"Kyoya, I just had an incredible idea!"
I opened my eyes blearily. Where am I? There seems to be a crowd of commoners. I was just at home, sleeping until a moment ago. Wait... no I wasn't... Tamaki was shouting about something...that idiot. As I remember, he wanted to visit an exhibit or something like that.
"Doesn't that sound interesting, Kyoya? The underprivileged commoners hold special events like this once in a while to ease the emptiness of being unable to travel." The idiot said. The whole Host Club (excluding Haruhi) were in my room.
"By obtaining notable products from different regions, they are able to somewhat enjoy the feeling of traveling!" He then rattled on about understanding Haruhi better and that we should go. I, of course refused, and promptly fell back asleep. I did go to sleep at 5 A.M last night.
Then I was forcibly being dressed, dragged, dropped, and now here. So that's what happened. I turned around, noting I was in Izumi Shopping Center. I reached into my pocket. I'll call a car to come pick me up, seeing as how I'm not within walking distance of home. I felt around for nothing. I don't have my wallet or my phone. I quickly put a glare on my glasses, masking my eyes. Just then, my stomach rumbled. Great, just great.
I turned back around. What was I to do now? Was the idiot even still here? I felt something hit my legs. Looking down, I saw a young commoner child bump into me. He looked up, apologizing. He looked fearful for a second. I wonder why that is. I realized I had forgot to leave the glare on my glasses, letting him see my irritation, unmasked. He quickly ran away, yelling for his mother.
Ok, back to the task at hand. What could I do? Just then, I heard a familiar voice. "Kyoya-senpai? What are you doing here?" It was Haruhi. She was wearing something a bit more feminine for a change, and I must say it suited her nicely (though I could probably get her something fit for a queen). No, what am I thinking? I have to think like an Ootori. There is no room for...whatever I was thinking about before. How can I use her?...that's it!
I stopped slouching. An Ootori doesn't slouch. I put my index finger and thumb on my chin, contemplating. "Haruhi, how much money do you have on you?" She made a confused noise.
"Kyoya-senpai, are you sure you're okay with eating here?" She asked. We were currently at a fast-food area in the food court. "There's a restaurant upstairs if you want to go there...?"
Though that sounded like a better option, money was limited as of right now. "You don't have much on you, so we have little choice." I reasoned.
"Oh, make sure to get a receipt," I said. My face turned sour. "I'm going to make Tamaki pay you back tenfold later."
I could hear her cower behind me. It took a bit of effort not to grin at her fear. I would never say it out loud, but it's just like the others say— she's is quite cute sometimes. I looked back over to her. She seemed to be regretting her decision to come here.
"Haruhi, how do you place your order here?" I disliked asking for assistance, but even I am uneducated in the world of commoners. There's just no merit to it.
She quickly padded over to me. "I'll do the ordering. So, what would you like?" I felt her look up to me with her big honey-colored eyes. I kept looking at the menu. There wasn't anything I disliked to the point where I wouldn't eat it, so I answered "anything's fine, just make sure there's lots of it."
"Okay... this one, this one, and some fries." She pointed to each of what she was saying on the menu. If the others were here, they would've glomped her 6 times by now. Even I'm having a bit of trouble keeping my hands to myself. Cuteness causes aggression after all.
I felt someone staring at me with lust. I noticed it was the cashier. I felt her aura change a bit. She seemed to be more... pleasant.
"Welcome, can I recommend our new dessert as well?" I could already tell she would be a nuisance.
I simply replied coolly, "no, I don't need anything sweet." Hopefully she'll stop, for her own good. I was not having it today. But to my dismay, that may have made it worse.
"Well then, we also have a new shake here..." I cut her off with my glare. Lady or not, she will face my wrath. I was not in the best of moods right now.
"I said I didn't want anything." She and Haruhi both seemed intimidated, though the cashier was more so.
Haruhi calmly asked, "excuse me, I need a receipt please?"
After we did that, we sat down to eat. I set the tray down. "Kyoya-senpai," Haruhi started, "I know you're in a bad mood but you could have told her some other way, right?" I grabbed a hamburger, knowing where she was going with this. "She was only doing her job."
I paused, formulating a response. "Giving excessive service isn't necessarily the right way to wait on costumers." I took a bite of the hamburger. I ate happily, but soon noticed I was being watched. It was coming from Haruhi. She probably just had a question. I looked at her eyes, surely filled with curiosity. But they weren't... they had curiosity, but it was mixed with a strange glint. Almost akin to... lust.
I raised my eyebrows questioningly. That seemed to snap her out of her trance. "Sorry, I skipped breakfast this morning. Just hungry." I nodded. That was... peculiar. Was she lying? Does she have some sort of food fetish? Even if her excuse was true, what was that glint in her eye? No, certainly I'm overthinking things.
She seemed to have noticed my suspicion. "You're eating with unexpected gusto. I expected you to eat in a more refined manner." I looked at her. That got me interested. Did she really think I wouldn't appreciate food others brought me? I voiced this question out loud.
