A/n: Sorry for the late update! Almost at the end :D
Please wait for Usui~ I promise his entrance will be magnificent :3
Thank you for all the reviews! And I'm sorry for not replying to each individually as I do not have time :\
Keep reading!
*Chotto: In context, used as a way of saying Hey!
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Chapter 6
Misaki sat staring at the stack of papers in front of her. Her head was reeling from the happenings of the past hour. After Tora had proposed to her and she had sobbed her heart out into his chest, he had told her the truth about the large amounts of money that had been disappearing and the reason for the shipments being lesser than their promised number. Misaki clutched her head in her hands in order to steady her thoughts. She couldn't believe it. She was finding it extremely hard to believe Tora's words, but not only had he no reason to lie to her, but her heart, mind and soul were already embracing the idea completely. Misaki took a deep breath and decided to get some work done before she took off. Her mind went back to the past hour.
Misaki slowly pulled away, sniffing and wiping her tears on her sleeve. Tora let her move away and made sure she was seated comfortably, with a box of tissues and a mug of strong coffee. Then he started:
"Misaki, I want to tell you the truth about the missing finances."
She raised her head to look at him but didn't interrupt.
"The reason behind the large withdrawals is because, you might have already guessed, my father wanted me to supply finances to a certain falling enterprise. My father, the previous head, or rather the figurehead, of Igarashi Corp. had wanted to make a connection with this company for several years already. And finally he saw an opportunity when the company went through an enormous loss and lost all its creditors and sponsors. He and a few other associates used our funds to help rebuild that company. Of course up till now all the funds had been taken from the company's main bank account. Only when we found that those finances were no longer sufficient, did we start withdrawing money directly from Igarashi Corp." Tora paused, waiting for a reaction.
Noticing this, Misaki asked slowly, "And this company? What happened to it?"
"We found out that the reason to their sudden losses was because an American company had aligned itself with several underground companies to over throw this company by using false information and misusing classified information. The culprits were caught and put behind bars but the losses were still severe. Up till half a year ago the transactions were still going on. It's only recently that the company has gone back in full swing and has promised to repay back the loan with interest in no more than a year."
Misaki looked surprised.
"But that's impossible! They've borrowed billions of Yen! In order to return such a large amount in such a short time they have to be some really big shot company-"
Tora watched as realization hit her and the gears slowly started to click in her head. "This company, what did you say it was called again?"
"I didn't."
Misaki made a disapproving sound and Tora snorted.
"The name of the company can't be revealed as yet as it is classified information but I can tell you it is directly related to the Walker family in England." Again, Tora watched as a rainbow of expressions and emotions played across Misaki's face. Finally settling on curiosity, she asked,
"And who is the head of this company?"
Tora couldn't help but burst out laughing. "You really like looking like a fool don't you?"
When Misaki made an indignant face, Tora chuckled and said,
"Gerard Walker is the head of the company. But due to his ailing health, the entire responsibility and leadership has been transferred to Usui Takumi. Gerard is only the head in name and name alone. Though he is quite capable thanks to that shrewd nature of his." Tora grinned savagely. Misaki looked rather taken aback that he said Takumi's name casually.
To that, Tora patted her head and said, "Don't worry about it. I've been in contact with that guy for longer than you think. And he's perfectly fine. Actually, sometimes I even wonder if he's human, with the amount of energy he has."
"Of course he isn't human. He's a perverted alien from outer space!"
Tora looked at Misaki's determined expression and couldn't stop laughing for the rest of the hour.
"Ayuzawa-san!"
Misaki snapped her head up and rammed her head into whatever it was that was above her. A brilliant gong rang through the quiet office followed by a string of colourful swear words.
"Suzuki?! What the hell are you doing holding a shield! Why are you dressed up like that?! What time is it!" Misaki screeched as she glared at a paling Suzuki who looked like a 14-year-old cosplaying Thor.
"Ah Kaicho! You're finally up!
"For the last time Yukimura! Call me Ayuzaw-" Misaki deadpanned at Yukimura who was wearing a blonde wig and a bright red frilly English gown.
"…And who are you supposed to be exactly…"
"I'm Juliet and Kanou-kun is Romeo!" Yukimura said, twirling around, as Kanou and Kentarou trudged in. Misaki took one look at them and doubled over, silently shaking with laughter. Kanou blushed the colour of his red Prince outfit and Kentarou clamped the mouth of his Dragon costume shut.
"And I'm guessing Suzuki is the Knight in shining armour who slays the evil Dragon?" Misaki choked out. Suzuki saluted and Kentarou tried to nod, which resulted in his head falling off.
