The delay wasn't that long, right? I was a little busy, painting the walls at home, then writing some other things.

"You don't have to come with me," Haruhi told him gently. "I have just promised Renge-chan, and I don't want to break my promise. Otherwise, I don't want to go myself."

"What if something happens," Kyoya insisted, giving his voice a tone of practical indifference. His reasons for wanting to go with her to that stupid, irrelevant trip―Suoh Tamaki had thrown―was completely different. He just didn't want to be away from her but was too proud to admit. "You know it has been a month since the blood-rush, and I am not about to risk your well being."

"But it's going to be very hot in Okinawa," she protested. "Very sunny, and you will get sick. You are already frowning like an old man, as the days become sunnier."

"I can manage myself," he said annoyed. "Suoh had insisted as well, that I join his little party. The elder Morinozuka and Honeynozuka cousins had graduated, and this would be an excellent chance to meet them, frankly."

He had no interest in meeting them, and Suoh infuriated him beyond belief with his tacky and annoying antics, but having Haruhi leave with the group of people for a week without him made him feel childishly envious. He could rationalize that he was acting immature, and Haruhi wasn't his toy to keep her around, but where Haruhi was concerned his rationality flew out of the window.

"If you are fine, I won't force you to stay behind," Haruhi smiled. "I am just worried it will affect your health."

He snorted like her statement was some sort of terrible insult. "Fine," she knitted her brows. "Pack your suitcase, senpai. And don't forget to bring your sunscreen to protect yourself against the ultraviolet radiation."

"You know that it's actually bad for any other human being as well. I am just more sensitive that's all," he said grumpily, as if admitting that sunlight made him feel hurt was making him somehow very inferior.

"Hmm, you are right," she said. "I will need to pack some of those lotions for me as well."

Since she had been discharged from the hospital and the school has started, Kyoya-senpai grew really close to her more than before, which both pleased and confused Haruhi. She didn't know what to make of his attentive behavior, as the young man started to text her frequently, wanting to make sure she was healthy and well. He also stopped resisting to drink her blood, which made things so much easier for her.

The second year in Ouran high school seemed far easier and more interesting, and Haruhi reasoned it was because she was more familiar with the school's inner workings and finally got used to being a high school student. It was Kyoya-senpai's last year, and he was already planning his university admission. She admired him, but telling him so would pump up his ego, and she wasn't about to do that.

"Your hair had grown longer," Kyoya said absentmindedly, and when he realized he had voiced his observation loudly, it was too late.

"Should I cut it short?" she asked with little bit of curiosity.

"Longer hair suits you," he cleared his throat. "You look cute like this."

She blushed and looked away. Maybe, he was supposed to push his luck. She was dense anyways. He could always find some excuse and claim she misunderstood him in case she didn't find his affections desirable, and if she did, he wouldn't mind to have her full attention.

"Does it matter?" she grumbled like an annoyed kitten. "It's such a nuisance, gets in my eyes all the time, and I have to spend extra hours in the shower."

He didn't want to think of her in the shower quite honestly, he hardly managed himself without the additional thoughts of imagining her sprinkled with water and no clothes. His face reddened, and he had to cough and look away―not to betray his inner thoughts.

He always thought he had a better self control over himself. But she shuttered it, like she shuttered all the walls he had erected to protect himself from the outside world. He pretended to be strong and disinterested in friendships, irrelevant and frivolous connections, but it all was a self-defense, because he knew he couldn't have any of it with his condition. And then she came, and her smell and warmth melted everything he had done to keep his heart strong and frozen against the outside world.

Did he do something very nice to deserve the friendship of such a sweet, innocent person?

"You are fascinating, Haruhi," he smiled genuinely, and she looked at him with wide eyes and then snorted.

"You always say that," she complained.

"I guess I do," he confessed with a sigh.

The trees around them had already fully blossomed, and the May air smelled sweet and fresh. He loved to sit with her in this secluded place in the Ouran garden, as if nobody else existed, listen to her speak about the recent book she had read, or about her plans to become a lawyer. Her interests were pretty wide, and he never found himself even once bored. He could listen to her for hours and just be mesmerized. He liked Haruhi outside of the strange chemical attraction and desire he felt for her. He liked her as a sweet and intelligent person and was naturally drawn to her.

It wasn't just the next guy's announcement how their loved one was so different from the rest of the world. No, Kyoya was a perfectly rational person. He knew that there was a possibility of girls prettier than Haruhi. He knew that there were more intelligent ones as well and certainly kinder ones too. But he knew that whatever combination of those traits Haruhi had was unique to her. She was fascinating in that way. An intelligent young woman who was sweet and kind, but also had strong spirit and compassion, and it didn't make her appear dumb or a pushover.

"Senpai," she touched his shoulder. "I will be waiting for you in the morning. I need to go now to let my father know about the trip."

"Of course, Haruhi," he nodded. "I will call you in the morning. You don't have to go with the host club. Tachibana-san will take us there. I will get the details from Suoh-san."

"Thank you, Kyoya-senpai," she said before leaving.

Kyoya smiled, looking at her leaving figure. He wanted her.

His father didn't say anything after the hospital conversation, but Kyoya knew Yoshio Ootori wasn't a man to let that slide. He had no idea what his father was planning, but he certainly wasn't going to sit aside and let the old man hurt Haruhi. It was matter of time before his father would take any action, and Kyoya was patiently waiting. He was looking forward, making sure his father knew, that his obedient son had a reason to be rebellious now.

Things had calmed down, and even Akito seemed to be busy with work at Ootori group and with his girlfriend. His elder brother, as always, spend most of his time in the Ootori research center, working on an experimental drug, although, Kyoya noticed his silent displeasure with Father for not pushing Kyoya towards medication trials. His mother, on the other hand, seemed to spent a great deal of time with this new friend of hers and had become more cheerful and happy, and Kyoya found the relative tranquility soothing, but not a reason to lower his guard.

.

She looked so beautiful in her flower-printed blue dress that reached her knees. Kyoya had to keep his gasp in his mouth. Her chocolate hair was gathered into a ponytail and showed her slender neck. He bit his lip, seeing her like this; pretty and relaxed. He was initially grumpy that the blonde oaf Suoh had drugged Haruhi into his stupid club's antics, but getting to spend time with her when she looked happy, made Kyoya uncharacteristically lightheaded. Sending Suoh thank you flowers even crossed his mind for a moment, before he scoffed at the ridiculous notion.

