AUTHOR'S NOTES 3/11/08: oh kay.
First I'm sending my apologies for an update way too long and my big appreciation to those who reviewed!! Yey! I'm back from slacking off, alive and still loving fiction. Fortunately, I was able to squeeze in a schedule especially for this purpose of updating chapters. Lucky for me. :D ..Am I that busy to delay updating, you say? Well, partly. (For the record, there's a test waiting for me tomorrow. Don't I just love updating when there's a test?). The other reason lies on the fact that I'm a half-baked struggling perfectionist and a candidate for procrastination. I happen to have finished this chapter before valentines day approached, but since it was done very impromptu and had tendency to be detached from plot, the update took longer than—aherm, err usual. Ehehe…
Anyway, it's here! I'm back! Oil the wheels and cogs and keep it runnin, y'all. Heh heh. :) moving on… hmmm. Let's see what we have: chapter 6. This is continuing from the 2nd meeting of the two lovers with their circumstances imposed upon them later on.
Destiny has lots in store for them when it decided that they should finish what they started and meet them up! Whoa! Where does this lead to? Is it for better of for worst? Find out find out!
---
Circumstances of a Love Story
CHAPTER SIX
---
"Were you really just sitting there by an appointment?" Mikan asked, spooning her ice cream one at a time.
The raven-haired young man Natsume gave her a teasing look, almost silly exasperation, "Well, no--" a little smile slipped, but he managed to cover it up skillfully, "---err, I mean, no I wasn't there to meet you at all." He quickly put in, then sincerely, "Yes, it was pure coincidental Mikan. The flowers were for my late mom. I was waiting for a taxi but instead you came along, looking like you just found out you're the last surviving relative of the royal family." He smirked at her like a teasing boy at the recall then looked away.
Mikan couldn't help but get affected, "And you look like you've consulted the world's best seer to know that I was there… seeing you so dressed up for the occasion." She remarked sardonic.
"Oh this?" he laughed a little, "I did thought the Nile is just a river in egypt." He put in.
A comfortable silence.
"Uhm… Hey," she asked slowly, looking around him.
Natsume in turn became puzzled. "What?"
"About the flowers…" she inquired almost carefully suggestive.
For a moment, Natsume's face was blank, then lit up with recognition, "The bouquet. I think I left it back there…"
He paused, trying to remember the place but was unable to.
"I don't think I know, sor---Mikan?" he pause, looking at her. "You're not sick, right?"
Her face, once strange, now lit up into a sunny smile. Then they looked at each other and both laughed hard.
---
The two walked side by side that morning, discussing everything and nothing. If one should chance to see them together, nobody would've thought they just met yesterday.
When they reached the intersection on the road, Mikan suddenly stopped to look at him.
His expression was friendly…warm.
"I have to go to school now..." she said softly, a shade of regret in her voice.
Natsume looked at her, then shrugged after a while, adding a little silly laugh, "Do I have to escort you? Stupid, just go." he said offhandedly, though there was also regret tugging inside him. It seemed they were always destined to have a good time, regardless of the hour of day.
Well, this was the end of that hour, he supposed.
"And if you don't study, just give me a call." He placed his hands behind his head in that indifferent way he had, making him look more—normal. An ordinary teen like her. "I'll take care of your tutoring."
There it was again. The faint hint of being out of place. Natsume can say things like that as though it was part of his everyday chore… and it was no wonder. If someone like his kind were spending large amounts of money everyday, this particular expenditure was normal. Although Mikan was someone who needed some getting used to. It was easy to lose herself and forget his original status when he acts and dresses that way… sometimes, she even wished he just stayed that way—like your everyday commoner. But of course, she can never be too choosy.
"Oh I'll never forget studying then, now that you've reminded me." She laughed. "Well, see you later then. Same place." She moved to get away before her mind changes its course and walked the other side of the street.
Natsume, his hands in the pockets of his jeans and his hair carefully groomed, watched Mikan departing. Just as she had left him yesterday, he couldn't help feeling that sense of loss curdling somewhere inside... she was fun to be with, easy to talk to. But he felt the distance that clearly bridged between the two of them; that inevitable status they had. He was well aware of this fact; he even dressed plain just to ease the reality of it. Act in a way Mikan could relate. But still, despite everything done, it couldn't take away the boring look in her eyes whenever she was with him.
