Disclaimer: I own nothing. Nothing, nothing, nothing.
A/N: Here's chapter two, from Kyoya's perspective. Remember, reviews are always welcome!
Devoid
Chapter 2
The eyes that looked up at him were empty. The twinkle of hope he saw in her eyes years ago just wasn't there anymore. No doubt that the events of the past few days had a part in that. Her father's passing must have taken much more out of her than she was showing.
"We haven't seen each other, let alone talk to each other since your graduation three years ago," she replied. "I didn't think you'd really care what was going on in my life."
She sounded so empty saying those words, yet he could detect a little annoyance as well. Kyoya couldn't help but feel pity for Haruhi, but he was also surprised that she was able to hide her actual feelings so well. He supposed it was normal though, after what she'd been through.
"Despite what you may think, we were all good friends in high school. Just because we all went our separate ways afterwards doesn't mean we wouldn't care. We did know Ranka too," he said to her. "I'm sure the rest of them would have showed up as well, if you would have let them know."
He was actually trying to sound consoling, but unfortunately it mustn't have come out that way. She showed a small pained expression for just a moment, but then it was veiled over again. He expected an insulting quip of some sort to come out of her mouth, but one never did. She just turned her gaze back to the floor of the car.
Kyoya took a moment to observe the girl sitting next to him.
Physically, she wasn't the girl he remembered. First of all, her hair had grown a little. Yes, it was still short, but not boyishly so. If it wasn't dripping wet from the rain, he could imagine it was styled in a bob type of hairdo. The black dress suit she wore was soaked and it showed off her noticeably now-womanly figure. The clothing clung to her curves and her developed bosom. He admonished himself inwardly for staring.
He cleared his throat and said, "My father has made me aware of your current financial situation, Haruhi. He's asked me to relay an offer to you."
"Kyoya, please meet me at my office. I have matters to discuss with you."
His father was never one to beat around the bush. He made sure to leave his own office right away, so not to keep his father waiting. As a matter of fact, he left as soon as he hung up the phone.
Though he gained his father's respect after the stunt he pulled during the Ouran Fair, Yoshio Ootori was still not a man to mess with. At least his father let him go his own route with his life.
After graduating Ouran Academy, he went on to study accounting, and unsurprisingly graduated at the top of his class at the University. Now he owned and ran his own accounting firm, though it still worked closely with Ootori Industries, only because of his shared surname. His father never meddled with him and his business—which meant that he was proud, and that he actually cared his son was doing well on his own.
When he got to his father's office, his father urged him to sit down. He had a serious expression on his face.
"Kyoya, son, how is business going?" he asked.
"Father, we are two busy men. Can we please cut this small-talk and get to why you called me over here?"
His father cleared his throat. "Business as always. Now then, do you remember your friend in high school, Haruhi Fujioka?"
Kyoya hadn't heard that name for a very long time. So needless to say, he became just a bit intrigued and nodded in response to his father's question.
"As you already know, the company has given her a full scholarship to the University. She is a highly motivated and high-ranking student. We're hoping to get our hands on her once she receives her certification as a lawyer."
This was all known information. Why was his father going off on this tangent?
"What is your point? You wouldn't have asked me here unless there was one," Kyoya told him lazily.
"You see… we've received some information about her performance at the University. She had asked for an extension for her final exams. Upon investigation, we found out that due to the death of her father…"
Kyoya perked up at his father's last comment. Death of her father? Ranka was dead? What happened? And why was he finding out this way?
"…she asked for some time off," his father finished. "Now Kyoya, I think it would be in our best interests to go pay our respects. It's only fitting. And…"
And?
"…this is the perfect opportunity for you, my son."
He was confused at what his father was implying. Kyoya gave his father a questioning look.
"I know that you've declined my proposal once before, but please, think about it this time. Miss Fujioka would be a good wife. With her smarts and her drive for success, she would be a valuable asset to our family. Yes, I realize that she is a commoner, but I am certain that she will be a success in the professional world," Yoshio Ootori explained with a serious glint in his eyes.
Kyoya was speechless. He couldn't believe that after almost four years he was bringing this subject up again. And especially at a time like this!