"No..." she denied, avoiding my eyes. I explained to her that there would be no benefits from acting refined in a place like this.
I then noticed a trio of girls coming this way. They seemed to be speaking about how handsome I was. They approached us, "excuse me, is this seat taken? And if not, could we borrow it?" They asked.
"Go ahead." I replied curtly. They started fangirling, saying "yay, thank you so much!"
"No, not at all." I felt Haruhi's demeanor change, like she realized something. "Does he really get this indifferent when there's nothing in it for him?" I heard her mumble. I pretended to not hear. Judging by the look on her face, I could tell she was probably going to wonder why me and Tamaki got along so well.
"If you're wondering why me and Tamaki get along so well," I started. I nearly smirked at her surprised face. She wears her thoughts on her sleeve. "The answer is simple— because it's in my interest. I won't act for any other reasons. I am an egoist after all." It wasn't a complete lie. It was half-true.
She then said Tamaki would cry if he heard that, so I explained that he knew and was fine with it. I told her in fact, everyone knew we all hung out together because it was in our best interests. I then reminded her that Tamaki was much more selfless than I; that we aren't similar at all. Hopefully that'll push her towards him more. She looked unbelieving of that last statement. I'll find a way to reinforce that later.
While we were walking around and looking at things, she suddenly asked me, "what's your family like?" I was slightly taken off guard.
"There's nothing you need to know about my family." I answered simply. I walked ahead of her. It was a bit crowded, and we nearly got separated. I held her hand– it would probably be the first and only time I'll be able to. It felt so small in mine. I quickly felt tingles shoot up my arm and then all around my body. She looked surprised for a second, but didn't protest, we looked at the displays again, the only difference was the fire I felt I was engulfed in.
"Kyoya-senpai, I know you have two older brothers. What are they like?" I stopped for a second. Should I answer this truthfully?Suddenly, I was taken into a flashback of a gathering my father held to present his three sons. I remembered overhearing a couple saying how my oldest brother would inherit everything, and how I would get nothing no matter how hard I tried.
"They are exceptional men." I finally answered. I looked at her, noticing something was was wrong. There were a few tears leaking from her eyes. "Haruhi, what's wrong?" I asked, a small bit of concern slipped into my voice.
"That's so sad..." she whispered. I looked at her, confused.
"What is?" She looked me in the eyes, also confused.
"How those people say you'd never inherit anything no matter your efforts." I was caught so off-guard my eyes widened in shock.
"What people?" I asked.
"I don't know, it's just something that came to me just now. Never mind that." She smiled nervously. Suddenly, she seemed to regain her confidence. "Actually, I might just be remembering something Tamaki-senpai said to me. He described how hard you're working even as the third son. He said you try your best even though people seem to have such little faith in you." She explained.
She seemed to confident about her answer, I beloved her. Haruhi's dad said she's a terrible liar, and coming up with that on the spot would be impossible for her. Still, for a second I thought... no, now I'm just being silly. Though I would have to scold Tamaki for telling her something like that.
After a while of holding hands, I let go. I already took too much advantage of that privilege. I noticed a woman exclaim, "oh my, pieces by Komatsu Shoin?" That caught my attention. What was something like that doing at a commoners' shopping center?
"Imagine, seeing them here?" She continued. The salesmen smiled.
"Madam, you have a sharp eye." I immediately noticed something wasn't right. I narrowed my eyes. "Senpai?" I heard Haruhi say, confused.
"Yes, Komatsu Shoin's pieces have such a nice color, don't they?" The salesmen continued. "To tell you the truth," he said, looking around suspiciously, "these are pieces I'm not supposed to have here. These are valuable items, which were not supposed to have been had outside of the Komatsu family for generations."
"Oh my..." she said, interested. I slowly walked over. I had to stop this before it went too far.
"These are fakes, madam." I told her confidently. She looked at me questioningly.
"W-what did you say?" The salesmen stuttered. "Stop messing around, you're just a kid!" Hm. Trying to bring my age into this to make my judgment invalid...typical.
Now that I was closer, I looked for something to back up my claim that it's a fake. Finally, something caught my eye.
"It's true, the way the blue comes out is very similar to Shoin's work. But an authentic piece would have a darker gradation around the base, and this lacquer is too clear." The salesmen looked fearful.
"I'm going to report you for obstructing my business! What school do you go to, you delinquent?!" He tried to threaten me. I calmly turned it over, noting I had a large crowd of people now watching.
"Ah, I knew it." I said. "One of the strokes in the seal on the bottom is off." I commented. "If this is authentic, there should be a certificate." I turned to him, "shall we do a handwriting analysis on it?" I threatened.
"I-I left it back at my shop..." he tried weakly. If anything, that made me even more smug.
"Ah, in that case my family has dealings with the Komatsu's going way back. I could have them contact them right now, and have them verify these. Would that be alright?" I finished.
