-xChapter 3x-

"Haru-chan, would you like a slice of cake?" asked Hunny after the rest of the clients left.

"Hmm?" she replied without looking out her book. "Uh… sure. I'll have a slice."

Hunny looked at her curiously. This was the first time she wanted something sweet. He looked at Mori first, then at Kyoya who was jotting something in his infamous notebook. Hunny turned his attention back to the girl reading a book, brows furrowed trying so hard to understand it. "Okay Haru-chan. I'll be right back."

Aristotle's model of a tragic hero is one who believes is better than the average person and is brought down by his own flaw. What is his flaw and how does it relate to his feelings to people around him? On himself? She flipped through the book trying to figure out the meaning of the character's philosophy. I know I read it somewhere! "Agh!" She slammed the book shut, lean back and closed her eyes. Shakespeare has always been easy for me. But why am I having a hard time? Well, no doubt about it; the problem resides with that idiot of a host king. If it wasn't for him, this book wouldn't be so damn difficult to read. And not to mention, my mind wouldn't be preoccupied with these thoughts. That good for nothing-

"Haru-chan?" Hunny's soft voice interrupted her ranting. "Here is your cake," and he handed her a plate.

She blinked. Oh yeah. I asked for cake. "Arigatou Hunny-senpai." She took the fork and began to eat.

As she devoured her sweet, Hunny examined her. She was eating, but her mind was elsewhere. She had a distant gaze and her fork would linger longer than it needs to be in her mouth. Hunnyy began to worry and he turned to look at Mori who was also looking at the young freshman. Mori turned his gaze at his cousin. He nodded at Hunny to assure him of something and they both turned to look at the girl across from them.

After half an hour, Haruhi found out that there wasn't anymore cake on her plate. She looked at Hunny and Mori to find them looking intently at her. "Is there something on my face senpai?"

Hunny smiled and replied, "Hai! Just a little cream at the corner of your mouth."

Mori grunted and handed her a handkerchief.

She took it gratefully and wiped her mouth. "Well, the cake was delicious, but I have to go home now." She quickly put her books into her bag and zipped it up. She looked out the window, traces of pinks and orange almost disappearing in the darkening sky. She mumbled something beneath her breath before she turned to look at the rest of the members. After saying goodbye, she sprinted out the room.

The members stared after her. "That poor girl," the twins commented. They seated themselves on the couch that Haruhi occupied moments before.

Hunny looked at his cousin and then at the shadow king, now walking towards the armchair. After seating himself, he opened the laptop once again, fixed his glasses and looked at the rest of the members.

A flash ran through Hikaru's eyes and his twin noticed. Kaoru nudged him and quietly told him to calm down. "How the hell can I?" Hikaru yelled. He looked around and stunned faces of Mori and Hunny stared back. Kyoya merely pushed his glasses further up his nose. He sheepishly looked down and apologized softly to his twin.

"Hika-chan, we all know what you're going through," responded Hunny with concern. "But please try to calm down."

He looked up to face the speaker. "Senpai, I'm trying. But the past three weeks is driving me crazy." He turned to Kyoya who was looking as stoic as ever. "Tell me you've talked to him."

"I tried. But that idiot would turn off his phone the second time I'd call," he replied.

"God! I can't take it anymore. Have you guys seen how she's acting in class?"

"Hikaru, I know," answered his twin. He looked at everyone and asked, "Is there any way we can find him?"

"As we speak, I've sent my family's private guards and spies to find him."

"How long ago was this Kyo-chan?"

"Three weeks ago."

"And they've found…"

"Nothing, senpai."

An awkward silence fills the room. Kyoya looks out at the darkened sky, Hunny, all the while clutching at his Bun-bun, and Mori stares at the floor as if intrigued at the sudden appearance of it. As for the twins, they watched restlessly at the rest of the members. Well, at least one of them. "Let's go Kaoru," Hikaru commanded his brother. Kaoru stood up along with his twin. Hikaru walked silently towards the door while Kaoru apologized by bowing before following after him.

-----

Hikaru stormed down the corridor, his brother trailing behind. They neared the stairs when Kaoru grabbed his twin's shoulder and turned him around. "What is your problem?" Hikaru spat.

"You're not acting like yourself lately."

"You think?" He turned and started to descend when he felt his brother's hand on his shoulder. The turned around to face his brother's concerned facade. He took a deep sigh, at least enough to calm down a little.

"It's hard for me as well, Hikaru. I'm worried about her."

"But she's not taking this whole separation thing well. You've seen here. Spacing out every second, barely concentrating to the teacher, drawing doodles all over her work – everything that isn't Haruhi!" he yelled, raising his arms in the air.

Kaoru sighed and just look at his brother. A silence crept between and the two just look at each other. Each one trying to convey a message, but would be intercepted by the other's message. Finding the whole staring contest pointless, Hikaru exasperatedly started down the staircase.

