~Chapter Twenty Three : A Fun Day~
~Start~

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(Y/N) and the others looked around the whole entrance to the beach in order to find their blonde cat boy friend. Because the entrance was practically like climbing a mountain and the sun attacking everyone with its radiance, everyone was panting in exhaustion. "Where did that guy gone to now?" Akito said, as they walked in groups and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Damn...I can't believe the heat is affecting our senses..."

"Let's just keep looking, Natsuki couldn't possibly gone that far." (Y/N) optimistically cheered the group. Then, suddenly weight was dropped on her shoulders, causing her to look back to see a flock of fluffy white hair. "Fuyuko? What's wrong?"

"It's too hot..." Fuyuko said, panting slightly. (Y/N) sweatdropped as he showed her a popscicle stick. "Already finished the popscicle...Can we have more?"

(Y/N) pat his head and smiled apologetically. "Maybe later? After we find Natsuki..." She said as they all kept on walking. Fuyuko nodded and obidiently followed her lead.

"Oh? Isn't that him over there?" Chikage squinted his eyes to have a better look. He then sweatdropped. "Well, he's the only blonde cat boy in there so..."

"Ah, you're right...Let's go!" (Y/N) called and ran towards the cat boy whose back was facing them. "Natsuki! We finally...Found you...?"

(Y/N) trailed off as she and everyone slowly stopped running. They realised that Natsuki was not alone and was talking to a group of teens. "Natsuki...?" (Y/N) slowly called.

Natsuki flinched and turned around to face them with a suprised look on his face. "Mas...ter..." He said. However, before anyone could say anything, one of the girl in the group began talking.

"Master? Natsuki, you found a Master?" The girl with brown hair tied into a ponytail said as she smiled. "That's great, you know!"

"That's why, you have that collar on you! I thought it was just for fash-" She casually said as she tried to pat him on shoulder but before she could touch him, Natsuki immediatly glared at her and swatted her hands away.

"Don't touch me." Natsuki growled in a dangerous voice as he glared at her.

The girl immediatly retracted her hand and backed away, her lips trembling as her friends tried to comfort her. (Y/N) and the others were suprised as well. Natsuki had always been the most friendliest in their group. They have never seen him this hostile towards anyone before.

The tension was heavy and it was bothering everyone so (Y/N) sucked up her breathe and tried to smile, but ending up making a twitchy smile. "H-Hey, Natsuki...Do you know these people?" She asked as she placed a hand in his shoulder to calm him down, truly is unfamiliar with the faces of the teens.

Natsuki looked at her and (Y/N)'s eyes widened at how empty and hollow it looked. The usual energetic shine in his eyes were no longer visible. "...They don't ring a bell." Natsuki said, ignoring the teens infront of him completely. He then smiled but due to how thick the atmosphere was, it turned out a smile that can physically hurt anyone who sees it. "Let's just go, Master...Everyone..." He said as he turned around. "Today is supposed to be a fun day...I won't let anyone ruin it."

Everyone turned to him, worriedly, even calling out his name. "...Master." Akito called, understanding the situation and making a silent report to (Y/N).

"...Yeah, I'll leave it to you guys, alright?" (Y/N) said. "I'll come running later."

Everyone nodded and followed Natsuki, entering the beach. (Y/N) then looked behind her to see the group of friends who was still comforting the brown haired girl. She stared at them, slowly having a realisation of who they are. "...You guys." (Y/N) called, walking over towards them. She gave them a polite smile. "If you don't mind me asking...Are you guys Natsuki's childhood friends?"

They all look hesitant to answer until a guy with glasses and gray hair stepped forward. "Yes, we are." He said, making (Y/N) looked down and clench her fist.

"I see..." She said as she looked back up to them again. "Well, that's all I need to ask of you. Thanks!"

However, before (Y/N) could move along, she was stopped by a voice. "Please wait!" She turned around to confirm that the voice came out of the brown haired's voice. "You...You seem to know about our past with Natsuki so...I'll just assume that you know what we did to him...!"

