Resisting Temptation (A Kyoya Ootori Fanfic)

Chapter 38

(Seina's POV)
The weather remained pleasant for the second day of the Ouran Highschool Fair and everything seemed to be going to plan. Except for the fact that Tamaki-senpai was still nowhere to be found.
Haruhi poured me the first cup of tea of the morning while I scrutinised her face. She was good at maintaining a neutral expression but I could tell that anxiety and sadness were eating at her. Her stomach gave a loud growl and I raised an eyebrow at her. 'Would you like a slice of cake Haruhi?'
'I'm not hungry.' She mumbled even as her stomach made another louder noise.
'Ok, well why is your stomach so insistently demanding food?'
'I skipped breakfast.' That was a dead give away that something was wrong, Haruhi loved food.
I reached out and gently squeezed her hand. 'It's going to be ok you know. That idiot will be back.'
She spoke so quietly I could barely hear her. 'It's not even been a day yet and I miss him. I don't know what I'd do if...'
'Oh Haruhi...it will be fine. I promise you. I'll do whatever it takes to make it so.' The plan was already taking shape inside my head. It wasn't guaranteed to work for a lot of reasons but I had a plan.
I excused myself and typed a familiar number into my phone. 'Yes. Gushiken-sama? Yes. I've decided to forgive you for your involvement in my engagement on one condition. I need a favour...'

When I hung up the phone, Haruhi was sitting with Éclair Tonnerre who appeared to be enjoying herself rather too much. I hung back, where I was, waiting for them to finish their conversation.
'I wonder what happened to Tama-chan.' Honey-senpai mused out loud as the other hosts appeared behind me.
'I don't believe what his highness said yesterday.' Hikaru announced as if it made any difference.
'I don't think it matters anymore what Tamaki-senpai wants or what we believe.' I replied, my focus on Haruhi.
'Come on, no more idle chatter.' Kyoya said clapping his hands at us. 'Disperse. We have guests to attend to.'
'How cool of you Kyoya-senpai.' Kaoru retorted with obvious distaste.
Kyoya sighed and pushed his glasses up his nose. 'We will entertain to the best of our ability the guests that have come to the host club to enjoy themselves. That is the most important thing right now.' The twins looked dissatisfied but Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai seemed to agree.
'He's right Kao-chan!' Honey-senpai cheered, launching himself at Kaoru despite the protests of the younger boy.
'Let's go Hikaru.' More-senpai said, grabbing the other twin and carrying him away.
That was certainly one way to handle things. I offered my fiancé a small smile before walking over to Haruhi who was once again, blissfully alone.
'What did she want?' I asked, failing to keep my hostility from colouring my words. Haruhi watched the other girl till she'd left the salon but didn't reply. She looked small and sad.
Kyoya approached us slowly and I gave him a warning look. Whatever he wanted, it was not the time. However, he simply shook his head. 'Thank you for all of the work you've done for us for so long, Haruhi.' She glanced up at him, as surprised as I was by this sudden bout of manners. 'With that request from Lady Éclair your quota has been met.' He explained. 'The debt for that Renaissance vase you broke is now cleared. You are free to quit being a host at any time now.' She stared at him with wide eyes before her shoulders slumped and she fixed her gaze on the table cloth.
Footsteps announced the arrival of Yoshio Ootori and some sort of servant or business associate. I narrowed my eyes and bared my teeth in his direction, hoping to burn holes through his head. 'When you're young, you may be under the illusion that there is all the time in the world, but in reality, that is not so. Don't go wasting your time on things that are of no value!'
Before I could say anything to the bitter old man, Haruhi jumped to her feet. 'In this host club Kyoya-senpai works as hard as he can for everyone to enjoy themselves. By entertaining everyone, we also come to feel fulfilled. Is entertaining everyone really so worthless? I think that Kyoya-senpai is outstanding.' Thankfully, Yoshio Ootori retreated without responding. A fist fight with my future father-in-law would not look good in the press but I wouldn't allow him to tear down Haruhi.
'You know,' I said leaning against Haruhi's shoulder, 'If we make these tirades a weekly affair I think we could school him into something resembling a descent human being.' In spite of herself Haruhi laughed. Kyoya was watching us carefully, always analysing. I could see the blush in his cheeks and knew that this sort of affection and loyalty was still new to him. In time he would stop being surprised, or at least I hoped so.