After their math class, Hikaru was a mess of emotions. All week he continued to process his newly realized feelings for Airisu. It was way too early for him to really be in love, right? It had taken him quite a long time to realize his feelings for Haruhi, even taking for Kaoru to straight up tell him that he was in love to realize it.

But this was different. Hikaru now knew what love felt like, and how he reacted to it. The way he felt with Airisu, the irritated feelings he got when other boys like Hiroto or Rentaro spoke to her, were all the same ones he had felt with Haruhi. In fact, he was positive that he had fallen for Haruhi just as quickly, he just hadn't realized it. Now the same was happening with Airisu, the only difference being his ability to identify his feelings.

As their dress shoes clicked down the hallway, Hikaru glanced at his brother. To be honest, he'd never kept anything from Kaoru for this long, and yet he couldn't bring himself to admit his feelings to him. With Haruhi, both brothers had fallen at the same time, and Kaoru quickly figured out Hikaru's feelings without the need for Hikaru to tell him. This time, Hikaru was sure Kaoru suspected his feelings, but he felt worried about the idea of telling him, he just wasn't sure why.

Not to mention his whole thing with Rentaro was extremely stressful. The fact was, Hikaru had failed. He was supposed to get close enough to Airisu for her to confide in him, yet she never had. Now the only thing left to do was the backup plan Kaoru and Kyoya had been working on.

So, the Hitachiin brothers waited outside Airisu's music class to escort her to lunch. Essentially, Kaoru explained that they would follow Airisu to her meeting with Rentaro. Once caught in the act, they would confront Rentaro and force him to attend questioning with the Ootori family's private police force. Rentaro would be forced to sign an agreement to keep Airisu's secret forever. The host club would be Airisu's heroes, saving her from this terrible situation.

However, when Airisu didn't appear outside of her music class, Hikaru was a nervous wreck. "She must've left her class earlier than we anticipated," he said to Kaoru as they glanced at the empty music room.

Kaoru replied, "Don't worry! We know they're meeting in the instrument room like last time. Let's just head there. Alright? Plan B is already in motion. Kyoya-senpai just texted me that everything is in order. Airisu can't possibly get hurt today."

Hikaru's head was spinning. What would Rentaro ask of her? He should've stopped Airisu before it even got to his point! The fact was, Airisu was putting herself alone with a boy that had complete power over her. Anything could happen. And Hikaru would do anything in his power to stop it.

Kaoru and Hikaru rushed to the instrument storage room, both surprised to find it empty. Hikaru began to shake. "Where is she?"

Kaoru frowned. "It's possible she isn't here yet. Maybe we should wait a few minutes."

Hikaru paced back and forth across the room, stewing. His chest felt tight. What if they weren't meeting here? They didn't have a few minutes! Airisu could be in danger now!

He opened his mouth to say something to Kaoru, when the door behind them opened. Both of them turned to see the class rep, cello case in hand, open the door.

Hikaru grabbed Kazukiyo by the shoulders, practically screaming in his face, "Have you seen Airisu?"

Kaoru immediately pulled his brother off the terrified student. "Sorry, class rep. We just have something important to tell her, that's all."

Kazukiyo, taking a few steps back from Hikaru, simply replied, "I believe I saw her head further down this hallway a few minutes ago. I'm not sure where she was going at this time of day. Maybe she wanted a private place to practice, but she didn't have her violin case with her."

Kaoru and Hikaru's eyes both widened. She had to be meeting with Rentaro somewhere else! They both pushed past class rep without a word, forgetting formalities in this desperate situation. As they got further down the hall, having no idea where Airisu was, they began opening and shutting doors, before finally arriving at the fencing club's changing area. They both pushed it open to see Rentaro and Airisu.

Hikaru's eyes widened, shocked at what he saw. Everyone froze. A camera was set up on a tripod, aimed at a shirtless Rentaro and Airisu wearing a skimpy, pink robe, pulled down past her shoulders. Both parties stared at the brothers in shock. It was extremely clear what was happening.