As I expected him to feel cornered and give up, I was unprepared for the sudden pain on my right side of my face. "You little shit!" Everyone became quiet. I forgot to take into account that he may be violent. He kicked and punched me. As he continued to assault me, I noticed security come over. I tried to grab his arm, but it was all in vain. Irrational strength. Strength given by pure emotion and adrenaline. Even security couldn't get him off of me.
Then, something strange happened. I noticed Haruhi grab his arm. She seemed to grab his attention and somehow hold that attention, along with everyone here. She then gave him the most intense gaze I've ever seen on a person. I felt like I was drowning in her eyes. Though of average color, something was so enamoring, so...strange about the way they shone in the light of the commoners store. The man let go of me, approaching her. I felt a flash of fear, breaking out of the trance. Would he hurt her? That action seemed to break everyone out of their trance, as security quickly grabbed him and took legal measures.
Everything after that moment was a blur. I remember the security asking if I wished to press charges, but I declined. Not because I wanted to, but because Haruhi asked me not to. There was something about her eyes that I couldn't say no to.
The woman was thanking me profusely. I looked at her hand. That's my chance. As I was speaking humbly with her, I heard someone speak. "After everything you told me, senpai," Haruhi piped up, "stepping in on a complete stranger's behalf seem to be a little out of character for you.
"Oh that? Well now, she is hardly a stranger." I smirked at her confusion. "You mean you don't know? Her husband is the CEO of a major electronics company." She looked like realization struck her in the face. "This is my first time meeting her personally, but that ring on her left hand is unmistakable." I motioned to the large red gem on her ring finger, "my family has dealings with her husband's company."
Just then, said woman came up us to after speaking with what seemed to be the manager. "Ah, one of the Otori boys, imagine running into you here, incognito. The next opportunity I have, I'll be sure to take advantage of one of your family's beautiful health resorts." She smiled. I smiled back.
"We'd be honored." There, I found a way to reinforce the fact that I am completely uncharitable compared to Tamaki. I didn't even have to manipulate anything this time, AND got into the good graces of a business partner's family. It's a win-win. I left Haruhi to her thoughts on that while I looked at some box with a watermelon on it.
"Hey, Haruhi," I called, "did you know this?"
She walked over to me. "Did I know what?"
"Is melon the preferred flavor among snack makers?"
She looked at me weirdly. "Huh?"
"It doesn't make sense," I continued. "If the primary ingredient is corn, why go to the trouble artificially making it taste like fruit?
Seems counterintuitive." I noticed her peek over my shoulder to see what I was talking about.
I was a bit startled when she let out a surprisingly girlish laugh, one eye closed in amusement. "That's an intriguing notion, in its own way." Funny, that's what I said that night in the beach house.
I was confused at her laughter though. "Did I say something amusing?" I asked.
"Earlier you were going on and on about how you and Tamaki senpai are nothing alike, but what you just said about the candy, it sounds exactly like him." I was so surprised I forgot to put a glare on my glasses. My eyes widened just slightly. I then smiled, a small, rare, genuine smile. This girl truly is something.
"You think so? This does seem like something he and the twins would fawn over." I inwardly smirked. "Very well, I'll buy them. Haruhi, your wallet." I reached my arm to her.
Her face went sour. "Oh right, I'm paying, aren't I?"
After that, I somehow ended up having more discussion with Haruhi about merit and good deeds. Though it ended when the idiot called me as a lost child over the loudspeaker.
When we got to the location they called me to, everything was back to normal. The twins bothering Haruhi, Mori-senpai silently observing, Hunny-senpai being Hunny-senpai, and Tamaki being dumb.
Though it's strange. I remember something unordinary happened, but I don't know what. I remember a strange glint, and an intense gaze, but I don't remember how, or what happened. I know there were, big brown eyes associated with it, very familiar eyes. Maybe it was all a dream. I do remember, very vividly however, the fireworks that shot all over my body when I held Haruhi's hand. I don't think ever I'll forget that no matter how much time passes.
Just then, a dog that was with them tackled Tamaki. "Stop it!" He laughed. "Quit licking me! That tickles!"
"What's with the dog?" I asked.
"Isn't she beautiful?" He smiled. "I got her at this amazing place they call a pet shop. Hey, cut it out, Antoinette!" He laughed, getting tackled again by said dog.
I looked at this display, trying to see myself do it. No, not possible at all. "How exactly am I like this moron?" I asked Haruhi.
"I know you want me to believe your only reasons for helping that woman earlier were selfish ones. But that isn't actually the truth. Because from where we were standing, there's no way you could have seen her ring." How'd she...? "There was a flag blocking our view." Ah, that explains it. "It just doesn't make sense. You go to all that trouble acting like you're such a big jerk when being a nice guy comes so naturally to you." She turned around. "It seems counterintuitive."
And so, She left with a small smirk, repeating my words from earlier. I turned around, seeing her retreating figure. I then thought of the idiot Tamaki and the similarities she pointed out. I smiled a small smile.
"That's a very intriguing notion... in its own way."
A/N: I'm back! I know it's been a long hiatus but I promise I won't leave you hanging with this one! The next chapter will be up this Thursday, maybe even sooner depending on how well this does. Please review!