ch8

"Mayu, breakfast's ready!"

"Coming!" I yelled toward the kitchen where my mother was probably at. We could afford a maid or someone to cook for the three of us, but one thing my mom never let go of when she moved here to be with my dad, was her love of cooking. I lazily flopped one arm out of the thick light blue comforter, where it landed on the night stand. I blindly searched for my glasses, as my face was still sandwiched between two pillows. Friday morning. Almost the weekend, yet I still had to get through seven whole hours of school. Friday morning. Extremely tired because I talked to Nisa until late last night over the phone. Friday morning. Three days since I had been fired, or maybe I should say liberated? I didn't know. When I hear the word liberated, I think fireworks, celebrations, ...happiness. But that's not how I felt. I fe–

. .

"UGH!" I groaned loudly, unburying my wild hair and punching the sleep button on my alarm clock that I had accidentally turned on while groping for my glasses. I got up, yawning and stretching so much, I stumbled a little. As I regained my balance, I wiped the sleep off my eyes and headed for the shower opting to do that before breakfast.

Letting the cold water run on me, I sigh, thinking of what happened that Tuesday night.

"Get out of my house, you stupid mute freak,"

"Mayu, I think you should go home now. And you don't have to come back here."

Was it my fault? Even after three whole days, I hadn't even figured out what really happened that day. Kaoru said he'd talk to Hikaru, but I wasn't sure if that meant I'd come back. The twins never failed the "Nothing Changes at School" rule. They were completely indifferent towards me. It never really bothered me until now. I honestly missed having a full schedule and talking to Tomoyo. She probably didn't even know what happened.

Even my parents were disappointed. I told them that I had gotten fired because of a misunderstanding and they were pretty upset. They liked the fact that I had my own responsibilities. Nisa, as expected, freaked out, claiming that it was a privilege not a job. Then again, she didn't know all the details of went on that night. Matsu did though. I told her exactly what had been said and done. When I told her everything that happened, she seemed rather pensive. The first thing she asked me was if I liked him, and of course I said no. Physically, I guess he was...attractive. But, he was really.. just.. ugh! He liked to push my buttons an knew what quips of his whipped me up the most. It was just really..annoying. And frustrating. He definitely frustrated me because even though he's been a jerk recently, I knew he was capable of being nice. Or somewhat nice, I guess. I mean he seems very close to all the hosts and his brothers. Plus, he did help me when I was hurt. I just wanted to know what was wrong with me. It was fine if he didn't want to be my friend, but it wasn't an excuse for his attitude with me, or at least I thought it wasn't.

I sighed turning off the shower and wrapping up in a green towel. I quickly parted my hair off to the side, and decided to find my glasses instead of contacts today. Time to get ready for school... woohoo.

Kaoru POV:

I stood in front of Hikaru's door, pacing. Yes, Hikaru's door. We actually have separate rooms, but since both rooms have two beds, we agreed since we were young to share one. It was more fun, and a lot less lonely. Either way, it was big enough for the both of us. However, after what happened Tuesday night, Hikaru locked himself in there refusing to talk to me. That stubborn kid even put on his music loud so he didn't have to listen to me. Sometimes I can't believe that he's the older twin...

The day after that, he acted as if nothing had happened and always found a way to avoid the conversation when we were alone, even if it meant that he had to sleep in a different room. But today, I couldn't put it off any longer. Although Hikaru was completely oblivious to it, I have known him for my entire life. No one knew him as well as I did, not even our busy parents. The way Hikaru saw Mayumi was different than he saw other girls. She wasn't as easy to fool or play with and even though one might say she didn't stand out at all, in a way she kind of did. She of all people would understand us considering how shy and quiet she was. She knew how it felt to be alone. It seemed to me, that Hikaru liked her, but to put it plainly, he was scared of letting people in our small world. I was scared, too. It had always been just my brother and I for the longest time. We were living in our small and comfortable bubble for two, by choice. Katayama-chan, on the other hand, was trapped in the bubble by fear and struggled to break free. To make friends.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Hikaru stepped out dressed in his clean blue blazer wearing a smug yet totally fake smile. "Ready? Let's go, Kaoru." Before he could walk past me, I nudged him toward the inside of the room.

"Hikaru, let's have a chat first." That idiot brother of mine pulled his headphones out of his bag, ready to start ignoring me, but I snatched his iPod before he plugged it in.

"Hey! Kaoru give it back!"

"Let's talk. Hikaru you-

"We're going to be late. Let's just go" This time I pushed him back a little bit, standing in front of my twin.

"We have to talk." He frowned, clearly upset at my persistence. Suddenly a dark aura started emitting from him like waves.

"Move, Kaoru." He said curtly.

"No."

"Kaoru!"

