*No beta
*Purely work of fiction
*Unedited
Please enjoy reading, let me know if you have concerns, suggestions, or anything. Learning is my favorite as well as sleeping.
Disclaimer: Mai-Hime belongs to Sunrise.
[Shizuru's POV]
She made me believe that fairy tales do exist.
She wiped my tears and from that day I started believing that this arranged marriage thing will work. My mother called me earlier that day to inform me about the merging of the Fujino Enterprise and Kruger Race through marriage of the heirs. Natsuku Kruger, the sole heir of the Kruger Race my husband to be. Honestly, I don't know anything about him except his name. How can I feel the LOVE when I can't see him and the hell he's a thousand miles away from Fuuka.
After mother informed me about the marriage, I immediately rejected it because I want to pick someone for myself but my mother replied I can't refuse because this marriage is already set since the day I was born.They say love is a fiery, burning passion. I miss him when I don't see him. Seeing him, I want to hug him. It makes me go crazy. That's love as they say(1)I want to feel those kinds of things but the news that mother brought me is like a rock that shattered all of my dreams to give love and be loved. Because of my frustrations, I run and my feet dragged me to Fuuka Garden and cried there forgetting all about being a proper lady. That's when a mysterious princess appears out of nowhere to wipe my tears and made me smile. She magically lifted all of the heavy feelings I carried that day.
Days passed, I opened my locker then spotted a purple piece of paper. I stretched out my hand and grab the paper and opened it. I chuckled when I read "IKEZU" in a beautiful handwriting, how can a single word make me this happy? I scan the whole paper trying to find whoever wrote this but to my disappointment, I saw nothing.
"Bubuzuke what'sfat?" Haruka asked gazing at the paper curiously.
"It'sthatHaruka-chan." Yukino corrected my blonde friend.
"Ara! When I opened my locker I saw this purple paper." I answered.
"It says IKEZU." I turned my attention to the silent mousy-haired beside Haruka then suddenly an idea struck me.
"Yukino, can you help me find the owner of this handwriting?" I asked Yukino when I thought she can trace the owner of this handwriting.
"Of course Kaichou, however it may take a little while because of the academy's population are close to 10 thousand students. But this penmanship is kinda familiar though." I heard Yukino giggled. She knew something.
"It's okay Yukino, Just take your time."
Wherever I go, my fans are trailing behind me and sometimes they can be a handful that surrounds me, leaving me no choice but to put my fake smile. After a few moments, the atmosphere became cold and my fans will bid their goodbyes saying they still have something to do. I sigh as I noticed the dark shadow disappeared in the corner of the hallway.
"A ghost maybe?" I shrugged asking the wind then started walking to the Student Council Room.
One of the most remarkable plays that Fuuka Gakuen did was Romeo and Juliet. Midori sensei informed me that the Kuga sisters, Alyssa and Natsuki, will be Romeo and Juliet.
"Mai-chan hit the table before I can say your name to act as Juliet, I'm sorry Shi-chan I was trying to help Na-chan on her social life and all I can think of is you who can guide her on whatever path she will take, imagine the Almighty Fujino Kaichou will be teaming up with the Ice Princess Kuga Natsuki and together they will create an unforgettable play." she amusingly said with her twinkling eyes.
"Ara, no worries Midori-chan for sure they're being rational, they already know what Kuga-san is capable of," I replied wearing my facade.
"Drop that smile Shi-chan, I'm not one of those fangirl of yours. Well if they let me finish my sentence I'm sure ShizNat will be born."
To be honest, I don't know Kuga Natsuki is, Midori-chan keeps on saying she's from my class but I don't know who's that person. I have heard about the Lone Wolf but for some reason, I don't see her around. Yukino claimed that she's the person who always gets the top on the list every Exams but she always skipped her classes, to be short she rarely comes to school, Haruka also said that she's delinquent who always slipped on her detentions for bringing her Ducati inside the campus. Some students say she's the cousin dear of the Fuuka's Queen of Seduction Yuuki Nao, a pain in the ass friend of Tokiha Mai, a childhood friend of the Harada Chie from the Newspaper Club and the sister of the Golden Angel Alyssa Kuga. But the question is WHO IS KUGA NATSUKI?
Let me tell you something. After the play, I greeted Natsuki for the successful play and as well as to get to know her. She was happily talking to Tokiha-san and I was simply starstruck at her appearance even though I only see her side profile, she's beautiful beyond words. Pale skin, pointed nose, mesmerizing green as forest emerald eyes, every move of her lips is like dancing in a slow motion. Her midnight-hair tied in a ponytail, danced as she moves her head when laughing. How can a beautiful lady can be a handsome Romeo as well?
How can I be so sure if she's Natsuki or not?
Well, I was only following my intuition and it's telling me that she is Kuga Natsuki since this is the first time I saw her but I can feel the cold temperature around.
