Author's Disclaimer: I do not own OHSHC. Hi all! Don't mind me writing a random KyoHaru fic again. As a part of the Big Bang online, we are finishing stories. I've been meaning to write this story for a while, so here it is! It is inspired by lyrics from Prince's Kiss, and this story takes place starting in college years. I am combining elements of the anime and manga for this story, assuming that everyone spends one semester in America, and that is where the divergence begins. This story is rated M for sexual content that happens at the end.
Kiss
Chapter 1: Not Alone
The first time that Kyoya and Haruhi challenge one another is during Kyoya's third year of university. After Haruhi finished her year abroad in Boston, she moved back home to attend the same university as the rest of the Host Club members who had all moved back after one semester.
Kyoya had feared that things wouldn't be the same since Haruhi and Tamaki broke off their relationship during her second semester away, but he is happy to be wrong. Tamaki had almost a semester to stop growing mushrooms, and both Tamaki and Haruhi still wanted to be friends, so that's how Kyoya ends up seeing Haruhi weekly at first. Tamaki had insisted upon the Host Club members meeting monthly, but with his two closest friends, the energetic blond likes meeting weekly.
Their weekly chats are something that Kyoya looks forward to. Yes, he values his friendship with Tamaki, but Haruhi now has a claim on him, even if no one else knows it.
During his first two years of university, after he selflessly put aside his feelings for Haruhi since the two obviously had feelings for the other, Kyoya dutifully listened to his family. He pursued several different high society ladies that his family suggested, and he even made out with a few. However, what he quickly noticed was that he preferred the ones who looked like Haruhi, as none of them had a mind that could hold a candle to Haruhi's intellect, and that all of those interactions with women were lackluster and forced.
He never wanted it with any of them, and try as he did to forget and replace Haruhi, he could not. Everything changed when Tamaki and Haruhi broke up; at that point, Kyoya refused to meet any other women his family recommended.
He had eyes for only Haruhi. He didn't know how he would make it happen between her and him, but he was determined to make her his.
Now, he weekly looks for openings or ways to make her aware of him the same way he is acutely aware of her, even if he only sees her around Tamaki. She can't be forced or rushed; he knows he must play the long game with her, slowly winning her trust and affection.
He just doesn't know how.
His close friendship with Tamaki happened organically, seemingly without trying to do any of the normal things that society traditionally expected. And Haruhi is just as unique, as she isn't anything like the socialites he has met. She is simple and honest, content as herself. He is...none of those things, at least on the surface. There's always an ulterior motive, something in the background that informs his actions. The future is always on his mind, as well as how he can change to be the best. He rarely reveals all his cards.
On one particular day, though, he's honest. He has reached the end of his rope, frustrated because his brother, Akito, has lawyers sniffing around him. Akito only recently learned how Kyoya bought the family company during his time at Ouran Academy, and now that he is a credible threat as a possible heir, Akito has been relentless in his pursuit. His brother, combined with all of his business classes, his refusal to meet other women, general stress, and lack of sleep cause him to enter Tamaki's apartment slowly like a zombie, scowling at both and giving short, curt answers to Tamaki's many questions.
"What's going on?" asks Haruhi finally as her eyes pierce him from across the table.
The rest of the scene is so commonplace and not intimidating since they're all seated with their tea and bento boxes. Haruhi, though, leans in and seems so worried. He never has her full attention like this, nor does she ever seem this nervous for him, so he decides to be honest.
"I'm running into some legal trouble because of my brother. All of the family lawyers are on his side," explains Kyoya, eyes trained on her. "I've spent countless hours researching and trying to send them away."
And one day, when he owns the family zaibatsu, he will personally ensure that all of those lawyers are dismissed properly.
"You'll figure it out, mon ami. I believe in you," says Tamaki confidently.
It's never that easy, though, and he can see the concern in Haruhi's eyes as she considers his plight.
Her hair is longer now, similar to her photos in middle school, and combined with her big eyes, makes her seem more worried and feminine, causing him to feel a larger soft spot for her. Her gaze penetrates him before she straightens her back, ready to fight. "You're not alone, you know. Stop trying to do this on your own; it's not working. You should ask for help. There have to be other lawyers out there that you trust," challenges Haruhi.
He bristles at the idea of someone helping him, as he is more than capable. The problem is that she's right: he keeps doing the same thing, researching and doing, with no appreciable change. He should seek outside help, even if it stings to admit defeat. There are no lawyers he trusts, though. Legitimate ones at least. They're all easily bought off. That's when he gets a brilliant idea.
