A/N: So I'm writing all in one POV this time, but I don't think I like it. If you're reviewing let me know if you think it's any good? Otherwise I might just go back to the multiple POV's that I'm used to. Once I get into the swing of writing again I might have a proper goal in mind for this story, but for now… I'm just seeing where it takes me!
Now enjoy, my sweets!~
Christmas was just over a week away. The weekend had been uneventful; I had been avoiding any calls from the host club, their shenanigans didn't sound overly appealing. My mind was left to wander for far too long with Takashi away at his kendo competition. Reality was beginning to set in for me. I would be going to university soon. I would have to leave the host club. I wouldn't be able to eat cake to my heart's content. I wouldn't get to see all the lovely ladies anymore. And as the vast list of things I was soon set to lose ran through my mind at a vicious pace, one of them hit me harder than I thought it would. I wouldn't get to see Haruhi anywhere near as much. After that, misery seemed to cloud my senses.
Chika had followed me around, taunting me with the impression that I'd gotten another cavity. Correcting him seemed like a waste of time. The staff kept avoiding me when they would usually spoil me rotten with platters of cakes and other sugary treats; scared and concerned whispers echoing through the mansion seemed to chase me whenever I went.
So as I rode in the back of the luxurious limousine to Ouran Academy on the Monday, I finally came to a decision. Mitsukuni Haninozuka had to grow up.
Takashi was waiting for me in the courtyard. I could see the subtle twitch at his lips as his unique show of affection.
"Hey, Takashi. How did the kendo competition go? I bet you won, huh?" I stopped myself from jumping up onto his shoulders like I normally would. He instantly tensed up and furrowed his brows at me. I waited for a reply, crossing my arms loosely across my chest and raising an eyebrow.
The stare-off continued for a few seconds before Takashi let out an inaudible sigh. He didn't bother to answer any of my questions as we carried on with our routine walk to the host club before class. As usual, Kyoya was the only one to be found, taking shelter in one of the far corners.
"Good morning, Kyoya." He opened his mouth to reply then promptly shut it, raising one thin black eyebrow at us before clearing his throat.
"And good morning to you, Honey-sempai, Mori-sempai." His hands didn't leave the laptop that rested in front of him, fingers clattering away at the keys despite his eyes being fixed on us.
"Hiding from Tamaki again, huh?" I took a seat on the couch opposite him, relaxing into the plush cushions with a soft sigh. Takashi sat beside me, posture perfect, eyes focussed on me.
"Is it so obvious? He's in a particularly rambunctious mood this morning. I blame it on all of the commoner's coffee he insisted on consuming at 5am." Now that I was closer, I could see the faint dark circles under the shadow kings usually flawless skin. The only conclusion I could come to was that Tamaki managed to wake him up before 7am.
A small chuckle slipped past my lips at the image that slowly conjured up in my head. "I'll make sure to stay clear of him for a while then."
"At least you have that pleasantry. Try sitting next to him 6 hours out of the day," Kyoya spoke with dry humour, a dark aura emanating from him momentarily and his fingers thrashed at the keyboard slightly harder.
"I don't envy you in the slightest." My small hands smoothed down the fabric of my blazer.
His typing slowly came to a halt, full attention now on me. "Now, are you going to tell me what's bothering you?"
"What are you talking about?" My feigned obliviousness was met with a knowing look and stony frown.
"I think you know exactly what I'm talking about, sempai."
"Mitsukuni…" Takashi's voice rumbled from beside me, concern tainting the monotone statement.
"I don't see how speaking a bit more like an adult means that there is something wrong with me. I am 18 years old if you've forgotten. Acting like a child can get tiring." My head lolled back into the cushions as I finished speaking, mainly so I didn't have to look into Kyoya's all-seeing eyes.
"If you're sure." His fingers resumed their steady typing again, icy grey eyes scanning the screen.
I didn't bother to reply. The weight of my cousin's eyes bore down on me, searching out any speck of a lie. I couldn't break now; there could be no show of insecurity. I repeated that in my head like a mantra.
Silence reigned over us in a semi-awkward fashion until laughing and screaming erupted from outside the double doors that lead into the club room. Our quiet trio braced ourselves for the oncoming uproar that would stampede into the room in 3, 2, 1-
"Get back here you shady twins! Give me back Beary! What has he ever done to you?!" The doors burst open and two orange blurs shot through, gracefully dodging the tables and chairs that littered the rooms. The Host Club King wasn't quite as lucky, his flailing limbs tangled up in the first chair he attempted to leap over and ended up flat on his face.
The twins came to a halt close to us, taking shelter behind a couch and catching their breath as the laughter exploded from them. "Hahaha, oh boss, Beary asked to come play with us."
"He prefers us over you, you see." Hikaru waved the stuffed bear from side to side in a half hazard manner, amusement clear in his amber eyes.
"Liars! Give him back!" Tamaki cried from his position on the floor. He turned his puppy dog eyes toward Kyoya who was obviously fighting the urge to smirk. "Mummy, help me! The children are being unruly. Activate the Shadow King mode!"
"I think you'll find that I'm incredibly busy right now, Tamaki. Isn't it supposed to be the father's job to discipline the children?" Kyoya didn't pause his typing or even bother to look up as his best friend shuffled towards them.
"Yeah, boss. You aren't fitting the father role too well." Kaoru pouted and pulled at the teddy bear's ear.
Hikaru looked torn between playing along and full out laughter, but he attempted the mock puppy dog eyes and clutched Beary close to his chest. "We're just acting out due to all of the neglect."
"What's going on in here?" The faint mumble caught my attention and my eyes shot towards the doors. Haruhi stood there in her boy's uniform, tapping at the hard wood frame, her expression indifferent.
Before I knew it, my legs were carrying me off towards the doors, my bag in tow. A true smile lit up my face as I moved closer to her and she sent me a crooked smile back.
"Hey, Honey-sempai. What are they fighting about this time?" She didn't look overly impressed with the sight of a sobbing Tamaki on the floor again. It did start to become repetitive after seeing it at least twice a day.
"The twins stole Tamaki's bear," I said with a light laugh. Her face showed momentary confusion but didn't make a comment. "Were you coming up here to study? There isn't much time before class now, I'll walk you down."
Her smile returned and her fingers went to thread through her hair, combing through the short length as she spoke. Her other arm repositioned the heavy book bag on her shoulder as it began to slip down. "Well, yeah. I was hoping to look over some of my notes for first class, but I guess I haven't left myself enough time. Sure, that'd be nice, should we wait for Mori-sempai?"
"Nah, that's alright. I'm sure he knows where our classroom is by now." I could feel the weight of the host club's eyes burning a hole in the back of my head, but I didn't let it stop me as I linked arms with Haruhi and lead her out of the room, gently closing the door behind us.