Chapter 6
School
Miyuki's POV
I paced around the living room for almost an hour. Every now and then I'd glance at the phone, hoping and at the same time dreading for a call from Ouran. Today was the day that the participants would find out if they won or not, it's already been a week since the entrance exam. I've hardly slept at all this week; I keep drowning myself with work and school assignments. But I couldn't help it; working was the one thing that makes me forget about my stress. If I don't get that scholarship I'll have to-
KRIING!!
I jumped and let out a small shriek. The phone was ringing. I swallowed as I walked towards the phone. I picked up the phone, trembling, and said in a small voice, "H-hello?"
"Good day to you, miss." A male's voice answered. "May I speak to Takayagi Miyuki; this is a call from Ouran."
When the word 'Ouran' was said, I almost fainted. Are they calling because I didn't get the scholarship? I hope not.
"Hello? Hello?" I heard.
"Y-yes, this is her." I said.
"Ah yes, it's nice to finally hear from you Takayagi-san. This is Sou Yuzuru, the superintendent of Ouran Academy. The results from your tests have just arrived and I must say that I am most impressed." He said.
I opened my mouth but no words came out. My grip on the phone was so tight my hand went numb for a second. I felt numb. It's like if a ton of bricks would fall on me right now, I wouldn't even feel it.
There was a momentary silence until the chairman continued. "You got the highest score in the exam. Congratulations, Takayagi-san. You're the second scholarship student in Ouran Academy."
For a second there I could've sworn my heart stopped beating. Did he really say it? Or was it just a hallucination or something? Am I really talking to someone? Am I even awake?
"Takayagi-san?"
"Y-yes." I said. "I-I um uh…"
I heard Sou-sama chuckle. "It's alright; I understand how you must feel. But you shouldn't be so shocked. You did work hard for it."
I then remembered all the things I went through in preparation of the exam. The piles of books all over my apartment (not counting the novels and other miscellaneous things), the cramming, the extra credit assignments, the pain (well, not really pain pain but more like mental pain. You know like when you read something so many times over that it get's stuck in your head forever, something like that) and many more things, flashed backed into my head. I felt relieved that it's finally over. And it wasn't all for nothing.
Sou-sama explained to me the benefits of being a scholarship student (and also the disadvantages). I just answered yes, no, and nodded my head a couple of times (even though he couldn't see me nodding my head).
"Oh by the way, Takayagi-san," He said before hanging up. "You should come by here tomorrow. You need to get your school guide, books, class schedule, and uniform before coming to classes here next week."
Wait a second. "Uniform?" I asked.
"Yes, you're parents took the liberty of paying for the school uniform for you." He answered.
My jaw dropped. "M-my parents know?"
"Yes. I must be going now Takayagi-san, congratulations once again." With that, he hung up.
I heard the constant beeping of the phone so placed it back to the receiver. I stared at the phone as though I've never seen it before. What just happened? I went to my room, sat on my bed and asked myself that same question. I lied on my bed and asked myself that question again and again until I fell asleep. Miraculously, I slept like a log.
About two hours later, I jolted upright in bed. It wasn't because of a bad dream or anything, it was because I keep thinking about what Sou-sama said earlier.
"Congratulations, Takayagi-san. You're the second scholarship student in Ouran Academy." His words echoed in my head. It all seemed unreal to me. But either way, I forced myself to go back to sleep. But when I do get back to sleep, I'd wake up again, thinking about the scholarship thing. And that repeated for about five times, until finally I'd decided to just get up and get ready for school.
45 minutes later…
My cell phone, which I don't really use a lot, was filled with messages from my parents and my brother. I was walking towards school. And let me just add that it was pretty early. In fact, it was still a bit chilly. Indeed, I was early (well, earlier than usual). The stores, the book stores I paid attention to, haven't even opened yet, much to my dismay. Finally, I got to school.
The day went by, and somehow I felt like I was forgetting something. It was already dismissal time and still I couldn't shake off the feeling that I had to do something important. I tried to remember but I wasn't so successful. That was until my homeroom teacher approached me.
"Ah, Takayagi-san." A brown haired woman in her mid-thirties said, grinning, "Congratulations on getting the scholarship."
I blinked. What? "Scholarship?" I asked, almost I a whisper.
Amane-sensei (That's her name) raised an eyebrow. "Didn't they tell you? You got the scholarship in Ouran." She said.
