Months past, Mikan and Youichi officially moved back in the Yukiahara Penthouse under the condition that Yuka wounldn't move back in with them and meddle with her decisions, though their relationship is already starting to mend. Mikan resigned from Alice Hotel where most of her co-workers were surprised to know that she was the Yukihara heiress. After much persuasion from her Uncle Kazumi she agreed to use her trust fund to enroll back in Medical School to pursue her career in the medical field. With everything that's been going on, Youichi too was affected with the big change, reluctantly Mikan agreed to have him transferred from his public school to Mikan's old private school (that was conveniently owned by the Yukihara family) for security purposes, as he is Mikan's adopted son. "Only the best education must be provided to a Yukihara", Yuka bragged at some point in their conversation to which Mikan just rolled her eyes in annoyance. Slowly, Mikan was being introduced back into high society and poor Youichi had no choice but to come along too.
However, Mikan couldn't quite cope with the fact that along with her come back; gossip was trailing her behind. Tabloid articles started to sprout here and there about her where abouts and what she had been doing when she was out of media radar. She didn't appreciate the fact that the tabloids were also feasting on her budding relationship with the Hyuuga successor, Natsume Hyuuga. But what really angered Mikan was how Youichi's name was being dragged on by the media on how he came to be a Yukihara being titled as the "Kid who won the adoption lottery" and the "Adopted Yukihara".
"This is ridiculous!" Mikan fumed as she stood up from the sofa and walked back and forth in frustration. "Youichi the Adopted Yukihara! They are ruining his name!" she fumed.
Natsume looked up from his laptop and looked at Mikan with tired eyes. Natsume had been trying so hard to keep everything about his and Mikan's personal life under wraps, by which was really difficult since they were both public figures in society, while all the while balancing the company and the statesmanship meetings.
Mikan gave a frustrated sigh and sat back down on the sofa, just as Natsume set his laptop down on the coffee table and walked to the kitchen.
A few minutes later, Natsume walked out holding a tray. He set down the tray by his laptop on the coffee table and that's when Mikan saw two mugs of warm milk beside a plate of brownies and a small cup of honey.
Curiously, Mikan watched Natsume roll up his sleeves and pour honey about a tablespoon each on both mugs and stir slowly. Taking one mug in his hands Natsume looked up at her and offered the mug. "Drink this and relax." He told her.
Receiving the mug, Mikan gave a nod and slowly took a sip. Cinnamon and Honey. Mikan stopped mid sip and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she saw Natsume holding his own cup watching her.
"How do you feel now?" He asked.
A slow smile crept up her lips, "Better."
Natsume smiled and took a sip of his own. Mikan leaned back on his shoulder and looked at him. Natume looked down at her. They both stared at each other for a few minutes then Natsume assured her that eveything will be alright. He kissed her forhead for comfort.
Mikan sighed and nodded her head. Natsume looked at the medical books and the office papers surrounding them. "I think we should call it a night eh?" He asked again.
Mikan laughed and moved away from Natsume's shoulder to drink from her mug. "Will you sleep here tonight?" she asked after finishing the drink.
Natsume took her finished mug from her hands and placed them back on the tray. "Whatever makes you happy." He held her hands in his and pulled her up from the sofa.
...
After prepearing for bed, Mikan crawled up in bed beside Natsume who was already settled on his side of the bed reading a book. Snaking his arm around her waist, Natsume pulled Mikan close and she settled her head on his shoulder and her hand on his chest.
A few minutes of comfortable silence, Mikan looked up at Natsume. "How are you and Ruka?" Mikan asked.
It took a few beats before Natsume closed the book he was reading and turned to her. "We'll get by, we always do." He told her reassuringly.
Mikan sighed and moved closer to Natsume to which he responded back by holding her tighter. "You never told me why he moved out." Drawing lazy circles in Natsume's arm mindlessly looking away.
Natsume watched her for a bit He moved out because I'm with you. He told her in his mind, but of course she wouldn't hear it. He didn't want Mikan to know that he and Ruka weren't in good terms because of their relationship.
"This is nothing to think about, Ruka and I went through ups and downs like this before" He told her again.
When Mikan nodded, Natsume pulled the covers over them. "Lets go to sleep, we've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow." He told her.
Mikan looked up at him to give him a kiss and he kissed her back with more passion. "Sweet dreams." She told him.
"I'll see you in my dreams" He told her turing off the bedside lamp and pulling her closer to him as possible.
