Konichiwa!
Thank you for all your reviews!
Disclaimer: I don't own Ultra Maniac.
Chapter 7
Day 2: We're locked.
It was a nice beautiful morning at the Orihara Mansion and our favorite characters were ready to have breakfast.
7 pairs of eyes looked at each other intently around the rectangular table. They looked at each other in anticipation- waiting for someone to break the eerie silence that ruled over them.
"My, my! It is only your 2nd day here but it seems something interesting has already happened," Mrs. Orihara remarked. Everyone's eyes turned to Yuta who glared at Maya. Maya cocked her head, looking back at Yuta with hidden amusement.
"Well, we could at least have breakfast first," Mr. Orihara said as the servants went in to serve the food. They ate in silence.
Suddenly, the door opened to reveal a servant- Yuzuriha. "Excuse me for the sudden interruption but Mr. Kirishima Yuta," she glanced at him, "you have a package." She handed him a package wrapped in cloth. Yuta curiously took it.
Mito, who was sitting beside Yuta, glanced at the package, "From whom was it?" Mito asked after seeing that there was no card or something of that sort.
"I don't now, Miss Mito."
"That's strange. How could anyone know that you are here?" Tsujiai mused.
"Open it now, Yuta," Nina said. Yuta nodded and opened the cloth.
Inside was a piece of cookie- chocolate chips flavor. It looked homemade. They looked curiously at it.
"What are we going to do with it?" Kaji asked.
"Of course, he's going to eat it!" Rio said while pointing at Yuta. Yuta glared at him.
"What if this is poison?" Yuta asked sarcastically. He glanced at Maya who gave no interest in the package. What if Maya sent it to poison him? She still hasn't extracted her revenge on him. Yuta shrugged the idea.
"It could be that it is from your ADMIRERS, Yuta." Mito emphasized the word 'admirers'. Yuta couldn't help but blush. Hey, he was handsome so, naturally, he has admirers.
Yuta got the cookie and stared at it. It could be poison or a delicious homemade cookie. He glanced at Maya who was still eating. It can't be. She already made him suffer a lot even it was a dream. He shook his head and took a bite out of it.
They waited for Yuta's reaction in silence. He seemed perfectly normal until his eyes widened.
"What's the matter!?" Mito quickly asked.
"It's..." Yuta started.
"It's?" they repeated.
"It's..."
"It's?"
"It's..."
"It's?"
"It's..."
"It's?"
"It's..."
"Aw! Cut the suspense! What is it?!" Mito banged her fist on the table out of frustration.
"It's delicious!" Yuta finished the cookie. They looked at him disbelievingly.
"Are you sure? No side effects?" the prince asked. Yuta shook his head.
"This is one of the best cookies I have ever taste-" he was cut of by an eerie laugh. They all turned to see the person who laughed.
Maya.
Yes, Maya.
Yuta felt his throat dry. Maya was laughing, what does that mean? She didn't react at the cookie before he took a bite out of it. Now, she is laughing like a maniac.
Uh..oh...
When Maya lets out an evil laugh, it could only mean trouble.
"You liked the cookie, Kirishima-kun?" she asked using the sweetest voice she could muster. Luna and Sebastian shook their heads in sympathy. The others could only have their eyes widened as realization dawned to them.
Maya sent the cookies.
If Maya sent the cookies...
"WHAT DID YOU DO!?" Mito shrieked. She quickly examined Yuta who was so shock to react. This couldn't be happening!
"Maya! What did you do?!" Mrs. Orihara questioned. Maya looked at her innocently.
"Nothing really, mother. I just baked some cookies yesterday and I gave Kirishima-kun one as a peace offering."
Mrs. Orihara looked at her, eyebrow raised, "The story doesn't end there, right?"
"It ends there, mother. I swear! Don't you believe me?" Maya said as she eyed her mother, tears threatening to fall.
Mrs. Orihara sighed. She couldn't push Maya to spill the beans. She knew Maya had something planned for Yuta but just couldn't crack it up. She could only pray that Yuta could survive.
"We'll go to town today to do some things. Maya, I expect you to behave and treat our guests properly. See you later," Mr. Orihara said. He got up with his wife and exited the dinning hall.
All eyes turned from Yuta to Maya. Yuta was still frozen in his spot while Maya smirked, an evil smirk.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY BROTHER!?" Mito shrieked. Mikami-sensei held her back.
"What are you planning?" Tsujiai asked as he glared at Maya.
"Nothing really in particular. You'll see what it is at lunch," Maya said as she stood up and walked out laughing like an evil witch, Sebastian followed. They glared at them.
"YUTA! Wake up!" Nina tried shaking him but to no avail. Yuta's eyes were blank, as if he was hypnotized.
Wait, hypnotized?
By Maya?
Poor Yuta.
"Wait! We could use our magic!" Nina got her computer and started typing but Tsujiai closed it. Nina looked at him questioningly.
"We don't know what's wrong with Yuta. it would be dangerous to act now. The best thing we could do is to wait till lunch like Orihara said," he explained. Nina bowed her head.
"But what are we going to do now with Yuta?" Kaji voiced out their problem.
"No need for that because he'll know what to do," Luna suddenly said. They looked at her suspiciously.
