A day had gone by; Usui had brought her back to the hospital, thinking she was asleep.
"Let me see her, damn it!" The door was locked, a man standing guard.
"I'm sorry sir, after that little stunt you pulled last night, she has declined in health."
"What exactly is wrong with her? Can't you just fix her up and..." He muttered, hope crashing.
"You don't want to know the answer to that. Go home, Takumi."
"Tell me. I won't leave until you do." He locked gazes with the nurse.
"Very well. When she collided with the auto-mobile, one of her spinal plates is in position to completely sever the rest of her spine. Surgery can be done to fix this though."
"So do the damn surgery, don't be a fool!"
A bead of sweat dripped down the nurses head in frustration.
"The surgery can't be risked if we move her around too much… Like you just did with her last night. The odds are nearly gone of saving her; she has been unconscious since then."
"…"
"Work overtime, keep yourself busy, Takumi. It will help."
A firm hand cupped Usui's shoulder, with a nod of approval from the nurse.
"Do whatever you need to do to help her."
Usui briskly nodded with what he had said, and shuffled out of the ER, to drift along the streets.
As for School, classes had started again. The Vice president would sub for Misaki, and fully take her place at some time to come should she not return. Usui was still receiving top marks, but was becoming increasingly bitter towards his class mates. His purpose, was gone, it seemed.
Usui worked right after school, serving various meals, on a shift until 9:00 PM.
"Damn, I can't even keep a little pocket money." Usui muttered to himself, paying his rent. The medical bills were barbarous.
The advice from the nurse was legit. As Usui worked, time went by at an alarming rate, first semester finals were only a week away, and Usui hadn't seen Misaki since the night he had taken her out, months before.
His dates with Yoko have ceased, he wanted nothing more to do with the damn girl.
One particular day at School:
"Hey, scumbag." A voice called over.
Usui slowly shut his locker, grumbling to his caller. It was Hinata Shintani.
"What the hell, could you want?"
"Why'd you do it?" Hinata's voice rattled.
"…?" Usui replied with a blank stare, ignorant to Hinata's accusations.
"You hit Misaki-"
Hinata was crushed against a locker, Usui's muscles pulsating with adrenaline.
"You, are treading on dangerous ground. Get. Out." Usui slithered through grit teeth, releasing his vice grip around Hinata. Shintari let out a small sound of fear, and skittered away preaching something about him being guilty.
A vast sigh was released from Takumi, as he grabbed his rucksack and prepared for work.
That day at work, he had to dress fancy. Those maids meant fancy. A flashy white Sports Coat, with a matching white boutonniere.
The first customer was a common man, walking with a girl in a wheelchair. It was Misaki.
"Hello again, Takumi!" The man said smiling broadly.
"Misaki…" He dashed over, knelt down and delicately brushed his hand along her cheek.
"Usui, I'm sorry-
She was silenced.
He couldn't help himself anymore, he closed the kiss just as soon as he started it. He was acting rashly.
"I apologize."
"Usui, we need to talk." Her eyes bore into him like a magnifying glass on pavement.
"She seems to be in good hands." The caretaker said, his hands releasing the holds of the wheelchair. He departed, whistling.
"But first, I want out of this damn chair."
"Can you walk?"
She returned with a sarcastic gaze, blowing hair out of her eyes.
"Well then, if you don't mind." Usui remarked.
She was lifted out of the chair, and was now being held in full support of the two crane-like arms that hoisted her up. She couldn't help but take nervous glances around at the onlooking customers.
He settled her in a booth that he usually sat at when she worked.
"Before we chat, I'm getting some coffee."
She nodded, looking around after he left. It seemed like a whole different store. The male population was now half female, most of them staring hungrily at the tall figure in white, bringing a pair of coffee cups over. He placed a steaming mug in front of her, their eyes meeting briefly. She looked away daftly.
"You look nice today." She said biting her lip.
"I appreciate the complement. But we've got two problems." He said folding his arms on the table, grinning.
"Hnn?" Her eyes curiously looked at him.
"One, that's my line. Two, I use more creative words than nice." He teased.
"Just take the compliment." She drank from her mug, trying to suppress a smile.
"One thing I have noticed, Is your hair." He raised an eyebrow.
"My... My hair? What's wrong with it?" Her cheeks heated.
"It's gotten pretty long, don't you think?" His devilish grin returned.
"I've been in the hospital! How am I going to keep track of-
"Relax." His hand traveled to the side of her face.
"Huh?"
"It looks wonderful."
She felt his hand retreating, so her own instinctively shot up and held his hand to her cheek.
"What did you want to talk about?" He pondered.
She finally removed his hand gently from her face, and played around with his fingers with both of her hands while thinking.
"Since you've known me, I've been a real bitch, haven't I?"
"No comment."
She puffed her cheeks.
"But in all realism, no. You've got a fire in you Misaki, one that will never burn out. If you have a goal, you complete it. The only time's you have… Had an attitude…"
He made sure to avoid the word bitch at all costs.
"Is when it was well deserved. I pretty much harassed you."
Her hands were now holding onto his right hand tightly.
"Really?" Her expression lightened.
"Yes ma'am." Her eyes twinkled to his words.
She gulped.
"There's something I need to be upfront with you about." She murmured.
"Hit me."
"All of this time I've known you. From you helping me out at school, practically sexual harassing me, and being an all-around pervert, you've made quite the impression to me."
He quietly slurped from his coffee, listening intently.
"Those things about you…. I can't help but love them. They make me feel special." She choked out the last few words, feeling like an idiot.
"I knew it." He grinned once more.
"…" Her face flushed again. She began to hear every heart beat in her body.
"I'm just kidding. You know me, I tease rough. But all jokes aside, I'm glad. Hearing you say those things about me make me feel… Like you need me." He admitted.
"I do." She mumbled.
They met eyes once more, longer this time.
They quickly glanced away.
"Alright, I'm going to finish my shift, then I'm going to take you to the safety of your home."
He motioned to rise, but his hand was still tethered within hers. There was a small delay before she let go.
The hours flew by, Misaki met with her co-workers who flocked to meet her since her recovery, until it was just Usui and herself left. He would close shop.
"Beep Beep." He said, rolling the wheelchair over to her, in her drowsy state, She giggled to hear his deep voice saying such a silly phrase.
He helped her in, and they were off to her home. The evening was quiet, but she was having more fun than she had ever had in months. They didn't even speak much, it was just a quiet walk in the city, until they reached her home.
"I remember you standing beneath the streetlight over there before the accident, many times." She reflected, as he opened the gate.
"Yeah?"
"What… What were you doing?" Her heart skipped a beat, she hoped she was right.
"Making sure you got home safe, you told me to leave you alone, but I never really did." He admitted, scratching his back that didn't need scratching.
"Thank you." She smiled brightly.
They entered, so see Misaki's sister and mother relaxing at the table.
"Delivery for the Ayuzawa residence." Usui reported, cradling Misaki bridal-style in the doorway.
