Hikaru found himself pleased which completely surprises him. Despite all the shit that has been occurring for nearly a year now, his brother was right by his side. Even now, the evening before a very important competition for Celeste, Kaoru was sitting right next to him. He's even to the point where he almost feels guilty that he's here right now, almost. It's not like they're doing anything special. They're simply watching a movie that they've seen a few times already. In fact, they were taking turns in the dialogue. The younger quickly lost interest however. Instead of repeating his favorite line, he rested his head on his brother's shoulder. Hikaru wasn't exactly tempted to ask what was on his mind. He was sick of hearing about his girlfriend.

"Hikaru?" Kaoru asked with a sigh.

In not having a choice, Hikaru responded, "what is it?"

"Am I someone that is easily taken advantage of?"

In not expecting that at all, he looked down at him confused and asked back, "huh?"

"Some random girl kissed me today right when you went to use the bathroom."

"Are you serious?"

He nodded before continuing, "I just froze up. She never even said anything. She literally just walked up to me, kissed me, and left."

"No wonder you were acting strangely..."

"Mmhmm..."

"You should tell Celeste."

"Seriously?"

"Why not?"

"She would make it a point to scar her for life and I don't even know who it was. It happened quickly. Really, I'm just bothered at the thought that it might become a common occurrence. There were others around that saw it happen and might get the wrong idea."

"You could always just admit that you have Celeste."

"That idea scares me more. If that happens I wouldn't really feel comfortable at the club after that."

"I don't know what to tell you."

He groaned lightly in annoyance before pouting, "I know..."

"You should tell her about it happening. In the very least it wouldn't be used against you."

"I gu-"

His words were cut off by his phone's ring. He continued to lean against his brother as he answered it. Not too much time passed until he sat up however. His expression became very serious. Even from there, he stood up and walked over to the large window on the other side of the room. He had to push aside the curtains to look out. After just a couple moments, he left the room in haste. Completely confused, Hikaru stood up and made his way over to the window. He was surprised to see Celeste leaning against the front gate. It wasn't too long at all until Kaoru was out there. By the time he reached the gate, the guard opened it enough for her to get through. It was obvious from his view that she was upset. It wasn't long until the two approached their home. Just before entering, Kaoru looked up at him. Sighing, Hikaru left the room. After climbing down the stairs, he found the two sitting on the large couch. He was finding himself curious of why she was there but also knew that she wasn't talking. In knowing a way to get her to talk however, he made his way to the busy kitchen. Avoiding all the chefs with ease, he arrived at the fridge. After pulling out three bottles of water, he left just as skillfully. Soon, he was back in the living area. From behind the couch, he handed them each a bottle of water. They gave their thanks as he sat down on the smaller couch. It was obvious that she was ready to talk, but right when she opened her mouth to do so a different voice appeared from across the room.

"Cel!" exclaimed Ageha. The little girl quickly made her way over to her and jumped onto her lap. "Where have you been?" she asked, holding onto the older girl.

"I'm sorry Sweetie, I've been really busy working on my skating," Celeste answered, holding her tightly.

"Oh."

"And I can't play right now. I really need to talk with you brothers about something I don't want you to know about."

"Well then... Can you play after?"

"Of course."

"Okay," she said as she jumped off the couch.

Right after Ageha left the room Celeste attempted to talk again, but again to be interrupted. A butler appeared saying, "dinner's ready young masters."

Just getting really frustrated now, the distressed girl let out a sigh as she ran her fingers through her hair. Kaoru, very easily sensing that, turned back and answered, "we'll be there in a minute." After the older gentleman exited the room, Kaoru looked back at her speaking softly, "what's going on?"

Still grasping her hair tightly, she was finally able to answer, "my sister got out of jail..."

The twins couldn't help but reply together, "what?!"

She nodded before continuing, "after school today I found my room a total wreck. Everything fabric was ripped, all the stuff I had on my dresser and bookcases was on the floor... In the back corner of the room there she was, carving random shit into the wall with a damned knife... I begged my parents to do something, anything... Unless she truly strikes out again, there's nothing that can be done... I really didn't want to bother you two but when it started to get dark I panicked... She hid my keys... I blindly ran here..."

