How To Be A HeartBreaker Chapter 22: Twenty Two, a maid sama! fanfic

Okay, there's people who've been able to read the chapter and then there's those who haven't and it really annoyed the crap out of me cuz what tf FF?

Based on a review of what I got by a Guest that already read the chapter, - I called Satsuki her therapist, not psychiatrist, that's a difference. Besides, I think your Doctors are allowed to like you, my therapist likes me and says she enjoys talking to me because I'm entertaining according to her. Also, trauma comes in a lot of different ways. You can either take years, months or even your entire life to get over it. I haven't exactly gone into detail with everything Misaki did to get over her trauma 'cause I wanted to leave that to fiction. I can relate to potentially getting over your experience in a short span because I've had it happen to me. Obviously, not kidnapping, thank God but yes, it's taken years and now it's not so bad. I've been watching 'The Mentalist' so much and when Patrick Jane says the mind is a very powerful tool, he ain't lying. If you see it from a perspective where Misaki probably punched her trauma as she punched Asahi, you could see she could have felt better about it. Then again, maybe you do have a point that she has to have side effects and I will surely keep it mind, thank you (:

The way I'm excited about this chapter? Insane.

If I told you guys that I've been planning this chapter since 2017, would anyone believe me? We're finally getting to all the parts I'm excited to write about so yay us!

I'd recommend you listening to the song mentioned as you read it, I'd say most of you would've heard it. It was hella popular when it released which was why I had been listening to it six months after the craze for it died down, doing homework at midnight and planned this entire chapter by the 30th time it had been played.

I don't want to spoil it so credits to the original singer! Honestly, I have a feeling most of you might go - Seriously? Out of every song, this? - but trust me, I loved this song for the scene and I knew I'd never replace it so peace.

I know this update took forever and I really wanted to update before October ended so as I update this, it's nearing 12AM in Honolulu which is the only place where its still October. I'll be damned. Edit. FF ruined it for me, so thanks for that, I am SO MAD.

Like always, thank you so much for being patient with me! Yes, I'm perfectly okay if we don't consider me drowning in my college assignments which I'm running to finish now. I love you guys! Thank you for reading!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN KAICHOU WA MAID SAMA OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS NO MATTER HOW MUCH I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO. I ONLY OWN THE PLOT AND THE CHARACTERS I HAVE INTRODUCED IN THIS FIC.

By the end of this chapter, I will be -

"You're being loud unnecessarily, Kuuga"

"There's no one in the room anyway" The popstar shot back as he picked the bag up "Is this all?"

"Yep" Takumi assured, putting his hand on his friend's shoulders and directing him toward the door as swiftly as he could.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Kuuga asked, firmly stopping in his place and trying to turn to face Takumi.

"Because I can't wait to go home" Takumi flatly stated, shoving Kuuga's shoulder with his own to get him moving.

"That's garbage. Besides, don't you want to say bye to Ayuzawa-san?"

"I already said bye to Minako and Sakuya-san and exchanged numbers with Suzuna, what else do you want me to do?"

"I'm not talking about those Ayuzawas and you know it"

Takumi stopped struggling against Kuuga to leave and stepped back. He ran a hand through his hair, sighed loudly before speaking "She and I are neighbors, we'll see each other eventually. What am I saying bye for?"

Kuuga crossed his arms, tilted his head and shot him a look, making Takumi shrug and put his hands in his pockets "Her parents are going to be living with her for a week or two. Suzuna and Sakuya-san might go back first but Minako-san will stay with her for a while"

"What's that got to do with anything?"

"She's gone to see her therapist"

When Kuuga still looked confused, Takumi closed his eyes for a brief moment before opening them and explaining as clearly as he could manage to "If her Father hadn't gotten promoted, he wouldn't have moved to Kyoto. If her family wouldn't have moved to Kyoto, maybe what happened could've been prevented. The promotion was indirectly my doing meaning what happened was also invariably my doing and-"

Kuuga put a hand up to stop Takumi from talking "Are you saying all this is your fault?"

Takumi stared at his friend's face for a moment as if he had forgotten what they were talking about "Y-Yeah. Maybe not directly but-"

"One. Sakuya-san deserved the promotion and even before Tora stepped in to speed up the process, he had it coming his way. Two. How could you have known what Asahi was going to do?"

"I punched him, Kuuga. I brought this on Misaki"

"Because he was harassing her. Besides, Asahi is going to be sentenced more harshly than last time. Of that you have made sure"

Running a hand over his face, Takumi broke eye contact with Kuuga, choosing to look at his shoes as he went through what to say next. His behavior was unusual, he could sense that himself "It wouldn't have happened in the first place if I hadn't-"

"Takumi!" Kuuga dropped the bag on the floor before grabbing his friend's arm and shaking it "This isn't your fault!" The worry that was evident in his voice was now escalating mixed with ambiguity.

"What if something like this happens again?" Takumi questioned, turning to his friend, his voice quiet and his face troubled.

The blond popstar's eyes softened and he let go of his friend's arm "It won't" He assured.

"Why- No, how are you so sure?"

"One time was dreadful enough for you. I doubt you would allow a second time"

After a silent moment, Takumi agreed "No, no I won't"

"See? You'll be alright" Kuuga paused before adding "Both of you will be"

The blond model picked up the bag his friend had dropped "You're right" He accepted, making a move to open the door.

"You're freaking me out. You never agree with me" Kuuga pointed out, following in his friend's wake.

"We need space" Takumi explained. Kuuga waited for him to say more but when he didn't, he bit the bullet and asked "What do you mean? You and I are breaking up? Why?"

Takumi laughed "Because I've finally realized my feelings for Hinata" Ending the joke right there, he proceeded to explain "I'm going to Italy for my photoshoot tomorrow"

"What?" Kuuga stepped in front of him and stopped him "You can't!"

"Why not?"

"Because you're still unwell?"

"I stayed an extra day for exactly this reason. So that you guys couldn't use that as an excuse" Takumi laughed, sidestepping and resuming walking.

"No, that is because you were roommates with Misaki-san. Though from what I hear from Sakura, you slept most of the time" Kuuga sounded puzzled for a moment before switching back to their earlier topic "You can't go to Italy"

"Again, why not?"

"Because semester exams are next week?"

Takumi laughed out loud "That's your argument? You need to do better than that"

"How does Tora always make this work?" Kuuga muttered under his breath before catching up to Takumi who was nearing the reception area "You sure you don't want to say bye to Misaki-san even then?"

The blond model decided to address the receptionist instead. Takumi skimmed through the documents and started signing the forms without answering as if he hadn't even heard the question his friend had asked. Kuuga chose to assume that he hadn't heard him. He opened his mouth to repeat what he'd said when Takumi replied "I'm sure"

"Why?" Kuuga persisted.

"Because we need space, Kuuga"

"From what?"

Takumi finished signing and turned to his friend after the receptionist bid them a good day "From each other" He smiled.

"Why?"

Takumi's smile turned conspiratorial "Experiment purposes"

"That's bullshi-"

"If it works, I'll enlighten you further"

"Why not give me the working principles right now?"

"Insufficient materials"

Kuuga narrowed his eyes but dropped the topic because he understood it was what Takumi was silently pleading with him for "What do you want to eat for lunch? My treat"

Takumi, who was grateful for the change in topic mused over the question before starting to laugh "Instant noodles"

"Out of everything, instant noodles?" The blond popstar rolled his eyes as they walked toward the parking lot together.

"It feels like.. home" Takumi shrugged.

"Well?"

