A/N: Hi guys! It's that time of the year again! What I mean is it's Christmas time and Fujiwara san, the amazing author of Kaichou wa Maid Sama is on her annual hiatus, after leaving the story line at a deliciously juicy point (as is her custom). Misaki has arrived in Britain and then...?
My story picks up where Fujiwara san left off (as is my custom). This is my version of how Misaki intends to bring Usui back from Britain. Originally, this was supposed to be a one shot but as usual, the plot was too large to fit into just one chapter. Yes, so far this fanfic seems like it can be wrapped up in three parts, like my other stories 'Usui's Christmas Gift' and 'Tonight, Lets Stay Like This~ Together'.
It's the season of joy, so without further ado, I present to you Chapter 1 of my story 'One Step Closer'. Enjoy! ^_^
Disclaimer: Kaichou wa Maid Sama is the property of Hiro Fujiwara. I own no part of it. However, I assert my rights over this story, which is not to be used, copied or published without my permission. Please do not claim it as your own, do not steal ideas.
Prologue:
When I close my eyes, what comes to my mind is your face. The more I see you in my dreams, the more I can't endure it. So I'll definitely bring you back.
"I'm coming, idiot Usui!"
Chapter 1: Hidden Agenda
Misaki deeply breathed in the fresh air, the rejuvenating cool breeze caressing her face and stirring locks of her unkempt raven hair. After eighteen solid hours of sitting, the muscles in her back and legs felt stiff. Ignoring her body's discomfort, she gazed around her with a mingled sense of triumph and anticipation. Her fighting spirit was burning bright. "At last," she thought, "at last I'm here. Britain. I'm definitely going to bring you back, idiot Usui!"
She felt a hand encircling her upper arm. Disgruntled, she looked up into the cold eyes of Igarashi Tora. "Now that we're here," he said, a smirk twisting his lips, "we might as well enjoy some other sights besides the charming tarmac of Heathrow airport. Come along. We don't have any time to waste."
Misaki freed her arm from his grasp and snapped, "Okay, I get it! Lead the way."
Tora turned away and strode past her and she followed in his wake. She watched as he expertly maneuvered through the crowded arrivals area. Baggage and Customs was a breeze, given their First Class tickets and the fact that they'd nothing to declare. A black Mercedez pulled up at the curb and whisked them off to a five star hotel. They checked in and her room turned out to be a deluxe suite. By this time, her mind was reeling with jet lag and the abundance of luxury that she'd witnessed in the past several hours. She collapsed onto her queen sized bed and fell instantly asleep.
A few seconds later, or so it seemed to her, she was roused awake by a pretty blonde, blue-eyed girl in a smart maid uniform who was speaking to her in an alien language. Misaki forced her brain to function and somehow managed to grasp the gist of the girl's words. The girl was to be her personal attendant for the day. She felt somebody else moving about in the room and looking around her personal attendant, she noticed another young woman in the same uniform pulling aside the curtains and lifting the blinds over the enormous bay windows. Bright, summer sunshine streamed in. The girl in front of Misaki informed her that her colleague would also be waiting on her today.
Quickly, Misaki asked the girl her name in the best English accent she could imitate in her befuddled state.
"My name is Sarah and my colleague over there is called Jennifer."
Jennifer turned around and smiled at her. "Would you like your breakfast in bed, ma'am?"
"Jeez," thought Misaki, running a hand irately through her head. "Two girls, barely a few years older than me, here to serve on me hand and foot! This is so unreal!"
"N-no, thank you for your kindness," Misaki replied. She hastily pushed back the covers and climbed out of bed. "I have to talk to my friend first."
"Oh, Mr. Igarashi said that he'd be down in the Café if you wanted to find him," put in Sarah.
Misaki stopped short. "Eh… then I'd better get dressed first. But," she turned towards her luggage, "I haven't unpacked…" she finished gloomily.
"That won't be a problem, ma'am," quipped Jennifer. "We'll unpack while you freshen up. Is there any particular outfit you want to wear? We'll keep it aside for you."
"Err…" said Misaki, her mind going over the variety of blouses, skirts, dresses, shoes and other paraphernalia which had been prepared for her maiden visit to England. She had no idea what to wear. In the end she answered, "If you don't mind, will you pick out something for me?"
Surprise was evident on both the girls' faces but then, they beamed at her. "Yes, of course ma'am!" they said happily.
"Umm, there's another thing. There's no need to address me as 'ma'am'. Please call me Misaki."
"Yes, Ms. Misaki," said Jennifer with a quick bob of her red head.
