Chapter 9
Nights (part 1)
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There should be a day between Saturday and Sunday because there are a ton of people dreading to wake up for a Monday morning with loads of stuffs to do, appointments, problems, and other personal concerns. Weekend's rest seems not enough to pay off the tiresome stress brought by weekdays. However, there are also some people who can't wait for Monday to come. Be it personal or special reasons, but there is no telling how relieved they are once the weekend is over, especially Natsume.
He woke up early.
His schedule may be filled to the brim, but he made sure to spare an hour or two to attend to his personal needs, just as he made sure to check up on Mikan later that night. He made no plans or excuses to be used later, but he's determined of doing it no matter what.
"Mikan, remember when I told you I'd fetch you every day?" he texted Mikan.
"Uh.. No. I don't remember you saying that", she replied.
"That's okay, it doesn't matter anyway, I'm still seeing you tonight",
"Well, if you insist.. " she teased.
"Okay, but don't get wrong ideas",
"I'm not!"
"Yeah right. See you later ;)", and with that he continued with his work.
He scanned the papers piled in front of him painstakingly, not noticing his door creaking open and a woman's figure making an entrance.
From the corner of his eye, he finally got to register what was happening, as he shifted his gaze to the figure and glowered. His look suddenly changed as he recognized it was just his secretary.
"What is it?" he sternly asked. He was in no mood for any disturbances, not when his mind is crowded with heaps of work.
The secretary flirtatiously crossed her leg behind the other and her hands locked behind her, as if giving a 'cutesy-shy' look. "Uh… do you want a cup of coffee Sir?"
Natsume saw her gesture and smirked as he felt pity on her. She was not his type, she didn't even made an impact on Natsume when they first met, and this girl is wasting her precious time flirting to a guy whose marriage is already planned before he could even say 'girlfriend'.
"I do want some space", he stoically answered.
With that, Luna exited his office the second she heard his callous response; probably mentally cursing herself for coming at the wrong time. She didn't quite register that Natsume isn't interested in her one bit; in fact, ever since she laid eyes on him, she already had a vision of him carrying their child.
.
"Where's grandpa?" Mikan asked Hiashi's secretary as she entered the room wearing a striped poncho and a pair of light-brown tight trousers.
"He's in his office, talking to Kazumi-san",
"Oh? He's here?" she replied, though her tone made it clear she doesn't give a damn about him.
The secretary nodded, and added, "I think you better go inside",
"Yeah I will, thanks".
.
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"Mikan! Come, come. I saved you a seat", Hiashi
"Thanks, Ji-chan"
Mikan sat down and as she settled herself comfortably, the man who just doesn't talk much, especially to her, miraculously said something. "We're just about finished. How about we go have lunch together?"
Is it just her, or her ears might be broken? Him? Having lunch with Mikan? Something's just not right. How on earth could this man act kindly to her after treating her like some trash? But on the brighter side, this could just be his way of saying he's sorry.
Mikan frowned at first, but later accepted optimism.
"Yeah… sure. That sounds great".
There are a few things that she's thankful for, and this one right now made her day. She always wondered why her long lost uncle had a cold attitude towards her considering that she had done nothing wrong.
Grudge? Insecurity? Resentment?
Anyhow, whatever his reasons are, she's gratified to finally becoming friends with him. He is family after all.
After having lunch at a restaurant, Hiashi left the two to have some chat. He always wanted for them to get along well, bearing in mind that they are his only family left. And so, after a long chitchat, Mikan and Kazumi cleared their issues and became more acquainted with each other.
"So, I guess we're finally friends then?" asked Mikan merrily.
"Of course, Miss Mikan",
"Call me Mikan", she suggested.
"Will do. In turn, please call me Kazumi",
"Thanks, Uncle Kazumi", she answered wearing an affectionate smile across her face.
She presumed that this was the start of their parental-like relationship, though he doesn't act all fatherly to her, she considers him as a parent, probably because of his features are in some ways similar to that of her dad's. She haven't actually seen her dad in person, she only saw him on pictures and recorded videos back at home, but their similarities, Kazumi and her dad's, are obviously salient.
