There are a few people who have the opportunity of being privileged. These are persons who are born with a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular group of people. Most individuals regard this as a rare opportunity and have the most pleasurable lives imaginable. Two people who fully understand the burdens of this privilege were meeting this morning. Two men, accomplished in their own right, were discussing certain matters that were not problems for most people. This made sense because they were not like most individuals. They were not a typical family even in the "privileged sector". This family was one of the most accomplished in the country.
Kyoya Ootori looked at his reflection on the elevator door. It's been ten years since his days at the Host Club. Now, everyone was participating or doing their own business just like him. He made his way to his father's office. He looked at his watch to make sure he was there as scheduled. It was always stressed that an Ootori should be punctual. Not too early or too late for any meeting set. It has been ages since he went here to his father's office. It's been quite some time since he distanced himself from his family. However, certain meetings cannot be avoided. Yoshio Ootori wanted to speak with him regarding a certain matter. He did not disclose to Kyoya what it was he wanted to talk about. It must be something very important considering the urgency his father placed.
He got off the elevator and was greeted by a middle aged woman. He was more than familiar with this person. His father's secretary has been working for the Ootori Group since he was a child.
"Good morning, Ootori-sama. The chairman is expecting you in five minutes. Please, have a seat first. Would you like anything to drink?" the woman said with a formal tone. Obviously unaccustomed to the formalities with the man she used to watch over as a little boy.
Kyoya bowed slightly to show his respect. "No thank you, Rin-san. I don't think I'll stay for too long."
The woman smiled before typing a few things on the computer. He had to hand it to this woman. Working for his father was no easy feat. She's been in service for the longest time. He sat down on the couch outside his father's office. He might as well do something useful while waiting. He looked at his phone to check a few emails sent by his subordinates. He was expecting everyone to hand in their reports today. Time was a precious element he did not have much of. Busy men like him used every single opportunity to make the day as productive as possible.
"The chairman will see you now, Ootori-sama." she said as she stopped whatever it was she was doing to usher him in.
The secretary opened the door. Kyoya noticed that nothing has changed ever since. His father was not exactly a spontaneous man. The famous painting bought by his grandfather was still up on the walls, the aquarium with tropical fish on the right, the matching mahogany office table and coffee table for the guests, and lastly a family portrait on his father's desk. Nothing at all has changed. Kyoya saw his father seated comfortably on the leather couch. The man in his mid-60s was wearing a dark blue suit with a cigar in hand seated on a black leather couch. He drank his tea and looked at the young man who just entered the room. Kyoya bowed deeply upon seeing his father. Despite their disagreements, it was customary to show respect not matter how insincere.
Yoshio did not have much time for small talk, he had plenty of things to do as well. He motioned for Kyoya to sit on the chair across him while speaking to someone on the phone.
"Good morning, Otousama." Kyoya said the moment his father placed the phone down.
"Good morning, Kyoya. I would like to stay and chat, but I'll skip the usual pleasantries and go straight to the point."
Kyoya nodded and was feeling his curiosity and dread grow by the second. Talking to his father only meant three things: he needed to do something for him, he would be praised for something, or scolded for doing something wrong.
"I understand that you have made great use of your skills over the years, but you are not getting any younger, Kyoya." Yoshio pointed out. He took another sip of his tea and looked at Kyoya sternly. "Several families approached me asking if you were interested in marrying their daughters. The Houshakuji and Tonnerre families are the ones that would bring the most merit to the Ootori family." He leaned back on his chair and crossed his legs. He gave his son some silence and time to process his 'request'.
However, Yoshio did not even stop to look at his son straight in the eye, but instead went straight to his bait. He knew that Kyoya would not agree to this arrangement so easily. "I'm sure you understand that married men look more stable and are more likely to get support for endeavors like this. Considering the project you are planning, stability is crucial. It is daring and risky to venture into a new market." He said.
"Of course, Otousama." Kyoya replied.
The younger man seated across him just stared. He clenched his fists tightly. He knew that he made a mistake. A simple miscalculation on his part gave his father the upper hand once more. Kyoya knew and understood his father very well. Kyoya Ootori knew his father's intentions behind this meeting. It was his way of regaining control behind Kyoya's actions. For years, Kyoya became an autonomous member of the Ootori Group. The companies he managed had very little similarities with their main business which was hospital management.
