp over and assert your claim on me."
My mouth hit the floor, "Are you insane? I was doing you a favor."
"Whatever stupid girl. I don't need rescuing by the likes of you."
I pull away from him but his hands still linger at my waist, "Obviously you do."
He realizes his mistake and drops his hands placing them in his pockets, "The only thing I need from you little girl is a place to put my d-"
I slap him hard across the face before he can finish his sentence. For the most part no one notices and anyone who does just assumes we're a quarreling couple. I storm off the dance floor past the tables and out the door forgetting my coat. I'm standing alone on the sidewalk wondering how I'm gonna get home when Natsume bounds down the steps and receives his keys from the valet who brought his car around. He revs the engine and rolls down the windows so he can smoke.
I walk over to the car and lean over to peer through the window.
"You are a child."
"I'm not the one who stormed out of a restaurant in that dress without a coat." He replies lighting a cigarette.
I pull it out of his mouth and throw it on the floor, "You are a manipulative, defensive, hard to handle, never know what you want, don't want to ask for anything, child. And the reason that I know is because I live with one only I plan on fixing him before he turns into the train wreck that is you."
"Is that-"
"I'm not done talking. I'm a stubborn girl. You have no idea how much so. So I tell you this Natsume Hyuuga, I will not give up because I know how I'm going to fix you now."
"You're stupid and crazy."
"Maybe so, but that's not going to stop me from fixing you because what you need is a big sister in your life."
I think I've left him dumbfounded. I wave and back away from the car in time for him to speed off. Hyuuga Natsume is a little kid. He seems like a playboy using and dismissing girls, but I think he is riding the wave. He got his reputation from his air of mystery and his good looks. He just needs to learn how to use his powers for good and not evil. I watch his tail lights disappear down the street and rub my arms for warmth.
"He's stubborn too," says a familiar voice.
I feel a light weight on my shoulders accompanied by warmth, "Hotaru."
She fixes the collar of the coat she placed on my shoulders and just stands there next to me for a moment.
"Ruka's getting the bill and the car. Everything aside I think it was a successful night."
"You mean aside from me verbally assaulting a stranger, dancing with Natsume, and then slapping him in the face?" I clarify shoving my arms through the sleeves of my coat.
She put her hands into the pockets of her cashmere coat and sighed, "And then storming out into the cold like an idiot."
"How could I forget?"
"Your presence made the night less tedious."
I think that's her way of saying she kind of likes having me around.
"Hotaru if you don't like Ruka why do you do things like this?" I ask her.
She doesn't say anything and for a moment I think she might not answer when she says, "I don't hate him."
The valet brings Ruka's car around as the blonde boy bounds down the stairs. He opens the car door for Hotaru, but I beat him to my door and just wave him off. As far as I'm concerned this date night Cinderella evening is over. The ride home is quiet, but peaceful. I watch the streetlights pass and the clouds roll over the moon. I think it's going to rain tomorrow.
When I get back to my apartment Youichi is asleep since it's almost eleven. Misaki is sitting on the couch reading a book when I get in. She tells me how beautiful I look with maternal sincerity and I thank her a million times for watching Youichi.
"I would rather have my tongue nail to a cement block then do that again." I say flopping onto the couch beside her.
She helps me take down my hair, "Natsume's a jerk, it's imprinted on his DNA, but you've dealt with worse."
"I suppose. I told Youichi I would try to get along with him, but it's like his favorite pastime aside from sleeping with girls is getting under my skin." I mope.
"Maybe it's a self-defense mechanism. He doesn't really trust anyone aside from Ruka. As for the girls I don't think it's so much about physical intimacy as it is about mutual use and abuse. Girls follow him everywhere because he's good looking and a night with Natsume Hyuuga will surely increase their popularity and for him a night out with them will surely end with him getting a distraction from his brooding boy life."
"But why? I mean he's rich, from a powerful family, athletic, good looking, he should be some girl's teenage dream not a virgin's nightmare."
"Some of the best families have the worse secrets." Misaki tells me.
"I'm wondering what kind of secrets Natsume is hiding." I say mostly to myself.
Once my hair is disassembled, Misaki gives me a hug and says her goodbye. I decide a hot shower is the best course of action. By the time I scrub off Anna's make-up, wash my hair, and slip into my pajamas it's almost midnight. The prospect of Natsume having a dark secret is both intriguing and terrifying. Secrets can range from silly things between friends to something dark that you have buried deep in your mind, but no matter how much you ignore it, it will never go away. Secrets sometimes have a way of affecting more than one person like my mother's secret boyfriend who ended up being the worst thing that happened to the both of us. I slip into bed next to Youichi and look at his sleeping face. I never thought the dark cloud of Persona would have a silver lining like Youichi.
