Repudiations: I only own the ideas—and also, this would be the final instance I'd pen this annotation with concerns to the tenure of the story. I hope you'd be all keenly sufficient to apprehend that I do not own whatever.

Author's Addendum: Bias has finally ended. Cinderella has been discontinued and Heiress is already on her last arc—cool, huh? But since I wanted to take rest from the last story I'm to write, I first want to make another uncomplicated and three—chaptered story about Ayuzawa Misaki and Usui Takumi again. I hope you like it and don't worry; it won't end tragically like what had happened in Bias. Because I thought that if I made the ending tragic—again—I feel that someone's patience would really end up snapping and I'm gonna get myself killed afterwards. So, enjoy!

Dedication: This story is for a special friend of mine who wants to adopt my pet shih Tzu so badly.

Title: Magic Eight Ball

Genre: Comedy X Romance

Pairing: Usui Takumi X Ayuzawa Misaki

Inspiration: ZM & KL of BBC5

Prompt: right after Bias. :D

One: Magic

"Come on, stop giving me that look already."

I couldn't help but glare at Aoi as I sat across him on our usual table before looking away. This is bad, this is very, very bad. I've seen it on movies countless of times and heard from gossiping workmates and I couldn't believe I'm actually dumb enough to try something like this, too. In fact, I never imagined doing this to my boyfriend for three years already just because I'm getting paranoid over the fact that he's started to change ever since he was promoted on work for something of a higher position—well, if it wasn't obvious enough. I clutched the fork beside me nervously as if I could draw strength from it only to drop it again when Aoi, my best friend—and I'm not certain whether I should still call him my best friend after this—smack my tightly clenched hand with the book he was holding.

I suppressed a growl and glares at him instead.

He pretended as if nothing happen. "Head's on the game, Ayuzawa. Pretend as if we're here for a meeting and not because we are spying on someone."

I snorted at him. "But we are really spying someone." I mumbled sardonically. He scoffed and muttered something inaudible to my ears and conjured reading again. Aoi Hyoudou is a fashion designer of clothes for both sexes. He was my best friend, a classmate ever since we were in junior high and well, we've always been together through everything. In fact, he volunteered to be the personal designer of the wedding assistance shop I was running with my other friend, Sakura Hanazono, since it was already a favor after my parents adopted him when his parents died due to an accident. He's really handsome I must say if only he wasn't acting such a girl on various times. He was famous for the unique styles of the clothes he designs and had became one of the most famous and high-profiled designers of his time. One thing about Aoi is, despite being known world-wide and being constantly told so, he stays humble and doesn't rubs on anyone's face that he's greater-than-thou—apart from me, of course. The bastard usually loves to mock me nonstop and tell me that I'm such a sucker since I couldn't even get myself a proper relationship while he had several experiences of his own.

That dork.

He glanced my way with his usually motivated blue eyes before fixing the frills of the blond wig—a blond wig for females—he was wearing and smirks. "I've always known you were envious of me."

"Excuse me but I'm not envious of you. Because unlike you, I'm a true to heart and is an originally born woman—ow!" I growled at him when he was done kicking me on the knee. He looked away nonchalantly while whistling. "Dork."

Well, Aoi wasn't really as gay as anybody thinks of. In fact, he was more masculine now than he was before during our high school days. Aoi never really wanted to become gay. He just really likes wearing—and seeing—cute stuff. He tends to get a crush on females too but since he has too much of his pride, he refuses to court them all. I told you already, he was a bastard.

That bastard dork.

He grinned at me again. "You look like you're about to puke."

I smiled. "Maybe it's because of the fact that we're already spying on my fiancé—"

"—Your fiancé who hasn't proposed yet to you after dating you for three years—"

"—because you keep on thinking that he's cheating on me—"

"—because he was cheating on you with some ugly girl working on the same office as him—"

"—with some random girl you've seen him with during one of his usual meetings—"

"—who, in fact, I've caught enter a cheap motel with him after I was done spying on them—"

"—when it was so obvious that they are nothing but—" I froze, my ears focusing on that word he used before I laid my eyes on him. I frowned at Aoi who, I don't only treat as my best friend, but my brother too. "You don't mean that."

Aoi smiled at me in a way that made me feel he's the smartest jackass that ever existed on Earth. "Trust me, and you know that I wouldn't lie to you about it when I'm already considering you as my sister and everything." He stole my bag from the table and dig through the messy stack before handing over my phone. "Why don't you call him? See if he's really busy with work." He emphasized the last word, which made me frown even more.

I got my phone and started dialing Maki's phone—my boyfriend—and waited for him to pick it up. I beamed when he answered on the third ring. "Hi honey—"

I was immediately interrupted. "Hi, Misaki, sorry I cant speak with you as of the moment. I'm currently busy with something. I'll get back to you later, okay?"

In panic, I stared at Aoi. "He's hunging up!" I mouthed. He mumbled something like "Ask him where he's off to after work or where he is as of the moment!" he swiftly—and professionally—hissed at me. It looked as if he has done this several times before. I turned back to Maki. "Where are you as of the moment?" I asked him as sweet as I could.

"Office, darling—"

"And where do you plan to head off to soon after?"

"Um, home," he answers distractedly. "—Misaki, I really can't entertain you as of the moment. I'll call you again after I'm done, okay? Bye. I love you." And the line went instantly dead.

Astonished, I stared up at Aoi's expectant expression. "He just hang up on me."

