Guess who's back. Back again. Yeah, I'm back.Tell yo' friends.
Ok so real talk- My laptop broke a long time ago, and I only had a limited amount of access to the desktop I share with my family. I recently got a new laptop just in time for my classes, and now I just need to download Microsoft word (right now I'm using that month free trial- the struggle is real).
Butlet'sget back to my unbelievably neglected story.

[Alex's POV]

Walking towards Ouran Academy, early in the morning, I couldn't help but reflect on what happened yesterday. 'I can't believe I agreed to what Kaoru said. 'Try to look deeper and get to know everyone.' Damn redhead with the nice face.'

"WAIT! NO! HE'S MY FRIEND! THOSE AREN'T THE THOUGHTS YOU NEED TO HAVE!" I yelled out gripping my hair in frustration. The children at the playground, that I somehow always find myself at, stared at me with a questioning gaze. "Don't judge me!" I pointed my finger at them. "When you're my age you will be just as crazy as I am." I notified the little elementary schoolers, to which some laughed in my face while others freaked out about how they will become a 'dysfunctional mess' like me. And while I wanted to strangle those little punks, I soon heard the ringing of the Academy's bell tower, signaling class will soon begin.
"Mr. O- I mean dad wouldn't like it if I'm late again." I mumbled to myself, as I started to sprint towards the school.

However once I ran through the school's main gates, about to open the main door to enter the school I was met with a familiar face who was leaving the school.

"Haruhi?" I asked as she slammed the main door open. "Class is about to start, why are you leaving? Did something happen? Is your father ok?" I asked concerned as my mind immediately went to Ranka being injured or sick, the worst scenario possible.

"Nothing happened and my father is fine. The Host Club is taking the whole day off from school on excused leave, apparently. So we aren't supposed to be in class." Haruhi answered clearly annoyed that she will be missing valuable time in the classroom.

"Really? So I ran all the way over here for nothing. Man, I could've slept in!" I whined, turning around to walk with Haruhi out of the school's premises. However, once we exited the gates hands began to grab at us.

"Targets, Captured" The twins spoke. Hikaru, who had grabbed Haruhi, began to pull her towards a limo while Kaoru stood with me, holding my arm to prevent me from escaping, watching Haruhi be tossed into the limo that unsurprisingly belonged to Tamaki.

I turned to Kaoru. "You don't need to guide me, I'll walk and get into the car on my own… I'd rather not be thrown around like Haruhi." He nodded and got into the limo right after I did. "You okay Haruhi?" I asked as I watched her rub her arm, probably falling on it as she was launched into the car.

"Yeah, could be better though." She answered and then turned to Tamaki, "Where are we going? I could be studying right now."

"Oh Haruhi, we need to take a break every once in a while. Enhance our beauty as we live stress free. " Tamaki chirped. While this shut everyone up for a while I soon realized where we were going once we rolled up to the building.

'Kyoya must've set this up.' I glanced at said man to see him smirking at me. 'If he thinks I'm going to expose myself then he has something else coming for him. I will win this bet.'

Haruhi began to look around, "This… is a dream right? We are in Japan, which geographically, isn't tropical…" She muttered as she watched in amazement. The rest of the guys went into the changing room to get changed, while I decided to wait until they all left, to try and figure out what to do in my predicament.

"Look Haruhi," Tamaki appeared in his swim trunks, "Look at the tropical birds, aren't they beautiful…"

"Where is the exit?" Haruhi deadpanned, ruining Tamaki's mood. "I want to go home and study, and I have to do the laundry today." While the hosts were all busy, I began to walk to the changing room.

"Alex." I turned to find Kaoru walking with me towards the changing stalls. "Listen, since I knew about this I made sure to bring you a shirt so you can cover your scar, it might be a little big on you though. Oh, and I brought one of my swimming trunks for you to change into. It has strings so you can make it tighter, since it will also probably be too big. Sorry, I don't know your size." Kaoru scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

I looked at the clothes in his hands and then back at him. "I could kiss you." I sighed in relief.

"Wha-what?" Kaoru's face suddenly gained a pinkish hue.

"N-not that I would!" I quickly added, feeling my face also heat up. "You just… saved me, you know. I'm grateful. Thanks." I then awkwardly pulled him in for a hug, not like the situation wasn't strange enough. "Well, I'm going to…um… change." I quickly pulled back, grabbed the clothes in his hands, and ran into one of the stalls.

