Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews, favs, and follows. For those of you who have written stories – you know how much reviews mean. For those of you waiting before writing your masterpiece – they inspire and stimulate the writing process. They are like chocolate – I can't get enough. Thank you to each and every one of you that takes time out of your busy schedule to drop me a review!
Disclaimer: Don't own it, never will. If I did – Haruhi would have never ended up with that blond idiot.
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Date Posted: 3/6/2018
Chapter 35: Confrontation
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Still at lunch:
"What did you say, Kaoru?" asked his twin. But it was too late. Kaoru was already up and running for the door.
"Shit…" and Hikaru was following, joined by the rest of the club, with Haruhi and Mori at the rear.
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When I caught up to those devil twins, I didn't understand what they were doing. One had Renge by the arms and the other, Hikaru I assume, was practically screaming at Kyoya.
"What is going on? What are you doing? Stop yelling!"
By this time the rest of the group caught up with us. Hikaru was still bellowing his head off.
"You manipulative BASTARD! How dare you treat her this way! Do you know what you've DONE! You've put her in danger. You put her life on the line! How can you call yourself her friend?!" Hikaru had Kyoya's shirt in his fists and was shaking him. I tried to get in between them, but Mori-senpai beat me to it.
"Mori-senpai, let me go!" Hikaru pointed at Kyoya and screamed, "He's behind all the pictures! He did it!"
"WHAT!?" Haruhi walked up to Kyoya and stood right in front of him, hands on her hips. "YOU?! Why? I don't understand?" She turned toward Hikaru, "Are you sure?"
"He followed Renge out here and we found them together talking. We're sure," the other twin replied.
Suddenly the hall was filled with a sound. Kyoya had his hand on his cheek and I realized Haruhi had slapped him. She was glaring at him with disgust in her eyes.
"Kao-chan, Hika-chan, how did you know to watch Renge?"
Kaoru and Hikaru explained what happened this morning with Renge. Then Kaoru told us why he followed Kyoya out the door.
"Kyoya, why? Why would you hurt my darling Haruhi that way? She's your friend!" I was pleading with him. I couldn't believe my best friend would do such a thing. It felt like the room was spinning.
"Tamaki, are you really going to accept the assumptions of Hikaru and Kaoru? Over me telling you I had nothing to do with it?"
"Mori-senpai, check his pockets for the phone!" Hikaru demanded.
Mori looked in all Kyoya's pockets, "No phone."
"He dumped it after he told Renge to dump hers," Kaoru guessed. "If we can find that phone, we'll have our proof."
A small, scared voice broke through the discussion, "You don't need to find the phone. Kyoya-senpai has been directing me to take and distribute pictures. He promised me that Haruhi would like me once we got rid of the competition."
"Renge, you're delusional, as usual." Kyoya flashed his glasses, "There is no proof that I had anything to do with this."
"Yes, there is." Renge pulled out her personal phone and played an audio clip.
Recording:
Kyoya: "We need to get Kasanoda away from him at any cost. He'll never come back to the Host Club until we break them up."
Renge: "But, Kyoya-senpai, how do we know Haruhi will come back to me?"
Kyoya: "Trust me. I'll make sure. Just follow the plan."
End Recording:
Without any warning, Haruhi slapped Kyoya again. Now he had two handprints on his face. "How dare you! How dare you manipulate me like that! You BASTARD!"
"That's it! We're all skipping our next class and dealing with this. Mori-senpai, please escort Kyoya to the Music Room – Kaoru, get Renge. We'll follow." After my official Host Club King declaration, we followed the escorted Kyoya and Renge to the Host Club room.
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Arriving in the Music Room, Kyoya and Renge were escorted to the table and put into seats by Kaoru and Mori. They then sat next to them as guards. The other Hosts and Kasanoda took seats around the table. Everyone looked at each other, trying to determine who would start the inquisition. Almost everyone seemed in shock.
When no one else spoke, Kasanoda stepped up, "Ootori! I've just got one question – WHY? Why the fuck would you do this?"
