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~Chapter 10 - Run Away~
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It seems like the Ashford's has officially chosen someone to be their princess' betrothed. After Misaki-sama's 18th birthday, which was almost a month from now, we have been seeing her in public always together with Ryuu-sama. Ryuu-sama is the famous politician's and the known artist's son. There hasn't been a formal announcement yet, but we can clearly see that something is developing between the two. We're all wondering when—
Usui slightly jumped from his couch when the TV was suddenly turned off. He looked up from his seat, annoyance was clear on his face.
Gerard sighed, his little brother had been easily surprised and easily ticked off these days. Ever since the Ashford princess rejected him. To make things worse, news were spreading that Ryuu and the princess were already engaged.
Then is it true that Misaki-san is in love with Ryuu? Ryuu, I have no doubt is really in love with her... but she...?
"What's on your mind?" Gerard decided to ask his little brother.
Usui looked at his half-brother with a blank expression. "Nothing." He stated.
"You've been saying that for the past few days." Gerard chuckled, not wanting to be affected by Usui's obviously bad mood. "You've been holed up in your place for quite a while, why not try going back to your school?"
"Going to school is a hassle. I'll just be surrounded by students, wanting to suck up to me since they already know who I really am."
"It's not like you never appealed to them." Gerard said, shrugging, though he was a bit surprised by Usui's choice of words. "They always get drawn to you."
"What does father have to say?" Usui asked in return, not really inclined to the direction of Gerard's conversation.
Gerard chuckled at his brother's obvious evasion, but he let it go. He knows that Usui's been having a hard time accepting what had just happened between him and Misaki. "Father didn't say much. He won't be reporting it to Grandfather. It seems like Father's the one in charge now."
"Of course, why would he be upset by the fact that I tired to take Ayuzawa away."
"Taku—"
"And that person who you believed in so much, you still trust him?" Usui said, referring to Ryuu.
Gerard shrugged, "I know him better than anyone else—anyone who is alive—that is," He added bitterly, "So yes, I trust him. You don't know what runs inside his head, don't judge him yet. One day, you're going to be indebted to him."
Usui wanted to protest about his brother's statement, but upon remembering his bitter tone, he held back his thoughts.
"Father's not angry about the news going around. I have a bad feeling that he's planning something."
Usui looked up to see his brother's worried expression. That was rare. Now Usui knew that Gerard was being serious, as in gravely serious. "What do you mean?" Usui asked, getting him to elaborate further.
"Don't you think it's quite odd? Father didn't go berserk. I'm sure that he already heard about the news. It's worrisome having him so calm... it's just like..." Gerard clenched his hands tightly. Just like how it was in the past... A week before Sara's death, Father was eerily calm... just like now...
"Someone's in danger." Gerard said.
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"Thank you for being here," Misaki smiled as soon as the press conference ended.
She kept her smile as the reporters shook her hand and left the room. She had waited for all of them to get out of the room, with Ryuu sitting quietly beside her. As soon as the last person closed the door behind him, Misaki looked at Ryuu.
"I'm sorry." She apologized.
Ryuu sucked in a deep breath and looked at Misaki with gentleness, "Why are you apologizing, this is my idea in the first place isn't it?"
"Your idea...but it's for my sake..."
"Misaki—"
"Getting you to do this, lying to everyone—"
"Misaki," Ryuu said in a tired voice, he pulled her down, getting her to seat on her seat beside him, "We've been through this already, haven't we? I'm fine with pretending. It was my idea that's why I'm fine with it. I won't suggest an idea which I'm not comfortable with."
"Thank you," Misaki said in a small voice, leaning her head onto his chest.
Ryuu reached out and stroke Misaki's hair gently, "Most importantly, I'm surprised that you wanted to go along with my idea. Isn't this much more painful? I'm sure that the younger Walker has been watching us."
"It's better...for his sake..." Misaki murmured. "How about you? I'm sure there's a certain girl out there which you've been trying to impress. This news—"
"This news... I hope she'll be able to wake up and realize my feelings for her."
