Disclaimer: Don't own Maid-Sama, nor any of it's characters.
Rating: T
As said in summary, basically a three-shot to give some love to these two.
Festival
Thus far it'd gone well- they'd walked around, and no one had swarmed them yet... still could, but not this moment if he can help it. Kuuga discreetly glanced beside him on both sides, one where the apparently-unwilling Shizuko were walking, then the other side at Sakura.
She still seemed in a sorta-trance, which made him raise an eyebrow over how affected she really is. Whenever he directly talked to her, such as pointing out something or otherwise making a statement, she'd listen but otherwise would go back to that 'state'- as if wondering that this is happening. Heh; either since the times she'd visited in the hospital (all basically amounting to talking), he'd gradually believed her words were true, in that she was crazy for him and wanted to get to know him better, not just for the band or his singing. She did care about that stuff of course, yet he took precedence - still, he couldn't say too much about that here, in public and not alone, and even if he did decide to say something who knows if he'll even say it right.
Gonna have to do something soon, but for now, he can't even check out the pics he secretly took. Also-
"Gah, finally; here comes Misaki and Usui."
So Shizuko said, drawing Sakura out of her state and turning around in an instant, while he was late, feeling this was probably about to get worse. Reluctantly, Kuuga turned around to see- that waiter guy, Usui, 'dragging' a very red-faced Misaski forward by the hand, almost literally too; he was surprised to find that they're holding hands.
Hmph, did she finally get the hint, or did the guy get tired of waiting?
Sakura had only one (explosive) reaction upon seeing this: "Oh my gosh! You guys are holding hands! Does this mean you two are dating!? Why didn't you tell us!?" she said/asked, all while spewing a continuous background of 'love bubbles', short-range hearts, and flower things-
While a little unnerved by Misaki and Usui being close by, Kuuga wasn't surprised by Sakura's reaction. She'd done a few such moments during hospital visits, all over something or the other, and while occasionally annoying he found it quite similar to many fan squeals- something he didn't mind seeing on either.
In fact, he secretly smiled a little.
-Misaki reacted badly. "We are not dating!" she promptly yelled, still red-faced and making a great show of trying to pry her hand from Usui's... but comically failing, as he wouldn't let go and yet wasn't even paying attention to her efforts. "This stupid, perverted space alien just thought it'd be funny to grab my hand and drag me forward like this, and we won't let go of me!"
The barest head-tilt from Usui, still idly smiling. "What can I say?" Usui rhetorically asked, clearly enjoying himself. "I'm just playing my part, and it's cruel of Miss President not to play her own part."
"Aww man" Sakura sulked, hands together and probably pouting... though he couldn't see her face, the 'representation' of herself certainly was making that expression. "And I was so excited too."
Shizuko was nearby all of a sudden, Kuuga slightly unnerved by how she slid that close so suddenly- she put a hand on Sakura's shoulder. "It's how they behave, Sakura; best to let it go."
"Mmh..."
"So weird, all of them" he privately thought. Still, as unnerving as Misaki's angry act had made him (plus that Usui guy in general), something was off about her... she's still 'scary', but it seemed like most everything she said/did just now was an act. In fact, it's almost like she liked holding hands with that guy, but the thought of being seen embarrassed her; that much was true, but the anger... wasn't the same. Even thinking this though, probably best if he doesn't get involved, especially since he'd rather not interact with them unless necessary.
"By the way, Shizuko, how's Sakura been treated so far?"
"Borderline. He's followed what he said he'd do, ie walk around this festival with us as camouflage, but he hasn't done much else."
"Anything out of the usual level of jerk-ness?"
"Not thus far. Compared to his usual, he's been underwhelming in fact."
Irritated again, Kuuga made a face; did they have to say all that while he's right here?
Least Sakura took issue with it: "Please don't talk about Kuuga like that!" she protested. "He hasn't said or done anything really mean at all!"
By their looks, they seemed to concede that for her sake, but the suspicion regarding him didn't exactly diminish, except Usui who's expression remained much the same. From Shizuko: "Well forgive me if I don't remain on watch. And if fans start to swarm us, I'm gonna scream" she said, deadpan, but their reactions to this were something he didn't get.
"Same goes for me" Misaski stated, before 'looking' at him again, completely with verbal 'Starrrreeeee'.
Unnerved, he tried not to look away. "There's no need for that" he said offhandedly, before looking at Sakura. "Look, the festival should be over soon anyway. Let's just go somewhere more private, or something."
She predictably squeaked, cheeks turning pink, slightly frozen as the realization came up- yet suddenly he had a grip on his collar from outta-nowhere/off-screen, which gave him bad flashbacks.
"Like hell if I'm gonna allow that, you jerk!"
