A/N: Hope y'all like how the story's going! Let me know what y'all think. If I need to work on something or if y'all liked a specific part. I'd love to hear any criticism.

Revised: 11/15/2021

Chapter 3

"Sit up straight, Akane. Your grandmother is about to enter." the stern voice of Elizabeth Tonnerre Hinode echoed through the empty waiting room.

Little Akane straightened her back uncomfortably, she clenched her little black funeral garments tighter as the maids announced her grandmother's entry. The sound of Catherine Tonnerre's heels clicked bitingly across the room. Akane watched as her grandmother sat elegantly on a posh throne-like chair directly opposing her mother. Catherine's stare cut through Akane calculatingly then glared bitingly back to Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth."

"Mother."

"How dare you call me that." Catherine's tone didn't hide her displeasure, her loathing apparent.

Elizabeth's face hardened at her mother's words; her folded hands clenched on her lap as she looked at her mother's disappointed face.

"I would like you to meet your granddaughter, Mother." Elizabeth glanced demurely at her mother.

Catherine looked at the little girl next to Elizabeth scathingly. Little Akane shivered under her grandmother's scrutiny, her resolve slowly crumbling before her eyes.

"Her name is Akane," Elizabeth said after a few seconds.

Catherine glared back at Elizabeth. "I only have one daughter and one granddaughter." Catherine frowned at Elizabeth's demeanor; she primly tilted her chin up.

Elizabeth clenched her hands tighter, back tense. Her voice broke, "I heard about Anna, Mother."

Little Akane watched her grandmother frowned at her mother. She saw a hint of sadness in her eyes, but it quickly turned to indifference within a few seconds. Catherine glared heatedly at her daughter.

"You have no right to mention her name!" Catherine raised her voice.

Elizabeth flinched at her mother's tone. A few moments passed, with her shoulders tensed and her gaze firmly set, she replied, "Mother. Please acknowledge Akane as your granddaughter."

Catherine's eyes hardened, her teeth clenched as she subtly sneered at Elizabeth. Then her eyes flitted over to Little Akane. Akane flinched under her grandmother's hard stare, she quickly broke eye contact, opting to look pleadingly at her mother instead. Elizabeth straightened her back in an effort not to show weakness to her mother, her hands delicately unclenching on her lap.

"Akane."

…

.

.

-sama

…

.

Aka-...

-ne.

.

.

Hinode-sama.

.

.

"Hinode-sama!"

.

.

I slowly blinked my eyes awake. I turned to face my chauffeur, he had a look of concern on his face. "Hinode-sama. We have arrived at Ouran Academy."

I stared in a daze then nodded to my chauffeur. I turned to look at the magnificent building and sighed. Slowly, one step at a time, I got out of my limo and started to walk towards the Academy. I held my bag daintily in front of me as I walked carefully, gracefully towards the entrance.

It has been six months into the school year. Considering my grandmother's high expectations of me, I actually started trying my best in school. I needed to get my head out of the clouds and forget about some silly crush that I had. It was a fun game to pass the time, but my grandmother seriously threatened to take my mother out again in the family roster.

My mother reassured me that in an event that my grandmother did, we will still be able to manage to uphold our reputation to a certain degree. She gave me a loving smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

As much as I hate my mother's family, I couldn't do that to my mother. After all she's been through, I can't let myself be another burden to her already stressful life.

It's never really about what I want. I don't want many things in life, I already have most of what I could've wanted. I was born into this family, I already had no choices the moment I was born.

With absolute ease, I aced all my academics in class competing with Kyoya's placement. In addition, I joined a handful of pointless extracurricular activities to satisfy my grandmother. Such as; the tea club, the archery club, the fencing team, the embroidery club, and so on and so forth.

I might actually, quite literally, die of boredom.

I'm being a little overdramatic, it's not like I'm suffering from my predicament. It could be worse, I could be at grandmother's estate right now, enduring the socialite tea parties and grand balls.

I sigh internally as I flitted through the halls in deep thought. My mother had reminded me about attempting to socialize better with the other girls in school, or grandmother would hear about my social etiquette. I sighed at the thought of my grandmother's disappointed face, sending a shiver down my spine at potentially having to return to France for more 'training.'

