Hi everyone, it's been a while. I got caught up in school and gahhh. _ So sleep deprived now and no time and just bleeeh it sucks.
Big thanks to GlassyTheRosePen for beta-ing this chapter! :D It would be in way worse shape than it is now if it weren't for her. And thank you for reading, following, favoriting, or reviewing!
JadeCrispy: Thanks for your continuous support! :D Maybe I'll write a bit about Emi & Chiharu's past.
Neon Wish Likes Pine Trees: Aww, thank you for reading and reviewing! :)
BizzyLizy: Lol thank you for reviewing every time!
Lotti: Yes, the Ryuu arc is... coming. XD Haha thanks for being patient with my lack of character development. And thank you for reviewing! ^-^
Rabbit: Ahh, thanks for this really good feedback! :D Yeah, I still don't know what Ryuu's love situation may be... It's hard to imagine him with a guy (maybe in the future?), and I don't want something too cliche either. Why do you think he should hook up with a guy OC? Thanks for reviewing!
This is a pretty long, transitional chapter. I hope you still enjoy it!
"Good morning, my darling children!"
Emi's bedroom door was flung wide open early in the morning.
"Ugh," Emi grumbled, rolling over.
"Wake up, now! Today is not the day to sleep in!" their mom came over and began shaking Emi. "Come on. Ryuu dear, get up now. I can't believe you're still sleeping with Emi. Your friends already left, and you two are still sleeping. Come on now."
"Wait, what?" Emi sat up, blinking against the blinding sunlight pouring through her windows. "Hikaru-kun and Kaoru-kun already left?"
"Yes. They left a long time ago," her mom replied.
Aw crap! I didn't get to thank them, Emi thought. She glanced around the room and spotted Ryuu's phone lying on the bedside table.
"Noooo," Ryuu said as he pulled a pillow over his head. "Sleep."
"Today is the start of Obon, Ryuu dear. We need to go visit our family's grave before the reunion," his mom said, while Emi reached over her brother to grab his phone.
"Who needs a reunion twice a year?" Emi asked, dropping back onto the bed and flipping through Ryuu's contacts until she found the Hitachiin twins.
Their mom sighed and finally stepped towards the door. "Get up now. Betrand-san is already cooking your favorites."
"Berty's here?" Emi sat up again.
"Yes, along with Akimi-chan."
"Ryuu, did you hear that?" She poked her brother. He rolled away, grumbling incoherent words.
"Hurry up then," their mom said one more time before disappearing out the door. Emi sighed and grabbed her own phone to add the Hitachiin twins into her contacts.
Should I call them or message? If I message, I don't have to worry about them not having the time or anything, but I feel like it's more personal if I say it compared to using text. Ryuu might get mad if I call them though. No. I told him he had to stop being so overprotective. I'll call them then, after breakfast.
But now there's another concern: Who do I call? It should be Kaoru-kun who helped me the most, but what if Ryuu starts thinking I have a crush on him? I'm not over Fujioka-kun yet, how could I already be crushing on Kaoru-kun?
Emi poked at her food.
"Something wrong, Emi-chan?" Akimi asked.
"No," she said.
"What are you thinking about?" Ryuu said, eyes barely open as he drank some strawberry milk.
"Nothing," she said.
So I should call Hikaru-kun, then, right? He is the older twin. I'm sure if I tell Hikaru-kun, he can relay my message to Kaoru-kun. But somehow that doesn't seem very polite of me. Maybe I should just call them both?
Emi sighed.
"Really, what's the matter, dear?" her mom said.
Crap. "Nothing. I'm just tired."
Ryuu met her gaze. Oh great, is he gonna be all nosy now? But he didn't say a word and instead looked away.
After breakfast, Emi changed her clothes and then sat on her bed with her phone in her hand. Okay. Let's call someone. You know what, I'll just flip a coin. Heads is Hikaru-kun, tails is Kaoru-kun.
Emi pulled out a one yen coin and flipped it. Upon lifting up her left hand, she found a heads facing her. Hikaru-kun it is.
