Kaichō wa Maid-sama! 2005 © Fujiwara Hiro

Lala Magazine under Hakusensha Publishing

WARNING: Major OOC and One-Sided ToraXMisa.

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Chapter 10: Red

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Ayuzawa Misaki spent a week of her life trapped in a hospital bed. Half of it was in the Intensive Care Unit and the other half was in a private room near Dr. Natsu's office.

In all honestly, it wasn't so bad. Usui was with her almost all the time; caring for her endlessly. Of course, it was still awkward, considering the fact that they both have their own inner battles. Interactions between them felt like building a suspension bridge over a huge chasm that separated them. But slowly yet surely, they were reaching out to each other again. The butterfly touches, the meaningful glances, the soft smiles; slowly yet surely, they were reverting back to their old selves.

Usui hardly left her. He slept and changed in the hospital; it was miracle he wasn't kicked out by Nurse Sayuri. He didn't go to work no matter what she told him. Instead, he brought his laptop and worked beside her. He only went out to buy food for just a couple of minutes. The longest time was probably when he went to her apartment with Nurse Sayuri, who -bless her- volunteered to bring a change of clothes; any girl wouldn't want a guy rummaging through their underwear drawer, would they?

Misaki often watched him working over his laptop when he thought she was sleeping. But sometimes, in her feigned sleeps, she could feel him so close to her; caressing her hair or softly drawing circles on her hand. She managed not to flinch or twitch whenever he did that. She couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking.

They never talked about the big fuss over her being in the hospital or the reason why he'd left seven years ago. It was always a lingering subject under their casual conversations but they refused to bring it out. Not yet.

The only major downside of being held down by IVs and assorted machines was that Misaki couldn't get up from the bed to punch a certain arrogant guy, who did nothing but to reprimand her every single time he visited.

The hospital room instantaneously turned into a war room in every moment Tora stepped inside.

She was sure as hell Tora did that just to piss her off. She would often tell him to shut up while giving him an evil glare that would probably make any demon running for their lives. But even so, he seemed to be unaffected as he kept on ranting about this and that. She would bit back with sarcasms that annoyed him to the bones.

On the other hand, Misaki didn't miss the skeptical look on Usui's face whenever Tora came to scold her, like he was thoroughly analyzing what kind of relationship was built between them while he was gone. But despite the burning curiosity and a possible hint of jealousy, he never said a word.

Since Misaki didn't suffer any major complication from the flu, Dr. Natsu discharged her on a Friday afternoon. He advised her that their chemo session would be temporarily on-hold until the following week to give her body a rest. She gratefully agreed; she had enough of the damn hospital.

"Did you get everything?" Usui asked as he reached for the bag Misaki just finished packing.

"Yep," she replied. "All clear; I'll just have to check-out."

"Okay, let's go."

They walked out the room and went for the lobby. Along the way, their hands were just breath's apart but even in pretend, they couldn't seem to hold each other without that high school memories rushing back in their heads like gigantic tidal waves.

They were out of St. Luke's once Misaki cleared her hospital papers. She never been so happy stepping out in the bright afternoon sunlight after a week of being caged in that pristine white room with overpowering smell of disinfectant and alcohol. The wind was cool but she was safely wrapped in her jacket. The leaves and bushes were beginning to change colors appropriate for autumn.

"Ah, this feels great," she sighed. She looked back at Usui with a sweet smile on her lips.

Usui smiled back, unable to form coherent words as her lovely face lightened up in the most amazing way. He itched to hold her hand, to feel her little fingers interweaved with his. But Misaki was already skipping ahead, excitedly making her way towards the parking lot.

He followed her. He watched as she stopped abruptly and frowned.

"Which one is yours again?" she asked, tilting her head in confusion.

Usui wanted to laugh at her childish expression, and also for the fact that she was just standing right in front of his car. He grinned and pointed to black Mercedes.

"Oh. Of course," she muttered, her cheeks heating up.

