(Seina's POV)
I decided to spend the last weekend of the summer holidays with Kyoya at his family home. There was one uncomfortable formal dinner with his parents and siblings during which I was effortlessly polite and eloquent. By the end of the meal, his father was as cold as ever but I doubted that was going to change and he was only interested in closer business ties with my family's company anyway. Everyone else seemed to have taken a liking to me though. His brothers were a little too friendly in a way that I doubted could be blamed on a solitary glass of wine but his sister Fuyumi was lovely. We chatted extensively and exchanged phone numbers. His mother even hugged me goodbye as his parents and brothers left for a business trip to the States.
That night, Kyoya was incredibly distracted and would not put his laptop down. When I tried to get an explanation from him I got a vague response about securing a deal and proving his father wrong. After that I left him in the bedroom to sort himself out and accepted Fuyumi's offer of a girl's night with snacks and movies. I was hesitant but ended up having a lot of fun. She was warm and friendly and since she was going to be my sister-in-law I was determined to make an effort.
Once Fuyumi went to bed at almost 2:00AM I returned to Kyoya's bedroom to find him still typing away, several identical black notebooks scattered around him. I went through an online accounting ledger for an hour on the company servers before finding a book to read. 4:00AM came and I was tired of waiting for him. I padded across the floor and locked the bedroom door. I removed my silk pyjamas, and turned to look at him.
To my surprise he was already watching me, deadly still like a predator as his eyes ran across my naked body. 'Seina I was just finishing up but I'm glad to see you're in the mood to celebrate. Things are finally going my way.' He put his arms around my waist and tugged me towards him, kissing me deeply. He then began to walk us back to the bed and pushed me down.
'Kyoya it's seriously late!' I exclaimed in mock protest but he kissed me again, dissolving all resistance.
'We'll be quick then.'
(Kaoru's POV)
His highness had called and woken up me and Hikaru first thing in the morning. We knew that the limousine would be arriving to take us on his club excursion whether we liked it or not so we got up and 20 minutes later, joined the others in the car. Thankfully Honey-senpai was already awake and present so we were spared that ordeal. Unfortunately Kyoya-senpai was absent. I exchanged an uneasy look with Hikaru.
Then I realised who else was missing. 'Boss! Me and Hikaru will go get Haruhi and Seina then meet up again once you have Kyoya-senpai!' Hikaru grinned at me and put his arm around my neck in solidarity. Victory was ours.
'No need! Since the purpose of this excursion is to gain insight into the lives of commoners and therefore improve the quality of life of our beloved Haruhi, she won't be joining us. Honey-senpai says Seina is spending the weekend with Kyoya so we'll get her while we're there. Two birds with one stone!' Mori-senpai and Honey-senpai nodded in agreement, the latter swinging his legs back and forth.
'Yay...' We replied halfheartedly.
This was not going to end well.
As we turned up Kyoya-senpai's sister Fuyumi was just heading out the door. 'Tamaki-kun!' She hugged him and they greeted each other enthusiastically, excitedly discussing the latest episode of some tv show. 'Are you here to see Kyoya?' She eventually asked, once everyone was introduced. We all nodded and she summoned a maid and told her to allow us full access but to lock up once we were gone. Thanking her, we waved goodbye and headed inside.
The bedroom door was locked but Hikaru pulled some lock-picking pins from his pocket and we made quick work of the lock. Everyone else gave us a wary look as the door clicked open. 'Hikaru, why do you have those? And why do you guys know how to pick locks?'
We shrugged. 'One of our governesses used to lock us in various rooms or parts of the house to keep us out of trouble. She quit. Of course.' We shared an evil grin.
Tamaki-senpai began shouting out to Kyoya-senpai as soon as we were through the door. He was so enthusiastically explaining the commoner bargain convention that he failed to notice some important details. There were two figures in the bed, one being Kyoya-senpai, the other presumably Seina. The rest of us advanced slowly keeping behind Tamaki-senpai. As I got closer, the danger of the situation became more apparent.
