The Host Club had a relatively good afternoon except for one small thing…
"Where's Bera-senpai?"
It wasn't one of her hosting days but Izzy was known to show up anyway. For the most part, on those days, she sat with Mori and Honey and sometimes she even designated the others. Other times, when she wanted to get a headstart on homework, she sat with Kyoya when he opted out of hosting in order to manage the club. But one thing was for sure no matter what she decided to do. Izzy was a permanent fixture within the Host Club. It was very obvious when she wasn't present.
"Maybe she went home early today," Haruhi shrugged it off, not necessarily worried about the older brunette.
"Doubtful!" Tamaki rejected the idea almost immediately, flapping his arms like a wild bird. Haruhi wrinkled her nose at that, leaning out of his way lest she wanted to be smacked upside the head. "What if her awful cousin kidnapped her and we're none the wiser!?"
Kaoru and Hikaru were less than impressed, eyeing the dramatic blond with a critical stare. "Wouldn't she verbally beat him up until he let her go? He seems like a wimp." Hikaru waved the notion completely off. Honestly, he was sure Katsu only got away with bruising Izzy in the first place because she was caught off guard by Katsu's sudden actions. Given the fact that she punched him in the face, she could probably handle him.
"And wouldn't he have to get by Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai then?" Kaoru added, hand on his hip.
"That is true…" Tamaki's demeanor changed as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Perhaps her cousin kidnapping her is less than likely but that still doesn't explain where she is!"
"Home?" Haruhi reminded him with raised eyebrows. "Why don't you just call her if you're so worried?"
"She ignores his calls," Kyoya pointed out casually. Not that he even blamed her though if she kept ignoring them, Tamaki would eventually show up at her house. "Mori-senpai, Honey-senpai, did Bera-senpai mention her plans?" He was not in the mood to deal with Tamaki's hysteria for much longer and the only way to calm the blond was just to give in to his eccentrics.
"Yup!" Honey smiled sweetly but didn't answer. He recalled Izzy mentioning her reason for her absence but he'd been too busy thinking of the sweets he'd eventually get to eat at Host Club. It wasn't that he ignored her, he heard her talking but he'd just been preoccupied with something else. Like sweets.
Kyoya eyed him for a pause before looking expectantly at Mori. "She wanted to visit the Gardening Club."
"The Gardening Club?" Hikaru and Kaoru chorused together. "Since when has she been into that?"
"Her grandmother has a garden in Italy." Mori shrugged, not all that bothered by the brunette's absence. He figured it probably brought up fond memories for her so he didn't think too much about it when she told him where she would be that particular afternoon. She seemed excited about it when she told him, nearly bouncing in place.
"Isn't Casanova part of that club?" Tamaki asked.
"That's right…" Kyoya trailed off with a sigh, already aware of where this was going.
"To the Greenhouse!"
That's how they ended up just outside of Ouran's greenhouse. Like she said she would be, Izzy was there, standing with Kasonoda. Whatever the redhead was saying had her full attention. "Mama," Tamaki hissed though he was still loud about it. "Do you see this? Casanova is trying to take our Lily from us!" The blond waved his arms around in a desperate attempt to...well, they weren't sure what he was attempting. Attention, maybe?
Kyoya only offered a fleeting glance before looking back at his coveted notebook. "Ouran encourages its students to take on more than one club. You know this."
"What's so fun about digging around in the dirt?" Hikaru asked with his tongue out. He shuddered at the thought of dirt stains but Izzy's dress remained clean.
"But if she joins this club, she'll have less time for her family," Tamaki whined dramatically.
"She's allowed to have more than one interest," Haruhi was beginning to regret following them to the greenhouse. She knew this was going to be ridiculous but she doubted they would let her escape anyway.
"When did she even meet Bossanova?" Kaoru asked. Everyone knew that it was difficult for the Yakuza heir to make friends. Especially girls.
"Before her birthday party," Mori shrugged nonchalantly. Honey paused from Mori's shoulders, head tilted to the side cutely. He didn't even know that. That caused him to blink down at Mori's head.
"Oh," Haruhi smacked her fist into her palm, remembering something. "She did mention that when she gave me some vegetables he grew. Did she return his basket?" she had to crane her neck back just to look at Mori. He grunted in confirmation.
Tamaki was not okay with any of that. "How could we let this happen, mama?!" His dramatics only served to annoy Kyoya. Meanwhile, while they bickered back and forth, Izzy and Kasanoda took notice of them standing just outside the doors. She held a hand up to Kasanoda before hurrying to the doors.
"What's going on out here?"
Tamaki visibly jumped and spun around to face the older brunette. She was leaning halfway out of the door, eyebrows raised in question. His eyes filled dramatically with tears as he shoved his face into hers. "You can't join this club, Lily!" he shrieked. Izzy leaned backwards, hands up and palms facing outwards in surrender, visibly disturbed. Kasanoda chose that moment to join them, intent on saying hello to at least Haruhi when Tamaki turned his attention on him. "You can't have her, Casanova!"
He, like Izzy, was rightfully disturbed and leaned backwards. For one horrifying moment, he thought he was referring to his secret crush on Haruhi. Which, Izzy pointed out earlier while returning his basket, wasn't much of a secret. Thankfully, Tamaki was talking about the older brunette.
"That…" Kyoya replied, not quite sure how to proceed.
"Lily, I know you must miss your Nonna but joining this club won't fill the empty hole in your heart!" Tamaki took off on a rant, wildly waving his arms in a way that reminded her of a child throwing a tantrum. "You have us, your family! Digging in the dirt is unnecessary and it's for commoners!"
"Empty hole in my heart?" Izzy blinked.
"That empty hole is her heart, Boss," Hikaru snickered. She wasn't amused and showed him that by slapping him upside the head.
"Okay, okay, that's enough!" Izzy said when Tamaki paused to suck in a mouthful of air. "Tamaki, please, shut up." She wasn't surprised by this sort of turnout. She even expected it, honestly. "Why me…?"
