The Recovery


It's been a month and a half since Kyoya woke up. His family visited frequently in small groups to avoid suspicion. It was the same protocol that the rest of the Host Club followed. Soga visited every week for the usual updates, but lately they've just been exchanging emails. Not his employees, classmates, and other regulars back at the host club knew about him. It was kept as a secret from all board members of the Ootori Group, Mizushima Corporation, and his own company.

Kyoya's recovery was going smoothly now. He underwent his last operation two weeks ago. That damn chest tube was finally gone. He was finally allowed to eat like a regular person but was placed on a strict diet. He looked at the unappetizing bowl laid out in front of him. It was plain oatmeal with some fruit. There was barely any taste as he tried to finish it, but all his food had supplements mixed in.

Personally, Kyoya felt much stronger when the dietician adjusted his diet. It also hastened the healing process. The latest x-ray of his arm showed that his arm should be better in 2 months' time while his leg was going to take another 6-8 months. His ribs were also fully healed. It should have taken an average of 4 months for his arm and almost a year for his leg, but finally things were working to his advantage.

Kyoya mixed the oatmeal and he heard his phone ring. Tamaki sent him a message just now. Begging him to watch a show called Death Note. Kyoya almost cringed with the unreasonable amount of emojis used. It was about a man named Light. It looked like it had a good plot, but the longer Kyoya watched it the sicker he left. Kyoya thought he was imagining things. He turned the volume up to confirm his suspicions. There should be a way to cleanse himself after that.

Why did the protagonist sound exactly like Tamaki? Kyoya rubbed his temples and shook his head. He must be imagining things now. That was a reasonable explanation. There's no way that kind of character would have Tamaki's voice.

Tamaki sent another message stating that this was his emulation of the Shadow King. It was to celebrate Kyoya's rebirth. Tamaki decided to lend his god given talents such as perfect pronunciation and his vocal cords to the anime creators.

Kyoya learned the art of self-control and he switched the television off. There were certain things that were better off not being materialized.

"Ootori-sama, are you ready for your physical therapy?" one of the hospital personnel entered the room.

Kyoya was instructed to sit up by himself and to hold onto the contraption they brought with them. It was supposed to keep his back, shoulders, and core in good shape. Akito even insisted on starting this therapy called EMS where it would send electrical shocks to Kyoya's muscles preventing any further shrinkage since he was still bedridden.

Another doctor entered the room and monitored Kyoya's progress. "You're doing well today, Ootori-sama."

Kyoya nodded briefly and took a deep breath. "Thank you." Kyoya lifted himself up to a sitting position and held his arm on the bar as instructed.

"Sensei, is it possible that I can walk soon?"

The doctor nodded. "Yes, we'll continue monitoring your progress, but the physical therapy will really strengthen you faster."

"Is it possible that I double the sessions daily?" Kyoya asked. He wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. He was willing to do anything to get back on his feet.

"I'll have to discuss this with the rest of the team, but for now I don't see any contraindications." The man explained. "I'll try to see what I can do, but we would observe your progress before any drastic changes."

"I understand." Kyoya felt the sweat trickling down his back. No one mentions how re-learning simple movements was difficult.

"Also, I understand you're a chronic smoker." The man decided it was a good idea to bring this up now. "Given the state of your lungs, I'm sure you're aware that you have to quit. We've placed the nicotine patch and we're going to start lowering it down."

Kyoya nodded. "Is there anything I need to monitor?"

"You'll be feeling a bit hungrier than usual once we start lowering the nicotine patch. Maybe also finding some difficulty in concentration." The doctor explained.

"Thank you." Kyoya dismissed the man and took a sip of water.

Kyoya took his laptop from the bedside table and looked at the stock market. He did his fair share of distant manipulations of the playing field he was going to be in. All he needed was to create an environment that seemed like he was at a disadvantage and in a snap, things would also return to his favor. Also, he started looking for a new property to buy since he sold his home. He could feel that it wasn't long before he was going to be discharged.


The Tandem


Tachibana, Ajima, and Hotta were already working at the restaurant. They still had no news about Kyoya's health. Things were already looking bad. They even had a small altar where they pay their respects. Most employees were doing the same. No news meant that it's been final. They must have placed their young master Kyoya somewhere peaceful for his final rest

That day was still clear in Ajima's mind. It was the perfect day there was a soft breeze and it wasn't too hot. He was listening to his favorite artist, Jennifer Lopez, while he was sweeping, Hotta was feeding Noel, and Tachibana was washing the lace aprons Misuzucchi gave them as a gift for opening their new business. The bell that signaled them that a customer was there rang. They were about to say that they were still closed, but they almost forgot how intimidating Yoshio Ootori was. When their previous employer visits and asks for a favor they had no choice but to close it down for a few days. It wasn't every day that Yoshio Ootori asks for a favor. He said that they were the best ones qualified for the job. That they were the only ones who can do it. They had the responsibility of guarding two VIPs.

