As of today, I have resided in Japan for three months. All of August, September and October have passed as if they were hurrying to leave me behind. It's been a month since the dance, and thankfully nothing awkward between Ritsu and I has happened. The following week we talked as if it never happened, but at the same time we both knew it did and talked to each other with a small hint of affection. In all honesty, I didn't know what overcame me that night. It's all a blur… but it's a nice blur. I somehow, hold it close to my heart and apparently so does Kyoya. Even though nothing out of the ordinary happened between us in the dance, he seems to regard as if it did. I don't know if he saw or heard us in the maze, but his attitude has been one of resentment.
Anyways, enough of that. If I ponder too much about that night in particular, my head begins to spin and my heart speeds up, why? Don't ask me. What I have enjoyed is staying at the Haninozuka and Morinozuka residence. I met Honey-sempai's little brother, Yasuchika. He's a lively little middle schooler who thinks that Honey-sempai is possesed. They bear little resemblance, other than being short and cute. His little brother has glasses, brown hair and a stern look on his face. He too, regards me with some odd intent. He thinks I'm too anything for my age, which includes- too short, too smart, too 'pretty', too cheery, too amiable and have too curls in my hair. In my opinion, he's hilarious without trying. The way he reacts to things makes me chortle too often. He, Honey-sempai and Mori-sempai showed me some self-defense moves. Funny thing is that at the end of the two weeks, he learned to befriend me. He even felt a bit sorry to see me leave.
But now posed the problem of, where do I bunk now? Because of the upcoming Ouran fair, the academy had chosen to use it's work force to construct a new, small cultural room. The chairman thought that they would finish in the period appointed. But inconvenience after inconvenience had happened and they hadn't finished in time. Luckily, Haruhi let me stay with her for a week, thinking the dorms would be finished by that time.
There I met her "father", Suzumiya Fujioka. To my surprise, when Haruhi said I was going to meet her dad, I thought I was going to meet someone with more of her physique… since she kinda looks like a guy. Nevertheless, the moment I walked into her apartment I was greeted with a warm hug … of a woman.
-"Oh my! She's adorable! Oooh Haruhi, can't we keep her?" He/She exclaimed after hugging me and looking me up and down. I had decided to wear something more comfortable since I didn't need to impress any top notch rich family. -"She's wearing such a cute blouse and her jeans look like the ones you used when you were merely ten years old!" Looking down I saw that my simple polka-dot blouse with turquoise jeans seemed to bring memories to the Mr./Missus.
-"Dad, stop. You're embarrassing her." Haruhi warned as she grabbed my luggage and moved it into, what I thought was her room. -"We're gonna sleep in the same room, that cool?" She called back. I simply nodded and decided to extend my hand to her father following up with a small introduction.
-"Name's Tenorio Rosalia. Pleasure to meet you… Fujioka-san." I paused for a small second before saying Mr. or Mrs. , though I mentally patted myself on the back for not mixing the name order. -"You look beautiful this afternoon, and I wanted to thank you for inviting me to stay for the week. I truly appreciate your help." I voiced sincerely. Suzumiya chuckled in response, with a small wave of her hand she 'bashfully' thanked me for my compliment.
-"My, you sound like Kyoya-san." I winced in response. -" Oh, I'm sorry have I touched a touchy subject?" She sounded a bit on the gossipy side.
-"Kyoya is a nice friend of Haruhi and mine." I responded with coldness in my voice.
-" That tone of voice doesn't sound like he's much of a friend." He/she kept on pushing.
-" I can't respond to that." I sounded even more cold than before. Suzumiya stared and glanced back at Haruhi for answers but she gave him a look that meant ' I'll tell you later."
There goes my first impression.
But for the rest of the week, things went smoothly. I felt more at home because we are both commoners attending a school of the super rich. I learned a bit more about her daily life and gained more respect for her. We both helped with chores around the apartment while her dad went to work. Though it was only for a week, we both became better friends. Even Tamaki onii-chan said so, he thought it was good for both of us to have best friends that were the same gender.
-"But Mr. Chairman sir, the dorms need another two to three weeks." I heard a construction worker plead.
-"Your time was up three weeks ago! We need it now. Where is she going to live? It has been three months and she has been shuffling along different families. She is in need of a stable environment. And so do some students of ours that come from the different regions of Japan. These students have to come by jet everyday!" The chairman let the other guy have it, and I felt the frustration from where I was sitting. I felt loved and a bit proud that the chairman had my best interest in his thoughts and actions.
-"We can have her stay at our mansion for the next two weeks or less. Because we shall send some of our workers to help with this dilemma." An unfamiliar voice suggested.
-"Oh no, no need for that. The girl can live with Tamaki for the time being, they are both very fond of each other. I think this would please my son to have her presence a little longer." The chairman insisted.
-"But I don't want to impose. You already have had her reside with him, we can take her. You see my son, as well, is very fond of her and her influence is a very good one. For some reason his grades, somehow got higher and so did the state of his happiness." Now I really wanted to know who this guy was.
-"Ah yes and so have you my friend. But ironically that happened to Tamaki as well!" It began to sound like an argument was about to happen.
-"Why not as the girl herself, since she is sitting outside."
-"Very well." And with that I was now standing in front of two really anxious men.
-"Um, with all due respect Mr. Chairman, with the school festival coming up… I don't want to distract Tamaki onii-san." I then looked to the man with a black mustache. He was very tall and slim, reminding me of Mori- sempai. But at the same time he reminded me of Kyoya.-" So if it isn't too much of a bother, I'll like to stay with your family… Mr.?
-"Ootori Yoshio, Tenorio-san. I am glad you came to your senses."
