Chapter 10

A/N: I hope you would enjoy this as I did. xD

"That was Nanami-san, right?"

Rei paused from writing in her notebook when she heard Hikaru and Kaoru asked. She also glanced in the direction they were looking. It was Nanami who came into the library. She got irritated because Nanami was "slaving" her beloved Kyouya. Rumors reached her ears that Kyouya did court her for almost two years yet did not receive an answer from her.

"Tell me, why are you with me again?" she asked the mischievous twins.

"Well, we can't hang around with Haruhi most of the time because she's always with Tono" the twins said in unison

She glanced again and saw Kyouya following behind and carrying her books, folders and cardboards but Nanami didn't even bother carrying some. She stood up and went to where they were. She ignored Hikaru and Kaoru's call telling her to come back.

"Here, I'll help you with those Kyouya-kun. You're doing assignments and projects for others now?" she said in a loud voice for Nanami to hear. After her grandfather got out of the hospital Kyouya and Rei didn't see each other for a while, not until now. Nanami looked at Rei then at Kyouya. She must be thinking of something to say in response but only glared at her.

"If that's the case, why don't you do our projects too? There are just too much to search and we don't have the luxury of time." she sarcastically smiled at Nanami who just looked at her. She doesn't seem to remember her even though they've come across each other a couple of times.

"Nanami-san and I still have something to do. I'll help you afterwards but I have to help her first, it's almost their deadline." Kyouya said

"Come over to our table when you're done, okay?" Rei said and left. Kyouya placed the stuffs at the table where Nanami chose. Rei was only a few steps away when she took a quick look at Nanami.

"My Kyouya-kun is such a gentleman. He's so kind like an angel, I sometimes even hope that kami-sama would already take him, if you know what I mean. If I were you, I would give him a solid 'yes' for an answer before someone else, yours truly, might snatch him." she jokingly said.

Kyouya eyes grew wide.

"Are you stupid? Why are you giving the love of your life away?" Hikaru asked when she came back to their table.

Their table was near to where Kyouya and Nanami were, so they probably heard what Hikaru said.

"Stupid! That's what you call 'strategy'. You're a guy, you should know better than me. It seems Mori-senpai is much more knowledgeable than you, haven't you heard what he said before? When you like a person, you need to show that you can be a sport too so that the person you like would think twice." She defended herself.

"She has a point there Hikaru. Should I also do that?" Kaoru asked himself.

"What are you talking about Kaoru? Don't tell me –"Hikaru said

"N-nandemo nai, forget about what I said!"

Hikaru got curious about what his brother was hiding from him.

"Yo! Rei-chan!"

The three of them turned their heads to see Hiroshi. He seemed to grow taller.

"Yo! Hikaru, Kaoru. Mind if I sit with you guys?"

"Sure, just as long as you pay us." the twins joked

Hamasaki, Hiroshi has been courting Hnagiku, Rei for nearly a month now. Everybody in the school knows already, but what they did not know is that during his confession Rei already told him that she likes someone else and yet he told her that he won't give up on her.

"Here, I got these chocolates for you."

"You didn't have to" Rei was awed by his fighting spirit. She can see herself in him towards Kyouya.

"But I intentionally bought them for you, take them. Don't be shy." Hiro gave her a reassuring smile, "No strings attached, I can assure you that. It would make me happy if you take them."

"Well…" she was astounded when her eyes met Kyouya's. He was looking at them the whole time, he seemed to be sending warning signals, and no doubt it was saying to refuse the chocolates Hiro gave her. Just then, Nanami locked her arms with Kyouya's and took a casual glance at her. Trying to make her jealous.

Rei got annoyed again. She returned her attention to Hiro and beamed a smile while accepting the chocolates, "Thank you so much Hiro-kun, you're so sweet. Uh…can I ask a favor from you? Can you help me do my project?" she asked in a sweet tone loud enough for Kyouya to hear.

Hiro's face lit up, "Sure thing! I would love to!"