He chuckled. "Come on, Misa-chan," he walked over to the car's passenger side; ruffling her hair affectionately as he passed by.

He held the door open for her. Face still red, Misaki got inside the warm car. For some reasons, her thoughts kept echoing his voice calling her Misa-chan. Usui got into the driver's seat as well. The car purred to life and he swiftly eased into the road.

"Want to go eat somewhere?" he asked casually.

Misaki looked at him, a bit surprised. "What, like right now?"

"Yeah... if you want to," he mumbled, keeping his eyes straight ahead on the road.

"Well," she started, biting her lip. She fiddled with her hands on her lap. "I was thinking..."

"About?" he glanced at her.

"I didn't have a chance to eat what you cooked for the last time, so I was thinking, how about we eat something we cooked?" she said so fast it sounded like she was tongue-twisting. But thankfully, Usui understood it clearly.

"We cooked?" he arched his eyebrow, a small smile playing on his lips.

"No, sorry. Let me rephrase that: How about we eat something you cooked?" she corrected herself, speaking slowly this time.

He smirked. "Okay, since you asked nicely."

Misaki rolled her eyes for his benefit but at the same time, she couldn't contain her smile.

"So, what do you want eat?" he asked.

She shrugged and looked at him, "what do you want to cook?"

"Hmm..." the way he purse his lips and scrunch up his nose was just too cute. "I think I know, but we need to drop by the supermarket first."

He smiled and swerved the car away from their original route.

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Seiyu Supermarket was huge.

They walked from aisle to aisle looking for ingredients Misaki didn't know they exist. Heck, she didn't even know that those aisles existed. But Usui seemed to know his way around very well as he pushed the cart, concentrating on his mental shopping list.

Usui was glad that Seiyu sells a wide variety of foreign ingredients he needed for his intended dishes. While he chose among them, he would often see Misaki looking all fascinated with her surrounding as if it was her first time setting a foot in that part of the supermarket. Well, maybe that was the case.

He watched her inspect a jar of prunes like it just spoke to her, he saw her frowning at a bottle of cooking wine, and he stifled a laugh when she accidentally inhaled the unpacked black pepper in a large container. He knew Misaki wasn't the home economic type girl who knew everything from grocery shopping to cooking. And most definitely not the cooking part. She wasn't even a typical girl to begin with. And that's why he loves her.

"Usui?" she called out softly when they were in fruits and vegetables corner. She was lagging behind him as they strolled the area.

"Hm?" he looked back to find her having a staring contest with a bunch of red cabbages.

"What are these?" she asked slowly, poking the poor vegetable.

"They're red cabbages," he answered plainly, like it was blindingly obvious.

"Red."

"Yes."

"Why are they red?" The massive curiosity in her voice was unmistakable.

He sighed amusedly. He stepped closer to her and adjusted the surgical mask she was wearing. He then offered his very own creative explanation: "Maybe they want to look more fabulous than their green cousins?"

Misaki blinked, then she laughed out loud. "You're crazy," she giggled.

Usui chuckled, committing her beautiful laughter in the back of his mind.

"Aren't we going to get some of these?" she said it like she was begging him to go get some because apparently, she didn't know red cabbages exist, much less taste them.

"No," he said deadpanned. "Now come on, let's get going." He took her hand and dragged her away before she could snatch one.

After a few more ingredients, they went into the short line of cashier queue. Usui was still holding her hand, and she wasn't pulling away... which was a good thing, right?

"Are you going to feed a whole army?" she peeked over their nearly-full cart.

"You need to fatten up a bit," he squeezed her tiny fingers.

"Ow!" Misaki glared. "Oh look, it's our turn," she pulled back and started putting all their goods on the counter.

Usui pouted, feeling a bit sad that her hand slipped from his.

They finished piling up the products on the counter and waited in silence as the cashier punched it on the computer. Misaki noticed that it was taking longer than necessary because the girl kept glancing at Usui distractedly.