Her afternoon flew in a rush, and she had no more things to do at work. Of course, her schedule isn't one like that of a formal worker, she just come and go.
She was about to go home, and continue with her designs she had just thought of, when she remembered something important.
Oh.
Natsume was just about finished discussing new plans to the board when he felt his phone vibrate. After giving his conclusion and addressing raised queries, he exited himself from the board room and opened his phone.
"Hey Natsume, I'm done with my work here, and it's still too early for you to come fetch me, so I guess I'll just go straight home."
Natsume frowned at the screen.
Talk about wrong timing.
He wouldn't let her go home alone. Not in a million years, and whatever time and circumstance she'll need him, he's sure to respond faster than lightning. Hence he replied,
"No, I'll get you. I'm heading there right now. DO NOT move a muscle", and started running down towards the parking lot.
"Seriously? It's like, two in the afternoon. Don't you still have work to do?" Mikan asked as Natsume stopped his car in front of her on the pavement.
Natsume just shrugged, and opened the passenger's door, signalling her to come inside.
"We're not going home", he said as he started his engine.
"So, where…?"
"My office. I could use a hand in lifting some boxes". Natsume's not one to skip work for some irrational reasons, he still has loads of things to do. This time, however, is an emergency that urges him to take her in his office and lock her up for God-knows-when, maybe until he feels it's safe.
Mikan's jaw dropped, "Wait, your office? Boxes? Do I look like a weightlifter to you?"
"What's wrong with my office? And yes, you're gifted with brute strength",
"Am I even allowed there?"
Natsume shrugged his shoulders and squinted, "Well, only one way to find out".
"Oh, great".
.
.
"So… I guess you're allowed then". Natsume stated as they strolled across the floor towards his workplace.
"Hmm",
Mikan scanned the place; the cubicles with busy workers tapping the keyboard in a flash, people who stopped and looked at them, and a pretty woman walking towards them, fixing her eyes intently on Natsume. Instantly, Mikan searched for Natsume's eyes, she had to see whether or not they know each other. And it looks like she's right.
She gulped.
No, Natsume doesn't know her. She's going to turn the other way. Or, she's married and living happily with 5 kids, or maybe 10.
Unfortunately, the woman defied her theories. She's still walking towards them, now wearing a look that mirrors displeasure.
As she inched closer, Mikan's heart suddenly beat faster.
"Sir Natsume? You suddenly left without notice so your coffee turned cold", Luna said batting her eyes and giving a sly smile.
Coffee? Oh. So she's Luna.
Mikan maintained a calm face and gave her ever present warm smile, though her stomach is emitting strange sensations that could be mistaken as jealousy. Wait, it is jealousy.
Luna looked at Mikan from head to toe, as if evaluating her worth, mentally criticizing any part her eyes passed. She's trying to give her an aura of dominance and to show her who's boss, but she's only trying to get blood out of a stone.
"I said I needed space, not coffee. Anyway, I'm heading back to my office so I'll just see you around… Ah, by the way, I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't let people coming into my office, this woman and I have stuffs to do". With that, he dragged Mikan along the aisle, leaving behind an embarrassed and a steaming-with-jealousy Luna.
Mikan smiled victoriously, as she let Natsume take her to wherever his office is.
"Here we are", Natsume said as they entered a spacious room, with minimalist furniture.
Mikan looked around as she walked further inside, "Boy, you have a very nice workplace. I wish mine would be like this".
"You can do your stuff here while I do mine. You have my secretary to help you, or I'll just be breaths away if ever you need something".
Bothering his secretary sure is a great idea, but she's no bitch, though technically she has every right to order her around.
"Nah, I'll just stay on the couch", and with that, she busied herself with some magazines piled on the table.
.
.
After 1 hour…
"Natsumeeeee… I'm bored", she pouted at Natsume across the room.
Natsume looked at her above the computer screen and grinned as he saw her cute pouting face.
"Is sandwich okay?"
"I said I'm bored, not hungry".
