Fiancée Inn

#04: Gakuen Alice (Natsume & Mikan)
...xXx...

Sitting down on the tatami floor, Mikan stared at the crimson-eyed man before her. She blinked her eyes several times. "Excuse me… Are you the same butler as before?"
No matter how many times she denied it, the butler and this man looked the same, as if they were twins.
Natsume was confused. "Huh?"
She laughed awkwardly. "Ah, nothing. You just look like him…"
He pondered before replying, "Oh, you're talking about Taiki. He is one of my relatives, and many have told us that we look alike."
"Yes, we maids often mistaken them as well," a maid who served them piped up.
She hummed. Ah… so that's how it is… but… although they look alike, their characters are so different…
"Thank you for the gift. I really like sweet stuff," he said with a small smile.
She smiled. "Really? I like sweets, too."
"We have a lot in common, and you're a pretty lady. It's really an honor to have you as my fiancée."
She blushed. "Ah, I'm not that pretty…"
"But we're just getting to know each other. It must feel strange to be engaged to me so soon."
"Well… I can't disagree with you…"
"I have an idea; why don't you stay here with me for a while?"
"Eh?"
"Let's decide on the engagement later."
"All right…"

...xXx...

A few days had passed, but their relationship didn't change that much. Still, she couldn't deny that she was interested in him. She wanted to make Natsume interested in her without seducing him.
"Hurry, we must prepare for the welcoming party. Rearrange those flowers."
She turned around and saw the butler Taiki. She approached him quickly. "Taiki-kun, it surprised me how much you and the young master look alike."
He looked at her silently.
"I have a question for you…"
He remained still.
"Um… How can I make the young master fall for me?"
"Fall for you…?" Taiki repeated, slightly dumbfounded.
"Yep, aside from seducing him…"
When he didn't say anything, she sighed. It doesn't seem like he's going to tell me anything.
After pondering a moment, he replied, "Okay. I'll give you some hints."
A few minutes later...
Confused, Mikan looked at her uniform. "Excuse me… Isn't this the maid's uniform?"
"A maid's training is not limited to waiting on the customers only. Making tea, arranging flowers, good etiquette, these are all the fundamentals of being a bride," Taiki explained. "And they're also the training for becoming a landlady."
She wondered, Landlady…
"If you have the talent to become a landlady, the young master might—"
"I got it!" she interrupted and jumped closer to him. "I have to show him that I have what it takes, right?"
When she finally realized how close she was, she blushed. "… Ah… Sorry…"
She quickly moved away from him. Her heart pumped hysterically in her chest. Oh no, this reminds me of before…
He turned around. "It's all right."
Come to think of it, I wonder if his wound is better now. Hopefully, it won't leave a scar… she pondered. When she made her way here a few days ago, she had clumsily slipped, and Taiki had protected her when she was about to crash into the tree behind her.
"Ask the head maid about the details of the job," he said, bringing her back from her thoughts.
"Yes. I'm going!" she exclaimed excitingly.
His eyes widened in surprise as he watched her left. "Is she a simple-minded girl or just plain stupid…?"
He sighed before smiling. "She's a funny one…"

...xXx...

"Oh, really?" Taiki replied while arranging the flowers.
"That's all you have to say? Were you listening at all? He held my hand tightly; he's falling for me!"
"I'm listening. It's good then… However…" he began with his stoical face. "Young master is friendly to everybody, so don't get too excited about it."
A vein popped on her head, and he spoke to the other maids, "Everyone, the meeting will begin soon."
What the hell… she thought, feeling pissed. She wanted to share her happiness with him because Natsume actually liked how she had worked hard for the inn. However, this guy before her just plainly ignored her. Well, he had listened to what she said, but his expression didn't change at all.
"Why don't we make sure if the young master is serious about me or not?" she challenged with a smirk. At least smile a bit.
"That's fine. How are you going to do it?" He smiled, mocking her.
Another vein popped out on her head before stomping away. "I have my own way!"
When Mikan left, the flower he was holding snapped into two. "What about holding hands? You're not little kids anymore. Fine, whatever, just do as you like!"
He didn't know why he suddenly felt so irritated. He sighed before asking himself, "Her own way, huh?"

...xXx...

