Resisting Temptation (A Kyoya Ootori Fanfic)

Chapter 8

The next day, Tamaki-senpai was in high spirits having decided that Hoshakuji-san being the new manager might actually prove to be a good thing as being in Haruhi's class they could be friends and do cute feminine things together. Apparently this was essential given the 'shady' twins and the fact that I had been corrupted by their bad influence.
At that moment I was sat snuggly between the red heads, tapping away at my tablet as I edited an upcoming assignment. We had not been assembled together for long when Hoshakuji-san appeared at the door, bearing cookies. Tamaki-senpai made to take one but his hands were immediately slapped away as the cookies were intended for Kyoya-senpai. She then entered into some kind of fangirl fantasy, much like the ones Tamaki-senpai was known to dwell in.
Honey-senpai was quick to see the sweet treats and  nabbed one. Unfortunately for him, just as quickly as he realised it was burned Mori-senpai did too and confiscated the offending biscuit. Hoshakuji-san took this as an insult and chased the two around the club, while Honey-senpai sobbed fearfully.
During the distraction, the twins sidled over to Haruhi, clearly intent on being every bit as shady as they were accused of being. She nibbled innocently on the cookie, concluding that they were actually savoury and tasty.
I glanced at Kyoya-senpai knowing that he hated sweets and these would probably be to his liking, but he looked impassive and unimpressed. I smiled, inexplicably pleased by her failure to win him over.
Meanwhile, Hikaru was feeding Haruhi the cookie from his lips, practically kissing her in the process. Then Kaoru, not one to be left out, leaned over and licked some stray crumbs from her cheek.
To her credit she was very calm and did not lose her cool, unlike Tamaki-senpai who began shrieking and making allegations of sexual harassment. She simply stated that she could have managed a cookie by herself.
Before anyone could say anything else Hoshakuji-san gave a shout.
'These characters are half baked!' I looked around at them bewildered. Half baked? 'You all need a dark side!' She pointed to each host as she spoke, starting with Honey-senpai. 'You cannot simply be cute or you're no more than a baby. Mitsukuni "Honey" Haninozuka - the baby-faced thug!' Then Mori-senpai, 'Takashi "Mori" Morinozuka - the childhood flunkie!' Haruhi. 'A victimised honour student. Haruhi Fujioka - the bully's target!'
She then turned to the twins, 'Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin - the neurotic sports stars!'
By the time she got round to Tamaki-senpai, he was stood as if waiting for a physical blow. 'The school idol, adored by all but who has no one with whom to share his true feelings. Tamaki Suoh - the lonely prince!'
His facial expression immediately changed to one of deep angst as he adopted his given persona. Hoshakuji-san did not realise the monster she had created. Naturally she felt Kyoya-senpai was 'perfect' and didn't need to change at all, advising him to remain his 'kind self'. I scoffed, how could anyone misread another human being so badly? I felt my stomach turning at the sight of her gushing over him.
The twins stood, one leaning on each of my shoulders, similar expressions of detached curiosity on their faces as they watched the two.
'It's sickening watching them isn't it?' They both looked at me, surprised by my comment. They then glanced at each other and answered in unison.
'It is. But we're not sure you're sickened for the same reason we are.' I frowned, puzzled.
'Well why are you two sickened?'
'Because this is sickening to watch.' Answered Hikaru.
I folded my arms across my chest, not amused by their attempts to wind me up. 'That is exactly what I said! How is that different?' They snickered as they walked away.
'That's for us to know and you to find out on your own.'
I glanced back to where Kyoya-senpai was standing only to find him looking at me already, an infuriating smirk on his face. I blushed slightly as I looked away. This had to stop.

