"Okaasama, please." Kyoya replied with a mild hint of peevishness that any grown man would give his mother when treated like a five-year-old. He leaned against the railing and had to stop himself from sighing as he massaged his temples. He shifted his phone to the other ear and adjusted his position to a much comfortable one. There really was no stopping his mother from prying in his private life. It's not that he didn't like speaking with his mother, but they've been on the phone for almost thirty minutes.

"Yes, I'm eating well." Kyoya pressed his lips together. "No, I'm not seeing anyone." He replied firmly. He looked at his watch and realized it was three in the afternoon. "Okaasama, it's four in the morning there. You should try to go back to sleep. I'll call you tomorrow."

Kyoya placed the phone done. He often found himself seeking solace at the dormitory rooftop. He lit a cigarette and stared at the Charles river. It was his usual hiding spot and he stayed there until he felt like his thoughts have calmed down. He scrolled through his phone and just hated himself. Photos of his friends from back home. Even while they were all at Ouran University, the rest of the hosts always found a way to meet at least once a week.

He looked at the photo Tamaki sent was surprised to see two individuals added to the group.

It's ironic where life leads people. He wouldn't think that Tamaki would send a photo of himself with Benibara singing karaoke with a distressed Haruhi in the background with a message 'I've found my karaoke soulmate.'

He scrolled through the other photos and it seems like the other two members of the Zuka Club got along pretty well with the other hosts. He saw another photo of Haruhi with Honey-senpai having some cake at what appears to be a new café near Ouran. He found himself looking at Haruhi smiling. He snapped himself out of his thoughts and took a deep inhale and let the nicotine take its effect.

What if he confessed his feelings? What if he didn't help Tamaki realize his own feelings? What if he stayed back home? His thoughts were plagued with all sorts of 'what ifs'. He hated how he felt resentment, anger, and jealousy. He hated how he wanted to be in Tamaki's place. He hated how pathetic it was that he had to study overseas to dampen these emotions. That heavy feeling in his chest every time Tamaki sent a photo with Haruhi. What's worse was the last message he received. He knew he said he was happy for them, but it was all a lie.

'She said 'yes'. I'll be formally asking Ranka-san for Haruhi's hand. I'm so nervous, okaasan. I wish you were here with me.'

He couldn't take the number of emojis Tamaki used and shook his head. It really was happening. It was going to be a happy ending for the Host King and his 'daughter'. All he had to do was stay in the sidelines.

'You'll be my best man, right?'

A part of him just wanted to scream out of frustration. He accidentally bit his lip too hard and realized it was bleeding. He took a deep breath and ignored the biting cold November air. He knew that going home for the winter break was a must since there would be all sorts of celebrations, but he could feel his dread looming.

"Great. Just what I needed." Kyoya said to himself as he wiped the blood off his lips. He was about to go back inside until he saw a couple kissing by the door from a distance.

'How are westerners so upfront with public displays of affection?' Kyoya thought. He went back to the secluded corner where he came from and lit another cigarette. He looked at his watch and 10 minutes has passed. He peered through the corner to see if the couple was done with whatever it was they were doing.

"Someone might see you." Kyoya was taken aback with what he saw. Chizuru straightened her blouse and fixed her hair. It was most certainly not a picture of the perfect high society Japanese woman.

"It doesn't matter." Chizuru replied nonchalantly. "I'm just an international student. Not everyone knows of Maihara Holdings at this side of the world."

Kyoya shrugged. It was true that at this side of the world, there were a few individuals who were aware of their situation, but wasn't something that majority of population knew. This was teh closest they could get to a normal life. He also couldn't care less about who Chizuru dated.

Chizuru raised a brow and looked at Kyoya questioningly. "What were you doing out here?" She couldn't pinpoint what happened, but something was definitely troubling him.

"Okaasama called."

Chizuru moved closer to Kyoya and saw his lip starting to bleed again. She rummaged through her purse and found a tissue and handed it to him. "Your lip is bleeding."

"Thanks". Kyoya pressed the tissue on his lip. "Next time can you make out somewhere else? I was stuck here for another 10 minutes because you guys were by the door."

"Sorry about that." Chizuru laughed teasingly with a mischievous grin on her face. She made a peace sign with both hands. "Next time we'll go by the other corner so you can leave anytime you'd like."

Kyoya rolled his eyes, but that encounter brought more questions than answers on his part. He was sure that Chizuru Maihara wasn't into men. Either he was imagining things earlier or his assumptions were wrong. It didn't help that she didn't give off the stereotypical vibe that he saw in movies. When it came to the fruity side of the gender spectrum, Kaoru was his only exposure. To be honest, he wasn't completely exposed to the LGBT community as much which may cause some errors with how he understood them.

