Misaki was washing the leftover tables on the second floor, while thinking about how she was going to explain this to her mother. Misaki was conscious of Usui's offer but she didn't want to depend on him so much. Besides, she already owed him so much; it made her feel like a leech at times. She was thinking of a way to ask her mother if it was possible to take in a another child for the weekend. Engrossed in her thoughts, she hadn't realized she was talking aloud .
" 'Hey mom, what do you think adopting a son for two days?' "
No no… Umm…how about…
" 'Mom! I have a surprise for you. I have a boy that is going to be a part of our family.' "
No! That makes me sound like I just had a baby boy. Or that I'm pregnant. Blah…
"Prez? Are you talking to yourself?" Usui asked, as he prowled behind her stealthily. "Don't you think it's a bit odd to be doing that? It makes you seem a little crazy. Not that you aren't already."
"Of course I'm not, idiot. Now, why don't you just shut it?" she snapped, while facing Usui. Usui just simply had a surprised expression due to her tone. Ashamed in the way she acted, she quickly tuned away and apologize.
"I'm sorry," she sighed as she rubbed her temples. "I'm just thinking of a way to ask my mother. It's kind of stressing me out."
"It's okay. I shouldn't have bothered you in the first place, but I already told you that you don't have to take him home. I can take him myself and-"
"That's the thing. I don't want you taking him home." she cut off. "I want to see if I can do something about it. I told you I don't like owing people favors."
"I just want to help you Misaki. I don't mean to make you feel like you're owing me anything."
"Then why do you always have to help me? You don't have to. I'm not important, I'm just like everybody else who has to solve their own problems."
"Ayuzawa…" he spoke, gently grasping her chin towards his gaze. He had her surrounded by his embrace as he inched his forehead towards her own. He had a serious face put on and he looked at her keenly till he found the words to say. Misaki was as if she was in a trance; she was frozen and speechless like staggered prey. She only stood and waited for his answer.
"When are you going to understand that I care for you? That you are important to me? That's why I help you all the time. I want you to be content. You don't have to do everything by yourself, you know?"
I want to help you as much as I can…
"Stop joking around like that!" she barked, pushing him back. "What do you care about exactly? Me, my happiness? Really? You think I'm just a game that you can merely toy with? I'm so sick of men. They treat you like this, they love you and then they leave! Just like he did. They all do that! So don't tell me you really care."
"…Ayuzawa. " He said solemnly, while leaning on one of the clean tables. Covering his face with his long fingers, and a empty expression, he said, "Do you really hate me that much? I wouldn't care, I would move on. But you? Are you just too scared to move on with your past? Cause if you are, quite frankly, that's just being a coward. Don't you think so?"
You just can't push people away. You can't be like this with every guy…not everyone is like this…and I wouldn't want to do anything to hurt you. You have to learn to let go…
Shit Misaki! You really had to throw that out there? What were you thinking, letting your words just spew out! He knows I hate him already, but not as much as my father. He just irks me, and stirs me up. But…Am I really that much of a coward? So much that I can't continue to move on?
He just stared down to the floor unable to speak further as he crossed his arms. She tried to form words in her mouth, but nothing would come out of her parted lips. They both couldn't respond to what he had said; to what she had said. It was as if the awkward silence had engulfed the room and taken their words. He was serious but she didn't understand why he's go through all the trouble for her sake. It wasn't his problem, and it was her job. What she said had nothing to do with him, but they were still inflicting words by both their accounts. Trying to break the barrier of stillness, she turned around to say something. Within a matter of seconds, his face perked up from his golden hair to see her face again.
"If you really want to help me, then why not start by helping me stack the chairs up on the tables..."
"Sure, Ayuzawa. "
They trotted along in different directions and went to pick up the seats of the café. Of course, it just distracted her from trying to understand why he was so willing to help so much. By the time they were done, they walked to the first floor and everyone was heading to leave. Misaki still needing to change out of her clothes, decided to close up for the night. Heading outside, she met up with Manager into the chilly night.
"Are you sure you want to close up? You're doing so much already by taking him! Oh, talking about him, he fell asleep on one of the tables near the entrance."
"It's fine Satsuki. It's not a big deal either way."
"Okay. If you say so, Misa-chan. I'll see you later than. Once again, I thank you humbly for everything that you two are doing." She prodded her head down in gratitude and waved good-bye as she walked towards her car. The only two left were Misaki and Usui with Inari on the table.
"Usui, can you get-" …Inari ?
In surprise, she faced nothing but the empty space she thought he would be in; that empty space was by her side. Regardless, she went to change out of her maid's uniform searched out for Inari.
Oh yeah…how could I have forgotten…whole dispute conversation. This has made everything more iffy than it is.…Sigh. Ugh, who needs him. Maybe I'll actually enjoy peace and quiet for once.
Walking towards Inari she slightly rubbed his auburn hair, and gently patted his shoulder.
"Inari, are you awake? Come on, you have to wake up sleepy head. We have to take you to my house. Inari? You-whoo?"
She got no response however, instead, she got a murmuring noise. That noise, or rather word, was the word 'mother'. She felt pity for him; in fact, she was quite upset that such a mother would lose their child. Who would ever do such a thing? Instead of waking Inari up, she carried him on her back with one bag at hand, and the other holding him up.
"Inari…I don't know if you can hear me since your sleeping, but if you can hold on tightly. Okay?"
Perhaps it was just instinct being far off from the ground, but he suddenly jerked a bit and puts his agile hands around her neck. She just smiled in response and moved on towards the bus stop. Slowly and carefully, she placed Inari on her lap while swiftly getting her phone out to inform her mother of what was going on.
"Mom I have a little predicament."
