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

THE REUNION

Epilogue

5 YEARS LATER, 11:37 AM

Central Park, NEW YORK CITY

Mikan fumbled uneasily under the falling snow, short puffs of her breath visible against the cold; a quick glance at her trusty wristwatch, and then a curse.

Now we know that the brunette normally does not curse – ever. But when you're out in the open in dead winter for 37 minutes straight, waiting for a total stranger to show himself, Mikan would like to think that she's rightfully entitled to mutter a single profanity.

She has survived 5 lonely years in a foreign country, groveled at every other drama that hurtled her way, battled homesickness in every second of every freaking day and uselessly stuck a Band-Aid at her hopelessly broken heart. Death by freezing was not going to be the end of her. Nuh-uh.

She sighed irritably.

This is all her stupid cousin's fault. The brunette grudgingly remembered their exchange of dialogue that eventually ended with her decision overrun, as per usual.

Give this a try, Mikan. I promise, nothing bad will ever happen to you.

Right. Like meeting with a stranger who's been sending her stuff for the past five days is completely unsuspicious.

Then again, she has always wondered what their family dictionary's take on the word 'normal' is.

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

5 DAYS EARLIER, 7:50 AM

Black Diamond Building, NY City

It all started with the flowers…

"Don't forget to text me when you get home," Shuu told Mikan as they both watched the lights on the elevator buttons announce at which floor they're currently in.

Mikan exhaled. "Right." 28…27…26…ping!

"Hey," Green eyes crinkled in recognition.

She smiled. "Hey,"

"And that's a good morning, Mr. Sakurano from you, Mr. Glenn." Shuu muttered curtly at the lad. "Kids these days…"

The brunette watched as her cousin rolled his eyes and sighed. Clay Glenn, 26th floor, room 18 also known as the Charming Scottish boy.

Mikan had a couple of run-ins with him in and out of the elevator. He seemed nice enough and friendly. One time they bumped into each other in the supermarket nearby. The lad offered her a ride and she cheerfully obliged. And that was the start of their now 5-year-long friendship.

For some unfathomable reason, however, the boy drives her cousin to smokes and endless annoyance. Sometimes Mikan could almost swear that utmost eccentricity runs in the family.

Unfortunately for Shuu, however, both discovered that they attend the same university. And so, to save Mikan the hassle of commuting every morning to school in the middle of rush hour, Shuu grudgingly compromised to let her carpool with the Scot. Again, he'd like to emphasize: grudgingly.

"How fast do you drive?" Shuu asked out of the blue, still watching the elevator lights.

Not this again, Mikan inwardly groaned. She watched as her friend snapped out of his reverie, startled. He gave her an uncertain look then shifted his eyes to her cousin. "Pardon?"

"Make sure to drive within the speed limits, boy." Shuu said impatiently, tapping his foot as if he couldn't believe that he has to explain things these simple to a 22-year old man.

Clay's brown eyebrows crinkled in confusion. "Of course," he shook his head, obviously still not comprehending.

Mikan sighed and cradled her head.

14…13…12…

"Make sure to make Mikan wear her seatbelt." Shuu continued on. "Actually, you know what – "

"I know - " Mikan chirped enthusiastically.

Ping!

" – 10th floor, nii-chan. Don't you have to drop by Mrs. Newmann's for her mails?"

Shuu threw her a confused look. "What?"

"In your bag. Bye, love you!" she rambled on, pecked her cousin on the cheek and shoved him out of the elevator just as the doors shut closed.

"Mikan!" Shuu protested but was quickly cut off.

She exhaled, and threw an apologetic look at Clay who was already laughing. "I'm so, so, sorry. He does this every time!" she exclaimed.

Clay smiled lazily at her, showing his dimples. "And again, I really don't mind, Mikan." He grinned as he maneuvered both of them out of the elevator.

"I know but it's still embarrassing. I mean, I get it when we were still 17 but it's been 5 years!" she laughed along with him, shaking her head.

The Scottish boy grinned lopsidedly at her. "Yes, and a month away from graduation. Congratulations in advance, Attorney." He teased.

Mikan snorted. "Oh please." She chuckled. "You flatter me, Engineer."

