Izzy wasn't the least bit surprised when Tamaki showed up on Christmas Day. She eyed him at the front door, head tilted to the side. She was dressed in a cream lantern-sleeved sweater tucked into a skirt and thigh-high stockings.
She was alone for the day, having given Chi's entire household staff the day off for the holiday. Something told her, however, that she wouldn't remain alone for the day.
"Tamaki," she greeted with a smile, hip leaning into the doorframe. "What are you doing here?"
"I didn't want you to be alone for Christmas, Senpai."
Her smile remained as she took a moment to study him. "Well, come inside, it's cold outside," she ducked back into the house, waving him inside. Tamaki followed her inside, glad that she wasn't annoyed with his presence.
"Wouldn't you rather spend the day with your family?" she asked. The kitchen smelled heavily of food.
"Not really," Tamaki answered honestly. "We don't celebrate Christmas, it's just a regular day. It took some time getting used to, we celebrated in France. What are you making?"
"Oh, well, we usually all get together and have this big dinner. I haven't had Italian food since coming here so I thought it would be a good idea to make some things." Izzy directed him to sit at the island. He never had Italian food but it smelled delicious.
"Why didn't you go home for the holidays?" Tamaki asked, genuinely curious. Mori mentioned Izzy's complicated family but didn't say why she wasn't in Italy. "I didn't know you could cook."
"I can do a lot of things," Izzy shrugged casually, standing at the oven. "I didn't feel the need to. My parents are in America so," she waved the notion off. "I've spent every single Christmas with them since I was born, what's one Christmas?"
There was something odd about her tone, something he couldn't quite pinpoint.
"Besides, I don't like flying and could you imagine what a hassle it would be just to fly for a week back in Italy? I'll just be going back at the end of the year anyway."
Tamaki nearly flinched off the stool. He stared at her back, horrified. "You're doing what?"
Izzy paused before turning to look at him, hand at her hip. "I'll be...going back? To Italy?"
"But...why?"
She smiled, a little bit confused. "Because I live there? I can't stay here, Tamaki. I don't...well, I don't belong here." Her lips quivered and she regretted the statement the moment she spit it out. She could hear Katsu saying those same words to her, lips cruelly brushing against hers.
She felt sick.
"Of course you belong here! That's ridiculous to even say, Senpai. Did your cousin say that to you?" Tamaki jumped up, agitated energy bouncing off of him. He approached her, ignoring her subconscious flinch backwards. He snatched her hand up and looked deeply into her eyes.
"Tamaki…" she trailed off, just a bit disturbed with how serious he was taking this.
"You're too smart to let him into your head, Senpai! You have as much right as anyone else to be here. Just because you're biracial doesn't make you any less worthy." His eyes were earnest, leaving Izzy speechless.
She blinked, shaking away her temporary stupidity. "Oh, I think I've finally been charmed by you," she admitted with a red face. Tamaki perked up but quickly shook his head, now wasn't the time to bask in victory. "But still, Tamaki. I can't stay in Japan. I don't think my parents would allow it."
"How do you know?"
She gave him a funny look, face scrunching cutely. "Because that wasn't the deal. They agreed to let me live here for an entire school year and that's it. And besides, I don't belong."
It wasn't easy for her to come to that conclusion but a small part of her agreed with her psychotic cousin that she didn't belong. She would always feel just out of the loop. Like she was an imposter.
"You can't really believe that, Senpai. Your cousin is just trying to get under your skin. Honestly, Mori-senpai—"
"We're not having Mori beat him up, for heaven's sake!" Izzy pulled her hand away only to flap Tamaki away. "Sit back down, you're distracting me." She turned back to the stove, eyeing the food, hoping it wouldn't burn since he had her attention.
"You can't just leave," Tamaki said after a brief pause. "You can't lease us, we won't allow it."
Izzy smiled and peeked into the pot of cioppino, inhaling the aroma. She heard Tamaki take a deep breath as well. "Oh, Tamaki," she shook her head. "I do believe you're being quite dramatic. Everything will be just fine."
"How can you say that?" Tamaki pressed, causing her to pause. "Don't you know how important you are to us?"
"Tamaki, please—"
"You do know how important you are, don't you?"
Izzy avoided answering the question immediately, checking on the lasagna in the oven. "Of course I know," she said after a pause. She kept her face turned away, lips rolling apprehensively. Her eyes began itching, though she couldn't say why.
She took a deep breath and wiped at her nose. "You're all important to me too," she admitted, though the words tasted like ash in her mouth. "You're...just like siblings to me."
The kitchen was quiet for several seconds as the words soaked in. Tamaki was grinning at her back and though she wasn't looking, she could just feel his grin. Her face turned red but she chalked it off from the heat of the stove. The conversation changed after that but Izzy was sure she'd be hearing about the subject again.
"You Italians cook a lot…" Tamaki said after a while of casual conversation. Everytime he thought she was finished cooking, she was doing something else. The different aromas of food mingled together favorably.
