Ch. 8 A Rocky start! Befriending Kyoya!

Come Monday I had convinced myself they had been kidding – I mean, I HAD signed the papers after a short staring contest with Kyoya. That stare freaked me out! That guy really did have a dark persona when he wanted. I was convinced he could make anyone do anything just by giving them a look.

Hoping and praying they had just been joking I took a deep breath and tried to calm my heart down. I stared nervously at the classroom door for what seemed like forever before I finally opened it.

And I was greeted by... chattering rich kids. Nothing out the ordinary.

Shrugging my shoulders and feeling relieved I decided I too would act as normal as possible too. Maybe they forgot, and if I acted like nothing ever happened, then it would seem like nothing did.

I chatted with Haruhi like usual considering this was the only time I ever got to talk to him—well… HER—since I had been banished by the hosts. Even Hikaru and Kaoru, who had always tried to get me to leave her alone before, were behaving no different today.

In fact life seemed to be going like just another regular day.

Until class ended.

I was packing up my stuff to leave expecting Hikaru and Kaoru to jump up and somehow transport Haruhi to the host club before I could even blink like they had been doing in the past.

To my surprise I felt a presence by my desk. Turning to look up I was shocked out of my mind when my eyes fell upon the faces of two extremely grumpy twins. Their own gazes refused to meet my own face.

"Ummm…. What are you guys doing?" I questioned quietly.

"Are you stupid or something, you have to come to the host club remember?" Hikaru spat grumpily, clearly upset about the whole situation.

"We have to escort you." Kaoru didn't seem much happier but his tone wasn't nearly as harsh.

"That was a real thing?" My voice croaked and I could feel my face go white.

"Duh, you signed a contract!" They said.

"You guys go on ahead I'll take her." I heard Haruhi say as the desk in front of me moved and he—she—stood up. 'I'm really not used to referring to Haruhi as a girl yet… so is that a good or bad thing?' The twins hadn't rushed her away like they usually did so she must have taken that opportunity to take her time packing her stuff . "You guys clearly don't like each other so no need to make you uncomfortable."

"Aw you're so brave." They wrapped their arms around her from either side and nuzzled their faces affectionately against her. I sweat dropped at the sight.

"Taking such a bullet just for us – how could we ever leave you with such a terrible girl?" they opened one eye to glance at me as they got their jabs in. They really didn't like me – it must have been that Kirito thing… why was that a guy such a mess in my life without even trying to be?

"Guy's let go, she's not a bullet she's my friend." With reluctance they released her and she looked at me apologetically as they left.

"Sorry about them, I don't know what's up. They keep thinking your working for some guy named Kirito – at least I think they do if the last couple host club conversations have anything to say about it."

"So that is the problem…" Figures. "Just to put it out there I'd never go near Kirito intentionally."

"Don't worry I don't doubt you." She said waving away the suggestion. "Now come on lets go."

This time when we opened the door there weren't any roses or chorusing of "Welcome to the host club" like the first time coming in.

"What, are roses only a one time thing?" I asked.

"I have no clue, I think they just manifest themselves as a warning sign that the host club is going to take over your life." Haruhi mentioned walking into the clubroom with me right on her heels.

I felt so out of place and uncomfortable amongst the group and Haruhi already seemed pretty integrated. It didn't help much that the twins were glomping on her so that I couldn't even get close. It felt like we were three cats with our hair raised fighting over fish or something. Right now they were winning.

When host club duties started I hadn't really been given any direction of what I was suppose to do so I figured I could chat with Haruhi. It wasn't long into that when I realized she would have to be entertaining guests in order to get customers and found myself excusing myself. I swayed around the room a bit, slowly backing up into a corner and just watch the procession of activities until I took a glance at the bay windows. I had always loved the look of bay windows—the idea of sitting down in one and sketching was always a weird fantasy of mine, so without further ado I made it a reality. Glancing around inquisitively to make sure I wasn't doing anything wrong, I backed up slowly and then folded up my knees to place my sketchpad on. When no one shouted at me or bugged me, I got lost in drawing the activities going on within the club—trying to capture the fleeting moments as quickly and accurately as I could. Unfortunately, it was all mechanical pencil gray and white seeing as I lost my darker 4B and 8B leads. I went as detailed as I could but I couldn't get proper shading without my other art pencils. It just made me so frustrated.

I needed a distraction.

"Hey Gray!" I heard the familiar condescending tone of what could only be a Hitachin.

Rising my eyes slowly to glare suspiciously past my sketchpad I saw them standing a few feet away.

