Author's Note: In between work and school and being sick, it was surprisingly hard to write this chapter. For more notes, please check at the end.


For some reason, the past two months Tachikawa Mimi's love life seemed to be the only thing people talked about. They had heard it from Tomoe, who had heard it from Aiko, who swore Kimiko had seen them herself, with her own two eyes. At any given time she would have been unwilling to believe it but given recent circumstances, Sora was rather inclined to think her classmates were onto something.

"You mean Haninozuka-kun?"

"No, it was Morinozuka-kun."

"Didn't she date them both?"

"I think so, yeah. Wow, lucky girl! Honey-senpai is so cuuuute!"

The story went thus: after a few weeks of dating Mikoshiba Seijuurou, Tachikawa Mimi had been seen dumping him for undisclosed reasons. Despite this, the Samezuka captain seemed to have recuperated soon enough, as he was seen in pursuit of Wakahasi Michiko, only a couple of days later. As for the Princess herself, she had been courted by a few young men and was seen going out with one or two prospects, but word had it that a certain Ootori Kyoya had set his eyes on her lately. And, if word were to be believed, Ms. Tachikawa was doing nothing to avoid his advances.

It began simply enough, with her disappearing at odd hours and for odd lengths of time, only to be seen later at some important event, wearing some scandalously exquisite outfit and then being promptly returned to class. She was often seen climbing into or out of discrete town cars and being taken to and from school by mysterious chauffeurs Sora never actually saw. The whole thing spelled shady, but Mimi assured her that she was well taken care of and that she was having a delightful time.

"So, when are we going to meet this guy?" she asked one day, during the rare treat that was having Mimi over for lunch at the girls' table.

"What do you mean?" Mimi asked, shoving a piece of tuna into her mouth. "You know Kyoya."

"No, I know of Kyoya," Sora corrected her. "And that's only because Jyou's father is the chief of one of his family's hospitals."

"You mean he's got more than one hospital?" Miyako gushed. "Wow Mimi, you really outdid yourself this time."

"I thought you were seeing … what's his name?" Hikari intervened, scratching her chin thoughtfully. She had taken to do this as a subtle way to let her friend know that maybe she was seeing too many people, but so far, it had gone completely over Mimi's head.

"Takashi," she supplied gloomily. "And I really did like him, too. But we're better off as friends, and there was that weird thing he had going on with his cousin," she rolled her eyes. "—if I never have to be in the middle of that again, I'll be a happy girl."

"I rather liked Mitsukuni-kun," Miyako sighed. "He was positively adorable."

"He was cuter than me, Miya-chan," Mimi complained, not for the first time.

"Oh yeah! Didn't Yamato say that—?"

Snapping her chopsticks, Mimi gave her a look. "I don't care what Ishida Yamato has to say," she muttered darkly, then buried her face in her hands. "God, how come he's always finding a way into my life?"

"Well, you did date for a long time—,"

"And he does know you best—,"

As expected, Mimi sunk lower in her chair, pushing her food around with her chopsticks. "You know, I could be having lunch with Kyoya instead of you," she mumbled darkly.

"Yeah?" Sora asked, cocking one eyebrow. "And why aren't you?"

Mimi gave her best friend her best withering look which, under current circumstances, was more pathetic than intimidating.

"He's busy with something else," she snapped. "My life doesn't revolve around him, you know!"

-x-

His eyes moved languidly across the pages as he took in the information before him, one finger lightly touching the page, his other hand supporting his chin and forehead. He had been trying to study for the past half an hour now, the keyword being trying.

"I don't know how you do it," a voice suddenly said and he found himself severely tempted to look up. But he didn't, choosing a noncommittal answer by shrugging slightly.

"You just read one word and then the next," he said dryly. "It really isn't that hard."

"Ha, ha," Taichi raised an eyebrow. "You're funny now. Great."

Yamato shrugged again. "I try."

"I meant, I don't know how you deal with seeing your girlfriend—,"

"—ex-girlfriend," Yamato corrected him.

"Girlfriend," Taichi insisted, "—going out with someone else."

Yamato, whose patience with that whole mess was slowly but surely eroding, let out a loud sigh.

"I don't see much of it," he explained unnecessarily. "She's free to do whatever—,"

"—or whomever," his friend quipped, earning one of Yamato's worst glares.

"Whatever she pleases to do."

