I used to be different as a child. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?! Pulling her hair like that!" I wasn't afraid to be outspoken or use my strength to protect other kids on the playground. None of the boys really liked me, not that I cared much what they thought. I was very independent with the belief that I could do what I want, when I want. I could be anything, I could do anything. "We're from Child Protective Services. We received a call that Mr. Ayuzawa was arrested for public intoxication." Then everything changed.

"Here's your waffle, sir," I served the patrons to our cultural festival European café. Hinata and Shizuko were the main chefs, with everyone else either helping them or greeting customers at the door. Hinata had me hulled in when word arrived that a university rep would be visiting our station. He reminded everyone of what's at sake- aka university acceptance letters- and commanded us to be on our best behaviours. It was painfully obvious who this woman was too because she stuck out like a sore thumb among all the teenagers around her.

Being the only server of the group- don't ask me how that happened, I don't know either- I was tasked with seating her and making sure she was as comfortable as possible. To be honest, it felt a little weird. Here I was, serving this very important lady who everyone else wants to impress, and I had nothing to gain from her. I wanted her to be happy and enjoy her tea of course! But I didn't feel like I had so much on the line as my eager classmates. That didn't stop me from trying my upmost best to be polite and professional. I sat her by the window and got her tea order. Once she was all set up with that, I turned back to the front of the room to greet our new arrival.

A kind, familiar face smiled back at me. "Misaki." Usui? He was wearing a sailor's outfit and looking rather fetching. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why he came to our event; shouldn't he be busy with his own navy-inspired one? But professionalism won over. I smiled so warmly at him and held out my hand for him to follow me. "This way, sir," my job had drilled it into my men to refer to male patrons as "sir". He trailed me without a single word and took a seat at a table near the university rep; she was still busy drinking her tea.

"What may I get you, sir?" "Coffee, please." Short, sweet, and to the point- I wish more customers were like him. I bowed respectfully and went to place his order. Shizuko was already waiting for me in the back. She scampered over to me where she tugged on my shirt sleeve excitedly. "Oh my god, Usui's here! Can you believe it, Misaki? He actually came to our café, and you talked to him!" "U-Uh, yeah?" Wait, was that supposed to be a big deal? No one told me.

Hinata came up behind us, glancing at Usui in his lovely outfit from over our shoulders. "What's he doing here? Doesn't he have his own booth to run?" Hinata's tone was less impressed that Shizuko's. She scoffed in a dismissive manner. "You don't get it. How could you? You're a guy." "Oh, so being a guy blinds me to all his charm, or lack there of?" "Oh, shut it, Hinata! He might hear you." "You girls should be more focused on the rep; not some boy you like. Speaking of which, shouldn't you get back out there, Misaki?" Without a word I gave Shizuko Usui's order and went back out on the floor. That's when I noticed the university rep was done with her tea and patiently waiting at her table.

I rushed over as collectively as I could, folded my hands out in front of me, and grinned sweetly. "All done, madame?" "Yes, thank you, dear," she returned the pleasant expression. "Is there anything else I may you?" "No, thank you," the lady stood up, pulling some money out of her purse. Instead of leaving it on the table as per usual, she handed it directly to me. Our eyes met and she flashed me a brilliant smile. That… unnerved me a bit; in a good way though.

"I must say, you're very good." "T-Thank you!" I wasn't sure how to properly respond to this. "Well mannered, well spoken, proper etiquette; and you seem to know a lot about European culture." "Thank you," I repeated, really not sure what else to say. I was blushing so hard at this point. I'll admit that I also wasn't paying much attention to the rest of the customers in the room at the moment. If I had been, I would have noticed him watching…..

"Is this your last year here?" "U-Uh, yes. I graduate this spring." Why is she asking me this? "Are you thinking of applying to university?" Oh…. Oh no. Why? Why did she have to ask me that of all questions. It took everything I had to keep a straight face and not give myself away. "Y-Yes, I want to study Classical literature." "Classical Western literature?" "Erm, y-yes…." My eyes drifted downwards so to stare at my hands. My god, was this awkward- painfully so. Too bad for me, she seemed relatively pleased with our conversation thus far. Her head gave an approving nod.

"Well, our university has a very good literature department. I'm sure there's someone who would love to supervise a Classical Western specialization." No….. No, anything but this. How do I turn something like that down in front of so many students who would die to get into a prestigious university? I know! I'll act humble and undeserving; that might work better than my outright declining her proposition. I nervously brought my eyes back up to meet hers.

"I-I…. I don't know what to say. I'm very humbled by your suggestion, but…." Oh boy, did my plan backfire when she rose her hand up into air to stop me. "Say no more. This is a big decision and I'm sure you have plenty more offers to consider. But if you would like more information, don't hesitate to send me an email." "T-Thank you…." This is going to come back to bite me, isn't it? She pulled out her card and handed it to me. I peered down at it worriedly; I think my expression was starting to betray myself. Luckily she didn't appear to notice. Her kind grin returned as she watched me patiently.

"What's your name, dear?" "Uh, Misaki- Misaki Ayuzawa." Only then did her smile start to fade; her eyes lit up and not in a good way. "Did you say "Ayuzawa"? You wouldn't happen to be related to Raidon Ayuzawa?" And I winced my eyes shut in instantaneous agony.

There's a reason I've changed; after a point, you just get tired of being the strong one all the time.