"You willingly joined this club," Kasanoda pointed out. As he showed her around the Greenhouse, she told him all about how she came to be the Big Sister. It wasn't often they let anyone into their inner circle and he wondered how she did it so effortlessly. That, of course, confused her. Effortlessly? She tried her damned hardest to stay away from the Host Club but they somehow sucked her in. But, as Kasanoda watched them go back and forth, it was more than being just clubmates. Izzy clearly meant more to them than she thought.
"Don't you have a turnip to be digging up?" Izzy huffed at him. "Anyway, Tamaki—" she reached out for his flailing limbs, catching his wrists with some minor difficulty. "Enough with the shouting."
"Tamaki, you have nothing to worry about. It's far too late in the school year for Izabera-senpai to even join another club," Kyoya reminded him.
"Why didn't you mention that earlier?" Kaoru rolled his eyes.
"Mori, Honey-chan, did you guys tell them my message?" Izzy asked, ignoring both Kaoru and Kyoya. She wasn't all that surprised that Tamaki showed up, throwing a tantrum but she thought he would at least accept the fact that she was just visiting the opposing club. Like Kyoya said, it was too late in the year to even join in the first place. Honey steadily avoided her gaze but she hardly paid him any attention. He was clearly daydreaming about snacks at the end of the school day. Mori, on the other hand, nodded silently. She continued to stare at him, eyebrow quirked. "Did you tell them before or after club?"
"...After."
"Ah." She was somewhat amused but not surprised. Mori actually cringed in guilt when Izzy pouted in disappointment. "It's fine, it's fine. I should've expected a turn out like this either way," she brushed it off with a sigh. "Now, Tamaki, would you please get a hold of yourself? I thought we agreed that you'd quit shouting in my face."
Dramatic tears gushed down the Host King's face. "I couldn't help it, lily. What was I supposed to think?"
"Nothing?" Izzy asked but that was the wrong answer.
"We thought your cousin had something to do with it!"
"No, we didn't."
"Kyoya, I don't know how but this is somehow your fault," Izzy decided after eyeing Tamaki. She folded her arms across her chest and turned her attention on Kyoya. "You're supposed to keep things under control."
He looked back at her, unimpressed. "Maybe if you pay him, Senpai," Haruhi commented dryly. Izzy continued staring at Kyoya, snorting when he didn't deny Haruhi's sarcastic comment. She snorted and shook her head before she began tapping her foot irritably.
"As much as I love you monopolizing my time and attention, I do have other interests, you know." Her stance was stern but they could clearly pick out the amusement in her tone. "Need I remind you that Mori, Honey-chan and the twins also have other clubs too?"
Tamaki pouted, offended. "That's true but you can't be trusted on your own, lily. You're far too agreeable."
"Agreeable? That's not true."
"You agreed to go on that date with Chiba, you agreed to that weird date with Ozawa-hime—"
Izzy scowled at Hikaru. "The first one wasn't a date and I agreed with Hisa because I was helping her out."
"You also go along with all of the cosplay—"
"That's literally for the club. I can't say no."
Kyoya nodded, "true."
"What about those love letters? You just go along with them!" Tamaki pointed in her face.
"Do I look like Sherlock Holmes to you? It's anonymous, who cares?"
"That's besides the point!"
"Oh, please!" Izzy threw her hands up. "Who on Earth is going to ask me on a date? The Gardening club is mostly girls and Casanova!" She jerked a thumb in the redhead's direction. "And he's not going to ask me, seeing as how he clearly has a crush on—"
Though he'd been quiet, Kasanoda felt himself panic at that moment. Maybe his feelings for Haruhi were obvious to Izzy but that couldn't be said about the younger brunette. He floundered and rushed forward, placing a hand on Izzy's back and shoved her forward. Izzy obviously wasn't expecting that and tipped forward with a surprised squawk. Honey jumped from Mori's shoulders, letting Mori slide in easily to catch Izzy from falling. She fell face first into his chest with a grunt, hands going for his arms to steady herself.
As a whole, the Host Club blinked for several seconds before simultaneously turning to look at Kasanoda. He faltered under their shared gaze and began to sweat nervously. There was nothing like being scrutinized by the entire club at once. "A spider." He said quickly, hoping they would believe him. "There was a spider—it's gone now. But it was on Bera's shoulder." It wasn't't that great of an excuse but it was plausible, given that they'd been surrounded by plants.
Izzy turned from Mori, looking incredulous and like she didn't fully believe him. None of them did but she had the grace to just let it go. "Were you planning on taking me out along with the spider?" she quipped with raised eyebrows.
He laughed nervously. "Sorry about that, Bera. Didn't think you'd appreciate a spider crawling into your hair or something…"
"I can't imagine anyone would," Kyoya's gaze was particularly hard but he said nothing else, going back to his notebook. Izzy pursed her lips but slowly nodded, seemingly accepting Kasanoda's apology.
"Well, now that that's settled," Izzy sighed, taking a step back from Mori. She smiled at him and patted at his arm as gratitude for saving her the embarrassment of hitting the floor. "You guys don't have to come running after me every time I go off on my own."
"Don't be ridiculous! Of course we do!" Tamaki insisted.
"You do not!"
The two bickered for several moments before Izzy ended it by pinching Tamaki's ear. "Mama, our niece is rebelling!" Tamaki squawked dramatically as Izzy held onto his ear. She only let him go when Mori tugged on the end of her hair. "Do something before she becomes a bad influence on our Haruhi!"
Kyoya eyed her before closing his notebook once more. He lightly smacked Izzy on the top of her head with the notebook. "Bad girl."
"So Bera's the niece?" Kasanoda asked distractedly.
"Seems like it," Haruhi answered. Surprisingly, Izzy pouted at the reprimand. She huffed and folded her arms across her chest once more, pouting like a child. "Okay, now that we've figured out where Senpai was, can we all go home now? I've got things to do."
"What things?" Kaoru asked.
"Homework?" Hikaru hummed.
