Resisting Temptation (A Kyoya Ootori Fanfic)

Chapter 37

(Seina's POV)
The day before the Ouran school fair, the grounds were a hive of activity. The sun had come out and builders and craftsmen were being directed this way and that, setting up the showpieces for the various clubs' events. A large scale replica of the Eiffel Tower had been set up in one part of the grounds and a section of the art gallery was being converted into a functional canal, complete with gondolas.
'Take all those tables through to the salon.' Kaoru called, directing a group of delivery men. 'Right. Ah...be careful with that.'
I grinned and slung my arm around his shoulders. 'Kaoru, don't you think this worrying is a little unnecessary? You're micromanaging.'
'I am not!'
'Um...aren't school fairs meant to be a little more, I don't know, homemade looking, like we've made everything on our own?' Haruhi asked.
I glanced back at her, still holding onto Kaoru. 'What would be the point in that?'
Kyoya finished scribbling something in a slim brown notebook, slipping it inside his jacket. I narrowed my eyes in his direction. That was weird. He always bought the same black notebook in bulk, I'd never seen him with a different one. 'You're referring to normal schools. What gets emphasised at the Ouran fair is planning and leadership. Most of the students here are expected to be future leaders by nature, so they are required to impress everyone with their strengths.'
'Oh.' She muttered, clearly viewing the elaborate proceedings in a new light. I was about to question Kyoya about his new notebook when a horse drawn carriage came to a stop beside us.
'Woah. Woah.' Hikaru soothed the horses from his place at the reigns.
Mori-senpai nodded approvingly. 'That was good. We can turn them over to you now.'
'Haru-chan! Sei-chan!' Honey-senpai called excitedly from the back of the carriage, waving Usa-chan in the air.
'Haruhi!' Called Tamaki-senpai, clearly in a similar state. 'Climb on board! We're rehearsing for Ouran Fair's special parade!'
I slowly approached the horses, careful not to startle them and brushed my fingers through their manes and along their necks. 'Hey, Seina! I didn't know you were good with horses!' Hikaru called down to me.
'That's because you don't listen when people speak.' I replied dryly.
Kaoru sighed. 'Eh, she has a point.'
'She does not!' Hikaru exclaimed even as Mori-senpai nodded his head in agreement. 'Mori-senpai I've been listening to you all morning!' I raised my eyes at him, trying not to laugh. Mori-senpai hardly ever speaks.
'All aboard!' Honey-senpai cried waving to us. Tamaki-senpai was helping Haruhi into the carriage while Kyoya stood nearby.
'Are you coming Seina?' Kaoru asked offering me his arm.
'What a gentleman.' I laughed offering him a curtsy and taking his arm.

The carriage caused quite the stir as Hikaru steered us through the school grounds. Fan girls were shouting and squealing as we passed. 'Look, look, it's the boys from the host club!'
'How fantastic!'
'Kamei-san is so lucky!'
'I want to ride with them too!'
'Aww!'
I sat between Kaoru and Honey-senpai, across from Kyoya, Haruhi and Tamaki-senpai, enjoying myself more than I was willing to admit. I loved horses and the carriage was ever so pretty.
'Hey, you've got so good you can handle this?' Kaoru complimented to his brother.
'Kaoru, you should have come and practiced with me.' Hikaru replied facing his brother.
'Well, even twins will start to have different interests and strong suits.'
'Hikaru! Watch where we're going!' I cried, forcing him to turn back around.
'Alright. Alright. I've got it.'
Honey-senpai beamed up at everyone. 'It's kind of fun to have us all riding in a carriage like this, huh?' I smiled back at him, nodding enthusiastically.
'Is it?' Haruhi asked apparently not so enamoured with the concept.
'In our actual parade tomorrow, we're going to wow them with our medieval French outfits.' Tamaki-senpai announced. 'We even have a flashy costume for you Haruhi!'
'Flashy you say?' She repeated in despair.
'Well now the opening ceremony is starting! Let's make this Ouran Fair one for the history books!'
She smiled up at him. 'Sure.'

