September 19

"Ah, Kaiyoka. Just the person I wanted to see," I heard a voice say from behind me.

"Am I?" I asked, turning around to face Kyouya. He fixed his glasses, even though they were fine, and regarded me with a casual stare.

"Yes. We need to speak about your writing," He stated, walking over to his usual table and motioning for me to follow. I took a seat directly across from him.

"The story you wrote was fantastic. I gave it to my sister to ask for her opinion- obviously, she'd know better than I- and she was truly intrigued and thoroughly enjoyed it."

"You said no one else would read it but you," I recalled, sitting back in my chair a little and crossing my arms.

"Indeed, I did say that, but did you really expect me to give a good enough opinion on a love story?" He asked. I conceded to his point, nodding.

"Anyway, I think that the trial is over. You've passed. However-" Kyouya was cut off by the quiet sound of my phone ringing. I apologized quickly, taking it out of my pocket and looking into it. My mother's caller ID popped up on the screen.

"I'm sorry, Kyouya-senpai," I apologized, standing up slowly. "My mother is calling." He nodded, and I walked away to another corner out of Kyouya's earshot.

"Hi, love." My mom's soft voice crackled through the phone.

"Hi Mom," I replied.

"Listen, hon, I don't have much time on my hands right now. I know you're at the host club, but I need you to come home. The boss called me in for an extra shift and the neighbors aren't home to watch Kasoiya." She told me, sounding rushed. "She's down for a nap and will be up in, I'd say, half an hour to forty-five minutes." I nodded vigorously, even though she couldn't see it.

"Of course, Mom. I'll come home right away." I said. I could hear her sigh with relief.

"Thank you so much, dear." We exchanged our goodbyes and I love yous, and then hung up the phone. I walked back over to Kyouya, putting my phone in my pocket.

"I'm sorry, Senpai, I have to go home. My little sister needs to be taken care of and my mother is leaving for work." I explained quickly, gathering my things.

"That's fine. I'll go with you. There is no other time we can have this discussion if you are to start working on the next one soon." I paused, looking over at him to see if he was serious. As per usual, he looked deadly so.

"Um, no offense Kyouya-senpai, but I don't think my mother would be okay with me having a boy at my house whom she doesn't know while she isn't there." I said. He raised an eyebrow.

"And who's to say I don't know her? Call her now and ask if a Kyouya can come over and see what she says." He said. I gave him a strange look and called my mother again.

"What's up, sweetie?" She asked, answering right away. I paused and eyed Kyouya, then asked,

"Um, do you know a Kyouya Ootori?" I asked. She laughed.

"Of course, he's that nice, rather uptight young man who calls every week to give me an update on your, and I quote, 'host club interactions and performance'." She was laughing softly before she spoke again. "Why?" I had to pause and take that in for a moment, not forgetting to give Kyouya a 'what in the world is wrong with you' look before replying.

"Uh, he and I were talking about my 'host club performance' or whatever before you called. We're having an important conversation about something and it can't be rescheduled. Would you consider allowing him to come over for maybe fifteen or thirty minutes? Just so we can finish talking," I quickly explained. She laughed again before answering, much faster than I thought she would.

"Of course. He seems like a trustworthy young man. And if he isn't, I didn't teach you self defense for no reason. Tell him that if he tries to do anything to hurt my baby girl I will end his life, okay?" She said cheerfully, and I agreed.

"Alright. I have to go soon, dear. Come quickly. Bye!" And that was all. I stood, staring at my phone before getting my bag on my back and my notebook in hand. I threw a glance at Kyouya, who was standing in the same spot as where I left him.

"My mother said she'll kill you if you try to do anything to hurt me. Let's go." I said. And without looking back, I walked out of music room three, knowing Kyouya was right behind me.

*

"So. She knew me, right?" Kyouya asked as soon as we left the building. I scoffed.

"Well, of course she would. You've been calling her every week, you weirdo." He didn't say anything as I turned right at the bottom of the staircase. I quickened my pace, trying to get home quickly, but I felt a hand grip my wrist.

"Where are you going, Kaiyoka?" Kyouya asked.

"Um, my house. And you're coming with me, are you not?" I retorted.