"Hikaru!" I raised my voice and we stood there in a deadlock. "We. need. to. talk." There wasn't a drip of sarcasm or mischief in my voice. I meant to sound as sincere as ever. After a few moments of silence, he looked up at me and sighed.

"What is there to talk about?"

"A lot. Now let's go sit back down–"

"Kao–"

"Hikaru, just listen. You overreacted that day. You made her cry." He looked a little taken aback, but otherwise uninterested. However, he was waiting for me to continue. "I don't know what happened, and I don't want to know, but no matter what it was, you really hurt her by saying those words."

He sighed without making any eye contact, but mumbled two words: "I know."

"Apologize. Tell her to come back."

He looked at me a little aggravated, as if I had missed out on the obvious. "I can't! I mean, she's not.. She's not really a fun toy to play with. She makes me so angry sometimes and isn't easily..I don't know..."

"Then let's try not manipulating her." Hikaru raised a skeptical eyebrow, obviously not use to the idea. "Why not try treating her like a friend." He seemed a little guarded so I explained. "I mean, she's not just any random girl from Ouran right? She doesn't even go to the Host Club." He didn't seem convinced. "Hikaru she's like...us in a lot of ways." Finally, he looked at least slightly interested. "She's kind of lived in her own little world, too right? Don't you think she'd understand us better?" At this point, he seemed semi convinced. "You can still tease her, as a friend. Just don't get angry if she's friendly back. That's how friendship works." I knew he was in as soon as I finished with my mini-speech. He was just looking for an excuse as to why we need her, not wanting to admit he really wanted her as a friend. "...She still owes us, right? Or are her slave duties over..?"

A mischievous grin suddenly grew on his face. He snapped his fingers. "Yeah, that's right. Don't worry I have much more planned for her." He said walking ahead with a smile on his face. I watched until he was out of sight. One step at a time..eventually you'll realize it..

Mayu POV:

I walked in the class and took my seat, while peering over at the other side of the room. I sighed watching both twins laugh in harmony as the girls around them giggled and blushed and just enjoyed being as close to them as possible. They could be stupendous actors one day. The way Hikaru tormented me after school and then acted like I didn't even exist during school was pretty impressive considering how he stormed off that night. He looked perfectly fine the day after. He had a good mask, one that he never let slip..

School went on, along with its boring lectures and endless note taking. I sat that there twirling my pen staring out into space most of the time. I knew I'd regret not paying attention later, but hopefully Nisa or Matsu had written it all down. I'd ask them later.. Feeling a bit risky, I stood my book up on my desk and from behind, I put my head down shutting my eyes and trying to ignore everything on the outside of my book-cave. However, as much as I tried getting comfortable, I couldn't shake the feeling I would get called on today or that someone would tell on me. I reopened my eyes examining the room. Everything was quiet as sensei had finished talking and started drawing a diagram on the board. I looked around the room. While most in the front were note-taking, the back of the room was filled with hushed whispers between friends, giggling girls clicking away on their phones, and people having an 'early lunch'. Woah. You could get away with anything back here.. I wondered how much time there was left. So, I looked up at the clock before taking a quick nap, but as soon as my eyes drifted away, they landed on Hikaru eyeing me curiously. My eyes widened and I looked down at my desk. Why was he looking at me? My heart started pounding as I realized he might tell the teacher that I wasn't copying notes. Considering how angry he was, he just might. I hated being pointed out in class. Whenever someone openly mentions my prescence they not only remember I exist, but the stupid rumors and lies. Also, I didn't want to be scolded by sensei. I was doing well in this class. I peeked over my book at Hikaru who was still eyeing me. His eyebrow was raised and he was looking at me questioningly. At that moment the lunch bell rang and I thanked my lucky stars that I had found an escape. I grabbed my lunch bag and was out the door, Matsu tailing me all the way to our spot.

I sat down breathing heavily as I shut my eyes, leaning against the tree.

"What's up?" Matsu asked with real concern in her voice.

"No, nothing really. Can I borrow your notes later. I didn't copy them.."

"Woah, someone call the cops!" She jokingly poked me on the side. I giggled. "Are you busy later? Come over and spend the night."

"Sure, but maybe I'll go a bit later. I'm thinking about visiting Tomoyo really quick."

"The maid girl?"

"Yeah. She probably doesn't even know what happened. And I don't even have her number."

"Oh. Alright. Don't you think the demon twins will get angry at you showing up at there palace."

"I'm not even gonna go in and it'll be quick. Don't worry." I smiled to reassure her, but she had a funny look on her face. "What..?" I asked circumspectly. She was glaring at something behind me. Confused, I turned my head and did a double take at what I had seen. He was standing there. Or at least I think it was him.

He cleared his throat, not making any eye contact at first. "What do you want?" Matsu asked in a malicious voice. He looked over at her with the typical i-know-you-love-me eyes and a glossy host smile. "Would you mind if I talk to Kata-chan alone?" His voice was sugary sweet, but Matsu didn't buy it at all.

