A/N: This is the final chapter. I decided to end this story a little sooner as I do not have the time to continue writing at the moment. I hope you like it, and if you don't, please suggest an alternative ending. TBH I'm not 100% satisfied with the ending, so I might rewrite it when I get the time!
As you may surmised by now, the premise behind this story as well as the ending is that, the rich society do not date. As mentioned in one of the episodes, many of them see 'dating' as disastrous as you most probably will not marry the person you love in the end. This is the reason why they dabble in host clubs and other things but stop short of falling into an actual relationship. While some of you might feel that this story is lacking in romance, especially between the main characters, but to me that is deliberately left unsaid due to the premise I have built my story upon.
For all those who have supported me in this endeavor, thank you so much. Your words of support have helped me regained the confidence to finish this story. I literally could not have done it without you.
A knock sounded on the apartment door. Please don't let it be another parcel, Haruhi thought. It was a Monday, which was when the parcels usually arrived.
She opened the door and was greeted with a flat, plain white box. She took the box from the deliveryman dejectedly. What was it going to be this time? A piece of art? A cheese platter? "Where do I sign?" She asked.
"There's no need to." A familiar voice answered.
Haruhi looked up at the 'delivery-man' and shrieked in surprise. "Mori-senpai!"
"I'm back." He smiled at her. He looked almost the same as he did in high school, except that his hair had grown a little longer and was styled a more matured way. And… he was flanked by two bodyguards.
She blinked at the two intimidating figures standing behind him. However, she quickly caught herself and turned her attention back to him. "Welcome back!" She invited him in excitedly. "How was America? When did you come back?" That must be it,she realised with a start. He was a full-fledge adult now, so the bodyguards must have been a necessary package.
Mori stepped inside and shut the door behind him. "I missed you." He said softly.
Haruhi gave him a tight hug. "So did I." She glanced at the two dark silhouettes outside her window and hesitated for a moment, but decided not to bring it to attention. She had not seen him for 2 years, the last thing she wanted to do was complain unnecessarily. She would rather just apologize to the landlady later. "So what's in the box?" She asked.
"Your last kimono. It has been three years in the making." He answered with a tinge of pride in his tone.
"Oh!" Haruhi leapt up in excitement at once. "I've almost forgotten about it! Do you think I can wear this to the Debutante Ball?"
He nodded at her, pleased that she had already considered wearing it to such a prestigious event even without looking at it. She really was a simple girl who thrived on appreciation and sincerity, as opposed to materialism and gossip. He lifted her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on it before excusing himself.
"Haruhi, do you need a kimono for the ball?" Kyoya asked her a few days later as they were driving home from a visit to the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
"No thank you, senpai." She answered happily, thinking about the beautiful kimono that she couldn't wait to put on.
Kyoya nodded in understanding. His sources had informed him that the young Morinozuka had visited Haruhi recently, so he approximated that he had delivered the promised final kimono to Haruhi. There were also rumours that a very expensive kimono might be floating somewhere around the market. The rumour was started by a renowned kimono-maker's assistant in Kyoto, who claimed that she was dismissed just before the kimono was finished and had no idea where it was to be delivered. The timing seemed a little too coincidental for Kyoya's taste.
He felt a pang of loss as he felt her growing further and further apart from him. She was right, however, that the inclusion of Mori-senpai allowed both of them to objectively view their relationship. The only downside was that, she seemed to have realised that she held no romantic feelings for him; whereas he had come to realised the exact opposite.
He smiled at her, deciding to treasure the fact that he could still keep her as a major part of his life. "I've received a lot of requests to be escorted to the Debutante Ball recently, but sadly none from the only one I was hoping for."
"Hmm?" Haruhi stared at him absentmindedly. That reminded her, she had to start searching for an escort. "Oh. If you've already made up your mind, then why don't you ask her then? I'm sure she will say yes."
"In that case, Haruhi, will you allow me to escort you to the Debutante Ball?"
Haruhi's heart skipped a beat. "Are you serious, Kyoya-senpai?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
"I thought it would be some princess whom you're trying to impress or manipulate somehow." She stated forthrightly, knowing how Kyoya usually chose his dates for such events.
Is that how to see me, Haruhi? Well, I guess it is my fault to some extent. He thought to himself. "It is your first Debutante Ball, after all. I'll be honoured to escort you for the evening."
