Chapter 6:
Sayuri trudged into the Nitta household past the few servants that let her in and were doing usual cleaning chores. She was replaying what happened at the club over and over in her head and it was getting her only more and more annoyed. So much so that she did not notice at all that she had flumped past her mother who then called her on it accordingly.
"My my, my one and only daughter and heir comes home and doesn't even deign to greet her loving mother, slouching and positively lumbering past her. What has this world come to?"
"Ah! I apologize mother, I didn't see you there, I was distracted." Sayuri bowed slightly, blushing slightly at the reprimand.
Smiling slightly in amusement, Hatsumomo petted her daughter's head and replied, "Do try and not do it again though dear? Besides, you should be happy with the news I'm about to give you."
Standing up straight, Sayuri tilted her head and tried to think what on earth her mother would think she would be happy about. Perhaps she would be able to accompany her to a formal dinner or business meeting?
At the blank look on her heir's face, Mrs. Nitta simply chuckled and drew her into her study. "You know how you were telling me about the members of that club that you like to go to? I happen to know quite a few of those boys' fathers and Nitta Corp works closely with the Ootori's as I'm sure you remember. Yoshio-san and I have been talking lately and we both agree that you and his third son and newly named heir, Kyoya, would make a good match."
Sayuri had been following her mother's wording carefully and she was starting to piece it together just as she had her suspicions confirmed. Her eyes widened fractionally and she found she couldn't blink or speak until her second attempt. "I…am to be engaged?" Her mother never actually said the words themselves, simply that both heads of families believed it would be a good match.
"Of course dear. Oh, but to let you know, we're to go to the Ootori Estate this Saturday evening for dinner. Make sure to look your best."
She knew what her mother was doing now. She would never presume to make the official decision for her, but Hatsumomo would make sure that Sayuri would do as she wanted. She surmised that sometime in between now and the start of dinner on Saturday that Kyoya would ask for her hand himself, as encouraged by his father.
Some might be appalled by this manipulation, but Sayuri had expected this ever since she was a child, she knew that it was her duty as the Nitta family's heir to marry a suitable husband and it was her mother that would determine who just was 'suitable' for her. And really, she couldn't complain about the choice. Kyoya was handsome, intelligent, kind, and above all, a good businessman with high connections. He was the perfect match for her.
So Sayuri bowed in acceptance of her mother's decision and offered thanks before retreating from Hatsumomo's study to her own room.
The next day was a haze to Sayuri as she had gone to sleep a bit early to escape having to think about what had happened and thus forgot to set her alarm clock. She was roused by servants saying she only had fifteen minutes to get in the car and panicked, dousing herself with cold water and odd soaps in the shower and then throwing on her uniform before letting a maid brush out her long straight hair as she chugged down some sort of fruit smoothie the cook concocted to drink while she was in the town car being driven to school.
She arrived on campus with wet hair dangling about her form, instead of her usual dry and hair sprayed curls, without her headband and she was sure she was missing a few other key things that she hoped her servants would remember to bring her later.
So distracted was she that she did not notice the boy waiting for her at the school entrance and for a moment, he didn't notice her either.
"Nitta-san? Is that you?" Kyoya asked a he quickened his pace ever so slightly (for an Ootori never runs) to catch up to her.
Whipping around at her name Sayuri blinked, "Oh, Ootori-senpai, I'm sorry, I'm just distracted because I got a late start on my morning." She stated before realizing that he had been waiting there…for her. Memory of the upcoming proposal flashed through her mind but then she dismissed it. He wouldn't just propose to her in front of school like this, he was probably just being polite to his future fiancé.
"Quite understandable. I'm sorry I didn't recognize you at first. I knew your hair wasn't naturally curly, but I've seen you with it done so much…forgive me. You look quite nice with it natural." He finished kindly.
She simply chuckled nervously and responded, "What, naturally wet? Heh, thanks for the compliment anyways. Mother said that most of the girls at Ouran do their hair and…well I just thought I should try it out. It's such a pain in the morning though."
"Then do without. I rather like it like this anyways." He smiled before taking her suitcase and continuing onwards.
Sayuri blinked in surprise and then too late noticed how hot her face felt and slapped herself a few times before jogging to catch up with the Host Club member.
He escorted her to her homeroom which earned her a few titters and questions from classmates, especially from Umiko-chan, to which she would only say that there was nothing so strange about a boy walking a friend to her class, but smiled in confidence to her friend.
