Mikan had a lot of faith in the Lord and prayed every second she remembers about Natsume. Natsume in the other hand did the same thing. They both didn't lose hope. No matter what, they believed in the Lord for he's the one that brought them together.
In one particular Sunday, Mikan and her friends found out that it was Natsume's aunt's birthday that day. Mikan was excited to know that she would be participating on the program for Natsume's aunt. "We might spend some time together! Oh thank you so much Lord!" she thought in tremendous bliss. Her day was so nice, knowing that after the mass she'll have a chance to spend time with the person she likes. But, to her surprise, she became sad when she found out that Natsume wasn't there! She saw her aunt but didn't see him. "Where could he be? It's an important day for his aunt and he's not here! What if he doesn't want to see me! That will make no sense at all, it's her aunt's birthday! Or maybe he's in trouble? Oh, don't think of such things! I'm such an idiot!" Mikan thought panicky.
As the Mass went on, Mikan was still uncomfortable of the fact that Natsume would miss this special day for her aunt and also for her. She didn't do quite well in her playing the guitar for the reason that she can't help but think what's wrong with Natsume.
Until, when the Mass was about to end, and Mikan lost her last bit of confidence and optimism that Natsume will come, he all of a sudden came! Mikan couldn't believe it, she thought he really didn't like her or didn't care for her aunt, but she was without a doubt wrong. That made her guilty of ever doubting Natsume since she knows that she loves him.
Anyhow, the celebration started downstairs and Mikan was asked to play "Happy Birthday" for the celebrant. Afterwards, she had the opportunity to play a piece of hers on the piano since she can play the piano also. Natsume's aunt's prospect about it was she was superb for her age. Too bad Natsume was out getting drinks for the celebration somewhere; he didn't get the chance to hear her superb playing.
"Oh man! I'm going to be late! I won't hear her play! Come on sis! Faster!" Natsume said annoyed at her sister.
"I am hurrying up! Why are you in such a rush to hear that girl play, you hear her play the guitar every Sunday don't you?" her sister Hotaru stated.
"Yes I do, and I love her music, I love the way she plays. But Auntie told us that she plays the piano. She might play tonight! So hurry up or we might miss it!" Natsume said massively irritated at Hotaru.
"You sound like it's not only her music that you love. Am I right?" Hotaru asked with a bizarre grin on her face.
Natsume blushed because of this and said unsure with anger, "Uh… what are you talking about! Let's go faster! If I'm late, you'll be the one to put up with my torture!"
"Okay Natsume, if you say so, but this wasn't my fault! Auntie told us to get the drinks, not me! Blame it on her! I don't care!" Hotaru said in an annoying tone.
Out of the blue, Natsume noticed that they were near the church but Mikan already finished her piece and was getting in the car.
Natsume ran as fast as he can, but didn't know she was in the car already and he went to the opposite side, in where you can't see Mikan's car pass by.
As Natsume saw she wasn't there, he dropped the drinks he had, and ran away to the park. Hotaru was shocked that Natsume truly cares about Mikan. Yes, she does know, but she was shocked on the way she saw her brother react. Hotaru can't help but think if Natsume's love for Mikan is good for him. So she decided to follow her brother to the park. Their aunt then was absolutely guilty of making Natsume and Hotaru get the drinks, causing Natsume not to see Mikan.
"What have I done!" the aunt said in remorse.
At the park, Natsume can't bear but cry. He doesn't know why but seeing Mikan seemed to be a big deal. Out of nowhere, in a flash, Hotaru came and talked to Natsume.
"Bro, what's wrong? You didn't see her, so torture me now already! You said you would! I accept your torture okay! Do your worst!" Hotaru told in confidence.
"Hotaru, as much as I want to, I won't." Natsume denied.
"But brother? I thought…" Hotaru said puzzled.
"Mikan wouldn't want me to harm you Hotaru. She wouldn't want a guy that hurts his own flesh and blood" Natsume said weeping.
"But you need to release the anger brother!" Hotaru exclaimed. She realized also that Mikan had a good influence to his brother, by the fact that he's brother didn't pulverize her.
"Then release the anger on me Natsume!" their aunt said appearing from nowhere. It looks like she was hiding somewhere and listened to their conversation.
"Auntie?" Natsume said unsure to the lady infront him. "I couldn't…" he said as he cried louder on her. "I don't want to cry, but I can't take it anymore! Why don't we even become friends? Why is it we're like strangers? Doesn't she like me, huh auntie?" Natsume said in full misery. "I just want to be with her, is that wrong?" he continued.
"You're not making a sin Natsume. I can't believe a guy like you can cry for a girl like her. You must really have a thing for her, huh? I'm sorry. I won't do it again. I promise, I'll help you twice now. Are you okay?" her aunt said in consideration.
"Thank you guys. I'm okay now. I don't know what would happen if I weren't with you guys." Natsume said wiping his tears.
"Without us you'd be nothing! You'd be cursed to oblivion by now!" Hotaru says teasingly.
He was still extremely sad though, but not that sad anymore because he had her aunt and sister. (It's been TWO YEARS! I can't believe a guy can survive that! Survive without even saying a proper word to his loved one.)
Anyway, for Mikan, she was also disappointed. She was a strong girl despite of her problems so she didn't cry. She just became extremely sad. Nonetheless, there are other days, and Mikan didn't lose hope.
After a few Sundays, Mikan and Natsume recovered from that day. They were their usual selves again. Later than expected, another thing happened that was momentous to the two.
