My longest chapter yet! I put an entire day into the one chapter, which is why it took a full month to update this story. I'm not sure if that's how it's going to be for the remaining chapters, though. Probably not. I'm just making this up as I go along.

Thank you to Momochan77, Princess Royalty, queenglitch, Princess Miller, and Ms. Spirit for your reviews! They are always appreciated, especially for my newer stories!

Disclaimer: Still don't own.

Ouran Academy

Exact Location: Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan

Front entrance

0738 hours

"Livia-senpai? Where are you going?" The green-eyed girl paused in her escape, internally cursing Haruhi's strange ability to sense when someone was trying to slip away unnoticed. And, for some Godforsaken reason, have to say something about it.

"I'm sorry, Haruhi, but I have to run these papers to the office before class starts. They're super important. I'll see you at lunch, though."

The brunette girl bought it, nodding in understanding. But before she could do anything else -such as offering to join Livia in her walk- Tamaki was calling her name out from the other end of the hallway. Livia quickly took the opportunity to slip away before she couldn't any more. Once she rounded the corner into an empty corridor she took off running. Back on the clock.

Quickly bolting into the third music room, she went to the first corner, papers crinkling harshly as she stuffed them into the nearest recycling container. It took her nine minutes to set up her camera's -little square blocks only four millimeters long that were painted in the colors of the walls, pillars, and window arches- covering every square inch of the room while remaining invisible themselves. Livia riffled in her school bag for the remote. Scowling at the clock tower looming over her from outside, the brunette grit her teeth and started flipping the dials as fast as she could. If she was late to class, that would make her look suspicious.

"Damn it, damn it, damn it, hurry up already! Fuckin-"

Ping!

Synchronization, complete.

"Finally."

Burying the device deep into her bag, she started heading back out of the room. She got one hand on the door handle when the other door was suddenly pushed open. Livia recoiled, her right foot shifting backwards in case she had to launch herself at an oncoming attacker.

"Miss Trasic?"

Adopting a wide-eyed look, Livia dropped her defensive pose quickly, "Mister Ootori. You startled me…"

"I can see that." The boy chuckled and stepped further inside the room, "Might I ask why you are in here so early in the morning?"

Without even the slightest hint of hesitation, Livia cast her gaze to her shoes, "H-Hikaru and Kaoru told me the host club meets up early in the morning. I had to turn in a few papers into the office from my parents and came here but… I guess they were playing a trick on me."

"Hm." The boy didn't sound all that impressed, or surprised. Livia repressed the urge to scowl up at him in response. Why she had to act like a little moron was beyond her. It was almost beneath her dignity.

"Well, as the two of us most likely will not have another moment to ourselves, I might as well jump at the opportunity." Livia raised her gaze, making her eyes go wide and 'innocent'. Kyoya smirked and stepped closer, a hand coming up to rest just above his heart, "Would you mind joining me and my family for dinner, tonight? My other siblings are coming home and I know Fuyumi would love to see you again."

Livia blinked a few times, reaching up to gently tuck a loose strand of hair back into her french braid, "I would love to accompany you to your home tonight, Mister Ootori. I'd very much like to see your sister as well. I've missed her."

Kyoya smiled, white teeth all but glistening, "Splendid. I shall inform my father of your attendance. My driver will pick you up at 6:00 from your apartment." His hand dropped from his chest and gently scooped Livia's hand up in it's palm. Bending in a low bow, he kissed her knuckles before releasing her and walking back out of the room.

The door slammed shut just in time for Livia to let out a low growl, "I'd be more flattered if your smile actually meant anything, Mister Ootori."

"Hey, Trasic-san? Can I see your notes for a second? I wasn't able to get that last equation." Livia shrugged and passed the blue notebook forward in return for a big smile. She didn't return it, too preoccupied with trying to figure out her outfit for the dinner she was attending in a few hours.

Hold up right here, please. I was not thinking about that dinner because I was excited or because I like wearing dresses or any of that shit. Unfortunately, I knew that if I had been raised in this richie-rich world, I would care. So, how was I supposed to dress in a way that said 'I spent hours perfecting this outfit to look cute as fuck and I expect to be complimented the shit out of it'?

Just… yeah. I don't care about my appearance.

At all.

Okay, continuing.

"Woah… maybe I should ask someone else, huh?"

"Mmm?" Livia's eyes lifted from a hairline scratch on her desk to Kuriko. The light-haired girl was holding the brunette's notebook up for it's owner to see. She instantly understood the problem. The page it was flipped to was covered with words in both Japanese and English, sometimes both languages in the same sentence. Most of the equations and sentences were scribbled in any available space on the page, not always obeying the straight blue lines across the paper. It was a jumbled mess... to the untrained eye.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry. Um..." Livia pointed towards a line of variables and math equations somewhere in the bottom right quarter of the page, "That's the last equation we were given. Is that what you were looking for?"

