A.N.: Hello everybody. It took me a little while to post, but here's chapter 3 out of 4! Thanks to everyone who's reviewed-here's an internet cookie for you *hands out said cookies.*
Disclaimer: I don't own Ouran High School Host Club-which might be fortunate because I'm a tad evil, and stuff like this would actually happen to them. ^^"
Kyoya remained in the hospital for the next two days ("Just in case"), before finally being allowed to return home Wednesday morning. The stay had been uneventful, but at least when his friends had come by after school Haruhi had had the sense to bring his homework for him. Kyoya had grappled with the idea of telling the doctors only to allow family to visit him, but ultimately he had decided against it. Not only did he need his assignments, but Tamaki would have thrown a fit if he'd been ignored for any longer. By some unspoken agreement they hadn't mentioned his illness beyond Kyoya's warning them not to let any of their classmates know.
The car that brought him home was full of his personal guards- none of his family could spare the time to come. This wouldn't have been an issue at all if Tachibana and the others weren't so obviously trying not to be over-emotional, which made for a very uncomfortable trip. Surprisingly his eldest brother met them at the manor, but only for the one day, he explained, and he was using the opportunity to go over a few things with father.
His little brother being diagnosed with cancer was an "opportunity". Kyoya couldn't help but find that not only ironic but amusing-he supposed it was for this reason that the man had shown up at all. His father was just as dispassionate ("This is your third day missing school, Kyoya, I won't tolerate you falling behind"), and as Fuyumi had reluctantly returned home to her family Kyoya's welcome home was hardly what one would call "comforting". His family avoided him for work- not a surprise, nor a concern- and he avoided the overly-emotional servants-annoying, and precisely why he wanted to keep this a secret from the other students.
The next day at school Kyoya found himself automatically greeting the usual repertoire of influential sons and daughters, remembering only as he took his usual seat beside Tamaki that this wasn't necessary anymore. Still, it might make people suspicious if he suddenly threw aside his usual façade, so for the time being he might as well keep it up.
"Kyo-kun! Daddy's had a great idea!" Tamaki exclaimed, sitting not in his own desk but atop Kyoya's. "After exams this week we should go to Kyoto!"
"You do remember that Kyoto is not "Japan's wonderland", correct?" The other reminded, not even glancing up as he laid out his study materials on his desk.
"Ah, right…" For a moment he seemed daunted, but then that idiotic grin had returned. "Then we'll go to the real wonderland! I bet Haruhi's never been to an amusement park. I wonder if she's afraid of roller coasters…"
A dreamy look passed over his face, thoughts no doubt filled with fantasies of the young girl and himself sharing cotton candy or going through the tunnel of love or some other nonsense. No doubt the entire trip would involve various attempts at romance with Haruhi- whether these attempts were initiated by the twins or by Tamaki would be anybody's guess- yet Kyoya found himself actually considering the idea.
He had no interests in amusement parks, but if he found a way to incorporate the host club into the venture they could no doubt make quite a bit of money. There would also be a few good photo opportunities, and the club wouldn't even have to worry about the expense of cosplay-the park would be enough to keep the customers visually entertained. And, almost as importantly, he could see why Tamaki was doing this. Kyoya didn't doubt there would be another invitation, and another weak excuse behind it, as soon as this potential trip was over.
"…Thank you, Tama." He said at last, cutting off a stream of Haruhi-related babbling he'd tuned out entirely.
The host King froze mid sentence, blinking in surprise. "Huh? For what, Kyo-kun?"
"You've come up with a good idea for once, that's all." He couldn't resist smiling at the bewilderment, whether feigned or not, in his friend's expression, and rather than give him a chance to continue the conversation he turned back to his earlier task.
You really are an idiot, Tamaki.
The exam results came out a week after the testing was complete, and most of the school was stunned by the results.
The top of class 2-A had been Tamaki Souh.
It wasn't just the fact that Tamaki had scored higher than Kyoya, but that nearly everyone else had too. Nobody could believe what they were seeing at first, and even the teachers were convinced that they must have made a mistake in their grading. Eventually one of them called Kyoya in for a conference, showing him his test and asking if somebody had changed the names as some form of prank.
