The gathered teacups clinked quietly, their song blending alongside the tapping of a keyboard, therein creating a sweet cacophony; a marriage of an old world with the new.
Guests and hosts alike had gone away for the evening, leaving only the proprietor of ledgers and the club's resident housekeep behind. Considering the apparent mislaying of his trademark glasses, she had no qualms in watching him intently, though discreetly. There existed a particular sense of security not only in the way he was caught up in the laptop, but also in the fact that he worked in spite of having severely myopic vision.
The last of the porcelain cups put away, she collected her belongings and readied for home, only to stop short at the call of her name.
"What is it, Senpai?"
"Would you come here, please? I'd like to discuss something before you leave."
Imploring inward, she headed toward his table while wondering what the occasion could have been. Had the inventory been off? Was she unintentionally favoring certain clients over others?
I'm not used to seeing him like this. He's attractive regardless, but without the glasses his confidence seems somewhat… I don't know. Pretend? Rehearsed? Interesting.
No more than a meter stood between them when he emerged from behind the desk he'd spent the afternoon working at. Straightening his jacket, there seemed to be a notion of beckoning laced into otherwise mundane movements.
"Closer, please. " Lightly tapping at his temple, he reminded her of the lack of spectacles, " I'd prefer to look you properly in the eyes."
Nodding, it was almost reluctantly that she closed the space between the two of them. Coming right alongside him, she crossed her arms in what was as much a gesture of curiosity as it was expectation.
Alright. I suppose here goes the rising of my already unreal debt… At this point, I doubt it even—
Blindsided by the pleasant invasion of his lips on hers, the unfamiliar taste of him permeated her mouth. His hands at her elbows, she willingly moved as he directed her closer. No less than a moment had passed, when grinning, he decided to step away. All previous thoughts had been cleared away from her mind.
"Um. Will that be all?"
"Indeed, Haruhi. For now."
"Okay, then… I'm going home…"
Perhaps it was the immediacy with which he managed to resume business as usual that bewildered her the most. Gathering her bag once again, she nodded while quietly heading for the door.
"Have a good night."
The metal of the doorknob laid cool beneath her heated and shaking hand, which she proceeded to turn while her mind operated on autopilot.
"You too."
"Haruhi?"
Turning around once more, she kept one foot firmly seated on the other side of the threshold.
"What is it, Senpai?"
All trace of guile left the young man's face as he smiled. "Thank you."
Smiling back, she nodded on her way out the door. "Good Night, Kyoya."
Quietly sighing, he waited for the last of his nerves to vacate his body before pulling the glasses from his breast pocket and settling into the chair.
.
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Ooh, that was fun! This was just a small oneshot that permeated my mind all weekend, so I had to write it. :) If you've been following The Funeral Party, I just want to let you know that I'm expecting a chapter to go up shortly, here. No more than another week or two! After quite a hiatus, it's finally come together in a place where I love it.
I miss writing here and talking with you all. Honestly, few hobbies delight me more than this one. I hope you're having a lovely late fall and are enjoying life as we're about to segue into winter. 3