"Yeah! Thanks!" Livia nodded and withdrew the hand, but her neighbor wasn't done with her yet.

"So, how does any of this even make sense to you? I thought your notes would be…"

"Impeccable?"

"Well, yes. You do seem like the type."

Livia shrugged, "It makes sense to me." And it did. While no one else seemed to be able to see it, whenever Livia made her notes, there was an organized chaos about them. She assumed it came from having to decipher so many secret notes and letters in her life, but her teachers at R.A.R.E. had never said anything about it.

The girl sighed, something she had done a lot on this trip. While she might love Japan, these classrooms weren't exactly where she wanted to be. Especially when she already loved the way her classes were taught at the R.A.R.E. base she lived at. Teachers and tutors who could pick up wherever any agent left off and integrate what they had learned while away into their new lessons. It was one of the things she was still ticked off about missing because of her back-to-back missions.

"You're hosting today, right?"

"I guess so. They didn't try to train me or anything, but I'll probably start today."

"I'm sure you'll be just fine! Haruhi didn't even get a day in between recruitment and hosting, so at least you had some time to think it over!"

Livia blinked. They did that to her? Geez, I can't believe she's still hanging around them! I would've gone off if that had been me!

"Ooo… looks like your admirer is back at it again." Livia didn't even bother to turn her head. If Kyoya was going to continue to fake-flirt with her, she was going to continue pretending to be hard-to-get. By this point, she was all but praying that this mission would be over before the month was out.

"Not an admirer. Though I suppose he is trying to appear that way. Doesn't want me to say anything negative to his father."

"His father?" Kuriko turned around completely in her seat, setting Livia's notebook back on its owner's desk, "You know his father?"

"We've met a few times."

"Why? How?"

"Business."

The brunette girl narrowed her eyes a little bit before nodding her head, "That does it, I'm sitting with you today at the host club." And that was that. Livia had her first guest for the day.

I wish I could tell you all that I was 100% prepared for hosting, but in all honesty I didn't even bother researching it. After all, if I am to play the role of a classy young lady from an upscale neighborhood in America, I can't very well be knowledgeable on the goings-on of a Japanese Host Club, now can I?

Still, I'm started to feel nervous. It looks a lot closer from this side of lunch hour. Oh, shit!

Coming, Kyoya!

He's wants to walk me back to our classroom. Damn him! I'm not going to risk using this recorder at school any longer. There's literally no room for privacy. Fuck... who waits outside of bathrooms?

Three hours later, Livia watched as a whole mass of girls flooded through the same double doors she had entered through yesterday. A hand gently touched her upper arm, pulling her attention away.

"Don't worry, Livia-senpai. You'll do just fine."

She nodded, as if she had been watching the girls because she was nervous, "I know. I guess I was just hoping for some training…"

Haruhi shrugged, "I didn't get any training either. Just… answer the girl's questions in that half-answer way you do and you should be fine."

"Miss Trasic? You've been requested by the three lovely ladies over by that window. If you could please join them?" Biting her tongue, Livia nodded once before walking away. At the table Kyoya had indicated, Kuriko and two other girls she didn't recognize were waiting for her. Smiling politely, the brunette took the remaining seat.

"Hello."

The girls dissolved into giggles.

"Oh, did I say something funny?"

More giggles. Kuriko smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "Are you excited to be hosting, Livia? Is… is it okay if I call you Livia?"

"Sure. And I don't know about excited…"

One of the other girls finally stopped with her giggles, "So… tell us about yourself, Livia-senpai! I'm so curious!"

"Yeah, we don't get many foreigners at Ouran!"

Livia briefly cast her gaze around the room. There was nothing suspicious going on, which she had anticipated, but a few of the hosts were watching her with interest. Haruhi looked concerned, Tamaki interested, and of course Kyoya was watching her, too. But her charge was looking… amused. Almost entertained.

She had to hold herself back from marching over there to punch him in the nose. He was expecting her to crash and burn, wasn't he?

Fuck. That.

"There's not much to say, ladies, but I'm incredibly flattered you're so interested in me. I'm still getting used to it."

That sent the girls she didn't know by name back into giggles, but Kuriko remained on task, "How about some… general information? What's your favorite class?"

"I don't really have one, really. I'm pretty decent in all of my lessons."

"Oh, come on! I want a straight answer!"

"Fine. History."

"Exactly! Like tha- Wait, did you just say history?"

"Yeah."

"Finally!"

