There has been a week between Kyoya and Maria's goodbye back in the states. Maria spent the week preparing by letting her friends know she was disappearing for awhile. She didn't tell them the exact reason why she was leaving but they were used to her leaving during breaks all the time on business. Kyoya had the maids in the mansion prepare a room relatively close to his own but not so close that it would make others aware of what was going on. Her room was prepared in almost no time but it was unlike how most of the house was decorated. Her room had minimal furniture but what was there were dark woods and dark colors on bedding and tapestry. She was a night owl even more so than Kyoya was. Because of how early her plane was coming in he sent his guard Tachibana to get her. He wanted to be moderately well rested for her arrival and trying calculate and mentally prepare himself for when she arrived. Maria's flight came at about 2 am.
"Hello you must Tachibana, I'm assuming sunshine is in bed"she said rubbing her eyes. She was physically exhausted but still mentally available ;she was used to flying but not for this much in one shot.
"I've never quite heard anyone call Master Kyoya sunshine before"he said completely perplexed.
"Hey Tachibana is it ok if we grab something to eat a diner or something. I'm really in the mood for some greasy breakfast and strong coffee?" She was a coffee-holic and breakfast included some of her favorite foods.
"I don't think Master Kyoya will be ok with you not arriving immediately" he said. "Ok, I guess coffee can wait" she said in a slightly defeated manner.
The ride to the Ootori manor wasn't too long but there was a somewhat light conversation between Maria and Tachibana.
"So you're the young the girl I pulled off of Master Ootori about two years ago. I never would have guessed that he would even being ok with you being near his son let alone him"Tachibana said with a little concern. "There is a little context missing from the story Tachibana. Like when my father said his prodigy would be personally taking care of all of Ootori's business with the medical manufacturing facilities under our control; he assumed that it would be his son and it would be someone older. Yoshio wasn't pleased when a teen aged girl with grease stains all over her jeans and black company shirt showed up in the conference room offering a handshake. Before I blacked out from rage I remember him calling me a disgusting broad and refused to speak to me and something about women shouldn't be in this line of work. The very last thing I remember was taking my calipers* out of my back pocket and lodging them in the conference room table right in front of him as he screamed 'It's a yokai!.
She wasn't one to talk about past blunders that one wasn't one of her shining moments. "I've worked for the Ootori family for quite a long time and I think you're the only person to stand up to Master Ootori and not care of consequences I think that's why he's ok with you and Master Kyoya being together even it was arraigned Master Kyoya has been a little happier but also a little more uptight preparing things for your stay" he said hopes it wasn't out of turn for him to say. "I'm not surprised Yoshio still keeps calling me a secretary every time he sees me just to provoke me. I did tell Kyoya not to worry about my arrival but he is an overachiever as always"she said while trying to keep her eyes open.
"Ms. Capperella we've arrived at the estate" Tachibana said. She dragged herself from the seat with her legs that felt like concrete and clambered her way through the mansion with her eyes half closed with Tachibana as her guide.
"Here you are try to get some sleep Ms. Capperella" he said opening the door for her. She didn't speak she grunted while falling to her bed. Tachibana closed door once she landed on the bed.
"I think you shouldn't have slept with your clothes on" Kyoya said while sitting on the edge of her bed.
She shot him a terrifying look for someone that wasn't normally hostile to him. He was wondering if that's how he looked first thing in the morning as well.
"I'm sorry if i'm disheveled" she said in an embarrassed tone trying to smooth her hair.
"It's ok I intruded on you just get ready for the day soon it's about 2 pm" he said trying not to cause a panic.
She took a shower and left her hair natural. She rummaged through her luggage and took out a pair of skinny jeans ,a plain black tee shirt, and and some high-tops. She was still embarrassed about him showing up in your room but it was his house after all. She wasn't really sure where she was but she eventually found her way down stairs where she was greeted by Kyoya.
"I think that's a new record for anyone finding there way down stairs" he said with that smug look on his face. "Ok smart ass; so why did you call me down here"she said trying to not be annoyed.
"Tachibana suggest I bring you to a diner since you were trying to convince him this morning" he said trying to sound like he planned for this but he didn't. She was an enigma per standard. He offered her his hand. She held his hand as he led her to a car. He never realized her hands weren't soft and dainty until just then; they were small but rough true to her nature of hard work.
