Kyoya despised these social events, for lack of a better term. Since his brothers had been away on business, the responsibility of representing his generation of his family naturally fell to Kyoya. Fuyumi's husband was also away on business, but would join them later, so she loops her arm around her little brother's, smiling up at him. "It's only an hour or two, Kyoya."
"I know, Fuyumi. I understand." he nods, leading them in behind his father.
The Kaedehara Benefit Ball was one out of five relevant social events of the season, raising money to send aid to war victims overseas as well as raising money for local small businesses in certain areas–a breeding ground for potential acquisitions to the rich. For the children of the rich seeking not only validation but a way into the family business, this was an opportunity to see what could be profitable in the future.
Kyoya may have successfully acquired controlling shares in a few businesses doing well without the support of his family–but it was rare for him to find something around these parts. Many of these were to save dying arts in Japan, tied to a certain town to attract and encourage tourist visits.
Kyoya scoured the room to find the same old faces, flashing him his standard charming smile and nodding in agreement or engaging in small talk without talking.
In the middle of his father's conversation with the benefit host, Mr. Kaedehara, he claps enthusiastically when he spots someone coming in from across the room, behind Kyoya and his family.
"Kingsley-san! It's been far too long." The man greeted the American man like an old friend, both managing to speak in Japanese and exchanging pleasantries.
Mentally he was going through his files–Alistair Kingsley, head of Kingsley Labs and its parent conglomerate, with branches and labs spread across prominently in North America.
He watches them conversing enthusiastically, trailing behind the foreigner was a young woman his age–standing out from the rest in the simplest way.
She wasn't as showy as the other teenage girls in the room, little ruffles or creases, wearing a ruched, satin lilac gown hugging her petite frame with gold chain straps holding the dress up. Her midnight black hair was done in a side bun, and a pair of pearls decorating her ears with a small pendant necklace around her neck, and a satin scarf hanging off her arms behind to complete the look.
Danica Kingsley, his only daughter and half Japanese… and Haruhi's cousin.
Kyoya wasn't without his deep diving research capabilities. Once Haruhi had started becoming a prominent figure in his and the host club's life, especially with a revelation after their physical exam, he'd done more research than necessary in case Haruhi were to become a liability.
When the name Miko Katayama rang a bell, it wasn't hard to go over his files once again. And from the looks of it–Danica recognizes him as well, quickly looking to the side.
Eventually after passing his sister to her husband and turning down several other debutants' subtle offer to dance, he makes his way over to Ms. Kingsley.
"I've yet to see such a stunner on the dance floor tonight." he starts, standing next to her as they watch the people on the dance floor with blank stares.
He feels her gaze on him, "Surely you don't mean me, there are plenty of other lovely young ladies you could surely ask to dance on the floor with you."
"You're rather lovely in your own way, Miss Kingsley. Many have been looking at you all night."
"Ah, so you already know me?" she fully turns to him, a soft smile on her face. "Then I guess there's no point in formal introductions, Ootori-san."
The two are now facing each other, with Kyoya flashing her a charming smile that seems to pull her in a bit, before she silently takes it, being led to the dance floor.
"I'm assuming then that there's no reason to hide how I know you, truly." Kyoya says, hand sitting on her waist and hers on his shoulder. "Careful, you might put out something you didn't intend to share." she replies, starting the waltz. "However I'd like to thank you–for taking care of my cousin in her first year."
Kyoya gives her waist a slight squeeze, "It's no problem… though it's rather interesting."
"What is?"
Kyoya lifts his head, looking around as they move effortlessly across the floor, "Your cousin is attending on scholarship, while you're paying full tuition to attend a prestigious school."
"I think the only scenario where it would be acceptable to offer to pay her full tuition is if she was immediate family, senpai–or an illegitimate child needed to become heir." she says in a joking tone, but it wasn't entirely wrong. "I don't think Haruhi would like it though, especially when she works for what she gets."
Kyoya looks down at her, "Ah, so you don't?" he asks, as Danica slacks her jaw, "I didn't say that, I'm saying she's gone without the luxury of having to worry about becoming an heiress or someone primed to take over a business–and I think you'd find it a little insulting if a 'commoner' were to end up in your family's ranks with their own blood sweat and tears."
"... you think lowly of me." he says quietly before her gaze softens. "... I misspoke… rather than find it insulting I imagine you'd find yourself feeling inadequate."
