A/N: Made a character guide for the Rose Garden, but the link doesn't work on profile as well as I hoped it would. No matter! When we get to the point where the others need to be introduced, I'll try to put it up here :)
Danica makes her first visit to Ouran Academy.
Danica was late. She woke up late, checked the gifts she had for Haruhi and her uncle before she headed out after coordinating with her driver, and rubbed her forehead when her phone clock flashed '7:32AM' across the screen.
The bus was to leave in 30 minutes, and rushing out of her family car Danica bumps into a tall figure by the shoulder.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" she looks over apologetically at the tall, lean brunette. Her eyes are hooded and sparkle, and Danica is taken aback when the young woman nimbly reaches for her hand. "Don't you worry, young maiden. A delicate floret such as yourself should be more careful when navigating these grounds."
'Ah, this is Benibara.' Danica thinks. The handsome young woman, infamous sitting president of the White Lily League, had a knack for making the ladies swoon. Coming from a more progressed society, Danica is still rather astounded by how that was easily acceptable in Japan.
Danica smiles kindly, nodding her head, "Thank you, Benibara-san. I'll be sure to be more cautious of my surroundings."
A cold sweat runs down behind her neck, feeling the intense, malicious glare of the Zuka Club fangirls behind her.
"Might you need an escort, young maiden?"
Danica quickly waves her hand, "No need, Benibara-san–sama." She corrects herself. "I just need directions to where the bus for Ouran is headed."
"The bus for the freshmen heading for Ouran could be found in the middle of the west campus–"
"Now beat it!"
"Please refrain from troubling our Benibara-sama even further."
Danica is not as frightened as she should feel, startled at best, before she rolls her eyes before politely thanking Benibara and heading for the bus.
Beni's long, white-haired stands to the side, gazing at Danica fondly. "That's the Kingsley girl, yes? I've heard a great deal about her, not to mention the mark her mother left on our academic science program."
"That's Miko Katayama's daughter? Oh wow…!" Their new first year companion exclaims, "She's so stunning in person, the Katayama genes surely run deep."
"Hm… yes. She's rather intriguing, don't you think?"
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"... and that's it for the tour, we are so glad to welcome you ladies to the cross-academic cultural exchange festival!" the student exclaims, clapping her hands. Danica couldn't stop staring at her once she keeps looking, trying not to grimace at the banana yellow dress that most definitely would be a pain walking in–and she even knows that these kids don't even walk in such poofy gowns at social gatherings like the one she took part in last weekend.
Danica stood in line along with her group, looking around curiously. Lobelia was nowhere near as lavish, vast or sleek as Ouran Academy, for all the right reasons. They were raising the next generation of politicians, corporate leaders and business mongers of Japan, maybe even Asia.
'Haruhi… is really fortunate to go here.' Danica thinks quietly, hanging her head.
It was a bit of envy weighing in, but she also knows how much this could benefit Haruhi in the long run–open doors for her, and whatnot.
After the main tour, the short showcase at the ampitheater, and some lunch in the campus, Danica ventures off on her own. Lobelia was in the dead center of an urban area when they visited, with little open spaces. Meanwhile Ouran boasted its own field and long stretches of greenery, gardens and mazes–it was like a whole other world. Danica's own estate back in New York emulated the same design choices, the detailed marble columns, the ivory paint and the luscious greenery–and yet it didn't have the same cold atmosphere as it did back home.
The water runs clear in the fountains as Danica sits by the side of the fountain and looks over and sees her reflection rippling in the water, the sky blue and sparkling from the water. It was serene.
"Avoiding the exchange activities, are we Miss Kingsley?"
Danica turns her attention to the familiar looming figure of Kyoya Ootori, pushing up his glasses.
The charm from his smile was gone, replaced with amusement, but the friendliness remained in his expression.
"It's been a while since I've experienced this kind of quiet… and it feels warmer here than at home." Danica says, shutting the book she brought in her lap. "I've been actively avoiding Music Room 3, if you plan on bringing me over."
"Japan is slightly colder than New York, isn't it? I'm surprised you find it that way." He notes as he sits down in front of her, making Danica straighten up.