Sarah smiled and added, "You've a beautiful name, Ms. Misaki."
Blushing, Misaki muttered, "Thank you," and fled into the bathroom.
Standing under the jet of warm water, Misaki closed her eyes. She recalled why she was here and what she had to do. She thought it over and over again, almost like a litany. My name is Ayuzawa Misaki. I'm in love with Usui Takumi. Usui left for Britain. I came to Britain with Igarashi Tora's help. I must fool Igarashi Tora and help Usui break off his ties with the Walkers.
The elevator pinged open and Misaki checked her appearance for a final time in its mirrored walls. Sarah and Jennifer had chosen a sleeveless sundress in a muted shade of orange, cinched at her waist by a skinny belt and a white shrug to go along with it. Her feet felt comfortable in a pair of cream ballet flats. They'd helped her put on some light make up and her face was free from the ravages of the long flight and jet lag.
She stepped out and followed the directions issued by Sarah to find the Café. The hotel was sumptuous with an understated elegance, a refuge for the elite class, devoid of the over the top extravagance of the nouveau rich. Reaching her destination, she paused a moment in the doorway. The Cafe had a pleasing, typically English ambience and setting, with wide windows letting in the sun, wooden tables with checked tablecloths and walls done in bright colours.
Her gaze settled over Tora. "Back straight, shoulders back, chin perpendicular to your collarbones," she recalled from her training sessions and she made for him. She was suddenly aware of some appreciative glances coming her way from the male customers in the Café. She held her head a little higher and as a waiter drew back a chair for her, she sat down opposite Tora.
Tora lowered the iPad he'd been perusing and studied her impassively. A few moments later, he smirked and said, "Glad to see that my hiring those two attendants for you paid off. Looking at you now, nobody can tell that you work in a maid café and pull off perfect lariats on unsuspecting wrongdoers."
Misaki frowned at him. Ever since their plans to come to Britain had been finalised, Tora had laid down the edict that Misaki would converse with him only in English. Given that every other word he uttered tends to rub her the wrong way and that she found it hard to speak coherent English when she's mad or upset, she would invariably end up yelling at him in Japanese (like she did at the airport), at which he would pretend like he hadn't hear a word (which he did at the airport).
"It seems this trip to England isn't going to be a complete disaster after all," he concluded with a diabolical smile.
Misaki gritted her teeth and replied, "Now that you're satisfied that I won't mess up appearance-wise, could we move on to some less inane subject?"
"Yes, we can. But not here. Have you had your breakfast?"
Misaki shook her head.
Tora summoned a waiter and placed an order for blueberry pancakes, bacon and eggs, toast, orange juice and a pot of coffee. Then he picked up his iPad and immersed himself into the thrilling world of corporate takeovers and business acquisitions.
Misaki studied him inconspicuously. He was dressed in a blue polo neck T-shirt, khaki chinos and white tennis shoes. Usually when she met him, he was in his Miyabigaoka uniform or in stuffy formal suits. As far as she could remember, this was the first time she'd seen him in casual clothes. The thought made her smile a bit.
Suddenly, Tora had his eyes trained on her. "What are you grinning about?" he demanded.
Misaki's smile faded and she said quietly, "I was smiling because I'm not seeing Igarashi Tora: the high and mighty president of Miyabigaoka or the most exalted heir of the Igarashi enterprises, but because I've finally gotten a glimpse of Igarashi Tora, a high school teenager."
Tora's eyes widened in surprise but then he picked up his iPad again, his usual inscrutable expression back in place. She realised that she'd spoken in Japanese because Tora had caught her unawares. With satisfaction, she noticed the faint flush in his cheeks. At that moment, the waiter arrived with their breakfast and Misaki tucked in.
They were strolling in the hotel's manicured lawns. Tora was busy on a phone call and Misaki was drinking in the sights. It was one of those days which made the south of England truly beautiful. The sun overhead shone golden and the sky was a cornflower blue without a trace of a grey cloud. The flowers in the lawns were in full bloom and the balmy air was heavy with their fragrance. Colourful butterflies fluttered by. Spotting a white picnic bench, she headed towards it and sat down. It was a perfect day, but not quite. The only thing missing was the presence of a certain someone. Someone she loved with all her heart. She raised her hand and clenched the little heart shaped necklace nestled in the hollow between her collarbones.
Tora ended the call and settled next to her. "Alright then," he said, "Let's get down to brass tacks."
