Hello everyone!

Thanks for following the story so far! Your comments were really heartwarming and motivating :)

As for this chapter, I decided to keep it short. I'm currently experimenting with chapter lengths, so do let me know if you prefer bite-sized chunks (such as this one) or longer ones (1k word count) such as the first chapter of this story, and my other stories so far (Achievement, I Miss Them).

A few months later:

It was a regular day at the café. Just the perfect amount of patrons. Misaki was changing into her civies when she thought about everything going on in her life. School would end soon and she'd have to leave for college. What about her family? What about Usui? Moving out wasn't something super unusual and her mom encouraged her to sail forward, but the thought of it felt strange.

"You done?" she heard a voice from the other side of the door.

"Yeah" she replied, putting on her t-shirt.

Takumi didn't work that day. In fact, his work schedule was erratic. No doubt it was a part-time job, but he was known to keep a consistent schedule.

Misaki slung her bag over her shoulder and said bye to Satsuki. She joined Takumi and they walked along their usual route. He seemed a little out of place.

"Hey, you okay?"

He looked at her and gave her a comforting smile, "I'm more than okay, I'm with my Misa-chan"

Even though he teased, she knew that something was off with him.

It began to drizzle once they reached their train stop.

"Why do I feel like it's going to pour down real bad soon?" she facepalmed

"It sure looks like it, doesn't it?" Takumi inspected the skies.

Rightly said, it began to rain heavily within seconds of leaving the station. Takumi grabbed Misaki's wrist and made a dash for the nearest shelter, but there wasn't any around since it was a residential area. He took off his shirt, leaving him in a grey undershirt, and covered her with it.

"My place is the nearest from here. I'll drop you once it stops" he said,

"If it ever stops" she groaned, but ran with him.

By the time they reached, Takumi was soaked to the bone while Misaki was drenched to the camisole she wore under her t-shirt.

"Sit here, I'll be back" he gestured to a plastic chair in the kitchen.

Takumi came back shirtless with a towel on his head, and another one in his hand that he gave her to dry off.

"There's fresh clothes on the bed, you can change into them" he said. He then went into the kitchen and Misaki heard him turn on the stove.

"What are you doing?" she took off the overshirt and put it on the chair.

"Making something warm to drink. I don't want you getting sick" he said.

"Neither do I! Go take a shower, I'll make us some…hot chocolate!" she said after seeing a tin of cocoa powder. Misaki had to physically push him out of the kitchen.

"Are you sure you won't burn the kitchen down?" he said in mock-seriousness.

"Yes you idiot! I've never done anything close to it"

"Not intentionally. Your glare can burn down anything in sight, you realise that?" he said as she pushed him into the bathroom located in his bedroom.

"Misa! Will you at least let me take a towel?" he said, chuckling, "Unless you want to see me-"

"Urusai baka!" she moved aside to let him take his towel. He reached in his wardrobe and took a stack of folded clothes and took them with him.

"Change before you catch a cold." He pointed to the clothes.

He went inside, and before closing the door, he said "Don't worry, I'll inform you when I'm done," Misaki nodded.

She heard the door close and the shower turn on. Misaki sat on his bed and held up the sweatshirt and joggers he'd given her. The sweatshirt was light grey with raglan sleeves, and the joggers were navy blue. She took off her outerwear and changed into the comfortable knitwear.

They smell like him.

Misaki hugged herself, trying to warm up from the cold atmosphere. Soon, the aroma of his soap and shampoo filled the room. It was the scent of lavender and pine, with a hint of vanilla and mint. She felt like she could lay down and take a long, relaxing snooze then and there.

So there it is! I'll update in a week, and if there's something you'd like to see in this story, or if there's something else you'd like me to write about, feel free to leave a comment!

P. S. I noticed that some of you have begun following 'Achievement'. I was surprised as it is a completed story, but if you'd like me to write a sequel about their vacation, let me know what you'd like to see!

You can also DM me if you don't wanna comment.

Thanks for keeping up with my work,

Stay tuned for more!

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