Kuuga made a sound, slightly freaked. "What's your problem?" he asked of Misaski-
"You are! Don't think you can be alone with Sakura and then use her for some purpose!"
Huh? The hell was- oh wait she'd misinterpreted his 'we', so no wonder she's reacting like this - meanwhile, Sakura may/may not have picked up that implication, but he wasn't sure.
"I didn't say 'we' as in me and Sakura" he said with irritation, prying her hand off his collar then quickly stepping away. "I said 'we' as in everyone" he finished, turning away- this way he only heard Misaki's reaction, but nothing else happened. "Even you and 'Usui' are invited, because you'll decide to follow me anyway, figure out if I'm lying or whatever. Let's just get going."
Unnoticed behind him, the group had varying reactions, the strongest ones more-or-less being from Misaki and Sakura. Sakura still seemed a little red-faced due to his own statement, but after little looks at them all, just quickly ran up to catch up; Shizuko let out a sigh, but followed after them since she's her best friend and all. Usui just looked at Misaki, who seemed in a borderline state of surprise at first- well, before admitting that that just happened, but it could still be a ruse so she'll keep an eye out.
...
Great- he'd semi-planned on Shizuko glaring at him from behind those glasses (possibly), as she's Sakura's friend and also thought that she's too naive, so she'd be on guard as she said herself. Misaki and Usui tagging along though, that's just making him squirm inside... sure, Usui didn't seem to care one way or the other, but whenever Misaki wasn't distracted by something she was casually trying to burn holes into his back.
He really wished she'd stop, but what could he say to get that to happen?
"Oh wow" Sakura breathed, standing beside him as he played an arcade game. "I didn't know you like to play games like this."
"Every once-in-awhile I play. Dunno about 'like'" Kuuga said, semi-offhand. "I always practice my voice, write songs, deal with management stuff; I gotta distract myself somehow, or I'd have a meltdown and then publicity would be all over that. Not gonna happen."
"Then, when you're done here, would you like to play something two-player? I might be more, um, entertaining that way, even if you want me to lose."
Hmm... not a bad idea, the initial one anyway; it'd give him more opportunities to see/hear her reactions.
"Guess so" he answered, before nailing a trick thing in his game. "Just not that dance game; I'm good at many things, but not dancing."
Sakura was a bit sheepish, but still smiled. "That's okay, as I wouldn't be any good either" she admitted, leading to a slight lip curve from him, however brief.
Over from a small distance: "Why are we hanging at the table?" Usui asked, as if bored. "We could at least play some of the games."
"No" Misaki said, still looking at Kuuga's back. "I am not letting my eyes off this guy for a second."
Anyway, back to him, Kuuga was nearing the end of this level- whether he wins or loses, he'll end it there so they can actually try something else. "This almost feels like a date" Sakura said from besides him, briefly throwing him off- she was standing beside him with eyes closed, big smile, hands together, and a dreamy background thing again before she jolted out of it. "Oh! I'm sorry, Kuuga! I-I-I know it's not really!" she said quickly, worried about his reaction.
"Well you're right" he said, a little out-of-it but not for long. "A date is just two people together, which this isn't. It's not even a group date or anything, since there's five guys and three girls, most of whom aren't interested in each other."
"Y-Yes, of course."
When he glanced back, Sakura was tapping her fingers, as if not sure what else to say. "Hey" Kuuga said, perking her back to attention, "I just finished. Weren't you gonna show me a two-player game?"
"Oh! Yes I was; just wait right there and I'll go find out!"
And so she ran off, looking around in nervous-excited energy, while he just watched, thinking in amusement she didn't even have one in mind when she suggested it... then he sweat-dropped when he noticed Misaki's looking at him.
"Would you cut it out already?" he asked, exasperated and raising a hand to his forehead; geez.
Surprisingly, it wasn't Misaki who spoke first (though she tried), but Usui: "Don't mind her: she's just suspicious, and so she's set her mind on stalking you with her eyes."
"I'm not stalking him in any way!"
This lead to an 'argument', which further made him sweat-drop at how they're ignoring him so suddenly, but after a moment he quickly moved away. Least that Usui guy's good for one thing; getting Misaki's scary attention off whoever/whatever she's targeting, and he's certainly not gonna waste that opportunity.
Still, he didn't get their relationship at all; obviously they did, but he never would.
Anyway, it only took him about three seconds to spot Sakura, so Kuuga went over there... unfortunately, his timing seemed off, as she was turning around right as he got close. "Wha-? Ah!" she started to 'freak', caught by surprise and stumbling back, before she apparently lost her balance-
-rather than letting that happen, he reached forward and grabbed her wrist.
