Author's Note: I've checked GA Wikia, they say that Natsume Hyuuga's father's name is Ioran but they also said that it's a mistranslation. Anyway, I'm going to use Ioran, okay? Due to lots of request, I've made this chapter extra long! Hope you guys like it. Do review please.
[REVISED]
Chapter 6: The Story Is Just Starting
I Just Didn't Know
"WHAT THE HECK?" They both screamed, lifting their finger at one another.
The brunette froze on her spot, she couldn't believe what's in front of her. Out of all people to meet, why did Natsume Hyuuga have to appear? She gritted her teeth in frustration, she wanted to strangle the dude. The raven-haired boy simply stared at her after composing himself, he didn't expect that he'll meet her in here among all places.
He had to admit, she looks stunning without her glasses on and her hair let down. Her light yellow dress suits her auburn hair. Is this the same Mikan Sakura whom he met on his first's day? She felt like a different person—she didn't emit any of the mysterious aura he felt when he first met her. He glanced at her chest, he laughed, making the brunette look at him in suspicion.
"Why are you laughing?" She whispered to him in a soft voice, annoyed.
He tried controlling his laughter as much as he could, his muffled laughter took the parent's attention. His pointed his index finger at her chest, making Mikan look down. "You're wearing Polka-dotted bra," He said through laughter. "-laughs- that's so lame and childish!"
"Pervert!" She screamed, making some of the guests look at them.
"Ioran-kun," Yuka called, hoping the topic will be changed. Ioran, Natsume's father, looked at her with a knowing glance. "It's been a long time since we last met, right?"
Ioran nodded at her and beamed a smile out, "Yes, it's been a long time."
Yuka smiled back at him and gave him a slap on the back which made Ioran fall out of balance from his ground. "Ouch." He muttered as he rubbed the sore part from his fall. Yuka simply laughed at Ioran's reaction.
"Mom, you know each other?" Mikan asked.
Yuka laughed at her child's question as if it's the most obvious question ever. "Yeah," She admitted. "We were once engaged but since I eloped with your father and Ioran is currently dating Natsume's mother at that time, the marriage business started to fade."
"Huh?" The two children mumbled, looking in curiosity.
"Actually," Ioran stated whilst chuckling. "Your grandparents decided that the wedding was meant for me and Yuka but since Yuka ran away from the marriage and I love another woman, the wedding between the two of us is cut off.
"But since the two grandfathers wanted to go on with the deal, the marriage was passed on to you guys." Yuka said while smiling widely.
Mikan clutched to her Mother's arm. "Can't I do the same?" She pleaded. "Can't I just ran away and elope with someone just like what you did?"
Yuka pinched her daughter's cheeks, "Definitely not!"
Mikan moaned in defeat as she tried to release herself from her mother's grasp, "I don't like this at all! Why don't you even ask Natsume's opinion about this matter?"
Ioran placed his hands on his child's shoulders and looked at him with a serious face on. "Natsume, this is the only wish of your grandfather," His father asked. "Please accept the marriage, okay?"
Natsume released a heavy sigh and gave a slight nod to his father.
"Great!" Yuka and Ioran shouted in unison. They gave each other a high-five as if they accomplished something impossible to happen.
"You didn't even ask my opinion!" Mikan stated, making Natsume look at her in annoyance. "I don't want to get married to him," She pointed her finger at him accusingly. "He's the jerk of the century!"
Yuka closed her eyes and came up with a plan.
"I think Mikan should live with you guys for two days or so," Yuka suggested, making Ioran grin. "She'll get used in your household."
"I agree." Ioran said in agreement.
"Mom!" Mikan protested but her mother and Ioran suddenly disappeared. She turned to Natsume who was avoiding her gaze.
"How could they be so cruel?" Mikan moaned.
"Face it, dimwit," He said which made Mikan's vein twitch in displeasure. "They passed their own problem to their kids, what a nuisance."
"I don't want to listen to you!" Mikan whined as she placed her hands on her ears.
The raven-haired boy walked closer to her and cupped her chin. "You better prepare yourself," He said through his teeth. "It takes a lot of work to be the bride of Natsume Hyuuga."
The brunette clenched her fists and growled at him. If only she doesn't risk her identity away, she would have killed the boy in front of him. She glared at him with all her might. "I'll send you to hell!" She yelled whilst he only rolled his eyes at her.
Before Natsume was about to leave, Mikan called his name which made him turn back to her with a glance.
"Hey," She spoke. "What made you accept this deal?" Her honey-coated eyes were lost in his crimson-red orbs. He ran his fingers through his hair, making Mikan raise a brow. He turned around, his back facing her.
"I, myself, don't know." He murmured as he left through the hotel's main entrance.