As I walk into the classroom, the arrogant voice of Seika Ayanokoji rang loudly from inside the classroom, her mocking speech to a student with a class lower than her's was interrupted as I stepped into the classroom. Seika's undivided attention turned to me and proceeded to bombard me with inane social topics.

"What did you do this weekend, Akane-san? My father had bought me a limited-edition handbag for my social tea party…" blah blah blah...

I proceeded to tune her out, fearing the loss of more brain cells if I continued to listen to Seika's lavish tea party and blah blah blah.

I politely nodded and gave her a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.

Seika was the perfect example of a social climber, and on top of that, she flaunted her wealth to those beneath her and rubbed it in their faces how unfortunate they are compared to her. I gave her another false smile and nodded at Seika's attempt at bragging about yet another designer bag of hers.

"Akane-san, have you heard about the host club?" the girl that Seika was recently bullying said.

What was her name again? I politely smiled at her.

"Yes, I got a personal invitation from one of the hosts when it first started. It is definitely an interesting concept." I tilted my head in curiosity.

"Have you visited yet?!" the girl asked curiously.

I smiled at her politely. "No, not personally."

"Nobody asked you anything, Kanazuki. Why don't you go back to your seat over there and stay there like a good little kitty." Seiko sneered at her.

My eyebrow twitched at Seika's response. Kanazuki walked to her desk, silently seething, her eyes starting to tear up. I gave Kanazuki a look of concern.

If my memory serves correct, Kanazuki is a tea maker's daughter. I think her mom is a self-made entrepreneur, which is how they can afford for their daughter to go to a private school. Barely, if Seika's treating her in this manner by the looks of it.

"It's a shame you haven't visited the host club. They're all wonderful gentlemen and are all incredibly handsome." Seiko gushed unabashedly.

I bit my lip from replying in an unladylike manner to Seiko.

"Did you want to accompany me, Akane-san," Seiko asked curiously.

I looked back to Seiko with a forced smile. "Accompany you where?"

"To the host club, of course! I see Tamaki regularly. He is an absolute darling with his deep violet eyes. I would love for you to come with me!" Seiko smiled eagerly.

I personally didn't want to associate myself with someone like Seiko, someone who desperately sought to actively social climb and stepped on others that she thought were beneath her, but my mother's stern voice telling me to play nice rang in my head.

'Make more friends at school, or your grandmother will hear about your lack of effort.'

I sighed at the thought; I glanced at my side to see Kyoya Ootori subtly observing my conversation with Seika. I quickly looked away and back to an unassuming Seika Ayanokoji.

Well… mother did say I needed to make friends with more girls my age.

It's purely for the purposes of making friends.

Nothing more…

It's not like I didn't try to avoid the host club? I mean, if I just don't think about him I'm sure I'll be fine? Right?

I got over it.

It's going to be fine...

I put on my best polite smile. "I would be delighted to come with you, Ayanokoji-san."

Seika grinned at me and grabbed my hands in delight. "Great! I can't wait!" Seika smiled at me before going back to her desk to brag to the other students about her new handbag and lavish tea party.

I sighed in annoyance. 'Well, there's nothing I can do about it now.'

I contemplated if I should silently sneak away from the group of girls.

Seika invited five more girls with her to come to the host club; they chatted animatedly about having a tea party and how the hosts were so dreamy and yadda yadda.

My brow twitched in annoyance at their antics. Seika's attempts to gain influence and unimaginative conversation were tedious, and I wanted to do nothing more than to run away and read in the library.

The girls chatted louder as we approached closer to music room 3. I felt a pit in the bottom of my stomach at the thought of seeing a dark-haired charming bespectacled boy with a penchant for making the strangest friends. The thought of his sneaky smirk and knowing ebony eyes made my heart pound disconcertingly in my chest.

I frowned, I'm contemplating going to the clinic.

A flurry of rose petals bombarded us as Seika opened the door, a well-rehearsed unison of "Welcome Ladies." greeted us at first sight inside the music room. The girls squealed in girlish delight upon seeing the group of handsome boys with their hands over their hearts in a slight chivalrous bow.

I chuckle internally. What is this?

