So… Hello, guys!

It's been a year, huh? Well, you know the pattern. No update for a long time and when I finally bring out the update, I apologize for something or other. So here comes the excuses…

Apart from last August until this month, I have no excuse. XD If you want to waste time to read my "excuses" feel free to do so after this chapter. ^^

ADVANCE MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR! Love you guys always~

Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice or any of its characters.

Chess Pieces On A Chessboard

Chapter XIX(十九): One More Moment

"Eh! Really?!" Mikan couldn't help shouting and realized too late that everyone's attention was on her. Bowing her head a bit and quickening her pace, Mikan lowered her voice down while making her way to Hotaru's office.

"You're really going back?"

The one in the other line sighed, already aware that her best friend once again embarrassed herself. "Yeah."

"When?" Mikan couldn't hide the excitement in her voice and this, Hotaru couldn't help but comment.

"Don't sound so excited, idiot. It's only for a short while. I'm going back here as soon as I finish my business there."

"Business? What business?" Mikan suddenly felt nervous.

Could she have done something wrong that Hotaru needed to come back here out of schedule? Or could it possibly have anything to do with THAT project.

"You know, Mikan. Try not to get too distracted or use your brain too much that you forget your surroundings. Especially around Hyuuga. You might say something you would definitely regret." She heard Hotaru let out a heavy sigh causing her to bite her lip.

"And yes, it has something to do with the project with Hyuuga."

Her eyes widened. Oops. It seems she unconsciously voiced out what she was thinking. Again.

"I-is something wrong with the documents I sent you?" she changed topic.

"No. It's not about that."

She entered the room and found Kiriko already there who she exchanged smiles with.

"It's not? What could be so important that you must rush back here? How about Ruka-pyon?"

"You ask too many questions. Just check your mails before bothering me." After saying this, Hotaru ended the call.

Mikan sighed. Same old, same old.

"Is there anything new, Kiriko-san?" She asked but as soon as she asked this, she realized it was a stupid question. Hotaru's company is widely known and many chases after a partnership with the company so of course it's only normal to have something new everyday. But Kiriko didn't comment on it.

"Hm. We received a bunch of formal requests for an interview with you. It seems the mass media caught on to the partnership with Hyuuga Corp. and the fact the you are the representative of Imai Tech. and the boss." Kiriko sighed. Though she has the same profession as them, she was exclusively Imai Tech's journalist.

"Eh? Already?!" Although she had already expected the media to find out, she didn't expect it to be this soon. Terrifying, was what she thought even back then. "And to think we haven't even made a public announcement yet. The media is truly terrifying," she muttered unconsciously.

"Well, I'm not really surprised. Hyuuga Corp. aside, Imai Tech. is well known and sought after by many big wigs so it's no wonder that the media would kill to get a scoop about the mysterious woman who was suddenly made acting CEO by Imai Hotaru who is known to only trust herself especially when it comes to money and business."

"Wow. Instant celebrity!" Kiriko joked while Milan could only feel dread. "Oh, please no!"

"It's better to get used to it, you know. You're working not only for Imai Hotaru but also with Hyuuga Natsume." She even put such emphasis on their names that Mikan wanted to run away right then and there.

She had been in this exact position for Hotaru before but it was never this big of a project. Not to mention, the people and companies involved in the current project aren't just mere people. They are people who other people talk about most.

"Oh, we also received this." After saying that, Kiriko handed her a black envelope with a silver ribbon.

"This is?" Mikan took the elegant-looking envelope and opened it carefully.

Nami and Yuzuki couldn't quite understand why people keep on pestering them or why it has become such a big commotion in the first place. Mikan dropped them off to school before going to work as usual but the people who witnessed them getting off the same car made a big fuss and questioned them endlessly and repeatedly. "Why did they come to school together?" And the most annoying of all "What's going on between them?"

Nami was getting flustered.

Maybe it was because they somewhat knew that Yuzuki wasn't someone they can just approach and so everyone subconsciously steered clear of Yuzuki and turned to the easier target.

