Chapter 3: Storm Clouds Rising

After dropping Kyoya at Ouran, Tachibana headed to the Public Records Office. "I need to research Cormorant Construction. That name sounds familiar but I can't remember why."

After an hour of extremely enlightening reading, Tachibana packed up his notes. Thanking the clerk for her assistance, he headed for the surveyor's office. "I wonder how Cormorant Construction has not made headlines with all of the questionable business practices they've been involved in. I hope there's enough time this afternoon between classes and Host Club hours to cover everything."

It was a short drive to the surveyor's office, near the courthouse. When the receptionist at the surveyor's office greeted him, he responded, "Good morning. My name is Seizaburo Tachibana and I need to arrange a survey of some property for the Hinan family. Here are my credentials as their agent." He handed the notarized paperwork to the receptionist.

"Please wait here, I will see if Mr. Nakamura is available."

Tachibana didn't have long to wait before she returned, handed him his documents, and said, "Please follow me."

She led him down a short hall to an office wallpapered in maps and almost every flat surface covered in piles of paper.

"Good morning. I am Taishi Nakamura." He offered his hand to Tachibana.

"Good morning. I am Seizaburo Tachibana."

Taishi gestured to a chair that was the only unoccupied flat surface and said, "Please, have a seat."

Tachibana settled gingerly into the chair, trying to avoid causing an avalanche of papers from the nearby piles.

"Miss Hirose informs me that you need some property surveyed for the Hinan family. Where exactly is the property located?"

"Do you remember the embezzlement and fraud scandal last spring about a resort?"

"Yes, I remember that property. Such a shame for it to get tangled up in all that mess."

"The Hinan family purchased it as their home estate. An interest in arranging an option on the farm to the east and activity at a development in process on the west have the family wondering if there might be other irregularities with their property. To set their minds at ease, they have tasked me with arranging to have the Hinan property surveyed. They also obtained permission from Dai Oota, the owner of the farm to the east, to have the farm surveyed as well."

"I see. That should be a straight-forward job, easily completed in a few hours. Do you have a particular day in mind?"

"Would Wednesday be possible? The Hinan family would like to have their legal advisor present, just in case there are irregularities that she will need to deal with."

Mr. Nakamura picked up his tablet and tapped a few screens. "My crew and I are available on Wednesday. Would one o'clock work?"

Tachibana looked at his watch and noted that Haruhi should be at lunch so he would get a prompt answer to his text. "I shall inquire."

***Surveyor Wednesday. Can you arrange to miss afternoon classes?***

A minute later, Tachibana's phone *dinged* with a response.

***Will do.***

"Wednesday at one o'clock will be fine," Tachibana reported.

OHSHC

Tachibana arrived at Ouran about fifteen minutes before classes let out for the day. He made his way to Music Room Three and pulled out his notes regarding Cormorant Construction. "This meeting could get very interesting," Tachibana mused.

Kyoya walked through the door twenty minutes later and greeted him. "Tachibana, I take it you had a productive day?"

"It was quite productive and every illuminating."

Kyoya took a seat at the table, but before they could continue their conversation, the door slammed open and Tamaki entered. "…not fair that you two get to spend all day with her and I barely ever get to see her. She's my friend, too."

"We never said you weren't. We just said that we were going to offer her a ride home because we need to work on a class project together," Hikaru retorted.

"It's not like we're asking her out on a date," Kaoru interjected. "She's already told us she's not interested in us romantically."

Tamaki huffed in exasperation and flopped into the seat next to Kyoya at the table. Kyoya just rolled his eyes and turned his attention to the notes Tachibana handed to him. Hikaru and Kaoru took seats across the table from Tamaki.

The door opened again and Haruhi entered, engrossed in a phone call. "…conference call?" She paused to listen. "Okay, call me tonight when you're available and I'll fill you in on the gist of the meeting." Another pause. "I've made arrangements with my afternoon classes so I can be there for the surveying on Wednesday. I'll touch base with my contact in the courthouse tomorrow to apprise the judge of the possibility that we may need to file some real estate-related documents."

She settled into a chair at the table as she paused to listen once again. "Okay. I look forward to your call tonight. Bye, Takashi."

