//Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club.//

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

FIGHT TO THE DEATH

Asami nervously taps her fingers against her thigh while watching others mingle in the room. She flinches in surprise when someone grabs her hand and intertwines their fingers. "Calm down," Kyoya whispers as he leans over to tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear.

"I can't." She hisses with a strained smile on her face. "Your father and my grandmother are planning to parade us around like cattle."

"At least we're pretty cattle." He comments and fails to hide his amusement as she playfully hits his arm.

"Don't make me laugh. They'll think I'm enjoying myself." She snorts quietly.

He tilts his head, studying her with a teasing gleam in his eyes. "You should be. You're doing great. No one's guessed you're five seconds away from bolting."

"Four seconds," she mutters, squeezing his hand harder than necessary. "And if one more person asks me how excited I am about our engagement—"

"Then we vanish. Balcony, back hallway, wine cellar. Your call." He mumbles.

"You're awful at this whole formal event thing. I thought you'd be a pro since you grew up surrounded by this." She comments.

"I am great at this whole formal event thing, I am also great at disappearing unnoticed for periods of time." The two exchange a look of understanding when the atmosphere changes in the room.

A hush of expectation ripples through the room as Yoshio Ootori glides through the room. Asami observes how people straighten their posture and turn their downwards as he passes by them. Behind him, a fraction of a step slower but just as commanding, walk Shizue Souh, her eyes narrowing at Asami.

"Asami. Kyoya." Yoshio's voice slices through their semi-private moment like a scalpel. "Come. It's time you made yourselves useful." Kyoya straightens, his mask slipping on with expert ease; gone was the teasing glints in his eyes, replaced by a cold and calculated gleam. Asami tightens her grip on his hand for half a second before letting go, smoothing her dress and following them toward a waiting group of high-society elites. She recognizes some of the faces from the first party she attended to introduce herself to important and powerful people: heads of banks, hospital directors, corporate magnates.

"This is Souh Asami and Ootori Kyoya," Shizue announces with a prideful smirk, "You'll be seeing a great deal of them in the coming years. We will be formally announcing their engagement at the gala." Asami's smile doesn't falter for a moment, but her heart gives a painful jolt at the thought of forever being stuck with someone at her age. Yoshio doesn't look at them—only at the reactions of their guests, watching for even the subtlest shift in expression.

A man, Asami recognizes as being from the board of the Ootori Medical Group, steps forward, bowing politely. "A fine match. The union of your families will secure influence across many sectors." Asami offers a perfectly measured curtsy, lips parted in a polite murmur of agreement. Inside, she can feel her spine stiffening under the weight of being a legacy rather than a person—'Tamaki may be the face of the family but I am the true power behind it' she reminds herself and feels even more dread building up within her. More people step forward to introduce themselves to the couple. Asami tries to catalogue every face to their name in her head, but there are too many people and too much information all at once. As the crowd begins to die down, she squeezes Kyoya's hand twice, and he immediately excuses them from more conversation and escorts her over to the beverage bar. 

"If you see them heading our way, call your driver and take me out of here." Kyoya doesn't glance at her, but a slow, almost imperceptible smirk tugs at his mouth.

"My driver is already waiting around the back."

•••

Asami is humming as she strolls around the host club, decorating each of the tables for the theme that Tamaki has picked out for the week. She pauses when a shadow covers her, glancing up to see Kaoru frowning at his phone.

"Asami, what does this mean?" He shoves his phone in her face. She blinks in surprise before her eyes focus on the phone and see a text message from...Hikari? Her eyes sweep up to read the beginning of the conversation.

From: KAORU
Hikaru told me that you're good at photography, do you think you could work a photoshoot for our mom? She's looking for new talent.

From: ASAMI'S FRIEND - HIKARI
I love photography but idk if I'd be any good for a photoshoot. I'm more of a candid photographer. I love catching people off guard-you know, when they're not trying to hard and it's the real them.

From: KAORU
That's cool. Natural moments are the best moments I guess.

From: ASAMI'S FRIEND - HIKARI
Exactly. Like right now, I'd totally take a picture of you texting me, looking all serious and focused. Bet you'd look good.

From: KAORU
Wait, how'd you know I look serious right now?

From: ASAMI'S FRIEND - HIKARI
Call it intuition. Or maybe I've just spent too much time thinking about what you'd look like.

"Oh." Asami mumbles. "I didn't realize you and Hikaru were texting my friends separately." No wonder their group chat has been strangely quiet the past few weeks. The twins have apparently been messaging each other outside of the chat—forming their own friendship bonds without Asami. "Hikari is flirting with you," and a sharp pain stabs Asami in the chest as she hands the phone back to him. He blinks in surprise at that and shakes his head.

"Really?" He asks.

"Yeah, really." She mumbles. "Do you like her?" She observes his face, and she feels her heart drop as a slight blush creeps onto his cheeks—if only she knew it was from mortification that Asami thought that and not because he likes Hikari. "You should ask her on a date and see how it goes."

"Do you really think I should do that?" He frowns at her, something clearly on the tip of his tongue and she wishes he would say whatever it is that he's holding back.