"Congratulations, Takayagi-san. You're the second scholarship student in Ouran Academy." So it wasn't just a dream after all! So that means…
"That's it!" I exclaimed. Sensei looked surprised and took a step backward.
"What's wrong, Takayagi-san?" She asked.
I bowed at her. "Thank you very much, Amane-sensei." Then I left. I was supposed to go to Ouran for something today, right? I ran to Ouran (which was pretty far, if you'd recalled) as fast as I could. I'm not really an athlete, so I wasn't really fast. I don't even like running or any other activity that involves sweat. I'm more into non-social, non-active activities.
The school gate came to vision and for some reason, my stomach churned. It was like I was in a dream or something. The gate seemed real and yet it seemed like it was just a mirage. Even the guard looked unreal. I stopped running and stared at the school's insignia embedded on the large gate. 'Is this really happening?' I kept thinking. I thought of turning back and running away, but, as if on cue, the guard saw me.
"Are you here for a visit, miss?" The guard called. "I'm sorry but classes haven't ended yet."
I blinked. Should I run now? Or should I just tell the truth? I weighed my options. And the option of just leaving now seems pretty good.
"Wait. Are you Takayagi Miyuki?" Damn.
"Uh… Yeah." I muttered.
"Ah. Yes, I've been told to let you in." The guard said. He opened the gate. I went inside and looked for the superintendent's office. Unfortunately, it was a lot harder than I thought. The school was enormous. Was it really just a school?
As I walked down the hallway, my footsteps made soft echoes. It really was quiet. At least that's one thing to look forward to. Back in my old school, there's no such thing as a quiet day. Almost every room would be noisy. But, I guess I'll miss my old school.
As I reminisced of my high school days (which, oddly enough, weren't so many, I wasn't really paying any attention to any school activity) I heard someone say, or rather shout something. I didn't quite hear it clearly, but I did hear something like "Okaa-san," and "Get away." After realizing that I was standing outside a door, I looked up.
"Third Music Room?" I muttered. "Am I even anywhere near the superintendent's office?"
"That's enough!" I heard from the other side of the door. "Do you think that I-
Then it hit me. No, not like the idea kind. But, the door hit me (hard).
Bam. (That's the sound of the door hitting Miyuki by the way)
I was sent taking a few steps backward. Then I lost my balance and fell.
"Ow." I said as I touched my head. Seconds later, I saw someone (actually just his feet) come near me.
"I'm sorry. I didn't-
He stopped the moment I looked up. I blinked. The person was a guy. A familiar guy. He had black hair and eyes. He wore glasses and he was tucking a notebook on his left arm. Somehow I feel like I've met him already. I just can't put my finger on it.
There was a moment of silence. The guy was extending his hand, as if to help me up, but he stared at me like I was a weird creature or something.
Normal POV
Tamaki stepped out of the club room, only to see Kyouya a few feet from his side. Kyouya, who was unmoving and silent at the time, had his back on Tamaki.
"Kyouya? What's wrong?" Tamaki asked as he peered through Kyouya's shoulder.
"AH! Hime! Daijoubou?" Tamaki said as he rushed towards the so-called "princess". He bent down on his knee and held her hand. "I hope so. The mere thought of a beautiful princess, such as yourself, to get hurt would just break my heart." Tamaki said as he flipped his hair and petals came falling out of nowhere. That, my friend, was Tamaki's signature 'bishonen special effects'.
The girl blinked. 'Where'd those petals come from?' She thought.
"Tamaki." Kyouya said in his usual commanding tone. Tamaki looked up at him, beaming.
"What is it Okaa-san?" Tamaki asked.
Kyouya hesitated for a moment, weighing his options. Then he said in a monotonous tone, "Go back to the club room."
"Huh?" Tamaki said. Kyouya glared at him, as if to say 'do I really need to repeat myself?' Tamaki shrank, knowing how the Shadow king can obliterate anyone who dares to oppose him. He stood up and helped the girl to stand up while doing so.
"I'm sorry, hime. But I'm afraid this is as far as I will go." Tamaki said to the girl, who was completely unaware of what was going on. "I hope to see you soon." He added while kissing the girl's hand softly.
Tamaki went back to the music room and closed the door. Inside the room, there were faint voices talking and asking about Kyouya. Fortunately, they were smart enough not to go outside to where Kyouya was. He was already exhausted and, to be honest, in a really bad mood.