Kaoru had absolutely no idea what to say. All he could get himself to do was hold her as tightly as he could. Hikaru gathered the strength to stand up and slowly walked to the dining hall. He paused just long enough behind the couch to rest his hand on her head and say, "then let this place be your home."

She couldn't be more shocked right now. Her gaze was locked on where he had been just standing. He had left the room right after saying that. She was looking at nothing but a wall but still couldn't look away. Kaoru, on the other hand, was just beaming. He was just barely stopping himself from pulling her to him so that she could process her thoughts. When she was back to the waking world, she leaned back against him. Smiling, he adjusted his grasp on her. He went to kiss her forehead but stopped halfway when she winced. He let go of her immediately. She sat back up and rested her hand on the back of her neck. After a moment, she looked at it and was surprised when she actually didn't see any blood. As she was looking, he pushed aside her shoulder length hair to check out what caused her pain. Ignoring the scaring left by the collar, he noticed that a deep line was indented into her neck.

"You don't cut corners huh?" she asked softly.

"What do you mean?" he asked back.

"My sister... She grabbed onto the necklace you gave me and yanked it right off my neck. That damned chain took forever to break."

"How did she get out?" he asked softly, holding back onto her.

"It's only around me that she becomes a raving lunatic. She got out early with good behavior. It's making me really jealous of you again..."

"And I have something to tell you to make that worse."

She looked up at him and unwillingly asked, "what?"

"Some girl just approached me in the hallway, kissed me, and left."

"... That's not just some girl."

"Eh?!"

"She told me about it but I didn't want to believe it... Bitch..."

He raised her head and made sure to catch her lips. It was obvious to both of them that they wanted more of the other, but before anything else could happen their arms were grabbed. They both looked down at the impatient Ageha. She explained to them how everyone was waiting for them to show up so that they could eat. Giving into the young girl's whim, the two stood. With her leading the way, the three made it to the dining hall. After receiving the gazes of everyone at the table, the two apologized. Right when they sat down, the food was served. During the meal, the brothers mainly interacted with each other, the want-to-be sisters played little games, while the parents mainly observed. As the meal came to a close, the young girl could no longer hold back her yawning. Before she knew it, Celeste was left alone at the table with only the twins. Kaoru rested his hand on her back to grab her attention.

When she looked over he asked, "are you ready for tomorrow?"

Letting out a sigh, she answered, "yeah..."

"What's wrong?"

"I wish my family could go is all. With her home now, it's impossible."

"I'm sorry..."

She shook her head and after a moment passed she asked, "so what were you doing before I rudely interrupted?"

"Watching a movie."

"You want to get back to it?"

"It was pretty much over by the time you got here," Hikaru spoke.

"Oh."

"Is there anything that you want to do?" Kaoru asked the female.

"Stop thinking about my sister?"

A butler approached the trio and inquisited, "excuse me, Miss?"

She looked up at him asking back, "yes?"

"The madam wishes to see you."

"Oh! Okay, thank you."

The butler bowed slightly before attending other matters. Before he was even out of sight, Celeste bolted out of the room. The twins were thoroughly confused. They were tempted to go and spy on the women but really didn't want to get in trouble at the moment. In hopes to get an idea there, they made their way to the entertainment room. Together the two looked through their massive collection of movies, unable to find one that they have interest in watching. They weren't exactly in the mood to play any games either. Neither could erase what they had learned. The two just plopped down on the couch with a heavy sigh. Minutes of pure silence went by. Hikaru interrupted it by nudging his brother. When Kaoru was back to reality, he realized his phone was going off. Before even answering, they both knew that it was Celeste by the ringtone. It wasn't anything too different so that in public it would draw attention, but just in case something ever happens again he wants to hear a specific tone. Once he did answer, he spoke in a softer voice out of pure habit. Hikaru could easily figure out what they were talking about. She's going ahead and going to bed so that she'd be rested for the next day and is trying to convince his brother not to join her. Once convinced, the two wished each other a restful sleep. When the call ended, he reached over and wrapped his arm around his pouty brother's shoulders. While being leaned against, he studied his expression. He could easily tell that his mind was filled with all different types of thoughts. With his own sigh, he stood up. While doing so, he pulled up Kaoru with him. He then walked behind his younger brother and pushed his back. After a bit of resistance, they left the room. In no time, they were outside of his room. He turned the door handle and then just pushed him inside. Kaoru nearly face planted from the force of the shove. When he heard the door click shut, he looked back at it completely confused. He looked away when he heard a small voice behind him. On the bed, he took notice to Celeste sitting on the edge of it. She was completely motionless. Cautiously, he made his way over to her and sat on the floor in front of her.