It was so long before it happened, but it's good it did. The church didn't have electricity so, Mikan had to buy batteries to use for the piano (since she was already the new pianist) she was going use for the Mass. On the way, she met her close friends and became extremely happy. That started her day with a big smile, which Natsume will be glad too see.
After a while, Mikan went back to the church. There they put the batteries for the piano. It happened that the piano still didn't start with the batteries, so there was no hope. In view of the fact that Mikan reads her notes in the piano and doesn't play "by ear" (which means finds for the right note by ear), she couldn't play in the dark, even if the piano would be fixed with the batteries. By that, she decided to sit down with her parents.
At the moment she was going to sit down on her seat, she saw Natsume seated on his seat. They had eye contact that didn't lasted for a while, because Mikan had to checkon something.
Eventually, when she sat down, she noticed Natsume wasn't there, that he went with her aunt to check out the electricity of the church. Too bad Natsume wasn't there; Mikan now is beside Natsume's sister, Hotaru! Oh man, what a drag that will be if Natsume saw it.
After some time, Natsume came back to his seat, beside his friend who went with them to the village. Yes he was annoyed that her sister and friend is between him and Mikan, but he can't argue with them there, Mikan might get suspicious. So, he just looked at Mikan talking to her mother. He saw him smile, which made her smile too. His friend also looked.
The mass didn't start for quite a while because the priest still wasn't there. It was almost on hour since everybody was there. But still Natsume, Hotaru, Natsume's friend and aunt didn't leave. This impressed Mikan. "The fact that our church isn't as good as other churches is bad. But, what's good is, they still hang around here." Mikan thought with a smile on her face.
Not only that, for the very first time, Mikan and Natsume heard each other's voice while the mass still didn't start. It happened when they were talking to their family. Mikan thought Natsume's speaking voice were nice and vice-versa.
In between the Mass, Mikan decided to look at Natsume. She did this a couple of times and at one or two times, he saw him look first at her, but because of shyness, he would turn back at the next second. Even in the communion, when Mikan was praying, and Natsume was walking to his seat, he/she realized he/she was looking at him/her. This made both of them blush sooo much.
In the end, it was extremely a happy day. Mikan and Natsume had a great undeniable connection that shows they can understand each other, even without talking.
(Now, do you remember of what I said, that I'm sorry if the story was short at first? I am now apologizing if this chapter is long because it's not yet finished! So sorry! Still..please let me continue. Sorry again!)
About a week later after the "occurrence" in the dark, the two didn't meet. Yes, you may think it's bad for both of them, but no. Mikan's happy. Of course she was a bit sad that Natsume didn't come. She almost doubted him for the second time. But she realized there's no reason to doubt him. She thought of 4 reasons for her conscience to be cleared of the matter and those reasons are: she doesn't own Natsume; it's not a special occasion for Natsume to be there; Natsume might be busy and no one promised her Natsume would be there. By these reasons, Mikan decided to have a smiling face the whole mass. It fooled everybody, but not herself. She still felt a tad sad. She tried her best to look good for Natsume and promised to make even a slight "move" on him but all her determination and confidence was useless because he didn't come.
Even though of these circumstances, Mikan was surprised by good news from her parents. They told her news that was good for her future, especially next year.
Her mom and dad are really determined for Natsume to be paired with Mikan. In any festival in their village, they decided he'd be the perfect escort. For the prom, they thought he'd be the perfect date for Mikan. Yes, they still don't know about his real name, but they just felt relaxed and calm about him that they can't help but think he's the perfect guy for Mikan. (How many times did I use perfect for this paragraph?)
But Mikan disapproved of their decision, it's not that he doesn't like Natsume; it's obvious that she does. But she only did that because she didn't want her parents to find out her love for him.
"What if I ask his real name? What if I ask 'What's the name of that guy, it's because Mikan likes him'?" her dad said mischievously.
"Dad! Quit joking! Remember, he likes me! I don't like him okay! Besides how do you know he still likes me? It's been years since I met him! Don't ask such questions like that!" Mikan said in annoyance while her hair was covering her face to hide her blushing.
"I'm only joking! I would never do that!" Mikan's dad said.
"Yeah, furthermore, you know that I'm a very good observer right Mikan?" her mom said, joining the conversation.
"Of course mom! That's one proof that you're my mother! But what's that gotta do with this conversation?" Mikan said with a mixture of assurance and hesitation.
"Well, so you'll believe me when I say, last week, when all were in the dark, he couldn't keep his eyes off you!" Mikan's mom said in a humorous but confident tone.
"Are you serious? Oh! You're joking me! I know you really are observant but, by that tone! Oh puh-lease" Mikan said annoyed with her hair still covering her face to cover her blushing.
"No, that tone is just the 'I'm happy for you' tone!" her mom defended.
"Whatever! Well, I'm finished eating now! I'm gonna go upstairs now! See yah!" Mikan said standing up, still hiding her blushing face.
She went up to her room, and lied to her soft wooden-narra bed. She then looked at the ceiling and said "Thank you Lord for my parents, they've supported me always! You're so great! I'm so happy Lord! Especially about today! Even though that guy wasn't there, I'm happy to know that I still have a chance. Now, I still have hope!"
A/N: hi guys, hope you liked in! the next part will be updated after a while okay because classes are coming near! Wah! I don't want to go back… wait… okay a part of me does… who cares! Anyway reviews are welcome! Thanks to all readers!