Thanks' for all the comments and the ideas for the gifts ^^ I'm gonna include them in the next chapters about the birthday party, so I'm sure you'll all recognize your suggestions XD Anyhow, enjoy this short update and the next one is gonna be the partyyy!!! . I'll try doing more and more of Kyoya POV, so he might seem a bit off character now, but hey, that's what love does to you! Muahahahaha!

Kyoya's POV

I sat in my seat, feeling somewhat anxious. I was waiting for Akito to come. I wanted to see if he was alright after all that happened yesterday. He looked like he was about to burst into tears and I felt regretful I could do nothing more for him or his mother. I even tried getting more information about Sakura's amnesia and her health condition, but all of the data was protected well. It seems like the Heishi family prefers secret hidden from the outsiders, even from me.

Also, yesterday I told the Host Club about Akito's mother and we all agreed not to bring up this topic anymore. We felt as if we would be rubbing salt on a wound if we did. Now everyone wanted to make him the best birthday party ever, myself included. I could not even understand why, but I really wanted to protect him, to show him he could open up to us, to me. And yet, I felt so helpless at the same time. Everything I did and strived for seemed so trivial now. I did not understand myself anymore...

And then, I heard a happy "Good morning, Kyoya!" and raised my head to see Akito. I felt something warm flutter inside and my heart beat rapidly.

"Akito..." I blinked as I stared at him surprised. He was smiling, smiling at me happily. "That is, good morning."

God, where were my manners? Akito smiled at me widely and I noticed it felt different from before. It was not his usual artificial smile. It was a real one. Suddenly, I wished I could make him smile more, make him laugh and see how his eyes lit up with joy...

Confused, I stared at his back turned to me while he was talking to some girl. How weird. Why did I feel so warm when he smiled at me? I shook my head slightly. So strange, what is this that I'm feeling?..

Akira came to class that morning in an incredibly good mood. She felt lighter and even happier, perhaps, because she knew her mother was in good hands and for the first time in her life she had trusted someone else besides her brother Touya. It felt good. It felt… freeing. There was someone else now who shared at least one of the horrible secrets she hid and it felt relaxing.

Furthermore, despite all of her prejudices, she found it quite fun to be in the Host Club. She felt more carefree there and she could say whatever she wanted and whatever she felt. She didn't have to think what to say and how to smile, she didn't even have to try and keep smiling all the time for the smiles somehow seemed to come up to her face by themselves... She had almost forgotten what it meant to be with others.

Usually, back in her old school, she would just go home after her classes, but now she was spending time with others and that was very precious to her. Akira felt as if some of her natural and normal life had been returned to her. Sure, it wasn't the way she hoped it would be, but it was better than nothing. She finally felt like she could try and open up to someone.

When Akira entered the class, the girls were the first ones to greet her and once again she found it rather funny. She was quite popular, especially her so called Dark side Aki, which she had created for sheer fun. Well, now she was branded as the Split-personality type and it suited her well. She kind of liked having fun with the girls like that and it helped her to understand the other members of the Host club a bit more.

Anyhow, as soon as she got rid of the girls, she flashed a smile at Kyoya, taking her seat beside him, "Good morning, Kyoya!"

He raised his head and looked at her surprised as Akira kept smiling happily.

"Akito..." Kyoya made a weird pause and Akira even wondered if he was fine. "That is, good morning."

He looked so confused that she just found herself grinning. 'Well, isn't this a bit uncommon for Kyoya?'

She sat down and talked to some girls, then concentrated on what the teacher was saying and even dreamt of ending the classes sooner. At times Akira noticed Kyoya watching her intently, his eyes drifting away as soon as she turned to him. She wondered what that could be all about, but decided to keep quiet. If Kyoya wanted something from her, he would simply ask. Furthermore, she felt somewhat enthusiastic about her upcoming birthday and it was a rather new feeling to her. Perhaps, this time everything would be slightly different. Usually, she hated that fated day, feeling as if it wasn't her birthday that was being celebrated, but rather her brother's. It was the loneliest day of the entire year even though she was surrounded by family and showered with gifts. She often felt suffocated by all the lies and the fact that the cake bore only one name on it. Not hers. The only one to actually know Akira's true feelings towards her so called happiest day was her brother Touya. He was also the only one to always say "Happy Birthday, Akira!" to her. That was the moment she anticipated the most throughout the day. Actually, even when talking to Akira normally, Touya had never called her by her brother's name. He would always shorten her name to Aki, which could be understood ambiguously as it was the beginning of both Akira's and her brother's name. Perhaps, that was why she was so close to Touya, perhaps, by his side she felt as if she was back to being herself, even if only by a tiny bit. Sadly, Touya could no longer protect her as he was staying abroad working. He was constantly in meetings or official dinners and though Akira called him at least once per week, Touya was always busy and the conversation never lasted long enough. He promised he'd be back with her in three months after the grand opening of his new resort hotel and Akira was awaiting that moment impatiently. Yet, three months was a very long time and she hoped he would at least come to her birthday. Touya had never missed her birthday.