Everyone at the table stared at Haruhi as she put her phone away. "What?" she asked, puzzled. "I just called to see if Mitsukuni and Takashi would be available to listen in on the meeting. They can't because Mitsukuni has a lab and Takashi has study group. Takashi will call me tonight when they are available and I'll fill them in on what we discuss."

Tachibana tried to hide is smile. "That girl has them wrapped around her fingers and she doesn't even realize it." He cleared his throat and said, "Shall we get started?"

"What did you find out about Cormorant Construction? I know I've heard the name but I can't remember where," Kaoru requested.

"Well, you should recognize the name, given they were the reason for the loss of the Hitachiin Spring Line four years ago," Tachibana said.

Hikaru whistled. "Oh yeah. Mom was livid about that. Ageha had just been born so Mom didn't have time to replace the prototypes and fabrics lost in the warehouse collapse."

Kaoru added, "There were other details that Dad and Mom didn't tell us about, but I remember walking around on eggshells for weeks until Dad could get Mom to calm down. I think I even overheard her threatening to flay the responsible party alive and use his skin for her next line."

Waving a hand dismissively, Hikaru interjected, in falsetto, "But vermin is never 'in'."

Everyone snickered at the twins' antics.

Kyoya snapped his fingers. "Of course. The clinic site that was inexplicably re-assigned to be a warehouse. That's where I've heard that name before."

"That's the one," Tachibana confirmed. "The inferior foundation laid by Cormorant Construction made a clinic impossible on that site. Cormorant was released for breach of contract and another construction firm was brought in. They determined it would be more cost effective to build a warehouse on the existing foundation than to tear out the inferior foundation and start again. At least a new clinic location was found that proved to be adequate."

"I remember Father tried for months to file suit against Cormorant, but the evidence of wrong doing was too circumstantial. In the end, the worst he could do was blackball them," Kyoya supplied.

"The same with Mom," Kaoru interjected. "It was obvious that the warehouse did not meet contract standards and it deviated substantially from the approved blueprints, but the owner of Cormorant blamed subcontractors and employees for unauthorized substitutions and shortcuts."

Tachibana picked up his notes to add what else his research had yielded. "They have a history of substandard construction, inferior materials, failure to pay employees, and bribing or blackmailing officials to get their work through inspections. There is even speculation that they purchase quality materials, bill clients for those materials, then substitute inferior materials in construction while selling the quality materials and pocketing the money."

He shook his head in dismay. "I can't believe them been able to get away with this. In each case, there is either not enough concrete evidence or the injured party is too embarrassed at creating a media spectacle to do anything about it."

Kaoru snickered. "Concrete evidence…"

Before Tachibana could continue, his phone rang. "I need to take this, it's Hinansho."

The Host Club sat quietly and listened intently to his side of the conversation.

"Tachibana here." He paused as the caller explained the purpose of the call. "You're certain?" Another pause. "I concur. Twenty-four hour guards, at least three per shift. And make the shifts six hours rather than eight for maximum alertness." He frowned during the next pause. "I'll check the roster and schedule when I get there. Please advise the local police force of the situation so they are in the loop if anyone notices the additional activity. I will return within the hour."

Ending the call, he looked around at the Host Club. "A routine perimeter check just found about ten meters of plantings on the west side of Hinansho torn up. There is also some minor damage to the west side of the hedge maze in the formal garden."

Haruhi's voice was hard. "It's possible that Hinansho was built partially on the land Cormorant is developing, but you'd think they would have notified us. Right now, it looks like it's a good thing we have the surveyor scheduled for Wednesday."

She made several notes and continued, "I will call Judge Ryuzaki's clerk tomorrow, explain the situation with the boundary questions, and make sure the judge understands that I may be calling on Wednesday to file documents depending on what the survey reveals. I'm really glad I spent that time at the courthouse during my internship this summer. It looks like the contacts I made will be invaluable."

Kyoya addressed Tachibana, "Be sure to set up video surveillance of the area from at least three different angles. Call me if additional personnel are needed."

Tamaki glanced at the clock. "Have we finished all the business we need for now? It's almost time for the ladies to start coming."

Chuckling dryly, Tachibana said, "We've covered more than I had planned."