Clay simply shrugged and draped a friendly arm over Mikan's shoulders, drumming his fingers, as both of them crossed the lobby floors towards the valet out front.

Yes, it was one of those New York City apartments. Goodness knows how much Mikan protested but her uncle (not to mention the Royal Family) simply does not offer her less than the best. It was a hopeless case, and the brunette knew when to surrender. So yes, posh residences check.

"Good morning, Mr. Glenn, Ms. Yukihira." Mr. Finn, the doorman, greeted both of them merrily. "Ah, miss, these came in for you early this morning." He said as he cradled a gorgeous bouquet of white lilies. The old man's eyes crinkled merrily.

Mikan smiled uncertainly at the old man then eyed the bouquet warily. She was stumped. She didn't know what to say. So she shifted her gaze to Clay and looked at him quizzically, wondering if maybe this was his doing.

The lad, equally baffled, raised his hands and shook his head, then turned his attention back to the pristine bundle of lilies.

"So, um," he started. "Who are they from, Mr. Finn?"

The old man simply shrugged at the question. "I have no idea, Mr. Glenn. It was an anonymous delivery. Perhaps a card, Ms. Yukihira?" he asked, a concealed attempt to pass the flowers to their rightful recipient who was still deep in her thoughts.

Mikan continued to eye the flowers. Her heart, on the other hand, was beating wildly. She dare not hope, not after all these years. It was safer to put her thoughts miles away from her silly wishes.

As Shuu mentioned earlier, better not to drive way past the speed limit and at the rate her heart is going on now? She was pretty sure there would be a painful crash at the end of the road. Better step on the break pedal ASAP, her mind warned.

She smiled and gingerly took the bouquet into her arms. Swallowing, the brunette searched for a card. A card to end this nonsense, she hoped. Both males, on the other hand, watched her, equally curious as to who the sender was, for two different reasons, of course.

"Nothing." Mikan breathed.

Clay inched closer. "What?"

The brunette looked at both Mr. Finn and Clay. "There is no card."

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

PRESENT TIME, 11:45 AM

Central Park, NY City

And so Mikan spent the rest of that day in chaos. Actually, in retrospect, she now sees the full view of her bad decision. For some reason, she has no idea why, instead of opting to rush back into their apartment to leave the large attention-grabbing flora, she zombie-like proceeded with Clay to his car and into the busy campus life where a line of curious and gossip-loving females awaited.

She must've been brain dead.

Just like she is right now. Well no, more of brain-freeze, actually. She sneezed. Great. Now she's catching a cold for this stranger?

Mikan grimaced and huffed. 15 more minutes and she's out of here – with or without the mysterious stranger. In the meantime, she decided to settle on the park bench and relish the past few days a little bit more.

What other great way to kill time, right?

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

4 DAYS EARLIER, 2:11 PM

Starbucks, NY City

And then, there were chocolates…

Mikan sipped her coffee as she stared long enough at her laptop screen. She believes that if she stares hard enough at the clean blank document page then a brilliant idea will pop out soon enough. Just a wee bit longer, she promised herself.

Just a wee bit longer and we're going to see doubles, Mikan! She sighed. And then we're going to have to fill two document pages. Great!

She shook her head. Writing a brief isn't supposed to be easy. But being stumped on this case is not an option. She pinched her nose. Just a few more weeks and she's going to graduate from university, finally! With a law degree, no less. So that is why, she absolutely cannot be in this state right now; she steeled herself.

But then again maybe she just needed a little breathing space. The brunette gazed outside to the busy streets of milling people. America is a melting pot of a variety of people, she mused. It was so easy to blend in.

Who, in the very large city (the Big Apple!), would question a Japanese teen moving in with her very attractive cousin into one of the most expensive suites in the most luxurious building? Exactly.

The past five years have been a constant battle for her. There simply was no breathing space. And even in these idle moments, she finds herself facing another war. Actually, it was those moments when she could think that she considers the hardest. Because then, she remembers.

She remembers her family – her mom and dad – and she remembers just how much she wishes they were here with her. Ironically, all that power and wealth cannot afford her both her parents by her side in her most trying times.