Izzy blinked and glanced at him, looking thoughtful. "Ah, I might have overdone it," she grinned after a moment. "I'm used to cooking for more than two people. We cook a lot of food but we tend to eat in smaller portions to save room for the next course."
"Did you do the cooking for your family?"
"Sometimes. We had chefs for the most part but sometimes, when I didn't have a lot of homework."
"So you'd cook for a family of six?"
"Usually. It wasn't unusual for an aunt or uncle to visit with their family."
She didn't take notice of Tamaki slowly pulling his cellphone out of his pocket. When she was nearly finished cooking, the doorbell rang. She blinked and looked up, confused but backed away from the stove. She ordered Tamaki to keep an eye on the food while she answered the door.
Izzy was somewhat surprised to see the remaining Host Club members at her front door. Hand on her hip, she tilted her head to the side. "Merry Christmas, come in." She didn't bother to question any of them, herding them towards the kitchen.
Chi's quiet house became a bustling hub of energy as the Host Club settled in. Izzy finished cooking and directed them all to sit down, sitting down herself with a sigh. She wouldn't admit it, but she felt relief settling over her. She was sure that she'd be spending Christmas alone and although they were a handful, the Host Club had unknowingly come through for her.
Or perhaps they did know, who's to say.
A New Years Eve party.
She wasn't surprised that there would be a party. Rich people always did the absolute most when it came to parties. She was sure it was just a need to spend their money extravagantly.
"I knew I'd find a reason to wear this dress," Izzy muttered from the depths of her closet, eyeing the dress. It was short like her Christmas dress and form fitting. The tassels sleeves were slit and cuffed at the wrists.
She grabbed the dress and stepped out of the closet, laying the dress on her bed. She sat at her vanity and got to work on her hair and makeup. Usually she wouldn't put so much effort into this but this was a party hosted by the Ootori family and she was known to be a close friend of Kyoya's. She couldn't make him or the Morimoto family look bad.
"Yes…" Izzy sighed, her cellphone sandwiched between her ear and shoulder as she left her bedroom. She was barefoot and holding a pair of nude heels. "Yes, I'm wearing the nude heels. Hikaru…"
Her hair was pulled back into a high, sleek ponytail though she wasn't sure if she quite liked it. She'd been sure to make sure her scar was covered since her hair was pulled out of her face.
"Yes, I'm on my way now, I just—" she fought to get her heels on, pausing as her doorbell rang. "I'll see you when I get there," she ended the call despite Hikaru still talking, knowing she'd pay for it later.
Tamaki was at the door. "Oh, Tamaki?" Izzy waved him inside, still only wearing one heel. Tamaki watched in amusement as she hobbled away, leaning against the wall.
"I'm your date tonight," he explained shortly, finding her wrap coat waiting for her on the couch. Izzy watched him as she slipped her other shoe on.
She snorted. "I'm your backup date since Haruhi can't come tonight?" She wasn't offended, more so amused as Tamaki helped her with her coat. It had been decided that since their classmates would be in attendance, Haruhi would sit this party out. Not that she minded.
"Don't be ridiculous, you could never be back up to anything, lily," Tamaki smiled down at her as she spun to face him, tightening the belt around her waist. "You look lovely."
"Thanks, you look...ah...what was that word?" Izzy tapped her chin. "Dashing!" she snapped her fingers. "You look dashing, as always." She winked up at him.
Tamaki took a quick second to look around the house. "Where is everyone?"
"I gave my aunt's staff off for the holidays," Izzy answered, going towards the door.
"You're completely alone?"
"Yes? Come on, we can't be late. Kyoya would kill us," she waved him after her. The car ride to the party was quick as Tamaki seemed lost in thought. He didn't like the idea of Izzy being alone in that big empty house.
It didn't sit right with him.
But Izzy was oblivious as he led her into the party. They were only a few minutes late but the party was already in full-swing. Izzy and Tamaki easily blended in with the party-goers, hosting smiles in place.
It was a while before Izzy was able to make her way to her friends, finding them in a cluster. "Thanks for abandoning me," Izzy brutally elbowed Tamaki as she slid up next to him. She'd been asked to dance many times by the other guests. Some of them being her classmates, others being guests she didn't know.
"Good to see you, Senpai!" Hikaru and Kaoru cheered together.
Izzy smiled. "Hi, boys. You all look wonderful tonight."
"So do you, Berry-chan!" Honey grinned at her.
Tamaki rubbed at his side, pouting from the abuse. "I met your older siblings and parents, Kyoya. They're um...Fuyumi is lovely," she said, her smile tightening for a moment.
Kaoru patted at her back. "Nice save."
Kyoya smirked at her, amused. "They've said the same about you, Senpai. Well done." Honestly he was impressed that his brothers and father hadn't said anything about Izzy being biracial or being the product of a scandal. But Izzy had that way about her, what she jokingly called her Italian charm. Kyoya, now bemused, wondered if his father was plotting or something.