Kyoya stood, his expression solemn. "Before we dismiss this meeting, I need to inform all of you that my father has placed restrictions on my activities. When I am not here at school, I have to be on the Otori estate. The only exceptions are meetings or events that have been pre-approved at least one week in advance."

The other hosts were stunned at his announcement. Haruhi was the first to recover from the shock and she growled, "He basically has you under house arrest!?"

"It really seems like she cares about me," Kyoya thought. Trying to keep his stoic mask in place, he avoided that line of thinking and responded, "It's not all that bad. I just won't be able to participate in any spontaneous activities."

Haruhi took a deep breath, trying to keep her seething anger in check. "It's not his fault. He's putting on a good—well, brave—face for our sakes. I hate that Yoshio is doing this to him."

Surprisingly, it was Tamaki who took charge, and brought attention back to the matters at hand. He said calmly, "Thank you, Tachibana, for the report on Cormorant Construction and the situation at Hinansho. Kyoya, thank you for apprising us of your…reduced availability. We will discuss that later, mon ami."

He paused and then clapped his hands together. "Right now, we need to prepare to entertain our princesses, because they will be here in less than ten minutes."

Everyone murmured their 'Thanks' to Tachibana as he gathered his notes and exited Music Room Three.

OHSHC

Haruhi had just finished her homework when her phone rang. Looking at the number, she answered, "Mitsukuni, how was lab?"

"It was fun. We're learning all the muscles and how they work. Today we were studying hands. They are fascinating. Even with as much as I learned through karate and judo, there's so much more to learn."

"It's wonderful that you're enjoying University. You'll have to tell me all about it when you come for the Halloween cosplay."

"I'm looking forward to it. I really miss you." There was no mistaking the longing in his voice.

"Are you and Takashi ready to hear about the meeting this afternoon?"

Mitsukuni sounded embarrassed as he said, "Actually, Takashi isn't here yet. I called early because I wanted to hear your voice."

"Oh, Mitsukuni," Haruhi responded, concern evident in her voice. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"You already are. You answer whenever I call and you don't mind talking about whatever topics come up."

Haruhi smiled to herself. "I enjoy our conversations immensely. It's actually fun to start a conversation talking about cake ingredients and somehow wind our way from physics to history and around to which teams will be playing in the World Series."

In the background of the call, Haruhi heard a door open and close. Mitsukuni's voice was muffled as he turned away from the phone. "Takashi, you're home. I'm talking to Haruhi. Let me put the phone on speaker and then she can tell us about the meeting."

Hearing the shift in the phone sounds, Haruhi said, "Takashi, I hope your study group went well."

"It was very helpful."

Mitsukuni piped up, "So, what happened in the meeting? Was it just about Cormorant?"

"Well, it was supposed to be—and in a way, it mostly was. Tachibana found that they have very questionable business practices. Hikaru, Kaoru, and Kyoya had all heard of them because the Hitachiin and Otori families dealt with Cormorant in the past."

Takashi spoke up, "Our families never used them because their bids did not address the work required. They would just state the price they would charge."

Mitsukuni added, "Their bids were always the lowest, but, because they didn't outline what the bid covered, we never knew if they really understood the scope of the project."

"Good to know. Anyway, Tachibana received a call from Hinansho during the meeting. Apparently, Cormorant had ripped out ten meters of plantings on the west side, right up the hedge maze in the formal garden."

Haruhi heard an angry huff from Takashi and a low whistle from Mitsukuni.

"Needless to say, special security shifts were arranged to protect that side."

"I'll text Tachibana that he can call me if more personnel are needed," Takashi interjected.

"Good idea, Takashi," Mitsukuni praised. "I was just about to say the same thing."

Haruhi waited to see if either of them wanted to say anything more.

Takashi broke the silence. "Was that everything?"

"No. I will be calling Ms. Ueno, Judge Ryuzaki's clerk, in the morning to lay the groundwork for any legal documents we may need following the survey results on Wednesday. I already told Takashi that I arranged to take the afternoon off from school so I can be at Hinansho for the surveying."

"Are you expecting trouble?" Mitsukuni asked, concern coloring his voice.

