I'M BACK FROM JAPAN! NOT HAPPY I'M BACK, BUT I'M BACK!
My trip was amazing, but I'm also glad that I have some down time now to write for you guys once again. Thanks for waiting! Hopefully it'll be worth it!
Thank you to Amarenima Redwood, Momochan77, readeronly76, ephemeral-times, AmbertheCat, Kagayaku Hoshi-chan, AusllyBeliever, and XBnemesisX for your reviews! I know the way Livia was treated in the last chapter kinda killed y'all, but I think you'll like this chapter. Or hate it. I dunno at this point.
This chapter gets really emotionally intense and angsty. A little more so than any of the others. I still haven't found a good way to mark when it happens, but if you have some ideas for it then please let me know.
Disclaimer: I only own Livia Trasic. Maybe I'll write a novel with her one day…
Warnings: Public shooting, intense anxiety attack, mentions of death, suicide/homicide, pedophilia, and sex trafficking. If I missed anything, let me know and I'll add it to the warnings.
Ootori Mansion
Exact Location: Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
Kyoya Ootori's Bedroom
13:02
Kyoya hadn't moved in the past two hours.
He was sitting up on his bed, back leaning against the headboard and legs stretched out on the mattress, ankles crossed as he whiled away the hours by reading.
Or, more like he attempted to read.
When he realized he'd been staring at the same line for the past five minutes, not taking in a word of it, Kyoya finally gave up and snapped the book shut. Carelessly dropping it onto his nightstand, he let his head fall back against the wall. It was official. Kyoya was bored.
Rolling his head to the side, he looked down from his loft to the rest of his bedroom. The bright sunlight shining through the bay windows colored his whole room in a golden hue. He regarded his bookshelf, the homework he'd half-heartedly scattered across the small table, the black journal resting next to said homework… nope. The longer Kyoya tried to tell himself to get up and do something, the more he just wanted to crawl back under the covers and take a nap.
A part of him knew it was stupid to feel this way. Kyoya usually relished in the weekends without the Host Club. As entertaining as their outings were, he more often than not found himself on the cusp of falling behind in his studies or the club's finances or his own mental sanity when he didn't have a few long hours to himself.
But this time it felt different. Because even if Kyoya wanted to leave, he knew he couldn't.
And he felt like a prisoner.
Today. Yesterday. Friday night. Every damn time Kyoya so much as left his bedroom he had the eerie feeling of being watched. Ever since Trasic-san let slip that she had freaking cameras in the house, Kyoya found himself looking over his shoulder and staring into the dark cracks and crevases of his house, half expecting to spot a red light or a lense reflection winking back at him. His personal bodyguards were also starting to make more appearances. While Kyoya already knew they were keeping an eye on him, like they always did, it was starting to grind on Kyoya's nerves how obvious they were being. "Casually" chatting by the front door, side-eyeing Kyoya whenever he came downstairs or moved from one room to another, like they expected him to make a break for it or something! He wasn't an infant! Nor was he stupid!
Kyoya's fingers twitched against his thighs and he groaned, raking them through his hair before curling them into fists and giving a brief tug. This was it. This was how he was going to go insane. No bizarre Host Club antics or Dumb-Tamaki-Suoh idea necessary. He was just going to be held under lock and key with paranoia breathing down his neck until he was driven off the deep end.
Another groan escaped, this time in discomfort as Kyoya noticed the growing pain in his lower back. Sighing, he let go of his hair and shifted until he could lay down on his bed. Trying to find a comfortable way to place his arms or at the very least stop his incessantly bouncing foot, Kyoya stared directly up at the ceiling.
After all the years of telling Fuyumi he'd rather stay in. Of grabbing a seat at the corner of the library instead of following his class into crisp autumn air. Or insisting that they should host indoors instead of in one of the gardens. Kyoya took it all back. He regretted every single time he turned down the opportunity to leave the four walls of his house. For all the comfort it used to provide him, now it just felt like a big concrete cage.
And Kyoya wanted out.
BAM!
An embarrassingly loud yelp fell out of Kyoya's mouth before he could stop it. His door had just gone flying open.
"Well, aren't you happy to see us!"
Taking in a few deep breaths, Kyoya slowly pushed himself up onto his elbows. Leaning against the sides of his doorway, Hikaru and Kaoru grinned up at him. A much better scenario than the raging gunman that had popped up in Kyoya's imagination.
"What are you two doing here?"
Taking his words as permission, the twins shut his door and scampered up the steps leading to Kyoya's loft. He quickly sat up, pulling his legs back under him just before Hikaru took a flying leap onto Kyoya's bed, his brother right behind him.
"So… how've you been?"
Kyoya raised an eyebrow. "Take a guess."
