Ouran High School Host Club Fan Fiction ❯ Hindrance ❯ Part Three ( Chapter 3 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: vampyremiyu 
Kyoya offers something special to Renge. But will Renge accept? Or will she give up for good? Next to last chapter.
Anime/Manga: Ouran High School Host Club Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 08.17.2008 | Updated On: 08.22.2008 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.0K | Visits: 308 | Status: Completed
Kyoya offers something special to Renge. But will Renge accept? Or will she give up for good? Next to last chapter.
Anime/Manga: Ouran High School Host Club Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 08.17.2008 | Updated On: 08.22.2008 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.0K | Visits: 308 | Status: Completed
HINDRANCE
An Ouran High School Host Club Fanfic
Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Born of a request from fellow LJ user, himehikari, and a quotation I found. I'm still failing on the less angst thing, too. Sorry about that. I still hope you'll enjoy. OH! And there will be one more part following this one. Yes, I said it would end at three. I was mistaken. *chases after her muses with a billhook* Kyoya + Renge. Possible OOC-ness. A Standard Disclaimer appears at the end of the chapter.
"The man who gives up accomplishes nothing and is only a hindrance. The man who does not give up can move mountains." –Ernest Hello
Part Three
"They're on their way, sir."
"Good."
Kyoya Ohtori smiled to himself. Everything was planned to the last detail. The beach had been re-sanded per his requirements. The surf was at a minimal, but enough to create a relaxing ambience. Even the meal he had requested had been prepared by the finest of chefs, the most luxurious tea imported from Southeast Asia.
And candles, placed at certain places around the secluded beach area, as well as the ones burning brightly on the small private table, had been sent courtesy of an American designer, Martha Stewart. Everything that adorned the table was a part of her newest collection. He would have to ask his mother to thank her later.
Some might say that he was making a move on her. The young man scoffed at himself, adjusting his glasses. It was absurd, really. He preferred to think of it as giving her the helping hand he knows she needs.
"ETA five minutes."
"Has she been resisting?"
"No, sir. Shinamori reports she is quite calm, and very quiet."
But was she ready to accept the reality?
"Make sure they bring her here directly."
"Yes, sir."
Was he?
"And get the final preparations under way."
"All ready on it, sir."
The young man frowned, watching one of his servants leave. Why couldn't he accept the reality? Wasn't that why he was doing all of this? The frown deepened as another thought occurred to him.
What if she wasn't ready?
All of this would mean nothing.
And worse, he'd look like a fool. There would be no coming back from that kind of damage. His image. His reputation. More importantly, his family name. Everything he cared about, gone. All because of one young woman.
One of two young women he'd forget his family name for.
"Sir, they're here."
The one young woman he'd trade his soul for.
"We've increased the tidal ratio as you requested."
"The food is ready to be served on your command, Mr. Ohtori."
"And the cider?"
"Chilling on the table, sir."
"Good."
Even if he would never admit it.
"Thank you. That will be all."
"Sir."
It had been strange when he'd come to that realization. Alone in Music Room Three, after talking Club business with Renge. There was a darkness that descended on him as she left the room. An emptiness he'd never felt before.
As the days passed, her work held so little interest that he'd had a hard time reviewing the details. There was probably no need. She worked very hard to plan every aspect.
But his mind only entertained thoughts of her.
It was foolish. Stupid even. Completely illogical.
Yet as he saw her enter the beach complex -- saw her eyes widened in surprise and awe – he knew it was a risk worth taking.
"I'm sorry for the short notice. But this was somewhat last minute, and I wanted to catch you before you left on summer break."
She tried hard to keep her wits about her. With a forced smile she asked, "Have you had a chance to review the note I left you?"
"Yes," he replied. "Tea?"
"Thank you."
"Please sit."
He watched her closely as someone came forward, pouring them each a cup of warm tea. She was rigid, cordial. Unlike what he was used to seeing. This was either going to be really interesting. Or really ugly.
She thanked the servant and forced another smile on her lip. "So...about those notes. I know it's a lot, but everything can be spread out over the school year--"
"I know."
"You do?"
"There's no need to rush into business, is there?"
She sipped her tea, averting her eyes. "I suppose not."
