Katherine and I sat by the pool, sipping a random fruity drink. Katherine was listening to a conversation between Tamaki and Haruhi however I was lost in my own thoughts. I wonder which tropical island they based this park on. Or did they just take different stereotypical features of so-called 'tropical paradises' and merge them in this resort? The drinks, the birds, the jungle scenery, the crystal water, it all seems a little too manufactured to me to actually be enjoyable. Besides I would take a real place in the tropics with real people over this product any day.My ramblings ended when I heard Kyoya's voice. I tuned back into the conversation to hear him say,
"This is a theme park that my family, the Ootori Group runs, it's called 'Tropical Aqua Garden.'" I turned away from Kyoya as Katherine began to choke on her drink, coughing. I set down my glass and asked her softly,
"Are you okay Ellie?"
"Y-yeah Kin, I just had a funny thought is all." Haruhi knitted her brows and asked,
"But Kyoya, didn't you say that your family ran a hospital, or did some kind of medical therapy work? Kyoya glanced coolly at her and said in even measured tones as if reciting a well-memorized speech,
"Well, it's a diversified enterprise that does lots of things, because you could say that this place is related to therapy." Really? Between nearly being kidnapped to go here, dealing with the twin perverts and trying to prevent myself from being thrown into some ridiculous bathing suit, I'm not really feeling that relaxed."There are many who suffer from stress, or from feeling cooped-up who would like to spend time in the south tropics" So is that what they are basing this place on? Interesting…"but for economic reasons or lack of time, are unable to go. This is a convalescent theme park, to help treat those people. The Ootori Group is always thinking of the happiness of others." If I had been drinking something when Kyoya said that I would have probably choked on it, I believe that the Ootori Group has the greatest concern for their profit margins, however I doubt if a massive corporation is really the benevolent charity they make themselves out to be. I was getting better at reading Kyoya's voice tones, for he'll say anything as if he's being completely serious however be thinking something else entirely. When he spoke the words 'the Ootori Group is always thinking of the happiness of others' his voice was slightly ironic and laughing. Translation? He is repeating a company catchphrase which he knows to be at least a little untrue. If not utterly incorrect. Tamaki spoke now,
"It doesn't open until next month, but the Host Club has it reserved today on a special advance invitation. It is so relaxing. There aren't any guests here that we have to serve either. It truly is a handsome young warrior's holiday, I guess you could call it." Again, had I been drinking something, I would have choked. I watched and half listened as Mitsukuni spoke to Kitty and Haruhi. He really is quite the little charmer, so outwardly sweet it's almost sickening. I returned to the conversation in time to hear one of the twins say,
"Then again, what's with the pullover?" Both Katherine and I laughed softly at this, recalling Tamaki's display of 'fatherly affection' at the changing room. Or just plain weirdness.
"So you're not going swimming?" Said the other twin, Hikaru I think.
"By any chance, can you not swim?" chimed in the other one.
"I can swim as well as the next guy, but I'm just not very interested in this place, and I'd rather just go home than goof around here swimming. What's so great about this overblown facility, anyways?" I nodded in agreement, seeing in my mind's eye roaring, crashing waves beaten down by a sea breeze scented with salt and sand. My kind of paradise.
"A vinyl pool should be all you need for playing in the water." declared Haruhi.
"What's a vinyl pool?" asked the twins. I signed, these poor deprived children. I watched as Haruhi attempted to describe a vinyl pool to the twins.
"Dummy, that's called an air boat." I glared at the twins, just because they hadn't encountered something in their wealth-defined, sheltered life did not mean it did not exist. "There's no way something that small could be used as a pool."
"It is a pool. Little kids play in them a lot, you know?" Katherine nodded and said,
"Yeah the two of us used to play in those as kids. I actually still manage to fit in them." I stared blankly at Katherine, telling her with my look that she really didn't need to say that, everyone could tell she was tiny. Tamaki then decided now was the opportune time to open his mouth,
"You idiots, if Haruhi and the other two think it's a pool, then let them think it's a pool. Don't go embarrassing Haruhi. She only has a pitiful commoner's knowledge." At this comment my anger exploded and I leapt up to try and get some sense into Tamaki's head. Katherine threw her arms around my waist and held me back though, preventing me from charging at Tamaki. With anyone else I would have made them let me go, but I could never bring myself to hurt Katherine, even though sometimes I couldn't help giving her a playful tap if she was being particularly annoying. Katherine said to Haruhi,
"We know what you're talking about, they're the idiots here. They think that because they have money they know everything…Then again Kyoya just might know everything. If you want I can let go of Kin, but then Tamaki and the twins just might die." I scowled at them, smirking slightly as Tamaki and the twins shuddered at the thought. They were also shooting perplexed looks at Katherine; she really doesn't look like the kind of person who could hold a girl like me back with ease. She is deceptively strong however, at least on a level with me, though we have two different types of strength. I was proud of Katherine as well for recognizing the flaws of the rich, to think I despised her at first because I assumed she was another spoiled wealthy brat. Hikaru changed the subject however,
"Never mind that, there's something that's bothering me." Kaoru finished his statement,
"Yeah boss, why did you make Haruhi wear that pullover?"
