~Usui~

"Just leave me alone!" Ayuzawa snapped, smacking me hard on the chest. I blinked in surprise, concern creasing my brow. "I can take care of myself, Usui. Quit following me like you're the stalker that's been on the prowl!"

I frowned and stepped in closer, pressing her back against the wall. She tried to dart to the side, but I caged her head between my forearms. Her honey gaze was then cast resolutely downward.

"The harder you try to manage everything, Ayuzawa," I said quietly, leaning down until I was a hair's breadth away, "The more I worry about you. Sooner or later, you're gonna slip."

"I-idiot! I will not!" she replied.

"You will, you've proven it once already," I said.

I was referring to the time shortly after I had learned of her job at Maid Latte, when a pair of stalkers had cornered her alone while she was closing up shop. Granted, she had managed to get herself out of that one, but she wouldn't always be so lucky. There was another string of disappearances being reported now, all from cafes like the one she worked at, and all of a build similar to hers. I was concerned about her, so sue me. I wanted to protect the girl I loved—why couldn't she just calm down and think about it sensibly?

"Shut up! Go away!"

"I won't, Ayuzawa," I told her seriously. "You're in danger, and when you're under a lot of stress, you make mistakes. It's not a flaw; it just makes you human."

"What, and you don't make mistakes, I suppose?" she snarled. "But then, you're not human. You're some perverted, stalking outer space alien, aren't you?"

"Ayuzawa…" I sighed.

"No, Usui! I don't need you trailing after me like some sort of bodyguard. I can take care of myself just fine!"

I let out an exasperated noise, and dropped my arms, stepping away from her. She looked startled at my abrupt retreat, but didn't hesitate to put more distance between herself and me. There was nothing for me to say anymore, since she adamantly refused to hear me out, so I remained silent, opting to just look at her.

Color began to creep up her neck and across her cheeks as she met my gaze. Her amber eyes were far from firm, indicating that maybe the current situation was affecting her more than she cared to admit. Or maybe she didn't really mean to be that harsh with me…No, she definitely was just shaken up about the disappearances, and was too proud to say so.

I sighed heavily, and jammed my hands into my pockets.

"See you later, Misa-chan," I said over my shoulder, heading for the door that would lead back inside from the roof.

"Don't call me that here!" she shouted in indignation.

I just shook my head and slipped through the still-open door, into the wind-free staircase. Part of me hoped—perhaps childishly—that she might come running after me. Might call me back. Might do something. But she didn't, and I continued to the main floor alone, lost in my own little world of thought.

No matter what she said or what she told me to do, I couldn't leave her alone. Not at a time like that, when she'd already been targeted once. Call it my biggest vice, my fatal flaw, my whatever, but I would go to any lengths to protect what I cared about. And I cared about her. Well, there was nothing else to it. I'd have to live up to my title of perverted alien stalker if she wouldn't let me take her to and from work.

"Usui!"

I blinked and looked around. Sakura was waving at me almost spastically, Shizuko standing a little ways behind her and shaking her head. I raised a hand in acknowledgement, and the pink-haired girl gestured for me to come over. Slightly bemused as to what the Prez's friend wanted from me, I obliged.

"Usui, what are you doing this weekend?" asked the small girl excitedly.

"Sorry, Usui," sighed Shizuko, coming to stand at her friend's shoulder. "I told her to leave you alone, but she doesn't often listen to me."

"It's fine," I told them with a small smile.

"Told you Shizuko!" the shorter girl giggled. "Anyway, Usui, I was wondering if you wanted to come to a party on Saturday?"

I blinked, taken aback by the offer.

"A party?" I repeated. "What for?"

"Well, it's for Misaki-san. She's been working doubly hard lately to make this school the best it can possibly be, so we thought we should do something for her, too. It's at my house—the student council did a good job of organizing it without tipping her off."

"That's nice," I said, meaning it. Misaki was always the one taking care of everybody else, and as much as others relied on her, it was nice to know that they would extend her their gratitude through something like this.

"So? Will you go?" she said, positively bouncing with nervous tension.

I ran a hand through my hair.

"I'm…not really that in to parties," I said honestly. Parties generally meant lots of people, and even with the Prez there to undoubtedly keep it under control, lots of people weren't really my thing.

"But Misaki-san will be there!" Sakura whined.

