I Like You, Natsume-oniisan

Chapter 23: Uncovering Truth

It was finally the wedding day and Mikan could not believe that time could travel so fast. She was wearing that sleeveless gown and plaited her long brown hair. She was prepared for the wedding but Nobara was not. She was taking her time to dress up and Misaki had to help her to put on make-up too.

"Andou-san, do my hair," Nobara ordered Mikan, making her scowl at her.

"I can't. Misaki is still doing your face," Mikan said.

"Just do it. Have you ever heard of multi-tasking?" Nobara challenged.

Angrily, Mikan picked up a comb and combed her hair. Mikan was not going to be gentle to her as she forced the comb through Nobara's tangled hair, making her yelp and jerk backwards. When she kept moving about, Misaki who was still busying helping her to put on a lipstick accidentally struck the pink lipstick across her chin.

"Oops! It's ruin!" Misaki cried. "Stop moving about!"

"It's not my fault! It's your daughter's fault! She keeps pulling my hair!" Nobara shouted.

"It's not my fault either. I am merely following Ibaragi-san orders. If she wants me to comb her hair, I will do it for her. It is her tangled hair at fault. Ibaragi-san, have you ever heard of doing things one at a time? Haste makes waste," Mikan defended herself calmly.

Misaki sighed deeply and muttered, "Seems like I have to redo the make-up."

Nobara glared at Mikan and mouthed her some words like 'low IQ brat' and 'imprudent creature'. Mikan pretended not to see her so she walked to the side of the changing room and checked her handphone for any incoming text messages. Of course, Hotaru had just texted her, saying that she had arrived at the wedding venue which was the church they were currently at and she could not wait to start eating.

Well, it's typical Hotaru Imai.

"Mikan, could you please get me some drink? I'm thirsty," Nobara ordered again.

"You can't drink because Misaki is still helping you to put on make-up. What if you spill your drink? It will be disastrous," Mikan said with a smile.

"Please don't talk anymore. It's pretty hard to put on make-up if you keep talking and fidgeting around," Misaki groaned impatiently and put down the lipstick. "Why don't you do it yourself? I will go and get some plain water for you."

"What? I... I am not thirsty anymore," Nobara stammered and looked at the lipstick.

"It's okay, Dear. Anyway, I'm thirsty too." Misaki laughed and walked out of the room.

Mikan wanted to sneak out of the room too as staying in the same room as Nobara was definitely a bad idea. She tiptoed towards the door and pulled the handle slowly, preparing to slip through the door swiftly.

"Where are you going?"

Mikan jumped and looked at Nobara.

"You do think you are very clever, don't you?"

Mikan frowned at her. What was Nobara trying to pull this time?

"I hope you and your friend haven't told anyone about that night's incident. If not, I will bring you and your family down," Nobara continued while fidgeting with the lipstick.

"Of course not!" Mikan laughed. "I'm trustworthy, so is Hotaru. Well, we are unlike someone who can't even..."

Nobara dropped the lipstick on the white tiled floor, smashing the tip on the solid ground. She immediately grabbed a tissue paper and wiped the red stain.

"... put on a lipstick."

Nobara flared up and growled, "You, little low..."

"Yes, I am a brat and my IQ is far different from yours, Ibaragi-san," Mikan said with a nod. "By the way, I didn't even mention who doesn't know how to put on a lipstick. So, that means you admit that you don't know how to do it. Am I right?"

"I really hate your guts. I really do," Nobara shrieked.

"In the contrary, I like yours." Mikan grinned. "Nobody dares to exchange whatever loyalty vows while carrying some other man's child in the house of the Lord."

"Does that even matter to you? It's my problem and my future. I can get to be Hyuuga's wife. My child will be named after Hyuuga!"

"Hyuuga?" Mikan repeated curiously and then gasped. "You want to get close to Onii-san because you want to be with Hyuuga!"