"But I thought you asked Kyouya-senpai?" Kaoru asked

"He's still busy anyway." She thought about whether it is about time to enjoy the attention rather than she give attention(to Kyouya). After all, Hiro isn't all that bad. She shouldn't compare him to Kyouya, he is different in a sense that Hiro knows how to show appreciation towards Rei.

Rei waved her hands to Hiro as he was going down the stairs, although they were neighbors the Hamasaki's lived on the second floor of the complex. He seemed to be in a hurry. It was only 6 o' clock in the evening when Hiro asked if she was willing to go with him to the fireworks festival near the Suoh's place.

"He seems okay don't you think Rei?" she gasped at the sight of Kyouya, but what's more shocking to her is that he used her first name. His car was nowhere to be found, so she didn't notice that Kyouya was there. He was able to read her confusion.

"Fuyumi-neesan asked to borrow my car. And I happened to meet your grandmother carrying lots of bags and so I helped her get here."

"Is that so? Thanks. Uh, do you want to come in?"

Rei opened the door to their house and found her grandmother cooking; she presented herself to finish what her grandmother started in order for her grandfather to be taken care of. Before her grandmother went out of the kitchen, she personally prepared Kyouya's snacks. Lately her grandmother has been treating him like her grandson; she busies herself in taking care of Kyouya whenever he comes by. His visits to their house have become more frequent too; he brings with him gifts for her grandmother and grandfather but none for her. Sometimes she would fantasize that his sole purpose for coming here was to see her and her only. And that he makes every excuse just to see her.

Kyouya can also be regularly seen with Nanami at school, and rumor has it that they're going out. But when she asked the club members they told her that there was no truth to it. She's a bit annoyed at how Nanami treats Kyouya, and it seems as if she's just hanging out with him to make her other suitor jealous. She's just playing with Kyouya's feelings.

"So, are you two going out now?" Kyouya asked

"With who?"

"Do you have any other suitors? Hamasaki-san, of course! I just noticed that you've been hanging out more with him lately."

She smiled and jeered at him, "Why do you want to know? Are you jealous?"

Kyouya's eyes grew wide, "Me? Jealous? Why? I'm not even your boyfriend. I'm just curious."

He sounded overacting.

Rei pouted her lips, "Liar! Maybe I should date Hiro-kun. That way you would cry a river and you would regret not dating me. Then you'll start following me around and beg to love you back. You would bring over a truck-full of flowers to woo me and you would say 'Oh Rei, Rei, please come back and love me again," she started doing a monologue and made gestures with her hands.

Kyouya was amused at the sight of her.

"And how the hell would I carry a truck-full of flowers? I'm no demigod like Hercules," he joked. It looks as if Kyouya finally knows how to ride Rei's gags; he can talk back to her jokes equally.

"But you're my Shadow King; you could just glare at someone to carry them for you."

He laughed at how she really thinks highly of him, "Oh, by the way, there's a fireworks display near Tamaki's place. Wanna go with me?"

She stared in surprise.

"Oba-chan told me that it would be best if you hang out with your friends, you need a break. We can just walk there, it's not that far, and maybe after that she suggested I take you to the seaside. It's very calming there."

Rei stooped down, it was just because her grandmother said so. And here she thought she had hope. But she can't go with him, when she explained the reason why he just nodded and left.

It was almost midnight when the fireworks started, streaks of lights painted the night sky. It was a thing to behold. The host club members enjoyed each other's company.

"So commoners also enjoy playing this game?" Tamaki asked Haruhi

"Yes. The game is simple; you just have to catch the fish using the nets. But be careful, it can be tricky."

"Woah! Sugoi ne! How about that Haruhi? I got one."

"Me too Tono!" Hikaru joined in

"Eh?" Haruhi's jaw dropped in disbelief. It took her more than ten tries to be able to catch one.

"You're so good Hika-chan!" Ayako praised

"…thanks!" Hikaru blushed

"It's Rei-san…" Mori said when he saw them coming, "…with Hamasaki-kun"

Kyouya's head was the first to turn and what he saw made his heart skip a beat.

