Last Chance: Chapter 10

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

He had known this day would come, but when it was finally here, he didn't know where to start. Mikan was nowhere to be found last night, so when she appeared suddenly, he was a little shocked. What surprised him was her appearance. Her round ears were pointy like fairies. Since it was not the time to question the existence of that magical creature, he let it slide. While gazing at her, he started with his first question, "Why did you come here?"

Her expression was calm. "To watch over you." For 10 days.
"Why?"

"To keep you safe."

He frowned. "Keep me safe from what?"

Silence.

Before he could ask again, she sighed.

After looking at her charge's face, Mikan decided to tell him everything. If he couldn't believe it, she could just erase his memory of the knowledge. She began, "I came here to protect you from death. Well, no human can escape death, but in your case, we're trying to correct the time. You're not meant to leave this realm yet. Do you still remember the first day I arrived here?"

How could he forget that day? He nodded in reply.

"Should you have gone and chased after your wife that day, you wouldn't be here with me. My mission is to keep you away from the road. That was why I asked you to remain in your house until I say otherwise."

He swallowed the lump in his throat. Since she was an angel, he knew she was telling him the truth. Still, he could not find himself to believe that.

They remained silent until she spoke, "To forget…"

Confused, he looked up at her.

"If you choose to forget this, I can help you."

"…"

"…"

"No," he murmured.

They looked at one another.

"I don't want to forget."

She hummed before inquiring, "What else do you want to know?"

"Why did you appear before me as a child?"

"To suppress my power. Humans can't resist my charm if they're not used to my presence." She didn't want to appear before him as a child because the whole changing process was too painful. No angels wanted to go through that just for a mission. Even Hotaru asked her to reconsider her choice, but she couldn't afford another failure. She often forgot that she was not an ordinary angel because of her parents. Her powers were greater than others. Thus, she took the risk of transforming her body into that of a child's.

"I see… What about being my wife in the previous life? Was it true?"

She grinned. "What do you think?"

"It's a lie."

Instead of confirming the answer, she asked, "Anything else?"

He knew it was none of his concern, but he wished to know. Moreover, he was free to ask, and it was up to her if she wanted to tell him or not. "Who is Akira?"

She wouldn't tell him that she was surprised. It never crossed her mind that Natsume would ask her that question. Since there was no harm in telling him, she honestly told him, "Akira is my twin brother."

Relief washed over his being once he heard her statement. Suddenly, he felt so foolish for being jealous, but it was expected. After all, he had come to terms that he loved her. No man in their right mind would allow some other guy to touch the one they loved. Looking into her eyes, he questioned, "The wings…"

Once again, Mikan sighed. It appeared Natsume was much smarter than her other charges in the past. She smiled. That might be why he was different from the others.

"White associates with life. A white-winged angel can restore the life of humans as long as they have Kami-sama's permission. They are known as the Angels of Life." She hesitated for a moment as she didn't know how he would take what she would be telling him now. "As for black… it's associates with death."

She gazed away from him, not wanting to see his fear. "We are known as the Angels of Death. We're responsible for collecting and sending humans to their final resting place."

Her father Izumi was the leader of the Angels of Death while her mother Yuka was the leader of the Angels of Life. She and Akira were the results of the two perfect beings. Unfortunately, she did not possess their flawless life. If Akira was the positive pole, she was the negative pole. If only she was born with white wings, she would have lived with her mother. But, she never hated living with her father either.

His head was slightly spinning because of the information. He didn't know what he should feel at this moment. Still, he tried to remain calm. After he did, he quietly asked, "If you're truly the Angel of Death, then why…"

He stopped mid-sentence as he already found the answer. The one who could protect you from death was the Angels of Death themselves.

Silence reigned.

"Natsume, there's something I need to ask you…"

He looked up at her.

"Do you love me?" Her voice was firm while her eyes pleaded him to tell her the truth.

At that moment he let her see his feelings, his love for her through his eyes. He didn't know if it was even possible to love her more than life itself when they just knew each other for less than two weeks. Yet, it happened. It was truly difficult for him not to love her.

His honest answer almost brought tears into her eyes, but she held it by taking a deep breath. Gazing into his crimson eyes, she inquired, "Do you want me to stay?"

He couldn't believe what he heard as he unintelligently replied, "Huh?"

She didn't bother to ask twice as she added, "If you wish so, I can stay with you for as long as you want me to…"

Disbelief was written all over his face. "You… are you—"

"I do not jest, Natsume."

"…"

"However, it will be fruitless. Union between angels and humans is forbidden."

To tell the truth, he didn't know what he should say or do at this moment. She would stay with him, but the cost was their love would be fruitless. Just less than an hour, he had learned how she had come to protect him from the death, and now, he would have to determine their future. Would he want a future with her where they wouldn't have even a child to call their own?

Mikan studied Natsume closely before saying, "Please give me your answer by tomorrow midnight."

As she stood on her feet, he caught her wrist. Looking into her eyes, he asked, "What about you? What do you want?"

She shook her head sadly. "I do not want to influence you with what I want, Natsume."

He gazed at her intently. "Then… do you love me?"

A loving kiss from her was her answer.

That night, both remained awake, pondering about their lives until sunrise.

Prev Chapter 1—Prologue: New Charge Chapter 2—Day 1: House Arrest Chapter 3—Day 2: Changing Chapter 4—Day 3: Growing Up Chapter 5—Day 4: White Wings Chapter 6—Day 5: Affection Chapter 7—Day 6: To Know You Chapter 8—Day 7: Matter of Heart Chapter 9—Day 8: Beauty is a Curse Chapter 10—Day 9: Q&A Chapter 11—Day 10: See You Chapter 12—Epilogue: New Life Next