Hikaru, Haruhi, and Kaoru were each well known for their tardiness. While the twins were the last to arrive to class (barely making it through the door with their smug expressions before the teacher started to take roll), Haruhi was most commonly known for her late appearances to club activities. So, when the three of them were together, one hfad to expect that they would all be undoubtedly late.
As if to live up to everyone's expectations, the three youngest members of the Host Club decided to join the rest of their friends at the poolside nearly fifteen minutes after the agreed time. The sun still hung high overhead, seeing as it was only just before three in the afternoon. They still had a few hours to enjoy a dip in the pool which, thankfully, wasn't as busy as they first assumed it would be with the slightly warmer than usual weather.
Tamaki had been the first to react to Haruhi's most recent attire. At first it had been in a truly positive manner (jaw drop, inner mind theater session, etc). That is, until she had turned around to place her items on one of the empty lounge chairs and he was provided with a good look at her backside.
"My lord is acting very naughty indeed," Kaoru said with a sly grin as he noticed where Tamaki's gaze had landed.
Tamaki could feel his blood bubble at the sight of the label plastered across his darling daughter's rear and the taunting, identical expressions he knew the twins both sported. With Kyoya's warning from lunchtime still fresh in his mind, Tamaki decided to restrain himself against causing a scene. He could always kill the twins later, in the privacy of their rooms, for treating his darling daughter like they did.
Kyoya lifted a hand to his head in an exhausted manner, feeling an ache begin to take shape beneath his fingertips. He could see the blond's face turning a dark shade of red, accompanied by shaking and the tightening of fists. There weren't too many people around the pool and he definitely did not see any truly important or notable business figures. Nevertheless, the youngest Ootori son would have to get around to having that conversation with the twins about limiting their teasing.
"Haru-chan is so pretty!" Hunny said as he bounced over to the girl. Haruhi had just finished putting down her items as she turned to greet the senior with a warm smile.
Hunny, who had once admitted that he could not swim, was content with the inflatable inner tube that circled his slim waist. It was made of plastic and tinted a light green color. On the front of the tube, a white bunny head could be seen sticking out while pink flowers decorated the sides. It was the epitome of cuteness. Most girls would proclaim how adorable he was, but Haruhi could only provide her friend a smile as he spun in a circle, showing off his inner tube.
"Isn't Haru-chan pretty, Takashi?" Hunny inquired of the tall senior, noticing the somber gaze that had fallen on the girl.
Takashi Morinozuka, who had known his cousin for several years, was well aware of what the shorter boy was trying to do. Deciding to end the game that Hunny was intent on playing, Takashi merely gave a "yes" in reply. No blushing, no shifting from foot to foot, no signs of embarrassment or emotion in general.
A few feet away, Hikaru, who had stealthily slid next to Tamaki, whispered into the blond's ear, "Have you seen what the tag on Haruhi's top reads?"
Tamaki shook his head and fixed a questioning gaze on the silver dog tag that glinted off of Haruhi's top.
"What do you think looks prettiest about Haru-chan, Takashi?" Hunny asked, deciding to push his luck.
"Haruhi's a beautiful person," Takashi replied. Haruhi, being Haruhi, didn't even blush, but just looked between the two seniors with a thoughtful gaze that let them know she was trying to decipher the situation.
With his face turned away from Haruhi, Hunny looked at his cousin with an uncharacteristic, blank stare before reverting back to his normally chipper self. The stare had been extremely brief, and one had to have great observation skills to even notice it. Takashi, who did indeed have great observation skills, and knew exactly what his cousin's reasons were, remained silent and emotionless as he always did.
Hunny had turned his attention back to the girl in front of him, clasping his hand around her wrist.
"Let's go swim, Haru-chan!" Hunny said cheerfully, dragging the girl behind him and towards the pool at an enthusiastic speed.
Haruhi could only follow behind with wide eyes, barely able to keep her feet on the ground as she was tugged mercilessly behind the martial artist. Even though it looked like he couldn't hurt a fly with his "loli-shota" persona, Hunny was a lean, mean, killing machine when he needed to be. The steel grip on her arm was only a hint at his true power.
'Was Hunny-senpai trying to say that he and Mori-senpai actually like the bikini?' Haruhi wondered curiously, still thinking about the events that had taken place moments ago, 'Maybe I should ask the twins to make them an outfit because they seem to enjoy their designs. That should make Hikaru and Kaoru happy, especially since it might get them off my back...'
Haruhi, who read emotions like most four-year olds read Shakespeare, was extremely off when it came to the two cousins and their feelings. However, Haruhi wasn't allowed any more time to ponder the situation as she felt herself take flight. Why were her club members, the pool boys, the lounge chairs, and the pool becoming smaller...?
"Mitsukuni," came the deep voice of his cousin, "you overdid it."
Hunny tilted his head to look at his cousin with an accusing glare, "You like her."
"You threw her too high," Takashi clarified, ignoring his cousin's comment.
