Hey guys!! bad news, this is (sadly) the last chapter of the story. don't worry! it's the longest one. took me 13 pages of Microsoft Word xD.

consider this as an early Christmas gift from me since this is the last one. And oh yeah, reviews, PM's and such are much appreciated.

Thank you to the following reviewers: (with chapters)

Arvee-chan (1, 4) - yep, proud to be Pinoy!! haha.. sorry talaga if hindi ko napataas ang aking story :(

fitha (1) - thanks for the correction! :D

Yuki the dark magician - thanks a lot for the review and being a great friend even though we aren't in contact so much

Xxdarkness-angelxX (3, 4, 6) - Thanks a million for the reviews you have given me :D

Kisa-bun (3, 4, 6) - te, thank you talaga sa lahat ng reviews and messages na ibinagay mo. it really helped me with my stress at the moment. Hopefully, i could go one more time in Iloilo so i could visit

Blue_09happy (4) - hahaha... yep, i'm a filipino!! WoO!! Go Pinoy!! thanks a lot for your review and comment. it warmed my heart xD. can i ask you something? what's your citizenship? i'm a visayan by the way :D

Alice Starr (6) - yup! you guessed it right! are you psychic or what? hahaha, kidding! xD

Mamisayv (6) - sadly this is the only thing i could continue. sorry :(

izzy-bellarocs (6) - hmmm... maybe, maybe not. hehehe, if read this chapter, you'll know what ;)

bluegirl330817 (6) - thank you for the review! :D

TheBlackSwallow (7, 8) - i know... that's why i wanted to kick her out of the story but i'm kind so i'll let her stay (insert evil laugh). anyways, thanks for the review!!

Najika Tsubasa-chan (8) - did you know that if you compliment something or someone, you know what is because you are, too? then, that means you're cool, too! (in this case anyways. if you say if something or someone is annoying, then it is annoying because it really is and not you xD). i'd be honored to have you as a friend. it's nice to have someone to talk to :)

sorry if you are angry with me for cutting this story but really, this is as far as it would go. i hope you enjoy it! :)

Chapter 8 - The End and Epilogue

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into –

Okay, hold up! Now you sound like a crappy fairytale. It's only been a week not weeks, dummy.

Oh, sorry.

It's been a week since I haven't talked to Hyuuga but also a week of seeing his loathsome face. Ugh, he keeps on coming to me asking for forgiveness even though he knows that I don't want to talk or even see his face.

I still remember what happened five days ago on Monday when I decided that I change things.

I walked to the room quite early for my 'usual' behavior but I didn't mind. Now that my secret is out to one person, I couldn't keep up the act because in return, Persona gave me a condition that when my secret is out to even a single person, I would drop the act and behave like I should. Being me, I keep my promises and stick to the conditions.

Apparently, as I entered the room, there were a few people currently doing what they please. One of them was Hotaru, who was working on her new invention intended to shut me up (that was my guess). When they saw me enter, I could see different emotions scroll down on their faces.

Surprise. Shock. Suspicion. Awe. Confusion. Indifference. Envy. And blank? Oh well.

I quickly sat on my seat behind Hotaru and took out the iPod that came with my room. Just as the song was coming to a close, I sensed Hotaru coming at me with the baka gun.

BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA

I just sighed momentarily and caught them with my hands, not feeling any pain whatsoever. Again, I could see the same emotions scroll down on their faces but the most dominant was shock and suspicion.

"Who are you and what happened to Mikan?" Hotaru asked in a monotone while she pointed her gun at me.

"Geez, Hotaru, you're really are cold. The Mikan before and the Mikan you see now are just the same… with slight changes, of course," I replied with a smile. But I could feel that the smile was forced.

"Slight," Hotaru scoffed skeptically.

She was obviously referring to my appearance and my attitude. Though, the only difference in my appearance now was my hair isn't tied into idiotic pigtails (which I was happy to change)but a low, sort-of one-sided ponytail (the type of hairstyle when one side has more hair than the other and was divided by a line and tied to a ponytail), my attitude was something to question about.

"Just trust me on this," I murmured.

"Fine," she agreed. "But let me ask you this: Is Hyuuga involved?"

I swallowed before I could answer. "Ask the guy yourself."

"You didn't answer correctly."

"I didn't hear any choices."

"There's a yes and a no implied."

"Then, I don't want to answer the question," I said in finality.

Hotaru lingered a little before shrugging and walking to her seat in front of me and continued working on the new invention.

I still had about an hour before it's time, so, I good doze-off-time would be nice.

I carefully laid my arms on the desk followed by my head. My eyes slowly drooped and I was once again off to Dreamland.

