Chapter Text
-Chapter 46-
The Host Club Disbands!
As March turned to April, the cherry blossoms scattered throughout Ouran Academy were in full bloom, just in time for the first official day of the school year.
This is the classroom Tamaki, Kyoya and Miki-senpai were in last year... Haruhi thought to herself as she stood before the sliding doors of Classroom 2-A, peering up at the sign with a sense of excitement pounding against her chest.
My new classroom...
"Haruhi-kun! Good Morning to you!" As she slid the door open, Momoka immediately greeted with a friendly smile.
"Good Morning!" Sitting next to her friend, Kimiko waved. "Did you enjoy your spring vacation?"
Spotting Haruhi as she entered the room, Kazukiyo swiftly jolted up from his seat and rushed over along with the rest of his classmates. "Fujioka! About our first homeroom class of the new semester..."
Haruhi sweatdropped, remembering that the whole class moves up a grade together. Therefore, everyone in his class was going to be a familiar face either way. It seemed like they had been first years for so long, she's gotten quite comfortable with everyone.
Just as she was about to open her mouth and return their greetings, a set of hasty footsteps caught her attention. "Haruhi-kun! I just heard!" Rushing into their classroom with an anxious expression, Renge called out to the brunette.
"Renge-san?" Haruhi hummed, turning her body to face the manager fully. "I hope we have a wonderful second-year together as well." She said earnestly.
"Eee!" Cupping her cheeks together, Renge momentarily dropped her worries as she squealed in delight. "I do too! Actually, I'd love a good forever with you, Haruhi-kun!"
"Huh?"
"Nevermind that," Quickly shaking her head, the girl quickly snapped back into 'serious mode' as she leaned forward with knitted brows. "Is it true? The Host Club is on hiatus?" She asked nervously.
"Huh?!" Startled by the news, Haruhi's eyes rounded momentarily. She had known that Tamaki was accepted into the main mansions a day before, as he came by her house to deliver the news in person. But the Host Club going on hiatus was unheard of, even to her. "I haven't heard anything about that... Who told you that?" She questioned.
"Some girls who greeted Kyoya-sama this morning said he gave them the news," Renge explained as she rubbed a hand under her chin thoughtfully. "He said it has something to do with Tamaki-senpai and Miki-chan-senpai unable to attend club activities for a while. Even Music Room #3 is closed off-"
However, before she could even finish her sentence, Haruhi had already dashed out of the classroom.
***
Making her way up to the top floor of the South wing, Haruhi ran as quickly as her legs could take her. Rounding the corner of the Northern hallway, she could faintly see what seemed to be a few familiar figures standing in front of the taped off Music Room. "Tamaki-senpai! Kyoya-senpai! Hikaru! Kaoru!" She called out urgently.
"Haru-chan!" Honey waved at the sight of her, his taller cousin nodding in greeting.
"Even Honey and Mori-senpai are here..." As she got closer, Haruhi's steps began to slow to a speed walk as she mentally questioned what the two university students were doing in the High School division on their supposedly first day of school. Deciding to save that question for another day, she glanced around to notice the tense atmosphere that plagued the air. Tamaki especially, looking a little off. "Tamaki-senpai, what's going on?" Trying to catch her breath from that long jog, she raised an eyebrow at the blond. "Where's Miki-senpai?"
Ignoring her question, Tamaki's ocean blue eyes swept across the members of his beloved club. "Is everyone here? Good. There's something I need to tell everyone." He announced, omitting the twins' prominent protests at the absence of his sister. Then, after a few long seconds that seemed to have lasted for an eternity, he opened his mouth once again.
"I am quitting the Host Club."
Everyone froze.
"W-What...?" Hikaru stammered.
"You're quitting... the Host Club...?" Kaoru questioned, repeating Tamaki's statement as if he were asking for solid confirmation.
"Yes." Lips curling into a gentle smile, Tamaki affirmed in a soft voice.
"Why?!" As soon as his words sank in, Hikaru exploded. "We heard you were moved into the main mansion yesterday. Did that old shrew order you to do it?!" He accused.
"My grandmother did make the request, but the decision is mine alone." Eyes flickering to a downcast, Tamaki reassured solemnly. "When I entered the Main Mansion, I saw in person what is required to run the Suoh group. And to be honest, my hands are full with that alone right now." Hand laying stiffly by his sides, Tamaki explained. "But I am really am enjoying myself, and I feel that my vision of what I want to do with the Suoh group has become even clearer. That way-"
"Even so, you don't have to quit the Host Club!" Hikaru and Kaoru shouted in unison.
"They're right, Tama-chan!" Joining the twins in their effort to change his mind, Honey nodded in agreement. "You can just come when you have time, the way Takashi and I do-"
"But I don't want to do anything in half measures." Tilting his head to the side, Tamaki flashed a wry smile as he continued to speak. "Especially as it was I who invited you all to join. I truly apologize for leaving you all like this. I have no qualms leaving everything in Kyoya's hands so that the Host Club can continue on. Well, except for one thing." Pausing for a moment, he turned to the brunette who stood at the back of the group. "Haruhi. It's fine if you quit the Host Club from now on." He declared.
Haruhi felt her heart drop.
"Huh?" She uttered in a daze.
"Milord!" Hikaru attempted to intervene, only for Tamaki to ignore him as he turned to Kyoya.
"I more or else forced Haruhi to join in the first place," Tamaki inferred before nudging his chin towards his best friend's usual black notebook. "Kyoya, how much of Haruhi's debt to the club is left?" He asked.
Shooting his best friend an obscure look, Kyoya closed his eyes as he began to run the calculation in his mind. "She's served 327 of the 1000-guest quota we set for her." He listed. "If we calculate each guest at 20 Yen apiece, she's made a total of 6,540 Yen. If we add that to the sum we made from auctioning off her personal items; her remaining debt would be 45,893 Yen." He concluded.
"Very well. I'll pay the remaining balance." Tamaki nodded compliantly.
"Tama-chan?!" Unable to stand still anymore, Honey began to voice his concerns.
However, Tamaki continued to ignore the complaints he received from his club members as he made his way down the path between them, finally arriving at Haruhi. "Thank you for staying with us for so long, Haruhi. You've done a great job." He praised, reaching up to gently ruffle her hair as he brushed past her. "Your debt to the host club is paid in full." He announced.
"Milord!" Hikaru snapped in frustration at how aloof the blond was acting. "We've been trying to hold our tongues and trust you know what you're doing, but-"
"Thank you for lunch." Glancing over his shoulder, Tamaki waved as he continued his efforts of disregarding the twins' protests. "The bell should be ringing soon, so I'm going on ahead." He said, about to turn and leave when Haruhi's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"I don't understand what you mean!" Losing her composure, Haruhi shouted as loud as she could as her voice echoed down the long empty corridors of the Northern Hallway. "It was my own fault that I broke that vase. There's no reason for you to pay my debt for me." She declared. "Besides, you still have even told us what's going on here. What did the director say to you? Where is Miki-senpai? If you can't tell us either of those things, tell us why! Don't you trust us enough to say whatever is on your mind?!" She challenged stubbornly, causing Tamaki to flinch.