Nobara smirked and lowered her voice, "Of course. The will has also stated that at Hyuuga's age of twenty-five, there will be a large amount of money transferred to Hyuuga's bank account, together with other assets. It's all worth it. As his sister, I'm sure you know all of this, right?"

"How could you do this, Ibaragi-san?" Mikan whined. "Onii-san loves you a lot!"

Nobara laughed and said bluntly, "Well, I love Hyuuga too. Of course, it's the will I am talking about."

"I... I didn't know that Ibaragi-san is a lesbian! I'm so sorry, Ibaragi-san."

"What?"

"Hyuuga is a girl, right?"

Nobara clenched her fist and gritted her teeth.

"Stupid, Hyuuga is not a girl," Nobara bellowed. "Hyuuga is your brother! Natsume Hyuuga!"

"What about the death will? Is Onii-san going to die?"

"No, that death will belongs to his multi-millionaire parents, you freaking idiot!"

Oh, everything had already made sense to Mikan. Nobara was just after Natsume's money and assets.

"That will," Mikan began. "When and where did you see it?"

"Oh? You're interested too." Nobara snickered. "Well, remember that time I visited you guys and I came into your room to hand you an invitation card?"

Mikan nodded.

"Actually it's true that my purpose was to make fun with you but I happened to be fooling around in your brother's room after I left yours and I found that will in his drawer. That day was the day I actually found out about his true identity." Nobara laughed again and threw the tissue paper away.

Something was not right again. If she was just pursuing for his money, then why were they already engaged before she found out about his parent's will? Nobara should not have any idea about the will at that time, right? Even if she knew that he was actually Natsume Hyuuga a long ago, she would not know about his parents as there were also a lot of people with that family name 'Hyuuga', unless she knew his parents personally.

Hold on a second.

Did Natsume know about this too? He must have seen that email regarding about the will because she purposely marked that email as unread to avoid suspicion.

If he knew, why did he still allow Nobara to carry on with her doings? He should know that she was just pursuing his money. He was a clever man, not some idiot who chose his path blindly.

Just then, Mikan remembered a threat written in the email itself. It was not to tell anyone about the will or whatever she wrote in the email itself or else, she would tell his dirty little secret which he had been keeping for twelve years to others. Was that secret so important that he would not dare to defy her or break off the engagement?

There was something was fishy about Nobara's and Natsume's relationship.

"I'm back!" Misaki suddenly barged into the room, unknowingly pushed Mikan onto the floor. "Oops! Are you all right, Mikan? You look pale."

Mikan groaned in pain and rubbed her knees.

"I'm all right. What time will the ceremony starts?"

"It'll start in ten minutes' time. I have also checked on Natsume. He has already prepared and is slacking with his friends in the hall."

"Is he supposed to check on me instead?" Nobara pouted.

"Let him be." Misaki laughed and placed a cup of water in front of Nobara. "He must be very excited about this wedding. He even told me that he couldn't sleep for many nights."

Nobara giggled, "Really? I'm so glad that he is very excited."

Mikan turned her head to face the wall so that she could make funny faces and roll her eyes without them noticing. This woman was getting on her nerves.

Misaki hurriedly put on Nobara's make-up and tied her hair into a bun with little flowers covering it. Then, she put a veil over Nobara's head and led her out of the room, together with Mikan who was busying texting Hotaru.

Mikan was supposed to escort Nobara to Natsume and when they stepped into the hall, Mikan began to feel nervous and hesitant. It was not because of the stares everyone was giving her. It was Nobara. From this very moment onwards, Natsume's life would change. Whether or not he knew anything about Nobara's bad deeds and intentions, it did not matter anymore. Once they exchanged vows, it was all over.

"Mikan, walk faster. You're pulling my veil," Nobara hissed, interrupting Mikan's thoughts.

