After I had slept on the idea I returned a few days later. I decided that perhaps it was in my best interest to take the offer. The more I worked and the harder I worked the better I would do.
I just assumed that working with such families as the Suoh Family, and the Hitachiin family would show that I had what it took to run my own business in the long run. But was there a deeper reason I had joined the host club?
Could it have been the strange yet familiar young Kyoya who had appealed to my better judgment and talked me into joining. I wasn't sure but I wouldn't allow myself to worry about such things.
Not when I had a bigger problem to worry about. My mother was getting sicker and my father was already struggling with the medical bills.
It was a few short months since I had come to terms with helping out the host club, although today I came to school a mess. It was clear I had not slept at all, and that I had no desire to even be in school today.
"Amaya... My goodness you look horrid," Tamaki said as I entered music room three. It was a comment he would soon regret making. I quickly backed him clear into a corner yelling at him for insulting me.
"Shut up you no good rotten rich little snob! I was up all night, I have not slept at all in over twenty four hours and even a stupid little pretty boy rich kid like you would look as horrible as I do," I yelled angrily.
"If you just spent the past twenty six hours in the hospital with little to eat or drink and sitting in a stiff metal chair you stupid jerk!" I yelled ranting.
I was venting my anger on Tamaki as I shoved him back into a couch and turned walking away grabbing my bag ready to leave already.
"Wait.. Hospital.. What exactly happened Amaya?"Takashi asked stopping me at the door grabbing my arm lightly. I could not believe my cousin was this dense, dense enough to actually grab me in the mood I was in.
"What happened! What happened! Ugh!" I growled in annoyance but took a deep slow breath trying to calm myself.
"Amaya come sit down and explain yourself. Why do you look like you just crawled out of your own tumbling world? Why are you in such a foul mood today when you are usually so polite and happy," Kyoya asked.
I took another deep breath before turning to see Kyoya holding his hand out lightly. I sighed taking his hand and let him lead me to the couch where I had shoved Tamaki.
As I sat down my cousin Mitsukuni had came up sitting beside me and holding out a piece of cake.
"When I am in a grumpy and bad mood cake always makes me feel better. And look it's strawberry too, so it's extra good for making you feel better," Hunny said happily.
I sighed and took the cake nodding faintly as I looked down staring at the cake like I was in space.
"We got a call from the hospital the other day. The doctor said my mothers condition has worsened. So I stayed at the hospital with her," I said looking down a little ashamed.
"I spent the last twenty six hours at the hospital with her until I had to come to school this morning. I couldn't eat. I didn't feel like eating knowing my mothers condition was worse," I said sadly.
"I wouldn't even leave her side until the doctor had me escorted by security to the cafeteria and made sure I at least ate a piece of pie and had a bottle of water," I grumbled feeling worse then ever.
"I couldn't sleep very well either. I sat in a small metal chair next to her the whole time and I am absolutely terrified of what might happen," I said.
I slouched down on the couch and tucked into the cake, wishing I could some how help my mother.
"Oh Amaya.. Are you ok? You should really rest," Haruhi said trying to be nice. I just shook my head a little.
"I tried. It is just to hard to rest at all knowing she is not doing well," I said softly. I felt arms wrap around me, turning I seen my cousin hugging me.
"I am sorry Amaya. I didn't know. Please forgive me," Tamaki said nearly crying now. I shook my head glaring at him.
"Fine just stop with the water works. I do enough of that on my own," I grumbled. I couldn't believe how nice the host club was being to me even though I had been so mean to Tamaki.
"Here you should really drink something. I am sure your mother wouldn't want you harming yourself because of her," Haruhi said handing me a cup of tea. I nodded faintly.
"Thank you for understanding Haruhi," I said as I looked down into the tea cup now.
"It's nothing really. I lost my mother when I was young so I can sort of understand what your going through now," Haruhi said with a soft nod.