Danica fiddles a bit with her fingers, looking down at her manicured nails, "... don't you feel a certain coldness in your home, that makes you prefer the atmosphere here instead?" she asks as Kyoya looks down at her hands, "... I suppose that's what you meant. Although, you've only been here a day."
"Mm… I don't get it either." she hums before both of them chuckle quietly. "So, no club activities? Not even for any new visitors?"
"I was on my way up when I noticed a very familiar young lady pondering over the fountain close to the music room." Kyoya says. "Are you looking for Haruhi?" Danica shakes her head. "No, no. At least not right now. We talked and we agreed to try and be as inconspicuous as possible, so at most I'll be attempting to pick her up without the other hosts noticing." she looks to him. "... you don't intend on sharing this, do you?"
"Such action doesn't benefit me at present, so I assure you your secret is safe and sound." he places his clasped hands at his knee, looking at her, "Though I'm curious, why don't you just pay Haruhi's debt off? Surely you have some to spare."
Danica had jokingly offered once, to which Haruhi vehemently declined and she never offered again. "Haruhi is, as you say, a commoner." she looks at him. "And there are more commoners to befriend back in New York–if you ride in the same circles, that is… some of those people are leeches." she says softly.
"Haruhi isn't one, but she's inclined to feel indebted to someone if they did her that kind of favor. You work for what you want to earn, and the mindset extends to knowing your value if you don't have that kind of money."
"I see." Kyoya replies. "But she's family, isn't she?"
"She knows I can't risk it, especially with how overbearing my grandparents on dad's side are." she says in an annoyed voice, rubbing gently at the polish on her finger. "You know all too well what I'd be compromising, but that's not to say I won't try something."
"Truly."
The two sit in silence before Danica stands, "I do have a bone to pick with you."
"Oh? And what's that?" he asks as he follows, getting up and almost towering over Danica as she looks up at him, "Your stint in Okinawa."
Kyoya's eyes glint in recognition, chuckling lowly. "You have a problem with my actions? I don't think it's any of your business."
"I'm aware it's to teach her a lesson." she continues, crossing her arms, "But that was inappropriate of you, I'd think you a crook."
"Am I now, Miss Kingsley?" he leans down and over her, eyes hooded.
Danica slacks her jaw, before carefully pushing him back by his chest with her index finger. "Watch it."
"Or what, Miss Kingsley?"
Danica stops and pushes her tongue in her cheek. There isn't really anything she could do to him in actuality, and it's evident in Kyoya's smirk that they both know this. Kyoya leans forward, pushing her back against the garden table nearby. "Are you jealous, Danica-san? I'd think you'd rather be in her place."
Danica was appalled, if not slightly flustered at his suggestion. "Then you're just as vile as I'd think you are, Ootori-san. How unfortunate." she pushes him off, gathering her things. Kyoya licks his lips with an amused smile, "My apologies, Kingsley-san. I only joke, I don't have any lascivious intentions for Haruhi whatsoever as you'd think I might have."
Danica inhales. "It wasn't funny in any way, Kyoya-senpai." she says, "I really don't think it's a good look on you to be taking advantage of young ladies."
"You should be teaching Haruhi to be more cautious, then." Kyoya straightens his back while a scoff leaves Danica's lips, brows knitted together.
Before Danica could berate him, he walks over and brushes off the flower petal in her hair gently. "I'm sorry." he says softly. "I am aware that Haruhi's lack of awareness shouldn't be a go sign for me to take advantage of her, or anyone of similar nature."
He pushes his glasses back then shoves his hands in his pockets. "As a gentleman I'd hope you'd respect, I'll refrain from making any inappropriate comments or actions that may put any young lady in a compromising position from now on."
"... good." Danica purses her lips then fiddles with her fingers. "I… really do hope that's the case…" she tucks her hair back. "Y'know… it's hard for Haruhi to have consistent friendships."
Kyoya's ears perk up as Danica speaks, "I don't doubt you probably have contacts to Uncle Ranka, considering she's told me he's too busy to talk to her in the first place." she looks up, "But we both have known Haruhi for a plausible amount of time to know that's not the case, now is it?"