He looked at his father's eyes directly and saw how life treated him. Yoshio Ootori was considered as one of the most successful men in the healthcare business. At the cost of their family's relationship, the Ootori Group has prospered under his leadership. Although his father was healthy, you can see the dark circles under his eyes. The wrinkles in between his eyebrows were prominent and his hairline was getting higher. Kyoya knew better than to go against his father. For now, at least. He needed to plan out his next move. It would be more beneficial to appear as the obedient son he once made himself appear as.
"Would you at least grace these families with your presence?"
"Yes, otousama." He replied with false politeness.
Kyoya understood that his father's concern was for the family more than for him, really. After all, getting a wife of excellent stature was the in thing lately. Marriage was used as a tool to expand empires and power. What he did not understand was the urgency behind his father's actions. Regardless of his father's reasons, he had to comply if he wanted to achieve his main goal. Kyoya's drive for attaining and conquering empires he wanted for himself was unmatched. Nothing was more important than his current goals. No matter the cost, he will see to it that he will become something even greater than the Ootori Group.
That sentiment reflected the irony of privilege. The irony that most people do not see. Being born into a lifestyle so grand has its payoffs. Every little thing an individual says and does is brought under scrutiny. The inability to act like everyone else results in social disgrace. Not fulfilling the expectations others also results in. In a world that Kyoya lived in, there were very few allies and plenty of enemies. He had to choose his battles wisely.
"If you want me to support your company, you need to find someone in a year and a half. If you do not find anyone within that time frame, I will choose the woman you shall marry. Do you understand, Kyoya?" Yoshio said with a fairly threatening tone.
Without showing his frustrations or anger towards his father, Kyoya gave a pleasant smile, the one he has perfected over years. "I understand your concern, otousama. I will find a wife with the time you have given me."
"Then this discussion is over. You know that my support comes with a price, Kyoya. I will send a contract with my terms by the end of the day. Once you agree to those terms, I will transfer the funds and give my share by tomorrow. It should reflect in the accounts shortly after that."
"Thank you, otousama." Kyoya replied.
He gave a short bow to his father and left the room. He was irritated with how the meeting turned out. Lately, his father was never the fondest person to meet. The intentions his father had were still not clear. He knew that regardless of who he married, all the benefits go to him directly and not him. His father's sudden concern with his marital status puzzled him as well. Ever since he brought shame to the Ootori name, his father treated him with little concern. Practically ignored him half the time. There was nothing good about being associated with a person who was considered a failure.
These events stemmed from a single cause. When he graduated from Ouran, he realized that he did not want to enter medical school like his brothers. He wanted to do something greater than what was laid out for him. It was because of this ambition that he distanced himself from his family. They held on to him the same way people walked their dogs. He was told where to go, how to go there, and when to go. He was constrained by the decisions made by his family.
This pushed Kyoya to see beyond the frame he placed himself in. After realizing what he truly wanted in life, Kyoya started to distance himself from his father's company. It was him, Kyoya Ootori, the youngest man in all of Japan to successfully create a new source of renewable energy that will be commercially available to everyone. The same man who was able to monopolize certain trades of medicines and equipment. Due to his skillful manipulation of stocks in the market, he was able to claim part ownership for several companies, including the one his family owned.
In the last two years, he bought several companies that were considered dying and now they were all competitive players in the market. He did the thing he knew he was the best at. He grew businesses, looked for opportunities for growth and innovation, and made sure that these were all sustainable. In his quest for proving his entire family that he could become someone more than Yoshio Ootori's third son, he became one of the most eligible bachelor of his time and despite all his achievements, his father found a new way to control him.
After all these years of creating a new image for himself, he is still tied to the burden of the Ootori name. He was still Yoshio's third son. His current frustrations had deep set roots. He has done so much and has numerous accomplishments to compensate for a past he cannot erase. Even if he is able to do great things in the future, it cannot and will not change what happened.
When Kyoya's days in the host club ended, he followed his father's orders much to his displeasure. Kyoya thought that pleasing his father would bring him the success and recognition he has yearned for. He put his plans aside and followed what his father told him. He went to the top medical school like his brothers. He was always at the top of his class. Being an excellent student, he was granted advancement classes that provided more exposure to patients. Kyoya was sucked into a world where sleep was not possible. Patient reports had to be written, case studies had to be submitted, reviewing and reading ahead for classes was a must. He barely saw his family and his friends. Social events were not even possible to go to anymore. He spent holidays either in the hospital or locked in his room writing down more reports.
