25. Sushi
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It was a simple random morning for everyone living in Tokyo, including a certain pair of crimson eyes that were focused on the morning newspaper, dreamily.
"Oh..." The crimson eyed woman gasped as her eyes stopped on a certain headline all of a sudden.
"The Hyuuga heir breathes life into the long dead HISC." She read it silently, a smile plastered on her lips.
"Kaoru-sama..." She heard someone calling out for her, making her lift her eyes from the paper, still smiling.
"Oh... Imai-san..." She said as she stood up, smiling invitingly.
"Did you see today's headline?" The other woman, Mrs. Imai asked, approaching her friend with an equally bright smile on her lips.
"Yeah... Just saw it. It's been only four months, but looks like they've done a lot in such a short period. Really amazing..." Kaoru said, her crimson orbs twinkling in the soft morning light.
"Yeah... Especially Natsume... He's a very effective lead." Mrs. Imai said as both of them sat on the couch next to each other.
"He is... But if Hotaru-chan and others hadn't joined him on time... He wouldn't have achieved all this... It was Hotaru-chan who dragged everyone into this." Kaoru said as she looked at her friend with gratitude.
"You know... She's really stubborn... But this time it worked for the betterment of everyone." Mrs. Imai said as she smiled back at Kaoru's pleasantly lit up face, lighthearted.
Remembering of something, Mrs. Imai suddenly turned to Kaoru's side again, a question on her face.
"By the way, Kaoru-sama... I saw Mikan-chan had changed a little... I mean... Her figure... She was so thin but now it seems she's put on some weight... Could it be something...?" Mrs. Imai asked as she took hold of Kaoru's hands and squeezed them, pushing her to spill the truth. Hearing that, Kaoru's smile widened and opened her mouth to announce the holy truth, blushing a little.
"Umm... Yeah... Looks like I'm gonna be a grandma soon..." Kaoru said, smiling radiantly as her friend's eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh my God! I thought so! Oh... Kaoru-sama... You're so lucky... I'm so happy for you... It seems everything good happens all at once!" Said Mrs. Imai, shaking Kaoru's hands with both of hers, her eyes sparkling in the light of bliss. Seeing her happiness, Kaoru's happiness doubled from within, making her shed tears of joy. She remembered how she had hated to hear that Mikan was pregnant. She remembered how it had almost made her reject her son. But now, nothing of the past did matter. It seemed no one cared how or when she had got pregnant in the first place. Her son had achieved everything in time to cover up the past, so that she didn't have to worry about anything, anymore. Therefore Kaoru Hyuuga was now, extremely at ease.
"Mi—Mikan-chan?!" Nobara's shocked voice mixed to the air as everyone in the messy kitchen turned their heads to look at the intruder, emotionless. Nobara walked forward, not believing her eyes. The kitchen staff was pushed back and a big bellied brunette was there, carrying a long spoon, stunned by the entrance of their clerk.
"Mikan-chan! What're you doing?" Nobara asked again, her eyes fixed upon the brunette who was now patting her no-more-flat belly, smiling sheepishly.
"Ah...umm... Nobara-chan... I'm thinking of visiting Natsume at the office... today..." Mikan answered with the same sheepish grin still on her lips as Nobara sighed, shooting the kitchen staff with death glares.
"Why did you people let her do this? Takahashi-san, aren't you supposed to keep an eye on her?" She asked from the fat robot-like woman who was standing beside a very busy Mikan. "And Makihara-san...? You could've done that for her. You all know what Natsume-sama's orders are. But you still... Ugh!" Nobara said in a disappointed voice as she turned to a very worried cook who was panting in exhaustion.
"Nobara-chan... Makihara-san helped me... Takahashi-san too! It was me who told them to stay back... I wanted to make something for Natsume with my own hands! Is that bad?" Mikan asked and pouted, making Nobara smile gently at her this time.
"But Mikan-chan... You know... All Natsume-sama wants is your safety. He'll be mad at all of us when he gets to know of this... Now please... Go back to your room Mikan-chan. You look so tried... We'll do the rest for you... Don't worry..." Nobara said in the most gentle voice of hers, trying so hard to convince Mikan. But for Mikan, that wasn't enough.
"But Nobara-chan... My rice balls aren't—" Mikan couldn't complete her sentence for Nobara stepped forward and held Mikan's hand, putting away the spoon.
