Shout out to Lady Sosostris for getting me out of my writers' block. Her story brought me back to life. Seriously guys, if you haven't read Summer Wine, you should. It's so good!

Chapter Eight

After the fiasco that was the press conference, Mikan finally had time for herself. Recently, alone time had been quite scarce. She was always surrounded with people handling the concert, Hotaru, and sometimes Ruka. She loved them to bits and she would always cherish her time with them, but sometimes, a little me-time is greatly needed.

She spent her morning cleaning every nook and cranny in her flat. People always assumed she was a messy pig, but truth was, Mikan was an extreme neat freak. Her parents taught her to clean for herself, and her grandfather made sure she had the traits of a perfect bride.

It was funny, really. They were all prepping her to become someone's bride. Maybe she became a hopeless romantic because of how they raised her. They made her believe that one day, she was going to find someone she'd want to spend the rest of her life with, and they made sure she was ready for it.

When she moved out of the country to play her music, she saw how different other cultures were. In Japan, some women were programmed to serve their male counterpart, but in other countries, males and females were of equal standing. Women refused to become their partner's subordinate. At home, there is an equal division of labor. Women weren't expected to stay at home while the male worked. If she wanted to work, she can very well do so.

Mikan still wanted to end up marrying someone, but she didn't want to depend on him. She wanted someone to be at par with. That person hasn't arrived yet, but she's not really in a rush to find him. Her parents never rushed. They just went with the flow, and they were happy when they were still alive.

Speaking of her parents, it's been a while since Mikan visited them. Her parents—along with her grandpa—were buried in their hometown, and although it was only an hour and a half away from her current place, she never found the time to go there.

Rather, she never had the courage. Ever since her grandfather passed away, it became harder for Mikan to visit their grave. She was sure Hotaru would go with her if she asked, but it just wasn't the same. Hotaru was like a sister to her, but truth was, she wasn't.

Old man Sakura was Mikan's last biological family, and it was heart wrenching when she lost him too. He was an extremely energetic countryman who would spend his days tending to his flowers, and chopping wood.

When Mikan stayed with him in their ancestral home, she would spend her free time loafing around the garden, watching her grandfather water the plants. He would hum this familiar tune—the lullaby her mother would sing to her when she was young, if she remembered correctly—and talk to the flowers as if they could hear him.

He would talk about his day, and he would talk about her. Her grandfather would tell the plants how talented she was as a pianist and how beautiful she was, then he would tell them about her extremely stubborn personality.

"Just like me," he would always say, a smile on his slightly wrinkled face.

His whole garden was quite a sight in itself, but Mikan adored the white lilies the most. Her grandfather would sometimes ask her to help with the garden, and she would immediately go to the white lilies. He loved his flowers so much; Mikan never dared to pluck one.

On her graduation day, however, her grandfather gave her a bouquet of her favorite flower.

"They're from the garden," he said, smiling at her. "I know how much you adored these, but not once did you take from the garden. My child, that garden is yours. No flower in that garden or in any garden will be as special as you are to me."

Mikan made sure to pass by a floral shop to buy a bouquet for her parents and grandpa; white lilies for her grandpa, and yellow tulips for her parents. When her parents were still alive, on special occasions, her father would give her mother a bouquet of yellow tulips, her mother's favorite.

Her drive to her family's hometown went incredibly peaceful until her car suddenly died down. She tried to turn on the engine every once in a while, but it just wouldn't budge.

She looked around her surroundings to see that she was just a few blocks away from the sign 'Thank you for staying in our city! Come back soon.'. She went outside and checked the tires, the engine, everything, but she had no idea what was wrong.

She tried calling Hotaru, but decided against it because she knew how worried Hotaru could get. Instead, she tried calling Ruka, but he didn't pick up. He was probably busy at the shelter.

The third option was a tow company, but what if the press found out? She was already in a pinch because of the rumor about her and Natsume; she didn't want to be under fire again.

Natsume. Was he even an option? Would he even answer her call? Mikan was pretty sure she wasn't his favorite person right now, but she knew he would give her the most rational help he could.

After debating against herself for almost an hour whether or not Natsume would help her, Mikan found herself dialing his number. If he didn't answer after four rings, then she was going to hang up and call the tow company.

First ring. She closed her eyes.

Second ring. No answer yet.

Third ring. She felt her breath hitch.

Fourth ring. She was ready to hang up.

But right before pressing the end button, she saw in her screen that Natsume answered the call. She pressed the phone back to her ear and listened to make sure he really did answer it.

"Oi," she heard him say.

She cringed at his annoyed tone. "Natsume, hi. Are you busy?"

It was quiet for a while, only small shuffling noises assuring her that he was still on the line. A few seconds later, he spoke again. "Why?"

"I kind of need your help."

Thirty minutes later, Mikan finally spotted his car. She expected a flashy sports car or a bulletproof sports utility vehicle, but it was a regular sedan, perhaps a model a few years newer than hers.

She waved at him from inside her car and waited for him to walk near her. When he was close enough, he tapped on her window, and she rolled it down, smiling sheepishly at him.