Crap.
-"H-heh… yeah."
I hate my luck with a passion.
-"Please look for a black limousine after school." I simply nodded and hurried back to class. Muttering some cuss words and wishing I hadn't been too considerate. I need to learn to be a selfish girl.
During the Host hours, the Hitachiin twins asked me to help them to come up with decoration plans for the Host's presentation. Every time I passed Kyoya my breathing became heavier and my stomach crumpled. I really did not want to go home with him, much less for two to three weeks. But the dreaded hour of the Host Club's closing time came, so I slowly went to gather my things after changing. Later, I grudgingly walked to the East entrance.
Usually I see and used to get picked up with Kyoya as well as getting dropped off at this location. Plus, Mr. Ootori hadn't told me another place to meet up with the car. So I walked up to the limousine, and simply opened the door for myself. I hadn't seen Kyoya around, so I assumed he was already sitting inside. Without saying a word, and feeling my pulse quicken while my stomach flipped, I sat in silence. This limo was the kind that the front seats are separated by a tinted small, rectangular window. Sighing, I waited till the car started. My body jumped when I heard the front door open, afterwards it stiffened. Some muffled sounds were heard and soon after the car left.
When we arrived, more words that I couldn't understand were exchanged. I patiently waited for the chauffeur to open my door. Which gave me my fair share of time. I was about to get out of the car myself when I heard their conversation get louder and clearer.
-"But are sure you didn't open the back door to put your school supplies in?" The chauffeur asked.
-"Of course not! Can't you see I have them right here?!" The other voice demanded menacingly, though it had a familiar hint to it.
-"Yes of course, sir. But I heard the door open." This time the voices came closer and the chauffeur insisted the car be inspected.
-"Go ahead and check the car, but you're imagining things. I'ma split. Tell me if you find an alien or something, hah." And so the rude person left with heavy foot steps. Murmuring, the man reached for the door's handle and slowly opened the car. I had to take the opportunity to prank someone. And I had had the best tutors in the pranking business. Following the instructions that the Hitachiin twins had bestowed upon me, I leaped under the seat and covered myself with the nearby newspapers. The chauffeur carefully examined the car, and with a shrug he closed it.
-"Yo Frank! You sure you're not going a bit to the loony side?!" One of his co-workers yelled as I sneaked out of the car before he open the door to check the back of part of the limo out once , I made my way inside. It looked like I was in a traditional hacienda, but in the Japanese way. I walked through the courtyard, and the workers gave me no heed or glances. They probably thought I was a maid or something. As I walked by, I heard some crude humor and untasteful remarks about women. The more I wandered around, I began to realize it beared a resemblance to a Yakuza hideout.
-"Well isn't it Rosalie's day today?" I sighed loudly.
-"Yo. Looky here! Ain't she a beauty." I heard a yakuza exclaim to his friend. 'I better get out' I thought as I walked faster, but to my dismay, into more of these scoundrels.
-"Hmmm, she sure is fine. You think the Young Lord might let us keep her for a bit?"
I scoffed at their comment.
-"Oooh. She look sassy too, these are always the fun ones~" Another yakuza exclaimed with drool falling from his mouth.
-"How about we let the girl go, huh? She has homework to do and places to be, which is not here." I said sternly while walking rapidly, but my arm was caught and my person was being lifted up.
-"She has a temper, too! Let's take her to the Young Lord, he might like a feisty one for a change." One said with hope in his voice.
-"Hopefully, he has been in a strange mood lately. Worse than when he crushed on that dude that looked like a chick. " They all nodded in unison as we all passed some big, red doors. I didn't know whether to take this seriously or not. All I know is that the moment they set me down, a really loud grunt interrupted my thoughts on how to escape.
Then.
It also sorta dawned on me, wasn't I supposed to be in the Ootori residence? Man! Second time I get ditched! He is soooo gonna hear from me!
-"Awe look. She looks indignant. "
I returned the comment with a death stare.
-"What now? Look I don't want anymore girls, ok?! I actually feel like studying today." A voice boomed from behind the door way. Wait... was that -
The door in front of me slided with a flash and a tall figure towered over me, with a stare that could freeze millions. Course he was famous for that.
-"W-what. WHAT KIND OF SICK JOKE IS THIS?" Ritsu demanded with a stomp of his foot. I winced but began to chuckle, probably from relief.
-"S-sir? Why are you so upset?! We didn't know you wouldn't like her! We know she's different but that's good right?" Three yakuza pleaded in unison.
-"You idiots! THIS. IS. ROSALIE-SAN!"
-"Chan if you're gonna use a suffix, but I already told like a billion of times TO NOT USE A SUFFIX." For some reason I felt compelled to yelled my last sentence like he did. In no way was I mad ... I just felt like yelling as well.
-"Don't yell at me in my own house!" He demanded back while pointing his index finger at my forehead.
-"Didn't anyone tell you pointing is rude!" I jumped up when I exclaimed 'rude' -"PLUS. Don't be yelling at a girl, especially when she is the victim of the story. " I acted as if I was about to faint. Ritsu gave me a disgusted look, and sighed.
-" You need to stop hanging out with Tamaki-sempai."
-"What? With onii-chan... never~!" I spinned. I really wanted to embarrass him in front of his colleagues.
-"W-what is wrong with you? Did something posses you? Ew. And why are you here?" He demanded once again.
-"Ew. To you, rudy-pants. Nothing is wrong with me, the only thing wrong here is me thinking I had boarded Kyoya's limo and was being taken to his mansion... to, ya know, stay at his place until the dorms got finished. "
-"Then what'cha doing here?" Ritsu asked with a really confused look to his face.