Misaki pulled away from Ryuu, "So there is a girl," She said guiltily.
Ryuu laughed, "Don't worry, she's rather clueless at the moment. Even if I tell her straight that I'm in love with her, she'd just brush it off as a joke."
Misaki frowned.
"Either way, I just want you to be happy. You're my number one priority at the moment—your happiness, that is."
"I can never fully understand why you'd go through such lengths to help me."
"I'm known to be mysterious." He smiled at her.
"Everybody's convinced that we're really in love with each other." Misaki said, looking at him straight in the eye.
Ryuu chuckled easily, then his gaze turned soft as he looked at her, "If only it was real."
Misaki unconsciously blushed. "Wh-what are you saying."
He chuckled, "Oh? This is a response I've never seen. You'd usually brush off my jokes," He chuckled again. "Don't tell me you're actually falling in love with me. For real."
"No! That's not it!" Misaki quickly defended, her cheeks burning a deeper shade. "It's just that... I don't know how to explain it... I just feel comfortable with you?" Her statement came out as a question. "Maybe that is what made this...act...so believable."
"I understand," Ryuu nodded, he stood up from his seat, "Though I was hoping for something more..." He murmured.
"Hmn?" Misaki asked as Ryuu looked at her. He just smiled and reached his hand out for her to take. Misaki took it easily without hesitation as he pulled her up, and they walked out of the room together, hand in hand.
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"Are you just going to watch?"
Shintani jumped when someone suddenly spoke behind him. He didn't think that someone would spot him since he wasn't suspicious at all, just seating at the hotel's lounge where the conference was held, with the newspaper covering his face. He looked up and saw the blank face of his bodyguard.
"What do you mean?" Shintani blushed.
"Ryuu-sama and Misaki-sama. You've liked Misaki-sama for quite a while now right? Why aren't you doing something? Like a man should be doing when he's in love?"
Shintani shook his head as he placed the newspaper down as soon as he was sure that the two were out of the building. He looked at his bodyguard with a serious expression, "Because Misaki-chan chooses him and it's time for Ryuu to finally be happy."
"Oh? You had such thoughts?"
Shintani pouted childishly, "I'm not selfish." He sighed, "Ever since we were young—the reason why Misaki-chan couldn't immediately remember Ryuu—was because he stayed back most of the time. Ryuu was aware that I had a crush on Misaki-chan, so he just stayed away, watching the both of us from afar."
"You noticed that?"
"I did, I just didn't want to say anything." Shintani said in a small voice, "Even though Ryuu wasn't as cool as he is now, he had a certain charm. I knew that if he stayed close, Misaki-chan would certainly get drawn to him. Maybe Ryuu knew of my insecurities..."
His bodyguard nodded silently.
"Misaki-chan was already strong when we were still small, she'd always protect me. And in turn, Ryuu would always protect her when things got worse. Since he was older, he was stronger... I was hoping that this time around I'd be the one to protect Misaki-chan... but it seems that Ryuu is the one suitable to protect her."
"I have watched Ryuu-sama too. He treasures the both of you, but he treasure you the most."
"I know," Shintani said, "That's why this time I'm staying back. It's been a while since Ryuu was serious about something. If I get in the way, Ryuu would only concede..."
"Do you really think so?" His bodyguard said in a soft voice.
Shintani looked up curiously at his bodyguard, "What do you mean?"
"Do you really think Ryuu-sama is that selfless?" He slowly took a seat beside his charge, "Do you think he'd really concede if you press the fact that you're in love with Misaki-sama? Like you said, it's been a while since he was serious about something, do you think he'd just let go?"
Shintani frowned while his bodyguard shook his head at his charge's naive thoughts.
"Ryuu-sama is in love with her. Do you think he'd just forget about his feelings just for you to be happy?"
"He'd put her happiness first...though." Shintani said. "If ever she was happier with me..."
"Maybe." His bodyguard agreed. "Maybe if she chooses you, maybe Ryuu-sama would concede. But as you can see, she's happier with him."