The day continued uneventfully until she accompanied Umiko as usual to music room three and was greeted immediately by Kyoya. This however wasn't the unusual part. What was, was him greeting her with special attention and then ushering her to her own private table where no other customers were sitting (which was especially unusual in the ever popular club) and even drew her chair out for her to sit down. She was about to ask if Umiko could join them, but her friend grinned and made her way to Tamaki's table. Feeling rather like she was abandoned, she glanced at the bespectacled senior shyly.
Kyoya had done his research, as always, and found that Sayuri was rather reclusive. Sure she had an outstanding resume, in the top ten of all her classes and grades, helped her school, was involved in extracurricular clubs as well as sports. But in her personal life there was nothing. A few friends, but none of them…close. Or male. In other words, she had never had a boyfriend. Never had her hand held and surely had never been kissed. It was a task surely, but Kyoya was always a man to embrace a challenge.
In his time spent at the Host Club, he learned many a way to woo a woman from others as well as data collected and personal experiments. But he must treat this particular woman differently. With care and above all, move slowly. She was a lady born and raised and was expected to be treated as such. They had all the time in the world anyways. Even after they were engaged, they surely wouldn't be married until she had graduated Ouran Academy. And moreover, she was one of the many patrons of their club, which made things a bit tricky. He didn't want to seem like he was playing favoritism as opposed to being a gentlemen so he made sure to cancel all appointments with other girls and booked Sayuri solely with him. They would lose profit marginally, but with the new website he put up to pay for Host Club items online, hopefully it wouldn't be too much. Besides, it would be worth it in the long run.
"Green tea, one sugar correct Nitta-san?" Kyoya asked smoothly as he gently pushed a saucer with tea cup upon it towards his one and only guest.
"I'd ask how you know, but I know exactly how you do." She smiled as she accepted the cup and held the bottom gently with her left hand while the right brought it up to her lips to take a small inaudible sip. "Mn… Wonderful as always Ootori-senpai."
He smiled back at her observation and bowed his head slightly in respect before interjecting after her murmur of appreciation, "You may call me by my first name if you wish. Just so I don't get confused about who you're talking about of course. It would be terrible of me to become jealous of my brothers or father for no reason." He joked with his usual polite smile.
Sayuri's eyebrows rose slightly before her mouth pursed in amusement that she attempted and failed to push back. "Jealous you say? Whatever would you be jealous of anyone over…Kyoya-senpai?" She tried out his name daringly.
"Hmm, that is a good question…Sayuri-san." He smirked ever so slightly with a not so noticeable twinkle in his eyes behind his glasses.
Sayuri couldn't help but grin at his daring but didn't say anything, simply taking another sip of her tea.
The rest of the conversation was platonic as they discussed odd things like where Kyoya got his ideas for the Host Club dress up days, sharing business ideas, how silly Tamaki and the rest of the club was. They got onto the topic of clubs after Kyoya mentioned he was thinking of joining the debate team.
"You definitely should. I know you have a great mind, but as far as I've observed, you don't make split second decisions or make outright confrontations. The debate team could help you practice and hone your skills."
He raised an eyebrow at her critical analysis and simply replied, "Indeed…perhaps I shall then. And what about you? What clubs do you frequent other than here at the Host Club of course."
"Hm, well I just joined the archery club though it's not going very well. I used to be on the team in middle school and win championships but it's been months since I've practiced." She frowned ever so slightly as she put down her tea cup and started playing with her fingernails.
He noticed this and filed it away in his memory to address later as he spoke, "I'm sure you just need to practice some more to get back into the rhythm of it. Nothing to worry about."
Sayuri forced a smile and replied, "Yes, I'm sure you're right."
Kyoya was growing tired of making small talk and the forced cheerfulness but he never let it show. Finally the time came for host hours to end and he informed everyone in the room, ushering the ladies out, but ignoring Sayuri as he said his brief goodbyes to the other members.
Then he gestured for the raven haired girl to walk and followed her accordingly. She felt a little awkward, like she had a bodyguard or something. Was he going to do this all the time at school? But when they left the building into the grounds, he turned and bowed his head to her.
"It's been a pleasure Sayuri-san. I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow." He stated with a princely smile which she felt was a mask, but simply bowed her head back.
"And I as well Kyoya-senpai. Goodbye."
She watched him walk for a few seconds before sighing and continuing around the back of the building, further into the school grounds to the archery field. Little did she know that the very boy she had just left, doubled back and followed her in the shadows.
Archery club was better this time, as she was paired with Ferio instead of Ephriham. And amazingly she found that if he envisioned the center circle to be Ephriham's head, she was more accurate.