Natsume's fever held on for two more days. Mikan went to school alone and all her friends scolded her. She promised she will never leave him again, whatever happens. After two days Natsume came too, happier than ever and back to his old self.

Well not Luna, she was pretty unhappy. She had done all that drama, and she got no returns. Was Mikan a fool to have realized nothing even after seeing all that. Natsume came two days later saying he had a fever. Bad for him, he might have changed if he had been to school and missed Mikan. But no, he had to have fever just now.

Natsume on the other hand doubted Luna. He was angry at her doing everything, but at last she spoke as if she was sorry, and that made him doubt on her intentions. She wanted him that was clear, but was she doing all this by mistake or purpose, he had to find out.

He found out soon enough, when he heard her once blackmailing a fellow to watch out for Mikan and signal her again. He grew suspicious. And his suspicions were confirmed when she came to him when he was alone. She tried to flirt with him but he was careful this time and escaped her. He went back to his friends and said everything to them. Mikan was not there at that time.

Luna's next attack was directly on Mikan. She mixed poison in her food, but Mikan knew its smell from her previous experience. So she saved herself. Luna sprayed oil on her path, but as Mikan fell, Natsume caught her and they fell backwards in a romantic way. Many other plans were made, all failed. But none had proof that Luna did them, so Natsume could not punish her.

On and on the days went good. The friends celebrated Natsume's birthday in his house. And that was a pleasant experience as his family came too. Days passed by and Christmas neared. There was a dance ball organized that day. Natsume forced Mikan into buying a really good dress, which cost high.

On the dance day, the five girls readied themselves at Sumire's house while the boys met at Koko's house. The boys arrived first and waited patiently for the girls. The wait was worth it because the girls looked dashing. Natsume stood staring at his princess who looked mind blowing. He could not look away, and Ruka had to actually punch him to get back to senses. As Mikan neared, he held out his hand,

"May I have this dance my lady."

Mikan giggled and held his hand, "Sure my lord." And they danced. They were very much lost into each other that for them, they were the only pair in the room they could see or hear. Being in each other arms felt so good and warm. After a while, when they stopped dancing, they sat at a big table where the whole group was there. All of them were enjoying themselves.

Half way through the ball, there was a announcement, "Anyone who would like to dedicate their love to their partners, you can do that now." A few people lines up, Ruka was the first, "I love you Hotaru, and I am paying you to love me back with my life." Hotaru smiled and took the mike, "Sure, payment accepted. I love you too." The whole room cheered at them laughing. Mikan and Natsume just sat their holding hands enjoying the show.

Just as the last person to proclaim his love was off the stage and the dance was about to resume again, the door of the room threw open. There were police in the room. And bringing them were none other than Luna and Mikan's parents. Mikan's father shouted, "How dare you cheat us Mikan? You repaid us with this humiliation." Luna found her and pointed to her, "Arrest her. There she is." The police were just coming forward when Natsume came ahead her blocking her, "Why would she be arrested?" The policeman, who already knew Natsume Hyuuga, replied, "Sir, please excuse us, we were ordered to arrest her for she is accused of theft. The lady here claims that she tried to poison her. Also the parents claim that she ran away from them and want her back." Natsume was angry, "The charges are false. Go away."

Luna was surprised. She did not expect Natsume to back Mikan even after hearing the charges. She actually planned to lower his opinion on her with this. She asked him, "Why do you say that Nat-kun. I have the proof that she poisoned me. Her parents want her back. And she is a thief." Natsume glared at her, "I know that she is not a thief, I won't send her back to her parents, and she will not poison you."

Luna was angry at things turning the other way, "Well she did poison me. I have a tape of proof." And she played the tape for the whole room to watch, which clearly showed Mikan sneaking into the room and mixing something in food. The whole room watched and awed. Mikan stepped forward, "i never did that. What tape is that?" It was yesterday's tape dear, afternoon at 2, when we had a half day due to today's ball. I just kept it for safe side and I had to find out this." Mikan defended, "I was home yesterday. This is all false." Luna faced her, "Really? Who would believe that? Just because no one saw you does not mean that you were home. You have no proof."

Natsume spoke then, "I saw her at home. I am the proof. So who actually dared to create such a false tape?" Luna looked at him doubtfully, "Why would you know? You went home yesterday. I saw you going, honey. Don't defend her. It is not necessary." Mikan slapped her, "Don't you dare call my Natsume like that. We live in the same place for your information." Luna was shocked again, "Why bitch? Why won't you leave him?" she said rubbing her cheek. Mikan glared at her, "Because I love him. I thought you had a crush on him, but now it is clear how evil you are. Natsume is mine."

Luna face was red with insult, fury, confusion and for being found guilty. She ran away from the room. Then Mikan turned to her parents, "And why would you want me back. Just to do all those household chores and being beaten up every day. I could have filed a better case against you for cheating my mom and for kid enslavement like that. Now get lost and don't come near me again." Then she turned to the police officer, "Sir, I am sorry but I did not steal anything. If it was a proof that Luna produced, I would like you check it carefully with facts before ruining my life." The officer nodded, "Very well, if there are no charges, then please enjoy. Merry Christmas." And he left. The whole crowd in the room started murmuring. As soon as they left, Mikan had tears in her eyes. She turned back to be with Natsume, but he was on the stage.

"Mikan" he called on the mike and everyone looked at him. He smiled an evil smile and bent down to take off his shoe. He held the shoe in his hand, and waved it, "Lick it clean polka." Mikan slapped he head and blushed red, whereas her friends group burst out in laughter. Hotaru taped it all as Mikan walked up to the stage and took his boot and licked it. She was completely full of shame, shy and cursing herself. Then Natsume snatched the shoe and spoke in the mike, "Well I will preserve this boot till I die." He laughingly said and kissed the head down blushing red Mikan in front of everyone. Mikan turned even redder. The whole room clapped and the tension in the room melted. Everyone was back to their businesses as both walked down the stage to their friends who were still laughing.

"And cut." Hotaru stopped her camera. "A good Christmas gift. Well what a wonderful performance Mikan... good. This tape will earn me a lot." Mikan instantly ducked her head in Natsume's chest as he laughed. The friends all went to a lonely park to enjoy the Christmas and just gazed at the moon and surroundings with their loves. Just as the clock of the church stroke 12, Natsume looked at Mikan, "Merry Christmas, Mikan" And he took a box out of his pocket and opened it to show a beautiful ring which glistened in the moonlight, "Will you marry me?" The whole group looked at Mikan, and Mikan's eyes were filled with tears of surprise and happiness.

"Yes" She nodded and looked at the ring, which Natsume put on her ring finger. He lifted her head and kissed her. The scene was so romantic with surroundings so peaceful. The friends would have cooed them and joked upon them, but they also became busy with their pairs. And thus Mikan and Natsume happily spent the Christmas awaiting the best life yet to come.