"Very well," he returns, fixing Haruhi with a passing smug look before steepling his fingers. "I will accept help under one condition: you have to be the one that helps me."
There's no one else he trusts more.
She gapes like all the fish she loves to eat, but she quickly recovers, setting back her shoulders with a resolved look on her face. "I'll do it."
He didn't actually think that would work, but he's pleased it did. It's interesting in its own way how quickly she agrees, but he knows that is all because of their friendship. It took him a while to break her of the habit of calling him senpai, but it worked. Respect is good, and she deeply respects him. However, he feared the formality would be a roadblock to deeper friendship and a future relationship.
A few days later, the pair meet in Kyoya's apartment, and he shows her everything he did. At the end of his little presentation, she summarizes everything with her usual aplomb. "So, you invested your money well to take control of the company, then gave back the control to prove you didn't need the family company, even though you really do want to run the zaibatsu one day."
"Yes," he states evenly, as though it's obvious.
Tilting her head, she asks, "Why?"
He stares at her a moment, confused why she asks. "Because I want my father's approval and to be the heir. It's all I've ever wanted," he explains, not sure how this will help Haruhi determine the next course of action.
"It just seems like a lot of wasted time and talent for something when you clearly have a gift with numbers," she says, simultaneously upsetting and pleasing him. "You could utilize those skills in so many other ways beyond your family's company," she suggests, leaning in, "like framing your brother a certain way and then threatening action of your own. I've only taken an introduction to a business law course, but..."
She continues on explaining. Her idea is the perfect solution, combining his skills and her knowledge in an elegant way.
"That would work," he says, standing. He carefully styled himself for today, choosing to wear a button-down and leaving the top button undone, hoping it would attract her notice. So far, she seems as oblivious as usual, not caring what he wears. Letting her see the full shirt does nothing, as her eyes are focused on his. "Thank you for your assistance."
She quirks an eyebrow. "You don't want to hear my other ideas?"
"I do," he replies, straightening his pile of things, "but I think they'll be unnecessary because I'm positive this solution will be enough." He sits as another thought hits him. "However, I also want to respect your time. You can either share the ideas now for possible future recurrences, or I can ask you when it happens."
She smiles. "I'd rather it be now since I'm thinking about it."
Her other ideas are written into his black notebook for future reference, and by the time she leaves, he has everything plotted out for what he's going to do to Akito. When he successfully scares off his brother, he tells her the good news.
"Because of you, I've managed to find a new way to make my older brother look worse in my family's eyes, and to scare him away. Thank you. How can I repay you?" he asks outside of Tamaki's door.
He leans against the door, and his heart skips a beat when she steps closer to him. "I don't want anything," she replies sincerely with a warm smile. "The satisfaction of knowing I helped you and spending time with you is enough for me. I don't care about anything else."
He appreciates the sentiment; he truly does. The idea that she wants to spend more time with him is a step in the right direction, and he privately rejoices over this fact. On the outside, though, he feels compelled to do something, so he has some fancy tuna sent to her the next day, which she loves.
--
The next time that they challenge one another is the following semester. As the end draws near, Kyoya watches as Haruhi balances her classes with tutoring and job searching for the summer.
"All of my other future lawyer acquaintances have been telling me of their internship plans for the summer since offers went out recently. Where's yours?" asks Kyoya of Haruhi one day during the weekly chats.
Her face falls before she admits, "I don't have one. I'm going to tutor instead."
"You love tutoring, so that works out," says Tamaki unhelpfully, smiling and happy for her.
Kyoya, by comparison, is not. He's annoyed that after all the resumes she gave out and interviews she had, she still has nothing. He knows how essential it is for her to start getting experience and to make enough money to live.
"You barely get by on what you make in tutoring right now; are you taking on additional students?" asks Kyoya, eyes drilling into her.
It seems she has already committed to this plan as she does every other school related project. "Yes. Two more," she says proudly.
That isn't enough by his standards. She seems too ready to give up on an internship, and he won't let that happen. Setting down his notebook, he clasps his hands. "That's not adequate. You should be making much better money and gaining the experience you need in a firm--"
Her face falls as pain fills her eyes; she is upset, too. "Even the unpaid internships turned me down. I have the grades and right schooling, but it's not enough. I see that now as people share how they got their internships," she interrupts, brutally honest even now. The pain, though, has become resignation and does not stop her from pushing on. "But it doesn't matter. I can make this work on my own."