"If you know something, please tell us," the prince said. Luna would certainly oblige if it were the prince to ask.
Luna blushed. "I.. don't know what Maya did so I can't help you but knowing Maya..." she shook her head, "Yuta is in trouble."
"Great. Thank you very much, you really helped us," Rio said sarcastically.
"You're welcome," Luna matched Rio's sarcastic tone with her own. She then exited the room.
"Yuta, please! Wake up!" Mito pleaded. Suddenly, Yuta stood up and ran out of the dining room. They were too surprise to act that they just watched him out.
"Was that... Yuta?" Rio asked uncertainly. They nodded.
"Then, where did he go?" he continued. They shook their heads.
"What the- YUTA!!! WAIT!" Mito shrieked after recovering from shock. She ran after Yuta. Mikami-sensei followed.
"Weird." Kaji muttered, shaking his head.
-------------------------
Kaji was walking back to his room. He decided that he'd just stay in his room and wait until lunch to see what Maya did to Yuta. He sighed. He was lucky that he wasn't in Yuta's shoes or else he could have broke down due to stress.
Poor Yuta. He didn't know that the price he would pay for that simple prank was this big.
Maya is out for revenge on poor Yuta- simple. And then, Maya would fall for Yuta and vice versa. Before the end of this trip, the two would already be together. He laughed. That is very impossible. They were like oil and water that could never mix...
But wait. They COULD mix using the right method.
He mentally smacked himself. There is no need to be that scientific now. Even if, scientifically speaking, the two could get together, it would never happen because they hate each other's existence.
Maybe that was too exaggerated?
Oh well.
His thoughts drifted to another issue, an issue he never saw coming.
Tateishi Ayu.
She was beautiful, smart, cool, well reserved, good-hearted, what more could a guy ask for? She's too good to be a servant, a beautiful specimen. Bottom line: she is the girl of his dreams.
He sighed. She was too good to be with him that having her would only be in his dreams.
But she said that she liked his personality. His face lit up. If he could keep his personality then maybe... she would notice him.
Kaji mentally swore that he'd keep his personality for her.
He reached his room and turned the doorknob. He was surprised twice: to see someone inside and to see that the person is the one who invaded his thoughts.
"Oh, Kaji-sama," Ayu was startled. She was wearing the servant's uniform with a white apron on top. Her hair was tied up in a messy ponytail.
Apparently, as Kaji could infer, she was cleaning his room. The cleaning materials in her hands fell as he entered. She quickly picked it up.
"I was cleaning you room, as instructed by Lady Orihara," Ayu explained. Kaji realized that he was still standing at the doorway so he went in.
"Lady Orihara? Who among the three?" Kaji asked. He was quite confused whether it was Mrs. Orihara or Maya or even Luna who ordered Ayu to clean his room.
"Mrs. Orihara, Kaji-sama," she replied politely. Kaji thoughtfully nodded. Silence ruled over them as Kaji watched Ayu clean.
Ayu was quite uncomfortable with how Kaji watched her clean. She could feel herself blushing. Is he a pervert or something? What the-? Where the heck did that thought come from! He is a respectable young man and he'll never try something far-fetched as that. She shook the thought off and continued to clean.
Kaji was quite unsure on why he was looking at her intently. She might think that he was a pervert or something- that is certain.
Suddenly, the door of the room closed. Both teenagers snapped out of their thoughts and looked at the door intently. There was no wind that would close it so why?
Could it be a ghost?
Nah, it is still morning.
Instinctively, Kaji got up and went to the door to find something well... interesting.
Ayu tried to read Kaji's expression when he turned to her. He was quite calm yet instincts told her that there is something wrong. Her instincts were proven correct when he mouthed 2 words that overloaded her brain in an instant.
"We're locked."
-----------------------------
Tsujiai was planning to get some more sleep when he passed Kaji's room. He was surprise to see that the door was quite open.
"Kaji really is irresponsible," Tsujiai muttered as he made a move to close the door.
"Tsujiai-kun?" Tsujiai stopped a foot away from the door to turn to see who called him. It was Nina.
"Sakura? What are you doing here?" Tsujiai asked. Nina stepped forward and peeked at the room.
"Kaji and Ayu seemed to have an intimate talk. We must not disturb them," Nina remarked. Tsujiai peeked also and nodded in agreement.
"What do you say we lock them?" Tsujiai suggested, a mischievous glint was visible in his eyes. He was not aware about the budding romance between his friend and Ayu, he just wanted to trick Kaji.
Nina was quite unsure, "But what if they would be mad at us?"
Tsujiai patted Nina's head like a brother would do to his younger sister. "They would not be mad if they would not know and besides, the magic would expire before lunch," he smiled. Nina thought for a while and nodded.
"Okay! But who would do the spell?" she asked. Tsujiai thought for a while. He remembered that well... Nina often commits mistakes so it would be best that he'll do it.
"I will," he answered. Nina watched closely as Tsujiai extracted a wand from his pocket. He tapped the doorknob and uttered a few chosen words. The door suddenly closed and locked itself. Satisfied with his work, he smiled.
"Excellent! I never thought you are using a wand though," Nina remarked as Tsujiai handed her his wand. She inspected it in awe.
