A beautiful stranger, a boss and a love affair were all there to witness the downfall and hectic life of Mikan Sakura. "They say we have no control over what happens to us. I beg to differ. We always have the power to control everything" "I don't get it. So what is this, a midlife crisis or something?"

Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice

Chapter 1: New Year

"Come on, everyone! We should get going now, or else all the good spots are going to be taken!" exclaimed Anna.

"Regardless if we headed there last minute, I'm sure everyone would let us go in front of them, anyway, Anna. They know who we are" Koko replied jokingly.

Hotaru turned to Mikan, who was currently staring intently at her phone.

"Mikan…?" she whispered as she made her way closer to Mikan. For the many years that Hotaru had known her, it wasn't like Mikan to stay quiet when there was only half an hour left till a new year. Hotaru rolled her eyes and hit Mikan over the head.

Mikan snapped out of it, though she didn't seem to be aware that Hotaru had just struck her over the head with her bare hands.

"Yes, Hotaru…?" Mikan answered as she snapped out of her thoughts.

Hotaru stared at Mikan's profile for a moment before saying in a matter of fact tone, "Your husband's not coming, is he?"

Mikan turned her head away from Hotaru's sharp gaze and replied, "He's busy with his business…I suppose…"

"You suppose? So there is no definite answer?" questioned Hotaru. Mikan bit her bottom lip and slowly turned to look at Hotaru.

"I suppose not…" Mikan whispered in reply before lowering her head to allow her bangs to cover her eyes. Hotaru sat next to Mikan for a moment to see how long Mikan kept her head lowered. After a short moment, annoyed, Hotaru grabbed Mikan's chin and held her head up high.

"I've told you many times, Mikan Sakura. Never look down. It's a sign of weakness and vulnerability. Always stand up tall, high and proud. Understood?" snapped Hotaru as she glared at Mikan's side profile. They had been friends for many years and Hotaru was well aware of where Mikan's husband was at the moment. She just didn't have the will to tell Mikan the truth. The most she could do at the moment was support her and make her strong enough to be able to handle things on her own once she finds out the truth.

"Alright, Hotaru" Mikan answered. She then turned her head to smile brightly at Hotaru. Mikan bounced off her seat and grabbed Hotaru by the arm.

"Let's go, Hotaru, or else we'll be left behind!" Mikan cheered. Mikan pulled Hotaru along as they caught up with the rest of the group.

"Alright… Hotaru, Sumire, Nonoko, Anna, Mikan, Ruka, Mochu, Koko …and me" Yuu counted, "Okay, that's all of us. Let's go to our spot"

"Apparently, Yuu being Yuu, he already reserved a spot for us" Koko quickly muttered to Mikan as they all followed Yuu.

"You can reserve a spot?" asked Mikan, surprised.

"Well, in this case, it seemed like Yuu reserved a place in a building – most likely a hotel. We're going to be watching from the balcony or something" explained Koko. Mikan nodded as she followed close behind Hotaru, who was having no problem weaving through the crowds of people walking the opposite way from where they were heading.

When they finally reached the hotel, Mikan asked Yuu where their spot was before excusing herself because she wanted to take a look around the hotel. Hotaru stared at Mikan for a moment, trying to figure out what Mikan was up to. She then turned around and told the rest of the group to go ahead first before turning to Mikan and pulling her to the lounging area of the hotel.

"What is it?" asked Hotaru.

"I think it would be better if I leave the rest of you alone…" muttered Mikan. Hotaru raised an eyebrow. She mentally went over the people in the group and realised what Mikan meant.

"If that's what you wish…" Hotaru started off.

"Yes, of course, Hotaru. I'll be fine. I love fireworks anyway. And regardless, even if I were with you guys, I would only be in the way of all your…lovey-dovey stuff" Mikan kidded. Hotaru rolled her eyes and patted Mikan on the head as she stood up. They parted at the elevator with a heart-felt hug.

"Have a great new year, Hotaru" Mikan whispered.

"You too, Mikan… Happy New Year, Mikan. I hope that the next year will be better than this year" Hotaru muttered into Mikan's ear.

"Be careful getting home, alright? Hotaru instructed her as they broke away from the hug. Mikan nodded with a smile.

Hotaru entered the elevator and let out a small, rare smile towards Mikan as the elevator doors closed. Mikan watched as the number ascended, leading to the top floor. Mikan heaved a sigh and turned to leave. Mikan headed towards one of the bars, where she was sure there would be a fantastic view of the fireworks. As she looked around, there were couples everywhere. Mikan sighed and ordered a drink before making her way over to one of the vacant windows.

"About five minutes left, folks! Everyone, make sure to have your midnight partner ready for your New Year kiss!" the bartender shouted. Cheers erupted in the bar. Mikan paid no attention as she stared out the window. She continued to look at the crowded city streets when her eye caught sight of something.

"Tana...ka...san?" she whispered in disbelief. She was about to turn around to go out and meet him when she suddenly saw him wrap his arms around another woman. Mikan leaned her forehead against the window sill with a small sigh. She had expected this. All the signs were clear. She had checked his work calendar many times when she would organise his desk, and most of the times he had told her he would arrive home late at night due to work, usually had blank meeting times.

