MISPER

Evening Conversations

Inspector Natsume Hyuuga stood in front of her door, nut sure, if he should ring the bell or not. He scratched the back of his neck and munched at his lip. ''This was such a bad idea…'' he muttered to himself, but he knew he had to make sure she was all right.

Since they found Yuka Sakura, Mikan went crazy. She practically lived at the station and the hospital. Her big belly did not seem to stop her from doing that. The policemen did watch over her, but he knew that it was not enough. So he had to make sure himself. Her friend called him a few hours before, telling him about Mikan moving to her, because she wanted her safe.

He rang the bell and took a deep breath.

He heard footsteps coming closer and the click of someone looking through the door hole. He heard her gasp at the other side, and soon she unlocked the door, throwing the door open.

''Did something happen? Is my mother all right? Why didn't you call me?'' Were the first sentences she blurred out. At his shaking head, her shoulders fell. ''Don't worry, everything is all right. Your mother is all right. We're checking Persona's hidden places but they were all empty. We guess it's outside the city.'' He explained.

''Oh…'' she looked so sad and lonely he wanted to hug her. Then she realized how rude she was by letting him stand outside her flat like that and invited him in. ''I'm sorry, where are my manners. Come in. Can I offer you some tea?'' she chatted, showing him the way to the kitchen.

She was making tea for the both of them and made him sit at the table.

''What's going on?'' she asked, sitting down in front of him. She was wearing baggy pants and a huge T-shirt that showed her beautiful pregnant body. Natsume could not avert his eyes from her. ''Actually nothing. I just came to see how you're doing. Your friend called me today. Said I should keep an eye on you.'' He explained.

Mikan blushed, muttering something like: ''That Hotaru…'' She stood up again to pour the tea and put the hot cup in front of him. He took a sip and hummed. It was good. Mikan held her cup and stared at it. She was silent.

''Mikan. How do you feel?'' Natsume asked her. She did not look up, but he noticed her eyes got teary. She blinked to make them go away, and cleared her throat. ''I'm all right. I mean, I'm nervous and all that and I'm obviously under stress, but I'm all right.''

They were silent once again.

''So… You're moving to your friend's?'' he asked, just to start a conversation.

Mikan nodded, scratching her nose. ''Yeah… Hotaru was very angry with me for… Well, I haven't exactly told her everything, and when she learned about the whole situation from the news…'' she smiled sheepishly. ''For the time being, I have to move to her place.''

''That's good. Living alone, while this is happening is very dangerous. Your friend knows what's best for you. If only you'd listen to me the way you listen to her.'' He joked.

Mikan chuckled. ''You're not as scary as she is when she gets angry… Or whenever actually. I'd even listen to her before I'd listened to my mother.''

''That bad, huh?'' Natsume liked to talk to her like that. He gave her a soft smile, feeling glad to have visited her. He had no idea what that smile did to her hormones.

''Well, it's not like she's… you know… someone you have to be afraid off, but… She's got this… Aura of respect around her. She's very charismatic, very persuasive, and she knows exactly how she can manipulate into doing whatever she wants you to.'' She explained, while sipping at her tea.

Natsume wanted to comment that Mikan was not any different. Maybe a little softer, but definitely manipulative. They were women. They had to be like that if they wanted to achieve things they wished for.

''Actually, she's just like you.'' Mikan smiled at him as she told him that and he blinked at her in surprise. ''Me?''

''Well, yes. You're all she is I guess, just not as scary.''

Natsume chuckled. ''I think it's part of my job to be that way.''

''I guess. What made you actually choose this profession?'' she asked curiously. ''Or is it too personal?''

Natsume shrugged. ''Nah… I've always wanted to be a policeman and I became one. As easy as that.''

''Interesting. When I read detective books, the officer always has a dark past or something that made him become a policeman.''

''Most don't actually. We're all just normal people who thought this profession is great.''

''You don't think that anymore?''

''I do. But cases like this one make you reconsider…''

Mikan nodded. Then she put her hands on her belly, feeling the baby kicking. She smiled gently, humming. Natsume smiled too, watching her be relaxed.

''When will you…'' he asked.

She looked up at him, her smile still on place. ''In a month. He'll be born in less than a month.''

''He?''

She nodded. ''Yes… A boy.'' She averted her eyes, her expression changing into concern.

Natsume smiled lightly, taking her hand. ''Don't worry, you're a strong woman. You'll make it through. Now that we all know you for so long, the whole team will be with you.'' He joked and made her laugh. ''Thank you. I'll count on you. If you won't appear in the maternity hospital, I'm going to strangle you.'' She joked back and let him hold her hand.

She gazed at him, her eyes shining brightly and her cheeks reddening. It was obvious what she felt, yet she could not admit it. He looked so attractive and so wonderful, she almost blurted it out. Her heart was beating fast and her breathing got a little harder, but she tried to control herself. She was just a young pregnant woman in need for help. Why would he be interested in her?

And even if… He told her he had too much work to have a relationship.

Natsume stared at her lips and her eyes, struggling to hold it in. He would love to pull her closer and kiss her, but he could not do that just like that.

He caressed her hand with his thumb, then pulled his hand back. He drank his tea and stood up. ''I should go.'' He muttered. Mikan quickly stood up too, her expression one of desperation. ''So soon?''

Natsume looked at her, stepping closer. ''I want you to be careful Mikan. We're looking out for you, but that doesn't mean you're not in danger. Promise me you'll call me right away if something happens.''

She started shaking, her hormones once again taking control of her emotions. He took her hand and squeezed it. ''Promise me, you'll call me.'' He demanded.

Mikan nodded, staring at his lips. Her eyes were bright and she looked so vulnerable, Natsume could not help himself. He hugged her, even though he wanted to kiss her. She hugged him back, feeling his rapid heartbeat. He felt her belly on his and it was so warm and so nice, he wished she would stay in his arms. When they pulled apart, they stared at each other for a few moments, before Mikan stepped away.

''I'll be careful.'' She promised, her voice weak. Then she took a deep breath and stepped closer again, placing a soft kiss on his cheek. With her cheeks flushed, she stepped back again, making space between them. Natsume gazed at her, obviously wanting more.

Nevertheless, he just reached for her hand again, squeezed it and then let go. He walked to the door and opened it. Mikan was leaning against it, watching him walk away. ''Good night, Mikan.'' He said, turning back for the last time. ''Good night, Natsume.'' She whispered back and watched him go.

Her heart did not calm down for a long time.