She didn't bother in answering them, instead opting to break off from the group. Izzy took a deep breath before glancing at Kasanoda. "Well, thanks for taking the time for showing me around. If I'd known about this club, I would've joined sooner." Kasanoda offered a tentative smile. Honestly he liked Izzy. He thought her friendship with the Host Club was a little strange but seeing her interact with them, he realized she fit right in. She had a bit more sense about her but it was obvious she resorted to childish ways when it came to them.
"No problem, Bera. Drop by anytime."
She smiled sweetly but was abruptly pulled away by Tamaki. She went along with it, turning one last time to wave at Kasanoda. He had a feeling he'd be seeing more of Izabera.
Izzy was having a relatively quiet Sunday morning and maybe that was just a sign. She was lounging around in the living room with Fumiko when her phone started to ring. She eyed it, staring at Hisa's name before reluctantly answering. She just knew that whatever Hisa was calling about, she wasn't going to like it. But Hisa was a lot like Tamaki in the sense that an ignored phone call would not stop her.
"Hello! Lovely morning, isn't it?"
Izzy sighed. "What do you want, Hisa?"
"Don't be like that," Hisa pouted. "But since you asked, what are you doing later? Say around...two?"
She just knew she would regret answering but it was too late. She'd been sucked into whatever Hisa was planning the moment she picked up her phone call. "I suppose that depends on what you're about to ask me…"
Hisa laughed nervously, twirling a lock of hair around her finger. Izzy would not like this and maybe it was a little selfish of her but she knew the brunette would give in. Whether she wanted to admit to it or not, she had a bleeding heart. She liked helping people. "Well, see, I have another...outing planned with Yuuya today and—"
"No."
"Izabera, please! I already told my parents that you'd come! Otherwise, they're going to send my brother or someone."
"Hisa, I don't like Yuuya." And what's more, she didn't like the situation or the relationship born from it. If she had her way, Yuuya would be far away from Hisa, locked up in a looney bin or something. The guy was clearly a psychopath if he resorted to threatening her just because she didn't agree with the circumstances. It's too bad Hisa couldn't see that as well.
"I know, I know he rubbed you the wrong way the last time but it's just the way he was raised. He didn't mean it, honest. Please, could you just please come today?"
Izzy slouched into the couch, sighing heavily. She hadn't said much about her conversation with Yuuya at her birthday party, not that Hisa hadn't tried to pry it out of her. She kept their conversation to herself, hoping that she wouldn't have to see much of Yuuya afterwards. Clearly, this wouldn't be the case if Hisa was trying to talk her into being around that moron again.
"What if you brought Mori-kun?"
"Excuse me?"
"Come on, he's like your security blanket! You totally relax whenever he's around, not that I can blame you. Ask him if he's free today and if he is, he could come along."
"Hisa…" Izzy trailed off, unsure. "Where's this date even supposed to be taking place?"
"The aquarium."
Izzy perked up. She was a sucker for the aquarium and the zoo, for animals in general. She puckered her lips and wondered if her friends were right about her agreeable nature. "Fine...fine. I'll ask him."
"Great! Text me his answer! Though, I have a feeling he'll say yes since it's you asking."
Izzy hung up on Hisa with a huff and scowled down at her phone. Fumiko was eyeing her in interest but said nothing, wondering what was going on now. She watched Izzy stare at her phone for a long moment before she had a face of determination. She took a deep breath and fiddled with her phone.
"Bera-chan?"
"Hi, uh, Mori."
"Hi. Something wrong?"
She cringed. "Well, no, nothing wrong in particular, I'd say.." she turned away from Fumiko. She was grinning at her cousin. "It's just well...remember how Tamaki was saying that I'm too agreeable…?"
"Mhm." Sounded like Mori agreed.
"Perhaps he's onto something?"
"What'd you do, Bera-chan?"
Izzy flushed heavily. "Well, ah, I might've agreed to another outing with Hisa and Yuuya?" The line went silent and Izzy was almost positive that he'd hung up on her. But she could hear him rustling around on the other line. She wondered what he'd been up to so early in the morning. Probably minding his own business until she called to bother him, she thought dryly.
"Izabera." She could hear the reprimand in his voice, causing her to slump further into the couch.
"I know, I know. I'm weak. Anyway, she knows I don't really like Yuuya so she suggested maybe asking you to come with? You don't have to if you don't want to, honest. Feel free to say no." Of course Mori had the right to say no but she really hoped he wouldn't. Maybe she was just as selfish as Hisa when it came to Mori. She didn't want to force him into doing anything he didn't want to do but his presence would really help.
It was silent on the other line. "Do you want me to?"
"Yeah." Maybe she agreed too quickly. "But if you're busy or anything, you don't have to."
"I'll come."
"Oh." She blinked and wondered why no one pointed out Mori's agreeable nature. "Well, um, great! I'll let Hisa know and then I'll text you the details, yes?"
She ended the call, feeling relieved until she remembered Fumiko was sitting right next to her. She should've gone into another room to call Mori but it was far too late now. She could just feel Fumiko's grin. "Sooo…." Fumiko leaned into her cousin. "A date with Mori-senpai. Wow, Iz, I didn't think you had it in you to actually ask him out on a date."
"It's not a date…"
"Right, right. Double date, excuse me."
Izzy pointedly ignored Fumiko, too busy texting both Mori and Hisa. The latter was pleased as punch to hear Mori would be coming along with Izzy, though she wasn't surprised. Izzy dutifully ignored the jab, opting to send the details to Mori as promised. Fumiko followed her around for the rest of the morning, pestering her about her upcoming date. Izzy did her best to ignore the badgering but Fumiko was relentless.
"What are you going to wear?" Fumiko threw Izzy's bedroom door open and walked right in. Izzy eyed her from the closet and wondered if it would be worth it to scold her for rudely barging in. No, probably not. She turned back to her clothes with a soft sigh, ignoring Fumiko approaching.
"Get out," she said instead, reaching for a pair of jeans.
