Melt The Snow

#32: Gakuen Alice (Natsume & Mikan)
...xXx...
Sometimes out my window

I notice that you've been crying over him

And I wonder why you just don't

Kick him to the curb instead of being with him

After taking off my reading glasses, I rubbed my eyes gently. I was tired but did not have the desire to retire for the night yet as I hadn't finished reviewing the day's paperwork. Getting up from my seat, I left to the kitchen and heated some water. While waiting, I looked at my neighbour's house by the window to catch a glimpse of the owner. As a man, I admitted that my only neighbour was a real beauty. Her long and slightly curly brown hair looked so soft to touch. She has a goddess' body that every woman would kill for. I admired her even though I often saw how her eyes were red and puffy. It always made me wonder why she didn't just leave her boyfriend.

You see love at first is summer time

That's when you think that everything's fine

No one ever thinks it's gonna end

She smiled a lot after she made up with her boyfriend. I always thought she was such a silly girl, but because of that, I could see that she was a girl who was easy to please though her boyfriend couldn't see that. I smiled to myself when I heard her laughter, which was like a soft chime in the summer. It was refreshing to say the least, not to mention her pale brown eyes sparkling when she was happy. Not that I was hoping, but I wondered how long her happiness would last before she broke down into tears again. I knew it would happen again because I always watched her. From the moment I became her neighbor three months ago, I had always watched her secretly every night.

But when things go wrong and winter comes

You're gonna need to run to someone

Left alone you'll just freeze up again

Just like any other night, I went to get my coffee to stay awake for another stack of paperwork that needed to be done by the next day. I almost couldn't breathe when I saw her face closely for the first time. It was her tears that made me have difficulty breathing. I didn't know what she did to me, but it drove me mad when I realized how sad she was. I almost growled loudly when I thought about the man who made her cry. That man did not deserve her tears. If only I had the courage to approach her, I would be by her side and pull her into my arms. I would stay with her forever if she asked me to.

But you should know

when it gets too cold

You're not alone

I'll melt the snow

It was just a coincidence. I was walking back from the convenient store when I saw her sitting on a long bench at the park near our homes. I don't know what exactly possessed me, but I was suddenly brave enough to approach her. It might have been because watching her from afar was not enough for me anymore. I took a seat beside her, and we remained quiet for a long time.

"It's beautiful," she said suddenly, startling me.

I looked at the setting sun and couldn't help but agree with her, "Indeed."

I could feel her eyes on me afterwards. Curious of what she was looking at, I looked at her, too. My heart was beating like crazy when she didn't look away from my gaze. We stared at each other, and I secretly memorized her beautiful features. This was the only time I got so close to her, so I diligently retained every detail about her. After a moment or two, I broke the silence between us. "Do I have something on my face?"

She quickly looked away to hide her blush.

I was happy that I could draw that expression from her.

"I just thought I've seen you somewhere," she said after a moment.

I arched an eyebrow but didn't comment on her statement.

"My name is Mikan, Mikan Sakura. What is your name?"

I blinked my eyes in surprise before replying, "Natsume, Natsume Hyuuga."

She didn't realize the effect her cheerful smile had on me as she said, "Nice to meet you, Hyuuga-san."

I nodded my head slightly.

As she got up from the bench, I followed suit.

I knew she gave me a weird look, so I chuckled quietly. "Shall we go home, Sakura-san?"

I refrained myself from smiling when I saw her confused face. She was following me from behind as we made to our houses. When we were near her house, she seemed to realize that I was her only neighbour. Before walking back to my own house, I gave her a small nod. "I'll see you around, Sakura-san."

Happy, I smiled mentally. I finally had the chance to talk to her. Hopefully, she would realize that she was not alone anymore and that I would be there whenever she needed someone to rely on.

Some nights I can hear you

Screaming on the phone over something that he did

And I wonder what can I do

To make you throw him out so you can let me in

I could hear her high-pitched voice as she screamed on the phone, and I knew whom she was talking to. Only her boyfriend could cause her such anger. A few weeks had passed after our first conversation. Acquaintances would be the right word to describe our relationship. We would say "hello" when we saw each other, but that was all. I was not satisfied with our current relationship, but it was better than nothing. After watching her throw the cordless phone at the wall and stomp her way to her bedroom, I closed my eyes and wondered what I could do to make her leave her boyfriend, but I immediately pushed the thought away.

