The first day of the last month of autumn started with heavy rain, pouring down out of the murky sky. The morning was gloomy and ponds of water were running down the streets. The heavy mist was clouding over the city and the car lights were the only shining stars in this veil of dreary night. The days were already getting shorter and shorter. Despite the turbid rain showering crazily, it was warmer than during the previous days. Tachibana had to drive much slower to get Kyoya to his office as there was a traffic accident. Someone forgot to change their wires for the crazy weather.
For some reason he started to think about Haruhi. He was worried. During the last years, never once he thought of her when there was a thunderstorm, but today as there was the gloomy weather outside his window, his heart started to thump with fright and concern. Was she alright? In his office, he made a mental note to call her to see if she was fine but realized it was way too awkward to call her for that. They were supposed to meet today, anyways.
The rain stopped soon enough and the sun finally stick it's fiery head out. The appearance of sun cleared all his agitated emotions, and soon he forgot about anything completely, engulfed in his work. The day passed smoothly, only at the end of the day, when Kyoya was already planning to leave and call Haruhi, his father called him to his office. He had a feeling, he knew what the man was going to talk about. After yesterday's incident in his office, he was sure the pea-brained bitch would run to her daddy to make arrangements with Yoshio. He knew his father was going to coerce him back with the cheating thing, but now he had no intentions to comply. He was not a puppet with strings to be used for the entertainment of others.
As he entered his father's office, he saw the head of the finance department. Their eyes met and the man couldn't hide his dislike of Kyoya. He was pretty sure that if Kyoya became Yoshio's successor he would be first to be thrown out of the company. He was one of those people who was especially happy about Kyoya's failed marriage and didn't lose the chance to talk about it in a cynically condescending manner, especially when Yoshio was present. Kyoya, seeing him, quickly smiled. Having a better self-control, his face looked as calm as he was before seeing him. Approaching to his father's desk, he politely greeted them both and stood there gracefully. His posture was so perfectly stiff that he seemed to be made of the finest marble.
The head of finance department politely excused himself and Kyoya noticed how he looked at him with a scathing face and left. He only smirked in response and nodded. It was a well-developed habit to rile up these raccoons with. They looked all fluffy and kind and Kyoya didn't like to know who would later on show him their teeth and claws, so he made sure to learn about it in advance.
"Take a seat, Kyoya," Yoshio Ootori said as soon as he was left alone with his third son.
The young man complied silently and sat down on the leather couch in front of his father's desk. Yoshio Ootori stood up, and fixing his tie, approached his son and took the armchair in front of him. They both had the stiffest posture one could have without being a frozen corpse. The resemblance between their facial expressions was so outstanding that a stranger could tell that these people were related.
"Your mother is worried about you," he said roughly, "you should pay her a visit sometimes."
"I will," Kyoya said curtly nodding and gritting his teeth.
"I called you here to talk about Amaya," Yoshio said, narrowing his eyes at his son.
Kyoya didn't make a sound. He continued to look at his father in the same nonchalant manner and politely nodded him to continue.
"Ariwa-san talked to me about the situation and we both came to certain agreements," the Ootori patriarch spoke, continuing to observe his son's vacant facial expression, "you should get back with Amaya. This is nonnegotiable. We will make sure to clear all the misunderstanding that happened and everything will fall in its rightful place."
"What did Ariwa-san promise for this favour?" Kyoya asked calmly, "because the situation doesn't seem propitious to me."
"I have got a rather charming offer from Ariwa-san," Yoshio answered with a smirk, "our family will only benefit from, only if you obediently perform your duties."
"I have to decline Ariwa-san's 'charming offers'," Kyoya said standing up, "you see, father, the last offer I got from him was rotten spoiled. It left a bad taste in my mouth."
Yoshio didn't respond. A tiny muscle near his left eye twitched curiously, but his facial expression remained the same.
"Have a pleasant evening, father!" Kyoya bowed and left his room.