He shrugged. "I told you so." He took a sip from his English tea and casually checks out his phone before darting a quick glance at me. "At twelve o'clock. Our precious little subject has finally arrived. Hurry up and fix your disguise." I exhaled and casually finger-combs my blond hair—another one from Aoi's wig collection—and darted a quick glance on the direction he was pointing out and couldn't help but gape like a fish at the sight of Maki—my boyfriend who is at work—entering the diner we are at with some ugly girl whose tentacles—I mean, arms—were linked to his. Blood crept up my cheeks and it felt as if I was going to explode as I clutched the table napkin tightly. I felt Aoi's soft fingers brushed the back of my hand. "Calm down. Take a deep breath."

"He's the one who needs to breathe." My irises turned into catlike slits when he even leaned forward and kissed the girl—that octopus—on the lips when he was done pulling her chair for her. That was the signal. With my heart pounding against my ribcage, I violently shove the chair so I could stand and walked towards their direction, ignoring Aoi's startled "Misaki!" echoing in the background. Upon reaching them, I smiled at him. "Hi, honey." And obviously, he paled. "So, you're at work, huh? And you'll be heading off home as soon as you're done with your fucking meetings?" I cursed, not really intending to curse since it wasn't in my hobby cursing in public or Mom would hit me.

On cue, the woman before me arched an eyebrow at me. "Maki, dear, who's this crazed woman?"

Crazed woman—that's it. Since I was already on the verge of murdering someone, I grabbed the wine glass, which, thankfully, had some red wine on it and splashed it all on the woman's annoying face. "There's your crazed woman, bitch." Crap, another bad word! Mom's gonna kill me!

"Misaki!" Maki says in astonishment and swiftly aids the woman who now looked like some half drowned cat with her thick eyeliner cascading down her cheeks as if she cried black tears. "Honey, are you okay?"

Honey! This bastard! I didn't know where I got my strength but it sure made my blood pulsed erratically against my veins as I pushed the table over them and sent them both sprawled on the floor with the tablewares and other course meals ruining their night. I got my purse bag, pulling out a thick wad of money form my leather wallet and threw it off on them as if I was showering them with money. "There, that's the payment for everything I've broken." And conveniently, I added, "Have a great night." Aoi looked like a strangled ostrich as soon as I reached our table. "Let's go."

"In a minute." He said and pulls out his blond wig along with mine. He stared at the other diners and waved. "By the way, I'm Aoi Hyodou. One lesson? Be careful with your boyfriends. If that bastard over there could cheat on my sister here when she's already beautiful and successful, I'm certain your men can do that also. I hope you enjoyed our little entertainment. Have a safe night!" that and he pulled me out of the restaurant and into the street were our car was parked. He started laughing as soon as we were speeding off. "Did you see his face back there, Ayuzawa? He looked totally hilarious!"

"And fucking humiliating!" I slammed my head against his dash and started screaming. "I can't believe I can't fucking did that! And even in public! If this goes on TV—"

"Come on, you don't have the time now to get worried over stuff like that." He smiled at me. "You've certainly done a great job and well, you're single."

I groaned. "Again."

"You don't have to make it sound so bad." Aoi mumbled encouragingly. "And besides, that Maki guy is a boring guy. You don't deserve him when you're a funny and confident and a really ambitious woman. You deserve someone else—like some guy who could say everything in his mind by simply staring at you."

I frowned. "A guy like that doesn't exist."

"He's somewhere out there, Misa-chan, and I swear he existed because he's waiting for you to find him. And the only way for you to meet that guy is by leaving that boring bastard you once your boring boyfriend who prefers cheap women—and God knows you aren't fucking cheap. And if somebody says so, I'm going to blow a fucking fuse." He swerved left and towards a bar he so likes to hang out at after his tiring work and pulled over to an empty space. "Come on and forget that guy already. He is so not worth your golden time. Don't waste your life to some rotten and boring bastard."

God knows if Aoi weren't here, I'm probably some dead meat.

.

"—and like what I've repeatedly telling you, I don't want to." I smiled at Aoi and continues to do the paperwork piled up on my desk while stamping signature on it and passing it over Sakura's desk. "I don't like blind dates, darling brother who isn't biologically related to me. I've seen it on movies, darling—and it ends quite badly."

He pouted before slumping down on the white leather couch by the visitor's mini-lounge and glared at me. "I am not leaving lest you agree on this." I ignored him, throwing some boy magazine on his direction to entertain him despite not being a customer and went off with my work. I run a wedding assistance shop with my colleague Sakura Hanazono and we were just starting to make a name for ourselves in the business industry with Aoi. We collaborate ideas together and fortunately enough, we became successful on the business I've decided to venture. Due to my marketing skill, Sakura's talent in the art of flower arranging and Aoi's fashion designing dexterities, we were able to come out as one of the leading wedding assistance shop in the country.

Sakura was busy arranging flowers at the back greenhouse connected to our shop when Aoi suddenly came jumping forward my desk and slammed the magazine I previously throw at him awhile ago. "This is it!" he exclaimed in excitement.

I sighed; giving up work when it was so obvious I would be unable to finish it once he's hanging around here. "What is it, dammit?! Aoi, can't you see that I'm working?"

"Quit work for now, I want you to handle this wedding."

God, I can't believe this guy is unusually so forceful today. "Aoi, you know that we can't assist weddings lest they contact us—" but he wasn't listening to me anymore. In fact, he was already fidgeting with his phone before he beamed and spoke at the person on the other end of the line.

