DISCLAIMER: I swear I do no own Ouran.

Thank you very much for the reviews in chapter 6 :)

DarkRavie
REAL-Ella-Martinez
Sonora-Margaret
Scherherazade
AlphaOmega
Marisol Akyri
hpnerd328
Arashi-senpai
queen34

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Previous chapter:

The lawyer was speechless. 'This is not good', she thought worriedly. Somehow, when Kyouya looked at her, she noticed that his expression also said something between the lines of 'this is not good'.

Without the Shadow King and the Host club Queen knowing - as they stood there inside that room, at that very moment - a shocking news was already spreading throughout Japan faster than the latest bullet train.

---

...Tokyo, Japan. Hitachiin main mansion...

"Why didn't she tell me?!!"

"Hikaru! Calm down..."

Hitachiin Kaoru, the vice president of the world renowned HKH clothing -formerly known as the Hitachiin Designs- grabbed his identical twin as the latter wildly kicked and threw whatever he sees in his room. It was a total disaster.

"And that Ootori! What the hell is he up to?!" he shouted as he tried to break free from his brother's grasp. "I swear I'm going to kill that bastard!"

"Hikaru! Please! Get hold of yourself! You're not a kid anymore."

Silence.

The older twin was panting heavily as he glared at the younger one.

"Hikaru -"

"Fine! I get the point! You want to be on their side?! Is that what it is, Kaoru??" he asked. "I see now." Hikaru finished and stormed out of the room, banging the door as he left.

---

"I'm sorry to bother you Hani-senpai, Mori-senpai."

"Don't worry about it Kao-chan. We are happy to help you, ne, Takashi?"

"Hnn." his cousin replied.

The three former hosts sat inside an exclusive cafe near the Haninozuka main mansion. After Hikaru's outburst, Kaoru immediately dialed his senpai's cell phone number. He knew that he should do something, before things go completely out of hand. Not that Hikaru didn't mature over the years, it's just that when it comes to Haruhi, he still tends to lose himself sometimes.

"I don't know if you've already heard about Haruhi and -" he paused, as if unsure whether to continue or not, "Kyouya-senpai."

"Yes, we've heard it from the news.", Hani replied after stuffing a spoon of cake into his mouth. "Let me guess... Hika-chan didn't take it well?", he finished.

"You could say that." Kaoru let out a small breath. "Honestly, I don't really know what Hikaru will do next."

"What do you mean?" Hani frowned.

His cousin, Morinozuka Takashi, remained stoic, patiently waiting for Kaoru to continue.

"He is so angry right now." he began, "He said that Kyouya-senpai is a hypocrite...pretending not to be interested in Haruhi while secretly plotting on how to get her." "He also said something like he will kill Kyouya-senpai."

This time, Hani's mouth formed an "O". He was slightly shocked with Kaoru's bold statements.

"Demo.. Hika-chan wouldn't do that, right?"

"Of course not, Hani-senpai.. But still...." sigh

"Haruhi." Both Hani and Kaoru directed their gazes to the "wild" type.

"What do you mean, Mori-senpai?"

"She needs to talk to Hikaru about this." was his simple reply.

---

...Back at the party in Hokkaido...

"You mean, you also do the laundry, Haruhi-san?", a lady, around twenty-five years old, asked. Her face showed complete shock, as if she discovered that it is possible for elephants to fly using their ears. The young lawyer in question resisted the urge to roll her eyes. 'Why are rich people always amazed with the NORMAL things?', she thought.

"Yes, Fujiko-san. I do all the work at home.", Haruhi said politely. She didn't know how exactly she ended up sitting at this table, surrounded by a group of rich heiresses who reminded her of the costumers of the host club. She was practically bombard by a bunch of questions that, well, hardly make any sense.

"Haruhi-san is a hero, ne?", a lady commented. "Uhm..hmm" The others shook their heads in agreement.

"Aho-ho-ho-ho!"

Everyone paused, including Haruhi herself, as they heard a strong powered motor, which literally rose from the marbled floor of the ball room. How that machine got there, Kyouya hadn't have the slightest idea. He knew, however, whose voice he just heard.

That's right.

It was no other than...

Renge

- the Host Club's (self-proclaimed) manager.

"This! This is what I'm waiting for! Ohhh, the moe!", the otaku dramatically said, tears forming on the corners of her eyes. Haruhi looked at her dumbfounded.

Ootori grandma, who was sitting opposite Kyouya, threw him a questioning look.

He gently pushed his glasses up as a reflex.

"Excuse me, but who are you?", Ootori Yoshio sternly asked as his eyes narrowed. He himself didn't have any idea what a strong powered motor was doing at his mansion.

