"Explain." Kyouya ordered, looking at Haruhi.
"She got called away on a business trip. It was last minute and urgent, we won't be able to reach her until she gets back." She said slowly,
"When does she get back." He asked,
Haruhi looked at him for a moment, appearing to consider how to phrase her response.
"In three months." Kaoru said abruptly,
"Three months?!" Kyouya said, "What business trip takes three months and prevents contacting your friends?"
"She was very upset about it." Hani said quietly, "When she got the call it was if she turned into another person. She acted... cold."
Kyouya nodded, he had seen that cold response before. She had grown distant and lost her warm glow when she was told off by that group of snobby girls when the Mori-Emi gossip was circulating. It was like she lost all compassion leaving only an empty shell.
"How is she expected to finish her studies?" Kyouya mumbled, scrambling to find some excuse that would expose this lie.
"She didn't say." Hani, said sadly, "But she left you this on my car." He added, holding out a letter.
"We just wanted to stop by and see how you were doing. We'll see you tomorrow" Haruhi said, smiling softly down at him.
Everyone trickled out quietly, the only sound was the shuffling of feet across the premium carpet floor. ~It must be serious if everyone leaves so easily...~
Kyouya slid down and returned to a laying position. He held the envelope above him, analyzing the cursive writing on the envelope. The handwriting was definitely Emi's, he had seen it so often it was engraved in his mind.
His lamp was the only source of light in the room and the soft yellow glow cast an eerie shadow on the parchment in his hands.
~I can't explain it, but I don't want to open it.~ he thought, ~This is ridiculous, I shouldn't be afraid of a stupid letter!~
Determined, he ripped open the tab and pulled out the paper inside. Again he paused.
~What would she have to tell me that the others couldn't know about. What is she so worried about sharing?~
Kyouya's mind was going a million miles a minute, thinking out probabilities and situations, all the while looking at the folded sheet of paper held above his head.
After a few minutes of speculation he ended up staring blankly at the letter. ~It's just a letter.~ he thought, repeating it to himself over and over again. He beat the mantra into his skull, mulling it over as if eventually it would mean something else.
After an unknown measure of time he slowly moved his hand and pressed the folded paper flat. Inside was a short message in Emi's cursive handwriting:
Dear Kyouya,
I apologize for last night, my actions were inexcusable. I understand if you don't want to see me again but if you want to talk leave your bedroom window open at 19:00.
Emi
Kyouya's eyes widened and looked at his watch, already noting how dark it was outside.
The LED numbers 651 on his bedside clock stared back at him and he sighed with relief.
Slowly he extracting himself from his bed. Only when he was on his feet did he remember how weak he was. The journey to the window was a difficult one and lasted much longer than he expected.
~Why is my room so damn big.~ He thought angrily as he dragged himself along the wall. He glanced down when he reached it and saw seven minutes had passed.
~Emi is punctual. I need to hurry.~
He clawed at the lock and pried the window from its seams. He heard some cracking and the window slowly began to open.
~I really never open these, do I.~ he thought, cursing his frail state and the sticky window.
Another short glance to his wrist told him he had a minute to open the window and it was only half way up.
Kyouya inhaled deeply and put more effort into pushing and suddenly it slid all the way up to the latch and locked open.
"Emi." He whispered,
Emi hung outside his window, one hand still on the ledge. Lithe as a cat she entered the room and stood before Kyouya. She was dressed in an all black body suit that appeared thick yet flexible.
"Hey." She breathed, holding her arms tight to her chest and looking straight into his eyes.
He could've melted under their glare, her bright green eyes piercing his very soul. They were determined but he found they were filled with something he hadn't seen in a weeks- regret.
"Why did you blame yourself in the letter?" Kyouya asked slowly,
Emi broke eye contact and looked at the ground, "I knew there was something wrong with that drink. I let my guard down and you got hurt, I can't apologize enough for that."
"Emi," Kyouya said, reaching out and grabbing her shoulders, "My team said you acted immediately and prevented severe consequences from that drug. You knew what to do with hesitation and that saved me from a lot of the effects. You have nothing to apologize for." He finished his speech by wrapping her in his arms. He felt her rigid body go lax and melt into him.
"I have to leave, Kyouya."
"I know." He whispered back, "But why can't you contact us? What about school?"
Emi pulled back slightly but stayed within his reach.
"My parents are extremely strict on outside communication when I'm on business trips. All calls are monitored and controlled. I'll finish my exams over the summer and don't worry, I'll pass up Tamaki." She smiled up at him and he couldn't help accepting her words.
He placed his fingertips on her jaw and tipped her head back so he could plant a kiss on her lips. She responded passionately and they lost themselves to the feeling of each other, if only for a few minutes. Kyouya closed his eyes and relished the young woman in front of him, accepting that this would be the last time he saw her for months.
Emi let go first, "I have to go now. I love you Kyouya."
Kyouya slowly opened his eyes but didn't find Emi in front of him. The room was empty and the open window was his only companion. He walked to the window and peered out over the yard.