"Mikan-chan... You're sweating! You must've been here, standing for so long... Which isn't good. You gotta attend that Yoga class in the evening, remember? If you keep standing here like this, you won't be able to attend that today and it will be bad for your baby." Nobara went through her list of instructions as Mikan frowned with agitation. She had totally forgotten about that yoga thingy. Now that Nobara had made her become speechless, she had to accept the defeat.
"Umm... Okay then..." Mikan said in the most disappointed tone and turned to Makihara who was still panting, his head almost sunk in the pan of half cooked rice.
"Makihara-san... Please do the rest for me... Make the balls out of it... And pack them nicely... I'm sorry I put all of you in danger..." Mikan said with puffy eyes and stepped out of the room with Takahashi and Nobara following her.
Before disappearing into her room, Mikan stopped and turned to Nobara, resting her hand on her belly and leaning to the doorframe.
"Nobara-chan... Can you ask Megane to be ready to take me to the office before eleven?" Mikan asked as Nobara sighed and smiled.
"Alright, Mikan-chan... I don't approve this but if you wanna go there so badly, I can't ask you to stay. Both your happiness and sorrow affect your baby... Umm I'll go with you... Can't let you go alone..." Nobara said as Mikan looked at her with grateful eyes.
"Thanks Nobara-chan! But aren't you supposed to go back before nine? You sure Natsume won't be mad at you?" Mikan asked, confused a little.
"Umm... Natsume-sama won't notice it. Now that many clerks are there to take care of my work... I'm nearly jobless." Nobara said cheerfully and winked at Mikan before she turned to leave the scene.
Mikan being Mikan, never could make it on time. She was late. She watched as the workers returned to the seven storied building after spending their lunchtime break outside. That sight was more than enough for her to realize that Natsume, her husband didn't need her nicely wrapped sushi anymore.
"Don't make that face, Mikan-chan... It doesn't suit you... Let's hope Natsume-sama hasn't had his lunch yet... He never cares about food you know... There's a huge chance that—" Nobara was cut off.
"No... I'd better throw this away!" A very angry brunette said, pulling on her hair, restlessly. Seeing her situation, Nobara just smiled and signed Megane to open the door for Mikan to get down. As Megane did, Mikan looked at Nobara with tears.
"I don't wanna go there anymore..." Mikan said, sobbing heavily.
"Oh, c'mon Mikan-chan... I'm sure Natsume-sama and all the others would be so happy to see you at the office... Just walk in... It's been a while since you last saw everyone together. Plus, there're many new employees too." Nobara said, aiming to arouse Mikan's curiosity.
"Umm... Then you keep this. I'll make it look like a casual visit... I don't wanna see Natsume's stupid smirk!" Mikan said, handing the wicker basket to the clerk, not wanting to hear Natsume say 'Oh... here she comes, late again.'
"But Mikan-chan... You worked so hard to make this! From the morning! Please take this with you... At least, Imai-chan won't miss the chance to taste this..." Nobara said, smiling with an extreme gentleness. Hearing that, Mikan's eyes were lightened up again. She knew Hotaru won't ever miss a chance to eat seafood, not in another thousand years. With that, she jumped outta the car and walked freely towards the entrance, smiling at everyone passed by.
"Mikan-chan! You shouldn't run!" She heard Nobara's worried voice coming from behind.
"Oh... Who're you... charming woman?"
Someone spoke out of the blue, making Mikan stop and look at the intruder, stunned. It was only then she saw a tall slender body, towering her, his face bent down to take a close look of her dumbstruck face. The guy had a long black hair, tied in a ponytail at the back of his head; somewhat attractive, you could say so. His seductive eyes then ran down from her face through her chest and then stopped upon her round belly, gasping in silence.
"Oh my... Looks like I'm too late..." He said as soon as his gaze shifted from her belly to her stunned face, nearly sobbing.
"Wha-what?" Mikan asked, her eyes narrowing at his statement.
"But still... Even with that belly... You look so damn hot!" He couldn't keep his lips from mumbling those words.
A few silent seconds passed between them, awkwardly.
"Ouch!" The ponytailed man winced as he felt a soft touch on his head, making him turn around to see who the intruder was.
"Oi Tsubasa! What was that for?!" The ponytail asked from the blue hair whose eyes were gleaming with anger. Seeing the entrance of the blue-haired guy, Mikan couldn't stay silent anymore.
