Ashes and Riches

By moonlight ray

Chapter 8

The Difference between the Igarashi Brothers…

Disclaimer: Maid-sama belongs to Fujiwara Hiro, not me. But I can wish, can't I?

[A/N: Here, at last, is the long-awaited scene I know you've all been anticipating… (drumroll please) a crystal-clear explanation of who Katashi is! A few of you might have guessed—I was trying to foreshadow in many of the previous chapters—but here's the confirmation! It still might be a little cryptic, though. Depends on how well you can interpret the clues I'm throwing out there. As my English teacher says, "Readers are dumb." Her words, not mine. :P]

That morning, the Student Council of Miyabigoaka was in an intense debate between renovating the ballroom and putting the money towards construction of a new spa. "We're not an all-female school," the secretary was saying. "The spa will be only of benefit to the female population."

"That is not true," one of the committee members countered. "Male and female alike are able to enjoy a relaxing period of time at the spa."

"The ballroom is used for visitors as well as the students." Another disagreed. "We should consider the interests of the majority, which is renovating the ballroom."

"The ballroom is in divine condition. It is not in need of renovation. A spa, however, will be a great addition to Miyabigoaka." A third committee member objected.

"But it will cost more than renovating what is already there," Maki pointed out. "If we put the money to ballroom renovations, we will have proceeds left over for other projects as well."

"The vice has a point," mumbled a fourth committee member.

"Then why don't we do this," Tora proposed, standing up. "There is more than enough space in the changing rooms, correct? I suggest that we take the extra space and renovate it into a small spa, which will take up no more than a third of our proceeds. The rest of the money will be given to fund renovations for the ballroom." Murmurs of agreement surged through the Student Council Room. Tora motioned for Maki to handle the poll (it was common courtesy in the Student Council, even when the result of the polling was more than palpable).

"All in favour, please stand." Maki requested. Everyone stood. "All against?" A heavy silence followed, as no one made a move. "Then it is settled. The renovations begin next week."

"Dismissed," Tora said, and all the members of the Student Council thanked him before flooding out the door.

"Aren't you coming, kaichou?" Maki questioned, lingering in the doorframe. "Classes begin in ten minutes."

Tora shook his head, "You go ahead. I have… business to take care of."

Maki nodded, although he looked like he wanted to oppose. "Of course," And he backed out of the room.

Just then, as if on cue, Tora's cell phone rang. He picked it up and answered the call. "Hello Father," he greeted. "Yes, I did… What? No, I'm afraid not… Of course. I will take care of it." He ended the call, and fury enveloped him. He picked up the nearest object—which just happened to be a dart—and hurled it absently at the wall. It hit the target right smack-dab in the bulls eye, but he didn't notice or care. "I'm gonna murder him for making me deal this shit," Tora growled to himself.


"Yes, I'm seeing it too!" Sakura squealed. "What do you think it means? Should I call Shizuko?"

Ignoring the second question, Misaki replied, "I'm not sure what it means. But there's going to be trouble if everyone else in school finds out."

"Oh, should I call Usui-kun?"

"What? No! What's with that question all of a sudden?"

Sakura giggled. "I'm kidding. So what are you going to do? About Igarashi-kun, I mean."

"I don't know. Everything I've tried failed." Misaki answered honestly.

"And that would be…?"

"Scaring it out of him, interrogation, hypnotism, stalking…" She emphasized the last word at Sakura accusingly.

"All except that last one, you did without me? I'm not trying to be clingy, but don't you think it's dangerous confronting him all by yourself? You never know what he could do to you."

Misaki laughed. You have no idea, she thought remembering how Katashi flipped her over his shoulder. "I'm fine. I can protect myself."

Sakura didn't respond for a while. Finally, when Misaki was about to ask if she was still there, she sighed. "Next time you can't go alone, alright? The Igarashi family has lots of influence and power. I don't want you getting involved in that, okay, Misaki?"

"Yes, alright," Misaki promised. "I'll see you at school, Sakura. I should get going since I have to walk there. Bye."

"Bye. Be careful!"


Katashi swung open the door to his apartment, about to head to school, and stopped upon seeing the person awaiting him on the other side. "Aniki…" he breathed. "What are you doing here?"

Tora, needing no further invitation, swept into the apartment through the open door. He regarded his surroundings disdainfully. "I still don't understand why you'd prefer to live here rather than at home." He stated, taking his time and not bothering to acknowledge Katashi's question. "It's so… dull in comparison."

"Maybe because I can actually obtain some privacy without microphones in every room," Katashi shot back. "What do you want, aniki? I'm not going back, if that's what you're here for."

Tora tossed him a humorless smile. "I don't want anything. It's Father that wants."

Katashi narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean? I have to get to school, so there's not much time—"

"Sit," It was an order, not a suggestion. Katashi did as told, taking a seat on the couch. Tora reached for the remote, and turned the TV on to the news channel. "Explain this."

Katashi swerved his gaze to the screen. He watched the news feed playing before him in silence, his expression of stone. When it was over, Tora switched to another channel. The same story was being broadcasted. Then another. Then another. Three more, all of the same news story, then Tora shut off the TV.

"Father is furious." Tora began, his face and voice of cool composition. If Katashi didn't know him as well as he did, he would've thought that Tora wasn't mad. But Katashi did know him well, and he could see the seething anger boiling below the surface. "Mother is worried sick, and I've just been pulled out of a Student Council meeting to deal with you. What's the meaning of this?"

"They said it was a rumor. There is no proof that that was me in the video." Katashi reasoned coolly. "Now if that is all, please excuse me. I have school." He proceeded to get up, but Tora halted him.

"You're not going anywhere until I say so," he said icily. "Father is currently extending to you mercy. You have three days to fix this by whatever methods—should you lie, bribe, or kill—or else you're coming back. I will be coming to check up on you on the third day. We are clear?"

Katashi nodded mutely, though all he really wanted to do was punch Tora in the stomach, and yell, "Clear as the damn crystal gets!" But he knew that the end result would not be to his advantage. Tora was twice as strong as him and with more experience. Not only that, but you didn't mess with an Igarashi in general. Especially not an Igarashi as successful and influential as Igarashi Tora.

"Good," Tora smirked. "Oh, and one more thing," He drew a small vial from his pocket and handed it to Katashi.

"What's this?" Katashi inquired.

"It causes amnesia. I'd suggest slipping it in Ayuzawa-kaichou's food."

Katashi stared down at the glass vial, the length of his pinky finger, weighing down in his palm. It contained a murky liquid. "You're telling me to drug the president?" But when he looked up, Tora was already gone, the door left ajar.