"Thank you for helping us with this Takahashi. I swear I will make those boys pay for leaving this to us." Yui grumbled as we set a wooden board down.

"That is alright. I did not have anything else to do."

"Yes but you do not even belong to this club." I turned as Haruhi walked by with another, smaller piece. "And we all know those guys really went to buy some porn magazines."

The festival was in a couple of days. Right now, Senpai and his club still had a few backdrops they needed to finish painting so I offered to help. The boys were here but left about an hour ago to grab some "materials."

"That's their loss. They just will not have a choice on which costume to put Takahashi in." I am now happy that the boys left.

When I first agreed to do this, Senpai brought me to the club that day. While the girls thought it would be cute to dress me in a kimono to match the theme of the haunted house, the boys wanted me in a frilly maid outfit. I think I got set up because one of the guys actually had a green maid outfit with him.

"All finished!" Yui cried as she not-so-gently threw the last wooden piece to the side. "Haruhi, makes sure to hide the kimono we got. I don't want the boys to do anything with it."

Haruhi rolled her eyes. "I'm leaving now." She waved her hands, glancing at me only briefly before leaving. I still did not get along with Haruhi. I really did not know what to say with her. I was still annoyed by her comment from before.

"So..." Yui started talking but I got distracted by my phone going off. Checking it, I put it back on silence. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" My phone went off again.

"Um...should you answer that?"

I looked down again as I put it on silence again. "Not right now."

1. I did not want to hear the man on the other side argue about why I won't answer.

2. I did not want to talk to the man on the other side.

I have not really spoken to Usagi since the day with his brother. Luckily he had a deadline coming up so he spent a lot of time in his office. Hidori also has been calling me but I have been ignoring her as well. She must have been busy with school and her "second job" that I have yet to here was. Did she meet up with Usagi-san during those times?

AH, I was supposed to not think about it.

"Are you busy right now?" Yui asked me suddenly.

"Um, not right now no." I was lucky to have a day off today.

She smiled, "great. Let's go get some food. I'll buy." Before I could answer she grabbed my arm and dragged me out. We ended up at a small fast food place near the store. "I love the sandwiches here."

I let her order since I did not know what to get. "Thank you."

"Of course. Sumi is always saying how you never go out much. I know I struggled as a freshman. I was such a loner until Haruhi started talking to me."

"She doesn't like me." I stated. I did want to figure out just what I did to piss her off.

Yui smile turned sad. "It's not you Misaki. You see, Haruhi's dad owns his own marketing business. It's a small one but makes a lot of money. Well, about three years ago, her dad was found having an affair with the younger girl. His secretary, so cliche. It caused a nasty divorce and it turned out her dad was giving the girl almost 500,000 yen a week. He would not even help Haruhi get into college." Oh my god. That is so sad. "I know nothing like that is going on between you and Usami-sensei. There is nothing in the news about any relationship and you do not seem like the kind of girl who would do that. Haruhi just has her own hurt feelings about these type of relationships."

"That is sad she had to go through that."

"I know. So give it some time. Haruhi will come around."

Still. It made sense if she was still upset about her dad. Actually paying a girl in an affair...

Wait?

I have my second job.

Don't tell me...is that Hidori's second job?!

No. It can't be...right? RIGHT? "Misaki, are you okay?"

"Um...yeah...I think..." No. Hidori and Usagi would not do that to me. Right?

"You can talk to me."

...Maybe it would help to get a second opinion. "Um, ok. Well...I once looked at Usag-Usami'-sensei's phone and I saw...my best friend's name..."

"Have they spoken before?"

"Not that I know of. But, Hidori always said she had this second job she would not tell me about...and you said Haruhi's dad paid his secretary for sex..."

"Do you really think your best friend would do such?" I was taken back by her words. Would Hidori do that? "I don't think so...but Usami-sensei always says he hates talking to others. Plus I didn't even know they knew each other that much. Hidori had only met him twice with me and came to the condo once."

It went quiet. Both of us thinking about what I said. I really did not want to think Hidori would do this. But I can't stop. "Misaki...I would confront the two. I try not to be a pessimist but I don't want to see you strung along." I didn't either.

Later that afternoon

'Where were you?" I jumped as Usagi's voice echoed. I had just entered the condo and was taking off my shoes. I did not expect him to be so close to the door.

"I was out."

"With who?" His tone was accusing.

"I went out with a friend." I made my way to the kitchen. I wasn't hungry but I figured Usagi had not eaten yet so I could make him something. An easy stir fry sounded good.

"I told you to stay away from that senpai of yours." He blocked access to the fridge.

"Well one, you have not right to tell me who I can and cannot hang out with. And if you must know, I was hanging out with another friend from college."

"Since when do you have any other friends?"

"Fuck you! I have friends!" I pushed him out of the way. "Did you finish your manuscript?"