"Tsubasa-senpaiii!" Mikan cried out loud as she jumped forward to hug her beloved senpai, tears rising in her eyes.
"Oh... Oh... Mikan... Just calm down... It's not like we didn't see each other for years! Reacting this fast isn't good for your health now..." Tsubasa said, holding Mikan gently in his embrace and patting her head as the ponytail looked suspiciously at the couple hugging in front of his eyes.
"Oi! Tsubasa! Who's she? And how do you know her? And how come I don't know someone so sexy like her! Ugh! If I could, I'd make this gal my wife! All I need is one night!" The ponytail went on saying as Mikan kept trembling in embarrassment.
"All I know is that you're gonna get fired." Tsubasa said as he let go of Mikan's hand and moved aside, hurriedly, scared by something he had seen in the previous second.
"Eh? Who's gonna fire me! It's not like I asked Hyuuga President's wife to sleep with me, huh." The ponytail said, smirking widely.
"It looks like that."
A familiar hoarse voice joined the conversation, making everyone's sweat drop.
"Ohhh... Natsume-kun!" The ponytail spoke in distress as Natsume approached Mikan who was standing there like a mere wall. Without a second word, Natsume grabbed Mikan's hand and dragged her along the path leading to the main entrance.
"Ando."
He spoke as he stopped in front of the doors, with Mikan hanging on his hand.
"Next time you hold her that way... will be the last time you hold anyone in your arms." He said before he disappeared into the building with Mikan and her holy hamper, leaving two thunderstruck guys in the yard.
"If I lose my job, it's all thanks to you, Tono." Tsubasa said, gritting his teeth.
"That woman... That woman's... his wife?" Tono hadn't still fully recovered from the shock.
"You'll have to feed Misaki and me."
"She's his wife?"
"You know Misaki will eat your brains if she gets to know this."
"That innocent girl is Natsume-kun's wife?"
"Screw you Tono!" Tsubasa yelled before he stomped away into the building, muttering curses under his breath.
"So... What brings you here?"
Natsume asked from his big bellied brunette wife who was sitting on the couch, her face buried exhaustedly in the hamper.
"Nothing." Mikan said as she lifted her face from its burial place and looked up at Natsume, placing her chin on the hamper this time.
"What's in it?" Natsume asked as he pointed his forefinger at Mikan's treasure box, curious.
"Eh? This? Ah... It's nothing..." Mikan said, smiling sheepishly, not wanting tell the truth and receive the most scornful remark of the century.
Hearing her lie, Natsume approached her without delay and sat beside her, wanting to know the truth at once. He then grabbed her hamper and opened the lid, revealing a meal of nicely packed sushi. Seeing that, his eyes widened that he couldn't hide his expressions anymore.
"You made these?" Natsume asked, his eyes still widened in surprise.
"Yeah..." Mikan said, not sure what his response gonna be like in the next second.
"I told you not to step inside the kitchen!" Natsume said in his deep hoarse voice, but controlled his anger in it. He didn't want to show her that he was completely displeased with what she had done by breaking his rule, but he didn't want to show that he was completely pleased either.
"Ugh! But I wanted to give you something special!" Mikan yelled back, making Natsume's eyes grow wider.
"But you must've had your lunch already... I'm always late." Mikan said, looking down at her feet, defeated.
Seeing her defeated expression, Natsume just took one of the rice cakes in his hand and stuffed it inside his mouth.
"Eh?!" Mikan gasped as Natsume looked at her with his gleaming crimson eyes, melting her down, inch by inch.
"Why?" He asked, his voice muffled by the food.
"What're you... What're you doing?" Mikan asked, her hazel orbs forming big zeros.
"Eating." Natsume answered flatly before he took another cake in his hand and stuffed it inside his mouth again.
"You didn't have your lunch?" Mikan asked with the same horrified look in her eyes.
"You're so annoying!" Natsume answered and stuffed another in his mouth as Mikan smiled and bent forward, reaching for his cheek with her lips. She then kissed him on the cheek and in a millisecond he grabbed her by her hand and took hold of her face with both of his hands. In the next second, his lips were on her temple, kissing it softly as Mikan closed her eyes, drowning herself in a pool of emotions.
"Oh... What's going on in here?" A stoic voice emitted to the air, making the kissing couple open their eyes and look in the direction of the door, Mikan; stunned and Natsume; annoyed.
