Do you guys know how badly I wanted to sit down for hours and type an update for this story? My fingers were itching every night and so, I just couldn't help myself. I managed to type some scenes every once in a while every night whenever I had some spare time. Lucky for me, classes were still not that hectic until yesterday. So yeah, here's another update. Hopefully, I'll type in another one maybe not. I just remembered I have homeworks. XD

By the way, thanks for the support even though you guys knew I won't be updating so soon now. I'll do my best as not to let all of you down. All thanks to Philippines' Independence Day that I got to update. I was so grateful for the one day holiday!

Rollercoaster of Hearts- Chapter Eleven

She was at loose ends with no specific direction in mind. She wasn't running like how those dramatic scenes in movies go. She was more of fast walking. She doesn't want to look and act all so emotional like she's some part of a television show. She wanted to make things as seems like she was not getting emotional. Not at all. As she passed by the endless hallways of the mansion which she somehow cursed for being so damn long, she stopped them. She stopped the tears that threatened to flow anytime soon. She doesn't want to feel weak. She doesn't want to feel helpless. Hell, she doesn't even know why she was affected so much by those words of his when he was nothing but a perverted alien to her. Or was he just that? Was she hurt because all along she considered him as a close friend at the present? Maybe that's it but she wouldn't admit that just yet. She was still unsure of what she sees him over the past few days. She still needed time to sort things through especially now that he just declared to her-though not in a direct manner-that she was nothing but a mere reminder of his past lover.

Over the thoughts that endlessly ran through her mind, the latter was the one that stings the most. It was like sharp needles pierced through her chest all over and over again. Was it wrong? Was it wrong for her to regard someone as a friend who sees her as her? Well, maybe it was. By hook or by crook at any rate, she was just an aide-memoire and nothing else. She was just there to fill his yearning for his late lover.

Misaki smiled bitterly. She knows now. She was such a masochist. She knows how that fact hurts yet she kept repeating it inside her head. What was wrong with her? That, she doesn't clearly know of. All she can think of is that all of what she's feeling now was painful. It bruised her soul. Yes, call her overreacting but it was the only thing she can described her insides as of the moment. Her mind was too fuzzy to function well. She was supposed to be Misaki. She was supposed to be insusceptible to hurt but why? Why of all moment was she now altered by the words of some boy she barely even know? Heck, they just met for a couple of days, more or less a week. She wasn't supposed to be like this. Realizing that, she stopped. She brought her feet to a halt and studied her surroundings. From left to right, she turned her head. She was unfamiliar of the place. She's never been here before and she never expected herself to get this far. Thinking frantically, she questioned an imaginary entity if it was still part of the Walker Estate or did she get lost in the forest outside the humongous lot the Walkers own. An unhurried gulp and a wipe off the sweat dripping down her forehead was all it takes for Misaki to take in the situation. She was lost with no directions.

"Fuck."

A rustle against the far-off bushes brought about panic into what was supposed to be fearless Misaki's mind. Well, she was never good with dealing creepy and frightening moments ever since her world began. She sucked at handling ghosts and the like so now she could feel herself pee in her own underwear from all the tension. She knows she's lost in some God forsaken forest yet what scared the hell out of her the most was the feeling she got like someone was there with her, another entity which she really doesn't want to find out soon enough. The place was already enough to send chills throughout her entire system. The mention of anything haunting is surely not needed by her as of the moment.

Swish…

There it was again-the sound of the leaves. The only difference is that unlike a while ago, it was now closer. A step back was all Misaki took before her back hit the rough exterior of a tree trunk. Misaki gasped at the slight pain before her knees finally gave in. She slid herself against the trunk and sat with knees bent as she rested her forehead on them helplessly and her hands wrapping tightly around her legs, pulling her own self closer. She was preparing for the worst. She hasn't had the slightest idea on whether it was a ghost, an animal, or a hunter. But she sure hoped for something better to come out of the shadows.

Swish…

The recognizable sound was once again heard. It was only a few feet away according to what Misaki estimated which means the undefined object was now in front of her, moving closer with each steps. Misaki couldn't hide it. She was trembling. Her knees were shaking. She was gasping for breath as if her lungs failed to their part. Her eyes were shut tight. And her heart was beating erratically fast, faster than a bullet train as she described it. She tried to steady her breathing. At least she needed to breathe before she gets to meet her doom.