I looked up a little shocked. I had been around everyone for months, yet I knew nothing about them, and now to find out that Haruhi had lost her mother when she was young made me feel stupid.
"I am sorry I.. I didn't know. I didn't mean to upset you," I said looking down again. Haruhi just smiled a little.
"It's alright. I understand. Alright boys we should let Amaya rest for a little while before our guests show," Haruhi said with a soft smile.
"Hikaru, Kaoru can you get Amaya some more suitable clothes so that she can change when she is ready. This way she will feel better," Tamaki said. I looked up a little surprised but seen the twins nod and disappear.
"You don't have to go through all this trouble," I said softly. Kyoya and Tamaki shook their heads quickly stopping me from saying any more.
"Your a member of the host club now. Yeah you may be a girl but still you are a member of the host club. As such we can't have you looking a mess now can we?" Tamaki said with a bright smile.
"I think what Tamaki means to say is as a member of the host club we can't allow you to go through this alone. We may not be of much help because we are spoiled no good rich kids as you say," Kyoya said coolly.
"The most we can at least do is help keep your appearance up, and make sure your keeping healthy," Kyoya said looking like he always did, like he was up to no good.
"Besides why would we want to leave you looking like you just walked out of a head on collision with Hunny senpai on one of his bad days when you have become quite popular with some of our guests?" Kyoya said smirking a little.
I looked up a little annoyed. Of course my cousin Hunny as they called him could make even the most beautiful person look a total shambled mess since he was so much better with his martial arts then I could ever dream to be.
But I should have known there was something in it for them. I hadn't thought about it because I was to upset, but of course the only reason they wanted to help was because they got something in return, more guests.
Although I could not say the same for Haruhi or my cousins. I could tell their intentions were just and true, that they were genuinely worried for my sake and well being so I brushed it off and just laid down on the couch to rest a little.
I took a few deep breaths using a deep breathing exercise I had learned from my mother to calm down. She had once told me it was also used for a lot of martial arts too. It didn't take long for me to fall asleep.
"You guys, she looks really worn down and exhausted. Can't we just let her rest today? I mean it couldn't have been easy sitting in the hospital like that for so long. I can understand why she is so tired," Haruhi said, looking to me as I slept.
"Don't worry Haru-chan. Ammy-chan is very strong. She can handle a lot even though she don't look it. That is why she was allowed to come to Ouran," Hunny said.
"What Mitsukuni says is true. Young Amaya is a very strong and and very capable young woman. She only came to Ouran for her mother and that will drive her and push her till she achieves her goal," Takashi pointed out.
"She will become a great woman in the near future. In some ways she will be much stronger then any of us could hope to be," Takashi said.
"Her mothers belief that she will be an amazing woman of power, a woman who owns and runs her own company. That belief will continue to push and drive Amaya onward no matter what the sacrifice may be for her," Takashi said.
Takashi took Hunny's blanket and covered me up like an older brother would his younger sibling when they fell asleep.
"It's just sad to think that she has to go through all this though. Clearly she is alone. I noticed that she doesn't mention her father much. Only her mother," Haruhi said.
"Yeah what is with that any way? Isn't her father around?" Tamaki suddenly asked. Mori nodded a little.
"He is but neither of the two are talking to one another. Her father is rather upset with her for asking the Morinozuka family to help her with her tuition. But she had every right to," Mori said calmly.
"She is after all still a part of the Morinozuka family even if she has a different last name," Mori said as he turned back to Tamaki. Haruhi nodded faintly.
"So then that must have been who she was arguing with on the phone that one day. It would explain why she spent the night at the hospital with her mother too," Haruhi said.
Haruhi sat down and suddenly fell silent. No one could think of anything else to say now as they all sat staring in different directions.
"Mori senpai. What if her mother were to get better or if they some how had a way to pay the medical expenses do you think things would get better for her?" Haruhi asked to break the silence.
