A/N: I don't own Ouran. Never have, never will. ;-; I'm just a commoner. Putting this here: probably slight homophobia. I'll try my best to keep it tasteful and only elude because no one deserves to feel like they're not worth while. But, if you're reading this fic, you probably know how unrealistic it would be if Kyoya comes out to his father and is met with nothing but support. It's a worst case scenario.
"Cool. Calm. Collected." Just another mask in an array that draped over his covered face. Under that one, the studious representation. Honours student, class representative. Under that, his father's financial manager for one of many dummy companies – or, as Kyoya and his brothers called it, one of the tests. Under that, the Host clubs' odds and ends errands boy. Again, always delivered perfectly and on time. Affectionately called "the miracle worker". Under that, the perfect son. That was a title he shared with the other Ootori children. But, the last mask was called "the beast".
At least, that's what the Host Club called it. Sometimes it was referred to as "The Shadow King". It hadn't occurred to him what that actually referred to until he started with the Host Club. He thought everyone was that grumpy when they woke up. Yuuichi was. So was Yoshio. At least, his mother would tease him about it some mornings when they were both in good moods. Something that became rarer and rarer.
However, the beast lingered beneath each mask, filtering in to every aspect of his life. A snarky comment here, quick wit there. The girls he hosted didn't seem to take offense to the slips. Funnily enough, there was another word for it none had considered: tired. Kyoya was balancing on exhaustion, teetering on the edge.
It was one of the reasons he became interested in budgeting for the Host Club, aside from the obvious need to direct and manage. It wasn't as demanding as some of his other extra curricular activities – and yes, there were several. Like the overachiever he'd become, he'd used it not just for scoping and declining invitation to the Host Club (specifically girls that would be worse than dealing with the Zuka club), finding every piece of blackmail and storing it into an encoded USB folder (top of the line, updates automatically and serviced monthly by the most discreet), charts for when Tamaki became too ridiculous and, of course, managerial duties but also flow charts for the dummy company he was in charge of and any and all inevitabilities but also homework for the classes he wasn't interested in, keeping to date with any odds and ends and, unfortunately, the e-mails.
These he hated the most – the women his father personally vetted because it was 'never too soon'. He had to ghost any that lost favour, even if he enjoyed their conversation. Though a traditionalist, it was one thing Yoshio insisted on. Kyoya sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Tired. Just so, so tired. Sitting at the desk after the club, he scanned the Excel spreadsheet again, sipping at his instant coffee. Hani and Mori had already left for the day. The twins and Haruhi were talking with Tamaki. In a flash, Tamaki ran by him, into the corner hidden by a plant.
And then, Tamaki's overdramatic voice rang six little words. "Mommy, we should do performance reviews."
Momentarily, Kyoya saw his life flash before his eyes. Weeks of research, prepping, charts, averages… Which, okay, Kyoya had a handle on the averages. He tried his best to appear thoughtful, feeling the panic running through him. How would he even evaluate this? Ever so slightly clenching his jaw, he tilted his head at the twins who sniggered behind the blonde's back, high-giving each other. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
It had probably been because the twins' numbers had increased over the course of the month (impressively, he'd admit silently) and they had teased Tamaki about being the new 'Kings of the Host Club'. Never considering the hours of work it would add to Kyoya's already overworked brain.
"Intriguing. Though, I'm curious as to what brought this on." He leaned forward. After all, even though that was the most logical examination – almost all but confirmed with Haruhi's dramatic sigh and roll of their eyes – he still needed it confirmed. A theory was just that.
"Your devilish sons swear that they're better than their father!" Again, with the dramatics. This time, Tamaki had wrapped his arms around Kyoya's shoulders, hugging him tightly. Years of reflex taught Kyoya to try and relax though, he still wasn't comfortable with being touched.
"Our numbers are solid." Kaoru explained with an apologetic smile. "The guests seem to enjoy the new scripts for the brotherly love act."
"And there's nothing wrong with a little healthy competition." Hikaru added, that familiar mischievous glint in his eye.
"It would help to get some feedback." Haruhi admitted under her breath. "Self-improvement and maybe we'd be able to cater better to the guests."
"An excellent point, Haruhi." Tamaki thundered, beaming with pride.
"You do realize that a lot of this is about reading people?" Kyoya asked, trying to divert the work from himself. "We shouldn't need the girls' feedback."
Apparently, he was overruled. Just one more thing. Tamaki, naturally, struck a pose. He rested his hand on Kyoya's desk, his other hand on his chest as he flung his head back. "Of course we're naturals at paying the utmost attention and reading our guests. Each princess wouldn't be satisfied if we weren't."
"Some of us are better than others." The twins sung together. Kyoya inhaled deeply, unconsciously holding his breath in the hopes that Tamaki wouldn't react. Nope. Tamaki stared back at the twins with watery eyes.
"… Anyway." Haruhi interrupted before Tamaki could wander off to his corner (favouring the left one near Kyoya's desk often). "What do you think, senpai?"
Kyoya tapped his chin as though in thought. Obviously, with the budget the way it was, it couldn't hurt. Plus, it would assist in performance he'd have to give in the future. Childishly, he wanted to keep it in the future. Unfortunately, his list of pros outweighed his list of cons. "It would be… prudent."