The girls gravitated towards Tamaki as he charmingly explained the host club's inner workings. Because some of the girls are also first-timers, they eagerly listened to Tamaki as he went over the different types of hosts and made appointments with the hosts of their choosing.

My treacherous eyes automatically sought out the dark-haired boy that plagued my thoughts. He was standing next to Tamaki, smiling at the girls politely with a black book in his hands, subtly jotting down notes.

His eyes met mine and I smiled.

He gave me a different smile when he saw me. I didn't think it was possible, but my heart raced faster, and my cheeks heated the moment I made eye contact with Kyoya. I looked away quickly.

What in the hell?!

It's over! I need a heart transplant!

I need one that doesn't make me feel like a little teenage girl whenever I look at him.

Why do I have hormones, dear God?! Why am I like this?

Focus.

Calm down.

"So, which one of you lovely ladies would like to sit with me." Tamaki gave the girls a seductive look, finishing his explanation of the club.

The girls squealed at Tamaki's charm. Seika and three other girls went with Tamaki to his couch while the other two curiously followed the twins that were wearing the middle school uniform. I stood at the entrance awkwardly, actively trying to avoid Kyoya's eyes.

"Perhaps I should leave, I was merely curious about the host club's activities. I don't think I'm interested in any of the hosts." I explained politely, still avoiding eye contact with the youngest Ootori son.

"Well, that's a shame. Maybe you'd change your mind if you try it just once." A small boy with blonde hair and hazel eyes remarked cutely to me.

I looked at the small boy, curiously. He cutely smiled at me while holding a stuffed bunny rabbit in his arms, he blinked at me with his big hazel eyes and bounced on the soles of his feet.

"Hi! My name is Mitsukuni Haninozuka! But you can call me Hani if you want!" he reached out his hand for me to shake.

A Haninozuka. I heard that their family owned the best dojo in all of Japan. Their prized technique passed down through the generations. If my memories serve me right, Mitskuni should be the heir of the family.

I smiled at his adorable facade and took his hand. "A pleasure Hani-senpai. My name is Akane Hinode; I'm in class 1-A."

Hani gave me a winning smile. "You're in the same class as Kyo-chan and Tama-chan, right?" He cutely asked me.

His personality certainly doesn't match the Haninozuka family's archetype. He's very interesting.

I delicately hid my mirth at Haninozuka's fond nicknames for Suoh and Ootori. "Yes, that's correct."

"That's great! I think you should stay for a little bit and try some cake with me!" he exclaimed happily.

"Right Takashi!" he looked up behind him at the taller boy with dark hair and an indifferent face.

"Yeah." The taller boy replied.

"This is Takashi Morinuzuka! But everyone calls him Mori!" he referred to him enthusiastically.

So this must be a member from the branch family. A Morinuzuka.

Judging by his silent demeanor, he fits the description.

I smiled at the taller boy with short dark hair. "It's nice to meet you, Mori-senpai." I gave him a polite bow.

Mori nodded his head at me in acknowledgment. I returned the gesture and mildly contemplated Hani's offer.

As I contemplated, without thinking I looked in Kyoya's direction again. My eyes met Kyoya's. He gave me another knowing smile that made my heart once again palpitate abnormally.

I really needed to see a doctor about this. It might be fatal.

I looked away then turned to look back at Haninozuka and gave him a genuine smile.

I mean… What's the harm of eating one slice of cake?

It should be alright?

"If you don't mind Hani-senpai, I would be honored to try some cake with you."

"Great!" Mitsukuni Haninozuka enthusiastically dragged me to his and Takashi Morinozuka's couch, proceeding to chat animatedly about different types of cake flavors and other berry toppings and whatnot, Mori silently following behind.

I subtly looked back to Kyoya. He smirked at me knowingly then proceeded to jot down on his black notebook.

I can feel myself getting mildly annoyed at his knowing smirk.

His blasted 'I won the lottery smirk'

Why am I doing this to myself again?

It's just cake. Afterward, I'll never visit again.

Three weeks later

I kept visiting the host club regularly after my first visit, I became one of Morinozuka and Haninozuka's regulars and had grown fond of their club activities.

It was honestly just another pastime.

Just for the sake of alleviating my boredom. Nothing more.

I laughed at Mitsukuni's cute antics every time I visited, and Morinozuka's straight one-liners had been the metaphorical icing on the cake.