Having his bodyguard say it out loud like that, Shintani felt a stab on his chest. It was painful...but this is reality. Shintani finally nodded, "It sounds more like Ryuu. Whatever Misaki-chan chooses...Ryuu will more or less do everything for things to go her way...just to make her happy..."
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Grandfather chuckled as he leaned onto his swivel chair behind his desk. His wife, who had just entered his study, looked at him curiously. "Is there anything particularly funny with what you're watching, dear?" she asked.
She walked up to him and saw that he was still chuckling as he watched the small screen at the corner of his desk. She instantly recognized what her husband was watching.
"Misaki-san's press conference with Ryuu-san." She said to herself.
"She's doing well, isn't she? They're all over the headlines too," He chuckled.
"It's to be expected," Grandmother said, "After all, it's Ryuu-san who will take over the Ashford industry when Mikeru steps down. Which reminds me..." She trailed off, looking at her husband expectantly.
"Hmn?" He said curiously, wondering what his wife was thinking.
"When are you going to let him take over? You're already too old for this kind of work." She looked at her husband tenderly.
Grandfather chuckled, "When I'm already satisfied."
"Satisfied? As far as I can see, Mikeru seems to be doing a good job already."
Grandfather shook his head, "There's still a lot more to do. Mostly with Misaki."
"Misaki-san?"
He nodded, "That child still hasn't grasp the concept of the world we live in, she's still naive. Letting such useless emotion take over what is more important, she—"
"Don't you think you've done enough?" Grandmother suddenly cut him off.
He looked at his wife with surprise, "Enough? Enough!" He said half-angry.
"The children!" Grandmother said, "Haven't the children suffered enough? Our son! Mikeru used to be a child who smiled often, but now, he has become so distant from—"
"That was something necessary. If he puts his family first more than anything, that can become his weakness. He needs to put the business as his topmost priority!"
"And now you're doing it to Misaki-san..." She said quietly.
"You're not fond of the child, so it won't be a problem if she distances herself from us." He said coldly.
Grandmother was about to protest when suddenly they heard someone knocking at the door of Grandfather's study. He and his wife looked up at the same time he said come in.
The door slowly opened, and a familiar streak of maroon hair was seen as the face emerged. "Ah, I'm sorry, was I disturbing an important conversation?" Ryuu asked as he opened the door wide enough for him to enter.
"No," Grandfather immediately answered, "Misaki is still having her private lessons in the library, I'm sure you were aware of that."
"Yes sir," Ryuu said politely, "Well, I came here to talk to you."
"Mn?" Grandfather's interest was suddenly peaked. "Is this about Misaki?"
Ryuu nodded.
"I'll leave you two be." Grandmother said quietly.
"Thank you." Grandfather said as he watch his wife leave the room. As soon as she left, Grandfather looked at Ryuu, expecting him to talk.
"Well," Ryuu said carefully as he walked towards the chair across Grandfather's desk, "It's more of a request, which I came with."
"A request?" Grandfather looked at him skeptically, he chuckled, "You already have a request? You two aren't even officially engaged yet and you already have a request?"
The way he spoke made Ryuu doubt that he was chuckling because he felt amused or anything. It felt more threatening. Still, he stood with confidence, "Yes. Actually, Misaki's real date of birth is already tomorrow, she told me that you promised her that she's allowed to see her mother and sister. I would like to ask your permission if it would be alright for me to take them on a trip."
"A trip, why do you have to ask my permission for that?" Grandfather asked, leaning forward with interest.
"Informally speaking," Ryuu said ruefully, "I'm sure you'd like to keep tabs on Misaki, and I'm sure you'd disapprove if she suddenly disappears under your radar." He smiled.
Grandfather was slightly taken aback by Ryuu's words. It was a first, for a child like him to talk to him like that. Grandfather chuckled again, clearly amused. "You seem to be quite knowledgeable. Has that child talk to you about this?"