"I'm not yet that good in casting spells so I use a wand. I believe Kirishima doesn't use one, are you listening?" He looked at Nina who was still busy studying the wand. He sighed; he just wasted his saliva for nothing.
"Eh? Are you saying something?" Nina asked as she handed him back his wand, Tsujiai pocketed.
"No. Nothing," he answered dully. He made his way to his room.
"Wait, Tsujiai! Where are you going?" Nina asked.
"To my room to get some more sleep," he answered without even stopping. Nina sighed and went to find Mito who, in any minute, could have mental breakdown.
------------------------
"I... I beg your pardon?" Ayu asked disbelievingly.
"We're locked in this room," Kaji repeated, not believing in what he said.
Ayu tried to remain calm or else she would act like a fool in front of Kaji. She tried to analyze the situation.
Kaji and she were locked in the room.
What would she do?
She mentally smacked herself. Of course she would unlock the door.
"Let me unlock it," she said. Kaji moved back and allowed her to unlock it. She got her computer and transformed into a lavender uniform. Getting the cord, she attached it to the keyhole. She started typing various codes.
"What are you doing?" Kaji asked out of curiosity.
"I am trying to break the enchantment. My computer is capable of such kind of work cause I am a servant here," Ayu answered, still busy typing. Kaji nodded in response.
"Error?" Ayu whispered after a while. Kaji looked at her curiously. "I can't open the door. It is made by a powerful wizard that I can't break it with my level of power," she shook her head and closed her computer. "No use."
"Let me try," Kaji got his wand and tapped it while whispering some few chosen words. Nothing happened. He tried it again but the same result.
"Why do you think it doesn't work?" Ayu asked. Kaji thought for a while.
"It could be that a powerful wizard locked this door with a very complex spell. I only know 2 people who can do this: Mikami-sensei and Tsujiai, although I think Yuta could also do the spell," Kaji explained. He plopped himself in the couch.
"What are we going to do now?" Ayu asked. A blush was visible in her cheeks.
"We should wait till the spell subsides. The spell is powerful yet it could only last for a few hours so maybe it would expire before lunch," Kaji said. Somehow, he could feel himself blushing. It was normal since he was locked with his crush for the next few hours.
Ayu stood uncomfortably. She wasn't sure of what to do. She had already finished cleaning so she has nothing more to do than to stand up. Kaji should have noticed it because he offered her to sit beside him.
Kaji noticed that she was in doubt, he realized why so he chuckled, "Don't worry, I am no pervert or something, you know?"
Ayu felt herself blush. She wasn't really thinking that he was a pervert- well a while ago, yes- but not now. "No! I-it's not that.." She ordered her legs to move but it felt like jelly. Remember, be cool or else you'll blow yourself up!
Kaji watched her as she struggled to walk with curiosity. He didn't have the faintest idea on why she was quite weird. At last, she managed to sit down on the other end of the couch.
Silence ruled over the two as each contemplated on their own thoughts.
Kaji was trying to open up a topic but he just didn't know how and what. He also has another problem: why was she acting so weird? A quote suddenly presented itself: 'I was nauseous and tingly all over. I was either in love or I had smallpox.' (1) Could it be that Tateishi... liked him back? He shook his head. That would happen if Yuta would dress in a fluffy gown. He mentally chuckled on the thought. Maybe he could ask Mikami-sensei later for advice.
Ayu was blushing like mad. She was having a mental battle with herself.
'You like him, riiight?' a voice echoed from the back of her head.
'N-no!'
'Really???'
'Okay, he's kind and everything but that's all!'
'Are you suuuure?'
'No. I mean yes.'
'But why are you red as a tomato???'
'I-it's because of the weather.'
'Actually it's not that hot.'
'Argh! What do you mean?'
'Aw! Love is in the air! I can smell L-O-V-E!'
'Wha-what?! It's not true! I don't love him!'
'But you like him?'
'Yes. I mean because he's a great guy.'
'Both begins with "L" so they're almost the same, dear.'
'Still! I don't love him because: one, I don't love him; two, I don't love him; three, I don't love him!'
'Halloah! You love him because: one, I said so; two, I said so; three, I said so! And that is true because I am your second conscience!'
'Argh! This couldn't be happening!'
'Oh yes, this is happening. Admit it, you LOVE him!'
Ayu thought for a while. True, she felt something special for him: her heart beats fast when he's near, she can't stop herself thinking about him. It could be that she has a crush on him, right...? She mentally sighed. This battle had long ago been decided: second consciences ALWAYS win. 'I give up. Okay, I think I love him'
'YAHOO!!! I won! And, dear, it is not "I think" but "I know"'
'Okay, whatever you say,' and that ended the mental battle.
"Tateishi?" Kaji inquired. Ayu snapped out of her thoughts.
"What is it, Kaji-sama?" Ayu asked, trying to sound as calm as possible.
Kaji scratched his head, "You don't need to add the '-sama', you know. It's kinda awkward."
Ayu turned redder if possible. "Er... sorry but you are a guest here so I really can't take the -sama."
"Oh, but you could just call me Kaji-kun. It is still polite but not that superior," Kaji smiled. Ayu found her shoes interesting so she fixed her gaze on them.