Kuriko laughed, leaning backwards into her chair as she finally learned something about her new 'friend'. The other two were also quick to jump on the answer, trying to pull out her reasoning or a specific period or topic that was the most interesting to her. Livia, of course, quickly went back into giving out useless and vague responses. The four of them jumped at least twenty more topics before the three left to make room for 'The Mysterious Host's' next appointment.

I have a feeling that if I wasn't trained extensively in evading interrogation, I would've been completely overwhelmed after the first half hour. Especially with Kyoya and Tamaki both keeping a close eye on my progress and every question I received attempted to pry into my 'life'. And I got a lot of questions.

Seriously.

Okay, I swear if you start laughing when you read this, I will find you and break your nose: I was popular.

No. Laughing.

I had far more guests than I could've expected. There was hardly a moment I wasn't surrounded by two or more girls who wanted to ask me a question… or twenty. Maybe it was because I was the first girl to be purposefully invited to be a host? Or were they looking for something like Haruhi... but with a different personality? I mean, the only other option would be they thought I was genuinely interesting.

And I can already hear you laughing.

The point is, I was much more popular than I had expected. Or anyone else expected. As proven by the boys (and Haruhi) surrounded me the moment the last guests walked out the doors.

Concerning the hosts themselves, Tamaki only managed to strengthen my first impression of him, which was to be a narcissistic, overly-dramatic airhead. What Haruhi sees in him, I will never know. I mean, come on, he literally said I was on my way to becoming just as popular as he was. At least the others were quick to inform him I was just 'good' at being mysterious. Kyoya, of course, just smirked at his black journal the whole time. What the heck is he writing in there that's so amusing to him? Maybe my camera's picked it up… I could check that tomorrow.

Why tomorrow? Because I'm way too busy tonight. Kyoya's car should be coming around any minute now to collect me and take me to the Ootori Mansion.

I'm currently waiting around my kitchenette in the only dress I packed. A simple dark purple number. The lady who sold it to me said it was 'Plum'. Whatever. I say dark purple.

Short sleeves, a modest cleavage, and a skirt that goes all the way down to my calves. It works as an evening dress and a dance dress, which covers every possible use I could have for it. And the best part? The skirt is made of that 'floaty' kind of fabric, giving my legs plenty of maneuverability. I assume it's main purpose was for dancing.

I was attracted to how little my fighting would be impaired. And how I could hide a gun on my right thigh and a knife on the left without anyone becoming suspicious.

What every girl thinks of when they go dress shopping, right?

Livia moved the recorder away from her mouth when she heard someone knock on the door. Quickly reaching around the back of her head, she attached the recording device to the bottom of her hair clip, making it look like the white 'Fern leaves' were an intricate barrette. The perfect hiding place… and much more dignified than say, in her bra.

Instead of her typical french braid, she had half of her hair pinned up in an elegant bun, the Fern clip delicately tracing below and along the sides of the mound of hair to hold it in place. The rest of her dark brown locks fell down her back in glossy curls, reaching the middle of her spine.

Taking a deep breath, Livia grabbed her purple and white hand purse and carefully walked to her front door. Peeking out through the peephole, the brunette's eyes widened in authentic surprise.

Pulling open the door, she stared at the short girl on the other side, "Haruhi? What are you doing here?"

The shorter girl blinked, "Wow… Trasic-senpai… you look good."

"Thanks. My previous question still stands, though."

"Oh… I just wanted to see if I could study at your place tonight. My Dad won't stop grilling me about you, but it looks like you're busy tonight."

Livia stepped back, gesturing for the other girl to enter, "Yeah. You can say that."

"Thank you." Haruhi slipped her sandals off, then looked at her neighbor, "You seem taller."

Livia hummed and gestured downwards, shifting her left foot against the tile floor. The silver heels sparkled wildly with the small movement, especially the thin lines that crisscrossed over the top of her feet. They weren't nearly as uncomfortable as they looked. The only tight part was the band around her ankles. Like the dress, they were the only pair she owned.

"Wow. You know, I never pegged you to be the kind of girl to… dress up. Even with your background."

"I don't usually. Only for business dinners."

"So you're not going on a date?"

"Oh, I'm sure he's going to sell it as one. But I don't have much choice on the matter." Livia sighed, dropping her purse on the counter space to the left of her front door. Haruhi looked around the apartment space, peeking into the living room. "Bare, isn't it?"

"Mm? Oh, no. I mean, there's less stuff than I expected, but it's nice. Airy."

The taller girl shrugged, "I'm not a big fan of the minimalist look, but I won't be staying here long. My guess is I'll be gone before next school year. So I figured, why should I bother bringing all my… all of my things, here? Or buy new furniture items? No… less work to just survive on this until I go home."