Steps. Steps could be perceived through her ears. And then they stopped. They stopped just close enough to her. Trying her hardest to calm down no matter how impossible it may seem at the moment, she mentally prayed. She prayed that whatever would happen to her, she would still make it out alive. Suzuna still needed her as well as Sakura. She still had her whole life ahead of her. Twenty-two is still too young to die. Bracing herself, Misaki hugged herself closer than before. As if preparing for her death, she was caught off guard when instead of teeth biting off her skin or a chilly spirit possessing her, what happened is that a pair of strong arms enveloped her instead. Dazed, she mustered all her courage and opened her eyes. She wasn't able to see distinctly amidst the broad chest covering her view. But the one thing she knows too well of was the clothing.

It was him. She doesn't want to be too much of being a presumptuous person but she somehow knew he followed not because he's guilty but because of something else she can't exactly put her finger into. Sure she doesn't know the reason why he wasted his time to run after her but no matter what it felt good. It soothed her-the embrace. She felt like all the nervousness and fright were swept away when he wrapped his arms around her. She felt safe. She felt like she doesn't need to have to be afraid anymore now that he's with her. Weird but even when she felt those, her heart was still beating furiously like another more minute and it might jump out of her chest. So now calmed, she pushed him away and averted her gaze from him.

What is this unknown feeling?

"Takumi…" she breathed, wanting to confirm to herself that it really was him.

"Yeah, it's me."

Misaki let out a mental sigh of relief when he heard his comforting voice proving her assumptions right. She wasn't dreaming. He was really there with her.

"Hey," Takumi called out brushing a few strands of loose hair from Misaki's face, gently tucking it behind her ear as an attempt to grab her attention for she was somehow lost in space. It worked though. She shivered a little at the unexpected skin contact before she shook her head away from further thoughts and gazed back at him.

"You…Why did you come here?"

"Aren't I supposed to be asking you the same? What came into that head of yours to offhandedly run off to some forest? If I had not ran faster, I would've lost you in this huge land of trees you know. Who knows what might happen if I hadn't followed."

Misaki stared blankly at him. She has no idea what face to show to him. She was contemplating on whether she should feign bravery and tell him off or admit that she was happy he cared enough to go after her. After a few seconds, she settled on the latter. There was no use acting unaffected anyway. Not after he saw how terrified she was not long ago. Along a weak smile, she muttered, "Thanks. Thanks for saving me."

He reciprocated her smile with one of his playful grin before holding her close back into his arms earning himself a surprised gasp from Misaki. "You don't know how worried I was when I saw you disappear into these trees."

She mumbled incoherent words which Takumi didn't bother to ask again for he knew she was sputtering nonsense because she was feeling shy with the hug and the awkward moment between them-him finding her weakness. "I'm sorry, Misaki," he said instead.

Misaki stopped blabbering with her mouth hanging open after hearing his words. They weren't exactly satisfying as an apology but somehow, she knew he meant it with all his heart. Without thinking twice, she too wrapped her arms around him and clenched his shirt, pulling him tighter. For now, she was thankful they were hugging because if not, he might notice how awfully red her whole face was. The only thing she hoped for the most was for him not to feel her heartbeat.

"You are so stupid."

"I guess that means I'm forgiven then."

Misaki pushed the blonde away all the while huffing. "You wish! Who would want to forgive you after making me that mad?" Misaki crossed her arms over her chest and distanced herself a little from him before standing up. "Now, if you don't mind, I'll be leaving now."

"Hey, hey, hey, where do you think you're going?"

Misaki stopped dead on her tracks with mouth agape. "I…"

Takumi smirked. "You what?"

"I…"

"Let me guess. You don't know the way out of here, do you?"

Misaki shut her mouth close for a moment, opened it, and then shut it back again before standing there silently as she decided on her reply. It didn't take long for her to give in to his winning smirk and slump her shoulders, defeated before stomping over to him.

"I guessed right, didn't I?"

"Shut up."

Takumi stood up and brushed dust from his pants before tucking his hands casually inside the pockets of his pants. "You know, I kind of remembered the way out. Do you want me to help you?"

Misaki fidgeted in her position and looked away, not wanting him to see her embarrassed state. She stood there not uttering a single word of reply.