Before Kyoya could even formulate a response, Hikaru turned to Kasanoda and with a sneer on his face and in his voice asked, "What are you doing here, Kasanoda? This is Host Club business."
"NO!" Haruhi exclaimed. "Ritsu and I were targeted by almost all of these pictures; therefore he has every right to be here and every right to ask questions. We are the victims, we will handle this." The Hosts nodded at her. She turned to Kyoya and demanded, "Answer the question, Senpai."
Kyoya looked around the room and saw curiosity, surprise, disgust, and most of all, anger. He hadn't counted on them finding out so fast, and didn't think Renge would be smart enough to record one of their conversations. Denying everything was no longer an option. A slant on the truth would be the best bet right now. He didn't have to worry about anything else Renge could say – he never told her his true motives.
"Haruhi, I did it for your own protection."
"Bullshit!" Kasanoda was standing, with his fists on the table, leaning over and glaring at Kyoya. "You put her in the line of fire for harassment, stalking, humiliation, and danger. That last set of pictures made her a target for attack! Don't you dare say this was for her own good!"
"Ritsu, please calm down," Haruhi put her hand on his shoulder and gently pulled him back into his seat. She looked back at Kyoya, "Protection from what?"
"Kasanoda and the yakuza. These are people you don't want in your life."
Haruhi stared at Kyoya and started to laugh. She reached over and put her hand on Kasanoda's arm. "You're kidding, right? Ritsu is the only one here who respects me as an independent person, who listens to my opinions, who hasn't hurt me." The laughing stopped, and she glared at Kyoya, "And just what purpose did it serve to send out those pictures of Tamaki-senpai and me? That had nothing to do with Ritsu."
Kyoya looked at Renge and she admitted, "Those were my idea. I didn't want you to be with any of the Hosts. I thought that if you were linked to enough of them, you'd start a relationship with me to distance yourself and protect yourself from the fans." Renge dropped her head into her hands and started sobbing, "It obviously didn't work."
Everyone turned back to Kyoya. "Sempai, that still leaves you with the Ritsu pictures. Why?" She couldn't keep the incredulity out of her voice. None of this made sense.
"A relationship with a yakuza heir will damage your reputation. Will hurt your chances of getting into a top tier law school. Will hurt your chances for an internship in a reputable firm. Will hurt your chances of being hired by a powerful firm." For once, he let her see his eyes. He put sympathy, pleading, and caring in his eyes for her. Damn, he hated groveling.
"If you felt that way, why didn't you just tell me that? Resorting to those pictures was beneath you. Did you think I don't have enough common sense to at least hear you out?" Haruhi looked down at the table and gathered her thoughts. When her head came back up, there was fury in her eyes. "This is the same crap you pulled with my debt and the beach. Rather than talk to me, you manipulated me from the sidelines, you trapped me, and you punished me for your inability to face the problem like a man."
All the hosts gasped. Calling Kyoya out in such a manner was not something they were used to hearing from Haruhi. She could be blunt, but this was extreme.
"That was cruel; I was only trying to help." Kyoya had his eyes locked on hers and hoped the emotions he was trying to project were what she was seeing.
"I don't care if it was cruel – it was the truth. Sitting in your web of plans is still hiding. Friends are not meant to be played like business rivals or your father. They need respect and clarity. If you can't face your friends with concern for their well-being, then they aren't your friends." She looked at him in sympathy, "Kyoya-senpai, I had my doubts before, but this clears up everything. You were never my friend. To you, I was just a commoner to play with."
Kyoya took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh, "Haruhi, I am your friend. Would you have listened to me if I came to you with my concerns? Or were you so blinded by Kasanoda's fake friendship that you would have only blown me off, even if he does just want to get into your pants."
One minute Kyoya was speaking and the next he was flat on his back on the floor. His glasses flew across the room and his nose was bleeding furiously. It looked like it was broken.
Kasanoda stood there, looking at his knuckles. He didn't think he'd broken anything.