"Are you okay! Is something a matter? Why are you talking so quiet? Are you hiding from something? From someone? "
"It's nothing serious. I just have to speak quietly, so you have listen up."
"Okay. I won't say a word till you're done."
"Thing is…What I mean to say mom is-"
Usui, being the professional stalker he is, took (but technically stoke and swiped) her cell phone and left her on the edge of a rampaging tantrum. The only thing stopping her in her steps was Inari; who was perfectly still and sleeping on her lap. She couldn't yell, get up or anything. All she could was listen to what Usui was yapping about. He went further away from the bench, and strode away from her.
"What she means to say, Mrs. Ayuzawa, is that we have a child on our hands that has lost his mother. Your daughter and I were fondly asked to escort him to my house, and care for him till the police can file a missing child report. So, she was going to ask you if she was allowed to stay there for the night. Is this arrangement all aright with you?"
What are they murmuring about? And what's with that stupid grin on his face? Why is he laughing! I can only make out some words…ugh…but it's sounds so muffled…
"So everything is settled? Okay. I'll be sure to tell her. See you in a few."
"Click"
She whispered, "What did you agree to! What's going on?"
Usui wagged his finger back and forth. "Tsk, tsk Ayuzawa, you shouldn't eavesdrop on people's conversations. It's highly impolite and nosy."
"I'll tell you what's rude, you thief!"
"Ah ah ah, look" he pointed. "You're waking him up. Now, let me explain in the shortest way possible. You're mom said it's all right for you to stay the night at my apartment. "
What! He's got to be lying.
"Call her again. I want to hear it with my own ears."
Dialing the number quickly, he held it up to her ear and awaited her response to her mother's words.
"Hello? Is this Misaki or Usui this time?"
"It's me mom. Sorry for that rude interruption before. Things tend to happen without me knowing because certain people steal phones away."
"Oh, that's okay. He said you weren't able to talk because of Inari. You know what's going on, right? Didn't he tell you?"
"That's why I called,. to confirm that he was bluffing, and that you weren't really serious about me staying for the night."
"No, no. It's quite the contrary sweety! I'm letting you stay for that very reason."
"Who is this, and what have you done to mother!"
"Misaki, Don't be silly now. I'm giving you permission."
"But…mom…it's Usui we're talking about…and he's a guy and…"
" You don't have to worry. I wouldn't matter to me. The problem is that we don't have space for another child here. Besides, I trust him, and I trust you as my daughter."
"You sure? No take backs. I don't want to hear you had an anxiety attack."
"Misaki, you're always being so considerate. But don't worry…okay? I'll see you in a few minutes. Bye!"
Huh? A few minutes?
"Oh yeah, forgot to mention that," said Usui as he smiled at Misaki.
He scratched the back of his head in guilt, and padded himself towards her side and Inari's. He sat down gently and leaned on Misaki's left shoulder and said,
"While you were waiting ever so patiently, we were arranging a set plan. She said your sister would be in charge of getting your things together."
"Oh…But the bus doesn't come for like another half hour. It's already 8:30."
"Who said we were ever taking the bus?"
Huh? What else are we suppose to do?
"Beeep, Beeep"
A yellow taxi had just arrived and parked right in front of them.
"Now that didn't take long. Give me your things."
"I can't, remember?" She glanced her sight as Inari squirmed slightly due to the noise.
"Here," clasping onto Inari, he slung him over to the left side and quickly grasped Misaki's bag in his right hand. "That wasn't so hard, now was it?"
She slowly got up and stood as she grasped Inari's from his underarms and cradled him as if he was a baby. "I didn't ask for you assistance. And for the record, I'm taking him."
Who knows if you'll drop him.
"Ayuzawa, I may be a problem at times, but I can manage taking care of somebody."
I take care of you, don't I?
"…I can't deny that."
Entering the taxi, they sat next to each other. Usui gathered her bag into the trunk and then went to speak with the man outside. She assumed that he was explaining where to go, but rather it looked like he was saying a threat in a stern tone. The man replied in a normal gesture, and as Usui was turning around, he suspiciously brushed against his arm. Of course, she took of the weird action as nothing; it just simply looked as if they had just bumped into each other. The drive was rather silent for the most part since Inari was sleeping, but Inari wasn't the only one. Facing forward, he was inclined against the window. His golden locks were covering his face, but even so, the contour outline was seen. She couldn't help but notice as her eyes marveled his features. His spiky but soft hair, his brows, his nose, all the way down to his lips.
Hmm…Who knew that the perverted alien could look kind of cute when he's sleeping…
Misaki! What are you saying! Don't say such things! Don't act like your attracted to him! But…you were looking at him…you're still looking at him…wouldn't I be lying to myself?
…Stupid Usui. He's even messing with my thoughts now. And he's sleeping for crying out loud!
"Ayuzawa…"
Ack! Did I say something aloud!
"Ayuzawa…is there something a matter? You're giving me a weird look," he questioned as he caught her gaze. "Or were you just watching me as I sleep? People usually would take that the wrong way Prez."
"I wasn't looking at you!" while lying through her teeth; she was obviously bluffing.
"Then what exactly were you looking at then? Hmm? Cause it looked like you were scanning right in my direction."
"I was looking at the view outside the car window. It looks different during the night. That's all."
"It's a reasonable excuse. I'll let it go by this time. Even though I know Prez was intently looking at me."
"You wish."
TO BE CONTINUED
A/N: Okay, I'm a bad writer...because I LIE TO MY VIEWERS. "Soon"...Soon? I said that in '10. GAWD I'm awful. This time I'm posting two chapters though. Two long chapters like this...That's no lie (and oddly that just reminded me of Chakira's song "Hips Don't Lie") 1:35 in the morning. My mind...Hmm...where'd that go again?
