twentynine
Chapter Three
Secrets
A/N: Bonjour, dear readers! You may or may not be wondering why this fanfic is named "twentynine" of all things. I assure you that it has a meaning, but it's a bit obscure so if you've guessed it at this point, I'll be pretty amazed. Anyway, I'll reveal the meaning at the end of this story but I'll give out a couple good hints along the way in case any of you actually care.
IMPORTANT: I have this story completely planned out, and it's definitely going to be a slow burn. If you like the action to happen quickly, this may not be the story for you (but you should keep reading it anyway because there is no certainty in life).
This chapter contains some point of view changes, and since I'm writing in limited perspective it might be a little confusing. To clear things up, I'll indicate whoever's point of view it's in after the scene change marker. For example, if I was changing to Pope Francis's POV, it would look like this:
XXIX
Pope Francis
If there's no name after the scene change marker, you can just assume that it's in the same point of view as the scene before it.
Just a reminder, since Ariel doesn't speak Japanese yet, the majority of the dialogue will be in English. If someone is speaking in Japanese, their words will be in [brackets], and Ariel will most likely have no idea what they're saying.
Disclaimer: I don't own OHSHC, the Ramones, or the Sex Pistols. Like, at all.
Whew, that author's note was more than half a page! How come I can't write this fast for school essays?
XXIX
Dear Aurora,
I'm sorry that today's letter is so short, but my laptop is about to die and the charger is broken. I'll write you as soon as I get a new one.
It's weird, but ever since what happened before I went to Japan, my memory of your death is gone. I can't even remember what I said in my testimony. Akito would just say I'm repressing the memory, but if I am, I'm not doing it consciously. I haven't told him because I don't want him to worry - and I don't want him to try to help me remember. It's selfish, I know, but I don't want to remember my sister's death. You get it, right?
Your sister, Ariel
XXIX
Ariel
Honestly, thank God for Saturdays. I don't know what I would do without them. People can argue their Fridays and Sundays all they want, but Saturday is truly the best day of the week.
Today is one of those glorious Saturdays, specifically Saturday, September sixth. I've been lounging around the Ootori's expansive library all day, confined to the English section (which is quite a bit larger than I would have expected, being that the Ootori family doesn't have an ounce of European blood). Originally I was looking for English translations of several books I need for Language Arts, but having found only two of them, I've just been meandering around the library picking up whatever book catches my fancy.
Come to think of it, I should probably try to find the books I need. I pick up the bright yellow sheet of paper that lists the required reading for the semester and study it carefully. Thankfully, my teachers make English copies for me of whatever handouts they give to the class, but my language arts teacher neglected to tell me where I could actually find the books.
The Ootori's private library has a pretty good collection, but the only books I've found so far are The Complete Haiku by Matsuo Basho and I am a Cat by Natsume Soseki. The other two I need are Fires on the Plain by Ooka Shohei and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami, but I've looked for quite a while and I haven't seen them.
I suppose a German translation could work - I'm half German and had to learn it growing up, so I'm fairly fluent - but this library only has about two shelves of German books, all by German authors. I briefly consider looking for a French translation, then abandon the idea. I may be able to hold a conversation in French, but I certainly can't read fine literature in the language.
There's nothing left to do but go to a bookstore, but where would I even find a bookstore that specifically carries English translations of Japanese books? I guess I have to ask one of the people who lives here. Akito left for his university on Friday, so that leaves Yoshio (who is not an option, he's way too intimidating), Akito's older brother (who I've never met), Kyoya (the Shadow King), and Fuyumi. I guess I could also ask one of the servants - they're probably more likely to know anyway.
One of the maids that I ordered tea from a while ago knocks at the heavy doors of the library. Wow, that's pretty damn convenient. "Yeah?"
Instead of the maid I expected, it's Fuyumi who opens the door, carrying the tray of what I assume to be my tea. "Fuyumi? What are you doing here?"
"Ariel! I heard you'd been cooped up in here all day. Aya told me she was bringing you your tea, and I said I'd take it instead so I could check up on you."
I frown, though more in confusion than anything else. "Oh. You didn't have to do that. I was just looking for some books I needed for school."
