I'm sorry if this took a little bit more time than usual, my finals aren't going easy on me and the teachers are just as sadistic. Please read this little note I'm about to put in..
This is a NON-PAIRING fic. A little bit of brofluff by Hikaru and Kaoru but nothing more than that. Rena, Airi, Hana and all others are side characters. The Zuka Club and Haruhi will be put in with more screentime as the story progress, currently, it's about Osamu catching Kaoru. Anymore questions, please PM me.
Lobelia's front gate, morning after..
For three days in a row now, Hikaru had to endure school without his brother. Though he tried to be independent but without his other half by his side, the fun seems to dissipate into thin air. Mocking Tamaki isn't as how it used to be anymore.
"Hikaru..you know what we have to do right now," Kaoru's soft words caught Hikaru's attention. As expected from the younger Hitachiin, he's able to read his brother even if it's just a bat of the eye. Hikaru couldn't lie to his brother, not that he would anyway. And even if he were to lie to Kaoru, the younger twin could simply see through him and the cat is instantly out of the bag.
Ever since Kaoru has to do some inside job, Hikaru's been feeling miserable. He misses the time he and Kaoru would chat in class while the teacher is teaching via facial expression. They would 'talk' how boring the subject is, what they should do for their brotherly act, how to prank Tamaki and everything that appeals to them. Hikaru misses his brother's presence in Ouran, and the class feels emptier than ever.
"I know, but I still don't want this to continue any longer. It's bad enough that I have to deal with the homeworks given myself but to see you do two sets of work for two schools? That's just breaking me, especially when I couldn't help you because I couldn't understand it myself. We barely have time for each other now.." Hikaru sighs sadly. Kaoru couldn't help but duck his head in sympathy.
"It's alright, really. I don't mind doing them. Tell you what, how's about we hang out this weekend at a carnival? We can play from sunrise 'till sundown if you want," Kaoru beamed happily. Hikaru looks thoughtful for a moment and finally nods with a chuckle.
"Great! I'll be going now, see you after school," Kaoru smiled. Hikaru simply watch his brother happily skips into the girls school and was about to turn and leave when he heard Kaoru squeaks in surprise. His head whips back to where his brother is standing not a few metre away to see a tall man standing next to his other half with a rose bouquet in his hands.
"My angel! I have found you again!" he heard the man said as he caress Kaoru's cheeks. The twin seems to be frozen on spot and is unable to stop him.
So that's the creepy teacher Kaoru mentioned earlier.. Hikaru thought as it finally hit him. A sudden feeling of posessiveness seeps into him and he found himself glaring bloody murder at the man. No one, no one touches Kaoru that way but himself! Just as he was about to step in between them, the man carries Kaoru like a fireman and went off, leaving a dumbfounded Hikaru there.
"Young master Hitachiin, we have to go now or else you'll be late," the driver calls out. Hikaru levels the man with a glare and points to the position Kaoru was not a few seconds ago.
"My brother had just been kidnapped from a perverted pedophile and you wanted me to go to school? I can't just leave Kaoru out of my thoughts after what just happened! He might get molested..or worse!" Hikaru screeches with growing panic.
"I understand but you have to know, this is a school itself and there are teachers roaming the ground, so master Kaoru is surely alright," the driver said with a slight huff. He's not going to tolerate the young master to be late to school because his paycheck depends on it. He'd even go so far as to tie Hikaru and drag him by the feet if he has to.
Hikaru was about to make a fiery retort when he sees a rather strict teacher with a long and scary looking cane patrolling the grounds. Thinking positively, for once, Hikaru reluctantly went into the waiting limo.
888
"Sensei! Please put me down! I can charge you for this and you'd better find a rather smart lawyer too!" Kaoru screeches as he valiantly tries to loosen the grip the teacher has on him, but to no use. Before he can insult more to the man, he had been released and is now staring at the most breath taking scene.
Before him lies Lobelia's large pond with a mini waterfall. A white swan lazily paddles itself around the pond without acknowledging the two humans. Around the pond, ginko trees had shed off their leaves and painted the scenery as if something pure white was born from flames. Kaoru wanted to retaliate, lash out, do something but instead he was left gaping at the scenery.
"Do you like it Suzume-san? I know you don't walk around the school much but do take the time, I thought this scenery is perfect for you so I brought you here. That pond which was created from white stones is like a pearl created from fire," he said, then he lifts the boy's chin up.
"Kind of like you my dear angel.. Something so beautiful, born from the hardship of this world, having to endure everything life gives you alone.." the man said poetically that made Kaoru wanting to gag right then and there.
