A short story about the time right before Takumi leaves for England.
A lil warning though, I've only just begun to read the manga, so if there's any inaccuracies, consider it my take on the story arc.
This will most likely be a 2-3 shot.
Disclaimer: Kaichou wa Maid Sama! belongs to Hiro Fujiwara
Lilac Gingham Scrunchie
"Usui, an Omurice for Table 5, please. Oh, and two berry Parfaits for Table 3" said Misaki, reaching for a bottle of soda in the refrigerator. She opened it and poured it in a glass with a red and white striped straw in it.
It was the weekend right before summer vacation, so Maid-Latte was filled with families. That was their specialty. They catered to patrons young and old.
"Here you go," Takumi pushed a tray with a plate of the omelet covered rice towards her, "Ryota's on the parfait,"
Ryota was the new pastry chef there. He was a college student working part-time as well to fund his education. He was nice to everyone but kept to himself during work hours. Takumi educated him on international desserts often.
Before Misaki could pick up the tray, however, Takumi came around the counter and touched her forehead.
"Are you alright Misa-chan?" he asked her, worry evident in his eyes. He knew her well enough to sense a change in the pattern of the way she spoke and moved.
"Of course I am" she smiled faintly. The truth was, her lower abdomen hurt pretty bad. She felt like the insides of her stomach were being sanded by heavy-grit sanding paper. It always hurt like this during that time of the month for her, even more since she began stressing over her studies and personal life, and she'd always take a painkiller pill much in advance. Yet that day, she was so caught up in school work and whatnot that she had forgotten about it.
Takumi knew instantly when she sighed weakly and a palm involuntarily held the site of the pain.
"Manager, Misaki doesn't seem too well to be working. Would it be okay if I took her home?" Takumi whispered her situation to Satsuki.
"Oh, of course! Why didn't she tell me? I'll have one of the girls to cover for her, and kitchen staff can manage as well." she smiled.
"Thank you, Boss" he took off his apron and fetched his bag near the dressing room. He put on his hoodie and went back to the kitchen, only to find Misaki missing.
"Saotome-San, have you seen Misaki?" said Takumi to Subaru, who had just come in after serving Table 5.
"She's in the bathroom, Usui-kun. Manager told me about it, don't worry, we'll handle it."
Takumi thanked her and waited for Misaki.
She came out a while later, the color drained off her face. "Come on, I'm taking you home," he said to her. She nodded and went to change. When she finished, she and Takumi left through the back entrance.
The first thing Takumi did was take her to a combini (convenience store) and bought her a chicken sandwich and a bottle of water. He made her sit at a table inside, while he went to the pharmacy next door to buy NSAIDs. When he came back, Misaki had only eaten half of the sandwich. When she saw the pills in his hand, she gave him puppy eyes for him to give them to her. He gave in and gave her a pill. She happily downed it with water. They sat in silence for a while.
Takumi held her hand across the table and gave it a squeeze, "How do you feel?"
"The pain is beginning to subside," she said, in an out of breath sort of manner.
"Will you be able to walk to the station?" he said,
"Maybe," she said, eyes closed,
"I could always carry you myself," he said cheekily,
She glared at him. Even in pain, she was able to give off her dangerous Class-President aura.
He laughed and got up. Her glare ensured him that she had enough willpower to walk a few meters.
Misaki held his hand as they walked to the train station. They were right in time for the 7 PM train, so they didn't have to wait for any extra.
They sat next to each other. Misaki rested her head on his shoulder and wrapped an arm around his. Takumi smiled and kissed the top of her head.
"What have I told you about PDA, you Perv?" she mumbled.
"Are you hearing yourself right now, Prez?" he said, confused at her statement.
"Besides," she completely ignored what he said, "Isn't someone stalking you" she mumbled.
Takumi sighed. It was true, he was being watched. What terrified him the most was the idea that he would have to leave Misaki at some point.
No, I won't let that happen
He was determined to fight whatever came in the way of them being together.
He glanced around, then shook his head and diverted his attention to Misaki who seemed to be asleep. He leaned back and just enjoyed the calm presence of his girlfriend next to him.
They reached their stop before he gently shook her awake. She covered her mouth as she yawned and got up following Takumi.
Their walk home was silent as well since Takumi didn't want to tire her in any way.
When they were almost near her house, she said, "Usui…I'm sorry for putting you through this"
"Hey, don't say that. I love you, and taking care of you is one of the ways I show you that" he said softly.
