Chapter 9: Realizations and Resolutions
From Kyouya's Mobile Journal
August 31
11:45PM
This has been the most liberating experience I had ever gone through. Seeing Haruhi again, spending some quality time alone with her and finally telling her what I just realized this morning. I felt more alive, more invigorated and more motivated to do anything. So the saying that love pushes everyone to move forward must be true then. After all, a person will not do anything if he/she does not care right? If we put love in an equation, albeit this is how it will look like: trust + care = love. Oh well, it must be the euphoria talking right now. If people were reading my journals, most of them would probably take a second look at me. I'm not the most romantic person alive and I believe my looks alone connote that.
Sapporo, Japan
12:00NN
"I was hoping that you'd learn to love me as I have learned to love you." Kyouya said with simplicity. Haruhi smiled at him. Kyouya felt like a magic spell was casted on him. He could not help but to look at the sweet expression of Haruhi. Of course, he felt awkward afterwards because Haruhi was just smiling. "God is she speechless?" Kyouya mentally asked himself.
"Ne Kyouya-sempai…" Haruhi said after a few minutes of sweet yet awkward silence.
"Nani?" He asked. He was trying to keep his voice calm and normal as possible.
"I can't believe that you just said your confession as if you were just talking about business." Haruhi teased.
"I'd bet you'd laugh out loud and run away if I did it like Tamaki." Kyouya countered. "Damn, she's the only person who can still blurt out blunt opinions even after hearing a confession. As what I expected from her." Kyouya told himself. Haruhi giggled upon hearing his remark.
"It's kinda' weird seeing Kyouya-sempai acting like Tamaki-sempai. I'd probably convince myself that I was in a nightmare." Haruhi said back. "But sempai, I hope you are not expecting an answer from me right away ne?" Haruhi asked.
"Business teaches us to be patient. After all, it usually takes time before you get the return of investment. You might get nothing at all since it will depend on the economy and how the stock market is doing." Kyouya answered with a smile.
"That's good." Haruhi said to him as she tucked her hair behind her ear. "Because I still promised someone a date tonight and I really do not want to ruin his night." Haruhi added. "It is only right for me to be fair. After all, that's what lawyers do; make things fair even though the world is unfair ne Kyouya?" Haruhi added. She looked at him in the eye and she saw the surprised look on Kyouya's face.
"Did she just call me Kyouya? Without the honorific?" Kyouya mentally inquired. It took him several seconds before he could recover. When he was able to collect himself, he gave him an answer with a smile on his face "Yes, I believe that's what lawyers are supposed to do."
"Kyouya I think we should head back in our classroom. I've been gone too long and my classmates might make it a big fuzz if I am not yet back." Haruhi said.
"I suppose so. I had a delightful tour around your school. Would you mind if I stayed in your classroom?" Kyouya asked. He and Haruhi were already walking towards the Main Building.
"That's good to hear. So I am cleared off my debt?" Haruhi asked. Kyouya made a bold move by holding Haruhi's hand and entwining his fingers between hers.
"I suppose so." Kyouya answered.
"Eh? What kind of answer is that?!" Haruhi pouted. "Am I cleared of my debt or not?" Haruhi asked. Kyouya was just laughing heartily beside her. After a few seconds, Haruhi was laughing with Kyouya.
But when we were laughing together earlier today, I could not help but feel like it seemed so right to be walking beside her while holding her hand. I always assumed that love is nothing but a hormonal rush instigated by our amygdala but earlier this day, I realized that it was more than just a chemical reaction. Right at that moment, I hoped to make her more happy.
Kyouya and Haruhi were still talking with each other when they reached the third floor. Apparently, there was some commotion inside Haruhi's classroom. She could not determine why she suddenly felt nervous but she felt the urge to run inside her classroom. Kyouya pulled her lightly and looked at her. He was trying to communicate through his looks that she should stay calm. Together, they walked towards Haruhi's classroom. When Haruhi slid open the door…
"Ne Takashi, the sweets here is pretty good!" Hani-sempai chirped as he deposited a spoonful of pudding in his mouth. Mori-sempai was quietly sipping his tea.
"What a small school! Geez how were they able to put up a school festival like this?" Hikaru snorted.
"Well they did have a school festival and I am enjoying their festival." Kaoru stated cheerfully.