Yeah..alone..but I have a twin brother who sticks by me all the time unlike you who KIDNAPPED me..! Kaoru thought bitterly as he tries his hard not to recoil and bite the fingers.
"But not to worry! I..shall be at your side from now on," Osamu sighs out dramatically as he runs his hand through dark strands of hair. Kaoru inched away, trying to create some distance between him and the weird substitute teacher. Heck, he'd create a gap as huge as a canyon if he could! Kaoru wanted so badly to rip the wig off his head and the contacts off his eye and just yell, 'I'M A BOY!' but he knew he couldn't, not yet anyway.
"Rokurou-sensei..would you mind if I ask you what are you doing here with a fellow student at a rather secluded area of the school?" a sharp and icy voice was heard behind them and they both turned around to find Rena standing there.
She appeared to have just arrived, and probably hiding her surprise at finding the both of them at the back of the school together.
"Rena-chan..it's not what you think! He carried me here, literally!" Kaoru screeches as he frantically wave around trying to get his point across. Osamu merely stood there, gaping and shocked at being discovered by one of the coldest girl in school.
"And may I ask what are you doing here so early in the morning? Miss Mizuki.." Osamu asks cautiously, making sure he doesn't sound like he's insulting or targeting her. He knew it was his fault, but his man ego won't let in the fact that a girl who's simply in her first year of high school had caught him flirting with his own student.
Rena's eyes narrowed but she didn't give a fiery retort. "This pond is back to its beauty thanks to me finding it earlier this year by accident. This area is so secluded, people didn't think it existed. I've been checking the condition everyday since then,"
Kaoru watches the two of them like watching a tennis match, unable to do anything and stuck in between. He needs to get out there fast and he needs to get out now before anything worse could happen. Hey, he wouldn't be surprised if Rena were to suddenly lash out with inhuman speed and capture Osamu by the throat, but he knew Rena's too 'cool' for that, she'd just stand her ground and won't flinch no matter the situation.
The two continues to stare at one another until Osamu breathes in deeply but Rena's tense shoulders doesn't relax. Kaoru could see Osamu gave up on trying to stare the girl down, obviously she's got a willpower so strong. That, or the way those menacing cat eyes stares at him unblinkingly can be very unnerving after some time, not to mention creepy.
"Very well, I thank you for tending to this garden, and as miss Suzume said, we didn't do anything, I was merely showing her the pond," Osamu said with that smile of his before turning away with a wave. The two girls are left alone and Kaoru wanted to thank Rena for saving him, but he doesn't know what to say to her so he gazed at the girl instead.
Rena's eyes are leering at him sideways, her lips pressed into a thin line. "You know..you can sue him for that," she said. The tone of her voice made Kaoru's stomach shrunk.
"I know..but I was too stunned when he brought me here instead of..you know.." Kaoru mumbles out, shuffling around uneasily and looking everywhere but Rena.
"I doubt he'll be happy, considering you're a boy.." she said with a small smirk. Kaoru'e eyes widen when the bomb had been dropped on him. He stutters and nervously laughs at her for making such a silly assumption. But she simply grins wider and placed a hand on her hip.
"Really, how stupid do you take me? The moment you walk into class days ago, I can already tell you're a boy, but since I hate to jump into conclusions, I decided to watch you from a distance..Hitachiin Kaoru.." Rena smirks out triumphantly at the boy's surprised expression. He wanted to deny everything, tell her what a silly mistake it was, but all he can do is gape and he knew he'd lost the battle.
"Next time you want to come to school, make sure it's not on the same limo as your brother. And those affections you two give each other is another big hint. Don't worry though, I won't tell anyone," she said with an air of confidence around her. Kaoru had to double-take whether this is the same Rena or not. Before, she was cold, calculating and menacing, but now she's mischevious and teasing.
"You won't even tell Airi-chan and your kohai?" Kaoru said, his expression darkens now that his cover's blown. His cover doesn't need to be told throughout the entire school, his mission is still at hand.
"Don't bother, they already knew. Airi's smarter than me and Hana, though childish and innocent, is just as observant as I am and could tell you're a boy the moment she steps into the class the first day you met. Didn't you notice her quirked brow?"
Kaoru mentally kicked himself. He should've known not to underestimate these girls. Rena gave him one last smirk and went off, her steps light and unsound even with the leaves piling on the ground. Kaoru made a mental note to ask Airi whether she's a human or not.
888
Class 1-A, Lobelia High..
He can't believe it, he seriously can't believe it! His desk, that was supposed to be empty and clean is now packed with gifts and flowers of all kinds. He could see Airi laughing so hard until she's unable to breath and Rena casually reading a card from one of the many bouquet.
