"I missed you!"

Izzy smiled and caught Fumiko, nearly falling over from the force alone. Her arms coiled around her cousin, resting her cheek against Fumiko's head. "I missed you too, Fumi." There was a warm feeling in her chest that hummed even warmer the minute she caught sight of her cousin.

Fumiko wrapped her arms around Izzy's waist, breathing in her familiar scent that reminded her of a field of freshly bloomed lilies. She had a blast in Thailand with her parents but she missed her cousin more than she thought she would.

"Oh my, Fumi, we were only gone for a couple of days!" Chi grinned as she approached the two. "You're going to squeeze the life out of her!"

Fumiko gradually unfurled from Izzy, allowing her mother to wrap her in a hug next. "Where's Uncle Shun? I thought for sure he would return as well," Izzy asked as Chi kissed her on the cheek.

"On a plane to Singapore. He's got a case there, I think a celebrity divorce?" Chi explained as they ducked inside the house, sighing as heat coiled around her. "What's this I hear about you giving the staff off for break?"

Izzy hummed innocently as they followed Chi into the kitchen. The staff returned the day before. It was obvious that they enjoyed their time off but they all felt a little guilty for leaving Izzy alone for such a long time. Still, she thought it was ridiculous to keep the house fully staffed just for her.

"I couldn't have them here for the holidays, it's for family. Besides, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

Chi was hardly impressed, eyeing the brunette. "Izabera, you're a young girl and you were alone for nearly three weeks."

Izzy sat down at the island next to Fumiko. Her hair was curlier, she had to guess from all the humidity of Thailand. It made Fumiko look cuter, she thought, absently reaching over to coil a curl around her finger.

"I wasn't alone, most of the time. My friends weren't keen to the idea of me being alone either. They visited a lot over break or took me out."

"Friends?" Chi blinked.

"You know, the Host Club? They threw a Christmas party and there was a New Years Eve party. In between we've been out and about on this commoners' crusade Tamaki is always going on about."

"Wait," Fumiko slammed her hands down, startling both her mother and cousin. "I missed two parties? Do you have pictures? Let me see!"

Izzy could only laugh, obediently handing her cell phone over. While she did have some pictures she'd taken herself, Renge had been sure to give her all of the pictures she'd taken. How the girl had gotten her email and phone number, Izzy didn't care to know.

"Izzy, you look beautiful," Fumiko said after a moment. Chi stood behind her, looking at the pictures as well. "I can't believe I missed two parties. Since when do they throw Christmas parties?"

"Hikaru and Kaoru said it was pretty last minute," Izzy shrugged unhelpfully. "Tamaki went overboard on the mistletoe. I ended up having to give them all kisses."

Chi blinked. "All?"

"The Host Club, I mean. We took a group photo and we were all under mistletoe."

Fumiko gasped dramatically, "You kissed Kyoya-kun?"

Izzy snorted, "Unfortunately."

Chi chuckled and moved away, ducking out of the kitchen as some of the staff began to greet her. Fumiko ignored her mother's departure, green eyes focused on Izzy. "What was it like?"

"It was a kiss on the cheek, Fu. Nothing special." Izzy waved the notion away. "It was like getting a kiss from my brothers. It happened twice, I kissed them at the New Years party too."

Fumiko threw her head back with a groan. "I never get what I want," she whined. "I can't believe I missed this."

Izzy laughed, cheek resting against her knuckles. "You're being dramatic again. You've been looking forward to spending time with Uncle for months, aren't you happy about that?"

Fumiko slumped forward on top of the counter, still pouting. "Of course I am," she sighed heavily. "It was really hard to say goodbye once it was time to go. I...I try not to think about his absence so much."

Izzy eyed her with one eye open. "Is that why you like spending time with the Host Club so much? So you don't have to think about not seeing Uncle so much?"

"Maybe," Fumiko sighed softly. "It's childish, I know, but it does help to keep me from thinking about daddy's constant absence," she admitted after a pause. "I know I seem frivolous with my shopping and everything but it...helps."

Izzy sat up, eyes open. She reached over and rubbed at Fumiko's back. "Well, I'm sorry for giving you such a hard time over those things. I'm sorry Uncle is gone so much but you have Chi and Ayame and Yuna."

Fumiko smiled and looked at the older brunette. "And you. I have you."

Izzy returned her smile and shifted to the edge of her seat to sling her arm around Fumiko's neck. She leaned her head against hers. "I'm glad you're home, Fumi."

"I'm glad you're home too, Iz."

"Izuru, nice to see you. How was your break?" Izzy smiled as she approached the younger student. "I thought for sure you would attend one of the parties."

Izuru paused, blinking. "You were looking for me, Senpai?" Izuru smiled back at her. "It's nice to see you too. My break was fine, how about you?"

Izzy smiled, hands behind her back. "Of course, we're friends, aren't we?" She rocked on her feet. "I had a lot of fun over the break actually. Chiba was at the New Years party so I thought you might be as well."

"Why would I be there?"

