Just Look into It

14. False Sweetness

Ryo was on autopilot. The strain of what had just gone down was weighing heavily on her shoulders, enough that she was afraid to keep Yuu around her. Kyouya talked with Yuu while she called Ranka and Haruhi, and to her surprise he kept the two siblings company until her cousin arrived to take Yuu for the remainder of the day.

She collapsed into one of the chairs in the waiting room, pulling her glasses off to rub her face. A heavy sigh escaped her lips.

"Miss Ryo? Is everything alright?" Kyouya questioned. She could faintly feel his leg touching hers.

A halfhearted chuckled escaped her. "I apologize Mr. Ootori. You took your time to visit my house and drive us here, and I've wasted it."

"I'd say we've reached the point to comfortably call each other by our given names. No more switching like we've done until now."

She bit her lip before turning to the ravenette. "Why are you here?"

He blinked before pushing up his glasses. "Well, this hospital is one of many under my family name to start... I assume you're looking for a different answer however."

"Why were you waiting for us to exit the room?" Ryo asked. "Why did you sit with Yuu, and why are you here with me now?"

He looked away. While his face retained its blank and cool exterior, she could see the emotions tumbling through his eyes.

"To put it in the most simple terms, I am concerned," he finally stated. "I am not the kind to let my business partners, or friends, stay in situations they aren't fond of."

She quickly turned away, feeling the tips of her ears burn.

"Do you mind my asking who you were visiting?" he mused, leaning back into his seat.

"That was our mother," she quietly said. "She got into an accident at work and was hospitalized. When she woke up, her memories were mostly gone. It's unlikely she will be released anytime soon."

The sensation of tears starting to form startled Ryo. It had been a long time since she had cried. Unable to stop them, she was glad that Yuu wasn't around. The stress of her situation was finally coming free. The exhaustion from her long days and struggle to raise her brother right had been pushed down for far too long.

"I'm sorry," she muttered. She was apologizing to Kyouya, to Yuu, to Ranka and Haruhi, and to her parents. She had tried her best, and it obviously wasn't working out.

Before she could do anything else, she felt hands pull her. Without much warning, Kyouya had pulled her to his chest. It was a gesture that seemed quite out of character, but it sent a strong feeling of warmth through her. His hands seemed unsure as they lingered in her back.

Despite how much she wanted to stay in his arms, the brunette was quick to pull herself together.

Wiping the last traces of tears from her eyes, she was quick to pull her hair up into its tight ponytail. A short wince flashed across her features as the pain in her shoulder made itself known once again.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

She let out a final breath before turning to face him. "I'm good." 

He nodded. "If you say so."

There was silence between the two as they paused to take in what they had just done. Despite it being nothing major or scandalous, both teens were rather embarrassed.

The chime of her phone snapped them both back to reality. She quickly opened the message from Haruhi, finding herself a bit sad at the sight of Yuu's smile.

"I'd better be going," she spoke up, unable to meet his gaze.

Kyouya stood, thinking something over. "Would you like an escort home?"

A bit startled at his proposal, she glanced up at him. His face read only sincerity.

"Uh, yeah. That would be nice," Ryo hesitantly responded.

The rest of the day was spent in a comfortable silence. After inviting Kyouya into her home, the two teens avoided any awkward polite talk. Kyouya worked on one of his own projects, likely the clubs budget while she did some cooking and baking.

Ryo wanted to clear her mind before Yuu came home. She had to be strong for him. She was hoping that spending the day with Haruhi and Ranka would help him to forget what had happened. She didn't want him to lose his hope or the happiness he should have gotten by being a kid.

"Miss Ryo?"

Once again she was snapped out of her thoughts. Blinking away the last traces of doubt in her mind, she continued with her task. The feeling of Kyouya's eyes on her didn't fade however.

"Yes?" she asked in reply.

"You seem a bit distracted."

"I'm fine. I've had some thoughts for the system that I'm working out."

She placed the final dish into the sink and began to wipe down the counters. Both dinner for the night, as well as a few batches of cookies had been finished.

"Speaking of which, would it be alright if I explained the remainder of that business proposal I've mentioned previously?"

The memory quickly surfaced, leaving her to nod. "Of course. Just give me a moment to get settled."

"Will do."

With yet another distraction to keep her mind busy, she proceeded to spend the next hour or so going over the contract deal and the necessary business with Kyouya. The time seemed to fly by, leaving both teens a bit startled by the knock on the door.

"Ryo? Are you home?" The familiar voice of Haruhi rang out through the home. "Yuu said he left his key at home and dad stole mine the other day."

Kyouya smirked, standing to his feet. Instantly Ryo sent him a look, before moving to the door herself.

"Alright, one second," she replied as she began to unlock the door.

"Sorry for the trouble, Yuu forgot to mention it until we got here," Haruhi said as the door began to open. "I would have looked- Kyouya-senpai?"

With the door wide open, Ryo glanced over her shoulder to see the taller boy standing over her shoulder. She couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"Ah, Haruhi. Pleasure to see you," he said, his tone sugar sweet.

Ryo forced herself to choke back a laugh at how odd his words sounded when coated in a false sweetness. She was well aware that he was very business focused, though seeing a softer version of him had been nice. She had to tell herself not to get attached to that thought.

Unfortunately she knew it was a bit too late.