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The city lights had dispersed over the dark streets, lonely buildings and late February trees―devoid of foliage and blossoms. The snow had melted, but the air was still raw and bit like a wolf after evenfall. The streets were full of people; youngsters, holding the hands of their parents, looking at shop windows, couples who liked to walk in the midst of chill winter just to have a respectable excuse to hold the hands of their loved ones, and older people, who perhaps loved to feel cold, because it reminded them that they were still alive.
Akito puffed a gulp of air and looked like an amused child when noticed his own breath freeze in mid air like cigarette smoke. A lighthearted chuckle left his lips, and he rubbed his hands hastily, making the chilled blood run in his veins. His glasses were replaced with contact lenses. He wore his hair forward, instead of the usual styled backwards and meticulously gelled. He had a pair of thorn jeans and a sports jacket. Nobody in million years would have recognized him in his current state―changed from his formal attire and conventional business style hair into the looks of a causal guy who was out to grab a bottle of beer.
His usually guarded and careful facial expression was also absent. He looked very pleased if anything. One would say something exciting had happened to him a few hours ago. But nobody knew him in the neighborhood, and even if someone who knew him saw him around, they wouldn't recognize him. He chuckled content and walked down the street. He needed to get home early. Yoshio would get suspicious if he didn't show up in time. The man was a big dictator and a control freak. If his father found out what he was up to, he could very well say goodbye to working in the company.
He stared at the people around him absentmindedly and wondered what was their story, until his spotted a familiar face among the crowd. It was so unexpected that he involuntarily spoke, letting the person in question know about his presence.
"Kyoya?"
What was he doing here? Did the sneaky bastard follow him here so he can blackmail him later on? Was he that kind of person?
"Akito-san," his brother stared at him with a calculative gaze, the one he had when he was trying to dismantle the other person's intentions. "What are you doing here?"
The question took him off guard, and he stepped backwards, speechless. What was he supposed to answer? Was he trying him? Did he already know? His face didn't show any indication of insincerity, but truly, he could never guess what his little brother was thinking.
"What are you doing here?" he asked himself, blinking his eyes rapidly, trying to find a good excuse.
"I asked first, actually," Kyoya smiled and then stepped aside. "But if you insist, I was exploring the shopping center with Haruhi-san."
Akito's gaze intimidatingly went to a young woman his brother was standing next to. He was so stunned that he didn't even notice her before. She was young, maybe younger than Kyoya. She had lovely silky hair, but atrocious haircut. She was thin, and her over-sized clothes were kind of swimming around her petite form. And she had the world's ugliest glasses.
"Haruhi, this is my elder brother Akito-san," Kyoya introduced him politely. "Oniisan this is Haruhi."
"It's nice to meet you, Akito-san," the girl greeted him politely and smiled.
"Um," Akito cleaned his throat, Oniisan? Huh? That's how he is going to play. "It's nice to meet you too, Haruhi-san. I don't always get to meet with my brother's friends."
Who was this girl? Why was Kyoya with her? Was he crazy? If she accidentally learnt about his condition, a shitstorm would break. Was Kyoya seeing her? No, no way it could be true. He wasn't that stupid, was he? If Father found out, he would be pissed.
He looked at the girl again, this time more curiously and a little intrigued. The way she stood next to his brother suggested that she had no idea about his illness. Of course, Kyoya wouldn't tell her. But it didn't seem they were involved or anything. This wasn't going to end well. On the other side, this kind of explained the odd cheerfulness his younger brother had recently. He never considered the idea, because he didn't think Kyoya could be so reckless. But who was he to blame the boy.
"Are you hungry?" he said with a smile. "Maybe, we should all go and eat something together."
He looked at Kyoya pointedly and smiled. His brother's facial expression immediately changed, because he realized what was his intention behind the seemingly innocent and actually outwardly friendly and polite offer. The girl wouldn't know it, but his brother did, and he glared at him angrily.
"I am not hungry," he said abruptly. "Haruhi wanted to go home anyways. It's already very late."
Kyoya clenched his hands into a firm fist. His brother wasn't playing fair. He wanted to make him feel miserable when Haruhi was around. Why was he here anyways? He stared at his brother attentively and frowned.
"I actually wouldn't mind," Haruhi said with a smile.
Kyoya sighed, and turning to the girl, looked at her with a pleading look. She didn't get it, did she?
"That's great," Akito smiled. "Kyoya-kun, hope you don't mind. It wouldn't be nice of me not to invite to dinner a friend of my beloved brother."
Kyoya scoffed. He wasn't an idiot. He knew what was on Akito's mind.
