Hikaru tried not to grimace as he watched the rising sun through the backseat of his limo. He really tried not to.
Unfortunately, after Kaoru yawned for the fourth time that morning, he let his displeasure be known.
"I just don't see why we have to be up so early, on a Sunday, to meet Mom at the airport. We never pick her up," he muttered indignantly.
"Hikaru," Kaoru chided sleepily, "she said she wanted us to meet one of her new associates. We're hosts, it's natural that she would want us to entertain her guest."
"Fine," the older twin stated, straightening his tie for the umpteenth time since they had risen that morning. "But I don't see why it has to be so early."
Kaoru leaned against the car frame, trying desperately to find a comfortable sleeping position. "It's an international flight, they probably left some time last night. I bet they'll both be tired enough to want to go straight to sleep, which means we can go back to bed once we're home."
The vehicle came to a halt as it pulled into the airstrip's parking spaces, stopping close to where the plane would land. Once it landed, they would drive up to the jet and pick up the passengers.
The twins sat in silence for a few minutes until the low rumblings and screeching of a nearby jet could be heard. Both boys looked up through the window, sitting up quickly to straighten out their outfits.
They wore simple black slacks and a white button down, one with a crimson tie, the other with cerulean. Whoever this new associate of their mother's was, they must be special to warrant being introduced to the twins.
As the sleek black jet, baring the Hitachiin name on the side, came to a halt, the limousine moved forward. Moments later, stairs unfurled from the jet and both boys stepped out of the vehicle, stopping just outside of it. Crossing their arms over their chest, they both leaned against the vehicle in identical poses.
"Geez, mom sure does take forever," Hikaru muttered. His younger brother nodded, his eyes trained on the door of the jet, waiting patiently for it to slide open. The sooner it opened, the sooner they could leave and go back to bed.
A moment later, the door was opened by the flight attendant and their mother stepped out of the jet, large sunglasses perched on her delicate face. Yuzuha strode down the steps, an impressive feat considering the height of her heels, followed by a large man in a black sweater.
Hikaru and Kaoru exchanged glances, surprised at their mother's guest. Earlier conversations had led the two to believe that someone closer to their own age would be joining them. They shrugged simultaneously. Someone older was less likely to want to be carted around by two teenage boys. Less work for them.
"Missy, love, get out here!" the man said, turning back towards the plane after taking only a few steps down. He looked rather impatient and somehow doting when he spoke, as though dealing with a child or pet.
"Do you think he brought his dog?" Hikaru asked, scratching his head in indecision.
"Maybe, I head Americans always travel with their pets," Kaoru answered mildly. "Though he doesn't sound American . . ."
Kaoru trailed off as he noticed a third silhouette emerge from the plane.
"Well that's certainly not a dog."
Kaoru could only nod in response as his mouth went dry.
A girl, whom the boys guessed was named Missy based on the older gentleman's comments, stepped out of the shadows of the plane. She was dressed simply in a pleated skirt and white button down.
She peered around the door almost hesitantly, but as soon as she saw the skyline her entire face lit up. Confidence exuded from her entire frame and a smile graced her features as she found herself hurrying down the stairs. "Come on, Myles! Are we going to be on these stairs forever?" she chirped at the older man, causing a grin to form on his unshaved face.
"Ah, there you are galubchik, I was wonder where my little star was hiding," he teased back gingerly, grinning at the girl standing behind him.
The two laughed as they rushed to catch up with Yuzuha who was already at the bottom of the steps to greet her sons.
Yuzuha threw her arms open widely, just feet in front of the waiting car. "Hikaru, Kaoru, come hug your dear mother and meet her newest associates!"
The twins exchanged fleeting glances before stepping forward simultaneously to embrace their mother. Even if Hikaru was still annoyed with their mother, he knew better than to voice his grievances in front of other members of the industry. After all, appearances were very important in their world.
"How was your trip, mom?" Kaoru asked as he released his mother, his gaze flickering from his mother to the people just a few feet behind her.
"Oh it was very lucrative, but I am happy to be back home where the cuisine is a bit less greasy," Yuzuha offered brightly.
With those words, the older woman stepped back, turning her attention to the girl and the older man.
Hikaru, who was the first to remember the essence of their host training, stepped forward and took the girl's hand in his own, kissing her knuckles. "What an honor it is to meet such a beautiful young lady. Truly, the cherry blossoms in spring couldn't compare to you," the older twin said sweetly. The twins were trying their best to impersonate Tamaki, much to their internal displeasure. Sweet romantics just didn't suit their nature, but they figured they should at least attempt to be suave and welcoming.