"You're friends, aren't you? He told me you think I'm funny." She watched, amused and a little confused, as he blushed. "Hikaru and Kaoru think I'm too sarcastic though."

He wouldn't go so far to say that he and Chiba were friends. They were clubmates and classmates and had the same interest in one particular girl. That's all there was to it.

His clubmate was determined, chasing after Izabera with an unstoppable determination. She rarely seemed impressed with Chiba's antics but she still paid him some attention. Maybe he was onto something with vocalizing his desire for her. But, he remembered, it's not like Chiba had any luck despite how open he was with his feelings.

"I didn't think Chiba would actually tell you that," he replied, realizing he hadn't said anything. He smiled at her, pleased that she'd been looking for him at the parties either way.

"He's a loudmouth," Izzy shrugged, seemingly unbothered by it.

"Do you like him?"

Izzy raised her eyebrows. "I don't."

"Do you...do you have feelings for someone?" Izuru asked carefully. After all, she insisted more than once that she was only friends with her clubmates. She blinked and tapped her chin, seemingly thoughtful.

"Ara…." she trailed off. She smiled after a moment before winking at him. "That's a secret, isn't it?" Her hosting facade slid into place like a fish taking to water. Her words only served to make him blush harder.

The bell interrupted them, prompting them to end their conversation. "Oh, Senpai, let me walk you to class," Izuru offered quickly when she turned away first. She only shrugged and waved him after her. Their conversation on their way back to her class was safer territory, gearing towards their studies instead.

He wished he had more time with her and though he considered asking her out, he knew she would probably only say yes thinking it was just as friends. He also wondered if it would be worth telling her about his love notes he sporadically left her. He wasn't even sure how she felt about the notes because she didn't mention them.

Besides, he doubted that the Host Club would be keen on the idea of her going out on a date with him. They were protective over the brunette. He didn't blame them, she was far too oblivious and trusting for her own good.

Kyoya, in particular, scared him. He wouldn't be surprised if his classmate orchestrated some hostile takeover of his family's accounting firm. On top of that, there was the immediate threat of Mori. He was positive that the third year would inflict some sort of pain on him.

"Thank you for walking me to class," Izzy interrupted his thoughts, now standing in front of her classroom. She was smiling at him. "You're very sweet."

He wished he could be more for her.

"Berry-chan!" Honey called from their classroom, easily garnering her attention. "Hurry up!"

"Coming!" Izzy called back in a sing-song voice. She turned her smile back on Izuru, looking as pretty as a picture. Izuru nearly swooned. Sometimes he's glad that she was so painfully oblivious, otherwise she'd realize he was head over heels for her already.

"Off to class with you, Izuru. I wouldn't want you to be late, shoo." Her sisterly persona kicked in as she waved him away, stepping into her classroom and easily falling in with Honey, Mori and Hisa.

He left, wondering what he was supposed to do about Giovanni Izabera.

"Oh, please. Don't be shy, tell me what I can get for you."

Izzy was sure that she might look ridiculous in a maid's costume but the other girls just loved it. She'd almost argued her way out of wearing a maid's outfit but Kyoya wouldn't budge. The theme for that particular day was Butlers and she was not exempt from it, even if the thought of wearing a maid's outfit was ridiculous.

Maybe she would have been more agreeable if she'd been allowed to wear pants like the rest of the Host Club. But of course, Kyoya shot her down and she was forced into the costume. She wasn't new to theme day any longer and had been forced into many costumes before but she put up more of a fight this time around.

The girls twittered something nonsensical but Izzy pieced it together.

"You're far too pretty to be a maid, Senpai," Suzumiya smiled up at her, face flushed delicately. Izzy smiled and flirtatiously winked, nearly laughing as Suzumiya hid her face away.

Of course, Haruhi had been tasked with doing most of the actual serving, due to her ridiculous debt. Although Izzy had the sneaking suspicion it had more to do with the others not wanting to do any actual work befitting a butler or maid.

"Rich bastards," Haruhi muttered under her breath.

Of course, since Izzy tended to come with Haruhi, she decided to help the younger girl out with all the serving. She didn't mind it, it gave her something to do and she had the advantage of constantly moving around.

"Bera," Hisa waved her over, grinning like a madwoman. She was probably relishing at the sight of Izzy dressed like a maid. "Honey-chan finished all of his dessert."

Izzy was less than impressed, that was a big pie he'd been eating. "Mori, can he have more dessert?" she asked instead of just giving into Honey's silent pleading.

"Berry-chan," the loli-shota whined, affronted that she would even have to ask. "Please?" His eyes filled with tears but Izzy couldn't be swayed. She raised her eyebrows, somewhat amused as the girls clambered to ease his tears.

Mori was already looking at her by the time she turned to him. He didn't say anything at first, confusing her. "Mori?" Izzy leaned her weight against the back of the couch, reaching out to playfully tap at his temple. "Something distracting you, big guy?"

Mori grunted and by his tone alone, she took that as a no. She shrugged casually then. "Well, should I get him more dessert then?" She tilted her head to the side, wild curls falling over her eye. Mori watched the cascade of brown locks before grunting again, this time a yes.