Rentaro was the first to snap out of it. "Please, leave. This is completely inappropriate; she isn't even dressed."

Hikaru saw red, rushed forward, and punched Rentaro in the face, screaming, "You monster!"

As blood began to trickle from Rentaro's nose, Kaoru, who had purposely positioned himself between Rentaro and Airisu, tapped Hikaru's arm, snapping Hikaru out of his rage.

"I think we have him cornered. There's no reason to hit him again," the younger Hitachiin brother said quietly. "Let Kyoya-senpai's men deal with him."

Hikaru breathed deeply, but left Rentaro alone, instead turning to Airisu, who had tears streaming down her cheeks. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" Hikaru asked her.

"I'm fine," Airisu said, but her shoulders tensed up. She pulled up the sleeves of her robe to cover herself more, cheeks and chest red. He could see the tears still fresh in her eyes as she asked, "Why are you here?"

Both Hitachiin brothers' jaws dropped. Hikaru, pulling his hands off her, said, "We just saved you, and all you can ask is why we're here?!"

Airisu paled. "This is private business."

Kaoru simply asked, "Why are you alone with Rentaro, dressed like that?"

Airisu's redness spread from her cheeks to her entire face. She subconsciously pulled her robe even tighter. Her eyes shifted, and her voice wavered as she pathetically explained, "I gave him permission. Please, leave us alone."

Leave her alone? After all the effort they just put into helping her out? Hikaru lost it. "You gave him permission? What were you thinking? And down here all alone with a boy...seriously?"

"It's not what it looks like," Airisu insisted.

Rentaro, sleeve over his nose, glared at Airisu, seeming to have snapped out of his stupor, said angrily to her, "Our agreement was that you come alone. I'll ensure the information is published by all the local newspapers and magazines by tomorrow."

Hikaru, forgetting his confusion at Airisu, turned and pulled Rentaro up by the shirt. "I'll kill you if any word of it gets out." Kaoru stepped behind him to make it clear that, if Rentaro fought Hikaru, it would be two against one.

Airisu stared at the Hitachiin brothers, quivering. "Do...do you know it? Has word gotten out?"

Kaoru shook his head, eyes compassionate. "No, we have no idea what information Rentaro has."

She sighed in relief. Hikaru, still fuming, still holding Rentaro's shirt, asked, "So are you allowing yourself to be blackmailed?"

Airisu sighed. "I don't have a choice. Please, Hikaru, if you knew, you'd understand."

Hikaru dropped Rentaro, fully turning to Airisu, "Then tell me! Why haven't you told anyone?!"

"I can't. It can't get out. I can't trust anyone with the secret."

The words felt like she was cutting into him. She didn't trust him, despite all the effort he'd been putting into their friendship. Just like Haruhi refused him even after he tried to improve himself, Airisu was rejecting him. Forget his newly realized feelings, Airisu didn't even like him as a friend. Kaoru put his hand on his brother's shoulder, but Hikaru shrugged it off.

The group was interrupted by the door opening again. This time, Kyoya entered with Honey and Mori intimidatingly standing behind him. Kyoya had the presence of a mob boss, making it clear by a simple step forward that he was the most powerful person in the room.

This was Plan B.

Glasses flashed as Kyoya began his preposition. "Rentaro, you are to come with me immediately for a meeting with my private police force. You could, of course, refuse, but, considering that you broke Ouran's code of conduct by engaging in blackmail, you would certainly be expelled from the school by tomorrow morning. Talking to my father's men may prevent that from happening. The choice is yours."

