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It was a cool, pleasant evening, the refreshing breeze washing over us as we left the prestigious hotel, comfortably full after a luxurious dinner. Kyoya had indulged my little whim of wanting to take a short walk, and we strolled toward the nearby station, our hands gently intertwined.
"I love you, Kyoya-san."
The combination of everything made me so incredibly happy that the words just spilled out. I hadn’t intended to say it on a random sidewalk like this, but oddly enough, I felt no regret after they left my mouth. We had already gone out alone together multiple times, and here we were, holding hands on a stroll. It felt like the perfect opportunity to move past the "more than friends, less than lovers" stage.
"Thank you."
That was all Kyoya said in return.
In that moment, for the very first time, it hit me that maybe Kyoya still only saw me as a junior. I had been under the impression that we were enjoying a period of mutual unrequited love, but for all I knew, he might not have even considered tonight a date. And yet, a doubt lingered: would Kyoya really arrange a private dinner at a luxury hotel and walk hand-in-hand with someone who was *just* a junior? If we had to put a name to our relationship, what on earth was it?
A slight awkwardness settled between us after that, and we reached the station without much conversation, though our hands remained clasped. Waiting at the station was a car arranged by Kyoya to take me back to my estate.
As I stepped out of the car, I decided to make one last approach, flashing him my absolute best, most charming smile.
"Kyoya-san, let's go on another date sometime soon."
"Right."
With that brief reply, he drove away.
I had used the word "date" to test the waters, but he might have taken it to mean simply "two people going out," rather than a romantic outing between people who have feelings for each other.
───
"Am I reading this wrong, or is it completely unrequited?!"
"Don't ask me. I don't know the first thing about romance."
"But Haruhi, you're the easiest person to talk to!"
Unable to keep the recent events to myself, I was venting to Haruhi in a private booth at an old, established cafe.
"He didn't give me an answer to my 'I love you,' but *he* was the one who invited me on a date in the first place."
"But the problem is whether he actually considers it a date or not, right?"
"I want to believe it's a date! I mean, have you ever gone to a hotel dinner alone with Kyoya?"
"No."
"Exactly! I'm probably the only human being alive who has."
I took a sip of my cold cafe latte to cool down my throat. The perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness spread through me.
"Honestly, it's just hard to imagine Kyoya-senpai with a partner at all," Haruhi remarked.
"…Wait, what if Kyoya is the type who believes in never getting into a relationship? Like, thinking romance is just too much trouble!"
"He's not completely heartless. Why don't you just ask him during your next 'date'?"
"No way! I don't want him to think I'm heavy!"
"Why not? You *are* being heavy."
Cringing at Haruhi's blunt, undeniable logic, I pouted and started fidgeting with my straw.
"But look, Kaoru," Haruhi continued casually, driving her fork into the shortcake that had just been served. "If Kyoya-senpai really thought of you as just a junior, I don't think he'd bother holding your hand while walking."
She took a bite and looked at me calmly.
"That man doesn't do anything meaningless or unprofitable. No matter how cutely you beg, if he weren't interested, he’d find a proper excuse and brush you off in a purely businesslike manner. A luxury dinner, a night stroll, and a ride home? What kind of merit does Kyoya-senpai get out of that?"
"That's…"
Haruhi was right. Kyoya always put on the guise of a pure rationalist (though he actually had a deeply caring side, there was no need to bring that up now). Behind that smart, gentle, gentlemanly demeanor, there was always a calculated reason.
...Then what exactly was the merit for Kyoya in holding my hand?
Was it just fan service for a favorite junior? Or was he trying to take advantage of my affection?
"…Ugh, forget it! The more I think about it, the less I get it!"
I buried my face in my arms, slumping onto the table. Haruhi watched me with a look of mild exasperation as she sipped her tea.
"Anyway, you secured a promise for the next outing, didn't you? Then when the time comes, push a little further. Ask him, 'Kyoya-senpai, what am I to you?'"
"I told you, I don't want him to think I'm heavy…"
Muttering in a voice that was barely a whisper, I stared down at my smartphone screen as our conversation went in circles.
A few days later, a succinct message arrived from Kyoya.*“Are you free this Saturday afternoon? Would you like to go to that art museum you mentioned wanting to visit before?”*
Sitting on my bed at home, I reread the words on the screen over and over. Kyoya really was unfair. He remembered something even I couldn't recall when I'd brought up.
*“I'm free~! I've been wanting to go there forever! I'm so excited!”*
*“I'll pick you up at 11:00.”*
*“I'll be waiting~”*
Our first exchange in days ended just like that. If I tried to keep the conversation going, I knew Kyoya would reply, but I wasn't in the mood, so I didn't send another message until the day of the outing.
And then, Saturday arrived.
Today, I had put far more effort into my appearance than usual. I tied up my slightly long hair into a half-up style, weaving in a few braids and securing it with gold hairpins. For my outfit, I went for a slightly cool edge, pairing a black sheer top with a leather jacket. To match the vibe, I drew a sharp cat-eye liner and applied a reddish eyeshadow that gave my eyes a faint, smoldering warmth.