"Oh.. okay, Kaji-sama," Kaji pretended to pout, "I mean, Kaji-kun."
"That's better," Kaji smiled. Ayu felt herself calm down a little. His smile is so nice that it could make you feel comfortable.
'Told ya! You like him! What you're feeling are signs of falling in L-O-V-E,' her second conscience butted in.
'You already won! I already admitted it, right? So please! Just shut up now!'
'That's so mean! Oh well, I'll give you an advice. Just stay calm and reserve cause that is how he likes you, okay?'
'Wait, I thought you must act like who you really are?'
'Aw! He'll never notice you in that way!'
'Are you good or bad?'
'Um... both?'
'Okay, just shut up, will you? You're adding more pressure!'
'Okay! Okay! I understand! Geez! Being a second conscience is hard.'
'Then why did you become one? You could change if you want.'
'I was born like this! Oh well, this job offers so much excitement so I think I'll stay this way.'
'Fine. Just stop teasing me already.'
'I can't. I am your second conscience so I am going to say the thoughts you disregard, and that includes the teasing.'
'Aw! Shut-'
"Tateishi? Are you alright?" Ayu was again rudely interrupted from her thoughts. Kaji was looking at her, concern marked his face.
"Um.. yes. Why?" she found herself answering him with the first thought that entered her mind.
"I was asking if you could tell me more about yourself since we'll be stuck here for a few more hours," Kaji explained, somewhat embarrassed. 'Maybe she doesn't want to tell me about herself. I shouldn't have repeated the question,' he thought.
Ayu laughed nervously. "Oh, about myself? Um.. My name is Tateishi Ayu, 14 years old. I love reading mystery books and cooking deserts," she said quickly. Kaji nodded, urging her to continue.
"My parents are working in a far away land so they left us here with my aunt. Our aunt is our only living relative left so we have no other choice. She is the head cook here and a very kind woman. It is also my own decision to work here as a servant to help her. Oh, I also have a sister- you might have met her already. Her name is Tama, Tateishi Tama."
Kaji thought for a while. The name Tama sounded familiar... Bingo! Tama is the girl Rio has a crush on. He mentally chuckled. It was so obvious that Rio really is head-over-heels with her. "I remember now who Tama is."
Ayu nodded. "How about you?" she glanced at him. He thought for a while.
"Nothing much, really. My name is Kaji Tetsushi, 14 years old. I love baseball and soccer. My parents are friends with the king and queen together with Tsujiai's parents- that is why we three are close. I don't have any younger siblings though," he said. He glanced at her as if asking if the information was enough. She nodded.
The clocked chimed as it struck twelve. Ayu and Kaji were shocked. Time flies so much when you're enjoying it. As is on cue, on the last chime, the door opened. They both stood up.
"Well, at last we are now free!" Kaji exclaimed as they made their way out.
"Oh my gosh! I still need to help serve lunch!" Ayu quickly waved goodbye and vanished into thin air.
"Oh well, might as well go down," Kaji muttered.
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Kaji, incredibly, found his way to the dinning room without even getting lost. He took a deep breath before opening the Oak doors.
Nothing was really out of ordinary, well, except that Yuta was nowhere to be found. Mito was twisting her fingers in fear of what could happen to her precious brother. Mikami-sensei tried to comfort her. The prince and Rio were still trying to get Luna spill the beans while Tsujiai and Nina were talking about something.
Wait, Tsujiai and Nina?
Interesting...
Kaji settled himself beside Tsujiai. They stopped talking the moment he sat. He also noticed that Nina was looking at him intently while Tsujiai had his eyes closed. Bingo! The two teenagers beside him set up the lock-Kaji-and-Tateishi plan. Oh well, he could get revenge later. He smirked.
"When are they coming?" Mito asked to no one in particular. She was scared, very scared. She dared not to think of the things that may happen to her poor brother. The dream they had made it worst. It only meant that Maya was capable of doing such things: namely, to make Yuta an ingredient of a potion.
The Oak doors opened wide as Maya entered. An evil smirk was visible on her lips. The people in the dining room took a sharp intake of breath.
"Where is Yuta?!"
"What did you do to him!?"
"Orihara, if Yuta is in danger, you'll pay dearly. I swear it."
"Oh, really? Don't worry. He's in perfect shape," Maya answered as she flipped her hair.
Before they could react on what Maya said, the doors opened again. This time, the person who entered made their blood icy cold that could match Pluto, and their jaws dropping soundly on the floor.
The person who entered was, no doubt, Kirishima Yuta.
But there was one problem.
He was gay-type Yuta.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To Be Continued...
So what do you think? Please review!!!
Did the last statement shock you? If not, tune in next chapter for the shocking revelation of Maya's revenge!
I'm so sorry if this chapter was quite concentrated with Kaji/Ayu. I've decided to build their pairing first since it's the easiest. Yuta/Maya pairing will be in the future chapters since the event on which Yuta would- (Random guy covers authoress' mouth) Okay! I'll stop giving teasers! I'll leave it to your imagiantion.
For those who were kind to read (and review) this story, I'll give you a Yuta-the-cat plushie! Here! (Hands everyone) Let this be my way of thanks because without you, I would not have reached up to chapter 7 and this fic would long ago been forgotten.
(1) The quote was by Woody Allen.