Rei wore a powder-blue komon yukata with small repeated patterns of sakura petals throughout the garments with a formal obi but looking at the person wearing it she looks as if she's wearing an uchikake type of kimono rather than a komon if one does not pay attention to details. She had her hair braided and wore a kanzashi with a color that accentuated her eyes. The back of her white neck was a bit emphasized. She was a sight to behold. Kyouya suddenly blushed and looked the other way.

"Woah! Rei-senpai, you look fantastic!" Haruhi praised,

"I thought it wasn't you! Heck, if I'd known you were this pretty I would've asked you to be my girlfriend the minute I saw you." Kaoru praised but kept it at a minimal for fear that the Shadow King might be pissed and sure enough Kyouya raised a brow at him.

"Gomen, gomen Shad— I mean, Kyouya-senpai. I was just joking!" Kaoru took shield behind Mori.

"What do you mean? I didn't say anything…" Kyouya glared

"Rei-chan! Rei-chan! Would you be my date tonight?" Honey cuddled her.

"I would love to!"Rei replied "Demo…" she looked at Hiro.

"Ne, is it okay if I steal your date Hiro-chan?" Honey angled his head at Hiro's direction

"It's okay Honey-senpai, we've already gone over most of the place" Hiro granted the little seniors request, he was more than satisfied to have Rei to himself that night and spent watching the fireworks together, so he thought it would be okay. Just then his phone rang.

"Moshi moshi? Oh oka-san! Do shite?" Hiro went a few distances to be able to hear. A couple of moments later he returned with a worried face.

"Sumanai…Uhm, Rei I'm really sorry but I need to go, it seems my mother is in a bit of a trouble" Hiro said

"What happened? Is it serious? Can I help?" Rei got worried as well, she owed his mother for helping them with her grandfather, and the least she could do is lend them a hand if they need it.

Hiro just smiled and gave a faint laugh, "Don't worry, it's not that serious. Plus, I want you to enjoy the night. I don't want to destroy it for you."

Then he left. For the host club, the evening was still young so they enjoyed themselves to the fullest. Kyouya seemed to be enjoying as well. All was well until Rei saw a girl and a suitor of hers, just looking at them, she could tell that they were going out. They were snuggling and laughing, feeding each other, holding hands and whispering to each other about who knows what, and then laughed. Rei got irritated. First, because it was no other than Nanami. Second of all, they were destroying her evening. And thirdly, she felt sorry for Kyouya.

She sensed that he was looking at them; she got annoyed at guessing what he might feel about their public display of affection. Nanami looked at them and smiled, she returned the smile and glanced at Kyouya who did nothing but look. She jumped in front of him and poked him on the forehead. That got his attention; he looked down and saw her giving him a big smile.

'Trying to make me feel better, huh?' he smiled and thanked her in his thoughts

'Kami-sama, please forgive me for the evil thoughts I've come up for the witch who ruined the evening for us.' Rei thought as she finally got Kyouya's attention. 'What does she think she's doing? She already has Kyouya for a suitor yet she turned him down for that guy? And very open about it? She doesn't know what she's missing.'

Tamaki invited the host club members to eat at another stall at the far corner where there was a bon fire, they also invited Kyouya to come along but he said that he'll catch up because he needs to talk to someone first. Rei knew without asking that he meant Nanami.

"Cheer up Rei-san," Ayako moved to give Hikaru space to sit beside her.

"At least you don't have a rival for Kyouya anymore." Hikaru supported Ayako

It wasn't long ago that Ayako and Hikaru were allergic to each other but now they are closer than ever. To how they got along and how they ended up together, no one knows the details for sure. But the rest were happy that they finally ended up together. Kaoru was still adjusting to it though.

They were eating when Kyouya finally came, and from the looks of him, the conversation with that 'someone' probably didn't end well. He was silent throughout the conversation, and if his attention was called, he would just give a faint smile. When they finished eating Mori asked to leave because Honey already fell asleep, Tamaki also asked to be excused as well because he said that he needed to take Haruhi to their house or else her father might beat him up and think that he did something to her. Hikaru too, he needed to take Ayako home because she was sleepy already, Kaoru tagged along with his brother. And it was also about time for Rei to go too, but then she remembered that Kyouya wanted to take her to the seaside.

