Hey guys… Did you like the story? Here's another chapter… ^.^
Oh yeah there is this little mistake in Chapter One… It's YUKIHIRA not Yukihara…
One more thing…
StarElsie: I decided not to put a Luna. The story is already sad in a way, so no more need for a nuisance.
Disclaim: I own NOTHING…
ENJOY MINNA ^.^
DAYS OF A DYING GIRL 6: EVASION
Of all the days in the world, this day just had to rain.
I was trying my best to avoid Natsume already yet this rain just had to come. I could have easily avoided him by crossing the campus field. I stayed away from the stadium as much as I could yet I still had the feeling of yearning to go there.
My friends noticed these discomforts and tried their best to change or make a topic just to get me distracted. I loved these personalities of my friends.
For the whole day I avoided him.
All day I would just throw him glances. All along yearning for him to approach me. All day wishing I could go to him, hug him and tell him that I am sorry. My feelings were all jumbled up now.
It was afternoon then when the rain decided to stop. The field was wet yet the athletes still practiced.
I took out my sketchpad and started to draw but no matter what, I always ended up drawing him.
Why him?
Since I am emotionally unstable, I tried to do the thing that made me happier but instead I end up drawing the ONE THING that I regret not accepting.
"Oi."
A voice interrupted me from my thoughts. It's was Him. Why does he have to appear now?
"Hm?" I replied.
"Are you liking the rain?" He asked.
"Not really."
"Why?" Did he have to ask why?
"It's been getting in the way." Of my plans of avoiding you.
"Why are you avoiding me?" How did he know?
"What?! I'm NOT!" I tried but failed though.
"Really?" Oh, mother of- when will he stop asking?
"Yes."
"Are you really sure?"
"Of course." I answered with firmness in my voice.
"Are yo-" Before he finished his question my gang arrived.
"Mikan! We're - Oh, sorry. Did we interrupt something?" Sumire asked.
"No, I was just leaving." Natsume answered. He gave me a sad smile before before leaving.
I watched him leave without saying a word. Or a single response.
"Are you fine with that?" Hotaru asked me.
I looked their way and saw them with worry all over their faces.
"He looked really down." It was Anna who spoke this time.
"You should really tell him what you truly feel." Nonoko spoke.
"In time." I told them.
I'm sorry. I'll tell you in time.
But now, I'll avoid you as long as I can.
DAYS OF A DYING GIRL 7: SHACKLES
I was in pain, clutching my chest. I looked over my clock, it was three in the morning.
"M-mom!-" I tried calling out. "D-dad! Nii-san!"
I clutched on my chest more as the pain grew. I stood from my bed and tried to reach the door, but every step I made increased my pain. I finally heard footsteps and saw the lights of the hallway being turned on.
"H-help!" I called out, my door burst open. My vision was getting dizzy.
"Mikan!" I heard my brother. "Mom! Dad! Come here!" He said as he supported me to stand up.
"What is it? Oh! Izumi, hurry!" My mom came next.
"Why?!" My dad came finally as I started to lose consciousness.
"Dad! She is losing consciousness!" My brother shouted.
"Give her here. I'll carry her. Ready the car." My dad said as he carried me.
"I'm getting our phones and my bag." My mom said.
My brother and mother left and I started to close my eyes.
"Don't close your eyes yet. Don't you dare close your eyes! You still have twenty-four days with us. Stay with me." My dad said as he carried me out.
"D-dad, it's...twenty-...three..." I tried smiling softly ignoring the pain for a while.
"Good, Smile for me."
"D-dad..." My eyes started to drop.
"No-no-no. We're almost at the car. It will be a short drive." My dad panicked. "Tsubasa, open the backseat, you sit with me in front. Yuka, stay with Mikan at the back."
I heard my family shuffle off doing their assigned tasks. As I was positioned at the back, I felt my mom move beside me.
"M-mom..."
"Baby, I'm here."
I started to feel heavy and I was just one step to losing my consciousness.
"Stay with me, baby."
"S-sorry..." I mumbled softly
"What?" My mom asked gently.
"N-Na...tsu...me..."
That was the last thing I remembered as I lost consciousness.
As I felt my life get shorter all I thought was him.
I really regret what I had done.
DAYS OF A DYING GIRL 8: RETURN
I woke up on a hospital bed again. I looked around but this time Natsume's face wasn't the first that I saw. I felt kind of down. I was hoping to see him.
I looked around again seeing no one in the room with me. I looked up the ceiling and thought about the things I would regret once I'll leave.
I still have twenty-two days left. Will that be enough? Yes it would but I am not sure how I would find time to reveal everything. I had a lot of question in my mind.