The sheets were covering most of their bodies but Kyoya-senpai was shirtless with Seina's head resting on his chest. Although her considerable amount of hair covered most of her bare back, the soft curve of her breast was still visible against his skin. I struggled against an irrational flare of jealousy. She was beautiful with the sun slanting across her. I was over her though.
I felt the heat rising to my face at the sight of the intimate scene and I began to tug on Hikaru's clothes. When he didn't respond I shot a glance his way to find him bright red and staring, wide eyed. 'Hikaru!' I hissed. He turned then and soundlessly shaped words like a goldfish.
Tamaki-senpai, utterly oblivious, continued to create a racket. The sleeping figures in the bed began to stir awake, Kyoya-senpai's arm tightening around Seina. Mori-senpai covered Honey-senpai's eyes as Seina's flickered open.
She frowned at Kyoya-senpai and looked around for the sound that had woken her. She sat up slightly and spotted us, reached for the covers and pulled them to her chest. 'Kyoya.' She murmured. 'Kyoya!' He slowly awoke and went to kiss her but she shook her head. His eyes immediately darted around suspiciously, identifying us then landing on Tamaki-senpai.
I considered retreat as his eyes narrowed but it was too late. He knew we were there and there would be no escape.
'Let me tell you, we didn't go to sleep till 5:00 in the morning. And who gave you permission to enter my bedroom?'
I didn't want to think about what they'd been doing for 5 hours instead of sleeping though the answer was before me. We backed away till we were well out of arms reach.
'Kyo-chan is really grouchy when he wakes huh?' Honey-senpai whispered. I looked at him in disbelief.
'Don't go casting stones.' Mori-senpai replied, his arm still held out in front of Honey-senpai, ready to cover his eyes if he had to.
Kyoya-senpai was about as angry as I'd ever seen him. 'Who cares about commoner culture!? I'm getting really sick of this commoner thing. Formulaic Morons. If you want to go then suit yourselves.' He then collapsed back onto the bed.
Seina however had gone from confused and shocked to dangerously mad. I didn't need to know her well enough to notice the set of her jaw, the way her eyes were flashing would frighten any sane person.
Tamaki-senpai was anything but sane. 'You're sure we can suit ourselves? All right! We've got the Hypotensive Devil's permission!'
Before he could say anything else, Seina was snarling at him. 'That did not mean whatever you think it meant. Get out. Now. Touch him and you will leave with a black eye. Come anywhere near me before I am dressed and I will break your arm.'
That seemed to dissuade Tamaki-senpai who began to retreat. We were all quick to follow. 'Alright then Seina-san. Good idea! You wake him up. We'll wait in the car.' Then we were leaving the room as fast as our legs would carry us.
(Seina's POV)
Once they were gone I yanked the sheets off both the bed and Kyoya, wrapping them securely around me. That earned me a poisonous look from him but I bared my teeth and he wisely kept quiet. I then shut and locked the door, placing the desk chair under the handle for good measure. Only when I was sure that no one was getting in again without using a chainsaw did I return to bed and allow my exhausted fiancé some covers.
He pulled me carefully back against him and attempted to kiss my forehead. Clearly tired he instead pressed his lips to my eyebrow. I made a face but he had already closed his eyes and didn't notice. I lay there for around 15 minutes, trying really hard to be forgiving and understanding. Then I gave up.
I sat bolt up right with an admittedly dramatic sigh and slipped out of his reaching arms. I then yanked the covers back off him. 'I cannot sleep because your best friend ruined my morning. You are sure as Hell not going to sleep. If this outing is not worth my time then I'm calling off the engagement.'
He sat up slowly and gave me a half amused, half despairing look. 'There's other things you can do in bed that aren't sleeping Seina.' I scoffed at him.
'Like you're in any state. Now get up.' Without another word I went into the en-suite and locked the door.
An exhausted Kyoya would have been quite endearing if not for my state of fury. In his sleep deprived state he hadn't deigned to brush his hair which could only be described as a bed head and his shirt was crumpled from where he'd deposited it on the floor the night before. Or perhaps that was me. Either way, as I dragged him out to the car he looked like the walking dead and had a similar temperament. I pushed him into the limousine so he slumped against Tamaki-senpai and I sat down next to Mori-senpai.