...
It was mid afternoon and Mikan was sitting in a cafe near her medical school building buried in her book writing notes here and there.
After sometime, a tall figure was looming over her. Mikan looked up to see gentle blue eyes. "Ruka!" She smiled up at him.
"Is this seat taken?" He asked although he was already taking a seat on the vacant chair. Once settled he looked back at her. "How've you been?" He asked.
Mikan motioned to the books and papers piled infront of her. "Back to shool". she announced.
Ruka smiled. "It's good to see you."
"You too" Mikan laced her fingers and rested her chin on top of them. "You didn't relpy to any of my messages for the past month." She pouted.
Ruka awkwardly looked away and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, sorry bout that. I was pretty busy." He told her still looking away.
Mikan raised a brow. "I heard you moved out from Natsume's time share property at Alice Hotel."
Ruka looked back at Mikan. "I did. I was busy moving to a different apartment" He told her.
Mikan tilted her head. "I thought you'll be living with Natsume in his new pent house?" she was confused.
Mkan noticed a sad look cross Ruka's eyes for a fraction of a second before he sheepishly shrugged taking a sip from his coffee. "I needed a place near my clinic." He asnwered. "It's a 24 hour job you know?"
Mikan sighed and pulled out her phone. 1message from Natsume.
Statesmanship Gala is tonight. Go with me?
-Natsume
Mikan slightly pouted and typed back a reply. He's always so straight forward.
I would love to, but we promised Youichi family dinner tonight.
-Mikan
Mikan looked up at Ruka apologetically, "Sorry I just need to finish this conversation."
Ruka nodded understandingly. "Go ahead, its no problem." He smiled at her.
Mikan's phone rang and she stood up moving a bit further from Ruka.
"Natsume" Mikan greeted.
"Mikan before you say anything, I can cancel on the gala. It's no big deal" Natsume answered on the other line.
Mikan shook her head though he can't see it. "No, don't. That's important. You'll ruin your chances in winning if you cancel out." she reasoned.
"You and Youichi are more important than any event, you know that." He answered back.
Mikan smiled at his retort. "We can always have dinner some other time, Natsume. I'll explain everything to You-chan, he'll understand as much as I do."
There was silence on the line, she knew Natsume didn't like it when she insists on him to put his work first before her. "Fine, but I'm coming home to you tonight and I'll be coming home early" He answered dejectedly.
"That's a deal, I'll save you dinner. Since you don't eat much in parties anyway." she told him. "I love you" before dropping the call.
Mikan made her way back to Ruka, "Sorry about that."
Ruka smiled "Don't mind it."
She looked up at Ruka who was watching her the whole time. "You know what, it's been a while" Smiling up at him she asked, "Are you busy tonight?"
"Not really." Ruka shook his head. "What do you have in mind?" he asked.
Mikan smiled excitedly. "Want to have dinner with me and Youichi tonight?"
Ruka raised a brow acting skeptical since he didn't really want to bump into Natsume any time soon. "I don't really now..."
Mikan rolled her eyes playfully. "You only have one option and that is to say yes, and besides I'm cooking tonight."
ON someother thought, it was futile declining Mikan when she woudn't take a no for an answer. With a light laugh, Ruka nodded his head "Sure. I'll go."
Just as Ruka asnwered, Mikan's phone buzzed. She looked down on her phone and smiled.
I love you more.
-Natsume
"Is Natsume going to be there?" Ruka asked before taking a sip from his coffee trying to act nonchalant.
Mikan slowly shook her head. "He won't be able to join us. Something came up, last minute." Showing her slight disappointment.
"Does he always cancel dinner dates with you for work?" He asked.
"Not really, he's attending the Statesmanship Gala tonight."" Mikan rested her elbow on the table and leaned her chin on her palm. "I understand he's a very busy man and I don't want to get in his way." she looked at Ruka with a light smile "He makes time for me and Youichi and that's all that matters." she told him.
Ruka felt a sharp pang of pain in his heart, just hearing Mikan talk about Natsume like that. He was jealous. He had been in love with Mikan since college and the fact that she had fallen for someone else, his best frined to be exact, he couldn't quite accept the fact how fate really worked.
I should be in his place. Mikan was suppose to be mine. He told himself, while taking a sip from his coffee. He sighed looking away.
"I'll see you tonight then?" Mikan snapped him out of his thoughts.
Ruka saw her gathering her books and papers. "I still have classes to attend. I'll call you okay?"
