DISCLAIMER: I do not own Ouran.
Thank you for not bashing my head on the wall and pulling my intestines inside out for not updating earlier. Excuse me for that morbid greeting, but when you're doing your thesis, your train of thought tends to go towards the direction. And no, I'm not suicidal. I still have to find my own Kyoya and make him marry me after all. So anyway, this chapter was written with me in this state of mind, so I apologize for any, erm, awkward moments and OOCness.
Beta'ed by catharticdeficit who writes the sexiest KyoHaru stories ever. (insert squirming fits here) LOL.
The Contract: 3
By Kalachuchi
Haruhi took a deep breath before knocking gently on Kyoya's office.
"Come in," came Kyoya's reply.
She hesitated then shrugged. Better get over this now. She pushed the door open and walked inside. Kyoya was busy typing on his computer and merely gave her a fraction of an acknowledging glance before he returned to his work.
"Kyoya-senpai," she began. "I made this for you." She stepped forward and placed a bento box gently on his table. He glanced at it for a moment.
"Is that meant to be your peace offering for the stupidity that you made the other night?" he asked.
This is it. Haruhi inhaled deeply. Her make or break chance, the opportunity to save her soul from his swift vengeance from hell. "About that, senpai. I wanted to apologize - "
"Of course you would," he cut in dryly. "But did you really think that a homemade bento box by a commoner would make me forget everything that has happened?" He paused and eyed her offering. "And it's pink," he observed.
"I know. I thought it would lighten up your mood."
He flicked his gaze at her. "Do I look like someone who would enjoy being presented a pink bento box?"
"Well, no," she conceded. "But the point is, I know what I did was something really… unpleasant. That's why I'm here to say sorry. And to tell you honestly, I've been losing sleep because of that incident," she said, deciding not to mention the fact that the reason why she couldn't sleep was because Kyoya kept appearing in her dreams, threatening her that she'll have to work for him for her entire life, serving as his secretary. Because frankly speaking, she doubted anyone can still sleep soundly with that nightmare.
"I didn't really know that the punch was spiked. If I did, I wouldn't have drunk it in the first place," she assured him. "But what's done is done. And I'm prepared to take all the responsibility for the trouble that I have caused you."
The sound of typing stopped. "All responsibility?" Kyoya repeated slowly.
Haruhi hesitated. There was something sinister with that glint in his eyes. "I… um, yeah. I guess."
Kyoya finally raised his gaze from the computer monitor and looked at her for a moment. "Actually I've been thinking about this, Haruhi. I know you didn't mean to get drunk or to throw up on me. You're not that irresponsible."
Haruhi paused, blinking at him. She never realized it before, but Kyoya can be a really understanding person when he wanted. She nodded hopefully.
"Because if we think about it, only a stupid and reckless person would dare get sick on his employer's best suit." Kyoya pushed his glasses. "And obviously, you're not a stupid and reckless person."
"Ah," Haruhi said slowly. "Right."
"Naturally, you're also not the type to purposely sabotage a very important business deal that I have been waiting to happen in the past months," he continued conversationally. "Nor would you deliberately try to taint an Ootori's reputation by getting drunk in public. That would be out of character for you, wouldn't it, Haruhi?"
She cleared her throat, resisting the urge to roll her eyes at him, or push him out of the window. "Of course, senpai. You know I have the Ootori's best interest in heart," she said, somewhat forcefully.
"So, as a compensation for the trouble you've caused me, I decided to get from your salary the payment for my new suit."
"So what else is new?" she muttered under her breath.
He raised his eyebrow. "Pardon?"
"Right," she replied quickly, nodding. "That's okay."
Kyoya regarded her for a moment before he tore a piece of paper and wrote something down. "The cost was this," he said as he pushed the paper across the table. Haruhi squinted at it and sucked in her breath.
"That much?" she squeaked. "But senpai, that's like two months' worth of my salary!"
"I know," he said regretfully. "That's why I decided to get just half of your salary every month, until you have completely paid the expenses. I know you have a lot of debts to pay for and I am a considerate person. And don't worry. I've already included the interest in there." He gestured at the paper before grinning at her. "I'm really sorry we have to come to this."
He doesn't look sorry, she thought gloomily as she stared at his pleased features. Her shoulders slumped lifelessly. "Should you really buy a new one? I mean, paying for the cleaning would be much cheaper, isn't it?"
"Like I would wear clothes that had been filled with vomit," he said dryly. "No thank you. Besides Haruhi, it wasn't just any suit. It was my favorite and it's Armani."
She closed her eyes painfully as she felt her physical strength leaving her body. Her head pounded furiously and she could feel a headache coming on.
