Divine Enthymeme
'I will do whatever it takes, I have to. No matter what, I will win. I always do.' (Kyoya, the Shadow King)
'I always noticed the way you seem to manipulate things around you. But truthfully, you're not the villain. You thought no one saw, but I knew.' (Haruhi, the brave)
'I see the way mother speaks to daughter, different the way I do, different the way they argue. But why is mother smiling?' (Tamaki, the naïve)
X Divine Beginning X
They were at it again. Sadly every customer watched in interest seeing the small host hold her, to them 'his', own against the cool Shadow King. It was like watching a great debate, the way the argued was familiar. It wasn't a normal fight. No, it was never normal, what they were spewing out. Most of the host club thought they didn't get along, except for the ever perceptive seniors, Honey and Mori who knew just by watching. This was different. The customers simply thought it either an act to make who ever the victor was the more appealing, and they were. Tamaki was playing tennis with his blue eyes as the couple went back and forth.
Haruhi was standing next to Kyoya who was looking down at her, his infamous notebook actually closed. It was amazing really, how such a slip of a girl could ruffle Kyoya's feathers in such a way. The twins simply sat down on the couch where Tamaki and most of the girls were, other girls were spread out at their white tables, all eyes on the two debating parties who seemed in their own little world. How did this start, you ask? Let's see…
"Welcome." Said the Ouran High School Host Club as the twin doors opened revealing their theme. Today it was royalty. Tamaki was dressed in beautiful silks, a red shirt with white pants and knee high boots. He wore a red cape with a gold embroidered collar, on his blond head was a beautiful gold crown proclaiming him as King. Honey was dresses as a young prince as Mori dressed as a strong knight. Kyoya was wearing a prince's outfit like Tamaki's only his was a purple shirt with black pants and black boots. He wore a purple cape with a diamond crested collar. The twins matched with another prince outfit only green in color. Haruhi was once again forced to 'cross-dress' as a princess, dressed in a pink gown with an off the shoulder top, ruffles to accent her lacking bosom and pink heels to match the outfit. On her head sat a small gold crown with diamonds and rubies in it. In other words she felt every out of place.
The yellow clad girls sat around the room with their designated hosts, talking and laughing. The twins flirting as Honey smiled and acting cute while Mori watched. Kyoya hosted some but was also writing in his black notebook most of the time. Tamaki was normal as Haruhi was simply complimented on how good she looked in girls clothes. Ironic, yes. Anyway, it was a normal day until an abnormal question was asked to Kyouya.
"Kyoya-senpai," one girl asked her eyes wide in curiosity. Haruhi had gotten up to grab some more tea as she passed Kyoya's table. "Can I ask you a question?"
"You may." She said with a charming smile as his glasses glittered. The girl smiled then twiddled her thumbs. The other girls looked at her in earnest, even Haruhi stopped to see what she was going to ask.
"In our class we were talking about royal families marrying out their daughters to rich men for the money no matter their age or personality. Do you think this right?" she asked. It was a good question seeing as everyone was dressed like royalty that day. Kyoya adjusted his glasses and smiled once again.
"I think it was wrong, my fair lady, but back then there was not so much money and status was very important. One of higher status had the most land therefore the most money, to be provided for was what a woman would want." The girls nodded in understanding, watching him in aw. Haruhi had a feeling they had no idea he was saying that money was money, married or not. She walked toward the group. "I would make sure my daughter was provided for no matter what." They all looked at him with sparkles in their eyes, making Haruhi wince. She looked down at where Kyoya was sitting as she walked up next to him.
"Why would you do that, Kyoya-sempi?" she asked. Everyone paused as if she questioned his man-hood or something, the pause getting the attention of everyone there including the other hosts. Haruhi decided to clarify. "Marriage should be about love and companionship, not money. Though I understand where you're coming from, I would also want my daughter's happiness."