She remembers her friends, and how despite all the nightly calls, the equally stoic conversations with Hotaru or the animated chats with Nonoko and Anna, it still was not enough to ease her of her longing to be back in Japan even without all the riches and lavish circumstances. Just plain old Mikan with her friends, she knows, is worth more than her current lifestyle.

And then lastly, she refuses, yet still remembers him: his eyes – his red alluring orbs – his voice, the way he smells, the way he laughs when he has just insulted her and she was in her boiling point. The way he hugs her. The way he kissed her on that last day. The way he pleaded.

And then it becomes too painful to remember. And Mikan chooses to forget – to maybe ignore. He made it easy anyway. Five years, she thought miserably, and not a single word. Not even one.

Just like my brief, Mikan tried to lighten up her mood. She laughed softly then sighed. Resignedly, she closed her laptop and tucked it into her bag. In fact, she was about to go when two kids came running to her.

A little boy and a little girl of maybe five, both with startling pools of blue eyes and dark tresses.

"Hello," Mikan greeted uncertainly, by now noting the small parcel tucked within the girl's tiny arms. "What are you doing here?"

"You're very pretty!" the girl exclaimed happily. Despite herself, the brunette still found herself blushing at the compliment.

"Thank -"

"Tch."

She raised her eyebrows. "What was that?" she asked because she was pretty sure that she just saw the little boy roll his eyes at her. Unbelievable! "Did you just roll your eyes at me?" she asked.

"She has weird slanting eyes!" the lad told his twin. "She's ugly."

"Hey!" Mikan protested.

The little girl pouted at her brother. "Don't be mean!"

"Whatever."

"Come on, say sorry, Lexie."

The brunette watched with interest as the little boy, Lexie, stubbornly crossed his arms and harrumphed. The little girl, on the other hand, tugged his sleeve and pouted, and then gave Mikan a quick apologetic look.

Mikan smiled adoringly at her.

"Come on…"

"Fine. I'm sorry." Lexie said curtly, eyes away from her.

She grinned. "It's fine. Aren't you two cute?" she gushed.

"Yuck."

"Thank you!" Giggle. "I'm Xia."

"Hello, Xia." Mikan smiled warmly at her. "What do you have there?" she asked, pointing at the twins' daintily wrapped parcel, a large card sticking out.

The two looked at each other.

"A gift, duh." Lexie muttered.

"Oh," was all the brunette can say, frowning. "Well, yes."

Xia gave her a very toothy grin. "Do you want to see it?"

"May I?"

"Of course!" the young girl chirped, putting the box on the table with both her hands then settled on Mikan's lap. "It's for you, actually!"

Now Mikan had to frown. Another gift? She was not even going to start questioning how on earth two innocent children got involved in this fiasco.

"Are you sure?" But let's be skeptical, just for sure.

Lexie settled at the low chair across and hmphed. "It was from a man."

"What man?"

"That man who gave us lollipops!" Xia supplied in joy, now eyeing the parcel's ribbons, and then the card.

It was scented. Gingerly, Mikan picked it up and opened it.

Roses are red,

Violets are certainly not blue.

Who even wrote this stupid poem?

I just wanted to say I love you.

Mikan blushed, scrunching up her pretty face in uncontained giddiness, annoyance and disgust. That was one corny and badly written poem. Yes, and one that has revved up the speed of her heart to acceleration.

"Chocolates!" she heard Xia exclaim, apparently having taken the liberty of stripping the parcel of its wrappings.

"And lots of them!" Lexie joined in, grabbing a handful of chocolates himself and joining his sister in shoving a handful of them into their mouths.

Mikan sighed as she looked at them, smiling. She guessed that she would have to teach these two kiddos never to talk to strangers ever again.

"Oh, oh! We're sorry! May we have some chocolates, please?"

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

THE NEXT DAY, 8:05 PM

28th flr, Black Diamond Building, NY City

She's pretty sure she's already 4 years over high school but there it is: the Teddy Bear

"Roosevelt."

"What?" Shuu asked in confusion, eyeing the plushie.

