"The Bartender Girl"

Chapter 4: A Misunderstanding

-Mikan's POV-

I wiped the tables in the bar before the bar opens, I glanced at the door, Where is Hotaru? She usually arrives early, dakedo (but), why is she late today..? I was getting worried already, sweat started to fall from my forehead and I started to panic.

"Mina-san, have you seen Hotaru-chan?" I asked the other bartenders who were also doing the same thing, I mean, cleaning the tables.

They shook their heads and I felt disappointed with it. I sighed heavily and went out of the bar, my cloth and soap still with me. I looked around, no sign of Hotaru-chan.

What if she got into an accident!?

What if she was grounded by her mother?!

What if she forgot today was Tuesday?!

What if she slept really late and she still haven't woke up!?

What if she got sick!?

What if …!

These were the what-ifs I had in my mind, but I tried my best to forget about them, honestly. But … a figure caught my attention. She had her hands inside her pocket, her hair was fixed but her face wasn't. Her face was tear-strained and her eyes red. I ran up to her, "Hotaru-chan, I thought something bad happened to you!"

-Hotaru's POV-

Something did. I thought. But instead, I said something else, "Nothing did" I flashed her a small but fake smile. "You don't have to worry, idiot"

But I can see that Mikan was determined to know what was bothering me or what was making me sad, she still continued to annoy me with the what-happened-to-you question. But knowing me, nothing can make me tell what I want to keep a secret, so I just walked, repeating the same answer all over and over again, "Nothing's wrong"

At last, we arrived at the bar, everyone was busy cleaning and didn't seem to notice that I arrived already, Good. I entered the locker room and put my backpack down, as I turned around, same face greeted me.

"What's wrong Hotaru-chan, onegai tell me!" She said one more time.

"Nothing's wrong so don't expect me to tell something, baka" I fought, but tears started to form in my eyes already, now what?! She's going to see them and she'll definitely ask me again what was wrong. And I was right…

"Hotaru-chan, daijoubu?" She asked pointing at my eyes, "Tears…, something absolutely is wrong"

What would I say?! If I say what was on my mind then the conversation would have gone like this…

Hotaru: What's wrong?! Then I'll tell you what's wrong! That Natsume Hyuuga guy, you remember? The one you love?! Yeah him! Guess what? He's engaged with me! And I totally hate it! He doesn't even know that he's engaged with me since his darn stupid parents won't tell him, afraid maybe! But the thing is, I totally hate him, he's not my type! And you know what? Our marriage! Yes, marriage is 2 weeks from now! Happy?

Mikan: What…..? I can't understand ….

Hotaru: You don't need to! Because we don't have anything else to do but think of a plan for me to escape that damn marriage they prepared for me!

But no… the conversation didn't go that way. Why? Because I didn't say something that goes like this: 'What's wrong?! Then I'll tell you what's wrong! That Natsume Hyuuga guy, you remember? The one you love?! Yeah him! Guess what? He's engaged with me! And I totally hate it! He doesn't even know that he's engaged with me since his darn stupid parents won't tell him, afraid maybe! But the thing is, I totally hate him, he's not my type! And you know what? Our marriage! Yes, marriage is 2 weeks from now! Happy?'

Instead, I closed my eyes and shook my head, "None of your business Mikan-chan, I just need a little rest right now so if you please just stop bugging me then I could calm myself for a while…"

Right now, we were already in the bathroom, I washed my tear-strained face and smiled at Mikan, "You don't need to worry about me, I'm perfectly fine" But no, I wasn't fine, not even a single part of me was fine! I was so worried that I'd rather die than face all this dilemma. But when I looked at Mikan, she didn't seem so satisfied with my answer, she didn't even look satisfied.

"You're lying," She said in a trembling voice, "I know my best friend for a lot of years now and I can tell whether she is lying or not" She put her hand on her waist, "And I can tell that you're not telling the truth right now"

I was unable to continue what I was going to say, well thankfully I didn't tell her, because just a few seconds ago, I was thinking of telling her the truth, which I know would make her crazy. Well.. anyways, I was unable to continue because our boss, Mr. Narumi, called us.

"Sakura, Imai, The store's about to open, please come here, enough chit chat" He said, voice louder than ours in the bathroom.

