Chapter 25

Coping Methods

Kyoya didn't have to look at the exam rankings to know where he'd come. It was a given. Watching the others scramble for a glimpse, he couldn't help but think that it was just like high school all over again.

"You're pretty amazing, Ohtori-san," Kyoya spared his classmate a glance. Takahashi was a commoner, but he was studious and usually ranked in the top ten, "I can't believe you got the first rank by ten points! That must mean you got all the extra credit questions right. I mean, I know you're smart, but you must've done nothing but study to do so well! Don't you have a social life, or a girlfriend or something?"

Takahashi also had an annoying habit of talking too much. Kyoya narrowed his gaze to a glare and Takahashi quickly wilted.

"Haha, well, I'd best be off!" he managed, backing away, "Nice talking to you!" he disappeared into the crowd of students.

"That was a little harsh, don't you think?" Kyoya turned his glare on Tamaki, who just smiled in return. Annoyingly the idiot seemed to have built up a tolerance.

"I didn't say anything," Kyoya said mildly as if that simple fact rendered him blameless. Tamaki raised an eyebrow.

"You're starting to make me worry, Kyoya, I've never seen you like this before,"

"Like what precisely?"

"Like that," Tamaki returned, "I almost want to say bitchy,"

Now Kyoya raised an eyebrow, "You're saying I'm being bitchy,"

"Yeah," Tamaki seemed oblivious to Kyoya's negative feelings about the word, "Something like that,"

"I see," Kyoya's answer was short.

"See, like that," Tamaki was treading on thin ice. He sighed sensing he was losing the battle and took on a more serious tone, "Kyoya, you really are making me worry. I'm not going to say that shouldn't have done what you did, it was your choice but-"

"Yes, it was my choice," Kyoya interrupted sharply, "So I'd thank you to stay out of business that isn't yours,"

Tamaki gave him that annoying all-knowing smile, but this one had a tinge of sadness, maybe even disappointment to it, "Then why'd you choose something that would make you so unhappy?"

Hikaru regarded his twin in the reflection of the mirror. Adjusting his scarf he turned to face his brother, "Are you sure you're okay? You can always come if you want to, I'm sure Lexi wouldn't mind,"

Kaoru offered him small smile, "I'll be fine," he poked at Aiko who was nestled comfortably in his lap. Hikaru sighed and sat down beside his brother.

"Kaoru, you don't have to do this all on your own," he said, putting an arm around his twin's shoulders. His other hand went to Aiko who sniffed at it cautiously, she still hadn't entirely warmed up to her owner's doppelganger, "You don't have to keep pretending your okay,"

Kaoru leant into his brother, "If I stop pretending for even a minute I think I'll just end up falling apart,"

Hikaru gave him a comforting squeeze, "Than I'll just have to put you back together, won't I? I'm not very good at puzzles, but I'm sure I'd figure it out in the end,"

Kaoru smiled a little despite himself. Patting him on the back Hikaru stood, "Now this is your last chance; are you sure you don't want to come to the theme park?"

"Yes, I'm sure,"

"Okay, it's your loss then," Hikaru made for the door, "I'll see you later,"

"Hikaru?" Kaoru called just as his brother reached the door.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you,"

"I'm your brother, it's my job."

Wow, haha this chapter was actually kinda fun to write. I didn't want Tamaki to call Kyoya 'bitchy' but I guess it kinda worked in the end? ^^;

Thanks to Full-Empty-Spirit, KuroPika X, DellaNee-Chan, oOMidnightStarOo, and xXAna-Christ-342Xx for reviewing!