Usui found me standing by the open window watching the blossoms sway in the cool breeze. I didn't look at him right away nor say anything at his arrival; it hadn't occurred to me that he overheard my conversation with the rep back in the café. No, I had more pressing matters on my mind at the moment…. My eyes lowered a bit as my lips made a thin, emotionless line.

"Misaki." I didn't utter a sound; I merely turned ever so softly to face him. I was too sullen to ask myself why he was here or what he wanted. None of my thoughts centred around him actually…. Another man filled my head. His gaze fixed onto mine while his body language was gentle and sincere. He wasn't smiling in the least; he wore an expression of empathy. When he didn't say anything for another minute, I broke the stare by glancing back out of the window. I just wanted to be alone right now; alone with my thoughts, or lack thereof…..

"Are you alright?" "Usui…." I started but all words turned to cotton in my throat; I was literally on the verge of tears again. His eyes softened a touch. "I see…. I understand; you must really be suffering. I can see how hard this is for you." This made my eyes grow as I blinked back at him. Still not grinning in any way or shape, he took a step towards me; his hands were still buried in his pant pockets. "U-Usui?" My hand rose up to my chest in confusion.

"This may not be the best time, but there's something I've wanted to ask you. I've been waiting… for someone I can trust." "T-Trust with what?" My trembling voice inquired. His stared sharpened; his eyes grew slightly narrower. "You want to go to university, right?" "U-Uh, right?" "And you're concerned about money. That's why you took a job at the maid café." Whoa! This guy- he's like a master at reading people. Still, I thought it best to be honest with him; I've been systematically trained in my childhood to be honest in face of authority. Again, I nodded.

It was at this point Usui relaxed his posture a tad; the faint outline of a grin drew itself across his face. "Good." "Huh?" "I've been looking for some help for a long time now. You see, I live alone and am not the best at cleaning or keeping house….." "W-Wait? Are you…. asking me to be your maid?" My eyebrow rose up flabbergasted. He chuckled to himself lightly, relaxing his shoulders even more. "You have experience keeping a house in shape; plus, you look really cute in your maid uniform. I'll pay really well; triple what you're making now. And you'll be able to keep your job at the café, if you want. It's just some help around the house I really need…." "U-Usui!" My cheeks blushed…. for some odd reason. Wait, why I am blushing? It's not like he's asking me to do anything intimate…. And I do have lots of experience keeping a house in order after living with Grandpa. Plus the money would be really useful…..

Charming as always, Usui waited patiently while I considered the offer. To be completely honest, I was a little shocked at myself that I would even consider it at all. Wouldn't it be weird for me to clean another student's house? And why does he live alone? Should I be concerned about that? Then again, what real reason did I have to say no? Grandpa and I are moving halfway across the world this year, and Amsterdam's not a cheap place to live. The more we have saved before we go, the better- that alone trumped everything else.

Usui gave a little shrug. "Well?" "I'll have to ask Grandpa about it. But I don't see why not. Ok, sure; I'll do it." "So… you'll be my private maid, then?" His voice was pepper with a smidge of enthusiasm, which I chose to ignore. I grinned and nodded. "Yes, Usui. Just let me know the details." Our eyes locked for another minute and I swear I could see that invisible smile of his again. "I can do that."