"Truly, such beauty is to be admired. But to know beauty, we must know it's name. What is your name, beautiful flower?" Kaoru asked, taking the girl's free hand in his own. Truly, Tamaki should be proud of this display of fake adoration.
The twins, used to swooning after their lavish compliments, were surprised by the brunette's blank look that she gave the two of them.
Hikaru glanced at his brother. She is American. Maybe she doesn't speak Japanese?
Kaoru nodded, as if agreeing that the only reason the stunning girl in front of them wasn't responding was because she simply didn't understand the words.
"Let me try again," Hikaru stated, switching to English. Sure, he wasn't particularly comfortable with the language since he always struggled with languages, but he was sure he could get the point across. "Sweet flower, your name is beauty and we must know it?"
Kaoru had to suppress a snicker at his brother's poor grammar. The idiot had a very loose grasp on the complexities of the english language.
Myles was the next to laugh. "Flattery won't get you far with this one. This little thing has heard every sweet word in the book and she still hasn't swooned." All the Japanese words had flown over the Russian's head, but when he heard the stilted english come from one of Yuzuha's twins, he knew exactly what they were after.
Sensing Hikaru's impending embarrassment based on the blank look the formerly cheerful girl, (That Kaoru still figured was named Missy) Kaoru came to his brother's rescue. He dropped her hand gently before bowing at the waist, allowing a sincere looking smile to grace his face. "We are the Hitachiin twins, Hikaru and Kaoru, and we are pleased to make your acquaintance. Would you prefer to use english during our interactions?" he asked politely.
The blank look from Missy's face disappeared as she shook of the other twin's grip. "I'm pretty indifferent. My Japanese is a little rusty, but I could use the refresher if I'm going to live here for the time being."
"Well that's good to know," Kaoru stated, switching back to his native language. "Would you tell us your name?"
"Missy Preston."
Both boys looked her up and down discreetly, as if sizing her up.
And unfortunately, they could find no flaws. She really was quite pretty, with shiny dark hair, smooth skin, and a trim figure.
"So tell us, Miss Preston," Hikaru asked silkily while straightening his collar. "What exactly do you do for our mother?"
"She's a model," Yuzuha cut in cheerfully, tired of being in the background of the conversation. "And potentially the new face of our label."
Hikaru look back at Missy questioningly, a look which she returned archly. She didn't like the way the boy was looking at her, as if he was preparing to pass judgement.
The older twin mused darkly to himself. "She's pretty, I guess, but she doesn't look like anything special," he stated with a careless shrug. He turned to his twin who was staring at him with a look of disbelief.
"Hikaru! Apologize immediately!"
"What my brother meant to say-"
"I know what he meant," Missy cut Yuzuha and Kaoru off while Myles looked between each person in utter bewilderment.
She shot Hikaru a level gaze before continuing. "Of course I don't look like anything special. I'm just a person, after all. What else would you expect?"
Hikaru squirmed slightly under her eye contact while Kaoru sighed in relief.
She's not going to be bullied by Hikaru, that's for sure, Kaoru thought to himself. Missy's deadpan and direct response reminded him a bit of their newest host club member. "So, Missy, how long will you be in Japan with us?"
Missy slid a glance over to Yuzuha, unsure of how to answer the question. "It depends," she said, her gaze traveling back to Kaoru.
"On what?" Hikaru asked, having recovered from the embarrassment of his earlier outburst.
"On a number of things," she said casually. She looked over towards the parked limousine, wondering when this conversation would end and she could finally get in the vehicle.
Yuzuha must have noticed the girl's look because she quickly motioned to the chauffeur who came around to open the doors, ushering each person inside. "You must be exhausted from all the traveling, darling, so we should head home and sort all the details out later."
Hikaru's eyes flickered to his brothers. Did she say 'home'? As in, our home? Kaoru shrugged in response, holding the black door open as Missy slid inside. Flight attendants had been busy for the last Fire minutes unloading the cargo from the plan and placing it in the trunk of the vehicle.
Once everyone was seated inside, Missy seated next to Myles and across from Yuzuha, and the twins lounging on the same row as their mother, the group took off, headed for the Hitachiin manor.
A/N: Believe it or not, this chapter has actually been done for awhile. Sorry about that. I'm so grateful for all the reviews and follows, and I'm honored by your comments. I'm sorry for the late update, and I will be better in the future.
-Wri