A/N: Yay! A new chapter! I'm slowly getting some new ideas for this story. And don't worry about my other story, it won't be abandoned. :D
To those who continue to read my stories and haven't given up on me, you are all supermegafoxyawesomehot! (and totally awesome!)
Enjoy!
Chapter 8
"Mikan, what do you think?"
Serina was asking Mikan for her opinion on what kind of dessert should they bring back for the patients. Serina took Mikan to the mall after eating. Koko left them to finish his mother's work back at the office. They first went to the bookstore, then they went to different stores that sell clothes, shoes, bags and jewelry.
And finally, they went to the pastry shop.
"I really don't know what to pick. I haven't eaten here before," Mikan replied.
"I guess that's understandable. Why would you buy from a rival store when you have your own, right?" Serina smiled at her.
Mikan panicked, "She does know!"
It must have shown on her face because Serina said, "Relax. Don't worry. I'll keep it a secret until you're ready to tell Koko the truth. Keeping your face away from cameras really help when you want to keep your identity a secret. And before you ask, you look just like your mother, that's why I know who you are."
"I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to lie to you or your son. It's just that, I didn't have real friends when I was growing up. I only had Anna. I wanted to have more than one friend," Mikan explained.
"I completely understand. To be honest, I really like you for my son. It's been a long time since I've seen him smile a genuine smile. He stopped smiling genuinely to his friends when a girl he liked rejected him for their other friend even if that friend didn't even like her. He stopped smiling altogether when his father died in a car crash. He was really hurt when the girl rejected him. He really liked her. Her name is Sumire. They were very close when they were kids. I really liked her, too. But after what she did, I became wary of her. She knew that Koko liked her but she never said anything to stop those feelings from developing into something more. She and their other friend asked Koko for forgiveness multiple times but my son wouldn't budge. Koko remained close to Ruka, though. I'm happy for that. After a few months, my husband died. Koko eventually forgave his two friends. Even though he forgave them and they eventually went back to normal, I wasn't as close to them and their families as I was before."
Mikan couldn't help but get angry at this Sumire. She knew that it was completely foolish but she really felt bad for Koko.
"If eventually, my son develops feelings that are more than friendship for you, I do hope that you won't hurt him. If you have to let him down, let him down gently and as much as possible, don't prolong it. It would only hurt you both," Serina warned.
Mikan couldn't help but feel a sinking feeling in her stomach. She knew that she would have to hurt Koko because she was engaged. Engaged to someone she doesn't like. But her parents want her to marry Natsume.
Her thoughts were broken when Serina asked, "What do you think is good?"
Mikan and Koko arrived back at the University 10 minutes before 8 pm. Mikan had been unusually quiet ever since she got back from the shopping trip with his mother. He just hoped that his mother didn't say any embarrassing stories about him.
While they were walking all the way to Mikan's room, Koko couldn't stand the unbearable silence anymore.
"Is something wrong?" Koko asked.
Mikan blinked but didn't look at him, "Why do you ask?"
"She avoided the question," Koko thought then said out loud, "Did my mom say anything?"
"What?"
"It's just that you've been quiet."
"Oh really? I guess I must be tired. Thank you for today, Koko. I had a lot of fun," Mikan smiled.
"I'm glad. Well, here we are."
They arrived at Mikan's door.
They just stared in each other's eyes as if trying to see what they were thinking.
"Mikan-chan! You're back!"
Anna just had to ruin the moment.
"Hey Anna-chan!" Mikan greeted before being crushed in a hug.
"I've missed you!" Anna exclaimed.
Koko cleared his throat.
"Well, hello Koko-kun! It's good to know that you aren't a rule-breaker. I guess Mikan-chan was in capable hands," Anna admitted, grudgingly.
"I'll take that as a compliment," Koko replied cheerfully before saying goodbye.
And the one thing on his mind was, "What is Mikan hiding?"
When Mikan went inside her room, Nonoko immediately took the opportunity to ask Mikan for details.
"Well?"
"It went well despite the fact that Serina-san knows that I'm a Yukihira," Mikan answered.
"How?" Anna asked.
"She was friends with my mother back then and apparently, I look just like her," Mikan replied.
"Well, you do look like your mother. I'm actually surprised that no one is figuring it out," Hotaru said.
"Those people must be blind," Nonoko said.
Hotaru had been watching Mikan ever since she arrived. It seems that something is bothering Mikan other than the fact that Serina knows her true identity. And it seems that she's really tired.