"I don't think this will have any lasting effects this time, Satsuki-san. I'm feeling..quite alright"

The dark-haired woman smiled as she handed the younger girl a mug of hot chocolate "Well, that's very good then"

"I'd like to think that" Misaki confessed before taking a sip of her drink "Even then I thought, getting you to confirm it for me will put me completely at ease. Sorry, you had to come see me at the hospital"

"Not at all" Satsuki shook her head, leaning back in her chair as she picked her own cup of tea up "When Minako-san called, I offered to come see you before she told me you had requested to meet me"

Misaki nodded, staring at the white steam escaping the mug for a long moment before speaking "You know..before, before this happened I always thought I wouldn't have been able to survive another day like the one two years back. And now that I have.." She ran her index finger over the rim of the mug "I feel like I remembered how to breathe again"

"And how does that feel?"

"Good...it- it feels really really good!" Misaki finally looked up and into shining sapphire orbs "It feels like the darkness that I had conquered but was always following me everywhere I went has evaporated. The feeling of this heavy rock on my chest is lifted and when I tell you that hitting Asahi in the face made me feel better than a lot of things have, please know that I'm not lying!" The words escaped her in a rush, her smile appearing like the Sun bursting through the clouds "I think that was more philosophical than I intended"

Her mood was so contagious that Satsuki found herself matching the raven-haired girl's tempo "I can certainly see that it has improved your disposition vastly"

"Yes Ma'am, it most certainly has!" Misaki laughed.

Her therapist watched her fondly. Among all her clients, Misaki had shown progress the fastest as if she had always been desperate to find happiness, like it was her only driving force. Her experience was undoubtedly traumatic, the scars and horrors it left in her wake were to be expected. The hardest part throughout her time with Misaki had been to nudge her open and make her talk about it. She was terrified, so hellbent on keeping the fear within her that it had taken a couple months just to make Misaki address the matter. Once Misaki opened up, things went faster from there. She followed all of Satsuki's instructions to the book, keeping her up to date with all the progress she made. From the first time she had gone to a school festival again; her first outing to a place with a big crowd. That had been such a huge step especially when crowds had become scary for her ever since Asahi had grabbed and taken her away when she had been in a crowded area.

Everytime Misaki reported back to her, told her about something else she had achieved which otherwise had a traumatic memory attached to it, Satsuki had felt pride. She had felt good to help a soul as strong and willful as Misaki's. But every single time she had seen uncertainty within Misaki as if every step scared her still, like she was scared to ever find out what lay on the other side of the door, like she was scared she'd never make it till there.

But now as she gazed into those excited amber orbs explaining everything to her, the uncertainty was gone and replaced with solace. With happiness, like she had made peace with what had happened, accepted it and finally overcome it. Maybe going around it didn't always work, maybe confronting it and (as eloquently put by Misaki herself) hitting it in the face with a chair, worked wonders.

"It was so cold at night" Misaki was saying "Freezing even. But now that I survived it, I think I should make a trip to Antarctica"

That made her therapist laugh before she decided to finally speak "Did you use the trick I had taught you?"

"Yes" Misaki admitted, her cheeks flushing.

That shy response bewildered Satsuki and she put her tea cup down "Well, what did you do?"

"So you told me that if I ever got stuck in an elevator or a room which was dark or cold, I had to look for light or at least pretend there was some so it would give me warmth, that's what it was, right?"

"Right" Satsuki confirmed "Even people who aren't claustrophobic aren't comfortable in such places"

"There was light coming through a window in the room I was in so that's what I did" As she said that, Misaki rose her mug to her lips and took a large sip to stall for time.

Satsuki nodded but she playfully narrowed her eyes as she raised her eyebrows, her entire face squinting "And what are you hiding from me, young lady?"

"Nothing" Misaki denied, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand to give her cheeks time to calm down.

"Alright then, I won't ask you about the boy you're thinking of. How's your Mom?"

"It's not about a boy!" Misaki denied heatedly, flailing her arms around to emphasize her point.

"Okay" Satsuki agreed, hiding her smile behind her teacup, waiting for Misaki to answer her other question.

But Misaki was distracted already, staring at the hot chocolate in between her hands, her thumbs rubbing against each other. Satsuki decided not to interrupt her thoughts, leaning back in her seat and crossing her legs waiting for Misaki to snap out of her reverie.

Misaki blinked, her thoughts already past the conversation she was having at present as she stared at the dark colored liquid, remembering the night Takumi had made her a cup of hot chocolate when he'd met Asahi for the first time. Oh, he'd looked so good that night. In complete formal wear with his hair gelled back, a Prince straight out of a fairy tale book. But he always looked good, dressed to the nines everytime. Even after waking up, there was not a single hair out of place. Ever. No, she mentally shook her head, it was him that was handsome. The clothes merely enhanced that. He was perfectly built after all. Lean physique and muscles that were present but not bulky-

Misaki's blood ran cold when she realized the direction of her thoughts. What on Earth was she doing? Fantasizing about Takumi like a shameless wanton?! She was becoming exactly what she thought she'd never be!

Too late. A part of her whispered.

Shaking her head to clear her vision when she realized she was squinting, Misaki froze when her surroundings set back in. Hot chocolate, the smell of medicine in the air, couches and ..her therapist!

"I- I'm sorry, w-what did you say?" She asked when Satsuki's smile widened.

"I asked you how your Mom was but now I want to know who's gotten you this engrossed"

"There's nobody" Misaki denied again, steadily gazing into Satsuki's eyes and smiling at her but blinking rapidly. Too rapidly. Suspiciously.

"Do you know why you're my favorite client, Misaki?" Satsuki asked in a complete switch of talk. Misaki, who was thankful for the change, shook her head "It's because you're honest. Painfully so" She raised her eyes to the raven-haired girl's and gestured with her hands "Your eyes, they give you away. They're beautiful and know nothing of deceit"

Misaki nodded, accepting the compliment. Satsuki had played a huge role in getting her life back on track. If Misaki could share, what were the darkest of her secrets, she could most definitely share the lighter ones, the more happier ones.

"Before anything else. There's nothing going on like that between us, okay?" When Satsuki nodded, Misaki sighed loudly "Can we keep his name anonymous?"

"Absolutely. So.." She smiled "Tell me about the guy who can make Ms. Heartbreaker here blush"

Slowly, carefully Misaki recounted some of the stories, some of the things he'd said or done. She recounted the entire night of the musical leaving out the part where her friends almost walked in on them in a compromising position. She told Satsuki about the ex-girlfriend's picture; of how pretty she was and how insecure that made her feel. She told her about the first day of the sports festival where cycling with him had made her feel so content. Satsuki listened, quietly nodding along and smiling when Misaki did, laughing when Misaki blushed and shaking her head in a helpless manner when Misaki felt embarrassed.

"He sounds wonderful" Satsuki commented when Misaki ended her story when Takumi had come to get her after she had called him "Is he cute?"

"Cute? Uh.." Takumi exuded charm and charisma, words that would normally be used to describe him would be handsome, dreamy, irresistible, gorgeous- "No. I wouldn't.." Then she remembered how he got when he was sleep deprived and she found herself smiling "Yes, yes he is. At times"

"And what word would you use to describe him otherwise?"

Misaki pondered on that question. Physical adjectives couldn't do justice to him. Neither could the emotional ones. Now that she thought about him, she realized that if the man himself asked her this, she wouldn't know what to say "He.. he's great" Misaki lamely put in.

Satsuki's eyebrows shot up at that as if she too was expecting Misaki to do better than that. Hell, Misaki had expected to do better than that! "Okay well.."

Satsuki's uncertainty snapped a switch in Misaki and suddenly she wanted to show her therapist that her own judgement wasn't askew "I'm- I don't know how to describe him. He's a lot of wonderful adjectives and a single one can't do him justice"

That made Satsuki smile and she interlaced her fingers, leaning forward "Do we have a picture?"