"Theodore Roosevelt. That's his name." Mikan announced to him, hands on her hips, looking at the large brown bear on their dining table.

Shuu was just coming home from work and was about to enter their apartment, except this large stuffed animal was completely blocking their door. Of course, he was well aware of what has been happening to Mikan lately and figured that this must be the part three of it.

Oh yes, apparently, there is a part three.

"What happened to a good old name like…Mr. Bear?" Shuu asked, also wondering why he was partaking in this useless conversation. Why were they avoiding more important questions? Say, like…whom could it be from? Seriously.

"Oh yes," Mikan agreed, clapping her hands once. "Definitely Mr. Bear." She said, now getting more adventurous as she lifted one of the bear's arms, looking up its armpit.

"So no Theodore?" his cousin grabbed the other arm and sniffed. Fragrant.

"No." the brunette replied from its butt. "Theodore Roosevelt, full name. Nickname? Mr. Bear." She said.

Shuu huffed. "It gets a nickname?"

The brunette straightened up. "Well, yeah."

"Fair enough. I've got a nickname too." Shuu replied smugly. "Anyways…" he started, deciding to broach the subject.

Mikan coughed uncomfortably.

"There's the flowers," he continued on, pointing to the bouquet placed on a China vase. "The chocolates," which are already in Lexie's and Xia's tummies and some of it, well both in Shuu's and Mikan's. They couldn't help grabbing some bites as they discussed matters about the said chocolates, okay? "And now…the bear."

"…" Uncertain smiles.

"What…is…up?"

Mikan looked sheepish. "That is the question, isn't it?"

Shuu raised his eyebrows. "Is someone courting you?"

"WHAT?"

"I know, I know!" her cousin raised his arms. "Apparently, it exists even in America!"

"No, no!" Mikan denied, finding the idea ridiculous.

"Is it that Scottish boy?"

"Nii-chan!"

"Well, is it?"

"NO! He was with me when I received the flowers!" Mikan exclaimed although, it would have been much more easier for her had it been him instead.

Or not. Shuu scowled. "Well, good." He placed his hands on his hips, obviously satisfied.

"Yes, good." His cousin mumbled, then as if thinking better of it, added, "Wait, no. What is up with you and Clay? Why do you seem to hate him so much?"

Perfectly raised eyebrows. "Now where did you get that idea?"

It was the brunette's turn to cock up an eyebrow. She purposefully planted her hands on her hips and imitated her cousin's stance just seconds before. "Is it that Scottish boy? No? Well, good." And put up a mockingly satisfied face to drive her point.

Shuu scowled. "Do you like him?"

"Well, do you like Shizune-san?" Mikan countered.

Her cousin's face fell the moment she asked that. Sometimes Shuu swears that Mikan's puberty rebellion came years late. She's in her twenties and she's acting like an angsty teenager! Shuu has no idea if it was the American culture, or the stress from voluntary exile, or both. Simply put, Mikan being Mikan, since five years ago has been a complete angel sprinkled with sassiness with stubbornness on top.

Anyways, the blond man had no idea when their conversation escalated to broaching topics that were quite sensitive to both of them. Well, it wasn't as if he was going to back down. Oh no.

"Have you finally moved on from him?" he asked, opting to be merciful by omitting his name. Well they both know whom they're talking about.

Mikan's eyes narrowed. "Is she the reason why you migrated with me?"

"Deep, deep down, are you actually hoping that he's your secret admirer?"

"Is it because you found Shizune-san's and Subaru-nii's wedding too unbearable?"

"Because you still love him?" Shuu chose to ignore his cousin's words. This time, this argument is for her and his personal issues have no room in here.

But of course Mikan would never agree to that. Despite her difficultness these past few years, her heart's still in a good place. And if Shuu chooses to mess with her mind to face her doubts? Then he's going down with her. After all, they're a couple of messed up cousins who are stupid enough to run from the things that will set them free.

"Because you still love her?"

Shuu pursed his lips. "You're free. Why won't you come back to Japan?"

"You are free. Why won't you?"

"I should be here for you." The man replied quietly.

Mikan gave him a measured stare. "Liar." She simply said. "Why are you afraid?"

