Double post today, Happy 4th of July everyone! Be safe and have fun!
This chapter speeds things up a touch, hope you enjoy
Opening Emi up proved to be much more difficult than anticipated. The host had learned nothing about Emi despite all of their attempts (much to the dismay of Kyouya) but had found success in other places. In two weeks time they had relaxed her and discovered her more sarcastic and comedic side. The twins played a few practical jokes on her in an attempt to anger her but only received a positive reaction, usually a laugh or a playful hit on the shoulder. After the third or fourth trick she decided to retaliate and began laying traps for the twins in return. While the other hosts found it hilarious the twins saw it as a chance to gain a new toy in addition to accepting Emi as a playmate- in devious plans. Kyouya had to put his foot down before an all-out war began.
Hani did his best by offering her cake and chatting her up but even when he cranked the cuteness up to dangerous levels she did not yield the information he was asking. Her responses remained controlled and vague, never allowing a trace of fangirl to enter her system.
Mori accompanied Hani in his attempts and also found time to do small things for her like carry her books and suggest novels to read. This low-key tactic seemed fruitless to the other hosts but it proved to be the most effective. Emi began to sit with the hosts a few days a week to talk with Mori (or rather she talked and he listened) and a rumor spread like wildfire that the pair were dating. After much explanation it was accepted that she only enjoyed the company of her senpai because he possessed calming air about him that none of her other friends (basically the host club) had.
Tamaki was the main reason Emi still fled to the library on occasion. His loud and extravagant speeches about her wary ways pushed her away. Any time he opened his mouth in reference to her she would slip away within seconds. The twins even made a game of it and called it the 'Who first notices when Emi is gone' game.
Haruhi grew closer to the older girl and within days had formed a strong relationship with her. They would laugh and talk and on occasion study together despite their difference in grade levels. They cleaned the club room together after club hours every day and Emi made a habit of taking her home. Haruhi always tried to convince Emi to stay for dinner and despite Emi's reluctant attitude, she usually obliged. The key point that would usually break Emi's stubborn attitude was the presence of Ranka-san. Haruhi did not know how it happened but they got along as if they had known each other for years. Ranka of course was pleased that Haruhi had a girlfriend to hang out with but it went beyond that. He seemed to deeply care for her, not too different than how he cared for Haruhi. Even though the relationship between the two girls had grown exponentially, Haruhi could reveal no information about Emi other than what everyone already knew. Haruhi of course didn't mind, but Kyouya was secretly in disbelief with the results.
To a majority of the hosts the reveal of Emi's more relaxed side was the same thing as learning personal information about her but Kyouya was not satisfied. He wanted answers and on the Friday before the week of the racecar event he had his opportunity.
o0o
"Is the host event completely ready for next week?" Kyouya asked,
"Yep!" Emi chirped back,
Kyouya was silent for a moment, allowing a calm stillness to wash over them as the craziness of the club carried on around them.
"By the way, have you finished your research for the history project?" He asked,
She turned towards him with horror in her eyes, "I thought you were going to do it!" She said, feeling as if a cord had tightened around her neck.
"And I thought I was person who held all the control between us and asked you to finish the project." He responded coolly,
Emi felt panic rise up in her throat. There was so much work for the research to do! She had assumed since she was making the physical presentation he would take on all of the research but instead he had only done part of it.
"The assignment is due on Monday and that research paper is going to take hours to complete. Two days is an impossible time limit for one person to finish a quality paper, you should take responsibility for waiting to tell me." She said with a huff,
"If you are so worried about working under an 'impossible time limit' then how about we meet tomorrow to work on the project together?"
~Damn him and his nosy ways.~ Emi seethed inside, "That would be ideal, where do you want to meet?" She chirped, portraying a happy character despite her true feelings inside.
"You're requesting it so let's meet at your estate." He said with the ghost of a grin on his lips.
"The kitchen is being re-done and the noise would prohibit any production." She lied quickly, "What about the local library? It will be more quiet."
Emi laughed at the face Kyouya made, "Okay, okay, no library." She said, giggling.
"We'll go to mine then. I can send a limo if you give me an address."
~Just drop it, I'm not going to tell you where I live.~ "Just give me the address and I'll drive." She replied,
"Okay what's your number?" He said,
She sighed internally. ~I can't get out of everything.~ They exchanged numbers and Emi got up to help Haruhi.
o0o
The wind whipped Emi's hair across her face as she sped along in Olivier en route to Kyouyas' estate. The brilliant sunlight warmed her face, the sunroof on her Mustang folded down offering optimum freedom. The music was blaring and the bass pounded, her singing was stolen away by the air rushing past her face. ~I have to be extra careful with this encounter.~ She thought, ~The hosts have been so sweet to me the last couple weeks, I don't want that to change.~ With a sigh, she tucked her melancholy mood into the recesses of her mind and basked in the small joy that welled up inside her. She was going over to someone's house for something more than pure business. Yes they were going to be working and yes they had a schedule to keep, but she didn't have to worry about every gesture or word out of her mouth. It was going to be a calm setting. To be honest, she actually looked forward to spending time with the old Shadow King. He had grown on her in a way that she never thought was possible. His presence gave her a bizarre sense of security despite her constant indirect war with his prying nature. ~It seems as if I have gone insane,~ She thought wistfully, ~I enjoy the presence of a viper and indulge myself in wandering around his nest.~
o0o
Kyouya was in deep sleep when his door opened. Light hit his face and he turned over with a grumble in attempt to escape it.