"Hi, this is Aoi Hyodou—yes, that Aoi Hyodou," he frowned before rolling his eyes. I rolled my eyes too over his cruelty. "—I was a former confrère of Chiyo and Igarashi Tora, do you mind if I speak with either of them—or whoever is present as of the moment? Yes, thank you for liking my designs… yes… of course, its no problem with me… so, Chiyo?" there was a short pause before he beamed again. "Hi, Chiyo, its Aoi, oh, I'm so glad you remembered me!" he faked out a laugh. "By the way, I heard about your wedding, I wanted to congratulate you. So, you're finally settling down with the leader of the Igarashi zaibatsu, huh?"

"What are you trying to do?!" I mouthed at him through a hiss since he was talking about a massive and very influential company that ever existed in Japan. "I can't handle their wedding if that's what you're planning to—"

He got the magazine and shoves it on my face. "Oh, so you're checking out my wedding gowns, too, huh? Of course, I don't mind if you're going to ask me to design your gown. And since you and your future hubby is a former friend of mine, I would be free of charge."

"Aoi!" I hissed at him, and tries to steal his phone off his grip but he was fast as he avoided my fist and got me by the back of my head before pushing my face against the stack of paper on my desk. "Hey, let me go! Let go of my head, you freak!" I hissed since I can't really yell at him since he was still talking with a customer.

"Yes, yes, but I'm under a contract with my sister—you know Misaki, right? Yeah. Her. She runs a wedding assistance shop—I did mention that she's one of the leading wedding representatives of the country now right? We've collaborated together along with another friend and if you have the time, since we're no strangers with each other, maybe you could come and check out our shop? Why, of course we'll gladly entertain you." He gave her the schedules of our opening days and another contact information before grinning widely. "This will be the greatest wedding of the year, Chiyo. I'm sure you and your husband will like the outcome of this. Thank you and see you! Congratulations again!" when he finally shut his phone close, he released me and grinned. "Now, you'll be in for the greatest surprise of your life."

"More like gravest!" I yelled at him. "What are you trying to do?"

"Kicking you off to Marriage Ville." He mumbled as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Have you check out the magazine already?"

"No, and I am not getting married." I hissed at him. "Why are we doing this again, Aoi? Are you planning to make me steal Chiyo's fiancé?"

He laughed sardonically and starts waving his hand in dismiss. "Why would I ask you to do that, seriously? Are you an idiot?" he scoffed at me before exhaling. "Chiyo must still be a boring person."

"Excuse me?!"

"I mean, come on, it was so obvious that Igarashi was a boring person during our high school days." He exhaled and steals the magazine from my table before folding it and showing me the person whose picture was flashed on the entire page. I frowned at him. He smiled. "This person here will be your future husband."

"He's a stranger. I don't even know him."

"Well, what do you know? The only thing inside your head is that boring Maki of yours." I swung my fist to punch him but he avoided it once again and sighed dreamily at the person on the page. "This person, however, isn't boring and could make your boring life like you've been into a joyride." He grinned at me. "Presenting Usui Takumi—another member of the Walker house—one of the most sought after bachelor of his time—"

"—A perverted monster—"

"—and one who you once consider as your crush and eventually became—"

"—a nightmare—"

"—a former boyfriend."

I growled at him. "He never became my boyfriend. What happened is the past is nothing but a rumor."

He frowned. "You are such a liar. He was an ex-boyfriend of yours, idiot. Probably the only guy whom I ever wanted so much for you." He showed me Usui Takumi's picture again and winked. "Don't you think this guy just exudes too much masculine pheromone? Hmm, for the record, he had dated tons of women that doesn't last for two weeks. He doesn't have plans to get married because his requirement is too high to attain and oh, what is this, he is friends with Igarashi Tora and Chiyo Kurakano." He stared up at me mischievously. "Does those names ring a bell?"

I really wanted to hit this guy. "You're being unusually forceful today, Aoi. Do you need something?"

"I want you to get married already." He answered straightforwardly. "I mean, come on, you're what? Twenty nine—"

"Twenty-seven, thank you for the misconception—"

"—and you're past the marrying age already and you'd have difficulty to conceive a child—"

"—and because I still don't have a stable life yet, I do not have any plans to get married and—"

"—and you're already successful in life! You could go off now and marry your ex boyfriend because it was so obvious that he's the only normal guy out there for you—"

"—I'm so not going to marry that guy because I don't like him and well he's already became a stranger for me and—"

"—and God he's so perfect and rumor has it that he's like the sex God himself and—"

"—you're disgusting." I finished.

"—and I know that you wanted some guy who would make your panties drop with just one look!" we were both out of breath when we're both done speaking. He was still panting when he spoke again. "Our shop will handle the Igarashi-Kurakano connubial."

"Aoi, I am so not going to meet with that guy again. That was a promise, remember?" I stared at the familiar picture of the guy before me and took into memory the brownish blond hair, emerald green eyes that never looks fazed whatever he's been accused of doing and the arrogant face that bears all the perfection of the world. I stared back at my favorite brother. "We promised never to meet with each other again."

"Give it a second try. Maybe the right time for you to meet again is Chiyo and Tora's birthday."

"Aoi, I can't handle a wedding like that just because we have a hidden motive of contacting them." I reasoned since he's becoming out of control again. He grinned mischievously before heading off towards a shelf across the room to take the magic eight ball he had personally made for me for my thirteenth birthday. He gave it to me. I frowned. "Not the magic eight ball. This ball is nothing but an extension of your absurd brain."

"Do it." He commanded, and when he uses that kind of voice, I was left with no choice but to comply. Aoi and I has been a strong advocate of the words destiny and fate and providence. And usually, we've unknowingly constructed a habit of asking our magic eight ball before we do something—or when we are arguing whether we should engaged into an activity or not.