After his divorce with the woman, he had no intentions of going back with her and turning himself into a subject of a public mockery. He thought his father would understand this. From his behavior, he would guess Yoshio wasn't too enthusiastic about having him back with Amaya, but as he was very much wanting to stop the conversations about the divorce, he was willing to do his part in mending the relationship between his son and former daughter-in-law.
Kyoya knew Yoshio well enough to know that he wouldn't put up with a cheating wife either, but his father blamed him for Amaya's actions. He claimed Kyoya let her to be licentious. He always complained that his son was very easygoing with his wife's wishes and didn't forbid anything, didn't turn her into an obedient wife, who knows her place and her duties.
His father and mother had a rather strange relationship. Yoshio seemingly loved her but his love was dry and restrained. While his mother was nothing like his ex wife, his father was rather strict with her. It made Kyoya feel disturbed and uneasy. He was no romantic, actually too far from it, but he did have no passion at controlling other people's life, especially when the other person was his spouse.
The ground was wet and steam of the vaporizing water covered everything with tender nearly translucent veil. Haruhi was supposed to be waiting for him at the coffee shop as they agreed on the phone. He dismissed Tachibana and the other two bodyguards. Tachibana looked a bit concerned but then he bowed politely and wished him a nice day. The man obviously knew that his young master was going to spend time with his pretty school friend and was slightly excited about it.
He drove near the cafe and rolling down the car window looked for Haruhi. She was standing there with a forest green umbrella in her hand, wearing a grey ankle-length woolen knitted jacket and a bright, yellow flower-print, knee-level, linen dress. The hems of her green socks were visible under the brown boots she was wearing. Her hair looked dampened with the rain and small waves formed among them. He smiled seeing her and got out of the car to call her.
"Haruhi!" he waved, walking closer to her.
Her attention turned to him and a cheerful smile appeared on her face. She run to him and the water gathered in the sidewalk splashed around. She slipped and fell down in Kyoya's arms who was close enough to catch her. She blushed at her clumsiness or because of suddenly being pressed against his body but it took him seconds to steady her and let her stand on her own feet.
"Sorry," she said lamely bowing.
Kyoya chuckled and shook his head. She was cute with that rosy blush on her cheeks. He couldn't believe how thin and delicate her body was when he hugged her. Very improper thoughts were crossing his mind just looking at her flushed face.
"Let's go," he said motioning towards the car, "unless you want to stand under the drizzle longer."
She shook her head and took the seat next to Kyoya. He leaned forward to fasten the belt and she could smell his masculine, intoxicating smell. She was not used to being in such close proximity with any man and having him so close was making her feel all ticklish inside her stomach. She noted that he was a good driver. She never thought he would drive on his own. But Kyoya Ootori was good at everything and as a very self-sufficient and independent person, he deemed necessary to learn everything.
When they got Haruhi's home, the sun already set and it's orange light was spread in the horizon, vividly coloring the sky. The days were getting shorter and shorter and it was just the beginning of November. As they walked up the stairs Haruhi had to wrap herself into her jacket because it really was cold. Kyoya dropped his trench coat on her shoulders and when she looked startled back at him, he smiled.
"You should dress warmer," he said grinning, "you always seem to be cold."
She turned to the corridor and taking out her key from her backpack, opened the door. The house looked the same as it looked years ago when they visited Haruhi with the club. Nothing really changed. Only there were more books and too many folders, stacks of documents piled up on the table and sofa.
"It's a bit messy here," she said, awkwardly moving to the table to remove the paperwork, "I am too busy lately to organize."
"It's alright," Kyoya smiled, helping her to take away the documents.
Quickly setting the table, Haruhi run to the kitchen. Kyoya could hear her shuffling things there. The sound of the tap, flowing water, the sound of the fire on the stove didn't seem unpleasant. He found himself comfortable in her house, even when it was very modest and common. The air was warm and he could smell Haruhi everywhere.
