~Omniscient~

I crossed one leg over the other and brought the tea cup up to my lips. I sat in the corner of the room by myself. The others asked me to stay during their club hours, and I sort of felt like I had to. They decorated this room because of me after all. 

"Are you doing okay, Kofuyu?" Fujioka asked as she approached. "Do you need anything else? I'm sure Honey-senpai would be more than willing to share some cake with you." 

"No, I'm okay," I declined.  She left me alone again, and I brought the tea cup up to my lips again and took another slow sip. The tea they served wasn't half bad. A few seconds after Fujioka left, another one of the hosts sat down across from me. Ootori Kyoya, the one who "knows everything". 

"Are you enjoying yourself, Kofuyu?" Ootori asked spoke in a false cheery tone. 

"Eh, it's alright," I replied with a small shrug. He stared at me for a few seconds, but I didn't meet his gaze. "Do you think the others would be offended if I left now?" I whispered to him. He didn't seem as... caring or emotional as the other guys did. 

"Offended? No. Upset? Most likely," he answered. I groaned and leaned back into my chair. My eyes drifted towards the over-eager blond and the two twins. They were both doing their own thing within different groups of girls. 

Although they were so popular, I really didn't get the appeal. The twins act was a little disturbing, and Suoh's was painfully fake and a little cheesy, if I had to be honest. The host club is definitely not something I'm interested in. 

I let out a soft sigh and leaned forward. With my elbow in the table and my head in my hand, I began to zone out without even meaning to. 

Aunt Tomiko is probably wondering where I am. It was her day off, so she's probably either sleeping or sitting on the couch. Maybe I should just leave and spend time with her instead. 

I moved my gaze back to Ootori only to see he was already looking at me. Yeah, like that's not adding onto his list of creepy. 

"I think I'm gonna get going now," I sighed and picked up my bag. It was sitting on the floor beside my feet, so I pulled the strap over my shoulder.

"Before you do, I'd like to discuss our situation with Haruhi," he stopped me. He pushed his glasses further up the bridge of his nose before continuing. "I'd just like to remind you that-" 

"Yeah, yeah, no one's supposed to know, and you 'know everything', right?" I asked as I stood up. "You were going to make some vaguely threatening remark, were you? Something just to keep me quiet." 

Ootori didn't say anything. He watched as I smoothed out my sweater and took one more glance around the room. 

"I know I'm right. This isn't my first rodeo, and frankly, I don't care enough about this club to try and ruin it with that little secret," I admitted. I pretended not to notice the small smirk on his face. "Nice talk!" I went towards the front door, and thankfully, the other host club members didn't notice. 

~~~

When I got home, Aunt Tomiko was sitting on the couch in a lazy limp position. She smiled at my arrival and watched as I stepped in and removed my shoes. 

"Hey, Auntie. I would've been here earlier, but I got caught up with some classmates," I explained and sat beside her. 

"Oooh, friends? You made some friends?" She got way too excited. 

"Ehh... more like they're Fujioka's friends," I shrugged. "I barely just met them. Plus, they're rich kids, and I don't know, they're just a lot to handle." 

"Must be hard getting used to the fancy buildings, social cues, expectations, and what not," she listed with a relaxed wave of her hand. 

"Yup!" 

We sat quietly with the TV playing, but it was more like background noise for me. I couldn't take my mind off that nosey second-year that apparently "knows everything". If what the twins claimed was true, that means he knows about Garby, doesn't it? 

Jeez, I hope he doesn't know. I don't want anyone to know. If they found out, they'd probably either pity me or make fun of me like the kids back home did. Not even Fujioka knows the full story, and she's seen his shrine. 

I wonder how things would've been if he was still around. I wonder if he would've chosen to go to Ouran with me, or if we would've even followed through the plans we made together. Get into good high school, then college, then we find great jobs and move into the city. Takejiro wanted to be successful rich and not have to financially struggle or steal food. 

"You wouldn't mind if I left you alone tonight again, would you? It's my only day off, and I was hoping to go hang out with some friends," my aunt restarted the conversation. 

"No, I don't mind. Don't worry about me. You should go out an have fun. I mean, you already work so hard," I replied. 

"Are you sure? I don't like to leave you alone any more than I have to, Beanie," she spoke with a soft whine and a hint of uncertainty. 

"I'm positive. Plus, if I get lonely I could always go see Fujioka upstairs," I reminded her. I doubt I'll get lonely. I mostly just said that in order to convince my aunt that I'll be fine. Even if I did get lonely, I doubt Fujioka would mind if I went to see her. 

"You're the best, my sweet independent girl," she cooed and pulled me into a hug. 