"Ara! What a handsome Romeo! If you don't mind I can be your Juliet for real." I interrupted while holding my cheeks as if I'm hiding my blush, eyes closed to make my acting more realistic.
"Excuse me?" Natsuki turned her head and froze from her spot when she saw me.
"Congratulations." I simply said.
"T-thanks." I felt butterflies in my stomach when I witness her cute blush.
Well, that's weird.
Since then, I followed her every time I see her around the school to tease and be rewarded on one of her cute blush, I even got her number to say my greetings every morning and evening before sleeping. I get the chance to know her and be one of her friends, though, sometimes she can be cold, annoying, stubborn, and dramatic. I decided to handle her detentions every day for us to have a little time to chat and to tease her, even though I didn't mark it on her records. One of the punishments I gave her is, she'll be driving me home for a week but it seems that we both enjoyed riding together and straight head to our favorite local restaurant for our dinner before riding me back home. Waiting for me until the Student Council meeting ends became her habit, I already declined the ride but she insisted to make sure I'm safe.
How sweet of her right?
After 3 years I finally understood ALMOST everything, every time my fans surrounded me, Natsuki will magically appeared out of nowhere and give them her Kuga Death Glare then smirked at me and I smiled. After the Romeo and Juliet play she became famously known as the Ice Princess but kidding aside Natsuki's drop-dead gorgeous. When she finally attend our class, that's when realizations hit me hard, she is the nerdy lone wolf in my class who always wear a parka with a hoodie on to hide her face and I admit I barely known her because she rarely showed up in our class, though I also admit that she's smart for always topping on exams but the problem is she is SO dense.
She's hot every time I see her wearing her eyeglasses.
I was in my dreamland when my phone started ringing, I immediately search for my phone inside my uniform pocket to answer. My mother is calling me, how strange.
"Shizuru dear, do you have any appointments this evening?" my mother asked.
"I don't think I have, why mother?"
"Ara! I have sent you a dress earlier today at your dorm room, please wear it and go to Gogobebe Restaurant 8 PM sharp, reservations under Kruger. You will meet your fiance tonight."
Two words.'Too soon'
"I will mother." but I still complied.
*5:48 PM at Student Council Room
"Are you sure you don't want me to drive you to the restaurant? I have heard rumors about that restaurant, they say they're encouraging their customers to never push yourself in work and spare time to yourself and have fun." Natsuki said worry is plastered on her face.
We were hanging out in the Student Council when I told her about the appointment I have for later, though, I didn't tell her about actually meeting my fiance in there. She might go berserk and tag along.
"Well if it is a fun then that's fine," I answered and took a sip at my warm tea ignoring her pout.
"We don't know what kind of 'fun' they are saying Shizuru." Natsuki jested, brows raised, and looking directly at my crimsons trying so hard to convince me of changing my mind. She's trying hard to look innocent in front of me. How cute.
"Ara ookini for the concern Natsuki but I'm sure I can manage myself." it's not like they'll force their costumers to do illegal things right? For sure that mother won't agree to set the meeting there in the first place.
"Okay then but don't call me, crying, to say he broke up with me, I will surely cut your tongue off and make sure to cook it finely even though I can't cook."
Are we still talking about the restaurant here or last night's episode of her favorite late-night drama?Of course her late-night drama.I thought.
"You're watching too much late-night drama dear."
"Shizuru I'm not! C'mon, I'll take you home so that you can prepare, make sure to bring LOTS of tissue." stressing out the word LOTS.
(2) After the dinner, my husband to be, drive me home and gave me back the handkerchief since her sister gave it to me. It was past 11 in the evening, I'm sure Natsuki's still awake and watching her drama. I grab my phone to dial a familiar number after a few rings, Natsuki answered.
"Hey, you went home late." I missed her voice.
"I'm sorry, we had so much fun and we didn't notice the time, watching drama again?"
I didn't bother to hide my tiredness from my voice. That's how comfortable I am to her and I guess the remaining energy I have drained the moment I took a step outside the restaurant. If I haven't met him perhaps I can't feel this tiredness right now but I can't blame him, though, we can arrange another meeting to discuss what happened at the restaurant.
"Yes, hey something wrong? Did I upset you earlier when I called? Are you okay? Did the bastard do something you don't want to!? Did he forced you!? Damn it answer me Shizuru!" I know very well that tone, it is that tone when she wants to kill her prey. Anger is building upon her and I can hear it through her cold and deep voice. That kind of Natsuki I rarely see, she's scary to others but for me, she's the cutest among fluffy cuddler little pup.
"Hey don't worry okay? It's just that I'm so tired right now and NO, he didn't do anything bad so shoo away your bad thoughts." stressing out the NO is all I can do to ease her anger then slowly I heard her breathing became calm again as if her anger earlier disappeared completely.
"Okay then, you're at the Fujino Mansion, right? do you want me to fetch you tomorrow morning?"
