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Lavender for Royalty; Sage for Wisdom (Book 1) Chapter Eighteen

Kyoya Ootori x Reader

Chapter Eighteen: Gladiolus for Victory

Summary: The Host Club celebrates and solves a mystery (or two).

“The Host Club wins!”

(Y/N) grinned and bowed for the cameras before their friends grabbed them in a giant hug. Haruhi was winded from running but laughing, Tamaki squeezed them tightly, the twins were making faces at the Football Club, Honey was climbing up them to hug them, Mori patted their head, and Kyoya smiled softly at them. (Y/N) laughed out loud and hugged everyone back.

Kuze lay face-down on the ground, absolutely crushed and depressed. The Host Club laughed, and the twins stuck out their tongues at him. (Y/N) chuckled and shook their head.

Kyoya put his hand on their shoulder, and they looked at him. “Good work, (Y/N).”

(Y/N)’s cheeks warmed. They lifted their hand and placed it on Kyoya’s. “Thank you, Kyoya.” They smiled softly.

Kyoya’s heart beat just that much faster in his chest as he smiled in return.

Mitsuyama ran to Kuze’s side.

“Takeshi, are you okay?” she said worriedly.

Haruhi frowned. “Why is Mitsuyama comforting him?” Her theory had revolved around Mitsuyama disliking Kuze.

“She is Kuze’s fiancée, after all,” said Kyoya.

The Host Club paused.

“By the way, they’ve been in love with each other since childhood,” said Kyoya.

“Huh?!” said the other hosts.

“Kyoya, you were withholding that for your own amusement, weren’t you?” said (Y/N), looking at him. They had suspected there was more.

Kyoya smiled “innocently” with closed eyes. “Nonsense. It was strategic.”

“Uh-huh,” said (Y/N), shaking their head incredulously with a smile.

“So…then I was wrong about her being behind the threatening letters?” said Haruhi.

“Huh?” Kuze had no idea what that was about, clearly.

“No,” said Mitsuyama standing. She bowed. “I am very sorry about what I’ve done.” Everyone’s jaws dropped open that she’d acted so seemingly callously, but Mitsuyama continued. “I knew Takeshi wanted to fight the Host Club because of his rivalry with Kyoya. But I didn’t want him to. So I tried to get the Host Club to withdraw somehow. I thought it would be painful to see Takeshi pointlessly beating himself up after losing against Kyoya yet again.” She sighed as if it was tiresome as everyone’s jaws dropped open even wider at the brutal words. “But that foolish side is what makes him cute.”

“You were so sure I’d lose?” said Kuze, a giant irk mark on his forehead.

Mitsuyama smiled angelically. “You did lose, didn’t you? Even after I set it to your advantage. So far you’ve challenged Kyoya and completely lost twenty-six times over. It’s about time you gave up. Besides, you seem to completely forget me when you’re at it.”

“All-All I wanted was for you to think better of me,” said Kuze.

“Oh, you’re mistaken,” said Mitsuyama. “I love you even if you can’t beat Kyoya. So instead of fighting Kyoya, just pay more attention to me.”

Kuze blushed. “O-Okay. I’m sorry.” He hugged Mitsuyama, who held him close.

The Host Club applauded. It was a touching (if odd) scene.

“But Kyoya…You knew about it all from the get-go,” said Tamaki.

“Fueled by threatening letters, you all were burning up with hostility towards the Football Club, which helped the race become more excited than ever,” said Kyoya. “And, we not only got the Central Salon, but we’ll be recorded in the history of Ouran. To top it off, all the families will be talking of us.” He smiled. “If we’re going to win, we might as well get the best deal out of it in the process, don’t you think?”

“Unbelievable,” said Hikaru and Kaoru, shaking their head.

“It still leaves the mystery of the blank letters,” said (Y/N), tilting their head.

“I suspect they’re not blank,” said Kyoya.

“Ah,” said (Y/N), nodding.

“Huh?” said the others.

“Oh. Invisible ink,” said Haruhi, nodding.

“…Huh?” said the other hosts again.

Haruhi rolled her eyes. “Let’s get changed, and I’ll show you.”

l

“What is invisible ink?” said Tamaki excitedly once they were back in uniform.

“It’s not visible when you write with it, but by warming it, it shows up,” said the twins. “We used it for a lot of mischief.”

“No, it’s just orange juice,” said Haruhi.

Hikaru and Kaoru wore identical expressions that said, “Oh, it’s the poor version, whoa.”

“So the smell made them seem more connected,” said (Y/N), nodding.

“Right,” said Haruhi, taking a lighter and flicking the flame on. “It’s simple. If you apple heat to the blank paper…” She waved the flame above the paper, and words began to appear.

“As I suspected,” said Kyoya.

The paper read:

Dear Tamaki,

I hear you’re interested in the ways of the common folk, so I tried using the poor man’s invisible ink.

-Dad.

