Stuck in the Middle [Hikaru, Kaoru] | ♡

Chapter ♞ 46: Cupid's Arrow Was Off (1)

It was literally an old monopoly board and they had made extra pieces to represent the host club members. 

"Alright so here's the plan," he started, crossing his legs as he leaned forward.

"I want to be the glasses!" Renge complained, swiping them and placing them closer to her. You could see the annoyance in Kaoru's face as he tried to keep his cool.

"Those represent Kyoya, so put them back."

"Kyoya and I could be a piece together," she swooned, cradling the glasses. 

"You can't- you have a totally different thing to do than him- he isn't even in on the plan." 

"That doesn't matter, you can't stop true love," Renge sang, and the moment Kaoru tried to take the piece again you swore that you saw the devil appear in her eyes. 

"...fine. Fine." 

You couldn't help the snicker that fell out of your mouth which earned you the attention from Kaoru and Renge. You disguised it as a cough instead, "S-So what's the rest of the plan?" You asked, putting on your best game face. 

"Well this is our first time doing a masquerade theme so everyone will be masked. But we're going to be the only guys here so of course everyone is going to know who we are."

"Buuuut~" Renge joined in, "There's a part I added in where the Princely Tamaki must leave the room. The rest of the hosts are going to set up special chairs for the King and Queen of the ball he this year he won't know who the Queen is!" 

"Right, okay, but where do me and Haruhi come in?" You questioned with a tilt of your head.

"You have to get her to change, she'll only listen to you really. Since it's a masquerade ball people won't realize she's the one chosen as 'Queen' through the mask. Haruhi doesn't know about this special edition either." Kaoru answered, as he moved two pieces- the hat representing Haruhi, and you were apparently a makeshift star- across the board.

"Then they'll dance away into the night, hehe." Apparently Renge was a hopeful romantic.

"But won't people... realize that Haruhi is gone? She's starting to become a popular host..." You asked, fingers going towards you chin.

Renge and Kaoru's face fell as they forgot that tiny detail, since people would be concerned if an entire host was missing.

"I'll just say she's taking a dump then." Kaoru solved the issue, a little grin coming onto his lips. "Maybe I'll add in that she's constipated."

While Renge looked at him in disgust you couldn't help but laugh at his antics, believing that he was only joking. He wasn't.

"Anyway, the only reason I invited Renge was because you two need to go dress shopping." Kaoru added bluntly, beginning to pack up his board and the pieces.

"Excuse you! Who was the brilliant mastermind that though of the King and Queen dancing into the night? Hm?!"

"All you did was suggest we put up some chairs, don't congratulate yourself too much." He stuck out his tongue, and had to dodge an incoming fist reigning down from Renge's hand. 

"Dress shopping?" You questioned, standing up with them. "When? My weekends a little busy."

"Right now," she grinned.

You cocked an eyebrow, unimpressed. "We're... in... school?" You reminded her though that hadn't stopped her from singing out the room, Kyoya's glasses piece still in her grasp. 

"Nothing a little bribery can't fix. Be outside in ten, my car will be waiting!" 

"I- but-" before you could even get a sentence out she was gone like the wind. 

You were debating whether you should actually finish your study hall period on campus or actually go with her, but when Kaoru blew air onto the back of your neck you nearly jumped out of your skin. 

"You should go, it won't be long and I'll make sure no one notices you're gone." 

"O-Oh."

"And," Kaoru hesitated for a moment, stepping in front of you- only reminded you how much shorter you were when compared to him. He looked down at you and it was difficult to hold his gaze. "Can I admit something?"

"Wow, asking before you speak your mind? That's a first." You told him in an attempt to lighten the mood, but he only stood their, holding a serious gaze in his honey-colored eyes. 

"At first i thought you were a distraction- I had nearly forgotten your status." He was speaking nonchalantly as usual, expression not wavering.

"But then I slowly realized that I like you for you- and you liked me for me. Even when I was rude, or annoying or flirted too much," his ending reasons made a soft pink float to his cheeks. "..and you were always genuine with me. You didn't like me for my money and you- you were just never sorry for being you. That's kinda hard to find and why I don't wanna let you go. For that, I will never stop loving you."

He kept a serious face but the pregnant pause made it obvious he was waiting for a response- anything to validate his feelings. 

This was one of the first times he was completely raw with you. Kaoru was putting his heart directly on the line in this moment, and all you could do was stare as you tried to figure out where your own heart lie. Your chest was pounding in this moment, and the sad looking falling onto his face oddly made you upset as well.

"Wait for me!" Was all you could blurt. You were confused, the Hikaru and Kaoru constantly swirling in your mind.

...maybe after you told them you were leaving, their reactions would be the deciding factor. 

"I don't know what I want- I mean," wow, that sounded selfish, "I don't know what I need and neither do you or your brother, and there's more to feelings than just whims and stuff, and-"

Kaoru shushed you with a gentle kiss to your forehead, which only made you more flustered and words more stammered. 

"It's okay. I'm willing to wait."

-

Dress shopping actually hadn't been too difficult. Ouran Academy was located right next to a shopping district so the commute was only a few minutes.

You found a nice white dress for Haruhi, remembering her size and measurements and Renge almost convinced you to get a dress yourself. It greatly suited your figure and her compliments had been nonstop though the price tag had eventually made you shy away from it. 

-

Before you knew it, days had gone by- the Winter Ball was suddenly tomorrow and midterms were the following week... and you had yet to tell anyone you were leaving soon. 

But, it was time to play out operation Get-Tamaki-And-Haruhi-Together-Finally! 

- 

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