I am so sorry for updating late. I was actually at my grandparent's house at a small town and unfortunately, there was no internet connection there. So yeah, I had to wait 'til I come back home. For all those who reviewed in the first chapter, a bucket of love for you guys. Thanks so much. Please continue to support me until the end.

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Maid-sama is not and never will be mine. I'm just borrowing its characters.

Chapter Two

"Misaki?"

Sakura muttered as she approached her friend by the table as she rubbed her eyes indicating the lingering drowsiness in her system. She unexpectedly woke up from her slumber and decided to fetch herself a glass of water before going back to sleep when she found Misaki still in the living room, studying.

"Oh, Sakura. You also haven't slept yet?"

"Uh no. I woke up and went to get myself a glass of water. Why are you still up? It's already past midnight." Sure, she knows why. She just want to shove it in her friend's face the abnormal thing she's doing-studying late at night.

"I just have to study. Midterms are coming up next week," Misaki weakly replied producing a worried look on Sakura's face. She never gets enough time to rest. Sometimes she feels like she should just tie Misaki up in her bed to refrain her from studying until dawn.

"You need to sleep. You can't focus properly when you're forcing yourself too much."

"No. I'm fine. I'll just need to finish this last subject."

"You kept saying you're fine yet your face seems to contradict to your words. Take a look at yourself in the mirror. You look like some dead zombie gone back to life."

"No. I'm fine, really."

"Misaki, I'm just telling you this because I care. What you're doing to your body isn't good."

"I know. Thanks for your concern but I can't let Patricia down. I need to prove myself worthy of the scholarship she's given me."

Sakura placed a hand on Misaki's shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile. "She already sees you being worthy enough. Now, leave those things and get some nice sleep."

Thinking she doesn't stand a chance against Sakura anymore, Misaki nodded and stood up from her seat. After Sakura got some water for herself, they walked back to their respective rooms and drifted off into dreamland within minutes.

. . . . .

"Young master, you have to eat your breakfast," the butler's voice echoed throughout Takumi's gigantic bedroom. The boy was lying still on bed, his back cushioned by the soft mattress. It was already around ten in the morning and his mind was even so occupied by the talk she had with the girl from yesterday. Her words bamboozled him that he doesn't know what else he should do but stare blankly in space-out into nothingness.

"Young master?" called out the ever patient butler standing a few meters from his bed. Takumi ignored his servant and continued musing to himself. He knows well enough he'll eventually give up and leave him alone. Why can't everyone understand that all he wants is some space-some privacy for him to think things through even more?

The butler let out a short breath before turning his heels and proceeded to the door. "Just call me when you need anything."

Takumi kept his silence even after he was already alone. Everything just seems so confusing all the more as another day pass without her-his Chiyo. The blonde shut his eyes and allowed more tears to be shed for Chiyo.

. . . . .

"Nee-chan, I brought you your lunch. You forgot to bring it with you," the younger girl said as she handed the bento over to her sister who was working her ass off over some assignment which she heard from Sakura was still due two weeks from now. Although she knows her sister is diligent, what she's doing now is way past the limit of that word. It's like she's drowning herself with everything which regards to school.

"Oh, thanks, Suzuna. Just place it on the corner of the desk," Misaki replied without even bothering to look up.

The little one let out a sigh and whacked her sister's head causing her face to hit the desk lightly.

"Ouch!" Misaki looked up at her sister with an expression of confusion mixed with a little annoyance. "What was that for?!"

"To straighten you up. You've been killing yourself with school works almost every single day. You never give yourself some time to rest. It's like what's in your mind is school works, school works and more school works! Nee-chan, try to loosen up a bit from the stress studies are giving you and learn to act your age."

Misaki snickered. "Says the girl who acts like my mother."

Again, she received another whacking.

"Hey, stop doing that! You already had me twice!"