Although I've made up my mind, sneaking into his room in the middle of the night like this might be too much, Mikan thought while walking through the hall, carrying a flashlight. She mumbled to herself, "Where is the young master's bedroom?"
"Here it is," she said as she read the label beside the room. I'll just make sure this is it and leave.
"The entrance is… here!" she exclaimed quietly as she flashed the light through the door. Okay, I've seen it. Let's go back…
"Is someone there?"
She flashed the light to the owner of the voice.
"Why are you here? What do you want?"
She dropped her flashlight, terrified. "Ah…"
Before she could start panicking, the owner of the voice covered her mouth.
"It's me. Please calm down."
She blinked. Taiki?
I got caught. Her heart throbbed madly. No, could it be… that he came to stop me?
"What are you thinking? Sneaking into his room…" he asked quietly.
She smacked his hands away. "Shut up! Why did you stop me?"
"Isn't that clear? It's because you're not even married to him yet?" he reasoned. "Just be honest. You actually don't even want to get close to the young master."
"What is it with you? Is Young Master really that important to you?"
He looked into her eyes. "No…"
Suddenly, he pulled her closer and kissed her on the lips. Her eyes widened, but she slowly closed her eyes and responded to the liplock. He broke away slowly, and they looked into each other's eyes.
Why are you doing this? she thought.
"The important one here… is you," he whispered. "It's all about you…"
Her eyes widened.
"That's all for today. Good night," he said before walking away.
She watched his back as she thought in confusion. What is he talking about?
"He blames me for sneaking… But look at what he has done…" she said to herself. I am the young master's fiancée… In other words, I'm someone else's wife.
She touched her lips. "It's only a kiss, nothing special, but… but… what's with him…?" But why did he do that?

...xXx...

"It's too much," Taiki muttered, and he flipped his fan open. "The thing she did to me."
SHATTER!
"I'm sorry!" Mikan apologized as she tried to clean the broken plate.
"Please don't daydream; we are busy here."
"Sorry…" she muttered. It's all Taiki's fault. I'll ask him about yesterday when I meet him.
"Everyone… The one in charge today…" called Taiki.
She dropped the broken plate.
SHATTER!
"Geez, what's wrong with you?"
Mikan apologized again and tried to clean up, but Taiki stopped her. "Don't touch it."
She blushed, but her face turned back to normal when he whispered, "Please forget about last night."
"I'll take care of this. Everyone, please leave," he ordered. "Mikan-san as well."
"I'm fine," she said at once. "I'll do it by myself." I'm the only one who thinks about it. I won't give a damn about you anymore!

...xXx...

Mikan looked at the drunken guest before her. "Sir, did you hear me?"
"…"
"Sir!"
"At what time do you want your food to be served?"
"Shower? Shower…"
"Hey, lady, I'd like to have more cakes," the guest said while holding the sake.
"Huh, more pastries? It's delicious, right? Well…" She stopped mid-sentence as she suddenly remembered how Taiki told her that he didn't like sweet stuff. She shook her head mentally. "Please excuse me then. I'll be back with the pastries."
"Ah, yeah?"
She slowly moved to the door. "Please, relax."
The drunken guest stared at Mikan's back. "Lady…"
"Yes?" Mikan turned around.
The drunken guest dragged himself over to her and covered her mouth. "Young girls' skin is so smooth…"
She was shocked when the guest licked her neck. Tears started falling down her face. Help!
She couldn't help but remember his words.
"Please forget about last night."
Is he stupid? There's no way I can forget it! When she successfully freed her mouth, she shouted, "Help me, Taiki-kun!"
WHUMP!
With his fan, Taiki knocked the guest out. He immediately hugged her. "It's all right. I'm here."
He sighed in relief. He had been worried when he heard from Suzuki-san that it was Mikan, who assisted the drunken guest.
Oh no, I… I like him… she thought in realization.
After she calmed down, he spoke, "Do you want to eat the cakes together with me?"
She looked up at him. I really, really like him.

...xXx...

