I don't own G.A.

Red String of Fate: Two people connected by the red thread are destined lovers, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. This magical cord may stretch or tangle, but never break.

The Second Meeting: I've Always Loved You

"You know that my brother will kill me if he finds out, right?" Aoi said for the umpteenth time, biting her lips in anticipation and worry.

Youichi sighed. He couldn't possibly blame his girlfriend for being jittery like this, especially since he just devised a plan that would probably make a certain Hyuuga throw him into a pit or...worse. However, after his meeting with the famous Mikan Yukihara, he couldn't just sit back and watch as this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity pass by like air without those two knowing anything.

"How long has it been since those two..." He trailed off, hesitant to ask since Aoi told him that she didn't want to say anything that wasn't her on place to say. The girl looked at him in the eye, and those notorious red-brown eyes made him remember why he fell in love with her. A silly banter in the middle of the hallway in Alice Academy had turned into something more. He couldn't even remember how he got so involved in her to the point that he just had to admit that he was head-over-heels for her.

Then, there was that grumpy old brother of hers. The first meeting would've gone well if he hadn't introduced himself as Aoi's boyfriend. Well, he couldn't possibly just say that he was just a friend. Though, slowly he found out that under that bad-tempered personality of his was actually a very caring brother and a very attentive person. And he had this wish to make that person, whom Aoi held dear in her heart, a bit happy because he really deserved it.

"Eleven years," the black-haired lass answered, voice was quivering and Youichi knew that she was about to cry. He found out that she used to have a strained relationship with her brother at some point in their lives, but Natsume somewhat changed when he was in high school.

"That's...a really long time," the silver-haired lad uttered, unable to say anything. He remembered the longing in those hazel eyes as Mikan stared at the man in her painting, waiting. Waiting for her.

Natsume was waiting for her.

"Yeah. He looked for her but a few years ago, he just stopped. He focused more on his work and that's how the sulky Natsume-niichan just...kinda developed," Aoi finished, porcelain tears were threatening to spill on her cheeks. When one escaped, Youichi went to sit with Aoi on the couch and gently wiped her tears.

"I think Natsume-nii will have to meet her," he told her, carefully choosing his words.

"It's been years, Youichi. I don't think that..."

"We don't have to do anything major. Just invite Natsume-nii to the gallery show this Saturday night."

Aoi looked up to him and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, placing his chin on top of her raven hair. He softly placed his lips on her temple and soothingly smoothed her hair.

"Do you think that this is meant to happen?"

Youichi didn't know how to answer that, but he remembered what Mikan Yukihara told him—that she wasn't married. Those lonely eyes could be compared to that turmoil inside Aoi's brother when he mentioned about that certain person.

"I think... both of them are waiting for each other, waiting for their paths to cross again. We just need to give them a push."

The gallery show at their university wasn't something extravagant but was decently professional, since a few known artists were there and even the school board advisers and the head of the edifice took their time to see the artworks. Natsume made sure that he didn't look like he just came out from his coffin as he took some effort to actually shave and make himself look decent. Being a doctor had certain disadvantages, and two of them were the lack of free time and the almost-permanent haggard appearance.

He was wearing a deep red button-up shirt underneath that black blazer and a pair of black slacks. The gallery consisted of people mingling with each other like it was a cocktail party and not an art show. He figured that some of them probably came here just to socialize for the most part and less for actually admiring the art around them.

Natsume had already circled the area, and a few paintings had caught his attention. He was a big fan of art because of the two particular people in his life: his sister, and her.

Shaking his thoughts away, he looked at his Rolex silver watch. He had gotten there at least half an hour ago and yet, there was still no sign of either Youichi or Aoi. He really didn't have a lot of patience, it ran a little too quick after he officially became a member of the hospital. He had to get things done quickly or one moment spent distracted could possibly cost one's life.

Still Waiting, My Love

The title caught the raven's attention and his eyes slowly lifted from that little placard to the painting right in front of him, which was situated in the middle of the empty space, like it was merely reserved for that artwork. Irises blown up, his eyes traveled from one detail to another.

