Hey guys! I present to you...the next chapter! Thanks for the reviews!
I'd initially thought I'd make the prev chap on Misaki's thoughts, but then...I ended up making it this one.
Aha, enjoy!
I don't own Maid Sama! or any of its characters.
"Yeah, no problem at all. I'll see you tomorrow, then."
"…Yeah, tomorrow."
Misaki didn't really mind Tora coming to talk to her; even though the man had confessed his feelings to her once, they had mostly gone back to normal. They had gone back to being just friends; and they were good friends, despite the lingering awkwardness in the air sometimes.
But when he came to the café to speak with her about that, she was very surprised. Especially since he hadn't even informed her beforehand.
She wasn't surprised that he'd found out, though. Tora had his sources, and he had enough wealth to afford those sources. And she wasn't angry, either. Tora finding out and coming out to talk to her showed that he cared, even though he used rather stalker-ish ways to find her.
So getting a visit from him, in her favorite café, was definitely nice.
She liked this café. Being surrounded by nosy people was fraying her nerves; she found coming to this café was very relaxing, and their strawberry milkshake was to die for.
And the siblings behind the counter.
They were really nice people. She doubted that if she'd sat so long with just a milkshake in another shop, she would have been able to stay without being kicked out by the shopkeeper.
But no, these people put up with it.
And not just for recognition, or appreciation. They allowed people to relax, and created a friendly atmosphere where everyone could sit back and enjoy the peace.
And they were sweet eye candy.
Both of them looked very similar, from the yellow-blonde hair, to the emerald green eyes. Probably everything was similar, save for their gender. The girl, Tamami, had a smart bob-cut while Takumi had unruly hair that sprung up in all directions. And where Takumi was tall with broad shoulders, Tamami was a few centimeters short with a slender figure.
And their playful fights were quite nice to watch.
They often teased each other, bringing laughs from the nearer customers. Misaki watched them sometimes. They reminded her of her sister, whom she'd relied on so much all the time.
And these two seemed like they did just the same.
They obviously relied and trusted each other exquisitely, the sister often jabbing her brother with snide remarks, and getting a few in return. Misaki had often seen them get defensive of the other; especially when someone started flirting with or taking an interest in either one of them.
They supported each other, through thick and thin.
And that was the first thing Misaki had noticed when she had entered this café, with its soothing environment and happy customers.
The first day she had come, was the day she'd received the report.
The report that changed her life.
Changed my life, indeed.
Dark thoughts had started clouding her head, and she had just wanted to sit somewhere, where no one would bother her; where she could find some peace of mind.
And had found this shop.
She remembered what had caught her eye at first.
It was the twins.
Anyone would know just by looking at them that they were related somehow.
And she had seen them through the glass of the café, laughing jovially behind the counter; the man with a ladle in hand, and the woman leaning back against a table, holding slices of strawberry against her eyes and sticking out her tongue.
They'd warmed her heart; and she'd found herself ordering a strawberry milkshake, sitting at a corner table, and reading a storybook.
A story by her favorite author, because she might as well read it now.
And she found herself coming every day of the week after that; staying a bit more late at weekends because she had more time; finding, with surprise, that she had stayed till it was closing time. She didn't really know how that happened; one minute, it was daylight and there were still quite a few customers, and then the next time she looked up from her book when the sister came to call her, it would be dark out and the shop would be empty.
I guess that's the power of books….
But somehow, these past two days seemed different.
Because for the first time since she came to the shop, she had come face-to-face with the man.
It was rather coincidental that she hadn't talked to him till yesterday; but his sister had always taken her orders since he was busy with other customers.
But yesterday; yesterday she'd talked to him, and he'd taken her order. He'd seemed rather unwell, so she'd asked him whether he was alright. He was rather flushed; with a light dusting of pink on his high forehead and defined cheeks; like he was having a fever.
And she had felt something rather foreign; a feeling of concern.
Not that she hadn't ever been concerned about somebody. She had always worried over her frail mother's health, especially after her father had left them with a bucket load of debt. She had always been worried about her sister's education, working a part-time job to cover the costs.
But feeling this for a person who she didn't know, who was male, who wasn't even in her family; it was weird.
Weird, but she had still felt it.
She saw the man usher his sister to a door leading to the back of the shop; and then come back. Misaki, being the curious person she was, had seen the girl shaking with what seemed to be laughter. Huh.
The man took her order of another milkshake, and started the mixer. Misaki had seen the process many times, and looked at the strawberry being arranged on top of the glass.
Wait.
Wasn't he putting a bit more cream and strawberry than they normally did?
Amused, she stared at the man, who stared right back at her.
And then, she felt her face break into a smile, not being able to withhold her happiness.
And he smiled back too, his smile a bit wider than hers; and she felt her breath hitch.
His smile was beautiful.
It wasn't the usual thank-you-for-coming-here-and-hope-you-come-here-again smile. It was a tender, sweet smile, hinted with a bit of embarrassment at being found out. But-
What was the secret behind the extra wide smile he gave her?
The next day, Tora came to speak to her.
And what bothered her was that he was right.
She had to go visit her family now, or….
Well, she needed it. A visit to her family, of whom she hadn't seen for so long.
But would she be able to face her worries after that?
She had been absorbed in her book, again.
And again, she was called when it was closing time.
But this time, she looked up to see the man.
He was smiling that smile again, but it was slightly hindered. Hindered by what, she didn't know.
But found out soon enough.
The fact that the man had been worried about how she was feeling, warmed up the gap of her heart she hadn't even known was there.
And that scared her, because she knew she wouldn't be able to give this nice man what he deserved.
Or maybe it was too late….
Because when she remembered that she hadn't even introduced herself, she did so; and got his name in return.
Usui Takumi.
And she knew she wouldn't be able to forget that name in a long time.
"Yeah, no problem at all. I'll see you tomorrow, then."
"...Yeah, tomorrow."
….That is, if she survived till tomorrow.
Aah, I'm so sorry! I couldn't help but leave this as a cliffhanger, again.
So I'm leaving you in the dark about what's happened to Misaki, again...
Anyway, please Review!