Chizuru clapped her hands close to Kyoya's face. "Are you really okay?" her concern was genuine. Kyoya was startled with the sound and he looked at Chizuru questioningly.

"You spaced out just now. Did you hear what I just said?" Chizuru took an even longer look at Kyoya. She placed the back of her hand on her neck and the other on Kyoya's forehead. "You don't have a fever."

The news of Tamaki and Haruhi's engagement was affecting him a bit more than what he was hoping. "I just need some sleep." he dismissed.

"If you say so." She raised a brow and looked at him suspiciously. "Did you want to talk about it?"

"Not really." What Kyoya liked about Chizuru was how she didn't pry into his affairs and she respected that.

Chizuru sighed. She had this terrible habit of sighing too much to the point that her grandmother would scold her for it. It wasn't becoming of a lady to sigh that much. Taking in all social queues, gut feeling, and experience she knew Kyoya wasn't okay.

"It seems like you're looking for answers." She leaned against the wall and took everything in. She stared at Kyoya looking for clues. "If there's something bothering you and it's something I can help or answer, I'd be more than happy to help."

Chizuru sighed again. She prayed that her intentions were clear.

Kyoya was curious, but the questions in his head and his sentiments were far from proper. It wasn't appropriate to ask these things. He didn't even know how to bring it up. "You're certain that you wouldn't be offended by my question?"

She crossed her arms and nodded. "Go ahead. Ask away."

"I thought you were a lesbian? Didn't you have a relationship with Amakusa-san?" Kyoya's tone was inquisitive yet respectful. This was definitely bothering him. He was almost certain that Chizuru wasn't interested in the opposite sex so why was she making out with one of the seniors from their dorm? He was also sure she went on a date with a girl around two to three weeks ago.

"Pfft." Chizuru had to put her hands to cover her mouth to stop herself from bursting into hysterics. "I'm bisexual. Then to answer your other question, I was never in a relationship with Benio."

Kyoya saw an expression he's never seen Chizuru have. It was like she fondly recalled a sad memory. "She didn't like me. Hinako's always been the one in her thoughts."

She explained how she never had the courage to confess her feelings. How she envied Benibara and Hinako for having the freedom to date anyone they wanted. A sudden out pouring of emotions that she never shared to anyone. "I know that one day I'll be forced into an arrangement that went against my ideals, but I cannot deny my responsibility as a member of my family. I'll probably be forced into an arranged marriage with some misogynistic creep so I'm making the most of my remaining freedom."

Hearing his own sentiments being said back to him was refreshing. It made him appreciate his friend more. It seems like they have a lot more in common than they knew. He didn't think that unrequited love and the sense of familial duty was something they shared.

The biting November winds were notorious. Chizuru picked the misplaced leaf on Kyoya's shoulder and dusted it off. She looked like a proud student admiring her work. "You should wear loose coat jackets with a round neck shirt or a turtleneck whenever you could. It brings your charm up."

Kyoya stood beside her as they watched the courtyard. It seems like there was another campus event of some sort. "Kaoru taught me how to dress casually."

"He did a good job. A lot of girls actually have a crush on you. I was getting jealous at some point." Chizuru pouted. "I wanted Meredith to notice me too, but she's too busy gawking at you. It's not fair."

Kyoya shook his head in amusement. "Are you still accommodating questions? There's another thing I want to ask."

"What's that? Ask away. The next question will have a price already." She joked lightly.

"I thought the Zuka Club was about female supremacy?"

"No, no, no. That's Benio's belief. Not the Club. Just Benio's." Chizuru crossed her arms. "I thought it was mine as well but I just realized I was mimicking her beliefs for the chance that she would return her feelings for me."

Kyoya was caught off-guard with the revelation. It wasn't something that can be disclosed as easily between acquaintances. It was something he wished he didn't understand. Chizuru glanced at Kyoya and noticed a split second change in his expression before he regained his composure. She knew that look. It was like picking off a scab from a wound that hasn't quite healed. She didn't say anything and knew it was not something they should talk about.

She didn't press on the topic and shifted the conversation elsewhere. "Female supremacy and feminism are two different things that people sometimes fail to grasp." Chizuru paused. "My cousin Sho was a devout Buddhist and he taught me an important of balance. There were plenty of things a woman can do that a man couldn't, but that didn't make us better. There were certain things men could do that we couldn't do as effectively, but that didn't make one party any better than the other. Feminism is a view where a woman is able to do whatever it is she wants without any prejudice. Without bringing the men down and disregarding their contribution in society."

