WARNING: THIS STORY CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE ANIME AND MANGA. READ AT OWN RISK. Thanks.
"Kyoya, come here for a moment, would you?"
Kyoya looked up from his signature clipboard to see his father staring down at him. He pushed his glasses up and put the clipboard down when he saw his father start to walk away. He suspected it was a serious matter his father wished to discuss with him.
The Shadow King made his way through the many hallways of the Ootori estate until he reached his father's office door. Of course this wasn't the one he worked from, but it was the one he talked with a lot of clients in. Most of the times that's all Kyoya was to his father – a client.
He pushed the door open and made no move to show his father how nervous he was. Today was Saturday, a day of the weekend. Otou-san never made any business moves on weekends. He always waited for school days because everybody was busy with work and couldn't think of rational responses to why the Ootori company shouldn't buy them out.
"Have a seat, son," Yoshio told him. Kyoya did so, and his father made sure that the door was closed before continuing.
"Kyoya, have you been thinking about how you're going to be successful in life?"
Yoshio would have never told his son, but he actually felt bad to know that his son didn't want one of his companies, and instead would go so far as to buying it only to thrust it right back in his father's face. So, what did this mean for the teenager? Did he have some other plan for his life?
Apparently there was some sunlight coming in through the barely-open window shades in the room because when his father looked at him he couldn't see his eyes because of the glare on his glasses.
Kyoya took a while to respond, but when he finally did, Yoshio couldn't say he was too surprised.
"Yes, Otou-san, I have." And then he paused and looked down at the floor a little bit, a habit of his that his father had never seen before. "But I have not thought of anything."
It wasn't a lie, either. Kyoya was always thinking about what he was going to do with his life. He didn't want to become a doctor like his older brothers. In fact, he didn't really want to be anything that would attract too much attention to himself.
Yoshio smiled. It was a little too happy to let his son know he was concerned about him.
"Would you terribly mind some guidance?"
Kyoya glanced up. "From you, Otou-san?" His father nodded. Kyoya paused a second, imagining what his father's plan might be. It'd probably be better to go along with it, in any case. "I'd want nothing more."
The man remained smiling and sat back in his chair. "What has become of Tamaki Suoh? Are the two of you still close friends?"
Kyoya managed a simple nod.
"Isn't he dating that honor student girl now, Haruhi Fujioka?"
Again, he nodded. "Yes, Father."
"From what I have seen from afar, you are in exponentially higher spirits when you are with her. I recall last year, seeing you two dance together, you were particularly happy."
Kyoya didn't respond.
"Just this last week, you brought your friends over for a small party, was it?"
His son nodded, remembering the instance. The twins had suggested a sleepover, and since Haruhi's house was too small, the rest of the Host Club pulled straws to determine which person's house they would go to. Needless to say, Kyoya won – lost, more like.
"At dinnertime, Fujioka-san and you sat next to each other, and she talked to you with an indiscernible expression. I could see you hesitate to answer in your eyes." Yoshio looked straight at his son now. "You tend to think more clearly when she is around. That would bring indescribable success to the Ootori name. I can imagine no other girl more qualified to serve as your wife."
The teenager still didn't respond. What could he say to that, anyway? He supposed what his father was saying was true. He did feel like he thought more rationally, though it took more time to clear out his thoughts, whenever Haruhi was around. But to claim her as his wife? That was absurd. His father had, of course, set up little playdates every now and then to determine what kind of girl made him a better man, but none had ever exceeded his father's expectations.
"I do understand that you are now eighteen," his father continued. "However, as long as you live under my roof, you will do as I say. And I highly doubt you are in a position to defy me, am I right?"
To this Kyoya finally gritted his teeth. His father had the upper edge, after all. Kyoya had spent almost all of his time at the Host Club earning money to use not only for the Club itself but also for his own use. They were very meager earnings at first, but once he realized what the ladies loved – Hikaru and Kaoru, for instance – he began printing magazines upon magazines of 'scandalous' photos, which the girls lapped up in a heartbeat. After that, whatever was not used on the Club at the end of the month, Kyoya pocketed. And after about a year and a half of doing this, he raised enough money to finally tell his father off, which basically meant what he did last year with his father's medical company.
The Ootori family may have been indeed very wealthy, but the third son (and possibly even all the children, as far as Kyoya knew) was poor. School expenses were covered, but other than those, Kyoya had to earn his own living.
All of this really just meant that if Kyoya defied his father, he would be out on the streets without inheritance. He would be a poor man out alone in the world.
"If we understand each other," Yoshio started, "then I imagine you would have no problem courting Fujioka-san by the end of the week."
…
Kyoya practiced his lines again, in front of the mirror as usual. He had to time it so that when he asked her, she wouldn't be able to see his eyes – they would be a dead giveaway to his true feelings.