"No, I don't" Then it struck her "What makes you think I would?"

Satsuki shrugged, the ghost of a smile on her lips "Well, I'm just surprised that you haven't clicked a picture with that attractive a man"

"It's not that unusual. I don't like taking pictures much" Misaki muttered.

"Fair enough. That I knew" She got up and picked her teacup up "Are you done?"

"H-Huh? O-Oh no" Raising the cup to her lips, she gulped down the leftover chocolate and then handed the cup back. As Satsuki tidied up the counter, washed the cups in the sink and put them and the thermos she'd brought the chocolate in back in her bag Misaki stared at her back all the while, her mind elsewhere, where it had been the whole day.

Takumi's behavior had been so unusual. He had slept away the entire day and only gotten up when his friends had come to see him. He hadn't uttered more than a few words to her, unless it had been absolutely necessary to address her. The day before that, Misaki thought- no, knew that their bond, the relationship they had, had grown. Become more concrete, stronger and they have grown closer. But his behavior was making her doubt it all, like she wasn't sure she knew him at all.

Now that she thought about it, she didn't.

He had met her parents, he had befriended her friends, he was in all her classes and they were neighbor. He knew every little detail of her life that she never discussed with anyone and she? She didn't know anything. Except for the fact that his ex-girlfriend's name was Rhea. Rhea Castillo.

It had been such pure coincidence when she'd recognized the name and said girl. And it had only been after she found the frame at Takumi's place. She could've never guessed that Rhea Castillo was the Castillo. Spoilt Princess Rhea Castillo. Model, actress, fashion icon, voice actress Rhea Castillo. She recognized the brunette when she was exiting the department store and a billboard with Rhea's latest advertisement poster for a beauty brand was across the street, shining bright. For a moment, Misaki had stood there staring at the obnoxiously blown up face of Takumi's ex-girlfriend and felt miserable. Rhea looked like she'd descended on Earth looking like that and here was Misaki, in her faded jeans and t-shirt with her hair in a bun she'd put an effort of less than ten seconds in. How could she ever compare to that?

So she convinced herself that she wouldn't have to. That winning Takumi Walker's sentiments would not mean anything to her but now she was more invested in it than she'd initially dreamt she would. Now that she wanted to be even more closer to him, watching him treat her so indifferently, so suddenly; when she thought they had made progress and were closer, hurt her.

"Why are you frowning like that? Did you not like the chocolate?"

Hearing Satsuki speak brought Misaki back to reality "No, it was quite good"

"Then? Is there something else you want to say?"

Misaki pondered over her question for a moment before asking "How do you know what to say when no words come to you when you want to say something really badly?" She paused "Wait, I- no um, there has to be some other way to put it"

Satsuki waited a moment before answering "You'll know. So will they. Whenever someone hurts another being, it's only ever unintentional when they don't know the person well enough. In your case, I'm sure it's different"

"No, I'd say it's pretty accurate" Misaki muttered under her breath "I don't think I have ever been rendered speechless the way I sometimes am these days"

Satsuki came closer to her and sat on the arm of Misaki's sofa "Well, in that case," She poked Misaki below her collarbone lightly "Ask yourself if that's because you can't believe the nonsense you're hearing or because of something else?"

"Something else like what?"

"Like …attraction?"

"I told you, it's not like that between us"

"What is it like then? I'm sorry if I'm reading between the lines but you'll have to help me understand"

"Look. I've dated men before, I know what it feels to like someone but this is different" She moved her arms about, agitated because she was unable to get her point across "With him, I don't need to- to worry about putting up appearances. His presence puts me at ease. L-Like ..like warmth on a cold night"

The clouded look in Satsuki's eyes cleared and she smiled "There you have it then"

"What?"

"You're speechless because you want to probably thank him and explain how he helped you but you, you're just scared of ruining what you both already share"

Misaki knew it was much deeper than that. Everything related to Takumi Walker was deep water now. Who he was, she didn't know. He hadn't told her anything. Infact, he probably never planned to. That mixed with the irrational way he was behaving, made Misaki's heart constrict uncomfortably. If she let herself get any more involved with Takumi Walker, nothing good would probably come out of it. Not unless he reciprocated the feeling.

What feeling? Misaki asked herself. What else was she feeling apart from gratitude that his behavior was making her this impatient?

Nothing. She firmly told herself.

"I'll think about it" Misaki promised as she got up "I think I should go before the Doctor decides to postpone my discharge day"

Satsuki checked her watch before smiling "Yes, it's been over an hour. Stop by the café whenever you find the time and grab a coffee with me sometime"

"Thanks Doc" Misaki grinned wide before moving forward and embracing the shorter woman. There was something about this lady that always managed to calm her down. The way she was always gentle, the serenity and the positivity that surrounded her was soothing and healing. That was the only reason she had become Misaki's number one confidante.

Satsuki patted the young girl's back for a moment before stepping back, holding her arms "Don't worry. He'll never hurt you"

"How do you know?"

When all Satsuki did was smile in response, Misaki's brows knitted together and she narrowed her eyes at her therapist before something hit her "How do you know he's an attractive man?"

"No plain looking man can make your heart hammer this much and make the Misaki Ayuzawa this flustered as she talks about him. There were men who tried winning your sentiments with the grandest of gestures and you never bat an eyelash"

"I'm not as special as you think I am" Misaki smiled back, a twinkle in her eye.

"Very special" Satsuki pushed "Never think otherwise"

"I know, I know. I promise" She stepped out of their embrace "I'll tell you his name next time"

"I'll look forward to it. Now, get going"

Misaki nodded eagerly before walking toward the door and opening it. With a little wave, she walked through it.

"Oh and Misaki?" Satsuki called making Misaki poke her head back in.

"Yes?"

"If someone threatens another that they'd kill for you, they would never hurt you"

Misaki's breath caught in her throat and she nodded before waving and leaving.

As she entered the elevator, she couldn't seem to stop thinking what Satsuki had told her last. Misaki wouldn't even have been aware that Takumi had threatened to kill Asahi when he'd come for his statement to the Police Station if she hadn't overheard Tora mentioning it to Takumi. When she had later asked Chiyo about it, the navy-haired girl confirmed the fact. Misaki had wanted to ask Takumi about it herself but said guy was lowkey ignoring her for reasons unknown to her.

She'd ask him now. Misaki made up her mind as she stepped out of the elevator and on her floor. She didn't care if someone else was in the room. She would force him to talk to her even if it took all day. If she didn't, she probably wouldn't be able to bear the suspense of not knowing the reason for his behavior.

When she opened the door to her hospital room, she saw her parents talking to Chiyo and Tora. Takumi wasn't in the room. Not only that, his bed was made and his belongings were gone. Had he left without saying anything to her?

Knowing it was rude to not address the ones that were present, she decided to finish that first "Hey" Now that that was out of the way "Where's Takumi?"

She looked straight at Chiyo who took a deep breath in before speaking "He had to leave on some urgent business"

"He was in the hospital for a reason. What urgent business couldn't wait?"

"He had a photoshoot scheduled that had to be postponed" Tora informed "So, he's gone to Italy for it"

Angry hurt burst through Misaki as she smiled and nodded "I see, that's good" She made a beeline for her bed "Can you all please excuse me? I want to rest before lunch"

A chorus of 'Ofcourse' was followed by her parents and friends quickly exiting the room as Misaki lay down on her bed, painfully clenching her jaw but smiling outwardly.

She waited till the door softly shut behind them before throwing the coverlet over her head and angrily shutting her eyes.

No, she sternly told herself not a single tear.