She then bowed her head in apology. "We're sorry! We didn't want any of it to happen and...!" She said as her voice cracked. "If only we could go back in time...! We-We could change everything we did wrong into right! We regret all the things that we did to Natsuki! Please forgive us!"

(Y/N) stared at the apologizing girl with a pitiful look on her face. "...What's your name?" She asked as she looked away from her.

"...I-I'm Hyuuga Yui." She said as she began to stand straight and looked at (Y/N). "But please, Yui is just fine..."

(Y/N) gave her a stare before smiling sadly at her. "Yui-san..." She said as she looked at her. "To be honest, I don't know much about Natsuki's past. I'm just someone who wants him to be happy with what he has right now."

"But whatever you did to Natsuki in the past, it seems like it's not a good thing." (Y/N) said seriously but still, tried to be polite. "So, I don't really get why you're apologizing to me."

"Please give that apology to someone who really needs it." (Y/N) said as she turned around once more and walked away from them, leaving them to process what you just said.

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(Y/N) sat on the white sand as a giant umbrella was protecting her from the intense ray of sunshine staring down at them. She watched her friends have fun in the daylight. Hiromi and Aimi were splashing each other with water, Haruki was playing with the sand, and Chikage and Natsuki were playing a sport with each other. Akito and Fuyuko were also here with her, not wanting to face the sun at all.

Suddenly, she felt someone laying on her lap, she looked down and saw Fuyuko with a popscicle stick in his mouth. He tilted his head at her and pulled the stick out of his mouth. "More?" He asked as he waved the stick.

"Already?" (Y/N) sweatdropped as she got pulled a cooler near her and started searching. She searched for a milk flavored popscicle and gave it to the white-haired cat boy. "This is your third one. I'm kinda worried on how much sweets you've taken, seriously..."

Fuyuko hummed in response and began to lay on your lap once again. "Because it's delicious." He said as he layed on his stomach and childishly moved his feet back and forth. "Summer is evil so I need to gain EXP to level up and fight against it."

"Oh, you and your game references..." (Y/N) mumbled to herself and stared back at the scene in front of her. Mostly to Natsuki as she couldn't help but to worry about him. She honestly just couldn't believe that Natsuki can be fine after seeing the people who caused him so much trauma.

Akito, who was reading this whole time, took a glance at (Y/N) and what she's looking at and sighed. "You know, I can say that I'm impressed on how well Natsuki can take that kind of situation..." Akito behind her said as he tightened his grip on a book he was reading. "I mean...If that happens to me, I wouldn't be able to take it at all..."

(Y/N) smiled slightly at what Akito said and leaned on his back for support. "Yeah, I know..." She said and smiled. "I wonder if he's not as childish as we thought him to be?"

Feeling (Y/N) warmth on his back, Akito blushed and kept his eyes in the book he was reading. "M-Maybe..." He said.

Fuyuko who was observing the scene in front of him, got an evil glint on his eye and tilted his head at Akito. "Huh? Akito isn't Tsundere anymore!" He said with a sound of suprise in his voice but his eyes remains to be emotionless. "I wonder what Master did to you? Did you-"

"You're better with mouth shut." Akito glared at Fuyuko intensely but seeming to have no effect on him.

(Y/N) sweatdropped and chuckled at their bickering and stared at the beach again. She spotted Natsuki once more to see that he wasn't playing with Chikage nor Haruki anymore. He was just there, sitting down on the sand as a small wave of water were splashing on his body. Somehow, this made (Y/N)'s chest hurt as she was not used in seeing the most energetic cat boy she's ever seen alone and quiet.

She looked around, hoping to find something she can help him with but there was hardly none. So, the only thing she could think of was what he said himself earlier. She smirked and decided to go for it.

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Natsuki stared at the blue sea infront of him and sighed. He pouted and fidgetted. "...This is frustrating! I can't have fun at all!" He said as he scratched the back of his neck as slowly, anger began to fill him up. "...if it weren't for them. This is supposed to be a fun day..."