He had actually been quite proud of the ring his father had picked out, despite everything. It was elegant yet simple enough so that Haruhi wouldn't feel overwhelmed. Well, she shouldn't have, anyway. There's no telling what goes through a commoner's mind. In the center of the white gold ring was a clear diamond that reflected all colors in the sunlight. It was truly dazzling, and even a guy like Kyoya Ootori knew that.
However, there was one thing about the ring that just set him off (minus the fact that he would have to propose, of course). Engraved on the inside of the ring were the words Haruhi Ootori. He couldn't say for sure just why this bothered him…but it did.
Kyoya knelt down in front of the mirror, trying his best to hide his eyes from even his own sight. He didn't even want to catch a glimpse of the shame he would see hidden in them. He fixed the tie around his neck and pushed up his glasses, focusing on his reflection.
"Haruhi Fujioka, will you marry me?"
Just then Kyoya could hear the curtain in the Host Club's room being drawn open and the voice that came with it.
"Kyo-chan, are you okay?"
He glanced over to see Honey with a look of wonder plastered on his face.
"We're about to have cake!" he announced, his face now dripping with excitement as he thought nothing of what Kyoya was doing behind closed curtains. It was just Kyoya, after all. Everybody in the Club knew he was weird.
Kyoya stood up and nodded at Honey, and then walked past him into the crowd of customers who were here to celebrate Haruhi's seventeenth birthday.
It had seemed like just yesterday he received the ridiculous task from his father, although it had been almost a week ago. He wasn't actually sure of what day it was, considering he spent most of his alone time practicing for the moment when the time came.
His father had practically kicked him out this morning, which was why he was so determined to do this today. Why had he waited until today, though? It was a stupid move on his part. He'd likely never have Haruhi alone to himself on today of all days. She was the subject of attention, as is anyone on their birthday.
And there she was, sandwiched in between girls. How she had managed to remain herself within a group like that, Kyoya would never know. At times, when she was calm like this, he considered lowering her debt, but then he realized he couldn't do that because of the expenses of the Club. Besides, she raked in some pretty nice money, and it would be a shame to let her go just like that. That was why he always made sure that she stayed clumsy, so she could break more expensive things like the flowerpot earlier that week. It easily cost 200,000 yen, and Haruhi was astonished when it happened.
She continued talking and smiling with the girls around her, and Tamaki continued staring at her from afar, sad that she wasn't spending any time with him as usual, and Kyoya smiled as he walked over to the twins, who weren't doing anything at the moment because everyone was busy with Haruhi.
"Hikaru, Kaoru."
The redheads looked up. "Ah, Kyoya-senpai," they said. "What can we do for you?"
They seemed to be in lower spirits than usual, which was understandable considering they weren't doing much of anything. Hikaru had his Nintendo DS out while Kaoru watched him play it.
Kyoya pushed his glasses up. "We should plan a party for Haruhi. Today, after school?"
Hikaru seemed confused. "Eh? What's with you, senpai? You don't ever want to do anything with Haruhi outside of school."
Kaoru agreed. "That's right. Even tono is reluctant about allowing us to play with Haruhi after school."
The Shadow King smiled. "Don't worry about Tamaki. I have it all sorted out." He quickly glanced over at the blonde, who was still hiding behind the same pillar watching Haruhi from his spot. His expression faltered a bit when he realized what he was going to do to his best friend, but his smile returned as he knew it was for the best. The best for him, anyway. Tono would get over it.
"You two, have your presents ready by the evening. Meet at Haruhi's apartment complex at five. I'm going to go talk to Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai."
As Kyoya walked away, the twins looked at each other and shrugged. Kaoru reached into his pocket to pull out his cellphone to call their mother to arrange preparations for a good present.
The Ootori son came up to Honey and Mori and was about to speak but Honey blurted out, "Kyo-chan! We're out of cake! Out of cake!"
Mori sat with an indiscernible expression at the table, but it seemed he wasn't too bothered by this revelation.
"Don't worry, Honey-senpai. I'll have more cake for you by the morning," Kyoya said, making a mental note to give the caterers another call, the fifth this week. Honey looked positively happier and returned to his seat at the table with Mori, hugging his Usa-chan to make up for the lack of cake in front of him.
"Honey-senpai, Mori-senpai," he started again, "there will be a party after school for Haruhi at her house. Are you two able to arrange for transportation and gifts?" He fumbled with his glasses once more.
"Mm," came Mori-senpai's answer, signaling that he had no problems with the arrangements. Perhaps he'd already gotten a present for the brown-eyed girl.
Honey-senpai replied in the same manner as well. So there were no problems there. Now came the hardest part, Kyoya realized when he walked away from the two University students and over to his friend, Tamaki Suoh.
"Oh, Kyoya, it's horrible! Look at my poor Haruhi! She's all alone over there with all those…those girls! They want her for themselves, I just know it!"
The black-haired man sighed as he watched the girl in question continue conversing with the girls around her, not seeming lonely in the slightest. In fact, she looked rather happy to receive such attention.
