Chapter Twelve

Kana

Mori-senpai's reaction to my Monday morning outfit was worth the 30 minutes it had taken me to put it together. Despite everything that Hikaru and Kaoru had taught me, I found myself struggling to find things to wear on my own. I had finally settled on a knee-length lilac dress and a pair of grey tights.

When Mori saw me approaching the school gates, he flashed me a rare smile that instantly made whatever feelings of self-consciousness I had fade away. Mori never said much, but after spending time with him I learned that his gestures spoke volumes. I could appreciate that about him.

"Kanami-san." He reached for my bag, initiating our normal routine of him walking me to our first class.

"Wait," I said. I reached inside my backpack and pulled out a small box. "I heard Honey-senpai was curious about what I ate, so I packed him some American candy. Can you deliver it to him?"

Mori took the box, turning it over in his hands a few times before putting it into his messenger bag. "He'll like it." He said softly.

"I hope so. I don't think there's a word for them. They're fruity." I had included Starbursts, Skittles, and Jolly Ranchers, all things Dad had sent over to me in care packages.

He nodded, and took my bag from me. We started our regular walk through campus. I couldn't help but notice that Mori had slowly grown more relaxed when we were together. He seemed calmer, almost.

"Hey, Mori-senpai? Ootori-senpai invited me to the… thing his father is having. Is it a party?"

He shook his head. "Something more formal."

"Are you going?"

"With Mitsukuni."

"Not taking a client?"

Mori made a noise that I could only interpret as displeasure. From what I had gathered, Mori was only around to keep watch over Honey-senpai. I didn't understand their relationship entirely; I did know that Honey also studied martial arts with Mori, so I assumed they had been friends for a long time.

The rest of our walk and the classes following were uneventful. Mondays were typically busiest for me in the mornings, with my first class starting at 8, with two more following after. It was usually around 2 before I even considered having lunch, and even then I normally only had a protein bar on my way to the library. My father had signed me up for a very full course load, despite me requesting that he gave me time to ease into my new surroundings.

I ran into Hikaru and Kaoru just outside of the library. They were sitting on one of the large brick planters that held flowers that seemed always be in full bloom. Both of them had their attention focused on their cell phones. I nearly continued on without acknowledging them. I still wasn't used to having people to talk to regularly. My only concept of friendship was born from reading novels as I was growing up.

"Um, hi you two." I tentatively walked out to them and gave Kaoru a small poke on the top of his head.

"Kana-chan? You actually exist outside of class?" Hikaru raised his head.

"We never see you around campus. Only at the Host Club." Kaoru slipped his phone in his pocket.

"I'm not exactly the social type." I shrugged. "Did I do okay? With my clothes, I mean."

"You want our approval, Kana-chan?" Hikaru's eyes widened excitedly.

"Don't take it like that." I sighed. I sat down in the space between them. "I want to thank you guys somehow for the other day."

"There are plenty of ways to show gratitude, Kana-chan." Hikaru grinned at me. I felt my heart skip a beat. I had to admit the pair of them were incredibly attractive. I'd never pursue either of them, but the attention was surprisingly flattering.

"Hika-chan, remember what Kyoya said." Kaoru warned.

I blinked, "Wait, what did-?"

"You can thank us by coming around more." Kaoru interrupted. "We never get the chance to tell Amelia Claire to fuck off."

"I'd rather not be anywhere near her, honestly."

"She doesn't deserve you." Hikaru spat.

"Hikaru's still mad." Kaoru said. "I told Kyoya what happened."

"He showed up at my house, actually."

The twins exchanged a look.

"We TOLD you he was interested." Hikaru chuckled.

"It's not like that." I blushed, remembering the events that had taken place two days ago. "More of a… Revenge plot."

"Keep telling yourself that, Kana-chan." Kaoru rolled his eyes. "We've known Kyoya for a long time, he doesn't do anything without there being some grand purpose behind it."

"Exactly. We both want to make our parents mad." I nodded. "A revenge plot."

"You know, Kao-chan, we could create our own 'revenge' plot." Hikaru moved closer to me, his lips brushing against my ear as he spoke. "You know we turned your mother down when she came after us on our 20th birthday."

"You… Turned her down?"

"She wanted to experience the 'brotherly love' package." Kaoru mused.

My eyes widened. "My mother wanted to… both of you?" I asked in a hurried whisper. I felt my face redden significantly.

"Yeah, but we said no." Hikaru laughed. "And now you're here, Kana-chan."

"So, you two want me to sleep with you to get back at my mother?" I managed to choke out. My mind was reeling. I had barely held it together when I was with Kyoya. I didn't have the same feelings towards Hikaru and Kaoru as I did with Kyoya, however. Sure, the twins were incredibly handsome and fun to be around, but with Kyoya there was something much deeper involved.

