Kaichō wa Maid-sama! 2005 © Fujiwara Hiro

Lala Magazine under Hakusensha Publishing

WARNING: Major OOC and One-Sided ToraXMisa.

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Chapter 01: Crumpled Paper

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Misaki stirred in her sleep as the cold breeze from the air conditioner tickled her bare back. She reached over the other side of the bed to snuggle closer to Usui.

But it was empty. Usui wasn't there.

Where is he?

She cracked open her eyes and frowned. Despite the sleepiness and tiredness she felt, she sat up. Jolts of searing pain shot through every muscle in her body. Even though she was sitting, her arms and knees felt so weak, like jellies. Her legs were aching, especially between her legs.

Damn it...

She groaned and held her pounding head. Now she realized that alcohol and sex weren't a nice combination at night once you wake up in the morning.

Misaki looked around. She was sure they've trashed Usui's bedroom in their heated, not to mention intense, love-making. But surprisingly, the place was neat. Usui must've cleaned it while she was sleeping. The spilled throw pillows were fixed on the couch. The stack of magazines on the coffee table she unintentionally shoved last night was already piled perfectly. She was expecting to see her clothes littered on the floor but it was nicely folded on top of the cabinet.

Misaki blinked and felt her cheeks grew warm. She remembered Usui ripping it off. His hands running wild all over her, leaving a trail of flame on her skin. His soft, breathy voice whispering in her ear...

"Urgh!" she squeezed her eyes shut and tried to repel the embarrassing things they did.

But as embarrassing as it may and no matter how much she wanted to repress the memory, it will be forever embedded in her mind, heart and soul. Last night was pure passion. Sure, they were a bit driven by alcohol but every kiss, every touch, every little things they whispered... it was nothing but absolute sincerity. Not just lust. It was a burning desire to make love to the person who meant the whole world to you.

Last night was like seeing and feeling each other in a much deeper sense than words.

Misaki got up, wrapping herself in a bathrobe that must be Usui's. Ignoring the sores and aches pulsating through her body, she grabbed her clothes and staggered her way to the bathroom.

Once she finished her cold shower, she faced herself in the mirror. Her eyes widened. There were a lot of small purple blotches on her neck, shoulders and all the down to her breasts. It stung a little when she touched it.

"That stupid pervert..." she mumbled as she blush beet red at the thought of him sucking and marking her skin.

After giving up on the fact that she couldn't hide it, she sighed and went to look for Usui in the living room.

He wasn't there.

She thought maybe he was making some breakfast in the kitchen.

But he wasn't there either.

An uncomfortable bubble started to grow in her stomach. She tried to ignore it and decided to go back in his bedroom to fix the bed, which looked like a storm had just passed through it.

"He must've stepped out for a while," she said to herself.

Just as she was about to reach the pile of comforter on the floor, she saw a small piece of paper folded into two on top of Usui's pillow.

Misaki froze.

She didn't know why but something about that paper made her heart race. She stared at it like she was expecting it to come to life.

Then, with shaking hands and more dreadful feeling, she took the paper and opened it.

I'm sorry... was the only words written on it. She was a hundred percent sure it was Usui's handwriting.

As Misaki read it, she felt like the world has been snatched from under her feet.

What the hell's going on? I'm sorry? What does he mean by that? She frowned deeply. Her heart was pounding against her ribs and it hurt.

She was hurt.

Questions swirled in her head like a massive tornado. Why did he write it? What was wrong? Was he unsatisfied last night and he was sorry it happened?

Misaki gritted her teeth. Goddamn it! Where is that stupid perverted alien?! The pain in her chest was slowly being replaced by demonic anger. She whirled around, crushing the paper in her fist and stormed out of the bedroom.

Misaki angrily plopped down on the couch in the living room. She crossed her legs like a boss. She was going to wait for the bastard to return, punch him in the face and demand what's the meaning of his sorry.

She sat there for seven minutes, tapping her foot impatiently. The paper still under her death grip.

One hour.

Five hours.

Seven hours. Still waiting. Still gripping the paper.

But Usui Takumi never returned.

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Seven years later and the big question remained in her head: Why?

Misaki stared at the small piece of paper pinched between her fingers. Her pale face was empty. No hints of any emotion. Just a blank expression.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

How many times had she already read it? She read it so many times she must've broke a record of some sort. She stared at it for so many times she memorized every slant and curve of the letters written on it.

The black ink on the crumpled paper was still crystal clear with no sign of fading out. Just like the excruciating pain in her heart. Like the big question mark in her head. Like the scar in her soul.

It has been seven years since the last time she saw Usui. But the memories he left was as fresh as the handwritten I'm sorry on the piece of paper she still kept.

Seven years since she gave her everything to the man she loved. The night of their high school graduation.

Yes, it was their graduation party and somehow, Misaki ended up in Usui's apartment. They were a little drunk from all the cocktail drinks they had. That night was unforgettable. They talked less, kissed more until their clothes magically disappeared and ravished around the bedroom.

Misaki closed her eyes tight. She remembered every detail of it as if her senses were reliving it. She remembered it even though she tried to erase it from her memory.

She gave him everything a girl could possibly give.

But he left her. Just like that.

They were in love, weren't they? But then, why?

Why did Usui left her?

Misaki sighed deeply and sadly. To this day, she still didn't know the answer. She only got a piece of paper to stare at whenever she found herself wondering.

There was a knock on the door and Igarashi Tora peeked in her office.

"Hey," he greeted.

"Hey..." Misaki said weakly. She folded the abused paper and slipped it back into her wallet.

"It's already past ten, why are you still here?" he demanded.

It's none of your business, she wanted to say. But technically, it was his business; he was her boss, after all.

Misaki sighed. "I finished some documents," she simply said.