"Ohhh! I'm sorry. Forgive my intrusion. I am Houshakuji Renge", she said, "I am the biggest fan of this couple!" she continued, showing a photo shopped picture of the Shadow King and the Host Club Queen........kissing!

Haruhi's jaw dropped upon seeing how she and Kyouya were barely dressed in that picture. They were snuggling quite sensually in what seems like a hotel room. Whoever edited that picture was truly a genius. But hell, this wasn't the time to be admiring the wonders of modern art!

"I see.", Yoshio replied as he smirked mischievously at his youngest son. His face read 'I am a proud dad'. Kyouya couldn't believe that his father was deceived by this crap.

Well, who could blame the older Ootori? If Kyouya didn't know any better, he, too, would probably be fooled by the picture.

"Is Haruhi-san pregnant, Kyouya-kun?", Ootori grandma bluntly asked, unnecessarily adding more fuel to the fire.

All eyes were on him.

People were 'whispering' in the background, eagerly waiting for an answer. Renge was holding her breath, looking at the man expectantly.

He glanced at his lawyer -now known as his girl friend- before calmly saying "No."

"No??" the crowd repeated, quite disappointed with his answer. "Haruhi-san?" they now turned their questioning looks at the commoner.

"No! No, of course not!" she answered defensively, waving her hand in dismissal.

She didn't usually care about people gossiping on her private life; but, this was a different story! Now, everyone thinks that she was sleeping with Ootori Kyouya! Great! Just great! She bitterly thought.

In an interview, a year ago, she had clearly stated that she believes "women should keep their purity until they are married". And yes, she wanted to stick with that belief of hers. She was still a virgin, after all. But, thanks to Kyouya, and, most especially, thanks to Renge, now her words appeared to be nothing but words alone. Not good, particularly for a lawyer like her.

Wails of dismay echoed inside the ballroom. Obviously, the audience weren't so pleased about not hearing what they wanted to hear. They were frustrated with their very own crushed expectations.

In the world of the rich, reality is always tailored to suit their society's taste. Everything is scripted, arranged, planned or orchestrated, in order to maintain harmony within the elite community. And so, right now, Kyouya has no other choice but to make a saving act. Again.

He walked to where his 'girl friend' is, and gracefully wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Well, Haruhi and I wanted to get married first, before having a child." 'What child?!', she looked at him in bewilderment.

"Ohh....", they responded in relief. Some of the ladies even squealed in delight, including Renge, who exaggeratedly sighed in contentment.

Fuyumi walked to the couple, looking rather pleased on seeing her brother's blossoming love life. She was indeed excited that her 'baby brother is finally a grown-up' (which he obviously was since the time he turned eighteen). Kyouya could only wish that his sister would not request for any stupidity, such as asking him to kiss Haruhi.

---

'I knew it! Damn.' He cursed through his gritted teeth.

"It seems that everyone is asking our dear couple for a kiss.", the host of the night teasingly announced.

The crowd squealed and cheered at the host's suggestion.

Both Fuyumi's and Ootori grandma's eyes projected anticipation and excitement.

"Wait, what?!", the lawyer protested, looking incredulously at her "boy friend". Why do I have to kiss him? That is way over the top. No! There's no way I would do that.

"C'mon Kyouya-kun! Give the beautiful lady a kiss.", someone from the audience said. Kyouya glanced at the man, before returning his gaze to Haruhi. He saw disagreement on her large eyes. He knew that he shouldn't kiss her, knowing that this was nothing more than a charade -that there wasn't really anything going on between them- but what can he do?

"Yeah! Let's see some kiss!", Fuyumi said. His eyes narrowed in response. Somehow, he knew that his sister will say something like that. And he knew that his sister's request wasn't that innocent at all. She was testing him! Making sure if his "relationship" with Haruhi was for real, and not for reel. He needed to cover up the holes, before Fuyumi gets the chance to see through them. It would do him no good if everyone in the room would find out the truth now. Now is certainly not the right time.

"Haruhi.", he muttered, placing his hands on both sides of her shoulders. He felt her stiffened on his touch. His eyes closed slowly as he immediately dipped to capture her soft lips unto his.

Before she knew it, the kiss was over. It was just a smack, anyway. Nothing more.

Haruhi unconsciously bit her lower lip. It felt weird being kissed by Kyouya. Not that she liked it or anything; but, she couldn't say that she disliked either.

She looked up at him, only to see him looking down on her with expressionless eyes. Both of them simultaneously turned away.

As much as they didn't want to admit to themselves, that innocent kiss was uncomfortable.

