Disclaimer: As I have said before, I don't own Kaichou wa Maid-sama! and other details which does not belong to me...
Chapter 5
Late that night, Usui was seated by the fire on a fancy armchair in the cosy library. Although he was reading a book, his mind was elsewhere. He thought about his encounter earlier at the back entrance of a restaurant where he dined in.
"Miss Misaki Ayuzawa," he muttered, while deep in his own thoughts. He had heard of her reputation of her hatred towards men, specifically her suitors. Despite this, she was secretly working on that restaurant wherein most of the customers were men, though she was in a disguise, which luckily deceived them, except him.
He was interrupted by his own friend, Kuuga, who was from a dinner party hosted by Sakura's father.
"You're quite late," Usui said in a cold voice.
"I haven't seen you for a day and this is how you greet me? Don't you miss me?" Kuuga teased.
"You seemed not bothered by the rumors circulating in this community," Usui said.
"About what?"
"Of your growing attachment with Miss Sakura"
"Why should I?" asked Kuuga.
"You should think about the people who might be affected with it. Also, you might hurt her." Usui replied.
"What do you mean?"
"That you were actually running away from your parents who have proposed of your marriage to some rich lady, as well as your fear of them being against your choice; a young lady of inferior birth." Usui said.
After a brief pause, Kuuga said, "I have also received a letter from them. They now knew about Miss Sakura and were very furious, and told me to come home immediately. Although I don't know how they received such information."
"Then, what are you going to do?"
"I'll... think about it" Kuuga said, and then he seated himself on the other couch, staring at the fire.
"By the way," Usui said, after some minutes of silence, "What do you know about Miss Ayuzawa?"
"Miss Misaki? Well, for me, she's quite eccentric sort of person, but very kind and gentle and posseses an unusual hatred, as you have heard, strangely, though, she had acquired a number of suitors, and I was one of them. But she's a very good friend. I don't know very much, but Miss Sakura is her best friend. Should I ask her?"
"Do you know of the reason of that hatred?"
"No, I don't. Excuse me, Usui, for I am going to my room" Kuua said, and left.
After reading some more, he himself went to his room to sleep. Morning came, but the questions on his mind never left. He resolved to find answers he needed.
Throughout the day, Misaki was very conscious of her actions for she had cautioned herself of Usui. Night came, but still no sign of him. She finally calmed down after seeing that he wasn't outside the back entrance, but she never let her guard down.
On her way home, she saw a man blocking her way and said, "Fancy for some drinks, missy? It's a bit cold tonight"
"No thank you" she said, and stepped back, but was blocked by another man behind her, saying, "If you're wise, you should just give us what we want"
As the two went closer, instead of running, she fought back, much to their surprise. She alone defended herself, and the two bit the dust. She looked around her for more, yet no one came. She then walked straight towards home, but somehow, her feeling of being followed was never lifted.
Misaki was celebrating of not seeing Usui that day, and as she was about to rest, someone knocked on her door. It was Inspector Norris. She welcomed him inside, brewed tea, and served it to him.
After a sip, he said, "Miss Ayuzawa, about your request, I'm happy to say that it has been arranged. The butler Louis said that Lady Chevalier is staying for a while with her friend who is also my patroness, Lady Madelaine Everglott. She is having a ball and she invited me and my wife, and also, I fancy that Lady Chevalier is there, too. Did you get it, Miss Ayuzawa?"
"Yes, thank you very much. I'll see you then."
The inspector rose from his seat and said, "Remember, Miss Ayuzawa, around three days from now, and do everything you can to solve this case" and then he left.
Misaki was now too tired to do anything more and went to sleep.
On the next night, Misaki was in her high spirits for she has not seen Usui the whole day again. In her high spirits, her shift ended and left by the back entrance, yet things sometimes don't work her way.
"Did you miss me yesterday, Ayuzawa?" Usui asked. He was actually waiting for her shift to end, and stayed in their 'meeting place'.
"Who would actually miss you, Usui?" Misaki asked sarcastically.
"I'll be careful from now on if I were you" Usui smirked.
"I'm not afraid of you," Misaki said with a smile, "If you are planning to tell the world of my secret, then go ahead" and then she walked towards the alley.
"It seems like those men whom you beat black and blue were planning for revenge, so be careful, Ayuzawa" Usui said.
Misaki suddenly stopped and looked at him. She tried not to change her state of mind and said, "So, you're the one who was following me last night, you pervert."
Usui chuckled with the thought and said, "Oh, there's one more thing I would like to ask."
"What is it?"
"What is your relationship with Inspector Norris?" Usui asked.
"W-why did you ask such question?" she said, trying not to be bothered.
Unfortunately, Usui had noticed this alteration and said, "I may be new here, but I do recognize a few people in this little town. I also thought of possible reasons of visiting you late last night. For in the eyes of many, a married man like him visiting a young woman like you who live alone is too suspicious."
"Then, what are you implying?"
"Are you in a relationship with him?"
Misaki was taken aback with this question and was now looking away from him, still trying to gather composure. Usui sensed this and continued, "Well, it also, sort of, explains why you rejected all of your suitors, Ayuzawa. Don't worry; I will keep this little secret of yours especially from Mrs. Norris, that you and Inspector Norris are-."
Slap.
Usui was not given the chance to complete his statement, for he was slapped very hard by Misaki. Then and there, he was now aware that she was totally upset.
Breathing heavily, she said, "You...you don't have the right to say something like that before me. You don't know anything..." Then she looked at him in the eyes and said, "You don't know me, and don't act as if you do, idiot!" and she left him, running.
Usui could only stare at her while she was out of his sight and touched his swelling cheek.
At her house, Misaki was full of regret for not controlling herself. 'You should never show your weakness, Misaki, especially in front of him... or else everything will not go according to plan' she told herself. She was so hurt because of it, and was determined to be careful in front of him.
Meanwhile, Usui was pacing back and forth in his room. He couldn't sleep, for he always remembers the incident. Moreover, he remembered her face full of anger, yet her eyes filled with tears and flashed sorrow and pain. 'Why shed those tears, Ayuzawa? How much have you endured?' he said to himself full of worry.
It was his first time to be concerned with someone whom he had never acquainted before.
_END_
YAY! Chapter 5!
I'm going to take a break for a while, it's examination week, and yeah... I need to study... and I have another activity this weekend, maybe. I hope that I can make a new chapter this weekend... :-)
Also, I borrowed a nickname from Corpse Bride, the Everglott (don't know if it's the right spelling) because I was thinking of a surname for a rich lady... and at the same time, I was thinking about this movie... and I also love that movie, too!
By the way, thanks for those who have reviewed my last chapter, those who added my stories to your favorites... I really thank you! I hope that those who'll read this would drop a review... it'll mean so much to me... XD oh, and I'm sorry for some mistakes here, and I suck at describing action... and too tired... XD
Lovelots! And a happy week for you!
