Disclaimer: I'd be delusional if I said I owned Ouran High School Host Club.

Warning: Hints of slight OOCness is involved since this takes part after everyone has graduated from Ouran Academy. However, said slight OOCness will be explained every step on the way, so don't fret. :D

-:-

Café Rendezvous

by Sanguine Ageha

Chapter 1, Part 2: A Day in the Life (Kyouya)

-:-

Thin rays of sunlight peeked through the gaps made by the curtains and everywhere else that would allow it access. The once dark room now had splotches of yellowish-white light and penetrated through the gray color that was scattered all over. All was silent except when the sheets twisted against the bodies of its occupants and when they moved to find a more comfortable sleeping position.

Ohtori Kyouya slowly opened his eyes and allowed them to adjust to his surroundings. He found himself staring blankly at his chalk white ceiling, his mind currently free from all kinds of thoughts. He sort of liked it that way—having a thought-free mind—because he did not have to beat up his brain for whatever strategies were to be needed later, did not have to think of how to get along with this or that person based on their backgrounds.

Unthinking made someone less human. But it wasn't as if thinking made him more of what he was not, anyway.

The haziness in his mind began to go away. He felt the drowsiness gradually leave not only his eyes and brain, but also his entire being.

Feeling that he was ready, Kyouya slowly sat up. The sheets that once covered his upper body slid down and instantly felt goose bumps on his skin when he was greeted by the sudden coldness of the room. Quirking an eyebrow, he looked down and found himself possessing no shirt.

He blinked. He pulled up the sheets from his lower body to take a look. He had no clothes down there, either.

It was then he found a white arm loosely draped around his waist. He followed to where it led, and he discovered that the limb was connected to the body of a young woman. She was sleeping on the same bed as he, and she was also naked.

It did not take him long to put two and two together, so he was not surprised at all. Reaching out for his glasses on the bedside table nearby, he took a glimpse of the time from the wall clock nearby. It read 6:45.

He clearly remembered what happened the night before that led to this episode he woke up to. It was the birthday of his brother, so it was a must for him to be present. Aside from family members and relatives, important people from the local and international business scene also attended. Most of them they were already partners with, others thought about allying themselves with the Ohtori group of companies, and the rest were made up of all other kinds of people—media reporters, for instance.

Kyouya went around and entertained the guests, striking up small talk with businessmen he deemed interesting if they did not start the conversation themselves. The conniving person he had always been, he "borrowed" the finalized guest list from his brother five days before the main event to see who was coming. Of course, that was just an excuse he came up with because his true aim was to research on the possible candidates he could possibly woo into joining forces with them.

After an hour or two had passed, his father and one of their important business associates approached him. Yoshio asked how he was faring, and he answered that he was doing fine. The three of them talked for a while, their topics mainly revolving around politics, economics and business.

Just when the conversation was becoming rather interesting, the business associate's daughter arrived. Five minutes had not even passed when the two elderly men excused themselves so that the young ones could have "some time for themselves", which Kyouya easily interpreted as "possible matchmaking". Not like it was a new occurrence.

Pretending that he was ignorant, he went ahead and pleased the young woman. However, one sip too many regarding wine was never a good thing between a man and a woman. So they were of no exception when the liquor began to take its toll on them and the temptation of retreating to his private quarters (because she wanted a quieter place where they could be "alone") was too great to resist.

And the rest, as he knew, was history.

Kyouya lightly pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes in the process. Enjoyment of not having to think of anything, even for a while, seemed short-lived for people like him. He needed something to help him regain his logic because he could feel his mind slowly being overloaded with thoughts. The idea of having a cup of coffee right now sounded pleasant to him.

"Kyouya?" A muffled voice pierced through the silence, slightly startling him.

He cast his eyes to the woman beside him, who was slowly starting to stir. Fixing his hair even if he didn't know how he looked like, he instantly put on a gentle smile the moment her eyelids fluttered open.

"Good morning. I assume that you had a good night's rest?"

Perhaps the coffee could wait.

Tsuzuku

-:-

Um, no, I'm not dead. /sweatdrop/ I just had a lot going on in real life for the past week that was why I was unable to finish and edit this chapter. But as you can see, I updated. Yay me!

This was longer than I intended it to be, and a page lengthier compared to the first installment. I don't know why but for some reason, I find Kyouya so much fun to write about. O-O This installment may not look like it promises anything as of yet (or is it just me?) but I wanted to show the reader a small glimpse of Kyouya's life some years after he had graduated before starting the main plot. I personally believe that a plot that develops at a steady pace is better than hurried ones (even if it can kill with suspense). /sweatdrop/

I'm also aware that there isn't any Kyouya x Renge interaction in here, but not to worry; it's coming really, really soon. ;D But before that, I shall leave you to give reviews. Thank you much in advance and see you next time!