She wanted to laugh on how oblivious Usui was. He just stood there in front of her, inconspicuously caressing the back of her hand again. She shook her head amusedly. Will you ever stop looking so goddamn handsome? You're unknowingly breaking the poor girl's heart.

Finally, the baggage guy packed everything and they were good to go. Usui carried most of them. Misaki helped him with the light ones. They went back to the car, stuff the groceries in the compartment and drove back to her apartment.

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"What are you going to cook?" Misaki sat on the bar stool in the kitchen. She rested her elbows on the island counter; chin on her palm. She watched Usui in fascination as he moved around gracefully.

"Toad-in-the-hole," he replied with a cheeky smile as he adjusted the sleeves of his shirt.

"Toad-in-the-what?" she frowned deeply.

"Toad. In. The. Hole."

Misaki gaped; her mouth slightly slacked open.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to use a real toad," he laughed at her expression.

"Oh, you better not!" she growled disgustedly. "So... what is it?"

"It's something I learned to cook when I was in England," he said softly. He casually gazed at her to gauge her reaction. He thought he saw Misaki flinched just a tiny bit, but then she nodded. Or more like shrugged.

"Why is it called toad-in-the-hole? Does it look like a toad? Because if that's the case, there's no way I'm going to eat that," she held up her hands and grimaced to emphasize her point.

"Nah, I assure you, it looks nothing like a toad," he chuckled. "I don't know why it is called toad-in-the-hole, though."

"How do you make it?"

"It's fairly simple but you need skills to perfect it," he winked. He whipped out a baking pan, a skillet and other utensils from the cabinet, then he took some ingredients from the bags of groceries.

Misaki's eyes trailed after him, thinking how perfectly he fits in her kitchen -now his kitchen. He didn't look out of place, like he was part of the picture right from the very start. His delicate movements were smooth and at ease. His presence not only in the kitchen but in the whole apartment was so natural; it was as if he'd always belong there his entire life.

And what scared her the most was the feeling of completion. She hadn't realized her house was utterly empty all this time until Usui came. It felt like she found the ultimate missing piece and her house finally became home.

"Misa-chan?" Usui's worried voice brought her back to present. He was staring at her over his shoulder as he fumbled by the sink.

"Huh? W-what?" she jerked and blinked.

"Are you alright? Maybe you should go lie down first. This will take some time to cook so-"

"No, no, I'm fine. Totally fine. Don't worry," she said hastily, slightly blushing from the aftereffects of her conjured thoughts.

"You sure?"

"Yeah, absolutely. D'you need anything?"

"Could you hand me the knife over there, please? The plastic casing won't come off," he held up a string of sausages.

Misaki hopped off the bar stool and gave him the knife. She stood beside him, watching his hands expertly skinned the sausages.

"Eyes on your work, Usui," she warned as she felt him staring at her.

He laughed. "Ah, can't help it, Misa-chan is lot more interesting."

Misaki blushed. "You'll skin your fingers, idiot," she jabbed his ribs and walked away.

"I can do this with my eyes close," he boasted.

"Show-off," she muttered. She took a pink apron she'd never used from the cabinet and went back to Usui. "Here, put this on. Your shirt might get dirty."

Usui turned to her, hands slimy from the sausages. "Put it for me," he bowed his head lower. But Misaki still had to tiptoe. He definitely grew taller, she thought. His golden locks tickled her face as she slung the apron around his neck. The fragrance coming off him was addicting.

So close... so very close...

She tied it behind him and patted his back. "There," she announced.

"Thanks."

"Now cook, peasant," she ordered playfully.

"Why don't you help me, Your Highness?" he countered.

Misaki raised her eyebrow challengingly. "You want me to help you?"

"Yes."

"Do you know what you're getting yourself into?"

"Of course."

"Usui, everything I touch inside the premises of this kitchen will either burst into flame or turn into a boulder. Are you sure you want my help?"

"Yes," he answered without delay.

