Tap tap tap tap tap...

"Urghhh!"

"Something wrong Ama-chan?" Honey sempai asked.

"Just trying to figure out something to get Hoshimi for her birthday and I have till tonight to figure it out."

"Shouldn't you have figured this out earlier? And if you can't think of anything else just give her a gift card." Kyouya pointed out.

"Drop dead shadow king, I didn't ask for your opinion on the matter."

"Now now, Amaya. Just relax!" Tamaki lilted, "I'm sure someone as smart as you can find something to give to your precious cousin on the anniversary of her birth."

"Thanks Tamaki." I said with a half smile.

Tamaki bowed. "Anytime, my princess."

I held back a blush. He'd had me on edge ever since the Easter party when he had kissed my cheek.

"Anyways, what have you people decided to get her?"

Mori picked up a box. "Tortilla chips."

I raised an eyebrow. "She really is a simple person that Hoshimi."

Hikaru smirked, "Agreed. That's why I'm going to let her spend a weekend with Kaoru."

I laughed," I'm sure she plans on doing that anyway but I guess permission is better instead of you guys pulling on his limbs like last weekend. You both nearly ripped him apart. Good thing I had that cloning machine handy."

"By the way I sold that on eBay for 2 million yen." Kyouya mumbled as he began walking away.

"YOU WHAT?" I ran after the glasses man and tackled him down.

"AMAYA! Don't you do anything that'd make you get arrested!" Tamaki shouted.

"Don't listen to him Amaya! Kick his butt!" A familiar voice cheered.

I got off of Kyouya and saw Hoshimi and Kaoru headed in our direction. Kyouya got up, attempting to sneak away. Without looking, I grabbed his collar and punched his shoulder with as much force as possible.

"Yessss!" my cousin whooped.

"Owww." Kyouya groaned, rubbing his bruised shoulder.

I smiled. "Morning Hoshimi." I greeted.

"Good morning Amaya! I'm so excited for tomorrow! Caaauuuusssseeee...it'll be my birthday!" she squealed.

"Geez and I thought you had done that enough on the way here!" Kaoru moaned.

"Nope," Hoshimi giggled, "by the way. We're apparently going somewhere tomorrow. That's what Kaoru said anyway."

Kaoru tightened his grip on Hoshimi's waist. "Yup, and there's no way I'm gonna tell you where we're going."

"Not even if I cosplay like Ikaros?"

Kaoru's eyes became as bowling balls. "Umm n-no." he stuttered.

Hoshimi shot me a smirk.

"Come here Amaya. You and me are gonna go change for the host club."

"Why? We aren't hosts!"

"No but I made Kyouya convince Tamaki to cancel today's activities. It's easy to convince him when you're stabbing him with a fork."

I shook my head. "Only you Hoshimi. Fine, what am I cosplaying?"

"That you'll find out in a second. You actually have a choice." Two hangers were placed in my hands.

"Now choose one while I change!"

When Hoshimi ran off into a dressing room, I looked at the two outfits. My eyes nearly burst.

"I can't decide! One is really cute but the other one is...kinda hot."

Hoshimi's head popped out of the stall on the right. "C'mon! You're helping me out here if you choose one. Besides didn't you do one of those for Halloween in 6th grade?"

"Yeah but the other one I did at my old school."

"No way!"

"Yes way. You know what? I'll just wear this one." I quickly threw on the outfit on and put the other outfit on a hook. With caution, I walked out of the dressing room so Tamaki wouldn't see me. Lucky for me, he was facing away from me. I put my hands around his eyes and giggled, "Ready?"

"You bet." Tamaki then grabbed my hand and twirled me around. Once his eyes were on me, I smiled.

"So?"

Hoshimi's POV

The minute I stepped out of the dressing room, I saw Tamaki's eyes nearly drop out of his head. Pervert, I thought with a little chuckle. Amaya was looking at the floor in embarrassment.

"So?" she mumbled.

"You look…..adorable!" Tamaki screamed.

"You would think that!" I yelled. The 'king' stared at me blankly.

"Why would I?"

"Hello?" I screeched, gesturing to her insane outfit. My cousin was sporting a black ¾ sleeve shirt with a fake white polo underneath. The shirt had a rhinestone emblem as if it were from an academy. Amaya also wore a white and black polka dotted skirt with black mesh under the actual skirt that was above her knees. To top off the skirt, it had a black satin sash around her hips, which was neatly tied in a bow. Yet the entire outfit was turned into a cosplay when the bunny ears were placed on her flowing brown hair. Oddly enough, the cosplay was similar to a dress she wore earlier. The only difference was the bunny ears.

"How is it weird that I find that cute?" Tamaki asked; eyes still locked on my cousin.

"It's just so….weird." I grumbled.

"As if wearing a warrior-ish costume with wings and red hair is completely normal!" Amaya retorted, "Besides, weird is good."

Tamaki's face lit up. "Thank you Amaya!" He ran to my bunny-eared cousin and hugged her tight from behind. Her eyes bugged out and a heat wave crossed her face.