Several minutes later, after Suzuki explained to Misaki that they were asked to check the newly arrived shipments for defects, the latter stretched and locked the office. She had been given the rest of the week off, as Tora threatened her it was either that or getting fired. Misaki sulked at being forced to take an extended weekend off but went home nevertheless. She used her key to unlock the door and stepped in.
"Tadaima…" (I'm home)
"Misaki-chan?! Okaeri!" (welcome back) Hanazono Sakura cried as she glomped a surprised Misaki.
"Eh?! Sakura?!" She looked past Sakura and noticed Kaga Shizuko come out of the hall. "And Shizuko too!"
"Okaeri Misaki-san," Shizuko greeted kindly and proceeded to hug Misaki. Misaki returned the hug and smiled happily.
"It's been so long Misaki-chan! Nearly a year!" Sakura said, as she wept and clung to Misaki.
"H-Has it?"
"Maa maa Sakura-san, atleast let Misaki-san come in. I bet she's famished." Shizuko peeled Sakura off of the brunette and the trio walked into the dining room. Suzuna looked up from setting the table and Minako waved from behind a huge roasted chicken.
"Ah! Okaeri Onee chan/Okaeri Misaki!"
"T-Tadaima Okaa-san, Suzuna… Is today a special occasion by any chance…?" Misaki asked, as she eyed the chicken.
"Of course! You finally came home!" Minako said happily as she and Shizuko brought the food and laid it on the table. Misaki laughed wearily and once everyone was seated around the table, they folded hands and said,
"Ittadakimasu!" (Thank you for the food/Let's eat)
"Uwaa! Minako-san this is delicious!"
"Haha is it? I'm afraid all the credit goes to Suzuna. I only took it out of the oven."
"That's not true, Okaa-san helped peel the potatoes too."
"Eh~ So this is potato!"
"What did you think it was Sakura-san?"
"Eh? Ah! Shizuko you barely have anything on your plate!"
"This is enough. Moreover, Misaki-san why have you been looking at us with that creepy smile?"
"Onee-chan looks like a perverted old man."
"Chotto* Suzuna!"
Misaki couldn't help but laugh at the four people she treasured the most, as they sat around her and talked merrily. She had forgotten how warm and nice it felt to sit together with friends and family and eat dinner.
"Ah that's right Misaki! We got a rather interesting letter today! It was an invitation of some sort for your-"
"Ah that's right! Minako-san let me serve you some of this delicious mashed potato!" Sakura hurriedly scooped a huge lump of potato and put it on Minako's plate as Suzuna stuffed a chicken leg into her mother's mouth and Shizuko carefully asked if Misaki wanted some of the cake they had bought. Curious about what her mother was talking about, Misaki tried several times to bring up the topic but was very rudely interrupted every time by one or the other person.
Finally, she sighed as she leaned back in the bathtub. Sakura and Shizuko had offered to help clean up, so Suzuna had 'suggested' that Misaki take a long, hot bath, while the former pushed her sister into the bathroom and locked the door.
I wonder what that was all about….
Misaki looked at the ring on her finger and then at the ring dangling from her neck. Frowning, she slowly pulled of the ring on her finger and placed it on the chain along with the silver band. She watched the two bands glittering under the water and wondered if Tora would accept the ring back. Of course he would rather throw it out of the window from her office on the twelfth floor than take it back... Misaki clutched the rings in her hand and vowed to protect them. She looked at them again and let her mind drift…
Misaki checked her watch for the n'th time in the past hour, waiting for the long hand to settle on 12 and the small hand to settle on 6. She watched the seconds hand approach the 12 and counted the seconds until it was 6:00. At exactly the same moment, the door opened and Takumi entered in a black pin striped suit with a cream tie, hair slicked back, a perfect smile on his face and a single red rose in his hand, as his eyes travelled around the room and finally settled on her. Her face reddened as his smile widened. She watched three waitresses approach him and offer to take his coat, which he absentmindedly handed over, all the while looking at her. She lowered her eyes and blushed some more, as he made his way towards their table and sat down next to her. Misaki snapped her head up, in order to demand why he was sitting beside her when the plate and cutlery meant for him were on the table directly across from her. But of course none if it actually made it's way past her lips, as Takumi devoured them. After a few seconds of shock, she pulled away and glared at him. Takumi chuckled and kissed a strand of her hair.
"You look beautiful."
"And your tie matches my dress," Misaki responded matter-of-factly, trying not to blush even more than she already was.
"My, what keen sight you have my lady," Takumi teased, his voice dropping a notch lower as he leaned towards her and placed the rose in her hand.
"Wha-" Misaki couldn't complete her sentence as once again, Takumi stole her lips. And this time neither parted until the waitress cleared her throat. Takumi smirked at her tomato red face and turned to the waitress who was drooling all over him.
"And what would you like Sir?" She purred, bending a little too low and leaning a little too close, as she made sure their bodies connected.