“Just as I thought. It’s from the chairman,” said Kyoya.

Instantly, the twins grabbed the other letters, and everyone deadpanned as the words appeared on the other pages. They were all invitations to dinner, comments about how oranges tasted, and complaints about Tamaki taking so long to write back.

“They’re just personal letters to the Boss,” said Hikaru and Kaoru. “There’s nothing important.”

“That-That!” Tamaki stormed out of the room.

“Oh, dear,” said (Y/N), exchanging a look with Kyoya. They all followed quickly after Tamaki.

They arrived to find Tamaki staring at his father. Mr. Suoh was tutting and shaking his head.

“Indeed, you were busy looking for the perpetrator during the race, but to what end?” said Mr. Suoh. “All you did was show how incompetent you are. What was so much harder? Tamaki, you truly are…A very silly boy!” He poked Tamaki in the cheek. “Ha, ha, I tricked you.”

(Y/N) sweat-dropped. The DNA of ridiculousness was strong in that family…Though they were glad that was all this confrontation had become. After all, Tamaki’s relationship with his family was quite strained, to put it lightly. They hoped things changed for the better.\

At least he has us as family.

Mr. Suoh sat down with a smile. “I received a report that the Host Club was receiving hate mail. I couldn’t help but contribute immediately. So what do you think? I made it more fun, didn’t I? I deepened the mystery?”

“…Right,” said the Hosts.”

“You didn’t have to make it more ‘fun!’ ” cried Tamaki. “If you want to say something, say it to me directly!”

“You say that, Tamaki, but—” Mr. Suoh’s eyes went in alarm to another part of the room, and Tamaki followed his gaze immediately. He jumped from his chair and smiled. “Hello, you’re Haruhi Fujioka, right? I’ve heard a lot of good things about you. I’m so busy I haven’t had time to come by. How are you getting along at school? Is there anything that bothers you? Has (Y/N) been helping out?”

Poor Tamaki sat in the corner. Mr. Suoh loved teasing his son.

“Um…Thank you,” said Haruhi. “I’m quite used to the school now. (Y/N) has been helpful. Nothing is bothering me enough to mention.”

“Excellent,” said Mr. Suoh. “By the way, are you interested in Webster?”

“If you’re talking about Jean Webster, I’ve read Daddy-Long-Legs, but that’s it…” Haruhi trailed off.

“Wonderful!” said Mr. Suoh. “(Y/N)?”

“It’s the same with me,” said (Y/N), smiling.

“Perfect. Miss?” said Mr. Suoh.

“Yes, sir.” His secretary handed Haruhi and (Y/N) each a stack of stationery.

“Here you go,” said Mr. Suoh energetically. “You see, the reason I established the scholarship was I wanted to be the ‘Daddy-Long-Legs’ to deprived but ambitious students.”

Daddy Long Legs was a story about an orphan girl who wrote letters to her benefactor at school, and (Y/N) was really seeing the relation between Mr. Suoh and Tamaki.

“So…you want us to write letters of appreciation?” said Haruhi, trying not to deadpan.

“Thank you for the stationery,” said (Y/N), putting on a smile. They were amused more than anything.

“You want to? How lovely!” said Mr. Suoh as dramatically as his son. Then, he looked more seriously at Haruhi. “I’m also quite aware of the reason why you’re hiding the fact that you’re a girl. What a horrible boy Tamaki is to do that to such a darling girl. I have ensured the rules of the school are equitable to people of all gender identities—” he gave a thumbs up to (Y/N) that they returned with a real smile “—and to put you in such a position is unforgivable!”

“Dad!” shouted Tamaki, huffing. “Stay away from Haruhi, please. We’re busy, so excuse us! Let’s go, everyone!”

l

The 43rd Ouran School Festival finally arrived, and the Host Club was completely ready. First, though, every club member worked their class’s event. (Y/N), Tamaki, and Kyoya in 2-A were working on a “Kiosks of the Common Folk” event ((Y/N) thought it was hilarious that this was a novelty to the rich folk).

“Tamaki, (Y/N), it’s time to change and go to the Central Salon for the Host Club’s event,” said Kyoya.

“But Haruhi and the others haven’t seen our event here yet,” pouted Tamaki.

“Then you can stay here and be late,” said Kyoya, unconcerned. “My parents will be arriving, so I wish to be prepared.”

“I’ll come with you so you’re not handling everything on your own,” said (Y/N), smiling.

“You’re abandoning me?” said Tamaki, giving them the puppy eyes.

(Y/N) and Kyoya refused to look at him and get sucked into staying with him.

l

“Is my tie straight?” said Kyoya as he finished adjusting his uniform.

(Y/N) looked at him. “Kyoya, it always is.” They knew he was doing his best to be perfect in front of his parents—particularly his parents. They smiled at him and reached up to tightened his tie. Adjusting it ever-so-slightly, (Y/N)’s hands lingered on the tie. “You’re going to do great tonight hosting this event, alright?”