She clasped her hands together. "I'd like that very much, Kyoya-senpai. Now that I have a Japanese civilian escort, all that's left is to find a Japanese Military Officer."
He leaned over and placed a kiss on the tip of her nose. "I know just who to ask. Leave it to me."
On the day of the Ball, Kyoya was caught up with some business and had to send his driver to pick Haruhi up without him. When he saw her, however, it took his breath away.
Apparently, Mori had used the jewelled lingerie Kyoya gifted to Haruhi as inspiration for the kimono design. The kimono was made out of pure white silk with golden embroidery along its seams, coupled with bright patches of colour that matched exactly the different gemstones that her lingerie set contained. There were bright patches of sapphire blue, ruby red, emerald green, amber yellow and amethyst purple scattered around the hem, together with a jewelled obi that consisted of genuine colourful gemstones sewn into the material.
Kyoya looked around and caught Mori leaning against a pillar in a distance, clearly admiring the kimono on Haruhi's body. For a second, their eyes met and they nodded to each other politely, each acknowledging the hidden rivalry between them.
Mori walked up to them in a black formal military uniform. "Officer Morinozuka, at your service."
Haruhi stared at both Mori and Kyoya in shock. "Are you guys crazy? Impersonating an army personnel is a criminal offence!"
Kyoya gave her an exasperated look. "Firstly, he's a Morinozuka, the law enforcement can't harm him much; other than hand him over to his father for punishment. And secondly, Mori-senpai is a military commander, Haruhi. Don't you remember? Mori-senpai and Honey-senpai train the military men."
"Ah." Mori seconded Kyoya's explanation.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Is it really okay to have both of you accompany a commoner like me though?" She asked, although she was exceptionally glad that it was them. These were the two men she trusted the most in her life.
"Absolutely." Kyoya replied without missing a beat.
"No problem." Mori grunted.
"In that case, thank you for escorting me this evening, Ootori-sama, Officer Morinozuka." She curtsied as they took their place on top of the stairs.
Kyoya merely smiled and offered his hand to her. "Ready, Haruhi?"
"Make sure I don't fall." She whispered.
"You have my word." Kyoya tightened his grasp of her hand, while Mori dutifully stood on her other side. "Now, be ready to wow the world."
As expected, Haruhi's presence caused a lot of stirring in the room. After all, it wasn't every day that you see an unknown girl wearing the most expensive kimono in the world, accompanied by an Ootori and a Morinozuka. Every girl in the room was bursting with envy at her position, whereas every boy in the room was dying to be introduced to her.
"Is there something wrong?" Haruhi whispered nervously to Kyoya.
"No, they're just awestruck by your kimono. After all, it's rare to find a hand-sewn kimono nowadays." He lied smoothly.
"Oh." Haruhi relaxed a little, placated by his answer. "By the way, thank you so much, Mori-senpai. It's beautiful."
Mori gave her the slightest of nods as he stared ahead with his blank expression.
Kyoya, of course, led them to most important attendee first and foremost. "Minister," He greeted politely. "May I have the honour of introducing you to Fujioka Haruhi-sama, my maiden for the evening?"
The Minister nodded at Haruhi, who returned the greeting with a respectful bow. "Minister. It is an honour." She murmured.
"I must say that you made quite an impact, young lady." The Minister commented. "And who is this fine young man? You look too young to be an army officer."
"Officer Morinozuka Takashi at your service, sir." Mori replied with a quick salute.
"Oh, you must be the eldest Morinozuka boy." The Minister laughed. "Sorry for doubting you back there." He turned to Haruhi. "You seem to be in good hands, Fujioka-san. I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening."
"Thank you, Minister."
After greeting a few notable leaders and politicians, Kyoya led them to where two middle-aged men were talking. "Chairman Suoh, Ootori-sama." He greeted without betraying any sign of familiarity. "May I introduce you to Fujioka Haruhi, my maiden for the evening?"
As usual, the Chairman was full of flirty behaviour and romantic notions, all to which Haruhi simply smiled politely and nodded her head.
The elder Ootori, however, seemed more critical of her. "Please, do tell me about your family, Fujioka-san."
