"I know you get this all the time and I'm sure that girls go on and on about how much they like you, but I just had to-"
"I'm sorry, I don't return your feelings." It's a blow, sent straight to the heart, and before his mouth formed the first word, her eyes had filled with glassy tears. She knew it was coming, he swore they all did. Usui sighed and pulled out a tissue. "Here. Don't cry. I'm certain there will be someone out there who will return your feelings one day."
The first year accepted it with a small, shaky breath and dabbed at her tears. "But what about your feelings? Don't you like someone?"
A rumble, almost like an earthquake followed by broken glass punctuated her curious question. Someone had broken a window, playing baseball, by the sounds of things. Usui counted down the seconds. Three, two-
"You stupid idiots! You'll pay for this!"
"It's the Demon President!"
"What kind of morons play baseball inside? You have a whole diamond less than a hundred meters away!"
"There's fire coming out of her mouth. Run!"
"Come back here you assholes or I'll be cancelling your entire season!"
"Son of a! You can't do that?"
"Oh no? Kutsuri-san, watch me."
Usui laughed, throwing his head back as he did so. "Those baka are in for a world of pain." He looked at the girl still standing before him. A ghost of a smile crossed her face. "Now about your question."
"Usui-kun?"
"You don't always get to choose who you have feelings for," He began, watching as a stray delinquent rushed by them, nodding his head to Usui, and then dashing away as fast as his legs could carry him. "Sometimes they take you by surprise, and it's all you can do to realize they're there."
"You have feelings for someone?" Her eyes seemed to be as wide as saucers. "Who?"
He put a finger to his lips. "Someone who challenges me. That's what I need."
"I always thought-"
"You jerks are going to make me late for work! COME BACK HERE!"
"Prez," He acknowledged, his eyes brightening as they took in her image.
She slowed to a stop, looking sullenly at the blond-haired boy. "It's not worth it. I'll just cancel practice for the next two weeks." Regarding the younger girl, her gaze traversed between them a few times. She looked down to the crumpled tissue in the girl's hand and scowled. "Breaking hearts again, Usui Takumi? What have I told you about that?"
"Daijoubu," The first year called out. "I appreciate your advice, Usui-kun. I'll look for someone who challenges me."
As the younger student left, Misaki shook her head in disbelief. "Now you're giving out advice, pervert? These girls need better role models."
She turned to walk toward the front gate, and Usui fell into step beside her.
"When you acknowledge that you love me, I'll leave the love advice to you."
"Baka-Usui, like that will ever happen!"
"Just admit it already. You, Ayazawa, love me."
"I do not!" Her chest was practically heaving from the palpitations in her chest, and she clenched her fists so tightly Usui thought they'd burst.
A goofy smile crossed his face. "You're blushing, Misa-chan." As she stormed off, he smirked to himself. "She's a challenge, alright."