Kaoru nodded solemnly while Hikaru leaned back on his hands. "Oh yeah, meant to ask, how's the food here in prison? I've heard some wicked rumors."
"It's not terrible. Though I could do with less security looking over my shoulder all the time. Kills my appetite."
"Hmm… we figured you say that." Hikaru leaned forward, dropping the teasing tone in an instant. "In all honesty, I was surprised that we were let in without much of a fuss. No background checks or anything like that."
At the implied question, Kyoya scowled at his lap and grumbled, "There's a small list of people outside immediate family and employees who are allowed to enter the premises, and it includes everyone from the club."
He would never say so to anyone, especially not Trasic-san, but Kyoya was grateful for that small allowance. Maybe it was Trasic-san's way of keeping him happy enough to not start a riot? Regardless, Kyoya was glad that he was allowed visitors. More importantly, visitors he actually wanted to see. It dulled the prison vibe. Almost like saying, Hey, look, your friend's craziness isn't too far out of reach.
Didn't dull it completely though.
"Y'know, I think this is the first time I've ever seen you unhappy. Pissed off I've seen plenty of, but you actually look bored, Kyoya-senpai."
"Which will probably make the next step in our plan a little easier."
Kyoya looked up sharply, attention piqued.
Continuing with their little twin telepathy, Kaoru spoke next. "Not that we aren't here just to see your handsome face, Kyoya-senpai-"
"-but we were wondering if you'd be interested in a little teenage rebellion today?"
"Teenage what? What are you..." The question died on Kyoya's tongue. "Oh."
Immediately Kyoya was at war with himself. A part of him, the more instinctive side, was cheering at the mere idea of escaping the house. He wanted fresh air, damn it! The louder, more controlling side, however, grabbed his instinct by the back of the shirt and declared they would in no way, shape, or form, be leaving the safety of his room until they were told it wouldn't cost Kyoya his life. Picking up on Kyoya's hesitance, Hikaru leaned forward.
"Listen, Kyoya. We thought it through, and this whole lockdown thing is really unfair and unnecessary. Here me out! We've got three reasons for you to go along with us, and if you don't agree by the end of it, we'll call in the rest of the club and just hang out in here."
Kyoya looked back and forth between the twins. He wouldn't necessarily mind having the Host Club over. Tamaki had hung out with him yesterday, and the extra voice filling up the big room helped Kyoya forget for longer periods of time that he couldn't leave the house. But…
His fingers twitched again, which he covered up by shifting into a more comfortable sitting position.
"I'll listen."
Hikaru nodded and raised his pointer finger. "Okay, first off, putting you on lockdown is pretty much putting the rest of us on lockdown as well. It's just like how Trasic-san forced her company on us at the club the other day by saying she was protecting you. She's got no power over us, so it's completely unfair to set up punishments that affect everyone."
Kaoru leaned in, flashing a peace sign. "Second, when we say she has no power over "us", we're including you in the word. Trasic-san can't control you and has no right to keep you locked up, and it's high time we made that clear. Sneaking out is a really in-your-face way of sticking it to her."
"And third." Hikaru flashed a taunting smile and three fingers. "If Trasic-san is really as good of an agent as she acts, then why are you on lockdown at all? She's protected you just fine out in the open beforehand, so why is she being so harsh all of the sudden? If you think about it, it's like you're being punished because people want to kill you!"
Kyoya stared at the bedspread between him and the twins. He had to admit he agreed with most of their statements. He and Tamaki had spoken on the very same topic for at least an hour yesterday and came to the conclusion that Kyoya's punishment outweighed his crime. And there was still his growing desire to get out of the house. Even if he didn't go along with the twins, Kyoya's huge windows were starting to irritate him. Teasing him without mercy. He might go crazy if he didn't get out now.
But there was still his annoying common sense to fight. Letting out a deep sigh, Kyoya shook his head. "I appreciate that you think this is unfair. I do, too. But it's not like we can do anything about it. There's no way to get me out. There are guards by the front door and-"
"Oh, Kyoya-senpai. Our sweet summer child~"
"I was born in November?"
"You really think we didn't plan this whole thing out before we came here?"
"The rest of the club is waiting in our limo."
"We can get you out."
"If you want."
Kyoya hesitated one last time. It was tempting. Hell, it was way past tempting at this point. Freedom, the outside, and the rest of the Host Club? The word 'yes' is practically on the tip of his tongue. And yet he bit it back. No matter what the twins said, he was still in danger. And if Trasic-san wasn't there...
"If she's got cameras all over the house, she'll see you sneaking out. She'll find us eventually, but she'll also alert your guards and have them follow us. And you're technically still the boss of them, so you can force them to let you stay out regardless."
"And you'll still get to go outside. For a little bit at least."