"Not really. I just want to be there in case Hinansho has encroached on the Oota farm or the Cormorant construction site."

"Or vice versa," Takashi interjected.

"Yeah, that too," Haruhi chuckled. "Will you to be available Wednesday afternoon so we can include you on the conference call when we report the results of the survey?"

Haruhi could image the cousins looking at each other, having a silent conversation.

"Yes, we'll make arrangements to be available." Then Mitsukuni asked, "Was that everything?"

Haruhi got quiet. Takashi and Mitsukuni knew immediately that something was wrong.

"What happened?" Takashi almost whispered. "I hope it's nothing too bad," he thought.

The two young men heard Haruhi draw a deep breath and they braced for the worst.

"Kyoya announced that, except when he's at school, he has to be at the Otori estate. The only exceptions will be meetings or events pre-approved at least one week in advance." She paused to steady her voice.

Mitsukuni and Takashi could hear the emotion choking her words. "He's practically under house arrest. He doesn't deserve that," she finished in an almost whisper.

"No, he doesn't," Takashi growled softly.

"Why? Why would Yoshio do that?" Mitsukuni asked, his voice hard.

Haruhi sighed. "I don't know. Kyoya refuses to talk about it."

"You're worried about him," Takashi stated rather than asked.

"Is it that obvious?" She sniffed quietly, trying to regain control of her emotions.

Mitsukuni laughed mirthlessly. "Yoshio's treatment of Kyoya was probably the biggest impetus for you establishing the Hinan family. We all know that. I'm sure we're all worried. Just know that we're here if ever you need us."

From Haruhi's side of the phone call, there was the sound of a door slamming open and a body hitting the wall. "Dad's home—and it sounds like someone was generously buying drinks for the house tonight. He's none too steady on his feet. I'd better help him get to bed before he hurts himself."

"Okay. Good night, Haruhi," Mitsukuni said, and then yawned. "Sorry," he added, sheepishly.

"No need to be sorry. Just go get some sleep, Mitsukuni," Haruhi said softly.

Takashi's voice was serious. "Remember, we're here if you need us. Don't hesitate to ask for help."

Haruhi could hear the good-natured rebuke, as well as the affection, behind his words. "Thank you. I will—really, I will. Goodnight."

OHSHC

Haruhi was waiting on the front steps of Ouran when Atsuhiro arrived at noon to pick her up. At the questioning look on her face, he said, "Tachibana wanted to tour the damaged area on the west side one more time before the surveyor arrived, so he sent me to pick you up. Not disappointed, I hope?"

Haruhi laughed at Atsuhiro's quirked eyebrow and teasing expression as she climbed into the car. "I'm not disappointed, just surprised. Tachibana usually texts me if there's a change of plans."

"My fault," Atsuhiro replied. "I was supposed to text you but I forgot that I don't have your contact information programmed into my phone."

Seeing his phone in its dashboard bracket, she gestured to it and said, "May I?"

"Be my guest. It should still be unlocked. I had to use the GPS to get around a huge traffic snarl on my way here."

She deftly slipped the phone out, entered her information, and returned it to its bracket before Atsuhiro made it to the front gate of Ouran.

The ride to Hinansho was comfortable silence as Atsuhiro concentrated on his driving and Haruhi contemplated the potential scenarios that might be awaiting her at the estate. "Hopefully, there are no discrepancies and this all just be a formality."

As they turned into the gate at Hinansho, Atsuhiro said, "I'll drop you off at the front door and then head around to the garage."

"Thanks for the ride. Oh, it looks like Tachibana and the survey crew are waiting for me." Haruhi climbed out of the car as soon as it stopped.

Waving, Atsuhiro called, "See you at dinner." Then he drove away.

Tachibana stepped forward and greeted Haruhi. "So glad you could make it. This is Taishi Nakamura, Koji Sanada, and Ryota Watari."

"Mr. Nakamura, good to see you again." Haruhi offered her hand.

"Please, I asked you to call me Taishi," he replied, shaking her hand firmly. "And, of course, you remember my crew, Koji and Ryota. Shall we get started?"

"By all means. Shall we begin with the Oota farm?"