"Don't you dare!" Fumiko slapped the jeans out of Izzy's hand. They both paused, looking down at the now rumpled pair of jeans in silence. Perhaps she'd overreacted just a bit. Izzy's empty hand immediately settled on her hip as she looked back up at Fumiko.
"Now, was that necessary?" Izzy huffed.
"I'm sorry but you can't wear jeans to this! It'll make you look too casual!"
"But Hisa said—"
"Oh, who cares what she said? She shouldn't compare herself to you! Now move, let me pick something." Fumiko ushered the brunette out, intent on picking something much cuter than jeans. She did a full circle in the big closet before wandering over to Izzy's dresses with a thoughtful look.
"I don't have all day," Izzy sighed.
Fumiko emerged seconds later, toting a long sleeved white shirt with a slim fitting baby blue dress. "How about this," she grinned while shoving the load into Izzy's arms. "And you can wear white stockings to go with it."
"Fu—" Izzy was shoved back into her closet. She huffed but obediently changed into the outfit. She took a moment to study her reflection in the mirror, twisting and turning to access the chosen outfit. It was a cute pick, she had to admit, though it did seem short. She rustled around in her drawers, finding the white thigh-highs. She stepped out of the closet to show Fumiko.
Fumiko bounced in place, clapping excitedly. "I knew it. Sit down, I'll do your hair," she didn't give Izzy much of a choice, manhandling her towards the vanity. After dealing with the twins and their twisted sense of dress up, she was used to letting others have their way. She plopped down at the vanity and stared at her cousin through the mirror.
"You're awfully excited." Izzy said as Fumiko began brushing her curls. Fumiko didn't bother hiding her grin, pausing long enough to look at Izzy through the mirror.
"Whether you want to admit it or not, this is a date, Iz. You asked Mori-senpai out and he said yes. He totally likes you," she fluffed at Izzy's curls, truly impressed by the sheer volume of her hair. She could only hope and dream and spend tons of money on products in order to achieve somewhat the same results.
Izzy only sighed. "You're exaggerating, Fufu. If Yuuya wasn't an equation, he wouldn't bother. He doesn't like that jerk just as much as I don't."
"And why doesn't he like Yuuya?"
"Because—"
"Because you don't like Yuuya," Fumiko cut her off before she could make some sort of excuse. "And even if this wasn't about Yuuya and Hisa, Mori-senpai would come if you asked. He likes you," she pulled on a lock of hair for good measure. Izzy only sighed. Fumiko was beginning to sound like a broken record to her. She slumped into the vanity, pouting into the mirror. Fumiko watched her, smiling softly. "There's no harm in trying, Iz," she urged gently.
"You sound like mama."
Fumiko's eyes brightened considerably as she toyed with a couple of ideas. "Aunt Sami knows?" she asked. If anyone could talk Izzy into taking a chance, it was Masami. Maybe that's why she hadn't been putting up such a fight lately. Oh, this was good, this was very good.
Izzy closed her eyes and settled her chin on the bridge of her hands. "Yes, of course she knows. Chi told her and I can only assume you told Chi." She didn't seem all that upset though, Fumiko noted. Still, she felt a little guilty to be caught gossiping about her cousin's life to her mother and in turn, to Masami. But, if anyone could talk some sense into Izzy, it was Masami, after all.
"Soo...what did Aunt Sami say about Mori-senpai?" Fumiko pressed, parting Izzy's hair into two thick sections. She busied with one section, brushing the curls to get any knots and kinks out. Izzy hummed, enjoying having her hair handled by someone else other than herself.
"Well," she paused, knowing this would only fuel the fire. "That I should take a chance, basically. That I think too much and should enjoy being young while I have the chance," she summed up her mother's advice. "I know that sounds easy and everything but I really don't want to ruin anything."
Fumiko didn't immediately reply, focused on Izzy's hair for several moments. "I suppose that's fair. I guess I wouldn't want to ruin the friendship if I were in your position, especially since the Host club doesn't open themselves up to just any girl," she fussed with Izzy's locks. "But can you really deny that there's something there between you and Mori-senpai?"
"I can't," Izzy admitted with a sigh, ignoring Fumiko's victorious grin. "I think there might be something?"
"Oh? Did something happen?"
"Well…." Izzy rolled her lips before she broke like a dam. She spilled her guts to Fumiko, telling her everything that happened between her and Mori. It felt so much better than she thought possible, unloading everything felt like she was lifting a heavy weight from her shoulders. Fumiko listened quietly, eyebrows steadily raising up her forehead with every detail Izzy revealed to her. When Izzy was finished talking, she eyed Fumiko through her mirror once more. "Well?" Izzy prompted.
"Well," Fumiko blew a breath out. "I think you're more oblivious than I initially thought. Iz, how could you possibly think there's nothing between you two? He flat out said he doesn't think of you as a sister!"
"Fumi…"
"You were going to kiss him and he was going to let you!"
"Fumiko, please."
"What more do you need?!"
Izzy dropped her head into her hands and groaned loudly. "Fumiko, please, shut up," she spoke into her hands, somewhat embarrassed. "I don't know, I just…"
"You don't want to ruin the friendship, I get it! But come on, Mori-senpai is throwing you signs and you're dropping them one by one. The Christmas kiss, the New Years kiss? Telling you he doesn't think of you as a sister? Come on!" Fumiko's hands dropped to Izzy's shoulders and shook her. She stopped shaking Izzy and realized that her hair was a mess now. She quickly set off to right her wrong, fixing her ruined work.
Izzy huffed. "I know, Fu. It's just...I'm leaving at the end of the year."
Fumiko paused, having forgotten that that was the case. She bit her bottom lip, her stomach tightening. "You...you don't have to leave, you know…" she trailed off, avoiding her cousin's gaze. "I know Italy is your home and everything but..you could have a life here for a little while longer than originally planned."
