Chapter 16

The summer holidays had finally arrived, no more school or textbooks or boring teachers controlling my life; it was the time for me to unwind and relax. Haruhi had decided to go and work for a friend of her dad's, of course they invited me and my mum as well so I helped get our stuff ready and waited for the car to arrive.

Mum said to me, "I feel so sorry for you, Maria. You have to drag me everywhere you go. I bet you're fed up of me."

I shook my head and said, "Of course not, Mum. In fact, I would hate to leave you here all by yourself anyway. You would get so bored. I'm sure Misuzu has activities you can do."

She smiled with delight as we heard the car outside. I gave mum her walking frame as we walked down to the car, put the suitcases in the boot and drove off to Karuizawa.

When we arrived Misuzu, of course, greeted us with open arms. "Oh my dears, look at how much you've grown! Come here, let me get a better look at you!"

She/he gave us an almighty close-to-death hug and showed us to our rooms. We decided to share a room together so it would be easier for us to help each other out. Misuzu stated to us, "Now dears, you will be starting work today so I'll give you your aprons now to try on quickly, okay?"

She twirled out as Haruhi and I looked at each other in disbelief as we saw the colour of the apron...yellow. "I hate the colour yellow! It reminds me of the girls uniform at school!"

Haruhi patted my shoulder and said, "It's not that bad. It's not like we have to wear it forever."

I sighed. "Fine, but I'm not wearing the matching bonnet!"

Haruhi rolled her eyes as we put on our banana coloured aprons and went downstairs to start work. Customers came in and out all day keeping us very busy, but it was so much fun they were so polite and kind. When a couple left Haruhi waved them off and told them, "Thank you. Have a nice day."

Meanwhile I was welcoming new customers in by saying, "Hi, good morning!" I showed them to their table and served them drinks and snacks. By the end of the day we were exhausted. Haruhi collapsed on her bed and groaned out, "Man, I'm beat. What a day it's been."

I collapsed on the bed as well and smiled. "I love days which keep me on my toes. I feel like I've accomplished something with it."

Haruhi nodded in agreement. "Who would've thought working in a bed and breakfast could be the ideal way to spend my summer?"

I nodded in agreement and we got into our beds and fell fast asleep. This was our daily routine for the next 2 days. However, one day Haruhi and I were hanging up the laundry outside.

"At first I was a little apprehensive about not telling the guys about my plans for the summer, but it isn't like they really have the free time to keep tabs on me anyway, right?" Haruhi opened up to me, but I nodded in agreement.

"We have a right to spend out summer how we want. This place is so tranquil. Fresh air, the quiet setting. The perfect highland to get a way for a girl to catch up on her studies."

Haruhi nodded. "It's gonna be great."

Suddenly a helicopter flew above us as Tamaki shouted through the speakerphone, "Haruhi! Maria! Despair not! Daddy's come to save you!"

We sighed and sweat dropped as Haruhi whined, "And by great, evidently I mean a nightmare."

He jumped out of his helicopter and hugged us tightly. "Oh my poor little princesses, Daddy's here to help you out of debt!"

I pushed him away from us and shouted, "What the hell are you doing here!?"

Just then the twins, Hunny, Mori and Kyoya all got out of a car and walked over to us. Haruhi stared in disbelief, "You're all here?!"

Hunny nodded. "Yep! We wanted to make sure you guys were ok!"

We sighed "Well you guys better come in then."

When we got inside my mum and Misuzu were talking but mum noticed us and began, "Oh my, your friends are here to? Oh, what a pleasant surprise. It's been a while boys."

Tamaki bowed gracefully and kissed my mum's hand. "It is always a pleasure to see you again, my dear."

I kicked him away and growled, "That's my mother, you pervert!"

He went off to the emo corner as the twins went up to my mum "It's nice to see you again Ma'am!"

Mum laughed "Oh boys I've told you already call me Claire!"

Kyoya smiled at my mum and shook her hand "It's a pleasure to see you again Claire."

