A/N: Here it is, the concluding chapter of One Step Closer ((breaks into a jig)) LOL, I'm so relieved and excited that I finished it, within the deadline! You won't believe how busy I've been after my college reopened and it was difficult (and a bit tiresome) to eke out time to finish this story when I could recharge my batteries instead. But I did it, after all I couldn't desert my lovely readers like that. So, after a marathon session of writing, I'm running on fumes here, so go ahead and just read it.
Recap:
"At last," she thought, "at last I'm here. Britain. I'm definitely going to bring you back, idiot Usui!"
She recalled why she was here and what she had to do. She thought it over and over again, almost like a litany. My name is Ayuzawa Misaki. I'm in love with Usui Takumi. Usui left for Britain. I came to Britain with Igarashi Tora's help. I must fool Igarashi Tora and help Usui break off his ties with the Walkers.
She glanced up at her partner and found herself staring into a pair of luminous, enigmatic and impossibly green eyes which she knew only one person to possess in the whole wide world. Usui Takumi.
Chapter 3: Soaring Bird
For Misaki, time seemed to have come to a standstill. She was vaguely conscious of movement all around her and her body appeared to be moving involuntarily to a distant music but in her mind, it was all blankness. She gazed into the emerald eyes framed by a plain black mask, summer blonde strands of hair grazing the top of the mask. She felt Usui suddenly stiffen in her arms and his green eyes peered at her intently. His mouth opened and closed but in her state of mental paralysis, Misaki could make no sense of his words. The rhythm of Usui's feet changed and he guided her towards one of the doors on their sides and out onto the balcony.
The cool night air assaulted her heated body and she regained some sense of self. The music emanating from the ballroom sounded muffled and they were standing away from the pool of golden light spilling out of the high doorway. Usui let go of her arms to take off his mask and she could see his perfect features in the silvery moonlight. He drew close to her and the look on his face was haunted. He raised his hand and pinching the heart shaped locket around her neck between his thumb and forefinger, he whispered just one word:
"Ayuzawa?"
Misaki nodded weakly. Usui's eyes opened wide, he looked absolutely stunned.
After all those nights she'd dreamt of him in the past many weeks, craving his warm touch, his gentle smile, his playful teasing, then waking up to emptiness. And now Usui was here, standing just inches away from her. It felt like walking head long into a much longed for daydream and never wishing to leave it. But this time, she wanted to wake up, to let go of this dreaminess. Finally, her dream had changed into a beautiful reality. She slowly lifted her hand and touched Usui's cheek. "Usui…" she breathed. The surreal spell broke and Usui's incredulous expression vanished. He closed the distance between them.
Usui's lips met her and it was like instant fireworks. He kissed her with a passion that made her ache for more, a desperate hunger that matched hers. She threw her arms around his neck and wound her fingers through his soft, silky locks. Their lips moved together in a timeless rhythm, a perfect harmony and at that point of time for Misaki, every moment before and after this faded into insignificance. It was just the two of them in the whole world and it was a happiness unlike any Misaki had ever experienced. Every thought, every word, every action had led to this moment, as if the universe had conspired to bring them together no matter what.
They broke apart, gasping for breath. Gently, Usui lifted her mask to her forehead and drank in her features. His hands rose to cup her flushed face and his thumbs softly caressed her cheeks. Misaki could only stare into his scorching emerald orbs. He leaned down and pressed his forehead against hers and whispered, "Have you any idea how much I have missed you?"
It was a rhetorical question but Misaki replied solemnly, "A little, I hope. Because I've missed you so much, it was like a constant pain in my chest."
Usui gave an astonished look at her frank answer but it changed into a breathtakingly beautiful smile. "Really? I'm sorry that I hurt you. Here, let's see if this helps," and he pulled her into his arms.
Misaki rested her head on Usui's shoulder and closed her eyes. A dozen different thoughts passed through her mind: her anger at Usui, the consternation he'd caused her, the mission she was on, her fear if they were discovered, etc. etc. She just wanted to savour this moment of joy and contentment but it was extremely important to make her objective known to Usui. With a sigh of resignation, she pushed against his shoulder. He let go of her and she drew back. She began, "Usui, I-"
"Takumi sama!"
Misaki gasped and hastily lowered her mask over her eyes. Usui whipped around towards the speaker and she saw a bearded, grey haired man in a dark suit, who bore a striking resemblance to Cedric, Gerald Walker's butler.
"Yes, Gilbert?" enquired Takumi in an amazingly calm voice.
"Master Gerald has requested you to join him immediately."
"Fine, I'll be there in a moment. Thank you, Gilbert."