"Apparently not." Ryuu said, "I know her well, you see, and whenever she talks about you, I can clearly see that she fears you. So, I assure you that whatever important, secretive, matters you two had talked about—remains between the two of you."
"I am impressed." Grandfather said, leaning back to his chair, "You seem more capable that I thought you to be. I initially assumed that you were the average type of teenager the world seem to have in your generation. Looks like I stand corrected. You are quite resourceful."
"You're giving me too much credit sir," Ryuu said, back to speaking politely.
"This seems to interest me. You've heed your parents' warning of not making contact with Misaki fairly well...but I have eyes that told me that you were always watching her." Grandfather said.
"My feelings for her...I'm not ashamed of it." Ryuu said confidently.
Grandfather raised an eyebrow at him, "Then, since I'm sure you have your own sources, you might as well have been aware of Misaki's...feelings, for another gentleman." He said distastefully.
Ryuu stiffened as his eyes hardened. Grandfather chuckled at Ryuu's reactions. He nodded somehow enthusiastically, "Good, good. Might that be the cause as to why you are suddenly making a move? I'm sure that escapade with the paparazzi and journalists before Misaki's 18th birthday, was your doing,"
Ryuu looked at Misaki's grandfather with a mischievous grin, this only made Grandfather laugh. "Well played child." He said, a hint of praise in his voice, "I approve. Take her wherever you want, you know my restrictions."
"Thank you sir." Ryuu said, bowing slightly as he left the room.
Grandfather stared at the closed door for a few moments and chuckled to himself once again. "So that boy is aware of the Walker's..." He shook his head, "I won't be having any more problems then." He chuckled again, "Such an interesting child."
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Ryuu sighed as he closed the door behind him. He seemed to have done well. He was worried whether Misaki's grandfather would suspect anything about his request. Even though he's an old man, he was still known for being sharp—especially when it came to people's lies.
"Ryuu-san?"
Ryuu jumped when a voice suddenly spoke just beside him. Then he saw Misaki's grandmother standing just a few feet away from him, she had a strict look on her face.
"I'm sorry to disturb you before," Ryuu said apologetically.
"Come here, child." She said, "I need to have a word with you." Then she turned around and started walking.
Ryuu watched the retreating back of the older woman, but followed nonetheless, because she seemed to mean business when she spoke to him. Ryuu entered into a room where Misaki's grandmother had entered.
When he entered, she was standing near the window, looking at him.
"I'll be frank with you." She said strictly.
Internally, Ryuu was nervous, because he knew how strong Misaki's grandmother's personality was. He didn't dare say anything, afraid that he might unnecessarily dig his own grave.
"It about Misaki-san." She said, "You're taking her far away, aren't you?" She slowly took a step towards him.
Ryuu froze. He didn't expect this. Was he wrong? Was Misaki's grandmother the danger here? He nodded stiffly, knowing that the truth was better than the lie.
A few moments passed after Ryuu had nod. He was wondering if she was going to say anything, but she was watching him with studious eyes. Then all of a sudden, her eyes softened.
"Take her as far away as possible, Ryuu-san." She said gently.
Ryuu flinched. It wasn't because he was hurt or anything, but he was just too shocked hearing these words from her. Grandmother continued as if she didn't see Ryuu's reaction.
"Take her somewhere where my husband's grasp can never reach her. Take her to the States, Mikeru's power is stronger than his father's if you go there. Protect her." Her eyes turned pleading. "I'll have everything ready for the both of you by early morning tomorrow."
Ryuu was speechless.
"You're the only one who I can trust to keep her safe. She has so much potentials, it shouldn't be wasted here—where she's merely being used as a puppet."
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Misaki groaned as she curled herself onto her bed without opening her eyes. Something was wrong. She kept feeling her bed vibrate underneath her, and she could hear its soft purr, and her pillow...it was different.
Something didn't match.
Purr?
Did she just think that her bed was purring?
Misaki opened her eyes in surprise but she wasn't sure if her eyes were even open, because she couldn't see anything in front of her. Her bedroom hadn't been this dark before.