Just like earlier, Sakura reacted to this act with what seemed-to-be a 'breathless' state, cheeks slightly red even as her heart (presumably) beat faster. Carefully, he pulled her upright from this situation, letting go right away but otherwise letting the moment go on for about two seconds... then he smirked slightly. "Shall we play?" he asked knowingly, holding up an arcade coin.
No visible change in redness, but realization visibly snuck into her face as she slowly glanced at the nearby game machine- she quickly nodded several times. "Ah, s-sure!"
Heh, well now they'll see how this works out.
...
Later; night
"Go ahead; get the car ready" Kuuga said to the other guys, leaning against a support. "I'll catch up in a few minutes."
Even as they did so, it was basically an awkward silence outside- Sakura was still inside, having realized she forgot something. Meanwhile, Misaki was still semi-suspicious but lesser about it right now, he couldn't read Usui at all, and Shizuko was also just waiting.
"Well, Kuuga seemingly went the entire festival, and this hanging-out without being explicitly mean to Sakura" Usui eventually noted, shrugging. "Does that mean we give him a medal or something?"
Misaki sighed. "I wouldn't go that far, but at least it's a step up, sorta" she said, kinda low.
Kuuga refrained from rolling his eyes, wondering what's keeping Sakura.
"If you're gonna home though, you two should" Shizuko said, not moving. "I on the other hand am not moving from this spot until Sakura does, so I can keep an eye on what happens."
Gah, seriously?
"Well, sounds like Sakura's covered" Usui noted, before looking at Misaki, almost suggestive. "So we probably should head out."
"...yeah, whatever; Shizuko, tell Sakura that we'll talk later at school."
"Got it."
After that, it was just more awkward silence- he didn't care to make small talk with Shizuko, and she didn't seem interested in it either, so yeah.
Eventually: "I'm back- huh?" Sakura announced with a smile, before noting the missing outlines of Usui and Misaki. "Where'd they go? I thought they'd wait for me."
"Misaki said we'd talk later, and Usui went with her, Sakura" Shizuko answered. "So say your goodbyes to Kuuga, and let's go."
That caused her to blush slightly, to his brief little smirk- after all, she's crazy about him. "Uh... mmh, t-thank you for inviting us" she said quickly, tapping her fingers nervously. "You didn't have to hang out with us, and you didn't have to wait for me, but even still. I really, really appreciate it, Kuuga!"
Moving away from the support, he looked at Sakura intently with his normal confident demeanor - it was enough to deepen Sakura's blush, heart probably beating faster and such. "All in a day's work" he said simply, smirking a little. "No fans swarmed me at the festival nor here, so you definitely did something right. Have this as your reward."
She seemed to jolt when one hand dug into his shirt pocket, and perhaps Shizuko was closely watching him (assuming her eyes moved; hard to tell), but he merely pulled out a band-themed gift card. Seeming breathless, Sakura spent a moment staring at it before looking at him- he just moved it closer to her, showing she's supposed to take it, and eventually she did.
"It's a little close to the expiration date, but that'll get you quite a lot of band merchandise, since you're a big fan and all, Sakura" he said slyly, before winking. "Guess I'll see you around."
He only stayed long enough to see Sakura's face turn red, but it was worth it... now if only he can just come across her without the entourage, or being swarmed by fans in his case.
Hmm, this calls for a little more hands-on approach.
"The easiest way to find her alone would just be to find out where she lives" he thought offhandedly, before grunting. "But even if I asked that, Koma would never agree to it, considering it could easily look like I'm stalking her or something. Grrhhh... unless I ask him to find out and not tell me; that way they could drop me off, I wouldn't pay attention to where it is exactly while I wait, and when I'm done I just leave. As if I have any reason to want to know where she lives anyway... though it might make things easier, but whatever."
Hmph- it's still gonna take some convincing, and he can already hear that guy acting like his father.
Annoying as it is though, points for persistence.
Still, before he got to the car and everything, he made sure to check his phone - after all, he'd used it several times during the festival whenever Sakura and/or Shizuko weren't looking. There were only a few pictures taken from today, but they all invariably involved Sakura in the middle of something, including when she wasn't in that semi-dazed 'state' due to their 'hanging-out'.
Of the ones he'd taken, only one had her facing in the camera's general direction; she had a curious look at something 'cute', but with a little smile to go with it.
"..."
Ultimately, all-but-that-picture were deleted, because while not bad they didn't hold his interest as much as he'd thought- but this one would suffice.
This time, following upon the ending of the anime - OVA not included - in a big time-skip from the first chapter, where our main couple is finally official... but not yet ready to make it fully public lol. Even still, like in said episode Kuuga is somewhat different here, even if vocally he's still got a ways to go - still, his actions speak louder than words.
Which includes what's to come.