You see love at first is summer time

That's when you think that everything's fine

No one ever thinks it's gonna end

I could see how happy she was when she made up with her boyfriend for the umpteenth time. Honestly, I was getting tired of the pattern. If only I could take everything into my own hands, I would gladly get rid of that ungrateful boyfriend of hers. Yet, I knew she loved her boyfriend so much that she was willing to endure the pains he had inflicted on her. Truth to be told, I was jealous. I envied her boyfriend for having her heart. Still, I couldn't think of anything to make her change her heart. I could only hope that I would have a chance, just one chance to show her that she was better off without her boyfriend.

But when things go wrong and winter comes

You're gonna need to run to someone

Left alone you'll just freeze up again

I noticed that she had been crying for the past few days. She must have had a really big fight with her boyfriend as she had never cried for this long. I hated myself for my inability to comfort her because I was not even her friend. Even though we did chat a few times, our meetings were short and abrupt. Knowing she would manage by herself as usual, I shook my head to dismiss the thoughts. After taking a sip of my coffee, I continued working on paperwork that would have been finished by my secretary if this was a few months ago. Anna was a good secretary, but unfortunately, she retired from her job as she was getting married. No one could replace her, so I took the job myself since I moved to this neigbourhood. And then, I almost thought I was hallucinating when I heard the sound of the bell.

But you should know

when it gets too cold

You're not alone

I'll melt the snow

I'll melt the snow

I tried to remember what I had dreamed of last night to have the chance to see her on my doorstep. Making sure that I was not dreaming, I blinked my eyes a few times. I couldn't see her face properly as her hair was acting like a curtain, hiding the face that I loved to look at. Before I could say a word, I was knocked down to the floor with her on top of me. My current state of being straddled by her was forgotten immediately when she burst into tears. The only thing I could do was hug her as I let her cry until she calmed down. Part of me was glad that she had come to me, but part of me was enraged as her boyfriend dared to make her cry like this.

I'll, I'll melt the snow, I'll, I'll melt the snow

I'll, I'll melt the snow, I'll, I'll melt the snow

I'll, I'll melt the snow, I'll, I'll melt the snow

After offering her a cup of hot chocolate, I sat across from her. I really wished to know what happened, but I was afraid she was not ready to open up. We remained silent for a long time before I quietly asked her, "What happened?"

When I saw new tears form in her eyes, I tried to resist the urge to growl. I felt like killing someone, or her boyfriend to be exact.

"I'm sorry for coming here so late, Natsume-san," she whispered softly, and I knew she was trying to hold in tears that were threatening to fall again.

I couldn't tell her that I would love to have her here with me regardless the time. "It's okay. It's not my time to go to sleep yet."

"Are you still working at this late?" she asked after seeing the stack of paperwork right beside me.

"Yes," I replied with a nod. I had brought some of the paperwork with me when I went to make myself a cup of coffee without expecting her to visit.

She startled me when she suddenly stood up from her seat. I then realized that she was trying to leave as she must have thought that she had bothered me. Before she could say a word, I told her, "Mikan-san, you're not bothering me. You have my ears if you wish to talk."

For a moment she seemed unsure. As she retook her seat, I almost sighed in relief. I waited for her to speak while gazing at her face.

Holding the cup with both of her hands, she said something that really shocked me. "My boyfriend broke up with me."

You see love at first is summer time

That's when you think that everything's fine

No one ever thinks it's gonna end

If you were in my shoes, what would you feel when the one you have admired for so long suddenly says their lover broke up with them? I would say that I'm so happy that even words wouldn't be able to describe my feelings. I finally had my chance to hold her in my arms for crying out loud. As much as I wanted to smile triumphantly, I refrained from doing so. It would do me no good if I didn't pay attention to her fragile heart. I had to mend her broken heart before teaching her to love me.

"I didn't know what was wrong. He suddenly told me I'm too childish, I'm selfish, I'm…"

I felt like hugging her again when fresh tears slid down her face.

"He said he fell in love with someone else."

Typical, I commented mentally. I always heard about these scenarios from my younger sister, Aoi, who reads a lot of mangas where the guy would give the same reason whenever they dumped the girl. I didn't know that would actually happen in real life. Well, I guess I was seeing living proof in front of me now.

"Am I not good enough for him?"

You're too good for him, Mikan.

"What's wrong with me?" she asked tearfully.

"Nothing's wrong with you, Mikan."

She looked up at me as if to check if I was lying to her or not. It seemed she didn't mind my calling her without honorifics, but maybe she was too caught up with her current situation to notice that. The gears in my head turned to find a way to stop her tears. I felt like I was possessed when I took her hand and wiped her tears with my thumb. "He doesn't deserve your tears, Mikan."

