"How lonely it must be
Sitting at the top
The city lights beneath you
A temporary stop
On your way to riches, fame
And all the things we're not
Conjure all the friends you like
'Cause they don't mean a lot
They say everybody gets caught up
In always wanting more
Take your time
Take it off
Take a bow
But know
That we're all keeping score." Carry on by Polite fiction.

Chapter 5: Your so strange, Tyler-chan.

The next day came quickly and school went by without giving me a chance to feel it within my own grasp. I was standing before Ootori once more with his sickly fake and pretentious smile directed towards me. I remember the text from yesterday evening; like magic, he got hold of my mobile number. It was shocking, yet a part of me nagged me that Ootori had his ways. The text was merely about how he was going to mine, which we both agreed it was best for him to come home with my driver, no point using up unneeded patrol. Through the text felt like his personal way of saying, 'he has sources and he will find his answers.'

I swear he is deliberately trying to get under my skin.

I nod at him in greeting before waving my hand towards me, as in a 'follow me' motion. I didn't really know what to say to him. I really wasn't really looking forward to spending any time with him. My throat felt too dry to speak and my nerves haven't fully settled at the prospect that Ootori was coming over to the manor. He, without any words follows beside me quietly, filling notes in his book beside me. It was relief to know that even Ootori didn't have anything to say just yet.

Hikori got heads up last night, so instead the usually relax slouch and smoke smelling gentleman was his straight-laced workaholic persona. He stood by the car, straight and with posture that can only be trained into you. It reminded me of the first time we met, the way his eyes glaze over Ootori and reading him before greeting us. His gaze, if I reflect on it, on Ootori reminds me of a protective father judging their daughters new boyfriend. "Honyaku-san and Ootori-san, good evening." He bows with his hand on his heart, and then opens the door for Ootori as I motion him forward.

I reach the other side and let myself in saving Hikori time, who gives me a quick glare at my unprofessional actions. With our seatbelts on and Hikori in the driver seat, we were off the estate or was it a manor? I didn't personally care what it was, it the place where I had a roof over my head. I notice Kyouya look over to me as he wants to say something before his eyes twitch to the front seat and changes his mind, so instead our car ride was quiet all the way home. Besides the subtle scratching of Ootori's pen and notepad and from what I could see of those notes were filled with revisions work. Exams were coming up and I know Ootori takes it very seriously so it wasn't really that surprising. I didn't dare correct him on his mistakes however.

Before I know it, we were already here. Once free from the car and Ootori was welcome by the staff at the entrance. In which I request for tea to be delivered to the library to one of the maids who accepts the request gracefully. We finally found ourselves library once more with work splay out and once the tea was set, I whisper to my maid to remove the staff as I like a private discussion. Ootori has been glaring for the last twenty minutes and I knew there was more to this then class work. Or he had a personal grudge, either way; I needed to get it out the door.

Once all the staff was gone, I sigh before staring Ootori down. "Now, everyone is gone you may as well get to what you really want." I demand, disliking the continuous glare from Kyoya.

"I do not know what you mean, Honyaku-san." He begins, almost trying to avoid the subject but more likely trying to play his role that I did not care for. He pushes his glasses up with his fingers, making me once again note the paper cuts along his fingers.

"Look, Ootori-san. I know there are other reasons you came here beside class work." I told him, "It just us two, no one else, so spit it out." I drag out, not in the mood for this polite society act he has on.

His eye widen with shock showing the dark shadows that dance in his eyes. He smirks and I couldn't help but think it suits him better than any smile I've seen him wear. "Honyaku-san, you're not one to play with the rules." He spoke, monotone.

I huff at him. "Those who play by the rules only limit themselves." I spat, "because the world isn't going to play by anyone rules, so why should we?" Ootori reminds me of the playground bully, the kid that if he wants something and if you didn't comply, you'll be tasting dirt.

He seems surprise by the phrase before his eyes darken. "Of course, you wouldn't understand." He spoke, his voice starting to sound like the crackling of thunder you would hear in the distance of a stormy night. "You got everything handed to you..."