Thank you for all your reviews!
Disclaimer: I don't own Ultra Maniac.
Chapter 7
Day 2: We're locked.
It was a nice beautiful morning at the Orihara Mansion and our favorite characters were ready to have breakfast.
7 pairs of eyes looked at each other intently around the rectangular table. They looked at each other in anticipation- waiting for someone to break the eerie silence that ruled over them.
"My, my! It is only your 2nd day here but it seems something interesting has already happened," Mrs. Orihara remarked. Everyone's eyes turned to Yuta who glared at Maya. Maya cocked her head, looking back at Yuta with hidden amusement.
"Well, we could at least have breakfast first," Mr. Orihara said as the servants went in to serve the food. They ate in silence.
Suddenly, the door opened to reveal a servant- Yuzuriha. "Excuse me for the sudden interruption but Mr. Kirishima Yuta," she glanced at him, "you have a package." She handed him a package wrapped in cloth. Yuta curiously took it.
Mito, who was sitting beside Yuta, glanced at the package, "From whom was it?" Mito asked after seeing that there was no card or something of that sort.
"I don't now, Miss Mito."
"That's strange. How could anyone know that you are here?" Tsujiai mused.
"Open it now, Yuta," Nina said. Yuta nodded and opened the cloth.
Inside was a piece of cookie- chocolate chips flavor. It looked homemade. They looked curiously at it.
"What are we going to do with it?" Kaji asked.
"Of course, he's going to eat it!" Rio said while pointing at Yuta. Yuta glared at him.
"What if this is poison?" Yuta asked sarcastically. He glanced at Maya who gave no interest in the package. What if Maya sent it to poison him? She still hasn't extracted her revenge on him. Yuta shrugged the idea.
"It could be that it is from your ADMIRERS, Yuta." Mito emphasized the word 'admirers'. Yuta couldn't help but blush. Hey, he was handsome so, naturally, he has admirers.
Yuta got the cookie and stared at it. It could be poison or a delicious homemade cookie. He glanced at Maya who was still eating. It can't be. She already made him suffer a lot even it was a dream. He shook his head and took a bite out of it.
They waited for Yuta's reaction in silence. He seemed perfectly normal until his eyes widened.
"What's the matter!?" Mito quickly asked.
"It's..." Yuta started.
"It's?" they repeated.
"It's..."
"It's?"
"It's..."
"It's?"
"It's..."
"It's?"
"It's..."
"Aw! Cut the suspense! What is it?!" Mito banged her fist on the table out of frustration.
"It's delicious!" Yuta finished the cookie. They looked at him disbelievingly.
"Are you sure? No side effects?" the prince asked. Yuta shook his head.
"This is one of the best cookies I have ever taste-" he was cut of by an eerie laugh. They all turned to see the person who laughed.
Maya.
Yes, Maya.
Yuta felt his throat dry. Maya was laughing, what does that mean? She didn't react at the cookie before he took a bite out of it. Now, she is laughing like a maniac.
Uh..oh...
When Maya lets out an evil laugh, it could only mean trouble.
"You liked the cookie, Kirishima-kun?" she asked using the sweetest voice she could muster. Luna and Sebastian shook their heads in sympathy. The others could only have their eyes widened as realization dawned to them.
Maya sent the cookies.
If Maya sent the cookies...
"WHAT DID YOU DO!?" Mito shrieked. She quickly examined Yuta who was so shock to react. This couldn't be happening!
"Maya! What did you do?!" Mrs. Orihara questioned. Maya looked at her innocently.
"Nothing really, mother. I just baked some cookies yesterday and I gave Kirishima-kun one as a peace offering."
Mrs. Orihara looked at her, eyebrow raised, "The story doesn't end there, right?"
"It ends there, mother. I swear! Don't you believe me?" Maya said as she eyed her mother, tears threatening to fall.
Mrs. Orihara sighed. She couldn't push Maya to spill the beans. She knew Maya had something planned for Yuta but just couldn't crack it up. She could only pray that Yuta could survive.
"We'll go to town today to do some things. Maya, I expect you to behave and treat our guests properly. See you later," Mr. Orihara said. He got up with his wife and exited the dinning hall.
All eyes turned from Yuta to Maya. Yuta was still frozen in his spot while Maya smirked, an evil smirk.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY BROTHER!?" Mito shrieked. Mikami-sensei held her back.
"What are you planning?" Tsujiai asked as he glared at Maya.
"Nothing really in particular. You'll see what it is at lunch," Maya said as she stood up and walked out laughing like an evil witch, Sebastian followed. They glared at them.
"YUTA! Wake up!" Nina tried shaking him but to no avail. Yuta's eyes were blank, as if he was hypnotized.
Wait, hypnotized?
By Maya?
Poor Yuta.
"Wait! We could use our magic!" Nina got her computer and started typing but Tsujiai closed it. Nina looked at him questioningly.
"We don't know what's wrong with Yuta. it would be dangerous to act now. The best thing we could do is to wait till lunch like Orihara said," he explained. Nina bowed her head.
"But what are we going to do now with Yuta?" Kaji voiced out their problem.
"No need for that because he'll know what to do," Luna suddenly said. They looked at her suspiciously.
