Disclaimer: The characters of this fic are owned by Hiro Fujiwara. I do not own any of Maid Sama's characters.
..Will our Hearts Survive?..
Chapter (Three)
*..*..*..*..*
Suzuna, Misaki, and their mother sat around the dining table. They laid the money they could gather on the table. With hoping eyes, they wished the amount of the money they gathered would cover quarter the amount of the debt.
If they had quarter the amount of the debt, they would have something to negotiate about.
The candle they used to light the room flickered as they counted. They were using a candle for lighting, for they had a power cut as a result of not paying the electricity pill. They didn't pay for any pill. They only spent enough money to eat what's enough to keep them living.
Even water, they would go either to the neighbors or their friends in order to take a shower.
Their spark of hope vanished as the small candle's flame damped down. Not enough… working day and night wasn't enough!
Defeated, Misaki returned to her room, trying to cogitate about what to do; tomorrow is the time limit for the pay up; the end of the month.
Misaki looked vacantly at Usui's image on her cell phone's screen. Soon, her look turned into a longing one.
'It's been a month Takumi… a month… if you were here, what would you do?' Misaki asked his smiling image.
'I'll come to save you as many times as you want'
Usui's voice echoed within her mind. Somehow, she could sense his arms around her just like the time he said these words.
For a brief moment, Misaki felt safe, but then she opened her eyes to the reality. Takumi isn't there.
As if Usui knew Misaki needed him, Misaki's cell phone rang, and the caller ID belonged to Usui.
She had no idea why her heart beats race each time she sees his ID on her cell phone screen, but she didn't wonder about that; she was eager to answer.
'Hello…'
'Good evening Misa-chan!'
Misaki instantly smiled. Just how much can Usui's voice bring life back to her!
'How is everything in Britain?' Misaki asked. She forgot about the whole world in that instant.
'Thirty two days, eleven hours, thirty seven minutes without seeing you. That's how it is in Britain' Usui answered in a complaining manner, which made Misaki chuckle. She was touched by his counting.
'
'I miss Misa-chan so much to the extent I was about to jump off a building, but Misaki's voice rescued me at the very last moment. I'll survive'
Misaki giggled and asked:
'Do you mean if I hadn't answered the call, I would've lost you?'
'Would you be sad if you lost me?'
'I would be…' Misaki trailed off; the mere imagination of it was disturbing, so she said: 'don't think of such a sad thing'
'Seriously… aren't you getting any rest?' Usui asked; he could sense the tiredness in her voice.
Suddenly, the joking atmosphere turned serious.
Misaki debated whether to tell him the full truth or not.
'When are you returning? I miss you…' Misaki said.
Although they weren't face to face, it was hard to utter these words. in fact, it was a miracle she said it, but she couldn't hold it anymore. These 'I miss you' words made her toss and turn in her bed for hours.
She couldn't imagine that one day she would miss his constant teasing, his voice, his existence, even his sly smiles!
She never thought she would wake after midnight and check her cell phone while still half asleep, just because she hopes she would find a message from him, or even a missed call. A missed call would tell the message of:
'I'm thinking about you'.
That alone would be sufficient to send her into peaceful sleep.
'I miss you too' Usui said after a long pause; he was taken aback by her words. A smile reached his face as he felt his heart throbbing faster.
It hurt, the way Usui couldn't return to Misaki hurt. He studied day and night. He didn't take a single day off. Although he is in Britain, he didn't take a stroll in the city yet, for such a stroll would delay his reunion with Misaki. He couldn't wait any longer.
Each time he had called her, it felt like eternity while waiting for her to answer.
At the times Misaki couldn't reach her phone, Usui always felt the urge of returning to Japan become uncontrollable. He wanted to book a ticket, go to Japan and then lock Misaki in a room. He had planned to pretend the keys are gone in order to spend the whole time with her alone, without any interruptions.
'Just a bit more' Usui had always told himself that. A bit more and he'll finish the study. A bit more and Misaki's money related worries would be gone.
A bit more… and he would be with her.
'Good night… Misaki' Usui uttered reluctantly; he didn't want to end the call, but Misaki's voice seemed tired. It was still noon in Britain, but it must be very late in Japan.
'Good night' Misaki murmured; she didn't want the call to end either, but Usui must be busy.
And so, the call ended.
Tired… Misaki's voice had always been tired ever since he left. Usui could guess she is doing multi-jobs; the university will not start until few months later, which means Misaki would try her utmost best to gather money.
Knowing Misaki, Usui knew she would try to lessen the amount of the debt at any chance she obtains.
Two more weeks and Usui would master the basics, and then everything else will be learnt by working in the field. He would start working in the company.