Seriously. Wasn't the reason why Kyoya offered this job was to help her pay all the money obligations she and her father have? Then why, she wondered, was her list of debts growing even longer?
Damn this rich bastard, she thought darkly. And whoever that Armani is.
"By the way Haruhi," Kyoya began as if the thought just occurred to him.
Haruhi opened her eyes reluctantly and straightened up.
"I was wondering. Do you remember anything that night? Besides you throwing up on me, that is."
She frowned. "Something happened besides me throwing up on you?" she asked.
Kyoya's glasses clouded.
She cupped her chin as she thought hard. "I don't know," she hedged thoughtfully. "All I could remember was waking up and talking to you."
Kyoya adjusted his glasses.
"And," she continued, her face filled with concentration as she tried to remember the past events, "you were sitting on the bed with me."
Kyoya's eyes bored intently at her, but she didn't seem to notice.
"And I asked you what you were doing there and –" Her eyes widened, and complete shock registered in her face. Haruhi met his gaze with her wide brown eyes. She wore an alarmed expression on her face.
"Oh God." She blinked. "Did I throw up on your car too?" Haruhi asked in horror.
Kyoya blinked. "That's it?"
"That's what?"
"That's all you remembered? Nothing else after you talked to me?" He eyed her warily.
"Well, yes." She looked at him hopefully. "That didn't happen, did it? Because I couldn't remember anything else, besides that suit of yours."
Kyoya opened his mouth then paused. He seemed to be thinking hard. "Well no," he said slowly. "But the car reeked of stupid alcohol after I brought you home. Do you know how much the car cleaning cost me?"
Haruhi swallowed hard.
He pushed his glasses. "But as I've said, I'm a considerate person. And… I've already included the expense for the car cleaning from the cut in your salary. So don't worry about it."
She paused. "Oh. That's good. I think."
"I would also appreciate it if you wouldn't tell anyone about this incident."
Why would she want to tell anyone that she's in debt with Ootori Kyoya? "I promise."
He raised an eyebrow. "After all, it wouldn't be good for an Ootori's reputation if others find out that an employee had thrown up on them."
She nodded. "Of course," she agreed. "Not good at all."
Kyoya stared at her for a moment. "Very well. If you've got nothing else to say, you can continue with your work."
"Right." She nodded and turned around. As she stepped outside, she glanced back and saw Kyoya eyeing the bento box suspiciously. Haruhi blinked before she closed the door behind her.
Haruhi had barely sat down behind her desk when a loud ring interrupted the silence in the hallway. She glanced at the phone on her desk, wondering why the ring sounded different. She picked it up but all she could hear was the dial tone.
The ring continued.
Finally, she realized that the sound was coming from her bag and she hurriedly shook the contents on the table. A sleek, thin cellular phone rang again. She glanced at it as it continued to ring before she picked up a note that fell on top of the phone.
To my beautiful daughter, Haruhi: Kyoya-kun wanted you to have this. I completely forgot to give it to you. Anyway, have fun at work! Love, Dad.
Haruhi blinked. She stared at the phone for a moment.
Ring!
She looked at the screen but the caller's number was not saved in the phonebook so there was no name that flashed on the screen. She clicked the Talk button. "Hello?" Haruhi greeted cautiously.
"Haruhi?!" a loud voice screamed in her ear and she had to pull the phone away from her. "Haruhi?! Is that you, my precious daughter? Oh, thank God! You're alive! Are you hurt? Are you feeling weird? Is there any part of your lovely body that feels any kind of pain? Tell me, Haruhi. Don't be scared to tell your daddy! I am always here to help – "
"Tamaki-senpai?"
"– you! Oh, the trauma! I know what you're going through right now, Haruhi, and I assure you, we will get you to a doctor! I know a lot of specialist who can help you in this tragic moment of your life. We can call Doctor Hizashi, though – "
"What are you talking about Tamaki-senpai? And how did you know this number?"
" –he is in Kyoto right now, but I'm sure he'll come right away. Should I send him the helicopter or would the submarine be faster for him? And doctor Lorry from London. I'm sure he's willing to help us once he's done with the plastic surgery he's doing. You know, the poor man got his nose broken from falling down the stairs. Or –"
"Senpai?" Haruhi repeated, brow furrowing.
"-maybe we could call Doctor Xian in China. Or this new one I heard who's really popular in America, doctor Dre. I heard almost all of the famous singers there know him. Anyway, I'm sure they're going to come as soon as they hear you need help. Oh, I wish I can do more – "
Ring!
"Excuse me senpai, there's an incoming call," Haruhi cut in and without waiting for any response, she pressed another button. "Hello?"
"Haruhi? Is that you?"
"Hikaru?"
"Is that Haruhi? I want to talk to her too."