Chiyo and Tora who walked out to the parking lot a few minutes later were various versions of confused "Misaki didn't know, did she?" Chiyo asked her fiancé.

"No, I doubt it. Especially since she had to ask about it. I thought she'd be the first person Takumi would tell"

"Looks like he didn't even say bye before he left" Chiyo mused, opening her car door.

Tora opened the door to his car which was parked right next to his fiancee's "What on Earth was he thinking? After behaving like that all those days they're suddenly strangers?"

"Not strangers" Chiyo denied, standing with her car door open, facing her betrothed "More like confused almost-lovers?"

That notion amused the Igarashi heir because he smiled "That's pretty accurate, I'd say"

Chiyo smiled back and for a second they just stood there, smiling at each other before Tora's smile vanished as if he just realized that current circumstances hadn't changed anything between them.

Before he left (which he looked like he was about to), Chiyo decided to address what she'd been stalling for a couple days now because now was a good time as any other "I uh-" She started when Tora deemed their conversation over and had started opening his car door further but paused when he heard her speak "Uh, want to thank you" She simply said.

"Why?" Tora asked, his expression carefully neutral and his emotions, guarded.

"Because you played a big role in the safe return of Misaki"

When all Tora did was stare at her, Chiyo felt unnerved under the scrutiny of his gaze. She realized that thanking him like this might be offensive since she wasn't the only one who was friends with Misaki, he was too. Furthermore, pretending that things were okay between them when they weren't was taking it a notch too far. But when she opened her mouth to counterattack it, Tora beat her to it "So did you"

"I'm being serious. This is not the time for modesty"

"I wouldn't have done it" Tora started "But I figured bringing back Misaki was an easier option"

"Compared to what?" Chiyo asked.

Tora looked at her a moment longer before getting into his car. Chiyo stood there, staring at his window, waiting for Tora to finish. Just when she thought she'd won, the engine of the car started, making her step back. Then came a further surprise when Tora lowered his window.

"Bringing back Misaki was an easier option for me because I don't think I could handle looking at you wearing that terrified expression everyday"

With that his window rolled back up and his car pulled out of the parking lot.

"Your face..turn it to the left a little"

Takumi did as asked. He moved his hand further back and leaned over, more because he was tired than bothered about posing "Yes, just like that. Hold" The photographer told him and Takumi almost rolled his eyes.

What a sight it would be. On Louis Vuitton's latest cover, a model rolling his eyes.

"That's good. Good" The photographer complimented, going through the pictures he had already taken and then looked up at his model "Would've been nicer if they'd have let the girl accompany you instead of two separate shoots. Couple pictures look better for eyewear"

This time, Takumi did roll his eyes. Below the blue sunglasses he was wearing, no one could see it anyway. He turned his head away from the photographer without responding and toward the makeup artist who was touching up on the makeup on his forehead where beads of sweat were starting to accumulate. From his peripheral, he noticed Yukimura run up to the photographer and pull him aside. Takumi didn't need to hear them to know what his manager was telling the photographer.

Wherever she was concerned, Takumi wasn't.

"Well, obviously. Today's the last day for you and she's arriving tomorrow" The photographer shrugged, turning away from the manager. Yukimura shot a nervous look toward Takumi before confronting the photographer again.

Takumi waved the artist off and stood up. Five entire days of shooting had made him cranky and restless to go home. The fact that he had an ignorant photographer for the shoot didn't help in the least.

"We're not done!" The photographer called out when Takumi made a move to stand under the shade after having a tan session under the Sun he hadn't asked for.

"Not going anywhere" Takumi grit out, sitting down in a chair and turning a table fan toward him.

A minute later Yukimura approached him, looking terrified. He always looked terrified, as if Takumi was about to grow two heads, a tail and breathe fire any second now "Sit down" Takumi offered. They were the same age anyway.

Yukimura accepted the offer and took a seat next to the blond model. Takumi counted a whole 12 seconds before Yukimura burst into tears "I'm sorry!" He cried.

"It's okay" Takumi replied "Not your fault" He added.

For five days he had put up with this manager who was substituting for his Uncle, Takumi's actual manager. While this terrified boy (who was actually his age) was amusing to watch and spectate because he was incredibly afraid of everything and everyone, Takumi had had enough. He had had enough of the stupid photographer who was talented at what he did but otherwise a complete arse. He had had enough of the second in-charge here who had, on more than one occasion, made a pass at him to the point of pressing her hotel room key into his palm combined with a suggestive glance. He had had enough of the boss' wife sending him flowers everyday and having her order the staff to arrange for all of Takumi's favorite food, at all times. She wasn't even here in person but was still giving him hell. Meanwhile,the people- person he'd have liked to have with him were miles away- Takumi checked his phone for the time- asleep.

He stared at his phone, the urge to write a text taking over him for the umpteenth time. No, he put his foot down. He had not decided to leave only to contact her.

Contrary to what his friends thought, Takumi hadn't ghosted Misaki. He could never have. He just didn't want to go through a physical goodbye, he probably wouldn't ever be able to. He was neck deep into this and he was only sinking further; but he wasn't complaining, infact, otherwise. As a smile spread through his lips, lifting his mood as he remembered how the disbelief had spread across Misaki's face when he didn't acknowledge her presence. He could almost imagine her reaction when she would've found out that Takumi had left already. The way her anger would be simmering, waiting to be unleashed when Takumi returned.

Which was why he was hoping she'd found his note that he'd left in the book she was reading. Nope, there was no way she'd have missed it. She would angrily dismiss talking to everyone and try to distract herself and would have found it, undoubtedly. What Takumi couldn't be sure of was whether it'd make Misaki more angry, making her tear it apart or calm her down, make her stare at it in disbelief before throwing her head back and laughing.

With her, was he ever sure of anything?

"Water?" A bottle of water was waved in front of his face making Takumi snap out of his daydreaming about the raven-haired beauty.

His disposition had improved so much that he nodded gratefully, smiling and accepting the bottle. That seemed to surprise Yukimura but comforted him and made him feel more confident in what he was about to tell the other man as he shited in his seat "Um..Takumi-san?"

"Hm?" Takumi hummed back, gulping down the water.

"You asked me to tell you if I ever heard about any of the plans Mrs. Stairwell had for you"

Takumi nodded, capping the bottle and wishing he could drown in the water. Not the Boss' wife making another move at him.

"She's flying down tonight. There's also a special party being held in the banquet hall for you; to celebrate the new eyewear launch" Yukimura was now whispering, looking around carefully.

Takumi groaned. He really didn't need this. Any of it, at all. He wanted to get home as soon as possible, see Misaki and hold her hand as she told him that 2 minute of cooking noodles doesn't do it any justice "Doesn't her husband have no idea of everything his wife does?"

"I think he mistakes it for dedication toward the company"

Choosing not to say anything for the moment, Takumi's gaze found its way back to the photographer who was discussing something with his assistant "What time is our flight tomorrow?"

"Nine in the morning" A pause "Why? Do you think we need to stay and do an extra set?"

Takumi sidelined his question with one of his own "What's the date today?"

"12th October"

Takumi smiled, getting up from his seat not before telling a terrified Yukimura "You and me have things to do"

To his mortification, Yukimura realized that said 'things' weren't going to go well for him, at all.

Takumi made him purchase a bouquet of yellow carnations and wrote a sweetly worded note to the Boss' wife with an underlying meaning that he was sure she'd overlook but would come handy for him later on must she ever use it against him. Then he booked two business class tickets back to Tokyo for that evening when he knew that he could quietly slip away before anyone would notice. The party was a surprise, no one was to inform him until an hour before. Takumi was leaving an hour before that and by the time the staff would realize, he'd already be up in the air. Ofcourse, he couldn't be ungrateful for the time and hardwork the staff working with him had put in which was why he had treated everyone to lunch.