For the next hour, Haruhi followed the survey crew, intrigued by their precision and silent interactions as they compared maps to the readings from the equipment. She was fascinated by their deft coordination on the job. Finally, they arrived at the west side of Hinansho.

"Well, everything so far has been exactly as it should be," Taishi commented. "I hear that this is the real test of things." He gestured to the ten meters of disturbed ground, three security guards, and the scowling construction crew.

Haruhi began to worry as Tachibana pulled out his phone to begin recording as Taishi and his crew checked, and re-checked measurements. Their silent interactions gave way to a conference comparing maps and instrument readings. Taishi pulled out a small computer and entered several sets of data. Frowning, he gestured for Tachibana to join them.

Intrigued, Haruhi walked over to hear what they were discussing.

"…no mistake. We've measured and check the data three times. They are fifteen meters onto Hinan property," Taishi stated quietly.

Tachibana frowned. "And you're sure they did it deliberately?"

"There's absolutely no doubt. The official survey stakes from the division of the original farm are still in place and visible."

Haruhi spoke up, "I take it I need to make a phone call?"

Taishi nodded grimly. "The sooner the better, given the scowl on the foreman's face and the fact he's headed over here."

"If you are finished playing around, we need to get back to work," the foreman sneered.

Haruhi looked him over dismissively. "You will not be doing any more work on this piece of land. The survey has determined that you are fifteen meters beyond your property line. I am requesting an immediate cease-and-desist order."

She pulled out her phone, set it to speakerphone mode, and dialed. "Miss Ueno, I need to speak to Judge Ryuzaki."

"Miss Fujioka, we've been expecting your call. Please hold while I connect you."

After a few seconds pause, a pleasant male voice said, "This is Judge Ryuzaki. How can I help you, Miss Fujioka?"

"We need an immediate cease-and-desist order against Cormorant Construction. They have already damaged fifteen meters of Hinan property."

"I can issue it right away, but it needs to be served by an officer of the court."

The Cormorant foreman started to grin. "I can take care of that. I know how to dodge being served with a court order."

"That will not be a problem. Taishi Nakamura, the surveyor, is here." Haruhi beckoned for Taishi to step closer so he could address the judge.

"Good working with you again, Judge Ryuzaki. As evidence for the file backing the order, I already emailed maps, photos, and readings taken today. Your clerk should have it any moment now." In the background of the call, the sounds of a door opened and papers being placed on the judge's desk could be heard.

"I have them now. I just signed the order and my clerk will fax the order to the Hinan office in a few minutes."

The look on the foreman's face turned sour as he listened to his chances of success rapidly deteriorating. "They can't do this to me. I've worked too hard and have too much invested to be thwarted now."

Tachibana motioned to one of the security guards. "Please call the office and have a three- man security detail bring the order here." Before he finished speaking, the construction crew started to move.

"You can't do this to me, you little brat!" the foreman growled as he lunged at Haruhi.

At his outburst, Haruhi looked up. There was a very brief scuffle as Tachibana grabbed the man, threw him to the ground, and planted a knee in his back. He didn't get anywhere near Haruhi but Taishi pulled her behind himself protectively.

In the whirlwind of activity in the next five minutes, Koji called for the local police, Ryota stood guard over the surveying equipment, and the security guards subdued the remaining construction crew.

"…west boundary of Hinansho. The Cormorant Construction six-man crew just attacked the registered agent and legal advisor for the Hinan family, but Hinan security has subdued them." There was a brief pause as Koji listened to the questions from the dispatcher. "Judge Ryuzaki just issued a cease-and-desist order because Cormorant had encroached on Hinan property." After a brief pause, Koji ended the call and announced to the group, "The police will be here in about ten minutes."

Just then, the security detail dispatched with the cease-and-desist order appeared around the corner of the hedge maze. Tachibana gestured to the detained construction crew and two of the detail peeled off to help the other security guards monitor the detained crew.

The third man handed a small sheaf of papers to Taishi and then went to relieve Tachibana of his detainee.

"Are you okay?" Tachibana asked Haruhi worriedly.

She smiled. "I'm just fine. It looks like I have my work cut out for me though. Now, in addition to filing suit against Cormorant Construction for the damages to Hinansho, I will be filing charges of assault and battery against the foreman and crew."

