Ready To Fall


Epilogue: Kindly Unspoken

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Kindly unspoken you show your emotions

Silence speaks louder than words

It's lucky I'm clever

If I didn't know better

I'd believe only that which I've heard

-'Kindly Unspoken' by Kate Voegele-

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No more cold and empty nights… hopefully…

.

The whole Academy woke up late after the successful night of Sakura Festival Ball.

.

Students only started to flock the Dining Hall just before lunch was served. The dorm staff seemed to have expected this, since they only served brunch that day instead of breakfast.

"That was some night," Sumire announced before biting into her chicken sausage.

"I'd have to second that," Mochu said gesturing towards the couple at the end of the table, which made everyone smile knowingly.

"You're always doing that," Natsume complained to the brunette sitting beside him. They were both oblivious to their friends watching them.

"Sharing is more enjoying," said Mikan, finally back to her energetic self. She has been placing half the content of her plate to his, and half the content of his to hers.

"Why don't you just get if directly from my plate?" he asked, slightly annoyed.

"But that's your plate," she pouted.

He smirked, "Not like it ever stopped you before."

"Fine," she picked a strip of bacon from his plate and bit into it animatedly.

"Here," Natsume pushed the slice of cheesecake towards her.

When she only looked at it, he asked, "Don't you want the cake?"

"But that's your cake," she said.

Natsume just sighed, "Sharing is more enjoying."

Mikan smiled satisfied, and picked up a fork. But before she could slice into the cake, she noticed that everyone in the table has stopped eating.

Natsume also noticed that when she turned to them.

"What?" he asked.

They all looked in awe, but still smiling.

It was Ruka who spoke, "Who are you and what did you do to Natsume?"

"Quit it," he said eyeing his bestfriend dangerously. "Unless you want your potatoes charred."

Ruka, however, just laughed at his threat, and everyone followed.

"I guess you don't find Mikan annoying anymore. Right, Natsume?" Yome asked still laughing.

Natsume turned to Mikan, who just smiled back at him, waiting for an answer.

"Who said she's not annoying?" he, then, stood and walked away.

Everyone was suddenly silent, except for the brunette who was enjoying herself with the slice of cheesecake he left.

"I love cheesecake," she even said, making their friends a little confused.

.

.

"So I'm still annoying?"

Mikan found Nastume under the Sakura Tree—under their tree—with his eyes closed, dozing off.

He squinted when he tried to open his eyes due to the sunlight framing the brunette standing in front of him, hands on her hips.

"You're always annoying," he answered casually and closed his eyes again.

"Why do you dislike me?"

Natsume opened his eyes, surprised with the question. He was also surprised to find her sitting near him, like a small kid, hands on her knees and chin on top of them.

"I never said I dislike you,"

"But…" she urged. She knew there's a 'but' there somewhere.

"You are noisy, stupid, and, yes, annoying," he obliged. "But it doesn't mean I dislike you."

There was silence as she seemed to chew on that.

"But," she hesitated, looked down. "Do you… do you like me then?"

Natsume shifted and reached for her arm. He pulled her to him, making her land on his lap.

Mikan giggled, but was silenced when he kissed her.

He let out a laugh when she sighed as their lips parted.

"Does that answer your question?"

Mikan tilted her head to the side, and placed a finger on her chin considering, "I'm sorry. Was that a yes or a no?"

Natsume shook with laughter, making the brunette in his arms smile at his reaction.

He then looked at her, with traces of laughter still in his eyes, "You are really annoying."

She leaned closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck "And you find it charming."

"That's pushing it," he said, but added, when his lips were mere breathes away from hers. "But I do find it charming."

Her warmth enveloped him as he closed the gap between their lips, and lost themselves in the kiss.

Natsume could only wish he would never have to lose this warmth ever again.


Author's Notes: I think I'm gonna cry. It's finally finished. After how many years, I can finally change its status to completed.

It has been a journey for me. I hope you all enjoyed it and hope for more Natsume-Mikan stories from me.

At this point, I won't make any promises, but I really want to do at least 2 more. I guess I'll just have to cross my fingers.

Thanks again, everyone! I'll keep you posted :D