Haruhi nodded appreciatively, "That makes sense. I guess. You know… you're the first rich person I've met who hasn't completely irritated me with your lack of real world knowledge."

"I'll take that as a compliment. I've always thought the people in 'my world' were morons. Going on and on about hair and clothes and 'who's marrying who'. So shallow."

"I used to think so, too, but you're all so confident in yourselves and… there are a few who are actually kind hearted."

"Like Tamaki?"

The girl smiled softly, "Yeah… like Tamaki. But anyways, where are you heading off to?"

"Oh. The Ootori's."

Haruhi looked confused, like Livia had just announced she was a werewolf, "What for?"

Livia huffed a short breath, "He invited me to a dinner with his family. Mother and Father would never forgive me if I turned down an offer like that. Besides, I'm fond of his older sister, and this might be the only opportunity for me to see her while I'm in Japan." She glanced at the clock on the wall as Haruhi nodded, accepting her explanation… even if it wasn't the full truth.

In reality, Livia still had a few more cameras to set up.

"So, when do you have to be there?"

The green-eyed girl opened her mouth, but just then there was another knock on her door. They both turned to look at it.

"6 pm. Right on time. I'm sorry I can't help with your studying problem, Haruhi."

"It's alright. You're busy." Haruhi eyed the front door with distaste, "While I might be able to call myself Kyoya-senpai's friend, I'm not so sure I'd want to join a family dinner with him. His father…"

"Oh, believe me, I'm well acquainted with the kind of man his father is. And his brothers. But I should be going." She scooped up her purse once again as Haruhi slipped on her shoes. Pulling open the door for the second time that evening, Livia came face to face with a strange man in a black suit and matching cap.

"Miss Trasic Livia." He bowed deeply, "I am here to escort you to the Ootori family home, under the direction of Master Kyoya."

Livia kept a blank face, "Thank you very much. Might I inquire your name?"

The man stared at her, an almost startled expression on his face before it melted into a grateful one, tilting his hat towards her, "Choshi Minoru, M'lady. Master Kyoya's personal driver. Shall I lead you to the car?"

She smiled and stepped out of the apartment, "Let me lock up first, then yes, Choshi-san. I would be most grateful." Haruhi stepped out behind her and waved goodbye as Livia locked the door.

Taking the man's offered arm, she allowed herself to be lead down the steps. As much as she didn't like how the interaction made her look helpless without a man's help, Livia kept her poise. Also, she liked the chauffeur. He happily told her about how long the drive would be between the complex and the Ootori's home, asking if she preferred to listen to the radio while being driven or if there was anything else she would wish to be provided. She declined, but smiled at the man anyways. He was kind.

It wasn't until they drew closer to the car that he went back to his reserved state she had seen when he showed up at her door. He slipped his arm away from hers and stood by the back door. With his back uncomfortably straight, he grasped the handle and pulled.

"You look lovely this evening, Miss Trasic."

Livia blinked, "Mister Ootori… what a surprise." She had to strain to not clench her purse in distaste, "I was unaware you'd be picking me up personally."

Kyoya smirked and gestured for her to get in the car. She stepped in, giving Choshi one last grateful glance before sitting on the seat and pulling her dress skirt in after her. She nodded at the chauffeur and the door shut softly at her side. She reached up to grab her seatbelt, her pointer finger lifting up to press at the car frame, just above the seat belt bracket.

Car surveillance? Check.

"Are you nervous, Miss Trasic?"

She turned back to the front once she was belted in, "Hardly, Mister Ootori."

Another smirk, "You seem much more confident tonight than you were this morning."

"This morning will not be what my parents will be informed of."

Nodding in understanding, Kyoya pulled his journal up from the pocket in his door, starting to scribble on a blank page as the car pulled into traffic. Livia looked forward at where the driver's seat would be, but all she saw was a black barrier. Such a shame.

"Just so we're clear, I only came to collect you from your… living arrangements tonight because it is the gentlemanly thing to do. And besides, I felt this would be the best place to make my one request of the night." Livia cocked an eyebrow, prompting him to continue. "It might do you well to address me as Kyoya while you dine with my family. There will be three other 'Mister Ootori's' for you to address before the night is out."

And it might do you well to stop smirking at me like I just invited you into my bed, or I may just remove the part of you that would make that fun.

Of course, Livia just smiled, "I shall. Then would you mind terribly if I requested for you to call me Livia?"

"Not at all."

Twenty minutes of awkward silence later and Livia was able to climb her way out of the cabin. She could only pray that Kyoya would permit her to make the return trip home alone. Then she could listen to the radio and talk to Choshi.

In front of her, she saw the same mansion that had towered over her four years ago that continued to look down at her now. It was huge, at least three stories with tall bay windows and had a vaguely Victorian look about it. It was grey and looked as cold as it's current Head-of-House.