"Look, since you're not busy we were wondering if you could get a book for us, we're a little busy with host club duties."

"I'm not your errand girl. Besides I'm suppose to be 'watched at all times' remember." I stated flatly looking back at my sketchpad and refining some lines.

"Boss said it was okay." Kaoru stated.

"He said he gave you enough credit to run this little errand." Hikaru gave his input.

I rolled my eyes. "For some reason I highly doubt that." I just pictured him freaking out yesterday about how much he didn't trust me, no way were they going to get me with such a lame trick.

"Oh really…" they inched closer and the look they had on their faces made me uneasy. "Don't act like you know Tamaki like we do, we heard directly from him that it was okay."

"Besides, did you read through your contract? It said this was part of what you had to do."

What? Was that really in there? It was true I didn't know Tamaki well and...well there was an ever so slight possibility that these two were telling the truth. Then they go and mention this contract…if I was being completely honest all I did was skim through it and barely even that. Did it seriously say I had to run errands?

My inner battle must have shown on my face because the twins gave a final smirk and finished it off.

"You didn't really read it did you?" Kaoru put in.

"You should be warned that Tamaki will expel you if you don't follow the contract." Hikaru finished.

"Yeah right…" I muttered poorly. Then it was just another stare off until finally I gave in. "Ugh! Fine! What darn book do you want?!" I huffed removing myself from my perch in the window sill.

"Here's the title." Hikaru gave me a piece of paper with the title written in a sloppy boyish scrawl. "You should find it in the west library."

"West?! But that's all the way on the other side!"

"Stop complaining or we'll get you expelled!" They chorused cheekily as they began walking—more like skipping—back to their table.

If this was a cartoon my face would be bright red and there would be steam coming out of my ears.

Those stupid twins lied to me! I searched forever and there was no such book in the west library! I checked the south and north – this time being smart enough to check the computers and find they weren't there before trudging my way to the east – the one CLOSEST to the host club room.

UGH! Those twins get under my skin!

I was lucky I didn't get lost! (I kept myself along the walls and literally went all the way around the school so I wouldn't lose my place).

Worst of all when I opened the door – I wasn't greeted with roses, oh no. To be honest, I should have seen this move coming. The door had been slightly a jar before my approach. When I pushed it open I was greeted by that oh so sweet feeling of freezing water being running down your spine and soaking you. A meal bucket followed right after. Luckily, I had the good sense to step back after the water hit so the bucket just clanked on the floor instead of hitting me.

Needless to say I was drenched head to toe.

The twins couldn't stop laughing.

In the midst of my shock Tamaki started scolding me for leaving and after the day ended and the guests had all left I was interrogated AGAIN. They thought I might have been telling someone something when I was gone!

Haruhi came quickly to my defense and scolded the twins after I explained what had happened.

Kyoya gave me a disappointed look for falling for such a thing and I felt like banging my head against the nearest wall – luckily Hani, the dear sweet child...teenager...that he is, reminded me not to and I spared myself that extra pain.

Through the rest of the week I noticed a similar pattern

Tuesday: Put up a – very artistic – fake 'windowsill' picture so when I went to sit down in what I had quickly deemed as my spot I ran into it. Much like one would a fake wall, or one if those backdrops in movies. It caused quite a scene where most people stared and some hid amused glances. Others looked a little concerned and I just lay there on my back, glaring at the ceiling knowing the twins must be shooting me a smug smirk

I'm doing this because I have too. I reminded… even though that stupid contract doesn't make any sense.

Wednesday: Today I brought my computer in to get some school work done, Kyoya called me over to ask a question about a new design for the next major host club theme – I foolishly left my computer to aid in the discussion. I told him I'd have to get back to him later and finish up my current work. When I got back to my computer it was a complete mess.

For starters it was in a different language. Not only that but I couldn't access anything on my desktop. I kept clicking on files and nothing would open!

It took me a while to figure out SOMEONE *cough*the twins*cough* had changed everything. They took a screenshot off what it used to look like and set that as my desktop picture and hid all my desktop icons so I couldn't tell the difference.

It was a complete waste of my time and a delay in my work. Holding me true to my word I had to stay after the host club closed to give my opinions to Kyoya. He asked me to draw up some designs and when I told him I had other things I needed to get done he whipped out my contract and it did, in fact, say that I must assist the host club in how they see fit.

I was up all night that night drawing out designs.

The entire time I was gritting the mantra through my teeth, "I'm doing this because I have too."