I allowed Tamaki-senpai to half drag, half carry Kyoya into the convention centre and walked along next to Mori-senpai. 'How bad was it?' I asked, keeping my voice low.
'Your modesty is intact.'
I nodded my head and sighed in relief. I could trust Mori-senpai to give me a straight answer without the relentless teasing I would get from the twins. Still, the concerned look I was receiving told me he was resisting the urge to mother me. I was grateful that he kept his limited words to himself on that occasion.
The others were creating a scene by becoming unnecessarily excited by the mass produced goods and an ice cream shop on the roof. I was just about to follow them to the roof as an ice cream brunch did sound appealing. Then I realised Kyoya had been left behind.
He had sat down on a bench and fallen asleep. I sighed and sat down beside him. He was exhausted and I had dragged him out the house, a decision I was beginning to regret more and more. I took a book from my shoulder bag and began to read.
Eventually Kyoya woke up, his eyes shifting around as if confused. 'Seina, where is everyone else?'
'By now? They could be anywhere. I lost sight of them once I sat down with you.' He then stood up and began to search his pockets. Apparently he didn't find what he was looking for.
'Seina can I borrow your phone, I need to call for a car to come fetch us.' I pursed my lips but pulled my phone out of my bag. Except it wasn't my phone. It was a plastic toy flip phone. I stared at it in disbelief. Ayumi was in so much trouble and I was never leaving my bag unattended ever again.
Kyoya gave the toy a disapproving look. 'What is that?'
'Ayumi.' I replied with an edge of despair. 'It's fine, we'll just find the others and either leave with them or borrow one of their phones.'
'I swear I'm going to kill Tamaki.'
'Seina? Kyoya-senpai? What are you doing here?' Haruhi had appeared, a commoner in her natural habitat. She looked positively adorable.
'Aww Haruhi! You're pretty much the only person I'm not mad at right now! You look so cute!' She let me hug her.
'Are you ok?'
'Hungry but otherwise fine. Is there somewhere to eat around here?'
She led us to the nearest place which was a fast food joint. I cringed at the thought of the greasy food they were probably serving but Kyoya was quickly becoming more and more murderous. He needed food.
'Are you sure this place is ok with you two? There's a restaurant upstairs?'
Kyoya looked thoughtful. 'I suppose we could go upstairs. Seina you have your purse right?' Slightly relieved I pulled out my purse.
'Yes of course.'
Then I opened it and found my credit and debit cards had been replaced with cardboard rectangles labelled 'muny card'. Horrified I opened the compartments and found them filled with slips of paper inscribed with ¥50000. 'What has she done with all my stuff!?' I mumbled incredulously.
Kyoya sighed. 'Haruhi how much money do you have on you?'
We reluctantly joined the queue for the fast food. 'I'll pay you back!' I promised her but Kyoya's face darkened.
'Make sure to get a receipt Haruhi. I'll make sure Tamaki pays you back tenfold.' Me and Haruhi exchanged a look but kept quiet.
Once we had our food and Kyoya had frightened several customers and the cashier, we sat down to eat. Me and Haruhi both stared at him disapprovingly.
'Kyoya-senpai was that really necessary? She was only doing her job.'
'Giving excessive service is not necessarily the best way to wait on customers.'
'Honestly Kyoya, you'd think working in the host club you were used to dealing with annoying people by now.' I remarked not so innocently.
'You'd think you were used to dealing with younger siblings by now but we can all be surprised.' He shot back before taking a sizeable bite of his burger. I glared at him and resisted the urge to fracture his ankle with my foot. He would be more tolerable once he'd eaten.
Haruhi in the meantime was watching him curiously. 'What?' He demanded, though with less of an edge.
'Nothing! I just didn't expect you to eat with such gusto. I'd imagined you eating in a more refined manner and that this sort of food would not be to your taste.'
'No, you imagined right. He normally eats like a fine lady.' I picked up a napkin and mockingly dabbed at my mouth to emphasise my point. Unamused, Kyoya pressed his index finger into my cheek, swiping grease down my face and forcing me to actually clean up.