"You could at least consider it." Hikaru nudged me.

I shook my head rapidly. "No. No offense. But no. If I were more adventurous maybe, but…"

The twins laughed maniacally, apparently satisfied by my reaction.

"Your face Kana-chan!" Kaoru sputtered.

"You fucking shitheads." I swore in English, poking both of them in their stomachs.

"That's a new one." Hikaru's laughter stopped. He furrowed his brow as he attempted to repeat my words. "Fucking… Shit… Heads."

"You could at least give us your number." Kaoru winked at me, handing me his phone. On the screen I saw that he had already created a contact listing for me that was missing the number.

"Um, sure. I don't exactly check the thing much." Lies. I had checked my phone approximately 78 times in the last two days after I had given Kyoya my number. I took Kaoru's phone and entered my number, doing the same with Hikaru's after he gave me his.

"Shouldn't you be studying, Kanami-san?" Kyoya's low voice cut through our conversation. I looked up to find him standing in front of us, a hint of a scowl on his face.

"Ootori-senpai," I smiled at him, feeling an unfamiliar wave of excitement wash over me. I stood up to greet him. To my surprise, he pulled me close to him, one arm wrapping around my shoulders almost possessively.

"I told you to use my name, didn't I?" He snapped. Shit. He was mad. "What are you doing out here?"

"We can talk to her too, ass." Hikaru crossed his arms. Kaoru gave him a quick warning nudge.

"I took a bit of a break before I went to the library." I leaned into Kyoya's side. He smelled amazing, unlike any cologne I had smelled before. His scent alone was enough to make me stir.

"Midterms are coming up." His eyes softened slightly as he looked down at me. After a moment he turned to the twins. "Shouldn't the two of you be working on something?"

"You worry too much, boss." Kaoru shrugged.

"Maybe you don't worry enough." Kyoya said. "Kanami-san, I'll help you find somewhere to work."

It wasn't a suggestion. The tone in Kyoya's voice made me feel as though I had little choice in the matter. I gave the twins a quick goodbye before Kyoya led me into the library. He held my hand in his, but it felt more like a parent leading a child rather than a romantic gesture. I didn't understand what had upset him.

He half-pulled me through a row of shelves, guiding me to a completely empty section of the library that contained rows of Chemistry textbooks. He finally stopped there, ensuring that we were alone before he slowly backed me against one of the shelves. He had a terrifying look on his face, one that I didn't know how to comprehend.

"Did they try anything?" His voice was cold, demanding. I could see his chest rise and fall under his shirt with each shallow breath.

"N-no." I whispered. I knew better than to tell him about the prank they attempted to pull by asking me to sleep with them to get back at my mother.

He pressed against me, one hand falling to my hip while the other cupped my chin. "You'll tell me if they do. If anyone does." Once again, a demand, not a request.

"I don't belong to you, Kyoya." It was true, I didn't. Every part of me understood that, despite how I felt, Kyoya saw our relationship for what it was: a defiant act by two rich kids.

"I could make you come right here, you know." The hand on my hip slid down my thigh, then slowly inched under the hem of my dress, raising it up as he went. "I can make you wish you belonged to me."

My heart jumped to my throat. I couldn't think straight like this. Every part of me reacted to Kyoya in a way that was completely foreign to me. In my head, I told myself that he was only doing this to get ahead, to find some way to control the situation.

But he wouldn't control me. I had to protect my own heart. I couldn't fall for someone who was only using me.

"I'm not playing your game." I grabbed his wrist and locked my elbow, preventing him from moving any further. "I don't know why you're acting like this. You said it yourself, you just want to make Ootori-san angry."

Kyoya pushed his knee in between my legs and lowered his head so that his lips were nearly touching mine. I held his gaze, praying that my eyes didn't convey the swirl of emotions I was feeling. I was angry at him for even thinking that I belonged to him, after he blatantly told me that he was only using me for personal gain. That anger didn't outweigh the disappointment from realizing this. I wondered if I could keep my emotions in check long enough for our plan to succeed.

I could feel his arousal against my thigh. Both of our bodies were betraying us.

Why did I have to be so damn attracted to him?

"If you were any other woman I'd have you on your knees right now." His words would be my undoing, I swear.

But I could play too.

"And what makes me different, Kyoya? Why am I not on my knees, doing your bidding?"

"Because you'd have no fucking clue about what you were doing." With that, Kyoya released me. He glanced at his watch before sauntering off, his shoulders stiff with an emotion I couldn't read.