Alrighty, I'm back with the last chapter guys! Hope you all have been liking the story so far and thank you for all the support from all you amazing people who follow, favorite, and review along with the silent readers! .
This chapter is mostly clearing up who the lovely Usui is and how their relationship continues. I'll keep this short since I remember how long the intro to my last chapter was lol
Please enjoy! Still don't own Maid Sama :(
"Usui...?"
Misaki knew she should be going back home and at least getting some work done instead of loitering around at night getting caught up in something so frivolous as a story she believed in since young. But after being kept in the dark for so long, she knew she couldn't stay there any longer. No matter what she had to do at home, she wanted answers now.
She stared down into the water and her eyes followed the path the golden fish made. Even if it was useless to think about, she couldn't help but notice the uncanny resemblance of the scales color to Usui's sandy hair.
Dipping her finger tips into the water, she watched as it swam up to her. It looked like it was staring up at her so she stared back.
"I swear. Usui, if that really is you, you better come back out," she murmured. Her heart beat faster at the prospect of actually seeing him step out again from the fountain, and she tightly shut her eyes to get rid of that feeling.
There was a small sound of water splashing before silence ensued. She opened her eyes again and looked around.
He chuckled from behind her. "Or what Ayuzawa?"
She spun around. His eyes were shining with mischief yet at the same time a sort of understanding. Most likely for the situation that he was caught in.
"How have you been?"
Realizing that she was gaping at him, Misaki quickly blinked. "Wh- H- how did you get here?" She glanced up and down at his dry clothes. "Never mind that. Usui, I'm sure you know why I'm here, don't you."
He held her gaze and simply nodded. "I know. I was waiting yet also dreading for a moment like this to happen." He coughed a little but paid no mind. "What do you want to know? Now is the time you've been waiting for," he grinned.
Misaki ran her fingers through her hair and sighed. What am I getting myself into...
"Just... Just start from the beginning Usui."
He tugged her hand down. "Why don't you sit down?" She followed his suggestion and leaned back on her hands.
"Well as you can evidently see, and probably have been thinking about for the past few years, that story about wishes is true. I was created because of your wish for happiness."
"Why didn't Suzuna ever have one? Or did she just hide it really well?" Misaki reminisced back to her years as a child and her first visit with her family to the fountain.
"Your sister? No, she didn't have a fish. There are two main components to having your wish granted. The first is to have a plausible one. Not to break other people's hearts, but wishing to be a princess or living forever just aren't going to cut it. Yours was a little vague, but since you never clarified the happiness you were striving for and made no unreasonable claims, it passed.
"Second, you have to have that steady faith in your wish. Suzuna probably doubted the story since the very beginning and thus nothing happened. You on the other hand, while you had some seedling of disbelief, you gave in to the hope that it was true.
"It's not like things are determined immediately, but your sister had a very clear idea of what she wanted to believe in and what not to trust. Kids usually have a sort of 'trial period' to gauge their emotions for their wish. And Ayuzawa passed that."
Usui paused, as if waiting for Misaki to ask something else. He wasn't disappointed by his intuition.
"If you became a human, then does that mean there are other people who are like you?"
"There's some, but not many. My cases are more rare. Since the fish are responsible for keeping that wish, we are granted one wish ourselves. Most fish use that chance immediately for something like passing on that responsibility to someone else, or escaping their life as a fish, or meeting someone from their past life. Things like that, based on a whim when they are created.
"But you can use that one wish whenever you want. For me and a handful of others, we waited longer. After watching over your wish for a few years, I decided that I wanted to become a human and be able to meet you. Of course, this can only happen if the wisher declares something with immeasurable time. Some fish take care of wishes that can be achieved quickly, so it's I their best interest to state what the want early on. If not, they pretty much pass up on that opportunity."
Misaki's brain was wheeling to process all the information. "Wait, you said some fish can ask to go to their past life? What exactly are you?"
Usui stretched his legs out and leaned back as well. "I guess you could say we are people who are reincarnated as fish whenever a wish is created. I'm not too sure about the details myself since no one really knows among the fish either. But I've come across some who were murders and led the dangerous life, but also those who lived the most ordinary life you could imagine. We don't have many memories about our past life except for milestone events, typically, so we have an idea of what we were like."
