Disclaimer: You know the drill. :)

Chapter Five: Wrong Phonecall

Her forehead wrinkled ominously, hands balled into a fist and lips thinned dangerously in a straight line; Mikan Sakura gave Ruka Nogi an intense glare that almost made the latter hide back in his cave. Ruka gulped and mumbled incoherent words under his breath as Mikan sauntered closer to him. And when she's just an arm-length away, he tried to smile cheerfully but ended up looking constipated instead.

"G-Good morning, Mikan!" He tried to greet cheerfully only to earn a sharp glare in response.

"What's so good in the morning when you've just disturbed my sleep, Ruka-pyon?" she muttered coldly, her sharp gaze not leaving him.

Ruka was surprised at the old endearment being used again on him. It made a small smile form across his handsome features. But then he immediately wiped it off his face and coughed sheepishly as he apologized. "I'm sorry, M-Mikan-chan. It's just t-that I wanted to talk about some things regarding your call yesterday."

Still wearing her white pajamas, Mikan rolled her eyes and strutted her way down the kitchen, brushing past Ruka. Her blank and cold look tells him that she wasn't happy that he disturbed her peaceful sleep that morning.

But how could he not when she didn't even let him sleep well the previous night? She suddenly called, on the midst of his thinking that he will be spending his Wednesday night in peace, only to order him to make amends so Natsume and Hotaru will spend the weekend together. She sounded dead serious and Ruka couldn't think of something — anything that will amend the situation. Natsume hadn't been informed yet and neither Imai for it was too sudden. And both wouldn't really be appeased at impulsive arrangements as this.

Ruka was sure of one thing though. Mikan works according to her own ways, not on what is expected of her. And that's exactly the reason why they were having a hard time coaxing her away from her make-believe reality.

For instead of fairytales, Mikan's concept of reality is about predicting the unexpected and living according to it. No princes or knight-in-shining armors that she once believed will save her; no fairies and godmothers to save her from doom; no stepmothers or evil queens to punish or curse her; and no Cinderella or Sleeping beauty having a happy end.

Just a pretentious life where everything is just a game; and people are merely objects of control.

Ruka was surprised at this realization. What has really happened to this girl he adores when they were still young?

Mikan was charismatic; her smile was enough to brighten anyone's day. Her disposition and cheerful attitude oftentimes earned her praises from the people around her. She was too nice, too friendly, too trusting — that it was almost a crime to detest her. Many loved her innocence and her smiles and he was one of those peoples who thought that Mikan will grow into a fine young lady and sweep many men off her feet someday. She was like his little sister already. And he was as protective to her as Natsume is.

He watched as her long tousled lavender hair bounced as she strutted down the stairs in elegance. She has indeed grown to be a different woman but she has definitely retained her charm. Mesmerized, Ruka followed her down in daze. Despite the coldness of her exterior, he still believed that she was the Mikan he knew. And behind that pseudo persona she was trying to show, deep inside her, was the same Mikan, the soft-hearted Mikan that he was protecting and worth-protecting for.

"What about it?" she asked nonchalantly, snapping him in his thoughts.

Ruka furnished a constipated grin, "Well you see..Natsume—"

"Natsume will come, Ruka. Why are you so fed up about him?" she shot him a wary glance before opening up her fridge and getting a cold glass of water. "Want to drink something?" she asked.

He shook his head as a faint shade of pink tinted his cheeks. But he continued, "I'm just worried that—"

"Oh Ruka-pyon, trust me!" she cut him off exasperatedly. "You didn't need to worry over that bastard. He clearly knows his game." She muttered in sarcasm, taking few gulps of water down.

"But he told me he didn't want to come unless you're coming." He said in a small voice, making Mikan spun to him abruptly.

"He's going with Hotaru, not me." She said.

"I told him." Ruka quickly amended, "but he said that you should also come."

"He's not a kid and I'm not his mother!" she roared, getting annoyed. Why can't Natsume leave her alone and focus on marrying Hotaru? Why can't he be sensitive for once?

He'd been back for about two days and he'd been making her life miserable already. Natsume Hyuuga is indeed bad news. He should be walking around everywhere with a post-it note on his forehead saying "I'm a bad news. Avoid me."

"Ruka…" there was weariness on Mikan's voice when she called his name and this made Ruka almost smile. That same soft voice –

"I have to study for my upcoming exams next week. I can't go with you guys on the hot springs this weekend, that's why I entrusted you to this. Uncle Kota said you'll help me. I'm expecting that help, Ruka." She told him.

He looked at her warily. "I understand, Mikan. And as much as you don't want to believe that I'm willing to help, I want you to know that I really do. Your plan will definitely assure some lone time with Hotaru and Natsume.." he said. And Mikan felt a lump forming on her throat upon the thought that Natsume will be alone with Hotaru.

"But Mikan, Natsume will surely throw tantrums if you don't go. You know how stubborn he can get. Our plans will be halted, and you know.." Ruka explained, trying to be reasonable with their current situation.

"You're not blackmailing me into this, are you?" she asked in suspicion, feeling her defiance slowly melting.