"That place looks good," Akito gestured towards a small restaurant on the corner. "Hope it would be to your taste, brother. I know you are very picky with food."
Bastard!
Haruhi's eyes widened, as the realization finally stroke her. She didn't think anything of it until Kyoya's brother uttered his last sentence. Kyoya couldn't eat anything in that restaurant, so why was his brother so damn persistent? She should have said no and left home. She was such a glutton―the mere thought of food had turned off her thinking and judging ability. Good cheese was only in a trap, wasn't it? It should have seemed strange to her that this guy invited them to dine so quickly.
"Mother in heaven, save me from this awkward situation," she prayed inwardly.
They walked side by side with Kyoya, and she looked at him with an apologizing look, hoping he wouldn't be mad at her later on. He seemed preoccupied and was glaring at his brother. Why would his brother be such a backstabber? What was wrong with him? Haruhi seethed internally, looking at the guy annoyed. He set a trap for his brother, and she helped him to get Kyoya in it. She should have been more careful.
They sat at a table on the corner that had pretty flowers around it, and Haruhi concluded that even though it was very much a commoner area the food was on the pricey end. She grabbed the menu and looked at the listed things. She had never had ootoro, although, she really fancied the idea of having it.
"Pick whatever you want," Kyoya whispered, leaning closer to her ear. "He will pay. I will make him pay."
"Are you sure it's alright? And I am very sorry for being so thick," she mumbled back.
He nodded. Well, then fancy tuna it was.
Akito looked at them from where he was sitting, right in front of them and frowned a little. What were they whispering about? He rolled his eyes. He never thought Kyoya would be this childish to start friendships with girls. But then she took out her glasses and rubbed her eyes. Akito froze in place. Her eyes... They were so beautiful. Now that he could see her face, he was shocked. He had never seen set of two eyes so intriguing and inviting before. Why the hell would she cover that pretty face of hers with those awful glasses?
Fine, Kyoya wasn't childish. This girl was so damn hot and had such captivating eyes that he was certain his mouth was gaping open when he caught sight of them. But still, he sighed, still it was a terrible idea. If she found out, there would be no damage control, except maybe to lock her up in a mental hospital, which, he was pretty sure, was something their father would do.
He put his hand under his chin and stared at her pretty face. Kyoya glared at him and shook his head. She needed a good designer, then she would look like a magazine model. Kyoya surely didn't waste time. Where did they know each other from?
"I will have fancy tuna," she spoke, smiling gently. "Would you like to share with me, Kyoya-senpai? It's late for eating a lot."
Kyoya nodded.
Akito's amusement grew. What kind of relationship did they have that they were sharing food? In response, he just nodded, without saying a word. He wondered if Kyoya faked eating before too if she was suggesting to share or she was just doing it for the first time. Waiter quickly approached, bringing them drinks, and he made the order.
"Haruhi-san, where do you know Kyoya-kun from?" Akito asked with a wide smile, looking at Kyoya sideways, trying to catch his reaction. "He isn't really the friendly type, to be honest, so I am surprised and happy that he made friends with someone."
"Oh," she looked at Kyoya with a smile and then turned her gaze at Akito. "We go to the same school. Kyoya-senpai is a quite nice and friendly person."
Akito choked, putting down the lemonade that had arrived earlier than the rest of the food. Was she speaking about the same Kyoya?
"Are you alright, Akito-san?" she asked concerned, extending him a small napkin.
He nodded awkwardly and stared at his brother. Kyoya looked impassive, impatient maybe. There was nothing else on his face. Akito cleaned his lips with the napkin frustrated and offered a polite smile to the girl.
"So, you are a student at Ouran high school?" he asked.
"Yes," she nodded. "I have started my first year."
"So you are not in the same class as Kyoya-kun. You are younger. I thought you were classmates. You two look quite close," he said, faking a confusion and surprise.
"Oniisan, Haruhi might think you have invited her to interrogate," Kyoya said lightly, his voice laced with humor. It almost fooled Akito to think that Kyoya wasn't livid about him questioning his rather pretty friend.
"I apologize, if it seemed like that, Haruhu-san,"Akito quickly tried to smooth things. "It's a sibling thing I suppose, to always keep an eye on your younger brother and all. I hope you are not offended."
The waiter placed the food on the table, and the cold atmosphere warmed up a bit. Akito gave Kyoya a look and shook his head. He didn't want to do this, but Kyoya needed to understand that it was a terrible idea to go and start relationships like this. One unguarded step, one mistake, and he would be in trouble. They were Ootoris, and they were supposed to be more careful.
