The next morning, Misaki woke up at her usual time to get ready for school. For the first time in a long time, she felt like today was going to be a great day.

Downstairs, she told her parents goodbye and gathered her lunch from Suzuna. It was heavy and felt like a much larger portion than she was used to having. But the size didn't bother her. You can always share with Takumi.

Misaki rolled her eyes at the thought as it crossed her mind. She only shared the other day because he didn't have a lunch. It wasn't like he will forget his lunch everyday in hopes that she would share again.

Stepping outside, Misa immediately felt her heart try to escape from her chest. There, standing beside the cafe door, was Takumi. And why would he not be there? Didn't he make a deal with her only yesterday?

How could this alien be so persistent? Wasn't it obvious that she wasn't interested? Well you did make that deal with him. Maybe you should learn to trust that others, beside yourself, would actually do what they promise.

Takumi was taking his time to study her demeanor this morning. She looked to be an a rather good mood. She was only slightly shocked when she saw him but there was no rage this time. And was that a smile that she was trying to keep hidden from view?

"Good Morning Takumi."

"And a very good morning to you as well, Misaki."

"I am ready to get to school when you are."

"Okay. Lets go then."

Usui acted on complete instinct. Grabbing Misakis hand, he started walking toward the school. To his surprise, she did not pull away from him. Yes she was in a good mood indeed. Today was going to be a great day.

"Usui?"

"Yes?"

"What made you show up to walk me to school?"

"Because I told you I would be here. I do not believe that people should back down on their word."

"I agree, however, why did you say that you would in the first place?"

"Would it surprise you if I said that it is because I wanted to?"

"Even though you said all those things about me yesterday, we really do not know each other."

"Okay so then what if I way I would like to get to know you better?"

"I would say... I'm not against it. But I do need time to process how I feel."

"So would you be up to us having lunch together?"

"I, uh... think that would be okay."

Misaki let go of his hand and finished the walk to school. Takumi already missed the warmth that her hand had given when intertwined with his own. Even if he were to die right now, he would die the happiest he had ever been.

Sitting in class, Misaki could tell that Takumi was watching her again. Before, when he did this, it bothered her completely. Today, however, his gaze was somehow comforting and embarrassing simultaneously.

As the bell rang, signaling lunch, Misaki stood and was instantly in the presence of Usui. It was, as if, he teleported to her side the moment that the bell sounded. He gathered her lunch from her grasp and started toward the door.

She followed him and they climbed the stairs to the rooftop, side by side. She thought to herself, it isn't so bad being next to him. He radiated this feeling of warmth that was unusual for the most part.

"You pick the spot and I will follow, Prez."

"I think my usual spot will work just fine."

Misaki opened her bento and squealed in delight. Suzuna made her favorite meal. Triangle onigiri stuffed with pickled plums, chicken yakitori and apples cut into bunnies.

Usui looked at the bento in front of Misaki and a smile crossed his face. It looked exactly like her, sweet and savory. He probably shouldn't think like that, but hell, why not? Today, Usui had brought his own lunch, umeboshi. For the first few minutes they sat in silence.

"Misaki, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, I mean we are going to try and get to know each other better."

"Alright, I would like to know, what is your favorite color?"

Misaki thought for a moment. Until a few days ago, she would have answered orange. It would make her think of sunsets and autumn. But now, she couldn't get those shining emerald eyes out of her mind.

"Green."

"Well what about your interests? What do you like to do in your spare time?"

"That is a tough question to answer. Most of my spare time is spent studying. And when I am not studying, I work."

"But Misaki, those don't count as interests. They are a part of your everyday life. What would you do if you had a full day to yourself, with no responsibilities?"

"Well, I would take a book, find a secluded spot under a tree, preferably next to the water, and enjoy reading for hours on end."

"And what would you take with you to eat?"

"Hmm... Probably this."

She pointed to her bento that had lovingly been made by her sister. It had been a long time since Misaki had taken a day off to do absolutely nothing. The thought did appeal to her. Maybe it was time to take a day to relax. She looked up and Takumi was just watching her.

"What?"

"I asked you a question but you were in your own world."

"I'm sorry. What did you ask?"

"Will you join me tomorrow?"

"Umm... join you in what?"

"Well a date of course."

"Uh, I..."

"I could pick you up in the morning."

"I... okay."

"You will?"

"Yes."

"Okay, well then dress comfortably. I will make preparations this afternoon."

Just then, the bell rang and signaled the end of lunch. They gathered their things and went back down the stairs. Misaki had her heart practically jumping from her chest. She usually didn't trust anyone, so why did she feel so at ease with HIM?

After school, it was time to get to the cafe and get to work. Traffic was unusually bad for this time of day and she was suddenly stopped behind a wall of people. In front of them was a barricade. Misaki heard murmurs from in front of her. A store had caught fire.

What she heard next would change her life forever.

"Yeah, it was Cafe 5. And did you hear?"

"No, what?"

"The owners were inside. The couldn't make it out."

"All of them?"

"Well the two adults and two of the three children were inside."

"How horrible."

Misaki sunk down to her knees. She let out a bloodcurdling scream and began to pound the ground with all her might. It couldn't be true. These people had to be lying. Her mom? Her dad? Suzuna and Sakura? All dead? They had to be lying.

She felt a hand on her shoulder, shaking her. What did they want? Couldn't they see she was in pain? Her world was crashing around her and she just wanted to be left alone with her sorrow.

Again she felt hands on her. This time the hands were lifting her from the ground. She looked up as Takumi gathered her into his arms and began walking through the crowd toward the once bustling cafe.

Takumi was there when he heard the scream. A scream of utter devastation, and it was coming from the love of his life. He could see the cafe over the tops of the onlookers heads.

She didn't notice anyone around her, and barely even registed being picked up by him. He had to take her to the place that would kill her inside, when all he wanted to do was run away with her and protect her forever.

"Excuse us, we need to get through."

"I'm sorry, but the area is off limits."

"This is Misaki Ayuzawa. Her family owned this cafe."

"Oh... um.. please come this way."

Takumi, still holding Misaki, made his way to a police car that the man had indicated. He looked down at Misa, who was trembling in his arms, Was she even lighter than yesterday? And oh, how he was sliced right to his heart upon seeing her once beautiful eyes, now dead inside.

"Pardon me, I am Utikai Fujioshi, the lead investigator. This is Misaki Ayuzawa, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

'I can see she has already heard what happened."

"Yes, sir. How did it happen?"

"Faulty wiring caused an appliance, an oven, to catch fire. The family and one other girl were all upstairs and couldn't get out of the building."

"What does she need to do right now?"

"For the moment, we can take her to headquarters. We will try and find a place for her to stay."

Takumi looked back down at Misaki. Her once trembling figure was now lifeless in his arms. Did she pass out from shock? Or... was it something else?

Noticing the look of distress on the young mans face, Fujioshi motioned paramedics to his side.

"Please take this young woman to the hospital."

"Right away."

"Young man, she will be in good hands. Let them take her."

"Not unless I go too."

"As you wish. Let the man accompany her."

"Yes sir."

Takumi gently placed her in the ambulance as the doors closed behind him.

...