"It's true. I should be here for you." He insisted. "You are more afraid than I am."

"Then prove it." She taunted.

Shuu raised both his eyebrows. "Maybe I will. But only if you do."

Big brown eyes looked at him in puzzlement. "What do you mean?"

"What will you do, dear cousin, if your deepest doubts come true and Natsume is your secret admirer?" he smirked.

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

THE DAY AFTER, 9:02 AM

28th flr, Black Diamond Building, NY City

Whoever's sending these is a total creep. And Mikan would like to whack him over with Hotaru's BAKA GUN.

Balloons in their apartment, seriously?

Mikan barely slept.

Mikan barely slept a wink because of her utterly stupid, stupid cousin who couldn't keep his unsolicited advice to himself.

What will you do, dear cousin, if…Natsume is your secret admirer?

What will she do? She has no idea. It has been five years! A lot of things have changed – with her, definitely – for the both of them, maybe. She was scared.

What if time has worn down the things that made them perfect for each other? What if he has found someone else? What if in that span of five years, both of them had changed so much that they do not recognize each other anymore? And what if the people they have become are too unbearable for the other to continue loving?

She was afraid to find out the answers that will shut her what if's up. She was more afraid to find out what is not as opposed to her what ought to be rather than what actually is. She'd rather not find out.

After what she has done, how can Natsume possibly understand? Where does she even begin when she must explain to him why she chose to leave? How can she bear looking at his angry face? And how much more must she bear looking at his face, knowing that his anger is directed towards her?

Stupid Shuu.

Mikan crumpled her face in frustration, got up, and padded out of her bedroom to start the day. Does she even have a choice?

What registered first to her bleary eyes were the strings – and that the strings were floating; and then the colors – red, orange, pink, yellow – very, very loud colors. Balloons. There are a dozen of balloons in her apartment.

WHY?

The brunette's mind reeled over the possibilities – all of them, except for the most plausible one. This – cannot – be – part – four! There cannot be part four!

Mikan quickly grabbed her phone. Thank god for speed dials, she thought. Nibbling her lip in agitation, she waited for Shuu's office receiver to click.

"Mikan?" she heard his worried voice. "What's up?"

The brunette drew in short fast breaths. Was she palpitating? "Did you um, prepare the balloons in our living room?" she squeaked.

It was just now that the creepiness of it all was dawning on her. Somebody had just been inside their flat while she was freakin' sleeping!

There was an unbearable pause on the line. "What balloons?"

"Oh god." Mikan breathed, covering her mouth. "Oh god, oh god, oh god. Someone was in our apartment!"

"But you are unharmed? Nothing was stolen? Are you okay, Mikan? Calm down."

"Nothing was stolen! Dozens of balloons are hanging on our ceiling though! What is this?!" she muttered, noticing the small pieces of paper tied to the strings just now.

"What?" she heard her cousin ask over the line.

"Papers." She whispered, untying one. "Tied on each one of the balloons."

"Part four." Her cousin confirmed.

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

PRESENT TIME, 11:53 AM

Central Park, NY City

Still waiting (But now with a stranger as a companion – no, not that stranger)

"And what was written in the papers?" the brunette's new friend asked her eagerly. She knows that she's just told Lexie and Xia never to talk to strangers but Mikan would like to think that she's old enough to venture turning one into a friend. Besides, she is definitely seething with boredom.

So why not relay her five-day fiasco to her new listener, right?

"Red is for love. Orange is for remembering. Yellow is for the things I miss about you. And pink is for the wishes." Mikan recited. Apparently, this mysterious man must be diagnosed with a mild case of OCD. He has just color-coded his messages, via balloons. That has got to earn a clap.

"I love…?" Hilda urged on for Mikan to recite her tiny list, her wrinkled eyes alighting.

She sighed. "I love the way your warm chocolate brown eyes look at me, like no one else ever has. I love your smile, especially when you smile only at me. I love how your hair smells of strawberries and how I cannot get it out of my mind. I love how you changed my life and made everything so different. I love how much you loved me, and wished every single day to feel it once more."

"He's a sappy one, ain't he?" the old lady grinned kindly. "And the orange ones?"