RING!! RING!! RING!! RING!! RING!!

The bell woke me up causing me to look up sheepishly face-to-face with Hotaru's invention and the filing students. Just then, squeals and screams could be heard coming nearer and nearer to the door. Whoosh! The door opened to reveal Hyuuga and Ruka-pyon behind him. They were followed by girls and – gays? Where did they come from?

Haven't you heard the terms homophobe and homosexual people?

Yeah, I have. But that doesn't really explain how they got here.

Well, they may come from the other section…

You're right. Hey, you're being nice today even though you lost your sickness.

I just got tired of reprimanding an idiot like you, so there.

Wow… hey! What do you mean an idiot like me?

Signing out

Sigh, I really take back what I said earlier.

Anyways, I put up a barrier around me and my desk. The barrier was from a very strong alice user with a very strong alice that I stole on a mission. Anyone I don't want to come close to me will be repelled and sometimes electrocuted depending on what I want.

I noticed on my peripheral vision that Hyuuga glanced at me as he passed towards his desk. He looked at me with pleading eyes but I looked straight ahead. And then, Ruka-pyon looked at me with the same emotions as the people before had. I just smiled at him which made him a lot more confused.

A few minutes later, Narumi-sensei came in the class wearing his usual clothes (I meant the clothes he wore when we first met. I couldn't stand the fact that he would wear something vile and make-my-eyes-bleed clothing).

Hmm… get ready to get another wave of emotions.

I got that and put on my poker face.

"I'll begin the name-call and please speak when I say your name," he said in a flourish.

As my name was called…

"Sakura, Mikan?" sensei said and looked at the door expecting me to come rushing in like I used to.

"Over here, sensei," I said in a bored tone.

Almost all of them looked at my direction and, as my subconscious warned me, the emotions were there.

"Ah, you're early today, Mikan-chan. That's new," sensei said after he recovered and he even smiled a bit.

"Well, I think you'd better get used to it, too, sensei," I said with a chuckle.

"Ah, yes," he muttered and continued with the names.

After he was finished, he announced that it was a free day. Sigh, he could have just told us before the names… oh well, better kill time with sleep.

As I was about to sleep, a paper floated towards me.

H: I heard what happened between you two. Better forgive the guy, he's depressed.

I almost ripped the paper into pieces.

M: so you're taking his side?! You believe in him?

I passed it back. She replied in an instant and threw it back at me.

H: no I'm not. Fine, do whatever you want. Just make sure that you won't turn into a zombie like Bella in New moon

I smiled and noticed something.

M: you actually READ new moon? I thought you don't like mushy-gushy stories.

I passed it again. I felt that she rolled her eyes and passed it back at me.

H: I don't. I just read the entire saga out of boredom. By the way, you owe me 500 rabbits for writing to you.

I rolled my eyes. Typical Hotaru.

I took out my wallet and fished out a 1000 rabbit. Wondering how I got this? Simple, when allowances come every month, I was given my two-star allowance, in public. But my special-star allowance was added to my money and my tips from missions were also given privately. No, the two-star allowance was just part of my special-star allowance but the tips were, shall I say, big.

I quickly gave her the money which made her widen her eyes a little.

"Knowing you, you'd charge me with interests. We'll talk next time just not now," I whispered.

She nodded as she went back on whatever she's doing.

Now, I really wanted to sleep but then someone was coming towards me and that certain someone happens to be repelled by my barrier causing him pain.

"Mi – Mikan-chan, can I talk to you even for just a second?" He asked.

I turned around to see Ruka-pyon on his knees wincing.

I gasped. "Ruka-pyon! You should have said that you were going to come here."

"I'll remember that next time," he muttered and stood up. "I was wondering what was going on between you and – "

I cut him off immediately, not wanting to hear his name. "Sorry Ruka-pyon, but what you're about to say is out of my league."

"What do you mean?"

"If you ever speak any concern about Hyuuga," I said motioning my head towards his direction, "I have no business with it."

"But, Mikan-chan, I thought - ," he started but again I cut him off.

"Don't make me repeat myself, Ruka-pyon. I really won't like it if I will exert any anger to you and so will Hotaru. Please, just let me be," I said almost begging, willing the tears in my eyes not to fall.

"Okay," he agreed in defeat.

"Thank you," I murmured before teleporting myself to my private place in the Northern Forest.

I found the house and knocked three times.

"Who's there?" A cold voice said.

"That hurts, you know that Persona, that you don't even recognize your little imoto," I said sarcastically.

The door opened and out came Persona in his usual clothes. I raised my eyebrows.

"Do you ever change your clothes? I mean, I've seen you wear that for 2 months straight," I pointed out chuckling internally.