"That's good, then. Very studious of you. Did you find them?"
"Yeah. Well, I found two of them. There were two that I couldn't find English translations for, though. Do you know if there's a bookstore or a library around here that would carry that kind of thing?"
Fuyumi shakes her head. "No, sorry. Although… is that the list?" She reaches toward the yellow paper on the chair where I was sitting earlier.
"Hey, the tray-" I try to warn her, but it slips out of her hand before she hears me and crashes to the floor. "Fuck!" I jump out of the way of the splintered glass. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, sorry?" she breathes, still staring in shock at the debris of the fancy glass tray and fine china tea set that are now in pieces across the library floor.
"Here, move back a little bit. Broken glass can be pretty sharp." I take her elbow and guide her back to a safe distance.
"Oh, my- I'm sorry, Ariel! I'm not usually so clumsy."
"It's fine, it's fine. No use crying over spilled milk."
"Oh dear," she sighs. "Aya!"
The maid appears seemingly from nowhere, a mysterious phenomenon that I have seen several times but have yet to understand. "[Yes, Ootori-sama?]"
"[Could you please clean this up?]"
"[Of course, Ootori-sama.]"
Aya begins to clean up the mess and Fuyumi snags the list of books from the chair. "Fires on the Plain and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle?"
"Yeah. I need The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Monday, so I thought I'd go out on Sunday to get it."
"Hmm. I don't know about that one, but I think Kyoya may have Fires on the Plain in his room."
"An English translation? Why would he have that?"
"You never know with that boy." Fuyumi wrinkles her perfectly shaped brows together. "He's always trying to learn something. But I'm sure I've seen an English copy somewhere in his room when I was trying to clean up his bookshelves the other day."
"Could you show me there? I don't know where it is."
"You've never been to Kyoya's room?"
"No, why would I… never mind." I pick up the two books and the list and follow after Fuyumi.
Before we leave, Fuyumi turns back to Aya. "[Could you be a dear and send some more tea up to Kyoya's room?]"
"[Of course,]" Aya replies and Fuyumi leads me out of the library.
I have no trouble keeping up with Fuyumi because she and I are about the same height. As we walk up stairways and past locked doors, I keep a careful note of the path to Kyoya's room because-
Wait, why? Why do I need to know where Kyoya's room is? We're not even friends. I mentally slap my cheeks. Pull yourself together, woman. Thinking the guy is hot does not mean you need to know where he sleeps.
The first thing I notice in Kyoya's room is that it's freezing cold. Fuyumi pulls her cardigan closed over the soft blue dress she's wearing, but my attire - a Ramones shirt and plain gray shorts - offers me no relief.
"[Tamaki!]" she calls down to the lower level where someone who definitely isn't Kyoya is sitting at some kind of blanketed table.
He looks up at us as we descend the stairs. "[Fuyumi! And…]" He tilts sideways like a puppy as if trying to discern where he's seen me before.
Oh! It's that guy from the host club! The 'king', he called himself. I remembered his sickeningly sincere smile and the way he called me princess. Ew.
"We've met before, haven't we, princess? What are you doing here? Have you come to see Kyoya?" More ew. Do I look like a stalker?
"Yeah, I was at the host club that one time. I actually live here. And my name's Ariel, so there's no need to call me princess." I extend a hand to him, more comfortable than I was at school in that awful uniform now that I'm wearing my standard outfit of band merch and ratty denim.
"You live here? With Kyoya?"
"In a house on the property, actually. I just came in here to look for a book that Kyoya has in his room." I glance towards the bookshelf, which houses a surprising variety of books - all of which are strewn haphazardly on the floor or stacked on the shelf. Funny, I thought of Kyoya as the meticulous type. "Fuyumi, did you say you were trying to clean this place up? I can see why."
She covers a charming smile with her hand. "I think I may have done more harm than good. I was trying to organize Kyoya's books, but I suppose I'm not much of a housekeeper."
Wow, Fuyumi made this mess? I think to myself. Who'd've thought such a perfect lady would have this kind of quirk? I guess growing up with a dozen maids at your beck and call would kind of limit your ability to do things yourself.