5:30pm
Mikan went to her house and saw a large cylinder sports bag on the doorstep with a small piece of letter attached to it. She ignored it completely and rummaged through her pocket for the keys to unlock the front door. When she finally lifted the key off from her pocket, she fit it on the keyhole but funny thing is that the key didn't match the hole.
She took a closer look. It was changed!
"Cunning," She muttered, referring to her Mother's action.
She turned her attention to the bag lying on the doorstep. She stooped down and read the letter on one hand.
Dear Mikan,
Please forgive Mama for changing the doorknob. I really want you to get to know the Hyuuga's much better. This is for your own good, okay? I packed all the things you'll need in this bag. Take care sweety.
Love, Mom.
She zipped open the bag and saw a few packs of clothes inside. She also spotted a few of her bathing utensils inside.
Mikan heaved out a sigh and lifted the bag with her to the Hyuuga's.
Mikan crumpled the letter and put it in her pocket then she lifted the sports bag and carried it to the Hyuuga's. Using the letter as her guide to Natsume's house, he finally went there.
At the Hyuuga's, it was no normal occurrence that someone would be visiting them. Aoi prepared a huge feast for the visitor. Whilst preparing, she was all giddy which made Natsume more annoyed. They never placed their china cups out but now different tea sets are on the coffee table in the lounge.
DING DONG, came from the doorbell. Aoi instantly got up from her seat and went to the front door to greet the guest who'll stay with their for a short time, according to their father. She widely opened the door, Mikan stood tall in front of her with the back hanging at her back.
"So cute." Mikan thought when her eyes landed on the girl in front of her.
"You must be Mikan-san," She stated while smiling. Mikan nodded at her but felt uncomfortable when the young girl called her name with –san as the honorific. "Come in, let me carry your things."
Mikan chuckled at the girl. "This bag is heavy. I'll just carry it." She assured the girl that it's all right with her.
Aoi turned her back at her called, "Father! Brother! Mikan-san has finally arrived."
Ioran came down from upstairs, he was wearing a brown robe. In his left hand he's holding a remote and in the other a glass of lemonade. "Hello there Mikan." He greeted, smiling happily at her sight.
Mikan returned his smile and gave a polite bow.
"Do you want to eat?" Aoi asked, holding both of Mikan's hands. Mikan simply shook her head at her and flashed a smile.
"I'm afraid that I haven't prepared the guest room yet. So why don't you sleep in Natsume's room?" Ioran suggested, forming a small smile on his face.
"Eh?"
"Just to prepare you for the near future." He replied.
"Father!" Aoi hushed. "They're still young, don't expect them to do it."
"I'm not expecting them to do it," He assured her whilst Aoi pouted. "I just want Mikan-chan to be prepared for their marriage. After all, married couple sleep together in one room and roof."
"But from the sound of your voice, it seems that you want them to do it." Aoi said defensively, making Ioran sweat-drop.
"I already told you that it's just a preparation!"
"Fine then." Aoi said in defeat.
"What are you guys talking about?" Mikan asked, innocently. "What does it mean?" Sure, she's an assassin but she doesn't mean she's supposed to know those kind of perverted things are.
"Mikan-chan is so dense." Aoi squealed in joy, giggling as she fidgets on her spot.
"Excuse me?" asked Mikan as she raised her brow.
"So dimwit is finally here." Came a voice from behind, making both Mikan and Aoi follow it. It was Natsume, he stood in front of them wearing his pyjama's.
"Natsume," Ioran called, getting Natsume's attention. "Mikan will be staying at your room, got that?"
Natsume smirked at his father's statement, making Mikan cringe on her spot, "Sure thing, Pops." He glanced at the brunette, checking what kind of reaction she'll make. He was often amused by her actions much to the girl's annoyance. While following the raven-haired boy to his room, she kept on glaring at his back.
It's been a long time since Mikan last went to a boy's room. Natsume's room was ordinary just like the rest teenager boys would have. His scent filled the room, making Mikan's nose cringe. Every basic thing needed by a young boy would be found inside the room such as a bookshelf, desktop, sports magazine, little collectibles and many more. Compared to her room, this room is more spacious and neat.
He looked at the brunette, "You're going to sleep on the floor."
Mikan's face turned to a scowl, making Natsume much more amused, "For your information, I'm a guest in your household. I should be the one sleeping on the bed," She pointed her finger on the bed. "While you should be on the floor."
Natsume scoffed and looked at her in disbelief. He couldn't believe what he's hearing from the brunette's mouth. Mikan sat on the edge of the bed, entertained with Natsume's expression.
