"Welcome back to Maid Latte!"

Misa was not wearing her usual work uniform, a maid outfit, for her part time job at a maid cafe "Maid Latte." Her boss likes to change it up in the cafe and today was merMAID day. All employees were to dress like a mermaid! Misa's outfit was a tight skirt that resembled a mermaid tail. Her top resembled a bikini, but had seashells covering her chest. She wore a pearl necklace with an assortment of other necklaces made of shells. She also had a clip in her hair that looked like starfish. Her boss, Satsuki, was very excited today.

"You guys look so cute! I love this under the sea theme!" Satsuki was not a mermaid, she wanted to be a jellyfish. She carried around an umbrella with streamers tied to it to make it appear like one. There were also streamers hanging from the ceiling to resemble seaweed. The only problem was Satsuki kept bumping into things with her umbrella. "We need to begin the competition for our Underwater King! The winner gets to take a picture with a mermaid of their choice over there on our throne!" She quickly pointed to a makeshift throne with a gold triton next to it. Except when she turned to point she smacked Aoi in the face. He fell down to the ground with a hard thump that startled everyone in the backroom.

"Oh, sorry Aoi!" Satsuki said. "I didn't see you there! You really shouldn't sneak up on people." Aoi looked annoyed. "You need to be more careful with that thing! You could have killed me!" A couple other maids went over to him.

"Aoi are you ok?!"

"You fell down so hard!"

"Your face is going to bruise!"

Misa inspected him. "You'll be fine."

All the other maids protested. "So heartless!"

Aoi was fuming. "It's bad enough I can't work as a mermaid when I would look so cute." He stood up and put on his blonde wig and a mermaid outfit.

"You are underage, you can't go out there!" Satsuki protested while waving her arms and accidentally wacked one of the other maids with her jellyfish umbrella. She fell to the ground and the other maids started helping her.

Misa sighed. "We have a lot of customers, boss. I need to take this tea out." She grabbed the tray and headed out.

The three that alway came to visit her were there.

"Whoa, check out Misa!"

"She's so beautiful!"

"She's my fantasy mermaid!"

"Welcome home, Masters!" Misa put on a fake smile.

"Here is the tea you ordered." She poured them their tea with such poise she looked like a professional.

"She's so skilled."

"How does she look so good, but also so professional?"

The three always complimented her and visited enough to be considered regulars. Of course in the cafe, the girls were not allowed to have an appearance of a boyfriend or go on dates with the customers. It was a strict rule. If any of the girls broke those rules, they could be terminated.

Misaki knew she was breaking the rules. She knew if anyone found out the truth she would be fired on the spot. But she was determined to make sure nobody found out. Especially because he came so often…

Usui was officially her boyfriend.

She remembered their date on Christmas when he asked her to be his girlfriend. She still couldn't believe it herself. The thought about it made her blush. She never had a boyfriend before. It was still new to her. Nobody knew though. She did not tell her family. She also told Usui not to tell anyone, especially at the cafe she worked at. This job was her life line for her school tuition and to help her family with all their bills.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Usui walked in. Misa panicked. What was he doing here?! I told him to stay away for a while ! Misa went to the door, "Welcome home Master!" She said with a smile on her face but her eyes were angry. Usui stared for a second, caught off guard by her mermaid outfit, but then smirked. 'He was doing this just to piss her off.' She thought. Well, she was just going to show him that she didn't really care if he was there or not. After all, he was also a regular. Sometimes he was even an employee when he helped out in the kitchen.

"What are you looking at?" Misa asked suspiciously as Usui eyed her seashell bra and waist. Aoi appeared from behind her. "Judging by your size, I'd say not much." Misa started blushing and Aoi pushed her aside to stand in front of Usui. Then in the cutest way possible that made even Miss feel obliged, Aoi demurely asked Usui, "Can I get you some tea, Master?" Usui was unmoved, even though other customers noticed Aoi and were staring and commenting how cute she was. Satsuki frantically followed behind. "Go to the back room this instant! You are underage!"

