They were hard. They were very hard. Who knew there was so much to dinner etiquette? Sawako was having a less than joyful time with her lessons. She knew she had to train to be a proper lady, but her tutors seemed to be even stricter than Miura-sensei. It was rather overwhelming. The only thing she enjoyed was the dance lessons. She actually had fun with it. At the moment, she was hiding with Kyoya in the garden.

"Are you done with your lessons?"

"Yeah, and now I just want to rest and focus on school."

"I hardly call that resting, especially if you're studying."

"Meh. I don't know what to do."

"Talk to me then."

"You have to study. I'll be a distraction."

"A very good distraction."

"Kyoya-san!"

"Just 'Kyoya'. There's really no need to add any honorifics now."

"I guess you're right."

"So..."

"No, Kyoya. Finish studying first. You don't want to get scolded."

He chuckled, but complied, leaving the two to study in a comfortable silence. Once they were done, Kyoya decided to sit next to her. "Now, about that talk..."

"What do you want to talk about?"

"Anything really. I don't mind, especially since it's you."

"You're quite the charmer."

"Even though we're already engaged, I'd still like to court you properly. So, that includes the charm and flirting."

"Hmm...Good luck with that."

"You don't have any faith in my abilities?"

"Oh, I do. I'm just not easy to court."

"I love a challenge."

"As do I. I'd like to see how long I'll be able to resist."

"'Resist'? Am I sensing that I'll win you over some time in the future?"

"Perhaps. It's very, very likely. Work hard, my darling fiance."

"I plan to," he promised with the slightest brush of fingers on skin. "Do think you're ready to meet my siblings?"

"Nope."

"Sawako..."

"I don't think I'll ever really be prepared. It's like when I met your father. I knew I was going to meet him, but I still wasn't prepared for it."

"Fuyumi is harmless. Actually, I think you'd like her. My brothers, however...while they know to be respectful to you, they won't be afraid to make certain jabs at you. Especially Yuuichi. Akito is a little kinder. He still will be rude, but will think twice about it."

"There's a 'but'..."

"But...when it comes down to it, they're respectable gentlemen. They do care about other things that doesn't have to do with business. I have low blood pressure and collapse whenever I allow it to get too low. One time, my first year, I collapsed after my blood pressure dipped below usual. Yuuichi absolutely panicked. He was the first to get to me whereas Fuyumi would. When I finally came to, he was a mess. Quite a sight from someone who usually snubs his younger brother. Now, I just don't let him live it down."

"That's cute. I wouldn't let him live it down either. What's Fuyumi like?"

"Very sweet. Motherly, a little like Tamaki if Haruhi told you the stories. She has a son, Akira, who is quite the character."

"How old is he?"

"Two."

"Oh, that evil age. Yeah, he'll be something of a handful."

"Speaking from experience?"

"I babysit from time-to-time. and they're always two-year-old toddlers. So, I know what it feels like. But no matter, I'll always love them."

"It sounds like you want to have kids of your own."

"Eventually, even if I didn't want to settle down, at first."

"Oh? How come?"

"Partially because I couldn't see myself actually getting married. The other part is the fear of divorce. I don't want my kids to go through what I did, even if things work out in the end. Even though my parents are the best of friends now, seven-year-old me was terrified. I didn't understand anything except my parents didn't want to be together anymore. And my mom didn't visit that often, so I got it in my head that she didn't love me anymore because of Kazuhiko."

"How'd that go?"

"I spent every second of my time plotting his demise."

"Oh dear."

"I had even set up booby traps specifically made for him. But, when he and mom came by, and he asked me to be their flower girl, I cried. Hard. Because reality hit and I realized that my mom wasn't gonna get back together with my dad. And I saw it as she won't ever love us again. Let me tell you, I've never seen her cry like that before."

"But, you know now."

"Yeah. Which is why she tells me she loves me every day. She says it's essential that a child hear those words daily."

"That explains everything."

"Eh?"

"My father sat down with me yesterday, and we had a heart-to-heart chat. He wanted to apologize for how hard he's been pushing me, and told me to not hesitate to tell him if he's being to hard. He ended the conversation with an 'I love you'."

"Oh yeah, that's got my mother written all over it."

He chuckled. "I answered with those words, and thanked him for being hard on me because it helped me realize what I want. And I seriously meant it."

"What do you want?"

"I want to go into architecture. I want to create things and watch them last through generations. However, I want to see this partnership prosper. So, I'm torn whether to go with my passion or to continue on with what my father has planned for me, but in my own way."

Sawako smiled. "That's something you'll figure out when the time comes."

"What about you?"

"Initially, I wanted to go into music, but I've seen how my dad affects people's lives. I want to do that. I want to bring smiles like that to ailing children, so...I've decided to do what's necessary and become the next head and CEO to this group."

"You know you'd have to work hard and go into both business and medicine."

"I'm completely aware of that. That's why I'm thinking about doing the honor program at Ouran."

"You've been thinking about it that much?"

"Yeah. I'm an only child, so there's no one else there to take over once our dads retire. No one except us. I know you have your passion, so I want you to pursue it. I'll be able to handle things."

"Sawako, let me make some things clear. You're not going to manage this alone. I refuse. This marriage is a partnership, especially when it comes to this company. You'll obviously take the role as head since the company will be in your name. However, the responsibilities should not be yours alone. As your future husband, I have to share those responsibilities. If I do go into architecture, I won't solely focus on that. I want to be by your side when managing everything.

"Kyoya-"

"Sawako, please. I understand your independence, but you'll have to learn how to rely on others. Especially those you'll be spending the rest of your life with."

"Okay."

"Anyway, are you sure you want to attend Ouran? What about your friend?"

"That's what I've been thinking about. I don't know if I'll be comfortable leaving her alone like that. Sure, she has Daisuke, but I've always been there for her. I would hate myself if something happened."

"That's something you and her need to discuss. But, I think she would understand, and push for you to go for it. Anyway, does she know you're engaged to me?"

"Oh yeah. She and Dai want to meet you. And by meet, I mean interrogate."

"I see...This is going to be fun. I was already interrogated by Haruhi. Do you think it's wise to let me speak to them? I won't be kind, especially if they insinuate foul play."

"Good point. But, they won't leave you alone at the festival if you don't put their minds at ease. They'll think I'm being biased since Chizuru has kind of the same mentality as my dad."

Kyoya sighed. "Alright, I guess."

"Good. You can come with me to Haruhi's tomorrow."

"Why Haruhi's?"

"That's where we have our movie night."

"I don't want to intrude."

"You know, eventually, she's going to bring Tamaki."

"You know about her liking him?"

"She practically admitted it to me. Well, not exactly, but she's like an open book when it comes to him. But, no matter how smart she is, she's still really dense."

"Tamaki is just an idiot."

"Eh, yeah."

"So, are you sure about this?"

"Nope. That's why we're doing this."