"Haruhi where are you? Why aren't you back yet? We were planning to surprise you by bringing you back to Tokyo." Tamaki muttered nervously.
"Don't worry honey, I guess she's on her way back." Tamaki's fiancé said.
Haruhi was shivering because of annoyance. She walked inside her classroom. Haruhi's new classmates were looking at her while Kyouya on the other hand adjusted his eyeglasses. "What do you think you're doing here? How the heck did you find me?" Haruhi said while trying to mask her annoyance. The rest of the Ouran Host Club members looked at Haruhi. There was total silence between Haruhi and the Host Club until…
"Oh my dear daughter! My darling daughter Haruhi!!!" Tamaki exclaimed while running in a melodramatic manner. He was about to embrace Haruhi when the twins blocked his way. Kaoru and Hikaru pulled Haruhi between them and embraced her tightly.
"Oh silly girl! We should've adopted you in the first place." Kaoru said tearfully.
"Tono can never lay his hands on you as long as I am here." Hikaru said triumphantly while looking at Tamaki who was suddenly in his corner of woes.
"Haruh-chan, Haru-chan!" Came Hani-sempai's cheerful voice. As usual, he was perched comfortably on the shoulders of Mori-sempai. "We were so worried about you. We were glad that Tama-chan found you." He added in a sweet tone. Mori-sempai just grunted and nodded in response.
"I'm so pleased to finally put a face on the name I hear so often!" Came Akiko's gleeful greeting. Haruhi was surprised to see someone unfamiliar to her and yet act as if they have known each other for years. "I heard so many stories about you and true enough, you manage to block my fiance's charms!"
"Fiancé?" Haruhi questioned.
"Haruhi, meet Aso Akiko." Came Kyouya's voice. All the host club members' attention was suddenly diverted to the person standing right behind Haruhi. Their jaws dropped literally because they were surprised to see the Shadow King. "She is Tamaki's fiancé." Kyouya added.
"Mmmother what are you doing here?" Tamaki asked while stuttering.
"I thought you had to attend to some business matters sempai." Kaoru stated.
"Ano ne, Kyo-chan got ahead of us!" Hani-sempai exclaimed.
"I told that I have business to attend to father." Kyouya teased Tamaki. Akiko was just giggling. She was enjoying the bantering between Tamaki and Kyouya.
"Business!? But you are here with our daughter!" Tamaki said as if accusing Kyouya of a crime.
"Our daughter is my business. After all, her welfare is an investment we should be taking care of." Kyouya argued with an evil smile on his face. "Although I do not care about our family that much since I had an ulterior motive for coming here." Kyouya added in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Mother, that is perverted!" Tamaki shouted.
"Perverted? What is perverted?" Kyouya asked.
"Tono's mind is dirty!" the twins said in unison.
Haruhi was just watching the Host Club exchange their arguments. Somehow, she felt like she was shipped back to the third music room. One of Haruhi's classmates approached her and tapped her shoulder.
"Haruhi, do you know these people?" Her classmate asked. "They came in style and they are like celebrities."
"They are my friends from my old school in Tokyo." Haruhi answered in monotone.
"What school did you study when you were in Tokyo?" Her classmate asked again.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Haruhi answered back.
But they say, love turns people into fools. Cliché as it may sound, but I was quite disappointed to find out that the rest of the Host Club was here. I was looking forward to spend time alone with Haruhi. To do some catching-up, to just talk and yet, nothing goes right when we talk about the Host Club. You can just imagine me creating alternate plans for various situations. But for this event, seeing the rest of the host club caught me unprepared. Nonetheless, I was happy to see them all. Perhaps, the knowledge of ruining Tamaki's plan made me ecstatic.
"So what are you doing here?" Kyouya asked coldly. Haruhi had to look at Kyouya and walk a few inches away from him.
"Ano saa…ano saaa…" Tamaki was struggling to make a coherent answer.
"Tono said we'd pay Haruhi a visit since his investigators finally found her." Hikaru said nonchalantly.
"And to convince her to fly back to Tokyo so she can be the Maid of Honor in his wedding." Kaoru added.
"Also, he plans to introduce Haruhi to his Best Man." Hani-sempai cheerfully said.
"Oh is that so?" Kyouya answered with a smirk. "I happen to be the Best Man…"
"I think that's pretty obvious…wait!" Hikaru and Kaoru said in unison and then they froze upon realizing what they said. They looked at Kyouya from head to toe and then to Haruhi.
