I Bet I Could - Kaoru x OC - An Ouran High School Host Club Fanfiction

Chapter 12 - It's Complicated

Hikaru's POV - Hikaru's Room

"Shu-" Kaoru coughed.

Ariana walked back into the room, "I gotta go you guys...but, I'll try and call or... something tomorrow to check in on you guys."

Kaoru smiled, "Yea...bye Ariana!"

"Bye"

"I hope we didn't get you sick."

"I don't think so, but you'll find out for sure." Ariana giggled and left.

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Ariana's POV - Wednesday Morning - Class

Class wasn't the worst, but I didn't really learn anything. Since we were working on our projects and Hikaru and Kaoru were out sick, the teacher let Haruhi and I talk to each other.

"None of you were here yesterday, why?" Haruhi asked.

"Oh, Kaoru and I needed to interview someone for our project and Hikaru just tagged along."

"Oh, that makes sense I suppose. It was just pretty boring without any of you here" She laughed.

"Well hopefully not too boring, You had all the others after all"

"Not in class. But you're right, it wasn't the most boring." Haruhi laughed again.

We continued to talk through class. And I told her about the whole Hankyo situation.

"So you guys are official then?"

"Not exactly...I still don't know if I'm ready to be exclusive. But I told him I'd have an answer for him by Friday."

"You two are seriously always acting like a couple. If you do-"

"Who's always acting like a couple?" Ai cut off Haruhi, "The two of you?" She laughed.

"I don't see it." Mei said.

"Not us!" Haruhi snapped.

"Then who?" Mei inquired.

"N-"

"I want Ariana to tell us. After all friends tell each other everything."

"We're hardly friends anymore." I sneered.

"We aren't but you should still tell us."

"Me and Kaoru, if you haven't noticed we're always with each other.".

Ai and Mei stared at me before laughing, " You and Hitachiin?? You're joking right?"

"What if I'm not..."

Ai slammed her hands on my desk, "We'll tell the whole school you're sleeping with men for money you slut." The two of them laughed and walked away. I stared after them.

"I guess they like the twins, huh..." Haruhi guessed.

I nodded, both of them did. Ai liked Kaoru and Mei liked Hikaru. All through middle school they liked them. I wasn't being a bad friend, we're not friends anymore, I hate being blackmailed tho

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Lunch - Ariana's POV

I was sitting in the courtyard with Ami-chan. I had told her about what had happened in class and she wasn't having it.

"That's so dumb! I get that you guys shouldn't really be dating because he's a host and it may ruin the whole 'he's on love with his brother' lie. But Ai and Mei have no business blackmailing you because he likes you!"

"Yea I know" I sighed.

"That's not gonna stop you from saying yes to him...right?"

I shrugged and lowered my head. If I did say yes I would make sure no one at school knew. Except for maybe Ami and the host club. I loved him...that was obvious, I would do anything for him. It's already so hard to not cuddle with him at school. I sighed.

"What's wrong?" Ami asked me.

"Nothing." I looked up and smiled at her, "I just miss him."

She laughed, "of course."

I started laughing and the two of us shared that moment. Two friends, on a perfect day...

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Kaoru's POV - After School - Hitachiin Estate

Ariana and I were sitting outside in the grass, she had taught me to not mind sitting on the ground so much. The two of us were in a comfortable silence, side by side. She put her head on my shoulder and hugged my arm.

"I'll probably go to school tomorrow." I said.

She looked up at me, "Good, I can spend all day with you." She smiled.

I smiled back and kissed her softly on the lips. She kissed back and soon enough I had her pinned on the grass. She was laughing as I told her funny jokes and kissed her cheeks and lips. She smiled along with me when I just couldn't stop smiling like an idiot because this amazing person was mine.

When this dare first started, I didn't think I would ever fall in love with her. I didn't think I'd be here now, so comfortable with her, kissing her. She hated me despite me trying my best. As time went on though, I felt myself fall farther and farther for her. At this point I love her...and I hope she loves me.

She grabbed my cheeks and pushed our foreheads together. We aren't official yet, and we may never be, but we didn't need to be official for us to just show affection for one another.

"I love you..." I mumbled.

"I love you too..." She replied almost inaudible.

"What was that I couldn't hear you." I smirked.

"Too bad you should have listened more Hitachiin-kun."

I kissed her again, a small kiss turned into a passionate one, and a passionate kiss almost turned to more when-

"Kaoru!" My brother got my attention and I quickly got off of Ariana.