Defeated, I shut my eyes closed and exhaled. Aoi shut his eyes closed too and placed his hands over mine. "Magic eight ball of our fate, should I do what my annoying brother wants me to take?" I asked, feeling ridiculous as I recited our old mantra. On the other hand, Aoi snorted at me. Together we shake the ball for like five seconds before we opened our eyes to check out the answer peeking through the small round glass opening of the amber and blue ball.

"Hell, yes! It's absolutely a hell yes!" he exclaimed, claiming victory over our worthless fight. Facing me again, he grinned. "So, felicitations in advance for your wedding, future Mrs. Usui Takumi."

Ugh. I can't imagine we're really doing this. "If this fails," I threatened him. "—Or if this didn't work and it had jeopardized our shop,"

"—Scout's promise," he interrupts me. "—I'll shoulder all repercussions and provide you whatever you may need to lead such a well-off life."

I snorted at him. "Not that, idiot. If this fails, I'll kill you."

.

Igarashi Tora's fiancé, Chiyo Kurakano, smiled at us in a really modest and meek kind of way as she entered the shop. Aoi beamed, before standing to shake her hand and casually places a kiss on her cheek as if they have been long friends. I couldn't help but roll my eyes as I watched his fake actions and smiled at Chiyo when she greeted me over politely. She lends out her tiny hand and smiled. "Hi, you must be Ayuzawa Misaki, it's a pleasure to meet you. Aoi here talls me a lot of things about you."

Dorky things, I know that already. I accepted her hand. "Yes, yes, he's such a sweet brother, don't you think?" Quite annoying at times. "Please sit, Chiyo. Can I offer you anything? Is tea good for you?"

Chiyo smiled. "Tea is good, thank you." We took the seats by the visitor's lounge while Sakura prepared the tea by the kitchen. I laid out the plans for the weddings such as invitation and designs of the place and several flower arrangements Sakura had personalized before smiling at her. "Your shop has such a nice ambiance, Ayuzawa-san. By the way, since we've attended the same school and is a part of the same sorority, is it okay for me to simply call you Misaki? Let's drop the formality now, shall we?"

"Of course, it isn't a problem with me." when Sakura arrived with our teas, I began the meeting. "Well, I heard Aoi here briefed you already with what we offer. Allow me to do introduced Sakura Hanazono, she specializes in flower arranging while Aoi here is the designer of our gowns and other clothes needed for the entourage. I do most of the designing of the place where you want to hold the wedding and as for the invitations, we have lots of newly made designs that I could show you once you're already decided to take us as your wedding planners."

Once again, Chiyo smiled a sweet one. "Well, Tora and I had talked about it and he instantly recognized you and Aoi. He agreed that its your shop whom I wanted to assist our wedding so yes, I guess I'll chooses you as my personal coordinator. Can you handle it, Misaki?"

"Of course." I answered. "I'm confident enough to handle your wedding with Igarashi-kun. I'm certain that your wedding is the best wedding of the year. Thank you very much for taking us."

She nodded and started looking around when her light brown eyes suddenly got fixed on a certain spot by the bookshelf. "Oh, my God what is that wee little thing?" she asked. I followed her gaze and noticed she was talking about the magic eight ball that was encased in a crystal box, which Aoi and I had spent thousands of bucks to buy from an antique shop in Portobello in England. "Is that an antique?"

It was Aoi who answered. "Yes. We bought it from Portobello. The thing inside is a magic eight ball."

Chiyo's smooth forehead creased. "Magic Eight Ball?" she echoed, confused.

"It was a gift from a special someone." I told her so. "Before I do anything—may it be rash or not—I consults first on the eight ball. It serves as my lucky charm, you know? That's why wherever I go, I bring that ball with me. Because I'm certain whatever the answer that magic ball gives me, it would certainly lead me to the right path."

Chiyo smiled, as if she had appreciated the history of the ball. "Hm, does that mean my wedding is something you've consulted first with the ball?"

"Yes. And in fact, since it was the extension of the brain of the person who gave it to me, the magic eight ball answered me a hell yes." We started laughing, and I know that all barriers are down now. At least I'm feeling at ease with Chiyo. Next to me, Aoi smiled affectionately. I clasped my hands together and smiled at Chiyo in a very professional but friendly way. "So, about the wedding?"

.

I was almost on the verge of drooling when the red velvet chocolate cake I've ordered finally arrived on my table. I thanked the waiter who delivered me my meal before grabbing the fork already placed on the table and took a small slice of the cake before sighing in pleasure as soon as I've tasted the dessert melting inside my mouth.

Ah, heaven.

I've always been a sucker for sweet delights but since it became such a bad habit that after my depression to the point that it made me gain too much unnecessary weight, I was forced to stop eating cakes and other desserts and pushed on into a planned diet. But of course, there are times that I couldn't avoid the tempting calling of sweets so, once in a month, I would allow myself to wallow with saccharine foods to my heart's content. But again, I'm keeping it a secret from Aoi or I'd end up getting myself killed. That guy is a sucker on dieting programs so I have to be careful whenever I'd snuck out of work to eat in this place.

"Oh, my God! Is that really him?"

"That's him! I've seen his picture on that bachelor's magazine and I swear he's damn hot!"

"Oh, God, come and let's order something so we could get near him!"

Those were the loud whispers I've heard while I was scarfing down my cake. I merely ignored them, finishing my food while lying to Aoi that I was on some unspecified library before I checked out the menu card again, all prepared to order my second serving of another food when another woman two tables away from me spoke again in what seemed to be like a strangled voice.

"That's Usui Takumi of the Walker house!" she hissed under her strained breath.