"He already knows that, Sakura," sighed Shizuko. "You've said the party was for her."

I glanced back up at the roof, but I couldn't see Ayuzawa leaning over the railing.

"I think Prez is getting sick of me," I confided.

With a careless wave, I started walking away, hands shoved into my pockets. Behind me, I heard Sakura's crestfallen voice crying to Shizuko about how much it sucked that I wouldn't go. Shizuko reasoned that it was actually considerate of me to consider how Ayuzawa might feel about my being present at the party, but to my surprise, even she sounded a little disappointed. Why did they care so much whether or not I could make it to the party? I was a side character in their lives, after all. But then, what if they thought my attendance might make the Prez happy? A ludicrous thought, but as her friends, it might have had some basis.

"Oi, Sakura!" I called over my shoulder. She looked up eagerly. "I'll think about it!"

It was less than she hoped for, but also more than she expected I guess, because she leaped into the air in excitement, and flowers of moe started falling from somewhere.

Where those flowers keep coming from, I'll probably never know, I thought with a shake of my head.

Today was Friday, so the girls were planning Misaki's party tomorrow. They had gotten extremely lucky, because Misaki almost always took Saturdays off from Maid Latte. Glancing at my watch, I figured I would have time to catch a bus back to my place, change into something more comfortable, and make it to Maid Latte with plenty of time. Ayuzawa would be safe during daylight, I was sure. It was after the shop closed for the night, and she was the only one left to lock up that concerned me. I'd be there easily before the others all headed home.

~…~

"I told you to leave me alone, idiot," she grumbled.

It was funny, seeing her insult me and complain while wearing a bright, happy smile. The smile wasn't customary for her—it was necessary for her job.

"I'm just here to have a sunday," I told her, amused. Of course, we both knew that wasn't the only reason, but I just loved to poke fun at her whenever I could.

She made what was supposed to be an angry face and stormed off into the kitchen. I smiled and shook my head indulgently. Misa-chan was too much fun.

"Are you two together, dear?"

I blinked and looked around. An elderly woman sitting at a nearby table was looking between me and the doorway that Misa-chan had just vanished through. She was smiling adoringly, as one might at a cute child that scuffed their feet on the floor after getting it all muddy.

"No, ma'am," I answered, shaking my head.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she said abashedly. "It's just, I've been here several times before, and I've seen the way the two of you banter. I've always thought that the sort of arguments that happen between you two help people to better understand each other. If my ex-husband and I had argued like that, we would still be married."

I sniggered, and felt a small tingle of warmth trickle across my cheeks.

"She doesn't feel that way yet," I chuckled.

"I'll bet she does," said the woman with a wink. "What girl in her right mind could resist a cutie like you?"

Alright, I was definitely blushing now. I scratched the back of my head in embarrassment.

"One who calls me a perverted alien stalker," I told her. She blinked and stared at me for a moment, then rocked back in her chair and laughed so hard that tears gathered in her eyes.

"Child, only a girl who cares far more than she's willing to admit would call you something like that," she cackled. I smiled.

"There's your sunday, master," Misa-chan said with poisonous sweetness. She set down a tall glass on the table, full to the top with ice cream and fruit.

"Thanks, Misa-chan," I said softly, giving her my best sultry smile.

Ayuzawa flushed a brilliant scarlet and quickly looked away, mumbling something about stupid perverted outer space alien stalkers. The elderly woman started giggling again, and I suppressed a softer smile. And a blush. Ayuzawa stormed off toward the Moron Trio's table, looking none too pleased that they were there as well. Briefly I wondered if Sakura had invited them, but I dismissed the question immediately. There was nobody in their right minds, least of all a friend of Ayuzawa's, that would invite those three anywhere.

"Mark my words, boy," chuckled the woman, sliding her chair back and standing up. "She'll realize that you're something special to her."

I smiled in return, but said nothing, and started on my sunday.

~…~

"What are you doing back here?!" Ayuzawa exclaimed furiously.

I smirked and pushed off of the wall I was leaning against, reaching out to take one of the garbage bags from her. She quickly snatched them both out of my reach, snapping that she could do it herself and I should just quit bothering her.

"I'm always here," I told her with a raised eyebrow.

"But why?" groaned as she tossed the bags into the dumpster in the alley.

