Chapter 7: Masquerade
I put off answering Kaoru due to the fact that I wasn't even sure I could go. I told him as much and he ended up telling the host club…
"But you have to go, Lily-chan!" Honey-senpai pouted when I walked into the abandoned music room. It happened to be the day of the dance and I still wasn't sure I could go. I asked my father, but he just waved me away each time.
"I do want to…"I replied glancing over at Kaoru. "…but my family might think it an embarrassment."
"Not quite. I have contacted the authorities of your household and told them it was a requirement for you to go if you wanted to remain a member of the host club." Kyoya spoke up, still messing around with his clipboard. At first I was baffled and looked it as well. The rest, however cheered. They twirled me around and the twins seemed twice as happy. I could understand how Kaoru would be happy, but Hikaru?
"I so wanted to put you in that gown!" Hikaru pulled a ball gown out of no-where which was extremely extravagant. The top of the dress was teal with flowers embroidered on the side with the finest of jewels. It just hung off the shoulders and billowed out in a different color, which was deep ebony black. A simple yellow bow was placed beneath the embroidery, holding up a ruffle of sky blue silk fabric. It really was lovely and the mask that went with it was just as extravagant. So I really was just Hikaru's toy…
"Thank you, Kyoya." I told him, but he just waved me off.
"Don't take it personally. I only did it because I already auctioned off dance tickets for you." He replied. Of course. Kyoya was always thinking of a profit; why should I think anything less? Kaoru pulled me aside while the others were trying to get Hikaru into her gown. She was refusing the whole time and wanted to get in the male attire instead. I couldn't blame her either; it was crazier looking than mine.
"So…" he blushed, not quite sure what to say. I don't think he's ever really opened up to someone before besides Hikaru. I hadn't really given it much thought, but I already knew they answer.
"Of course." I smiled at him. His face broke into a huge smile while he gave me a tight embrace.
"Don't think you're getting out of wearing that gown just because you are Kaoru's date for the dance." Hikaru popped up and waggled his finger in front of my face.
"Haruhi, will you do me the honors of being my date?" Tamaki bowed in front of her.
"No way." She stated flatly. That made him freak out and ended wallowing in a corner once again.
"My date is Usa-chan!" Honey announced, already dressed and ready to go.
"How long do we have until the dance?" I asked.
"About an hour or two. Just enough time to mess around with you." Hikaru cackled and threw me into the dressing room. Oh dear…
All of us were ready to go within the hour, all dressed in pompous arrogant clothing. My dress happened to be really heavy and they also stuck me in Victorian style heels. This was incredibly awkward for so I wasn't entirely sure how to handle it. Kaoru grasped my hand in his and smiled at me.
"You'll be fine." He said.
Part of my undercover training entailed that I had to know how to dance, but never have I danced in such unusual wear before.
Half the night I couldn't even spend with Kaoru; we were whisked away to fulfill our auctioned off dances. Of course I entertained the men like I was supposed to, but I secretly wanted to be with Kaoru. We stole some moments, sometimes just looking at each other. The silence didn't even feel awkward, it just felt like no words needed to express how we felt. By the end of the evening, though, we managed to get one dance with each other. It happened to be outside, away from the crowd, among the garden. The moonlight was lovely and the night air was crisp and cool. We danced slowly to the classical music that was playing inside, our movements perfectly in tune.
"Hey Lily."
"Yeah?" I looked up at him and he said nothing. All he did was place a firm kiss on my lips. At first I was quite startled, but I eventually melted into the kiss. Our hands were clutching, grasping, clinging, trying to get ahold of one another. This reaction was due to the built up feelings we had towards one another and now it was over flowing. Our tongues danced in our mouths, tasting every crevice.
"What is the meaning of this?"
I broke away with a gasp to see my father standing in the shadows.
"I thought it was slightly awkward that you would be needed at this type of event. Now I know it was just a ploy by your friends, so that you can whore about. You are a disgrace, Lily." He growled at me, making it very apparent that he was very displeased.
"Father, I am sorry." I bowed deeply, my face still flushed from the kiss.
"On the contraire, sir Makutoshi. My intentions were never personal." Kyoya popped up out of no-where and handed him his clipboard. "My intentions were never personal. You see, I have been struggling with trying to incorporate an able bodied hostess into our club. Lily is a very good candidate for this and her being part of this club is more or less an experiment. You wanted her to be part of this club and I am making her a part of this club. See how much profit we have gotten just by her attending this dance and entertaining some clients. All in all, I am more interested in the profits she brings than her personal relations with others. The fact that this is going on just might bring in some more profit. Jealousy of others can be very strong and they will all flock to the host club to try to gain back either of their attention. To put simply, Lily is an asset to this club. And besides, if I were trying to get more information on a subject, I would certainly get closer to one of their friends. Having personal relations with one of his best friends would benefit you as well as me."
I was just baffled by the fact that Kyoya just basically told off my father. No one has ever done that before…
"Humph." He shoved the clipboard back to Kyoya and left the courtyard in an angry stride.
"Don't go flaunting your feelings like that. It may just put us in more trouble." Kyoya commented and left.
"Well I don't regret it. Do you?" Kaoru smiled at me.
"No. Matter of fact, I don't."