"If you know something, please tell us," the prince said. Luna would certainly oblige if it were the prince to ask.
Luna blushed. "I.. don't know what Maya did so I can't help you but knowing Maya..." she shook her head, "Yuta is in trouble."
"Great. Thank you very much, you really helped us," Rio said sarcastically.
"You're welcome," Luna matched Rio's sarcastic tone with her own. She then exited the room.
"Yuta, please! Wake up!" Mito pleaded. Suddenly, Yuta stood up and ran out of the dining room. They were too surprise to act that they just watched him out.
"Was that... Yuta?" Rio asked uncertainly. They nodded.
"Then, where did he go?" he continued. They shook their heads.
"What the- YUTA!!! WAIT!" Mito shrieked after recovering from shock. She ran after Yuta. Mikami-sensei followed.
"Weird." Kaji muttered, shaking his head.
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Kaji was walking back to his room. He decided that he'd just stay in his room and wait until lunch to see what Maya did to Yuta. He sighed. He was lucky that he wasn't in Yuta's shoes or else he could have broke down due to stress.
Poor Yuta. He didn't know that the price he would pay for that simple prank was this big.
Maya is out for revenge on poor Yuta- simple. And then, Maya would fall for Yuta and vice versa. Before the end of this trip, the two would already be together. He laughed. That is very impossible. They were like oil and water that could never mix...
But wait. They COULD mix using the right method.
He mentally smacked himself. There is no need to be that scientific now. Even if, scientifically speaking, the two could get together, it would never happen because they hate each other's existence.
Maybe that was too exaggerated?
Oh well.
His thoughts drifted to another issue, an issue he never saw coming.
Tateishi Ayu.
She was beautiful, smart, cool, well reserved, good-hearted, what more could a guy ask for? She's too good to be a servant, a beautiful specimen. Bottom line: she is the girl of his dreams.
He sighed. She was too good to be with him that having her would only be in his dreams.
But she said that she liked his personality. His face lit up. If he could keep his personality then maybe... she would notice him.
Kaji mentally swore that he'd keep his personality for her.
He reached his room and turned the doorknob. He was surprised twice: to see someone inside and to see that the person is the one who invaded his thoughts.
"Oh, Kaji-sama," Ayu was startled. She was wearing the servant's uniform with a white apron on top. Her hair was tied up in a messy ponytail.
Apparently, as Kaji could infer, she was cleaning his room. The cleaning materials in her hands fell as he entered. She quickly picked it up.
"I was cleaning you room, as instructed by Lady Orihara," Ayu explained. Kaji realized that he was still standing at the doorway so he went in.
"Lady Orihara? Who among the three?" Kaji asked. He was quite confused whether it was Mrs. Orihara or Maya or even Luna who ordered Ayu to clean his room.
"Mrs. Orihara, Kaji-sama," she replied politely. Kaji thoughtfully nodded. Silence ruled over them as Kaji watched Ayu clean.
Ayu was quite uncomfortable with how Kaji watched her clean. She could feel herself blushing. Is he a pervert or something? What the-? Where the heck did that thought come from! He is a respectable young man and he'll never try something far-fetched as that. She shook the thought off and continued to clean.
Kaji was quite unsure on why he was looking at her intently. She might think that he was a pervert or something- that is certain.
Suddenly, the door of the room closed. Both teenagers snapped out of their thoughts and looked at the door intently. There was no wind that would close it so why?
Could it be a ghost?
Nah, it is still morning.
Instinctively, Kaji got up and went to the door to find something well... interesting.
Ayu tried to read Kaji's expression when he turned to her. He was quite calm yet instincts told her that there is something wrong. Her instincts were proven correct when he mouthed 2 words that overloaded her brain in an instant.
"We're locked."
-----------------------------
Tsujiai was planning to get some more sleep when he passed Kaji's room. He was surprise to see that the door was quite open.
"Kaji really is irresponsible," Tsujiai muttered as he made a move to close the door.
"Tsujiai-kun?" Tsujiai stopped a foot away from the door to turn to see who called him. It was Nina.
"Sakura? What are you doing here?" Tsujiai asked. Nina stepped forward and peeked at the room.
"Kaji and Ayu seemed to have an intimate talk. We must not disturb them," Nina remarked. Tsujiai peeked also and nodded in agreement.
"What do you say we lock them?" Tsujiai suggested, a mischievous glint was visible in his eyes. He was not aware about the budding romance between his friend and Ayu, he just wanted to trick Kaji.
Nina was quite unsure, "But what if they would be mad at us?"
Tsujiai patted Nina's head like a brother would do to his younger sister. "They would not be mad if they would not know and besides, the magic would expire before lunch," he smiled. Nina thought for a while and nodded.
"Okay! But who would do the spell?" she asked. Tsujiai thought for a while. He remembered that well... Nina often commits mistakes so it would be best that he'll do it.
"I will," he answered. Nina watched closely as Tsujiai extracted a wand from his pocket. He tapped the doorknob and uttered a few chosen words. The door suddenly closed and locked itself. Satisfied with his work, he smiled.
"Excellent! I never thought you are using a wand though," Nina remarked as Tsujiai handed her his wand. She inspected it in awe.
