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During the day, Kyoya entrusted Haruhi with the duty of entertaining herself. She was old enough to know that leaving the house was a no-no, accepting rides from strangers was not tolerable, and the windows were not replacements for doors. He didn't feel the need to remind her that the colorful bottles under the sinks were not liquid refreshments, either.
Haruhi wasn't keen on the idea of being cooped up in a single room like a caged bird, nor did she want to disturb Kyoya while he attended to his work. She had asked him why he wasn't in college right now, and he'd informed her that for a year after they graduate, they help out with the family business to ascertain the feel of handling the real business as well as if the Ootori family company was their dream. Seeing as it was a family run company, anyways, college courses were not mandatory to take over as the head Ootori.
So, she contented herself to roaming the hallways and peeking behind closed doors. Never in her life did she think she would come across a home with five fully stocked libraries, well maintained and packed with every single book she could think of. Even with these libraries at her finger tips, she could not claim one of them as her favorite spot in the house, nor the fully stocked gyms or indoor volleyball court with sand imported from Hawaii and Fiji.
No. The room with the most claim on her affections was located near the back of the house, in a glass ceiling room. The sunshine was filtered through the long, broad leaves of authentic palm trees and tropical forest plants. The glass walls had vines growing on bamboo beams, providing a beautiful privacy barrier with colorful flowers intertwining. The pool was an artistic masterpiece, a flower made of colorful mosaics at the bottom giving it a unique flair, as well as a small waterfall connected to a rock base. Upon inspecting the room further, she had discovered a hidden area with a small wrought iron table and two matching chairs. It was hidden behind palm leaves and flowers, and shaded wonderfully.
She had taken to bringing her school books here and studying while Kyoya was incapacitated with business. The calm sound of the waterfall helped to ebb away the stress she had incurred all at once in her life.
"It took me nearly half an hour to find you, Haruhi,"
a voice said from behind her.
"You could have at least told me where you were going, or answered your phone."
She looked up at Kyoya, silhouetted by a slight beam of sunlight edging through the vines. He was dressed in casual attire, which was taking Haruhi quite a while to become accustomed to. He dressed in a pair of black shorts and a fitted red polo, barefooted on the cool rocks. Haruhi dressed in the clothes that her father had packed for her before he left on his trip. Today, a small yellow sundress seemed appropriate.
"I'm sorry, Kyoya. Maybe you should just put a tracker on me to monitor my every movement?"
Haruhi jeered. As inhumane as the idea was, injecting a tracer underneath her skin so that he wouldn't have to worry about where she was seemed useful, though his sanity might be questioned by people who don't understand how aggravating Haruhi's tendency to wander around was.
Haruhi looked at him incredulously; was he actually taking her sarcasm seriously?
"I wasn't serious, you know,"
she said. The last thing she wanted was a cold piece of metal injected under her skin that would deplete the little amount of privacy she had left. Recently, she didn't even have her own life to comfort her. Everything was misconstrued, foreign.
She felt like she had been stripped from her own life and forced into a new one, with a cold and sterile feel. Why had she been dredged from her rather comfortable life, and strewn across the examination table for the world to slander and ridicule? Why couldn't her great grandfather have left her out of his will and left the business to someone else who actually wanted their life to involve running a company and lying to thousands of faces?
Haruhi was withdrawn into her own mind, not noticing Kyoya pull up a chair beside her. The sky about was beginning to grow overcast, the mid afternoon gray skies casting shadows in through the glass ceiling, and ebbing a calm between the two. The book Haruhi had laid on the table appeared to be an ordinary text book for her English class, and he really did have to admit she was a diligent pupil. Most students would have taken the time to rest and enjoy their time off, but Haruhi didn't seem to think that was a plausible option. He recalled how she had mentioned her father wanting to see her at the top of the class, and he could only assume he was her motivation. Seeing him eying her text book, she slid it closer to her defensively.
"I don't want to fall too far behind…"
Haruhi reasoned, looking down at her bare feet. Kyoya's face remained mellow and casual, aside from a slightly arched brow.
"If I'm correct, then you're still at the top of your class. Rest while you can."
They both knew the implied meaning of those words. 'Rest while you can'.