"Yukihira!"

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Though nobody paid any attention to her cry of despair. Not even Yuzuki. Well as long as Nami wasn't hurt, Yuzuki would rather ignore anything troublesome.

"Good morni—eh? What's going on?!" Kei started cheerfully and ended in surprise.

The two inseparable girls were the ones who answered him. "They said that they saw Nami and Yuzuki-kun getting off the same car." Mizuki shrugged, not really all that interested with the issue.

"Why are they making a big deal out of it? I can't understand them!" Mari exclaimed.

"Right?" Mizuki nodded in agreement, turning to look at Kei only to be surprised at the horrified look on his face. "K-Koizumi...kun?"

Ignoring her, Kei turned to Yuzuki with a betrayed look in his eyes, literally getting into his face. "YU-ZU-KIIII!"

Yuzuki scowled and pushed his face away. "Go away."

"What is the meaning of this, Yuzucchi?!"

Yuzuki looked at him with an incredulous look. "Yuzucchi? What the hell?"

"Is it true that you both came out of the same car this morning?" Kei interrogated.

Yuzuki sighed and rolled his eyes. People...

"So what?"

Kei gasped. "So it's true?! How could you, Yuzunyaaaaan!" And he dramatically lowered his head and pounded his chest as if it was hurting.

Three heads turned to him with a weird look. "Nyan?"

Yuzuki looked at him with disdain, his eyes twitching. "Shut up."

Kei dropped the act with a frustrated sigh. "You're no fun."

"That wasn't fun." Yuzuki glared at him, making the manga he was holding - now where did he get that - fly with Kei's face as the target. "Ow!" Kei protested as he rubbed the forehead that had been hit.

"So annoying," Yuzuki grumbled before sinking into his seat and closing his eyes, ready to ignore all their presence and sleep. Ah come to think of it, he slept quite late last night. He had occupied himself with making fun of Nami while she's sleeping and it all started when he heard her soft snoring.

"And he's sleeping again," Mizuki commented. "Well, since he's like that me and Mari will just go and help Nami."

Kei sweat dropped. "...okay. Good luck...?"

Kei cleared his throat, setting his eyes back to Yuzuki and making sure that what he was about to say next can only be heard by the two of them. "Oh, right. My sister was going on and on about this party next week."

Yuzuki opened his eyes and scowled. Party?

Seeing the change in his expression, Kei became more interested. "What? You don't know? That's strange. I did see an invitation and it's certainly sent from your family's company."

"I wasn't in the house yesterday. How should I know"

Kei sweat dropped. "So what they said were true."

Yuzuki's lips lifted into a smirk, suddenly wanting to tease the boy in front of him. "Why? You jealous?"

"N-no! Why would I be jealous?"

"Don't worry. I won't steal her from you," Yuzuki teased and that earned him a red faced Kei who protested him to stop. "Besides, her mom just helped us make up and somehow, it turned into a sleepover."

Kei immediately recovered. "Oh. So you two are fine now? For real?"

"Hn."

Kei sighed in relief and Yuzuki frowned. "What are you sighing there for?"

"No. It's just that during your fight, the whole class was so tense. It wasn't really fun," he explained while remembering the troubles these past week.

Yuzuki rolled his eyes. "How stupid."

Kei laughed. "Yeah well, you're not wrong there. It feels as if when you two move, everything around you moves along as well."

"You and your poetic self," Yuzuki muttered with a frown, unable to understand.

Their conversation ended there as people started coming one after another. And for someone who hates being crowded, Yuzuki sent them all a glare prompting Kei to lead the crowd away from him.

"Idiots."

"I see. So this is why Hotaru's coming back."

Mikan stared at the invitation. It's a joint party hosted by both Hyuuga Corp. and Imai Tech. Oh yeah. It's the perfect time for that. The problem between those two kids completely took over her mind that she forgot all about the party. Everything was ready so soon, as expected of Hyuuga Natsume.

