Chapter 9: Kaoru
Muki, Kaoru & Hikaru: YAY! KISS, KISS, KISS!
Novella100: Oh, shut up, will you?
Hikaru: Sorry, Novella. We're just so exited that you're story is finally looking interesting!
Kaoru: It really is reason to celebrate.
Muki: We thought this would never happen.
Novella100: Aw, thanks…HEY!
Muki, Kaoru and Hikaru: Giggle
Novella100: Annoying brats…
I am such an idiot. Such a jerk. Such a jerk for running off after kissing Muki like that…
KissingMuki!What was I thinking? I wasn't of course, but still...What if she's mad at me? That would be great. Just great. Like I don't feel stupid enough already…
What should I do? Maybe I should pretend it never happened? Yes, that's probably best. Not that I wish it hadn'thappened, but-
"Kaoru? What's the matter?" Hikaru asks, ruffling my hair. I dodge him, and tug uselessly at the mess of orange on my head.
"My hair. It keeps sticking up in all the wrong directions." I fuss, lying smoothly. Hikaru rolls his eyes but grins good-naturedly and stands up.
"Come here, I'll do it for you." He says, hefting my amber mess, twisting and styling it until my hair is identical to his own, except for the parting. Just one little hint so everyone can tell us apart.
ButnotMuki.She'slikeHaruhiis-sheknowsusasourselves,withoutrelyingonappearance.I snort, and shake my head, trying to shake the thoughts of Muki. Hikaru scowls and complains,
"Hey, you're messing it all up!"
"Sorry."
I feel inexplicably nervous when I see Muki leaning against the wall, her face turned toward the courtyard where we, the Host Club, hold our garden parties. It's one of her favorite places, I know.
A/N: This is the same place where Kaoru and Muki spoke in Chapter 2
But I hide that, and waltz up to her. I drop one arm around her shoulder causally, and she jumps.
"Hey, Muki, how's it going?" I ask cheerfully. Muki blushes bright red and raises one hand, before letting it drop to her side again. Her hand is wrapped in a bandage. Right.
"Thinking about yesterday?" I ask cheekily. Jerk. What happened to pretending it never happened?
"No!" Muki says loudly, but she spoke to quickly and she blinks quickly. I smile, and decide to use my new weapon a little more.
"You didn't like it?" I ask, brushing my fingers across her cheek as I watch the emotions flicker across her face in fascination. Nervousness, embarrassment, pleasure, indecision, amusement, excitement all merge together in her expression. I bite my tongue to avoid laughing and some part of me notices that everyone's gone to class now. I grin and lean in close to Muki, whispering in her ear,
"Well? Did you like my kissing you?" I can feel Muki's breath quicken, and I know that she isn't mad at me, at least.
"Did you like it? Because I did." I say coyly, and then pull back, waiting for her reaction. I pause when I see tears in her eyes-and then I realize she's laughing.
"Stop it, stop it." She laughs, breathless. I'm annoyed, briefly, that my attempts to be seductive have gone so badly awry, and then I see the humor in the situation. Perhaps seduction isn't quite my style, then.
I smile at Muki and arch and eyebrow.
"Why should I stop?"
"Because if you don't, I swear I'm going to explode laughing." Muki retorts, although her giggles have stopped.
"Oh, well, we don't want that." I say, lightly, taking Muki's face in my hands. "You can't laugh if someone's kissing you, though." I smirk, and Muki's eyes widen. I kiss her, and this time it's much longer. I pull away and peck her on the nose, before surveying her expression. She's smiling.
"What about Hikaru?" Muki asks, toying with a cherry blossom that's fallen on the ground. I loll against a tree nearby-we're in the courtyard now, only seconds away from the next bell, calling everyone to lessons again.
"What about Hikaru?" I say lazily, and Muki scowls. Chagrin washes through me, although I don't know why I should be feeling ashamed.
"Won't he feel left out? He might be lonely." I freeze as I realize what we're talking about. Hikaru. Hikaru, my brother, my twin. I haven't thought about his feelings at all.
"Of course, you know him better than I do…" Muki says, trailing off. I close my eyes and sigh. When I speak, I speak in a voice barely more than a whisper.
"Hikaru…would be hurt. He'd get jealous and…" I shake my head hopelessly. Hikaru hurt. I hate even thinking about it. Muki is quiet, and then she says,
"So…should we just pretend that this hasn't happen-"
"No!" I say loudly, and Muki starts slightly. "No," I repeat, calmer now. "We won't just pretend. Not that."
"Than what? I'm not going to hurt Hikaru if I can help it, Kaoru." Muki's voice is fierce, and I can't help smiling a little.
"Look…I'll talk to him, OK? Leave it to me."
A piercing bell cuts the air. Seconds later, I spin around as a voice calls behind me,
"Hey, Kaoru, Muki!" Where have you been? I've been looking for you everywhere!" Hikaru calls as her runs up to us, grinning. I laugh and wave, even though I feel horrible inside.
"Sorry, Hikaru." Hikaru smiles at me, then frowns.
"Kaoru, you're hair is ruined again. Hold still while I fix it."
"Sorry." I say, apologizing for so much more than my hair. Hikaru huffs at me and rolls his eyes.
"Idiot. It's not your fault." I smile weakly, watching Muki rise and walk away. Her black braid sways slightly as she walks, and I realize, in a rush, that I've found someone who's just as important as Hikaru. Someone else who I'll make sacrifices for, be selfish for. I look at Hikau as he molds my hair and I'm suddenly sure that I'm going to be causing everyone I love pain soon. Because I'm selfish.
Sorry doesn't seem to cut it.