Before the onslaught of your new life begins. Before you are forced to face the people you've fooled all of these years into thinking you were a boy. Before your dreams will never become reality. Haruhi nodded in acknowledgement, trying not to let her concern show through to her face.
"Kyoya?"
She asked after a few minutes of silence. His eyes flicked to her from gazing at the waterfall.
"What was Sudao like?"
The question had remained unspoken on the tip of her tongue for days, but she never felt right to ask anyone. Haruhi wasn't even sure if she wanted to know the answer, seeing as her father had done his job in keeping him away from her.
"Murakami-san was kinder than a man of his stature should be. I've known him since I was a child. He always had a soft spot for young children, which is why he opened up a Children's Clinic with my father. He was respectable,"
Kyoya finished on a positive note, seeing Haruhi's face soften slightly. Seeing her so tense and sullen caused him to worry, which he would put to the back of his mind, which had a tendency to weave its way back to the main concern at hand. It irked him, to be lying in bed at night and trying to imagine how he would react, rounding back on himself and scolding his wandering mind; trying to focus on paperwork had never been so difficult. Why did her situation bother him so badly?
'It's one thing you've never had to plan for. You didn't see it coming.'
This was one more thing that made Haruhi an anomaly, an enigma to his practical mind. How many times had this girl turned him around in his tracks with her blunt honesty and keen perception? He could remember times when he was still in school when he wasn't able to determine whether or not he hated her, because of her ability to undermine him so casually. He figured it out quite quickly, after roaming the commoner mall with her after being dragged by his 'friends' to the mall to learn how Haruhi lived; he didn't hate her in the slightest, because she was a mental rival whom he could have a conversation with that didn't consist of trivial nonsense.
Contented, Haruhi leaned back in her chair, casting her gaze to the now overcast sky, and to her, it looked wonderful. The sun had been shining for days, ever since the accident and she felt like maybe if something outside changed, she'd wake up and find this was nothing but a nightmare. A freakish, annoying, painful nightmare. smothing out her dress, she rose from the chair and descended down the stairs, leaving a curious Kyoya to tread behind her heels. Haruhi took a seat at the edge of the pool, and dipped her feet in, sighing lightly in relief.
"I think it's going to storm,"
Haruhi said casually as she glanced up to Kyoya. Logic told him he had pressing matters to attend to and should be dawdling at the pool side. Logic didn't win this time.
Kneeling down beside Haruhi, he settled beside her and let his feet rest in the cool water alongside hers. Feeling mischievous, he flicked his ankle at her, splashing her legs with water and making her gasp in shock. When she turned to him with accusing eyes he gave her a little smirk,
which of course made her splash him back, only not as kindly. She giggled as he shook his head for a moment, clearing the water droplets from his bangs and he looked to her, taking in her slight grin and how she was crouching, hand in the water and ready to splash him if he made any sudden movements.
"Haruhi-san, Kyoya-san, if I may interrupt?"
Called a voice from the door. Looking, they saw one of the few maids left on staff, an elderly woman, standing at the entrance.
"Yes, Miura-san?"
Kyoya asked politely.
"Your father requested Haruhi-san and yourself dress for dinner. He is expecting important guests this evening,"
She shot him a look of foreboding, not saying any more as she bowed slightly and hurried out to attend to other matters. Kyoya looked back at Haruhi, and suddenly his mind clicked;
A formal dinner required formal clothing, which he had an ample amount of, but which Haruhi didn't possess. His sister had donated most of her clothing after she left to live with her new husband, so she wouldn't have left any formal gowns here. Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out his cell phone and hit a number on speed dial, waiting for the click and the
"Helloooo, Kyoya-senpai!"
"How are you, senpai?"
Holding the phone slightly away from his ear, he began the trek towards his own room, glancing back briefly at Haruhi for her to follow.
"Yes, I'm fine. I'm not calling for pleasure,"
Kyoya began.
"You never do, senpai!"
"Yah, why not call just to remind us you're thinking of us?"
Rolling his eyes, he looked down as Haruhi caught up to him and gave him a curious glance upward.
'Hikaru and Kaoru', Kyoya mouthed.
"Yes, I apologize. However, I'm in need of your services. Haruhi is in need of formal wear and she had none at the ready. I need you to bring something within the hour."
