A thousand thanks to Canichan001, Nisa, Innerflame98, Magica Ring, SparkleFace, UnattractiveGoddess, Sangeeta and a guest for the lovely reviews.
Nisa: I had imagined that given the situation Usui found Misaki in (sitting in a lonely bus-stop, in the rain), it didn't require for either of them to say anything. That instance told both that the whole Hinata fiasco was thoroughly meaningless. Both never meant a word they said. I hope you got my point of view.
SparkleFace: thanks for the Usui-made omu-rice! It was delicious! :*
Sangeeta: I love you for all the lovely reviews.
Magica Ring: I am so glad you liked it. :)
Today I present chapter 6 to you all.
My chapters are getting longer and longer with time! :)
Chapter 6:
Usui unlocked his apartment to find it dark as usual but my life seems not as dark anymore.
He was soaked through the skin, drenched due to rain. He made his way to the bathroom and looked at his reflection on the mirror.
Ayuzawa Misaki. I swear, I will never doubt or make you cry like that.
He sneezed. Geez, is Ayuzawa thinking of me or-
He sneezed again and again.
He involuntarily shivered a little.
I must change. Misaki will kill me tomorrow if I catch a cold.
Usui smiled at that thought. He quickly dried himself and changed into dry clothes.
Come to think of it, today was one hell of a rollercoaster ride for..
'US' he savored the word in his tongue. It will and always be 'us' from now on.
He smiled and his reflection on the mirror gave a smile back.
He sneezed again.
Is Ayuzawa thinking of me so much or am I coming down with a cold?
He wrapped a blanket around him as he felt chilly and laid down on the only piece of leisure furniture he owned in the apartment: the couch.
Misaki, you surprise me everytime. And I know that you would never go out with Hinata but at that moment when you texted like that….i just thought that, given I was avoiding you, you may agree to go out with him after all. And when Hinata confronted me, I was broken. I thought I had lost you forever. I was on the rooftop in the rain…when I saw you coming out of school and sitting in that bus-stop. Alone. And I felt like the biggest jerk ever.
You remind me again and over again how much I love you and how much you do too without putting those into words.
You are my lif-
And he fell into a deep peaceful slumber for the first time in many days.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Misaki smiled as she opened her eyes. She checked the clock. 5:45am.
15mins to go before alarm goes off.
Today, I cannot wait to go to school to see Usui.
She clasped her hands together again and tried to entwine the fingers while studying the mechanics of fingers.
It's the first time we held hands like that. I wonder what it would feel like to kiss him back, to feel his lips against mine. To touch those soft blonde hair? Those cheekbones?
She lightly pressed a finger on her lips to mimic how Usui shushed her yesterday.
She blushed at her own bold thoughts.
Usui. You read me like an open book and that always pissed me off. I never wanted to be this vulnerable in front of anyone. But last night, I felt it is not such a bad thing to be vulnerable, not only in front of but, with you. Is this how love feels like?
Her alarm clock went off. She stifled it, got up and started preparing to go to school.
I have the student council meeting at 7am. But I want to see Usui, so much! I guess, it can't be helped.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Usui opened his eyes reluctantly as the sunlight directly hit his face through the glass wall.
He semi-consciously looked towards the glass wall and then looked towards the clock.
So much light? What time is it? 8:30am! SHIT!
He stood up and involuntarily swayed on the spot, his head spinning slightly.
Shit! No! NO! NO! I have to go to school. Misaki will be there waiting for me. I can't fall sick today!
He dragged his body reluctantly to change into his uniform. Usui felt exhausted just from dragging his body from the bathroom to the kitchen.
He looked for things to eat in the refrigerator. He settled for a bun but it turned out to be too hard for his tired jaws to chew.
This is just a little fever. It will get cured in a while.
He put away that bun.
I will grab something softer on my way.
With that thought, he picked up his keys and made for the door. As he was locking his apartment, his knees gave out and his feverish body collapsed on the floor.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Where is Usui?
Misaki searched frantically all around her in hopes of finding that one person she could not stop thinking about. As vigilant as she was, she could not spot the blonde haired boy anywhere among the mass of students.
Don't say Usui is avoiding me today too!