"I thought the setting would be much more relaxing." He glanced at her over his tea cup. "Am I wrong?"
"No! No, of course not. It's just.... That is, I...." She sighed. "I was jesting about meeting at a beach," she finally said, sitting back in her chair.
"Really?" Kyoya tried to hide his smile as he nibbled on a piece of cheese. "I thought it was the most genuinely personal statement I'd ever heard you make."
She seemed somewhat shaken by his comment. "Please tell me that this is not from the Club's budget, at least."
"Not a dime. I assure you." Kyoya smiled. "Fruit?"
"Thank you." She seemed to relax a little at that. "I'd only heard about your family's facility here. It really is like being at a real beach."
"It's a great accomplishment," Kyoya said. "And very popular in the winter."
Renge managed a small, embarrassed smile. "I can imagine. Winter can be harsh."
"Indeed."
Silence loomed over them, even louder than the crashing surf. With a clap of his hands, two waiters appeared with trays of food. They walked up to the table and placed the plates as they had been trained.
"This really is too much," Renge said as they hurried away.
"It's the least I can do."
"For what?"
"To thank you for your hard work and dedication to the Host Club." He poured a glass of cider for himself and offered to do the same for her. She only nodded. "You're work doesn't always get the recognition it deserves."
"I hardly do it for the recognition," she answered, sipping the cider. As she placed the glass on the table, she looked at it strangely. Kyoya waited for her to comment, but she said nothing. "So...about those notes...."
"I don't want to talk about the notes," Kyoya said.
"No?"
"No."
"Then...what business have we to discuss?"
Kyoya sipped at his soup before responding, "I'm proposing a contract."
"Contract?" She knitted her eyebrows in confusion. "For what?"
"For us."
He could tell from her eyes that she was having a difficult time wrapping her brain around the idea. The logical side of herself was warring with her imagination. At least she hadn't turned medusa on him.
"On a business level, of course," she managed to stutter out, sipping her tea.
"More of a personal one, actually."
She really was surprised, nearly dropping her tea cup. Her hands were shaky as she raised the cup to her lips. "I'm nothing but annoying to you. Nothing but a way for you to make money for the Host Club. I'm...a hindrance to you."
Kyoya was shocked to hear her say such a thing. Had she truly given up?
"You're only a hindrance to yourself," he countered.
"But...."
"You don't see it do you? You don't know."
"Know what?"
"You can be so much more," he replied, setting his own tea cup aside. "You are more. You're just so overwhelming at times that it's difficult to see the calm, intellectual core."
"I...." She blinked. "What are you...?"
"I'm saying," he said, leveling his gaze directly at her. "That when you are completely immersed in this moe of yours, you're a very eager go getter. A vibrant beacon that people are drawn to. And yes, you can be annoying."
"Oh...."
"But when you're not overtaken in your fantasy world, you're a very intriguing person." He leaned forward in his seat, resting his arms on the table. "And that's the person I want to get to know more about."
She blinked again, putting the pieces together in her head. "So the contract...?"
"Is much more than business." He sat a manila folder in front of her. "Yes."
She looked so completely flabbergasted that her mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out. The range of emotion that crossed her startled eyes was very interesting to watch. What she was staring at was the equivalent of a pre-nuptial agreement, but with many more open holes. A lot of loose ends.
An array of opportunities.
"This can't be real," she muttered to herself.
"Oh, but it is."
And it made sense. Business is what brought them together. Business would give them the opportunity to learn more about each other. The benefit would be great if things worked out in the end. For both of them.
"Well, Renge-kun...."
They simply had to agree to it.
"Are you game?"
Her dull eyes were suddenly alight with determination. It was something he had thought gone since that night in third Music Room. But it was back, and brighter than he'd ever seen it. And her smile, so genuine and happy, was something he hoped he'd see more of.
Kyoya watched as she reached her hand across the table, accepting the hand he had extended to her. She was surprised again as he drew her hand closer and kissed the back of her knuckles instead of shaking her hand. He saw the immediate question in her eyes. Would she be able to handle the reality of a relationship?
But the fire in her eyes flared, and he knew her answer.
"Yes. Yes, I am."
