Thank you Gabsterela for reviewing! That meant SO MUCH! Here's a hug for you to feel a fraction of my gratitude. =
I'm sorry for typo or grammatical errors! I hope and will strive to write better.
Chapter 10
"Oh My Gosh."
Mikan's mouth opened into a scowl that turned into a grin. Like a cue, people started murmuring all around them, some walking forward to pat Mikan on the shoulder.
Behind her happy composure, Mikan was partying inside. 'Stayin' alive, stayin' alive. Huh, huh, huh, huh stayin' alive' . A huge grin stuck to her face until someone flicked her forehead.
"Ow!"
"I won." He smirked and flicked her forehead once again. She drew herself up to his height with much difficulty.
"No you didn't. We both lost you idiot!" she countered and flicked back at his forehead. Before he could retort back though, a voice interrupted their exchange.
"Congrats Mikan, you're top 5 this year." Ruka smiled genuinely and patted her head. Immediately, Mikan felt heat creep up her cheeks and she stiffened and tried to regain her calm composure.
"Umm, thanks Ruka! But it's still not that good either considering that this idiot" she pointed at Natsume with her thumb "-is one step above me." She pouted but it was replaced by a smile.
Ruka laughed at how adorable she looked when she did that and patted her head once more. Natsume's eyes narrowed unconsciously.
"And hey, congratulations Natsume! I bet Aunt Kaoru will be delighted that you'll go home with honors." He turned to Natsume and punched his arm playfully.
"Hail Ho Hotaru Imai!" a voice bellowed and they all turned their heads to look at a nonchalant Hotaru as she stepped forward to look at the results. She shook her head and turned to her companion amusedly.
"You've still got it Yuu." If it wasn't Mikan's imagination, she could've sworn she saw money exchange hands. It was then that she looked closer at the results board. Yuu was still the first and Hotaru the next then…
"Ruka-pyon! You've got to be kidding me!" she exclaimed and grabbed the hand of Ruka. And of course Natsume followed these movements more apprehensively than he should. Koko laughed at the background.
Ruka blushed drastically that it didn't get unnoticed by the spectators. A few smirked and a few sighed. Natsume gritted his teeth and chose not to look.
"It's nothing."
"Is it really Ruka? Are you inspired?" Kira interjected. Well, you can imagine Ruka. He can probably be mistaken as a relative of the tomato family.
"What the hell is that… question for?" he stuttered and looked at Mikan's hand still enclosed around his. The latter seemed not to realize it and continued to hold on.
With his eyes narrowed and teeth gritted. A certain raven-haired lad couldn't take it anymore.
"Umm excuse me, I have to pick something…" he said loudly and strode forward, in between Mikan and Ruka and broke off their hands deliberately.
'That's lame Natsume, lame.'
Of course Natsume didn't pick anything from the ground. The spectators watched and rolled their eyes knowingly.
Unbeknownst to them, Hotaru Imai was hurting inside.
.
.
"Mikan aren't you calling your dad?" Hotaru asked and propped herself next to Mikan who was lying on the huge bed. She didn't look up from the book that she was reading.
"It's no use. Nothing good will come out of the talk." She said it like a weather forecast that Hotaru had to roll her eyes.
"Honestly, I don't think your dad's so bad, he actually nodded at me a while ago at breakfast." She mused. Mikan's eyebrows rose and with a sly smirk, she replied.
"And that's because you aren't his daughter." She replied.
"For Freud's sake, stop reading already!" Hotaru replied and snatched the book away from her hand with just one swipe. Mikan laughed and for the first time, turned to look at her companion who was openly fuming.
"Oh don't tell me the great Hotaru Imai doesn't want to read? A good book at that." She remarked with mischievous eyes.
"Anddd… Are you wearing make up?" she asked with wiggling eyebrows. Hotaru ducked her head away from inspection.
"Just a little. Anyway, you're steering the conversation! Come on, just one call." She said and Mikan had to laugh.
"Is that a request? Because the way you said it is like a command. No wonder father finds you fit huh?" she retorted back and snatched the book away from her. Hotaru stood up and walked towards the door without responding.
.
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"Alright, alright. I'll tell him at dinner. But don't expect him to be enthusiastic about it and don't even think that he'll attend the graduation." She said with one final glance at the girl whom she grew close with.
Hotaru turned around with a smile present on her face.
"I knew it." She said earnestly.
"What? You know that I'm gonna give in to your silent treatments?" Mikan countered.
A few maids wondered where the laughter was coming from.
.
.
"Yuki can't you stay a little longer?"
"Your kids are coming, I should go home anyway."
"But they'll understand! Just a minute, please?"
He was always powerless against her, ice cream under the scorching heat of the sun, steel to the calling of a magnet. He smiled sweetly and caressed her face. The minute's almost over and yet they keep on staring at one another.
"I love you, but I have to get home…." He muttered weakly against her touch. She smiled slyly.
"You know, I get jealous of your daughter. She seems to be taking all of your time and… you're never mine." She pouted and sat up. He sighed but didn't reply.
"I don't know if it's just me, or is she taking a toll on you? Are her grades failing? Is she a delinquent? She's taking you away from me, Yuki." She pouted once more and he reached for her hand with a twinkle in his eyes.