"I thought for sure you'd be all 'I want to see Haruhi in a swimsuit!" Oh god, I know where this conversation is going. And Katherine does not need to hear any more about sexist men or perverted men.Twisting in Katherine's grip to face her I clapped my hands over her ears. She looked at me vacantly, eyebrows slightly raised before saying in slight exasperation,
"Is this needed Kin? I am the same age as you; actually I'm almost nine months older than you." I frowned; I always seem to forget that Katherine is older than me; sometimes I tend to forget given that she acts childish and has childish fears. I replied defensively,
"Yes, I don't want those twins having type of influence over you, and so what, you act younger than me." I couldn't help sticking out my tongue at her after that statement, despite the fact that it was exactly the kind of childish act that made me seem younger. Realizing that it was slightly useless to hold my hands over her ears I let go and Katherine released her grip from my waist. As we did so Tamaki was just finishing saying,
"-it's not right for a girl to expose her skin openly in front of boys." And since when have you been the ethics' police, Tamaki? Mitsukuni then exclaimed to Haruhi,
"Haru-chan! Let's go play! They have a current pool over there."
"No, I'm not swimming today. Why don't you ask Kitty?"
"Kitty, do you want to go play in the current pool with me?" Kitty replied happily,
"Yes! I love current pools!" As she went to run off I snatched her arm and pulled her back, saying sternly,
"Not so fast Ellie. There's still ten minutes until you can go swimming. You ate earlier remember?" I knew Katherine was trying to escape with Mitsukuni but I really didn't want to have her collapse in the current pool, which would probably mean I would have to jump in and save her. Katherine told Mitsukuni sweetly,
"Sorry, maybe in a little bit then." Looking at the floatation device Mitsukuni had around his waist Haruhi asked,
"Huh? Honey-sempai, you do know how to swim, right?" He nodded and exclaimed,
"Just looks cuter this way."
"He's so innocent," signed the twins. I smiled to myself, Mitsukuni isn't all that innocent, from the beginning I have thought his character extends much deeper than simple childness and innocence. Suddenly the infamous Renge emerged from behind the earth, screeching something in her high pitched voice. I do not want to be around to listen to this girl shriek at us. Time to go bother Kyoya… Looking over to the opposite side of the pool I saw Kyoya etching down notes carefully in his little black book. I wandered over there, picking up my drink and musing over what he could be writing in there. More plans for world control? Meaningless doodles? God, its driving me crazy! I just imagine that for someone with his knowledge and mind his writings would be particularly interesting…I ended up standing before Kyoya. He paused briefly in his writings to glance up at me, his dark eyes meeting mine own for a quick moment, then he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and looked back down at his notebook, saying evenly,
"Hello Miss. Kin." I flopped down in the chair next to him and replied,
"Hey Kyoya. This is quite a place your family runs here." A small smile appeared on his lips and he looked up from his writing again.
"Quite. Are you enjoying it?" I craned my neck towards him slowly, attempting to decipher the tight handwriting in the notebook. For someone so meticulous his handwriting is quite messy. Odd. I wonder if this notebook is the only place he feels he can be flawed in his execution of something. I answered Kyoya slowly, my eyes narrowing as I tried to make out the writing,
"I'm enjoying more the people around me than the facility. I perceive artificial creations of another land or culture to be just that, artificial. People would benefit their health more by spending more time with their family or exploring their local town than coming to a place like this." Kyoya moved his head to look at me square on, his eyes scrutinizing me, trying to guess the meaning behind my words. I stared back at him, challenging his gaze with my own. The moment was broken as Kyoya's eyes flicked to behind me and I turned to see Tamaki looking at me, then the twins who turned to each other and nodded. Seeing Katherine I remembered that she could go swimming now since 10 minutes had passed and I didn't want to keep her from having fun with Mitsukuni. I waved at her, indicating she could get in the water, and she stood and leapt into the current pool with Takashi and Mitsukuni. Kyoya chuckled from behind me and said,
"Tamaki and the twins were discussing the fact that it's alright for you to show skin because you frighten them. I can read lips, it's a skill I picked up from sitting in the corner at dinner events watching my father discuss deals with other business men." Funny, Katherine was just telling me she is getting the ability to read lips. Speaking of Katherine… I glanced over to see her swimming next to Mitsukuni and couldn't help shouting out,
"Be careful Ellie! The current is strong there!" I took advantage of Kyoya's glance at Katherine when I said that to peer at his notebook again. It was useless; I could read nothing of his spidery, thin handwriting. I sat back disappointed and watched in amusement as the twins and Tamaki began a water gun fight. I was just getting up to join them when Kyoya spoke,
"As to what you said earlier, Miss. Kin, I agree with your fundamental point but I think you'll find that the average citizen would rather relax in a mechanized park then spend time with their family and their community."
"So you acknowledge that this park is designed for the profit of the Ootori Group, not the genuine happiness of the population?" Kyoya shrugged and his gaze hardened, his voice growing deeper,
"You know what I said earlier was a company line. The Ootori Group is not a charity Miss. Kin, to expect it to be would be naïve." I scowled, and opened my mouth to reply when suddenly a great rushing of water reached my ears. Turning I saw a massive wave, a sheer wall of water moving across the current pool towards Mitsukuni and Katherine. Katherine stood in shock and then slipped beneath the water, Mitsukuni diving down after her. As her body was sucked down into the darkness under the wave my mind leapt into panic and I jumped to my feet and began to sprint towards the current pool, my heart drumming widely. As I ran I could dully hear in the back of my head Kyoya shouting my name,
"Kin!"
"Ellie!" I screamed as I neared the water, I was so close, if I could just make it then I could get them both out. Which was when Takashi, who was running close behind me slipped on a banana peel and was hurled forward straight into me. His body collided into my back and my feet were swept out from under me, my back aching with pain as Takashi's shoulder slammed into it. We crashed to the ground together, Takashi at the last moment gripped my waist and pulled me atop of him, so he landed first on the ground and I landed safely on his body. Detangling my limbs from his, I rose, bile choking my throat as I looked into the now calm waters for a sign of Katherine. She was gone.