It was lunchtime and Kyoya was searching for Mitsu. He knew due to the rumor, she was not going to be in the lunch hall, so he headed to the club room. However, when he arrived, he found a frantic Tamaki shrieking at Haruhi and the twins.
"What do you mean she got expelled?!"
His heart stopped.
"Well, your dad thought it would be better for the image of the school to get rid of the 'cause' of all the rumors," Hikaru spat.
"He never told me this!"
"That's because he knew you'd react like this," Haruhi said.
Kyoya tried to speak. "Mitsu's...she's been expelled?" Everyone froze at his voice.
"Kyoya-senpai..." All the anger she felt prior to that moment seemed to melt away into sympathy as she stared at him. He looked...broken.
"She was expelled because of this?"
"Yeah..." He sucked in a breath, then walked to his corner and sat down. Then, after he removed his glasses, he slammed his head onto the table. "Kyoya-senpai!"
"Kyo-chan!" Hani shouted. The club members stared at him as his body shook as he let out silent, yet violent sobs.
"Whoa..." Kaoru muttered. This was the most vulnerable and open they had ever seen their Shadow King.
"Kyoya?" Tamaki said.
"This is my fault...if I had decided to stay by her side, and argued against this, she would still be here and in my arms."
"It is your fault." Everyone turned to stare at Mori, who seemed oddly irritated. Kyoya lifted his head up to look at him. "You walked away from something good, and in the end, you lost her for good. But, that was your decision. I bet Tamaki told you that already. Live with it. It hurts, yeah. But, you broke her heart at the worst of times. When she needed you the most."
The second year sighed, wiping away his tears and placing his glasses back on his face. "You better be good to her."
"I will."
Mori's phone rang, and he smiled when he saw Mitsu's picture on the screen. He answered, happy to hear her voice. "I'm glad you called."
"Well, you did tell me to call you when I got home."
"How was school?"
"Weird...like, I never thought I would be with my old friends again. They're the same goofballs as ever, only Yuusuke seemed to have change. It seems like he's got a jealous streak in him...but he doesn't have a reason because-"
"I know."
"Huh?"
"I know it's officially over between you and Kyoya."
"Oh."
"I'm not gonna take advantage of that, Mitsu. You're still healing."
"Wait, did Haruhi tell you?"
"No, I found out on the way to class. Tamaki slammed him to a wall and talked some sense into him."
"How's he doing now?"
"I'm not sure. He had a mental breakdown when he found out that you got expelled. Blamed himself. And I agreed."
"You scolded him?"
"I had to. Everyone else was feeling sorry, and as harsh as it sounds, he needs to live with his consequences and act like the future head of his family, if he gets the chance."
"Wow."
"He sobered up really quick after that, but decided to take some time off to clear his head."
"Okay...Does anyone else know that I got expelled?"
"Not really, but people are talking. Do your friends know about what happened?"
"More or less. Yuuchin kinda asked me out, but I told him about the promise I made you."
"Oh?"
"Yup. You have his blessing."
That made him laugh. "Mitsu..."
"Hmm?"
"You know I'll wait until you're ready, right?"
She blushed at his words. "Yeah..."
"I am not going to rush you. If anything, we can wait until the merger is finalized and maybe test the waters. But I want you to be ready."
"Mori-sen-"
"But, I also want you to keep yourself exclusive to me. I know it sounds selfish, but I don't want anyone else to get the chance to have you. Not Kishiruma, not anyone."
"Mori-senpai."
"Yes?"
"I know. I already planned that." Then she stopped. "Wait-Kishiruma-senpai? What does he have to do with any of this?"
"I think we became enemies because he knows I have feelings for you and I told him to stay away. Now I gotta keep an eye out for him."
"Oh...why does everyone hate him?"
"We don't hate him per se, we're just cautious. He's as calculating as Kyoya, but he's actually a pretty nice guy, but he can be a little...passionate about things. He's just too unpredictable to leave alone, so steer clear of him."
"Okay."
"Good." He sighed. "I really wish things were different. You wouldn't be so sad. I want to make you smile, brighter than before. I want to take care of you and Hiromi, laugh with you and all of that. I want to spoil you. You deserve that. You deserve a life where you can grow with someone and I want to be that someone."
"Mori-sen-"
"Even after everything I've said, you're still using honorifics?"
