Hey guys! I'm back, after a shorter while relative to my first absence. Hahaha. Anyway, I was busy with my acads that's why I wasn't able to update sooner.

Just had time to type this little chapter because of the one-week calamity-caused long vacation here in the Philippines. :( I am saddened by this unnamed strong series of rainstorms that has been pestering us. Floods everywhere. I hope we stay safe.

Anyway, thanks for all the reviews. I got lots! And thanks to those who waited patiently for this. I made it extra long for you guys so I hope you enjoy it!

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

Eighth Letter (Part III)

Shit. Did I just tell her I love her? What? Fuck no. I slipped. Damn it.

Wait, did Natsume just tell me he loves me? I mean, whaaaa-?

Holy crap Natsume. What did you just do?! Ungh, this isn't supposed to happen. Now what do you do?

Okay, calm down Mikan. Come on. Breathe. Breathe. Keep on walking with him. Come on. See? He's acting as if nothing happened.

The hell. I'm not even talking to her now. I'm such a jerk. Great, she's probably all set to punch me now. Stupid bloody tongue.

He's still acting like nothing's wrong. Am I supposed to go with it? Ajdhfalkdjfs. Stupid Natsume.

What am I gonna do? What am I gonna do? What am I gonna do? What am I gonna friggin' do?

Oh.

Oh.

This is all part of that girlfriend-boyfriend thing! It's all an act! Brilliant. Alright. Got worked up on nothing. Stupid Mikan.

She's not yet reacting violently. Does that mean…?

"-And Bingo was his name-o! BINGO!" Tsubasa licked the colorful frozen goodness on the stick. "Mi-kan, Nat-tie, sitting on a tree, k-i-s-s-i-ng. Am I seeing what I'm not supposed to be seeing right now?" he nudged Natsume against his ribs teasingly, all the while flailing the poor ice drop captured in his right hand.

Natsume rolled his eyes. It's one of those days again isn't it? That so-called Tsubasa's day for his crazy streak. Oh, wait. That happens everyday. Right. He forgot. "Spare us, Shadow and back off,"

"Ohhh, scary," the other raven-haired lad mocked, raising both his hands in mock surrender which, of course, ticked the prince even more.

Now what does this freak want? He was having a perfect - okay, maybe not - but close to perfect day here. He realized that he was in love with Mikan which feels just so damn right that elation seeps through his soul and of course, it's even luckier for him since she's already his fiancée. Then, she agreed to be his girlfriend for the day which is also heavenly seeing as he can validly keep her all to himself especially now that she can replace the sun with her hotness. And yeah, even though it wasn't a part of the plan, he is certainly in euphoria albeit a little nervous about his haphazard confession. In his defense anyway, she didn't retort to his claim so as far as he can see, everything is going smoothly.

Until, at least, now.

"What do you want?" the crimson-eyed lad asked venomously. He clearly wants his dense cousin to leave them alone. Oh come on.

Tsubasa looked at the both of them peculiarly, a grin spreading mischievously on his handsome face. "Oh nothing. I just thought that it was rather hot and sugary today." he muttered, licking his popsicle innocently.

"Sugary?" Mikan remarked. "That must be your sweet treat talking over there," she said, jutting her chin out towards the ice cream.

He shrugged. "Must be. Anyway, come on. We're going to play something over there. Wanna join?"

"N-" Natsume began to say.

"I'm sorry, your opinion is not wanted, Your Highness. At least, not on this one. Yes, mademoiselle, you were saying?" Tsubasa turned to Mikan after clearly shutting his cousin up which is, if he might say, feels so damn good. You gotta do that once in a while, especially if your cousin is Natsume who just practically says punch me whenever he talks. And yeah, okay, maybe also says kiss me once in a while which isn't just exclusive for females okay? Tsubasa saw much more disturbing things - like guys going along the hyperbola regarding their gender for Natsume.

He was thankful he wasn't one of them.