"Hai!" Me and Mikan said together, but instead of going outside, she looked back at me, "Hotaru-chan, I understand if you want to keep your secret to yourself but please, at least share some parts of it to me, I may be able to help you with it….." And she proceeded outside, leaving me flabbergasted with what she just said. I followed her outside and wore my uniform, you know, the apron thing. And started to take customers'orders.

I approached 2 customers, not bothering to look at their faces I asked for their order, "Goodmorning sir, may I take your order?" I looked up and gasped, "Na- Natsume-kun…" I looked at the person beside him and my heart started to beat, even if I don't know who he was…

Natsume seemed to know our 'little secret' and he frowned at me, "So now I meet you". The boy beside him looked confused, "Natsume-kun?" Natsume stood up and pulled me out of the restaurant, leaving his friend dumb-founded. And unfortunately, Mikan saw what Natsume did to me, but she didn't follow us outside, she continued to serve the customers.

- - - - outside - - - - -

"Hotaru Imai" Natsume uttered, his eyes fixed on me, but anger was in his eyes, nothing else more.

"Natsume….. look, I don't know how they arranged that engagement and marriage but I certainly didn't have any idea about it before last night" I spoke, I tried not to be nervous as I said every word.

He just continued to stand there, anger was still in his eyes, but I couldn't tell he was angry at me, he might be angry with the situation we were in, "What are you going to do? You obviously don't like me and I feel the same for you… I like…. Someone else"

I rolled my eyes, "Obviously" I whispered out loud, "I don't know what to do"

"You like Ruka Nogi"

I went like Who?!!??! "Ruka who?"

"Ruka Nogi, my best friend, the one sitting beside me a while ago, the one with blonde hair and blue eyes…" He continued to mutter, "You know, the one you like, I suppose"

I turned speechless, what was this boy saying? Well yes… my heart beat fast that time I met that Ruka guy but I don't think I'm inlove with that him cause it was my first time to meet him a while ago. "You suppose but-"

"He's handsome and I think he was also happy to see you a while ago," He turned to look at the street infront of the bar, "But this isn't the reason why I pulled you out of that bar"

"Of course" I responded.

"I pulled you out here to talk to you about those arranged things between us"

"Duh…" replied the still-speechless me.

"Now you must know that I'm absolutely not agreeing on the marrying-to-you thing, one reason is because I don't love you and I'm sure you feel the same for me, you must hate me too"

"Not actually hate, but really, I don't love you and I don't think I'll ever learn to do."

But Natsume didn't answer, we were disturbed by my brunette best friend, when I looked at her, her face had an expression that you can't read, it was like she was disappointed at the same time she wanted to break down and cry, oh nonono…. She must have misunderstood the whole thing! For God's sake, please make her understand this situation….

"Ho – Hotaru-chan……." She whispered, her bangs covering her face, drops of her crystal tears fell down from her covered eyes, "I can't believe you did this to me…." She sniffed, "Ho- How…'' She looked up and glared at me and Natsume, "How could you????" And she broke down to the floor, crying all her heart out.

-Natsume's POV-

I stood there, staring at the cute bartender who was clearly crying to death right now. She must have misunderstood everything…. But- BUT! WHY IS SHE DOING THIS? Does that mean….. she's hurt because…… because…….. because….. sh- she …. Loves me? Oh no Natsume… don't go thinking like that, such a feeler you are!

I bent down, not paying attention to what I was doing, I got near to her and kneeled, now my face leveled to hers, "Mikan Sakura?"

She looked up, surprised. "D- Doushite..?"

"You misunderstood it…." I said, "I don't love Hotaru"

She scowled, she looked at me, she must be mad right now.. oh yes, I was right… because at that very moment, she slapped me, hard.

Mikan Sakura, yes, the bartender girl I think I'm fell inlove with since the first day I met her, just … slapped me.

End of Chapter

Author's Note: Yup, I made it a cliffy… giggles I hope you liked this chapter and please don't forget to review. Please, if you have any suggestions, don't hesitate to suggest them to me. I'm really open to them. Anyways, please stay tuned to the next chappy I'll be uploading sometime this week. Thanks! Review, okie?