She crosses her arms as Kyoya listens to her carefully, "Haruhi may be more put together than me but what she lacks in life is a good support system after Aunt Kotoko's death… I didn't get that until I got to middle school. She always hears about my friends but she mentions friends like a specific person from one anecdote… they're not consistent."
She looks up to him, "... it's clear to me that other than a looming feeling of love, you all care deeply about Haruhi and not only find her valuable to your friend group–you find her interesting. Interesting enough to keep her around, and you might have already figured out with her point of view, she grounds you as a friend–she humbles you."
"... you got that from a few emails over the years?"
"Maybe I'm romanticizing." she giggles softly. "But… I'm so stuck in my head that I think deeply about these things–she's never talked about a person so much like she does about all of you, let alone a group of you. I doubt that she'd actually want to dispose of any of you even if on the surface she'll say otherwise."
Kyoya looks at her stunned as a sincere smile paints her expression, "Anyway… I'll see you around then, Kyoya-senpai."
"You're really not planning to visit the host club?" he asks from behind her as she walks.
Danica shakes her head, "If anything, I'd be putting Haruhi in a tight spot if we don't plan that sort of thing through enough. I'll swing by if I feel the time is right." she smiles at him hesitantly before heading out of the garden. "I'll see you around, Kyoya-senpai."
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"Good afternoon, Atsuko-san." She greets her driver warmly as a barrage of cars picking up the visiting students pull up in the vast parking space. "Could we wait somewhere nearby? My cousin and I are meant to meet today."
"Yes, Danica-sama. Etsuko had also prepared the gifts you brought for Haruhi-san in the trunk."
"Thank you." She smiles then looks around.
It was nearly 4PM, the usual time when Haruhi started texting Danica, that she was on her way home from school. Haruhi had promised to text so she didn't have to wait, but Danica has yet to hear from her within the day. "That's odd." she notes before she sees the Zuka Club exiting the building. Her senpai, Chizuru, glanced at her from afar, flashing her a smile before gently running her hand through her own white locks, stepping into their shared car.
'... why did I get an ominous feeling just now?' There was something malicious in Benibara's smile that her fangirls couldn't detect, and before Danica could think about what it could possibly be, Haruhi steps out in a huff before finding her. "Danica!"
"Haruhi!" she smiles happily before looking around and hiding behind the car, Atsuko holding the door open for them. "Let's get out of here before your clients see us."
"Agreed."
The two step into the car then hug, waving back and forth as Haruhi sighs in relief, "It's so good to finally see you again in person…"
"It's been really long hasn't it?" Danica asks softly, before they giggle. "Let's head to a cafe and eat? I want you to pick where we head, I trust you."
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"Haru-chan is going to transfer away?!"
"What are we going to do?"
"Haruhi's so smart, passing the Lobelia scholarship test will be a piece of cake!"
"And Lobelia Academy has the money to pay back the 8 million yen debt she owes us." Kyoya says.
'And having a cousin she considers a close friend studying there outweighs all the other concerns entirely, she'll have a friend in her corner all the way.' Kyoya thinks as he looks out the window when Haruhi hops into Danica's family car before Tamaki interrupts the thoughts in the room.
"Calm down gentlemen, listen to what I have to say!" The raven-haired host looks over to his French friend, a mischievous look in his eye. "I have a secret plan."
There was no doubt that the idea in Tamaki's mind was very stupid, but the factors that play in Haruhi's decision to transfer out of the host club are nothing if Danica manages to convince Haruhi to join her… but Danica's statement rings in his ears.
" I doubt that she'd actually want to dispose of any of you even if on the surface she'll say otherwise."
Something in Kyoya's chest blooms, the image of Danica's reassuring smile lingering on his mind.
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"Oh, well that was rude." Danica's brows knit together, a little annoyed at the thought of Kyoya stealing and auctioning off Haruhi's personal belongings. The two sat in a nice cafe located a few blocks out of Haruhi's neighborhood, decorated in pastels, ribbons and flowers, and resembled the faux French set-up in most Asian countries. The menu was neither too cheap nor too expensive, but over Haruhi's budget, something that Danica was more than happy to compensate for.