"Say, Senpai, when does Fumiko-hime and your aunt come home?" Hikaru bodily leaned into her, surprising her. He shoved a flute of sparkling cider into her hands before she could pinch him in retaliation. She pouted at the flute, missing the taste of wine or champagne. She cursed the age limitations in Japan.
"I'm not sure, maybe the fourth or the fifth?" Izzy spoke into her flute, unaware of why Hikaru felt the need to bring that up.
"That's four or five more days alone, lily," Tamaki pointed out. She noticed that since Christmas, he'd begun calling her lily instead of Senpai. She wondered if he knew that the lily was the national flower of Italy. She had an aunt Ilaria who grew lilies.
"So?" Izzy raised her eyebrows and sipped demurely at her cider.
"That's dangerous," Mori spoke up, looking down at her.
She glanced up at him, pouting into her cider. "I think you guys are being dramatic. What could possibly happen?"
Mori was not the least bit impressed, curving over her to look straight into her eyes. She blushed immediately and leaned back. "Anything."
Izzy smiled with a huff. "I appreciate the concern but really, everything is fine. You boys worry far too much. I'm a big girl, remember?" She pressed the tips of her fingers against his chest and gently pushed him back. She hadn't been able to look him straight in the eyes since Christmas.
She really wasn't sure if he'd purposely turned his face into her kiss or if she simply misjudged their height difference and where her mouth would land. He hadn't said anything about the accidental kiss but the look in his eyes hadn't said anything about it was accidental.
She wasn't sure what to think of Mori or their relationship. She'd been telling Tamaki the truth when she told him the Host Club were like siblings to her. It was true, they were all like siblings to her.
Except for Mori.
She could, at that point, admit that her feelings for Mori were on the amorous side. A crush, she had a crush on him. There wasn't anything wrong with that, though she did feel childish about it. She was a bit too old for crushes but….what else could she call it?
She couldn't make any sense of Mori. The last thing she wanted to do was romanticize his actions towards her but sometimes it did seem like she'd been given special treatment. She could usually explain his actions as nothing special until Christmas.
Well, to be honest, even before Christmas. That particular day when she ended up straddling him because of her stubborn pride. It was the very short glance towards her lips that tipped her off, that made her think something was there. Why else would he look at her mouth?
That moment, along with the intimate way he held her hips, lit a fire under her. She tried to push the thoughts away, explain it, rationalize it but there was really no need for that situation to be as intimate as it was.
And then Christmas came along.
He'd done all he could to fan the flames, to lead her into thinking that something could be there. Maybe a mutual attraction? Something.
He'd catered to her, kept her both company and warm and somehow got her to admit that her scar wasn't a result of an accidental fall. She was surprised and nervous that he knew her scar wasn't accidental and cursed his gentle yet firm coaxing.
Luckily they'd been interrupted before he could get her to admit who put that scar on her face. She was sure that would've been what he wanted to know next, though she wasn't sure what he would do with that information.
"Beru-senpai!"
Izzy blinked and turned to see Chiba approaching, waving wildly at her. "Ah…" she rolled her lips but managed a smile. "Chiba, it's nice to see you tonight. You look nice."
"Beru?" Karou and Hikaru echoed, not at all impressed with that nickname. They watched Chiba walk up to her, grabbing her hand and wrenching her towards him. She blinked, thrown off by his actions and nearly stumbled into him.
Mori caught her by her elbow, keeping her on her feet. "I'm so glad you could make it, you look positively radiant tonight," Chiba grinned at her, blissfully unaware of the Host Club eyeing him.
"Thank you," Izzy chuckled. "Was that...um..did you call me Beru?"
"Yes! A cute nickname for a cute girl."
Izzy raised her eyebrows. "Right, thank you but maybe you should stick with Izabera, yes?" She kept her smile in place but discreetly began to wriggle her captured hand. Chiba held fast.
"Beru seems a bit...juvenile," Kyoya commented almost casually.
"Nonsense, Beru is perfect for her."
"My name is also perfect for me."
"But Honey-senpai calls you Berry!"
"That's Honey-chan, just call me Izabera ple—"
"But I think—"
"Chiba," Mori's withering stare was enough to make even Izzy go silent. "Listen to what she's saying." He still had a grip on her elbow and with a casual tug, he pulled her away from Chiba.
Tamaki cleared his throat. "Right, um. Chiba. Senpai is certainly particular about nicknames. She wouldn't let us call her hime when we first met."
"Because it's stu—"
Hikaru flapped a hand in her face, causing her to reel back with a scrunched nose. Tamaki was able to get Chiba to back off about the nickname but Izzy did oblige when he asked for a dance. None of them were the least bit happy with it but she shoved her flute at Kaoru before allowing Chiba to lead her away.
"Ah, Izabera-senpai?" Chiba and Izzy swayed about. She grunted softly, raising her eyebrows at him. "Are you sure about...you know, before? When I asked you if you were dating Mori-senpai or Tamaki?"
Izzy chuckled at that. "I'm sure I would know if I were dating either one of them. We're all just friends," she felt his hand settle a little too late on her waist.
