Summary: They both wanted to adopt him—she, out of pity and he, for his own benefit, yet they both refused to give the little kid up to each other. "Well, since you guys are totally attached to him anyway, why don't the three of you live together as a happy family?" Thus a complete trouble inside the house starts—an always-ecstatic mama Mikan, a killjoy Papa Natsume, and three-year-old Youichi completely amused at his new parents' 'relationship'. Oh boy.

Disclaimer: Do I have to repeat this over and over? I certainly do not and never will own Gakuen Alice. I own the story plot, but I give Higuchi Tachibana-sama the credits for making this anime.

My Strange Family

House Rule 9: Maintain Bonds in Dire Situations

"The greatest thing in family life is to take a hint when a hint is intended-and not to take a hint when a hint isn't intended."

-Robert Frost

"A rushed preparation, you say?" Natsume stared at the guy sitting in front of him and freely positioned his right leg atop his left one with his swivel chair's armrest supporting the weight of his arms.

"Yes." The guy opposite him answered with frantic smile, an instant projection of his apologetic stance. After a few seconds of a blank stare towards the CEO, Sono Kaname sighed and lifted up the tea cup drawing near his lips.

It wasn't long before the two of them had settled to talk about their upcoming project inside Natsume's office, though as the latter acknowledged, he still felt a little uneasy about the presence of this person. As to what caused it, he doesn't know.

Natsume made it into certainty that he doesn't even want to know.

As much as it made him feel bad about suspecting a person he barely knows, there is something about this Sono Kaname that bugs him inside… something like being a threat.

Well, for now, he's rest assured that the said threat is not something that would get him so worked up nor scare the living hell out of him, because yeah, he's never bound to be inferior to any other human being.

Unless of course it's Mikan who can make him kneel in front of her in just a snap or Youichi with his aesthetically pleasing innuendos.

At first, he disregarded the idea of having to deal with him. But the flour guy (as he identified him) just emits a suspicious aura that even he got curious of. And in the end, it just happened that this guy whom he never wanted to share things with turned out to be his client.

But maybe, just maybe (and hopefully), he's not someone whom he'll have to deal heavily with.

"I'm really sorry about this troublesome change of plans, Mr. Hyuuga. I'm also informed the last minute so I came earlier than expected. I deeply apologize."

The man had once again mustered an apologetic face. By the looks of it, Natsume is pretty sure that this guy is surprisingly honest for a manager of a big star. Usually, he'd encounter different types of people using their glory to impress him… which always ends up with him rudely driving them away.

Well, he still holds the title of being the most heartless creature ever alive.

Ah, that was before, wasn't it?

Back then, what others say behind his back never once bothered him, but now, it seems as if he's far beyond concerned about what his wife thinks of him.

Only her opinions mattered.

Sighing, Natsume nodded and retrieved a black notebook on his desk.

"This might be a little problem for time management but I'll make it work out somehow." Natsume scanned the notes and searched for the possible schedules that might get in conflict with his project with Kaname. Apparently, there is none apart from one important meeting he has to tend to.

And since the blonde guy had come this far anyway, might as well continue the aforementioned plan.

"Well, would you then tell me when the shooting will start?"

"It's due next week." He smiled. "Misaki will arrive a few days from now since tomorrow is New Year's Eve and she's planning to spend it with her family overseas. Besides, the film crew will hold a conference at Kitagiri once she arrives and after that, we'll undergo a script and location check for the film so there are still a couple of days left to rest."

Natsume nodded and once again looked at the list of schedules he has to attend.

Perfect. No conflicts at all.

As soon as he confirmed that his schedules are all set, Natsume stood up and offered Kaname a handshake which the latter gratefully accepted.

"Let's do our best for this project, then."

The blonde man nodded.

"Well, I'll be in your care from now on."

Somehow, that single sentence and look from Harada Misaki's manager sent him an unusual feeling of clairvoyant peril.

But the bottom line is that he found himself accepting whatever challenge that may be.

My Strange Family

Her intuitions never changed at all.

During her first year of teaching, she was treated as a Goddess mainly because of her extraordinary ability of perceiving what may happen in the future—though it was just an exaggeration on her part since even if most of her hunches came true, there were other times when she failed to bring up such evidences of futuristic events. Well, if not for those mistakes, she would have believed by now that she's one of the characters of that popular anime Youichi has been watching about kids who have these strange powers encaged in an equally strange school.

Ah yes, if her memory serves her right, there was also this conceited, pyromaniac character who loves to cosplay cats that reminds her very much of Natsume.

