I had noticed changes in my brother. It had been going on for quite a while. He would randomly become quiet or start turning red. He would space out and run into things, then look around rapidly. In most classes he would be unusually quiet and focused. He was acting weird, and I didn't like it. This was something new. I hated new. I was afraid of change and loathed different. The clue words are; Hated, was, and loathed. Meaning used to. I was unconsciously changing myself. Kaoru always helped me, so I helped him.
Chapter 1Hikaru walked to his first class along with Haruhi and hid twin, Kaoru. Today he planned to be conscious of his brother, he would find out what was wrong with him.
He led the way into the empty classroom; or seemingly empty, since a few of their classmates where there. Hikaru's much hated desk-buddy (they had double desks in this class) was already here. She was holding a book and chatting with Kaoru's desk buddy, who was in front of her.
"Ohayo, dumbass," Hikaru said as he approached the desk.
"Ohayo," she replied nonchalantly.
"Hikaru!" Kaoru exclaimed, "don't be so rude!"
Kaoru sat down and turned around to face his brother, "I'm sorry, Kitozawa-chan. Ignore him."
"S'alright, Hitchiin-kun. I'm already there," and she giggled slightly. Hikaru rolled his eyes; this girl could not get more irritating.
"So how are you today, Hitachiin-kun?" scratch that, she could.
"Kaoru, please, and it has been fine so far, how about you Imoto-chan?" Kaoru turned to his own desk-buddy and Hikaru quickly glanced at his desk-buddy. She was looking at Kaoru sadly and sighing quietly. Hikaru smirked.
"Got feelings for my other, ne, Miyuki-chan?" the girl glared at Hikaru with positively frightening gray-blue eyes.
"Kitozawa. No, I don't. Don't be stupid."
"You lie pretty well. You can even keep a straight face. I'm impressed."
"Go to hell," she said coldly and turned away from him.
Hikaru was about to retort but Haruhi—who at the time had been sitting next to him, reading—had a question.
- - -
Hikaru was bored out of him mind, during class, he decided to check on Kaoru. Kaoru was paying close attention to the teacher, no redness in the face, no nervousness. Had it all been a phase? He doubted it, but he let his gaze shift to Kitozawa Miyuki, his desk-buddy. Her short brown hair was cut short in choppy layers and curved around her face. Her gray-blue eyes seemed more sad, than anything else. He followed her gaze and his eyes landed on Kaoru.
So she does have feelings for him!
Hikaru made a mental note to taunt her about it later. Out of the corner of his eye he saw her rapidly start shaking her head and then furiously scribbling in her book.
This girl was weird.
- - -
Miyuki and Kuri left the classroom as soon as classes ended. Normally they would head straight home, but Kuri had some other plans.
"Onegai!"
"No."
"Please!!!"
"Hell no."
"Yuki-chan! Please come! You've never gone before!"
"And I don't intend to!"
Kuri looked at her with puppy eyes, silently begging her to come with her. Miyuki looked away, not wanting to give in. Kuri moved to her other side and stared at her some more.
"Fine!" Miyuki finally yelled.
"Wai!"
- - -
Hikaru walked around the host club, looking at his fellow hosts doing what they did best. He saw Kaoru telling stories to some girls and they giggled. Ever since the last school festival the twins had gone on a more different path of hosting, though they always did their 'brotherly love' on request.
He glanced over at Haruhi, who—even after revealing she was a girl—stayed a host. She got customers too! Not only girls needing advice, but boys as well. Kyouya thought it was a good idea since they could now service both genders.
Hikaru sighed. The next rotation was starting soon and he had only one customer. He was mature enough (just barely) to admit that Kaoru was indeed, more popular than he was. He always had at least four girls at a time, except on slow days. Hikaru usually had more than just one but, alas, today was a slow day.
He approached the table where he would serve his customer, and was surprised to find a familiar brunette girl sitting back in the chair, reading manga.
"Well, surprise, surprise," Hikaru said, "who would have thought you'd be here, of all people."
The girl glared, "I was dragged here for your information."
"Sure, but why designate me?"
"Didn't know anybody else, and Haruhi has enough to deal with already."
That was the truth. Haruhi was more popular than both Hitachiins combined and had several people—even on slow days.
"Miyuki-chan," Hikaru feigned hurt, "Why must you be so mean?"
"Shut up. My name is Kitozawa, Hitachiin-san."
"Oh, do drop the formality, Miyuki-chan, please, call me Hikaru," his sarcasm deteriorated the air around them.
"No."
"Oh, why not, Miyuki-chan, you call Kaoru, Kaoru-kun."
"That only happened today, Hitachiin-kun."
"Well, anyway, it appears I'm supposed to entertain you." Hikaru said sitting down opposite her.
"Lets not and say you did," she retorted, turning back to her book.
"Uh…no," Hikaru stared at her, bored, "Kyouya would see you sitting by yourself and I'd get in trouble." She didn't reply. "Hey who dragged you here anyway?"
She looked up, "Kuri-chan" she looked in Kaoru's direction, "She wanted me to come and try this out." Hikaru looked over and saw two girls over with his brother, one was definitely Ikomoto-san, and they seemed to be laughing at something Kaoru had said, while Kaoru himself was blushing.
"And what do you think of it?" Hikaru leaned over trying to see her face.
"Never again."
Hikaru shut up after that. They sat there for a while, Hikaru trying repeatedly to start a conversation, but Miyuki would not cooperate. After a while Hikaru started getting mad.
"Will you at least pretend your enjoying this?!" He glared at her.
"Oh, Hikaru-kun," she smiled cutely and placed her book in her lap, "I'm enjoying this greatly!"
Hikaru was stunned, obviously not expecting this response. He stared at her.
"What?!" she said in a whisper, "you want me to pretend I'm enjoying this right?"
Hikaru realized this and felt stupid. Right! She's just pretending, like I asked her! Hikaru looked back at her and smiled.
"Of course, Miyuki-chan, it's wonderful to hear that you like this so much," he smiled sweetly, a smile that usually made his customers blush red and flustered.
"Oh! But why wouldn't I enjoy this Hikaru-kun?" she said tilting her head slightly, "You're a wonderful host!"
"You flatter me!" Hikaru looked away, his eyes downcast, "I'm not nearly as good as you say."
She put her hand on top of his. "Hikaru! Don't be so negative about yourself!" she gazed at him caringly and softened her voice, "You are an incredible person and you have a wonderful personality. Anybody would be lucky to have you as a friend, I know I would."
Hikaru froze. Her whole speech struck something in him somewhere. He looked up and she was staring at him, obviously waiting for his response. He came out of his reverie and finished, clutching her hand to add effect.
"Miyuki-chan, you are a truly pure person. You see only inner beauty and look past flaws. If only… If only there were more people like you… everyone would be a little bit happier."
The two stared at each other for a while, him still clutching her hand, until both broke out in to fits of laughter.
"That had to be the funnest thing I have done all day!" Miyuki said in between breaths.
"Haha! That was the most sickeningly funny crap I have ever said!" Hikaru fell out of his chair. This only caused both of them to laugh more.
Miyuki stood up her book nestled under her left arm.
"Mm? Where are you going?" Hikaru asked, getting back into his seat.
"The rotation ended, I better leave," she turned around to walk away.
"Mata ashita, Miyuki-chan!" Hikaru called after her.
She turned around and smiled at him.
"Mata ashita, Hikaru-kun."
End Chapter 1