I Like You, Natsume-oniisan

Chapter 14: Her True Purpose

"She has finally confessed to me. What should I do?"

"What were your response?"

"I rejected her."

"What did you tell her?"

"I told her that we are siblings. I mean, in the eyes of the law, we are siblings. There is no way we can be together. You know it. There's..."

"Do you think she will buy your answers?"

"What do you mean?"

"She has been liking you since a long time ago. Do you think she will just let you go like that?"

"I... I don't know..."

"Then, let me tell you something. It will surely and definitely work out. I cannot guarantee how fast or slow the result will be but trust me. She will give up on you one day."

"What is it?"

"Simple. But before I tell you that, let me ask you a question. What if she is not adopted by your parents, will you accept her confession?"

"I..."

Her eyes were burning through hers as if she was searching any possible answers or reactions. She tried using words that could make her jealous like saying that he was doing everything for her sake, but the responses were inevident. Using the taboo as her final resort, it worked pretty well.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Mikan retorted as she glared at Nobara. "And don't be ridiculous, Ibaragi-san. There is no way I will like..."

"Andou-san, I was just kidding with you," Nobara laughed and leaned against the door. "You should look at your face. You were giving me that frightened look. Or maybe..."

She paused and studied Mikan's surprised face once more before continuing, "Or maybe I did hit the spot, so that was why you gave me that look."

"What?"

"Just to remind you, Andou-san. I don't mind you liking him. I mean, you two aren't related and has lived together for so many years so it's very normal to think of him that way. Just like all our hormonal teenagers would experience, your love for him is just puppy love and admiration," Nobara said with a gentle smile. "There is no deeper meaning to it. You will get over it one day."

Mikan's heart nearly stopped. Hormonal? Puppy love? Admiration? No deeper meaning? All these while she was just acting like a child. A growing teenager who was just seeking the attention of love. It might be true that she admired Natsume, but she was quite sure that her feelings for him was entirely a different thing. What if her feelings were childish, just like what Nobara had mentioned- puppy love?

"Sorry, if I have said a little too much but your brother had once told me about your confession. I am not trying to deride you but it is a fact that siblings don't usually go together, even though they are not really blood related. Outsiders will view it as incest and as you know, incest is a taboo in society, religions and many other things I don't want to list out," Nobara added on, without caring about how uncomfortable Mikan was feeling right at this moment. "Unless you are like me. Not adopted by the same foster parents as the person you love."

Mikan remained silent. Her eyes glued to the white tiled floor with sweat rolling down at the side of her face.

"Stop it, Ibaragi-san. That incident happened two years ago. So, don't bring that up," Mikan's voice quivered.

"If you don't give up on him, you will just watch him with hurtful eyes on our wedding day. Furthermore, it will be closed up and right in front of your eyes," Nobara said in between laughters. "And you will be right behind me and you..."

"Enough. Get out of my room," Mikan interrupted angrily and pointed towards the door where Nobara was leaning against.

So, that was her purpose for coming here.

"That isn't the way to treat your elders," Nobara rattled on. "Imprudent, self-centred, unruly, dumb, incestuous..."

Mikan snapped, "I may be dumb but I know what your purpose is for coming here, Ibaragi-san."

"A person who has an IQ below average has no right to say anything."

"Neither do you, Ibaragi-san. A person who is an outsider should mind his or her business rather than others. So, stop poking your nose into my affair."

"You are just spoilt and jealous."

"I'm not. Maybe you are the one."

"Me? Spoilt and jealous? Oh, no. Why should I be jealous? Your brother loves me more than he does for you and he is willing to listen to whatever I say."

"Natsume-oniisan is not your dog!" Mikan hissed.

"Of course, he isn't."

"Get out now before I quit being your bridesmaid. Your purpose for coming here is stupid. Even a dumb person knows what you are here for. The excuse of getting to know us better is a lie. You are just trying to irritate and ridicule me, and see my reactions with your whatever sick teases."

"You..."

"Get out!"

Nobara held her breath and frowned. She muttered something under her breath and stomped out of the room. Mikan buried her face into her palms and panted heavily.

"Hotaru," Mikan muttered softly to herself. "What should I do? I have done my best to give up on him. I think I do. But it still hurts a little. Am I not trying hard enough? Am I..."

Suddenly, Mikan's handphone vibrated on her desk. She looked up from her palms and reached out for her phone. There was a message sent by Hotaru. Curious, Mikan opened her message and immediately smiled.

It was written like this: Mikan! Just freaking give up on him and move on! Fight on, Mikan! You know what? Runo is going to hold a concert in a few weeks time! Let's go there together!

It was as if Hotaru had telepathy and sent her that short message. Clutching her phone tightly to her chest, she laughed silently at how Hotaru had abused the usage of exclamation marks in a text. Anyway, to her, Hotaru was still the best. She typed a thank you message back to Hotaru and promised her that she would definitely go to Runo's concert. After sending the message, she turned on her monitor and started surfing the net.

Time passed very quickly as Natsume had returned home. Indeed, he had bought something for Nobara. Mikan heard squeals and giggles coming from the living room. Though she was in her own bedroom, she could picture the scene of the two of them hugging or smooching each other. Somehow irritated by their voices, Mikan put on her earpieces and blasted Runo's songs into her ears. She seldom did that but she had to this time.

Although it was a little too late, she decided to make another resolution for herself. It was to officially give up on Natsume and carry on with her life peacefully. Of course, not to forget about her search for a boyfriend.

And she also made another resolution. It was to face the wedding couple with a bright smile on their wedding day and proved to Nobara how wrong she was to deride her.

In any case, if Nobara were to challenge her again, she would try to shove her words back into her pretty mouth. Who cared if she was her sister-in-law?

Unknown to everyone, this day marked a new beginning for Mikan. Not even Mikan knew this herself but from this day onwards, more unexpected events would happen and they would eventually change her life forever, be it for the worst or for the better. Maybe not only hers, but for others as well. Who knows?

Here goes a saying- things will inevitably happen when you least expected.

End of Part 2

"For the death will, I will name this child after Andou... no, Hyuuga."

"Nobara, I desperately want my child back."

"I was the one who killed my own child."

"I have one request for you. Please go out with Mikan."

"I'm tired of acting as your boyfriend! I'm tired of your constant threats!"

"Yes, I like her."

"No, I don't love Natsume at all. Not at all. To me, he is nothing but just a brother who..."

Each and every sentence spoken by seven individuals lies a hidden dark secret in the next part of this story.

"Hey Onii-chan, how dirty is that secret which seems to ruin everything... especially you?"

"It's still a secret."