"Eclair Tonnerre is a noble descendent of French birth and is extremely wealthy," Kyoya informs.
"I don't care if she's a queen, Tamaki should not be spending every ounce of his time with her when we need our president here," you respond, fixing Kyoya's tie.
"It's his grandmother's direction. He can't defy her."
"He can, but he won't," you say.
"You may not like Lady Eclair, but she is here and we have to tend to her the same way as the rest of the guests, okay? She is the only one who knows where Tamaki is," he coarses.
"Whatever, just go," you say, waving him off.
Kyoya strides over to the table where Lady Eclair is sitting and you head in that direction because you don't want to miss what she says. You pretend to stroke a nearby plant as your ears pick up the conversation.
"I know you; you're one of the Ootori family's sons, aren't you? Unfortunately you're the third son, so you can never be the family's successor," Eclair calculates instantly.
He also has a crazy girlfriend who will kick your ass, you mentally remark.
"What can I do for you today, Madam?" Kyoya asks, ignoring her comments.
"You can tell me how much Haruhi Fujioka is still in debt with the Host Club," she answers.
Your mind goes blank for a few seconds at the prospects of what this woman is getting at until Kyoya calls over Haruhi and she sits with Lady Eclair. You rejoin Kyoya and have idle chatter until Eclair gets up and leaves to probably skin puppies for a fur coat. You and Kyoya walk to stand next to the table.
"Thanks for all your hard work, Haruhi," Kyoya says gently and you're confused at where he's going with this. "After that request from Lady Eclair, your debt has been paid. You're free to quit the Host Club."
Haruhi states at Kyoya with sullen eyes and you know that it's not what she expected. Something is happening with the club right now, and you're sure that's not what she needed to hear.
Strong footsteps walk past and behind you and Kyoya and your head turns to see his father and another man. You tighten your fist to keep yourself from expressing your murderous thoughts.
"When they're young, many assume they have all the time in the world, but really, that is never the case. Don't waste your time with something that will ultimately have no value," Mr. Ootori speaks, giving you another brief glance.
Kyoya isn't looking at his father and Haruhi stands from her chair. After all the different shit you have dealt with, this is where you draw the line. Something snaps and you take one step toward Mr. Ootori.
"You don't know anything about me, about Kyoya, or this club! Kyoya works day and night to make sure your business as well as this one runs smoothly and you don't give him credit for anything," you seethe with conviction. "I have never, in my life, met someone who works as hard as Kyoya and he's one of the main reasons all of us get fulfilment from doing this.
"I don't care what you think of me, but give your son some damn recognition. Everything he does is amazing and he is the best person I know and I love him! You don't deserve to call yourself his father."
The tension stands and Mr. Ootori does not make any move to turn around and face you. Instead, he walks forward with the other man following him until they disappear out the other door. Without looking at anyone, you calmly walk toward the opposite exit and out of the room but continue through the school's hallway.
"(Y/N)."
"If you're going to break up with me because I yelled at your dad and now your life is screwed, then do it," you say.
Kyoya stands in front of you to stop you from walking further.
"Why do you still think of me like that?" he questions.
"Because there's always that chance you could go back to your stupid beneficial ways," you answers, annoyed.
"You benefit me, too, you know," Kyoya stresses. "You make me feel things I never have before and I can never feel with anyone else. I love you, (Y/N), don't you understand that?"
You bring your arms around his neck and pull him down in a much needed kiss.
"I do, but it's hard to believe sometimes," you admit once you pull away.
"Well, you should get used to it because it's not going anywhere. Neither am I."
❁❁❁
"Where the hell is Tamaki?" you ask, back to being on edge and a tad bit angry.
"No one knows," Hikaru says.
"Probably with Lady Eclair," Haruhi mutters.
"I wish he'd come back," Honey chimes in.
You pace the empty room. "If he doesn't get here in--"
Two doors are thrown open, interrupting your ranting and Tamaki and Eclair are shown standing in the doorway.
"I have an announcement," Tamaki says. "As of today, Lady Eclair Tonnerre and I are officially engaged. Furthermore, the Host Club will be permanently dissolved after the Ouran Fair. That is all."
"No," you say instantly.
"No? Who says?" Lady Eclair replies.
"Did you seriously think you could come in here, say that, and we would accept it?" you ask, completely ignoring Eclair.
"It is my final word," Tamaki says.
The hosts are too enamored to speak up, so you're the only one left to sort this out. You walk forward until you're only a few feet from the two and resists violence.
"Have I ever been the type to care? You're not getting married to this girl," you command.
"It's not your choice, Commoner," Eclair says.
"I'm not speaking to you," you say, putting your hand in her face and addressing Tamaki. "I don't know what you're smoking, but this isn't happening."
"I want to make things right. You are all burdened by this club because of my selfishness," Tamaki responds sadly.
"What?" you say. "Listen, this club gives back to all of us, especially me. I have lost everything in my life, Tamaki--my family, my home, my childhood. You may not get that through your fucking head, but the Host Club gives me back what I barely had. You guys are my family and my friends.
"I speak for everyone when I say this is one, if not the best thing to happen to us. You can't take away our refuge, Idiot. You built the one place we can come to always have fun and be ourselves and you can't possibly think demolishing that is what's right."
Tamaki is stunned at your confession. "R-really?"
"Yes." You yank Tamaki into the room and turn your attention to Eclair. "As for you, go back to France. There's no room for more delusional girls at Ouran."
You slam and lock the doors in her face. Taking a breath, you shove Tamaki over to the baffled hosts who are still trying to put together what you just did, but no one is complaining.
"I'm done playing these games," you announce, pulling Haruhi over to stand in front of Tamaki. "I have reached my limit. We all know you two like each other and we would all appreciate it if you revealed it. Tamaki, you're a moron for thinking you could marry Eclair. Haruhi, you look at this idiot with something I've never seen in your eyes."
You step away and sit on the edge of the fountain in exhaustion. You want this day to be over with... and for the guys to stop staring at you, horrified, at what you had done in barely two minutes.
You stand again and force the boys to leave the room for Haruhi and Tamaki to talk alone. Just as you're closing the door, you see Tamaki going in for a kiss and it leaves you feeling very accomplished.
"What just happened?" Kaoru asks.
"Progress," you answer, walking down the hall with the guys on both your sides.
"I can't believe you did that," Honey says.
"Self-interest is a vicious motivator. I need to make sure the people I care for are truly happy and it's the biggest incentive I have," you say.
"You also got Haruhi and Tamaki together. You should feel proud about that," Kyoya says.
"I do, trust me," you respond, loosening the tie around your neck. "I needed some way to wrap up the book before the epilogue."
"Oh, you mean resolving the tension, but still leaving everyone in a layer of suspense?" Hikaru questions.
"Exactly."