As I was changing I heard Haruhi being tossed around, probably being told to change into something feminine. I walked out of the male's changing room and noticed three idiots standing outside the female's dressing room with their ears on the door. "Seriously?" I asked, causing all three to jump from their spot.

"Oh, Alex. It's just you." Tamaki let out a breath he must've been holding. Hikaru looked equally as relieved.

"Alex, are you having a hard time tying the shorts?" Kaoru must've noticed how I was holding onto the strings.

"Uh, yeah. I can't get it tight enough… Help me?" I responded sheepishly.
'I'm a mess.' I thought as a wave of regret and embarrassment washed over me.

Kaoru chuckled, sending a shiver down my spine. "Yeah, come here." While Kaoru was pulling on the strings, leaning way too close to me, Haruhi decided it was time to get out of the changing room.

"Ooh, nice outfit Haruhi." Hikaru said, gaining our attention. She was wearing a pink one piece with a swimming cap. It kind of reminded me of a child, but it was cute.

"You look nice." Kaoru added, getting Haruhi to turn to us. She quickly sent me a 'well, well, well look what we have here' gaze. I groaned and decided to hide my face in Kaoru's shoulder. "Ok, all done." Kaoru patted my back, as if to let me know I shouldn't be too embarrassed.

"Mhm, thanks Kaoru." I responded and decided to get away from that situation as fast as I could. So instead I walked towards Kyoya to show him that I'm not half naked or in a bikini.

"Hey, Kyoya." I smirked at he looked at me, surprised that I had clothes to wear. "You know, from the look on your face I think it's my turn to laugh. I really stumped you, didn't I?" I chuckled as I walked away, looking around the Ootori's new theme park- Tropical Aqua Garden.
So maybe I was being a little cocky for someone who had no strategy just a few minutes ago, but he doesn't need to know that. He just needs to think that I'm prepared for everything.

While wandering I noticed some interesting things that Kyoya should probably remove from the park- such as the alligators, piranhas and the excessive amount of snakes. I understand that the Ootori's strive for authenticity, but the guests would become terrified once they come in contact with these creatures. Also the animals are deadly and would end up in a lawsuit, and I don't see the Ootoris winning this one.

I began to walk towards Kyoya to inform him about the main issues I've discovered, just in time to see Honey-senpai swept away by a huge wave. "What?!" I ran to Kyoya, "What the hell happened? Honey-senpai just flew by me!" Kyoya turned to me and explained that the control panel was hidden in a totem pole and while playing with water guns Tamaki hit it, causing a malfunction in the wave pool Honey-senpai was swimming in. Of course, while this was being explained the other hosts tried to follow Honey-senpai's path only to come across the alligators, piranhas and snakes I discovered earlier.

"Kyoya th-there are dangerous animals in the pools!" Tamaki screamed as he ran back to Kyoya for protection.

"Hmm, well that could be a problem. Thanks for all the data you've allowed me to collect. I'll be sure to notify the crew to make appropriate changes." Kyoya gave his calculating smile. 'Always so business-y, Kyoya needs to show his real feelings sometimes.' I thought as the others seemed shocked that they were used for data purposes. "We should be able to use the map to determine Honey-senpai's location." He continued as the group went to go look at one of the maps, I noticed the fake sky getting darker and figured that the scheduled rain would hit soon and decided to look for cover.

It soon became clear that this rain wouldn't be light as it started pouring, the water pounding on my skin as it made contact. I yelled to the others to come under the conveniently paced hut. The only thing we could do was sit and wait.

Mori-senpai seemed to be extremely worried. It was understandable since he was practically Honey's guardian, but that guy is a skilled fighter so I really doubt a little rain will hurt him.

"Mori-senpai." I called to him, gaining his attention, "Honey-senpai is strong. He knows how to take care of himself when he needs to. I know you know that, so don't worry. We will find him soon, okay?" I slowly rubbed his back, in hopes to sooth his worries.

"Yeah. Thanks." Mori-senpai replied, a small smile on his face. It was a lot of emotion from someone who remains stoic.