"Fumiko…"
"It wouldn't be so bad, would it? It's not just about Mori-senpai! There's the Host Club and me and Hisa, Yuna and Ayame!" she was talking quickly, not letting Izzy get a word in edgewise. "And Hiroki, he's so glad to have you around and mom as well."
"But what about Takuma and Katsu?"
"What about them? They're miserable people and they feed off of everyone's misery, just ignore them. Besides, they'll think they've run you off to Italy."
Izzy snorted at the mere thought of that. "I don't think any of that would be a good enough reason to stick around, Fumi."
"Ouran University is one of the top schools in Japan. Here, you have more of a chance to study something you want to study…."
Izzy knew Fumiko's angle but she'd be lying if she hadn't thought about it. Alphonse and Masami hadn't said much about her future and she was sure they'd send her somewhere to get at least a business degree. But if she decided to attend Ouran's university..
"Oh, Fumi, I don't know.."
"You're eighteen, you should start making your own decisions. Think about it, okay?" Fumiko offered a soft smile before she focused on her cousin's hair, seemingly putting an end to the conversation. She fussed over Izzy's hair until the thick tresses were pulled into two curly buns with thick curls to frame her face. It was very cute, Fumiko decided, giving Izzy an innocent air about her.
"Thank you, Fumi," Izzy cleared her throat, blushing somewhat. "You're my best friend, you know." She smiled at her younger cousin, standing by the front door.
"That's hardly the truth, Iz. You've got the Host Club now."
Izzy only snorted as she slid into her coat, absently tying the belt. "So? You're still my best friend. Always and forever, Fumi."
Fumiko smiled back.
"Mori-kun!"
Mori turned just in time to see Hisa approaching him. She was smiling brightly, arm raised to wave at him. She was dressed in a long peach-colored skirt and a pretty blouse with her hair pulled up into a halo crown. "Hi, Ozawa-hime," Mori greeted politely, hands shoved into his pockets as Hisa stopped in front of him. She glanced around. "Bera-chan is on her way," he supplied easily, knowing who she was looking for. She should've been looking for Yuuya.
"Of course, of course," she replied casually. "Thanks for coming, I figured she'd only come if you came," she continued, chuckling when Mori tilted his head in silent question. Izzy and Honey did a better job at reading his silent ques. "She doesn't like Yuuya much." Mori grunted in what she assumed to be silent agreement. "But anyway, since she's not here yet.." Hisa took a bold step closer, eyeing him critically. He could only assume she was going to take the chance to flirt with him. "You've probably figured out by now but our Izabera is a little oblivious."
He noted that she referred to the elusive brunette as our and that struck an odd cord within him.
"If you like her so much, I think you'll have to spell it out for her. I know that you're the silent type and everything but our Izabera is a little dense," Hisa began, unaware of the very confused face Mori was making. "What's worse is that she accepts when boys ask her out, God knows why, but you can't let that keep occurring! What if someone actually charms her?"
She paused when Mori reached out, setting his hand on her shoulder. "Don't you like her, Ozawa-hime?"
Hisa stared up at him, eyes the size of saucers. "Erm—I...well…" she fumbled, clearly unprepared. She wasn't the only blunt one around, it would seem. "Well...I...don't be ridiculous," she sighed in defeat. "We're just friends and she cares for me and I care for her. I just want her to be happy, is all. There's nothing...romantic going on."
He continued to stare down at her, eyebrows pulled in. Pity. He pitied her, not that she blamed him. She was stuck in an arrangement and couldn't do anything about her feelings for Giovanni Izabera.
"Anyway, that's neither here nor there. I mean it, Mori-kun, you're going to have to make the first move with her. Otherwise, she'll only toe the edge before taking a step back. She's not the Wild host, after all." He didn't say anything to that jab, pulling his hand back to return to his pocket. This was turning out to be an odd conversation. He figured that Hisa had romantic feelings for Izzy weeks ago but he hadn't expected this out of her.. Her need to please her family outweighed everything else, it seemed.
"Hisa!"
The two turned to see Yuuya waving at them, Izzy trailing behind him. She was frowning petulantly at Yuuya and Hisa had to wonder if he'd said something again to offend her. At this rate, the brunette was never going to warm up to him. "My, doesn't she look cute?" Hisa hummed, shooting a look at Mori. "She certainly didn't dress up for me."
"But you're still appreciative," Mori replied, chuckling when Hisa sputtered. "Bera-chan always looks cute," he added with a casual shrug. It was strange to her that he would so easily admit to thinking that but she agreed. Izzy always looked cute.
"Sorry I'm late," Izzy sighed, stepping away from Yuuya. "Fumi went overboard with her fussing." She was genuinely apologetic, smiling guiltily at the two. "Were you two waiting long?"
"No, we just got here," Hisa replied smoothly. "Aren't you a sight sore eyes," she smiled at the pretty brunette.
Izzy smiled back at her. "Please, you're clearly what all the fuss is about. You make quite the sight." Izzy replied just as smoothly. It was easy to figure out why Izzy tended to ensnare those around her. She was genuine. She turned her attention to Mori. "Sorry for calling you out on such short notice."
Mori smiled down at her, shrugging casually. "I don't mind," he replied easily. Hisa eyed the two before shaking her head, they were hopeless.
She cleared her throat when Yuuya took her hand. "Now, you two behave. We'll meet back up for a late lunch in a little while, okay?"
Izzy blanched for a quick second before smiling tightly at her. "Sounds good," she nodded, glad that she didn't have to spend time with Yuuya. Still, she was supposed to be keeping an eye on Hisa. She shot her a meaningful look before Yuuya pulled her away with his tense smile. Clearly he wanted to get away from Izzy.
Mori eyed the two as they vanished into the aquarium first. Izzy was frowning softly but she said nothing. He nudged at her arm. "Did he say something to you again?"
Izzy blinked out of her thoughts. "Yuuya? Not really, nothing to be concerned about, at least. I just don't trust him not to fill her head with nonsense." She thoughtlessly reached for him, looping their arms together. Maybe Fumiko's pep-talk had given her more confidence. She tried not to think too hard on it. He didn't snatch his arm back, so she supposed that was a good sign. "He clammed up when I mentioned you and Hisa were waiting. I think he's afraid of you." Despite her dour words, she was grinning and seemed pleasantly pleased with the thought.