I couldn't help it; I found bubbling burning up my stomach as he said that. He had pissed me off. "You got everything handed to you." I mock, sarcastically. "Bull, while you had consistency all your childhood, they might've not been the best family, you might be in a role you hate, you always knew who and what you are, you knew your footings before you started running." I clamp my hands around my head, clutching my hair tightly. "I had to start running with nothing but my first name and a single toy to my name. How can you say I had everything handed to me, huh?" I took a deep breath, before glaring down at Ootori. "What do I have that you don't?" I question him.

He doesn't say a word, beside stare me down as if he couldn't believe I didn't know. Wait, isn't he like the third son? Oh….Oh!

I laugh; I burst with laughter interrupting him from further speaking. He seems surprise by the sudden change of attitude that exploded in the last few minutes. "You're, you're kidding me right?" I ask him as his eyes turn stormy again. "You; Kyoya Ootori, the boy with contacts and brains standing back while others take your dream? You who could easily succeed anything with hard work, he who could overthrow anyone if he put his mind to it, your jealous of me?" I pull myself over the table and stare him back down. "You're pathetic." I whisper to him because sometimes, the hard truth hurts.

He clutches his fist; I feel it before I register seeing it.

He punches me across the face.

Smack middle on my cheek.

Knocking me off my chair as laughter keeps breaking between my teeth, now more a coping method for the pain then genuine laughter. I knew I took it a little too far but that pathetic excuse didn't suit the manipulative boy in class. He stood over me with his eyes storming over me with that dark smirk. He doesn't say a word as he clutches his fist, unclenching and clutching his hands for a good minute before he huffs for a breath of air.

We didn't speak anything for what felt like slow passing hours that were minutes in reality, as I choke up on my laughter. I knew slight tears drip from the corner from my eyes as I watch him closely, one of my hands held my bruised cheek. I was still in shock; I hadn't really expected the mature boy to have a violent streak. It left me tongue tied and a little frighten of him, for the first time since meeting Ootori Kyoya, he felt like a genuine teenager once the false pretence been cleaned away. The stress, the anger and all the bottle emotions hung and spoke in his eyes that were staring down at me. His glasses having drop somewhere and some point in the room in the transaction of his punch.

"I'm…sorry." I croak out, strangling some kind of wording from my mouth. To get us to move from what had transpired. To move away from the awkwardness.

He signs, as he wonders across the room to pick up his glasses. Once with himself looking whole, he heads to the door and all I could do was watch him. The whole needing to move forward thing was hard to get my muscles to move with me, it has been years since I had gotten into any form of fight since I lived with the Honyaku's. The last time was at the orphanage. Those are memories I rather forget.

I don't include Grandpa Smacks or punishments; those were a different category in itself.

Kyoya came back with a small bag of ice in his hand, he kneels down before me. He motions for me to move my hand away from the cheek. I comply as he presses it to my bruise cheek; I wince as I takeover holding it. "That should help keep the swelling down." He tells me as he removes his hand, the slight touch I notice the rough texture from overuse; his fingers radiated a heat that felt like flames. Where Mori hands felt like warm summer breeze, Kyoya felt like the kind that could leave burns with their touch.

There was a touch of silence between us as we sat there on the wooden floor once more. I look him over once more; the storm that once radiated in his anger was gone. Now hunch before me was the mature Kyoya with a gaze of calculation. This situation both unique to us both in their own way, the way Kyoya kept opening and closing his mouth for a second or two before stopping. Instead his eyes tried to read me as I did him, through I could guess we both won't get anywhere if we didn't speak. The air felt heavy, the sort you could cut through with unsharpened butter knife.

"Is it bad, that I prefer your real side?" I whisper, as if I spoke louder the room would shake.

His eyes light up at my words. However instead of the smirk I was hoping for, his pretentious smile came shining through instead. "I don't know what you could mean, Honyaku-san." He quips politely.