Mikan smiled. "Mostly memories, I guess. They were too vague to make me remember anything. I still have no idea who he is." She cleared her throat. "I remember the first time we met and how we both had no idea. I remember the second one, always full of surprises. I remember the third, and how I started to see. I remember the countless days after that, wishing for eternity. I remember the last. I certainly, I certainly do."

By now, she was surprising even herself to discover that she has unconsciously memorized the inscriptions in each paper. Just wow.

Hilda stared at her serenely, her thoughtful gray eyes looking so pensive. "He must have missed you terribly, no?"

"I miss the surprises, the unpredictability and the chaos that you brought. I miss the quiet talks and the silent good nights in the air. I miss the drama, the truest words I have ever heard. I miss chasing you around, whether in pursuit of a comical punishment or the call of a knight-in-shining armor. But most of all, I miss the loud mornings and the assurance that you are still here with me."

"Go on, child." Hilda sighed, by now her eyes filling with sadness. She watched the brunette's face change expression as one by one she recited the lines, reality dawning on her – as clear as day, as certain as the snow on the pavements.

"I wish I could have tried harder. I wish I could have persuaded you to stay. I wish that there were something I could have done to make things different. I wish for another chance – would fate be kind enough to grant me? But I will never wish for things to have been different for that would mean our paths running parallel to each other, and would never have crossed. At most nights, I just wish to have just stayed atop the Ferris wheel where everything stops and nothing else matters because it's just you and me, on top of the world."

Hilda looked at her softly. "Hush now, child. Don't cry. I'm sure he'll come."

Mikan simply smiled at her. How could have she chosen to be dense, of all times? Of course it couldn't be anyone but him.

"Why don't you tell me about yesterday?"

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

YESTERDAY, 3:00 PM

CLAY'S CAR, still in NY City

No, the gifts weren't from Clay. Duh.

"Woah." Mikan gasped. She turned quickly to Clay who was just entering his car, himself – by now equally astonished to see a mint parcel on the front seat. "Are these - ?"

He gave her an incredulous look, raised his hands. "No. He jacked my car?! Not cool, man."

Mikan entered the car, and clutched the gift on her lap.

"Well aren't you going to open it?" Clay asked, revving the engine.

The brunette narrowed her eyes. "You sure these aren't from you?"

The Scottish boy smirked. "If they were from me, you would be receiving a larger box, love. Go on then, open it."

"You're just curious."

"Any decent bloke would be, yeah?"

Mikan tore her gaze away from her friend and shifted them to the card. Three words: wear this tomorrow. Overridden by curiosity, Mikan carefully tore away the mint wrappings of the present only to see the loveliest pink dress she has ever laid her eyes on.

"It's freakin' winter! Does he expect me to freeze in here?"

Clay guffawed at her outburst. "The bloke sends you an expensive dress and that's what you say? Unbelievable!"

"And these shoes! I'm not trying to compete with the Empire State Building!" the brunette continued her delirious rant, a pair of gorgeous towering white pumps dangling from her fingers. Because honestly? It was easier to expel her crazy nonsensical comments than to admit how exciting this is all for her.

Her Scottish friend, however, continues to laugh his ass off on the background, his large ears already red from too much blood rushing to his head.

"I swear, Mikan, you are one of a kind." He shook his head, his green eyes trained on the road. "So where is this guy taking you?"

The brunette held up a piece of paper in reply.

Clay almost missed the red light.

"CENTRAL PARK?!" he shouted. "Fancy dress and shoes and he's taking you to Central Park? What's wrong with a trusty pair of Nike?"

"He might prefer Adidas, you know."

"Tacky guy," he snickered.

"Now that is insulting." Mikan raised her legs up to show her very own pair. "You are so discriminating."

"Ah, yes. But I am not the one in denial."

Clay grinned, noting the stumped Asian face at his peripheral view. Bingo!

"Your arse has been rotting in here for five years waiting for your big break, Mikan. Well guess what, this is your window."

She snorted. "If only Shuu-nii hears your dirty mouth now, he'd hate you even more."

