Hope you like this chapter :)
"Does your leg still hurt?" Renge-chan asked as they were walking down to the Ouran High School gates.
"No," Haruhi smiled. "It was just a small wound. It had almost healed."
Renge gave her a look that meant she didn't believe her. Since the incident a week ago, the redhead asked her about her leg all the time. When Haruhi woke up in the infirmary, she was surprised to see Kyoya-senpai sitting next to her with Renge. She also thought the girl wouldn't leave her alone, asking all kinds of questions and making up a wild story of a romance between him and the older guy. But she didn't. In fact, she acted like it all was how it was supposed to be, and Haruhi was very suspicious in the beginning. But as the week went on, and she never spoke of him, or even mentioned Kyoya, Haruhi realized that Renge didn't think Kyoya helped her because they were close.
Mid-February weather was harsh. It stopped snowing, but the cold was persistent, and Haruhi had to wear more clothes than she normally did. Her jacket was old and worn out; it didn't warm her body the way she would like. She told herself that the winter was about to end, as she didn't want to spend money on a new jacket. It was better to save money.
Ayanakoji Seika was standing in the yard with a few friends of hers when they passed by. Renge's demeanor changed immediately, and she gave the other girl her meanest glare. When Ayanakoji smiled back in response, Renge went stiff and fumed in rage.
"Don't look this way," she said to the other girl, fixing her with a scowl. "Oh, God! I hate her so much."
"Renge-chan," Haruhi put her hand on her shoulder, "just forget about her."
"I can't believe you are so forgiving," Renge screamed frustrated.
"I am not necessarily forgiving," Haruhi smiled, pulling the girl after her to avoid any further interaction between the redhead and the princess. "I just don't see the point of worthless accusations. You know very well that there is no proof she had made anyone attack me. I am only an honour student in this school, and I would like to stay so, even if it meant to tolerate someone like Ayanakoji-san."
Renge scoffed angrily and shook her head. "I should have just plucked out all of her hair when I got the chance."
"It's alright," Haruhi said softly. "Don't worry about me, Renge-chan. I don't really care about her."
"Are you sure?" Renge asked upset, and then she rolled her eyes furiously. "You know, I thought that weird Ootori would do something about this. He said he would and even took my film footage. I can't believe he lied to me to get hold of my masterpiece."
Kyoya-senpai had taken Renge's film footage? Why would he do that?
"To do what?" Haruhi asked involuntarily.
"Oh, he told me he will make sure to complain about that little jerk Ayanakoji's behavior. I was actually surprised, but then he helped you to the hospital, and I thought maybe he was a decent person."
Haruhi wondered why he would take Renge's film footage, but didn't say anything to Renge. She would ask him later on. She was sure he had his reasons. After all, they were friends. He told her he wanted to be her friend, and he had helped her to the hospital.
"It's Valentine's day tomorrow," Renge changed the topic of the conversation to Haruhi's relief with a loud, crisp clap. "I should make the tastiest chocolate's for Mori-senpai."
"That's a good idea," Haruhi nodded. "I am sure he will be happy to receive chocolates from you."
"Yes," Renge exclaimed, "and you are going to help me to make them."
"What?" Haruhi lifted her hands in protest and stepped back panicked, as if Renge was trying to take her hostage.
"Yes," Rene said, crossing her arms disapprovingly. "I didn't kiss him during my film, because of your injury, and now you should help me to make the perfect chocolates."
Haruhi stared at the redhead shocked and shook her head. Renge rushed forward and grabbed Haruhi by shoulders. "Please," she said blinking her eyes coquettishly. "You know I am terrible at cooking."
The way the redhead looked at her made Haruhi squirm uncomfortably, because she knew she was going to agree and regret later on.
"Fine," she sighed.
"Good," Renge clapped again. "I have told my driver to deliver the chocolate making ingredients into your apartment. We should hurry."
"Why would you do that?" Haruhi mouthed behind the girl, shaking her hands in the air. "What if I didn't agree to make them with you?"
"I knew you would agree," Renge smiled.
"What are you? A psychic?"