He pinned the girl down on his bed and took hold of her arms. Mikan pushed him as much force she could muster but he was too strong for her. "If you're sleeping on the bed, I'll be joining you." He caged her with his arms, making the brunette more flustered than before. When Mikan found the opportunity to escape from his grasp, she quickly punched his jaw, making him moan in pain.
"Are you nuts? There's no way I'm going to sleep with you!" She shouted as she wrapped herself with her arms in a protective manner.
After thirty minutes of struggling, Mikan decided to give in and let the boy sleep with her with the condition that a pillow should be between them. The young brunette, who was using the boy's pillow, could smell his pleasant smell on it. She took another whiff at it. When she realized that she was enjoying the smell, she slapped herself on the cheeks.
"Quit moving around," The boy hissed as he covered his head with a pillow. "Can't you see I'm trying to sleep?"
"Well, you forced me to sleep with you and this is what you'll get." She said as she kicked Natsume's back, making him fall off from the bed.
A loud thump was heard from upstairs which made Aoi giggle to herself. She was currently in the lounge with her father, watching some DVDs her father brought.
"Hey Dad," Aoi called as she gobble some popcorn. "Did you hear that?"
Her father smiled at her and gave her a flick on the forehead, "Yup."
Back at the two individuals who're throwing pillows at one another, Mikan was panting madly whilst Natsume tried catching up with his normal breathing pace.
"Stupid girl!" He shouted loudly as he pulled the girl down to the floor which made another loud thud.
"Dad, are they doing it?" Aoi whispered.
"Maybe." Ioran replied as he gave out a snicker.
"Let's go check them." Aoi suggested as she rose from the couch, making her father follow her.
"Get off me, Hyuuga!" cried Mikan as she pushed the boy away.
"I won't until you kneel down and say sorry to me." The boy stated as he lightly pulled the girl's hair, making Mikan moan.
"I will never do that!" She barked as she tried to get away from the raven-haired boy.
He flashed an arrogant smile, making Mikan much more annoyed. They didn't realize that their position is quite vulgar, Natsume is on the top of Mikan and he was clutching to her clothes tightly as if he's tearing it apart.
Suddenly the bedroom's lights went on, Mikan and Natsume turned to the door and saw both father and daughter gawking at the sight of them. Their mouths are wide open and their eyes showed a shock expression.
"Natsume-nii, I know you're eager to do it but you're still young. So please do it when you're in the right age, right dad?" Aoi said as she turned to her father, waiting for a back-up at her statement.
"Well," Ioran started. "I don't really mind since if Mikan got pregnant, I'll have a grandson and I've always wanted one so it's okay for me."
"You're so unbearable!" Aoi cried at her father's answer.
"But I do really want to have a grandson." Ioran said defensively, folding his arms.
"Could you please leave us alone?" Natsume asked, annoyed at the two.
"If you're going to have a baby, make sure that it's a boy. I really do like to have a grandson rather a granddaughter though." Ioran stated, making Natsume roll his eyes at him.
"Dad, I won't allow them to do it until they came of age. It's inappropriate!" Aoi said with full force.
"What is it with you with it? Do it. Don't do it. Are you obsess with it's?" Ioran asked which made Aoi recoiled.
"Am not!" She said defensively.
Soon the two of them started to argue in front of Mikan and Natsume. The raven-haired boy rose from his spot and pushed the two out of his room. He slammed the door at their faces and locked it.
"Annoying…" He mumbled.
"Your family is quite lively, aren't they?" She asked, chuckling. She went back to the bed and fixed her spot.
"Shut up and go to sleep." Natsume said as he turned off the lights and went back to his bed.
The very next day—Saturday—to be exact, Mikan finally woke up from her slumber. She glanced at the person beside her who seems to be still sleeping. The brunette stared at him for a moment, checking his manly features out. It always slips her mind that Natsume is actually a gorgeous guy, she always notices how handsome he looks whenever she's motionless.
She felt her cheeks turning warm and continued to stare at him more.
"Stop. Looking. At. Me." He suddenly spoke, making the brunette jump from shock.
"I'm not looking at you! I was just—"
"Liar." He teased her which made the girl's vein twitch.
Mikan rose from the bed and walked towards the door, "I'm going downstairs to grab a bite, are you coming?"
Natsume stared at her for a moment and said, "Maybe later." Then he covered himself with his blanket, trying to avoid Mikan's gaze at him. Mikan, on the other hand, turned the doorknob and went out. After a couple of seconds—when Natsume was sure that she went out—he removed his blanket and stared at the door.
Downstairs, when Mikan walked to the kitchen, she found Aoi preparing the dishes on the table. She's young but she's responsible when it comes to chores unlike me, Mikan thought.
"Oh, Mikan-san," Aoi greeted as she saw the girl. "Good morning."