"Hello?" a voice greeted her after a few rings.
"Um, Hikaru-kun?"
"What is it?" Hikaru said. "Who is this?"
"Uh, it's Emi," she said.
"Oh. How'd you get my number?"
"I took it from Ryuu's phone. Uh, I was just calling to, um, thank you-"
"For what?" he said.
Why does he sound so scary? She licked her lips and swallowed. "For yesterday. You guys left too early for me to say so, so-"
"Oh, it's fine. Is that all?"
"Uh, y-yeah."
"Okay then. Bye-"
"Wa-Wait! Make sure you tell Kaoru-kun too!"
"Tell him what?" Hikaru asked.
"Th-That, um, I said thanks. For yesterday. For helping me out," Emi said.
"Oh. Sure. Bye then."
"Bye. Thank you."
Click.
What the- Why was Hikaru-kun so scary? Emi stared at her phone, at the 0:32 blinking beneath Hikaru's name. Is it cause it's morning? Or did I do something? Or is he just always like that on the phone?
"Emi! Come on." Her bedroom door swung open. "We're leaving."
She tucked her phone away and stood up. "Okay."
"It looks like your brother got here before us," Mrs. Mazawa said as the family stood in front of the Mazawa gravestone.
"Eiji always was a fast one," Mr. Mazawa said, smiling at the polished stone and the offerings. Emi knelt to lay down a bouquet of flowers, while Ryuu placed the incense. Then they all clapped their hands together to pay their respects to their ancestors and the deceased.
"Will we come back to look at the lanterns?" Emi asked.
"Tomorrow, dear," her mom said, squeezing the girl's shoulder.
"And the bonfires?" Ryuu said.
"Of course we'll come to watch that," their dad said. "We have a family reunion today, though, and lots of things to get done before then. So let's get to work."
One of those things included house cleaning. And although the twins only needed to clean their own rooms, it was the part they abhorred the most.
"Good thing most of our stuff is in Tokyo," Ryuu said as he dragged the vacuum into his room.
"Oh God yes," Emi replied, thinking of last year when she had to put away all her manga. After cleaning their bedrooms and helping light incense, they sat down for lunch.
"I need to run to the hospital real quick," their mom said during the meal. "So, you two need to put on your kimonos by yourselves, okay?"
Oh great, Emi thought, sharing a frown with Ryuu.
"And I'll be heading to the Old House first," their dad said.
"You can ask Akimi-chan for help, but try and do it yourselves, okay?" their mom said.
"Fine," the twins said in unison with a sigh.
"Remember to set off at two."
"Don't be late, my dears!"
"This. Is. Impossible," Emi said through gritted teeth as she tried to put the kimono on. "Honestly! Nobody wears kimonos these days! Everyone just wears yukatas! And they look just. As. Good!"
"Plus it's too hot for kimonos," Ryuu joined in.
"I know! It's summer! Who in their right mind wears kimonos during summer?"
"Right? I don't get-"
Ring! Ring! Ryuu twitched at the sudden sound coming from his phone.
"Who is it?" Emi asked, peeking through her bedroom door into Ryuu's.
"It's Hikaru," he replied with a frown and accepted the call. "Hello?"
After a while, Ryuu said, "What? No. I'm busy right now… I'm not an idiot! Besides, the way you said that- Okay, fine! I'll get someone. Geez." Scowling, he lowered the phone and stomped out of his room.
"Akimi-nee-chan!" he called down the stairs. "Can you check the room that the Hitachiins were staying in?"
"What happened?" Emi said.
"Apparently Hikaru left something in the room," Ryuu said as he lifted the phone back to his ear. "There. Happy now? Are you gonna send someone over to get it?... Oh shut up!... Okay, bye."
Emi stared at her brother with raised eyebrows.
"What?" he asked, still frowning. His cheeks were flushed.
"Nothing," she said, smiling and turning away.
"What?"
"Nothing. Akimi-nee-chan! Can you help me here?"
"Coming! Oh and Ryuu, they left some DS game," Akimi said as she reached the second floor.