*Knock Knock*
'Come in'
Cedric entered the room. He placed a CD in front of Usui, saying: 'that's what you asked for'
Usui turned a laptop on immediately. The CD contained a video that proves Misaki still lives in her home. Usui couldn't completely trust Gerard, therefore he asked the butler to use his disguising, ninja skills to film a solid prove Misaki's fine.
The video began to play. In the video, Misaki was standing in front of her house. An old lady (Cedric disguised as an old woman) asked Misaki what's the date of the day, and Misaki answered. Her answer was the same date Cerdic went to Japan at; yesterday.
Suzuna came out of the house and greeted the old lady.
And the video ended.
Usui has some experience in computers, if the voice had been altered, he would know, but the video was real, and Misaki seemed natural, she didn't seem to be forced to lie.
At least for now, Usui is reassured Gerard didn't make any move to force Misaki's family to leave the house. However, he was worried about how sleep depredated Misaki seemed.
*..*..*..*..*
'I'm truly sorry. I'll make it up to you' Misaki apologized to the manager of Maid Latte.
"It's alright. I know you are facing financial problem. I'm the one to apologize. I must help you and lend you some money, but Maid Latte is facing troubles as well" The manager apologized as she gave the permission for Misaki to leave in the middle of the work hours.
Misaki received a call from Suzuna. Suzuna said Oda-san and few other men came to obtain their money. They demanded Misaki's presence. Misaki didn't know why they want her to be there, but she would find out when she arrives.
Misaki ran along the street, praying everything will be alright. In a little while, she arrived at the house.
Misaki bowed as she entered the living room; she noted the existence of her boss.
A man approached her as soon as she entered and opened a paper bag in front of her. Misaki gave him a questioning look. Her mother's and her sister's cell phones were in the bag, which indicated he wanted her to put her cell phone into the bag.
Misaki fished her cell phone out of her pocket, but for some reason, she couldn't put it into the bag. Her heart suddenly ached; Usui's messages, Usui's pictures, Usui's call records… they're all in the phone!
The man took Misaki's cell phone out of her grasp and walked away. Misaki's eyes widened. Her heart clutched, and losing what the cell phone contained wasn't the reason. Although she knew Usui's number, she couldn't help the feeling she'll lose her contact with him.
Although she can call Usui via any other phone, she didn't know why she felt she was losing him.
The men took all the valuable things in the house, and that included their cell phones although they weren't that valuable.
'Can you please reconsider? We can gather the money if you give us few more months' Minako; misaki's mother said to Oda.
The boss; Oda looked at Misaki creepily. Misaki was about to sit about the table, but she froze due to his gaze. He looked at her from head to toe; a filthy smirk appeared on his face.
Everyone in the room noticed his weird gaze but decided to close their eyes to his awkward looks.
"I can free you of your debt if you allow your daughter to marry me' Oda blurted out to Minako, which completely stunned her.
Misaki was utterly thrown by his words. What is he saying? Marriage?
'You have a beautiful daughter… its time to use her, don't you agree?'
Minako knitted her eyebrows. She looked at him scornfully; use her own daughter? Is she an item or something?
'She has no future. The only thing she can ever do is to become a good wife for me.'
His words cut deep within Misaki. Who's at fault for losing her scholarship? Isn't he the cause?
Even so, he cannot determine she has no future just because she had been left with a debt she did not even cause!
Minako spilled water on him, the nice, vulnerable expression she always had disappeared. Any mother would fume with rage after hearing such words about her daughter. She sternly said:
'Girls… pack up your luggage. We're leaving the house'
Misaki and Suzuna looked at their mother, confounded; where will they go.
'I said get up and pack up!' Minako shouted at them, making them automatically stand; they never saw their mother this angry before.
Minako looked at Oda and sneered:"my daughter is more successful than you will ever be. Take the house. I don't care"
Oda wiped the water from his face and laughed, saying:"hehe I'm taking it, but it's not sufficient, I'll return for the rest of the debt' He stood and left the house, followed by his men.
Minako made her way towards the girls. A glumly, tired expression appeared on her face. her blood pressure went out of control. She felt dizzy as she murmured:"I'm sorry"
'It's not your fault mom.' Misaki stated. She blamed her father, she wanted to utter her disappointment in her father out loud, but she refrained from doing that; it'll only upset her mother.
"where are we going?' Suzuna asked feebly. The weight of debt wearied all of them. Just why did their father have to borrow a fortune?!
'To one of your relatives. They are in another city, but we should be able to stay there for few days 'till we find a place.
Misaki… can you get us some boxes for packing? Don't bring much. The relatives I'm talking about have a small house. We're not taking much luggage'
Complying, Misaki left the house.
Misaki stood at the doorstep and sighed heavily. She looked at the pure, blue sky. Although it's summer, the weather isn't hot. It was somewhat cool. Everything was calm.
Misaki wondered why the world seemed so relaxed when a storm is roaring within her. She wondered if things will be fine.