"If I were someone else, would she like me better?" he thought, staring after her diminishing back, "Would she look at me the same way she looks at her friends?" a little sigh escaped him. "And why am I even thinking this way? I just met her yesterday. Maybe I'm just feeling friendly to a simple, honest girl like her. But all the same, that feeling that I've met her for a long time---"he stopped himself. No point thinking thoughts. Not when she was leaving and far away from his reach—wait.
Reach? Far away from knowing?
Puh-lease. The Hyuuga's are one of the most influential, powerful and manipulating clan in the whole world it's even an understatement to say they already own it. Well--partly. If there's anything they want, they get it either through bribery or uncanny schemes that fully renders their client like a trapped animal. Even their influence was enough to make any lower rank official bow their heads and fall on their knees groveling at their command. Other than all this luxuries mentioned, the company lead by Natsume's dad also owns a personal, hidden satellite hovering around the world, taking in all the interesting bits of information unavailable through mere spy cameras without arousing any suspicious poor soul. And if that wasn't enough statement to the grandiosity of their power, they also have connections to freaks who can read minds as much as have a good, almost accurate foresight of the future.
And Natsume was concerning himself with this mere worry of not seeing her? Well, that makes him human at least. Being with Mikan taught him things he otherwise could not buy with money.
He glanced at her way again, helpless and dissolved in the thought of not being with her, when he noticed someone approaching her side of the street... it was a boy who, too absorbed in his own book, didn't see her coming just as disoriented and bumped into her--hard. Mikan fell on her back with a surprised yelp and sat on the ground rubbing her hind part, clearly hurt.
"Oh no, I'm very sorry I didn't mean---"the flustered blonde-haired boy adjusted his askewed eyeglasses and dropped on one leg to help her up, "I'm so late for school I was in a hurry I didn't see you." He paused, then added, "I hope you're all right?"
Mikan finally stopped the spinning of her head and brushed the dirt away annoyingly. "I'm fine…except for my bag, you---"she glanced to meet his face, only to widen her eyes in surprise. Staring, she voiced, "Ruka??" his name rung in the complete silence that followed.
Ruka with the eyeglasses blinked back, "Mi…M-Ms. Mikan?" For one second, he thought he was dreaming.
She wears the same school uniform! That could only mean…
"We're on the same school!" Mikan exclaimed, happy and surprised. "Why didn't you tell me??"
Ruka scratched his hair absent-mindedly. "Ms. Mikan, you never asked me so… Well…" he trailed off shamefully. A slight blush was creeping up his cheeks.
"That's fine, don't worry." She laughed, amused at his expression she was so familiar with already.
By that time, Natsume saw and went to their place. A slight frown worked on his face when he saw the two of them talking animatedly to each other.
The blonde-haired boy obviously looked very handsome despite his nerdy eyeglasses… for a fleeting moment, Natsume wondered if boys like him were her type.
Mikan noticed him coming. Not much a surprise. "Natsume! Oh wait, this is Ruka—"she joyously introduced, "Ruka Nogi. He manages the internet shop I frequent." She looked at Ruka, brimming with joy, "Ruka this is Natsume. The one I told you about?"
Slow realization dawned on Ruka's face, "Natsume? Natsume Hyuuga?"
Now Natsume's frown added. "So Mikan told him everything before me. They know each other for some time now huh. And what do I know about him? Nothing." Natsume thought grudgingly, this time managing to conceal his frown.
"Yes, he's the one!" Mikan was saying not to Natsume, then turned her attention to look at Ruka point-blank, "But Ruka, I never even really imagined we'd go to the same school! What section are you in?" she was speaking to him.
"Class B3, second year..?" Ruka said uncertainly.
Gasp. "That's my section too! This must be fate!" Mikan actually squealed a little. A rare phenomenon.
"Once I'm just visiting the shop, but now it looks like we'll be seeing each other for some time."
Silence. Mikan looking eagerly at Ruka despite his obvious discomfort.
"Gee, I hate to break to your conversation—"Natsume speaking in a too polite manner, "But I also have an appointment to catch. Rather than wasting my time here, I'd better get going." And he began striding away without awaiting Mikan's reply.
He appeared every bit contemptuous, Ruka thought.
"Mikan, do you think it's really okay—"he supplied, only to be cut off.
"Huh? Of course it is!" she smiled, then slid his arm around his, "Come on, let's go!"
---
Well, everything went by normally for the past few days.