Gilbert observed the two of them impassively, before disappearing into the ballroom. Misaki grasped Usui arm and said urgently, "Usui, he's going to tell everyone about you! Gerald! He'll make it impossible for you to-" but Usui interrupted her.
"Listen to me, Ayuzawa! I know! I know he's planning on revealing my existence to the people gathered here tonight. And I intend to let him to do it."
Misaki gaped at him.
Touching her cheek with his fingers, he continued seriously, "I'll answer your every question and tell you everything truthfully. I'm dying to find out how you came to be here. But I don't have the time to do any of that right now. Can I ask you to trust me?"
Misaki nodded mutely. Usui gave her a swift kiss and was off, donning his mask as he went. She stood there, limply. So much had happened in the last few minutes and she was finding it hard to wrap her head around it. Usui wanted Gerald to disclose his identity so that he could… what? What did he hope to achieve from this? Where did this leave her and her plan to 'rescue' him?
"That damned outerspace alien!" she hissed under her breath.
Misaki found Tora waiting for her in their corner. People in magnificent ball gowns and tailored designer suits were milling about, laughing and bantering, while some couples were twirling on the dance floor. Even from a distance, she could tell Tora was in a foul mood.
"Where were you?" he snapped when she reached him.
"I'd gone out to get some air. The hall was stuffy and I felt hot after the dance," she replied calmly. She couldn't explain why she didn't inform Tora of her encounter with Usui, but she decided that it was her best option while she pondered what to do about Usui's sudden acquiescence with Gerald's plan.
"Whatever. Don't just go running off on your own."
Misaki scowled. "I didn't know I was your pet dog."
"Maybe I should put you on leash. That way you won't go wandering away when important things are taking place," he said, waving his hand at something behind her.
Misaki spun around. The music and bustle in the hall died as Gerald Walker took to the dais once again. But this time he wasn't alone. Usui stood one step behind his half-brother. Misaki's breath caught in her throat. "This is it," she thought in dismay. "Gerald is going to reveal Usui's existence right now and I can do nothing about it."
"Ladies and gentlemen," began Gerald, "This is an important day for the family of the Duke of Rachester. Besides the inaugural anniversary of Raven Castle, we have another great cause for celebration, which I would like to share with everyone present here. You all are aware of the recent reports and speculations in the media regarding a new member in the Walker clan. I confirm this to be true." The audience broke into an excited buzz and Gerald, with the air of a ring master announcing his star act, said with a flourish, "It is my pleasure to present to you- Takumi Usui."
Usui stepped forward, next to Gerald, who raised his hand and placed it on the small of Usui's back. It was this little gesture that pricked Misaki. Rage, unexpected and flaming, coursed through her. She felt so angry; at the Walkers, who distanced themselves from Usui right from his birth to his adolescence but now expected him to sacrifice his freedom and take on the mantle of the 'Walker heir'; at Igarashi Tora, who intended to use Usui and her for expanding his financial empire; and at this whole materialist, artificial, decadent society.
Through the frenzy, she reached a state of clarity. She realised she shouldn't have doubted Usui's intentions. He had made it quite clear to her that he wanted to break off all ties with the Walkers and it was rather foolish of her to assume that he'd come to Britain without his own plan. Even if he'd faced some setbacks, he'd have come up with a counter-attack, given that brilliant mind of his. He'd said that he'd explain everything to her and she had to believe in him. After all, he was the only person she could trust. Hadn't he promised her that, "No matter what kind of path I choose, if some sort of sacrifice must be made, it is only Ayuzawa who I'll not sacrifice."
He would never abandon her. She had vowed that one day, she would surpass him and it would be her turn to worry about him. If going along with his plan was the only way to help him, then she would do it, no matter what.
Usui and Gerald stepped down the dais together and the guests swarmed forward eagerly, surrounding them. Tora glanced down at Misaki and murmured, "You know what to do. Make a good job of it." Misaki gave a brief nod and marched ahead and into the flock of people. She made her way through the teeming mass as gracefully as she could, overhearing snippets of conversation.
"…seen his photos in the tabloids, so handsome-"
"…was not unexpected because I've heard rumours that Gerald is-"
"…very mysterious, could it be that Usui will be-"
Finally, she was standing beside a tall, balding man in a harlequin mask who was introducing himself as Lord Cornwallis. Gerald was pressed against Usui's side, smiling genially at the gathered throng, while Usui politely shook hands with Lord Cornwallis before turning to her. Misaki swallowed and extending her hand, she spoke in a cool, honeyed tone that was unlike her usual brusque one, "Chiyo Hanazawa. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
For a fleeting moment, Usui paused. Then, he clasped her outstretched hand and replied with a familiar crooked grin, "The pleasure is all mine," before lowering his head and pressing his warm lips to her soft hand.
