I'm really going to miss this story. The next chapter is the epilogue. I feel really attached to this story but I know the only way for a new story to start is for one to end. I know I say this a lot but thank you all my readers. Some of my worst days are brightened by your reviews. Your continued support makes a girl feel invincible.
Cheers xoxo
Chapter 34: Endless Love
Usui actually let Misaki wear men's clothing. Every morning he would pretend that Misaki wearing his clothes was perfectly normal.
Misaki giggled to herself as she fastened the cape onto her shoulders. She enjoyed wearing such clothing. She moved freely and comfortably. She was rather surprised that Usui didn't say a word about it. He simply got dressed and acted as though there was nothing odd about Misaki wearing his clothes.
Usui must have said something to the servants because not even Honoka spoke one word about it. Misaki boldly walked through the halls in her pants and boots.
This went on for several days. Misaki had a lot of fun trying on all of Usui's clothes. Most were too big for her but she didn't mind the slightest. Misaki tightened the wide metal belt around her small waist and examined herself in the mirror.
"Bored yet?" Usui asked, getting up from his desk.
"Hardly" Misaki said, shining the belt buckle with her sleeve. "Can I cut my hair?" she asked.
"Why?" Usui asked, twirling a lock of her hair. "Your beautiful hair..."
"I want to wear mine like yours too," Misaki said smoothing her hair back and wondering how it would look short.
"It would be a shame" Usui said. He loved Misaki's hair. The long raven locks that cascaded down her back. "Why don't you get ready for bed?" Usui suggested.
"Can I have a nightshirt?"
"If you must" Usui said taking out one of his nightshirts and tossing it to Misaki. Misaki smiled happily and changed into it.
"We match!" Misaki said, looking at her reflection.
"...Indeed..." Usui said chuckling to himself. He wanted Misaki to express herself which usually meant he condoned anything she wanted to do.
Misaki brushed out her hair and tied it back. "Look!" Misaki said, showing off her new night attire.
"I see..." Usui said, his eyes drifting over her body. The night shirt was too big for her and plunged very low in the front. Usui tried his best not to stare but it was hard not to.
"Don't you miss your pretty clothes?" Usui asked.
Misaki shook her head. "Your clothes are so much better. I love all of them"
"Yes yes" Usui said pulling back the blanket. "Now get in bed before you catch a cold"
Misaki rolled into bed and yawned. "Thank you, Takumi," Misaki said sleepily.
"What for?" Usui asked, tucking the blanket around her.
"For letting me have so much freedom" Misaki mumbled.
"I love seeing you happy" Usui whispered as he planted a soft kiss on her forehead.
Usui woke up early the next morning but didn't feel like getting up. Misaki lay beside him, breathing softly and still asleep. Usui traced Misaki's lip with his thumb. Misaki stirred slightly and rolled onto her side. Her shirt was riding up in the tangle of the blankets.
"Silly girl..." Usui thought. "Always so innocent. What I would do to keep you just like that..."
He gently straightened out her shirt and covered her with the blanket. Usui closed his eyes hoping to sleep for a bit longer. Misaki pushed the blanket off again. Usui opened one eye and pulled it back up.
"So hot..." Misaki mumbled.
"Too hot?" Usui asked. It was probably due to the fact she was wearing pants and a long nightshirt which was much warmer than her usual nightgown.
Misaki rolled with onto her stomach causing the shirt to be pushed up, exposing her entire back.
Usui sighed and decided just to leave it. The shirt was going to end up riding up again anyways. Misaki moved a lot in her sleep. Misaki rubbed her eyes sleepily. Usui gently brushed the hair out of her face.
"Good morning" he said.
Misaki yawned and nodded. Her eyelids slowly closing again. Usui stroked her long hair that spilled across the pillow.
"When did you wake up?" Misaki asked.
"A while ago" Usui told her.
"You should have woken me up"
"It's fine. I like watching you sleep"
Misaki opened her eyes. "That is a strange thing to say..." she muttered.
"No stranger than you wearing men's clothing everyday" Usui said lightly.
"You said it was alright..." Miskai accused.
Usui smiled and nestled his cheek against the back of Misaki's neck. "I don't mind" Usui said. "Tunics look very flattering on you" he teased as he pushed his hand up her stomach.
"Stop it" Misaki grumbled.