"I love you too, Emi."
o0o
Kyouya sat in his bed for a while staring blankly at an open book. Eventually a maid called on him for dinner which he denied and returned to staring.
A second maid came to his room and provided a summon from his father. Alert, Kyouya stood and quickly prepared himself for the visit. Within a matter of minutes he was out of pajamas and into his classic button up and tie with his hair combed and face clean.
He couldn't help his heart rate increase as he walked the long hallway. It wasn't often that he saw his father and being summoned was an even rarer occurrence. If he were to conclude the reason behind this visit it was highly likely to be another comparison of worth between him and his brothers.
Kyouya arrived at the large wood door of his father's office and rapped on the surface to request entry.
"Come in." A low voice from within said.
Kyouya entered the room with grace and seated himself in front of his father's desk. Ootori-San sat regal and sophisticated in his leather chair behind the mahogany desk.
"Hello father."
Ootori Yoshi merely nodded in reply before grasping the paper he had previously been observing, stood up, and opened a nearby filing cabinet to deposit the document.
"Usually I am aware of a romantic relationship blossoming with one of my sons." He said gruffly,
Kyouya froze in his seat, ~Where is this going…~
"But it was not until I was tipped off by a maid that a young woman has been spending time here that such a relationship had occurred without my knowledge."
Yoshio returned to the desk and took his seat.
"I was then told by the chauffeur that a message was left for you by her last night after your incident. You are now going to explain to me why your are affiliated with this girl and why you don't believe she is a danger to you."
~There is no escaping it now I guess.~
Kyouya took a deep breathe in, then out, and began the tale of their relationship. He began explaining her missing file and his mission to complete his collection of information. With slight modifications to avoid complete embarrassment he gave a detailed overview of the last few months. In all honesty he wanted to hear his father's opinion on the subject so other than the moments of intimacy, no memory was left unspoken. After over an hour reminiscence, Kyouya concluded his story. The one thing he did choose to omit was Emi's surprise visit. He wasn't exactly sure how to confront that himself and didn't think his dad would handle it well.
Ootori-San had been silent throughout Kyouya's speech and sat in his chair studying his son.
"You are in relations with a girl despite knowing nothing about her family, her history, or her future? Have I truly raised an imbecile?" He said coldly,
"Father, I know from her habits and personality that she was raised highborn and taught proper etiquette. Her family, history, and future can not be so barren if she has such good characteristics." Kyouya responded, trying to thaw his father,
"And what of the bruises and late night meetings? What proper lady has those kind of characteristics? She is no good and I forbid you to be with her."
Something in Kyouya's mind snapped slightly and anger oozed into him. Before he could regain control of his tongue a comment slipped out.
"It doesn't matter anyways, she's gone."
"She's gone?" His father asked, a note of surprise entering his voice.
"Yes. She has left for a business trip with her parents for the next three months. They prohibit any form of communication until she returns so your wish will be followed. Is there anything else you need from me today?" He responded, subconsciously mimicking the same cold tone his father had used moments before.
Yoshio leaned back in his chair and studied his son .
"She has left during the school year for this business trip?"
"Yes."
"How does she expect to pass junior year?"
"She said she would complete her exams during the trip."
"How?"
"She didn't say."
"When did she tell you this?"
"It was in the letter."
"Are you able to contact her?"
"No, her communications have cut off since last night."
"And she gave no warning of this trip."
"Father she is very shy when it comes to details of her family. Convincing her to open up to me was difficult as is and I still know nothing about her family as we have already covered. I assume she would have told me of this departure earlier but I can't be sure."
"Do you love her?"
Kyouya paused. His mind went into overdrive and tried to make a logical connection on why his objective father would ask such a subjective question.
"I don't see how that is relevant." He answered slowly,
"If my son has developed feelings, and earned feelings in return, for a woman at the top of her class, who has enough intellectuality to evade his most elaborate research plans, and forgoes summer break for business, there is little I can do to prevent his relationship."
Kyouya stared blankly at his father.
"I will permit your dating but I am taking over investigation on her family. You may date but no son of mine will wed a woman without knowing her history. Court her if you choose but nothing will come out of it until we know more on her. It appears I have three months before she returns to learn about this Sugita Emi and I expect you to continue your digging. Now return to your room, tomorrow is a school day. I expect you to score high again on the upcoming exams, just as your brothers have."
And with that Ootori Kyouya had regained the father he was used to.
Kyouya stood and bowed his head respectively,
"Thank you, father."
Ootori-san nodded slightly in reply then returned to paperwork.
Kyouya walked out of the office and closed the door properly. Once he was sure no one would see him, a large smile blossomed on his face. He walked to his wing of the house with a bit of spring in his step.
~I really must be losing it!~ He thought happily as he entered his bedroom and made his way towards the open window.
"We have a chance, Emi. We can be something more than I could ever hope for and you don't even know it yet!" A laugh erupted from his lips and he let it roll out and fill the air around him.
"I love you Sugita Emi, wherever you are. "
Above him stars shone down and even though he knew the next few months would be hard, the outcome would be worth it.