Disclaimer: ...I give up. Read the first few chapters if you want one. I'm too lazy.

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"Because I'm of no use to my family any other way."

Nekozawa blinked. Kyoya didn't even seem remotely perturbed by this. For a moment, they were locked in an intense staring contest. Finally, Kyoya chuckled.

"This is not something new, Nekozawa-senpai." He looked down, back to his book.

No notice was given when Nekozawa took a silent step closer. He studied the host's face, trying to find any hint of remorse or self-pity in his expression. He found none. Did this honestly not bother him?

For awhile, it was silent. Then, Kyoya sighed. "Not to be disrespectful, but if you have nothing more to say, could you stop standing there and staring?"

Nekozawa straightened up, not having noticed that he was a mere few feet from the underclassman's face. "Of course. See you at dinner." He exited the room, closing the door softly behind him. He stood there for a second, leaning against the door with his eyes closed and ears open. No sound.

There was a tugging sensation on his cloak. He looked down to find Kirimi with her tiny hand clutching the fabric and wide blue eyes staring up with curiosity and worry. He gave her a faint smile.

"Is glasses character alright?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper.

He took the little hand in his larger one and guided her away. "Yes, Kyoya is fine."

"Is Big Brother alright?"

He added more effort to his smile. "Yes, I'm fine, too."

She lifted up her other hand and he chuckled inwardly. Reaching down, he picked her up under the arms and lifted her from the ground. She leaned into him. Now that she found her brother, she was going to love him as much as any little sister could.

Kyoya listened to the nearly silent footsteps as they left. A frown worked its way onto his face. A finger lifted to push up his glasses, but paused and instead removed them from his face, placing them on the bedside table. He closed his notebook, tossing it aside and flopped backwards in a very un-Kyoya way.

The boy rubbed his eyes and forehead tiredly, blocking out the light of the room. What am I doing? He thought. Father will just punish me more harshly once I return. How can I expect to earn any form of respect from him if I run away like that? His frown deepened and he let his arms lay limp beside him. I'm such a coward. What I did was so reckless. Don't I usually pride myself on being logical? Aren't I supposed to be the one in school who always thinks things through? And yet, this… He growled, sitting up and punching the pillow next to him with all his might. This is why father will never consider me for the company. I'm unreliable. Irresponsible. Did my brothers ever feel this way? No, no. It doesn't matter. He took a few deep breaths. I need to calm myself down. Why can't I grasp that the company is their birth-right? But I just can't handle the fact that I'll end up working for them without having an equal chance to prove myself. I can't live without control over something. Maybe I should forget about Father's company and focus on establishing my own firm. He pushed the thought to the back of his mind. Someday, if all else fails, I'll think about it then. He glanced at the alarm clock next to him. Dinner didn't start for about two hours. It might be a good time to take a nap. His head would be clearer when he woke up.

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Dinner that night wasn't as plain as it usually was. Yes, the food was the same, but they had an actual conversation this time instead of the quiet eating.

Kirimi bounced out of her chair and skipped over to Kyoya. She put on that adorable pleading smile that only a small child could pull off, blue eyes all wide and sparkly. "Gl-Kyoya?" she asked, catching herself when she caught the look her older brother gave her.

He looked down at her, unfamiliar with receiving that look or from having little kids skip up to him like that in the first place. "Yes?"

"Will you read me shojo manga?" she begged. Kyoya noted that the power of her puppy-dog eyes must be at least ten times that of Tamaki's. The Ootori boy glanced over at Nekozawa, who was hiding a snicker behind the sleeve of his cloak. However, since the upperclassman was not wearing his hood, all of the signs of laughter were visible on his face.

"Kirimi-chan," he started, trying to go for an easy let-down.

She sensed this. "Please?" she begged with more force. Impossibly enough, her big blue eyes got wider and even started to water a little. If there was ever a Hostess Club, she'd have Tamaki's spot no problem once she grew up.

Another glance toward her brother revealed that he was trying even harder not to burst out laughing.

Kyoya gave in. "Fine."

"Yay!" she cheered, jumping up. Happily, she skipped back to her seat.

Kyoya sighed and glared at his senior. "Go ahead, Nekozawa-senpai. Laugh before you burst a lung."

At this, the elder couldn't take it anymore and broke down into the inevitable laughing fit. Kyoya wondered how this person ever managed to pull off the act he put on at school. He wagered it must be the change in environment. While he was contemplating this, Nekozawa spoke.

"I didn't actually think you'd agree," he chuckled.

Kyoya sighed. "It's the same trick Tamaki uses when he wants something and we've seen the results of that."

"Still, I hope you know what you're getting yourself into."

Kyoya had absolutely no idea.

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It was noticed by most of the school, and the Host Club in particular, that Nekozawa was particularly cheerful the next morning. Well, cheerful may not have been the right word, but he definitely didn't look like he was about to go around cursing people.

Most assumed it was because of the troubles the Host Club was facing.

Without Kyoya, the club had to stop doing cosplays because they didn't know how to budget their money to buy the items. Even Haruhi couldn't figure out how Kyoya did it!

Tamaki sat in his emo-corner, crying "Kyoya!"

Everyone left him alone. The truth was they were all doing the same thing inside their heads. There was still no notice from Kyoya after four days and it was becoming unsettling. The club could barely run itself without him.

Finally, Tamaki stood up with a sigh. He was about to admit something very painful. "It looks like we have no other choice. I'm going to ask Nekozawa-senpai!"

Insert collective gasps here.

"But Boss…!" Hikaru and Koaru started.

"There is no other way! Besides, he seems to be in a good mood today. Maybe we'll get lucky. Now, who's with me?!"

Crickets, apparently.

Haruhi sighed. "Tamaki-senpai, I don't think…"

"Haruhi? Thank you for volunteering!" the Host Club King exclaimed. "Let's go."

She groaned internally. Leave it to Tamaki…

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(Superhero theme) And here come the rescue!

...Next chapter.

...Which will be the last.

Also, I have a poll up on my profile if anyone gives a care.