Meaning, Rentaro really had no choice. The boy, coerced, had no choice but to oblige, following the Shadow King back out of the room. Rentaro shot Airisu one last, cold look. Kaoru leaned against the wall, looking concerned, but glanced at Hikaru to see what his brother would say next. Typically, in situations like this, the brothers would be moving and thinking simultaneously. Yet this time, Kaoru was purposely removing himself from the action, instead allowing Hikaru to make his own decisions. If the situation wasn't so dire, perhaps Hikaru would have noticed the sadness in the corners of Kaoru's eyes.

Airisu, however, looked alarmed. "Where are they taking Rentaro?"

Hikaru glared at her. "To negotiate. He'll be forcibly kept quiet, don't worry. Kyoya will ensure that."

"They can't do that!" Airisu said, stepping towards the door.

Hikaru grabbed her hand. "Are you crazy or something?"

Airisu forcibly pulled her hand away. "You idiots! Can't you tell that Rentaro is just as desperate as I am?"

She rushed behind one of the curtains, pulling it shut. Hikaru blindly followed, opening it. "You can't hide from us! How rude!"

He froze as he saw she had dropped her robe, seeing that she was merely in her underwear. Airisu demanded, "Get out!"

"S-sorry."

Oh. She had gone there to change. Hikaru shut the curtain, feeling the blood rush to his face. Airisu must think he's a pervert! He took a deep breath in and out before making eye contact with Kaoru, who was earnestly staring at him. Is this how Bossanova felt when he'd walked in on Haruhi?

The Hitachiin brothers were rarely silent as they waited for Airisu, Hikaru sweating like crazy. When she came out, she continued, "There was no reason for you to interfere."

Hikaru registered her words, but was beginning to lose his temper. How stupid was she? "There was a reason! Don't you understand, Airisu? You were alone down here with a boy! Anything could have happened! Do you get that? You shouldn't have put yourself at risk like that!" Why wouldn't she understand?

Airisu, hot tears releasing from her eyes, yelled, "SHUT UP!"

Hikaru shouted back, "YOU ACT LIKE YOU WANTED TO PLEASURE RENTARO!"

Kaoru gasped. "Hikaru…"

Airisu slapped Hikaru across the face. "Mind. Your. Own. Business." And she rushed out of the room.

Hikaru stood there, completely shocked at what had just happened, lifting his hand to the place Airisu hit. They'd put so much time and effort into ensuring her safety...and all she'd done is slap him? He punched the wall suddenly, staining it with the drops of Rentaro's blood that had remained on his hand.

"Hikaru…" Kaoru repeated as he embraced his brother.

Hikaru burst into tears in his brother's arms. "Kaoru…"

After a few moments he took in a breath. "Kaoru. What have I done? I've ruined everything with Airisu!" He suddenly panicked, breathing quickly, realizing the gravity of what he'd just said to her. The gravity of losing his temper. Again.

"You know, you reminded me a little of Milord with what you said to Airisu. Do you remember when we went to the beach and Haruhi tried to defend some of the girls from those aggressive locals? Milord was upset with Haruhi for putting herself at risk like that with a bunch of boys."

"But this is different! Haruhi was naive to the danger. Airisu was choosing to do this, knowing full well what would happen! And when we came to protect her, she didn't care!"

Kaoru sighed. "I'm not sure why she acted like that. The only reason I can think of is if she's upset that we didn't tell her that we were going to interfere."

"That must be it."

Hikaru felt like he wanted to disappear. What was he thinking? He should have told her the truth from the beginning, that Kaoru and him had seen her with Rentaro. Then maybe they could've worked something out with her. Then she wouldn't hate him right now. Hikaru felt as if he'd just plunged off a cliff.

But Airisu was so ungrateful! She'd been putting herself at risk and the host club took time and resources to stop it. He couldn't understand where she was coming from! Could...could Airisu possibly have feelings for Rentaro?

The thought made Hikaru sick.

Airisu rushed to the club room, where Kyoya had pulled Rentaro for questioning from his private police force. Kyoya stood outside, arms crossed, notebook tucked under his arm. Even though Kyoya dressed in his uniform as any other student, he seemed to stand out from the whimsical architecture of the academy. Despite the fear she felt for Rentaro, somehow Kyoya was way scarier, if she had her normal senses. But right now she didn't care.

