-Chapter 33-
Red vs. White, the Ouran Sports Festival!
"The day has arrived! What wonderful autumn weather!" Kotaro shouted into the microphone as cracker guns were set off in the air. Peering down into Ouran's first arena, he grinned excitedly as the two teams took their place in their respective stations, the members of the teams each wearing tracksuits of their colour. "Here begins, Ouran High School's First Sports Festival! Let the games begin!"
"The first game is the ladies' bread-tasting contest!" He elaborated, the large monitor gesturing the open field that was occupied by an immense number of table and chair sets. "As you can see, a classic Italian table setting is arranged in the center of the field. This is a gift to the young ladies from the chairman on the occasional sports festival. Each table has three types of croissants provided by the renowned Richet of France, Roi Grand Hotel and Fugiridou. Let the bread tasting commence! Each lady who correctly identifies the maker of the three croissants will then head for the goal five meters ahead."
"Garçon?" Raising her hand with a smug smile, Ayame called over the waiter and swiftly identified the croissant on her plate.
"Jonouchi-san from the white team has called over the waiter!" Kotaro was practically hanging off of the announcer's booth as he stared down at the on-going competition intently. "She's correct! Gracefully identifying all three! The white team has a strong lead! Only three minutes in and the white team secures the first place with ten points, who will be the second!?"
Jolting up from her seat, Miki raised her hand as she eagerly waved the waiter over. "Madame!" She shouted confidently as the waiter gave her a nod in approval before lifting a sign with a blue circle to the audience.
"Not dawdling behind, Miki-san from the white team also snags a promising second place with nine points! Who will come in third?"
"Haruhi!" Dashing across the bleachers to meet up with the brunette, Tamaki panted. "Why didn't you enter the bread-tasting contest?" He asked.
"I can't tell the makers of different types of croissants," Haruhi replied bluntly, sliding back into her seat.
Hikaru, who was sitting next to her, let out a sigh. "It's a girl's only event milord; think about it!" He reminded.
"But you've got to try!" Tamaki whined as he flailed his arms in the air. "I even snuck fancy tuna into the red team's bread for you-"
Almost immediately after he mentioned this fact, the girls of the red team's cheeks turned pale as they quickly covered their mouth. Leaning over the table, they squeezed their eyes shut as they attempted to swallow something horrible tasting.
"There's something gross in the bread..." Momoka muttered, clutching her mouth in disgust.
"Red Team forfeits!" Kotaro announced as he quickly inputted the scores of both teams onto the bright sports display on the side of the arena, allowing it to light up as a sign of victory to the white team. "White team wins!"
"Suoh..." The members of the athletic clubs grumbled as they appeared behind the blond who began to sweat profusely, either out of guilt or fear of the grimacing aura that surrounded him. "Why are you poisoning our team?" The accused.
"It's wasn't poison!" Tamaki squealed as comical tears poured out of his eyes. "Why? Salmon sandwiches are good; why not fancy tuna?!"
"What's all the commotion?" Standing on the track as the tables were quickly being cleared out from the bread-tasting event, the red team members who were about to participate in the 100-meter dash muttered. "Why is our team squabbling and talking about fancy tuna?"
"It seemed like our second in command caused the problem," His friend informed him.
As the two worried over the disturbance in their team base, they completely missed Kotaro as he told the racers to get ready. By the time they came to, the shotgun for that signalled the start of the race had been blown, and they were leagues behind the white team participants who sprinted off and left them in the dust.
"The distracted red team is off to a slow start!" Kotaro reported. "The white team wins, yet again as they earn points during the red team's internal squabble. Another marvellous victory for the white team!"
"Captain, the enemy has self-destructed," Kaoru informed his upperclassman nonchalantly as he rested his elbow on his knee.
"They're silly, huh?" Honey chimed, holding Usa-chan to his chest.
"So that's why you suggested starting with the bread-tasting contest?" The student council president hummed as he and Matsuyama sat two rows behind Kyoya, overlooking the situation.
Matsuyama giggled, holding her delicate fingers to her lips. "Kyoya always anticipated exactly what will happen, after all." She assured.
"It's still too early to celebrate," With his lips curling into a confident smirk, Kyoya crossed his arms and legs as he stared down towards the field with a sense of pride, sitting at the head of his team as if he were a king. "Though the side that breaks concentration first will lose. We'll keep scoring points at the current rate."
"Ah, Miki-chan, Aya-chan. Welcome back!" Honey greeted to two girls, smiling at Miki who took the waterbottle Reiko had kindly offered her. "Good job out there!" He tilted his head with a closed-eyed beam.
"Thank you very much, Honey-senpai." Miki chided. "Ayame-san, you were amazing out there! You completed this challenge in three minutes flat!"
"These are the basics of a lady," Ayame replied, lifting her glasses further up her nose bridge before turning to Kyoya. "Ootori-kun," She addressed him in her usual respectful tone. "What are the next events coming up? I will begin to round the participants up."