'It's not particularly to my tastes.' He finally answered Haruhi. 'Are you saying I'm so callous as to complain when you're the one buying?'
'No...' She grumbled in a way that suggested that was exactly what she thought.
'This food is meant to be eaten fast right? So if it's eaten correctly it will taste better.'
I gave him a despairing look. 'That is so not how it works.'
'Besides it doesn't matter if I eat in a refined manner here or not. There is no need to worry about how anyone will view me here.' She turned contemplative for a moment sipping at her drink. 'Oi. What I mean, is it doesn't get me anywhere to act like that here. There's nothing in it for me to observe proprieties with you either.' Haruhi looked suitably chagrined. As if he hadn't already insulted her enough.
I raised an eyebrow at him. 'And me?'
He wisely considered his response to me more carefully, draping his arm around the back of my chair, drink in hand. 'If my manners are so important to you then I will conduct myself accordingly.' I continued to stare him down for a moment before settling back against my chair.
A group of girls approached our table giggling nervously. They reminded me of the younger girls who visited the host club. Clearly they had taken a liking to my fiancé. More fool them. 'Umm...excuse me. Is anyone sitting here? Can we have this chair?' He barely looked at them as he nodded his ascent, fully focused on the burger he was eating.
'Go ahead.'
'Yay! Thank you so much!' They gushed. He simply pulled me closer to him and pointedly drew a hand through my hair. They seemed to get the message and left.
'If you're wondering why I get along with Tamaki so well...' Haruhi jumped out of her skin as he apparently guessed exactly what she had been thinking. '...the answer is simple. Because it's in my interest. I won't act for any other reason. I am an egoist after all.'
I rolled my eyes and nibbled tentatively on the chips Haruhi had ordered, finding them edible I left him to his mind games. Haruhi was smart enough to know he was full of shit.
'Tamaki-senpai would cry if he heard you say that.' Haruhi replied reproachfully.
'No he wouldn't. He's known it from the beginning. It's why we teamed up. Hikaru and Kaoru and even Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai, we all hang around together because it's in our interests to do so. The relationships between our families and the situations that each of us are placed in...well let's just say there's still a lot that you don't know. That fool Tamaki sometimes acts when there's nothing in it for him. It is true there isn't a single millimetre of similarity between myself and Tamaki.'
Haruhi stared at him stunned, clearly surprised by the fact that even he would speak so coldly of his closest friends. 'What about Seina? You love her, don't you? What is to be gained from that?'
The barest hint of that soft smile touched his lips as he glanced down at me. The words that came from his mouth were anything but soft. 'Name one thing I've done for Seina that I haven't benefited from.' She opened her mouth then frowned and abruptly closed it again, unable to provide an answer. 'Honestly Haruhi,' He continued. 'Are you really so naive that you don't realise what I gain from her?' If she had been in doubt as to what he meant his smirk would have been enough to fill in the blanks.
'Senpai!' Haruhi exclaimed, looking to me for some sign that he had just broken my heart or hurt my feelings. I remained impassive and merely shrugged at her as I finished the last dregs of my milkshake.
Once he had eaten, quality aside, Kyoya's mood improved considerably and we decided to take a look around the convention after all. 'Kyoya-senpai?' Haruhi questioned carefully. 'I thought you were going to take a taxi home.'
'Why do you say that like Seina's presence is more welcome than mine?'
'No! Uh, that's not what I meant!' She lied.
'Well, we're going to look around. Hmm, black pearls from Ishigaki Island huh? Those are high quality articles. Will there be a buyer at a place like this?'
'Well we're here aren't we?' I mused.
'Why Seina? Would you like them?'
'What? No. That's not what I meant.'
'I'll buy you whatever you like.' He promised, apparently trying to redeem himself.
'We don't have any money.'
'Haruhi-'
'-Does not have that kind of money.' He frowned.
'Amazing. Can you really tell what they are?' An oblivious Haruhi asked peering down at the jewellery.
'Such is the education I've received.'