"Yeah, actually I would." She quickly retaliated without batting an eyelash. Her sharp retort popped his act and his smile turned into a thin line of obvious annoyance. He looked at me waiting for me to say something. I sighed standing up, Matsu following behind me.

"W-what?" I asked carefully. He glanced in Matsu's direction, unsurely. "You can say whatever you have to say in front of her.."

"Fine." He rolled his eyes, but after that his expression changed to one more of remorse than his normal hostile face. Well, hostile when he looks at me. He shoved his hands into his pocket and looked at the ground and then up at the clear blue sky until his gaze finally fell on me. "I'm sorry. I overreacted when I said that and I didn't mean any of it." He looked down at his shoes and then peeked up at me again. As much as I wanted to call it a joke, he had the most sincere look I had ever seen on his face. His eyes weren't dead and bored, the way they looked when he sweet talked girls. They were honest and eager. I blinked once. Twice. Three times, stunned. After a minuet I found my voice and looked up at him.

"Oh." Nice response, Mayu..

He looked annoyed at my lame response, but brushed it off as he grabbed my arm. "Let's go slave girl." What? I looked back at Matsu who was just about to pull me back. Before she did, I pulled my own arm away.

"Where? I thought..."

"The lunch room. You have to come and assist me while I eat." I looked at him with confusion. What happened to the whole I-don't-know-you rule at school? And 'assist him while he eats'? What exactly is assisting? I didn't let myself think that maybe he just wanted to eat with me.

"I thought you said nothing changes at school..?"

"Well I'm changing that now. From now on you're my 'assistant' at school."

"What about at your house?"

"Mmm..Yeah. Starting on Monday." Although I was happy to have something to do and be able to see Tomoyo, I was also a little peeved. I had to spend every day, meeting their oh-so-important needs.

"So she has to be your slave everyday during and outside of school?" Matsu interjected with annoyance in her voice. Her arms were crossed in front of her and she stepped beside me. I watched as both of them stared each other down. Both had scowls on their faces. Maybe they were having some sort of telepathic argument..

A minuet of silent staring passed as I looked between the two of them. "Umm..." I awkwardly broke the silence. "Maybe we could..compromise?" They both looked at me for a split second, but otherwise completely ignored me. I frowned. Just as I was about to sit down and eat lunch, Hikaru grabbed my wrist and pulled me hard next to him. I involuntarily blushed, at the sudden proximity and roughness. I blinked and looked up at him, a little surprised.

"Let's go." Without letting go of my wrist, he turned around and started walking, with me in tow. I staggered, trying to catch up to his long steps. Turning around, I saw steaming Matsu.

"Hey! Jus-Wait!" Matsu called frustrated but I mouthed an 'I'm sorry'. She frowned and sat under the tree, arms crossed in defeat.

He silently, pulled me along through the halls. All I wanted to do at the moment was disappear. Some people looked at me with envy while others with pure hatred. But, everyone stared, with gaping goldfish mouths. They poked their friends and pointed at us, leaning into each other's ears and starting stupid rumors. Melting into the floor sounded nice. Or even better, turning into a tiny fly and escaping through the window...

We were right outside the lunch room when I decided to plant my feet on the ground, and pulled my arm away once again. He turned around surprised. I sighed and looked down.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked looking at him straight in the eye. I hadn't known him for a long time, but I knew that he wouldn't do this without a motive.

He smiled, and when he did, I almost choked. It was a real smile. A genuine smile..

What the hell is going on!?

"You're not off the hook yet, you know. It's a privilege to be my part-time fake girlfriend and part-time assistant!" He said.

"Ha-ha. Very funny." I said sarcastically.

"C'mon. I've upgraded you from slave to indentured servant. Let's go." He took my wrist again, but a bit softer this time, as we entered the cafeteria. Everyone was chatting away and laughing, but suddenly when people's eyes fell on us, they quieted down at the sight of him grabbing me. I tried to hide behind him, away from the deathly silence, but he pulled me out from behind and whispered, "Chin up. Just ignore them." I suddenly thought back to the day his mother told me something similar. I swallowed the lump in my throat and lifted my face, although I couldn't do anything about the blushing. He led me toward a table where Kaoru was sitting with the other hosts and whatever 'lucky' girls got to the table first. We slipped in a corner, across from Kaoru, who slightly smiled at me. I nodded as a way to say 'thanks'. He probably had talked to him..

