I regret to inform you readers that I'm still hopelessly, laughably, American. Sorry for any mistakes regarding that.
As the final bell rang on Monday, the entire host club, except Haruhi, was in the club room preparing for the club. Tamaki was finally noticing the absence of his 'daughter' and was starting to have a panic attack.
"What if my daughter got cornered by some hooligans? What if she got lost? What if someone kidnapped her?" Tamaki screamed.
Honey said through a mouthful of cake, "Relax, Tama-chan. I'm sure she's okay."
Mori nodded in agreement. Tamaki started to bite his nails in worry.
Hikaru appeared on the left of Tamaki and said, "Relax boss. Haruhi's fine."
Kaoru appeared on the other side and added, "The guidance counselor called her down to his office to show a new kid around."
"What?" Tamaki asked. "A new kid? What if this new kid makes a move on my Haruhi?"
At this, Kyoya's head shot up. "What was this new kid's name?"
Hikaru shrugged. "Kenzo something-or-other."
"He's going to be in our class," Kaoru informed.
"Kenzo," Tamaki said thoughtfully. He turned to Kyoya. "Well, do you know him?"
Kyoya shook his head. "Let me check for any new information." Kyoya opened his laptop and started clicking away on his keyboard. After a minute he said, "Kenzo Izumi. He's a new honor student at Ouran High School. Last year he was in the same class as Haruhi, and like her, he was granted a scholarship to our school."
"Wait a second, if Haruhi and Kenzo were in the same class last year…" Hikaru started.
Kaoru finished, "Then, he'll know she's a girl!"
Tamaki fainted; Honey stopped eating mid-bite. Mori really hadn't changed, and Kyoya sat awestruck. If Haruhi was found out, then she couldn't be in the host club. If she wasn't in the host club, Kyoya wouldn't see her anymore and despite his best efforts, he was usually very happy to see her.
Kyoya stood. "We have to find her and help her explain the situation to Kenzo."
Tamaki sat up. "Right Mommy!"
"Stop calling me that!"
"Got it, Mom!"
"Tamaki!" Kyoya growled.
Before Tamaki could respond, the door opened and Haruhi said, "And this is where the host club holds sessions. Pretty cool right?"
A voice Kyoya didn't recognize, presumably Kenzo's, replied, "That's awesome! And these are your friends?"
The voice belonged to a tall, lanky redhead that had his hands stuck in his pockets. He was wearing commoner's clothes but they didn't diminish from his handsome appearance. His red hair covered part of his face and hid his wide, mischievous grin. Haruhi stepped forward and said, "Guys this is Kenzo Izumi. He's starting here tomorrow."
Kenzo waved. "Heya."
Haruhi pointed to Tamaki. "That's Tamaki," Tamaki glared at Kenzo.
"Mori," Mori shrugged.
"Honey," Honey waved enthusiastically.
"Kaoru," Kaoru gave Kenzo a peace sign.
"Hikaru," Hikaru waved.
"And Kyoya," Haruhi finished. Kyoya, being the ever enthusiastic person he was, did nothing to acknowledge Kenzo's presence.
Hikaru pulled Haruhi away from Kenzo and asked quietly, "Does he know that you are…"
Haruhi nodded and the entire club gasped in horror. "But it's okay! He promised not to tell anyone, right Kenzo?"
Kenzo held up his pinky finger. "I pinky promised. You can't break a pinky promise."
Haruhi rolled her eyes and asked Tamaki, "Can I skip today to show Kenzo around some more? We really need to catch up!"
Kyoya's glasses flashed and before Tamaki could reply, he said, "Actually, I'm going to have to insist you stay. We have many customers scheduled for today and you know that you can't fall behind."
Haruhi's eyes flashed in anger. "It's one day! I'm sure-"
Kenzo held up his hand and glared at Kyoya. "If she can't skip, it's fine." He turned to Haruhi. "If you want to, we can grab a bite to eat at Oscar's Sushi after this and catch up."
Haruhi smiled innocently. "Sounds great! See you then!"
Kenzo smiled back and left quietly.
Kyoya was simmering in anger. That new kid had the guts to ask out Haruhi right in front of him! Didn't he know that would become of nothing good for him? How dare he taunt Kyoya Ootori!