"Kyoya-senpai," she noticed him and waving her hands, ran down the stairs. "Thank you for coming to take me."

Kyoya hurried to take her small suitcase. "Good morning, Haruhi," he greeted politely. "Let me take that for you."

"Oh," she looked at her suitcase. "It isn't heavy at all."

He smiled gently but then grabbed the suitcase and dragged to the car. "It doesn't need to be heavy for me to help you."

She flashed pink for some reason, and Kyoya felt his heart pound faster. The gentle coloring of her face made him feel so strange. Did he do something to fluster her or embarrass her?

"Um..." she mumbled awkwardly and looked away when he turned his attention to her. "I am not used to people helping me with simple things like that," she confessed.

Kyoya looked at her softly and found himself a little too happy. She was such a sweet girl. And he liked her honesty and her complete lack of awareness of what kind of emotions she incited in him. They walked to the car parked near the apartment complex, and Kyoya's bodyguard hurried to take her suitcase and put it in the luggage compartment.

"Renge-chan told me they all were already on the way," she suddenly said. "I think we will get there last. I hope she won't get upset."

"She won't," he smiled. "Did you warn your father that you won't be home for a few days?"

"Yes," she nodded. "He fussed over me and made a drama and then packed my suitcase."

Kyoya smiled and opened the door of the car for her. The bodyguard gave her a strange look, like he was seeing some sort of extraordinary thing happening and then took his own seat in the front of the car.

Haruhi thought she would be bored on the way to Okinawa, but she was very much occupied with the most interesting conversation she had ever had with Kyoya-senpai. He was so intelligent, and she found herself admiring him. She was so glad he insisted on coming with her. She liked Renge-chan, of course, but the redhead would have driven her crazy.

"Did you read the book I gave you?" he asked suddenly, leaning closer.

Haruhi didn't seem to notice the sudden proximity, because she didn't blush, like she would usually do, and shook her head.

"Not yet," she said. "I meant to bring it with me, but I know I wouldn't really get a chance here with the host club guys and Renge around, and that would also unfair to you, because you came here only because of me."

A short, almost self-deprecating chuckle left his throat. How ironic it was that she was so smart and understood people's motives and string of situations well enough to make assessments and come to a critically recognizable conclusion. And yet... Kyoya sighed... yet, he had meant to tell her that he liked her more than just a friend, and she just looked at him with her sweet, twinkly eyes and didn't understand a thing.

For God's sake, after they have kissed, and she didn't stop him, he thought they would not be whatever this was, because Kyoya wanted more.

She was so oblivious, it was painful for third the Ootori son's mental health. He resorted to childish means, by spelling out what he felt for her on a note and stuck it into a book that he gave her, and she didn't even read it. He wasn't used to talking about his feelings. If anything that was a thing he was discouraged to do as a child, and now he found himself incapable of opening his heart to anyone.

He didn't know if telling her he wanted more than a friendship wasn't enough, and it was the most he could do.

"It's alright," he sighed. "Read it once we go back and tell me your opinion on it. I will be waiting."

He hoped once she knew what he felt, they could sit down and talk about it in more detail. He wanted her also to have time and decide what she thought of his feelings in loneliness without any pressure or any embarrassment. Feelings and love were not Haruhi's specialties, either.

"Kyoya-sama," Tachibana's voice clicked in the passenger compartment. "We have reached the destination."

Nekozawa Umehito's family summerhouse was in a secluded corner, shaded with tall trees and beautiful flowery lawns. The staff was already waiting at the entrance, and they approached to take their luggage. Haruhi pouted cutely, and Kyoya's heart fluttered. She was reluctant to give her suitcase to someone else to carry. As always, Haruhi self-sufficiency was getting on her way.

"Everyone else has already gone to the beach," the head of the personnel told them, once they were inside the lavishly decorated foyer. "The maid will show you to your rooms."

Kyoya put his hand on her shoulder when he noticed how one of the security guards was eyeing Haruhi. She took it as a friendly gesture and put her own arm on Kyoya's shoulder. He gulped, because his body trembled in excitement.

"Wow," Haruhi exclaimed eyeing the spectacular decor and the ornamental architecture inside the summerhouse. "These looks like some kind of palace from those western movies. Rich people have weird tastes anyways. Are you by any chance living in one of these castles too?"

Kyoya's lips curled in amusement. If she thought, comfortably designed and quite minimalist summerhouse was a castle, she sure would be shocked to see whatever Ootori residence was, and the amusement vanished from his lips. What if she disliked him because of it? Because he was one of those rich bastards? She sure didn't like people showing off, but she didn't say anything about him in particular.

"Well, it's an old family house," he said, cleaning his throat, trying to choose his words wisely. "It's more on the traditional side."

Haruhi didn't answer, because the maid, who was guiding them, turned and politely pointed at their respective rooms. They were on opposing sides and Kyoya excused himself with a short sigh. And what was he expecting? He behaved like a brainless lovesick schoolboy. Oh, wait! He was a schoolboy. And wait a little more, because he was also very much lovesick. Thankfully, though, his brains were still in his head, and he intended to use them to deal with the problem of his lovesickness.

.

Okinawan sun was high in the blue sky and shone cheerfully, reflecting its bright light in the water. The sand was warm and soft against her bare feet. Haruhi walked towards the water on the shore that was waving back and forth like a petulant child, not deciding where to stay. Haruhi sat down and extended her feet close to the water. It was cold. Her toes curled, discontent of the contact with something wet and chilling.

She sighed and closed her eyes. It was surprisingly quiet even though she could see the host club and the guests screaming around, playing games with each other. Maybe coming here wasn't a bad idea after all. And Kyoya-senpai was here too. Her heart flipped in her chest when his image appeared in her head, and a cold shiver passed through her body, as if she had just jumped into the cold water in front of her.

Haruhi rubbed her knuckles and closing her eyes, fell backwards against the soft, faintly heated, sun-kissed sand. The tiny rocks of the sand served her as a cozy cushion, and she closed her eyes, gazing up into the sultry blue of the May sky. It wasn't very hot, and the tender breeze was sweeping through the water, and the sand and meekly caressing her skin. The bright light formed fluid colours in front of her closed eyes, and Haruhi started to mentally move the tiny dark spots in her vision, as a sort of a game she used to play when she was a child.