Honey grinned, blinking away his crocodile tears. The fact that he could cry on command was disturbing but it didn't surprise Izzy. It added to his image, after all.

Izzy smiled and pressed her hand to her chest like a well-seasoned maid. Really, she was supposed to be hosting the other girls, but a small part couldn't help her flirtatious jab. "Anything you say, young master."

She spun on her heel, flouncing away to the back area to retrieve another dessert plate for Honey. The girls twittered at her flirtatious ways, blushing even though she hardly paid them any mind. Hisa, however, kept a low eye on Mori.

His expression hadn't changed much but his stony gaze followed Izzy all the way to the backroom. She didn't have much time to think about it as Izzy came back moments later, toting a large cake. She slid it in front of Honey, still sporting her smile.

"Please enjoy, be sure to share." Izzy was off before anything else could be said, halfway across the room to help Haruhi with the twins' section. She easily shooed their theatrics off, paying more attention to the girls than the devil twins.

When Hisa finally tore her gaze from the brunette's back, she was startled to see Mori looking right at her. She stiffened almost immediately, face flushing a pretty pink as she tried to feign indifference. She smiled nervously. "Cake, Mori-kun?" Though she knew he wasn't all that fond of treats like Honey.

Mori only shook his head. "No thanks, Ozawa-hime. You enjoy it." He shot Honey a quick look when the blond reached for the cake. "Mitsukuni," he chided, knowing Honey would devour the cake. Hisa's smile was still nervous as Honey graciously shared with them. The cake was still large even with some missing slices, she mused distractedly. She snuck glances at Mori every so often, wondering what was going through his head.

Izzy continued on with her maidly duties, unaware that she was the subject of both Hisa and Mori's thoughts. They each kept an eye on her but Mori was far more open about it, watching as she interacted with not only the girls but the other Hosts as well. It's amusing to see her big sister persona not only used on Haruhi but on the girls and Hosts.

Tamaki was chided for asking for commoner's coffee, because it's rude to call it that. She warned Kyoya that he'll go blind if he didn't pull his face from his coveted laptop and blink like a normal person. She plainly told the twins to just shut up when they tried to embarrass her with their act. She assisted Haruhi with no complaints and eventually made her way back to Honey and Mori, peering at the empty dessert plate with raised eyebrows.

Hisa had fun watching it all, nearly forgetting that she was supposed to be paying Honey and Mori attention instead. Honey didn't seem to take notice, far too busy trying to convince Izzy for a third serving.

"What if you get a stomachache, Honey-chan?" Izzy asked, leaning once more over the back of their couch. A curly smile pulled at her lips. "Think of the lovely young ladies who come to see you," she motioned to the gaggle of girls sitting with them, Hisa included. "They would worry for you."

Mori watched her, cheek resting against his fist. Izzy turned her attention to him. "Come on, Mori, back me up here."

Hisa was sure that Mori would let Honey have his way, as he wasknown to do. But he shocked them instead. "Listen to Bera-chan, Mitsukuni."

Izzy grinned in victory, patting Honey on the head when he pouted. "Don't be so glum, Honey-chan. How about you help the girls with their tea?" Izzy held up a teapot and Hisa vaguely wondered how she'd been holding it without any of them noticing. Or how she held it without burning herself.

Izzy left again, intent on breaking up a squabble between Tamaki and the twins over Haruhi. It would seem that her role as big sister outweighed anything else as she peeled the morons away from each other, hand on her hip as she tried to referee.

Maybe that's why Izzy remained so oblivious. She was always focused on something or someone else. Whether it was settling a squabble between Tamaki and the twins, hosting with Haruhi or keeping an eye on Honey's bizarre sugar intake.

She even braved trying to talk Kyoya out of staring into his laptop screen or at his notebook from time to time. Which, Hisa often mused, was particularly brave of her.

But there was always something. It didn't seem like she even minded half the time, always sporting an amused smile at some point or another. Or maybe she just didn't notice, as she had a tendency to do.

The Hosting hour ended on a good note, which was a relief for Izzy. It was one thing to keep her hosting persona up but the ridiculous roles she had to play for theme day was exhausting.

"Izabera, can I ask you something?" Hisa asked before she could be ushered out. Izzy was still dressed as a maid and though she wanted to hurry out of her silly costume, she humored the honey-blonde. Hisa waved her closer, like she had a secret. "Remember when I mentioned Yuuya?" she asked carefully, ignoring the face Izzy made. "My parents have set up a meeting for us this Sunday…"

"You mean a date." Izzy's tone was flat, a stark difference from the sisterly persona she had only minutes ago.

Hisa rolled her eyes. "Yes, a date but….ah...would you mind coming with?"

Izzy stared at her for several long moments, unimpressed. "You want me to third-wheel a date set up by your parents? Hisa, that's just strange. And sad."

Hisa waved her hands. "No, not like a third-wheel. Like...oh...a chaperone!"

"A chaperone," Izzy repeated, still obviously unimpressed. "We're the same age, how can I chaperone anything?"

