I don't own anything.
For those who are still following this story, I'm sorry that I haven't been updating in awhile. I haven't been able to write due to my busy schedule (more like struggling to maintain mental stability in university), and I also felt a drain in creativity. No matter how hard I tried to write, my fingers couldn't hit the keyboard. Sorry that I didn't inform about my sudden break. Now, I'm back for good.
Suggested BGM- AM2:00 by Aimer
Elegant Beings
Scrolling down the wikipedia page, Misaki squinted her eyes. The distress she felt from looking at the white spaces on the webpage, never in Misaki's life has she seen such an empty wikipedia page. Clicking away from the webpage, the google search bar revealed Misaki's secret search "Usui Takumi".
"Is he secretly an agent or something?" Scratching her head, Misaki can't seem to wrap her mind around the lack of information on Usui. In this era when privacy is the synonym to myth, the lack of information on Usui really bothers Misaki.
Scrolling down the page, Misaki found that Usui has an official twitter account. She clicked into the link that virtually transports her into Usui's personal internet space. Within seconds, the color blue began to fill up Misaki's computer screen. Boxes and boxes of text stacked up like a jenga tower. Surprisingly, Usui doesn't have as many followers as Misaki expected. Looking at the circle on the left corner of the screen, Usui's profile picture is him holding a kitten up to cover half of his face.
"Is that he cat he adopted?" Putting her face close to the screen, Misaki asked herself.
Unconsciously, Misaki began scrolling through Usui's tweets. However, Usui does not tweet a lot. Most of the tweets were work related but there were a few extremely random tweets.
Sometimes I wonder if cats can read minds.
Fuwa Fuwa Omurice.
"..." Speechlessly, Misaki scrolled through a series of nonsense tweets.
Ring~
"Ah!" Along with the sudden ring from her mobile phone, Misaki flinched. The guilt of stalking Usui online made Misaki felt slightly uncomfortable. Quickly, Misaki picked up her phone. "Hello?"
"Ayuzawa Misaki?" The voice from the other side of the phone asked.
"Yes." Misaki replied.
"This is Igarashi Tora." Tora properly introduced himself.
"Oh, hi. Did not expect you to call. Is there something wrong with the photos?" Misaki associates work strongly with Igarashi Tora, so she can't think of any other reasons why Igarashi Tora would call her.
"Nope Nope. Nothing wrong with work." Quickly, Igarashi Tora clarified.
"Ok... Phew" Misaki said in relief.
"So, actually I called to talk about the senior photographer last time." Entering the topic, Igarashi Tora informed.
"Oh, so...?" Misaki asked.
"He's an established senior photographer so things got kind of complicated." Igarashi Tora explained.
"Oh..." Misaki's tone leaked some disappointment.
"But someone sent those photos to his wife, and now she's filing a divorce. Apparently they figured out that the senior photographer has multiple affairs. Long story short, he will 'quit' his job soon." Sharing the news, Igarashi Tora smiled.
"I hope karma will finally work." Sighing, Misaki said. Though she is happy that the senior photographer is getting fired, but she doesn't know if that senior photographer will ever reflect on his own actions.
"We will eventually see." Igarashi Tora replied. "Wait, what? Hey!"
"Are you ok?" The sounds coming from the other end confused Misaki.
"Hey." A deep and soothing voice replaced Igarashi Tora's voice.
"...Usui?" Confused, Misaki asked.
"Hahahah, so you recognize my voice." Chuckling, Usui replied.
"Why are you with Igarashi Tora?" Misaki asked to avoid the question.
"He's my roommate" Usui replied.
"You don't even pay rent." A distance voice from the phone added.
"What a small world." Misaki said. "So... what's the matter?"
"Just wanted to say...Hahahahahha" Usui couldn't hold in his laughter, but he endured the the urge and continued. "For liking my tweet from 2 years ago."
"Huh..?" Quickly switching her gaze to her computer screen, Misaki saw her tiny cursor landing on the heart icon of the tweet. Misaki's eyes became wide open, then she realized the flinching movement she did when her phone rang must have caused her to accidentally hit the left click button. "!"
"I thought I was supposed to be the stalker." Usui laughed and said.
"I...!" Out of embarrassment, Misaki blushed from her cheeks until her ears felt the heat too. Not knowing what to do, Misaki hung up the phone to cover her embarrassment. "Goodbye!"