Haruhi glanced at Kyoya, who now held an inscrutable expression, and smiled in spite of herself. "Ootori-sama, first and foremost, it is truly an honour to meet you, a man whom I know is greatly respected by his son. But please do not hold back on my account, because if you haven't scrutinised every inch of my commoner's background, then you're not the Ootori I thought you are."
Ootori Yoshio glanced at her in surprise, and from the corner of his eyes saw his son hide a smile. "You're right, young lady. All pleasantries aside then." He gestured her to take a seat. "I would like to know what your true intentions towards my son are."
"Ootori-sama," Kyoya interrupted. "Perhaps this conversation is suited for a more private setting? I'm sure Fujioka-sama and your son would be privileged to arrange a meeting with you at a later date."
"Very well, I won't keep you from mingling. Enjoy your evening."
The rest of the evening was spent rather pleasantly. Kyoya introduced Haruhi to most of the attendees present, while Mori spent most of his time admiring the kimono she was wearing from behind.
There was an – interesting – episode, however, when they saw Benio from Lobelia Girls High School. Benio seemed beyond annoyed that the rules dictated that she must have two men accompanying her at all times, and was seen muttering to herself under her breath throughout the evening.
Kyoya hid a smirk as he pointed her out to Haruhi. "Would you mind meeting Benio-sama?"
Haruhi blanched. "Do we really have to?"
"She may be an oddball, Haruhi, but she is still a lady of very high standing in our society."
"Very well, then." Haruhi agreed, praying that Benio would at least keep a lid on her dramatic tendencies tonight.
"Benio-sama, how are you?" As she was a lady of equal standing, at least for the night; Haruhi greeted her directly.
"What do you want— oh, Fair Maiden!" Benio's countenance lit up immediately. "How lovely it is to see you here tonight! Such a shame that we are surrounded by misogynistic men and their despicable rules." She glared daggers at both Kyoya and Mori.
Haruhi laughed. "I happen to really like my escorts for the night, Benio-sama. I'm sure you've met Kyoya-senpai and Mori-senpai, both from the Host Club. As to your date…?" Haruhi gestured to the young man standing beside Benio.
"This is my—" She gritted her teeth. "—fiancé, Matsuura Tamaki."
All three of them instinctively let out a cough, including the normally stoic Mori-senpai.
Haruhi hurriedly bowed her head, trying to keep her smile from reaching her voice. "A pleasure to meet you, Matsuura-sama."
"Likewise, milady."
"We wish you a pleasant evening, Benio-sama, but I'm afraid we must excuse ourselves." Kyoya said, before hastily dragging Haruhi into a corner of the room partially hidden behind the drapes. Haruhi burst out laughing the moment she got there, unable to hold it in any longer.
"Did you see her face?" She panted as she held her stomach.
"Indeed." Kyoya was smirking widely, clearly amused by the information. "She looked like she was ready to chew him up and spit him right out."
Mori spoke up. "She looked like someone has just told her that she has to marry Tamaki – oh wait – she is!" He chuckled deeply.
Both Haruhi and Kyoya turned to look at him in shock.
"What? I can joke!" He said defensively.
Haruhi smiled as she stretched out a hand to touch his face. "Yes, yes you can. Have I told you that you look exceptionally handsome tonight, Mori-senpai?" She admired his full military regalia.
"Not in so many words." He had, however, caught her staring at him a few times throughout the night.
Kyoya cleared his throat. "Come on, let's get the rest of the introductions out of the way."
After the ball, they were leaving the ballroom venue when suddenly, Mori dipped his head lower. "We're being followed."
Kyoya gave a slight nod and pulled out his phone to speed-dial his private police force. "Sorry, Haruhi, but I'm afraid you must spend the night at one of our residences."
"Why?" Haruhi asked, bewildered. "It should be safe if you guys escort me home, right?"
Kyoya pursed his lips, sharing an undecipherable look with Mori. "Haruhi, do you trust me?"
"Why yes of course…"
"Alright, come on. I'll explain it on the way."
Once they were safely bundled into the limo, escorted by a team of the Ootori police force front and back, Kyoya took a deep breath. "Haruhi, what you failed to notice is that, you are currently the most valuable person in Japan."
"Me, why?" She looked at him in confusion.
"Key word being 'currently'." He hinted.
She cocked her head aside. "Do you mean my kimono? But I saw several other people with beautiful kimonos as well!" She argued.