-"Sir! Since when do you have a two red suitcases? And a bear plush..." The chauffeur entered the scene bewildered.
-"Hey! that's mine." I hurried over and took my stuff with a small frown. -"For your big information, it's all a stupid mix up because you decided not to walk home. Cause you know... since that's where he parks and you never ride a limo, I thought that was his limousine waiting for me.
Ritsu stopped and thought for a moment, making a cute pout to the side of his lips… what am I saying?
-"What's Rosalie-sama doing here? Oh.. no offense, Rosalie-sama. Hi, how are you?" Tetsuya trotted in and stopped cold in his tracks when he saw me with suitcases in hand.
-"Well, since Kyoya-senpai can't keep track of you properly… I suppose I will." Ritsu said sternly while grabbing my suitcases.
-"WHAT." Everyone's jaw dropped. Tetsuya hurried over to the "Young Lord", saying nothing while taking my suitcases. He never protested or questioned what his master told him or decided on. I really admired his loyalty.
-"N-Not to be THAT person, Young Lord. But where will she sleep? And you think she is comfortable sleeping in a place full of men?" One of the yakuza asked earnestly.
-"A-And we're a bunch of Yakuza." One voiced.
-"Terrible folks, yes!" Another yelled from the background. Later a collective gasp was heard.
-"W-What if someone -
-"ENOUGH." Ritsu suddenly yelled with sweat drops falling from his face and strain written all over his face. He clutched his pants as if it was going to calm him down.
-"What if someone does what? Hmm? Thank you for your concern, but I don't need it." Gulps as well as gaps resonated around the room… why? Maybe cause Ritsu looked like he was about to kill somebody. Or perhaps it was the authority of my own voice.-"I can handle myself pretty well, I mean come on. I lived in Mexico City and haven't gotten kidnapped. And if I may say so, my punches have good force behind them." Nods were given with heads hanging low.
A small -"Isn't she the girl that got kidnapped in Tetsuya's steed?"made me flinch.
Suddenly an arm snatched me close to it's chest and held me there firmly.
-"Here's a solution. - Anyone who decides to mess with her will have to face me." Not even a murmur was heard. -"Understood?" This time Ritsu's voice became more unforgiving and boomed louder throughout the room. His grip on my arm turned into a more sturdy, nonetheless it didn't hurt. It gave me a small satisfaction that he cared for me. My cheeks felt warmer than usual as well as did my entire body, during that time, I wondered when was he going to let go. Later than sooner did I feel his hand slowly fall away from my body as did his thorax. Did I mention he smelled like a deep bittersweet blueberry? Just imagine men's cologne but make it ten times manlier and that's what his scent was like.
-"Tetsuya would you mind picking a room for Rosalie-sa...chan? One that is close to a bathroom. So she doesn't have to roam with these- " Ritsu glared at his yakuza -'Perverts around." As always, Tetsuya nodded and motioned me to follow him promptly. Jogging to where he was headed, I quickly stole a glance of Ritsu entering his room. He slammed his door shut, but this time more softly than he had opened it a few minutes ago. After going left various times, and going through some beautiful Japanese styled gardens; we arrived to a large doorway.
-"Here," Tetsuya voiced kindly as he opened the door for me. -" Don't tell this to anyone, but I placed you across Ritsu's bedroom." He pointed to the sliding door that was to the other extreme of the room. We both walked over and the young man opened the door showing another garden. This one had a pond in the middle with some paddle stones, making some kind of bridge so anyone could cross easily. I felt Tetsuya move forward, then saw his index finger pointing to another set of sliding doors that were slightly to the right. We both saw a shadow of a younger, but sturdy body frame sitting down. One hand clutched a pencil or pen that furiously wrote over paper while the other grasped some rebellious hair that kept getting into the person's eyesight, blocking whatever he was looking at. We both took a small glance at each other while a smile crept on the side of both of our faces.
Nodding, we returned into the room. Tetsuya helped me unpack, in addition to placing things around the room so it would look nicer and more home-y. He chuckled a bit when he saw my stuffed animals.
-"Yo! Don't laugh, those are gifts." Nodding, he said nothing and kept working.
-"Dinner will be held in two hours and a half. I'll come and get you, okay?" Tetsuya began explaining after we had finished. I nodded in response. -'If you feel like showering beforehand, the bathroom is-" He walked out of the room and pointed to the left, signaling some doors. -"It's right there, but if anything I'll simply get a sign put on the doors… for, uh safety purposes." Tetsuya paused for moment as he glared slightly at a passing yakuza, one of the men that had brought me to Ritsu a while ago. Nodding, the loyal young man then told me he would bring me fresh kimono to wear to dinner.
-"Why?" I blurted out.
-"Well, it's tradition here in the Kasanoda syndicate to be formal during dinner. But only when the head of the house is going to be present." He explained patiently.
-"Ritsu?" I asked ignorantly, Tetsuya looked a bit alarmed and shook his head.
-"No, not the Young Lord… Not yet anyways," He spoke kindly. -"His father will be visiting tonight before leaving for another 'business' trip… And while Kasanoda-sama is here, please restrain from addressing the Young Lord so informally." Tetsuya warned and I showed my understanding with a motion of my right hand.. He then said his goodbyes and I was left to dwindle in my thoughts.