"Why?" I repeated. I shook my head and advanced on her. She blushed furiously when I backed her up against the wall, caging her between my arms. "Because the lovely Ayuzawa is, of course. What other reason do I have to be anywhere?"

"I-idiot!" she stuttered, but the insult was half-hearted at best.

I'd noticed that, whenever we ended up in this position, she would adamantly refuse to meet my gaze, though her cheeks would still blaze crimson. What was she afraid I might see in her eyes? Or, better yet, was it something she was afraid to see in mine?

"Ayuzawa," I said quietly, leaning down until I could whisper in her ear. "Why are you so afraid to look me in the eyes?"

Ayuzawa bristled as if she were a cat, her entire body stiffening. She turned her demon gaze on me, I think in an attempt to intimidate me as she did others, but I met her head-on with a small, slightly disappointed smile.

"I'm not!" she snarled vehemently, but almost the moment she said it, she looked down at her feet.

"Really?" I said skeptically, reaching up to catch her chin with one hand and forcing her face to level with mine. "Because I beg to differ, Prez. Seems you have some extreme difficulty looking at me."

"Sh-shut up, Usui!" she barked.

"You already know I won't," I told her calmly. "So tell me."

"Th-there's nothing t-to tell," she answered unconvincingly.

"That so?" I replied sadly. I dropped my hands and stepped away. "Fine then. Are you almost done locking up?"

"That's—that's none of your business," she grumbled, shuffling toward the door.

"Isn't it?" I said, so softly I doubted she heard me.

She huffed and slammed the door behind her.

I sighed and leaned back against the wall, crossing my arms over my chest. Ayuzawa was so clueless, not only about me but about herself. I believed that she truly didn't understand how she felt about me—that she only knew I constantly teased her and always came through for her right when she needed me. Did she love me? Even I wasn't a hundred percent sure about that, but I was sure that she cared about me, as more than a friend.

If my ex-husband and I had argued like that, we would still be married.

I smiled. That lady was funny, and I knew she made her points from experience and knowledge. She was right, I was sure. Still, that didn't make my situation with Misaki any easier. I checked my watch. Assuming Misaki checked upstairs, turned off all the lights, locked all of the doors, and changed her clothes, she would be coming out in roughly five…four…three…two…

"Are you still out here?!"

Ayuzawa was nothing if not efficient. I smirked as she locked the door behind her before straightening up. I stretched and fell into step at her side, ignoring the irritated look she threw my way.

"What are you doing?" she snapped.

"Walking you home," I told her calmly.

"What for?" she grumbled.

"Because there's a stalker on the loose," I said seriously. "And because I like spending time with you."

"The only stalker I'm worried about is you. You only like teasing me and threatening me."

"Threatening you?" I repeated, stopping abruptly. She paused, looking around at me with a frown.

"Yeah," she said, confirming that I had heard correctly.

"Would you mind telling me just how I threaten you?" I said coolly, a little hurt.

She blinked, and her cheeks flushed slightly. Once again, she wouldn't meet my eyes.

"Well…You always come to the café just to taunt me," she mumbled. "Like you're saying that you know my secret and there's nothing to stop you from telling everyone at school. And you're constantly sexually harassing me, and—"

Something on my face must have caught her attention, because she cut herself off suddenly. Color crept up into her cheeks, and she began to fiddle with her fingers behind her back.

"Quit looking at me like that," she griped.

"Like what?" I asked, voice a little strained.

"Like…Like I hurt your feelings."

"But Prez," I said softly. "I tend to wear my emotions. There's nothing I have to hide."

Her eyes widened slightly and she looked up at me before she realized that she had some sort of mental rule not to. But by the time she remembered, it seemed that I had trapped her gaze.

"Usui—" she started, but I interrupted her.

"I'll admit to sexually harassing you a little," I allowed. "But I have never crossed any boundaries you've laid down, have I?"

"Well you—"

"Have I?" I said with more forcefulness.

Her startled amber gaze dropped to her toes.

"…No," she mumbled.

"And despite being free to tell people your secret any time I please, I haven't let slip even once that you work at Maid Latte. I've gone out of my way to protect that secret, even jumping off a building, right?"

"…Yes. Which was still crazy by the w—"

"What I still don't understand is why that even needs to be a secret," I continued, feeling the words just begin to tumble from my lips. "I don't see how you think working there would tarnish your reputation at school!"

