Chapter 7: Reflections
I ain't never had a problem with California
There's a lot of good women, Sacramento to Corona
But them Hollywood types after a while wear on ya
Strutting around in their size zeros
Skinny little girls, no meat on their bones
Never even heard of George Jones
Ain't you glad we ain't all California girls
Ain't you glad there's still a few of us left
Who know how to rock your world
Ain't afraid to eat fried chicken or
Dirty dance to Merl
Ain't you glad we ain't all...
"SORA-CHAN! WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU GOING TO WEAR TO THE FESTIVAL!" cried Riiko as she flung costume after costume across the room. She had dragged the younger girl to a nearby costume shop to figure out what she should be. Sora groaned, muttered something about getting soundproof earphones, and turned down the volume on her iPod.
"Riiko, stop screaming like that. It's getting very annoying. And I already told you what I'm wearing: a white camisole under a red see-through top, a jean skirt and white tennis shoes." She examined her iPod's screen. "And we need to hurry. I have to charge this if we're going to the festival early to help Tamaki and the others set up. I need music, Riiko."
Riiko looked up from the many dresses and suits. "Well, if that's what you want...here, what do you think of this one?" She held up a pink genie costume. "Does this look cute?"
"Very. You should definitely wear that one."
Riiko growled. "You said that about the princess one, and the knight one, and the jungle one, and the...hey, are you even listening!"
Truth be told, Sora wasn't focusing on the small senior. She was absorbed in her own thoughts. Mori and Kyoya had acted strangely last night, and the others wouldn't tell her what was wrong. Both men didn't talk to her after they reappeared in the hall, but she knew the others were in on whatever scheme they had planned for her. "Riiko...do you think I'm odd?"
Puzzled, Riiko scratched her head, having decided on the genie outfit. "You? Odd? Where the heck did you get an idea like that?"
Sora shrugged. "Kyoya and Mori were being really weird last night, and Kyoya said I hid behind a façade. Do you think I do?"
"Not a façade. It's just...you're like the rest of us. My family owns the biggest electronics company in Italy, Alexia and Elaina are famous actresses, Natalia is a renowned author, and Cera's a Romanov, one of the last pure bloods. We all have our share of the limelight. Sometimes, we get tired of it and we want to escape every once in a while. I don't blame you; you're the next queen of Genova and a damn good singer to boot."
Sora smiled as she turned her iPod off. Riiko approached the counter to pay for the costume. The way you put it, Riiko, I don't seem too bad. In Russia, Cera's worse than I in Italy. I wonder if Kyoya's just worried about me...
Honey gently squeezed Mori's shoulder as they rode in the limo to Ouran. The school festival would start in less than two hours, and the Host Club had a lot of work to do. Booths needed to be set up, the rides needed to be tested once more, and the haunted house needed to be filled with the animatronics. "Takashi, did you tell Sora that I won't be coming along with you to the carnival?"
Mori shrugged. "I'll tell her tonight. And may I change the date last minute? I want to take her to Fall Fest in Shibuya. She'll have fun." He was acting so strange nowadays, with Sora constantly on his mind. Last night, he had a dream (a nightmare, actually) which consisted of he and Kyoya talking. Then suddenly, Kyoya and Sora walked away hand in hand. Yet Mori never stopped them, because he felt it was the right choice. Waving away the horrors, he began to plan their evening out.
"Fall Fest, Takashi? Isn't that about courtship...oh." Honey laughed. "Then I suppose it would do you good to ask her out. Please don't be shy, either. Sora really likes you. All you need to do is give her a little push."
The stoic man nodded. "Sora won't mind the change of plans?"
"I don't think so."
Mori remained very silent for the next few moments.
Honey took on a knowing look. "You really love her, Takashi." It wasn't a question.
Mori turned back to the window. "Yes, Mitsukuni. More than I should."
"NO, TONO! THE PICKLES GO IN THE NEXT-AGH!" Hikaru yelped as pickle juice trickled down his head and shirt. "Tono, stop being retarded. Haruhi, take the jar from him!"
Haruhi grabbed the pickle jar away from Tamaki, who was whimpering in fear as Kyoya eyed him severely. "Tamaki, if those pickles go to waste, I will force-feed you them myself. Clean them up, and try to preserve the remaining ones."
Kaoru gasped as Hikaru shook his hair free of juice. "Hikaru, stop it! I'm allergic to pickles! I'll break out in hives!"
Tamaki crawled to his knees to help Haruhi pick up the prizes for the raffle. "Haruhi, are you sure that Sora and her friends are coming?" he whispered, keeping his gaze on Kyoya's feet, making sure he wasn't about to become a bug under his shoe.
"Yes, senpai. But only Sora, Alexia and Riiko are coming. The others have errands to run." She glanced over at Kyoya. "She said only the twins would ride the rides with her," she added a little louder.
"HER UNCLE WILL RIDE WITH HER!"