"Anna, why don't you sleep here while I sleep in your room? I have to help Nonoko with her project," Hotaru suggested.
"Sure. Thanks!"
When they left Anna immediately asked Mikan what was wrong.
"I'm scared. I really like Koko but at the same time, I'm engaged! I can't hurt Koko, not after how one of his best friends broke his heart! And besides! I don't want to hurt him! I really really like him. His mother already warned me not to do anything that might hurt Koko! What should I do?" Mikan cried, feeling conflicted.
"Maybe you should talk to your mom about this. She's a really understanding person," Anna suggested.
"I can't! My mom really likes Natsume. She wants me to marry him! Besides, her best friend is Natsume's mother."
"What about your dad? You and your dad are pretty close. He might scare Koko-kun away if he finds out you went on a date with him but I'm pretty sure he won't be biased."
"I guess you're right. I think he's still here with my uncle. I guess I should go talk to him now. I won't be able to sleep if I don't," Mikan sighed.
In the Headmaster's office
Knock! Knock!
"Come in! Don't you know it's already late? You should be in your room, sleeping!" Kazumi's voice could be heard.
When the door opened, Kazumi and Izumi were surprised to see Mikan standing there, looking troubled.
"Mikan! What's wrong?" Izumi asked his daughter with worry in his voice.
"Dad, can I talk to you about something?" Mikan asked.
"Sure! Have you already eaten?"
"Yeah. I had dinner with a friend."
Kazumi had a feeling that they need some father-daughter time, so he excuses himself.
When Kazumi left, Izumi turned to Mikan and waited for her to speak.
"Dad? Is it okay for me to talk to you about boys?"
"WHAT! Why me? Isn't this your mother's area?" Izumi said, not wanting to talk to his daughter about boys.
"Well, yeah. But she might get mad at me when I tell her that I like a guy who isn't Hyuuga Natsume," Mikan replied.
"Who might this guy be?"
"If I tell you, promise me you won't threaten him or anything," Mikan said sternly.
"I promise!" Izumi said while holding up his right hand as if swearing an oath.
"His name is Koko and he's a really nice guy. He's one of my friends and I just went on a sort-of date with him."
"You what! You went on a date with a guy without telling me anything?" Izumi was hurt.
"It's just that, I really like him and I have a feeling that he likes me, too."
"But?"
"But, I'm engaged. I'm engaged to a guy who I don't like at all. I didn't tell you anything because I was afraid that you wouldn't allow me to go. I know that you want me to end up with Kaoru-san's son that's why I didn't tell you."
Izumi sighed. He knew this was going to happen sooner or later. To be honest, he didn't want Mikan to marry the rude Natsume. He even tried to convince his wife not to go through with it but he also knew that Kaoru was like a sister to Yuka and they just want to be a family.
"I have a feeling that there's more to it than that."
Mikan told her father everything that Serina told her, even the warning that she gave. Izumi completely understood why she was conflicted. He likes the guy but she doesn't want to hurt him or let her family down.
"Dad, what should I do?" Mikan cried.
"Mikan, look at me. What do you think should you do? I know this sounds cliché but I just want you to be happy and I know your mother wants you to be happy, too. Follow your heart and do what's best for you, okay?" Izumi said gently.
"But-"
"Your mother wants you to marry Natsume because she always wanted a happy family. You know that her parents abandoned her, right?"
"But we are a happy family! We can be a happy family without me having to marry Natsume!"
"I know that, but she sees Kaoru-san as a big sister. Kaoru-san was the first friend she ever had. Kinda like how Anna was the first real friend you had. Do you understand?"
"So, let me get this straight. My mom wants me to marry Natsume so she and Kaoru-san can officially be part of the same family?" Mikan asked.
"Yes," Izumi said, happy that Mikan got it.
"That's bullshit!" Mikan yelled.
"Watch your language, young lady!" Izumi admonished.
"I'm sorry dad. But seriously? That's the reason?" Mikan said.
"They also made a promise to each other. And our family never breaks promises. And it would be hard for Yuka if Kaoru-san stops talking to her because of this. Just try please," Izumi pleaded.
"But what about Koko?"
"I don't know, honey."
"Thanks dad. Good night," Mikan said before she kissed her dad on the cheek.
Mikan felt more confused. Her dad said to follow her heart but at the same time she wants her mother to be happy. She knew that her mother never had a great childhood and having her best friend become an official member of the family was a dream come true for her.
Mikan sighed. She knew what she had to do.
End of chapter.