Finally Misuzu gasped with delight "Oh my! What dashing young men you are! These hunks must belong to Haruhi and Maria!"

Tamaki got out of his emo corner and asked "Another fluttering tranny?" Misuzu twirled "Why don't you call me Misuzu-chi?"

Kyoya stated to Tamaki "He's an old friend of Ranka's. They used to work together at the same shop years ago."

Steam came out of Tamaki's ears as he moaned to Kyoya "Well, naturally you would know."

Haruhi whispered to me "Kill me."

I shook my head as Misuzu smiled "I went into business for myself 2 years ago, and believe you me. Running this adorable little pension is like living a fairy-tale."

Hunny tilted his head and asked "So then, are Haru-chan and Mari-chan like your indenture servants?" Kyoya shook his head "They're more like unpaid employees. This also happens to be Ranka's preferred method for keeping track of his daughter while he's busy working."

Tamaki did a double take and asked "What the.. How do you know all of this stuff?"

Haruhi whispered to me again "Kill me."

Then Misuzu beamed "'Take my little girl under your wing' he says! He practically begged me, And since I still can't afford the expensive hired help, it works out for everyone! They are model employees, really. It's such a shame I can't pay them anything. Oh, tell me what you boys think of this cute little apron they're wearing. I made it myself."

She/he shook Haruhi like a rag doll and Tamaki gave a thumbs up "You are an quite exquisite seamstress."

Misuzu looked at us and smiled "Why don't you two take a break? You can catch up with your delightful men!"

We nodded and went outside with the guys. Kaoru looked at us and asked "A job, huh? I don't get it. You turned down our invitation to Bali for this?"

Hunny added "And we even asked them to go with us to Switzerland, didn't we?"

Mori nodded "We did."

I shrugged "Yeah well, we still don't have passports, remember?"

Kyoya spoke up from his book "Which is precisely why I recommended one of our domestic resorts, and at a discount no less."

I shook my head "Then I would have felt like I was imposing on you Kyoya, and I'm sure Haruhi would to."

By this point I had no idea where Tamaki was at this point...probably hating the guys for inviting us to go on holiday with them. Hikaru looked at Haruhi and began "Why was your cell phone..."

"turned off?" Kaoru finished. Haruhi merely shrugged "I just don't think about it, really."

Tamaki suddenly appeared out of nowhere and asked "Did you say you have a cell phone?"

Hikaru nodded and said "We convinced her she should borrow one of ours, so we can keep in touch."

Kaoru continued "It's a part of a special friends and family plan."

Hikaru finished "Yeah, we're in each other's top five."

Tamaki had a look of despair on his face as his hand reached out to Haruhi "Top five!? Friends and family? But wait, I'm your daddy and buddy, so I'm a part of the plan too, right?"

Haruhi looked at Tamaki, sweat dropped, and said "Sempai, whatever planet you're on, come home." She suddenly had a realisation and asked "Speaking of which, why are you even here?"

I continued "Yeah, we're gonna have to see you guys every day when the new term starts. Don't we have the right to spend our summer vacations the way we want to?"

Kyoya, who had an evil glint in his glasses, pulled out a little book and stated "According to the hand book, jobs are prohibited."

You bastard...

Haruhi panicked and stated "I, uh, had no idea."

The twins started whispering loudly to make sure we could hear as Hikaru teased "Hey did you hear? Haruhi went and got herself a job without the school's permission."

Kaoru responded "No way. That's grounds for expulsion."

Hunny, not paying attention to the twins, smiles "I think Karuizawa is way better than Switzerland anyway."

Kyoya nodded in agreement "And oversea travel is so exhausting."

Tamaki grinned at me and Haruhi and stated "Of course, you do have the right to spend your vacation as you please. But then again, like it or not, so do we. And you know, I for one find pension Misuzu to be exceptionally charming."

Me and Haruhi just looked at each other and fell to the floor screaming "Nooooo!"

I sighed and went back in to get Misuzu, he came out with me as I explained to him that the guys wanted to stay here. But he cried "I'm so sorry boys. I'd love to have you all as guests, but I'm afraid there's only one vacant room left."