It was at this point that Koushiro found his way towards them, running a hand through thick red hair as he sat down.

"I'm exhausted," he announced, to which Taichi ran his arm around him, pulling him into half a hug.

"Long day?"

"Try week," he said. "I think that was the longest exam I've ever taken in my life."

"Ah, well. I'm sure you'll ace it," Taichi said.

"Thanks," he sighed. "What're you two up to?"

"Just discussing Yamato's feelings on Mimi's latest acquisition."

"Why would you have any feelings about Mimi's purchases?" Koushiro asked, raising a critical eyebrow at the blond.

"I meant boyfriend," Taichi said, rolling his eyes. "Well, boytoy, really."

"Oh."

He shuffled awkwardly in his seat, then took out his phone and started swiping. He had a habit of tuning out of the conversation whenever Mimi became the subject at hand. Partly because he really was respectful of other people's privacy, unlike Taichi; and partly because being Mimi's close friend often put him in a very uncomfortable situation when it came to her and Yamato. But then, in a completely uncharacteristic turn of events, added, "I'm not sure I like him much."

"Neither do I. Have you seen him? He never smiles," Taichi shuddered. "He could give you a run for your money, Yamato."

"Ah, you must mean Morinozuka-san," Koushiro said after a while, eyes still on his phone. "She's not seeing him anymore."

"She's not?" Taichi demanded loudly. "Who's she seeing, then?"

It was at this point that Yamato peeked one startlingly blue eye at him, curious.

"Ootori Kyoya," he answered briefly.

He didn't say anything, but his nostrils flared and he changed the page with a little too much force.

"I thought you said you didn't mind?" Taichi said, amused.

"I don't," the blond practically hissed. There was a pause, in which he regained his composure, running deft fingers through fine golden hair. "It's fine. He's practically a household name, that should make her happy."

Taichi was about to comment, but Koushiro discretely shook his head and, for once, his brunet friend listened.

"Yamato…" Koushiro began, but Yamato cut him off before he could continue.

"I'll see you later," he said, taking out his phone and bringing it to his ear as he walked away from him. It rang three times before the call went through and when it did, his message was short, clear and clipped.

"We're in," he said shortly. A pause. "You can email Akira for details. Yes … we'll see you there."

-x-

As the fancy town car drew to a close, several heads turned simultaneously, as if they expected something or someone interesting to climb out. The spectators were not as disappointed as they might have been, as a nondescript young man with dark black hair and rimless crystal glasses came out, holding a phone to his ear.

"… that's great news, we'll keep in touch," he said, his long legs taking him easily towards the entrance of the Liberal Arts building, where a certain brunette and violet-haired girl were walking. The brunette stopped, her face alighting with a smile as she recognised him, touching Miyako's arm lightly before hurrying to meet him.

"Kyoya-kun!" Mimi smiled. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"Mimi-san," he said, bowing lightly. "It's always a pleasure to see you."

"Yes," she said, chided by his formal tone, as always. "Did we – had we planned anything? I'm afraid I must've forgotten or —,"

"No, not at all," he assured her. "I'm here out of schedule, I'm afraid," he looked remorseful for a moment, as though ashamed to be imposing. "I hope you don't mind me dropping by like this."

"No," she corrected quickly – too quickly, maybe. "I mean, it's fine, you can … visit."

At this point her friend joined them and Mimi took the opportunity to draw attention from herself (a near-impossible feat, one would assume) and introduce the cool-faced Kyoya to a starry-eyed Miyako.

"It's my pleasure," he said, and Mimi swore Miyako was half-dead by then. But his attention shifted back to Mimi and he offered her a swift smile. "I only came to bring this for you—," he reached into his breast-pocket and took out an envelope marked with the Ootori coat of arms. "—and for your friends." His cool, kind smile lingered on Miyako for a split second.

Mimi took the envelope, fingers brushing against him for a moment. He was still smiling politely and she couldn't help but blush again.

"I – er, thanks," she said, unsure what it was to begin with.

"You can RSVP later," he said, then checked his watch. "I must really go now, but I'll call you for dinner confirmation."

"That sounds great," Mimi nodded. "Thanks for dropping by, Kyoya-kun. It was nice seeing you."

He smiled, waving over his shoulder.

"Until tonight."

They watched the town car disappear soon and when it was gone, Miyako actually punched Mimi on the arm.

"OI!" she complained, rubbing the offended limb. "What was that for?"