"Never mind that. Of course I'll help you, Misa-chan but not on one condition. I never work for free, mind you." He leered over to Misaki's direction liking the view of her blushing form.

Misaki reddened all the more from his redundant stare at her and her chest throbbed vehemently once again without her slightest idea.

"There's no need to worry, Misa-chan. It's just a simple condition." Takumi stepped closer towards the girl's flustered figure. "You just have to agree." He stopped speaking as soon as he also stopped walking when he was already an arm's reach away from her.

Misaki looked up with a puzzled look. She was curious what he had in mind. And at the same time, she was having this feeling it won't be in her favor, whatever he was thinking. She's a hundred and fifty percent sure he was up to something that would annoy her.

"You just have to ride on my back all throughout the way back to the mansion."

And she was never wrong.

"So? Is it a deal, Misa-chan?"

Misaki blushed more to the extent of looking like a tomato. Mortified, she stammered, "T-the hell i-is with t-that condition!"

Takumi smirked in response. He was too amused with her reaction that his mind can't seem to process the right words to reply.

"D-don't just smirk on me, idiot!"

"Eh? Then what does Misa-chan want me to do?"

"Get lost."

"No can do. I still have to carry you home."

"In hell would I agree to that! You're clearly just pissing me off."

"What if I'll say I wanted to feel you closer to me again, would you believe me?"

Misaki's mouth flew open for the second time ad she took in his every words, trying to decipher his intention of saying such. As she came up with an undeniably preposterous thought, her heart began jumping again. It was already quite annoying the shit out of her that any moment, she might not take second thoughts and rip it out of her just to stop it.

Takumi noticed the sudden change of Misaki indicating she was confused with his questions so he patted her head and started walking past her, leading the way. But honestly, he never regretted letting those words past his mouth. It's like he was dead curious as to what she might answer. He wanted to know if she felt the same way, if she also felt like she wanted her warmth again. He wanted to know the meaning behind that heartbeat of hers. He had this foreign feeling just thinking about all those that he was quite unsure on whether he was still himself. He was already being too occupied by Misaki over the past days until today, Chiyo's birthday.

It was unusual but even after the mention of her birthday, he felt unaffected. Takumi drew his lips into a thin line. He was so not himself right now.

"Are you sure this is the right way?"

Takumi was brought back to his senses when he heard Misaki's voice. It was only then did he realize that she was now walking behind him, trailing his every step. And only then did he felt conscious with her again which he hid away with his all too playful smirk.

"Are you doubting me, Misa-chan?"

"I don't know."

"Well then, just follow me and I can assure you we'll be out of here in no time."

. . . . .

"Young master!" Cedric immediately rushed over to Takumi as soon as he entered the mansion with Misaki looking all ragged and dirty.

"It's alright Cedric. We're fine. We just had a small walk by the woods." Takumi brushed off the butler's help of concern and unconsciously dragged Misaki back into his room as she yelped in shock at his sudden pull on her wrist.

"Hey, where do you think you're going?"

"In my room."

"And do you mind telling me why I'm tagging along?"

Takumi didn't bother to answer any more knowing she'll only ask more when entertained. Instead, he speed walked faster along the hallways ignoring Misaki's ranting.

"Hey stupid jerk, who gave you permission to drag me, huh? I never said yes yet. Don't act on your own! I have to make my decisions too. And my decision is to go home now. Who would want to go back in those four walls anyway? Whenever I go inside that room all I'll end up is having to walk away mad at you."

Takumi suddenly stopped causing Misaki to launch her face forward into his back with a small thud.

"Ouch," Misaki muttered as she carefully massaged her forehead. She got to admit that he was that well-built that even hitting her head against him felt the same as hitting a wall. For a moment there, Misaki cursed him for having such a hot body. Realizing what she meant, she flushed.

"What did you say?" Takumi asked in a stern voice, startling Misaki who was busy shoving unnecessary and slightly perverted thoughts away from her mind.

"Huh?"

Takumi turned to face the shocked Misaki before her asked again. "What did you say?"

"Uhmm, huh?"

He mentally slapped himself at her naivety sometimes. Clearing his throat, he began, "I meant what you said about not wanting to go in my room. Why is that again?"

Misaki's eyes widened at his question. She inwardly cursed herself for being so careless sometimes. She blurted out such a thing, right? And he got caught up with it? Well, fuck.