Thursday: I got a note from Kyoya when he was out of the room asking me to look for some kind of prop thing in the host club closet. Heck, I didn't even know we HAD a closet! But low and behold there in a back corner of a room, hidden behind dividers, was a closet door.

Aiding as much caution as I could after what had been happening over the past week I opened the door and then jolted back immediately in case anything would jump out at me. In my jump I hit the divider and stood helpless as it rocked back and forth. The whole world seemed like slow motion to me and my worry gazed stared at the panels tilting.

Forward

Backward

Forward

Please don't make me a bigger spectacle than before...

Backward

Forward

Please Please or dear merciful God...

Backward...

Stopped.

I breathed a heavy sigh of relief at the up right divider.

It was obvious attention had been drawn to me - once more - because the room had a silent hush for a little while until people realized it wasn't about to be knocked over and no other loud noises would occur any time soon. They resumed their chatter as if nothing had happened.

Embarrassed I decided to just brush off my clothes as if brushing off the shame and then step into the door, now knowing nothing was going to fall on me or water was going to dump all over my head.

The closet was surprisingly deep, but I hadn't seen anything that was described by Kyoya. I hadn't seen any surprises in the closet either, so by now I was feeling pretty comfortable. It wasn't until I decided I'd just ask him about it when he got back that I found myself opening the door again – funny, I hadn't thought I'd closed it…

When I tried to step through I ran right into cling wrap set at my head-height. My feet flew out from under me and I, once again, found myself falling flat on my back with a yelp of surprise. The impact hurt and I found myself staring at the ceiling for the second time that week.

Those… stupid … TWINS!

I knew they were trying to chase me away, or make me look bad to Tamaki so he'd get his father to expel me! Heck Tamaki didn't need much persuading, he was constantly being overly dramatic about his precious "daughter" Haruhi not getting exposed and taken away from him or whatever… trust me he was already plenty wary of what I would say without these twins!

I also knew that making a scene in the host club would make me look worse thatn I already did. So, being the bigger person, I stepped out from behind the divider, and stalked past the twins without a glance – trying to hold onto whatever dignity I still had.

I'm doing this because I have too. I reminded myself.

Friday: I was on high alert today. Ever since I woke up I'd gotten notes that something bad was going to happen – that I should be ready for the worst prank yet… but oddly enough, the twins hadn't done anything today. In fact, they didn't even bug me during class like they usually did – I wasn't even required to access my recently improved random-flying-object-dodging skills I'd acquired since the whole Haruhi-host-club-incident first started.

In fact they just ignored me. Which made me even more suspicious.

I was so jumpy about it that I had a difficulty paying attention in all my classes and it was certain people thought my cautious behavior was odd. With all that had been going on I was certainly going to be labeled as the school weirdo.

But the same pattern continued the rest of the day. I helped out Kyoya as I had been doing on and off this week and nothing out of the ordinary happened.

I just let myself relax at the end of the day. The host club was coming close to being finished and I actually was able to get permission to leave early. But I was tapped on the shoulder only a few steps passed the door.

I jumped, remembering what happened the last time someone snuck up on me in the halls.

When I whipped around I startled the three girls behind me and, seeing as they weren't the same as the ones who bullied me last time, I relaxed a little.

"Um… sorry for that… look we're regular visitors of the twins and well…" One of them spoke shyly twirling her hair in her finger and biting her lip.

"We want you to stop whatever it is you're doing." One stated boldly, her face seeming a bit hesitant to bring it up.

"They haven't been paying as much attention as usual lately, and we know that they've been having some kind of prank war with you… so whatever you're doing to get their attention… maybe… could you stop?"

I was happy they were being so polite – refreshing from my last encounter with fangirls - but I needed to clear the air here.

"Look, trust me, you girls seem really nice and I'd give you all of their attention if I could but I assure you I'm not doing anything." Unless you count just existing... "Its not a prank war either – their just trying to get rid of me."

"Oh." One stated, perking up and a small smile lighting up her face as she got an idea. "Then you can just leave right?" Catching her how that may be offensive she quickly lowered her voice. "Whoops… sorry."

"No, no it's completely fine. I just… I can't… I'm under contract –" Crap… I can't mention anything like that, no one else knows about it and how am I suppose to explain why I have the contract without telling them about Haruhi?! Oh crap oh crap oh -

"Oh, you mean that work you're doing with Kyoya to earn money for going outside Ouran?"

"Oh yeah!" Another one chirped at the revelation. "I forgot you didn't have any money for shopping or eating when out of school!"