Fuyumi fishes through one of the piles and emerges with a worn copy of Fires on the Plain. "Here!" She hands it to me with an expression that could be described as nothing less than victorious.
"Thanks." I take the volume and settle down at the blanketed table across from Tamaki and tuck my feet under my butt to conserve warmth - only to discover that I don't need it, because under the blanket the table is surprisingly warm and toasty. "How come this table's so warm?" I ask no one in particular.
"It's a kotatsu," Tamaki replies brightly. "A traditional piece of Japanese furniture with a heater underneath to keep a family warm during the cold winter months."
"Is that why you turned the heat down in here? You wanted to use the kotatsu?" Fuyumi asks.
"Yes, I wanted to share it with Kyoya, but I've been waiting for a while and he hasn't come back." I can practically see Tamaki's puppy ears droop down and his tail stop wagging.
"Hmm, I'm not sure where he's gone…Perhaps somewhere with Otou-sama? In any case, he should be back soon." Fuyumi taps her chin delicately. "I guess I should probably be leaving. Otou-sama will reprimand me if he sees I'm here and not with my husband.
"Oh, you're leaving?" I look up from where I was flipping through the book. "Bye, then. Thanks for helping me find this."
"Goodbye Ariel! And Tamaki, we should have instant ramen next time." She ascended the stairs and left me pondering her last comment.
"Fuyumi likes instant ramen? And you like it too?" I asked Tamaki.
"Commoner's fare is really quite exquisite! Have you ever eaten instant ramen?"
"Yeah, of course. I just didn't really think it was the kind of thing you two would enjoy. I mean, it's not really fine cuisine, is it?"
"Perhaps not, but it provides a bit of insight into the way commoners live, which is a valuable lesson for those as fabulously wealthy as Fuyumi and I! Now that I think of it, you're attending Ouran, aren't you? What family do you belong to?"
"I'm the heir to the Amsel line." How many times am I going to say those words throughout my stay here?
"Ah, really? I believe our families have done business in the past."
I'm really not surprised. There's a saying in our family that every successful business in the world owes a debt to the Amsels, and while that's an exaggeration, it still rings true in many cases. "You're the Suoh's heir, right?"
He leans back and gives me a wry smile that looks strange on his princely features. "I suppose, yes, I'm the heir. The heir presumptive." His expression is almost a little sad, or perhaps regretful.
I try to remember what exactly 'heir presumptive' means. It's something about the position of heir being uncertain, but I can't quite remember the specifics. As an heir myself, I should probably know these things, but I've been second-in-line to inherit the Amsel name for the majority of my life with no desire to overtake my older sister. I only became the heir apparent a few months ago when Aurora- when she-
When she died, you fucking baby. She's been dead for months and you can't even think the words? In a few years you're going to graduate and take everything that was ever meant to be hers. Get the fuck over yourself.
I know my mental self-abuse is unhealthy, but it's been a habit for years that I just can't quite shake. It's the only way I can steel myself when I want to be weak.
Tamaki senses my discomfort and tries to change the topic. "You're a transfer student, aren't you? Why did you move here? And why to the Ootori's estate? Don't tell me… you're arranged to be married to Kyoya!" He pulls back and makes a face like I stepped on his tail. "Why did Mommy keep this a secret from Daddy?!"
"Wait, what? I'm not gonna marry Kyoya, jeez! And who the fuck are Mommy and Daddy?"
"A proper young lady shouldn't use such crude language!"
"Do I look like a proper young lady to you?" I growl. "Who are Mommy and Daddy?"
Tamaki looks close to tears at this point. "I'm Daddy and Kyoya is Mommy…"
Is it me or does Tamaki's mood change like a light switch? "Are you two… like… together?"
"Together?"
"Y'know, in a relationship."
He looks confused again. "Kyoya is my best friend."
"So… you're just friends? What's with the Mommy and Daddy then?"
"The Host Club is like a family! Kyoya is Mommy and I'm Daddy, those shady twins are our sons, and Haruhi is my beautiful daught- ahaha, my darling son also! Haruhi is certainly a very manly gentleman, isn't he?"