Misaki grew still at the point in time. She was thinking hard on how to answer him, on how to lie.

"Misaki." She stiffened at the call of her name. It felt different. It's like he's being…gentle.

"…"

"Misaki, aren't you going to answer me?" Takumi placed both his hands on her shoulders urging her to look at him and tell him what he needed. He just wanted to repeat what she just said. It wasn't that hard at all, right?

"Uhmm…"

Takumi anxiously waited for her reply as he arched an eyebrow.

"Uhmm…I…"

He was getting more impatient. Why could not she just get to the point already? "You?"

"I…"

"You?"

"IHAVETOUSETHEBATHROOM!" Misaki reasoned out in the fastest pace she could do. It almost seems like it was more of a word than a sentence.

Disappointed was the one thing he felt. That wasn't the answer he needed. He let it go anyway. She is as stubborn as hell. His mood turned sour all of a sudden like he wasn't feeling the need to see someone as of the moment not only because he was dissatisfied with her answer but also because he knew too well what she said a while ago. When he asked her to repeat that statement, he just wanted her to correct them. That's all. He wanted her to take them back. What she said, they hurt him somehow. It's like it's shoved into his face that she only saw him as trouble, as someone who'd constantly offend her.

"I'll be in my room if you feel like seeing me. The bathroom's at the third door to the right." That and he left without even glancing back.

Misaki stood there frozen. She was wondering. What was with those eyes of his? It seemed to tell her something-something she couldn't exactly grasp. He was unreadable but at the same time, uncluttered. Yes, it's kind of ironic that's why she was perplexed. He was like a mystery in which she needed to solve. "Wait..." Misaki tried to call out but only to fail when he was already retreating meters away from her.

Left alone, she snickered to herself. "You are one troublesome person, Takumi."

. . . . .

Takumi silently pushed the door closed behind him before he made his way to the welcoming comforts of his bed. He lay there still and undisturbed. He was too preoccupied with his thoughts. Unusual but he wasn't thinking deep about Chiyo now. He was thinking about a certain raven-haired girl.

"Misaki…" he unconsciously blurted out his thoughts.

A long and tiring sigh was released from him thinking maybe he'd clear things out in his head only to be unsuccessful. She was still there running around his mind without plans of stopping any moment soon. So many things were in his mind and it's all about her. He was getting frustrated. He was thinking too much.

Takumi groaned in annoyance as he ruffled his hair into a mess. He sat up straight in bed and rested his elbows on his lap with head hung low as he supported it with his hands. Once he pacified a little, just then he realized how unsteadily fast his heartbeat was. He let out another groan.

"Damn, what is this feeling?"

Yay! I finally finished it! It took me hours for this one. I'm sorry it's kind of short. I had to cut it that way because later, my classmates would be arriving for we have some activities to finish. As always, please review and tell me what you think.

A Not So Much of An Interview Corner (This is just small talks among our characters)

Sakura: Aww~ You and Usui-kun were so sweet in this one, Misaki. You hugged twice! *squeal*

Misaki: No. It wasn't sweet at all. It was all part of the script. It was pure profession.

Usui: Eh? I don't see it that way, Misa-chan. I honestly think you liked hugging me. We even had to retake that scene over a hundred times because you kept on stumbling with your words. You were nervous.

Misaki: What the hell are you talking about?! It was you who kept doing unnecessary things during the shoot!

Sakura: Now, now, Misaki, calm down. I'm sure Usui-kun is just wanting to tease you to grab your attention. Neh, Usui-kun?

Usui: *looks the other way to drop the conversation*

Misaki: In hell would that happen!

Sakura: Wow. You sure are using that expression a lot nowadays. Anyway, aren't we supposed to entertain our readers with our chitchat?

Misaki: I guess you're right.

Sakura: So let's talk about Misaki and Usui's relationship in this story!

Misaki: What?! We don't have that kind of thing in this story! Usui is engaged here to Chiyo.

Usui: *finally returns to the conversation* But Misa-chan, the readers are anticipating us to get together in this story. You wouldn't want to disappoint them, right?

Misaki: Shut up idiot Usui. We need not your opinion.

Sakura: But Misaki Usui-kun's right.

Usui: I'm always right. *gets lollipop from pocket* Besides, Chiyo…

Misaki: Oops! *covers Usui's mouth* Spoilers alert! That's all for today, everyone! Bye!