Hisa groaned and reached for Izzy's hands, holding them earnestly. "Izabera, please. I wouldn't ask if I thought I could handle it myself. It's just one date."

Izzy pursed her lips before sighing heavily. Hisa could hardly contain her smile, knowing she would give in. "Fine, fine. I'll supervise but just know that this is ridiculous."

Hisa let go of the brunette's hands, clapping excitedly. "I knew I could count on you. Thank you. Now, I'll come over Saturday night to help you pick something out to wear, okay?"

"Why?"

"Because you have this strange ability to look better than everyone and I can't have you showing me up."

"Wow." Izzy scoffed. "Just go home already. I need to get changed and think about my life's choices." She shooed Hisa away, sighing for the second time. She couldn't believe she allowed herself to be roped into yet another ridiculous situation.

She fixed her maid's cap and turned back to her group of friends, hands on her hips.

That was just life, now wasn't it?

"Oh, come on."

Izzy paused, head tilted to the side. Hisa was glaring at her, arms folded tightly across her chest. "Why do you look like that?"

She was dressed in a comfy brown sweater that slouched off of her shoulder, revealing the strap of her white tank top underneath. It was paired with a dark blue plaid skirt. She wore several layered necklaces and her hair was pulled into a messy ponytail.

"What do you mean? You picked this out."

Hisa scowled, tapping her heel against the floor. She was dressed in a slim fitting pink dress with a white belt to accentuate her slight waist. She pinched the bridge of her nose. "I should have known better, you could make a potato sack look fashionable."

Izzy waved the compliment off. "You look fantastic, stop being overdramatic. Now, where's this Yuuya? It's rude to make a pretty girl wait."

"You just got here."

"I meant you, genius."

Hisa flushed terribly but busied herself with looking around. She spotted Yuuya almost immediately, standing near the entrance and seemingly looking for her. He was around Hisa's height with light brown hair that was tousled stylishly. He's dressed nicely, Izzy noted, expensively.

"Yuuya!" Hisa raised her arm to catch his attention, smiling politely. "It's lovely to see you."

"Hisa," Yuuya smiled back at her, approaching the two girls. "This must be your friend you mentioned. Izabera? I hope you two weren't waiting long."

Izzy smiled back at him, masking her annoyance. He hadn't bothered to compliment Hisa at all. "It's lovely to meet you, Yuuya. I know me tagging along must be a hindrance but I'll make sure not to intrude." She'd literally rather be doing anything else but she promised Hisa.

Yuuya's eyes were dark, she noted and there was a false friendliness to him. Maybe it was due to all her time spent with the Host Club but she could see phoniness a mile away. Something didn't sit quite right but she kept that to herself.

She did as promised, keeping out of the way as Yuuya led Hisa around the museum. It wasn't Hisa's cup of tea at all but Yuuya seemed to enjoy himself. Izzy figured he just liked the sound of his own voice. The fact that he was also a year older probably had something to do with it. He probably felt more educated than them.

She didn't like him, didn't like that Hisa was forced into this. It was obvious that her friend wasn't enjoying herself but she'd do anything for her family's approval. She didn't like that either but Hisa would hear none of it. So she kept an eye on them but gave them as much privacy as possible.

She stood in front of one of the showing, not really paying it much mind. She was busy wondering what the Host Club were up to. They pestered her about her plans since she declined Tamaki's invitation to convene at Haruhi's apartment, quite offended that she would make plans without them.

She wished she'd been able to accept the invite, knowing she had no business being here as a chaperone. She didn't even like Yuuya.

"You're quite taken with this artwork, hm?" Yuuya made his presence beside her known, clearing his throat to gain her attention. She broke out of her thoughts, immediately looking for Hisa. "She had to use the powder room. Hisa, I mean."

"Oh."

He smiled weakly. "Ah, listen, Izabera. I get the feeling that you don't like me…" he trailed off, giving her ample time to reassure him that that wasn't the case. She said nothing, staring at him with a raised eyebrow. He cleared his throat again. "But I think you've got the wrong idea."

"Oh?"

He nodded, arms folded tightly across his chest. "I know things might be different for you, given your background but this really isn't out of the ordinary here in Japan. You just have to get used it. These arrangements can be fruitful if we all just learn to get along."

"My background."

"Mhm. Hisa tells me you're from Spain?"

Izzy sighed, "Italy."

"Same thing."

"It's not but okay…"

"The point," he said loudly, drowning her out. "The point that I'm trying to make is that we should get along. It's obvious you're important to Hisa and I'll be just as important soon." He reached forward, grabbing at her wrist and squeezed tightly. There was a silent warning there. "For everyone's sake, let's be friends."

Izzy didn't get to reply,noticing something out of the corner of her eye that drew her attention away from Yuuya. "Um…" she squinted, slowly pulling her wrist free. "Hold that thought, would you?"

She escaped quickly, hurrying towards the exit. Just as she came to the parking lot, she spotted her prey. "Hold it!" She shouted, freezing them all in place.

The Host Club.

Her expression was blank as she approached her friends. Tamaki and the twins tried to feign innocence. Honey offered her a lollipop. Haruhi, Kyoya and Mori simply stared back at her.