"The reason I can't say is that it has nothing to do with you, Haruhi." After a few long beats of silence, Tamaki's voice took a sharp turn as he spoke. "The problems I'm facing now don't concern you in the least. And I don't have any desire to explain myself so you can understand. That's all there is to it." He asserted harshly before turning on his heel and disappearing around the corner of the hallway, leaving the rest of the Host Club astounded by his cutting words.
"M-Milord!" Finally processing what had just happened, Hikaru and Kaoru attempted to run after him when they heard a faint shuffling coming from beside them. Snapping their heads around, they spotted Haruhi as she spun around and began making her way down the opposite end of the hallway without another sound.
"Haru-chan?!"
"Haruhi?" The twins called out to her with no response. "Haruhi! Wait!"
As the rest of the members of the Host Club chased after Haruhi, Kyoya averted his attention in the direction Tamaki disappeared towards. He blinked a little, before taking a few striding steps over and peering around the corner. "If you're going to collapse into a snivelling mess after saying something like that, then you shouldn't have said it, to begin with." He commented knowingly.
"B-But...!"
Sure enough, there Tamaki was. Contradictory to his previous distant and aloof demeanour, he was now back to his usual self. Evident by the way he was laying in a pool of his own tears, curled up like a pill bug on his side.
"Moreover," Taking a step forward, Kyoya planted a foot down on the blond's arm and began grinding it in with a condescending expression. "The more forcefully you declare it has nothing to do with Haruhi, the more obvious it is that she's at the center of it." He deduced, hitting a bullseye with his theory as evident by Tamaki's subconscious jolt. "Come on, what exactly did the director say? Spill it." He demanded, pressing a little harder on his foot.
"B-But I can't tell you!" Squirming under his foot, Tamaki began to flail his limbs frantically as he continued to sob. "I want to tell you so badly I can smell it, but...!"
"The term you are looking for is 'want it so badly you can taste it.' But that's wrong, regardless." Kyoya corrected with an irritated brow twitch. There were honestly times when he is just as, if not even more clueless than his sister. "I'm guessing the director threatened Haruhi in some way, correct? It certainly sounds like something she'd do." Huffing out a sigh, he speculated.
"Don't speak ill of my grandmother." Covering his eyes with his forearm, Tamaki uttered softly. "Everything she said was true, to begin with. Even though I want to tell you in detail, Kyoya, I can't." Pushing himself up, he hugged his knees close to his chest as a wistful smile curled upon his lips. "In the end, I couldn't even defend myself against a single thing my grandmother said..." He murmured. "As I am now, there's nothing else I can do."
Kyoya fell silent for a few moments as he thought over Tamaki's words. "Then," His brows knitted together as a dark shadow swiftly grew across his face. "Do you intend to continue obeying your grandmother without question and give up everything important to you?" He questioned in what almost seemed to be an accusing tone as he glared down at the blond.
"Wha-?" Picking up on the chilling tone, Tamaki glanced up at his best friend curiously. "It's not like that, Kyoya..." Averting his eyes, he ran a hand through his hair nervously. "It's not." He assured. "I want my grandmother to understand me no matter what it takes. I know my grandmother is trying to do the right thing, but in the end, I can't believe that it's wrong for people of different births or social standings to come together." He said thoughtfully. "We are able to come to understand one another. And even if we hurt each other some times, the more those people are precious to me, the more I want to protect them. I don't want to give up anything important to me, Kyoya. And it's thanks to these friends that I even have the courage to try and do this. I thought if I could draw on their strength, there is no limit to how far I could push myself." He chuckled wryly. "Since my grandfather's death, my grandmother fought for the Suoh Cooperation all on her own. That's why I must face her on my own as well." He paused for a moment as his gaze flickered to a downcast. "I don't know how long it will take, but I promise I won't give up. Not until I can put an end to our family's struggles once and for all. Until the day, my grandmother, my father, my mother, Miki, and I can stand on equal ground, along with Haruhi and everyone else."
Hearing his resolve, Kyoya calmed his temper. Taking his anger out on Tamaki would ultimately not do him any good either way. What mattered now was sorting out the situation at hand. "Very well, I'll see you in class." Heaving a sigh, he turned to walk away before pausing in his tracks. "By the way, Tamaki." Peering over his shoulder, he called out to his friend who responded with a light 'hm.' "Do you know where Miki is right now?" He asked.
"Miki?" Tamaki tilted his head quizzically. "Father said he sent her back to Spain to visit her family so that she wouldn't aggravate grandmother even further." He informed certainly. "Why? Did something happen?"
Shifting his eyes to the side, Kyoya hummed. "No, not at all." He replied.
***
The director... Sitting in classroom 3-A, Kyoya's eyes darted over to Tamaki, who's new seat of the school year was diagonally before him. Mr. Kobayashi, their homeroom teacher, was standing at the front of the classroom, going over the first day's orientation and agenda of the year as Kyoya became uncharacteristically lost in his thought. I can easily surmise what she said to Tamaki. She likely hinted she would have Haruhi expelled from Ouran to make him obey her. I can understand his thinking, but it's not that simple. If the director truly sees Haruhi as a threat, Tamaki couldn't possibly think he could continue protecting her by simply obeying the director indefinitely. Moreover... He heaved a small sigh as he tapped his pen to a blank page in his school notebook. I'm worried about Miki. Being trapped by herself in that mansion, she must be scared to death. I have Aijima and Hotta staking out in front of the Second Suoh Mansion to locate her, but that maid mentioned that there was a heighten in the security system. But either way, His eyes narrowed momentarily. How would the director gain custody of her so easily? While it is possible that she threatened the chairman with Tamaki and Anne-Sophie's well-being, Miki has the Fernández family backing her up; there wouldn't be any way to...
Suddenly, a plausible theory flashed across his mind, causing Kyoya to flinch up at the likelihood of it being correct.
Unless... The chairman...
However, before he could overthink of it, his phone in the pocket of his pants vibrated lightly, signalling the arrival of a text message. Thinking that it was either Aijima or Hotta with a possible update on Miki's circumstances, Kyoya pulled the device out discreetly, only to be met with an emergency message from Tachibana.
----------
From: Tachibana
Excuse me for interrupting you in class, sir. But your friends seem to be making a ruckus at the Suoh Corporate Office, demanding to see the director.
----------
Immediately, Kyoya stood up with a casually raised hand. "Excuse me, sir." He called out, catching the literature teacher's attention. "I'm feeling a bit unwell. May I go to the infirmary?" He requested straightforwardly.
"Will you be all right going there, Ootori?" Mr. Kobayashi asked in concern.
"I'd like to have Suoh escort me there, if that's alright." Stepping out of his seat, Kyoya gestured Tamaki, causing the blond's eyes to round in confusion.
***
"Why don't you tell the director we're here?" Over at the famous Suoh Corporate Office, Haruhi stood at the front desk with the rest of the hosts behind her, inquiring reception eagerly. "There is something urgent we need to ask her. It concerns her grandson-"
"As we said, sir. Suoh Shizue is not in today." The young woman sitting behind the desk reiterated patiently. "And even if she weren't away on business, she would be unavailable to see anyone who does not have a prior appointment." She informed. "If you would like to leave a message for her, I would be happy to pass it on to her." She then offered.