~~~~~~

"Hold on, Kofuyu! Why are you always in such a rush?" Hikaru and Kaoru called me over. I couldn't really tell them apart yet. 

"Because I want to eat in peace and quiet," I answered truthfully. "What is it?" 

"Why'd you leave so early yesterday?" The two took turns talking. 

"We didn't even get to say goodbye," they complained. I sighed and adjusted the strap of my bag. 

"I had things to do. You guys looked busy, so I didn't want to bother you," I said even though it wasn't really the truth. I left without saying another word and headed to where I always ate lunch: the gazebo. 

I was a couple of yards away when I noticed the figure sitting at the lunch table beneath the gazebo. I froze where I stood and silently cursed at whoever took my spot. I was about to look for somewhere else to eat, when realization hit me. I know that guy. 

"Ootori," I flatly greeted. 

"Ahh, Kofuyu," he stated. "I've been expecting you." I stood a few feet away from the table and debated whether I should just sit down or leave. 

"And you knew exactly where I eat lunch, huh?" I pressed my lips into a thin line. "How?" 

"I have my sources," he spoke as ominously as ever. I sighed, and my stomach rumbled. I might as well sit down. If he took the time to figure out where I'd be and came here to talk to me, I'm guess it should be at least semi-important. 

I sat down across from him, where I normally sat everyday, and pulled my lunchbox our from my bag. I didn't acknowledge him any more and began eating instead. 

I'm not going to waste my lunch questioning him or trying to figure out why he's here. If he wants to tell me, then he's going to tell me. I'm just gonna keep eating and pretend he's not there. 

"Tell me Kofuyu," he ordered."You aren't currently a part of a club, but are you interested in joining any?" I shook my head. I didn't like where this was going. 

"What's it to you?" I spoke in between mouthfuls of food. 

"I discussed it with Tamaki, the host club's president, and we believe you'd be a good fit," he answered. I narrowed my eyes at him then slowly continued eating. 

Something about this made me uneasy. I couldn't put my finger on it, but there was something else he hasn't told me about yet. 

We went back to sitting in absolute silence. The wind rushing through the leaves created slight background noise, but it only reminded me of stand offs in those old American wild west movies. 

My eyes raked over his face for any hint of deceitfulness, but I couldn't find anything. The only thing I noticed about his expression was the small look of confusion in his eye that quickly turned into realization. 

"You really want me to join the host club? Me?" I emphasized. This time, he only nodded. I scoffed and laughed at his proposition. "Why? What would I even do in a host club?"

"There are a few options actually," he corrected. "We could always open up the host club and start catering to male gues-" 

"No." I didn't even let him finish that sentence. There was no way, absolutely not.  I won't flirt and try to act desirable to the opposite gender for his club profit. 

"There are still a many other ways you could benefit the club, Kofuyu," he pressed on. I'm sure he would've started listing them, but I cut in. 

"Right, and how can the club benefit me? What do I get out of this, hmm?" I questioned. Right now, joining the host club was not at all appealing to me. "I have a busy life you know. I have things, better things, to do than sit around with a bunch of trust fund kids." 

"In general, you can gain many things from joining a club. This one specifically can be very beneficial to both you and I," Ootori continued. I raised my brows and waited for him to continue. He gave me a smile that sent shivers down my back. 

This time, he took a few seconds to continue. I acted like it didn't bother me even though it did a little. He was coming here and asking me for stuff, but pretended like he was in control of this exchange. Umm, yeah, no. 

"Well," Kyoya slowly continued. "For instance, that little... secret of yours can remain a secret." We fell back into a silence. I kept eating and thought over his offer. 

I had way too many secrets and done way too many things to know if he was telling the truth or just bluffing. I let out a soft hum and did my best to act as if I wasn't panicking deep down inside me. 

"Blackmail, huh? I didn't think you'd go to those levels, Ootori. Let me think it over," I answered and raised my hand to wave him off. I can't think about this with him sitting there and watching me. I need to clear my head, think about the possibilities, then I could figure it out. 

"I'll be back tomorrow for your answer, Kofuyu," he explained as he stood from the bench. "Oh, and don't bother trying to hide. I can find you." Ootori left and I sat there, frozen, for a few seconds. 

What does he know? Is it about Takejiro? My "criminal record"? If you can even call it that... I mean, yeah I was caught shoplifting a few times when I was just getting started, but I wasn't even fined or anything. 

My blood ran cold and my chest felt heavy. Is it really possible? Could he really know about that one kid's wallet? No, it can't be that. Unless... it is. If it is about that, then I'd really have to join that stupid club. 

I can not take any risks. 

~~~

Omg I loved writing this chapter. I love the way Kyoya's and Kofuyu's relationship is unfolding.