Anyway, at the instant the word 'game' was mentioned, sparkles glittered inside the princess' hazel orbs, clearly indicating her eager want for some entertainment. Which also means that this is going to be a piece of a cake for Tsubasa.

"Sure!"

"Great," Tsubasa muttered and started walking towards the mansion, humming an undecipherable tune. Mikan happily followed while her fiancé grunted irritably beside her. "Oh and by the way, if you guys didn't get me earlier…

…I was talking about the fact that you two were holding hands and were attracting far too much attention. It's not me who's sugary after all, eh?"

Sht.

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

"Ora," Himemiya muttered through her fan as she peered outside the balcony overlooking the entrance to her mansion. "The Prince and Mikan-chan appear to be getting along well don't they?" She remarked with amusement, fluttering her fan in the process.

The ex-Empress meanwhile, who was miraculously inside the same room narrowed her eyes in response. "Do they now?" she muttered silently.

Kaoru's mother perked up on that tone and sat on the couch opposite the Royal. Delicately crossing her legs and observing the old woman critically, she finally vocalized her deduction - an observation that she doesn't approve of one bit. "You still are that scheming kind of woman, aren't you, Youko?"

Youko glared at her. "Don't you dare call me by that name." she hissed, scandalized. Never once in many decades has she heard anyone call her by her first name without any honorific. She feels strongly violated by this bold and imprudent action of this woman. She is still a Royal who must be respected and be called properly although he has already abdicated her throne to this woman's daughter. And now she dares call her as if they are merely equal? Her pride cannot forgive her.

"Didn't I just?" Himemiya replied smoothly, smirking.

Youko grimaced in response. "Despicable,"

"Ah," Kaoru's mother replied. "Such a perfect word to describe yourself. I do commend you for that," she chuckled darkly.

The ex-Empress cannot do anything but to glare at her nemesis. She was stumped. Harrumphing, she replied, "Do not interfere with my business, Himemiya. You should know your place,"

"As well as you should,"

Another sharp glance was thrown across the table. "Pardon?"

"It's about time you rest, Youko. Really. You must take your hands off of the events around the Palace,"

The ex-Empress breathed in deeply and straightened her back. "As to what I am doing, I believe it is none of your concern. This is a matter that must be handled by the main Royal Family and not…" she looked dirtily at the other woman. "by outsiders." like you.

"Au contraire, it is a matter concerning the kids, not you. Let them find their own way and not warp the laid path before them into your own liking. Once is enough." Himemiya replied, training her crimson eyes steadily on Youko, feeling pity for the woman.

She scoffed. "Very well then. Once is enough. Feeling victory once is enough isn't it? So just this once, it will be enough,"

"Whatever you're planning concerning my grandson's life, I will not let you succeed on it. I'll stop you, remember that." Himemiya uttered seriously, narrowing her beautiful crimson eyes.

Youko meanwhile, only smiled, stood up and said. "I'd like to see you try," And I wish you would. Her smile faded as she turned her back on the Empress' mother.

I wish you could.

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

"So?" Hotaru tapped her foot impatiently, her purple orbs trained sternly on her brother and his friend, Shuuichiro Sakurano. "Are you going to tell me or what?"

Subaru breathed in deeply and sighed, opting to pass through his inquisitive sibling without giving out any information. This is not a business in which anyone can just jut their nose into - not even his sister who is especially keen on these matters. "Step aside, Hotaru,"

"No." she answered with an extra tinge of finality.

Whatever it was about Mikan and their family's secret, she believes that she has the right to know. Mikan is her best friend and whatever predicament she finds herself caged in, she believes that she has the responsibility to help her escape it. She just has to know what is it she's suffering from. And now, her good ol' brother does but he's unwilling to hand her over the bacon? Damn it. She will have it. Whatever the cost.

Sakurano chuckled. "Come on now, Hota-chan. We really can't tell you what's up. It's top secret. So be a good girl and give it up okay?" he said kindly.