"Woman's Hurdles, Men's 200-meter sprint, Co-Ed Bean Bag Toss."
"Understood."
As Ayame turned around to look for the participants for the next few events, Miki flopped down into the empty seat next to Kyoya's. "Those croissants tasted amazing; I'm glad I skipped breakfast this morning." Letting out a satisfied sigh, she patted her stomach with a blissful smile.
"Miki," Kyoya said, watching from the corner of his eye as she cocked her head in his direction. "Good work."
The strawberry blonde blinked a few times as short silence lingered. Then, pressing her thin index finger to her lips, her hazel eyes began to twinkle mischievously. "It's wasn't that difficult of a task," she confessed. "All I needed to do was request fancy tuna for dinner one night." She grinned cheekily. "And Tamaki-kun fell for it, hook, line and sinker."
The white team had arguably, the best spy against the red team. The Ace up their sleeves.
As the beanbag toss was beginning, Haruhi followed her teammates towards the east gate where they were meant to gather when Tamaki called out to her.
"Listen Haruhi! When you're nervous, trace the kanji for 'beauty' three times on your palm." He suggested, trying his best not to fuss about the brunette who gave him a swift smile.
"Don't worry, senpai." She reassured, holding a soft victory pose as she closed her fist in determination. "I'll do my best to change the tide."
Watching as the contestants gathered onto the fields and began preparing to toss the bean bags, Kotaro reorganized his notes, quickly skimming through it before leaning into the microphone again. "A note of interest, a 'beanbag toss' is a simple and dull event enjoyed fully by commoners. A basket is hoisted four meters into the air, and the teams compete to throw in as many bean bags as possible." He explained. "Our baskets are traditional pieces by the mastered craftsman Uemon Beppu," He said. "As for our bean bags. They are hand-dyed by the Yuzen masters at Aoiyama-"
"HARUHI! DO YOU KNOW HOW VALUABLE THAT FABRIC IS?!" With one shout, a girl on the bleachers caught the entire red team contestants' attention. Miki turned around, finding a girl with tanned skin and bleached hair standing next to Ranka and Misuzu, gripping the railings in frustration as she shouted at the field. "Don't you dare throw those around! Pick them up and give them to me later! Don't get them dirty!" She demanded, completely oblivious to the timer ticking down on the display board.
Not willing to take the risk and find out what happens if she were to go against these orders, Haruhi swiftly knelt down and began to gather the bean bags, piling them up in her arms instead of throwing them as she was intended to. Those around her quickly took notice and began to offer their respective bean bags to her.
"Wow! The red team is ignoring the basket and giving the bean bags to Fujioka." Kotaro said, stifling a chuckle. "There is no point in even counting! White team wins!"
"I guess that girl is the one named Mei, right?" Miki tapped her chin, asking.
"Were you the one who invited her?" Kaoru sweatdropped, a little surprised by the flashy entrance the girl has put on.
"I wanted Ranka to see Haruhi take center stage," Kyoya said.
Over on the red team reserve stand, things were in complete disarray. Members were quickly losing motivation, and Kuze stomping into the stand blazing with fury, didn't help EITHER. "Suoh! What is the meaning of this?" He shouted, catching Tamaki's attention.
"Kuze-senpai! I'm so happy you've recovered-"
"What is there to be happy about?! The white team is in the lead! How did you manage to fall so far behind already?" Pointing an accusing finger at Tamaki, he growled as his other hand picked up the orange Tarumi handed him. "It was Ootori, wasn't it?" He questioned, casting nasty glances at the white team stand as he began to chomp down on his orange in frustration. "He must've used one of his tricks-"
Before Kuze could say anything else, however, Tamaki quickly interrupted. "You couldn't be more wrong," He stated calmly. "The red team is responsible for their own failures."
"Though it's mostly your fault, Milord..." Hikaru pointed out.
Ignoring the ginger, Tamaki stepped forward to lean in towards the football club leader. "The white team is just doing their best," He smiled. "So please, if they honour us by competing valiantly like true gentlemen to the end, I humbly request that you refrain from trying to pick fights with Kyoya in the future." The corners of his mouth lowering, his voice remained sincere as he stared into Kuze's light eyes.
"F-Fine!" Crunching his teeth, he agreed.
Despite the red team's persistence and team spirit; they proved to be no match against the white team's strategic planning and manipulation skills. From sending students' whose families are connected in the business world, to literally showering Nekozawa in a bask of light and scaring the poor man away from the starting line; the white team had won basically every single round throughout the morning half of the race, leaving the red team no room to catch up.
Kaoru propped an arm up against his knee, eyes subconsciously moving towards the crowd, surprised to find Yuzuru of all people, chatting with the other parents as the field was quickly being transformed for the final contest of the day. "Oh, it's the chairman." He hummed, perking up slightly. "I thought it was only Haruhi's family, but a lot of the parents are here. My parents are both working, so they couldn't make it. What about your family, Kyoya-senpai?" He asked.