"Aren't you taught how to knock on a door?" A very annoyed Natsume Hyuuga spoke as the black haired Systems Administrator entered the room, revealing a bunch of heads queued behind her, all smiling gently, except for the one in the front.
"Sorry for interrupting chief. But everyone here (except me) wanted to see your wife so badly. So I just took them here." The stoic girl said as she threw herself on the opposite couch and began to stare at Mikan's hamper, suspiciously.
"Whatever." Natsume said as he pressed his back on the backrest of the couch and closed his eyes, disgusted.
But Mikan couldn't keep calm. How could she? Her best friend was there in front of her eyes, dressed in a beautiful office kit.
"Hotaruuuu! You look really beautiful todayyyyyyyy!" Mikan cried out loud and tried to jump off the couch, only to find that it was impossible. Natsume was holding her hand.
"Don't chirp. I feel really sorry for my baby."
He said as Hotaru nodded in agreement.
"Me too. He has the clumsiest mom in the whole world." She said out coolly as others giggled in unison.
"So Mikan... We couldn't see each other since our wedding day huh? It's been a long time..." Misaki said as she approached Mikan and sat beside her, taking her hand in hers.
"Misaki-senpai... You look even more beautiful after the marriage! Guess Tsubasa-senpai's love's the reason..." Mikan said out cutely as Tsubasa winked at Misaki's beet red face making it worse for her.
"Oh just don't lie Mikan... Everyone can see it's you who has become more and more beautiful in the course of time..." Misaki blurted out as Mikan blushed in response.
In the next minute, the door banged open for the second time, revealing two more faces; one smiling and the other, grinning.
"Ruka-pyon and Koko!" Mikan said out loud, smiling surprised.
"Sakura... It's really nice to see you in here..." Ruka said as he moved forward, smiling gently.
"Electronics Technician is here for your service, Madam Hyuuga!" The messy haired guy said as he followed Ruka's lead, grinning sheepishly.
"Electronics Technician? Come to think of it... Natsume... What's the name of your post?" Mikan asked as she turned to Natsume who seated next to her with his eyes closed, hanging on his elbow once again, making him look at her, annoyed.
"Ba—ka! Now you ask it." Natsume said in a scornful voice and closed his eyes again, smirking.
"He's the chairman of the board, Mikan. Or you can say, the chief executive officer or the president." Tsubasa said as Mikan's eyes widened, visibly.
"Why? Did you expect me to be the store clerk?" Natsume asked as he looked at Mikan's weird expression, smirking again. Hearing him, Mikan just pouted and turned to Tsubasa, questioningly.
"Then what are you and Misaki-senpai? And Ruka-pyon too?" Mikan asked, shifting her gaze to Ruka for a second.
"I'm the Senior Storage Engineer and Misaki's the Program manager. Ruka-kun's the chief financial officer or... you can call him the vice president too." Tsubasa explained on behalf of everyone. It all, however, sounded greek to our brunette.
"And I am... the Senior Network Engineer, Akira Tonouchi."
A new voice added to the conversation making Natsume grit his teeth.
"Ah... I'm glad you still are." Natsume said, keeping his eyes shut, annoyed.
"I'm sorry about the previous incident, Lady Hyuuga... It was a total mistake..." The ponytailed guy said with a sorrowful face.
"It's okay, Tono-senpai! I didn't take it seriously..." Mikan said as she smiled at the tall dark haired figure, making Natsume grit his teeth once more.
"Now it's time to get back to work." Natsume announced as Mikan's sweat dropped.
"Wha-t? We just started to—" She was cut off by Natsume's cold hoarse voice.
"This... is not a family gathering. And don't forget you have to attend that yoga class at three o' clock." Natsume said in a harsh tone, making Mikan narrow her eyes in disappointment.
"How come you remember everything?!" Mikan said in her most disappointed voice as others stood up to leave the room, not wanting to see their chief lose his temper once more.
"So Mikan... We all can meet some other time... Don't worry..." Misaki said and hugged Mikan gently.
"Please be safe... Mikan... Your dates are getting closer... We all are waiting to welcome our new fellow..." Misaki added as Mikan's eyes dampened with tears. With the same teary eyes, Mikan looked at her husband and saw the light of hope inside his eyes too. She hoped her baby won't disappoint their hopes. She hoped their baby won't disappoint him.