He hums quietly in thought. His ego should be shot, but that wasn't the case surprisingly. She was right. She gives his hand a squeeze, continuing, "It's not to say your efforts aren't enough. People like them just worked to be on the same playing field, hard work can't always speak for someone's successes, not here, at least." Kyoya stares at Danica's sincere expression… eyes sweeping over the way her eyes shimmer subtly, her lashes curled thick and clean without a single clump of mascara, and her lips–he stops, leading them off to the side.
"... thank you for your insight, Kingsley-san." he says rather genuinely, kissing her knuckles lightly. Danica stares at him rather awestruck, a little flustered at his action before they hear someone clearing their throat.
Spinning around, Danica finds her father smiling at her widely before greeting Kyoya. "Nice to meet you, young man, I'm Alistair Kingsley."
Kyoya's hand naturally moves to take the elder's hand, shaking it politely with his smile. "The pleasure is all mine, sir. I'm Kyoya Ootori of the Ootori family."
"Ah, you're one of Yoshio's sons." Alistair nods in intrigue, nodding, "You're the last of the bunch I've met. Wonderful people, all of you." he holds his hand out for his daughter, who places her hand in hers, "I see you've met my lovely daughter, Danica."
Kyoya looks to her as she bows her head a little, looking away as the corner of his lips curls up in a bit of amusement, "It was a pleasure meeting you two, Kingsley-san. I hope we can further acquaint ourselves soon."
Alistair nods. "Surely Danica wouldn't be opposed to it. I intended to enroll her into Ouran, but I thought that enrolling her in Lobelia would have her connect with her mother more."
"I see, my condolences." Kyoya says, Danica squeezing her father's hand as she offers him a smile. "Thank you, Kyoya."
Yoshio comes over, greeting Alistair like an old acquaintance. After introducing Danica, Yoshio takes Kyoya away to speak with another associate, curtly excusing themselves. It was no secret to Kyoya that the two were business rivals in some capacity, but if it came down to it–Kyoya is looking at a prospective wife at best, if his plans were to fall through.
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"Kyoya's a rather nice boy, don't you think?" Alistair asks as they walk out the party. Danica smiles and hums, "Mm… I don't think Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley would oppose such a match if it were to come down to that."
Alistair stops, frowning at his daughter, "Dani–"
"I know, dad…" she interrupts, sighing. "But I have to keep my options open, don't I?"
The man sighs exasperatedly, "Danica, sweetie–I don't want you feeling like you can't accomplish what you're aiming for. I'm not gonna be that parent–I'm not gonna be like one of them." he tilts his head towards the families in the distance, before Danica shrugs. "I know, and I appreciate you fighting for me to have that opportunity… it's just something to consider as a good thing if… it falls through."
Alistair cups his daughter's cheek, stroking it gently as she kisses his palm. "... besides, he's not hard on the eyes." she jokes.
"True." her father wiggles his brows playfully before Danica whines softly, looping her arm back around Alistair's as they walk, not noticing the same young man off to the side.
"... it'd be a shame though." she says softly as her father looks at her as she continues, "Kyoya's meant for something so much bigger. I hope his dad doesn't cast him off."
Alistair nods in silence, walking out the entrance as Kyoya peels himself away from the wall and stares at the pair, pondering.
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Kyoya couldn't sleep for whatever reason, sitting up in his bed, hands sweeping through his tablet as a faint sound of a girl talking comes out of the device.
Kyoya is aware that he's been awake much longer than he should be, watching Danica Kingsley and her rise to internet fame overseas. There isn't much of an audience for her here, which would make blending into Japanese society the perfect guise to live without notice, especially away from her main audience.
"Tip I learned at the end of middle school is that moisturizer, especially in the form of a balm stick, is essential for your creaseless look–always. This particular kind sort of fills out…"
There was something careful in the way Danica spoke as she swept the stick under her eyes. Across the [many] videos Danica has put out, clothes and websites were either her sponsors or endorsed, but never anything makeup or skin related, as if there's a space for something she'd been meaning to put there and Kyoya had caught on quickly what it was.
He couldn't stop watching her smile, and the gentle tap of her finger whenever she applied a light gloss to her lips. Even without makeup, she was nice to look at. Her voice and the look of her soothed him for whatever reason, and he notes the increase in his heartbeat when he realizes it. Soon he shuts his tablet off, trying to sleep.