Mikan nodded obediently and move forward while Nobara walked elegantly towards the priest and Natsume. Mikan's eyes kept scanning around the guests until she saw that man. Her eyes widened in shock. That man, Rei, had the guts to attend the ceremony. That was not good at all. Mikan could feel it. She could sense that everything would not turn up good at all. She hated this feeling. It was not her business, yet she cared so much about it. Maybe because Natsume was involved in this and his role here was huge.

Before she knew it, Nobara was already standing next to Natsume while the priest said some things which sounded like a lecture to her. It was very boring but she tried to hold back a yawn.

"Natsume Andou."

"Yes."

"Do you take Nobara Ibaragi as your wife?"

Mikan's hands began to shiver. She did not know why but they just kept shivering on their own. Her eyes fixated at Natsume. It was weird. What was he waiting for? Why didn't he just immediately say 'yes' since he loved Nobara? Why was he making that face again? It was that same facial expression when he brought Nobara home for the first time and introduced her as his girlfriend. It was the same face which she wanted to touch and sooth his pain. It looked hurt but she could not do anything.

She was helpless.

But that did not mean she did not have the integrity.

"Natsume-oniisan."

Natsume flinched and looked at Mikan. Mikan was glaring at him furiously like she was being impatient with him.

He held his breath and closed his eyes to cool himself down.

Then, he opened his mouth, "Ye..."

"Don't force yourself because of the blackmail!" Mikan shouted at the top of her lungs and those words echoed in the hall.

Natsume was taken aback and muttered, "Mikan..."

"You know what I am talking about, Onii-san," Mikan shouted again and pointed at Nobara. "She is carrying a child. Not yours but another man's."

Everyone gasped.

"What are you talking about, Mikan Andou-san?" Nobara yelled back at Mikan and flung her hand aside. "Stop ruining my wedding ceremony! Priest, I have heard him said 'yes', so please carry on."

"I haven't said 'yes' yet," Natsume corrected and faced Nobara with a glare. "Whose child is it?"

Nobara gasped and looked at him in fear. Her jaw was shivering and her eyes averted to Mikan's direction.

"Mikan Andou, you had promised me..."

"I'm sorry but I am not the type of person who enjoys keeping dark secrets, especially about using Natsume-oniisan's money and his name to benefit yourself and another man's child. It's dirty," Mikan said and bowed to Nobara. "I know it is not my business but I have the integrity and the heart to care for my brother."

"Because you love him," Nobara yelled. "You love him in the wrong way. You are just jealous of me. You are in love with Natsume Andou, your brother who has been living with you under the same sickening roof since young. So now, who is dirtier?"

Mikan gulped. Everyone seemed to trust Nobara's words instead of hers. The way the guests looked at her was scary and was filled with disgust. Natsume and Nobara were right. In everyone's eyes, they were known as siblings. That was why they were giving Mikan that disgusted look on their faces. She bet that Natsume would also give her that look but he was looking away from her. She could not tell whether he was hating her or not. Even Misaki and Tsubasa were practically too shock to say or do anything.

Maybe she had made a wrong choice to uphold her integrity. She should have kept the secret and protect herself. It was too late to take back her words.

"No, I don't love him at all. Not at all."

Those words were her final resort.

Hi guys, thanks for reading up to Chapter 23.

Next, I would like to thank those who had reviewed Chapter 22. Thanks for all those encouragements. Hope to hear more from you again! :D

Here are the reviewers:

- Sariko-chan723
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Lastly, I would also like to thank those who had story alerted and favourited this story. :)

Next chapter:

Chapter 24: Resolved

"You're jealous! Screw you in hell!"

"Furthermore, Mikan already has a boyfriend and likes him a lot. Why should she be jealous over her brother who is so old like an Oji-san and not as good looking as her current boyfriend?"

Suddenly, something sharp pierce through Mikan's left leg. Mikan let out a sharp cry and fell onto the floor. She hugged her bleeding leg and noticed that there was a man dressed in black standing next to her. He was holding a small knife and aiming it at her body. Mikan was frightened and dumbfounded.

She was going to be killed.

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