Sorry for the delay! Was lacking the inspiration to write.

Happy New Year everyone!

More body-name confusion in this chapter. Enjoy teasing your brains while trying to keep up with the concoction I've created!

On with the story!

"Hey Usui kun," Misaki said stepping forward. "I just had an interesting idea. Care to hear me out?"

"W…what?" stuttered the blond haired boy as he tried his best not to break down.

Sen and Mochi curiously turned over their shoulders to see what was happening. The scene was very confusing indeed- the cool, collected Usui was quivering and the spirited, enthusiastic Misaki was looking very smug.

Usui stepped forward, and ignoring the possible outcome of what might happen, gripped Misaki's upper arms. With an evil grin he said, "How about a bet, Usui kun?"

"EH?" squawked Misaki as she tried to control her panic. "A bet? Us- Misa chan are you losing it?" she asked in a rough voice.

"Boy, Usui kun must really be under the weather," Sen said in an undertone to Mochi as she carefully iced a small cake. "He's usually so kind but I've hear that falling sick can make people change a lot."

"A bet, Usui," Misaki continued as though Usui hadn't said anything. "How about switching jobs for today? You serve, and I'll help out in the kitchen."

Now Sen and Mochi turned round to gawk at Misaki's suggestion. It was a well known fact that Misaki's downfall was the ability to cook. What was she thinking? To top it all, Usui actually had a serious look on his face as though he might be considering the option. Deciding to step in before anything disastrous happened, Mochi opened her mouth.

"Ah, Misa chan though you're an enthusiastic worker, I've heard that you can't cook properly, am I right?" She asked hoping she sounded polite.

"Usui kun has been helping me learn some new recipes!" Misaki informed them as Usui paled considerably. "He taught me how to make rice, some cakes…" Her voice trailed and she ran a hand down Usui's arm, "As well as a few other things," she completed in an oddly husky voice.

Usui's face reddened as he jerked away from the girl. "Don't do that so casually you pervert!" Shouted Misaki before suddenly realizing how out of character she must have sounded. Usui would have accepted the touch and probably reciprocated back the action. Blushing, she glanced at Mochi and Sen.

Sympathetically, Mochi said, "It's true. Falling ill does make a person cranky."

"You're ill Usui kun?" asked Misaki as she stepped closer to him, to which Usui automatically took a step back. "That's too bad…" she said while giving him a knowing look.

Frantically trying to find a way out of the situation, Usui blurted, "You were saying something about a bet Misa chan! What is it?"

Misaki gave him a sweet smile. "Let's switch posts today. If you're a more capable server than I am, then I lose. If I turn out to be a better cook than you, then you lose."

"What's the price for losing?"

"Hmm…" Misaki tapped her cheek with a finger. "We can decide that later don't you think?" She asked him. "How about it? You game?"

Usui's face remained blank before a huge grin blossomed over it. He extended a hand. "You're on! And I won't lose!" he added as he sprinted out of the kitchen.

Misaki tied a bandana around her head and stood in front of the stove. Ignoring the slightly dubious and fearful looks on her colleague's faces, she smiled energetically at them.

"Let's get to work!"

-0-

"Usui kun, I thought you were on kitchen duty," said Subaru as Misaki quickly took a serving tray and laid onto it her customer's order.

"Change of plans," she nearly sang. Really, she owed Usui for this. At least there was the reassurance that no one would die from food poisoning now.

"Misa chan and I have a little of a bet going on."

"Oh?" asked Subaru.

"Yeah. She's going to cook while I serve."

"Misaki's going to cook?" repeated Subaru dubiously. "Has she been taking classes?"

"Yeah I've been teaching her. I wanted to see how much she remembers so I made the bet."

"All right then. I just hope she's all right. Our Misaki…well…cooking's not her strong point."

Biting his lip, Usui ignored the last comment and delivered the order to the respective table which was occupied by none other than the Idiot Trio.

"Huh? Usui kun?" Kurotatsu said when he saw who it was that was serving. "Where's Misa chan?"

"She's on kitchen duty today," Usui announced as he laid down the plates.

"Wah! No Misa chan today? Coming was a waste!" all three of the teenagers dried together.

With a smirk Usui said, "Enjoy your food!" He briskly walked back into the kitchen. He chanced a peep into the kitchen. Misaki was chopping vegetables and preparing sauces at high speed. With a smile he went to collect the next order. Everything was going to be all right.

-0-

"I cant believe I'm saying this but thank you so much Usui kun!" Misaki blurted suddenly as they walked back home.

Amused, Usui quirked an eyebrow then turned his face upwards to look at Misaki. "It was the least I could have done. You were about to crash and burn."