Haruhi smiled like a maniac, seeing the food. It looked so delicious. She ate quickly, and Kyoya stared at her with a bit of bewilderment.
"I am sorry," she said, looking at him. "Seems like I was hungrier than I thought I was."
"It's alright," Kyoya mumbled.
He didn't even manage to chew one piece when she finished all of them. Akito's eyes were wide in shock; not every day, one would see a pretty girl, who eats so much food in a faster than light speed. She smiled at Kyoya. She didn't want him to have any of the pieces. He smiled back. He understood.
"Kyoya-senpai," she stood up. "Would you come with me for a moment? I need your help."
He quirked a brow. Akito stared at the girl in disbelief. Who was she? What was happening? Was this real?
"Of course, Haruhi," Kyoya stood up. "Excuse us for a moment, Akito-san."
Akito blinked, not realizing what was happening. "Um, well, of course," he mumbled finally.
They left together and when they were far enough Haruhi apologized.
"I am sorry, senpai," she said. "I shouldn't have agreed to come here. I just didn't think. I ate all of the food myself, hope it won't seem strange. I just didn't want you to have any of it. You told me, you can't digest it."
"It's alright, Haruhi," he nodded. "Thank you. Is there any problem, or you just wanted to apologize?"
"I thought you would want to eat, too?" she grinned.
Now that they were away, Akito would come up some ridiculous notions of what kind of relationship she had with Haruhi. Hopefully, he wouldn't open his mouth and tell anything to Father. Kyoya sighed. No, he wouldn't utter a word. He wouldn't want the old man to know that he was wandering around there as well. He chuckled. They walked into the bathroom.
"I don't need it, Haruhi," he tried to protest.
"Nonsense," she shook her head. "It's my fault we are in an eating place. I never had ootoro before. To be honest, it is one of the things I always wanted to have. So it's my turn to treat you. Let's hope it's as good as fancy tuna."
If only she knew, that her blood drove him mad. He nodded and held her hand close to his lips. The smell of her sweet blood poured into his nose, and his cheeks turned blush at the accompanying thoughts he had. His teeth pierced into her flesh, and her blood streamed into his mouth, like a gentle melody for his frozen senses. It made him more content each time. He sighed delighted at the fresh taste and joyful feelings his brain registered. His lips sucked the blood out of her body in slow, cherishing gulps. Haruhi suddenly grabbed his shoulders and stumbled, but his dazed mind didn't realize anything, although he instinctively rushed to pull her closer.
His teeth pierced further into her flesh unknowingly, mechanically, and a new surge of blood rushed to sooth the nerves in his mouth. He felt her go tense against him and heard her let out a barely audible moan. He stopped drinking, untangled his fangs and looked at her surprised. She looked horrified. Something had just changed, and they both felt it. She wasn't pale, like she always was after he drunk her blood. She was blushing red.
"We should return," she said quickly, retreating her arm and putting on a small band-aid.
Her blood dripped on his shirt. They stared at each other confused and both looked away immediately. What had just happened? He clasped his fingers around her wrist. He could feel her pulse, beating crazily. She stared at him like she saw him for the first time. He nodded and let go of her arm.
Akito was literally playing with hid food when they walked back. He was pushing it forward and backwards in his plate, and Haruhi wrinkled her face, seeing it. The guy stared at them cautiously, but then smiled.
"I was worried something happened," he said, looking at Kyoya instead. "It was strange you would go to the bathroom together."
"Oh," Haruhi said, realizing what he was insinuating. "I have hurt myself during a school activity, and I am supposed to have this shots for my bones. It's harmless really. But I am scared to do it myself."
It was a lie. Haruhi smiled at him. She was supposed to become a lawyer or not? Better start now. His expression suggested that he actually believed her.
"I am sorry," Akito said. "I didn't mean for my words to sound like―"
"It's alright," Haruhi hurried to say. "I need to go now. It's already too late. It was very nice, Akito-san. Thank you for the dinner. And Kyoya-senpai, thank you for the help. Also, sorry for eating all the fancy tuna."
"I will take you home," Kyoya said.
"No need," she insisted. "I will find my way home just fine."
Whatever happened in the bathroom had made her panic. She wanted to leave as soon as possible. Kyoya nodded. He realized that too.
"It was nice meeting you, Haruhi-san," Akito said before she ran out of the restaurant.
Kyoya looked after her. His heart was beating so fast, as if it was planning to leave his chest and ran after her. He breathed in, and the air was as if soaked in her smell. It made his heartbeat go faster, and he closed his eyes. Her taste was still in his mouth, and it made him feel replete and relaxed. He smelled her so close to him; it was strange.