She looked at him confused and asked softly, "what are you doing here?"

"Hikaru forced me," he simply answered.

"Oh."

"So what's with this long face?" he asked as he pinched her cheeks. Without answering, she reached over and pinched his cheeks. Laughing, he let her face go.

As she let her hands fall from his face she explained, "I called Ritsu to let him know where I am and she answered his phone. I'm sorry but I think I damaged your wall."

"Huh?"

"Behind you."

He turned around and looked at the wall in front of him. After a moment of studying it, he took notice to a small dent in the wall. On the floor he saw what made it. Reaching over, he picked up her phone. Right away he could see that the screen was cracked. Besides that it was still in working condition. When he looked back at her, he saw that her gaze was locked onto the window. She refused his offer to get fresh air however. Instead, she stood up.

"I'm going to take a shower," she told him as she walked over to the bathroom.

"Okay," he calmly responded.

Glancing back at him from the doorway she told him, "I'm amazed you're not offering to join me."

"You need your strength for tomorrow."

"... You've been waiting to say that haven't you?"

A smile crossed his face as he answered, "maybe."

She shook her head and entered the restroom. Sighing, Kaoru stood up and put the phone down on the small night table. In knowing he wouldn't leave his room for the rest of the evening, he went ahead and changed into his pajama pants so that he'd be more comfortable. After that he simply lied down on the bed, using his hands as a pillow. His mind began to wander. He had no idea what to do about the released sibling. When he didn't know it was her she kissed him. What would she do now that he knows? Even knowing all the shit she has done to her sister, he knows that he could never get himself to harm a female. He didn't want Celeste to worry anymore than necessary. He knows that deep down she wishes that her sister would have a miraculous revelation but they all knew the chances of that happening.

"Earth to Kaoru," Celeste repeated.

He blinked a couple of times before looking right next to him. The freshly cleaned girl was lying right next to him, using his arm as a pillow. He couldn't help but take notice that she was wearing one of his shirts. It was becoming pretty frequent for her to do so but he's always liked the sight of it. Taking his free arm out from under his head, he rested his hand on her cheek. Smiling a bit, she snuggled closer to him. He smiled just before kissing her.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" he asked softly.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

Frowning a bit, he questioned, "how's your leg doing?"

"I'll find out. It's not going to heal anymore than it has."

"Are you really going to stick with what you said?"

"Yeah... Too much shit has happened. If something happens again I'm done with skating."

"Celeste..."

"So..." she began as she sat up. "I'll just have to not screw up."

"Hey... Where are you going?" he pouted as he held her hand.

After having to crawl over him so that she could stand she answered, "turning off the light."

He nodded and let her go. As she made her way over to the other side of the room, he reached over and turned on the small lamp next to the bed. Pure darkness does nothing but terrify the girl. The past while has been decently good for her but the damage has been done. When she flipped the light switch off, the smaller light left a dim glow in the room. He sat up as she made her way back over to him. She looked at him confused once she reached the bed. Swiftly, he swept her off her feet. Their eyes couldn't help but connect when she was suddenly straddling him.

"You, are so weird," she told him.

He laughed before saying, "I know it."

"You can read me like a book can't you?"

"Hmm?"

"You know that I'm getting nervous, don't you?"

He smiled a bit and ran his fingers through her hair answering, "yeah."