A tick mark appeared on Misaki's cheek.
But luckily for Takumi, he casually leaned towards Misaki and put an arm around her shoulders.
"My wife and I will have today's special, thank you."
The waitress immediately straightened up and eyed Misaki with distaste. She then bowed and strutted away.
"Some people just don't get it," Takumi smiled sweetly at Misaki. She swatted his arm and glared at her plate.
"Who's your wife?"
Takumi grinned and opened his mouth but Misaki promptly placed a hand over it.
"Do not answer that."
The food arrived and Misaki took a small bite of the unintelligible thing on her plate.
"Ah that's right! Did I make you wait too long?" Takumi looked at her with innocent wide-eyes. The brunette focused on chewing.
"Isn't it a little too late for that?"
"Is it? Does that mean you didn't wait? That's good. I was sure you'd be too nervous and end up here an hour early."
Misaki choked on her food and Takumi politely offered her a glass of water.
"Wh-Who would do that!" she blurted out rather loudly. The waitress who had arrived at their table made a disapproving noise and looked at her with obvious hate. She turned towards Takumi and resumed their conversation. Misaki eyed the two wearily.
'Are they talking French?'
The waitress left, rather disappointed at their short conversation and the blond prince turned towards his dark haired princess.
"They have a ballroom."
Misaki just looked at him. Takumi coughed to hide his amusement and standing up, offered a hand to her.
"May I have the pleasure of a dance my lady?"
Misaki looked at his hand and placed hers in it, her cheeks returning to their rosy colour. Takumi smiled and led her out of the posh dining area and into the adjoining ballroom. They joined the other dancing couples and moved with the slow music.
"I suppose I should thank that perverted molester for teaching you how to dance," Takumi said flatly. Misaki looked at him in confusion.
"Perverted molestor?"
"No not me, Igarashi Tora." He watched as her mouth formed an O in realization.
"Yes, I suppose we should," She said, her aura turning dark as she remembered all the things they had to 'thank' him for. Takumi pulled her close and whispered in her ear.
"That's not nice Misa-chan. Thinking about other men when you're with me." He chuckled when he felt her face grow hot.
"You're too honest for your own good," He said and rubbed his nose against her. A few couples around them smiled at the cute gesture, while Misaki tried unsuccessfully not to break eye contact with Takumi. After several minutes of her staring at him, he tilted his head and smiled at her questioningly. Misaki immediately blushed and turned away. When the song stopped, she grabbed his hand and led him off the dance floor and to a balcony that overlooked a garden with a fountain. Takumi breathed in the cool air and looked down at Misaki. She rummaged in her purse for a minute and brought out a small brown package. Takumi's eyes widened as he realized what it was. He took it from her and then looked from the package to her and back.
"Is this… for me?"
"Obviously you idiot!"
"Eh?"
Misaki glared at him and then wound her arms around his neck and kissed him. Takumi responded, surprised at first and then warmly. She pulled away and looked at him, getting more and more embarrassed by the minute.
"Happy Birthday baka Takumi."
Takumi's eyes widened at the sound of her saying his name. Misaki turned around and covered her burning face with her hands. Takumi slowly looked down at the package in his hand and started to undo it. He pulled out a thin silver bracelet with a single glass bead on it. He twisted the bead gently in his fingers and noticed that something was engraved on it. He stared at it for several seconds and then smiled gently. Taking a step forward, he hugged Misaki from behind and kissed the back of her head.
"I love you too Misaki. Thank you."
"Onee-chan if you stay in there any longer you'll drown!"
Misaki stared groggily at the person bending over her.
"…Suzuna?"
Suzuna sighed and helped her sister out of the tub. "I know I asked you to take a long bath, but I didn't ask you to fall asleep in the tub."
"Eh? I was sleeping?"
Suzuna gave her a blank look. Misaki laughed sheepishly and apologized.
"You should seriously stop working so hard. Onee-chan is such an extremist."
"I am not an extremist! I just like what I do!"
"Lies." Suzuna stuck her tongue out at Misaki and started folding the latter's clothes that were thrown on the floor.
"Ah you don't have to do that!" Suddenly noticing something sparkling on Suzuna's hand, Misaki rushed over and grabbed her sister's slender wrist. Her eyes widened as she saw the thin silver band inlaid with a diamond on her ring finger. She looked at Suzuna, who blushed lightly and simply said,
"It's fake. Yōu-kun promised he'd give me a real one soon though."
Misaki yelled happily and glomped her sister.
"That idiot Shintani finally did something praise worthy!"
Suzuna patted Misaki's back and said, "He's been working hard."
Even without looking, Misaki could hear the smile in her voice.
A/n: Fufu a rather satisfying chapter :D
And hints of HinataxSuzuna! They are just SO CUTE.
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Love~