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Otaku's Melody: Haha yeah the title is misleading. And no, I don't think I will be updating my fictionpress stories anytime soon. Hopefully though. :) And I put some more humor in this for you. Thanks for the continued support!
This is a much longer chapter than usual, so I hope you all like it! :)
"Good evening, Emi. Good evening, Ryuu."
"Hey Dad," the Mazawa twins said.
"What are you calling for?" Emi asked.
"What, I can't call just to hear your voices?" he said in a teasing tone. "But you're right, Emi, I am calling for another reason."
"So you did want to hear our voices?" Ryuu said. The two lay side by side on their stomachs on Emi's bed with her phone in front of them.
"Of course. Now do you know about the apartment complex we own in Azabu?" their dad said.
Ryuu's jaw dropped. "You mean the most expensive residential area in Tokyo? The place where a bunch of celebrities live?"
"Yeah," Emi said. "What about it?"
He glanced at her. "How'd you know we had a building like that?"
Emi looked back at him. "Mom and Dad gave me a huge stack of papers a while back with information on all our property on it."
"What?" Ryuu turned to the phone.
"Sorry, Ryuu," Mr. Mazawa said with a chuckle, "but I figured you wouldn't be interested in reading that. Did you read all of it, Emi?"
"Only a few pages," his daughter said.
"Good. Keep reading it. And Ryuu, if you'd like a copy, I can send one over."
"No thanks." Ryuu turned away with a quiet harumph and sticking his nose into the air. "Sounds boring."
"Well, we've been renovating this building," Mr. Mazawa said, "and we'll be opening it to the public for renting. We'll be hosting a party there for prospective residents and neighbors. Would you two be interested in coming?"
"What would we do?" Emi said.
"Just stand around and look pretty?" Ryuu said.
"Well, you'll get to see how business works," their dad said. "It's an excellent opportunity to network and meet some wealthy and powerful people. "
Ryuu perked up. "So we'll get to meet famous celebrities? And get their autographs?" He said.
"Of course not," Emi said to him, then to her dad, "So we don't do anything?"
"Just observe and learn," Mr. Mazawa said. "The party is this Sunday at seven. There will be refreshments. Just tell me your decision before Saturday."
"Okay."
Emi had always wondered why her parents believed she'd be the next Mazawa head. Shouldn't it be Ryuu? Since he's technically the first son. Now that I think about it, Nozo-nee said before that I'm most likely going to be the next head too. But why? Cause I'm the oldest child?
But my kids won't have the Mazawa surname. They wouldn't really be able to surpass me. So it's logical for Ryuu to be the next head, or maybe even Hideo-kun.
The next day, Emi approached Hikaru during the break between classes while Ryuu was in the bathroom.
"Hikaru-kun, are your parents expecting you to take over the family business?" she said.
He glanced at her, and Kaoru turned in his seat as well.
"What is it?" Kaoru said. The twins exchanged looks.
"I think we're both taking it over," Hikaru said. "Why?"
Emi stared at her desk and shrugged. Then she smiled. "I was just curious, since you're twins. Although considering your mother's occupation, there's no problem if two people succeed her. What does your father do?"
"He works for a computer software developer," Kaoru said. He leaned an elbow on the desk behind him. "What's going on, Emi?"
She looked at his earnest eyes. "Now that I think about it, you two took your mother's last name huh?"
But if my kids did that, my husband would have to be of, like, lower status than me. Or like his surname would have to have less power and meaning than mine. And the Hitachiins - no. What am I thinking? Did I just think if I married Kaoru-kun-
Emi stopped all thoughts, burying her face in her hands to hide the blush.
"Emi," Kaoru said quietly. She lowered her hands and saw him watching her with his head resting on his elbow. "You know you can tell me anything right?"
She bit her lip and stared at him. Then she nodded. "I know."
The warning bell rang and Ryuu ran in. He dropped into the seat next to her with a sigh. "I hate this school and its identical hallways." His head slid onto the table.
