Keep drinking coffee stare me down across the table while I look outside.


"Haruhi, we're out of commoners' coffee again!" Tamaki shouted from across the clubroom.

"Damn rich bastards." She muttered to herself.

"What was that Haruhi?" Kyoya asked icily from behind her. She hadn't even realized he was there. The clubroom was always so noisy once the customers arrived that she didn't ever notice when Kyoya snuck up on her. It was no wonder they called him the Shadow King!

"Hmm? Oh, nothing, Kyoya-sempai!" She faked a smile and walked over to the large cabinet where the commoners' coffee and other assorted teas were. "Tamaki-sempai, it's in the cupboard, like it always is."

She handed him the bottle of Hescafe, to which he began to giddily jump for joy, shouting: "Haruhi's the best! I'm the proudest daddy ever!"

"Whatever, Tamaki-sempai." Haruhi began to walk away.

"Haruhi, would you fetch me the earl gray while you're over there?" Kyoya asked from his desk. So much for not being the host club dog, anymore. Why doesn't he just get it himself? Funnily enough, Haruhi couldn't remember the last time she actually saw him hosting. If he wasn't even working, why couldn't he get his own damn tea?

"Sure thing, Kyoya-sempai." Most days, she found it best to just do what he asked at risk of collecting a larger debt.

Reopening the cabinet, she found the earl gray tea to be on the highest shelf, just out of reach. She stretched and stretched, pulling every muscle in her body for just an extra inch or two.

Catching sight of her, the twins excused themselves from their table and crept up behind Haruhi. They positioned themselves: Hikaru behind her left leg and Kaoru behind her right.

"One," Hikaru whispered.

"Two," followed Kaoru.

"THREE!" They shouted in unison, hoisting Haruhi onto their shoulders.

"H-hey! Put me down!" Haruhi exclaimed. "Come on you guys! Seriously!"

"What?" They asked together.

"We're just trying—"

"—To help you reach." They smiled devilishly. She quickly grabbed Kyoya's tea.

"There, I have it. Now let me down!"

"Say thank you!" Hikaru demanded, blocking her path.

"Thank you?" She answered, as she turned to take another way.

"Thank you for…?" Kaoru jested as he stepped in front of her.

"Thank you, guys, for scaring me half to death. Excuse me." She said pushing past him. Geez, the guys have only gotten harder to deal with since Honey-sempai and Mori-sempai graduated. Its like the balance is thrown off or something.

"Here's your tea." She set it down on the desk and started back to her customers.

"Ah- Haruhi, I'm busy. Could you just mix it for me, since you're still here?" Kyoya never looked up from his laptop as he busily typed a thousand words a minute.

"Sure." She said through clenched teeth. "I don't mind."

"Thank you." he smirked still typing. "I don't think you really practice tea making enough, do you?"

"Um, well, I suppose not. Kurakano-san and her friends usually just like ice water." Haruhi said, pouring the hot water.

"Well, then be sure not to mess it up too badly. I really don't like when my tea is too weak." It amazed her that he could hold conversation while typing that ferociously.

"I hope it's ok, Kyoya-sempai, but I'm leaving my customers alone, so I should probably, get back, now, huh?"

"You're excused."

What the hell? Haruhi thought to herself. I'm excused? Like he's a teacher or something?

"Sorry, ladies," Haruhi said, returning to her usual spot by the window.

"Does Kyoya always boss you around like that, Haruhi?" Kurakano asked politely.

"Be careful, how you respond, Haruhi," all four girls jumped at the sound of Kyoya's voice behind Haruhi. "Remember your situation."

"K-Kyoya-sempai…" She stammered.

"My tea wasn't quite right." He said bluntly, setting the teacup in front of her and walked away.

Haruhi rolled her eyes and looked over her shoulder to check the time on the large clock. She sighed deeply. Not even halfway done.


A.N.: I really tried to have Kyoya drink commoners' coffee in this chapter, but I couldn't do it! Kyoya doesn't do commoners' coffee. That's more Tamaki's deal. :)