"That's grounds for stealing." She picks up her cup of coffee to take a sip, make a face then put it down, picking up a sandwich from the tea tower.
"Over a pen!" Haruhi sighs in frustration before she blinks up, Danica ordering an iced caramel latte as she looks at Haruhi. "Am… am I overreacting?" Her cousin asks.
"No!" Danica waves her hands and chuckles softly, "No, no. You are by all means within your right to be upset–even as a rich person I wouldn't tolerate stealing of any priced or unpriced object. I'd be devastated if the paper rings Cielo and Sirene made for us when we were in middle school were auctioned off, and that was just made from leftover test papers."
Haruhi sighs, "I mean… it was just a freebie from an electronics store…"
"It was still a personal belonging, Haruhi. I'm shocked, but not surprised Kyoya-senpai would do such a thing."
"You talk as if you've already met him."
Danica pauses from taking a bite of her finger sandwich, to which Haruhi widens her eyes, "You–you met him already?!"
"At a party!" she sighs. "It was a benefit ball dad took me to so I could meet new people. Thankfully for me he was the only person from the host club to attend, but I can imagine why…"
Haruhi slumps back, "Does he…?"
"He's the Shadow King, as you'd put in your emails." Danica air quotes with a soft laugh. "Yes, he knows… but that isn't to say I didn't know about him either, I got curious after your third email." she shrugs.
"Well…? What do you think of him? H-How does he–"
"What I think of him is none of your business, and he's been kind enough to keep us being cousins a secret." she says in a polite tone and a playful smile, "What is my business however is what you're going to do about the Lobelia business."
Haruhi sighs exasperatedly, picking up a cookie as she crosses her arms and leans against the chair. "I mean… it's a good school, isn't it? Just as good as Ouran?"
Danica nods.
"I'm not so on board with them paying off my debt but if they're willing to do it, I could focus on studying."
"Mhm."
"... you're so quiet, I thought you'd be more excited for me to transfer."
Danica grimaces, "Eh…" she scrunches her nose, "I mean… going to school with me would make it bearable, there wouldn't be much to hide about our relationship…"
The pros clearly weigh out the cons, but that wasn't Danica's issue. "... How would you feel about the host club, if you did? Besides the fact that you'd get less of a headache by then."
"I mean…" Haruhi straightens up, brows knit together in thought, "... I guess life would be boring…"
"Mhm."
"I think… I'd miss my clients."
"Uh-huh."
"..." Haruhi looks at her, "... do you think it's a good idea?"
"I mean, if I made you choose right now at this very second, would your answer be yes, you'd take the Lobelia scholarship?"
'No.'
Haruhi doesn't say it, but her hesitance spoke for her as Danica smiles softly. "I… don't think you'll make any valuable friendships in Lobelia, Haruhi. As someone who already goes there."
Haruhi perks up her ears as Danica thanks the server and takes a sip of her iced coffee, immediately refreshed and smiling. "Friendships that mean something aren't just the ones that could get you to higher places in life, friendships are meant to have to go through the hard things together. Friendship means being more than willing to hang out with you or make the effort to be with you in any way–they're there because they want you."
Haruhi purses her lips, fiddling with her fingers as her cousin continues, "As a person, not for what you could be but who you are. I don't see you having those kinds of friends in Lobelia. The host club? They have a weird way of showing it… but they celebrate who you are, and not just the part of you that's 'poor.'" she hums. "What do you think, Haruhi?"
Haruhi slumps back and sighs, "I really wish you came to Ouran instead." she says, before Danica perks up, "Mm… I'm considering it. But not right now, it'd be irresponsible of me academically even though it would be easy. Plus… y'know…" she shrugs, putting on a strained smile. "Rich people problems."
The two gaze at each other before they burst out giggling, Haruhi sighing softly, "Even with the solutions in your hands, rich people still have things to worry about huh?"
"You have no idea… with power comes rules… I don't know the rules as well as I wish I would to break them."
"... but are you up for it? Transferring to Ouran?"
"Why not? When I visit you at the host club I have six other interesting people and their guests to entertain me over tea." Danica laughs.