But when things go wrong and winter comes

You're gonna need to run to someone

Left alone you'll just freeze up again

She held my hand, which was cupping her face. Closing her eyes, she leaned into my hand while spilling more tears from her closed eyes. Since I couldn't take it anymore, I brought her into my arms instantly. She clung on tightly, and I didn't mind that. I held her until I felt her hold on me loosen. After gently scooping her up bridal-style, I laid her down on my bed. I lay down beside her before pulling her closer to me. I would take responsibility for touching her later.

I had thought she would scream after realizing that she wasn't in her own room, but to my surprise, she remained quiet. To be honest, it was much better than having her scream on me for being perverted. If hugging her could be counted as perverted, that's it. I released her after she was fully awake and aware of her surroundings. When I saw her slightly swollen eyelids, I let out an inaudible sigh before offering her a hand. She looked up at me before taking my hand wordlessly, and I pulled her up from my bed. Not that I minded her staying there, but I had to help her. I guided her to the bathroom. "Splash some cool water on your face."

She obeyed without saying anything again, and I suddenly felt like a father giving orders to their child. Honestly, that was not funny. I walked back to my room to get a fresh towel for her. After that, I left to the kitchen to make instant coffee for both of us. When the coffee was ready, she was already sitting in the dining room. I placed the cup in front of her.

"Thank you, Natsume," she muttered softly.

I wouldn't admit that I was surprised when she called me by my name. Mentally, I smiled. Even though her boyfriend was a bastard, I still needed to thank him. If it was not because of him, I wouldn't get the chance to get close to her. One thing I had to do at the moment was to make her forget about him. I wondered how long it would take to make her fall in love with me.

You see love at first is summer time

That's when you think that everything's fine

No one ever thinks it's gonna end

Six months was how long she needed to let him go. I wouldn't force her to accept me immediately as I wanted to learn everything about her. Watching someone you admire and love from afar wouldn't tell you much about their personality. I would take things slow and left her a hint here and there for her to notice my intention, too. She knew what my intention was, I was pretty sure of that. The decision to have a new start with me would be made by her. I was not a patient person, but I was willing to wait as I deemed her worthy of my time. Just like the time before we got closer, I watched over her but more closely this time.

But when things go wrong and winter comes

You're gonna need to run to someone

Left alone you'll just freeze up again

I slowly made my way to her house to celebrate our first Christmas together. Yeah, winter was finally here. I was truly grateful that I could spend this year Christmas with her. Upon reaching her house, right next to mine, I pressed the bell and waited. I let out a small smile when I heard her footsteps behind the closed door.

When she opened the door, she greeted me with a warm smile. "Merry Christmas, Natsume!"

I smirked. "Christmas won't be here until midnight, Mikan."

A light blush crossed her face. "I know. I just want to be the first…"

"Did you invite someone else?" I inquired with an eyebrow raised.

She shook head. "No. Only you…"

"You will be the first then."

Flushing red, she replied, "I guess you're right."

I chuckled before asking, "Will you let me in now?"

She gasped. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I was too occupied with my own thoughts."

Before I could ponder what she was thinking, she grabbed my hand and pulled me into her house immediately before closing the door. She didn't release my hand until we reached the living room.

Before leaving me, she smiled. "Make yourself at home. Dinner is almost ready."

I nodded in reply and went to sit on one of the cushions on the floor. While waiting for her, I took my time looking at the Christmas tree beside the plasma TV. I smiled to myself as yesterday was the first time I decorated a Christmas tree and together with her, too. I was more than happy to know that it was her first time, too.

When I heard her approaching footsteps, I stood up and turned to her. "Ready?"

She nodded with a big smile on her face.

After dinner, we spent the rest of the night watching a list of movies she liked. It sounds boring, but I was truly happy that I could spend the day with her.

But you should know

when it gets too cold

You're not alone

I'll melt the snow

I was speechless when she said she was ready to have a fresh start with me. Since I couldn't contain the happiness within me, I did the only thing I could think of: hug her. When she snuggled closer to me, I hugged her tighter. When Christmas was with us, I kissed her on the lips for the first time under the mistletoe. Our first Christmas together was the best Christmas I had ever had. I didn't know that she would become my wife and that we would have many children after a few Christmases.

But you should know

when it gets too cold

You're not alone

I'll melt the snow

I'll melt the snow

The End

Thanks for reading.

Prev 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