Throwing her phone onto her bed, Misaki covered her face with both of her hands. The shame of being caught stalking someone tickled the bottom of Misaki's heart, causing her to have a weird feeling within. Taking in a deep breath, then peaking back at the computer screen, Misaki realized something different. Usually Misaki doesn't really use her twitter, so she doesn't receive much notifications. Opening the notification, Misaki received news that a certain alien from planet pheromone started following her on twitter.
"Ayuzawa Misaki... you could have been really cool about it..." Rubbing her forehead, Misaki realized that her dramatic reaction is just causing more embarrassment for herself.
The sound of line dropping entered the ears of Usui but he could only hear himself laughing. After laughing for awhile, Usui took in a deep breath to properly end his laughing session. Staring at the phone screen, Usui grinned.
"Time to give me back my phone?" Raising one of his eyebrows, Igarashi Tora coughed.
"Wait, let me check your google searches first." Turning his back away from Igarashi Tora, Usui said.
"Seriously." Rolling his eyes, Igarashi Tora stormed towards Usui and grabbed his own phone away.
"Big bro, chill~" Playfully, Usui raised both of his hands in the air. "I'll go out for a night walk."
Without any delay, Usui jumped off the couch and grabbed his jacket and cap then left the apartment soon after. Igarashi Tora slouched into the couch and watch Usui walk out of the apartment.
"So he does laugh, huh?" A few seconds after Usui left the apartment, Igarashi Tora said to himself. Igarashi Tora lived with Usui for quite awhile now, but they rarely exchange dialogues or spend time together. He was quite surprised when Usui displayed a slight tint of emotion today. Placing his sight back onto his phone screen, Igarashi Tora suddenly had a really bad feeling. He quickly opened his contacts, and scrolled through his long list of contacts, but couldn't find that one specific contact. "That bastard!"
Strolling down the dark streets, Usui unconsciously began humming. Recalling back the short moment he and Misaki had on the phone, Usui couldn't help but smile. After the photoshoot in the mountains, Usui wanted to call Misaki to break the ice. He knew that his reaction wasn't the best that day, but he didn't know how to talk to Misaki either. Though he wanted to talk to her, he has no proper justification to do so. Afterall, Usui wasn't really sure if Misaki and him are even considered as friends.
Ting! A light sound pulled Usui back to reality. Taking his phone out of his pocket, Usui read the message sent by Igarashi Tora.
How dare you? I'm technically your landlord.
Smirking, Usui texted back. I didn't delete her contact, just changed the name. Also, I just deleted the phone calling history. We stan a treasure hunting king.
You will pay for this. In a split second, Igarashi Tora texted back.
Despite the mischievous pranks Usui would play on Igarashi Tora, Usui always manages to ensure the pranks are within a good limit. Originally, Usui planned to just completely delete Misaki's contact; however, he realized that he has no reason nor authority to cut the contacts between Igarashi Tora and Misaki.
Stopping his footsteps, Usui looked up into the sky and sighed loudly. "Why do I even want to delete her contacts from his phone..."
...
The busy footsteps walking throughout the office building played along to the prelude of the morning of the busy city. Walking slowly towards her office, Misaki could feel the effects of her insomnia. After hanging up the phone last night, Misaki suffered from embarrassment replay syndrome, which is a common disease among people with anxiety in which they uncontrollably reply the embarrassing moments in their life. Not a medical certified disease.
Taking a deep breath, Misaki slapped her own face lightly. She can't let her own mistakes and anxiety overtake her professionalism. However, Misaki knew that she needed caffeine to help her push through the day, so she decided that she should grab herself a canned coffee after the first photoshoot of the day.
"Morning, Yukimura." Misaki greeted her assistant.
"Morning." Yukimura greeted back.
"If I'm not wrong, we have a photoshoot with the reader model who won the popularity poll, right?" Misaki asked.
"Actually... the model was sent to the hospital this morning..." Yukimura awkwardly smiled.
"Is she ok?" Frowning out of worry, Misaki asked.
"She got an appendix removal, so I think so.." Yukimura replied. "She probably won't be out of the hospital until 3 days later."
"So we are free for the morning schedule?" Misaki sat down in her chair and asked. "Ah... does this mean the whole schedule is messed up?"
