A/N: Hello again. Thanks for the lovely reviews on my first chapter!

Misa stood in front of the mirror in her mother's bedroom, gazing at her reflection as if it was a stranger looking back at her. Was this really the girl whose fanciest attire was her elaborate maid costume from work?

"You look adorable!" Misa's mother exclaimed, breaking into her daughter's thoughts.

"Thanks, Mom," Misa said.

She feigned enthusiasm; Minako was so delighted to see her daughter dressing up for a prom that Misa didn't have the heart to disappoint her. instead, she scrutinized her appearance to will away the nerves she felt.

I don't look so bad, Misa thought as she turned to see herself from all angles.

Misa was wearing a flowing dress quite similar in appearance to a kimono, though the sleeves were short and close-fitting. The silky fabric was of a rich red hue, with a pattern of yellow flower petals. The obi tied around her waist was the same shade of brown as her eyes.

"And now, we just put up your hair, like this…" Minako said proudly, finishing putting her daughter's hair up in silver combs that Minako's grandmother had owned.

"Wow! You look amazing!"

Suzuna burst into the room, eyes wide at seeing her sister so dressed up.

"Thanks, Suzuna," Misa smiled. "Well, that's that. Erika should be here to pick me up any minute now."

"Picture first," Minako said sternly, and snapped a photo of her oldest daughter before she could protest.

At that moment, the doorbell rang, and Erika stood there, smiling from ear to ear. She looked stunning; she'd complimented her satiny dress with a pink rose quartz pendant and ivory, high-heeled pumps. Minako and Suzuna complimented Erika earnestly. She brushed off the compliments with a humble wave before nearly dragging Misa into her convertible.

"You look amazing," Erika crowed. "And you'll have a lot of fun tonight!"

"I'm sure I will," Misa tried to sound convincing.

The student lounge at Miyabigaoka was glittering with strings of lights and bedecked with banners featuring the high school's mascot (a Japanese crane). The furniture had been moved to make room for dancing. Right now, however, students were lounging on the plush sofas and chairs, some of them eating the fancy, catered snacks from a candlelit table. Erika led Misa to a quiet corner where a pensive-looking boy was sitting.

"Yohei, this is my friend, Misa," Erika said when the boy looked up. "Misa, Yohei."

Yohei smiled shyly and extended his hand.

"Nice to meet you," he said quietly but politely.

Misa smiled back. Yohei was shy, but she could tell he was a gentleman. Not so bad-looking either.

"Have a seat," Yohei said, indicating the plush couch he was sitting on. "I'll get you something to eat and drink."

He left for the refreshments table just as Makoto came by.

"Erika, there you are. I thought perhaps you'd gotten lost," he joked, handing his girlfriend a flute of—champagne?

"We're pretty relaxed here," the boy explained upon seeing Misa's expression. "The chaperones keep an eye on how much we're drinking, so we're careful."

Just then, a band, which Misa hadn't noticed until now, began playing at the other side of the room. Erika accepted Makoto's invitation as the lead singer started a modern jazz number. A moment later, Yohei handed her a variety of dainty sweets and a glass of champagne. They both sat in silence for a while, enjoying the food. When they were finished, Misa surprised even herself by inviting Yohei to dance during the next song.

Yohei looked stunned; he wasn't used to girls paying so much attention to him.

"S-sure," he answered, blushing, and they went to the dance floor.

Erika gave Misa a thumbs up as she waltzed by in Makoto's arms. Yohei lead Misa into a dance, and she was surprised to see that he was quite good at it, guiding her, letting her copy his steps. Everyone else in the room seemed to be winging it. This Yohei was a pretty good kid. Nor did he seem to think there was any more to this evening than a "pity date"; it was clear he was simply showing Misa a good time, and she was glad that there wouldn't be any awkward misinterpretations.

A drawling voice interrupted them as the song finished and Misa and Yohei took a moment in the seating area to catch their breaths. Igarashi stood there, wearing a white tuxedo with bejeweled cufflinks—Misa was sure they were diamonds—and a cocky smirk. Despite his dapper attire, he looked as cocky as always.

"Don't even bother," Misa muttered.

"Got yourself a girlfriend, Yohei?" Igarashi said contemptuously.

"She's just here to have fun," Yohei answered.

Igarashi waved dismissively and focused on Misa. "Last chance for a really good time," he announced boastfully.

Misa smirked and shook her head no. "Come on, Yohei. We don't need him."