The episode of "Mikan-meets-Ruka-the-friend and classmate" was over—for the moment at least. Though the minor jealousy from realizing that Mikan was treating Ruka as a friend like a veteran---as she was treating him—still lingered like an itch in his heart.
She was indeed naïve. That did not change the fact that he felt competing with a rival though.
Natsume was not blind at what he was witnessing everyday.
He fetches Mikan after school after all, while it was Ruka he sees escorting Mikan to the school gate more often than Hotaru does. The man couldn't be more pronounced with the way he let his feelings slide; he was blushing every time she looks at him. Just how much blood he has left to reach his face Natsume couldn't care. He won't lose.
But exactly what game are you playing, wise guy? The other, subconscious voice whispered.
Don't forget...
She's just one girl.
And you're her friend under extraordinary circumstances…
"Hi Natsume! I hope I didn't make you wait for so long." Mikan piped in after having a little chat to Ruka then headed to his place waiting by his sports car.
The girls hanging around the waiting shed outside the school gates buzzed and flapped their gossips as usual. It was not everyday a prince personally fetches a pauper after all, especially an upper-classman prince like a Hyuuga; specifically the most heartthrob Hyuuga, Natsume. That would be enough to garner an attention like that of the press, and everyone intrigued were more than happy to comply and cooperate with the implied notion.
By this time, after days of routine fetching, they simply learned to keep track and spy on this unusual yet strangely romantic scene. Strictly for gossip-y purposes, mind you.
Realizing what the growing commotion was all about, Mikan said apologetically, "Did I make you wait so long? I'm sorry if I did. I told you not to trouble yourself fetching me, I can manage just fine by myself."
Natsume gave her his signature mockingly offended look. He didn't know why he acted the way he did, he realized later. He supposed he was just in a sorely bad mood.
"You're passing up the chance to allow me to show my friendship?" he inquired almost unbelieving. Doubting, he went on, changing his tone from mild to downright sarcastic and testy. "That's too bad. But I'm sure you won't object if Ruka does, don't you? Everyone around you just falls after your feet, ready at your disposal. How convenient." the remark slipped before he knew what he was implying.
Mikan could only stare at him for a moment, all masks of joy and naivety on. But her shaky voice betrayed her.
"Ruka's my friend, Natsume." She said, in a voice that sounded like it's trying to convince despite its tremor.
"I like both of you. You, Ruka and Hotaru are all close to me…" she trailed off, her face still deceptively plain, staring out with its mask of a faltering smile, "Sometimes, I even wish I could repay all your kindness… I feel like I'm nothing but a burden." the last fell like a heavy weight.
burden
Her words were so grim and coming from the wells of her emotions that Natsume suddenly felt like a jerk for saying what he said; he forgot how sensitive she was. Talk about having a conscience. It was prying him loose now.
But when he saw the melting expression on her eyes, he knew it was too late to take it back.
"But don't worry." Mikan suddenly revived and sprang back to life, "I'll try never to be a burden to you any longer Natsume." It was like listening to a resolution of a rejected child. Desperately he wanted to blurt out, the urge to let it out in one big bang, You're being too sensitive!! Do you know that? If you do, then you can do me a really big favor and quit being childish. I mean, you didn't have to take my meaning way too seriously! This isn't a pageant you know! So stop it. Mikan, I'm sorry already..!
But instead he just stared, wishing he could take away the hurt he was seeing, to plead to the Gods of Time to rewind it a little bit back to that point where he said those words. But of course, the damage had been dealt. Too bad conscience works slower but hits deadly after the deed was done. It was pouring out of him now.
"Mikan--"
"I won't get in your way." This time the tears welled up in her eyes, making it shine and blur her vision, "So it's best if I were on my own, right. That would really make me lonely, sure. I'm really sorry to trouble you." After the last word, her tears fell to her cheeks and she dashed away from the open door of his car to the streets and beyond, the sound of her footsteps quiet, almost eerie shuffles diminishing in quality.
Natsume didn't have the nerve to chase after her as he stared at her disappearing figure from afar.
Deep down, he knew it had something to do with his pride.
---
When she was down, it was often her bedroom she ran to, or otherwise, under heavy circumstances, Hotaru's experimental lab.
So Mikan ran and dashed the distances like the boogeyman was behind her tail and reached her destination heaving and sobbing at the same time. She had time to look at Hotaru's place full view, wondering distantly for the nth time since she comes to the place why Hotaru had to make it look like a hermit's dwelling.
