~Yuki-chan's Corner~

Ohayo minna! Akimashite gozaimasu! Hope everyone will have a wonderful 2014! :

This is my first upload for the year. BIG thank you to those who have commented and liked the second chapter *teddy bear hug* *kiss in the cheeks*

Now, I present to you the third chapter of TOABH. ENJOY! :

WARNING: Major OCC & ToraxMisa

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything except my own ideas ^_^

TORA

I gave up!

I dropped my pen on the table and slumped back on my swivel chair. Six hours sitting in the confinement of my office just reviewing, signing and stamping these documents makes my brain turn to jelly. My middle finger already hurts from the long hours of being pressed against the pen.

I closed my eyes, pressed the bridge of my nose and sighed. I was dumped with paperwork and meetings as well due to my several days of absence. Though I have expected them upon my arrival I was surprised that they seemed to be endless. Is it my fault that I was out of the country because of work?

From my peripheral vision I saw the small picture frame lying over my table. It was a picture of Misaki and me taken last winter during our trip in Hokkaido. I held it. Why do I have this photo frame on my table? How unlikely of me. Ah yes. Because I want to see her every day, every hour, every minute. Her smiling face. Seeing her even on this photo only is enough to relieve me off from my stress and inspire me to work. I'm acting like a love sick fool.

You should never get give up! You are the heir of the Igarashi Group so you must always do you best!

I smiled at the thought. I brushed my thumb over the picture. We were beaming in the picture like a happy couple. But I knew better. We are not a couple.

I miss her. I haven't gotten a chance to see her for days. We exchanged a few calls and texts here and there but never really got a chance to talk personally like we used to. The planning for the Tokyo branch of Igarashi Hotel had started and as the project head I have to go hands-on and ensure that the plans are ironed out. But heck, I was not expecting that it will consume too much of my time. I stay extended long hours in the office ever than before and goes home late at night when she's already asleep in her bed. I promised myself that after this I will take a week-long break or even longer. Perhaps in Sapporo. Or an out-of-the-country vacation perhaps? I will let her decide. What is important now that I finish this project as soon as I can so I can have my wanted break.

I sighed. I held my pen once again and went on my work but after trying again I really gave up. My thoughts of her are strongly running in my mind than my work. I can't think well. I pressed one in the intercom and the other line picked up. "Maki cancel all my appointments for the rest of the day. I'm going home early."

"Alright."

With that I hang up. I grabbed my case, my mobile phone and my car keys and went outside. Upon reaching my car I slid inside. When I finally settled inside I unloosened my tie and turned on my engine. In no time I am hitting the road.

MISAKI

It was another regular day at the café. There were the usual customers and there were a few new. The bell clanged. A signal that someone, a customer, had stepped in. "Welcome back Master." I bowed in greetings only to be surprised to see a young pale yellow-haired guy in his expensive suit entered in and was staring particularly at me. Tora!

The guy resumed his usual seat. The seat at the farthest corner where he can observe everyone in the room and yet take less notice of. But to me that's impossible. Who wouldn't notice him clad in expensive clothing? And the strong aura emitting from him is too hard to take unnoticed of.

I wonder what happened. Why he is around at this time? He should still be at work "What can I do for you today, Master?" I asked courteously.

"I like the woman serving this to me. Is she available?" smirking.

I blushed. "I'm sorry Master. But we only offer what is in the menu."

He pretended to go through the menu list although I know that he already memorized everything written in the menu list by heart being a regular customer of the shop. "One chocolate chip frappe."

"Will that be all Master?"

"Yes."

"For a moment."

TORA

While I wait for her return rather than the food I ordered, I looked around. The café was still pretty much the same the last time I was here. There were a few customers around and for certain that plenty more will come as the day ends by. Misaki is working as a maid slash proprietress of a small coffee shop in Tokyo called Maid Latte, previously called Chateau de Café. She has been working in the café before I knew her. Perhaps even while he's still with her. Or maybe after. I do not know. I didn't ask. I didn't bother to nor cared.

I tried to pursue her to stop working as a maid instead work for me in my company but being a hardheaded lady she is, she refused my offer. One of the first rejections I received from her. I've been working as maid even before you knew me. What made you think I'll be leaving my work now? And to work for you? I remembered her answering me. But it did not stop me.

"Chateau de Café has a new owner. It was already bought." I lifted a look from the book I'm reading to her. I picked her up from work this afternoon and invited her for dinner in our house. "Boss broke the news to us today.

Two weeks ago she told me that the owner of the café she is working with is migrating for the States with his family and is planning to sell the shop. "Isn't it just two weeks ago your boss is just selling the place? That fast?"

She nodded. "I think that the negotiation had been going on even before he told us." she answered. "But the good thing is that everyone is going to stay! No one needs to leave. The new owner wants to retain the whole crew for the new shop. Isn't that great? We get to keep our jobs." glad.

"Oh really? How nice of him." I commented drily. "Do you have any idea who is this new owner?"

She paused. Thinking. "None." shaking her head. "But the boss said that she is a girl. I hope she is nice."

I secretly smirked.

I guess the new owner we'll just be a little late." The bell clanged open.