Honey and Kaoru were bent over Kyoya, trying to stop the bleeding. Tamaki was sitting in his chair, obviously in shock. Mori had come around the table to guard Kasanoda in case he wasn't done. Hikaru was grinning from ear to ear.
Haruhi was slumped into her chair, her arms on the table with her head resting on them. She just didn't get it. Why do people have to act this way? Why can't they be direct and clear? It isn't hard; she's been doing it all her life.
She started laughing hysterically. Everyone turned to consider her with caution. Has she lost it? Did we break her? The laughter quickly turned to tears, and soon they were streaming down her face. Getting up, she grabbed her bag and walked towards the door. "I'm done. I can't take it anymore. I'm going to class."
Then the bell rang. They had missed their class completely. Tamaki shook off his shock and suggested, "Let's all go to class. Now that we've heard all this, deciding what to do next will take some time." He glanced at Kyoya, "Go to the nurse. Honey-senpai, can you take him?"
"Yes, Tama-chan."
"Renge!" Tamaki shouted, pointing at her, "Not a word to anyone about this. If this gets out it could be the end of the Host Club, and I'm sure you don't want that!"
"I'll be quiet, Tamaki-senpai," she squeaked.
They all left the room and went their separate directions.
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Kyoya had his tie pressed against his nose to stop the bleeding. The pain was excruciating.
"Honey-senpai, I'm going to an Ootori hospital and be seen by a plastic surgeon. I'll call my driver - you don't need to escort me."
"Kyo-chan, I'm very disappointed. I knew you were behind these pictures but didn't have proof. Up until lunch today, I was wishing I was wrong." Honey gave a look of complete disgust at Kyoya. "How could you do that to Haru-chan? She's the most honest, forthright, sweet, generous, and patient person I know, and you ruined it for everyone. How dare you!"
"I gave my reasons. Kasanoda is a bad connection for her to have. I also had to break them up. He's no good for her. We all agreed on that."
"I may have agreed on that, but I didn't with your plan."
Just then Kyoya's car drove up and he walked towards the open door.
"I was the only one that was willing to do something about him. If you don't like my methods, you should have come up with your own plan." He climbed into the car and just before the door closed, called, "I'll see you at Club today."
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After those revelations, everyone had a hard time concentrating on their afternoon classes…
Haruhi: Renge and Kyoya-senpai? I don't understand it. Why? Is Ritsu really that bad of a connection for me to have? It's not like we're dating or anything – we're just friends.
I can't believe Kyoya-senpai said something like that about what Ritsu wants with me. That's not who he is…Ritsu would never! It's not like Ritsu was the one who threw me on a bed and held be down. Was Kyoya-senpai really being the 'good guy' then? Or did my assumption of his motives calm him down enough to give him second thoughts?
I don't know if I'll ever be surprised again by something Kyoya-senpai does. Between the debt, the beach, and the pictures, he's capable of anything. There is no friendship to repair – is he even capable of being a friend? Of having normal human empathy and emotions? I don't want him around me – ever. I'm not going over to Mori-senpai's on Saturday if Kyoya-senpai is there. What he did can't be ignored or forgiven.
Kasanoda: I can't believe Ootori. He called my friendship with Haruhi 'fake' and said I just wanted to get laid. I may be a yakuza heir, but I don't treat chicks that way. Haruhi is not a conquest, she's a friend…a friend that I'd like to have a relationship with. But, that doesn't mean that all I want to do is get her in the sack.
I'll admit I've thought about it. I've jerked off in the shower thinking of her. I mean come on…I'm a teenage boy. All that is normal. I'm sure a couple of them have too. But, I'd never act on it!
That's fine. I respect her. I'll wait for that first kiss, if it ever comes. And, if it doesn't, then I'll respect her decision to not move to the next stage. I just want her to be happy, and if that means someone else, then that's OK. Just not Kyoya-senpai. I'd have to kill him, and I know how to hide the body.
Kaoru: Kyoya-senpai? Really? I wondered, but I thought it was that ass from the newspaper club trying to create a story.