Aoi protested as Satsuki accidentally smacked a customer with her jellyfish umbrella. She started apologizing profusely and offering a free dessert.

Aoi took his chance to sneak away and was going to go back to talk to Usui, but stopped. He noticed something looked different about the way he was looking at Misa. What shocked him even more was Misa wasn't looking at him as annoyed as usually did. She seemed shy and distracted. Was that a blush on her face? Did something happen between them? They didn't seem to be their usual selves. Aoi wanted to find out. Satsuki went to the front to announce the game.

"If anybody is interested in our underwater scavenger hunt, I will come by and hand out the list. The rules are pretty simple, the first person to find all the items will win the chance to sit at the throne and eat our famous dessert with a mermaid of their choice." Some of the customers got really excited, especially the three.

"If I win this scavenger hunt, I can have a date with Misa."

"Not a chance. I am going to win."

"Hell no. I am going to find everything before you do."

"So spunky!" Satsuki said. "I am going to hand out the scavenger hunt list for anyone who wants to participate. Here you go. And you. And you! Usui, here you go." Satsuki gave him one. "You aren't working today so you can play as a customer."

Usui took the list. "Something pink, something shiny, seaweed, a pretty shell, and a starfish"

"I made it up myself!" Satsuki exclaimed. "Ah I see that." Usui said.

"How did you win?!" Misa exclaimed.

Usui looked at her with a blank expression.

"It wasn't hard."

The three were devastated.

"We lost our chance to have a date with Misa!"

"Of course Usui found everything first!"

"Oh, Misa forgive us! We will win a date with you soon!"

Satsuki went to the front where the throne table was. She grabbed the microphone to talk to the cafe.

"We have our winner! Usui come up here to confirm you found everything on the list. Ah, you are missing something! The starfish! The game is not over yet."

"Ha! I mean, so sorry Master!" Misa said sarcastically.

Usui moved toward her, staring. Then, he started moving his face toward hers. "What are you doing? You are too close!" Usui was close, he was moving in toward her. Was he going to kiss her in front of everyone? His lips were almost touching hers. His arm reached up to her face to caress it. He was too close, she could feel herself turn red. Then, in one swift motion he gently unclipped her starfish hair clip. Her hair fell down in front of her crimson face.

"I'm claiming my prize," he said. "And I don't mean the free dessert." he said looking at Misa. "Satsuki, I found the last item on my scavenger hunt list. The starfish." He held up the starfish hair clip.

"Ok, looks like we do have the winner after all! Please come to our throne and you get to pick a mermaid to have a date with with a complimentary dessert. Who would you like a date with?"

"Hmm, well let me think about it."

"What?! Why would he not pick me! I'm his…." Misa stopped herself from finishing that sentence.

"You're his what...girlfriend?" Aoi appeared from behind her, scaring Misa.

"Aoi! Don't scare me like that!" Misa said.

"You've neither confirmed nor denied what I said. Are you dating now?" Aoi asked. Misa did not know how to reply. "If you are dating, I must know!" Aoi exclaimed, but was interrupted.

"I choose Misa!" Usui announced.

"How lovely! Misa, come up here for your king! How lucky. We will bring the dessert. You guys just enjoy this romantic evening." Satsuki said and winked.

"Well at least I can take a quick break." Misa said as she sat down with Usui. "And why didn't you immediately pick me?" Misa demanded. Usui just gave her a blank look. "Why? Are you jealous? I thought you wanted to keep our relationship a secret from work? Wouldn't it be obvious if I immediately picked you? But, if you don't care I don't mind telling everyone right now. Satsuki!"

"NO, idiot!" Misa shouted.

Satsuki came out with their dessert. It was two slices of cheesecake. "Here you go! You get to share this green tea cheesecake. Enjoy!"

The cheesecake was a work of art. It had chocolate syrup on it and around the rim were whip cream dollops. Misa looked at it with awe in her eyes. She didn't remember when she's ever had a nice dessert like this. Her family was too poor to go out to eat and a lot of their meals were what her sister Suzana cooked.

"Do you like it? I designed it." Usui said.

"You designed this? It looks amazing. I've never had a cheesecake like this."