Then, suddenly, cold water were splashed his face, cutting off his thoughts and widened his eyes suprised. He looked to the right to see (Y/N) in a cute (Favorite Color) swim wear. She smiled and placed her hand on her hips. "What are you doing there? Natsuki isn't supposed to be gloomy like that." (Y/N) said crouching down on his position and held her hand. "Come on, this is supposed to be a fun day, right? We're not gonna let anyone ruin it."

Natsuki widened his eyes at her and slowly, a large smile began to creep up on his face as he nodded, energetically. "Of course!" He said as he grabbed her hand and (Y/N) happily pulled him up.

Suddenly, Natsuki's ear twitched as he sensed something coming towards them. He turned to the direction with a smirk and caught the ball heading towards them. (Y/N) and Natsuki turned to see their friends waving at them and Chikage who threw the ball at them. "Tch, too bad, it didn't hit him at all~!" He whined with smirked sadistically. "Getting all touchy with Master, I really did wish the ball smashed your face~!"

(Y/N) gulped at that seemingly 'innocent' comment Chikage made while it only made Natsuki chuckle. "Hah! Who do you think I am!" He yelled and turned to (Y/N) with a confident look on his face. "Come on, Master! Let's go beat up Chikage!"

(Y/N) sweatdropped at him as he ran pulling her with him. "Yeah! Let's go!" She smiled and was happy to know that atleast he was back to his old self.

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"That was so fun~!" Aimi said as threw her hands up in the air. "I wish we could do this again!"

The sun was now about to set and everyone was preparing to go home. Everyone looks exhausted and is in need of some nice sleep but their face looks like they truly had a fun time. Though the beginning of their trip was quite an intense one, but now they're leaving with barely any memory of it happening.

"Make sure you guys don't leave anything behind, alright?" Hiromi said as he finished placing stuff on the trunk of the car.

Everyone talks about the day and slowly got into the car. (Y/N) looks around and saw the blonde haired cat boy from the distance staring at the sea once again. She smiled and walked over to him before placing her hands on his shoulders. "Natsuki? It's time to go home." She said and Natsuki quickly snapped out of his own world and gave her a big smile.

"Okay~!" He said however, before he could go and walk towards the car, he turned to (Y/N). "Um...Master? I just want to say..."

"...Thank you very much..." Natsuki said with a blush on his face as he looked at her with a suprising shy look on his eyes. "Thank you for...Making this a fun day for me still...After that...But I really appreciate the fact that you can put up with me and the others too..."

"So...Umm..." Natsuki said as he looked to the side with blush on his face before giving (Y/N) a confident smile on his face. "I love you, Master~! I'm glad that I met you!"

(Y/N) blushed at his words and smiled gently at him. She walked over to him and pat his head. "You're welcome, Natsuki...You and the others are important to me...I'll do anything in my power to keep you guys happy..." She said as Natsuki giggled. (Y/N) chuckled too and took her hand away from his head.

"But...Natsuki, I hope you don't get mad but..." (Y/N) said as the atmosphere began to get serious, making her gulped in nervousness and decided to take the risk. "Are you sure...You're okay with not talking to them?"

Natsuki flinched, immeditaly understanding who she meant. "This might be the last time you're gonna see them, you know...? Are you really okay with that...?" (Y/N) said looking at him. "Don't you...wanna know their reason? Why they did such thing to you?"

Natsuki was silent for a moment before smiling sadly at (Y/N). "...What are you saying, Master? The answer to that is already so obvious! Even I can answer it!" He said as a grinned proudly at her. "Obviously it's because they think that an inanimate object is much important than life itself! There's no other explanation other than that!"

Then, he clenched his fist as he looked down. "That's why, I won't forgive them...Who cares if this is the last time I'll talk to them? I'll be happy if that's the case!" He said, happily as he looked at you. "I don't need them! In fact, I don't need anyone at all!"

"As long as Master and the others are with me, I'm fine if I don't make friends anymore!" Natsuki said, proudly.

"Ah, is that...so..." (Y/N) said as she gave him an unsure smile. "I...Can see why..."