"You mind telling me why you're being so nice; I gave you the death stare this afternoon, most people cry in fear" she said in a concerned tone as she entered the car.
"Well you do deserve a proper welcome before school starts tomorrow and that reminds me when we get back you need to try on your school uniform to make sure it fits" he said while staring into his notebook while writing something.
"Oh boy I get to meet ditsy girls my age and the infamous host club as well" she said with a bit of chuckle. They arrived at what Kyoya would call a commoners establishment, but it gave her such joy it would especially mean to comment on its shabby decor and sub par food.
"I really love breakfast and coffee a lot this is wicked good" she exclaimed. "Wicked" Kyoya questioned after he took a sip of his coffee.
"Sorry it's a common thing where i'm from it's commonly used instead of really" she said trying not to be embarrassed but she was.
"No, it's perfectly ok ,Maria. By the way we might need to come up with some cover story" he said in a very monotone voice.
"I don't know the whole i'm the heiress of a respected company that your family has been dealing with and you being nice so things go well. Blah Blah Blah stuff about benefiting from it and or profits" she said in an almost imitating voice.
"I can't tell if you read my mind or have just pegged me that well" he said in a little bit of awe.
"I mean that could be the ideal thing for others outside of your friends I think most of them would be pretty upset if we kept it a secret" she said staring into a half empty mug; it was her third mug but she was slowing down so she could sleep tonight. "Now where is the fun in that , dear? We could wait about a week or so and if no one gets it then maybe we will tell them all at once"he said with a smug grin.
She always loved when he was acting devious; a small blush came over her face.
"I think Tamaki might take it hard" she said being a little worried.
"Well that may be but it's none of his concern about your life ;he isn't a part of this" he said.
"Well I would like to get going"she said while trying to pay the bill.
"No I'll take care of it of this time since you did last time" he said while standing up and going up front to pay the bill.
'Why did he have to be suave I'm more than capable of taking care of it' she thought while pouting a little. They arrived back at the house only a short time after leaving the diner.
"So you mentioned something about a school uniform right, sunshine" she said hoping it involved pants her and dress weren't exactly cohesive.
"I don't know why you call me sunshine but try not to do it around the hosts they tend to tease a lot and I don't want you to be angry with them" he said bringing her to her room.
There was a yellow dress that had long sleeves and was about knee length. "Yup this is even worse than I thought" she said with a growl.
"It is the school uniform and you are expected to wear it while you are at school and that includes anytime you spend at the host club" he said pushing up his glasses and then folding his arms.
"Alright Ill try it on but leave the room for a few minutes and then come back i'll need a second pair of eyes to see if it falls properly on me" she stated with a sigh. Kyoya left the dark colored room. She took of her clothes for the day and decided she should where a normal bra instead of a sports bra she put on a normal bra. It would probably help the dress fit better. She slipped on the yellow dress
"You can come in now Kyoya" she yelled. He re-entered the room and was almost taken aback but regained his composure almost immediately.
"I think it suits you quite well Maria. I think dresses and skirts would suite you well too" he said with a calm smirk.
"Dresses and skirts aren't practical in the least bit and i like to be able to sit comfortably" she said with a sort of annoyed blush coming over her face.
"That's right those in your line of profession tend to not dress feminine" he said in a monotone voice.
"Well I guess I could wear dresses more often when i'm not at work if I really look that good in them" she said feeling embarrassed.
"I think I need to prepare for tomorrow thoroughly I'm getting really anxious about tomorrow I really want to make a good impression. I'm kind of scared honestly" she said with a really worried look on her face.
"If anyone upsets you let me know i'll take care of it with my secret police force. You don't need to worry about a thing you seem to be social with me so I think you'll be fine" he said while holding the small of her back and rubbing the top of her head with his other hand.
She snuggled into his chest. She was starting to feel really safe with him. Feeling calm with someone was rare for her. Kyoya was having a hard time keeping his cold composure and managed a smile, a small warm one at that. 'I guess this really might be love in some way' he thought while looking at her. He was still smiling just a tad but she managed to catch a glimpse before he left the room.
"You really do like me after all" she squeaked once he left the room but it was entirely loud enough to him to hear just a few feet from the door.
Author's note * calipers are a kind of measuring device that looks like it has a sharp birds beak when its closed.