I sigh deeply, rolling over on the futon trying to get some sleep.
My lack of sleep does not aid the fact that I have a double shift today. I had to drink two cups of coffee just to get to work. The upside of selling your soul for a driver is no more waiting for the bus. Grant arrives promptly at seven and waits outside till Youichi and I get downstairs. Then he drives me to work and takes Youichi to school. I'm not sure what else he does with his day, but I hope it's not waiting outside of the school for hours and hours. Grant strikes me as the very serious about his job type. He's always bowing and calling me Miss Mikan and he calls Youichi Master Youichi, but I think You-chan loves it.
Speaking of You-chan he didn't ask me about the night before even though I had told him I went out with Natsume, clarifying and stressing that it wasn't a date. He didn't seem particularly moved one way or another. I just kissed his head and went to work.
Imai's is packed as usual and because one of the waitresses quit, I have my own sector of tables. Things are so crazy that I completely forgot about my lunch break. Between the orders, the food, the customers, and my coffee I had no brains cells to spare to remind me to eat something. At the end of my shift my stomach was roaring so loud I thought it might collapse into itself.
"Mikan was that you?" Nobara asks with big blue eyes.
"I'm starving. I don't even know if I can make it to the burger place down the street."
"Why don't you just eat here?" She asks me putting on her coat.
"The amount of food I'm prepared to ingest at this particular moment is not covered under our employee perks. I don't want to eat myself into more debt."
Nobara just laughed and slammed her locker shut, "Well come on. I'll go with you."
I blink at her, "Really?"
"One burger isn't going to kill me Mikan. I've been known to indulge on occasion."
So we walked the several blocks to a burger restaurant and I ordered the biggest burger they had with fries and a soda. Nobara just watches me as I stuff my face without a care in the world. I can hear myself making those noises, that moan and groan people make when they bite into something really good. This has got to be the greatest burger I've ever tasted. Only when I've devoured three-quarters of it and half my fries, is my body able to recall how to act like a person and have conversation along with a meal.
"So what time is Youichi getting out of school?" Nobara asks me taking a sip from her straw.
"His soccer thing goes till five and I told him he can stay till six because some of the kids stay and play for a while. Now that we have a driver I can actually afford leisure time."
"Yeah what's up with that? Did your parents send him?"
"As if. It's a loan from Hotaru. Part of our business arrangement."
"Oh yeah? What's in it for her?"
I was about to say something smart when something outside of the restaurant catches my eye. That raven hair, that cocky strut, that leather jacket, no way that it's a coincidence. What is he doing walking around when he has a parade of hot rides at his disposal and even more curious is the fact that he's slipping down an alley while taking glances over his shoulder.
"Hey Nobara, um I think I see someone I know. I'll be right back."
She just replies, "Okay!" in her happy tone and keeps eating.
I slip out of the restaurant and across the not too busy street and up the alley. I walk quietly, careful not to step on any garbage or kick any empty bottles, until I hear the voices. It's coming from the back of the building and they're speaking in low tones.
My mother always said no good comes from snooping, but I can't help but creep closer to the voices, pressing myself up against the wall and straining myself to hear their conversation. The alley stinks and I'm pretty sure there is something crawling in the trashcan next to me, but I can't think about that right now. A lighted cigarette bud flies from their direction and for a moment I thought they knew I was there, but no footsteps accompanied the cigarette so I stayed where I was.
"Nothing is free Hyuuga; didn't your rich daddy tell you that?" A man taunted, "You want in, you have to pay your dues, but since the boss man wants you so bad he might be willing to waive your fee."
"What does he want?" Natsume asks as stoic as ever.
"Well you'll have to ask him about that won't you? But I'll tell you this much. You get him what he wants and you become the right hand to a guy on the rise. You might even become our boss, so before that happens you can pay us for this vital information."
I chance taking a peak around the corner and see Natsume put a stack of bills into a much older red headed man's hand. He hands it to a very muscular guy standing off to his right and sticks out his hand again. Natsume just looks at him.
"Our usual fee isn't going to cut it. This isn't some cut rate rumor floating around your little high school kid. This is some big stuff that I don't even think you're ready for."
"Come off it Reo. I'm not giving you anymore money until I meet this guy and see if he's even the real thing."