"No, that's mine." He hadn't so much as glanced at the paper, and the teacher hesitated, the offending test still held out for him to take. "I wasn't paying attention during the examination." The same answer he'd given to countless peers already.
"Well, there is always the possibility of retaking the exam-"
"No, thank you." Kyoya said firmly. "If that is all?"
The man seemed flabbergasted, his horn-rimmed glasses had fallen askew without his noticing. "Well… all right, you may go. You know we will have to call your father?"
"Of course. Goodbye, sensei, I will see you tomorrow."
And he exited the room, well aware that his father would answer any call from the school. Surprisingly he didn't dread the meeting that was bound to take place soon- he had made his decision, and Yoshio could accept it or not.
The latter seemed the most likely from the moment he returned home that afternoon. The older man was waiting for him in the entry hall, which had never happened before. He was also showing a definable emotion for once, though Kyoya wished he would have expressed another one- anger wasn't flattering on anybody.
"I received a call from Yuzuru today. He expressed concern for your health, and told me that you received one of the lowest marks on the end of semester exams for your grade level. He seemed to think you might be depressed." His said in a voice strained by suppressed fury. "What happened?"
"…I lost focus during the test." Kyoya responded, careful to keep his expression neutral.
"Yet you refuse to re-take it." Yoshio countered, glaring as if expecting his son to deny the fact. "I told you there was no excuse for falling behind in your studies. You cannot damage the Otori name like this just because you're-"
"Dying?" The dark haired boy suppressed a smile as Yoshio blanched, apparently taken aback. "You taught me, father, to never do anything unless there was profit in it for me, to weigh the consequences of an action before performing it, and when it comes down to it there is no longer anything to gain out of excelling in my classes. I can benefit from allowing Tamaki to succeed, however. As the top student he stands a higher chance of being accepted by the Souh Pesident."
"And what good does that do you?" Yoshi demanded after seething in silence for a moment, looking for all the world like he was about to hit Kyoya.
Simple, father. Because he's my friend, and for once I can give him something. "Tamaki organized a trip to a theme park he enjoyed two weeks ago, and by bringing the host club's customers the club was able to earn a profit." He explained methodically, finding he enjoyed the feeling that he was, for once, lecturing his father as opposed to the opposite. "Tamaki and the others were enjoying themselves thanks to the atmosphere, and behaved in a way that put the customers in a good mood and encouraged more to return the next day we held club activities. Helping him succeed within his family should have similar effects. Another benefit of my decision was that my allotted study time could be used to focus on the Host Club."
"Why such an obsession with this frivolous hobby?"
Because the Otori family would never be "his legacy". The Host Club could be. Because he wanted the Host Club to remain a part of Ouran, and he wanted it to be well known that he was behind its success. Because if anything happened to that "frivolous hobby", his friends would be devastated.
"The club will fall apart once I'm gone if I don't do my best now."
"That's idiotic." Yoshio spat, clearly debating whether or not he should strike his son, whether the servants were watching or not. Then again, one of those servants was making it very obvious that he was watching, and Tachibana wouldn't allow even him to harm his charge. "Why bother with such an eccentric thing?"
"Why?...Ah," Suddenly Kyoya smiled, a genuine smile that took the older man by surprise. "That would be for "emotional profit"."
The majority of Kyoya's half-year break was spent, less reluctantly than usual, in company of the host club at a variety of ridiculous tourist traps throughout Japan. He might have resented being asked to waste his time so often if he hadn't used the chances to grill Haruhi in the management of the host-club.
"Kyoya-senpai, why are you teaching me these things and not Tamaki?" Haruhi wondered. It was the first day of the second term, and her first chance to really assist in the running of the club.
"There are multiple reasons for that." Kyoya explained without glancing up from his work. "One being that Tamaki is too eccentric- he has no mind for budget. The second is that you will be here for another three years and can continue the Club. And lastly, you want to get as much experience dealing with people as possible so you can succeed as a lawyer, correct? Well, this might help."