"So are you saying that I should just leave her in some orphanage while I stay here with you and…" He trailed off.
"And become family with me and Natsume and Aoi? That would be great!" she exclaimed, not thinking of her first statement then finally realizing it.
"Not wanting to be mean though, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I'm sure if she really is that rebellious then, maybe she wants release. Give her money then set her free. Maybe she'll be happy that way."
He smiled but didn't comment. But the way Yuki squeezed her hand told her the idea was seriously tempting.
Oh, Kaoru Hyuuga has no idea. No idea at all.
She smiled back and held him tighter.
.
.
"Mikan what are you preparing all these for?" Hotaru sat on a chair away from the table and was enticed by the smell of different dishes that was set carefully by none other than Mikan.
"Well… If I'm going to tell him good news it should match the food and at least… the atmosphere." She smiled sheepishly and put some logs in the fire place. She knew he loved that.
"Aha, so you'd like to please him huh?" Hotaru teased. Mikan shrugged in return.
"But why light up a fire? The chandelier's good enough for him." Mikan looked towards Hotaru who was pointing at the tinkering glass above them. She smiled.
"We used to eat near the fire place when my mom was still, you know, alive," she said and held up a hand to stop Hotaru from saying anything. "—don't worry I've accepted that fact…We used to eat gummy bears and when he offers me one, he kneels and says 'My Princess, here is your weapon' and so we'll laugh out loud until my mom couldn't take it anymore and has to pee."
Hotaru found her heart wrenching at what her friend just said. Her father was so different before, she mused. What made him to be the man he is now?
"My mom refuses to be the queen and instead chooses to be a knight. My father likes to be a knight too but even though I say I don't want to be a princess and I just wanted to be knights like them, they just say that they wanted someone to protect me… and they want it to be them."
Her simple smile brought tears to Hotaru's eyes and she could just imagine how happy Mikan could've been. Her father's whips were nothing to the torture Mikan went through; at least she had nothing to hope for. It was harder that way when you believe, you hope for something yet you know that it was… over.
Mikan looked over to her friend and realized she was crying. She laughed.
"Why are you crying Hotaru? It's nothing to cry about." She laughed until a stuffed pillow went towards her way.
"It's just your stupid father… Your stupid life and still you laugh. You're an idiot Mikan." She wiped the tears hastily and threw the pillow in the other chair at the girl. Mikan dodged it and picked them up before the head maid reprimands them. Suddenly a honk sounded from afar and Hotaru stood up so quickly she almost lost her balance.
Mikan looked like she ate the principal's favorite cake.
A knock sounded on the door and the butler came in before bowing low.
"Ms. Yukihara, your father has just arrived. Will I tell him that you're waiting?" he smiled politely and the wrinkles on his cheeks were present. Mikan cringed at the honorific, at her proper surname that she doesn't use.
"Yes, thank you." she smiled back and nodded. She breathed in and out and again. Hotaru was too busy pacing the floor to watch Mikan. A hundred things were running on her mind…
"It's going to be okay, Mikan. Stop biting your lips, it will only displease him… more." Hotaru faltered at the last word but at the statement 'displease him', Mikan instantly obeyed.
"What is this?"
Hotaru jumped in surprised and all the color that was left in Mikan's face drained. She shook herself out of the stupor and immediately faced her father whose face was so cold that it may have been carved from stone. Smiling, she walked towards her father; her father who thought that she was attempting to hug him stepped back.
Mikan immediately noticed this and maintained a good four meters distance.
"I-…I have some good news." She answered straightforwardly, knowing her father doesn't like beating around the bush. Izumi Yukihara's eyes stared at her coldly.
"I'm top five of the batch this graduation!" She answered earnestly and grinned. Her father considered for a moment before turning his nonchalant face towards Hotaru.
"You Hotaru?" Mikan felt a pang of jealousy when he called her by her name. But she quickly covered it up with a smile.
Hotaru fidgeted with her fingers awkwardly for a second before answering.
"Top two."
Izumi smirked and nodded at Hotaru, who was staring at Mikan with wide eyes.
"As expected. Well, is that all?" As if remembering the other person in the room who is his only daughter, he faced her with eyes colder than before. Mikan shrunk but covered it up again with a hopeful smile.
"Anddd… They expect that our parents would be present in the occasion… So, please, can you come?" she pleaded with her eyes and stared at her father with such intensity. Izumi stared back, refusing to back down. It was then that he suddenly noticed the shade of Mikan's eyes, the shade of Yuka's eyes. And the memories came rushing back at him, all her sacrifices… and the last time she begged him not to leave.
Mikan's heart was beating so loudly that she was certain it could be heard from miles away.
"I'll come."
Those two words made Mikan's heart swell that she thought she was going to have a heart attack. The biggest grin appeared on her face and unconsciously her feet brought her forward.
Izumi Yukihara was too busy observing Mikan. How she looked the exact copy of her mother. The shade of the eyes, her skin tone, and everything else, except her height. She got his height.