I loved every minute of it.

But it had to end at some point.

If I keep this up, it might turn into something I might regret later.

It was an easy decision for me to make, unfortunately, a glaring reminder of my grandmother's words presented itself to me in the form of a letter sent from France.

My grandmother emphasized that I should excel at everything, including maintaining the highest rank in social standing at my school and a lot of things I already know I need to do.

I can't be doing this.

If I continue on this road, I might not want to turn back.

So, I stopped going.

.

.

.

But for whatever reason, something manages to pull me back in.

Sometimes Seiko and the girls in the class would force me to accompany them again. Out of responsibility to keep up appearances, I would oblige.

Other times, it would be one of the girls from one of my extracurricular activities that would drag me to the host club.

Unfortunately, the host club grew popular with the ladies over time, that it became an actual challenge to avoid.

I was half determined to actively avoid it as much as I can.

It's just a bit of fun, I would tell myself.

It's relatively harmless.

.

.

.

Well, what grandmother doesn't know won't hurt her.

I couldn't help myself. I felt right at home beside an animatedly excited Mitsukuni and a stoic Takashi across from me.

I might as well enjoy my time here. I mean it's just to alleviate my boredom is all.

Plus it helps me keep up with my social standing.

I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

A month or so later

"Aka-chan, I think you should see Kyo-chan today!" Mitsukuni exclaimed happily.

My heart fell down to my stomach. I think I'm cursed.

Akane gave Haninozuka a dubious look. She clenched her book closer to her chest before asking, "Why is that Hani-senpai?"

Mitsukuni gave her a big grin. "I'm accompanying Takashi to a Kendo meeting today; I'm heading there right now!"

Hani-senpai. Why are you doing this to me?!

I have the absolute worse luck.

"Maybe I should skip this host club meeting today if that's the case." I smiled at Hani politely.

"You're already here! It'd be troublesome if you had to walk back cause we're not here for just one day, yeah?" Mitsukuni pushed me to Kyoya's couch to emphasize his statement.

My heart skipped an actual beat.

"Hani-senpai!" I replied in alarm as we approach Kyoya's couch.

"You should give Kyo-chan a chance to woo you, Aka-chan!" Mitsukuni whispered only for me to hear.

I gave Mitskuni Haninozuka the dirtiest look on earth.

"I'm not a dum-dum Aka-chan. Takashi and I can see. Life is too short! Live it while you can, okay?" He giggled at me.

"Why do I get the feeling that you timed this on purpose, Hani-senpai?" I whispered back at him. A look of betrayal on my face.

He smiled back at me and prompted me to sit at Kyoya's couch.

My cheeks flushed at the sly suggestion of the small Haninozuka. I gave him a nervous glare only for him to dismiss it.

"I insist! See you later, Aka-chan!" With one final gentle push from Hani, I found myself in front of Kyoya Ootori.

"Take care of her, Kyo-chan!" Mitsukuni quickly ran away, waving eagerly to me and Kyoya, hurriedly leaving the music room.

I nervously avoided Kyoya's eyes to calm my rapidly pumping heart. Kyoya smirked up at me and gracefully stood up to make room for me on his couch.

I tried my best to appear graceful as I plopped myself beside him, I carefully tucked a loose hair strand behind my ear as I softly glance at his face. Kyoya noticed my soft but nervous gaze directed at him, he calculatingly pushed up his glasses, and politely smiled at me.

"Excuse me; I'll go ahead and make us some tea if you don't mind." Kyoya stood up and slightly bowed at me.

I faintly smiled at him. "I don't mind at all, Ootori-san. Thank you."

"Not at all Hinode-san, and please, call me Kyoya." Kyoya smiled politely then walked off to the tea room.

I felt my face warm. I might be getting a fever.

I need to get out of here. This is exactly what I didn't want to happen.

Kyoya came back with a tray of two cups and a slice of cake.

"Ootori-san, my apologies for the inconvenience that this must've cost you." I bowed apologetically.

"Not at all Hinode san, it is my pleasure to talk with you." He replied and gave me a polite smile. He gestured for me to take the cup of tea and promptly sat down next to me.

"Thank you for the tea, I enjoy chamomile." I smiled back.