"They would never come," Closing his eyes, Kyoya said. "If my parents were attending, I would have used a different strategy. Making it much more apparent that the white team's success was due to my involvement, then let Tamaki take the spotlight in the end."
As Kaoru hummed, his eyes flickered down. So at public events, Kyoya-senpai has to help glorify the Suoh family. He thought to himself. I suppose that benefits Kyoya-senpai in some way, but it means he can never upstage milord at crucial moments. I wonder if, he got close to Miki-senpai just for the sake of her name? As his thoughts continued to drift, he suddenly remembered a conversation he had with Hikaru a few nights before. Where the elder of the two suddenly became extremely interested in the sports festival, yet wouldn't say a word about why. It's unfair for me to be upset when I'm keeping a secret from Hikaru, myself... He thought back to that day when he and Miki ran into Hikaru and Haruhi in the halls. A small sigh slipped past his lips.
Almost as soon as he heaved that breath, a mixture of fangirling and laughter erupted in the field, immediately pulling him out of his thoughts. He rushed to the balcony. "What is it?" He asked Honey who was watching with a joyful expression.
"Tama-chan and Miki-chan are competing in candy art," He told him.
"The Last Event of the morning is Candy Art," Kotaro explained through the microphone. "Each contestant shapes candy according to the given theme of 'Animals' within the time limit. On the Red team, we have Suoh. Take a look at his elegant gestures and serious expression, a form worthy of traditional art!" He exclaimed as the girls below shrieked. "On the White team, we have Miki-san. Check out those fluid movements and bright smile; she looks more like she is dancing than creating candy art."
Once the timer was up, both Tamaki and Miki faced each other as their complete products were hidden under a blanket as the staff rolled booth to the judges.
"Good luck, Miki." Tamaki smiled eagerly. "No hard feelings if either of us wins, alright?"
"Of course," Miki nodded curtly.
"Let's view the results," Kotaro leaned in as the camera zoomed in on him unveiling his finished product only to find a mutated cany bear, barely clinging onto the stick. A dark aura was emitting from It as if it were possessed by some sort of candy demon. He paused for a moment. "...How unfortunate. All the judges have failed Suoh; the red team loses points." He stated with an unimpressed face before turning to the other covered candy art. "Now, let's take a look at Miki-san's work." The camera zoomed in on an alligator, mid-roar and covered in carefully made scales. "That is amazing!" He gasped as the judges began to lift their cards. "Full points to the white team! The score now is 63 for the red team, and 183 for the white team. The white team leads by an amazing 120 points!"
The white team erupted in cheering for Miki's success; they also thanked Tamaki for his incompetence. Tamaki began to shed comically tears as he was at a loss for words. Miki, on the other hand, waved cheerfully at her teammates before turning to Tamaki. Extending a hand that was held in a gun shape, she grinned mischievious, firing the gun with a verbal 'bang' and a wink, causing Tamaki tears to double.
"You can't do anything about it now; don't take it so hard Suoh." As he returned to the red booth munching on his candy bear with tears, one of the team members told him with a sigh. "We forgive you for that fancy tuna incident, and you did well, considering candy art was a bizarre event anyways."
"But-"
"Besides, look," Cutting Tamaki off mid-protest, the member gestured the rest of the red team all sitting on the ground in a dark aura, drained from their enthusiasm and already in defeat mode. "Nobody expected that much anyway." He said, slipping into depression himself.
"N-No!" Tamaki quickly jumped to his feet in an effort to rally his team. "We can make a comeback in the second half! Mori-senpai will be entering and I-"
"With this point difference there's no way, our enthusiasm is gone." Someone said.
"We've already lost, right? Just go through the motions and finish this thing."
Tamaki held still.
"We now move on to the cheering competition, is the red team ready?" Kotaro asked through the PR system.
"Tamaki! Hikaru!" Renge, who was the production manager of their cheering competition rushed in. "The other members are standing by, hurry!" She urged.
"Yeah, yeah." Hikaru hummed.
"Um..." Haruhi watched as the blond was being dragged away in a daze, she stammered calling out to him. "Tamaki-senpai!"
"Yes? What is it?"
"Well..." She breathed before balling her hands in a determined manner. "If you're nervous, trace the kanji for beauty three times-"
Hearing that, Tamaki stifled a chuckle. "Don't worry, Haruhi." He winked. "I haven't given up at all." He reassured her before running off after Renge.
On the white team bleachers, Miki had just returned from her recent performance as she received a mountain of words of congratulatory from her teammates. She approached Reiko and Honey, the latter welcoming her back with a warm hug and smile.
"That was great Miki-chan!" He giggled. "You were amazing."