"They just...they seem overprotective of you, like maybe they like you."
"Tamaki does not like me, believe me."
"What about Mori-senpai?"
Izzy tripped over her feet and stumbled into him. "Oh, I'm sorry," she mumbled quietly. "I, um," she rolled her lips as she straightened up, taking her weight off of him. "Mori, he, um, it's not like that. He's just…" Izzy paused and shook her head. "We're friends."
Chiba looked thoughtful. "You don't sound so convincing, Senpai. Do you like him?"
"As a friend. We're just friends."
Chiba nodded slowly. "You really do look wonderful tonight, Senpai," he said after a long moment. Izzy smiled at him and thanked him for the compliment. "I just...I really do like you, Senpai. That hasn't changed. Won't you consider dating me?"
Izzy took a deep breath. "We talked about this, remember? I told you I wasn't interested. If you keep pushing for something like that, maybe we shouldn't be friends?"
"But, Senpai, why? I think you're really pretty and smart and we could have so much fun. If you aren't dating Mori-senpai, why not me?"
Izzy's lips thinned. "So you'd only listen if I were dating Mori?"
He didn't immediately reply, causing her to sigh. She came to a pause and pulled away from him. "I think that's enough dancing for now," she took a step back. "The answer is still no, Chiba."
They started the countdown not long after that, which Izzy thought was very American of them but she liked it all the same. The guests herded towards the large windows to see the firework show that would follow the countdown. Izzy made sure to stay with her friends, purposely avoiding Chiba trying to get her attention.
Once the ball dropped, she crouched down to Honey and kissed him on the cheek for the New Year. Hikaru and Kaoru made a huff about it so of course she kissed them on the cheek as well. She grinned deviously and kissed Kyoya, knowing he'd make her pay since his family watched her do it. She couldn't leave Tamaki out, so she enthusiastically kissed him on both of his cheeks.
She thought of Christmas Day when she turned to Mori but she couldn't brush him off. That would be suspicious. So she leaned into him and kissed him on the cheek and luckily he didn't turn this time. She wasn't sure how to feel about it. Maybe a tiny part of her wanted him to turn into her kiss like last time?
Izzy brushed that thought away with a quickness. "Oh, um, I got some...gloss on you. Sorry," she grinned apologetically and leaned up for the second time. She pressed her thumb against his cheek and wiped the gloss away with a chuckle.
She pulled away but came to a stop when his hand curled around her wrist. She smiled sweetly at him, patting at the hand around her wrist. Just when she was about to wriggle out of his hold to go wish a happy new year to Kyoya's family, he dropped down and brushed a very careful kiss against the corner of her mouth. She blinked up at him, speechless.
She couldn't hear the cheering going on around them, mouth falling open. Words failed her, like she couldn't quite make any sense of what just happened.
She couldn't quite make sense of any of it.
Although she arrived with Tamaki, she left the party with Mori and Honey. She didn't think much of it, far too caught up with Mori's impromptu New Years kiss. She wasn't bothered by it. She felt pretty...warm on the inside.
She sat sandwiched in between them, Honey dozing off into her side. She followed suit, unaware that she'd even fallen asleep on the way back to Chi's house. Mori nudged her awake once they arrived.
"That was fast," she mumbled sleepily, sitting up. She wriggled away from Honey, watching with a grin as he slumped over and continued to slumber. Mori helped her out of the car, hand easily engulfing hers. He walked her to the front door, eyeing the dark house.
Izzy fished out her keys, swinging the key ring around her finger, trying to feign a casual demeanor. Mori was far too much of a wild card for her to figure out and she wondered if she should stop trying to figure him out.
"I'm fine, Mori. Nothing is going to happen." Izzy avoided having to look at him, focused instead on unlocking the front door. "See? Everything is just fine."
Mori eyed her. "What did Chiba say to you?"
Izzy tilted her head to the, confused about the sudden question. "Oh, you know. The same song and dance, whether I would go out with him or not. He's pretty stubborn."
"Again?"
Izzy sighed and reached up to pat at her hair. She used a lot of gel and hairspray to achieve her sleek ponytail and she knew it would take forever to wash it out. "Yeah, again. I'm not sure what he even sees in me to keep at it like this." She folded her arms across her chest and rocked her head to the sides.
She realized, somberly, that Chiba probably wouldn't give up unless he thought she was dating someone else. The thought of that made her roll her eyes. Hisa was right in saying that boys couldn't take no for an answer. It was aggravating, even more so when he wouldn't listen to her. It's tempting to tell him that she really was dating someone.
"In any case…" she trailed off. She pointed to her mouth, smiling weakly. "You know some of our classmates probably saw that. "You know some of the girls might have a problem with it when we get back to school."
Mori shrugged. "You did it first."
Izzy scoffed, though she was still smiling. "Everyone got a New Years kiss but none of them gave me one back. They might give them the wrong idea, you know? Remember, I'm supposed to be the Big Sister type."