"Oh of course." Ryuu rolled his eyes. "Stupid Hikaru. Who's the idiot now?"
"Don't be so rude to your friends." Akimi handed the game to Ryuu.
"That's just how he expresses his affection, Akimi-nee-chan," Emi said from within her room.
"What? No it's not!"
Emi giggled.
"Yes, yes, don't fight you two," Akimi said, entering Emi's room. "Now what did- Oh goodness, I thought you knew how to put on a kimono."
"As if. It's way harder than you'd think!"
"Okay. Okay. I'll help you out then."
About an hour later, after the Mazawa twins had finally gotten their kimono on, the doorbell rang.
Ding-dong!
A pair of twin maids stood smiling at the doorstep. "Hello! We have come to retrieve what Hikaru-sama left here."
Ryuu sighed and stood from where he sat in the kitchen. "This is so hard to move around in."
"As if you can be talking," Emi huffed. "It's so hard to breath in this. Akimi-nee-chan, you tied it too tight."
"No I didn't. Look at how good your posture has become."
"Cause it's so tight, I can't slouch!" Emi said, pouting as much as she could. "Or breath!" She sucked in some air.
"Here." Ryuu held the game out to the maids. "That's what he left right?"
"Indeed!" the maids said at the same time.
Creepy! Damn who knew those twins would have maids as twin-like and as creepy as themselves? Creepy. Creeeeepy!
"Thank you very much!" The maids swept down in a bow. "Hikaru-sama will be most delighted. Good-bye then!"
Everything… in unison! Their expressions, their words, their actions. How is that even possible? It's like something straight out of a manga!
Ryuu watched with wide eyes as the maids disappeared into a car and drove away.
"Let's go, Ryuu," Emi said, pushing him out the door. "Time for the family reunion."
The Old House was a nickname dubbed by Emi and Ryuu's dad. It was an old Japanese-style home that the head of the Mazawa family lived in. When Seiichi took over from his father, however, he decided to move out into a more modern home.
Emi and Ryuu both could see why their father didn't like the Old House. Lots of servants were needed to maintain such a large and ancient building.
"Excellent posture my dears!" Mrs. Mazawa said, giving the twins a brief hug. "Now prepare to greet everyone, okay?"
Excellent posture my butt, Emi thought. It's so uncomfortable like this. I can't slouch at all!
Ryuu frowned and mumbled something under his breath that sounded a lot "This is worse than the Host Club."
Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, second cousins, first cousins once removed, and even great-grandparents all came and greeted the current head of the family.
"Mi-chan!"
Emi looked up from smiling at one of her little cousins to see a girl with long brown hair waving at her.
"Nozo-nee!" Emi grinned and hugged the girl. "You bleached your hair."
"Yeah, it was for work," Nozomi Mazawa replied, hugging Emi back with a giggle. When she pulled back, she smiled at Ryuu, standing nearby with a small frown. "Hi Yuu-chan!"
"Don't call me that!" Ryuu said. He scowled and turned away.
"It's really pretty." Emi let a strand of the dark brown hair run across her palm. "What movie is it for?"
Nozomi held a finger to her lips, smiling brightly. "Sorry, but it's a secret. I'll just tell you that I'm playing the main character's good friend."
"You're no longer a crowd character?" Emi asked, eyes widening. "Awesome, Nozo-nee!"
She chuckled. "Not really."
Even though she's only two years older than me, she's already such a famous actress! Emi thought. It's so cool! When I'm her age, I'll just be a plain high school third year.
"Oh!" Nozomi turned around and waved at someone within the crowd of aunts and uncles. "Ken-kun, come here!"
A young man with wavy hair and glasses stepped around, a sheepish smile on his face. "Um, Nozomi-chan-"
"Come meet my cousin!" Nozomi grabbed the guy's arm and pulled him forward. "Ken-kun, this is Emi, my father's older brother's daughter. Basically, she's probably gonna be the next head. And Emi, this is Kenta Hasegawa, my boyfriend."
Emi's jaw dropped. "Kenta-Kenta Hasegawa?!"
Nozomi grinned. "Yes! You know who he is right?"
