Hello, Stranger

Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own Gakuen Alice/Alice Academy

Chapter 4

Stepping Stone

You know what college students loved about college? Graduation. Graduation day is where you finally leave school, find a job, make yourself filthy rich and hopefully be married to the person you really love. Who wouldn't love graduation day especially in college? Well, I don't. But maybe I do—before. But right now, I just don't want this day to end. I rather sit here and let my ass burned than totally graduate and embraced the marriage life with some unknown man.

It's been a month since the Hyuuga made my life complicated and until now I still think of him as a stranger and whatever happens, even we are married he will be a complete stranger to me! Just by thinking of him, I couldn't help but feel annoyed and totally angry. I just hate everything about him; his guts, his attitude, his smirk and his presence. I must have killed a Queen in my past life to have Natsume Hyuuga as my husband.

"Smile, Mikan." I heard someone whispered beside. I don't need to look at the person beside me because I'm already guessing who it was. Obviously, only one person loves to piss me off about my dreadful so called marriage issue, Permy. "Aren't you excited to finish this Graduation Day and let Jinno shut his mouth?"

Yes, I'd love to shut Jinno's mouth. He has been babbling how happy he is that all of us graduate and no one was left. Telling parents that it was an honor for him to be part of their children's success. But the truth is he hated all of us. Jinno had negative outlook in life and that made him hate all of the people in this freaking planet.

But no, I don't want this even to end. I'd rather hear Jinno's nonsense babbles and lies than have dinner with the freaking Hyuuga. Early this morning, when my mother woke me up, looking excited about the graduation day, she also told me the other reason why she is excited.

I mocked her by guessing that she agreed that Natsume and I will be finally divorced but I just received a scary lecture that I shouldn't be telling nonsense things like that. But you know what the real nonsense is? Natsume told my mom that he wanted to have some alone time with me and that means candle light dinner with me tonight.

Sucks to be me, don't you think?

A groan escaped from my lips as I realized that our cum laude or the highest rank of our batch, Hotaru Imai is about to come up in the stage and will say her little thank you speech to the school and to the parents. She was also scowling since she didn't want to pretend that she is really thankful to the school.

"Don't tell me you're going to look depressed the whole ceremony?" Permy asked me as her brows were raised.

"I will be forever depressed as long as Natsume is my husband." I hissed to her. I don't understand why they don't understand what I'm actually feeling about this whole marriage thing. They kept pestering and telling me that I am the luckiest girl for having such handsome and perfect man like him.

He might be perfectly handsome but he is arrogant and an asshole, oh and perverted too. I couldn't forget that every day he peeks in my underwear and calling me different nicknames based on the prints of underwear. He is actually harassing me! And Nonoko and Permy thinks it is sweet. Pfft.

I also wonder how Ruka and Natsume become best friends. They are totally different. Ruka is the nicest guy I have ever met. Not that I am being biased because he is my brother but truth to be told, Natsume doesn't deserve my brother as his best friend and I for once, doesn't deserved to be married by this man!

I was still thinking how I loathed that man when I felt my phone vibrate on my pocket. I reached my phone inside my pocket and checked who texted me. And it was the devil himself.

Excited later, wifey? xx

Nat

Exited? More like not excited! And ever since I called him husband, he won't stop calling me wifey. If it is not polkadots then it is wifey. He couldn't get any weirder. I titled my head looked at Natsume who was sitting beside my mother, father, Ruka. His eyes were looking at me and again, he has this annoying smirk on his lips. Doesn't he know how to smile? I've never seen him smile or heard him laugh. Not even once.

God, is he some alien or what? Well, it's not like I give a crap about it.

I started to type a very sweet reply.

I feel like puking thinking about having dinner with you.

Middle finger

Mikan

My phone flashed a SENT and I looked back at Natsume, smirking. Hah! I hope you stop pestering me now. I watched him as he looked at his phone and his brows were furrowing as he read my message. That's for you, you annoying human being.