Tamaki teared up, "Haruh-" he was pulled back by Hiraku and Kaoru. Tamaki protested for a minute before seeing Kyoya's face. Tamaki's eyes widened.
"I agree that happiness is key, but if money could provide wealth for her future family wouldn't that give her happiness?" He retorted. The twins blinked. Was this a battle? Kyoya, 1. Haruhi, 0.
"Her future family in which she would have the kids of a man she didn't love? Happiness is not bought, senpai, neither is love. An arranged marriage providing the family is poor is a hopeless ploy of selfishness on the families part." You could practically hear the 'oohh's' and 'ahh's' from girls and hosts alike. Kyoya, 1. Haruhi, 1.
"If selfishness is ensuring the safety of ones child, then selfishness is nothing compared to ignorance. They say ignorance is bliss but if a wealthy man is willing to shine his light on their ignorance and bring them to fact that money is power and therefore safe keeping, the family would surely know happiness knowing that their family is living on in wealth then dying in poverty." Kyoya retorted once more. Why was she arguing with him? Why did she question him in the first place?
"That's good, Kyoya-senpai, but who said they were in poverty?" Everyone stopped. Kyoya blinked. The twins' jaws dropped as Tamaki simply didn't understand. Some girls gasped while others continued to watch. Kyoya blinked again. Haruhi placed her tray on the table and began to pour tea,
"You automatically assumed that since they were not rich that they were in poverty when in actuality they could be middle class, living comfortably. Then isn't it selfishness for a family to force marriage upon a woman who be well off with another middle classman, live comfortably and be happy? Love is a very strong thing but it does not play favorites. But because money was involved you automatically assumed everyone besides the labeled wealthy was dying when in fact the family could simply let the girl have her way, find a middle classman and falling love her own way. If the people of poverty and middle class can find love without being forced," she took a breath and looked at his onyx eyes, "what does that say about the wealthy?"
Kyoya, 2. Haruhi, 10.
Kyoya's eyes were wide then he smirked and pushed his glasses up his nose, "You are very good, Haruhi." She blinked at his compliment then smiled and collected the tray,
"Thank you, Kyoya-sempi." She said and turned, walking back to her table everyone watching her as she moved as if nothing happened. As if she didn't just out smart one of the top in Ouran. Kyoya watched the girl a she strolled away. He was stumped. And form the looks of it, so were all the other hosts. Honey was smiling while Mori simply had that mask of indifference while the twins had their mouths open still. Kyoya was still going through what happened in his head.
She out did him in an argument? He was an Ootori. He should be able to win a simply argument with a girl. With a commoner. It was interesting. The argument itself was not of ill intension. Even after he had been out smarted he held no resentment but strange serge of adrenaline. It was entertaining to argue with her. Wit was not something that everyone had, nor the ability to debate in such a way. He let a smirk form on his lips as the girls began to exit the third music room. This would prove most interesting.
Since then it's been a daily thing. One of them will be speaking about something and the other would comment leading into an argument. The argument was about stock market analysis today. Her argument was that he would have to use tables to figure out the amount while Kyoya argued that a simple calculator would be it. The argument went on for awhile now. Luckily the costumers already left. The other host members sat around and watched as they cleaned up from their day, the tea cups and kettles going in the sink and the costumes put away. Only to hear the too voices besides their mumbling ones bicker and debate like a married couple.
"A calculator is faster."
"Mathematical tables are more accurate."
The twins both sat on the couch holding their heads, their hands over their ears, "Make them stop, my lord!" they yelled as Tamaki sat in his corner, a cloud of loneliness hovered over his figure, a picture of him and Haruhi in his hands.
"Why is she talking to mother so much? What about father?" he said, tears in his eyes. The twins watched with their eyebrow raised then grinned at each other. This could prove to be useful. They walked up behind the king, still grinning.
"Hiraku, Haruhi and Kyoya seem to be getting closer.
"You're right, Kaoru. It seems she will forget all about our lord and move on to Kyoya."