I had finished homework early, so I decided to hit the showers. Sighing, I grabbed my things and the kimono Tetsuya had dropped off a few minutes ago. Since the head of the house was going to attend dinner, I might as well look presentable- I thought while walking, looking for the sign that said Bathroom. Oddly enough, I found it to the right. I swear it was to the left, but then again- my sense in direction wasn't the best. Finding myself sighing again, I slowly opened one of the sliding doors, and found myself confused… again. There was mist everywhere and the sound of dripping water was heard, but remotely. Walking, slowly and carefully so I wouldn't fall anywhere, I found a figure in the mist. It looked as if it was trying to relax, sitting inside this tub looking thing. I mean, it was in the ground, but it was literally a circle with water in it, submerged into the ground. Not wanting to disturb anyone, I walked to the exit… but slipped.
-"GAH."
-'Who is that?" A gruff, but relaxed voice demanded. Crap. Now I needed to run the exit.
-"Hey! I asked you a question." I heard water getting splashed around, roughly. HE was getting up. I dismissed the feeling that something had fallen from my hands and continued my path.
-"N-No one!' I tried to make a manly voice. While looking somewhere to hide.
-"Toshiro, is that you? Man I thought your voice had finally hit puberty.. I guess not. Sounds a bit on the sissy side."
-"HEY. My voice is not sissy!"
Well I'm done for. I had been stupid enough to yell back. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder, making me turn to face the man. I didn't want to look, fearing I would stare if I did. So my eyes shut automatically.
-"Y-You dropped this." Slowly I opened my eyes to see Ritsu's bare chest, looking smooth but sturdy. With abs slightly hidden, but visible, the water outlined them even more. I then turned my gaze to what he was holding… my underwear. Swiftly I snatched them out of his hand, while feeling the blood rush to my cheeks.
-"Uh.. Thanks. That's a nice body." I blurted out. -"I mean! That was nice of you to do…" I took a small peek at Ritsu's face and he looked taken back. I don't know if it was because of the humidity of the mist in the room or something else, but his cheeks were red.
-"I'm, err finished. You can use the bathroom now, R-R-ooosalie…" Oh hey, he finally used my name without suffixes. But as if that wasn't enough to leave me speechless, he turned around and began to pick up his clothes. It was then that I noticed that all he had to cover his body was a towel. Of course, that towel only covered the essentials, leaving almost very few things to the imagination. I have to admit, I never noticed that Ritsu had such attractive features. I mean, he is cute and maybe good-looking. But I never thought I'd be staring at his moderately toned chest, or his rather well built arms and shoulders, never would I thought his backside was -
Ritsu had paused from picking his clothes. I saw him straighten up, and an unusual expression took over his appearance. A smirk I knew too well, the type of grin the twins make when they're about to make a crude comment.
-"Like what you see? You can stare all you like… It doesn't bother me, Rosalie." Just like that, a smug grin slid across his face and was now directed towards me. In no moment in my life would I have thought I would ever see this side of Ritsu. I mean, you're talking about silent, rude, condescending, loner, easily flustered yakuza that is a big softy once you break his shell. Not a yakuza with a mind filled with crude thoughts. Not noticing I felt two firm fingers lift my chin upwards so that my lower jaw would connect to my upper jaw.
-"Hurry up and shower, or whatever. This heat might make you faint." A snicker escaped Ritsu's mouth.-"That or the heat from your cheeks might just do the trick." And with that, the door was opened and closed softly leaving a girl standing in a humid, misty bathroom not knowing what had happened.
After adjusting the kimono to be just right, I fixed my hair to be to the side. With the kimono being white with red and pink cherry blossoms, I had decided to use a red ribbon I had found and tie my hair to the right side. Having the curls fall a little farther than where my chest area was.
Knock Knock
-"Come in, Tetsuya… san."
-"My, are you sure I'm in the right room, or have I just gone back in time and gone to see princess Aiko-sama?" Tetsuya bellowed in awe.
-"Ha-ha. I'm pretty sure she was taller and had beautiful black, silky smooth long hair. Also, I bet she was a lot more graceful." I teased him, while I made my way to the doorway where he was situated.
-" Well, it's a good thing that I got to escort you, they might have kidnapped you and made you their own." He warned a little on the teasing side as we walked together.
-"Nah, I think I can hold my own. Even with a kimono on." Suddenly, my escort had stopped in front of some light green with two red stripes kind of door. Some chatter and plates being shuffled was being heard.
-"Now that the Young Lord has acquainted himself with the Head of the House, guests are allowed now." He explained.
-'Does that mean they were doing deals, you know…. those deals." I shuffled my right hand back and forth, whilst doing a weird face. Tetsuya chuckled but then asked me to keep those kind of jokes to myself. He also told me that the Head of the House already knew my situation, so there was no need for me to explain anything. But I still thought some thanks were in place while my escort, every so slightly began to move the sliding doors, I braced myself to see what Ritsu's dad might be like. Maybe meaner? Cruder? Bolder?
When the doors opened, I saw men neatly seating still at a long, dark wooden table that started from one end of the room and ended at the other end of the room. They paused for a second, and beckoned my entrance with initial resentment but later with a of a weird atmosphere to the smile they carried. Tetsuya motioned me to sit next to the Head of the House, in front of Ritsu… great.
-"So this is the friend of yours that is going to stay. From your description Ritsu, she sounded more like a man. A sissy man, nevertheless I never thought a beautiful, foreign girl was going to walk through those doors." A man that sat at the beginning of the table expressed. He had grayish hair with white highlights, even his Hitler looking mustache had them. His face was one of compassion and blood lust at the same time, carrying a smug look in his eyes. This Head honcho, had the godfather look going on perfectly.
-"I wanted to thank you, Kasanoda-sama. For letting me stay at your beautiful estate with out a warning, or an invitation. I promise that my visit will be short, and my actions will go unnoticed. I will not distract any member of this syndicate from their duties, you have my word." I voiced as I sat down.