"I'm not yet that good in casting spells so I use a wand. I believe Kirishima doesn't use one, are you listening?" He looked at Nina who was still busy studying the wand. He sighed; he just wasted his saliva for nothing.
"Eh? Are you saying something?" Nina asked as she handed him back his wand, Tsujiai pocketed.
"No. Nothing," he answered dully. He made his way to his room.
"Wait, Tsujiai! Where are you going?" Nina asked.
"To my room to get some more sleep," he answered without even stopping. Nina sighed and went to find Mito who, in any minute, could have mental breakdown.
------------------------
"I... I beg your pardon?" Ayu asked disbelievingly.
"We're locked in this room," Kaji repeated, not believing in what he said.
Ayu tried to remain calm or else she would act like a fool in front of Kaji. She tried to analyze the situation.
Kaji and she were locked in the room.
What would she do?
She mentally smacked herself. Of course she would unlock the door.
"Let me unlock it," she said. Kaji moved back and allowed her to unlock it. She got her computer and transformed into a lavender uniform. Getting the cord, she attached it to the keyhole. She started typing various codes.
"What are you doing?" Kaji asked out of curiosity.
"I am trying to break the enchantment. My computer is capable of such kind of work cause I am a servant here," Ayu answered, still busy typing. Kaji nodded in response.
"Error?" Ayu whispered after a while. Kaji looked at her curiously. "I can't open the door. It is made by a powerful wizard that I can't break it with my level of power," she shook her head and closed her computer. "No use."
"Let me try," Kaji got his wand and tapped it while whispering some few chosen words. Nothing happened. He tried it again but the same result.
"Why do you think it doesn't work?" Ayu asked. Kaji thought for a while.
"It could be that a powerful wizard locked this door with a very complex spell. I only know 2 people who can do this: Mikami-sensei and Tsujiai, although I think Yuta could also do the spell," Kaji explained. He plopped himself in the couch.
"What are we going to do now?" Ayu asked. A blush was visible in her cheeks.
"We should wait till the spell subsides. The spell is powerful yet it could only last for a few hours so maybe it would expire before lunch," Kaji said. Somehow, he could feel himself blushing. It was normal since he was locked with his crush for the next few hours.
Ayu stood uncomfortably. She wasn't sure of what to do. She had already finished cleaning so she has nothing more to do than to stand up. Kaji should have noticed it because he offered her to sit beside him.
Kaji noticed that she was in doubt, he realized why so he chuckled, "Don't worry, I am no pervert or something, you know?"
Ayu felt herself blush. She wasn't really thinking that he was a pervert- well a while ago, yes- but not now. "No! I-it's not that.." She ordered her legs to move but it felt like jelly. Remember, be cool or else you'll blow yourself up!
Kaji watched her as she struggled to walk with curiosity. He didn't have the faintest idea on why she was quite weird. At last, she managed to sit down on the other end of the couch.
Silence ruled over the two as each contemplated on their own thoughts.
Kaji was trying to open up a topic but he just didn't know how and what. He also has another problem: why was she acting so weird? A quote suddenly presented itself: 'I was nauseous and tingly all over. I was either in love or I had smallpox.' (1) Could it be that Tateishi... liked him back? He shook his head. That would happen if Yuta would dress in a fluffy gown. He mentally chuckled on the thought. Maybe he could ask Mikami-sensei later for advice.
Ayu was blushing like mad. She was having a mental battle with herself.
'You like him, riiight?' a voice echoed from the back of her head.
'N-no!'
'Really???'
'Okay, he's kind and everything but that's all!'
'Are you suuuure?'
'No. I mean yes.'
'But why are you red as a tomato???'
'I-it's because of the weather.'
'Actually it's not that hot.'
'Argh! What do you mean?'
'Aw! Love is in the air! I can smell L-O-V-E!'
'Wha-what?! It's not true! I don't love him!'
'But you like him?'
'Yes. I mean because he's a great guy.'
'Both begins with "L" so they're almost the same, dear.'
'Still! I don't love him because: one, I don't love him; two, I don't love him; three, I don't love him!'
'Halloah! You love him because: one, I said so; two, I said so; three, I said so! And that is true because I am your second conscience!'
'Argh! This couldn't be happening!'
'Oh yes, this is happening. Admit it, you LOVE him!'
Ayu thought for a while. True, she felt something special for him: her heart beats fast when he's near, she can't stop herself thinking about him. It could be that she has a crush on him, right...? She mentally sighed. This battle had long ago been decided: second consciences ALWAYS win. 'I give up. Okay, I think I love him'
'YAHOO!!! I won! And, dear, it is not "I think" but "I know"'
'Okay, whatever you say,' and that ended the mental battle.
"Tateishi?" Kaji inquired. Ayu snapped out of her thoughts.
"What is it, Kaji-sama?" Ayu asked, trying to sound as calm as possible.
Kaji scratched his head, "You don't need to add the '-sama', you know. It's kinda awkward."
Ayu turned redder if possible. "Er... sorry but you are a guest here so I really can't take the -sama."
"Oh, but you could just call me Kaji-kun. It is still polite but not that superior," Kaji smiled. Ayu found her shoes interesting so she fixed her gaze on them.
"Oh.. okay, Kaji-sama," Kaji pretended to pout, "I mean, Kaji-kun."