"Funny, squirt, this is my uniform. I have a lot of this in my closet," he snapped. "What do you want?"

"Missions," I quickly said.

He scrutinized my face before continuing.

"Something big happened, right?" he asked in a concerned voice. Ever since training with him, we sort of became siblings and sometimes looked after each other.

"Yeah," I replied in a monotone. "Don't worry about it."

"I won't ask because I know you won't say anything," he said. "But I do hope you won't turn into a zombie like Bella in New Moon."

"Oh no! Not you, too!!" I groaned. "Don't tell me you read New moon."

"I didn't," he said casually leading me inside the room. What he said just opened me up. Until –

"I watched it."

I slapped my forehead and loved the sensation of skin contact. Seriously, is everyone expecting this to turn into a vampire-crazy movie?

"Here's the missions. Choose any of them," he ordered, and left me with the suitcase filled with easy missions.

End of flashback

So that's how everything went through the 5 days of break-up. Well, except for the part where there's Hotaru and Ruka-pyon, but other than that, everything is in control.

But not today, everyone seems to be acting weird all of a sudden. When I entered the room, everyone got silent and smiled at me as if expecting me to jump with joy. Uh, weird much? Even Hotaru has a weird glint in her eyes but a different kind of glint. Something like some kind of event is gonna happen. She then came up to me with her lips twitching as if hiding a smile.

"Come to the sakura trees tonight at 11:30 pm. Make sure you aren't late or else, I'm going to find out why you're so stubborn of going in the Northern Forest," she said, rather, ordered and sat in her seat as the students are filing in the room as the bell rung with its shrill voice.

Then, I noticed there were no squeals, screams, or whatever coming in the door. Hmph, good thing.

Just then, since first period was Mathematics, Jin-Jin came in with an expectant smile.

Okay, rewind and freeze!

Jin-Jin with an expectant smile!! Okay, this day just got weirder and weirder.

As he looked at me, he chuckled quietly. I could hear it because of my training but I'm sure nobody heard that.

And so, it continued like this. The teachers were the same with Jin-Jin (Narumi-sensei looked like he could be jumping for joy if not for the high heels he chose to wear. Seriously, the guy has major issues). Almost everyone in this dang school knows something I don't!!

Need help?

Yeah, very much. What does everyone know something I don't?

*smiles expectantly.

Not you, too…!!

What can I say, being you, you probably forgot what's happening.

Aw, c'mon! You're my subconscious. You're supposed to know more than I know!

Good for you to know. Did you also forget that I'm the author? I do what I want.

Ugh! Nevermind!

Geez, so much for getting help. I then activated the mind-reading alice I copied from Koko but then, I heard nothing. They must be protecting their thoughts from me! Gah! No use screaming internally knowing that my subconscious is gonna kill me.

Another score to the idiot.

Comment ignored.

Anyways, I meditated in my room. You see, when I meditate, I get to talk to Persona in a way that I could see his thoughts and vice versa. (a/n: try to recognize who's speaking. i'm too lazy to put who said this and who said that)

Hey! Mr. P! Where are you?!

No need to shout, imoto. I could hear you perfectly well.

Yeah, yeah. Anyways, I can't come today. I've got to go somewhere. My friend, Hotaru Imai, ordered me to do so. Really sorry.

Ah, so it's today?

What's 'it' today?

Oh, nothing, something just came up. I need to go. If you want to see me defecate, stay for awhile.

Ew!! I'll leave now!! Ja!

Phew! That was close. Sheesh, he doesn't need to tell me that.

Just then, I felt my phone vibrate. I reached for it and saw a text message from Hotaru.

Wear something nice and decent tonight. Or else.

-H.I.

Typical.

I looked at my digital clock in the living room and saw that I had a few more hours before going to the sakura trees. So, I decided to sleep it off. I set my cellphone to a set alarm and lied on my bed and dozed off to Dreamland.

Later

WAKE UP IDIOT!! YOU'D BETTER GET OFF THAT BED OR I'M GONNA KICK YOU'RE A –

I woke up from the alarm and turned it off. I went to the bathroom to splash some cold water to keep myself awake.

I quickly changed into a dress. The color was vivid red with sparkles making it shine. It ended just above my knees. I quickly wore some red, strappy high heels (just 2 inches tall. I still can't walk well with high heels) that matched the dress. Now, the problem was my hair. Just as I was done brushing my hair, a knock came to the door.

"Coming!" I said and walked briskly to the door.

I opened the door to see Sumire, Nonoko, and Anna in dresses and small pouches.

"Oh, good, you're done," Sumire said in relief as they came in my room towards my mirror.