"Kaoru?" Haruhi frowned. Why are they all calling her? And how the hell did they know this number?
"See, I told you she's alive," Hikaru drawled.
Haruhi blinked. What are they talking about?
"Tono's been exaggerating again," Kaoru said and Haruhi could feel him rolling his eyes.
"Kaoru? What is going on?" Haruhi asked uneasily. "And how did you know this number?"
"Tono's getting all obsessed when he heard the news," Kaoru began. "He was really worried about you –"
"Yeah, he already arranged for your funeral party," Hikaru sniggered.
"My what?" Haruhi asked blankly.
"Oh, didn't you know?" Kaoru asked. "He –"
Ring!
"Kaoru, someone's calling. I need to answer this," Haruhi began.
"Oh, you don't have to put us away. Is there an orange button on the side? Just press that. It can do at most six-way phone call," Kaoru instructed. Haruhi slowly did as he said.
"Hello?" Haruhi said tentatively.
"Haru-chan! Are you all right?"
"Honey-senpai," greeted Haruhi warily.
"Honey-senpai, did Tono call you too?" Kaoru asked.
"Oh, he called you too, Kao-chan? But Haru-chan sounds okay."
"And apparently, she's not going to die anytime soon," Hikaru observed. He paused. "You are not going to die anytime soon, are you Haruhi?"
"No. Would someone please answer me and tell me what's going on," Haruhi said. "And how did you know this number?"
"Did Tono call you already?" Hikaru wanted to know.
"Yes, and he was sprouting all these nonsense… Hikaru, why would I need to see a doctor?"
Hikaru snickered. "He thought you're – "
Ring!
Haruhi pressed the orange button again. "Hello?"
"…"
"Hello?" Haruhi's forehead furrowed.
"…"
"Mori-senpai?"
"Mn."
"Are you calling me to find out if I'm still alive?" Haruhi asked, exhaling sharply.
"Mn."
"Well, I am. I hope that makes everyone happy," she added to those who were listening on the line.
"Thank goodness Tama-chan was wrong, right, Takashi?"
"Mn."
"Haruhi, what did Tono say when he found out you're fine and you're not yet going to die?" Kaoru asked curiously.
"Excuse me?"
"He's probably regretting booking that fifty-piece orchestra for Haruhi's interment," Hikaru commented.
Haruhi shut her eyes painfully. If she could just close her ears too, then everything would be fine, but they continued to talk to each other and their words echoed awfully loud in her ears.
"So, does this mean I can have the cake I ordered for her funeral, Takashi?"
"Mn."
"This is so fun," Hikaru remarked. "And I was getting bored out of my mind, too."
"Good thing Tono called," Kaoru agreed.
"Usa-chan says he's glad you're fine, Haru-chan," Honey continued cheerily.
"Why didn't you tell us you need a job, Haruhi?" Hikaru asked in concern. "We could have hired you."
"Yeah. We are in desperate need of a toy, right now," Kaoru said seriously.
"Oh no, I think Usa-chan is getting hungry," Honey said worriedly.
"Are you in debt with Kyoya-senpai again?" Kaoru asked. "Is that why you're working for him?"
"Geez, you never learn, do you?" Hikaru observed.
"Haru-chan, would you like to go eat cake with us tomorrow? Takashi will come too."
"Can we go to your house, Haruhi?" Hikaru and Kaoru suddenly chorused.
That last question woke her up from her reverie. "No," she snapped. "And before you go and start another game, I want to know what is going on."
"Ooh! Ooh! Could I be the one to explain?" Honey volunteered excitedly.
She sighed with a patience of a preschool teacher. "Yes, senpai. You may."
"Tama-chan called us all up and said that you were in grave danger," Honey explained. "He said you didn't came to work the other day so he was worried something bad happened to you."
"And how did he got the idea that I was going to die?" Haruhi twitched.
"Why can't we go to your house, Haruhi?" Hikaru persisted. "We promise we'll be good. No breaking of tables, or chairs or any special furniture you like."
"NO," Haruhi snapped. "Honey-senpai, why would he think something bad happened to me?"
"Hikaru, I think you already said that before," Kaoru said thoughtfully.
"Oh. I knew it sounded familiar," Hikaru replied. "Was that when we destroyed her couch?"
"Uh, no. I think it was before that."
"Honey-senpai?" Haruhi repeated through gritted teeth, completely ignoring the twins.
"We'll bring lots of food," Kaoru offered. "You like strawberries, don't you Haruhi?"
"Kyo-chan said something about you throwing up on his suit. So Tama-chan worried and thought you have an incurable disease and you're just keeping it a secret from us. And that you throwing up means you're losing the will to eat and you're going to leave us soon."