"Ah, hello everyone!" Before Haruhi could say anything in response, a familiar voice greeted the group. Everyone quickly snapped their heads around, finding the Suoh family's infamous doting father, waving at them with a honeyed smile.
"Chairman!" The twins greeted.
Nodding at the hosts in acknowledgment, Yuzuru proceeded to approach them his usual relaxed manner. "I was told some Ouran students were making a commotion in the lobby." He explained before glancing past them at the woman. "Oh, and there's no need to tell the director about this." He ordered. "We'd best not trouble her any further."
"Yes, sir." The woman at reception complied.
"Now then," Huffing out a small sigh, Yuzuru's eyes then swept across his children's friends. "Perhaps I can help answer your questions. Let's step into my office, shall we?" He suggested, placing a hand on Haruhi's back as he began to usher them into the elevator.
***
Meanwhile, at Haruhi's apartment complex, the chime of the doorbell echoed through the silence of a Monday morning. Grumbling at the need to answer this uninvited guest, Ranka stomped over to the door, still holding his morning coffee in his hands.
"Huh? Who is it so early in the morning...?" Opening just enough of his door to stick his head out, Ranka greeted groggily, not even bother to hide his manly voice, only to freeze up when he realized that he knew the visitor from quite some time ago.
Standing on the outdoor hallway of the complex, the Suoh family lawyer, Kosaka lowered her medical mask to reveal her entire face. "It's been a long time... Ryoji." She greeted with a nostalgic smile.
Ranka's eyes rounded, instantly recognizing her as an old friend. "Yu...?" He muttered, taking a few moments to process the situation before breaking into a small smile. "How have you been? Would you like to come in?" He offered, opening the door a little wider.
"No," Shaking her head gently, Kosaka's soft expression swiftly vanished and took a serious turn. "I am here today to pay you a formal visit on the Director of Suoh Cooperation's behest." She announced sternly. "The director would like your daughter, Fujioka Haruhi, to study abroad in the United States. Furthermore, I am to inform you that refusing her proposal would be extremely unwise." She said, reaching forth to offer an official-looking pamphlet in Ranka's direction.
Brows knitting together slightly, Ranka took the files and began flipping through them with one hand, eyes rounding at the stockpile information of a 'Student Exchange Program.'
"The duration of her term would be until graduation." Kosaka elaborated calmly as she readjusted her bag over her shoulder. "As Ouran Academy has a foreign exchange program in place, it's a simple matter for the top-ranked students in each grade to be accepted into the program. Seeing as your daughter is a scholarship student recipient, all her study abroad expenses shall be covered as well." She informed.
"Yu, are you serious?! Why on earth would the Director of Suoh-"
"Isn' this an incredible opportunity for Haruhi?" Ignoring Ranka's question, Kosaka glanced up to meet the eyes of bewilderment on her first crush. "I'm certain being able to see the world at such a young age will be of use to her in the future. And all her expenses shall be paid for, at that." She added casually. "Pardon me for saying but considering your current economic situation; it would be difficult for her to ever have this chance again-"
Before she could even finish her sentence there, Ranka snapped. Thrusting his half-filled cup in Kosaka's direction, he splashed all of its remaining contents onto her as an act of retaliation.
"Ah!" Kosaka let out a small yelp.
"Don't you patronize me!" Ranka declared angrily, glaring at his old friend. "If my daughter really wanted to study abroad, don't you doubt for a second that I could find a way to make that happen! So tell me, Yu... Is this really the kind of work you became a lawyer to do?!" He challenged sharply.
***
"I see... To think Tamaki would accept such a condition..." Inside the chairman's office, at the top floor of the Suoh Cooperate Building, Yuzuru hummed thoughtfully at the information Haruhi brought to him. "But I still want to respect Tamaki's independence. If this is what he has chosen to do, unfortunately, there's nothing I can say to him." He stated calmly.
"But Mr. Chairman, I can't believe this is what he truly wanted." Haruhi asserted boldly. "Don't you feel the same way, sir? If you truly cared about Tamaki-senpai's wishes as you said, then why would you let him be taken away from everyone he cared in the Second Mansion? Even his little sister, whom he finally reunited-"
"Haruhi..." Cutting her off, a dark cast drifted over Yuzuru's expression as he rested his chin on his interlaced his fingers. "You know I'm fond of you." He disclosed. "In fact, I'm extremely grateful to all of you for being such great friends with my children. However, that being said..." He paused for a moment, eyes narrowing as they swept across the hosts as if he were sizing each of them up. "As things stand now, you are starting to get in my way." He said, causing a small shiver to rattle each of them to the core.
However, before any of them could point out the animosity in his tone, the doors to the Chairman's office slammed open to reveal Tamaki and Kyoya. "Haruhi!" The former shouted, seemingly on the brink of fury.
"Milord!" The twins jump to their feet, a little confused by how the blond knew they were here.
"Tama-chan! Kyo-chan!"
"You all ditched class and came here?!" Breathing heavily as he examined the scene before him, Tamaki uttered in disbelief. "What were you thinking?!" He yelled, stomping over and grabbing the brunette by the wrist. "Haruhi, go back right now!" He demanded, tugging her towards the direction of the exit.
"Tamaki-senpai!" Trying to shake off his firm grip, Haruhi attempted to reason. I want to know-"
Fed up with her intrusive actions, Tamaki whipped his head around. "Be quiet and just leave!" He snapped in annoyance, causing Haruhi to jolt at the hostility that was being directed towards her. "Haruhi..." Seeing such a hurt expression on her, Tamaki gritted his teeth. "Please..." He begged, running a hand through his hair in an effort to hide the obvious pain he felt from having to yell at her. "You're being a nuisance!" He pronounced bitterly, causing an uncomfortable silence to resonate within the air, following his previous declaration.
Honey was the first to speak, gently tugging on the dazed brunette's sleeve. "Haru-chan, let's go..." He advised, receiving nothing but a wordless nod as the hosts began to make their way out of the chairman's office, not even bothering to spare Tamaki a second glance.
Once the Host Club members finally disappeared down the end of the long hallway, Tamaki made his move, gently patting his best friend on the shoulder. "Kyoya, we'd better get back too." He suggested.
"Right..." As Kyoya nodded in agreement, he took one last glance over Tamaki's shoulder at Suoh Yuzuru with an unmoving, wordless glare. Then, he turned on his heel and shut the doors behind him.
As the sound of the doors being closed clicked into place, Yuzuru's eyes flickered downward as he pulled out his phone. "Kasai?" Dialling up his private secretary, he pressed the device to his ear as he continued to speak. "Send a message to the principal of Ouran Academy." He ordered. "Tell him I'm ordering the Host Club to halt all activities."
***
"What you all did was extremely irresponsible." Downstairs in the lobby, Kyoya reprimanded the group with a hint of frustration of his own. He had managed to send Tamaki back to school first, stating that he had some unfinished business at the office.
For one, he needed to make sure careless incidents such as these never happen again.
"Kyoya-senpai..." Kaoru muttered.