I choke on my food and swiftly reached out for my English tea and gulped it all down like some madwoman—ignoring the gazes given to me by my fellow customers due to my improper conduct—before snapping my head towards the direction of the person they were whispering about. I was still hiding behind a thick wad of used tissue paper when, from my peripheral view, I caught a glimpse of brown blonde hair and tall stature.

God, that was him?! That tall sophisticated man was him? How could he have gotten so perfect over the years! I couldn't help ogling him, taking into memory—again—the blond hair and perceptive eyes that immediately read a person's thoughts. He was unusually taller than other Japanese men—probably due to the English blood mixed in his system for being an illegitimate son of an English woman and Japanese man—but the Asian appearance still dominated his entire being. He looked so sophisticated—and freakin' rich and unattainable—in his expensive black three-piece suit and well, the picture of him in the magazine I saw is no match once seen him on a real situation. How could he be so perfect and handsome and sophisticated and not lose his air of virility even when he's simply walking towards the counter?

When he suddenly snapped his eyes on my table, I duck down on the table again, stealing my pouch from the table and got a thick sum of money to pay for my bill—not caring anymore about the change—before I made a run towards the exit when I ended up colliding against another waitress and slammed down the floor with her, both of us knocking down a waiter carrying drinks who crashed down the nearby table with some customers on it.

Nnghn—I couldn't properly curse what with all the damn unfortunateness that happened. Instead, the waiter apologized to the people on the table while the waitress I collided against with went onto helping me up and apologizing on me. I couldn't speak either, I was too tense because I was damn humiliated just when I was escaping someone and I the only thing I could do is blushed furiously and look around as people were looking at us.

As I was about to apologized, someone arrived—much to my chagrin. "Oh, my God, what happened here? Are you okay, Ma'am?" instead, I was welcomed by a petite woman with short raven hair, blue eyes and is wearing a frilly apron. Had I not known that the owner of Maid Latte is a thirty-year-old woman, I would have immediately thought that she's no more than eighteen years old due to the naturally young aura she was exuding. Her eyes rounded at the sight of me. "Oh, Misaki, it's you. Are you okay? What happened here?"

"I'm sorry." I quickly apologized while trying to hide my face with my hair. I should've taken Aoi's advice of wearing disguise wigs. "These are all my fault. I was running late and I'm in a hurry so I collided against your waitress and waiter here. I'll pay for all the damages—"

"I'll pay." I froze, and the only thing I could do is idiotically wish that it was nothing but some dream so when the owner of the voice finally step forward and next to Satsuki-sama, I ended up becoming a statue. He stared down to Satsuki who looked like his little sister beside him before turning back to me. "It's my fault anyway that she ended up tackling over your workers, Satsuki. I'll pay for the damages."

I thought I swallowed my tongue when he arrived, but when he started spouting nonsense, I regained my confidence. "No, you don't have to pay for it. I could pay for all the damages since money isn't an issue—"

"Are you okay?"

Huh? Is this guy playing with me! He's treating me like an idiot again! "I'm fine, thank you." I turned back to Satsuki-sama and smiled apologetically. "I'm really sorry, Satsuki-sama. Here, take this—"

"No, no, no, there isn't any need for it, honey." She smiled at me, pushing back my hand with the black credit card. "It isn't like we are strangers, right? Don't be like that with me now. You're already like a daughter to me."

"Yes… I'm really sorry."

"It's okay. I'll call someone to fixed that up." She slaps Takumi by the arm and winks at me. "You're in a hurry, are you not? Go on. I don't want you getting late on your work." I nodded at her, and apologize once again before making my way towards the exit and to the area where my car was parked when I noticed that my pouch isn't with me. I scratched my head, cursing mentally as I stood clueless in front of Aoi's car since I still don't have enough coffers to buy my own car—or maybe I'm just really scared of road accidents.

"Searching for this?"

Ah, of course. The spawn of the Devil has caught up with me. I spun around, practicing the poker expression before locking my eyes on my pouch that was on his hands. I stole it form his grip swiftly, not wanting to have any skin contact with him. "Thank you." I said gingerly. I spun back to my car when he spoke again.

"Why are you running away from me?"

"Why do you think so?" I bit my lip, regretting that I've said that and faces him again. "And you, why are you approaching me? Isn't it already a deal that we are to avoid each other? That I am nothing but a pariah to you?"

"I don't remember saying that."

"Excuse me, who are you again?" I asked sardonically. "Because you see, I don't speak with cruel strangers."

"Hmm, cruel." He mused and I couldn't help checking him out. Despite the over formality of the clothes he wore, it was so obvious that he had the body fit enough to be a model. His muscled chest and arms fitted against the white dress shirt that was a pair to his suit and to any woman who'd look at him, they wouldn't even get humiliated saying he was delectable. The side of his hair was brushed back and he damn looks like some hot businessman wanting to get assaulted in public with the way he carries himself. I shake my head and turned to the car, ransacking my pouch for the damn key.

Where in the world is that freaking key just when you need it!

"I heard you'd be handling Tora and Chiyo's wedding."

"Yeah, and it's none of your business too. Stop speaking with me—" I froze when I felt him standing behind me. And all the more had I became a stone figure when I felt his fingers brushing through the curly locks of my hair. "What are you—"

"I guess I'll see you around, Misa-chan." He purred my name—and God that had totally turned me on—before he turned to his heels and walked towards another expensive black car—was that a Dodge Viper? But I could care less about his material things. What concerns me as of the moment is the way my heart fluttered when he was behind me a while ago with his cool breath fanning my ear.