“Of course,” said Kyoya, eyes down on where (Y/N)’s hands adjusted his tie. They were standing so close…It was quite distracting.

“I’m serious, Kyoya,” said (Y/N). “I know impressing your father means a lot to you, but this is going to go well. I know it, even if you don’t.” They smiled at him. “Trust me, alright?”

Kyoya gazed at them as they dropped their hands from his tie. He caught their hands and held them for a moment, enjoying the warmth of their skin. “I do. I always trust you, (Y/N).”

(Y/N)’s lips parted, and they smiled at him. “I’m glad, Kyoya.”

l

Kyoya’s back was even straighter than usual, and his perfectly curated hosting smile was frozen on his face as he moved through the crowd. (Y/N) was more easygoing (the Amiable Type) than him, but even they were working overtime to ensure everyone had a wonderful experience at the Host Club’s event.

“There they are,” said Kyoya as he spotted his mother and father.

“You’ve got this,” whispered (Y/N), smiling at him.

They watched him greet his parents with a handshake, and they relaxed slightly as they saw his father nodding approvingly at everything. That was good. The Host Club was an…interesting club to say the least, so being at least accepted by a parent was good. What (Y/N) did not expect was for Kyoya to gesture at them and for Mr. and Mrs. Ootori to nod. Kyoya looked at Kyoya and beckoned them to approach.

Oh dear, I didn’t expect to meet his parents today, thought (Y/N). How does someone prepare in a moment to meet the parents of the person they loved? Still, they wouldn’t just stand back. So, with a smile far more confident than they truly felt, (Y/N) walked over.

“Mother, Father, this is (Y/N) (L/N),” said Kyoya as they approached.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” said (Y/N), bowing politely to his parents.

“The scholarship student,” acknowledged Mr. Ootori. “I’ve heard quite a bit about you from the Chairman.”

“I hope good things,” said (Y/N) easily, still smiling.

“Well, your grades are quite impressive, and this club has been quite successful despite being so new,” said Mrs. Ootori, smiling. “So of course good.”

“They are a scholarship student,” said Mr. Ootori. “If they were not intelligent, they would not be at Ouran.”

(Y/N) assumed that was all the acknowledgement they were going to get from Kyoya’s parents. However, it was enough to know that they didn’t automatically dislike (Y/N). Did they—mostly Kyoya’s father—pretty obviously think (Y/N) was impressive mostly because they were a commoner and it was less expected for them to do well? Yes. Was it slightly condescending? Yes. Was it what (Y/N) had expected? Yes. They were used to this.

“I strive to do my best in all things,” said (Y/N), keeping their perfect smile on their face. “I’m fortunate enough to have good friends by my side to work with, too.” They looked at Kyoya warmly. “The Host Club wouldn’t be nearly as successful without all of us working together.”

“Indeed,” said Kyoya, smiling in return a bit more genuinely.

Mrs. Ootori looked at her son and smiled to herself for a moment.

“Excuse me, are you two members of the Host Club?” said another woman, walking up.

“We are,” said (Y/N). “Is there something we can help you with?”

“I just wanted to inquire about the competition for the Central Salon,” she said. “My daughter told me quite enthusiastically that there were a lot of competitors for the Central Salon. I hear it was rigged to favor the Athletic Clubs, so it was a great victory. Rumor has it that their strategy was planned by Kyoya. You must be quite intelligent!”

“My son is,” said Mrs. Ootori.

“You’re already a top student,” continued the woman. “But this required a different expertise. Well done!”

“Oh, no, not at all,” said Kyoya. “I only supported my very talented companions. It was thanks to Tamaki’s leadership and (Y/N)’s quick-thinking that we were victorious. Unfortunately, I was not born to stand above others as a leader.”

(Y/N) glanced at Kyoya curiously at the statement.

“How humble you are!” exclaimed the woman. “To be honest, I was taken aback when I first heard of the Host Club. Well…it’s rather outrageous, isn’t it?”

“In this day and age, to change people’s perceptions is also an important technique,” said Mr. Ootori. “Unless one can attract attention, it’s impossible to be understood or even recognized. I advocate meritocracy. If he has the talent, well, I don’t mind naming my third son heir to the family business.”

“Oh, how exciting,” exclaimed the gathering crowd, nodding at the novelty of such an idea.

(Y/N) glanced at Kyoya and saw the calculating smirk appearing on his face. Aha. They smiled. He had won again. They reached out and brushed his hand with their fingers in support. Kyoya glanced down, but (Y/N)’s hand retracted as quickly as it had extended. It didn’t matter, though. Kyoya had their support, and he knew it. Even through the rest of the day—the carriage rides, the drama with Tamaki’s grandmother, Haruhi learning of Tamaki’s mother being an affair and stuck in France, and everything else that may happen in the future—Kyoya had gotten what he wanted—the acknowledgement of his father and (Y/N)’s support.

Now, if only he had their heart.

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