"Hikaru..." I was a bit embarrassed but I guess that's what I get for making out with my girlfriend in the grass. Wait...she's not my girlfriend...she's just my crush...who I'm going on a date with this Friday...

"It's getting a bit late, don't you think we should get Ariana home?"

"Oh come on, the sun hasn't even completely set yet." I argued.

"Ugh... fine." My brother sighed, "But as soon as the sun sets you make it your job to get her a ride home."

"Don't worry Hikaru, she'll get home." I wrapped my arm around her protectively.

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Ariana's POV

It was getting dark so Kaoru got one of his drivers to take me home. He didn't go with me but he did give me a kiss on the forehead before I got into the car which led to an awkward conversation with the driver.

"Are you and Hitachiin a thing?" the driver asked.

"Uh...not...exactly..."

"What does that mean?"

"Uh...it means we're not dating...but...I guess...we're like...a thing...you could say..."

The driver reached up and turned the rear view mirror so he could see me in the reflection. I shuffled in my seat uncomfortably as sweat rolled down my face.

"E-val-u-ate." The driver spoke again, "You guys are clearly a thing, even if you think you're no-"

"WE'RE NOT A COUPLE!!!" I screamed. I felt my face flush with embarrassment.

The driver moved his mirror back and the rest ride was silent.

I dropped my head down and stared at my hands in my lap. My knees were together, my feet wide apart, a tear rolled down my cheek, I wiped it away and steadied my breathing.

I love Kaoru, and the driver was right, Kaoru and I are a thing. We're exclusive, we kiss and cuddle and laugh and hug and we're comfortable around each other. Kaoru and I were basically a couple without the fancy labels. I sighed but remained quiet during the car ride.

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I got home by dark and Hoshi and my father were waiting by the door for me.

"You were supposed to be home before dark." My father scolded me.

"I'm sorry, I just lost track of time..."

"I bet she was with her boyfriend." Hoshi snarled.

"Boyfriend?!" Dad was taken aback.

"I-I don't have a boyfriend!!" I quickly objected.

"Then what's up with you and Hitachiin then?" My sister crossed her arms, "Are you guys like... friend's with benefits or something?"

I saw my dad's eyes go wide, "No no no no! We're just fri-"

"Wait...Hitachiin?? You're dating one of the Hitachiin twins?!"

"We're not dating!! It's just complicated, okay?!" I stormed into the house and went up to my room. Why is this so complicated? I don't know if I'm ready for labels yet. If we assign labels he'll have to tell me that we can't use those labels anymore.

I love him so much and I couldn't bare him leaving me.

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Ariana's POV - Thursday Morning - Smith Estate

I woke up on my bed wearing my school uniform; I had cried myself to sleep last night after a day of stress from trying to figure out what exactly what Kaoru and I are. I looked around my room, light seeping in through the window. It seemed to be sometime in the late morning, I picked up my phone.

**9:45**

I was an hour late!! I jumped out of bed and brushed my hair just enough so that it didn't look like I tumbled out of bed. I didn't bother brushing my teeth, it was too late for that. I ran downstairs, grabbed my bag and went to school.

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Hikaru's POV - Thursday Morning - Class

Ariana isn't here, her seat empty, just like Kaoru without her. I looked over at my younger half, he was staring at Ariana's seat, zoned out. I glared and turned my attention back to the teacher.

"Hikaru!" I heard Haruhi whisper next to me. I turned my head to her, "Can't your brother function without Ariana in his line of sight for five minutes?"

I rolled my eyes, "He used to, why don't you ask him? He barely talks to me anymore unless we're in the host club." I sneered.

"Only it's your fault, you came up with the dumb dar-"

"We don't talk about the dare!" I objected, "If anyone finds out about it, Ariana could find out, and the last thing I want is their relationship destroyed."

Haruhi stared at me before turning back to the teacher and mumbling something under her breath.

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Haruhi's POV

"Only it's your fault, you came up with the dumb dar-"

"We don't talk about the dare!" Hikaru interrupted me, "If anyone finds out about it, Ariana could find out, and the last thing I want is their relationship destroyed."

I stared at him in disbelief. His brother barely talks to him because he dared him to make Ariana fall in love with him. He caused this jealousy himself, and maybe that's why he's so accepting of it. I turned back to the teacher, "Maybe there's a different reason you're jealous Hikaru." I thought aloud underneath my breath, sure he couldn't hear me.

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A few minutes had passed since my interaction with Hikaru. I looked over to Kaoru, he was looking at his paper distracted. He sighed and rested his head on his left hand.

