"Good morning, Morino-sama," I say in what I hope is a charming way. I rise from my seat. Jared snidely hums a funeral dirge under his breath, smirking at me. I shoot a poisonous scowl at him, and the smile melts off his face.

People remove themselves from my way as I silently move towards the kitchen entrance, struggling to keep steady breath in my lungs. It's okay. It's okay, Ryoko. She probably just wants you to get something from town… Yeah. That's it… Something from town. I think soothingly to myself, while my other inner voice screams, Oh God, we're dying here!

Morino-sama sends me an unconvincing half-smile, and leads me out of the kitchen with a wave of her manicured right hand. The click-clack of her two-inch heels sounds like 'found-OUT, found-OUT, found-OUT!' in my ears. I swallow.

She turns and faces me, out of earshot of the kitchen.

"You're probably wondering why I've dragged you here."

She crosses her arms over her chest, blue eyes staring me in mine. I'm filled with the urge to bite my thumbnail, but I don't.

"Ma'am?" I ask calmly.

"Do you know where my son was last night?"

Okay, now I'm ticked. I have literally done nothing to make this woman suspect me. I mean, it turns out I am the one she's looking for, but still. I haven't done anything to her. So why does she think that this random teenage maid is the reason behind her son's weird behavior? What proof does she have?

"No, Morino-soma. I'm afraid not. May I ask why you came to me with such a question?" That probably came out ruder than I wanted, but all the same: she deserves it.

Ryoshi's mother eyes me as if she doesn't quite know how to take that comment. She opens her mouth.

"I asked, because you remind me of someone, Capulet-san."

"Oh?" I say coolly. My pulse throbs in my veins.

"Yes. What school did you come from, before coming to work for me?"

I'm about to lie. Right before I open my mouth, Aragami's words from over two weeks ago jog into my brain. He said something about calling the Morino family to let them know that he'd found them a new employee. Which means that he probably let Morino-sama know that I went to Otogi Academy… This could be a test to see if I'm trust-worthy. I can't risk it. The Truth it is.

"Otogi Academy, ma'am." I answer.

"That's what I thought." She replies, almost smugly. My gut twists in fear. Where is this going? Does she know it's me? And how?!

"Morino-sama, I can't imagine where this is coming from, but rest assured that I have no interest in Morino-san outside of serving him and the entire Morino household."

"Then would you care to explain the voice I heard coming from your room the other night?"

Oh no. Oh no oh no oh no oh no. Lie! Fast!

"Um… Morino-soma?" I look down shyly. "This is embarrassing… but that, um, that wasn't your son. That was my boyfriend. He works in the kitchen." Morino-sama stares.

"I thought I said no fooling around!"

"Oh, no, Morino-sama, we were just talking. I promise."

"Hmmm." She narrows her eyes at me.

"If that's true, I want to meet this boyfriend of yours. I think, Capulet-san, that you are lying to me."

Be more convincing! I scream at myself.

"I am sorry that my behavior has caused you to have such a low impression of me." I bow. "I am ashamed. I will restore my honor, and bring my boyfriend to you. Please come with me."

Oh my God. Please let Jared understand.

We march into the kitchen. Jared is clearing his plate into the sink. I rush over to him and grab his arm.

"Hey, babe!" I enthuse awkwardly. "Morino-sama would like to meet my one true love, to whom I will get married someday," I say sweetly, staring meaningfully into his eyes. "And I know that is and will always be my Jared-sexy-man-candy." Thank you, Machiko, whereever you are! Your disgustingly over-done flirting example is saving my ass!

Jared gawks at me in confusion. His eyes say, Are you high?! I nod microscopically to Morino-sama, standing a few feet away. His eyes light up with understanding. He breaks into a pearly smile.

"Uh. Yeah!... Baby…!"

I thank my lucky stars and yank him over to Morino-sama.

"Here he is!" I exclaim garishly, squeezing Jared's hand off. God, this cutesiness thing makes me want to vomit out my eye sockets.

"I see that. Well, young man, you are aware that it is prohibited to be in your girlfriend's room after hours?"

"I'm sorry, Morino-sama. She's just so hot. I mean, have you seen that a—"

"That will be all, Takamori-san." Morino-sama scrunches up her face in disgust. She turns her piercing gaze to me.

"You have been warned, Capulet-san. Good day." With that, she turns on her heel, and exits, wide hips swishing.

I drop Jared's sweaty hand in revulsion.

"What the crap was that all about?" he asks me in shock.

"She knows," I whisper. "Well, she almost does. So I told her it was you and I together yesterday instead of Ryoshi. Sorry, I guess."

"Whatevs, Sweetheart." He shrugs. "This is one screwed up operation you've got going on, y'know that?"

"Yeah," I say, irritated. I wonder just how long it will be before she doesn't fall for my excuses anymore… Not that it matters. Only three more days until Ryoshi and I are safe and sound in Otogibana. Together.

All I have to do is open myself up. Once and for all.