So I held five reviews over the heads of my readers and look, they give me ten. I'm amazed. I'm also very sorry for not updating, but I'm at my cousin's house in PA right now and computer time is usually not an option. BUT! For your sakes, I managed to sneak on. #grins#

Disclaimer: I don't, already!

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The sky was mourning my newfound knowledge, I thought solemnly. Perhaps also that my debt was about to leave me further drowning in red ink. I sighed and continued trudging through the rain, wishing I had taken the long way around to the music room. Just as I reached the covered walkway, I saw a dark haired figure kneel on the other side of the courtyard, then straighten and hurry to the door that I was heading towards. Intrigued, I jogged to the entrance and quietly went in.

"Get back here... No, not on the couch! You're still wet-" Before my startled eyes was the quite drenched person of one Ootori Kyouya, holding the even more drenched form of... a kitten.

Ootori Kyouya was standing in front of me, holding a kitten.

A fact which he apparently tred to ignore as he got down to business. "About your debt," he began, performing the usually intimidating ritual of pressing his glasses to the bridge of his nose.

The effect was entirely lost with the addition of the kitten.

"Kyouya-sempai," I informed him matter-of-factly, "I cannot take you seriously when you are holding a kitten." He sent an Ootori glare my way, which didn't faze me either, then chucked a towel at my head. When I uncovered my eyes to stare at him quizzically, his eyes locked on the ground sullenly. "You're dripping on the floor."

He spoke again when I was nearly finished drying my hair. "About your debt... don't worry about this afternoon. I know you had plenty on your mind."

"How did you know?" I accused.

"How inferior do you think my informaton network is?" he shot back. "I've warned you before, Fujioka, I have eyes everywhere." I seethed at him. "But that's not how I knew," he continued, a bit softer this time. "Tamaki is my best friend, so he actually came to me and told me. I knew something had happened between you and Honey by the way you two came in together. And just so you know, I also saw your entire encounter with Mori."

I leaned against a couch, trying to keep my breathing controlled. "So why is it that you would want to know these things, Kyouya-sempai?" I asked carefully.

He leaned toward me, and I dimly realized that he had at some point put down the kitten. "I would normally say that it's merely professional interest in a person who owes me a great deal of money and needs to pay me back as soon as she is able. Normally, I would say that and you would accept it. However, I think you've learned a bit too much about all of us recently to just accept it now." He tossed his head, pushing his glasses up. "Don't you think?"

My eyes met his guardedly. "Perhaps."

"The fact is, Haruhi, my interest in you has taken a turn from the professional to the personal. I've said it once: you're a very interesting girl. Someone I can't figure out." My eye twitched. "But I do think I've figured out one thing about you."

"What's that?" My voice cracked. Why couldn't I control my emotions today?

"This facade of yours... is just as fake as mine," he whispered, fingers brushing against my cheek. "At least... that's what I hope. Or else..."

He scared me, honestly. For the first time, he seemed vulnerable.

A hand landed on top of my still towel-covered head and ruffled my hair. "Good luck with sorting out the mess you've landed in, Rose of the Host Club. As for my interests..." He lifted his hand, chuckled cynically, and walked away.

My mind scrambled to keep up with his footsteps. "But- merits!" I called after him desperately, holding to one last shred of hope. He returned to my side so quickly I blinked, then shivered as he trailed one slender finger along my jawline.

"Screw merits," Kyouya whispered huskily before kissing me. I nearly fell backwards, but his arm caught me around the waist and held me securely. At that moment, I was drowning. My control slipped, my mask shattered. Just a few brief seconds and he pulled back, glided to the door, and turned to smirk at me before nodding farewell. His tone was self-satisfied when he repeated, "Screw merits."

My knees suddenly weak, I collapsed to the floor and scrambled to pick up the pieces of my mask that had so violently been broken. Maybe... maybe if I glued it back together, it would stick...

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Thank you so much for all your lovely reviews!