"Trasic-san was probably already planning on extending your lockdown time until she leaves, so it's not like she can do much more damage regarding your punishment."
"And we can sneak ourselves in if she tries to ban us from seeing you, too."
Kyoya sighed, but couldn't help the small smile appearing on his face. They really thought this through, didn't they? Looking off to the side, he eyed the book he had been trying and failing to read.
Livia stared at the computer screen in front of her, chin propped up on her left hand. Her right was resting on the tabletop next to the mouse, fingertips tapping rhythmically against the polished wood. Her lips were pursed ever so slightly as she leaned in. There was no way. No possible way that Kyoya was that stupid. Right? No, there was no-
"Okay. But don't tell me how we're getting out or where we're going. Trasic-san's probably got microphones along with her cameras."
Fucking hell.
Eyes falling closed, Livia let out a long, drawn-out sigh through her nose. When she opened them again, the window in the middle of her screen showed the three boys closing Kyoya's bedroom door behind them. The computer program, detecting body-heat and new movement on another camera, rotated the recordings on screen until Livia could see the boys rushing down the hallway.
Taking in another deep breath, Livia slowly pushed her chair back and stood up. Stretching her arms up over her head, she peered down her nose at the computer. While the three boys jumped from camera to camera, Livia popped a few joints in her neck and back. Once she realized exactly how the trio was going to sneak out of the Ootori mansion, Livia leaned over the back of her chair and shut her laptop.
She closed her eyes afterwards, taking another deep breath. In… and out. An almost serene expression slid over her face as she opened her eyes. The barest hint of a smile pulled at her lips.
Calmly, she started getting ready to leave the apartment, picking up the things she'd need one by one. Her recorder was hooked onto her ponytail holder. Her gun was stashed in a small black purse. Livia took her time sliding her shoes on, keys jingled merrily against her fingers. Slipping her purse over her shoulder and opening up the front door, she casually tossed the keys up and down in a solo game of catch.
She dropped them.
Stared for a moment.
Let out a sigh.
Bent over and plucked them off the hot cement.
Frowning, Livia straightened up and looked over the edge of the balcony railing. It was a little chilly today. Maybe she should change into a long sleeve shirt? Or layer up?
"Hm… nah."
Closing the door behind her, Livia hummed a familiar tune while locking up. After she jiggled the door handle, double checking that it was truly locked, she gave a little nod and began walking towards the staircase at the end of the balcony. As she went, Livia swapped her keys for the phone in her left pocket, clicking open one of the tracking apps on her home screen.
"Woah!"
Hikaru and Kaoru stared in awe at the covered market. The large roof over the street held in the heat from the various heaters left out in front of the stores, warming up the Host Club as they took in the mess of colors and yummy smells. Hundreds of shoppers roamed around them, as far as the eye could see. Some had shopping bags in hand, others were still browsing the hangers and viewing the displays littering the sidewalk. Even more were munching on or ordering street food.
Bright grins on their faces, the twins turned around and gestured broadly. "Haruhi, since this is more your world that ours-"
"-you get to lead the way!"
Their matching smiles only lasted another two seconds before they dropped, unable to dismiss just how frightened everyone looked. They kept looking over their shoulders or watching the other shoppers out of the corner of their eyes. Kyoya was the only host not acting paranoid, but the other four were huddled around him like a wrap-around human shield.
Hikaru reacted first, leveling one of his usual dry looks at his friends. "Geez, you guys need to lighten up. Don't look so nervous, there's no way Trasic-san knows where we are just yet."
"And that's exactly why we're nervous in the first place."
Honey nodded along. "Haru-chan's right… Liv-chan said Kyo-chan's not allowed out without her because it's not safe."
"We also gave Kyoya's bodyguards the slip when you snuck him out." Tamaki gulped, pressing a little closer to Kyoya's back. "He's the least protected he's ever been in his life! And at the worst possible time. Oh, why did I listen to you two?"
Even Mori felt the need to add, "This was a bad idea."
Kyoya didn't say anything while his friends continued to bring up how dangerous this whole venture was. He tried to ignore the way his stomach was twisting into uncomfortable knots or how fast his heart was beating. The first five minutes of adrenaline from his escape had been wonderful, especially with the window rolled down so the wind would hit Kyoya in the face. Now that the excitement had weaned off, reality was starting to settle in. But he wouldn't back down.
Unfortunately, even the twins were starting to fidget.
Kaoru's hands were now stuffed into his short's pockets, eyes roaming around the busy street around them as he swayed from side to side. "Um… how about we find a place to eat? Some food might be good. I think there's a ramen place just a little further down. Or maybe we could even find a curry restaurant somewhere?"