"I-idiot!" she snapped, still not looking at me.

"And despite that," I said, before she could speak again. "I've kept your secret quiet. Yet you seem to think that it's only for my own personal gain. That I come every day you work to taunt you, to flaunt the fact that I know what you do after school and that I can coerce you to do just about anything with that information. When have I ever done that, Ayuzawa?"

I had officially lost my patience, which was quite an outstanding event in and of itself. Something seemed to be growing in my throat, and I raked an agitated hand through my hair.

"I thought that, with time, you might be able to figure it out," I almost growled. "You're a very bright girl, after all. But it seems I have to spell it out for you. I've kept your secret because I respect you. I respect your damned wishes, no matter how ridiculous I find them. I respect you enough to do as you ask even though I don't understand. I come into that café every day because I want to see you. I'm not taunting you. I'm not threatening you. Of course I'll tease you, but I thought you were smart enough to see through it. Guess I was wrong, though."

I fixed what must have been a blazing look on Misaki's face, the frustration inside me boiling over. At last, she had managed to look up at me and hadn't immediately looked away with those huge, shining gold eyes. Eyes I loved. Eyes that, apparently, didn't even trust me.

"I guess that, no matter how much you love someone, you can't force them to understand," I sighed. "I shouldn't feel so disappointed. You've never made any attempt to think about what I've told you for real. All you've ever seen me as was a perverted alien stalker from planet pheromone, unless I've missed something."

"Usui—" she began, and it may have been my imagination, but I thought I saw her hand twitch in my direction, as though she wanted to reach out and touch me.

"I've done my best," I said hoarsely, "To help you understand. I've done everything I could to protect you and to come through for you, but I guess you really just can't trust me, can you? Is it because of your dad? Or did I really do something so wrong that you could think so little of me?"

The logical part of my brain said I was being stupid. I'd already known how she justified her emotions to herself, and I shouldn't be getting so riled up. But, with the stress of Misaki being in potential danger from a stalker, of loving and not even being acknowledged in return, and of driving myself nuts thinking about her all the time, I guess all I had needed was a spark to set off the flames. Even the tiniest one had clearly been enough, and I had just released all of the pent-up frustration that had been building inside me since I'd first told her how I feel.

"Usui, I—"

"You think you don't need anybody else, because you're strong. It's your job to take care of everyone, and just because you take aikido means that nothing can hurt you. You're big bag Student Council President Ayuzawa Misaki, and you don't need anyone. I already knew that, yet I tried to be someone you needed. But…You just refuse to need someone, least of all someone like me. Who actually cares about Ayuzawa, and not the Prez. Who cares about Misaki, and not the maid Misa-chan."

Her mouth was hanging half open, and her eyes were shining brightly, with more than their usual glimmer. With everything having been blown out of my system, my mind began to slow down, realizing exactly what had just happened. I let my face go blank, and patted her on the head.

"Sorry," I sighed. "I went too far. Let's get you home."

After a moment, Misaki nodded slowly, and I took the lead down the sidewalk again.

She's not saying anything. I thought nervously. Why isn't she saying anything?

Normally she would have regained her voice by now, using it to shout me down with half-hearted insults and confused stutters that would just end up leaving me amused. Normally she would have recovered and would be ranting about how stupid I was. But to be fair I didn't normally go off and let out a bunch of steam railing at her the way I just had.

By the time we reached her home, the tension between us had become so thick you could cut it with a knife. Wordlessly I held open the gate for her, and silently she walked to her front door, fumbling with her keys in her pocket. Just before she disappeared inside, I managed to find my voice again.

"Ayuzawa?" I called. She paused and looked over her shoulder at me, her face blank. "Sakura needs your help with something at her house tomorrow. She really needs you to be there."

She blinked, then nodded slowly.

"And Ayuzawa?"

She waited.

"…Sorry."

I got no response that time, and she let herself into her house without a word, slamming it a little too harshly. I gave a sad smile. What more had I expected?

I just screwed up big time. I know it.

I pulled out my cell phone as I walked away from her house, finding Sakura's number in my contacts list. I don't actually remember when or how it got there, but I was glad. I sent her a quick text, then pocketed the phone.

Can't make it tomorrow. Sorry.