Sweeter Than Chocolate: Chapter 2

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

I closed my eyes while listening to the ticking clock. I heaved a sigh before opening my eyes. I still couldn't find anything to reply to her chocolate. I glanced at my desk before getting up from bed. I opened the chocolate box and looked down at the chocolate. It had been almost a month, and I hadn't eaten even one yet. The chocolates were round shaped with her word of confession and my name on the top of each chocolate. I did give her a hint that I wanted to have different chocolate from her, but I hadn't found a clue of what to give her tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow was the day where the guy should give the girl their answer for their honmei choco on Valentine's Day.
*Honmei choco is chocolate given by woman on Valentine's Day to men whom they love.
I narrowed my eyes while asking myself why I should give her something when a kiss would be enough to reply to her chocolate. I shrugged before taking my school backpack and went downstairs.
"Good morning, Natsume," Mother greeted me as soon as my feet touched the floor of the dining room.
I gave her a small nod before taking a seat beside dad. I glanced at my sister Aoi who looked more excited than usual. I then remembered that she also gave honmei choco to someone. I smirked as I remembered the day when the said boy approached me.
"Natsume-nii-chan."
I looked up from my manga and met with a pair of emerald eyes. I noticed how nervous he looked.
"Aoi-chan…" he trailed off. His face was giving away his hesitation.
I closed my eyes for a moment before reading my manga again.
"Natsume-nii—"
"You have my blessing, Youichi, as long as you take good care of her."
I could see the smile on his face from the corner of my eyes.
He bowed at me while saying, "Arigatou, Natsume-nii-chan."
I let out a small smile. "Hn."
"Have you decided what you wanted to give Mikan-chan yet, Natsume?"
I almost choked on my breakfast before looking at my mother who was smiling innocently at me. I scowled but said nothing. I stood up and drank my juice in one gulp.
"I'm leaving," I murmured before making my way out of the house. I could still hear my mother's giggling voice behind my back. I sighed mentally. I should have known that leaving a box of chocolate in the bedroom was a bad idea. I glanced at my wristwatch and walked a little faster to her house. I arrived right after she opened the main door.
Her smile was radiant as usual. "Morning, Natsume."
I smirked. "Morning, Polka-Dots."
I could see how her face twitched and expected something would explode between her kissable lips, but I was wrong. She took a deep breath and ignored my remark by giving me another smile. I raised an eyebrow, but she seemed to ignore it.
"Do you know what day today is, Natsume?"
I almost rolled my eyes but still replied, "March 13."
"And then?" she pressed.
"What about it?"
I knew her face had pulled into a frown. She stopped walking, and I had no choice but to stop, too.
We stared at each other for a long time before I spoke, "I don't want to be late because of you, Strawberry Fields."
She huffed before walking ahead of me. I could imagine her pouting face. I sighed. Of course I knew what she was trying to say. I wondered if it was normal for a girl to demand an answer from the boy during White Day. I shook my head mentally before going after her.

...xXx...

She didn't speak a word after our last conversation this morning. She didn't even maintain eye contact with me. I tried to catch her attention by calling her names, but she kept ignoring me. I sighed mentally for the umpteenth time. I couldn't understand what she was thinking. It wouldn't be strange though as she was, woman, the most complicated creature in the world. Well, to me at least.
When she finally left with the girls, I glanced at Koko.
He caught my eyes and grinned. "Haven't decided yet?"
I shook my head and asked, "What did you give her?"
His grin grew. "Of course, something she likes. I asked her not long after the Valentine's Day."
I grunted in response. Honestly, I didn't even think to ask her what she wanted for White Day. As far as I knew, the boy should reply with something that cost at least two times the chocolate. I groaned mentally before leaving to my favorite place: Sakura tree.
Leaning against the tree, I try to think of something that I could give her. I closed my eyes. A kiss would be more than enough, right? I didn't think she would refuse either. I opened my eyes and stared up at the sky. The white clouds moved slowly. I blinked eyes before sighing again. I brought this upon myself. I wouldn't have to worry about what to give her if I didn't give her any hint that I wanted something more from her. I shook my head to shake off the useless thoughts. I shouldn't regret what I had done as I really loved her.

...xXx...

I held her hands in mine as I guided her out of school. She looked at me with curious eyes, but I ignored it. We kept walking until we reached her favorite park. Yes. I knew it was her favorite park. I didn't let go of her as we sat down. We remained silent for a long time. I was lost in my thought until she squeezed my hand. I blinked before looking at her pale brown eyes.
"Are you alright?" Her eyes told me that she was worried.
I let out a small smile. "Hn."
I stood up and half-dragged her to my uncle's cabin. Yes. It was the same cabin we used a day before Valentine's Day. I tried to ignore the sight of her clothes that clung to her body like a second skin on that rainy day. Her wet hair and… I shook my head. Damn hormones, I cursed inwardly. For unknown reasons, dark clouds were accumulating. One thing for sure: Rain. Right after we reached the cabin, the rain started pouring down. I was glad that I didn't make a wrong the decision to guide her here. I inclined her to go in first, and she obeyed quietly.
I didn't know what came into me. As soon as I closed the door, I grabbed her waist and pulled her closer to me. I could feel my heart beat like a drum in my chest. We were so close that I could feel our hearts beat at the same rhythm. I leaned down, and she closed her eyes. My lips met hers when I closed my eyes. I deepened the kiss by tasting her. I explored every bit of her. I was lost in the passion when I heard her moan my name…

...xXx...