"Of course, anything for our lovely guests." He smirked and continued to type on his laptop.

Well, how in the hell am I going to excuse myself from this situation now? I could just make a run for it.

I glance back to the exit.

It's an easy run, it would just be a quick sprint, or rather a brisk walk to the door.

That would be rather unladylike…. I need to leave with some ounce of dignity within me.

Well… I might as well make small talk.

I'll figure something out.

"So Ootori-san, Um… What did you actually think of that book I gave you?" I blurt out. Internally slapping my forehead on the inside.

Kyoya looked back at me as he carefully pushed up his glasses.

"I thought it was an interesting piece of literature to read for someone that adamantly denies romance."

Is that judgment I detect in his voice? Is he judging my research?

"I don't deny marriage, I just think romance is a fantasy created by people who need entertainment." I quickly pointed out.

He raised his eyebrow at me delicately.

"So you dont believe in love?"

I hide my smile behind my fingertips.

"It's just a chemical reaction is it not? A chain of hormones that activate in the brain, necessary for human survival." I replied back.

He smirked at my response.

"Scientifically, maybe." He looked back at me in amusement and continued writing on his black notebook.

I purse my lips at his response.

What is that supposed to mean? Are you implying something else?

"What about you? Do you believe in love, Ootori-san?"

He glanced back at me briefly, his glasses glinting at the sunlight.

"I'm not completely opposed to the idea." he smiled politely.

I held back from smiling at him and settled on breaking eye contact for a brief moment.

Well… that's an interesting response.

"Really?" I questioned in slight disbelief, as I look back at him.

He closed his notebook shut.

"Yes, my sister Fuyumi would lecture me about a lot of different things, including my love life. She would tell me about hers and how genuinely happy she is about it. It was quite endearing." he politely smiled back.

Interesting...

"Is she not just happy about her life in general? That doesn't mean that it's love that makes her happy." I asked.

"You're probably right, it's not just love, but love is responsible for the majority of her happiness." He replied back.

I stared back at his grey eyes, his eyes swimming with a depth of emotion. Mainly amusement at my questions at him, no doubt, but slight intrigue perhaps within them.

"How would you describe it then?" I asked back.

His face showed a slight tinge of amusement.

"Describe what?" he questioned.

I watch his eyes change emotion with each question I ask him. It was truly a magnificent sight to behold.

"Love?" I asked back.

My heart started racing, as I watch his amused smirk grace his face. The way he looked back at me made me feel all control in my body suddenly leave without warning.

What do you call this feeling? Nervous perhaps?

Why do I feel so nervous? My hands feel clammy.

"I'd say, it starts out with a spark." His voice lowers to a lilt.

I notice him move closer like a predator to a prey towards my general direction.

"Umm…" I gulp nervously.

"Intensity." he whispered as he gingerly tucked a few loose strands of my hair behind my ear.

I'm frozen in place.

I can't move my limbs.

.

.

.

I need to escape!

Why won't my legs respond?!

"Tension," he added as he stared into my eyes.

His hand traveled down to my chin making me tilt my face up in his direction.

I didn't think it was possible to have a heart attack at my age, but my heart is racing so fast that I might actually have one right at this moment.

I can't break away from his gaze. His eyes currently conveyed something unfamiliar, they looked darker than they usually are... Intense, perhaps?

"Wouldn't you agree?" he whispered at me with a half-raised eyebrow, as if challenging me to disagree.

I need to pull myself together and snap out of it! I will not allow myself to fall for his tricks!

I mentally slapped myself hard across the face to snap out of his gaze.

"Oh look at the time!" I looked down at the non-existent watch on my wrist.

Smooth Akane…

Real smooth.

.

.

.

"I just remembered, I have to be somewhere at this time! Thanks for the tea, Ootori-san." I quickly blurted out to make up for my idiocy.

I stood up and made a beeline for the exit.

"feel free to visit me anytime you want Akane-san!" he called out to me.

I bit my lower lip.

He's probably smirking at me right now.

"Alright, Kyoya-san... I meant Ootori-san! Goodbye!" I quickly replied, closing the doors behind me.

.

Breathe.

Exhale.

.

.

.

I'm doomed...

