Mind Games

Chapter 26

-Fun Days, Everlasting Memories-

The normal days of Ouran academy are about to come to an end. Winter break is fast approach and I only have a few more days until my departure. During our homeroom, I discover that Ouran Academy holds an annual class trip. Although, it's not one of your usual class trip since this is a prestigious school. Instead of your usual trip to another part of cities, Ouran Academy likes to up their game and make it an overseas trip instead. The student votes on a ballot to see where their destination will take place this year, and luck may have it upon me, our annual trip is to go to France this year. Although the trip isn't going to happen until the last two weeks of December, but by then I'll be….

I sigh out while burying my face on top of my desk. It's midafternoon in this wintery month of December. I turn my face to look out the window as I watch the falling snow softly hitting the glass window. My mind wanders through the last of the days as I plan what to fill my suitcase for my brief visit.

"Hey Alex," One of my classmates call out to me and I look up to meet their eyes. "Are you going to our Annual trip?"

"Well…." I started to say, before fixing my posture and sitting up a little straighter. "Truthfully speaking, I'm actually leaving for France in a few days so…."

"What?!" Most of my classmates having overheard our conversation shouted and they all encircle my desk. I look around in perplex while I try to calm them all down before standing up from my chair.

"Guys calm down," I said as I sigh out again. "It's only for a few days."

"Yeah but then what's the point of going on the annual trip if you already went to France?" One of the classmates ask. "Would it be boring to you?"

"Are you kidding me? This will be my first going on a trip with my friends." I said with a smile. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

(*)(*)(*)

After settling down my classmates' excitement, I head toward the Music room. I open the doorknob that holds the host club and walks into them as they begin to prepare for this evening event. At first, it was awkward having to come here since I was recently kicked out, but we all started to talk to each other ever since they all started taking the initiative on approaching me first. Honey-sempai came rushing to me holding a scrapbook in his hand a huge grin on his face. He grabs hold of my arm and drags me to a nearby couch as Haruhi set out teas and cake for us as Honey and I look over the pictures he has taken of our little party he invited to his home. Mori came up behind us and pointed at a picture he had taken of me and honey when we were throwing whip crème at each other in the kitchen. The next picture was of Honey's chef looking appalled, and lastly a picture of us being kicked out of the kitchen for creating a huge mess.

I couldn't help but laugh at how these pictures came out and my laughter attracted the other host club members attention as they all gather around us to see the photo album Honey-sempai created. I wasn't really sure what was going on with them, but for the past few days, I'm starting to notice their direct approach as they constantly wanted to hang out with me. It was not what I expect, but I didn't question them because I'm slowly starting to appreciate the memories I'm creating with them before I leave. I know I'm only leaving for France for a few days, but somewhere deep in my heart. I feel that if take the things I have now for granted, I might regret them later on in life.

"So I hear that you're leaving on a trip to France," Tamaki said expectantly as I choke on my tea. He patted my back as I regain my breathing. "Don't be so surprise, I just heard it from our classmates."

"Yeah I'll be leaving soon," I said as I wipe my mouth with a napkin. "It just a coincidence that the annual trip is France too so I was a bit shock."

"Are you coming back in time for the trip?" Tamaki asked in curiosity. "I mean, I know you were trying to be nice and say that you'll try to tag along, but…"

"Are you going, Tamaki?" I overlap his question with my own. Tamaki looked surprised for a moment before looking down and smiling.

I didn't have to question his actions because I already knew that I asked a landmine question. I turn my gaze away from Tamaki and look up at his ceiling. My head resting on the seat of the couch as the light on the TV screen flicker every so often. At the far corner, I listen to the soft tapping of fingers against keyboard as Kyouya taps away on his laptop. I didn't need to look over to see if he turn his attention to us because I already know he's been listening to our conversation this whole time.

"So tell me you two," I said lightly, trying to break the ice. My eyes still absentminded staring at the dark ceiling, before continuing, "What is this Alex DTBH bull crap you guys are trying to pull?"

Kyouya's hands stopped typing for a moment and I hear the swiveling sound of his chair being turned. I didn't bother to look their meaningful gaze and said, "If this is about you finding out about my past then stop this now. I just want this to be left in the past. I don't need your sympathy. I-"

I try to continue when I turn to face Tamaki who's sitting right next to me. His hand reached out to me until I feel his fingers brush at the corner of my eyes. In act of surprise, I slap Tamaki's hands away and abruptly stood up from the floor. It was then I realized I've been crying in front of them and my face started to heat up in embarrassment.