"I have to learn how to cook though. I might have been saved today but what if Maid Latte asks me to cook again? I can't refuse Satsuki."

"I'll teach you if you're really that interested." Warily Misaki looked at herself. Usui's help usually came at a price.

"I'll think about it and decide later."

Silence fell between them and it was interrupted by Usui.

"Have you forgotten Misa chan?" he asked casually.

"Forgotten what?"

"The bet."

"Ah right. The bet. I forgot how many tables I served by the hour. Looks like we'll have to cancel it."

A girlish chuckle left Usui's throat. "Really Misa chan do you think I would have forgotten so easily? Even though you weren't keeping count I was."

"Eh? How did you manage cooking as well as keeping counting of the serving?"

"I'm gifted," he replied.

"So what was the result?" Misaki asked cautiously.

"Well, if we check the number of tables you waited plus the number of dishes you were carrying to the rate at which I was making them, I was faster. I made more dishes in the time it took you to deliver them."

"WHAT? How do I know you're not just saying that for the sake of claiming a false victory?"

"I have proof," claimed Usui before he reached inside his jeans pocket and pulling out a sheet of paper. "See if you take your time and deliver ratio it comes to 3:5. Mine, if we divide the two quantities will become-"

"All right!" Misaki was quite unnerved to see that Usui had done his math on that. How had he managed anyway? There was something about the guy that wasn't human.

"So does that mean you agree to your defeat?" Usui asked as he folded the paper away into his pocket.

"I never said that," Misaki said automatically.

"Don't be a sore loser."

"I'm not."

"Prove it."

Calming herself, Misaki forced herself to meet Usui's (her) eyes. "What do you want?"

"Hmm…I was thinking of how boring it is to always be the one kissing you. So as victor of this bet, I want a special kiss from Misa chan."

"WHAT? Usui you pheromone alien! Can you think of nothing else apart from things like that?" Misaki exploded.

"Well, apart from winning the bet, I also saved you from a tight spot didn't I? This feels like a very adequate compensation."

"No. I wont do it. Let me know when you think of a more reasonable request." Misaki began to walk ahead only to be stilled by Usui's voice.

"I never knew President Ayuzawa was the type to break her own agreement."

Flustered and blushing uncontrollably Misaki whirled around.

"What did you say Usui?" She asked venomously.

"Well this I never expected. Guess I'll have to spread the word that Misaki isn't as honest as she seems to be."

"You wouldn't dare."

"I wouldn't?" Usui grinned wickedly.

Misaki felt walls closing around her. She couldn't think of any way out of this!

"Usui…" She said despairingly, laying a hand on his shoulder.

"Hmm?" Usui looked up at her.

"Isn't there any other way?"

"It's just a kiss Ayuzawa. You don't have to get tensed over such a matter. If you feel you're not up to the standard I'm at I'll help you along the way."

"It's not that!" Misaki's face turned red.

"Don't worry." Reassuringly, Usui reached up and ran a hand up and down the tall spine. It seemed to work because he felt her relax slightly.

"Come on Misa chan."

With a sigh of defeat, Misaki placed herself in front of her body. She looked relaxed and utterly content with just stroking skin. Was that how Usui was feeling? She wished he had his own face so that she could decide properly.

"Take your time," Usui said softly.

Taking a breath, Misaki prepared herself to dip down, quite opposite to the position she was usually in while being kissed. Usui took the signal and leaned up on his toes. At the gentle contact, both their eyes closed.

Misaki lost herself to the feel of the soft warm lips on hers. The taste of the kiss was making her heady. Unfortunately, her conscience suddenly kicked in.

You're kissing your own lips Ayuzawa!

Freaking out, Misaki freed her mouth. Usui was watching her with a disappointed look.

"Only that much Misa chan?"

"Usui…didn't you feel weird? You were kissing your own lips!"

"Hmm…I thought that scenario might have been odd but then I reminded myself that it was you kissing me and not myself."

"But…but…it felt so wrong!"

"Ever consider breaking the rules Ayuzawa?"

"Forget it! I'm going home!"

Amused, Usui remained where he was knowing Misaki would come back anyway. Misaki had walked about 30 paces when she realized she was heading the wrong way. With a huff she stomped back to where Usui was.

"I forgot. I'm supposed to return to your flat aren't I?"

"Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow Ayuzawa."

With that Usui turned left and took the path that led to her house.

Lol. Usui really rescued her don't you think? But I think it would be really weird if you ended up kissing yourself…but if course, Usui wouldn't have minded ^_^

Review please!