"I'm so scared something horrible is going to happen..."

"Hey... You've been practicing the routine for months. You're going to be perfect and we're all going to be there to cheer you on." When her gaze drifted away he pulled her against her swearing, "I'll find a way to bring your family."

She held onto him tightly saying, "I don't want her around you... She'll do anything to sabotage me and she'll see you as nothing more than a tool to do so..."

"I'll figure out a way."

"I love you so much..." she whispered.

"As I love you, that's why I want tomorrow to be perfect for you."

She backed away enough so that she could kiss him. When she backed away, she could no longer hold back her yawning. Chuckling, he lifted her off him and moved her right next to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and cuddled up to him. She ended up using his arm as a pillow again. Once he was holding her, she felt at ease enough to fall asleep. When he knew full well that she was unconscious, he looked down at her weaker leg. Even in the dim lighting, he could easily see the scar left behind from getting her leg fixed. He knew that she was truly worried about how it's going to react under all the stress that it is going to be but he didn't want to bring it up. He's conned himself in believing that she has a small limp now because of the whole ordeal. When he just couldn't stand it any longer, he forced himself to look away. He relaxed again when his eyes rested on her face. After kissing her forehead, he forced himself to sleep.

Tamaki sighed as he looked at his phone. The time is passing too rapidly for his liking. He's already been sitting for over an hour. There wasn't much time left. Looking down, he watched Celeste. She was pacing back and forth, looking incredibly anxious. She looked up at him which made him feel bad because all he could do was simply shrug. Honey looked up at his cousin sadly. Haruhi asked Kyoya the time. Without having to ask however, they all knew that time was running short. After this current performance, it was her turn. None of them could fathom where the twins were. What they did know is that if they didn't show, she would fall on the ice, hard. She was ready to breakdown in this very moment. When the music ceased, she reached for the necklace that was no longer encircling her neck. Her skin instantly went pale when her name was called. Not two seconds after that, she simply went backstage. Her friends were quickly finding themselves angry with the duo. So only naturally that is when they finally arrive. It was evident to all of them that by their appearances, they went through many trials to make it there. They were both hunched over, trying to catch their breaths. Sweat was dripping off their brows. Mori stood up and walked over to the exhausted twins. Without hesitation, he picked them both up under his arms and quickly left the stands. They kept questioning what he was doing but it wasn't surprising that he didn't answer them. After walking down a long hallway, he made it to the doorway where the group separated from Celeste before the competition began. Without giving them a chance to regain their footing, he pushed them both into the room. The boys couldn't help but groan when they face planted onto the hard floor. As they began to get up, they couldn't help but notice someone standing right in front of them. In knowing that it was Celeste, they quickly sat up and looked up at her, ready to get scolded. So, they were surprised when instead she fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around their shoulders. She let her forehead fall down on their shoulders as well. Kaoru held onto her instantly. Hikaru, he was a bit more hesitant.

"Don't scare me like that..." she whispered. "I was so worried that she had done something to you..."

When the twins didn't say a word, she looked up at them alarmed. When the younger twin couldn't keep eye contact with her, she let go of the elder and held onto his face. He did his best to hide it, but couldn't hold back a small grimace. Her eyes narrowed and she held onto him tightly.

In seeing no reason to hide it Hikaru told her, "she pick pocketed us as well."

Before she could even begin to express her rage, an official approached her asking, "we're done waiting for you. Are you going to skate or forfeit?"

Kaoru spoke softly to the fiery presence around him saying, "don't let her take skating from you Celeste. Go out there and kick ass."

She backed away enough from him to kiss him. When she backed away, he stood up and brought her with him. Hikaru blinked in confusion when he got a good look at her outfit. The base color of it was orange, which was no surprise being there's always some orange in whatever she wears. What stuck out to him was the blue design that was sewn into the orange.

Glancing back at the puzzled boy she explained, "like it or not I've gotten used to you."