Well, she can't be losing to him now, can she?

"I'll make you see. I'm not the same stupid girl you threw away seven years ago. I won't let you affect me any longer, Hyuuga Natsume."

"Huh? Did you say something?" Mikan snapped out of it and turned to Kiriko who wore a confused expression.

"Ah.. no… Just talking to myself. Haha…" Mikan laughed awkwardly.

"This will be the invitation that will be handed out. What do you think?"

"Well…" Mikan eyed the card in her hand. "…it's so like him."

Kiriko's eyebrow shot up quizzically. "And… what do you mean by that?"

Mikan felt like someone doused her with icy cold water. She puts on a smile on her face, feeling awkward.

"Well, you know. When I first met him, I thought that he's a very serious man with an air of… elegance?" She laughed lightly as she put down the invitation. It's not a lie anyway. That was what she really thought when she first met him years ago.

"Besides, serious men usually likes it simple. Like this," she added.

Kiriko shot her a mischievous gaze. "What a very detailed impression. You got all that just by meeting him a few times? How amazing."

"N-not really. It's just my first impression, I could be wrong." Damn. She's sharp.

Kiriko shrugged, seeing as she wouldn't get anything more from her. "Have you already decided on who should be invited from our side?"

"Right. I'll discuss it with Hotaru first. I have to get her opinion on who to invite." They can't make a mistake there. Hotaru has always been particular on who she associate with.

"Alright. What should I do in the meantime?"

Mikan hummed as she pondered. "Please call Mr. Hyuuga's secretary and request for a list of their guests and the schedule of the program. We also have to decide where to put the security in the venue so we have to confirm where is where first…"

"Do you want me to go there and check?" Kiriko offered but Mikan shook her head.

"No. Let me take care of that. I don't want to drop everything on you, Kiriko-san. It's also better for me to check with my own eyes."

Kiriko laughed. "Oh you. I'm here to help you so feel free to make me do anything. But you're right. It's much easier to position the guards if you see the place for yourself."

"Thank you," Mikan smiled. "Please inform Ogasawara-san that I'll be going to the venue this afternoon. I also need to check the plans with her."

"Right away!" As she said this, Kiriko winked and went back to her work.

That afternoon…

Mikan's phone rang as she climbed out of the car. Nonoko said that someone from their company will come with her and help. Surely, it would be easier to plan with both companies working together. This may be the person calling.

"Hello?"

"Where are you?"

Mikan froze as she heard the voice. This voice is…

"Oi. You still there? Answer me." This impatience. She can't be mistaken.

"W-why are you…," Mikan struggled to sound normal but it proved to be hard as she was still shocked and, confused.

"Why am I calling?" He finished her question for her, the smirk on his face evident from his voice.

"Well, of course. I planned the whole thing so I'm the best person to be here, no?" Mikan turned as she heard his voice not only from the phone but also from somewhere behind her. Truly, he was there. Standing a few feet away from her, staring at her speechless expression.

Natsume walked towards her, slowly, phone still held to his ear as if he has no intention to end the call just yet even when they can already hear each other in person. "What's with that face? Is my being here a problem?"

At this point, he had already reached her. They were standing face to face, phones still held to their ears.

"N-no."

Come on, Mikan! Keep yourself together, she told herself over and over. Oh come on! Who am I kidding?! Why the hell are you even here? After the last time they met, he's the least person she wanted to see today!

Mikan looked away and ended the call.

"This is very cheesy, Mr. Hyuuga. We're not in a movie!" she rolled her eyes playfully – or rather tried to, earning a shrug from him. "Why are you so surprised?"

"I just didn't expect the boss to come himself."

Which is true. But really, who cares anymore at this point?

"We better go inside."

Natsume didn't say anything as he followed after her.

—•—

"This should be a good place for a guard. How about it? Will there be any complications if I station one or two guards here?" Mikan questioned her companion as she looked over the place.