"Nope, the editor soon came up with an alternative plan. So the morning photoshoot will happen with another model." From the stack of documents on the table, Yukimura picked out one document and passed it to Misaki.
"Thanks." While reading the document, Misaki nodded. "So it's going to be one about... what?!"
"Yes?" Reacting to his Misaki's exclamation of confusion, Yukimura responded.
"Electronic appliances for people living alone?" Misaki scrutinized the letters with her amber eyes.
"I think the editing department wanted to target university students who are living on their own." Yukimura suggested.
Seeing the name of the model that will be featured within the magazine issue, Misaki couldn't help but rolled her eyes. "The editor department just wants to bring Usui Takumi into the office."
"..I don't know how to counter that." Yukimura looked away from Misaki. As Misaki's assistant, Yukimura witnessed most of the interaction Misaki and Usui shared. "Our assignment has changed to shooting Usui Takumi... The editing department contacted them earlier and all is set"
"I... please don't' tell me we are going to shoot pictures of him holding the vacuum cleaner from the commercial he featured in." Reflected in Misaki's enlarge eyes was a mixture of fear and frustration.
"Hahahhaa..." From the side of his chair, Yukimura pulled out a vacuum cleaner from a particular brand. Laughing awkwardly, Yukimura felt a sense of shame for being called out by Misaki.
"Capitalism..." Shaking her head, Misaki sighed.
"Ayuzawa-san, is it ok if I ask you a personal question?" Yukimura asked as he put the vacuum cleaner down.
"Yes?" Misaki responded.
"Are you ok with Usui-san after the senior photographer incident?" Yukimura asked.
"Hmm... I guess we are?" Thinking for a while, Misaki continued. "I just have this feeling that he purposely provokes my reaction for fun."
"Kind of like elementary school kids?" Yukimura asked.
"Especially since he's younger, so it feels like tutoring all over again." Recalling her various part time jobs, Misaki sighed. "But he's not a bad person, just playful."
"I see, I was kind of worried about the tension between you two." Expressing his concern, Yukimura said.
"I'm as confused as you. By the way, why are you in charge of bringing the vacuum cleaner... wait." Staring her eyes wide, Misaki stared at Yukimura.
"I was part of the proposal...and... I want him to sign on my vacuum cleaner." Shyly, Yukimura confessed.
"Even Yukimura?" Deep down Misaki thought about Usui's face and the popularity his face brought him. "Sinful looks."
Without any further a due, Misaki and Yukimura began preparing the necessary things for the photoshoot today. Around 10:00 AM, the photographer and her assistant walked towards the designated photo studio. In front of the large metal doors, Misaki and Yukimura bumped into Usui and his manager.
"Good morning. Sorry for the sudden contact this morning." Politely nodding, Misaki apologized.
"Though the notice was certainly short, but we were coincidentally free." The manager replied.
Silently nodding and rubbing his half closed eyes, Usui's body gesture suggested otherwise.
"We will try to get the photoshoot done as soon as possible." Bowing her head down, Misaki apologized again. "Once again, I apologize on behalf on our company for the late notice."
"...Don't worry." While staring at Misaki with his drowsy eyes that may close shut at any minute, Usui's hands reached out and patted Misaki on the head. "I'll do it because it's for you."
"Usui!" Rapidly, the manager gently moved Usui's hands away from Misaki's head. "I'm so sorry, he must not be awake yet."
"Don't worry. Don't worry." Misaki repeated. "Yukimura why don't you show them where the makeup room is, so we don't waste too much time."
"Yes. Please follow me." Yukimura then guided Usui and the manager down the long hallway.
While watching the manager and Usui disappear down the hallway, Misaki touched the top of her head, the exact spot that Usui patted. Somehow, that one particular spot Usui patted felt extra warm.
...
After the photo shoot, Misaki decided to take a short coffee break before she hurries off to another photo studio for another project. Misaki decided to buy a canned coffee from the lonely vending machine that stands right next to the staircase. As a habit, Misaki would always stand in the corner of the tiny section to finish her coffee. Before Misaki began drinking her coffee, Usui appeared.
"Good work today." Usui greeted as he bought a bottle of black tea from the vending machine.
"Good work to you too." Misaki greeted back as she opened her canned coffee.
While Misaki focused on enjoying the first sip of her coffee, she had an uncomfortable feeling that her personal space was being invaded. Especially from her shoulders, she felt like something muscular was pressing against her. Looking to her side, Miskai realized that Usui was squeezing next to her in that tiny corner of the section.
