AN: I changed the summary eyyy but one of my reviewers hasn't reviewed eh. I hope you're okay. ANYWAY, in this chapter, the plot thickens eyyy. If Mii is acting weirdly, it's for a reason :D I think this might be one of the last times you see her. She wasn't really my cup of tea, you know. Su Tong is tied to the triads in some way, but how, is the exact question :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Ouran High School Host Club
Mii is not in school the next day, nor has she answered Su Tong's numerous messages. Suspicion arises (of course, limited only to her creative mind) but there is nothing substantial to back her up. She can't be sure that Mii was involved in the shooting, or even orchestrated the entire incident. Somehow, Mii seems too innocent to have ordered the shooting of a stranger(?), and the fact that only Su Tong has noticed this makes it a little more improbable.
News of the shooting incident spread, and somehow, Su Tong had the briefest of ideas that she was mentioned in the mutters and gossip that sprung up in school, and magically hushed down as she walked past. Somehow, the words 'whore' and 'fiancé-snatcher' can be heard. They haven't escalated yet, of course, seeing as she's not quite anybody in the school, only rising to 'notoriety' due to Takeko's sudden mention, probably. It also helps that Suzushima has kept his distance, and the fact that Kusagazaki will be back by the day after.
"And she went after him almost immediately…"
"I can't believe she would break them up- especially after their touching reunion!"
"But really- her? She doesn't look like the type…"
"They never do… shocking, isn't it? Wait, she's looking this way-"
Su Tong tries to ignore it, but realizes that it has been quite hard for her to remain passive and chameleon-like ever since she joined the Orchestra, and tangled up in more messes than the past years of her life since meeting the Host Club. The feeling is quite disconcerting, and she realizes that she is alive for the first time in her life.
Turning into another corner, she sees the source of the rumours gliding down the hallway, accompanied by a few more students of the same caliber, lips twisted into that same chilling smile. Rolling her eyes, Su Tong grips her book tighter to her chest, and makes a deliberate effort to not walk along the walls. The jolt of apprehension running through her chest is evidence enough that she is nervous about facing-off her rival (something she would not have even considered before joining Ouran), and the surprise that arrives with that realization is enough to block out her nervousness. Alive, light and more fragile- more human, she thinks.
Walking past Takeko with an uncontrollably smug smirk has the latter confused and irritated, and that much gives Su Tong the slightest bit of joy to remedy the sting of all other remarks made against her.
Su Tong is just done with her shower, walking out of the school bathroom and carrying her dirty sportswear out to her classroom after yet another morning run when she sees Suzushima standing outside her classroom. Upon catching her eye, he bows politely and waits for her to put away her sportswear. Suzushima is carrying a rectangular gift, and when he hands it to her, she accepts it gracefully, albeit a little confused.
"I thought it would make up for the entire backlash you experienced even though you helped me," Suzushima explains. "These are our new shipments; you'll find them as the Host Club's tea ware now."
"That was nothing; anyone would have done so in my position," Su Tong murmurs, and starts analyzing the different patterns of the teacups- strangely, all traditional and of the same, cute handle-less shape.
"But no one else paid any attention to me," he replies, smiling good-naturedly. "They were too caught up in their own safety, bless them."
There are many assorted patterns, from all over the world- except- "China."
"I beg your pardon?" And then, following her gaze, he sees the teacups. "Ah, no, that is not Chinese-styled."
"Why isn't there any?" Su Tong asks, glancing up. "I'm no expert in tea ware, but I'm quite sure that China's tea wares are of certain… quality?"
"Well," Suzushima starts to say, awkwardly scratching his neck. "We used to have plenty, but six-? No, seven years ago, there was a slight- shall we say- disruption in China that affected our contracts and trade. I'm not very certain, but we are looking to re-establish those ties this year."
"Ah, I see. I'm sorry if I sounded too aggressive," Su Tong quickly remedies, seeing how easily flustered the man was. "If you don't mind me asking, what disruption was that?"
Suzushima's brows start furrowing, and he inclines his head by a fraction, before giving a slight start. "I believe it had something to do with triads in Hong Kong, Shanghai and the- well, reportedly, the Yakuza. Of course, that's all over now right?"
He looks to her as though seeking confirmation, but all she could manage was a soft, "I don't really remember that."
By the end of the week, the Host Club is up and running again, and the rumours are sparse, barely affecting her as much as Takeko would have liked. Su Tong believes that Suzushima had some hand in the matter, and along with Kasugazaki's reappearance, the entire incident died down in a night. The latter's act of hanging out with Su Tong during lunch and cheerfully feeding her was definitely a PR stunt, but it pacified most.
"I will wait for you, is what I said, but then again…" Kasugazaki (then) mused, before poking at Su Tong's arm. "It's going to be really long, you know."
Su Tong had nodded and smiled, before offering, "The Host Club is always here, isn't it?"
"Yeah, yeah, but I think I've graduated from them," Kasugazaki had replied, and winked.
They had then burst out laughing, and Su Tong finally said, "I'm glad, though, that you didn't jump to conclusions about me based on those rumours."
Kasugazaki had given a coy smile and a witty reply, "Well, I wouldn't get into a fight with a pretty girl over a boring fiancé."
The shocking thing was how Kasugazaki actually meant it, and gave her her contact details. Su Tong still giggles at that vague attempt at flirting, and at Kasugazaki's slightly flushed cheeks. Gripping tightly onto her erhu case and faking a yawn to conceal that brief bit of joy that locked her grin in place, she continues walking towards Music Room One. Rong Zhi would be amused, she thinks, and then reconsiders.