"Kaoru!", He turned to look at me, "Are you okay?"

"For the most part I guess..."

"Is it because Ariana isn't here?"

He shook his head, "It does have to do with her though. I'm so confused, I don't know what I am to her...."

It's obvious that she sees him as more than a friend or a hook up. I've seen it in the Host Club. Ariana's friend will drag her in and go over to Tamaki; Ariana follows since she's only there for her friend. I can see the worry in her face when she looks over at the twins and sees another other girls flirting with them from time to time. She's scared to loose him, that much is clear.

"Well, she obviously sees you as more than a friend. She loves you, trust me."

Kaoru stared at me unconvinced for a second before he smiled and thanked me while returning to his work.

At that moment the classroom door opened and Ariana stepped in.

"Smith-San, you're late." The teacher stated.

"I know...I'm sorry, I- I just- just uh...I just overslept, I was really stre-"

"I don't want to hear excuses, you've already been absent once without excuse, to the Guidance Counselor."

"Bu-"

"No buts, now go."

"Yes Sensei..." Ariana bowed respectfully and left the classroom and Kaoru watched.

Then the twins looked at each other and smiled with a glint of mischief in their eyes.

What were they gonna do to Ari-chan??

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Kaoru's POV - Lunch - Looking for Ariana with Hikaru

In class Hikaru and I agreed to pull a small prank on Ariana. We decided that we would scare her and then attempt to confuse her by pretending to be the other twin. Me being Hikaru, Hikaru being me.

First we had to find her tho. We checked the courtyard and to our surprise she wasn't alone, or even with Ami at that; with her was a boy that I had never seen before. He had short brown hair and playful eyes. Him and Ariana were standing in the courtyard laughing and giggling.

I walked into the courtyard and snuck up behind Ariana, covering her eyes as I came up behind her. She jumped, "Guess who!" I smiled, resting my chin on her shoulder.

"Kaoru! Yo-"

"That's right!" I wrapped her in a back hug as Hikaru came up behind me.

"Kaoru, you scared me!" Ariana yelled.

"I'm sorry..." I kissed her of the cheek.

"So...the rumors are true then..." The boy that was with Ariana said, "the two of you...are like a thing...also, no physical contact on school grounds..." He added at the end.

I glared, who did this kid think he was? Her true love?

"No, the rumors ar-" I started knowing what Ariana would want me to say but she cut me off.

"You could say...that the rumors are true....I suppose."

"You suppose??" The boy said.

I looked at my brother and smirked as the two of them were talking. I let go of Ariana and Hikaru and I pulled out 2 green hats.

"Let's play the which one, is Hikaru game!" We said in sync, "Ariana can't play." We added.

The boy looked at us, back and forth, he pointed at me, "You're Hikaru."

My brother and I looked at each other again, "You're correct!" We each got on either side of him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

"I'm Kaoru!" I said taking his hand and shaking it.

"And I'm Hikaru!" My brother did the same.

"Uh...Titacho Ventura." He replied a bit intimidated.

Ariana stared at us, looking a bit annoyed. Hikaru and I turned our attention to her, "Ariana!" We each wrapped an arm around her, me on the right, Hikaru on the left. Titacho-kun just sat and watched. "Which one of us is Hikaru?!" We asked.

Hikaru grabbed her chin sort of roughly and turned her face to him, "Am I Hikaru?" He got close to her face inches away before I softly but quickly grabbed her face to face me, "Or am I Hikaru?" I smiled.

She kissed me. I stood there in a bit of shock and felt my face start to itch. She pulled away and smiled, "You, are Kaoru." She booped my nose and giggled.

She was so cute, "I lo-"

"No kissing or dating at school." Ventura cut me off.

I glared at him, what was his deal? Was he trying to take Ariana from me??

"Who is this guy anyway Ariana?" I asked, not taking my eyes off of him and grabbing Ariana's hand.

Hikaru had let go of her a little bit ago and was now standing on my right side, arm resting on my shoulder.

Ariana looked at me, "oh...this is Titacho, Ventura. He's an old friend of mine from middle school." She rested her head on my shoulder and mumbled, "Don't worry. He's just a friend."

I squeezed her hand slightly and turned to face her, "I love you."

"I love you too Kaoru."

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Hikaru's POV - Host Club - After School

"Kaoru, you need to be more careful." I kissed the small cut on his finger and our clients went crazy, "Now that feels better doesn't it?" I asked him cupping his cheek with my hand.

Kaoru nodded, "Tha-".

