Our lips parted and I lost my mind for a minute. We gazed at each other in wonder and decided about the kiss.

To me, her lips tasted like strawberries. She looked even more beautiful than before and I just wanted to kiss her again.

So I did. This time a bit more forcefully and she kissed me back. I ran my hand through her soft brown hair and pressed her firmly. She wrapped her arms around my neck.

By the end of it, we were left awestruck. My mind went blank. Then my eyes widened in fear.

What did I...?

"Natsume?" Mikan looked up at me in surprise.

Suddenly I was reminded of everything. My sister, the assassination, the plan.

I stood up quickly.

"Wait-"

Before Mikan could finish, I left the Rec Room and ran out. Her voice continually called out to me but I didn't stop, not until I reached the Academy.

As I ran, rain hit me hard. Almost like hail and the coldness struck my warm skin. The back of my skin stung in heat as it met water. That spot was were she wrapped her hands on.

It was not until I reached my room, that I fell onto my bed and thought about everything. My clothes drenched but I didn't care.

Why did I...

No... What did I just do?

Mikan and I...

My mind flooded with thoughts of Mikan and her strawberry kisses. But I couldn't stop my lips from forming a smile. Even when this was completely serious.

Her face stood only a little bit away from my own. I couldn't help myself from touching her.

Mikan and I kissed. It was beautiful and amazing and it felt good. But why did I do it?

"Hyuuga. What's wrong, I just saw you run in your room." Someone knocked three times.

"..." I stayed quiet.

"It's Imai. Open the door." I wipe the sweat off my forehead and unlock the door. Imai looks me up and down and nods her head. "What'd you do to Mikan?" As if she read my mind.

I fell limp on my bed and ruffled my hair in frustration. Was it that obvious that I did something? Especially involving Mikan?

"I kissed her." I mumbled. "I kissed her over and over. I don't know what to do. Why did I do it?"

"Huh. You did?" She raises her brows, "You actually did something?"

"..." The pounding of my heart, surrounds my head with warmth and heat. I've never felt anything like it. Even my skin is tingling from her touch. I don't know how to stop this feeling.

But whatever it is, it feels good. It's bad but it feels so right...

"You've finally realized it huh?" My eye's widen through the sheets on my bed.

"..." Tears flood my face but there's no way I'm showing Imai. She'll tease me for years. If I have children, she'll be that person who shows all my embarrassing photos.

"Natsume. You're such an idiot you know?"

I haven't heard her say my name in ages. Her tone especially, because that means she's happy; for me.

"Yep." I finally answer her. The truth is, I've known all along.

The pounding in my heart. The warm, overwhelming, tickling on my skin. The constant blushing and giddiness just from her smiles. The overall feeling of happiness just from being with her.

Why didn't I realize it sooner?

The way this potato of a girl made me feel?

The feeling that I dread to hear and admit. The most infectious disease, mankind has yet to conquer.

Love.

"Don't cry idiot." Imai slaps my back and shake my head in silence.

From the start.... my heart has been infected with a disease known as LOVE.

I Love Mikan Sakura.

"What do I do? What do I do, Hotaru?" I stood up, revealing a stained spot on my sheet.

She sighed and shook her head, "There's nothing you can do. It just happens. I can't help you, you'll just have to figure it out for yourself."

"I... I love her so much that it hurts." I slap my left side of my chest and frown, "It hurts."

"My my my... " Her lips form a smirk. "You'll have to choose. Who's it gonna be? Mikan or Aoi?"

"I don't want to choose!! I've never wanted to do that! Why can't I ever get what I want?!"

I yank my hair and she stops me. Her cold hands holds my own.

"Be strong."

"What do I do?"

"Figure it out yourself. It'll be hard, it'll hurt, but in the end. It'll be worth it."

I fall on my knees. My heart throbs in pain and I think of her, her smile, the laugh that could stop the world for a moment.

The sound of the piano and her melodic voice sends beats through my ears.

I remember our first meeting. How I thought nothing of her and how I was willing to kill her quickly.

But it was doomed from the beginning. I failed the mission the instant my crimson eyes, met her hazel ones.

My wet lashes crashed against my cheeks as I closed my eyes.

"I don't want to admit it." I mutter. It's too late for me. This love... is forbidden. I have to stop this love, I can't... but the feeling is taking over. Soon I won't be able to take it anymore.

This love I have for Mikan Sakura.