Chapter 7

It had been a month since Takashi received any messages from the mystery woman. She still plagued his mind every night and sometimes during his classes. He continued to ask Mitsukuni about her, but didn't get much information in return. His parents continued to ask for updates on his search. His father had cracked down on Takashi about his studies and the upcoming competition.

The weekend was in full swing, a sunny Saturday afternoon. Takashi had just received a text from Tamaki which explained that Kyoya was in town. Tamaki wanted to get the gang together before Kyoya had to return to the United States. So, Takashi was waiting in the first sitting room for the car to pull around. His cellphone buzzed and he looked at the screen. Mitsukuni was texting him.

*Leaving the house now. See you in a few *

Takashi shook his head. He didn't understand why Mitsukuni had to text him. He knew his cousin would show up eventually. Less than three minutes later, the black sedan pulled up to the end of the driveway. Takashi walked down the road and slid into the back seat with his cousin.

"Hi, Takashi!" Mitsukuni giggled.

"Hello, Mitsukuni," Takashi gave him a small smile.

"I can't wait to see Tama-chan today and Kyo-chan! It's been way too long," Mitsukuni said using his arms and hands to embellish his words.

"It has been too long," Takashi agreed turning his head to look out the window. They were nearly at Tamaki's home where they were meeting the Host Club. He was particularly interested in seeing Kyoya. It had been almost two months since they had seen the vice president. He was sure Tamaki mentioned his mystery woman to the Ootori heir and was expecting it to be mentioned in his greeting.

The black sedan pulled into the long driveway of the Suoh estate. Mitsukuni was practically bouncing in excitement. The driver stopped and got out to open the door. Takashi got out first and waited for his cousin. Before they reached the front door it burst open, Tamaki rushing out followed by the twins.

"Mori-senpai, Honey-senpai," Tamaki greeted. "We're so glad you could come!"

"I'm so excited to see Kyo-chan!" Mitsukuni grinned bouncing on the balls of his feet.

"Yeah," Takashi said.

"How's the search, Mori-senpai?" Hikaru asked.

"Very slow," Takashi answered.

"Aww, that's too bad. We were hoping you knew more," Kaoru pouted.

"Where's Kyo-chan?" Mitsukuni asked.

"Come in," Tamaki smiled. "Kyoya was just settling down in the sitting room."

The cousins entered the house followed by Tamaki and finally the twins. When they entered the sitting room Kyoya was lounging on the couch drinking a cup of tea. Haruhi was sitting on a couch opposite her hands resting softly in her lap.

"Kyo-chan!" Mitsukuni shouted and ran toward the bespectacled young man. "I'm so happy you're home! How is school in the United States?"

"Honey-senpai," Kyoya gave a small smile. "It's nice to be back in familiar territory." He turned toward Takashi his glasses flashing. "Mori-senpai, I hear you have a stalker."

"I wouldn't call her a stalker," Takashi answered.

"She seems to know so much about you, follows you throughout your day, takes photographs and sends them to you," Kyoya stated. "That sounds like a stalker to me. Why would you continue to search for this woman?"

Takashi sighed, "I'm intrigued."

"Has she sent you anything else?" Haruhi asked tentatively.

Takashi shook his head, "It's been a month."

"Do you know anything, Honey-senpai?" Tamaki asked.

Mitsukuni nodded, "She's out of the country training for Nationals."

Takashi's head snapped in the direction of his cousin. He knew she mentioned she would be taking a hiatus but he never thought she left the country. He wasn't going to lie to himself, he was nervous and excited to meet her face-to-face at Nationals in December.

"She fights hand-to-hand combat?" Kyoya asked with an air of curiosity.

"Muay Thai," Takashi told him.

He missed the look Kyoya flashed to Mitsukuni. "Interesting," he said quietly. "The mystery woman will appear at the National Martial Arts Tournament?"

"Supposedly," Takashi answered with a curt nod.

"That settles it then!" Tamaki announced. "We will attend Nationals to watch Mori-senpai and Honey-senpai fight as well as meet this mystery woman!"

Takashi mentally sighed. He really wanted to meet her privately without the rest of the club. He knew if he spoke to Mitsukuni or Haruhi they would help restrain Tamaki and the twins.

"Uh, Tamaki-senpai," Haruhi spoke up. "Don't you think we should let Mori-senpai confront her alone?"

"Nonsense, Haruhi!" Tamaki said with flair. "The members of the Host Club stick together."

Mitsukuni caught Takashi's eye and made a silent gesture to speak up. Takashi nodded. "Actually Tamaki," he started quietly. "I'd like to meet her alone without any interference."

Tamaki looked shocked and very disappointed, "Of course we will respect your wishes, Mori-senpai."

Mitsukuni smiled and said, "But it would be nice if you would all still come to cheer us on."

"We'd be happy to come support you both," Kyoya agreed.

"I've never seen a tournament before," Haruhi said.

"It's a really long process," Mitsukuni said.

"Yeah," said Takashi.

"How long?" Haruhi asked.

"Hours," Takashi answered. "It proceeds by grouping."

"Takashi and I are always in the last grouping as we're the reigning champs!" Mitsukuni giggled. "But it still takes hours because there are always a lot of participants. Plus there's a men's and women's tournaments going on at the same time."

"Wow," Haruhi said. "It sounds like a big ordeal."

"Oh, it is," Tamaki said putting his arm around Haruhi's shoulders. She blushed deeply but no one else seemed to notice.

"It's a chance for the Haninozukas and other powerful families involved in martial arts to show their success and status," Kyoya explained.

"Everything's a competition with rich people," Haruhi grumbled.

"Enough about us," Mitsukuni said. "How's university in America, Kyo-chan?"

"Fantastic," Kyoya grinned. "The education I am receiving will help me run my family's corporation in the future. I am quite successful in my classes and I've befriended a couple of young men in my program who enjoy getting together to study. They're actually quite interesting to talk to outside of my studies as well."

"Kyoya," Tamaki asked his eyes glistening with tears. "Are you dumping us?"

Kyoya rolled his eyes, "Of course I'm not, Tamaki. The time difference is so large it's hard to find time to talk to you all. I needed some form of company."

"Have you met any beautiful ladies at university?" Hikaru asked.

"There are some very beautiful girls on campus but I don't see any prospects in beginning a relationship with one of them," Kyoya answered.

"Why not?" Kaoru asked. "It could be fun."

Kyoya didn't look amused, "I don't have time to have a relationship on the side of my intensive studies."

"But Kyoya," Tamaki said. "This could be your chance to test the waters and get to know the American market a little more personally."

Kyoya thought for a moment, "I've never thought about it that way. I suppose getting to know the ladies would allow me to get some good information on the services and products Americans believe they need or want."

Takashi saw Haruhi shake her head in disbelief. She still had a hard time understanding Kyoya's personality and couldn't predict his thoughts. Takashi, on the other hand, knew Kyoya never did anything if he wasn't going to gain any profit whether that be information or money.

For the remainder of their visit, the members of the Host club caught up on each other's lives. Haruhi was about to take her exit exams to help her on her path toward becoming a lawyer. The twins were also about to take their exit exams and were planning on majoring in fashion design. Tamaki was doing more sit-ins in his father's meetings with the board. Within a few years Tamaki was anticipating having a larger role in helping his father and grandmother manage the Suoh's family affairs. Mitsukuni told the group about his success in his courses and his deeper feelings for his girlfriend, Reiko. Takashi stayed quiet. He felt he already said his part. They knew about the mystery woman; that was the only interesting thing going on in his life at the moment.