A/N: I'm a little late getting this out today, I've been sick.

Misaki stayed diligent in getting Usagi prepared for his international trip. It was an ordeal as usual, since Usagi had to be treated like a kid during every step of the way. She was the one who ended up packing his suitcase and making sure everything was accounted for. She was the one who pushed him to the airport, and she was there to make sure he didn't try to run. By the time he was actually en route, Misaki was totally exhausted. Luckily, she had driven him there in her car, so she didn't have to hang around the airport for long.

A few hours later, she got a text from Haruhiko saying that he'd pick her up at her house, mainly because they wouldn't have to be covert about their meetings. Misaki agreed, and then was picked up not long after.

As they drove, the author decided to prod a little on the specifics of what Haruhiko planned. "So, I have to ask, what do you have planned for this week?"

"Not too much." He said as he drove. "I just thought we could- act natural maybe? In a casual way."

"Well, if you say so." She said.

"If you need anything, just ask."

"I have my laptop, I think I'll be fine all week."

"…Hmm."

The conversation ceased then, and the car went quiet. Honestly Misaki didn't know what to say in a situation like this, and elected to let the silence hang between them. It wasn't so bad, Haruhiko didn't feel the need to fill up every silent second, which took some stress off of her.

Eventually they arrived at a small cabin-like house, very different from the Usami mansion Misaki was expecting. She could only wonder what his intentions were for bringing her here.

"We're not going to your place?"

"We could if you wanted to." He said, but continued, "I just thought this would provide a calmer atmosphere for you."

She pouted a little. He was on top of his game as usual, and Misaki couldn't help but feel like he was doing all this on purpose, maybe to lure her into a false sense of security. Well, that wasn't going to work and she was going to hold firm. No way would she give into his advances, it couldn't happen. Still, she did appreciate being in a cozy place rather than his extravagant mansion.

They exited the car and entered the house. Inside had a warm colour scheme and a really lived in feel to it, despite it being the first time people were in it. Haruhiko looked around, giving a nod of satisfaction after a while. "Pick any room you want." He said plainly.

"Okay." At that, she started to explore the house. While it was smaller than what she was used to, it was still fairly large. There were four bedrooms, each uniquely furnished to set a different mood. Misaki ended up taking a room at the end of the hall that gave off a sort of mysterious feel. She thought it would provide the best inspiration for her book. Haruhiko took a room closer to the common room.

They both started unpacking and setting up their rooms for the next week. Misaki had travelled lightly so that setting up wouldn't take long. Haruhiko appeared to do the same and they both quickly met up in the common room.

"So, what now?" Misaki said lamely.

"I could get us some lunch…"

"Wait right there, I'll do it." She said. At that, she looked into the fridge, only to note that it was completely empty. "Huh, I guess you didn't think this one through." With a sigh she continued, "we should go shopping."

"…Shopping, together?"

She rolled her eyes at his insistence. "We've only got your car, do you expect me walk all the way to town and then carry it all the way back?"

He adjusted his glasses with a look on his face that said 'good point.' "Alright, let's go."

Upon reaching the market, Misaki seemed to perk up a little. Looking around at the ingredients available to her, she began thinking about what kinds of things to make for their meals today.

"Feel free to get whatever you want." Haruhiko said after a while of watching her size up ingredients.

"I already planned to do that. I'm just selecting the best."

"I see."

"Do you notice how these vegetables are softer than these? You should avoid those, get the nice firm ones."

"… I know."

"Oh, okay then." She had to remember that Haruhiko had more life experience than his younger brother. It was likely that he was already knew most of the obvious things she'd have to explain to her lover. "I don't feel like making something elaborate, do you mind?"

"… Not at all."

"Good." A sigh escaped her. It was nice to know she wouldn't have to be working hard while on this excursion. After she made her selection, Haruhiko picked up a few things and they left.

Misaki made lunch for the both of them, a simple stir fry. Haruhiko thanked her in his usual stoic manner and they both went about their own business for a while. Misaki took out her laptop and got to work on her latest novel, somehow inspired by her current situation.

Come supper time, Haruhiko got up and made his way into the kitchen. Misaki watched with an almost panicked expression. "What are you doing?"

"…Making us supper."

"Are you sure? Shouldn't I do that?"

"…You made us lunch, it's only fair that I make us supper." He said simply.

She sat back down then, showing her nervousness on her face. Whenever Usagi cooked for her, she knew it would turn into a disaster. As of now she didn't know how well Haruhiko could handle himself in the kitchen, but if he was anything like his brother, this meal wouldn't turn out well.

Time passed slowly, Misaki couldn't help but look over her shoulder just to make sure Haruhiko wasn't in the process of burning the house down. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see him working away without much concern. Her pulse raced, possibly from worry. So far he hadn't given her any reason to doubt him, but it was just so ingrained in her subconscious that she went into a near panic whenever there was a man in the kitchen. Occasionally he'd look in her direction, and raise an eyebrow at her nervousness. "I'm not going to poison you." He said eventually, wondering what all the suspicious looks were about.

She scoffed at that comment. "Who said you were going to poison me?" At such odd denial, she wondered then if he was trying something like that. Why else would he bring it up?

"It's just, you're looking at me so suspiciously, I just wanted you to know that I'm not doing anything weird."

"Sure." Misaki said, turning her suspicious gaze back to her laptop. Her fingers typed furiously as she tried to take her mind off of Haruhiko and his highly suspect cooking. Luckily for her, the ideas were flowing, and being in this situation gave her an unexpected boost in inspiration.

Haruhiko joined her in the common room shortly after, with a rather tasty looking mishmash of things. "Here." He said, handing over a plate.

Misaki closed up her laptop and took the plate. Her line of vision travelled to the kitchen, which appeared to be in pristine condition. She looked back at Haruhiko, her expression one of confusion.

He only sighed. "I'm guessing those looks are because you expected me to be incompetent like my brother. I can assure you, I'm not pathetic like him."

"Hmm." Misaki said. On one hand, she was a little offended at the obvious jab at her boyfriend, but she also couldn't deny that Haruhiko's words held some truth to them. So she decided not to push the issue and just took a bite of what she was presented. "Oh, wow."

"Is it to your liking?"

"Surprisingly, yes."

Silence fell between them again, mainly because Misaki was too busy eating to say anything. Her mind wandered for a second. She thought about what it would be like to have a partner who could actually help with the housework, instead of leaving her to do it. Such an arrangement wouldn't be so bad, but definitely not worth leaving Usagi for.

"If you have any suggestions for tomorrow, you can let me know." He said in a muted tone, almost shyly.

"Really?" It may have been a small gesture, but she ended up flattered nonetheless.

"Yeah."

"Okay then, I'll let you know." She could feel herself blush ever so slightly at his offer. "But um, I'm going to be busy for the rest of the night. I think after five or so chapters I can take a break."

"Very well." He said, taking his meal into his room to give her peace and quiet.

Honestly she didn't know if this was a good thing or not, but the contrast to how Usagi would have acted kind of confused her. Being left alone like that, she might actually get some work done, and she was grateful for that.