It really is the best defense mechanism, I sigh internally as I tune into whatever the Host Club sempais are babbling on about.
"Aren't you two supposed to meet formally first?", Tamaki asks. Kyoya makes a small shrug, regaining composure. "The school term is undoubtedly earlier than expected. Furthermore, our fathers have arranged for the meeting to happen only next month." I raise my brows, clammy palms on the fabric of my dress twisting apprehensively, "My father never told me that."
Kyoya has an odd look on his face, "My father never tells me anything either. I had to access the private emails that he has been exchanging with Ishikawa-san." I glowered, pressing a hand to my aching temples. "I can't believe he never told me about this." Kyoya sympathetically adds, "They did say they would give the miai three months."
And it so happens that the three months were coming to a close soon. Next week was a week of school holiday specially arranged by the school management, after that there was going to be two blissful weeks before the dreaded formal event.
I pursed my lips, staring aimlessly at the fabric swatches messily tacked on the table. "Isn't there a week of holiday for all of you next week?", Hani squealed. I looked up in slight nervousness. Don't tell me... "Let's go on a holiday!", Tamaki yelled in glee, arms wide open in elation. The other members immediately clam clamored at places to go to.
I simply merged into the background, watching them in mortification. There was no doubt that Haruhi would devise a plan to drag me along, she had always talked about getting me to step outside my comfort zone.
Sure enough. "Hana-chan, would you like to join us on the trip?" I smiled sheepishly as all eyes were on me, expectantly waiting. "I think I'll politely decline. Father probably had plans for me to supervise the latest anime they are planning to produce this year. I also have to work on the Host Club projects."
The atmosphere of dejection settles in as Tamaki's sparkles around him dim in disappointment. "Oh, I have homework to do too," I add lamely. The mood just grows even more morose as even Mori gives a sigh. Kyoya adds in unexpectedly, "I'll temporarily postpone the Host Club projects until the week is over." I bite my lip, fingers drumming nervously, "And the company." The bespectacled devil only grins deviously, "I'll send in a few emails to Ishikawa-san. There is no homework issued during school holidays."
I wilt in defeat, looking down at my shoes, "I refuse to neglect my duties for a whole week." Haruhi places a comforting hand on my shoulders, "Hana-chan I'm sure that you can find time for anything you want to do this whole whole point of inviting you is to get to know you better, as a Club does. After all, you're our newest member."
"Yeah, we wanna see what drives you crazy!", Kaoru simpers. "Or what makes you cry!", the other twin, Hikaru adds with menace. I could only nod reluctantly, making a mental note to consult Chiyoko about what had just happened. I sense a chill down my spine as Tamaki expresses grandiose thoughts of having another daughter in the Club. "Oh, my Princess, Daddy will take great care of
"Wait!", Hani cries in surprise. "If Tamaki is Daddy," everyone turns to look at the blonde, "and Kyoya is Mommy," the club turns to the enigmatic devil opposite me, "then, if Hana-chan is Kyoya's miai partner, then who is Hana-chan? Is she Mommy?"
I could have sworn crickets chirped.
Everyone seemed to ponder, before Hikaru (?) wraps his hands around his head in frustration, "Let's not think about that!" My shoulders slumped in relief. Whatever fantasy I was dragged into, I hoped that I wasn't some peasant commoner.
Out of the blue, maniacal laughter pealed from the hidden corners of the ballroom, as the pink ballroom floor opened to reveal a stunningly beautiful girl with caramel ringlets and a bow on her head. "Ohohohoho!", she cackles, holding a small tiara.
"She'll be the damsel in distress! A maiden in wait of a lover to rescue her! To live happily ever after!" The girl, Renge squealed as she descended the drill-like contraption, tall heels clicking on the floor. My smile turned awkward. I would rather be the princess who saves herself, thank you very much.
Renge is still making her way over to me before narrowing her eyes, thick lashes obscuring her bright eyes. I catch a whiff of flowers before she lenas in quickly, before I realize what is going on. It is too late.
She delicately slides the tiara in, abruptly turning in to look me in the eyes. I jolt up, hurriedly refusing to wear the tiara out of courtesy, but her claw grip was pressing the tiara back down onto my head, forcing me to sigh and sink back down into the chair.