"Wait Hikaru."

But Hikaru ignored his brother's call and jogged faster down the stairs. He didn't want to hear anything at the moment; he didn't want to see anything. His mind is preoccupied by other things, and his brother's voice and words would further complicate his thoughts.

Hearing quick steps nearing him, Hikaru bolted down the staircase and out of the high school building. He ran, where it was he didn't know. He was confused and had to think through the situation at hand. Images blurred in front and all he sees is a mix of greens and every now and then red. He suddenly stopped. He looked at his surrrounding and found it perplexing that he ended up in the middle of the maze where the marble gazebo stood. He entered it and sat down at the cold seat. How ironic that his mind is as jumbled as the place he's sitting in.

"I knew you'd be here," his brother's voice cut through.

Hikaru looked up at his brother's concerned eyes. He hmph-ed, crossed his arms and averted his eyes. A pattering of his brother's feet alerted him that Kaoru enter the gazebo and is now seated next to him. Another silence pursued.

"Hikaru, you like her more than a friend huh?" The question cut through the silence and Hikaru turned to face his brother. He was stunned.

Hikaru calmed himself and replied, "Don't be silly Kaoru. Haruhi is a toy we enjoy ourselves with."

"You're the one acting silly."

Hikaru just stared.

"You can be so readable brother," Kaoru stated. He sighed and looked ahead. "Did you know that?"

Hikaru followed his brother's gaze out in the gazebo. The roses were in full bloom, sizes as large as his palms, its color all the more brighter with the lamp post illuminating. He took in a deep breath and responded, "Since when?"

Kaoru cocked his head to face his brother and smiled. "I've always known."

Hikaru fiddled with his fingers on his lap. "It doesn't help that Haruhi doesn't know."

"Then you can tell her."

"You have got to be kidding me," he looked dumbfounded at his brother.

"If not you, then who?"

"Have you been piecing out her antics lately? How the hell can I?"

"Yes, I know." He hesitated before continuing, "She's starting to fall for Tamaki."

"Starting to fall?" Hikaru scoffed. "More like she's in love with him."

"So you noticed it too?" Kaoru asked calmly. He anticipated his reaction.

"What? You think I'm blind? Yes. Like you I've been watching her and everything points out to it. And this whole separation thing will only make her love him more!"

"So what do you think we should do?"

Hikaru looked flabbergasted at his brother. Did he want to do anything to Haruhi and Tamaki? And if he did what is that he wants to do?

"Hikaru, you've been sulking for the pass three weeks. Aside from the fact you've figured out Haruhi's disposition and feelings, there has got to be something else."

"…"

"You can tell me."

"…"

"Hikaru, stop being stubborn. Just spit it out." Kaoru sees his brother mutter something beneath his breath. "I didn't catch that."

"I said, I want her to forget about Tamaki."

-----

Kyoya fixed his glasses as soon at the twins left. He looked at his seniors and said, "The clubs clients have severely dropped since Tamaki left the country. I don't know how long our current excuse for him can hold out, but we need to take action. I suggest we have his clients reassigned to other members in the club. What do you think?"

Hunny looked the junior across from him, holding his Bun-Bun tighter. "I guess that's fine," the loli-shota replied.

Kyoya opened his ledger and quickly jot down notes. He went back to his opened laptop and typed fervently the accounts of the week. As the weeks progressed, the club's budget had steadily declined. He had to pull some money just to keep certain necessities. Mind you, it wasn't much, but the fact the club is losing money bugs him.

"Kyo-chan," quipped the little senior.

He looked up from his laptop. "Yes, Hunny-senpai?"

"You've been talking to him right?"

"I have."

"Then why didn't you tell the truth with the Hitachiin brothers?" asked the little blonde.

Kyoya raised an eyebrow at his fellow club member.

"Kyo-chan, it's alright if you tell us. We promise not to tell Haruhi, unless of course you want us to."

Kyoya sighed and took off his glasses. He took out a piece of cloth and pursued to wipe his glasses. After cleaning, he placed it back on the bridge of his nose and looked directly at the speaker. "Those two are unbelievable," he began. "He thinks it's her fault and she thinks likewise. They are both as stubborn as ever."

"What exactly did he say?"

Kyoya remained silent and just looked at the short senior.

"I see," the little blonde remarked, understanding everything the shadow king "said" to him. He finished his last bite of cake before he jumped off the couch. "Let's go Takeshi." The tall man stood up and followed his cousin out the door.

Kyoya continued to type on his laptop. Eyebrows furrowed, he's figuring out details to the said plan, and to have the two face each other again.

A/N: sorry for the long wait. but after several days of stress-relievers, i am back writing this story. how this story is going is a little sketchy, but if i write, then ideas will start popping out. and yes, i decided to change the spelling of their names only bc that's really how it's spelled. one other thing, mind any grammatical errors. i wanted to post this as quickly as i can.

reviews/constructive criticism please!