Kyoya sat in front of his laptop while listening to Tamaki. Tamaki wasn't sure what he wanted to do in regards to the twins. It left Kyoya struggling to comprehend Tamaki's ideas. Kyoya hid his calculating mind behind a book as he leaned into his couch nonchalantly. Tamaki had two ideas he was set on while the rest were way too expensive, too complicated, or too harsh. Or a combination of all three. Kyoya looked over his book to the laptop screen sitting on his coffee table. Tamaki was in his bed shirtless with a pair of earbuds dangling limply from his ears.

"Kyoya, this is stupid." Tamaki huffed a little too close to the microphone in his earbuds.

"You were the one to suggest it."

Tamaki groaned and covered his face with his hands. "I know. I didn't want to really punish them. I guess I used tonight as an excuse to get them to do something . . ."

Kyoya heard the uncertainty in Tamaki's voice as he trailed off. "Yes?"

"I want their so-called punishment to something they do alone. Something fun for both, something they don't share, I think — Kyoya!"

Kyoya dropped the book onto his lap and stared directly into the camera, "What?"

"You understand what I'm trying to do right? I think I have the perfect idea!"

Kyoya wanted to go to bed, a rare occasion for him. It was three in the morning after a pretty large club event that he had planned for the entirety of five weeks in total. In fact, he started planning even before Tamaki was set on the idea and announced it to the club. Then, the setup on Thursday and Friday which he was extremely grateful for Kaoru's help. It had left Kyoya exhausted. Yet, Tamaki seemed to be functioning as usual as if he hadn't been dancing non-stop for two hours just mere hours ago.

"I understand, but really what do you want them to do? Please," Kyoya begged sarcastically, "Tell me. I'm dying of anticipation."

"Why don't we have them do more work for the host club!" Tamaki sat up from his bed excitedly. "I can take Kaoru and you can take Hikaru."

Kyoya didn't like this plan. Though, he kept his mouth shut in the meantime.

"I know Hikaru is really good with tech, I mean they both are. But, doesn't Hikaru enjoy it more? He could be really useful in assisting you for a week."

Kyoya nodded, again opting for silence until the president was done.

"Kaoru." Tamaki spoke. "Kaoru. What does he like to do?"

"He likes designing clothes," Kyoya finally spoke. "I haven't seen much of his work, but I've heard from his mother that he shows talent for it."

"Really?" Tamaki sounded surprised. "I thought they both did that."

"They do." Kyoya pushed his sliding glasses back up. "They have designed stuff for the host club before. However, Hikaru is very much disinterested while Kaoru seems to be passionate about it. Though, he's never really done it on his own before."

Tamaki's face lit up. He rubbed his hands together and instantly jumped up. He grabbed his laptop to take Kyoya wherever he was going. "This is perfect! Hikaru and Kaoru as our assistants! I thought I'd never see the day!"

Kyoya watched Tamaki descend the stairs, "You know we should be careful."

"How so?" Tamaki asked and sat down the laptop. He looked down to what Kyoya believed to be a drawer. Tamaki shuffled through the contents haphazardly and pulled out a notebook and pen.

"Knowing Hikaru, at least. There would be some major issues with him intentionally trying to ruin the plan. Kaoru is just as capable of doing the same." Kyoya stated.

Tamaki shrugged and continued to write. "Well, they should know by know how stubborn I am. I don't give up easily."

Kyoya smirked but hid it behind the book as he began to read it again. "No, you don't."

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Kyoya woke to the sun streaming in through his windows. He grabbed his phone to check the time. It was around ten in the morning, still too early for him. He rolled back onto his back but kept his phone in hand as he looked up to the vaulted ceiling over his bed. His eyes slid shut again, but his mind was too awake to drift back into wonderfully peaceful unconsciousness. Not to mention, Kaoru had texted him about an hour ago. Kyoya really wanted to see what he said.

He brought the phone extremely close to his face to be able to see the texts without his glasses.

Kaoru: I hope our punishment isn't too bad ;)

Kaoru: Can I get a good word in with the VP to lessen my sentence?

Kyoya rolled his eyes. Absolutely not.