"Come on, Mikan. You know how impatient Hotaru is," Anna said as she tugged my hand to my mirror. Well, the table of my mirror was now filled with make-up kits. Now, why would they do this?

"Now, Mikan, stay still cause we only have an hour and a half to doll you up," Nonoko ordered as she started brushing my hair swiftly.

"Can I just ask you something?" I said as I felt a something brush on my face. "What's the occasion, anyways?"

"That's something you need to figure out yourself," Anna replied as she helped Sumire with the make-up.

"Or maybe she forgot," Nonoko murmured as she coughed a laugh.

"Forgot what?" I asked. Now, I'm curious and frustrated.

"Oh, nothing," Sumire answered for Nonoko but she cleared her throat as if to hide a laugh.

An hour later

"Yes!! She is done!" Anna squealed as she turned my chair to face the mirror.

Yep, I knew it. They did a great job! But still, what is this for?

"Oh no! It's already 11:25 pm!! We won't make it in time," Nonoko exclaimed in horror.

"What?!" Sumire shrieked. "Hotaru's gonna kill us!"

"Uh, guys –," I started but then was cut-off.

"What are we gonna do?" Anna wailed.

"Um, guys… -,"

"We have to call her," Nonoko suggested.

"Guys… - ."

"NO! She's gonna kill us!" Sumire argued.

"GUYS!!" I yelled, my patience broke.

They all looked at me with fear and horror.

"You just wasted your time for 3 minutes and 50 seconds. Now, listen. I want you to hold on to me tightly," I ordered them.

"But we don't have time to be friendly-friends," Sumire protested.

"Sheesh, have a little faith would ya?" I gave them my arms and they took it.

"Anna, tell me when it's five seconds 'til 11:30," I said quickly while Anna nodded. "When I say 'go', you guys hold your breath. Got it?"

They nodded in reply.

"Now, Mikan!" Anna yelped.

"GO!" They held their breath as I teleported ourselves to the sakura trees.

When we arrived...

They let go of my arms immediately and ran in the dark. I can't see clearly due to the side-effects of the teleportation alice but I could hear some shuffling and scurrying.

"Guys? Anyone here?" I said as my vision cleared.

"Mikan, step forward 10 times," a voice said. I followed putting my guard up.

"Now, turn around 10 times," the voice said. Again, I followed.

"Do the cha-cha," the voice ordered after I did what it told me. I cocked an eyebrow. What the - ?

"You idiot! Stop messing around," another voice said. I then heard a thump and silence.

"Sorry Mikan, an idiot took the microphone," the other voice apologized. "Turn to your left Mikan. Trust me on this."

Somehow, I felt alright and did as I was told.

"Now step forward 3 times," the voice ordered. "Now, do you know why you're here?"

"Obviously not. Why am I here?" I asked. Really, it's been bugging me forever.

Then a lot of voices laughed. Some were familiar voices but they seemed muffled.

"You'll know now. Look up."

I did as I was told and was shocked and surprised with what I saw.

Fireworks filled the sky with colors so magnificent that I couldn't say anything. The fireworks formed the words "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MIKAN! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!" and I felt tears run down my face.

The lights went on and it showed everyone I knew from my elementary 'til high school friends and teachers all gathered up in the place. Then, someone touched my shoulder.

"I knew you'd forget your own birthday," Hotaru said as she chuckled and hugged me. "Happy Birthday, idiot."

"Thanks, Hotaru!" I said and hugged her back. Now, everyone was hugging me and greeting me happy birthday except for one person but I gave no heed, it's much better.

"So, this is the idiot who forgot her own birthday. How pitiful," Persona said as he hugged me.

"Haha," I said sarcastically. "Nice tux."

"Thank you," he said while smirking.

Actually, everyone was in tuxedos and dresses. They all look handsome and beautiful (even Narumi-sensei! He's wearing a tux!).

"Let's now have the feast," Koko announced. I guess nobody ate yet.

"The feast was actually made by Anna Umenomiya and is made plenty by Hotaru Imai," he continued as he grinned.

The food was now passed and we had our fill. I quickly commented Anna on how great her food tastes.

"Now for the Sweet 16 dance," Koko said as he went to the DJ and told him to start.

Everyone danced with happiness and joy. I was passed around to dance with every single male in the vicinity... even Youichi. When I danced with Persona, I asked him how he got into this.

"What can I say, Imai is good in blackmailing. It seems she knows about my paycheck," he answered in a stiff voice. Hehe… he's cornered.

As soon it was 1 am, Koko told the DJ to put on something funky.

"Mikan is now requested to come up in front and receive her gifts," Koko said as he led me to the little stage they made.