Kyoya told Tamaki about the incident? Haruhi twitched again. I thought no one should know anything about it.
"I have an incurable disease? Just because I threw up on Kyoya-senpai?" she asked in disbelief.
"So it's true then? I never realized you're so brave, Haruhi," Kaoru told her.
"Or stupid. Who would dare throw up on Kyoya-senpai?" Hikaru wondered.
Haruhi closed her eyes.
"Anyway," Honey continued sweetly. "I told Tama-chan that maybe you were just drunk, but he was worried about you and how Ranka-san could never afford to pay for your hospital bills when your illness becomes worse. So he booked a VIP room for you in one of Kyo-chan's hospital. I think he was supposed to call you today to tell you."
Ring!
But she wasn't listening anymore. Haruhi's mind whirled nonstop, faces floating in her brain like a computer shuffling through police mug shots, one profile after another, until it finally screeched to a deafening stop on a certain smirking face whose glasses were darkly obscure.
Match found: Ootori Kyoya. Haruhi's eyes flew open.
Trust Kyoya to make Tamaki and his cronies to do the dirty deed of making her life miserable. This is still part of his revenge at me for destroying his suit, isn't it? Haruhi seethed. There was a moment of silence in which the four former hosts could feel her wrath and wisely shut up.
That conniving rich bastard, Haruhi twitched.
Ring!
"I'm sure Tama-chan meant well," Honey said cautiously.
Ring!
"Usa-chan agrees with me too."
Ring!
"You know, Haru-chan, when I'm feeling bad I always like to eat cake with tea. It makes me feel so better," Honey advised her wisely.
Ring!
"Would you like me to order right now –"
"Mitskuni," came Mori's grave voice. "She doesn't want any cake."
Honey fell silent.
Ring!
Haruhi pressed the orange button harder than she should have.
"What?" Haruhi snapped.
"Haruhi? Why did you hung up on me? Were you feeling dizzy? Do you want me to come there and – "
"Tamaki-senpai," she deadpanned. "I was just thinking of calling you."
"Really?" Tamaki sounded pleased. "Yes, I'm glad you realized that you can trust me with these kind of things –"
"We need to go, Mitskuni," Mori said.
"You're right. Bye Haru-chan. I'll call you soon. Usa-chan says bye too."
"So, does this mean we can't go to your house anymore?" Hikaru asked.
Haruhi's low, heavy breathing resonated through the cell phone line.
"Okay, we'll just call you later," Hikaru gave in.
"Bye Haruhi," Kaoru called. "And just so you know, it was Tono who started all this."
"We'll be sending you the dress that you were supposed to wear on your burial. It's really nice," Hikaru informed her before hanging up the phone.
"And we're going to do everything we can to save you," Tamaki was saying, "So don't worry, Haruhi. I have taken care of everything. All you need to do is rest and take all the medications that will be prescribed for you and you'll be fine in no time -"
"Tamaki-senpai," she cut in. "I am not sick. I don't have any incurable disease or anything like that."
"You're not what?"
"Sick."
"Oh." He paused. "Oh."
She rubbed her temples in an effort to prevent a headache from coming in.
"But – But Kyoya said you suddenly threw up on him – "
"Because I got drunk," she replied blankly.
"Oh." He thought hard. "So. So, you don't have any grave illness that you're just keeping a secret from us?"
"None."
"And," he asked again, still thinking hard, "you're not going to die from it and leave us for a wonderful paradise beyond the rainbow?"
Wonderful paradise - ? She twitched. "No."
"Oh." He paused. "Oh."
Haruhi reached out and shut the phone speaker off. She had a feeling she would not want to be interrupted, even if it was Kyoya. "Tamaki-senpai, we need to talk."
"So."
Kyoya looked up from the report he was reading and raised an eyebrow at a seething Haruhi in front him. "Don't you know how to knock?" he asked.
Haruhi slammed her hands hard on his table. "So," she repeated hoarsely, narrowing her eyes.
He adjusted his glasses. "I suppose Tamaki called you?"
The lethal glare that she gave him proved to be a very informative answer.
"Do you have any idea what it felt like to know that your cremation had already been arranged?" Haruhi asked in a deathly whisper. "Or to know that Tamaki-senpai was planning to put a 45-inch plasma screen in my supposed-hospital room so I won't get bored? And to have people wondering what pose I would like for the shrine they're going to make for me?"
"Tamaki did that?" Kyoya looked slightly impressed. "I must admit I didn't even imagine the shrine part."
She gritted her teeth as she straightened up.
"I was just concerned for your well-being," he said amusedly, "which is why I told Tamaki what happened. I don't know why you're acting like this."