-'Well, that would be against my son's word I believe." The Head of the House responded, nodding towards Ritsu. His son was wearing a more solid light lime green color of a kimono. It complimented perfectly his hair as well as his harsh features. But when I met his gaze, memories from the bathroom flooded in - clouding my thoughts. I felt eyes on my person, waking me from my daydream.
-"Ah! Yes, yes… hmm And what would that be?" I asked as I slowly turned to face Kasanoda Sr.
-"That would be that all my, uh... affiliates would be to your disposal at all times." He responded with a chuckle while waving his hand for his glass to be refilled with whatever clear liquid it had from the start. Hopefully not alcohol or this would get awkward real fast. Drunk yakuza are never fun, not in the least. I heard more chuckling to my right, just to find Ritsu laughing at me.
-"Do you not like the smell of sake?"
HMM, YEAH. Today's luck has been splendid. Today's horoscope? Screw you. Yep, Pisces just loves me right now… not that I really believe in that sort of mumbo jumbo. I began to think to myself.
-"Oh, no it's not that." I was afraid to state my mind, not with twenty men staring at me and drinking. Well make that nineteen, Ritsu was drinking milk. Ew, have I mentioned my hatred of milk? I began to rant in my head.
-"Milk is so nasty, hated it since I was a child. I mean, it's creamy but liquid-y, tasting like rancid ice cream." With a twitch of my nose I kept thinking to myself, which I had been doing a lot recently. And apparently I wasn't the only one with the face of being disgusted.
-"Did I ask?" Kasanoda Jr. questioned in a rhetorical way with indignation.
-"Ask what." I blinked, confused.
-"Don't play coy with me."
My expression didn't change.
-"Ri-... Kasanoda-san I didn't -... what." I really didn't know what was happening, it was so tense in the room. Even his father scooted away from him.
-"You think I'm stupid, don't you? Come on, we talk in English everyday, it's not like I just forgot it this afternoon."
-"Well duh." I shook my head and left it hanging it there not knowing what he was getting at. Ritsu's face hardened while he looked down for a moment. Still having no idea of what was happening, I glanced around the room, catching a glimpse of a smirk from where the young yakuza was sitting.
-"Well at least I don't enter the wrong the bathrooms and proceed to stare without apologizing." His head lifted high; his ego as big as his smug grin. Boiling with outrage my face turned to the shade of red on my bow.
-"Y-YOU." I stood up and pointed at him. Shaking,from what? Maybe from embarrassment or maybe from anger.-"Yo! LOOK HERE. IT'S NOT MY FAULT Youuuu have a nice body…"No idea why my argument was so bad.
Ritsu stood up and leaned closer, still having that stupid look on his face… that somehow me feel as if I could just render to him right then and there.
-"I'm sorry I didn't catch that."
-"You have a nice lookin' ...uh, body, That YOU NEED TO CLEAN YOUR EARS, IDIOT!" For a small millisecond I thought I had gotten away with it. But the moment the godfather's son burst out laughing, all my hopes were dashed.
-"Ohohoho, is that so? My! You should've told me that long before…" His expression turned dark and his face had now come near mine. -"I could've judge yours as well."
What.
This wasn't the Ritsu I knew, or got to know. He wasn't the boy I learned to befriend, to have patience and maybe some affection towards to.
For some reason I felt compelled to leave.
-"Excuse me, I'm not hungry." I voiced with coldness in my voice, while having my gaze downward still blushing. My body bowed, then quickly turned towards the exit. And being almost out the door I felt someone tug on my right arm.
-"Let me go, Ritsu." Knowing that firm hand all too well, I didn't need to glance back to see who it was. Odd enough I still did, just to catch a glimpse of a face full of regret and confusion. Dismissing his arm with an out of character gaze, I left for my room, to begin packing. I had had enough of Ritsu having a personality change.
Desperately and a bit irrationally, I looked for the flip phone the twins had gifted me. Finding all the Host Club's numbers in the contact list, bringing a minuscule giggle to my sad mood. First I clicked Tamaki onii-chan's contact, but decided not to bother him. Same as for the twins, Honey-sempai, Mori-sempai, Haruhi and Renge… I don't know why I have Renge's, but that didn't matter. With shame, I sluggishly put the phone to my ear.
-"Hello?"
-"H-Hi, Kyoya." I barely voiced.
-"Rosalie-chan?! Where are you? We have been worried sick right to the bone. Why didn't you call beforehand? My father has sent the Black Onion Squad to look for you…." A small but quick pause was heard until his voice softened.-"Are you alright, Rosalia? Talk to me, I'll listen." In an instant a whimper escaped my lips at the same time did two tears. Kyoya waited a few seconds before speaking again. -" Ssh. It's alright, tell me what's wrong."
-"I- I uh…"
-"Yes?" His voice sounding deep and full of concern made me want to talk even more.
-"I, um.. I'm at the Kasanoda syndicate. I'm surrounded by yakuza and they're perverts. Although I can stand perverts really well, my luck today has been horrible today. And stuff that have gone wrong were small but together all piled up just have taken a toll on me. And- And"
-"Keep going, letting it out helps. Or so Tamaki has told me."Why was Kyoya being so nice? He usually scoffed at this kind of behavior.
-"Well Ritsu was one of them... one of the perverts. Today at the bathroom I thought it was simple teasing, like he does once in a blue moon. But at the dinner table it got horribly out of hand. I mean, yeah I shouldn't have said what I said, but I never figured he would've responded the way he did…" Kyoya was right, I felt a bit better
-"So you are in shock… I see... hmm, no, no it's nothing to be ashamed of. If he knows that you can't keep your mouth shut at times, then Casanova-san should've been the better person. He is older after all." I wanted to reproach at his comment, but it just didn't seem right. -"Hmm, it does seem that it shocked you quite a lot. You didn't even give me as much as a complaint." Wow. Kyoya was that spot on.