"Why would I?" Ruka looked at her with that innocent stare that made her eyes narrow at him. "We're in this together, right? And you told me before that you wanted to see how they fall for each other. Mikan, don't you want to manhandle all these?" he spoke, spitting anything that will make her come with them. But Mikan was not his stupid victim.

She knew his ways. She had already mastered the art of persuasion in the years that had passed. She wasn't a well-known matchmaker to be fooled by saccharine words as this. Ruka should have known better before firing her with thoughtless words.

"Is this about you convincing me to go and spy on the two, or you trying to play matchmaker on me?" Mikan spoke icily.

Ruka heaved a frustrated sigh at this, "Seriously, Mikan?! You think I'm trying to matchmake you and Natsume together? Are we not together in matchmaking him with Hotaru?"

"Who knows?!" she fired back. "Nobody's really trustworthy nowadays. He's your bestfriend. And you know how persistent he can get when he wants to. "

Silence coated them and it has seemed that awkwardness has magically seeped into the room. Mikan grimaced as if an invisible pain hit her when she looked up and saw the look on Ruka's face. And all too suddenly, she felt guilty for blurting out the things she said. She didn't mean to hurt him. She wasn't thinking straight when she spoke like that.

But the look on his face told her that whatever regret she's feeling at the moment, nothing can change the damage that she has inflicted on him.

"I know that you've been fooled, I know that you've been bullied…I know you've felt as if you've been betrayed…" Rukas muttered quietly while looking down. "And I wasn't there with you…" he kept on saying.

"…but you don't have to rub it in, Mikan. I get it." She felt another lump on her throat when he looked up at her feigning that hurt expression.

"I-I think I should be going. J-Just give me a call when you need to make changes." His voice quivered slightly, but before she could even react, he has hastily turned around and walk towards the door without turning back.

She didn't know why she's going to do this. But it was too much. She felt guilty – so guilty already. What made her not different from the people who had hurt her when she kept hurting other people too? Her issues are supposed to be buried already. She has moved on. She has finally let him ago. But why Natsume's return in her life was creating another ruckus in her settled mind? And she even blurted hurting words to Ruka who was supposed to be innocent of all this.

Sigh.

"Just call him already." She heard someone beside her mumbled and Mikan looked up to find the green-haired lass giving her a pointed look before checking her newly manicured nails.

Mikan heaved another sigh and rolled her eyes. "Shut up, Sumire. I've got enough pressure from you, okay?"

She heard the girl snort, "Seriously, Mik. You should let go of your issues. The poor guy knew nothing about what really happened."

Mikan huffed at the latter before taking a bite of her sandwich, "Isn't that what I'm guilty about? I didn't mean to blurt those stupid words. I don't even know why I'm feeling this guilty. I could have pretended that it never happened. I shouldn't care about how he feels."

Sumire sighed dramatically, giving Mikan a desperate glance. "You're that guilty because you didn't thought it would hurt him that bad. Mikan, there's really nothing wrong on being guilty. You're just making it hard for yourself. Just call the guy already and apologize!"

But Mikan glared at her, munching her sandwich too forcefully. "I don't really know why I've been friends with you. I could've found someone better."

Sumire laughed instead of getting offended. "Well, look here, Missy. I'm the only friend you can really consider your friend. Other people like you for what you have and who you are—bitches and douchebags. But me — "she exaggerated, "I don't care about your looks or your wealth…I'm equally rich.." She spoke in a haughty voice, "and prettier.." she added, "But I care about how you feel and how you're trying to live that life you've attempted to ruin before." She said meaningfully.

No matter how touched Mikan felt for Sumire's concern, she tried to hide it beneath that nonchalant mask.

And a small smirk found its way on Mikan's face. "And of course, you're interested with the lovers I matchmake. You're a sucker for cheesy stories."

A faint shade of pink found its way to the green-haired cheeks. She stopped checking out her nails and glared at Mikan. "So, what if I'm a sucker of cheesy romance? At least, I'm contented with those delusions."

"You should stop reading fairytales, Permy. They don't come true." She said with a roll of her eyes.

But Sumire was indignant. "Not because your prince had left you heartbroken, you wouldn't believe in fairytales anymore. If he so much ruined your life, then he's not worth it, Mik. Even if he's the most handsome thing on earth, he's not worth it. If he doesn't care about you and your happiness, you're not bound to be together. Not in million lifetime. But that doesn't mean you can't find your prince charming in the future!"

She exhaled a large amount of air when she finished as Mikan stiffened, trying to process Sumire's words. The latter immediately caught up with the tension in her friend and felt sorry for it immediately. She'd been too caught up with own emotions that she has almost forgotten how sensitive Mikan was of the topic. Sumire bit her lower lip in guilt and pretended to look anywhere but her.

How stupid of her to just pummel words like that?

When Sumire heard Mikan sigh, words seemed to flee from her mouth and she could do nothing but watch as Mikan drown herself in deep thoughts. She looked as if she was carrying the world's burden and Sumire knew that it was partly her fault, making her remember things that her friend had tried so hard to bury in the past.

