As we pulled to a stop before my house, Haruhi sat up, looking alarmed. "Wow," she said. "This doesn't look like your cottage at all." I regarded the large, modern-styled home, seeing it through her eyes.

The driver opened her door and I climbed out as well, joining her as she stood cowed by the expensive-looking structure. "It's just a house," I reminded her. "Come on." I took her hand again and led her to the front door. I greeted our housekeeper, who also had a happy gleam in her eye when I introduced Haruhi. I showed her through the foyer and turned down the hall that led to my room. She stopped to look at a painting along the way.

"My grandfather."

"He reminds me of your father," she said, no doubt referring to his austere countenance.

"Perhaps. He died when I was quite young so I don't remember him well."

A few more paces and we entered my room. Haruhi's curious gaze took it all in. I wondered what she thought. The spacious sitting area where I studied held a couple angular couches and low tables, all designer-made, of course. One wall was windows and another boasted a huge flat screen television next to a walk-in closet so deep you couldn't see the interior. Stairs along another wall led to my bedroom loft and en suite bathroom. It was all stark white canvas with flourishes of technology.

She stopped just inside the open doorway. "Wow."

I looked at her nervously. There was a time when I exploited her unease about our difference in social stations. Now all my pride in status and possessions was crushed beneath the fear that these things would drive her away.

She offered me a mollifying smile. "It suits you. And, geez, are you really this neat?"

I released a relieved chuckle. "Make yourself at home." I gestured to one of the sofas. "I'll just be a few minutes." I ducked into the closet to gather a change of clothes. As I headed up the stairs I saw her fiddling with a TV remote.

I stripped off the damp shirt that clung to my chilled body, conscious of Haruhi just below but out of sight. Stepping into the bathroom I saw a face in the mirror that surprised me. I looked… contented. My usual cool mask had softened into a relaxed, even happy expression.

Geez, I am really pathetic, I thought. In the shower I let the goofy smile escape as the hot water ran over me. I might as well enjoy these crazy, giddy feelings; I'd waited a long time for this day.

As I finished dressing, I heard the sound of station after station as Haruhi flipped through the channels downstairs. I'd chosen a classic black tuxedo, knowing the ball would be a formal affair. I finished adjusting the bow tie as I descended to collect Haruhi. She was perched on the edge of the couch watching the television, her pink and white skirts flowing all around her. I chuckled to see the wig cast aside on the table.

She glanced up at the sound and nearly did a double-take. She punched the TV off and rose to meet me at the bottom of the stairs, her brown eyes admiring.

"You clean up nicely," she teased.

"You're too kind," I said drolly. "Shall we?" I offered her my arm.

Before we could leave the room my sister barged in. "Suki said that you had a friend…" She stopped abruptly, taking in our linked arms and the new face next to me. A smile covered her face and she stepped forward. "Hello, I'm Kyoya's sister Ootori Fuyumi." I could see the romantic notions dancing in her eyes.

"Uh, Fujioka Haruhi. Pleased to meet you." She gripped my arm tighter.

"Oh, yes, Kyoya has told us about you," she blabbed, recognition lighting her eyes. "You're the brilliant scholarship student. First year, right?"

"Um, yes. First year, I mean. I don't know about brilliant…" She sounded uncomfortable.

"Oh, don't worry about that," Fuyumi waved a hand dismissively. "All my family is brilliant so I'm used to it, you know." She giggled.

"Well, I haven't met your brothers, but if they are anything like Kyoya-sempai…"

"Oh, no, he is by far the most…"

I cut her off. "We really should be going if we want to see the end of the Fair."

"Oh. Alright," Fuyumi looked disappointed. "I hope I'll see you again. Soon," she addressed my companion hopefully as we ducked past her into the hall.

Haruhi smiled up at me as we walked. "Your sister seems really nice."

"Hmm." A meddler, for sure, but during my rigid upbringing she had been nurturing and affectionate to her baby brother. "She means well. A little too happy to see me with a girlfr… with a girl."

