Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice

Chapter 3

"What's up with us and cleaning the hotel suites today?" Mikan asked as she wiped the walk-in closet mirror.

Anna popped out of nowhere and held up a white coat and a white dress, a mischievous smile on her lips.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Mikan back away as Anna trotted over to her.

"This coat and dress will look good on you" Anna placed the dress over Mikan's figure.

Shaking her head Mikan pushed the clothes away. "Anna you know better than to touch the guest's stuff"

"Just try it on Mikan!" Anna persuaded as she pushed the clothes on her hands.

"No, why don't you wear it, I can't wear these" Mikan pushed the clothes back to Anna. Who pushed it back into her hands.

Anna looked at the size. "Mikan, her size fits you perfectly. You're a small right?" When she saw Mikan nod. She pushed Mikan into the bathroom excitedly "Get changed! I wanna see what you look like in expensive clothing! It's designer! Quickly!"

Jumping up and down Anna went in the walk-in closet and pulled out a pair of black heels. "These heels will perfectly match the sundress" When she went back to the bathroom door, Mikan just got out. Anna almost dropped the shoes.

She almost didn't recognize her.

"Wow" Anna was speechless.

Mikan looked to the side rubbing her left arm uncomfortably.

…

"Keiji" Natsume called and an old man in his late 50s was beside him "Hold Sachi for a while, I'll ask permission from Youichi's mother if he can come with us". Natsume handed the dog leash to his butler and walked away with Youichi.

When Natsume and Youichi were back in the elevator, realization hit, Youichi didn't know what room Mikan was cleaning.

While thinking of possible ways on how to find out where his mother was, the elevator doors opened and revealed the same guy he saw earlier.

"Uncle Narumi"

Narumi looked down and smiled. "Youichi, have you found Mikan yet?"

Youichi shook his head.

"Well, I just saw her friend Anna pass by twenty minutes ago. She said they're at the executive suite"

Youichi nodded his head and murmured a thanks "You're welcome—"

Narumi looked up and saw Natsume Hyuuga. "Y-Youichi why are you with Nat—", before Narumi could enter and finish what he was saying, Youichi closed the elevator doors and pushed the floor button.

Natsume smirked. "Way to close the door shut"

Youichi shrugged "He talks too much"

The elevator doors tinged and both walked out. Youichi was checking the room numbers while Natsume just followed behind. As soon as Youichi found a cart in front of a room, he immediately ran towards it and entered the room.

"Mom! Mom!" Youichi called as soon as he was in the room.

Anna came out of the bedroom. "Hi Youichi. What's wrong? Why are you looking for Mikan?"

"Anna where's mom? I need to talk to her" Youichi eagerly asked as he looked around the room.

"Anna who it is?" Mikan's voice called.

"Youichi's here, he's looking for you" Anna answered back.

Walking past Anna, "Where's mom?" Youichi asked again looking over the door.

Natsume walked in after a minute and Anna's jaw dropped. She noticed Mikan coming near.

"Anna? Where's Youichi? What's—" she was cut off. Anna pulled her by the arm and whispered "Thank God I made you wear that dress" she bent low and slipped a pair of black pumps on Mikan's feet.

Mikan looked at her confused.

Youichi smiled brightly when he saw Mikan and walked out. He was smiling at Natsume as he stood beside him. "I can't wait for you to meet my mom"

Mikan followed Youichi but her eyes were trailed on Anna "What are you—" she started but Anna butted in.

"Ma'am you have a visitor" Anna bowed and inconspicuously pointed at Natsume. Giving emphasis on the Ma'am.

"Anna I don't understand, why are you calling me—" she turned to look at where Anna had pointed and was at a loss for words when she saw Natsume Hyuuga standing in front of her.

Mikan was wearing the white dress Anna had forced her to wear and the pumps she just made her slip in.

Youichi pulled Mikan by the hand, closer to Natsume and introduced them "Mom, this is Natsume Hyuuga and I met him in the elevator. He's has this big black labrador named Sachi, and if you say 'You can go Youichi', I'm perfectly sure you will, I'm gonna walk Sachi at the park with him. So can I go?"

Mikan looked at Youichi then back to Natsume. Evidently surprised.

Natsume inclined his head formally at Mikan's direction. "It's nice to meet you Mrs. Sakura"

Flabbergasted, Mikan managed to say a small "Hey"

Youichi looked at Mikan to Natsume. Both were staring at each other not bothering to tear their gazes from each other anytime soon.

He knew something was up and there was something between his mom and Natsume, but then staring at each other was boring. Getting impatient Youchi pulled Mikan by the arm, breaking the eye contact. "Mom, I am a ten year old kid and I need three things: fresh air, exercise and talking."

Mikan turned her attention to Youichi. "As far as I know, you're not a nature enthusiast, exercise mannered and socially oriented type" a smile playing on her lips. She bent down to his level and ruffled his hair.

Youichi pouted "Please, can I go, Mom? Please? Please? Please?"

They heard a cough and both mother and son glanced back at Natsume. Mikan stood up and faced him.

"I'm Natsume Hyuuga" Natsume introduced himself as he took Mikan's hand, but instead of a formal hand shake Natsume was compelled to do a different thing. He lightly brushed his lips against her knuckles. He looked back up and caught her eyes.

Mikan looked taken aback by the action and was frozen on the spot yet again. His eyes were, different. Of course she's seen Natsume from the magazines and articles before but seeing him in person was a different thing.

"Ma'am?" Anna asked as she took the sunglass on the side table and handed it to Mikan.

"W-What?" Mikan snapped back, looking at Anna.

"A minute ago, weren't you just saying, what a beautiful day it is?" Anna interjected as she looked back at Mikan.

Natsume looked at an eager Youichi and back at the lady in front of him. "You were planning to go out?" he asked rather casually "Not that it's any of my business but, where to?"

Anna smiled. "Ma'am didn't you say you wanted to walk around the park?"

Natsume nodded in comprehension. Before he could stop the words he uncontrollably offered, "You could join us if you'd like…" but a thought entered his mind. "If your husband—Mr. Sakura won't mind…" he drifted off.

Youichi jumped up "No! Mom doesn't have a husband, she never had one" emphasizing on never.

It's as if her mind was functioning on its own Mikan answered "Yes, I-I mean no. N-no, I don't have a husband"

Strangely, a light feeling washed over Natsume. "If that's the case," he calmly held her hand "I insist, Ms. Sakura. Come with us". What the hell did I just do? Natsume asked himself.

Absent-mindedly Mikan looked at their hands and her mind functioned on it own, again. "Mikan"

Natsume looked at her. She looked back at him with a smile "Just call me Mikan"

With a slight nod, Natsume tugged Mikan by the hand. "Shall we go then?"

Looking at the hands holding each other Youichi smiled "Come on mom! Let's go! Let's go!"

As Natsume pulled Mikan out, she looked at Anna and saw her mouth "You go, I'll take care of everything, Have fun!" and with that the door closed behind them with Anna waving goodbye.