"I have made a cake filled with raspberry jam," she called from the kitchen, "would you like some with the coffee?"
"That would be delightful," Kyoya agreed eyeing the stack of cards left on the table.
He could see Tamaki's handwriting plastered all over them. Kyoya smiled inwardly and wondered if Haruhi responded to any of those cards. He wanted to take the cards and have a glance at them, but changed his mind, thinking it would have been completely rude, even though he doubted, there would be anything that Tamaki wouldn't tell to the whole world.
"I am sorry," Haruhi said, walking with a tray on her hand with two mugs of commoner coffee and plates of cake, "I took too long, right?"
"Not at all," Kyoya shook his head and got up to help her.
They both sat on the sofa, next to each other and took their mugs. The commoner coffee was warm and smelled unusually good. He sipped from it and decided it tastes good too, or maybe he was biased as the coffee was made by the wonderful, little woman sitting next to him. There was a short awkward silence between them.
"You seem to get a lot of cards from Tamaki," Kyoya noted cleaning his throat.
"Yes," Haruhi laughed gently cutting a piece of cake with her fork and putting it into her mouth. Kyoya's eyes carefully followed on how she was chewing the small piece and occasionally grazing her teeth over her plump lower lip.
"He loves to send me cards from everywhere he travels for his work," she continued, looking back at him, "I am such a bad friend, though. Haven't answered any of those cards for the last year."
Kyoya quirked a brow at her when her voice trailed off at the end of her sentence. She nervously rubbed her knuckles. Kyoya noticed that she would rub her bony fingers whenever she was nervous about something. He put his mug on the table, and grabbed her hand, and sternly looked at her. She was surprised by his sudden action and blinked her eyes in confusion, looking at him a little puzzled.
"You are not a bad friend," he said firmly and his fingers gently brushed over her arm. She looked at him. They both knew that this was nothing about being a good or a bad friend. It was about her father. It was about her losing her family. She knew what he meant.
She went closer to him, burying her face in the crook of his shoulder. Kyoya didn't anticipate that, but he quickly wrapped his hands around her waist. His posture was rather stiff and he didn't dare to move as if afraid she would flee away. He could hear her small sobbing and didn't know what to do. He hated crying woman, because he didn't know exactly how to deal with them and Kyoya Ootori loved to be in control of everything.
"You know, it's always easy to hide and pretend the bad things that happen to us are not there or if we ignore them they will disappear. But bad things stay long unless we accept them and reconcile with them. You should not estrange yourself from the fun of life, because you convinced yourself you don't deserve it. It won't bring him back. It won't do any good and it won't heel any of your wounds. You should not deprave yourself of your friendships, because you lost a dear person."
She pressed her head closer and then quickly drew herself back. Her face was flushed and he could see a few drops of glinting tears still flowing in the surface of her eyeballs. She looked embarrassed for her momentary weakness.
"I am sorry," she apologized, her voice a little weak, "I am still getting used to. It has been a year, since I found he is sick and if I was a better daughter I would have known long before and took him to doctors and not pay attention to what he says about not wanting to go anywhere."
He pressed his lips together and nodded. It was a bad idea for him to dig into her wounds. He should have been more sensible.
"It's not your fault," he said, "blaming on other people, on ourselves is unhealthy. It changes nothing and it causes more pain. You shouldn't blame yourself because blaming is a wasteful activity. It bears no merit."
"Searching for a merit even in feelings, Ootori-san?" she laughed suddenly.
He smiled at her sudden change of mood and nodded.
"I do. I always do," he said, returning her gaze, "but sometimes I mistake a real merit for a frivolous one or rather refuse to acknowledged where the important merits lie."
"Did you just admit of making mistakes?" she asked teasingly.
"Yes," he shrugged, "I did. We all do. I did make many mistakes in my life. Got married for instance. And now I have to put up with so much crap because of her."