The twins hoot with laughter as they take in my sorry form, stiffly looking up at the tiara with a small hand mirror that Haruhi graciously provides. Hani compliments my "cute" appearance, while Mori just raises a fraction of his brows. "It is beautiful,
Renge gleefully claps, along with Tamaki, at the sight of the small crown. "That's a real diamond encrusted crown, " Kyoya frowns in annoyance. He glares resolutely at the offending object on my head. I reach up to touch the precious gems, self conscious, "Do I take it off, it's a bit weird isn't it-" "Leave it!", a cold voice abruptly interrupts me. My hand stills, halting in midair.
"What?", I squeak, hurriedly glancing at Kyoya's shocked face. Did he not mean it? "It looks...decent on you," he manages to say, before gesturing to the computer and the mess on the table. "We should continue in order to conserve time." I lick my lips dry, speech failing me, "Ah."
-
I swing my legs in the air as I spin around in the swivel chair. My fingers probe the 24k diamond tiara, Chiyoko idly playing around with the make up kits scattered on the exquisite four poster bed she owned. "Are you sure that's what happened today?", she eagerly questions. I shift uncomfortably in my seat, giving her a look, "I'm not a liar."
She snickers, "So you're really going to go on that trip huh." I feel my fingers dig into the soft velvet pillow I'm hugging, downcast eyes staring obstinately at the make up cases scattered around the room. "Chiyoko, my father already was notified about the trip. I have to go."
The peach curls she was brushing with a comb stilled as she groaned. "That old man's forcing you to go, isn't he?" I scowled, glaring a hole into the floor, "Father always said he wanted to best for me." My fingers trace old bruises on my legs, "Even if I didn't want what he thought was the best." Looking up, the harsh lights of the mirror Chiyoko is staring into illuminate the equally severe expression she has.
Chiyoko's sharp eyes flick towards me, "Did he do anything this time?" I shake my head, fingers ghosting over old wounds. She sighs, her broad shoulders settling in relief. "I worry about you everyday, you know that." I smile, hugging the pillow closer to my chest, "I know."
"I'll be one call away," Chiyoko reminds me, waving a felt tipped mascara pen to prove her point. I pressed a hand over my throbbing headache, "I know, I know."
A small ringtone from my email beeps, making me look towards my computer. The sleek screen, accessorized with stickers displays a new message. Kyoya had sent me a new email. Chiyoko swooped over, eyes like a hawk's. "A packing list?"
I nod, scrolling down the extensive list of words. I close my exhausted eyes, "It seems we are going to the new zaibatsu run healthcare spa resort the Ootori company has set up. "The one in lieu of the earlier successful resort?" I nod my head, thinking of the tropical themed resort that the Host Club had once visited before the actual clientele arrived.
This time, a newer twin had appeared, with much more sleek facilities and beautifully run amusement park water features. I frowned, fingers pensively tapping on the keyboard to send a formal thank you reply, "I guess I'll start packing for tomorrow." Chiyoko laughs at my sour expression, "You have fun at your beach trip, yeah?" I groan in despair before sending the list to Anzu, my assistant.
I nearly crumple in my seat as the expensive limousine opens it's doors to an unwelcome sight, the two brothers Hikaru and Kaoru. Tamaki and Haruhi had both arrived in a beautiful vehicle, with a small fleet of cars behind to carry all their luggage. I simply held a large suitcase and handbag, with a small case of art supplies. Suffice to say, the arrival of the twins brought along much loud laughter and another fleet of black vehicles with luggage.
As Haruhi happily chatted with me about the day's topics, I felt my grip on reality fade away as we pulled up to a beautiful venue. Morning sun rays glinting off a glass domed exterior with small trains to different sectors of the healthcare resort, the beautiful scenery and well maintained gardens with lush scenery made my heart skip a beat. My hands itched to paint a scene.
However, as I opened my phone to snap a photo, I heard a girlish scream. Namely, Tamaki's. I sighed, snapping a picture. However, as I lowered my phone, I sensed a dark aura emerging and a figure in sleek defined fashion emerged from the automatic doors of the resort and a demonic frown to boot. Kyoya Ootori frowned at us, raising an eyebrow, "All of you are fifteen minutes late, care to explain why?"