What? Well… looks like someone – most likely Kyoya – already fabricated an explanation for my being at the host club and not visiting a host.

"Yeah… that. I can't exactly get out of it so as much as I don't want to be around the twins and as much as they keep trying to chase me away – I'm legally bound." I crossed my fingers tightly as a physical example.

"I see… maybe we should just explain it to them then…." One of the three thought to themselves.

"Yeah, you do that." I sighed knowing it was a futile endeavor. They smiled and waved goodbye before heading in the opposite direction.

Looks like today I was safe… I was just stressed for nothing… so...what was it they talked about in class today? Crap, I was gonna have go through a full review tonight—

Oh. That was the prank.

Ha. Ha. Ha. FUNNY. Not….

Suddenly pissed off at the realization that they had me riled up all day I stormed the rest of my way to my room.

I'm doing this because I HAVE to. I reminded myself.

Saturday: I thought I'd never get a break from the host club. When I woke up this morning and had a message from an unknown number I was concerned about listening to the voicemail… then I got mad again because I knew it was the twins pranks that had me anxious. Now they were getting to me without doing anything … again…

I think they were giving me a headache. No. I knew they were giving me a headache, but more then that they were driving me INSANE!

So I mulled over listening to the message… although I would have to listen to it if I wanted to delete it and I hate the little red number on my phone reminding me I hadn't checked something uuuuuuggghhh!

Trying to get away from the stress, I got ready for the day and was having breakfast in the cafeteria by myself just staring at my phone before finally deciding to listen to the message.

It was from Kyoya surprisingly. He was asking if I would plot out some new scenes for a flower viewing reception they would be holding next week. The Cherry blossoms would be in full bloom and there wasn't a lot to do decorating wise but he wanted my own raw ideas on how to set it up to make it more special then it otherwise would have been – small decorations here and there, maybe lights, tables.

"You have an eye for it and I was curious to see what you would come up with if I put you in charge of it without my initial input." His voice said. "I already have a location picked out and sent directions to your e-mail address."

I couldn't believe Kyoya was putting me in charge of something… it was weird. But it was a little exciting.

To be honest, I had come to admire Kyoya's genius more and more as I had worked with him the past couple of days. I didn't think I was quite up to planning the elaborate set ups the host club did – I had been beyond shocked the past couple of days with all the different themes that seemed to get set up over night – and I had a feeling he wasn't ready to give me much control over those elaborate set ups either, seeing as this was just choosing tables and where to place them. All the same I felt like I had to prove something to him.

Its not liked we'd been working very close, but it seemed he valued my artistic input and I had found myself spending most my time at the host club going over the different ideas with him. I guess you could say I wanted his approval over my work and this was a chance to do that.

How did he even get this number anyway?

"And if you're wondering how I got your number, your information is in the system and it isn't difficult to get your hands on if you're looking for it."

Ah. Of course.

As it turns out he's a mind reader too.

The time was already 10:30, surprisingly I had gotten up earlier this morning then I had anticipated. Good thing too, if I was going to find my way there and get these ideas all drawn up I'd need all the time I could get.

I had knocked on Chieko and Sachi's doors to see if they would help me get there but Sachi was going shopping with some other friends and Chieko mentioned something about visiting her family and how she was actually already late for her ride.

So I was on my own to wander the hallowed halls.

Upsettingly I did find myself lost amongst the hallways and was about to drop into my usual position of defeat when I heard voices echoing in the hall around the corner and felt new hope rise.

Just suck up some pride and ask for directions. I chanted to myself as I dashed to the sound of the voices.

I'd say I was surprised to see Kirito but I wasn't really, I mean, I hardly ever ran into anyone else. What did take me by surprise was that he was with a large group of male friends. I had to admit each of them seemed attractive and charming… 'I wonder if their part of the host club Elite?'

My hope almost was dashed. I had said I would never approach Kirito of my own will. Especially after his last threat…but I NEEDED help.

It was even more difficult to approach Kirito around his friends, but once I saw him look my way I called out awkwardly.

"Hey Kirito! Sorry to bother you but do you know how to get to the garden with the cherry blossoms… I don't really know the real name for it, but it looks like this." I found the pictures Kyoya had sent me on my phone and turned it toward him.

The air felt tense once I came to realize they were all sending me weird looks. I could practically hear the saying to each other "Is she for real?"

"Kirito who is this chick?" A light haired brunette with two piercings in one of his ears and very simple clothing style stepped forward.

"Some pathetic honors student." Was his flippant response. I felt my eyes narrow at that.