"Oh he's real. And you better slip me a little something extra before things get very. . .physical in this alleyway."
Natsume scoffs and turns to walk off toward me. I press my back against the brick wall and hold my breath.
"Oi Hyuuga brat!" the man yells.
Some scuffling of shoes and grunts ensued and I manage to wedge myself behind a dumpster. The smell is putrid, but my fear has me straining myself to hear.
"This isn't over kid!" someone else shouts.
I watch completely frozen over as Natsume walks right past me seemingly unharmed. I countdown from sixty to zero before forcing myself to move from behind the trashcan. I cautiously exit the alleyway the way I came and peer out before walking out onto the sidewalk. No sigh of Natsume, but Nobara is standing outside of the restaurant looking worried. I wave at her as I cross the street.
"Mikan! What happened to you?" Nobara asks looking worried.
"Yeah sorry it wasn't the person I thought it was and then I fell. I'm so stupid."
She smiles, "It's okay. I'm just glad you're not hurt. We should probably head back to Imai's so your driver can pick you up."
"Yeah." I say absently.
We walk back to Imai's with Nobara filling the empty space between us talking about her evil math teacher and the unfair pop quiz he sprang that day. I keep looking around checking that Natsume or any of those guys he met in the alley weren't around. I'm beginning to think that Natsume's problems stretch a little deeper than I am prepared to deal with. I'm trying not to assume anything, but it seems pretty clear the lifestyle Natsume wants to pursue.
As we approach Imai's I can see Grant standing outside of the car waiting for me. I say goodbye to Nobara, who offers to take my shift down at the bar because I 'fell'. I feel bad for taking advantage of her kindness, but I do smell like a dumpster. I wave my final goodbye to her and jog up to Grant. We exchange our greetings as he opens the door, inside Youichi is waiting playing some game I don't recognize and next to him leaning over his shoulder is a familiar raven haired little girl.
"Aoi-chan?" I say standing in the open doorway.
"Hi Mikan-nee-san!" she says cheerfully.
"Hi," I say getting into the car, "What are you doing here?"
"My onii-san forgot to pick me up again and my mama is at the hospital. I didn't want to be alone, so Youichi-kun said I could come with him." She said beaming.
I push past my shock, "What about your dad?"
"My papa is in Europe for the week." She says peering over Youichi's shoulder again.
"Well Aoi-chan I don't want to take you somewhere without your parents knowing." I say uncomfortably.
"Oh it's okay Mikan-nee-san, I called my mama and told her. She's looking for my nii-san now."
I couldn't very well argue with her because then she'll think I don't want her around and the last thing you want to do is hurt the feeling of a small child. I just don't want a kidnapping charge on my record, it hits a little close to home where me and Youichi are concerned. I sigh and just watch Youichi play the game which no doubt belongs to Aoi. They take turns all the way back to the apartment. I punch us into the building and walk them up the stairs. Tsubasa casts me a weird look from the desk but I wave him off in a "Don't worry, I'll explain later" sort of way.
After opening the apartment door and getting the kids something to eat while they sit down and do their homework, I finally change out of my dirty clothes. I'm making a pitcher of pink lemonade (Aoi's favorite) when the phone Misaki lent me starts to ring. It's one of those old corded phones hooked directly into the wall. I wipe my hands on my sweatpants and pick up the phone.
"Hello Sakura residence." I say cheerfully.
"Is this Mikan?" a woman's voice asked.
"Who's calling?" I ask leaning against the wall.
"This is Hyuuga Kaoru. Aoi's mother."
"Ah Mrs. Hyuuga hello! I'm sorry, but Aoi was already in the car and she said it was okay and I didn't have a number to call-"
"It's okay Mikan-chan! I'm just glad she's with someone instead of sitting outside the school by herself. I already called Imai-san and she said you were trustworthy. I was in the middle of surgery and couldn't call anyone to get her. I swear that son of mine. If you could hold on to her until I get there I would really appreciate it!"
"Of course I can. Do you need the address?"
"Not to worry Imai-san has faxed me everything I need. See you in an hour or so!"
I hang up the phone and inform Aoi-chan that her mother will come get her. She nods and goes back to her homework. I pour them two glasses of lemonade and flop on the couch with my poetry book. About a half an hour into my reading there is a buzz at the door. I go to the pad and speak into the intercom expecting Mrs. Hyuuga, but I was wrong. With an eye roll I press the buzzer to let the person in. Youichi and Aoi are still doing their homework with Aoi complaining about not getting it. I open the door after several sharp knocks from the outside. Natsume Hyuuga is standing outside of my door looking irritated.
