Haruhi has never been to Kyoya house and honestly it was his house she regarded with the most curiosity.
She had been to Hikaru and Karou's house once before so she knew they shared a bedroom. Taking a seat on one of their couches her eyes searched the room. The walls were painted a light blue and were bordered with crisp white edging. Their exquisite four-poster bed was dressed with deep green drapes edged with silver. Despite this, they had individual rooms for various activities. Hikaru had a giant sewing room, heaped with sketchbooks, male and female mannequins and layers of fabrics. Karou had a connecting room containing four large computers' that he could magically use all at once.
She could vaguely imagine how the other's bedrooms appeared.
Honey-senpai's room would be a bright pastel blue or green filled floor to ceiling with adorable stuffed animals made by his grandmother and multiple admirers' from the host club. In the corner next to the window, an industrial sized fridge would sit overflowing with cakes and sweets of all shapes and sizes. She shuddered, nauseous at the volume of sugar Honey-senpai probably consumes on a daily basis.
In her mind, Mori-senpai's room was a giant dojo. Large white sliding doors slid open to a larger room with the floor covered in tatami mats, no furniture or décor. Straight-forward and functional, very Mori-senpai. An adjacent room would lead to an outside courtyard. Pine tree would be dotted around the small area, flowering shrubs edging the walls and vegetable garden filling a corner of the yard. And of course animals everywhere!
Haruhi imagined Tamaki room arranged with lavish ornaments, souvenirs from the many countries' he has visited, photos of his friends, of us at host club events, of his mother…She had only seen one picture of Tamaki-senpai's mother, an A4 size photograph of her sitting on a bench by a large shiny black grand piano. A lavender shawl neatly wrapped around her, one side slipping down, revealing her slender shoulder, her hands were gracefully folded in her lap. Unusually, Tamaki's mother eyes were closed, her head slightly tilted toward the same exposed shoulder as if that small movement of her head had caused the wrap to shift, she was smiling radiating happiness. Haruhi could imagine that photo within a polished silver frame, edged finely with delicate flower buds. It would be the only object occupying the bedside table.
Huge double doors, (that she hadn't remember being closed) opened loudly and a beautifully dressed woman entered the room.
"You must be Haruhi-chan" the woman paraded over and clasped her hands.
It was not hard to guess she was the twins' mother; her eyes and the shape of her face mirrored the boys perfectly.
"I have heard so much about you dear. Hikaru and Karou love to speak about your little adventures together." she beamed.
"Mom" Hikaru started and rolled his eyes. Karou smiled.
Adventures? Haruhi thought to herself.
"It is lovely to meet you too Mrs. Hitachiin. I would like to thank you for…"
"Mrs. Hitachiin? Oh dear you can call me Yuzuha" Mrs. Hitachiin interrupted and waved a hand like she was waving the notion away.
"Come Haru-chan let me show you your dress" She skipped across the room like a schoolgirl.
The twins were grinning to each other as Haruhi followed Yuzuha quickly across the room. As the twins attempted to enter the adjacent room with them, their mother turned and scolded "Girls only!" and shut the door in the face.
The twins identical maids were already in the room waiting for her to arrive, Haruhi was suddenly very nervous.
"I love my boys with all my heart but I've always dreamed of helping a daughter get ready for a party." Mrs Hitachiin chuckled like she was helping Haruhi getting ready for a middle school dance.
The dress was brought out on a mannequin and before she knew it the maids had started undressing her to get ready for the fitting.
"You have such delicate features and beautiful brown eyes" Yuzuha maternally stroked the side of Haruhi.
Mrs. Hitachiin chatted to Haruhi while adjusting her gown.
"I'm truly sorry to hear about the loss of your mother dear and if you need anything do not hesitate to come to us" Yuzuha said this complete seriousness.
"Thank you, but I have been able to take care of myself" Haruhi looked down to where she was pinning something in the dress.
"Yes I know, I have been told many stories about you. It's the first time my boys have spoken so much about their friends, you must be very important to them. Haruhi watched silently as Yuzuha turned to look toward the closed door with a soft expression on her face. "Please take care of them" turning back to met Haruhi eyes. Haruhi couldn't help but notice again how much the twins looked like their mother, their eyes were exactly the same shade of amber. Looking at her, Haruhi could feel Yuzuha's love for her Hikaru and Karoua. Her friends were truly lucky to be apart of such a loving family.
"I feel like they are the ones taking care of me" Haruhi replied.
Kyoya arrived at the Hitachiin residence two hours before the party was due to begin. The tangerine light from the setting sun had started to filter through the large bay windows running along the entire right side of the room, a butler led him to where Hikaru and Karou were seated. The large drawing room was allocated at the very front of the house obviously used for small gatherings and dinner parties. Karou was playing on his laptop and Hikaru was pacing impatiently around the room, neither of them acknowledged him on entrance.
"Where is Haruhi?" Kyoya asked without greeting.
Both turned toward him.
"You're early." Karou stated, face neutral.
"We were going to bring Haruhi to your party, there was no need to come all the way here" Hikaru said irritated.
Kyoya walked into the drawing room and began methodically taking in his surroundings as he stopped before the bay windows.
"I was ordered to escort her personally to and from the event, she will be a guest of the Otori family" Kyoya replied coolly.
"Mother is fitting her right now" Karou explained.
Turning from the garden Kyoya looked at his watch trying not to appear agitated "Will she be much longer?"
"Not at all Mr. Otori, she is here" Mrs. Hitachiin entered through the main doors to the drawing room. Haruhi followed behind and all eyes widened.
Haruhi's dress could not be described simply as a dress but was a full-length ball gown. The halter neck dress was made of shimmering champagne chiffon, featuring a heart shaped strapless bodice with an empire silhouette that sailed down to Haruhi's ankles. The full skirt was designed to echo an opening flower, with soft pleats unfolding toward the floor, so as Haruhi walked the sparkles in the dress danced like the bubbles in a glass of champagne. The halter neck consisted of a choker with a sheer silk chiffon gathered in the centre and glimmering down to her waist, leaving her arms and upper back exposed.
Her chestnut hair had been blown dry so it sat in soft natural waves. Her fringe had he pinned with a simple straight gold clip allowing full view of her eyes.
Haruhi's make-up was very natural, her skin appearing smooth and flawless, a small hint of blush emphasizing her sweet demeanor and mascara to enlarge her chocolate eyes.
Kyoya was momentarily speechless; she was absolutely stunning he thought to himself. Unsure what to say to Haruhi he turned to Mrs. Hitachiin and say "You have out done yourself again Mrs. Hitachiin, it is a truly magnificent dress" he bowed politely.
"Magnificent dress? Is that all? Don't go overboard with your compliments Mr. Otori" Yuzuha said hotly.
Hikaru had finally managed to close his mouth.
"If there is any dancing tonight can I have the honour of a dance Haruhi?" Karou crossed over to her, bowed and kissed her gently on the hand.
"Yes me too" Hikaru raced over kissing her other hand. He glanced toward his brother annoyed he had beaten him to the punch.
"We must go Haruhi, there are things to attend to before the function" Kyoya spoke quickly and walked past Haruhi without a backward glance. Hikaru's retort and Kaoru's snicker were lost to Haruhi as she glanced towards the now empty bay windows. Roses were blowing softly in the breeze outside, their petals floating delicately into the air as the wind playfully tossed them through the air.
Is it twilight already? she acknowledged in surprise.
An abrupt sound of a car horn echoed through the drawing room were Haruhi was still left standing in the doorway of the slowly darkening room.