He glanced towards the waiting car, silver gaze revealing nothing. As usual. Izzy continued to smile, leaning against the door with her arms folded. She really didn't mind it, it confused her, but she wasn't unhappy with it. But still. Club came first and if a rumour began to spread around school, Kyoya was going to have her head. That was truly one battle she did not want.
He mirrored her, arms folding across his chest as he leaned over into her personal space. Out of habit, she pressed backwards, back resting against the front door. He made sure to look her straight in the eye, arm unfurling to reach for her chin when she instinctively tried to look away. Her mouth popped open but words failed her at the moment. Despite standing outside in the January weather, Izzy felt hot. Like the air around them suddenly became ten times hotter.
He had that look again, the one he had when they were at Naoshima. That deep, heavy look. The one that drew a blank within her. She wasn't sure what to call it. Wasn't sure how she was supposed to explain that feeling that was budding. She liked it, sure, but it still made her nervous. So very nervous.
Mori's thumb pressed against her jaw, stroking at her skin. She felt like she was hot enough to burn him. "I never said," he began, voice low and soothing. "That I thought of you as a sister." His thumb swiped across her mouth, curling against the corner of her bottom lip and nearly drawing her mouth open.
He pulled away suddenly, cold air replacing his warmth. She jumped, gasping as the air rushed over her. Mori's mouth quirked, barely, but she caught it. Izzy rolled her lips together, still feeling his thumb pressed against them. It was as bad as feeling his thumbs still pressing into her hips. She was sure that in the dark of the night, her face was like a damn beacon.
"Be careful," Mori said with no room for arguing and then swiftly turned. She watched him stride back towards the car, wondering how the hell he could be so calm after….that. Whatever the hell it was. She blinked, slowly raising her hand to wave when he paused at the car. She wiggled her fingers, feeling almost too shy, at the moment before he slipped into the car.
She didn't know what to make of it, fingers to her lips. His recent actions towards her left her in a tailspin. Izzy slouched against the floor door, head knocking back against it with a dull thump. She let out a slow groan, hand drawing up to her face. She wasn't exactly sure what to make of it but she knew one thing for sure.
She was definitely losing that battle.
Izzy was silent. She sat at the dining room table, surrounded by Shinobu, Katsu and his parents. She could tell that Takuma was upset by her presence. He hadn't stopped glaring at her since she'd arrived. She wasn't happy about it either, wondering why Shinobu insisted on this impromptu lunch date.
"Bera-chan, how was your New Years?" Kioka asked after a long awkward silence. Izzy peeked up at her, smiling slowly at the older woman. She always tried to keep her snide feelings to herself when it came to Kioka. Takuma was an absolute nightmare and she rarely ever saw her uncle, she could only imagine what Kioka had to deal with.
"Oh, it was lovely. The Ootori family hosted a party and I was invited," she answered with a pleasant hum.
"Is that so?" Takuma looked up slowly, dark eyes rolling over to his son. "And why weren't you invited, Katsu? You stayed home for New Years, didn't you?" he asked slowly. Shinobu paused, eyes flickering towards her son.
Katsu didn't immediately answer, finding his lunch far more interesting. Izzy rolled her lips, eyeing her younger cousin. She sighed loudly, shaking her head. "I'm..really good friends with Ootori Kyoya. He, ah, invited me. I'm sure that's all it is." She decided not to tell them the truth, that she wasn't actually invited. She was just expected to go. At least, that's how Kyoya made it seem when he told her about the party.
"Really good friends?" Takuma was still staring at his son. "How is it that your cousin is good friends with someone in your year, Katsu?"
Kioka bit her bottom lip. "Takuma—"
"Be quiet, Kioka. I'm not talking to you."
Izzy felt her heckles raise, not liking the way he spoke to Kioka. Hell, she barely liked the way he was speaking to his son and she didn't even like Katsu. Shinobu was still staring at him, as if she just wanted to see how the situation would be handled. Izzy stared at her, wondering why the hell Shinobu didn't feel the need to step in.
"Answer the question, Katsu. Why weren't you invited? Why haven't you made friends like your cousin? Can't you do anything right? Don't you realize that you're embarrassing our family?"
"Takuma, what are you even talking about right now?" Izzy snapped, no longer able to hold her temper in. "Who cares if he isn't friends with Kyoya? What difference does it make?"
It wasn't that she felt like she needed to defend Katsu. He was a creep, after all, and didn't really deserve her sympathy. Still, she wasn't going to let Takuma just bully his family, not while she was sitting right there. Why the hell wasn't Shinobu saying anything about it? Did she agree with Takuma's ire?
Takuma's head snapped towards her. "It makes all the difference, Izabera, if someone like you can make good connections and my son can't."
Izzy rolled her eyes, regretting the decision to even come to this lunch date. She just knew it would end up chaotic but she still gave them the benefit of the doubt. This was bad energy for the soul, she found herself thinking. The Morimoto family was just bad for the soul.
