A/N: Just graduated from a one-year course! Ah yeah! So yeah, I know I've been gone really really long, so here are two chapters to make up for it. Well, hope you enjoy! ^_^

Disclaimer: I own Ouran DVD's, but not Ouran. :D

Chapter 13- Red

(Kyouya's POV)

"Thank you so much, sir," I said politely as I bowed in front of the old man.

"Oh, no problem, Kyouya-kun," he replied. "I should be thanking you for all that information, and for that brilliant suggestion. I'll see to it that he knows about this as soon as possible. Well then," he said as he stood up slowly. "I must attend to my business now. Feel free to drop by some time, okay?"

"Yes, sir. Well then, I'll excuse myself." I bowed once more at the doorway before exiting the house, unable to contain a small, well-hid smirk on my face. After the initiation of Phase 1 ten days ago, I have just initiated Phase 2. Now I'll just have to wait for the trigger for Phase 3, which is Miyori-senpai. I couldn't suppress a small, low chuckle. If all goes well with Phase 2, then my plan would be sure-fire success. And if it doesn't well, I've had an equally successful Plan B in my mind before I even started off with this current plan. And it isn't too late for that plan, either, just in case Phase 2 doesn't work. Well, let's just hope it works, anyway.

(Haruhi's POV)

"Hey Tamaki-kun, where's Kyouya-kun?" Miyori-senpai asked the Host Club president, who is seated at the front seat of Kyuugetsu's car. With Kyuugetsu on the wheel and Kyouya-senpai's directions in Tamaki-senpai's phone, we head to Hikaru and Kaoru's apartment, us girls seated on the passenger's seat, and all the guys seated at the back of the pick-up truck. Eleven days have passed since Miyori-senpai's birthday, and we had just finished the house visits to all the SC members yesterday.

"Well, he called me this morning and said his father had required him to be present in a meeting yesterday at Paris, and they're still on their way back right now. He said he'll be catching up to us," Tamaki-senpai replied. "But I pity him, because he'll miss out on all the fun!" I saw him in the side mirror grinning and crossing his arms over his chest.

"Do you mean your stupidity, senpai?" I said bluntly, dismissing the wailing blond at the front seat as everyone else snickered.

"Hey Tamaki-senpai, are the Host Club members' apartments near each other?" asked Kazumi.

"Nope. I had us all in good distances apart from each other so that we can really feel the essence of independent commoner living!" Tamaki-senpai retorted, to which I sighed. Ah, senpai and his commoner enthusiasm.

"So where do the others live?" Kazumi asked again.

"For now, I only know of Hikaru and Kaoru's, because Kyouya sent me directions to their apartment last night. And for Haruhi, the Host Club has gone there last year, though I don't quite remember the exact address. For the others, I really don't know yet. Kyouya's got all the details.

"Well, I'm sure Miyori would know where Mori's house is," Rin-senpai stated, and immediately, teasing stares shot at her from all of us, well except for Kyuugetsu, since he has to keep his eyes on the road.

"W-what? No I don't. We've never been there yet!" Miyori-senpai said with furrowed eyes, an attempt for a confused façade, but only we could see the evident red glow on her face.

"So senpai, has he asked you out already?" the ever-curious Kazumi asked, making Miyori-senpai's face as crimson red as her hair.

"O-of course not, you idiots!" she shrieked in defense.

"You calling me an idiot?!" Rin-senpai grumbled as she threw a fist at Miyori-senpai, who blocked it easily with one hand. "You owe me a lot for giving me cavities because of your lovey-dovey sweetness with that living pillar called Mori! You're together so many times that it's like you're glued to each other."

"You're going out with each other, aren't you, senpai?" queried Kazumi.

"N-no we're not! Seriously guys, we are not, I repeat, NOT in a relationship!" Miyori-senpai said.

"But it seems like that to us," I commented, and everyone except Miyori-senpai gave an affirming nod.

"Yup. You're in that level of closeness, as we have observed these past few days, not to mention the days before that," Tamaki-senpai stated.

"You like him, don't you?" Rin-senpai asked, squinting her eyes at the senpai in the hot seat.

