The morning classes went by in a blur, the excitement of this morning a buzz in all the classrooms. There was no avoiding the looks as people pointed Zaina out to people who normally paid no attention to her. She, as always, stood beside Rin and had done her best to stay a shadow. Something so miniscule and naturally accepted as there. With all the attention of the Host Club as well as Rin's natural popularity, her task of being unnoticed was becoming increasingly more difficult. It was no help that Rin humored and added fuel to the fire alongside the twins.

Rin meant no harm in her part in all this, knowing well this was all simply fun among friends. Glancing at Zaina during class, she took note of her strict posture and diligent note taking. She knew they had both been given similar lessons on etiquette growing, but she always found it to be simple yet dignified. It was one of the rare moments she took stock of her childhood companion. The thought of having such an old ally made her smile with warmth as all sorts of memories came to mind. To have someone so loyal was rare indeed in a society where money easily bought people.

It's such a sad thought, but that's the world I live in. Money influences everything, swaying hearts and minds alike. She glanced around at the other students that were from the same world. I wonder...would I be less observant or aware if Zaina or Miyuki weren't in my life? Father always wanted us to keep our surroundings in mind though. Stay powerful but grounded at all times, never let others shake us. She tilted her head to the side as she looked forward at the board where the teacher was writing. I wonder...how does Kyoya see everything? The memory of seeing him so lost in his own world was a little saddening. He just seemed so conflicted over something.

What am I doing thinking about him in class?! Not like he would tell me anything anyway, he hardly knows me! She quickly shook her head as her cheeks burned with a blush. Quickly she covered them, hoping her cooler her hands would help rid her of the evidence of her straying thoughts before someone caught one. He's really quite handsome though...he's certainly very dignified and confident in himself. He also diligently and efficiently handles everything of the club as well as his own academics. Certainly a suitable heir to any family, that's without a doubt! She quickly reassured herself of his work ethic and professional qualities. Always taking notes too, she added with a small nodded but her mind stalled a bit as she thought of his long fingers. They looked to be slender and they held his pen with such graceful poise. The way his head was always tilted down to the page at the perfect angle so that his glasses would not slip off, a few strands of his jet black hair falling to brush the tops of his glasses. And his eyes, they were so...hypnotic. The thought of him watching her last time they had lunch sent a shiver down her spine, but before she let it run its full course she realized her concentration had ran wild and her cheeks were much warmer than before. No, no, no, Rin! Get ahold of yourself! You can't being so smitten so easily! You hardly know him! You've got to be more sensible! She looked up at the board once more after scolding herself and resumed her note taking.

At the sound of the lunch bell she leaned back in her seat with a heavy sigh as she looked down at her notes. She had caught up easily enough, but she now knew she needed to be more wary of her own wandering thoughts about this particular bespectacled individual. Before her mind could get away from her, the twins and Haruhi were at her desk once more.

"Shall we head to the cafeteria for lunch? Zaina, are you joining us?" Haruhi turned to her friend to see her hoisting her gym bag over her shoulder.

"I'm going to be heading to the court again, it's quite calming to be honest." She smiled at Haruhi as she adjusted the movable padding sleeve and glanced out the window. "Thank you for the offer though," she added as she looked to Rin to make sure she was no in no need of her.

"I'm glad you've found something you like to do here! Go, go! Have fun and I'll see you after lunch as usual!" She urged her friend as she stood up from her own seat as well. "Maybe we can all join you again sometime. It was a lot of fun that one time."

"Yeah, it was pretty fun to watch these to get beat by her." Haruhi snickered as Kaoru cleared his throat to cover his blush and Hikaru openly glared and scowled at the two girls who were smiling at their loss.

"We'll definitely go back for a proper rematch! That time we didn't have the appropriate clothes is all! She's always dressed to be able to run and get into action as quick as possible, that was an unfair advantage!"

"Is that so? I'd love to see how much better you'll be after preparations." She gave her perfect smile that only made Hikaru and Kaoru both scowl at her.

"What, don't believe us?" Kaoru narrowed his eyes at her.

"Whatever gives you that idea?"

"That smile of yours! We'll show you!" Hikaru sternly responded as Kaoru silently nodded in agreement with his brother. They were the ones who messed with people, not the other way around. Rin watched the small exchange unfold, giggling as Zaina seemed to be unfazed by their words while keeping her smile in place as she assured she looked forward to the day they decide to have the rematch.

"Well, let's decide on a date later. I'm starved actually and I'd love to see what the lunches are for today! Don't you?" She turned to Haruhi.

"I make lunch from home actually, but I do like to see the options." She nodded her head lightly, pulling the twins away from the heated conversation. Rin noted Zaina excused herself from the situation with ease, leaving the four of them to go do her own thing. It was nice to see her do something, but she wished she would do something with the others or someone at least. "I know how you feel," Haruhi's voice pulled her away from her thoughts as she stared at the door Zaina left from. "She's probably used to being on her own though...and it's not like she can be so open with others in the school without there being some trouble. With us it's fine, the hosts understand her and you and don't mind her being more free with them...but others may not be so understanding." She voiced the worries that Rin had not wanted to ask Zaina.

"I'm sure she is practicing on her own to avoid insulting anyone." She nodded in agreement to Haruhi's words. "She still makes lunch for me though, which I feel bad that she has to eat alone all the time. She says it's to make sure that she's ready in case I ever decide that I don't want to buy from school, but then she ends up alone on her own like this." She frowned.

"She eats all that food alone?" Kaoru raised a brow at this as Hikaru rested an arm on his shoulder.