"Tono what is the meaning of this!?!" Hikaru lurched at Tamaki. Tamaki feigned innocence as Hikaru grabbed him by his shirt.
"The two of you please stop!" Haruhi said sternly. "You are not in Ouran so stop creating this commotion." She shook her head and then walked away. "Please look after my guests for the meantime. I will just make my afternoon rounds to check the 2nd year's presentations." She said to one of her classmates. Afterwards, she left the room. The Host Club were stunned. Hikaru let go of Tamaki's shirt and took a seat. The rest of the Host club members together with Akiko took their seats as well.
"Is Haru-chan in the student council?" Hani-sempai asked one of Haruhi's classmates.
"Hai. Fujioka-san was appointed 2nd year batch representative. Pretty cool isn't? She's also the top student in our year." Haruhi's classmate answered.
"Tono, you have to explain yourself. Why are you introducing Haruhi to Kyouya-sempai." Kaoru asked.
"You better have a good reason for it." Hikaru said as if threatening Tamaki.
"It was my idea." Akiko said. "Tamaki-kun believes that Kyouya-san has feelings for Haruhi-san but he has not realized it. So Tamaki and I planned to hook them up during the wedding." Akiko explained.
"I'm sorry to foil your plans. I already confessed my feelings to Haruhi." Kyouya said in a matter of fact tone. Tamaki was stunned. Hikaru and Kaoru were caught off guard while Hani-sempai gave Mori-sempai had a high-five.
"Mother! How could you bypass me?!" Tamaki said in his melodramatic tone. "I'm deeply hurt! Thinking that I could be of help to you only to find out that it was useless!" Tamaki added.
"I appreciate the effort though." Kyouya said coolly.
"Kyouya-sempai…you…you…"Hikaru was having difficulty to express himself because of frustration and anger.
But the day did not go smoothly. Facing Hikaru who all of knew was in love with Haruhi, was perhaps the most difficult part of trying to win Haruhi. All of us knew that Hikaru is possessive and selfish. And even though he was trying to be the catalyst for Tamaki to realize his own feelings for Haruhi, all of us knew that he was still trying to win over Haruhi. He has not given up on her and in his own way, he is wooing Haruhi. I had not thought of a way to bypass Hikaru but I might have to face the inevitable.
Kyouya watched Hikaru as he struggled to control himself. He knew that Hikaru was in love with Haruhi and that seeing her again meant having another chance to prove himself to Haruhi again. Kyouya knew that Tamaki's marriage to Akiko paved a way for Hikaru's chances with Haruhi to increase. Sad to say, he has a new rival in Kyouya. Kyouya thought that Hikaru was feeling frustrated because he would be facing someone who would calculate his every move.
"Hikaru, I assure you that Haruhi has not given any answer to me. If by any chance she chooses to accept me, I will do everything in my power to keep her happy and contented." Kyouya said.
"He, aren't we being over confident sempai?" Hikaru said in a sarcastic tone. "He is right though" Kyouya thought. "What assurance do I have to assume that Haruhi will accept me?"
"Ano ne Hika-chan, let's try to be happy since we just saw Haru-chan again. At least we can ask her why she suddenly left." Hani-sempai advised.
"Hani-sempai is right." Kaoru agreed. "We should not ruin our reunion with Haruhi because of our personal feelings for her."
"I most certainly agree!" Tamaki exclaimed.
"Ano saa Akiko-san, I am just wondering how you can stand Tono's eccentricity?" Kaoru asked. Akiko just giggled as she saw Tamaki retreat in his corner of woes.
The Host Club waited for Haruhi to return from her rounds. The awkward silence between Kyouya and Hikaru did not prevail long since Tamaki was constantly wooing Haruhi's classmates. Akiko was just watching her fiancé and tolerating his incessant "flirting". Hani-sempai was enjoying the sweet treats while Mori-sempai kept watch. Kaoru was comforting his twin brother and Kyouya was quietly sipping a cup of tea that was served to him.
After an hour and half, Haruhi arrived from her rounds. She was accompanied by none other than Aono. The other host club members were quite surprised by the resemblance of Aono to Kyouya. Upon seeing Kyouya, Aono winced and was a bit reluctant to approach the group where Haruhi was heading.
"Welcome back Haru-chan!" Hani-sempai greeted.
