July 21st, 2015

Okay... so I'll edit this beginning part, and reply to all of my reviews ASAP.

I just thought you guys might want to ready the story ASAP... and so if I waited to do the replying part, then it'd probably take another extra three-four days!

Thanks everyone!

I also have this story on Wattpad! My name on Wattpad is " TheERain " . You can also find this story by searching "Serendipity"

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN KAICHOU WA MAID-SAMA, I ONLY OWN MY ORIGINAL CHARACTERS AND THE WRITING IN THIS STORY.

The Surprise

It's been two days since Miku and Hiku have run away from the palace and started living with their mother, Misaki. It has also been two days since they 'overheard' their mother telling her story to Aunt Sakura and Aunt Shizuko. Of course, the adults had thought that the kids were all sleeping. But Hiku and Miku weren't so weak that sleep would overcome them. After all, they were Misaki and Takumi's children.

Yesterday, Misaki had taken both Hiku and Miku out to meet Aunt Sakura, Aunt Shizuko, Hana, and Kaito to go and have a picnic. The adults had taken them to a beach that was about an hour away from the city of Takumisa. It sat on the coast of Seika, in a little town called Mitaku. Not many people lived in the little town-at least not as much as Takumisa.

It was nice meeting other kids their age. Even though the twins hadn't taken a liking to Yuudai, Aunt Suzuna's son, they kind of liked Hana and Kaito. Hiku and Kai had become pretty close. They went to hunt crabs together, and Hiku, of course, got more crabs than Kai did. But it was nice to compete with people other than his father and Miku. Miku on the other hand, had fun playing mermaid with Hana. There was finally a girl who was her age! All of the kids she had met, who were even close to her age, were boys.

Hiku and Miku had only gone to the beach a couple of times with their father, due to Takumi being busy with work. However, Takumi had built them a pool in the eastern wing of Miyabigaoka. The pool wasn't as nice as a beach was, because there was no sand to play with, and no big waves. But it was useful during hot and humid days of the summer.

The twins missed their father dearly. Even though they were the ones who decided to leave him for five days. But this was for the best. This was for their family. After five days, everything was expected to be resolved. They would dress Misaki up and send her to the ball. Then, Misaki and Usui would somehow meet at the ball and finally get back together. Finally, they would live happily forever in the castle. The plan was simple, but effective. However, the plan wasn't perfect. They, too, knew that the plan could backfire. There were tons of risks, such as: if they couldn't get Misaki to go to the ball, or if Misaki and Usui never meet at the ball, and so Usui finds another woman to become their new "mother." This plan was either go big, or go home.

The ball was tonight, and they hadn't even found a gown for Misaki yet. Luckily, they had a plan for that too.

...

"Mama! Hiku and I have to go to pick up a package on the other side of town, we'll be right back, okay?" Miku yelled to the back of the shop.

"What?" Misaki yelled back in confusion. She set a large box filled with books back on the ground. Thanks to the ball, all sorts of people have been coming into Takumisa, including merchants. They were the perfect people to buy new books from. She got books from all sorts of people. Books from the north, books from the south, even books from other countries! "You're going to pick up a package?"

"Yup." Hiku replied. "Well, we won't be 'right back,' but we'll be back as soon as we can. It might take all day. If we need help, we'll call you! Bye mommy! Love you!"

And that was that. Before Misaki could even process what they said, the kids were out the door. She thought about chasing after them, thinking about all the new sorts of bad people who also traveled to Takimisa, but knowing the twins, they were probably miles away already.

Misaki simply wiped the sweat off of her brow, and prayed for their safety. She sighed to herself. If only they were like other children their age. They act so fast, I can't even get to scold them for not waiting for my approval. A giggle escaped from Misaki. But I guess that's what makes them my 'kids'.

…

Hiku and Miku ran on the cobblestone street, hoping that Misaki wouldn't run out of the shop, grab them, and then demand that she go with them. They had things to do, and fast.

"We need to get a really really pretty gown for her." Miku emphasized.

"Yea... But at this point, we just need to find a gown. Every seamstress is busy. I even saw some ladies crying because the seamstress told them that they couldn't make the dresses in time for the ball." Hiku stared at the ground, emotionless. "It was traumatic."

Miku laughed at her older brother. "Oh. You're probably just exaggerating." She patted him on the back. "Anyways. We don't have time to waste. Let's split up. We'll get more done that way."