"Did you get lost again?" she said. "It's already September, Ryo. Don't tell me you're still gonna get lost the day before we graduate."
He groaned. "I hope not."
When the bell rang once more and their teacher walked in, Emi looked up from Ryuu as Kaoru turned around to face the front.
We're being too obvious, she thought. We'll be discovered like this sooner or later.
The girls still didn't confront Emi on Tuesday either. After the Host Club had closed for the day, she spent some time with Kaoru.
"What is going on?" Tamaki asked, crouching beside Hikaru and Ryuu. "How did this happen? Why is this happening?" He flailed an arm in the air, gesturing at the couple seated at the opposite side of the room.
"It was bound to happen sooner or later," Ryuu said.
Hikaru sighed. "Yup."
"But- How? Why? What?" Tamaki sputtered, gazing with wide-eyes at the two.
"I think it's nice," Haruhi said with a smile as she slung her school bag over her shoulder.
"Haruhi, how can you say that?" Tamaki said. "Our family is falling apart! Your brother is dating your cousin?" When Haruhi's face turned blank and unamused, Tamaki turned to someone else. "Kyoya-mommy! Say something."
"I have no problem with it," Kyoya said, scratching something into his black notebook.
"Well I'm gonna go," Haruhi said and waved good-bye to the other Hosts.
"Bye Haru-chan!" Honey grinned. Hikaru waved from where he sat, while Kyoya and Mori nodded at her.
"Good-bye my dear daughter Haruhi!" Tamaki said, twirling over to her. His arms reached out to pull her into a hug but she dodged his attempt and soon slipped out the door.
"Haruhi!" Tamaki dropped to the ground.
"Shouldn't them dating be a good thing for you, Tamaki?" Ryuu said. "Since it means you have one less rival."
"Rival?" Tamaki glanced at Ryuu. His eyes were teary. "Rival for what?"
"For Haruhi's affections. Duh," Ryuu said. Hikaru's face darkened.
Tamaki stared at Ryuu, a slight pout still on his lips. Then he blinked, and his face lit up. "You're right, my dear son!" He jumped up and clasped Ryuu's hands. "There's a bright side to everything!"
"I don't even get why you don't like the two of them in the first place," Hikaru said, waving at Kaoru and Emi. They were talking quietly with their gazes locked on each other. "They're… not a bad pair."
"Oh, even Hikaru admits it," Ryuu said.
Hikaru rolled his eyes. "If Kaoru likes her, then what can I do about it?"
"I don't dislike the two of them," Tamaki said, glancing at the couple. "It just…" He blanched and clapped his hands on his cheeks, sinking to his knees. "It happened so quickly!"
"Ah so he's just in shock," Hikaru said.
"Now try and imagine how we feel," Ryuu said.
"Tama-chan, we're leaving now!" Honey said, poking Tamaki in the back of his head. "Isn't it time you left too?"
Tamaki sprang to his feet. "Yes, you're right, Honey-senpai! I'll be leaving too." He snatched up his school bag and left the room with the third-years.
On the other side of the room, ignoring all the commotion, Emi said to Kaoru, "It seems like my parents want me to take over my dad's business, but it doesn't make sense since Ryuu's technically their first and only son."
"Do you not want to take over?" Kaoru said.
She shrugged. "I don't think Ryuu's interested in it, but I doubt he wants to be a doctor and take over my mom's hospital either." She glanced at Kaoru and smiled. "It's nothing really, Kaoru-kun. You don't have to worry about it."
He smiled back. "Okay." Then he looked away and scratched his cheek with a sheepish chuckle. "It's just that it'd be nice if you'd confide in me more."
"Okay." Her smile widened. "Make sure to confide in me too."
"Yeah."
Meanwhile, Hikaru sighed, slumping next to Ryuu. The room was now empty except for Kyoya who had begun to pack up his laptop, notebooks, and pens.
"This is gonna be a pain in the butt from now on," Hikaru said. The two sat so low that only their shoulders and heads were against the couch back.
"Yup," Ryuu said, nodding. "How do you feel, Hikaru?"