"Someone like me?" Izzy repeated with raised eyebrows. "What's that mean, Takuma? Because I'm biracial? Because I'm a woman? Because my mom pissed you off some odd years ago?" she rolled her eyes. "You know how someone like me made these friends, Takuma?" she made sure to remain calm, to never raise her voice.
Masami always reminded her that that's what people expected out of her. To yell and shout and curse and lose her temper. Because she was a woman and women were emotional and crazy. Because she was Italian and Italians were mobsters. Izzy could sometimes admit to losing her temper but she knew that at that moment, she had to keep a cool head. All for the sake of spite.
"Because I'm not a creep, Takuma. Because they aren't connections. They're friendships, which you probably don't get the gist of because you aren't particularly pleasant. Seems like that's rubbed off on your son and while I'm at it," she turned to Katsu, glaring darkly at him. "Learn to stand up for yourself, would you? I didn't come here for this." She placed her hands on the table, still remaining her cool.
"This family is an absolute nightmare and with each unfortunate encounter, I can see why Masami ran when she did. All you ever seem to care and obsess over is your image. Newsflash, if you weren't so horrible, you wouldn't have to worry about the facades you wear." Izzy shoved her chair back and stepped back. "If you'll excuse me, I'd rather be anywhere else at the moment. Thanks for the lunch, I guess. Happy New Year."
They didn't try to stop her as she turned with a sharp jerk of her shoulder. Kioka sighed sadly, shaking her head. She could see that temper in her, the one her parents in law always spoke about. Masami's cold and cutting temper. It was interesting to watch but she knew Takuma's temper as well.
"Mother," Takuma turned to look at Shinobu, face screwed up in agitation. "You're just going to let that girl talk to us like that? Walk out of here like that? Did you hear what she said to me? To my son?" Kioko could tell he was embarrassed. That wouldn't bode well. Takuma hated being embarrassed.
"Well, it would do Katsu some good if he stood up for himself more," Shinobu said after a long pause. "If he expects a position of power when he's older, he'll have to learn how to stand up for himself. He should learn from his cousin."
Takuma stared at his mother, horrified. "Are you taking her side, mother? She was absolutely disrespectful! Who does she think she is, anyway? She's just like her mother."
Shinobu chuckled. "Yes, she is, isn't she?"
Izzy woke up late in the evening from her nap. She sat up with a groan, wondering how the hell she managed to sleep so late. Maybe the lunch date had taken all of her energy, who knows. She rubbed at her face, trying to urge the sleep away. She wasn't sure what she expected to happen. It wasn't like she didn't know her family was insane.
She took a deep breath, dropping her head. It wasn't long before there was an insistent knocking at the front door. Izzy picked her head up, face screwed up in thought. It was almost nine o'clock at night, who in the world would be at the front door. There were no planned parties or anything, as everyone was laying low until school rolled back around.
Izzy got up with another sigh. She staggered towards the front door, still somewhat lethargic from her nap. She swung the door open with bleary eyes, reeling backwards with a gasp almost immediately. It was Kastu and he looked horrible. His lip was split, another bruise was blooming along his jaw and she could see bruises under his shirt.
"Jesus Christ," Izzy swore. "Katsu, what the hell—"
Katsu surged forward, grabbing her by the arms. He proceeded to shake her and she was beginning to wonder if that would be his signature attack. Her head rattled violently, almost like a rag doll's would if a child shook it in excitement. "This is your fault!" he shouted into her face. He shook her harder, rattling her brain around in her head.
Katsu shoved her backwards, letting her crash to the floor. He was on her in seconds, hands wrapped around her throat. "You need to disappear, Izabera. Get it? Disappear!" Katsu practically screamed in her face. She gagged and choked, slapping and punching at him but it was like he'd grown thirty pounds heavier. She couldn't get him off.
"Let it happen, Izabera. You know it needs to happen. How's this for standing up for myself? Huh?" Katsu cackled like a psychopath. "How do you like it, Izabera?"
Izzy's eyes snapped open with a hard gasp. She sprang up, wild eyes searching the living room. She panted, hand pressed to her chest and she realized that she was cold and clammy. A dream. A bad dream. A nightmare.
She scrambled for her phone, falling off the couch in her haste. She didn't even realize that she was on the floor, shaky fingers pressing chaotically at the cell phone's buttons. The phone only rang twice before she realized what she was doing. She stabbed at the end button, ending the call.
Izzy laughed nervously and ran a ragged hand through her hair. She shook her head and took a deep breath. "It was a nightmare…" she mumbled to herself. "Just a...nightmare," she tried her best to reassure herself but she was shaken. She couldn't lie to herself, finding no reason to.
Her cellphone began buzzing, causing her to nearly jump out of her skin. She looked down at the screen, the only light in the room and bit her bottom lip. She wished she hadn't made that call in her panic. If she didn't answer…..she sighed for the umpteenth time.
"Mori, uh, hi."
"Are you okay?"
She pressed her hand to her forehead and nodded. "Yes, yes, of course. I, uh…"
"What's wrong?" Mori asked, hearing the tremble in her voice. "Tell me."