"You might get a headache if you stay under the bright sunlight," she heard Kyoya's voice and detected that practical tonality he used to insist on his indifference on the matter, but with a way of also saying I know I am giving you an advise, so be kind and follow it. Her lips curled to form a smile, and she lifted her head and turned to look at him.

He had sunglasses on to protect himself against the bright sunlight, and even though he was wearing shorts, unlike the other young men around the beach, he preferred to wear a lose shirt to make sure none of those mild radioactive waves would reach his body. It was hard to decide what kind of mood Kyoya had when she could see his silver eyes behind the prescription glasses, but now with sunglasses covering them, she felt like a person going blind in a color game.

"Oh, it's alright," she waved her hand and got up clumsily, her legs, seeped in warm sand. "The sun might be bright, but it isn't very hot. Would you like to join the others or sit here?"

Before he could answer, someone put his arm on her shoulder, and she jumped up startled.

"Oh, Haruhi," it was her classmate, Hitachin Kaoru. "I didn't realize it was you. Why are you standing here alone? Don't you want to join us and play with us?"

He looked at Kyoya and was a little startled, as if he didn't notice him standing there. He gave him a small bow. "I am sorry, Kyoya-senpai, I didn't realize it's you. I didn't know you would come as well."

Kyoya politely greeted him, but didn't say anything, although followed very closely the twin's mannerisms, and it didn't escape his attention how friendly he was with Haruhi.

"Why didn't you wear one of the swimsuits from the other day?" the twin asked, looking at Haruhi disapprovingly. "You looked good in them."

Swimsuits? Kyoya blinked and stared at the two of them in surprise.

"Oh, I left them in the host cub," she explained. "They were very pretty, so thank you, but they are expensive, and I wouldn't want to spoil them, besides I am not planning to swim, so there would be no need to wear one."

Kyoya stared at the Hitachin twin, trying to understand what kind of swimsuit business the two were talking about. He kept the polite smile on his face and thought his facial muscles would get strained soon if he had to pretend to be cheerful anymore. He couldn't smile with his mouth open, worried his fangs would scare the lights out of everyone, but he kind of wanted to do it for some reason now.

"Kaoru, we need your help," his brother called waving at him.

"Okay," he rolled his eyes, then turned to them smiled sweetly and talked to his twin mumbling something under his breath, "Are they dating or something? He was staring at me, as if I was undressing his girlfriend."

"You really don't want to swim?" Kyoya asked when Kaoru walked away. "You don't have to sit here with me. You can go and have fun with others."

"No," she laughed. "I actually can't swim. I mean I don't know how to swim."

"I thought you knew, because your classmate suggested you were considering to wear a swimsuit," he said carefully, searching her features.

"Ah, Kaoru-kun?" Haruhi chuckled. "He made me wear bunch of them. He said he made them and wanted to see how they looked before he would show them to his mom. And I was in the host club then, helping Renge-chan. I had nothing better to do, so I agreed. He is kind of using me as a dummy for his fashion things."

Kyoya suppressed an eye roll. How could she just agree so easily? In Kyoya's eyes, it didn't sit well, but he was smart enough to keep his opinions to himself.

"You seem very close with the host club," he said with a smile instead.

"Well, I spent great deal of time there with Renge-chan," Haruhi explained in a matter of fact manner. "Besides, Tamaki-senpai drags me into their host club things as well. I mean he treats me like some kind of exotic animal, because I am a commoner and all."

"If you don't like anything, just tell me," Kyoya said in a tone that bordered between playful and dangerous. "I know how to deal with some rich bastards, after all, I am one too."

Haruhi started to laugh wholeheartedly, and that made Kyoya smile as well, only this time really genuinely.

"Thank you, senpai," she said, brushing her curls back, as the wind was whipping them against her face. "They are not that bad."

Kyoya smiled at her, and Haruhi averted her gaze awkwardly, glancing around, searching as if for a place to ran away. "It's too sunny here," she said. "Maybe we should sit under the umbrella."

"Of course," Kyoya agreed.

Haruhi pressed her lips tightly into a line, and a low sigh died in her throat. Kyoya-senpai looked so cute. His silver eyes were hidden behind the dark sunglasses, but his cheekbones and the way his jaw was shaped made squirmy trembles shudder her insides. The feelings were so strange. She looked away when they sat down, because she thought she would say something strange, if she kept staring at his face.

There were couple of magazines and strange manga series thrown around under the large umbrellas that was set in the beach. Kyoya regarded them with mild interest, but his face wrinkled once he opened them. He quickly flipped through the pages and even found a short article on himself. Kyoya's eyes widened, and he snorted at the ridiculous nonsense they wrote about him. So, was this what people thought of him? His face heated, as his eyes continued to skim over the sentences written in the article.

"Kyoya-senpai, are you too hot?" Haruhi suddenly leaned forward. "Your face is red. Do you want to go to a different place?"

Kyoya shut the magazine and quickly put it behind him as far away from Haruhi as possible. He cleaned his throat and shook his head. "It's okay," he mumbled. "Don't worry about me. Do you want to join the others? Would you want to drink something? I could bring you something to drink."

"I am fine," she waved her hands with an awkward smile. "What are you reading? Can I see it?"

"NO!" Kyoya almost screamed. "I mean, it's nothing really. Here take this. It has nice drawings."

Haruhi stared at the extended book and took it with a smile. Kyoya sighed. Why was he acting so ridiculous? To shake off the sudden embarrassment, he took the very first thing in his sight and was determined to read it.

"Haru-chan," Houshakuji's annoyingly squeaking voice almost made his ears bleed.

The girl ran up to them excitedly and without taking notice of him, wrapped her hands around Haruhi. Haruhi fell backwards in surprise and shrieked with shock. Renge-chan was sprawled over the girl, but it appeared she didn't even realize. Haruhi grunted, trying to move away from the redhead's weight.

"Would you please move away, Houshakuji-san," Kyoya politely leaned forward and offered the girl his hand. "Fujioka-san will suffocate now."

Renge stared at Kyoya's hand, but didn't take it. She excitedly jumped away and pulled Haruhi into her embrace. "I am so happy, I am so happy, I am extremely excited," she repeated nonstop, making poor Haruhi shrank away and exhale air in despair.