"Okay." Hiku replied. He started to get into his serious mode now that the clock was counting down on them. "Let's meet here a-"

"Well. If it isn't my favorite pair of twins," a voice interrupted behind them.

…

Ring ring! Ring ring!

"Coming!" Misaki yelled. She set the book she was reading down, and ran for the phone. You didn't have to say that... It's not like the person calling will hear you. She shook her head. Her habits were very hard to break.

Ri-

Misaki picked up the phone. "Hello! Akimi bookstore. This is Misa speaking. How may I help you?"

"Hello? Mama?"

"Miku! Why are you calling me? Don't tell me something happened! Where's Hiku? Is he hurt? Where are you? I'll come right now."

"No Mama, I'm completely fine. Better than ever actually." Hiku said through the phone.

"Actually, our package was kind of big. And we coincidentally met one of our friends. And they helped us bring it back to their shop." Miku explained.

"And we don't want to burden them any more than this. Especially on the night of the ball." Hiku added. "So we were wondering if you could come and help us bring it home before it's too late. It's almost 4 PM, and our friend still needs to get ready for the ball soon."

"Oh. Of course! I'll come over right now. Let me talk to your friend's parents."

…

Hiku stared blankly at his sister. And then to their friend. "Mama wants to talk to your parents." He handed her the phone.

Their friend chuckled and took the phone. "Hello! Is this Misa?"

There was a silence in the room, indicating that Misaki was saying something on the phone to their friend.

Hiku and Miku just stared at their friend, wondering what their mother was saying on the other line. They watched their friend nod, reply, and then put the phone down.

Their friend just looked back at them and gave them the thumbs up. "She's on her way."

…

Misaki put the phone down and quickly ran up the stairs, into her room, and then back down the stairs. Along the way, she grabbed a hair tie and three jackets. One of them was hers, and the other two were much smaller. Those kids ran outside this morning and forgot to take their jackets! Oh boy, they were so rushed that they didn't even think about the weather later. Just think if it rained, they would be somewhere… wet and cold.

Misaki stopped at the front of the door. She took off her plain white apron, hung it on a hook right next to the door, and then flipped the sign hanging on door from "open" to "closed." After that, Misaki tied her hair in a messy bun, as she ran outside her shop, making sure that she locked it properly, and turned off all of the lights.

Better not keep them waiting, Misaki! She thought to herself as she ran along the cobblestone road to where her kids and their friend were waiting for her.

…

After about four minutes of running, Misaki finally made it in front of the shop.

Wigged.

She opened the door of the store, and stepped in, only to see a woman and two children sitting at a table in front of her, and laughing with each other.

"Mama!" Both twins ran to Misaki's sides and hugged her.

"I'm glad you made it here safely," the woman waved to Misaki. She had crimson red hair, that seemed to be brighter than the sky when the sun sets. Her eyes were like two moons. Grey, but with light that seemed to bright up whenever you had eye contact with her.

"Ah… how… what…" Misaki was panting. She had run here full speed, which she hadn't done in a while. Jeez, you're out of shape. She looked back and forth between the twins and the woman in front of her.

"This is our friend, Elizabeth" Hiku pointed towards the woman.

"Indeed," the woman answered. "And this is also one of my…" the woman paused as if trying to find the right word. "One of my… close friends." She pointed to Misaki. "Small world, isn't it?"

Miku gasped. "Very small world. Why didn't you tell us about her Mama?"

"We-well… it never came up? I didn't know you guys knew her." Misaki responded, still stunned. "H-how… how did you guys meet?"

"Well-" Hiku started.

Dong! Dong! Dong!

Everyone's attention went towards where the sound came from.

"Oh goodness! It's already 4'o'clock!" Miku exclaimed.

The crimson haired woman when to shut off the sound from the clock, and looked back towards Misaki. "Well, I guess we'll skip introductions for now. After all, we don't have much time anymore."

"Oh, that's right. It's almost time for the ball. Better start getting ready." Misaki smiled. "Thank's for taking care of Hiku and Miku. Now, if you just show me where the package is, we'll be o-"

Elizabeth started pushing Misaki towards the back of the store. "Ohhh no you don't. We have something in store for you!"

"Yea! Mama's going to the ball!" Miku exclaimed.

"You're going to go meet your prince charming, Mama!" Hiku added.

"W-wha-" Misaki started.

"And you can't refuse Misa." Elizabeth sat Misaki down and started to put makeup on her.