Misaki sighed. "Okay... just don't hold me responsible for any untoward incident that may occur."

The sound of his laughter was so homey. "Let's get to work, shall we? We'll have to cook this first," he brought the plate of sausages to the stove after washing his hands.

Misaki reluctantly followed him.

The two of them spent the rest afternoon preparing and cooking foreign dishes. Misaki managed not to burn the sausages (on which she earned an annoying round of applause from Usui) and while Toad-in-the-hole was baking, they started mixing another dish called Cottage Pie.

"Cottage Pie?" she repeated.

Usui nodded. "It's roasted meat and mash potatoes with a lot of vegetables. You'll like it," he smiled softly.

And they set to work again. By time the first dish was done, the Cottage Pie was ready pop in the oven for a thirty-minute baking. Usui exchanged the contents in the oven.

"It smells wonderful," Misaki inhaled the newly baked Toad-in-the-hole.

He put it on the table and took a fork. "It doesn't look like a toad, does it?"

"No," she chuckled.

He cut a portion of the bread and blew at it; cooling it down. "Here. Say ah," he cooed; a teasing smirk softly plastered on his face.

She was blushing as she narrowed her eyes at him. But nevertheless, she bit off the chunk of bread he was offering.

Usui looked at her expectantly.

"It's delicious," she said shyly.

He grinned. He gave her the fork and started rummaging in the grocery bags.

Misaki continued to eat as she curiously watched him.

Usui turned to her, a plastic of strawberries in one hand and a box of chocolate in the other. "Strawberry or chocolate?"

"What for?"

"Tart."

"Definitely chocolate."

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The beautiful autumn day morphed into a pleasantly cool night.

Usui and Misaki were resting on the couch, neither can move from all the food they stuffed into their stomachs. The TV was on but nobody was watching as they succumbed into a casual conversation; a conversation nowhere near the reality they had to ultimately face.

The distance between them significantly decreased; they were just within arm's length, their curled knees where touching and Usui was close enough to caress Misaki's hair so very lightly. All too often, awkward silence would fall between them when they ran out of safe topics. But they would eventually think of something just keep each other talking.

At quarter to nine in the evening, the white iPhone on the coffee table vibrated insistently; a picture of a drooling Tora appeared on the whole screen. The couple snapped out of their little bubble.

"Shit!" Misaki cursed under her breath when she saw it. She jerked up from her sit, snatching the phone almost violently. "Excuse me," she said to Usui and walked over to the window across the room.

Even though Usui knew very well that Tora had no intention of rivaling against him, an uncomfortable lump still grew in his chest. But Tora wasn't the problem, it was Misaki. The big question was her.

What if she didn't want Usui back? What if she chose Tora over him? That was a concrete possibility since Usui left her and it was Tora who stayed with her. What if she was being nice to him now because she'd move on and fell in love with Tora?

Those questions clenched his heart to its maximum limit as he watched her silently.

"Sorry, I didn't call earlier; there was an emergency meeting with the board," Tora said, followed by a deep sigh.

"Nah, it's alright. I know you're busy, especially now that your secretary was out of commission this past week. I'm so sorry about that, Tora," Misaki apologized; heaving a sigh, too.

"Don't sweat over it, I understand. But Misaki, don't you dare pull that kind of shit on me ever again."

She laughed. "Yes, sir. I'm truly sorry!"

There was a beat of silence until Tora spoke again from the other line.

"So... did you get home safely?"

"No, I died a few times," she couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"Good one," Tora replied with equal sarcasm.

"Seriously, Tora, of course I got home safely. I'm talking to you right now, am I not?"

"Well, I'm sorry for making sure I'm not talking to a ghost."

"You know what? I think I need to hit you with a few bonks of logic and grammar on the head."

"I beg to differ with your thought, but I think you just need to stop being so goddamn sarcastic," the irritation in his voice was overflowing; Misaki realized that with an evil laugh.

"Whatever," she snapped. "I'm sure you didn't call me to get yourself pissed, so say what you want to say now."