Somehow Kyoya opened a topic that was one of Chizuru's main principles in life. He could feel the frustration in her voice as she continued.

"Why is a man who works relentlessly seen as a family man, but when a woman does it people think she's neglecting her family? Or why is a divorced man seen as having a marital issue and a divorced woman is seen as the marital issue?"

"You're planning on breaking a social norm that's been placed for generations." Kyoya commented. Hearing this philosophy was enlightening on his end. If Chizuru failed to mention these situations and views, he wouldn't see how unintentionally misogynistic certain views of his were.

"That exact social norm and prejudice is what the Zuka Club strives to change. Japan wasn't like this initially. It was only in the past century where we were subjected to such treatment and I could even write an entire lecture about this." Chizuru could feel her passion being fed by the minute. If she didn't stop herself, they would have to go to the lecture hall and she'd have an entire PowerPoint presentation with the proper citations to support her claims.

She took a deep breath to calm herself and regain composure and to put her maiden-like passion to the side for now. "Can I ask you a question then?"

Kyoya gestured for her to go on. He was sure that his knowledge on women's studies and gender equality were more than adequate to create a meaningful discussion.

She could feel the walls Kyoya kept impenetrable somewhat softening. She just needed a slight push and that was a risk she was willing to take. A little nudge was all she needed to let it all out. She had a feeling Kyoya was bothered with the news of the engagement between a certain couple.

"How long have you had feelings for Tamaki?" she asked earnestly.

He looked at Chizuru with a questionable expression. He couldn't even hide his displeasure and it's like he could feel himself vomit a bit. There was anger, frustration, confusion, shock, and a hint of shame that simultaneously hit him. The first person to think he was in a relationship with Tamaki was Nanako Shouji and now Chizuru? Unbelievable. What made them think they were in a relationship? Why would he punish himself by being Tamaki's romantic interest? There were far too many emotions for him to process.

Chizuru pressed her lips in a fine line and started picking the dry skin on her fingers. It looks like she accidentally broke Kyoya Ootori.

"What makes you think I had unrequited feelings for that idiot?!" Kyoya closed his eyes pinched the bridge of his nose. His tone was filled with disbelief. "Haruhi. The one I have feelings for is Haruhi." He added firmly to dispel any doubts and misconceptions about his relationship with Tamaki.

Now Chizuru regretted her decision. It was worse than opening Pandora's box. She was surprised with the sudden confession, but not as surprised as Kyoya. He ran his hands through his hair and shook his head humorously. He couldn't even believe he just said that out loud. It was secret he was planning on keeping to himself until he died. He needed something strong to drink.

"Don't tell me you pushed yourself to get into Harvard so you could distance yourself from them?" Chizuru asked as she tried to suppress the smile on her face. It wasn't a laughing matter, but it was still amusing nonetheless. "I mean…that's what I did." She admitted light heartedly. Guilty as charged.

A mildly amused smirk found its way on Kyoya's face and let the silence speak for itself. They headed back inside and as they were walking, Chizuru placed her arm over Kyoya's shoulder.

"Let's get you something to drink. My treat." She had a boyish smirk on her face. She gave Kyoya a comforting pat on the back. "If Hinako and Benibara suddenly announced they were getting married, I'd like to have a drink too."

"I have expensive tastes. You think you can manage?" Kyoya quipped.

"Who do you think I am?" Chizuru replied quickly. "You are being taken out by a Maihara." She said with confidence and reassurance. "I'm sure I can provide more than enough to satisfy your needs."

"I'll be under your care then."

It was exactly the Maihara hospitality that brought them to Manhattan. After a few calls, Chizuru chartered a private plane and made reservations to some well-known speakeasy bar on the rooftop of an office building on 12th street. She showed a message on her phone to the security and lead them to a small refrigerator in an unassuming convenience store. Chizuru pulled the refrigerator door gestured for Kyoya to follow which lead them to a room that had a 360 degree view of New York.

If Kyoya were to grade Chizuru for taste, she would get a 10 out of 10. The interiors were dimmed with only the light coming from the bar. Ensuring that the dimmed ambiance was not only to maintain the privacy of its customers, but it also highlighted the New York skyline.

The pair sat across each other and Kyoya leaned against his chair and sat more comfortably. Even the furniture was up to his standard.

"Ms. Chizuru, we're glad to have you tonight." The manager greeted them politely with two glasses of their finest cocktail.

"I'm just glad to be a loyal customer. You guys never disappoint." She reassured.