"A-ah…right. But…" She hesitated for a moment, frowning at the list of expenses he was going over. "I have no idea what rich people like."
"Well, then this will help you learn." He replied brightly, amused by her obvious discomfort. "It's time to greet the customers, your costume is already waiting for you, so hurry and change."
Understandably the idea did not seem to appeal to her, though Kyoya had no sympathy for her annoyance. Today's theme-Ancient Rome of all things- had been unpopular with everyone but Tamaki, who had suggested it. Still, the outfits, though expensive, were bound to appeal to the romanticized notions held by Ouran's students. The twins in particular would be in their element.
"Ah, the parts of Romulus and Remus are perfect for you!" Once the girls arrived Kyoya's suspicion was immediately proven by their constant squealing and star-struck expressions. "The two brothers raised by a wolf who eventually founded Rome, right?"
Hikaru, decked in a fur-trimmed tunic, grinned. "Correct! They had no company other than each other, but I'd be fine with Kaoru. Even if I have to live among wolves it's bearable if we're together."
"Hikaru…" Kaoru stared up at his twin with an expression so sickly sweet it was remarkable that none of the fangirls saw through it. "But, in the legend, Romulus killed his brother…"
"I would take my own life before yours, Kaoru!"
"Ah, Hikaru…"
Kyoya shook his head and turned his attention away from the twins as their audience burst into another round of "kyaa"ing. Not far away a few girls stood watching him, first years looking very nervous in the unusual atmosphere. No doubt his warrior's garb was doing little to relax them.
"K-Kyoya-senpai… Um… everyone looks so cool in their cosplays…" The boldest of them whispered, as her friends cheered her on rather obviously.
How childish. "I'm glad you think so. I'll be uploading pictures on our website tonight, so be sure to check if you want to pre-order the album." He smiled welcomingly, making a mental note of their shyness. Better keep them away from Tamaki and the twins until they were more comfortable. "In the mean time, would you like anything?"
The girl blushed beet red, shaking her head and then nodding before shaking her head once more. He sighed inwardly and smiled again, "Take a seat, let me bring you some tea."
"Th-th-thank you." The girl exclaimed, turning even redder still as her friends giggled anxiously in the background.
"Of course, I'll be right-" Kyoya broke off, his stomach churning with nausea. "Be right back…"
He winced, hand flying to his mouth in a vain attempt to suppress the urge to vomit. The girl spoke, asking him what was wrong, but he ignored her. Got to get out of here. He staggered past the girl, wanting to get away before he was sick, but only managed a few steps before falling to his knees and throwing up into one of the club's potted plants. The girl was shouting for one of the other members, and somebody was already at his side. He attempted to stand to find out who and almost immediately collapsed from a sharp pain in his abdomen, his head hitting the tiled floor with a dizzying force.
"Kyoya!" Tamaki shouted, his footsteps echoing as he crossed the room. A few seconds later he had joined the other-Haruhi, he saw now- at his friend's side, the two hosts appearing as little more than blurs. "Kyoya, are you all right?"
It was just one word, why was it so hard to respond? "No." He had meant to sound harsh or annoyed, but was mortified to hear a weak, shaken whisper.
"Th-the hospital, we'll- Mori-senpai! Call-"
"No!" Kyoya gasped from the pain of speaking firmly, the pain that wasn't going away. "They can't... do anything." Tamaki and Haruhi were falling out of focus, and the gathering girls behind them were little more than a yellow blur. Stay awake dammit. Take me home, not the hospital. "Home", however, was all he managed to say. Don't faint, not here. Someone, probably Takashi, was picking him up. He tried to protest, but he couldn't even move, his stomach hurt so badly. They'll all know now. Everything was fading, and all he could see was black.
A.N.: Not entirely sure what to say here. I wasn't too happy with this chapter-I had some more things I'd like to have added, but they didn't really fit in well and I couldn't think of a way to include them. Ah well, one more chapter to go! Reviews are always welcome!:)