A small silence followed his words and they looked away from each other. Haruhi kept sipping from her mug and Kyoya looked at the raspberry jam cake on his plate, poking at it with his fork. He wasn't one for sweets actually, but he didn't want to refuse anything she offered so he decided to eat a little from the cake. it was tasty. The jam gave a very rich and interesting taste to it and it wasn't really sweet. It had some sour tone to it that made the saliva in his mouth to effectively melt all of the piece he put in his mouth.
"It's really good," he said with a smile and she beamed.
They looked at each other again and then strangely he felt how his body gravitated closer to her. Her features were so delicate, her soft face and beautiful brown eyes with longest lashes gracing them, her button nose and soft plump lips. She moved closer to him and he didn't understand what was happening when his heart started to beat wildly.
Loud buzzing made both of them flinch and jump away from each other startled. They looked away awkwardly and Kyoya realized that it was his phone. Someone was calling him. He would murder the moron who decided to call him at that moment. That is until he saw that the caller was his mother. The woman had such a horrible timing. Kyoya sighed a little annoyed and frustrated.
Haruhi grabbed their mugs and strode to the kitchen giving him privacy with the caller. Kyoya was tempted to turn off the call and not to answer to his mother, but the common courtesy and his upbringing didn't allow him to ignore her any longer. He already refused to have any contact with her for a week.
"Yes mother," he said with an indifferent tone, "I told you that I am very busy in the office.."
Haruhi quickly washed the cups in the kitchen and the touch of warm water from the tap made her relax a little, but her heart was still beating wildly. She was not a high school kid anymore, she was a grown woman and she prided herself for being proficient at controlling her urges. But the man sitting in the living-room threw around all her senses. She felt like a teenager with raging hormones. She did kiss and cuddle with Tamaki a couple of times and then after their break up concentrated on her studies. She tried to date couple of times after graduating, but she couldn't sit straight with any guy for longer than 30 minutes. Then her father got sick and she didn't even think of a relationship or anything. Her life was too empty for a young woman of her age.
She was about to kiss him, if not the call. She didn't know how to go back to the room and look at him, avoid staring at his face. It was very embarrassing. She could involuntary hear snippets of his conversation with his mother. He was very cold and reserved in his tone with her. She didn't know what kind of person Kyoya's mother was but she thought any mother would be hurt if their son refused to visit her.
She hesitantly walked back to the room, drying her hands with a green, soft towel.
"I will try," Kyoya said a little annoyed, "I am sorry, mother but I need to go now..."
He turned off the phone and looked at her expectantly.
"I am going to have dinner, would you like to join?" she asked a bit unsure and bit her upper lip.
"No need to bother," Kyoya said with a smile, standing up, "It was a very nice evening Haruhi. Thank you so much for the coffee and the cake. Unfortunately I need to go. It was my mother and she is unwell. I need to pay her a visit."
"Oh," she mumbled a little heartbroken. Maybe she scared him off with her tears and hugs, "I understand, I hope she is well."
"She certainly is," he smiled, leaning forward to give Haruhi a hug, which surprised her, "I am sorry I can't stay longer."
His low whisper sent shivers to her spine and she was shocked about it. She quickly brushed the feeling off and nodded in understanding.
"Maybe we could meet tomorrow for lunch?" he asked at the door.
"I have a hearing tomorrow on Nakayama case," she said with a sigh, "maybe after it or the next day?"
"The next day then," he smiled walking down and then he stopped and mumbled, "thank you, Haruhi."
The first days of November went forward rather charmingly. Lunch time for both of the former hosts became some kind of long waited minutes that each of them anticipated since morning. They would meet in the small buffet, order the same salad and chat with each other about old days, about their new life. It was so strangely addictive for both of them. The person working behind the counter by the second week of November already got their salad ready before they would even order it. It was mundane, but they wouldn't even notice the fact when they were sitting in front of each other and talking to their hearts content.