The silence between them stretch languidly and it was deafening, despite being in the midst of noisy cafeteria. And after what seemed like eternity that has passed, Sumire deliberately tried to change the topic as to not to further press in. She chuckled awkwardly and nudged Mikan lightly with her shoulders.

"Err..come on, Mik..you should call the guy – what's his name again? R-Ru-Rula? Rupa? Ruka? Whatever his name is. " she was already babbling but kept on, "You should call him and apologize and uggh — enough of this drama, kay, Mik. I'm sorry." She said at last looking down.

But when Mikan look at her with that small smile playing in her face, Sumire fought the urge to cry. She blinked hard and gave the girl a grin, as if telling her that she understood her smile.

"I'll see you in class, Mik. I still need to retouch my make up. Golly, I think I need to buy another blush-on..this one's not working anymore..or the lipstick perhaps and — " Sumire continued babbling as she already excused herself before Mikan could even reply.

The latter could do nothing but shook her head in amusement at Sumire's stint. But she was also surprised when after Sumire has walked a few feet away from her, the girl stopped abruptly and turned to her again, wearing an unreadable expression. And then she strode back to her in big strides that surprised Mikan.

She was about to say something on Sumire's expression when the girl pulled her into tight, understanding hug while saying, "I'll protect you, Mik." Before turning around and walking away again.

And just then, a lone tear escaped.

Natsume was spending his leisure time in his flat that lazy afternoon when it happened. It has been just two weeks since he came back, and he'd already left home disliking the idea of living with his parents in the same mansion. He'd been used to living in his flat alone in Los Angeles and even when he came back to Japan, he wanted to keep it all the same.

He liked the idea of independence at solitude. And he wasn't really appeased with the idea of his mother literally treating him like a baby. She should have acted like one when he was still a young boy, thirsty of affection and attention. He's no kid now. And he has no time for emotional drama within his life — except perhaps with a certain auburn haired—whom now was lavender haired—woman who keeps on resisting him and his apologies.

He'd literally gone haywire when he heard of the sudden news from Ruka that the girl planned so he'd have to spend a boring weekend with Imai. That girl! She was really stubborn. And she's not really willing to give up, much to his disappointment.

Didn't he tell her that this time, he'll claim her back?

Why was she fighting him back? Why won't she believe him? If he so much caused that strong amount of pain she's feeling, weren't the years of his absence enough to make her move on? Why was she acting all tough when she was so weak? Why was she resisting him when it's obvious that she wanted him too?

Natsume massaged his temples slowly, Mikan is making him crazy. "Women are aliens. They're incomprehensible."

Just then, his phone rang loudly, interrupting his solitude moment.

With creased eyebrows, Natsume fetched his phone from his pockets and let an amused hum when the screen displayed Mikan's name, calling him.

He pressed the answer button immediately and was about to ask her why she called when she beat her into it.

"Ruka, meet me after school at 5. I need to talk to you about something. Be there." He heard her mutter in a cold voice before there was a click on the other end, and the line went dead.

Puzzled, Natsume glanced at his phone as if it's some kind of alien thing and heaved a sigh. Mikan has mistaken him as Ruka and now she wanted to meet him.

A foreign feeling started to creep inside him as realization struck him. What? She wanted to meet with Ruka? Because of her stupid weekend plans?

Ruka?

Ruka?!

She wanted to meet Ruka?!

Isn't she supposed to meet with him since he's the main person concerned? What is she brewing on her sleeves again? But—

To hell with that.

Why would she want to meet Ruka and not me? He thought vehemently.

His eyes narrowed dangerously and his lips turned into his famous smirk as a plan begins to formulate in his mind.

Natsume glanced down on his wristwatch and noted that he's got thirty minutes before 5 and still has time to drive around and get roses for her. He immediately got up and grabbed his things as he finalized his resolve. Mikan cannot deny of seeing him today, that's for sure.

And even if he looked like a complete idiot in trying to win her back, he doesn't really care. He needs to see Mikan.

And he will see her now.

"To hell with Ruka." He muttered gravely before walking up to his door in big strides and slamming the door shut.

Crumpled Thoughts says: Soooooo, how was it? :)) Sorry for the super late update. I really wanted to hear your side on this. A well-made constructive criticism is much, much appreciated. Just say something, okay? Btw, who's tired of the drama and wanted some romance? Hoho. Let me hear yaaah! :D

And if you have time, you can also read Bruxism (one-shot) and Divergence, a new angst story I'm brewing. : ))

Thank you, .i. need. popcorn. like .yeah, Serenity012, KeroNya, Kylee-Cat, Aquamarine Lacus, blue21, pinkpocket23, DarkFlameInfernal, AndreggvilJammer, Linda333, 8-8 ary-chan 8-8, Devine Inspiration, Xim-no-writerX, mikanluchia728, Frantic Emotions, OoBoysInBooksAreBetteroO, anime728, chris3169512 and jubelle for the wonderful reviews, yeah? : )) You guys rock! Ja~!