"What on Earth are you doing here?" Izzy asked slowly, hands on her hips.

"If it makes a difference, we just got here." Haruhi pointed out, though she didn't really seem like she cared either way. Izzy wasn't impressed.

Hikaru broke first. "Another date, Senpai? Who even is that?"

Izzy took a deep breath.

It was like a dam broke. It was mostly the twins and Tamaki but even just that was overwhelming. They wanted to know who Yuuya was, why was she on this date, why wouldn't she tell them about him and why she was ignoring their text messages and calls.

"Enough!" Izzy managed to quiet them down, noting that people were beginning to stare. "This is a disaster…" she muttered more to herself. "I'm not on a date, Hisa is. I just came along to keep an eye on things."

"Like a third-wheel?" Haruhi asked dryly.

"Pretty much though Hisa says otherwise."

Kyoya fixed her with a particular stare though she couldn't quite describe it. "That doesn't seem like your style, Senpai."

Izzy lifted her hands from her hips to fold her arms across her chest. "Yes, well, a Princess in need and all that jazz." She was smug, throwing their own words back in his face. Kyoya, obviously, was not amused.

"Where's Ozawa-senpai then?" Kaoru piped up.

"I didn't see her and her date seemed quite cozy with you, lily!" Tamaki added, clearly offended.

Izzy rolled her eyes. She just knew this entire thing was a bad idea. "She was using the bathroom and we weren't cozy at all. In fact, I think he was threatening me."

Mori's eyes narrowed. "Threatening?" He was already detaching himself from the rest of them, marching back to the museum with purpose. Izzy's eyes widened, realizing that no one was going to stop him.

"Wait!" The brunette squealed and scrambled after him, grabbing at his arm. "Mori! Wait!" She focused all of her weight in her feet and pulled him backwards, nearly sending him careening into her. "Subtle. It was subtle!"

"But Berry-chan, threatening you is wrong." Honey piped up. "Takashi will fix it." If by fix, he meant beating Yuuya up until he couldn't so much as twitch, she was not having that. By the way Mori's shoulders were squared, that was most likely to happen.

"Subtle threats are no better than a normal threat, Senpai." Haruhi pointed out.

"Okay. Yes. You're right but we aren't beating him up in the middle of the museum!"

"So you'd prefer if we waited until he left?" Kyoya pressed.

"That is not what I said, Satan!"

"Now that was just uncalled for."

This was a complete and utter disaster. It couldn't get any worse, Izzy agonized. Oh, wait. It could totally get worse and here's how: "Izabera?" Hisa came flying out of the museum, searching for her missing friend. Yuuya was right on her tail, probably wondering if he scared the brunette away. Panic seized Izzy immediately. If Hisa saw Haruhi…

"Go, go, go!" She snapped at her friends, watching as they vanished instantly, carrying Haruhi like she weighed no more than two pounds.

Except for Mori.

Maybe it was because she was still holding onto him or maybe it's because he had no intention of running off with the rest of them. Izzy grimaced and internally berated herself for jinxing the whole situation.

Hisa spotted them just as the Host Club ducked away. "Bera? Oh! Mori-kun! I wasn't expecting you. Did Bera call you?" Hisa was surprised to see their classmate but she did smile at him. Izzy's arms were still wrapped around his.

"No, I called her."

Which wasn't technically a lie. They'd all taken turns calling her.

"Oh and you came to keep her company? That's very kind of you. If you don't mind joining us, that is." Hisa was still smiling but Yuuya was frowning. "This is Yuuya. Yuuya, this is Mori-kun, our classmate."

"...Nice to meet you," Yuuya mumbled. Mori only grunted, causing Izzy to smile weakly. It would seem that with Mori's sudden appearance, Yuuya's disposition changed.

"We were just going to the cafe for lunch. Would you join us? I'm sure it would beat Izabera sitting alone.."

"If Bera-chan doesn't mind."

"Ara?" Izzy blinked, realizing that Mori was looking at her. So was Hisa and Yuuya but Mori was making her nervous. "I'd love the company," she answered around a nervous laugh.

"Great!" Hisa spun back around and led them back inside. Izzy quickly let go of Mori, following after Hisa with her head low. How things spun out of control so quickly was behind her.

"Stop looking at him like that," Izzy was focused on her sushi but Mori was looking over her shoulder. Hisa and Yuuya sat some tables away for privacy's sake but Mori hadn't stopped glaring.

"He threatened you."

"It was subt—"

"Doesn't matter."

Izzy huffed, face an attractive red. "Okay, let me just explain everything…" she trailed off before launching into a summarized version of everything that had been going on. In the end, though Yuuya hadn't said as much, it definitely sounded like a subtle threat to Mori.

"Please don't beat him up. This means a lot to Hisa."

"But you're uncomfortable."

Izzy didn't have an immediate comeback. "I guess I am but it still means a lot to Hisa. It's really not that bad, I promise."

"It's not fair to you." Mori spoke in the sort of tone that left no room for arguing. Again, he was right but Hisa was her friend and this…whatever it was with Yuuya, it was important.