Speaking of Natsume, he's been very busy these past few days, hasn't he? Though she's a bit thankful of the drop-off of his advancements (not anymore) towards her, it doesn't change the fact that she's getting worried every second about this unusual behavior of his.

No, not really unusual.

She'll never forget that time when he had this similar conduct when that Serio guy appeared.

So… why?

Or maybe, he's just too busy with his projects since his absence?

That would explain a lot, but still, to survive a day without him teasing her? Now, that's new.

It is not something that she could rely on to her intuitions.

Her husband is that hard to read, anyway.

And speaking of her intuitions… even if she failed to notice or sense the sudden infiltration of her co-teacher and best friend, Mikan is sure that the second this friend of hers barged in with that smile on her face, she knew that she'd be in for a big surprise.

Thankfully, for the past hour of being graced by her presence, nothing seems to be amiss… yet. Because Yome Sumire has always been linked to some unexpected outcomes.

"So, what is it that you want to talk about?" Mikan inquired with a sigh after setting the teacup on the table. "You've already gone through the trouble of bringing my paper works here."

"I swear if you hate me that much that you'd go as far as kicking me out of your humble abode, I'm gonna kill you, wife of Hyuuga."

Sumire huffed and flicked imaginary dirt on her newly-painted nails.

As much as she's happy for her friend to be back on her usual self ever since that Hyuuga incident, she thought that it was too much for this woman to be in this… this mood.

Well, she can never put the blame on her.

As a woman who has more experience on balancing her career and her family, she understands why Mikan undergoes through such pressure of handling Youichi, Natsume and her job being a teacher all at the same time. It is her first time after all.

She remembers that time when Kasumi was born. She almost divorced Koko when they had a fight on who's gonna change her diapers! They were both busy bodies that time, but even though she hated to admit it, her husband was much more reasonable than she was.

It was not less surprising that he was the one who apologized first and succumb to his new task of babysitting Kasumi. Thanks to that, he grew attached to her.

But contemplating about it now, it made her laugh that even with such petty arguments, the three of them had gotten over it somehow.

Well, Mikan is tougher than she is, so she's sure that the woman will be able to overcome these matters.

Natsume, on the other hand, is a different story after all.

As far as she knows, that guy's pride is pride itself. According to several sources, they never lasted long in withstanding the handsome man's attitude, for the said man never accepted any apologies in the past nor apologized himself.

And to think that Mikan, her very own friend, tamed that wild beast! She must have been very proud of her accomplishments.

But anyway, the three of them are taking it slowly, and she confirmed that thought when she saw the ring on Mikan's finger. And in no time, she dared say, Youichi would be a big brother.

"And I was kind enough to serve you tea. I had no idea that you have intentions on killing this wife of Hyuuga."

Mikan mockingly shook her head and laughed afterwards, the green-haired lady following soon after. When their bliss had died down, Sumire looked at her with a straight expression.

"I was really worried when you came back from New York without a trace of Natsume. But I was surprised when he showed up that night at the party."

Mikan, after hearing Sumire's annotations, smiled and sighed.

So, she was worried after all!

What can she say other than being glad of having Sumire as her friend? Though the woman can be very noisy and annoying (not to mention sarcastic) most of the time, she was the first person she leaned on during her first year of teaching. Her way of things (though others would think of it as rude) actually helped her escape her confinement.

"So you're here to ask any progress between us?"

"Yeah, pretty much." The green-haired woman continued to drink the tea offered to her and continued. "I heard from one of the directors in the orphanage that Hyuuga Natsume and you have already made it to the next stage."

And that was enough to send Mikan in a coughing fit.

Ah, and that straightforwardness too. Add straightforwardness to the list of Yome Sumire's way of things.

"W-Wait, how—"

"You need not to be surprised, princess. Everyone goes through that, you know. When my parents heard about me doing, you know, stuffs with Koko, they almost worshipped him for bringing out the woman in me."

Mikan frowned.

Well, it's not like she wanted to hear that either.

What happens between Koko and Sumire must stay just between them! She doesn't need to know the activities where two of her best friends are involved!

With that said, she guessed that her intuitions are still fully functional. See? This is what happens when you got an overprotective friend who will definitely put you in for a big surprise.

But still, for that little piece of information to spread like wildfire, it is too scandalous! What would Natsume say when he finds out that he's being talked about behind his back?

Oh wait.

Knowing Natsume and his ego, that guy would just smirk at her and ramble something about how she won't be approached by other guys anymore. That would serve as an accomplishment to him (although she secretly enjoyed the fact of him being possessive), contrary to what she believed that Natsume would actually be bothered by such news. Hah, and here she is worrying for nothing!