There was a momentary wave of silence that swept over the two (Kyouya and the girl/Miyuki, I mean). Kyouya was looking at the girl; the light hiding his eyes behind his glasses.
"So," Kyouya said all of a sudden. Miyuki looked at him, a clueless look in her eyes (her usual look). "It's true then, you really are the second scholarship student in Ouran."
Miyuki's POV
The man in front of me talked and looked at me in a familiar way. I couldn't help but think that we've already met before. But I haven't, or have I? He looks familiar, but I just can't say for sure. Do I know him? More importantly, should I know him?
"Are you going to say anything?" He asked, folding his arms over his chest.
"I uh…" I had no idea what to say. Even if I did, why should I tell them to that guy? I don't even know him (I guess so).
He held up his hand to stop me from saying anything. Something which I really didn't need, I didn't know what to say anyway. "Never mind saying it. Sorry, I shouldn't have asked when I'm the one to tell you not to say it anyway. You're trying to get to the superintendent's office, right?" He asked as he smiled. His personality changed in an instant. It was like someone just replaced the guy who was barking at the blonde guy earlier. And, I don't know how to put this but for some reason his smile seems as though it was fake, or somewhere on the lines of that. But maybe I'm just digging too much of it.
I didn't say anything; all I could do was stare at him. Do I really know him? He seems so familiar. And yet he seems like a total stranger.
Maybe I should just go now. Wait; didn't my onii-san say something to me about something like this before?
'Remember Miyuki, never talk to strangers.'
No, that's not it. It was something else.
'Miyuki, you have to cut go along with other people, okay?'
Oh yeah, that's what he said. Wait, was it go along, or get along?
The man noticed that I wasn't sure of what I would reply, so he said, "If you want, I could accompany you to the superintendent's office. This school has a lot of rooms, you might get lost." He smiled. And again, I was somewhat intrigued by that smile.
I weighed my options. Should I refuse? Or should I follow my onii-san's words? Think. Then a picture of my onii-san flashed into my head.
'Don't forget what I told you, Miyuki…' Those were his last words to me before he boarded the plane for Italy. He probably meant that 'going along with other people' or something like that. I wasn't really listening.
"Takayagi-san?" The man said. My God. He knows my name? What should I do?
Miyuki… Onii-san?
That's it. That's the answer. Okay, I'll do it. Thanks for your advice, onii-san. I'll 'go along' with this guy just like you said.
Meanwhile, somewhere in Italy…
A man (Miyuki's brother) with blonde hair and light blue eyes was reading a newspaper, and then suddenly he twitched.
"Why did you just twitch, dear?" A brown haired woman, his wife, asked, putting down some cups for their coffee.
The man looked confused. He looked around but saw nothing out of the ordinary. The he answered unsurely, "I don't know, but for some reason I felt like I should twitch."
Back in Ouran…
"Takayagi-san?"
"Uh, sure." I said. "If it's really alright with you."
He smiled. "Of course." The way he said it was weird. It was almost like it was rehearsed.
We walked in silence. The place really was big. It was as though the hallways would go on forever. Meanwhile, the unknown man and I were feeling a bit awkward. Well, I did. As we were walking, I tried my best to remember the man. He spoke to me with such familiarity that I know that I've already met him. But the problem was who is he exactly? Maybe he's somehow related to Kaya. That would make sense. But Kaya doesn't have any other siblings other than Ren. Nor would she ever think of introducing me to anyone. She knows that I'm always busy. Who is that man?
I didn't realize that I was staring at him until he turned to me and asked, "What is it?"
I blinked. "Nothing." I said, looking at him straight in the eye. Maybe I'll recognize him through his eyes. No, nothing.
Moments later we arrived outside the superintendent's office. There was a wooden double door with elaborate and sophisticated designs.
"Here we are, Takayagi-san." The man said. "I should be going now. Good luck."
He turned around and began to walk.
"Wait." I said. Although, I had no idea why I did so.
He looked at me. "Yes?"
"Um, uh, thank you very much." I said, bowing. I would have said his name but I don't know what it is.
"You're welcome." I heard him say. And with those last words, he left. I stared at the door. 'This is exactly how I felt when I was about to enter the examination room. Why am I so nervous? It's like déjà vu.'