After everyone had left the room, Natsume stood up from the couch and helped Mikan stand up as well. It was her seventh month and it was impossible for her to stand up without anyone's help sometimes.
Natsume watched as she stood up with difficulty, whimpering a little.
"Why? Is something wrong?" He asked, anxiously.
"No no... It's nothing... I just do it out of habit... I mean... the whimpering..." Mikan answered cheerfully, leaning on to Natsume's body.
"Don't attend that class today. Just go home and rest." Natsume ordered, as Mikan's expression changed.
"No can do! I gotta go there! I mean... They say... If I don't exercise enough, my labor would be extremely painful... A little tired won't harm anything!" Mikan said in a serious tone, smiling at the end of the last sentence.
"Okay then. I'll drive you there. Do you wanna go home and change?"
Natsume asked, concerned to death as Mikan smiled surprised.
"No... But you can't come outta here. Can you?" Mikan asked as Natsume smirked.
"Why'd you always forget... that this is my company?" He said as he took hold of her hand and walked her out of the office room, heading towards the elevator.
Hiii people! Sorry sorry sorryyy! I took so long to update! :'(
Are you guys still there with me?
I kept you waiting for sooo long... I know it can't be forgiven that easily... But please do...
At least I didn't abandon my story as some of the writers do... So please please forgive me!
Umm... I actually needed some ideas to continue with... So I had to wait... And mind you, my relationship is also getting in the way I guess... I gotta commit to that too... You know...
But anyway! I'm not gonna abandon my story! I've come this far... and now I've only a few chapters left. ^_^
Anyway... Today I gotta thank someone especially... 'cause she showed me the real meaning of reviewing! Reviewing is meant for keeping the writer in good spirits. And it makes us correct ourselves too! In the previous chapter I had made a funny error and iiAriya, you made me correct myself by giving me the right light! Love you for that! :-*
And Oh 100+ reviews! This is the day I've been waiting for! Love you all, my reviewers! :-*
HaCel:- Thanks a bunch babe! Thought you were younger than me haha! Anyways... hope you're still on with the story... Please keep reviewing! I Love your reviews soooooooooooo much! :-*
newroz:- Haha thank you! And hope your exam's over? Or is it yet to come? Anyway! Please remember that my blessings are always with you! Don't worry... Pick up the courage and go on! Love ya! :-*
Katherine Kalissa Amara:- Ah... Umm... I'm happy to hear that you've visited my country! Umm next time you visit, please don't forget to come see me! Haha! I'll be a nice host! ^_^
lonely heart:- Thanks a lot and sorry for taking longer than usual to update this chapter... Please keep reviewing! So happy to see a new reviewer in my list... ^_^
Guest:- Yeah I usually take only a few hours to complete a chapter... But this time it took more than eight days... Really bad... I'm so sorry... Please stay on with the story...
cposcabee:- Thanks honey... You never forget to post a review! I Love you sooo much! If my memory's correct, you were there even when I was writing my first fanfic! Thank you so much for the ceaseless support! ^_^
jrenamae:- Thank you sooo much for calling it fantastic honey! Umm hope you're still there though I took longer than usual to update... Poor me... Please stay with me till the end... Love you! :-*
And finally,
Riki :- How am I supposed to help you honey? I know ESA Marie and I was once, her fan. She's a brilliant writer and her fic, A prince for Mikan stops at it's 27th chapter and I was among the people who were disappointed by the sudden breakage. But still, I don't think she's passed away or anything... She must be alive but not active on fanfiction anymore. Maybe she's too busy or something...
Of course I'm willing to help you but you'll have to gimme a clue. Please tell me how to. Okay...? Thanks for your review btw... ^_^ And I'm shocked by your news! :'(
So people...
I'm back with the story so don't ever worry!
I love you and I won't ever disappoint you!
I'll be back with my 26th chapter and till then...
Bye bye...
Have a nice weekend!
Love you all!
-Awful Nightmare-
Sneak peek at the 26th chapter of Hidden underneath:-
Mikan:- "It's your baby I'm carrying!"
Natsume:- "Do you sell fluff puffs?"
Mikan:- "Natsume! It's not what you think!"
Natsume:- "No one forced you. It was you! I saw it with my own eyes!"
Mikan:- "Ouch! He kicked me..."
Natsume:- "Then I'll do it again."