I almost forgot that I was posting this. Sorry! I am so busy nowadays with my academics.

Well, better late than never. Enjoy!

Chapter 8-Paris

The moment Mikan stepped into the garden of the Nogi property, she was engulfed in the arms of two children-the Nogi fraternal twins, Rin and Ryuu. They were two –year old children, with Rin, the girl, born two minutes before Ryuu. Both have their father's hair color and their mother's eyes. But it wasn't only their eyes that they got from their mother. Unfortunately for Ruka, the twins also inherited their mother's personality.

Though both love Mikan; and it was a good thing since she was their godmother. They didn't bully her, nor were they cold towards her. Whenever she visits, she gives time to play with them. Aside from that, they also love the clothes she made for them. So they always make it to a point to wear them whenever she's there.

When they were pried off Mikan by their mother, both spoke the same thing. "Auntie Mikan, why didn't you visit us for a month?"

"I'm very sorry for that, Rin, Ryuu," she said, while giving them an apologetic smile, "Auntie got busy last month."

"And I'm sure she'll be busier for the next few months," Hotaru added, with a hint of vexation on her voice. Her best friend raised an eyebrow at her, which she returned with a glare. Koko, who had only been watching, decided to step in and say, "Well, little ones, why don't we play?"

"Hai, Uncle Koko!"

The ladies watched as he played with the twins. After a long silence, Hotaru decided to break it. She said, "You met her today?"

"Yup. They're a cute couple, right, Hotaru?" Mikan sipped the tea prepared for them. This time, it was Hotaru who raised her eyebrow. The blackmail queen said, "And to think that that was what most people described the two of you when you were together."

And then she added, in a more serious tone, "Yeah, they're cute. But just cute. When it was the two of you, it was beautiful."

"Pity it wasn't the happy ending?" Mikan asked quietly, trying not to betray the pain. Then there was another stretch of silence, which, once again, Hotaru broke. She said, "No, because I believe it still can be."

Mikan looked at her, with a look so complex her best friend couldn't even comprehend it. And then she smiled sadly, and told her, "Well, I'll let you dream. I, after all, also happen to have a boyfriend. The chances of that happening are almost zero."

Hotaru was about to reply, but the twins interrupted their conversation. "Auntie Mikan," the two simultaneously said, "Have you met Uncle Natsume's bimbo?"

Mikan, shocked, only asked, "Why are you calling her bimbo? That's not nice. Where did you get that?"

"Mommy."

Koko guffawed, as she turned to her best friend with disbelief on her face. "You let your children hear such words? What does Ruka say about this?"

"It's better if they hear it from me, rather than from the outside. At least they know what it means. BUT I do tell them not to use it. And my husband doesn't have a say in this. This is how I raise my children, he should deal with it, or else…"

Mikan stared at her, as Koko was almost rolling on the ground laughing. Seeing that there was no point arguing about that, she decided to turn to the twins and chastise them, by saying, "Rin, Ryuu, never let me catch you speaking such words. She is not your uncle's bimbo, she is your uncle's fiancée. Are we clear?"

Hearing the serious tone of her voice, the two children nodded their heads and replied, "Yes ma'am."

"Auntie, I have another question," Rin said. Ryuu then continued her words. "We were actually wondering, why are you always in Paris?"

"Where is Paris, anyway? Mommy always says that the reason why you're usually not here is because you're there."

Koko, who had just recovered, was the one who replied. "Paris is a place far from here. And the reason why she's usually there is because it is where her treasures are." And then he gave a suggestive wink, which, fortunately for Mikan, Hotaru didn't see.

But Hotaru did hear his words. "Treasures? Not something I'd use to call fashion shows and related things."

"Hotaru, he's just kidding. I'm a fashion designer, and Paris is the center of fashion. So there's nothing else that can be the reason as to why I'm always there, don't you think?"

But before her best friend could answer, she turned to the twins, and said cheerfully, "Well, why don't we play for a while?"

"Hai, Auntie!" they enthusiastically replied.

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