Chapter10- Three Makes a Crowd

Taking her dad's advice Akari made a plan. First, make kaichou feel worthless. But she'd need research for that. So, she decided to take a different approach. She would lower the amount of time they spent together. And how do you do that?

After school was over Akari made her way to the student council room and sure enough Misaki sat at her desk working on some papers while Usui sat on her table twirling a lollipop in his mouth. He looked down at her and incidentally she also looked up.

"Usui, how many times have I told you not to bring food in here and not to sit on my desk!?"

"I don't know kaichou I actually lost count," Usui replied chuckling.

"Ugh!" Misaki groaned annoyed.

"Um… Usui-kun…" Akari started letting herself into the room, "when we go to work can you please accompany me?"

Both Misaki and Usui had looked up the moment Akari pronounced his name.

"Sorry but I'm going with kaichou," he said with a bored expression.

"Then please let me come with you guys," she blurted before she knew it. But then she guessed that this would serve the same purpose as separating the two if not a better one.

"You see," she continued," yesterday when I was walking to work I felt like someone was following me. I felt the same way when I went home. I was so scared so I thought I'd ask Usui-kun today." Lie. The biggest lie she had told in her entire life.

Though kept staring out the window she knew exactly what the kaichou's reaction would be. And on cue, Misaki shot up from her table, concern evident in her eyes.

"Oh my god! Akari that is not good!" she exclaimed.

"I know kaichou it's so scary!" Akari exclaimed back.

You are so predictable kaichou, she thought. I can't believe I act so well!

"Usui, she's coming with us to work," Misaki announced.

"Your wish is my command, ojousama," he said.

"Cut the crap! Since when am I your ojousama?"

Akari smiled to herself.

Phase 1: part 1, done!

"Akari, wit here we'll go together," Misaki said.

"Ah, kaichou, you took the words right out of my mouth," Akari said.

Akari waited for another ten minutes in the student council room but Usui didn't once even look at her.

Why doesn't this guy pay me any attention? She thought getting a little impatient.

"Patience bears the sweetest fruits," Usui's voice rang through the room.

Akari looked up blushing. She was shocked. Is this guy a mind reader or something? But the moment she set her eyes on him her blush disappeared.

Usui was behind kaichou looking down at her paperwork.

"Whatever!" Misaki got up from her seat and took hold of her bag.

"Let's get going or we're going to be late."

All three of them made their way to the train station and when the train arrived they got on board. Akari felt like she had achieved something great. Well, it was an achievement if you look at it from Usui's point of view,

What does this Akari want exactly? What right does she have to butt in between me and Misa-chan's alone time? I already told her that I don't like her. How much more does she need to be ignored to get that into her fat head? Usui's thoughts raced just as the train did. Soon they were at Maid Latte and like most other days Usui was asked to fill in as temporary chef.

To his great dismay Usui didn't get even a single second alone with Misaki. Whenever she came in with an order Akari would also come in right behind her and wouldn't leave before Misaki did. This was starting to get annoying. Just one day and he was already sick of it. And who knows how much longer he would have to bear with this.

Misaki had said, "Until she feels she is safe it's our duty to escort her."

He had wanted to protest but could he really say no to something Misaki wanted? I don't think so.

He had a bad feeling the moment Akari showed up at the student council room.

He knew Misaki was getting a bit restless too but she wouldn't show it. Her reputation was at stake here. He chuckled at the thought. What if Misaki forgot all her pride and came running to him whenever she felt lonely? Nah that would be no fun.

After the shop finally closed down for the day Misaki went to change. Akari's shift had been over a while ago but she insisted on waiting. "I don't want to be stalked!" she had whined. So in the end Misaki had decided that she and Usui would accompany Akari home, to Usui's dismay of course.

"Lead the way Akari," Usui said once the three of them came out through the back door."How about we drop you off first?" this was something he was sure Misaki would agree with.

"But kaichou works so hard she needs more rest right?" Akari retorted. Hopefully she could get Usui to agree with her on this. And he did inwardly; he did care about Misaki's health. But knowing Misaki she probably planned on pulling an all-nighter tonight. He looked at Misaki for support.

"You know what Akari, I don't trust this guy to be alone with you. You don't know what he could do to you. He's a perverted alien after all. Besides I'd like to see you safely enter your house with my own eyes."

"So your jealous kaichou," Usui teased, a smirk starting to play on his lips, "you're worried I'd do the same thing to her that I did to you huh?"

"W-who the hell told you that huh?" Misaki said starting to blush. "Baka Usui!" she mumbled.

Akari felt like a third wheel. Plus she had just lost the chance to get Usui alone tonight. Oh well, I guess luck isn't on my side today. But he'll have to accompany me home alone someday. Like he said patience bears the sweetest fruits, I'll be patient. It will bring me the trophy someday.

On the way to Akari's house Misaki showed Akari the way to Misaki's house. It was quite close to Akari's that meant they wouldn't get much time after they dropped her off. That relieved her a bit.

The three of them stood in front of the manor of a house Akari lived in. Misaki stared with her jaw dropping. Akari then mentioned that she had a personal car.

"Akari, why don't you use your car to go to and come back from work? That would solve all of our problems," Usui asked.

Misaki snapped out of her trance then.

"What do you mean by 'our problems'?" she asked Usui. "Akari is the one who has problems right now."

"Oh so I'm invisible now," Usui pouted. "Anyway, Akari you didn't answer my question."

"Well, I just like walking. If I use the car then I won't get the fresh air and besides there's the possibility of getting fat." She was blushing. She finally had his attention.

"Misa-chan let's get going Akari needs rest let's go." Usui's voice brought Akari back to earth. He had dragged Misaki from the walkway in front of Akari Manor (yes that's the name of the place, how uncreative!).

"Don't stand outside for too long Akari," Misaki's faint cries could be heard from where she stood.

"You two should get back home fats too!" she called back. That guy is desperate isn't he? Well, that just makes me more desperate as well.

As soon as they were far away enough from Akari's house Usui cornered Misaki against a wall.

"Why did you do that Misa-chan?" he asked looking into her eyes.

"Do what?" Misaki was confused.

"Drag Akari along?"

"Heh, it was more clinging on her part than dragging on my part," she said defensively. "Besides she was feeling insecure, what's wrong with keeping someone safe? You claim to be doing that to me all…"

Before she could say anything else he captured her lips in a sweet kiss that made both of them forget everything.

"Man, I totally agree with that saying," Usui said once they broke apart.

"Which saying?" Misaki asked, now as red as a ripe tomato.

"Three makes a crowd."