Tamaki meanwhile was hugging Haruhi with such force that she had a hard time breathing. Kyoya wasn't mad at Tamaki when he did things like that; Tamaki was different with Haruhi. Tamaki wasn't interested in Haruhi like as a love interest. Tamaki wasn't competition for Kyoya. This new Kenzo was.
Eventually, Haruhi pried herself from Tamaki's arms and ran behind Mori. Tamaki didn't dare to try to get past Mori and instead sat in his corner growing mushrooms. Hikaru and Kaoru were trying to convince Haruhi to put on a cat cosplay but even with the promise of fancy tuna, she refused.
Kyoya observed all of this only half paying attention. His mind was still stuck on what had happened earlier. Haruhi was going out with another guy. Kyoya hadn't made a move on his crush, no his love, and she had slipped through his fingers.
Kyoya collapsed on the couch with his head in his hands. No…this can't be happening. Why do I feel this way? Ootori's don't get jealous. If they don't get a girl, they move on. They don't sulk, and they sure as hell don't get jealous.
A familiar, calming voice snapped Kyoya out of his thoughts. "Kyoya-sempai, are you okay?"
Kyoya looked up to see Haruhi barely inches from him. Kyoya yearned to wrap his arms around her small frame, pull her close and never let her go. Wait, what? Since when have I wanted to do that? Kyoya smiled and said shakily, "I'm fine. Just a bit tired, that's all."
Haruhi frowned. "Maybe you should take the day off and go rest in the back. I'm sure the rest of us can cover for you for one session."
Always so caring… "I'm fine Haruhi. Really, I am," Kyoya reassured her.
"Okay, well, we should open. Opening time was five minutes ago."
"Shit." Kyoya stood abruptly and strode to the door and unlocked it. Immediately it was pushed open and girls came streaming through. Kyoya was knocked on his back and about to be trampled when strong hands gripped him and pulled him out of the way of the thundering herd. "Thanks," Kyoya murmured looking up to Mori.
Mori shrugged and looked up to see several girls already surrounding his cousin. Before getting up he said, "You should go lay down. You look exhausted." With that, Mori strode away to be by his cousin's side.
Kyoya sat for another second and debated internally. He was practically useless when he was tired but he didn't want to show any weakness. He yawned tiredly and his body seemed to make the decision for him. He stood wearily and looked around for Haruhi. She was sitting at her table chatting companionably with some girls. He made his way to Haruhi's table and said, "Haruhi, can I speak with you for a moment?"
Haruhi excused herself from her group of girls and followed Kyoya to where his station was. Several girls waved at Kyoya who smiled back and waved. He said, "I'm sorry girls but I'm feeling a little under the weather today. I was hoping to lay down in the back room and I was wondering if you would be satisfied with being with Haruhi today."
The girls quickly replied with: "That's fine." "Kyoya-kun, are you going to be okay?" "I hope you get better."
Haruhi was shocked but recovered quickly. "If you girls would please go seat yourself at my station, I'll be over soon. Please tell my girls what's happening."
"Of course."
As soon as the girls were out of earshot, Haruhi asked, "Kyoya, are you feeling okay?"
"Again, Haruhi, I am fine, just a little tired. I was hoping to catch up on my sleep," Kyoya answered shortly.
Haruhi rolled her eyes. "You may fool those girls but not me. What's the matter?"
Kyoya sighed inwardly. Now, she's perceptive… "It's complicated. I'm not sleeping well, that's all."
"Can't you take sleeping medication?" Haruhi asked with a confused look on her face.
"I am," Kyoya answered. "But obviously, it's not working."
"What an interesting notion…" Haruhi mocked back.
"I just thought the smartest kid in this school would figure out that I would be taking medication, since after all my family owns countless hospitals," Kyoya snapped.
Haruhi frowned. "Well, I didn't know if the second smartest kid would be able to figure out that he needed medication."
"Fine."
"Fine."
Kyoya headed towards the back when a small hand appeared on his wrist. He turned back to see Haruhi's concerned face. "Get better, okay?"
If it were any other person, Kyoya would have snapped back something like 'That's the idea.' But this wasn't just any person, this was Haruhi. Kyoya nodded and mumbled, "Thanks."
Haruhi's shocked face told Kyoya that she had been expecting the sarcastic response. Soon, a genuine smile covered Haruhi's face as Kyoya started towards the back again.