"Are you wearing the jewelled lingerie underneath?" Mori asked out of the blue.
Haruhi blushed and nodded, wondering how he remembered something he only saw once nearly three years ago. "I thought they matched."
Kyoya snorted. Of course they do. But he was quite pleased that she had kept his present, and for wearing it tonight. "Haruhi, don't get mad, but you're worth at least 50 million yen tonight."
"50 million… What?!" She stared at Kyoya and Mori, who were now being deliberately obtuse. "What do you guys mean by that?" She poked at the sleeve her kimono daintily, as if afraid that it was going to fall apart at any moment. "Please tell me that was a joke."
Mori moved suddenly and pulled her into his lap, locking his arms around her. "I'll protect you, don't worry."
"Wait, why did you guys give me such expensive stuff?" Haruhi still found it difficult to wrap her head around the fact that she had been wearing an outfit worth a small country the entire night.
The two young men were spared from answering when the car pulled to a stop outside the Ootori mansion. Kyoya led Haruhi and Mori into his room, of which he immediately locked and stationed guards on the outside.
"Since you've graduated from high school, I feel that it is time for me to be honest with you." Kyoya started talking. "Haruhi, I enjoy your company very, very much; and with your consent, it is my intention to continue a relationship with you."
"Relationship, do you mean like, dating?"
Kyoya looked ashamed as he answered her question. "As much as I want to say yes, I find myself unable to do so. It is not in our norm to 'date'. There are arranged marriages, betrothed marriages and in rare cases, love marriages. But in any case, 'dating' is not socially acceptable in the elite society. Even in love matches, the couples usually maintain a fully platonic relationship, at least until the engagement is announced."
He got on one knee in front of her. "Haruhi, I love you with all my heart and soul, and I would gladly do so for the rest of my life. With your consent, I would like to openly acknowledge you as my mistress, my partner in everything except marriage."
Mori followed suit, landing on one knee as he proposed to her. "With your consent, I too, would like to keep you by my side, to love and to cherish you for the rest of my life. I leave the choice of public acknowledgement to you, for I am contented to have you either way. But make no mistake that I will not hesitate to give you the proper acknowledgment you deserve, should you decide to make it public."
Haruhi stared at the two men kneeling before her in a daze. "Umm, I don't want to spoil the moment, but… I don't think I fully understand what both of you are trying to ask me."
Kyoya closed his eyes in frustration, but reminded himself that this was Haruhi they were talking about. Of course she wouldn't know, even if they had laid out a million and one hints for her… He sighed and got up to sit beside her. "In extremely crude commoner terms, Haruhi, we are asking you to be 'the other woman'."
Before she could express her displeasure, Mori put a hand on her knee to calm her down. "Please listen until the very end."
"As I was saying," Kyoya continued. "That was putting it in the worst way possible. To fully understand the position, you must forget everything you know about being a mistress in the commoners' world. In the elite society, it is neither detestable nor morally wrong to be a mistress. In fact, they are greatly respected and are inherently powerful. A publicly acknowledged mistress is given a higher priority than the wedded wife if one so happens to chance upon them together. This is because while the wife controls the household, the mistress controls the man. And because the man controls the wife, the mistress may even exert her power over the entire household should she so wishes. Moreover, the mistress holds a very influential position because she is often the 'informal' method of securing a meeting with the man; as such her favour is greatly sought after."
"But isn't this just a fancy way of saying you don't want to marry me?" Haruhi said in a small voice. Even though the thought of marriage was yet to be considered by her, she couldn't help but feel slightly insulted at the implications of their proposals.
Mori moved closer to her and picked up her hands. "I would marry you in a heartbeat." He said solemnly, looking straight into her eyes. "But Haruhi, you don't want to marry a man like me."
"What do you mean?"
"Marrying a man like me or Kyoya would be akin to committing social suicide. From the day you wed, you are considered nothing more than a piece of property belonging to the Morinozuka family. You will be mostly confined to the family home, and you will not be allowed to hold a job. The only expectation of you is to bear an heir and a spare, and to host your husband's dinner parties from time to time."
Kyoya spoke up. "Haruhi, have you ever met or heard of our mothers, excluding the Hitachins?"
Haruhi pondered the question. It was true that she had no clue whatsoever of how Kyoya, Mori and Honey's mothers were like. They were never mentioned, and had never attended any school functions. "Please tell me about them."