I groan in annoyance as reply.

His smile widens slightly back at me.

The room felt lighter, the air a little more clear by those words as if a breeze has made breathing room for us. I stood back up and wonder back to the work, we still had plenty to get done and I want to get rid of the annoying teen from my safe space. Everything that has happened had exceedingly tired me out; the amount of drama was enough for a whole year. I just want to go to bed.

We spent the rest of the time going through the work. Before I knew it I was saying my goodbyes at the door and the door shut, the slam echo for a minute before silence settle over the place once more. The space that once echoes our voices was once more quiet, I didn't feel like eating now and the majority of the staff had headed home. I cringe at the idea of cooking, I wasn't at all that good at cooking, and I was better under the guidance of others but the moment I did anything alone just tasted like trash.

I shuffle up stairs to my room to get ready for the night, the sort of normal routine anyone has. A quick shower, brush teeth and comfy pyjamas. Then I'll shuffle under the bed, clutch the blankets close as I curl around the pillows. I let myself sink into the void once again.

The next day, I took notes of everything I knew about in this life. Releasing that I didn't really know anything about the people I once thought fictional, the little I could note down were their names and handful of uncertain events. I frown as I tap my pen on the desk, ignoring the droning voice of our teacher. I have been alive as Tyler for twelve years and with the passage of time I have forgot majority of tiny details from my past life which includes a fictional reverse harem anime I once upon watch and read as a different person with a different life. Guess it's this world saying that what was doesn't matter because I was here. This isn't the exact same world as then, was my own childish hope. I squashed it down because I knew; people like me don't get taken in like that.

"Honyaku-san," The teacher calls in which he pulls me out of my dampening thoughts. I look up at him with a tilt of my head. "Can you answer this question?"

Was he serious? On the black board set before me was a math question more intended for the year above my own grade, was he testing me? Something myself could easily answer yet my own peers, majority of them could not. I cock my eyebrows up at him before standing up. He passes over the chalk towards me which I take gently from him. I answer the question quickly, place the chalk back in his hand and took my seat.

"Correct, Honyaku-san." He chokes out of his throat, probably not expecting me to answer the question.

I shrug and get back to filling in paperwork I had due back to Grandpa today. Forgetting about the questions I had, questions I will never get answer to. I lock them away and just got on with living my life.

The days blur by once more. Grandpa hadn't returned home yet, being busy helping Sousuke with something business related. The weekend came and went in quietness and I couldn't help but miss my lunch breaks with Mori-san, we might not discuss anything but just having someone to be next to you that you feel mutual towards was a treat in itself. It was even better when Hani-san join us; I usually end up bickering with him over snacks that I'll have pack for lunch. I was always trying to get him to eat a cookie or two that I had, with some coaxing he'll eventually give in to the treat with. "Just this one time, Tyler-kun!" he'll exclaim in which both me and Mori would share a smile because I always got him to have something sugary.

The work with Kyoya got us a perfect grade. We both told each other "well done." And nothing else was spoken between us since, I was much happier now Ootori wasn't glaring at me anymore every time we cross paths, though that pretend smile wasn't much better. I swear he did it to mock me. Then came the time to study for the exams, the summer holidays were on their way and that meant exams in clusters. That once the weekend came around once more, I didn't expect to be called to Grandpa Office on a Saturday.

I stood before him nervously as his eyes glare down me as his hunch over me bearing his full height to me. I felt small and expose, especially doesn't help I am still dressed in my pyjamas. He smacks me across the cheek and I yelp with the impact. What had I done? What had I done wrong? I question myself. Something sorely upset him that in some form of actions of my own had caused him to be seething at me. I could see Jonathan clutching his fist behind him, not overly pleased by Grandpa chosen actions to my supposedly wrong doing.

"Never invite that boy here again." Grandpa barks as he drags himself to his desk, his steps trembles the floor as he walks. "I never want to see or hear that any of those Ootori's is in my home, especially without my permission." He spits in anger as he slumps in his office chair.

