"Kaoru?"
"Yes, Hikaru?"
"Do you think... that I'm in love with Haruhi?"
Hitachiin Kaoru knew it in him all along. As the twins sat in their limo on their way to school, the younger twin looked at his brother. It certainly took him long enough to realise that little fact. Ever since that date of theirs, Hikaru's feelings for the girl had slowly, but surely, grown. No wonder then, that the morning had been so quiet (by Hitachiin standards, that is).
"What makes you say that, Hikaru," asked Kaoru slyly. Too dense to notice his twin's tone, the older brother stared at the scenery outside the limo.
"I don't know why. It seems as if I need her... almost as much as I need you."
The smile disappeared from Kaoru's lips. This is bad. To tell the truth, if Haruhi really fell for Hikaru, the boy should count his blessings a thousand times over. Kaoru knew, because THEY were better than him. He thought for a while, and made up his mind. Better that he received a black eye now, than for Hikaru to be devastated later on.
"Hikaru, I should warn you: The situation may not be as simple as you thought it to be."
"Why," asked Hikaru as he cocked his head to face his brother. Kaoru was now dead serious.
"Later. I'll tell you when it's time."
At the Third Music Room, before opening hours...
Hitachiin Hikaru was observing his brother. Throughout class today, he had not dropped any hints at all to Hikaru's question in the limo. Kaoru, on his part, knew that Hikaru was dying to know the answer. He may be dense sometimes, but like their lord, dim bulbs could brighten up later.
"So, you want to know why?"
"No more games, Kaoru, or tonight, you're going to get it when we go to bed," threatened Hikaru lightly. Kaoru took a deep breath.
"Haruhi may not even like you. After all, they have more bragging rights than you."
"Who's they," asked Hikaru. His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets while his brother gestured to the other four members of the Host Club. He dropped his voice to a barely audible hiss.
"What do you mean?"
"First of all, let's look at Hani-senpai. Don't forget: He's a third-year student, after all." Although Kaoru kept his volume down, his words had their effect on Hikaru.
"But, he's always with that bunny of his, not to mention his cakes..."
"Remember that time with Casanova-kun? Hani-senpai was able to tell at once that the thugs were not after Mori-senpai. He may be overly adorable at times, but he's still sensitive to his surroundings. On top of that, his karate background would mean that he could protect Haruhi whenever he wants." Kaoru stole a glance at Hikaru as he went about his "explanation". The older twin was beginning to shake from head to toe.
"What.. What about Mori-senpai," stammered Hikaru.
"Mori-senpai... He may be quiet most of the time. However, like Hani-senpai, he could defend Haruhi as well. Also, he's number 2 of his cohort, just behind Hani-senpai. A combination of brains and brawn; if Haruhi was to look for a guy, Mori-senpai would be a more-than-valid choice."
Seeing that Hikaru had gone all quiet, Kaoru went on to another unlikely person. "Kyouya-senpai. Now, this one's deep. He may not be able to inherit the Otori estate, but given his talents, he would shine brightly in any field of his choice. You may not have noticed, but after our beach vacation and visit to the department store, Kyouya-senpai's been just that little-bit more relaxed. If Haruhi has nothing to do with it, I'll eat my own socks."
Hikaru was still listening to his brother, but his own thoughts had taken over his mind. Although he had feelings (he didn't know if they were of love) for Haruhi, he had never really thought about the rest of the Host Club like that. Sure, he was hoping that Kaoru was just spouting nonsense. Deep down inside him, however, he knew that it was the truth. They were indeed better than him in almost any way imaginable.
Kaoru hesistated. After Kyouya-senpai, this last guy might just be the straw to break Hikaru's back. The younger brother took another deep breath.
"Last, but not least, our lord himself. Although he acts spastically around Haruhi, no one's going to believe you if you claim that there's nothing between them. Tono may be a little dense, but when he finally straightens out his thoughts..."
"So, that's it? All you're trying to say the whole time is that I'm dense?" Hikaru's voice was getting louder. He knew what his brother was driving at; his immature side just couldn't resist screaming at Kaoru. In a way, he was also screaming at himself: a weak, pathetic creature who would be ashamed to call himself a man...
Kaoru gave his older brother a cold glare in return.
"Think, Hikaru. THINK! If you truly love Haruhi, try figuring out for yourself how you could win her heart!"
"YOU BAKA!" The other boys stopped what they were doing when they heard someone shouting at the top of his voice, followed by a sickening smack. Hikaru was panting as he struggled to his feet. Kaoru nursed his cheek, which was becoming more swollen by the second. At that moment, Fujioka Haruhi walked into the room. She obviously failed to notice the tense atmosphere.
"What's going on here?"
Hikaru stared at the girl. Without another word, he ran past her (knocking into her at the same time) and out of the room. The rest of the Club went into "damage control" mode.
"Are you alright," asked Mori.
"Kao-chan, what happened?" Hani was worried about his junior's injury.
"Do you think it's one of their fake fights again," asked Tamaki, looking at his deputy at the same time.
"Could be." Kyouya pushed up his spectacles. However, his gut feeling told him that there was more to it. He shouldn't worry Tamaki until he had gotten his facts right.
"Haruhi..." It was a while before Kaoru spoke. Besides having the wind knocked out from him, his voice was also slightly distorted by his swollen cheek. By now, the girl was standing next to him, an ice pack in her hands.
"Yes?"
"Go after him, please." Something in the twin's voice convinced her that this was no game. Applying the ice pack to his cheek, Kaoru forced himself to smile. Looks like Haruhi's not that dense either, thought the teen. Tamaki decided to follow her, just in case...
At the school's fountain...
Hikaru stared at the clear water, his own reflection looking straight back at him. His mind was in a whirl. Because of his own weakness and stupidity, he had punched his own brother. That's how he had always been: blaming others instead of himself if anything went wrong. Kaoru's right: If Haruhi was seriously looking for a boyfriend, he would rank dead last among the Host Club boys. Even his twin was better than him. As the salty and bitter taste of his tears threatened to overwhelm his senses, he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Hikaru?"
He turned around. Haruhi was a little shocked to see her classmate like this. In her memory, Hikaru never cried. Even if he did, it was for show to the girls. Not this time. The older Hitachiin twin stared at Haruhi. His gaze made the girl uncomfortable.
"Hikaru, are you all right?"
"At least, there's something I can do," he whispered to himself. Before Haruhi knew it, the teen was in front of her. Grabbing her head, he lowered his and planted his lips on hers. After the initial shock, the girl felt this strange but warm feeling rising in her chest. Was it love, she thought. She instinctively wrapped her arms around Hikaru as the boy did the same thing. They didn't notice the stares that were directed at them, nor would they care even if they did.
Tamaki stood where he was. In that instant, everything clicked in place. He was indeed in denial about his love to Haruhi. Now, a guy had beaten him to it and become Fujioka Haruhi's first kiss (with the opposite sex). He turned around and quickened his pace. Soon, the King was running back to the music room. Those whom he passed didn't know that they had witnessed another first: the first time Suoh Tamaki ever cried...
Afterthoughts
-It's supposed to be one-shot. But, I might add to it...
-Please RnR!