Ashes and Riches
By moonlight ray
Chapter 3
One Suspicious Guy, that Katashi
Disclaimer: Maid-sama belongs to Fujiwara Hiro, not me. But I can wish, can't I?
[A/N: In response to a review, I'm explaining some things. Currently, Misaki has just started as a third year. Gerard is not in the scene yet, and neither is Ceddy. Meaning, this story takes place sometime before Chapter 50, where Gerard is first introduced. The new student is NOT Gerard, or Tora, or anyone you know. He is an OC that I created.
Katashi's identity will be revealed soon enough, so just stay patient a while longer. By the way, have I mentioned that I love reviews? Please review; they're my inspiration and reward. Thanks, and enjoy!]
The next day…
Sakura handed Misaki her "costume". She and Shizuko were already dressed in theirs. "Sakura…? Again?" Misaki groaned. "Don't tell me we're stalking Usui—" The three girls were just outside of school, huddled behind a large bush and dressed in detective coats and sunglasses. Misaki had just been walking by, on her way home, when suddenly Sakura pulled her into the bush. Shizuko was there too, watching for someone, occasionally peering back to look at her friends.
"Hm? What's this I hear about stalking Usui?" a voice said, from above their heads.
All three of them started. "Usui, what're you doing here!?" Misaki whispered.
"And how did you find us?" Sakura added.
Usui smirked. "You know, when you're dressed like that, it just makes you all the more suspicious."
"Really? I don't—" Sakura was cut off abruptly.
"Shh!" Shizuko hushed, pushing the leaves apart to create a peephole. "There he is."
Misaki leaned over Shizuko's shoulder, peering through the hole. It was none other than Katashi, walking out from the school gates. A few girls looked up from their conversation, and started madly whispering to each other and giggling. Katashi didn't seem to notice and just continued on his way.
"Why're we—" Misaki stopped mid-sentence and pulled Usui down into the shrubbery when Katashi looked over.
"Nice one, Misaki-san." Shizuko commented.
"Oh, he's leaving!" Sakura slinked away from the shelter of the bush and flattened herself against a nearby tree. She beckoned for the others to follow suit.
"I guess you're coming with us, then, Usui-san." Shizuko said, before going after Sakura.
Misaki went next, and Usui brought up the tail. In that order, the four made their way down the sidewalk, dodging behind the next available hiding spot like [A/N: Like Ceddy, but they don't know him yet. :P] ninjas in movies. Finally, they arrived at one of the least expected places…. Miyabigoaka.
Sakura pouted, realizing they couldn't follow him any further.
"Miyabigoaka's security is ten times stronger than ours," Misaki considered. "There's no way we can make it in without raising suspicions."
"Why would Katashi-kun go to Miyabigoaka?" Shizuko questioned, hand on chin and deep in thought.
"There's a back door. We can follow, if you want." Usui offered.
"How—how do you know that?" Misaki stammered, surprised. There had to be a limit to how much that guy can know.
"It's how I got in,"
Misaki was still confused, then she got it. He was talking about the time with Igarashi Tora and the transfer offer. A light blush flooded onto her face. She pressed her index finger to her lips and glared, indicating for him not to say any more. Usui nodded in acknowledgement.
"We'd better leave before someone spots us," he suggested. "Unless you want to go in."
Sakura shook her head. "This is far enough. I don't want to get in trouble."
Meanwhile, back at the school…
"Kanou-kun, have you heard of that strange new transfer student?" Yukimara asked, while swapping out his shoes at his locker.
Kanou shut the door to his own locker with a clatter. "I think the whole school has by now." he replied, rounding the corner to meet up with his friend.
Yukimara closed his locker door and picked up his schoolbag from the floor. "It's strange, isn't it? And what's even stranger was that when I was revising the Seika directory for this year, Katashi-kun didn't have any background information."
Kanou's brow furrowed. "What do you mean, Yukimara-senpai?"
"Well," Yukimara entered into the hall, making his way outside. "There was no phone number, address, or parents' names. I couldn't even find his full name."
"Hmmm… does kaichou know about this?"
"Kaichou? Why?"
"Does she?"
"Yeah, I think so. She looked through the directory first, saying that she wanted to check if the female population had increased."
"Then she must've seen it…"
"Why does that matter?"
Kanou didn't answer. So that's what's seemingly got her on edge…
"Kanou-kun?"
"Nothing, I just thought it was something she'd like to know about."
The following week, Misaki was yelling at the Student Council again. "Idiots! How come you didn't tell me this sooner?" she demanded, her "demon president" aura showing. The boys cowered away. "Miyabigoaka's student council is coming today, and I've just been informed about it!? Explain yourselves, you morons!"
"W-we k-kind of f-forgot—" one guy started.
"I don't want to hear excuses! We have only two hours before they arrive!"
"B-but… it's just a-a short visit—" another stuttered.
"I don't care! They're here on business, whatever that may be! We need to make a good impression!"
"We d-didn't m-mean it like—"
"I've no time to listen to your excuses. Just hurry up and get this place in presentable condition! Got it?"
"H-hai, kaichou. (Y-yes, ma'am)"
"Now go and make yourselves useful for once!"
They scurried off, like mice away from a hungry cat. Misaki sighed disapprovingly and crossed her arms over her chest. "Ugh, idiots."
"The student council of Miyabigoaka is here!" Yukimara announced, watching from the second-floor window.
The others scurried about, hustling onlookers back into their classes and trying to keep chaos from erupting. Misaki greeted the visitors at the school gate, accompanying them in. They all settled into the Student Council Room, and Tora asked for a private second with Misaki. Misaki, unable to decline, agreed cautiously. She led him to the empty home economics room a few doors down.
She waited for him to speak. Tora studied her, not even bothering to disguise it. "I believe you've heard of a student by the name of Katashi?" he began.
Misaki blinked, taken aback.
Tora smirked. "I'll take that as a yes. And you're interested in his case, am I correct?"
"What are you talking about?" Misaki was genuinely confused, not only by the posed question, but also by how Igarashi Tora knew about Katashi.
"Trying to hide it?" Tora smirk widened, amusement playing in his eyes. "It's no use; I already know. Though, personally, I never thought of you as the stalking type. You're too honest."
Misaki swallowed a baffled gasp. "How do you know that?" she demanded.
Tora brushed past her, pausing in the doorway. He looked back and his golden eyes twinkled with a certain sense of mischief. "Don't get involved in things that aren't your business."