Four | Tiger and Dragon

The room was awkwardly tense as Mei and Kyouya smiled at each other… menacingly. The other host club members quivered in the weight of the atmosphere.

Haruhi sweat dropped. "Since ancient times the Tiger has been the only one who stood to the dragon… so this is what they mean… kind of."

"Takashi…" whispered Hunny, "I'm scared!"

Mori replied by patting him on the head for reassurance.

"Now, now, Kyouya," said Tamaki, who felt the need as King to regain control, "Let's calm-"

Kyouya turned to Tamaki. His face was equivalent to the Lord Satan himself.

"Eeeekk!" squealed Tamaki, retreating behind Haruhi's shoulder, then to his corner of woes when she shrugged him off.

Mei lifted up the proposal, and read "'And so paid by cheque hourly'" she paused, "I quote. Therefore, the un-negotiable amount of 24,262.00 yen is paid, and into my bank account at every hour within the two weeks. Is that correct?"

Kyouya had mastered the art of hiding his true emotions and expressions, so merely smiled back. "May I take a look at that?"

"Certainly." Mei handed him the file, pointing to the loop hole.

Kyouya read it. The line said; 'The pay of 24,262.00 yen is an un-negotiable amount and so paid by cheque hourly check up of club's progress and profits…' Kyouya couldn't believe it. He, Kyouya Ootori had managed to make a simple typo. There was supposed to be a full stop in between 'cheque' and 'hourly'. He had to hand it to this girl though; she managed to turn such a simple mistake to her advantage. But he wouldn't let her win. He had to think of an excuse to save his pride, and if not, a compromise.

Kyouya cracked the Shadow King smile "Honami-san, if you read the line before, it clearly states that 'By the end of the two week period the quota of 24,262.00 yen will be the final amount'"

"But, Ootori-senpai," Kyouya was surprised she knew his name, but figured that she read it off the proposal, "why would it say that the pay is hourly? Are you trying to take back your word and cheat me for my services for the club?"

Kyouya felt like a vein had popped. "Not at all, as the proposal has made it final that the amount is un-negotiable and that will be your final pay. So then, do you accept this proposal or not?"

Mei knew he'd use the 'take it or go' card sooner or later. "Damn." She thought. Deciding to be stubborn, she pursued her case. She needed more money. She didn't know how long they could hold out. "'Paid by cheque hourly'" repeated Mei in a harsher tone, "What do you mean by that, Ootori-senpai? This proposition interests me; would you like to explain that line?"

There was no way to explain it without admitting mistake. And that would lead to Tamaki freaking out and there would be no end to it. Not to mention this…girl. Surely, there would be more difficult people to deal with if he ever were to succeed the Ootori Empire. How could he hope to do so if he was having trouble convincing this, novice? He reached into his pocket.

Mei saw him take out a pen and write some notes on his clip board. She assumed, or hoped he was writing down new numbers for her pay, and preferably a higher, 'final' pay cheque. She just imagined the number of zero's he was about to show her.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Tamaki went over, "Sorry my princess, we are not open for business tod-" he paused. An Ootori 'man in black' was at the door.

"May I see Ootori-sama." The question was said like an order, and before Tamaki could answer the man strode into the club room to Kyouya's side.

"Sir!" he saluted, handing Kyouya a document in a brown envelope.

Kyouya nodded, and with a wave of a hand the man exited. Everyone in the room stayed quite, their curiosity rising about the document.

"Honami-san?"

"Yes!?" said Mei, who jumped slightly as she got distracted by the sudden entry of the stranger. She composed herself quickly, and put up her emotional barriers, and strong will.

Kyouya smiled. Mei did not like the look of it at all. "Congratulations, you have passed the test."

"Test?"

"Indeed. The proposal you have there is simply a copy of the real one. Several mistakes were made to test you on your capabilities. Here is a copy of the real proposal." He handed the document that was just given to her.

Mei awkwardly reached for it, feeling a bit like a fool. She swore that his smile was way too triumphant and mocking. Looking through the proposal, she found that two thousand yen had been added to the amount. Oh well. Something was up with this fiasco but she was tired, and thought that the amount was satisfactory anyway. Strangely enough, she found that little debate fun.

She signed through all the necessary areas and handed back the proposal, with a genuine smile that surprised Kyouya. "Thank you, Ootori-senpai. I gladly accept the proposition."

Snapping out of his daze and astonished that he was even fazed by such a simple smile, Kyouya took back the proposal. "Likewise."

The tension in the atmosphere dispersed and with the weight gone the other host members sighed and cheered.

"Hell," said Hikaru, "I thought I was going to choke!"

"But it seems okay now, doesn't it?" said Kaoru cheerfully, taking his place on Hikaru's back with arms draped around his shoulder.

"Thank goodness, right, Tama-chan?" Hunny-senpai giggled over Mori's shoulders.

Tamaki observed Kyouya and Mei who were now in front of his laptop. "Yeah." Then resumed in pestering Haruhi to wear the dress he bought her, whilst she continued bluntly refusing.

Mei chuckled, "Lively, aren't they?" she turned to Kyouya, beaming.

"Indeed."

"So, when do I start training?" Mei was a lot more relaxed now. Something about the host club allowed her feel confident with herself. Though the twins gave her a few weird looks for wearing an over-sized boy's uniform, they didn't question. Instinct told her they have probably seen weirder things before.

"Be here tomorrow, after school,"

"Sure thing." Mei had her head resting in her hand as she watched another 'Tamaki spasm over Hikaru and Kaoru being too close to Haruhi' episode. "Those twins are funny."

"A second late and I'll deduct your pay," added Kyouya. He was surprised at himself to why he felt the need to include that, but even more surprised when he couldn't hold back the smirk to Mei's reaction.

"What?" she glared at him then smiled challengingly. "Fine, I'll be on time to the second, just you wait."

"Of course, Honami-san."

Mei was watching Hunny-senpai, who was waving at her squealing 'Mi-chan'. She waved back, then slowly let her hand drop. "Ootori-senpai? It's Mei."

A smile played on his lips. "Of course."

Big thanks to isabelle896 for being my first reviewer!

Sorry this one was a bit of a waffle, I also realise I talk about Mei and Kyouya smiling a lot in different ways. They do look serious when they're debating most of the time! It's just that I wanted to capture Kyouya and Mei's thoughts and imagery properly. ;)

Just some facts, 24,262.00 yen is equal to £150 and/or $246.1446 (US) I think... tbh I just plugged £150 into a currency exchanger!