Chapter 10: August (Part 1)

The party for Yuzuha was grand and elegant, completely unlike the party for the twins. For Yuzuha the house was decorated in gold and had an air of class that made me feel like I should be drinking champagne and talk about abstract philosophy or art. I hadn't thought that I would be a guest - but Yuzuha said that since it was her party that all of her employees should attend as such, rather than as hired help. So, although I felt more comfortable in my work attire, I was currently in the best dress I owned, which still put me out of place in comparison to everyone else in the manor.

"Ah, Yue! Are you having a good time?" Yuzuha asked, eyes sparkling. She was currently attached to her husband, who was looking more disgruntled than Yue herself.

With a polite bow, Yue answered, "Yes, I'm quite enjoying the party. Thank you for allowing me to attend."

Yuzuha laughed, "Not to worry my dear, you just continue to enjoy yourself! Eat some of the food, the caterers that were hired are no where near as good as Ami, but overall it's pretty good."

Yue smiled and nodded, but she wasn't feeling particularly hungry. In fact, all she wanted to do was retire to her room and go to sleep. Unfortunately, she thought it would be quite rude of her to leave a party that was intended for her boss. Instead she roamed through the house, trying to find someone to talk to. Her options were limited since Yuzuha's guests were mostly big-time CEOs, older fashion designers, and a few close clients of hers.

'Well,' Yue mused to herself, 'there's always the twins.'

So as not to upset her sons, Yuzuha had also invited the Host Club and their families. Yue contemplated whether or not she should find Haruhi, if he even came. She sighed to herself and wondered what to do.

"Hey Yue!"

Yue turned to see Taro and Ami smiling at her. She grinned and walked over. "Hey you guys. Some party, right?"

Taro rolled his eyes, "I'd much rather be tending to the gardens. Or playing poker. Parties like this make me feel uncomfortable." He held out a glass of sparkling cider, "Here. You look thirsty."

Yue nodded in agreement and took the glass, "Yeah, I'm not really having a good time either. I like being hired help rather than a guest at these things. I mean…I didn't expect it to be so boring."

Taro snorted. "Rich people just don't know how to party."

Ami rubbed her forehead, clearly exasperated. "Hideki put so much work into this party, but all I want to do is get an aspirin and go to bed."

Yue half-heartedly wondered where Hideki was at the moment. "Well, in any case, the party should be ending soon right? I can't see how it could go on for much longer."

Taro and Ami nodded. Ami checked her watch and yelped in surprise, "I best be going now, Hideki said he wanted my help around this hour. Enjoy the party…or try to."

Taro stretched, "I think I'm going to go outside and crash for a few. See you 'round Yue."

Yue blinked as her two companions left her. She sighed and turned, only to bump into someone.

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

"Don't worry about it, it's not like I'm hurt or anything."

"…Haruhi? Is that you?"

Standing before Yue was Haruhi, or someone who looked like Haruhi, who was wearing a long pink dress with matching heels and clutch and looking very out of place. The person grumbled and said, "Yes. Hikaru and Kaoru and Tamaki-senpai forced me to a wear a dress to the party tonight, which I didn't even want to go to."

"…you're a girl?"

Haruhi laughed, "That's right, you've only ever seen me in guy's clothes. I have a debt to pay, so I dress like a boy at school…not that it really matters. It's just clothes. I don't really care."

"…you're a girl?"

Haruhi raised an eyebrow, "Don't think to much into it, it's not a big deal."

Yue suddenly laughed. "Man, all this time I thought you were…but I…oh geez. Haruhi, I'm sorry."

Haruhi just waved her off, "It's fine, really, I'm just glad that-"

"Haruhi! There you are!"

The twins approached Haruhi, smiles on their faces. Yue couldn't remember the last time she saw them so happy. She looked at the floor awkwardly, wondering if she should leave or stay.

"Haruhi, you look so nice in our design."

"You should dress like a girl more often."

"I'm trying to talk to someone right now. Can't you fawn over someone else?"

"But Haruhi-" they whined. Yue swore one of them gave her a look that could kill.

"No Haruhi, it's alright. It's their house and I have to go help our butler out."

"You mean the one that's in love with our mom?" a twin asked venomously.

Yue jumped in surprise. She hadn't expected that sort of response. It was also different. She was used to the rest of the staff making fun of Hideki's crush at his expense, but the way that the twin had put it…Yue didn't like the tone and didn't like the context behind it. She swallowed and said, "I'm not sure of his feelings Hitachiin-san, though I really doubt your hired help will go after your mother. He's merely a butler."

"Yeah. Alright. So if he happens to ruin this family, I'll be sure to remember that you helped him do it."

I was at a loss for words. There was something going on. Some reason why he had been so cold to me. I wondered if something similar had happened before. I tried to push back what he had said, but his putting blame and fault on Hideki for no reason really rubbed me the wrong way. What gave him the right to talk like that about someone he didn't know?

Frustrated, I left the living room and went upstairs to take refuge in Yuzuha's office, the furthest room from the twins. I stayed there for the remainder of the party, feeling alone.

Stupid twins.

Yue finally reached her hall, happy to finally be able to go to her room, when she saw a twin in the hall. Still angry from earlier she shouted, "Hey! Who do you think you are?"

The twin turned around, shrugged, and said, "Kaoru Hitachiin. And who, exactly, are you?"

"…what kind of question is that? You know who I am."

"Don't you know who I am?"

"I…why'd you speak so horribly about Hideki? He did nothing to you!"

"That wasn't me."

Yue could feel a smirk tugging at his lips. She stamped her foot childishly. "Yes it was."

"That was Hikaru. In case you're too stupid to remember, I'll say it again; I'm Kaoru." The smirk appeared on his face. "Can't you tell?"

Yue couldn't. She couldn't tell if it was really Kaoru playing with her, or Hikaru pretending to be his brother. "W-well that's not the point!"

"Aw, you're back to stuttering. That's no fun. I thought you'd have grown a backbone by now."

"You're not Kaoru."

Yue knew calling him on a bluff was a big risk, especially if it was Kaoru. But she couldn't help it. The words spilled out before she could stop herself.

"And why do you think that? Where is your reasoning?" When Yue remained quiet, he continued, "Exactly. You have none. For your information, I am Kaoru. Stop trying to think otherwise."

Yue felt her heart twinge a bit.

"Che. Grow up. You'll never be able to tell us apart, you might as well stop trying."

"You're not Kaoru."

His smirk turned into a scowl. "Shut up! I told you that I am. Why don't you just believe me! It doesn't matter since you'd never tell the difference tomorrow." He glanced over his shoulder and gave me a cold, "Goodnight."

"Because you mentioned my stutter."

He turned, "What?"

"K-kaoru hasn't ever called me out on my stutter. Only Hikaru has."

He stared at Yue for a moment, slight shock and angry blush apparent on his face. His scowl deepened as he turned around again, "Goodnight." He disappeared into his room and closed the door behind him.

Yue felt her lips turn up in a smile, "Night."

I couldn't tell if it was easier being able to tell them apart or if I was just getting lucky in guessing who was who.

In the end, it didn't matter because Hikaru was right and I couldn't tell which was which the next morning when they both insulted my school uniform and choice in shoes.

I really needed a break.

A/N: Yay for updates. Also - I am totally not in love with this chapter. But the next one will be better, I promise ^_^

Till then - please review ^^