"Benefits of wearing a shirt"
"I don't wear tunics for you to...indulge yourself!" Misaki said, blushing.
Usui just chuckled as he got up. "How innocently you put it" he said. "So Mikio...what will you be dressed in today?" he asked.
Misaki smiled at the mention of her male name, the one she used when she first met Usui. "Can I try on your armor?" she asked.
Usui raised an eyebrow. "That I will have to refuse you, my lady. Its too heavy for you..."
Misaki frowned.
"But I offer you all my other clothing" Usui said taking her hand.
Misaki sighed and gave Usui a peck on the cheek. Usui tried to kiss her again but Misaki casually twirled out of the way.
"I like this jacket" Misaki said pulling on a sturdy tan vest with brass buttons and then adding a velvet green cape that only went over one shoulder. She had actually seen Usui wear it many times.
"I want to go see Harumi and Hiro" Misaki said, rushing Usui.
"I believe they will wake in a few hours" he said, holding the door open for her.
"Well lets go have breakfast first" Misaki suggested.
"Of course, darling"
"She's smiling!" Misaki exclaimed. She was cradling Harumi in her arms while Usui had Hiro in his.
"Just wait til she has teeth" Usui said. "She is going to have a heart capturing smile"
"She's already captured my heart..." Misaki sighed.
They were sitting by the windows in the main hall. It was a sunny day without much to do. Misaki was content with sitting with her children from the morning to when the sun was the highest in the sky.
Misaki tenderly adjusted the baby cap on Harumi's head. Tufts of blonde hair poked out of the tiny hat.
"Harumi" Misaki said softly. She kissed her daughter on the nose. "Mother is going to ensure you a bright future" she promised.
Usui chuckled. "Our home is going to be lively when these two grow up" Usui observed.
"I can't wait until they begin speaking and walking" Misaki said.
"It's sweet to see a different side of Misaki," Usui said.
Misaki blushed. "What are you talking about? I don't have different sides..."
"You never speak to me in such a soft and kind voice..." Usui teased.
Misaki glared at him. "Because you are not innocent and lovable like the children" she retorted.
"I am very lovable"
"Only I can stand you..."
Usui laughed. "Tis true" he said. "My heart only belongs to Misaki."
Hiro made a quiet gurgling sound.
"You agree, don't you?" Usui asked, smoothing down Hiro's blanket. "Father loves Mother, you and your sister the most"
Hiro just looked at Usui with his large gold eyes.
"Good boy" Usui said holding out his hand to Hiro. Hiro curiously wiggled his hand out of the blanket and grabbed Usui's finger.
"Hand" Usui said. "Hand...can you say 'hand'?"
Hiro became fascinated with Usui's ring. He tried to put it in his mouth.
"Let's not do that..." Usui said sliding his ring off. "That's not very clean"
Hiro stared wide eyed as Usui made the ring disappear. Hiro stretched his hand out and grabbed Usui's finger.
"All gone" Misaki laughed. She picked up a small rattle and slowly shook it in front of Harumi. Her gaze followed the wooden rattle as Misaki moved it around.
Harumi made a tiny sound and Misaki handed her the rattle. Harumi clumsily tried to shake it but it ended up clattering into the ground.
"Uh oh" Misaki said, bending down to pick up the toy. Harumi quickly lost interest after dropping it several more times.
Hiro squirmed around a bit in Usui's arms. "They're tired" Usui said getting up. "They must need a nap."
Misaki kissed her fussing babies. "Alright, time to sleep, babies" she said, getting up from her chair. Usui and Misaki carried them into their room. Each of a cradle was decorated with playful carvings on the side of the wood.
Misaki tucked Harumi into her crib while Usui did the same with Hiro. Misaki gently rocked her back and forth and listened as Usui hummed. Their gold eyes quickly began drooping and eventually closed. Misaki carefully stood up as quietly as she could. Usui took her hand and led her out of the nursery. Subaru returned and greeted them.
"Thank you for your work" Misaki whispered.
"My pleasure to serve you" Subaru said smiling. She quickly stepped into the nursery.
Misaki and Usui strolled down the hall hand in hand.
"Shall we go riding?" Usui suggested.
"Oh yes!" Misaki laughed. "I would love that"
"But you must wear a dress" Usui bargained. "Deal?"