"I believe it is possible that if that were the case she might not push herself so hard. I can't say things would be better because she would still be here fighting like she is now," Mori said with a faint nod.
I woke up shortly before the guests started arriving and changed into the clothes the twins had gotten me. I washed my face in the bathroom and even let Haruhi braid my hair before I stepped out.
"Wow Ammy -chan you look so pretty," Hunny said smiling and laughing happily. I shook my head a little trying to figure out how a normal blue and purple dress on me was pretty but shrugged it of.
"You look much better. Are you feeling ok to be with the guests?" Kyoya asked. I blushed a little but nodded faintly.
"Um.. Yeah I am alright. I can handle it," I said looking down a little. I was surprised that Kyoya was being so nice now even if it was only to help himself.
It was strange but the more time I spent around Kyoya the more comfortable I became around him.
It wasn't long after that day I had come in a total wreck that I had started turning to Haruhi and even Kaoru when things felt like they were beginning to get to be to much.
Kaoru and Haruhi had become my best friends and any time I felt upset they were there. I was a little happier knowing I wasn't completely alone.
I had come to school early again to work on a project I wanted to get done when I accidentally bumped into Kyoya.
"Oh.. Kyoya-kun. I am sorry," I said quickly as I bowed apologetically. I hadn't meant to walk into him, and he seemed rather irritated until I had apologized and he seen it was only me.
"Oh Amaya. I am sorry. I didn't see you are you ok?" He asked. He seemed a little out of it today but I nodded a little.
"Um yeah I am alright. I just came in to finish something that I have been working on that's all," I said as I looked down fidgeting a little. I felt bad for bumping into Kyoya.
"Oh the painting you have been working on?" Kyoya asked sounding more like Kyoya but only happier and more curious then usual.
"Um.." I started blushing deeply. I hadn't realized he had known about my project that I had been working on in the early mornings.
"Um yes actually. How did you know?" I asked looking down staring at a spot on the floor as I stepped back.
"Oh no, no don't be embarrassed. I had accidentally stumbled over it when I was taking care of a few things for the club. You are very talented with a paint brush. Are you going to start a career in art?" Kyoya asked. I shook my head quickly.
"Oh no.. No I couldn't. It is just a hobby, something that my mother loved to do with me. I am doing this for her. I am hoping it might help some how," I said quickly. Kyoya laughed a little.
"Amaya would you mind if I watched you this morning? I find it intriguing how you are so talented and it comes through so well in your painting," Kyoya said. I nodded a little as I looked up.
"Um ok. But Kyoya-kun can you keep this quiet for now. I don't want to be made fun of because of this," I said softly. I turned and walked down the hall to the art room where I kept the painting hidden in plain sight but knew it was safe.
I pulled the painting out, turning and ignoring Kyoya as I slipped my headphones into my ears so I could concentrate on my painting.
I listened to music many times before to help my concentration. I slipped my old painting clothes on and then went to work forgetting Kyoya was even there.
"She truly is amazing isn't she Kyoya?" The headmaster asked as he stood in the doorway. Kyoya looked up a little surprised but nodded.
"She is. I didn't think she would have such talent that she would keep locked away hidden from the world. How long have you known Mr Suoh sir?" Kyoya asked watching me. I twisted examining the painting for a moment.
"Oh a few months. It was shortly after she started coming to Ouran to be honest. I noticed she came in rather early. Earlier then any other students would want to," Mr Suoh said.
"At first I wasn't sure what she was doing here so early. I followed her here one morning and found her painting," Mr Suoh said shaking his head lightly.
"Of course she didn't realize I had seen her since she had her ears plugged with what ever she is always listening to on that little device of hers. I didn't see any problems with it so I just let her be," Mr Suoh explained.
"Why contain a beautiful free artistic spirit like hers when there is so much she could be doing. I am sure by now you know all about her mother since she has joined you and my son along with the rest of your club," Mr Suoh said.