Why not? Even though it was just a smack, it was still an intimate act. He was a man, she was a woman. Both were single and available. And both were at the age when lustful desires are at its peak (But, that's another story.)

The main reason behind this silly awkwardness, Kyouya believed, was the fact that he and Haruhi were never really cozy with each other. Even in their Ouran days, he wasn't really used to being physically close to her. He couldn't even remember himself touching Haruhi rather casually like the other hosts normally do. For a second, he questioned if he should regret that.

---

"Take care everyone!"

After a long night of a serious "pretend" game, both the businessman and his lawyer could only sigh in relief. They were very thankful when the host of their "anniversary party" had finally said a goodbye and a thank you to the guests. Before leaving, the Ootori family -who seemed to be very delighted- has congratulated the couple once again. Yoshio told Kyouya that he didn't need to go back to work yet. He said that "as a father, I understands if you would want to spend more time with Haruhi-san".

The shadow king protested, as expected. Who said he needed a two-week break?! Two freakin weeks?! Hell, no. The longest break that he took from work, so far, was only five days. And that was when, two years ago?

Haruhi, too, disagreed. She wanted a break, yes. But, with Kyouya, no. Thank you.

Two weeks with Kyouya? Didn't sound good to her. The longest break that she had with him, so far, was only five days. That was two years ago, when she had to (unwillingly) accompany him to France, to attend the wedding of one of his business partners. She would have enjoyed the trip, if only a certain bespectacled man didn't ruin it. Instead of going for a nice tour around the place, he instead chose to torture her by making her try a bunch of fancy dresses. He confidently stated, "You will thank me for this, eventually." She didn't see any logical reason as to why she would thank him later. She was convinced, however, that he surely knew how to kill her joy. And he seemed to be enjoying himself watching her.

"For a couple who are celebrating their first anniversary, you two sounded like you couldn't care less.", Akito, the second Ootori son, joked. Ironically, what he said was exactly what the other members of the family observed.

"I insist that you take the break Kyouya." all eyes were on Yoshio. All of them knew that it wasn't a suggestion, rather, a demand from the head of the family. "I'll see you and Haruhi-san in Tokyo in two weeks." his glasses glinted the same way as Kyouya's.

"Hai, Otou-san."

--

...Tokyo, Japan. Haninozuka Main Mansion…

"Ne, Takashi, what do you think about Kyo-chan and Haru-chan's relationship?"

Silence

"Fraud."

The honey-eyed dojo master shrugged his shoulder with his cousin's reply. "You think so, too, then."

"Hnn."

"I don't know what game Kyo-chan is playing. But, I do hope that it is for the best, ne?"

Mori nodded in agreement.

"During high school, and even before the announcement of their 'relationship', I always thought that Kyo-chan is fond of Haru-chan.", he said, as his eyes looked out the window. "I wasn't sure with my assumptions... until the news confirmed it."

FLASHBACK

Ouran Academy Festival...

Suoh Tamaki, the president of the Host Club, extended his arms to their club's natural rookie to dance her in a waltz. Before his hand could reach hers, a bespectacled boy from behind him snatched her instantly. It was his best friend.

A lot of their school mates saw how sneakily Kyouya took Haruhi into his arms. That was unexpected, and slightly out of character for him to do so. Yet, everyone was convinced that he did it ONLY to make Tamaki jealous. Everyone. Except the two seniors who knew better.

It didn't go unnoticed in Hani's eyes the longing look that Kyouya was giving his dance partner. He knew that his kohai wanted to say something to the girl.

And so, after the festival…

"Why didn't you tell her, Kyo-chan?", he asked in his usual cutesy voice.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean, Hani-senpai."

"Why didn't you tell Haru-chan?"

"Tell her what?"

"I know that you know what I mean." The loli-shota's voice turned serious. "Admitting your feelings is never a bad thing, you know."

"I'm afraid that you are mistaken –" his voice trailed off as he followed Hani's gaze.

A couple of feet away from them were their blonde King and Haruhi. They were laughing out loud, obviously enjoying themselves, as they walked slowly through the garden. They seemed to be very absorbed in their own world that they didn't notice the presence of the two boys watching them. Tamaki was blushing furiously as he assisted the girl into his limo.

"Think about it, Kyo-chan… before it's too late." He said, leaving the raven-haired boy behind.

END OF FLASHBACK

"He likes her.", Hani finished with a bittersweet smile. 'The question is: does she like him as well?'

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Preview for the next chapter:

"Say, why don't we just make this real, Haru-chan?"

smirk

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A/N: I apologize for the long wait. I'll try to update as soon as I can :)

Thank you very very much for those who keep on supporting this fic. I love you guys!