"I don't mind. Besides, he doesn't seem like the type to make good on his threats. Will it make you feel better if I promise to tell you if he does anything strange?"

"Yes."

She wasn't expecting that immediate reply. It made her laugh because, honestly, what did she expect? But she nodded along, agreeing to it. Besides, if Yuuya did anything to hurt Hisa, maybe she could convince Mori to punch him in the face then.

"Anyway, how'd you guys even figure out where I was?"

"Aimi told us."

"Aimi? You guys went to Chi's house? What if Fumiko saw Haruhi?"

"Haruhi stayed in the car."

She relaxed but made a face. She was going to kill Aimi when she got the chance. "Right. Was she the one who told you I was on a date?"

Mori grunted. Yes.

"You guys were that concerned to hunt me down?" Izzy leaned her cheek against her fist. She didn't want to admit that she was touched but she had a feeling that he just knew. "What if it really was just an innocent date?"

Mori's jaw twitched.

"Is it against club policy to date?"

"I'm not sure there is one."

Izzy hummed. "So, if it were a real date…?" She wasn't sure why she was pressing the issue. It wasn't a real date and that's all that should matter. Mori folded his arms across his chest and slouched into his chair, stretching his long legs underneath the table. Her legs, neatly folded, were caged in between his. He was staring straight at her but he hadn't said anything.

"Mori..?"

He grunted.

"Would it bother you?"

"Yeah."

She felt hot. Nervous. She was nervous. They were dancing around...something. Whatever was between them, they were skirting around it, just always out of reach. She was afraid of bringing that something to light.

"...Why?"

Before he could even open his mouth, Yuuya was there. His presence startled Izzy, causing her to visibly jump. Mori barely acknowledged his presence, just a quick sweep of the eyes was all Yuuya got.

"Uh—Yuuya! Is something wrong?" Izzy gained her wits about her, tilting her head back to offer a friendly smile. She wanted to hurt this idiot for popping up wt the worst possible moment.

"I just wanted to apologize. For earlier. I believe I came off wrong. I really do want us to get along."

Mori was blatantly staring at Yuuya, making him nervous. Izzy's smile became more amused and she tried to stop herself from full on grinning by rolling her lips into her mouth. She subtly nudged at Mori's foot with her own. He didn't stop looking at Yuuya but the intensity of his gaze eased up. If that's all she could get, she would take it.

"Oh, think nothing of it! Although I should insist that you study up on your geography. Italy and Spain are two different countries."

Yuuya flushed. "Of course, Izabera. Thank you for understanding."

He retreated back to Hisa, tail tucked between his legs. Izzy was grinning now, head shaking in disbelief at the turn of events. She was grateful for Mori's presence either way, glad that Yuuya was intimidated by his silent presence to back down for the time being.

"Mori-kun? Would you mind staying with Izabera?" Hisa asked once they were all finished with their lunch. Izzy raised her eyebrows. "She's here for my benefit but I would feel better if she had company."

She was doing it again. Pushing them together. It was only fair, she mused. She couldn't expect Izzy to stay stagnant while she was off dating Yuuya. It wasn't fair to the brunette.

Mori shrugged, completely at ease. "Sure."

For once, Izzy didn't argue. Mori's presence relieved her. That meant she wouldn't have to keep wandering around the museum alone, missing her friends. There was enough distance between the four to give Yuuya and Hisa privacy but they still were in Izzy's line of vision. Not that she was paying much attention anymore.

Hisa kept an eye on Izzy though, noting that she was more relaxed. She and Mori stood in front of a painting depicting Japanese history. She wasn't close enough to hear what Mori was saying but she watched as Izzy's head tilted to the side before she began laughing.

There was truly no way Izzy could deny that Mori had an attraction to her. Hisa wasn't sure if she'd ever seen Mori go out of his way to make someone laugh, let alone a girl.

There was definitely something there. She just wasn't sure if she wanted to help dig it out or if she wanted it to stay buried.

"...and that's what happened."

Once the date finished, Mori dragged Izzy to Haruhi's apartment where everyone was waiting. They made a stop on the way, Izzy toting another luxury strawberry cheesecake. She had enough sense to get two this time, the second one for Haruhi's dad.

"...Wow." Haruhi muttered around her fork.

"Why didn't you just say that in the first place?" Hikaru demanded with a scowl. The thought of Izzy out on some date didn't sit right with any of them.

"It wasn't my business to tell you guys that Hisa had a date," Izzy replied. "I don't know why Aimi would tell you guys that I was on a date. Who did you even think I'd be on a date with?"

"Chiba?" Honey asked innocently.

"That's not funny, Honey-chan."

The blond only smiled and turned back towards his cake. He'd been more than pleased when Izzy showed up toting cheesecake that he could have this time around. Even better that he didn't have to worry about saving any for Ranka since Izzy bought a second cake.

"Sounds like a tiresome day," Kyoya noted pointedly. Izzy wasn't amused by the jab, glaring at him across the table.

