Last Chance: Chapter 12

#33: Gakuen Alice (Natsume & Mikan)
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"I look awful," Mikan muttered to herself as she looked at her reflection. She was wearing a dark blue strapless silk gown. With Aoi's help, her hair was styled in a messy bun with several strands let loose at the side of her face. They were going to have a family dinner tonight. It was scheduled at one of the most elite restaurants. When she heard the door open, she did not bother to see who was coming.
"You look beautiful." Her husband's voice echoed through the bedroom.

She shifted her eyes to her beloved husband of ten years. He looked so handsome with his simple black tux. "You really think so?"

He raised an eyebrow. "The last time I check, you are the most beautiful angel, are you not?"

Before she could hit him on the arm, the door opened again.

"Okaa-san, Aoi-ba-chan and Youichi-ji-chan are waiting for us downstairs," said the brown-haired boy as his little feet padded to his mother.

Mikan beamed at Hiroki, her 5-year-old son and brought him into her arms. Five years after they got married, she and Natsume had decided to adopt a child. Kissing the crown of his little head, she smiled. "Are you ready to go now?"

Without his son's answer, Natsume put his hand on Mikan's back and guided her out of the house along with Aoi and Youichi. A year after he and Mikan got married, Aoi moved in. His house was big enough to house three different guests at the same time, so he had no trouble welcoming her. His younger sister felt slightly uncomfortable with their oldest brother Tsubasa and his ex-wife in the house. Not long after that, Youichi also tagged along, saying he couldn't stand his ex-wife. The house became a bit crowded, but Mikan was happy as they were not alone anymore. He didn't have to say it out loud that both of them yearned for children. It was Aoi who then suggested for him to adopt a child. The only ones who knew about Mikan's real identity as an angel were Aoi and Youichi.

On their fifth anniversary, he then brought Mikan to a children's hospital to adopt a newborn child. Coincidentally, there was one baby boy who had the same crimson eyes as his. The boy's mother passed away a few hours after giving birth to him while his father was deceased just a few months prior due to car accident. The baby was all alone, so he and Mikan took the boy home and raised him as their own. Since then, Mikan was glowing with happiness. Although the child was not his by blood, he loved the child just as he would as his own. His family showered his son with love, and even Akira often visited them to see his nephew.

"Natsume?" Her voice brought him back to reality.

He hummed in reply.

Mikan smiled. "I just received good news from Hotaru last night."

"Oh?" He remembered his wife's best friend who always glared at him whenever she left after visiting Mikan. Of course, he was not stupid. He did catch her message not to hurt Mikan emotionally and physically. The thought itself could make him snort as he would never want to hurt what was his.

Her happy smile remained on her face. "Just like me, Hotaru has been given another chance…" to prove her endless love for Ruka Nogi.

"Hn," replied Natsume. He truly didn't care about that emotionless, black-winged angel.

Mikan only shook her head as she heard Natsume's curt answer. Hotaru already confirmed the bloodline of her new charge last night. Her new charge was none other than Ruka's reincarnation from his direct descendant. Mikan smiled to herself as she prayed for her best friend's happiness. She had never regretted her choice to stay with Natsume and was eternally grateful to Kami-sama, who had given her another chance to redeem herself. If it were not for that one last chance, she wouldn't have been able to meet her true love.

The End

Thanks for reading.

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