"I have heard about her unfortunate circumstances. It seems a shame though that she would hide such talent away just because she wants to help her mother," Kyoya muttered to himself.
"Does she not see she can use this talent to help her mother?" Kyoya asked himself more then he asked the headmaster. The headmaster nodded faintly.
"I see you have already figured it out then. Well I have work that needs to be done. Do tell your father I said hello," And with that the headmaster was gone again. I finished the painting and smiled as I stepped back wiping my face a little.
"There all done," I said as I turned around and jumped a little seeing Kyoya sitting there staring. I took my head phones out and looked to Kyoya.
"Your still here? I thought you would have left by now," I said shaking my head a bit. Kyoya started laughing and at first I couldn't understand why.
"See I told you this was why I didn't want any body to know!" I yelled as I gathered up my things quickly. I turned to leave in a hurry but Kyoya caught my wrist gently to stop me.
"I am not laughing about that. You have paint on your face," Kyoya said laughing again as he sat back down and I froze at first.
"Amaya what if I told you that I could help you to get your mothers medical bills caught up with just your paintings right now till you finish school. Then when your done with school you can start your own business?" Kyoya asked calmly.
I stared at Kyoya for quite some time before I looked down quickly blushing.
"It's not possible. My paintings wouldn't be worth near enough to even start helping my mother," I said. I slipped my painting clothes off and was left with a clean school uniform underneath.
"Maybe to you they are not. But I know plenty of people that would gladly pay for the paintings. This one alone I could promise you would get at least thirty thousand yen if not more," Kyoya said seriously.
"Amaya with your talent I could make you rich and you could take care of your mother and father like you want so badly to do," Kyoya said looking a little more serious now. I took a deep breath but looked to Kyoya just as serious now.
"And what would you get out of all this. I am not exactly stupid Kyoya-kun. I've been around you and the host club long enough. I know you don't do anything unless you have personal gain from it. So what is it you look to gain?" I said.
I was a little harsher then I had meant to be but I knew Kyoya well enough to know he was looking for some sort of personal gain.
"Ah but Amaya that is just it. Could you imagine the amount of public interaction I will get just by representing you. Do you not see what it would do for me," Kyoya said smirking.
I stopped for a moment and then realized what it was he was saying. He was only looking for recognition to gain better favor in his fathers eyes.
"Very well. If you believe that you can help me get the money I need for my mother I will allow you to help me. You can have the recognition you desire. Fair enough deal?" I asked holding my hand out.
Kyoya pushed his glasses up and smiled as he shook my hand.
"Sounds fair enough to me. We both get what we want, we both go home happy. It's a fair deal," Kyoya said. Kyoya was shaking my hand when the door suddenly burst open and I looked up seeing a frantic Tamaki.
"Ah ha I knew it!" Tamaki squealed loudly. I jumped back a little in surprised but Kyoya just shook his head keeping a tight grip on my hand, it felt as though he was being careful not to hurt me.
"Amaya you have no reason to be afraid. Tamaki is loud and obnoxious but he wont hurt you," Kyoya said calmly. I nodded a bit and stood up strait as Kyoya released my hand.
"I knew it.. I knew it.. I knew it! I told you. You Kyoya have feelings for Amaya!" Tamaki shouted. I nearly collapsed hearing this. Kyoya didn't seem the type to have feelings for any girl. Everything about him seemed cold and calculated.
"That is not it at all Tamaki senpai. Really it's not. Kyoya-kun is just making a deal with me. He is going to help me out so I can take care of my mother. That's all," I said laughing a little more then I had meant to.
"Oh.. But my father said Kyoya was here staring at you like he was in love," Tamaki said sounding more sad then anything. I just started laughing again.
"Tamaki senpai he asked my permission to watch me finish my painting. He was only watching me paint, see," I said pointing to the painting as the rest of the host club came in now.
The painting was of a beautiful black haired woman wearing a long flowing white dress being tipped back by a tall handsome young man who was wearing a white prince like uniform.
