Formidable Enmity [ Ootori Kyouya ] R18

Battle Of Wits

'We have a new student for the final semester up to your final exams. Her name is none other than Astreanova Antares, Astrea for short. Please welcome her to the class.'

Kyouya remembers the cold stare emanating from the transfer student; formerly class president of her class in her alma mater. Him, in return, gave her an icy stare as an observation, if one could call it. He refuses to interact nor meddle in troublesome affairs, due to the warning that was given by his father.

'Astreanova Antares is the only heir of the Antares Corporate. I am sure you've heard of this prestigious foreign company before, Kyouya.'

'It's a niche, but still one of the largest gold companies of the west. The daughter is coming to Ouran, I assume?'

'Yes, correct. It is still a highly confidential company to boot. As a CEO, I will only have to act upon minimal risks. This is a company we barely could touch the ground that they walk on, hence I will warn you to be on your best behavior.'

'I see. Understood, father.'

Kyouya remembered the conversation and found himself examining her features.

Astrea did not bother garnering a couple of stares and whispers from the classmates, and the school transfer was done due to a sudden business deal in Japan. Sacrifices had to be done. The teacher had suggested that she became the vice president due to her prominent status.

She declined the position, considering the gruesome training she had to endure on the daily after school.

'Are you sure, Astreanova?' The teacher questioned her. Everyone else was listening intently. The original vice president Akiko looked at her with concern in her eyes.

'I decline. I am sure she's doing a better job at it.' Astrea retorted casually.

Kyouya raised one hand.

'It's fine. Fujiwara-sensei. I don't intend to accommodate a new vice president. I wouldn't appreciate it either.' He immediately used his silver tongue.

Astrea ignored the chide, knowing full well that wasn't even his full potential. She knew he was perfect. Intelligent, rich and good-looking, based on the descriptions by the people in her intel who knew the Ootori medical family. Yet the qualities didn't appeal to her at all.

The fact that they had to sit beside each other didn't make it better.

Despite his polite and soft spoken facade, Kyouya is the darkness devil amongst the angels. She crossed her legs and looked away, staring across the window pane. Kyouya resumed his studying, while Tamaki stifled a laugh and looked at the screen- breaking the fourth dimension as he thought, looks like this is a beginning of a new romance for Kyouya.

But he wouldn't know better, would he?

They were enemies, of course. But enemies that might end up being something else.

As he got home, the youngest Ootori son found himself fiddling with a pen as he scanned through school documents of Astreanova Antares from a prestigious high school in Austria. He knew she had to strive for perfection due to the nature of her family. Perfect grades, perfect attendance and active in martial arts.

He then wondered if this particular heir had competition, as being the only child would've been the shortcut to success. What if she's doing all this because of a different reason?

There was a time in between two classes, he saw Astrea pulling out a book with the title 'Crime and Punishment'. He didn't ask details, due to how focused she was while reading Dostoevsky.

Kyouya was caught staring at her with a pen on his thumb and index finger, as if figuring out what to do with this opportunity, when his father told him to minimize all risks.

'It seems that you wanted to talk, Ootori.' Astrea spoke to his surprise.

'What is it?'

He closed his eyes and smirked.

'I would recommend a better book than the one you're reading right now.'

'Oh, this?' Astrea pointed.

'Something a bit more fitting of our situation, I would say. You can try reading Osamu Dazai.' He spoke calmly.

'I've read Dazai's works before. It's raw, honest and unhinged. And you're definitely a Dazai person, aren't you?' Her deep voice seemed to ring in his ears for a moment.

Kyouya stared into her piercing amethyst- almost golden eyes, solemnly realizing every background research he has done on her; she has done the same too.

Minimize all risks, Kyouya.

'Absolutely. Dazai summarizes the experience of being a deeply philosophical japanese man.' He adjusted his glasses.

'But of course, the sole heir of a prestigious company from the west wouldn't get it, won't they?'

Astrea closed her book and looked at him sternly.

'You know nothing, Ootori.'

But maybe it's best that he knows nothing.

A few weeks have passed and Kyouya wanted to observe the famous sparring competition at the dojo and look at those who are challenged into a spar with the almighty Antares. He coldly thought, no one could look down on him or his family name, and he could just hire his bodyguard to observe how Astrea is doing in school. But he needed to know how she would fight.

Despite the massive crowd that was at the dojo, Kyouya and Tamaki attended the event without further ado. Kyouya had sworn he would remember Astrea's majestic fighting moves the first time he saw it; as if she almost had it all.

A strength that could've brought down 100 enemies in one go if it was exaggerated. It was her sheer willpower that made it seem like she had it all.

The eye of the wooden katana landed on the opponent's face, right after she paralyzed his limbs. Astrea took off her headgear and heard the crowd cheering. Closing her eyes, she opened them again to spot the Ootori son and the son of the school president.

Kyouya didn't blink for a second, his silver pupils seemed to stare at the match as he thought of the idea of taking her down in front of everyone. Beaten by the great Ootori son, wouldn't that be the greatest humiliation for oh so powerful Antares? That would be an interesting match to participate in before graduating.

Before he could even talk or adjust his glasses, he saw the contestant herself coming up to him. She removed her headgear, revealing an ambitious and powerful aura surrounding her presence before she declared war with everyone in the school.

'Whoever manages to beat me, will have the chance of the Antares corporation acknowledging their hierarchical status and securing a business trade for a lifetime.' Astrea announced to the room before looking at Kyouya.

'Unfortunately, I'm not here to play.' She spoke softly. 'I wish I could. But a sole heir couldn't do much to resist their fate, wouldn't you agree, Ootori?"

Kyouya smirked, staying silent as she left the scene. The challenge was a metaphor of something bigger that was about to happen in their lives.

He immediately thought,

It would be child's play for me, if it were other women.

'I wouldn't disagree with the winner.' Kyouya replied after she left.

Tamaki gasped, his jaw dropped from seeing the intense interaction of his best friend and the winner of the dojo.

'Kyouya you son of a- you need to tell me everything or else I'll tell the host club about this!'

We're still enemies, aren't we?