Something in her snapped. "You told Tamaki-senpai about me throwing up when you knew very well that he was going to take it differently. You knew he was going to react that way and you didn't try to change his mind. You probably even encouraged him with a couple of white lies. No, come to think of it, you're probably even glad that he reserved a VIP room in your hospital. An additional profit to your business, isn't it?"
Kyoya looked thoughtful. "It wasn't that bad, actually," he admitted.
"He's preparing for my funeral party, for crying out loud," she said exasperated. "He thought I have an incurable disease because he said there is no way a normal, healthy person would throw up on you. Hikaru and Kaoru already made a burial dress, Honey-senpai already ordered the cakes he's going to eat on my internment and Mori-senpai actually called me to check if I'm still alive." She narrowed her eyes at him. "All because of some stupid suit that I accidentally ruined. Is not cutting my salary off enough revenge?"
"Haruhi," Kyoya said in an almost bored tone, "do you really want me to answer that question?"
She painfully shut her eyes and drew a sharp breath. "I should kill you right now," she muttered under her breath. "Stab you three times in the heart, then cut off your larynx."
He simply looked amused. "But of course you wouldn't. As we both know, this building is full of my employees and the Ootori secret police. I doubt you can get out of this place alive if you try anything bad against me," he helpfully informed her.
She breathed heavily. "What," she asked in frustration, "will I do with you, Kyoya-senpai?"
"How about make me coffee?" he suggested. "I'm dead tired."
She glared at him.
"Think of it this way," he finally said, adjusting his glasses. "At least you won't have to worry about paying for anything when you die."
"You know, I am so lucky I have you as my boss," she told him.
"Thank you."
"I was being sarcastic," she said, gritting her teeth.
He smiled at her. "I know."
She sighed.
"While this is certainly an interesting conversation Haruhi, I'd like to remind you that you're going with me later. There's nothing to bring. I'll drop you off to your house once we're done," he said as he went back to his work.
Wha-? She looked at him in alarm. "We're going out again?" she asked, barely concealing the distress in her voice. She hadn't even gotten over this Armani incident, and she's going with him again?
"Yes. And don't worry. There'll be no spiked punch in there. It will be an official business."
"To where?"
"You'll see when we get there." He eyed her. "Could you make me my coffee now?"
Haruhi stared at him in disbelief. Didn't he realize that she was mad at him right now? She twitched.
"Haruhi?" Kyoya raised an eyebrow at her.
She twitched again. "Right," she said as she turned around. Maybe I should put poison on his coffee, she suddenly thought wistfully, reaching for the knob. That will put a stop to him. Heh.
"And don't bother putting any poison on it," he called, not bothering to look up from the report he was reading. "I'll make you drink it first."
She clenched her teeth, resisting the impulse to jump out of the window. "Right," she repeated sullenly as she left the room.
Haruhi pressed her face against the tinted window as they sat at the back of Kyoya's limo a couple of hours later. "Where are we going, Kyoya-senpai?"
"Just a little business trip."
She watched as they passed a flurry of trees. She could tell they were far from the city. It looked like they were going to some remote province or village. "Are we going to meet Matsumoto-san again?" she asked.
"No. I just want to show you something. And hear your opinion about it."
She cocked her head. "Hear my opinion?" she repeated.
He gave her a look before he returned his attention at the newspaper. Haruhi waited, and when she realized that he's not going to answer, she shrugged and continued to watch the scenery outside.
"We're here," Kyoya said.
Haruhi blinked and realized that the car has stopped. The chauffer promptly got out and opened the door for Kyoya and Haruhi. When she stepped outside, she quickly took a look around.
They were in a park in the middle of a small, quiet neighborhood. Houses were lined up beside each other in a perfect symmetry. Even the gardens and backyard of each house were practically identical. There was a group of children running around, playing. And when she turned to the other side of the park, she saw a couple of mothers sitting on the bench talking to each other and keeping an eye on the kids.
"Where are we?" Haruhi asked. "What are we doing here?"
But instead of answering, Kyoya walked towards a tall building behind them that she didn't notice. She quickly rushed after him. They walked through the glass door and she blinked as she realized where she was.
"What are we doing in a supermarket?" Haruhi asked as she watched a couple of people pushing carts.
"What do you do in a supermarket, Haruhi?"
"Huh?"
"What do you do in a supermarket?" he repeated patiently.
"To do shopping," she replied, feeling confused. "For groceries, I suppose."
Kyoya purposely walked towards the basket and cart section, got a shopping basket and went back to Haruhi. He handed it to her.
"What is this for?" she asked, staring at the basket.
"I want you to look around and do your shopping like what you usually do," he instructed her. She looked at him.
"What?" She frowned at him.
"Go on," Kyoya said. "Shop for whatever you need. And go wherever you want."