The mixed of the hues indicated the setting of the artwork and Natsume knew even without a confirmation that it was Christmas. And the man... the man that was painted leaning on that light post was hidden in the shadows of his own features. But Natsume knew.

He knew who it was on the painting. And he knew that Mikan painted this.

The man couldn't remain any longer at the presence of the artwork for he knew that Mikan was most likely just a distance away from him. His eyes that were watering betrayed his emotions because even if Natsume wanted to run away and just stop, his heart was throbbing for the chance to meet his certain brunette.

His brunette. He almost laughed at how he could easily call her his when he couldn't even find her, and it had been eleven years since then.

He started to walk away, forcibly tearing his crimson eyes away from the painting, and he was merely a step away from his initial position when he halted in his tracks. In his line of vision, he was painfully aware that anyone was barely in the area so the sight of that pair of black pumps kinda startled him. However, what made him frozen on the ground was that familiar presence.

Natsume didn't know why, but he knew. He knew that she was right in front of him and he was afraid to lift his eyes to meet those familiar hazel eyes.

"This is probably the first time I've seen you here. Are you always here?"

"Thank you, Natsume!"

"Okay, you're on! My favorite food is strawberry shortcake, or desserts in general. How about you? What's your favorite color and food?"

"Tell me when we go somewhere again."

"You told me that I saved your life before, right?"

"I got in a car accident two years ago, and I was brought here in this hospital. I think this is where I met you. But I don't remember anything."

"Natsume,

I'm sorry for causing so much trouble. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. Thank you for everything and goodbye.

-M"

Images of his memories swirled behind his eyelids and his chest tightened as if his heart was being squeezed with no mercy. His tears that were about to pour before were now ready to escape from his eyes again. He gradually took in the sight of the person who stopped a few feet away from him. From those shoes, her black jeans, her tucked-in button-up shirt, and finally to her face.

Those hazel eyes were wide with emotions changing so fast from surprise to anticipation to denial and to something else that Natsume couldn't point out. She's wearing make-up... he thought as his eyes gaze on those cheeks that once upon a time had turned red because of their physical contact, and her features were definitely defined now, much more matured. Her brunette hair that was soft under his touch, was pulled back into a messy bun, twirls of strands hanging on the sides of her face.

She was no longer that high school student that Natsume fell in love with. But Natsume was sure that it was the same Mikan whom he gave his heart to.

"N-Natsume..." The sound of his name rolling off her tongue brought that nostalgic feeling that continued to bloom in his chest. He silently gasped for air, unsure what was stopping him from moving, even though he should know that the cause was right in front of him.

Instead, he averted his head from Mikan to the painting that he was admiring just a while ago.

"How did you know?" he asked, finally managing to find his voice after several moments later. Mikan didn't make any move from her spot, and the doctor didn't know whether she was hesitant because she didn't want to see him or if it was something else.

"Know what...?" she breathed out.

"That I was waiting."

He turned to her, looking at her square in the eye, and a surge of emotions were conveyed with that one gaze, their past was threatening to drown them.

"Because I was watching. Even if I knew that I should not, I wanted to see you before I left."

All the restraints that held Natsume down on the ground snapped, he won his inner battle and he hastily strode to the brunette who was startled at his sudden movement. He quickly enveloped her in a warm embrace, wrapping his arms around her with one wounded up around her waist and the other cradling her head. He then let those tears to finally stream down his face.

"Natsume—"

"Why?" he exhaled out, not caring if people started looking at them. Now that he finally could see her again, he honestly couldn't give a damn about what others thought of anymore.

"Natsume..."

"Mikan... why did you make me wait?" he asked, his heart thudding against his chest and for the first time, he felt the similar rapid pace that Mikan's heart was exhibiting.

"N-Natsume." Mikan broke down and she began returning his embrace, clutching at the back of his suit and further burying her face on the crook of his neck.

"I've always waited for you. I've always..." he stopped and there was a moment of tense silence until he finally let go of the words that he tried to bury inside his heart in a futile effort.

"I've always loved you."

A/N: Thank you for your patience and for reading this new chapter *bows* :D I hope I get to see some good and amusing reviews or comments :) Stay tuned~ This isn't the end yet hahaha

-CrimsonHazelEyes