"Hey," A voice spoke gently, and suddenly lights flooded in.
It was when she realized that she was inside a small space. The first thing she saw was a soft black wall, she came to figure out that it was the back of a car's seat. Misaki turned and looked up, she found golden eyes staring back at her.
"Sorry, did I wake you up?" He murmured.
Misaki instantly sat up, which caused her head to momentarily whirl. "Where am I?" She demanded.
"We're in the car," Ryuu answered.
"Where are we going?" Misaki asked frustratedly, immediately catching up that Ryuu wasn't about to give up too much information.
"Someplace nice. You don't have to worry too much," He said calmly, then he looked at her, "It's going to be fine now."
"Fine? What are you talking about?"
He sighed, "I guess in the end, it will always be your choice."
"What. Are. You. Talking. About." She could feel herself getting furious already. She wasn't always this hot-headed, especially since she entered the Ashford household, but for some reason, she can't help being short-fused at the moment.
"Two choices Misaki." Ryuu said, still watching her. "I'm taking you somewhere far away, a place where we can be together, a place where chains can never reach you, or—"
"What's with this all of a sudden?"
"Misaki," He said, sitting closer to her, his voice was suddenly full of emotions, which had effectively frozen Misaki. "I'm telling you that you're going to run away, and I'm offering you two choices." He took a deep breath, "If I tell you to forget about Usui Takumi—for me, will you be able to?"
Misaki's brows furrowed at his question, feeling that he was ridiculous to even ask that question. Then she saw the depth in his eyes, and knew that he needed a vocal answer. "No." She answered shortly.
"Don't you have any feelings for me? Even in the slightest? Or are you just afraid to look deeper into your heart? If Usui Takumi never existed, can you see us being together in the future?"
She was confused. What's with these questions of his? It seemed like a joke, but she couldn't take it a such because of the sincerity and seriousness in his clear golden eyes. She couldn't help but answer these questions with the same equal amount of sincerity.
"You're my childhood friend, more than that, you're someone who has help me go through a lot of things ever since I came back to the Ashford household. If you're asking about what I feel for you, I like you a lot...and I don't know why you're saying things like that. Seeing us being together in the future... if...if... if Usui never existed...then maybe..."
She was still confused, but this was the honest answer she could give at the moment.
Ryuu closed his eyes for a few moments before smiling gently at her, bringing her face between his hands. "Misaki," He breathed her name, "I'm in love with you."
Misaki's eyes widen.
"I always have been. Whether I knew you as Misaki Ayuzawa or Misaki Ashford, I'm in love with you. And this is why I'm asking you right now," He kept his eyes on hers, "Will you agree to be officially engaged with me?"
Misaki gasped speechlessly.
"Can't we live in a world that is only for the two of us? Can't you just pretend that Usui Takumi never existed in your life? Because I can."
Misaki bit her lower lip. Several things rushing into her head, all at the same time. Ryuu's eyes...she saw something which she never noticed before—pain. He had always been in love with her, and yet she was always going on about how she was in love with someone else... and he had selflessly helped her through everything.
Tears involuntarily fell from her eyes.
"Damn," Ryuu said, immediately moving his thumbs to catch her falling tears, "This wasn't supposed to happen." He murmured.
"I'm sorry," Misaki choked. "I'm so—"
Ryuu brought a thumb over her lips. Misaki looked at him as her tears blurred her vision. He felt his heart being constricted at the sight of her, like someone had punched him and air had left his lungs.
"Damn, don't cry," Ryuu said, half panicked, "You're strong, remember? You shouldn't cry. Hell, if I knew you were going to cry, I shouldn't have said anything at all." If it was weakness someone was searching from him, it would be Misaki's tears.
Misaki shook her head, "It's better that you told me..."
"But not enough to make you change your decision." Ryuu said softly.
"I'm sorry," She choked again, "I...I never knew..."
"You're not supposed to know them," Ryuu murmured, "I just hid it well."
"Ryuu—"
"Shhh," He murmured.