There are days when he really admires Haruhi's stubborn independence; today isn't one of them as he resists the urge to pull out his hair. Instead, he settles for leaning forward when he thinks of the perfect solution to this, pinning her to her spot with his gaze.
"You're wrong. You don't have to do this all on your own, though. Just like me, you're not alone." As shock registers in her face that he remembers what she said, he gives a smirk. "You have powerful friends who could and want to help you succeed," he reminds her. He lets his glasses glint in his favorite way before pouncing. "You've already acknowledged all you have isn't enough. If I can ask for help, so can you. Ask one of us to use our influence to help you find an internship."
He'd like to see her get out of this predicament. He's shamelessly using her own words against her, and even Tamaki is bouncing up and down at the thought of being able to help his friend.
Her lips thin as she ponders his words, her eyes defiant. That look doesn't spell good things for him, but he doesn't care because she is looking at him and only him. Folding her arms, she fires back, "Fine. Kyoya, find an internship you deem worthy within a week for me."
Tamaki is absolutely crushed at not being chosen, based on the way his face crumples and jaw drops, and Kyoya is internally roaring in triumph. At last, he can help Haruhi in a significant way, and it's under her direct order. Everything is going according to plan, and three days later, he has the greatest satisfaction yet when he finds Haruhi at the end of the day outside his apartment building, arms at her sides and eyes lost.
He sees her first. Amid the manicured lawn and shrubs, nice clothes, and polished gleam of every building, Haruhi stands out in her jeans and ratty shirt that she reserves for days when she is studying all day.
Putting down his bag, he pulls out his ubiquitous black notebook, ready to make his success official. Pushing up his glasses, he comments, "Haruhi, this is a surprise. I take it the company contacted you?"
Snapping her head up, her eyes stare long and hard into his, and he loves every second of it. Her bangs are growing out, and the fine hairs sweep across her face, framing the eyes that haunt him every night. If he had done something wrong, maybe he'd feel shame or regret, as Haruhi is the conscience he needs and listens to, but that's not the case here. He's very proud of what he's managed to do in such a short period of time.
"Yes, they did." She steps closer, giving him a look that makes it seem like he betrayed her. Her breathing is becoming labored. "It's a paid internship."
"So?" he questions, shrugging. "You specified that it had to be one I deemed worthy. Only a paid internship would meet my high standards for you."
That the company will have her looking at business law is no accident. He knows she has no particular branch of law in mind, and he wants her to consider business law so he can keep her for himself. To have her on his side as he advances in the business world. Having that day to pour over everything with her and receive her advice gave him a taste of what they could have in the future by working together, and he wants it.
There are few things he wants more than working with Haruhi and having her as his partner for life. Leading the zaibatsu is the only one. Having Haruhi by his side is an essential part of that.
"You didn't have to do all that," she mutters quietly, shoulders bunching as she cranes her neck.
She's at the level of his chin, but it's not enough for him. "Yes, I did," he counters, stepping closer and dipping his head down, their bodies almost touching now. Her simple cotton shirt with his designer jacket, and it could swallow her if he opens it up and wraps it around her.
The tension in the air is palpable between them, both unwilling to back down, and he lives for this, for this meeting of the minds and clashing of personalities. At this distance, their noses almost touch, and it excites him, knowing he's this close to her, even if his face gives nothing away. All he wants is to needle her and see how far he can push.
"You deserve that and more," he adds, making his feelings obvious for once. "You're my friend, and you've worked hard to receive that."
Exhaling loudly, she purses her lips, seemingly wanting to fight but hesitant. Finally she replies, "I worked hard and didn't receive the internship initially." She shakily adds, "It's, it's not based on merit--"
It's a weak argument. She's struggling to fight this anymore, and he couldn't be more excited.
"Because it never will be in this day and age, and we both know it," he interrupts, ready to put the nail in the coffin as he leans his left arm over her right shoulder to rest on the wall. "Why else did you have the audacity to come to Ouran Academy, unless you already knew that it would take more than good grades to succeed?"
He's won, and they both know it. He can see it in the way her shoulders release their tension. "You're right," she agrees. "I knew it then, and I know it now. I didn't think the favoritism would be shown so plainly."
He ought to count this as a win and send her away, but he can't help it. He wants one last thing to complete his victory.
"All you have to do is thank me," he says, making her tense up once more. "I'm happy to help you."
"At what cost, though?" she returns, causing him to flinch.
He knows he should've expected that, especially after all the debt he put her through during their Host Club days. Still, he is ready to answer this honestly.
