Chapter 9: 大ミス―Great mistake by Serina

The air was warm. Fresh wind was blowing from all sides, bringing the salty ocean air with it. She could hear the noise their clients were making. It was exhausting. Wearing a button-up shirt and long shorts was exhausting. She was promised a great day and a nice time at the beach, while all she got was hot, sweaty, exhausting hours under the burning sun. Tamaki-senpai was very excited and shone as bright as the stars in the night sky. She poured the bottle water over her head and closed her eyes. This was a torture. If only she knew, she would put more fight before coming to this beach.

"Haruhi-kun," Momoka Kurakano spoke gently, "would you like to swim with us?"

Haruhi opened her eyes and eyed the girl lazily. She really would want to, only she couldn't do it. She glared at the host boys. Those rich bastards would pay for this.

"No," she said with a smile, "I don't want to get into the water, but you, Momoka-chan, should go and swim. You look very cute in your swimsuit."

The girl blushed and very quickly darkened for a few shades. Her white bikini looked absolutely stunning. Haruhi decided that it looked quite nice, and she wouldn't mind wearing something like that herself. The girl softly giggled, thinking she absolutely swayed Haruhi by her appearance and then walked away, joining her friends who were playing with the twins. Being left alone was not bad at all. At least, she didn't have to entertain anyone.

It would have been far better if she was home, doing her homework. But because she was not, she decided to lay back and enjoy the sun as much as she could. That is, of course, until a strange chain of events started to develop. She didn't understand why she was taken to dark caves and then forced to do random things, and all the time the host boys stared at her bewildered. Kyoya Ootori didn't seem to be engaged in any of those games, but she had a strong suspicion that he was behind all that. Getting fed up with their nonsense, she decided to hide somewhere just so she wouldn't participate in what they did. She climbed up the cliffs where sun couldn't reach her and decided to read something.

"What book is it?"

Haruhi looked up and smiled. "Great Mistake," she said, making a room for the girl to sit, "it was my mother's favorite book."

Momoka smiled and sat next to her, "I saw you left and decided to join you," she said shyly, "I hope I am not disturbing you."

Haruhi shook her head, "I am happy for your company," she said with a pleasant smile. "It was very hot down there, and I can't stand the heat."

"It was very warm," she agreed with a tender smile. There was a small silence between them, but the green-eyed girl, cleaning her throat, talked, "So what is the book about? Making mistakes?"

Haruhi looked up at her and smiled, "kind of," she said with a soft laughter, "it's about a man who mistakes hotel rooms and ends up learning a very important secret that he wasn't supposed to know."

"What kind of secret?" Momoka wanted to know.

"I can lend you the book, and you can find out yourself," Haruhi offered, "it's my mother's copy. I have read it several times."

Momoka's eyes shone up, and she nodded awkwardly, "I would be very glad if you lent me your copy. I promise to treat it well."

Haruhi gave the book to her and smiled. Momoka was not a bad girl. She was friendly and nice and was very interested in her education. No wonder she was the class vice-president. She took the book and clumsily bowed, blushing crimson red.

"Thank you, Haruhi-kun," she mumbled, "I will put it in my bag, so I won't lose it."

Haruhi nodded, and the girl walked away, disappearing behind the cliff. Haruhi sighed and went through her own bag, trying to find something refreshing in there. The heat was getting even to the secluded area where she was sitting. Suddenly she heard a loud noise, and Momoka's voice calling for help. She grabbed the first thing under her hand and ran towards the noise.

Three idiots had surrounded Momoka and Kimiko. She wondered who they were and why were they even there. She would expect at least some decent security in the places where rich people were relaxing.

"Stop, pestering them, idiots," she said angrily, dumping the sea-shells they had collected with Honey-senpai at those idiots.

They got startled. And it was all that Haruhi needed. She had the girls ran away. Only now those idiots started to advance at her. What was wrong with them anyway?

"Look at this boy," one of them said, grabbing her hand, "so fragile, looks like a girl."