Kaoru: Awe :( Pretty please

Kyoya: It's really not that bad. Though, I can't say how you'd feel being Tamaki's "assistant"

Kaoru: NOOooOooOoOOoOoOooo

Kyoya: Well, our president as made up his mind. I get to have Hikaru as my assistant and you as Tamaki's

Kaoru: Tamaki must be blind to not see how much you hate Hikaru

Kyoya: I don't hate anyone

Kaoru: then you very much don't like him

Kyoya thought about what his next response was going to be, though Kaoru was typing and said something before Kyoya.

Kaoru: idk care if you don't like him. He's a pain in the ass and hard to get along with

It amused Kyoya. I won't disagree

Kyoya didn't see Kaoru start typing again so he decided to get up. He still needed to find those damn cufflinks. He used to have multiple sets for different occasions but between his sister moving everything around and his own wear and tear, his collection had diminished considerably. There was also a small list of people who have either lost or broke his cufflinks. And guess what, Tamaki was on both. And sadly enough, Kyoya's last pair of cufflinks were his favorite. They were a pair his father had gifted him on his thirteenth birthday. They were gold plated and had a black face with the Ootori name in the middle. Along the edges of the face was an intricate design. All of the Ootori sons had a pair like Kyoya's except the designs around the sides were different. It was done so to distinguish each pair and who it belonged to. Kyoya's were braided and intertwining rose stems that ended in a bud of a blooming rose. Yuuichi's pair was similar, it contained what looked like the leaves from a damask pattern. It was much more traditional and formal than Kyoya's, however. Akito's pair were the complete opposite and had a very straight lined, geometric pattern around the edge.

It bothered Kyoya to lose them. Afterall, it was as thoughtful of a gift as Yoshio was capable of and Kyoya really liked them from an aesthetic perspective. Yet, it wasn't too big of a deal since he could always have them remade or buy a new pair. Objects weren't what was important to Kyoya and despite the cufflinks having more importance than any other pair, they were still just cufflinks.

As long as his father didn't notice . . . Kyoya knew he'd probably notice, but there was still some time left to find them.

Kyoya heard a knock at the door as he was rummaging through his drawers for fourth time looking for the cufflinks. He called whoever was at the door to come in. He didn't look up right away and it wasn't until he saw the shoes did he raise his head. He had the strangest sensation wash over him as he looked up to the eldest Ootori son, Yuuichi. He looked as he always did. He stood up straight, arms crossed over his chest as he observed Kyoya. He's hair was swept to the side neatly and his clothing was just as pristine. A pair of glasses similar to Kyoya's perched on his nose. His wedding band shone on his ring finger and caught Kyoya's eye.

"Nii-san," Kyoya greeted.

Yuuichi's smile was amiable yet his posture was closed. Kyoya could see that his older brother was uncomfortable.

"What on Earth are you doing, Kyo-kun?"

Kyoya frowned at the name his older brothers placed on him. "I've lost something."

Yuuichi's mouth quirked upwards. He turned to lean on the dresser that Kyoya was searching through. "What did you lose?"

Kyoya didn't answer right away. Instead, he pulled one of his nice watches out of his pants drawer. It was hidden under the wads of clothing that had been hastily stuffed back in about a week ago.

"My cufflinks," Kyoya murmured as he sat the watch onto the top of the dresser.

Yuuichi cocked his head. "Why are your drawers so messy?"

Kyoya wanted to ask him why he was even here, why was he asking questions, why was he even talking to Kyoya? How long had it been since Yuuichi actually spoke to Kyoya directly? Kyoya sat back on his heels pausing his movements as he thought. Four? No, five years. Five years since Yuuichi even said his name in front of him.

"I believe our dear sister decided to reorganize my things again." Kyoya sighed.

Yuuichi chuckled, "Again?"

"Well, she liked to do so back when I was in middle school." Kyoya explained getting out of the kneeling position he was in and facing Yuuichi. "Though, she swears she hasn't been here since Akito's birthday, or something like that."

Yuuichi's look of confusion was all Kyoya needed to see to confirm that Fuyumi had, in fact, been at the Ootori estate since Akito's birthday.

"Well, if you're too busy, then I'll leave you to find your cufflinks. However, I do want to talk to you."

This was down right suspicious. Kyoya half-wondered if his father had something to do with the impromptu visit.

"I can talk. The cufflinks can wait." Kyoya brushed off his pant legs and mirrored Yuuichi's crossed arms.