-"I guess."
-"May I ask why you are calling me at such hour? Why didn't you inform me of your staying at the Kasanoda Residence before?"
-"I… hmm I don't know. I never thought of it. I'm sorry Kyoya, I was being super inconsiderate." I apologized, now realizing how rude I had been. A sigh was heard through the phone.
-"So I suppose you require us to go pick you up?" He asked earnestly.
-"Well not right this second, I was going to ask to go to your place tomorrow."
-"Ah." Was his initial response. -"Why not now? Just give me the word and I shall go fetch you personally." He offered with such kindness I almost said yes.
-"Well, I- … no. I mean, yeah I would like to get out of this yakuza infested place, but it's my fault and I'll sleep through the night with one eye open as my consequence." Silence was present until another sigh was passed by the Ootori boy through the phone line.
-"If that's what you wish, but do not hesitate to call me at any time of the night for assistance."
-"Kyoya?"
-"Yes, Rosalia-chan?"
-"Why are you being so nice to me?" Great, I opened my big mouth again.
-"... Rephrase that."
-"Well I mean, this past month you've been so cold towards me… I just thought…"
-"I simply kept my distance because you seemed to occupied with Casanova-san and your other friends."His voice sounded sincere.
-"Oh? really? I'm sorry for making assumptions, no offense."
-"None taken, now don't forget my offer. It still stands." His voice became a bit more authoritative.
-"No it's alright… Good night."
-"Good night, Rosalia. Sleep safe." Kyoya's deep voice faded and the phone became silent just as a knock was heard. Sighing, I hid the phone under my pillow.
-"No Ritsu, you cannot come in." At first there was no response, but then some shuffling came from behind the door until Tetsuya responded.
-"What about me?"
-"Sure." I said unsure. Gently the door was opened and Tetsuya came in holding a tray with some plates barely visible.
-"Thought you'd be hungry by now since you weren't at the table." He joked with a warm smile.
-"Well, at the table there was some very distasteful words present, how could I have an appetite after what Ritsu told me?" I indicated with assurance, not touching the food… yet. He was right about one thing, I was pretty hungry.
-"It was shocking, yeah. But the Young Lord wouldn't say things like that by himself." I probably made a face because Tetsuya proceeded to explain some more. -"You see, Ritsu isn't the type of person to be inappropriate, much less to women. As you have seen, he hasn't gotten much practice talking to girls. He didn't have friends until a few months ago until the Host Club took him in to become an apprentice... Long story short, some kids at your academy got to see him not being menacing and he gained some friends. Though, I don't think many students have changed their mind about him, right?" I thought back to Renge and Reiko and how they told me Ritsu was.
-"N-no.. not quite." I uttered. Smiling faintly Tetsuya continued.
-"Anyways, what I'm trying to get at is that the Young Lord might seem like a hard core yakuza, but he's not. His demur might be of a mean one, but he's actually scared of the world." I giggled and nodded, having Tetsuya join me as well. -"The Head of the House looks out for him, but sometimes it's not what the Young Lord needs. Like today's advice was a disaster, the Head of the House thought you to be a more timid girl that would melt at this kind of behavior. So I want to apologize for the Young Lord's behavior tonight."
-"How do I know you're not lying to me? What if Ritsu doesn't really care how he made me feel?" The tone in my voice was one of quivering coldness. I knew in the bottom of my heart that it was true, but what if I was wrong? … What if Renge and Reiko were actually right?
-"Because I'm right out here, stupid. By the way, you two are horrible people, I am right outside." I heard Ritsu's stern voice as if he were inside the room, making me jump.
-"Oh, I'm sorry I don't have X-Ray vision." My voice became one of mockery.
-"You told me that I wasn't aloud in your room, like, five minutes ago." He reasoned.
-"Yeah, well I thought you had left, ok? Geez. Now come in before I drag you in myself." Suddenly the door flew open.
-"Oh really? And how is such a puny girl like you going to carry me?" Ritsu growled.
-"Just cause I'm short doesn't mean I'm weak."
-"Guys don't fight." Tetsuya stood up with a weak smile on his face and both hands stretched towards each one of us. -"Young Lord just please say sorry, it is late and you two have school tomorrow." He pleaded.
-"S-Sorry…"
-"For what? Slamming the door open? Insulting the guest? For mocking me? F-For being a pervert? I don't know maybe, just maybe, making me feel like I didn't know you?" Instantly I put my hands to mouth, regretting my words. Ritsu looked taken back a bit, but then his face soften.
-"Sorry for not thinking about you… Sorry for breaking our promise we made the first week we knew each other. Can you forgive me?" Now I even felt more terrible, his gaze, unbending, stayed hooked on my eyes. Cracking a smile I nodded.
-"Of course." With my head tilted to the right still grinning, I extended my arm after I had spit in my hand. -"Only shake it if you promise me not be behave like that ever again." Slowly but steadily his hand rose to meet mine, also full of spit. We shook just like the last time and things went back to normal. But when I say normal, I mean Ritsu was glancing at the other side of the room and blushing. -"Alright! I'll tell Kyoya I'm staying." I suddenly exclaimed.
Heh. Their faces were precious.
-"Kyoya?" Tetsuya seemed alarmed. I nodded towards at Ritsu with a smirk as if saying 'ask him'.
-"Kyoya Ootori, the dude I was supposed to be rooming with."
-"R-rooming with?" Tetsuya's eyes became wider.