"What has happened, Renge-chan?" the honor student finally managed to get the words out.

"I have kissed Mori," she screamed, inviting the attention of bystanders. She rubbed her palms and smiled craftily. "And he... he kissed me back."

Kyoya wrinkled his nose. What an absolute mess this girl was! He face-palmed. He didn't want to be there and listen to this conversation. Why was she going into so many details anyways, making his dear Haruhi so uncomfortable and embarrassed? Kyoya frowned and turned his head away. Kami-sama, he so wanted to be away.

"And now it's official," Renge screamed enthusiastically.

"I am glad you are happy," Haruhi said with a soft smile.

"I can't wait until we have sex," she said with a straight face, and Kyoya jumped up.

"That's it," he said displeased. "I had enough. We are going to join the others. It's impolite to sit here alone. Haruhi, get up."

Haruhi's face was as red as ripe tomatoes. When she looked at Kyoya, she blushed a few shades darker and looked away panicked.

"What got into you, Ootori?" Renge grumbled, annoyed.

Kyoya suppressed an eye roll and just smiled politely at the crazy second-year. "Aren't you supposed to be with your boyfriend?" he said in an amused tone. "He might get lonely."

Renge's eyes sparkled, and she sprang forth, sprinkling sand everything. Kyoya's words were like some kind of magical spell that put her in action. The third Ootori son's expression became neutral when the redhead left, and he turned to his disheveled friend. "Are you still alive?" he asked his voice laced with humor.

"Yes," Haruhi nodded quickly. "I am already used to Renge-chan's over-enthusiasm."

She looked away towards where the water was lining up and touching the land with its white bubbles. The foam was glistering with warm hues under the May sunlight. The birds were chirping in the distance, and the wind was joining to their mellow song. Haruhi felt like she had been invited to a strange nature orchestra's concert, and she smiled lightly. She wasn't this sentimental. The notions appeared a little out of place in her head.

"Hikaru and Kaoru came up with a fun game to play, would you join us?" Honey-senpai asked from where he was sitting with others.

"Yes, Kyoya-kun," Tamaki cheered up. "You must join us. And it wouldn't be fun without Haruhi. She is the unofficial member of the host club, right?"

"Yes, yes! Play with us," twins said simultaneously, grinning like maniacs.

Haruhi looked at Kyoya as if waiting for his reaction to give her response, and Kyoya leaned closer to see what these morons were up to. "And what kind of game are you planning to play?" he asked, crossing his arms, staring at the bottle in the sand between the gathered group. "Spin the bottle?"

Of course, these two had no other things to care about that to make up some stupid excuse to lock lips with girls.

"Well," Hikaru smiled cheekily. "Kind of, but not really. You don't want to play?"

"Where did they get this bottle?" Haruhi wrinkled her nose, staring at the huge bottle that had the world's sourest drink. Yuck!

"Alright," Kyoya sat down. "I might consider playing. What are the rules?"

Hikaru grinned. "So, first Renge-chan gives us notes and a pen and each of us can write some sort of task we want to performed during the game, like dancing, reciting a poem, anything than can be done now and here. Then we put all of those notes into this box. After that, we are spinning the bottle, but you have already guessed that part and unlike the original game where players have to kiss whoever fell on the other point of the bottle, we do whatever action is written on the note that the pointed person took out from the box."

"Hmm," Kyoya rubbed his chin and smiled. "I am in, but what happens when someone for whatever reason doesn't want to perform the task in the note?"

Twins looked at each other mischievously. "Then they have to take a sip from the bottle. It's not the tastiest thing in the world."

"That's agreeable," Kyoya nodded.

They all sat down in circle, and Haruhi found a little surprising that Renge-chan was sitting not next to her boyfriend, but in front of him, perhaps, hoping to fall on the other side of the bottle pointer. Small paper notes were distributed with pens, and Haruhi stared at the rose colored paper, wondering what to write down. She cautiously peeked at her senpai, wondering what he had planned to write in his paper.

She pressed the tip of the pen against her chin in contemplation and twisted her lips, pondering over what would be appropriate.

"Write something that will increase my chance of kissing Takashi," Renge winked at her like a cat ready to jump at its prey.

Haruhi gulped horrified, imagining what crazy things Renge and others might write in their notes. What if they made her do something inappropriate? Perhaps, she could just get away by drinking the sour drink. Why was she playing this game again? She rubbed her nose thoughtfully and pressed the tip of the pen on the paper. What to write!?

"Are we all done?" Kaoru-kun started to collect the the the pieces of papers, stretching forward the box.

"Umm," Haruhi panicked. "A second, please!"

She glanced at Kyoya. He had already written whatever he did and placed the paper in the box.

"Draw your favorite animal," she wrote and wrinkled her nose. It sounded so ridiculous, she was tempted to request another piece of paper. But before she could make up her mind, Renge snatched the paper and handed it to Kaoru, who just threw it into the box. He shook it very well and put in the center.

They sat in circle, and there were a few of the host club guests also participating. Her eyes met Ayanakoji, who grit her teeth and lifted her chin up.

"I will spin first," Tamaki said enthusiastically, pawing the bottle.

"Hey," Hikaru slapped his hand away. "I thought up this game, so I will go first."

Tamaki's eyes grew big, and he shifted his head away and pouted like a child. Kyoya raised his eyebrows at the infantile exchange and wondered how his life would be different if he agreed to be part of this absurd club when chairman's son was pestering him about, since the school started.

"Fine, you go first, boss," Hikaru crossed his arms, sitting back. Tamaki's face shone like a sun, and he turned back with a smile bigger than his lips could afford.

He grabbed the bottle and quickly span it. The liquid filled container revolved with fast speed and then slowed down. Tamaki's face slightly twitched in surprise when he realized that the other end of the bottle was pointing at Honey-senpai. The cute blonde grinned enthusiastically and grabbed the box. Renge's sweetheart―Mori-senpai, stared at his cousin and, judging from the expression on his face, prayed silently that he wouldn't have to witness his cousin and the chairman's son locking lips with each other.

"Piggyback ride!" Honey-senpai's eyes sparkled, and he lifted his arms, staring at the Host Club's prince expectantly.

Tamaki flicked his tongue over his dried lips and looked at his excited senpai. Honey-senpai did look very cute. "Okay," he said with a resolve in his voice.

He turned back and stretched his arms backwards as if inviting the host to climb up on his back.