"Um..."
"Drop the senpai. I'd prefer it if you called me by my first name."
"I-I can't..."
"Mitsu..."
"B-But that should be meant for specific people."
"And you made that list. Besides, we're technically getting engaged."
"You just had to pull that card. Just had to."
He chuckled. "You know I'm right. But, I'm serious. From now on, I want it to be 'Takashi'."
"But-"
"Please? "
She groaned, defeated. She just couldn't say no when he asked nicely. "Okay...Takashi."
He chuckled again. "I gotta get back to practice."
"You were practicing?! Why did you ask me to call you if I was gonna be a distraction?!"
"Because you would be a good distraction. Because I wanted to make sure you were alright. And...I wanted to hear your voice."
Her blush burned. "Oh..."
"Check on Kyoya. I know you're worried about him, even if you don't want to admit it."
"I'm-"
"Don't tell me you're still angry at him, because you're not. Now, tell him that."
"Okay..."
"Good."
"T-Takashi?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks for being there for me."
"I'll always be there for you. You know that."
"I know. I'll let you go."
"Text you later."
"Okay." She hung up and sighed, collapsing onto her bed. "How did this happen?"
Touma paced back and forth in his room, seething yet again. "Morinozuka...even he's in love with my Mitsu. How did that happen? They don't even interact."
"You'd be surprised, sir. One can fall in love with just observations. You did, after all."
"Shut up, I know. I don't need him getting in my way. He's ruining everything. I was gonna swoop in and sweep her off her feet. No matter, I'll still do it. Help me find something to wear."
"Young Master?"
"I'm going to Mitsu's home. I want to take her out on a date."
"Are you sure this is wise? Their families are arranging a marriage between them."
"I don't care." His bodyguard sighed and helped him. Once he was ready, they were off to the Fukumoto Residence. He knocked on the door, only to be answered by Kahoko, who looked suspicious of him.
"I'm sorry, but Fukumoto-sama is not home at the moment. You must schedule-"
"I'm not here for him. I'm here to see Fukumoto Mitsu."
That tipped her off. She was unaware of her mistress having any guests. "I'm afraid I cannot let you see her."
"Why not?"
"She is spending time with Miss Hiromi."
"That's great, I love children. I can join them." He moved to step inside, but she placed a hand on his chest to stop him.
"So sorry." She began to close the door, but Touma grabbed it.
"You're just a servant. Who are you to tell me 'no'?" He pushed through, knocking her back. She lunged at him, but Shiro was quick to react.
"I'm afraid you'll have to put up with me."
She growled and tried to make a break for Touma, but Shiro grabbed her and threw her down. "So rough."
"Forgive me, I actually hate beating on a woman."
"I'm tougher than I look." And she grabbed the nearby vase and hurled it at him.
Meanwhile, Mitsu was on the phone with Kyoya. "Are you sure you're alright? I heard what happened."
"I'm fine. I thought you weren't ever gonna talk to me."
"I'm not so mad at you anymore. If anything, I want to mend our friendship."
"Funny...I was planning on doing that before I found out that you were no longer going to Ouran."
"You may be an idiot, but you're still important in my life, Kyo. And Hiromi misses you. She knows what happened and understands. She actually took a break from talking about you for a few days, but then decided to be like 'I miss Uncle Kyo'."
"I've been demoted to uncle now?"
"Hey, it has it's charms." He laughed at that. Then, she heard the sound of shattering glass and Kahoko shouting.
"Mitsu, what's wrong?"
"Someone's here. I gotta go."
"Mitsu!"
"Call Takashi." She hung up and looked at her little girl.
"Mama?" Hiromi asked.
"Mitsu..." someone called.
She paled at the voice. "Kishiruma." She grabbed Hiromi and hid her in her lavish closet. She jumped at the loud bang on her door. She gave the phone to Hiromi. "Stay here and stay quiet. Pick up if it's Mori or Kyo."
"But, mama-" Another bang.
"Hiromi, listen to your mother." She kissed her forehead. "It'll be okay."
"Okay..." She closed the door.
"Mitsu!" Touma called again. She stood by the door. Then, another bang. "Mitsu! Come on, I know you're in there! You should really train your servants better. That bitch was so rude to me!"
"Just leave."
"Not before I get what I came here for."
"And what is that?"
"You."