Turning his head to evaluate her reaction, Usui was confronted with her worried gaze. "Don't worry, I'm a good person, I'm pretty sure about that. Lived a normal life and I actually went to school and had a job." He shot her a cheeky grin when referring to the first time they sat down at the cafe for questioning. "I was killed in a car accident in my early thirties and then came back with your wish." He smiled at Misaki, not wanting her to pity him for his past life. Besides, she didn't know how happy he was at being able to meet and sit with her like this.
"Anyways," he continued, "fish who do handle their job watch over the wisher, which, in my experience, you get updates on how they're doing on their life and if they are on track to achieving that wish. Not every wish is based on sole luck. That's what's so interesting about them.
He suddenly paused, holding his hand over his mouth as a series of coughs racked through his body. He shook from all the coughs. Misaki stared at him in shock and worry before moving to pat his back in an effort to clear his throat.
"Usui, are you okay?!"
Turning his head to face her, he offered her a weak smile. "It's okay. I'll be fine." He took a moment to steady his breathing before continuing, although Misaki still watched him with concern.
As he continued speaking, it seemed that he was really okay.
"Wishes are fueled by a person's desire for something, right? So they are more inclined to work for it. The result of their wish isn't because they just adamantly hope for it. They are also doing their own part to make their dreams come true. That's probably why kids have to meet that first criteria, or else nothing would happen.
"But I guess that more than being a benefit for the wisher, this process of making a wish is like a second chance for people like me. We get to come back to the world and are given the opportunity to make our own desire come true as well."
"So," Misaki interjected, "are you saying that I, or we," she gestured a wide circle to indicate those like her, "don't actually need you?"
"Not exactly. It's not like people can fulfill their wishes so promptly. Nor is it always such a simple journey of just doing the right thing. Take yourself for example, there have been times you feel torn with your decisions that you make and don't always feel up to following through with your hopes.
"That's where we come in. We are pretty much a part of your conscience and encourage you to persevere. If you guys did give up, that would also mean the end of our lives. If anything, that serves as an incentive for us to keep working as well."
"Then what happens when someone's wishes do come true?"
"Hmm, I'm not sure about that either. I just know that I haven't seen those who that has happened to. I guess that's when they officially die?" He chuckled to himself.
Misaki punched his arm lightly. "Stop that. It's not good to joke about people's lives like that, Usui."
"Yes, I got it, my dear~" Cue Misaki's rising blush.
"Ah." Usui took her hand in his palm up and caressed it gently. "You'll remember me even if I'm gone, won't you?"
Misaki glared at him. "Nope. I'll wipe your existence from my mind, got it? You idiot." Nevertheless, she held his hand a little tighter, a reaction Usui smiled at.
She huffed. "Don't worry, even if I happen to forget about you, I can always make a wish beforehand so that you can stay by my side for a long time." While she didn't notice her confession, Usui furrowed his brows.
"Hey. Misaki." She flinched a little at hearing him call her by her given name.
"W- what?" She avoided his eyes and stared intentions the ground, suddenly embarrassed.
"Won't you call me by my name too?"
She shook her head. "N- no, that's too sudden, isn't it? After how we've been addressing each other all these years..." Her voice faded away, not knowing what to say.
"Hmm, well since you're cute when you're embarrassed like this, I'll let it go."
Silence elapsed between them and Misaki silently blushed.
"Usui," she began. He hummed in response to indicate he was still listening. "Why did you choose to become a human and meet me?"
"At first, since I didn't have a wish in mind, I just watched you from afar. But I came to understand your caring and beautiful personality despite being so violent and aggressive at times. You never let your struggles bring you down and always held you head high no matter what. It intrigued me and I just couldn't stay apart from you after a while so I made my decision. I'm sure we must have something going on, huh?" He playfully nudged her head with his. "After all... What was it you said before? That you feel some connection between us, that's right." He nodded like he had all the knowledge in the world.
He moved away before she could hit him with her raised fist. "Shut up, you." Misaki grumbled.
Shrugging casually, he continued. "It's not like I don't know what goes on your head. I know about all your wishes, you know. From your first for happiness, your financial situation, your mother's health, getting good grades, getting into university and pursuing law. I even know the one you made a few days ago about winning your trial despite not coming by for a long time."
"Wha-"
"But I'm sure you'll be fine without even making that wish. You're plenty capable for the job. Now you can't deny that we have a connection~" His lilting voice made her flustered and only want to punch the living daylights out of him.
But he was right. A feeling deep down that she can't deny. She's known him longer than she thinks, but it was just so hard for her to explain. Apparently that was the feeling of familiarity and comfort she had when she was with him.
