Chapter 6-
"Have you decided on a name?" Kyoya asked.
"No, not yet" Hana admitted, "It's more difficult than I thought"
It was Tuesday evening, three days after Hana and the Host Club's trip to the beach. She was at Kyoya's for her tutoring session, and had taken Sakura along, who was now fawning over the stray, unnamed cat.
"Sis!" Sakura complained, "How can you not think of a name? You're the smartest person ever!"
"Ummm" Hana said hesitantly, and Kyoya coughed back a laugh, "I think we should go home now, right Sakura? Tutoring's done, and you've seen the cat, so.."
"No" Sakura said stubbornly, "Five more minutes"
They stayed for six, and just before they left, Kyoya added, "And Hana, please don't forget what I told you"
He was referring to the conversation they'd had after their tutoring session. It went like this;
"There's been an onslaught of rumors about Takeugi-sensei" Kyoya had said, "All from female witnesses. They say he's, well, to put it blandly, a pervert"
"Hmm" Hana said, "From what I know, girls in this school tend too overreact over the slightest thing. If a man over thirty even looks at them, they freak"
"True" Kyoya agreed, "But there's too many- too many to be false. And most of the complaints have come from trustworthy witnesses"
"By trustworthy" Hana interrupted, "Do you mean actual trustworthy, or trustworthy as in they've had dealings with the Ootori group?"
"What, it can't be both?" He grinned, and Hana forced her heart to slow down, "No, they are indeed trustworthy. And it's all similar things- looking in the changing room when they're changing for gym class, inviting female students alone in his office for 'extra worksheets', in which he breaches their personal space- the list goes on"
"Okay, first" Hana began, "Why do you know all this? And second, if this is so bad, why not file a case and report it?"
"To answer your first question, the Host Club fans tend to turn to the Host Club for reassurance and comfort" he answered, "So we get most of the schools gossip before the worlds most effective gossip monger can. And as for your other question, a few witnesses- no matter how many- is not enough evidence for the school to press charges. We need more. We need to catch him in the act"
Hana felt sick, "So basically, you're saying we get an innocent girl to play bait"
He stayed silent, but his expression said everything.
"What the hell?" Hana had demanded, trying to keep her voice level, although there was a tinge of shrillness in her voice, "No. This is... This is wrong. I thought better of you, Kyoya"
Something had flashed across his expression, something like remorse, "It's the best way"
"No, it isn't! We're risking an innocent here!"
"I'll have it under control"
"No you won't! What can you do, throw maths equations at him? You're asking a minor to go up against a grown man, a suspected perverted grown man! What is wrong with you?"
"Hana, calm down. Think about it, okay? It's the only way we can protect the girls. Right now, he's on a trial. He isn't a fully instated teacher; it'll be easier to get him kicked out of the school now, especially if we slam him with strong evidence"
Now, it was Tuesday, and everyone in her class was talking about the Culture Festival that was happening. It was the minor one, which meant that it was restricted to the school grounds. There were many complaints about this, but most shut up when Kaoru and Hikaru said that it sounded awesome. No one in the class argued with them.
"So Haruhi" The twins asked, "What do you want to do?"
"I don't know... I guess, a sports competition? We could all do things like the three legged running, or the egg and spoon race"
And just like that, that was what they were doing for the festival. Hana sighed. She was, in no shape or form, sporty. She wasn't peppy and optimistic and she definitely didn't shout things like 'Fight team, fight!' But she had a feeling that Haruhi was going to force her to participate.
And just as she'd guessed, Haruhi did, signing her up for the archery segment. Of course, since this was Ouran Academy, it had spiraled from Haruhi's innocent idea into something extravagant. Hana was inwardly wary that she'd be shooting a moving robot or something else nuts, like say, a pirate ship. Although, she reflected, it would probably be easy to shoot a ship, since it was such a large target.
"Damn these rich people" Haruhi muttered as they walked over to the Host Club after school. It had become sort of a ritual for Hana to spend ten minutes there before rushing over to pick up Sakura, "I can't believe they took my idea of a typical sports day and ruined it!"
"Neither can I" Hana replied, "But don't you think you've raved about it enough? You haven't stopped grumbling about it all day"
"It's just that I really wanted to have it" Haruhi sighed, "It's always fun. People unite over their sports and get really into it, and... I don't really see that in this school. Yes, people are friends, but those friendships are like business transactions. The only time I've ever seen people unite in this school is when the Host Club is in session and they're fangirling over Tamaki or something..."