They grabbed her by the collar and dragged her towards the cliff ending. The ocean water was storming at the bottom. Haruhi knew they intended to throw her there, and she didn't know how to swim. She realized that it was not the best idea to attack them without extra plan in her head. But before they could throw her, she grabbed one of the guys by the hair and pulled so hard that he ran off backwards dragging her with him. He screamed in pain, and Haruhi, taking advantage, kicked the other guy in-between his legs.

"That is what idiots like you deserve," she said, kicking him again.

The third guy grabbed her by the neck and started to choke her. Haruhi knew that she wasn't strong. But she was smart and very smart. She didn't need to be strong to kick their ass. She bit the guy's fingers, and he let go of her, whining in pain. She would have considered the entire exchange a real victory, if not for one of these morons, running at her fast and pushing her off the cliff. Her eyes widened, and her heart started to beat fast as she made contact with the cold, salty water.

She inhaled sharply as suddenly the water left her lungs.

"Are you alright, Haruhi?" she could hear her name from all sides. Her body was weak, and her vision was blurred.

What had happened to her? She coughed. Her head was spinning. The sounds were reaching her ears, but they were muffled.

"Kyoya, when will the doctor come?" she heard Tamaki-senpai's voice. His voice was scared. She tried to blink her eyes, but her vision didn't clear up. She squeezed them shut, trying to concentrate on the voices.

"He will be here in thirty minutes," Kyoya spoke slowly, "I have sent Tachibana after him. Where are the twins?"

"They are taking care of those idiots." Tamaki replied, "when I think about them, I just want to go there and beat them all up... Hey! Where are you going Kyoya?"

"I have some things to clear up and..." he paused, "I need to solve this issue. This shouldn't have happened. Take her in, wait until the doctor comes."

"Alright!" Tamaki agreed, "give me a call if it is anything serious."

"I will," Kyoya said coldly, "take care of her, until I come back."

Haruhi opened her eyes again, and this time she could see the faces of the guys staring at her. Tamaki's face was scared. Honey-senpai looked very concerned. Even normally stoic Mori-senpai was agitated. She blinked and tried to speak.

"What has happened to me?" she asked.

"Are you alright, Haru-chan?" Honey-senpai questioned gently.

"I..." she grunted, trying to sit up.

Why was her head pounding? She felt so tired and her body ached. She tried to get up, but Tamaki and Honey prevented her from moving.

"Try to relax," Honey said, "you almost drowned. Tama-chan dove in after you and brought you out of the water. You must feel weak now. Don't move. The doctor will be here in a few minutes."

"I am fine," she said, "it's nothing serious."

"Nothing serious," Tamaki who was surprisingly silent suddenly screamed, "what were you thinking? How could you? Tell me, Haruhi, are you a martial artist? Why didn't you call for help? We were just there."

Haruhi snorted, "Does it matter?" she said angrily, "so if you were not there what was I supposed to do? Run away?"

"You are a girl, and you should acknowledge that," he said offended.

"What has that to do with anything?" Haruhi quirked a brow, "are you implying that because I am a girl, I am incapable of standing up for myself ? If that is what you think, then you are awfully mistaken. This could have happened with anyone―even with guys. Don't pretend that it was all because I was a girl."

"I won't talk to you until you acknowledge your mistake," Tamaki snapped.

"That's fine with me," Haruhi retorted, crossing her arms.

"Some rich bastards!" she thought.

She had no mood for this stupid "you are a girl" game. She didn't attack those guys to prove a point. She did it because others were in danger, and she didn't have time to think. It wasn't as if she wanted to show that there was no difference between a man and a woman. Even though there wasn't, and not all men would have actually ended up winning in her situation. It was three against one, and she was doing decent.

Mori-senpai had taken her in his arms to the mansion, as if she was disabled. She was so angry with Tamaki-senpai, she didn't even fight. All she wanted was some peace and rest. Thankfully that's what the doctor told them all. When all the hosts had gathered up in her room. Even Ootori Kyoya seemed to be curious about her well-being. After the doctor left, she took a shower and changed her clothes.