"Excuse me?" I asked, taking on a clipped tone. I was getting mixed signals here, first he was just an ass, then he was an ass that hated me for being in a different social class, then he was an ass that was nice to me and said he HAD been interested until he found out I was poor, and now he was STILL an ass who was pretending he didn't know me?!

Another boy with spiked black hair with blonde tips scrunched up his nose. "Honors? So she's a poor brat right? How does she know you?"

"Wait!" A boy no taller then 5'5 who seemed full of energy snapped his fingers. He had a huge grin on his face and his auburn locks seemed to bounce around his head like he was bouncing himself…. Because … he was…. Odd… "This is that stalker chick you were complaining about that one that you told fangi– "

"Yeah this is the one," Kirito cut him off and shot him a look, as if he had said something he wasn't supposed to have said.

"Now that was rude Kirito, I was very interested in what …" I glanced at the boy searching for a name.

"Sai!" Still grinning happily he began to step forward and extend a hand to me before the one with the ear piercing gripped him by the collar and pulled him back out of reach. "What was that for?" Sai asked, confused and rubbing at his neck after the tight yank.

The piercings boy put a hand over his face in exasperation – I felt like they must go through this often. "She's poor remember? AND Kirito's stalker, we don't befriend those kinds of people."

"Ohhhh…" Sai nodded his head repeatedly to show comprehension. And he just kept nodding it… I had a feeling he didn't comprehend much.

"Anyway." I cleared my throat to get their attention again. "I was curious as to what he had to say about you telling those girls –"

"Look no one wants to hear you yap stalker, just get out of our way." The blonde tipped boy stated harshly rolling his eyes at my words when he cut me off.

"How many times do I have to tell you people I do NOT stalk him? I have no interest in him, in fact I would love to not be in this situation right now but I'm lost and Kyoya wants to look at my designs aroun – "

"Wait did shorty girl just say Kyoya? As in Kyoya Ootori?" The blonde tips asked the group.

Kirito gave me a disapproving stare.

I could sense danger in the air as they all turned their attention to me.

"No." I lied. "A different Kyoya, he's a boy in my class and we're doing an extracurricular project together."

"Uh huh…" Piercings said. "You know we don't like that host club much and it's been a while since we messed with them – considering there isn't a whole lot we can do to their members." It was an open threat, but it felt empty. These guys wouldn't do anything to me directly – although I wasn't so sure about what their fangirls would do to me directly…

"You and I both know you guys wouldn't do anything." I hope. "There'd be no point. The Host club doesn't even like me, and they most certainly don't consider me valuable. And as I said, you were thinking about the wrong Kyoya, so there wasn't an issue to start with." I tried to cover smoothly. I really felt like I was pulling it off for once.

"Whatever, I don't care." Kirito bumped my shoulder roughly as he passed by. Ass.

The rest of his buddies just followed his lead and I was left to find the garden spot on my own.

Which I eventually DID find and got a good layout for, with the help of from some web sites Kyoya sent I felt I had the perfect set up in my arsenal.

When he arrived he seemed pleased with what I had drawn.

"I would have appreciated it being in color though." He commented.

"Sorry that's not really and option… I used to have colored pencils and pastels but they got kind of… destroyed." I admitted sheepishly. I really didn't want to admit how pathetic that whole incident had been. Thinking about it reminded me of Kirito and that set me on edge.

"Reckless of you to let them break."

"Hey I didn't let them break it was someo –accident." I covered up. Man I kept having a lot of slip-ups today. I wasn't even sure why, but I didn't want him to know about my encounter with Kirito's fangirls. I didn't want anyone to know.

"Is it the same accident that gave you that bruised nose?"

How could he even see it? I swore it was almost completely healed the last time I checked, and I'd been covering it up with makeup everyday. As if reading my mind – or more likely just reading my face – he gave a response to my unvoiced question.

"That time the twins had a water bucket dumped on you – it washed away some of the cover up and I could see it. How's it doing by the way?"

"Fine." I replied curtly wanting to skirt around the subject.

"I won't make you talk about it Miss Gray. That's your own issue, but I do advise you to be careful." I wondered if he was really concerned or not. I just nodded in agreement and we continued on. "I'll order in these items and they should be delivered by Monday – I trust I can leave it to you to direct how it be set up as well? The showing is on Tuesday so make sure it all gets put together the way you want it."

"Sure thing." I gave a two-fingered salute accepting my mission.

"I'll see you Monday at the host club then."