"But Kyoya-senpai, we were just trying to-"
"It doesn't matter what you were trying to do." Interrupting Hikaru's poor attempt at justification, Kyoya spoke sharply. "What you have just done could cause major trouble, both for them and us!" He scolded.
"Kyo-chan..." Sensing the irritation in his voice, Honey couldn't help but pick up that there was something else amiss. "Did something happen to Miki-chan? We haven't seen her all day." Quickly arriving at his conclusion, he gingerly brought up the topic.
Kyoya froze at the mention of Miki's name. He had been avoiding talking about her the entire day, especially when classmates such as Sora and Sumire asked him relentlessly about her whereabouts. Moreover, it seems like the Chairman had lied to Tamaki about her whereabouts, possibly to protect or avoid him knowing the truth about what happened to his sister. Either way, he had to be careful in class, just in case his and Tamaki's stories didn't line up, major suspicion could arouse.
However, these were members of the Host Club. They should, at the very least, understand the gravity of the current situation.
"Miki is locked up in the Second Suoh Mansion." He finally revealed.
"WHAT?!" The twins' bodies immediately stiffened, Kaoru especially seemed uneasy.
"Why? What happened?" Haruhi peered up with weary eyes, utterly astonished. "I thought Miki-senpai was set free after the Chairman took over as her custodian." She pointed out.
"Arden contacted me yesterday, saying that the Chairman has transferred her custodianship to the Director, who seems pretty keen on silencing her once again. " Closing his eyes, Kyoya crossed his arms over his chest. "So do you understand what the events that have transpired today could've done if it reaches the ears of the Director?" He questioned in an accusing tone, watching as everyone fell silent, unable to formulate an appropriate response back.
After a few moments in silence, Kyoya huffed out a frustrated sigh. "One wrong move," He muttered, shifting his gaze to a downcast. "One wrong move from us could spell doom for her."
***
"Milady, please open this door. You must eat your food."
Ignoring Kouhei's pleas for the sixth time that evening, Miki laid lifelessly on Tamaki's old bed, curled up on her side as she held Kuma-chan in her arms. It seems that when Tamaki departed the mansion, the movers never checked underneath his bed as they completely missed his secret stash of commoner's snacks that he's often shared with Miki over the year she's been living in the mansion. Like children, the two would often bring in new flavours and brands to add to his ever-expanding collection, sharing it only on special occasions. However, seeing as Miki had locked herself up in his room with a stubborn refusal to eat whatever the butler leaves for her at the door, she had no choice but to delve into his collection a little.
So far, that was only two bags of chips.
She had neither the appetite or desire to eat.
Surely, father is trying to get me out. She reassured herself, burying her face into the fluffy bear stuffed-animal. I just need to wait a little longer-
However, before she could even finish that thought, a bolt of lightning crashed down from the skies, briefly illuminating the darkness of the room and effectively startling Miki as she jolted up to a sitting position.
"I wonder if Haruhi is okay..." Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, Miki stood on her feet and began to drag herself towards the window. Staring blankly ahead, she pressed a palm against the chilling window, watching as another bolt zapped down in the distance, crackling the skies as thunder ensued soon after.
It was strange. Back then, when she was trapped in the main mansion, she would jump for joy and watch enthusiastically as nature put on its special light show right before her eyes. However, now... She wasn't nearly as excited.
Why?
She's seen lightning after being in the outside world, and things were still as exciting back then.
So why?
She thought back a little.
Back to the time when she watched the lightning show with Kyoya at the beach.
Back to the time when Kyoya grabbed her to prevent her from running out into the lightning storm.
Lips parting slightly, Miki sucked in a harsh breath as another jolt of lightning split through the sky in a blinding flash, as if signalling her sudden revelation.
Ah... So that was it.
Kyoya wasn't by her side anymore.
The Kyoya that protect her at the beach.
The Kyoya that watched the fireworks with her.
The Kyoya that stood with her at the balcony on that evening in Madrid.
The Kyoya that pulled her out of the darkness of the pool as she was drowning.
The Kyoya that made time out of their busy schedule to take her to the Eiffel Tower.
The Kyoya that answered all of her curious, stupid questions about the world she was unfamiliar with.
The Kyoya that stopped her that one fateful day in the hallway, to invite her to join the Host Club.
Miki's lips quivered as the memories came flashing back to her all at once. "Kyoya... kun..." She whispered, body beginning to tremble at the intensity of the emotions that overwhelmed her. Her knees buckled as she fell to her knees on the carpeted flooring of Tamaki's room, clutching Kuma-chan tighter to her body.
She wanted to see him.
She wanted to see him so badly.
But she couldn't.
She had to wait for her father or brother to come and set her free-
Suddenly, another flash of lightning came, a brilliant shock of white that illuminated the darkened sky, zapping down towards the unsuspecting ground as a thunderous 'boom' followed soon after. It struck so close to the Second Suoh Mansion that the floors beneath her began to rumble as a response, effectively knocking over her bag that had been propped up against Tamaki's desk not far behind her.
Miki snapped her head around, startled by the sound of her bag dropping to the ground as the contents inside, including her drawing tablet and several art books, came spilling out. She froze for a moment as she began to stare with an unmoving gaze at her drawing tablet.
Or... did she?
"Hey, Arden?" A little girl once asked. "Why did Rapunzel suddenly decide to escape her tower?"
***
"Father! I must speak with you!" Tamaki shouted as he ran down the grand staircase of the Suoh Main Mansion, chasing after Yuzuru in a hurry. It was the second day of school, and he had already received some troubling news first thing in the morning. "What do you mean by suspending the Host Club's activities?!" He questioned frantically.
"Tamaki." Slowing his steps to a stop, Yuzuru turned around to face him. "As the Chairman of the school, what else would you have me do when students leave school in the middle of class and come barging into the Suoh Corporate Headquarters, hm?" He reasoned sternly, yet still retaining a little of his usual teasing tone.
Taken aback by the rhetorical question, Tamaki flinched. "But that..." He bit his bottom lip. "Shouldn't I be the one disciplined?" He then inferred. "They only did that because I misled them! I should be the one taking the blame!"
Yuzuru didn't immediately respond. Instead, he studied his son's panicked expression benevolently. "Tamaki..." He addressed softly as a wry smile curled upon his lips. "You have endured a great deal since you left France and came to Japan. When you reflect on that, I'm sure you'll be able to endure a while longer." He reminisced. "It has never been more critical that you act with caution. Therefore I forbid you to cause any disturbances right now." He said, voice taking a harsh shift as he turned on his heel and continued to make his way towards the car that waited patiently in the driveway.
"What do you mean by that father?!" Confused by his vague language, Tamaki's brows furrowed slightly. "And also, do you know if Miki is alright? I've tried calling her several times now, and she seems to be-"
"Tamaki, will you at least remember this much for me?" Not bothering to face him again, Yuzuru cut him off mid-sentence. "You are not the only one who has been waiting for things to change." He stated before stepping outside the double doors of the Main Mansion, leaving Tamaki to contemplate what he meant as the small 'click' of the doors shutting resonated within the grand hall.
***
On the same morning, the Ootori men were gathered in the large modern dining room for a routine breakfast meeting. One of which Ootori Yuichi, the eldest son of the family, would drop by once a week to discuss business with his father. However, this morning was a little bit of a different one.