She was going to kill her father. She had told him, she didn't want him near her wardrobe. He had completely repacked her suitcase, and there was just about so much she could tolerate in one day. Frilly dresses were not on the list.

In the dining room the hosts were silent when she entered. Twins seemed to be very excited about her dress and even complimented her. She informed them how her father had repacked her stuff, but it excited them even more. Mori-senpai and Honey-senpai seemed to be completely busy with eating. Tamaki was gloomy and was sporting an expression somewhat between a lost puppy and an angry puppy. He didn't look at her and only glanced her way.

She looked at the Ootori guy. He didn't even pay attention to her. She snorted and sat at the table. They all could go to hell. She didn't care. They dragged her there and now were angry with her for being a decent human being.

She started to eat. At least, something was great. The food was absolutely delicious. She had never tasted anything this great before.

"Excuse me," Kyoya stood up, "I will go to my room."

"I am leaving too," Tamaki followed after.

They could leave. Who cared! If they were going to pretend that she was wrong for helping those girls, she didn't want to see them either. They acted as if she did the world's worst thing. She just didn't have time to call for help and while they claimed to be nearby, they were far enough that they didn't actually come when Momoka and Kimiko had called for help.

"Haruhi," Kaoru suddenly spoke, "you should talk to tono and apologize to him, because he was very worried about you."

"We all were," Hikaru agreed, "we were so scared when we realized what had happened."

"I am sorry," she said, "I didn't want to make any of you worry. But I also don't think I did anything to have Tamaki-senpai's wrath on me."

She suddenly felt sick. Did she eat too much? Did she have something bad? Her stomach was aching, and she wanted to throw up? It was the food. She stood up and, realizing that she wouldn't be able to hold anymore, ran. She opened the first door, that she saw in the long corridor, and went straight to the bathroom. It was such a waste to throw up that perfectly tasty meal. It was all her nerves. She shouldn't have eaten that much.

She washed her face and mouth. Her body was even weaker after throwing up. She felt tired and a good night's sleep would solve all her problems. She cleaned up and walked out of the bathroom, only then to realize that she was not in her room. She was in such a hurry that she didn't even look where she entered. There was a man sitting in the room, and he was half naked. She blinked embarrassed and bowing, spoke quickly.

"I am sorry, sir," she mumbled, "I didn't want to intrude into your room like this."

"Don't be silly, Haruhi," the person said, "it's me, Kyoya!"

Haruhi looked at him with wide eyes and wondered why she didn't recognize him. Maybe because he was shirtless, or because his glasses were missing. Something was different about him. She wanted to apologize again and leave, but then she remembered what Honey-senpai and the twins told her.

"I am very sorry, Kyoya-senpai," she said, awkwardly, "for worrying you all. It wasn't my intention."

"I wasn't particularly worried," he said, getting up, "but you did cause me a lot of problems."

He walked towards her in such intense steps that made Haruhi instinctively back off. What was wrong with this guy? Why did he need to be an ass at all times?

"Because of you, I had to send the client back. They were very worried, and it cost the club a lot of money to buy them bouquets of flowers," he continued, now standing so close, she could smell his shampoo. "Your irresponsible actions cost the club a lot of money."

She rolled her eyes, "It's your fault in the first place for wasting money and buying flowers for those brats," she snapped, "they should be thankful that I saved them. And you know what don't be an ass, I will pay for your stupid flowers. I can't believe the only thing on your mind is money."

He seemed a little taken aback by her words, but he schooled his features and turned off the lights. The room was only illuminated by the light outside.

He suddenly grabbed her, "you can pay me with your body," he said, throwing her on his bed.

She didn't manage to realize what was happening, before he straddled her. Haruhi's eyes opened wide and, she stared at the lifeless silver orbs staring back at her.

"Surely," he said in a low voice, "you are not that naive to think that one's sex doesn't matter. That kind of thinking can lead to unfortunate circumstances. You can repeat all you want that it doesn't matter and leave yourself defenseless, and I can take from you what I want."