Misaki blushed,
"Besides, I've got to get used to this. There's so much I have to learn. It'll come in handy one day" he smirked at her.
To his surprise, Misaki stifled a laugh.
"Takumi! What a surprise" said Minako when they came in.
Takumi bowed in respect towards Misaki's mother.
"Oh get up, you're like a son to me," she said.
"Misaki had severe cramps at work today, so I thought I'd drop her off."
"How do you feel now, Misaki?" she asked her daughter.
"Much better, Mom. Thanks to Usui. I still feel a bit tired though" said Misaki.
"Well, why don't you call it a night. Have you eaten yet?"
"Yes, he bought me dinner. Goodnight Mom," she turned to Takumi, "Thank you," she kissed his cheek "Goodnight, Usui".
Takumi said goodnight to her and was about to leave when Minako stopped him.
"Why don't you stay for dinner Takumi?"
"I don't want to bother you in any way Ayuzawa-san," he said.
"Not at all, please I insist. At least have some tea."
"Sure"
Minako got up and went to make tea for them when Takumi noticed a pile of what looked like fabric scraps and elastics. Next to it was a cardboard box filled with hair ties of different sizes. He recognized them as the scrunchies he'd seen Misaki and her mother wearing.
"I hope you like lemon tea." she came in with a tray of tea and crackers.
"I do, thanks," said Takumi, taking a sip of the tea. It was warm and comforting while also being refreshing and energizing.
"Say, do you make these?" he pointed at the scrunchies
"It's something I used to make for the girls when they were little. They've become popular recently, especially among the girls in Suzana's class. The other day she came home telling me that one of her classmate's mother owns a boutique and would like to sell the scrunchies, so she's commissioned me to make them"
"I see" he took a bite of a rice cracker, "Would you mind if I helped you?"
"Takumi, you've already taken the trouble in bringing Misaki home safely, I can't let you,"
"You call me 'son' so, shouldn't a son be able to help his mother?" he said to her.
Minako didn't expect him to say that, but her eyes softened as she remembered what Misaki had told her about his family. At least, what she knew of back then.
"I'd appreciate the help," she smiled.
The two of them sewed scrunchies for the next hour or so. Minako told Takumi stories about how she had met her husband, how he used to be a good man, which left them in the greatest shock of their lives when he had left. She told him stories of the girls when they were children, how she taught them kindness and strength.
Takumi listened intently. He realized that Misaki had taken after her mother, but was a little more on the aggressive side.
"Takumi, after me, you're the only person who's genuinely loved and cared for Misaki. It's not every day you come across men who are that sincere. You've been around her the most these past couple of years and know more about her than I do." Said Minako, her eyes fixated on a lilac and white, gingham patterned scrunchie.
"You've raised a wonderful young woman, Ayuzawa-san. Both of them. I'd do anything to keep a smile on her face."
"Thank you, Takumi. She loves you a lot too. Even if she says it less frequently," she looked up at him with a warm smile.
"I know. Misa lets her actions speak louder. The way she works for you and Suzana justifies her love for her family." He said, finishing off a navy blue hair tie, "Where is Suzana anyway?"
"She off on a school retreat. I believe you and Misaki went on one too"
Memories of the past swirled around in Takumi's head. He nodded with happy, but slightly mixed emotions.
"Oh dear, I've no control over my rambling. It's almost 10!" she put her work material neatly aside and got up.
"I must get going Ayuzawa-san. Thanks for the tea,"
"I'm sorry about rambling about the past," she said bashfully, "I do that with the girls too sometimes, then have to remind myself that I shouldn't be disturbing their progress with this"
"It's alright," said Takumi, getting up.
"Are you sure you don't want to stay for dinner?"
"Honestly Ayuzawa-san, I'm stuffed. I've eaten a lot of rice crackers and cookies," he said, putting on his hoodie.
"Can you wait a moment?" She disappeared into the kitchen for a while and came back with a brown paper bag.
"There's miso-soup, katsu, and rice. If you feel hungry in the middle of the night, you'll have a meal ready" she handed the bag to him.
Minako Ayuzawa was the closest Takumi had to a mother. She worried about him and made sure he ate well when he'd visited. Whenever Misaki told her she was going to his house, Minako was always send something of what she cooked along with her. She began doing this even before her daughter and Takumi started dating.
"Thank you so much, Ayuzawa-san." He said with genuine gratefulness and left the residence of the family he had found, returning to his apartment which was a house rather than a home.
Part 2 coming soon!
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