"Well, I didn't make this particular one. But I have redesigned the whole menu for the cafe. Take a bite and tell me what you think. Or would you like me to feed you?"

Misa got defensive. "No, I am perfectly capable of eating it myself."

She grabbed a fork and cut a piece and put a bite in her mouth. It was so exquisite! It was certainly the most delicious dessert she had in a long time. She took a bite and just let the cheesecake resonate in her mouth. The chocolate was her favorite, dark chocolate. She noticed Usui staring at her.

"Why are you staring at me?" she asked.

"You just seem so happy." Usui replied.

:I just don't remember the last time I ate a dessert this delicious or had a nice date like this, even if it is with a perverted stalker like you." Misa said.

"A perverted stalker who's your boyfriend, you mean." Usui said.

Still, Misaki was happy. Even though she was at work, she spent long hours on her feet, rushing around waiting tables for customers. She felt a little guilty taking a break from work while she was on the job. Usui was right, he was her boyfriend now. She still was not used to the idea. Yet, he was so sweet, the way he pretended to not care and tease her when really he cared about her so much. She was grateful for this time with him. It felt as though nothing could ruin this moment.

Just then, Satsuki rushed over to their tabel panicked and called out to Misa.

"Misa! I know you don't have a cellphone, but I just got a call from my friend. There's a huge fire by the houses on KiKu Lane. Isn't that your street?"

Misa looked at Satsuki stunned.

"Did they say how serious it was? That is the street where I live." Miss said trying not to panic. Usui knew without her saying anything that she was worried about her mom and sister.

"My friend lives on that street too and she said her whole house burned down, and there's a couple of other houses ablaze. They don't know what started it." Satsuki could see the worry on Misa and Usui's face. He was always so sweet being worried about her.

"If you want to end your shift early to go check it out, you can. I'll save your dessert in the work freezer for later."

"Thanks, boss." Misa was so grateful she had an amazing boss who despite her quirks, really cared about her employees.

Misa started to clean up the table, but Satsuki put her hand out. "We can clean up the table. You can go. Hey Aoi! Come clean up this table."

"I thought I wasn't allowed out in the parlor!"

Misa barely even changed. She just threw on a shirt over her seashell bra and ran outside. She could see black smoke outside coming from the direction where her apartment was. It must be that bad if she could see it from the cafe. Usui came out from behind her.

"It looks like it must be a big fire." Usui said.

"Usui…you don't have to come. I just need to make sure our house is okay and that my mom and sister are okay."

"Misa, you're crazy if you think I don't know you are worried about your mom and sister. I am going with you, just to make sure everything is fine." Usui said. Misa nodded. It felt odd, she had a bad feeling in her stomach that everything was not okay. She tried to think positively. She didn't want to attract bad energy.

Misa and Usui got on the train that led straight to her house. The smoke was getting thicker the closer they got. The air was raining ashes on the outside.

"This looks bad. Cover your nose Misaki so you don't inhale the fumes". Usui grabbed his shirt and put it over his nose. Misa did the same thing and grabbed her t-shirt and put it over her nose as well. They saw other people getting off the same stop doing the same thing. The smoke was thick like a black hell. They heard people on the train talking about the incident.

"I heard it was deliberately started. It's not possible for that many houses all on the same street to be on fire at once. It started at one house and then just started spreading and burned even more."

Misa and Usui were listening to what the strangers on the train were saying. It was their stop. They stepped off the platform and started running toward her street. The fumes were strong and breathing was getting harder. Even with her nose covered up, the air Misa breathed in made her feel light headed. She ran as fast as she could. She ran as if her life depended on it. Usui was right beside her running with seemingly ease despite the bad hair quality.

When Misa arrived on her street, her mind filled with anxiety. To their horror, everything was still ablaze! There was a huge crowd around the street. Some people were clutching their loved ones and crying over the loss of their homes. Other people were rushing to evacuate. How was she supposed to find her mom in all this? She started running down the street shouting, "Mom! Sazuna! Mom! Sazuna!" Firefighters sirens were blaring and they were spraying water from their hose to a house on fire. That was her neighbor's house. That means...Misa stopped suddenly. Her home was completely burned down. Tears filled her eyes. She knew it was not the best house and had its problems, but it was home.