She gave him an awkward wave when he merely stared at her. He raised his brow at her and said, "What happened to you?"

"My car died. It just stopped working."

"How long have you been sitting here?"

"Almost two hours."

"And you didn't call a towing company? Did you try Imai?" He asked, shaking his head as he opened the hood of the car.

Mikan got out of the car and stood behind Natsume, taking a peek at what he was looking at. Before she could even take a closer look at the engine, Natsume closed the hood.

He turned around and faced her. "When was the last time you drove this?"

"A few months ago?" She said, tilting her head to remember exactly when. "I don't usually drive this since I'm out of the country most of the time, but I guess the last time was half a year ago?"

Natsume nodded his head and took his phone from his pocket. He said, "I'm guessing you don't have this maintained whenever you're in the country, too, so it's probably that. It's not good for cars if you just store them and keep them unused for months. I know a car repair shop that can check this out."

After calling whom Mikan assumed was from the car shop Natsume was saying, they waited until the tow truck arrived. Mikan then rode in Natsume's car as they followed the tow truck to the car repair shop.

As they waited for the mechanic to finish checking her car, they quietly stood side by side by the cars, watching the mechanics buzz by and go on with their jobs.

Mikan felt extremely relieved that Natsume actually came to help her. She was sure he would abandon her, but he didn't. He was there beside her, and she was extremely grateful.

"Where were you going anyway?"

It was another surprise to hear him start the conversation, and Mikan couldn't help but stare at him.

"Well?" He said, raising both brows at her. It made her feel like an idiot.

"To visit my parents and grandpa," she said, smiling sheepishly as she felt her face grow hot with embarrassment. "I haven't visited them in a while, so…"

She wasn't expecting Natsume to continue the conversation, and when he didn't, Mikan could feel how awkward the silence was. It made her realize how hard it was to be with him. He was just a difficult person to read.

"I don't know what I would've done if you didn't come. Thanks, Natsume. You must have been busy with work, huh? You don't have to wait for me here, though, if you still have a lot to do. I think I can manage."

"How will you go home, then, stupid?" He asked, not even looking at her.

"I can call a taxi?"

Natsume shook his head. "I don't trust taxis with you. After the scandal and your press conference, you're pretty high profile right now. Imai would kill me if you get in trouble. And you're too trusting. The person would be kidnapping you already, and you still would have offered him candy if you had some."

She'd argue if he was wrong, but he had a point. She pouted and looked at the floor. "But you have work…"

"I wouldn't have gone here if I was busy, little girl," he said.

"But you hate me."

"Who gave you the right to dictate what I'm feeling?" He asked, glaring at her.

Mikan sighed and turned to him, frowning. "I said some pretty careless things, and I can be annoying sometimes—" Natsume snorted. "—and I wouldn't be surprised if you really did hate me. I hate myself sometimes, too. But you don't have to force yourself."

"I'm not forcing myself," he said, narrowing his eyes at her. "If I hated you, I wouldn't have agreed to let my company handle your concert. I don't have the time to pretend to be friends with people I do not want to be associated with."

Was that his way of saying he considered her a friend? Mikan couldn't help but smile. She placed her fist in front of her mouth to hide her smile. Natsume didn't hate her after all.

She just stood beside him, grinning like an idiot, and Natsume didn't like it one bit.

"You know what, maybe I should go home. I don't want to be seen next to someone smiling like an idiot." He said, moving a step away from her.

She held onto his arm to stop him from leaving, all the while grinning at him. She knew he wasn't going to leave her alone. Natsume was such a complicated human being, but he wasn't so bad after all.

The mechanic told them the car had to stay in the shop for a few days, so Mikan took the bouquets from the passenger seat and stared at it in regret. She would have to hold off the visit 'til who knows when.

Natsume begrudgingly offered to drive her home, and so Mikan sat shotgun, still staring blankly at the flowers. She sighed and wondered when she would be able to visit them. Her parents and grandpa must be feeling quite lonely without her visiting them.

They were well on their to Mikan's place when Natsume suddenly took a U-turn. Mikan looked up to Natsume and said, "Where are we going?"

"We're being followed," Natsume said, looking at the side mirror and the rearview mirror. The car behind them took a U-turn right after they did.

Despite the fact that they were in a highway, Natsume sped through the cars, obviously trying to lose their tale.

Just to make sure, Natsume drove to a neighborhood a few blocks away from Mikan's place. He took random turns to make sure the car that was following them wouldn't be able to catch up.

Throughout the drive, Mikan noticed how careful Natsume was as a driver. Yes, he almost reached speed limit, but he never exceeded it. Not even once. She always thought he was the type to speed.

He looked so calm and collected; no one would've guessed that someone was following them.

When they were sure the car wasn't following them anymore, Natsume handed his phone to Mikan, not once taking his eyes off the road.

"Type in the address of the cemetery."

"Huh?" Mikan was quite confused. Why would he ask for the address?

When she continued staring at him, Natsume gave her a quick side-glance and nodded his head in the direction of the phone. He said, "Are you deaf or just plain stupid? I said type in the address of the cemetery. I don't know where your family's cemetery is."