Kyoya looked up from his task of moving the dunking booth into place. So the princess was coming after all. His feelings for Sora were still rather complex and disoriented. But he knew, one way or the other, that he would never refer to Sora as his niece. That baka needs to know when to stop. He didn't mind in the least that the brothers would keep her company.
All in all, he knew she was different than Haruhi, than Renge, than any of the girls he'd ever met.
"Kyoya, are you done?" Tamaki was examining his best friend with curiosity. "The 'dinking' booth looks amazing!" He looked down at his watch. "Yikes! Renge wanted me to help with the music in the haunted house!" He sprinted off.
"It's dunking booth, senpai," said Haruhi as she passed him with napkins and plates. The twins were messing with the food: nachos, popcorn, pickles, cotton candy and an assortment of other items. "And Hikaru, Kaoru, don't even think about spiking the fruit punch again. Mr. Wakizashi was very upset last night. And Nekozawa's out sick because of it."
Hikaru groaned loudly. "Haruhi, it's no fun if our targets actually know it's Halloween after they drink the punch!"
"Exactly." Kyoya was sitting behind the raffle booth, his hands folded under his chin. "Miss Hokage was escorted from the premises last night because of vulgar behavior."
"Kyoya." Tamaki had returned quite suddenly, and he was quivering with...what? Anger? Frustration? "What's this I hear that you have ill intentions towards our niece?"
Hikaru smacked his forehead. Of course Renge had told him. Although Kaoru had specifically told her not to, she couldn't hope to keep a secret for life.
"Well? Kyoya?"
Haruhi fidgeted towards Kyoya, in case he needed back-up.
"I have no ill intentions toward Sora."
Tamaki gapped at him, dumbstruck. "Wuh-wuh-what did you say?"
"I said I have no ill intentions toward Sora. She is not my niece, Tamaki, and she isn't technically yours, either. I have never seen Sora as my niece, but as a potential rival in education. Along with Mori-senpai, I have come to regard her as something more than an associate."
"But!"
"That's enough."
Riiko stood in front of the nacho stand, an ugly look on her face, with Alexia flanking her side. The tall senior spoke. "Sora is helping Renge at the haunted house, and I do not want her to overhear this conversation. Tamaki, in simpler words, Kyoya and Mori are now rivals competing for Sora's heart."
Tamaki blinked twice. "Oh. So my niece-I mean Sora-likes them...as more than friends?"
Haruhi silently thanked her mother in heaven before replying, "We don't know that yet, senpai. That's why..." She cut off at a look from Hikaru. "That's why we don't want to say anything, in case we're wrong."
Riiko stuffed her bear and purse under the booth, still looking upset. "Let's get changed," she said in a very calm voice, but her hands gave her away. "The students will be arriving soon." Kaoru and Hikaru followed her and Alexia to the nearest bathrooms.
Tamaki stared down at the ground before muttering, "I'll go get changed, too." He stalked off, looking unusually gloomy. His mood swings never seemed too serious to Haruhi, but this time, he may have not been acting.
"Kyoya..."
The Shadow King had changed into a white shirt and black slacks for the festivity. Only the really brave (or foolish) students would be in costume but the other students had to be presentable enough for the visitors. "Yes, Haruhi?"
"If you really mean it...if you really want to win Sora over...then I'll help you."
Kyoya paused, napkins in hand as he set up the rest of Tamaki's booth. Haruhi had refused to help him the other night because she claimed he was too sneaky, and not worthy of Sora on the matter that he had ice walls built around his heart. What could have possibly changed her mind?
"On one condition. No schemes, no deceptions, no lies. Sora sees through things like that, and she's too smart to fall for any wild plan you cook up. Be your true self, for once. Let down your walls just this once. Be"
"That's more than one condition, Haruhi," came a low voice.
Mori towered over the first year, glowering at Kyoya, who stared back. "Haru-chan! Haru-chan! Let's go get changed into costume!" Honey jumped up and down behind Mori. "I'm gonna be a knight! And what did you pick?"
Haruhi sighed. Both Kyoya and Honey had convinced (in Kyoya's case, threatened) her to attend the school festival. She decided a costume would please Honey and ease her debt at the same time. "I picked out a prince costume. Tamaki suggested it. Then again, he also suggested a dress, but then we'd lose a lot of customers. I would get some male devotees, though..."
Not even that last comment could break the sudden tension between Kyoya and Mori.
Honey pulled on Haruhi's hand. "Leave them be," he whispered. "Takashi is very upset that you took Kyo-chan's side, but he's getting help from Cera-chan." They began to head over to the nearest building to change.
"Ahhhhh..." So that's why Cera and the twins aren't coming. They're getting things ready for Mori-senpai and Sora. Those little cheats. I know Elaina and Alexia are rooting for Kyoya-senpai, while the other two have Mori-senpai's back. "How could they treat this like a bet?"
