Just a bit more...and this semester has finally come to an end! Sadly, I need to take summer classes, so...Torture.

Another flashback chapter! :D

Chapter 10-Mistake

The sound of the wedding bells echoed throughout the place. Cheers for the newly wedded couple echoed throughout the churchyard, as they got out of the sacred building. Sakura petals fell beautifully down to the ground, adding more to the romantic feel.

Two people stood a little farther than the others, both with a complex smile on their faces. One of them, a raven-haired guy, turned to his brunette companion, and said, "You did a good job on Hotaru's dress. Ruka can hardly take his eyes of her."

Mikan looked at him with narrowed eyes, and replied, "So that's only a good job?"

"Yeah, it's only a good job," Natsume replied teasingly. As a result, he got a playful punch. They turned back to watching their best friends. The awkward silence that was between them resumed.

"I'm so happy for them," she murmured. He glanced at her, and saw the sweet smile with a hint of sadness on her lips. It made his heart ache to see and hear her like that. He whispered back, "Me too. Everybody's happy for them, anyway."

They looked at each other, and saw in each other's eyes the unspoken words; the pain, the longing, the love. For a few moments they gazed at each other, until she looked away, while saying, "I need to go to the reception area before the Hotaru does, so that I can fix her up in the next gown as fast as I can. See you later."

Then she went away, leaving him alone, as she did before.

She was standing in the garden, under a sakura tree. Her eyes gazed on the twinkling diamonds against the dark velvet sky. Her mind was full of thoughts that bring her both happiness and pain.

"Mikan," a whisper woke her from her reverie, and she looked around to see who spoke. She saw Natsume walk unsteadily towards her. Immediately, she went near him, and tried to steady him, while saying, "What are you doing here, Natsume? And are you already drunk?"

His weight was more than she can bear, and so, they fell on the soft grass. As she sat up, she heard him say her name softly again. She looked at him, and saw in his eyes the very things she was thinking of before he appeared.

He sat up, grabbed both her shoulders, and murmured, "Mikan, do you still love me?"

She tried to pry his hands off her, while replying, "Natsume, I don't think-"

Her words got cut off as he pressed his lips gently on hers. At first, taken by surprise, she froze; but as moments passed, she responded.

At the back of her mind, she knew it was wrong to give him hope; but she didn't mind at that time. All she wanted was to express her feelings, and to give herself up to him.

It was the biggest mistake she ever did.

Mikan entered the bar with her head flying somewhere she was not looking at where she was going, it was no surprise that she bumped into someone. Luckily, and also unluckily, that someone was a friend. It was Koko.

"Hey, Mikan. I'm surprised to see you here," he greeted, as he steadied her. She looked up at him, and he saw the tears in her eyes. Immediately, with a voice full of concern, he asked, "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

His voice woke her up, and she recognized him. She gently pushed him away, and then wiped the tears falling down her cheeks. "Koko," she whispered, "What are you doing here?"

"That is my question. What are you doing here, crying?" he asked in a serious tone. "It's about Natsume, right? After so many years, you two met again at the wedding. Something was bound to happen. Something did happen, am I right? You're acting weirdly these past few weeks."

"It's nothing. It's not that," she replied. She avoided his gaze, and it made him more suspicious. She tried to step forward, hoping that he would give way to her, but he didn't. Instead, he caught her arms, and forced her to look at him.

"Mikan," he whispered, "If there's one person who can see you through, it is not Hotaru, nor Natsume. It is me. We both know that. Ever since we were young it was always me who helped you through these kinds of problems, because I understand you better than you do. We have both acknowledged this ability of mine. Now tell me, what happened?"

She looked away again, and bit her lip. Tears started forming in her eyes again. Would she trust him with her secret, or would she keep it all to herself? She knew she wouldn't succeed with the latter. She needed somebody to help her cover it up.

She drew a shaky breath, and murmured, "Koko, will you be my boyfriend?"

She looked at him, and saw the surprise on his face. She immediately regretted asking, and was about to tell him not to answer anymore, when understanding flashed through his face. He took a deep breath, and with conviction, he replied.

"Fine, I'll be your boyfriend."

Please review! :D