"No," the redhead smirked, "I just know you."
Agreeing to make anything for eating with Renge was like agreeing to let a bulldozer dance a salsa in your kitchen with a legless dinosaur. Haruhi realized this as soon as Renge started to see preparations. After hours of convincing the redhead to leave the kitchen and let the chocolate making to her, Haruhi found herself in the middle of completely dirty kitchen. All the dishes were dirty, the chocolate Rene was trying to make had burnt. The smoke detectors turned on several times. The floor was slippery. It was a real disaster. If someone told her that one could make this much mess just from trying to make a few Valentine's day chocolates, Haruhi would laugh off, thinking it must be a gross exaggeration.
It took her another few hours to clean the mess the redhead made and then start making the chocolates herself, while Renge sprawled on the sofa to read her favorite manga. Eventually, she managed to make several different chocolate cons. And put them away to cool down. Renge had bought very pretty wrap papers, and Haruhi soon found herself wrapping the chocolates up and tying them with the prettiest red bow.
It was really beautiful, soft like silk and delicate like a rose petal. They must have been very expensive, and Haruhi wondered how much money Renge-chan wasted on them. She used almost all of them to tie the wrappings for chocolate, having only one left unused. She mused that she could probably make another chocolate for Kyoya―after all, he was her friend, and it was customary to give chocolate to male friends. But what use would he have of a chocolate. It was as useless for him as pair of high heels were for her.
"Oh, they are so pretty," Renge beamed, staring down at the wrapped chocolates that Haruhi had prepared.
"I hope this is enough for you to forget the lack of kiss in your film," Haruhi chuckled, smiling at the spirited girl kindly.
"It is," Renge clapped. "You are so good at this. I swear you could ran the world's best sweets shop."
"Well thank you very much, but I hope to be a lawyer not a cook," Haruhi tsked.
"You know what," Renge spoke her mouth full of chocolates, "Take some! Isn't there anyone you would like to give chocolates to?"
Haruhi shook her head. "I will eat them myself," she smiled and then looking down at the only unused bow, pursed her lips. "Can I this bow? It's so pretty."
"Of course," Renge-chan screamed.
.
It was one of those days Kyoya hated the most. The school went crazy on this day. The girls acted all secretive and strange, giggled and whispered into each other's ears and... and most importantly this day was unbearable for his nose. The rotten smell of dissolving chocolate eaten during breaks in all classrooms made Kyoya mad. When he walked into the classroom, he wasn't surprised to find Suoh counting the chocolates secretly left by the army of the admiring girls. Kyoya rolled his eyes, seeing the blond fool acting like a maniac.
"Oh, it's you Kyoya-kun," the chairman's son exclaimed. "I think I am going to break my last year's record. This year I have received more chocolates."
"That's great," Kyoya said in an unenthusiastic tone, hoping to spare himself the guy's further attention.
He sat down and put his bag aside. The smell of chocolates engulfed his senses. He hated Valentine's day. What a ridiculous holiday! His eyes widened when he found couple of chocolates stacked under his desk. Kyoya snorted. His first reaction was to grab and throw them into the trash bin. He could never taste them anyways, but then another thought crept into his mind. He couldn't eat them, but Haruhi could, and she wouldn't like the idea of wasting food. She told him so.
"Seems like your recent looks had gotten you a few admirers, Kyoya-kun," Tamaki spoke, throwing his arm around the raven-haired boy's neck to the latter's complete horror.
He pressed his lips into a tight line, and did his best to remain calm. "Thankfully I could never surpass you in the number of admirers, Suoh-san," Kyoya said, carefully placing the blond's hand away from his shoulders and neck.
"If you joined the host club, I am sure―," the Tamaki started enthusiastically, but was interrupted by Kyoya.
"Thank you very much, Suoh-san, for your thoughtful offer," he said politely but in a colder tone, "I am afraid I can't spend time doing extracurricular activities as such."
"But you will see Renge-chan more," Tamaki pouted. "I know that you stepped in to help her friend the other day, and it was very nice of you, but it is not enough to hold her attention. You need to be close to her, and she is the club's manager."
