Over Coffee

by Its'Noelle'not'Nole'5327

Kyoya gets married? And the story is told by his WIFE? KyoyaxOC. If you are patient, you might like it. In the process of editing out errors, but Part 3 will be posted eventually.

1. Chapter 1

Hello, I wrote this awhile back, I hope you like it.

This has been edited. Not the content, just some errors.

---

Over Coffee (pt 1: marriage)

"How long will you be gone again?" Haruhi brought Tamaki's briefcase to him.

"It will only be a week," he smiled.

He kissed her on the head. She held onto his hug for a long time.

"I'll call you from the hotel," he whispered into her ear.

He swept her into a kiss. Then he let go and looked back at her eyes.

"Don't you think we should be going?" Kyoya said bluntly, "we have an hour's ride to the airport."

Tamaki gave Haruhi a smile, "I'd better be going before grouchy over there drags me away."

Tamaki walked to the car and got in. He waved to Haruhi as the car started to drive away. She waved back until the car wasn't able to be seen.

Haruhi sighed and walked into the mansion. Well, Kyoya's mansion to be exact. She walked into the kitchen to see Kijira sitting at the table with a cup of coffee.

"Sorry Kijira," Haruhi sat down, "I was saying goodbye to Tamaki before he left."

"Ah," Kijira nodded, "would you like a cup of coffee?"

"That sounds pretty good right now," Haruhi nodded.

Kijira got up and got another cup and poured the brown liquid in it.

"Thank you for staying with me this week," Kijira brought the cup over, "Tamaki told me you had no cases to work on in your law firm for awhile."

Haruhi nodded, "I know how lonely it gets when there's no one at the house. I don't know how you stand it."

"Well, I busy myself," Kijira gave a smile, "and besides, who says I'm home when he's not?"

"Why didn't you say goodbye to Kyoya before he left?" Harui picked up her coffee.

"He doesn't want his wife doting on him in public," Kijira sipped her coffee, "so I respect his wishes."

Haruhi adjusted the skirt of her dress.

"I still can't believe you married him, Kijira," Haruhi glanced at her coffee.

The brunette glanced at the pale golden band on her left hand.

"I can't either."

"I know I was there for most of it," Haruhi sipped her coffee, "but I still want to know how it happened. I can't picture Kyoya-senpai marrying anybody."

"I still can't believe you call him senpai," Kijira smiled into her own cup, "but if it interests you so much I'll tell you."

Kijira took another sip of her coffee.

FLASHBACK WITH NARRATION

As you know, when I was a third year I turned 18. And my father decided it was time I got married. So, he planned to announce it at my birthday party. The more prestigious students from Ouran were invited, along with their parents, and some of his own business associates.

"I'm not prestigious?" Haruhi sweatdropped.

"No," Kijira giggled, "you were poor."

"Thank you for attending," Kijira bowed politely to the guest, "it is an honor to have you."

"Thank you for inviting us," the old woman smiled, "it is wonderful to be blossoming into such a lovely age."

Kijira smiled and watched as the guests passed by her eyes. Name and faces swam in front of her as the clock ticked 8:34.

"See anyone you like?" her dad whispered into her ear.

"Father!" she reprimanded him, "not now."

He gave her a small smile, "nice to know you still have a sense of humor."

She eyed her father. Now was not the time to slip.

"Go have a good time," he waved her off.

"What?"

"Go," her father smiled, "it will be good to go dance for awhile."

"But... the guests," Kijira tried.

"I'll takes care of them," he shook his head, "go have fun."

Kijira sighed and walked towards the ballroom.

Her dad's smile melted away as he watched her go.

"Go while you still can."

Kijira glanced around at the couples dancing they looked happier than she would ever be. She sighed and walked to the nearest empty couch to observe.

8:46

"Hello Kijira-san," Tamaki bowed, "may I have this dance?"

Kijira tried to smile and stood up.

"Why not?"

They danced around the ballroom as the song continued.

"I hope you are having a good time," Tamaki smiled, "it is wonderful to be turning eighteen."

Kijira glanced at the entranceway, "I guess so."

Tamaki's smile faltered but he continued on, "you look very pretty tonight."

Kijira glanced at her dark blue gown. Her wavy hair moved as she tilted her head.

"Thank you Suho-san, that is very kind of you," she said, expressionless.

She looked up at the clock, and then at the entranceway once more.

Tamaki frowned, "why don't we stop for a minute?"

They walked off to the side.

"Normally I'm not a prying person, but this is your own birthday party and you are acting like you have been sentenced to death," Tamaki looked her in the face.

That is a very good way of putting it, Kijira rubbed her temples, "I'm sorry, I'm just not myself today. Perhaps you should go dance with someone else."

Tamaki's frown stayed in place, but he walked off to his friend just the same.

"Ah, Tamaki," Kyoya acknowledged him, "dancing to get another customer?"

"I was only dancing with her because it was her birthday," Tamaki watched as the young lady sat back down on the couch again. "She seems so sad."

Kyoya glanced at Kijira, "it's probably nothing."

Tamaki looked at his friend and shook his head, "she's acting too strange for it to be nothing."

Did her beloved pet die? Tamaki wondered, I'd probably feel just as bad if Antoinette fell ill.

Kijira looked at the time once more.

8:59.

She pulled her phone out of her purse and waited for the call. Her father said he would.

9:00.

Her phone rang. She answered it.

"Hello?"

"Kijira," her father called her name.

"Yes?"

"It's time," he put the phone on speaker, but muted the other line.

He slid the phone in his breast pocket.

"May I have your attention?" he father called the business families attention in the other room.

Kijira's eyes darted around the room to make sure that no one else had heard. The couples and other highschoolers were still dancing. She pushed the phone closer to her ear.

"Today is my daughter's eighteenth birthday," he began, "as she is my only child, and I have no wife, she stands to inherit my company. While I find that the company will be in very capable hands, I also want to ensure for her a safe future."

Kijira clenched the phone as she waited for the final words.

"That being said," her dad said with finality, "from this day on, she will be taking marriage proposals until the end of the school year."

The crowd on the phone murmred at the news and Kijira heard her dad's footsteps on the phone. Her hand trembled at the sound.

She looked at the entranceway and saw her dad standing there. With a grim expression, he pulled his phone out of the pocket.

He hit 'end call' and the line went dead.

Tamaki watched Kijira carefully, "something's not right."

Kyoya was now watching.

Kijira felt tears welling in her eyes. She shut the phone and as gracefully as she could, she got up and walked in the opposite direction of her father and towards the doors to the housing. She took some of the 'Happy Birthdays' from the students as honestly as she could and walked through the door.

Only after the door was shut could running steps be heard on the other side.

Kyoya's cell phone beeped. He flipped it open and check it. It was a message from his father.

"I'm sorry Tamaki, but my father has requested that I leave the party with him," Kyoya's glasses shone.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow then," Tamaki told him

Kijira ran to the nearest empty room and locked herself inside. She took labored breaths until she could bear it no more. She cried and cried till her eyes turned red.

She cried for the decisions that had to be made. She cried for her father, who had no other option. She cried for the loveless marriage she was destined to enter.

[][][][][][]

After what seemed like an eternity of crying, she had fallen asleep on the couch in the room she had hidden in. Kijira rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and looked at the time.

1:25 in the morning

She walked out if the room and went back to the ballroom. She walked around the dimly lit room back to the couch she had sat on just hours ago.

She looked out to the window and looked at the large, pale moon. It was there Kijira decided to lock her emotions and thoughts of romance away.

The only thing left for her was a business deal.

PRESENT

"That's horrible," Haruhi said, agahst.

Kijira gave her a small smile, "I know."

"Your father shouldn't have imposed that on you," Haruhi shook her head. "That's way too much pressure to be put on one person."

"My father was trying to take care of me the only way he knew how," she finished her coffee, "even if it was very drastic."

"I can see now on what terms you got married," Haruhi pushed away her cup.

Kijira nodded, "let's continue the story."

FLASHBACK

Kijira walked into Classroom A the next day and sat down at her seat. She felt eyes on the back of her head and heard whispers.

"Poor Kijira, and her dad announce it like that. They must be desperate."

"I hope she's okay."

"Hah! If my father did that to me I'd die of embarassment."

Kijira sat up a little straighter in her chair, as if their words did nothing.

"Kijira-san..."

She looked up at the voice.

"Yes, Suho-san?"

Please, dear Lord, tell me he's not about to propose.

"You were worrysome yesterday," he feigned a smile, "you could have at least told me your situation."

"I found no cause to inject you in it," she said frankly.

"But to bear that weight all by yourself," he shook his head, "anyways, I'll be a listening ear if you ever need one."

She nodded at him.

"I mean it," he said seriously.

"That's fine."

He walked to his desk.

"Class!" the teacher called the room to attention, "let us begin."

[][][][][][]

Kyoya walked into his house and up the stairs to his father's private office. He knocked.

"Come in."

"You wanted to see me, father?" Kyoya opened the door.

"Yes, I wanted to speak with you."

Kyoya came and sat down in the chair opposite the desk.

"About the Mizuhaki girl," the Ootori senior started, "what do you think of her?"

Kyoya thought for a moment, knowing instantly where this was going to go.

"She is extremely smart, and puts forth effort in everything she does," Kyoya decided on, "she is very involved in her father's work and produces excellent results. And according to some of the male students, she is also somewhat on the attractive side."

"That's good to hear," his father nodded, "because I have a request of you. As you know, her father owns the largest agricultral business in the market today, and it is a very large one if I do say so myself. It would not be ill of you to consent for me to set up an omiai between you and this girl."

"That is all very well, but I don't see her father just handing the company over to the Ootoris," Kyoya adjusted his glasses, and I know that's what you want out of this.

"I know Mizuhaki personally," his father continued, "and what you say is very true. The company would probably not pass through my hands or your hands. But if you were to marry her, then eventually she would have to pass down the company through the Ootori line."

Kyoya said nothing.

"As an incentive," his father continued, "if you were to marry the girl, you would become the head of the Ootori business."

Kyoya's eyes widened at the statement.

"You are a very capable young man, and I have considered you for the heir even if you didn't win the Mizuhaki girl over," Ootori leaned back in his chair, "but if you did, you would be named, without a doubt, the heir of the company."

How very like him, Kyoya thought, it's as if he has told me I was a possibility, but if I don't marry her I might as well be counted out of inheritance.

"That is intriging to me," Kyoya looked his father in the eye, "but I fail to see, forgive me for saying this, where the proof in that statement is."

His father gave him a rare smile, "I find no offense in that. I would consider you a fool if you did not ask for evidence. I have written up a contract that states if you marry the girl, you will become heir to the company after you finish all of your schooling. Here."

He produced a copy of the contract. Kyoya picked it up and examined it.

"I have talked to your brothers about it already and they have agreed to the terms. They believe it is in the best interest of the company."

Kyoya looked up from the contract. So the old man had roped his brothers as well.

"What do you say?"

Kyoya looked back down at the contract.

"Your deal is a heavy one," Kyoya stated, "but I will accept."

"Very well," his father stood up, "be prepared for an omiai by next week."

[][][][][][]

"Mizuhaki-san," Ootori greeted.

"Ootori-san," Mizuhaki greeted likewise.

"Thank you for allowing us to have an omiai," Ootori nodded, "let me introduce my son, Kyoya Ootori."

