I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who read and reviewed. I am very happy to see that you guys didn't give up on me after that long wait after my first post. Here is the next chapter. The next update will probably be in another week or so, so I hope that this will keep you satisfied until then! Enjoy! :)


It had taken about 30 minutes, but Misaki heard a knock on the front door. She lifted herself from the chair and went to let Aoi inside. As the door swung wide and he shifted into view, Misaki noticed that he looked disheveled.

Aoi was very self-conscious and a designer he would never go out in public looking anything less than perfect. So for Misaki to see him like this was an eye opening event. He did not meet her gaze as he stepped inside. Misa closed the door and he followed her to the, mostly empty, living room.

"So Misaki, what did you want to me about?"

Taking a breath, she began. "Well, first of all, there are a few things, so if you will be patient, I would appreciate it." He nodded in acceptance.

"Aoi, I love you. But I think I don't love you like I once did. I found your note this evening and read it. I should have been devastated but I was unable to even cry a single tear."

"I am sorry I have caused you any pain Misa. I still love you, but I couldn't take the guilt of what I had done to you."

Misaki held up her hand. "Let me finish please Aoi. I haven't even felt sad that we won't be together anymore except that I will miss seeing you each day."

"Misa, I will still be here whenever you need me. If you want to talk to me or see me, all you have to do is ask and I will be right here for you. I do still love you and I probably always will."

"I love you as well Aoi. You are my very best friend. I want you to be happy and I do not think that you can be your happiest with me."

Aoi and Misaki chatted for hours about what was next for them in life. Misa told him about winning her case and Aoi told her about the new commission he had received for a wedding dress.

Later, thy both hugged as Aoi left for his new apartment. He promised to let her know as soon as he was settled in and she said once she ordered new furniture that he must come for a visit. With a smile on her face, Misaki closed the door on a chapter of her life. Crawling into bed, a single tear was shed for her previous life before slumber consumed her.

Groggily, Misa looked at the clock which read 8:58 a.m. She sat straight up and then realized that she did not work or the next few days, so she laid back down. The notification light was blinking on her phone. Reaching over, Misaki picked up her phone and opened the message app. The number was unknown. Clicking on it, she pulled up the waiting message. It read, I was very pleased to meet you last night and I hope that you were sincere in your offer to be friends. Have a pleasant sleep and I hope to hear from you soon. ~Takumi.

She smiled at the message and pressed reply to bring up the keyboard. I slept very well. Thank you for dinner and I am sincere. Talk to you again soon. ~Misaki. She pressed send and then laid her phone back down as she stretched.

Misaki's phone beeped, notifying her of an incoming message. Smiling, she opened her phone back up and looked at the newest message. It said, I am happy to hear you slept well. How would you like to have breakfast and coffee with me since you don't have to work today? ~Takumi.

Breakfast would be great. Give me about an hour to get up and around. Where would you like to meet? ~M

How about where we parted ways last night? ~T

Okay, I will see you in an hour. ~M

See you then. ~T

Misaki closed her phone and gingerly slid out of bed. She made her way to the washroom to clean herself up from the long day yesterday. She spent an extra few minutes conditioning her hair as she decided on what to wear.

She chose to wear a flowy flower top with a pair of dark jeans and some sandals. She rinsed her hair and began to dry the long black mane. Once her hair was dry, Misaki looked at her face in the mirror and decided to put on a light coat of lipstick.

Gathering her purse, phone, and keys, Misaki left her home and walked down the street towards her destination. She made it to the hotel doors and glanced inside. The building was bustling with early morning business. She spotted Takumi standing close to the concierge desk and crossed the lobby in that direction.

"Good morning Ms. Ayuzawa. Ready for breakfast? Personally, I am starving."

Nodding, she said, "I am quite hungry myself."

"Fantastic. Our best chef is in the kitchen this morning."

"Great," she said. "Lead the way."

They made their way into the busy dining hall and sat at the table they had originally been seated the night before. The same screen was set up for some extra privacy.

"Since you know the chef's specialties, I would like it if you chose something for me this morning."

Smiling, Takumi said, "Of course, I would be delighted." He motioned and a server was instantly at his side. He rattled off a few items and the server bowed and walked away. Takumi smiled and he looked very handsome with the grin on his face.

"So, we got very deep in our conversation last night and you told me about your boyfriend leaving. Is there anything I can do to help you with to keep your mind off of that situation?"

"Well actually, last night after I left here, I asked him to meet me so we could talk. We settled things and we are going to continue to be friends. I am surprised, though. I feel like I should be more emotional."

"Maybe you aren't emotional because you already believed that it was time for a change." He took a breath and continued. "But you also don't seem like an emotional person in the first place."

"No, I guess you are right. I was told in high school that I was an emotionless hardass who never took anyone's feelings into account."

Takumi raised his eyebrow. "That, I find hard to believe."

"It is true, though. In high school, I was known as the demon president."