Yuuichi nodded. "I spoke with Father about you. About your future."

Kyoya inwardly sighed.

"I was surprised to hear your decision."

"My decision?"

"Yes," Yuuichi said letting a small amount of surprise color his voice, "He's under the impression that you don't want to work for the Ootori group whatsoever."

Kyoya shrugged, "I haven't made a permanent decision, yet."

Yuuichi picked up on Kyoya's suspicion and wariness to give a firm answer. Though, Kyoya had made it clear in his tone that he had a decision in mind, it just wasn't ready to be revealed. "Well, whatever you decide to do, I'll support you."

Kyoya's body tensed against his will. This new sensation he was having then was way more intense and unnerving than the one he had when Yuuichi walked into the room. When did his brother care this much? Thankfully, it seemed that Kyoya's sudden and quick drop of his guard was not picked up by Yuuichi. Kyoya hastily built himself back up and regained control.

"I came here of my own volition. I'm not angry or disappointed. I was actually glad when I heard since you were really the only competition I've ever had." Yuuichi continued.

Kyoya was experiencing all kinds of emotional whiplash. He hoped that it didn't show especially since he was still trying to recover from Yuuichi's declaration of support. He shook his head, "I don't want to compete with you. I've never wanted to."

"No?" It was Yuuichi who shrugged. "Whether or not you wanted to, our father was at one point seriously considering it. He was pleased with you after Grand Tonnerre, though he did interpret it as you forgoing the position."

He had obtained his father's attention by buying out Grand Tonnerre's offer and taking the Ootori group for his own only to give back to Yoshio. Of course, this had caused quite a stir in the Ootori home. It had been the first time Kyoya's father had realized that his youngest son had a great deal of potential and could do more than he realized. Yuuichi had been impressed, while unsurprisingly Akito annoyed. Kyoya had seen his father the day after the Ouran fair and saw pride in his eyes. Though, Kyoya didn't allow himself to really believe that his father was anything but indifferent. Afterall, Yoshio was a great actor.

Kyoya swallowed the lump in his throat. A big ball of emotions were threatening to spill out of his mouth. Sadness, happiness, anger, disbelief, elation, anxiety.

He must have let his inner turmoil slip again as Yuuichi immediately began backpedalling. "I don't mean to alarm you. I suppose I came to inform you so you can be prepared for whatever he decides to do next. Though, in terms of what you want to do with your future, he told me that he wants to help you as I do."

Yuuichi pulled his glasses off his face and allowed a moment to pass as he carefully wiped his glasses with the small cloth he produced from his pocket. "However, there are caveats. You've already surpassed his expectations of you and he wants you to continue pushing forward. He wants to see just how far you'll go before he retires in whatever you do. Though, that doesn't mean he's not going to try to entice you back to the family business."

"I don't think he wants me to reconsider." Kyoya stated solemnly.

Kyoya let his arms down and he shuffled to the couch to sit down. He felt as if he'd have more control over his body if he didn't have to think so much about trying to keep himself upright. Yuuichi followed him.

"It's your choice." Yuuichi assured. "Though, I would like to have someone as talented as you around even if you don't want a particular position."

Kyoya was focusing heavily on keeping his face as blank as possible. He was certain he was shaking and he knew it was from anger.

"Of course, that's me speaking solely as a businessman. As your older brother, I would say do what you want. You have been granted a lot more freedom. I strongly recommend you to do what you're passionate about."

Kyoya nodded curtly and kept his mouth shut. As soon as Yuuichi left, he grabbed the nearest thing to him and threw it. He heard the sound of glass shattering and with a sinking feeling, he realized that what he had thrown was the tablet that Kaoru gave him. Instead of letting the maelstrom of feelings that had just taken over consume him completely, he marched himself up the stairs to his laptop on his bed and immediately dove head first into work whether it be school work or club-related. He had to distract himself from Yuuichi's words.

