Ouran High School Host Club Fan Fiction ❯ Hindrance ❯ Part Four ( Chapter 4 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
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. So what happens when one contract ends, and another is signed? Final chapter. Takes place several years following part three. 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 Four


On a day that needed to be perfect, the only thing that seemed perfect was the chaos.

"I specifically said against the wall."

"But Miss--?"

"Put it there." A sigh. "And those are not the color I requested."

"But you asked for red."

"I asked for crimson." A grunt. "And those flowers! Get them out of here."

"But you said--!"

"Get. Them. OUT!"

As nearly fifty people ran around the room, carrying flowers and candles and other objects, Renge Houshakuji watched the unorganized madness with her mother and grandmother. She barked orders left and right, much to the chagrin of her family. And when she couldn't get someone to do it correctly, the young woman stalked over and did it herself.

"Renge, the Ohtori family is arriving," her mother stated as the young woman rearranged some flowers.

"There are only a few more details left," she replied.

"Leave them," her grandmother stated. "You need to get ready."

"Miss, you have less than half an hour left," one of her attendants cautioned her. "You need to prepare yourself."

Renge shook her head, already working with another worker to line up the table linens. "I need to oversee the final preparations."

"He's right, Renge. You must prepare yourself for what is to come."

"Mother!"

"The decorations can wait, Renge."

"Grandma!"

"You need to get dressed!"

And when the eldest of the three women struck the end of her cane against the tiled floor, there was no questioning her instructions.

"Now!"

Renge merely sighed as her mother and grandmother escorted her away. The details had all been reviewed and approved. And time was ticking on. She would have to leave the rest in the care of the professionals. They had her specific instructions, so she would have to trust that they were followed to the letter. OH her parents insisted on a wedding planner, but Renge refused. She had successfully planned many events before. This was no different.

Save for the part where she was also participating in the event.

And the day needed to be perfect. Absolutely. Positively. She had a hard time removing herself from the equation. So her family did it for her.

"All will be as it should," her grandmother said, patting the girl on the shoulder as they entered her dressing chambers. "Have a little faith, child."

Faith.

Trust.

She supposed she could give them that much.

Especially since Kyoya gave her that much, and so much more.

"Here, darling. Put this on first."

"This is next."

She smiled as her mother and grandmother began assisting her. What wonderful memories she had. And to have gotten this far...?! She honestly never thought their contract would last.

But it did.

In fact, their contract had worked out well for both of them over the years. Renge had learned patience and self-control. It had been a hard process, but well worth the effort.

Her daily program not only benefited from her personal growth, but so did the Host Club. She continued to come up with the best plans, and most beneficial for their finances. Even the private sector began to benefit, as she proposed ideas to local charities and business that caused them to have financial gain and cheap advertising.

"Stand up straight, dear. Don't slouch."

"Yes, grandma."

"Where's the make up kit?"

"On the table, mom."

Kyoya had grown as well. He had been a patient man in the beginning, but became a god for his experiences with her. And while Renge learned that reality could be just as fun as a video game, so Kyoya learned to relax and unwind. He was so high-strung in a bad way. It was his relationship with Renge that allowed him to kick back once in a while and realize that having fun was not a hindrance to success.

He was even able to convince his father that he'd be a priceless addition to the family business, even without being in control.

Kyoya always exuded so much confidence in the past. But now that confidence came with a more relaxed and controlled demeanor. He was more approachable, and his business skills were all the better for it.

"Here, let me tie that."

"I got it, grandma."

"It's lopsided. Let me."

A sigh. "Okay."

But the good times did not come without the bad ones. Renge could count on both hands the number of times she felt like giving up. At one point she was so convinced he would never be able to understand her passion, that she was ready to quit. But with the help of her friends, especially Haruhi, she persevered.

Even the other Host club members were more than happy to help her, which was the biggest surprise of all.

"Close your eyes."

"Not too much. She needs to look natural."

"I know."

Kyoya too learned some very nasty things about himself in the process. His anger got the best of him on more than one occasion. And his patience was tested at nearly every turn. He'd thought about giving up, but his friends refused to let him. Especially his older sister, who already considered Renge family. It was more frustrating than anything he ever had to deal with.

But his breaking point came during a heated argument. Words were spoken with vehemence anger on both sides. Completely outside of himself, Kyoya raised his hand to her. Something he had never done before. Not to his family. Nor his friends. He had stopped himself from hitting her, too surprised by his actions that he closed himself off from the world for awhile. It scared the crap out of him, and for a short time, he thought he'd lost his mind.

It was Tamaki that came to his rescue, arranging a little get away for the two of them in France. Renge loved the city, and it allowed them to speak frankly. Honestly. About business. About emotions. He admitted he was frightened of his own passion for her, that he would even hurt her, unthinking. He admitted his need of her, how she had become a part of him that he could not be without.

And for the first time, Kyoya openly admitted that he loved her while they were standing under the Eiffel Tower.

"I said not too much!"

"It's exactly the same amount you put on me on my wedding day."

"She looks like a whore."

And he proposed to her on that exact spot one year later.

"Can't we just forget the make up?"

"NO!"

Now, in less than ten minutes, the Ohtori family and the Houshakuji family would become one. Their families struggled as much as they had, but they had found a middle ground rather quickly. They were the best for each other and no one could argue that.

"I think I got it now."

"Oh, much better."

"May I see?"

Renge turned around at her mother's behest. As she looked into the oversized mirror, he wondered who the woman was staring back at her. She was dressed in a white kimono, lavishly decorated with lace and rhinestones. The obi was pure red silk, tied expertly in the back by her grandmother. Her make up was a little much, but required for a traditional Shinto ceremony. Even her slippers matched the obi.

"It's...perfect."

There was no doubt that the person staring back was a grown woman, someone ready to face the world...and the future.

"Miss, we're almost ready for you."

"Thank you."

But was she ready?

With a kiss to her family, she stepped into the hallway where the attendants were waiting. As her family was escorted into the room ahead of her, she was asked to wait in front of the doors to the shrine.

"You look beautiful."

Renge's smile lit up her eyes as she turned to see her soon to be husband walking towards her. He was dressed in traditional garb as well, the black and gold of his kimono signifying his family status. He looked as perfect as she had ever seen him. More beautiful than the first time he told her he loved her. More gorgeous than the day he proposed to her.

So much more attractive than the video game character she had once been enamored with.

And his smile was to die for.

"Thank you."

"Are you ready?"

"Are you?"

She expected him to hesitate. To pause and think. But he nodded quickly, and with certainty.

"I am." He looked deeply into her eyes. "Shall we?"

Her blush was very becoming of a young bride, and caused Kyoya to chuckle. With the smoothest of moves, he offered his hand to her. But this time, there was no handshake. The old contract was over as of today.

As she accepted his proffered hand, they turned to face the future together.

As of today a new contract comes into being.

One that will last a lifetime.


~OWARI~

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.