"Uh, yeah I guess." I feel like I'm missing something here, but I'm not quite sure what it is. "What about those two other guys, the tall one and the really short one? Are they in your 'family'?"
Tamaki looks relieved for some reason. "I suppose they're… neighbors?"
I guess it's kind of cute, how he's made his club into a little family. Normally I'd think it was lame, but Tamaki kind of makes the whole 'moody puppy dog' thing work for him. I mean, if he hadn't opened his mouth I'd still want to bang him like a screen door in a hurricane (whaaat? Tamaki Suoh is many things and unattractive isn't one of them) but now that I've actually spoken to him… he seems like the kind of guy who'd be a good friend.
Oh my God. When did I get so sappy? I need to play some Sex Pistols and wear something leather to regain my tough punk-rock exterior.
Someone knocks at the door. Kyoya maybe? No, that's not right - no one would knock at their own door. Probably a maid or something.
"I'll get it," Tamaki says, and he returns a few moments later with a tray of tea. I pour myself a cup and heap in the sugar to the point where I'm sure Tamaki is giving me weird glances. It tastes like something herbal, maybe chamomile. I'm not usually much of a tea person, but since now I live in Japan I'll just have to get used to it. Tamaki helps himself as well, and I'm glad for the casual atmosphere between us because formality has never been my strong suit.
"Is your hair color natural?" he asks me.
It's a common question, but I'm still never 100% sure how to answer it. "Yeah, I guess." I twirl one of the short ruby-red strands between my fingers. "It's naturally a kinda like, auburn-y red and I use a toning conditioner to make the red part stronger."
"It's very beautiful," he says without a trace of dishonesty or any ulterior motive. Damn, this guy's charming. Just a while ago I was disgusted by his obvious flattery, but now I'm starting to see why so many girls come to his club.
We make small talk for a while until I find my eyelids getting droopy. The sugar in my tea isn't doing its best to keep me awake, while the chamomile is working towards an opposite motive. As Tamaki picks up one of the volumes from Kyoya's desk to thumb through, I can feel myself heading to dreamland…
XXIX
Kyoya
I shrug the thin grey coat from my shoulders when I enter my room and attempt to mentally categorize the work I have left to do today. Spending the day at Father's company is always a rewarding experience, but it also results in a backlog of homework that will keep me up past midnight in order to remain on schedule. There is the history assignment that Tamaki and I have yet to finish - I'll have to call him and make sure he's completed his part. Then there's the English essay and the Physics study guide, which I can probably put off until Sunday if I get at least half of the Algebra 2 project done tonight…
I sigh to myself. Nothing too unmanageable, but I may not get a full night of sleep until the grading period is over.
As I descend the stairs to my work area, I discover I'm not alone - that idiot Tamaki set up the kotatsu in the middle of my room and is having tea with none other than Akito's sister-in-law.
"[What are you doing here, Tamaki?]"
He smiles, puts a finger up to his lips, and motions to Ariel, who appears to be sleeping at the table next to a stack of books. "[I thought you would want to work on the project,]" he whispers.
Though I'm annoyed (who is Tamaki to tell me to be quiet? How many times have I wished Tamaki's mouth had an off-switch, and now he's shushing me?) I drop my voice to a whisper as well. "[I thought we agreed to work on it separately.]"
"[Don't you think it would be more fun to do together? Besides, I wanted to use your kotatsu.]"
"[I have a lot of work to do today. It will be easier to complete at our own homes. Anyway, why is she in here?]"
"[She came in here a while ago with Fuyumi to look for a book you had here and we ended up talking until she fell asleep. Do you think it's jet lag?]"
"[I doubt it.]" I settled down at the kotatsu next to Tamaki. "[She's been here for a week, she should've gotten used to the altered schedule by now.]"
"[That reminds me, why exactly did she move to your family's property? She didn't tell me.]"
I wonder if it would be inappropriate to tell him. Ariel expressed annoyance the other day when I mentioned I looked into her past, but would she consider this a violation of her privacy? On the other hand, I'd never been one to keep things from Tamaki. "[Did I mention to you that about a year ago Akito moved to America?]"