"Were on it!"
Both twins shouted before hanging up. It had been a spur of the moment decision to recruit the twins, but then again, they were his best option, already knowing Haruhi's measurements (most of them, anyway), and having access to fashionable pieces of clothing.
"I can't believe this,"
Haruhi complained. Staying optimistic in such a world where tranquility didn't exist was damn near impossible these days. And now she was going to be all dolled up by the twins, and forced into the public eye when she can hardly walk and is now the most infamous celebrity, being "dredged up" from the throngs of commoners.
Somehow, she managed to stifle the sigh of complete and utter exhaustion, and turned the handle to her room, looking at Kyoya to see if he was going to follow her inside.
He did. Shutting the door behind him, Kyoya watched as she sat on her bed, watched her finger the soft cotton that was now going to harbor some rather drab memories. Kyoya wasn't in a fair position, either, but he was certainly more accustomed to having to deal with clients and the pressure of their presence. He knew this was only to see the new Heir to Murakami industries, to strike quick alliances with the new power so they themselves could rise to power.
"It'll be fine, Haruhi. Just pretend it's another Host Club performance and you won't be mauled by the wolves."
"What is with you and your father and your animalistic metaphors for me?"
Haruhi asked suddenly, looking at him through slightly narrowed eyes. Slightly taken aback, Kyoya wasn't quite sure how to reply. He hadn't even realized he'd picked up his fathers old habit of using animalistic metaphors to show what kind of situation someone had gotten themselves into.
Seeing Kyoya clench his jaw slightly, chewing on his tongue for a reply, Haruhi realized what she had said. She'd been impolite when all he'd been doing was attempting to quell any doubts or fears she might have had. The idea of having to make her debut, albeit a small one, wasn't what bothered her. It was the questions she and Kyoya and Toshiro would be subjected to. She didn't want to say anything that might compromise either of their positions.
"S-sorry, Kyoya. I didn't mean to snap at you…" she said slowly, leaning forward as she chose her words carefully.
"Being a rabbit in a wolfs den isn't good for the nerves."
Analogies weren't really her thing, but she tried for his behalf. A small smirk stretched across his lips, and he tried to keep the barrier he put up whenever someone insulted him from building up. After all, he had been doing so well to keep it down for her, due to her situation, of course. And his.
"It's alright. Hikaru and Kaoru should arrive soon. I suggest you do whatever you must before they arrive, because I doubt you'll be given the courtesy of privacy once that happens."
Nodding her head, she watched as Kyoya used the door between their rooms, and watched it click shut. She could only assume he was going to get ready. Taking his advice, she stepped into the bathroom and washed quickly, cleaning her hair and her teeth. Make up was part of the Hitachiin package, so she left her face clear. A knock at the door alerted her that they were here, and when they both barged in with boxes in their hands, she was glad she'd changed in the bathroom.
"Hello, Haruhi!"
Hikaru chimed, tossing his boxes onto the bed. Kaoru did the same and they both walked to her, grasping her in their embrace.
"We get to play the 'dress up Haruhi' game!"
Kaoru finished as they let her go, walking circles around her. As much as they loved joking, they took fashion seriously.
"Hi Hikaru, Kaoru. Thanks for coming to help with-"
"No no no, Haruhi! No thank you's, we love playing dress up with you."
"Yes, your are our favorite doll to play with," Hikaru added,
"And we were bored."
They both finished. She nodded as they went to work, knowing that they enjoyed any form of manipulation, be it physical or mental or emotional. Kaoru pulled the biggest box off of the bed, a blue one, and opened the lid.
"This is one of my mama's favorites. She designed it when she went to Europe for an expo. We thought you'd like it,"
Hikaru explained as Kaoru pulled it out of the box. A moment of fear caused a chill to snake it's way up her spine, as she had seen some of their mothers more 'frivolous' creations. This one, however, she simply adored. It was a pale lavender color, strapless with purple lace on the very top, coming down slightly in a loose triangle, a ribbon of the same rich purple shade tied under the bosom. From the waist down, light see-through chiffon ruffles cascaded to the floor, edged with the dark purple trim. Her modesty was maintained with the lavender lining under the dress. She looked ethereal, divine, and so light and fresh, Hikaru and Kaoru summed up to her as they looked her up and down.
