Chapter 11: The Games We Play

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Haruhi was oblivious to everything, Kaoru concluded.

They had done everything right. The entire dating arrangement had been their idea. It had just taken a few sly comments to manipulate Tamaki into the situation and staging a fight with the other Host Club members to get the ball rolling.

They had followed their competition, observing every date and watching every play. They had seen her anger at Hunny's kiss on the cheek, shared her discomfort with Kyoya, watched her frustration at Tamaki's mushy antics, and been amazed at her obliviousness to Mori's feelings.

And through it all they had watched her. They knew her down from her cropped brown hair to her delicate feet. They knew her smile, her dry sense of humor, and her laugh. They knew her fears, her anger, and her sorrow. She was an ingrained part of their souls and still she had rejected them.

"I even kissed her and she didn't get the picture," Hikaru said. "She didn't notice how often we were there watching her. Or even when you rubbed her back she didn't realize that she leaned into it."

"Or maybe she did," Kaoru suggested.

"WHAT?!"

"Think about it Hikaru. She was only happy with us and after you kissed her she freaked out. With Hunny she was angry but she pretended to notice my touching her and she ran after you kissed her. Don't you see what it means?"

"She likes you better?"

"No baka, we're her favorites."

It was a simpler plan than anything else they had come up with. For one, Haruhi wasn't too hard to follow. Then came the gifts and small letters of affection. They blamed it all on a secret admirer. Then came the other parts.

They were always with Haruhi during lunch. They sat next to her and spent every minute at school giving her company.

They watched her relationships with other boys and even girls. They made sure she hadn't contacted Arai. Her customers were screened.

And then there were the times when one of them or both of them would "magically" find themselves with Haruhi alone. It would always be in some strange position.

They weren't leaving her alone anytime soon.

They were driving her insane. She had wanted distance. She had begged for distance from the entire Host Club.

She might be oblivious but she wasn't dumb! It was obvious that the twins were everywhere that she was.

It was just like Dad to forget to buy food. He didn't even think about it sometimes.

Of course he was always busy. What with work at night at the bar and society constantly not accepting his dress choices, he had it rough.

Of course he acted like an idiot half the time.

"Haruhiiiiii, Daddy forgot to buy dinner could you…"

She was halfway down the stairs before he finished speaking. It was his night off and he had been working for the past six days straight. The least she could do was give him a break.

It was times like this though when she missed her mother.

Okasaan always knew what to do about otousan and his insanity. She always knew how to handle him just right and even though it had been years since her death, Haruhi was no closer to knowing what do about her father.

She knew the grocery store better than any other place. She had been coming here and doing the shopping for years. It wasn't a big deal.

It was a regular grocery store. The kind that normal people went to everyday around.

She grabbed the noodles and vegetables in large handfuls. Instant noodles would be the best bet for dinner tonight. It would be quick and easy.

She was halfway to the checkout when she remembered they were out of coffee at the house.

"I never understand commoners and their coffee. This instant stuff is good though," said a familiar voice. "No, she hasn't noticed me yet. I'm sure of it. Alright. Okay. I think I lost her."

That couldn't be who she thought it was but then he turned around.

Hikaru?

It was Monday and she was running to class. She had to hustle or else she would be in trouble. It was bad enough that she was required to take an etiquette class and that the professor was continually reminding her of her scholarship status.

She ran down the corridors until she found heard the instructor's heavy footsteps.

"Fujioka? That better not be you running down the halls. Young man, you are already late for my class. If I find you out there it will be a deduction of ten points from your grade."

Haruhi gulped. The hallway was dead end and if she turned around then—

A hand shot out and grabbed her pulling her into a nearby janitor closet.

"Let go!" she yelled.

A hand clasped over her mouth smothering her shout.

"Shhh Haruhi, it's only me."

"Kaoru?" she mumbled her lips brushing against her hand.

"Yes."

"What are you doing here?"

"Running late to class just like you."

Neither appeared to know that the closet was locked.

She knew it wasn't a coincidence. It was happening to often. They were everywhere like the plague.

They were up to something. That much was obvious. Well, two can play that game.

"What are you doing here?"

"Haruhi asked me to come and you Hikaru?"

"She asked me to come too."

"How did we not know about this?"

"Maybe it's because we haven't been following her closely enough. It's time for phase three don't you think?"

"That's where we start teasing her mercilessly? Where we make it more apparent?"

Kaoru nodded before continuing, "We'll win. You'll see."

"Everything is a game to you."

To be continued…..