"Well come on everyone. Time to go, we have plans tomorrow." Kyouya pointed out, ushering everyone out of the room. Hikaru took off ahead, leaving the rest of us behind. Mori and Honey left the group as soon as their car arrived. Kyouya departed soon after. The four of us were left in awkward silence.

"Did you really have to be Ikaros?" Kaoru asked me, tugging at one of my wings.

"But you know you love this." I teased. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Amaya and Tamaki whispering things to each other with their hands entwined in each others.

Amaya's POV

"How the heck are we supposed to hide the surprise from her? I'm not good at keeping secrets from her. It feels so dirty and wrong. But I know I have to for Kaoru's sake." I sighed.

"Don't worry Amaya," Tamaki whispered, grabbing my hands.

My face began to heat up. "What are you doing?" I whispered.

"What I can't hold your hands?" Tamaki teased quietly, "I'm trying not to make what we're talking about obvious to Hoshimi-san. She's looking right this way."

I started to freeze up from the thought of Hoshimi's eyes boring into my back. The only thing that kept me calm was Tamaki's fingers brushing my hair.

"How did you know that I love it when people brush my hair?" I grinned.

"'Cause I like it too." He confessed. My eyes immediately shot up to my violet eyed love. For a few minutes, we talked about all kinds of nonsense until the Hitachiin's and Hoshimi's limo arrived. We waved goodbye to them as they departed. Once they were out of sight, I exhaled heavily, "Keeping this secret is so tough."

"I know, I know."

"So when do we go the surprise place? What's the plan?"

Tamaki laughed at my childish excitement. "Ok, ok. Here's what'll happen in 24 hours."

-Exactly 24 hours later…-

"C'mon Hoshimi! We don't have a minute to lose!"

"Where are we going?" she fumed, stumbling around because of the blindfold I had tied to her face the minute the last bell rang.

"Don't worry; I wouldn't take you somewhere bad on your birthday!" I dismissed. Before another word could wiggle through her lips, I shoved my bewildered cousin into our ride. I jumped in after her. "Yo driver! Hit the gas pedal! We're trying to get to our destination within ten minutes."

"Where the heck are we going Amaya?" screeched the redhead.

"Not teeeelllliiiinnnnnggggg." I sang sweetly. A procession of groans followed my comment and continued for the entire trip.

"Are we there yet?" Hoshimi deadpanned.

I remained silent, making her more anxious. I texted Tamaki to let him know that we had left and that we would be arriving to the surprise place in a few minutes. My poor cousin was getting frantic, swiping at my hands that held her blindfold in place.

"Take this frikin thing off of me or so help me I'll kill you!" screamed Hoshimi.

"I will as soon as we get there. I promise." I swore.

Hoshimi crossed her arms in frustration. I looked out the window to find that we had arrived. An evil smirk popped onto my face when I saw the sight waiting for us. I helped my cousin out of the limo.

"We're here!" I sang, ripping off her blindfold.

Hoshimi's eyes sprang open and immediately began to widen.

"We're….at…AN AMUSEMANT PARK!" squealed the birthday girl.

The Host Club approached, laughing. They must have heard her. But who WOULDN'T have heard that? I wondered. As soon as he was by my side, Tamaki hugged me.

"Happy Birthday Hoshimi." They greeted.

"Awwww, you guys are so amazing! Ok now, who was the mastermind behind this whole thing?"

Everyone's eyes were fixed on me all of a sudden. My face began to heat up.

"It was nothing, really." I stammered.

"But it was! I love you Amaya!" Hoshimi cooed.

"But I love her more!" Tamaki interjected.

Hoshimi's head was shaking 'no'. "Nu uh, this chica right here? I love her more than anyone else!" Within seconds, the two were fighting over who was the one that loved me the most. A voice interrupted them, "Hey, what about me?"

"I could never forget you." Hoshimi grinned, kissing her boyfriend in greeting.

"How about we go on some rides now?" Haruhi suggested.

Tamaki smiled warmly at the girl. "That'd be lovely Haruhi." Haruhi turned away from us, trying to hide her blush. I could see it though and the green eyed monster inside me roared; seething with jealousy and hatred.

A cool palm rested on my shoulder. I looked away from them and up at the face that was a part of the person that was resting on me.

"It'll be okay." Honey-sempai consoled.

I smiled at him, "Thanks, I know it will."

"Let's go have some fun!" Hoshimi yelled. Everyone cheered in agreement. We ran off towards the rides.

3 hours later…

"Woo! That was fun!" I exhaled, plopping down on a bench.

"I'm exhausted~" Honey sighed.

"You gotta admit that last ride was pretty exciting." Hikaru mentioned.

"Got that right." Tamaki agreed.

"All I want now is to go home." Kyouya groaned, earning a nod from Haruhi.

"Killjoys." I deadpanned.

"Thanks everyone for coming here. By the way, sorry Kyouya for shoving you into that pole earlier. Wait, no I'm not!" Hoshimi laughed. Kyouya kept a straight face even though his entire aura read PISSED OFF.