"Like I said. Princess in need."

"And all that jazz," Kaoru chuckled. Izzy smiled and playfully pinched his ear. "You certainly put a lot of thought into an outfit to be considered a third-wheel," he waved her hand away. She looked very chic for someone who was supposed to blend in the background.

"Hisa picked this out so that I wouldn't upstage her, I thought it was pretty plain but she was still unsatisfied with how it turned out." She raised her arms, as if it made her point valid, to show off what she considered as a lazy outfit. Her outfit didn't take away from Hisa's outfit, she thought the honey-blonde looked pretty in her pink dress.

"Don't you know anything?" Hikaru wrinkled his nose. "It's not about the clothes. It's about how you wear them. It's like how Haruhi can pull off both male and female clothing. You just have a knack for pulling off even the laziest of outfits."

Izzy blinked before her head tilted to the side. She squinted at him, as if she was thinking hard. Finally, she turned to Haruhi. "I think that was a compliment for the both of us but I also feel the need to pinch him. It just feels...right."

"Hey!" Hikaru whined but Izzy only ignored him.

"A backhanded compliment?" Haruhi raised her eyebrows. She didn't take Hikaru's words to heart at this point, taking it all in stride. If she fretted over everything that came out of these rich bastards' mouths, she'd have an aneurysm. "Don't think too hard about it unless you want the vein in your forehead to burst."

"Vein in my forehead?" Izzy repeated dryly.

"Yes, the one that throbs every time you get annoyed."

Izzy made a face at her but didn't argue the statement. It was true, after all. She needed to work on her anger before it really did burst. "In any case," she sighed. "Are you guys satisfied? No dates for me."

Tamaki was on the verge of pouting. She realized that for once, ha hadn't said much. That wasn't normal. It was concerning, actually. She eyed him, waiting for the theatrics that Hikaru and Kaoru would join in on, no doubt.

"You would tell us if you went on an actual date, wouldn't you?" the Host King asked after a long moment. His question caused everyone else to pause, turning their attention back to her once more. She stared back at him, caught off guard by his very earnest expression. She thought back to Christmas, to their strange conversation about her place among them. Her place in Japan.

It would seem that her friendship with them meant a lot more to Tamaki than she originally thought. Sometimes it was hard to understand why. She hadn't been their friend that long, hadn't even known them that long either. Yet Tamaki refused to let her question her place among them, to question their relationship.

She remembered how he stressed that she was important to them, how genuine he was. She wondered, for the first time, why Tamaki never talked about his family much and why he insisted on playing house with all of them. She wondered if there was something she was missing.

Maybe now wasn't the time to question it. Maybe now it was time to just appreciate it.

Izzy leaned against the table, settling her elbows against the surface and cradled her face in her hands. It was bad manners and she grinned at the thought of sitting with the Morimotos and how they would berate her for it. She closed her eyes and sighed heavily, feigning an exaggerated air of nonchalance.

"Oh, Tamaki. Of course I would tell you if I went on an actual date," she replied easily, musing at herself. She was being serious. "Otherwise, you'd all end up following after me."

"We'd still follow you, Berry-chan," Honey pointed out.

"Yes but I wouldn't be shocked to see you if I already told you all about it. Plus I could explain to my date what he was getting himself into."

"What would that be?"

"Pure and utter chaos."

The twins and Tamaki were offended and made it known by chaotically ganging up on the older brunette. She wasn't annoyed, instead feeding into their childish bickering. Haruhi watched as their bickering turned to physical fighting and it wasn't long before Honey joined in, hanging from Tamaki's neck, somewhat oblivious that he was choking the younger blond. Maybe they would be more concerned that Izzy was among the fighting if she wasn't currently laughing.

If only their classmates could see this side of them, Haruhi snorted.

"Did you have a good Christmas?"

"Of course, mama. How was America?" Izzy smiled into the phone. She'd been in the middle of finishing her homework when Masami called.

"It was...America." Masami didn't sound that impressed. "Now, explain how you could possibly have a good Christmas if Chichi and Fumi were in Thailand."

"Ah, Chi told you?" She wasn't surprised that Chi told Masami about her 'lonely' holidays. "I didn't want to intrude, you know Fumi doesn't see Uncle Shun enough."

Izzy just knew her mother was making a face. "Well, I suppose that is true. Shunsuke isn't around nearly enough, poor Fumi…" she trailed off with a sigh. "Butstill! You're seventeen and you were alone for far too long!"

"I wasn't really alone. I spent a lot of time with Hiroki on some days. For the most part, I was with my friends."

She could hear tapping over the phone. Masami had an odd habit of tapping her nails when she was thinking. "How is...how's papa?" Masami sounded almost nervous. "Is his health improving?"

Izzy smiled softly and wondered why Masami didn't just contact Hiroki herself. It was clear that she regretted their falling out all those years ago. Neither Masami nor Hiroki told her exactly what was said but it was clearly bad.

But that was eighteen years ago. Why were they letting old wounds fester? Hiroki was dying and there was no telling when it was finally his time. Why leave behind grudges?