Haruhi slanted me a playful look. "With a girlfriend?"

Okay, the title sounded juvenile, and yet my pulse picked up just hearing the words from her lips. "Yes," I said, stopping before the door so I could look down into her eyes. I felt wonder and vulnerability and knew it probably showed in my face. "If that's alright with you." I raised my eyebrows in question.

A broad smile signaled her agreement. "Yeah. That would be alright." She blushed and lowered her lashes to hide her embarrassment. It was impossible to resist.

I took her face in my hands and tipped her head up for one more lingering kiss. Releasing her I said, "Let's go before I change my mind and decide to keep you here all to myself." She chuckled and we headed for the car.

It was fully dark out now and the air had a crisp tang to it. As I handed Haruhi into the back seat once again, I heard the door to the house open behind me. "Kyoya-kun," my father called gruffly.

I reluctantly turned toward him. His face was stern as usual, but not angry. More like… appraising.

"I know what you've done," he said stoically. He held my gaze for a moment. "Our business is safe."

"I'm glad to hear it." We regarded one another, but it seemed there was nothing more to be said. I turned back toward the car.

"Going to that host club?" he asked.

"Yes, Father." I closed Haruhi's door and walked around to where the driver was opening mine.

"Hmph."He disappeared into the house.

"Is everything alright?" Haruhi asked as I slid in beside her.

I looked down and saw the concern crinkling her delicate brow. I smiled and lifted my fingers to stroke her jaw. "Everything's perfect," I murmured and stole a quick kiss.

Leaving the car behind on the avenue, we strolled across the square toward the orchestra. I didn't take Haruhi's hand this time, and she didn't seem to mind. I think we both wanted the host club family to operate as usual, without any PDA making things awkward.

Blue floodlights shone on the clock tower, and the dance floor was illuminated by strings of white lights. A dozen or so couples twirled with the music, and clusters of people, mainly girls, formed a chatting perimeter around them. I saw the twins entertaining one group and spotted Tamaki dancing.

Honey burst from the crowd to greet us. "Haru-chan! Kyo-chan! You made it!" Mori followed behind him. "Dance with me, Haru-chan! Dance with me!" Honey demanded, grabbing her hand and pulling her forward. Mori and I followed at a more sedate pace.

"I guess everything went off without a hitch," I observed.

"Yeah."

I headed for the refreshment tables, suddenly ravenously aware that we had missed supper. As I made my selections, I chatted cordially with several of our regular guests. Stepping into the shadows for a moment so I could eat in peace, I was met by Tamaki, a drink in hand.

"Took your time getting here," he remarked, taking a sip from his crystal goblet.

"Jealous?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. He just pursed his lips and watched the dancers. "We had to stop by my bedroom," I emphasized the word, "so I could get out of my wet clothes."

I could see the smoke coming out his ears now. Oh, this was going to be fun. A boisterous chuckle escaped. "I see you found your costume," I said, redirecting his attention so I could take another bite.

"Isn't it wonderful?" he enthused. "The maroon jacket offsets my perfect skin and hair." He swept the blond locks with one hand, striking a Tamaki pose.

I rolled my eyes and worked on finishing my food. I searched the dance floor, finding Haruhi now in the arms of Hikaru.

"Look." Tamaki was serious now. "You're not going to be all mushy-gushy at host club, are you? 'Cause we have a reputation to maintain, and frankly, the rest of us don't want to see it."

"When has Haruhi ever been 'mushy-gushy' as you put it? Or for that matter, when have I? Give us some credit."

"Well, that was a pretty good display you put on earlier."

I couldn't keep a smile from lifting my face at the memory. "Well," I drawled, "those were extreme circumstances. She thought I was dead. And I thought she was in love with you."

"She's not?!" He held a hand to his heart in exaggerated sorrow.

"Of course, she is," I said, playing along. "She's just using me to get to you."

We both laughed and things were easy again. "Oh, well, her loss is every woman's gain," he said, swaggering back towards the dance floor.