Author Notes: First of all I want to thank you those who review this story. It courage me to write and update.

FireHeaven27, KyoryuPink0, kandy61767, FireHeavenProductions27, and Jnguyenlynn, thank you for reviewing my story. I really appreciate it. I hope you guys kept on reviewing and support this story.

Chapter Four: Playing the Roles Part II

Mako has successfully finished making the cupcakes, which turns out to be good with Rena showing and helping her. She was getting the cupcakes out from the oven using the gloves that Rena gave her.

Just as she placed the tray of cupcakes down on the table, the door bell rings. Mako looked up and turns to Rena. "Is Toshi off early today?"

"No, it probably the mailman," Rena assumed. "I'll go check it out".

"Okay," Mako nodded and Rene left out of the kitchen. While waiting for Rena return, Mako decides to move cupcakes out from the tray and onto the big plate that Rena placed on the table before she left.

Mako was surprises that she actually succeed in learning how to make cupcakes. She has to admit that it was great to learn and to have Rena help. Now, she can actually make it by herself if she wants to.

"What's taking Rena so long?" She wondered as she glances over at the entrance of the kitchen.

A minute later, Rena return, but she wasn't alone. Standing beside Rena was a young girl with brunette hair that was long to her elbow, which was braided back in a pony tail. The young girl was dressed in a pink t-shirt collar neck with a short navy skirt.

"Mayu!" The young girl beamed when she saw Mako, assuming that she was Mayu. The young girl ran over and hugs Mako around the waist. Mako looked down at the young girl confused before she looked up at Rena.

Rena clears her throat and smiles. "Ms Kamiya, Niki Ikeda is here to visit you. Her parent is out of town so she's going to stay with us and will be sleeping in your room".

"Niki?"

Niki glances up at Mako and smiles. "Mayu-san, aren't you happy to see me?"

"Uh?" Mako stares at Rena who mouthed the word "Say something". She looked down at Niki who was waiting for her answer.

"Yes Niki," Mako smiles and touches Niki's head, assuming that was something Mayu would do if she sees Niki. "I'm really glad to see you here".

"Me too," Niki said cheerfully. "I can't wait to spend time with you".

Rena nods with a smile, seeing that Mako was handling the situation well. It look like Mako would get along with Niki just fine considers that Mako does hang around children.

"That was exactly what Mayu did when she sees Niki," she thought before she walked over to the kitchen counter and grabs the plate. She was about to cover the plate with aluminum foil when Niki spokes up.

"Cupcakes, can I have one?"

"Sure why not," Mako looked over at Rena for approval. "If that's okay," she added.

Rena chuckles. "Oh course you can have some," She kneels down in front of Niki. "Here you go," She gave the cupcake to Niki who accept with a smile on her face.

She took off running toward the living room when Mako grabs her arm back. "Um, aren't you forgetting to say something to Rena?"

Niki spins around and giggles. "Thank you Rena," She bows her head down.

"You're welcome," Rena answered. "Go play". She ushered the young girl out of the kitchen. Then she turns around and looked at Mako.

"What?" Mako blinks her eyes. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, quite the opposite of that," Rena walked over to Mako and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You actually did what Mayu would always do".

Mako smiles.

Mayu took off running out of the Shiba mansion's gate. She ran as fast as her feet can take her until her feet got tired and she ends up at the park. There were fewer people around and she was alone. Breathing heavy, she collapses to the ground and touches her chest. It was difficult for Mayu to breathe, but after few minute of resting, her breathing returns back to normal.

Slowly, Mayu got up and begin to walk when she wobbles and fell backward. Closing her eyes, she assumes that she would hit the ground.

Suddenly a pair of hand reaches out and grabs her shoulder, steadying her. She felt her back hit something solid. Realizing that someone must have caught her, she turns her head and looked up. Her eyes widen when she saw who it was.

"Takeru?" She muttered as she sees how concerned he looks.

Takeru arrived in time to see Mayu on the ground grabbing her chest. He notices she was struggling to get up and immediately rushed over to help her.

As she tumbled backward, he reached his hands out, grabbed her shoulder from behind and steadies her.

He saw her turns and was surprised to see him.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Mayu nods and replied "I'm okay, thank you".

Takeru slowly moves his hands away from her shoulder as Mayu turns around facing him looking down.

"Takeru I..." Mayu begins to say, but Takeru stopped her.

"Don't," he suddenly said.

"Eh? She looked up at him confused.

"You don't have to say sorry because you never done anything wrong". Takeru told her. "Beside, Chiaki should be the one to say sorry to you especially when he hurt your feeling".

Mayu shook her head and gave a small smile. "No, its okay, I'm not mad at all. I just..."

"Came out here for fresh air, am I right?"

Mayu nods.

"We better head back before the others eat it all up," Takeru teased with a small smirk on his face.