"You did not prepare me for that," Miyako sentenced, storming away from her in direction to the café where they were supposed to meet their friends ten minutes ago.

"You should've seen him Sora, you would've died!" she gushed for what felt like the millionth time. She had taken to talking most highly of Kyoya while sending Mimi resentful glances every now and then, mostly because it upset her that Mimi had not mentioned how devastatingly handsome the young man was.

"He sounds … to die for," Sora mused, a smile touching on the corners of her lips while Mimi rolled her eyes. "What did he want, anyway?"

"To see Mimi, of course!" Miyako said with a cheeky grin. The brunette blushed, but only slid the envelope over to Sora.

"Take a look inside."

Puzzled, Sora opened the envelope, her fingers wrapping around rich, embroidered stationery. Her eyes went round, eyebrows shooting right up.

"You're joking?!"

-x-

"You're not being serious," a very excited Takaishi Takeru was saying, palms firmly placed on the table before him. On the other side and surveying him with some degree of wariness was Yagami Hikari, nodding slowly.

"I thought it was a joke too," she told him. "But Jyou checked and they're legal."

The blond fingered one of the fancy little tickets, eyes round and glossy.

"They haven't even opened yet," he said, flopping down on the chair.

"I know," his friend said with a small smile. "It's the official grand opening. Mimi said only the most important people in Japan were invited—,"

"—I hope you're including us in that list," a new voice said, and both teens turned to look into the face of one Yagami Taichi, Hikari's loud older brother, and Izumi Koushiro. "What's this?" he asked, picking one ticket off his sister's hand and bringing it up to his face.

Hikari could see the exact moment when it all clicked into place inside Taichi's mind. The brunet practically shoved the thing up Koushiro's face, who looked alarm at his reaction and gingerly picked it between two pale fingers. His own eyebrows shot up, surprised.

"Well, that's certainly something," he muttered. "Hikari?"

"Isn't it exciting?" Takeru asked.

"You would think so!" Taichi squawked indignantly. "Traitor."

Takeru rolled his eyes. "You're being unreasonable, Taichi."

"Tell that to your brother," he bit out. That promptly wiped Takeru's smug little smirk off.

"Low blow, Yagami."

"There's one for each of us," the petite girl said with a smile, ignoring, as usual, her brother's squabbles around her. "Mimi said we better go and she specifically asked to remind you and Daisuke how important it is that we don't embarrass her."

Now Taichi was indignant for an entirely different reason. "What do you mean me and Daisuke?"

"She means you two enjoy pushing her buttons and she'd like you to refrain from doing so during this event," Koushiro answered simply, taking a seat at the table. "I do think she wants to impress Ootori-san."

"He must be wanting to impress her too," Takeru muttered absently, his eyes still fixed on the envelope that contained the rest of their tickets. "You don't do that kind of thing for just anyone, do you?"

The implication lingered in the air, but nobody dared voice it out loud.

"Do you think we should tell Yamato?" Taichi asked, but stopped talking once the blond in question opened the door and slammed it close without sparing them a glance, storming into his bedroom. They exchanged a shaky little smile, then a collective sigh. "—perhaps not today."

They did not tell him the next day, either, or the next. It was Thursday when Taichi finally had a mind to tell Yamato about the tickets and the silent invitation in the solitary ticket that remained in the envelope. Yamato was going over some notes, hunched over his desk with a book open in front of him. He did not look up when Taichi came into his bedroom.

"Say, Yamato," he began, walking towards his bed. "You busy?"

"What could possible make you think that?" Yamato asked dryly. "My closed door or my undivided attention?"

Taichi chuckled. "You're a real jerk, you know that?"

For some reason, that made the blond pause, stealing a glance at Taichi, who was by now thrown casually on his bed, phone in hand. He looked properly chastised, though Taichi was far too engrossed in some stupid game to notice.

"Sorry," he said gruffly. "I've got a lot on my plate, that's all."

"You apologised?" Taichi laughed. "And they said the day would never come!"

Yamato raised a cold eyebrow, looking at him warily. "I am not completely indolent, you know."

"Never said you were," Taichi replied easily. "You can be a little prideful sometimes, that's all."

He narrowed his eyes for a moment, then slowly got back to his work. Taichi's presence was more irritating than usual, and he was wondering if it had anything to do with Taichi at all.