His moral and social obligations were clearly out of the way.

"Yes, this is for her" Takumi confirmed, handing the bouquet of carnations to Grace Stairwell's secretary "To thank her for being very kind to me"

The secretary, who was very obviously privy to all the kindness her employer showed to the young man standing in front of her, smiled and accepted the flowers "She would be very happy to receive them"

"Wonderful. Have a splendid evening"

Takumi turned and left immediately before the secretary had a chance to ask him anything further. He pushed his jacket sleeve back and checked the time. He had half an hour to get to the airport "Yukimura, are you ready?" He asked when he answered his phone which was vibrating in his pocket.

"Are you sure about this?" Yukimura cried.

"Yes. Now, are we ready or not?"

"I checked out, like you asked me to. The tab is on the company but they issued a receipt nonetheless because they said you had paid for it yourself?"

"I did" Takumi confirmed, getting into the elevator "I might be leaving but I can't be a brat about it"

"I'm in front of the main reception desk"

Takumi found the shorter man with ease. Yukimura was near the main reception but standing behind a tall pillar, to avoid being spotted by any of the crew members lurking around "Alright, let's go" Takumi spoke up, putting his sunglasses on and grabbing the shorter man with one hand and clutching the handle of his suitcase with the other.

Takumi held on to Yukimura as he stumbled but regained his footing and walked quick enough to match the blond's pace "Ms. Tricia near the telephone booth" He muttered as he swiftly pulled his muffler up.

Takumi put his hand on the tip of his cap and lowered his head as they speed-walked through the grand lobby area. Once they passed the telephone booths, he raised his head again mercilessly pulling his suitcase behind him.

He wished he had kept his face down till he exited through the automatic doors and out the hotel.

Leading an entourage of her own with her publicist and stylist talking to her, the manager rapidly dictating notes to his assistant and footmen carrying her luggage behind her, wearing a pastel pink bodycon minidress with straps so thin they couldn't even be seen was Rhea Castillo. Her heels were clicking against the marble floor of the lobby and heads were turning to look at her, pointing and recognizing the brunette.

He noticed her the same time she noticed him.

Takumi's grip around his suitcase tightened as he steadily kept walking, trying to stare straight but Rhea's steps halting made him waver slightly. She held a hand up to silence her publicist as she took the sunglasses that had been covering most of her face, off. A smile spread across her exquisite face as she watched him approach her, widening when her suspicions about whether it was really him or not cleared.

From the corner of his eye, Takumi noticed Rhea's mouth opening, probably to greet him, but he never found out.

He walked past her.

"Unbelievable"

As Misaki stood with her mouth agape, unable to comprehend how the number next to her name was 3, Chiyo put an arm around the raven-haired girl unable to stop herself from laughing at her friend's predicament.

Misaki's fingernail traced the number on the noticeboard, poking at it as if the number she saw was the trick of her mind and would change on her will "Unbelievable" She repeated.

"Join the club" Tora laughed, equally upset at the number 2 next to his name but at least he was used to it.

"I have never..ever in my life come number third" Misaki cried.

"At least you reached top 5, the rest of us reached top 15 and are content with it" Kuuga lamented.

"Don't include me. I came 4th. I am under top 5" Kanou moved away from Kuuga making the popstar scoff.

"And I reached top 12" Hinata also moved away from Kuuga making his mouth drop open.

"Really? You try being in a band and reaching top 15, then we'll talk"

"Exactly, it's not easy" Sakura agreed, then turned to the blond singer "You did great" She smiled.

"See? She understands better than all of you combined" Kuuga accused, wiping non-existent tears from his cheeks "What rank did you get, Sakura?"

"I came 8th!"

Kuuga clutched his chest as if he'd just felt a physical blow making Sakura break into nervous monologue "I-It's only because Misaki, Chiyo and Shizuko helped me study! There is no other way I'd have come under top 10"

The popstar shot a look to his cousin "You never helped me study"

"You never asked" Chiyo retorted "Besides, why ask me when the top two positions are your friends?"

"Said friend #1 writes all exams one after another on the last day and manages to come first. Said friend #2 doesn't have the time or the patience"

"I need to lower my IQ to help you study and that is something I can't sacrifice- ow" Tora laughed when Kuuga punched him on the back "Why not ask Takumi when he's here?"

"I can't keep up with his speed. Remember when he was so annoyed by our 9th grade chemistry teacher that he by hear-ted the entire textbook?" A throaty laugh escaped Kuuga as he shuddered and rubbed his arms to calm the goosebumps that had appeared "Our chemistry teacher used to really pester him because he was always asleep in her class" Kuuga started explaining for the three clueless girls "Most teachers knew to leave him alone but she was so adamant on keeping him up and alert. Thrice she sent him out of her class when she noticed that he was still asleep. The fourth time she wrote an entire exercise of problems on the board, woke Takumi up and told him to solve them" Kuuga started to laugh.

"She said he couldn't leave the class until he had solved every single one on the board" Hinata cut in when Kuuga couldn't stop laughing "Then she handed him the first term's textbook and told him she could refer it if he wanted to but the questions were from the third term"

Sakura and Misaki's eyebrows shot up "And?" Shizuko asked a moment later when the boys all exchanged laughing looks with each other.

"Obviously the teacher thought Takumi didn't realise or even know which chapter the problems were from. Takumi decided to amuse her by standing in front of the board for ten minutes, flipping through the wrong textbook. Then he closed the textbook, handed it back to her and smiled sweetly before turning to the board and writing all the solutions"

"Legend says that teacher is still in our 9th grade classroom skimming through every page of that first term textbook trying to figure out how Takumi knew the answers" Tora laughed but sobered when Sakura clutched Misaki in terror.

"She's doing what now?" Misaki sputtered.

"It's a joke," Chiyo assured "She was a new teacher and mostly that's how most new teachers got acquainted with Takumi. He always had special permission for everything he did"

"Why?"

"His attendance was lower than 30% so his family pulled in favors to get him excused"

"He was modelling when he was 14?"

"No, he just didn't attend classes. He'd be asleep in practical labs, libraries, music and break rooms. Sometimes even on that bench in the lawn that was hidden by a tree"

"But he was still good at studying?"

"Oh, you don't even know" Tora spoke, exhaling as he shook his head "Good doesn't even begin to describe it. I mean, look at that" He pointed to the noticeboard.

Misaki glanced at it, her heart constricting uncomfortably. For an entire week she had put up with people constantly calling to check up on her. Even Ryusuke who hadn't been in the city during the whole ordeal had stopped by to meet her as soon as he came back and heard of what had happened. Misaki had been calm throughout, waiting. Waiting that when she finally laid eyes on Takumi again, she'd give him the exact treatment he had given her. Ignore him till it drove him crazy, ignore him till she felt satisfied with it, ignore him until he decided to give her a proper explanation for all this. Ignore him until she felt like she had had her revenge.

"Which is why it's better to ask Tora to help, at least he can help me like a normal human being instead of making me wonder which planet's alien I've befriended" Kuuga mused "Not like Tora's much help either"

"Kuuga" Tora smiled "Have you ever seen a Cheetah run at a Turtle's-" He moved out of the way as Kuuga aimed to land another punch at the Student Council President.

Kuuga stumbled and would've made a direct beeline for the floor if he hadn't been grabbed and spun around, an arm around his neck in a headlock "See? This is why you need aliens for friends"

Misaki spun around when she heard that familiar baritone and almost immediately caught that emerald gaze. He was looking at her anyway. And as soon as those emerald orbs twinkled mischievously at her, Misaki sidelined all the angry hurt she'd been feeling the past week.