"Thank, Honey-senpai." Miki beamed. "Though I think Reiko-san's good luck charm also played a huge role in my success." She chuckled, pulling out a silver necklace from under her jersey.
"Rei-chan gave that to you?" Honey tilted his head.
"Mhm," Miki sounded turning to the blank-faced girl who stood silently beside Honey. "Thank you so much, Reiko-san-" She paused sentence, eyes widening. "That's right; that's right!" She chimed, looping her arm around hers, catching her by surprise. "Why don't I call you Reiko-chan from now on?" She suggested.
"Huh?" Reiko's eyes widened.
"Well, we are friends, aren't we?" Miki beamed, curling her arm closer.
"D-Do as you please," Reiko muttered, averting her eyes away.
"Yay!" Jumping away, Miki did a quick fist pumped in the air before spinning her heel. "I'm going to go look for Kyoya-kun and Kaoru, good luck on your events, Honey-senpai!" She chirped.
Watching the girl run as her strawberry blonde hair bounced with each step, Honey peered up at Reiko. "You and Miki-chan really get along, huh?" He asked with an endearing smile.
Reiko glanced over at her crush, a little flustered to be seen in such a state. Her hands found each other before her as she bit her bottom lip, reminded of the warmth her first real friend had brought her. "She is... very kind." She replied.
"I'm back!" Miki cheered as she rushed back the central quarters of the white team's bleachers.
"Welcome back, Miki-san." Matsuyama greeted the girl calmly. "Splendid job out there, isn't that right Kyoya?"
Being thrown under the bus by his childhood friend, Kyoya stiffened, casting her knowing smile a side glance. He turned back, only to spot Miki staring up at him with expecting eyes as if she were a puppy waiting for its master to praise them. Heaving a sigh, he gently ruffled her hair minding the braided crown as usual. "You did well." He complimented, watching her expression immediately brighten as she gave him a victorious grin.
As Kyoya went off to discuss the details of the cheering competition with the student council president, Miki noticed Kaoru, who seemed to be lost in thought. He sat in his seat with a dazed expression, his elbows propped up on his knees. Miki's eyes widened, immediately realizing what he was thinking about. She rushed over, delivering a swift knock on his forehead that pulled him out of his mind and in back to reality.
"Ow!" His hand instinctively darted to his forehead, protecting the spot that had been attacked. "What was that for?" He raised an eyebrow finally noticing Miki's presence.
"Don't think about that right now!" She frowned, placing a hand on her hip. "This is a de-stressing time, remember?"
"But we've practically won already," Kaoru said nonchalantly, pointing at the red team bleachers across the field. "They've already lost their will to fight."
"Hmm..." Miki blinked a few times before curling her lips up into a mysterious smile. "You never know," She winked pressing her index finger to her lips, confusing Kaoru.
"The red team is preparing for their cheer. They moved the stage from the center of the field to the red team bleachers at the last minute." The PR system announced.
"Will it be Macbeth? Or Romeo and Juliet?" Matsuyama mused.
"Either way, Shakespeare won't work," Standing up and letting out a stretch, Kaoru pointed out. "It's a sports festival."
"The red team has already lost its will to fight," Ayame held her hand under her chin, addressing Kyoya.
"Whether it's a comedy or a tragedy, it's bound to seem out of place," Honey stated.
"Yes, this has been unexpectedly easy," Kyoya agreed, heaving a sigh.
"O for a muse of fire..." A gentle voice began, echoing through the field and catching everyone's attention as they quickly simmered down.
"Oh! It's starting!" Miki whispered joyfully, rushing to the balcony with Kaoru following behind spotting Hikaru on stage, wearing something akin to a bard costume.
"...that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention. A kingdom for a stage, princes to act, and monarchs to behold the swelling scene! Or may we cram within this wooden o the very casques that did affright the air at Agincourt?" Hikaru stood on the stage, shrouded in a mysterious atmosphere, giving a gentlemanly bow as he recited his lines.
"It's Henry V!" Kaoru muttered in realization.
"Huh, a historical play." Matsuyama covered her mouth in surprise.
"Wasn't Agincourt the final battlefield of the Hundred Year War during the 15th century?" Honey asked, holding Usa-chan close.
"Yes," Matsuyama nodded elegantly, realizing what the red team was up to. "This is the most famous scene, where King Henry addresses the English army, who lost their morale when faced with overwhelming numbers." She explained.
"Oh, the cheering contest..." One of the athletic club members of the red team sighed. "Well, whatever you do is fine. We're just going to lose anyway, so let's get this over with and go-"
"What's he that wishes so?" Piercing through the air with a commanding voice, Tamaki stepped onto the stage dressed as a knight.
"Suoh... that's quite the costume."