"Eat what up?" Mayu asked with a confused look. Takeru can't help it, but let a small chuckle when he saw her confused expression.

"Your soup"

"Oh," Mayu looked down and laughs, feeling silly for asking.

"Let's go," Takeru told her before he walked ahead.

"Okay," Mayu follows him, but stopped when he halts, almost causing her to collide into his back.

Before Mayu can questions why Takeru stopped all sudden, she saw him crouched down in front her and said, "Get on."

"Eh?" She stares at his back and wondering what she should do.

"You can't walk in that condition. I'll carry you until we reach the Shiba Mansion." Takeru said, interrupting her thoughts.

"It's okay; you don't have to do that, Takeru. I'll be fine…" Mayu insisted, making Takeru glances behind at her and sighs,

"Mako… I'm ordering you as the Head of the Shiba clan, get on. I'm not going to let you walk back to Shiba Mansion especially when you looked exhausted." Takeru ordered, using his Tono-sama voice. Mayu stared at Takeru's determined eyes for a moment before sighing. She knew she can't argue and said no.

"Fine," Mayu finally gave in. She slowly walked up to him and slowly placed her arms on his shoulders. Takeru held her legs as he slowly got up.

Mayu's cheeks reddened as she felt Takeru's hands hold her legs, her skin shivering, and her heart was beating fast at his touch. She has never let any one carried her except for her brother, Toshi during the time she twisted her right ankle. In her mind, she was hoping that Takeru wouldn't notices that she was nervous, but luck wasn't on her side because Takeru seems to notices and was questioning why she was nervous.

Mayu rested her head on Takeru's back as Takeru began to walk away. It was quiet on the way back to the Shiba Mansion. As they were almost near the Shiba Mansion, Mayu spokes.

"Thank you Takeru," she said to where he can hear her.

He glances back at her and smile. "You're welcome," he told her before he turns back and looked at the road in front of him. "Mako..."

"Yeah," Mayu answered.

"Mind telling me what happens back there?" Takeru asked.

Mayu blinks her eyes confused by the question being asked. "What do you mean?"

Takeru sighs. "I saw you on the ground earlier grabbing your chest," he told her.

"I..." Mayu hesitated and was wondering if she should tell him the true. "I was running so fast that I was having trouble breathing so I decide to sit down on the ground to rest for a little bit before I return back to the Shiba mansion," She told him, which was actually true, but left out the part that she has asthma.

She waited for an reply from Takeru, who was quiet after that. As they reach to the Shiba Mansion, Takeru stops and looked at Mayu who was scared and confused at Takeru action. She was wondering what he was about to say when he spokes.

"You should be careful and try not to run too fast," Mayu was no longer scared and confused. Instead, she was staring at Takeru with a surprise look. "Matter of fact, you can come to me and talk about your problem instead of running away". He finished and waited for Mayu to reply.

"Okay," Mayu says. "I'll keep that in mind." She gave him a smile.

Takeru smiles back and then put Mayu down on her feet. Then he gestures her to go in first while he walked behind her, making sure she doesn't tumble backward. Just in case if she did, he would catch her.

Inside, Ji, Genta, Ryunosuke, Chiaki, and Kotoha were already seated at their spot at their tables with their bowls of soup waiting for Takeru and Mayu return.

When Takeru and Mayu walk in, Kotoha immediately beams and got up. She went over to Mayu and grabs her arms. "Mako-chan, are you okay?"

"Tono!" Ji greets Takeru who nods back.

Mayu nods. "Yes and I'm sorry to run off like that," she apologize and bows her head down.

"It's okay," Kotoha begins to said, but got interrupted by Chiaki, who got up and bow his head down to Mayu.

"Nessan, I am sorry about what I said earlier in the kitchen," he apologizes. "I should never say those words to you. I hope you can forgive me".

Mayu smiles and shook her head. "Don't worry, I already forgotten about it".

Chiaki smiles as Kotoha drags Mayu by the arms over to their seats. "Let's eat!" She looked over at Takeru who was still standing.

"Lord-sama, would like to join us and try out Mako-chan soup?"

"Sure," Takeru nods and went over to her seat. Then he sat down and tries Mayu's soup. All boys including Ji stare at their spoons uncomfortably before they put in their mouth, expecting the soup to taste horrible.

Surprisingly, it was good.

"Wow!" Ryunosuke exclaims. "It's good!"

"It tastes good," Ji added as Takeru smiles at Mayu and nods in agreement.

"Nessan, the soup is delicious," Chiaki remarked. "Your cooking is great and improving".

Mayu wonders what Chiaki meant when he said that Mako cooking was great and improving. Could it be that Mako was not good at cooking?

Kotoha beams and looked over at Mayu. "Mako-chan food is always good".

"Thank you," Mayu smiles at everyone compliments.

Everyone continue to eat their soup quietly.

TBC: Review and tell me what you think.

Do you think that Mayu might develop feeling for Takeru?