Ajima concentrated on the road. Tachibana and Hotta hid their discomfort. This was the critical job Yoshio Ootori asked them to do. It was true that they had the most experience, but no one was sure how things would turn out.

With Megumi's pregnancy, the press, and everything that's been going on, this was the first time she was back at work. Being the Miyura heiress had its responsibilities. It meant working with the sister company, the Mizushim Corporation.

The traffic wasn't alleviating the situation now. Julia sat on one end of the car and Megumi on the other. They realized that they needed to work closely with each other. Initially, things were very awkward between them. Their friendship started albeit weird. They were stuck in traffic on a way to a meeting with the Ootori Group. At first, they were civil with each other, but they weren't friends. The relationship that developed between them started with a conversation about relationships. Megumi was genuinely surprised that Julia didn't have any relationships prior to Kyoya. Julia was surprised that she had so much experience.

Tachibana, Ajima, and Hotta stiffened. This was it. This was the conversation that they needed. It was closure on their end.

"But I'll be honest with you. I'm saying this objectively…Kyoya's really a 9/10 in that area of expertise." Megumi crossed her legs.

The three men stiffened with how direct the Megumi was.

"Why not a 10/10?" Julia asked. She was curious why someone with so much experience wouldn't give Kyoya a perfect score. The poor man's pride would be hurt if he got anything less than perfection.

Ah, this was too much for them. They were only humans. Not robots. The three men tried to distract themselves by thinking nice peaceful thoughts.

Megumi looked around their surroundings. It was perfectly safe since they were in the limo, but she still had chills just thinking about it. "Don't you get scared of him? He's so dominant it's frightening."

Julia understood perfectly. Kyoya was very intense in everything he did. The three men also agreed in silence.

With the sudden turn of events the three men communicated with each other. Through the years, they've developed a special mental connection.

'Who would have thought they would agree on this?' Ajima looked at Tachibana.

'I know. Kyoya-sama's in hot water.' Tachibana took a deep breath.

'May his soul rest in peace.' Hotta looked up. 'At least they seem like they're getting along.'

The three men agreed once more.

"Then who's a 10/10?" Julia asked.

Megumi smirked. "Hikaru likes playing games. I feel less like a prey and more like someone that can enjoy the moment."

'Yes, Kyoya-sama does give that impression.' Tachibana straightened his back.

Hotta looked at his watch. 'I'm sure that he would have wanted those two to get along as well.'

Ajima adjusted his shades. 'But you have to admit that Kyoya-sama is really…dark.'

"You know, if you three are talking about Kyoya you might as well say it out loud." Julia stated.

'She's…she's just like him!' Ajima blinked thrice.

"Don't compare me to him." Julia looked offended. "It didn't come from me, but your investor was making fun with how you called the place 'Noel's Pub'. I think it's cute though. He's sure that you three could keep a secret."

The three men were almost brought to tears. He was alive. It wasn't just the thought that Kyoya was alive that brought the feelings of relief. It didn't take long for the two women to warm up to each other. They realized that they had more things in common. Now Julia and Megumi were like Batman and Robin, Will Smith and Carlton Banks, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, or Chandler Bing & Joey Tribbiani. They became inseparable. For the rest of the week, they went to work together. They saw a friendship unfold. Ajima also found himself taking a liking to escorting Julia-sama and Megumi-sama. After all, they were now singing songs by Jennifer Lopez out loud to pass the time.


The Home


Kyoya was planning on buying a house in a secluded part of Tokyo. It was built on a steep hillside not so far from a certain pub that he invested it. It was also just a 30-minute drive from the hospital. Hikaru and Kaoru were kind of enough to check the place out personally for him. Kaoru looked at the photos they took against what was posted online.

It was a decent property that was closer to one of the shrines. Hikaru noted the sudden feeling that they weren't in a bustling residential area. This gave it a forest like feel.

"It kinda feels really secluded." Kaoru looked at his surroundings. He could even hear cicadas and birds chirping now.

They opened the gate and saw an outdoor driveway spacious enough for two cars. There was a slight elevation on the landing, and they entered the passcode given by the real estate broker.

Hikaru looked at the outside of the house. "It looks really plain if you ask me. Like a regular commoner dwelling."