Ignoring him, Tamaki continued to speak, striding towards the red team confidently. His metal armour rattling with each step he took. "Was that your voice? Rather proclaim it, that he which hath no stomach to this fight, Let him depart. His passport shall be made, and crowns for convoy put into his purse." He raised his face, revealing his sapphire-like eyes under his pale blond hair, staring down the members of the athletic club. "We would not die in that man's company that fears his fellowship to die with us." He announced, saying such words with the dignity of a true king.
It's silly, but he's good. Kyoya furrowed his brows. Throughout history, this play was staged before battles to raise the people's morale.
"But listen!" Tamaki's voice rose to a shout. "He that outlives this day and comes safe home, will stand o' tiptoe when the day is named. Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot, but he'll remember with advantages, what feats he did that day; then shall our names. And gentlemen in England now abed shall think themselves accursed they were not here. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother!"
Immediately, chatter and whispers broke out in the red team as they turned to each other in wonder and once again filled with fire for the afternoon events.
"What do you think?"
"W-Well, maybe we could give it a try."
"Can we make a comeback?"
"Maybe if we win the rest of the events..."
"Now, soldiers, march away. And how thou pleasest, God, dispose the day!"
With Tamaki's voice transforming into a rallying cry, hands and fists were raised in the air as they cheered, each of them rekindled in hopes and spirits ready to take on the white team once again.
"May the white team win!" Standing on the field, the student council president cried. The only member on the team without a mask on their face as they made their performance.
"That's quite a fanciful cheering squad." One of the athletic club members of the white team commented. "The poor student council president..."
"Well, at least the masks are hiding their feeble personalities." His friend sweatdropped.
"Ootori-san, our opponents have unexpectedly regained their spirits," Ayame said, glancing at the cheering red team.
"Ootori!" One of the white team members leapt to their feet. "I thought you said they would use up their energy at the cheering contest and self-destruct."
"Not to worry," Kyoya said, as calm as ever. "They self-destructed early on, so we now have a bigger lead than expected. Besides, we have our white team elite - Honey-senpai participating in the obstacle course." He smirked, peering down at the field as the lolita approached the starting line.
"Wow, what a coincidence." Honey chimed as he spotted Mori, towering above the rest of the contestants. "You're doing the obstacle course too? Won't you get stuck in the tire tunnel?" He asked.
"Mitsukuni." Mori acknowledged his cousin with a small frown. "How could you go along with Kyoya's strategy? The unfair psychological tactics go against the Haninozuka way." He stated.
"Yeah, that's true," Honey admitted. "Kyo-chan's treachery illustrates how serious he must be." Tapping his cheek, he tilted his head to the side. "Perhaps in his anger, he forgot that he started out saying there was no benefit for him to participate in the sports festival." He chuckled.
"Next up is the obstacle race!" Standing next to the cameraman, Kotaro informed. "The much-anticipated battle between cousins Haninozuka and Morinozuka is now starting! On your mark, get set..."
With the sound of a starting pistol, the contestants rushed forth approaching the first obstacle surrounded by the waves of cheering from the bleachers. "The red team's Morinozuka takes the lead! Haninozuka is in second place, but here comes the first obstacle, three level 20 vaults!"
Planting his hands into the leather vaults, Mori swiftly jumped over all three gracefully.
"As we expected, Morinozuka clears all three vaults without any difficulty. Haninozuka with his petite fram has fallen behind!"
Honey braced himself, and with a swift cry for a move he called 'Usa-chan Jump,' he sprung into the air and consecutively leapt over all three vaults.
"He flew!" Kotaro shouted. "Impossible! He's a human jack-in-the-box! Maybe the rumours he was a rabbit in his previous life are true?"
"Haninozuka easily passes Morinozuka, who is stuck in the tire tunnel, and heads for the next obstacle, 'Whole Cake eating'!"
"Eh?! That's not an obstacle for Honey-senpai!" Hikaru and Haruhi protested.
"Yay!" Swiftly sitting down, Honey stabbed the fork into his cake about to take a bite when Mori suddenly appeared next to him and swiftly shoved the entire cake into his mouth and began to chew, leaving Honey dumbfounded.
"Cake is mean to be enjoyed," He pouted, sticking a piece into his mouth. "Or it's rude to the patissier."
"I did; it was great," Mori replied simply, dropping the platter onto the table and once again took off.
"I meant..." Finishing the last of his portion, a dark aura began to surround Honey as he stood up from his chair and began to chase after the giant. "Cake should be enjoyed more slowly!"
"It looks like Haninozuka didn't like how Morinozuka ate his cake! Yikes! I never want to eat a cake in front of him!" Kotaro sweatdropped at the absurdity he was announcing. "An angry Haninozuka once again takes the lead at the net tunnel! The pole vault is the last obstacle!"
Holding the pole, Honey raced towards the high vault and dug one end into the ground, sending his body up into the air. However, in his anger and eagerness to win the race, he lost his form and balance. Instead of flying over towards the sports mat, he instead slipped and began to fall towards the field.
