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— Heartfelt —

Chapter 2 :Reminiscences

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He slowly made his way back to the room, carrying his prey in his arms. The Moon was still up in the sky as it flashed its pale light through the thin glass of the several picture windows he passed.

"Misaki, Misaki...What have you done?.. Aren't you in trouble now?" His voice hummed as a satisfied smile came across his features.

"Why would you try to escape, my sweetheart?" He gently brushed one of her chocolate strand to his lips, his voice trickling like melting honey as he carried on. "After all, you're carved in me." His voice lulled in the clear night, filling the flow of time that tickled away in a silent murmur.

—

She had just finished her shift and headed for the changeroom as Takumi lifted her from her feet, a surprised gasp left her mouth. "Usui! Stop that, we're still at work!" She squealed.

"Ehh, what does work has to do with this?" He teased, unable to refrain the smile curving his lips.

"Well...um.. It's forbidden at work! There you go!" She exclaimed, leaving no room for argument as she lightly hit him with her elbow, freeing herself from his grasp to slip in the changing room. "How mean Misaki-chan..." He teased, faking his dissapointment, as he grinned when she kept nagging at him through the door.

A moment later, they were finally out, on their way back home. They walked silently along the snowy road, the light of street lamps illuminating their path along the way. Foggy steam came out with every breath they exhaled. They enjoyed each others company, whether they would nag at each others, laugh together, sometime argue all the way or just walk silently side by side; they simply cherished their shared moment. Christmas illuminations set by the crossroad slowly came to view, and soon enough, they would walk past through it. Today was Christmas, everyone was celebrating it that night. Thus, their pathway was silent, save for the faraway shouts of joy and the merry atmosphere in the busy square market across the right wing of the intersection.

Takumi squeezed her hand, dropping his pace as Misaki turned to look at him, curious of the sudden stop. "What's wrong, Usui?" she wondered, her head slightly tilted to its left. He held his hand to gently brush her left cheek, pulling her with his free hand into a warm hug. "It's Christmas, Ayuzawa.." he statted, expecting something from her. Her brows furrowed as she questioned a "So what?", not understanding what he wanted from her. "Well.." he pulled back and rummaged through his pocket, before bringing forth a little box, wrapped and adorned of some silky gold ribbons.

Misaki eyes widened: she totally forgot to buy him a present, she was way too busy with final academic exams, the president council, her part-time job...unlike.. well, that was his case too but still!

"It's okay Ayuzawa, I knew that it would be one sided anyway.." He intentionally sounded hurt, his eyes looking down at his feet as if he was a neglected little puppy. She could almost see his ears down. "Uh.. I'm.. sorry Usui.." she lowly mumbled, he held out his gift to her as she looked at the package and still inquired: "Is that really for me through?". Her eyes were full of doubt as to why he would only give a gift to her and not to any of the other maids at Maid Latte. He gave her a sly smile.

"Do you see anyone else around?" He softly replied. Her eyes shifted around to see the deserted snowy road. Indeed; there was noone else. "Open it," he insisted, and she took the gift from his hand, softly unfolding the crook of the ribbon. "Eh, it's so pretty..." she breathed, her shiny eyes set upon the delicate wristlet, ornamented of a pristine white heart. "Glad you like it," he smiled, relieved to notice the sparks in her eyes as they feasted on the elegant jewel. "Let me put it on you Ayuzawa" he offered, and she hesitantly nodded, holding out her wrist for him to reach.

He quickly set it on her and they both grinned at eachothers until she suddenly squaled, surprising Takumi. "Usui! Wait! H-How much was that?!.." she glared at him, striding forward him, as he quickly backed off.. He couldn't hide his smile as he ran to the side of the road, grabbing some piled snow in his cold hand to softly launch it on her, earning a gasped yelp and a death stare from her. "Your face was too red, I only wanted to cool it off.." he teased, and childishly ran away, his laugh filling the silent road as she furiously trailed behind him, her hands full of hard-squeezed snow balls, ready to kill a certain alien.