The game continued and soon even more ridiculous things were performed by whoever span the bottle. Renge-chan practically shoved a cookie into the grinning Hikaru's mouth, who she was supposed to hand feed. Mori-senpai danced ballet for Haruhi, and Haruhi tried not to stare and look awkward. Kaoru braided Nekozawa's hair. Momoka drew a cat on Kimiko's arm. And then after a few more asinine things, it was Kyoya's turn to spin the bottle.

He tilted his head, smiled at Haruhi softly, for some reason, and then swiftly pushing the bottle into a rapid rotation. It was strange to see normally cold and detached Ootori Kyoya in such a setting, so most of the hosts and their guests were intrigued by his presence and were curious of what he would do if the game decided to present him with some interesting, compromising act.

Everyone's eyes were glued to the spinning bottle. When it finally slowed down and stopped, Haruhi's heart stopped as well. Kyoya smiled at her as if content that whatever he was supposed to do would be with her, as the bottle was pointing at her accusingly.

"Here take out," Kaoru-kun outstretched the box to her. She took it from her classmate's hand and didn't realize that her body was shaking. Why was she feeling so embarrassed and cautious? It wasn't like she was committing some sort of crime. They were just playing a silly game. She pawed the content of the box, trying to find a paper, but it seemed there weren't that many left. Finally, her fingers clasped around one, and she pulled out.

Senpai was staring at her with his icy-cold eyes, but there was warmth in his expression. Haruhi's stomach tingled, and she pressed her thighs closer to each other, as if to make the tingling suppressed. She didn't have this sorts of strange tingles and shivers in her body. It was strange. She cleaned her throat and opened the paper.

"KISS!" her eyes widened. She blinked. She blinked again. She recognized Renge's handwriting and glared at her, but the tingling sensation returned and made her knees feel mushy and weak.

"Um..." she stared at Kyoya and then at everyone who was giving her impatient looks.

"What is it?" Hikaru asked. "If you can't read the handwriting, maybe I can help. He leaned forward, trying to snatch away the paper from her hands, but Haruhi backed away and pressed the paper closer to her chest.

Oh, God! No! This was bad. She didn't even know how to say that word out loud and look into Kyoya-senpai's eyes. They were friends. Surely, he wouldn't think it was strange. They kissed once. Why should it be any different?

"It's a 'kiss'," she said quickly, turning the paper back and showing to anyone just in case they didn't understand what she mumbled.

She glanced at Kyoya. Their eyes met again, and she blushed. His silver orbs looked so remote, and he stared at her with such an intense expression.

"Oh, Wow!" Hikaru cheered, seeing the paper. "We are expecting something hot, Ootori-san!"

"I protest," Tamaki suddenly said, getting up. "Haruhi, I will protect your innocence like a knight."

He rose his arm up in the air for the dramatic effect. Haruhi gaped at him awkwardly and then looked back at Kyoya who seemed completely unaffected by Suoh's antics.

"Relax, tono," Hikaru pulled him down. "Don't spoil the game! Nobody protested when you kissed Megumi-senpai."

Megumi blushed, looking away flustered. "That was different," Tamaki stammered. "It was just a friendly peck on the cheek. But this..."

"Oh, are you afraid, Ootori-san is going to french kiss our errand boy?" Hikaru grinned. "Is that what is in your mind? You sure have a dirty mind, boss."

Since when was she an errand boy? Haruhi grimaced and didn't like how this conversation suddenly became about her.

"No!" Tamaki protested, deep blush coloring his cheeks.

"I will pass," Kyoya's irritated voice grabbed the hosts attention. "Give me the drink."

The silence settled over everyone. This was the first time in the game anyone decided to drink the sour drink instead of performing the action written on the paper. Kaoru took the plastic cup and opened the bottle. Haruhi sniffled quietly. So, he chose the drink over kissing her? That suddenly made her upset, and her heart clenched. He couldn't even drink and eat normal food, and now he agreed to drink that disgusting drink, just to avoid kissing her. Why was she this upset?

Kyoya took the cup and drunk the contents in a few gulps. His face didn't twist in disgust like most expected. He looked very calm and had a very controlled expression.

"Are you sure it was sour?" Hikaru snorted, grabbing the bottle and filling a bit of it into a cup to taste. When it touched his lips, he gagged and had an unsettling scowl on his face. "What the hell! Eww, this is disgusting."

They all stared at Kyoya's indifferent expression. Haruhi pressed her palms against the warm sand, trying to calm her fast-beating heart. Why was she so hurt? And she was thinking, it was going to be embarrassing, because he would kiss her. She felt sheepish for even expecting it. That one time they have kissed, she pushed it. Oh God! What he might have thought of her then!

The game continued for a few more rounds, but Haruhi didn't pay attention. She was sad and a little embarrassed. She didn't even dare to look at Kyoya.

After they played a few more times, and all the papers were gone, and the game was over, she walked away, trying to sort her thoughts out away from everyone, in silence.

Kyoya wanted to join her, but as he was about to walk after her, Suoh Tamaki got his hands around Kyoya's neck.

"Kyoya-kun," he sang his name in a stirring tone. "We are planning to make a campfire tonight at the beach. Would you like to join us?"

"I am afraid, Suoh-san, I am a little tired now," he tried to pry away the blonde's arms. "I apologize."

"Oh," Tamaki pouted. "It's alright. You might be upset to sit with us and see the love of your life in another man's arms."

Kyoya lifted his brows in surprise. What was this oaf speaking about?

"You know, Regne-chan and Mori-senpai," Tamaki clarified, seeing his quizzical expression. "I know that it was uncomfortable for you during the game when you were to kiss Haruhi-chan in front of Renge-chan. That's why I interfered. I couldn't have you to do something like that when your heart belongs to someone else."

Kyoya sighed. Again? How could he convince this guy that he had no feelings for Houshakuji and didn't ever wish to have? The only thing he felt when he saw what was written in that goddamn paper in Haruhi's hand was excitement, longing. He wanted to throw away all rationally and kiss her. Kiss her like his life depended on it, like it was the only thing keeping the world together.

He had struggled with himself, because he wanted to kiss her. But he didn't, because he wouldn't kiss her in front of so many people as if the kiss meant nothing and was just an act of a silly game. Haruhi deserved better. She deserved a gentle, soulful kiss. She deserved her moment to be only her own and not a spectacle for other's eyes. And that's why he preferred to drink that goddamn sickening drink. He preferred to endure the nausea and disgust, rather than cheapen her experience.