"Perfect!" Again, Tamaki sprang to life. "What if we did it in a week from today?"
From the glare echoing in Kyoya's eyes, Tamaki backed off. As did the other hosts. Kyoya amended it, trying to keep the bite out of his voice. "One month."
"One month? You must be –" Hikaru started. Kaoru covered his mouth before he could insult Kyoya.
"If I may, why a month, senpai?" Haruhi asked.
Considering she was pushing, Kyoya tried not to frown. He liked the commoner and knowing that she was looking for the numbers to see how much of her debt she had to pay off momentarily saddened him. That was the only connection he could see to why she would push. He readjusted his glasses that were slipping down his nose. "If we're to give surveys to our clientele, we're going to need to give them time. We should also evaluate an event. Speaking of which –"
"Costumes are done." Kaoru assured. Kyoya opened another Excel spreadsheet, checking off that item. Which left catering and decorations. Kyoya had already sent the notices, pinned the fliers, confirmed the florists… He wracked his brain, trying to remember if he had gotten confirmation from the cleaning crew and double check if the caterers were supplying the wait staff. Or, was that for a different party? Oh God, had he double booked himself? Now that he thought about it, did he need security for the other?
"Kyoya!" Tamaki whined.
"Hmm?" He blinked twice, trying to offer the closed off smile.
"Obviously, you're doing the performance reviews but, who'll do yours?" Hikaru questioned, brow raised in challenge.
Kyoya shrugged. "I've got a month to figure that out."
"Me, of course!" Tamaki inserted.
Kyoya tried hard not to react. Kaoru spoke up. "No way, that's not fair!"
Without listening to the argument, he texted Mori and Hani to inform them of the upcoming performance review. Of course, he'd have to schedule with them after club hours. It'd probably be individual and pairing. He was grateful that Haruhi had suggested the feedback loop as it would reduce the amount of work he'd have to do. Though, he'd have to verify everything himself. And just observing the twins act was painful.
His eyes widened slightly. Would he have to sit through it and verify whether the girls' comments were warranted or not? He couldn't see any other way. They'd all have to host for him. And, what of his own evaluation?
He knew his numbers were the lowest. He was more interested in selling merchandise, not actually hosting. That meant Tamaki was out of the question. Ten hours of being told how to host? No, thank you.
The Hitachiin twins were out – both together and individually. If he asked Kaoru, who could keep his mouth shut, Hikaru would want to join. And that spelled disaster.
Haruhi would see his numbers and would criticize that she does more hosting than he. Which was true but, it felt like a power she shouldn't have. That left Hani and Mori.
Hani, though fair and observant. Could be one of two ways. Either he wouldn't take it seriously and eat cake or, he would criticize and chastise. Fifty-fifty was never an odd Kyoya liked to play with.
His mind settled on Mori. He could explain it to the other. The giant had helped him numerous times with checking on the hosts when he was otherwise occupied. He'd also stay silent about the number of guests Kyoya brought in. Except to maybe Hani but, he reasoned, if he explained it correctly, everyone would back off. The only question was whether Hani would be okay with being separated from Mori for so long. The average review wouldn't be more than fifteen to half an hour. Though, with Tamaki and the Hitachiin twins, he'd have to bump up the average. Still, his shouldn't take that long. But, the question became, where would he find the time?
"Mommy!" Kyoya blinked back his thoughts to find no one near him. Cautiously, he turned, finding Tamaki in the corner, hunched over. Another expense. He pushed up his glasses. "Tamaki, the cleaners will be here any minute."
"So?" Puppy pout. Kyoya inhaled deeply.
"So, it's late. We should be going." No answer. Mentally, he slapped himself. "What did you need?"
All at once, too much energy, he bounded up to his feet and shoved a magazine in Kyoya's face. "A Victorian-England inspired event!"
Kyoya tried hard to keep himself from tearing out Tamaki's fingernails out one by one. "One event at a time."
The tears formed in Tamaki's eyes, the puppy dog pout no longer working on him. Sure that the longer he stayed in the blonde's presence, the golden retriever would pester him. He packed away his bag and shuffled off, texting Tachibana his location. By the time he stepped out of the double doors, Tachibana stood outside with the limo door open, closing it after Kyoya seated himself. In the confines of the limo, Kyoya leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Tachibana ruined his plans. "Your father would like you to attend a business meeting."
"Business or business?" Kyoya asked, the latter dripping with disdain.
"Business." Tachibana echoed his sentiments. Kyoya fixed his hair, smiling to himself as he noted the coffee in the backseat, sure his second father had given it. His eye fell on the bag he carried, a heaviness that he became too well aware of in the past year. He remembed the words Tamaki used when ushering new clients into the Host Club: "it's made up of the school's handsomest boys with too much time on their hands to entertain wealthy young ladies, such as yourselves, with too much time on their hands."
Not for the first time did Kyoya wonder if he was an imposter. He was a man with no time.
A/N: Comments are loved. I probably won't update this one too fast – I've still got four other projects and school and working full time and everything but, I had to get this down.