Tachibana just shook his head. "That girl is something else. Those men, and especially the foreman, didn't intimidate her at all." He bent to pick up his phone dropped in the scuffle. He checked to be sure it still functioned and then started playback of the video he had been recording.

"What do you have there?" Haruhi asked, noticing his grin.

He handed the phone to her so she could watch the video. "Well, they won't be able to weasel their way out of this evidence. Good thinking."

"This will be in addition to the security cameras that Kyoya directed to be set up. Of course, this has sound which those don't," Tachibana replied.

OHSHC

"Since we have an hour before classes finish at Ouran for the day and we can call the Host Club to report the results, I'm going to talk to Kosaku. He's going to help me sign up for the online accounting, finance, and investment classes I want. Hopefully I have enough in my Hinan account to cover them," Haruhi said as they walked back to the main house.

Tachibana smiled at her. "Even when she takes an afternoon off from school, she's thinking about classes and learning." Aloud he said, "I'll come get you when we're ready to place the call."

Haruhi walked up to the front desk. "Good afternoon, Hibiki. Kosaku said he would help me sign up for online classes."

Hibiki smiled and replied, "He told me to expect you and bring you back to his office. Come on." She motioned for her assistant to take over the front desk duties while she accompanied Haruhi.

A few minutes later Hibiki knocked softly on the Accounting office door.

"Come in," called a muffled voice.

Hibiki opened the door and they stepped inside.

"Well, I wasn't expecting you quite so early. I take it everything went well?" Kosaku asked.

Haruhi smirked and replied, "That depends on your point of view."

Kosaku saved the file he was working on and locked his computer. "It sounds like there's a story there. Shall we sit here around the table and I'll get some refreshments from Kairi."

"You two stay here and talk. I'll get the refreshments," Hibiki offered.

Haruhi watched her leave. "Your wife really is very sweet. I'm glad she's come out of her shell more."

A soft expression suffused Kosaku's face as he replied, "She really likes it here. Her work has boosted her confidence and she's more comfortable with meeting new people now."

"Someday I want to find someone who gets that kind of expression on his face when he thinks of me," Haruhi thought longingly. "But not until I finish my schooling and become a lawyer."

Shaking his head to clear his head and bring his attention back to the conversation at hand, Kosaku said, "So, tell me how the surveying went. Any surprises?"

"Well, everything is fine with the Oota farm and, by extension, the east boundary of Hinansho. The north and south boundaries are fine as well."

"I hear a 'but' coming," Kosaku prompted.

Chuckling, Haruhi continued, "But…Cormorant Construction was fifteen meters onto Hinansho on the west side. And it was deliberate because the survey stakes from the division of the original farm were in place and as well as in plain view."

"You mean it was even more than security found on Monday?" Kosaku was incredulous at the nerve of Cormorant to try and blatantly steal land like that.

"Oh, and it gets even better. The foreman tried to attack me when I called for the cease-and-desist order. Tachibana never even let him get close. The look on the guy's face was kind of funny, as well as seeing Tachibana kneeling in the middle of the guy's back. Of course, now I have to file assault charges against the foreman and crew, as well as a civil suit for damages to the fifteen meters of our land."

Kosaku chuckled. "Looks like that internship of yours is really paying off. Tachibana and Shima keep telling me that you are a force to be reckoned with."

Hibiki returned and set the tray in the middle of the table. "All Kairi would give me was tea and strawberries. 'It's too close to dinner,' he said."

"It's fine," Kosaku assured, catching Hibiki's hand and kissing it while giving her an amorous look.

She blushed and reluctantly pulled her hand away. "Behave yourself. We have company." She inclined her head towards Haruhi who was grinning at the young married couple.

Kosaku sighed, "You're right, of course. Now we need to get down to the business of getting you registered for those classes you want." He stood up and walked back to his desk. Opening a drawer, he pulled out a folder and brought it back to the table.

He handed the file to Haruhi. "This is information that I printed out for you. It includes the syllabi and requirements for the three courses you want. However, I noticed that they have some pre-requites."

"Does that mean I won't be able to do it?" Haruhi asked, deflating slightly.