But to my surprise, he looked up at me and gave me a flirty wink. Yuck. Winking at me like he is some sexy teenager. Damn it. I stuck my tongue to him and looked away.

"Is that your way of seducing, Natsume?" I heard Permy whispered on my ears. I couldn't help but stare to her in disbelief.

"Excuse me; I think I'm going to puke." I said as I acted like I was going to puke. Seriously, never in a million years that I would seduce that man. N-e-v-e-r.

I looked back at Natsume slowly but to my dismay, he was still looking at me and when our eyes met, he is again having the same annoying smirk he flashed at me the moment he introduced himself to me. At first, it was kind of sexy but now, it is annoying and very disgusting.

He even had the guts to mouth the words see you later at me. Ugh, Hyuuga. You disgust me.

Damn it, why won't he give up.

xxx

Graduation ceremony was finally finished, much to brunette's dismay and to the crimson eyed lad's contentment. It was quite a long ceremony and right now, the Sakura family and Hotaru and her aunt, Liza Damble, decided to take some picture since it was actually a special occasion.

Hotaru, who has passion for photography, took a picture of the Sakura family and Mikan who was having a smile enough to make her parents believe that she was actually happy. After Natsume joined the family and he was beside Mikan.

"First picture together since were kids, Polka." He whispered in her ears.

"Another picture to burn." She hissed to him making Natsume have his robotic laugh once again.

"Smile," Hotaru said and then click! She removed the camera on her face and checked the picture. A smirk was seen on her face as she seen the inward smile of Mikan and Natsume's emotionless face. Only Yuka, Narumi and Ruka looked happy on the picture.

There were more taking of pictures before Narumi declared that they should go home now since Mikan and Natsume has some little dinner to have. Mikan scowled and groaned when Narumi reminded her about the dinner with her so called husband.

"Mom," she called Yuka. Yuka faced her daughter who looked unhappy about what is happening to her. "I want to go home."

A gasped escaped on her lips hearing what he daughter just said. She furiously shook her head and said, "Mikan darling, you still have dinner with your—"

"I want to dress up. I don't want to have dinner and then I'm just wearing some shirt and shorts and some damn toga." Mikan swayed the loose toga and Yuka actually twitched when she heard her daughter said the word damn.

"Okay!" she cheerfully said. "Let's go!" she excitedly said.

Once they're in the car, Yuka and Hotaru's aunt, Liza couldn't stop talking about Mikan and Natsume's secret marriage. And they would also talk about Ruka and Hotaru's soon to be marriage.

"I love Hotaru," Yuka sad as her face looked very delight about having Hotaru as her daughter-in-law. "She's nice, sweet and just perfect for Ruka. I couldn't find any other girl for my dear, Ruka."

"Is Aunt Yuka actually giving clues that sooner or later you are going to propose for me?" Hotaru whispered to her boyfriend as she slowly snuggled on his chest.

Ruka's arm wrapped around Hotaru's body and said, "I don't know." He muttered and slowly caressed her girlfriend's cheeks. "Maybe she is telling me that I should propose to you sooner or later?"

"So, would there be a real wedding ceremony for Natsume and Mikan?" Liza suggested having a grin on her face.

Hearing the word wedding ceremony, Mikan immediately joined the conversation. "Oh, I don't think we need some ceremonies." She looked at Natsume, giving him a look that he should agree on what she just said.

But you know Natsume, he wants excitement. "I think I would agree about the ceremony." He said as he smirked a little and looked at Mikan. "Well, honey, what do you think?"

"Oh, honey." She said while emphasizing the word honey. Clenching her fist, she continued. "I think we had enough ceremony knowing that you just popped like a bubble in my life so we don't need ceremony."

Yuka eased the tension by clapping her hands together and smiling happily about the idea and Mikan knew that this would bring another nightmare in to her life. "I think I would agree with that, Liza!" her voice sounded so excited and happy about what her friend just suggested. "And after your real wedding ceremony, you will have your honeymoon and I couldn't wait till you will have babies and I would have grandchildren."