Thank the Lord! Now we can enjoy our time in peace!

But just then Tamaki smiled "Only one room, you say? Well, that settles it. I'll have to stay here to represent the club."

Damn you Tamaki!

Hunny whimpered "Hey, that isn't fair."

Hikaru started to mimic Tamaki "Have you no feeling of loyalty? Of any solidarity, boss?"

Kaoru finished "Togetherness is our guiding principle."

Tamaki gasped in shock and moaned "My own words twisted…And thrown right back at my face."

The twins suddenly had a mischievous look in their eyes and Hikaru began "Here's an idea. We bet you'll like it. Why not hold a little competition?"

Kaoru continued "Call it 'The Guest Relations Odd Jobs Contest at Pension Misuzu'."

"It's very simple. We all just lend a hand around the place for the afternoon."

"And whoever makes the best impression on Misuzu-chi gets to sleep in the vacant guest bedroom."

Misuzu squealed in delight "That's brilliant! I think it's an absolutely delightful idea! Yes, the winner of the contest will be determined by how refreshing they are! Remember, refreshing is the name of the game in guest relations!"

The twins smiled in delight and cheered "Refreshing, refreshing, yay!"

Misuzu then pointed at the boys and stated "Now, don't think this is going to be a walk in the park! Because I'm planning on working you boys to the bone!"

Haruhi and I looked at each other and sarcastically said "Sounds like a blast."

And so the competition began, Tamaki was trying (and failing) to build a fence while Hunny ate some cake. The twins showed guests to their rooms and while they were doing their jobs Misuzu would give them or take away refresher points, she/he turned to Mori and said "Oh, Mori, the legs on this table are wobbly. Would you be a dear and fix it up back please?"

Mori effortlessly lifted the table with one hand and nodded "Sure thing."

He walked outside while Misuzu smiled "Nothing wasted in word or deed! Five refresher points."

Haruhi and I looked at each other confused and Haruhi asked "So, what's a refresher point?"

Misuzu smiled and asked "Girls, what do you think guests are after when they come all the way out to vacation in Karuizawa?"

I pondered "Let's see... The nice weather?" Misuzu shook his head "Oh, it's much more than that. They come for what they can't get in the city. Refreshing air, refreshing scenery, and refreshingly gorgeous young men! And now thanks to your friends on a little contest, my pension will earn a reputation for being the premiere hot spot for vacationers such a finest eye candy Karuizawa can offer."

He danced around happily as Haruhi whispered to me "Okay, sounds like you have a plan. And it's uncanny how much you remind me of someone else I know."

I dragged Haruhi outside from the Renge look alike and she moaned "Why is that I always end up feeling like I bring host club with me wherever I go?" I patted her back "There there Haruhi."

We suddenly noticed Kyoya reading a book on the porch, we walked up to him and I said "Kyoya senpai, you're keeping your distance from all of this?"

He merely nodded "Of course. Winning means I end up staying here alone, which frankly doesn't appeal to me. I'll just sit back and watch things unfold then head for the cottage."

Haruhi looked at him confused "The cottage? You mean, your family's?"

Kyoya bluntly stated "That's right. We all have one in the area."

Then, why make such a fuss about staying here?

Kyoya looked up at us and smirked "So, who's your favorite to win? There must be someone you have in mind. Do you care to bet?"

I smirked at him, and feeling brave I nodded "Sure, I'll make a bet." I shook hands with Kyoya, sealing the deal, as he said "So, what's the prize if you win?"

I smiled "How about a bar of chocolate and a foot massage?"

He chuckled "Of course, a typical prize for a commoner but oh well , it's fine by me."

I asked "What about you Kyoya?" He smirked "I think I'll leave you guessing...I'd hate the ruin the surprise." He turned to Haruhi and asked "What about you Haruhi? Care to make a bet?"

Haruhi shook her head "Um, no thanks. I don't have a clue."