Izzy dropped her head, letting her hair hang around her face. She couldn't ever fool him, not even over the phone. He was far too perceptive but she had to wonder if that was because he was so observant. She doubted she'd ever be able to keep anything from him. That was a dangerous thought, she mused.
"It's..uh...it's um…" she stuttered. "It's silly but I had a nightmare and...I woke up in a panic? I...I didn't know what to do, I guess. I thought it was real and…" Izzy struggled to get her words together, embarrassed that she basically admitted to calling on him first due to her fear. "I'm sorry. It's late, you must be getting ready for bed. I'll...just…"
"I wasn't." She could just see him shrugging and that made her smile. "Wanna talk about it?"
"I...I really don't want to be a burden to you."
"You're not. Ever."
"Oh…" Izzy felt her face get hot. Still on the floor, she pulled her knees up to her chest. She curled up, resting her head against her knees. "I...I had a rough day with my family. It was a lunch date but it ended in an argument."
"Argued with your cousin?"
"No, no. He was just...there. He didn't say much. It was my Uncle, his father. He...he doesn't like me and we always argue. He was upset that Katsu wasn't invited to that New Years party.." Izzy shook her head. "He's an absolute nutcase."
It was quiet on the other line so she took that as her cue to keep talking. "He was berating Katsu and I...well...whether he deserves it or not, it wasn't appropriate so I berated him for that. I..dreamt that he beat Katsu for it and he attacked me because of it. It..felt so real."
The other line remained silent. Izzy curled into herself, frowning softly. "Mori?" she called gingerly.
"M'here."
"Oh. Um. I'm sorry for dumping this all on you. I just…" she trailed off, struggling to explain her feelings. "It was just a dream, I overreacted." Izzy pressed her back against the couch and let her head drop to the cushion with a sigh.
"Are you afraid of him?"
"Who? Katsu? My uncle? I don't…" Izzy trailed off, mouth twisting in thought. She wanted to say that she wasn't but she had a panic attack over Katsu before. There was...was she afraid of them? Was she afraid of what they were capable of? What were they even capable of?
She rubbed tiredly at her eyes. "I don't know, I mean, I probably should...given what he already did to me." She didn't immediately realize her mistake.
"Already?" Mori was confused, causing Izzy to stiffen. She rolled her lips together and cursed her slipup. "What did he already do to you?" she heard him shift around, like maybe he was sitting up. Izzy nearly groaned into his ear, knowing he wouldn't let it go now that she hinted at something.
She thought about ending the phone call then, to avoid having to answer him. But, she curled some hair around her finger, she doubted he would let it go. A small part of her wondered if he might even show up just to get it out of her.
"Izabera?" Mori pressed, his voice a comfort to her. "Did your uncle hit you?"
She stared up at the ceiling. "Mori, could we...could we talk about something else..?"
The last thing Izzy wanted was to admit, out loud, to Mori was that her uncle actually hit her. That the scar that he always seemed so focused on was a result of Takuma's temper.
"All right." Mori agreed easily.
"Thank you, I'm sorry. I'm sure this wasn't how you planned to spend your evening, talking to me." She pulled her hand from her hair, rubbing her palm across her forehead instead.
"It's fine, I like it."
"Like it? Like what?"
"Your voice. I like listening to it."
Izzy felt her mouth drop open, rendered utterly speechless. She picked her head up and let out a breathless laugh. "Oh. Uh, well, I..like your voice too. It's...it's comforting, deep. I like it."
She leaned over and buried her face into her knees, fighting her shy smile even though she was completely alone. Mori chuckled low in her ear and for a moment, she wondered if he'd done so on purpose. "You aren't teasing me, are you?" she asked after a pause.
But Mori only chuckled again and she knew for sure that he was teasing her.
But...well, she liked it.
"Finally, a friendly face!" Hisa grinned the moment Izzy stepped into the cafe. She was dressed in an oversized pink sweater and gray skirt with knee-high boots. Her hair was pulled into two pigtails, falling down her chest.
She opened her arms and hugged Hisa, smiling brightly. "Seems like you missed me," Izzy grinned while pulling away. "Oh, look, you're wearing my present! It looks pretty on you, just like I thought." She reached up and brushed her fingers across the pearl hair clip. She'd given it to Hisa at the Christmas party as Hisa suddenly had last minute plans to go away with her family.
Hisa blushed heavily and leaned back, playfully smacking Izzy's hand away. "Of course it's pretty, I'm pretty."
Izzy rolled her eyes but let Hisa back out of her arms. "Of course, Hime. How could I forget?" Izzy followed Hisa towards the table, oblivious to Hisa's inner turmoil. "How was your New Years?"
Hisa made a face. "I guess it was okay. Just my parents doting on Ryoma and forgetting that I exist. The usual."
"Oh, Hisa," Izzy said after their orders were taken. "I'm sorry, the holidays are about family. I wish they treated you better," she folded her arms and shook her head.