I stared at the mirror before me. I leaned down before splashing cold water on my face. I looked up and stared at the mirror again. I had lost my mind. We did it. To be honest, I didn't mean to do it. Well, I had the intention, but not now, not until our relationship was established. I growled at myself. It should be her that received something from me, not the other way around. She gave me chocolate, so I had to look for something that was sweeter than chocolate. I stared at the mirror. I blinked and smiled to myself. Yes. That would be a perfect gift for White Day.
The rain had stopped, but it was already late. I made my way out of the bedroom and reached for the phone. I gripped the phone after pressing a set of numbers.
"Hyuuga residence."
"Mother."
"Natsume? Where are you?"
"Uncle's cabin. It's late, and Mikan is with me…"
"…"
I hoped Mother could get what I meant.
"…"
I became anxious as Mother didn't say anything.
"Where is she?"
"Sleeping."
"Hm…"
I gripped the phone nervously.
"I'll call Yuka."
I sighed in relief. "Thank you."
"Take good care of her, Natsume."
I smiled. "I will. Good night, Mother."
"Good night, Natsume."
I put back the phone in its place. I walked back to the bedroom again. I admired her sleeping form before approaching her. I quietly slipped into the blanket and pulled her small body to me. She snuggled closer to me in response. I smiled and closed my eyes as I went to my peaceful sleep.

...xXx...

I caressed her cheek before planting a kiss on her brow. She stirred before slowly opening her eyes. Her eyes filled with so many emotions, shock, panic, nervousness, calmness and happiness at last. I leaned down to kiss her on the lips.
"Good morning, Natsume…" she said sleepily.
"Morning," I replied. I pushed the blanket away and got up from bed. She blushed when I caught her staring at my half-naked body. I smirked. She pulled the blanket to her as she was trying to hide her naked body. Even after what had happened, her modesty still remained with her.
"Get dressed, we're going back to my and your house afterwards," I said as I left her.
She was ready with her uniform when I was out from the bathroom. I was lucky that this year White Day was on the weekend, so I could take her to get that. We left the cabin and went to my house first to get change, but we couldn't leave immediately as mother insisted that we should have breakfast before leaving. After we finished our breakfast, we left to her house. As soon as we reached her house, she immediately left me in the living room. When I saw her mother, I stood up and gave her a small bow. "Good morning, Yuka-ba-san."
Her mother smiled. "Good morning, Natsume. Thank you for looking after Mikan."
"I'm not a little girl anymore, Mom." She pouted.
"To me you are still a little girl," her mother said.
"Are you ready?" I asked her.
"Yep." She nodded and kissed her mother on the cheek before we took our leave.
"Where are we going, Natsume?"
"Amusement park."
She stopped walking and stared at me in disbelief.
I raised an eyebrow. "What?"
She remained silent. I heaved a sigh before taking her hand to continue our way to the park. I didn't plan to go to that crowded place, but it was necessary to distract her attention. I had found something worthy enough for her.

...xXx...

I looked at the small red box in my hand before nodding at myself. I was sure she would be happy to receive the gift. I quickly left the store and made my way to her. I smiled when I saw her waiting for me patiently while looking at the people around her. I narrowed my eyes as I saw a few guys approached her. I quickened my pace, and before I knew it, I was running to her.
She smiled at me. "Natsume!"
The guys who saw me immediately left.
I turned to her. "Are you alright?"
She grabbed my hand and nodded. "Yep. I'm alright."
I heaved a sigh and sat down beside her. "Did you have fun?"
She leaned against my shoulder. "I really had fun. Arigatou, Natsume."
We had one last ride before leaving the park. After getting our dinner together, I guided her back to my uncle's cabin. I wondered why I had to go all the way there just to confess. I guess it was because that was the place where we took a step further into our relationship. She was confused when I immediately guided her to the bathroom after I locked the main door.
She blinked. "Natsume?"
I made her stand in front of the mirror, and we stared at each other through the mirror.
I hugged her from behind and leaned closer to her ear. "I want to hear it from your lips."
After a long silence, she finally understood what I was talking about. She blushed as she looked away from the mirror. "I-I… I love you, Natsume…"
I tightened my hold and closed my eyes. I whispered, "I love you, too, Mikan…"
I opened my eyes and looked into her eyes that reflected her happiness. I made her turn around, and she hugged me immediately. After a moment I broke the hug and grabbed her left hand. She looked at me with apprehension. I took out the gift I bought and slipped it onto her ring finger.
I looked into her eyes. "I couldn't afford the real ring, so I hope this would be enough for my promise to marry you in the future."
I mentally wondered if I was being out of character for talking so much even though it was necessary. I shook my head inwardly. It was not the right time to think about this kind of thing. She stared at the ring with small Sakuras dotted around it. She looked up at me. Her eyes were brimming with tears. One tear slid down her face, and I wiped it away with my thumb. She hugged me tightly while telling me how she would love to spend the rest of her life with me. I smiled and hugged her back. After staring at my reflection yesterday, I had come to conclusion that only one thing was sweeter than chocolate, but I couldn't present it to her. I pulled away from her embrace and leaned down to her.
Before closing the gap between us, I quietly murmured to her rosy lips, "Mikan Azumi… you are definitely sweeter than chocolate…"

The End

Thanks for reading.

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