Kaoru agreed. "It's modest, but Kyoya-senpai said that he needed a smaller property since he couldn't navigate as easily."

"He has a point." Hikaru looked at the plain black door and noted there was a small window right beside it that allowed you to take a peak inside. The house was made of timber. On face value it looked like it was of good quality.

Kaoru pushed the door and noted that the place was much smaller than what they were used to, but it was still large for most people. "It's not bad for a 4-bedroom bungalow."

The layout was simple. It was an 'C' shaped house. The moment they entered, they saw the living area and kitchen. It was a bit dark, but the interiors were clean cut and simple. The place had a certain dedication with keeping its wooden interiors. Usually, the problem with such setups was the lighting. The last thing they wanted was for their Shadow King to trip himself since he couldn't see anything. Hikaru moved one of the wooden sliding doors which led them to a plain hallway with even more planks of wood. One end of the hall led to the rest of the house that had plain glass panes. Directly in front of them was a patio that was connected to the garden which was at the center of the property.

"Wow." Hikaru didn't not expect that kind of greeting.

"Even with picking houses, Kyoya-senpai doesn't fail to amaze me with his taste." Kaoru looked at the small courtyard that had a few maple trees. There was a small concrete bench with a table at the center.

"I feel like I'm in an architecture series." Hikaru commented. "If he decides to move again, I'm buying this place from him."

They stood at the center of the courtyard and they saw that there was a full-length glass that divided the other half of the house. The two rooms were on their left were supposedly bedrooms, but Kyoya said he had another plan for those. Since he was going to be under voluntary house arrest, he had to turn those rooms into an office and a gym.

Kaoru took some photos while Hikaru explored the area some more. At the end of the house was the main bedroom. Thankfully, it reached the bare minimum. The rooms were lined with Tatami. The master's bedroom had a nice view of the courtyard and the basic automatic curtains. It was also connected to another outdoor patio that now had a small lap pool. Then right in between was a guest room for days when people decide to stay over and visit.

"Kaoru, look at this." Hikaru's voice was heard from a distance. Kaoru went towards where he was, and he found himself in a spacious bathroom.

"It looks like a traditional house." Kaoru took another photo. The bathroom had the usual amenities. A walk-in shower, full size bath, heated tiles, and a closet.

"Right? It feels like those old onsens, but modern." Hikaru sat inside the bathtub and pressed one of the buttons that switched on the television. "You can even check out the security system from here."

"It's a small property, but I think Kyoya would be fine." Kaoru took one last photo of the place.

"Yeah, it's simple living at its best. Shadow King is really downsizing." Hikaru commented. "I like this new zen feel he's going for."

The twins have their seal of approval. This commoner dwelling place reached the bare minimum of their standards. It had all the essential items and was nothing too fancy. It let in the light very nicely and there was enough open space for them. It was unassuming and very simple. Perfect for the look Kyoya was going for.

The following day, Kyoya asked Julia and Haruhi to take a look at the place as well before he finalized anything. She took note of what he wanted. The twins said that it was slightly better than most commoner places, but it was very simple and inconspicuous. There was nothing too fancy about the place. Julia and Haruhi were glad that Kyoya wanted to live a simpler life. They hoped that their commoner sense started to rub off on the host club.

The exterior of the house was very modern and sleek, but it was still simple. When they entered the place, the two women looked at each other. Those boys from Ouran definitely had a different definition of simple.

"Sometimes I have faith in them then I lose all expectations." Haruhi sighed.

"They seriously need to redefine their version simplicity and essentials." Julia sighed even longer.


Hello again!

I feel like I need to put a disclaimer. Hahaha! I don't own anything that I mentioned except my OCs.

Notes: For those who aren't aware, the voice for Tamaki in the anime (japanese not english dub) is the same as Light Yagami from Death Note. Hahaha, just felt like breaking the 4th wall there. I couldn't unhear Tamaki's voice so I really couldn't take Light as seriously as I should.

Then for some unknown reason I got into the unending spiral of youtube video suggestions and I found myself in the architecture side of youtube. Kyoya's new home was based on a real house and I wish I could explain it in writing with how gorgeous the property was, but damn those japanese architects for making such beautiful living spaces.

Lastly, I felt like there was a need to break things between Julia and Megumi now. For how many chapters they've found themselves on opposite sides of the scale and now they're not.

Also, don't be scared to leave comments and messages. I'm thinking of making a segment based on what you guys ask and I wouldn't know what that is if you don't tell me.

Thanks again for the support. I hope this short omake brightens your day. I'm probably gonna write up until 4 or 5 omakes so please indulge me with my selfish desire to write things that don't have a point anymore.