The days leading up the racecar event were light and pleasant. Emi was proud of her performance with the snobby girls and due to her acting there were no hostile feelings regarding her acceptance into the host club.
Each day she and Kyouya were able to interact openly without (much) suspicion. Those who got too nosy were given the excuse that they were preparing for the partner project due that Friday. Emi felt she was falling farther and farther in love with Kyouya and, from what she observed of his reactions, he felt the same. Her week was amazing. No hardships in or out of school developed and she felt more at ease with her classmates than ever.
In fact there was hope it would last the entire week but life enjoyed throwing curve balls at her.
She sighed. "Why do I have to wear a uniform."
The twins grinned evilly, "Mommy's orders!" Is all they said before shoving her into the changing room and tossing a package in after her.
"Of course it was Kyouya," She mumbled as she slipped out of her horrifically yellow dress and into the racecar costume. "I should've expected he would do something like this."
She finished zipping the front and turned to see how it looked. The full body suit was mostly black with small cherry blossoms on the side of her legs and arms. On the back where it would normally display the sponsor of a real racecar driver was 'Ouran Host Club' in fancy script. Her suit was trimmed in a soft blue. Emi had designed the costume so each suit resembled each other but had unique characteristics, the main one being a different color trim. Each was a soft shade of a color that she thought reflected the character of the wearer. The twins both had orange, Hani-senpai had pink, Mori-senpai had purple, Tamaki had red, Haruhi had green, and Kyouya had navy.
~Stupid twins. They probably gave me blue on purpose.~ Despite being by herself she felt a flutter of embarrassment and- though she would never admit it- was excited that she matched with Kyouya. Although she designed the outfit, the twins offered to make them. She had not argued because although she had dabbled in sewing she was only a novice in comparison to the two first years.
"Done yet?" She heard Kyouya ask mockingly from the opposite side of the curtain. Slowly she crept over to the curtain and before he could make a sound she grabbed him and pulled him into the changing room. She pinned him against the wall and clapped a hand over his mouth so he didn't make any noise.
"So I heard this was
idea, hm?" She asked in fake anger, standing on her toes so she could get into his face.
His previously shocked eyes relaxed and he pressed back against her. She felt his mouth form a smile under her hand and he gave a short nod.
Suddenly aware of how intimate their position was, Emi tried to pull back but stopped when a hand grabbed her upper thigh and brought her back to him. She gasped and released her hold. In a flash he had switched positions with her and now she was backed up against the wall.
"Trying to be sneaky are we?" He asked huskily in her ear, putting his body flush against her own.
~I might just die right now.~ She felt every ridge in his body due to the close proximity and the thin material of the suit. ~Oh god I hope he doesn't feel my bra, that would be embarrassing. Then again that's probably why he's doing this.~ Her thought process slammed to a stop when she felt his lips lightly trail up her neck.
"Hah, K-Kyouya, wha- whattareya doin?" She breathed, overwhelmed by the sensation he was producing.
She could practically feel his smug smile as he nestled his head into the crook between her neck and shoulder.
"You're so cold to everyone else. Do you just save this creepy side for me?" She asked, gaining her ability to breathe back.
"It didn't sound like you were creeped out a minute ago." He replied haughtily, not moving from his place practically on top of her.
She let out a dramatic sigh but internally relished in his closeness. Ever since the kiss on Monday they had not had a 'moment' as Emi liked to refer to it. They held hands when they were sure no guests would catch them but that had been less of a thrill and more of a chore.
Subconsciously she leaned her head on his shoulder and wrapped her hands around his broad back.
~Kyouya is pretty fit for a guy that stares at computers all day.~ Through the racecar costume she could feel his muscles and she couldn't help running her hands along them.
He sighed, which tickled, and nudged his head deeper into her hair. She responded with placing a light kiss on his neck and resting her head on his shoulder.
She closed her eyes, ~I wish we could stay like this forever.~
"Emi are you done yet?"
"Yah, what's taking so long?"
Emi slipped out of Kyouya's grip and pretended to be staring at herself in the mirror and Kyouya leaned against the wall nonchalantly when the twins entered the changing room.
"I wasn't sure with the fit and I wanted a second opinion." Emi said to answer the twins' questioning looks.
They looked at each other and shrugged before redirecting their attention back to the two second years.
"Tamaki is ready to start." They said calmly before leaving to torture the blonde.
Emi flashed a smile at Kyouya who returned it steadily. They walked out to the courtyard hand-in-hand.
Emi was proud of how the event turned out. She found specific foods that would be served at a racecar event such as funnel cakes and nachos and Ouran-ized them. Instead of greasy commoner food they now looked like gourmet treats and the guests were lapping them up. Tires were scattered around the courtyard and acted as seating. She had even orchestrated a real race car (as Tamaki had requested) to be present so the girls could sit in it with their host of choice.
"It looks good," Kyouya said softly, "For your first time at least."
She laughed lightly and punched him in the shoulder before leaving to greet her guests.
The club time passed quickly. Mid-way through Emi stood to collect refreshments for her guests.
"Excuse me ladies, I will be right back with some tea."
"Oh, allow me Sugita-san!" One of the girls called, rushing to grab the tray before her.
Emi released a polite giggle, "If you say so, my dear," She sat back down and patiently waited.