They were silently sitting at the sand, facing the wide sea with the full moons' reflection on it.

"It's nice out here. Why haven't you said anything?"

Kyouya remained silent. She purposely didn't talk when they were walking so that he'll have time to think while drinking the canned beers they bought at the convenience store they passed. He already drank five of them.

"I thought that you needed peace and quiet. Are you okay now?"

By the looks of it, the drinks had already taken a toll on him, he was smiling. There was a different spark in his eyes. He was still holding on to the last bottle; they just sat there for not more than an hour when he drank all the canned beer.

"It seems you're done, come on. I'll take you home." Rei was about to stand up when Kyouya grabbed her by the arm and stopped her.

"Later. I'm not yet finished with this." Kyouya raised the can to let her see. "I still have something to tell you. They're not here so I'll just have to tell you. Is that okay?"

"Okay. But do it quickly, okay? Or I'm gonna get in trouble, it's already this late," she doesn't know whether to be amused or irritated. No doubt he is drunk but he doesn't seem to show signs of being drunk, as if he is still in control over his body. His grip on her arm was strong but she wasn't hurt.

"Good! That's good! Now listen. You have to listen, okay? It goes like this. I really like that girl. You know, Nanami-san? She's beautiful, smart, demure and a bit shy. I'm not trying to make you feel bad or anything. But compared to her, you're so loud and annoying. That's why I like Nanami."

Rei looked away. What if she'll pick up a big rock and hit this guy on the head? Would he remember afterwards if he is sober? He was just beginning to tell her something, yet the first part had to be that painful to hear? He confessed he liked Nanami to her face. And to top it off, he even picked on her.

"Hinagiku look at me!" Kyouya cupped Rei's face with both his hands and forced her to look at him, "You see? That's why I don't like you. You're not listening to me. You're very hard-headed. You need to be kind and gentle, not rash and stubborn. You shouldn't also court guys. That's wrong. You should wait until I do that."

"Really? How would you be able to notice me if not for my 'annoying' behavior? No doubt, if I hadn't confessed to you in the first place, you wouldn't even know I exist. We don't live in the past anymore Kyouya. These days everyone has the right to equality. That's why there's nothing wrong in what I did."

Rei believed in the fact that when a person gets drunk, all they can say is the truth. And it was hurting to know the truth why Kyouya was having second thoughts about Rei.

Kyouya frowned and looked like he was the one offended, "Who's talking here? I told you to just listen. Don't annoy me. Now, where was I? Right, right, Nanami. She's pretty, smart and demure, right?"

"The hell I know!" she pouted her lips and turned her attention to the blue sea. She only looked back when Kyouya stopped talking. He was looking at the stars.

"I thought she was the perfect person for me, I was wrong. She made me believe that she likes me. But earlier, she told me the truth." He suddenly laughed. "She already confessed to Koichi-kun a month ago. But she found out that he was cheating on her and so she thought of using me to get Koichi jealous and get him back. She said she was sorry and asked me not to get angry at her. She said we're still friends."

"What? She's crazy!" Rei gritted her teeth in anger, she felt her blood rising and her anger building up for Nanami. After all the hard times she faced just to get Kyouya's attention, Nanami just used Kyouya, like a toy, for that needless excuse?

"What was she thinking? That you're some sort of toy to be played with? And then throw away when you're not fun to be played with? That witch! I hope she doesn't show up in front of me or so help me I'm gonna shave her head!"

"Hey, easy, Hinagiku. You're not the person she hurt." Kyouya said with a smile on his lips. He wrapped his arms around her shoulder and looked at her getting annoyed; he was amused to see her like that.

"I don't care! She used you! It's the same thing as she insulted me." Rei started spouting plans on how to get even.

Kyouya wasn't interested to hear those things. She wasn't even done talking yet when all of a sudden Kyouya kissed her. There was nothing sweeter than what Rei felt at the moment.

A/N: at last, I finished this part. The next chapter might be a bit more challenging for my part. Stay tuned. R&R mina~ (^-^)