"W-wa-wait," Misaki gently pushed Elizabeth away from her. "I-I can't go to the ball. A-and you know exactly why I can't." She gave Elizabeth a serious look.

Elizabeth just sighed, and put her hands up in defeat. "Well, you I guess I can't make you go. Too bad, your mom doesn't want to go," she looked at Hiku, and then Miku. "I guess nothing can make her go. Well then, I'm just going to go put the makeup away." Elizabeth gracefully picked up her bag of makeup, and then wandered back to the front of the shop.

"B-b-but you have to go Mama," Hiku protested.

"W-we worked so hard." Miku wept.

Hiku went to hug his sister. "It's okay Miku." He rubbed her back in circular motions, and then sighed. "I guess all of our hard work meant nothing to her."

"After all of the trouble we went through." Miku whispered back to her brother loud enough for Misaki to hear. "We even used our entire allowance on this."

Hiku sighed. "I guess we aren't important enough to make her change her mind. Even though we spent so much time together."

"W-well…" Misaki murmured, while going towards the twins to try and cheer them up. To say that she felt guilty would be an understatement.

Checkmate. Hiku and Miku smirked. Thankfully, Misaki didn't see them smirk in that moment, because they had their backs to her.

Both of them turned towards her right before she touched them, and used their most sincere puppy dog eyes.

"Y-you reeaallllyyyyy can't go?" They both asked, seeming as if they would burst into tears any second now.

"W-well…" Misaki paused, just staring into their amber eyes. "I-I guess I can make an exception…"

Instantly, the twins moods changed. It was as if the whole sad episode hadn't even happened.

Ahhh, they played me! Misaki thought to herself. Jeez, how are they able to manipulate me so easily? Misaki chuckled as she watched the twins brighten up in front of her. I wonder where they get it from.

"Yay!" The twins cheered.

"B-but… I have one condition."

Hiku and Miku smiled to each other. "Of course."

Elizabeth came back into the room, with her bag of makeup still in her hands. "I came back because I heard some cheering. I'm guessing you're ready to do your makeup now?" She giggled at Misaki, and then patted both Hiku and Miku, mouthing "good job" to them.

…

It was almost 6:00pm, and the sun was already dipping behind the horizon. However, the daylight still lingered in the air, as if accidentally left behind. You could hear people outside of the shop, all running around, preparing to leave for the ball.

"You should get ready," Misaki said to Elizabeth. "Thank you for helping me today, and my kids."

"Oh dear," Elizabeth laughed. "Silly girl, I'm not going."

"You're not going? What?"

"I'm going to look after the twins. It's fine. I wasn't thinking of going in the first place. After all, it's a pleasure to take care of your kids."

"Oh… yea… I'll explain when I come back from the ball. Thank you…" Misaki looked into Elizabeth's eyes. "Really… Thank you…" She pulled Elizabeth into a tight hug, and then opened the door of the shop. "Miku! Hiku! Come give mama a hug before I leave!"

"Leave?" Hiku questioned as he ran to give his mother a hug.

"You're not thinking of walking there… are you?" Miku looked up at Misaki.

"I know, I know. I'll try not to get the dress dirty."

"Oh heavens no you're not. It's okay, I have this taken care of." Elizabeth pulled Misaki back into the store.

Beep Beep!

"Talk about great timing." Elizabeth muttered as she looked out through the window. "Look at that, your ride's here!"

"My what?" Misaki asked aghast.

"My old friend Alfred's cousin's wife's brother's only sister's husband's cousin offered to drive me to the ball. Thank goodness he did, because then you'd have to walk there."

"You really didn't have to do this…" Misaki responded, on the verge of tears. She was never emotional. But when she thought about how much help she has gotten from her "friend", she just appreciates her so much. To the point of tears.

"Now now… don't ruin your makeup! We spend a long time on it… hustle on! You don't want to be late." Elizabeth somehow got Misaki into the limo, and closed the door on her. "Go Alfred! Before she changes her mind." She joked.

Misaki watched her two kids and Elizabeth waved to her as the limo drove away. Seriously… this is like a dream. But… am I really ready to see him?

Thanks again guys! As mentioned in the beginning, I'll edit the top and bottom parts ASAP!

Btw, the story won't be edited at all.

So you don't have to re-read the entire story once I edit it (which will take 3-4 days)

The only things I'm adding in are my commentary, replies to reviews, and maybe just random thoughts.