Kyoya sighed. He didn't respond. Tamaki Suoh had made his mind, and there was no way to convince him otherwise. He grabbed the chocolates and put them in his school bag. He would give them to Haruhi later on, during the break when they meet. He smiled when he thought of the pretty eyes of the brunette, and the possible smile she would give him at the sight of the chocolates. He found it strange that he missed her in a way and was very worried about her after the incident.
He still didn't decide how to proceed with Ayanakoji case. That girl needed to slow down, but Kyoya knew he couldn't straightforwardly blame her in anything that had happened on that day. He had no proof that it was the little princess's fault that Haruhi got injured. Although, he still could have complained about her behavior and show the footage from the security cameras where she threw Haruhi's bag into the pool. But was that enough? She would just get a detention and then go back to harass Haruhi even more. That wasn't good enough.
"Did your father find out how those thugs got into the school?" he suddenly asked, turning to Tamaki.
"The police questioned them. I don't think they will come back anymore," Suoh scoffed and then added with a grimace, "although, the security around the school will get tighter because of it."
"I see," Kyoya said blankly, not wishing to give the blonde any ideas.
The conversation to Kyoya's relief ended there as the teacher walked in, and the class started.
It was really bored. It almost appeared the time went unintentionally slower as if he was standing close to a black hole while the rest of the world moved around with a speed of light. It wasn't the first time Kyoya found himself detesting the long, useless monologues of his teachers, but for some reason they seemed unproportionately overstretched today.
Perhaps, he really wanted to meet Ms. Fujioka today. In a strange way, he had missed the taste of her blood which both made him feel agitated and crept out. What would Haruhi think if she knew what kind of mindless thoughts were passing through his head? His thoughts started to revolve around her. When the break came, he didn't waste time and rushed to their meeting spot in the Ouran garden.
He found her sitting there on the bench. Her short hair was gathered into a small ponytail, and she had a bright scarf wrapped around her shoulders. She was staring down at a book in her lap, but Kyoya found her looking a little nervous and impatient. He wondered what had caused that reaction, but he couldn't say he was happy to see her like this. Was it again that Ayanakoji girl? Or was she worried about him drinking her blood? He slowed his steps and walked up to her anxiously.
She turned back, hearing his footsteps and smiled. His quickening heartbeats relaxed, seeing her lit up face as she caught the sight of him. Kyoya observed her face carefully. The smile was genuine. It must have been something unrelated. He smiled back at her and hurried to join her on the bench.
"I thought you won't come today," she said awkwardly, pushing the book against her chest.
"Why would you think that?" Kyoya asked surprised. There was some nervousness in her movements and her body was tense. It was as if she wanted to tell him something.
"Well," she smiled with a low sigh, "I thought you would be busy. Everyone seems busy today."
"Yes," Kyoya agreed with a slight shake of his head, "everyone seems very excited in Ouran. I got a few chocolates myself."
Haruhi blinked at him comprehensively when Kyoya pulled boxes of wrapped chocolates and stretched towards her. "You know I am not having them. I thought you wouldn't mind to eat them."
"You want me to have them?" she mumbled quietly.
After all, other girls had made them for it. It wouldn't be fair to them. But he really couldn't have them, so it seemed reasonable to take them.
"Thank you," she said awkwardly and mentally scolded herself, for behaving so strangely.
A small silence followed and they both stared at each other with childish embarrassment. She looked at Kyoya sideways and wondered how he would react if she went on with her plan. Would he think she was being odd?
"Are you feeling better today?" his voice startled her.
"Yes," she nodded. "The wound on my leg wasn't really serious. Even the doctor in the nurse's office said so."
"It was serious," Kyoya said and then looked away when she gave him a look.
Something seemed strange. Something was different, and they both couldn't point out what it was.
Haruhi turned to face him, shifting in seat quickly and making the chocolate boxes fall sideways. She gulped, looking at his inquiring gaze.
"Um," she started slowly and then with a big sigh, rolled up her sleeve.
