Chapter 5-Meeting

Mikan stepped into the lavishly decorated foyer of the restaurant. As she walked towards the receptionist's desk, heads turned and stared. She didn't mind it; she was used to it. This had already been the situation since she was a child.

"I'm with Miss Miku Kanaya," she said to the awestruck receptionist. She tried her very best not to roll her eyes or raise an eyebrow, as the woman just stared at her. When a few minutes had passed, she brought her thumb and middle finger together, and snapped them in front of the receptionist.

"Ah, ah yes, they're already here," the embarrassed woman said. This time, Mikan did raise an eyebrow. She asked, "They? What do you mean?"

"Didn't Miss Kanaya tell you that her boyfriend's coming with her?" the receptionist asked, as she motioned one of the waiters to lead Mikan to their table. The reply she got was a no. She then said, "Well, now you know."

'Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. What the heck? She never told me she'll bring Natsume! Can I handle this perfectly? Can I keep my cool? I'm panicking right now, so how can that be keeping my cool?' Mikan thought, as she followed the waiter.

Once again, people turned to look at her. This time, it irritated her. 'Aren't they used to seeing famous and rich people here? Heck, they are rich people! Is there something wrong in my clothes?' She tugged the hem of her short pink dress with a white ribbon at the waist.

And then she saw them. They were talking, both with sweet smiles on their lips. Her heart pumped faster, and she felt like fainting. Can she really go through this meeting without looking so affected?

She noticed something. Miku was wearing a bright red asymmetrical frock, which hugged her body perfectly, and ended a little above her knees. How fitting: she, who was his former apple of the eye, was wearing the light shade of red; while Miku, his present flame, wore the color of love. His love for Mikan had faded; their love was growing stronger every day. That realization sent a pang of pain through her heart.

She could still back out. They haven't seen her yet, anyway. She could still slip away. She could still-

"Miss Mikan!" Miku exclaimed, as she waved her hand. Natsume looked up to see his past love. The smirk on his lips faltered a bit, which, luckily for him, nobody noticed. Mikan smiled, hoping that none will notice the pain masked by it.

When she got to the table, Natsume said, "You're late, as usual."

"I am not late," Mikan retorted. Tapping her bejeweled watch, she said, "You are just early. And just call me Mikan."

She took her seat opposite them. A waiter appears and asked for their orders. When he went away, Mikan started the conversation.

"I'm so sorry, but I'm just curious to ask: why did you bring Natsume along?" she inquired. Miku giggled, which made Natsume fake a glare at her. He raised an eyebrow at Mikan, and said, "Are you implying that I should not be here?"

"That is not what I meant, though I admit, the question does sound like that. Let me rephrase then. Don't you want to keep the design a secret from your fiancé?"

"And why should Miku keep it a secret from me?"

"To add…excitement, Natsume," she replied, with a teasing smile. She then turned to Miku, and said, "You know, most of my bride clients kept it as a secret. Hotaru and Misaki-neesan did too."

Natsume was about to say something, but Miku cut in. "I don't really want to keep secrets from him."

"Oh, is that so? Well then, why don't you tell me what you have in mind for the dress?" Mikan asked. For the next hour, as they ate, they talked about the dress, and the wedding in general. When they finished eating, the couple expressed their need to leave.

"You see, we'll be going to see a possible reception area. I'm really so happy to meet you, Miss Mikan. I am very fortunate that you had the time to see us," Miku said. Mikan shook her head, and smiled sweetly back at her, and told her, "No, I'm the one fortunate to be your designer. And I told you, stop calling me Miss. We're just the same age. I'll be sending the designs I will come up within this week."

They had already been out of the building, and about to part, when they heard a voice suddenly call out, "Mikan!"

They turned around to see the owner of the voice, and saw a guy leaning against a hot pink car. He had spiky blond hair and a mischievous smile on his lips.

Mikan stared at him, and felt her heart drop. Because the guy was currently her boyfriend.

Natsume, meanwhile, exclaimed, "Koko, what are you doing here?"

I'll admit something. I don't know if I've already said this, but this story is short. I don't think I've developed the characters, and that's because this story was really rushed. But I'm really planning to go over it when I have the time. :D

Merry Christmas! And an advance happy new year too! :D