"Anyway," Taichi spoke again, and Yamato looked up warily. "I was just wondering if you were free this weekend. Because we were thinking—,"

"I'm busy," Yamato cut him off before he could finish. "I can't do anything with you this weekend."

Taichi, both surprised and terribly relieved, looked over at the blond, who seemed suddenly uncomfortable under his stare. "What are you doing?" he asked, trying and failing to sound casual and not at all interested. "Do you have a date?"

Yamato sighed, looking right through him. "If you must know," he drawled out lazily, "—we've got a gig."

"Oh! Where? Maybe we can check you guys out if it's early."

"It's a private event," Yamato answered after giving it some thought. "Something rather exclusive. I think it could be big for us," he finished, and chastised himself for the slight venom that trailed his words. He blinked, shaking those thoughts away. "Anyway, thanks for thinking of me," he said, in what was both his own way of being considerate and also a clear dismissal.

Taichi got the hint.

"Alright then," he said with a yawn. "Tell me all about it when I come back."

"Come back?" Yamato asked, whirling around on his chair. "Where from?"

Taichi paused, then grinned. "Roadtrip," he answered vaguely. "We're all going."

It seemed to him that Yamato sighed, then smiled, stretching out like a cat and tapping the end of his pen to his chin. "That sounds fun," he commented lightly. "Take lots of pictures and tell Takeru not to be a little shit, will you?"

"I'll try," Taichi laughed. "But does he ever listen?"

-x-

As Saturday came, Taichi and the others were bustling with contained excitement.

"I could hardly sleep," Daisuke gushed. "I mean, how could I? Mimi is a saint."

"I thought you didn't approve of her going out with this guy," Takeru said with a smirk, causing the maroon-haired teen to scowl in order to hide his blush.

"I had a change of heart," he declared solemnly. "I figured if his own brother doesn't give a shit, why should I?"

Takeru's eyes narrowed and Hikari swiftly came in between them, looping her arms through theirs. "Now now," she said. "Remember what Mimi asked of us?"

She was met with silence. Hikari frowned, then pinched their sides simultaneously.

"Ouch!"

"What the hell, Hikari!"

"I said …?"

"We're adults Hikari, you can't—," but apparently, she could, because she was pinching them harder this time.

"We'll be on our best behavior!" they said at the same time, scowling and shooting daggers at her.

Hikari only smiled benignly and sighed. "This is going to be so much fun!"

They had converged at the Tachikawa residence, though they had yet to see Mimi. When she came down minutes later, wearing a navy blue dress with a repeating white anchor motif and white boat shoes, she was met with expectant, excited faces. She had her phone glued to her ear and smiled at them, holding one finger out.

"Yes, I'm listening. I understand, Tachibana-san, but surely you understand my predicament," she paused, nodding absently. "Yes, I know that. But I wasn't informed — no, Kyoya-kun said nothing of the sort, I assure you!" She flipped her hair back, then sighed. "Are you sure that's … oh well, if he insists then, yes, sure. Oh! Right outside? You're very efficient, aren't you? Yes, no, that was a compliment, Tachibana-san!" she giggled, "—you're so sweet. Okay, we'll be right out."

She hung up her phone, then clapped her hands together as she turned excitedly towards her friends. "Slight change of plans," she announced. "We're not taking the train."

They had all been understandably confused upon Mimi's announcement, but that was nothing in comparison to the confusion that swept over them when they realised that, right outside on the street was a luxury travel bus that had been hired just for them. The thing was huge – bigger than some apartments, and everything, down to the slightest detail, looked very, very expensive. Mimi bowed in front of a couple of men dressed in what appeared to be dark police garb, and a middle-aged man in a dark suit.

"Tachikawa-sama," he greeted her, making her flush a dark pink.

"That won't be necessary," they heard her mutter, pulling down the sides of her huge sunhat. He smiled briefly.

"Are these all your guests, Tachikawa-san?"

"Yes," she said shyly. "Are you sure it's okay?"

"Master Kyoya wants to make sure you all get there safe and sound," he explained expertly. "This is part of the Ootori Group hospitality and guarantee of safety. It is no trouble, I assure you."

She nodded and other pleasantries were exchanged before they were ushered by staff they had not seen, who took their bags and personal items, inside. The inside was, if possible, more lush. Mimi's face lit up as soon as she walked in, being led to the comfortable, expansive seats and shown to the rest of the areas, which included top-of-the-line restrooms, a small dining area and entertainment in the form of films, music and every possible form of visual media available at that moment.