"Alright…"
Standing in front of the mirror, my heart was beating a bit louder than usual.
Ever since Kyoya sent a single text saying, *"On my way,"* I found myself checking the intercom at the front door over and over. Granted, the estate grounds were so vast that it took a while to get from the gate to the front door, but even from inside my room, I knew the moment Kyoya arrived.
"I'm heading out!"
Calling out lightly to the staff, I held back my racing heart and opened the massive front door.
Stepping out of his car, Kyoya stood waiting and looked up at me, dressed in his usual flawless, smart casual attire. His sharp, almond-shaped eyes caught sight of my look today, and for a fraction of a second—truly just a blink—it felt like his eyes narrowed.
"Your outfit today suits you well."
"Hehe, thank you. I put a little extra effort into it hoping I'd get a compliment from you, Kyoya-san."
Intentionally mixing in a bit of calculated playfulness, I let him open the passenger door for me and slid inside. The interior welcomed me with the rich scent of premium leather and the faint, citrusy notes of Kyoya’s cologne.
Kyoya got into the driver's seat and started the engine with practiced ease. The car glided smoothly forward, leaving behind the familiar, sprawling grounds of my family's estate.
"I didn't know you were interested in art, Kyoya-san. Even if it were for an investment, wouldn't it be better to stick to your areas of expertise?""I became interested because of your influence, Kaoru."
"…Eh?"
The sheer destructive power of his casual remark left me staring blankly at his profile.
However, the man gripping the steering wheel remained perfectly composed, his eyes fixed firmly on the road ahead. As always, not a single shred of his thoughts could be read from that beautiful side profile.
"Because of my influence…?"
"You talked about it with such passion. I wanted to see for myself what it is that you find beautiful."
"Oh… I see…"
The unexpected critical hit completely wiped my mind clean of all the playful lines I had rehearsed.
My heart gave a sudden throb, and I could feel the back of my ears burning hot.
Out of the corner of my eye, Kyoya’s profile remained as cool as a marble statue; I was the only one losing my composure. Seriously, he was so unfair. I hurriedly averted my gaze and stared out the window.
Watching the passing scenery, I gently squeezed my hands together in my lap. Hope would rise, only for me to step on the brakes and bring myself back to reality. By the time our internal tug-of-war finally quieted down, the car was pulling into the parking lot of the suburban museum.
Being a weekend in the suburbs, the modern museum, surrounded by the fresh green of early spring, had a decent number of visitors walking about. But the moment we stepped into the exhibition room, a unique stillness enveloped us, with only the faint sound of footsteps and the rustle of clothes echoing through the high-ceilinged space.
This particular exhibition featured late 19th-century artwork—decadent yet stunningly vibrant paintings. It was a world that felt somewhat detached from reality, full of aestheticism and capable of stirring the deepest depths of human emotion. I had felt it would be a waste not to see them in person, which was why I wanted to come so badly.
I stopped in front of one large canvas. It was a piece depicting an embrace between a man and a woman, rendered in burning, deep blues and accented with faint gold leaf.
"…So beautiful. Seeing this shade of blue in person is completely different from a picture."
As I murmured in fascination, a presence quietly stepped up right beside me. Kyoya narrowed his eyes slightly behind his glasses, silently training his gaze on the canvas I was admiring.
"What's your assessment of it, Kyoya-san?"
"It's difficult to put into words. It is beautiful, but it's more than just that. It's incredibly captivating."
Speaking in a voice as sweet as a whisper, Kyoya reached out, took my hand, and laced his fingers through mine. My heart rate spiked. I couldn't read this man's intentions at all. Abstract art was a lot easier to figure out than him.
After finishing the exhibition, we moved to the glass-walled terrace cafe attached to the museum.
Spread out before us was a garden bathed in the soft, warm sunlight of spring.
Kyoya ordered an iced coffee, while I got a seasonal cherry blossom chiffon cake and a cup of herbal tea. We exchanged thoughts on the artwork, and the conversation flowed smoothly without a single hitch. Yet, the question that had been smoldering in my chest since last week still weighed heavily on me.
Even right now, our time together was incredibly fun, making us seem exactly like a real couple. But the coldness of that night, when he swept away my "I love you" with a mere "thank you," was something I just couldn't forget.
Using my fork to break off a small piece of chiffon cake, I finally made up my mind. Keeping my eyes lowered toward my cup, I spoke up.
"Hey, Kyoya-san."
"What is it?""You're really attentive, aren't you? Remembering a place I mentioned wanting to visit a while ago, and even driving me all the way out here."
"I told you. What interests you has piqued my interest as well."
"…Then, what if. If it weren't me, but another member of the Host Club… like Hikaru, or Haruhi, saying 'I want to go here,' would you have driven them out the same way?"
Even to my own ears, it sounded like a childish, heavy question. But I couldn't help asking.
