SCENE 7

The days and nights kept Mikan and Natsume together. They were enjoying each other's company. They sometimes spend wondrous moments while knowing each other more. They spent holidays together and sometimes with Sumire, Ruka and Hotaru. There was never a day that they are not together. All the laughter and enjoyment they shared made their bond even stronger. But they keep a friendly bond. It was nothing mutual although sometimes they bump into each other and feel something different but they prefer to keep it silent. Not one of them tried to barge into each other's lives. They feel it a bit complicated for now.

"Next month, their will be an acquaintance ball" Narumi announced in the class.

"Oh my God! I'm going to wear the best masque dress ever" Sumire shrieked. Mikan just kept silent because she's certain that she has nothing to wear except for that red dress she has been wearing for the past 2 years. And she looks terrible in it.

"Sakura, Hotaru" Sumire called. "What about you?" Hotaru saw that reaction of Mikan and she felt like not pushing it further. So she signaled Sumire to shut up and made a plan.

"Baka, Gomen-nasai we were not able to buy you a gift on your birthday. Nonoko borrowed my money that time. But I've decided to give it to you now. A late birthday gift."

"Hey come on Hotaru, Permy! You don't have to do that."

"No baka. Come with me I'll show it to you." They went into the same shop where they have been shopping the other day.

"Here Tangerine." Sumire gave her a big present wrapped in a pink gift wrapper with white ribbon in it.

"Thanks so much Hotaru, Permy". "You really are my best friends"

"Well of course! Who else are your best friends?" They just laughed together.

"Come let's have ice cream. Let's open your gift later in your apartment." As always they go to the nearest ice cream shop and enjoy their favorite flavors….

"What is it inside anyway?" Mikan asked Hotaru.

"Hmm.. just some lace panties and a bomb" Hotaru said.

"I mean DUH! It's a secret isn't it?" Sumire replied with sarcasm. "But I know you would like T-Back, thongs and silicon bra." Sumire shrieked when Mikan shot a stern glance on her. Then she ran away from Mikan.

"Come back here you evil nasty witch!!!!" Mikan picked up the parcel and chased her, Hotaru following them. They were like little kids running after each other. Then they reached Mikan's apartment and they were breathing heavily except for Hotaru who was riding in her limo the whole time.

"Oi Baka! Let's go upstairs."

"Hey. Open it now… Now.. Now…." Sumire is like a child trying to tease Mikan.

"Ok. I will. Don't be so excited." Mikan replied. "Just don't play tricks on me." Permy giggled when she get to hear that. Mikan gave her a warning but Sumire swore it wasn't like that at all. When she opened it she was shocked to see what Hotaru gave. But Sumire burst out in laughter. It was a pair of lingerie. It was a pair of pink bra with matched t-back underwear. Sumire rolled on the floor upon seeing the reaction of her friend.

"SUMIRE!!!!"

"That's not it." She can't control her laughter. "Open it more."

She opened it and another sexy piece of clothing astounded her. It was a see-through night gown.

"What do you think I'm into? A honeymoon?" Sumire nearly cried of laughter while Hotaru still has her stoic face but tried holding back her laughter. Then she continued opening that box because there was still something inside. When she opened it, she saw a very beautiful white dress. Same dress she tried when they went on shopping. When she saw that, she was brought to tears and hugged her best friends tight.

"Oh you playful creatures! I am so grateful. But you shouldn't have done this. This is too much. Arigatou"

"Hey! We are your best friends!" Sumire replied. "Bakal, we'll come with you at the jazz bar."

"Ok. I'll just change my clothes." They went into the club. Hotaru enjoyed her friend's performance. But Natsume wasn't because he flew to London for a ball hosted by his father.

When Mikan went home that night, Hotaru brought her home. Sumire went home too and it was two separate ways. So she has got no choice. What's the difference anyway, between having Natsume and not?

There really is a difference. From the time Natsume and her went together she longed that everyday it would still be the same. And now, she longs for it. She longs for Natsume beside her. She feels so protected whenever he is there at her side. And her thoughts wondered why she became so fond of him. So dependent on him. What is it with her? She was never like this before. Is she really falling in love with the man? Is she longing for his touch, for those moments that they have shared?

She felt so confused right now. She must not think about it. She is not certain yet…

Mikan went to bed but all she did was toss and turn because she can't sleep thinking about Natsume. So she turned the TV on watched the news. She channeled to where she get to see Natsume before. She came to watch the news which was recorded earlier and shown in the late night news of London. There was a ball as what Natsume said before he left. She kept watching until she gets to see what she hoped for. She once again saw Natsume on TV but now with a lady escort. She was elegant and beautiful with mix of sophistication. She moves like a princess and a fine young lady same of his age. She was walking around with Natsume clinging into his arm and making a nice couple. Together with the pair was Ruka and a pink-haired girl.

When Mikan saw that, she felt something weird inside. Her heart beats so fast and she feel cold shivers all over her and bitterness in her heart. Seems like tears are up to her throat. How come her feelings went wild when she saw that lady clinging into Natsume's arm? She was so happy with Natsume. Was she jealous? But she don't have the right to be jealous. Natsume has nothing to do with her feelings. And besides they don't have any kind of commitment for each other.