"I don't believe it. You, too?" Hikaru saw right through his brother's nonchalance. He crossed his arms a little tighter, looking like a toddler about to have a tantrum. The others were mildly surprised he didn't actually stomp his foot. "This is exactly what I was worried about! Trasic-san has completely destroyed any sense of peace we had in public, and all because she didn't come clean in the first place! If we'd known about her job, we wouldn't be looking over our shoulders for more people who aren't who they say they are!"
"Hika-chan, that's a lie and you know it!"
"Yeah, if we'd known from the beginning do you really think we would've felt any safer? The reason Livia-senpai didn't tell us was so we wouldn't be freaking out!"
Kyoya could tell that a full-blown argument was almost underway, and he just didn't have the patience to deal with that right now. Abruptly pushing the others away and taking a step back, Kyoya sharply cut off Hikaru's next words.
"Shut up!"
The others turned to look at him, eyes going a little wide.
"Look, it was my decision to follow along with the plan, but if all you're going to do is squabble and act like Mother Hens then I'm going to have to put my foot down. It's not your job to worry about my safety, and I don't want you-"
Kyoya had a split-second revelation that the rest of the club wasn't actually staring at him, but behind him, before something grabbed the back of his shirt in a fist and pulled. Briefly choked by his own shirt collar Kyoya was forced to stumble backwards a few steps, nearly falling down completely in the process. He hardly registered the strange noise that came out of his mouth or noticed that something fast suddenly passed in front of his face, too preoccupied with the fact that he couldn't breathe.
A second later and he took in a deep breath, both hands coming up to pull his collar away from his neck. At the same time, the window of the little trinket shop to his right abruptly shattered, sparking screams from the Host Club and everyone in the general vicinity.
"Get down!"
Without even a moment to look around, Kyoya was unceremoniously grabbed by his shirt again and hauled backwards. He tripped over his own two feet, nearly smacking his face against the jutting expanse of cement wall he was being pulled behind. All around him the casual noises of the shopping center had risen to a crescendo, the rising screams occasionally being joined by loud cracking sounds. Another window shattered, spraying more glass shards onto the street.
Kyoya found himself thrown against the cement wall, the corner of his glasses scraping against it and nearly getting knocked off his face entirely. He was breathing deeply, the situation slowly starting to make sense in his brain. Two more cracks pierced the air, little black objects ricocheting off the edge of the cement wall he was now pressed against.
The hands returned to the back of his shirt, but this time Kyoya was being steered forward into the side door of a little shop. It was a clothing store. Kyoya got one quick glance at the tie-dye dresses at the front of the store before he was pushed to the floor. He faintly remembered seeing those dresses in the store the Host Club had stopped in front of to argue.
Where were the others?
Kyoya sat up with a pained noise, his face and elbow stinging painfully from the rough treatment. He was almost afraid to look.
Livia was crouched at the end of the clothing rack she had pushed Kyoya behind, her handgun out and a black purse discarded by her side as she stared at the doorway. She appeared to be muttering to herself under her breath as she checked her clip.
"Where-"
Livia turned and looked Kyoya dead in the eye, shutting him up.
"Don't. Move."
She ran out of the store the following second, leaving Kyoya alone with a lady behind the counter who was screaming frantically into her cell phone. Was she calling the police? Just outside Kyoya could still hear screaming and people running as fast as they could. Children were crying. People were calling out names and nicknames in hysterical panic.
Where are the others? Where was the Host Club?
Kyoya tried to stand up. He couldn't. He couldn't feel anything below his knees at the moment. Were his hands shaking? Shoving the fear into the furthest corner of his mind it would go, Kyoya managed to crawl his way to the other side of the clothing rack. He took a deep breath and peered around the corner.
The window of the shop exploded in a mess of glass.
Kyoya jerked back immediately, just barely missed by the spray of broken glass sliding across the floor where his hands had been two seconds ago. Tears leaking down his face, Kyoya fell backwards. He was definitely shaking now and his breaths were coming in sharp bursts. The lady behind the counter let out another scream as well, crying into her phone or into thin air, he couldn't tell anymore.
"T… T-Tamaki..? Haruhi? Mo-"
Another volley of gunshots came from outside, and that was it. A strangled sob escaped as Kyoya fell to his side. He kept shaking, no matter how tightly he curled in on himself. Clenching his hands to try to steady himself, Kyoya pressed his fists against his face, his glasses scratching at his forehead as he shoved them out of the way.
The Host Club's faces flashed behind his eyelids, twisted into expressions of terror. What had happened? Did Livia go back out for them? Why didn't they follow him and Livia off the street? Did they get hit? Were they dead? Oh god, what had he been thinking? What if the last thing Kyoya ever did to them was yell?