The experimental lab was a separate place from Hotaru's house, a point she stressed further by building a makeshift entrance hidden by the bushes on the far side of the house inside the backyard. Now it looked so separate and concealed it didn't have to take another glance to know it was not part of the house, because it can't be seen in the first place. All that's left is to put up a big sign board that said, "Hotaru's experimental lab is NOT part of their house. Deny this and I'll shoot you with my baka gun." and then only a fool would take the meaning the other way around.
Mikan entered their yard with the same caution befitting a haunted house, expecting the welcoming pounce of the "guardian of the yard". Eventually, it did, and again it never failed to give her the yelps.
The white mutant dog with its pouting snout crouched on all fours, stance and armed ready, as though it was programmed to act that way. It drew back, issuing a low rumble deep within its metal-covered-fur. Just like a real dog. It was a great imitation. It snarled and bark, then, upon realizing Mikan stood her ground, it began the laser check from top to bottom. A blue line of light coming from its puppy-like eyes run from the last of Mikan's hair to the tips of her toes. When it was done, it stood back like a sentinel ready to salute, and droned:
"Analysis confirmed. Permission granted. Accessing doorway entrance… complete." The dog said monotonously, then somewhat smiled, "Welcome Mikan-baka."
Mikan noted the –baka attached to her name, but didn't give thought; it was just Hotaru's way of calling her. The dog jumped to her place, automatically friendly (the dog was also programmed to behave in this manner once the information was classified as non-hostile) and licked her hand, leading her to the open door by the bushes.
))Meanwhile…((
The spy dressed in black suit from top to bottom crouched low infront of Imai's lawn, then consulted his cellphone. Also colored black.
"Target checked and confirmed." He said in that imitated agent voice, "Mikan Sakura, 17, in Imai's experimental lab. Moving in to spy." He informed the spyware community, then tuck it in the waistband of his black pants.
That little bit of information would soon make its way to the nearest network of diligent working spy personnels, who would then transfer it for referral to other branches of independent working spies. Like this guy trespassing in Imai's manicured lawn.
He wiped his sweat on his black shirt and adjusted the wide cap he wore on the wrong side. His face was gleaming with oily sweat. Wearing black shades, he looked like the boogeyman indeed. But this was a wrong version of it.
"Heh. The brat has a hiding place. How neat." He whispered to himself, grinning maliciously. He stood up and strode to the front door when something snarled.
A low, growling sound.
Startled, the spy jumped behind and saw the cute white dog, wondering briefly how it could make such a dangerous sound for one so tiny and irresistibly adorable.
He wondered much that he just stood there unmoving, looking at it for a while, when the dog ran a laser check on him coming from its eyes.
The spy managed to blink in surprise.
Now this was something…
Maybe he could even abduct it and sell it to some wandering circus group and fetch a lot of sum. Maybe he could even boast how he's the only owner who has a dog of this magnitude, spinning laser checks on humans instead of items, like that found in the supermarkets that checks grocery items. Hell, he could even milk a buyer before he finally let go of wonder dog.
Before he could fulfill any of those fantasies though, let alone begin to act one, wonder dog did a funny thing. It talked. Brusquely.
"Unidentified trespasser confirmed. Level 3 security initializing in 10… 9… 8… 7." Wonder dog suddenly stopped counting just when spy was about to flee. Like a thief caught red handed, the top-to-bottom black spy stopped on his tracks under the heat of the afternoon sun, wondering briefly why he decided to flee when for all he knew wonder dog could be joking about its doomsday countdown that had scared him shitless. Then, realizing he was acting and appearing stupid as a dumbass, he poised back to position like the best, most scrutinizing spy ever known. At least one worthy enough to be hired by a big-time personality like the Hyuuga's. Not one flaw there, nope. This trespassing was worth hundreds of dollars; he'd better be doing a professional job out of it.
The spy watched from afar, unmoving except for his wildly roving eyes, specifically trained to locate imperfections and such matters of important details. Now it was fixed on wonder dog, who seemed to have shut down. Wondering and intrigue, the black spy considered it for a while. It was never too late to fix the damn talking thing into the path of the spying, he thought, so he did consider and stepped forward, only to his further regret.