"That-That-" Emi clapped two hands over her mouth to keep from letting out a fangirl scream. Kyaaaaaa! No way. Kenta Hasegawa?
"You were - You're Uchi's voice actor aren't you?" Emi asked, bouncing on her feet.
Kenta flushed and nodded. "Yes."
"Ahh!" Emi began shaking her cousin by her arm. "Oh my God, Uchi's - oh my God. Can I have your autograph?"
"Eh?" Kenta chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Um, it's not like I'm famous or-"
"But Uchi! Ahh, I thought his voice was so cute! I can't believe it's you. Oh my God." Emi grabbed Ryuu's arm and began shaking him too. "Uchi! Uchi's voice actor. Right there, in flesh!"
Ryuu pulled her hands off. "Okay, okay. That's great. Who's Uchi anyway?"
"He's the main character in my favorite BL manga!" Emi said.
"Not-Not so loud, please," Kenta said.
"And he's the super cute uke!" Emi continued anyway.
"Okay, pull your fangirling down, like, ten notches," Ryuu said. When his sister still had an ecstatic expression on her face, he said, "Make it like a thousand notches."
"Move it," another voice said. "You're in the way."
What a cliche line! Emi thought. Sounds just like a seme! Then she turned and frowned. "Hideo-kun."
Ryuu wrinkled his nose and scowled. "Don't be rude to Emi."
"You're in the way," he said, pushing Emi aside. "I'm hungry."
"Hideo, don't be so rude to Mi-chan and Yuu-chan," Nozomi said with a frown herself.
"Shut up, nee-chan." He headed towards the snack table set up before dinner.
"Nasty personality as usual," Ryuu said.
"Don't mind him too much." Nozomi smiled. "He doesn't really get along with anyone. Not even my Ken-chan!"
Ryuu raised an eyebrow at the sight. If he doesn't get along with his sister, how could you expect him to get along with his sister's boyfriend?
They spent another hour or so mingling and chatting with their relatives. Once dinner was prepared, they headed into the huge meeting room, set up with tables and cushions. After everyone was seated, the servants came in, carrying the first dish of the five-course meal.
"Now then," Seiichi said after taking the first bite. "Who has an exchange?"
The Mazawa family had two annual family reunions. They were less for fun and more for business. Only during family reunions could members of the Mazawa family exchange land and property among each other, unless there was an emergency.
Each exchange was discussed prior to the reunion, so that when the time came, the parties involved merely had to announce their exchange to the family head.
"I would like to exchange my building 829 for Ayumi-san's land 23," Eiji said.
"Ayumi-san," Seiichi said. "Do you approve of this exchange?"
"Yes," Ayumi said with a nod.
"What are your reasons?"
"Eiji-san's building will be an excellent addition for my company," Ayumi said.
"And I would like to dabble in a bit of land management myself," Eiji said. "Perhaps I'll build something there."
"Very well. I approve."
People say that Dad shouldn't approve them all, Emi thought, as she ate while listening to the next exchange. But isn't it better this way? Letting people have what they want. Usually an exchange benefits both parties anyway.
Ryuu, on the other hand, was glaring at the traditional sitting posture his feet and legs were currently in. God I hate this. My legs are falling asleep already. Why do we have to sit in this stupid traditional way anyway? Everybody just sits criss-cross nowadays. And this is so damn annoying and boring. Why does everyone in the family have to sit witness over these exchanges? At least there's food.
The exchanges were over by the time they'd finished dinner.
"I would like to thank everyone for coming today," Seiichi said. "And I'd also like to give my blessings to Umeki-san for your engagement. Congratulations." He smiled at his younger cousin. "Now does anyone have anything else to say?"
When the room replied with silence, he said, "Then, I call this reunion to an end."
"Can't believe summer's ending," Ryuu said with a sigh. He was lying on her bed with his head hanging off the edge.
"Yeah," Emi said, lying normally with her head on the pillow. Her eyes were closed.
"I still haven't done my summer homework." He sighed again.
"Same." She sighed with him. "Crap."