I received a lot. I mean, it seems like every guest gave me a gift (which I opened) that represented them. For example, Hotaru gave me a hologram video showing our good times as kids (I almost cried when I saw myself and Hotaru in grandpa's house sleeping. Wonder how she got that), Tsubasa-senpai and Misaki-sempai gave me a pink teddy bear with a star on the cheek, Ruka-pyon gave me a nightingale (so that I could sleep with a singer singing me a lullaby, he said), and so on and so forth. Again, I didn't see the guy's face but it was much better I said to myself.

And then, as I received what I thought was my last gift, Hotaru took the microphone from Koko.

"Now, let's give the man who helped me with all of this, sacrificed his time to do this, and loved Mikan dearly a round of applause!"

The people made way to a man with raven hair and tantalizing crimson eyes. He was handsome in a tuxedo and he carried a palm-sized box wrapped in an elegant wrapper. He walked towards me slowly and my head was in circles.

He was the one who helped Hotaru build this? He's still trying to reach me even though I moved away from him? Does he still love me for what I've done to him?

The answer is all yes

He was standing near me now smiling apologetically. He gave me the gift and I received it with shaky hands. The gift was not so heavy so I was able to carry it with one hand. He offered his hand to me and I took it.

"Happy Birthday Mikan," he murmured softly but loud enough for those in 5-meter radius could hear. Then, he kissed my hand softly and released it.

"Say it, Hyuuga," Hotaru hissed.

"Mikan, it is up to you if you want to. Mikan, can you please give me a chance to court you and forget about what you saw. I know that you may not believe me, but what you saw was false," he begged. He went down on one knee and took my hand gently like a classical romantic.

"Since you're begging…," I started my eyes twinkling with mischievousness although nobody could notice it except for Persona and Hotaru. They know what I'm thinking. Everyone was listening harder.

"No," I said. Everyone was shocked and I could see him bend his head in disappointment.

I made him stand up as he looked at me with sad eyes.

"You didn't let me finish," I said. "No, I wouldn't just say a plain old yes."

And, I kissed him softly until everyone cheered for us. It lasted for 10 seconds until we broke apart.

"Does that answer your question?" I asked the still-shocked Natsume.

"Very well," he replied as he smirked the smirk I loved and led me to the dance floor.

"Yeah! And we party like this 'til morning!! Whoo!!" Koko exclaimed after he took the microphone. He's obviously drunk.

And there, I danced with the person who cared for me even though I didn't want him for a week. But now, I know that he's gonna love me forever and would never leave me alone.

(a/n: wondering what Natsume's gift is? hmm.. could it be? no way!!)

Epilogue

The party yesterday took a toll on me. So basically, I slept through the day. When I woke up, I remembered Natsume's unopened gift. I gently placed it on my bed and ripped the wrapper.

What I saw was confusing at first because it was a strange metallic box with buttons like that of a CD player. Then, I pushed the play button and the top opened.

Now I understand it. It was a hologram video player. It showed me and Natsume with our pictures (I was embarrassed with the one that showed us accidentally kissing). The next clip was Natsume playing some songs on the guitar or piano dedicated to me. I was awed by his talent and touched by the songs. The later songs were sad ones because it was the time when I broke up with him but he still sings with passion.

Now the next clip was explanation on what I saw. Apparently, this device was the one that showed the counterparts of Ruka-pyon and Hotaru – um, never mind. So that was why I saw the incident happen. The hologram was so real; you can't tell if it was actually there or not. The next clip showed him saying thanks to those who helped him make this video, especially Hotaru and Ruka-pyon.

Guess you know what you forgot now, huh, birthday-girl?

Yeah, but I still feel that I forgot one more thing.

Well, tell me when you know later.

Later? Oh well.

I was about to close the box when a parting message came.

"Hey Polka. I just remembered. Since I saw that you're in B's back in the day you banged your head and I changed you, I noticed that it was small for you. Try the C's this time for me, will you?" his voice said then the box closed automatically.

It took me a second before –

I now remember

Breathe in…

" HYUUUUUUUUUUUGGGAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!! YOU PERVERTED JERK!!!!!!!!"

And I ran to his room, ready to beat the lights out of him. Yep, it seems like the old pattern is back.

i know, i know, this sucks because i finished the story without giving anymore. sigh, guess i'm a loser, huh?

well, consider this a Christmas gift from me, your friend known as Mia2n, -Unknown Specimen-, and lately -Tribal Addict-. i hope you enjoyed reading this!

'Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la la la la la

Happy Holidays Everyone!! Merry Christmas!!

Reviews and PM's are much appreciated. xD