'How should I tell Natsume about my feelings?'
'How will Hotaru be after I leave?'
The list just goes on. I just want answers. After I get the answers, I think I'll be able to leave in peace.
As I was deep in thoughts, I did not notice that someone had entered my room.
"Mikan?"
"Mikan? How long has it been?" I heard that the second was from a boy.
I turned my head towards the voice and my eyes widened in disbelief. Right beside my bed was my other childhood best friend.
"R-Ruka-pyon?"
"Yo." He said with a smile.
"Yo, Mikan." Another voice from behind said.
"Koko? Why are you two here?"
"I'm here in place of Natsume. Just bumped into him by the reception." Koko said.
"Just got back from France." Ruka said.
"It's good to see you back. If only I wasn't on this bed, I would have tackled you now." Ruka and I burst out laughing.
"Mikan, I hate to break your reunion but I have my own purpose of coming here. I have something I wanna ask you. Don't worry, I'll keep your answer from Natsume." Koko spoke.
"Sure what is it?" I asked.
"This will be fast. I'll leave after, so you can have your reunion. Ummm... what's your true feelings towards Natsume?"
"I'll trust you this one time Koko. Promise not to tell anybody?"
"Yes. I promise."
"I feel the same as he does to me."
"I knew it." Koko fist-pumped the air. "Oh, sorry. I'll be leaving now. Thank you." Koko slowly closed the door yet opened it again. "I promise not to tell anybody." He said then left off.
"Okay. That was weird." Ruka commented as he sat beside me he helped me sit up. "Well, anyway-Oi!" Before he continued, I engulfed him with a bear hug. I really missed him. Four years in France.
"I missed you too. But you better let go. Hotaru might arrive and think something else." He said, patting my back.
"Hotaru is not like that!" I said as I let go.
As if on cue, the door opened revealing Hotaru and the gang.
"I'm not like what, Mikan?" Hotaru asked and froze as she saw Ruka with a grin plastered on his face.
"Hey."
"Ruka Nogi?!" Exclaimed Sumire. "What is he doing here? Can I get your autograph?" She said buzzing over Ruka. Even with her ranting Hotaru stayed glued to the ground, staring at Ruka.
"Hotaru?" Asked Anna.
Sumire who noticed this, quickly said. "See, even 'Ice Queen' herself marvel at the sight of the 'Prince' Ruka." As if realizing something she turned to me. "Why is he here?"
"Mikan? Who are these with Hotaru?" Asked Ruka.
"Oh they are our friends. The one fuzzing over you is Sumire. Over there behind Hotaru with pink hair is Anna and the blue is Nonoko. Met them four years ago, just after you left." I explained.
"Oh, nice to meet you guys then." Ruka smiled.
"Ohmygee. Hotaru what the heck is wrong with you?" Sumire asked.
"Idiot." Hotaru said, looking away.
"Don't be like that Hotaru. I just got back." Ruka chuckled as he stood up.
"Don't come near me, bunny boy." Hotaru said stepping backwards as Ruka steps forward.
"Oh come on Hotaru." Ruka pleaded.
This time, Anna, Nonoko and Sumire whispered their thoughts to me as they watched Ruka and Hotaru converse in a moving manner.
"Mikan, what is Ruka to Hotaru?" Nonoko asked.
"Just watch. You'll see." I replied.
"Hotaru, can't you welcome your boyfriend properly?" Ruka said.
"No. You left me for four years." Hotaru answered. By this time I was counting the seconds to when and how the three girls would react.
3
2
1
"Eeehhhh!" The three girls shrieked which made Hotaru and Ruka stop and look at them.
"Ruka is Hotaru's boyfriend?!" Sumire shrieked.
"Actually, fiance." Ruka said as he grabbed Hotaru closer to him by the waist. Hotaru hated this gesture but I guess she missed Ruka too much.
"What happened while you were in France? You don't get flustered anymore when you talk about your relationship with Hotaru." I pointed out.
"Showbiz happened."
Oh that explains it.
"I need to talk to Hotaru. Rest for now Mikan. You three should leave for now. Mikan has had enough of visitors for today."
"But it's still too early." I protested and earned a glare from both Ruka and Hotaru.
"Do you want me to be the one to put you to sleep?" Asked Hotaru.
With that I slept. Wouldn't want to face both Ruka and Hotaru's wrath. He may be kind and prince-like but he is also like Hotaru.
Tch. Overprotective friends.
I keep asking if I really deserve these friends. They never cease to make me happy.