"Father, that is the most deplorable idea I've heard…"
He held up a hand to keep him from finishing. "It's just an opportunity to take advantage of, Kyoya. I'm not ordering you to do so. Though this is not the only matter I wanted to discuss with you. About Fujioka, that is."
"What is it?"
His father continued with, "Through my investigation, I found out her financial situation is highly unstable after her father's untimely death. Her father had left her with a sufficient amount of money, through a life insurance policy, that was enough to pay for the funeral, yet not enough for her to live off of for the next year."
After knowing Haruhi for as long as he did, he couldn't help but feel sorry for the situation she was currently in.
"I have a proposal to offer her. Since the company has been paying for her education, we also feel partially responsible for her welfare outside of school. It would not be in either of our best interests for her to be homeless," his father explained.
"And where are you proposing she stay?"
His father smiled. "After much thought, I've decided to offer her our family's vacant guest house for the next year. She would have her privacy, of course. Upon graduation, she would then move out of course. That is… unless you decide to make her your wife."
Kyoya grimaced at his father's bluntness. He just wouldn't let it go.
"Has she given you a positive answer yet?" Kyoya asked.
"I haven't asked yet. That's the favor I wanted to ask of you."
His eyebrows raised to contemplate what his father was asking of him. He would be seeing Haruhi after three years of no communication whatsoever to offer her shelter at his family's guest house, after her father's death. It was a ridiculous idea, and there was no doubt Haruhi would turn down the offer. She was too proud to take it. That was Haruhi Fujioka , after all.
Just as he was about to answer his father, his father held up his hand to keep him from talking.
"It might sound like a little too much for her, but it wouldn't hurt to ask. Again, I'm not going to order her into the guest house. If she feels she can live on her own, then so be it. But… I do think you should go pay your respects to her father. You did know him."
Kyoya knew his father was right. His eyes darted to the ground, knowing that he would be making a trip to see Haruhi Fujioka under the saddest of circumstances.
Yoshio Ootori stood up, signaling the end of the meeting.
"You should hurry to the cemetery, Kyoya. The memorial service started about an hour ago."
He had made it to the cemetery by the end of the service. Not wanting to interrupt, he sat inside the limousine at a distance, watching through the window. He watched as the small group of people gathered around the small grave dispersed, until Haruhi was the only one left standing there. He continued to watch her as she stood there, getting soaked by the rain that was falling. He would let her have that time alone with her father, though she would have probably caught a cold had he not ushered her into his limousine.
Now there he was, about to relay to her his father's offer.
"Let me guess," Haruhi said bluntly, "your father knows about my financial situation, and he'd like to offer me a handout."
He could hear the touch of disgust in her tone. As depressed as she was, she still never missed a beat.
"It is of my father's wishes that you stay at our family's guest house for the remainder of your time at the University. I wouldn't call it a handout, Haruhi," Kyoya told her calmly. "This comes purely out of concern for your welfare. I doubt it would be in your best interests, as a scholarship student, to be left homeless."
She looked up at him again. This time, she looked a little taken aback by what he just said, yet the veil of sadness was still visible through her subtle expression.
"Kyoya-senpai, what makes you think I'd be homeless? I have a job, you know. What's left of my father's insurance policy will help take care of the next few months. Don't you dare talk to me like I'm some destitute little girl who can't take care of herself," she told him, expressing her bubbling anger as best she could. She continued to stare at him for a second, and then looked down again. "Just take me home."
With that, he signaled the driver to leave.
It was exactly what Kyoya expected her to say. Sometimes, the girl could be too proud for her own good.
When they pulled up to her apartment, they sat in silence for a moment.
"You should take this with you."
He handed her his umbrella. She took it hesitantly.
"Thank you. It was nice seeing you again, senpai," she said and reached for the door, but before she could step out, he grabbed her hand. "What…?"
He slipped her his business card as he said, "Think about it. Weigh the pros and cons, if you have to. Just give it some thought." Then he let go of her hand.
"Goodbye Kyoya-senpai," she said as she left the car.
He watched as she made her way to her small apartment that she used to share with her father. When she was inside and he saw a light turn on through a window, he signaled his driver to leave.
To be continued...