They went back to there accustomed couch while Igarashi looked on in disbelief. This was the first time a girl had turned him down in favor of Yohei. Indeed, he was quite used to "getting the girl" on the first try.

There were a few girls who didn't have dates, so he invited the one he thought most beautiful to stick with him for the night. She accepted, smirking at one of her rivals as she and Igarashi danced.

"You—you didn't just turn him down to be nice to me, did you?" Yohei asked as he and Misa looked on.

"Him?" Misa laughed. "That pompous bighead? He's been chasing me for weeks. I just wish he'd leave me alone!"

Then she tried to steer the conversation onto other topics, but Yohei had lapsed into a shyness that created an awkward silence. Even when they went back out to dance, his spirit wasn't quite in it anymore, and the same uncomfortable silence continued. Finally, Yohei shrugged.

"I—really don't feel like dancing anymore," he muttered. "In fact…I think I'm going to go home now."

"Did I do something wrong?" Misa asked worriedly, drawing them to their quiet corner.

"No. I'm really just not having any fun. It's not you," he said hastily. "I'm not that great with girls. And I'm guessing you aren't exactly enjoying this either."

Misa blushed. "I'm not NOT enjoying it, either," she said evasively. "You're a nice boy."

"No. You just stay here. I'm sure Erika will check up on you when she sees I'm gone. Or maybe you can hang out with one of the other girls."

He nodded toward the group of girls who looked out enviously toward those who were dancing with their dates.

"Well, it was nice meeting you," Misa said. "Really."

"And it was nice meeting you."

Yohei walked away, pausing at the door to explain to a chaperone that he was leaving. The chaperone nodded and smiled sympathetically, and Misa couldn't help feeling sorry for the boy.

Some time passed before Misa tried to introduce herself to the dateless girls, but she was politely edged out. Misa didn't feel terribly offended. She was a stranger, one from a completely different set at that. Really, she didn't know if she was part of any "set".

But someone did eventually notice that she was alone…

Igarashi came swaggering back to a disheartened Misa, who was eyeing the champagne, but dared not take another glass under the careful eye of the adult chaperones. Oh, why couldn't he leave her alone? And she couldn't even leave early, because Erika was her ride back.

"Hello, Misa Ayuzawa," Igarashi leered. "Looking so fine and sitting all by yourself? You mustn't! Now, come along!"

He took her hand. Misa pulled away as if she'd been burnt.

"Go away!"

"Ah, President, I wouldn't be so defiant," Igarashi said coolly.

"Ha," Misa spat. "I wouldn't be caught dead with you!"

A crafty grin spread on Igarashi's face.

"If you insist. But I think you should dance with me, in exchange for keeping your little secret."

Igarashi's triumph was palpable when Misa wilted in defeat. With a haughty and taunting smile, he pulled her to the dance floor. The girls who were there without dates were gazing enviously at her now, and the other dancers looked, too. Misa and Yohei had stayed off to the edge of the dance floor, but Igarashi pulled her into the center, showing her off like a prize. People around them began to whisper.

"Who is she?"

"She's gorgeous! I wonder where she's from?"

"Just look at that dress! I'm so jealous!"

"Igarashi always gets the beauties, doesn't she?"

Misa sighed with relief when the band took a break. Still, her deluded suitor wouldn't let her go. Erika flashed her a confused look, but Misa mouthed, "I'll explain later". Now had to think of an excuse. She could never let her coworker know of Igarashi's blackmail.

Then…

The pompous president of Miyabigaoka High snatched up Misa's hand and pulled her toward the door.

"Where are you taking me?" Misa hissed.

"I just want to take you for a walk," Igarashi said calmly.

"No! Let me go!"

Igarashi smirked.

"I take it our little arrangement is off, then?"

Misa knew she was getting herself into trouble, but Igarashi held her secret and could drop it at any time. It was like a sword hanging over her head. All right, Misa, she coached herself. Just remember, he knows judo. If he tries anything funny, be a step ahead of him…

Igarashi swung the door open and pulled Misa into the hall.

"Come on, we'll go to the botany club's garden," he said smoothly. "Nice and private out there."

"Unhand her, Tora Igarashi."

The voice made Igarashi startle and drop Misa's hand. They stared in unanimous surprise to see who this intruder was.

"Let go of her," the husky male voice repeated. "Or you'll be sorry you laid a hand on my own personal maid."

A/N #2: Because I haven't read the later volumes yet, I don't know much about Misa's mom and sister. I hope they aren't too out of character.