Hotaru smirked in amusement. "Unfortunately, I'm not a good girl. So spill,"

"Or else?" Subaru urged on.

His sister simply looked at him in a hard manner.

It was the older Imai's turn to smirk. "Now there's no 'or else' tail, is there?" he tutted amusedly. "I expected more from you, little sister. And here I thought you were becoming extremely good. Guess not. Unless you have that 'or else' tail of yours, Hotaru, you better keep your nose off this business." he said and stormed past her with Sakurano smiling that stupid grin on his face.

"You know Mikan's mother," Hotaru blurted out.

She turned around, now facing the older guys who also turned around upon hearing her statement. "You know Yuka-san. How did that happen?"

"I have no obligation to tell you. Now I suggest you go back to your friends. I have a feeling that they are looking for you," the older Imai replied, turning his back to his sister and walking away.

And somehow, Hotaru knew - she just knew - that the conversation was over and that there was no point in prying over the matter.

Somehow, she just had to know all on her own.

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

Youichi Hijiri trained his silver orbs from Natsume to Mikan, both having just arrive with Tsubasa from the outdoors.

Natsume looked completely cool like absolutely nothing happened. Well, at least that's what Youichi saw the moment he entered the room. But, looking at his older cousin more carefully, it can be remarked that he looks extremely happy. But of course, who could tell with Natsume's usual stoic facade right? After all, he's not one who bounces all over the room expressing his utter elation. Somehow, Youichi just knew. He doesn't want to phrase it in the way that it would come out all so cheesy that it would make just anyone gag like how his crimson orbs shone unusually brighter this afternoon. He can just tell.

Natsume is happy.

Mikan looks like she just got out of the oven. She was red. Like, chili pepper red. Something must have had happened. Youichi knows that it was hot outside. But hello? Even when the sun shines eternally here in this specific region of the country, it is still undeniable that the season is winter and going with the logical flow of things, it is obviously colder in the current season compared to the rest of the year. So yes, something must have happened between the two. Something…embarrassing. Or so. Maybe for Mikan. Or something that would turn her in her current color.

Mikan is embarrassed.

"What happened to you two?" Youichi finally asked the same time both flopped down the same couch while Tsubasa walked over to where Misaki was and deposited himself on the floor. Watching both sit next to each other was another thing that baffled the young lad. It's just so…unusual. Yes, they are engaged and yes, they are bound to marry each other but those two have the thickest heads around and they just won't starting patching their relationship for weeks now. And then…suddenly, this? Wow.

The silver-haired lad waited expectantly, all the while throwing incredulous looks at both.

Mikan coughed then squeaked, "Nothing,"

"You're red." Youichi further teased, guessing that it would unnerve the brunette. Now that would be a show worth watching.

The said brunette meanwhile looked like she swallowed a frog. "I'm sorry?" she squeaked again. What is she being so nervous about? What have they done anyway?

"I said you're red. You know, beet red? Are you okay?"

This time, Aoi interrupted. "I don't really get why you're asking all of these, You-chan. It's hot outside."

Youichi rolled his eyes then inclined his head towards Tsubasa's direction. "Well, was it?"

"Very much," he grinned, meaning another thing altogether. "So…"

"So…"

Everyone stared at everyone awkwardly and the circular arrangement of things didn't make things any easier for any of them. The clock continued to tick and everyone continued to wait. As for what, they do not know but one thing is for sure. Natsume's patience was wearing thin.

"So," he started. "Why don't you explain to me what sort of useless crap you set me up, interrupting the important moment I was in beforehand?"

Tick.

"Oh come on," Tsubasa replied, trying not to laugh. The prince wanted to strangle him on spot. "Important. Right. You two were walking while - ow!" a pebble hit him squared on the forehead. "What was that for?!" Tsubasa asked the culprit who turned out to be - surprise! surprise! - Natsume.

"You said there was a game - a stupid game. And where is it now?" he tapped his foot impatiently, crossing his slender arms in the process.