She couldn't believe it as she stared at Taiki's fan. The guest from yesterday just returned it to her. The name that was crafted on the fan was the young master's name. She twirled around when she heard Taiki calling her name. "Yes?"
He doesn't have a fan. So, is this really Taiki's fan…? she asked herself after eyeing him. Come to think about it… I've never seen them together in the same place.
"Would you lend me a hand?"
Both of them pretty much look like each other. Their names are the only thing that is different. What's this all about? Could it be…
"Is there anything wrong, Mikan-san?"
She squeezed the fan. Could it be… that those two are actually the same person…?
"Mikan-san? What's wrong?"
Taiki-kun had the young master's fan. The two look alike… and have never been in the same place together, so…
"Mikan-san?"
Are they one and the same? she asked herself before voicing her thoughts. "Have you been hiding something from me?"
He looked at her, confused. "Eh?"
"I have the proof here!" she exclaimed and pulled out the fan. "Why do you have the young master's fan? Isn't that a bit weird?"
"That is…"
"I know that you are the same person!" she interrupted. What did you do that for? Were you making fun of me? Only that could be the reason, right? You even kissed me…
"No… It's not like that…"
"You were just toying with me! Deceiving others… You're the worst!"
He went silent.
"What's wrong with you? Doing things like that—"
"The young master… What about me?" a new voice asked.
Both turned to look at the person. It was none other than Natsume. He smiled at them.
Mikan's eyes widened, and she covered her mouth. "Both of you are here?"
Natsume was confused. "We're here. Anything's wrong?"
When I think about it more, it's not that strange if both of them carry the same thing since they're friends since childhood… What now…?
"Nothing…" she muttered. I said something terrible…
She began, "Ummm…"
Before she could continue, Suzuki called her, "Mikan-san, come and help me here."
"Yes!" she replied and then faced Taiki. "Just now…"
"Please," he interrupted her.
"Eh?"
"Just hurry up and go," Taiki said and faced Natsume. "It's a bit noisy here, Young Master. Let's go elsewhere."
"Wait…" she pleaded quietly.
"Ah, okay," Natsume replied and followed after Taiki.
"Wait…" I haven't apologized properly yet! I'm sorry! I'm sorry for making you angry…

...xXx...

"Hm…" she mumbled and looked at her hands. "I didn't realise that my hands became so rough now. It must be from all the cleaning I did."
In order to regain Taiki's respect, she had been working so hard that she didn't notice her calloused hands. She wiped her hands while muttering, "This is embarrassing…" I don't want to show them to Taiki-kun…
When she walked out from the toilet, she heard one of the maids call out to her. "Ah! Hey, listen."
"Yes?"
"There's a rumor that the young master's fiancée is among the maids."
Her eyes widened and plainly replied, "Yeah…"
"Ah, you know already? Gossip really spreads fast among women. But, who is it really? This is a big deal for this huge inn."
Other maids joined them, "What is it?"
Mikan sighed and listened to them as they started gossiping.
"In the past, there were a lot of woman who came for money only, and there were those evil-minded ladies that merely aim for young men."
"But those types could never be the landlady."
"I heard that's why he is very cautious in choosing a bride."
I see, that was why the young master wanted to decide it later… she thought and heard another maid continue to gossip.
"The young master's bride?"
"It is said that she's among the maids."
"Really? Who is it? I feel jealous."
What to do? The gossip is spreading like wildfire, she thought in panic. She quickly began, "But it has not been decided yet…"
"Oh… it seems the young master has…"
"What?" she exclaimed.
"Mikan-san, so you're here?"
She turned to the owner who was none other than Natsume.
Natsume smiled. "Let's have a proper meeting later. I want to get on with the engagement talk."
The maids gasped. She's…
"Wait!" she exclaimed. I should decline this soon because I like Taiki-kun… But, what will happen if I decline? I'll have to leave the inn, right? If so, then I have to part with Taiki-kun…
"Mikan-san?"
It'd be wrong to stay here as a maid after declining. There's no way I can do it either. What to do?
She began, "Young Master."
"Yes?"
"Please give me more time to think about the engagement," she said. I want to see Taiki…
"Does that mean you plan to accept it?" he asked.
Quickly, she replied, "No, well… that… so…"
She gasped when she saw Taiki, who was standing behind Natsume. Her eyes widened when Taiki walked away. He's leaving?
"Mikan-san? What is it?"
Mikan ignored Natsume and ran after Taiki. I don't want this anymore. Please don't go! The one I like is Taiki-kun!
When she finally saw Taiki, who was smoothly walking across a series of stone slabs connecting one side of a small river to the other, she shouted, "Taiki-kun!"
He kept walking.
She chased after him. "Don't ignore me!"
He stopped and stood on the last stone. "I'm not."
"Then what are you mad about?"
"None of your—"
He stopped when Mikan grabbed his right sleeve to keep her balance because they stood on the same stone.
"Sorry," she muttered. "This is a bit awkward."
She looked at his shoulders. What broad shoulders…
"It's okay. What about you? Are you okay?"
She nodded. "Ah… yes… I'm okay." I've been helped so many times… I'll never forget…
When she saw a scar on his arms, she said, "This wound… from that time… Sorry…"
"The scar is nothing. But, do you think you could move…"
"Y-yes…" She slowly let go of Taiki's sleeve, but unfortunately, she slipped.
He seemed to know that she was about to fall and grabbed her hands in time, but their position was still the same with her standing behind him. "Are you OK?"
"Ahaha, yeah, I'm fine."
He then noticed her rough hands. "Your hands have become rough…"
She blushed. "No, don't! Let me go!"
He kept holding her hands. "There's nothing to be ashamed of."
"I said no!"
"Why?"
"Because…"
"These hands are the proof that you've been working hard, right?"
"…"
After a moment, he said, "Thank you. I've always seen your hard-working figure."
She was confused. "Always?"
"Yes…"
"Why?"
He released her hands and stepped to the ground.
"Ah! Wait!" she exclaimed. I feel sad even when there is a little distance between us.
"Mikan-san," he called as he offered his hands.
She looked at him. I can't part with this man…
"Mikan-san, you… are Young Master's fiancée."
"It hasn't been decided, yet," she replied quickly. "It's true. Nothing has been decided yet, really…" I don't want to part with him.
"Listen… I…"
No! Please… don't tell me to marry another guy, she thought and locked his lips with hers.
His eyes widened, but he slowly closed them and kissed her back. He held her tightly in his arms and deepened the kiss.
I don't care anymore about how this appears to the young master. I like this guy. He is the right one. It's OK if I lose my place. I… with Taiki-kun, I'll be fine no matter what.
"I… I won't become the landlady," she said after they broke the kiss.
His eyes widened in shock.
"I'll decline the engagement with the young master. This will also clear up the misunderstanding among the maids. I won't marry into this family. Is that all right? I'll do whatever you say."
He broke the hug.
She looked at him, confused. "Taiki-kun?"
"You can't do that. You have to become the landlady."
"Why?"
Taiki saw two maids behind them, but Mikan didn't bother about them at all.
"Why should I? I want to be with you Taiki-kun!" she exclaimed.
He silenced her, "Mikan, calm down."
She didn't. "I don't care about becoming the landlady…"
Taiki became silent before leaving her. "Please think about my position as well... It's troublesome."
Tears rolled down her face. I'm the only one with this feeling. But I… don't want to part with him…