In order to stay efficient with the emotional toll that comes with being a healthcare professional, he kept a healthy emotional distance with his patients. He became almost apathetic to those around him. He knew it was unhealthy, but he did what he could to survive. Each day he spent doing what was expected of him and as his father was further pleased with him, the more he lost the passion he once had. With the increasing demands of medical school, he grew distant with his friends. The Kyoya Ootori everyone knew was replaced by someone who looks exactly the same, still acts based on how much merit it gave, he was still cunning, charming, but the trait that shows the real him was gone. The passion that made Kyoya himself was gone.
This changed when towards the end of his internship, he was assigned to the pediatric ward of the hospital. He had a little girl as a patient. She was no more than ten years old. It was easy to remember this specific patient because she was the only half Japanese patient there. She had the largest hazel eyes and rosiest cheeks imaginable despite her pale skin. Besides, she was probably the only natural blonde in the hospital. Except when Tamaki gets into some stupid incident like running to the emergency room due to a splinter or breaking his ankle by tripping over his own feet.
The little girl had grown very attached to Kyoya. She would beg all the nurses to call him when he was not there. She would not drink her medicine when he was not the doctor on duty. Due to her attachment, Kyoya grew fond of her as well. Every week she would beg him to take her to the gardens of the hospital for fresh air. They would talk about anything. There was an occasion when she told him about her family. She talked about how her parents died when she was little and how her sister was working real hard that's why she could not visit. These short moments they spent outside the hospital room would always end when the guardian of the little girl came and brought her inside.
Kyoya did not understand why after so many years of perfecting his ability to keep his emotional distance, this little girl just went in and broke a few barriers so easily. Was it because he knew the truth to the story of her life? After all, he was briefed by the head of the pediatric ward that she came from a broken home and her mother had full custody of Lilian and her older sister. Three years ago, her mother died in a car crash and the father shot himself two years after her mother died. According to police reports, it was the older sister of Lilian that found their father dead in his apartment in Roppongi. Shortly after the wake, she disappeared leaving Lilian with their father's family. He knew that the little girl had quite a tragic life, but he has seen worse. Kyoya thought that maybe it was the disease she had. It was a rare disease that requires a heart transplant. Regardless of why he was attached to this specific patient, he continued his duties as a doctor.
"Kyoya-niisan, did you know that my sister is coming to visit soon? I'm so excited" said the little girl. She showed him her family portrait. Well, it was more like a drawing rather than a portrait. The crayons she used barely depicted anyone recognizable at a first glance. She held it as high as she could and looked at it with a bright smile and hopeful eyes.
"I can't wait to get better so I can see my sister soon. Aunty said that if I behave and I get out of the hospital, she'll let me see her again." Lilian hugged the drawing she had and smiled at Kyoya.
Kyoya had to hold back small smile. "I'm sure you will be better in no time. You have to drink this medicine though. You wouldn't see your sister if you don't drink this"
"Is that the special test medicine that will help me get better?" Lilian asked. She was a very curious child who always asked what medicine she was taking and how it works. Kyoya knew that and he would always explain all the medicines she had to take.
"This is the special medicine that helps your heart beat properly. It does this by making some parts of your heart beat a little slower so that blood flow is well regulated. It's very special and you are one of the first people to try it. Now, drink it." Kyoya said.
Lilian opened her mouth and her face scrunched up upon tasting the bitter liquid. He placed the medicine bottle on the bedside table and updated the patient chart. While Kyoya was checking for Lilian's vitals, the nurses outside the room were running around and doctors were also running left and right.
One of the nurses peeked inside the room and said "Ootori- sensei, there's a code red right now in the emergency room and surgery ward. One of the buildings being built down the street collapsed so there's a sudden influx of patients. Some doctors from the other wards are being called to help. They might call you as we- "
"Kyoya Ootori-sensei, paging Kyoya Ootori-sensei. Please head to the surgery ward immediately. Again, paging Kyoya Ootori-sensei please go to the surgery ward immediately".
"Thank you Issei-san. You just gave me the news on the nick of time." He turned to the pouting little girl on the bed. He knew she didn't want him to leave yet. "Sorry Lilian, but I have to go."
With that announcement Kyoya ran to the other side of the hospital. Both of the healthcare professionals left in a hurry. More than fifty people were injured in the accident. All the hospital staff were working double time to meet the demands. With all the chaos in the hospital, there very few nurses going around the rooms since a lot of them had to help in the other wards.
When no one was around, Lilian saw the medicine bottle on the table. Being a child who was not aware of how dosage requirements worked, she decided to drink the entire bottle of medicine so she would get better soon. After a few minutes, she felt very dizzy and sleepy after drinking all the contents of the bottle so she got comfortable and slept until her heart slowly stopped beating. The nurse was scheduled to check Lilian's vitals at 8:00 pm, 1 hour and 30 minutes after Lilian drank the entire bottle of medicine, by 8:05 pm, doctors and nurses ran to her room to resuscitate the little girl and by 8:20pm she was declared dead due to overdose.