-"Ok, when I say "room with" I don't mean we're gonna sleep in the same room, just the same house. Though... he does come often to my room at inappropriate times in the night; just to ask me stupid questions." Sighing I rubbed my head thinking of Kyoya's weird and clingy behavior when I was at his house, excuse me, mansion.
Both men seemed a bit panicked.
-"Well since you're staying, I fully assure that you will be absolutely safe." Tetsuya voiced stiffly.
-"I'll leave my door open to check on you, ok? So should you. It'll be safer." Ritsu added.
-"Guys, I'm fine. Gosh, I don't know why you're so shaken up." It seemed far too suspicious that they suddenly had a change of sleeping plan.
-"No, no it's fine. Either way I don't want you pranking anyone. Not with those bombs you release in the hallways with the twins at school." Ritsu sighed after voicing his concerns. Tetsuya seemed even more frightened.
-" Ahahaha, those things? Nah, those are harmless. They make rainbows." I winked at both of them and then suddenly shrieked, shielding my body in the process. -"KYAH. Two guys, in my bedroom? At this hour of the night? Oh my~ and the lady is in her nightgown as well! My, these are truly vulgar yakuza." I made my voice go up a few octaves higher. (When I say octaves higher I mean my voice went high pitched… small incentive) The expression on their faces was priceless. At first it was pure terror, then Tetsuya's was a of disgust then turned into a more fed up with a smile look. Ritsu's on the other hand turned into a red tomato that was mad at me and exasperated. Giggling I began to shoo them out of the room.
-"You do realize you're just wearing a baggy T-shirt and Totoro pajama pants, right? Not exactly a nightgown." The yakuza heir began to sarcastically reason.
-"Yeah, but I still only wear this at night soooo… still inappropriate!" Once we had reached the doorway I stopped pushing them out and smiled warmly. -"Good night, Tetsuya-san." I nodded to him and shook his hand softly. The kind man beamed right back and left. Then I turned to Ritsu and scowled. He frowned at me but then, simultaneously, our expressions softened. I extended my hand towards him, but instead of a handshake, Ritsu pulled my arm harshly into his body. Grinning, we awkwardly began to hug. His arms began to slowly wrap around my back, while I held unto his. Burying my head into his chest, a small sniffle came from me.
-"I'm forgiven, right?"He asked softly, but in his stern way he always does when he questions people. I simply nodded in response, still having my head in his chest. I felt so warm and snug. Just imagine those bed sheets you have during the winter, the ones that make you want to stay in bed forever. Now multiply that by ten and add Ritsu's scent and you have the most weird feeling in the world… But a good weird. A weird I want to have again, but makes you feel vulnerable. That's how I could explain what I felt at the moment.
-"Man, what I would give to have a teddy bear like you." Oops. That slipped out of my mouth.
-"It wouldn't be a teddy bear, it would be a body pillow." He answered, matter-of-factly.
-"Ew… Shush Ritsu, you know what I mean. Don't ruin it. Body pillows are for hard core dying fans that are a bit on the pervy side… in my opinion." I muttered with a small groan. By the way, we're still hugging and my voice is a bit stifled because of his pecs.
-"Hah, alright. But you know it's true… maybe if I start my own fan club you'll be able to have one." His head lowered a bit, making his chin rest on the tip of my head.
-"I'll be the Renge of the club." I joked.
-"Please don't." Ritsu paused with a small chuckle. -" I'd kick you out."
-"Rude. I think you'd be losing a valuable fan." I teased back.
-" Would I? Other than giving me hugs and headaches; I can't think of other better uses for you in my club," My cheeks got warmer and I punched his back with my right fist. -"Sorry." He said under his breath. I didn't want to let go yet, but I felt it was late, and we both needed our sleep.
-"Good Night Ritsu, it's late." I voiced, hesitantly. Grunting, he slowly let go.
-"Night." Was all the young yakuza uttered before leaving pretty fast.
-"So he apologized?" Kyoya pushed up his glasses not sounding very convinced.
-"Yes, he and his right hand man came and apologized sincerely face to face to me last night. Not two minutes after we talked to each other on the phone." I repeated kindly. I felt pretty ashamed for putting him in this position, I mean, we even talked profoundly last night and now I was turning his offer down completely. Not to mention, he probably had to explain to his father the whole situation.
-"Alright, Tenorio-chan. If this is what you want, then I shall fully respect your decisions." The boy said as he pushed up his glasses, looking … disappointed.
-"I'm really sorry for causing this much trouble Kyoya. If there was a way for making it up to you and your family please let me know." I gave him a sincere smile, accompanied with a pat to the forearm. He took a glance at my hand while I patted his arm for a few seconds. He then looked with this expression of thoughtfulness and nodded.
-"I'll keep that in mind." Was all he answered, as a smirk slowly slid across his face.
-"Tamaki onii-san, what else do you want me to help you with? I'm done with the window decorations." I inquired precariously.
Tomorrow was the day when Ouran Academy opened the doors to other schools for them to explore. The day after that was the day when the public could come and see what we could offer. Both are very nerve racking for onii-san, and I wanted to make him feel less stressed but I was sure most of it was a show he was putting on so that Haruhi would pay attention to him.
-"Hmm? Oh no you've done more than enough, onee-chan dear. I don't your beautiful hands to get harmed," He reached my right hand and stroked it a bit with a smile. -"Plus! Tomorrow and the day after that will be very busy for you, so be sure to get enough sleep…" Onee-san suddenly stopped smiling and stared at me. -"... Are you ok in a Yakuza residence? I know Casanova is a good person … but that doesn't account for everyone else's behavior there." He looked pretty serious when he asked me this. I shook my head in response.