"Hn",
"Natsumeee…"
"Hm?"
Mikan mounted both her arms on top of the backrest and rested her head against them. "I said I'm bored. Can I go home?"
"No", Natsume said sternly, hiding his amused smile behind the monitor. He sure is enjoying himself by teasing her, and her cute pouts are only fuelling him to continue.
"You're so mean", Mikan sighed as she shifted her body back and re-scanned the magazines.
She puffed her cheeks in boredom, and was surprised when two fists gently popped her ballooned cheeks.
"Do that again", Natsume said behind her.
"What? No way",
"I like it".
"Good for you then", Mikan said as she absent-mindedly made a pout, which made Natsume pinch one of her cheek.
Natsume chuckled silently, and walked back towards his desk.
After a while, Mikan finished her third round in reading the magazines. Seeing nothing else to do, she listened to the deafening silence around the room. She was surprised by the fact that the intensity of a speaker set at a high volume is comparable to that of the decibels of silence. And at once, she felt melancholic.
His office might be big, but it's so lonely, she thought to herself. I wonder if it's always like this.
"Hey, Natsume-", she stopped when she saw Natsume quietly sleeping with his arms as make-shift pillows.
He was tired. Summing up the stress in his work, the annoying secretary and her coffee, the Hacienda back from his home, oh and those sleepless nights spent mostly on worrying, would surely knock down any person.
She walked towards him, not letting go of his sleeping face. She lowered her head to see him clearly and was imprisoned by what she saw.
He looked peaceful, and calm, like a charmed entity. His face was dream-like, and his features so masculine. His position made his clothes embrace his well-toned muscles tightly, highlighting every manly angle in his upper body. His hair lightly scattered his face, and Mikan brushed some strands away. This made Natsume stir in his sleep, and fluttered his eyes as he felt himself awakening.
Mikan immediately shifted her body away, but Natsume abruptly held her wrist.
"Uh… uh, I-I w-was just checking if you're asleep", Mikan panicked.
Natsume heaved a smirk, still resting on his free arm, and said, "You were admiring how handsome I am?"
Mikan scoffed, but was also embarrassed as Natsume saw her true motives, "A-as if!", not looking directly at his ruby eyes.
"Yeah right".
"I-I was just about to tell you that it's already 6 in the evening, yeah that's it".
Natsume let go of her hand, and stood up to check his clock.
"Let's get ready for dinner then".
Natsume dropped Mikan to her condo around 8. He waited for her to enter the building before carrying out his mission.
He searched for the snatcher, and he saw him casually seated at a bench in front of the entrance, eating corndog, and dressed in formal clothes.
He pretended to be heading home, but actually drove around the building with headlights turned off, and stopped until he parked his car in a dark alley perpendicular to the snatcher. Natsume watched keenly at the man who's now starting to walk back to the same dark street. He quietly exited his car, took his brass knuckles and followed him.
As usual, the snatcher seemed to know the place damn well that Natsume later lost sight of him. He looked around in hopes to see even a shadow, but only buildings and houses surrounded him with no lampposts guiding his way. He cursed at the poor economy around the place. What politician would overlook the safety of any streets under his jurisdiction?
Again, the snatcher got away. But he made sure there will be no such thing as third time.
Their days are always like this: hanging out together and going home late and sometimes too early. His nights are always filled with suspense, and disappointments, as he had no luck in busting the crook. He had thought about telling Mikan about this, but knowing her, she might confront the man, and would bring about an even more dangerous situation. Thus he kept it all to himself.
As the week is about to finish, and with them spending every day together, they established a deeper connection. Their conversations are not only about teasing and random chats, but also getting to know each other more.
For one, Mikan knew Natsume's favourite flavor/fruit is strawberry, his favorite color is red, he's wearing a stud in his left ear, he likes poetry but he's no poet, he's way too arrogant than she perceived him to be, he always tease her in his own egotistical way…
He's so full of himself, she thought to herself.
He's so ugly. Only when Mikan is so full of his attractiveness.
He doesn't laugh. Because he's only giving a sexy smirk that always tightens the knot in Mikan's stomach.