The two were intertwined together romantically as though they were really two lovers dancing a tango and the young man looked like he was inches from kissing the young woman.
The background was a deep red rose as though the two figures were merely little jewelry box dancers dancing on a rose. I smile a little as the other host club members all stared.
"Wow Ammy-chan I didn't know you were so good at painting," Hunny said excited as he looked over the painting.
"It is really nice Amaya," Mori said as they both hugged me. I was a little happy that my cousins liked it.
"Wow it's beautiful," Hikaru said looking surprised.
"It's amazing how beautiful and real that looks. But where have I seen that before?" Kaoru asked. I shook my head a little nervously.
"No where. I just used my mother and father as inspiration is all," I said quickly.
"It is amazing Amaya. How could you not have told us before. Such gifts could be used greatly," Tamaki said sobbing now. Haruhi just laughed a little at Tamaki as she walked over.
"It is very beautiful Amaya. I am sure your mother would love it. You did say you used her as inspiration didn't you? She would be very happy for you," Haruhi said with a soft and kind smile. I nodded a little.
"I am glad you think so," I said looking to the painting.
"That's it. I remember now. It was the day you came to music room three when Tamaki senpai played the piano for you. It was the day Kyoya danced with you," Kaoru said turning with a grin.
"It's the exact same picture as that day!" Hikaru and Kaoru chimed together both grinning now.
"No it's not. It looks nothing like the two of them," Tamaki said as he tilted his head a little to better look at the picture.
"You two stop that. Your embarrassing Amaya," Haruhi scolded the twins before looking to the picture.
"The lady looks a lot like you Amaya. Is she your mother?" Haruhi asked. I nodded a little looking to Haruhi.
"When she was my age. She loved dancing then. And that's my father with her. They were happy together. He loved to dance with her in the kitchen all the time till she got sick and couldn't be home any more," I replied softly.
"I thought this painting might make her happy again. I have seen pictures of them together when they were my age but they didn't have any of them dancing," I said softly.
"It was their favorite thing to do but there were no photos so I decided to paint this. It wasn't until that day in the music room when Kyoya-kun was dancing with me that I came up with the perfect pose for them," I said quietly.
"It looks as though they are wrapped up in a romantic tango and with the loving look they always had together it all came together very well," I said staring at the painting now.
"The same loving look in their eyes can be seen in this photo. So I guess in some ways Kyoya-kun did give me some inspiration for it in a way. I am sorry I should be leaving now," I said quickly.
I grabbed my bag and ran out of the room in a hurry. Hikaru and Kaoru started laughing a bit.
"That girl is really funny. Really strange sometimes but funny," The twins said as they took a closer look at the painting.
"Kyoya senpai are you really gonna help her like she said you were going to?" Haruhi asked. Suddenly all attention went to Kyoya as every one waited for an answer.
"I intend to help her, yes. I of course will not go back on my word either," Kyoya said looking to the door way where I just ran out.
"What changed? She was fine a few minutes ago and then she just runs off again," Kyoya said looking confused.
"Actually Kyoya senpai. She did seem a little embarrassed because of Hikaru and Kaoru making fun of her," Haruhi said. Mori nodded a bit.
"You don't understand Amaya enough yet. The idea of having any kind of interaction with a guy can be intimidating to her," Mori pointed out.
"How ever to admit that it was you Kyoya who gave her the inspiration for how to place the two in the painting has embarrassed her," Mori said with a nod.
"She is not one to involve herself with young men of any age so I can only assume she is probably embarrassed by all of this, of even just the memory alone," Mori said as he stared at the painting in amazement.
"Yeah and since Ammy-chan has never even been kissed on the cheek by a boy other then her father she probably wont see any of us for a while now," Hunny said.
"She will be to embarrassed for a while because of it all," Hunny said with a slight nervous laugh as he turned staring at the painting now too.