"Yeah," she lies through her teeth. The two stare at each other in silence, unspoken words threatening to leave their lips. Kaoru licks his lip and opens his mouth to say something when the door to the club slams open to reveal Haruhi and Yasuchika, Mitsukuni's younger brother. "This is going to get messy." Asami grumbles, immediately beginning to move the more breakable items out from the open.

Kaoru watches her with sad eyes and sighs. Hikaru appears next to him and gently pats his shoulder while mumbling, "maybe next time."

"Oh, Chika-chan! What's up? It's so rare for you to come to the high school section!"

"Mitsukuni, prepare yourself!" Yasuchika's voice rings out, sharp with emotion and challenge.

"What?!" Haruhi blinks, startled by the sudden intensity. Without another word, Yasuchika surges forward, aiming a powerful kick directly at Mitsukuni. But with the practiced ease of someone far too used to sudden ambushes, Mitsukuni springs into the air, pushing off from Takashi's back and flipping gracefully over his brother's head.

"Ngh..." Mitsukuni grunts softly as he landed.

"Tsk..." Yasuchika growls, already turning for another strike.

"W-Wait! Mori-senpai!" Haruhi cries out, looking to the tall third-year for an explanation.

"Yeah," Takashi replies simply, watching the action unfold.

"Huh? What do you mean, 'yeah'?!" Haruhi demands. Before anyone could answer, the mechanical hum of motors cut through the tension. A platform rose from nowhere, revealing Renge atop it in full dramatic flourish.

"Oh! Oh~!" she cries, already in commentator mode. "And Honey-senpai effortlessly dodges Chika's preemptive strike!"

Haruhi turns in confusion. "What's going on?!"

"Leaping through the air with elegance and deadly accuracy," Renge declares, pointing a fan like a baton, "Honey-senpai moves like a modern-day Ushiwakamaru! And Chika isn't giving up—he attacks again!" Yasuchika lunged forward, unleashing a flurry of punches. But Mitsukuni's form blurred, too fast to catch. He ducked, spun, and swept low, knocking Yasuchika's legs out from under him.

"Ahh..." Yasuchika hits the ground, stunned.

"Honey-senpai dodges and counters with a leg sweep!" Renge narrates breathlessly. "Neither opponent is giving the other a single moment to breathe—an exchange of continuous, fierce technique!"

"Ahh..." Haruhi mutters, watching helplessly as the battle escalated. Yasuchika pushed himself back to his feet, already preparing for the next strike.

"Oh, they're at it again," Tamaki sighs, arms folded.

"I would have preferred they chose a less fragile location," Kyoya murmurs, adjusting his glasses.

"I know, right!" shouts Asami, dashing out from behind a knocked-over table and quickly repositioning a delicate vase before it could hit the floor. "Can someone please remind them this is still a school and not a demolition site?" Yasuchika, seemingly ignoring everyone, reaches behind his back—and drew out a long wooden pole. "Oh no," Asami mutters, immediately grabbing a stack of plates and moving them to a safer spot.

The twins gasp in unison. "Ah..."

"Huh?" Haruhi looka around. "Why are you all reacting like this is normal?!"

"And now Chika brings out a weapon!" Renge cries gleefully. "This just got even more intense!" With a cry, Yasuchika charges, swinging the pole in wide, swift arcs. Mitsukuni ducks and weaved with ease, his small form darting around each blow.

"Ngh... Hmph... Hah!" Yasuchika shouts as his swings grow more aggressive.

"W-Wait!" Haruhi calls out in alarm. "Isn't that against the rules?!"

Then—crack!—the pole connects. Mitsukuni is sent flying.

"Honey-senpai got blown away!" Hikaru shouts.

"Will this be Chika's first victory?" Kaoru asks eagerly.

Yasuchika stands, panting. "Did I do it?"

"Nay," Renge says solemnly. "Victory belongs to Mitsukuni-senpai."

"What she said," Takashi confirms.

"Huh?" Yasuchika looks down—and froze. The hems of his pants were pinned to the ground with perfectly placed throwing knives, immobilizing him completely.

"He used a secret binding technique," Takashi explains.

"Ngh... When did he...?" Mitsukuni stands nearby, calmly dusting off his hands. Not a single hair out of place.

"Haa... Phew," he exhales with a quiet sigh, like he'd just finished folding laundry.

Renge leans into her imaginary mic. "It was a brilliant shuriken throw from Honey-senpai during the one second Chika let his guard down!".

"Grr..." Yasuchika snarls, still unable to move.

"And Chika can't even budge!" Renge finishes dramatically. "That was a truly thrilling match!" Her platform descends once again, vanishing with the same flair it had appeared.

As the room quieted and Asami inspects a chair leg that had cracked under the chaos, Haruhi hesitantly raises her hand. "Umm... I am completely clueless as to what just happened but... to begin with, who is he?"

Tamaki grins, brushing a hand through his hair. "Oh, you can't tell by his face?" Yasuchika scowls in silence. "He's Honey-senpai's younger brother," Tamaki announces with theatrical emphasis.

"Ah!" Haruhi exclaims in realization, while Asami sighs and begins sweeping up the shattered remains of a teacup.