Kyoya had something to say.
"Schislaisse Syndrome?" Yoshio's eyes flickered to his youngest son. "It's an immune system disorder that is currently incurable."
"Yes, father." Digging his fork into a piece of his egg, Kyoya replied. "Its cause is still unknown, and I haven't been able to find a single documented case of a patient ever making a full recovery." He summarized.
Shifting his gaze away, Yoshio reached out to grab his cup and brought it closer to his lips. "We've treated a few patients suffering from Schislaisse in our hospitals, haven't we, Yuichi?" He asked, calmly taking a sip of his coffee.
"Yes," Yuichi nodded. "I believe there have been around 30 such patients admitted to our hospitals nationwide. All were women in their 20s and above." He notified.
"That's consistent with the disease's tendency to occur much more often in women than men." Kyoya continued, compiling all the information he's learned on this specific disease so far. "Its main symptoms are fatigue, fever, joint pain, intestinal abnormalities and rashes. Though these vary widely from patient to patient." He said, not moving his sharp gaze from his father's still figure. "A small child exhibiting the symptoms may be mistaken for simply having a weak constitution. Medicine treating the symptoms may lead to the patient to believe she has made a full recovery if her condition remains stable. However, this disease progresses with age, and there is still no cure. In many cases, complications arise and often result in death." He concluded.
"That's right, Kyoya." Nodding, Yuichi confirmed Kyoya's research as he hesitantly snuck a glance towards his father. "Just as you said, with current medicine where it is, there is no hope for a full recovery, and a dramatic improvement of the condition is impossible. The patient you met who seem to be miraculously healed was most likely experiencing a temporary remission."
"Perhaps..." Kyoya's voice trailed off. Sensing an effort in his eldest brother to cover for something, his eyes narrowed. "But there are still several things about her case that confuses me." He persisted. "If I may be so bold, Yuichi, would you be willing to tell me in detail about your patients' cases? There's a limit to how much information I can access by researching on my own-"
Suddenly, Akito dropped his utensils on his plate, creating a loud crash that cut Kyoya's sentence off midway. "Kyoya, stop this right now!" He reprimanded with a flood of irritation in his tone. "You should be considerate of how busy father and Yuichi are. Yuichi takes the trouble of coming over to have breakfast with us once a week so he can talk business with father, not spend his entire morning satisfying your idle curiosity." He scolded.
"Forgive me, Akito." Lips curling into a slightly mused smile, Kyoya apologized brazenly.
"And don't you forget you're starting university next year." Grumbling under his breath at the snarky attitude of his younger brother, Akito continued to speak. "Even if Ouran's entrance exams are more lenient, the medical department only accepts top scorers, got it? Don't think that just because you've gotten good grades up until now that you'll-"
"That's enough, Akito." Wiping his mouth with a napkin, Yoshio put an end to his second son's seemingly never-ending list of criticisms. "Kyoya," As he slowly rose to his feet, he addressed his youngest son. "If you really want to know more about that disease, I encourage you to push through on your own means and see how far you get." He stated. "Yuichi, we'd better get going."
"Yes, father."
Taking a few strides towards the exit, Yoshio suddenly halted in his tracks once again. "By the way, Kyoya." He glanced over his shoulder. "Are you getting along with the young Suohs as always?" He asked.
"Yes, we're good friends," Kyoya replied, a little estranged by the sudden question.
Hearing a satisfactory answer, Yoshio nodded in approval. "Be sure to keep it up." He encouraged. "Because in the future, the Suohs will most assuredly, become even greater use to our family." He said, before exiting the dining room with Yuichi following close behind.
Kyoya stilled, his brows furrowed slightly as his gaze darted from left to right, trying to understand the exact meaning of that cryptic message. Akito, on the other hand, peered over at his younger brother before letting out a small scoff and leaving the room, not even bothering to say good-bye.
As he made his way out, he stomped past Tachibana, Aijima and Hotta who each lowered their heads as a sign of respect. Not paying them any attention to them, he brushed past Tachibana and disappeared down the end of the long corridor.
Once the second son the Ootori family finally left, the bodyguard trio lifted their heads as they quickly paced over to Kyoya's side. "Sir." Tachibana addressed.
"Aijima, Hotta. Report." Quickly snapping his attention to them, Kyoya demanded.
"Yes, sir." Aijima bowed. "It seems like Miss Suzuno was telling the truth." He informed. "The security system in the Second Suoh Mansion has been completely redesigned. Though this time it seems like rather than keeping intruders out, it is far more interested in keeping whoever is inside staying in," He summarized.
"Furthermore, we've staked out in front of the mansion and has spotted no movement in Miss Miki's room," Hotta added, extending a hand forward to provide Kyoya with a photo of Miki's empty bedroom from the gates of the mansion.
"Are you sure you saw no movement?" Kyoya's brows knitted together as he took the photo.
"No, sir. We couldn't spot any." Hotta shook his head nervously.
Heaving a long sigh, Kyoya fell back to his chair as he stared at the photograph in his hands thoughtfully. He took a few seconds, trying to deduce where else she could be held when an idea popped into his head. "Check Tamaki's room." He ordered, returning the photo to Hotta. "Go around to the back of the mansion and check the same location. Send me your report then." He instructed.
"Yes, sir." Aijima and Hotta replied.
Seeing as now was a proper time to speak, Tachibana finally stepped forward. "Master Kyoya," He addressed. "I'm here to confirm that Sir Arden's flight from Rothenburg to Tokyo has been booked for this evening." He notified.
Hearing his report, Kyoya's eyes shot up as he raised a questioning eyebrow. "Rothenburg, Germany?" He repeated in a questioning tone.
***
"Huh? What do you mean?!" Standing before the shut doors of Music Room #3 with Kyoya, the twins shouted in unison. "Indefinite suspension of club activities...?!" Their eyes grew in disbelief at what was happening.
"Yes," Leaning with his back against the walls of the Northern Hallway, Kyoya affirmed as his eyes fell to a downcast. "That's what I was informed when I was called to the principal's office just now." He stated with a grunt in pent up frustration.
"But suspended indefinitely?! That's basically the same as dissolving our club!" Kaoru protested with an air of defiance as Hikaru fell abnormally silent. "Why?! Just because we charged into the Suoh Corporation Office yesterday?!" He questioned.
"It seems that's the reason they're giving for it."
"But that's...!" Kaoru paused, unable to find himself to say anything despite all the anxiety that plagued him. "I mean it's their fault in the first place for doing all those shady things! I don't see how we deserve such a punishment!" He reasoned desperately. "Milord said-"
"What is he doing...?" Hands balling into fists, Hikaru mumbled. "What does Milord think he is doing?!" He hissed angrily through his teeth, causing Kaoru to stop midsentence and snap his head around.
"Hikaru..."
"I know he has a difficult family situation to deal with..." Hikaru's body trembled in anger. "And I can understand if he can't talk to us about it right now because it's so serious. But how could he not even bat an eye when his own sister is in trouble and allow the Host Club to basically be disbanded?!" He yelled, huffing out his words painfully as if he were hurting along with the two Suohs. "And what he said to Haruhi..." His voice trailed off, finding himself unable to continue.