"Oh, I almost forgot! Kaoru, remember what we discussed?" I chided.

"Danggit, I thought you had forgotten that stupid 'present'." My cousin's boyfriend groaned.

"Do it now before we leave or you know what will happen." I threatened, staring pointedly in the direction of the restrooms. "Go." I urged.

"Fine, evil demon."

"Thank you!"

"What's going on now?" Hoshimi questioned. A blank and confused look rested on my clueless cousin's face.

Giggles began to surface. "Trust me; you'll love me even more once he comes back out."

Questioning looks were exchanged from everyone else. Tamaki leaned to my ear, "What have you got planned?"

"You'll see." I replied.

Kaoru walked out. Eyes shifted to him. One look was all it took for the rest to join me in hysterical laughter.

Kaoru's POV

I hate every minute of this; that stupid Amaya and her threats. It was yesterday after school that she had told me to do this.

Amaya's voice called after me, "Kaoru! I've got the perfect idea for a present for Hoshimi."

"Am I going to agree on this?" I asked, confused by her devilish smirk. No good was going to come of this that much I knew.

"Put this on after we all leave the amusement park." Amaya said, stuffing a plastic bag into my palms. I peered inside the bag.

"NO WAY IN HELL AM I GOING TO WEAR SOMETHING LIKE THIS!" I exclaimed.

"You will or I'm going to give Hoshimi back her doujinshi." Amaya seethed.

"But I thought you like Tamaki!"

"I do!"

"Then why would you give her back the TamaKao junk?"

"Not THAT doujinshi! I hid that a long time ago. I'm talking about her Hitachiincest one!" she grinned.

My mind began to consider the possibilities of her retrieving that again. I shuddered. "You win."

"Yes!"Amaya fist pumped the air as she ran off.

Hoshimi stared at me. "Kaoru?"

"Yes?"

"YOU LOOK SO CUTE IN THAT DRESS!" she squealed. Suddenly, she was glomping me.

"Oh come on! This is not cute in the slightest." I moaned.

"I seem to remember you wearing a dress awhile ago Kaoru," Haruhi mentioned, "You were fine with it then!"

I began to blush. Hoshimi giggled more, "It's ok Kaoru." With that, she linked arms with me and we all went our separate ways.

Amaya's POV

"Hahahaha." I laughed.

"Really a three way call?" Haruhi asked. I giggled more.

"Come on Haruhi! This is fun!" Tamaki whined.

"Sure, whatever." She sighed.

"Wahhhh Haruhi hates me!" Tamaki sulked.

"No she doesn't! I know I don't hate you." I insisted. As soon as I said that, everyone was silent. "Hello? You people still there?" I said to my phone.

"Still here." They replied.

"Well hold on I gotta do some chores." I muttered.

"Okay." Tamaki said quietly.

After ten minutes of cleaning my room, I picked up the phone. I was about to speak when I heard Tamaki.

"So Haruhi?"

"Yeah?"

"What do you think of me?"

Ideas of what I would be saying popped into my head. Tamaki was clueless and aware; emotional yet content; funny but ostentatious.

Haruhi finally spoke up, "I think Tamaki-sempai is kind, hilarious, and generous. You like to have fun and at times you're childish. But I like all that about you."

The pain of jealousy stabbed at my stomach; urging me to start talking but I held back. I could hear Tamaki quietly being overjoyed.

"What would you do if Amaya-san and I started going out?" Tamaki mumbled. My heart skipped a beat. Did this mean he had chosen? Or was he just trying to get a reaction from the stiff one?

"Honestly….I'd probably be…."

"Probably be what?" Tamaki asked.

"….I'd be jealous." Haruhi confessed. "I think I would be much better for you than Amaya would be."

A sharp pain hit me in the gut. I decided I should talk right then. "I'm back. But only to tell you I have to go." I managed to choke out.

"Is something wrong Amaya?" Haruhi asked.

"No, I'm fine. I just have more….chores to do. I'll leave the two of you alone. I'm better off not talking to either of you right?" I sneered.

"Amaya? Did you hear us?" Tamaki yelped.

"Every last word." I growled before hanging up. In frustration and pain, I threw my house phone to the wall, shattering it. My tears came fast and steady, dripping onto a picture frame. In the frame, was a picture of Tamaki, Haruhi, Hoshimi, Kaoru, Honey, Hikaru, Mori, Renge, Kyouya, and I all squished together in a photo booth. My eyes focused on Haruhi and Tamaki. Sobs surfaced to my throat and I let them escape my lips. Pain consumed me from the inside, out. All I knew and felt was done. Tamaki would surely choose Haruhi over me. Their conversation echoed in my head, repeating itself over and over and over again. Not even Hiroki had created this much torture for me. Wiping my bloodshot eyes, I began thinking of ways I could cause despair for Haruhi. Maybe then she'd know how much it hurt to see someone you like caring for someone else. When a logical idea came, I set the plan in motion right away.