Kyoya stared down at her hand and then at her face. Deep blush covered her face, and she refused to look at him almost stubbornly. There was a red bow on her hand. It was made of delicate material and looked soft and pretty against her smooth skin. A small note attached to it.
"I know you can't have chocolates," she spoke suddenly when he didn't say anything. "You are my only friend in Ouran, other than Renge, and I thought it wouldn't be fair to get something from me that you couldn't eat."
So, this was why she was so nervous? Kyoya chuckled softly, both amused at her idea of giving something to him to eat and touched. It seemed so strange and funny and at the same time heartwarming that he didn't know how exactly to respond.
"Well," Haruhi demanded. "You think it's too much."
She played with the ribbon on her hand and gulped again.
Kyoya shook his head. "No," he hurried to reassure her. "It's just nobody ever did that for me, and I am surprised."
"Well, nobody knew you are not fan of chocolates," she laughed.
"Can I have it?" he asked, "The ribbon."
Haruhi nodded. She felt goosebumps spread over her body when he held her hand gently and undid the bow. There was something so intimate about it that she nervously bit her tongue to shake her back into reality. She was just being irrational. There was nothing strange about this. They were friends. Even coworkers gave each other chocolate on this day. He just couldn't have it, and that's why it was her blood that replaced them.
He stared at the note she clumsily wrote and smiled at her. She looked away when his face came close to her arm. His wet teeth pieced into her skin, and she felt his body to slightly shake. The blush covered his face when her blood rushed into his mouth and gently stroked his senses. Her blood made his mind dance in excitement. His body relaxed against hers, and he felt all of his previous thoughts and worries disappear in a second. He felt better and better with each time he had drunk her blood. But with each time he yearned her even more.
When the break ended, they walked back silently. Both of them preoccupied with thoughts. But when they reached the school, Kyoya suddenly stopped her and held her hand.
"Thank you," he said softly.
It wasn't appreciation for her kindness, and Haruhi knew it. Her heart thumped faster. Her breathing became a little more heavy, and before she would say something strange, she bowed as a farewell and left hurriedly.
.
Saori Ootori couldn't say she understood her children well. Her sons were as iron-willed as their father, and there was very little she could know about what they thought unless they told her about it. But even with their carefully maintained facade sometimes she could see the true emotions on their faces, beneath all smiles and bows and perfect behavior. It was a rare thing , but it happened. Her youngest son was more cautious than his brothers, and thus he showed far less than any of them.
When he came back home that day, though, she could swear he looked very happy. It was as if something grand was happening in his life, something that had made up for all the shortcomings and problems he encountered. Something that shadowed his father's strict rules and recent orders. She wondered if she was just imagining all of this in despair, because she was unable to make him feel happy and secure.
"Kyoya," she said gently, "your father wants to talk to you. He came home early today. He wishes to speak about the treatment again."
When he looked at him surprised, she felt guilty. "I understand," he said calmly. "I thought he would abandon the idea after I refused."
"You must understand him," she said, looking away. "He is worried about you. Your condition doesn't allow you the same opportunities your brothers have."
She looked down, not daring to gaze at her son. She knew what he felt, and she knew that her husband was right in his own way. She was torn between her feelings.
"I understand," he said again, putting his jacket on the nearby sofa and politely bowing left the room.
She had ruined his mood. He looked so happy, and Saori felt guilty again. Maybe she should talk to her husband and beg him to leave Kyoya alone. Maybe she needed to convince him that their son was fine just the way he was. After all, he started to look better, happier and didn't appear to suffer like he was before. But deep down she wasn't completely sure that he was happy this way.
She sighed and took his jacket. A small red bow with a note attached to it fell on the carpeted floor. Saori knelt down in surprise. She took the red bow and rolled it around in her hand. The note read, "I know it's strange, but hope you like it. Haruhi."
She stared down at the note in complete perplexity. Who was Haruhi? Was her son seeing someone? Or was it just a friend? The red bow didn't look like something a male friend would give, save it, her son didn't really have any friends, male or female. She quickly put the bow and the note back into his pocket.
A/N-I hope you all are doing well. And sorry for the long wait, I was very busy recently. I hope you like the chapter. :)
