"Kirin's pretty cute," Ryo said. He was a member of the Black Magic Club; he was helping the President set up for their meeting.
"I know," Nekozawa said, wondering where this was going.
"Doesn't it bother you that she can't talk?"
Question answered.
Nekozawa sighed.
"I mean, she can't even say your name," Ryo insisted. "Don't you want someone who can at least do that?"
"I would like to hear her," he admitted, "but it doesn't bother me."
"I don't know how you do it, President," Ryo said, shaking his head.
Nekozawa shrugged.
The door slammed closed and he felt someone run into his back, two arms wrapping around him.
"Kirin?" he turned around.
She buried her face in his chest.
"Are you ok?"
She nodded, then looked up at him. She looked like she was about to cry, but she was smiling. She reached up and touched his cheek. She pecked his lips softly.
He was so confused.
Not that he was complaining.
"You two are so cute," Reiko commented, walking in.
Nekozawa just let out another sigh, but Kirin smiled happily.
"Anybody home?" a man's voice boomed throughout the Chivalier estate.
"Dad!" Kaelan and Kairi leapt off the couch and ran to the man, throwing their arms around his neck excitedly.
"Hey, girls!" the man laughed. "How ya doing?"
"Great!" they chorused.
"That's good," he said. "Why don't you introduce me to your friends?"
"This is Hikaru Hitachiin," Kairi introduced, gesturing toward the twin on the right.
"And his twin brother, Kaoru," Kaelan gestured toward the twin on the left.
"Nice to meet you, Chivalier-san," the twins bowed.
"Nice to meet you, boys. You better be taking care of my little girls," he grinned.
The twins nodded.
"So, where is everyone?" he asked.
"Xander is in the study with Haruhi. They're studying for a test," Kairi said.
"Amber and Thorne are out with some friends," Kaelan continued, "but they should be home soon."
"Arora's studying at a friend's house," Kairi added.
"And Kirin and Megan are in their rooms," Kaelan finished. "Tamaki's up there, too."
"All righty, then," his eyes glinted mischievously, "Megan's room it is."
He walked upstairs and knocked lightly. When there was no response, he cracked it open; Megan and Tamaki were napping on the bed, cuddled close.
He walked over and knocked on Tamaki's head, waking him. When Tamaki realized who had woken him, he shot up in surprise.
"If you're going to sleep with my daughter," their dad said with a menacing tone, "you could at least have the decency to greet her father."
"I didn't—we haven't—I mean—" Tamaki stuttered.
He suddenly realized he was being teased.
"That's cold, John," he sighed.
"You should be used to it by now, son," John laughed, hugging Tamaki.
"True," Tamaki sighed, turning to wake Megan.
"Meg," he whispered, shaking her lightly. "Wake up. You're dad's here."
"Mm?" she opened her eyes, blinking sluggishly.
She stared blankly at her father for a moment, before suddenly jolting up and bounding off the bed.
"Daddy!" she squealed, throwing her arms around him.
John laughed, hugging his daughter.
"Why didn't you tell us you were coming?" she asked.
"I wanted it to be a surprised," he said, shrugging.
"Well, it certainly was!" she laughed.
He looked toward the doorway as Kirin ran in excitedly.
"Hey, baby girl!" he laughed, spinning her around. "How are you?"
'Good,' she signed, grinning happily. 'I have someone for you to meet.'
"Oh?"
She grabbed his arm and pulled him out into the hall. He arched an eyebrow curiously at the sight of a young man in a black cloak.
'This is my boyfriend, Umehito Nekozawa,' she signed.
"Boyfriend, eh?" he chuckled. "I gotta admit, I didn't expect this."
Nekozawa bowed.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," he said respectfully.
"You, too," John said, giving him a friendly smile. "You just take care of my little girl, you hear?"
"Of course," Nekozawa nodded.
'He even learned sign language for me, Dad,' Kirin signed, smiling happily.
"Really? Hm. Brownie points," he chuckled. "How long have you been dating?"
"Six weeks," Nekozawa said.
'Megan and Tamaki have been dating for 5,' Kirin added.
"Really?" John asked, turning toward Megan and Tamaki. "Now why didn't anyone tell me you two had finally gotten together?"
Megan and Tamaki laughed nervously.
"It's about time," he chuckled. "I saw those sparks start flying years ago!"
"Dad!" Megan blushed.
"What?" he laughed. "It's the truth! I'm glad you two are together; I know you'll be taken care of."
"I'd take care of her anyway," Tamaki said.
"Yeah, I know," John nodded, "but you are a good match."
Megan smiled, looping her arm through her boyfriend's.
"Someone's car is in our driveway," Amber called from downstairs.
"I know!" John replied, walking downstairs.
"Daddy!" Amber met him halfway, bouncing up and down excitedly.
"Hey, Amber," he laughed.
She backed away so Thorne could greet him.
"How are you, Thorne?" he asked. "How's school?"
"I'm good," she smiled. "School is good."
"Making friends?"
"A few," she shrugged.
"That's good," he nodded.
"Forget about me, Dad?" Xander asked, walking into the living room.
"How could I forget my son?" he chuckled, walking over to hug Xander. "And Haruhi! It's been awhile."
"It has been awhile," she agreed.
"How've you been? I heard you got into Ouran on a scholarship."
"That's correct," she smiled.
"Wonderful! Good for you!"
They all sat around the living room, chatting until dinnertime. Arora walked in just as Thorne and Amber finished cooking.
"Hey, Dad," she smiled, giving him a hug.
"I was wondering when you'd wander in," he laughed.
"What are you doing here?" she asked in a whisper.
"I can't just stop by to see my kids?" he grinned.
She gave him a knowing look, and he sighed.
"I have some personal business to attend to," he admitted quietly.
"I thought so."
"You always were too perceptive for your own good," he shook his head, amused, as they filed into the dining room to eat.
"Thorne," John said after they were done, "can I have a word with you?"
She nodded and stood, following him into the study.
"What is it?" she asked, closing the door.
He sighed, sitting behind the desk. She sat in an armchair, waiting.
"You know I want you to marry someone you love," he started, pausing to gather his thoughts.
"Of course," she nodded, confused. "Has…. Has something happened to change that?"
He hesitated, then nodded slightly.
"With your mother still… comatose, I…. I've come to the conclusion that we need to make some… arrangements."
"You mean… an arranged marriage."
He sighed again, head in his hands.
"I don't want to do this to you, Thorne," he said, sounding torn, "but if something were to happen to me… your mother isn't here to take care of you kids. We need someone who could take custody of the younger ones, as well as manage our estates."
"And as the oldest, it's my responsibility."
"I'm sorry, Thorne," he sighed. "If I could think of a better way—"
"It's ok," she said. "I understand. I'll do it."
"Thank you for understanding," he said, letting out a sigh of relief. "You're a wonderful daughter."
She smiled softly and let him pull her into a hug.
"Oh, and Thorne," he called as she turned to leave.
"Hm?" she looked back.
"I won't solidify any arrangements until you've met the young man and given your approval; it's ultimately up to you."
She nodded and left.
"What did Dad want?" Amber asked the moment Thorne shut the study door.
Everyone stopped talking, waiting for her answer.
"Oh… he's just worried about me making friends," she lied, smiling cheerfully, "because I'm so shy."
"Oh…. I guess that makes sense," Amber chirped. She didn't fully believe the story, though; something about Thorne seemed… off.
Amber shrugged it off; Thorne would tell her if something was wrong.
Ah, their dad is so awkward... :)