Disclaimer: I am such a good person 'cause even if I'm still not legally old enough to be put into jail, I'm still putting a disclaimer here. Yes, I do not own Kaichou wa Maid-sama. Hiro Fujiwara does. Aren't I just awesome and really just afraid that if I don't do this I'll just be put to jail later on when I am in the legal age already?

Chapter 01:

R is for Reunion

'I never leave a single speck of food uneaten in my plate.'

Misaki took out her tiny planner out of her messenger bag and scribbled down the thought under today's date. She flipped back a few pages and scanned its contents then returned to her latest entry. She wrote "19." before the newly added line. 'And that would be number nineteen to the list of things that changed in my life in a span of one and a half years.' She let that sink in for a few seconds, shook her head from its slight trance, and then tucked the planner away again.

Misaki looked up to her companion/bodyguard/jailer/undertaker who sat across from her, forehead resting against his fingertips as he let out an exasperated sigh. A smug smile crept into her lips as the (creepy) slit-eyed man, who's family name was similar to "rolled sushi", finally showed signs of cracking up under pressure from the last month he's been "looking after her". Number five of her list was that she used to smile more often - - well, not that she was even really generous of her smiles even before - - but recent, drastic turn of events had forced her to adopt the poker face Suzuna Ayuzawa usually donned.

Now, of course, thinking of her little sister also made her think of her sickly mother, and all memories of her beloved family flooded her mind. There was a sharp pain that shot into her heart and her hands instinctively gripped the edge of her seat, bracing for the pain that would start spreading and consume her entirely. 'Never will you give in in front of this man again!' She willed for distraction and decided on getting a good sniff of the of the aroma of the meal that he bought for her using his master's money, and that was good enough to alleviate the pain, dull it, numb it… at least for now. She'd give herself time to grieve later but not now, not in front of the lapdog who'd surely tell his master of her pitiful breakdown.

"Miss Ayuzawa," Kanade Maki's voice laced with unrestrained annoyance. "The master prefers all who work under his name to be in an exceptional condition so would you kindly eat your meal now? You have not eaten a single decent meal for a while."

"I'm not hungry." It was a flat out lie. Misaki has not once eaten properly ever since Minako and Suzuna left a day ago to temporarily stay with her grandparents who lived in Morioka. But he couldn't do anything about it anymore for his watch indicated that it was almost time to board the plane that would take them to his - - soon to be "their" - - master in England.

Maki heaved another sigh. "If that is so then let us get going now, Miss Ayuzawa." He stood up and waited for her to do likewise.

She just stared blankly at him.

"Miss Ayuzawa." It was now a warning. Satisfied with his dissatisfaction, she stood up, straightened out the wrinkles of her school uniform before slinging her messenger bag on, and proceeded to follow Maki as he made his way towards their airport terminal.

Misaki's heart pounded hard against her ribs.

Here she was, sitting inside a plane that would take flight in just a few minutes. The second they had found their seats over at the first class section, Maki had immediately asked for a sleep mask and earphones and had gone straight to sleep. Misaki had worn him out and this brought her only a brief moment of bliss from the loneliness departing gave.

"Is there anything I can bring for you, miss?" The flight attendant asked after she gave Maki his sleep mask.

"O-oh, nothing. Thank you." The flight attendant gave her a friendly smile then left. Misaki heard a soft chuckle from the "sleeping" man beside her. Her mouth opened and closed a few times before ultimately deciding that he wasn't worth wasting her energy anymore. She just sighed and proceeded to stare out the window.

This was it. It was finally happening. She was leaving Japan. Leaving her home. Her friends. Her family.

Leaving her life.

But still she would not cry. No, not here. She was a rock and she'd be impenetrable.

Number eleven would be that her heart was not as completely shut as she thought it was when her bastard of a father left when she was only in junior high. She had, in fact, made good, close friends both male and female - - though the former was scarce in number but still that was something - - when she entered high school and also when she worked part-time in a maid café.

But she abandoned them like her father did to her and her family.

It has been approximately four years since that had happened and the wound of his betrayal has yet to heal up until now. But how can it even be possible for the Ayuzawa women? The large sum of debt he'd accumulated and left for them to pay was a constant reminder of that abandonment.

And then there was more.

Even without her father's physical presence, he had managed to again turn their lives upside down.

His father had messed up with the worst people imaginable and they had to pay for it.

Again.

But this was something that couldn't be solved by her and her mother taking in another job, by Suzuna joining more in-mail prize contests, by cutting down their daily meal consumption, or by the two young Ayuzawa girls dropping out of school - - which, of course, they did not uselessly resort to.

A year and a half ago, on a chilly autumn evening, just as they were about to eat dinner, the same man who was currently beside her had come at their house's front step with only an envelope in hand.

A year and a half ago...

In the Ayuzawa's… very modest living room, around the low table, the four sat with each having a fresh, hot and untouched cup of tea resting atop the furniture. The envelope Maki brought served as the centerpiece.