'You know, we've all been to Seina's childhood home and met her family but I don't really know anything about your family Kyoya-senpai.'
'There's not really anything for you to know about my family.'
'Well that seems kind of unfair doesn't it?'
'Unfair?'
'Well when it comes to my family, you even know the identities of my Dad's work friends. That seems kind of unfair.'
'That's an intriguing notion in it's own way.'
'Kyoya-senpai, you have two older brothers right? What kind of people are they?'
'Overly friendly in the creepy sort of way.' I supplied. 'His older sister Fuyumi is really nice though. I can give you her number and you can talk to his big sister every time he talks to your Dad.'
Haruhi snorted at me. 'That's ok. I think I'm involved enough in Kyoya-senpai's life as it is.'
'If you're sure.'
Kyoya wrapped an arm around my waist and gave me a half amused, half disapproving look. 'Seina hasn't warmed to them yet. They are exceptional men. So much so that they meet my father's expectations at every turn. So all the more is expected of the third son.' I leaned into him slightly in silent support.
'So things really are hard for you huh?'
'You think so? I can't think of any game more fun than this.'
I flashed Haruhi a quick grin. A competition in which you could prove you were the best was always fun. Haruhi gave us both an exasperated sigh clearly unsure what to make of us.
'Oh my, pieces by Komatsu Shoin? Imagine, seeing them here.' The familiar voice caught my attention at the same time the name caught Kyoya's and we turned around, Haruhi following our gaze.
'Madam, you have a sharp eye!' Crowed the crook behind the counter. What was Kobayashi-san doing here of all places? 'Komatsu Shoin's pieces have such a nice colour don't they?' The salesman continued, eager to sell his wares. 'To tell you the truth, these are pieces that I'm not supposed to have here. These are priceless items that are not meant to have been had outside of the Komatsu family in generations.'
'Oh my...' She looked excited enough that I almost regretted the fact that we would have to intervene. Almost. Kyoya was already walking towards her.
'Excuse me, Kobayashi-san.'
'Oh Seina-san! It is so delightful to see you. You're looking even more beautiful than the last time I saw you.' The salesman shot me an irritated look at having been interrupted. He had no idea how far downhill his day was about to go.
'These are fakes madam.' Kyoya told her, his most charming smile firmly in place.
'What? What did you say?' The conman demanded. 'Stop messing around! You're just a kid.'
'It's true the way the blue comes out here is very similar to Shoin's work, but an authentic piece would have a darker gradation towards the base, and the lacquer is too clear.'
The salesman began panicking, realising Kyoya knew exactly what he was talking about. 'I'm going to report you for obstructing my business! What school do you go to you delinquent!?'
Kyoya, unfazed, continued to study the bowl. By now, a small crowd of onlookers had gathered due to the fuss the crook was making. 'Ah! Just as I thought. One of the strokes on the seal on the bottom is off. If this is authentic there should be a certificate with it. Shall we do a handwriting analysis on it?'
'Um...errr...I left it back at my shop today...' Spluttered the salesman.
'Ah, in that case my family has had dealings with the Komatsu family for years so I could contact them and have them verify these right now. Would that be alright?' The conman finally seemed to realise he was done for and was led away by angry security guards.
'Thank you so much!' Kobayashi-san gushed, bowing repeatedly to Kyoya. 'I hope I'm correct in presuming you are Seina-san's fiancé?' Kyoya gave a gracious nod.
'Kobayashi-san, this is my fiancé Kyoya Ootori and my friend Haruhi Fujioka. Kyoya, Haruhi this is Kobayashi-san.' Haruhi gave her an awkward little wave.
'Oh my! It is so lovely to meet you both. Miyaki-san did say you were handsome. I suppose my grandson doesn't stand a chance now. Ah well, I'll keep looking. The perfect wife can't be far away. Once you're settled you both simply have to join me and my husband for dinner.'
'We'd be honoured.'
'Of course Kobayashi-san. We'll see you soon.'
'Helping people is something that is beneficial to you after all isn't it Kyoya-senpai?' Haruhi asked once the unfortunate woman was out of ear shot.