"She might never need her father again. Not if she has someone smart like Kyoya." They were having too much fun. They watched as Tamaki lifted his head, his blue eyes wide. He jumped up his hands on his face.
Tamaki's Inner Mind Theatre….
"Oh my! I can't seem to figure out how much sugar to put in the cake Haruhi made for father!" Haruhi stood over a kitchen counter in a pink dress with a white frilly apron over it. In her hands were two measuring cups and sugar in front of her. Tamaki walks up, wearing a white outfit, a rose in his hand,
"Do not fret my sweet for I will help-"
The camera swings over to the door way where Kyoya stands, leaning against the doorway, his shirt unbuttoned, roses in the background. He smiles, glasses glisten, and walks over and hugs Haruhi from behind. She gasps.
"That's easy, two cups, my Haruhi and maybe for my services you can give that cake to me," an evil look appears on his face as he turns Haruhi face towards him, "And something else just as sweet…"
"Kyoya..."
The measuring cup clatters to the floor.
End of Tamaki's Mind Theatre
"If you're smart enough to estimate in your head and multiply and add the larger numbers with a calculator, why not use one?" Kyoya retorted. Haruhi paused and thought for a minute. He was right. If you had the smarts, you wouldn't need to use a table, a calculator would be just as good. She opened her mouth to reply to his smirking face.
"Haruhi!" Tamaki yelled as he ran up to her, hugging her. Kyoya adjusted his glasses. "Father wants to spend time with you! All you do is argue with mother! I will not have it!" He hugs her tighter as she stands there with a bored expression.
"Tamaki-senpai." She said as she struggled in his grasp, "Let go, please." Tamaki let her go only to grab her by the shoulders and looked her in the eye. His eyes were big and blue, filled with over-dramatic tears.
"How can you be so cruel?" he asks.
"My lord, spring break is approaching fast; we only have a couple more days. We should go somewhere!" Kaoru said with a smile. Hikaru smiled as well.
"We do have resort in Osaka." The other twin said. "A hot spring resort." Kyoya flipped through is notebook, as Mori and Hunny looked at each other with a knowing glance. Tamaki went into his dream mode.
"I don't see a problem with that." Kyoya said and adjusted his glasses, "Of course that mean we will be taking your coach, correct?" The twins nodded. "Well then, I guess we're going to Osaka."
"Hot springs!" The twins shouted then each made a victory sign. Haruhi shook her head and sighed. It was time to go home. She had had enough of school. Spring break started two days from now and she still needed to grab groceries of next week for her father. She walked out with the rest of them, the Hitachiin twins getting into their limo followed by the rest of them all waving bye to her. She waved and smiled a little then proceeded to the subway. She paid for her ticket and walked to the end of the platform and waited. She began to think back to today.
She was arguing with Kyoya-senpai more frequently now after last week when she brought up her opinion of arranged marriages. She had to admit that it was fun, debating with a person who she could actually quarrel with without feeling like it was a one way argument. From his face and his voice, she could tell he enjoyed it also. It was funny that the proclaimed shadow king took pleasure in such a simple thing like a debate. She also knew that he loved challenges and to win so she guessed he only did it to win.
She heard the train pull in through the tunnel. It was something she would have to ask about. He wasn't such a bad guy as everyone perceived him as, then again, he did have his moments. He just needed someone to tell him that it was okay to let his guard down. He didn't always need to be cold and calculating. She smiled. She lost today's debate on table or calculator. She would get him next time. She walked through the opening doors of the subway, taking her place across the way at a white plastic seat.