Had he ever told them, any of them, ever, that he thought of them as more than just club mates? Had he ever told them they were his friends?
He let out a broken cry, chest shaking in little jerks as the tears burst forth.
Oh god, they could be dead! Tamaki and Haruhi and the twins and- oh god what if it was just one of the twins? Or Honey? Or Mori? Oh god oh god oh god please no no no no no NO NO NO NO NO!
Kyoya's hands flew to his ears, unable to take all the screaming any more but it did nothing. No matter how tightly he pressed against the sides of his head the panic and terror taking place just outside found a way inside his head.
Everything was spinning and he was so scared and he couldn't breathe and the others were still out there and he couldn't breathe and the bullets had been so close to hitting him and he couldn't breathe what if they hit someone he cared about and they could've hit a complete stranger or a child and he couldn't breathe couldn't breath couldn't breathe couldn't breathe couldn't BREATHE COULDN'T BREATHE COULDN'T-
"Kyoya!"
Gasping, Kyoya jolted into an upright position just in time for Tamaki to fall on top of him, wrapping his arms around his chest and sobbing uncontrollably. Before Kyoya could react or pull his glasses over his eyes properly the rest of the club came rushing around the corner of the clothing rack. Their faces were stricken and unnaturally pale, some of them tear soaked, and all five of them practically dog-piled the two boys on the floor in a frantic scurry.
Honey-senpai buried his face into Kyoya's right shoulder and broke down while the twins wrapped themselves around Kyoya's left side. Haruhi latched herself to Tamaki's back, letting her head fall forward over Tamaki's left shoulder to rest against Kyoya's chest. And Mori jumped over them all before sitting down and drawing the whole group into his lap.
The sudden flood of joy and relief coursing through Kyoya's body wrenched another cry from him before he buried his face in between Tamaki and Haruhi's heads, his hands clutching at whomever he found first. The tears wouldn't stop. He didn't even care about how it was possible or what had happened when he didn't know. All that mattered was they were alive.
Alive.
They're alive.
Kyoya had no idea how long they sat there. It very possibly could've been a few hours, just the seven of them trying to stop crying and listening to each other breathe as their hearts pounded. Even when limbs fell asleep and hair began to stick to cheeks and most of them desperately needed a tissue they remained as tangled together as possible.
Haruhi was the first one to move, shifting her head to look over her shoulder.
"Livia-senpai?"
Ever so slowly, the rest of the club raised their heads, not one of them daring to look Livia in the face, let alone the eye. They noticed how her gun was once again nowhere to be seen. Her left hand was clenched by her side. Her right was palm up in front of her, curved to hold… something.
With deliberate steps, Livia moved until she was right in front of the group before kneeling down. Everyone's eyes focused on what Livia was holding her hand. Tamaki turned away completely and buried his face into Kyoya's shirt.
She was holding a flattened bullet.
Like she had all the time in the world, Livia let the dented metal roll up her palm until she could pinch it between her thumb, pointer, and middle finger. She didn't say anything for a moment, just twisted and spun it around so the others could get a good look at it. Even Tamaki managed a quick peek, fingers digging painfully against Kyoya's side and stomach.
Livia's thoughtful hum made everyone jump. Kyoya suddenly realized that the screaming from outside had faded away quite a bit. The lady who'd been behind the counter must've escaped through the side door.
"9 mm pistol. Probably loaded with gloves so there'd be no fingerprints. Skilled marksmanship. Didn't hit anyone but got pretty damn close to his target. Only five shots from a curtained window before making a break for it. Smart, considering all the bodyguards who began zeroing in as soon as they fired the first bullet."
She held the dented metal up a bit until the hosts were indirectly looking her in the eye.
"This particular bullet, actually. And with the angle from where it was fired to where it landed, considering where you were standing..." She moved the bullet to her left hand, arranging it a bit until it was sitting on top of three fingers, almost like it was on display. Then, with her right hand, she reached forward and pressed her pointer finger against Kyoya's left temple, right in front of the top shell of his ear. He flinched at her touch, but didn't move away.
"Entry point would've been here. Exit point…" She moved her hand in a diagonal path across the front of Kyoya's face before stopping at the other side. "Here. Shattering your cheekbone, but you would've been dead or dying."
Kyoya didn't realize he had resumed shaking until someone grabbed his hand. He felt lightheaded.
Livia's hand abruptly dropped from his face, green eyes digging into him much like her fingers had done earlier when she was dragging him to safety. She looked beyond angry to the point where Kyoya couldn't even think of a proper word to describe her expression. If all evidence didn't point to the contrary, Kyoya would almost think that Livia was about to murder him.
"The next time you decide to try something like this?" Her voice was impossibly quiet as she shook her head. "I'm just gonna sit back and watch."