He was about to back out and walk away but thought better of it, thinking it would be mean to leave him in the dark.
"Tamaki, after school today, meet at Haruhi's house around five for her surprise birthday party," he explained.
Tamaki looked up and locked eyes with him, then glared. "Kyoya! What gives you permission to arrange a party with my girl?!"
Kyoya didn't miss a beat. "Ranka-san likes me."
The blonde felt those words pierce through his chest and fell back onto the floor, remembering all those unfortunate incidents consisting of Haruhi's dad and him. It was mostly her dad who did the fighting, but still. Tamaki knew that if he was the one to throw the party, Haruhi's dad would never allow it, but since it was Kyoya who was throwing it, Ranka-san wouldn't be angry.
Tamaki went over to a corner of the room and brought his knees up to his chin, sulking. Before Kyoya left, though, he heard him speak.
"I'll be there at five."
…
It was almost time to leave. Kyoya had changed into his casual clothes, the tan-ish button-up shirt and some jeans, and was getting ready to leave when there came a knock on his door.
"Kyoya-san?"
"Come in," the Shadow King replied as he fixed his collar in the mirror.
Fuyumi entered, looking concerned. "Is everything all right, Kyoya?"
He stopped what he was doing just long enough for his sister to notice. "Yes, everything is fine. Why?"
Fuyumi sighed and bit her lip, making her way into the room and over to him. "Mother told me about tonight."
Luckily, their father, Yoshio, was out on business, so the incident this morning between him and Kyoya was gone for the time being. His mother at least allowed him to be in the house, but only on the condition that he fulfill his deed to his father. Kyoya was grateful for that.
"Did she now?" Kyoya asked unenthusiastically.
His sister was right behind him now, staring at him through the mirror. She couldn't see much, but she could tell how nervous he was feeling. No matter how hard he tried, he wouldn't be able to cover up his shaking hands.
Fuyumi walked away to sit on the sofa in his room, taking glances every so often at the ring box on the coffee table, absentmindedly reminding Kyoya to wrap it (wrapping mean to put it in the pre-decorated box).
"I don't know if you ever knew this, but my marriage was also arranged."
Kyoya resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Of course he knew her marriage was arranged. That was why she was always so melancholy whenever she was around him. Come to think of it, Kyoya already forgot what his name was. It wasn't as important as his brothers' names of course, because Fuyumi's husband would never inherit anything that was of particular value to the Ootori family. It was confusing why she'd had to marry so early, though.
Naturally, both of his older brothers were already married. He'd always thought that was of their own accord, however. He was just ten years old when his oldest brother, Yuuichi, married his wife. He didn't know her name either, sadly. She came around to family get-togethers during the holidays but other than those times, he never saw her. He never saw his nephew, either, come to think of it. Or his niece.
His other elder brother, the middle brother Akito, also married when Kyoya was young, yet not quite so young. Kyoya was around twelve or thirteen when Akito married, and as per usual, the name of his wife and niece escaped him. It was sad to think about it, but he really didn't know anything at all about his family.
"It isn't so bad," she continued, fumbling with the ring case, running her fingers along the soft velvet.
Well, that was obviously a lie. His older sister never seemed happy while she was married to him. Her first child had been miscarried, leaving her devastated and heartbroken. She returned home after that incident, to which their father had been particularly upset. Their mother understood, though, and since then they had shared a bond that Kyoya still didn't understand and probably would never.
"Please don't try to comfort me, Fuyumi," Kyoya told her, still fumbling with his collar.
The black-haired woman gasped, taken aback by his harsh tone, but nodded. She set the box back on the small table and stood up. Then she looked towards her little brother.
"You never have to do anything you don't want to, Kyoya." And with that, she left through the door she left open, also leaving Kyoya in his wake to realize he was going about his collar all wrong and trying to fix it again.
Within the half hour he had left before leaving, he managed to make himself look somewhat decent (not like he particularly cared) and wrapped the jewelry box inside the pre-wrapped box. And soon enough, he and his driver were on their way to the Fujioka apartment complex at four-thirty in the afternoon.
A/N: I've decided how I'm going to run this little shenanigan thing here. I'm going to update every Sunday and Thursday. I've realized how ridiculously easy it is to write for this community, let alone this story, and it's making me want to write more and more. Like, seriously. I completed the first chapter within 3 hours and this one within the same time. I'm used to taking all day to write a single chapter of this size since I'm considerably slow with my writing, especially with the internet to serve as a distraction, and a huge one at that. But I spent no more than three hours on this chapter and I'm proud of it, and I had the internet's all-access pass as well.
I really have to thank you guys for all your enthusiasm though. This is my most popular story, out of all the other 18, and it's been up for like a day and a half. And I have...what, like 10 followers already? Thanks so much guys! It means a lot :)
So yeah. Every Sunday and Thursday there will be a new chapter. So, new chapter on Thursday! Yay for you guys! And it will actually advance the plot, more than this chapter did.
~CGA