Now what do we do? Kick him out of the Club? Is there anyone else that can take over his position? Won't that just kill the Club? Does anyone want that to happen? Haruhi could do his job, she's got the head for it – she beat him on that Trig test after all. Maybe that's the solution…kick Kyoya-senpai out and make Haruhi the Vice-President. That ends all the manipulation from that jerk and brings Haruhi back in one move. I don't think she'll ever come back with him still here.
Hikaru: That's it! Kyoya-senpai truly is Satan! What the hell was he thinking? He's going to get my girl killed. Couldn't he see that it was just going to keep escalating? And to use Renge? She's so unstable.
I've got to get Haruhi away from the Club. She doesn't need any of them, just me. I can make her happy. I can keep her safe. I'd never manipulate her like that. She'll know I'm best for her after I protect her.
Mori: Mitsukuni was right, it was Kyoya. I didn't want to believe it, but it makes perfect sense. He says he wants to get her away from Kasanoda, but he really just wants her away from anyone outside our group. All that about him being a bad influence and just wanting to get her to bed was smoke. I don't believe Kasanoda is that dishonorable.
Kyoya wants her back and is willing to go much further than any of the rest of us. This has got to stop…it's becoming painfully absurd and harmful to Haruhi. At this point, I can't think of anything else to do but kick Kyoya out of the Host Club.
Poor Haruhi. She's so independent and strong, but we keep beating her down. She must be given the conditions in which to thrive. If that means all of us leaving her alone, then so be it. She's more important.
Honey: Kyo-chan really overstepped this time. I'm so disgusted with him. No, I'm more than disgusted – I'm…I'm…I'm – Oh, I don't know what I am. I can't find a strong enough word.
Kasanoda can really throw a punch. It was satisfying to hear the sound of Kyo-chan's nose crunch. He deserved it. I wanted to do it, but it was better he did – he was defending his honor. People think I'm too naive to know what Kyo-chan meant, but I do. Kasanoda wouldn't do that to Haru-chan. We've known him for a while, but he's never been anything but honorable.
We all want a relationship between Haru-chan and Kasanoda to not happen. I'm fine with them being friends, but I don't believe he'd be good for her in the long run. That doesn't mean I approve of such despicable and under-handed tactics. I don't think Kyo-chan can come back to the Host Club, but can it run without him?
Haruhi brought up that beach incident again. We've got to figure that out. With the Tamaki pictures and all the drama finding out who was behind them, we dropped that ball. Time to pick it up and beat Kyo-chan over the head with it.
Tamaki: Kyoya! My best friend – how could he do this? The look on my sweet Haruhi's face broke my heart. The betrayal she must have felt. The Host Club is supposed to be a safe place, a haven. Now it is damaged, its reputation shattered.
Can we repair it? Can we still provide happiness for all our princesses, including Haruhi? I don't see how we can do it without Kyoya. I may be an idiot, but even I know that he runs the Club. Without him to handle the budget and logistics, we'd have to close.
Oh, my beautiful Haruhi – how are we going to move forward from this?
Kyoya: Shit! I really did not anticipate that outcome – it blew up much faster than expected. I can't believe that delinquent broke my nose. If Haruhi was still indebted to the Club, I'd add my medical expenses and dry cleaning.
I wanted to be the hero and get the pictures to stop, but Renge just had to take initiative. She just had to get others involved. Now we have to reign in the fangirls, dismiss the pictures, and still get her away from Kasanoda.
They can't do that without me. I hold the books – I maintain the budget. None of the others could do that. If they try, the club will be bankrupt and dead within a month, less if Tamaki tries some crazy cosplays.
They need me to be there this afternoon for the auction prep and tomorrow for the auction and to explain why we are going to be closed for two weeks. I'll show up for Club and see what happens. I think I'll have Tachibana close, just in case.
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Some texts that afternoon before Club…
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Anonymous 1 (To Haruhi): You can't have Tamaki-senpai! I'll show you how important he is to me!
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Hikaru: We can't let Kyoya back into the Club!
Tamaki: We have to. Haruhi's safety is priority. He needs to supervise the auction to get the fans off her.