"What do you mean?" Hikaru said, staring straight ahead.
"Like, are you happy for him? Or are you jealous?"
Hikaru sighed. "It's complicated."
Ryuu sat up straight and glanced left at his companion. "So you're not all happy and joy and yay for him?"
The other Hitachiin twin ran a hand through his hair and turned away from Ryuu. Then in a quiet voice, he said, "How could I?"
"Wow." Ryuu stared at Hikaru some more. His face was blank, but there was a sullen look in his clouded eyes. Ryuu sank back down. "So you are human."
"What does that mean?" Hikaru glanced over. "Idiot."
"Jerk," Ryuu said, but it lacked the usual animosity.
Wednesday passed as tranquil as the two days before it had. Emi relaxed. The girls hadn't found out, and they weren't ever going to. Every Host had bestowed a kiss by the end of the day. Ryuu had taken forever, with his eyes squeezed shut as he inched closer and closer to the girl, who stood with her own eyes closed and a grin on her face. Hikaru had grown impatient and finally pushed Ryuu into her.
Ryuu's face was red after that, and the girls squealed. Tamaki veered from the rules and kissed a girl on the forehead. The Hitachiin twins did it with a smirk. Haruhi was very professional about it, planting a quick kiss on the cheek. Kyoya enjoyed cupping the girl's chin and leaning in with a smile. Honey jumped up to peck the girl's cheek with a grin, while Mori was swift and smooth.
It was truly a sight to see.
Emi blushed herself, although the hosts, aside from Ryuu, didn't bat an eye at their actions. The guests were the direct opposite, swooning and screaming everywhere. The Hitachiin twins plugged their ears at one point, and even Honey's smile wavered.
Sumiko giggled. "I wonder if they're regretting this now."
"I sure hope not," Emi said.
Ryuu had developed a habit of collapsing on the nearest couch the moment the guests left.
"Emi, I gotta go," Kaoru said, grabbing his schoolbag. He kissed her on the cheek with a smile. "What are the Saturday plans thus far?"
"Plans?" Emi said, trying to think while her brain cells died from happiness.
"Do you want me to plan the date?" he said.
"Oh." She shook her head. "No, no, let me do it."
"Okay." He grinned. "Make sure you come to the Host Club tomorrow, okay?"
Emi tilted her head. "Why?"
"It's a special day," he said, holding a finger up to her lips. "We're dressing up."
She smiled. "Okay. Don't worry. I always come."
"Good." He nodded. "See you tomorrow, Emi."
Emi waved. The smile didn't leave her face even when she returned home and called her dad to tell him that she'd be there on Sunday.
Emi studied with Sumiko and Akiko at the library after school, during the usual Host Club set up time. Sumiko and Akiko ended up heading off first while Emi finished her last math problem, returned a book, and dropped by the bathroom.
Emi realized that it'd been a bad decision when she climbed up the stairs and was greeted by four familiar girls.
You have got to be kidding me. Her heart sank at the prospect that she wouldn't be able to fulfill her promise with Kaoru. With a sigh, she stood in front of the girls and said, "What is it now?"
The first girl, who Emi had discovered was Megumi Enomoto, smiled. "We want to talk, Mazawa."
"Wow," Emi said. "I never would have guessed."
The second girl, Kaede Yasuhiro, frowned. "I thought it was obvious though."
"She's just being sarcastic," the third girl said. Yuko Nishi.
And the fourth, the one who was absent last time, was Haruno Asari. The girl who's famous amongst the guests for her HikaKao lemons. Darn it. I was a fan of her works too!
"What do you want to talk about?" Emi said, crossing her arms. "I need to be somewhere soon."
"This shouldn't take long," Megumi said, "as long as you're honest with us." She stepped closer, and Emi backed into the railing by the stairs. She leaned in with narrowed eyes. "Tell me, what happened between you and Kaoru?"
"What do you mean?" Emi said, keeping her face as controlled as possible. Inside, however, her stomach twisted. No no no. If they knew - if they knew - they would have come to me sooner. Not now. Not so late in the week!