Kyoya was standing next to his father in a suit and tie.

"Then let me introduce my daughter, Kijira Majihaki," her father gestured to her.

Kijira was standing next to her father in a cocktail dress.

"Why don't we let the two talk amongst themselves while we talk business," Majihaki offered.

"That sound like a good idea," Ootori nodded, "I was wondering how this growing season..."

Kyoya and Kijira were left by themselves.

"Why don't we sit down?" Kyoya smiled.

Kijira nodded. They sat on opposite twin couches with a coffee table in between them.

"It's a pleasure to finally sit and talk with you," he told her.

"Would you like some coffee?" she offered.

"That would be nice," he nodded.

She poured him a cup.

"So tell me about yourself," he sipped his coffee.

She raised her eyebrows, "I'm in your class, I want to pursue a career of taking over my father's company, and I like art."

Kyoya nodded and smiled, "perhaps we can attend a gallery event toghter one time."

Kijira set her own cup down, "perhaps."

"What else do you like to do?" Kyoya asked.

"Isn't about time I asked a question?" Kijira raised her eyebrows.

"But I would much rather listen to you," Kyoya told her.

Kijira sighed. She should have expected this.

"Kyoya," she brushed the wrinkles out of the skirt of her dress, "I don't know what your father has offered you to get you to marry me, but I'm not stupid."

"I'm afraid, I don't know what you mean," he tilted his head.

"You are using the charm the girls that go to your host club talk about," she told him. "I find it repugnant that you should try to use it on me. I came into this omiai looking for a partner to spend the rest of my life with, not seduction."

Kyoya smiled a genuine smile at her cleverness, "I suppose I underestimated you. Very well, what would you have me do?"

"I simply want an honest friend out of the marriage I will be forced into," her fingertips glided over the rim of the cup. "And if you can do that, I will be glad to accept your proposal."

"Your father seems desperate for you to marry," Kyoya sipped at his coffee, "I think it would be wise to take up whatever came to you."

It was Kijira's turn to smile, "I have had four omiais besides yours these past two weeks and one, businesswise, was almost as good as yours. Now tell me again to take up whatever comes to me."

Kijira now had his full attention. He set down his cup to place his hand on his chin.

So very cold, Kyoya thought to himself. He smiled at the irony of thinking such a statement.

"My father's business is big enough that he can announce such things without having to worry about results," she clasped her hand togther, "but you are smart and extremely dedicated to getting what you want. I admire that in you. If we can come to a mutual friendship, I would be more than accepting to marry. That is, of course, if you actually want to."

So she wants to play this game. Very well, I accept your challenge.

"Why don't we do a trial period of two weeks before deciding anything?" Kyoya suggested, "Then the other will know if they want to back out. But before we call in the elders I must commend you for your businesslike attitude. I was expecting some kind of rant about love and other things. I have witnessed a few of my brothers' omiais before."

"Mr. Ootori," Kijira looked at him, "I can assure you, whatever mushy rant I could possibly spout, died a long time ago."

"Let us call in our fathers, shall we?"

[][][][][][]

Kijira walked throught the hallway and to the south wing. She found herself in front of music room three. She opened the door and glanced around the room.

"Ah!" the twins exclaimed, "a guest!"

"What?"

"Come sit with us," they ushered her to a chair.

"I'm sorry but I didn't come here t-"

"Would you like some coffee?" Kaoru offered her.

"It's instant," Hikaru grinned.

"Umm," Kijira sweatdropped, "I actually just came here for-"

"Kijira!" Tamaki exclaimed, "I didn't expect to see you here as a customer!"

Kijira sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose, "I only came here to talk to Kyoya."

"Kyo-chan?" Honey walked up to her, "why do you need to talk to him?"

"Yeah," Kaoru put his hands on his hips, "the miser doesn't get many people to see him."

"Ah, Kijira, I see you came," Kyoya walked out of nowhere.

"Don't do that senpai!" Hikaru was holding Kaoru, "warn us next time!"

"Shall we?" he gestured to the couches in the corner.

They walked over to the corner.

"Hey boss?" Hikaru asked.

"Since when did Kyoya get clients like those?" Kaoru finished.

"I don't know," Tamaki rested his hand on his chin.

"Didn't you hear her?" Haruhi eyed them, "she's not a guest."

"I think it's time we went into... SECRET SPY MODE!" Tamaki declared.

Tamaki and the twins zipped away and returned dressed in spy cosplay, constisting of black suits, sunglasses and ties. The three sneaked up behind a couch close to Kyoya's and Kijira's.

"I'm glad you allowed me to finish the conversation we started earlier," Kyoya closed his notebook and set it to the side.

"You asked a couple questions and I gave you some answers," she smiled wryly, "I hardly call that a conversation. Regardless, do you mind if I ask some questions today?"

"Not at all."

"What are your interests, Ootori-kun?"

"Interests? Well I suppose this host club and school would be my interests," he leaned back on the couch.

"Do you not like doing activites outside of school?"

"Such as?"

"Going places with your friends, doing things with them and such."

"I don't think you understand what I classify as fun," he looked at her.

"So cold," Tamaki watched from behind the couch, "he really is showing his true self."

The twins nodded in agreement.

"Then what do find fun?" she asked him.

"Challenges," he answered her.

"Challenges?"

"Challenges."

The two stared at each other for a moment.

"You talked about having brothers," she continued, "how many siblings do you have?"

"Well, I have my two older brothers," he fixed his glasses, "and then my older sister. One brother is finishing college, one is working under my father, and my sister is married."

"You have such a big family," Kijira looked out the window, "it must be nice."

"To be honest with you, while my brothers are amazing," Kyoya set down is coffee, "they are my competition for the heir to the company. So I can only speak freely with my sister, and that is when she is not being a nusance."

Kijira smiled as she finished her coffee.

"I wonder about your family as well," Kyoya offered her a refill, "there are many rumors on how it is just you and your dad."

She allowed him to pour coffee in the cup, "rumors?"

"No!" Tamaki whispered to himself, "don't breach uncomfortable walls with a girl!"

"You know, the same old 'love child' rumors and the mom ran away," he sipped from his cup, "divorcee rumors, and the mother's death rumors. Your history is very vauge when it comes to your mother, very little is found."

Kijira smiled into her cup, "the basic story is that my mother is dead. She died when I was about eight, and she was expecting a boy. I'm sure you know what that means."

Kyoya sipped his coffee, not interrupting. The baby would have been the heir to the company.

"We were all very happy, but, unfortunately, there were complications with the growth and the child was doomed to die," Kijira set down her cup and saucer on the coffee table, "my mother never gave up hope, but the way the child grew in the womb ended up killing her as well. By the time the doctors realized it, it was too late."

Silence entered the room.

"While I was destined to lose a brother," she smiled bitterly, "I also lost a mother. I believe her decision to not have an abortion was noble, but I still can't help but be bitter."

Kyoya set his cup back down, "that is... a very interesting story. Far different than what I imagined."

She sipped at her cup, "if everything was how you imagined, there would be no reason to live."

"That is an intriging notion," Kyoya smiled into his cup, "in it's own way."

"Excuse me, senpai?" Haruhi walked up with a tray, "May I refill your pot?"

"That's fine," Kyoya gestured at the pot.

"If you don't mind me asking," Haruhi filled the pot, "you seem very cold for this to be a customer, Kyoya-senpai. Is there another reason she is here?"

"No Haruhi!" the twins reached for her, "don't!"

"I don't mind telling you," Kyoya gave a slight shrug, "Kijira-san?"

"I don't care," she sipped at her cup.

Tamaki and the twins froze.

All we had to do... was ask?

Kyoya set down his cup.

"Kijira-san and I are in a trial period," Kyoya explained.

"Trial period?" Haruhi cocked her head.

"To put it simply," Kijira turned to her, "we seeing if marriage is an option."

"YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED?" the twins and Tamaki jumped out of their hiding spots.

"It's not certain," Kyoya adjusted his glasses, "but that being said, at the end of these two weeks, we will make a decision."

"Isn't that a bit, rushed?" Haruhi sat down on the couch next to Kijira, "how do expect to find love in two weeks?"

"Love?" Kijira looked at her, "I'm afraid love is out of the equation. This is an arranged marriage."

"I think that's silly," Haruhi folded her arms, "if someone was to marry, it should be because they want to spend the rest of their lives togther."

"Haruhi," Kyoya looked at her, "you just wouldn't understand."

Haruhi glanced at them, "I think I do."

"Haruhi-kun," Kijira put down her cup, "would you like to walk the school garden with me?"

"Uh, sure," Haruhi got up and walked with her out the door.

"Heh," the twins grinned, "Kyoya got his wife stolen by a girl."

Kyoya's glasses shone. The twins yelped and zipped away.

"Kyoya," Tamaki sat down, "why are you doing this?"

Kyoya's glasses reflected the light. He glanced out the window radiating sunlight.

"My father offerred me the company," Kyoya told him, "if she accepts."

Tamaki's eyes widened.

"So, you have to marry her?" Tamaki folded his arms.

Kyoya sipped at his cup, "No, but I believe if I don't, then my chances of becoming heir will become slim to none."

Tamaki sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, "do you have any other reason to do this?"

"Well," Kyoya set down the coffee, "she is interesting, to say the least. She's like Haruhi, she doesn't fall for charm very easily."

Tamaki looked outside the to the courtyard. He saw the two walking around. He smiled.

"Maybe they'll get along."

[][][][][][]

"It's so beautiful out here," Haruhi walked around the garden.

Kijira smiled to herself, he's so feminine for a boy.

"Haruhi, you said back in the room you understand our situation," Kijira started.

Haruhi looked up from the flower she has been sniffing.

"I wonder if you could put it into words for me?" Kijira asked.

"It seems to me," Haruhi stood straight, "that both of you are in this whole thing to see what you can get out of it. Who can get the better deal."

"That is a very good way of putting it," Kijira nodded, "but you missed something."

Haruhi blinked.

"You see," Kijira gave a smile, "if we married and we couldn't stand the sight of each other, not much productivity would come from the union."

Such flowery words, Haruhi thought.

"We want to gain more than we lose," Kijira put up a finger, "partner-wise anyway."

"I really wish you wouldn't do that," Haruhi frowned.

"Huh?" Kijira blinked.

"You asked me to come with you here and then you spout all these frilly, unnecessary words, trying to sound all high and mighty," Haruhi crossed her arms. "If you want to speak to me, speak plainly and frankly."

Kijira sat in shock. No one had ever told her such things. She smiled a true smile.

"You're right, I called you out, so I should talk with you as an equal," Kijira nodded, "I'm sorry, I have few friends that I respect. But that should change."

Haruhi grinned, "that's fine. But is it alright if I recap what you just said?"

"By all means," Kijira gestures.

"I think you and Kyoya-senpai want to marry for business, but want something more than JUST business," Haruhi put her hand on her chin. "You are looking for a friend, it seems."

Kijira was shocked again. This boy had read farther in her previous statements than she had gone.

"That's what I think anyway," Haruhi shrugged.

"It's seems you think some interesting thoughts," Kijira amended, "maybe we will become friends."

Haruhi smiled, "I hope so."

[][][][][][]

Kijira walked back to music room 3 the next day. Hikaru and Kaoru watched as she walked through the room. They exchanged smirking glances and walked up to her.

"Since you are going to be Kyoya's wife," Hikaru grabbed one shoulder.

