AN: Yay! We finally made it to the conference! So like really, when are those two finally going to meet?

Belated "Happy Birthday" shout out to Takumisa2729!

Note: Italics used for flashback and emphasis.

Woo-hoo! Over 500 views so far! Love you guys! Thank you all again for the reviews, follows, and favorites!

Disclaimer: I do not own KWMS. All honor and glory to Hiro Fujiwara-san! Nor do I own any other fairy tales or stories.

Chapter 9 – When Harry Met Sally, Rob Reiner, 1989.

Misaki and Aoi entered the grand hall. Elegantly dressed tables filled the room. The AWA Consulting Group occupied a couple up front near the stage. Sakura waved energetically, catching Misaki's eye. She headed towards the team, Aoi following behind. As he passed other occupied tables, his eye was drawn across the room. Off to the side stood a small huddle of stately looking gentlemen and one man who looked slightly less stately. He wasn't exactly underdressed or disheveled, but did not seem to exude the same aura of smug superiority as the rest. Aoi immediately recognized his newly re-acquainted friend. The group seemed to be in serious conversation. As he watched, his blond associate bowed slightly then hurried off. The remaining members looked amused as they strolled to a table and took their seats. Turning around, Aoi joined his co-workers as dinner was served.

As the sumptuous, multi-course feast wrapped up, the bubbly blond MC took to the mic to remind everyone that after coffee service, the awards presentations would begin. Aoi stood up and excused himself from the table, nature called. On his way back from the washroom, he spotted his tall comrade sitting by himself at a back table. Thinking this might be just the opportunity he was looking for, Aoi marched over and plopped down in an empty seat. Usui, who had been checking his phone, looked up and smiled courteously at the new arrival.

"Hello again," he nonchalantly greeted.

"Hey," greeted Aoi back. "So how's the missus?" He glanced at Usui's hand. Good, no ring.

Usui looked bemused. "It's just me tonight."

"Oh, so she didn't come down. Not feeling well?" Aoi was on a fishing expedition.

"There isn't a she. Or a he," Usui quickly added, seeing Aoi start to open his mouth.

"Really? A handsome guy like you? C'mon surely you've got a fiancée or girlfriend."

Usui was getting uncomfortable, but kept a polite façade on. "No. I'm not seeing any one."

He was about to change the subject when the cute little MC bounced up to the podium and announced the program was about to start.

Aoi grinned deviously to himself, deciding to stay at the current table, wheels turning in his brain as he digested this new information.

Aoi tapped his fingers impatiently. He was getting bored. The MC prattled on, presenting awards for lifetime achievement, longest serving board member, newly elected committee members, blah, blah, blah. Glancing over at his tablemate, Aoi smirked to himself, glad he wasn't the only one. Usui was gazing at a point in the distance, his eyes unfocused, his posture relaxed and uninterested in the proceedings.

"And now ladies and gentlemen, what you have been waiting for, the presentation of the award for Up and Coming Leader of the Year."

The room seemed to come alive again. People shifted in their seats, coming out of their after-dinner, boring-speaker induced stupor.

"This year's winner has quite the pedigree, graduating from Harvard, Summa Cum Laude, with an MBA from Harvard Business and a J.D. from Harvard Law, all while on full scholarship. She has built a successful business from the ground up, with the company becoming internationally renowned in a few short years. She is also making history tonight by being the first woman the International Business Association has had the pleasure of bestowing upon the award 'Up and Coming Leader of the Year'. Without further ado, I give you Misaki Ayuzawa!"

Applause erupted as Misaki got to her feet and approached the podium, all eyes on her. All that is, except for a single pair. Aoi, while clapping enthusiastically, was scrutinizing his prey across the table. At the announcement of her name, Usui's head, which had been drooping, shot up. He gaped at her as she gracefully moved to center stage. If he had been a cartoon character, his jaw would have hit the floor with an enormous tongue lolling out and his eyes would have turned into little beating hearts that popped out of their sockets with "AAH-OOH-GAH"s and wolf-whistles as accompanying sound effects. This was exactly the reaction Aoi had been hoping for. Soon he would put his plan into motion.

Usui was stunned. It was her! It was really her! Even though it had been years, and he had lost track of her (on purpose, why dwell on the impossible?), he had not forgotten his feelings towards her. He wasn't really that surprised that she was a leader in the business world, accepting a prestigious award. Witnessing her drive and determination in high school, he knew she would go far in life.

She had matured magnificently. Like a fine wine or cheese, she had aged to perfection. Her body was still trim and athletic, but womanly curves had developed in all the right places. Her hair was still the color of night and her eyes flashed liquid gold, sparkling with the same fervor as they did years ago. Once again, his thoughts skipped down memory lane.