The ride went smoothly, and Mimi laughed with her friends and tried not to gape too much at the excessive care with which she was being treated. Both Taichi and Daisuke, delighted at the idea of personalised food service, were doing their best to be proper and educated young men, which wasn't much, but it sufficed to keep her content. Tachibana-san, which they know knew was a member of Ootori Kyoya's personal bodyguards, was in charge of them for the entire trip, and informed them that it would last four hours only and that they'd make it just in time for the inauguration ceremony.

"You know," Sora muttered after two hours, nudging Jyou, who was very interested in their selection of documentaries, "I think we're being followed." She had been eyeing two cars that seemed to be tailing the bus nonstop, and it was beginning to make her nervous.

Jyou blinked, looked over his shoulder and shook his head. "That's the Ootori's private police," he explained simply. "In any case, they're guarding us, so don't worry."

Surprised (and a little embarrassed at her own ignorance), Sora leaned back on her chair, her hand lingering in Jyou's. "You think Mimi likes him?" she asked, unable to keep it inside anymore.

Jyou, always the more sensible man, pushed his glasses up his face. "I think he's making it very hard for her not to like him."

"Mimi doesn't care about any of this," she was quick to defend her friend. Jyou's eyebrows shot up and he licked his lips, almost as if he were taking great care not to offend his girlfriend or her best friend.

"I'm not saying she only cares about this," he explained. "But I'm sure even you, Sora, would have a hard time turning it down."

"You're horrible. Would you?"

Would you trade up?

"For a chance to travel in style every day of my life?" he asked, letting out a low whistle. "I think I might —,"

Her fingers tried to slip out his, but he held on tightly, chuckling through her indignant glare. "—have to turn it down. You never wait, do you?"

And Sora, now more embarrassed than ever, buried her face into a pillow, wishing her blush away and decidedly avoiding his eye for the rest of the ride.

It was early still when they arrived. Mimi lowered her big sunglasses, looking up at the entrance with a mixture of wonder and excitement. The hotel was grandiose, and around her, all manners of important people were climbing out of fancy town cars and limousines.

They were greeted by very kind staff, who provided them with keycards and a guide who would take them to adjacent suites reserved for honoured guests, assuring them their bags would be waiting for them. They did not disappoint. The suites were large, lavish and extremely beautiful, making Mimi almost go weak at the knees as she thought about what the penthouses (reserved for more esteemed guests), must look like.

"Sora," she mumbled. "I think I might be in love."

Tachibana-san, who was just handing her a closed envelope for her benefit, smiled wryly. "The young master will be pleased to hear," he said, and bowed out of the room without giving her a chance to steady her sudden nerves.

"What's in the envelope?" Sora asked while Miyako, holding her hands to her heart, gushed, "—a love letter? How romantic!"

"I do wish he stopped," Mimi muttered absently. "Really, with all this technology available to him…" she was interrupted by the shrill ring of her phone and blushed again when she saw the caller's ID. "Kyoya-kun."

"Mimi-san. I trust you arrived well and have been accommodated?"

"Yes! Thank you so much," she said, curling a lock of hair around her finger and blushing hard under her friends' snickers. "I thought you'd be around by now…"

"I'm afraid I'm dealing with some business right now, setting up for tonight. Did you receive my letter?"

"Yes," she said. "I haven't opened it yet though, Tachibana-san just left."

"There are some instructions for you and a guide of what and where your keycard can get you during your stay in these facilities, as well as information and an itinerary of tonight's events." He paused. "I will be looking forward to seeing you and your friends at dinner."

"Thank you," she repeated. "I'll get to that and call you after I'm done?"

"Don't worry about it. You're an honoured guest, as well as your friends. I'll message you if any plans change. Otherwise, stick to the itinerary, yes? Have a lovely time, Mimi-san, and welcome to Tropical Aqua Garden."

Minutes had passed after that phone call, and Mimi was still staring at the letter in her hands. Sora, equally shocked, was lying beside her on the bed Mimi had claimed, staring wide-eyed into it.

"He can't be serious," she said, then seemed to think better of it. "Can he?"

"He's been serious about everything else," Hikari said, holding her arms around her knees. "Why is it such a big deal, Mi?"

"It's too much," Mimi exclaimed, horrified. "Oh my God. And the guys, too!"