"—2… 1… Zero!!" it wailed mockingly and from its side emerged dozens of what Hotaru would proudly call her "Killer bee-stings. Mutant bees with oddly cute faces that could kill bees of their kind." Well, the effect was worst on humans. It didn't kill them though, too bad. Hotaru still keeps her no-kill policy.
The wide-eyed spy didn't even have time to gawk when the robotic bees fell on him and in seconds he was out of the yard along with self-promises to avoid the cursed place.
---
Mikan sat on the chair, feeling uncomfortably damp inside despite the chick radiator warming the little room in which she sat, waited, and thought.
Natsume.
It was always about him. Come to think of it, he was the root cause of all this, isn't he?
He was the main reason behind her sadness and bewilderment, mostly. He was always the topic of her mind, night and day. She couldn't even explain why. If she did, she wouldn't be feeling this way, or even involve thousands of lives into her own cockpit to launch.
That first was a misunderstanding. She got over it. Now it came back, and she felt hurt by what he said. He was totally honest it was hurting her sensitivity. What now? Cry, cry, cry until she dries? Or think why he acted that way.
Sure, fine. She will. Starting from Ruka's transfer to their school as an irregular student, Natsume acted like an indignant loser fighting for his rights.
But he never even mentioned Ruka's name, so it can't be possibly be about him!
He always refers to Ruka as "your friend by that small, dank internet shop", "that guy with the nerdy eyeglasses", "that one who always aces your class like a gambler" and other names she can't remember. He always mentioned this either with a little frown or a sarcastic smile on his face.
No. It can't be him. Not when Natsume turns into a discourteous gentleman when meek little Ruka is around.
So why? Think Mikan, thiiink!
There are far worst questions than that, like why the mean driver shouted at her like a blaring megaphone. This problem could've been easy to solve…
…Right.
Mikan knelt lower on the soft couch, hugging her knees to her chest as though for warmth. A frown creased her forehead as she pondered: she thought she knew why… And it was because she felt different about him. So close, yet so different.
Because he was wealthy.
Further realization had told her he was far more than she ever imagined, that he's too attractive to be seen with her, and that he is also too rich for her kind to be lingering around him.
And he also had other secrets he wasn't telling.
Now, Mikan what are you thinking? the cold, calculating voice of her mind spoke, Are you suggesting that he's a drug lord? The one you have to pick up as textmate had to be a drug lord? I thought you have a better imagination than that.
She shrugged her head slowly; thoughts like that were unthinkable. If it were true… she couldn't start thinking what to do. Being involved in something so big never crossed her mind before.
If Natsume ever had secrets, she knows he'd tell them to her in due time.
That is… If it's a secret he wants you to know.
But what if it's not?
"You're here."
Mikan jerked back from the realm of her thoughts to reality, realizing someone had spoken. It was Hotaru. Surprisingly, she was in wearing her chick costume. Piyo-the-chick's version exclusively.
"You should've told me you were coming." She said. Hotaru's voice was like that of her mind; logical yet strangely concerned. It was comforting in a way.
"Hotaru!"
"Hmp. Do you always start by greeting my name?" the raven-haired girl somewhat scolded, then looked at her with the unmistakable expression of concealed concern, "Why are you here?" she knew half the reason; Mikan always dropped by when she couldn't rely on her bedroom for comfort. Half of the other reason was for her to guess and Mikan to tell.
Hotaru looked at her.
"I…I…" Mikan tried to begin, voice failing, "It was about, well…" her sight fell on her friend's and she looked on helplessly, "H-Hotaru…"
"If you're just going to keep saying my name, it won't help you." Hotaru's curt voice quietly said. Her expression was intimidating.
Is this how she gets mad when she's very worried, Mikan briefly thought. She sighed; there's no escaping Imai's questioning. "Natsume… he was—"she started, searching for the right words, "he was—mean to me." Finally, the burden was out. She didn't realize how it was affecting her until she broke down and cried. Typical.
Hotaru, having a good clue to what the fuss was all about, softened. Surprisingly, she sat beside Mikan and held her close while she babbled on, unmindful, "I knew he was being truthful when he said that but it hurt Hotaru. He doesn't know that I didn't choose to be pampered the way I am, I didn't ask to be treated this way at all!" she stepped on the last words with an indignant cry, meanwhile unconsciously holding onto her friend. Ordinarily, the picture looked like the plain friend-comforts-friend scene, but the fact that Hotaru did this only once in a millennia was even more record-breaking.