"E-excuse me," I stutter as I desperately rush through the back door. I didn't notice that Kyouya had followed behind me as the back door close behind him. Trying to hide my face, I turn away from him and quickly wipe my tears away before letting out a weak laugh.

"I must be pathetic to cry so easily," I try to play it off as I laugh again. I avert Kyouya's gaze as I start at the horizon. The sun was slowly setting as it turns everything orange and red. My hand grip on the balcony rail to support myself and I said, "You must think I'm weak."

"I think of no such thing," Kyouya said flatly before he walks towards me. My heart quicken when he grabs my shoulders and spun me around to face him before continuing, "You are a very strong person, Alex. So strong that you don't want to rely on others, but you need to. Or rather, you must let us in. Let us into your heart."

I vigorously shake my head and closed my eyes before saying, "I can't burden you with this. It's my problem. So please don't get involve."

"Alex."

"No!"

"Alex. Look at me," Kyouya said as he lifts up my face with both of his hands. His thumbs caress the side of my face as he wipes the tears away. His abnormal action startled my eyes open and I was met with pleading eyes. Kyouya then whispers to me, "Please Alex. Lean on us, lean on me to help you. We're here for you. We're your friends."

I choke up at this words as pulls me into his arms. Kyouya sudden warm embrace brings new tears to my eyes. I didn't have the strength to hold in anymore as I cry in his arms. My hands reach for him as I wrap my arms around him and Kyouya tightens his embrace. I didn't notice the back door had been reopened when I see all the member of the host club standing there. A small meaningful smile spread across their lips as they rush forward and join us a group hug. Honey-sempai sudden lunge knocked all of us down and we all burst out laughing. Tears brimming at the corners of their eyes as I laugh with them. My heart never felt so full of life. This aching feeling that both feels painful and blissful at the same time.

Before I know it, it was time for my departure to France. The host club, my mother, and Ann wave me goodbye at the terminal. We bid our brief farewell and twelve hours later, I step foot out of Charles de Gaulle Airport.

My new adventure beings now.

(*)(*)(*)(*)

Kyouya's POV

It's been only three days since Alex's absence and I can see that the atmosphere around the school has subtly changed. Not so much as the Host Club because the Hitachinn Twins constantly tries to bother me with any new update on Alex and what she's up to right now. It's true that I've been communicating with Alex the most over email for the past few days, but it doesn't mean I'll know every single detail she's doing overseas.

"I understand your worries for Alex," I said to the twins as I stop typing on my laptop before turning my eyes to them. Then I said, "But it doesn't mean you need to bother me every thirty minutes. If you want to know, then why don't you just contact her yourself?"

"Because you're already talking to her," Hikaru said in matter-of-fact. His response almost irks my irritation but I let it slide off my shoulders before continuing my research online.

"So what have you been tentatively looking at your screen for hours for?" Kaoru asks as he leans in to take a peek. "Did you find something interesting?"

"I won't be able to if hover over me like this," I said coldly which causes Kaoru to back off before my eyes flicker back to the screen in front of me until something caught my eyes. I move the mouse pointer over a link before saying, "What's this?"

That caught the Twins attention and they start hovering over me again. Their forceful push knocked my hand to click on something else and the links on the screen started to act up. With a hiss under my breath, I glare at them until they finally settle down beside me. Before I can relocate my previous files I noticed that it had relocated my web browser the Kyouya Police Department. The insignia of my families crest display on the screen and the person's name I was researching appeared on the same screen.

It's true that my family's police department is one of the biggest organization in Japan. We often send our most prestigious detectives on cases overseas upon request, but the coincidence of that having anything in relation to that man was slim to none, or so I thought. I didn't really think of furthering involve my family's name on this predicament, but if it's something that I can take advantage of, then I'll be more than welcome to use it.

"Kyouya isn't that- "Kaoru started to say when the Host Club room burst open and Tamaki enters.

"The King has arrived!" Tamaki exclaims excitedly before looking about the room only to see me and the twins hovering over my laptop. Tamaki cock his head the side and ask, "What are you guys doing over there?"

"Obviously something that interested the twins," Haruki said as she enters behind him. Followed by Honey-sempai and Mori-sempai before she continues, "Hello you two and Kyouya-sempai."