Livia didn't care much for architecture, but she disliked whoever had designed this particular building. It didn't look like a home. It looked like it was made to belittle whoever approached.

"Livia?" Kyoya had materialized at her side, left arm held out in a non verbal command. "Are you ready?"

She didn't respond, but lightly gripped his inner arm. He smirked again and began leading her up the stone walkway. Behind them, Livia heard the car drive off and internally cursed herself for not telling Choshi goodbye. He didn't deserve to be ignored. She really hoped she'd be able to speak with him herself by the end of the night.

The two 2nd-years stepped up to the front door which was immediately opened for them by an elderly looking butler.

"Welcome home, Master Kyoya." The white-haired man eyed the girl at the heir's side and he showed her a small smile, "And welcome back to the Ootori household, Miss Trasic. I must say, you are nearly unrecognizable from when I saw you last."

Livia didn't know how it happened, but somehow the coldest family in all of Japan had managed to hire the friendliest staff. During her consultation with Yoshio Ootori, he had informed her that their waitstaff had not changed since she was last at their home, and she was glad. Everyone working at the Ootori household had been there for at least ten years and Livia knew that the Ootori family assumed their workers secretly hated them… but that was shockingly far from the truth.

"It's wonderful to see you again as well, Shigeru. I was worried that I would be surrounded by unfamiliar faces after these four years, but that's clearly not the case. I'm honestly relieved."

Shigeru (she had never heard his first name) bowed and shut the front door, "Your compliments are greatly appreciated, Miss. Our kitchen staff and servers were beside themselves when they heard of your return. Do you wish to have your sweater hung up?"

"Oh, no thank you. I'm still a little chilly."

Beside her, Kyoya tugged on her arm, "Livia, we should probably move to the parlor. Fuyumi will want to see you before dinner is served. Shigeru, are we to begin dining at 6:30 still?"

"Yes, Master Kyoya."

"Good."

Livia sent the butler a small wave as Kyoya lead her through the foyer. Once they took a right into an empty hallway, she frowned up at her 'escort'. He noticed.

"What?"

"Nothing. I suppose it's just surprising to me how you fail to realize how lucky to are to have your staff. They hold you in such a high regard and you don't seem to appreciate them."

Kyoya smirked, "I don't think I fail to see anything. Shigeru and the rest of the staff are paid good money to take care of the household and treat us with respect. It's a purely business relationship."

"Is that what you call your Host Club as well?"

"Of course. There isn't much else it could be." Yet there was hesitation in his voice. Why was he trying to lie?

"...What a sad, frigid world you live in, Kyoya Ootori."

The boy looked down at her, but didn't get a chance to respond before they were entering the parlor. Livia dropped her disinterested expression in a heartbeat and smiled widely at one of the black-haired ladies sitting across the room.

"Livia-san!"

Fuyumi set her tea cup down and hurried across the room. Kyoya slipped his arm away from Livia's as his sister gently hugged the younger girl. From his place by the fireplace, Fuyumi's fiancé watched the scene with a small smile. But he was the only man who did.

"Fuyumi. That is enough." The two girls pulled away but continued to smile.

"Apologies, Father. I am simply excited to see an old friend."

Mister Ootori softly 'hmph'ed before making his own way across the room, "Be that as it may, you would do well to not forget yourself in front of business partners." The ravenette nodded, but sent a secret wink in Livia's direction.

"Miss Trasic. It is a delight to see you once again."

Livia nodded, curtsying, "Likewise, Mister Ootori."

The man regarded her for a few seconds before turning to reintroduce his wife, a very stiff and proper looking older woman, his other sons, and Fuyumi's husband. Aikio and Yuuichi then introduced the two women standing with them. Yuuichi's wife and Aikio's fianceé. The two women looked refined, but Livia saw the barest trace of fire in their eyes. They may be calm here, but the agent had no qualms that they were this soft spoken in their own homes. Perhaps these Ootori boys have a type? Or it just takes strong women to be able to even remotely deal with Ootori boys?

Introductions out of the way, Mister Ootori walked off to speak with Kyoya over by the other men in the room. Misses Ootori went back to her tea, but the three girls closer to her age remained by Livia.

"It's very nice to finally meet you, Miss Trasic."

"Yes, Fuyumi wouldn't stop talking about you."

Fuyumi giggled as green eyes looked at her in amusement, "Did she now? I hope she didn't exaggerate anything."

"Of course not!"

"So, Miss Trasic…" Konami, Yuuichi's wife, suddenly looked very mischievous, "It would appear that you've caught the eye of the last available Ootori. Well done."