*** A few days later ***

Kyoya's POV

Just what in the world is wrong with me?! For the past few days, ever since I found out about lady Sakura's condition, I've been acting like some kind of a stalker... Always watching Akito, following him around silently. I tried to tell myself I was collecting data, but the notebook in my hands remained empty. This was so not like me. Once again, I glanced at him, sitting beside me and smiling all to himself… He looked pretty when he was smiling… Oh, God, someone tell me I did NOT just think that…

"Is something on my face?" Akito asked, slightly frowning.

"What?" I shook my head slightly, trying to get rid of those stupid thoughts.

"You've been staring at me for some time," Akito chuckled and I pushed my glasses up, trying to hide my eyes from him.

"I just need to tell you something," I said, my mind trying to find anything I could actually say to him. Damn it. My brains seemed to be failing me whenever I was around Akito.

"What is it?"

"Ah… well, I wanted to let you know that you don't have to come to the Host Club from today onwards. We're closing it down in preparations for the party," I finally managed to find a rather logical thing to say.

"Closing down?" Akito stared at me in surprise. "It's still 3 days till my birthday!"

"We need time to prepare everything," I replied.

He suddenly laughed and I found the sound of his voice incredibly adorable.

"What in the world are you doing there? Building pyramids?"

I smirked, "Perhaps."

He gave me a curious look and then smirked back at me, "I hope you don't forget the mummies, then."

Akito turned away from me, keen to finish reorganizing his notebooks on the desk, but my eyes still lingered on his figure. I never noticed how long his eyelashes were and how cutely he wrinkled his nose when he frowned… how his eyes lit up when he laughed…

Oh my God. I need to stop. I turned away and bit my lip, then pushed up my glasses in one brisk movement. Thank God, Akito didn't notice me staring at him again or he might have thought some weird things. I mean... I readjusted my glasses again. I need to distance myself from him. Yes, that would be better.

I glanced at Akito once more and suddenly realized there was no way I could distance myself from him. Just look how fragile and frail he is… He needs someone to protect him and look after him… No, no, wait. Such thinking doesn't suit me. And what exactly am I thinking about?..

I knitted my brows in thought, wondering where my cold and calculating side had gone, but then my musings were interrupted by a ringtone and I turned my head, realizing it was Akito's phone. He took out the contraption and as soon as his eyes landed on its screen, a wide smile spread on his face. What's up with this kind of smile?.. I had never seen this expression on his face before.

Akito answered the phone and I couldn't help but listen in. Who could be calling? Akito never smiled like this, not even at me.

"Touya!" Meanwhile, he exclaimed happily and I pushed my glasses up.

Touya, huh. So, it was just his brother. Seems like I was worried for nothing. Wait, what was I worried about?

I glanced back at Akito and noticed his face sadden, his eyes losing that sparkle they had just a moment ago.

"Ah... I see," he kept silent for a moment, smiling sadly. "No, I'm fine, it's ok. Don't worry, Touya. Take care, alright? I understand."

Hm? Is something wrong? I watched Akito terminate the call. He held his cell in his hand for a minute, looking at it somewhat sadly.

"Is everything all right, Akito?" I asked, watching him closely from behind my glasses. I hated when he looked so depressed.

Akito turned to me surprised, then cast his glance down, "No, it's fine."

"I can see something is wrong," I replied. "So, why don't you tell me? Maybe I could help?"

I watched as Akito bit his lip slightly, thinking hard. For some reason, I held my breath. The truth was, I wanted him to tell, not for some merits and benefits I could gain, but simply because I wanted to know, because I cared. I wanted to help him and this was a first for me.

I wanted to win his trust.

Akito glanced up at me, his eyes boring into mine momentarily, as if trying to see if he could put his trust on me. Then, he cast his eyes away, "My brother."

I tensed up. Was he finally opening up to me?

"My brother Touya... he's always been with me on my birthdays," Akito looked back at me sadly. "But it seems he won't be able to make it this time."

Akito paused, then suddenly smiled at me and chuckled, "Sorry, I'm acting like a little brat. Forget it, ok?"

He flashed another smile at me and turned away. I did not say anything to him, wondering if there was something I could do for him. "Touya, huh?" I whispered to myself in thought. 'Is he that important to you, Akito?'

*** Later that evening ***

Kyoya's POV

I stared at my computer screen blankly, the numbers flashing in my eyes. 8526-454-56-221. I clutched the phone in my hands, sighing. Really now, why was I so nervous? This is just another call, isn't it? But this time... I really cared about the outcome. I held my cell in my hands, thinking as to what I should actually tell him. Will it even work? He doesn't know me. There is no reason why he should listen to me. And… I'm not good at this.

I let out a sigh and finally dialed the number.