"Can I help you?" I ask standing in the doorway blocking his path into the apartment.
"I'm here for my sister." He says pushing past me.
I close the door and lock it Aoi greets her brother and starts to pack her things. Natsume stands disinterestedly behind the couch and Youichi puts away his own books. I can feel something welling up inside of me and suddenly I can't take it anymore.
"Youichi will you walk Aoi-chan down to the lobby and wait with Tsubasa until I get there?"
He just blinks at me, but hops off the barstool and walks Aoi to the door. It isn't until the door closes behind them that Natsume speaks.
"Are you going to give me another lecture about not giving up on me?" He asks with a smirk.
"Oh I'm more than ready to give up on you."
He walks to the counter grabbing Aoi's half empty glass and taking a drink of lemonade.
"I went out to lunch with Nobara today. Funny thing is I got a little lost on the way to the restaurant and ended up in this alley. I could've sworn I heard a bunch of guys talking."
"Tch. I don't have time for this." He tries to head for the door.
"Who's Reo?" I ask making him stop cold and look at me.
"You were following me?"
"Are you really avoiding the question?"
He just silently glares at me.
"There's a lot of things I don't know about you, but one thing I do know is that whatever you're looking for isn't what you think it is." I tell him.
"Oh really?"
"Yes. You think it's like the dramas? Shady deals in deserted places, fakes guns and money? It's very real and you have no idea what you're getting yourself into."
"And how would you know? You're just a stupid little girl who's probably been sheltered her whole life."
"You don't know anything about me! And you damn sure don't know what I've been through. You're calling me sheltered? You've had everything handed to you since the day you were born. You never had to be poor, struggling, living on the street, or afraid of anything. People worship you and you take it all for granted."
He leans in close, "Don't be a hypocrite. You don't know me either."
"I know what you're looking for, something to fill that emptiness inside of you. You can't fill yourself with that kind of life and those kinds of people. It numbs the emptiness, but it doesn't make it go away. You forgot your sister today and from your mom's tone I'm guessing it's not the first time. She needs you, if you won't do it for yourself, do it for her. Pull your head out of your butt and wake up."
"Just shut up." He says pulling away.
"I want to believe that you're a good person for Youichi's sake, but I won't have him hanging around with you anymore if this is the kind of life you're going to choose."
"You can't control me. You can't control him. You can pretend you're the big sister in charge of everything, but when it comes right down to it. Everyone is going to do what they want anyway, so why bother?"
I sigh, "I hope that whatever you're looking for, doesn't find you."
He turns his back on me and walks to the door, "And if it does I hope you can get out before it's too late."
He turns to look at me from the door, "You're not my sister, you're not my girlfriend, you're not even my friend so don't act like you give a damn."
"Maybe I don't, but one thing I know for sure is that my brother thinks you're a good person. Don't disappoint him. He's been let down by too many people already."
My apartment door slams shut behind him and I stand there leaning against the couch listening to the silence. He's right, in a lot of ways, but wrong in the most important way. He's wrong if he thinks that I don't know what it's like on the other side because I have been pressed up against the fence, forced to look at the other side for years. Watching people as young as fifteen drift into the living room of that house jonesing for their next fix, people my mother's age strung out and passed out on the floor.
Persona is no big crime boss and we didn't live in a palace, but he was a pretty well known drug dealer around our area. If being into drugs and crime was a video game Persona would be at level three. The way Natsume is going is like he just put the game into the console and is still creating his character before starting level one.
I wouldn't want anyone to play this game especially someone who has the means to stay far, far away from it. Youichi comes back into the apartment a few minutes later and looks at me. I try to smile, but it doesn't stay there long. I rub his hair and hug him into my abdomen. Natsume is in a place that I don't think anyone can reach him.
"Youichi why don't you go take a shower and I'll make you some soup, okay?"
He looks up at me as if ready to protest, but he just disappears into the bathroom. I go to the phone and dial the only number I know by heart.
The phones rings several times before it's answered.
"Hotaru? I need your help."
Chapter 14 is already in progress!
I know, I know I'm on a roll! Hopefully it doesn't stop, but I will have to go to work at some point.
Anyhoo!
The story is progressing rather splendidly from an author stand point so let me know what you think!
Also try to keep in mind that once that really big stuff starts to happen it's a sign that we're almost at the end and no one wants that right? Except maybe me so I can work on some more fantastic ideas.
Leave me lots of reviews!
Lots of love
Chi-chan