When you smile? Sunshine.

That was what the note she had found in her book said. When she stared into Takumi's transparent emerald pools, she knew he'd written it. Just as she had suspected. He had been ghosting her but not...quite. He wanted her to see it, know he was going to be thinking of her. But no, he wasn't going to bother telling her he was leaving.

Which was why completing suppressing the hurt was impossible. Especially because she'd always used him as a shield to avoid the hurt, physically or emotionally. Hell, she'd imagined the warmth that Takumi's eyes held when he looked at her when she was freezing by herself, tied to a chair, absolutely and utterly helpless as she tried to garner warmth from the light coming in through the window.

She'd thought of a thousand things to say as an opening line to him when she saw him finally but her mind went blank as soon it registered his presence. Maybe her brain was malfunctioning, it always shut down around him.

"Hi" He raised his eyebrows after a few seconds of silence passed between them, his eyes amused as he let go of Kuuga.

"Hi yourself" She retorted, crossing her arms, her pride coming to her aid as an amused expression adorned her face.

"I heard you're unhappy with the results"

"Very. Tell me you cheated so I can feel a little better about coming 3rd. There's no way you wrote all the exams in one day and aced all of them"

Takumi laughed "If you give me your word not to tell the faculty. Yes, I cheated"

"I didn't give you my word yet"

"I trust you"

Misaki felt like someone had doused her with ice-cold water. She closed her eyes briefly, to gather her wits but she couldn't stop the smile spreading across her lips "Touche"

They stood there for a moment longer, making everyone else wonder how long they planned to ogle each other and make the others uncomfortable but Misaki speaking up put them out of their misery "If you'll excuse me, I have lunch plans with Ryusuke"

That made a smirk appear on Takumi's face as he nodded, moving aside to let Misaki walk past. Everyone else watched in surprise as Misaki smiled and said bye to everyone before walking away.

Takumi didn't turn to look but he knew the exact moment Misaki turned a corner because his friend's attacked him. To his infinite surprise, it was about Misaki.

"She's going to lunch with Ryusuke?" Kuuga asked.

"Isn't that exactly what she said?"

"And you let her?" Chiyo cut in.

Takumi looked at her like she was demented "You'd rather I stop her?"

7 people collectively stared at him. Takumi figured the answer was yes.

"I should've known"

"But you didn't, did you?"

"No, I honestly didn't guess" Misaki chuckled, waving at all the boys sitting around the table waving back at her "You said, a 'Girls Night Out' and I believed you"

"Well, this is sort of a substitute for the birthday party we had initially planned for you so keeping these monkeys away was not possible"

"I'm glad you didn't" Misaki smiled at all of the boys, noting that one was missing "Thank you so much for coming"

"We were lowkey threatened, no lie" Hinata laughed, pulling out a chair for Misaki next to him.

Misaki sat down "Chiyo is more scary than she looks, huh?"

"Oh, you have no idea" Kuuga chuckled, shifting his chair as Sakura sat down next to him "Sister dearest here threatened to run a girl over with her car in middle school"

"Even I didn't know that" Kanou confessed, shooting a startled glance toward the Sakurai heiress.

"It's something that happened in the girls locker room. I don't know the details either but I think it was Orei that was on the receiving side of that threat"

"Takoya Orei? From the Takoya Inn?"

"Yep. Some girls overheard them but no one knows for sure" Kuuga shrugged, turning to his cousin "Do relieve us of the suspense, what happened?"

Chiyo exhaled "It was after P.E. There was foul play during our softball match so I was telling her not to repeat it. Maybe a little harshly because I wasn't amused by what had happened"

Everyone seemed to buy that. Misaki would've too if she hadn't noticed Chiyo glancing at Tora who had been giving drink orders but paused, as if forgotten what he was about to say.

Misaki decided to think nothing of it as she tuned in to the conversation that had moved past. But that was because unlike Tora, she didn't know Takoya Orei played Tennis, not softball. Neither did she know that Chiyo had threatened Orei for completely different reasons.

"This" Tora spoke up when there was a break in conversation, pushing a small but fancy and expensive looking shopping bag toward Misaki "is for you"

Misaki looked surprised but took the bag anyway. Reaching inside, she pulled out a delicate bottle of perfume "This looks expensive-" She started.

"It's not" Tora assured.

"That's exactly what Chiyo said about this dress" Misaki huffed, staring down at the auburn colored sundress she was wearing "But then the tag says Prada and that worried me. How much is this?"

"You can't give someone gifts and then tell them how much it cost you" Tora scolded light heartedly "I'm not telling you"

Misaki realized it was rude to argue over a gift he'd put effort into buying "Thank you" She said as sincerely as she could manage as she lifted the lid and smelled it "Oh! This smells really really good!" She sprayed some on Sakura's wrist when the salmon-haired girl moved closer "And really expensive" She added, laughing as she put it back in the bag "Thank you" She told Tora who smiled back.

"This is from Kanou and me" Hinata slid an envelope toward Misaki almost immediately after making her break into nervous laughter as she looked around "Did all of you get me gifts?"

"We tried to be thrifty" Tora confessed, making Misaki laugh as she reached for the envelope.

"Some of us had no choice but to be thrifty" Sakura shrugged, pouting her lips as Misaki put an arm around her friend.

"Hey, I love these boots and this handbag? Going to be using it till it begs me to let it go. Thank you also" She told Shizuko, blowing her a kiss making Shizuko grin.

"It was Chiyo's idea to get you different parts of an outfit" Shizuko informed "It worked well in everyone's favor"

Misaki grinned as she reached into the envelope "Is it too much to hope that it's cash?" She joked as she retrieved a black coupon card "A Gucci black card?" Her mouth fell open.

"It's an all year shopping coupon that was just issued so it's valid for the next 365 days. You can shop as much as you like!" Hinata looked hopefully at the ravenette who was reading the details given behind the coupon.

Misaki knew better than to ask how much the coupon was worth "Thank you so much" She rose shining eyes to the candy boy and then to the bespectacled bunny "This is wonderful and I will try to make good use of it"

"Now that we're sharing birthday gifts…" Kuuga also slipped an envelope toward Misaki. Said girl didn't need to open the envelope to see what it actually was. It was an invitation to an Uxmishi concert. The violet colored envelope had the faces of the members blown up to fit the cover "...this is from me to you"

"Aren't you charming" Chiyo tutted, throwing a disgruntled look toward her cousin.

"Thank you!" Misaki grinned "I would love to go!"

"She likes it" Kuuga shot back smugly, flipping imaginary hair over his shoulder.

"We need to get you a wig, it'd suit you"

Everyone looked up when Takumi pulled the vacant chair next to Misaki out and sat down making Misaki wonder when Sakura had moved from her seat. She tried to ignore the spark that ignited and internally lit her body on fire when their knees brushed as Takumi adjusted in his seat. Which was why she took immense interest in gathering her gifts and putting them in the bag Tora had given her.

"Wait. Takumi, where is your gift?" Chiyo asked, throwing him a pointed look.

Misaki couldn't believe it but her hopes skyrocketed, wondering what the blond gentleman could've gotten her when she remembered herself "It's not a compulsion, Chiyo" She told the dark-haired girl sternly.

Chiyo pretended she didn't hear the other girl as she raised her eyebrows at Takumi who was staring blankly at her before his expression cleared "Oh, the gift?"

The silence that ensued over the table was almost haunting as Takumi rose in his seat, reached into his back pocket to pull something out. He slid the piece of paper toward Misaki.

Everyone watched as Misaki picked up the orange colored stiff paper and flipped it over "Oh" She breathed.

