Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice

Chapter 9

Mikan was walking ahead of him, with her hair and gown going against the light wind. She took a deep breath and relaxed herself. Natsume was watching her the entire time from behind. There were times Mikan would look back and give him a shy smile. They were both engulfed in a comfortable silence.

As Mikan's heels sound on the pavement, Natsume couldn't understand why he was so caught up with this woman from the moment he met her. What's so special about her? He asked himself as he watched Mikan stop and turn to look at him. He stopped on his tracks as well.

Slowly, Mikan walked towards him and stopped just a few feet away. "Mr. Hyuuga, do you usually walk this slow?" Mikan asked with that smile on her face. A gush of wind passed by and Mikan's hair covered her face.

Unconsciously, Natsume took a step forward leaving a small gap between their bodies. He raised his hand and gently pushed away Mikan's hair from her face. When Mikan tried to secure the last strands of hair behind her ears, Natsume did the same for her.

Their hands touched, Mikan looked up at him and Natsume looked back at her. There was a moment.

Another gush of wind broke whatever spell there were in. Mikan pulled away first, Natsume blinked and cleared his throat. He held Mikan's hand and pulled her to a near park bench.

"Where's Youichi?" He casually asked as they headed for the bench.

Mikan's eyes stared at their holding hands and distractedly answered "He's at home with his baby sitter"

Noticing her use of words, Natsume repeated "Home." He looked back at her. "So you do live here in the city. Where—"

Quickly avoiding his statement Mikan cut him off. "What were you telling me before you were pulled away at the party?" She asked him, holding his hand with both of her hands now. Natsume got distracted by her touch.

When they arrived at the bench they both sat down, just a few inches away from each other. With their hands still holding each other, Mikan looked at him urging him to answer her question. He was completely distracted by her.

There was another gush of cold wind. Out of reflex Mikan pulled her hands away from his hand and rubbed her arms. Understanding the action he took off his coat and draped it on Mikan's shoulder.

"Warmer?" he asked after he secured his coat.

Mikan only nodded in response. Natsume waited two beats before starting. "I want to know if you're still staying at the hotel"

Looking away, Mikan didn't answer. Natsume sighed. "I sent you flowers that afternoon"

Mikan turned to look at him "You sent me flowers?" she asked him in disbelief.

Natsume only nodded. "And now you owe me dinner" he deadpanned as he looked at her. The memory of that incredibly awkward lunch was still in his mind.

With a raised brow, Mikan countered "Why would I?"

Natsume rested his arm on the backrest behind Mikan. "For making me go through one agonizing lunch with someone who wasn't you"

Mikan's eyes widened at the statement, "How?"

Leaning his head back Natsume answered "There was a lunch invitation with those flowers"

Mikan laughed out loud. She could imagine his situation at that time. Natsume looked at her irritated. He could have enjoyed listening to her laughter but then it was under his expense. "You enjoy other people's misery don't you?"

Mikan didn't answer. But as soon as her laughter died down, Natsume instantly stated. "You'll have dinner with me tomorrow night"

"I—" Mikan was about to turn down the offer when.

"Don't say you can't and don't say no" Natsume suddenly interjected.

Why is he so determined? Mikan asked herself. Then she remembered Youichi's words. A father just like Natsume... She looked at Natsume's eyes. One dinner wouldn't hurt right? Taking a deep breath Mikan smiled at him. "We can have dinner now...instead of tomorrow"

Natsume raised a brow, he was rather surprised. Did she just say yes? He mentally asked himself.

"We are dressed for a dinner event right?" Mikan asked him as she held his hand. She moved to stand up.

Natsume stayed on his seat. "Don't you think we are dressed a bit too formal?" he asked her rather unsure.

"I'm fine with this" Mikan twirled in her dress she looked at him "What about you?" she asked him with that smile again.

Natsume looked at her; he pulled out his phone from his pocket. While looking at Mikan Natsume ordered "Keiji,make the arrangements" he held Mikan's hand "We'll be arriving there riding a cab" He ended the call.

Natsume stood up and held Mikan's hand. "Let's go dinner's waiting" Mikan smiled at their hands.

"Lead the way, Mr. Hyuuga"

Natsume blinked twice. He didn't like it when she called him that. Before starting to walk, Natsume moved closer to Mikan and bent down to her ear. "I'd prefer it if you started calling me Natsume"

Mikan blushed. Smirking, Natsume started to pull her out of the park.

…

Youichi sat up from the couch and looked at the clock. Nine o'clock. He sat back down again and continued reading his manga.

"Why isn't mom home yet?" He asked himself with a clear pout on his face.

He turned to look at the clock again. "That's it, I'm calling her now" he declared.

Youichi sat up and took the phone; he dialed his mom's number and waited for her to pick up.

Hotaru entered the living room and eating a bowl of crab meat. She raised a brow at the boy holding the phone.

"What are you doing Youichi?" she asked nonchalantly.

Looking up, Youichi answered, "Mom hasn't called for the past thirty minutes and she was supposed to be home since awhile ago"

Hotaru took another bite from her crab meat. Watching the little boy "You act like you're her dad" She smirked. "Your mom is old enough to stay out this late"

Youichi just scowled.

…

Inside the cab, Natsume secured Mikan's hand with his as he looked at her beside him. He didn't know why he was acting like this whenever she was around. She turned to look at him with a smile, "Natsume we don't have to eat dinner somewhere fancy" Mikan stated as she settled comfortably beside him.

She said his name, Mikan just said his name, Natsume felt something different stir inside him. Natsume just looked at her. He didn't know why he was feeling like this.

Mikan tilted her head. "Natsume?" She waved her hand in front of his face. He caught it and pulled her closer. Their faces were just centimeters away. Mikan closed her eyes. Natsume's eyes strayed on Mikan lips as if contemplating either to kiss her or not.

The taxi driver gave a cough; he was brought back to his senses. "We're here sir" the man informed them.

With a nod Natsume handed the man the payment and guided Mikan out of the cab. They both entered a huge building and went straight for the elevator. Mikan watched Natsume slide a card on a scanner and pressed for the top floor.

…

Mikan looked around in awe. Expect the Chairman and CEO of the Hyuuga Empire to prepare this in just 20 minutes. Mikan told herself.

There at the roof top on the building, the landscape was covered in glimmering gold lights that looked like stars reflecting on the waterbed surrounding them. Everything was so simple yet it was breath-takingly beautiful at the same time.

Natsume smirked with both hands in his pocket as he watched Mikan walk ahead of him. He was enjoying seeing her like this. This simple presentation made her happy.

"I thought we'll just be eating at a restaurant" Mikan turned to ask him.

Natsume walked beside her "I prefer a more private dinner" he answered still looking at her.

Looking up at him still with that smile "Then you could have asked for a private dinner room instead of doing this..." she waved her hand to their surrounding. Shaking her head "It's too much"

"It's not," he assured her. He placed his hand on the small of her back and led her to the table in the middle of everything. "Now come on, I know your hungry I've been hearing your stomach growling since we were at the party"

"Jerk" Mikan whispered under her breath.