"Shit."
"It's crap, Ryuu."
"Means the same thing. Shit."
Whatever, Emi thought. "At least we'll get to see Fujioka-kun and the rest."
"Really? I'm dreading that part the most."
"That's just cause you don't want to face those girls."
"Ugh, and Tamaki said he already thought up some plan to get me over my fear. Isn't hosting good enough?"
"Of course not. You're just practicing how to flirt. Like that, you'll just become a big flirt who can't touch girls."
"That doesn't sound too bad."
"What?" Emi sat up. "That sounds terrible to me."
"Why? It's not like you're the one who can't be touched."
"That's not it." She dropped back down with another sigh.
After a brief moment of silence, Ryuu said, "I don't want summer to end."
"Same."
"Ahh! I've missed you two terribly! My lost son and my dear niece!" Tamaki hugged the Mazawa twins tightly.
"Niece?" Emi asked, pushing Tamaki away to escape his death grip. Ryuu, however, was frozen from being hugged by a guy. Tamaki continued to hug him, picking him off the ground and twirling in circles.
"Le-Let go of me!" Ryuu finally screamed, smacking Tamaki on the head.
"Ow!" Tamaki released Ryuu and clutched the top of his head. Tears were already forming at the edge of his eyes. "That hurt, Ryuu!"
"Don't just hug me however you want!" Ryuu yelled at him. Tamaki whimpered and then crawled over to his depressing corner, to mumble and cry.
The rest of the Host Club - plus Emi - stood and watched Tamaki, who'd occasionally glance back at Ryuu while doodling on the ground with his finger.
"You better go apologize Ryuu," Emi said quietly.
Ryuu scowled, crossing his arms. "Why? He-"
"He was just expressing his affection for you. He missed you," Emi said.
"Well, gee-" Ryuu looked up at his sister and saw her eyes wide and sparkling. "What are you thinking now, Emi?"
"Eh?" She turned to him, grinning. "Nothing. Don't worry about it, just go and apologize." She pushed him towards Tamaki.
Yes. Renge-chan sure was right! Emi thought as she gazed off into the distance. Ryuu and Tamaki… Why haven't I seen this ship before? Ahh yes, of course it'd be TamaRyuu. Although Tamaki makes a swell uke himself, I'm sure he'd make a splendid seme as well.
Ryuu was sure that Emi was fantasizing some odd and disturbing… thing, involving Tamaki and himself. He could only trudge over to the second-year though and poke the back of the guy's head.
No wait! Perhaps, the TamaRyuu ship is actually a switch! Yes, that would make lots of sense. Ryuu could also be a seme. Now that I think about it, RyuuKao is a relatively popular ship too, so I suppose he could be a seme. Well, I personally prefer the HikaHaruKao ship. Emi sneaked a glance at the Hitachiin twins and Haruhi, who were chatting off to the side. Yes, that ship is golden!
"Come on, Tamaki. I'm sorry I hit you," Ryuu said, poking Tamaki's head continuously.
"You're sorry?" Tamaki turned his head, tears still glimmering in his eyes.
"Yes, yes." Ryuu rolled his eyes. "Quit moping."
"Did you miss me then?" Tamaki slowly rose.
"No."
The blond dropped back to the floor. "My-My dear son didn't miss me?"
"What's with you and this stupid family thing? And why is Emi the niece anyway? Who cares if I didn't miss you? It's cause you're always so stupidly annoying-"
"Ryuu, will you stop it?" Emi asked with a sigh. "Be more considerate of his feelings."
Ryuu frowned, eyebrows wrinkling as he pondered her words. He stared at Tamaki who was now even more depressed than before, then glanced at Emi, who said, "Put yourself in his shoes for once."
His frown deepened while considering the idea. "I'm sorry, Tamaki. Fine. I missed you." He could immediately feel his cheeks heating up.
"Really?" Tamaki sprang back up, eyes lit with life again. "Haruhi! Haruhi, did you hear that? Ryuu missed me!"
"That's great Senpai," Haruhi said, barely sparing him a glance.