This man is just… She wanted to get scream at him for calling her stupid, but then there he was, doing something incredibly thoughtful. She didn't even ask him to accompany her to the cemetery. It was all him.

She typed the address as quick as she could and double-checked it to make sure what she typed was correct. She pressed 'Start' and handed the phone back to Natsume.

The phone's GPS feature started reciting the direction Natsume should take to go to the cemetery. The robotic voice was kind of relaxing, but it was still too quiet.

"You didn't have to do this," Mikan said, looking down and playing with her seatbelt strap. "But, thank you. I really appreciate it. I'll forever be grateful."

"Hn."

"If there's anything I can do to make up for this, just tell me, okay?"

"Anything?" Natsume asked, a ghost of a smirk on his lips.

Mikan nodded her head and said, "Anything."

"Shall I make you my servant again, then?"

Mikan slapped his arm and frowned. "Are you a closet pervert or something? You seem to enjoy dominating people."

Natsume snorted. "Says the person who seems like you'd die if you don't commit random acts of kindness a day. Ruka told me you were quite the handful back in high school. He said you would always run your mouth when you try to defend those who you think needed it. You haven't changed, then."

"At least I have good intentions," Mikan said, raising her chin defiantly. "Unlike you who's actually a pervert. I fear for my purity every time I'm with you."

Natsume made a gagging noise and said, "I wouldn't willingly touch you even if you paid me."

"Yes, you would!" Mikan shrieked, glaring at him.

Natsume winced and it took him a second to flick her forehead before driving again. "Why do you have to shout all the time? I might end up deaf if I hang out with you all the time. And shouldn't you be relieved that I don't want to touch you?"

"I am," Mikan said, chuckling. "It's just that you make it seem like I'm the most disgusting thing on earth."

Natsume shook his head, but his lips quirked up just the slightest. "You are the most disgusting thing on earth."

Mikan just lost it. She laughed so much, holding on to her stomach because it was just too much. She should be pissed at Natsume for insulting her, so it was incredibly weird for her to laugh like this.

"You have a response of an elementary boy," Mikan said, wiping the tears from her eyes, her laughing fit finally calming down.

"That's rich coming from a girl who wears underwear prints fit for an elementary girl."

When they arrived at the cemetery, although their conversation long died, the silence wasn't as awkward as before. Their banter was quite amusing, and she couldn't shake off the smile on her face.

She knew she shouldn't be thankful for it, but she was happy that her car died down. If it didn't happen, she would've gone alone, and she wouldn't be as cheerful as she was right now.

They walked past seemingly countless gravestones until they finally found the Sakuras' family gravestone. Mikan placed the bouquets on the ground and pulled out incense from her bag.

She knelt in front of the gravestone and placed the incense on the stand, staring at it for a while before touching the slightly embossed names of her family.

"Mom, dad, grandpa, hi," Mikan said, shifting to a more comfortable position. "Sorry it took me a while to visit. I've been out of the country for a while, but I think I'm back for good."

She paused, wondering where she should start, so when she finally gathered her thoughts, she went on to share it.

"You know, I'm going to have my first concert in Japan this Christmas. I'm really nervous about it because I'm worried they won't like me. What if they find my music ugly? What if they think I'm not as good as you guys? What if no one comes? What if—"

She shook her head to shrug off the negative thoughts. "I just want to make this a great one. I really want to exceed their expectations. I'm really lucky because this creepy-looking man behind me, Natsume Hyuuga, is in charge of my concert. He's teaming up with Hotaru to make sure my concert will become a success. He looks scary, but he's quite nice. He doesn't look like it, but he's an otaku. A bit sadistic, too. He made me carry a couple volumes of Naruto on a long walk. My shoulders ache just thinking about it."

"What a way to introduce me after I went on my way to help you," she heard Natsume mutter.

She looked at him and grinned. "He's okay though, I guess. He saved my life today. So, you don't have to haunt him. Maybe spook him out a bit so his sense of humor can come out. He doesn't get my jokes. They're the funniest, right?"

"They're not."

Mikan went on as if he never said anything. "He's amazing, though. He's already a CEO at twenty-six—"

"I'm twenty-five."

"Oh yeah," Mikan said, nodding her head. "I'm older than him. You'd think he'd treat me with respect, but he treats me like I'm five years old."

"It's because you act like you're five."

Mikan clicked her tongue and said, "See? He treats me like this. He insults me all the time but looks at my underwear print all the time like some closet pervert."

"Yeah. Okay. You can go home on your own," Natsume said, turning around to walk away.

Mikan was beside him in an instant, smiling sheepishly at him. "You know I'm joking, right?"

"Your jokes are shit."

"Yeah, yeah," Mikan said, pulling Natsume back to stand beside her in front of the gravestone. "Anyway, you guys don't have to worry about me much because I have Hotaru and Ruka and this guy and my friends. I'm safe and happy. Promise, I'll visit more often. Hopefully I can bring Hotaru with me next time. Maybe Natsume again, too, if he's not in a bad mood."

She then let go of his arm to bow. It made her smile when she Natsume bow his head with her. This day wasn't at all how she imagined it to go, but it was perfect.