"They'll be thrilled," Miyako snorted.

"I'll text Jyou," Sora sighed. "Someone has to be ready when they come."

With a slightly trembling hand, Mimi dialed one of the numbers written in her letter and waited for the tone to click. When it did, she smiled. "Hey, this is Tachikawa Mimi—,"

"—say no more," the voice on the other side said. "We have been waiting for your call, Tachikawa-san!"

-x-

As she looked at her own reflection in a floor-length mirror, Mimi wondered if she was dreaming. Kyoya had sent specific instructions and details about the gala that signified the opening of his family's most recent business venue — a water park and therapeutic facility called Tropical Aqua Garden. The Ootori zaibatsu was diversifying, he claimed, and had designed and built this place as an alternative to traveling abroad for a vacation in the faraway and much envied tropics. Tonight's dinner was just a prelude, as the park officially opened for business the next day, with pre-sold tickets completely sold-out since months ago.

Because the event was such an important one though, protocol dictated that they were to attend the prestigious gala in rich, elegant evening wear, which Mimi had obviously not packed for. Anticipating this (what got past him, really!), Kyoya had been nice enough to send personal stylists for her and her friends, along with a wide selection of pieces from various exclusive designers. Mimi, gazing at herself in a floor-length gown of sinuous form and exquisite taste, could not fathom how she had gotten herself in this particularly lavish mess.

Sora, Hikari and Miyako had been likewise fitted, coiffed and perfumed, each drunk and heady in their own princess daydream and leaving her bewildered and enchanted in the fitting room. Her hair had been pulled up, curled and knotted to the back of her head, exposing her neck, back, and shoulders. The fabric was gorgeous – a number in satin and lace that exposed her creamy white skin under a hint of gold or champagne, showing off the satiny quality of her undergarment. Mimi felt exposed, brilliant and absolutely terrified.

Her friends cooed and nodded their approval, grinning shyly and laughing like schoolgirls behind painted nails. Sora, who had managed to take it with more grace than their younger friends, looked fantastic in an emerald green gown, her tones earthy and grounded and absolutely flawless.

"You know," she told Mimi as the door opened and revealed a very dashing Ootori Kyoya in perfectly tailored dark suit and impeccable blue shirt, "—I take it back. You very well might be."

"Ladies," he said, adjusting an exquisite watch on his left wrist. "You are absolutely breathtaking. And Mimi—," he took her hand, taking a step back to look at her admiringly and nodded his approval. "You are a jewel."

By the time they met with their friends, Mimi was not the only flustered mess. Because Jyou was already acquainted with the youngest of the Ootori family, they fell into an easy sort of conversation as they made their way to the event, dresses trailing behind them, heels clicking in an enchanting sort of way. Taichi had managed not to make a disaster out of his suit and Mimi had to actually hide a blush when he asked whether or not the princess approved. She refrained from hitting him; worried she might cause a scene and somehow encourage Daisuke of joining in. Instead, she dashed past him and placed a delicate hand on Kyoya's arm, smiling her most dazzling smile at him and Jyou as she joined a conversation she had no interest in.

"Mimi-chan!"

"Is that—?" Mimi froze, gripping Kyoya's arm.

"Ah, Mitsukuni," Kyoya greeted with a cool smile. "And Takashi, too."

"Kyoya-chan!" the young, sweet-looking child of a boy grinned cheekily. "You didn't tell us you knew Mimi-chan!"

"Tachikawa-san is an honoured guest tonight," he said, as Mimi blinked rather stupidly at the boys she had spent a couple of days seeing. He pushed his glasses farther up his nose. "I didn't think it was necessary to mention you at all."

"Kyoya-chan, so mean!" Honey said, pouting. "You wanted to keep Mimi-chan to yourself, isn't that so?"

"Honey," the boy chuckled, "I wouldn't dream of it."

Besides him, quite comically, loomed a dark young man with short, sober hair, looking at Mimi and nodding slightly. "You look very nice, Mimi-chan," he muttered in a low voice that Mimi had always found a little too stiff for her.

"You too, Takashi-kun," she finally said, recovering from her initial shock as she introduced her friends and allowed Kyoya to guide them to their adjoining tables. Meanwhile, Mimi was wondering what Takashi and Mitsukuni were doing there, and why Kyoya knew them, and why he didn't mention it at all. He should've! She felt strange, looking up to find Takashi entertaining one or two girls with Mitsukuni-kun, who looked more adorable than ever.