I moved my face closer to him. I ran my hand down his face to his chin and got even closer, " I could kiss you right now but that would be a bad idea in front of all these people." I said just loud enough for our clients to hear.

"Hikaru..." My brother pretended to blush, "You're embarrassing me..."

Our clients sighed heavily with pleasure. I still didn't quite understand why they were so i-

Boss, who was chasing Honey-senpai bumped into me and I went falling forward onto my brother, our lips connecting and both of our eyes going wide with shock, we fell to the ground. As Kaoru lied on the floor, me on top of him; our clients screamed. They started talking really loud and freaking out. I'll admit it helped, but it still bothered me that I kissed my brother.

We stared at each other for a second before we got up off the floor. We went over to Tamaki who was trying to take the last piece of chocolate cake from Honey-senpai.

"Hey watch where you're going next time!" We said I'm sync.

Tamaki turned to look at us, "I barely bumped you guys! What're you so mad for??"

"You made us kiss!!" We yelled at him.

He stared at us before saying something, "I mean if you think about it I helped you." He shrugged.

Kaoru and I looked at each other then back to Tamaki, "Have it your way Boss." We shrugged. He looked at us concerned, "If you won't apologize we'll just have to go over and kiss Haruhi."

Tamaki gasped, "You wouldn't!"

"Wouldn't we?". We dashed over to Haruhi who was carrying a cookie tray.

"You stay away from my Haruhi!" Boss called after us.

"Hey Haruhi." Kaoru and I said in sync.

She looked at us, "Hey guys."

"Hypothetical question, if you ran into us and made us accidentally kiss, would you apologize for it?" I asked.

"Uh...I guess. If you really wanted me to."

"And if you didn't it would be justified if we got upset?" Kaoru asked.

"I suppose...where are you going with this?"

"Oh nowhere." We said

"Right, well if you're done bothering me I have work to d-"

Tamaki came running up, "Kaoru! If you don't stop harassing my Haruhi I'll tell Ariana you said you were gonna kiss her!!"

"Kiss me?!"

"Hey you can't do that!! Neither Hikaru or I kissed Haruhi!! What proof do you have?!" My brother objected.

Haruhi left and Boss pulled out his phone playing an audio clip, 'We'll just have to go over and kiss Haruhi.'

"You had no right recording what we said!" Kaoru demanded.

"Yea!!" I agreed.

"To late now." He shrugged.

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Within a matter of seconds all clients were directed to leave and Mori was standing between Tamaki and Kaoru as they bickered, making sure that neither of them tried to kill the other.

"Why are you trying to ruin my relationship!!"

"Because you're harassing my Haruhi!!"

"That's no excuse!" I defended my brother.

"You two were the ones saying things that could get you into trouble." Kyoya explained.

"No one asked for your opinion agressive shit goblin!!" Kaoru yelled back, "He has no right to try and ruin my relationship!"

"You guys aren't even official yet what're you complaining about?!" Boss questioned.

Kaoru stared at him for a second, "I'm gonna kill him!!!"

So there I was, holding my brother back from murdering the Boss. Mainly because I didn't want my brother in jail.

"Calm down Kao-Chan!"

"I didn't mean it that way I'm sorry!!!" Tamaki was hiding behind Haruhi, who was hiding behind Kyoya.

"You are not sor-"

Mori-senpai picked up Kaoru and held him high above his head.

"Hey put me down!!" Kaoru started flailing in an attempt to get Mori to out him down.

"Honestly calm down," Kyoya said, "What if Ariana walked in and saw you acting all dramatic like this?"

The room went silent for a second and Mori put Kaoru down. Kaoru straightened out his uniform, "Maybe none of this would have happened if Boss had just apologised in the first place." Tamaki rolled his eyes.

"Let's get this place cleaned up, shall we?" Kyoya suggested before another fight could break out.

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Ariana's POV - Walking home - After School

My estate wasn't a long walk from Ouran Academy so I decided I would walk home from school today.

I took a deep breath. Tomorrow was my date, I was pretty nervous. The only date I had ever been on was to the movies with Julian.

I shut my eyes, "Why didn't I just choose the movie's as a date..." I sighed aloud.

"Talking to yourself now Ariana?"

I opened my eyes and saw Ai and Mei walking on either side of me, what did they want??

"No."

"Oh stop lying." Mei yawned.

"What date are you talking about?? Who's it with?"

"None of your busin-"

"I bet it's Hitachiin." Mei interrupted.

"It's not!"

"Please we saw you with him in the courtyard today. You two were holding hands and kissing, you're lucky we don't snitch." Ai snarled.