Silence again.

"Did he drive you home?" he asked softly.

Misaki smiled; amazed on how their conversation turned around sharply: From casual to sarcastic, argue to drama; a full package in just one chat. It was always been like that with Tora. And it felt nice to know that it hadn't change between them.

"Yeah, he did. In fact, he's still here," she said truthfully.

The mood livened up again when Tora made a sickening fan-girl giggling imitation.

"Oho! Hey, can you..."

"Yeah?"

"... feel the love tonight-"

"Shut up."

Tora guffawed. "Could it be that I'm interrupting something?" he suggested teasingly.

"W-what?! No, it's not like that! I'm not- we're not- ugh! Keep that dirty mind to yourself, will you?" Misaki frantically stuttered.

Tora could imagine her turning beet red as he laughed. "Okay, okay! Cool it, Misaki, I'm just kidding."

"Ah, enough already. I'm hanging up," she warned.

"Yeah, okay," he inhaled and his voice dropped to serious. "Call me if you need anything... though I highly doubt you'll call me with Usui around," he added with humorless chuckle.

Misaki's eyes widened as the familiar guilt pressed her down again. "Tora..."

"Anyway, I'll see you soon, Misaki. You know I'm always here for you."

"I-I know. Thank you," she whispered.

"Bye!" and the line was dropped.

"Bye..." Misaki mumbled. She remained listening to the dead beeps in her phone to which her heart echoed painfully.

Behind his cheery voice and carefree laughter, she knew very well that he was hurting inside.

I'm sorry, Tora. She didn't how long she would be saying sorry, but it was all she could do to atone for her selfishness.

Misaki peeled the phone off her ear and took a deep breath. She walked back to the living room where Usui was fixing the messy coffee table.

"Checking up on you?" he smiled rather tightly.

"Yeah," she replied, running a hand through her raven locks.

He stood straight up and patted her head. "I think you should go get some rest now," he said quietly.

It took half a second before she realized what he was trying to imply. Reality struck her hard: "You're leaving?" her voice jumped an octave higher.

She blushed; what was she thinking? Of course he was leaving. She averted her eyes and found their bare feet real interesting. Then her poor heart thudded loudly when a finger came under her chin and made her looked up to meet his eyes.

"What's with that face?" he asked, almost sounding like he was scolding her. "He smirked, "What, do you want me to stay here with you tonight?"

He watched her amusedly as she turned pink and puffed further into a deep crimson color.

"Eh? W-what are you saying? I'm not- we're not- I mean, y-you-" she stuttered wonderfully.

Usui laughed at her flustered face. "It was a joke," he said.

MIsaki turned redder, if it was even possible. "It's not funny!" she growled, swiftly kicking him on the leg. She didn't know whether she was angry at him for teasing her or angry at her own self because, for a scary moment there, a big part of her wanted him to stay.

Usui held her close by her wrist and grinned. "Say, Misa-chan… will you go out with me tomorrow?"

Misaki blinked. It took a moment before it registered in her head. "You mean like a date?" she said bluntly out of sheer surprise.

"Well, yeah. You can call it a date," he said; unintentionally smoldering her with his intense but soft gaze. "So… will you?"

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08/25/13 0228H

OWARI

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SORA'S RAMBLING CORNER:

Hello, guys! Eh? Guys? Nyaho! Anynody home? *sigh* Sorry for the long wait. I hope you're still there.

I thought I'd put a short transition from the hospital to their date. But before I realized it, I wrote a rather long transition, so the date was moved. I hope you like it, though. I enjoyed writing it and I hope you enjoyed reading it, too.

Thank you for reading until here. I appreciate it so much. Thanks with a bunch of chocolate cream puffs to you all!

My eyes are begging me to close them, so I guess I'll see you next chapter. Ja~!

PS: Have you read the latest chapter of Maid-sama (Chapter 84)? So cute! Oh, the next chapter will be their finale, their high school graduation *cries*