Kyouya's learned there are many ways in which Tamaki acts annoying, and it's a miracle that Kyouya can deal with each irritating trait in a meaningful way. Mostly, the way Kyouya coped was through his treasured sarcastic wit. The way he calculated his words to disarm Tamaki would make any sardonic person nearby to witness these beautiful remarks proud.
"How dare you say that to me!" Tamaki would invariably say in a histrionic storm of overreaction, half in an attempt to save face and half because he wanted to sound mature trying to defend himself from getting so riled up. Kyouya knew that any comment he uttered would garner some kind of response out of Tamaki, and he knew exactly what to say.
The exchanges between loud, boisterous Tamaki and stoic, reserved Kyouya caused laughter out of anyone watching the situation. Tamaki's flair for dramatics was a sight to behold, for he always found something worthy of his reactions. Later on, when Hikaru and Kaoru realized that Kyouya teased Tamaki, the twins would join in on the fun. The twins didn't know Tamaki's weaknesses as thoroughly as Kyouya, so the smile on Kyouya's face was genuine when the twins found a button to push.
What Kyouya couldn't calculate was Haruhi's tumultuous entrance in the lives of the Host Club, and her tremendous impact on Tamaki's personality. Suddenly, Tamaki's irritating traits mellowed out because Haruhi knew how to keep him in check. She took great pride in keeping Tamaki calm and happy. Her tranquil yet sarcastic demeanor was something Kyouya took notes from: she was a true force of nature. A twinge of an unknown emotion flickered through Kyouya.
"Jealousy is an unbecoming look on you, senpai," Kaoru said one afternoon with a sly grin. Kyouya tried his best to keep a glare off of his usually neutral face as Tamaki fawned over Haruhi with intense, burning love so genuine that Haruhi's look of pure disgust didn't deter Tamaki. Hikaru stood close to Kaoru, and Kyouya instead focused on his desire for personal space to no avail.
"As it is for you, but you don't see me complaining," Kyouya snapped in response. The twins shrugged.
"We'll leave you to your thoughts, then, senpai," the twins chorused. Kyouya let himself grin. Maybe he'd find a way to gain Tamaki's attention back. For now, he let Tamaki focus on Haruhi. It was the best for the Host Club, anyway.