Kyoya tried to swallow, but his mouth was dry.
After another moment of silence, Livia stood up. "We need to get you out of here. Your guards can deal with the police and the crime scene. They know I'm sending the bullet to my agency."
"But-"
Whatever Haruhi was about to say was immediately cut off by another glare, making the whole group flinch.
Livia growled out, "Don't bother worrying about another shooter. Right now, that's the least of your concerns."
Considering the way Livia was looking at them, Kyoya could believe it.
Livia was stone still in her seat. Her back was facing towards the front of the limo, her and the driver separated by a black divider. If Livia hadn't been the one to roll it up in the first place, the driver probably would've done it himself. The tension in the back seat was unbelievable.
Livia's arms and legs were both crossed, her left fingers tapping out a slow rhythm against her opposing bicep. Her handgun was placed on the empty seat to her right. It was unclear whether it was set there as a fear tactic, a form of comfort, or because Livia had a silent opinion on the fact all seven members of the Host Club were piled together on the three furthest seats from her. But the heavy glare she was sending their way kept anyone from asking. Or making a single sound for that matter.
Kaoru was seated on the far left of the bench, holding Kyoya's sleeve in one hand and Hikaru's hand in the other. Hikaru was also laying his head on Kaoru's knee from his place on the floor, but Kaoru's eyes were glued to the window. What else was there to do? Looking at anyone in the limo only brought waves upon waves of agonizing guilt.
"Hey, I know where we are." Kaoru's voice was just loud enough to be heard over the car engine, and everyone turned to look at him. "This is the way to our house, Hikaru. Why are we-"
His question died at the look on Livia's face.
Despite how the cabin lapsed back into silence, the unease had lessened. Everyone felt a little more relaxed now that they knew where they were headed.
Kyoya sank a little in his seat, giving Tamaki's hand a short squeeze. They hadn't let go of each other since they all unwound themselves from the floor hug at the little shop. Tamaki's other arm was currently wrapped around Haruhi's waist as she sat on his lap. As odd as it was to do so at this point, Kyoya couldn't help but worry for his friend. Tamaki hadn't spoken a word since they got into the car.
The silence held until they arrived at the Hitachiins' home. Livia scooped up her gun with one hand while opening her door with the other. The Host Club watched as she climbed out of the car, took a look around, then stepped back.
"Everyone out. The twins can lead you inside."
Obediently, they followed her orders, waiting until all seven of them were standing in the open before trooping forwards. Not one of them dared to move out of close range with each other. Kyoya once again found himself in the center of their little bubble. Tamaki still hadn't let go of his hand.
They made it indoors without a word, the twins leading everyone through the entrance hall and into the sitting room.
"Oh, thank goodness!"
Tears sprung back into Hikaru and Kaoru's eyes when they saw their parents waiting for them. Their mother instantly jumped up from the couch and ran to her sons, pulling them into a tight hug. Without hesitation they hugged back. Kaoru pressed his eyes against her soft dress sleeves, attempting to hold back from crying for the second time that day.
Gentle hands stroked at their hair while Yuzuha whispered endearments and thanks to Livia for bringing her boys home safely. The rest of the club wondered if they'd receive similar reactions from their family's when they got home. Probably not. Some of their family members didn't even know that Kyoya was in danger, let alone who Livia was.
Wait…
Hikaru noticed first, pulling a little out of his mother's hug. "Mother? You know Trasic-senpai?"
Yuzuha opened her mouth, but was interrupted.
"Hikaru? Kaoru?"
Everyone noticed how the twins stiffened at the voice, slowly pulling away from their mother to look back at the couch. A man with dark brown hair was sitting there, staring at his hands that were clasped in his lap. His voice had been soft, but his gaze was solid as he watched his sons. The twins exchanged a concerned look before turning back to the man.
"Father?"
"What's wrong?"
The room went quiet as the twin's father took in a breath. Slowly, he stood up from the couch, hands falling to his side as he turned towards the group. His wife slid to the side, a hand pressed against her mouth as she waited for him to speak.
The twin's father let out another sigh before lifting his gaze from the floor. Kaoru's breath caught in his throat. Were those… were those tears in his father's eyes?
"Please tell me you did not convince Ootori-san to leave the safety of his house without Trasic-san."
The twins looked like they'd swallowed their tongues. Their father sounded heartbroken. The rest of the club was no less shocked.
In the end, Haruhi was the first to speak up. "Hitachiin-san… you know about Livia-senpai?"
"Yes." The man stared at his sons for a few seconds longer before he turned to Livia, who was standing off to the side. "Kiku has told me all about you. I apologize for what's happened on behalf of my son's arrogance."
Livia bowed in response. "It's not your fault, Hitachiin-sama, but thank you."