~TO BE CONTINUED~
DISCLAIMER:
Ouran High School Host Club is a brilliant piece of work by creator Bisco Hatori. Originally published in 2003 by HAKUSENSHA, Inc., Tokyo, Japan, this masterpiece is being translated and published by VIZ Media for fans in America and Canada. I do not own a single piece of the characters used in this story. They were kidnapped and used here without permission.
An Ouran High School Host Club Fanfic
Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Born of a request from fellow LJ user, himehikari, and a quotation I found. I'm still failing on the less angst thing, too. Sorry about that. I still hope you'll enjoy. OH! And there will be one more part following this one. Yes, I said it would end at three. I was mistaken. *chases after her muses with a billhook* Kyoya + Renge. Possible OOC-ness. A Standard Disclaimer appears at the end of the chapter.
"The man who gives up accomplishes nothing and is only a hindrance. The man who does not give up can move mountains." –Ernest Hello
Part Three
"They're on their way, sir."
"Good."
Kyoya Ohtori smiled to himself. Everything was planned to the last detail. The beach had been re-sanded per his requirements. The surf was at a minimal, but enough to create a relaxing ambience. Even the meal he had requested had been prepared by the finest of chefs, the most luxurious tea imported from Southeast Asia.
And candles, placed at certain places around the secluded beach area, as well as the ones burning brightly on the small private table, had been sent courtesy of an American designer, Martha Stewart. Everything that adorned the table was a part of her newest collection. He would have to ask his mother to thank her later.
Some might say that he was making a move on her. The young man scoffed at himself, adjusting his glasses. It was absurd, really. He preferred to think of it as giving her the helping hand he knows she needs.
"ETA five minutes."
"Has she been resisting?"
"No, sir. Shinamori reports she is quite calm, and very quiet."
But was she ready to accept the reality?
"Make sure they bring her here directly."
"Yes, sir."
Was he?
"And get the final preparations under way."
"All ready on it, sir."
The young man frowned, watching one of his servants leave. Why couldn't he accept the reality? Wasn't that why he was doing all of this? The frown deepened as another thought occurred to him.
What if she wasn't ready?
All of this would mean nothing.
And worse, he'd look like a fool. There would be no coming back from that kind of damage. His image. His reputation. More importantly, his family name. Everything he cared about, gone. All because of one young woman.
One of two young women he'd forget his family name for.
"Sir, they're here."
The one young woman he'd trade his soul for.
"We've increased the tidal ratio as you requested."
"The food is ready to be served on your command, Mr. Ohtori."
"And the cider?"
"Chilling on the table, sir."
"Good."
Even if he would never admit it.
"Thank you. That will be all."
"Sir."
It had been strange when he'd come to that realization. Alone in Music Room Three, after talking Club business with Renge. There was a darkness that descended on him as she left the room. An emptiness he'd never felt before.
As the days passed, her work held so little interest that he'd had a hard time reviewing the details. There was probably no need. She worked very hard to plan every aspect.
But his mind only entertained thoughts of her.
It was foolish. Stupid even. Completely illogical.
Yet as he saw her enter the beach complex -- saw her eyes widened in surprise and awe – he knew it was a risk worth taking.
"I'm sorry for the short notice. But this was somewhat last minute, and I wanted to catch you before you left on summer break."
She tried hard to keep her wits about her. With a forced smile she asked, "Have you had a chance to review the note I left you?"
"Yes," he replied. "Tea?"
"Thank you."
"Please sit."
He watched her closely as someone came forward, pouring them each a cup of warm tea. She was rigid, cordial. Unlike what he was used to seeing. This was either going to be really interesting. Or really ugly.
She thanked the servant and forced another smile on her lip. "So...about those notes. I know it's a lot, but everything can be spread out over the school year--"
"I know."
"You do?"
"There's no need to rush into business, is there?"
She sipped her tea, averting her eyes. "I suppose not."
"I thought the setting would be much more relaxing." He glanced at her over his tea cup. "Am I wrong?"
"No! No, of course not. It's just.... That is, I...." She sighed. "I was jesting about meeting at a beach," she finally said, sitting back in her chair.
"Really?" Kyoya tried to hide his smile as he nibbled on a piece of cheese. "I thought it was the most genuinely personal statement I'd ever heard you make."