During the school fair, as a special event, the Host Club was to be open to all parents and visitors. I had various doubts and concerns but knew any attempts to dissuade Tamaki-senpai would be unsuccessful. If I suggested the club would appear disreputable he would only try that much harder to charm everyone and things could get out of hand.
As things were, the salon that Kyoya had booked looked stunning and had special features such as a full scale fountain and a casino area. The hosts had all switched up their tactics to account for the unusual guests. Tamaki-senpai was using reverse psychology on the more uptight mothers to shocking effects and the twins were busy selling a sob story about their abandonment issues. Mori-senpai and Honey-senpai were continuing largely as usual under the false illusion that they were brothers and Kyoya was busy working every political angle he could conceive of.
Haruhi was predictably unimpressed by the entire situation. 'It's so ritsy. This is too much money to spend on a high school event.' She chided Kyoya.
'What are you talking about? This grand campaign is a chance to show of the charm of the Ouran High school Host Club far and wide, throughout the world!' Tamaki-senpai enthused, raising Haruhi's hand triumphantly. She pinched him and he released her with a pained yelp.
'You are correct that we have overshot our budget.' Kyoya said, his eyes focused on his laptop.
'Kyoya...'
'Use of this salon notwithstanding we had a classic carriage flown in all the way from France. As is always the case, I don't know how to deal with all your capricious plans.'
'Isn't that the truth.' Haruhi said dryly as she walked away.
'Haruhi! Hey you be quiet!' Tamaki-senpai cried getting himself all worked up. 'The whims of the Host King are the whims that keep everyone happy!'
I sat myself down across from Kyoya. 'Are you ok? You've been distracted recently and normally you can keep up with even Tamaki-senpai's bizarre requests.'
His eyes flickered to mine for half a second before returning to his keyboard. 'I'm quite alright Seina. I apologise for causing you concern. Will your parents be attending?'
I winced. 'I believe so. I can only hope that something comes up.'
'Father!' I turned to see the Superintendent walking through the door, a young woman at his side and Tamaki-senpai running towards him.
''Father' is too familiar. Address me as 'Superintendent' while at school. Besides I'm here as a guest today.' Did any of us have a normal family?
Kyoya rose to his feet. 'Welcome Superintendent. Come, please take this seat over here.'
'Thank you.' Tamaki-senpai's father replied as he settled down onto one of the sofas. 'Kyoya-kun, this club owes everything to your management, correct? My son must give you no end of trouble.' I looked up to see Tamaki-senpai hanging from a chandelier and sighed heavily. If he broke it he was only going to send the club further over budget.
'Not at all, the Host Club is here because of him.' Kyoya answered graciously. 'Say, Kyoya-kun, your parents opted for an arranged marriage for you correct?'
'They did.'
'And you're happy?'
Kyoya hesitated. 'It is a good match and we are happy. Though I would not say that an arranged marriage would work for everyone. We are lucky.'
'I see. Is she here? May I speak to her? I would like to congratulate the young lady personally on your engagement.'
'Of course.' Kyoya smiled and nodded.
I immediately looked away, pretending I hadn't been listening. Kyoya leaned over the back of my chair so his lips brushed my ear. 'Were you listening to all that?'
'Yes.' I breathed taking the hand he offered me.
'Good. Just be your charming self and don't overstep ok? It'll make things worse.'
I beamed up at him as if he'd complimented me. 'Of course Kyoya.'
Kyoya then placed a hand on the small of my back and guided me to the sofa. 'Superintendent. May I present my fiancé and future wife Seina Kamei.'
I bowed deeply. 'It is an honour to see you again Superintendent.'
'And you Seina-san.' He replied a tad informally considering this was only the second time we'd spoken. 'I understand you were not happy about your engagement when the two of you were first introduced?'
I stiffened slightly, bristling at his manner. 'You are correct Superintendent. I was a reluctant bride and I was...displeased to find my Senpai had been actively deceiving me. I have since become reconciled with my situation and I can honestly say that I am happy with Kyoya.'
'I am glad to hear that indeed. I am happy for you both, for two such excellent students to marry...I am expecting great things from your children. Congratulations to you both.'
I bowed deeply once again, hoping the blush crawling up my face was not too obvious. 'Thank you Superintendent. You are very kind. Please excuse me.' I then made my way back to my seat.
'Can I get you anything?' Kyoya asked as I walked away. Their conversation fell into hushed whispers. 'Haruhi. You have a request.' Kyoya called when they were finished, the shock of which sent Tamaki-senpai tumbling to the ground.