"I think it is pointless for me to say that I don't like Houshakuji-san," Kyoya shook his head with a low sigh. "You are very insistent in your belief that I have some sort of feelings for her."

"You don't need to hide things from me, Kyoya," Tamaki smiled at him fondly, with a knowing look in his eyes. "I can see that ache in your eyes."

The lack of honorifics made Kyoya slightly startled, but as he was already used to Suoh's lack of care for conventions, he held back a grimace. That ache he spoke of perhaps existed, Kyoya couldn't deny it, but the blonde didn't know that it was directed towards a certain brunette. He just wanted to ran up to her, wrap his hands around her and tell her how he felt. Suoh would have done something like that if he were in love. Kyoya wrinkled his forehead, realizing he was starting to reason like the chairman's daft son.

"I didn't know you were an optometrist, Suoh-san," Kyoya joked, trying to divert the blonde's attention.

"Hey, tono," one of the twins interjected, pulling the blonde to his side. "What do you say about ordering some seafood? I am dying from hunger."

"What about the campfire," Tamaki fretted. "I thought you all wanted to sit around it. I was planning to sing."

"You still can sing," Hikaru pouted. "But not before my tummy stops singing."

"Fine," Tamaki shook his head. "Go talk to Umehito-senpai. Tell him we want seafood. We are staying in his family summerhouse tonight. I think the cooks can prepare something."

"How about you, Ootori-san?" Hikaru grinned, looking at him. "What do you want to eat?"

"Fancy tuna, maybe?" Kyoya smiled politely. "Haruhi would like it definitely."

He had different―special―food. And his food was somewhere around, walking in the beach, getting her feet sprinkled with sand particles, looking at the sky with her pretty doll-like eyes. The thought brought smile to his lips. Wait! Why was he feeling so giddy? He hoped he didn't look like an idiot imagining Haruhi in his head.

"That sounds nice," Hikaru saluted. "How about you, boss?"

Tamaki held his chin thoughtfully, as if he was making a life-changing decision.

Loud, spine-chilling scream grabbed their attention. Kyoya blinked. It was Houshakuji's voice. She didn't stop. Everyone turned their heads towards the cliff, shaped like a giant cat. Morinozula Takashi sprinted through the bushes towards the girl. The others followed quickly, trying to understand what happened to the girl.

She was crying and hysterically pointing to the edge of the cliff. Two others girls were standing next to her equally shocked. If Kyoya wasn't mistaken one of them was Momoka Kurakano. She was in the same class with Haruhi and Renge.

"What has happened?" Tamaki asked, looking around confused.

Renge was trying to get out of her boyfriends arms and ran towards the cliff. "Haruhi," she screamed. "Haruhi was pushed down."

Kyoya's head span around. He felt dizzy and sick. His knees felt weak. He wanted to throw up for some reason. Haruhi... water... cliff... she didn't know how to swim...

His attention snapped back. He needed to get to her. Suoh jumped into the water. He ran towards to cliff to follow and so the others, except Mori-senpai who was trying to calm Renge. He couldn't feel anything. The way his heart was beating. The way his body was responding was insane. His brain was clouded with fear, insane fear, he had never felt.

He couldn't see her? Where was she? He jumped up to breathe? Hikaru came out a second later. They looked at each other and shook their heads. Taking a deep breath, they dived again. His body was trembling. What if they wouldn't find her? How could have this happened? Wasn't he supposed to look after her? Wasn't that the reason he came with her? He went deeper.

This was his fault. He had swore to himself that he would protect her. No! No! No! He didn't want to believe this. His lungs were burning, but he didn't want to go up without finding her. Haruhi meant so much more. She was much more than a person his heart fell for. She was all. His mind resisted. He wanted to undo the time to prevent this from ever happening.

He bolted upwards. Breathing harshly, gulping air hungrily.

"I have found her," Suoh's annoying scream for the first time in his life sounded so pleasant.

He swam towards him when he saw the girl in the blonde's arms. He had tears in his eyes. But no one could see them. The water was dripping down his face. A moment later the twin brothers came out of the water, breathless. "She is with me," Tamaki warned them, so they wouldn't dive back.

Honey-senpai ran forward with heavy blankets. "I have called the doctor," he said in a trembling voice. "Umehito went to speak with the security. Someone had broke in and attacked the girls. Haruhi had defended them, and they threw her down the cliff."

"Haruhi," Renge screamed, pushing her boyfriend away and running to the shore where they all were. "Haruhi? Is she alive?"

Kyoya came forward, trying to control his breathing, and pushed everyone away. He turned her head to the side. He lowered his head to her mouth, trying to feel her breathing against his face. Nothing. His body froze. He checked for her pulse. His fingers were shaking. She wasn't breathing. His heart almost stopped. He frantically leaned down and grabbed her face. "Haruhi," he called her desperately. "Please, respond back."

"Where is the doctor?" Tamaki panicked, getting up and looking at Honey-senpai pleadingly.

"This place is far from the city..." Honey-senpai mumbled in a low tone, pressing his lips together.

Kyoya rubbed his temples. He could do this. He knew what to do. He had seen this million times. Akito would laugh at him later on and tell him what Ootori he was, if he couldn't do this. He moved Haruhi on her back. He placed the heel of his hand in the center of her chest, then placed the other one on top of it for better pressure. He needed to push gently, measured and rhythmically. He started to perform the chest compression to everyone's surprise. His body was still shaking.

"What are you doing?" Tamaki tried to stop him, but his mind was hazy. He couldn't hear anything.

"Please, Haruhi," he cried, setting a rhythmical rate for the pushes, letting her chest raise and compressed again. He leaned down to check for her breathing. Nothing. He was desperate now. His hands were moving on their own.

"What are you doing?" Tamaki screamed. "You will break her ribs."

He didn't pay attention. He couldn't hear Suoh, nor anyone else for that matter. She wasn't breathing that was all in his head.

"Haruhi, please, open your eyes," he mumbled. "Don't leave me, please. I can't live without you..."

Everyone stared at the girl and Kyoya, despite feeling overwhelmed by what just happened. Tamaki's eyes was wide with shock, but the anxiety and fear was so overwhelming that all he did was blink rapidly. Honey-senpai took out his cellphone. "I will try again," he said in trembling voice.

