New chapter is here... Hope you enjoy reading it... :)

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Gakuen Alice

You may not be perfect in many things. But many things cannot be perfect without you.

It's been a week since that incident. Mikan is healing faster. However, she is always self-conscious than ever. She's always blushing whenever Natsume is staring at her and she's stuttering when they're just alone. She wants to confirm if Natsume really does have feelings for her but she's afraid.

But Natsume seems to forgot his confession last week. Actually, he said it unconsciously and he doesn't know that Mikan heard it. Now, he's curious why Mikan is acting strange every time she's with him. He's beginning to have an idea that she likes him but sometimes he was just shoving that thought away. He also cancelled the bet.

Flashback~2 days ago...

Natsume's phone rang and he picked it up. There are messages from Tsubasa and Ruka.

To: Natsume

Subject: Bet

Message: Hey dude! I can't talk to you earlier because the girls were there and Hijiri-san. This is about the bet. We know that you're going to back out, am I right? Don't worry Nat, you don't have to do what's in our agreement. You just have to make Mikan-chan to like you BACK. You know what I mean, right? :)) To the first time ever, THE Natsume Hyuuga had fallen in love =P

From: Ruka

Natsume smirked, "Idiot. It's not my first time to be in love," he thought. Then he opened Tsubasa's next.

To: Natsume

Subject: Bet~Nerd

Message: I really want to see you in a nerd style! XD Too bad it will be unfair, ne? =P But anyways, me and Ruka knows that you're backing out from the bet. I've already know that you like, scratch that, You LOVE her. :))

But you know, I didn't really expect that we, The Campus Hotties and Playboys, got our worlds turned upside down just because of a simple bet. Make them fall in love with you and then dump her blah blah blah. Instead of us, dumping them, it turned out it's us who are scared to be dump, right?

Life sucks but I won't let go of the person I love now, if I were you... =)) GOOD LUCK... and look at yourself in the mirror, your face is like a Giraffe's ass. XD

From: Tsubasa

"Giraffe's ass? Stupid Shadow Freak. And since when they start to learn how to create a paragraph?" Natsume thought. He then, laid the cellphone on the table beside his bed.

End of Flashback...

Hyuuga Mansion~3 days after...

"W-O-W!" Mikan exclaimed when she's inside the mansion.

"Huh? First time to see a mansion?" Natsume teased. He knows that it's not the first time Mikan saw a mansion but he's curious why the heck did she exclaimed 'W-O-W'.

The gang including Youichi, is having snack time. It's their first time to hang out like this since the incident of Kyou Yamamoto.

"I thought you're living in a dungeon," Mikan said, while giggling.

The others sweat dropped and chuckled. While Natsume twitched. They're laughing, chatting, drinking root beers, sodas, iced tea, and juice, and they're also eating cookies, munching some chips such as Doritos and Lays.

Natsume has a brace on his leg but the other in his neck was already removed. He still has some bandages in some parts of his body. Mikan was already healed although there are difficult times that her back will ache but it's really rare now.

They continued to chat until Youichi faked a cough. The others looked at him confusedly.

"I have something to tell you," Youichi said.

"You're going back to America?" Sumire and Misaki clasped their hands together excitedly.

"You were scolded by Mikan's parents and now you're finally going back to States?" Nonoko and Anna asked, eyes sparkling.

The guys sweat dropped. "Why they want him to leave so badly? Oh, well! It's an opportunity for Natsume/me so it's definitely ok," the guys thought, including Natsume.

"Maybe he's going to introduce himself again," Hotaru stated, sipping her grapes flavored juice.

"Eh?" The guys asked, confused. The girls finally got what Hotaru is implying.

"She's right. But I will warn you now. Don't freak out," Youichi said with an emotionless face.

"Who would freak out?" Natsume asked, cocking his left eyebrow.

"Just shut up," Youichi paused and stared at Natsume seriously, "I'm Youichi Hijiri. Fiancé of Mikan-"

"WHAT?" the boys yelled, excluding Natsume.

"...what?" Natsume whispered. His eyes darkened. His heart became heavy all of a sudden.

"Let me finish first, will ya?" Youichi said, keeping his cool.

Then, the others are silent and listen to Youichi before they ask him a bunch of questions. They didn't know this and they're disappointed for Natsume.

"Mikan-chan's parents want me to marry her-" he was cut off. Again.

"So Mikan-chan doesn't really like you?" Tsubasa interrupted.

"Will you just let me finish first?" Youichi snapped.

The others fell silent once again. Youichi is massaging his temples to ease his irritation.

"Don't interrupt me or I swear you'll never know the truth," Youichi threatened.

Tsubasa opened his mouth to ask another question but Ruka and Yuu clamped his mouth. Then, they listened intently except from the girls because they probably know where this conversation is leading to. Mikan can't believe that Youichi will tell them this now.

"As I was saying, Mikan-chan's parents want me to marry her but Mikan refused," Youichi said, glaring at those who dare to open their mouths to speak.

Natsume is leaping in joy, in his mind. He can't help but to feel happy and relieved that Mikan refused that engagement. He listened to every bits of what is Youichi's saying, just not to miss any interesting facts.