It was a nice but chilly afternoon on November 14th when they both wrapped in warm fall coats run to the buffet like two little children. The inside of the buffet was warm and regardless of the cold breeze outside the bright sun was warming them through the windows of the buffet.
"I can't believe you decided to run in those shoes," Kyoya said with a laugh as they sat down in their usual place.
She brushed back her brown bangs from her forehead with her hands and sighed, "it was colder than I thought."
"You should dress warmer," he complained rubbing her hands with his, "I will get tea for us."
When he approached to make the order, the worker's face fell, hearing he wants two cups of hot tea with apple jam. For the last two weeks this strange couple visited the buffet and ordered the same salad and now he wanted tea. The guy scowled, inwardly cursing Kyoya and wondering what he was going to do with two bowls of already prepared mushroom salad.
She was looking out of the window, when he sat back. Her insanely sexy legs were crossed and he could admire her delicate form. Looking at her at times, Kyoya found himself mentally undressing her and the very idea bothered him. He couldn't just go around lusting after his best friends ex-girlfriend, could he? There was no rule against it, but if there was he was positive he didn't mind breaking it.
"It's getting colder," she noted, "soon, it will start snowing. I actually would want to ski. Never did that! But would want to!"
"I don't know about snow and skiing," he said with a warm smile, "but I am sure we could go for ice-skating."
The idea made her eyes brighten up and that made Kyoya's heart tingle with excitement.
"I never ice-skated either," she declared enthusiastically, "can we really?"
"Of course we can," he smiled, "we can go to a resort in Hachimantai. It's not winter yet, but I am sure you would enjoy the autumn scenery all the colorful leaves and mountains and the ice-center for skating."
"Oh, God, that is such a tempting idea. I really would want to get away from everything. Maybe I could get a few days off, I am sure Ren-san wouldn't mind at all."
"I am actually free for the next week and we could go on 18th, if you want," Kyoya said enthusiastically.
"On 18th?" she said a little taken aback and her voice flattened.
Kyoya quirked a brow at her and carefully scanned her face. Was something wrong about 18th of November. He already wanted to ask her questions when he heard her soft voice.
"I can't," she smiled guiltily, "I have a reunion with my junior high classmates."
"Oh, I understand," he said with a disappointed sigh but then quickly smiled, "We can do that another time."
He really wanted to go with her now honestly. But she didn't seem very happy about the reunion thing. He caught it in her voice and Kyoya was good at reading people. First, he thought she didn't want to go to a resort with him as she was a single woman and he was man and honestly what friends go for a vacation into a resort like that. But Haruhi was too naive to think that and he was really glad she was. Because he wanted to spend time with her. He looked at her and her face was a little concerned.
"Of course!" she said shaking her head in reassurance.
"You don't seem really happy about that reunion with old classmates though," he noted.
She looked away, the smile was still lightly present on her face but there was something else as well, something Kyoya thought looked like discomfort, "well!" she explained pressing her lips in a tight line, "Everyone would be there with their families and I have to go alone. that is sort of making me feel uneasy."
Kyoya looked into her eyes and smiled, "if you want I can come with you," he said, "Of course, if it is fine for me to accompany you."
"Oh, Kyoya," her eyes brightened up and she instinctively grabbed his hand with her feminine soft palms, "thank you so much, but that wouldn't be a trouble for you, right?"
"Of course not," he smiled, "I would be glad to come with you."
She gave his hand a light squeeze and looked at him, "you have changed Kyoya," she said, "you were always a caring person, but now you are open about it. "
"I am not actually," he chuckled bitterly, "it's just with you only. You bring that up in me"
They looked at each other for a moment and both smiled․
The man brought the tea to them, even though they were supposed to take it themselves, but Kyoya always left a large tip and it was enough motivation for the man to walk a few steps to their table. He put the tray on the table and smiled at them.