"What would you like to have?" The manager briefly mentioned the fresh ingredients and the specialty for their drinks and food for that evening.

"You always surprise me with something good. I'll get the specialty drink for tonight." Chizuru cupped her face with both hands. "My friend though needs something that can help him forget his love life problems."

Kyoya glared at Chizuru. His pride can only take so much teasing in a day.

"We have the perfect cocktail just for that. We'll be back shortly with your food and drinks."

Kyoya crossed his arms and glared at Chizuru. "You're having too much fun with my misfortune." His tone was cold and threatening.

"Oh please, Kyoya." She replied dismissively. "I'm not as ruthless as you."

1 point for Chizuru, 0 points for Kyoya.

"At least I didn't make out with Sebastian Nielsen." His tone was snarky. He's never met such an intellectually challenged guy who had no idea what was going on. He's not even sure how the guy made it into the same school. He probably damaged whatever remaining neurons he had left from playing too much football.

Chizuru found herself laughing. Kyoya Ootori was one of the pettiest people on earth. He really kept tabs on anything and everything. He would forgive, but never forget.

"Why wouldn't I make out with him?" she returned the question with disbelief. Her reasoning was sound. Sebastian Nielsen was the quarterback of the football team. He was practically a replica of Henry Cavill. "Have you seen his arms? That chest…" Chizuru had to pause and fan herself with her hands. "He has abs shaped like blocks of tofu lined up. His buttocks are just…my gosh, just pure perfection. A physique like that belongs in a museum."

"I didn't think you'd date a guy like him."

"Goodness, No. I wouldn't dare." Chizuru shook her head. She looked horrified as if the idea of dating him was taboo. "I wouldn't even have a conversation with him for more than 30 minutes, but it doesn't mean I can't have my fair share of fun."

Chizuru knew the guy was a bit…slow. The rest of the things they did luckily didn't entail much thinking. Just doing. She looked at her friend who looked aghast with information he wished he didn't know.

Kyoya literally drank the entirety of his cocktail to cleanse his ears and mind from what he just heard. He refilled his glass with another shot and drank it in one go as well.

"You're such a pure guy." Chizuru leaned forward and pinched Kyoya's cheek. A feat she or anyone else in this world wouldn't dare to do without the influence of alcohol. He was a bit more innocent than she thought. "It's like as if you haven't gone on dates before?"

Silence.

"I get it. Sometimes the emotional attachment and social burden that comes with dating can get pretty messy. Are hook ups and friends with benefits more your style?"

Silence.

Chizuru laughed sheepishly. "Okay, not everyone is sexually active these days. I'm sure you've had your first kiss, right?"

Her question was met with even more silence. Kyoya carried on and finished his drink and still remained silent. Admittedly, he knew his experience in that area was a somewhat lacking. His main experience with women and romance was with the Host Club, but outside that there was barely anything.

He looked up at Chizuru and she wiped the tears that escaped from her eyes and covered her mouth with her hand. She couldn't believe it. For all the cold and calculating exterior Kyoya put up, he was a really loyal guy. That's such a rare breed these days. In an era of hookup culture and flings, she's never seen such an virtuous and passionate first love. "Oh my god. You really loved Haruhi."

His love story was just so pure and touching. She could have five bowls of rice. He might as well be a main lead in a shoujo manga. Chizuru felt so impure beside this innocent guy.

"You see now how I wonder why you'd think it was Tamaki I had feelings for?" he replied.

Chizuru looked up and started counting with her fingers all the instances to support her claims. "One, Tamaki calls you okaasan. Two, you call him otousan or daddy. Three, he messages you every day. Three to four times a day. Four, he sends you random gifts and letters from time to time. Five -"

"I get it now. Point taken." He cut her off and gestured for her to stop. He got the idea. No further elaboration needed. Looking back at those events, it did make sense why she thought that way.

Chizuru felt relief pour in. It seems like Kyoya was getting back to himself. "Shall we toast?"

"To what?"

"To unrequited love." Chizuru said as she lifted her glass. She was glad that Kyoya was taking everything well.

"To unrequited love." Kyoya raised his glass.

If you've made it this far, thank you. In a world where Kyoya puts his feelings aside (like in the manga and anime), I just want to give him a friend to share the burden.

I also wanted to address the final chapter of the manga where Kyoya was described to be a pretty pure guy. I know fanfic has a tendency to turn him into a playboy of sorts (I'm guilty of this as well). So to be more in line with the manga, this is my depiction of a pure Kyoya.

I'd like to know more about your thoughts, comments, and suggestions.