But she immediately dismissed that idea. Stupid Misaki! Don't jump to conclusions!
Maybe he would arrive late, like he sometimes does. But I am sure; he will come and see me.
With that thought, she made her way towards the classroom.
Usui, please come today.
Then she stopped dead.
What if he caught a cold last night? I was soaked thoroughly and so was he and he walked all the way back to his apartment in that condition! He had an umbrella, though. But he was soaked thoroughly while he was with me!
Please, oh please! Let Usui be okay.
But she felt uncomfortable as she could not shake off that particular dread easily.
She took out her phone from her pocket and began dialing his number.
'Miss Ayuzawa? The class is about to start.' Called the teacher as he was about to enter the classroom.
Shit. I cannot walk out of the class now and cannot call now either. I will call after this class.
'Yes sir.' She replied quickly and entered the classroom.
0-0-0-0-0-0
She restlessly twirled the pencil in her hand, tapped her feet impatiently and darted a glance at the school ground from the window beside her at every movement she could detect from the corner of her eyes.
This class seems to be going on forever! And it has only been 15mins. How will I survive 45mins more?
'Miss Ayuzawa?'
Her eyes widened as she heard her name being called.
She instantly looked at the source of the voice. Teacher!
'Yes sir?' she asked without missing a beat. Her brain was functioning overtime.
'Is something wrong, Ayuzawa? '
'N-Ahh…yes sir.' Replied Misaki, changing her mind and answer halfway.
I cannot concentrate today. I need to see Usui. I need to know if he is alright. I have to do something now that I have got the chance. I can't stay here not knowing.
'What is it? 'Enquired the teacher.
'Sir, I just saw two students climbing the walls in hopes of bunking school. I need your permission to go after them.' She half-lied.
She indeed saw two boys climbing the walls to bunk school. And she, herself wants to bunk school today.
The teacher looked at her, shocked. She is such a responsible President. She even wants to go after those boys and drag them back to school! She has some determination.
'Yes, you can go Ayuzawa. Go after those boys and bring them back.' Replied the teacher, magically wearing a bandana and holding a japanese fan with 'Go Ayuzawa' written all over it.
Misaki thanked the teacher and hurriedly left the classroom. She went to Usui's classroom to check if he had arrived yet. Just like I guessed, he hasn't.
She took out her phone again and dialed Usui's number.
After the fifth ring, a female voice answered the phone.
'Hello.'
Misaka's face registered shock. A woman is answering Usui's phone? Why is Usui with a woman? Who is this woman?
She quickly tried to compose herself as the voice on the other side of the line repeated, 'Hello?'
'H-Hello. Is Usui there?' she asked tentatively, as she entertained the possibility that she might have dialed a wrong number.
'Yes. Takumi is here, dear, but he is asleep. If you want, I can take a message.'
That woman called him Takumi? And he is asleep? What is going on? Usui lived alone as far as he told me. From where did this woman come from?
'Is he alright? It's 10 in the morning and he is still asleep?' she enquired, her concern growing. USUI!
'Takumi has a very high fever. I found him in front of his apartment fully dressed in school clothes, lying on the ground. It appeared that he has passed out. He tried to go to school in his fevered state. Poor boy.' The woman on the other side informed engagingly, 'but as soon as I saw him, I helped him up and put him on the couch as I couldn't find a bed anywhere-'
At this point Misaki lost track of her voice. My hunch was right. He fell sick. That moron. I had to go to him. I want to go to him.
She composed her thoughts again and replied, cutting her narration, 'Ma'am, I am coming over in 10mins. '
She quickly changed her shoes, collected her belongings, exited the school and ran towards Usui's place.
0-0-0-0-0-0
She was breathing heavily as she punched the doorbell to Usui's apartment, silently wondering the identity of the woman whom she talked to over the phone.
A short, plump, kind faced woman with grey hair opened the door with a smile.
'Hello ma'am! We talked over phone?' Misaki addressed her.
The old woman smiled kindly and opened the door wide to usher her in.
'You are his school friend, I presume? Come on in dear. Come on in.' she enquired, registering her uniform.
Misaki entered the room to spot Usui lying on the couch fast asleep.
'How long has he been like that?' she enquired quietly, trying not to reveal her emotion.