A momentary silence fell over the terrace. The spring breeze, which should have felt pleasant, suddenly carried a strange chill. I stopped moving my fork and tentatively looked up, only to find Kyoya holding his iced coffee glass, staring at me with unreadable eyes.
"Why ask such a hypothetical question?"
"…No reason. I just wondered where I stand with you, Kyoya-san."
I forced a mischievous smile, putting up the best front I could muster.
"If this is just hospitality for a cute junior, it feels a bit too indulgent. Last week, we had dinner at that luxury hotel and walked around holding hands… Kyoya-san, are you the kind of senior who does that for just anyone?"
I had said it. I had basically demanded an answer.
Kyoya quietly set his glass back down on the table. The ice made a faint clinking sound against the glass.
He leaned back comfortably in his chair and gently pushed up the bridge of his glasses with his index finger. That single gesture alone created the illusion that the entire space had fallen under his absolute control.
"You asked if I would do the same for Hikaru or Haruhi."
Kyoya spoke in a perfectly calm, even tone.
"The answer is no. If it were Hikaru, I would brush him off appropriately, and given Haruhi's personality, neither of us would suggest going out alone together in the first place. More importantly, I am a busy man. I have no intention of allocating my resources to meaningless time."
"…Then, is there some kind of merit in the time you spend with me?"
I leaned forward slightly, peering straight into his eyes.
"No, there is no merit."
"…! Then why?!"
Trying to raise my voice, it accidentally cracked. To give me all this hope only to say there was no merit. As emotions swirled inside me and tears threatened to spill over, Kyoya continued, his tone softening into something much gentler than his usual host persona.
"My apologies, I misspoke. Even if there is no merit, I am here because I want to be with you, Kaoru."
"…Then why do you want to be with me?!"
"Because I love you."
Hearing his words, I froze completely.
"Eh… E-Eh? Did you just say you love me?"
"Yes, I did."
"…………Kyoya-san, do you actually like me?"
"I wouldn't go out with someone every week if I didn't like them. Nor would I hold their hand. Don't tell me you're only realizing this now?"
Kyoya nodded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, taking a casual sip of his coffee. As my brain finally began to process everything, a new question immediately rushed in: if he liked me, why on earth had he acted like that before?
"It's your fault, Kyoya! You're the one who kept giving me mixed signals…!"
"Mixed signals? I simply love you."
"There you go again! Saying it so easily!!"
I pointed an accusing finger at him as if I had caught him red-handed, but Kyoya just looked completely puzzled by my reaction.
Seeing this man, who could say "I love you" with such absolute nonchalance, made me even more curious as to why he had ignored my confession back then. I had to press him on it.
"Then when I told you I loved you, why didn't you say it back?!"
"…………I was so happy that I was at a loss for words."
Kyoya’s surprisingly endearing answer completely dried up my tears. This was Ootori Kyoya—the successor of the fearsome Ootori Group, a man who was always cool, calm, and calculated, predicting every possible outcome. And yet, he had been so flustered by my confession that he couldn't find the words to reply.
Kyoya looked a little embarrassed, but he didn't try to hide it, looking straight back into my eyes. I didn't miss the way the tips of his ears had turned a faint shade of crimson.
"I was so worried I even complained to Haruhi! Geez!"
I turned my head away with a huff, deliberately crossing my arms. But the sheer happiness, the relief of all my anxieties melting away, and the absolute adoration for the human, vulnerable side of this otherwise perfect man came welling up from deep within my chest, impossible to stop.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize I had made you that anxious. …If I may offer an excuse, you smiled so beautifully in that moment that it felt like a dream."
"…Are you being serious right now?"
"Do I look like I am lying to you?"
Unfair. He was truly unfair. When he looked at me with a soft expression that was entirely different from his business smile, speaking in a voice that was lower and sweeter than usual, it was absolutely impossible to stay mad at him.
Unclasping my arms, I tightly squeezed Kyoya’s hand, which was resting over mine. After all that agonizing and almost crying over it by myself, I could hardly believe such a perfect conclusion had arrived.
"I love you."
"………I love you too."
"Why did you hesitate just now?!"
"I was choosing my words."
"When someone says 'I love you,' you're supposed to just say it right back!"
I pouted playfully, pretending to be angry, causing Kyoya to let out a small chuckle. He gently placed a hand against my cheek to soothe me. Our faces naturally drew closer, and when our lips finally met, the kiss felt as warm as a spring sunbeam, carrying the faint, slightly bitter taste of iced coffee.
It lasted for only a brief moment, but for us, it felt as though the entire world had stopped for our very first kiss.
As he pulled away, Kyoya kept his hand gently cupping my cheek, his thumb softly tracing my jawline.
"…My apologies. Especially with people around."
"It's fine. We're boyfriends now, after all."
I flashed him my absolute best, most charmingly cute smile. Kyoya offered a defeated, affectionate smile in response, gently stroking my half-up hair.