It was late Friday afternoon, and Tamaki Suoh was pacing on the sidewalk.

"At that rate, Tamaki, you'll wear a hole in the ground. Also, you're about to run into that telephone pole."

Kyoya Ootori sat nearby, on a park bench painted with a university's vibrant logo. He spoke without glancing up from his cellphone screen, but he was right nonetheless. Tamaki stopped short, looking up at the pole with mild disgust.

"I'm sorry," he said, walking over to sit beside Kyoya, "I'm just so excited! I haven't seen Haruhi since…"

"Since we left after break." Kyoya finished, "I know." His voice was tired, but his features expressed a rare smile at his best friend.

Tamaki started to speak again, but broke off when he saw a familiar black car turn the street corner onto campus. Then he was off the bench in one lively motion, running to the edge of the road. Kyoya followed at a slower pace, tucking his phone into a pocket.

The vehicle came to a stop and its passengers, two identical redheads and a petite brunette, stepped out onto the sidewalk. The car had barely begun to pull away when Tamaki pounced, pulling the brunette into a strong embrace and landing a kiss on her cheek.

"Haruhi! You look lovely!"

A muffled female voice replied. "Thank-you, Tamaki. Now… do you think maybe I could have a little breathing room?"

The twins chuckled, watching Haruhi struggle playfully out of Tamaki's arms. He let her escape, but not completely; he slipped one hand into hers, and she made no effort to pull it away.

"Hello, Kyoya-senpai."

The tall male's answering smile was small, but genuine. "Hello, Haruhi. Hikaru. Kaoru." He nodded to each in turn. "It is good to see you all well. Should we walk back to our dorm?"

"Certainly." echoed the twins, and the group started toward the main campus.

"So…" Kaoru began.

"What are the plans for tonight, boss?" Hikaru finished.

"I thought we'd all go to that new restaurant by the bookstore. I'm told it's quite good. Any objections?"

"Mmmmm," said Haruhi, "sounds like a plan to me. Are you coming, Kyoya?"

"Actually…"

Tamaki sighed, and his voice turned uncharacteristically sharp. "Let me guess. You have another 'study group.'"

"I'm sorry Tamaki. I completely cleared out my schedule for tomorrow, but I really can't miss this tonight."

"But Kyoya, it's a Friday," said Hikaru.

"Yes, and I have an exam coming up that I can't afford to do poorly on. I apologize for missing dinner, but I'm sure you'll be fine without me."

Tamaki gave a non-committal grunt, but said nothing. He stopped walking when he realized Haruhi had come to a stop. She was looking at the large grassy area in front of the freshman dorms with interest.

"Hey guys, what do you say to sitting outside for a while since the weather is nice?"

Tamaki clapped his hands together. "Splendid idea!" The twins nodded their agreement, so he led them a short distance away to a green patch beneath a large tree, one of his favorite spots. While the others were getting comfortable, Tamaki looked expectantly back at Kyoya. The dark-haired young man did not seem inclined to move from the sidewalk.

"I'm going to let you four stay here and catch up. I need to go get ready and leave for my meeting. I'll call you later."

"Alright," said Tamaki, resigned. "See you later."

Tamaki watched Kyoya walk away, and the other three watched Tamaki. Haruhi shook him lightly on the shoulder.

"What is it Tamaki? Something's bothering you."

"Yeah. What's up, boss?"

Tamaki turned back to them, putting on a half-hearted smile.

"Oh, it's nothing. Kyoya has just been acting a bit… strange, lately. He's at these 'study groups' all the time. I mean, he's smarter than I am! And now he claims to be studying twice as much as I do. Or he makes up other excuses for being gone. It's just weird."

"So… you're afraid he's cheating on you, or something, boss?"

"Very funny, Kaoru. Seriously. It's just… we've always told each other everything, and now I feel like he's hiding something from me. I don't understand why."

Haruhi played with the grass in front of her, thinking. "Well, I'm sure he has a good reason for whatever it is he's doing. Kyoya-senpai may not be the most charitable guy, but I've never known him to do anything deliberately cruel. Especially not to you, Tamaki."

"You're right," Tamaki agreed, "But still, what sort of reason could he have for hiding something from me?"

"Maybe it's something embarrassing and he's afraid you'll make fun of him," Kaoru said.

"But I wouldn't make fun of Kyoya!"

"No… I suppose not."

"But we would," said Hikaru, grinning. He looked at his brother, who gave him a matching smirk. Then Kaoru caught sight of something.

"Hey, isn't that Kyoya coming back out of the dorm now?"

Everyone turned their heads to the main door of the building; Kyoya was indeed walking out, and moving in the direction opposite them. He was clothed in dress pants and a sharp dark button-down, and carried a small paper shopping bag in one hand.

The four remained silent until Kyoya disappeared into the swarm of main campus.

"He looks awfully dressed up to be going to a study group, wouldn't you say Kaoru?"

"Sure thing, Hikaru."

"Oh, come on you two," said Haruhi, "Leave the guy alone."

"But don't you see, Haruhi?" Tamaki held out his hands in a hopeless manner, "This is exactly the kind of thing I'm talking about." He paused in his rant. "Hey, what are you two conspiring over there!?"

Tamaki turned to the twins, who stopped suddenly in their whispering.

"Conspiring?" they said together, voices high-pitched with guilt. Haruhi couldn't help but laugh at them.

Hikaru put his hand to his heart, trying to look insulted. "Whatever gave you that idea?"

"But honestly," said Kaoru, "we have an idea, boss."

Tamaki managed to sound suspicious and curious at the same time. "Oh really?"

Hikaru looked at Kaoru. "What would you say…"

Kaoru looked at Hikaru. "To a little…"

And their grins grew to stretch across their faces simultaneously.

"Spying?"

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A/N: I didn't intend to write this. Honestly... I've been working on some things of my own lately when the idea struck out of nowhere and would. not. go. away. until it had been written. So, here we go. This ficlet has already been completely written, and will probably be broken into about four chapters. R & R is appreciated, and constructive criticism helps me out. Thanks!

Disclaimer: All characters are the property of Bisco Hatori. I'm just borrowing them, and promise to return them (eventually) in (more or less) the same condition I found them in.