"No need for honorific please," Mikan said, giving out a light laughter. "Mikan will do just fine."
"I shouldn't," Aoi said. "In the future, you'll be my sister-in-law."
Mikan laughed at her answer but deep inside she was really disappointed. Aoi noticed the brunette's change of expression after she gave out her reply.
"I can call you Mikan-chan, if you want." She said, smiling.
"That's better." Mikan said.
"Let's eat," Aoi said as she gestured Mikan to sit, Mikan kindly accepted her offer and sat down. The dining table was covered with a dainty orange cloth with yellow stripes on the edges. It gave off a warm atmosphere in the room but it wasn't enough to touch the brunette's firm heart.
After a few seconds, Natsume finally went down and took a seat beside the auburn-haired woman. He tapped his fingers against the table, waiting for Aoi to bring the food.
"What's for breakfast?" He asked.
"Grilled sandwich and hot cocoa!" His sister replied as she placed the meal and drinks in front of the two. When she finally noticed that they're sitting beside each other. "You two really look like a couple." She exclaimed with a happy expression carved on her face.
"Nonsense!" The two replied in unison with pink strands on their cheeks. They both looked at each other, then they laughed making Aoi smile.
And so, in that very night, both of them aren't fighting anymore. A pillow is still between them but they're comfortable. Both of them are facing different sides to avoid the awkwardness.
11:55pm
"Mikan…" He called softly. It was his first time calling her name which made Mikan surprised but she decided to shrug it off.
"Mmm?"
"Why are you wearing glasses? You don't look good on them."
"I can't see without my glasses." She lied. In truth, wearing those glasses is part of her disguise to avoid any suspicion on her.
"Why don't you use contact lens?" He asked as he turned to her back, making Mikan's heart jump a beat.
"I… don't want to." She replied.
"You'll look beautiful without your glasses, I'm sure," He said as reached his hands out to his hair which made Mikan flinch on her spot. He ran his fingers through her hair. "Stop hiding behind those glasses."
"Shut up, Hyuuga. I'm trying to sleep here." She replied, flustered.
After that, both of them didn't talk and soon they started to doze off.
When Sunday was coming to an end, Mikan finally left the Hyuuga residence with a smile etched on her face. With the conversation last night, she felt that she grew closer to the boy, which made her think that they're on good terms at last.
Back to her house, she was greeted warmly by her mother who gave her a hug when she saw her daughter coming home again.
"How's your weekend?" Yuka asked, waiting for her daughter's reply.
Mikan's lips formed a smile, "It's nice and I think we're going to get along just fine."
With Mikan's answer, Yuka smiled and felt joy in her heart.
When Mikan walked inside her room, she placed her bag on the floor and laid herself on her bed. She missed her room's scent—it was really different from the boy's room. She hugged her pillow and thought of last night's events which made her blush.
Dring.. Dring.. Dring..
"Hello?" Mikan said as she answered her cell phone.
"Fallen Angel…"
"Yes?" She replied with a stern tone.
"You have a mission."
"What is it this time?"
"A certain assassin's existence is dangerous to our organization," The voice spoke, making Mikan raise a brow. "I want you to kill him."
"Assassin? Who?" She asked.
"He's infamous just like you," The voice said. "His very existence is threatening our organization. I have to warn you, he's skilled and he's an alice as well like you."
"What is his name?" She asked, curious at the assassin's alias.
"Black Cat."
"He's a guy?" She asked, waiting for a reply.
"Yes," The voice replied. "Find out his identity and finish him off."
"Hai." The girl answered.
Then thus, the conversation has finally ended.
Back at the Hyuuga's residence—in Natsume's room—he was thinking of the things he said to the brunette. He found it embarrassing but he didn't regret saying it to her.
"You'll look beautiful without your glasses, I'm sure," He said as reached his hands out to his hair which made Mikan flinch on her spot. He ran his fingers through her hair. "Stop hiding behind those glasses."
He tightly shut his eyes and tried to think of another thought to keep his mind off from the brunette.
Dring... Dring... Dring...
"Hn?" He muttered as he answered the call from his cell phone.
"Black Cat, we have an important mission for you."
"Spill it out."
"We need you to silence somebody who's dangerous to our organization."
"Who's that person?"
"Fallen Angel." The voice replied.
"A woman?"
"Yes."
"Interesting," The fire caster replied, interested on the assassin whom he is about to kill. "It'll be fun."
"Take caution around her, she's an alice just like you," The voice spoke. "She's a formidable weapon from the other group."
"How can I find her?" The raven-haired boy asked.
"I'll place some spies to the other group and we'll let you know."
"Tch. Whatever." Natsume replied.
Then the caller hanged up the phone.
To Be Continued