It was common knowledge, "what goes up most come down." Haruhi had learned the laws of gravity as a child. During science class, the students would gather around the window to toss out objects of varying sizes to test how fast the items fell. At recess, Haruhi had tested her knowledge while observing the small ball she and her friends would toss around. However, Haruhi had never expected to experience such common knowledge at extreme heights. Especially not on her supposed vacation.
"Oh!" Hunny exclaimed, finally noticing the girl that was rapidly nearing the water below. She donned a calm, thoughtful expression which would have caused the twins to crack up and proclaim how fearless their fellow underclassmen was had they not been too busy calling out her name in worry.
Kaoru and Hikaru panicked as Haruhi fell through the surface of the water. Tamaki screamed out, "HARUHI!", running towards the pool with Kaoru and Hikaru at his side. The three had jumped into the pool, intent on saving the girl from her "demise." Takashi had jumped in as well, leaving his cousin on the side to watch the four swim towards where Haruhi had fallen.
Haruhi, an average swimmer, had never been extremely reliant on others. As she swam to the surface to take a few deep breaths, her eyes opened widely, spotting the men that surrounded her in confusion.
"I didn't know you all wanted to swim so badly," Haruhi finally commented observantly as she stared at the twins, the senior, and the club president that were circled around her. Each wore a disbelieving expression at her unaffected being.
Hikaru, always so quick to act, slapped his hand at the water, causing the liquid to splash in Haruhi's face.
"Hey!" Haruhi cried out in protest, ducking beneath the water's surface to prevent herself from being splashed again.
Kaoru, relieved that she was okay, looked between his brother and Haruhi before then letting his gaze drift to the senior and the blond that were still staring at the girl. Kaoru made a mental note of the situation, but let it slide as he joined the water fight that had erupted between Haruhi and Hikaru.
Hunny had jumped in shortly after to join in the "splash-match" that was taking place, but Kyoya decided to lounge on one of the chairs, sipping at a glass of lemonade and reading the magazine that one of the waiters had brought by.
While the friend's enjoyed the relaxing water and the peaceful atmosphere provided by an endless stretch of ocean surrounding them, Ryoji Fujioka was not so relaxed, happy, or comfortable by any means.
"Is this necessary?" Ryoji asked as he tilted his head to the side, observing the woman in front of him.
"The young master was clear in his orders that I must ensure cleanliness in the Fujioka residence," came the reply.
"But is this," Ryoji craned his neck, indicating his arms that were tied behind his back, "really necessary?"
"Young master Ootori stated that I must take any means necessary."
"Isn't this overdoing it?" he inquired, shifting about for comfort purposes.
"Any means necessary," she repeated.
Risa Keno, who stood delicately atop a wooden chair as she dusted the light fixture hanging overhead, hummed softly to herself, inspecting every so often for any traces or remnants of dust.
Ryoji sighed and leaned his head back to stare at the paneled ceiling. He really needed a drink. He'd needed a drink ever since his hangover had ended hours ago. A nice, strong drink to make him forget about this day ever happening.
Mere seconds after his daughter had been dragged out of the house by the two twins, he had seen the expertly concealed, pure evil, of the Ootori maid that was now currently dusting the ceiling fan.
Earlier, he had sent his daughter off with a cheerful wave before shutting the door and turning to go back to the bedroom for a few more hours of rest. Taken by surprise as a blur of movement tackled him, pinning his arms behind him, the okama hadn't had the time to put up too much of an effective struggle against the smaller woman. She had confined his arms with a sturdy rope that he hadn't even noticed before. Finally satisfied that he wouldn't be able to escape, she had dragged the frantic cross-dresser over to a chair where he had remained for the past, several hours.
"What if I need to pee?" was one of the first questions he had asked.
The maid had only held up a glass jar in reply before turning back to her cleaning.
He'd been pelting the woman with questions ever since. At first it was out of worry for his wellbeing, but then he discovered she wasn't going to do anything more than threaten him and tie him up. After his most pressing questions had been answered, he'd started on some to piss her off. Then, after another hour or so of random questions, he was dreadfully bored. Deciding he had nothing better to do, he had just asked her general questions about herself. That, of course, had ended shortly after it began. Tired of hearing her talk in her short, five-word max replies, he'd started talking about himself, his life, his daughter, his job, and pretty much anything in general in hopes of winning over the stern maid.
Not that it had worked, though. If anything, he'd only provided her with more reasons to keep him confined to the chair.
And then his drinking buddies had called him up, asking him if he wanted to go out for another trip to the bar. It was his day off from work after all. Besides, it was a weekly, Sunday ritual to get smashed!
When Risa had picked up the phone, wiping it with a disinfectant cloth before placing it next to her ear, she had been very displeased to hear who had been on the other end and what was required of Ryoji.
"He is currently indisposed," she had said before slamming the phone back onto its receiver and returning to her chores.
And that's how things were at the Fujioka residence.