I should have known. I should have come. He could have called. Idiot…
'Ever since I laid him down on that couch, dear.'
Misaki then remembered that she has never met this lady. But she seemed very nice and friendly.
She timidly turned to her and asked, 'I am sorry, I don't think we have met. I am Ayuzawa Misaki, Usu-Takumi's friend.' She bowed.
'You are that Misaki.' She replied surprised, 'Takumi has been muttering your name since I put him there.'
Misaki's eyes widened.
'Oh! How rude of me as I didn't introduce myself yet. I am Takumi's next door neighbor. You can call me Mrs Kinomoto.'
Relief spread through Misaki at that information. She turned around to look at Usui who seemed to be in deep sleep and breathing heavily.
Mrs. Kinomoto chirruped on as she went over to pummel Usui's pillow, 'I should have guessed that you would call Misaki. Takumi is a very private person, as you know and he hardly talks to the neighbors but he has always been kind and helpful to me. He offers to carry my stuff whenever we meet on our way. I always said to anybody in our apartment that Takumi is a very good boy. And I wanted to call you as soon as I heard him muttering your name…but I am an old woman and I can't make sense of how this modern phone works. I knew that you would call, so I sat by him patiently waiting to inform of his condition to whomever who calls. I cannot just leave him there after all he did for me.'
Misaki's eyes softened.
She bowed her head towards Mrs. Kinomoto and said, 'Thank you for looking after Usui while I was not there. But I think I can look after him from now on.'
'Yes dear. I know you can take care of him.' Replied the old woman, with a knowing glint in her eyes, 'and I think Takumi is a very lucky man to have you.' She added offering her a warm smile.
Misaki went red like a tomato. She nodded timidly.
Mrs. Kinomoto went on, 'Well I will take my leave Misaki. I have given Takumi a medicine for the fever which also makes him sleepy. Don't forget to give him another tablet I have placed on that table after dinner and he will be alright by tomorrow. And you can come and knock on my door anytime if you need help. Take care of him from now and also tell him to get some proper furniture.'
With that the old lady gathered her belongings and exited the apartment.
Misaki stood there silently for a few minutes as if trying to absorb all the information Mrs. Kinomoto had imparted.
She looked towards Usui. You are supposed to be an alien. Then how can an alien catch a fever?
She went over to him, kneeled down, and placed a hand on his forehead.
Shit! He's burning up!
Usui opened his eyes at her touch, 'Misaki.' He breathed.
Misaki blushed. He said my name!
He smiled and said 'I am sorry.'
'Don't say that, idiot. I am sorry too.' Replied Misaki, smiling too.
She looked around the apartment. It looks the same as last time. Not a thing out of place. And last time Usui was injured and was running a mild fever. It was the butler café incident.
She blushed again at the thought of what happened the last time with Usui here.
'Why are you blushing again?' asked Usui tenderly as he observed her.
'Oh. Nothing in particular. Just that nothing has changed since the last time I came here.'
'I had a fever too at that time, didn't I?' asked Usui reaching out to softly stroke Misaki's cheek.
Misaki's eyes widened at his touch. But she didn't move away, rather, leaned her head to feel his warm hand. She looked into his emerald eyes which looked like on the verge of dropping off.
'D-don't force yourself to stay awake. Go off to sleep.' She said softly, reaching out to stroke his hair gently. He is sweating! Good! The fever will come off soon, then.
'Did Mrs. Kinomoto leave?' he enquired, as he stroked her cheekbones with his thumb.
'Yes, a while back. Do you want me to call her?'
'No. I would rather have you. She is very kind though.' Replied Usui with a smile as he pushed a stray strand of her hair behind her ear.
Misaki faintly blushed.
Usui closed his eyes momentarily as if to gather more energy and again opened it.
'Did you bunk school for me?' he enquired again.
Misaki blushed and smiled. 'Take a guess. And now go off to sleep. I want you to get better soon.'
Usui said, 'I want to savor Misa-chan while she's here. 'And he added a little bitterly, 'I don't want to miss any more moments with you.'
He's doing that to me again, making my knees weak. And he's sick for god's sake!