Grandchildren? Natsume couldn't help but actually look forward if ever the honeymoon would happen. Mikan and him, oh that would be a blast. Yuka let out a white hanky and sneezed in to as she let out some fake tears. "I think I'm going to cry."

The brunette rolled her eyes, "I think I'm going to puke." She muttered under her breathe.

"I think I would actually look forward to that." Natsume added and received a glare from his lovely wife.

xxx

A groan escaped from the brunette's lips as she finished cleaning herself and wearing the black filled with shimmery sequins. Her nude pumps were actually outside her little dressing room. Her look was actually suggested by Hotaru since she has no interest in this whole dinner with Natsume. After wearing her pumps, she slowly approached Hotaru who was waiting for her.

"You look beautiful, Mikan." She complimented her best friend as a small smile was seen on her face.

Mikan smiled back at Hotaru. You don't always get a compliment from the great Imai Hotaru. "Thanks Hotaru." She sat on the seat in front of the mirror as Hotaru held her hair and slowly combed it.

"Are you happy?" a sudden question popped in Hotaru's mouth.

She looked up at her best friend who was still focused on braiding her brunette hair down. By hearing the question, she knew what she exactly means. "No." she let out a blunt reply. "I hate this marriage. I hate Hyuuga. I want my life back."

"But this is your life now Mikan," her voice seemed so serious and her face might look stoic right now but her eyes are telling Mikan that she just have to embrace what life is giving her.

"I couldn't." she looked down as she felt like her heart was about sunk. "I just can't."

After fixing her best friend's hair, Hotaru put the brush down on the table and stared at her best friend. "Natsume is a nice guy, Mikan." What she just said made her best friend looked up at her and feels shock on what Hotaru just said to her. "I've seen how he really is and he is nice."

"He is a dick." She bitterly said.

A chuckle was heard from the stoic Ice Queen, as how she was called back in high school. "First impressions, Mikan."

"It won't change."

"Mikan!" A familiar voice disturbed the little moment between Hotaru and Mikan. They all looked at the door way and saw Yuka, who was having a very happy smile on her face and looked very excited about tonight. "Aw, honey." She said as she touched her chest looking awe at her daughter. "You look beautiful."

Mikan flashed her mom a smile, convincing her that she is happy. "Thanks, mom."

Her hands clapped together telling Mikan to stand up now. "Come along now, Mikan. Natsume is waiting for you downstairs." She excitedly said and left the two.

"Aunt Yuka is the only person who looks happy ever since this marriage happened." Hotaru whispered.

"You bet."

xxx

Once Mikan went downstairs, she just passed Natsume and immediately hopped in Natsume's car and he just followed her. They were actually inside the car right now, currently on their way towards the restaurant. And they are actually having an awkward silence. Mikan, who doesn't even like silence, decided to love silence whenever she is with Natsume because she doesn't want to share any conversation with him. Natsume, who actually thinks silence is his sanctuary, doesn't like to share this awkward silence with Mikan.

"Lost your mouth, polka?" he started as he couldn't bear the awkward silence anymore. He pressed the break as the traffic light turned red. His eyes were now looking at the brunette who was completely ignoring him and just focused herself on the streets. "Are you seriously shutting your mouth for good?"

"Don't start with me, Hyuuga." She flatly said, trying to be calm.

She just wanted to start the dinner and just end it immediately and peacefully. No more conversations to Hyuuga that will just piss her off. "Let's just end this immediately."

"Do you really think I just want some dinner and that's just it? Poof?" he answered, earning Mikan's attention. She is now facing him; her face was a bit shock.

She shook her head and looked away. "I have no time for your silly little games."

"I'm not playing any games, Polka."

She let out a deep sigh, trying to calm herself. Natsume is just trying to manipulate her and make her piss of so he can have his amusement. "Whatever." She just said.