During her training sessions with the Miyabigaoka kids and Tora, the plan that they were to execute today had started taking shape. Today was the concluding day of the Walkers' annual anniversary celebration. The celebration usually spanned five days, with various events taking place in the Raven castle grounds during this period. Derbies, charity bazaars and socialite parties were some of the events being organised. But today, the final day of the festivities, was marked by the grandest event hosted by the Duke's family- The Annual Raven Ball.
The castle, which was open to tourists on most days, welcomed a much larger crowd during the five day celebration. However, the Raven Ball is by invitation and only the crème-de-la-crème of the society are graced with one. Due to the role he'd played in the Walkers' attempt to re-establish a link with Usui and their potential financial liaisons, Tora had managed to obtain an invite to this highly anticipated social event of the year. Furthermore, the rumours about the newly discovered 'miraculously perfect son of a noble' (a.k.a. Usui Takumi) had spread like wildfire and had made every one curious about this person and his prospects.
Tora had surmised that the tabloid scoop about Usui had been planted by none other than Gerald Walker. Given his intentions to crown Usui as the next Walker heir, this carefully contrived rumour mongering had generated a buzz about Usui's origins, which were so far shrouded in mystery. Add to this his striking appearance and versatility and people were already forming a favourable opinion of him. All this created a perfect backdrop to officially declare Usui's existence at the Raven Ball, before the most powerful and influential people in the country.
Tora had decided against making an appearance during the day time celebrations. Above all, Misaki's presence had to be kept under wraps, for after all the measures that Gerald had undertaken to prevent Usui and her from communicating with each other, Misaki's turning up on their castle door step would act as a deal-breaker between the Walkers and the Igarashis. So, they'd be appearing at the Ball. Luckily for them, the theme was masquerade.
According to Tora's plans, Misaki would accompany Tora to the ball as his partner and her mask would ensure the concealment of her identity. At a suitable opportunity, she'd confront Usui at the Ball and convince him to assist the Walkers'. Having done so, Misaki's identity can be disclosed and she'll be revealed as an ally to the Walkers' purpose. Her altruistic gesture would reflect favourably on Tora, without whose assistance she couldn't have made it to England, resulting in the Walkers' deepest gratitude to the Igarashis, leading to imminent and rewarding social and economic ties with the Walkers.
Tora hadn't expounded the last part of his plans in so many words to her but she knew him to be an egotist. He'd not undertake any venture unless it was in some way beneficial to him. And this was the reason why she couldn't bring herself to feel sincerely remorseful that she was about to trash his plan. Tora had tried to mould her into a lady, so that she was presentable when she faced the Walkers. He brought her to England. But the truth was that he wouldn't have done anything for Usui and her if his own interests weren't involved. She was merely a pawn in his grand scheme. "The bait," as he'd once told her. She wouldn't have been accepted by the Walkers any way, just like Usui would never be truly welcomed back into their family. He'd always be stigmatized by his illegitimate status. There was hardly anything to choose between Tora and the Walkers, who were cut from the same cloth.
She and Usui had to find their own way in the world. That's what she wanted to accomplish, together with him.
Dusk was descending silently, the last rays of the sun vanishing rapidly over the horizon. One by one, the stars appeared, their twinkle overshadowed by the silver beams of the full moon embarking on its heavenly voyage.
Misaki gazed unseeingly out of the smoked windows of the white Cadillac which was bringing her closer and closer to the Raven Castle. Her heart was beating faster with every passing second and the tightly clenched fists in her lap were sweaty. Beside her, Tora was silent but lounging languidly against the black leather seats, completely at his ease. Misaki finally understood the meaning of the phrase 'butterflies in your stomach' and squirmed restlessly.
Tora turned to face her and said, "Don't worry. If you're unsure about what to do, just follow my lead. I've already given you a fair idea of what to expect from such a party and we've gone over the details so many times. Stick to the plan and everything will be fine."
Misaki smirked internally. Words of reassurance from Igarashi Tora were rare and, since she intended to wreck his designs, quite pointless. But she saw no reason to inform him of her less than honourable intentions. Tora was no fool and the fact that she'd kept him in the dark this long was quite an achievement. She'd to be even more careful now and play her cards rights so as not to arouse his suspicions.
The car smoothly came to a stop. Misaki whirled around and noticed an extraordinarily long and wide driveway, flanked on either side by seemingly endless green lawns peppered with marble statues glowing in the bright moonlight and tinkling fountains, their waters shining golden, reflecting the light which shone out from the countless orifices in the intimidatingly enormous castle ahead. They were here. Raven Castle.
A/N: An author has no value without critique. Please read and review. ^_^