"[Yes, I think so.]"
"[Well, he moved there after running away with Ariel's older sister, Aurora. He even stated that he meant to give up the Ootori name. However, Aurora passed away a few months ago and the position of heir fell to Ariel…]" I pause to let the enormity of my last statement sink in.
Tamaki looks stricken. "[That's awful, she didn't mention anything like that. But why move here?]"
"[I don't know the details, but it seems like Ariel was having some trouble within her family after her sister's death. Akito offered to move back to Japan and take her with him, and my father obliged to get into the good graces of the Amsel family.]"
"[It's rare for you not to know specifics.]" Tamaki takes a sip of his tea.
"[The Amsel family keeps their secrets well-governed.]" I notice the title of one of the books beside Ariel and pick it up. "[Is this the book she was trying to find?]"
"[Yes.]"
"[Fires on the Plain… do you remember reading this when we were first years?]"
Tamaki laughs. "[Barely. It seems like such a long time ago.]"
Our discussion is interrupted by a soft yawn from the formerly sleeping girl to my right. She stretches upward, sharp grey eyes rolling to the ceiling, and then runs her fingers through her short hair. "Sorry, did I fall asleep? I was up late the other night unpacking my stuff… Oh hey, Kyoya!" she says when she notices me.
"Ariel," I acknowledge her.
"Hey, do you know any place around here that would sell a translation of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle? I looked in your library but you didn't have it."
"There's a small bookshop on the other side of town that would probably sell it. You can go tomorrow."
"Cool, thanks. I think I'm gonna go back to my room. It was good talking to you, Tamaki! Bye!"
"Bye, Ariel. You should come to the host club next week!" Once it's clear that she's left the room, Tamaki turns back to me. "[That's the girl whose sister died only a few months ago? I wouldn't believe it if you yourself hadn't told me.]"
"[Neither would I.]"
XXIX
Ariel
I wake up blissfully a little past 10 AM on Sunday and take the opportunity to savor my traditional Japanese breakfast of rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and rolled omelet. As usual, the chef has cooked more food than I should be able to eat in one sitting, but I try my best to finish the meal down to the last grain of rice. It definitely doesn't hurt that every single dish, though simple, is delicious. I didn't really eat much Japanese food before I came here, but I truly seem to have developed a taste for it.
After breakfast I decide it's time to get my book and hopefully bond with Kyoya on the way. So far I've made a few acquaintances at school, but it still bothers me that I've known Kyoya for about a week or so and yet he still seems to hold little interest in me aside from our families' business relations. I mean, I'm smart, charming-ish, and reasonably attractive - what's not to like? If I'm going to stay with this family I should at least make an attempt to bond with the people who actually live here.
I hop in the shower and take special care to gently wash my hair, which is a bit brittle due to my constant blow drying when it was long. Now that it's in a "boy" cut a quick rub with a towel will do the trick, but I have to use moisturizing treatments to get it back to its former kitten-softness. The bathroom is overstocked with luxury beauty products of every kind, even a soap from chanel that smells incredible and feels even better. Along with a myriad of bath products there's a huge assortment of expensive makeup filling the bathroom cabinets that puts the little bag I brought from California to shame.
Inspecting a La Prairie concealer that retails at over $150, I decide it wouldn't hurt to dress up a bit. Aside from school I haven't left the Ootori estate all week (having no friends makes me lazy) and it's past time for me to get out. Besides, I've been mooning over Kyoya since I met him - it's time to show him that he's not the only one who cleans up nice.
I finish up my makeup with a spritz of Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Toilette to match the scent of the soap and then leave the (now fragrant) bathroom to rifle through the drawers of my bedroom for something wearable. Whoever decorated and stocked this guesthouse before I came also provided me with a dresser and walk-in closet's worth of clothes, but most of them wouldn't suit me. I feel a little bad that someone in this household wasted their money on dozens of pink dresses and prudish blouses that I'll never wear, but at least they can go to charity or something.
