Mikan's Little Twin

Chapter 16: Now I'm a Prince

"I should have been there. I should have been here." He hits the ground. I look at him wondering how I deserved such a good person in my life.

Sakamoto-ObaChan always told me that actions speak louder than words. I get onto my knees and wrap my arms around Ruka. He goes stiff, but I don't let go, "I'm so happy to have Ruka-pyon in my life." I say as I tighten my hug on him. His arms slowly wrap around me and we hug for a while.

I stand up and hold a hand out for him, "Let's head back, Ruka~pyon! We don't want anyone worrying about us. And crying won't change the past, it's not good to dwell on things that can't be changed." I smile at him.

"So let's go have fun, okay?" He looks up at me with a shocked face, but it soon morphs into a smile as well.

"Hai."

"Everything is better when we smile. Let's keep the day happy and laugh through it." I say as I pull him out of the forest.

I see Mikan, Natsume, and Hotaru standing by a building and I wave at them, "Akako-chan!" Mikan calls out.

"Here we are!" I giggle.

///

"Today was the best I think it's ever been." I smile as the sun sets. Ruka and I are walking while I look at the golden orb that's so far away.

"Even though we all fight and bicker, it makes me happy to have everyone around." I smile at the thought of everyone arguing earlier. "Even if they may fight and cause a lot of ruckus, it's amazing how you can be happy just my people's presence. Even if they scream and insult each other."

Ruka chuckles at the last comment.

"After you left... me and Natsume talked about my dream of becoming veterinarian." He says. "We would live somewhere that no one could bother us. A place that had a lot of space for me to take care of animals."

"Someday.. in the future..." he looks at the sun with shining eyes.

"That is such an amazing dream!" I exclaim, he looks at me in surprise as if he forgot I was there. "It's sure to become a reality." I smile at him.

"I know it." We stand there for a moment before I hear someone shouting. I turn and see my friends standing and waving at me.

"Akako-chan!" Mikan waves at me. A goofy grin spreads across my face, "Are you coming, Ruka-pyon?"

"No. I will in a little." I nod and run towards everyone. Hotaru, Mikan, classrep, Koko, Anna, nonoko, even sumire! I catch up with them.

"Hey, let's go get dinner!" Mikan suggests. "Hai! I'm very hungry!" I giggle and hold my growling stomach.

"You two should really stop eating so much. It's like it goes down and disappears." Sumire scolds.

We all laugh as we walk, heading off to a place where we all can stay together, happy. Even if it's not the safest place, it's the place that we hold our happiness in.

///

"Wait." I raise my hand to get everyone's attention. "Isn't today the somatic classes play?" I put a finger on my chin in thought.

"Hai! You're right, Akako-chan!" Class rep exclaims at my statement. "I wonder what it's gonna be this year..." others agree.

I see Ruka in the hall way and then quickly leave, "Ruka-pyon!" I say and chase after him. Others follow me and we all stand behind him as he glares at us.

"Don't come to the play." He says and starts to walk away. We nod, not really promising anything and follow him as he takes a few more steps forward. "I mean it! You guys better not come!" We nod again and he runs off.