Kyoya let go off the girl suddenly, titled his head backwards and lifted the chin up. He opened her mouth with his fingers and took a breath. Pinched her nose close, and their lips locked. Tears streamed from his eyes and at this point, his already dry face showed that he was crying. Blowing air into her lungs, heart compressions, he repeated the actions, as if he had fallen into a certain loop.

She choked out water and breathed. Kyoya's heart skipped a beat, and he started to laugh, not caring if anyone caught a sight of his long, sharp fangs. She looked disoriented, confused and dizzy. "Haruhi," Kyoya hugged her closer, breathing relieved.

Honey-senpai draped a large towel on both of them. Kyoya pulled it down to cover Haruhi. "Are you alright?" he murmured in a soft voice, his head close to her ear.

"K-kyoya," she murmured.

"Haruhi," Renge cried, running towards her and taking the girl into her arms, incidentally half-hugging Kyoya, who didn't let go of Haruhi and clung to her like a child. "I was so scared. I am so glad you are fine. Are you fine?"

"I..." she started to cough, still dizzy and disoriented. "I am fine."

"Tell me, Haruhi, are you martial arts master like Honey-senpai?" Tamaki suddenly spoke angrily. "How could you do that? All by yourself ? Why didn't you call for help? You are a girl, don't you understand that? Don't you understand how dangerous it is? You could have died."

"I didn't do anything bad," she frowned. "I have defended my friend. What it has to do with being a girl or a guy? I didn't have the time to think about it."

"Don't you understand your mistake?" Tamaki sighed frustrated. Everyone were silent. Kyoya instinctively pulled Haruhi closer and lowered his head to rest on her shoulder.

"I didn't do anything wrong," Haruhi declared. "And I am alive."

"I won't talk to you until your acknowledge your mistake," Tamaki said, crossing his arms.

Haruhi sighed, and then her tired body gave in, and she closed her eyes. "The doctor is here," Honey-senpai said, after responding to his phone.

"I will take her to the summerhouse," Renge got up, cleaning her nose and tears. "Mori, please carry Haruhi. I don't want her to be here."

The tall guy like a lost puppy complied with his girlfriend's command and leaned down to scoop Haruhi up. "She will be alright with me," Renge said, putting her hand on Kyoya's shoulder. He nodded politely. The redhead glared at Tamaki and left with Haruhi and Mori.

"Any news from the security?" Hikaru asked Honey-senpai when grim silenced settled.

"Nothing so far yet," Honey shook his head. "I will call Umehito to see what's new. He is trying to send the girls back to their hotels. Maybe that's why he didn't contact me yet."

"You had no right to speak to her like that," suddenly Kyoya's voice was heard. "We have almost lost her, and when she opened her eyes, you were screaming at her like it was her fault."

"I..." Tamaki felt guilty. "I didn't mean it like that. I was very worried, and I wanted her to understand, so she won't do something like that again."

"Something like what?" Kyoya questioned, getting up. "Living in a real world?"

"She knew that she was no match to fight those intruders, but she did anyways," Tamaki retorted. "She should have known better."

"You don't get to tell her what to do, Suoh-san," he said coldly. "And you don't get to yell at her."

"They are caught," Honey-senpai came back and waved his hand, not noticing the strange tension.

"I am going to kill those bastards," Hikaru said, walking away.

"I will come with you," Kaoru mumbled, running after his twin. "It's getting too dangerous here with these two at each other's throats."

A short pause followed and the two guys glared at each other. "You think you are doing her a favor?" Tamaki complained. "What about if next time she gets into something that can cost her life. I am worried about her. She is my..."

Kyoya narrowed his eyes. "...she is my friend and I care about her," Tamaki finished.

"A friend comforts and helps," Kyoya said irritated. "You started to yell at her the moment she opened her eyes like it was her fault. She isn't an idiot to just stick her head into trouble for no reason. She is very responsible and reasonable and what she did was brave."

Kyoya turned to leave. He couldn't stand there any longer and listen to Suoh's reasoning. Deep down he knew that he wouldn't have wanted Haruhi to interfere. He wanted her safe, and he would have preferred if she didn't help them directly and instead called for help. But that would no longer be Haruhi. She was Haruhi because she was brave and selfless and cared about others' well being.

"So, it was her after all," Suoh's voice stopped Kyoya in his tracks. He turned to face the blonde. "All this time, I thought you liked Renge-chan, but it was Haruhi, right?"

"Yes," he said cooly.

.

Haruhi tried to move up and sit, leaning her back against the soft, plush cushions.

"Careful," Renge said, running forward to help her sit.

She pulled upwards the pillows and allowed Haruhi to lie against them. "How are you feeling? Do you want something to drink or eat? I can bring you anything. God, I was so scared, Haruhi. I was so scared. We all were scared."

She started to sob and wrapped her hands around Haruhi's waist, her head lowering to rest on the brunette's lap. Haruhi tentatively patted the girl's head, trying to sooth her. The door suddenly swung open, and Mori-senpai's head peeked in. "I am alright," Renge cried. "Just emotional as Haruhi woke up."

Mori nodded and closed the door back. Renge laughed through her tears. "He is guarding the door, as if those bastards are going to come back."

Haruhi smiled at Renge and brushed back her tears. "I am fine," she told her friend. "Don't cry. It's all over anyways."

"Oh, God," Renge tightened her embrace. "You weren't breathing when Tamaki took you out of the water. I thought... I thought..."

A new wave of sobs erupted, shaking the redhead's body. She clung to Haruhi like a koala bear to a tree. "If not for that Ootori guy, you... you..."

Haruhi tenderly stroked Renge's back, rubbing gently in a soothing circle. When she had opened her eyes, she was in Kyoya-senpai's arms, and the rest of the guys were around them. She didn't remember anything after being thrown into the water. She didn't even remember herself being scared. It was strange. It was like she had been asleep and had just woken up to know that something bad had happened to her while she was slumbering.

She was upset when she left after the game was over. She couldn't explain why she felt so sad, that Kyoya-senpai chose a disgusting drink over a small kiss with her. It wasn't like they were... they were... Haruhi's mind tried to find an appropriate term.

"He... he was scared too," she hiccuped. "He was trying to save you so frantically. I was so surprised. I think he was surprised too, and so were the others."