Kyoya looked surprised "Really? It's easy enough to tell at a glance. Honey-Senpai's brand of cute doesn't quite fit Misuzu's notion of refreshing. So I'm afraid he is out. Tamaki comes a little closer to the ideal, provided he keeps his mouth shut. But we both know the likelihood of that. Ordinarily you'd figure Hikaru and Kaoru. Then again, seems we have a dark horse."

We looked over at Mori, who was shirtless and chopping wood...for some reason...as girls drooled at the sight of him. Misuzu squealed "That's 20 more refresher points to Mori!"

I sat next to Kyoya as Haruhi asked "So then, you think he is the one?"

Before Kyoya could answer I shook my head "No, if Honey-senpai drops out, Mori-senpai is bound to go along with him. His participation in the game after all is more or less conditional to that."

Kyoya looked at me, slightly impressed, and smirked "Well observed Maria."

Suddenly Hikaru began "Which means,"

"Victory will be ours." Kaoru finished.

Haruhi turned to them "Well maybe not. I couldn't help but notice that the only room still available is a single bed. So if you did win, you couldn't both stay."

Hikaru shrugged "No big deal. We can just bring another bed over from the cottage."

Kaoru added "Yeah, we can even squeeze into the single."

I smiled at them "How sweet. I guess you guys really are always together, huh?"

Kaoru looked at me and nodded "Always."

Hikaru stated "The two of us have been together since we were born. So we haven't ever needed anybody else."

Haruhi tilted her head "Oh really?"

Hikaru grinned "But then... Well, that was before we knew you two. We totally let you sleep with us."

Haruhi held up her hand defensively "Ah thanks, I'll pass." I nodded "Same here."

Kyoya smirked at the twins and stated "The contest isn't quite decided yet. There's still a number of ways to make this game more interesting."

This guy's always got something up his sleeve. Does that qualify as refreshing?

Kaoru teased "Oh yeah? Thinking about helping the boss, are you?" Hikaru shook his head "We're not going to loose. It's no use."

The twins walked away as me, Haruhi and Kyoya went to watch Tamaki. I looked at Kyoya "Oh yeah, so who are you betting on winning?"

Kyoya smiled "I'm betting on the twins. They have their twincest charm that seems to entertain the guests."

I chuckled "True, but Tamaki has his looks about him...and his music, but he just needs to show that to Misuzu."

As I said that Misuzu said to Tamaki "Oh, your repairs are totally unrefreshing. Three point deduction."

I saw that Tamaki had grown depressed from his failed attempt to make a fence. Haruhi tilted her head "He used up so much of his energy trying to be refreshing that his work suffer for it. Is he all right in the head?"

Kyoya shrugged "He's never had an actual job before, you know."

I looked over at the twins who were playing with the water hose as Kaoru laughed "Hey, cut it out! That's cold!"

Hikaru chuckled "We have to chill the watermelon. That's how our guests like it." The girls around them squealed "Oh, so refreshing!"

That's it! I'm not gonna loose to Kyoya...I want that chocolate bar!

I walked over to the depressed Tamaki and began "I think your approach to winning is a bit skewed. Wouldn't you agree?"

Tamaki looked at me and sighed "Maria, can't you see that yours and Haruhi's esteem for me as a father figure hangs in the balance?"

I shook my head "If I may offer some of advice, there is something that only you can pull off. That is, if you choose the right music."

He looked up at me then ran inside and the next moment was filled with the beautiful melody of the piano. Guests were coming in left and right, drawn in by the music.

Kyoya chuckled from behind me "Well played Maria, but the game isn't over yet."

I smiled "Well lets hope the twins do something soon then...for your sake Kyoya."

He chuckled as we heard Kaoru shout "Look out!" CRASH!

I looked at Kyoya and ran towards to source of the sound. I saw that a pot had fallen from the ledge above and Kaoru saved Haruhi from getting hit. The girl upstairs asked "I'm so sorry! Are you two all right!?"

Kaoru nodded "Don't worry. We're okay. Right?"

Haruhi nodded slowly "Uh, yeah. Thanks. I'm fine."