Nothing seemed right, she missed Usui, she loathed Oda, and she was angry at her father. All these feelings were heavy, but she couldn't let those feelings overpower her; she had to stay strong.
For her mother's sake, for Suzuna's sake, she can't break down.
'You can't push me over the edge'
She plucked up her strength, defying her feelings. She stepped forward; it's time to get the boxes.
'Misaki'
The only voice Misaki didn't want to hear called her from behind the corner. The owner of the voice had been lurking and waiting for her.
Misaki gave him a scornful look. He smiled slyly in return.
'let's take a walk' Oda suggested, and then held Misaki's hand, making her walk with him.
Misaki pulled her hand away from his grasp and walked besides him. She felt rage and disgust pile up within her. Why is he calling her by her first name? And he dared to hold her hand too! Where did the formalities go?
'What do you want?' Misaki asked as soon as her house was no longer in sight. She knew her mother wouldn't want to see Oda; therefore, she walked obediently with him in order to be away from the house, for if her mother saw him and got angry again, her health will get worse.
'I can give your family a magnificent house if you marry me'
'We don't need it' Misaki said resolvedly. She didn't need to think twice in order to decline his offer.
'If you don't, I can put your mother in jail' Oda smirked. Misaki was thrown by his threat, but she didn't let it appear on her face.
'I give you two days to think… and then you know where to find me' Oda said and then left her.
Misaki gritted her teeth. Presumptions began to attack her mind.
She can't marry someone other than Usui, and surely not that filthy, heartless, old man!
She can't just throw her life away, she can't hurt Usui that way.
But… if he put her mother in jail, what would happen to Suzuna? They are homeless, and indebted. Suzuna would certainly drop out of school for earning a living.
Misaki went through the pain of losing her dream, but she swore not to let Suzuna go through the same thing.
How long will their mother stay in jail? While owning a house, they couldn't gather quarter the amount no matter how hard they tried. Without a home, having to rent a place, and live, a year, two, or even ten years won't be enough to pay up the debt!
Cornered, Misaki made her way towards a telephone booth. She needed to talk to Usui. She couldn't hold it anymore. he is the one and the only she could depend on. Her eyes welled up with tears as she waited an answer.
*..*..*..*..*
Gerard was discussing some of the company's business with Usui. However, a little child; Gerard's relative, was giving them a headache.
'Tell the maids to look after him' Usui demanded.
'He's a devil. He'll bite and hurt anyone who tries to look after him. He's only calm with me and his mother. He has to stay here 'till his mother returns' Gerard stated.
Usui raised an eyebrow; does shouting, jumping, running all over the place, and pulling people's hair considered 'calm'?
The child extended his hand to Usui. usui gave him a questioning look.
'He wants your cell phone. he likes to play games' Gerard informed as he extended his own smart phone to him, and then said:"take mine instead"
But the little boy tugged Usui's sleeve, insisting to take Usui's cell phone.
Usui gave him the cell phone. The child squealed in a deafening manner, and then sat still.
Usui sighed in relieve; finally! A moment of piece.
Usui and Gerard resumed their discussion. They continued working for twenty minutes, and then:
'7…5…I don't know this number…8…'
The little boy read out the numbers that appeared on Usui's phone.
Usui took note of the child's words and glanced at his cell. It was vibrating on the silent mode. He felt it was a call he had to answer. He attempted to snatch the phone out of the child's grasp, but the child 'accidently' dropped it in the tea cup.
Usui fished the cell phone out of the tea cup instantly, hurting his hand in the process, but it was too late. The cell phone was utterly malfunctioned. The screen was blank.
'What have you done? Ceddy, take him and punish him severely!" Gerard ordered indignantly. However, behind his angry look, there was a hidden smirk.
'Takumi… we'll get you a new phone as an apology' Gerard stated, and then noticed the burn in Usui's hand; he had fished the phone out of the hot tea.
'I'll get the first aid' Gerard informed as he left the room.
Takumi wasn't concerned about his hand. He didn't know why his heart ached. He stared at his broken cell phone vacantly as if he had lost something very important.
Meanwhile, strength left Misaki's feet. She slide down the wall of the telephone booth and began to cry while calling Usui's name between her sobs.
..o.O.o..
It hurts to breathe, because every breath I take proves I can't live without you.
Washington Irving
o-0-0-O-ooo-O-0-0-o
A/N: let me know what you think
And thank you for the reviews!:D
Galaxyoung:
hi! I missed you yes, hate Gerard, not me :p hai I'll continue marry me misa
Anggunfriendha . christamella:
I'm glad to know your opinion. You always give a review that gives me confident :D thank you. hehe I see grudge building against Gerard :p hai, otsukare
Blommie8:
hai, unmarried and he is in his forties. No, I don't think I'm adding Tora and Hinata here. It's an AU. Thank you! :D