"Gah! Forget I ever said that," Ryuu said and ducked away.
What a tsundere, Emi thought. His ears were red.
"Anyway," Ryuu said, folding his arms over his chest again. "What was your grand plan?"
"Oh yes!" Tamaki snapped his fingers and the twins wheeled out a board with papers tacked on it. "I call this… Operation Save Ryuu!"
"You make it sound like I'm dying," Ryuu said. Emi giggled.
"So, for this month, the Host Club will be starting a special game!" Tamaki said.
Game? Emi seized up at the word. Sounds fun!
"Sounds terrible," Ryuu said, earning a light smack on the arm from Emi.
"You see, this is a game for our guests. Once a week, the guests will be given a chance to answer a question about the Host Club. This can range from a particular Host's interests, family, and any such information."
"So you're basically testing each guest's stalker level?" Ryuu said. The Hitachiin twins giggled.
"Stalker level?" Hikaru said with a smirk.
"What's that?" Kaoru said, matching his brother's expression.
"How much each guest has stalked a Host. If you stalk enough, you'll know a lot about that person," Ryuu replied.
"Anyway," Kyoya said, pushing his glasses up. "If a guest answers the question correctly, she will be given the opportunity to have physical contact with a Host. Our usual policy does not allow for much skinship, thus this will be a rare chance for guests." He smiled.
"Let me guess, to answer a question, they have to pay like a million yen?" Ryuu asked with a straight face.
"No, no. How could we do that to our guests?" Tamaki said.
"What kind of physical contact is it?" Emi said. "Like-Like up to kissing? On the lips?"
"Oh-ho," the Hitachiin twins said, exchanging grins.
"Why, Emi-chan," Hikaru said.
"If you wanted to kiss one of us," Kaoru said as the two leaned closer.
"Just say so," Hikaru said.
"As if!" Ryuu said, shoving their faces away from Emi.
She smiled. "Then maybe I will someday."
"Eh?!" Ryuu paled at the words, but she ignored him and instead turned to Kyoya for the answer.
"Kissing on the lips is not on the list," Kyoya said. "It depends on the difficulty of the question. For example, an easy question will earn a handshake. A medium-level question will earn a hug. And a more difficult question earns a kiss on the cheek."
"So we're all a part of this?" Haruhi asked.
"Yes." Kyoya nodded.
"Wait!" Tamaki raised a hand. "Haruhi too? I thought it was just-"
"It'd be odd if it was just Ryuu," Kyoya said. "We don't want it to become known that he has a fear of women. Therefore we will all be participating."
"Sounds fun!" Honey said, beaming as usual. Mori nodded.
"We're fine with it." The twins grinned.
"Same here," Haruhi said.
"O-Okay," Ryuu said. "Since you guys already went through so much trouble of thinking this stupid plan up."
Emi clapped a hand on his shoulder. "You could just say thank you."
"Sh-Shut up!" He flushed and turned away.
He's turning more and more tsundere-like. How annoying.
"Well, Tamaki?" Kyoya asked. "We're only waiting for your approval."
Tamaki had a shocked look on his face. "B-But Haruhi- Kissing another girl-"
I see. Tamaki-senpai has a crush on Fujioka-kun. No wonder there are so many TamaHaru fans. But Fujioka-kun seems to be unaware of this. Ah, the classic dense heroine. How fascinating.
"Come on, Tono," Hikaru said. "It's not like she hasn't kissed another girl before."
Tamaki turned even paler. He looked down at his feet and said, in a very small voice, "Fine."
"Then this plan shall be instituted today," Kyoya said. "We'll start with easy questions, Ryuu, and get you used to shaking hands with girls."
"Okay."
As the group broke off to prepare for the day's event, Haruhi approached Emi. "Hey, Emi-chan. Are you really not mad?"
"Eh? Mad?" Emi blinked at the girl. "About what?"
"For not telling you I'm a girl," Haruhi replied.
"Oh. No, of course not!" Emi smiled. "You couldn't tell me because if anyone found out, you'd be expelled, right?"
"Huh?" Haruhi tilted her head in confusion. "Uh, no, it's not that drastic."