Kyoya crooked an eyebrow. "I don't know my mother well. She passed away when I was about 10. Throughout my childhood she was just a person I would see at meals. From conversations with my older siblings, I found out that she used to spend a lot of time gardening and knitting. Whether that was born out of genuine interest or the lack of choice, nobody knows."
"My mother is alright I guess." Mori said. "You can meet her if you like. She's nice and sweet and loving to all of us, but like Kyoya said, all she does is stay at home. Mitsukuni's mum is a little like him, cute and petite. I don't know her very well as she seldom leaves the kitchen, but I think she bakes a lot."
"Are you telling me that the other girls in Ouran are willing to live a life like that?" Haruhi asked incredulously.
"They are brought up to think that way, just as I was brought up to expect to serve my brothers. Thanks to a certain blond idiot, however, I was able to break away from the brainwashing and become my own person." Kyoya answered.
Haruhi smiled faintly at Kyoya but remained undecided. "So what you guys are trying to do is…"
"We want to allow you to live the life you want." Kyoya said. "Whether it's being a lawyer, a chef or even a stay-at-home mum. We want you to have the freedom to choose how and where to live your life. All I ask is that you allow me to be part of it."
"So, you'll be my secret boyfriend, or sorts?"
"Mori-senpai has stated that he is ready to accept that by giving you the choice to make it private or public, but I am not. Forgive my selfishness, but I want a public acknowledgement or not at all. I refuse to hide you away as if you are a shameful thing to have by my side. If you accept my proposal, you will be publicly acknowledged as my mistress, known to the entire elite society."
"Wait, so am I supposed to choose one of you?"
Both of them glanced at each other uneasily. "Well, that would be ideal, but… if you're not ready to choose, then we're willing to work something out between the three of us."
"Kyoya and I have discussed this." Mori said softly. "If it is your wish to keep a relationship with both of us, we're willing to merge our private law enforcement forces as a sign of good faith."
Haruhi's business skills kicked in. "Wait a minute, Mori-senpai. That's not a fair deal, you're giving up one of your biggest assets to merge with one of Kyoya-senpai's smallest assets."
Kyoya smiled fondly at his prodigy. There was no way he would let this girl out of his hands. "You seem to think quite lowly of me, Haruhi. The resulting merger will be controlled by Mori-senpai, not me."
"You're willing to give up your private police force for me?" Haruhi's eyes widened at the implication. The Ootori Kyoya she knew would never give anything up willingly to anyone.
I would give up the entire Ootori zaibatsu for you, Haruhi, if that is your wish. In fact, that was his back-up plan, in case she didn't agree to the current proposal.
Haruhi leaned back into the couch tiredly. "Give me an idea of how life would be like if I said yes."
"Gladly." Kyoya slinked next to her. "You will go to a prestigious university for your law degree, supported by both of us, and graduate as an excellent lawyer. Upon returning to Japan, you will be given a beautiful house befitting of your status, along with a lavish lifestyle of chauffeured cars, designer gowns and hired help. You will go to work, whether in an independent firm or one of ours; while holding non-managerial directorship in both our companies. At night, we will return to you and your bed and hold you in our arms as we fall asleep. We will part ways again in the morning, but not before a quick squabble over the morning paper and a hasty kiss for luck. There will come a point when one or both of us will have to get married and produce an heir, at which you will just have to trust us to come back to you. To the public, you will be known as Fujioka Haruhi, feared lawyer and powerful mistress to Ootori Kyoya and Morinozuka Takashi."
"What about your wives and children?" Haruhi said quietly, still not quite able to separate the label of 'homewrecker' from the title 'mistress'.
Luckily, Kyoya could read her well. "My children will be raised as individuals. They will learn, through time and experience, that they are their own person. Just as their mother and I, while married, are our own persons with our own separate lives."
"I am willing to acknowledge our children as eligible heirs." Mori said to Haruhi, causing Kyoya to look at him in shock. Mori looked up at Kyoya. "This is not a backhanded attempt to sabotage you, Kyoya. It's just that I am less obligated to marry for business connections. As long as I have an heir, my family will be satisfied. For that reason, I am more than willing to acknowledge mine and Haruhi's children as legitimate heirs."