The couple on TV was interviewed by a news reporter from a network in London.

"Mr. Hyuuga, you made a nice couple tonight with Ms. Koizumi. And you look beautiful tonight too Miss." The reporter also acknowledges Luna Koizumi. "Mr. Nogi. You too and your partner Ms. Umenomiya" acknowledging Anna Umenomiya.

"Yes thank you. Natsume invited me to keep him company for tonight. How can I refuse a man like Natsume." Luna was the one who answered the question. Luna replied with sophistication. She really is from the elite. But then Natsume just kept quiet and made a firm smile.

"Mr. Hyuuga, may I just ask you a personal question. Do you have any plans of settling down since you already have everything in your life?

"Yes. Who doesn't?" Natsume just replied straightly but with charm.

"Can it be with beautiful Ms. Koizumi in here?"

Luna was so intrigued by the question and answered. "We will see." The couple went along through the crowd and they are being chased by the media who were throwing more questions. But they did not those anymore but instead proceeded to the dining hall where the media are off limits.

After that sight Mikan has no more nerves of watching that TV program. She was disturbed by the scenes she saw. She turned the television off and went to sleep. But she can't take it off her head. Every time she closes her eyes, she can see Luna and Natsume together. She tossed and turned until her mind went tired and rested at around 4 a.m.

Her alarm clock rang as the clock reads 6:00 in the morning. But she can't lift her head because she still feeling asleep and wanted more. But then she has to go to work at the coffee shop. So she forced herself to stand and went to shower. She saw herself in front of the mirror and she noticed dark eye bags.

"Gosh! I hate this" She exclaimed. "Why do you have to dream of them anyway?" She scolded herself. She dressed up and went to the coffee shop.

"Good Morning Darling" Serina greeted her. "Or seems like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?" She noticed. "What happened to you Mikan?"

"Umm… I couldn't sleep well last night" She replied.

"But you never had insomnia before?" "Tell me the truth Mikan" Serina warned her.

"You were thinking of someone else didn't you?

"I don't know Okaa-san." From that reply, the old woman already knew the answer. She just smiled at her and gave her a light tap on her cheeks.

She went to school after work. As usual, Sumire is late, Hotaru was already there being pissed off by Ruka and hits him with the baka gun and Natsume… He was so early. She saw him on his seat and up to his nose reading a manga. He was wearing a pair of dark gray suit. He looks so attractive in that attire. Everybody inside the classroom was fooling around just like any college student would do. But he just stayed there. Maybe because he is more mature because he is already 25 and he knows more about the adulthood. Mikan walked towards him and sat on her chair beside him.

"Good Morning Mikan" He greeted her so composedly without looking at her. But she didn't give a reply which made him raise an eyebrow. He was so intrigued by her actions so he placed the manga he was reading down, took off his glasses and faced her intently.

"Whats the matter with you?"

"Umm… what?" she pretended not hear his question.

He moved closer to her lifting his chair a bit closer to hers so she can smell his aftershave. She was having tingles inside her that made her quiver. He took her by the face and studied her eyes.

"Hmm… Let me diagnose" He touched her forehead. "Not warm" He checked her eyes. "Not dilated" He made funny faces out of her face and chuckled.

"Cut it out" she moved her face away from his touch. "I'm not sick okay?"

"I hope you're not. But you look to be bothered. What is it?" She was afraid that he might read what is on her mind. "You didn't sleep well last night did you?" He was bombarding her with lots of questions.

"Huh?"

"You have terrible set of eye bags." He was smiling at her.

"Maybe I overslept."

"You don't get those in oversleeping but big belly." He touched her lightly on her face and chuckled.

"Anyway, could you be my escort for the Masquerade? Please?" He pleaded.

"Do I need to?" she replied. "And besides there a lot of choices in the university and Sumire…"

"Yes. And you are one of them. And Sumire already has. Hotaru is going out with Ruka" He cut her.

"That witch! She didn't tell me."

"You're the only girl I know in this university. So?"

"I'll think about it."

"Good. You have 5 minutes to do so."

"What?"

"Come on. 4 minutes and 30 seconds."

"Hey wait!"

"4 mins…" he was making a countdown and that made her irritated.

"Nat-kun!… Cut this crap."

"2 minutes left…

"Hey! That's cheating. Minutes don't count as seconds." He just laughed while counting.

"1 minute left…tick…tock…" He still is not listening to Mikan. "30 seconds…

"Arrgghhh…." She was near to madness.

"10 secs… No answer means yes…"

"You are blackmailing me!"

"5, 4, 3…

"Alright, alright! I'll go with you."

"Zero". He laughed out loud and pinched her nose. He was very thankful to Mikan.

"You are like a kid Natsume…"

"Sure I am Mikan."

He just gave her a big grin and Mikan was just staring at him so furiously. But he was just teasing her and chuckled every time she gives out a funny expression.