"Now, your favorite part, Haruhi,"
Hikaru teased as he pulled a blush brush from out of nowhere. With sly grins, the twins approached her, reveling in their evident sarcasm and the look of dread on Haruhi's face.
She hated make-up.
When they finished, she had never been more beautiful in her life. Or rather, they had never seen her more beautiful, but they were fairly sure that this was the one moment that she could make any boys jaw drop without the question of her gender. Her eyes were lined lightly with brown liner, lips slightly rosy and shining, and her eyes were accented with mascara and light brown shadow to make the amber flecks in her eyes sparkle. Her hair had been another problem, however. This dress didn't work well with short hair, so they resorted to the use of a hair piece, attaching it with a purple hair clip with a small gold and amethyst encrusted feather on it the size of her index finger. They rolled her hair into a long bun, styled slightly to the side for elegance.
Haruhi looked at herself in the mirror, swishing her bangs lightly out of her face. She wasn't one for vanity, but as she looked at the girl in the mirror, she had to admit that she looked beautiful. She only hoped that the ruse that Hikaru and Kaoru had created from her appearance would be enough to get her through the night.
A light rap on the conjoining door and a muffled "are you decent yet?" came from the other side, alerting them of Kyoya's presence. The twins gave her a slight hug, grinning at her and wishing her luck before they opened the door for Kyoya, grinning to him and patting his shoulder.
"You sure you want to escort Haruhi?" Kaoru asked slyly.
"Yah, we'd be glad to take her off of your hands for the night," Hikaru added. Kyoya looked at them, confused, and glanced to Haruhi for the four-one-one. All that came out from his fumbling lips was,
"Wh-…ho-…Haruhi?"
Kyoya could have kicked himself for his moment of temporary stupidity as the twins sniggered and said their goodbyes, leaving to find something else to entertain them. Kyoya looked Haruhi up and down; as he found himself doing a lot lately, and was shocked by what he found waiting for him in the conjoining room. Grateful, but shocked. She didn't look like a tomboy, a boy, or even a girl. She looked every bit the woman she had become in the past seventeen years, standing shyly with her hands fidgeting in front of her.
"Am I… presentable?" Haruhi asked quietly. She wasn't sure if his analytical stare was something she should be worried about, or flattered about. She hadn't really expected a compliment; it wasn't Kyoya's style to go about giving people words of praise. If anything, she expected a-
"You look wonderful, Haruhi. I'm sure father will be in for a surprise."
Well, certainly not that.
'Did he really just…compliment me?'
"Oh, thank you, I guess." Words failed her at the moment as she touched her lightly powdered cheek, making sure it was still her face she was feeling and not someone else's who had taken it's place. Sure enough, it felt like her own skin, at least.
"Yes. Father sent a maid to tell me to escort you down soon, the guests are almost all here and he'd like to get dinner started before they have a chance to corner you with questions."
He offered her his arm, which she took, and he led her out of the room and down the flight of stairs, into the dining area. Since they had not dined together since her arrival, this was one part of the house Haruhi had yet to explore, and was taken aback by how elegant the room was. Silver dishes and china sat on the long, white dressed table which the maids were beginning to fill with orderves and drinks. A small group of people stood off to the side, and included was Yoshiro and Kyoya's eldest brother she recognized from the hospital, Itoshi, with a beautiful woman on his arm.
"That's Itoshi's wife, Adelia, and their daughter, Kazue." Kyoya told her softly, nodding to his brother who looked at him with a small smirk.
"Ah, Kyoya, and Haruhi-san, what a delight to see you both here, together," Yoshio emphasized as he strolled toward them, the rest of their company following, staring at the girl in wonder. Haruhi placed the kindest Host Club smile she could manage on her face, squeezing Kyoya's bicep lightly in apprehension.
"It's a pleasure to see you as well, Yoshio-san, Itoshi-san. It is a pleasure to meet all of you, as well," she greeted, taking Yoshios hand as he kissed her on the cheek slightly.
"Like chum to the sharks, Haruhi, just bop one on the nose and they'll tuck their fins back where they belong." Yoshio whispered in her ear before turning and patting his son on the shoulder.
