Hello! Firstly, I'd like to apologize for the choppiness of this chapter, as well of the short length. Since it's the first chapter, I had to cover some ground so the rest of the story can go smoothly. This would have been out earlier, but my computer deleted the first two drafts of this chapter .. It seems I'm always having computer trouble when starting my stories. And, I lost my laptop, which sucks.

Anyway, thanks for checking my story out, I really appreciate every alert, and review, I get. I'm not sure how In-Character Kyoya and Haruhi are in this chapter, and feel free to tell me if and when you do see it. I'm not sure when the next update will be, since school is almost over and all these finals are happening. Then I'm pretty busy all summer, and then more school... I'll try to make it happen as soon as possible. Feel free to say any flaws or perks, again, I appreciate it. I really am trying to improve and your input helps.

So, let's just say, for the story's sake, that summer is three months, instead of the customary one month in Japan (and the remaining two occurring in roughly three month intervals). What I'm planning is too much for one month. I really want to make you see Kyoya, Haruhi, and everyone else differently, to develop them and flesh their characters out, and a month just 'aint gonna cut it!

BTW: If anyone didn't realize, anything italisized is a flashback.

I'll try to keep ANs to a minimum after this point, but thanks for reading my rambling!

Please read, review, and enjoy. The disclaimer is in my profile, if you are questioning the lack of it here or my credibility as a FanFiction writer.

-Faithfully, Keira-Hime


"Haruhi, what are you doing this summer?"

"Dad wants me to go up to Karuizawa again—shouldn't you know that?"

"I do."

"Kyoya-senpai, is something wrong? You've been acting strange today."

The car glides across the road, hitting bumps as it passes out of Tokyo and into the Japan countryside. Kyoya balances his laptop on his thighs, though for once he is unsure what to do with it, and simply lets the heat seep through his jeans and scald his skin. Haruhi has long abandoned trying to read her book, a heavy volume on theories of law, and rests her head against the window.

"I have a headache," she mutters, silently pressing her fingers to her temple and massaging the skin. She says it to no one in particular, as she'd given up talking to Kyoya forty five minutes ago, after fifteen minutes of awkward small talk.

"If you want relief, you're not going to get it like that."

"How so? Or... not so?" Haruhi scoffs, pressing her fingers to her temple harder.

"Your fingers," he reaches over, lifting her fingers off her face and replacing them slightly to the left. "And you should go slower, too. You'll only cause more of a headache at that speed"

"Thanks," she replies. Her face contorts into a rigid smile, though she lets it relax into a grimace seconds later.

"We'll be in Karuizawa in about an hour and thirteen minutes," the cab driver says. Originally, Ranka was supposed to drive Haruhi, but a 'last minute commitment' came up and he ended up hiring a cab service.

"I wonder what Dad's doing now..." Haruhi ponders aloud, and Kyoya can't help but to think the same thing, as he remembers everything his father said, or more precisely, what he didn't: why.

"You need a place to stay—well, I think Misuzu is looking for some more help—he says the business has really picked up."

"Haruhi, I don't think I can intrude on your vacation."

"Intrude? I'm inviting you. Consider it a favor, after this year. You really helped me out this year, I don't think you know it."

"Under one condition, Haruhi: no one finds out."

"Oh, lovely!" Misuzu steps out of the pension, greeting Haruhi in a sweeping embrace. "Have you grown? Did you go up a cup size? Your hair looks so different—did you cut it? Highlights?" The transvestite rambles in his fraudulent feminine accent.

"Thank you for having me," Kyoya nods, as not to severly interrupt the reuinion.

"Kyoya, thank you. People were starting to wonder where the refreshing boys on the cover of our catalog was!" To demonstrate, Misuzu pulls a pamphlet out of a pocket of his apron, featuring a shot of the twins, Hani, and Mori eating breakfast with yellow letters on the top advertizing Pension Misuzu—Have A Refreshing Vacation! As Misuzu continued to pester and plod at Haruhi, Kyoya flips open the pamphlet. There is a picture of Haruhi in her apron, holding a bowl of watermelon in her hands and below it praise from websites, blogs, and anonymous satisfied customers. It summarizes the breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and tea menus, boasts about rooms and even claims free Wi-Fi, which Kyoya is amused to find a picture of him tentatively typing on his laptop. There are pictures of Tamaki playing the piano, Arai delivering produce, a couple haivng tea, and Misuzu himself serving customers.

"A catalog? Since when?" Haruhi looks over another one of the pamphlets.

"Your papa was the one who told me to—God knows I didn't want anything to do with it. 'No-Sir-ee' I said. But, look now, business is booming. I'm even considering expanding."

"Good advertizing," Kyoya nods, sarcastically chuckling.

"Yes, yes, I agree. I have a special room for the both of you! Your itineraries are perfected! But, for now, let's just unpack and relax—okay?"

"It doesn't really concern you, Haruhi."

"If the same thing happened to me, you'd know. I mean... I just want to know why..."

"I simply wasn't needed. Now, if you wouldn't mind, the car is waiting for us."

"Fine, senpai. Whatever you say."

"One room?" Haurhi gapes. "For the two of us?"

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. The place is packed, this was the only thing I could find on such short notice. There's a handy little divider here, though. And surely, enough space for the both of you."

Kyoya cautiously sets his laptop on the end table of his side, mute either from a loss of words or recognizing the lack of need for them. He chooses the side farthest from the door, knowing Haruhi has already claimed the side nearest to the door and bathroom.

"I was just hoping for some personal space," Haruhi says irritably.

"I know... When something opens up," Misuzu blindly promises. Haruhi grumbles something incoherent.

"Well, I'm going to unpack," Haruhi says. "And I'd appreciate being left alone, if you wouldn't mind," she tries to politely nod Misuzu out of the door, guilt ridden. "And that means you, too," she mentions to Kyoya, less compassionately, and slams the divider against the opposite wall with a smack. "And don't you dare come out until after I'm done."

She begins rummaging through her suitcase, picking out the more embarrassing of garments to go in first, such as the frilly bras her father bought her after she said her training bra felt tight, and the matching panties. Grateful the bathroom is on her side, she loads the cabinet with her... feminine hygiene products, hiding them with shampoo bottles and soap. She almost pukes when she sees her dad has replaced her comfortable pajamas with nightgowns and babydolls, and some of her perfectly functional clothing with frothy blouses and dresses, plus those horrible pair of bejeweled jeans that draw way too much attention to her backside. Nevertheless, she packs them neatly into the patina sodden dresser.

"Alright in there, Haruhi?" Kyoya mocks, hearing her banging and muttering.

"Just fine, thank you," she folds the remainder of her clothing into the drawers, throwing a hairbrush, deodorant, and—perfume (when did that get there?), on the top of her dresser. She opens the divider to see Kyoya has done the same, except, perhaps, he was a little less flustered. He's changed into a vest that's first buttons are undone, and black Bermuda shorts with chains in the belt loops.

"I could have been changing, you know," he smirks.

"You know, I don't consider it a sign of gratification when you poke fun at me."

"I wasn't asking you to."

"Look," Haruhi says, though no words come out of her mouth.

"Yes, Haruhi?"

"I... think I forgot something at home. I'm going to go to town and get a replacement..."

"Hmm," Kyoya reclines on the bed, picking up a book from his side and flipping to a bookmarked page. Haruhi walks out, grabbing a small purse on her way out. Some time later, someone joins him.

"...Kyoya?" It is Misuzu, the apron haphazardly fixed on his chest. "I think we have to talk. About Haruhi..."


"Hello, I am the review button. I am calling you to me, I want hugs and such~"