My Little Secret: Chapter 18

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

"Onee-chan! You really look pretty tonight!" You-chan squealed happily.
"Thank you, You-chan." Mikan smiled and grinned. "By the way, have you found a dance partner for the ball?"
He flushed red and nodded to his sister.
Hmmm… looks like my little You-chan likes someone. She grinned and teased him, "Who's the lucky girl, You-chan?"
"Aoi Hyuuga," Hotaru piped up.
Mikan was taken by surprise. "What? Since when?"
"Since the day you went back to America," she replied with a matter-of-fact tone.
"Awww… You-chan, I thought you would tell Onee-chan first about this," she said while pretending to feel hurt.
"It's not like that, Onee-chan. Actually, I wanted to tell you myself, but Hotaru-nee-chan was mean and told you first without giving me the chance to talk…" Youichi pouted.
Mikan smiled. "Alright, alright, I believe you."
"Ah! Mikan-chan, are you ready now?" Narumi-sensei prompted suddenly, and Mikan nodded.
Then, Narumi took the stage with a cheerful smile. "Everyone, Merry Christmas! As you all know, every year we always start the Christmas ball with an opening song. The song is to be presented by an important guest that you will know soon who she is."
A girl? Everyone in the hall started to cheer for the guest while Mikan sweat dropped. They surely are not patient when it comes to new girl.
Natsume… what will you do after you see me? Mikan thought before smiling upon the thought.
"Okay, okay, let's start the opening song!" Narumi-sensei cheered.
Everything went black as the music started playing.

How long has it been since I fell in love with you?
My feelings only increase
Will you notice them
Even though I've never once put them into words?
Like the snow, they just
Quietly keep accumulating

This voice is… Natsume noted absent-mindedly. He knew that he heard that sweet voice before. It was none other than… It can't be!
He was not the only one who recognised her voice. Everyone gasped in surprise and shock after the light went on. It was truly her.
The group happily waved at the brunette. Mikan-chan is back!

Hold me tight- if this is how it feels
I didn't want to know
What it was like to be in love with someone
I love you- my tears won't stop
And so I wish
That I had never met you

Everyone… Mikan waved back. The fan boys went wild, screaming her name.
Meanwhile, Natsume still stared at the brunette. He was afraid that this was actually a dream.

How long will I be thinking of you?
My sighs fogged up the window glass
Can a candle flame
Still melt my trembling heart?
Hold me tight, tight enough to break me
So that even in an icy wind or a blizzard
I won't feel cold
I miss you- every time I think of you
Tonight, too, I hold
This half-finished muffler, all alone

As Mikan's brown orbs met his crimson orbs, she smiled.
Assured that what he saw was not a dream, he smirked. So… she is the guest I have to sing with.

If there was an eternally falling snow
Could it hide my feelings for you?
Hold me tight- if this is how it feels
I didn't want to know
What it was like to be in love with someone
I love you- the feeling wells up in my chest
I want to shout to the winter sky
"I want to see you right now"

Everyone cheered as the brunette bowed to the audience and walked back to the backstage.
The group rushed their way to the backstage, but it was Natsume, who arrived first.
Natsume approached Mikan and began, "Mi—"
"Mikan-chan!" Anna and Nonoko cried in unison, interrupting him. They hugged Mikan, unknowingly pushed Natsume out of the way. "We really missed you."
All members of the group already there, and Mikan smiled. "It's been a while, everyone."
Aoi ran towards her and hugged her. "Mikan-nee-chan!"
Mikan hugged her back. "Aoi-chan."
"Welcome back, Mikan nee-chan," Aoi said happily.
Narumi-sensei smiled. "Now, now, you all need to go back to the hall, the ball is starting."
Everyone walked back to the hall, but Mikan stayed behind with Natsume. They remained silent, and no one tried to break the silence.
Why did Natsume call me just now? It looks like he got something to tell me… Mikan tapped her chin and shrugged. Since I don't have a partner for the dance, I might enjoy the food.
When Mikan was about to walk out of the backstage, Natsume caught her wrist.
She faced him. "Natsume?"
I can't ask her, Natsume thought, still holding her hands.
"Natsume… what is it?"
"Mikan…"
She looked at him closely. "Yes?"
He looked away, a tinge of blush on his handsome face. Damn! She's really pretty.
"Natsume… are you alright?" she asked a bit worriedly.
"Do you want to dance?" he blurted while looking at her hazel eyes.
"D-dance?" she stammered, shocked. She went silent for five minutes.
Great! I'm rejected! Knowing he had embarrassed himself, he let her hands go, but…
"Sure! Let's dance!" she said cheerfully and dragged him out to the hall.
He stared at her in disbelief at first, criticising her for taking a long time to take his offer.
It's good to have you here, Mikan, he thought with a smile and mentally thanked a certain emotionless inventor.

Prev Chapter 1—The Arrival Chapter 2—The New Student Chapter 3—The Older Brother Chapter 4—The Younger Brother Chapter 5—The Partner Chapter 6—The Fans Chapter 7—The Name Chapter 8—The New Guy Chapter 9—The Truth Chapter 10—The Mission Chapter 11—The Kiss Chapter 12—The Sacrifice Chapter 13—The Time Chapter 14—The Promise Chapter 15—The End of Time Chapter 16—The Reason Chapter 17—The Dream Chapter 18—The Dance Chapter 19—The Departure Chapter 20—The Little Secret Next