They think he doesn't pay attention, that he's just there, his face hidden by the laptop that he always buries himself in.
They think he doesn't observe anything at all, that he barely notices the activities that go on beyond that screen he is always gawking at.
They're wrong.
Kyouya, as well as being attentive, had an excellent memory.
He probably knew the hosts better than they knew themselves.
Kyouya was the first to realise the drastic effect the brown haired girl was beginning to have on them, and that included Haruhi herself.
She swept them all away with her selflessness, naivety and down-to-earthiness. It was baffling, how someone almost bursting with simplicity, could change people so much.
The commoner managed to nearly tear the Hitachiin Twins apart, and involuntarily captured the King's affection and made him focus all of his attention on her. Really, he was so stupid; of course he loved her more than a father should.
The Host Club realised how hard he had it before he did.
It was unbearable, to see how much they cared for one another, yet, how they were so oblivious to the way they felt, and how little progress was made.
The observer had to step in, just to give a little push.
"Are you stupid?" he had said casually, when Tamaki had sulked next to him, moping about how Daddy's little girl was falling for Hikaru; they were spending too much time together.
"Wha?" the blonde had said, quizzically arching an eyebrow in confusion.
"Of course she isn't," he sighed in frustration, due to watching them deny themselves for so long, "She won't. She already loves someone else."
Tamaki froze in shock, and numbly began to continue to cultivate mushrooms in a nearby corner due to his sudden depression.
"You love her don't you, Dad?" Kyouya spoke softly, with a knowing smile as he tapped away at his keyboard.
"O-of course," He mumbled as he hugged his knees, "She's my precious and delicate daughter."
"I mean," he said, through gritted teeth to suppress his impatience, "You're in love with her aren't you?"
Jerking with surprise, his face burst into a glowing blush and began to frantically contradict him; he waved his arms around as if to emphasise how much he only loved her as a father and a father alone.
"I see the way you look at her longingly." He pointed out tactlessly and way too simply; as if to prove Kyouya's point, Tamaki turned to gaze at her, feeling his heart swell with warmth as their eyes connected.
She began to make her way towards them, her brows knitted together in worry and dissatisfaction.
"Honestly, Senpai," she said, offering him a hand so he could stand, "What are you fretting over now?"
He stared at her in astonishment, wondering how he hadn't noticed before, but how Kyouya managed to before he did.
A gentle smile stretched across his handsome face, and he reached with one hand, to stroke hers tenderly.
"Nothing."