"Have you tried to explain this to Hikaru and Kaoru?"
"Yeah, and Tamaki too, but they don't understand. They've never had anything like this done before and... Never mind. I'll try to let it go. Anyway, we're here"
With that, she pushed open the doors.
A week passed. Hana and Kyoya were halfway through their month of fake-dating, and most of Hana's class had spent the time preparing for the sports festival. Because this was Ouran academy, these things could be organized in a flash, so after the fastest planning Hana had ever seen('We're agreed on the food?' 'Yep, but add some deserts') It was the day of the Sports Festival.
It was also the last day of Takeugi-sensei's trial period. After today, he'd be a fully instated teacher, and it would be harder to file evidence against him. Even he seemed to notice that, and the rumors of the perverted teachers stunts grew smaller and smaller, but never really disappeared. It was like he was laying low until he was instated, so he could get away with more. It was almost like a wolf, waiting on its prey, yet in Hana's mind he wasn't the respectable and deadly animal; instead, he was a drooling puppy, begging those around him for attention.
"Hana-chan!" Honey sang, running over to her, "Haruhi told me you're doing archery! Good luck!"
"Thanks" Hana smiled. When Honey was around, it was hard not to smile, "Are you doing anything?"
"Me and Takashi are helping with the Kendo Club!" Honey grinned, "But we don't get to participate" he said, and at this, his face fell, "It's because they said it wouldn't be fair if we participated, and so we're the judges"
Hana eyed him for a second, feeling as though something wasn't right with the words that were coming out of his mouth. They just weren't... Linking. A second later, realization whacked her on the head, "No you're not" She said suddenly, "You're not sad. It's an honor to be picked as a judge, and you're happy that you are. But you want people to sympathize with you. You always want people to sympathize with you"
Honey looked shocked for a moment, and then an unconvincing smile found its way on his face, "What do you mean, Hana-chan?"
"You know exactly what I mean" she said, and walked off, leaving Honey staring after her with mixed expressions on his face
'So there is more to Honey than the outward appearance' Hana mused, as she walked over to Haruhi, 'Who would've guessed? He has such a convincing act'
"Hey, Hana" Haruhi said. She looked stressed, and only have Hana a quick, passing glance, "Sorry, I'm really busy, but can you call Kyoya? He texted me saying he needed help with some sort of teacher, but-"
As soon as Hana's mind processed this, she felt cold. All the noise, all the sound around her, just disappeared. She felt as though she was completely and utterly alone, even though people were all around her.
"So we're going to use bait, then. I'm not too happy about it... But it's effective. Who's going to play the bait?"
"I have someone in mind"
That scumbag. That scumbag that scumbag that scumbag that SCUMBAG!
"No worries, Haruhi" Hana said, an easy smile on her face, "I'll call him. Also, don't worry about the teacher thing, I'll deal with it"
"You sure?" Haruhi checked, and Hana nodded. A relieved smile broke out on her face, "Thanks, Hana! I owe you a million!"
And then someone came over to Haruhi, asking about how to play commoners sport, and Haruhi's attention was taken away felt angry, and the anger surged through her veins as she punched in Kyoya's number and dialed. After three rings, he picked up.
"What the hell, Kyoya!?"
"Good morning to you too, Hana"
"You chose Haruhi!? Haruhi! She's your friend, she's my friend, and you chose her to play bait for a known pervert!?"
"So then, it would've been better if I chose someone who we didn't know? Is that fair to them? Haruhi is capable; she can take care of herself, and she's fairly well liked, so that if she went missing, someone would notice. Hana, there is no-one better for this"
"So that's it then?" She demanded, "I just say, OK, sure, take my friend and throw her into the dragons den. Is that what you want? And where the hell are you, anyway!"
"My father has an errand for me; I'm not showing up at school today"
"Oh, so your fathers errand is more important than the safety of your friend?"
"Hana, just listen to me-"
Just listen to me. Those were the four words her father had said as he was trying to explain to her why he was leaving. It was what everyone said to her. Everyone wanted her to listen to them when she didn't want anything to do with them. If anything, she wanted them to listen to her.
Just listen to me, just listen to me, just listen to me LISTEN TO ME JUST LISTEN TO ME JUST LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN JUST LISTEN
Hana clenched her jaw, "No"
"No?"