"We want to pass judgement on whether or not you are a good match for Kyoya-senpai," Kaoru claimed the other.

"Pass... judgement?"

They sat her in a chair and walked around it, observing her.

"She doesn't seem any different than the girls who come here," Kaoru noted.

Kijira had an irritated expression.

"Yeah. She's pretty as some of them, but not THAT pretty," Hikaru commented.

"Hey!"

"I wonder, is she smart?" Hikaru rubbed his chin.

"Well she is in Class A," Kaoru pointed out.

"SHE has a name," Kijira said, irked.

The twins stared at her for a moment, then shrugged her off as if she was just part of the furniture.

"Hmmm, she seems intelligent enough, but is she a miser like our Shadow King?" Hikaru wondered.

"She can't be one or it won't work out," Kaoru shook his head.

"I know that! I was asking if she was. About her tastes..."

"Here," Kijira stood up, "why don't you guys pass judgement on me, WITHOUT me."

Kijira walked off to a table where Kyoya and Haruhi were sitting.

"Are they always this crazy?" Kijira sat down.

"Always," Kyoya and Haruhi responded at the same time.

"Tamaki's worse," Haruhi huffed.

"Hey!" a small bundle jumped on Kijira's lap.

"Oof! Uh, hello," Kijira tried to smile.

"Hi!" it smiled, "my name is Haninozuka Mistkuni, but everybody calls me Honey."

"Honey-senpai, right?" Kijira nodded, "my name is Kijira Mizuhaki."

Mori walked up to the table.

"Yeah! And this is Morinozuka Takashi!"

"Mori-senpai," Kijira nodded her head again.

"Hey Takashi! This is Kyo-chan's fiance , Ki-chan!" Hani waved happily.

Mori raised his eyebrows.

"Not exactly..." Kijira scratched the back of her head.

"It's a trial period," Kyoya took a sip of a cup of coffee.

"Ah," Mori gave a deft nod.

"I havfta go be with some of the other ladies," Honey hopped off her lap, "let's talk again sometime!"

Kijira watched as Honey bounded away to a table of girls with Mori in tow.

"Is he really in college?" Kijira turned to Kyoya.

Kyoya nodded, "and he's extremely smart as well."

"Can I ask you a question, Kyoya?" Kijira looked over at him.

"Fire away," Kyoya kept on writing in his book.

"All the other members of the club seem to entertain it's guests but you. You seem to oversee things. Don't you have any clients?"

"I have clients," Kyoya's eyes were trained on the last words he wrote, "I just have very seldom bookings to keep it rare."

"He gives them sales pitches more than he entertains," Haruhi muttered.

"I'm sorry, did you say something Haruhi?" Kyoya looked up from his writings.

"And we appreciate those sales pitches very much."

Kyoya trained his attention back to the notebook, "I thought so."

Haruhi stood up, "I hate to break the party, but I should be visiting with guests as well."

Kijira nodded and watched Haruhi walk away.

"What an interesting group," Kijira remarked.

"You will never be bored," Kyoya wrote down something in his notebook.

"I assume I'll be paying for my time here," Kijira mentioned.

"Pardon?" Kyoya looked up from his notebook.

"I AM visiting the host club, even if it just to get to know you," Kijira shrugged.

Kyoya's glasses went reflective, then he turned back to writing, "that's fine."

Kijira smirked, "considering you already charged me for it, I would hope so."

"Oh, so you knew?" Kyoya asked.

"Yes, I did. You see, in some respects," Kijira picked up a book and glanced through it, "I am as shrewd as you are."

A small smile appeared on Kyoya's face.

"See!" Hikaru exclaimed, "she's shrewd! I don't know if Kyoya can handle someone on his level!"

Kijira and Kyoya turned to the noisy racket.

"But she's not AS shrewd," Kaoru shook his head, "so maybe it will turn out alright."

"That is true," Hikaru put his hand back on his chin.

Kijira rolled her eyes. These guys were baffling. She poured herself a cup of coffee and took a sip.

"Do you two not have any clients at the moment?" Kyoya asked them.

"No," they shook their heads, "we finished up awhile ago."

"I know what will settle this once and for all," Kaoru snapped his fingers, "are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Right!" Hikaru nodded.

They turned to Kijira.

"Hey Kijira-senpai," they called, "let's play the guess which one is Hikaru game!"

"A guessing game?" Kijira tilted her head. "Of which one of you is which?"

They nodded. She stared at them for a moment. Kijira glanced down at the left one's hand

"You are Hikaru," she pointed at Hikaru.

"Great!" Hikaru clapped, "how do you know it is me?"

Kijira shrugged, "I can do it again, if you like."

The twins looked at each other and walked away, then came back.

"Which one of us is Hikaru?" they asked.

"You are," she pointed at Hikaru again.

"Hmmm," Kaoru nodded, "You seem to be a lucky guesser."

"I guess so," she smiled slyly

The twins shrugged and walked away.

"Did your correct guesses have anything to do with the pen markings on Hikaru's hand?" Kyoya inquired.

There had been a small bear that had been drawn on his hand, perhaps during class.

"You can't always give away everything you know," Kijira picked up the book again.

Kyoya returned to writing. They would get along just fine these next two weeks.

[][][][][][]

Througout the last week, Kijira had been visiting the club regularly, chatting with different members as well as Kyoya. It intrigued him.

"Why?" Kyoya asked her.

"What?" she looked up from her book at her desk.

It was Tuesday morning in Classroom 3A. There were a few students milling about before classes started.

"Why do you go to the club to visit others?" He rested his chin on his hand.

"To be honest," Kijira put down her book, "I come in to talk to you and Haruhi. The rest just keep coming up on their own. Something about wanting to get to know the newest Mrs. Kyoya Ootori."

Kyoya shook his head. Of course the club would consider their maybe on a marriage a yes.

"Kyoya!" Tamaki rushed in, "I just had a brilliant idea! We should go to the movies this weekend! You know, a commoner's movie!"

Kyoya stared at Tamaki for a moment.

"No."

"Come on," Tamaki shoved his shoulder, "I'm not letting you get out of it. No way, no how."

"No. I'm not interested in sitting in a unsanitary room, eating greasy junk food, and watching a boring movie for 2 hours."

"Pleeease," Tamaki gave him puppy dog eyes.

"Suho-san," Kijira frowned, "if Kyoya doesn't want to..."

"No," Tamaki went to a corner and curled up in a ball, "I understand. I've become annoying. I'll just go to the movie by myself."

Kyoya went back to reading his book. If Tamaki had decided to start sulking in class, that was his personal choice.

"Hey, Suho," Kijira crouched down next to the pouting teen.

"Tamaki," he muttered, "call me Tamaki."

Kijira blinked, "Tamaki, what would make you feel better?"

Tamaki looked over at her with a frown on his face.

"Well... would you go with me to the movies on Saturday?" he looked up at her with his puppy eyes.

"Um," Kijira said uncomfortably. She hadn't expected this.

"She can't," Kyoya's glasses flashed.

"Why not?" Tamaki turned to him.

"Because," he sighed, "she's spending the weekend with me."

Tamaki jumped up with joy to hug Kyoya.

"Oh boy! Your first date!" Tamaki rocked with the hug.

Kyoya pried the overexcited boy off him.

"Wait till I tell the rest of the club!" Tamaki ran out the door.

"Spending the weekend with you?" Kijira raised her eyebrows.

"Well I wasn't about to leave you in the hands of Tamaki," Kyoya pushed the glasses up the bridge of his nose, "and besides, I still haven't gotten much chance to get to know you outside of school."

"Alright," Kijira shrugged, "whatever you say."

[][][][][][]

Tamaki walked into the club with in an unbalanced wobbly kind of way.

"You guys!" Tamaki hugged Haruhi.

"What's wrong with him?" Hikaru tried prying him off her.

"Haruhi..." Tamaki began hugging her tightly, "you're so cute."

"I don't know!" Kaoru began pulling on Haruhi.

"Mmmmph!" Haruhi struggled against the gripping hug.

"I gave Tama-chan some of my rice sake cakes," Honey put a finger on his mouth, "maybe he's drunk?"

"Mori-senpai!" Haruhi called, "help!"

Mori walked over and pulled Haruhi out of the mass of people. Mori stared down at Tamaki.

"People don't get drunk on cakes," Mori said quietly.

"Aheheh," Tamaki said nervously.

Kijira gave a light chuckle an sipped her coffee. Kyoya took note of her reaction.

"Thanks Mori," Haruhi nodded as Mori set her down.

He nodded. Haruhi brushed herself off and continued on her way.

Wow, Kijira thought, Haruhi seems very femine today.

Haruhi sat down with some guests and smiled.

Large eyes, Kijira observed, fine hair. No way.

"Kyoya," Kijira whispered to him, "is Haruhi a girl?"

Kyoya looked up from his laptop, "why would you ask such a question?"

"You haven't answered me yet," Kijira folded her arms.

"Why would it matter?" He asked her.

"Now that I think about it," Kijira continued, "her gender has never been specified; I've just been under the assumption that she was a boy."

Kyoya shut his laptop and looked her in the eye, "what do you want?"

"What do I want?" Kijira frowned.

"I'm under the assumption that you want to blackmail the host club with this information," Kyoya's glasses shone.

"Huh?"

"It's obvious that you want to ruin this club, how you think you are better than them," he pointed to the other hosts.

There was silence at their table.

"I think you might just need an attitude adjustment," he leaned down to her with a cold smile, "because when you look down on others, you are worth very little."

"I was just asking a question," Kijira looked at him coldly, "if you're going to jump down my throat I don't think I'm going to stay."

She got up and started walking for the door.

"And by the way, I think I've found the true you, Kyoya," she turned to him, "you are cold, calculating, and greedy."

Kijira shut the door with force. Kyoya stared at the door.

"Where's Kijira?" Haruhi walked in the room.

Kyoya's glasses were still reflecting light.

"She's gone," Kyoya went back to his laptop.

Haruhi glanced at Kyoya for a moment, then at the door. Haruhi walked back to the guests she had been attending to.

[][][][][][]

Over the next few days, Kyoya and Kijira took great lengths to avoid each other.

"Kyoya-senpai, is something wrong between you and Kijira-senpai?" Haruhi asked.

"Why would you say that?" Kyoya was writing in his notebook.

"She hasn't visited the host club these past days," Haruhi noted.

Kyoya shut his notebook and stared out the window.

"We aren't speaking right now," he said simply.

"So does this mean you and Ki-chan aren't getting married?" Honey looked down on Kyoya from his perch on Mori's shoulders.

"It doesn't seem very likely," Kyoya shrugged.

"That's a shame," a pair of voices said.

Kyoya turned to see the twins.

"We kinda actually liked her," Kaoru shrugged.

"She seemed like she could handle your black heart," Hikaru nodded.

"You guys only liked her because she was fun to pick on," Haruhi muttered.

"It doesn't matter," Kyoya said dismissively, "I didn't stand to gain anything I couldn't get for myself."

"How... nice of you," Hikaru murmured.

"Like you two are any better," Haruhi muttered as well.

The twins went to see some guests and Mori took Hani to a table with cake already sitting out.

Kyoya went back to writing. Haruhi frowned.

"I think you miss her company but you're just too stubborn to admit that," Haruhi folded her arms. "I think she means more to you than a business deal."