"Oh, you can do it. I have no doubt at all that you can do it. It just means you need to do a few other things first. The accounting course requires a math class, the finance course requires a computer class, and the finance course requires a writing class," Kosaku explained.

"Wow, that's a lot classes to take while I have all my regular schoolwork. I'd hate to let my grade slip and lose my scholarship." Haruhi sighed dejectedly.

"Actually, there are challenge tests you can take to get credit without taking the whole class. The pre-requisites are there to be sure you have certain basic skills before you begin the more advanced work. I included information on the challenge tests. Given your standing at Ouran, I have no doubt it would take very little extra work to pass the challenge tests."

Haruhi flipped through the documents. "This says that the challenges tests have to be taken in person at the testing center. How am I going to get there?"

"There are several options for that. Atsuhiro could drive you or you could ride with Kyoya," Kosaku suggested.

"Ride with Kyoya?" Haruhi asked quizzically.

Kosaku smiled. "I gave Kyoya this same information before your cosplay meeting. Before his father had him move back home."

Haruhi's expression tightened at the mention of Kyoya's father. "Did you know that Yoshio basically placed Kyoya under house arrest?"

Hibiki's voice was sad as she replied, "Tachibana informed us. Shima was livid and I don't blame her."

Looking at the clock, Kosaku interrupted, "We should probably finish talking about the classes before Tachibana comes to get you for the conference call. Okay, if you'll help me fill out the paperwork, I'll prepare the payment from the Hinan estate accounts to cover the cost of the tests and the courses."

"Wait, what?" Haruhi asked, confused. "Shouldn't the fees come from my bank account?"

"Actually, these classes related to your management responsibilities, so they should be paid for from the Hinan estate," Kosaku assured her.

Dazed, Haruhi responded, "Then…I guess I won't have to worry about whether I have enough to cover all of these."

"No, you just have to worry about doing the work. You and Kyoya could always study together between classes and Host Club." Kosaku smiled at Haruhi's stunned expression and growing blush.

There was a knock on the door and Hibiki hurried to open it. Tachibana stood there. "Haruhi, it's time for the conference call, if you are finished here?"

Haruhi looked to Kosaku and he nodded and said, "We're done. Don't hesitate to call if you have any questions or need any advice."

"Thank you for everything. I'll see you both at dinner." Haruhi then followed Tachibana to the Hinan office, where they intended to initiate the conference call.

"Oh, by the way," Tachibana called over his shoulder on the way to the office, "Atsuhiro will give you a ride home after dinner. He's meeting some friends and your apartment is on the way."

"Then I won't have to feel guilty about him making a special trip to drive me home," Haruhi responded.

They entered to Hinan office and Tachibana called Mitsukuni's phone first. "Hold on while I conference in the Host Club." The call was answered on the first ring and he asked, "Have you been anxious for this call?"

Tamaki's overly dramatic voice demanded, "Is Haruhi okay? Those monsters didn't try anything, did they?"

Rolling her eyes, Haruhi chuckled, "Do you really think security here would let them get anywhere near me?"

"Then something did happen! I must come at once," he declared.

Kyoya ordered, "That would take too long. Now sit down and shut up so they can tell us what happened."

Tachibana proceeded to explain the situation with the fifteen meters and the reactions to the cease-and-desist order. "Needless to say, assault charges have been filed in addition to a civil suit for damages."

To Haruhi, it sounded like more than one of the young men on the call growled protectively when Tachibana mentioned the attempted attack.

"Hmm," Kyoya intoned. "Given what I've uncovered in my research of Cormorant Construction, I believe there is a high probability of acquiring the property to the west in essentially the same way we acquired Hinansho."

Haruhi could hear Tamaki bouncing up and down in his chair. "I want to provide the money to buy it. It's my turn to contribute. Please, please, please?!"

Tachibana and Haruhi chuckled silently, imagining him wiggling like an excited puppy and Kyoya pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation.

Kyoya's long-suffering sigh was followed by, "Very well. You may provide the funds to purchase the western property. Satisfied?"

Suddenly Tamaki sounded very dignified as he replied, "Thank you. Now we must get ready for our guests. We'll see you tomorrow, Haruhi."

15