"I am. But-" He motioned to the curb in front of the staircase, where a limo had appeared. "Did you really think I was going to walk there?" He turned, letting go of my wrist but guiding me toward the car.

"Um, Senpai, you don't have to do that..." I said, standing awkwardly in front of the door that his driver was holding open.

"Get in. I know I don't have to," He said crisply. And with no response left, I got it and moved all the way to the left. Kyouya-senpai got in right behind me, sitting upright on the farthest right seat and speaking to the driver.

"To Miss Sahni's home," He said. The driver nodded. And before I thought about it, I spoke.

"Please." Kyouya gave me a weird look, and I shrugged.

"Politeness is important," I said, answering his unspoken question.

"Hm." Was his reply. We both sat back in our seats, looking out the windows in almost comfortable silence. The drive back was mostly the same, full of that silence. It was weird to see my neighborhood go by so quickly, and I felt out of place whizzing by the familiar environment in Kyouya's limousine. Even though I was inside the car, I felt a little out of place. Despite the nice break of not having to walk home from school, I was glad when the driver stopped and I was free to leave the car. I thanked him as I got out (and Kyouya begrudgingly did the same), and then I led him up to my front door.

"Kasoi-chan?" I called out quietly as I unlocked the door. Upon hearing no response, I walked inside and Kyouya did the same behind me. I shut the door and locked it, telling Kyouya to wait there as I walked down the hallway to my mom's room, where my sister stayed. I peered inside to see her, still asleep in her tiny bed. I smiled as she slept so innocently, closing the door quietly and walking back to the living room.

"Senpai, would you like any tea?" I asked. He looked up from his book for a moment and stared at me for a little too long.

"Mint?" He asked. I smiled at the request.

"It's the only kind I drink."

"Then yes. Please." He added the last word as he saw the look on my face. I walked into the kitchen, setting the kettle on before returning to the table. Kyouya had sat down at the table, so I moved to joined him.

"So, your mother is at work?" He asked as soon as I sat down. I nodded, not bothering to think about why he was asking.

"Yeah," I replied.

"And your father?" He asked. I hesitated before answering. Luckily, something saved me. I heard a door creak open at the end of the hall, and little footsteps were heard soon after. I jumped up and walked into the kitchen, where my four-year-old sister walked around tiredly.

"Oneesan," She called for me, falling into my outstretched arms. I lifted her up and cradled her in my right arm, where I knew she would fall back asleep in a few minutes.

I walked carefully back to the living room, my sister in tow. Kyouya watched me closely the entire time.

"What?" I asked quietly as I sat down. He took a second to respond.

"I've always been the younger sibling. It's strange to see someone younger than I," He answered. I smiled softly, rubbing a hand over Kasoiya's back. I couldn't imagine my life without her.

"Kasoiya's a good kid," I said, shifting her slightly. Then, upon remembering Kyouya's previous question, I sighed.

"She never got to meet Dad. He left for the army when I was 9. Mom was pregnant at the time, but he was only supposed to be gone for a few months. The last letter we got from him told us that he arrived safely to the base. The next one was from the commander, telling us he was sorry for our loss." Kyouya's eyes widened.

"I'm-" I cut him off.

"Senpai, don't say it. I just try not to think about it," I said. He nodded, letting the subject drop, which was perfect timing, because the tea kettle began to scream.

I got up quickly and went to turn it off, for fear that Kasoiya would wake up. I turned to the cupboard to get two cups and turned to see Kyouya already standing there. He handed me the cups silently. I got the tea bags from the drawer beside me, and put them in the teacups. I reached for the kettle when Kyouya waved me aside, pouring the water himself.

"You hold her. I'll do this for you," He said, calmly holding the kettle over the second cup.

"But, Senpai, you're the guest-"

"And you are taking care of someone right now. So relax." He picked up both cups and took them to the living room, setting them on the table before taking his seat. I sat down gingerly, now cradling my sister with my left arm. He handed me my cup, and I felt my cheeks warm unexpectedly. This was a side of Kyouya that I'd never seen before.

I liked it.

"Thank you, Senpai," I said, and I really meant it. He nodded through a sip of tea.

"You're welcome."