"You're a sly one, Takumi" Misaki said.
"Tis something I would say about you too"
Misaki hummed a short tune to herself as they went outside to the stables. Misaki had changed into her riding dress and picked up her saddle. Her horse, Arrow whinnied when he saw her.
"Good boy" Misaki said, stroking his nose. She fed him a carrot and patted his flanks. His coat was shining.
Usui led his black stallion out by Misaki. Misaki quickly saddled Arrow and climbed on. It felt so familiar seated upon her horse. She could already feel the wind in her hair even though they hadn't even moved a step yet.
Usui swung up onto his horse and they rode out. Misaki never enjoyed slow rides and kicked her horse into a canter. Usui easily kept up as they raced away. There was the pounding of hooves as well as Misaki's heart. Her riding dress had a matching hat but Misaki never wore it. Her hair was completely loose and blew behind her.
Misaki dropped the reins and threw her hands up. Her eyes closed and it felt like flying. Usui watched as his wife fearlessly rode as fast as the wind. Her arms were held out causing her sleeves and hair to billow in the wind. Usui thought Misaki looked like an angel in her ivory dress.
Usui's mind flickered back to when he first met Misaki. She wore a new violet dress with a dozen pearl buttons on the back. The innocent light in her eyes and the determined line of her chin as she tried to beat him in a race.
He saw all of Misaki's sides. They were so different yet just the same as always. There was the innocent Misaki, the brave Misaki, the loving Misaki, the fierce, the competitive, the regal...
"You're slowing down!" Misaki taunted over her shoulder.
"Perhaps I'm letting you win!" Usui called back.
"You wouldn't dare" Misaki yelled, unsheathing a sword. "Prepare to fail, Takumi!" she yelled, waving her sword over her head.
Usui smirked and met her strike for strike. "Elbow up" he coached as they dueled on horseback. Misaki kept a firm hand on the reins as she cunningly maneuvered around on the grassy fields.
"You've improved" Usui complemented. "Your skills can not even be compared to when we first met"
"Careful then" Misaki warned. "Or else I will be dueling in the next tournament"
"Not that improved yet" Usui said winking.
Misaki smirked and slid partially off her racing horse. She hung off the side saddle and locked swords with Usui. She jerked back up, practically standing on the moving horse.
"Misaki!" Usui exclaimed in horror. His grip loosened, as he reached for her. Misaki knocked Usui's sword all the way behind her. The sword disappeared into the grass somewhere.
The force of the move caused Misaki to stumble. Misaki felt herself fall off the horse. The world began spinning.
"Misaki!" Usui yelled. He leapt off his horse and dove after Misaki. He wrapped his arms around her as they tumbled down the hill. The world spun around and around until they hit the bottom of the hill.
"Misaki!" Usui yelled again. He pulled Misaki's head onto his lap. "Are you hurt?!" he demanded. "Why would you do something so stupid?!"
Misaki felt so dizzy. Even when she stopped rolling, it didn't feel like it. "I disarmed you..." she breathed.
Usui wanted to hit something. Misaki could have snapped her neck and all she was thinking about was dueling.
"Beautiful..." he said dryly. "Is it worth being dead?" he asked. He scooted over and pulled up her skirt. "Does anything hurt?" he asked, as he gently squeezed her legs. He pulled off her riding boots and examined her feet and ankles.
Misaki blushed and shook her head. "I'm fine" she told him.
"Does this look fine?" Usui asked, showing Misaki a bruise on her thigh.
"It doesn't hurt..." Misaki said, sheepishly.
Usui checked Misaki's arms. "Tell me if anything hurts" he said, gingerly moving her arm.
"Really, Takumi" Misaki said, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "A roll down the hill is nothing to fret about"
Usui glanced up. His intense stare was boring holes into Misaki. Misaki held his gaze for a bit but looked away. She plucked at the grass around them.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she whispered.
"I'm afraid to let you out of my sight" Usui told her.
Misaki looked up. The wind rustled the grass but the only other sound was their breathing. The exhales and inhales matched as they watched each other. Usui slowly touched his forehead to Misaki's.
"You sly woman..." he murmured. "How do you do this?"
"...Do what?"
"So tightly tie my heart to you...I am your prisoner"
"True love..." Misaki said, barely audible. Her eyes fluttered shut as Usui pressed his warm lips to hers.