"Honey-senpai! Watch out!" Tamaki and Hikaru, as well as Miki and Kaoru, shouted in worry, only to see Mori zip by and completing the jump, all the while grabbing the plummetting Honey in the process. Landing skillfully on the mat, the crowd erupted.
"Wow! Morinozuka catches Haninozuka, who lost his balance in the air! What beautiful cousinly love! What are the results?" He turned to look at the referee who raised the red flag in hand. "The red team wins! The point goes to Morinozuka for landing on the mat first! A rare first place for the red team!"
"No way!" Kaoru gasped. "Honey-senpai lost?"
"Calm down, Kaoru." Kyoya breathed a sigh. "One loss won't-"
"The red team wins first place in its second race!" Kotaro's announcement cut him off as Kyoya snapped up to see what was happening. "The white team was favoured in this event, but one man has led the tidal-wave comeback - the red team leader, Kuze Takeshi! A revived Kuze and his American football club players are earning points hand over fist for the red team!"
"Well done! Great work, Mori-senpai! Kuze-senpai!" Tamaki rushed to welcome the two back with a wide smile.
"You're an American football player, after all. Orange power to the rescue!" Hikaru pointed out sarcastically.
"This is no time for celebrating! I entered because you guys lost so many points in the first half!" Kuze shouted, raising a finger, he pointed at Tamaki. "I'll enter all the events in this half! We can't let Ootori do as he wishes!" With that declaration, he received an orange from Tohgouin as he began to stomp towards the next event.
Staying behind, Tarumi turned to whisper to Tamaki. "The truth is that he was moved by your words in the cheering contest," He informed causing Tamaki's eyes to widen as a smile surfaced on his lips.
Kyoya, on the other hand, was getting tenser. With Kuze's re-entry into the festival, the red team has already won first place in two events and their team spirit has been invigorated even further.
"And it's the red team once again! With the brilliant teamwork between Suoh and Hitachiin, the red team wins the three-legged race!"
"The red team takes tug-of-war! They've also won the tightrope and the balanced ball race!"
"The red team earns even more points in the men's 1000-meter race! They have made an amazing comeback! The white team leads now by only 12 points, with 258 - 246. And there is only one event remaining! Thirty points will be awarded to the winner of the relay race. All eyes are on the anchor, the position that both team leaders will take." Kotaro grinned as he raised a finger to the sky, holding the microphone. "The team that wins this relay will win the sports festival!" He announced.
"S-Suoh..." Having participated in so many events, Kuze was at his limit as he panted heavily, barely standing with the help of Tohgouin and Tarumi. Hikaru, Haruhi and Mori along with those two hurried offered him an orange, hoping that doing so would help him regain his strength.
"Kuze-senpai! Are you alright? There's just the relay left..."
Letting go of Tohgouin and Tarumi, Kuze rushed forth and bumped his forehead against Tamaki's. "I entrust the relay to you." He said sternly, still panting heavily from how tired he was. "I'll be watching your version of a valiant competition among gentlemen from here!"
"Good luck out there, Kyoya-kun," Miki sounded as she handed the white team's relay stash out with both hands and a bright smile.
No response.
"Kyoya-kun?" Leaning her body to the side, Miki popped into his peripheral vision, pulling him out of his mind and back into reality. He blinked a few times as his brows furrowed. He was agitated, but taking his anger out on her would probably both complicate things as well as provoke her to ask even more unnecessary questions.
Heaving a sigh, Kyoya took the stash without casting her a second glance. "Thank you," He muttered, turning towards the stairs that led down to the field.
"Do you best," Paying his distant attitude no mind, Miki waved.
"It must be difficult, being by Kyoya's side like that." Sitting on her spot in the bleachers, Matsuyama chuckled into her fingers elegantly, catching Miki's attention. "He's been so focused and driven ever since we were children. I hope you can forgive him for that." Tilting her head to the side, she smiled.
Glancing up, Miki blinked. "I like the way Kyoya-kun is," She stated with a matter-of-fact look. "I like how he can do anything he sets his mind to." Spinning around to face Matsuyama completely, Miki beamed. "I like how he is filled with 'possibility.'"
Matsuyama's eyes widened for a moment before softening. "I see." She chuckled, realizing what exactly about this girl drew in that childhood friend of hers. "Though if you'd like him to pay more attention to you, I'm sure just a word from you will do." She pointed out with an endearing smile.
Tilting her head in confusion, Miki remained silent for a moment. "What are you talking about Matsuyama-senpai?" She finally asked, completely at a loss for what the girl was saying.
"Oh, are you saying you aren't-" Pausing mid-sentence, the girl with braided twin tails gasped in realization. "I see," She giggled into her hands. "Kyoya must have his hands full with you as well. Take care of him, alright?" She stated, leaving Miki in an even more perplexed state.