Tora leaned on the doorframe, looking at her intently. "You'll still have tomorrow to do that, you know?"

He was surprised when Misaki suddenly laughed.

"Tomorrow?" she raised an eyebrow, as if challenging him. Then she dropped her gaze and shook her head. "I don't think so..." she muttered to herself.

"What?" Tora frowned.

"Nothing," she sighed as she stood from the leather seat. She stacked the littered papers on the side of her table and grabbed her bag.

"It's late. I'll drive you to your apartment," he said. It wasn't a question or a request; it was a statement. Actually, it was almost like an order.

Misaki watched his silhouette with exasperation as he walked away. She got no choice but to follow him to the parking lot. It was late, anyway. The train station must be closed by now.

It has also been seven years since the two former student council presidents came into a not-so-enemy-anymore terms. They went to the same university and coincidentally, they were in the same class. They've got no choice but to be nice to each other. Or as nice as they could manage...

Tora was as arrogant as ever. But Misaki knew him for a long time now (even longer than Usui) to say he wasn't that bad. He was tolerable most of the time.

He worked as the CEO of a famous hotel chain in Tokyo and she was the company secretary. They had been working together for almost three years now.

Tora switched off the alarm of the silver Audi with a small chirp and held the passenger door open for Misaki. She looked uncomfortable, as usual. She mumbled her thanks and slid into the car.

She watched Tora swiftly moved around and sat behind the steering wheel. From the corner of her eye, she continued to watch him as he expertly swerved the car out of the basement. She noted his side-swept bleached blonde hair, that sharp, killer glints on his gold eyes and his pierced ear.

In a way, he kind of reminded her of Usui. That's why it was hard for her to be around him. Especially after the arrogant dude confessed to her that he liked her, not as his secretary, but as a woman. It was during their senior year in college.

Misaki didn't see that one coming. She was too caught up in her own world that she didn't notice his hints. She was surprised. But it didn't take her longer the two minutes to think about his proposed relationship.

She rejected him for the obvious reason: Usui Takumi.

As much as she hated to admit it, Misaki still loved the perverted alien. As much as she hated to admit it, she was still waiting... thinking that maybe someday, he will come back.

Tora seemed to be cool with her polite rejection, saying (in a very arrogant way) that he's not really desperate to get her. But said that he was willing to help her forget Usui when she's ready.

Tora was the only living person on the planet who knew about Usui leaving her and how much it hurts her. Whenever her family or her friends ask why they broke up, she would just shrug and say that "they just didn't work out." She ignored the skeptical look they gave her.

Things between Misaki and Tora pretty much returned to normal after a few spasms of awkwardness due to his confession. And it stayed the same as time went by.

Except on several occasions where Tora would ask her to go out or drive her home when she worked late-just like now, or give her little gifts when she least expects it.

Misaki was grateful. But no matter how hard she took his advances into consideration, she felt as if she was cheating. She felt like she was betraying Usui. No matter how she tried to look at him, she just couldn't bring her heart to love him the way she loved Usui.

Tora was well-aware of it but he wasn't backing off. He was determined.

The soft purring of the engine was comforting. Along the way, neither was saying anything until Tora pulled over near a high-rise apartment where Misaki lived.

"Thank you," she said quietly. She unclasped the seatbelt and was about to open the door.

"Wait," Tora said in a low, serious voice. He automatically shut her door locked, preventing her to escape.

Misaki blinked at him.

"What happened?" he asked.

"What do mean?"

"Don't play dumb with me."

Misaki scowled. "What the hell are you-"

"You went to see a doctor, didn't you?"

Misaki stiffen. Silence shrouded them for seem like eternity. She didn't know how to respond. Then slowly, she handed him a brown envelope. She looked out the window as if avoiding to see his reaction.

Tora confusedly opened it.

In the dim light of the car, as he scanned the paper, his eyes widened. His breathing hitched. He could not believe what he was reading. It was just so absurd. So impossible.

Misaki turned back to him; a bitter smile on her lovely face. Her beautiful amber eyes were glazed over.

"It seems like some ungodly force despises me so much. It's really trying very hard to erase my existence on the face of the planet, huh?" she chuckled without humor.

"Misaki..."

"... do you know what they said?"

Tora could only stare at her.

"They said I should try and live my life to the fullest. They said I should ignore the fact that I'm..." she sighed. "As if I could do that," she scoffed and rolled her eyes. "They suggest that I should make a bucket list, too. What do you think?" she inclined her head in that adorable way he came to love. But her sad smile ruined the picture.

"I think that's bullshit," he answered.

Misaki laughed once. "Me, too."

"I know what you'll write in that bucket list."

"Yeah..." she smiled.

Her bucket list would probably like:

1. See Usui Takumi.

2. Hug him.

3. Kiss him.

4. Punch him in the gut.

5. Kick him where the sun doesn't shine.

7. Then find out why he left her.

But... will she be able live long enough for him to come back?

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05/02/13 OWARI

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SORA'S RAMBLING CORNER:

Minna-san, it's me again~! *grins*

In case you haven't read my other works and this is the first time you've encounter me, I'm Natsu_no_Sora, yoroshiku onegaishimasu m(_ _)m

Thank you for taking your time reading my new story! Despite the typical plot, I sincerely hope you like it.

I know, I know, you've probably read, like, a hundred fics about Usui leaving Misaki then coming back years after and then have a dramatic reconciliation with her and blah, blah, blah...

Honestly, I don't have much confident in this story because it's too predictable. But my mind is really set to write this, and for the sake of my sanity, I am trying my best to make it interesting.

So... will you stick with me till the end?

Alright, then! See you next chapter :)

PS: It's a bit different from the genre I usually write, so please excuse my poor use of words (I hope I didn't kill the English language, LOL!).