(Hi… working like crazy, I haven't had a chance to write anything. Thank goodness for a double shift that I finally brought in my writing tablet. Belted out one chapter and I think I added a little depth to Izra's character so she isn't just some carbon copy of Takumi Usui in a skirt. Tell me what you think~ you know, besides the whole disappearing thing I have a habit of doing… LOVE YOU ALL AND PLEASE ENJOY THIS INSTALLMENT!)

Chapter 3: Conversations and Frilly Skirts

Misaki exited her school the next day. Once again, Usui had been absent and everything ran like a German train schedule. This made the student president very happy… until she reached the school gate.

"Boy, you look thrilled to be going to work. Perhaps you don't hate your job as much as you've insisted?"

Misaki glared at the blond girl leaning against the gate, honey-brown eyes locking on emerald green. She quickly took note of her state of dress and hissed, "You're not wearing a uniform… don't tell me you played hooky?" The look on the older girl's face was like a big warning sign that she better not have ditched school or else a shit storm was coming her way.

Izra chuckled softly, eyes twinkling in that special way that only an Usui could accomplish. The brunette felt her irritation skyrocket at the look. "Sorry to disappoint but no. I did go to school and changed into my street clothes before coming here. I don't think Satsuki-san would appreciate my middle school uniform being seen around the shop while I'm assisting, hm? After all I do tend to stand out in a crowd…" The slender blond was wearing baggy dark blue pants that hung gracefully on her hips. A lacy crop top just a couple shades darker than her own skin tone and kitten heeled boots completed the outfit.

"You're only 14! What are you doing, showing so much skin?!" the high school girl growled, glaring at the boys who were eyeing the young girl's body. A few sharp words and a few aikido tosses later, they finally figured out that it wasn't a spectator sport and hurried away from the irked president.

However, Izra still appeared cool as a cucumber. In fact, she almost seemed bored of the male attention she'd garnered. "It's not like any of them stand a chance. Nii-san will simply take care of any trouble makers unless they get too handsy—I can take care of myself, you know… Besides, Satsuki-san asked me to wear something for her nephew. This is as 'cute' as it gets." She pouted softly. "I don't like bows and frills. But lace is something that can be both cute and sexy, right nee-san?"

Misaki tried not to look into the pretty green eyes. Everything the girl had said held that confidence that constantly pissed the bossy brunette. Except that last line. It almost sounded as if she wasn't completely sure and didn't have anyone to talk to about it. It wasn't like the Pres had met Usui's parents. For all she knew, the two didn't have a mother around for one reason or another. That thought was sad, the idea of the young middle school girl not having a female counterpart to look up to. "Yeah…" she found herself saying, even though that outfit was a bit more mature than what was deemed as "cute".

The rest of the way to Maid Latte was quiet, a comfortable silence. Misaki still wasn't sure about Satsuki trying to hook Aoi-kun up with Izra. But now she wasn't sure who would come out on top. Aoi-kun was… well, he could be… he was an ass who never thought before he spoke. It had to be his way or he'd cut your self-esteem to ribbons with his knife-like tongue and quick wit.

However, Izra was Usui's little sister. They were similar in many ways and the eldest had already handled Aoi-chan once before…

The high schooler opened the back door for the middle schooler to enter. She saw the confidence back on her pretty face and deadpanned. She'd bet her entire paycheck that Izra would dominate the temperamental Aoi-kun, no matter which "form" he was dressed as.

xxxxx

Izra blinked in surprise when she spotted Satsuki and Honoka waiting by the back door. Both women had identical faces of evil that promised nothing good for the blond. However, she remained silent as she was grabbed by the two maids and dragged into the locker room.

"Your hair! Your skin! Your breasts!"

The middle school girl blushed softly as she was primped and prodded by the older women, Honoka had even gone so far as to grab her boobs from behind to compare her to the other maids. "Don't worry, we're all girls here! Now…STRIP!"

Apparently Misaki had had enough and decided to take pity on the wide-eyed girl. "Satsuki-san! That's a bit extreme, don't you think?! And Honoka-san, let Izra-chan go this instant! She's not some doll you can play dress-up with!"

Both older women pouted, holding up Lolita style dresses. One was a soft lilac and the other was a midnight blue. "But Satsuki-san took these from Aoi-kun's private collection! She risked her life and we want her to wear them! Then the customers will have more eye candy and it'll be a big business boom like when Aoi-chan made 'her' first appearance!"

"That's right! I even got a cook to take over for her! And Aoi-kun's already here, trying to find out why I made him come over today! He looks so nice in his school uniform…"

The look on Satsuki's face had the female Usui take pity on the bluenette. Taking hold of the dark blue dress, she inspected it before giving a small smile. "I'll wear this one. There's no bows on it."

She then proceeded to remove her own clothes. Now that she knew what was going on, she wasn't so shy about stripping in front of her temporary boss. As she changed, Misaki glared pointedly at Satsuki. "So…why can't you find a replacement for Usui whenever I work?"

Honoka smiled darkly, obviously not liking the young woman's attitude. "If she did, Usui-kun would be able to request you more as his maid. I thought you didn't like him…"

"I-I don't! But he still harasses me in the back!"

"Ohhh… in the back, hmm? I suppose your breaks are long enough for a cuddle-session or two~"

"Wh-what-?! Why would I c-cu—do THAT with a pervert like HIM?!" Misaki was blushing furiously when a small tug on her school blazer drew her attention to Izra.

The young lady looked up at her sempai with those bright green eyes. Again, she seemed a bit lost and a soft blush covered her cheeks. It was both endearing and unnatural on the Usui face. "Misaki-neesan, can you help me? I don't know how to lace up this corset on the back of the dress…" It was evident that she'd tried but only succeeded in making unattractive wrinkles in the dress that caused her lithe frame to look lumpy.

It was then that the student president saw the difference between the Usui siblings. The male one had had time to perfect his irritating perfection. The female, however, was taking after her brother and could do things that mostly men could do. There was an awkwardness when it came to the more difficult aspects of being a girl. It wasn't like Usui could teach her how to lace up a corset on her own (an impossible task). But she also held that stubborn streak that prevented her from asking for help until it was too late and she'd messed up the task. Don't get Misaki wrong, it was such a cute quality in one who strived for independence. It almost made up for her smugness and pushy attitude…almost…

During Misaki's space out, Satsuki had laced Izra up properly and, motioning for the high school girl to get dressed, gave her a pair of white thigh highs to go with her kitten heel boots. Once she was all dressed and properly made up, the moe boss sent her out into the shop, happy to test out the cutie on her nephew. Oh, and the customers too, of course!

(okay, this is where I leave you all~ Aoi will definitely be in the next chapter and finally, the game will commence! Read and review so I know if you like it or any ideas about the fated meeting between two headstrong young people!)