It was the day before the infamous stapler incident (Ch3). He was indulging his wanderlust that day, letting his feet carry him wherever they felt like. When feeling a bit peckish, he happened by a western style café (apparently a "Bar and Grille" in the American vernacular) called Thursdays. He found the décor of Hollywood movie props and memorabilia quite interesting (even if they were reproductions). The all-female wait-staff was attired in simple uniforms of a plain white button up shirt with red and black striped tie and black trousers. However, it was the suspenders that pulled the whole thing together. Every girl had a different colored pair decked out with buttons and pins of every sort. You could discern the personality of each waitress by reading the buttons as they walked by. A curvy redhead with curls had pink and black polka-dot suspenders and gave off a sexy vibe. Her buttons were rather risqué and suggestive with some innuendos in English. A cute little blond with a bob wore rainbow suspenders adorned with kitten and puppy buttons and all things cute. A taller girl with glasses and straight, dark green hair left a sophisticated impression with navy, pinstriped suspenders and buttons containing philosophical and literary quotes.

But the girl who caught his eye, and he couldn't stop staring at, was none other than the student council president. He wasn't acquainted with her and didn't remember her name, but recognized her from the opening ceremonies at the start of the new term. Her suspenders were plain black, and her buttons and pins were a random assortment of freebies from stores, fairs, politicians, and cereal boxes. In other words, drab and boring. As luck would have it, she was assigned to his table. He greeted her lightheartedly with a "Hey Prez!" to which he received a menu slapped on the table, a glower, and an icy "What would you like to drink?" Startled but amused by her attitude, he teased, "I'll have some water to go with that ice." She nodded curtly and stomped off. His eyes followed her to the kitchen. He pondered why she should be in such a foul mood. Maybe because a classmate stopped in? Not that a part-time job was against the school rules or anything.

Suddenly she reappeared at his table but this time was with a squinty-eyed boy who looked to be about their age, although his badge said "Manager". He smiled apologetically to Usui and launched into a conciliatory speech about the less than friendly service. Trying to protest, Usui managed to interrupt and defuse the situation. The manager cut his remorseful remarks short, Misaki bowed, and the two returned to the kitchen. Curious, Usui followed a few paces behind, pretending to head to the washroom. He paused in the hallway just beyond the staff room and listened. Misaki was being scolded, not only for her earlier behavior, but also for her suspenders.

"We give you the freedom to pick suspenders and pieces of flair (1) suited to your personality."

"Yes, I have twelve pieces of flair."

"But twelve is the minimum."

"As stated in the employee handbook. I am compliant."

"Look at Erika or Honoka or Subaru. They each have about twenty. And their pieces show personality. Yours, well... Do you want to do the bare minimum?"

"…"

"I would hate to have you leave over such a trivial matter. My father has entrusted me to oversee this establishment, the newest addition to the Maki Dining Group. I take my responsibilities very seriously. You should think about your future here."

Usui ducked into the men's room just as Misaki hurried out of the staff room, an uneasy feeling about what he had overheard creeping through his body.

Since he had nothing better to do, but mostly out of concern, he waited at the back entrance for her shift to finish. She was alarmed to see him and rather defensive. But as they walked and talked, he assured her that he wasn't going to bother her at her job and didn't expect any discounts or freebies, unlike some other classmates, specifically a trio of idiotic ne'er do wells. She explained that the job was necessary for family financial reasons, even if it meant putting up with an annoying manager. She even disclosed the unfortunate circumstances leading to those financial responsibilities. Her open, positive attitude and determination in the face of such hardships intrigued him. He had never before met someone so interesting, especially of the female persuasion. The seeds of attraction were planted. His admiration of her began to grow.

He soon became a regular customer, frequently accompanying her to work after student council meetings, each time leaving a new button or pin for her, little things he found on his wanderings that reminded him of her, pleased to see that her suspenders were now full of life.

Usui returned to planet earth as Misaki graciously accepted the crystal award and certificate. She adjusted the microphone and began her address.

"Thank you very much for this honor. However, I would not be up here if not for support and hard work of my brilliant team," she waved affectionately at the tables. "And also those back in the office who couldn't make it. I'd like to recognize their dedication as well." She continued passionately. "When I founded AWA Consulting Group, I had one mission in mind. To help facilitate young companies with their entrance into the business world. Initially we focused on business law, but have now expanded to encompass all aspects of business operations. So today, we are a full service organization serving both large and small clients. Nevertheless, our focus has never wavered: To help and assist those in need."

More applause followed.

"Now it is my privilege, and pleasure, to present tonight's keynote address. I'll be speaking to you about a topic near and dear to everyone's heart: global trade barriers." This elicited some chuckles. "How to navigate these trade barriers with regard to the broader impact of recent tariff legislation." And with that she launched into her prepared speech.

Thunderous applause filled the hall. Misaki had proved worthy of her award, delivering an informative, and yet somehow, entertaining discourse on tariffs. As she returned to her table, amidst many congratulatory tidings, the MC concluded the banquet by enthusiastically inviting everyone to stick around for dessert and cocktails, and to meet and greet all the award winners. Aoi stood and grabbed Usui's arm.

"Come with me."

1 – "Office Space", US movie, Mike Judge, 1999