'Ah, didn't you know? That woman is the wife of the chairman of a major electronics maker. This is my first time meeting her as well but you can tell by the ring on her left hand. It's a company that our family has a lot of dealings with.'
'Oh and Kyoya-kun, I'll make sure to take advantage of your family's resort facilities next time I have chance.' Kobayashi-san called back.
'I'm honoured.' Haruhi couldn't have looked more fed up if she tried.
'Hey Haruhi? Is melon really that much of a popular flavour among candy makers?'
'Considering branching out the Ootori Group?' I teased at his interest.
'No. That's not it.'
Haruhi joined us at the sweets stall. 'Huh?'
'I don't get it? Why would you intentionally give a corn snack melon flavouring when it's not melon? It seems disconsonant doesn't it?'
In spite of herself, Haruhi began giggling. 'That's an intriguing notion in its own way.'
'Did I say something funny?'
'No, it's just that you said something earlier about there being nothing similar between you, and yet that sounded like something Tamaki-senpai would say.'
Kyoya looked at her like a deer caught in the headlights. His mind games were backfiring. Then he smiled. 'I see, this does seem like the sort of thing that Tamaki or the twins would get excited over. Alright, I'll buy them. Haruhi, your wallet.'
'Kyoya!' I exclaimed, horrified at him once again. It was always one step forward and two steps back with him. Still, progress was progress. To her credit, Haruhi didn't complain and I knew she would be paid back in full later. I would make sure of it.
A while later we sat down for Haruhi to rest her tiny legs. I placed myself tactically between the two hoping to prevent Kyoya from insulting my friend any further. Unfortunately she seemed determined to be insulted. 'Kyoya-senpai, I am sure that Tamaki-senpai thinks there is something to be gained from helping people.'
'That may be true for him but not for me.'
'Then what is there for you to gain? Wealth? Fame? Something tangible? The way I see it, Tamaki-senpai feels benefited from doing things that have no actual point. Kyoya-senpai, I think you're a lot like Tamaki-senpai.' I looked between the two of them, caught off guard by Haruhi's observations once again.
'This is an announcement for a lost little boy.' A female voice crackled out of the speakers. 'This is an announcement for a lost little boy. Ootori Kyoya-kun who is here from Tokyo. Ootori Kyoya-kun is lost. His guardian, Suoh-sama, is waiting for him at the second floor counter. Kyoya-kun is 180cm in height and is wearing glasses.' People began pointing and staring at us and I looked at Kyoya uneasily.
'I'm going to kill that idiot.' He proclaimed murderously.
'Maybe we should go and-'
'-There is also a lost little girl. Kamei Seina-san...'
I nodded at Kyoya. 'Ok, we'll kill him.'
We arrived at the information desk on the second floor to find all five of them and a gorgeous golden retriever crowded around the woman behind the counter. 'Oh Kyoya! Seina-san! You're safe! Umm...what is Haruhi doing with you?'
'Haru-chan! Sei-chan! Let's go play together!' Honey-senpai cheered enthusiastically.
'Let's play! Let's play!' The twins joined in.
'No. I'm going home. For some reason I'm worn out today.'
I shot her a sympathetic look. 'Perhaps I'll join you.'
Ruckus shouting signalled that Tamaki-senpai had been knocked over and thoroughly loved by the golden retriever. 'What is that dog?' Kyoya asked sounding as exhausted as Haruhi.
'Isn't she great! I just bought her at the pet shop on the roof! Hey, cut that out, Antoinette!'
'How are this idiot and I alike?' Kyoya asked Haruhi, watching his best friend being slobbered on.
'Earlier, when you said you decided to help out that lady because you saw her ring, you were lying. When you first saw that woman you couldn't have seen her ring. There was a flag between us. Also, even I can tell you love Seina with every fibre of your dark and twisted soul. You don't look at anyone else like you do her. I just don't understand it. Senpai intentionally acting like an egoist, when you're not actually an egoist, just seems disconsonant.'
He looked from her to me in surprise then a small smile edged across his face. 'That's an intriguing notion in it's own way.'