"If she did, she doesn't any more," Kyoya continued writing.

Haruhi watched him for a minute.

"I think she does."

Kyoya looked at Haruhi for a moment, then walked off.

Haruhi frowned again, did I not get through to him?

[][][][][][]

"Hey Kijira!" Tamaki waved her down.

Kijira kept walking down the hall.

"Kijira!" Tamaki ran after her. Kijira pretended she didn't hear a thing.

Tamaki grabbed her shoulder, "you can't just ignore me."

"What is it Tamaki?" Kijira turned to him.

"What's up between you and Kyoya?" Tamaki asked with concern.

"Nothing," Kijira frowned, "we just aren't speaking."

"That's what Kyoya said," Tamaki took her by the shoulders again, "here."

He directed her to an empty classroom. Tamaki pull two chairs desks togther and sat down in one of them.

"Sit," Tamaki gestured to the other desk.

Kijira raised her eyebrows, but sat down anyway.

"Now," Tamaki stared into her face, "can you tell me what happened?"

"Basically, Kyoya accused me of wanting to end the host club," Kijira noted.

"Accused?" Tamaki raised his eyebrows, "that doesn't sound like him."

"Well, after I asked him about Haruhi's gender, he was under the assumption that I would use the information for blackmail."

Okay, that's Kyoya, Tamaki sweatdropped.

"So he accused you of ending the host club," Tamaki shrugged, "it was a misunderstanding. It can be fixed."

Kijira sighed, "it wasn't the fact that he accused me that set me off so badly. Even the remarks about my personality didn't hurt as badly as they could."

Tamaki watched her with an intent expression.

"It was the fact that he didn't trust me, after all this time," Kijira stared down at the desk.

His eyes widened.

"I just... thought we could come to a mutual friendship. But you can't have a friendship without trust."

Tamaki closed his eyes and got up.

"I guess, you don't need my help," Tamaki stood up.

"Your help?" Kijira sweatdropped.

"Of course," Tamaki flipped his hair, "if you had lost your way I would be your guide."

"Right... I'm just gonna go," Kijira got up and left Tamaki in the classroom.

"Goodbye little lamb," Tamaki waved, "your shepherd will always be there for you."

"You would, wouldn't you?" Kijira snorted.

[][][][][][]

"You guys!" Tamaki jumped on the twins, "we have to act fast!"

"Ack! What's wrong milord?" Hikaru asked.

"It's Kyoya and Kijira! They aren't speaking!" Tamaki exclaimed.

"Uh, you're a little bit behind on your news updates boss," Kaoru said, "they haven't been speaking for awhile now."

"That's not the point," Tamaki said, frustrated, "we have to make a plan to get them talking again, otherwise they won't get married."

"Does Kyoya even want to get married?" the twins asked Tamaki.

"I'll bet he really does!" Tamaki smiled broadly, "besides, doesn't he seem happier with her?"

"Eh," the twins shrugged. They had never seen a genuinely happy Kyoya. Those didn't exist in the realm of the host club.

"We need to come up with a plan, and a foolproof one at that," Tamaki put a finger on his chin in thought.

"Why foolproof?" Hikaru cocked his head.

"Because this is Kyoya-senpai we're talking about. If you're going to execute a plan on him, it has to be flawless or it won't work."

"Haruhi! You plan to help us?" Tamaki turned to the small girl behind them.

"Both Kyoya-senpai and Kijira-senpai seem unhappy with the arrangement," Haruhi noted, "I think they need to sort this out."

"Excellent!" Tamaki clapped, "now here's the plan..."

[][][][][][]

"What did you want, Tamaki?" Kyoya asked as he was led down a hall.

"I need to show you something," Tamaki pulled him along.

"Are you sure it's this way?" Kijira walked up the hallway.

"Yes," Haruhi gave a deft nod.

Tamaki stopped in front of an empty classroom.

"You took me to see this?" Kyoya asked dryly.

Kyoya looked into the classroom as Haruhi and Kijira turned the corner.

"Oh no, I know what you two are doing," Kijira pointed an accusing finger at Haruhi and Tamaki.

"Sorry senpai," Haruhi shoved her in the classroom, "it's for your own good."

Kijira was pushed onto Kyoya, and the two fell to floor of the class.

Tamaki shut the door and locked it.

Kyoya got up with a grunt and knocked on the door.

"Exactly when do you plan to let us out?"

"When you two make up!" Tamaki and Haruhi said togther.

"You know after a few hours my personal security team will be swarming the school if I don't go home," Kyoya warned him.

"That's why we called your families and told them you would be staying at school for an all night study session," Tamaki said through the door.

Kyoya's expression went hard and he walked away from the door.

"I'm going to strangle him..." Kyoya clenched his fists.

Kijira got up and walked the classroom.

"There's no use in waiting for the door to be open," Kijira mused, "I suggest we find another way out."

"What, you don't plan on saying you're sorry to me?" Kyoya turned to her.

"No, especially since it's not my fault," Kijira retorted.

The two crossed their arms and looked in opposite directions in a huff.

Kijira walked around the room. There were no windows, so that wasn't an option. She checked to see if there were any wall vents.

"You expect to crawl your way out of this room?" Kyoya sat down at a desk, "how unbecoming."

"Well it's better than being lazy and doing nothing," she bit back.

He sighed, "we are not going to get on any agreeing terms, so we will be stuck in here for awhile. But they can't keep us in here forever. Worst comes to worst, we will be in here until tomorrow morning."

Kijira pulled out her cell phone. No service.

"Great," she sat down at a desk, "now I'm stuck with you."

"Well I don't really care to be staying here with you either," Kyoya walked to a shelf and pulled a book off.

They sat quietly in the room.

"What are we going to do?" Haruhi whispered, "they aren't going to make up any time soon."

Tamaki sighed, "we are just going to have to leave them overnight and just hope."

Haruhi sighed and the two walked off. She prayed that the plan would work.

[][][][][][]

The two sat quietly in the room. Finally, Kijira got up and walked to the chalk board. She rolled up her sleeves and picked up some chalk and began to draw.

"What are you doing?" Kyoya asked in an irritated tone.

"Drawing," she continued to use the chalk, "I'm bored."

Kyoya shrugged and continued reading.

"I have to ask a question though," Kijira continued drawing, "why did you accuse me of wanting to end the host club?"

"Because," Kyoya looked up from his book, "you hold yourself up higher than the rest of the club. It's only logical to think you want to crush something you don't deem worthy."

"I do not," she muttered.

"Uh huh," he went back to reading, "and you want to know something else?"

The sounds of chalk moving on the board stopped.

"It seems that you can be just as cold and heartless and uncaring as I can be," he smiled to himself.

"Yeah, well, maybe I am," she went back to drawing.

He shook his head and continued reading.

[][][][][][]

Hours later, nightfall crept up upon them. Kyoya had moved on to another book, and Kijira was still drawing.

"I think I should apologize," Kijira said.

Kyoya put down his book, "this should be interesting."

"I'm sorry for calling you cold, heartless, and greedy," Kijira told him, "I guess I was just angry."

"Thanks, but it's all pretty much true," he closed his eyes nonchalantly.

"Then why did you want me to apologize?" she asked, irked.

"Who said I wanted an apology from you?" Kyoya raised his eyebrows.

"Forget I ever said anything," Kijira grumbled, "ooh! You are insufferable, Kyoya Ootori."

"That's rude," Kyoya remarked, "I can be very agreeable. It just has to benefit me."

"And how did marrying me become beneficial?" Kijira asked, "I know there was something in it for you, otherwise that omiai would not have happened."

Kyoya said nothing for awhile.

"I would have been my father's successor to the company," he finally said.

"The Ootori estate?" Kijira raised her eyebrows, "that IS something to gain."

"Yeah well, I'm not motivated without a good motivator," Kyoya continued reading.

Kijira looked at Kyoya for a moment, then went back to drawing.

"What?"

"It's nothing," she continued drawing.

"You may as well tell me," he continued reading, "we aren't going anywhere for awhile."

"The thing is," Kijira stopped drawing, "the reason I got so upset is because I felt betrayed when you accused me. I thought I had your trust."

Kyoya continued listening.

"But in reality you just wanted to befriend me for those companies," Kijira started drawing again, "and I was rightly the fool to think otherwise."

She stopped drawing.

"There's no way you would want to be my friend."

Kyoya thought in silence for a moment.

"Maybe we could become friends," Kyoya offered, "to be honest, after the fight, I wasn't too upset to lose you since it seemed you were for the marriage for the same reason I was. But since you really do want to get to know me, and you're not just doing it for your father, I don't mind if you became a friend."

Kijira looked up at Kyoya for a moment then turned back to her drawing. She hid a small smile on her face.

[][][][][][]

Much later that night, Kyoya was still reading. Considering how late he usually read, he wasn't particlarly worried.

Kyoya glanced up at the board where Kijira was supposed to be drawing. She had fallen asleep at the teacher's desk. He got up and inspected the sleeping girl.

She had chalk all over her hands, and even had a smudge on her face.

She looks so much like a young child, he thought amusedly.

He looked up at the board. He took a sudden inhale of breath.

She had drawn a swallow soaring through the clouds. Its tail was touching the dawn, its body in the midday, and its beak in the stars. It seemed almost like it was flying through the morning and into the night.

It was breath-taking.

So many shades of white, Kyoya thought.

Kyoya looked and saw Kijira holding only a single piece of white chalk that was almost a nub.

That girl... he thought.

He picked up the piece of chalk and looked at the picture. It was nearly complete. All it needed was the artist's name.

Kyoya went to the bottom corner and wrote it out: Kijira Mizuhaki.

He put down the piece of chalk and dusted off his hands. He looked down at the sleeping girl again.

"I was wrong," he said quietly, "a heartless and uncaring person couldn't create something like that."

PRESENT

"I have to interrupt the story for a moment," Haruhi said, "I know this happened your third year and my second year but can you give me an event that happened near it?"

"Ummm," Kijira thought for a moment, "you and Tamaki got together before the whole marriage situation, but I don't think you had had your first date yet."

"Okay," Haruhi nodded, "now I remember. Will you please continue?"

FLASHBACK

Tamaki unlocked the door of the classroom. He walked in to see Kyoya and Kijira asleep: Kijira at the teacher's desk and Kyoya in a regular desk with a book as a pillow.

"Okay you guys!" he shook Kyoya awake, "you're free to go."

Kyoya picked up his head and a dark glare pierced through Tamaki. Tamaki shuddered and shrank back to the wall.

Kyoya rubbed sleep out of his eye and looked at Tamaki.

"You're a dead man Tamaki Suho."

Tamaki turned pale and zipped out of the classroom. Kijira yawned and stretched. She noticed the dark aura emanating from the middle of the room. She got up and grabbed Kyoya's arm.

"Come on," she pulled him sleepily, "I'm sure there's an extra change of clothes in the host club room."

They passed by the twins in the hallway. Hikaru and Kaoru noticed the dark aura pulsing from Kyoya, and the white stains on Kijira.

"It looks like Kyoya beat the soul out of her," Kaoru commented.

"But look who's leading who," Hikaru grinned.

[][][][][][]

It was morning study period for the classes in Ouran. Back in Classroom 3a, Tamaki was extremely nervous. Kijira had not been particularly angry when he had gone to open the classroom door, but Kyoya...

It didn't make the situation any better to know that said demon was sitting behind him at that moment.