I shake my head before getting inside Aoi's car and brought the engine back to life. That's what you get when you're trying so badly to escape someone.

.

Aoi was laughing as he reduced the speed of his treadmill and wipes sweat off his face. It was a Saturday and well, it was workout day for both us—me, especially after all that I've ate yesterday that brought back cursed calories inside my system. "I can't believe you really did run into him! I told you that you and that Usui Takumi is fated to be together."

I ignored him and continued jogging. "No, we're not. He was so impolite! How could he have gone more discourteous over the damn years! He is so not worth my time."

"You mean how come he had gotten so hot over the years, right?" he laughed again, obviously in the mood to mocked me. "But admit it, he's pretty hot, isn't he? He just has those abs and muscles that other girls go gaga for!" Aoi sighed dreamily, befor turning to Sakura who was busy running on her treadmill too. "Right, Sakura-chan?"

Distractedly, she nodded. "Yep."

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, that's very encouraging. If you like him so much, then you should go and marry him instead."

Aoi shrugged. "Not really, I can't do that. He's yours already."

"He isn't."

"He is."

"Is not."

"I'm really not in the mood for your childishness today."

"Look who's talking." I muttered, but I got startled when he suddenly reached over the controller of my treadmill to increase the speed. "Hey, what are you doing—"

"Shut up! It's punishment for your—ack!" I gasped when he tripped over his own gym shoes and planted face over the rubber of the treadmill before sliding off to the gym floor since it was still on the running mode. Alarmed, I turned mine off and aided him. Sakura, weird as she was, went on exercising.

"Aoi! Are you okay—"

He shoves me off. "I slammed off the damn treadmill and you're asking me if I'm okay? Are you an idiot!" I simply stared at him before laughter finally bubbled out of my throat since he looked honestly stupid looking like some poor kid. He glared at me. "What are you laughing at!"

I clutched my stomach. "You—you, you were… hahaha! You look like an—owch! Why did you hit me!" annoyed, I tackled him down the floor trying to pull on his hair so he could go bald thus resulting to our usual sibling fight. "Stop hitting females, you bastard!"

"Get off, weird woman!" he screamed on my ears while shoving me off. "Get off me, psycho—"

"You are the psycho—"

"Well, since I've gotten used to your usual bickering, I don't really mind," Sakura started. "—but it's really embarrassing. You're attracting tons of attention."

Aoi and I froze, and indeed, we've noticed people staring at us. Swiftly, we've gathered our things and dash out of the gym dragging Sakura with us. "This is all your fault!" I hissed at Aoi. "Come on, I'm starving. Let's eat over a nearby diner."

Aoi snorted. "Pig."

"Gay."

We walked towards a nearby diner with our gym clothes on when I noticed a familiar sleek black Dodge Viper parked in front of the restaurant we are about to enter. I know I've seen it somewhere before but since Aoi had finally walked in to the restaurant with Sakura trailing behind him, I've no choice but to halt contemplating about unnecessary things and followed them inside the restaurant. I was startled though at the sight of Chiyo in a sexy pencil cut skirt and white polo that fitted her body quite well. Her hair was tied in a French bun and I suddenly felt so ugly and informal in my black jogging pants and tracksuit jacket. Aoi, however, pulled off his clothes well.

"Chiyo, hi!" Aoi greeted her enthusiastically. "I didn't know I'd meet you here."

"So am I." she answered gleefully. "But today, you're my customer. I own this place so I guess everything you order is on the house." She even winked at me. "I don't want my wedding coordinator to think that I prefer money over our recently established friendship."

I couldn't help but blushed. Who knows this timid looking girl could actually crack jokes like that? "Really, we don't mind, Chiyo. Aoi would pay anyway." Aoi stared at me as if I spoke in Pig Latin. I smiled at him. "Right, brother?"

Sakura sighed. "You'll get used to their weirdness soon, Chiyo. And once you're over it, you won't get bothered by their sibling quarrel at times."

Chiyo actually laughed. "Well, I don't want things to get bloody so you might as well place your orders now. Sayaka, will you please attend to my friends in here?" the waitress called Sayaka walked towards us gracefully and smiled politely. "Sayaka, all their orders are on the house. Do look after them, okay?"

Sayaka nodded. "Yes, Ma'am Kurakano. Hello, I'm Sayaka, I'll be your server for the day."

I smiled back at her. "Hello. Its nice meeting you."

"Well, I guess I'm going ahead—"

"Chiyo, hey, there you are." I snapped my head to the direction of the voice since it was so familiar only to see Igarashi Tora walking towards our direction as if he owned the place. "I've been looking for you all over the—hey, hey, hey, if it wasn't little Aoi-chan." Aoi glared at Igarashi who swiftly retaliated. "Kidding, I don't want to get killed before the day of my wedding arrives." He then turned to me. "Ayuzawa Misaki, right?"

I nodded, accepting his hand. "Glad to know you still remember. I'm afraid to inform you but I'm your wedding coordinator."

"Yeah, Chiyo already told me that." He turned to Aoi again. "So, will you be designing our wedding clothes, O' holy Aoi-sama? I heard you're one of the leading designers of the country now. How are you doing?"

Primly, he said, "I'm better, thank you. And I'm glad to inform you that while Chiyo's dresses are free of charge, yours costs almost all of your wealth."

