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Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice or the characters.
Chapter 8
Sister From the Same Mister
It's been a week since Anna's party and Mouchu and Mikan's meeting and fortunately they haven't heard anything from the pink-haired girl and some of her minions though Hotaru has been uptight a little, not wanting to have her guard down from Anna's evil schemes. And it's also been a week since Mikan and Natsume have slept together, for the first time, in their bedroom and though there were no words about waving the white flag, their relationship has eased a little. The fights have been lessen and their bickering morning routine has been avoided.
"Hyuuga!"
Or maybe just for that week….
"You pervert!" the brunette shouted from the top of her lungs as she stomped her feet off towards the Hyuuga who was sitting on the couch, watching the pre-season of NBA, looking calmly as ever. "How many times have I told you do not leave your….dirty underwear on the bathroom!" she exclaimed in one breath.
Unfortunately for Mikan, her mother decided to buy them a not so big condominium so Mikan and Natsume could spend time together and know each other more and with that Mikan has to suffer on the fact that she and her so called husband are sharing the same bathroom and worst, Natsume has become so rude and perverted that he always leave his used underwear on the bathroom floor. Typical for a guy.
"How many times have I told you not to leave those underwear? We laundry our clothes for a purpose!" she shouted again but before she could nag the lad, she paused when she realized that he was not paying any attention to her which made her angrier. "Do not ignore me, Hyuuga! Which part in the "do not leave your freaking underwear on the floor" did you not understand?"
Natsume simply rolled his eyes on his wife's reaction. This has been a routine every day. Mikan wakes up and eats breakfast with Natsume, which by the way, he cooks the food not her. They quarrel because Natsume would tease her for being a pig then she will shout and complain how an asshole he is and then he will take a bath while she will watch her annoying morning shows about beauty, health and whatever it is. Once Natsume is done and it's his turn to watch the television, Mikan will go to the bathroom and she will get out like a dragon who just woken up from her sleep and will start to nag about Natsume leaving his underwear on the floor. And yes, he is immune to this.
"I do understand everything. Get away, I'm watching basketball." He shrugged and continued watching the Nets and Heat's pre-season game.
"Ugh!" she grunted. "You're unbelievable!" she shouted. "I curse the day…."
"That I married you and allowed my mother to make me move in with you because there's no day that you do not pissed me off and I'm so tired of it." Natsume mimicked the brunette making Mikan stop on her little speech. He looked up at her with a smirk on his face. "You've been saying that to me since day one and honestly I have memorized your dramatic line." And then he looked at her coldly. "Now, get away, strawberries."
A blush because of too much anger can be seen on Mikan's face and no words can actually explain how angry she is right now so before she had her way back to the bathroom, she took the remote on the sofa and threw it on Natsume's face.
Again, right on his damn face.
And the Hyuuga looked up with an angry look and before he could react, again he was given a middle finger by the brunette and she walked away.
But instead of being angry, Natsume had his robotic laugh and smirk. "I married a dragon."
Natsume and Mikan's routine have somewhat made Natsume's day complete. The brunette and her everyday complain about him also amused Natsume. I mean, he's handsome for Pete's sake and she's obviously the only girl who would complain why she is married with the Natsume Hyuuga. Though he couldn't deny how different she is for not falling for his looks or money, it's also the same reason why Natsume has fallen further for her.
He shook his head, not wanting to have this mushy thoughts about Mikan again and tried to focus on the game that he has been watching before the brunette interrupted her. While trying to focus, his phone suddenly rang. He reached for his phone in the center table and looked puzzled when it was Ruka.
He slide to answer, "Yeh?"
"Where are you?" asked Ruka. "Hotaru ditched me for some damn meeting with her investors and she has been doing this for the past weeks."
Natsume smirked. "Maybe she has somebody else?"
"Shut up!" Ruka reacted making Natsume smirk more on his mate's reaction. "And I could tell you're smirking, Hyuuga." Ruka said trying to mimic Mikan's voice whenever she called Natsume with his last name.
He couldn't help but roll his eyes on how Ruka can actually mimicked Mikan's voice. "What do you want?"
"Let's play golf. Just the usual."
After the short phone call with his best buddy, Natsume decided to finish the game and decided to dress up and hang out with Ruka. Once done, he packed his usual golf stuff and couldn't deny the excitement he feels. When Ruka and Natsume both studied in United States, their usual hobby was to play golf together or study their ass off together. Though they are invited with the usual college parties, they prefer silence than loud noises and annoying fags who threw themselves to them and flirt. But when Ruka graduated and decided to go back in Japan, he never played golf again since he doesn't have someone to play with.
Natsume left the bedroom and looked for Mikan. "Polka." He called her.