Natsume was about to say something but the traffic light turned green so he just shrug and decided to continue driving. Awkward silence started to envelope them and Natsume starting to feel uneasy about it. This girl is really stubborn and difficult. He is already starting to doubt that what if he will never get Mikan's love. But no, giving up is never in a Hyuuga's vocabulary.

Mikan will love him. He will get whatever he wants. Mikan will somehow remember him and the childhood they both shared before. He will make sure of it.

Minutes have passed and they arrived in the restaurant. Mikan peeked through the car's window and was surprised where Natsume was actually bringing her. It was the L'thung. Suddenly, a waiter opened the car's door. "Welcome, Mrs. Hyuuga."

Her eyes twitched on what the waiter called her. But she just let out a smile and stepped out of the car. "Thank you." Her eyes roam around the restaurant. She couldn't remember when the last time she went to this place was but she was sure it was ages ago. The she felt someone hold her hand making her jump a little. "What…" then her eyes landed on the man she was having dinner with. Natsume was actually holding her hand.

"Hyuuga," she hissed.

He intertwined his hand on Mikan's and then a smirk formed on her lips, "Ready for our dinner date, Mrs. Hyuuga?"

Then before she could protest and removed her hand from his grip, Natsume dragged her inside the restaurant and was greeted by a waiter. "Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Hyuuga." He politely said and smiled at the couple. Mikan smiled a little while Natsume, being himself ignore the waiter. They went inside the restaurant and all of the crew said at the same time, "Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Hyuuga." And bowed at them.

Mikan just flashed a small smile then sent a glare to her so-called husband. A waitress guides them towards their seat. "This is your seat, Ma'am, Sir." She said. "Your food will arrive in awhile." She smiled at them, bowed and took her leave.

Once they sat on their seat, Mikan noticed that it was only him and Natsume inside the restaurant. Then a realization hit her, "Did you just reserve the whole restaurant?"

He simply nodded and smirked again, "Of course, Mrs. Hyuuga."

She shot him a glare, "Don't call me that!" she snarled. "And will you tell these people that they should stop calling me that. My name is Mikan Sakura and I'm still a Miss!"

Natsume couldn't help but stop himself from laughing on Mikan's angry face right now. She was glaring and scowling at the same time. Yesterday, he visited this restaurant and decided to reserve the whole place for their privacy. He didn't want some fan girl throwing herself to him while having a dinner with his beloved wife. Also, before he left he asked the manager to tell his crew, when Mikan arrives everybody should call her Mrs. Hyuuga.

"Well, I personally like it." He said as he leaned his arm on the table.

"I don't." she angrily respond making Natsume have his throaty laugh. "Don't you know how to laugh normally, Hyuuga?"

"That is my normal laugh." His face now turned stoic and emotionless as it was before.

"You're not normal. How can you be so emotionless and not laugh at all!" she exclaimed and shook her head in the end. "You're impossible."

He smirked, "I'll take that as a compliment, wifey."

"Don't call me that."

"You want honey instead? Or maybe polka dots?"

But before Mikan could strangle Natsume to death for pissing her off, a waiter arrived bringing their dinner to them. He slowly placed both cuisine in front of them and their drinks as well. "Inform us if you already need your dessert, Mr. and Mrs. Hyuuga." He politely said and left the couple alone.

Mikan stared at the food and it looks delicious and smells very mouth watery. Her stomach started to twitch and she started to feel very hungry. "This looks good." She complimented and closed her eyes, smelling the food more.

"Have you been in this restaurant, polka?" he asked her.

Mikan paused for awhile and started to think. "Hm, the place looks very familiar to me." She looked down at the food. "The food seems familiar but I don't know why."

"The food we're eating right now is their best cuisine for almost 20 years. People never get tired of eating this dish over and over again." He said in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone making Mikan smile in amazement.

"Wow, this is amazing!" She happily said. She took her spoon and fork and had her slice of the steak. She smiled as she munched the food slowly on her mouth feeling the taste of a very delicious food. "This is delicious!"

Natsume nodded in agreement as he took as his slice of the steak. "One of the best." He said.