"I am terribly sorry for intruding this late into the night, Mrs. Ayuzawa."

"It's - -" Minako wasn't able to finish as Maki cut her off by continuing his own speech. Misaki's eyebrows knit together in annoyance.

"My name is Kanade Maki and I work as the butler to the next head of the Igarashi Foundation. I'm quite sure you are familiar of the many establishments developed by this company, yes?"

The three ladies only nodded mutely. Of course they did. There wasn't probably a single soul in the world who didn't know of the Igarashi Foundation. It was a company that humbly began in this very country of Japan and in just barely half a century became one of the renowned companies in the international scene with its impeccable restaurants, high-class hotels, and booming casinos.

"I previously worked as a valet under the founder himself, groomed me as the most suitable man to serve his son, and with the my up coming transition as an official family butler, gave me one final task to carry out for him, which is, to give a message to Mr. Ayuzawa."

"Ah, I'm sorry but… he has left this family about three years ago from now." Minako stated.

The man was quite for a second or two. "I… suppose it would be alright if you would read the contents of that envelope, Mrs. Ayuzawa." His gloved hand appeared under the table and gestured on the letter on top.

Minako took the letter gingerly in her hands and ripped open the envelope. Oddly, her heart started pounding rapidly as she took out the single stationary inside. Her daughters leaned in closer, slightly squishing her on each of her sides, as she unfolded the letter. At the top read in bold, capital letters: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF DEBT.

A sharp gasp escaped Minako's lips as she finished reading and re-reading the letter… or rather the contract. "My husband owes the Igarashi Foundation… six b-billion yen?"

"Yes," Maki answered with an air of nonchalance. "Mr. Ayuzawa had seemed to be a regular gambler in one of the company's casinos here in the country, and accumulated a large sum of debt a few years back. He couldn't pay it off instantly so the management suggested that they make a contract that would bind him to pay them within ten years. A generous offer by the Foundation if I may say so myself."

Misaki's heart sunk as she watched her mother's sickly pale hands limped on her lap and her back hunched forward deeply. Minako transformed into a cocoon of despair in the very eyes of her daughters.

Misaki's blood boiled with anger for the arrogant butler-to-be in front of her, and also for the worthless man she had once considered as her father. Her mother did not deserve to be treated so cruelly!

"We've never heard of this before. How can we be assured that you're not just scamming us?" Misaki's tone could have frozen water but the butler remained unperturbed.

"Well, is it not Mr. Ayuzawa's signature found below? If you still do not believe me even with that legal document in hand, would you then rather have a more complicated conversation in court?" Misaki's face flushed at his suggestive statement. Maki simply smirked.

"The contract indicated that the ten year deadline is in a year and a half. What if we're not able to pay for it?" It was Suzuna who spoke this time and, as always, seemed to be the calmest of the three ladies at the moment.

"If you read the contract again, it states there that in the case that the debtor would not be able to pay his dues within the given period, the debtor - - Mr. Ayuzawa - - would be employed by the creditor - - the Igarashi Foundation - - until his services pays every single yen off his debt." He paused. "… But seeing as he is not here, I suppose the master wouldn't mind having a representative instead. Mrs. Ayuzawa?" He hinted. Minako slowly looked up to the man but didn't say a word even though her mouth was already ajar. Seeing this simply broke Misaki's heart further.

Misaki's fist pounded on the wooden table, all sense of courtesy gone. "Are you honestly implying that my mother be the one to work off my father's six billion yen debt? Don't you see how awful she looks right now? And what kind of work are we even talking about here?"

The butler couldn't help but quirk a brow up at her outburst. "You are bound by a legal compromise and it is only rightful to do one's side of the bargain, to abide with it whatever the cost is, as what contracts are usually for. Concerning the kind of labor, well, it would be whatever the master wishes, of course. Do you ladies have anymore questions?"

There was only silence as the Ayuzawa's just stared at him, all looks varying from stoical, to helpless, to blatant anger.

"If there are no more questions, then I have done my job and I shall now take my leave." He stood up and bowed his head. "I shall see myself out. Farewell for now, dear ladies."

A soft click of the front door, as it shut close, echoed through the hallway. Just like that, he was gone.

Tears started to pool in Misaki's golden orbs. Her fisted hands shook in front of her. Never had she felt this angry.

"Sis…" Suzuna had somehow sensed it.

"M-M-Misaki?" Minako caught on the drift too as Misaki stood up and marched right out of their house.

"Kanade Maki." Misaki called to the man just getting in the backseat of a glossy, black car. Maki stood up straight and looked at the young girl with unconcealed amusement. Oh, how Misaki wanted to wipe off that expression from his face.

"You technically said that any of the three of us can work for the Igarashi Foundation in the place of my father, right?"

"I still have to confirm it to the master but, most likely, yes."

"Then let me stand in for my father." Minako and Suzuna, who followed Misaki, stood behind her both numbed with perplexity.

