Before

Hotaru shook her head, "It's okay, aunt Kimi, we eat here together daily. If you want, she will make it for all f you too."

Kimi- "But Hotaru, you have three extra people here. It will be difficult for her"

Mikan- "No probs! If Hotaru says I can do it, it means I Can do it. So wait in the front room. I will prepare it in a jiffy. Hurray we have guests today."

End

And she ran to the bathroom to freshen up. Hotaru went too. The three sat in the living room. Both girls came out fast. While Hotaru sat talking to them, Mikan went to the kitchen. In a few minutes, breakfast was ready. It was extra special today, since Natsume was there. Hotaru laughed a little when she saw that. Mikan blushed and told her to keep quiet and enjoy it. After breakfast,

Kimi- "Ah Mikan, that was splendid. I never knew cooking at your age. Wonderful."

Mikan- "thank you aunt Kimi. I am glad you liked it."

Ruka- "So shall we go. Ima... Hotaru, if you are ready, we should go now."

Kimi- "Are we going already, Ow, I thought that we will spend some time here. A good spent Sunday gone."

Ruka- "No aunt Kimi, I have to discuss with her about the business. So I have to go. You may stay here. Natsume's car is still here."

Kimi- "Nope, I have a better idea. Mikan, let's go to my home today. I can talk with you, and if possible make the proud men taste your cooking too. So come on."

Mikan- "Um... thank you, but I don't think it will be that wise. I am not worth it. If someone of my school finds out, they will mock me. Sorry."

Kimi- "Blah blah, any reason would be acceptable, but not that one. It's too stupid. If you are free today, come we will go. You can tell if anyone finds out that you were accompanying Mikan, and we tortured you too if you want."

Mikan- "No, that's rude. I cannot say that."

Kimi- "Whatever, let's go everybody."

Natsume- "Wait a second, you want me come shirtless? Where is my shirt?"

Mikan- "Oh that was blooded, so I washed it. It is still wet. Wait I will bring it."

Kimi- "Let it dry Mikan. Bring it tomorrow. Let's go."

And they went. Natsume was driving his car with Mikan sitting beside him. Aunt Kimi was in Ruka's car with Hotaru. Mikan was blushing hard. She was made to sit in this car, that too with shirtless Natsume driving. His well toned body was now well noticeable and she could not help looking at him again and again. They arrived shortly.

Kimi- "welcome to our home sweet home. Ruka do your work and both come here later. We will have lunch together. Natsume go and get ready. Mikan come with me. I will introduce you to aunt Richi, Ruka's mom, and both uncles. Let's go."

Natsume went to his room and took a bath. He came out and went to the backyard, to find Mikan sitting with the parents and all were having a friendly chat. They were all eating snacks made by Mikan. He joined them. Mikan blushed when she saw him in his casuals.

Kimi- "hey Natsume. How are you feeling now?"

Natsume- "Fine. When did you get these things? Hmm they taste good."

Kimi- "haha good you complimented. It was made by Mikan just now. So what were you saying Richi?"

Richi- "If Mikan can say for sure that Hotaru has a crush on Ruka, I am going to tell Ruka to court her. If it works, then I will have a clever daughter in law soon. Wow."

Mr. Nogi- "Well she is a good girl, and helps with our business too efficiently. So if he likes her, I have no objection."

Mikan- "Thank you all. Oh Hotaru will be so happy is Ruka san asks her out."

Richi- "Not again. Just because you have dropped 'Nogi' doen't mean you can continue san. Drop that too."

Mikan shook her head, "That's kind of you, but unless he asks me, I am sure I should not. And he should ask on his own, not be forced."

Kimi- "Your wish then. Hey then, shall we start cooking?"

Mr. Hyyuga- cough "You are cooking? No trials today please. If it works out it's fine. But if not, please don't ruin our Sunday."

Aunt Kimi scowled, "Eat and then speak. Let's go Richi, Mikan."

And they prepared the delicious lunch. All ate it together, even Ruka and Hotaru, in the backyard. It was a happy day for all. The girls stayed till evening then left.