Hisa frowned sadly but quickly shook it away. "It's fine, that's just how things are. Let's, um, let's talk about something else, okay? How was your New Years?" Hisa changed the subject, not wanting to bring the atmosphere down. She missed Izzy and she wouldn't spend their time together being upset about her family.
"Oh, well, actually I was invited to the Ootori's for their New Year's Party. It was actually a lot of fun! I wore this dress Kaoru and Hikaru brought over. Wait, let me.." Izzy busied with her phone, looking for a picture.
"You look beautiful, Izabera." Hisa blinked at the picture. "It's pretty impressive that you were invited, it's pretty exclusive, you know?" She stared at the picture, smiling at it. "I didn't know you were so close with the Host Club. Do you hang out with them regularly, outside of school?"
Izzy snorted when their orders arrived, waiting until the waitress left. "Yeah, they have a knack for just...showing up. I was with them Christmas Day too."
Hisa blinked, eyebrows raised. Izzy explained Christmas Day to her, of Tamaki showing up first followed by the rest of them. She was almost jealous to hear that Izzy cooked an entire meal for them, unaware that she could even cook that well.
"Oh, Chiba tried to come up with a new nickname for me," Izzy shook her head. "Beru, can you believe that?"
"Beru?" Hisa scoffed at that. "That's so...juvenile."
"That's what Kyoya said!"
"I mean, I know Honey-chan calls you Berry but that's Honey-chan."
"He tried to use that excuse and I said the same thing! God, can you believe him?" Izzy grinned with a laugh. "Honey-chan gets a pass but come on."
"Oh, no. This is your fault. I told you not to go on a date with that idiot but did you listen? No! Now look, he thinks he can just give you a pet name."
"Are you my friend or not?" Izzy huffed.
"I am and that's why you should listen to me more often. That boy has absolute hearts in his eyes when he sees you, it's sickening."
But Izzy brushed it off. "He's harmless."
Hisa made a face. "Izabera, don't be naive. Boys aren't harmless."
She raised her eyebrows. "You sound like you're speaking from experience. Did something happen with a boy or something?"
Hisa's face tightened but gradually relaxed. "Nothing in particular," she said after a moment. "My parents…" the honey-blonde slumped a little bit. "My parents want me to date..this boy."
Izzy squinted at her. "They want you to do what? Like an arrangement or something? People still do that?" she scoffed at that. "Seems a little...dated."
Hisa took a deep breath. "Of course people still do it. He comes from a good family, I think his family has a landscaping company or something. I met him over New Years…".
Izzy stared at her. "Wait, like, they want you to...marry this boy or something? Seriously?" Izzy sat up, her face becoming serious. Hisa didn't answer. "Who is he? Does he go to Ouran?"
"He's a year older than us so he attends Ouran's university—"
"University? We have that?"
Hisa rolled her eyes. "Yes? How could you not know that?" she paused when Izzy shot her a nasty look. "Anyway, his name is Matsunaga Yuuya."
"You're not...going to go through with it, are you?"
"What choice do I have?"
"Um..the choice to say no? Hisa, you're still seventeen. How on earth could they expect you to date this boy to marry him?" Izzy pressed, leaning in towards her. "That's not...it's not right! Or fair!"
"Stop yelling," Hisa sighed. "I can't tell my parents no, that's not how this works. They...I don't have much use for them anyway."
Izzy reached across the table for Hisa's hand. "Hisa, come on! You haven't even…dated or anything like that. They can't just take that from you. You should marry for love, not financial gain or because you think it might please your parents."
Her hand felt warm in Izzy's grasp but she kept that to herself. Her eyes softened, if only for a moment before she closed them. "I said don't be naive. Who marries for love? That doesn't exist in our world."
"I don't know what world you live in but that's not how it works in my world."
Hisa smiled, though it was somber. "Your world is far away in Italy, Izabera. Just because your parents fell in love doesn't mean we all get that. I certainly don't get that. If my parents found out who I…"
Izzy's eyes brightened. "You like someone?" Her hand tightened on Hisa. "Who? Oh, God, it's Mori? You like Mori? Hisa…"
"No, it's not Mori, I—" Hisa paused. "Well, I suppose there's an attraction there but I'm not naive enough to think he's interested in me. I think he likes brunettes."
Izzy ignored her comment. On purpose, Hisa couldn't say for sure. Her eyes were so bright as she looked at Hisa, giving her full attention. "Who is it? Do I know them?"
Hisa laughed bitterly. "I..guess."
Izzy continued to smile in excitement.
Her parents definitely wouldn't approve.
TeeBeMe: lowkey into Hisa/Izzy lol. But, I mean, we can tell what the endgame couple will be. I almost feel bad for setting Hisa up like this.
Anwyay, maaaaaaybe Izzy and Mori are becoming aware of each other? I tried to keep the flirtation subtle, I hope it wasn't out of character. Something has to happen, right? lol
Tamaki and Izzy are best friends, try to change my mind.