"Kyoya-senpai!" Airisu said, "Please, tell me what's going on."

She tried her best to contain her tears, but a few sobs escaped. Kyoya looked down at her, his look restrained, yet she swore she saw slight compassion behind his lenses.

"Rentaro is simply being persuaded to sign a legal agreement that he won't ever release the information."

"Does your father know you're using his men for this?" Airisu demanded.

"Of course he is privy to all the maneuverings of his private police."

Airisu's heart skipped a beat. No! "Did he talk to my father about it? Please, tell me!"

"Not to my knowledge."

"Please, Kyoya-senpai, he can't say anything to my father. Please. He can't know that I have any information, or that any of this happened. Please, help me!"

Kyoya rubbed his chin. "I believe your request is possible, albeit difficult."

Airisu took in a few breaths. She needed to calm down. All of this was happening so fast, and nobody had bothered to consult her about it. No matter the cost, her father couldn't find out about this. Any indication that Airisu was hiding something was too dangerous. He may guess what had happened, and then Airisu's family would be broken apart. There was so much at stake!

Tamaki stepped outside of the club room, coming over and flashing a sad smile at Airisu. Unlike Kyoya, he seemed to perfectly fit in with the school's decor. His arrival also reminded her that there were other affairs she had to attend to as well. She wiped her cheek with her hand.

"As the host club, your job is to ensure that every girl is happy, right?" Airisu asked, making eye contact with Tamaki, fully knowing that he would be the most easily manipulated of the two.

Tamaki grasped her arms. "Yes, my dear. What is it you desire?"

Airisu looked down. "I need you to help Rentaro."

Tamaki released his arms suddenly, mouth forming an "o" at her words. She noticed Kyoya, who had taken his notebook out again, had stopped writing.

"Why are you trying to help him?" Tamaki finally asked. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't he been threatening you?"

"Yes, but only because his circumstances require him to."

Kyoya pushed up his glasses. "Please explain."

Airisu continued. "My father bought out Rentaro's father's company about a year ago. It was an amicable business deal, with his family being paid handsomely. But his parents didn't know how to manage their new fortune and they soon became bankrupt. He won't be able to afford the tuition for Ouran Academy next semester. His plan was to blackmail me until he could finish school. Threatening expulsion to him doesn't matter-he's already leaving Ouran Academy if nothing changes."

Kyoya replied, "Despite his personal circumstances, blackmail is inexcusable. We won't be helping him."

Airisu's heart skipped a beat. Kyoya was certainly the more practical leader of the club. She turned to Tamaki. "Tamaki-senpai, please help me."

Tamaki's eyes filled with tears. "Kyoya…"

"No."

"But-"

"It is out of the question."

Airisu hugged herself with her arms. She was so scared of what might happen to herself. To Rentaro. There was still so much on the line!

Haruhi urgently walked up to them after turning the corner in the hallway, her eyes wider than normal. "Are they speaking with Rentaro now?"

"Yes," Tamaki said, still glancing at Kyoya in hopes he would change his mind.

Haruhi approached Airisu, genuine concern on her face. "How are you feeling?"

Airisu took in a breath. "I'm barely holding it together. Haruhi, I want to help Rentaro. But I can't do it by myself. I need the host club."

"Help Rentaro? But I thought…" Haruhi trailed off, as if she were thinking of the best way to say it. "Kaoru explained that he and Hikaru saw you meeting with Rentaro last week. Our host club was under the impression that Rentaro has been blackmailing you."

Airisu's breath caught in her throat. Hikaru and Kaoru saw her with Rentaro last week? Her hands started shaking. How could Hikaru have seen her and not said anything? That selfish jerk!