"Your love is like sunshine through the empty void of my heart.." she reads casually that made Airi laugh harder. Rena placed the card where it belongs and pinched her friend on the back until the other girl squeaks and jolt up from her seat.
"You're gonna give yourself a heart attack.." she said monotonously. Airi simply let out a few giggles and went over to Kaoru to pat his shoulders.
"I pity Rokurou-sensei for loving you. Either he's gay or just plain dense, I won't bother to know. And if I were you, I'd keep an eye out for him, and other students who are just as observative as we are," Airi said with a smile. To Kaoru, that smile is rather hostile, but he won't press.
"Speaking of which, isn't it your turn to wipe the windows today? I have to go down to the nurses office to pick up the report book. Airi.." Rena turns to her friend who simply give a shrug and went off. Kaoru feels a little reluctant to go down to the toilet on his own.
"I suppose nothing will go wrong, students are coming in anyways," he mumbles to himself as he strode down the large hallway and passing a few students who greet him a good morning. Apparently his cover is only blown to the three of his friends and no one else. This made him wonder, how come Haruhi doesn't notice it? Even in her obliviousness, she could at least detect something's not quite right with him.
The nearest bathroom is located in the next building and at the end of all the freshmen classes. He checks his surrounding and found not a single person is there. Just as he was about to step into the grand bathroom, he could vaguely hear his disguise name being called out by a certain, obnoxious someone.
Oh Hell no... he thought miserably as the teacher closes his distance by running as fast as his legs could carry him. Without thinking twice, Kaoru turns around and fled the hallway. His legs may be long but he's no athlete, sooner or later he'll have to slow down to catch his breath and when that happens..
I'M NOT GOING TO BE HIS CUDDLE BUNNY EVEN IF MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT! Kaoru screamed in his head, reminding himself to continue running. He had abandoned the quiet hallway and is now running straight towards the school courtyard where students are chatting away or waiting for friends.
"My angel! Please do not run yourself from me! I am in need of your gentle wings that holds a thousand fragrance!" Osamu calls out that made Kaoru's skin crawl. He glance over at a few girls who notice their presence and sent them a look that screams 'HELP ME', but the girls are just too oblivious to notice.
"We'll be cheering for you from now on, Suzume-sama!" they giggled out that nearly made Kaoru gawk in surprise had it not been Osamu chasing him. He's already beginning to feel fatigue after having to run from the first floor all the way down. Kaoru's legs then suddenly seized up and he lurched forward. He would've fallen to the ground in a heap, but he fell into a pair of strong arms instead.
"Kaori, what's wrong? Did something happen?" a very familiar voice sounded above him and Kaoru looks up and saw his own twin brother..with black hair and black eyes..?
Girls started to squeal at the sight, some in happiness, some in outrage. Osamu stops running to stare at the black haired boy ahead of him. His lips pressed in a thin line as he observes the scene before him. His angel in the hands of a man who's his new rival and looking rather comfortable too.
The two guys stared at each other for quite some time, neither backing down even when the bell is only a few more minutes before ringing. Etsuko Ryouichi, in her peach blouse and white ruffled skirt, came running down when she heard her students squealed. She nearly made herself seen to the others but Saki's hand managed to pull her behind one of the pillars instantly.
Etsuko nearly rip her handkerchief in half at the display of her favourite fashion designer's twin boys. The younger looks stunning as a girl, and the elder looks dashing as always. She wants nothing more than to just run across the courtyard and embrace those two in a crushing hug, but she knew she couldn't or else she's unable to stop herself from babbling things out in her high and revealing Kaoru's secret.
Saki merely chuckles and watch the stand-off between Hikaru and Osamu with an amused smile. "This is going to be rather interesting if I do say so myself.."
Cliffhanger! I hope this is alright though, I'm not particularly thrilled about the ending, and this chapter is shorter than the previous ones, I'm really sorry about that!
My stress level is at an all time high and I couldn't get my brain to produce a much more awesome chapter. I take request, and any ideas on what you want me to do with Kaoru just TELL me, I'm a little desperate here. (sobs)
When I mentioned Osamu needing Kaoru's gentle wings that holds a thousand fragrance, it's got something to do with the meaning of 'Suzume Kaori', go check the previous chapter. I like to relate things like this. Guess I didn't explain the time when Kaoru and Haruhi had that talk in the canteen huh..? I'M REALLY SORRY! (deep bow)
Umm..if you still don't hate me, please leave a review..they help make up my day..