"It's up and down. Some days, he's fine. Other days...it's bad. I gave him a picture of you and I for Christmas. He really misses you, mama."

"...I...I know."

"Why don't you reach out to him?"

"Because...because I'm not ready to speak to him yet. Not now but maybe soon…"

"Soon may not be good enough, mama. He's dying. What if he dies tomorrow?"

"Izabera," Masami sighed heavily. "This was not the conversation I wanted to have," she ran her hand through her hair. "Could we please change the subject?"

Izzy couldn't force Masami to talk about something she didn't want to talk about. Masami was considered far more patient than Alphonse but she did have a temper. It wasn't explosive like his but it was dangerous. Masami's temper cut deep.

"Fine," Izzy huffed. "I spent Christmas and New Years with my friends. I cooked Italian cuisine for them on Christmas Day. They really liked it."

"Friends? The same friends Chichi tells me about? The group of good looking boys you're always running around with?"

Izzy pinched the bridge of her nose, smiling in disbelief. She couldn't believe how much Chi and Masami gossiped about her. They were best friends, still, even thousands of miles away from another."Ara…." she trailed off. "Yes, that would be the Host Club. They're very nice boys."

"I heard. She says they come around frequently to get you out of the house. That's good, you've always been more to yourself, you know." Masami rambled. "She mentionedone friend in particular..."

Izzy stilled, already having a feeling where this conversation was going. "We're just friends, mama."

Masami began laughing. "You sound defensive, busy-bee."

Izzy puckered her lips, face becoming red. She chuckled in disbelief, hand pressed against her forehead. "I'm not. I just...Mori is a really nice friend, is all. We get along and people always think that a boy and girl can't be just friends."

Masami hummed in thought. "I suppose that's true. You sound like you're trying to convince yourself though. You don't have to lie to me, I won't judge."

How could she? Didn't she run away to Italy from Japan because of Alphonse?

Izzy twisted a lock of her hair around her finger. "Well.." she trailed off. "What did Chi tell you?"

"That she thinks you may like this Mori as more than a friend."

Izzy laughed nervously. "Ah….well...I might have a small crush on him." It felt good to say so out loud. She admitted to Fumiko that she was attracted to him but she hadn't admitted to actually liking him. It felt too good, actually. "But we really are just friends."

Masami hummed for the second time, soaking up her daughter's words. "Just friends, hm? That's interesting…"

"It's not, mama. We're friends."

"Oh? That's what he said about your friendship? That you're just friends?"

She blinked, eyelids flickering rapidly, she opened her mouth but closed it. She was caught off guard by the upfront question, having no reply prepared. She was sure that Masami was grinning, having backed her daughter into a corner.

"He...uh...he hasn't said anything about our relationship. It's not like I've asked him about it…"

"Why not?"

"Because I haven't asked. I just..I just don't want to ruin anything. We all get along so well and the last thing I'd want is to ruin the dynamics."

"I suppose that's a good point. But you know...I would hate for you to regret not taking a chance on something like this…" Masami was trying to bait her but Izzy was a stubborn one. "You're young, my love. Have fun with it."

It was nice to hear but Izzy was sure her mother's words would be in vain. She wasn't a risk-taker, she played it safe. She'd rather cater to their friendship and their dynamics over risking it for a romance. Not there was any chance of a romantic relationship.

Was there?

But what about all those little hints, the small gestures, the acts of concern? How could she explain that to be strictly platonic? They certainly didn't feel platonic and what was the saying? Actions speak louder than words? Wasn't that his entire shtick? There were far too many coincidences and he even flat out said that he didn't think of her as a sister. What did he think of her as?

Izzy felt like she was frying her brain with all the questions. She could just...ask him. Just flat out ask him what he thought of her. Oh...but what if she was just making it all up? What if she was just romanticizing his actions? She'd never live it down.

"I can literally hear you overthinking, Busy-bee."

Izzy blushed, caught red-handed. Her mother knew her best and it was typical of her to overthink everything. Like she said, she wasn't a risk-taker nor was she flighty or wild. Izzy had to think of every possible outcome first in order to avoid the worst-case scenario.

And besides, did everyone forget the fact that she was leaving at the end of the school year? What if there was something between her and Mori, she'd have to break off whatever that was when the time came for her to leave. Could she live with that?

"I..I just don't want anyone to come out of this hurt.." she trailed off after a long moment, her voice a quiet whisper. She didn't want to hurt Mori or any of their friends and she didn't want to give anyone the chance to emotionally hurt her. She just...she wished none of this was happening. This was the exact reason she promised herself she wouldn't get close to anyone in Japan.

"But that's life. You live and you learn. You only get one life to live, sunshine, you have to live it fully. Have fun with it, learn from it. Stop being so careful with it."

But Izzy wondered to herself. If she took her mother's advice, fully embraced it, would that lead to her not returning to Italy?

TeeBeMe: Mori knows Hisa like Izzy and Hisa knows Mori likes Izzy and Izzy is just oblivious to it all. Hizzy vs Mozzy or maybe their ship name can be Iori? lol. Enjoy the update.