Efflorescence

Chapter Eighteen: Last Resort?

by Autumn Win-Dow

(AoGA House Cup. Words: 518 [Because I really couldn't cut it down. Sorry.])

Mikan's mind was flitting between her rational maiko persona and her instinctive self as he pushed her hard against the wall and kissed her.

At times, she struggled against his tightening grip around her thin arms, and at other moments she felt herself kissing him back.

Mikan wanted to get out of his passionate gaze, while also wanting to stay within it. She felt her skin become hot as his fingers trailed towards her neck- his calloused fingertips sending shivers down her spine.

After many minutes of passion fused with struggle, Mikan finally found the strength to place her hands on his shoulders and push him away with as much force as her arms could muster- which in the end, was enough to separate them slightly.

She couldn't comprehend what had just happened. Her customer, and the son of the man she despised the most, had just kissed her. And not only that, he had unceremoniously proposed to her as well.

"N-Natsume! Stop kidding around!" She gasped as she pressed her back further into the wall, ignoring the long strands of brown hair draped over her face from the struggle.

Natsume clicked his tongue as he ran his fingers through his thick black tresses, before replying, "Do you think I would kid around, Mikan?"

Mikan realised that this was no joke, knowing that a man like Natsume wouldn't play around like that. Her hands unconsciously crept up to touch her lips lightly- his kiss still lingering.

But still, there was still one thing which she still couldn't believe.

"Marry me, damn it."

"...Are you serious about..." She hesitated before forcing herself to say it, "me marrying you?"

His answer was so abrupt that she had no time to prepare herself.

"Yes. I am serious." He spoke before closing the distance between them again, only to be stopped by Mikan's small hands on his chest.

They trembled, as she tried to push him away again. However, Natsume refused to budge this time.

"What's the matter?" He breathed, unaware of how conflicted she was feeling.

"I-" Mikan tried to speak, but ended up hesitating and looking away from him. After a brief moment, she finally forced the dreaded words out.

"...I can't marry you. I'm sorry."

Natsume hadn't actually known what to expect, but still her rejection hit him like a boulder. But still, he wasn't the type of man who reacted explosively to things. All he did was take a few careful steps back to give her some space, and passively asking her a question.

"...Why?"

"Natsume, you may not have much to lose when you marry, but I do," Mikan murmured as she clenched her robe with her fists, "There's no such thing as a married geisha, let alone a married maiko. And also..."

Mikan breathed in deeply before continuing.

"...It's your deadline today, right? And I don't want to be a last resort."

All Natsume wanted to say was that it was definitely not the case, but before he could say so, she had already dashed past him and left the shed- and unbeknownst to him, in tears.