"Hey, Etsu, tell us again why you moved from France so suddenly." Hikaru and Kaoru ask together as I'm visiting the host club the next day.
"My grandmother invited us." I laugh, as if they should've remembered.
"Yes, we remember that – " Kaoru says.
"But why leave so quickly? You could have easily waited until the end of term." Hikaru finishes. I look down and fiddle with my dress nervously.
"There was also an urgent matter to attend to here." I mumble a little. It is not something I want to share. But now my mind is on it. The true reason I'm here. My eyes start to well up with tears. "Excuse me." I stand up abruptly and start to rush towards the door. But in my haste, I trip. I throw my arms out in front of me as my face nears the ground.
Suddenly, arms wrap around my waist, hindering my fall, then setting me upright again. I spin around quickly to see who caught me and find my face very close to Hikaru's. Too close. I blush and back a few steps away.
"Thank you, Hikaru." I say gratefully.
"You're welcome." He smiles.
"We didn't mean to upset you." Kaoru chimes in.
"I'm sorry I reacted so badly, there's just a delicate situation going on right now." I smile, fully regaining my composure. "I must excuse myself. I will come by tomorrow." I say sweetly, then exit gracefully, contrary to my previous attempt to leave. I find my way outside and lean against one of the tall, stone columns, breathing heavily in an attempt not to cry.
"Is everything alright?" A female voice asks and I look up to see Ryoko coming towards me, her long hair catching in the wind and blowing behind her. It's no wonder she still gets love confessions even though she's engaged.
"I'm fine." I pull myself together again and smile.
"Ah, I'm quite good at faking a smile too, you know." She says in a knowing tone. "I won't inquire further."
"Thank you." I sigh with relief. The more people ask, the more it upsets me. I think back to how I tripped in the host club. How embarrassing. At least Hikaru caught me. I blush a little at the thought. Kaoru said I was perfect for Hikaru, but I can't think of why. Hikaru is always plotting cruel pranks and things like that – not my style at all.
"Is there something on your mind?" Ryoko asks with a light laugh. I blush a little further. I forgot she was there.
"Nothing, it's just something Kaoru said." I shrug.
"Kaoru?"
"Yes, he said Hikaru thinks he's in love with Haruhi, but in reality I'm perfect for him."
"So Kaoru told you Haruhi is a girl?" Ryoko frowns.
"Oh…yeah he did." I bite my lip, realizing I probably shouldn't have mentioned that.
"Kyoya-senpai will not be happy about that, but on the other hand…" She says thoughtfully, then her face lights up a little, but in a more devious manner than a happy one. "Kyoya's been pushing for Tamaki to realize his feelings for Haruhi for a while, it would be good for Hikaru to be out of the running." She muses.
"You're just like Kyoya-senpai." I shake my head.
"Of course, that's why we get along." She smiles brightly. "In all seriousness, I'd consider Hikaru. He and Kaoru have a lot of fun with all their pranking, but they're really both very nice."
"But Ryoko, there's a difference between considering Hikaru and getting Hikaru to consider me." I sigh. "If he's that fixated on Haruhi…"
"You underestimate yourself." Ryoko smirks. "They flirt with so many girls in the host club. Maybe, just once, try flirting back." With that, she walks away, her long hair flowing behind her. She seems so confident in everything she does, but we all have secrets, and I have to wonder, what is she hiding?
I come into class the next day, thinking about what Ryoko said yesterday. Maybe I'll try what she said.
"Hey, Etsu." Hikaru and Kaoru come close to me, Hikaru bringing his lips to my right ear and Kaoru bringing his to my left.
"Being twins is great because – " Hikaru starts the sentence.
"There can be two of us loving you at the same time." Kaoru finishes. This is probably a popular line of theirs and I smile. I turn to the right and look Hikaru directly in the eyes.
"But what if I only want one of you?" Surprise crosses his face, then a slight blush. Kaoru chokes back a laugh on my left. Haruhi, who is right by us, looks up in surprise. They don't even know how to respond. "I apologize, was I too forward?" I giggle. Hikaru blushes a little further, and Kaoru starts to laugh.
"E-Etsu, what're you – "
"Oh, never mind." I smile, waving Hikaru off. "I'll see you tomorrow." I laugh and walk over to my seat next to Ryoko.
"That was rather bold." She laughs.
"I was following your suggestion." I giggle.
As we're on our way to lunch, an arm grabs me and holds me back from the rest of the students. I turn to see Hikaru is the one who intercepted my path.
"Etsu, what exactly – "
"Hikaru, I was just teasing you. I know you love Haruhi." I laugh a little.
"How did you know about that?" He gasps.
"Kaoru told me."
"Figures. I'll kill him later." Hikaru replies sarcastically.
"I think I'll just continue to class then." I laugh.
"Wait." I stop. "I think Haruhi is in love with Tamaki." He says.
"Are you trying to say that – " Hikaru covers his mouth with mine before I can finish speaking, and I gasp. He pulls away quickly and my fingers fly to my lips.
"I-I don't know why I did that." He admits, running a hand through his hair. I look away.
"You stole my first kiss and you don't know why?" I ask, my tone slightly accusatory. He looks up in surprise. I walk up to him so we are almost touching and look up at him. "Next time, know why." I say quietly. Then continue down the hall to the cafeteria.