One More Chance

Chapter 8: The Haunted Mansion

"Ruka, Yuu, Koko and Kitsu aren't answering their phones at all." He grumbled under his breath, his expression full of obvious irritation.

"Hotaru and the others aren't answering their phones either." Mikan sighed. "We should probably wait for them here." She suggested.

"And then what?" Natsume raised his eyebrows at her questioningly.

"I don't know." Mikan admitted.

Suddenly, a young cheery woman, who was probably around her early twenties, approached them.

"Excuse me, but are you two a couple?" She asked.

Mikan blushed in embarrassment.

"No, we're just—" She tried to explain but she was immediately cut off.

"Yes, we are." Natsume answered. Mikan stared at him in shock.

"No we're—" She tried to protest, but Natsume placed his hand over her mouth, silencing her.

The lady looked at them questioningly.

"Sorry about my girlfriend. She's just not really used to the whole dating process yet." Natsume chuckled.

"Oh, is that so?" The lady laughed. "Well, you see, we are having a special event today for couples. Would the two of you want to join?" She asked.

"Of course we would."

The lady smiled. She guided them towards the booth that was surrounded by a lot of people. Natsume finally took his hand off of Mikan’s mouth.

"What the hell are you doing?" Mikan demanded.

"Did I do something wrong?" Natsume asked innocently.

"Yes! We are so not a couple!"

Natsume just smirked and leaned onto her.

"What are you doing?" Mikan couldn't help but blush at his closeness.

He just smirked again and whispered in her ear.

"Not a couple you say? Don't worry, we soon will be." And then he moved away from her. Mikan blushed even brighter than ever, while Natsume just chuckled in amusement.

When they finally got to the venue of the special event, Mikan's heart leapt out of her chest.

"You've got to be kidding me!" She couldn't help but shriek.

Right in front of them, was the largest darkest and scariest hunted mansion Mikan ever saw. She had to fight the urge to scream outright.

"Here is our Hunted Mansion. Inside are ghosts who are going to scare and catch each couple that they find. The first couple who can pass through all of the ghosts without letting go of each other's hands or getting caught will receive a special prize at the exit. Good luck to all of you!" The lady cheered.

There were only three couples participating in the event and the other two already entered the mansion. Mikan and Natsume on the other hand, had a little problem.

"Come on. Let's go already." Natsume complained. Mikan, however, had no intention of getting in that mansion.

"I. Don't. Want. To. Go." She said between gritted teeth.

Natsume snorted.

"Don't tell me that you're still afraid of ghosts?"

Mikan glared at him. All of the fear that she felt earlier had instantly evaporated.

"No, I'm not!" She grabbed hold of Natsume's hand and marched right into the mansion. Not until she heard the door close behind them did she realize what she had done. But it was already too late.