"There's none, but for old time's sake I'll start one for you if you'd prefer," he quips, making her laugh.
"No, no. I didn't enjoy having that sit over my head," she returns, shaking her head as she remembers those days.
He grins, deciding to offer up a thought he has had a couple times recently. "I didn't think so, but even if we did start another debt, it could be for fun." Her doubting look makes him hurry to add, "To replace that memory of our first debt. It could be for something silly, such as every time you display your total lack of awareness or regard for the society you're trying to join." He motions at her. "Take for example that holey shirt," he says, making her cheeks turn pink.
Her hand unconsciously goes to her side to hide the spot, and she gets a little defensive as she glares at him. "It's my favorite shirt, and I just got a hole in it. Besides, I'm still in college."
He raises an eyebrow as though to say so what. "I know, but appearances are everything in modern society, whether you like it or not," he reminds her, gesturing at what he wears. "The sooner you accept that and learn to play by these rules, the better you will be. The better groomed you are, the better it reflects on you and your friends."
Her annoyance is short-lived as her eyes widen in understanding before she exhales. "I know. It's odd that I would affect your standing, and vice versa, but I've noticed that in class. I suppose your advice comes from a similar place as your need to go above and beyond with this internship?"
"Yes. You're my friend, Haruhi. I care about your future and well-being," he answers softly, leaning in. "I wanted to do that for you the moment you said you didn't have an internship." She looks ready to protest, so he goes on. "Let me have that satisfaction of knowing I helped you. All it took was one phone call to the right person the same night you challenged me. That's it. It was minimal work on my part."
Did the family owe him a favor and want to get in the Ootori family's good graces? Yes, which also helps.
Her eyes get comically wide at the realization of how little he did. "Oh." Just as she starts to pull away, she faces him again. "Thank you for your help, Kyoya. I appreciate it."
He's on Cloud Nine the rest of the night, and he feels a resurgence of those feelings when he next meets up with Haruhi and Tamaki, as Haruhi relates stories of how everyone in her class responded to her snatching up one of the best positions possible for someone with their level of experience.
The blond is over the moon with joy for Haruhi, and he hugs Kyoya one too many times in thanks for all his help. But even Tamaki can't ruin Kyoya's good mood, as the Shadow King helped Haruhi achieve her dreams, or at least get one step closer to her dreams. It's the highest paid internship there is, which means Haruhi will never have to tutor again if she plays her cards right. And she will since she's the best worker there is.
--
The next time Kyoya challenges Haruhi is at the end of that semester. Her internship is starting soon, but there's one snag.
"Are two good outfits an appropriate number to have available for when I start working in two weeks?" asks Haruhi out of the blue when she arrives at their weekly meeting.
"No, of course not! You need at least five," cries Tamaki at the door, outraged. He gets thoughtful and taps his chin seconds later. After a moment, he raises his finger high, blond hair flying about. "Ten is really better, though."
"Ten?" she scoffs, hands going to her hips. "Who do you think you're talking to? One of the countless patrons of the Host Club?"
"But you do need ten! Back me up, mon ami," insists Tamaki, turning to Kyoya who was doing homework.
"He's right," says Kyoya, giving a half-smile as Tamaki pumps his fist in triumph. "You need a minimum of five, one for each day of the week, and ten is better so you have two weeks without repeating."
He can see her doing the mental math from across the room, and it amuses him a little.
"But I can't afford all that! You two are even worse than my father," she marvels, shaking her head. "He thought I needed seven."
Standing up from the wooden table, Kyoya faces her. "Haruhi, you're about to work for one of the most prestigious companies there is. A certain dress code is required. If you want to be a part of this world, then you must adapt," he tells her before stepping forward. "You must be willing to spend some money to dress and fit in."
"Not that much," she pushes back, moving toward him. "There has to be a middle ground. It's not feasible, and there's no good reason to do so."
"Of course there is," he responds, closing the distance between them. In an intimate whisper, he adds, "Consider it an investment in your future. You'll never have to buy again for many years to come if you get that many now."
This close, he can just barely smell her strawberry shampoo, and his body is thrumming, ready for a fight as much as he is ready to be close to her.
Her chest rises and falls rapidly, and he watches it out of the corner of his eye, needing to notice every detail about her.
"The cost is too much for my savings, though," she says, admitting that he is right. "There's no way I can. I doubt even the cheap clothing and secondhand stores will have enough."
He takes one last step closer, wanting to stop that line of thought now. "You're not going to either of those shops. You'll buy cheap clothing that lasts a short time, and then you'll spend that much again several more times, which ends up being just as much as you would have had if you had gotten the best quality clothing first."