"Boiling head, as always, Hyuga. Your temper had always been like your eyes." The sliding door behind him slid open, revealing a very pissed Hotaru. "Red."

Sitting down on the sofa no one was occupying, she announced in a way that only she can do.

"The game is here."

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

"'The game is here.'" Youichi repeated. "She's saying it like she herself is the game." He muttered as he absent-mindedly brushed dust off his sleeves.

Crossing her legs nonchalantly, Hotaru said in a matter-of-factly tone, "So what if I am?"

"Brilliant," Natsume interjected. "How do we play you?"

Mikan whacked her fiance/boyfriend. "That sounded so wrong."

"On so many levels," Misaki agreed.

"Whatever."

"Where have you been?" Ruka asked worriedly, for once without his rabbit. He was wearing a sky blue polo, opened until the first two buttons which showed ample amount of cream-colored skin. He looked exceptionally hot today. Mikan just had to keep her eyes off him and back to Natsume. She's supposed to be playing his girlfriend right? Well, he didn't say that she's supposed to be a loyal one but might as well play the part.

Hotaru meanwhile, had her eyes straying nonstop to Mikan, that mystery she wasn't able to trespass still continuously playing in her head. What is her best friend keeping away from her? "Somewhere," she stated distractedly.

Ruka just kept on looking at her in a worried manner. She continued to look at Mikan.

Tsubasa coughed. "So, what is the game, sis?"

"Seven minutes in heaven,"

"No." Everyone chorused in utmost conviction.

Hotaru's eyebrows perked up. "And why ever not?"

It was Misaki's turn to cough. She was slightly blushing. "Well, if you haven't noticed, we've been into much kissing lately. In fact, the last time we played any sort of game at all, it even involved kissing." she defended, referring the the twisted Trip to Jerusalem facilitated by the Empress.

The raven-haired lass just looked at each one of them. "I don't really see what's wrong with it. In fact, am I not putting myself into greater disadvantage with this game?" She said, referring to her lack of love interest in the room. Mikan could go smooching Natsume anytime and it would be considered legal. So can her brother with Misaki. Aoi and Youichi could just go time everything. Meanwhile, she can't just go on kissing Ruka whenever she pleases.

There was a moment of silence. She had a point there.

"Still no." Ruka answered after a while. Well, he can't always be the victim. He has to defend himself somehow because if this game really pursues, he was sure that he would be Imai's kissing post soon. And he doesn't want that.

Hotaru rolled her eyes. "Touchy. Touchy. Fine. Let's play kings." she proposed again.

This time, there seems to be no protest from anyone so she quickly produced the sticks to provide each's role in the game. Simple. Everyone is assigned a number except for one who would be the King. And of course, the king has the power to command a pair of numbers to do something, anything he pleases. So without anyone knowing, she actually had more of the winning end of the bargain. Kings is basically a mixture of Seven Minutes in Heaven and Truth or Dare. You can do anything with the players here. This is a tyrannical game.

Everyone drew their sticks.

And only one would emerge the winner.

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

Tsubasa gazed at his stick in nervousness, his face slowly breaking into a big grin.

He won.

"Well this is rather interesting," he said, flipping his stick whose other end was colored red. "I'm the king."

Everyone else groaned. This meant serious trouble. Tsubasa can think of the wildest things to bark around. Okay, maybe it's not half as much scary with Hotaru ruling the lot…but still.

The older raven-haired lad rubbed his hands evilly, a wicked smile on his face. "Shall we get started?"

And everyone just had to sigh.

"Mmmm," he thought aloud. "I can think of a gazillion of things to boss around but I guess we should start the game mildly. Why don't we start with a touchy-feely concept hmm?" he asked.

"Just get this over with Tsubasa," Misaki muttered.

"Fine," he replied. "Number one and number seven,"

Hotaru twitched. Ruka fidgeted. "Choose your next words carefully, idiot onii-chan,"

Tsubasa's grin grew even wider. "Tell each other the biggest lie you've committed that you deeply regretted."