Minae and Fuyumi giggled, but Livia's joking mood vanished, "Oh, I do hope you're joking. Or that you are wrong. If I have, that is most unfortunate."

The other three stopped their laughter, "Unfortunate?" Fuyumi looked almost hurt, "But Livia-san…"

"Oh, no, Fuyumi, I'm not trying to insult Kyoya or anything! And as much as I would love to be family with you, I'm not staying for long. Once Mother and Father find me a new school to attend in America, I'm going home. I would hate to leave a broken heart behind me, especially if it was unintentional."

And now the older girls looked crushed. Geez, how many people were going to think she and Kyoya were star-crossed lovers?

"Gentlemen, ladies, your dinner is ready to be served."

Thanking the high heavens for providing a perfect out of the conversation, Livia smiled at Shigeru as the butler turned and began leading their party of ten out of the parlor and into the adjacent room across the hall.

The dining room was just as grand as she remembered. It was the only warm room in the entire house, not just in temperature but also in looks. Golden-painted walls, warm lights, rich reds and pure whites decorating the table in an intricate pattern, and the heavenly scents that wafted in from the kitchen. You couldn't help but relax in the environment.

Livia went to follow Fuyumi, but Kyoya pressed a hand to the small of her back. She wanted to swat it away, but quickly realized that they could very well have already decided where everyone would sit for the evening. So, she allowed herself to be led. At least, to make up for the rudeness of trying to control her, Kyoya sat her beside his sister and pulled her chair out for her. Livia didn't respond, but the boy was smirking once again as he sat to her right.

Continuing counterclockwise around the table was Mister Ootori, at the head of the table. Then Yuuichi, Konami, Aikio, Minae, Misses Ootori Noa (at the other end), Shido Hiroyuki, Fuyumi, and finally back to Livia.

The salads were brought out first, and the ten of them maintained light-hearted conversation with each other. After all, other than Livia, they were all family or at least close to being family. Livia was asked very few questions regarding her parent's business in America, which she was usually able to deflect or answer with a well thought out lie.

The conversation was going well until they were halfway through the tonkatsu dish.

"So, Livia-san, are you still in Kyoya's class?" Fuyumi was the only person at the table other than Kyoya who addressed the American girl by her first name, though she added the '-san' suffix that Kyoya omitted for the night. The two girls had kept up a pretty constant stream of conversation throughout the night, for which Livia was grateful. Fuyumi didn't ask about her family or the faux business the others thought she was representing, but was genuinely curious about her interests. Livia liked talking to the older girl, especially about her trips to the U.K.

Unfortunately, Kyoya liked to input his own thoughts into their conversation, occasionally answering for -what Livia quickly realized she was- his date. Like now.

"She is," Kyoya smiled at his sister, the one member of his family he seemed to genuinely enjoy the company of, "She has even agreed to join the club I co-operate with Suoh Tamaki. You should've seen him when she agreed... over the moon."

Fuyumi smiled back, but another voice from the other side of the table suddenly piped up, "Ah… the Host Club, correct? Is Miss Trasic in a secretarial position? Surely the daughter of such a prestigious business owner wouldn't host her male classmates? That might reflect poorly on her reputation. We wouldn't want such a lady to seem… immoral."

Instantly the table quieted. Livia's eyes narrowed. She couldn't have stopped that reaction even if she had tried. It might've sounded Aikio was just trying to take a jab at her, but she wasn't dense enough to not notice it was also a swipe at Kyoya. And yet the boy to her right simply continued to eat as if he hadn't heard his brother's comment.

Mister Ootori dabbed at his bottom lip with a napkin, "Now, Aikio, my son, if Miss Trasic has decided to join Kyoya's club, we should respect her decision. I'm sure she made the choice for the right reasons."

Aikio looks back at his own plate, ignoring the way Minae was glaring daggers at him out of the corner of her eye, but Livia decided she would not let the remark slide. She had been forced to deal with similar comments the entirety of her last assignment for the Ootori family. No way in Hell would she let that happen again.

She smiles in Yoshio's direction, but purposefully ensures the warmth doesn't reach her eyes, "Don't worry, Mister Ootori. I don't mind Aikio's questions. After all, if he is genuinely interested, I'm all too happy to correct his assumption that I'm only capable of being the Host Club's secretary." Livia turned her condescending expression towards the second son, who was looking at her in wary interest before going back to his father.

"I am an actual host alongside your son and his friends. But I'm serving female clients only, not male. Incidentally, I'm quite grateful to Kyoya for the opportunity to participate in his club."

A few eyebrows lifted, but Livia ignored them, "Being in the host club has given me a quick way to bond with the female population of Ouran Academy on a fairly personal level. They trust me with information about their lives, which is amazing given how it's only my second day attending the school. Secondly, I'm relieved he was considerate enough to not force me to service male clients."