"Itoshi was just telling us how successful your rehabilitation has been going so far, Haruhi-san, and we are all glad to know you are well," Adelia said with a small smile as she came to stand closer to the family with her husband.
"Thank you, Adelia-san, your concern is appreciated, and I am glad to meet you, as well as Kazue-san," she looked down to the small girl, hardly seven or eight years old, standing calmly by her mothers leg. Haruhi flashed her a smile, and Kazue squinted at her for a moment before finally smiling and walking to Haruhi's side.
"I want to sit by you, Haruhi-chan!" Kazue said. The group chuckled slightly at her childish declaration, and the Ootori's looked a little surprised, though why was unbeknownst to Haruhi. The rest of the group introduced themselves, two middle-aged men, their wives, and an older couple. As dinner was finally about to be served, they all sat down and enjoyed their appetizers, Kazue taking her seat beside Haruhi, and Kyoya on her other side. The older couple sat in front of her, eyeing her every chance they possibly could.
"So, Haruhi-san, you must be thankful for the Ootori's and their generous hospitality," Tanaka-san in front of her said. As she sipped the soup in front of her, she gave him a small smile.
"Of course, Tanaka-san, Yoshio-san, Kyoya-san, and Itoshi-san have been wonderful to me, and have shown me kindness I hope to repay one day," she answered carefully. The calm look she saw on Kyoya's face told her she was doing well so far. Tanaka's eyes crinkled as he smiled at her, patting his wife's hand gently.
"Aah, but you did save Kyoya-san from that car accident, I'm sure Yoshio would spare no expense to see that you are well taken care of," he said, taking a sip of his wine,
"But I can assure I have a son who would take care of you and show you kindness as well."
She heard Kyoya nearly choke on the piece of bread he was about to swallow, and she knocked her hand into Kyoya's arm lightly.
"Thank you for your concern, and your matchmaking, Tanaka-san, if only all fathers were so eager to marry off their children,"
Yoshio jested, catching a small rise out of his company.
"Don't tell me you've already promised Haruhi-san to one of your own sons, Yoshio-san?"
One of the younger wives replied, smiling but listening carefully to the oncoming answer. Haruhi had no idea that wealthy people were so good at collecting answers through polite chatter.
"Though I find that Haruhi-san would make a pleasing daughter-in-law, like you, Adelia-san,"
Yoshio smiled to Ishio's wide, who nodded politely for him to continue,
"I find that the only person who is capable of finding a match for Haruhi if herself."
"Haruhi-chan, if you get married, can I be your flower girl?" Kazue said sweetly.
"Of course, Kazue-chan, though I hope you will allow me to hold you to it a few years from now."
As they laughed, dinner progressed and Haruhi answered the questions she had expected to hear with her pre-planned answers. Yoshio and Kyoya seemed pleased by how easily she met their glances, matched their wit, and calmly responded to any questions thrown at her.
"While we finish up with some champagne, why don't you take Haruhi-san and Kazue-chan out into the back garden, Kyoya?"
"Yes, father." Kyoya answered, standing up and offering his hand out to Haruhi politely, which she took. Kazue held on to Haruhi's free hand as she waved to her mother as they exited out into the garden.
The sun was just setting, illuminating the flowers that were still in bloom. White roses intermingled with red ones, and laced through the boshes that opened up to a fountain and black French styled benches on either side.
"Can I go find you a pretty flower?"
Kazue asked Haruhi.
"Of course, just don't go too far, okay?"
Nodding, Kazue skipped off to find a pretty flower she could give to Haruhi. Kyoya smirked at how easily Haruhi could handle children. He'd been surprised that Kazue had taken so easily to Haruhi and had become attached to her; Kazue didn't like many people, mainly everyone else aside from her immediate family. It had taken Kazue until her fifth birthday to finally warm up to Kyoya, though she simply adored her grandfather.
"Kazue-chan is so adorable, don't you think, Kyoya?"
Haruhi asked him in a small daze.
"When she is agreeable, yes. I'm glad she seems taken with you."
They took a seat on one of the benches, and Haruhi smoothed out the ruffles of her dress.