Kyoya found out what happened to Lilian by 9:00pm right after he went out the operating room. The nurse told Kyoya that Lilian has died and Kyoya just ran as fast as he could. He ran with all his might, but when he got to the room all he saw was a small body under a white piece of cloth that was ready to be brought to the morgue.
He also saw the empty medicine bottle on the bedside. He knew his mistake and he could not forgive his carelessness. A small error of not returning the medicine to the nurse station or at least just putting it in his pocket. Because of his inattentiveness and negligence, a patient that was dear to him, died. He felt so much guilt that he quit the internship and medical school altogether. The thought of taking care of patients frightened him.
Kyoya felt so much anger towards himself. He stayed locked in his room for days. He would not eat or go out. He refused to see anyone from the hospital or his family. Even his friends were not able to get through. Kyoya's father did not really help with the situation. Every time he saw his son he would remind him how much of a failure he was and that he was lucky that the Ootori family had a lot of 'friends' and connections in the press so news would not spread.
For weeks, Kyoya was practically a zombie. He would spend hours staring at the ceiling. He did not know what to do anymore. He was so lost that dying even became an option already. It was better than being a humanized form of failure. His sole purpose for living seemed like it was futile to do anything. The guilt he felt was gnawing his conscience. It was a simple mistake. He could have prevented it easily. He would replay the situation in his head over and over again.
Upon hearing the news, Tamaki tried his best to visit Kyoya even if he was refused every single day. Everyone's tried their luck, but were all refused gently. They've all tried to reach out, but Kyoya refused to depend on anyone. It was something he would do, but Tamaki knew that something inside his friend snapped. It was just like Kyoya to be this hard on himself, but this was too much. Tamaki feared that Kyoya would do something terrible if he did not try to reach out. If he was not there in the Ootori mansion physically, he would call every 10 minutes to make sure that Kyoya has not done anything rash, but it has been more than three months and no one has heard anything from Kyoya.
Until one day, even after the servants of the Ootori mansion told Tamaki that Kyoya would still not see anyone. He brought it upon himself to get Kyoya out of the downward spiral he was going through. He knew he had to do something. Enough was enough. He ran up to his best friend's room with a vague plan.
"Kyoya, get dressed. We're leaving." Tamaki said albeit out of breath. He ran from the entrance of the mansion up to Kyoya's room. Adrenaline was his greatest ally now.
Kyoya was seated on the couch watching some television. Upon hearing Tamaki's orders, he raised a brow and lit another cigarette. Practically ignoring the unwanted company.
Tamaki's eyes started to water, but he had to keep himself in check. Kyoya needed him now more than ever. But we was not ready for the Kyoya he saw right now. He saw that Kyoya lost a bit of weight and sleep did not come easily to him. The man's hair was disheveled and he reeked of nicotine and alcohol. He took a deep breath and all his courage. He was going to do the unthinkable. "We're going to the Rio Grand Hotel." Tamaki said as he took the cigarette from Kyoya and dragged him out of the room.
This proposition was met indifferently and Kyoya glared at his best friend. It was a good thing that Tamaki was a very stubborn person so he dragged Kyoya to one of their best hotels. He knew that he had to get Kyoya out of his room.
The car ride was silent the entire time. No matter what Tamaki said, Kyoya remained indifferent. He knew that Kyoya blamed himself slightly more than what he deserved. The entire Host Club only wished for Kyoya to look beyond his past. He was like an empty shell waiting for time to pass.
Tamaki observed his friend. By just simply glancing at the black haired man, he can see how much the incident has left him broken. The weight of guilt was too heavy of a burden, even for him. Kyoya did not look like he has shaved or even taken a bath in a while. With Kyoya's current lack of strength and willpower to argue, it was easy for Tamaki to drag Kyoya around physically. Though, he had to use all his self-control for not shrinking underneath the dark glare of the shadow king.
Finally, they got to the hotel and Tamaki brought Kyoya to one of the suites. He was hoping the most lavish and grand room would create a difference in the mood. He was hoping the change of venue would lift the spirits of the Shadow King. He stared at his friend. He knew Kyoya at his best and seeing him at his worst was heartbreaking. The self-assured and confident Kyoya he knew was gone. That person went through more adversities and fought battles that have left him scarred and broken.