Although this was not the type of situation she wanted to find Usui in but she felt strangely happy. Today she could take care of Usui like all the times he had taken care of her. She can repay back at least a small portion of it. Suddenly she didn't feel embarrassed or self-conscious any more, rather more motherly and protective! But right now, Usui needs to sleep no matter however he protests. Brat!
'No more of those cheesy lines here. Go off to sleep right now.' Ordered Misaki sternly as she tugged the blanket to cover his body securely.
'Or else?' asked Usui with a mischievous glint.
He is sick, can't even stand properly but he has energy enough for this?
'Or I will punish you! And let me assure you, you won't like it one bit.' Replied Misaki, matching his glint.
Usui's eyes momentarily widened as he smiled submissively and said, 'Aye aye Ma'am. But-'
'No more buts!' Misaki cut him off and added softly, 'Go off to sleep and I promise, I will be here when you wake up.'
Usui's face relaxed and his eyes closed slowly as his conscious drifted off to sleep.
Misaki studied his sleeping face. He looks so peaceful. So carefree. Just like a little baby. A naughty little baby.
She smiled at that thought and leaned forward to kiss his hot forehead.
Sleep well. And she stood up and looked around.
Aah well! Now I have some things to do. I can't sit still! Let's see, I have to call mom to let her know, and then I better clean the apartment. I am sure it has not been cleaned since yesterday and I can't imagine all the germs that could be lurking around. And I have to take care of dinner too. Oh-god! I don't know what to do about that!
Well, first thing's first. I should call mom.
She whipped out her phone and dialed her mom and after two rings she received the call, 'Misaki? Why are you calling me in the middle of school time? Is everything all right?'
'Mom! Usui fell sick and I am in his apartment. He has no one to take care of him and he can't even stand properly.' She stated, hoping against hope that her mother would not object to being with him.
'oh! That is really bad. So when are you going to come back tonight?' enquired Minako.
Here's the catch. Misaki's facial expression grimed as she prepared herself for the scolding.
'Umm….mom. I was thinking if I could stay over tonight. I-it was partly my fault he fell sick and I feel obliged to take care of him.'
Misaki silently prayed to all gods to make her mother agree to this arrangement. She knows that her mom was always looking out for her and it would be against her motherly instinct to let her unmarried daughter stay with an unmarried boy. But he had met my mother and they both seemed to get along just fine. I think my mother liked him.
Her mother was silent for two minutes which made Misaki to even wonder whether the connection got dropped or not.
'Hello? Mom?'
'Yes. Misaki. You may stay over for tonight.'
'Really? Thank you soooo much Mom.' Replied Misaki, relieved.
'I will have Suzuna drop a change of clothes for the night and make this soup for dinner. Gather a pen and paper. I am giving you the step by step instruction.'
'Mom! You are the best!' said Misaki as she flurried around in search of paper and pen.
After the conversation ended, she busied herself with cleaning and sterilizing the place and stealing a glance towards Usui's peaceful form every once in a while and after that she gathered all the ingredients needed for the soup and started making it.
I need eggs! Eggs must be in the fridge.
As she turned towards the refrigerator, her eyes fell on their picture together at Maid-latte! She smiled and below that A LIST?
Her eyes widened as she reached the last point. 'Stop thinking about her.' What's that supposed to mean? Is that 'her' me? That's why he was ignoring me before? I have to clear this up with Usui. That episode nearly ate me up.
She finished her cooking. I don't want to think what he will think of the food! But I tried my best.
She switched off the stove and came and sat on the carpeted floor beside Usui, the list clutched in her left hand.
Idiot alien! The things he does! And he calls me troublesome.
She put a hand on his forehead. His temperature seems to have gone down.
She observed the gentle rise and fall of his chest, how his mouth slightly opened and closed slightly in sync with his body.
And before she can drink in even more details, her eyes closed involuntarily and she drifted off to sleep with her head on the couch.
I can already imagine you all glaring daggers at me but Usui did get soaked badly in the rain, right? So he had to face some consequences, shouldn't he?
And i believe love is not expressed through big gestures but through the little things you do for each other without being told.
Next chapter, hopefully, will be my last.
REVIEW! :)
And they will obviously get together in the end! They have always been perfect for each other! :)