But she had to explain what was happening to Haruhi. "Rentaro was...is… blackmailing me. But it's not that simple."

"What do you mean?"

Tamaki explained for Airisu. "Rentaro can't afford tuition next semester and would use the funds from Airisu's family to stay at Ouran."

Haruhi put her hand to her mouth. "Oh."

Airisu nodded, unable to speak. What must the host club think of her? Rentaro has put her through so much and yet...she couldn't help but worry about him. Her concern for Rentaro was partially why she got herself into this situation in the first place. She involved him in something he never should have known about.

Haruhi continued, concern etched on her face. "May I ask, what are you being blackmailed about? Is it something that we can help you with?"

Airisu's ears rang. "No. Please..I-"

She felt suddenly lightheaded, putting her hand to her head. Spots began to float around her eyes. Her secret might be found out today! Or her father would catch wind that Rentaro was blackmailing her. Rentaro might be expelled. Hikaru had seen her last week and never told her. And Hikaru must hate her now….

"I need to sit down," Airisu said.

Opening the door to Music Room #3,Tamaki quickly led her to one of the sofas as Haruhi brought her some chilled water. Airisu took a few sips and a few deep breaths, the lightheadedness ebbing away, Tamaki and Haruhi sitting on either side of her. She needed to pull it together.

Rentaro emerged from the prep room, escorted by a few of the Otori police force. His face was completely expressionless as he stood between the men, but he locked eyes with Airisu. She briefly wondered if anyone had any thoughts about his wrinkled uniform.

"Airisu. I need to talk with her alone."

Kyoya and Tamaki both stepped towards Rentaro, but Airisu shook her head and stood up. "I'll talk to him by myself. Please, excuse us."

This conversation needed to happen.

Haruhi placed her hands on her lap. "Are you sure that you want to speak with him alone, Airisu? Any of us would be glad to go with you."

"Yes."

Tamaki said, "We'll stay right outside."

Airisu stood and followed Rentaro to the prep room, doing her best to focus on her breathing so that she wouldn't pass out. Tears still streamed down her face as she pointlessly attempted to wipe them with her sleeve.

Upon entering, she noticed that a table and chairs were set up, likely where Rentaro had been questioned by Kyoya's men. Airisu took a seat across from Rentaro. She subconsciously glanced back at the closed doors, reminding herself that the safety of the hosts were right there.

Rentaro said, "I signed an agreement to never speak your secret, Airisu, or face legal consequences. So you won't have to worry about our meetings again."

Airisu felt like she couldn't believe it. "You won't tell anyone? You agreed to it?"

"What choice do I have? Besides, I thought about stopping the requests a long time ago. It- what I put you through. Airisu, I'm so sorry. I knew it was wrong, but I didn't know how to stop. And… my dad, he taught me how to seem more threatening for business tactics. He showed me that making a competitor feel intimidated puts the control of the situation more in my hands, although he had no idea what I was putting you through in practicing…" Rentaro just trailed off from his rambling, looking down at the table.

Airisu gulped. "I asked the host club to help you."

"What?"

"I don't want you to leave Ouran because of a deal my parents made with yours."

"How will they help me?"

"They refused. But I'm going to try to convince them. They have such an influence over this school… it's your only hope. I thought perhaps you could become a temporary host."

Rentaro's jaw hung open, as if he were processing her words. Airisu looked down. Rentaro had been the person she'd trusted her secret with and he had broken her trust. He'd terrorized her for the past few weeks, coercing her into doing things she otherwise never would consider. Yet she still cared for him. Something must be wrong with her. She just...she didn't want anyone hurt.

"You know that I haven't had a lot of luck with girls. You're the first one that I've ever felt comfortable talking to. I just get so nervous around them."

"This will help you. And then maybe you'll meet someone."

Airisu felt tears at the corners of her eyes again, but she needed to push through this. This was the conversation she'd never had with Rentaro.