"Hello, it's me." Kyoya spoke into his phone. Out of curiosity I walked over to hear his whole conversation, but didn't fail to notice that Haruhi quickly took my spot to comfort to Mori-senpai, or that the twins were poking fun at Tamaki. "Well, we've had an incident that caused some trouble. I need the Black Onion Squad to be sent to the Ootori Tropical Aqua Garden, to search for a missing person who was swept away from the wave pool. They could be injured and need to be found immediately." I leaned closer hoping to hear the other side of the information, but the rustling of leaves from my side seemed to have distracted me.

I watched as Mori-senpai began to walk into the jungle as the rain started lighting up, and noticed how Haruhi was quick to follow.

"Yes, at once please." Kyoya spoke calmly and turned off his phone.

"You know, you never described Honey-senpai or told them there were other people here."

"Yes, well Alex, there is no need for that since the rest of us are together in a group. We will be heading to the gate as they search the property." He quickly barked back at my remark.

"You say that but Mori-senpai and Haruhi have left us just a few moments ago." I motioned to the hut that only contained us and the troubling trio.

"Haruhi's missing! My daughter!" Tamaki screamed in agony. "I need to find her!" He began to run into the jungle, only to quickly run out screaming 'snake!'

I laughed, "You were going the wrong way anyway. They left through here." I began to step into the mass of trees only to notice no one was following me. "Are you coming or should I go alone?" They quickly rushed to my side as I lead the way.

Of course it took a while, but we eventually found the clearing Mori-senpai and Haruhi were standing in. However, it seemed like Honey-senpai had found them a little before us and did quite a number on Kyoya's Black Onion Squad.

I was glad that Honey-senpai was safe and I could see Mori-senpai physically relax, so I felt like it was my time to leave and change back into my clothes before anyone else could see.

But, just like always it seems like I can't go unnoticed. Kaoru must've seen me leave because as soon as I stepped into the forest he was right next to me.

"Where are you going?" he asked, making me jump.

"Geez, Kaoru. Don't scare me like that." I sighed and then playfully punched him in the arm. "Where are you going? I didn't think you would ever leave your brother."

"Well, I am an independent twin and I can do what I want." He smiled at his own joke, although it soon turned into a pained look. "He doesn't need me by his side all the time anyway. He is going to move on with his life eventually."

"Just like how you are going to move on and do something amazing with your life." I smiled at him. "Kaoru you are a great, no, a wonderful person. You are sweet and kind and you care about people. The present might suck because people don't see you for you, but once you and Hikaru begin to separate people will be able to get to know the real Kaoru that I know. So if you ever need someone to talk to, or someone to rely on, just know that I-" I stopped my words, my mind filled with all the times Kaoru has helped me or has been so unbelievably kind to me, and my heart filled with a unique sensation, as we stood right in front of the changing rooms.

"You what?" Kaoru questioned.

I think I love you.

"I'll be there for you." I flashed him one of my guest smiles, "You have a friend in me." I walked into the changing room and just stood there for a while.

'I love you. I really do.' I couldn't help but laugh internally at my discovery. 'I guess Haruhi was right.'

~Extra~

I began to tug at the shorts only to realize they were stuck to my body. I tried my best to untie the knot Kaoru made earlier that day only to groan in agony as the knot got more tangled instead.

"You okay Alex?" Kaoru asked from the stall next to mine.

"Um… no. I can't get the shorts off." Kaoru started laughing and then pushed the door to my stall open, walking in with only his uniform pants on. I felt myself being to blush, although he must've thought it was because I was embarrassed.

"You are something, you know that?" He chuckled grabbing the strings.

"Yeah, I know."

I didn't add this earlier but I seriously want to thank all of you who followed and Favorited my story. It means a lot that you guys stuck around for so long. Also to the people who PM'd me saying GET BACK TO WRITING BICH" (OKAY so none of you said that but I know you meant it low key) I want to thank you guys as well. Trust me I saw them in my email and read them and felt a little guilty for being so late.

So over all, thanks for sticking around.

And another thing, I was looking up some of the info from the manga on Kyoya Ootori (because I haven't read it in a long time and needed refreshing) and tell me how one of the TOP google searches that popped up was "Kyoya Ootori Baby Daddy"… like DAMN, this fandom is something else. But to be honest… I clicked on it; I was curious, don't judge me.

~Colorfulshadowz~