She blinked. "You asked me to come with you here so I can… shop?"
"Yes." Kyoya walked over to one of the couches situated on the corner. She followed him. "I'll wait for you here. Take your time."
This was… unexpected. She didn't move and instead, she blinked at him. "I thought this was supposed to be a business trip. Why should I do my shopping here?"
"Take this," he said, ignoring her question as he reached for his shirt pocket and handed her a gold credit card. She stared at it for a moment.
"What's that?"
"You don't have any money, do you?"
She paused. "Does that contain my salary?" Haruhi asked suspiciously.
Kyoya's glasses clouded. "No."
"Is this a trick? You want me to use that card when really, it's going to be under my account and –"
"No, Haruhi. Just take it. I'm not going to add this to your debt, no matter how much you spend using this," he wearily replied. "You should really cut down your caffeine intake. You're getting all jittery."
She looked at him doubtfully. "Senpai –" she began but Kyoya gave her a look and she reluctantly shut up. She still could not understand why she had to do her grocery in the middle of office hours, but Kyoya had already put out his cellphone and was beginning to dial on it. She frowned before she turned around to start her 'shopping'.
When Haruhi returned almost an hour later, she saw Kyoya in deep conversation with a group of three people, all of whom were wearing business attire. One of them, the one wearing glasses, looked like he was explaining, and Kyoya was frowning at him. Kyoya caught sight of her just as she was wondering whether to wait for them to finish so she would not interrupt them. He pushed his glasses and motioned for her. The group fell silent as they watched her come nearer.
"Are you done shopping?" Kyoya asked, glancing at the small plastic bag on her hand. She nodded. He frowned at her. "I told you to buy everything you need. Is that all?"
She paused, wondering how to say it. "I didn't find anything that I can use."
"Excuse me?" The one who was talking earlier, the one wearing glasses, looked affronted. "This place is going to be one of the most high-class supermarkets in all of Japan. All of our products here have been imported from other countries. We sell only the best."
"Uh, well," she hedged. "That's the problem. All of your products came from other countries, but that doesn't mean that those are what the customers need. I mean," she shrugged, "the prices of your products are outrageously expensive." She glanced at Kyoya. "Senpai, you told me to shop like I usually do, so even if you gave me your card, I didn't buy the things I saw here."
"Expensive?" Eyeglass-man shook his head. "We have perfectly reasonable amounts for our products."
"Can't commoners afford the prices here?" Kyoya asked Haruhi. She shook her head.
Kyoya glanced at the young man standing beside Eyeglass-man and the young man took out a clipboard and started scribbling.
"You lack the necessities that people need," she continued, not noticing the writing young man. "People want fresh fruits and vegetables. And meat too. You don't have toiletries, cheap soaps and powders, instant noodles and coffee, cereals -"
"We have lots of Yubari melon cereals over there," the third man with bleached blond hair – offered as he pointed to one of the shelves. Haruhi sighed.
"You only have one flavor of cereals and that's melon," she replied, blinking. "People want to choose from a lot of variety. That's part of shopping. I don't even know why you decided to sell that here." She paused. "How long was this supermarket been open?"
Eyeglass-man stiffened. "Why are you asking?"
"Five years," the blond man responded, watching Haruhi with interest. "Four from the previous owner. And now, a few months under our supervision."
"Have you ever… put up a sale?" she asked.
"Sale?" The three men looked at each other. "No."
"Well you should," she said, thinking of her own experiences. "People like that. And maybe you should, you know, add some 'extras' too. You know, like bonus pen or something."
"We have 'extras' too," Eyeglass-man said. He suddenly showed her an envelope. "See, if they buy at least one million yen worth of groceries, we'd give them this 'extra' Caribbean ticket for two!" He looked smug. "No supermarket had offered this before."
She twitched. "And how could they afford the one million yen?" she muttered. "And a Caribbean ticket is too much."
The young man scribbled wildly.
"I thought we're selling what people want to buy," the blond man mused.
"Well, maybe for rich people, they'll definitely enjoy it here. But the ambiance of this place is…" She pointed at the entrance where a Rene vase was situated. "Like that one, for example. You shouldn't put any expensive, delicate furniture around. Parents come with their children too, you know. And this place is filled with expensive objects. You might want to avoid that."
"And the products?" The blonde man asked.
She paused thoughtfully. "Stick with ordinary, useful things. Mothers are usually the ones who do the shopping so you should know what are the things they need. I saw a lot of teenagers and children around, so you should be able to cater to them too." She blinked. "That's all. I guess."
Kyoya glanced at the scribbling young man. "Did you get all that?"
"Yes, Kyoya-sama."