Hikaru: After that, he's out!
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Haruhi: Senpai, I'm still supposed to wait for you in the library to drive me home, right?
Mori: Yes. I'll be there right after classes.
Haruhi: You're skipping club?
Mori: Yes
Haruhi: Thanks
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Mori: I'm taking Haruhi home directly after classes. I will not be going to club.
Tamaki: Thank you, Mori-senpai. She'll be safer that way.
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Tamaki: We need you at club today and tomorrow to manage the auction. Haruhi's safety is important.
Kyoya: I'll be there for that.
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Anonymous 2 (To Haruh): Keep your hands off Tamaki-kun! Touch him again and you'll regret it!
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"Mori-senpai, thank you." Haruhi looked up at me with relief in her eyes. "I've gotten several threatening texts today. You all were right; I shouldn't walk home by myself."
No, you defiantly shouldn't. I'll protect you, no matter what. "It's my pleasure. None of us want you to get hurt." Again.
We walked out of the library, past the fountain, and to my waiting limo. Mitsukuni is at the Club, so I have Haruhi all to myself. I can work on our friendship without being eclipsed by the rest of the Club.
"Haruhi, is your father home tonight?"
"No, he's working a double shift. He should have already left and won't be home until early morning. Why?"
She'll be alone. "You should come over to my house for the afternoon and evening. We can do our homework and Mitsukuni can join us for dinner." She looked at me with inquisitive eyes and I held up my hand to stop the question, "Your address is easy to find. I don't know what could happen if the fangirls get it. I don't want anything to happen to you."
"OK. I don't think it's necessary, but if you think so…"
She was interrupted by her phone buzzing. She pulled up the text message and gasped. I leaned over to see her phone.
Text message forwarded to Haruhi from a small group message:
Picture of Haruhi and Mori getting into his limo.
Forwarded Text: Now Haruhi is after Mori! Is he going to collect all the Hosts?
Text to Haruhi: Leave Mori-senpai alone. He's all I have. I know someone that can help you get the message.
End Text
"Haruhi, we should call your Father and let him know you need to spend the night at my house. We'll go by your apartment to get the things you'll need."
"Your house? Is that a good idea after this picture?"
"We're already linked thanks to that. We don't want to involve another host. I'm sure your father will agree."
"I'll call him now."
"I'll send a text to Tamaki and let him know you're safe."
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Host Club that afternoon:
Kyoya walked in casually – well, as casually as he could be being marked as an enemy and with a bandage on his bruised and swollen nose. He went to his usual spot and started working on his laptop.
"Hikaru, did you see this picture of Haruhi and Mori-senpai?"
"What? No way! Let me see." He grabbed the phone out of Kaoru's hand and stared at it with angry eyes. "It's like the hydra – cut off one head and two grow back. This is getting way out of control. How the fuck do we stop it?"
Hikaru marched across the room and shoved the phone into Kyoya's face, "Did you do this? Did you?!" his voice getting louder.
"No. I thought we established that my purpose was to protect Haruhi from Kasanoda. This picture does not serve that purpose."
Tamaki raised his voice for all the Hosts to hear, "Enough! We are not dignifying the pictures with a response. Today is about the auction. With this we hope to reassure the princesses about my availability and my relationship with Haruhi. We'll figure out the pictures on Saturday." His eyes caught each Host's as they swept the room. "Mori-senpai has taken Haruhi to his house for her protection. She'll be staying the night." Groans and protests were heard from some hosts. Tamaki held up his hands to ask for quiet, "I know. I'm not happy either, but this is what Haruhi's Father wants. We all need to be on his good side.
"Now, places! Get ready for our guests!" With that he swept his hands through his hair and took his spot.
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"Honey, you must be lonely without Mori here with you."
"I have you lovely ladies to keep me company. Anyone want some cake?"
"Where is Mori-senpai? Is he sick?"
"No, haven't you seen the picture?"