"Father will be very displeased about this," Akito told him. When Kyoya didn't respond, he added, "It's completely crazy."
"Crazy?"
"Yes. It's crazy; you and this girl? What were you thinking? Do you know what will happen if she finds out?"
"What will happen?" he asked his brother.
"She will flip. What else will happen? This isn't some bullshit fantasy for you, it's life, and the moment she sees your teeth, she will ran away."
"Why are you telling me this, Akito-san?" Kyoya said impatiently.
"Because believe it or not, I care about you ,and I don't want you to get hurt."
"So, was that what it was? Huh? You caring about me? Inviting us to a food restaurant?"
"I wanted you to understand," he tried to defend his point. "Unfortunately, that little girl had one hell of an appetite. Are they starving her or something?"
"It's not for your place to decide for me," Kyoya said politely, but his tone with icy and harsh. "I can decide and understand on my own."
"This will break your heart," Akito said surprisingly quietly, almost to himself. "I won't tell anything to Father."
They walked out of the restaurant together. The moon and the stars were not visible. The sky was cloudy, as thick fog had covered the sky.
"So what were you doing here, anyways?" Kyoya asked with a playful smile. "And don't try to make up excuses. I can smell her all over you."
Akito turned pink at his younger brother's words. He gulped and looked away. "So, that's one of the perks, huh?"
Kyoya didn't respond, just walked and stared at him casually, waiting for an explanation.
"She is a very fun girl," Akito said with a tender smile, surprising Kyoya. "She is very smart. She studies anthropology at university. We have met accidentally. She mistook me for an IT technician when we met. I fixed her computer, don't ask. And then before I know we are talking about all kinds of things and setting on a date. We always meet around here. I think she might live close by, but I didn't ask or make her invite me. It has been three months or so. I didn't tell her the truth. She still thinks I work in an IT store."
"Father will have your head, the moment he hears about your ravenous relationship," Kyoya chuckled. "Don't worry, I won't tell him about this. What's the point of ruining your little affair, anyways."
Akito gave him a pointed look. "This is not a little affair," he said, sounding actually offended. "I like Nanako. And she likes me. Me―not Ootori Akito. She just likes me not for the Ootori name like everyone else Father shoves down my face, but for my character."
Kyoya sighed. This was serious. Nanako? Huh? Yoshio Ootori was going to lose it, when he found out that two of his sons were hanging out with commoners.
"So that's why you are dressed like this," Kyoya shook his head, but his lips were curled upwards. "You look younger dressed like this. But don't you think, you need to tell her?"
"I can't," Akito shook his head. "I can't tell her. Just like you won't tell that girl what is wrong with you."
"So now being an Ootori means something is wrong with you?" Kyoya stared at his brother.
"For Nanako, it would be," Akito confessed. "You should see what she says about wealthy people."
Kyoya chuckled. He didn't know what Nanako said, but he knew someone who had quite a few colourful words she would share whenever she would get frustrated. He didn't ask any more questions. Akito seemed secretive about her. It was a big surprise he told him anything at all. Kyoya reasoned that it was because of the vulnerable situation he found him in, otherwise, he wouldn't utter a word about that Nanako girl, whoever she was.
Tachibana approached them after Kyoya's call to take them home. He looked surprised to see Akito and Kyoya together, but didn't say anything. They didn't discuss the day in the car either. Both of them needed silence. Sometimes silence soothed in a way, words couldn't. And even when they got home, both of them were silent, and they hurried to their rooms, hoping not to meet their parents or older brother.
Although, Saori Ootori saw both of them entering the house. She looked at them surprised to see them together. Her sons were not normally in talking terms. She sighed and kept sipping from her tea. The maid ran in and smiled like she had caught some miracle fairy.
"I have news for your, Saori-sama," she said with a grin.
Saori put down her cup and straightened her posture. She gestured for the maid to sit down, and the woman shyly sat in front of Ootori matriarch.
"I have asked around, and one of my friends who works in the Ouran high school told me that although they never saw young master with anyone, a few weeks ago, he had helped this one girl to be taken to the nurse's office. Her name is Haruhi, and she is an honor student at Ouran. I think it was just a thank you note for the help on Valentine's day."
"Thank you, Miwa-san," Saori said. "Would you try to find out more about this girl."
"Of course, ma'am," the maid said cheerfully.
I am so thankful to all the people who read, favorited, followed and left lovely reviews for this story. It makes me all the more motivated to write new chapters. I hope you are doing all well, and life isn't treating you harshly. After all, it's winter already. Tell me what you think of this chapter. What do you think of Akito? For me, he is a bit of a fan character. He is the Loki-type. :)