Kaoru and Kyoya watched Hikaru silently. Though they were not nearly as expressive as him, they were just as, if not even more worried. Everything that could go wrong is happening all at once. It was as if this string of events had been rigorously planned with many years of hard work, and it didn't seem like they've seen the end of it. For some reason, it felt like the storm has not passed yet. Another bomb was looming directly above them, just waiting to be dropped and expose another long-held secret.
Before the silence could become uncomfortable or awkward, a series of hasty steps could be heard in the distance. "Hikaru-kun! Kaoru-kun!" Kurakano Momoka popped her head around the corner. "Oh... And Kyoya-sama." As she rushed over, she panted lightly, lifting the edges of her skirt to greet her upperclassman. "Good Morning."
Seeing her in such a desperate state, Kaoru raised an eyebrow. "Princess Kurakano? Did something happen?" He asked worriedly
"Um... It's about Haruhi-kun..." Momoka muttered, holding her hands to her chest worriedly.
***
After hearing from Momoka that something has happened to Haruhi, the twins immediately bolted back to the classroom without even letting Momoka finish her sentence. However, what they arrived to see was something they never thought they'd witness again.
"Oh. Hikaru. Kaoru. Good Morning."
Standing before them, was Haruhi indeed. But instead of the well-groomed, uniformed Fujioka Haruhi, they all know and have gotten used to. The girl that stood before them was reminiscent of the Fujioka Haruhi they had met when she first opened the doors to Music Room #3 at the beginning of the last school year, complete with clouded glasses, a full head of bedhair and an oversized, hand-me-down sweater from Ranka.
"HUH?! Haruhi?!" The twins' eyeballs nearly fell out of their sockets as they struggled to decide where to point at her messy, sloppy appearance.
"Oh, this?" Gesturing her sweater, Haruhi laughed apathetically. "I thought if I can quit the host club now, it means I don't have to worry so much about taking care of my appearance right? Life is easier this way." She declared bluntly.
"What?!"
"Though I got upset the other day, It really is a lucky break to have all my debts cleared." Lifting an all-knowing finger, Haruhi spoke nonchalantly. "When I think about how I'll be able to live my life without the interference of overly excitable people-"
Before she could even finish her sentence, however, Hikaru and Kaoru had grabbed an arm each and dragged her out of the chaotic classroom. "You come with us!" They grumbled in unison.
"Haruhi! Just think about this a little!" Once they were outside, Hikaru swiftly pushed the brunette up against a pillar as he did his best to shake her out of what he could only assume a desperate protest against the disbandment of the Host Club. "Don't do something crazy out of desperation! We know how you feel about Milord, but-!"
"Hikaru, You got it all wrong." Shifting out of her indifferent attitude, Haruhi struggled against Hikaru's grip as she attempted to explain herself. "I'm not doing this out of desperation. Listen, yesterday I ran into Kosaka-san on my way home, and I think I've figured out why Tamaki-senpai is acting this way-"
"Haruhi?" A little further down the hallway, Tamaki gaped with an astonished expression, presumably called here by Kyoya who stood not far behind him. "Haruhi... Your clothes..." He muttered, watching as the brunette bit her bottom lip, shaking herself out of Hikaru's grip and began to take large strides towards him.
"Haruhi!"
"You're doing all this to get your grandmother to understand you, aren't you?" Brushing her shoulder past Tamaki's, Haruhi's steps halted to a stop. "Your grandmother forbade you to continue on with the host club, and you're not the kind of person to ignore her wishes and do as you please. That's why you need to take this time right now to make her understand, right?" She theorized, staring blankly ahead at the long hallway before her as she smiled softly. "It isn't just for the host club sake, is it? Your grandmother is a precious member of your family too. In order for that to happen, there's some reason why I can't be near you, isn't there? In that case, I will return to being the Fujioka Haruhi you were before I met you." She declared with a tone of reassurance. "So you can stop worrying about me, and do what you need. Senpai." She said determinedly.
Hearing her words of understanding, Tamaki pressed his lips together, suppressing the saddened frown that attempted to surface. "Thank you." Shifting his eyes to a downcast, he reached behind to gently ruffle her hair as they both began to walk in opposite directions.
***
"And that's the entirety of what Kaoru and I have unearthed so far." Kyoya summarized. Despite Haruhi's declaration to Tamaki that she was going to be alright, the scheduled meeting at the Ootori mansion later that day still commenced without a hitch. "Though it seems like Tamaki was not informed, there is no doubt in my mind that his mother's illness is none other than Schislaisse Syndrome. Though I naturally assumed that the perfectly healthy Anne-Sophie I encountered in France five months ago was only experiencing a temporary remission of her symptoms. The fact that her physician, Dr. Alleman, is currently missing and the whereabouts of the Chairman's right-hand man - Nakagaichi-san - is also unknown. There are simply too many suspicious events for everything to be on the up-and-up." He stated, slowly flipping back through the pages of his notebook with a tense expression. "There are other questions to be answered, as well. Why is the Chairman turning a blind eye to the activities of his subordinate, Kosaka while she goes about the Director's bidding? Why does he make no effort to convince the Director to accept Tamaki after having him torn away from his mother and forcing him into the Main Mansion? Why did he choose to transfer Miki's custodianship to the Director now after receiving it from the Fernández family six months ago? Why didn't he make any moves when the Director ordered for her confinement, and even went as far as lying to Tamaki about her whereabouts? I feel as if all of his actions suggest he is biding his time. If so, what is he waiting for? That's the one thing I just can't figure out. That's why I'd like to ask for your help as well." He concluded, peering up as his gaze swept across the hosts who gathered in his room, listening intently.
"If it wasn't just a temporary remission of her symptoms," Haruhi hummed. "What other reason could there be?"
"Kyo-chan, could it be a miracle?" Raising his hand like a child, Honey suggested. "Maybe her sickness miraculously went away! There have been cases in which cancerous tumours just vanish on their own, haven't there?" He pointed out.
"It is possible in cancer cases, but I doubt that happened here." Kyoya denied.
"Could it be..." Interlacing his fingers and resting his elbows on his knees, Hikaru murmured. "Human Medical Experiments?" He suggested with a dark expression.
"H-Hikaru...?"
"What if Milord's mom was made into a human test subject...?" Not responding to Kaoru's call of his name, Hikaru continued with his seemingly absurd theory as his body began to twitch in fear. "They might've taken that doctor captive and forced him to develop a new drug treatment. And the reason the Chairman's movements have been so suspicious is because of it being an Ultra-Secret-Hush-Hush-Plan!" Lost in his own delusions, he began to cover his face and fidget around in a panic. "Oh, god! We're all going to be silenced for finding out too much!" He yelled dramatically.
"Calm down, Hikaru, you're starting to sound like Miki-senpai!" Attempting to calm his brother down and drag him back to reality, Kaoru hushed. "You've been watching way too many sci-fi movies. Human Medical Experiments? As if that could really happen-"
"It does." Kyoya interrupted bluntly.
.
.
.
"EH?!" Everyone let out a collective gasp in surprise as Hikaru began to sweat profusely in fear of the scenarios from his Sci-Fi movies coming true.