"We are discussing you right now."

"I do not want to get a phone call from Aikawa that she is going to kill herself again if you miss a deadline."

"I don't care." Why is he so mad? "Besides Shiima, you have never talked about any other friends." And there is was. Does he really have to bring up Hidori now? "So who was it?"

"Fuck, her name is Yui. She is in senpai's club. I was helping them finish their set for the haunted house and then we went and got food."

"You really going to do that silly festival? I thought I told you not to put strain on your ankle."

"My ankle is fine! And I want to help."

"Still a stupid idea."

"Will you shut up? You have no right to tell what I can or can't do." Just as he opened his mouth his phone went off. He did not answer it at first, just kept staring at me, but when it went off again he pulled it out.

"Who is it?" The question escaped out of my mouth before I thought about it.

He grumbled, putting the phone away. "Who cares?"

"Aikawa?" No answer. "Who was it?"

"No one important."

I could not help but scoff. He had the nerve to hide this from me as he berated me. "So you need to know every little detail about my life but you can do whatever you want on the down low huh?"

He looked surprised by my tone. "I need to know you are safe."

"You don't need to know shit."

"Misaki..." "Forget it. I need to finish cooking."

"I'm not hungry." As if that line was going to stop me.

"Go away Usami." We stared at each other for a moment, both daring the other person to say something more, when Usagi clicked his tongue and left the kitchen. I watched him make his way upstairs and into the study.

Well...now what?

Two days later

It has been hell. Usagi had been avoiding me for the past two days. At least I think he is because I know I have. He does not come out of his study but I know he eats because I will come home to the empty plates of food I made for him.

Part of me feels I should apologize. I probably should have just stayed calm. All this was because I was worried about him being in contact with Hidori. But another part of me wanted him to come groveling at me feet. He is the one who always tries to control my life in a way. This ain't a relationship; this is a guardianship.

I looked up towards the stairs where he still was hiding. He should see the plate in the fridge when he comes down. I got the call from Aikawa that she was coming to collect his manuscript so he has to leave the room at some point.

I was walking to school when my phone rang. "MISAKI!" I stopped when I heard Hidori's voice. I should have checked the caller I.D. "I haven't heard from you at all this week! Are you okay? How is your ankle?"

"...It's fine." Whoa that sounded horrible.

"Are you alright?"

"Yea I am fine."

"No you are not. What's wrong? Do you need me to come over after school?"

"No. Today is the festival that I am helping out senpai with."

She made some noise. "Why do you need to help him? Are you sure it will be alright?" Why is she questioning it now? Why does everyone have to question about who I hang out with? I am sick of everyone trying to control my life.

"I can hang out with whoever I want. It is none of your business."

"But Misaki..." "If you are able to go behind my back to message Usagi then there really is no reason for me to tell you anything about senpai."

The way she gasped made it sound like she was underwater for 30 minutes and was finally taking a breath of air. "Did he tell you?"

Oh, so there is something! "No, he won't tell me anything! Just like you! You know what? I am sick of this! Both you and he try to control every part of my life and you guys are doing who-knows-what. I thought you were my best friend and you go behind my back to do this!"

"Wait, Misaki it's not what you think..." "I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT. FUCK OFF!" I hung up, cutting off whatever she was trying to say. I didn't need anymore excuses from either of them. If they were having some sort of affair or something, then let them.

That afternoon

"TAKAHASHI YOU ARE SO CUTE!" Yui screeched as she hugged me.

"...Thanks." I still felt uncomfortable in such a short dress. The girls won so I was wearing a kimono but as a compromise, it was a red, kimono dress, puffing out at my knees. I also had on white stockings with black flats. Yui put my hair into two pigtails and painted my face white with dark red lipstick. It looked good but the makeup felt heavy.

"It does look good." Senpai came over. "Yui did a great job."

"Of course. Don't doubt my makeup skills."

"Never did."

Yui let go of me. "Okay, I better go get ready myself. Oh Takahashi, did you solve that one issue you were having?" Now why did she have to bring it up now?

"Um...not yet..."

She gave me a sympathetic look, hugging me again and running off.

"Problem?" Senpai looked at me with concern. "Anything I can help with."

"Probably not. I don't want to bother you." I was about to walk away when Senpai stopped me. "Misaki, you are my friend and I told you that I will always be here to help. I assume it is something to do with Usami-sensei?" I made a face. "If you have nothing planned, after we are done here let's go somewhere to talk. I feel like this is gonna take a minute."

I was torn. Senpai is part of the reason for our fight but then again, what right does Usagi have when he has Hidori's number.

"Yeah. Sounds great."

Sorry its been awhile! Thank you for your support.

NEXT time on COH:
What will go down when Misaki enters Sumi's place? And What exactly is his motives?