"This," Hikaru gestured towards me, "is my assistant. Katayama Mayumi." Everyone at our table's eyes shifted to me, and slowly the whispers in the rest of the cafeteria continued. While I looked around I saw Nisa sitting a few seats away from Haruhi. She was smiling at me and gave me a thumbs up while mouthing something I couldn't understand. After everyone got a good look at me, they turned around and continued on with their business. The rest of the hosts looked at me curiously, but went right back to talking to the girls. I did notice Haruhi smile at me, and a tall guy with glasses was still eyeing me and writing stuff in a notebook. Creepy, but I brushed it off and tried to calm down my racing heart. However, the girls surrounding Hikaru and Kaoru were still looking at me weirdly. I couldn't really tell what they were feeling, but they looked more.. confused, I guess than anything. Hikaru looked at the clock and then at me.

"Please bring me Lunch A, Katayama-chan." Oh. So this is what 'assisting' meant. The girls all looked at me expectantly, and so I got up as Hikaru pulled out some bills from his pocket. I shuffled over to the short line and stood there folding and refolding the bills, impatiently. Every once in a while, people stole glances at me. Whenever I caught someone staring, my hand travelled to my face, looking for something that was not there. When it was finally my turn, I ordered the his lunch and quickly brought it back to his table. As I sat down again, getting ready to eat my own lunch, he stopped me midway. "Napkin?" I closed my lunch and got up again, sighing in the process. I brought back a few and placed them in front of him.

"..Anything else?" I asked quietly.

"Nope." I nodded and sat down again. Now time to e–

"Ooh! Crap, I dropped my fork! Can you bring me another?" I slowly turned around and looked at the smug smile on his lips.

"Sure." I curtly answered. That had to be on purpose! I asked the woman for another fork, which she gladly handed over.

"Here." I gritted through my teeth, handing him the new fork.

"Oh yeah. You forgot my drink." I squinted down at him and he mockingly squinted back. Stomping over to the shops, I ordered a water bottle and handed it to him. Looking at the clock, I realized there was only seven minuets of lunch left and I hadn't eaten a bite of my own yet. I sat down and hurriedly tried to eat my lunch. But right after taking one bite..

"I wanted soda not water." I looked at him incredulously. The girls were all

looking at me again, waiting to see if I would scramble over there. "But, I guess I can live with this..." The girls shot daggers at me. If they wanted him to be happy, why didn't they get him soda? I looked back down at my lunch and continued shoving food in my mouth as quickly as possible. Not eating meant interrogation by mom. Suddenly I froze, the hairs on the back of my neck standing, at the feel of hot breath on my ear. "Finish eating, alright?" He whispered, leaning close to my hair. With food still stuffed in my mouth and eyes wide, I turned around to face him and moved back, surprised at his closeness. After I while, I sheepishly smiled with my chipmunk cheeks full of food burning red. Baffled, I turned back around and kept my eyes on my lunch for the remaining minuets. I think I even heard him chuckle when I ran out the cafeteria when the bell rang.

School ended uneventfully and I hurried to catch up with Matsu. I had decided to wait until Monday to see Tomoyo again seeing that it was only three days away. As I jogged to the front of the school, looking for my friend, I thought back to everything that had happened today. Was it just me, or was Hikaru just a bit less of an as–

"Hey! Mayu!" I turned around and saw Matsu waving her arms. I spotted her and she waited for me to walk over. "So..", Matsu began," how was lunch..?"

"It was okay. I guess.." I answered while staring at Matsu's mischievous smirk, suspiciously. "Sit with me next time. I felt so awkward there all alone."

"No, no. I wouldn't want to ruin the mood.."

"Mood?"

"Yeah. I mean you like him, right?"

"Ugh-ummm.." I was stuck. Did I like him? Did I like him? I mean.. I don't know? No. No, definitely not. How could I like him? He was.. a jerk. Kind of. "No."

"Then how come you let him pull you away?" She asked.

"Well, because I owe him. And because I miss Tomoyo.."

"You were blushing."

"I'm always blushing." She looked at me a little unbelievingly, but dropped it.

"Alright. Fine. So, now you have to eat lunch with him everyday?"

"I guess so. But, it's not like I really get to eat. I just do stuff for him. Anyways, let's just go straight to your house. I'll see Tomoyo Monday."

"Ok. Anyways, Mayu, did you watch..." We went on talk about anything, really. By the time we got to her house I didn't remember half of what we had talked about. My mind was still lingering on his sudden change in attitude.

Oh guys, I'm so sorry! I know it's a week late but turns out I had a ton of summer work I didn't know about and I finished it all last weekend. Which was when I meant to update. Also, school started last Monday and well.. :/ yeah. I'm not sure how busy I'll be, but I'm going to try my hardest to continue updating once a week. Also, thanks so much for the reviews! Gosh, you guys don't know how motivating you are when it comes to updating :D so thanks! Oh and if you're religious or anything, please pray for me. School is just.. not what I was expecting. And I mean that in a bad way.. ANYWAYS, enough with my personal problems! I hope the chapter was alright. Suggestions, constructive criticism, reviews, and any kind of feedback at all is welcomed. Hopefully I'll post next week, bye everyone :)

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