Izzy admittedly didn't keep much of a close eye on Hisa, even though that was the entire point of her coming along. Once again, Hisa was the one doing all the watching. She couldn't say for sure what was being said between Mori and Izzy but they seemed to be having more fun than she and Yuuya. Izzy kept a constant smile the entire time, her mouth often moving excitedly and her arm always looped around Mori's arm. Maybe he was just used to Honey dragging him around but Mori didn't complain as Izzy dominated their visit.
"Hisa?" Yuuya cleared his throat, realizing that she wasn't even paying attention to aquatic life. She wasn't paying attention to what he was saying, eyeing Izzy and Mori instead. "You didn't hear a word I just said, did you?"
She smiled sheepishly, because no, she hadn't. Izzy was crouching low to the floor, face nearly pressed against the glass as she watched turtles idly swim by. Mori stood next to her, though he was looking down at Izzy instead of the turtles. Hisa chuckled. Cute.
"Hisa."
She turned to Yuuya, only somewhat apologetic. "I'm sorry."
Yuuya scoffed, clearly offended. He glanced away from her and scowled. "I don't see why their presence is necessary. You're never yourself when she's around."
But that was a lie, she mused. She was always herself when Izabera was around. Snarky, mischievous and haunty, that was Hisa. Not this sweet, obedient girl that came around when Yuuya was present. She glanced towards Mori and Izzy once more just in time to see Mori tap the back of her head. She stretched back to her full height and pointed further down. Without giving it much thought, Mori grabbed the brunette's hand and led her further away from them.
How she could still be so oblivious was beyond Hisa.
"They're my friends," Hisa replied, still watching. Well, she wasn't sure if she could consider Mori a friend. "My parents think it's inappropriate if we're here together by ourselves. Izabera knows this. She makes things comfortable and Mori-kun makes things comfortable for her."
"Comfortable? What about me?" Yuuya continued to scowl.
Hisa finally turned her attention on him, looking both miffed and amused. "You're telling me an eighteen year old girl makes you uncomfortable?"
"She threatened me."
"What? When?"
"At her party, she threatened me."
It wasn't so hard to believe. Izabera had a temper and a short one at that. She often teased that it had something to do with her Italian blood, much to the brunette's annoyance. Besides, Izabera threatened her, once upon a time. Hell, she threatened everyone except maybe Honey-chan and Haruhi. Immediately, Hisa set off for Izabera, she had to get to the bottom of this. She could understand Izabera's dislike for the situation but that didn't give her the right to threaten Yuuya. It wasn't his fault she was useless to her parents.
Mori noticed her approaching first, his eyes catching sight of her first. "Izabera," Hisa loudly cleared her throat. Yuuya stood behind her, fighting off a grin. This was good, if he could just throw a wrench into their friendship, he wouldn't have to worry about Izabera's meddling.
Izzy spun at the mention of her name, excited expression dropping the moment she realized Hisa was upset. She glanced up at Yuuya for a brief second, eyebrows pulled before looking back at Hisa. "Yes?"
"You threatened Yuuya? What's the matter with you? Just because you don't like this arrangement doesn't give you the right to threaten him!"
Izzy only blinked before shooting a quick glance at Mori. She was afraid of this sort of confrontation happening. "He threatened me first. And I didn't flat out threaten him. I just warned him that if he kept his creepy behavior up, my friends wouldn't like it." It was the wrong thing to say and she knew it. Mori's head twitched to the side before he gently pulled her back. He reached for Hisa and gently coaxed her out of the way. His expression immediately changed, though Izzy couldn't see from behind him. Though she figured it was terrifying because Yuuya shrank back.
"You threatened her again?"
"Again?" Hisa squawked.
Izzy's face was in her hands, she wanted to avoid this. She ran her hands down her face in exasperation before shooting a look at Hisa. Mori's hand twitched and Izzy just knew in her heart and soul that he was going to punch Yuuya in the face. She paused to think it over, knowing she wouldn't mind that much if Mori did punch him in the face. He certainly deserved it. But, she realized, it would probably get them thrown out of the aquarium. She couldn't have that.
So, begrudgingly, she reached for his hand—which at that point, was now balled into a fist. "Hey now, Mori, let's not get too hasty." She pulled his fist back towards her chest, forcing him to turn towards her instead. She smiled carefully. "I think maybe we should get going?" She took one careful step back, testing him. He could easily snatch his hand away and punch Yuuya before she could even blink. But he didn't, he let Izzy have her way. Like he always did.
Hisa made a noise in her throat.
"Thanks for inviting us out, Hisa. I'll call you later, yes?" Izzy smiled at her, as if Hisa hadn't just angrily berated her. They were still friends. Hopefully. She wasn't sure what she'd do if they returned to the way things were between them. That would be the worst thing.
Izzy and Mori left first, Izzy waving over her shoulder before they vanished from view. Hisa watched them go, feeling conflicted and confused. She turned on Yuuya, hands on her hips. "You left the part out where you threatened her first, Yuuya. How could you do that?"
Yuuya's face contorted into something monstrous, causing her to take a careful step back. "She puts ridiculous ideas into your head, Hisa. She doesn't understand and she's trying to ruin you. I'm trying to protect you."
She was doubtful. Whether Izzy agreed or not, threatening her over it was ridiculous. She could only stare up at Yuuya with a face full of regret. She was right in thinking that the two would never find common ground.
Meanwhile, Izzy hurried out of the aquarium with Mori in tow. She was frowning, knowing that Mori was in a bad mood. Hikaru and Kaoru were the only ones who knew that she'd been threatened a second time but they hadn't said much about it, which she was grateful for. It was wrong to keep it to herself but she really didn't want them to make a big deal out of nothing.
Yuuya was harmless….right?