Just then, a stranger approached her and stood opposite of her. Mikan turned her head slightly at the man that was currently leaning on the window sill across from her.

"Who have you partnered up with?" he asked. Mikan smiled and replied, "No one…" she then turned to look back at the scene below her, "And I don't think I plan to"

The man beside her snorted and took a sip of his wine before saying, "What fun would it be to plan?"

Mikan thought of it for a moment. He was wright. Sometimes, it was better to not know what was coming your way. Mikan nodded.

"I suppose so" she answered.

As Mikan stared out the window, someone had stood on top of the bar counter and was shouting, "It's almost time, everyone!"

He then started the count down and everyone started to join in.

"Ten!"

Mikan smiled a small, sad smile out the window. Seeing this, the man made his way closer to her. Surprised, Mikan turned to look at the man.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Nine!"

"I would be a shame if you had that look on your face for the start of a new year" the man answered.

"Eight!"

Mikan smiled bitterly. "There's not much to smile about at the moment" she told him.

"Seven!"

"I never said there was a need to smile. Just don't look so lonely and sad" he told her.

"Six!"

They stared at each other, unconsciously taking a step closer to each other. "So, what should I do then…?" Mikan asked hesitantly. The feeling she was having at the moment was confusing. She shouldn't be talking to a stranger, another male at that, when she was already married.

"Five!"

"I know…that… we hardly know each other, but I plan to be your first." He slowly placed his wine glass on the window sill and took one step closer to her. "Nor do I care if you're married" he added when he saw Mikan's effort to show make her ring visible for him.

"Four!"

Mikan hesitated. "You'll never see me again, anyway" he told her. "All I'll be doing is helping you gain confidence for the new year. We'll never see each other again, and this will never come up again" he told her.

"Three!"

He slowly took the wine glass from Mikan's hands and placed them on the window sill beside his. Why, oh why, did the seconds seem to be longer than they usually were?

"Two!"

The man leaned closer, allowing Mikan to stare into his eyes. Beautiful crimson orbs that seemed to be able to pierce through her soul and know every thought that she dared to even think of.

"One!"

Mikan's eyes widened as she felt something press against her lips.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR"

She knew it wasn't right, but as he said, she was probably never going to see him again, so it would never be mentioned ever again. So, Mikan closed her eyes, allowing him to kiss her. The man slowly wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. He turned them around so that Mikan's back was against the window sill and she was shielded by the rest of the crowd.

'This isn't right… but…' Mikan's thoughts were cut off when she realised something. For the first time in a while, she felt a sense of care as she kissed this stranger. As they pulled away, Mikan tried to calm down her rapid heartbeat as the man leaned over her to grab their wine glasses. He handed back her wine glass and clinked theirs together.

"Happy New Year, Miss"

He turned to walk away when Mikan grabbed him by the arm. Slowly, he turned around to look at her.

Still slightly flushed, Mikan stood up properly and held out her hand.

"I... still didn't catch your name. I'm...My name's Sakura Mikan"

The man smiled and turned around fully. He then grabbed her hand and kissed it.

"Hyuuga Natsume" he told her before turning away, disappearing into the crowd.

Mikan brought her hand up to her lips. The same lips he had kissed. The same hand he had kissed. Mikan rested her arm against the window. The sight before her still hit her unexpectedly. Her husband was kissing another woman. The woman that was meant to be her, but replaced with someone else.

What did she ever do wrong? She was a perfectly obedient daughter for her parents. She listened and respected them. She was also aware of other people's opinions and feelings. So what did she do to deserve this? Or was being so obedient and listening the start of her problems in the first place?

Not only had she found out that her husband had been cheating on her, but now, she had also kissed a random stranger as a welcome to the New Year.

Mikan placed her glass down and made her way out of the hotel in a hurry, not caring that the fireworks were still going off.

As she made her way through the streets, the loud bangs of the fireworks were causing the adrenaline in her body to get her worked up. She squeezed through large groups of people. She had planned to approach her husband, but for some reason, when she was finally only a metre away from them, she froze. She didn't know what to do. Why was she so helpless all of a sudden?

Mikan started to panic. She had lost track of where she was and her mind was completely blank. What happened next was a blur.

She saw her husband look around, as if he knew someone was watching him. He was almost able to see her standing there when she felt someone's arms slip around her shoulders and pull her away from sight.

Mikan snapped out of her trance and looked up at the person that had helped her avoid detection. Looking up, she saw the same person she seen moments ago with an amused look on his face.

'Oh that beautiful smirk…' thought Mikan as she stared at him, speechless.

"It seems as if leaving you alone was the wrong idea" he spoke up as she led her back to the hotel.

"Hyuuga-san…?" Mikan was about to make out in a barely audible voice.

"How about accompanying me at my hotel room?" he asked her. Mikan stayed silence. He smirked.

"I'll take the silence as an agreement"

END of the beginning of a new story~

A/N: I hope you will enjoy this...little...thingy...uhhhhhhh

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