"But if you'd ask me, I could say that the news is actually in his benefit."

That made her stop though.

"His benefit?"

At the sight of a frowning Sumire, Mikan imitated her friend's expression.

"Come on Mikan, think! The fact that he's actually claimed you will definitely break many hearts of women."

While she believes that Natsume will surely use the situation for the sole purpose of his entertainment—in other words, teasing and silently proclaiming his indirect claim on her at the same time—this one never crossed her mind.

She doesn't know if what Sumire meant by 'breaking many women's hearts' is supposed to be a compliment for her or…

"W-Wait, are you suggesting that he's using me?"

But that's unlikely, isn't it? Natsume was never the type of man to play with a woman's heart let alone use her, because he was never interested in women in the first place, and he'd rather stay at home alone working his butt off than use his popularity to gain the attention of those ladies.

It's really near impossible!

"I never said that. Well, I do not know much about your husband, so I can't say that it was impossible either. But I want you to take some precautionary measures, just in case."

"Some what?"

Taken aback, Mikan creased her forehead.

Just as she thought, Sumire came in for a heck of a surprise. To sum it up logically, it was never good whenever this woman barges inside your house with that suspicious smile of hers.

For once, she thought, if Sumire was one of Natsume's admirers, the latter might even cringe with the green-haired woman's persistence.

"Look here missy. If you're not that observant of your situation, you'll definitely go down the hill one day."

"Wha—"

"The reality here lies in two things." Sumire sighed and stood up, her index and middle finger surrendered up in the air. "When a man finally gets what he wants from a woman, it's either one, he's serious about her or two, out of killing time. The worst case scenario here is the woman has no direct connection with him, or might even end up getting knocked up."

That made her stop for the second time.

What her friend said was true, quite frankly. In this modern day, she has been hearing lots of news about hooking and then ending up where both sides part ways. It's actually pitiful for the baby to grow up without the presence of a mother or a father, or worst, the ones involved in such activities would treat the child like a stray dog that can be given to anyone.

"But I don't think your husband is like that."

Out of the blue, Sumire sat down again and leaned near her.

"Although he lives up to the reputation of being a lady killer, I doubt he'd do that. He's not being cold towards you, isn't he?"

Well, it was actually the opposite. The often they do this and that, Natsume would get perverted even more. And that isn't even counted as getting cold. Besides, albeit he tends to show more of his arrogance than his sweetness, she can never alter the fact that, well, her stupid husband was just born with that kind of gene. It's not like it's surprising to see him every day without much of an expression painted on his face.

There are times though when she's lucky enough to see a different Natsume. Just in front of her alone.

Realizing her thoughts, Mikan shook her head and smiled.

There's no way Natsume was taking advantage of her!

Sumire in turn, nodded and winked.

"Well, if that's not the case then it's great. I assure you that he is by no means using you as an excuse to free himself from being the most sought bachelor. But, if ever he fails to touch you again…"

My Strange Family

"I'm home." Natsume groaned once he shut the door with a semi-loud bang, and expectedly, the three-year-old child came running to him with a wide smile while holding a pair of slippers on his grasps.

"Welcome back, Papa!"

Delighted at the young Hyuuga's enthusiasm, Natsume smiled and put his briefcase down and Youichi ran towards him when he gestured his arms wide open. As he found himself being used to this nightly drill of theirs, Natsume assumed that even though this scenarios would have an instant replay every night, he will never get tired of being the vehicle (as Youichi said) of his three-year-old man who would routinely step his feet on his own while he, the father, walks up inside their house.

Then she would welcome him warmly with a smile, a spatula on her right hand while wearing her pink, frilly apron—though he'd much rather have her wearing only that apron on, and he wouldn't dare say it since the mark she left on his cheek yesterday still stings to death.

Ah, the series of events he never once imagined experiencing…

Unlike before, the feeling of indifference when he comes back to an empty home from work was totally usual and never out of ordinary. It was as if he long accepted the fact that maybe, coming home with a family member will never suit him at all. He was used to the ambiance of a black-and-white decorated home.

But the picturesque entirely says otherwise right now. For the past few weeks, ever since Mikan and Youichi started to live with him, Natsume can testify that his previous theories might prove him wrong, for without the sight of those two when he arrives makes him feel out of place.

His night wouldn't be complete without Youichi carrying his slippers once he announced that he's home (which he did a few moments ago). It wouldn't be complete without his wife slash the mother of his child smiling that idiotic yet soothing smile of hers.

