Chapter III
'He wasn't in the car park, in the mall, or at the University.' Usami was walking down the street leading to his house and thinking 'C'mon, why would he even be at the University? It's Saturday, plus it's getting late.' As he reached the parking lot and got into his car, he decided to go round the city and just randomly look for Misaki in various pubs, clubs, and restaurants.

Some time later, while driving along a street that looked familiar to him, an idea struck him. 'Maybe he is at that brat's place? That one from his year…It's not far from here, maybe I should check it out.' In just a few minutes, he was standing in front of the guy's door. But before he could even knock, he heard a song: 'I'm a gummy bear! Oh I'm a gummy bear! ...'

'Moshi moshi?' he answered the phone, not even looking at the number.
'Usami Akihiko! What have you done to my brother?' It was Takahiro and he was mad.
'Ummm…it depends on what he already told you but I really didn't do anything. Is he at your place?' Akihiko jumped back into the car and shut the door behind him, starting the engine.
'Yes he is in fact, but he shut himself in his room and I think he is crying. Would you like to tell me what happened then? Something in school?' Takahiro was having problems with connecting the facts as usual which buzzed Usami. It reminded him how desperately he was trying to make Misaki's brother see his feelings but the guy seemed to be blind. Same thing this time.
'Just keep him there, I'm on my way' Akihiko said as he put the phone down.
'I'll try…but he's looking at me with hatred in his eyes because he just noticed I called you…'
That, Usami didn't hear…

When he arrived at Takahiro's house it was already close to midnight. He was tired and pissed off with Misaki's behaviour.
'I'll show him for running away, damn kid. I'll make him run around the room all night and I bet he won't be able to escape me tonight.' He thought with an evil grin.

Takahiro opened the door even before Usami rang the bell. He was keeping his head down, his eyes covered by his fringe.
'He left.'
'Nooo…please, I was speeding like the Wicked Witch of the West on her broomstick and you let him go!?' Usami wanted to bubble more but he stopped when saw Takahiro's eyes. Fierce, wild, and full of tears.
'Akihiko…He was crying, he was crying so bad that I couldn't make him stop.' Misaki's brother put his arms around Akihiko, feeling weak. 'He didn't cry like that even when our parents died. He shouted that I never should've told you where he is because he just feels like a burden…and he left mumbling something about a Hiroki guy…Akihiko what is wrong? You have to tell me!'

But Usami was already pushing him away and shouting from the car: 'Nothing! Just stay here in case he comes back! And if he does - don't call me. TEXT ME!'

'All this driving is going to kill me especially at this speed and with this rain' Akihiko was forced to slow down on the highway. He lit a smoke and felt better for a minute but then he began to worry about Misaki again. 'I could have stopped him, explain everything right away. That Nowaki could help indeed. *sigh* Never mind now. Hiroki's place is near. I hope he hasn't reached it yet, that would be troublesome.'
He parked his car in front of Hiroki's place and waited. But Misaki never came and it was already dawn. Akihiko had had enough, he texted Hiroki: Are you home? If not, then where?
The reply came after an hour; it was a hard hour for Akihiko: I'm at Nowaki's. Your kid is here.
Nowaki isn't the oldest man in the world himself isn't he? Gimme the address. Usami replied and a few minutes later he was in Nowaki's apartment.

Nowaki and Hiroki were sitting in the kitchen, dressed in bath robes and all lovey - dovey.
Nowaki kept cupping Hiroki's hand and snuggling against his neck and oddly Hiro-san didn't oppose. He just winked at Akihiko and said: 'Go upstairs, he's totally worn out and sleeping in the bedroom.'

Misaki was curled up on the bed, fully dressed, and covered with the duvet by good-ol' caring Nowaki, he didn't even move when Akihiko lifted him and carried him down the stairs.
'I'm taking him home, thanks guys.' he said leaving.
'Wait, I'll help you.' Nowaki followed him to the door 'Can I Hiro-san?' he looked at Hiroki.
'Sure you can, we already agreed on that one silly.' Hiroki replied and started doing the washing up. 'I'll take care of this, but you'll have to pay me after you come back…'
Nowaki blushed and smiled gently. 'Let's go Akihiko-sensei, the little one needs to go home'
'Don't talk about him like he's a kid!' Akihiko put Misaki on the back seat of the car, Nowaki sat next to him and they drove away.

'Have you talked to him already?' Akihiko asked not looking Nowaki in the eye.
'Yes. I told him that he got it all wrong but I don't know if he understood, he was crying so badly and shaking wildly…and in the middle of our conversation, he just fell asleep.'
'Oh…then I'll take care of it alone.'

And they remained silent until Akihiko pulled over in front of his place.
'I'll help you take him upstairs and head back home, ok?' Nowaki already started taking Misaki out of the car (which looked quite weird).
'Ok…' Usami replied and lit another smoke, staring at Nowaki as he was struggling with the sleeping body. 'Why did he want to see Hiroki?' he asked suddenly.
Nowaki smiled again 'For the same reason I visited you. But it's straightened out…imagine that he wanted to disappear in order to make you and Hiro-san be together.'

They took Misaki into the house and Nowaki left…'I wish you luck, Akihiko-sensei.'

Usami just sat on the bed looking at his beloved Misaki finally home. He stroked his head and gave him a butterfly-like kiss on the forehead when he noticed that Misaki was smiling…

'We'll talk tomorrow…Sleep now and dream about us…please…' A tear rolled down Akihiko's cheek and he went to the bathroom to finally change his clothes.