Well, there are some garments I'm going to make full use of. I saunter over to the dresser and pick out a pair of lacy white panties with the tags still attached from some expensive french boutique. I've never been a shy person, but my current lingerie collection looks positively bare compared to the rainbow of silk and lace in front of me.
As I finger a pink balconette bra in my exact size, I have to wonder who exactly picked all this stuff out. Definitely not Yoshio Ootori, but the idea of him browsing through the intimates section on Agent Provocateur's website is an odd mix of horrifying and hilarious. It was most likely Fuyumi who got all this stuff together and decorated this place.
After selecting something strapless and black for my boobs and a pair of matching panties, I go through my suitcases of clothes to find an outfit to complement my buoyant mood. There's a studded white bustier top that ends a good three inches above my belly button that I used to wear all the time but haven't even tried on in a couple months. It might be a little risque, but who cares? It's my turn to knock Kyoya out of the water.
To tone it down I throw on an olive-green cardigan and pants and head out the door to get Kyoya to take me into town.
XXIX
Kyoya
"Why do I have to take you?" I grouse. "If you give Devereaux the address he can drive you wherever you want."
Ariel pouts and flops down on my bed. "Aren't you bored of doing homework?"
She isn't completely off-point. While I don't find homework to be… boring, per se, it does get tedious after a while. However, my own interest level in the work does not change the fact that it needs to be done. "That's irrelevant. It is necessary to stay at the top of my class. Just go by yourself."
"I hate doing things by myself," she grumbles softly.
After a while she appears to have no intentions to leave my room so I turn back to my homework and leave her to play with her phone on my bed. Before even five minutes have passed, my cell phone breaks into a chorus of annoying rings and vibrations and Tamaki's smiling face appears across the screen calling me for who knows what reason.
I pick up the phone. "[Kyoya? Is that you?]"
"[Who else would it be, you dolt?]"
"[We're going shopping with Haruhi, would you like to come?]"
Why is everyone so desperate to make me come out with them today? "[I have things to do.]"
"[Bonding with the Host Club is more important than studying. This is a valuable chance to see how commoners live!]"
"[I don't need to learn about commoners.]"
"[Come on, you'll have fun! I'll have the car stop by your house to pick you up.]"
"[No, I-]" Tamaki seems more determined than usual to drag me away from my duties. If he takes me shopping with the host club, I'll be gone all day, whereas going to pick up a book will probably be much less time consuming… I glance at Ariel. "[I already have plans.]"
"[Really?]" Tamaki sounds disappointed. "[With who?]"
"[I'm taking Ariel to get that book she wanted.]"
"[Oh. Another time then.]" The click at the other end of the line is a small relief, but now I suppose I have to take Ariel out.
"Come on. We can go now." As I stand up from my chair, she scrambles to sit up on my bed.
"What, really? Why?"
I shrug. "I needed a reason to cancel plans with Tamaki."
She smirks in response. "You're awful."
"You can't complain, can you? Come on before I change my mind."
XXIX
After a good few hours being dragged around by Ariel as she buys books, clothes, a charger for her laptop, and what seems like every little trinket she lays her eyes upon, I begin to wonder if it was really a good idea to go with her rather than Tamaki. She seems intrigued by literally everything and darts around from shop to shop whenever she sees something that catches her fancy. I worry vaguely about losing her in the pushy Sunday crowds because I'm not as familiar with this area of town - most of my shopping is done by servants and when I do go out with Tamaki we generally browse in a wealthier district than this - but whenever I'm close to losing her I catch a glimpse of her fiery hair and find her again.
This time I have to jog a little to catch up to her as she waits to cross the street to a convenience store. Two men dressed rather coarsely lounge around a bus stop, eyeing her in a less-than discreet fashion.
The one on the right plucks a cigarette from his lips and exhales a stream of blue-grey smoke. "[She's kinda cute, right? Tall though.]"
"[Looks like a foreigner,]" the other replies. "[Think maybe she needs someone to show her around town?]"
I catch up to her and grab her arm, ignoring her slight expression of surprise. "Stop running off like that. What if you get lost?"