When Mikan heard her name, she stepped out the kitchen and eyed at Natsume. "Where are you going?" she asked. "Are you leaving this condominium forever?" she asked with a beam of happiness seeing the big bag Natsume has brought.
He smirk. "Unfortunately, I will be with you until your 12 feet under the ground."
"Jerk." She muttered. "So where are you going?" she asked again with a curious tone on her voice.
"I'm going out with your brother." Then he opened the door and without looking back, he bid her goodbye. "Bye wifey. Don't miss me." Then he walked out and closed the door.
"Conceited bastard." She muttered and went back to the kitchen and continued what she was doing before her husband called her. Mikan was actually baking some cookies since she's bored with her life and fighting with Natsume is quite tiring. Whenever they have free time, she and her girls would stay at Nonoko's house and would bake different recipes and watch their favorite chick flicks or just simply watch the new episode of their favorite television show but since Nonoko's busy with her internship, Sumire's out on a date with some guy and Hotaru is having a meeting with investors, Mikan has no choice but to do this alone.
She sighed, feeling bored of her life. After her graduation, her father promised her that she would start her on-the-job training in their company but since her wonderful mother insisted that Mikan should spend time with Natsume, the plan has been canceled since no one disagrees on what Yuka Sakura think is right. And though how many times she has nag her father that she didn't work her ass off in college just to play husband and wife with Natsume, she still couldn't get what she want.
And she hated it. And she cursed Hyuuga for that.
And as Mikan drowned herself on the reasons why she cursed Hyuuga, the doorbell rang and she almost jumped on her feet when she heard it. She went to the sink to wash her hand then the doorbell rang again. "Wait!" then she immediately went to the door as the doorbell rang and rang again. She rolled her eyes on how Natsume can be seriously impatient and opened the door. "Can you freaking wait—"
"Hi!" a girl beamed in front of Mikan with a big smile on her face. Her crimson eyes shined brightly as she obviously looked please to see the brunette in front of her who, unlike her, looked surprised and confused. Her big smile didn't vanish and ignored the opposite reaction of Mikan. "Hi! I'm so happy to see you!" she stepped inside and passed through Mikan.
"Hello." Another voice joined in. Mikan looked at the doorway and there was a man with a silver hair and dull grey eyes who looked blankly at her. He greeted Mikan with a curt nod and passed through her as well.
Mikan really look confused on who the hell these people are. She turned around and watch the girl sat comfortably at their couch and the guy followed and sat beside her with still the calm expression on his face. "Um, who are you?" she asked.
A cute pout was seen on the girl's face looking disappointed on the first words she heard from Mikan. "Aw," she whined. "Is that the way you greet your sister-in-law?"
Her eyes widen when she heard what the unknown girl just said. "Wha-what?" she stuttered. "Sister-in-law?" she asked still comprehending what she just heard. When the girl nodded, she paused. Why does she have a sister-in-law? She doesn't have any… "You're Aya?" she asked with a hint of excitement in her voice.
"It's Aoi, silly billy." She chuckled on the name Mikan called her. "Yes, I'm Aoi! Natsume's one and only sister." A smug smile was seen on her face, feeling proud on what she just said. "And this is…" she paused then looked at the man beside her. "…is Youichi, my husband."
"Hello, Mikan." He said.
Mikan smiled sheepishly on how emotionless Youichi is. He reminds her of Natsume. But as if knowing the smile on Mikan's face, Aoi said. "I know, he's like Natsume and that's why I fell in love with him. Cold outside but inside they have a soft spot that is save only for you." She said sweetly while her eyes twinkling in happiness.
Mikan couldn't help but smile while looking at the couple in front of her. They look in love and Natsume was right, no wonder Aoi took the risk of disobeying their father because right now, by just looking at them, she can see that Aoi had no regrets instead she felt the happiness and love that she has been wishing for.
"So," Aoi cleared her throat then grinned. "Where's my little brother?" she asked while looking around the condo, searching for her brother.
"He left with my brother. I think they're spending some time together." She simply replied.
"Oh, you mean Ruka?" Mikan nodded then she continued. "How is he and Hotaru?"
"They're great." Mikan answered with a big smile on her face.
"That's really lovely to hear, Mikan." She said having a sweet and sincere smile on her face making the brunette wonder how did Natsume became a cold emotionless bastard when her sister, on the other hand, is such a sweet woman. "Come here," she pat the seat beside her. "Let's talk about you and my little brother!" she sound very excited.
"Uh, okay." Mikan unsurely said and walked towards Aoi. She slowly sat beside her and said. "We're really nothing. Maybe we're married but we're still, um, strangers."