"I must say, despite the circumstances, it is nice to finally see what my teachings have inspired."
"Your what?" Hikaru's head snapped back and forth between his father and Livia, eyes wide and uncomprehending. "Father, what is going on?"
"How do you know Trasic-san?"
Livia's eyes finally fell. This was not how she wanted the twins to find out.
"It's always easy to recognize a fellow agent, son."
Recording Redirection
R.A.R.E. Agent Personal Profile
Ishibashi (Hitachiin) Hayato
Status: Retired
Date of Recruitment: (Date withheld)
Details (Optional): Ishibashi Oki was recruited at the age of ten. Agent Kan Kyung-Min was in the process of protecting the Ishibashi family's recently developed product from theft when Hayato arrived on the scene. Agent Kyung-Min, upon subduing the thieves and emptying their bags, was shocked to discover the product was not there. Spotting Hayato running down a nearby hallway, the agent gave chase. Hayato's personal guards were alerted, but the situation was explained before any further confrontations occured. Agent Kyung-Min discovered that Hayato had stolen the product out of the thieves bag during the fight. Agent Kyung-Min submitted a training referral for Ishibashi Hayato upon returning to base.
Roommate: Shpak Fyodora Alekseevna
Mentor: Lawrence Schlegel
Prime: Japan
Date of promotion to Solo Agent: (Date withheld)
Details (Optional): Ishibashi Hayato has shown exceptional skills in infiltration and gathering critical information. Specializes in group missions and spy work. Has successfully maintained his cover for a full eight months, leading to the raid and destruction of the (name withheld) sex trafficking ring. Early promotion is approved in 7-1-1 vote.
Trainee: Kiku Kobayashi
Date of Retirement: (Date withheld)
Details (Optional): 42 successful missions. 1 failed. Relocating to permanent residence in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Additional comments: Works as I.T. employee at (name withheld) electronic company as of (date withheld). Married to Yuzuha Hitachiin as of (date withheld). Has taken wife's surname.
Livia felt like she was hovering, but she didn't want to sit down. She was still keyed up from the gunfight earlier. She'd been able to control herself during the car ride because of her anger, but with the atmosphere now shifted towards somber she was starting to feel restless.
Everyone else had already taken a seat in a loose circle, all eyes on the twin's father. Hayato was hunched over in his seat, his hands clasped together and hanging between his knees. His wife was sitting to his right as moral support and the rest of the host club were sitting on the two couches across from the two adults. All except for Hikaru and Kaoru. They were sitting on the floor directly in front of their father.
They had been silent ever since Hayato had explained how he became a R.A.R.E. agent.
"As a former agent, I know the weight on Trasic-san's shoulders. She has a large task at hand, one more important than anything you boys have ever thought of or experienced before. And for you to casually dismiss the very reason she is here is not only horrifying and heartbreaking, but outrageously stupid of you. To be in charge of another human's life is not something to consider lightly, because the pain when you fail is... immeasurable."
Hayato took in a shaky breath.
"I failed once."
Yuzuha shifted at her husband's side, cautiously placing a hand on his knee to steady him.
"I was almost twenty. The job wasn't particularly difficult or different from the others. For the first three months nothing went wrong. I had infiltrated another sex trafficking ring and when I called for the raid, it was my job to sneak the girl out of her bonds and get her out of the building while the other agents did all the fighting and arresting. But I was too slow. I was sloppy. Someone spotted me sneaking around the edge in the shadows of the fight and tackled me to the ground. It took a minute for me to fight him off. Just one minute. Not even a full minute either. But when I finally reached the girl… her buyer had gotten to her first. I'd spoken to him before. Had to, in order to gain his trust. I knew he had a "if I can't have her then no one can" mentality but I didn't-"
Hayato took another shaky breath, blinking rapidly.
"She was thirteen."
A sniffle caught Livia's attention. She peered around the edge of the couch and saw the entire Host Club in tears. Considering the day they'd had, their emotions must be running rampant. Especially for Kyoya. He was still holding Tamaki's hand. Honey was curled up into Kyoya's other side.
"Hikaru. Kaoru. I would've told you my past once you graduated high school, when you were emotionally ready for something like this. Most parents only tell their children about R.A.R.E. when it's necessary, but I knew that you boys and your sister were special circumstances. But now you've forced my hand. To take Ootori-san out in the open with no protection… I thought you cared for your friends more than your pride, considering how highly you speak of them." Hayato shook his head, looking at the floor once again. "If you are upset with Trasic-san, gambling with Ootori-san's life is not the way to show it. You could've lost a very dear friend of yours today because of your own arrogance."
Hayato lifted his head and, oh wow he was tearing up, too.