While lost in her thoughts and multiple imaginary permutations of Rong Zhi's likely reaction to her tale, Haruhi appears before her, slightly miffed and sheepish, saying, "Ah, Su Tong… I think you borrowed a dress from Hikaru and Kaoru's collections? They want it back- at your 'earliest convenience', I think."
"Ah, I see." The beige dress, huh. "I'm sorry, though; I broke the heel of the black pump."
"Black pump?" Haruhi tilts her head, and then clarifies, "I don't think we lent you shoes, though. There were only clothes present."
"Ah." Su Tong glances down at her shoes, and tries to recall the fragility of the pumps. "Is that so…"
"Oh, by the way, would you like to go to the Host Club today? Akiyama-san is going to be there, and I think you were looking for her?" Haruhi offers.
"…I would like to," Su Tong says, subtly shifting her erhu case behind her legs. "If you would lead the way, Haruhi."
"Oh, sure!" Haruhi says, surprised, and walks Su Tong to Music Room Three.
"If you don't mind me asking, what happened at the ball?"
"It- to be honest, I have no idea. It was a shooting incident, but…" Haruhi then starts looking around. "Well, they retrieved the bullet, and it's a pretty common model, so it's kind of a start? I'm not supposed to know this, of course."
"Of course, Haruhi," Su Tong says gently, casually glancing and winking at Haruhi.
A common model, huh. Based on Japan's strict firearm rules, it would be easy to assume that the shooter's operations took root in Japan. But if this were an organized incident, it would be even easier to limit the group to a yakuza, for they held power both socially and politically. Obtaining firearms by the masses would be easy. Unless they outsourced? Su Tong shook it all away.
"Incidentally, Haruhi," Su Tong starts to ask, "about the gun, do you reckon you know what type of gun it is?"
"I don't, but I guess it would be safe to assume it's a rifle, or something long-distance, huh?" Haruhi considers it, and shrugs. "The closest building is at least two hundred metres away. But we shouldn't talk about this, not in the club room, of course."
Su Tong nods, and allows Haruhi to open the doors for her. A bunch of rose petals seem to zoom out with extra zest, and the Hosts are already in position, doubling efforts to stand absolutely still in position. Their knightly outfits almost blind Su Tong, who blinks hard to get the fuzz out of her vision.
"Oh, it's just you," the twins chorus upon seeing Haruhi, before focusing on Su Tong. "And our dearest princess!"
"Club hours don't start till half an hour later, I thought?" Haruhi says, and pulls Su Tong in, before shutting the door. "We're doing cosplays today, too?"
"Our princesses need to know that they're being protected-"
"That's too close, senpai."
"-And that includes you too, Haruhi! Quick, play the role of a damsel-!" Tamaki shouts, rushing her to the dressing room. "Father will save you!"
"That's the real," one of the twins start to holler, pointing an accusing finger at Tamaki.
"-Big Bad Wolf!" the other continues, also pointing at Tamaki.
"Everyone, I would like to remind you that there will not be any drama for today, especially so because we have a guest present, and the ball's damage has to be compensated for in service," Kyouya reminds kindly, though his facial expression spoke volumes.
The twins and Tamaki wither upon seeing Kyouya's devil-like smile.
"And you, Su-san," Kyouya says softly, "I apologise, but club hours have not yet started. Would you perhaps like some tea?"
"That would be lovely."
Somehow, in the midst of showing her the different types of tea, the door burst open, and Takeko started striding in. Mii was behind her, almost cowering, her posture designed to minimize its impact on the world around her. Takeko shoots a charming smile at Kyouya, and saunters over to him, blatantly ignoring Su Tong.
"Mii!" Su Tong says, reaching out to the younger girl and holding her arm.
Mii winces and jumps, before Su Tong releases her hold. She's in a jacket, but it felt slightly damp and warm when Su Tong touched it. Almost sticky.
"Su Tong," Mii replies, although a little less than enthused.
"What happened?" Su Tong questions, gingerly tugging her away from Takeko. "Did Takeko-?"
"No!" Mii bites out, and then flushes at her outburst. "It's- it's nothing."
Su Tong frowns, and then tries another subject. "Why haven't you been answering my messages, and why haven't you been in school these days?"
Mii is uncomfortable; her eyes are darting away before they finally gain strength to look Su Tong in the eye. With a deep breath, she narrows her eyes and balls her fists- malicious intent (and a side of guilt) rolling off her in thick waves. "Last I checked, Su-senpai, I have no obligation to answer to you, and we're not even friends. I took pity on you, and you disgust me.
"It will all- end today."
Pushing Su Tong to the side, she makes a concentrated effort to march away as though she's not aching. Staring in shock and disbelief, the bruises on her legs and maroon patches on her ankles can barely be seen through the white stockings. The scattered spots on her calves seem to resemble fingerprints. Now that she thinks about it, the bandage around her left pinky is way too thick and flimsy- what happened to that finger?
Su Tong, wide-eyed and hurt, mutters, "The black pumps. Do you want them back?"
Mii swings back, distracted and slightly panicky, and chooses to say hastily, "They're not mine."
Su Tong swallows, and nods. "The heels broke."
"Yeah," Mii agrees- a hint of a smile (relieved and smug) playing on her lips, and then catches herself, before shakily adding, "Did they, now?"
AN: Kasugazaki is definitely bi-curious, though extremely attached to her fiance, or at least that's my headcanon. I don't think that everyone in Ouran overlooked the fact that Haruhi is cross-dressing. Small note: has anyone read I Prefer Spearmint by Gripsyched? I've tried contacting the author, and we might be rewriting the story again as a collaboration. Not sure how that might pan out, seeing as we're both busy currently, and I've still got MIC to finish! :)
Reviews: if you'd like