Rentaro looked down. "I always thought I'd end up with you. I thought our parents would agree to betrothe us to each other. But that's clearly not going to happen, especially not with the situation with your pending engagement to Daiki."

"It's not going to happen because of how you treated me."

"Alright, yeah," Rentaro muttered. "You're right."

There was an awkward silence for a moment. Airisu wasn't sure what else to say. She was finally free of her situation, yet she only felt awful.

"I guess this is when it really begins," she muttered.

Rentaro raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Now it's on me to keep the secret."

Rentaro met her gaze. "You know, since it's no advantage to me anymore if you tell it. I think you should tell your father. For what it's worth."

"Absolutely not," Airisu said, feeling like she could die just thinking of it. There was no possible way she would ruin her own life.

I just can't understand Hikaru's feelings anymore…

Back in the fencing club's changing room, Kaoru held a crying Hikaru for a few moments, his mind racing. They had put so much time and effort into helping Airisu, all for her to treat them like this? It made his blood pressure rise. He knew Hikaru was dense, but couldn't his brother see her flaws? Well, Hikaru had never told him that he had feelings for Airisu, but it was obvious to Kaoru. The concern Hikaru had for the girl was unlike he'd ever seen him, perhaps even with Haruhi. And now that she was angry with him, Hikaru was practically inconsolable.

After a bit, Kaoru suddenly pulled back. "We need to rejoin the host club. And you need to face Airisu again. There's no use sulking around."

"Wait a second! How can you be so calm about this?" Hikaru demanded.

Kaoru shrugged. "Everything is going according to plan. If Airisu is mad, she can't possibly be mad forever."

He noticed his brother huffed, then sat back down as if he were going to cry again. Kaoru grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him up. "C'mon!"

Kaoru analyzed his own feelings as he pushed Hikaru back towards the host club. He was positive that he was jealous of Airisu and the strong feelings Hikaru had for her, and also perplexed that, while Hikaru seemed to have mostly moved on from Haruhi, Kaoru still got butterflies around her. Even though she was happily in a relationship with Tamaki. She was just the perfect girl! He couldn't understand how Hikaru couldn't see it anymore.

Perhaps that was why he felt little about this situation with Airisu.

They entered the club room to see Kyoya bidding goodbye to a few of the men of the private police force. The host club was standing around, yet neither Airisu nor Rentaro were in sight.

Hikaru, his expression sullen, asked them. "Where's Airisu?"

Kyoya said, "In the prep room with Rentaro."

Hikaru looked up suddenly. "Alone?"

"That was their request, yes."

"How can you leave them alone together? After all that happened?" Hikaru demanded, rushing past Kyoya and to the prep room.

Kaoru, however, jumped in between the doors and Hikaru. "Wait a second," he said.

"What?" Hikaru hissed.

"If Airisu wanted to be alone with Rentaro..they might be discussing her secret. She's already mad at you, so you don't want to make it worse by overhearing something you shouldn't."

Hikaru looked down. "Oh."

Kaoru sighed. Typical Hikaru, too impulsive for his own good. There were few times when Kaoru felt truly separate from Hikaru, but right now he wondered how they could possibly be related. "Let's sit with Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai," Kaoru suggested.

Hikaru followed him to the table where Honey was happily demolishing an entire cake, chattering about Usa-chan's flavor preferences. Kaoru noticed Hikaru merely staring at the table, totally unaware of anything happening around them. The other hosts were oddly quiet, the severity of the situation hitting them in different ways.

Honey said to the Hitachiin brothers, "You weren't here when Airi-chan requested that we help Rentaro."

Kaoru watched Hikaru's face pale. "She asked for what?"

Honey repeated, "She wants the host club to help Rentaro. I think that perhaps her past with him is more complicated than we thought initially. Isn't that right, Takashi?"

Mori simply nodded in agreement.