Haruhi rolled her eyes and snorted, "Get off me," she complained, "you stupid idiot, before I break your nose."

She tried to push him off, but he just tightened his grip. And then she gave up and sighed, "fine," she said, "go ahead. I know this is all just a game, anyways. It doesn't take a genius to understand what kind of person you are, and you might be an insensitive asshole, but you are not a rapist."

He stared at her curiously, knowing full well that she was right. But she made him so mad, that he just wanted to keep playing to see what she would do.

"Is that so?" he chuckled, and his voice almost sounded dark enough to sent shivers through her spine.

"You won't do it," she mumbled, but now her voice was less confident, "you have nothing to gain from sleeping with me."

"Really?" he asked amused, "I can think of number of things I could gain..."

"This is really not funny," she pouted, "you are numbing my limbs, by holding me so tightly."

"It was never supposed to be funny," Kyoya assured her and she blinked.

Was he serious? She couldn't believe that he actually even considered the idea. She tried to push him off again, but it made him grip her stronger. His face came closer, but he didn't touch her, just stared at her curiously, calculatingly. She swallowed and gasped when a strange flicker passed in front of her eyes.

"Kyoya," a giggle was heard, "stop! Wait for me!"

The little boy looked back, his silver eyes shining brightly.

"This is not funny," the little girl's voice said.

"It was never supposed to be funny," the boy said with a smile and kept running.

She gasped, breathing so loud and hard that the man holding her down on the bed, stared at her startled.

"What was it?" Haruhi demanded, breathlessly, "Who was it?"

"What are you talking about?" Kyoya looked at her curiously.

"Let me go," she said, "or go ahead and do what you want to do."

He didn't move, "I want you to understand that you were wrong," he said, "you have put you and others in danger. You should learn to trust others."

"So this is all about what Tamaki-senpai had said," she said slowly, "you were just playing the villain. You were convincing. I actually believed you for a moment."

"I see," he said with a sigh and let go off her hands. He straightened himself, but didn't move off of her. "Do you understand now?"

She felt another flicker pass, and strange memories popped into her head. Who was that boy? Why did she start remembering him now, and why was it so often? If she wasn't overwhelmed by the events that had happened during the day, she would think that the strange imaginary boy was Kyoya Ootori. Even his name was Kyoya.

"Kyoya," she tasted the name on her lips.

"Yes?" he asked a little confused by the informal way she had addressed him.

"How did you look when you were a child?" she asked absentmindedly.

Kyoya's face froze. The girl beneath him looked as if she knew something, as if she remembered something. He stared at her carefully. Should he tell her?

"Why?" he asked carefully.

"I don't know," she said, "it's strange to think of you as a child."

There was a pause. She didn't know.

"How long do you plan sitting on me like this?" she asked. "You already admitted it was not for real. So please get off me!"

"It feels cozy," the words were out of his mouth, before he could think.

"What?" she rolled her eyes, "are you five? This is getting ridiculous. It was such a big mistake to enter this room. What was I thinking, barging in?!"

Suddenly a loud noise was heard and the sky illuminated. Kyoya looked at the window. He didn't know it would rain. He looked back at Haruhi, and her face was contorted in fear. His eyes widened. He looked at her carefully, thinking she was in pain, before realizing she was scared. She suddenly grabbed his bare neck and pulling him down, hugged him. He could feel the shivers passing through her body. He could feel her heart beating against his chest.

"Are you scared Haruhi?" he asked almost gently.

She didn't respond. When another lighting struck in the sky and shortly after followed, loud noise came, and she trembled, he realized that she was scared of thunder. He patted her head softly, trying to comfort her. He remembered her being scared of thunderstorms as a child, and he remembered him promising to protect her as a child. It was time to keep his promise. He wrapped his hands around her and hugged her back gently, still lying on the bed.

The door was suddenly opened and Tamaki burst in, "Kyoya, I have a horrible sunburn―" the blonde paused, staring at Haruhi and Kyoya shocked.