I dig my fingers in to my arms making them seem I have crossed them. "Sorry Grandpa, it won't happen again." Because if I knew, I would've done it to your code.

"It better not." He hushes out as he begins his paperwork. "That was just a warning, do you understand?"

I nod my head, "Yes, Grandpa."

"Go, I can't stand to look at you today." He spats at me. His eyes showing disappointment and it dug deep into my lungs as I nod once more and shakily leave the room. The door shuts behind me and the soft voice of Jonathan echoes behind me.

"You shouldn't be so harsh on-"He begins as he tries to stand up for me and I felt my heart swell at the sentiment soften the blow to my lungs and I find myself breathing once more.

"The boy brought in an Ootori; those vermin are information brokers in disguise." Grandpas gruff voiced back. "He could've risked the company's secrets."

"Sir, aren't you being too paranoid? " Jonathan questions him, "Tyler has respectfully kept away from your spaces, and hasn't gone through any of your personalised work. He kept your wishes, he has shown no curiosity." He breathes deeply, "which means Tyler is ignorant to the things you over think, how can information leave his lips if he knows nothing?"

I didn't stay to hear the reply, leaving the adults to bicker. I rub my cheek as I wonder back to my room; the last bruise had healed recently so I was please to not have to wear make-up. Looks like I'm back to covering it up again. I sigh, this is not my week.

I got changed; relive to know my gym teacher was off being ill meant a rare Saturday morning free. I turn on the small radio I got given to me last Christmas. The music starts playing out and I relax as I pull out a book to read on my personal seat in my room. I didn't want to see anyone after Grandpa Outburst.

Man, it feels good to be alone sometimes
God I gotta say those are my favorite nights
When no one's around, and I'm still speaking my mind
Man, it feels good to be alone sometimes

I hum with the song as I start taking notes on the information I was gaining from the book. I felt the beat of the music and I couldn't help smile as I soak the tune.

I'm not alone cause I wanna be alone
It's just the way it went down
It didn't hurt as much at first
But I can't believe how much it's killing me now
I keep on going out
And I keep wondering why I keep on going out
So I call myself a car
And ask the driver "where the hell we going now?"

I stop, as I lean against the chair as I listen to the lyrics. For the first time, the song felt like it hitting home. But this was something that doesn't happen often; most song is about cheesiest things like love or dying. This was just life, the uncontrollable side of things.

You can lie lie lie
You can lie to me
I don't care I'm not losing sleep
If it don't bother you
It sure as hell don't bother me.

Isn't that what I keep telling myself? And I felt the beat change for the chorus, I just couldn't help sing along. I just wanted to get it off my chest.

"Man, it feels good to be alone sometimes
God i gotta say those are my favorite nights
When no one's around, and I'm still speaking my mind
Man, it feels good to be alone sometimes."

I belt it out without care and for a moment I felt my age as Tyler again in a long time. I felt like the kid I was as I had bounced out of my seat to sing it out. I hear laughter bringing me out of my humming to the song, looking up at the door stood Jonathan with his hand covering his mouth as he tears leave his eyes.

I look at my hand and see they were in that fake guitar pose and I blush as I drop my hand. Was I really doing something so childish? Looking back up at Jonathan, he was still cracking up. I think I had broken him. Ooops. "Can you not tell anyone about this?" I asked him, still feeling the embarrassment of being caught doing something so out of Tyler's character. Though, I use to sing a lot of songs with the kids at orphanage, it had been years under the Honyaku's since I had.

As Jonathan calms down, he smiles at me. "I promise." He tells me, "However you do need to go downstairs for breakfast, get to library for revision for your first set of exams this week."

I sigh and nod as I follow him out, looks like I don't have a free morning.

