After a re-write and lots of worrying, I've decided to post this chapter. Sorry if it isn't amazing, even though this is one of the most important chapters the words just weren't flowing :(

Chapter 7-

"You're what!?" Chris exclaimed, slamming her fist on the library table. The look on her face was filled with rage, horror and fear, and that look was mirrored by the other occupants of the library who were all staring at her with varying degrees of wariness.

It was a while after the sports festival, and the day before Hana and Kyoya's month of dating was about to finish. During the past two weeks they'd had their time filled with a variety of activities, some extravagant and some not, and Hana could honestly say this was the best time of her life. She couldn't remember a time in her life when she'd had so much fun.

"I'm planning on extending the contract with Kyoya, if he'll accept" Hana said calmly, watching the expressions change on her friends face.

Finally, Chris took a deep breath, counted slowly to ten, and said, "Hana, this is a bad idea"

"Why?"

"What do you mean why?" Chris demanded, temper flaring. She closed her eyes for a second and continued, "Look, Hana, think about it. Why did Kyoya want you to date him?"

Because I think he likes me "Because we needed to fool his father" Hana answered, "You've known this Chris, and it hasn't been a problem before, so why is it a problem now?"

"Yoshio Ootori" Chris stated, "Owner of the Ootori group. Incredibly smart, incredibly social and incredibly strict. He is also very clever; he's seen through Kyoya's disguise and knows exactly what Kyoya wants and how to exploit those for his own needs. Do you really think that two teenagers can fool him? With that pathetic act you've been calling dating? And do you think Kyoya is unaware of this? Kyoya thinks of all eventualities; it can't be that"

"What are you trying to say, Chris?"

"I'm saying we're missing a piece of the puzzle" Chris said, meeting Hana's eyes, "I'm saying that Kyoya knows that you're laughable act at dating isn't working. Kyoya has a backup plan, and Hana, despite what you may think, Kyoya might be using you"

"So what?" Hana demanded, "He's been using me since this whole thing began, but he's never been anything less than courteous to me. He's a good guy, Chris. And I'm not going to sit here and let you tell me otherwise"

With that, Hana stormed out of the library.

"Hana, that's the fourth mistake today. What's wrong?"

Hikari, Hana's co-worker at her part time job, was a twenty-one year old student who aspired to become a therapist. While Hana wondered what the allure of the job was, she'd never questioned Hikari about any of her life decisions. The same could not be said for Hikari.

"Are you okay? Do you have family issues? Is it a boyfriend? Is it a friend? Have you gone anorexic, do you think you're fat? Do you think you're ugly- you shouldn't because you're really pretty- but have you-"

"Hikari" Hana interrupted, "I'm fine. Really"

"According to my textbook, that's the one phrase that victims say when they're in denial" Hikaru pointed the plate she'd been washing at her, as though it was some kind of weapon. She quickly realized it wasn't an effective threatening tool and quickly dried it and put it with the stack.

"If you want to become a good therapist, I don't think following the textbook is a good idea" Hana advised, "And anyway, I am okay. I'm just having a bad day, is all. I'll be fine soon"

"I hope so" Hikari frowned, then gasped, "Hana! Stop slacking on the job! Oh my goodness, I'm such a bad role-model, distracting you like this! No, if I want to be a therapist I have to set a good example. Hana" she glared, and it was quite impressive. Hana wondered if she should tell Hikari that she had a better chance of a career in acting than as a therapist, "Go. Do your work"

Hana walked off, only to hear her shout, "How was I? Was I good?"

Hana smiled, "The best"

Later that evening, she was playing with Sakura as they waited for their mother to get home. It was a ritual, of sorts. They both stayed up playing musty old board games as they waited for their mother. Every night, Sakura would stay up until she fell asleep and Hana would carry her to Sakura's bed, tucking her in like the parent figure they'd never have. Even though Hana's mother never came back until a little after midnight, Sakura dutifully waited for her every evening. Hana found her little sisters hope refreshing, and never said anything to dissuade her.

This evening, after Hana had tucked Sakura in, doubts flew unbidden into her mind. She'd tried to her best to keep her thoughts locked up tight, but now that she was alone, with no responsibilities, her thoughts ran wild.

'What did Chris mean? She said that Kyoya and I's dating wasn't fooling anyone; did she mean that I need to improve? No, it can't be that- that's stupid, it's obvious she's not encouraging it.

Then what? She said something about Yoshio Ootori... Seriously, Chris, why couldn't you speak in normal English? Why all the mystery and riddles? I'm so fed up with this...

'Don't be too hard on her' the logical part of Hana's mind argued, 'Maybe she was speaking in riddles because even she didn't understand'

'Then if she didn't understand, why is she bothering me with it!?'

Hana sighed, rubbing her forehead. It was so quiet, all she could hear was the clocks ticking, making her feel uneasy. It was like something out of a cheesy horror movie.

Finally deciding that she wasn't going to figure anything out, Hana decided to go to sleep.

The next day, Hana entered Ouran Academy feeling apprehensive.

'Kyoya is going to be expecting an answer today; what do I do? I want to continue it, but Chris is obviously against it... And what if Kyoya is playing with me? He clearly said that it was strictly business but I feel as though it's something else...'