Tamaki was fidgeting under Kyoya's glare but he was able to muster the courage to say "Kyoya, you need to eat something. Please, your sister is worried sick. Everyone is."
Tamaki really hoped that his concern was heard but Kyoya did not even look at him. He just sat there and was silent the entire time. Tamaki decided to text his fiance, Haruhi, for advice. He was scared that Kyoya would kill him or feed him to the sharks after what he just did. No one pulls Kyoya around and lives to tell the tale.
The silence was broken when Tamaki heard a soft voice saying "I killed a little girl, Tamaki."
Tamaki looked up from his phone and saw his friend with his head bent down with his hands on his head. The walls have crumbled and exposed the vulnerability he tried to hard to hide. "I don't think I could ever forgive myself for killing her."
Tamaki heard Kyoya's voice break and for the first time, he saw Kyoya cry. Tamaki saw his friend in a different light. This was the first time he saw Kyoya in such a vulnerable state. Kyoya's walls were all gone. The Ootori finesse and pride was not there. The person in front of him was just Kyoya. This was Kyoya in his rawest state. Even he found it difficult to imagine that his friend had a side that could breakdown like this. Most people see Kyoya Ootori as a well-composed, polite, intelligent, cunning, and handsome young man, but the person he saw today was a side even Kyoya refused to acknowledge. This was just like him though. He had high standards for plenty of things, but the standards he set for himself were even higher. He never took failure lightly.
Tamaki had an idea of what to say, he just hoped that it would get through. Tamaki took a deep breath and handed his friend a drink. "You know what Kyoya, we've all been through trials and we all make mistakes. You always said I was too optimistic for my own good, but I really don't think I am. I think I am very realistic."
Kyoya stared and raised one eyebrow at Tamaki "Who are you shitting?"
"No! No! Listen to me" Tamaki took a deep breath and to calm himself "I know how difficult it is to lose important people."
"Your stupid bear does not count, idiot" Kyoya replied sharply.
"Kuma-chan is very important, but that is not the point here! What I'm trying to say is…Kyoya, please forgive yourself. Do not be too hard on past mistakes. Sulking around…it wouldn't and it cannot bring them back. The best way to keep people alive is by remembering them." He said sincerely.
"Future actions won't atone for the past either."
"But it does not mean you should let yourself degrade into such a state. I know you are capable of standing up again. Everyone will be right beside you to pick up all the pieces." Tamaki said. He wanted to assure Kyoya that he need not fight all his battles alone.
Tamaki looked at his friend who sat across him. Kyoya sighed and replied "So assuming I forgive myself, what do I do now? I already quit medical school. I do not want to be responsible for the lives of others anymore. My father thinks that I am a disgrace to the family. My brothers look at me with disdain. I gave up my dreams to make room for their plans. I'm a useless piece of shit. Everyone thinks- "
"Kyoya, you are anything but useless." Tamaki said as cut off whatever his friend had to say. Right now, he needed Kyoya to believe in himself again.
He placed his hand on Kyoya's shoulder. "Please, come back to us."
Kyoya looked at Tamaki. His composure was compromised at the moment. Keeping a calm expression took more effort than usual. He still had nothing to say to Tamaki.
Upon sensing the change in mood, Tamaki decided to take a different approach. "Do something you're good where no one can beat you at your own game. Do the things that you have always wanted to do. I know it may seem like a reckless choice, but ignore your family just this once and build something of your own."
"I doubt. I am in no position to do that."
"No one cares where and how you will start again. Besides, I am sure that little girl would have wanted to do something so spectacular instead of being a social recluse. Give yourself time to heal, then stand up. If your family will not be there for you, you have got another one to count on. Everyone from the host club is worried and we'll always support you no matter what." Tamaki said with a smile.
Kyoya never wanted to admit that Tamaki's little pep talk snapped him out of his misery. He had too much pride to admit that it was his best friend who saved him. An idiot like Tamaki getting him back on his feet was something that looked funny. At this point, Kyoya hated how much he lost himself in his pursuit of being the perfect son. He was obviously not perfect, so he would not even try to please his father anymore. From that day on, Kyoya did as he pleased and he wanted to show his father and brothers that he was far from done with this world.
Disclaimer: I do not own ouran or anything in it.
Now, I know there is not much dialogue, but yeah. Sorry about that. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. A short warning though, this story is not very big on fluff. The plot is somewhat darker than it seems and I am sure that by reading just this chapter, you cannot predict what will happen. It is not the regular find some oc girl and make a contract with her kind of fanfic. I assure you.
Thank you for your time. I hope you'll continue to read up until the end.