"I think she refused because..." Youichi then looked at Mikan, signaling her to continue.

"Because 1) I already like someone else," she paused and glanced at Natsume who's staring at her. She blushed when they had an eye contact and turned away. The tint of red in her cheeks didn't went unnoticed by Natsume. He smirked, "Looks like I already have an idea who's that 'someone else'."

Then Mikan continued what she is saying earlier, "and 2) me and Youichi are... cousins."

The boys' eyes widen like saucers and their jaws got extended all the way to the floor. Their reactions and faces are priceless. Especially Natsume.

Natsume dropped the glass of root beer causing his shirt and pants to get wet partially. His eyes widen a bit and his mouth dropped slightly. He's stoned.

Silence.

Blink.

Whoosshhh.

Silence.

"WHAT?" the guys shouted on top of their lungs, except from Natsume. It almost shake the whole mansion. Natsume is staring into space and he doesn't even realize that he's soaking. Of course, someone didn't let this pass, Hotaru is taking pictures of them.

"I'm gonna be more, more rich," Hotaru's eyes is flashing money signs while taking pictures of the guys.

Mikan walked cautiously at Natsume. When she was a feet away, she poked his left cheek five times and finally, he snapped from his trance and looked weirdly at Mikan. Mikan can't help the pressure building in her so she burst out laughing.

"Nat...su..me... did you...did you... just wet... wet on you pants?" Mikan asked between her laughs.

Natsume looked down after processing what she just said and his eyes widen.

"Holy sh*t!" Natsume curse and curse. He grabbed a napkin and tried to remove the stain.

The others burst out laughing, even Youichi and Hotaru are chuckling.

"Didn't I warned them not to freak out or something? And as I thought, Hyuuga is going to humiliate himself," Youichi thought.

"Hey Mikan-chan, your joke about the cousins thing really got him, ne?" Ruka said, still snickering.

"But I just told you the truth. Youichi's mother and my mother are sisters," Mikan told them without any trace of grins to prove that she's actually serious.

Silence.

"NO WAY!" the guys exclaimed, except from a certain raven haired boy. Natsume just stared at Mikan and Youichi alternatively.

"That's the truth," Hotaru said nonchalantly.

"Although, they're not really blood-related," Misaki informed.

"But they're cousins because You-chan's adoptive mother is the sister of Mikan-chan's mother," Nonoko and Anna said.

"So Auntie and Uncle want them to get married because they're not really blood-related after all and they really get along very well," Sumire told them.

"But Mikan likes someone else so they cancelled it. But that didn't make Youichi to stop being protective to her," Hotaru mentioned, emphasizing every single word of her first sentence.

Mikan blushed a different shades of red and looked down so no one can see her face. But, again, Natsume noticed it.

"So... in short?" Ruka finally asked.

"They don't have any relationship," Hotaru started.

"In any romantic way," Youichi continued.

"So we are not dating at all and sorry for lying, guys," Mikan finished. She's bowing her head to apologize.

"N-no! Mi-Mikan-chan," Yuu waved his hands in the front.

"actually we are really glad that you did that," Koko grinned.

"Yeah, and someone realized his own feelings because of your 'little play'," Kitsuneme said, smirking.

"Huh?" Mikan was confused a little but then, she remembered the incident in the warehouse.

"I...I love you."

Mikan blushed tomato red again when she recalled that confession from a certain crimson-eyed lad. The gang grinned and some of them smirked.

"Is it possible that Mikan-chan knows who's that...'someone'?" Tsubasa asked, grinning widely.

"N-no! I-I-I d-don't know w-what a-are y-you talk-talking about!," Mikan stammered.

"Really?" Misaki smiled maliciously.

"Y-yeah!" Mikan nodded her head quickly.

Then, there's a sound of footsteps coming from behind them so they turned to see who is it. They saw a beautiful girl with raven hair that reached her shoulder, and she has gorgeous crimson orbs. She has white skin and thin lips. She's also wearing the Gakuen Alice uniform.

"Aoi, what are you doing here?" Natsume asked.

Youichi dropped the cookie that he was munching and turned behind him. His eyes widen and he blushed a little. His heart pumped faster.

"A-Aoi-chan?" he asked.

Emerald green eyes clashed with crimson's. They stared for a minute, staring to each other. While the others is confused why they seem to know each other. The girls are curious who's the girl.

"Y-You-chan?" she asked. She couldn't believe her eyes.

Then, Youichi stood up and walked quickly to the raven haired girl. He hugged her tight.

"I miss you," Youichi whispered, or so he thought. Because the gang heard what he just said and they almost choked their drinks and food.

"I miss you too," the girl hugged Youichi back.

"Whaa... Wait a minute! Do you know her You-chan?" Mikan asked, wide-eyed.

"Yeah. And actually Aoi-chan is my REAL girlfriend," Youichi held her waist. Aoi knew what Youichi meant by REAL girlfriend because she knows that he has a cousin who he really wants to protect. And she's not really mad about that or jealous because she knows that Youichi also cares for her and he truly loves her.