Leaning against the railings of the bleachers, Kaoru glanced to the side, listening to his teammates discuss the events of Kuze switching off for Tamaki. He then peered down, spotting Kyoya with his back against the walls.
"Hey, Kyoya-senpai. Why don't you just withdraw from the race?" He suggested.
"Huh?"
"Fortunately, the chairman is watching." Kaoru reminded pointing at the general audience bleachers where the parents were. "If you act like you planned on giving the glory to milord in the first place, won't it work in your benefit?"
"That won't fool the chairman," Kyoya furrowed his brows as he snapped his head towards the field, beginning to take long but brief strides towards the starting point. "Besides, this wasn't about benefit," He grumbled through his teeth. "This was pride all along!" He announced in anger.
"Kao-chan?" Honey tilted his head.
"I understand now," Stifling a chuckle, Karou finally realized what Hikaru had kept for a secret. "Milord wanted Kyoya-senpai to genuinely compete without thinking about how it would benefit him. That's why he set up this sports festival."
"Kyoya!" Rushing over to take his place beside his best friend, Tamaki waved. "Good luck on our race! You must be disappointed it's not against Kuze-senpai, but-"
"You're the only one who'll be disappointed," Kyoya swiftly retorted. "I never wanted to compete in the first place. You always get by, but don't forget; there are those who find your pushy, nosy tactics bothersome." He spat harshly, a demon-like spirit surrounding him.
"Bothersome?" Tamaki's smile didn't even waver at the face of his bone-rattling vibe. "Oh, are you referring to how the white team unknowingly got pulled into your devious blackhearted schemes?" He chuckled as he raised his arms above his head and began to stretch side-to-side. "Oh! If I win, I get free year-round use of Kyoya's Kotatsu Passport! Don't forget a plus one for Miki too!" He grinned.
"And if I win, next week you'll wear only a fundoshi to greet customers, but you'll keep your European manners." He bargained, a vein popping on his forehead from the blond's foolishness.
"If I win, I get the window seat on the field trip in two weeks." Tamaki hummed, rolling his shoulders in preparation.
"If I win, you have to sit in Economy Class alone, and you have to squat," Kyoya answered.
A small silence ensued before Tamaki snapped around, comical tears bursting from his eyes. "How come my punishments are much harsher?!" He complained. They all reek of loneliness and you keep adding bonuses!"
"It's only fair considering all the trouble you've caused me!" Kyoya shouted.
"Kyoya-senpai is fighting like a little kid," Hikaru and Kaoru chimed with a sweatdrop. Up in the bleachers, the members of the host club had come together as the two second-years were down there arguing.
"I never thought Kyoya-senpai could act like that," Haruhi commented. She glanced to the side, sensing an exceptionally jolly Miki, listening to their argument with a beaming smile.
"You were having fun too!" Tamaki pointed out. "You snob! You're never honest!"
"Shut up!" Losing every sense of calmness he had in him, Kyoya snapped with all the built-in frustration he had piled up over the years. "Do you realize how much I have to work behind the scenes to rectify your selfish behaviour? Grow up, you idiot! Who gave you the idea of Henry V anyways? Someone with your level of foolishness would never be able to concoct a well-thought-out plan like that!"
"What is that supposed to mean?" Tears stopping, Tamaki was also riled up from their heated argument. "Renge-kun was the director, and I found the play! It was tabbed in a book of 'Shakespeare's Greatest Works' I found on my desk a few days ago" He announced proudly.
Found a few days ago...? Kyoya's eyes narrowed. His first instinct was to glare up at the bleachers, but Kotaro's voice through the PR as well as the sound of a starting pistol prevented him from doing so.
"And now for the final event! The first runners are off! The red team takes an early lead, will their counterattack carry them through the race?"
Haruhi's eyes flickered up for a moment as she hummed. "Tamaki-senpai said that at any public event, Kyoya-senpai feels obligated to make the Suoh family look good. It was to his benefit to let Tamaki-senpai win the crown last week." She told the host club members who were on the white team, thinking back to the conversation they had after their conference.
I thought... It'd be good to have an event where Kyoya doesn't have to worry about his family position. Don't you want to see Kyoya competing passionately for just himself?
"Oh no! The fourth red team runner dropped the baton during handoff! The white team is catching up... and now the anchors have grabbed the batons!"
Kyoya was the first friend I made when I transferred to Ouran High School. He was so nice. He took me everywhere and even got out a kotatsu for me. He was like a Buddha.
Then I realized that it was only because I was a Suoh.
Miki's hazel eyes darted over for a second, widening slightly.
But I still remained friends with him, because he's so much fun.
He's stoic on the surface, but underneath he's ambitious and calculating. Isn't that only possible because he hides such great passion inside?
I thought it would be great to be friends with such a passionate guy.
I wanted to talk more.
I wanted to become friends with him - the kind of friends who competes against each other without pretenses.