Kirito watched from the window as Bee conversed with Kyoya Ootori over some kind of paper she had in her hand. Earlier when he'd seen her he had brushed her off as though they had never spoken because he was in the presence of the rest of his host club who all harbored the same feelings of disgust for those of lower class. At least, everyone except Sai did.

Nothing seemed to get through that kid's head. But he was appealing to a lot of girls for his friendliness so they kept him around anyway.

Bee was the first commoner Kirito found he couldn't completely despise, at least not in the same way. The most likely cause was that he hadn't know she was a commoner when they first met and that was what made him dislike her in a different kind of way. He felt lied too. He felt like if only he had known then he wouldn't have grown to like her little quirks and he wouldn't be having a problem.

As much as she annoyed him, he had found her quirks fascinating when they first met. Then he found out she was poor and became appalled. That wore off faster then expected and became confusion and anger. All he knew was that he wanted to bug her more. Disappointingly enough, that fascination had yet to dissipate, so he just channeled it into torture instead of what it otherwise would have been.

He liked seeing her scowl at him and argue with him. He liked her spitfire attitude. It was easy to get under her skin and he was more than happy to do it. He had told his fan club that he had a stalker and about how annoying she was, he told them he wished she'd just leave him alone and he had hoped the fangirls would approach her about it or the rumors would get through to her so she'd come at him in a fury and he wouldn't have to approach her. They did more then he expected and the reaction that he got gave him mixed feelings…

He certainly didn't want her to know the extent that he went to to get his fan girls to pick on her, so he had cut Sai off before he could blab anymore.

But even more then just the opportunity to mess with her, Bee seemed to be presenting herself to him as a newer opportunity. For whatever reason she had become integrated in the host club, which meant if they could get her on their team they could take the host club out from the inside.

He was quick to mention that idea to the group.

"Yeah sure genius and how are we going to get her to trust us? I thought we made it pretty clear we don't like her kind and I'm sure she doesn't like us after that last encounter." Ryuugi said, fiddling with his earing.

"That isn't entirely true – she's interested in you isn't she Kirito?" Naoki commented, his blonde tips shining in the afternoon sun.

"…" Taki, our almost always silent member, nodded in agreement.

"Yeah! You could get her under your spell so easily!" Sai exclaimed bouncing.

"QUIET SAI" They all shot him warning glances and he gave a sheepish smile back, his head bouncing as if he understood.

Kirito had a feeling he didn't understand.

Kirito sighed and took a pause before he responded "Yeah, I suppose …" He smirked and his mind whirled in excitement thinking of how much fun he'd have teasing her like the first week they'd met. "I'm sure I'll figure something out." Kyoya leaned a little closer to get a better look at the paper, shoulder brushing with Bee in the process. Kirito turned away from the window, not wanting to see the sight anymore and began heading back to the boy's dorm.

XOXOXOXOXOOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOOXXOOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOOXOXOXOXOX

Sunday:

I didn't leave my room until I got a knock on my door and saw Kirito standing on the other end. I quickly slammed it in his face but he just kept knocking, his voice making it through the thick wood telling me he wanted to talk.

"I have no interest in what you have to say." I sang back as I worked on some unfinished homework.

"Come on Bee, don't be like that."

"Like what? Pretending you don't exist? I figured you'd love that game?" I muttered. Why did I even care?

Then I realized – I didn't care. I honestly couldn't bring myself to really care about what Kirito thought about after I had been slightly wounded from the random personality changes.

I just didn't have the energy to care anymore.

After all, I had enough trouble going on with Hikaru and Kaoru that I didn't' need to deal with all his crap too.

Around ten minutes later he finally gave up.

Later that day I set up a card game with Chieko – who had returned around 6:00pm – and the rest of the girls. It was a good, carefree night from then on – and I didn't worry about Kirito at all.

Monday: Today was a doozy for sure. First off was lunch. I had gotten in a habit of just skipping the cafeteria and working on homework in the classroom. On this day, however I didn't have much to do and I was hungry so I went there. To my great displeasure I was in line one person behind the twins and they clearly noticed I was there. I didn't know what they were up to but they chatted with the girl in front of me and then she started jabbering so excitedly I was taken of guard and didn't notice if the twins did anything else.

It was the girls turn to order and she turned back to me and said. "Oh I'll pay for yours too!"

"Pay…" Oh crap. I completely forgot you had to pay for school lunches, I got free breakfast and dinner here thanks to the boarding school part of my program, but lunches weren't free. I just forgot that I couldn't afford it – I normally didn't eat lunch back home either but when I did I completely forgot that there was money in an account that allowed me to get food. I accepted her gift, completely forgetting that the twins had been talking to her just a few minutes ago, and dazedly sat down with her at a table.