But Natsume's face isn't happy at all. His face darkened ans he began to cracked his once injured knuckles. He's confused and really mad right now. He knows that Aoi has a boyfriend but he doesn't know that her boyfriend is that Hijiri.

"O-onii-chan, clam down," the girl nervously said.

"Onii-chan?" Mikan and the girls exclaimed.

"Oh! Sorry if I didn't introduce my self properly. I'm Natsume-nii's sister, Aoi Hyuuga," Aoi bowed politely.

"Oh! really. So you're the one that You-chan is ALWAYS talking about NONSTOP," Mikan said, grinning widely.

Youichi and Aoi both blushed.

"Mi-Mikan-chan, stop it," Youichi stuttered.

Natsume got really pissed and he tried to stood up only to be held back by Mikan.

"You moron! Don't stand up! You're not allowed unless there's something to support you or you'll end up in the hospital again,' Mikan said, concern is evident in her eyes.

Aoi giggled and said, "So Natsume-nii has a TRUE girlfriend now."

The others nodded their heads, agreeing, while Natsume slightly blushed and smirked. Mikan stiffened.

"No! We're not dating-" she frantically waved her hands in the front and shook her head.

"YET," Natsume added.

Mikan slightly blushed.

"But hey! You're not allowed to date my sister, Hijiri," Natsume said in a firm voice.

"Sorry but we ARE already a couple," Youishi replied back.

"After all that pretending? You expect me to accept you?" Natsume pointed out.

"But who's the dumb ass who believed it?" Youichi shot back. The other guys were struck by that one because they really believed that 'little play' of Mikan and Youichi.

"I'm Aoi's brother so I can shoo all the boys who I don't want her to be with."

"And I'm Mikan-chan's cousin and I can take her away from you."

"I will plan something so our parents won't approve you."

"I'm going to do something so you won't have any chance to go out with Mikan-chan."

The two glared icily to each other and continued to bicker. They didn't even realize that the atmosphere is thickening.

"Will you cut it out?" Mikan and Aoi yelled.

Youichi and Natsume broke their glares. Youichi tightened his hold on Aoi's waist while Natsume pulled Mikan closer to him and he also wrapped his arms around her.

"FINE!" Youichi and Natsume agreed on each other. They can both date Aoi and Mikan without strangling or fighting. Mikan and Aoi sighed. The others just sweat dropped in the childish acts of the two lads.

2 weeks later...

2 weeks had passed and Natsume tried his best to court Mikan. He even swallowed his own pride 3 days ago.

Flashback~3 days ago...

Mikan is ignoring Natsume because they had a fight yesterday. Yesterday, Natsume had put a hot sauce on Mikan's ice cream when they decided to stroll around the park that they had gone out before. Mikan became really pissed at Natsume.

So now, they're in the hallways. Mikan is trying to stay away from him and Natsume is not giving up. He continued to follow her everywhere she goes except from some places, like bathroom. He apologized every single time but Mikan is pretending that she didn't hear anything.

"Ok. Fine. I'll do anything just forgive me and don't ignore me," Natsume pleaded. He has a serious face on.

Mikan thought twice then grinned mischievously. "Anything?" she asked.

"Y-yeah," he answered. "Oh, boy. I have a bad feeling about this," he thought.

"Then sing "Fall For You" by Secondhand Senerade," she said. She knows that Natsume knows that song because she's listening to that song last day when they're in Natsume's car.

"WHAT? You know that I DON'T sing," Natsume said.

"Then, this discussion is over," she then turned on her heels and ready to walked but she heard him singing.

"The best thing 'bout tonight that we're not fighting
Could it be that we have been this way before?
I know you don't think that I am trying
I know you're wearing thin down to the core"

His voice is in soft tone at first but it became louder. Everyone turned to look at him.

"But hold your breath
Because tonight will be the night
That I will fall for you over again
Don't make me change my mind"

Mikan turned around and grinned at him. Natsume can't help but to smile, a really small smile.

"Or I won't live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
You're impossible to find."

The gang also heard him singing and they really can't believe their ears and eyes. "THE Natsume Hyuuga is singing in the hallways?"

"So... Done." Natsume said.

Mikan giggled and said, "Who would have thought that THE Natsume Hyuuga can sing AND in front of many students."

The students are awe-struck. The girls admired him more. The gang went up to them and the guys chuckled.

"You're really incredible Mikan-chan," Tsubasa complimented.

"That's just... unbelievable! We can actually put it in Ripley's Believe It Or Not," Ruka snickered.

"Didn't think that you will actually do what Mikan told you to do so," Hotaru pointed out.

The guys fell silent. And smirked.

"That's just wa~yyyyyyyy out of character," Misaki noted.

Four veins popped from Natsume's head.

"WILL YOU JUST SHUT THE HELL UP?" he snapped. Yep, he finally snapped.

End of Flashback...

How's that? Wanna sneak a peek on the later chapter?

~ "Confess?" he asked incredulously.

~ "Hell no!"

~ "Afraid of being rejected?"

Please review... Thanks for your reviews in my story...

I'll update the new chapter as soon as I can :)