It was a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Natsume was napping, but a familiar pattern of knocking on his door made him abandon the comfort of his bed in mere seconds. Mikan's beaming face greeted him and he quickly pulled her inside and locked the door.
"You really…forget it. So, what's your excuse for visiting this time around?"
"This brave woman hasn't been caught yet. I still can't believe you're nervous about this. Yuu's illusion is the best. Plush, the brooch housing his Alice stone is so cute!"
"Yet is the operative word. And…well I didn't think I would be this afraid of your uncle. I think he knows. I think Shiki-san knows."
"They haven't said anything. Don't be anxious. I'll protect you against them, Natsume. They can't really hate you too much, you're so amazing. Do you have any manga related to cooking?"
"Mikan, what's this about?"
"Is that a no? That's alright. Just checking. It was worth a try."
"It is a no, but please tell me what you're up to. You only call me amazing when you need a favor."
"Do I? It's just that darling boy wants to learn how to cook."
"Excuse me? Who? You don't call me that."
Mikan plopped on his couch and hugged the plushie she left on her last visit.
"His crush comes from a family that owns a chain of diners. Darling boy wants to impress her."
"Who the hell is darling boy?!"
"Calm down, it's Youichi."
"Youichi? When did he become 'darling boy'? I doubt he'd agree to that moniker."
"Oh, sorry I forgot to tell you. Sumire and I overheard a group of girls call him that. They were debating on fan club names. One of the candidates was 'Our Dearest Darling Boy'. See, I left out the our dearest part. I guess that's better, even a bit? No?"
"I pity Youichi," Natsume said as he sat down beside Mikan. He yawned. "And why would you seek out manga? There's proper cookbooks. Ask Anna. Didn't she get a new one the other day?"
"I already did. Anna's lending him one, just basic stuff for now."
Mikan tapped her shoulder and Natsume leaned on it and closed his eyes. "How do you know he has a crush? He didn't tell me about that. Traitor. After everything I've done for him over the years, this is how he repays me? Unbelievable."
"So you feel entitled to know? I get it but maybe he didn't tell you because you had nothing to offer. If it's any consolation, I don't think he told anyone but me, Sumire and Anna. Sumire and me popped over to his sleeping nook in the main library to tease him about the fan club name and instead of being irritated, he confessed about his crush. We were very surprised and we almost got kicked out of the library. It was so funny. He told Anna soon after."
"Saying I have nothing to offer is harsh."
"It was a joke!"
"A terrible joke. Ambushing Youichi in the library isn't cool. I bet you squealed so loudly. So how did the part of you asking me about the manga cross your mind? You're getting creative with reasons to visit my room. Not that I'm complaining, of course."
"I do need a favor."
Natsume scoffed. "I respectfully refuse to be part of the Welcoming Committee for new students."
"Huh? You knew I was going to ask you to join?"
"Ruka warned me."
"That traitor!"
"Don't talk about my best friend like that."
"Get off me, I'm leaving!"
Natsume opened his eyes and smiled. She wasn't making an effort to move anyway. He grabbed the plushie, hugged it and lay his head on her lap.
"Don't worry. I'll still help you. I just don't want to be part of the committee. Too many meetings. It's a hassle. I'll just sulk and you'll be exasperated at me."
"Fine. Thank you, Natsume."
"So, tell me about darling boy's crush. I'm curious."
"It's Tohru-chan! The star of the last sports festival."
"Hmm. I think I remember her."
"And what do you think?"
"She seemed nice. Skilled, but not arrogant."
"Unlike you."
"You love me anyway."
Mikan giggled and ruffled his hair affectionately. She knew he loved it when she did that, although he'd never tell.
"So, are you gonna tease Youichi about this?"
"You bet I will. Tomorrow."
"Don't be too tough on him."
Natsume sat up, handed the plushie to Mikan and stood up. He stretched and yawned again.
"I won't. Why are you blushing?"
"I was just thinking."
"Go on."
"Is this…I don't know how you'll take this but…"
"Spill it out. I won't bite."
"Is this how it feels to talk about our son's romance?"
Natsume blinked and sat back down the sofa and Mikan scooted away from him as she turned even redder. Natsume's eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Come here, dearest."
"Stay away from me!"
"You came into my room. You talked of our future son. Now you want me to stay away from you? Does that make any sense to you, brave woman?"
"You! You should just go back to napping! Bye!" Mikan threw the plushie at him and ran out of his room.
"You drive me crazy," he whispered as he shut his door with a smirk. "How can I go back to napping after all of that? It's impossible, damn it."
Natsume returned to the sofa and hugged the plushie again.
"A son, huh? I want a daughter too, but I'll probably threaten any boy who dares to approach her."