Sniffle. "No. He doesn't know, I suppose..." Hotaru remarked silently.
Mikan shifted to look up, "…R-Really?" she looked like a child expecting to receive a yes for an answer.
Instead, she said, "I don't have all the answers. Even my inventions can't fix that. But—" her purple eyes were aglow as she looked at her, "You don't have to look that way when you should be happy, Mikan." Her prying eyes somewhat softened and for the moment she appeared very maternal.
Mikan knelt her head low, knowing it to be true. Her purpose of coming here was to be comforted anyhow. But still… What Hotaru said---she's going through all this trouble feeling rotten and squashed inside all because of him??
--He could be a drug lord and you don't know it.
--You met him via extraordinary circumstances and it felt like you've met him long before all that. Let's just call it fate.
--Ever thought the possibility that he could playing around with you? On and off relationships like that are catastrophic, y'know.
Huh. The Pros and Cons of her mind; Cons outweigh the pros, period. In the end, she didn't know who to believe, but she was grateful Hotaru was there. It made all the difference.
And as the helmet of Oblivion was placed on her head, she had thought enough to thank Hotaru after this session was over, when everything turned into a hazy, dreamlike quality. She slept.
---
When all the input was done, Hotaru looked at Mikan. Under the ominous-looking helmet that makes its wearer soften the bad memories, she appeared very fragile indeed; a frail creature thriving on a world much too harsh for her. A faint trace of guilt knotted up inside the raven-haired girl, for a moment making her question her true motives… But the consequences somewhat outweigh everything else she believed in, even Mikan's friendship.
This she had in mind. It wasn't that their friendship wasn't worth a cent all this time; true, she treats Mikan like an annoying pest. But that didn't change the fact that they've been friends through thick and thin.
Too bad that time was about to end now. She's going to have to break that trust.
It hurt, of course. Even with all her emotionless quality as an Imai, she felt guilty and hurt just the same. Mikan's coming here was proof of the trust between them, and to cut that trust for a price as inconsequential yet might mean the world… It reminded her of a thought she'd read back then. "To 'save their skin', the hunters left their companion to be fed to the rampaging beasts… It was not right, yet they had no choice. It was to save themselves, the majority, or to risk their lives for one person. " How bitterly true.
Keeping her eyes shut as though to ward off the thoughts, Hotaru forced herself to pick up the phone receiver on the end table and waited. The dull click of the phone rattled for a while, then was answered by an intimidating voice.
She listened, unmoving.
"Yes." Hotaru whispered tightly, "She's here. She's sleeping—"she took one more look at Mikan, frail as a newborn and continued, her voice never breaking, "And she's vulnerable as ever. That's what you want right?" bitterly sarcastic.
The other end talked long enough. Hotaru shut her eyes again.
"Mikan will stay here for a while. She's set to forget what happened between her and Natsume." A moment's silence when she heard the reply, "Yes, I will stay here. And I will keep watch."
She hung up the phone. For a long time, Hotaru Imai just stood her ground; thoughts keep coming back like the tide. There was no sign of pity, anger, guilt or anything else in her eyes. She was simply the emotionless Imai again.
---
Next chapter: The people Mikan know and trust are slowly turning their back on her for something much more---but for the sake of what? Who is doing all these? The motives surface to unveil that it is to ruin her life. For being too close to Natsume, she would have to pay the price. What will she do about this? Or can she do anything about it at all? More will be unveiled when a slow conversion works itself among her friends, and even her family. The question is: Does Natsume know? His true feelings for her will be unveiled, and hopefully, it's not too late to set things right…even just a bit.
Author's notes: Whew! That was a looong break I had there! I'll update as fast as I can, honest! Currently I have 2 scheduled vacations (wheee), 2 scheduled ultimately long exams (nooo), and for the record, TWO scheduled important events to attend to. (yey, my lucky number is 2. maybe I'll even have 2 reviews for this chapter---Not. Pls don't make it 2, oh no) finals are also coming up real fast. And guess what? All of these scheduled events are in one way conflicting with each other. Hurray. Now I have to choose just one out of every two and hopefully I can squeeze both to fit in. Not to forget also pitching in the updates and chapter composing (whine&sigh).
(whisper) Sometimes, I just have enough reasons to hate this life. (grumble) well, like the saying goes, "you only have one life". :D what to do.
Pardon the long A/N!!! Pls. Review!