A/N:
I would like to note that the story is not from specifically Haruhi's P.O.V. I wrote it in third person to sort of let the reader know the thoughts going on with everyone, sorry if that is confusing. If it's too hard to understand I could change it, let me know.
It was Tuesday at the Host Club and Saturday was coming fast. Everyone at the club was helping with the preparations, along with the student council, thanks to Kyouya. Even with all the work going on, he still managed to make it usable for the customers. Each host was working on something they could do well, while talking to their customers that had volunteered the week before, who were also helping were they could. Kyouya was all about the merit, in most ways.
"Haruhi! I had no idea how good you were at sewing." Haruhi's newest fan, Aya, smiled.
"Yeah, I learned from my mother before she passed away. My father really encourages me all the time, sometimes" Haruhi paused to grin, "he even goes so far as to rip his clothes on purpose just so I'll sew them." The girls laughed, enjoying their time.
Haruhi kept helping to make the decorations more "extravagant and beautiful" as Tamaki-senpai had requested. She never understood his constant need for excessive beauty, but she just did as she was asked. Secretly, she was a little pleased with her decorations so far. The curtains really looked wonderful and the seams were perfect. The frills she had to add to the table cloths were also very well done. A loud 'THUMP' was heard and Haruhi looked over to see Kaoru on the ground.
"Kaoru! No!" Hikaru was beside him instantly, holding him close.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention and I fell over, dropping our mother's precious designs on the floor-" Kaoru's eyes grew teary, and the girls began to swoon.
"No, don't say that. It was my fault for not helping you carry them."
"Oh Hikaru!"
"Kaoru!" The girls were now clapping and several began to help pick up the dresses that were dropped.
Their mother was designing all the outfits for the masquerade. Each person attending was personally fitted and photographed so she could decide the best design for them based on their size, hair color, skin, eye color, and overall appearance. The price was hefty, but the girls didn't mind at all- it was easily affordable for them. The last girls were fitted on Friday and Mrs. Hitachiin had the designs ready Monday. Now they were just bringing them in and passing them out to the costumers.
"Their mother is simply amazing!" Tamaki said, "These are gorgeous, and done in such a short amount of time!"
"Yes, they are the best of the best. It's all I would allow for our customers." Kyouya replied.
"Oh, Kyouya, you are truly the best." One of his costumers blushed, gazing at him.
"I do what I can." He smiled coolly.
Kyouya then bowed politely and continued calculating the money going into the project versus the money coming out of the project. He was also making sure things were on schedule for Saturday and trying to decide on an orchestra to book.
In the main hall where the party would take place, Hunny and Mori were assisting with putting everything up. When Haruhi would finish adding final touches to the products, they would put them where they needed to go. The curtains and other various decorations required tall, and/or strong, individuals. Together, they were both those things and were getting their job done very quickly.
Tamaki was in the Music room with the girls, complimenting the dresses they held up to show him and deciding exactly which decorations would be good to go to the main hall for Hunny and Mori. Hunny and Mori's customers stayed with Tamaki, too, because the final scene in the main hall was to be a surprise for everyone. In fact, the whole area had been closed off to students for the week, as approved by Tamaki's father, to prepare. He was also deciding on the exact foods that should be present.
"Hikaru, do you know-" Haruhi pulled his sleeve to get his attention for a moment and Hikaru turned to look. He jumped a little, surprised.
"Oh! Haruhi, W-What?" He blushed, he could feel it. He was hoping Kaoru was too busy to notice.
"I was asking if you knew where I could get some more red thread. I ran out a few minutes ago and all I have in my set is black now." She replied.
"Uh…um, yeah. Hang on." He walked off toward Kyouya.
A few moments later he returned with a set of red thread.
"I wasn't sure which tone you wanted, so here." He handed her the small box.
"Oh, thanks. Are you and Kaoru almost done? I might need help if we want this done by Saturday." She grabbed the box, accidentally brushing her fingertips against his. He immediately let go, a thin shade of crimson washing over his cheeks as the box fell.
"Oops! Ah-sorry." She said, leaning down to pick it up, "Sometimes I get butterfingers."
"Hikaru?" Kaoru walked over.
"Yeah?"
"I was looking for you, hey Haruhi!" He put on hand on her head and ruffled her hair in their usual playful manner.
"Ack, knock it off I need to finish this. Don't forget to help Hikaru! You, too, Kaoru." Kaoru laughed and took his hand back.
"We know, we will." The twins both went to finish bringing everything in and Haruhi continued her sewing. As they walked off, Hikaru glanced at Kaoru only for a second, trying to see if he might have caught a glimpse of his reaction to Haruhi's fingertips. Kaoru was smiling, and if you weren't Hikaru, you would never know that something was secretly on his mind.
It was Friday, and the masquerade was tomorrow.
"That sounds like a fine choice, Kyouya." Tamaki declared.
"Yes, they are one of the few available due to your lack of planning ahead." Kyouya stated simply.
"But commoner bands are cool!" Tamaki whined, "Surely the customers will love it! I mean we will have an orchestra, too, but for part of it was can try some of their strange music!"
"Yes, well next time let me know prior to the day before, please." Kyouya shook his head, "Thank-you." Pushing his glasses up a bit he continued his work. Tamaki was annoying and dull-witted sometimes, but that was just part of their friendship that Kyouya had to endure.
When the twins got home, Hikaru sat in a chair by the window, looking outside. Kaoru looked at him. He knew that Hikaru could feel what he was thinking, but decided to try it out loud.
"Hikaru?" Kaoru put his hand on his shoulder.
"Hm?"
"What is it?"
"Nothing. Just thinking." Hikaru kept his eyes locked on the view outside the window. He hated to seem so cold his beloved twin, but he needed a moment to sort things out.
Kaoru left it at that. Hikaru had been 'just thinking' for a while now, and every time Kaoru asked he got the same reply. 'Nothing. Just thinking.' They were brothers, they were supposed to share everything with each other. But he didn't push it, because he knew that he was hiding a few things himself. It wasn't like he wanted to, but he wasn't sure how Hikaru would handle it. It was just a crush, hopefully, and soon he wouldn't have to worry about it. For now, Kaoru decided to just keep it to himself.
Looking outside, Hikaru sighed. It was raining, cold and wet. He laughed a little, noting the irony of the weather matching his mood so well. The smile faded from his lips shortly, however, when he began to think on his position. Why did he blush around her? Why did he feel like something was doing ballet in his stomach when her hand accidentally grazed his own? All he needed and wanted was his brother, anything more than that was just fluff, cream on the cake, unnecessary. So then why was it that he found himself constantly needing that fluff? He didn't like it, it confused him. Everything added up, but the equation made no sense. Butterflies, gazing, forgetting his train of thought, and thinking about her too often. It all added up to equal one thing, which was just not right. A crush on Haruhi. It was the only, yet the most impossible, answer he had.
The rain trickled down his window and a car swooshed slowly down the street. The window began to fog slightly each time Hikaru breathed. The masquerade was coming up, only one day away now. He was nervous, and felt stupid for it. Even if they won the game, it's not like he would really get anything out of it besides upsetting Milord. 'Actually… that makes it worth it in its own way.' He smiled a little at the thought of Tamaki waving his arms and yelling as he and Kaoru got kisses on the cheek from Haruhi.
"It's… dinner time, Hikaru." His concerned twin sat on the bed, waiting for a response.
Hikaru moved and sat next to him, resting his head on Kaoru's shoulder.
"I think we should talk."
"I couldn't agree more." Kaoru rested his head upon his brothers and they sat watching the rain in silence.