"But I still couldn't remember why this place is so familiar to me."

They ate their dinner quietly since Mikan doesn't want to have a conversation with Natsume because the dinner is too good and a conversation with him would ruin the moment. After having their dinner, the waiter immediately served their dessert which they ate quietly again. After finishing their dessert, "One of the best dinners I ever had." She declared as she leaned on her chair and patted her tummy. "I'm so full."

"You actually ate two rounds of their steak." He muttered and wiped his lips with the white napkin.

She rolled her eyes and shrugged, "Whatever." When Natsume didn't respond, she looked at him and he was actually looking at Mikan with his crimson locks. Her brows furrowed and she said, "What are you looking at, Hyuuga?"

"What do you feel about all of this?" he bluntly asked.

Mikan was taken back on what he just asked her. It was the same question Hotaru told her awhile ago but this time it feels different. When Hotaru asked her, it was so simple to tell how she feels unhappy and how she really hates Natsume but right now, she felt nervous. "Well," she cleared her throat. "I don't like it. I hate it."

His brow raised and said, "Why?"

"I don't want to be married in such an early age, Hyuuga." She answered him making him focused on her more. "And worst, with someone I don't know."

"You already know me." He leaned on his chair and looked away from her.

This time, it was her time to be curious and raised her eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"You will find out it soon." He said and shrugged.

"So you mean there are still things that I don't know?" she asked him as she leaned on the table, nearing her face a little to him.

He could tell that she is now as curious as how she was when she found out about the marriage. But Natsume knew that this isn't the right time yet. Instead of answering her question, he neared his face to her and smirked. "You know what I love about this marriage polka?" She shook her head and he continued, "Everything seems exciting."

Her face blushed as she realized his face was quite near to her. She looked away and moved away from him. "You're enjoying this don't you?"

"Not everything."

She just sighed. Natsume and his words. Sometimes, she didn't know what to think about him. He is different. He knows how to hide his emotions. She just couldn't read him.

Then she remembered what Hotaru just said. Natsume is a nice guy, Mikan. How could Hotaru think of him as nice? She just couldn't understand why Hotaru just said those words. Maybe, her mom instructed Hotaru? But no. She knows her best friend very well. She uses her words carefully and once she says something to you, there are no lies in it. Could he be nice?

No. He is an asshole who destroyed her life.

"Natsume," she called him. He looked at her. "Have you ever had any girlfriend before?"

He got hooked on what she just asked. Polka's starting to be curious about me, eh? "Nope." He honestly answered.

She was a bit shock on his answers. She was expecting that he already had trillions of girlfriends before. No girl could resist Natsume if they didn't know his attitude. "Why?"

"I don't like girls, Polka." He bluntly said. "I hate them. They're clingy, annoying and fragile. Women are not my forte."

"Then if you hate our species," she raised her eyebrow. "Why did you agree to marry me?"

He crossed his arms under his chest and smirked, "Since when did you got so interested in my outlook in life?"

Mikan was stiffed. Damn it, she thought. She looked away and tried to ignore what he just said by saying. "Conversation over."

"Have you ever had any boyfriends before?" It was his time to ask Mikan this question. True, he has been meaning to ask this to Mikan ever since he arrived in Japan. He didn't have any balls to ask Ruka or Hotaru because he will end up being teased for such a possessive and jealous husband which he doesn't like to happen.

Mikan stayed silent for awhile which makes Natsume more curious on what she would answer. He hopes in his mind that she would answer a no. Natsume would surely kill the guy who took Mikan away from him. What Natsume has is only his. He doesn't like sharing, especially when it comes to his polka dots.

"Nope." She finally said making the raven haired lad sigh secretly in his thoughts in relieved.

"Why?" he asked her.

"Guys in our school only want my money, fame and body, Hyuuga." She murmured and looked down. It was true. All his suitors don't really love Mikan. They just want those earthly things on her especially her body. "They just want to get inside my pants."