Kyoya knew it was insane to be upset. It wasn't like he hated being supported by his family or that he was ungrateful for the opportunity to work with his brothers. It was the fact that Kyoya worked so hard to show he had let go of his obsession and that he wasn't happy jumping through hoops for his father. He would have been completely trapped if he hadn't, stuck painting within the tight confines of what his brother's hadn't done. Kyoya didn't want to be under his brothers nor did he want to climb over them. And while Kyoya was glad Yuuichi recognized he wanted to do more than be with the Ootori group, it was upsetting to see that his father hadn't cared. Yuuichi didn't understand as he wasn't following Kyoya as closely, yet Kyoya had felt the urge to take his frustration out on him. Kyoya immediately smothered the burning, red-hot coals starting to take flame.

Kyoya shouldn't have been surprised. Of course his father would want to keep him close. Kyoya knew that showing his best trick at the time was a risk and for the most part, it paid off. While Kyoya had since gotten better and more strategic at avoiding or manipulating his father's games, this new development meant more work trying to keep his father's hand out of his life. The worst part was Kyoya didn't know what to do next. He didn't know what his father would do either. It was going to take some time to just think and come up with a plan. Yoshio wasn't going to go easy on him, that much is certain.

In another line of thought, he admitted his father wasn't as cold-blooded as he sometimes acted. He loved his children in his own way. It was hard for others to understand even that much, but it was even more crazy that Kyoya loved him still. Even with his quick-pace, high standards, and strictness, Kyoya had always found it within himself to forgive him. Because of Kyoya's feelings, it made it so much more distressing when Yoshio played with his childrens' lives. Even with the very rare moments when Yoshio offered positive reinforcement, as Kyoya had gotten older, he noticed more and more how manipulative his father could be. Everything was planned and performed to elicit some sort of response out his children, bending their wills to match their own. It wasn't hard to see how suffocating it was to be an Ootori son.

Kyoya had equated being an Ootori to being caged. He was caged by his father's expectations, the family's reputation, and everything and everyone else who placed some sort of value on that name. Even he did distance himself from his family, his past and background would always follow him. Now, he was stuck with an impossible ultimatum. He could either continue on being free or stay within that cage. He wanted to uphold the family name, he loved his family, and sadly enough, it had been ingrained within him to want to make his father proud. Yet, deciding to not choose the Ootori group meant that his father could shut him out. He wouldn't be able to see his mother, brothers, or sister again. He would probably lose all forms of support by anyone associated with the Ootori's. And even though he was the mostly hidden and unheard of youngest Ootori son, it didn't mean that Yoshio won't cut every tie Kyoya had. Unlike his brothers, Kyoya never had eyes on him, mostly unthought of in the media and the public. In actuality, he could do what he wanted without harming the reputation and integrity of the family business, yet his father would still cut him down just to punish him.

It was clear to Kyoya as he finished his last bit of Calculus II homework that Yoshio was going to ask. It wouldn't necessarily be the same way he did at the Ouran fair, yet it was still the same question: are you going to choose your friends or your family?

The question was soul crushing for Kyoya. To Kyoya, the host club wasn't just friends. They were family. Perhaps, a better family than his actual one. They didn't expect anything of him and would do anything for him without strings attached. He wouldn't ever tell them that, of course. Especially not Tamaki because it might just inflate his ego too much. He already had a pretty big head. Anyhow, asking Kyoya to choose between the two was hard. Kyoya had already made the decision once. He wholeheartedly choose his friends, and he would do it again, even with the more permanent and terrible consequences this time.

Even though Kyoya knew what his answer was, there was still a storm raging within him. The internal conflict was probably what Yoshio was hoping for. Kyoya wouldn't be surprised if this was orchestrated by his father with or without Yuuichi being in on it. Kyoya was well aware of how much his father could read him. At least, that was until he had pulled the Grand Tonnerre stunt last school year. From then on, there was an element of unpredictability. Yoshio was not a fan of it because not being able to predict what your competitor's next move meant the downfall of your company. Kyoya was turning into a wild card that Yoshio couldn't accurately predict or control. Kyoya supposed that's what it was all about anyways; control.

Then, there was the head of the Ootori zaibatsu, the position that Kyoya had been yearning for most of his life. It was his obsession to do better than his brothers without tearing them down, proving to his father that he was the true heir to the business. After all Kyoya had learned since Tamaki's arrival, it made it him feel empty when he thought about it. He was sure that being head of the group wouldn't make him happy. Though, if his father did give him the position, would he turn it down? Kyoya had a few ideas beginning to form in his head to turn the tables on his father. Maybe he might not turn it down.