Honey shrugged. "I'm not sure, but I think either person would be good for Sora-chan."
Haruhi tilted her head sideways, doe eyes wide with confusion. "Aren't you backing Mori-senpai?"
"Takashi would calm down her wild side a bit. Kyo-chan would do the same.Like I said, either one. In the end, it's her choice."
Tamaki looked a great deal happier when he rejoined them, looking like a very handsome pirate. "Ahoy, Honey-senpai! Haruhi!"
"Tama-chan, where are Hika-chan and Kao-chan?"
"They're in the haunted house, getting ready. They want Sora to go first with Riiko and Alexia."
Tamaki frowned slightly. "Where is Sora?"
"RIGHT HERE!"
She came sliding down the railing, looking excited and energetic. "Look at the new trick I learned!" She slowly moved to her feet, and flipped off the metal. "Ta-da!"
Honey burst into applause, clanking loudly in his armor. Tamaki smiled warmly. "Yay, Sora-chan! I like your outfit!"
Sora laughed. Riiko had cheered her up exponentially earlier. Although Kyoya and Mori were still on her mind, she pushed the thoughts aside. "Cool, isn't it? Father would get so mad at me, then he seceded and called it awesome and 'very raph.' Anyway, where are the others?"
Haruhi jabbed her finger over her shoulder. "Hikaru and Kaoru are in the haunted house, and Mori's handling cotton candy. Kyoya and Alexia are doing the raffle. Riiko's at the nacho stand with some seniors." She turned to Honey. "And we need to head over to the dunking booth. Bye, Sora!" They left.
Sora returned Tamaki's smile. "So me and you are working together...where?"
"At the pickle and popcorn stand. It's right by the haunted house. Do you want to go in?" he added slyly, Prince mode returning at once.
"Sure. Why not? I could use a good surprise." She led the way, a bounce in her step.
If only she knew how big of one. Tamaki was very upset that, of all the people alive and breathing, Kyoya fell for some outsider. How the twins accepted her, he did not know. Perhaps she gave off a friendly vibe. And Mori-senpai, too! Sora was truly a lifesaver.
Sora was humming some song as they took their seats behind the stand. "Tamaki, what would you say if I sing? It's a pretty cool song, and we're gonna play it soon. It's American...please?"
Tamaki nodded. "Go ahead..."
Look at this stuff
Isn't it neat?
Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?
Wouldn't you think I'm the girl
The girl who has everything?
Look at this cove
Stories untold
How many wonders can one cavern hold?
Looking around here, you'd think
Sure, she's got everything
I've got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty
I've got whozits and whatzits galore
You want thingamabobs?
I've got twenty
But who cares, no big deal
I want more...
I wanna be where the people are
I wanna see, wanna see them dancing
Walking around on those feet
Getting carried around, you don't get too far
Legs are required for jumping, dancing
Strolling along down the street
Up where they walk
Up where they run
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wandering free
Wish I could be
Part of that world
What would I give
If I could live
Out of these waters?
What would I pay
To spend a day
Warm on the sand?
Betcha on land
They'd understand
Bet they don't reprimand their daughters
Bright young women
Sick of swimmin'
Ready to stand
And ready to know what the people know
Ask them my questions and get some answers
What is a fire and why does it burn?
When's it my turn?
Wouldn't I love
Love to explore that shore up above?
Out ofthe sea
Wish I could be
Part of that world
Around the corner, Kyoya heard the last of her performance. Well, he happened to have the greatest view of Tokyo Harbor on one of his private beaches. Maybe she would consider going out with him sometime. "Sora, I fully agree with Tamaki. Why don't you perform public karaoke?"
Sorasmiled and blushed lightly. "Well, I am adored in Europe..."
"Do not be so modest."
She chuckled. "Sure thing."
"OH, SORA-CHAN, THAT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL!" Honey andHaruhi were rushing towards them. "YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A CAREER OF THAT!"
Haruhi looked a little harassed. "Sora, come with me," she urged.
"What's wrong?" Sora asked, looking at Haruhi with concern.
"Just come on!" She pulled Sora toward one of the soda tents. "Look, don't be mad at me, but..."
"I can handle it from here, Haruhi."
Kyoya pulled the curtain aside. "You can go back to your position."
Haruhi took one last look at Sora before bustling out of the tent.
"Sora."
"Let me guess. You and Mori-senpai have decided to challenge one another over my heart. Let me just say this: may the best man win." Leaving a stunned and bewildered Kyoya in the tent, Sora smiled and left. I truly mean that. You're not winning me over with plans and schemes. Good luck to you both.
Mori entered the tent just after Sora had left. "Kyoya."
Kyoya adjusted his glasses. "Mori-senpai. She knows."
"I see. Than, excuse me." With that being said, Mori followed Sora.
Kyoya smirked. You're just infatuated, Takashi Morinozuka. Before this is over, you'll have realized that infatuation too late.