"It's obvious to me now. You want to know a candidate better than Haruhi for this, Kyoya? Me. It's what you wanted all along, isn't it?"
"What? Hana, no, what are you doing-"
"He won't think that he'd be caught if he did it to me; I'm a scholarship student. Heck, he'd probably offer me payment. See, Kyoya, I'm not as stupid as you-"
"Hana!" He scolded, but there was something else in his voice, something like panic, something like fear, "What are you thinking, you're not strong enough for this, you'll be a sitting duck-"
"Isn't that what bait is for, Kyoya?" Hana asked.
"Hana, STOP!"
She hung up, determination and anger still strengthening her. Before she could allow herself the luxury of doubt, she went to the Host Club room, grabbed the cameras and sound recorders for evidence, snuck into Takeuge-sensei's office and hid them.
"Sensei? I need some help"
Hana waltzed into the office, hair down, in her sports uniform (it made her look more appealing, and was more practical than her other uniform) twenty minutes later. Unfortunately, there had been some errors with the financing of the basketball club, and since Takeuge-sensei was the sports teacher, even though it was Sports day, he'd had to deal with it immediately. Hana knew he was bored out of his mind, and she was sure she could provide some... Entertainment.
"What can I help you with, cutie?" He smiled, and Hana was revolted, although she hoped she didn't show it.
"It's about the sports day... I'm in archery... But I'm having trouble learning.." After each phrase she'd look up, then immediately look down, playing the embarrassed admirer. Apparently she had a future career in acting, because he was fooled.
"I'm sure I could teach you" he grinned, standing up and walking over to her, appears forgotten. He stood beside her, pressing against her as he moved her arms into the supposedly correct position. Hana felt a moment of indecision as disgust rolled through her - There is no way I'm doing this, it's so... Ugh!- but then forced all her feelings back and let him continue with his demonstration.
"You know" he whispered into her ear, and she tensed, "I was bored before, but you've been pretty entertaining. Which class are you in?"
"I'm an... Honor student"
"Perfect" he leered, and that was when it all started going wrong.
He shoved her back against the wall and before she could recover his arms were on her shoulders and he was kissing her. Hana stiffened, her whole body shaking and tears welled up in her eyes. She tried to shove him off but to no avail. He tore her sports top off, leaving her with only her bra on, and that was when all his weight was suddenly shoved off of her.
"Get off of her" Kyoya said calmly, too calmly, standing in front of her protectively. All her earlier anger dissipated as she looked at his face, "As a son of Yoshio Ootori, I'm placing you under arrest. You can be sure as hell you are not getting a job here. Now get out"
Takeuge-sensei scrambled out, more in fear of Kyoya's reputation than in fear of the teenagers in front of him. Hana just watched it all, feeling disconnected as though she wasn't seeing what she was seeing. And then Kyoya turned on her.
"What were you thinking!?" He thundered, shrugging his shirt off and wrapping it around her. She hugged it around her as though it was a lifeline, "What would've happened if I hadn't come!? The whole point of this was that one of us would be there to alert everyone and save the other. Hana, what the hell-"
He broke off, noticing that she wasn't in the middle for a lecture. She was shaking, as though she'd been dunked in a container full of ice, and the tears just wouldn't stop coming. Her first kiss. Her first kiss, and it had been to a pervert over thirty. Her first kiss.
"I'm sorry" she whispered, and he sighed. He walked over to her, and sat beside her, and in one motion her head was buried in his chest, his arms around her, a safe haven, a sanctuary, a cocoon. He was quivering slightly, and his breath was uneven. Had he been worried about her?
"You're an idiot" he murmured, and that was when she first noticed that for once, Kyoya didn't have all his emotional barriers up. He seemed to live under emotional barriers shaped as personalities so you'd never know who he really was. Now, all of them were down, and Hana was seeing Kyoya for his true self.
And she liked it.
And I'm liking the fact that next chapter is the end of part 1! Though to be honest, you guys won't. What happens in the next chapter and part 2 is going to be painful... But necessary.
Thanks for reading and all the support. Sorry to KR Wolfe, who I've been meaning to reply to since forever ;( Thanks for the patience too. Hopefully these chapters will come out a bit sooner. But with me watching InuxBoku SS, I've been a little busy. And I re watched Kaichou Wa Maid Sama. Seriously, if you need some good shojo, watch Kaichou. Sadly, I don't think there will be a second season :(