One More Chance

Chapter 10: Under the Sakura Tree

*Everyone wants to be the sun that lights up your life. But I'd rather be your moon so I can shine on you during your darkest hour when your sun isn't around.

"I should be asking you that question, Eiji." Mikan retorted, her eyes staring accusingly at Eiji and Mayumi. "But based on what I saw earlier, there's really no need for me to stay here." She turned and ran away as fast as she could, before the tears could blur her vision.

Not until someone suddenly grabbed her arm did she realize that Eiji ran after her. Mikan glared at him.

"Let. Me. Go!" She struggled to break free, but Eiji was stronger than her. A lot stronger.

He forced her to look at him.

"Will you just listen to me?" He yelled.

"And why should I?" Mikan demanded, fighting the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes. "Eiji I'm not deaf. I'm not blind! I heard what you said. I saw you and Mayumi kissing!"

"Mikan, please. This is all just a misunderstanding. Please let me explain." Eiji pleaded.

Mikan couldn't contain her anger anymore. She broke free of Eiji's grasp and slapped him on the face as hard as she could. She slapped him so hard that her hand throbbed after the contact.

"Misunderstanding? You call that a misunderstanding?" The tears flowed freely now, streaming down Mikan's face. "Eiji, how long? How long have you been deceiving me?" She demanded.

Eiji's patience must have snapped, because he suddenly grabbed her hands and pinned her against the wall, locking her in place. His expression held none of the tenderness and gentleness that he always showed her. Instead, his emerald green eyes were cold, harsh. There was no escaping now.

"You want to know how long I've been cheating on you?" His eyes bored into hers. "Mikan, Mayumi and I have been dating way before you and I started going out. Do you actually think that I would fall in love with a girl like you? You were only just a toy to me. A stepping stone. I only needed you for publicity. If you weren't that famous, I wouldn't even have laid my eyes on you." He gave a hard, emotionless laugh.

A sob broke out of Mikan. She was a fool. Nothing but a fool.

"Do you actually think that you would still get discovered after what you did?" She yelled despite the tears.

"You wouldn't dare tell anyone about this." Eiji threatened.

"I dare." Mikan stood her ground, unafraid.

Anger flashed in Eiji's eyes and he raised his hand, ready to hit her. Mikan instantly closed her eyes, anticipating the impact. But there was none. Nothing happened. She opened her eyes, only to find an arm extending in front of her, stopping Eiji's hand from hitting her face.

"A real man should never hit a woman." Natsume Hyuuga said. He turned and grabbed Mikan's arm, pulling her away from Eiji's grasp. He stood in front of her, shielding her away from Eiji.

Eiji glared at them.

"Stay out of this Hyuuga." He said between gritted teeth.

Natsume didn't move an inch.

"And why should I?" He challenged.

Eiji fumed. He charged after him, but Natsume was fast. He dodged Eiji's hit and in return, he punched him in the stomach. Eiji succumbed in pain.

"You damn bastard!" He yelled.

"Come on." Natsume took hold of Mikan's hand and together, they ran away.

Mikan couldn't help but sob in relief. Natsume came to save her. Natsume was here with her. She tightened her hold on his hand. She didn't want to let it go no matter what.

They stopped in front of a large Sakura tree.

"Where are we?" Mikan couldn't help but ask.

"We're at the back of the high school building. At the school garden." Natsume replied. He let go of her hand and sat under the tree's branches. He looked at her. "I assume that you don't want to return to your room yet."

Mikan nodded. She approached the tree and sat down next to Natsume. She didn't even know that there was a garden at the back of the school. It was beautiful here, peaceful. She wished that she could stay here forever. Away from all of the pain, the suffering. She wanted to be here with Natsume forever. She never wanted to leave.

When she looked at Natsume's direction, she found him looking at her. Mikan instantly looked away.

"How did you find me?" She asked.

Natsume stared at the night sky.

"I heard you yelling while I was having a stroll. Luckily, I came at the right time." He said.

Mikan couldn't agree more. If Natsume hadn't arrived on time, her jaw would have probably been dislocated by now. She wrapped her arms around her legs and sighed.

"Eiji and I…broke up." She finally said.

Natsume looked at her.

"Why?" He asked.

Tears started flowing from Mikan's eyes once again. She gave an emotionless laugh.

"I found him cheating on me." She looked at Natsume. "Don't you think that it's ironic? I'm telling you that my boyfriend really cheated on me this time, even though I've accused you of doing the same before." She laughed hysterically. "But despite that, it doesn't change the fact that it still hurts." She sobbed.

Without realizing it, Natsume pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Just let it all out." He whispered.

Mikan sobbed even harder. Natsume just held her tightly, gently patting her back. But somehow, Mikan found comfort in his arms. She cried to her heart's content and Natsume just continued to embrace her. She didn't know how long she cried. But it didn't matter at all.

All that mattered was that she was safe and secure in Natsume's arms.