"You know what I mean," Megumi said.
"Look, it just feels like something has changed between you and Kaoru," Yuko said.
"And for something to change," Kaede said, "something has to happen, right?"
"Or something doesn't happen, like the absence of an event," Emi said.
Kaede squinted and stroked her chin. "But that's still something happening."
"Is it?" Emi said, and Kaede frowned.
"That's not the point here," Megumi snapped, glaring at Emi. "We know something happened. What is it?"
Emi licked her lips. "Nothing happened. I don't know what you're talking-"
Megumi grabbed her by the front of her dress and shook her. "Don't lie to me! Just spit it out already."
"Nothing happened!" Emi shoved the girl back with enough force that Megumi crashed to the ground. Emi gasped. "Sorry! It's just-"
Haruno helped Megumi up, frowning. "You went too far, Mazawa!"
Crap! Shit! Like oh shit! Emi gaped at them. Was this a trap? Were they trying to make me get physical or something? Like-
Megumi brushed Haruno off and stomped towards Emi, who backed further away.
"You think you're great, don't you?" Megumi said. "You think you're great because the Host Club likes you and you've got great friends and a cute cousin who loves you and a rich family!"
Emi raised her eyebrows. Tears streamed down Megumi's face. "I don't- What are you-"
"You think you're better than me, don't you?" Megumi said. "Well, you're not!" Then with both hands, she reached out and pushed Emi.
"Wait-" Emi's hands shot out, trying to grab something, but she was tumbling down the stairs.
Her breath caught in her throat. Emi watched Megumi's eyes widen and the color drain from her face. She watched Megumi grow smaller. Her feet tangled with themselves as she stumbled down a few steps. Then she caught the railing and stopped herself after a few seconds.
Emi let out a sigh. Megumi stood frozen at the top of the stairs. What in the world is going on?
Emi moved her right foot forward to walk back up the stairs when pain shot up her leg. She winced and crumpled to the ground, clutching her right ankle. Oh. Oh God. Shit! You have got to be kidding me. Seriously? And yet I mock all those pathetic shoujo heroines who always get their ankles twisted at the most inconvenient times.
Well, this isn't too inconvenient. It's not like I'm running away from some creeper, and then I trip and twist my ankle, and the creeper's about to reach me so the hero has to show up to save me.
Yeah. At least I'm not that bad. Emi pushed herself up with the help of the railing. The three other girls had their arms around Megumi now, talking to her as she sobbed.
"Megu-chan, why'd you do that?"
"Are you okay?"
"Did something happen?"
What the hell? It looks like I pushed her or something with the way she's acting.
"Emi?"
Emi looked further up and down the hallway. Kaoru stood there in a Okinawa-style kimono and a sash tied around his forehead.
"There you are," he said, hurrying closer without a glance at the girls huddled to the side. "What's taking you so long? You missed the welcome."
And shit. Times ten. God, I shouldn't cuss so much, even if it is in my head. Emi smiled. "Sorry, I had to return a book."
He smiled and held out a hand. "Well what are you waiting for then? Hikaru and I chose today's theme."
"Oh really?" Emi's smile faltered when the girls looked at them and their voices hushed. Megumi's sniffles had stopped. Kaoru stared at Emi, who still hadn't moved from where she stood on the stairs, and then at the girls at the side.
He sighed, dropping his hand, and turned away. "Fine. Come on."
While he was facing the other way, she quickly limped forth onto the next step. Ow. Ow. Ow my God this hurts like hell! Like holy smokes and sheep and cows and pigeons and whatever animal exists in this bleeping world, this hurts so much! Emi bit her lip and pushed her way up.
"What happened to your foot?" Kaoru said, now staring at the girls to their left. He turned around and looked her in the eye. There was only one step left. "Emi."
Megumi started sniffling again, and he glanced at them. "What did you guys do?"
Haruna shook her head with wide eyes, hugging Megumi close to her chest. "We didn't-"
"Please, Kaoru-kun," Emi said, trying to catch his gaze, "don't."