"I'll stop once you also stop finishing those school works that aren't due 'til next, next week," Suzuna stated, crossing her arms over her chest. She knows she had to do this for the welfare of her sister even if it means she have to be as forceful as ever. She never feels at ease seeing her work so hard for her studies almost to the point of killing herself with those papers.

Misaki grunted and rolled her eyes at her sister's demanding attitude towards her before uttering a low 'fine' when she saw her looking all mighty with her pose. "Geez, you're being persistent."

"Now, since you have nothing else to do, join me and Sakura for lunch. We haven't hung out properly at school for the past week." She's right. They never had time to have friendly get-together with just the three of them lately since Misaki's been busy with school works, Suzuna was occupied with all those raffle entries, and Sakura with her Flowers and Tea Club activities.

"Go on ahead. I'll follow. The usual spot, right?"

Suzuna narrowed her eyes, suspicion getting the best of her. "No. We'll go together. Who knows what evil plans you have in your mind."

Misaki realizing she can't outsmart her sister rolled her eyes for the second time and stood up, walking grumpily to the door, Suzuna following behind with a smile of victory on her face. Her sister just can't say no when it comes to her.

"Wow! Good job Suzuna! You actually managed to convince Misaki!" Sakura squealed happily as she saw Suzuna along with a grumpy Misaki entering the school's rooftop.

"It wasn't that hard," Suzuna boasted as Misaki made-face and crossed her arms.

"Now, since we're complete, let's eat."

The three sat down on the concrete floor and opened their lunchboxes that was all prepared by Suzuna early in the morning. It contained rice with furikake sprinkled on top with salmon, julienned carrots, a little bit of katsuo-bushi flakes, some gobo and tamago-maki. Misaki has got to admit that her sister did a good job with their lunches today; not that she didn't in the other days too but today was somehow more special.

"What's with the lunch?" Misaki asked out of curiosity.

"I planned that we'll have a get-together for lunch today so I made it special. I know you liked salmon," Suzuna answered, grabbing a pair of chopsticks.

"Now, enough with the talking and more on eating because we only have a few minutes left before the first bell rings," Sakura announced as she also grabbed her chopsticks.

"Itadakimasu!" the three said in unison before digging on in their lunch.

"That was good, Suzuna. Up until now I'm still wondering how you're such a great cook when your sister's the total opposite."

"Hey!"

"Sorry, Misaki. I was just kidding with the last sentence."

Misaki frowned at her friend and helped packing back their lunchboxes. She wasn't in the mood today to mingle too much with people and she wonders why. She wasn't even in her period.

"Someone's clearly in a bad mood," Sakura commented before standing up and brushing off dust in her skirt.

Thinking she shouldn't act so mean to Sakura who's like family to her, she let out a deep breath and looked up to her friend before letting out a weak smile.

"Now, that's more I like it. You shouldn't frown. Smiling suits you, Misaki. It makes you even prettier than you really are," stated the pink-haired girl, pinching Misaki's cheeks.

"Sakura, stop that. Misaki might kill you," jested the youngest girl of the three. Sakura then removed her hands from Misaki's face and gave them a cheeky grin.

"I can't help it. Misaki's so adorable when she smiles."

Both girls shook their head upon hearing Sakura's lame answer. "Let's go. We don't want to be late."

"Aye aye!" Sakura and Suzuna exclaimed at Misaki's statement.

. . . . .

"Young master, where are you going?" Cedric asked with concern when he caught Takumi walking towards the front door in his casual outfit which was a simple shirt matched with his favorite jeans and blue jacket.

"I'm out to get fresh air," Takumi emotionlessly replied as he kept walking to the door. He wanted to breathe fresh air again. He decided that he wanted to try and free himself form the gloominess he's been tied to ever since Chiyo's death. He wanted to feel alive again and the only thing he can think of in order to feel that way again is by seeing other people besides the maids and butlers he sees inside the damn suffocating mansion.