"You said that my wish was indefinite, right? So does that mean that you'll be with me forever until I die or something? I'm not even sure when I'll achieve true happiness."
He was quiet for a moment and the grin on his face slipped away. Hah, serves him right, she cheered for herself.
"Misaki, remember what you said earlier, okay?"
"Wai- what are you talking about?"
"The thing is, I have to go soon."
"Oh! You mean now? Am I taking up too much time?" Misaki realized how late it was. "I'm sorry, I'll get go-"
When she stood up to leave, Usui grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him. He held her tightly in his embrace.
"U- Usui? What's wrong?"
"Silly, that's not what I mean. I'm not done speaking yet, so don't run away so quickly." He took a deep breath. "I meant that I can't be by your side for much longer."
She pushed away slightly to look up at him. "Why? You've already been with me for so long…"
"My condition has been getting worse lately, and I'm sure I'll be disappearing soon."
Her eyes widened at this. "What do you mean?"
Settling his hands on her shoulders, he held her at arm's length and watched her. "That time a few years back. When your mother passed, your doubt and conviction started settling in. Throughout that time, I just got weaker from your lack of care to your wishes."
Her eyes started watering and Usui wasn't sure if it was because she was reminded of her mother or the fact that he was leaving. "It's a wonder that I'm still here, but my guess is that the doubt was a periodical thing. But it's getting worse since it's growing again."
What he said was right. After that incident, Misaki had made sure she had control of her life and not some, at the time to her, measly story. Her trust in the wishes had turned away over time.
But why was life so unfair. Was she destined to lose everyone she loved and cared about? First it was her father, then it was her mother. Suzuna and Usui were all she had left and yet again, she would lose one more. She didn't understand.
"It can't be. Usui, I can't lose you too." She tore herself away from his grip and went to her bag, fumbling blindly around for something. She walked back to him with a coin in her hand.
"I wish... I wish that Usui will stay with me longer." Her voice was wobbly with the effort of keeping her tears in, and her throat strained against the effort. She tossed the coin and turned away. Usui gently brought her to his chest again and hugged her.
"Misaki. It won't work anymore."
Her breath caught and she started sobbing. "I won't wish for anything else. Just this, please. I'll believe that this will work." She clutched his shirt tightly.
Usui rubbed slow circles on her back with his thumb. "Misaki, you can lie to your head as much as you want, but you can't lie to your heart," he murmured.
She shook her head against his chest.
"It'll be fine. I know you're strong, Misaki. Besides, I still have a few more days left. We can keep meeting until then, so don't hold back on loving me plenty~" She could almost feel the smile that was teasing at his lips. She only hugged him back tighter.
"We'll meet again, beautiful." His voice was low and soft near her ear, his breath brushing against the strands of her hair. "At this very spot. Everyday, if you want."
...
"You'll remember me even if I'm gone, won't you?"
Another night and she was here again, sitting by the fountain glimmering with new fish, reminiscing about the past.
Despite promising to stay with her for the next few days that he was sure he had, her heart fell when she went to visit the next day.
They had agreed to meet at the fountain at a specific time and place, but he never came. He disappeared the very next day after their conversation.
Looking back, she realized that after he had revealed everything, he only seemed more charming and beautiful. And it wasn't just because of his usual appearance. Perhaps it was the light or maybe her new perspective of him, but he was so much more radiant and handsome than before.
It had already been another year without him and she could say that she was happy. She believed she was, at least. She had won her trial like she wished along with many other ones, and Suzuna was doing well in her studies too. To Misaki, that was the ideal life.
But perhaps he didn't leave only because of her disbelief. Usui was a part of her wish from the very beginning, a part of her life that she cherished. He had said that the fish would leave once the wish they watched over was fulfilled.
Maybe she had found that happiness she was searching for so long. He was her happiness, but after she figured that out, he had to become her sorrow. She wouldn't let her grief define her time with him though. He was worth much more joy and light than that.
"Always," she whispered to herself. "Takumi, that is my last wish."
Well, that's the end of my first story! I really hope I conveyed all the proper emotions especially at the end. Maybe it was just myself getting slightly depressed since I was up typing at 3 AM and listening to a sad song... Just getting into the atmosphere, you know? Lol. But hey, the night is probably the only time I start thinking and getting my ideas for my stories, so there's that.
I got most of the main points about Usui's existence out, but if there are still anymore questions you guys have, feel free to ask and I'll add them to this chapter at the end :D
Thank you all for sticking around with me and never stop dreaming and wishing no matter what!
-Jelly