"What is it?" Kanou asked as everyone waited for her to reveal it.

"A 70% discount coupon for Louis Vuitton new eyewear collection"

Misaki felt Chiyo's leg brush past her as she kicked her friend under the table "Ow! You said I could get whatever I deemed fit!"

"A discount coupon?" Chiyo grit out "Really?"

The waiter arriving with their drinks distracted everyone but Chiyo seemed to glare the blond man down throughout before Misaki broke the awkward silence "Okay, time out. I love all the gifts I got, okay?" Including Takumi's gift almost pained her but she did it nonetheless, trying not to let her disappointment show "Every single one of them" She emphasized as she put Takumi's coupon in her bag "And I would enjoy using all of them, I'm sure of it"

Takumi bulged his eyes out as if to say - 'See?' to which Chiyo retorted with a cuss word that Misaki didn't quite catch. Sakura laughed because unlike her friend, she caught it clearly enough "Okay, okay. Let's not divulge in any more of this. Let's have fun"

That piqued the interest of the entire table at the same time "And what do you have in mind?"

"Truth or dare!"

"No" Tora, Kanou, Shizuko chorused.

"Awww" Kuuga cooed, putting a hand over his mouth in sham surprise "Is the almighty Student Council President scared of a little game?"

"Try me" Tora challenged.

"Truth or dare, Tora?" Kuuga sang.

"Dare"

Kuuga took Tora's drink away from him and pushed the tray of the vodka shots in front of him instead "Here" He grinned at his friend "All of them"

Tora looked at the tray in front of him as if just realizing that he'd walked straight into Kuuga's trap "You're good at trapping people"

"I try" Kuuga admitted, unabashedly.

"All ten?" Tora winced, eyeing the shots.

"If you can't-"

Tora downed all ten shots in a record second of 24 seconds.

"There's no way you're driving home" Kanou told his friend, holding Tora's shoulder to steady him till the wave of dizziness passed.

"Wonderful" Kuuga clapped his hands together, setting his already empty beer bottle down on the table after clearing a place for it, unfazed "Shall we?" He asked, spinning the bottle.

No one had a good feeling about this.

"Ah, Tora. You need to ask Sakura" Kanou shook the Igarashi heir as he clutched his head before giving it a shake and sitting straighter in his chair.

"Sakura.." Tora shook his head once again before looking straight at the petite girl "Truth or dare?" He asked as Hinata passed him a glass of water.

"Truth"

"Yes or no question. Do you like Kuuga?"

Kuuga choked up on his beer the same time Sakura said "Dare"

"Let's see…" He looked around the restaurant a bit before smiling at Sakura "Brown biker jacket, skinny jeans, undercut, by the bar" Everyone turned to look at the person Tora had described, immediately noticing that said guy wasn't alone. Like them, he was in a group too albeit completely filled with guys "Buy him a drink, put it on my tab"

"Tora, c'mon" Kuuga made a face for his friend to see but Sakura was already pushing her chair back and standing up. She adjusted her maxi dress, ran a hand over her hair to make sure it was in place before walking toward the bar.

"Do you guys come here often?" Misaki asked Hinata who was sitting on her right.

"It's Chiyo's favorite restaurant. After she moved to London for highschool, I suppose we made this our hangout spot. The ambience is great and we know the owners which is an added bonus" Hinata smiled, turning to look at Sakura who had already reached the bar.

"Is it safe?" Misaki muttered to herself as she watched Sakura tap the designated guy on the shoulder.

"The bartender is the owner's son and a national level boxer. He doesn't allow anyone to harass the women that come to the bar. Knocked a man's tooth out once"

Takumi was the only one who saw Misaki's surprised expression after he answered her question as she turned to look at him "You're kidding" She whispered.

"No, I know because I helped him" Takumi whispered back.

"You what?!" Misaki's entire body was facing him as disbelief crossed her features.

"He knocked out the man's tooth mainly because the man was flirting with his girlfriend"

"And you helped him because?"

Takumi stared at her for a while before laughing "No, Cupcake. I helped the man whose tooth had fallen out"

Misaki stared back dumbly before averting her gaze "O-Oh, s-sorry"

"It's okay" He bumped his shoulder against hers.

It wasn't the words that made her look up, it was the way he'd said it. The dazzle in his eye, the way the corners of his mouth were lifting and the way his entire face was watching her with a look of absolute bliss. In that moment, all Misaki wanted to do was memorize how his face looked. She didn't care about everything that was surrounding them, about how he'd almost ghosted her or that he'd gifted her a coupon of the brand he was modelling for. Misaki knew that these things were trivial and that Takumi had been there for her when she had needed him and that he, undoubtedly, always had her back.

She smiled back at him before boldly taking it a step further and taking his hand in hers, trying to tell him that she didn't care about any of the other things and wouldn't let it get to her. She could see the action delighted him because his face glowed as he smiled back at her, his smile reaching his eyes.

Sakura came back a moment later, making Misaki tug at her hand to free it but Takumi held it in place. He lowered it and it hung between them below the table as pleasure and happiness blossomed inside Misaki's chest.

"He gave me his number and we might be going on a date tomorrow" Sakura proudly claimed, sitting down and placing the napkin with the phone number on it on the table for everyone to see. Tora shot a raised eyebrow look toward Kuuga.

"Insane!" Misaki exclaimed, reaching across the table to give her friend a friendly shove.

"Your techniques are foolproof! I never thought they'd come in handy but they did! I'm so glad you taught them to me!" Sakura retorted, oblivious to her friend going very still in her seat.

Half the people present at their table turned to collectively look at her as Misaki gulped, opening her mouth to say something but nothing came out. She was hyper aware that her palms were turning sweaty and she tried to tug her hand out of Takumi's but he peacefully sat there, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand, further driving her toward hysterics.

"Let's continue, shall we?" Misaki squeaked, thankful when everyone let it drop.

"Chiyo, you're asking Kanou" Kuuga pointed out after spinning the bottle.

"Kanou, truth or dare?" The Sakurai heiress asked.

"Truth" Kanou chose but as a mischievous smile spread across Chiyo's lips as she opened her mouth to ask him a question, he switched "Dare"

That made the smile on Chiyo's lips widen as she picked her wineglass up and leaned back in her chair "Take your glasses off for the rest of the night"

"You can't be serious" Kanou deadpanned but Chiyo's cheeky smile showed that she was "You'll regret it" He promised, setting his spectacles on the table.

And Chiyo did.

The next turn put them on reverse ends and Chiyo broke out into nervous laughter as Kanou grinned, showing all his canines as he put his elbows on the table, intertwining his fingers and resting his chin on it "Truth or dare, Chiyo?"

Everyone felt a shiver run down their spine at this new side of Kanou. Chiyo's nervous laughter never ceased as she realized neither was better than the other. She couldn't openly answer a question about Tora so she took the better way out "What's this instant karma?" She laughed to put herself at ease "Dare"

Her answer seemed to please Kanou as he threw back his head and laughed. He sobered and answered "You're sitting on Tora's lap for the rest of the night"

The static in the air could've caused lightning inside the room as the dare sunk in. 6 people stared in utter disbelief, one in complete speechlessness and one looked like he was ready to tape Kanou's spectacles to his face.

Tora spoke up first "Don't I get a say in this?"

"Absolutely not" Kanou denied "If I let you, ofcourse you wouldn't want it. But then again, you guys are engaged, this is bound to happen sooner or later"

Tora's nonchalant stare that could make an entire board of directors quiver did little to faze Kanou as he steadily stared back at his friend. Sighing exasperatedly, he pushed his chair back making it screech against the wood as Chiyo walked over, waiting till he permitted her before sitting down on her fiance's lap without another word.

