Just Look into It

22. Secret

She found it hard to believe. 

After all of this time, she knew that her mother wouldn't be getting better. She had known from the start that she was going to do anything and everything she could to keep Yuu by her side and help him grow up happy. Her parents had no siblings and her grandparents had long passed away. There was no one to rely on but herself. 

That was why she created her system and why she had forced her way into Ouran with the contract she had earned with the chairman. 

Ryo sucked in a breath as she forced herself to read through the email once more. 

Yuu was asleep in his room. She had been emailing the person taking over at the Tropical Aqua Garden, answering questions and such. It early in the day, so the email was unexpected. She assumed it was because no normal teenager would be awake at this hour and they didn't want a quick response. 

Sitting in the darkness of her dining room, for once, she found her mind silent. There weren't numerous thoughts running through her mind. She couldn't think about anything else. 

Dear Ryouka Hisakawa, 
Due to evidence discovered, two days ago a secondary trial was scheduled. 

We send this email to inform you that Hiroyuki Hisakawa, your father, has a serious chance of release in the coming months. We will continue to provide updates as the process continues, though I am certain that a positive outcome will be reached. 

She ripped her glasses off with a shuddering breath. In an instant, tears were streaming down her face. She couldn't believe it. She tried to keep herself quiet so that she wouldn't wake Yuu and have to explain why she was crying so late at night. 

There was a reason she didn't go by her given name. 

It reminded her of the way he called out to her, pleading for someone to listen to him that day.

This time she didn't mind. 

A wave of relief crashed over her at the email. There had been silence for years. There had been false emails that had brought her hopes up, but this one was genuine. There was no faking this one.

For years she had forced herself to avoid thinking of her father. She had given up hope. 

After all, she knew well enough that money solved a number of problems. 

Hiroyuki, her father, had been framed for theft by the same family that her mother had used to work for. They couldn't press charges on her mother since she had lost all of her memories in an accident shortly after, but as his family was his alibi, they went after him. 

She was considered too young to testify for her father, and Yuu couldn't speak. 

It was an open and closed case. 

Shortly after establishing herself at Ouran, a group of lawyers reached out wanting her permission to try and re-open the case against her father. She had been surprised, as they were all rather successful in their careers. They didn't want any pay, just permission.

Their updates had mainly just been reminding her that they were still working when they had the chance. 

In a daze, she got Yuu up and the two prepared themselves for school. She considered calling in sick for the day, but she had to catch up on work from her time with the Ootori family. She had gotten through the gates before she noticed that she had forgotten her glasses. A bit startled, she shook her head and kept moving, recalling that she had a spare in the control room.

"Get it together," she mumbled to herself, trying to keep her mind focused. 

"Ah, there you are." 

She jumped slightly as Kyouya approached, the movement not going unnoticed as he stopped her from moving further down the hall. 

"Is everything alright?" she asked, looking up at him. There was a pause. 

"You aren't wearing your glasses."

"I forgot them. I have a pair in the control room," she said, glancing away for a moment. 

He seemed to struggle to regain his thoughts. "I see. Anyhow, I wanted to thank you on the behalf of the Ootori family. They were sincerely impressed by your work."

"Oh, thank you."

"By the way, why didn't you inform me your name was actually Ryouka?" he asked, the question completely casual. 

"Ah, I prefer Ryo. My proper name is on any legal documents or contracts, but I prefer to be called Ryo."

Suddenly, she wondered what Kyouya would think of her if he knew her father was in prison. 

"Are you feeling alright?" 

Her gaze snapped back to his, cursing herself for getting distracted. 

"I'm fine, why do you ask?"

He adjusted his glasses and looked down at her. "I just outlined another possible contract with my family and not once did you ask for further clarification on the details."

She felt her face flush. Of course, she wouldn't be able to fool him. 

Ryo sighed, reaching up to rub her face. "Yeah, I'll be fine. I just received some unexpected news early this morning. It's thrown me off a bit."

He paused, a perplexed expression flashing across his face. "What kind of news could affect you this much?"

She couldn't tell him. 

"It's family stuff," she responded, starting to move around him. "I've got to get going."

The brunette hurried down the hall, an unfamiliar sense of fear filling her. Ouran was a school for the rich and elite. Haruhi and Ryo were the only two "commoners" in the school. Haruhi was an incredible student with a clean background. 

How would the host club react when they found out her father was in prison?

Yes, he was innocent, but that didn't matter to some people. 

Haruhi knew, but she doubted that the other girl would ever tell anyone without permission. 

Ryo quickly busied herself with school work and finding the requested information Kyouya had asked for within the last few days. There was no room for any other thoughts as she forced herself to keep moving. Her relief had so quickly turned into fear and she wasn't ready to discuss that with herself. 

If he asked, she would let him know, she decided. There was nothing to hide, and as she had in the past, she would let her work speak for her character. She wondered how long she could keep a secret from the Shadow King of Ouran until he finally asked.