Clay smirked in reply. "Oh yeah? I'm quite certain he'd not mind as long as I convince his dear cousin to face her fears and answer the question."

"What question?"

"What would you do, love, if your deepest doubts come true and Natsume is your secret admirer?"

Mikan pursed her lips.

"We're here." Clay announced, getting off the car and tossing the valet his keys just as the brunette walked with him inside.

The Scottish, however, hastened his pace. When he was already a few steps ahead, turned, so that he was facing her and was walking backwards, both his hands in his pockets with a goofy smile on his face.

"Although if you ask me, the question really must be: What would you do, Mikan, if your most concealed wishes come true and Natsume is your secret admirer after all?" he turned his back. "Tell Shuu I say hi." He whistled.

Seething, and desperate to rattle her cousin for answers, Mikan rushed to catch the next elevator…only to stumble at the very person inside.

"Since when did you and Clay get so friendly?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Mikan's lips thinned as she slapped the card on her cousin's hand. His eyebrows rose.

"Wear this tomorrow. Central park, 11:00 AM. Part five?" he asked.

"I'm not going."

"And why not?"

She crossed her arms. "I don't want to meet him."

"Scaredy cat." He muttered as they got off on their floor.

Mikan stomped after him. "I'm scared of ghosts. This is different."

"Quite the same if you ask me, if we are talking about the past." He wittingly hinted.

But of course Mikan didn't get that. Instead, she sighed and opted for her room. See? Typical teenager behavior on a 22-year-old woman. "You know what? Forget it."

"Mikan." Shuu called with finality. "Stop. You go down, I go down, remember?"

"Oh, is that you, Jack?" the brunette replied sarcastically.

Shuu shook his head with resignation. "Alright. Forget the deal. Just give this a try, Mikan. I promise, nothing bad will ever happen to you."

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

PRESENT TIME, 12:00 NN

Central Park, NY City

Time's up, dude.

"Is that the dress?" Hilda asked eagerly.

Mikan grinned at her sheepishly. "No, but this is." She replied, raising the paper bag she was holding.

"But why didn't you wear it?"

The brunette could only give her a sigh. "Oh Hilda. I'm already freezing as it is and I am bundled up in five layers of clothing, I tell you. I would have been an iceberg had I worn this. And look, he's already an hour late!"

"You would have looked beautiful in that dress, dear." She said sadly. "And he would have been the luckiest man alive to see you."

Mikan just gave the kind old lady a laugh. "He's not even here to see me!"

"Oh, but he is."

Shaking her head, Mikan stood up and dusted her shoulders off the fallen snow. The cold must have gotten into the old woman's head. "Meeting you was the only consolation I got, Hilda." She smiled. "Thank you. But I really must be going."

"But she's right, you know."

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

PRESENT TIME, 12:03 PM

Central Park, NY City

FINALLY.

"She's right." A familiar baritone replied behind her. "I would have been the luckiest man alive to see you in that dress."

Cupping her mouth in disbelief, Mikan turned around to meet blood red orbs staring intensely into hers. Even from a few yards away, she could feel his gaze burning.

He looks…breathtaking – just as perfect as he had been. He has aged well – broader shoulders, steadier stance, leaner, and more angular face. He looks so good in his black coat and his tousled black tresses, the redness of his eyes standing out from the monochromatic scheme – the only color she can see amidst the whiteness of the snow and the darkness of the rest of him.

"Still," he continued. "I am the luckiest to be seeing you now."

Her lips trembled. This was too much. This was so different from the way she imagined this moment would be – so different, but just as right. She was so stupid not to realize that sooner.

"Natsume,"

Red, red is for love.

And she loved the way he loved her, not a single day passing that she hadn't wished he could love her still.

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

Long-due apologies must be delivered and made in order but I cannot wait to give you the good news.

Thank you for bearing with the long wait, and the equally long chapter I hope you loved. However, I am sad to say that this chapter, as it is, is still too short to contain the entirety of my planned epilogue.

THEREFORE, we shall call this chapter, EPILOGUE 1.

And so of course, the other half will be updated soon.

Stay posted!

Lots of love and gratitude to my ever-loving readers,

Hanako-chan