Mommy Dearest

“How did it go?”

Kyoya first blinked, then his mouth thinned a little. His gaze shifted off her face and onto the table. When he looked back at her, his eyes had narrowed just a little bit.

Being a natural at deciphering (most) feelings in others, Haruhi interpreted this response to mean that he was embarrassed. That was natural enough. It's not like they ever had spoken to one another about who Kyoya was in love with.

“Ah, I'm sorry,” she amended. “That was rude of me. You don't have to say anything if it's too private.”

He remained silent, still staring at her. Glaring now, actually.

“Um... so that's why you wanted me to come here? But you don't want to talk about it. Okay.” She reached for another cracker from the table.

Kyoya caught her hand and brought it back to the couch.

“Tell him it was a joke.” He was looking down now. The reflection of the light made it hard to see his eyes behind his glasses.

“What?”

“You made a huge mistake. Tell him it was a joke and that you'll talk to him again. Please.”

Now Haruhi was startled. “But then you will never come to terms with your feelings-”

He grabbed both of her shoulders and stared deeply into her eyes. She finally could see how intense his manner had become. “How do YOU know what my feelings are?! Are you saying that you think, that you seriously think I've been harboring some kind of crush on Tamaki?”

“Kyoya-sempai, he calls you his wife and you don't complain!”

He gritted his teeth. “Let me explain something to you: Tamaki could call me whatever he wants to. He's an idiot, one term of endearment has no greater meaning than another. What's important is that his silly games make him happy, and that's enough for me not to care. I don't... it has NEVER been like that between us, okay?”

Kyoya became aware of their contact and released his grip. “You of all people should know that.”

“Huh? I don't follow you.” This conversation was taking so many turns that Haruhi couldn't keep track of them all.

He sighed and let go of her, sinking his head into his hands. “I cannot believe this.” After a moment more he regarded her, this time more calmly.

“Haruhi, Tamaki is in love with you. He doesn't know it yet, but he will eventually. Now why would you want me to come in between you like this?”

She couldn't help herself; a giggle escaped. “Oh Kyoya-sempai, you're wrong I think! Tamaki-sempai is definitely in love with you!”

He looked at her open, cheerful face.

So that's what it was. She really, honestly thought that some relationship between him and Tamaki was brewing, and she was trying to encourage it. Perhaps Haruhi should trade in her uniform and become a customer instead; she certainly had the same taste in fantasies!

“I am NOT wrong.” Subconsciously he grabbed a cracker off the table and shoved it in his mouth. “I spend the most time with Tamaki out of anyone, and all he talks about is you. He just doesn't know how to express himself.”

“Does that observation help or hurt your case though? You've spent all your time with him for years by your own admittance, and I've only known you both for a short while. Is it unheard of that he is merely infatuated with me?”

“He's not. I've never seen him pursue a girl like he pursues you.” Kyoya stopped and readjusted his glasses; they tended to slip down his face when he was angry.

“I don't understand, Kyoya-sempai. Why are you trying to convince me that Tamaki likes me instead of you? Don't you want to be with him?”

He crossed his arms and sulked. “Most certainly not. I'm not interested in guys.”

“Oh? How do you know?”

“WHAT?” She had to bite down on her lip to keep from laughing; he was so funny when he suddenly changed moods. “I am positively heterosexual, okay? Will you not even trust me on that?!”

Haruhi just smiled and tilted her head to the side. “Have you had a girlfriend before?”

“That's none of your business, but no. Someone of my standing has little time for romance.”

“Then... you must like a girl? Otherwise how would you know?”

“Hmmph.”

“Is it...?” She thought out loud. He tilted his glance her way, waiting for her to continue.

“Is it Renge?”

His sudden burst of laughter came out unexpectedly mean. “Oh, Haruhi. You are so...” Kyoya covered his face with his hands again. “Just go home, seriously. I don't want to talk about this anymore.”

She got up to leave. “What about my midterms?”

He smiled at her and also stood, walking her to the door. “I'll be glad to help you: if you accept that Tamaki likes you, and that you were joking before.”

Of course he would have a condition. “I absolutely will not. But I will be happy to prove that he likes Kyoya-sempai.”

His expression became dangerous as he reached for the doorknob. “Haruhi... is that a challenge?”

“Not from my point of view.”

Kyoya chuckled, then held out a hand. “Alright, shake my hand. May the best host discover Tamaki in the arms of the other.”

She smiled too. If Kyoya thought he could outwit her, he was in for a surprise. Haruhi shook his hand firmly.

Like many deals made with the best intentions in mind, this one too would end poorly.