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And so on…And so on…And so on…
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"Princesses, it is time to introduce our first Host Auction! One lovely lady will win the pleasure of a date with Tamaki. He will be escorting you to dinner and the symphony on Tuesday." Kyoya's voice sounded a little like a used car salesman, but it was doing the job. The girls were excitedly whispering to each other, already anticipating being the highest bidder.
"My lovelies, I want to assure you that I wish each and every one of you could be a winner. You are my angels and I'd die without getting to spend my afternoons with you." Screams and giggles erupted after Tamaki bowed to the room.
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"Maybe we have a chance with Tamaki-kun after all."
"He wants to take one of us and not Haruhi."
"Of course he does! Those pictures were totally out of context. Do you really think a Prince like Tamaki would choose a commoner boy over one of us?"
"Well, when you put it like that…"
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"What happened to Kyoya-senpai's nose? Does anyone know?"
"I heard he got in a fight with Haruhi over the Tamaki pictures."
"That's just stupid. Haruhi-kun is so sweet, he'd never resort to violence."
"Yeah, and he's way to small and effeminate to actually hit Kyoya-kun."
"Do you think Tamaki-kun hit him over Haruhi?"
"Are you crazy? Tamaki is going to date one of us – he doesn't want anything to do with Haruhi."
"Maybe he walked into a door."
"Sure…"
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After club, only Tamaki and Kyoya were left:
"Kyoya, I can't believe you are behind the pictures. It was so reckless." Tamaki is lecturing me about recklessness? What a joke.
"No one else had a plan to break them up. No one else was doing anything except talking. So, I stepped up and did something. It was working until Renge went off on her own." Why did I ever think working with her was a good idea? Delusional nut-case.
"We wanted them broken up, so she'd come back, but none of us would have agreed to this if you'd asked."
Of course not – why do you think I didn't ask, you idiot!
"Now they are following her around and taking any picture they can with any Host and using it against her – implying relationships all over. How do we end that?"
"I'll admit that was an unintended consequence. I thought the girls would just follow Haruhi and Kasanoda and text about that. If Renge hadn't texted the pics with you, they probably would be sending others at all."
"You have no proof of that! Kyoya, we both know fangirls can be a little over the top. They are impossible to predict. How do we solve this?"
"Maybe Renge was right; Haruhi needs to start dating a girl."
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Studying with Mori-senpai is a lot different from studying with the twins. We actually study! I finished my Modern Japanese History report. Mori-senpai helped me find some additional sources on the internet. I've got to get a laptop – not having one is starting to impact my grades, and I can't have that.
If it was two months ago, I'd ask Kyoya-senpai to help me shop for one. That's not going to happen now. I'm not sure I'd pour water on him if he was on fire…OK, of course I would. I can't watch anyone get hurt when I can do something about it. But, it wouldn't bother me to never speak to him again.
Mori-senpai was very skilled with his laptop. Maybe I should ask him to help me pick one. We could go tomorrow before the pool and movie day.
Dinner with Honey-senpai was fun. He told us about the auction announcement at the Club and how the girls reacted. Sounds like it's a good plan, even if Kyoya-senpai thought it up. I hope the texts stop. They are making me nervous.
Mori-senpai gave my phone to his security so they could make a copy and review the texts. They are going to assess the threat level and get back to us in the morning.
I need to go to sleep. I don't know how tomorrow could be worse than today, but with the Host Club, you never know.
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xXx
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Author's Note:
I don't know the 'lingo' for texting (Damn, that statement just dated the hell out of me), so I use complete words. Just go with it.
Kyoya finally got slapped and punched. I know some of you were desperately waiting for that. I hope it met your expectations. I'm not done punishing him yet, so there will be more.
I am NOT trying to make Kasanoda into a creep with that shower comment. I've never been a teenage boy, but I assume they fantasize about girls and sex a lot – without acting on it. I know I fantasized about boys and sex.
Looks like Mori and Haruhi are getting closer…is that where I'm going with this? Maybe, maybe not.
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Next Chapter: The Auction! More reactions to Kyoya's plan. And, Renge is back. And….something terrifying for Haruhi.
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