And with that, he realized how he loathed seeing his daughter. How he despised being in the same room as her, Mikan, who is the exact copy of the woman he had loved, and lost.
A second later, he found himself launched into a tight hug.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you Dad!" Mikan gushed out and before he could push her away, she stepped back.
"Thank you!" she repeated but her father was already gone from the room. Hotaru walked towards the table and took a seat.
"And now who's gonna eat all these?" she gestured towards the variety of dishes and smiled at how happy Mikan seemed to be.
No one could wipe the grin off her face that night.
"That's easy. Us." Hotaru shook her head and laughed before reaching for the biggest spoon on the table.
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Thank you for reading and I hope you appreciate this!
To Lover's Red Rose, like in the manga, he can read minds. And he knows the deepest thoughts and memories of the people around him if he focuses enough. When he came across the two memories of certain people (guess who lol), it took a toll on him and he lost the ability along with the others. Only two memories remained, the last two that he was able to discover. A secret, I must say. (Yoo hoo XD)
And to all the other people I wasn't able to thank before, I should exercise the liberty of doing so now.
And to Spica14, I am so sorry I get relapses. Now it's summer break so maybe I would be able to improve. Right-o! And Dylan is finally out of Mikan's life, or is he really?
To I Am Awkward , well, he's out of her life, but you never know what might happen! He's Beautiful is great isn't it? Shin Woo's great, Jeremy's great! I will tell you one secret though. (It won't be a secret anymore XD) This story is inspired by He's Beautiful and a very vivid daydream. Hahaha
To .Reading01, at first, I got to admit I was intimidated by your criticism but after reading it again a few days ago, I must say you are the reason why I am writing this story again. Thank you, and I hope you get to see this. I'm trying to be a better writer now! Hahaha lol
To a-mystery-and-a-stranger, I'm so thankful that someone has assured me that some people have been reading this story but just aren't reviewing. You lit up hope!
To Aozora no kishi, I must admit that you're one of the people that made my day. I appreciatttteee yoouuu! I'll leave it at that before you guess… Cunning!
To _ , I will contradict you on one thing. I am that great as you think I am! But thanks for the big compliment. That actually made me think twice about myself but nah, I'm not great. Thanks for following this story!
To Blueberryxn, I finally confirmed the meaning of flames. It's the thing about fire and it's hot hahaha joking, thank you for reading.
To dragon2414, I'm sorry I wasn't able to update sooner but I will try my hardest to be inspired in times of need! If you are able to read this, then God really loves me.
To Dream Cloud Rains, maybe the reason why you haven't read a story like this before is because you've never encountered a seriously crooked writer. Hahaha. To answer your question, I haven't thought of the person that hooked up with Nobara but now I determine that it's one of their seniors. And I do hope you still like my story so far XD
To zenophobiaz, Thanks for having an interest in my story, I hope I still do hold it, or at least, a fraction. Good job? Yay thanks
To heyiluvurstrory, I share the same sentiments as you do. Sometimes I just don't understand why they love to make Natsume as a 'GIRL LUVIIN FREAK OR PLAI BOY' as you put it. I actually smiled! Thank you anyways
To Bane Flower, I have mentioned before that you've made my day when you said that I have a great sense of humor right? Now, I question myself but every time I remember you, you add up some self-esteem. If you are able to read this, I just wanna say thank you so much.
To Guest, I am continuing it now. Thank you for spending time!
To darksleepingthing, as I said, I have not given it much thought. Now, I determine it is her senior or someone else. I'm so sorry for not updating sooner. Thank youuuu! And another thank you for being the first one to review.
To Errant Ember, I seriously cracked up when I saw your comment! The way you wrote it was serious but the message…. Priceless! XD
To Maya, thank you for saying that this is a great story! I seriously hope it is as you said it is. I'm so sorry for not updating sooner.
To Nina Arcoiris, sometimes I find it hard to believe that someone would actually come to like this story. But yep, that was chapter 2 that you loved so I'm not sure anymore XD hahaha I hope you still read this story even if you're not reviewing. Thank you so much!
To Miki Panda-chii, thank you for thinking and saying that you think that this story is good. Reviews like that inspire me. Wait, I'm inspired by all your reviews! Thank you very much.
To natsumexmikanforever, fans of Mikan and Natsume like you don't fail to surprise me of your loyalty towards their love team. I'm so sorry for not updating sooner but I will try my best. Thank you!
To Kuroichibineko, I didn't get your message but I hope I do, thank you for taking time to read this story of mine although I must admit that it isn't that good enough. Thank you
To July Passion, when I read your penname I am reminded of November Romeo, brilliant writer. So if there's November Romeo, then there's July Passion! Hihihihi XD. I'm so sorry for not updating sooner. I hope I didn't offend you or anything! Wish you all the best. =)
To Crimson-Midnight-Moon, When people actually tell me that this story is good I do a double take. But hey, I will not complain! Thank you for boosting up this story's self-esteem although I deem that it is not as good as the other stories you have and will read. Thanks for reviewing!
I know that almost all of you won't be able to read these messages but, thank you.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter and see you next week! Or after a few days. Pray tell me what you think about this!
Y.M.H.O
3/22/13 7 36 PM