He must be planning horrible things, Tamaki worried. What if he secrectly cuts my hair during class? What if he plans embarrassing cosplay for me during the club today? What if-

"Tamaki," Kyoya cut through his troubled thoughts.

"Ah! Kyoya!" Tamaki turned to him a little too quickly.

"If I was going to repay you for what you did, it would be more DEVASTATING than embarrassing," Kyoya said cooly.

Mind reader...?

"So," Tamaki willed some courage, "you two made up?"

"We weren't ever fighting," Kyoya went back to his papers.

"But-"

"We weren't talking," Kyoya specified.

"So now you guys are talking?"

Kyoya looked up from his paper.

"Go back to worrying about me cutting off the head of your teddy bear."

Oh no! Tamaki started sweating, I didn't check him this morning... What if he's already...

Kyoya rolled his eyes.

You really are an idiot

[][][][][][]

"So did you make up with Kyoya?" Haruhi sipped at her coffee.

It was Thursday afternoon in the host club room. Kijira and Haruhi were sitting togther at a table.

"I guess," Kijira shrugged.

Haruhi frowned, "that's not very reassuring."

Kijira chuckled, "I suppose not."

"How can I tell if the entrapment worked if you don't tell me what happened?" Haruhi folded her arms.

"You don't get to know," Kijira sipped at her cup. "not after that stunt."

"Well you came to the club," Haruhi pointed out, "that's some improvement."

Kijira shrugged again. Kyoya walked up to the two.

"Haruhi you have other customers to attend to," Kyoya wrote something down in his pad, "you can talk to Kijira after hours."

"See you later senpai," Haruhi got up and walked over to some of the other girls.

"And Kijira," Kyoya looked up from his notebook, "come by this address and we'll go somewhere Saturday."

He handed her a slip of paper.

"Our spend the weekend is still on?" Kijira raised her eyebrows.

"Of course," Kyoya gave a wry smile.

Kyoya began to walk away.

"You might want to wear casual clothes, and bring a garment bag of black tie event clothes," Kyoya turned back to her.

"Is there a reason that nice dress is required?" Kijira inquired.

"You'll see," Kyoya left.

Kijira stay seated, wondering.

"Soooo," the twins slunk to both sides of her, "you two are going on a date."

"No," Kijira said quickly, "it's an outing."

The twins looked between each other.

"So a date."

"Noooo," Kijira shook her head, "a date would be romantic. I hardly doubt whatever we are doing with have to do with romance."

"Mmmm you're probably right," Hikaru put his hands on his hips.

"Kyoya-senpai wouldn't know romance if it hit him," Kaoru sighed with a smile.

"I guess not," Kijira took another sip of coffee.

"So you don't mind marrying an unromantic guy?" the twins sweatdropped.

"All this talk about marriage," Kijira tsked, "it's like you expect us to be at the altar tomorrow."

"But you are going through a trial period," Kaoru pointed out.

"And isn't the trial period a test to see if you two should get married?" Hikaru finished.

"I suppose... but I don't think anything LASTING will come out of it," Kijira got up and walked away.

"Lasting...? But a marriage is for life..."

Kijira left the twins in slight confusion.

"Was there a reason for that nonsense?" Kyoya walked over to Kijira.

"It just seems like they have too much fun," Kijira glanced back at the twins.

"Kyoya! Kyoya!" some guest girls ran up to him, "we heard an awful rumor that you are going on a date Saturday. Is it true?"

"Ladies, it is not true," he put up his hands with a small smile.

Kijira raised her eyebrows, but said nothing. Even if it wasn't a date he was treading dangerous waters.

"I am going out with a friend on Saturday, but I wouldn't think it a date," he smiled.

Kijira snorted.

"Oh," the girls smiled at each other, "then would you come and have tea with us?"

"I would be delighted," Kyoya put on his charming face.

"Kijira-san! Come with us!" the girls pulled her over to the table.

"Okay..." she blinked.

They went and sat back down at the table and the guests chatted happily.

[][][][][][]

After all the girls left and only the hosts and Kijira were in the room Kijira let out a sigh. With that sigh, all the energy deflated out of her and Kijira let her head fall to the table.

"Is something wrong with Ki-chan?" Honey looked at the burnt out girl.

"Are you awake?" Kyoya started writing in his notebook.

"Those girls are so... exhausting," she ran her fingers through your hair, "and what's with liking homosexual tendencies? That's very creepy."

"Never underestimate the powers of Moe," Haruhi walked by with an empty tea set.

"Those homosexual tendencies are what sell in this club," Kyoya continued writing, "although some of us like to keep more to the heterosexual side."

"I think they would be heartbroken if they ever found out one of you got a girlfriend or got married," Kijira let her head lean on her hand, "speaking of which, how is it that they don't know about the trial period yet?"

"That," Kyoya had a small smile, "is because I kept it quiet. Even though it would probably send my sales through the roof, it's not something I want to cash in on."

Kijira smiled. It was deeply appreciated.

"That's a very nice thing for you to do, considering it makes you lose profit," she glanced up at him.

"Oh, I would lose alot more profit if I had to pay the medical bills after the girls attacked you," Kyoya said, nonchalantly.

"There's the senpai we know," the twins said togther.

"No," Kijira put her hand on her chin, "I think you're just being nice."

"That's disappointing," Kyoya shut his book, "I thought you weren't under the same illusion as all the other girls."

"I'm not," she said with a sweet smile, "I know you are nasty, greedy, and cold."

"Ouch," the twins said togther.

"But you are also a good person underneath," she nodded.

"Way to go Kijira-senpai," Haruhi patted Kijira on the back as she took another empty tea set to the store room.

"Care to elaborate on that Haruhi?" Kyoya glasses flashed.

"No Kyoya-senpai, I value my life too much," Haruhi continued walking.

Kyoya watched her walk back to the store room.

"So Kyoya... is a nice person?" Tamaki wondered aloud.

"I wonder if your bear has lost it's head today," Kyoya said randomly.

Tamaki rushed into the back room.

"BEARY! NOOOO!"

[][][][][][]

Kijira looked at the address on the slip of paper in her one hand, and a grey garment bag in the other. According to the paper, the gate she was standing in front of was the Ootori estate. Her hair pulled in a ponytail, with a hoodie, jeans, and sneakers, she rang the bell.

"Hello?" a voice came over the intercom.

"I came to see Kyoya Ootori?" she pressed the button.

"Ah," the voice said, "one moment please."

A buzzer went off and the gate rolled open. She walked through and up to the door. Kyoya was standing there, waiting.

"I know I said casual," Kyoya folded his arms, "but really?"

"You're dressed about as well as I am," Kijira argued.

Kyoya was wearing jeans and a red flannel shirt and a black undershirt to go with it.

"It's fine," he took the garment bag and put it inside the house.

Kyoya gestured to the parked car a little down the stretch of driveway.

"Shall we?"

"Hikaru! Kaoru! Quit shoving me!" Tamaki hissed at the twins.

"Sorry boss!" the twins said sarcastically.

The host club group was outside the fences of the Ootori estate, hiding in the bushes.

"Why are we outside the Ootori estate anyways?" Haruhi muttered.

"Becauseeee," Tamaki looked through a pair of binoculars at the door to the mansion, "even though Kyoya is good at what he does in the Host club, he doesn't have a clue what to do when dealing with girls in his true form!"

"If he can do it while being nice, why can't he do it when he is being normal?" the twins asked in monotone voices.

"He... He just can't!"

"Well, spying on him will be interesting enough," Kaoru shrugged.

"I always wanted to see Scrooge on a date," Hikaru grinned.

"Why don't we just give Kyo-chan his space?" Hani frowned, "I think he'd get very angry if he knew we were spying."

"That is why we are watching from afar," Tamaki explained.

"I believe this is the part where I act like Kyoya-senpai when you guys spy on me," Haruhi stated.

You've seen us spy on you? Tamaki and the twins sweatdropped.

Haruhi produced a newspaper and sat down a bus bench to read it.

"Hey! I want to read with Haru-chan!" Honey crawled under her raised arms.

Mori leaned on the back of the bench reading over Haruhi's shoulder.

The front gate of the estate slid open and a car began pulling through the driveway.

"Hide!" Tamaki hissed.

Tamaki, Hikaru, and Kaoru dove for the bushes. Haruhi, Honey, and Mori just kept on reading the paper.

The car passed the bench and headed towards the financial district of town.

"Quick!" Tamaki pointed at the car as it disappeared down the street, "after it!"

The Hitachiin brothers got ready to run.

"Or we could just take the bus," Haruhi pointed as a bus rolled up to the bench.

"Get on!" Tamaki shoved them up the stairs of the bus as the car got further and further away.

The bus closed it's doors and began slowly chugging down the street.

[][][][][][]

"An art museum?" Kijira tilted her head.

"Whats wrong? Don't like art?" Kyoya looked up at the structure.

"Art is fine," she shrugged, "I just never pictured you as one who stops and admires a pretty picture."

Kyoya fixed his glasses, "it's not something I particularly care for, but I assume you would enjoy it."

Kijira said nothing.

"Besides, I hear they have a new arrival in from Europe," Kyoya mentioned.

"I guess it would be interesting to look at," Kijira voiced her thoughts.

"Let's look at the exhibit then," he ushered her into the museum.

The two went inside.

"An art museum!" Tamaki exclaimed as the bus pulled to a stop.

The twins pushed him down the stairs.

"Gah!" Tamaki fell to the ground.

"It's boring looking," the twins stepped off the bus and onto the ramp that connected the street and the sidewalk (namely Tamaki).

"Hmmm," Haruhi stepped on Tamaki as well, "what are you doing on the street senpai?"

Haruhi hopped onto the sidewalk and looked down at Tamaki.

"Hrrrrmmmm!" Tamaki's face was mushed into the pavement.

"Here," Mori peeled him off the pavement.

Tamaki stood up and rubbed the back of his head.

"What's the matter with you two?" Tamaki yelled at the twins, "I could have been seriously hurt!"

"But you weren't," Kaoru pointed out.

"Pity," Hikaru shook his head.

"Why you!" Tamaki lunged for the twins.

"Senpai!" Haruhi stepped in, starting to get annoyed, "weren't you going to follow Kyoya? If you don't go in after him now you're probably going to lose him in the gallery!"

"Haru-chan is right," Honey gave a deft nod, "if don't start looking for him now, we are going to lose him."

"Alright," Tamaki cooled down, "let's go in pairs, that way we can find him faster."

"We'll take Haruhi," the twins grabbed her arms.

"I said pairs!"

"Considering Hikaru and I are always togther we should be counted as one," Kaoru voiced his opinion.

"Therefore, when we take Haruhi with us, that makes two," Hikaru held up two fingers.

"I think I'll stick with Tamaki-senpai," Haruhi shrugged off their arms, "I have a feeling I'll be much safer."

"That's right Haruhi," Tamaki grabbed her in a defensive hug, "stick with me and you'll be safe."

"Don't make me regret my decision," Haruhi said through the muffling hug.

"Takashi will be my partner," Honey grabbed the taller boy's arm.

Mori looked down at Honey, then nodded.

"Now that we're paired up," Tamaki finally released Haruhi, "let's go!"

[][][][][][]

Kijira and Kyoya spent the morning looking through all that was on display. At every piece of art, Kyoya could give her a vast amount of information. Even some of the pieces she knew very well he could give just a little bit more.