"That's better," Kaji smiled. Ayu felt herself calm down a little. His smile is so nice that it could make you feel comfortable.
'Told ya! You like him! What you're feeling are signs of falling in L-O-V-E,' her second conscience butted in.
'You already won! I already admitted it, right? So please! Just shut up now!'
'That's so mean! Oh well, I'll give you an advice. Just stay calm and reserve cause that is how he likes you, okay?'
'Wait, I thought you must act like who you really are?'
'Aw! He'll never notice you in that way!'
'Are you good or bad?'
'Um... both?'
'Okay, just shut up, will you? You're adding more pressure!'
'Okay! Okay! I understand! Geez! Being a second conscience is hard.'
'Then why did you become one? You could change if you want.'
'I was born like this! Oh well, this job offers so much excitement so I think I'll stay this way.'
'Fine. Just stop teasing me already.'
'I can't. I am your second conscience so I am going to say the thoughts you disregard, and that includes the teasing.'
'Aw! Shut-'
"Tateishi? Are you alright?" Ayu was again rudely interrupted from her thoughts. Kaji was looking at her, concern marked his face.
"Um.. yes. Why?" she found herself answering him with the first thought that entered her mind.
"I was asking if you could tell me more about yourself since we'll be stuck here for a few more hours," Kaji explained, somewhat embarrassed. 'Maybe she doesn't want to tell me about herself. I shouldn't have repeated the question,' he thought.
Ayu laughed nervously. "Oh, about myself? Um.. My name is Tateishi Ayu, 14 years old. I love reading mystery books and cooking deserts," she said quickly. Kaji nodded, urging her to continue.
"My parents are working in a far away land so they left us here with my aunt. Our aunt is our only living relative left so we have no other choice. She is the head cook here and a very kind woman. It is also my own decision to work here as a servant to help her. Oh, I also have a sister- you might have met her already. Her name is Tama, Tateishi Tama."
Kaji thought for a while. The name Tama sounded familiar... Bingo! Tama is the girl Rio has a crush on. He mentally chuckled. It was so obvious that Rio really is head-over-heels with her. "I remember now who Tama is."
Ayu nodded. "How about you?" she glanced at him. He thought for a while.
"Nothing much, really. My name is Kaji Tetsushi, 14 years old. I love baseball and soccer. My parents are friends with the king and queen together with Tsujiai's parents- that is why we three are close. I don't have any younger siblings though," he said. He glanced at her as if asking if the information was enough. She nodded.
The clocked chimed as it struck twelve. Ayu and Kaji were shocked. Time flies so much when you're enjoying it. As is on cue, on the last chime, the door opened. They both stood up.
"Well, at last we are now free!" Kaji exclaimed as they made their way out.
"Oh my gosh! I still need to help serve lunch!" Ayu quickly waved goodbye and vanished into thin air.
"Oh well, might as well go down," Kaji muttered.
-------------------------
Kaji, incredibly, found his way to the dinning room without even getting lost. He took a deep breath before opening the Oak doors.
Nothing was really out of ordinary, well, except that Yuta was nowhere to be found. Mito was twisting her fingers in fear of what could happen to her precious brother. Mikami-sensei tried to comfort her. The prince and Rio were still trying to get Luna spill the beans while Tsujiai and Nina were talking about something.
Wait, Tsujiai and Nina?
Interesting...
Kaji settled himself beside Tsujiai. They stopped talking the moment he sat. He also noticed that Nina was looking at him intently while Tsujiai had his eyes closed. Bingo! The two teenagers beside him set up the lock-Kaji-and-Tateishi plan. Oh well, he could get revenge later. He smirked.
"When are they coming?" Mito asked to no one in particular. She was scared, very scared. She dared not to think of the things that may happen to her poor brother. The dream they had made it worst. It only meant that Maya was capable of doing such things: namely, to make Yuta an ingredient of a potion.
The Oak doors opened wide as Maya entered. An evil smirk was visible on her lips. The people in the dining room took a sharp intake of breath.
"Where is Yuta?!"
"What did you do to him!?"
"Orihara, if Yuta is in danger, you'll pay dearly. I swear it."
"Oh, really? Don't worry. He's in perfect shape," Maya answered as she flipped her hair.
Before they could react on what Maya said, the doors opened again. This time, the person who entered made their blood icy cold that could match Pluto, and their jaws dropping soundly on the floor.
The person who entered was, no doubt, Kirishima Yuta.
But there was one problem.
He was gay-type Yuta.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To Be Continued...
So what do you think? Please review!!!
Did the last statement shock you? If not, tune in next chapter for the shocking revelation of Maya's revenge!
I'm so sorry if this chapter was quite concentrated with Kaji/Ayu. I've decided to build their pairing first since it's the easiest. Yuta/Maya pairing will be in the future chapters since the event on which Yuta would- (Random guy covers authoress' mouth) Okay! I'll stop giving teasers! I'll leave it to your imagiantion.
For those who were kind to read (and review) this story, I'll give you a Yuta-the-cat plushie! Here! (Hands everyone) Let this be my way of thanks because without you, I would not have reached up to chapter 7 and this fic would long ago been forgotten.
(1) The quote was by Woody Allen.