Once Monday came rolling around, I couldn't wait to huddle in the school library and maybe hide with all the books once more. The morning exams had been boring and just long winded. That once I could huddle into my favourite spot of the school where nobody could find me that easily, I breathe a sigh of relief. I nibble on my pack lunch sandwiches, something I asked the maids to make for me today. I even had some cookies for Honey if he and Mori came to library today. Once I finish my lunch, I delve into some fictional works for a change of pace. Plus it just was far more relaxing after the first few hours of exams.

I found myself dozing off in minutes. The words blur and sunlight through the window panes brought warmth onto my school uniform. I woke again for a few moments; I felt my head against something or someone else. My hands sprawl atop the book pages and my body had slump to the side against someone who radiated some warmth, they smelt of sweat and citrus. I find myself leaning in more and I couldn't help think, when was the last time I had leant against anyone?

A giant hand softly ruffles my hair, awakening from my light slumber. I blink my eyes as I let a yawn from behind my hand. I lean back up and stare over at who had been my pillow, I look up see it was Mori. I fluster as it registers what I had done and with his hand still atop my head, I felt unused to the affectionate attention he gave. His gaze was something I hadn't expected with a smile so, no words could really describe what I was seeing, that I couldn't help give one back.

He removes his hand as he returns to his revision guide in his hand. I watch him for a moment or two, sinking in what had transpired between us. Looking down at my lap was a snoozing Honey, his head lay upon my lap, his body between both I and Mori. My book had been push to the side at some point in my own doze. I check my watch to see we still had another ten minutes until the next exam.

I felt sad that I have to leave my only friends for exams soon. I tap Mori shoulder and gesture to Honey in which he takes the boy gently from lap and leans him against him. I nod my thanks as I put away my book back into my bag. "See you later Mori-kun." I tell him as I start to leave.

He nods, "Good luck, Tyler-kun."

I stop surprise to hear his voice; it was random when he chooses to use it. I smile widely, as I turn back to him. I couldn't help the soft flutter of appreciations of his words, "You too, Mori-kun."

The week drone by, the exams went by at a snail walking pace. I was about ready to pull my hair apart by the end of the week. That when Saturday came I almost dance in victory, almost being key. I didn't want another embarrassing moment that Jonathan could log. That even with my gym teacher over the top lesson, I smile throughout it because, boy, was exercise refreshing after a week of easy exams. That once I had finished, he slaps me behind my back and making me chokes on my own spit.

"You earn it kid." He starts, "You can call me by my name. Asahi-sensei."

Looks like it took a full week of exams to get me earn his name, I'm generally amazed. "Um, thanks." I answer back once I could breathe normal.

"You should be honour! You have the brilliant Asahi training you!" He boost, I groan.

I decide to leave since the lesson was done and I couldn't stand this side of my sensei. I escape to my room to clean and get ready for my vocal lessons, luckily Asahi doesn't follow me and probably notice his shift had finished. I sigh; looks like things were changing once more in the house hold.

Sunday came and I found myself sitting across Grandpa before me. We don't speak, we don't say anything to each other as we pick through the paperwork on his desk. Our tea and sandwiches were gone for today session and I knew Grandpa was still not happy with my conduct.

He sighs, cutting the air with it. "Look Kid," he crawls out. "I'm sorry for my outburst last week; I had assumed the worst without really thinking."

I nod; I couldn't really find words to say back. What could I say?

"I'm not disappointed in you; I doubt I even warn you about the Ootori's or that I wanted to be told if they come into our household." He continues, "I was…just.."

"Hearing their name alone upset you?" I filled in, when Grandpa started to struggle with his words.

"Something of that course, yes." He sighs once more. "Really, all I mean to say Kid..."

"You're sorry? I've already forgiven you." I answer; I was use to these childish outbursts from him. It was a part of him, something many people would find unforgivable. I would never say he was the ideal parental figure I had, Jonathan fit that bill better. He was family and I could do much worse. I tap his hand as a sign I want to hold it, he hums back opening his stubby fingers with letting go of his pen. I wrap my fingers around his hand, feeling the warmth share between our hands and I gently squeeze his hand. "I love you, Grandpa." I whisper.