"W-well, w-what kind of l-like do you mean?" Miyori-senpai asked, unawarely giving herself away with her stuttering.

"Y'know what I mean. Stop feigning innocence. Really, when will that living pillar ask you out? Because seriously, you two are so close, the only thing you need now would be some wedding rings and marriage vows." Rin-senpai shot her best friend a smirk with knowing eyes, clearly indicating that she was serious about her statement.

"You've got to be kidding me, Rin!" Miyori-senpai retorted in surprise at the fact that just hit her. The teasing continued, each one gathering proof by recalling every romantic moment that took place these past few days. Then soon enough, Kyuugetsu stopped in front of an apartment building, and we all got down from his car. Mori-senpai held the door for us, or maybe just Miyori-senpai for that matter. Well, Rin-senpai's right. I don't know why Mori-senpai isn't asking her out yet, since it's pretty clear they love each other, but I sure hope he'll ask her out soon.

(3rd POV)

"I want seconds!" Tamaki exclaimed at Miyori, who was serving the rice for their little dinner in the Hitachiin's apartment. Kyouya, who had just arrived, also passed his empty bowl to Miyori. Since the twins' food supply was more than they could consume for the rest of the summer vacation, the group decided to have a little dinner there. They had finished goofing around in the average-sized apartment the whole afternoon, with Miyori and Mori avoiding each other as much as possible. Miyori couldn't take her thoughts off Rin's statement this morning, and didn't want any more teasing with him around, because she was afraid their theories would be proven right. But for Mori, even seeing Miyori was the most painful thing in the world. Her sweet and vibrant smile, the spark in her eyes, and all her happiness—that would all soon disappear because of him. And because of a stupid tradition. Of all times for his father to decide on it, he chose now. Now, of all times. Now, when he was finally so happy. Now, when he has grown to love her so much. And the very thought of having to let her go gripped his heart so tight he found it hard to breathe.

"Takashi, won't you have seconds?" Hunny asked, snapping his cousin out of his reverie. It was then that Mori noticed that he was staring at his empty bowl the whole time. He shook his head no, trying hard to mask the pain in his eyes, knowing his feelings and thoughts were always crystal clear to Hunny. He probably even knows about it by now, though Mori never had the courage to tell even his closest cousin about it. "Takashi? Is there something bothering you? Do you mind telling us about it?" Yup, he knew, alright. Everyone gradually fell silent as all eyes fell on Mori. Well, this was it.

"I'm getting engaged."

(Miyori's POV)

I froze. Everything else seemed to, as well. A sharp pain drove through my chest, hindering any movement. All I could do was sit there and stare at the floor. After he said that, I just went deaf and numb. With hurt. Because I didn't see it coming. Even though I was aware of the fact that arranged marriages are a regularly-observed tradition among the rich and elite. But I chose to forget. I chose to forget about that. I even chose to forget who he really is—an elite, a Morinozuka, an existence from a world many light years from mine. I chose to forget that commoners like me have no place in their world, the world of the rich. Why? Because I didn't stop myself from growing to love him so much that I also began to hope that maybe this one time, tradition would be changed just for us. But of course it won't. The only place that would happen is in fairytales, and I'm not in one. But my mistake is, I didn't realize that sooner. And this is what I get. I couldn't blame Mori, or even that marriage tradition rich people follow. He was doing the right thing in obeying the authority he's under. I could only blame myself for not being more careful not to end up too hopeful. If I had stopped myself, I wouldn't be this disappointed. I wouldn't be this hurt. I want to disappear. I want to go home. Thinking up an excuse, I brought out my phone and played a ringtone. As I brought it up to my ear, I stopped the music and pretended someone was calling.

"Mom?" I said, forcing down the lump in my throat. "Ah, right. Sorry, Mom. Yes, we just finished eating here. Yeah. Okay, Mom, I'll be home right away. Bye." I put my phone back into the pocket of my jeans. "I must go home now," was all I said, and I ran home with full speed, not wanting any of them to catch up to me, especially not him. I couldn't bear to even hear his name, because Iknow he'd be out of my reach from now on. And I don't want to remind herself of that fact.