"Eh? But aren't you enrolled here as a guy?"
"No." Haruhi pulled out her student ID and showed it to Emi. "As a girl."
"Eh?!" Emi's jaw dropped open, and she pointed at the ID picture. "Fujioka-kun! So-So cute! You make such a cute girl! Why aren't you a girl?"
Haruhi wrinkled her eyebrows. "I am one."
"No, I mean, why'd you cut your hair? Not that I don't mind your super cute appearance now- I mean-"
Haruhi smiled. "Gum got stuck in my hair so I cut it."
"Oh."
"I'm glad you're not mad though," Haruhi said, putting the ID away.
"I could never be mad at you, Fujioka-kun," Emi said, giggling madly.
"Hey, hurry up, Haruhi," Hikaru said.
"We're opening up soon," Kaoru said.
"Okay, coming."
"Here's your question Aki-chan," Renge said, hosting the game. "What is Ryuu-kun's least favorite color?"
Akiko Sano's eyes widened and she grinned. "Orange!"
"Why is that a question?" Ryuu mumbled, standing at the front next to the other hosts.
"Correct!" Renge grinned. "You just earned a handshake with a chosen host."
"I pick Ryuu-kun then." Akiko skipped towards the said host and held her hand out.
"Hey Aki," Ryuu said, taking her hand and shaking it. Ahh. Don't think about it. I'm just shaking her hand. She won't suddenly try and kill me or anything.
Akiko smiled. "Hey Ryuu-kun. Ahh, I'm so glad I can shake hands with you."
"Okay, that's enough," Kyoya said, stepping forward when Akiko wouldn't let go of his hand. "Next person."
She sighed and released his hand. "That was fun!"
I don't think I can handle hugs. Handshakes are already kinda freaking me out, Ryuu thought. He was starting to sweat from shaking so many girls' hands, and his breaths were long and forced.
He found Emi standing amongst the crowd. She met his gaze and smiled at him. How refreshing. Yes, Emi's here. I'll be okay. I'm just shaking a girl's hand. That's no biggee.
"Emi-chan's turn!" Renge said. "Here's your question: Which class is Kyoya-sama in?"
"2-A," Emi replied.
"Correct! Pick your host!" Renge gestured to the hosts lined up.
Emi tilted her head in thought. Right now… the person who I want to touch the most is Kaoru- Eh? She glanced over at a certain auburn twin. Kaoru-kun? Why him? Why not Fujioka-kun? Um-
"Emi-chan?" Renge said, eyebrows raised.
"Uh, Ryuu then!" Emi said and rushed over to her brother. She took his hand and shook it, giving it a brief squeeze as well. "You're doing a good job, Ryuu. Keep it up." She smiled at him.
Ryuu relaxed immediately from her touch, and a blissful smile appeared on his face, remaining even after she'd let go of his hand and moved on.
Emi went to pace in the back of the room. Kaoru-kun. Why Kaoru-kun? Am I already over Fujioka-kun? How fast!.
"Hey Emi," Sumiko said, approaching the girl. "I just shook hands with Kyoya-senpai. Actually, I've always kinda admired him. He's pretty cool. But, seriously, I can't believe Ryuu's gonna stay for another month. What's going on with this whole family situation thing?"
Emi stopped pacing to look at her friend. "It's… complicated. And I don't think I can tell you."
"Oh. Okay." Sumiko then smiled. "So why'd you pick him instead of Haruhi?"
"He looked a bit bored, so I thought I'd go and say hi. I can pick Fujioka-kun next time." Emi sighed. Why Kaoru-kun? Don't tell me I'm-I'm-
"That's all for today!" Renge said, twirling on the stage. "Come again tomorrow, everyone!"
And the girls began to disperse.
:)
Thoughts? Please share! They really help me out when I'm writing. Did you like the cousins? Was the family reunion unnecessary/tedious? Thoughts on the Host Club's method of having Ryuu overcome his fear? Thoughts on Emi's development involving Kaoru? Anything is good! :D
Thanks for reading!