"Kyouya?" He heard, "Uh, you need to wake up now. Please." He responded with grabbing his blanket and burrowing deeper into his bed. He heard a sigh followed by silence and assumed whoever bothered him had left. A hand suddenly grabbed his blanket and pulled it away from him, forcing him to open his eyes in order to glare at the intruder. His death glare was cut short by the sight of petite blonde in leggings and long-sleeve shirt holding his blanket close and watching him with wary eyes. ~The fact that she owns a t-shirt is bizarre.~ He thought.
"You understand it's one in the afternoon, right?" Emi said impassively,
Kyouya stared at her for a minute longer, maintaining her steady eye-contact, before taking a deep breath, "I was asleep, so no, I did not know it was one in the afternoon. Why are you in my bedroom?"
Emi did not falter at his accusation and it almost looked like she smirked, "You seemed to have scared your staff to the point where they refuse to wake you. When I arrived they showed me into this room. I assumed it was somewhere I would wait for you but I found you snoozing away instead. Do you have guests wake you often?"
If Kyouya was any less proud he would have rolled his eyes at her. "Well if you don't mind I would like to change. Please wait outside for a moment then we can get to work." He saw her nod and once his door closed he flopped back into his bed with a huff. ~This file better be worth it.~
Two minutes later he was opening his bedroom door fully clothed in jeans and a sweater. "Let's work on the racecar event first, as that is the more pressing matter." He said as he allowed her back into the room.
She nodded again and scanned the room, "Where should I set up?" She asked,
"Use the couch next to my desk." He replied. Within minutes they had both settled down comfortably with their computers and began to work. A thick silence hung over them, only broken by a quick question or confirmation. Kyouya watched out of the corner of his eye how Emi slowly relaxed. By mid-day the tense atmosphere had dissipated and been replaced by a one more upbeat. They stopped for lunch and ended up talking about school and a sarcastic comment from Emi surprised Kyouya into laughing out loud.
"I like it when you do that." Emi said quietly,
Kyouya took a moment to regain his composure before turning to her, "Do what, exactly?"
"That." She said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You act so heartless at school; you never smile freely or laugh fully, it makes me sad that you force yourself to be so reserved."
He didn't say anything, too stunned by her boldness to make a sound.
"But like just now, I think that was wonderful. It shows even a blackmailing, business man like you has a sense of humor."
"I wouldn't call it heartless. Plus, the people at our school don't deserve to see that side of me anyways." Kyouya said, finally finding his voice and forcing a comment out with a smirk. She giggled softly then returned to her computer screen, leaving Kyouya in deep thought.
Around eight-thirty that night she closed her laptop and stood.
"Thank you for your hospitality Ootori-san, I feel much better about this project now that we have collaborated." She said softly with a light smile,
Kyouya found himself returning it and watched as she turned to leave. Just as she was about to pass him he grabbed her forearm. Before he could speak she had wrenched it from his grasp and stepped into a defensive stance, cradling her arm.
"I..." He was at loss for words due to her spontaneous reaction to such a small touch.
Emi suddenly blushed and eased her stance, "I'm sorry, you just frightened me there for a second and you happened to grab me where I have a bruise. Please forgive my rash actions." She bowed slightly. He stood and walked over to where she was bowing and forced her back into a standing position by gently pulling her chin up. He was directly in front her, a matter of inches away from her face.
"There is no need to apologize, and please, call me Kyouya." Suddenly they weren't in his room anymore. All he could see was her bright emerald eyes that seemed to fill his entire being with warmth.
She looked back into his eyes with a fire that burned into his very soul. "If you wish, Kyouya-san."
Before he could question his better judgment he closed his eyes and leaned into her, having a sudden irresistable desire to feel her lips on his. Before he had the chance he felt himself flying through the air. His back banged against his chair on the desk and he crumbled to the ground beside it. In front of him stood Emi, eyes wide and backing up quickly.
"I-I must g-go. My sense- my parents I mean, they, I, I-I just need to go." She stammered before running from the room, leaving him on the floor with his thoughts.
~What was that?~ He thought, confused with her actions. His own actions sunk in, ~What was THAT? Never in my life have I ever thought I would- I mean- I tried to kiss her! Where did this come from?!~
Lost in confusion, Kyouya spent most of the night nursing his bruised back and helplessly attempting to sort out his feelings. As the sun rose the next day he finally had his answer.
~I, Ootori Kyouya, have done the single most impossible thing. I have fallen in love.~