"No. It's fine here. In fact, this is probably the best place to put a guard since you can see most parts of the hall here. The only catch is when the guests fill the place, they might block the security's view a bit." Being Natsume, he not only confirmed her question but gave her his opinion as well. What he said was right, of course.

"Then we'll just have to back it up with security cameras," Mikan nodded in response.

"I also have to watch how many I will be putting inside the hall and outside. It wouldn't be good to bomb the place with guards or else the guests wouldn't feel relaxed," she started muttering to herself. "Oh! Why don't they all wear tuxedo? Or at least the servers' uniforms! Ah. But then they will overlap with servers. Would that be a problem? I have to ask Hotaru about that later."

Mikan was interrupted from her thoughts when she heard a snicker. She frowned as she turned to her companion. "What's so funny?"

Natsume's expression dropped to his usual poker face as he cleared his throat. "Nothing much. It's just… I see you still talk to yourself like this. Not caring about the people around you."

The crease on her forehead didn't ease the least bit even with the light tone in his voice. "I don't see what's so funny about that."

"It seems you lost your humor though." Natsume commented as he crossed his arms over his chest.

Mikan pursed her lips. "I didn't come here to talk about what's changed and what didn't, Mr. Hyuuga. I came here for work and I will appreciate it if you can let me finish this as soon as possible—"

"So you can return to avoiding me?" Natsume interrupted her.

She was left speechless and couldn't do anything even as he slowly walked towards her. "Wha—! That's…!"

"Don't even try to deny it."

Mikan let out a gasp as Natsume suddenly grabbed her chin and made her look towards him. "Look, you can't even look me in the eye." His voice further dropped as he stared at her eyes that was refusing to meet his.

"That's not…," she managed but the truth was evident to both of them. She was indeed avoiding meeting his eyes. It's not like she intended it. It's just that somehow, she felt uncomfortable whenever she sees his eyes. His all too familiar eyes. She didn't like it.

"Is this because of what I said last time you came to the office?" His eyes narrowed.

Mikan felt her mouth twitching, tempted to make a bitter smile but she stopped herself. He has always been sharp about this kinds of things. If only she was just as sharp, maybe she could have realized sooner what kinds of thoughts goes through that mind of his. Maybe then, she'll be able to think up a reason why he would say such a thing to her.

Mikan placed her hand atop his, gently removing his hold and then finally raising her head to meet his gaze. Then she smiled. It wasn't fake nor was it hiding something, that much Natsume could tell.

"Please stop. It didn't have anything to do with what you said that evening."

"What is it, then? We can hardly work well together if you keep on avoiding me," he asked, his expression stern. His voice seemed as if he was scolding her yet curious and a little irate.

Work, huh. He's right though.

A troubled expression crossed Mikan's face.

"Do you want me to be honest?"

His reply came fast.

"Of course."

Mikan sighed. She feels so awkward. There was no need to talk about this in the first place. If only he didn't…

Natsume waited for her answer, all the while watching her every move and even the tiniest change in her expression. It was after a while that Mikan started speaking, awkwardness can be felt in her stance and words.

"I don't know what your intentions were by telling me that last time but please stop it. I don't want to hear anything about what happened in the past anymore. It's a past that I'm not very proud of so please, stop talking about it."

Natsume was silent. He just stood there listening. There were no changes in his expression nor in his eyes that Mikan found it unsurprisingly hard to guess what he's thinking. It has always been like that before. Just as when she thought she was able figure him out, he would always, always surprise her by doing things she never expected him to do.

Just like when she thought back then that they might actually had a chance to turn what's fake into something real. It turned out that she was just deluding herself.

Uncomforted by the silence, she continued. "Besides, were you not the one who said not to appear before you again? I know that I have broken that condition, coincidence or not. Don't worry though, as soon as this project is done with or at least until Hotaru is able to take over, I'll be out of your life again. This time, permanently."

Natsume didn't say anything. He just continued staring at her.

He's not going to say anything, huh.