Then a loud gasp was heard from Aoi when she heard what Mikan just said. "Stranger?" she exclaimed. "How can he be a stranger to you when you've known each other since you were kids?"
Mikan started to look at Aoi with a confuse expression her face. As far as her memory could remember, she doesn't have anything to do with Natsume until he barged in to their mansion and claimed that he is married to her. "I really don't remember anything about being married to him when we were kids or meeting him before…" she trailed off.
"Maybe she's too young to remember those stuff, Aoi." Youichi said.
Aoi nodded in agreement and said, "Youichi's right. Maybe you were both young way back then for you to remember those stuffs. But I assure you, you look cute together." She winked then giggled making Mikan chuckled inwardly. "Anyway, I'm sure my brother has told you everything."
"Everything"
"Yes, everything." She flashed a big smile and continue, "I'm sure my brother has told you about his feelings for you!"
And her brown eyes widen when she heard what Aoi just said, "F-feelings?" she stammered. Natsume has feelings for her?
"Yes of course—"
But before Aoi could continue, the front door sprung open and it revealed a crimson eyed guy who looks like he didn't have the golf game he was looking forward and was just about to pass through the living room but stop when he saw two people he haven't seen for years. His pain in the ass sister and his brother-in-law. His angry face turned in to a shock one when they saw them sitting comfortably and talking to Mikan.
"What the hell are you doing here?" were the first words came out of his mouth.
These words made Aoi glared at him and she crossed her arms under her chest and said, "Well, Natsume, is that the way you greet your long lost sister?"
Natsume rolled his eyes then he put his bag down the floor and slowly a smirk appeared, "Come here, baka." Aoi squealed in excitement then immediately ran to her brother. She hugged her tight and giggled in happiness. "You're still childish, Aoi." He murmured in her hair. But when his sister hugged him a little bit tighter, Natsume pushed her. "Don't push your luck."
Aoi pouted on Natsume's gesture. "Aw, Nat, you're still a meanie." Then she turned around to face a still in state of shock Mikan. "I'm happy I met you're lovely wife again. She's still the gorgeous, Mikan we met years ago."
"And childish too." Natsume added making Mikan glared at him which he simply ignored and stared at his sister. "Why are you here in Japan?' he sound so curious when he asked her. Well, he haven't heard anything from his adventurous elder sister since last Christmas and right now, she's here with her husband and Mikan. "Does father know you went here?" he asked again.
Aoi shrugged and walked back to her husband's side. "I found out you're in Japan so I decided to come back here with Youichi." she sat back and leaned a little to Youichi who had a flat expression on his face. "And dad doesn't know anything so don't tell him."
Natsume couldn't help but shook on her sister's stubbornness. Aoi is just like their mother. Adventurous, independent and stubborn. When she was still on her teenage years, their father would always ground her for sneaking out or starting a fight in their school. He was even furious when Aoi just decided to have a Paris getaway without his consent. She's irresponsible too and she likes to do things on her way and that's why she and their father was never in good terms.
Mikan, on the other hand, was spacing out still trying to remember what Aoi just said on their conversation. She couldn't still believe what she just heard from the cheerful Hyuuga. The only feeling that Mikan knew Natsume has on her is hatred. He hates her too much that he loves pissing Mikan off and start a bickering fight with her every day. But is hatred an emotion that should really be talk about? No, stop being silly Mikan, she thought. But it's also silly to think that Natsume likes her or is in love with her. They just knew each other though he claims that he knew her since they were children. Ugh, she's over thinking...
"Mikan!" and she almost jumped when Aoi called her attention in a surprising manner. She looked up and had a surprise expression plastered on her face. "Mikan! Are you even listening?" she heard Aoi said with an annoyed voice.
She tried to force herself a smile and nodded. "Yeah..." she trailed off.
"I said," Aoi said. "Let's have dinner together! You, my brother, Ruka, Hotaru and us. I want to catch up with you guys." she exclaimed happily.
Mikan smiled and nodded in agreement. "I think that's a great idea." she happily agreed. "So I think Saturday night would be a great night since Hotaru is only available every Saturday and Sunday and since Sunday is a Ruka day." she chuckled remembering when she tried to ask Hotaru over the phone if she could have a little best friend date with Hotaru last Sunday and Ruka shouted It's Ruka day today, back off.
Youichi who was silent the whole time suddenly spoke. "Yes, I think Saturday is also nice."
Aoi clasped her hands together, feeling excited. "So Saturday night it is! I'll just call my brother and Ruka to tell you where we will have our dinner." The she added, "I think it's time to go for us. We still need to fix some stuff on our apartment." she said as she stood up
Youichi and Mikan followed and the couple found their way towards the doorway. "I'll see you soon!" Aoi beamed and they both left the condominium.