Hotaru cursed. Ruka sat frozen. Everyone else watched as they made progress.

Finally, the poor blond lad sighed, seeing as how he has to go first since his beloved dear cousin won't even start talking. The biggest lie he made to her? Lie…lie…lie. Well, he rarely lies. This is a very difficult situation. He can't think of anything. What has he lied about to her? And more so, the biggest one? Okay. That's it. He hasn't told her a lie yet. Nothing that major anyway. He doesn't have anything to tell her.

"Any moment now, guys," Misaki urged on.

Hotaru sighed. "Unfortunately, this guy never lied to me so I guess I should be the only one talking here," she muttered.

Natsume scoffed. "All relationships are one-way when it comes to you, Imai,"

She chose to ignore this and started with her confession. "When we first met and you clung to me like a loser, I didn't really hate it." she said dryly.

"And?"

"That's it."

Natsume continued. "And apparently, all stories end shortly when it comes to you. Dryly."

"Whatever. I'm through." Hotaru brushed off and went back to being a mere speculator.

Ruka, meanwhile, was stuck frozen on his seat. True. Hotaru said it so dryly that it seems nothing. But they both know that wasn't the case. Her confession meant a lot to him. It changed everything in their relationship - whatever their relationship is. He was happy.

Tsubasa rubbed his cheek. "Well," he mumbled. "That was quick. I was expecting a little more…fluff - oomph!"

"There. Fluff." His sister replied after she threw a plush cushion straight on her brother's face, shutting him up for good. Fluff. She was Hotaru Imai and she simply does not do fluff.

Her brother sighed. "Let's get moving on. Next, I want number two and number three,"

Aoi gulped. Youichi glared at his older cousin.

"You better fix your life, Tsubasa-nii," You-chan threatened him while Aoi just looked at him fearfully. Poor lamb. Aren't both of them just cute?

Tsubasa's been shipping them secretly. Aoi just fancies the boy too much. As to what she sees in him, he doesn't know. Maybe You-chan does have his own charms but they don't seem all that visible to Tsubasa. Maybe they can only be seen by girls? Meh, whatever. Shipping them practically equates to incest in the outside world as they are first-cousins but in the Royal Family, it once was legal to marry your cousin to preserve the bloodline. Still is today anyway, but less evident. So yeah, he can say that Aoi and Youichi can in fact, end up with each other. Let's just hope the baby won't turn out with some genetic mutations.

"This is an interesting pick." Tsubasa commented. "Something tells me that both of you would look really nice hugging each other."

"E-eh?!" Aoi squeaked.

Youichi looked like he wanted to punch his older cousin. "HEY!"

"So I, as the King, am ordering both of you to embrace each other until this game ends. And that is absolute." he smiled.

"I swear I am going to kill you later, Andou." Youichi growled.

Misaki tutted. "Less complaining, more action."

Hotaru fished out her camera. "Let's get this show going on."

"B-but…onii-chan," Aoi turned to her brother, looking at him pleadingly. An older brother must be protective of his younger sister right?

Natsume sighed. "It won't get you pregnant, Aoi. It's just hugging. Just scream when that rascal's touching anywhere weird. I'll fry him." he replied.

"There you go kiddo. Got your guardian's permission." Tsubasa whistled.

Aoi pouted sulkily and muttered. "Pervert Tsubasa-nii,"

"Hai, hai," he replied. "Come on you two. Gonna do it or what? If you don't do your task, you'll have to do the one I'll be giving to the next pair and I assure you that it will be a lot worse."

Now also pouting, Youichi grabbed Aoi by the neck and hugged her. Not just hug. But hug tightly - like he'll never let go of her. Very very lowly, he whispered to her. "Stay put Aoi, this will be all over soon. Don't worry." and facing back Tsubasa, he said, "Happy?"

And somehow, that made all things better for the little Hyuga princess as she hugged him back as if it was nothing.