Kyoya bit his lip and walked away, knowing that he had lost the battle. He did not have the freedom and flexibility like Mori did. He knew at least 10 different corporations both he and his father had their eye on to acquire through marriage. If he were to inherit the empire, he would have to get married. He felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist. "Kyoya."
He turned to see Haruhi holding on to him. "Yes, love?"
"What about our kids?"
He faced her with genuine surprise. "You're still willing to consider me?"
She cupped his cheek gently. "I will always consider you, Kyoya-senpai. Now answer me, do you expect us to have kids of our own?"
Kyoya led her back to the couch and sat back down, feeling hope blossom in his chest once again. "I would love nothing more, Haruhi. I admit, however, that I haven't given much thought to whether they will be eligible heirs. Traditionally, this is not the case."
"Thank you for your honesty." She kissed him on the lips. "In that case, I'll be honest with you guys too. At the moment, I would love nothing more than to build a life with both of you; and I assure you that I am beyond honoured at your proposals. However, I will need some time to consider it, especially since it's such a novel concept to me."
"Of course. We will wait as long as you deem necessary."
"Since that is out of the way, will you two please explain what the reason for presenting me with such an expensive outfit is?"
"Perhaps we should hang it up for safekeeping first." Mori suggested. He loved the look of the kimono on Haruhi's body, but felt uncomfortable with the fact that he had practically made her a walking target for robbers and thieves. He, too, had been closely monitoring the rumour and had placed two bodyguards near Haruhi 24/7 since he delivered it to her. The bodyguards he had brought with him to her house was not to protect him as she had assumed, but for them to see who their new mistress was. Knowing Haruhi's distaste, however, he had instructed them to stay hidden at all times.
"You're right." She stood up and began to untie her obi and sash, assisted by Mori and Kyoya, who handled each garment with care and precision.
Once she was stripped to her underwear, Haruhi retrieved a shirt from Kyoya's wardrobe while Mori expertly folded the kimono for storage purposes.
They sat down on the couch once more, although both men looked like they would rather be elsewhere at this moment. Haruhi observed them carefully. For someone like Mori-senpai and Kyoya-senpai to appear uneasy meant that it was not going to be a simple confession.
Mori spoke first. "I apologize if I've taken too much of a liberty."
Kyoya was next. "And I apologize for not telling you the significance of your outfit tonight before allowing you into the ballroom."
"And that significance is…?"
"Tonight, we've represented to the world that you are a kept woman." Kyoya said softly.
"A what?"
"A kept woman, in other words, a mistress."
"WHAT?!" Haruhi leapt to her feet. "How dare you!" She rounded on Mori.
Kyoya sat her down. "To be fair, I think Mori-senpai meant the gift as a hint, one that perhaps slipped your attention. In wearing the kimono to a public event as the Debutante Ball, you are hinting that you will accept his proposal."
"But… I didn't know." Haruhi clenched her fist. "And you guys should know that I'm not well-informed in these matters."
"As we said, we're sorry. To be honest, I assumed that you would at least have an inkling, given the numorous hints we've dropped you so far. The household gifts we've been sending you represent the contents of a home that we would like to build with you. And the traditional tea set I gave to you was the final gift, which represents an intention to bond. But again, I sincerely apologize for the liberal assumptions."
"Way to make me feel stupid, Kyoya-senpai."
"It is not my intention to do so, Haruhi. You know that. I respect you enough to differentiate your strengths and your weaknesses. Just one misunderstanding would not decrease my overall opinion for you. In any case, don't worry. You may have debuted as a kept woman tonight, but no one knows to whom you belong."
"What about the kimono Mori-senpai gave to me? I thought you told me that very few families have access to hand-sewn kimonos." She asked quietly. "No offense meant to you, Mori-senpai. But I just need more time to think about it before it becomes public knowledge."
Mori nodded. "I understand. However, another thing you need to note is that you appeared not just as any kept woman tonight, but what we call a Royal Mistress." Mori revealed.
"A Royal Mistress is one who is the most privileged of privileged mistresses, the most elite of elite society." Kyoya explained. "The golden obi you wore tonight signaled that you are either the mistress to the head of house or the heir apparent of a very elite family. While the Morinozuka family will definitely be the top suspect due to their kimono-making industry, any elite family worth their salt would also have access to a traditional kimono-maker; so anyone else could have commissioned this kimono to be made."