The next day the school went as usual. The funniest moment when Mikan gave a parcel to Natsume, and Natsume accepted it. It was just his shirt, but no one else knew it. The whole class just gaped at the exchange, speechless and mouth open. Today was a big day for Hotaru when Ruka came to her after class,

Ruka- "Can I ask you something?"

Hotaru- "Anything you can. What do you want me do?"

Ruka- "This is different. Well I just wanted to ask you if... you want to be... my girlfriend"

Hotaru was speechless for the first time. Her crush was actually asking her out. How could she say no... but she was bothered if she will be accepted by him family, and how long can he endure her.

Hotaru- "Nogi san, I don't..."

Ruka- "Call me Ruka"

Hotaru- "Ruka, I don't think I am the right fit for you. You know I can't reject. But please think carefully. Don't just fall for attractions. They may not stand. Your family wont like me."

Ruka- "My family and his family too like you Hotaru. They will have no objection. And I know this is not a silly attraction. I want you to be with me, always. So please be with me. If you find that you don't like me later, you may go and I won't stop you."

Hotaru- "Stupid, why will I walk away. I like you before you like me. The possible case is you walking away."

Ruka- "haha, so you accept or not?"

Hotaru- "I... I do accept. I love you after all."

Ruka smiled and hugged her. Then Mikan came to them and hugged Hotaru tight.

Mikan- "Wow wow wow, I knew this was possible. Have a happy togetherness both of you."

Both Ruka and Hotaru blushed and smiled. Ruka dropped them home.

Mikan- "So how do you want to celebrate your crush asking you out? Anything, just say and I will do it."

Hotaru smirked, "it's costly, but make crab brains for me."

Mikan bowed and did it. They had a happy time. The days later were too good for Hotaru. She was daily picked up and dropped back by Ruka. Mikan rejected his offer saying that she wanted they both going together alone. The first day was a shock in class when Ruka came along with Hotaru, hand-in-hand. Word spread like fire that they both were going out. Mikan and Hotaru were joined in their friends group, where they met the rest- Yuu, Nonoko, Koko, Sumire, Kitsuneme, Anna- all were great comedy people and became friends fast. They went to eat together, dance clubs, beaches, game stations, shopping, and all places, always joking around and teasing each other. Though Mikan and Hotaru did not spend money much, they were always paid for by the rich ones, all in a friendly way.

Ruka and Hotaru had some private moments too. One day when Mikan went out to shop for groceries, Ruka was left alone with Hotaru at home. They were discussing Business till then.

Ruka- "Hmm I think I need a break from all the hard work."

Hotaru- "Fine. Want me to get you something?"

Ruka moved closer to her and put his hand around her on her shoulder, "Nah, just let me enjoy some time alone with you if you don't object."

Hotaru nodded and relaxed against his chest.

Hotaru- "So, any complaints about me?"

Ruka- "No their won't be any. Unless you want to hear my mom's."

Hotaru looked up, "Why what did she say?"

Ruka looked away, "Nothing, it wasn't anything serious."

Hotaru turned his head towards him, her hand on his chin, "I want to know it."

Ruka- "Well, don't hit me then. She complains daily that I don't take my first step in my relation."

Hotaru- "Which is?"

Ruka- "leave it Hotaru. Don't embarrass me. What will you do knowing it?"

Hotaru- "Tell me or get out of my house. I want to try to do it to make her happy if she accepts me."

Ruka- "She tells me kiss you."

Hotaru blushed, and put her head down. Ruka turns his head away. Then after some time, Hotaru spoke again, "Then what are you waiting for?"

Ruka looked at her, "Well I was... What, you actually don't mind?"

No response. Ruka shook his head in amusement, lifted her chin, and kissed her on the lips, "And I thought that you won't like it." He kissed her, and Hotaru kisses him back. Just then Mikan entered, she saw what they were doing and rushed out of the house in embarrassment. She came in after a while, to her relief they had stopped. She laughed at their faces, "Wow you two actually kissed. You two look so cute."

And thus the days continued.