"He was trying to save me?" she shifted in the bed, trying to sit up more cozily.

Renge-chan nodded. "You two are friends?" she asked, lifting her head to look at Haruhi. "You even came together. And he seems to care about you. I have never seen him like that."

"I guess we are friends," Haruhi admitted with a small smile.

"You scared me so much. You shouldn't have attacked those morons. How could you put your life at risk just like that?"

"But you were in danger too, and I just didn't have the luxury of time to think about it," the doll-eyed commoner confessed honestly. "You are my friend, Renge-chan, and I was more worried at that moment about you."

"Aww," the redhead snuggled closer. "I will make sure Mori beats those morons to death. He should smash their heads with that kendo stick of his."

"Shinai," Haruhi provided with a smile.

"Yes, that thing," Renge agreed, waving her hands in the air. "Even I want to grab one and give them a good beating. How did they even get in? This is a private beach with a good security. These things happen to you so often, I think we need to find a boyfriend for you to keep an eye on you, so nobody would attack you anymore. You get hurt all the time."

Haruhi smiled and shook her head. "I am fine," she protested, raising her arms to show she was alright. "See!"

Renge cleaned her throat, narrowed her eyes in suspicion, but didn't say anything. "Are you hungry?" she asked instead. "We are going to have a dinner soon. Maybe, you will feel better if you eat. I want to put today's nightmare behind our backs."

Food sounded good, so Haruhi nodded eagerly. There was no time in her life when food sounded bad.

"I will get you your clothes then," Renge said getting up."I have put whatever you had on you in the laundry basket. The maids will wash it, although, your shirt was thorn, and I don't think you can wear it again."

When Renge disappeared behind the small door to search for a clothing from her suitcase, Haruhi pressed her palms against the soft blanket and tried to move. Her body was tired. There were reddening bruises on her wrists, where those morons had gripped her. She caressed the sore spots and whimpered when it stung. Her back felt heavy, as if something very hard had smashed against her bones an hour ago.

She stepped out of the bed, her bare feet hitting the cold, polished oak floor, and walked towards the room, where Renge had gone. She had some sort of shirt on her, she guessed it was a nightgown, and maybe Renge had dressed her into it while she was unconscious. She was a little uncomfortable at the thought that she caused so much fuss over herself, worrying everyone and spoiling the trip, but what was done, that was done. Even if she thought long about it, she wouldn't be able to change anything.

"Here, this dress would be great on you," Renge screamed, turning to face Haruhi. "I didn't know you wore this kind of clothing."

Haruhi stared at the pink dress with lush ruffles around the chest cut and the hems and blinked shocked. Her father didn't! Oh no! That's why he was so smug after he packed her suitcase. He knew that she hated all of these frilly dresses that were uncomfortable, and yet bought these things for her, and now she was forced to wear it.

"My dad apparently wanted to embarrass me," she sighed, grabbing the dress.

"What's there to embarrass!" Renge clapped. "It is such a cute dress. You will look absolutely perfect in it, and if the company today were better, I would even say you wouldn't leave Okinawa single. But none of these morons deserve you!"

Not leaving Okinawa single? Haruhi blushed thinking about it for a moment, and Kyoya-senpai slipped into her mind for some reason. Ugh, this was silly! Renge's crazy blabbering was getting to her. She shook her head and turned away to put the dress on. Renge helped her to fasten all the buttons on the back, and when she looked at herself in the mirror, she felt strange.

Her shoulder-length hair, that had grown during the months, was slightly wet and wavy at the ends, and her glasses were gone. Too bad she would need to get either a new pair, or maybe it was time to get contact lenses. She had lost the previous pair and didn't buy a new one. Her grandpa's glasses were fine, and she just used those.

"You look so cute, Haruhi," Renge smiled, brushing her hair with a comb. "Now let's go to the dining room. I think it's time for the dinner."

.

Hikaru's foot landed on the guy's head, and he fell down on the ground, blood seeping from an open wound on the loser's head.

"How dare you!" the auburn-haired young man kicked the guy angrily. "I should just knock all of your teeth out."

Kaoru was beating up the other one, punching the poor moron on face and not letting him move at all. They both were super pissed. These assholes almost killed Haruhi. And she was their friend. They wouldn't allow anyone hurt her. Honey-senpai was standing nearby, monitoring these scums' punishment. If he got involved, they would have to order two coffins. Unfortunately, the third asshole had ran away, and the security was still searching for him.

"Kao-chan," Honey-senpai called in his sweet voice. "Our criminal needs attention on the left side as well. You have been hitting him only on the right side."

Kaoru nodded and pummeled his fist in the direction Honey-senpai so kindly recommended.

"Hikaru, I admire your enthusiasm," the cute host interfered. "But we still need them alive."

"These morons don't deserve any mercy," Hikaru spat.

"Yes, but at this point you are tenderizing him like some steak meat," Honey-senpai sighed and then chirped when noticed a certain dark-haired, silver-eyed young man walk their way. "Oh, Kyo-chan, I thought you would go to check on Haru-chan."

Kyoya stared at the bloody mess and covered his nose, disgusted. He had smelled the pungent stench of these two from far away. The heavy odor of this bitter, stale blood made him slightly dizzy and nauseous. It smelled like rotting eggs and animal excrement. He turned his head away and used a handkerchief to shield his nose glands from the abhorrent fetor.

"I would like to have a word with them," he said calmly. "That's why I am here."

The twins stopped for a second and gave him a look. It was as if they were trying to learn his intentions.

"That's enough, Hika-chan, Kao-chan," Honey-senpai suddenly walked up to them. "We need to go and see how Haru-chan is doing and find Tama-chan. He is upset, and I think you should help him."

"What about these two bastards?" Hikaru scowled.

"Leave them to Kyo-chan," the blonde smiled playfully.

I am sorry for the wait and as an apology, I have written this long chapter. It was a little longer initially, but I have decided to cut it here. So, I hope you like this chapter. As I said, even though this story is basically AU, I try to add the canon parts as well. And I couldn't just resist the sun and the sea and the host club one. I mean this is the episode where the two have a moment. :D (Even if it wasn't the most romantic moment). I chose to write from this perspective, and I hope you enjoyed reading it. The next chapter is going to be intense anyways. Please leave me your opinions on the chapter. ❤️