"Very well," Kyoya said. "I want this place closed for a month. Do the necessary renovations and changes –"
"But Kyoya-sama," Eyeglass-man protested, "we've already been designing and arranging this place for the past six months. Are we just going to forget that and start all over just because –" He gestured at Haruhi rather rudely, "she says so?"
Kyoya glanced at her. "Haruhi, would you go here to do your shopping?"
"No," she said truthfully.
"But Kyoya-sama –"
"Taichi-san," Kyoya deadpanned. "If you really want me to choose between which opinion I would prefer to take, yours or Haruhi, you should be ready to be humiliated."
Silence. Haruhi glanced at Kyoya wonderingly.
"I suppose that answers your question," Kyoya stared at Eyeglass-man who stiffened. "I'll come back here next month and I want to see improvements. If the profit doesn't increase by thirty percent, you are fired."
Haruhi blinked.
"Do everything that she said," Kyoya was saying to the remaining two men. "I'll be expecting good news from all of you. Call me if there's any problem."
"Yes, Kyoya-sama," Eyeglass-man replied sulkily.
"And one more thing," Kyoya added. "I don't want to receive any phone calls." He glanced at Haruhi. "If there's nothing else you want to buy, we better get going."
Haruhi nodded and she followed Kyoya out of the supermarket. The car was already waiting for them outside and they got in immediately. Haruhi took a last glance at the building as they pulled out.
"I never knew your family owns a supermarket too," she began cautiously after a long silence. Kyoya adjusted his glasses.
"We don't. Not officially yet. And it's not my family's." He raised an eyebrow. "Remember the expansion project I wanted to do with Matsumoto-san? This is just the beginning."
She glanced at him. "You own the store, senpai?" she asked incredulously.
"Yes."
"I didn't know you were interested with dealing with commoners. I thought that you're going to stick with the health business."
"Let's just say that you were the one who inspired me to do this," he said.
A pause.
"Really?" Haruhi asked, blinking.
"I've learned that the most profitable activity comes from dealing with commoners like you," he deadpanned.
"Ah," Haruhi sighed. "Of course." She cocked her head thoughtfully. "So, you brought me here to hear how a commoner would see your supermarket?"
He nodded. "You're the perfect test case, Haruhi: an ordinary, not-so-important kind of a commoner. Exactly like the customers we're going to have."
"Ah." She twitched. "I'm so honored to be of help to you, senpai."
"What did you buy anyway?" he asked, gesturing at the plastic bag on her hand. She glanced at it.
"Oh, I almost forgot." She opened the plastic and took a small box of mint. She got one and offered it to him. Kyoya stared at her outstretched hand.
"What is that?"
"Candy. I know you don't like sweets, but I think you need it."
"Why would I need a candy?" Kyoya asked. Haruhi took his hand, forced it open and placed the candy on his palm.
"It's really sweet, senpai," she assured him. "This was my favorite brand when I was young."
"And you think I would have the same taste as you," he commented, raising an eyebrow. Haruhi shrugged before she popped a candy on her mouth before she stared out the window.
Kyoya stared at the candy on his hand that Haruhi gave him, then, lifted his gaze to look at her. For a while, he was silent as he thought hard. "I guess this would be the right time to say thank you," he said reluctantly as his glasses clouded.
She turned around and blinked. "For the candy? You're welcome."
"No. For that little consultation thing you did." He frowned. "And to think I'm paying those men hundreds of thousands to make that supermarket work but look at what happened." He eyed her. "Maybe you deserve their salaries instead."
Haruhi stared at him hopefully. "Really?"
Kyoya locked eyes with her for a moment before he adjusted his glasses. "That was a rhetorical statement. Don't push your luck, Haruhi."
Haruhi frowned at him. Kyoya's phone rang and he turned his back at her to answer it. She sighed as she glanced outside the window.
Haruhi stepped out of the limo as they parked outside her apartment. She rummaged through her bag before leaning down on the window to look at Kyoya.
"Senpai, I think I should return this to you," Haruhi said as she handed him the cell phone that she used this morning.
"That's yours. I need to be able to contact you," Kyoya replied. "Just bring it wherever you go."
"Oh. Okay." She glanced at it for a moment before she returned the phone in her bag. "Thank you."
"That's all right. That cell phone is the latest model out in the market so try not to lose it again or drop it in a manhole. It's really expensive."
"I will." She paused. "How did you know I dropped my phone in a manhole?"
"And you don't have to thank me. It would not look good for others to know that my personal secretary doesn't even own a cell phone."
"Right. How did you know I dropped my phone in a manhole?"
Kyoya pushed his glasses. "By the way, I took the liberty of using your salary for that phone."
"Okay. How did you know I dropped -" Haruhi blinked as she realized what he had said. "Eh?"
