Kyoya went to school the next day with grim determination. His father had explained the situation last night and the consequences that would befall him if things didn't work out favorably.
I have to woo Haruhi Fujioka in order to take over the family business, he thought wryly. Where did my father come up with that?
Of course, Kyoya didn't really care about the family business. How could his father forget that? However, he did raise a point. Haruhi was an excellent candidate for marriage. Brilliant mind, very empathetic, easy on the eyes. . .
Kyoya sighed and pushed his glasses up. His father had even given him a plan for winning Haruhi over, but Kyoya knew Haruhi well enough that his plan wouldn't work. As Kyoya worked on a new plan that night, he had become obsessed with the idea of making Haruhi his bride. He would have no other; she was as close as he would get to true love. As his father had said, she would make the perfect addition to the Ohtori name. Of course, his father threatened that she could go to one of his brothers if he didn't make her his in a timely fashion.
Haruhi – his. Bound to him for the rest of eternity. Practically his property in some cultures. What an odd thought. He always assumed he would be alone in life, never able to find "the one." Well, even if Haruhi wasn't the one destined for him (or some other silly notion like that), then whoever was his destined would just have to settle for someone else.
Kyoya sighed again as he entered his classroom and several girls swooned. Would they still swoon if they knew he was as good as engaged? Kyoya's sigh changed to the cool smirk of the Shadow King. Of course they would, and soon Haruhi would, too.
Too bad the other competitor for her hand was his best friend.
Tamaki sighed dramatically as he entered his first class of the day. Being forced to marry his daughter! Oh, the indignity of it! How could anyone think of such a concept?
Tamaki sat down behind Kyoya in a huff. Not only was he supposed to marry his daughter, but he had to beat Mother to her hand! He snuck a glance at Kyoya as he pushed up his glasses. Had he agreed to this cruel game?
"What should I do?" muttered Tamaki darkly.
His father had been most adamant about Haruhi joining the family, saying things about family honor and finding someone to hold him down. Tamaki did not need holding down! He was just fine as he was. However, did Kyoya need someone to hold him down?
He watched Kyoya open his laptop, and lo and behold, there was a picture of his precious Haruhi! With a plan to get her! Tamaki banged the table with his fist. There was no question now. Tamaki would enter this contest and win Haruhi, so he could protect her from evil Mother. After all, that's what any good father would do.
Right?
"Umm, Tamaki? Is everything all right?" one girl asked shyly. "You look pretty angry."
Tamaki's emotions immediately swung to the other extreme in the presence of a girl. "No, it wasn't all right," he said suavely, "but it is now, because of the beautiful lady standing in front of me."
The girl giggled and blushed. "I'm glad I could help you out, Tamaki," she said before biting her lip.
"It's time for class to begin," announced the teacher.