Spice.

She watched in morbid interest, as Ootori Kyouya put more hot sauce on the middle eastern sandwich he consumed. It literally covered the exposed ingredients.

She remembered the burning sensation on her tongue, as she put a mere few drops of it on her own sandwich.

She had to drink half a tall glass of soda for the feeling to return, and the way things went, a bite of Kyouya's sandwich would probably be equal to eating napalm.

She stared in horror, as she saw him bite into it, and seemingly dissatisfied, put a few more dollops for good measure.

Noticing Haruhi's surprise, he wiped the corners of his mouth gracefully, after finishing the sandwich, and took a drink from his soda.

She continued to stare at him, as if she was looking at an animal with three heads.

"Is watching me eat, really that fascinating?" He drawled lazily. With a small, amused smile, he watched as she struggled to pull herself together, to make decent conversation.

"They told me you liked spicy food." She said, in a surprised manner. "I just didn't expect you liked it that much."

As in freakish amounts, she thought inwardly.

"Well?" She heard him ask, as he turned his attention to the twins who had just walked over. They handed him an envelope, as he thanked them cordially for their business.

The twins sat dejectedly on either side of her and put their arms around her.

"We need comfort." They announced, rubbing their cheeks against her, as they did.

"Let me guess..." She muttered, unsurprised. "...it was another game of yours."

They both nodded, and explained at the same time (complete with hand gestures, as always.)

"Uhm-hmm. It was the 'Make Haruhi Stare In Shock' Geemu (game)"

Ah, sou. That explained the stupid stunts they tried on her all day

.
She rolled her eyes...then noticed the bottle of hot sauce that Kyouya left.

They used one each. One for her, and another for him.

Against her better judgment, she put a drop of it on her finger, and licked it, gingerly.

The difference was staggering. Hers was probably 10 times spicier. No wonder he had to put on so much.

He knew exactly how she'd react, and he wanted to enjoy the sandwich, anyway.

She looked up to see Kyouya, a smug, predatory smile on his face. He came back, in calculated time, to watch the facts sink in.

"I see." The look on her face certainly suggested she understood the situation perfectly.

Since he had already gotten what he wanted, Kyouya went back to his pineapple laptop and proceeded to make the necessary arrangements to have the funds transferred.

Hm. It was a good move. He was able to make a deal with the twins to pay for a third of Haruhi's remaining debt, in a way that involved her in it, without her knowing.

He also had the pleasure of her company while he ate his favorite sandwich, and was entertained by the expression on her face-twice.

All in all, not a bad day.

Not a bad day, indeed.