Muttering under her breath, Hana did her best to try and distract herself. Stressing herself out first thing in the morning wasn't helping any.

Suddenly, something slammed into her, and Hana toppled over.

"Oof- Oh, I'm so sorry!" It was Tamaki. He looked different somehow. Weary, and this was confirmed when Hana took in his untamed blond hair and the bags under his eyes. He offered his hand to her, "I wasn't looking where I was going. Are you okay?"

She accepted his hand, and let him pull her up, "Yeah, I'm fine" she answered, "Are you okay? You don't look so good"

"I'm fine" Tamaki said, giving her a smile. It was supposed to convince her. It didn't work, "It's just... Have you seen Haruhi?"

"No, why? Is she okay?" Hana was thoroughly confused, "Tamaki, I don't understand what's going on"

"It's nothing" Tamaki said, running a hand through his unkempt hair, "Well, anyway... See you around"

He took off, running out of the school, as the bell for the start of the school day rung.

'Seriously' Hana inwardly grumbled, 'What is this, confuse Hana week? First Chris, and now Tamaki...'

"Hey, Hana" Kaoru said to her, as she was getting her books ready for the first class, "Have you seen the Boss?"

Hana slammed her hand on her desk, standing and looming over him, "Right. You're going to explain to me what's going on right now. I am so sick of people not explaining things to me"

Kaoru looked a little startled, but replied, "I don't know" he admitted, "It's just, both the Boss and Haruhi are absent. It's not like them to suddenly disappear without saying anything. Haruhi especially"

"I'm sure it's nothing" Hana said, then a thought sparked, "Say, if you had to describe Kyoya in three words, what would they be?"

He answered immediately, without consideration, "Arrogant, self-centered and inconsiderate"

'Yeah' Hana grimly realized, logic finally worming its way into her head, 'Chris might be right here. I've been stuck in my own world for these last few weeks, portraying Kyoya as the angel. But he was ruthless enough to use a girl as bait for Takeugi-sensei, and when I first met him he really let his true nature show'

'But what does that mean? I don't understand. I feel like there's something I'm missing, but I don't what. Ugh... I know. I'll ask Kyoya. Then after that... What happens, happens'

Later, after-school , Hana was walking to the Host Club alone. It was a little daunting, considering that Kyoya might drop a bombshell or something, but under her nerves she felt a strong resolve. Doubts and questions had been plaguing her mind since yesterday and she really hoped she'd get the answers today, so that her mind could be put at rest.

She pushed open the giant double doors, only to be greeted by... Nothing? Where was everyone?

"The others have gone to visit Tamaki" Kyoya said, walking over to her, "I said I'd join them in half an hour. A perfect amount of time for us to re-evaluate our situation, no?"

Hana nodded, "And about that re-evaluation... I've got a question"

Kyoya nodded, "Fire away"

"The main purpose of this is to fool your father" Hana began, "To make him see that you excel in all areas. By dating me, you believe that he will be fooled"

He raised an eyebrow, "I'm waiting for the question"

"Be patient, I'm getting there. Your father is a powerful man. A powerful, intelligent man. Do you really think this dating thing will fool him if the feelings are fake? I mean, honestly, it's kind of far-fetched. At first I didn't say anything because of the debt and the money, but..."

"But now you've started to question it" Kyoya finished.

"Yeah" Hana said, "So... The answer?"

"The answer is no" Kyoya replied, fixing his glasses, "If the feelings are false, I don't think my father will be fooled"

Hana expected her heart to jump, to skip. She liked him, so her feelings were genuine, so what about his? Did he like her? But there was something about the way he was saying it, just like Honey at the sports festival, two weeks ago. His words just weren't convincing.

Hana's eyes widened and she let out a little gasp. Taking a step back, she felt as though she'd been punched in the gut.

"No" she breathed, "You bastard. Tell me I'm wrong. Tell me you're better than that"

He stayed silent, obviously thinking that he didn't have to explain himself to her.

"Kyoya?" Hana asked, her voice sounding so, so small, "Please... Please tell me I'm wrong"

He still didn't say anything and something snapped inside Hana. Kyoya had a real ability of doing that, she dimly realized, he had a habit to easily anger her.

"You bastard!" She screamed, "You were trying to make me fall in love with you!? For your own selfish needs? So this past month; it's all been a lie to you? Has it been a game? Has it been funny thinking that you've made Hana fall for you? Well too bad! I'm not in love with you Kyoya. I hate you"

"From the start, I told you that it was a deal, a contract" Kyoya said, but it sounded as though he was speaking to himself, "Is it my fault you fell for me?"

"It's your fault for making me fall for you!"

"Well, Hana" Kyoya spat, and Hana suddenly felt scared, "I'm sorry for not living up to your expectations. I've been acting for the past month- the perfect, chivalrous hero- and it worked, didn't it? You're just like the fangirls of the Host Club. You see things that aren't there because you want to. You wanted me to be your knight in shining armor, so you made me into that. But I'm no knight, Hana" he smiled, and it looked cold, cruel, "And I'm sorry for ruining your imagination, but life isn't a Shojo manga"

With that, he left the Host Club, leaving Hana, walking out of her life. She fell to her knees, and started to cry.

'I've know life isn't a Shojo manga... I've known that since I was eight... But I hoped... For a happy ending...'