"Don't what?" he said. There was an edge to his voice, and a darkness in his eyes that Emi had never seen before.
Oh my God. Is he pissed?
"Just-" Emi held out her hand. "Please?"
He stepped forward and took it, helping her over the final step. "What happened?" He said in a low voice. He wouldn't let go of her hand. When she looked down and bit her lip and still didn't say anything, he leaned closer, trying to look her in the eye. "Emi, please. You said you'd confide in me."
Ugh. She swallowed, refusing to look at him. One look and everything will come out.
"Why are you protecting them?" he said in a whisper. "Let me help, Emi."
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Her throat was closing, and she could feel herself tremble. She shut her eyes.
"She-She pushed me first!" Megumi pointed at Emi, while her friends whisper-yelled at her, trying to silence her.
Emi opened her eyes in time to see Kaoru narrow his at Megumi. "What did you do?" he said, letting go of Emi's hand to step to her.
"You can't trust her, Kaoru," Megumi said, though she shook and backed away from him. "She-She's a liar!" She bumped into the wall behind her, and Kaoru smacked his hand on the wall.
"What did you do?" Kaoru said, seething and leaning close.
Kabe-don! Why is Megumi Enomoto getting a kabe-don from Kaoru-kun before me? Emi thought, mouth dropping open. That's not really important right now, but still! Kabe-don!
"Why do you like her?" Megumi was crying again. "Cause her family's rich? It's cause her family's rich, right?"
Kaoru frowned but straightened up and removed his arm. He glanced at Emi then back at Megumi. "It's nothing stupid like that." A light blush dusted his cheeks.
"Wait." Haruna's mouth dropped. "No way."
"Kaoru-kun," Emi said with furrowed brows and a small pout.
"Sorry," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, but he didn't look at her. "Did they push you down the stairs, Emi?" He turned and stepped back towards her. The moment Kaoru made room around Megumi, her friends rushed to her side, resuming their huddling.
"It's fine already," Emi said. The tears didn't seem fake. Megumi's sobbing was too miserable to be fake. "Let's just go."
Kaoru nodded, then glanced at the girls. "I'll keep quiet about this," he said, "but if you come near Emi or say anything about this, you'll never step foot in the Host Club again."
Haruna and Kaede nodded. Megumi was too busy crying into their shoulders to say a word. Yuko rubbed the girl's back and shot Kaoru and Emi a look. "Just leave us alone," she said.
Kaoru shrugged and held out his hand. "Guess it's time we leave then."
She took it and limped forward. He pulled her arm over over his shoulder and wrapped his arm around her waist. And so they walked at a snail's pace towards the Host Club.
Ow. Hurts. Pain. Motherbleeper this sucks!
Kaoru watched Emi's face contort from pain again and again. He stopped when they reached the end of the hallway. "Okay, I'm going to carry you," he said.
"What?" Emi said, and shook her head before he could make another move. "No. No. It's okay. I'll just call my house, and Berty will come and pick me up."
"You won't come to the Host Club?" he said.
"I-" Emi looked at the ground. "I don't think I should."
He stared at her for a while before nodding. "You're right. You should get to a doctor. Then let me give you a piggy-back ride."
"It's okay, Kaoru-kun," she said.
His face fell and his gaze turned to the ground. "Do you not trust me?"
That's what I should be saying. Emi thought, biting her lip. Shouldn't you be the one hating me cause I'm causing you so much trouble?
"Of I course I trust you, Kaoru-kun." Emi said.
He looked up at her. "Then why wouldn't you tell me anything?"
She opened her mouth, blinked a few times, and then closed it. She stared at her shoes. "The thing with bullies, Kaoru-kun, is that if you tell on them, it gets worse. Or the people who try to help you end up getting hurt too."
"Well I'll make sure that doesn't happen," he said, reaching over and taking her hand. She glanced up to see Kaoru smiling. "But you have to tell me before I can do anything about it."
"No." Emi shook her head. "You don't get it, Kaoru-kun."