"Now I think I can understand a little more why you are so stressed all of the time, having to deal with those people," she said meekly.
"They were all rather agreeable compared to some of our other affiliates. Father took it easy on you tonight, selecting some of his more agreeable partners,"
He told her blandly. He had to admit, she had done very well holding her own. For a moment he had began to believe that she was completely comfortable chatting with everyone, until he had seen how tightly she was gripping the side of her chair when there was something to be said. Regardless, she held up splendidly. Kyoya was glad this had all passed by smoothly, as he looked back to see the elders sipping champagne and chatting in a group. He saw his father check his watch, alerting Kyoya that the gathering was almost over.
"All you've to get through now is the goodbyes, and you're done pretending for tonight. Just don't loose your slipper on the stairs, because I won't go looking for you to hand it back,"
He joked with her. For a moment the corners of her lips drooped, and he was convinced he had said something stupid, until she suddenly burst into laughter and had to hold onto his shoulder to stabilize herself from falling over. He grinned slightly as he watched her wipe a tear from her eye so she didn't ruin her make-up, and stood up with her in tow.
"K-Kyoya…haha! I'm no, no Cinderella!"
"You're right, your princes are married or far too old," he joked, sending her into another fit of laughter.
"I found one, do you like it?" Kazue said, running up with a flower in her hand. It was a lily, white in the center with purple edging the tips of the petals. Kyoya took it from Kazue, and placed it in the crook of her hair and the clip pinning it up.
"It's beautiful, Kazue-chan, thank you," Haruhi said, touching the flower lightly. Looking between Kyoya and Haruhi, Kazue cocked her head to the side, furrowing her slight brow.
"If you and Kyoya are wearing the same colors, does that mean your getting married?"
Haruhi looked at Kyoya, and down at his tie, which was a light lavender color, and down to her dress which nearly matched the tie. All she could do was blink.
"No, Kazue-chan, Haruhi-san and I aren't getting married,"
Kyoya said to her sweetly, kneeling down and whispering something into the little girls ear, looking up at Haruhi tauntingly. Kazue giggled, and zipped her lips, running towards the house and holding her moms hand. Haruhi looked to Kyoya closely, shielding her eyes from the sun setting behind him. As he turned his head, the sun shone past him, setting his eyes ablaze and lighting up the black sheen of his hair. He really did look beautiful.
"Ready to go inside, Haruhi?" Kyoya asked her. She shot him a narrow glance, replying,
"Are you that ready to feed me to the sharks again?"
Kyoya snorted at her show of wit.
"Does that mean I'm your life raft, then?" Kyoya retorted. They both sniggered at one other, Haruhi once again taking his extended arm and re-entering the dining room, where everyone was beginning to say their goodbyes.
"Don't forget about my son, Yusaru. If you're ever interested, make sure you come and have a little chat with me, eh Haruhi-san?" Tanaka said, winking as he shook her hand.
"Of course, Tanaka-san. Have a safe trip," she told him kindly. As the last of the guests left, she noticed that only Itoshi, Adelia, and Kazue remained, heading up the stairs to the sleeping quarters.
"Are they staying the night?" Haruhi questioned. Kyoya nodded, telling her that they were staying here over night before flying out to Korea for a business meeting.
Yoshio approached them, looking slightly worn but satisfied.
"You did well, taking them all on at once, Haruhi; I must thank you for remaining so delightful in a tense situation. I have to admit I wasn't sure if you could pull it off."
"It's not a problem. I have to become accustomed to it sooner or later, and I am glad you took me into consideration when you set this up."
He smiled at her, patting her arm lightly.
"Yes, well, I wasn't joking about having you as a daughter-in-law. If you and Kyoya were to tie the knot, I wouldn't be the least bit disappointed," he said, and winked to his son.
Was he drunk?
"Yes, father, I'm sure you wouldn't be. We're going to go to our rooms, good night."
"Yes, yes, your rooms, of course. Good night Haruhi, Kyoya." By the way he side stepped every three feet, they both knew Yoshio had accepted a little too much champagne. Haruhi couldn't help but smile slightly when she saw the look of dread etch its way onto Kyoya's usually stoic expression.