"So Haruhi will you hang out with us tonight at the hotel?" Kaoru asked.
"Gomen yo. We have a summer ball this evening and Aono-sempai is taking me to the ball tonight. By the way, this is Aono Fujima. He is our student council president."
"Yoroshiku onegaishimasu." Aono bowed.
"Summer Ball? My dear daughter is he your date?" Tamaki asked. He suddenly recovered from his depression.
"Ah..hhai…I will be taking Haruhi-san to the ball later." Aono answered nervously.
"Mother, our daughter is a grown-up!" Tamaki exclaimed.
"I know but I wouldn't approved of it but nonetheless, we were not here when Haruhi made her decision." Kyouya said coolly.
"I must agree to that." Hikaru snorted. Aono became more nervous.
"But he is a charming young man Tamaki-kun." Akiko commented. Mori-sempai nodded in agreement.
"Young man. Please take care of my precious daughter!" Tamaki said while holding Aono's shoulders. Aono was freaked out and was confused as to what was happening.
"Quit it sempai! You are not my father!" Haruhi reprimanded. Tamaki, taken aback by Haruhi's reaction retreated again to his corner. Haruhi let out a deep breath and gave Aono an apologizing look.
"Haru-chan, Haru-chan, is he your friend?" Hani-sempai asked.
"Hai and he is also my partner for the inter-district quiz bee competition by next month." Haruhi answered.
"Sugoi yo! You will be competing in a competition?" Hani-sempai gleefully inquired.
"Hai. I will excuse myself again since Aono-sempai and I will have a meeting with judges for this year's best class presentation." Haruhi said.
"Haruhi can we do your hair and make-up later?" Kaoru asked.
"I'm sorry Kaoru but my friends will drop over at our house to do my hair and make-up." Haruhi replied.
"Can we visit your house then?" Hikaru asked.
"I will think about it." Haruhi stated and then she excused herself again. When Haruhi was out of sight, the host club started to chatter to themselves again.
"Man! Haruhi is a busy bee! I didn't know she's active in school. She seems to apathetic when she was at Ouran." Kaoru commented.
"That's because she is in an environment that she is accustomed." Mori-sempai said back.
"Takashi is right." Hani-sempai added.
"Hmmm how about we join their summer ball tonight?" Akiko suggested. The Host Club looked at her with a smile on their face.
"I could pull some strings for us to get invited in the summer ball." Kyouya said while smirking. He pulled out his mobile phone started dialing a number.
But as a businessman, it is important for me to know the strengths and weaknesses of my competitors and use these valuable information to my advantage. While I know of Hikaru's major weaknesses, I just can't go easy on him. After all, he can be quite unpredictable at times. On the other hand, being a businessman taught me the importance of valuing the present and planning for the future. Akiko's suggestion of us joining the ball is a brilliant idea for it may seal an unbreakable contract that I have been trying to get signed since the moment I saw Haruhi again.
To make the long story short, Uehara-san got us invitations for the Summer Ball. Haruhi arrived with Aono. Of course, she was surprised to see us there. But she casted a knowing look at me. She knew that I used my connections for us to get in the ball. Aono was uneasy around us but he tried his best to have conversations with Hani-sempai and Tamaki. Akiko and Haruhi were talking most of the time and albeit Akiko already told her that she will be the Maid of Honor in her wedding.
Aono got the first dance with Haruhi and to tell you the truth, I was as jealous as Hikaru when I saw them dance. At least based on my standards, I kept my cool and remained collected while Hikaru was fuming with anger and was talking with his brother. Tamaki and Akiko also danced. Afterwards, a lot of boys came to Haruhi asking for a dance. She politely refused some of the invitations most especially to those that she does not know. She danced with her classmates and fellow Math Club members.
I was getting impatient at that time. I wanted to dance with her as well. I wanted to steal her away from everybody and just whisked her away to a place where it's just me and Haruhi. But being the realist, I know I can't do that. I just sat and watched Haruhi from afar just what like I used to do when she was still at Ouran. After her last dance with the Math/Science club president, Haruhi walked towards us and sat beside me. Tamaki and Akiko were still on the dance floor while Hani-sempai and Mori-sempai disappeared to the dessert table. Kaoru had to pull Hikaru out of the gym because his twin was fuming with jealousy.