"Well, we call them 'Clinical Trials' or 'Studies' to be precise." Leaning back in his chair, Kyoya specified. "The thought has crossed my mind at some point. If a cure for Tamaki's mother is indeed being developed, and if we suppose that she's involved in its creation, the most likely the drug is already in Phase II of Clinical Trials." He informed.
"Phase II of Clinical Trials..." Haruhi repeated thoughtfully.
"Phase II of Clinical Trials means the new drug has passed beyond in VIVO - animal testing and initial tests on healthy human subjects." Peering over at the brunette, Kyoya continued to elaborate. "And are now being conducted on a small number of patients afflicted with the targeted disease. That would explain why Tamaki's mother appeared to be symptom-free, and if her physician has been aiding the drug's development as Hikaru suggested, it would certainly explain where he's been as well. It does make sense since Dr. Alleman has studied the disease for many years." He theorized.
"Wait, so it really is...?" Honey's eyes widened at the possibility that they've found the answer they've been searching for.
"That being said, there's absolutely no information on any of this," Kyoya said, reaching out to grab his opened laptop and place it on his lap. "Clinical Trials are usually announced publicly. So for the trials to have progressed to Phase II without even a word of it leaking is extremely odd." He stated, pulling up the list of Clinical Studies Announcements once again as briefly skimming through it. "If either of the Suoh or Grantaine Corporation were making a bid to enter the pharmaceutical industry, it would have exploded all over the news. No matter how you look at it, there's no way all of this could've happened without at least some word of it slipping out." He concluded with a sigh.
"Wow..." Amazed by how much effort and knowledge Kyoya held on the subject, Kaoru couldn't help but gasp in admiration. "That's our Kyoya-senpai! Future Pre-Med student!" He praised. "You sure have done your research-"
Eyes shifting towards his underclassman, Kyoya gave him an odd look. "I'm not going to Pre-Med." He revealed.
"Huh?! You're not?" Taken aback by his false assumptions, Honey tilted his head to the side. "We thought you'd for sure be going into it..." He muttered.
"Since both my older brothers are in the medical field, I thought I should study business and become a management expert. I was planning on studying in the US during university and continuing at an American Business School after graduation to get my MBA." Kyoya pronounced as a self-satisfied smirk surfaced on his lips. "My brothers, particularly Akito, seem to think I'm going to chase after them in their wake. But I intend to overtake them using a different path." He mused smugly.
Haruhi blinked a little, mentally remarking on how amazing Kyoya was to be already planning on studying abroad. "Um..." Shaking her head and reminding herself to focus, Haruhi cleared her throat. "May I borrow that list of recent Clinical Studies announcements?" She requested. "If possible, could you print it out for me?"
"Anyone can view it on the internet," Kyoya informed with a questioning brow raise.
"Well... I don't own a laptop..." Scratching the back of her head, Haruhi mumbled.
"Ah, if that's the problem I can lend you one." Hikaru asserted nonchalantly.
"Oh! Is that really okay?" Haruhi's eyes rounded in surprise.
"Sure..." Averting his eyes as a deadpanned smile tugged on his lips, Hikaru laughed dryly. "I had one custom-built for your birthday a while back, but..." His voice trailed off.
Kaoru sweatdropped at the awkwardness that had begun to loom within the room thanks to his twin's statement. "All right!" Clearing his throat, he raised a fist in the air in an effort to clear the air a little. "Let's all go to Haruhi's house for an official 'New Laptop Launch Party' and a crash-course in laptop usage!" He suggested.
"Huh?!"
"Yay! We finally get to eat Haru-chan's home-cooking again!" Going along with the idea, Honey chimed.
"Hold on! I didn't say I was feeding anyone-" Reaching a handout, Haruhi made a futile attempt to stop them only for Kyoya's room door to be slammed in her face, practically ridiculing her that whether she liked it or not, they were going to show up at her house that evening with a hungry stomach.
***
As the night prolonged, the Hosts had initially split up the workload after eating dinner at Haruhi's house. However, while teaching Haruhi how to use her brand new laptop, the twins, Honey and Mori had nodded off to sleep in their exhaustion, sprawling out on the tatami floors in an undignified mess. Haruhi and Kyoya however, never bothered to take even a minute of shut-eye once they've set up and started their laptops. Stationed at two low coffee tables back to back, they worked endlessly through the night until the ticking clock on Haruhi's wall chimed five consecutive times.
Right around that time, the sound of keys jangling and the front door unlocking filled the modest apartment. "I'm home!" Ranka chimed as he stepped through the door happily. "Haruhi, are you asleep like a good girl- YEEEEEK!" However, his joyful mood was short-lived the moment he spotted the pile of sleeping boys gathered in his house where his daughter was supposed to be. "What do you think you're doing here?!" Not even bothering to take off his heels, he dashed straight into the room and tossed both Hikaru and Kaoru against the walls of his apartment as comical tears burst forth from his eyes. "How dare you enter my teenage daughter's bedroom at this hour?!" He accused, planting an angry foot over their heads.
"Gah! Ow! Ranka-san, please stop!" Hikaru and Kaoru shrieked.
"Kyoya-senpai," Ignoring the cries for help from the twins, Haruhi called out to her upperclassman.
"What is it?" Kyoya hummed, not bothering to lift his gaze from his screen.
"Take a look at this." Pointing at her laptop screen, Haruhi muttered. "It looks like Anneau Laboratory was holding Phase I Clinical Trials three years ago for women with the same immune system disorder as Tamaki-senpai's mother. However, the results of that study don't seem to be published anywhere." She informed.
Brows furrowing slightly, Kyoya leaned over to peer over the brunette's shoulder. "In some cases, results aren't published if the study was a failure." Heaving a sigh, he shook his head.
"But just last year, they went from being a research lab to an Incorporate Company." Haruhi then pointed out, scrolling the document sideways to reveal the transition in company type.
Kyoya flinched slightly at this new information. Leaving his work station, he quickly paced over to take a closer look. "They incorporated without publishing any research results...?" His eyes narrowed as he studied the name of this mysterious company. "Anneau Pharmaceutical... I've never heard of them before..." He remarked.
"Anneau..." Awoken by the ruckus the twins and Ranka were making, Honey rubbed his eyes drowsily. "That's French, isn't it? It means 'ring' or 'halo' or something..." He murmured.
"Or 'Tamaki' in Japanese," Mori revealed in a low voice, causing the entire room to silence down as the atmosphere took a tense shift.
"Hey, look at its spelling too..." Pushing through a confused Ranka, Kaoru studied Haruhi's laptop screen. "If you take away the letters 'a' and 'u' in Anneau, you'd get..." His voice trailed off as he reached forward, demonstrating his point by covering the 'a' and 'u' with his index finger.
Anne!
"The Chairman is backing the Grantaine family's development of this new drug...?" The revelation quickly struck Kyoya as the gears in his mind began to spin at a remarkable speed. "And the only way they could've started a new company is if the new drug is nearly ready to hit the market. But how could they have gotten so far so secretly...?" He questioned, only to let out a small gasp as he remembered the conversation he had with his father the previous morning. His lips parted, and his eyes rounded. "Is my family involved in this too...?" He uttered, suddenly feeling a wave of cold sweat wash over his body as he recalled another specific detail that occurred a little later on in that same conversations.