Before Ruka can answer, Mikan already dashed out of the cafe. He watched her through the window, running across the field towards the medical building. When Mikan was out of sight, Ruka pulled out his phone.
To Luna Koizumi
He'll be attending the Statesmanship Gala alone tonight and I'll be having dinner with her and her son at her place.
-Ruka
Ruka finshed typing the message his finger hovered over the send button, thinking twice if he should send the message or not.
...
Hotaru Imai was on the second floor of the Diamond Grand Hall, dressed up in her gown and dolled up for the Gala. She took a sip from her champagne as she watched the people from down below.
She rolled her eyes. Typical socialites. She thought. Parties weren't usally her cup of tea but she had no choice but to attened for business. Though blackmailing led her to success, attending these events makes things more civil.
Among the crowd, she noticed a mop of raven black hair making his way towards the back hall to the hotel rooms with a certain blonde traling behind him. SHe pulled out her phone and dialed Natsume's number.
Hotaru watched as Natsume pulled out his phone, "Hyuuga, look up." She told him.
Natsume looked up and saw Hotaru on her spot above the hall. He smirked. She watched as Natsume looked behind him and saw Luna still trying to go after him.
"Natsume wait for me!" Luna called out.
Natsume walked faster sliding through the crowd expertly, giving a nod at collegues greeting him along the way. Just as he was near the stairs to where Hotaru was, he went towards to towereing men. He shook hands with the two businessmen and swiftly moved away disappearing behind them just as he heard Luna call his name.
"Ms. Koizumi! What a pleasure seeing you here!" A big man in a gray tux greeted Luna in a strong hand shake.
"How is business for your father?" the other one inquired.
Luna ignored the two men and tried to move past them "I'm trying to run alfter Natsume, will you move?", but they were too stubborm to let her past them and she crossed her arms in a huff.
Natsume arrived beside Hotaru who gave him a nod in relpy. She handed him a glass of champagne. "Thanks for saving me." He told her.
Hotaru just gave another nod looking down at the hall.
Natsume leaned on the railings, his back on the crowd. He pulled out his phone and sighed.
"How are you holding up?" Hotaru asked out of the blue.
Natsume took a sip from his champagne. "Could've been better."
Hotaru smirked. "Are you really sure you want to run for the statemenship?"
Natsume shrugged. "I've been thinking about it."
Then silence ensued as the Gala music played in the air. Natsume was still looking at his phone specifically at a picture of him, Mikan and Youichi.
...
Mikan looked at her phone for the nth time as she took a bite from her salad.
Ruka noticed the action one to many times. "If you're so worried about Natsume, why don't you call him?" he told her.
Mikan looked up and blinked.
Youichi jumped on his seat and grabbed Mikan's phone from the table. "No phones during dinner Mom, you know that." He told her off, placing the phone in the kitchen.
Ruka watched Youichi walk into the kitchen. "He's a little bit of something huh?"
"Ruka, I'm so sorry for acting that way" Mikan started.
Ruka looked back at her.
"This is so embarrasing." She told him again, covering her face with her palm. "I'm such a bad host, I should've been focusing on you." She peeked through her fingers blushing.
Ruka lightly laughed, pulling Mikan's hands away from her face "Mikan, I didn't mind. It's alright." He held onto her hand lightly. At least I get to be with you.
Mikan looked at their hands then back up at Ruka. Their eyes met. Ruka's eyes were so calm and understanding.
All the while, as Ruka looked into Mikan's eyes he gathered all his strength and cleared his throat.
"Mikan I've been meaning tell you this for a very long time..." He started.
Mikan lightly held onto his hand and smiled. "What is it?"
Looking into her eyes Ruke felt it was time to tell her. "I..."
"Mom I'm taking out the dessert!" Youichi call out from the kitchen.
Mikan looked away from Ruka and pulled her hands away, "I'll help you dear!" Mikan answered back. "I'll be right back." She told him whilst patting his hand.
Ruka blinked. "O-okay" He answered back just as Mikan walked into the kitchen.
Sighing, Ruka turned back to his meal.
The front door opened and closed. Natsume took off his coat, he heard Mikan and Youichi's voice from the dining.
Entering the dining room, Natsume was surprised to see Ruka. Their eyes met and Natsume stayed rooted by the door and Ruka's spoon mid way to his mouth.
Mikan walked out from the kitchen holding a tray of desserts and both eyes landed on her. Mikan stopped by the kitchen door way.