"Bera-chan," Mori pulled at her hand, forcing her to stop. She turned slowly and glanced up, looking apologetic before he could even get a word out. He paused, eyeing her with an unreadable look. "Are you hungry?"
Her eyebrows shot up her forehead before she slowly nodded. She tried to fight her smile off when he wordlessly nodded and set off into a random direction. She noted that he still held her hand but she chose to keep quiet about it, relishing in the small gesture. He could just be holding her hand because he knew where they were going but she chose to ignore that small thought.
Izzy could barely fight her smile when they ended up at a cafe. She could practically hear Fumiko squealing in her head that this was definitely a date. She drummed her fingers against her mouth, avoiding having to look at Mori. Whatever this was, he was still upset with her.
When she finally chanced a glance at him, he was already looking back at her. He was slouched in the chair across from her, arms folded and waiting patiently for her explanation. She sheepishly slumped her shoulders. "I'm sorry for not telling you. I, uh, I didn't—"
"Think it was a big deal?" Mori cut her off, brow arched sarcastically. "It's more than a big deal, Bera-chan. You don't know what he's capable of." He sat up and leaned against the table. "He could seriously hurt you."
Izzy flushed heavily but smiled shyly. "But you wouldn't let him get away with that, would you?" She realized just how flirtatious she sounded two seconds after she said it. It was too late to take it back. "Ah, well, that is to say...none of you would, right?"
Mori was still openly staring at her. He looked curious, head tilted to the side. "Right.." he trailed off, his mouth forming a slow smile. Steam threatened to puff out of her ears but Izzy looked away, pressing her knuckles to her mouth instead. "You promised to tell me if he did something strange again."
She faltered because it was true, she did promise that if Yuuya did something strange again. And for the record, subtly threatening her was strange. He hadn't outright threatened her in the typical fashion. It was more so his motions and his threats were hidden carefully behind otherwise innocent statements. He never outright said 'I'm going to hurt you unless you do what I say'. But, Izzy mused, she had a feeling Mori wouldn't be impressed with her reasoning.
She drummed her fingers against the tabletop as she tried to think her words through. Either way, Mori was clearly upset with the entire situation. And in hindsight, she couldn't really blame him. He was right that Yuuya could seriously hurt her, she didn't know what he was capable of and constantly brushing him off could cost her later on when dealing with him again.
But Yuuya wouldn't go that far, would he? Sure, they butted heads but would he go so far as to hurting her? She thought the same about Katsu, once upon a time. That he was harmless and wouldn't actually hurt her. Then he rattled her around and forced a kiss on her. There was really no telling what people were capable of if pushed far enough.
If Yuuya thought she really was a threat, if he truly believed she would get in the way of whatever he had brewing in his mind, he would retaliate. Something would happen between them if she kept defying that idiot.
Izzy sighed and reached up, curling her bangs around a finger. "Well," she pursed her lips and sighed once more before going through the pain of explaining what had gone on during her birthday party. She stressed that he didn't outright threaten her but it didn't make much of a difference. She could tell just by the set of his shoulders that it didn't make a difference to him whether he threatened her to her face or was coy about it. It still didn't change the fact that Yuuya made her wholly uncomfortable.
"Aren't we supposed to help princesses in need?" Izzy pressed at the end of her explanation. "Hisa is a princess and she needs help, right? I'm helping."
Mori narrowed his eyes at her. "But it's making you uncomfortable, you shouldn't have to make yourself uncomfortable for Ozawa-hime's sake."
"She knows I don't like him."
"But she doesn't know that he makes you uncomfortable."
Izzy sighed, shoulders slumping dramatically. "Mori—"
"Izabera-senpai!"
The brunette paused, blinking at the sound of her name. She wasn't sure why but the universe was dead set on interrupting any time spent with Mori. Honestly, she had to wonder if it was a sign or something. It's unfortunate, she mused, and equally frustrating. At this point, she considered shoving Mori into a closet somewhere just to have one conversation that couldn't be interrupted.
But then, her face felt hot, would she really want to just talk then?
Izzy tried hard not to groan. Instead, she smiled politely and turned just in time to watch Chiba approach. A small part of her questioned why she seemed to run into Chiba so much. It was borderline stalkerish, she considered. But then again, it couldn't be that suspicious. They went to the same school, she was bound to run into her classmates here and there.
"Oh. well, if it isn't Chiba." Izzy was nothing if not polite, sitting up straighter. Chiba smiled excitedly as he stopped at their table, stooping over her. Hands folded neatly in her lap, she leaned to the side. "Nice to see you."
Chiba opened his mouth only to blink owlishly at Mori. It was bad enough Izabera spent most of the school day guarded by Honey-chan and Mori-senpai. Now here she was with Mori? He was never going to make the older brunette take him serious with Mori around. He had to wonder if the two were actually on a date.
"Mori-senpai," he turned to him, his smile becoming strained. "I wasn't expecting to see you here." With Izabera-senpai, of all people.
Mori was eyeing him, cheek resting casually against his knuckles. "We came from the aquarium."
Izzy glanced at him, eyebrows raised but didn't bother correcting him. It was true that they came from the aquarium but he didn't mention Hisa and Yuuya. It sounded more...intimate.
Chiba's face contorted though she couldn't exactly figure out what to call it. "And now you're here...together….almost like a date."
Izzy made her own face, skin flushing once more. She threw Mori a look, waiting for him to correct Chiba. This wasn't really a date, he'd clarify. They were just hanging out. It was innocent. But Mori only continued to casually stare up at Chiba, gaze unimpressed. Izzy blinked owlishly before diverting the attention towards her by coughing.
"Izabera-senpai…?" Chiba reached for her.
She lifted her hand, stopping him from reaching her. "Don't mind me, I'm fine. Um, are you here on a date, Chiba?" Her smile was a little tense but it gradually relaxed into a more genuine smile. "Who's the lucky girl?"
Chiba laughed but quickly shook his head, the last thing he wanted was for her to think that. "No, I'm just here with my younger sisters." He jerked a thumb over his shoulders, indicating two younger girls just some tables away.
