Previously, on Kyoya Loses (For Once),

Haruhi clicked on the link for number two and the name Kyoya Ootori popped up on the screen. Hikaru said, "Sweet! Now go back and click on number one."

Haruhi hit the back button and left the screen there. She hovered the cursor over one but didn't select it. Kaoru asked, "What are you doing Haruhi? Click on it!"

Haruhi took a deep breath and clicked on it.

Kaoru and Hikaru gasped identically and Hikaru sputtered out, "What?"

Kaoru said, "But that's-"

And now back to the story…

Hikaru, Kaoru, and Haruhi walked back into Music Room #3 in a daze. Kyoya was awake and drinking some coffee next to Honey who was eating cake (like usual). Mori was with Tamaki in the kitchen area sitting and drinking coffee.

When they walked in, Tamaki was immediately at Haruhi's side. "Did they do anything to you? Did they hurt you?"

"No, sempai. I'm fine."

Tamaki backed up. "Then, did you figure out who's number one?"

Kaoru shook his head. "Sadly, no."

"What? How? Why didn't the plan work?" Tamaki asked upset.

"It just didn't, okay?" Hikaru snapped. He strode off to the kitchen area, poured himself coffee and stomped over beside Mori.

"What's up with him?" Tamaki asked Kaoru.

Kaoru eyed Haruhi. "No idea." Kaoru walked over and joined Hikaru.

Haruhi turned to Tamaki and rubbed her eyes tiredly. "It's Friday, and I'm tired. I'm going to go home."

Tamaki's eyes flashed. "No! All of us are staying here until we figure out who is number one."

Kyoya sighed. "That's not necessary Tamaki. I'll just go home and tell my dad I got second place. It's not that important."

"Yes it is! We will stay here all weekend if we have to!" Tamaki argued.

Honey stood and swallowed the cake in his mouth. "I second that. Takashi?"

Mori looked up to his cousin. "Sure. I'll stay."

Honey turned to the twins. "Hikaru? Kaoru?"

"We'll stay," Kaoru said before Hikaru could reply.

"Haruhi?"

Haruhi glanced between the members of the group, eyes resting on Kyoya. He looked like a mess if you knew what to look for. He had slight bags underneath his eyes, despite sleeping all day and his eyes had a defeated look to them. Haruhi sighed, "Fine."

"Yay!" Tamaki cheered. He turned to Kyoya. "Well?"

Kyoya almost smiled. "Well, first things first. Let's get a list of everyone who goes to school here and narrow it down."

….TWO HOURS LATER…..

Tamaki and the twins were out checking several smart second year's lockers while Mori and Honey were checking several smart third year's.

Kyoya had narrowed down the list to the people capable of beating him and had sent the members of the club out to search lockers. Kyoya and Haruhi were just getting ready to go check first year's when Haruhi said, "Kyoya, I have something to confess."

Kyoya continued to gather paperwork. "If you're about to confess that you love me, now is not the time."

"What? God no! That's not it at all!" Haruhi defended partially horrified.

Kyoya smiled. "Then what is it?"

"So, you know how a person beat you?" Haruhi started.

Kyoya straightened and looked at Haruhi. "Are you going to say anything other than the obvious?"

Haruhi blushed slightly. "Um…yeah…well." Haruhi scratched her neck nervously. "That person was me. I beat you."

Kyoya was shocked into silence.

Haruhi continued hurriedly, "I never expected to beat you at the test! I studied for days!"

Kyoya mumbled, "So did I."

"Yeah but I don't have to worry about the club and my father and my brothers and so many other things-" Haruhi cut off when she heard a small chuckle from Kyoya. "What?" Kyoya continued laughing. "Oh my God, you're laughing!" Shock was evident in Haruhi's voice.

Kyoya smiled at Haruhi. "Are you seriously trying to give me reasons why you shouldn't have beaten me?"

"Um…yeah."

Kyoya's smile grew bigger. "Why?"

"Because I thought you would be mad," Haruhi admitted quietly.

Kyoya snorted. "Yeah, I was mad but I can't stay mad at you. After all, you beat me fair and square."

Haruhi's eyes widened. "So you don't hate me?"

"No, of course not. I'm a little disappointed you didn't tell me sooner but definitely not mad."

Haruhi laughed relief obvious. "Thank goodness!"

Kyoya eyed Haruhi. "Hikaru and Kaoru know, don't they?"

Haruhi nodded. "Yeah. I made them promise not to tell you. They agreed as long as I promised to tell you before Monday."

"I see."

"So, what now?"

"Now, I tell my father," Kyoya said.

"Do you want me to come?" Haruhi offered.

Kyoya pushed his glasses up his nose. "If you don't mind, I think I should do this alone."

"You can do it alone, but I can still be at your house giving you some support," Haruhi reasoned.

Kyoya eyed Haruhi. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do you want to help me so much?" Kyoya asked.

Haruhi blushed. "You're a good person inside, sempai. I think you should let that person out more often."

Kyoya smiled. "Thanks and…I'd like your help. With my dad, I mean."

"No problem. Now…we get to tell the rest of the group."

"Fantastic," Kyoya muttered sarcastically. "And Haruhi…"

"Yes?" Haruhi asked.

"I never knew you were smarter than me," Kyoya admitted.

Haruhi smiled. "It was one test. Intelligence can't be accurately measured by one test."

Kyoya smiled back. "Still, you are an honor student and I keep forgetting that you are actually quite intelligent."

Haruhi chuckled. "Thanks. Now let's find the others."

Kyoya nodded and followed Haruhi out of the door.

….AT THE OOTORI HOME…

"Father, I have something to tell you," Kyoya addressed his father sitting at his desk.

"Yes, Kyoya? What is it?" Mr. Ootori replied shortly.

"Do you remember that test that Mr. Suoh told you about?" Kyoya started.

"Yes."

"Well, I got second place out of the entire school," Kyoya finished.

"Second?" Mr. Ootori asked incredulously.

"Second," Kyoya confirmed.

"Who beat you?" Mr. Ootori asked.

"A first year girl named Haruhi Fujioka," Kyoya answered meekly.

"That girl from the ball?" Mr. Ootori asked hiding a grin.

"Yes."

"Who knew she was so smart?"

"Huh?"

Mr. Ootori stood and clapped a hand on his son's back. "You better keep a hold on her son. She's a keeper."

"I-I'm not dating her," Kyoya stuttered.

"Then you should. She's a great catch. Don't let her slip away." His hand fell away from Kyoya's shoulder and he leaned on his desk.

Kyoya murmured in shock, "G-got it."

Kyoya turned back towards the door and just before he slipped out of the room, Mr. Ootori said, "Kyoya, if you said it was anyone other than that girl, you would have been in deep trouble. I hope you know that."

"I thought I was in trouble anyway," Kyoya muttered.

Mr. Ootori bowed his head to hide a smile. "Well then, as long as you know."

"Thank you, Father."

Kyoya slipped out of the room and joined Haruhi in the antechamber still slightly in shock. Haruhi asked anxiously, "So…what did he say?"

Kyoya shook his head to clear it. "He said that it was fine. Since you beat me and not anyone else."

"Me? Why me?"

Kyoya shrugged. "Beats me."

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