Most people averted their eyes to avoid the awkwardness. As Kuuga reached forward to spin the bottle again, Misaki watched as Tora wrapped an arm around Chiyo's torso to prevent her from slipping and the latter shifted a little before they both went still, now sitting comfortably. Something about the way Tora peeked over Chiyo's shoulder gave Misaki a feeling that doing this was familiar to them.

"Oh? Sakura, you're asking Takumi"

That snapped Misaki out of her thoughts as she turned her attention back to the game at hand, her hand instinctively tightening around Takumi's as Sakura asked "Takumi, truth or dare?"

"Dare" Takumi replied without missing a beat making Misaki graze her nails against his palm in protest.

Sakura grinned as if she'd come up with the best dare that could turn out to be the worst for Takumi "Why don't you sing for our birthday girl, here?"

Her request caused the entire atmosphere to drop. To the point where Misaki felt a chill. At first she thought it was just her but when she saw Sakura look around the table with a confused expression, her suspicions were confirmed.

"W-What …" Sakura cleared her throat "Is something the matter?"

All the boys, save for Takumi who only looked amused by the request, turned to Chiyo for assistance who took lead in explaining "Singing...is, er not one of Takumi's strongest forte's"

Sakura's expression cleared "It can't be that bad obviously" She smiled "You can choose any song you like"

Kuuga opened his mouth to stop Sakura but Takumi pushed his chair back, pulling his hand out of Misaki's as he stood up, stretching "Surely I can ask the DJ to assist?"

"Absolutely" Sakura agreed, thrilled that Takumi was doing a performance for the entire restaurant to see as she enthusiastically clapped her hands together looking excitedly at a surprised Misaki who was astonished that Takumi was going through with it all. Shizuko who had just returned from the restroom took one look at more than half the table sweating and the rest looking mildly expectant and immediately knew something was wrong.

As she sat back down next to Kanou, she whispered "Should I be worried?'

Kanou who was rubbing his eyes, laughed lightly "I honestly don't know"

Misaki rested an elbow on the table, the side of her face finding her palm as she waited expectantly. She had to admit to herself, the prospect of Takumi singing for her was kind of romantic and infinitely preferable over a discount coupon for Louis Vuitton. She sternly told herself that she wouldn't let it mean anything more but her heart picked up pace hopefully. She vowed to herself that no matter how bad Takumi was at singing, she'd smile and cheer and enjoy the song no matter what.

She couldn't keep the smile off her face when Takumi got on top of the makeshift stage at the back of the dancefloor. She smiled as he adjusted the mic stand to suit himself better. She smiled as he nodded at the DJ once he was ready. She smiled when he clutched the mic and caught her eye.

The smile drained from her face when she heard the first few beats of the song Takumi had chosen.

"Oh Takumi" Kuuga whispered that the silent table heard clearly.

Takumi started singing.

He wasn't bad. He was terrible.

"The club isn't the best place to find a lover

So the bar is where I go

Me and my friends at the table doing shots

Drinking fast and then we talk slow"

Misaki realized that the entire table was looking at her, gauging for her reaction but she..she had been rendered speechless.

"Come over and start up a conversation with just me

And trust me I'll give it a chance now"

There were people who couldn't sing. Then there were people who couldn't sing particular songs because their voice could throw the tone off. Takumi was definitely in the second category, Misaki thought. His voice was such a sharp contrast to Ed Sheeran's.

"Take my hand, stop, put Van the Man on the jukebox"

But he was trying so hard. She could see that none of the snickers erupting from around the restaurant meant anything to him. She did, her reaction did.

"And then we start to dance, and now I'm singing like"

Misaki adored him for trying, so much so that she felt she would burst from the feeling. A wide grin broke out on her face as Takumi continued singing.

"I can't just sit and do nothing" Obviously, as a singer Kuuga didn't share the same sentiments as he stood up and made his way toward Takumi.

"Girl, you know I want your love
Your love was handmade for somebody like me"

Misaki laughed, getting used to Takumi's deep voice singing for her as she swayed to the song.

"Come on now, follow my lead
I may be crazy, don't mind me"

Kuuga joined in using a wireless mic, standing by the side of the stage.

"Say, boy, let's not talk too much
Grab on my waist and put that body on me
Come on now, follow my lead
Come, come on now, follow my lead"

The song's entire tempo changed. Oddly enough, Takumi and Kuuga's voices complimented each other wonderfully.

"Im in love with the shape of you
We push and pull like a magnet do"

People around the restaurant who had thought Takumi had been fooling around were now turning in their seats to look at the table the two handsome boys were directing their song toward, wondering which girl it was being sung for.

"Although my heart is falling too
I'm in love with your body
And last night you were in my room
And now my bedsheets smell like you"

Anyone who saw Misaki's smile and the way her entire face had lit up could figure out that the song was for her.

"Every day discovering something brand new
I'm in love with your body"

Takumi stepped off the stage.

"Oh—I—oh—I—oh—I—oh—I
I'm in love with your body
Oh—I—oh—I—oh—I—oh—I
I'm in love with your body"

He was still singing.

"Oh—I—oh—I—oh—I—oh—I
I'm in love with your body
Every day discovering something brand new"

The restaurant had stilled.

"I'm in love with the shape of you"

Everyone was watching.

"One week in we let the story begin
We're going out on our first date"

He reached their table.

"You and me are thrifty, so go all you can eat
Fill up your bag and I fill up a plate"

He started clearing the cutlery obstacles between Misaki and himself.

"We talk for hours and hours-"

Takumi made a chattering gesture with four of his fingers smacking against the thumb.

"-about the sweet and the sour
And how your family is doing okay"

Leaning over the table, in his full senses and without stopping his singing, Takumi smiled as he watched Misaki's face drain color at his open closeness.

"Leave and get in a taxi-"

The incorrigible, insanely confident man leaned even closer making the table shudder.

"-then kiss in the backseat"

Misaki firmly pushed him away before Takumi had a chance to come even more close, his playfulness making a chuckle escape her as she stood up.

"Tell the driver make the radio play, and I'm singing like,"

Takumi followed in Misaki's wake, singing as she laughed and walked with no set destination in mind.

"Girl, you know I want your love
Your love was handmade for somebody like me"

He was incorrigible, Misaki adored it.

"Come on now, follow my lead
I may be crazy, don't mind me"

Misaki turned, placing a hand on Takumi's chest and walking forward making him retrace his steps, unable to stop herself from joining in.

"Say, boy, let's not talk too much
Grab on my waist and put that body on me
Come on now, follow my lead
Come, come on now, follow my lead"

His hands found her waist. Her arms found his neck and wrapped around them.

"I'm in love with the shape of you
We push and pull like a magnet do"

They started moving together. Neither knew the moves of the dance but swaying together and using their heel to give their steps more momentum only made dancing with the other easier, more sharper.

"Although my heart is falling too
I'm in love with your body"

Misaki couldn't stop grinning as Takumi pushed her away from his body to twirl her once and then pull her back and grab her free hand with his own to switch the dance moves as they free styled.

"And last night you were in my room
And now my bedsheets smell like you
Every day discovering something brand new
I'm in love with your body"

Everyone was watching and for once, Misaki didn't care. This was her happy place, this was what she wanted most.

"Oh—I—oh—I—oh—I—oh—I
I'm in love with your body
Oh—I—oh—I—oh—I—oh—I
I'm in love with your body
Oh—I—oh—I—oh—I—oh—I
I'm in love with your body"

For the life of her, she couldn't wipe the smile of her face. Neither could she stop dancing.

"Every day discovering something brand new
I'm in love with the shape of you"

She couldn't keep her eyes off Takumi either.