"Are you scared I'll get hurt?" He squeezed her hand and leaned closer. "That's not going to happen, Emi."
He spoke with such conviction that she almost believed him. Ugh, he's way too good for me. How did this even happen? She bit her lip and nodded. "Okay," she said.
"Okay?" he said. "You'll tell me if something like this happens again?"
"This is the first time," she said, "and they spoke to me twice before this."
Kaoru nodded. "Okay." He let go of her hand, threw open the closest classroom door, and grabbed a chair, pulling it over. He helped her over to the seat and then crouched in front of her. "Your right foot, right?"
"Eh?"
Kaoru slipped her shoe off and then took off the sash wrapped around his head.
"Wait," Emi said, leaning forward. What if my feet are stinky? They aren't normally stinky, but if they sweat a lot they'll smell. Oh my God, please don't let them smell.
"Just sit still and call your house," Kaoru said, "but I can't guarantee how good this will be." He chuckled and tied the sash around her foot to hold her ankle in place.
Emi pulled out her phone but didn't dial the number. She stared at Kaoru instead. Okay. It looks like my feet aren't stinky. He hasn't made a face or like grimaced yet, and it doesn't seem like he's breathing out of his mouth. But, on to a more important topic. She swallowed. "Are you mad?" she said.
He finished the knot and looked up. "Not at you," he said. Then he tilted his head, considering. "Well, maybe a little, since you wouldn't talk to me."
"You don't hate me?" she said.
His eyebrows furrowed. "No. Why?"
She glanced down at her hands in her lap. "I'm troublesome, Kaoru-kun. I attract mean girls and trouble like rotten bananas attract fruit flies. It's okay if you want to-"
He chuckled, and then started laughing. Emi looked at him, watching while his giggles subsided. "That's some simile," he said, smiling at her as he stood up. He held out his hand. "Don't be stupid, Emi. It'll take a lot more than trouble to make me hate you."
She took his hand, and he pulled her to her feet. "Shouldn't you be getting to the Host Club?"
"Call your house, Emi," Kaoru said with the same smile.
"Okay." She glanced at her phone and dialed the home number. She picked up her right shoe, and they began making their way back down the hallway, towards the school's exit. Akimi picked up, and Emi requested a car with as few words as possible.
The moment she hung up and tucked her phone away, Kaoru scooped her up in his arms.
"Wah!" Emi grabbed onto his kimono. "Kao-Kaoru-kun! Put me down! This instant! Please."
He smirked and skipped down the steps. "Sorry, Emi, but I hate to see that look on your face."
"What look?" she said, glancing at him. His words distracted her momentarily from the fact that she was hanging above the ground in someone's arms. Even if it's Kaoru-kun, I still don't like this!
He looked at her when they'd reached the first floor. "The look of pain you have whenever you use your right foot."
Emi's face burned. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close. "Please don't drop me then," she whispered.
It was a good thing the path to the main door wasn't long. It was a better thing that the hallways were empty. When they reached the doors, he set her on her feet. Oh God. What if someone saw that? Oh we are so screwed. She tried to rub away the heat in her cheeks.
"You should head back, Kaoru-kun," she said. "They're definitely missing you."
"You'll be fine from here?" he asked. The driveway where the cars pulled up was a couple feet away.
She nodded. "Berty can help me, so don't worry. I'll be fine." She adjusted his kimono, tightening the sash around his waist. "Thanks, Kaoru-kun." She smiled.
"Don't mention it," he said, smiling back. Then he kissed her on the forehead. "Make sure to get that foot properly bound and set."
"Okay."
He took a step back then turned around with a grin. "Oh and don't you dare suggest we break up so easily ever again, Emi."
Then he was gone.
A few notes: Azabu is a real place, thank you Google. The kimono that Kaoru is wearing is actually in the manga. The entire Host Club in kimonos (yes mmhm ;D) can be found in chapter 46. The outfit and timeline fit so well with the plot lol.
Please share your thoughts on this chapter! :)
Thank you for reading!