"I'm afraid I can't let you do that. Mrs. Patricia won't be pleased when she hears you've gone out. We don't know what's in your mind. We have to keep a close eye on you especially when you've attempted to kill yourself tons of times now."

"Don't worry. I won't do anything silly. I just needed to feel like a person again," Takumi responded and turned to his butler,Cedric, giving him a smile that caught the butler totally off-guard. The smile was unpretentious. It was the smile he never saw again since Ms. Chiyo's passing. Cedric got too caught up with his shock and hadn't realized Takumi already leaving the mansion.

. . . . .

Takumi decided to walk all the way to the city in order to clear his mind. He loved the feeling nature gives him. It somehow reminded him of her. When she was still with him, she would always take him to some unknown forest outside Tokyo or sometimes in some deserted beach which she said was her secret hideout away from stress. Through her, he learned to appreciate nature too. Now that he realized it, his views in life right now were mainly influenced by her. They've been together for like forever. They have always been the closest friends the moment they have seen each other and even he could not remember when that was. All he knows is that he was just a little toddler when she came to his life.

He strolled along the empty road with his hands on his pocket as he tried holding back his tears. Every step he took reminded him of her. No, not every step, more like everything he do reminded him of her from the moment he wakes up, she immediately goes into his mind and cause a throbbing ache in his chest.

He pulled out his right hand from his pocket and stared at the ring on his finger-the band that was supposed to promise an eternity with her. Of course they weren't married yet but being engaged to her was already reassuring enough for him to know that they'll spend their life together. But fate just had to ruin it all. Fate just had to take her away from his happiness-no, their happiness to be exact.

He continued staring at the ring until he reached the city. There were people rushing everywhere since it was peak hour and schools just dismissed their students. He can see random people walking along with him and he just can't help but wonder if they're feeling the way he is now-if they are also grieving for a loved one.

"Sir, please try our yogurt. Have this free sample."

Someone approached Takumi form behind, tapping him on his back. Slightly annoyed, he shrugged his shoulders to remove her grip and turned to face the irritating person. Can't she see he's being emotional and doesn't need another human being to entertain to?

"Oh, it's you," the girl managed to say. It was the girl he encountered yesterday. She was wearing a plain white shirt, a red skirt and a frilly white apron and was seems to be working. Takumi didn't bother to reply. He just stood there and faced her blankly causing Misaki to feel a slight discomfort coming between them.

"Uhmm, s-sorry to bother you," she said and bowed her head before turning around to leave him alone. She stopped on her tracks when she felt a hand wrap around her wrist. She spun her head. Misak twisted her head and met a pair of emerald eyes staring right at her giving her some uneasiness. She never noticed his eyes before. It was tantalizing. That she has got to admit. They were like an endless labyrinth that gets you lost in your thoughts for mere seconds.

"Wait," Takumi whispered as he kept his eyes locked to hers never bothering to look away. He was astonished by how those orbs stare right through him as if she was analyzing every part of his entity.

"I-I got to go back to work," Misaki stuttered as she found the right words to reason out. Being in this situation with him was getting so uncomfortable for her.

"Oh. But you…you mentioned some sample, right? Do you mind if I take one?" he asked. He somehow got this feeling that he doesn't want to part yet. He wanted her company.

"Y-yeah. Here." She handed a small cup of yogurt over to him before removing his grip from her wrists.

"Where do you work?" he asked another question towards her just to lengthen his time with her. He doesn't know what got into him to do this but his head was like taking over him and doing things oblivious to him. He shoved a spoonful of the cold product in his mouth.

"Huh?"

"Where can I buy the yogurt? It's delicious," he said still unemotional. The most painful death caused this to him. When she died, she took all of his emotions and the ability to feel with her.

"Uhh, there, across the street," Misaki answered pointing to a small and pink-colored shop in front of them. "I should go back to work now. It was nice meeting you again and knowing you hadn't killed yourself," joked Misaki before giving him her customer's smile and running over to another person to convince them to buy some yogurt.