I ran up closer to them as Hikaru ran past me "Kaoru! You're hurt. Let me see!"

I looked at Kaoru who had a nasty cut on his cheek, he chuckled "I'm fine. It's only a little cut. Hikaru?"

Hikaru sighed and rested his head against Kaoru's chest "Don't scare me like that."

Oh no...

Kaoru brought his brother's face up and smiled gently "Hey, I'm sorry. Do you forgive me?"

Oh God please tell me they're not...

They slightly chuckled and pressed their foreheads against each others.

Oh please no!

Misuzu then squealed and danced on top on the roof and shouted "Bravo! Bravo! 100 points for refreshing brotherly love! A perfect score! And the victory goes to the Hitachiin brothers!"

Noooooooooo! They used their twincest act! Damn them both!

I hung me head as I heard a dark chuckle behind me "I believe that's game over, Maria."

I turned to him and sighed "Ugh, well done Kyoya. Now what do I have to do?"

He chuckled evilly and whispered in my ear "A favour for the near future."

I shivered as his breath tickled my ear and he walked away, smirking.

The next day Haruhi and I went to the twins who were ready to eat breakfast as Hikaru said "Get us some breakfast, please. I'll have two pieces of baked beget toast with clarified butter and garnet seal syrup."

Kaoru added "I'll take poached eggs with bacon and a bowl of whole grained cereal. The kind with those little pieces of dried fruit in it."

Haruhi stuttered "Hold on. We don't even have that stuff on the menu."

Hikaru and Kaoru both looked at us and said "Huh?"

When suddenly Tamaki whacked the twins 'round their heads "Behave! Just who in the world do you think you are? Acting like members of some privileged aristocracy on holiday!"

Hikaru raised an eyebrow "We are aristocracy."

Kaoru followed suit "So are you, boss."

Tamaki shook his head "You are missing the whole point of travel. 'When in Rome do as the Romans do.' That's what I say. Take a look at this. Karuizawa cuisine fit for a king. Cold pasteurized Jersey steaks, fresh juice, highland vegetables, smoked salmon cooked over cherrywood, the local pride, I might add. And last but not least, freshly baked breads with homemade jam. Bon appetit."

Hikaru began "Since when have you..."

"been such a connoisseur?"Kaoru finished.

I laughed "Oh, since he started learning from Misuzu. He's been in the kitchen with him all morning long."

Tamaki beamed "While the two of you were sleeping the day away, I decided to start a refreshing host workshop. I even wrote a manual."

Haruhi looked at him unimpressed "You really need a life."

Tamaki ignored her and read "While you are acting as my apprentice, you may not treat me as your senpai. That is the first rule I have written."

Haruhi raised an eyebrow at him "Really?"

The twins looked through the manual and Hikaru said "Hey wait. Have you got rule number 5 yet? It says we have to be up by 6 a.m."

Kaoru asked "Have Kyoya senpai and Honey senpai read through the manual yet?"

Tamaki the had a pained look on his face as he went to his emo corner. Hikaru raised his hands in apology "Hey, look. We're sorry, boss."

Kaoru added "We didn't mean to stir up painful memories."

Just then the door opened and a male voice said "Good morning, Arai Produce!" Wait...that voice.

Misuzu smiled "Good morning to you! Working boy ay? A high schooler?"

The boy added "Yes, ma'am. I'm helping out my uncle shop for the Summer." I know that voice from somewhere...

Misuzu twirled "How refreshing! Haruhi, would you put these in the refrigerator for me?"

Haruhi nodded "Okay." As she picked up the box the boy's hat fell off as he asked "Haruhi Fujioka?"

Haruhi and I looked at him as Haruhi said "Hey, Arai?"

So it was Arai...man this is gonna be interesting...

A/N: Dun dun duuuuuunnnnn! And the story continues in the next chapter! Man it has taken me FOREVER to write this. I'm sorry my lovely readers. Well I hope you liked it and please R&R...I do like getting reviews they are nice to get :)