I knocked on the door. Then came a soft 'come in' reply. I twisted the door handles and opened the door.
Kyouya's POV
It's been such a hectic week. But it wasn't just school work, actually the school work compromises to about a half of my schedule; it was mostly the host club activities. For some reason Tamaki had a 'brilliant' idea for a theme in the host club. It was a medieval theme. He actually wanted real live horses on the campus, not to mention the costumes and props that were oh-so needed. The dresses that were used for renting to our costumers cost twice as much as our previous themes. That was the most extravagant club theme we ever had. It's a good thing I had some club savings just in case something like this happened.
I had such a headache. Since I've been living all by myself I had no time to rest at all. I just had too much to do. But I guess this is what father intended to do from the very beginning. He wanted to see whether or not I would crumble. He probably expects me to go home and come back because I had too much work. But I'll never do that. I might be a bit tired but I'm not idiotic enough to do something like that.
"Kyouya, I've got another ingenious plan for tomorrow's theme!" Tamaki exclaimed as he ran towards where I was sitting. We were inside the host club preparing to open. I was sitting on my usual table, typing down well, you really don't need to know what.
I let out a breath. I adjusted my glasses and ignored the babbling idiot.
"Kyouya, are you listening?" Tamaki asked. I inwardly twitched. I have to admit that I am physically exhausted. My hands are barely doing what I want them to do (typing of course, just in case you had any other ideas).
"Kyouya. Kyouya. Kyouya." Tamaki persisted. I noticed that the rest of the club members were backing away in fear.
I shut my eyes tight for a second, and them slowly I opened them, hoping that Tamaki would've gone away. Much to my dismay, he was still there, waiting for me to answer him.
"What, Tamaki?" I managed to say calmly.
Tamaki's face brightened. "I have a new theme idea!"
I sighed. "Tell me later Tamaki." I said as I continued typing, not bothering to look at his direction.
"Eh? Are you sure? I really think you should-
"I said later." I said a bit louder than I intended.
"But you really need to hear it now." Tamaki childishly persisted.
I felt my anger rising. "Later, I'm busy."
"But-
I stood up. The room fell silent. Everyone in the room shrank in fear. I looked around the room; the place was so tense that there was no way that I would ever get any work done now.
"Um, Kyouya-senpai?" Haruhi bravely asked. They (minus Tamaki who was frozen in fear at his spot) were huddled up against one side of the room. I glared at them, probably due to my anger. Nowadays I feel as though I can hardly watch my temper. I'm just too exhausted.
The twins covered her mouth. "No, no! She wasn't going to say anything." They said nervously.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "I need to go somewhere." I said as I began walking to the door. But I wasn't lying. I really did need to go somewhere. Somewhere far away and quiet.
"Wait, Okaa-san!" Tamaki called behind me.
I was in a foul mood and I wanted to get away from there fast, so I snapped at him. "Get away from me." I said a bit too coldly.
"But Kyouya, what I wanted to say was that we should have a simpler theme so that you won't have too much weight on you're shoulders." Tamaki said.
This was too much. Does he think that I can't handle a bit of work? If he wanted to lighten my load he could actually help, instead of creating such ridiculous ideas.
"That's enough!" I said as I turned the door handle and started to open it. "Do you really think that I-
Bam. I hit something. Then I heard a soft 'Ow.'. It was from a girl. 'That's just great. Now I have to put on my host smile and try to flatter some girl who may or may not be of use to my career.'
I stepped outside and walked towards the girl. She wasn't wearing the Ouran female's uniform. In fact, she was wearing a public school's uniform. I guess I don't need to do as much. I walked towards her and held out my hand. "I'm sorry I didn't-
It's her. That passive girl. Why was she here? Could she be the scholarship student? But how? It was already strange that she became one of the participants, but to think that she won. I continued to stare at her. She stared back. Although, she looked at me as if she didn't recognize me. But it can't be so. We're neighbors. I'm pretty sure we met every now and then on the hallways at the apartment building. What kind of person would forget their next-door neighbor?
How is it? Am I taking this story a bit too slow? Is Kyouya a bit OOC? Kindly review. I'd appreciate that.
BTW, Kaya is Miyuki's editor (just in case you'd forget). And remember the cut that I put in one scene where Miyuki tries to recall what her brother had said. I did it on purpose. What Miyuki's brother really said was:
'Miyuki, you have to try and get along with other people, okay?'