"But I still don't understand why I have to wear a dress!!!" Haruhi wailed, tugging exasperatedly at the skirts of the expensive dress and looking down with an expression of disgust.
"Haruhi! Don't pout so darling, daddy thinks you look adorable!" exclaimed the host club's 'king' clutching the fuming Haruhi to his chest and smoothing her hair in a display of delighted fatherly affection.
"Get off me…." Haruhi mumbled from the depths of Tamaki's shirt before shoving him away and turning on Kyoya angrily.
"Kyoya-senpai! I don't understand! Why can't I just wear a suit like I normally do! I mean, come on"
Haruhi held out her skirts and turned around, her hair and skirts twirling out around her and falling gently back into place in a way that caused Tamaki to gape at her open mouthed from where he had been knocked to the floor. "…...so…...cute."
"And look at these shoes!" she said, lifting her skirt up above one knee and extending a foot clad in a high heeled shoe that probably cost more than what she spent on food in a month. She was vaguely aware of Tamaki slumping onto the marble floor with a nosebleed somewhere behind her.
"I can't walk in these! I'm going to break my ankle.
She glared angrily at Kyoya for a moment before turning around and snapping, "Oh for God's sake senpai, your nose is bleeding all over the floor."
The tall dark-haired boy's eyes flickered slightly as he looked her up and down over the top of his notebook but almost immediately he was as cool and composed as ever, pushing his glasses up his nose with one finger and smiling slightly.
"Be reasonable Haruhi. A number of our clients have expressed a fond wish to see, ah hah, 'Haruhi-kun' in girls clothing. It seems a pity to waste this opportunity to satisfy our customers with such a simple request. And of course"
Kyoya's eyes glinted maliciously behind his glasses, "…if the word of you appearing at this dance in female clothes spreads, our number of clientele will undoubtedly increase." Haruhi sighed and hung her head, of course, it was always business and profit with Kyoya-senpai…
"Of course, if you'd expressed your aversion to female attire earlier, I would have been happy to arrange some suitable male clothes for you"
Haruhi jerked her head up and gaped at Kyoya, "Really"
He shot her a refreshing smile. "Of course! But bear in mind, the dress you now wear has been generously provided by the twin's mother's design company whereas an appropriate suit would have to be fitted and bought, of course adding more to your debt, but if that's what you want…." he said, casually flipping open his mobile phone.
"I'll take my chances with the dress thanks." Haruhi said bitterly. "Damn evil rich bastards"
"Haruhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii"
"Oh God, because this couldn't get any worse…" Haruhi thought and spun around just in time to see the twins leap at her armed with make-up, hair products and perfume before they slammed her into a chair and she was enveloped in a cloud of choking hairspray.
Mori watched with quiet amusement from a table in the corner as Haruhi fought desperately with Kaoru, who was holding her arms while Hikaru attacked her with mascara.
(Come on, Haruhi! It's only mascara, it won't hurt)
(Hikaru you stay away from me!……WAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!)
Hunny also watched from his position sitting on the table top and swinging his legs.
"Haru-chan sure looks cute tonight, huh Takashi"
Mori started slightly and glanced at his cousin, who was looking at him with apparently innocent eyes which seemed to be affectionately mocking him at the same time.
(What the hell is that? Kaoru!? OWWW MY HAIR!!!)
Mori looked back towards Haruhi, who now made up to the twins' satisfaction was being propelled towards the door by her loving 'father.
"Yeah".
The main hall of the school had been especially decorated for the occasion. Roses spilled from every balcony and from vases on every table, filling the room with the soft smell of rose petals. An orchestra played liltingly sweet music in the background as Haruhi crossed the dance floor, concentrating solely on not tripping on the hem of her dress or twisting an ankle in her shoes.
She stopped suddenly, placing a hand to her forehead and frowning slightly. This migraine had been bothering her all day; she'd go outside into the gardens for a while to get away from the crowds.
"Haruhi-kun! You look so cute"
Haruhi sighed and turned to face her own private entourage of adoring fan girls.
She widened her eyes, which glittered in the light of the chandeliers and placing one finger to her bottom lip, feigned a look of anxiousness.
"Do I really? I thought I looked kind of stupid"
She closed her eyes and flashed them a smile. "But if you girls really like it, then it's worth it"
She managed to escape amid cries of "KYAAA!!!" and floating hearts and hurried over towards the doors. As the heel of her shoe caught in the hem of her dress, she just had time to think "bloody Kyoya, I knew this would happen…" before she hurtled to the ground.
She stiffened her shoulders and screwed her eyes shut, bracing her body for the impact with the dance floor, but it never came. Strong hands gripped her shoulders firmly but carefully and gently set her back on her feet.
She turned around, ignoring the delighted cries of the fan girls, and looked directly into Mori's calm grey eyes. "M-Mori-senpai"
"Are you hurt?" he asked, tilting his head slightly to the side.
"No, no I…" It occurred to Haruhi that Mori was still holding onto her shoulders. It seemed to occur to Mori at the same time because he hastily let her go and glanced to the side looking slightly embarrassed.
"I was just going outside for a while, I don't feel to great." she said, glancing around quickly. She wanted to avoid Tamaki, Hikaru and Kaoru's loving concern if she possibly could.
Mori's eyes swung back to hers, immediately filled with quiet concern.
"I will go with you, to make sure you are alright"
She hastily held up her hands, "No really! It's alright! I'm sure you have clients to deal with." She glanced over her shoulder to see that Tamaki was still posing for some adoring princess and the twins were staging a scene of brotherly love on the stairs.
He looked at her thoughtfully for a while before nodding his consent and turning back to Hunny and a crowd of young ladies.
Haruhi watched him go for a moment and then quickly darted outside the large French doors and closed them behind her before she could be noticed. She leaned against the cool wood and sighed with relief.
She wandered over to the railing overlooking a rose garden and leaned on it with her eyes closed, enjoying the cool breeze on her forehead. From behind her closed eyelids, a pair of calm grey eyes looked back at her.