It had been a wonderful tour for her.

"This has been interesting," Kyoya noted.

The two were sitting in the small coffee shop at the entrance of the museum.

"I could say it was better than watching a movie in a theater," Kijira graced a small smile.

Neither of them heard the small whimper that came from a bench outside the shop.

"Well at this point we have two options," Kyoya set down his cup of coffee, "we can either look at more paintings, or we can make arrangements for lunch and do something else."

"While this experience has been enlightening," Kijira rotated her cup on the table, "I think I'm done looking at art for the moment."

"It's settled then," Kyoya stood up, "let's go find a place to eat."

They left their cups on the table and walked off. They didn't notice the two identical tourists, a janitor wiping the floors, and three people reading the paper.

"We need to follow them!" Tamaki hissed from under his janitor's cap.

"We do..." the twins said, "but we are hungry too."

"We can get food at wherever they eat," Tamaki waved them off, "let's just get on the bus."

"But they are walking down the street," Haruhi pointed out.

Tamaki paused for a moment.

"Very well," he sighed, "we will follow on foot."

[][][][][][]

"Where are we going for lunch?" Kijira asked.

"It's a sushi place I know of," Kyoya looked up the sidewalk in front of him, "since we aren't dressed for eating nicely, I suppose commoner food will have to do."

"Ah," Kijira nodded.

There was silence for a moment.

"Can I ask a question?" Kijira finally broke the silence.

Kyoya stayed quiet.

"This has been bugging me for awhile now. You see, I'm sure you are smart enough to take the Ootori company right out from under your father's grasp, but you still are going to go through with the marriage. Isn't that kind of like taking the easy way out?"

Kyoya looked at her for a moment.

"I don't see it that way," Kyoya answered her, "you see, I gain the company if I marry you through a contract. My brothers have signed it thinking it is in the 'best interest' of the company, when in reality they don't think I could pull this marriage off."

Kijira thought for a moment.

"Why would they think that?"

"You might say I shouldn't meet the expectations of your father."

Kijira smiled, "it seems like your brothers are always underestimating you."

Kyoya's glasses went reflective. He looked up at the sky.

"That's how I like it."

"Even after all you said," Kijira shook her head, "it still seems like you are taking the easy way out."

"You think so?"

"I know so," Kijira folded her arms.

"Interesting..."

[][][][][][]

Hikaru and Kaoru huffed a sigh of boredum as they watched Kijira and Kyoya eat through the window of the shop.

"This is getting boring," Hikaru said, annoyed, "I'm done."

"Me too," Kaoru got up, "we are going home."

"I need to go home too," Honey said with a worried expression, "I promised Chika-chan I would help him train."

"Wait, you guys are all leaving!" Tamaki had a shocked expression, "what about the rest of their date!"

"It's obviously not a date," Hikaru pointed out, "they really haven't done anything fun. Just looking at paintings and eating sushi."

"We're done," the twins stood up and walked off.

"See you Monday Tama-chan!" Hani waved as he walked away.

Mori glanced back at Tamaki and began following Honey.

"You guys..." Tamaki watched them leave.

He pulled his legs to himself and sat in the fetal position. The only one left was Haruhi.

"Tamaki-senpai," Haruhi leaned down to him, "you know it only seems like normal if the rest stop watching when it starts to seem boring. Kyoya-senpai and Kijira-senpai are only eating lunch, so there's no reason to worry."

"It's not lunch I was worried about," he sighed, "I just wanted to make sure that Kyoya's date was perfect. You know, even though he is in the host club, he's never been out with a girl."

Haruhi looked at Tamaki for a moment, then smiled. It was funny to think that Tamaki actually did care. But then again, it wasn't surprising.

"Why don't we go in and eat lunch?" Haruhi pulled him to his feet, "then you can watch from a table."

"Yeah," Tamaki had a new gleam in his eye, "and I can get you fatty tuna while we are there."

Haruhi sighed as they walked into the restaurant. Tamaki really was a silly person. They walked over to a table near the door.

"There," Haruhi said, "now you can watch them from here."

They sat down on the same side of the table. Haruhi picked up a menu and began skimming through it. Tamaki watched the two carefully.

"Would you and your boyfriend like some tea, miss?" a woman came to their table.

"Yes please," Haruhi nodded.

The woman bowed and left the two.

"What do you want, Tamaki?" Haruhi looked through the menu, "there are some very nice things on here."

Tamaki looked at the menu over her shoulder, "why don't you get a platter and we'll split it?"

Haruhi felt Tamaki hovering over her shoulder. She felt a blush coming on.

"O-okay."

The woman brought back two cups and a tea pot. She poured both of them tea.

"What would you two like?" the woman smiled and clasped her hands togther.

"This platter please," Tamaki pointed to the menu.

Haruhi was still holding the menu, blushing.

"Very well," the woman took the menu and walked to the back.

"Haruhi, are you okay?" Tamaki looked closely to her face, "your face looks red. Do you have a fever?"

"No, no," she waved her hands to separate the two of them, "I'm fine."

Tamaki looked at Haruhi for a worried moment then went back to watching Kyoya and Kijira.

Kijira said something and Kyoya nodded. He put his hand out to express somthing and Kijira watched intently.

"What are they doing?" Tamaki squinted his eyes.

"Talking I suppose," Haruhi had calmed down, What else would they be doing?

The woman brought the platter.

"Thank you," Haruhi nodded.

Haruhi took a bite of a piece if sushi and set her head on her hand.

"What do you think they're saying?" Tamaki took a piece of sushi without taking his eyes of the pair.

"Probably talking about some kind of business related activity," Haruhi speculated.

"I guess..." Tamaki turned to look out the window.

Haruhi noticed Kyoya getting up out of his seat. Kyoya walked over to their table and sat down.

"If you planned on following us you could have done a better job hiding yourselves," Kyoya said darkly.

"Eh?" Tamaki turned from the window to see Kyoya in front of him.

They were caught.

"Since you are going to be nosy here's a list of everywhere else we are going," Kyoya slid a piece of paper to them, "now would you be kind enough to leave us alone?"

Haruhi sweatdropped. She picked up the sheet of paper. Kyoya got up from the table and went to pay for lunch. Kijira got up from their table and stood next to him.

"Bye Haruhi," she smiled as they left the restaurant.

Tamaki stared in shock at the fact that they had been discovered.

"I believe this is a sign," Tamaki said trying to regain composure.

"Yes," Haruhi read through the list one more time, "we should stop trailing them or Kyoua-senpai will skin us alive."

They sat in silence eating the rest of their platter.

[][][][][][]

"Since we have some time," Kyoya checked his watch, "let's go back to the estate for a few hours."

"Time? Time until what?" Kijira looked up at him.

"You'll see," Kyoya pulled out his cell phone, "I'll call the car."

Kijira frowned, "you aren't very good at telling things are you?"

"Let's just say the time is not right," Kyoya had a smile.

The car came and the two were picked up.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to entertain you for an hour," Kyoya looked at something on his cell phone, "I have some business to take care of."

"I'm sure I can find something to do for an hour," Kijira nodded.

They walked in the door and Kyoya led her to his living quarters. He opened the door

"Fuyumi?" Kyoya looked at the young woman sitting on his couch.

"Kyoya! I was hoping to run into you," she smiled.

"This IS my bedroom," he coughed.

"I just was in town and I- oh, who is this?" Fuyumi observed the girl who walked in behind Kyoya.

"This is Kijira," Kyoya gestured broadly.

"Oh? You finally got a girlfriend Kyoya?" Fuyumi blushed with happiness, "I'm so proud!"

"Eh... I'm not exactly his girlfriend..." Kijira scratched the back of her head, "more like a regular friend?"

"Did father not tell you?" Kyoya looked at his sister.

"Tell me what?"

"I should have known," Kyoya sighed, "speaking of father, won't he be mad if you are here?"

"Have you forgotten?" Fuyumi smiled with a wink, "he just left for that emergency business trip."

I didn't forget, Kyoya thought, I was just hoping you wouldn't remember.

"Aren't you going to that banquet for the opening of the new electronic branch of the company that father deals with alot?" Fuyumi asked.

Kyoya sighed again, "yes Fuyumi, all of our brothers are going in father's stead. I believe you are going with Shido-san?"

"Uh-huh," Fuyumi smiled, "I'm going to go meet with him in a few hours."

"So that's where we are going tonight," Kijira glanced between the two of them.

"What?" Fuyumi looked at the slightly disgruntled Kyoya.

"I wasn't going to tell her until later," Kyoya rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Oh! Sorry! I didn't know it was a secret," Fuyumi put her hands up.

"It's fine," Kijira smiled, "I suppose it's better to find out now than later."

"Since you are here, can you distract Kijira for an hour? I have something I need to do," Kyoya asked.

"Sure!" Fuyumi linked arms with Kijira, "I'll show her part of the estate!"

"Uh," Kijira felt herself being jerked to the door.

"Tell you what," Fuyumi turned to her brother, "since she's going with you to the banquet, I'll help her get ready after the tour!"

Kijira gave Kyoya a 'don't let her do this to me!' look that he ignored with a small smirk.

"Her bag of clothes is in the closet near the front door," Kyoya turned on his laptop.

"What?"

"Come with me!" Fuyumi smiled.

And Kijira was dragged away.

"Heh," Kyoya covered his mouth, "have fun."

"And that's the library," Fuyumi pointed to a door, "next to it is my father's home office."

Kijira nodded and tried to look fascinated.

"I think you'll find this interesting," Fuyumi walked into the library and took her to a couch.

Fuyumi walked behind some of the shelves, and returned with a box.

"This," Fuyumi opened the box, "is what little childhood we had."

It was a box of pictures.

"Wow," Kijira picked up the stack, "there's not that many."

"You could say after Kyoya was born, we had to grow up a little faster," Fuyumi touched a picture of a 13 year old boy and a ten year old girl holding a year old baby.

Kijira flipped through all the pictures.

"The pictures stop when Kyoya reaches primary school," Kijira noted.

"To be truthful, after primary, that's when Kyoya started becoming serious," Fuyumi sighed, "and that's when everything had to be manipulative for him to take interest."

Kijira took a looked at the last primary picture.

"That's why I was disappointed when you weren't his girlfriend," Fuyumi gave a sad smile, "I thought Kyoya had actually found someone."

Kijira gave a weak smile, "no, I believe I'll only be a friend to him, even later in life."

"Well," Fuyumi stood up, "at least it's something. Look at the time! Let's get you ready for the banquet."

[][][][][][]

Kyoya checked the time and went to his closet and pulled out his tuxedo. After he was dressed, he checked his hair in the mirror of his bathroom.

"Are you ready?" Fuyumi came in wearing a red dress.

"Almost," Kyoya straightened his tie.

Fuyumi smiled and walked out the door. Kyoya turned to the door to see a young girl in a black dress, a single, small diamond on a gold chain with her hair loosely pulled up. Kyoya had a smile on his face.

"Is it... too much?" Kijira looked down at herself.

"No, very appropriate," Kyoya gave a deft nod, "and pretty."

Kijira could feel herself blushing under the light makeup on her face.

"I believe our brothers are waiting downstairs," Fuyumi looked out the widow.

"What about Shido-san?" Kijira asked curiously.

"I'm afraid I have to go meet him right now," Fuyumi waved, "see you at the party."