"Usui...my home...it's gone…" Misa held back her tears. Usis was right behind her, his face stoic, taking in the scene. She had to find her mom and sister. She saw her neighbor, Tsuniko, on the outskirts of the crowd. She was also staring at her burning home while crying.

"Tsuniko…" Misa said and ran over to her.

"Oh Misa-Chan!" She exclaimed and put her arms around her in a big hug.

"Tsuniko, I don't understand! How did this all start?"

Tsuniko wiped some tears from her face.

"It's being said that a group of delinquents started it on the house at the corner. There were a few witnesses. It was the boys from the Bozoku bike gang."

"The Bozoku bike gang!" Miss glanced over at Usui with horror in her eyes. They were a notorious gang, known for their violence.

"There were about 20 of them. They stopped traffic and were being rowdy. I know our little street on Kiku Lane is not in a bad neighborhood. I never would have imagined they would be here! They thrashed the corner house and it broke a gas pipe. Then, when they were driving away, one of them threw a cigarette causing the house to burst into flames. Then it quickly caught onto other houses."

"Have you seen my mom or sister?" Misa asked.

"No, I haven't. But I know they left the house to go shopping so I know they weren't in the house during the fire."

Misa sighed in relief. Now if only she could find them. She wished she had a cellphone!

"Thank you Tsuniko! I think I'll walk down the block and look for them."

"I'll stay here. If I see them, I'll tell them you were looking for them."

Misa and Usui started running down. The further down they went the more intense the fire seemed. They were still putting it out and starting to block off the street from all the onlookers! They came just in time. More firefighters and the police were starting to arrive.

Suddenly there was a scream from the next house!

"Help! Help!" There was a woman running out of the house that had the biggest flame. She ran straight to the firefighters.

"Please help me! My daughter is trapped inside!" Misa and Usui looked over. The smoke was the thickest on a two story house.

"Ma'am are you sure? Where is your daughter?"

"In the upstairs room, the flame came so quick, I was downstairs and able to run outside. I did not see her come out."

"Ma'am I am sorry, but we have every available firefighter at your house."

"Oh please!" She begged. "I know she is in there. She's in her room in the top floor."

Usui and Misa couldn't help but overhear. They looked over. "It's too dangerous to go in there. We are doing everything we can." Misa looked at the fireman with a dangerous spark in her eyes. "Well can't you go in there. Theres a tree overlooking the second floor. Climb up with your ladder and get her out!" The firefighter and the woman looked taken back at her bluntness.

Without hesitation, Usui dashed off toward the house to everybody's shock and amazement.

"Usui!" Misa cried.

"Young man, it's too dangerous!" The firefighter called out.

Usui ran straight to the tree and grabbed a branch. He climbed his way up effortlessly with more grace than a cat. He crawled on a branch and jumped into the open window. He disappeared into the house. Misa almost wanted to go in after him, but she was already choking and couldn't breathe. One minute later the front door was kicked open by Usui. He had a body of a young woman slung over his shoulder. She was conscious, but just barely. The paramedics and her mother ran over to her.

"Aimi!" her mother cried. The paramedics started checking her vitals. She coughed and could barely talk.

"She's inhaled too much smoke. We have to send her to the hospital right away." The paramedic explained. They started putting her on the stretcher.

"Thank you! You saved her life!" Aimi's mother said crying to Usui.

"That was a craziest, reckless thing you did back there." The firefighter told Usui. "You're a hero kid." All of a sudden reporters came swarming over to take Usui's picture.

"You idiot!" Misa yelled at him.

"You need to go to the hospital too. Would you like a ride to the hospital in the other ambulance?"

Usui nodded, coughing a lot.

"Is this your girlfriend? She can ride too."

In an instant Usui and Misa were in the back of the ambulance car on their way to the hospital while being blinded by the flash of photographers. The sirens drowned out the sound of the flames as they drove further away from the fire.