Haruhi looked stunning tonight. She wore a simple black cocktail dress. Her make-up was light but enough to accentuate her pretty face. Her hair was neatly tied in a bun and a flower adored her brown locks. She was sitting beside me with a smile on her face. She returned the greeting of some her kohai and sempai and then she looked at me.
Summer Ball, School Gym
Sapporo Japan
9PM
"Albeit you were surprised when you saw Tamaki-sempai earlier."Haruhi said.
"I didn't know the idiot was planning to see you as well. He was inviting me to come with him to invite their Maid of Honor who turned out to be you." Kyouya said back.
"I find it funny since you weren't able to deduce that action from Tamaki-sempai." Haruhi commented.
"I must agree with you on that one." Kyouya said as if he was defeated.
"Want to dance sempai?" Haruhi asked. Kyouya was caught off guard by Haruhi's question. He looked at her with wide eyes. Haruhi was just smiling at him. Kyouya cleared his throat and answered…
"I would certainly love too."
Kyouya and Haruhi walked hand-in-hand towards the dance floor. Upon reaching an empty spot, Kyouya put his hands on Haruhi's waist while the other was holding Haruhi's hand. Haruhi's hand was resting on Kyouya's shoulder and together, they began to move with the music.
"Ne Kyouya, we were talking of investments earlier…" Haruhi started.
"I believe we are…" Kyouya answered with a smile.
"What do I get out from this if ever I put on my investment? I believe that the return of investment should be mutual right?" Haruhi said.
"Let's see…" Kyouya looked at Haruhi. He was beaming at her as if he had no worries. "you'll get my unending trust and support. You'll hear me say I love you as often as you want. You get to see me cheesy most of the time and tease me about it for as long as you want. I will definitely make sure that you get your supply of ootoro." Kyouya answered.
"Not a very good offer I suppose." Haruhi teased.
"Really? I'm getting bad at business if that's case. How about you get me in return for your investment?" Kyouya asked. Haruhi smiled at him and moved closer to him.
"I think that is the best offer you have given so far." Haruhi commented.
"So far? You're not yet convinced?" Kyouya asked.
"I want Kyouya without the mask, without the pretension of getting merits for every action he does. I simply want Kyouya the person and not the businessman…" Haruhi answered. Kyouya looked at her thoughtfully and then gave her one of his genuine smiles.
"That's the privilege you will get out of this investment Haruhi." Kyouya stated. "Why don't we quit talking in metaphors and say what you want to say." Kyouya challenged.
"This past few months sempai, I kept thinking about the host club…but what occupied my thoughts was you most of the time." Haruhi started "I could not understand my chain of thoughts and the way I feel until I saw Aono-sempai/ At first I thought I was just being nostalgic and all but there were times that I was wishing that it was really you." Haruhi looked at him as if searching in his eyes the next words she was going to say. "And then you came…you are here right now. I still feel like I am in a dream but I can touch you, hear you and your sarcasms. You really are and I'm really happy."
"I'm glad I made you happy." Kyouya said back.
"And then when you told me that you love me, I also realized something about myself…"
Her words were enough to make me smile. Albeit when I get back to Tokyo, people will definitely wonder why the famous shadow king is smiling. I just have a simple memory to keep for the rest of my life and that memory is enough to make me smile. Call me crazy or even a fool but tonight has been the best interest I got from my investment so far…
Haruhi looked at Kyouya. She was shy and hesitant to tell him what she had just realized but being fair has always been Haruhi's philosophy. She let out a deep breath and gave Kyouya a nervous smile. "That realization gave answer to every question that I had during the time we were apart. Kyouya, I just realized that I m sharing the same feelings with you…I'm in love with you as well." Haruhi said.
…and I believe that this is just the start. I will reap more return of investments and she will have the same. I just closed the biggest merger of my life and my partner just signed the contract. When she told me that she love me, I only have but one resolve to keep in my heart. I will love her and make her happy.
Kyouya Ootori
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Author's Note: I'm sorry if it took me sometime to update. I was so busy in the office these past few days. My creative mind is not functioning well thus, it took me a while to update my fanfiction.
Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews you have given me. I am really happy that you like this fanfiction. Also, thank you for reading my One-shot fic entitled Strings. I am really glad that you are enjoying my KyoxHaru fics. Please stand by as I unfold the last two chapters of this story and I hope you'll like its ending.