Well, those two have been capable of getting rid of the physical and mental stress he would come across every day.

And speaking of Mikan…

As soon as Natsume felt Youichi's tiny feet resting on top of his big ones, he noticed that there's another pair of shoes of a woman, he concluded, arranged orderly beside the door.

Furrowing his eyebrows, Natsume looked at the kid smiling up at him.

"We have a visitor?"

The young man nodded.

"Teacher Sumire is here!"

Ah, the loud woman who's the wife of that Koko something.

Unsure of the reason why Mikan's co-teacher visited them, Natsume went inside with Youichi stepping on his feet, and once he heard the voice of the woman talking loudly, he noticed a helpless Mikan stiffly looking at him.

What the heck are they talking about anyway?

"Ahh, I remembered the time when Koko and I did just that. It was so embarrassing in my part but we both liked it anyway! And it was my first time too!"

Never mind the green-haired woman's continuous rambling.

Silently, he frowned at Mikan who threw him an apologetic smile.

Damn.

Just as he thought he'd be able to rest peacefully, there goes this woman who's not the least fond of peace. Now he wonders how that Koko survives.

After he set Youichi on the floor, the three-year-old child went on in front of the television to watch his favorite show where there is this black-haired dude who loves to wear a half-face mask and is obsessed with this conceited, pyromaniac character who loves to cosplay cats.

That was as creepy as hell.

"Oh yeah, speaking of first, I heard he's back!"

Natsume looked once again as his attention was caught by the woman, and surprisingly, Mikan seemed oblivious to what the wife of Koko just blurted out.

But wait. Who's he?

"Come on, don't you remember? Your first love, he's here in Japan!"

My Strange Family

Typed on: Three years ago

Posted on: January 10, 2018

Author's Notes: I apologize for the lateness but, yeah. It's pretty short since I am into re-planning.

First of all, I sincerely apologize for those who keep messaging me to update since 2014. As a fellow fan, I know the pain of having to wait for a story's update, and I just realized that I really, really, really have to update this story. Hope you'll read this note till the end.

Actually, I have a valid excuse here. Since 2014 started, I had to focus on writing stories and such. Not just any story, because they were for my subjects since my major was Malikhaing Pagsulat (the Filipino counterpart of Creative Writing). I had to write different genres like poems, screenplays, stories, and flash fictions. Pretty weird because genres, in our term, meant those things and not the usual genre we know like action, romance, horror, etc. You get the point.

Also, when 2015 started, I had to keep on writing for my thesis on fanfictions. Yes, fanfictions. I was informed that my thesis on fanfics was the first thesis that would be published in our college, so I was more than proud. Truthfully, it was reaaaaally time-consuming because of endless research and other stuff (well, thesis is hell at first but once you completed your project and conveyed whatever you want to prove, it's all worth it). Anyway, I chose the play genre (I freaking love stage plays, especially the 2.5d Japanese ones) and had written several scripts, but one time when I was consulting with my thesis adviser, she told me that fanfiction was better off with short stories. I had to revise a lot of things so I had to work twice harder, given that the deadline was getting near that time. From three screenplays, I settled with five short stories which should be 10-15 pages each. Even the poetics (the study itself) had to be almost if not entirely revised. Aside from that, unlike other colleges, we had an individual thesis. No groups or partners so we had to do everything by ourselves. I actually prefer working alone. Thankfully, everything ended. I finally earned my bachelor's degree last June.

One last thing that I'm guilty of is the fact that I was into Shingeki no Kyojin in 2014. I wrote several fanfics for that fandom so I, kind of, got distracted. (Shameless plugging: if you're a fan of SnK, particularly rivetra, you may want to check that. LOL)

Anyway, why am I even explaining? Hahahaha. Well, I mean, writing takes a long time. Aside from the every-now-and-then author's block or lack of inspiration and motivation, there's also the issue with time. So I hope you understand. I really want to finish this story so bad but I am not honestly sure how much I'd be able to update. I'm also looking for a stable job right now, so please bear with me.

I don't know if anyone still reads this but, haha, you know, just in case. I appreciate your comments a lot, and whenever I read the reviews and personal messages, it makes me want to write again. I can't say yet when the next chapter will come out but I'm trying. I actually had the ending planned already since the time I started this. But you see, what makes this difficult is the writing itself.

I have been reviewing the initial plans I had for this but it seems like I have to make some changes. Just a little. :)

Anyway, I'll go back to reorganizing the outline from chapter 10 until the end. Thank you for your continuous patronage.

-Erieh Yamazaki