She seemed somewhat shaken by his comment. "Please tell me that this is not from the Club's budget, at least."
"Not a dime. I assure you." Kyoya smiled. "Fruit?"
"Thank you." She seemed to relax a little at that. "I'd only heard about your family's facility here. It really is like being at a real beach."
"It's a great accomplishment," Kyoya said. "And very popular in the winter."
Renge managed a small, embarrassed smile. "I can imagine. Winter can be harsh."
"Indeed."
Silence loomed over them, even louder than the crashing surf. With a clap of his hands, two waiters appeared with trays of food. They walked up to the table and placed the plates as they had been trained.
"This really is too much," Renge said as they hurried away.
"It's the least I can do."
"For what?"
"To thank you for your hard work and dedication to the Host Club." He poured a glass of cider for himself and offered to do the same for her. She only nodded. "You're work doesn't always get the recognition it deserves."
"I hardly do it for the recognition," she answered, sipping the cider. As she placed the glass on the table, she looked at it strangely. Kyoya waited for her to comment, but she said nothing. "So...about those notes...."
"I don't want to talk about the notes," Kyoya said.
"No?"
"No."
"Then...what business have we to discuss?"
Kyoya sipped at his soup before responding, "I'm proposing a contract."
"Contract?" She knitted her eyebrows in confusion. "For what?"
"For us."
He could tell from her eyes that she was having a difficult time wrapping her brain around the idea. The logical side of herself was warring with her imagination. At least she hadn't turned medusa on him.
"On a business level, of course," she managed to stutter out, sipping her tea.
"More of a personal one, actually."
She really was surprised, nearly dropping her tea cup. Her hands were shaky as she raised the cup to her lips. "I'm nothing but annoying to you. Nothing but a way for you to make money for the Host Club. I'm...a hindrance to you."
Kyoya was shocked to hear her say such a thing. Had she truly given up?
"You're only a hindrance to yourself," he countered.
"But...."
"You don't see it do you? You don't know."
"Know what?"
"You can be so much more," he replied, setting his own tea cup aside. "You are more. You're just so overwhelming at times that it's difficult to see the calm, intellectual core."
"I...." She blinked. "What are you...?"
"I'm saying," he said, leveling his gaze directly at her. "That when you are completely immersed in this moe of yours, you're a very eager go getter. A vibrant beacon that people are drawn to. And yes, you can be annoying."
"Oh...."
"But when you're not overtaken in your fantasy world, you're a very intriguing person." He leaned forward in his seat, resting his arms on the table. "And that's the person I want to get to know more about."
She blinked again, putting the pieces together in her head. "So the contract...?"
"Is much more than business." He sat a manila folder in front of her. "Yes."
She looked so completely flabbergasted that her mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out. The range of emotion that crossed her startled eyes was very interesting to watch. What she was staring at was the equivalent of a pre-nuptial agreement, but with many more open holes. A lot of loose ends.
An array of opportunities.
"This can't be real," she muttered to herself.
"Oh, but it is."
And it made sense. Business is what brought them together. Business would give them the opportunity to learn more about each other. The benefit would be great if things worked out in the end. For both of them.
"Well, Renge-kun...."
They simply had to agree to it.
"Are you game?"
Her dull eyes were suddenly alight with determination. It was something he had thought gone since that night in third Music Room. But it was back, and brighter than he'd ever seen it. And her smile, so genuine and happy, was something he hoped he'd see more of.
Kyoya watched as she reached her hand across the table, accepting the hand he had extended to her. She was surprised again as he drew her hand closer and kissed the back of her knuckles instead of shaking her hand. He saw the immediate question in her eyes. Would she be able to handle the reality of a relationship?
But the fire in her eyes flared, and he knew her answer.
"Yes. Yes, I am."
~TO BE CONTINUED~
DISCLAIMER:
Ouran High School Host Club is a brilliant piece of work by creator Bisco Hatori. Originally published in 2003 by HAKUSENSHA, Inc., Tokyo, Japan, this masterpiece is being translated and published by VIZ Media for fans in America and Canada. I do not own a single piece of the characters used in this story. They were kidnapped and used here without permission.