"Oh," Izzy raised her brows as she leaned around him to look at the two girls. They were a lot younger, lower-middle school, at least. "Aren't they cute? I hope your older brother doesn't give them bad advice like he did you."
"Your tongue is sharp, Senpai. I like that in a woman."
Izzy leveled him with an unimpressed expression but Mori loudly snorted, garnering their attention. Izzy eyed him. "Mori, don't make fun of me."
Chiba blinked, "he didn't say anything."
"He doesn't have to," Izzy grinned. "It's all in the eyes."
Chiba only hummed but she could tell he wasn't sure what to make of her statement. "Now, shoo. You're here with your sisters, remember? Leave your Senpais in peace." She waved him away with a fleeting hand and a wink.
"Sure thing, Senpai. I'll, uh, leave you to your...it."Date.
Izzy continued to smile, waving as Chiba returned to his sisters. She turned away, her attention back on Mori, and dropped her false smile. "My hosting personality is going to become permanent at this rate."
Mori shrugged one big shoulder. "It's not a terrible thing."
"Oh? Are you saying you like my hosting persona better than my actual personality?" Izzy chuckled with a more genuine smile this time. She rubbed at her face.
Mori slouched, long legs stretching towards her feet. He nudged at her foot before he hooked his foot completely around her ankle. "I like both."
She stared at him for a long second, face gradually heating up, and sharply looked away. She pressed her fingers to her mouth in a vain attempt to ward off or hide her impending smile. She failed, as he could clearly see it. She failed hard.
"Ara.." she failed to come up with anything to say. "You're not supposed to host me." She hoped her statement would work. Usually when she pointed that out to Tamaki, that he didn't have to host her, he broke down into tears. She didn't necessarily expect Mori to break down but she wouldn't be able to handle it if her face darkened any more than it already had.
But Mori remained nonchalant. "I'm not."
Again, he set the ball in her court and rolled it to her feet. Nine times out of ten, she'd consider picking up the ball before ultimately it rolling back. Any sane person would've given up on her by now but Mori liked to think he was just patient enough for the both of them.
Mori liked Izzy. It wasn't all that hard to admit once he realized that warm feeling he had for the brunette was amorous. Besides, Honey might've pointed some things out as well. It felt too intense to be considered just platonically affection and he'd be a fool to think it was.
He considered just telling her because Hisa was right, Izzy was a little dense. She was definitely a little dense but he was sure that Izzy also was choosing to be oblivious. It didn't take much of a rocket science to figure her out either and put the pieces together.
Izzy was loyal to a fault. Loyal to her family in Italy, in Japan and their reputations. The last thing she would ever want was to fall from grace like Morimoto Masami. The disgraced heiress casted a big shadow over her daughter and the brunette was determined to prove that she wasn't like her mother. And Masami's family was just waiting for history to repeat itself, to shun her just like they'd done before.
Therefore, knowing that, Izzy needed to be in control. She had to figure out what she wanted to when it came to their relationship and even her place in Japan. So Hisa had a point in saying that Izzy was a little dense but that was just fine.
He was patient. He could wait.
"Izabera?"
Izzy smiled into the phone receiver though Hisa couldn't tell. "I just got back home a little while ago. I would've called sooner but I figured I should shower and get comfortable first," she plopped down at the edge of her bed. "So, ah, Yuuya..."
"Aren't you upset with me?"
The brunette paused, head tilted to the side. "Not really, not with you. I mean, I said before that I'm not fond of Yuuya but..." she trailed off with a heavy sigh. "I know I can't force you into not agreeing with it. I know you just want your parents to be happy and well..." She was lying through her teeth. She wasn't okay with any of this but Mori pointed out that Hisa was a big girl. She was responsible for herself. It wasn't like she was actively asking for Izzy to advocate against this.
"I'm sorry. For everything. He didn't tell me what went on during your birthday party and you brushed it off so I didn't think much of it. But if he's threatening you..."
She shook her head. "Look, we have two different opinions when it comes to things like this. If you're...if this is what you want, I won't interfere but don't expect me to be okay with it. I don't like this. I don't like him. You're my friend and I just want you to be safe, okay?"
Hisa didn't immediately reply but Izzy wasn't looking for any confirmation. "I care about you, Hisa. I really, really do. I'm sorry I can't force myself to like this situation but I'm not going to lie to you. Just promise me that if he does something wrong, if he makes you uncomfortable or threatens you or...or anything, please tell me. Or anyone. Your parents. Please."
"You...um...you care that much? For me?"
Izzy made a face, nose crinkling cutely. "I care that much for you? What kind of question is that? Of course I do! You're my friend," she laughed breathlessly, like she was in disbelief. "We're friends, aren't we?" She shook her head, like she really couldn't believe Hisa would even doubt their friendship. "Granted, you get on my nerves but then again, so does the Host Club."
Hisa wanted to...she wanted to hate Izabera sometimes. How could she be that good of a person towards Hisa? How could she even want to be friends after all Hisa put her through? She bullied her when they first met and put her into an uncomfortable situation just to make herself comfortable.
She felt her heart swell. But no. She taped that feeling down. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, Izabera was not meant for her. She liked the brunette a lot, yes but her parents would never approve. They wouldn't approve of her gender, the way she behaved or the reputation that followed her as Morimoto Masami's daughter.
She wanted Izabera to like her but she wanted her parents' acceptance more.
Maybe...maybe it would be in her best interest to put some space between her and Izabera. It was the most reasonable answer. But, as Izabera softly called her name, she knew she couldn't do it.
She just couldn't.
TeeBeMe: I'm convinced I like seeing my OCs suffer, that's what that is. For every good that goes on, something sad or bad has to follow.
I've been getting a couple of reviews that say you don't normally read OC fics or that you haven't read Ouran fics in a long time but you like my story. I'm really glad you guys are enjoying this and that Izzy feels natural. Thank you guys, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!