"How I would have loved to see that. You are so sweet now that I just can't picture it," said Takumi.

Misaki went on. "I had to be tough to be class president in a predominantly male school. The ratio of boys to girls was 5:1. The girls had a hard time and I wanted to make it better."

"Actually, that I can believe," Takumi said with a smile.

"So now, here I am, reminiscing about high school and not talking about the getting to know you questions that most people ask. How about you ask the questions and I will answer as best as I can?"

Takumi nodded and thought a moment before asking, "What qualities do you look for in a man?"

Stunned by the question, Misaki stuttered into a response. "Uh, um... well I guess I... uh...hmm. I would have to say I like men that are straightforward. I want someone who isn't going to lie to me. Someone who can function without needing me to take care of them. I do not like possessive men because I can take care of myself and I don't like to be constantly be-raided with questions of my whereabouts."

She stopped to take a bite of the food that had been placed in front of her and then continued. "I want someone who will want to be around me but also want space occasionally. And, I want someone that is loyal."

Unfolding his hands, Takumi leaned forward slightly and asked, "Well, how would you feel about dating me?"

Misaki had just taken a bite of egg and when she inhaled in surprise, the piece of food choked her. She coughed and sipped on the water in front of her. Where the hell had that question come from? All she could do was gape.

"Okay, let me explain," Takumi suggested. "I am wealthy. I constantly have women and occasionally even men throwing themselves at me. I do not wish to be with someone who is either looking for money, status or vanity. I want someone real, who wants me for me."

Sighing, he continued. "I am asking as a proposition. Be my girlfriend publicly to help me get rid of all these fake people. Privately we will just be friends who are there for emotional support. And I know this would be solely for my benefit so I would do anything you required to feel compensated."

The two were silent and ate their breakfast. Takumi did not say anything else because he wanted Misaki to have a chance to think about his request. They did not know each other but Takumi had this gut feeling that he could trust her. Slowly, Misaki allowed her utensil to rest on her plate as she glanced up at Takumi.

"All of this is rather sudden." Takumi looked away, but Misaki continued. "Normally I do not go and do things on a whim, but... I accept. I will agree to your terms, whatever they may be, but I would like some stipulations."

Takumi nodded for her to continue. "First, I would like to see where you live, what you do daily, how you live your life. If I am going to be convincing, I need to know more about you."

"Of course, that is a fairly simple request," Takumi said.

Continuing, Misaki leaned forward. "Okay then second, I would like you to also learn about my life, in turn. I have to deal with a lot of cases that end up in the media and I would need you to be able to understand what can and cannot be talked about if you were to be interviewed."

Takumi smiled and said, "Yes, I would like to know more about you anyways."

"Finally, I need to meet your grandfather."

This last stipulation surprised Takumi and he said as much. "Why would you need to meet that bastard? You said yourself you wouldn't like him. Even I can't stand to be around him."

"I understand that." Misaki sighed and continued. "I need to meet him because he will ask to see me anyways. If he is anything like you have described, he will want to meet me for approval. I would just like to get the formalities out of the way."

Takumi took and breath and said, "Alright, I will make an appointment for you to meet him. But I think it should be after we get to know each other a little better."

Misaki nodded and finished her breakfast in silence. Her morning had become very interesting. She always looked forward to a good challenge, so this turn of events had her positively giddy with anticipation. This friendship was already helping her cope with the loss of Aoi's relationship. Misaki smiled contently.

Over the next few days, Misaki had spent a lot of time with Takumi. They had been to each other's homes as well as out in public. Misa still had another day of vacation and Takumi had asked her to the movies.

Being with Takumi was natural. He loved to ask questions, but he could also just sit in silence and enjoy Misaki's presence. As thy sat watching a movie that was only mildly entertaining, Takumi suddenly grasped Misa's hand. She glanced up at him but he seemed to be engrossed in the movie.

Holding hands with Takumi was just as easy as it was talking with him. He began rubbing slow circles on the back of her hand with his thumb and she relaxed as her focus went back to the movie screen.

After the movie was over, Takumi said he wanted ice cream. So they began walking to the closest shop and once again,Takumi clasped Misa's hand in his own. As they walked hand in hand, Takumi's phone began to find. He fished the phone out of his pocket and answered without letting go of Misaki's hand.

Whatever was being said on the other end of the conversation made Takumi tense up and slightly grip Misa's hand tighter. From the corner of her eye, she continued to study him. Takumi sighed heavily as he ended the call. He looked like he wanted to punch someone or maybe break something.

Misaki asked, "Takumi, is everything okay?"

"Well, technically yes, but that was my grandfather. There have been a few pictures of us in the tabloids and he has decided that he would like to meet you. We are to make our way to the estate right now."

Not knowing what to say, Misaki squeezed Takumi's hand and nodded. She had known this would happen already. She and Takumi had stopped walking and she took a step and pulled his hand to signal that they should get going. Reluctantly Takumi lead the way.