Igarashi winced. "Hm, still cruel and sharp-tongued as ever, my dearest little friend." Turning back to Chiyo, he winked at her as if he was flirting at his timid little fiancé who, in fact, wasn't able to reach the level of his chest since he stood so tall over Chiyo's too petite figure. "I'm glad it was them you've taken as our wedding planners. Aoi, Misaki and Sakura here are good friends of Takumi and I—and did I mention you that Misaki here happens to be—"

"Yes, you already mentioned that so I think there isn't any need for you to mention things like that coming from the past." I smiled at him, and he had returned that annoying grin. I turned to Sayaka who was watching us in wonder. "So, I'll be having… hm, ah! I want the chocolate mousse cake and an English tea. And please add a serving of these chocolate topped cheese breads and a bottle of distilled water."

Sayaka professionally wrote down my orders and darted a quick glance on Aoi. He placed his order along with Sakura and finally, she went inside the kitchen.

Aoi turned to Igarashi. "So, what are you still doing here? Oh, I mean to say, where's Takumi?"

"Missing me already?"

And of course, someone not needed is actually here. Aoi beamed at the sight of Usui Takumi. "Oh, my God, if it wasn't Usui Takumi of the Walker house. How are you doing my interesting photographic subject as of the moment—and once my future brother-in-law."

"Oh, God, you were supposed to get married with Misaki here?" Chiyo exclaimed in blatant and innocent astonishment. "You didn't told me."

I'm not required to do so. I bit my lip, forcing the words back in my throat before I smiled at Chiyo. "We aren't really getting married. Usui-kun's a former classmate so we aren't really going as far and absurd as getting married."

"But she's an ex-girlfriend of mine." Takumi—the bastard—shot back before grinning at me when I darted an annoyed glare at him. "I used to date her back in Junior and our High school days until we broke up right before graduation."

"Yes, that's what happened. Are we done talking about our past now? It's getting kinda boring already and I don't want to bore my client with my boring past. Or is this a contest of who remembers well of what happened?"

Takumi laughed before squaring his shoulders casually. "I don't remember much of it."

"Good. Now, since this conversation is done, let's move on to another topic again, shall we?" sensing my irritation, Aoi opened another topic while Sakura offered the other three to occupy the vacant chairs of our table. Takumi sat next to Aoi, which is across me while we are sandwiching the couple Tora and Chiyo. They've decided to dine along with us and it was the worst event ever I encountered my entire life. Had I known Chiyo owns this place and that Takumi comes here often, I would have automatically avoided this place.

But I was so certain that the aura between us had turned another layer more sour and that Aoi's desire of wanting me to marry this guy is becoming more and more impossible to happen—and besides, it isn't like I'm still in love with this person who has broken my heart many times before… and is probably another reason why it's impossible for me to feel pain whenever I'm breaking up with my current boyfriend.

.

"There's a church in Shiretoko where I wanted to marry Tora, Misaki." Chiyo said while we are briefing for her plans for the wedding.

I snapped my head up at her in surprise, disbelief coloring my face at the mere mention of the word Shiretoko since it was like, already the end of Japan—or was it Miyako? Either way, the place—the cape—is already just a few miles from the boundary line and it was a million miles away from Tokyo. Using the end of the mechanical pencil I was holding, I scratched my temple and smiled at Chiyo uncomfortably. "Er, it isn't like we aren't capable of doing it, but, are you sure? Shiretoko is like the place already located past Hokkaido." Or Takikawa, for that very same matter… I think? "Can your guests travel at such distance for your wedding? It'll be a rough journey, Chiyo."

Instead, Chiyo smiled at me. "It'll be fine. Tora has private planes and choppers that will accommodate the guests so I guess problem solved already." She clasped her hands together as if she was nervous about something before exhaling.

I set aside my notepad and approached her. "Are you okay? You don't seem fine to me. In fact, you looked slightly harassed and stressed out. Have you been sleeping properly?"

"The truth?" when I nodded, she exhaled. "Well, this past few nights, I really can't seem to lax down from worrying. I'm so nervous for the wedding. In fact, I'm not even sure if I still wanted to get married. Whoever says planning a wedding is exciting is definitely not me."

I laughed at her. "Relax Chiyo, okay? Breathe. Of course you want to marry To—I mean, Igarashi-kun. Tell you what; this is nothing but a rare case of cold feet. Don't stress yourself too much on this planning thing. That's why I'm here, am I not? I'll help you so you need not to, I don't know, murder yourself over this. I don't want people to think that I'm killing you."

Taking in some deep inhales, Chiyo nodded. "Thank you. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't my coordinator. Honestly, the other coordinators only wanted to get their hands on this wedding for publicity. And they aren't being of much help. And they are demanding more funds, which I find unbelievable what with the sum of money Tora already gave them. I wanted to answer this wedding too if only he would agree. But as you can see, Tora hates it when I'm spending money for this event."

"Hm, men stuff. Don't worry about it much. It's natural of them." I caressed her back and she seemed to have relaxed even more—I should have tried my hands on massaging too. "Just relax, okay? This is free of charge since it was already our gift for you and Igarashi since we are previously acquaintances so really, you don't need to worry about the money you'd spent."

"But that's what worries me too. You're a friend so I think it's not right if we took advantage of this kind of offer—"

I waved one hand in dismiss and handed her a glass of OJ to calm her down. "Nah, don't worry about it. Aoi, Sakura and I are fine with this. It's something we've—"

"Consulted with the magic eight ball?"

I froze, before laughing and agreeing with her. "Yes, indeed." Well, part of it is a lie, though. "So, will you please stop making yourself ugly now? I don't want an ugly expression, okay? You're getting married. It's a once in a lifetime chance so you need to stay beautiful, a'right?"

Another inhale before she smiled. "Okay. By the way, Misaki, if it wasn't too personal to ask, why did your wedding with Takumi-kun got cancelled?"