It was one of those night that she cherished. One of those moment she would never forget. And a memory that is long buried under the several years they spent together, seemingly erased from his consciousness.

—

Birds were skimming between the cold leaves, remnants of the frozen winter as the early sun shyly filled the sky of its warm rays. Spring was allowing the pilled snow to slowly melt away into clear puddles, and the seasonal loop just carried the eternal promise of renewing the scenery of its natural beauty.

A tall figure was standing in front of the clear glass of the floor-to-ceiling window, his left hand in his expensive tailor made suit pocket as his other hand was holding a steaming hot cup of coffee to his pursed lips. His emerald eyes were locked on the wide and alluring landscape that was displayed ahead of him. Forest green grass was unfolding to the horizon beneath his eyes, as well as the crystal clear lake that sprawled across the land, granting the panorama of a wild surrounding. The figure lightly shifted as he heard a soft whimper coming from the hefty bed. Her slender body snuggled against the layered bedsheets as a perceptible metallic clash could be heard against the wooden bedstands.

The unpleasant sound awoke Misaki from her sleeping state, cursing under her breath because of the excruciating pain that vibrated in the back of her head. She sat up in the middle of the bed, hardly moving her legs as she felt them struggling heavily. The weight on her right ankle was obviously explained; she was restrained to her bed with metallic shackles on her right ankle that were both chained to two different side of the bedstands. Obviously, one would be too common, he had to do it with originality, she bitterly guessed. Aware of his presence, she glanced to his direction, noticing his back turned to her. With unexpected bravery, after all, her fate was unescapable at this moment, she decided to face her destiny.

"Um..." She prompted weakly, seeking for his attention.

He ignored her, quietly sipping his coffee as silence took its rightful place back. "Hey.." she pursued, her voice beggining to get fuller. He slowly set his coffee cup down as he sneered at her with cold eyes.

"I believe names are meant to be called, Misaki." He warned. She was set aback, a silent affliction stamping her heart as she complied, "U-Usui, wh—", she began to stutter.

"I will repeat it once more, names serve a purpose, Misaki." He coldly stressed, his eyes glaring at her. Her bewildered expression was replaced with fright as she struggled.

"Takumi?..." She timidly ventured, carefully watching his tensed expression loosen up. "What is it Misaki," he inquired, slowly pacing his way to her, to pause inches away from the bed.

"Can we head out today?... The weather seems gre—" She started to plead, but once again, she got cut off by his low tone, denying her half-requested plea.

"No can do Misaki..." His mischevious voice striking her demand. He soflty sat at the edge of the bed, his hand running through his golden strands as he peered at her. "You hurt me last night, are you aware of that?" He statted, anticipating her frantic nods as her eyes were anxiously transfixed on his knees, disheartened by the turn this conversation was taking.

"What should be your punishment, then?" He spoke, half a question, half a self-inquiry. He glanced at her, her body curling into a protective ball, as she was slowly backing off to the opposite corner of the bed, alike to a cornered street cat being assaulted. He stood up, pleased with the reaction he triggered within her, as she began to apprehend all the torture he could make her undergo, muffling her tears with the thin blanket that was cocooning her whole body.

And he left her there, slowly pacing away as the echo of his footsteps dwindled in the corridor, leaving the door wide open, the unescapable way out closer than ever, but the farthest from her reach.

—

A bitter smile adorned his feature, as he headed out to the office. He knew that she was already trying to walk past the unattainable door; he knew that she would crawl on the wooden floor, that she would try to break the bed apart, try to rip her ankle away.. But to no avail would she reach the sole purpose of her actions. She was a bird that was craving to soar. And he was like the sorrowful gravity, keeping her feathers on the uneven ground.

Only to keep her within his graps.
Only because he was also pulled down by his own aptitude.
— because he had no wings attached to him.

"Think of me Misaki, hate me, love me, despite me, adore me... Anything that you wish, as long as you keep me within your heart."

Because he could never fly with her.