Suddenly feeling stupid, Mikan looked away and gathered her things. "I… should go. I've done everything I needed to do here," she said softly as she stepped around him, planning to go on ahead but Natsume caught her arm and forcefully dragged her with him.

"W-what are you doing?!" Mikan struggled, trying to shake off his grip.

Natsume just pulled her out of the building, ignoring her attempts to pull herself from him. Only when they reached his car that he spoke and a command was what came out of his mouth.

"Get inside," he said as he opened the door and pushed her into the passenger seat. "I'll take you home."

Appalled, her voice came louder than expected. "What?! No! No, you won't!"

Natsume ignored her, closing the door and going around to the driver's seat while Mikan looked at him in disbelief. Only when he started the car did she recovered her bearings and resumed her protests. "What do you think you're doing?! Let me out!"

Silence.

Desperate, Mikan tried to think up of excuses and found one almost immediately. "M-my car! I can't just leave my car here! Stop the car and let me off!"

Natsume's brows furrowed, keeping his eyes on the road. "I'll take care of it."

"You won't, okay?! Just let me off and I'll take care of it." But everything she said fell on deaf ears. His expression was enough to tell her that he doesn't have any intention to listen to anything she says.

Mikan groaned. He's so damn stubborn!

"You are so—Ugh! You don't even know where I live! Besides, I'm not even going home yet. I need to drop by the office first. Now, let me out!"

"Just shut up and let me drive peacefully, will you? You're still so damn noisy after all these years, god." The guy even has the guts to look so fed up!

Mikan's jaw dropped in disbelief as she stared at him.

She. Will. Not. Take. This. Shit.

"And you're still a stubborn jerk who never listens to anyone but himself," she snapped as she leaned back angrily and crossed her arms over her chest, keeping her eyes outside. "Fucking Mr. Know-It-All," she muttered.

For some reason, she heard a snicker from beside her prompting her to do a double take. Did he just…?

"…Are you laughing?" she asked, a bit hesitant.

Natsume's expression reverted back to his usual but the twitching in his lips was more than evident. "Who's laughing."

You, she wanted to reply but she reigned in the sarcastic replies and verbalized her confusion instead. "What's with you?"

He glanced at her briefly before turning his eyes back on the road. "You're finally showing your true colors. You've been so reserved and polite with me even outside the office. Honestly, it was disgusting."

"Wha—" any more words got stuck in her throat.

He stole a glance at her.

"What a stupid face." He even made effort to click his tongue only to be betrayed by the small laugh he did right after.

"It's the normal reaction! Anybody would react the same after being insulted!"

"Hn." Mikan gritted her teeth as the conversation died down due to his irritating response.

"You are unbelievable!" she groaned in frustration as she sat back into her seat, letting her eyes wander outside instead of him.

They were buried in silence after that and only when the car pulled to a stop in front of her company building did the silence break… by the sound of the door opening.

"What? No thanks?" This only earned him a glare.

"If you're looking for someone grateful, tough luck, you won't find one here." Mikan snapped before gathering her things and climbing out of the car.

Natsume rolled his eyes and went out as well.

"I'll wait here," he announced as soon as he was out of the car.

Turning around, Mikan frowned. "What for?"

"I'll take you home."

Mikan's confusion turned to exasperation. "No need. I'll just take a cab later."

"At this time? No. I'll wait."

Mikan sighed and muttered to herself. "Just why are you so persistent today?" but no sooner that she said it, a realization hit her. "It can't be…"

Her gaze suddenly became piercing, a small and almost invisible smile played at her lips. "Are you feeling guilty?"

Natsume glared at her.

Mikan raised her hands and laughed before she turned her back again. "Yes, yes. Who do I think I'm talking to… right? I know. You're the great Hyuuga Natsume."

Natsume stared at her back, slowly going father and farther. He was about to speak again when her voice interrupted whatever it is he wanted to say and what she said rendered him unable to argue.

With her gentle eyes and a soft smile, she said to him. "But great Mr. Hyuuga, I'm not the person you need to see home."

And then she left.