The ballroom and pool area was swarming in fairy lights, giving a surreal, tropical feel to the whole place. Mimi felt as though she were transported back to Maui, and she gasped and smiled and was once again perplexed by the attention she received from waiters in impeccable white outfits who held out flutes of champagne and sweets and other delightful things.

The rest of the group, obviously as enchanted as she was and far more free to roam the place, were sitting or standing here and there, mingling so well with this privileged crowd that Mimi felt bad for having expected Taichi and Daisuke to misbehave. She was about to tell him, too, holding on to his wrist as he shrugged casually, tipping his flute backwards.

"As if I would do such a thing," he scoffed. "Mimi?"

"Is that —?"

But her attention was no longer set on Taichi; it was on a tall, handsome blonde in a perfectly cut blood-red suit jacket and black pants, talking animatedly with a couple of young men. He had a hint of mischief in his eye and, most immediately, reminded her of another handsome blond that her heart ached to miss.

And then, almost as if life itself was against her somehow, Kyoya reappeared, bearing a fresh flute for her and smiling in delight at the sight of the group. "Finally," he said, excusing himself from Taichi's presence as he dragged Mimi along.

"Tamaki," he said coolly. "I was half-expecting you to cancel."

"I wouldn't dream of it," the blond called Tamaki said, shifting eyes back to Mimi and making her feel warm under his tender gaze.

"May I have the pleasure of introducing you to Tachikawa Mimi?" he asked, while Tamaki held out his hand to hold hers, kissing her very lightly in the tips of her fingers.

"Mimi-san," he said. "May I call you Mimi?"

"Oh, well I—," Mimi began, far too flustered to think straight.

"This is the friend I was telling you about, Mimi-san," Kyoya supplied. "Suoh Tamaki."

"I hope dear Kyoya hasn't been awful to you," Tamaki added, still holding on to her fingers.

"Not at all!" Mimi said, recovering from her initial shock. "He's nothing if not lovely, Kyoya-kun."

"My dear!" he said, and his princely ways were not lost on Mimi, "How charming of you to think that of Kyoya-kun. You are certainly the jewel he told me you were." He looked up. "Soft gold is truly your colour," he said. "I think I've got an eye for these things."

"Yes," Kyoya muttered in his soft drawl, "Yuzuha-san might hunt for the likes of you."

Upon such flattery, Mimi nearly fell over, looking down coyly and smiling in a demure way that was almost unlike her. Then, her eyes opened wide and she gave Tamaki a suspicious look. "What do you mean, you've got an eye for these things?"

"The dress you're wearing was Tamaki's personal gift to you," Kyoya explained, as if this were the most obvious thing in the world.

"A token," Tamaki interrupted, "—of my regret at missing innumerable dinners and leaving you in Kyoya's capable but cold hands in my stead."

"You wound me, Suoh," Kyoya pretended to say. "But now that you're in much better hands, Mimi-san, I'm afraid I must take my leave and go back to the rest of the guests." Upon Mimi's impending protest, he smiled swiftly. "I assure you, I will not enjoy their company half like I enjoyed yours."

And just like that, he left. Mimi's mouth hung open after him, and when he turned to this famous Suoh Tamaki, there was a nerve twitching underneath her left eye. "You have some explaining to do," she said.

Perhaps sensing that something had gone inherently wrong, Tamaki offered her a wry smile and offered her a fresh drink. "Champagne, perhaps?"

"Oh yes," Mimi said, taking it with gratitude. "We'll be needing more of those."


Additional Notes: For some reason, this is not coming out as the comedy I intended it to be. I really have nothing to say for myself. This chapter is also rather long, another thing I did not foresee. If anything is not clear, don't hesitate in pointing it out to me, please! Things of notice:

- Takeru the little shit, makes an appearance.

- Hiitachin Yuzuha is the Hiitachin twins' designer mother in Ouran High School Host Club, and the designer of Mimi's dress. Which, if you really want to know what it looks like, is an exact replica of Kirsten Stewart's Zuhair Murad gown at the premiere of the last Twilight movie in LA.

- Tachibana Seizaburo, Morinozuka Takashi, Haninozuka Mitsukuni, Ootori Kyoya and Suoh Tamaki are characters in OHSHC and I do not own them.