"Who are currently considered the super elite families? If I don't know their family members, then won't it be narrowed down?"
Kyoya grinned at her. "Suoh, Ootori, Hitachiin, Haninozuka, Morinozuka, Nekozawa, Hoshakuji, Amakusa, Kuze, Kasanoda, and a few others."
"Oh."
"It's not a very long list, but it is enough to keep them guessing; since most of us are boys, and even Benio-sama and Renge-chan has publicly declared a crush on you at some point or another."
"Are people going to treat me funnily in the future?" Haruhi asked, biting her lip.
"I guess most people will try their best to be nice to you, but that is not such a bad thing, right?"
Haruhi considered it and decided that Kyoya was right. In the commoners' world, she would be cast-out and badmouthed by the people around her; so she really should count her blessings.
"What if… what if I decide to not become your mistress?" She asked in a small voice.
"I will propose to become your husband." Both of them answered simultaneously, exchanging a look which promised a strong rivalry.
"Kyoya-senpai? Do you really mean it?" Mori-senpai she had expected, since he had declared something along the same lines earlier; but would Kyoya really choose to marry her? Was he truly ready to forfeit his right to the Ootori zaibatsu, the one thing he had strived for his whole life?
He sighed and looked away. "It will not be easy, but I will try my best."
Haruhi was floored. She knew how hard Kyoya had worked to earn his father's recognition, and how much time and effort he had dedicated to help expand the Ootori zaibatsu into what it is today. For him to walk away from all of that was akin to a declaration of undying love for her, a true love that surpassed everything he held dear in life.
Thoroughly humbled, Haruhi rested her hand against Kyoya's cheek. "Thank you. I love you too, Kyoya-senpai."
He looked at her, speechless. "Say that again."
"I love you too, Kyoya-senpai." She repeated.
"You meant that, don't you?" He laughed out loud, unable to rein in his joy. "You really do mean that, right?" He kissed her. "I love you so much, Haruhi."
"Why didn't you tell me before?" She asked. Judging from his reaction, she could tell that he had been in love with her for a long time.
Kyoya looked embarrassed, for the first time ever. "I thought that you preferred Mori-senpai."
She smiled at him. "I've said this long, long time ago, and I'll say it again. It has never been a contest between Mori-senpai and you, and it will never be." She reached across to nuzzle Mori's cheek. "In case there were any doubts, I love you too, in your own way."
Mori smiled at her and ruffled her hair. "Ah."
"Ah? 'Ah' is all you can say? That's it, I'm choosing Kyoya-senpai!" Haruhi pretended to sulk, even though she knew that Mori had responded to her, in his own special language.
"Fine. Haruhi, I love you more than Kyoya does." Mori declared loudly.
"Didn't I just say that this isn't a competition—" Haruhi's rant was cut off by a deep chuckle. She glanced towards Mori and realised that he had her fooled again. "I'm not used to a humorous Mori-senpai." She grumbled as she hid herself in Kyoya's chest.
"Takashi."
"Hm?"
"Call me Takashi. I know we stuck to the 'senpai' honorific to separate business and pleasure, but that distinction is no longer needed, is it?"
"He's right, Haruhi. Call me Kyoya."
Haruhi scrunched up her face. "Takashi." She tried. "Kyoya."
"Haru-chan." Mori replied with a smile. When all of them stared at him, he admitted bashfully, "I've always wanted to call you that. It's the only thing that I'm jealous of Mitsukuni."
"Kyoya, Takashi?" Haruhi spoke up. "I know I said that I wanted to think about it, but I've changed my mind." They waited in bated breath for her answer. "I accept both of your proposals to be your mistress."
There was a silent pause, before the two normally well-composed men leapt up from their seats and pumped their fist into the air with an uncharacteristic "YES!" They proceeded to give each other a brotherly hug, before pulling Haruhi to join them and showering her with kisses from each side.
Haruhi grinned at their reactions and decided that there was no better men she could spend the rest of her life with.
As for Kyoya and Mori, they spent the next two days scaring everyone who happened to cross their path by smiling non-stop and randomly bursting into laughter. Tamaki was convinced that Kyoya had just killed somebody and was trying to hide his guilt, while Honey used the opportunity to spook Yasuchika into believing that aliens were indeed invading their planet.