Kyoya smiled at her. "It is not the company's responsibility to buy the things you need, you know."
"But – "
"As I've said, you don't have to thank me." Kyoya nodded at her as he adjusted his glasses. "See you tomorrow," he said as the car drove away. Haruhi gaped after the car.
"Senpai?" she croaked.
Kyoya leaned back on the car's seat as they turned around the corner. He glanced at the mint Haruhi had placed on his hand.
It doesn't look like poison, he thought as he stared at it cautiously. And if Haruhi didn't get sick when she tried it, surely he wouldn't be too? Then, before he could change his mind, he popped the white candy inside his mouth.
It was… sweet, Kyoya finally admitted to himself. Not something he would consider as his favorite brand like what she foolishly decided, but passable enough for him not to spit it out. He adjusted his glasses.
Kyoya leaned back, took the newspaper on the seat beside him and began to read.
"Haruhi," Ranka called from the doorway of her bedroom later that night. She looked up at him.
"Dad, you're home early," she greeted, straightening up on the seat.
"Yeah. I wanted to tell you my good news," he said as he sat on her bed. She cocked her head and waited. He beamed at her. "I have a job!"
She smiled widely. "Really? That's great."
He grinned. "I know. Remember my college friend Mizuki? He recently opened a small bar beside his house and he immediately took me in when he heard I was looking for work."
"That's good news," she murmured, mentally computing their expenses. With her father's new job, they would be able to save enough money to pay what she owed Kyoya, not immediately of course, but it was a start. She grinned. She could return to being a lawyer if everything would continue perfectly.
Ranka focused his attention on the paper in front of Haruhi. "Is that for work?" he asked, peeking over her shoulder. She casually turned it around.
"No. I was computing our budget," she told him. With all the new cuts Kyoya made in her salary, she wanted to make sure they would still be able to survive in the following weeks. But with Ranka's news, it looked like she wouldn't have to worry too much.
"Oh, Haruhi. I'm so proud of you. You're working so hard," he said, beaming proudly at her.
She stretched her lips in what she hoped look like a smile. "Yes, I have to work hard," she agreed. Because if I won't be able to pay Kyoya-senpai, I wouldn't be able to leave. She suddenly froze. "Dad, you didn't mention this to Kyoya-senpai, did you? I mean, that you have a job now?"
His face fell. "No. I completely forgot to tell him." He stood up. "I'll go call him right now and - "
"No," she shouted in alarm. Ranka paused. She cleared her throat. "Don't tell him, dad. I want to… surprise him. Let's just tell him once you become regular." Or after I'm sure that I'll finally be able to pay him so I can hand in my resignation too, she added silently. And there's nothing he could do about it even if he sabotage your work. Hehe.
"Well, if you say so." Ranka gently patted Haruhi on the back. "I'll be in my room, Haruhi. Don't stay up too late."
"Okay, dad."
Ranka smiled at her before he quietly left her room. Haruhi turned the paper around and looked at the notes she had written.
"Well, if you say so." Ranka gently patted Haruhi on the back. "I'll be in my room, Haruhi. Go to sleep okay?"
"Okay, dad."
Ranka smiled at her before he quietly left her room. Haruhi turned the paper around and looked at the notes she had written.
So if senpai would get half my salary every month, that would mean I have to stay with him for at least four months, she thought. And considering his scheming character, there would be a big chance that my debt would even get bigger the longer I stay. I mean, look at what he did with the cellular phone.
She sighed as she grabbed the calendar on the side.
This one is to pay the electricity bill, she decided as began to circle dates. This is the deadline for the water bill. There's going to be a sale in the supermarket at this time, so I better take note of this. Next week would be for the down payment of –
"Haruhi?"
She jumped up and glanced at her father. "Yes?"
"You're still up?" Ranka said, forehead creased. "I thought I told you to go to sleep. It's going to be a bright new day tomorrow. You should get some rest."
Haruhi glanced at the numbers she had scribbled on the paper for a moment before nodding.
"I will dad. Good night."
"Okay. Good night," Ranka replied as he closed the door behind him.
Haruhi sighed. Her father was right. She really shouldn't be taking this too seriously. Tomorrow will be a bright new day. She would just have to take whatever comes her way with her chin up. She could do that. She's used to it.
Haruhi carefully hid her papers under the books stacked on her table before she turned off the lights and crawled under her bed.
A/N: Gosh. I really write long author notes. haha. Yes. This one is edited.
So, if you would be kind enough to answer this question, I would be very grateful: Why do you like the KyoHaru pairing?
Anyway, thank you to all those who reviewed for the past two chapters. I promise to share Kyoya with you once I get hold of him. In the meantime, please review for this too. :)