"It wasn't that embarrassing,"
Haruhi assured Kyoya once they closed the door to Kyoya's room. He proceeded to take of his suit jacket, loosening his tie as well and removing his shoes, tossing them into the closet.
"My father basically told me he wanted us to marry, and he was drunk. What more do you need to create embarrassment?" Kyoya said bitterly. Apparently he was taking the situation a little more seriously than she was, because it hadn't really fazed her.
Her father worked at a bar, she knew how alcohol could easily loosen up even the coldest and tied of tongues.
"Perhaps you had a little too much wine yourself, Kyoya," she told him as she took a seat on one of the side couches. He turned to look at her sharply, running a hand through his hair and removing his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose.
"Maybe," Kyoya agreed half-heartedly. From the look on his face, she knew there was something really bothering him.
"Is there something else wrong?" She asked him. He ignored her, continuing to fumble around the room, pulling out sleep clothes and finding a clean towel.
"Kyoya?" She asked again, watching as he walked to the door of his bathroom, his hand lingering on the handle.
"I'm going to bathe. We can speak once I'm finished." And with that, he entered the bathroom and she heard the sound of running water. Sighing, she went to her own room and changed out of the dress, careful not to rip or tear any of the fabric and checking it over for any stains. There were none. She changed into a pair of sleep shorts and a baggy shirt, and packed away the dress and the shoes that Hikaru and Kaoru had given her, careful with both of them. Re-entering Kyoya's room, she was greeted with nothing but silence, but Kyoya was nowhere to be found. Knocking on his bathroom door gently, she called his name through the door, and only received silence in response. The minutes she waited stirred up her curiosity, and she still received no response.
Turning the handle, she peeped inside, and walked in, turning the corner to see Kyoya lazing in the tub, his cheek resting on his arm that was on the side of the tub, gazing at her through half-lidded eyes.
"S-sorry, I knocked, but you-" She felt her face grow hot as she tried to cover her eyes in modesty.
"Sorry, I must not have heard. Come in." Kyoya said, monotone.
She just blinked at him like he was insane as she peeped through her fingers. She saw him smirk at her modesty, and lifted his dripping hand from the water to point at the chair his clothing and towel rested upon.
"You won't see anything indecent from there."
Unsure of what to do, whether she should just turn around and walk out and pretend this never happened, or to comply with his demand, she felt her feet slowly dragging her to the chair, hoping what he said was the truth. Thankfully, it was. The bath tub, or rather, what appeared to be a Jacuzzi, was raised off of the ground, and supported by two rows of tiled steps around the side of the tub that was not attached to the wall. There appeared to be bubbles, as well, and she felt her shoulders slacken and her blush fade lightly as she placed the folded towel on her lap and ignored the clothing strewn on the back of the chair.
"So will you tell me what's bothering you so much?" Haruhi asked him for a second time. Kyoya turned his head to her, blinking. Minutes passed and he just looked at her in silence.
"I heard one of the guests mention how great your coming out party should be. Apparently my father forgot to mention any of this to us, being intoxicated and all."
"Coming out party?" Haruhi repeated. "What do you mean by a coming out party?"
Kyoya sighed.
"You, coming out of the commoner lifestyle, and entering the world of business. It's just another time for people to get their names into your ears and your money in their pockets, basically."
"I see," she said slowly. Now she saw what had Kyoya so worked out of his usual cool and level state. Well, that and the four glasses of wine he had with dinner.
"And I get the pleasure of telling you from my own bath tub," Kyoya added sarcastically. Despite the situation, Haruhi couldn't help but laugh lightly.
Despite the situation, Haruhi couldn't help but feel another shred of her old life being chiseled off, and a new cold slab being plastered in its place.
xxx
Well now, that did take me a while to complete, due to the horrible, yet brilliant, invention of a thing called VIRTUAL SCHOOL.
You try having to take a three hour exam TWICE because somehow your exam was sent back all the way to 1969. And this manages to ONLY HAPPEN TO ME.
Here's your chapter. I hope you like it, because I find this one boring, but you have to have the boring parts before you get to the AWESOMETASTIC amazingness that is coming to you in the next few chapters.
Any one wondering what Tamaki is up to during all of this?
Get ready to find out, dearies.
REVIEW! Please…?