(3rd POV)

"What?! This early?! I mean, you are of marrying age but, this is preposterous!" Tamaki exclaimed after about 10 seconds since Miyori left.

"Father told me last night," was Mori's reply. "And he wasn't joking." A reverent silence fell upon the rich people in the group. They had full understanding of how inescapable arranged marriages were in their world, and they knew how suffocating that fact alone caused. But the worst part was, in Mori's case, he had to let go of the girl he loves the most, and even hurting her at the same time.

"So," one of the twins spoke.

"Who's the cursed girl, senpai?" the other continued.

"Takanashi Izumi," Mori replied.

"Well, you were right about the cursed part," Kyouya said. "I've heard from many reliable sources that she's very skilled in kendo, considering her family's business is the same as Mori-senpai's. Seems all nice in front of public eye, but is everything but nice behind the scenes. According to information, there was this one time she fired a butler and didn't even give him his pay for that month just because he was one minute late for serving her cup of tea."

"Whoa. Isn't there any other way to at least choose who you want to marry, Takashi?" Hunny asked.

"Actually, there is," Mori replied, and instantly, everyone else's faces brightened. "Father said a masquerade ball will be held." Hopeful smiles spread across their faces, but Mori remained as solemn as ever.

"So, anyone can join?" Kazumi asked. Mori grimaced.

"No. Only daughters of the elite were invited by my father. And if I can't choose among them, I'll have to marry Izumi-san." The hopes on their faces vanished.

"Well, there goes Pres' chances," commented Nagato, who somehow got hold of the conversation.

"Yeah. Miyori-senpai just has no bloodlines or traces of being an elite," Kazumi commented. Mori's ears rung. Miyori? How did she get into the topic?

"NOOO! There must be a way! I HATE SAD ENDINGS!" Tamaki shrieked as rivers of tears flowed down his cheeks.

"Well, there's nothing we could do about it," Mori said with a painful smile as he stood up, excused himself, and started heading for the door. In full understanding, Hunny followed behind after excusing himself and headed home with his heartbroken cousin.

"This sure is painful to watch," Kyuugetsu said, breaking the condoling silence that spread over them about 15 seconds after Mori and Hunny left.

"Yeah," Hikaru said.

"Well, we can't do anything about Miyori-senpai not being an elite," Kaoru stated.

"Unless, we turn Miyori into one," Rin commented, and it was as if a light bulb lit up above their heads.

"THAT'S IT! Brilliant, Rin-senpai!" Tamaki proclaimed as he sprung up from his seat. "Since we all know Miyori would want to join the ball if given the chance, we'll help her become an elite!"

"But what if she doesn't want to?" Kazumi asked, to which Rin smirked.

"Leave that to me."

(Hunny's POV)

"I'll brush my teeth, Takashi. Good night!" I told my cousin as I stood with him at the door of my room. I knew he couldn't even bear talking right now, so I went ahead and said what he wanted to say. He gave me his usual nod then entered his room as I entered mine. We had walked all the way here in silence, but his teary eyes did not escape my radar. His eyes always told me everything, no matter what expression he had on his face. He was broken, not just because he was going to end up marrying a spoiled brat, but because he had to let go of Miyo-chan, no matter how much he loved her. I won't be too surprised if I hear him crying from the next room in the middle of the night. Emotionless as he may seem, Takashi's still a human being, who can love, and get hurt. And such a gentle person is he that I know he could never dare go against his father or family for that matter. But somehow, though I'm very devastated for my dearest cousin and Miyo-chan, I couldn't help but feel calm. Somehow, I feel assured that everything's going to work out just fine. But I dismissed the thought, seeing how everything's falling apart. I plopped into bed, my eyes slowly closing, signalling me to ride off to Dreamland. Well, I do hope Takashi gets some sleep tonight.

A/N: Will Rin ever convince Miyori into joining the ball? What is Kyouya's plan? Find out in the next chapter! Hahahaha…yeah, whatever, me…xD

Comments, suggestions, and violent reactions are widely accepted. Thank ye, thank ye! :D