A/N: I hath returned! Trying to revive this story despite the fact that I'm only gonna get busier once term starts. Keep up the reviews as I try to get back into the swing of things.
Hope you all enjoy, my lovelies~
I slipped into the dress and did a twirl, watching in fascination as the dress swung elegantly against my legs. Kyoya observed as I checked out the twins' handiwork in the full length mirror.
"Do you approve?" I asked, half-jokingly and half-seriously. As much as I hated it, I truly cared if he thought I looked attractive enough to even be in his presence. It was something that I was slowly trying to come to terms with since we'd began dating but I still believed he was well out of my league.
With one raven eyebrow raised, he stated matter-of-factly, "Of course I approve. You don't need the twins to dress you in order to look good."
A small smile lit up my face in relief. "They've done a great job. But how they managed to make me look as though I have a chest is beyond me."
"Tricks of the trade, I'd presume." He sauntered over and stood behind me in the mirror. I took in how much taller he was than myself and giggled as I realised he had a stray tuft of hair that had decided not to sit flat today. Kyoya in his drowsy state had taken no notice of it yet. "You're not as flat chested as you make yourself out to be anyway."
With a quick sceptical glance at him in the mirror, I elbowed him in the stomach as a warning, albeit gently. "You've been spending too much time examining my chest then, mister. Although I'm sure they've put some padding in this, I swear they have!"
"It doesn't matter much." His nimble fingers traced up my sides, slyly sliding over my chest and back down to my waist again before me leant down to kiss me. "However I do enjoy the thought that I can do that whenever I want to now, without starting ridiculous rumours over my sexuality."
"So you're fine letting people know about us then?" I probed cautiously.
He started working on fixing his hair in the mirror, "As much as I enjoy my privacy, yes, I'd like others to know that they should keep their hands off you or else."
"I'm curious to know what the 'or else' would be, but I'm sticking with ignorance is bliss."
"Good choice," the bespectacled boy smirked darkly. It was looks like that that used to leave me scared of the man, but it hardly made me flinch anymore. That was probably because I knew his evil streak wasn't going to be unleashed on me, unless I really tried to press his buttons.
My phone vibrated from its place on the dressing table, creating a loud echo as it buzzed away impatiently in the huge room. I glanced down to see who wanted my attention this time and wasn't surprised to see it was our host club king.
Tamaki Suou (08:22) – Haruhiiii! Would u like daddy to pick you up? xxx
Haruhi Fujioka (08:23) – No need, senpai :) Kyoya has that covered already
The lack of response bothered me slightly but then again it was a gift from god if he wasn't hounding me to change my mind. We gathered up our bags and began the long journey out of Kyoya's home and into one of the many limousines that was already waiting for us. Just before I got into the vehicle, I turned to look up at the building once more. I swore I could feel someone watching us but there was no sign of anyone other than the chauffeurs going about their business.
Kyoya cleared his throat and beckoned me inside, "Are you alright?"
"I'm just a bit nervous is all," I looked back at the building as we pulled out of the driveway and down towards the main road. "It's just… what if everyone hates me? Or they all treat me differently now?"
He draped an arm over my shoulders and played with a stray strand of my hair. "All you have to worry about is ignoring anyone who doesn't accept the truth. Your studies are more important than what they think of you."
"Heh, yeah, I guess you're right," I muttered softly. While I knew what he said was completely true, it didn't settle the butterflies in my stomach that made me want to demand the limousine turned around immediately.
Sensing my discomfort, Kyoya tilted my head to face him fully. "We could go for dinner tonight, to celebrate your first day as an openly female student."
"I'd love that, thank you." I sent him a bashful smile and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek to show my appreciation.
I slipped my fingers into his and watched as the world flew by outside the window. Today the new hosts would be starting, although Yasuchika wasn't coming voluntarily more like he was being dragged by the collar from his over-enthusiastic cousin. Nonetheless the new members could only mean that our client base would be expanding and the hosts would be even busier. Kyoya must be enjoying the idea of extra profit rolling in. I just hoped everyone managed to get along alright.
We arrived at the gates early as usual and made our way up to the grand school entrance before the major rush of students that I wanted to avoid for the time being. Kyoya still hadn't let go of my hand for once and it felt odd to be openly displaying any kind of affection in the school environment. The stray girl stopped and stared as we made our way to Music Room 3 before classes but they didn't dare to approach us.
It felt like an eternity later that we finally strolled into the club room, where the twins were sitting impatiently for our arrival. They beamed at me and encompassed me in a tight bear hug exclaiming how adorable I looked in their dress.
"Guys! Can't- breath!" I spluttered out, pushing against them with all my might but they wouldn't budge.
It took a few seconds for them to quit their cooing and to release me. The rush of air into my lungs burned and I relished the ability to breathe once more. "Oops, sorry Haruhi. Couldn't control ourselves!"
"Told you she'd look good with that extra padding," Kaoru sang to his twin whilst inspecting my appearance with critical amber eyes.
His brother rounded on him, ready to defend himself, "We don't want her looking too ample now!"
"I knew it!" I cried, pointing an accusatory finger at the pair. Inside, I was laughing at how much I probably sounded like Tamaki at that moment, but outside I pretended to be much more bothered about their little addition to the dress as I truly was.
"Uh, I just thought it'd make it more believable… Plus, it'll make people feel stupid for ever believing you were anything other than female!"
"I don't need big breasts to be female."
"But they don't hurt," the pair smirked, blatantly eyeing my chest from a safe distance from the Shadow King. The dark aura was already starting to form around Kyoya though and he placed himself protectively in front of me as a human shield from the prying eyes. Within an instant they shrunk away and took refuge on the nearest couch.
I couldn't help but chuckle at the trio and led Kyoya by the hand over to join the identical boys on the couch. We settled down into small talk and pleasantries as we allowed ourselves the last minutes of relaxation before the hard day began.
The first warning bell chimed out throughout the school and I looked up at the clock anxiously. It was as though I couldn't move all of a sudden, until warms hands wormed their way into my clenched ones and hoisted me up off the seat. The twins had taken either side of me as Kyoya watched on curiously from the side lines.
"Ready for this-" Kaoru linked arms with me on one side.
And Hikaru mirrored him on the other, "-our princess?"
"As ready as I'll ever be, I guess." I took strength from the pair and allowed them to escort me to class. With a timid smile, I silently bade farewell to Kyoya and we left him in the empty music room as we made our way towards class. This was it then: no more Haruhi-kun the natural host. From here on out I was just to be Haruhi the scholarship student and I wasn't sure why that seemed so scary to me.