"This is not what I had in mind about going into debt to you," she says with certainty.
He smirks that she remembered his suggestion. "I didn't even consider that. If you shop by yourself, you'll be taken advantage of. If you're at my side, you'll get good deals on everything, and I know good quality when I see it."
Her eyes go soft, and he wonders if she's remembering their day at the mall together.
"I believe it. If anyone would know quality, it's you," she says, sounding more open to shopping even if not willing yet.
He's all set to tell her a day to meet until he considers who else knows quality clothing. He hopes his face doesn't show his disappointment at losing this shopping day with Haruhi, as he is sure to do when she hears this suggestion.
"There is another way as well," he states, pointing a thumb toward the apartment the twins share. "You could ask the twins for help. I bet they'd love any excuse to design clothes for you and make you their doll. They'd probably do it for free."
Her shock is understandable. Shaking her head, she insists, "No, I can't accept their help, especially for free."
Her inability to accept anything is getting to him over such a simple issue. "Yes, you can," state both men without meaning to.
Kyoya forgot that Tamaki was even there, but it's clear Tamaki didn't forget them as he takes a tentative step toward them. "Haruhi, we're your friends. We want to help you. Even though you know how I feel about those shady twins, I think you should ask them. It'd help you since you're tight on funds, and it helps them. They have to do different types of projects during the year anyway."
"Ask them," challenges Kyoya, drawing her attention back to him. "Today."
"You're rescinding your offer to help me shop?" she asks, surprising him.
So he still has a chance? His heart beats wildly at the thought. "No. The offer is still there whenever you choose to take it," he states, hoping she takes him up on the offer eventually. More quietly, he adds, "I simply want what's best for you."
She looked ready to fight him more until that last thing he said, and now she looks resigned. He's won this fight, even if it doesn't feel like a win.
"I'll ask them. I'm leaving now," she declares, sounding quite done with this conversation.
Kyoya is as well, but he doesn't want to end this interaction on a low note. Thinking fast, he throws out casually, "Haruhi, I'm adding that first question of yours to your social debt. You should know better."
Just as he hopes, she turns around, staring at him a moment before resuming her usual look of apathy. "See if I care, Kyoya," she says before heading toward the door, a hand waving at them. "Add it to my tab."
"Done," he says, miming writing it in his notebook, and she chuckles before saying her farewells.
When he faces his friend, Kyoya is surprised to see Tamaki looking frantically between the door and him.
When Kyoya motions for him to speak, Tamaki asks, "Where did that last joke come from?"
"I have a hard time letting go of the past," replies Kyoya until Tamaki gives him a doubting look. "She can handle it now, and she knows I'm not being serious. We discussed such a thing previously."
"Clearly without me. Look at you finally cultivating a relationship with Haruhi! I'm proud of you, mon ami. Keep it up," says Tamaki before he gets back to his homework.
As it turns out, Kyoya's last suggestion really is the best option. The twins love making clothes for Haruhi, and she becomes the envy of the office to have special Hitachiin clothes. When she receives an invite to a special work event, the twins create a whole dress line for her, and Kyoya decides to attend the event, sensing that Haruhi will be lost.
The sea of people at the party is endless, and he fears he will never find Haruhi. Or if he does, then she will be too distracted by others to notice him, which is the worst possible option. Images of her laughing or talking animatedly with an unknown, imaginary male make him jealous as he wades through the crowd. After exchanging many smiles and empty phrases, his imaginings are thankfully for naught as he finds Haruhi near the refreshments alone, wearing her host expression and eating. She really doesn't care about all this, just her grades, and suddenly he wishes that he did have imaginary suitors to contend with, as it would mean that she is getting the hang of society. Now he has to convince her that putting herself out there more will help her career.
The smile she wears becomes more genuine when she spots him. His heart warms at the notion that she is happy to see him, just him; not many genuinely are. Even if it is not romantic love, it is friendly affection, something he wants to see. Part of him sees it as furthering his plans to date her, and the other part of him is confused because for all his power plays and demands to get his way, he's not used to being truly liked and wanted. He wants to enjoy every moment with Haruhi, though, and he doesn't want the lack of love in his life to prevent him from accepting whatever she has to offer.
Oh, how he hopes that she notices his dark suit; multiple women have already complimented him on how well it fits him. Her reaction is the only one he cares about, though, and she continues to ignore external adornments, preferring to see his face. It's equal parts frustrating and satisfying because he knows without a shadow of a doubt that she's happy to see him and only him. If only she would see him as more, just as he does her.