Airisu requested for them to help Rentaro? That didn't make any sense! After all the eavesdropping Kaoru did on this situation, he'd only seen Airisu terrified of the boy. Why would she want to help him? Not to mention she was angry about the host club's interference. Kaoru glanced at Hikaru to see his brother somehow looked even more deflated about the situation.

Their conversation was interrupted when Airisu and Rentaro emerged from the prep room. Kaoru noticed that Airisu immediately stared directly at Hikaru before quickly looking away. His brother's fists clenched at the sight of her alongside her blackmailer.

Kaoru was vaguely curious of the dynamic between the two, especially considering Airisu's apparent request to help Rentaro. He noticed her tight expression, and wondered if it was because of Rentaro or simply because of the situation. It just didn't add up for him.

Airisu, quickly leaving Rentaro's side, approached Tamaki again. "Please, Tamaki-senpai, I had an idea. What if Rentaro became a temporary host? And then whatever funds he makes on promotional items would go to his tuition."

Tamaki put his hand to his chin. "Hm, I suppose that would raise a lot of money."

"No," Kyoya said, stepping in. "Airisu, I would appreciate it if you would drop the subject matter at once."

Kaoru watched as Airisu shrunk back. She was certainly no match for the Shadow King.

Hikaru muttered to Kaoru, "Rentaro become a host? That's ridiculous! We can't trust him with the ladies."

Kaoru wasn't so sure. Ignoring Hikaru, he walked up to the club leaders. "Would it really be so bad to let Rentaro on?"

He could feel the eyes of every member of the host club on him as he said it. Kyoya pushed his glasses up. "We run a host club, not a charity."

Yet Kaoru could see Kyoya was extremely interested in hearing what he had to say. Kaoru continued, "I don't think having Rentaro as a host would hurt. We use our personalities to appeal to the girls, right? If we made Rentaro's financial situation public, then he would be a sob story for girls to pity. I bet they'd flock to him."

"Hm." Kyoya took a long look at Kaoru, then suddenly shut his notebook. "It is plausible."

Tamaki jumped up and down, clapping. "You'll do it, Kyoya! Woohoo!"

Kaoru smiled at the development, before returning back to his brother moping next to Honey and Mori. Hikaru seemed to wince at every clap from their king.

Hikaru's voice was low. "Why did you convince Kyoya to let Rentaro on as a host?"

Kaoru smiled at Hikaru. "It would bring in more customers and that would make Kyoya-senpai happy, don't you think?"
Kaoru watched as Hikaru's mouth opened and shut again. Hikaru stood up, suddenly. "I'm going home."

Kaoru leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. He watched as the other hosts looked after Hikaru, shocked. Haruhi walked after him and said something, but whatever Hikaru responded caused her to stop. Kaoru glanced over to Airisu, who was staring after Hikaru, her expression unreadable. The cracks in the club were coming quite obvious.

Kaoru turned back to Honey and Mori, surprised to see that both of them were still staring at him. Before he could ask about it, he was surprised at a hand on his shoulder. He glanced up to see Airisu.

"Kaoru, thank you for defending my request."

Kaoru forced a smile that didn't meet his eyes. "Of course."

Airisu dipped her head, then returned back to Tamaki, Kyoya, and Rentaro as they began to discuss the logistics of the situation. Kaoru took a sip of tea to calm himself.

Honey said to Kaoru, not too loudly, "Kao-chan, why don't you like Airi-chan?"

Kaoru almost choked on his tea. How was it possible Honey could see through him?

"I-I thought I could hide it," he managed to say, deciding that lying would only make things worse.

Honey glanced at Mori, then back to Kaoru. "Just now, I think you surprised everyone when you asked for Rentaro to be a host. Kyo-chan only agreed because you asked him to. And you did something that Hikaru didn't want. If you did something selfish just now...I think just this once it's a good thing."

"Honey-senpai…" Kaoru muttered, glancing at the silk tablecloth stained with drops of tea. "There's something I need to tell you…"