His eyes. His eyes are so… Ugh! Damn it! So utterly beautiful.
His body is so… God, how could you make a person like this?!
But above all, despite the negativities Mikan could give, there was one thing she would never give in exchange.
He has the greatest heart.
Any person Natsume treasures would be as lucky as a royalty. He's only concerned of their well-being. He may appear as an egotistical jerk, but behind his mask, he's as compassionate as a mother. Probably because he's a guy, and being one means to conceal any hint of kindness.
He's good-natured to the bone, a born gentleman that is.
Aside from Mikan, Natsume also had some learned lessons, but he liked it best to be veiled inside, though his actions are sometimes failing him.
.
"Where art thou, oh great Natsume?", Mikan raised both her lower arms as if she's declaiming, and giving a poetic look.
Natsume only lowered his head to hide his hilarity, and tried to answer with a sombre tone, "Stop it, you're teasing me".
Mikan felt delighted knowing she's humouring the man-that-can't-be-moved, and continued with what she's doing.
"Wherefore hath thou maketh thy… uh…"
Natsume chuckled. "See? I told you poems are for intelligent people".
Mikan impishly slapped him with a rolled newspaper, and find herself relishing the moment. It's Friday, and the feeling that this day is giving contributed largely on their positiveness.
"By the way, Ruka's going home this Sunday. Do you think you'll be available?"
"Sure, I'd love to see your best friend. Oh! Sorry. 'Sure, thy love to see thou best friend'…", she teased, mirroring her poetic tone earlier.
"I said stop it, stupid", Natsume smiled rolling his eyes, and flicked her forehead.
"Anyway, why are we taking a bus? Is your car broken or something?"
"No, I just thought it would be nice riding a bus", he stated. This was part of his plan. He doesn't want to give the snatcher any hints of who Mikan goes home with, and his car honestly is making it inconvenient in catching the criminal, hiding a thing that big takes up time, effort and space.
Part of Natsume's plan is to use time in wearing the criminal. His chances of catching him would be high if the snatcher is tired to even run or call for reinforcements, if there was any.
However, it was not included in his plan that they're sitting at the end portion of the bus with hardly any passengers, and Mikan slowly falling asleep.
Oh great, this scene looks like those from shoujo mangas.
He poked her once, to try waking her up, but she didn't budge. Instead, she gently slammed her head on Natsume's shoulder, making it a difficult position for her.
Natsume, seeing the awkwardness in her position, angled his body behind her so that she could comfortably lean on him, scooping his other arm around her waist, and gently buckling her head on his chest.
Unexpectedly, Mikan shifted her body more comfortably, draping an arm across Natsume's stomach.
Their proximity is giving Natsume a hard time to think straight. Not only is their body touching closely, but the scent on Mikan's hair is making him feral every time he inhales. It was not his favorite 'strawberry', but she smelled of tangerine, and it was enough for him to bury his nose between her locks and was surprised to think that this is now one of his favorite scents.
The ride was fast for Natsume. Time really is a playful element: it lengthens the time when you're bored, and shortens the time when you're actually enjoying yourself.
They arrived ten minutes past ten, and Natsume left Mikan few meters from her condo, enough to blind the snatcher from him. He watched Mikan as she walked past the man who's 'cleaning' the tables in the nearby café.
As usual, the man left as soon as Mikan entered the building, and Natsume started following his tracks. Again, they ended on a dark empty alley, but this time, Natsume stopped as he saw a warehouse dimly lit.
He could hear distinct conversation coming from the stockroom, and immediately, he hid himself on a garbage bin near enough for him to lightly hear what they're saying. He saw the snatcher talking to a tall man, but he couldn't see his face.
"Sir, she goes home on random times, I-I can't figure out what time she really goes home, and it's getting hard for me to disguise myself", the snatcher nervously said. From his tone, Natsume inferred that this 'boss' means serious danger.
Natsume listened more intently in hopes of recognizing his voice.
"Hmm.. Then I guess seeing your family shot in the head, one by one makes it less harder then?" the tall man threatened, showing no signs of sympathy.