Her green eyes flick back towards Aikio before returning to his father, "As of this moment, I am not especially impressed by the men Ouran Academy has previously managed to produce in their environment." On her right, Kyoya took a sip of water. She didn't risk a glance at her 'escort', but she assumed he was hiding a smirk.

"Besides, I was informed years ago that my grasp on reading and writing your language is rudimentary at best and my penmanship is ghastly. I would hate to burden my classmates who have gifted me with such an opportunity with my incompetence."

The table was dead silent. Livia looked around at the family. Aikio understandably looked uncomfortable while Yuuichi was being quelled under his wife's angry gaze. Though Konami's glare was nothing compared to Minae's. Livia had a feeling the elder Ootori boys would have some explaining to do once they got home, despite it was only Aikio who had been rude to her.

Either way, no one dared to speak.

After all… if she had actually been an heiress to a family company they were dealing with, she just proved that she does not forget an insult. Which Aikio had done. Twice, now.

Returning her eyes to Mr. Ootori, she saw his calm facade on the outside. But underneath was barely concealed anger. It almost made Livia smile. After all, what greater insult that having a young lady with no real foothold in his 'world' manage to outwit his second eldest son?

Of course, there was just the hint of respect there as well.

Okay, so I'm back in my apartment. I don't really feel like talking about everything else that happened tonight, so I'm just going to give you the basic hits and let whatever my recorder pick up fill in the blanks.

After dinner, Kyoya offered to walk me around the Ootori mansion. I didn't really want to, because I was tired as fuck, but I did it anyways to plant all of those camera. Thankfully I remembered where a lot of my cameras had gone four years ago, so I stuck to those sames areas with a few changes that came with my experience. My camera synchronizer was also hidden in my hand purse with the cameras, so all I had to do once I finished planting the final one was stall in that one place until it finished.

Which I did by the way. Beautifully if I must say so myself. But... something unexpected happened.

"I don't recall you being so outspoken before."

Livia gently ran a single finger along the edge of a mahogany table, where a beautiful vase sat atop… not doing anything but looking pretty. Once the camera was stuck to the bottom of it, she pulled away with a sigh.

"Do you remember how your brother tutored me when I was here four years ago?"

Kyoya nodded, the two continuing to walk down the hallway, "I do."

"I had only the barest grasp of your language when I arrived, and he insulted me at almost any chance he had. He didn't exactly have the greatest temperament."

He went quiet for a few more steps, unaware how Livia's index finger had slipped into her purse, tapping her last camera to be placed. In his bedroom. It wasn't to be perverted or anything. Actually, the camera would be pointing outside should the assassins would try to sneak in through the windows, rather than risk being caught inside the house.

"You said that my family didn't realize how lucky we are to have the staff that we do."

"Yes, I did."

"I assume you meant that they truly respect us. Perhaps even care for us?"

"Kyoya-" Livia shut her eyes, stopping in the middle of the hallway. When she opened them again, the boy was staring at her. "Your staff members are perhaps the nicest waitstaff I've ever met. As for caring for you, most of them have known you since you were born. Don't you think that, perhaps, they might feel the slightest bit attached to you after seeing you grow up? Not everyone gets such a big family with such a history."

"I hardly call it family."

"You should. Just because you're not related to someone doesn't mean they can't be family. You have no idea how many people in the world would want the staff that you do, and not because they want their house cleaned or five-course meals. Just to have people who you can depend on..."

"What of your staff?"

Livia looked away, "Father is… very particular. If someone does not behave or respond the way he wants…" She pressed her lips together. Her father was never an easy topic. Especially when she had to speak of him in a false negative light… when he deserved everything but.

"Let's just say I have no one who has watched me grow up from when I was born to present day, and leave it at that."

Kyoya is still staring at her, like he's seeing her for the first time, "Your parents?"

"Kyoya, can you honestly tell me that your parents have watched you grow up?"

He didn't answer, and she walked past him, "Can we just… finish the tour so I can go home? My feet hurt."

The two continued walking for another five minutes before anything was spoken outloud. Kyoya pushed open a door, "This is the end of our tour. My bedroom."

Livia peeked in, "... May I?"

He stepped back, gesturing inside, "If you wish."

Walking into the room, Livia figured she had just found her second favorite room in the house. It was, in essence, her dream room. Huge bay windows that overlooked the yard. A wide spacious area with couches and tables for homework or guests. And a loft for the bed.

"Wow…"

"Hm. Haven't heard that one before." Kyoya had followed her in, but the door remained open. The two stood alongside each other, the girl taking in the room -also waiting for the moment to walk over to the windows without looking suspicious- and the boy waiting to ask the question he had wanted to in the hallway.