Natsume couldn't help but feel angry. How dare these assholes think of Mikan as a slut who they could just sleep whenever they want to? She deserves respect and he wouldn't let any guy harass her. "You're too good for them. Good thing you didn't fall into their selfish desires."

"There is this one guy…" she trailed off.

Natsume looked up to her and his eyes stared at her intensely. "What do you mean this one guy, polka?" the sound of his voice demands her answers.

"Never mind." She said making Natsume look dumbfounded on what she just said. She stood up and said, "Let's go home."

But before she could get away, he grabbed her arm and made her look at him. "What are you doing, Natsume?" she growled on him. "Let me go." She tried to get away from his grip but his hand were grasping her arm too hard. "What do you—"

"Tell me!" he hissed on her making her brown eyes widen on Natsume's facial expression right now. He was looking at her with angry crimson eyes and his eyes were as if looking for answers. "What about this one guy?"

"You don't need to know anything." She hissed back on him. "Will you let go of me, Hyuuga?" she angrily said as she once again tried to remove his hand on her arm.

"Who is this one guy, Mikan?" his voice sounds so angry. His eyes were looking at her with such intense as if he was about suck her soul out just to figure out answers.

Mikan looked scared. She hasn't seen Natsume this angry even if she pissed him off too. And he called her Mikan. It was the first time he called her by name but instead to feel special, she felt more scared. Why does Natsume became angry all of a sudden? Why would Natsume want to know about this guy she just blurted out? "Why do you make all of this a big deal, Natsume?" she asked him. "Why?"

He didn't respond. His angry eyes turned in to emotionless one making Mikan surprise on how his emotions sudden changed. His grip suddenly started to loosen up making Mikan finally removed her arm on his hand and said, "Will you just give up on me and this marriage, Natsume?" and then she walked away from him.

The travel back to the mansion was as awkward as how it was when they went towards the restaurant. The tension between them hasn't eased yet but Natsume was now back on his silent, cold and emotionless self. He didn't utter a word to Mikan which made her more disturb as how he was back in the restaurant.

The ride back to the mansion felt like it was the longest travel Mikan had. She couldn't stop thinking about everything. Natsume's reaction back in the restaurant made her have questions on her mind right now. She couldn't figure out why he had that kind of reaction after she opened up about this guy. Was it really a big deal? Does he really need to know about it? Ugh. These questions make her head hurts like hell.

Then Natsume finally speak to Mikan, "We're here." He said with no emotions. It was as if a robot was talking to her.

She glanced at him but he wasn't looking at Mikan. He turned the engine off. "You can go down now." He said to her as he opened the door and stepped out of the car.

Mikan followed Natsume and stepped out of the car as well. She started to feel awkward as they both entered the mansion and went upstairs. She was planning to say thank you to him for the dinner but she just shrugged the idea. She immediately walked towards her room and when she twisted the door knob, "Polka." She heard him call her.

She felt him approaching her so she turned around and took a step backwards when she realized Natsume was close to him. But before she could move away from him, he caught her back and pulled her closer to him and he hugged her. Tight.

She doesn't know how to react; if she would push him away or if she would hug him back. She felt like her body was numb that she couldn't move. She just stood there as he hugged her. But the hug didn't last as he moved away from her but before he walked away, he whispered something into her ear that made her feel like that this is just a stepping stone towards her crazy marriage life with Natsume.

"I won't give up on you, Polka."

Hi guys! I just got back from a very meaningful retreat! I feel so clean, happy and fresh right now! It felt like a new beginning for me thanks to the seminar I attended! :)

So a review could make everything perfect. Hehe. Thank you! :)

Anyway, I'd like to get your opinion about how I make Natsume smoke. Not a chain smoker or what. Someone who puffs cigarette whenever he feels depressed or someone who feels something bad inside him. What do you think? I just need opinions. Thanks :)

Kisses.

And if you could be a Beta Reader, you're free to message me. I've received reviews that I should get one so if you are, you're free to message me! Hehe.

And if you're a friend, message me too! :)

Don't forget to drop a review.