"Right? So, let's go!" Natsuki said as he sweatdropped. "Akito's gonna nag on us non-stop again if we don't hurry up, Master!"

"Yeah..." (Y/N) said and they began walking with her following him. She looked at Natsuki's back and couldn't help but to feel bad about his situation. She bit her bottom lip and looked down, troubled by her own thoughts.

"Is this...Really the right thing to do...?" She thought.

(Y/N) was glad that Natsuki can remain strong even after what he had gone through but she couldn't help but to feel a bit of sadness for him. In actuality, it's not sadness just for Natsuki, but also with the people he had once been friends with.

With that thought in mind, (Y/N) stopped walking as she widened her eyes in realisation. "That's...not right..." She thought as she looked down and clenched her fist. "At this rate, Natsuki will..."

"Master?" (Y/N) snapped out of her thought as she heard Nastuki's voice. She looked up at him to see the blonde cat boy looking at her with a worried look. "What's wrong?"

Quickly realising that she gave him unnecessary worry, (Y/N) smiled at Natsuki. "Uh, no! Nothing's wrong! I just remembered something, that's all!" (Y/N) said, acting silly and scratched her head. "You see, this day was really fun and I kinda want to treasure it so..."

"You can go ahead and tell everyone that I'm just gonna buy some souvenirs, alright?" (Y/N) said in the most comforting voice she could do.

Natsuki blinked and smiled, seemingly convinced of her excuse. "Oh, alright~!" He said as he turned his heel to continue on going to the car and waved at (Y/N). "Be careful, Master! Hurry up, okay~?"

(Y/N) smiled as she waved back at Natsuki. When the blonde boy turned around and ran away, (Y/N) turned around and began running.

"Where..." She thought, frantically searching the whole area. "Where...are they?"

(Y/N) kept on running and searching. She couldn't afford to waste time as she only has a few minutes before the others get suspicious of her actions. She panted and turned to the corner, there, she widened her eyes.

(Y/N) saw a familiar group of friends going inside a car one by one, seemingly about to leave the area. "Wait!" She yelled as she ran faster in hopes to get there before they could drive off.

(Y/N) slammed her hand on the car as soon as she reached it, startling everyone inside it. The car's window slowly opened up, revealing suprised looks of the people inside. "N-Natsuki's Master...?" Yui blinked as she smiled slightly but was having a hard time looking at her in the eyes. "I-Is there something you need?"

Everyone waited patiently as (Y/N) tried regain her normal breathing. "I..." (Y/N) said in between pants as she looked at them. "I need..."

(Y/N) gulped and stood up straight. She breath out and looked at them with a serious look in her eyes. "I need your cooperation."

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~End~
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A/N :

Whoo! Finished! _:('ཀ'」 ∠): First of all, Happy Mother's Day~! Make your mother happy today, okay? (๑╹ω╹๑ )

Second, I'm sorry if this took an unnecessary amount of wait ('；ω；') It's summer vacation and I'm not busy at all, honestly, my only excuse for the wait is because I held childish grudge against Wattpad. My favorite book here got deleted (c" ತ,_ತ) and I was super upset. So as an act of rebellion, I stopped looking at Wattpad for awhile.

But then, I realised how childish I was, I knocked myself and began writing again ('；ω；') Sure, I was super upset but I thought that wasn't a reason to stop writing. (￣▽￣) So here I am, hours later! \(//∇//)\

Anyway, if you're curious about my entrance exam, then...Thank goodness someone like me passed such exam! ヽ(；▽；)ノ I barely passed the entrance exam and I think that's because a lot of you motivated me and wished me good luck! Thank you very much for all the support~! ヽ(；▽；)ノ

(When I say I barely passed the exam, I meant, I really BARELY just passed the exam (￣▽￣) like one more wrong answer and my life would've been over.)

Anyway, again, thank you very much and I hope you have a good day! Happy Mother's day to everyone~! ( ^ω^ )

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**Please Wait Patiently For The Next Chapter, Nya~**