A few weeks later

After that whole fiasco. I couldn't bring myself to go back.

I know now that Kyoya Ootori is not good for my sanity.

His eyes are too expressive for his own good. His lips are made out of magic because they never fail to make me feel weak when he smiles at me. His voice sounds better than an experienced orchestra, for it alone can move me from one place to another.

I hate him.

He makes me feel like a teenage girl.

I mean, since when did he start acting smooth like that?!

Tamaki definitely turned him into my heart problems, that's for sure. I need to actually go see a doctor because of him!

Two voices broke me out of my musings for a moment, not realizing that I've walked a few corridors away from my classroom.

I saw Kyoya with what looked to be his older brother with him. They were casually walking down the halls away from the courtyard. Kyoya's older brother looked to be disappointed at him, as Kyoya forcefully maintained an illusion of indifference.

Why does this keep happening to me!?

Right when I thought I'm going to avoid him for sure! Here he comes with his annoying frown on his face.

I couldn't help myself. I hid behind a pillar away from their line of sight, to catch snippets of their conversation. Something about Kyoya starting a host club and something along the lines of 'wait till father hears about this.'

Ugghh! This is none of my business!

I really shouldn't interfere.

I peaked out to see Kyoya's face. He looked indifferent, with an underlying hint of frustration by the way he clenched his notebook to his side.

His slight frown is what made me react without thinking.

I came out of my hiding place and approached the two with confidence.

"Kyoya-san! Congratulations on getting the top marks this year." I smiled politely at him and his brother.

Kyoya's older brother looked momentarily surprised but quickly changed his demeanor to that of politeness.

"Akane-san, thank you for your kind words." Kyoya politely smiled.

I smiled at him and briefly looked into his eyes. A look of subtle relief and a hint of 'I can take care of this, back out please' reflected back at me.

I smile internally. Great! This should be fun!

"Allow me to introduce my older brother, Akito Ootori." Kyoya politely presented.

I smiled softly at Akito and slightly curtsied. "Pleasure, Akane Tonnerre Hinode. Kyoya's friend."

I noticed Kyoya's smile falter slightly at the mention of my full name.

Akito looked slightly taken aback but proceeded to put more effort into his polite smile.

"Tonnerre? The pleasure's all mine." Akito took my hand and placed a gentle kiss on top.

Perfect response from the second son. Just as expected.

"Tell me, how did you meet my dearest youngest brother?" Akito emphasized the 'youngest' in his question.

My eyebrow twitched a little from his remark.

I gave him my most charming smile. "Well, I met him through class and became friends with him through the host club that he's involved in."

Akito's polite smile slipped momentarily, but he immediately caught himself just as quickly. Kyoya's brow twitched at my blatant lie but continued to maintain his composure in front of his older brother.

"Oh?" Akito questioned curiously.

Kyoya saw my smile widen just a little as I charm my way through this conversation.

"Yes, Kyoya captured my interest with his wit that I just couldn't resist being his friend. Now I know why my father likes to have dealings with Ootori-sama, his charm is apparent." I gave Akito a winning smile and subtly winked at Kyoya.

I noticed him give me one of his signature smirks. As if on cue, I felt my cheeks heat up a few degrees higher but tried to maintain my slipping composure gracefully.

Akito glanced subtly at Kyoya in deep thought but then looked back to me to smile and chuckle politely.

"I'll be sure to pass that on to my father then," Akito replied and smiled at me cheekily.

I returned Akito's smile and tilted my head demurely.

"Be sure that you do Ootori-san!" I replied.

He politely smiled at me forcefully.

"Congratulations again Kyoya-san." I playfully wink at Kyoya then returned to Akito to smile cordially.

"Well, I must be going now! It's a pleasure talking to you, Ootori-san, Kyoya-san."

"The pleasure is mine Hinode-san," Akito replied back.

I slightly bowed and glanced at Kyoya before briskly walking away, he gave me one of those heart-pounding smirks again.

Damn him.

I rushed to the nearest empty classroom to calm my racing heart.

What did I end up doing?!

I think I'm actually insane. I think there's something wrong with my head.

Why did I do that?!

.

.

.

Oh god… I really am doomed.

I sat on the floor and looked up at the ceiling.

God help me.