Looking at his little cupid work, Tsubasa smiled back to himself. It was certainly going on nicely. Now, how do we fix the rest? He hopes that he'd go as lucky as he had been and pick Natsume and Mikan's number. He was certain that he'd receive an ample amount of beating after the game and after he was stripped off his mighty power so he might as well abuse it now while it lasts. And as for his last draw, he chose.

"I'm getting a little bored. Why don't we spice things up, huh?" he smiled innocently, receiving a piercing glare from Natsume who knew roughly what he was planning. "So, number six and number four,"

Natsume cursed. Misaki looked around her while Mikan stayed dazed, staring out of space.

"Wait, who's number four?" Tsubasa asked, looking at the three.

The crimson-eyed lad crossed his arms and looked away indignantly. "Me,"

The onyx-eyed lad scrunched his eyebrows in confusion. "Then who's number six?" He looked expectantly at Misaki, for a moment drowning in panic as he had not thought of a possible command had the combo been the both of them.

Misaki shook her head. "Not me. I'm number five."

They all looked at Mikan who just snapped out of her reverie when Natsume lightly touched her hand. "W-what? O-oh, yeah. Sorry. I'm number six." she mumbled silently.

Tsubasa knew there was something wrong with her. She was awfully quiet the whole time they got here and it was so unlike Mikan. Did it bother her that much that he had caught both of them holding hands. Oh come on. He was sure it was no big deal. But maybe he could fix this up. Maybe.

"Perfect." Tsubasa smiled. "Seven Minutes in Heaven!"

Natsume's discs enlarged into saucers for a second. Mikan turned beet red. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Seven Minutes in Heaven." Tsubasa repeated, seeing her sister smiling evilly in his peripheral vision. "You know. We'd lock both of you in that room," he motioned to the mini-joint room of the parlor. "For seven minutes and within that period of time, you can do anything you want. No pressure but usually, when people go out of that dark damp space, they're fully of hickeys." Mikan turned redder as he snickered. "So, are you guys going to do it or what?"

"What happens if I refuse?" Mikan ventured.

"Well," Tsubasa replied. "You kiss Natsume. For seven minutes."

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

"Imai," Natsume growled. "You didn't install any bugs inside did you?"

He watched as she rolled her purpled orbs. "No, Hyuga. I'd rather do that during your…" she faltered. "Nevermind," she amended and continued. "I didn't put anything inside. Rest assured, you have your privacy. Just this once."

Crimson orbs still lingered on her figure warily as his slender arms stopped the rest of him from being shoved into the dark room containing Mikan. "You…" he began.

That was when she kicked him in. "I," she said. "just sent you off. Enjoy your seven minutes in heaven, Hyuga."

Natsume grunted. Then after a while, sighed. He is now currently seated beside a mute brunette inside a stupidly dark room in the middle of a hot afternoon. Unfortunately, it seems that the AC doesn't reach this part of the Mansion which means that it was boiling hot inside and somehow, with Mikan not being her usual babbling self, the surroundings felt even warmer. He popped the first three buttons of his shirt open.

And finally, received a reaction from the brunette.

She gasped. "Natsume! You pervert!" she accused. "It hasn't even been a full minute and you are unbuttoning your shirt? I never would have thought that you would be pressured by Tsubasa's words. How gullible are you?" she said incoherently in her panic.

Natsume resisted the urge to laugh. "Idiot." he said. "It was hot. What were you thinking, pervert." he threw back.

Within the darkness, he knew that his fiancee turned red for the nth time today. She grew quiet again. What was haunting her? Was it because of the trick he played on her to be her one-day girlfriend? Is that it? Was she upset over the fact that Tsubasa had caught them holding hands? It was so frustrating not knowing what was wrong with her.

"What are you thinking?" Natsume asked her, resting his head on her shoulder.

"Nothing," she whispered.

He closed his eyes so that he could only hear her voice and feel her emotions, see her thoughts. "You are exceptionally quiet this afternoon."