...xXx...

It wasn't supposed to be like this. She just heard from the maids that Taiki had stopped working, and no one knew when he would be back. "Young Master! Where has Taiki-kun gone to? He'll be back soon, right?"
"Taiki quit his job," he replied.
She started to walk out of the room.
"Mikan-san?"
What the hell? I feel like such a fool! She dashed out from the inn without worrying about Natsume, who was calling for her repeatedly.
Without him, it's meaningless to be here! she thought and exclaimed, "Taiki-kun, where are you?"
Her tears kept falling. "Answer me!"
"Mikan-san, where are you?" Natsume asked as he tried looking for her. "It's been long decided that Taiki-kun would leave…"
"No! Natsume-san! Bring back Taiki-kun!" she cried. Is this how it ends? I have so much to say to him…
"Mikan-san, please listen to…"
She tripped over her foot again. Before her body met the hard ground, she was caught by Natsume.
Natsume hugged Mikan securely and whispered into her ear, "I'm here. Mikan-san."
Her eyes widened. What?
He rolled his sleeve and showed the scar. "I have nothing more to hide. It left… a scar. It would have been great if I could meet you without deceiving you. I'm Natsume. I made a deal with Taiki to switch places until he left. I wanted to observe you at first… I was being stupid… I wanted to tell you the truth before, but… this charade went on for too long, please forgive me. I'll tell you my feelings, Mikan-san. I never thought of leaving you…"
She cried in happiness before hugging him.
One Year Later
"Wow! What a wonderful inn. It's beautiful!"
"Thank you. Please follow me."
"Don't they say that the God of Marriage lives here?"
"No, that is just a—"
"Eh…? But it's written in the book."
"What's wrong?" Mikan asked.
The maid answered, "Our guest here is—"
"If the God isn't here, I won't be coming after all…"
"I heard that there's a couple that was connected here."
Natsume and Mikan looked at each other before she replied to the guest, "Ma'am, I'm sorry but there's no such God here. However…"
She looked at Natsume and entwined their fingers. On their ring fingers were rings bearing the same design. "The other name of this inn is… Fiancée Inn."

The End

Thanks for reading.

1. Fiancée Inn 2. My Clumsy Princess 3. Just Stay with Me 4. To See You 5. Nemuri Hime 6. It's Always Been You 7. Remember Me 8. Farmer or Princess? 9. Ghost's Girlfriend 10. Life 11. White Christmas 12. The Spirit of My Life 13. Involuntary Third Wheel 14. Six Hours 15. Melt The Snow 16. Within Another Chance Next