He sat, stuck in place in shock. His body solid like a rock at those words as his eyes glaze over me and as his body slowly relaxes and a smile, much as it was a tiny one, grew on his face. His glasses dip down his nose and he squeezes my hand back to. "I love you too, Tyler." He spoke just over the dust that had settled once more.

Bubbles and flutters encase in my body as I couldn't help the massive smile that encase over my face from his grandparental confession. Those small words means the world to me, in that moment I want the world to let me sit still so I could soak it in as a whole. I know, I will be taking this memory with me on the days the world seems bleak or too hard. He was my fallen star and I have pocket this moment for the rainy days.

Tears broke down my eyes and the moment was broken as Grandpa came around to wrap me in his arms, I felt safe as I grasp his shirt. How long did I wait to find a home? How long did I beg for a family? In those minutes, Grandpa became Grandpa.

Hey everyone!

Here's Chapter 5, omg that first section was trial and error. Trying to write Kyoya character was harder than I thought, this is part the reason why this chapter isn't my weekly quota beside food poisoning and been under the weather, but hey I'm getting better!

I also have Cute-but-psycho824 volunteering to be my beta, so once all the recent chapters have been edited, she'll been editing new chapters before release. I will clarify when that is, since there some catch up to do before then. Thus why this chapter hasn't been edited, the next update maybe slower as I wait for her to catch up, so I can bring out better chapters without my silly mistakes! Once again, thanks for volunteering, it means a ton to me.

Lastly, thank you for all your reviews; they make my heart explode with joy. I hadn't expected this much support on my own fun adventure back into writing. You mean a lot to me, please everyone who reads, follows, favourites and review, please keep safe in these times.

Myu.

P.s. the song played on the radio is Alone Sometimes by The mowgli's.

Reviews replies from chapter 4:

Weird unusual chick: Yes, though her alone is not fully convincing him sadly. He wants to be a man. You're not only one voting on that relationship in these reviews, it's a possibility that I'm willing to look at but I also want to see how she interacts with all the other host first. Let see what time tells huh? Thank you!

0palescence: Seems you got there so early, you didn't see chapter 4, oops fanfic got broke at the time. I'm happy you liked chapter 3! Hopefully you'll see both chapters this time!

Mr. Meowington : Thank you and sorry for worrying you, 'turn it ins' just got in the way of my writing time. I'm happy that she's coming across human and relatable to you, though I'm sorry about that. I have friends who are lactose intolerant where it had got worse over time; I hope it gets better or easier to work with for you! Plus thank you for your input and I went back to correct that error! Well here's the newest chapter and not as long as a wait as last time. ^-^

Bored411: It be awhile until the dragging happens, considering Tamaki hasn't even joined the school yet, but in due time. In due time. Thank you though; I really enjoy building the relationships around her.

James Oliver Wood: You're not the only one in the reviews, I assure you. I keep your vote in mind ^-^

Elisablackcat : Yea, their interactions is a big contrast to Kyoya xD thank you

Cindy Yuliana92: We'll see that road once we get there since that could be a possibility even with some more rash hosts, time will tell as I say. Thank you, I want her to grow as chapters go along. "Onions have layers." So does majority of people we met and I want chapters feel a little like that. Peeling the layers as you read deeper into the story.

Animie02fruit: thank you, these writing skills are years of errors, you can easily see that with my earlier works. It nice to know I have heavily improved over the years.

To answer your question, the story is tag with 'romance' which means I do intend to have a ship develop over time, but that going to be a slow burn and awhile in when characters are little more mature and not children. Basically, closer to the when Haruhi comes into the picture. Relationships are fickly and tricky at a young age and I want to be more on realism side of romance, the awkward stances, the confusion and misunderstandings that come from young crushes and love. I want something we all can relate to in some degree. I don't want that easy stuff. I'm writing to challenge myself.

Cute-but-psycho824: thank you, you're pretty much on point with your assuming of their relationship. I guess this be your last time you might review now we'll be working together: 3