I looked at my plate a little skeptically, unfamiliar with the dish. It was steamy and warm, which I appreciated considering it was a chilly spring afternoon and anything familiar to warmth was welcome. My mind briefly drifted to wondering if it would be this chilly tomorrow as well...

"Hey, dig in." The girl said, nudging toward the food with a big smile. I smiled back before looking back at the dish. Hey, I was up to trying new things and this girl seemed really nice that even if I didn't like it would be a shame to waste it. Without further ado, I began digging in. The first gulp was barley down my throat when all of a sudden felt my eyes water up and my mouth feel like it was on fire.

My eyes frantically looked around for some water, but quickly realized I didn't have any. I banged a hand on the table and clutched at my throat as an unbelievably spicy taste assaulted me.

The girl in front of me was wide eyed and didn't know what to do.

"Oh… oh my… uh… I'll get you some water…" She was gone from the table and I was still hitting my fist against the table and writhing at the burning sensation. I knew I must have looked like an utter spectacle to the cafeteria but my brain was to focused on how each of my breaths seemed to spread the fire to my throat and lungs.

It felt like ages before my table mate arrived with water and I gulped it down so fast a lot of it spilled down my face and dress. I was to desperate for relief to care.

It wasn't enough. I stood up to search for another source of relief and I caught sight of the twins sending smirks with their eyes and snickering into their hands…They weren't the other ones, many people were looking at me with either one of two looks: Like they were either embarrassed for me (though they still laughed) or disgusted with me, their smirks plain on their faces and eye brows raised haughtily.

I dashed out of the room and spent most of the rest of lunch in the bathroom running my tongue under cold water from the sink.

The girl who had sat with me came by and waited for me to finished before she began a hurried explanation of how the twins promised her some free host club merchandise if she just distracted me in line, paid for my meal that they would order, and sit with me at lunch. She said they must have requested the chef make the normally tame meal supremely spicy. She apologized several times afterwards and I just kept telling her it was all right and it was the twins' fault… but I couldn't talk properly because my mouth didn't seem to work after nearly being burnt off!

As guilty as I knew she felt she had a tough time keeping in her giggles thanks to my messed up speech.

After all I've been through the entire school must think I'm a laughing stalk that falls down, runs into things, or just creates a scene with everything she does! All because of those twins!

That was IT! This time I was getting payback. And I knew exactly what I was going to do.

I charged into the Cafeteria 10 minutes before the end of lunch, found a table with Sachi and went over to it. I slammed my hands down and leaned in to say my peace.

"Tell the rest of the girls I want a card game meeting, after school, in the host club room." My speech was still messed up and I could see the girl holding in a giggle, probably made all the more humorous by my serious attitude, but she nodded non-the-less.

That card game I won exactly what I wanted. We had to keep our voices down during the game because I didn't want to disturb the others – especially when it seemed I was just making it onto Kyoya's good side. More importantly I didn't want the twins to hear about my plan.

The girls had been confused as to why I wanted something so cheap – but I didn't have any money of my own to buy it with and I didn't know where to get it either.

Eriko called a servant to get the goods and it was delivered around 15 minutes later outside my dorm room door – which I found hanging in a plastic bag on my door knob after I returned from directing the set up for tomorrows flower viewing session.

I smirked to myself after checking the contents.

Oh tomorrow would be oh so brilliant.

XOXOXOXOOXOXOXOXOXOXOOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Tuesday:

Host club duties arrived and I was feeling confident my little prank would work out, and I was excited to see it come to fruition even more so than to see how people enjoyed my carefully designed scenery.

Luckily, yesterdays whether worries were unwarranted. The sun shone down and warmed the air and the flowers looked perfect as a few petals fell gracefully to the ground. Nature was doing it's job for the hosts and each individual host was doing an excellent job in their own right. But I wasn't focused on any of that today. No. Today I was making sly glances to the twin's table.

A special little idea of my own was providing each seat with a lollypop. (Hani was so happy with me when I brought it up). Or in the American slang term – a sucker.

A sucker for two suckers to be exact.

Of course, to be fair to latecomers, I had extras to give out to anyone who wanted them.

But the ones in Hikaru and Kaoru's seat were special. The bet I won supplied me with not only the lollypops but also a small packet of Orajel that was only sold at some foreign store around here. I simply had unwrapped Hikaru and Karou's and slipped some on, no big deal.

They wouldn't be able to talk for a good long time.