"Here you go- OH NO!" The girl, in her rush to please Emi, had tripped on her long yellow uniform and sent a wave of tea directly on Emi.
Emi flinched but did not make a noise as the hot liquid burned her through the costume. After a few moments to collect herself she opened her eyes and gave the distressed girl a smile, "It was an accident, don't worry about it. If you all will excuse me I am just going to slip into something more appropriate."
All the girls who had encircled her during the incident stepped back and allowed her to leave.
As Emi left she made eye contact with Kyouya and he cast a questioning glance. She shook her head and smiled to defuse his curiosity before entering the building once again.
She walked into the third music room and continued to the back room. Once she closed the doors she immediately began to strip. Confident no one would bother her while club was still in full swing she stood in the middle of the room with a bra and underwear as she searched for her Ouran uniform. With the scalding uniform off she was finally able to breathe. ~Why are hormone-ridden girls so klutzy?~ She thought.
"There you are!" She said to herself when she found her dress balled up in the corner where she left it. She dragged it back to the center of the room where her shoes were and prepared to enter it.
As she lifted her leg to stick it into the garment the door burst open and there stood an embarrassed Haruhi. Within a second Emi had recovered from her shock and thrown up her soiled racecar costume to block Haruhi's vision. When it fell Emi was no where to be seen.
~Why does it always have to be her?!~ Emi thought madly as she threw on her Ouran uniform in one of the changing rooms. With her poufy dress firmly attached to her body she pushed past the curtain and faced Haruhi.
"I-I, I'm sorry- you scars, are you? What are, how, what has happened to you?" Haruhi stuttered, overwhelmed by the state Emi's body was in.
"You have seen one of my deepest secrets." Emi said coldly, instinct kicking in. "You will never reveal what you have seen. For the safety of yourself and your friends you will forget it and never speak of it again."
Haruhi nodded rapidly with huge eyes.
~I knew this was a mistake. I should never have gotten so close to her.~ Emi thought, her heart being ripped apart inside. She walked over to Haruhi and was hurt when she flinched away when she touched her shoulders. Instead of releasing her, Emi drew her into a warm hug.
"I'm sorry, Haruhi. No one has ever seen me like that and it terrifies me that something could ever happen to you." She whispered, leaning her head on Haruhi's, taking advantage of her superior height. "Please, you are like a sister to me and I just want to keep you safe."
Haruhi's arms encircled Emi's waist and drew her close. "It's okay. I don't know why you can't talk about it but if you ever need to talk to someone, or need a place to stay, I'm always here for you. I know my dad would say the same thing, he's crazy about you."
Emi allowed her words to sooth her hurting heart, ~I wish I could, Haruhi, I wish I could.~ With a squeeze she released Haruhi and held her at arm's length.
"Thank you, that means a lot."
Haruhi smiled at her, "Do you want to stay for dinner after club? My dad is working late but it would be fine with just us two."
"I shouldn't, but thank you." Emi said softly, ~I probably need to break away from her.~
"I asked it like a question but it was more of a command. You're eating dinner with me." Haruhi said stubbornly with a bright smile on her face,
~So cuteee.~ "Eh... Haruhi-"
"I don't want to hear it, my mind is set!" Haruhi cut off,
Emi smiled sadly, "Fine. Then we're going out to dinner, my treat."
Haruhi rolled her eyes, "Well I need to find Tamaki's fake racecar trophy before he goes off his rocker entirely."
Emi giggled and helped her find it before the two girls exited the music room. ~She is so forgiving, so open. How does she do that?"
The remaining club time passed quickly. Before Emi knew it she and Haruhi were racing down the highway in Olivier, blasting music. They dined at a nice (but not too nice otherwise or Haruhi would have protested) sushi restaurant. Haruhi had fancy tuna and Emi took videos of her reaction to the tasty meal.
Emi pulled up to Haruhi's apartment later that night and gave her another hug. "Thank you."
"For what?" Haruhi said,
"Everything, I guess." Emi responded with a smile. "By the way, will you do a favor for me?"
"Sure, what is it?" Haruhi said,
"Take a selfie with me!" Emi responded excitedly, whipping her phone out,
"You are such a girl." Haruhi said straight faced.
"Oh shush." Emi said turning in her seat to get both of their faces in the frame. Just as she was about to take it a voice called out to them.
"Haruhiiiiiiiiii! Emiiiiiiiiiii! Daddy is home!"
Ranka ran over to the car on Haruhi's side and jumped up in down in delight, "My two favorite girls having a date night, how sweeeeet! What are you up to Emi-chan?"
"I was about to take a picture with Haruhi, would you like to be in it?" Emi said happily,
"Oh I don't know..." Ranka said, suddenly self-conscious,
"Pretty please?" Emi said, ignoring Haruhi's giggle.
"Oh I suppose!" Ranka said before leaning down by Haruhi and smiling.
As Emi drove home she recalled the picture. It was only their three faces with no major background. ~Nothing that can be tracked. I'm selfish but I won't put them in any more danger than they need to be.~ When she got home she looked at her new lock screen on her smartphone. The smiling faces made her happy but a wave of sadness extinguished it. ~Eventually this may be all I have of them. I will treasure it.~ She thought darkly. ~My time to disappear gets closer every day I stay with them.~