Even when she left, Takumi kept his eyes on to her while she worked. He can tell that she was the carefree and bubbly type. Just by seeing her that way never allowed him to imagine that she was suffering on the inside too. She was able to hide everything away with her cheerfulness. She was the exact opposite of him. All his actions and façade precisely mirrored the pain inside of him. He can't seem to hide it away. Maybe that is why he looked up to her-because she was the image of what he wanted to be for Chiyo after her death. He wanted to show everyone he's happy as not to make them worry yet he clearly doesn't know how to.

Time flew by fast as Misaki was now bidding her boss goodbye, giving a short bow before walking away. Takumi was still busy studying her. His eyes kept analyzing her every move. He wanted to know how she kept that cheerfulness with her amidst all the pain she's gone through. He wanted to follow her ways for Chiyo. He wanted to be cheerful all over again because that's what Chiyo wants-for him to be happy without her. Until now, he can't imagine himself being that way ever again anyway-not when he's still grieving for her. But he knows, someday, he might be able to do just that. All he needs is time and courage.

. . . . .

"I'm home!" Misaki informed as she kicked her shoes and went inside their apartment.

"Welcome back," Sakura was the one who replied since Suzuna was still probably at school. "Was work tiring?"

"No. Not at all. I actually enjoyed it," Misaki answered as she headed to her room only to be stopped by Sakura holding her shirt.

"Where do you think you're going, missy?"

"To my room."

"What are you going to do there?"

"Study."

"Just as I expected." Sakura shook her head in disapproval before dragging Misaki towards the couch and slumps her there. "You are not allowed to do just that."

"And why not?"

"Because I said so. Today, you are going to rest and we are going to have our movie marathon!"

"It's a school night, Sakura."

"So?"

"So we have to act like the students we are and study."

"Oh please, studying is for nerds."

Misaki shot a deathly glare over to Sakura which made the girl shudder.

"I mean nerds and Misaki."

The girl in pigtails walked over to the side and grabbed some DVDs. "So, you choose what movies we'll watch. And don't worry. No horror movies are in there," she said before tossing everything to Misaki. Of course she didn't include movies with ghosts and the like or else Misaki wouldn't be able to sleep at night again just like the first time they took her to the movies to watch Insidious. They didn't know back then of her fear so they thought it was fine to do it. But remorse had to give it to them when Misaki forced them to stay up all night with her by doing different stuffs. Although she won't admit it was because of the movie that she can't sleep, they knew her too well to see through her. The night ended with them looking like zombies going to school and Misaki skipping classes as she slept all day. And that was when Suzuna and Sakura swear to God to never as in NEVER allow Misaki to watch horror films ever again.

"I hate you for always getting to convince me to have your way."

"I actually like you for that."

"Whatever. Let's watch this."

"The Notebook? I didn't know you liked romantic movies," Sakura commented at her friend's unusual movie preference. Misaki normally picks action movies instead of romantic ones. She wasn't the type to giggle and squirm in her seat during mushy scenes.

"I just got curious. It's not bad to try something new once in a while."

"Okay, so what else?"

"You pick."

"If you say so. Now, consider tonight's movie marathon as Romance Night! I'll make your head spin due to too much mushiness."

Misaki only rolled her eyes at her friend's childish behavior. She can't believe they actually are the best of friends. They are the total opposite of each other. But maybe that's the reason of friendship-to bring together people no matter how different they are. What matters most is the bond they share and how they manage to understand one another through random situations.

It's shorter since I realized that if I put the continuation, I won't be able to cut it immediately and it might get way too long. So you just have to wait for the next chapter. It's already ready in my laptop but I don't want to upload it just yet. I want you guys to wait longer. Mwahahaha! By the way, you guys suggest, should I put an interview corner at the end of each chapter just like I did in Girl Meets Boy or should I not? Tell me.

With love,

Goddess-san