He smirked in amusement and stood up. Right when he was on his feet, Kaoru grabbed onto his hand and pulled them out of the room. They had to move quickly to make it back to their seats before she starts. Right as they sat down with the rest of their friends, everyone became quiet. The grasp on his brother's hand became tighter when he saw her in position. She was off right as the music started. The twins didn't watch her in the beginning however. They couldn't help but look at each other when they heard the vocals. After a moment they simply burst out laughing. Kaoru let go of Hikaru's hand and moved his arm so it was around his shoulders. Afterwards, they looked back at the quick girl. It was clear as day to see how focused she was. Every time her skates left the rink, nerves attacked the young boy. He's watched her practice parts of her routine but never the whole thing, and never did she let him hear the song. What he did know, though, was that she was saving her most difficult trick for last. The trick that broke her weak leg before. Half way through the performance, he was noticing something he didn't like. He could just tell other thoughts not concerning skating were running through her mind. The distraction led her to nearly falling on the ice with her next jump. He doubled his grasp on his brother as he became nervous. She made it through the rest of her performance without falling, but she wasn't nearly as sound as she was the first half. When all was said and done, she was completely out of focus. Everyone watched her concerned as she escaped the viewer's gazes. Kaoru wanted to find her and help clear her mind, but his legs wouldn't move an inch. When a hand was places on his shoulder, he looked over at the surprised Haruhi.

"Why aren't you going to find her?" she asked him.

"I don't know," he answered softly.

Letting out a sigh, Hikaru stood up. He offered his hand to his brother, but it was completely ignored. Shrugging, he put his hands in his pockets and went on his own. He walked calmly down the long hallway back to the dressing area. Right as he got to the door, it opened revealing a fully dressed Celeste. He called out to her but she didn't respond. Sighing in annoyance, he increased his pace so that he could block her from leaving the building. She blinked in confusion when she bumped into him.

He took off her headphones before asking, "what the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Getting your stuff back," she answered.

"You don't have what it takes to play hero," he told her as her turned her around and started pushing her. When she dug her heels into the floor he asked angrily, "do you even think about what you're doing to Kaoru?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Growling lightly, he tightened his grasp on her shoulders immensely. When she let out a small whimper he explained, "he's at his whit's end. Give him a damn break."

"... I'm sorry Hikaru..." she whispered, obviously calmer.

"Come on now," he said as he let go of her shoulders.

She nodded and the two made their way back to the others. When they did arrive, they all looked at her surprised. Kaoru still found himself unable to stand up. Hikaru pushed her down onto the seat that he was sitting on and he took the empty seat next to that one. The silent boy reached over and held onto her hand. While grasping onto his, she rested her head on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry for worrying you for the billionth time," she spoke softly to him.

"That's not what's bothering me," he told her.

She looked up at him confused, "Kaoru?"

"Why can't you understand?"

"Huh?"

His grasp on her hand tightened so much that he was hurting her, but she didn't let it show. He looked down at her angrily but spoke in a low voice so he wouldn't make a scene, "why don't you ever think before you act?"

"W-what do you mean?" she asked back, feeling incredibly intimidated.

"Damn it Celeste..."

"Let go..." she pleaded.

He looked down at their hands seeing that she was bleeding. He let her go and looked at his hand seeing that his fingernails were the culprit. Before he could feel too guilty, she rested her forehead on his jaw.

Whispering she asked, "can we get out of here now?"

After checking with everyone else, they all agreed that they were all ready to leave. It wasn't too long until they were all outside. There were two separate cars for the group and they decided to keep it that way. Kaoru tried to calm down by talking with Hikaru while the rest congratulated Celeste on how well she did. When she found herself alone, she cautiously approached the twins. They silently sat in their own car. Very awkward minutes of silence slowly passed by. It was so quiet in fact that when the girl's phone began to ring all three were startled. Soon after she answered it, her face lit up.

"Thank you so much," she spoke into the phone just before ending the call.

"What was that about?" Hikaru pondered.

She grinned before answering, "I got second place even with my screw up."

Kaoru jumped over so that he was next to her and held her tightly. She simply snuggled into his embrace. "By the way," the tired boy began. "What was that song anyway?"

Her grinned reappeared before answering, "Devil in Disguise."