-"No, no. Don't worry, Ritsu has them on a short leash." I chuckled. -" Plus, I shouldn't be the one you should be worrying about." I then pointed to where Haruhi and the twins were placing flowers in their corresponding vases. The twins, as always, were trying to flirt with the oh-so-oblivious Haruhi. I peeked at my onii-chan's expression and saw that horror had decided to visit his face.
-"Do not behave that way around my daughter!" He yelled as he dashed over there and shielded Haruhi in his arms. -"Don't worry, daddy's got you." He whispered, eyeing suspiciously at the twins. I then turned around to see if anything else needed to be done around the room. At my suggestion, we decided on the theme of "Venice in Spring". We actually have a gondola trip our guests can take with a host if they paid a little extra.
Suddenly a crash was heard from where Tamaki was.
-"Awe. Haruhi, look what you did." The Twins voiced.
-"It wasn't my fault, Tamaki-sempai was holding on too strong." She mumbled. While scanning the room I noticed one of the vases had fallen from it's pedestal.
-"That'll be added to your debt, Haruhi." Was what I heard from money-hungry Kyoya, who was now standing to my right.
-"Don't be so mean, it was an accident." I scolded while looking upward. But all he did was shrug and continue digging his face into that binder of his.
-"Rosa-Chaaaaan~!" I heard Honey exclaim from above. Just as I got time to turn around, Honey jumped off of Mori-sempai's shoulders and landed into my arms.
-"Honey-sempai!" I said menacingly.-"Give me a heads up next time," I then smirked and tilted my head towards snobby-glasses boy that was still to my right. -"Or I might break a vase and get charged for it." I voiced a bit louder than usual with some added sass at the end. Honey scanned my eyes and then Kyoya's. But as always, went back to hugging Usa-chan in his arms.
-"Wanna color with me since you're done? Takashi has to do some lifting and I might get in the way." He pouted at the end, with a smile I nodded and the rest of my afternoon was spent with cake, tea and coloring books.
-"TADAH." I exclaimed when I finished my 'masterpiece', I flailed the book around as well as the crayon I had in my hand. Honey clapped, while the Twins snickered in the corner. Without noticing I felt the crayon in my hand had scraped something.
-"You know, I might start a debt for you as well, Rosalie-chan." I heard behind me.
-"Don't call me that Kyoya." I whined as I stood up. He then pointed to his black shoe that now had a glittery pink streak. Trying not to laugh, I tried to look disinterested. But a snort escaped when Haruhi asked if Kyoya secretly liked pink. Right when Kyoya was about to open his mouth, the door to the host club opened sheepishly.
-"We're closed right now." The Ootori boy called out with some annoyance.
-"Yeah, I know." Ritsu uttered as he walked up to me. -"Ready to walk home? … or are you still busy, cause I can wait. Sun's still out."
-"Nah, I finished. Just lemme go get my bag." I expressed as I ran to the far right side to the room. Ritsu was almost to the door, when Kyoya patted my shoulder.
-"Yes?"
-"I've thought of what you told me a few days ago and I think I have found the answer." He replied, his face with an odd expression, something I had never seen.
-That, uh, it would be cool to have a zoo exhibit just for moles? Cause you never responded and I think it is a dang good, original idea. No matter what those -
-"No, not that one." The Ootori boy then paused, inhaling more air than usual. Not like a big gulp, but just a little more than usual. -'The favor, Rosalie-chan."
-"Ah. Yeah, yeah. What can I do for you?" I giggled while I bowed a bit jokingly, like I would sometimes do for the costumers.
-"I would like to schedule a date for you and I to visit some nice places around Tokyo. Not just Bunkyo, but a little more outside of the bubble, as you say." He conveyed with a tone of voice that sounded a bit strained, not as in, I'm going to kill you strained but like when you're eating something super spicy and you try to talk afterwards. Or maybe it actually sounds more like when my friends in the United States did the cinnamon challenge and tried talking to me afterwards. I never did it, I refuse to do it actually.
-"Yeah sure, that sounds nice." I simply added with a wave of my hand as I walked towards the door still thinking why would a person do the cinnamon challenge. I mean, it hurts, which equals - sadism.. in a way.
-"Rosalie-chan has a daaate~" Was all I heard from the twins as I reached for the door knob, even though Ritsu was holding the door open for me.
-" What." Was all I managed to say. -" A date?" I asked confused.
-"Well, yes. It is going to be just us on a day we'll plan on." Kyoya announced as if it were nothing.
-"Heh, yeah. How silly of me." I bonked my head with my free hand and continued to chuckle nervously.
-"Come on Rosalie, we gotta go." Ritsu stated with some annoyance. Rosalie? He never calls me that, my brain isn't computing this well for this to happen.
-"I'll call you tonight to make the plans." Was all Kyoya added before going back to his binder. Call me?
WHAT.
My head wasn't functioning and it didn't help that the twins were 'ooo-ing' in the background. I simply nodded and left the room with Ritsu looking pissed. These two guys were doing things out of the ordinary and it wasn't sitting too well with me for some reason. Change in general is kinda weird for me, I take it harder than most. I like things to stay the same, change can be ugly most of the times.
-"Rosalie hurry up, the sun ain't gonna wait on you." He voiced, stilled mad. I didn't reply. -"Rosalie." He said louder, still nothing. -"Yo Rosalie-san!" He then waved his hand in front of my face, making me blink. He sighed before asking what was wrong with me.
-"I … I have a date with Kyoya."
Hey guys! I have finally updated TT^TT so sorry. Junior year ani't as easy as it seems. -sigh- but I have already started the next chapter, so fret not! Please Review, I love to hear what you think of my story. Come on, don't be shy.3