DAYS OF A DYING GIRL 9: REVELATION
I woke up seeing a pink-haired girl beside my bed. She noticed me stir and smiled at me. Her smile was one of those I would never forget. It was Harada Misaki, my brother's fiancee.
"Misaki-nee?" I asked disbelievingly.
"Yup, it's me, Mikan." She replied with a smile.
"Thought you were in England."
"I finished my job there early so I can spend time with you. I guess Aunt Yuka and Uncle Izumi can use a little help taking care of you."
"Oh, how was your job?"
"Well, being a representative is a hassle. I speak for your family's company, so I need to keep my cool at all times."
"Yeah, you work for our company. Why take care of me? And why come back so early?"
"Well, first, I just wanted to be with you. Though if at school, I can't be with you. And my contract with your company stops after I marry Tsubasa anyway. Se-"
"Really? I did not know about that contract."
"Well, Aunt Yuka added a lot after Tsubasa and I got engaged. One, they want to prepare everything for the wedding themselves. Two, when we are married we take over the company, after the honeymoon of course. Three, I will be retired from my job after marriage since I will be the wife of the next owner already. And the list goes on." Misaki sighed. "Aunt Yuka is really weird."
"Well, that's mom. Where's nii-san anyway?"
"He went out for a while." Misaki gasped, remembering what she was about to say. "I forgot to tell you, second reason why I came early."
"What?" I asked, excitement filling me.
"Tsubasa and I are getting married!" Misaki squeeled.
"Really? When?" I asked, getting jumpy.
"In ten days."
"What? Why?"
"Tsubasa did not want to take any risk. He wanted you to be there smiling in our wedding." Misaki teared up. "Well, me too."
"Don't cry, Misaki-nee." I said as I started tearing up.
"Oh, sorry Mikan. I just can't hold myself. They really are falling."
Just as we finished our conversation, my brother entered the room, confused.
"What happened over here? Why are you two crying?"
"Oh, we just got emotional." Misaki replied.
"Congratulations, nii-san. I'm very happy for you." I said.
"Misaki told you?"
"Yup."
"If you're allowed out tomorrow, we'll have your fitting."
"Sure. Who's your best man? Maid of honor?"
"Oh, I decided that Youichi will be my best man and-"
"Youichi is coming?" I said excitedly.
"Yup."
"Really? Is the family gonna be complete?"
"Anyway, he knows about your condition, too."
"Oh." I said, head down. "So, who's the maid of honor?"
"Sumire insisted on it since I did not have anyone in mind but I want it to be you." Misaki said. "Are you willing?"
"Am I? Of course! I'd accept it without hesitation."
On cue, the door banged open.
"No fair, Mikan." Sumire screamed. "If I won't be the maid of honor, I want to be part of the wedding organizers then." She was then knocked on the floor by Hotaru.
"Shut up and calm down idiot." She said.
"You didn't have to do that Hotaru." Ruka spoke from behind her. Followed by Anna and Nonoko.
"I had to. She was annoying me and she was also blocking the way." We all sweat-dropped at her response.
When everyone filed in, they sat on the couches. My room was big enough to fit twenty people at least.
"Have you guys done your fittings already?" Tsubasa asked.
"Yes." The four answered in chorus, Hotaru just nodded.
"Good then." Tsubasa said. "Well, I have to leave for now. I have some business to attend with the bosses. I might be the heir but I still I have to attend meetings punctually." He gave Misaki a peck on the lips and he ruffled my hair, he then went to fist pump with Ruka and nodded to Hotaru. When Tsubasa left, Sumire was the first to break the silence.
"You didn't tell me your brother was that cool, Mikan."
"He's not cool." Came my nonchalant reply.
"Mikan says that but she looks up at her brother." Hotaru said.
"Anyway, Youichi is coming!" I screamed, for Hotaru to know.
"I know, idiot." Came her reply.
"You mean the young Youichi Hijiri?" Asked Anna.
"Well, he is actually Youichi Yukihira. But yes. He'll be brother's best man." I corrected.
"Youichi Yukihira?" Nonoko asked, confused.
"He is Mikan's younger brother." Hotaru answered.
3
2
1
"Eeeeehhhh?!" Shrieked Anna, Nonoko and Sumire.
"How influential is your family, Mikan?"
"More influential than the Hyuuga family." Answered Hotaru.
"So the Hyuuga's are not the most influential people? And the Yukihira's are?"
"Actually yeah. The Nogi's and Imai's are under the Yukihira." Ruka spoke.
"There is one more secret you guys don't know actually." Misaki said.
"What?" Ruka and the three girls asked.
