Chapter 3- Crushing:

Third Person:

Chika was still a bit confused. It has been a week since he met that shy blonde named Mia- yet because of her, he seemed to be going to the host club more and more. Do I like her? He couldn't like her. He wasn't one for crushes, or dare he say it love. Still, he couldn't help but feel intrigued by the blonde- who he learned was in debt to the host club. He was a bit angry at the club for making Mia pay off the debt by hosting. He was angrier at his brother for not even trying to help her.

It was well after the club had ended, and Chika was there as always. Hunny suspected it had something to do with Mia.

"He's really quiet," Mia whispered. Hunny giggled and Mia jumped- not realizing that Hunny was right there.
"He is," Hunny agreed, "but you would be surprised! Chika-kun loves animals, almost as much as Takashi actually. He just won't admit it," Hunny winked cutely, "you won't tell him I told you, will you?"
Mia shook her head,

"Of course not," she whispered.

She was starting to feel like the club was like family- that was odd since she never really had family in the first place. Though she did have the two little girls at the orphanage. Still, she didn't mind the visits from Chika. The two were often talking- or rather sitting in comfortable silence. Mia found comfort in Chika's presence. He wasn't creepy like Kyoya, dramatic like Tamaki, motherly like Haruhi, too sweet like Hunny, devilish like the twins, or too quiet like Mori. Chika was…Chika. He was quiet, but still spoke every once in a while. He wasn't loud- he was…pleasant.

Meanwhile, Chika was watching Mia sketch. He wasn't sure what it was- yet- but he thought it looked nice. Mia blushed at how close Chika was. Hunny and Mori watched the scene with knowing smiles. Though, if Chika hurt her- the others would be stern with him (not too stern since he was, after all, Hunny's younger brother), but they did think of Mia as a little sister. Therefore, they would hate to see her get hurt. Kyoya, of course, even thought of her like a sister- even if he didn't show it as openly as the others.
Mia, however, did think of the hosts as brothers- yet she stayed quiet. After all, she didn't know if they felt the same. Besides, she didn't want to freak them out. She valued their friendship- especially Haruhi's. They were both, after all, Tamaki's 'daughters.'

"You're really good," Chika finally said- figuring out the drawing was that of him. He felt oddly flattered.

It was a charcoal drawing- extremely detailed. Mia took great care to make sure the glasses were titled just right, that the shading was just right on his eyes and face, and it was very realistic looking- even if it was from charcoal. She shyly handed him the drawing. He looked at her a bit shocked.
"….for me?"
She nodded with a blush,

"….it is of you after all."

He blushed as well.

Over the course of two weeks, Chika considered Mia a friend…and a crush. At first, he refused to acknowledge any feelings beyond friendship- but after those two weeks, he knew he couldn't deny it. Unknown to Chika, Mia had similar thoughts. She couldn't deny that she found Chika attractive and luring. She had a crush on him. It was simple as that- the only issue was, should I speak up and ask him out?

Though, in the end she decided that she shouldn't. After all, she was the 'bashful type' for a reason. The hosts, however, did notice that there was something between Chika and Mia. Hunny and Mori were the only ones that figured out he liked her (and she liked him). The others hinted that something was going on though- at least, caught up on it slightly.

Mia seemed a bit skittish after club hours. She kept going to her bag, opening it, and then closing it. Then after another ten minutes, she did it again. Chika watched her curiously.

"Geesh, I don't think she's hiding anything," the twins said sarcastically.
"What is my precious daughter hiding," Tamaki cried. Mia winced and then there was a noise from the bag. She squeaked, grabbed the bag and left. Chika followed her all the way to the garden- where she sat down and held her bag in her lap as she opened it. A small black head poked itself from the bag,

"Meow."

Chika blinked. Mia carefully took the kitten out of the bag and Chika noticed its paw was carefully wrapped in a bandage.

"Mia-chan?"
She looked up in shock.
"What did you say," she whispered.

Chika blushed and Mia smiled,
"I don't mind if you call me that, Chika-kun."
He smiled and sat down next to her. An idea popped into Mia's head.
"Chika-kun….can you take care of the kitten please?"
He looked at her shocked. Her eyes widened, did I say something wrong?

"Please…I can't take her back where I am- I'll get in trouble. She's hurt though and can't be left alone…I'll stop by every day…please."

That was the most Mia's ever spoken- ever. Chika blinked and slowly nodded- and in a split second, he had a small black kitten in his hands. Mia smiled,

"Thank you Chika."

Ritsu smiled slightly when he saw Mia talking with Hunny's younger brother. Ritsu thought his name was Chika or something like that, but he wasn't sure. Either way, it was a sweet moment when he saw Mia hand Chika the kitten. As soon as Chika left with the kitten, Ritsu came up. Mia smiled,
"Hello, Ritsu," she greeted softly.

He smiled slightly and sat down beside her.

"Sister," he greeted with a smile, "I saw you with…Chika, I think?"
Mia blushed,
"We weren't doing anything wrong," she muttered.

Ritsu laughed. He ruffled her hair,
"I liked that drawing…maybe you could do me a favor?"

She looked at him curiously. He coughed nervously,
"Do you think you could draw me and…my friends?"

She raised an eyebrow,

"The mob?"
He nodded with a flushed face. She smiled,
"I...suppose I could."

He smiled,

"I could pay you."

Mia blushed,

"…you don't have to do that…."

Ritsu put a hand on her shoulder,

"But I will…."

"Thanks," she said meekly, "I…I don't get much allowance at the orphanage…"

He looked at her shocked and Mia, realizing what she said, looked away. Ritsu blinked, she's an orphan….He smiled,
"It is alright."
Mia smiled faintly.