Chapter I
The Grand Foyer was filled with guests. Women dressed in their cocktail dresses, gossiping about the latest scandals. Men laughing and placing bets on the next company to go bankrupt. Everyone mingled among themselves. Everyone was of higher class than her. Everyone looked at her with eyes that told her she did not belong. She greeted them back with a smile and a polite nod.
No one knew her name, or who she was exactly. However, the people in the gigantic room had a pretty good idea of what she was. Rumours spread like wildfire.
"She's a half-blood, you know," a woman dressed in a dark blue gown whispered to her group of friends.
"Quite obvious, don't you think?" a lady in red added and snuck a glance at the girl.
It made her wonder if people thought she was deaf or blind, like she couldn't see those scornful looks, or those stares of curiosity. She decided that it would be best if she left. It was getting stuffy. She was careful to sneak away without anyone noticing.
Anyone except for one. Kyouya noticed a figure quietly walking out of the large foyer. He looked around. There was no one left to mingle with; no one important to his standard, at least. His father and brothers were scattered across the room, probably placing bets or speculating over the next downfall of a company.
He quietly sneaked away as well, following the mysterious figure. Soon she found herself outside in the courtyard. Kyouya was drawn to her, something about her was inexplicable. She took her steps cautiously, as though she was afraid to make any noise despite the fact that it was only them. He put his mask on, and spoke.
"What is a beautiful lady like you doing out here?"
She stiffened. She wanted to be alone, she was sure no one was following her.
"Why can't I be out here?"
She turned around to glare at him with such intensity that he was lost in those deep brown orbs. It was clear his presence wasn't wanted. He cleared his throat and kept his cool.
"It is uncommon for a young lady like you to be walking outside at night especially in the way you are dressed…"
"Is it uncommon for someone to take a walk? I appreciate your concern, but you are unneeded here," she shot back. She was in a short black dress, stopping before her knees. Her hair was loosely curled, stopping at her shoulders. Her arms were crossed as she tried not to shiver.
Kyouya was surprised, but he wasn't the one to back down.
"Who are you, anyway?" the mysterious girl questioned.
"Kyouya Ootori," he replied. Ootori was a name known all around Japan, it would've been impossible for anyone to miss. Maybe a girl like her would think twice about speaking rudely to a man like him.
She thought for a moment, and her eyes lit up after realizing something. Kyouya smirked.
"Ah, you're in my class," she said.
Kyouya was absolutely sure he had never seen her before. He knew everyone in Ouran. It was impossible. He studied her. She had long black hair, dark brown eyes, with a small nose and thin lips... she wasn't particularly tall, but she was of average height. Not quite stick thin, but…
She walked away without another word leaving Kyouya with a question to ponder over.
Who was she?
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Headmaster Suoh," the girl said, and bowed 90 degrees to show her respect.
"Ah, yes, likewise Kaori Nakamoto," the Headmaster replied.
The Headmaster turned to the figure accompanying the young lady. The figure gave a nervous smile and introduced himself.
"Ryuuchi Nakamoto, CEO of the Nakamoto Corporation. I am her Uncle, and her guardian for her stay in Japan," the figure explained. He was dressed in a suit, with his hair graying and his wrinkles starting to slowly appear. Nonetheless, he looked quite young for his age.
The Headmaster nodded in understanding. He didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point. "What can I do for you today?" he raised his eyebrow. It wasn't often that someone would come see him, besides his son.
"Ah…well, you see…" Ryuuchi was embarrassed. He didn't know what to say in front of such an important figure.
"I have some conditions in order for me to attend the Academy," Kaori bluntly said in her Uncle's place.
"It's not…quite that necessary, I mean, she—"Ryuuchi was cut off.
"I will not wear the uniform, I will attend this school through a scholarship, and no one is to know I will be attending this school," Kaori finished.
"The scholarship isn't necessary, Suoh-san, I can pay for her tuition," Ryuuchi explained. "As for the uniform…if you would kindly excuse her from wearing it, that would be very much appreciated, she's quite stubborn you see…and…" he rambled on.
"Nakamoto-san, if she wishes to attend the Academy through a scholarship, I can arrange for her to take an exam and should she be deemed fit for the scholarship, she is more than welcome to take it. However, the uniform is a different matter," the Headmaster explained.
"Then I'll take the exam. I can take it now. If I am deemed fit for the scholarship, I would like the chance to negotiate with you about my other two terms," Kaori was determined to not wear those uniforms. She was determined to have things her way, for once.
"If you don't have the time right now, Suoh-san, it's fine…she doesn't have to take the exam right now, in fact it wouldn't be a hassle for me to just pay for her tuition…" Kaori's uncle rambled on again.
Kaori wondered how her Uncle was the CEO of a major corporation if he was such a pushover when it came to matters like this. She found it odd when she was told he was actually quite aggressive when it came to business deals.
But then again, Kaori was never close with her relatives, besides her father...and maybe her cousin.
"Class, please welcome a new student," the homeroom teacher said.
"Kyouya! Did you know about this?" Tamaki whispered to his best friend. He was ecstatic.
Truthfully, Kyouya didn't have any idea about the student. It didn't show up on his files, nor did his father mention anything about it.
"She is a scholarship student…" the teacher continued.
"A commoner? Another commoner, Kyouya! How exciting will this be! Now my little Haruhi will have a friend!"
Kyouya ignored the whispers of his friend, still curious as to who this student could be.
"Please come in, Kaori," the teacher finished.
A girl walked in with a plain hoodie and jeans and her books in her arms. She turned to the class and bowed.
"Hello, my name is Kaori Nakamoto, and I will be in your homeroom class for the year. Please take care of me," she finished monotonously.
"You make take the empty seat by Kyouya-san," the teacher said.
She made her way to the empty desk as everyone eyed her. As she sat down, Kyouya finally had a good glance at the girl.
It was her. The girl that had something absolutely inexplicable about her. Her long hair was straight and stopped mid-shoulder, her face was make-up less…
Kyouya finally had a name to go with the face. That didn't mean he had the answer to his question.
Who was she?
I'm not going to lie, I'm still not sure where I'm going with this. I hope you guys don't find this chapter confusing, or anything. It takes place before the previous chapter. I realize that this chapter could be boring, but anyway. Thank you to all the reviewers from yesterday. I was eager to write today thanks to you guys. But like I said, I'm not sure where I'm going with this, so...expect loopholes. I've never written anything like this before.