My air suddenly turned sour. But she was a client and she's suffering from cold feet so there is extremely a need for me to accommodate her requests no matter how unnecessary and personal it gets. I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear and smiled at her. "Because we aren't the right person for each other, that's why."

And because sometimes, in order for the world to get better and to avoid other people from hurting, one needs to sacrifice a lot of things for the sake of many.

.

"Oh, for the love of God!"

I chased after Seiji, my youngest sister's second daughter—yes, she's younger than I. I'm the eldest, whatever—and when I caught her by the arm, I went on into reprimanding her gently. Seiji is only five years old, and I wonder what kind of lectures Suzuna is giving her children for them to act this rashly. If I were a mother—I shake my head. No, I'll never be a mother anymore. I'm way past the age for marriage and children. I drop on one knee and smiled at Seiji. "Seiji, how many times do I have to say that running in the busy streets of Tokyo is bad?"

"But this is no street, Mama. It's a park."

Hmp, smartass. "Even so, you can't run in this place. If you got in trouble, your mother will scold me. Do you want Mommy and I to engage in a fight?"

She shakes her head. "No."

"Good, then, no running, okay?"

Seiji sighed. "Fine." Instead, she walked towards the swing and sat on it along with some other children. I could only exhale. That kid is so like her mother—what a numbskull. I watched her play while I thought about what to do with Chiyo and Tora's wedding when a black convertible sedan skidded into a full stop before us. My forehead creased and secretly I watched when I heard Seiji screamed. Alarmed, I quickly spun around to check on her only to see that she was simply playing around with other numbskull children.

"Ne, ne, Ayuzawa… how many children do you want once we finally decided to settle down in the future?"

"Seriously, you're asking me that?"

"Yes."

"Hm… probably only one—and I want a girl."

"Make it two: one boy and one girl."

"Hm… we'll be very busy."

"We won't have any problem making them."

"Pervert. That isn't what I meant."

"Hey, Ayuzawa," Automatically, I snapped my head up in time to see Usui Takumi standing so tall and sinfully handsome before me. He was wearing a simple black cotton-made long sleeve shirt and dark washed jeans that had defined more of his masculinity. My mouth dropped open and my eyes continued to betray me as I check him out. And what damn, he had really transformed into something worth looking at—well, it isn't like he wasn't worth back then. But really, he was freakin' handsome. And his body, it was fit enough to be a model. And I really can't get over those damn lips that seemed to have a life of its own that is unstoppably seducting me into kissing—

"Like what you're seeing?"

And that was when I snapped back to reality. Feigning anger, I stand on both feet and glowered at him. "What are you doing here?" I hissed at him with blatant displeasure.

Takumi shrugged. "I think that everybody has the right to be in this place. This is a park and mind you, this isn't yours."

Gah, I hate it when people speak sense. Doing so defines the true state of intelligence of my brain—my fried brain. "It may not be my property but I definitely dislike it if you come closer. So, before I could start screaming, get lost. Now."

He smirked at me. The nerve of this guy. "Charming as always."

"Funny."

"I'm not trying to be."

"What do you want, seriously? Isn't it obvious that I don't want you to be here?"

He stared at me as if I said something rather funny before looking around the entire park as if something had caught his interest. Once again, I took that as a chance to examine him. When his lips curved upwards for a smile, I immediately looked away in time to see Seiji running towards my direction. "Mama!" she called out. "I'm seeing Mom's car already."

Oh, goodie. I'm outta here. "Come on and let's get home." I caught her by her hand and carried her into my arms before walking off to another direction when Takumi spoke again.

"Did you plan it all out?" he asked in a whim.

My forehead creased. "Plan it all out what?"

"Handling Chiyo and Tora's wedding." He answered, matter-of-fact.

Ah, God! This guy is freakin' awful! I put down the child I was carrying and ordered her to get inside her Mom's car before facing Usui. "How could you accuse me of that thing, you bastard? And why do you think I'd do something as God-awful as that?"

He shrugged. "To see me, of course."

"God, you're the most awful guy God ever created." I snarled at him. "You know what, if only Chiyo isn't something Aoi treats as a friend—"

"—and God also knows that Aoi doesn't treat anybody as a friend because—"

"—I wouldn't have agreed to handle this wedding knowing that I'd meet you—"

"—he is a selfish brat who gets whatever he wanted even if somebody gets hurt in the process—"

"—because I don't want to meet you, as in ever—"

"—and besides, this isn't about Aoi anymore. It's about our meeting—"

"—ever! You are annoying and this meeting—"

"—which, you, in fact, planned."

"—is something I would never ever plan!" I was breathless when both of us are done hissing against each other. I was brutally annoyed while he, on the other hand, looked so relax and well unprovoked. I wanted to punch something—anything or anyone—but I couldn't since he was attracting attention like honey to bees and a few noticeable cameras are already directed on our direction. "Forget it. You win. Do whatever you want. I'm leaving."

"I never asked you to leave. Not then… and not even now—"

"Don't." I mumbled, and start walking away again. He didn't call out on me, and even if he had, I've had no reason to look back either. Everything happened in the past. There aren't any valid reasons left to unearth it. And there wouldn't be any more reason for it to be unearthed.

-;-

Yey, after such a long semester break, I present you The Magic Eight Ball. This is another universal (AU) and don't worry, because it is only a three-chaptered story. It's unbiased, not one sided and definitely not complicated. :D. I hope you'll like it. I wanted to present another story that bears different cast characteristics so I do wish it were to your liking.

And as always, do tell me what you think.

-Andy.