The next day I found the host club empty. For a second I wondered if I'd been sucked into a worm hole and emerged in a parallel universe where my friends weren't crazed nut jobs, fanatically involved in club activities. Then I saw a note and a covered plate at Mori-senpai and Honey-senpai's table. I opened the note to find Mori-senpai's deliberate precise, handwriting running across the paper. No words wasted as usual.
Seina-san,
We are outside filming Hoshakuji-san's 'dark side' film.
We are probably at the basketball courts. Eat your
sandwich. No excuses.
Mori
At the bottom in pink a little bunny face had been doodled alongside the words 'Yay Sei-chan' in what very well may have been the cutest handwriting I'd ever seen. No guesses needed as to who wrote that. I shook my head ruefully. They were sweet.
I picked up the sandwich and made my way out of the building towards the basketball courts. I'd never been inside before and initially had trouble getting my bearings in the cavernous room which was currently filled with screaming fans.
Eventually I spotted Mori-senpai and Honey-senpai sat near the back of the stands. Honey-senpai was leaning on his cousin, eyes drooping and head nodding as he struggled to stay awake. It appeared his nap plans had been disrupted and the consequences were setting in.
I sat down beside Mori-senpai, still munching on my sandwich. He smiled, giving a nod of approval and carefully ruffled my hair. I smiled brightly.
'Thank you for my sandwich Mori-senpai. You know you don't have to feed me? My family's chef is more than capable of preparing me lunch.' His smile faded slightly and he nodded slowly.
'I will keep making them for you till your engagement is announced. Then I'll stop. I don't want to cause you trouble.' I agreed with him, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in my chest. Already this was effecting my life.
Noticing my discomfort he offered a reassuring smile. I was just about to say something when I heard a cry of pain and gasps from the crowd. My head snapped round to face the court and I jumped to my feet, seeing Kaoru lying on the floor, a pained expression on his face. Just as I was about to rush down the stands to my friend's side Mori-senpai grabbed my wrist and pulled me back, a calm look on his face. Honey-senpai was asleep in his lap. If their fangirls weren't currently so distracted they'd be losing their minds at the adorable scene. Mori-senpai gave me a firm shake of his head.
'It's an act.'
I looked back at Kaoru who was lying on a stretcher, Hikaru clutching him dramatically. The two were performing an emotional monologue about feeling each other's pain. I sighed in relief as I realised Mori-senpai was right. If Kaoru was really hurt Hikaru's behaviour would be far more extreme in terms of anger and distress.
Once the crowds had been driven out of the basketball courts and back into the school building, we headed out to the fountain.
I had made to go back inside with the rest of the non club members but Honey-senpai, awake and bouncing around once again, had insisted it wouldn't be the same without me. This caught Tamaki-senpai's attention who was quick to throw an arm around my shoulders and reminded me that I was part of their little 'family'.
Hoshakuji-san gave a disapproving cough in our direction causing Tamaki-senpai to revert to his new angst ridden persona. I raised my hands in surrender and moved out of the way, falling into step beside Kyoya-senpai. She clearly didn't like this any better but was too busy directing to intervene.
The film crew had rigged up a sprinkler to mimic rain and naturally Tamaki-senpai was enjoying every sodden second, blazer off, striking mellow dramatic poses as he mourned his tragic life. I tried not to laugh at the enthusiasm with which he was carrying out his role.
Kyoya-senpai quirked an eyebrow at my pursed lips but said nothing as I swallowed my mirth. We quietly watched as Hoshakuji-san rushed around arms flailing, all to impress him.
'Maybe you should give her a chance. She's working really hard for you. I know you're not who she thinks you are but maybe you could get to know each other. You have that luxury. I meant it when I said you seem like you could do with some love. You never know, she might brighten your Kingdom of shadows.'
He stared at me, eyes widened and pink cheeks. I felt my own cheeks redden at his gaze. Then he burst out laughing, shaking with every breath. That caught me totally off guard, Kyoya-senpai was not one for such open emotions. It sounded genuine. I glared at him.
'Why are you laughing!? I am never going to be nice to you again.' I made to storm away from him but he composed himself and called out to me.
'Seina-san.' I turned slowly to look at him, hands on hip and one eyebrow raised to let him know I was still mad. The only problem was that in that moment, still laughing slightly, standing in the sun, he looked beautiful. My heart caught in my throat as he calmed down.
'I already have someone who brightens my Kingdom of shadows Seina-san.' Before he could say anything else I spun around and raced away.