Miku kicked the shadows as she walked home, already too tired to do anything less. To lift her feet fully was too much trouble, as was to walk any faster than the pathetic pace she was currently hiking down the street. All around her, busy people with places to go and not enough time to get there passed her on the street, casting back questioning glances as they identified the Ouran uniform and wondered, why wasn't she driving to her destination? Quiet honestly, as she sighed, she wondered that, too.

Why hadn't she phoned home and asked for a ride home? Why hadn't she called someone to pick her up and take her someplace, be it her official driver or a friend?

It seemed completely absurd, at that moment when she was so tired and defeated, but she knew the real reason.

She didn't want to go home at any means. Nor did she want to see any of her friends in fear of temptation.

Yes, she was so stressed out recently. Alcohol and partying was all she knew. To go even a day without it – like she was to do today – would be hell. Complete hell. Sex was a stress reliever, she knew, and, by god, could she use it now. If she had even one male friend of hers pick her up for even a few moments to drive her somewhere, she couldn't fully guarantee that she wouldn't lose the game right then and there. It was too much of a gamble to take and, most honestly, she did not want to take it, despite the fact that she was well known to take chances.

Another sigh escaped her lips as she turned off the busy street and onto a more secluded side street, going to her own personal haven, the asylum of the restaurant.

As soon as she entered, she was greeted by large smiles and choruses of her name being said by the workers there.

She couldn't even muster up the strength to smile back, her body so dependent on the rush and buzz she received from her usual afternoon drink of vodka. Slowly she took the usual seat in the modern-looking restaurant – the third seat from the door, right by the window overlooking the street she had come off of – and slumped deeply into the seat, her backpack thrown to the other side of the table, onto the booth's seat there while she stretched out on the cushioned seat she sat on.

"Long day?" a waiter asked playfully, sliding into the seat beside her bag and leaning on the black-and-white table. He was beautiful, she knew, even without opening her eyes to look at him. Just by the sound of his voice she knew who it was; Rey, he was called. He had brown eyes and black hair. Part Japanese, part Australian. His hobbies were painting and baking sweets. Favorite color? Orange. Occupation? Waiter and night lighter as a DJ at a local club. She knew everything about him and the rest of the workers; she was a frequent and lonely visitor who often stole their time and left large tips in exchange.

"You wouldn't believe the half of it," she stated with a shake of her head. Suddenly energized from having the opportunity to tell her tale, she sat up and leaned on the table too, close to the boy with the childish face and adorable features. "One of my teachers – that stupid ass Hiro – threatened me by saying that if I didn't smarten up and stop my partying and whatnot, that he'd have me kicked out of Ouran permanently. So he made some jerk – Ootori Kyoya, if you're wondering – is-"

She was cut off by the shocked voice of the boy, exhasperated as he repeated the name of the rich and famous boy she was to be around constantly. "Ootori Kyoya?"

She nodded, "Yeah, him."

"You lucky girl!" he said happily, punching her lightly in the arm, considerate of the fact that she was still a fragile woman. "How awesome would it be to nail an Ootori? They're loaded and respected! You'd be set!"

"Only problem is that I'm forbidden from that shit," she continued on with a sigh. "Damn teacher said I had to ask for permission to do anything that normal kids wouldn't do. No partying, no drinking, no having sex with hot guys... And even if I did somehow get permission to have sex, that Ootori guy is such a tight ass. He won't even let me touch him at all!"

"I'm sure you could seduce him?" A devious smile crept on his face, though his eyes showed only the deepest concern.

"I already offered him the chance, but he passed it off as nothing. I think he's concerned about his image, given my reputation and whatnot. Besides, he's in this stupid club where he entertains girls and such, so-"

"A Host Club!" the boy yells, throwing his hands into the air and getting stares from the few patrons still in the restaurant. "God, how do you not know what a Host Club is! They give away sex if you pay enough!"

"I know what it is," she complained with a pout. "But it's not that kind of Host Club. They're like, I don't know, the diet Pepsi of the Host Club world. They're the G-Rated movie, you know? Only about happiness and all that other bullshit no one cares about anymore." She sighs grandly, moving her hands and allowing her head to hit the table. "Honestly, I couldn't even catch a break. This guy is such an ass. I can't stand being rejected, you know. It's so annoying! Especially from someone like him, who's got such a bastard attitude!"

"Well," the man said alluringly, his hand landing on her head, fingers intertwining in her hair. "You know I'd do you if you weren't bound by this, Miku. You're sexy and you know it, so don't let this guy get you down and make you start wearing slacks. Those thing are just horrid. Keep to your skirts, jeans, tight shirts and walk with your head held high, for you are now a tease! And proud of it!"

Her hand hits the table and she laughs, shaking her head against it as her forehead reddens from the friction.

She looks up slightly, a goofy smile on her face. "You're funny, but I'm tired. Let me crash her, okay? Just order something and put it on my bill. Get me a drink, too, so your boss doesn't think I'm loitering like he always does, the jerk."

He smiles and winks to her as he gets up. "You got it, babe."

As Rey walks away, Miku watches his back, smiling as she thinks of his encouraging words, of the one thing running through her mind.

'You're a tease.'

She shakes at that word, grimacing at the memories that arrive with that thought.

You're such a tease, Kushiro. Just man up and be an adult already.

He had been angry then, like he hadn't wanted to wait any more. She knew that back then. Yes, she knew ever sicne she took that first drink he offered her of what would happen. It wasn't what she had wanted, but she didn't want to be considered that. She had never wanted to be called such a horrible and hurtful word as that. Yet now she was.

A tease.

Her head falls onto the table again, and as it does, she almost wishes the impact had been enough to knock her out completely.