The toast was warm and they both smiled at the tender aroma of apple jam, the warm toast and delicious tea. Kyoya put the warm cup in front of her and took a toast to spread the jam on it.
"Here, have this," he mumbled, giving her the piece, "the tea is too hot, be careful."
Haruhi looked at him confused. He cared about her, didn't he? It was a strange feeling as if she was a child. She chuckled and took the bread.
"Don't worry," she smiled, sipping from the cup, "I am a big girl, I won't burn myself."
He only shook his head and tsked as if entirely amused with her.
The next few days passed slowly and awfully dull for both of them. Haruhi had one more hearing on November 16th and was so busy that couldn't even make to their usual lunches. She knew that the case would take months before they would be able to win or lose it. She was pretty sure she would win as she was persistent in gathering every single piece of information and document necessary to represent his client's case. But that didn't mean she would lower her guards on trying to dig deeper into the case. She needed more than one backup plan if all the rest failed.
Kyoya knew that not meeting her for the next two days was making him feel a little moody. He wanted to call her couple of times but decided against it. She was busy and there was no need to bother her. He didn't know why he was so inclined in being close with her, but he was and he couldn't wait to see her again. The work in office was going smoothly but he had to deal with his former father-in-low couple of times. Even though Ariwa-san seemed uncomfortable at his presence knowing full well that it was his daughter who cheated on him, he still behaved very proud and stiff around Kyoya.
The man even asked Kyoya to lunch with him and discuss something important and Kyoya knew the 'something important' was just about him and Amaya getting back with each other, which he didn't want and wouldn't do. He politely declined the man's request, telling he was busy and maybe they could have the lunch another time. Ariwa of course was not an idiot, he knew that Kyoya didn't want to have anything to do with him and his daughter.
Yoshio Ootori promised him that he will talk to his son and bring him to his senses, but seemed like the man was a harder nut than he imagined and even someone like Ootori patriarch wouldn't crack him. He didn't know his son-in-law very well, in the course of his daughter's marriage he met him several times and always thought he is just another hardworking, respectful Ootori. He had perfect education and was very good at his work. He thought the man would bring his daughter to her senses, but the young Ootori wasn't interested in it at all.
He was treating Amaya with respect but disinterest. He even for a short while suspected that the third Ootori son wasn't interested in woman at all. Nudging his wife to find out if their daughter and son-in-law were actually engaged in what a husband and a wife do. Of course, Amaya was to open to speak about her sex life with her mom and Mrs. Ariwa informed her husband that there was nothing to worry about.
On the morning of November 18th, Kyoya woke up early. After 4 days the idea of seeing her again made him feel content inside his heart. It scared Kyoya that he was getting attached to Haruhi but obviously he scoffed off the idea, because she was a friend and he liked her. There was nothing bad about wanting to see her, as he used to spend so much time with her when they were young.
He didn't know what kind of reunion it would be, but dressing smart was always the easiest option. You almost can never look odd. He wore a light blue shirt with white spaghetti strips and dark blue jacket over it with pair of grey pants. He looked a little more casual than he usually did, but it was just a reunion not a business meeting.
Then he drove to her apartment. She was already waiting for him when he arrived. Already dressed and ready.
It was the first time Haruhi was looking elegant, she always looked cute, but today in that tiny black dress she looked elegant.
"You look beautiful" he said absentmindedly without realizing it.
She stopped and looked at him, then laughed.
"You always say that, Kyoya."
"Then you always look beautiful" he said.
A/N- It was difficult to decide how much this chapter should have contained. I hope it's not too long. Some of you wondered if the host club is going to show up in the story or not. The answer is yes. They will be in the story, but I first needed to develop Haruhi's and Kyoya's relationship and some other layers in the story. Thanks everyone for the advice on relationship pacing. Your opinion is very important to me. I hope all of you would like this chapter and tell me about your expectations, opinions and all. I am always glad to hear from you all.