"Ara! No need Natsuki, my father will drive me to school. We'll see each other tomorrow if you will attend our class."
"Hmm 'kay, you sound tired. I'll hang up now, rest well okay? Night Shizuru."
"I will, night Natsuki. Enjoy your drama."
The next day, I confronted Natsuki about this handkerchief. She was resting under the big tree, using both of her arms as her pillow and eyes closed when I appear from behind startling her.
"Natsuki, can I have you for a moment," I asked the moment I saw her, I made sure to make my voice more serious without tease. Asking this important question to her is my top priority right now.
"If you wanted me to kick someone's ass then I'm on," she answered without bothering to look at me.
"No, that's not it. You see I was wondering if this handkerchief belongs to you." she sits up from the ground and took a glance at the object in my hand.
She frowned while looking intently at the handkerchief I was holding.
"Hey, that's mine! Why do you have that?"
"You gave this to me years ago, remember at the garden when you saw me crying?" I can see she froze, maybe she forgot, it's so like her to forget things.
"Eeerr y-yeah that's mine. My mother gave it to me and even sewed my initials in it. That was the last thing she gave me before she died in a car accident."
That's it! her mother died in a car accident. Whenhesaid leaving her 2 daughters that means Natsuki and Alyssa.
A few moments later, she tried grabbing the handkerchief from my hand but I grabbed her wrist to hug her.
She's comfy and so soft.
For years of having Natsuki around, I am so sure that Natsuki took a big part in my heart but I can't imagine what will happen if she methimwho happens to be my fiance. I was so happy when I learned that Natsuki and my mysterious princess are the same, it feels like the butterfly inside my stomach is having a party. I started claiming Natsuki and for some reason, it feels right.
* Present Time
"Bubuzuke! Don't forget the detailed plan for the school foundation!"
The Student Council Officers are headed to the council room for the foundation day meeting. Our teacher dismissed us early to have some extra time since the exam week just ended.
"Ara! Thanks for reminding me that Haruka-san, I forgot that I put it under my desk." I immediately run back to our classroom to get the papers we needed when I heard my name being called.
"Fujino Shizuru."I think that Natsuki is lost in her thoughts, she has this dreamy aura around her just like in the Romeo and Juliet play.
I gracefully walk towards the sitting Natsuki and chuckled when I confirmed that she is indeed in her dreamland, she has sparkling emerald, so beautiful. But I admit that this Natsuki in dreamland is quite handsome and I bet that everyone who would witness this Natsuki will faint for too much blood loss.
"Yes?" I answered waiting for whatever things she has in her mind.
I was taken aback when she looked at me softly and she stretched out her arm to caress my cheek and she smiled. My heart starts pounding too much and I know red tint red is plastered in my face. I still remember what she did to me recently about the staring game she started, resulting in her Niagara falls victory. She won the game, she saw me getting aroused, if that is the right word I should use, she was fulfilled when she won for seducing me, and for weeks she repeatedly teases me for witnessing me being in that state. I won't let that happen again, mark my word Natsuki.
"When I feel lonely, I think of the day I saw your beautiful smile, for the first time I was captivated in it. I can't help but fall in love with you over and over again," she said while looking directly at my eyes.
'Did she just confess her feelings to me?'
I can't help but feel the heat invading my face while watching you panicked when you realized that I am standing right in front of you for real.
"W-wh-what are you d-doing h-here!? It's n-not what you t-think!"
I know that it is rare for me to completely drop my mask but what is happening right now is what I didn't expect at all and I can't help myself but to cover my mouth to avoid embarrassment and let my flushed face being seen by the person who made me this 'Not so Shizuru thing' also I can hear from ears the drum-like beat of my heart. Natsuki stood up immediately and left me gazing at her.
'What did you do to make me this helplessly crazy for you.'
A/N:
SHIZURU ISN'T IN LOVE TO NATSUKI YET. JUST CONFUSED, THAT'S ALL.
Here are some clarifications for the story, on Natsuki's point of view she stated that Shizuru started noticing her after she got rid of her nerdy looks and became friends when Shizuru started claiming her after finding out that she is her Prince Charming as Yukino once said. A-HEM! We all know that Natsuki never trusts people easily, for her Shizuru simply noticed her but in the point of view of our beloved Kaichou they're already friends as we see on their conversations above and their friendship deepened when they found out about the handkerchief. Therefore we can say that Natsuki is a little —oh wait! scratch that shit, she's dense when she failed to realize that they're friends already before the handkerchief thing happens.
(1) The quote I used for Shizuru's fantasy about picking her husband on her own to feel the things they called love is from the MAMAMOO 4season 4color f/w concert VCR.
(2) For this part, I decided to separate the restaurant scene because I have to since whatever happens to Gogobebe restaurant will be the start of Natsuki's Journey to take Shizuru's heart, also I will be using that scene to reveal there theHE.