"Something interesting?" Tamaki said, now curious as he walks over. Everyone else followed suit and stood behind my chair to look over my shoulder. I must admit that I wasn't fond of people looking over my back. I heave a sigh before turning my eyes back to the screen before clicking the link.

"I didn't think much of what my family's police cases could be of importance to us until these two accidentally send me to my family's page, "I said. I glance over at Hikaru and Kaoru before continuing, "But it's a good thing they did because I found a new lead to Alex past."

"So is this the case of Alex's father accident?" Haruhi asks as she looked at the screen before I nodded.

"Yes," I said. "This case wasn't one of your typical car accident. It should have been, but having prestigious families involve is quite a complicated matter."

"I feel like this is going to be a long story," Hikaru said.

"It is and it's more deep and complex than any tragic story that one girl needs to go through," I said as I turn around to face everyone. "I will tell you the whole story that I know up to this point. Are you willing to listen?"

Everyone look at one another before smiling and nodded in return. I smile when everyone is all in agreement before saying, "Right. Then let's start off with Alex childhood."

(*)(*)(*)(*)

Kyouya's POV

"Something's wrong," I said as I scroll through my email. My eyes darting everywhere on the screen as I check my phone for any incoming or missed calls. Today is the day Alex was supposed to call me when she arrives at the airport, but it's been over four hours since her intended flight landed. I called Alex's home but there was no answer on the other line so I took the initiative to visit her home only to come to an empty home. It didn't look like it is abandon, but Alex house feels strangely empty. I wanted outside for a few minutes before deciding it was useless and return to my car.

I took my phone out of my pocket before speed dialing my friend as he picks up the other line, "Hey Kyouya, what's up?"

"It's about Alex," I said quietly and without missing a beat I hear Tamaki scrambling on the other side of the phone.

"Right, I'll meet at your house in a few so we can talk in person," Tamaki said before I hung up the phone. I let out a sigh before picking the bridge of my nose.

I know I shouldn't worry this much but if Alex were unable to come back today, she should have told me the day before. I thought while I look out the window as the car drove through the snowy street.

"This is weird," I said to myself. "I started to suspect something when she stopped communicating with me the day before. I assume she was busy or lack service, but even so she still somehow made sure to give me an update before the end of the day."

So why now? Why stop contacting me? Unless… I thought before shaking my head. I refuse to let my thoughts roam to any depressing matter that might have not actually occurs and that it's all in my head.

"This isn't good," I whisper. I cover my hand over my mouth as I look at my reflection on the car window. A worried expression reflects my eyes as I look away before saying, "I'm getting too involve for my own good."

When I arrive back at my house, I see Tamaki at the front door shivering from the cold as he jumps up for joy upon my arrival. Without a word, I drag the idiot with me inside and threw layers of blankets over him before brewing two cups of cover and handing one over to him as he slowly warms up. I sigh at my useless friend, before settling down next to him on the couch. Silence filled the room until I finally broke it with a cough.

"Alex didn't make the flight did she?" Tamaki asks as he looks down at his mug.

"That's also my assumption," I said before taking a small sip of coffee.

"You don't think she was lying to us about coming back, now do you?"

Silence. I didn't know what to say to that as I take another sip before laying down the mug on a coaster. I lean my head back against the couch and contemplated before saying, "No."

"This weekend is the annual trip," Tamaki says as he plays with his mug. A small sad smile form on his lips, "Maybe I should go-"

"You promised your grandmother that you wouldn't." I interrupted him before turning to meet Tamaki's gaze. I place one of my hand on his should to reassure him and with a smile I said, "I'll look into your mother's whereabouts when I get there so you don't need to go. And I'll also bring Alex back, so don't worry Tamaki. We'll find her."

Tamaki stares at me for a long moment before smiling back at me. His tense shoulders finally relax as he takes another sip. My friend must have understood what I meant when I said I'll find both of them. In the beginning, I have already plan on going to France to find Tamaki's mother and with Alex also being in France along with our trip going to happen, I believe this is the perfect opportunity to do some extensive research. The police case I had found out earlier happen to have information on Sebastian's family whereabouts so I can confront them while I'm there. I may have found a new lead of what had truly happened in the past. I feel that the true story of Alex past has been misled by someone who got involved.

"I don't know why but," I started to say when Tamaki turns his attention back to me. I look out the window before continuing, "I feel like a brewing storm is about to arise."