"Would you use a calculator or a table to calculate stocks?" Kyoya asked his driver as they made their way down the street to the Ootori estate. Kyoya looked out the window, his posture perfect, leg crossed over the other as he looked out the tinted window. The driver paused then answered,
"What would you use, sir?" Kyoya choked down the need to roll his dark eyes. A typical answer from anyone who had a sense of well-being and in a lower class. You would never contradict someone of power because they could take everything out from under you. No one, not even himself, voiced his opinion without straight permission. No one except for Fujioka Haruhi. It didn't matter who or what they were, if she had an opinion especially if it had to do with her friends and family she would voice it without a second thought. It was so easy for her to open that little mouth and state the truth. A rarity in itself. He remembered back when Tamaki was going to leave, at that party. His father had disgraced and purposely embarrassed him in front of everyone only to have Fujioka stand up and talk back to him. She had defended him and never took into consideration the consequences for her actions, only knew that what his father did was wrong and that she needed to say something.
It was remarkable. Within that short time she did something that he couldn't do for years and still can't. The driver opened the car door, Kyoya walked out and to his home. It was quite a large house, mansion of sorts. His mind flashed to Haruhi's humble abode. It was intriguing on how a commoner could see the riches and wealth that her piers had and never was jealous. Instead she was perfectly fine in her own home, with her own money, with her own style of living. He walked into his home, his sister greeted him.
"My my my, Kyoya, father wishes to speak to you. It seems to be important. What did you do?" she asked. Kyoya raised an eyebrow.
"What are you dong here?" She didn't answer and instead proceeded to push him towards his father's office. He let himself be moved before being trusted into the office and the doors closed behind him. His father sat at his large desk, his chair facing the large window behind him, his back to Kyoya. Kyoya bowed and straightened,
"Hello, father. You called me?" he said respectively. His father turned towards him, his glasses gleaming as he did so. He placed his elbows on the desk, making creases in his black suit at the elbows.
"Sit." His father said. He did was he was told and sat in a comfortable black leather chair in front of his desk. There was a comfortable paused as Kyoya's mind went to work.
"The Suou and I have been speaking and it seems that we have the same objective now days." Kyoya could only blink in confusion. "You see, Kyoya, there is a student at Ouran that we seem to be fascinated with." His eyes became darker as he spoke. "Do you know who this student is, my son?"
Everything seemed to click.
"Fujioka."
"Correct." He responded, "She is a very intelligent woman and a very interesting person. Being a special student, accepted to Ouran and being top of her class for so long, she seems to have great potential not to mention her spirit is remarkably note worthy. She would be a great asset to the Ootori line." Kyoya's eyes went wide.
Who was this and what had he done with his father? Haruhi would be a benefit to the Ootori's? A commoner? Sure she was smart and was a good business woman, but for his father to say this about a slip of a girl who had not only spoken back to him but done so in public was baffling. Of course in his bafflement, he didn't think through what exactly his father meant.
"I want you to pay special attention to Ms. Fujioka." His father turned back to the window in thought, "I want you to know her and her you. You are to take her on outings by yourself and furthermore, become familiar with her."
"If I may ask, father, why would you have me do this?" he asked politely as his brain tired to stretch over this one.
"Suou has plans to marry Fujioka to his heir." His father said in a low voice, "I can not have her be an Ootori if he does so. I have seen Fujioka and Suou's relationship. I want you to have a stronger one. If you can do this, you are one step closer to becoming heir." Kyoya felt his heart jump. "You are dismissed."
Kyoya bowed and turned, walking out of the room like a soldier. He closed the doors and walked to his room. He closed his door softly as he exhaled slowly. This was more then he could process. Not only had if father said that there was a good chance for him to become heir but his job was to basically make Haruhi like him more then she did Tamaki. To make her an Ootori she would have to marry him. He turned and looked into the long mirror in the corner of his room. He imagined her in a wedding dress and him next to her. He shook his head free of the image. He couldn't let her know what he was doing; he couldn't let anyone of them know. He walked to his bed and lay down.
This was going to prove bothersome. He closed his eyes thought back to what his father had said about Tamaki. He was going to marry Haruhi to Tamaki. What did she do to make two of the most known business men want her for their sons? He wondered how profitable she was to his family. It didn't matter. If she would be his key to the Ootori company, he would make sure she would fall in love with him.
Let the games begin.