"Never… ever, put Trasic-san in that position again. Or yourselves for that matter. If you truly care for Ootori-san, then you should be doing everything possible to keep him alive."
The following silence settled heavily on the room for approximately ten seconds before Livia stepped up. "Okay, I think that's enough emotional baggage for now. Hitachiin-sama, is it alright to use your son's limo to take everyone home?"
Hayato nodded mutely while Yuzuha stood up. She gave Livia her thanks once more before escorting her husband out of the room. The Host Club was slow to follow Livia out of the room and to the exit, side-eyeing the twins as they remained seated. Kaoru was staring at the door their parents left through. Hikaru kept his eyes on the floor.
Getting the club out of the house took longer than it did bringing them in. Livia was taking everyone out to the limo in pairs, not mocking or otherwise acknowledging how nervous and tense they were out in the open.
Kyoya was left for last. It had taken Tamaki some encouragement to let go of Kyoya's hand, but eventually Livia was able to lead him and Haruhi out of the house. Once the two were safe inside the limo, Livia went back for her Charge. To her surprise, he was not alone when she got there.
"Kyoya-senpai?"
Livia almost didn't recognize Kaoru's voice. His usual cheerful tone was thick, and when he opened his mouth again all that came out was a choked sound. She couldn't tell if it was because he had been crying so much today or if he needed to cry some more. Livia stopped just before the corner.
"We're sorry. Kyoya, we're so sorry." Hikaru's voice was trembling, and when he gasped, Livia couldn't help but round the corner to see what had happened.
Kyoya had pulled the twins into a hug without a word.
They responded immediately, crying against Kyoya's shoulders like everyone else had already done that day. Livia slid back mostly behind the corner, but kept her eyes on the trio. She felt like she was witnessing an endangered species appear in the wild. It was sweet, but more bittersweet considering what had brought it on.
"Are you two going to be okay?"
Oh, and it got worse.
Kaoru let out a small laugh, rubbing at his eyes as the hug fell apart. "A-aren't we supposed to be asking you that question?"
"I suppose it does sound a bit odd the other way around. But this has been the second person to reveal themselves to you. Your father, of all people."
"I still love my father." Kaoru didn't appear to be looking at anything in particular. His grip on Kyoya's arm was tight as he nodded to himself. "With all my heart. He's the only one in our family who can always tell Hikaru and I apart. No matter what."
"He's never held us to an unreasonable standard."
"Or pushed us too far out of our comfort zone."
"Or been anything but a loving and doting father."
Both Hikaru and Kaoru were nodding at this point, the misty look in their eyes all but gone. Hikaru looked at his brother before meeting Kyoya's eyes head on.
"Being an ex-agent of R.A.R.E. doesn't change any of that. And it never will."
"Yeah." Kaoru sighed, bringing both of his hands up to rub at his face. "I'm starting to see now why we weren't told before just now, too. We really were morons."
"And terrible... friends." Hikaru lifted his chin, like he was daring someone nearby to challenge his words. "We were terrible friends to you, Kyoya-senpai."
"Maybe a little."
The three exchanged short, breathy giggles. It really wasn't all that funny, but Livia had a feeling they didn't care, either. It was a different emotion from fear, which made it a good difference.
"Does this mean you're going to apologize to Trasic-san as well?"
The twins gave each other a look, smiles falling flat as they spoke silently. All the warmth Livia had felt from witnessing the hug went ice cold at Kyoya's question. She saw Kaoru open his mouth, but nothing came out.
Forcing her face to not reveal her disappointment, Livia rounded the corner and approached the trio.
"Don't force yourselves, boys, you might sprain something. We need to leave now, Kyoya. There's still school tomorrow morning."
Kaoru and Hikaru bade Kyoya and Livia goodbye, but said nothing else. Livia tried to convince herself it was for the best.
Hey. I'm back in my own apartment now. The Host Club members were all returned to their place of residence, and Kyoya is not allowed to leave his bedroom unless it's for meals until Monday.
The new tracking app worked like a charm, but we should have someone looking in on ways to heighten the accuracy levels. Kyoya's phone signal bounced between a number of cell towers whenever they were driven through a really busy area. He wasn't impossible to track, but if they went through a place without any cell towers I might've been in real trouble.
I'm also going to be revisiting Kyoya's house-arrest rules.
End log.
Okay, much darker than some of the other chapters in the story, I know. I honestly didn't mean to give Kyoya a panic attack, it just happened. But it gave me a good opportunity to bring up the friends-not-friends ordeal and show just how deeply Tamaki and the others care about Kyoya.
I haven't checked, but the next couple chapters should be on the more laid back side of things again, just getting back into "normal" life for them all.
I hope you liked it! If anything triggered you that I didn't tag, please let me know and I'll tag it right away!
See you next chapter!