As he withdrew his hand from hers, Misaki felt a rustle against her palm. She tightly grasped the scrap of paper in her fist before withdrawing into the crowd. She glanced around to ensure that Tora wasn't around. She surreptitiously smoothed the note out and saw the following words written in Takumi's bold handwriting:
There's an ante chamber two doors to the left from the entrance of the ball room. Meet me there right after the banquet ends.
The banquet was lavish and sumptuous. Misaki remembered hardly any of it. She barely tasted the gourmet delicacies which were placed before her during the eleven courses, nor did she recall a word which the guests seated around her addressed to her. She operated mechanically, using her hands and mouth with a precision belying her abstracted mind. Once, when Tora questioned her about her lack of appetite, she replied that she was anxious whether Usui had recognised her and would attempt to meet her.
As soon as the banquet ended and the people began to rise sluggishly from their seats, sated after the splendid feast, she excused herself. "I've to visit the washroom," she whispered at Tora's enquiring gaze, at which he turned away to chat with a Baron seated next to him and with whom he'd gotten along famously during the meal.
Misaki's eyes swept over the banquet hall. No sign of Usui at the table where he'd been seated with nine other people, including Gerald, who was presently sipping from a glass of wine and listening to an elderly man discourse about the importance of trimming the family tree of its diseased parts. Feeling slightly nauseous, she escaped into the hallway and looked about her. The corridor was deserted. On her left was the door to the ballroom. She fled to the door two down from the ballroom entrance, almost hidden because of a suit of armour placed right next to it. She turned the knob, pushed it open and got in, quickly shutting it close behind her. She whipped around and saw two people in the tiny room, one sitting and one standing. Both of them were masked.
Usui, easily identifiable by his blonde locks, walked up to her and placed a hand on her bare shoulder. "Ayuzawa," he said in a quiet voice, "It's time I told you everything. But first, I want to introduce you to an important person. This," he called to the stranger, "is Misaki Ayuzawa. My girlfriend."
The stranger, who had black hair streaked with grey and was clad in a neat three-piece suit, took of his mask and smiled kindly at her. "Miss Ayuzawa," he said in a pleasant voice, "I've heard a lot about you from Takumi. It is an honour to finally meet you."
Igarashi Tora glanced irately at his watch. It had been nearly thirty minutes since Misaki had disappeared off to the washroom. He was beginning to have stirrings of uneasiness. Ever since the first waltz ended, she'd seemed distracted, even harried. Tora was an intelligent man and he trusted his instincts. He pretended to be interested in the self-important musings of some middle aged statesmen surrounding him while secretly pondering the predicament of Misaki's curious behaviour.
For the third time that evening, the music stopped. Everyone turned towards the dais and a man standing next to him muttered, "What could it be now? It's not midnight yet so they can't possibly be wrapping things up?"
Tora watched in surprise as not Gerald, but Usui Takumi took to the stage. He raised the microphone clutched in his hand and said, "Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for your warm wishes following my debut as a member of the Walker family. Your welcoming ways and your enthusiasm in my reception has bowled me over. However, in his announcement earlier in the evening, Gerald omitted to mention a certain piece of news, which I shall now convey to you. I am to be the incumbent heir to the Walker Enterprise and the Duke's title."
Simultaneously, the audience gasped. Tora waited, his face impassive. Had Misaki managed to convince Usui without his knowledge?
The hub-bub died as Usui continued, "I'm aware this news comes as a great shock to you and many of you are perhaps questioning my credibility to inherit such a fortune. So, I'll do just that. I'll prove my credentials. There's another thing Gerald forgot to mention before. That is he and I are half-brothers."
Stunned silence greeted Usui's declaration. Tora felt a coldness seeping through his body, his mouth went dry. A sudden commotion broke out near the dais and he saw Gerald and Cedric rapidly ascending the stage but they were restrained by a grey haired, bearded man putting a firm hand each on their shoulders.
Usui carried on, as if there had been no disturbance. "Yes, I'm the son of Patricia Walker. A child she was forced to have in secret for I was conceived while she was married to Edward Walker. The shameful offspring of an extramarital affair, fathered by a person who once worked in this very castle and who has now joined us tonight," and he lowered his mike as another person climbed onto the dais and stood next to him. Together, they took off their masks and it was there for all to see.
Both men looked so alike that their relationship was proven beyond reasonable doubt. As the old man standing beside Tora murmured blankly, "H-he has Patricia's hair and eyes b-but his f-face…"
"Yes," agreed Tora mentally, "Usui's nose, his cheekbones, his mouth is identical to that man. Even their bodies seem to possess similar structure and proportions… wide shoulders, lean torso, tapering legs… They both can only be… Father and son."