Natsume creased his brows, he didn't recognize his voice. It was deep, and serious, and judging from his shadow, his hair is smoothened back or very straight.
"S-sir, please-plea-please don't. I'll do whatever you want, I-I-I'll figure out her schedule I promise, just leave my family alone, please".
"You better pull your shit together, or I'll draw a blood bath".
"Ye-yes yes Sir, I promise".
Natsume saw the man walking away and decided to follow him, but something wouldn't let him. He accidentally tripped on the garbage lid, and it went rolling loudly towards their direction.
The snatcher and the tall man immediately looked for the subject of commotion and took out their guns from their sides. Immediately Natsume ran away as far as his legs allowed him, panting heavily and sweats breaking out from all over his body. Now he knows it's not just trouble that awaits Mikan, it's absolute danger.
More thoughts are now entering his mind, and he's not getting any calmer.
He walked around his room, thinking of any other plans, but there's only one thing that his mind allowed him to think of: Mikan.
He's worried about her safety. What if the man comes into her room and chokes her to death? Or worse, rape-murder her? He's only thankful that he made an excuse for Sunday, but other than that, he's restless of the whole thing. He didn't even take his shower.
That's it, I'm calling her.
Mikan didn't answer her phone on the first rings, and this made Natsume's anxiety heightened up.
Ring
Ring
"The subscriber cannot be reach-" it said, and Natsume redialled her number, now walking faster and clutching a handful of hair.
Fuck! Again.
Ring
Ring
"Hello? Natsume?", Mikan groggily answered.
At once, Natsume exhaled as if he's forgotten to breathe for many years.
Thank goodness.
"What took you so long to answer your phone?!" he screeched.
"I- I'm sorry, I was already asleep… why are you calling anyway?"
Natsume evened his breath, and sat on his bed, his thoughts cleared and was now temporarily at ease.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you, it's just… Did you lock your door?"
"Uh, yes",
"Windows?"
"I think so",
"Check your windows".
"Uh, but-"
"NOW".
"Okay fine, wait… Done. Natsume what is going on?"
Natsume finally felt he's tired, and was now slumped in his bed. He was numbed minutes ago, his anxiety consuming him, but hearing her safe and sound regenerated his cells.
"Just shit. I'll explain tomorrow. Will you do me a favor?"
"Anything".
"Will you sing me to sleep?"
"What?! I-I don't sing very well. Are you out of your mind?!"
"Please", he breathed.
"You're so weird… But, okay fine, but don't expect you'll fall asleep".
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"Fancy meeting you alone in the crowd, couldn't help but notice your smile. While everybody else around us is going about, can we just stop and talk a while?"
Natsume closed his eyes as he listened intently to her voice, and understanding the lyrics. She was no superstar, but her voice is enough to make him yawn in drowsiness.
"I've been often told our world's growin' old, and that friends are harder to find. Do tell me more about yourself; we could share a thought or two. Now, who would mind?".
"Maybe then we could go for a ride, drive down to the countryside. Get away from the gray and frenzied hurly-burly of the city life".
Natsume smirked a he remembered driving towards Nagoya, and spending the Obon festival with her.
"Early yet to say what lies ahead, it's the first day of the rest of our lives. Can we just stop and talk a while, get to know each other? Who are we to know? Love could be waiting at the end, 'round that bend and so, let's stop and talk a while…"
"Natsume…? Are you still there?"
"I like the last part".
"Which part?"
"Never mind. I'll sleep now, thanks. Goodnight and please stay safe".
"Okay. Goodnight, stay safe too".
End of Chapter 9
AN:
So here's chapter 9. I came up with a 'style' in this page/chapter (the top part..?), and it will be the same in the succeeding ones. :D Anyway, I deeply apologize for featuring an unpopular song, you can google it if you want, but still, I'm sorry.. I just had a feeling it fits them.
Oh, and the 'last part' that Natsume liked was... Well I think you already know.
Liked it? Hate it? Lemme know what's on your mind.. Review! ;)