Misaki shook her head again, "I have to say this, no matter how cruel this may sound."
Finally, pain dominated the feelings being shown in Ryuu's eyes as she said those words. Misaki could see it very clearly, but...she had to.
"Maybe, if things never went wrong...if I remained an Ashford, maybe there would've been a future in us being together..." She said, trying to make her voice strong, "But Usui is already a part of my life. He's already a permanent person in my life. If I take him out, it would be like missing a piece of my limb. Right now, I don't want him close to me because it's not safe, but someday, I'm sure that we'll be able to find ways to be together, I know—"
She was cut off when Ryuu abruptly hugged her tightly.
"Enough," Ryuu murmured, "Alright, I lost. It's my fault for hoping in the first place."
"Ryuu, I'm—"
"Stop." Ryuu gently stroke Misaki's hair, "It's enough," He said gently, "Let me stay in my place of woe by myself. I deserved this. I just wanted to let you know. I didn't want to regret this moment."
Misaki was stiff, unmoving. "What choices were you saying?" Misaki finally asked, wanting to change the direction of the conversation.
"You'll know soon," Ryuu pulled away.
"Where are you taking me?" She asked again, "What about Grandfather?" Then her eyes widen, "Mother and Suzuna! Father!"
"They're fine." Ryuu said reassuringly, "Mikeru-san has a plan—"
"Another plan!"
Ryuu looked at Misaki patiently, "Trust him, Misaki. This time, what he's about to do can change everything. He's been hiding in the shadows for a long time now."
"I—" Suddenly the car stopped.
"We're here." Ryuu said reluctantly.
"Where exactly," Misaki asked when Ryuu opened the door, all she could see was a flat cemented open space in the middle of tall crops—in the middle of nowhere, it seems.
Suddenly it was noisy and there was a loud whirring sound as the wind picked up.
A helicopter landed.
Misaki's eyes widen as she turned to Ryuu, "Running away," She said through the noise.
Ryuu faced her, "Yes, you have to get away from here, and I'm offering you two choices regarding your running away. One—"
"Grandfather will surely here of this!" Misaki said in a panic.
Ryuu shook his head, "As far as your grandfather is concerned, I'm just taking you out for a trip somewhere nice." Then he looked at her tenderly, "It's your real date of birth today, after all."
Misaki's heart leaped again for no reason at all. She didn't let herself get distracted, though. "Where are you taking me?"
"Me?"
"Of course, who else?" She demanded. She's not up to Ryuu's riddles at the moment.
Ryuu chuckled. This was a nice answer indeed, but he wasn't about to cheat her out of her decision. He had to really let her go, no matter how much he wanted her to pick him and let him stay by her side.
"The two choices Misaki," Ryuu repeated his earlier statement, "I'm going to let you choose whether you want me to go with you or let him be the one to accompany you."
As soon as he said the words, a car slowly rolled to a stop beside theirs. Misaki stood still, clearly dumbfounded.
When the car stopped, a familiar black hair emerged. He turned around and grinned upon seeing the two teenagers standing across him. "Ryuu." He acknowledged.
"Gerard," Ryuu nodded.
Suddenly the door on the other side of the car opened, and the person emerged. Misaki held her breath as her eyes met with familiar emerald ones. She unconsciously gasped.
"Ayuzawa." Usui said shortly, then he looked at Gerard as if asking for an explanation.
"He's your second choice." Ryuu said, as he stepped back several steps away from her.
Then suddenly screeching sounds could be heard.
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All four of them turned to the sound.
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Gerard's eyes widen as he turned to Ryuu. His body automatically moved on its own accord before his brain could even register it.
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"Gerard!" Usui shouted, trying to grab his brother's arm.
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"Ryuu!" Gerard had called out.
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"Misaki!" Ryuu's eyes widen as he ran towards her.
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Then suddenly, glass was heard shattering.
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Protesting breaks of the speeding car.
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The loud thud of a falling body.
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Misaki screamed.
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a/N: Review please. The next chapter is the last :)