Kijira watched her leave the room.

"We will be riding with my brothers," Kyoya told her.

"Oh? Will they be bringing someone with them as well?" Kijira inquired.

"No," Kyoya opened the door for her, "just me."

Kyoya escorted her down to the car where his brothers were waiting.

"It took you long enough," one grumbled.

"Forgive me," Kyoya opened the door of the car, "just a couple of issues."

"It's fine," the other brother waved, "let's just go."

They got into the car and began driving off.

"So," Kijira draped the skirt of her dress over her legs, "I was wondering what you two do in the Ootori company."

The brothers looked at each other.

"Has Kyoya not told you?" the older one asked.

Kijira shook her head.

"I work directly under our father," the older one said.

"And I'm working directly under him," the younger pointed to the older brother, "we are learning as much as we can in order to take over for father someday. I'll expect Kyoya to be in our postition in a few years."

Kijira glanced at Kyoya. He said nothing.

"If I may be so bold," the older one asked, "what are your plans for the future?"

"After high school, I'm going to go to the university to learn business with agricultural studies on the side," Kijira told them.

"You plan on taking over your father's business?" the older raised his eyebrows.

She nodded, "If I'm not going to let the company fall out of the family's hands and into the ones of someone incapable, I have to be prepared."

"I like the way you think," the younger nodded in agreement, "one who is to inherit the company should study more than they waste their free time in clubs."

Kijira stayed expressionless and glanced at Kyoya. Were they in some sort of cold war? She knew they weren't on the best terms, but was it really that bad? Kyoya was still silent.

"How's work going by the way?" Kyoya smiled.

"Fine," the younger eyed him.

The car stopped.

"We are here," the older opened the door and let Kijira out.

Kyoya went to follow, but the younger brother grab his arm.

"You actually think she's going to marry you?" his brother held him in the seat.

"I don't know," Kyoya turned to face him, "she's here with me isn't she?"

"Taking her places won't do anything to influence her," the grip tightened,

Kyoya fixed his glasses, "but I always wanted to take a friend to an event like this. They do get terribly boring."

"What?"

The grip slackened and Kyoya climbed out of the car.

"Coming?" Kyoya glanced at his brother.

He grunted and climbed out of the car. The group walked into the estate of where the party was being held.

"Welcome," a man in a tuxedo gave a small bow.

"It's nice to see you again," Kyoya smiled and shook his hand.

"Indeed," the man smiled, "ah, you brought someone with you?"

"I'm Kijira Mizuhaki," she gave a small bow.

"I remember, your birthday was a few weeks ago, wasn't it?" the man nodded, "it was a very extravagant party."

Kyoya glanced over at Kijira. He was certain that was NOT what she wanted to hear.

"Thank you," she stared straight at him calmly with a hint of a smile, "I do hope your electronics wing is a success, considering how well the rest of your company does, I believe it will flourish."

The man smiled, "thank you for your kind words."

She nodded again and Kyoya escorted her to the rest of the party.

"Very well done," Kyoya murmured into her ear, "you are quite the charmer."

"I'm inclined to stick my tounge out at you, but we are in public," Kijira kept her graceful smile on.

"I give you a compliment and you bite back with a childish retort?" he tutted, "that's not very nice."

"Don't treat me like your apprentice when it come to charm, Kyoya," Kijira smiled at an older businessman, "you know what happens when you underestimate someone."

"Hmm," Kyoya hid a grin, "why don't we combine our power and take on the world. Or at least some important businessmen."

"Kyoya Ootori?"

Both Kyoya and Kijira turned. There was a blonde, young girl in a revealing sea blue dress.

"It is you Kyoya-chan," she had a fangirl-esque smile.

"Sarah," he gave a small bow along with one of his dashing smiles, "I see you've come to Japan for awhile."

She gave another smile to him, "I came to catch up with some of the people I missed while living in Europe."

I bet I know who YOU missed, Kijira thought.

"It is delightful to see you again," he kissed her hand.

She smiled again, then noticed the girl with him.

"Oh?"

"Kijira this is Sarah Butiselli," Kyoya allowed the two in between him, "her father runs a pharmecutial branch in Europe, namely Germany."

Kijira gave a slight nod. She knew of it.

"Oh, who is this, Kyoya-chan?" Sarah tilted her head at Kijira as if she was some strange plant.

"This is Kijira Mizuhaki," Kyoya gestured to Kijira, "you know the Mizuhaki corporation?"

"Ah yes, the FARMING business," Sarah gave a fake sweet smile, "I didn't expect to see the daughter of a FARMER at an electronics banquet."

"No, I suppose you wouldn't," Kijira gave a small smile, "but life is full of surprises, isn't it?"

"Many," Sarah gave a nod of satisfaction.

You could feel the tension between the two.

"I think I'll let you two catch up," Kijira backed up and walked through the crowd.

Kyoya watched her disappear.

"Hmm," Sarah watched her go.

"So," Kyoya turned back where he left off, "how was Germany?"

[][][][][][]

Kijira walked through the room of successful businessmen and famous leaders in office. She sighed. If Kyoya was going to play sweet with Lil Miss Europe there wasn't anything she could do.

"Why miss, why the long face?" a coarse voice asked her.

She turned. It was an older man sitting in a chair, holding a cane.

"It's nothing," she shook her head, "nothing that I can do anyways."

"Always the answer with these young people these days," he waved his cane, "nothing I can do, nothing I can do. Not my job. Lazy, lazy, lazy."

She raised her eyebrows, "then let me rephrase. There's nothing I can do that won't end with me pulling someone's hair out or drowning them in a punch bowl, and personally, I don't feel like getting my hands dirty today."

He chuckled, "I like your style. I'm bored and need some entertainment. Why don't you stay and talk with me?"

Kijira stayed to do as he asked, not that she had anything better to do. She put on her best smile and did her best to entertain.

[][][][][][]

Kyoya listened to Sarah go on and on about some big mistake one of her friends had done at an important dinner, but really, Kyoya could care less.

He had half a mind to ditch her and go find Kijira. At least she wouldn't be babbling about useless mistakes of the past.

"Oh what's this?" Sarah put her hands on her hips.

Kyoya turned and followed her line of sight. Kijira was talking to a large group of some very class businessmen and women, but she seemed to be talking to an old man. He blinked. That old man happened to be the head of the Tagrashi coporate, one of the shrewdest businesses to partner with. The old man was very hard to charm (not that Kyoya had attempted to, he wasn't stupid enough to kill the streak he had going) and was very hard to sway.

"So the farm brat is attempting to charm her way into a business circle," Sarah sniffed, "probably telling charming stories about her childhood on the farm."

Kyoya looked at her for moment. Did the word 'farm' make up most of her vocabulary? He had just about enough of this.

"I'm very tired of you insulting Kijira," Kyoya folded his arms.

"Oh? Was I being rude?" Sarah feigned innocence, "she just seems so uneducated."

"Unless you are looking in a mirror, I don't see any hints of faulted knowledge," Kyoya said cooly.

Sarah's mouth fell open, "are you calling me stupid?"

"Kijira is one of the brightest people in Ouran, and one of the more refined," he conitinued, undaunted, "if I may be so bold to say, she's in the smartest of the school that you couldn't even pass entrance exams for."

Sarah stood in shock.

"I don't like people who think they can be rude about my friends in front of me just to try and gain my favor," Kyoya finished her off.

"But... I'm prettier than her!" Sarah pointed at Kijira.

"But your heart is very ugly," he turned and started to walk away with a cold smile.

"I... I can get father to crush the ties between companies," she threatened.

"I doubt it," Kyoya turned back to her, "considering how iron clad their contract is."

Sarah was left flabbergasted.

[][][][][][]

Kijira was slightly surprised that such a crowd had been attracted to the conversation she had struck up with the old man. But after realizing who he was, she figured everyone wanted to cash in on their conversation.

But her mind kept wandering back to Kyoya talking to that Sarah girl and the conversation she had had with Fuyumi. Maybe there were feeling between the two, maybe he was just doing it for business. Either way she didn't blame him. She just resented it.

But she had come to an important resolution. Considering who Kyoya was and what he could do, she wasn't going to hold him back anymore.

Someone tapped her on the shoulder.

"Kyoya?" she turned to an unexpected face.

"I wonder," he smiled at the crowd, "can I borrow her for a moment?"

"If you must," the old man grunted, "but bring her back. She was about to hear a good story."

Kijira smiled at the Tagrashi senior, "I will hurry."

"I know you will," he said, "but it's this shady Ootori boy I'm not sure about."

Kyoya chuckled and took Kijira by the arm, "I will bring her back."

The old man grunted and let them go. Kyoya walked her to a hallway with no activity going on in it. They stopped near a bench.

"I would like to apologize for not coming to your aid when we were with Sarah," he told her, "that was very unprofessional of me."

"It's fine," she raised a hand, "it was for business, wasn't it?"

Kyoya frowned, "yes, but I don't believe I will be speaking with her from now on."

"Kyoya, I think I've made my side of the decision," Kijira sat down on the bench.

"You've decided on marriage?" Kyoya raised his eyebrows.

"Well, I think marrying is like Haruhi said, only if you want to spend the rest of your life with that person," Kijira fiddled with the hem of her dress, "while my fate is already sealed to an arranged marriage, yours doesn't have to be."

Kyoya folded his arms, "so you are backing out? You are giving up?"

"I'm not giving up," Kijira raised her shoulders, "I'm just giving you a chance for you to find your own love."

"In other words you're giving up," Kyoya nodded.

"Aright. Fine. I'm giving up. Happy?"

"No," Kyoya bent down to sit next to her, "because I want you to marry me."

"No, you just want the Ootori company," she folded her arms, "and you are very capable of getting it. You don't need me."

"I think you are missing the point," Kyoya pushed his glasses up, "at the end of the two weeks we'd decide if we wanted to marry, and I do."

"Can't you see I'm holding you back?" she tried, frustrated, "you will gain so much more without me."

Kyoya took her chin and looked at her sternly.

"If I wasn't gaining more than I would be losing, this wouldn't be happening."

Kijira tried to look away but couldn't move her head.

"I would rather marry you, my friend, than be forced to marry someone else in the future," Kyoya said quietly, "because you will be a friend I can depend upon."

Kijira stared into his eyes for a moment.

"Thank you," she gave him a small hug.

They let go and looked at the opposite wall.

"Did you really think you would get out of marriage that easily?" Kyoya smirked.

"But we were never betrothed," Kijira frowned, "technically we just got engaged 2 minutes ago."

"Everyone seemed to think we were," he sat down next to her.

"Well everyone was wrong," Kijira folded her arms.

"Uh huh," Kyoya nodded, "we'll show them how wrong they were. Especially when we say our vows. They will never see it coming."

"Your sarcasm is not appreciated."

[][][][][][]

On Monday, the host club returned to normal as far as anyone could tell.

"Tamaki," Kyoya called him over.

"Yes Kyoya?" Tamaki walked up to him.

"May I speak to you in private for a moment?" he beckoned him to a side room of the club.

They went in and Kyoya shut the doors behind him. Haruhi tilted her head at Kyoya's actions.

"What are they doing?" Hikaru stared at the door.

"Kyo-chan must be telling Tama-chan something important," Honey bit into his piece of cake, "otherwise he would have shared it in front of everybody."