Beyond his closed eyelids, he felt her smile. "You don't expect me to always be happy, Natsume."

"So you're sad." he stated.

She hesitated. "No."

"But you're not happy either."

"No."

"What do you feel?" he asked. She was quiet for a minute, probably weighing her own feelings. He can sense that she was unsure of herself as well just as how unsure he was of her.

He waited.

"Natsume," she mumbled slowly. "What if,"

"Mmm,"

"What if I'm not the girl you know?" she asked, her voice tinged with melancholy.

"What do you mean?"

"What if I'm not me? What if there is a part of my identity that you don't know that changes the whole me? What will you do?" she asked, a strange quiver on her voice. It was close to breaking.

"Nothing." he simply replied. "You're you, Mikan. Nothing can change that. Not even your past - especially not your past. It's just what defines you but the real you…" he trailed off. "…is right here. Beside me."

"Then…" she leaned her head on his. "…what will you do if I'm not really your bride? What if on the day of the wedding, you find out that I have been replaced?"

Natsume laughed softly. "You ask the silliest questions, you know that?"

"Just answer."

"I'd run away."

"Why?"

"Becase I'll find you."

"Why?"

"Because you're the one I want to marry."

Mikan wished she hadn't asked the last why. She was in jumbles right now, not knowing whether what he told her is still a part of the girlfriend charade or not. She wanted it to be so true but at the same time didn't. Because she wasn't, at all costs, allowed to fall in love with her fiancé. But what if she already has?

She straightened up, causing her to face Natsume eye-to-eye. She looked at him sadly, not knowing whether the lack of light allows Natsume to see so. "Is this a part of the act too?" she asked weakly.

For a moment, Natsume looked at her in confusion and then, with bitterness and hurt, replied.

"Nothing ever was."

And then light shattered through the room. It was over.

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

December 18, 20XX

Dear Natsume,

I don't know where to start. This day ended so far from where it has started. I didn't know it would end up like this.

I thought today would be poured to recovering my lost identity but it seems that fate has a different schedule prepared for me. Today, I became your girlfriend. I wanted to laugh. It all seems to backwards you know? This story of ours. Sometimes, I even get the feeling that we should have started out as a married couple. We did anyway. Close to that. Don't you find it ironic how we started this thing off engaged? And how we treated that bond as something caging both of us, forcing us together when we didn't even want to.

But then we started warming up to each other and finding our way. That was when everything went berserk. All hurdles were set up to stop us from meeting each other half-way. I'm always so close and yet far from you. Today, I asked you what you'd do if you found out that I wasn't your bride. You said that you'd run away because you'll find me because it's me you want to marry. I thought it was all a part of the act. I hoped it was. Because I can't fall in love with you Natsume. I am not allowed to. But then, there you were, telling me that 'Nothing ever was'.

Nothing ever was an act. Was it true? When you told me that you love me, did you mean it? Because I was afraid that you did. And that I did mean it too. This is all too funny.

It started out with an engagement none of us wanted. It crawled out to a messed up arrangement with third parties trying to break it off just when we were both warming up to each other. Now, devolved to a mere girlfriend-boyfriend thing where both of us wished we were still free to love each other - where everything wasn't an act. Why do I have the feeling that this rhapsody that we have will soon end up with both of us being mere strangers who lost our chances to become more?

It breaks my heart. Had we started the other way, Natsume. Had I just met you naturally in a cafe, would our story be still bound to be as tragic as this? If it were so, I wish that it hadn't started out this way instead.

Still, I am hoping.

Six more days Natsume. Six more letters. Six more messages for you. Six more days with you.

Love,

Mikan

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

Finally over. How was it guys? I love long reviews so give me lots okay? I want to hear you guys rant about this chapter! :)

Liked it? Hated it? RANT ABOUT IT!

PS: I was wondering if you'd rather have an OMAKE for the next chappie because I was sorta planning on inserting one. :) Just tell me okay?