As Tamaki's voice from that day resounded through the air, both he and Kyoya bolted across the finish line at seemingly the same time. The two boys immediately bent forward, with their hands on their knees, they attempted to catch their breath after a fierce race for first. Kyoya took off his glasses, finally regaining his composure and somehow feeling ten pounds lighter.
"It's... Ootori! Ootori Kyoya is the winner!" Kotaro shouted as the giant monitor played shot-by-shot photos of those last few seconds of the race, clearly depicting Kyoya crossing the line mere centimetres before Tamaki. "The white team wins!"
With his announcement, the crowd erupted in applause and screams. Both red and white team alike cheered for the brilliantly played close match between the two.
"Wahhh! I lost," Even though Tamaki was making crying noises, the smile and laughter that escaped his lips were hard to hide. "It hurts, but it was a lot of fun!" He chuckled, peering up and watching as he put on his glasses once again. "Wasn't it fun, Kyoya?" He urged. "Isn't it nice having a youthful battle once in a while without regarding how it could benefit you?"
Kyoya didn't respond. Instead, he stared at the blond's smiling face in astonishment. Then, another sound of cheering, one much more prominent caught both of their attention as the members of the host club dashed onto the field, congratulating both of them.
Tamaki was quick to react when he raised his arms in the air. "Rejoice, men! The red team has garnered second place!" He rallied, leaving Kyoya to his own thoughts for a moment.
Even though I won, I feel more like a loser... Probably because of how I won. His eyes turned half-lidded as they flickered down to the ground, deep in thought. This didn't last long; however, as a sudden pair of arms appeared and wrapped around his neck from the back along with a sudden increase in weight and a playful call for his name. He quickly rebalanced himself, in fear of hurting who the predicted person was.
"Kyoya-kun!" Miki giggled, jumping onto his back. "Congratulations on winning!" She chirped, her unwrapped leg dangling from below due to their height difference.
"Miki..." Kyoya muttered, watching her rest her chin on his shoulder with a radiant smile. "Why did you assist the red team?" He asked, surprised by how calm he sounded compared to the initial agitation that was present prior to the race.
"Hmm? What are you talking about?" Miki averted her eyes to the side, rolling her head on his shoulder. "I just asked Suzuno to leave my copy of 'Shakespeare's Greatest Works' on Tamaki-kun's desk," She stated in an overly relaxed manner. "My literature tutor used to talk about how great Shakespeare plays are, so I've always wanted to see one for myself."
So, she was a red team spy. Kyoya narrowed his eyes as his brows drew close.
"Besides," She continued. "I told you, didn't I? The Sports Festival is meant to help you de-stress, you wouldn't be able to do so if the red team had simply lost." Shifting her eyes back to him, she gave him a mischievous grin. "So, Kyoya-kun? Do you feel less stressed?" She giggled her usual bell-like giggle, still clinging onto his back.
Kyoya's eyes widened as the realization finally struck him.
She wasn't a white team lieutenant, neither was she a spy for the red or white team.
She wasn't the Ace.
She was the Joker.
The Wild Card of the game.
Darting his focus between the strawberry blonde next to him and the blond, who was eagerly conversing with the teary-eyed red team members who were moved by that intense race, Kyoya huffed out a defeated smile.
There really was no winning against these troublesome siblings.
Reaching up, he brought Miki's head closer, giving a quick nuzzle as the side of their heads, cushioned by their hair, touched. "Yes, Miki." He replied. "Yes, I do."
I've always thought of school as a simulation ground to practice the manipulation of people. But even if I find just a handful of people, I consider ones I can bring into my life...
...That's more than enough for me.
A/N: Did you guys think that the Valentine's/White Day Short Story collection was your weekly dose of 'Rapunzel' chapter? Nuh-uh! No way! I wouldn't do that to you guys. Of course, I would give you guys a proper plot relevant chapter!
I have some good news too! The frequencies of chapter updates may be increasing back to once every 3-5 days again! It honestly depends on how many chapters I have backed-up, but with the recent empty in my schedule, I have more time to write chapters. So be on the lookout for those! I want to finish writing this story by early April, just to provide a challenge for myself and to squeeze the production of this story into a neat 6-month time frame. With that being said, the future chapters will be tackling some heavier topics. Nothing triggering, per se, but there will be a lot less laughter and more heart-to-heart moments between the characters. Though I would like to mention that I will be glossing many events between Tamaki and Haruhi. If you'd like to see those, I would honestly recommend you to go read the manga. This book, in the end, is about Miki. Her perspective and adventures into the outside world as well as her love story with Kyoya. Because Miki is Tamaki's (half) sister, she will be participating in the events of the manga as well as play a part in his love story with Haruhi, but they will be a lot less detailed than the previous scenarios when everyone in the host club was together. Don't worry, I will still elaborate a little on the events that transpired for the story to make sense, but that is just a heads-up for you all.
With that, hope you all have a wonderful day!
XOXO,
Astra