I smirked evilly to myself right as a girl came to ask for a lollypop. Her face turned white as she stared at me, grinning like a manic with an evil tint in my eye. Needless to say she didn't stick around to get one and I learned to only make my plotting faces in my head for now on.

Just as I had thought Hikaru and Kaoru, most likely assuming that Kyoya had set this all up, were unsuspecting as they popped the sucker in their mouths.

Holy crap it actually worked. It actually freaking worked!

But as time passed their speech remained just fine. I had no idea why it wasn't working...why wasn't the orajel numbing their mouths? Panicked, I listened around to make sure everyone else could still speak and was beginning to believe the two had some kind of immunity to numbing agents when I noticed Hani was childishly poking at his face.

"mm mmh mhm mh!" He began in a small panic, continuing poking at his cheeks eyes wide and confused.

"No…" I murmured to myself.

Hani just kept poking his cheeks and slowly his panicked eyes filled with mirth and his undistinguishable panic became giggling. It let me relax just the slightest knowing I wouldn't get any trouble in that particular area.

Me? I stared slack jawed and after processing it all, turned my head oh so slowly in the twins direction. They just glanced at Hani, glanced at me and then smirked in unison. I just gave them a confused there-is-no-way-you-could-have-known face.

They shrugged as if to say "We didn't." And the sheer dumb luck of it all had me at the nearest tree ready to bang my head on it – Hani trying to warn me but failing with his numbed speech. Luckily Haruhi came over and set my arm up against the tree to provide some padding for my skull as I methodically hit my head.

To make it worse Kyoya – who I JUST felt like I was getting on the good side of – sent me a look through his glasses that seemed awfully foreboding. Of course, I would have expected the same thing if my plan had worked on the twins like it was supposed to. After all, Kyoya had been annoyed by their constant trickery of me and would have been more lenient had it hit its intended targets.

This was just dumb luck!

Right when I thought Kyoya was going to murder me with his dark aura girls began to surround Hani. Some of them were expressing concern while others simply thought the situation was awkwardly adorable. In fact as soon as the girls realized what was going on they found him even more lovable and a few extra surrounded him to see what the fuss was about. His customers nearly tripled in a few minutes and it seemed like I might be off the hook.

However, until I got a symbol of approval I would be staying out of Kyoya's way.

The event was just reaching its peak and things seemed to be going back to the usual host club flow—though Hani seemed disappointed that his numbness was slowly but surely wearing off. Man these people were strange...but I was beginning to get used to it.

I was sitting under one of the Sakura trees, sketchpad in hand and drawing out the beautiful scene as it passed by. So what if my prank didn't work out? It did turn out to be a pretty good day. I glanced up at the scene quickly only to see the legs of one Kyoya Ootori standing in front of me. I glanced up at his face, his glasses had glare from the sun so I couldn't see his eyes or read his face.

"I'm not going to sit on the ground you know." He stated, making me realize he must want to talk. I hastily stood up, hoping not to upset him any more than he probably already was. I shuffled my feet as he turned to stand side by side and gaze out at the set up in silence.

"I have to say it's just as I thought." He started, making me jump a bit at hearing his voice again and, I'll admit, a little out of fear on how I would be punished for my prank. "You're proving to be quite and asset to the host club. Its good to have you around." For the second time that day my mouth fell open like a gaping fish. I shook my head a little trying to recover from that statement.

"Well that was the opposite of what I was expecting..." I muttered, a small, unsure smile forming on my face as my eyebrows rose quizzically at him. He just glanced down, the glare of the sun shining off his glasses as he returned a small smile of his own.

"Why would that be? You did excellent and gained some new fans for one of out members." His voice was all knowing and a little bit smug—the only version of Kyoya that I had known thus far. Looks like he was pardoning my little trick...

I could only giggle lightly to myself in astonishment. Though I figured I still had a little something to prove to him, I had made a big leap in the right direction.

With that he shrugged, pulled out his electronic notepad and began tapping on it as he walked back towards the group.

I was happy with that little chat. For now, his statements translated to acceptance. In the eyes of Kyoya, I may still be under contract, but I was more then just a prisoner of a well-kept secret.

The next day I received my reward for a job well done.

I went to sit down at my usual spot by the windowsill and in my place was an array of top–of-the-line drawing materials. Pastel pencils, copic markers, paints, anything I could think of was there.

I took a glance and Kyoya and gave him a grateful smile that he just returned with one of his stoic nods. I doubt anyone even thought it was directed to me.

Maybe this arrangement wouldn't be so bad after all.