Mikan silently closed the door and she is still bothered what Aoi said awhile ago. She took a deep breath and turned around only to see Natsume's back facing her as he picked his back pack and started to walk towards their bedroom. But before Natsume could walk away, Mikan called her. He turned around looking emotionless and raised one of his brows. "What?" he asked. When he didn't get a response from her, he eyed her with a curious look on his face. "What's wrong, polka?" he asked.
"N-nothing..." she stammered. But Natsume's stares tell her that he wouldn't buy her nothing. Mikan took a deep breath and walked closer to him. "I..." she started but paused. Why is she even starting to have a conversation like this with Natsume? "Aoi told me something..." she trailed off, trying to find the right words to say. "She told me about..." and she paused. She held the hem of the end of her shirt, feeling nervous.
Natsume walked closer to her and when she looked up at him, she could feel the closeness of their bodies and that made her really, really uncomfortable. But she decided to spill the beans. "You... you have feelings for me." she whispered.
And the lad's eyes widen. He opened his mouth to say anything but he immediately closed it. He was caught off guard with the brunette's question. He didn't know what to say? Should he deny it? Or should he mock her about it? Should he tease her about it to ease the tension? But as her crimson eyes met the brunette's brown eyes, his heart started to beat fast as he could feel the tension between them. Aoi and her big mouth, he thought. For the first time in his life, he doesn't know how to get out of this situation and he couldn't help but frown about it.
But when the brunette saw the frown on his face, she took it as a negative reaction towards her. Maybe this was a wrong conversation and Aoi didn't really mean the like feelings and Mikan is just over reacting. She let out an unsure chuckle, trying to make things a bit comfortable and said. "You know what, never mind. Maybe I misunderstood what she just said." she looked away and continued. "I'll just continue baking in the kitchen." then she walked past him.
Natsume didn't say any word because he felt lost in the situation. He knows he need to say something and not just stand their like some stupid ass. But he could just let her walk away and allow her to assume that she heard it wrong and just act like nothing happen or he could grab this chance and admit to her that he has been so in love with Mikan... and he chose the latter one. He put his bag on the couch and turned to Mikan. "What if I have feelings for you?"
And the brunette stopped on her tracks. She turned around with her eyes widen. "What?" was the only words that escaped from her mouth.
"What if I have feelings for you?" he repeated. "What if my sister is right?" he asked again and walked closer to Mikan. "What are you going to do about it?" his voice filled with seriousness making the place filled with tension.
"Don't be ridiculous." she answered and turned around and walked straight towards the kitchen. Her heart was pounding fast on what Natsume just said to her. Is he confessing his feelings? This is stupid. Gosh, she hopes she was just dreaming. She opened the oven and when she was about to take the cookies she was baking, she felt Natsume's hand on her waist and she froze.
He has touched her before. She has felt his hand on her waist before. But this time, this was different. And she froze.
"It's not ridiculous, polka." he said. He grabbed her waist and made her turn around to face him and their faces was close enough that they started to feel each other's breath. Her hands was placed on his chest and she could feel his heartbeat and it's fast. "What if I'm going to tell you right now that I like you, what are you going to do?"
Mikan's eyes widen with his unanswerable question. Philosophers said that no question cannot be answered but for her this one, Natsume's question, is an exemption because right now she couldn't find the right answer. So she pushed her away and frowned. "Stop making jokes, Hyuuga." she started to sound angry just to change the subject and hoping this will work.
"You think everything I say is a joke."
"Because it's a joke!" she snapped. She removed the apron on her waist and put it on the counter table and when she turned around Natsume is in front of her. "Don't take advantage of the situation just to make fun of me."
"Not all I say is against you." he glared at her. "You're just assuming things—"
"Yes, maybe I am! And I will just assume that we did not have this conversation and I just misheard what your sister just said!"
"Stop being childish!"
"I am not childish! Damn it!"
He growled.
She growled.
And she grabbed his shirt and he grabbed her waist and their lips came smashing together. Her arms snaked around his neck as he pressed Mikan's petite body on his muscular one and they continued to make out. He could feel her breast from her thin shirt making him aroused so he pick Mikan up and he let her sat on the counter table. She opened her legs and he neared himself to Mikan as they continued making out, exploring each other's mouths, without even knowing if this is right or why they both did this.
But as they explore each other's mouth...
"Mikan! Natsume! I forgot to ask for my brother's number..." Aoi froze as she just saw her brother having a hot making out session with Mikan.
And the couple also stopped as they turn their bodies around to face a shock Aoi.
"Oh, my, god."
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