"Mikan is engaged to Hyuuga." Hotaru said.
The one secret I did not want to be revealed is unfolded.
DAYS OF A DYING GIRL 10: COMPLETE
"I still can't believe that you and Natsume are engaged." Sumire shrieked as she displayed her discomfort.
"Shut it, Shouda." Hotaru spoke.
"Mom and dad still did not pull it off. We were actually gonna be married in three months." I spoke.
"Eh?!" Anna screamed.
"But why is it that you two rarely talk at school?" Asked Nonoko.
"I don't know about him but I was trying to keep it low. I did not want to add problems to my parents by arrousing the topic of the Yukihira's and Hyuuga's combining."
"But why is it that you just took notice of Natsume just recently?" Anna asked.
"Well, that's cause she remained impassive during their interview and getting-to-know-each-other meeting." Hotaru answered.
"That's bec-…"
"Lift your arms for a while dear, I'm almost done with your fitting." The designer spoke making me realize that she was still measuring me.
"Oh, sorry." I said lifting my arms.
"Done." She said as she picked up her belongings and left to another room.
"Anyway, does your being engaged explain why he cares for you so much?" Asked Sumire.
"I don't know. Maybe?" I answered.
"Or maybe there's something more." Teased Anna.
"We should leave now. Sumire still needs to go and meet with the head wedding organizer. I still need to arrange the other necessities for the wedding because Mikan's parents can't attend to them." Hotaru said.
"What? I thought they would spend for the wedding?" Sumire asked.
"Idiot, I would never spend my own money. Of course they gave me the budget and it's a very big one."
"Can I go with you, Hotaru?" I asked.
"No, I don't want additional baggage and besides Misaki called me awhile ago to tell you to go home immediately."
"Why?"
"They paid me to not tell you."
"Hotaru~" I whined.
"Let's go."
We left the designer's place and Ruka was waiting for us in his car.
"Why are you here, Ruka-pyon?" I asked.
He pointed towards Hotaru who gave the explanation.
"I don't want to walk alone and I asked if he was okay with you riding a cab home."
"Oh, blackmail." I said simply and Ruka nodded.
"Let's go? Where do we go first?" Ruka asked.
"Sumire will be dropped at the Cafe de Paris then Mikan to her home and lastly, we attend to the wedding preparations." Hotaru then faced Anna and Nonoko. "Where are you two gonna be?"
"We're going to the mall nearby." Anna answered.
"No need to drive us there." Nonoko added.
"So, bye then." I said.
"Bye." They chorused then walked off.
"Get in, idiots." Hotaru spoke to Sumire and I.
"We are so not idiots." Sumire replied but went in the car.
"Step to it." Hotaru ordered Ruka as he entered.
"Okay, okay. Chill, Ice Princess. We are going to finish your schedule, okay?"
"Don't you dare sweet talk me, Nogi. And don't call me Ice Princess."
"I think it's cute." Sumire chimed.
"Keep out of this, Shouda."
Sumire mumbled an okay and kept quiet. We drove for like five minutes until we reached the cafe. We dropped Sumire and I decided it might be a good opportunity to ask Hotaru if I can go with her.
"Ne~ Hotaru? Can I really not go with you?"
Hotaru kept silent.
Ruka sighed and answered for me. "You don't know? R-"
Hotaru cut Ruka off. "That is supposed to be a secret."
"What?"
"Quiet, Mikan. We're here." Hotaru said.
"What do you mean we're he-"
I was cut off as I saw someone -well, actually two people- so familiar inside the restaurant we stopped by.
"I-is that?"
"Go ahead." Ruka encouraged me.
"Thank you Hotaru." I said as I went out.
"I did not do anything though." Hotaru mumbled.
"Bye." I waved at them and ran to the restaurant.
I was welcomed at the door by the waiter.
"Yukihira-sama, welcome." I did not pay any attention to him and went directly to the two familiar people.
"Aniki!" I called out. The called man turned his head to me and smiled.
"I'm -rather we're back."
"Rei, can't you be more enthusiastic in greeting your sister? We were gone for a year." The other familiar girl scolded and faced me. "Hello, Mikan-chan. We're back. I missed you." She gave me a tight hug.
"I can't breath, Nobara-nee." I said gasping for air.
"Sorry, I just missed you."
"We just came because of Tsubasa's wedding. But after that, we are going back. We can't leave the business in America alone."
"Why are we meeting here and not at home?" I asked.
"Oh we're-"
"Yo." I turned to see the owner of the voice and saw a boy in his teens, hands in the pocket and a smirk on his face.
"Youichi."
My family is now complete.