"I'm sorry I am late."

"Tora! Maki!" Misaki immediately came to us. "We are already closed." pointing the closed sign hanging on the door.

"Ah there he is!" the manager came to me. Confusion on Misaki's face. "I'm glad you made it, President, Vice President. Everyone, this is President Igarashi Tora and Vice President Kanade Maki. Oh I am sure that you have heard of them and their company, the Igarashi Group. President Igarashi here will be the new owner of Chateau de Café."

I saw Misaki's jaw dropped. Surprise written all over her face. Like somebody dropped a bomb. All of them stood in their position wearing the same awed expression except for Satsuki who was surrounded with her moe flowers.

"And from now on Chateau de Café is under the Igarashi Group." Manager said proudly.

"Aren't you Misaki's . . ." I heard Subaru said.

"Let me correct Manager." I said in my usual tone which Misaki usually calls the Igarashi tone. "This shop will not be under Igarashi Group or in any manner be connected to it. It will be a separate business."

"Oh I see." the manager uttered, blushing with his mistake.

"I am Igarashi Tora and this is my vice president, Maki. I think I don't need to introduce myself to you further 'cause I am pretty sure that you know me." meaningfully glancing at Misaki.

"Excuse me. Tora can I talk to you privately? I'd like to have a word with you." dropping the honorifics.

Everyone looked at us. The manager was surprised to hear Misaki dropping honorifics and calling me by the name. I don't know if he has any idea that we know each other. I followed her. She took me in the employees' locker room. "What the heck are you thinking?"

"What?" I innocently asked.

"Why did you not tell me that you are the new owner of the café?" she snapped at me. As I expected of her. "Did you already know that the café is going to be sold even before I told you? Or you are the reason why it was sold? Did you threaten Manager to sell the café to you?"

"That is a strong accusation. I may sue you for that, don't you know?" playfully smirking.

"That is not! I know you fairly enough to know what you can do." she answered.

"Let me correct your speculation. The buyout took place after you told me that the place is being sold. I do not know anything about the plan until you told me. Just like I did not know your manager is easy to deal with. The negotiation did not last a day, He immediately accepted my offer." My eyes narrowed. "Well I'm not surprised he did after I offered him a fat amount as payment for his café."

"H-How much did you pay for it?"

I smugly smirked. "Two million yen. In check form."

Her mouth dropped. "Two million yen!" she squealed.

Mind-boggling payment of course for a small business like this. "That includes of course everything and a little bonus because they took care well of you. That is already a very considerable amount for them to start their new life."

"Considerable amount? That was large amount!" she shrieked. "Why did you buy this? Aren't your hands full with the businesses you have? This is too small for you to worry."

I brushed my hair with my hand. "Aren't you listening with what I said a while ago? This will not be part of the Igarashi Group. The company will have no connection with this. And besides I do not own this."

"What do you mean you do not own this? You bought this." befuddled.

"Kaichou." Maki's head poked outside the door.

"Ah! Maki always your timing never ceases to amaze me." getting the brown envelope he handed out. My vice president smiled. I know he's pleased. Then he disappeared.

"What's that?"

"This," sliding out some documents. "Is the contract of the shop. You are asking who is the owner of this shop is if I am not. Go read this." handing out to her.

"Why should I?"

"Just go read it." I ordered.

She did and moments later her eyes widened. "What is the meaning of this Tora?!"

Ayuzawa Misaki, primary owner.

I smirked. "You are now the new owner of this café. And you'll be allowed to do anything with it as you pleased. This is my gift to you for the first anniversary of our friendship."

"No! I cannot accept this!"

"You do not want me buying this? I can cancel this sale if you want. Only that the Manager already had already used part of the money I gave. And that means he has to pay me out the whole amount he already had used. And of course it is also uncertain that whoever will buy this café will still keep all its staffs or will keep the shop as it is." She scowled at me. Furious. Yes I am blackmailing her. "Think of it."

I saw her bit her lip. "You are one vile man. I did not know that you can also do that to a friend."

I smirked.

"Fine! But on several conditions."

"Bargaining I see. What are your conditions?"

"I want us to be partners. I want your name written in this contract too. After all you're the one who bought it."

"Okay."

"And I do not want to manage this. I am not that knowledgeable in running a business like this."

"Then who do you have in mind?"

"Satsuki. She knows this industry very well."

My trails of thought vanished when she came to my table with my frappe.

MISAKI

When I returned with his frappe I found him drowned in his reverie. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Here's your frappe, Master." He slightly jerked off from his seat upon hearing my voice. "You seemed to be well-absorbed in your thoughts, Master" I whispered. He gave me his usual half smirk. I gestured to leave when I heard the bell rang once more but he held my hand.

"What time does your shift ends?"

I looked at the clock hanging over the wall aware of the hand stopping me and the eyes of the customer and the staffs. Satsuki and the rest of the employees where poking their heads out in the kitchen, eavesdropping to whatever possible conversation they might hear. "My shift ends after three more hours." I lowered my tone. "What are you doing here at this time of day?"

"I'll wait for you." With that he sipped his frappe.