"Yeah," Mori nodded

The twins brightened and put their ears on the keyhole.

"What is this about?" Tamaki sat down on a chair.

Kyoya sat in a chair opposite to him.

"I just thought I should tell you that our trial period is over," Kyoya pushed his glasses up.

Tamaki gave a small gasp and his eyes widened.

"And?" Tamaki waited for the answer.

Kyoya gave him a small smile, "we've decided to get married."

Tamaki's grin grew and grew until he jumped up and hugged Kyoya.

"I'm so happy for you!" tears ran down his face.

"Alright, alright," Kyoya shoved him off. "That's not all I want to tell you."

Tamaki waited.

"I want you to be the best man."

Tamaki stared at Kyoya as fresh tears ran down his face. Kyoya's glasses went into reflective mode as he stood up.

"K-Kyoya..."

"The wedding will be traditional," Kyoya continued, "but, for all purposes, I will consider you my best man."

He walked to the doors and opened them to let the twins fall to the ground.

"!" the twins backed up quickly, but he didn't say anything.

He continued walking through the room until he reached the exit.

The host club listened to his fading footsteps.

"Who knew..."Kaoru started

"...that he would be the first of us to get shacked up?" Hikaru finished.

The club went silent. There was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Tamaki said, still shell shocked.

Kijira poked her head in the door.

"Kijira!"

"We heard the good news!" Haruhi clapped her hands togther. "That's awesome!"

Kijira laughed, "I'm glad you think so. I assume Kyoya told Tamaki the other news."

The twins pointed to a Tamaki blubbering with happiness.

"Then it's time I asked you, Haruhi," Kijira knelt down to Haruhi's line of vision.

"Wha?"

"I want you to be my maid of honor," Kijira smiled.

Haruhi's eyes widened.

"Hold the phone," Hikaru separated the two starry eyed girls, "Haruhi is a guy."

"Yeah," Kaoru walked over next to Hikaru, "isn't a traditional western maid of honor a girl?"

"It's true," Kijira nodded with a mischievous smile on her face, "but this will be a traditional Japanese wedding. But solely for the namesake, I'm asking Haruhi."

"Come again?" they leaned in.

Kijira rolled her eyes, "I'm not an idiot. It may have taken some thought, but I found out in the end. With that considered, will you be my maid of honor?"

"Yes!" Haruhi beamed, "I will!"

Kijira gave a small bow and walked towards the door.

"Oh and by the way," Kijira turned back to them, "you guys are all invited. I know you mean a lot to Kyoya."

She gave a last nod and left the room. The host club was silent staring at the door that an engaged couple had walked through.

Tamaki was still on the floor blubbering.

[][][][][][]

It was the day. Kijira stared into the mirror. THE DAY. She still couldn't believe. She was getting married to... A friend. But that was okay.

She stood up and glanced at her white kimono. It was stitched with small scenery patterns in white thread. Kijira looked in the mirror at her white painted face.(1)

She heard a knock on the door.

"Kijira-senpai?" Haruhi peeked through the door.

"Haruhi," Kijira motioned for her to come through the door.

Haruhi smiled at her. "I just came to tell you it's time."

Kijira took a deep breath and put on the hood of her kimono. Haruhi took her to the entrance of the temple.

Their fathers had rented a shrine for the day and had asked a minister to perform the ceremony.

Kijira's father was waiting at the entrance with his arm ready. He had a warm smile on his face.

Kijira took a deep breath as it was going to be her turn. The moment of truth.

Kijira walked down the cobble to where the shrine was located with her head up. She glanced at guests on each side.

The host club members were in the back.

Hani gave a wave as she slid back in her seat while the twins and Mori just nodded. Kijira could see Tamaki with a goofy grin on his face, and Haruhi beaming up at her.

At least they are under control today, Kijira smiled to herself.

On the Ootori side, Kyoya's siblings were there as well as his father. There was also some extended family.

On her side, her grandparents as well as her aunts and her uncle were over there. It was nice to know that what little family she had were in attendance.

She looked up to the front of the shrine to see the minister up at the front as well as Kyoya.

Kyoya was dressed in a black kimono and was waiting patiently at the altar.

She reached the shrine where the minister stood in front of them. The families turned from the direction of the bride and the groom and faced each other.

The minister took them through the vows and completed the ceremony. Kyoya and Kijira were given cups of sake to drink. Ootori and Mizuhaki shared a cup of sake as well.

The minister finished with a nod, "you are now wed."

The families clapped and you could hear a pair of voices cheering in the back. Kijira turned to Kyoya and hugged him.

"You really didn't have to," she whispered in his ear.

"But I wanted to," he told her, "now go wash the paint off your face so we can start the reception."

[][][][][][]

Kijira walked into the reception room with her red kimono on. The first person that came to her was Haruhi.

"It's beautiful," Haruhi inspected her kimono.

Kijira smiled and bowed.

"Hows the party?" Kijira looked around the room.

"It's actually been pretty good," Haruhi dipped her head.

"I see you are wearing a dress," Kijira smiled knowingly.

"Yeah," she scratched the back of her head, "Tamaki nearly died I think."

Kijira smothered her laughter. Haruhi hid her own chuckles.

"Let's find the groom," Haruhi waved her on.

"Kyoya!" Tamaki waved at him.

Kyoya nodded as Tamaki as he walked towards him.

"Some wedding," Tamaki looked around.

"It was a nice small one," Kyoya nodded with approval.

He glanced down at his new wedding band.

"Good job senpai!" both of the twins hit him on the back.

"Hey Kyo-chan," Honey came up to Kyoya holding a piece of cake, "where's Ki-chan?" Mori was following Honey.

"She's probably changing, Mitsukuni," Mori patted him on the head.

"Oh?" Hani looked up at Mori with a fork in his mouth.

Kyoya nodded in agreement, "she'll probably be here in a few minutes."

"Hey," Hikaru looked around, "where's Haruhi?"

The host group did a small search.

"There!" Kaoru pointed, "she's with someone in a red kimono?"

Haruhi gestured at the group and the two walked over to them.

"Senpais," Haruhi dipped her head.

"Hello you," Kijira stood next to Kyoya and looked up at him.

Kyoya just glanced down with a small smile.

"Sweet Kimono," Hikaru nodded.

"It was Hitachiin designed," Kijira gave a wry smile.

Hikaru and Kaoru exchanged grins.

There was a call for attention at the front of the room.

"I'd like to thank all of you for coming," Mizuhaki called out, "as a father, I am very happy that her future is now secure."

Kyoya put an arm around Kijira.

"To the newlyweds!" he raised his glass.

"To the newlyweds!" the crowd chorused.

Kyoya tightened the grip on Kijira. They watched as friends and family surged around them with life and energy in what they did.

"The future looks bright," Kijira commented.

Tamaki nervously asked Haruhi to dance, but was intercepted when the twins took her away. Tamaki went to sulk in a corner while Mori leaned down to wipe the frosting off of Honey's face.

Kyoya glanced down at Kijira.

"It does, doesn't it?"

[][][][][][]

Kyoya once again walked into his father's office.

"Ah I see you've come," the Ootori senior gestured to the seat in front of his desk. Kyoya sat down.

"Now that you are going to become head of the company, you will have to start devoting time to learning about the management in this business."

"I understand that," Kyoya nodded, "but first, may I see the contract?"

Ootori pulled the contract out. Kyoya took and looked at it one last time.

"We won't be needing this anymore," Kyoya tore it in half.

The Ootori senior was silent.

"I don't want to give you the wrong impression," Kyoya told him, "I do still want to inherit the company, and I do want to go to those meetings, but I want to inherit that company for my skill, not because of my marital status."

Ootori's glasses went reflective.

"I guess that's all that needs to be said," Kyoya stood up.

He began walking for the door. He turned the knob.

"Be prepared to come to a meeting," Ootori told him.

Kyoya stopped. He directed a smile at the door.

"Yes sir," he said and walked put of the room.

Ootori was silent as the door was shut. Then he looked up.

"You are more prepared for that position than I thought."

[][][][][][]

Kyoya walked down the halls of his house. For some reason, trying to gain the company seemed much more satisfying this way.

"Kyoya," his brother called him.

Kyoya turned to him.

"Just because you're successor doesn't mean you have my respect yet."

Nothing was said for a long moment.

"Of course," Kyoya gave a small smile, "that is something that has to be earned."

Kyoya continued walking. If his brother wanted to think he was going to be the rightful heir without a fight, that was fine with him.

[][][][][]

"Hey," Kijira sat down next to Kyoya on the host club couch.

"Hello," Kyoya looked down at his laptop.

"I heard you tore up the contract," she said nonchalantly.

"You heard correct," Kyoya continued typing.

Kijira smiled to herself, "I didn't think you would."

Kyoya closed his laptop and set it aside.

"Normally I wouldn't have," he looked down at her,"but someone gave me the right perspective,"

They stared at each other for a moment.

"Give it back!" Tamaki whined, "come on you guys, give me back Beary!"

"I don't know," Kaoru put his hand on his chin, "we were having alot of fun playing with him."

"Yeah," Hikaru nodded,"we were going to dress him up and give him tattoos."

Tamaki whimpered.

"I know! Why don't we bleach his hair?" Hikaru grinned.

"NOOOO!" Tamaki jumped for the bear.

The twins jumped out of the way, but Tamaki was still in the air. And was heading straight towards Kyoya's back.

Kyoya and Kijira mashed lips on impact.

Everyone in the club fell silent. Tamaki's jaw fell open, Hikaru and Kaoru froze, and a strawberry fell off the end of Honey's fork. Kyoya's eyes widened.

They didn't move for awhile. Kyoya carefully pried himself away from Kijira. He could see a blush forming on her cheeks. Kyoya's glasses went reflective and Kijira touched her lips.

"S-sorry," Tamaki hid behind the twins.

Kyoya pushed his glasses up, "it's fine."

Kijira got up quickly, "I have to go."

Kyoya nodded.

Kijira walked out of the room as soon as Haruhi walked in. She looked around the room.

"Why's everybody acting weird?"

Kyoya stood up, "a little accident happened."

"A little?" the twins looked at each other.

"Well, I guess it's fine," Hikaru figured, "I mean they are married."

"WHAT? THEY GOT MARRIED?"

There was a collective gasp in their guests. Kaoru slapped Hikaru on the back of the head.

Reflective glasses gleamed towards the twins. Hikaru laughed nervously and fled for the back room.

"Back to work," Kyoya told the hosts.

Everyone looked at each other nervously and slowly began talking.

Kyoya walked into the other room and nearly shut the door behind him. It sounded like screaming was coming from the crack of the door.

"Hikaru..." Kaoru stared at the door in despair.

Haruhi was still confused.

"What happened?"

PRESENT

"So that's why everyone..." Haruhi opened her mouth in laughter.

Kijira nodded, shielding her own smile.

"So? Was that the beginning of something else?" Haruhi asked.

"Something else?" Kijira raised her eyebrows, "you only asked about our marriage."

"But, didn't you two fall in love?" Haruhi asked, confused.

"How cliche, falling in love with an accidental kiss," Kijira sipped the last of her coffee.

Haruhi leaned on the table.

"And besides," Kijira smiled, "that's another story."

---

DUM! DUM! If enough people like it, I will post part 2

(1) I tried to write the wedding as a traditional Japanese wedding, and I looked up the customs. I think this is how it is supposed to be done.