"Tell Mr. Igarashi," Misaki continued, "that my mom is sickly and she wouldn't be worth taking in anymore. My sister, on the other hand, would still be underage after the contract ends but I wouldn't. I'm also strong and I excel academically, so don't you think I'd be more worth it to employ?"

Maki smiled and started nodding in agreement. "An excellent point. It would be more beneficial for the master if someone younger, healthier, and more capable were to work for him."

"Definitely."

"Then I shall inform the master of this new deal and I shall return here within the week. Thank you, Miss…"

"Misaki Ayuzawa."

"Yes, thank you, Miss Misaki Ayuzawa. Farewell once more, then." Maki made a move to get in the car only to stop midway once more. "Just one little reminder, by the way. We would be watching you so do not even think about running away just as Mr. Ayuzawa seemed to have done." And with that, the black car disappeared into the dark night.

"We can always try betting on the lottery. You know how lucky I am with things like that." Suzuna murmured.

Misaki looked at her little sister as she answered. "There are always exceptions, Suzuna. Let's not take any more risks. Put our money to better uses like for food or for house repairs."

"Sis, why are you being so pessimistic?"

"Am I?" She nodded.

"Hmm… okay. Let's look at the brighter side. Mom would have one less mouth to feed when I'm gone so she can pay off more of the other debts that we have or you can divide my share of the food with the two of you so you can have more to eat, whichever suits you guys."

Minako started caressing her eldest daughter cheek. "Misaki, you don't have to do this. Stop saying reckless things like these. A year and a half is still a long time. We can somehow find a way to pay everything up until then."

"No, mom. We truthfully can't." Misaki gently pried off the hand on her face. "Well, we better go to bed now. We still have to wake up early tomorrow. Good night, guys."

Misaki felt her eyes tear up and heaved a heavy sigh. 'You honestly think about all these stuff just before you leave? Have I really become such a masochist?' Misaki slung her bag across her body and stood up from her seat. 'God, why can't you just let this damn plane fly already?'

"And where do you plan on going to, Miss Ayuzawa?"

Misaki stared stonily at the man beside her whose sleep mask was still secured on his eyes. "To the washroom. Are you going to follow me there too? We're inside a plane, where else would I go?"

"… proceed."

"As if I'd jump off a plane just to get away from you… self-important creep…" Misaki grumbled as she swiftly made her way to the empty lavatory near the plane's busy entrance. Plop. A tear ran down her face. 'Uh-oh. I guess it's "later" now.'

She went inside one stall and struggled with the door's lock as her hands trembled against it. Plop. Plop. "Damn it. What is up with my hands?" Her voice broke a few times as more tears started falling from her eyes.

Frustrated, she left the closed door unlocked and dropped to her feet. Misaki hugged her knees and cried.

She felt so broken and alone as she cried for her little sister. As she cried for her selfish dad. As she cried for her doting mom. For her co-workers in Maid Latte. For her manager. For her classmates. For her fellow student council members. For her friends.

But mostly, she cried for herself and for the life she was not able to really live. The pain she'd been harboring inside her heart since the day her father left finally had its way and broke down her rock solid walls.

It was maddeningly heart-wrenching.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Go away."

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Leave me alone, please."

Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Fuck off, will you? I'm crying here!" Misaki shouted at the door then started crying harder.

Swoosh.

Clink.

Thud.

And then there were arms.

A pair of warm, sturdy arms wrapped securely around her.

At first, she was at a loss on what to do.

But then she cried into them.

Welcomed them.

Relished in them.

There was a gentle murmur against her ear. "Would you like to run away with me?"

Misaki inhaled sharply and slightly pulled herself away from the warm embrace.

She stared into deep, dark jade eyes.

"Yes."

'I used to never run away from anything.'

End of Chapter 01

Author's Notes:

Hello, reader! You have just finished reading Chapter 01 of my fan fiction and I thank you for doing so! Woohoo!

Also, a special shout-out to those who reviewed and alerted my story! Thank you! :D

Maki : Greetings to the good readers too. Kanade Maki here. *bows*

Mari : Oh, yeah. You're here… why again?

Maki : … I wanted to know why I was suddenly turned into a butler.

Mari : Oh. Uhm… I assumed that instead of being a young master you've always wanted to be a butler… most especially to a certain perverted bro. So I just wanted to make things right for you… creep.

Maki : …ah.

Mari : Yeah. Now, shoo! Now onto more randomness.

Here's another story-behind-the-story I want to share: Well, there's this one article I read, as I made this chapter, about families and debts. It stated that the debt would only apply to the person/family member who accumulated it and that the other family members do not have the legal responsibility to pay it off in the likelihood that the debtor isn't able to do so. Let's just assume that that reality does not exist in my story… I mean, this is what really happened to the Ayuzawa's in the original arc and it seems to be working on the opposite of that fact. I might as well do it too. I'm sorry if someone gets bothered by it but this really makes it easier for me. I actually regret even researching about it.

Again, thanks for reading! And remember, I love reviews as much as Maki loves Tora!

Maki : Eh?

Hearts,

Mari

October 12, 2010