"You know that you're a tall man, right?" Signalling the spatial invasion, Misaki warned. "A slightly muscular one too."
"..." Usui simply stared at Misaki, then put both of his hands up in the air. "Telephone pole."
"... Am I supposed to laugh?" Giving an awkward smile, Misaki asked.
"Do you know how to laugh?" Putting his hands down, Usui raised one of his eyebrows as if he was challenging Misaki.
"Seriously." Using her elbow, Misaki gave Usui a hit. With a soft chuckle, Misaki continued. "Just because you laugh too often doesn't mean I don't laugh at all."
"Wow, that's a first." Opening his bottle of tea, Usui took a sip.
"Was that supposed to be sarcasm?" Misaki asked.
"Nope, serious." Nodding, Usui replied. Looking straight into Misaki's eyes, Usui's stare almost burned Misaki's cheeks. "You think I laugh a lot?"
"Hmm..." Slightly intimidated by the stare, Misaki flinched back. Within Misaki's mind, she processed some past encounters, then concluded. "It's because you enjoy teasing me."
"Bingo." With a killer smile, Usui said.
"Argh." Rolling her eyes, Misaki decided to not make a comment and drink her coffee.
"You just bump into me in the weirdest moments." Usui said. "The cat cafe, the subway, twitter..."
"You pouring water on senior photographers..." Sneakily, Misaki mentioned about the incident.
"Hm. Funny." Usui said.
"Haha." A dry laugh highlighted the sarcasm coming from Misaki.
"I was indeed impulsive, and I'm reflecting on it." Usui admitted his faults.
"So you sent pictures to his wife?" Smirking, Misaki asked.
When Igarashi Tora told Misaki that an anonymous person sent pictures of the senior photographer's wife, Misaki knew it was Usui. From her observation, it appears that Usui has a strong hatred for power abusers and sexual harassers. Though on the surface, Usui may appear to be calm and collected, but she could tell that there is this slight passive aggression within him.
"..." Glancing back at Misaki, Usui couldn't help but to smile. He was impressed that Misaki figured out it was him. However, he wasn't going to admit it right away. "What will you do if I am the person who sent it? Does the good boy get a reward?"
"Buy you another bottle of tea?" Shrugging, Misaki replied.
"I imagined the reward to be more sexy." Usui smiled.
"I feel like you and I, we are connected by a series of coincidences and accidents." Taking a sip of her canned coffee, Misaki ignored Usui's flirtatious words and attempted to change a topic.
"At least we're connected." Staring at Misaki, Usui said.
"Is that a good thing?" Glancing towards Usui, Misaki made firm eye contact with him.
"What do you think?" Putting up his classic despicable smile, Usui leaned towards Misaki.
"No comment." Usui's approaching body created a shadow that covered Misaki's face. Perhaps it was due to the height difference, Misaki slightly shrunk towards the corner. The soft breathing of Usui came with a faint scent of sweet black tea. Staying wary, Misaki was ready to attack Usui if it's necessary.
Slowly, Usui continued to lean towards Misaki. He placed his face right next to Misaki and whispered into her ears. "I think meeting you is the best thing that happened to me since I came to Japan."
With the corner of his eye, Usui spotted the usual red color that spread across the well proportioned facial features on Misaki's face. Even though Usui's face wasn't making direct body contact with Misaki, he could feel her rise in body temperature. Raising the facial muscles around his mouth, Usui smirked. "So, how are my acting skills?"
Enlarging her eyes, Misaki then turned around to look straight into Usui's eyes. "You... did not just..."
"Next month I'm featuring in UxMishi's new music video." Standing back up straight, Usui continued. "Convincing acting skills?"
Taking in a deep breath, Misaki felt a sense of humiliation burning in her. With a slightly harder tone, Misaki said, "No."
"I guess I really should accept the drama classes my manager offered." Rubbing his chin, Usui contemplated.
"Well, good luck on the filming of the music video. Try not to pull any pranks on the producers. Now excuse me, 'cause I have some photos to sort out." Shaking her head, Misaki sighed. Squeezing out of the small corner, Misaki walked away from the vending machine.
Watching Misaki walk away into the hallway, Usui mumbled. "I guess dishonesty is a personality trait we share."