Hold on.
His breath hitched.
This morning.
Did he say 'young Suoh s '...?
***
Over at the Chairman's Office in the Suoh Corporation, one of the over-time workers on that late evening knocked on the door with a respectful head bow. "Sir. There's a call for you." He notified.
"All right." Turning around in his office chair, Yuzuru tore his gaze away from the night skyline of Tokyo with a small nod. "Put it through." He instructed.
It didn't take long before his private phone at the office began to play a repetitive jingle. Picking up the handset, Yuzuru pulled on the coil cord to press the phone against his ear. "Hello? Thank you so much for all your recent help, Ootori." He addressed, eyes narrowing as he calmly turned his attention back towards the view into the velvet night. "Without your family's help, we could not have kept the news of our venture into the medical field from getting out. Again, I am struck by how much influence the Ootori group has in the medical field." He advocated.
"It was nothing." On the opposite end of the receiver, Yoshio was also sitting in his private office located in one of the many hospital facilities owned by the Ootori family. "The new drug will save thousands of lives, which is the wish of any doctor such as myself. Of course, your generous offer to give the Ootori group exclusive distribution rights for the drug in Japan is also most welcome." He hummed, allowing a small sense of silence to stretch between them before speaking once more. "By the way, it seems my youngest son has taken notice of your plan." He noted.
Yuzuru couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. "Yes, well, Kyoya is quite a sharp young man." He praised.
"Indeed." Yoshio agreed. "I'm also quite pleased to hear that he is particularly close with your daughter of all people. I suppose it wouldn't be too early to discuss the possibility for a future union between them, would it?"
"If she wishes to marry Kyoya, I certainly wouldn't object to it." Closing his eyes, Yuzuru shrugged indifferently. "Though I must ask, Ootori. When did you figure out that Miki is my biological daughter?" He questioned calmly.
Yoshio didn't immediately respond. Instead, he remained silent as his eyes flickered to a dull downcast. "I knew the moment I saw her." He then stated without reservation as he began to lean back on his seat and as his gaze slowly trailed up to the chandelier hanging in the center of the room. "Strawberry Brown hair... An Autosomal Recessive Trait..." He muttered. "In the world's hair colour distribution, only 2% can categorize as red-heads. And among them, a mere 0.1% can classify as having a 'Strawberry' tone." He described. "That amounts to about 7.7 million people having such hair colour, which in comparison to the population of 7.7 billion, is a dime in a dozen. So for two people around you to possess such a rare trait," He huffed out a dry laugh. "It would be difficult to brush it off as a mere coincidence."
"Oh?" Raising an eyebrow, Yuzuru mused. "So, you've met my ex-mother-in-law before?" He asked.
"I attended her wedding many years ago when I was but a young boy. Since then, that colour has been burned deep into my memories." Yoshio answered. "So you must've been able to imagine my surprise when I saw the exact same hair colour appear on a girl so close to your son many decades later." He remarked, thinking back to the wave of nostalgia he felt when he got a closer look at Miki during the school festival. "After that, it was simply a matter of knowledge. Anyone who knew of the failed union between the Suoh and Fernández families as well as having an adequate understanding of Autosomal Recessive Traits would be able to figure out her identity as your biological daughter." He concluded simply.
"Those are some rather specific requirements." Yuzuru laughed dryly, loosely crossing his arms over his chest. "Indeed, Miki's hair colour is quite exquisite," He admitted. "It's no wonder Kyoya fell for her charms so easily."
Yoshio complied. "Though for a man who enjoys boasting about his daughter so much, your treatment of her is fairly cruel, isn't it?" He commented with a hint of caution in his tone. "As a medical professional, I cannot imagine that either her mental or physical health are in the best shape. The likely hood of her having a psychological trauma over being trapped is rather high." He observed.
"It's fine." Eyes dulling slightly, Yuzuru dismissed his advice. "The moment she fulfills her purpose, I will return her freedom." He assured.
"Either way... It will be all over the news tomorrow morning anyway." Yoshio hummed.
***
"If my father is involved, a cover-up would certainly be possible. My father would not hesitate to use any means necessary to keep it a secret." Kyoya assumed, reaching up to touch his forehead as the rest of the pieces of this chaotic puzzle were practically falling into place with little to no effort. "The owner of Anneau Pharmaceuticals is most likely the Grantaine family. The Chairman intends for the Grantaine family to receive the enormous profits from the sales of the new drug. If the Grantaine family becomes self-sufficient and no longer need to depend on the Suohs for medical and financial aid, they can finally rid themselves of the Director's control. Tamaki and his mother would be free... That must've been the Chairman's aim in all this." He proclaimed.
"But why now of all times?" Haruhi pointed out. "He could've chosen any other-"
"Because of this." Cutting her off, Kyoya swiftly moved towards his laptop a few steps away and pulled up a web page he had kept tabbed.
'Long-Held Fernández Family Dukedom Finally Draws its Curtains!'
"For sure, the Chairman had another purpose for keeping this quiet - he didn't want the Director to know." He continued, eyes darting left and right as he skimmed over the familiar article once more. "But the due to this being such a large-scale project, preparations of publicizing this revolutionary drug such as this would surely cause whispers to begin spreading throughout the Corporation, regardless of how well-kept the secret is. So he waited for the Fernández family to completely lose its power so that he could use Miki as a method of distraction to keep the Director busy as he sets up for this grand unveiling." He inferred. "He'd go this far to keep such a thing from his mother, which means the Chairman's ultimate goal is..."
"It's out!" Over on the other side of the room with their laptops, the twins interrupted their upperclassman mid-sentence with even more urgent news. "The morning headlines! It's..." Their voices trailed off as everyone swiftly gathered around to see for themselves.
'France's Grantaine Company Announces Development of New Drug and Enters the Pharmaceutical Industry!'
"Over here! Look at this one!" Honey shouted, pointing at another section of the article that was kept as sub-news under the day's grand headlines.
"So it's true," Kyoya muttered as his eyes quickly scanned the nameplate of the news. "The Chairman's intention was to overthrow his mother...!" He affirmed stiffly.
'Suoh Corporation Board of Director's Meeting Ends in Decision to Seek the Current Director of the Board's Resignation!'
***
Standing before the body-length glass windows of Tamaki's room in the Second Suoh Mansion, Miki took a deep breath. Wrapped tightly in her hands, was a lamp. One of Tamaki's two bedside table lamps that he often kept switched on during their little past hang out sessions. Then next to her, laid a mattress that she had managed to drag off of Tamaki's bed frame and line up against the window.
Tightening her grip around the porcelain base of the unplugged lamp, Miki closed her eyes and pressed the edge of the lampshade against her forehead, as if she were offering a prayer to the gods above. She had spent the entire day before, re-drawing the entire layout of the Second Suoh Mansion by memory and plotting the most effective escape route on her digital tablet.
She was ready for this.
In the distance, she could faintly see the sunlight peek up from the line of the horizon, beaming an endless amount of blessings upon her plan of escape.
Dawn broke.
It was time.