"Ladies and gentlemen," Usui pronounced, "My biological father- Mr. Yuu Hirose, once the personal footman of the Honourable Patricia Walker." Yuu gently bowed his silver streaked head in wordless acknowledgement.
The silence in the hall was one of the loudest that Tora had ever heard.
Usui smiled at the dumbfounded guests and said, "You all must have received a tremendous surprise to say the least. Here I was, going to prove to you my eligibility to become the next Duke of Rachester but instead I tell you all these sordid details about the Walker clan." His expression now sobered and his green eyes shone sincerity. "My intention was not to slander their reputations but to ensure my own freedom. For the Walkers sought to force me into their family and make me the Walker heir against my wishes. I had a normal and happy life in Japan, where I'd been relegated to my grandmother's relatives right after my birth. I never held a grudge against the Walkers for thus abandoning me and I never asked for either their help or any favours. My existence was ignored by them for seventeen years of my life till," and his face darkened slightly as he continued, "the Walkers peaceful existence was shattered. Gerald's diagnosed with a terminal illness. He's been deemed unfit to carry out his responsibilities in the long term. So, they turned to the next best alternative. Me."
"They began interfering in my life to such a degree that it became intolerable. Perhaps, some of you will say that despite my illegitimacy, it's my duty to help them because the Walker blood runs in my body. Perhaps I would have agreed to their proposal but for one thing," and he gave a smile and it was like his features were glowing in the purest light, "I love someone. Someone who the Walkers refused to accept. Someone whom I refuse to sacrifice for the Walkers because to me, she is the most important person and without her I cannot exist. For her sake and for mine, I refuse to be the Walker heir."
"It is a curious thing," he said as his smile transformed into a mischievous grin, "how fortune can turn foul for one and favour the other. One of the first things which the Walkers did after my arrival in England was to get me a British citizenship. They believed it would help them speed up the proceedings to name me as the Walker heir but instead, it helped me find my father and I was able to legally establish my relationship with him and officially sever all ties with the Walker name and its accompanying baggage."
"Thank you everyone, for giving me your utmost attention and hearing me out and thank you Gilbert," he turned to the grey haired man detaining Gerald and Cedric, "for your kind assistance in all matters. You'll always have my deepest gratitude." Gilbert nodded politely and let go of his iron grip on the other two.
"Then," declared Usui, "I shall be taking your leave," and he got down from the dais, Yuu matching his footsteps. The audience parted down the middle to make way for them and Usui extended his right hand towards the crowd. Tora watched as a slim, manicured hand emerged and took Usui's proffered one. Misaki drew close beside Usui and together, the trio marched out of the hall.
Epilogue:
"What are you doing, idiot Usui!?"
Usui grinned lazily. He had Misaki nestled tightly in his arms so she could not escape from his lap. He was drinking in her lovely face, currently contorted by a frown and coloured with an embarrassed blush.
"Wha~at? Can't a guy hug his girlfriend whom he hasn't seen for so long?" he replied impishly.
Misaki threw a quick glance at his father who was sitting in the driver's seat and smiling at the windshield. Her blush deepened and she pummelled Usui's chest, demanding to be unhanded.
"Ayuzawa," he murmured and she looked up, distracted by the sudden change in his tone. "Why don't you say what you really wanted to say?"
Misaki stared back, puzzled. "What do I really want to say?"
Usui replied, very seriously. "That you love me."
"That I love you?"
Misaki flushed scarlett as she realised the words that had escaped her lips. "You perverted, outer-space alien!"
Usui laughed out loud and thought, "I really missed you saying that, Misaki." He pulled her closer to him and whispered in her ear, "I also wanted to say this to Ayuzawa. I love you."
Misaki gasped. She gazed into Usui's emerald eyes, shining with love and adoration. He'd meant the words he'd uttered and deep in her heart, she knew that she was ready for it. They were finally together after such a long time, would she spoil it by fighting with him? Their separation had brought them closer together than ever before. And she intended to rejoice in every moment she spent with Usui. Slowly, she laid her head down on Usui's shoulder and closed her eyes. His warmth enveloped her, instilling in her the sense of security and contentment that she'd sorely missed.
Usui rested his head on top of hers, breathed in the sweet, healing fragrance of her and finally felt complete.
A/N: And The End!
I hope you enjoyed reading this story and will drop in lots of comments to show your appreciation. To all those who reviewed and shared their thoughts, THANK YOU SO MUCH for your encouragement and your demands for the next chapter kicked my conscience and finally got me typing. Hope this chapter matched upto your expectations.
Looking forward to January 24, when the Chapter 78 comes out! ^_^