They both got their opportunity when Livia's internal timer reached zero. She walked over to the window closest to them, right where the wall between Kyoya's bedroom and the hallway ended. Her right hand pressed against the cool grey metal that lined the many glass panes that was his bedroom wall. Beneath her pointer finger, a square, grey camera was pressed against the metal.

Her green eyes reflected the moonlight coming through the glass as Kyoya joined her. He regarded the girl thoughtfully before speaking.

"I never managed to ask my original question in the hallway."

Every barrier she had went up right before his eyes, unaware that she was purposefully tensing her shoulders and tightening the skin around her eyes. Still, he smirked at her reaction, though it was a much gentler expression than its predecessors.

"Livia, I'm not aiming to upset you. I was simply curious why you went after my brother where the waitstaff could hear you. If they are as attached to us as you say, didn't you consider how your words towards Aikio would affect their views of you?"

The brunette looked at the boy blankly for a moment. He didn't understand why he couldn't always read what she was thinking or feeling beneath the initial layer, but it did interest him. The last time they had met he wasn't really allowed to have any interest in her. His father would've berated him for becoming distracted with something that did not matter terribly for his own future. What mattered most was for Livia to create ties with Aikio and Yuuichi, the Heir and the Second-in-command. But now that he could experiment with this mysterious girl, he wished to know how she hid her emotions so well.

And to start: How she thought.

Finally, she looked back out at the garden. There wasn't much growing, as it was far too cold the time of year for anything to flourish, but the lack of snow let the grass settle into a pleasant light green color to still enjoy.

"Not at all."

"Hm?"

"I wasn't concerned about that. Not in the slightest. Perhaps some of your staff will think I was very outspoken, but I was wronged by your brother years ago and I was not about to let that recur. Especially now that I know how to defend myself with your words. My insults were, in my opinion, justified and deserved. I am not especially impressed by how your second eldest brother turned out, as proven by the way he tried to wound not only my pride but yours as well. And Yuuichi once watched our sessions all those years ago, and said nothing while Aikio insulted me. Your waitstaff will see my words as calling him out on a wrong and warning him from repeating his mistake."

Kyoya looked out at the garden as well, "And your family's ties to mine?"

"If your older brothers were inheriting the company, perhaps I would've said something to Mother and Father about their lack of respect for American women."

The boy turned back to her. He didn't speak, but she heard the question.

"You are different from them. Perhaps if you stop treating me like a Mistress and more like a classmate and club member…" her eyes crinkled in the corner, allowing him to read the humor in her voice, "Then we should get along just fine."

Kyoya smirked, "I do believe that can be arranged. But one final question."

"Ask."

"... Why did you defend me in the dining room? You didn't like me very much until perhaps this moment."

Livia's smile vanished, "It was clear that you were not going to. And no one else in that room who could have, would have. I cannot abide people who treat others like they are nothing when, in fact, they are…" Their eyes met before she looked away, "Extraordinary."

The two lapsed back into silence.

"You are perhaps the second person in my life who has said something like that about me. Thank you."

Now it was the girl's turn to smirk, "You must not be listening to the right people, then. Now, would you mind terribly if you lead me back to your car? I would very much like to go home."

Um… yeah. That was officially the last thing I expected to happen that night.

I don't know how Ootori Kyoya suddenly went from being a person I despise to being someone I can imagine hanging out with, but that's what happened. Honestly, having a heart-to-sort-of-my-heart with an Ootori wasn't very high on my "to-do" list, but it's nice to know that Kyoya's still a kind person once you remove the mile-long stick out of his ass.

Okay, enough insulting him. I need to slee-

Fuuuuuuuuck.

I haven't done my homework.

Sleep will have to wait.

End... hold up. Have I ended any of my other logs today?

Son of a bitch I didn't! Holy fuck you guys, I'm so sorry! I honestly didn't mean to do that to you! Jesus... you're gonna have to catalog my whole day... crap. I'm just screwing up completely tonight, aren't I?

Jesus... I'm so fucking sorry.

End log, for your sake more than mine.

Um... I don't really remember how I wanted to end the chapter originally, but it wasn't like that. Just so you're aware, that was not them falling in love with each other. It was simply taking off the masks (at least in Kyoya's case) and acknowledging they didn't need to fake being friends. Just... clarifying.

Also, so you're not confused from all the additional names I added in here:

Ootori Noa = Kyoya's mother

Ootori Konami = Yuuichi's wife

Minae = Aikio's fianceé

Shido Hiroyuki = Fuyumi's fiancé

Um… yeah. Let me know what you think! If you really liked it, please favorite, follow, and leave a little review to let me know!

See you next chapter!