"Ha, sorry. There's just so much stuff here that I've never seen." She smiles broadly. "They sell umbrellas from vending machines! How cool is that?"
I smirk at her transparent amazement and let go of her arm. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the two men turn away from Ariel. "[Looks like she's got a boyfriend.]"
At least I'm good for something.
When the light changes, Ariel crosses over to the convenience store with me close at her heels. "If you're hungry, we can go to lunch," I say, more than a bit weary of this entire shopping expedition.
"Really? I'm out of cash though, and I haven't seen any ATMs around here."
"I'll pay if you promise that we can go home right after."
"Yeah, sure! Can we have sushi?"
I nod and lead her to the nearest restaurant that serves sushi, an affordable family-owned place called Atarashi Haru. Inside the lighting is soft and warm though the air is cooler than the summery temperatures outdoors. Despite the abundance of guests, service is quick and I have barely decided what to eat when the server comes by.
"[What will it be for you two today?]"
"[I will have the Kyou no Sakana.]" I look over to Ariel, who clearly has no idea what the menu says. "[And she'll have the Chirashizushi with uni and salmon eggs.]"
"[It'll be right out. And by the way… you and your girlfriend make a lovely couple.]"
Instead of correcting him, I just give him my trademark Shadow King glare. The waiter shivers and skitters away without taking our menus.
"Did you order for me?" Ariel asks, as if the answer weren't obvious.
"Yes, I got you scattered sushi with salmon eggs and sea urchin."
"Sounds good. What'd you get?"
"The daily fish selection."
"Nice." She rifles through one of her many bags and picks out the book to thumb through.
Counting the waiter and the two men at the bus stop, there are three people so far that have assumed we were a couple. I wonder how that could be gathered from our interactions - while we have been holding a friendly rapport, there's certainly little that could hint to any sort of personal relationship.
Though maybe, if I had to examine the two of us from a purely objective perspective, it wouldn't be impossible to assume we were together. We're dressed similarly in casual but expensive clothing, her outfit a bit more daring but certainly suited to her frame. The possibility of us being siblings is nil to anyone with eyes - my pale skin is quite the contrast to her light olive tones. I've often been told that I am very attractive and she, while perhaps not traditionally beautiful, has strong features and intelligent eyes that are made captivating with the inky black makeup I've never seen her without.
We look… good together, I suppose. It may have been poor judgement to glare at that waiter.
Ariel looks up from her book and catches me assessing her appearance. "Yeah?"
I begin to reply with a benign "Nothing", but the word stops in its tracks as I catch sight of a head of fluffy blonde hair at the entrance of the restaurant. Tamaki.
"We have to go," I urge Ariel. If Tamaki is here, the rest of the Host Club is probably with him - including Haruhi, who will most likely be dressed in women's clothes.
"What? We haven't even gotten our food yet-"
"KYOYA! What are you doing here? And Ariel too! What a coincidence!" Tamaki, beaming broadly, has not yet figured out that Ariel will find out Haruhi's secret if she sees her. The rest of the host club follows after him to our table.
"Hey, Tamaki! Wow, all of you hang out together even outside of school? That's-" Ariel cocks her head to the side when she finally sees Haruhi. As I feared, Haruhi is wearing a long flowing skirt and a tank top that accents what little chest she has. It's perfectly reasonable clothing given the hot weather, but it leaves little doubt to her sex. "Wait, is that you, Haruhi?"
I sigh to myself. This will take some explaining.
XXIX
A/N: Well, there you go! The third chapter is finished. What do you think? Tell me in the reviews. Every review, follow, and favorite earns you a hug via computer.
Also, could you tell me how I'm supposed to respond to reviews? I've seen some authors do it in the A/N, but I feel like that's kind of annoying for those who would rather just get to the story. I tried to do it by leaving a review myself, but I don't want to do that again because it's a bit unfair to pad my own review count.
Fun Fact #3: Ariel's patronus would be a German Shepherd.
About the Author: I'd want my patronus to be something cool and scary like a leopard seal or a dragon, but it would probably be a penguin. Not that I'm complaining - penguins are great!
What would your patronus be? Tell me in the reviews!
Until next time...