She was already beautiful with her long hair down and her knee-length cocktail dress that seemed so light and playful with its many fluffy layers underneath. Now her smile makes her gorgeous.
"Kyoya? It's good to see you. What are you doing here?" questions Haruhi as he joins her. "I know almost no one here; I don't know why they invited me."
He raises an eyebrow but doesn't allow himself anything more than that. If she were Tamaki, he would roll his eyes. Because it's her, he is determined to explain since no one else has.
"It's very obvious to me; it's a social gathering, a chance to rub elbows and make connections. They want to get to know you and to allow you a chance to meet others in the company in a relaxed setting. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement. You should be mingling with everyone," comments Kyoya, gesturing to the crowd around them.
"I don't want to; I did enough of that in the Host Club to last a lifetime," returns Haruhi, face drawn at the thought of putting herself out there like that. "Plus I work for them already. I'm an intern; there should be a choice."
"You don't have a choice," he tells her, shaking his head in exasperation. "If you want to ensure you keep your job and rise higher in the company, you have to play nice and smile at all. That's how this world works. You get to know everyone and make friends."
Sighing, she glances around until her eyes alight on something. "Fine. I found someone else I know. I'll join her group."
He hates the idea of losing her and her attention, but it is for the best. She needs to socialize, and he can't reveal his feelings too quickly by spending too much time with her. Other guests would notice, even if Haruhi is blind.
"Good. I'm adding this bit of advice to your social debt," jokes Kyoya with a knowing smile. "And every time I have to give you advice like this that you should know by now."
Her narrowed eyes pin him to where he stands before she finds what she is looking for. At that, she smiles indulgently. "Sure. Keep adding to that tally."
Grinning, he watches her walk away, and he hopes that she realizes that he intends to help her, whether she likes it or wants it. She may be a natural at talking to others, but she is still not used to the rules of the corporate world. His advice is well-meaning, and given their past dynamic, he sees the debt joke as the best means to do so. So far, she has been listening.
Later that evening, she corners him after he exits the bathroom. In the dark hallway, there's an air of intimacy, especially with them being alone and her in a blue, strapless dress that messes with his mind. There's so much creamy skin on display as she leans in and cages him with her arms, even if she is smaller than him. At this moment, though, she is hell bent on learning something, and she knows he will help her, assuming she can get him alone.
Her flippant whisper is belied by the note of urgency in her voice. "Add this to my social debt. They're talking about something, but I don't have a clue what. Who is…"
He can feel the heat rolling off her body as he speaks. To her credit, she leans in attentively, showing that she is making an effort to follow his advice. After he explains the gossip and its context, she pulls away, and he has to quash the urge to tell her that she can stay as long as she wants.
"Thank you, Kyoya," she says, her tone grateful. "It's hard to get a hold of you, as popular as you are at this party." She looks away with annoyance. "Every woman seems interested in you."
There's a small part of him that wonders if she's aware of the fact that one of his ex-girlfriends is at this party. That woman he avoided for as long as he could, as he had no desire to encourage her. Haruhi doesn't seem the type to care, though, so he dismisses the thought.
"When you're an eligible bachelor, that is normal. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. Naturally, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters."
She snorts before facing him. "You seem to know everyone."
"I always make it a point to know them," he states, face blank as he leans in. In a lower voice, he adds, "You never know when the information may come in handy. Did you miss talking to me?"
He hopes so. Nothing would make him happier if so. He really likes this forceful Haruhi who goes after social information and him.
"Yes, I mean, no, not in the traditional sense," she returns with color high on her cheeks before backing up, which is enough at present for him.
He wishes he could talk to her all night, but that time will come. Straightening his back, he puts more distance between them and gives her a secret smile, one reserved for her and only her. "If it helps, I miss your stimulating conversation as well," he states before turning around. "Until later, Haruhi."
He's sad to leave her, but it is for the best. If she remembers just that last detail from tonight, he'd be happy. That way, she knows that he prefers her and their talks.
As he reflects on the incident during his ride home, he decides he rather likes being sought by her and having an excuse to make debt references again. Being available to her gives him the reason he needs to attend every future event that Haruhi is at, and each time she sees him, she looks a little happier or relieved. Little by little, he grows to accept these tokens of friendship, selfishly wanting every tidbit she'll give him. It's one more way to spend time with her, even if they don't talk long.
He'll take any time with her he can get.
Author's Notes: Thanks for reading!!