"I'd imagine so, she wouldn't just throw it away that's for sure. She has a large appetite too and that's probably why she doesn't eat much for dinner now that I think about it." Rin slowly pieced the information together as they finally moved from their desks and made their way down the hall to the cafeteria.

Once they have their orders, they find a table with ample room and some chairs to spare in case other host members arrive to eat with them. They all happily dig into their selected meals, feeling revitalized already from the draining lecture of the last class with the rather dull and monotone teacher. The conversation was light, freely flowing from one subject to the next as they enjoyed the food and company when a familiar voice calls out from up above.

"Oh, Honey and Mori, why don't you join us?" Haruhi was the first to speak up.

"Can we? I should probably go buy some food first. What do they have for dessert?" He eagerly eyed the bought dishes with a sparkle of hope in his eyes.

"There were a few things actually, I opted for the mini sundae." She pointed to the delicate glass with the artfully plated dessert.

"Oh, that looks yummy! Hmm...maybe I'll get that with the cake then if they have. Oh but they have brownies too, this is definitely going to be a tough one." He frowned as he crossed his arms and thought carefully over the options.

"Mitsukini," Takashi spoke up finally as his cousin hemmed and hawed over the sweets alone.

"I know, I know Takashi! I'll eat regular food too, no worries." Mitsukini pouted a little at first. "Alright, we'll be right back!" He grinned from ear to ear before the two left.

"Doesn't Mori usually have something to do at this time of day?" Rin asked curiously to the other three, glancing around the room to see as casually as she could but in truth she was looking for a particular person. She was unable to spot them and it was a bit disheartening.

"Oh yeah, he has kendo practice usually at this time...though probably Honey asked him to come eat lunch with him from there being no practice? We can ask when they get back." Haruhi shrugged her shoulders lightly as the two returned in no time, taking their seats.

"No practice today Mori?" Rin asked him and he lightly shook his head as he began to eat his food.

"Yeah, they have off today since they don't want to overwork for a competition that's coming up!" Mitsukini quickly chimed in. "But wait...Rin, where's Zaina?" He frowned as he counted the number of people here before listing them by name. "Did she leave before we got back?" He frowned, afraid that maybe she did not like them for some reason.

"Zaina? She's not here...she wasn't here when you guys first came over either." Kaoru answered the depressed blond who quickly bounced back to his usually chipper mood with an 'oh'.

"But wait...then where is she? She's always with Rin." He blinked as he awaited the answer.

"She went to go play basketball. She seemed really eager to go, actually...she's been pretty eager about going as of late now a days. Before she would wait for me to insist on her going but now she just heads out without any hesitation. I'm glad she's found something comfortable to do here...though I wish she would try and spend time with others as well." She smiled a little sadly at the thought of her all alone in the big building.

"She's always making lunch for you too though, to be ready in case you decide to not have lunch from the school." Hikaru reminded her.

"That's true...but she's eating the food alone now I'm sure." She looked down at her own plate. "I don't want to stop her if she really enjoys going...I also kind of hope she found someone to play with as well."

"You're so sweet, caring for Zaina like that. I'm sure she understands how you feel completely! Plus, maybe she did make friends with someone? I mean why make all that lunch all the time just in case right?" Mitsukini spoke up.

"You're perceptive as ever Honey," a voice spoke up from behind Zaina, making her tense up a little but she easily masked her reactions as she turned and gave a smile to the newcomer.

"Kyoya, did you just get here?"

"Yes, I had some work to settle." He nodded his head.

"Well, please, join us. There's more than enough room." She motioned to the few empty chairs around them and noticed that one was directly across from here. He silently observed the group and the available seats but mostly kept his eyes on her. He was not able to tell if she really wanted his presence or if she was just being nice. She was sitting between Haruhi and Mistukini at the moment which was an odd relief to him.

"I think I will," he finally answered her invite.

"Wait, before you go, what did you mean he's being perceptive?" Hikaru asked their vice president.

"Zaina is a very logical person, she does prepare but she never over prepares. If she was going to make lunch for Rin, wouldn't she have made sure to ask her if she was going to have lunch that day with her or here at the cafeteria?" He pointed out, his tone matter-of-fact, before heading over to buy his lunch.

"Oh, so that mean she has a friend right, right?" Mitsukini looked between the others before turning to Takashi who seemed a bit off at the moment. Before he could ask, Takashi was standing from his seat.

"Mori?" Rin asked, surprised by him suddenly get up.

"I forgot something," he answered simply and walked out of the cafeteria with little else to his explanation.

"Did we say something offensive?" Rin frowned, not sure if she liked the idea that Takashi was offended by talk of Zaina. Though that hardly makes sense...they seem to get along quite nicely. He doesn't really pay attention to the conversation all that much until he's pulled into it either. She quickly reminded herself.

"No, he definitely had something on his mind just now. It's probably got to do with the competition coming up. This is his last year here so I'm sure he wants to leave with another win." Mitsukini assured her, watching his cousin as he walked out of the cafeteria and Kyoya came back, taking his seat across from Rin.

"Mori left?" He raised a brow at this, giving away little else of his emotions. I haven't really checked up on the basketball courts recently...but from the sounds of it she certainly has been making use of the facility. Does he spend time with her there now? I wonder why...what is it about you two. He turned to look at Rin who happily ate her dessert. She had felt someone watching her though and upon looking up, she found herself staring back at the one male student that had been slowly taking up more and more of her mind over the past few weeks. She quickly gave a shy smile, unable to break the eye contact but not wanting to be rude either.