He was left to stare at the spot where she had just been standing on, like that night. It might just be his fate to stare at her back as she leaves – as people turn their back and leave. He knows it's his fault that he even has to see her leave over and over but that may have been the best. After all, he was the man who ruined her life.

Her words were stuck on repeat in his mind.

"But great Mr. Hyuuga, I'm not the person you need to see home."

She must have been talking about Yuzuki. That was the first time ever since they met again that she even mentioned him.

"Right," he murmured to himself before turning around and climbing into his car.

Mikan saw Natsume's car drive away from inside the building. Her face was set into a difficult expression as the events that happened just earlier replayed in her mind. Oh, right. She left her car.

Mikan sighed as she turned and walked towards the elevator while giving half of her attention to those who bothered to greet her.

"Nothing good ever happens whenever I'm with you… Hyuuga Natsume," she whispered as she watched the elevator's door closed.

So much for not letting him affect her.

Natsume got back earlier than usual and headed straight for Yuzuki's room.

"You're early." Yuzuki noticed, looking up from the book he was reading when he heard the door open.

Natsume silently nodded and sat down on the bed, facing Yuzuki who was reading a book. "How was it? Your sleepover."

"I barely slept," Yuzuki answered with a frown but his eyes tell a different story, Natsume noticed. "She's hopeless. I never thought that she's still noisy even when sleeping."

Yuzuki went on and on about the things that happened to him while Natsume listened intently, occasionally giving comments that would often embarrass and anger Yuzuki. This isn't the first time that he asked Yuzuki how his day went but he could feel that his son truly enjoyed his day. Times like these are becoming more frequent ever since Yuzuki attended that school and met Natsumi.

"So why are you really early today? Did something happen?"

Natsume got pulled from his thoughts by the sudden question. "What?"

"You seem different today, Dad."

You can tell, huh. And here I thought I have a pretty good poker face, Natsume inwardly smiled and brought his hand to Yuzuki's head, stroking it.

"Your imaginations are getting out of hand, kid. Natsumi's influencing you too much," he chuckled, especially at the glare he got in return.

"I'm not an idiot!" Yuzuki protested, crossing his arms over his chest and giving his father a look that meant he won't back down.

Natsume sighed. How troublesome.

"Nothing. Someone just told me that a troublesome little kid might be waiting for me at home so I should go home early." Natsume left it at that and stood up which meant that the conversation is done. "You should sleep. It won't be my fault if you earn unwanted bags under your eyes."

Yuzuki looked skeptical but let it go, knowing he won't get anymore than that.

"Fine. But tell me about that party tomorrow," he said before laying down and turning his back to his father.

He just had to have the last word, doesn't he?

Natsume could only smile bitterly before leaving Yuzuki's room with one short "night."

End of Chapter

Even I'm not quite satisfied but I figured I might as well bring out something rather than nothing so here you go. I don't know when I can update next so I'll be honest with all of you.

I haven't written anything yet for the next chapter.

Although I do have ideas of what will come next, I don't know how to write it yet. That's the hardest part. I still have a few ideas coming to me but how should I write it? I dunno. To be honest, I wanna cry. T_T Oh. One more reason why I can't write as much… Starting from last August, I started working. For real. I only get like, 3 random days a week off and I'm de-stressing during that 3 days. Coz, you know… If it's not a job you love, it can be quite hard on you, physically and mentally. Especially this month of December. Work is being too cruel by prolonging my shifts and decreasing my off days. T_T There's also that problem when I cannot access ff . net on my iPad...

To those who waited patienly for an update and those who have given up and thought that I will never update again, thank you and I'm very sorry for making you all wait. I am sincerely happy to see old readers and new ones still visiting my story and dropping reviews like, "hey, there! I love you and I'm still waiting!" Just know that I love you too guys! I swear I will never give up on this no matter how long it takes.

But really, don't expect something so soon, okay?

Btw, who knows or plays Mystic Messenger?

I. AM. ADDICTED.

—MitsukaiYuki