I did not speak anymore. His gesture meant that he doesn't wish to be asked anymore. Years being with him taught me simple implications means a lot. He doesn't want to be contested with his decision. The conceitedness of the guy.

To make him occupied while waiting for me Tora decided to help somehow in the kitchen. He was not that skilled cook. He only knows a few. Not like him. Perhaps it's because he has his servants all his life. But he certainly has a talented palate and eyes for class. So he ended up doing the plating for the meals.

"Thank you for helping in the kitchen, Igarashi kaichou." Satsuki said when we were about to go.

"I had fun."

"Come and visit us again, kaichou." Honoka said.

He answered with a nod. "So shall we go now?"

I nodded. "Goodbye everyone. See you tomorrow." With a last wave we left.

He led me to where his car was parked. A silver Audi was handsomely parked in front of the café making passerby give a second look. He opened the door and I got in before he detoured around his seat. When we were both settled he started the car and the car turned on smoothly. In a few seconds we were zooming our way on the road.

"What are you doing in the café that early? Aren't you supposed to be busy with work? Are you slacking off? You know you should not slack from work even though it is your own company." I nagged like a mother.

I saw his brow furrowed. "I am not slacking! I am getting fed up with work that's why I went on an early out." he answered, irritated. "Besides I want to see you. It's been days since I last saw you. Is that not good enough?"

I blushed. He and his blunt mouth. I will be lying if I say that I am not glad to see him. I do. It's been a while since we had seen each other. Since the project for the Tokyo branch of the Igarashi Hotel started he became occupied. I sat back on my seat and said nothing during the drive.

When we arrived in the mansion Tora surprised me with a dinner in the garden. "Well this is surprising." I commented. The guy's thoughtfulness and sweetness surprises me always. Who would have thought that in his arrogant, stubborn and harsh behavior he can also be sweet and thoughtful? If only his ladies know about this they will definitely scramble to their feet and for me. Well, they will surely kill me if they learn.

"What are you staring at?"

"I'm just wondering who I ought to this wonderful surprise?"

"You ought it to no one or to nothing." he answered. "The sky is clear and besides I want a new ambiance. I've been eating for days in either the hotel or in my own office."

"Really?" skeptic.

"Why don't you just finish your meal instead of blabbering nonsense?" Irritation in his voice. Oh the temper of this guy.

I looked at him skeptically. An amused grin on my face.

After we had dinner we stayed in the garden to view the night sky. It was a clear sky and I can see a lot of stars twinkling above us like gems scattered. "Beautiful. I can see the Polaris Major." I mumbled. "Oh and the Orion too!"

TORA

It was fun to look at her delighted face as she looks out at the sky. She looks like a child amazed with the constellations she can make. "Misaki." I called. She turned. "I miss you." touching her cheek. She feels warm under my hand despite the beating cold wind. "And I'm sorry I am too occupied these past few weeks. I hope I am forgiven."

"Just as I thought! This dinner is not because you just wanted to eat outside because the sky is clear and all. That is just your lousy excuse. You just want to make up for something. I am right after all."

Ugh! She really can read me well.

"You do not have to make up for anything. You did not do anything wrong. I understand why."

I smiled. The cold night wind blew. I noticed her shiver. "It's time to get inside. You're shivering."

"But I still like to stay." she whined.

"We can still do this on another time. For the meantime let's get inside. I don't want you to catch cold." I put an arm around her.

She rolled off her eyes to me like a child but followed.

"We still have a lot of time." I assured her.

I walked her to her room like the usual. "Sleep tight. Good night."

"Good night."

I scooted around.

"Err, T-Tora."

"Huh?"

"Thank you for this wonderful night. And err I . . . I miss you too." blushing,

I froze for a moment. Surprised at the admission then I smiled. "I know. How can you not miss someone like me?" My canine fangs unconsciously showing. "Now go to sleep." I ordered then turned to my room.

*** To be Continued ***

That's it for Chapter Three folks! How's it? I would like to hear what do you think. Review please! It always makes me happy and energized.

How did your holidays went? Mine it was fine. I stayed at home watched the tv, surfed the net, reads mangas and books (not school books) and a little bit of writing. I did not able to do what I listed to do during the holidays. Not even opened my books to review for my upcoming big exam! Or updated the TOABH before Jan. 1 just like I said in the last chapter. I was stuck with the chapter I am writing. Yes! I am losing the grip to this. I am having a slight hiatus. But I am trying to shoo it away. Shoo shoo shoo! I am sure your reviews will help me... So please review!

BTW, KMWS released a special one-shot of the tiger, Tora! Yey! And now it is translated in english! Finally! Saw it first in raw (thanks to Lolidragon). Now I do not need to just look at the pictures but also read what it says! Yipppeeeee! Now I am going to wait for the last volume, Volume 15, to be out by February (I think and hope). I think it will wrap everything up. And hopefully it shows Usui and Misaki's marriage life. Even kids! That will be good, isn't it? Do you agree with me? I also read that they will have a season 2 of the anime? Is it true? Or is yet again another rumor? Will someone confirm this to me?

That's it for now folks! Till next time! Ja!

Lots of love,

Yuki-chan