"Next time," Asami mutters under her breath, "they're dueling outside." 

"Not bad," Asami looks up, to see Kyoya standing there, notebook in hand but gaze directed squarely at her. "Thanks to your interference, I estimate we've avoided roughly ¥120,000 in replacement fees."

Asami raises an eyebrow. "Was that your way of saying thank you?"

He gives a small, rare smile. "It was. I'd prefer not to have to submit another expense report this month. You made that possible."

Asami laughs and gives a mock bow. "Well, anything to spare you from paperwork, my dear Ootori-senpai." She comes back up to see a slight redness to his cheeks. She smirks and walks up to him, fixing his slightly crooked glasses. "Do you like being called that, Kyoya?" 

Kaoru watches the two with a forlorn expression on his face before glancing down at his phone. He hesitates for a second and then, his fingers are typing out a message and hitting send without a second thought.

From: KAORU
How do you feel about taking some candid photos of me at the arcade?

From: ASAMI'S FRIEND - HIKARI

I'd love to :) Send me the location, time, and date and I'll be there.

"What are you doing?" Hikaru hisses in his ear.

"Hopefully making someone jealous." He whispers back, glancing up to see Kyoya and Asami laughing about something together as they stand too close together.

***

Later that day, the storm of earlier events settles into a calm hum. The Host Club room, though still recovering from a minor tea-set casualty, buzzes with quiet energy as members regroup. Haruhi sits across from Yasuchika, who looks as serious as ever.

"The Haninozuka family, though noble," Yasuchika begins with the solemnity of a historian, "has always excelled in martial arts. We've fused traditional techniques into our own—karate, judo, aikido—all absorbed and honed over generations. We carry that pride in every breath." Haruhi nods slowly, unsure whether she's meant to respond. "At home," he continues, "we train daily in our clan's unique style. And we're taught—no, required—to stay vigilant. Whenever two Haninozukas meet away from home, we must engage in battle. Immediately."

"So... the whole fight earlier was just... family tradition?" Haruhi asks.

Yasuchika nods. "Exactly."

Asami enters, having just returned from moving a fragile vase back to safety. She slides into a nearby seat with a breathless smile. "You two talking about the flying side-kick incident earlier?"

"Flying side-kick tradition," Haruhi corrects with a small laugh.

Tamaki swoops in, practically gliding, holding out a plate with a flourish. "Here, Yasuchika-kun. A slice of cake to recover your strength."

"I don't like sweet things," Yasuchika says flatly. "The Haninozuka style is based on controlling self-interest and striving for selflessness. Joy and desire are distractions."

Asami raises a brow. "You do realize it's just sponge and frosting, right? Not a declaration of weakness."

Hikaru and Kaoru lean in like a two-headed gossip snake.

"The one who loves sweets and plushies—"

"—and is supposed to lead the Haninozuka family next—"

"—is right over there." Both point to Mitsukuni, who's daintily biting into a slice of cake, utterly content.

Yasuchika glares. "Tsk. I will never acknowledge Mitsukuni as the next family head. Someone who abandons discipline for cake and toys isn't worthy of our name."

"Oh boy," Asami mutters, crossing her arms. "He's in full disownment mode." She is too use to seeing this side of the brothers after going to the dojo with Mitsukuni and Takashi. She prefers Takashi's younger brother over Mitsukuni's. 

Tamaki gasps dramatically. "My goodness!"

Yasuchika's expression hardens. "My brother was strong. But ever since quitting the Karate Club to wallow in indulgence, he's thrown away everything the Haninozuka name stands for." With those words, he turns and strides out, the door swinging shut behind him. 

"He still has the dramatic flair of Mitsukuni." Asami mumbles. 

***

Later, Mitsukuni stands near the window, bathed in afternoon light. His reflection shimmers faintly on the glass. He's quiet—no smile, no bounce.

Haruhi approaches gently. "Umm... Honey-senpai?"

He sighs. "Haa..."

Tamaki appears like a mirage, holding yet another plate. "Honey-senpai, what do we do with this extra piece of cake?"

Mitsukuni blinks. "Oh! I'll eat it~!" and devours the cake with unfiltered joy. "Yay~!"

From a nearby armchair, Asami watches him with a fond smile. "Back to normal, huh?"

Haruhi muses aloud, "You were really in the Karate Club? Why quit for something like the Host Club?"

Tamaki flails. "Something like the Host Club?! Blasphemy!"

"I mean..." Haruhi shrugs. "Compared to martial arts, this is pretty... fluffy."

Tamaki sulks against the wall, mumbling. Asami pats his shoulder on her way past. "There, there, drama prince."

"To understand the whole story," Hikaru starts—

"—you have to go back," Kaoru finishes, eyes gleaming.

"How are they doing that?" Asami whispers to Haruhi as a mirage of the memories are being showcased to the host club. Haruhi shrugs helplessly, so completely done with these people for the day already.

Flashback.

A room full of grunts and fierce energy. Mitsukuni moves among the martial artists, precise and powerful.

"He's small, but already club captain?" whispers one.

"Is that okay for a future clan head?" asks another.

Later, he kneels before his father.

"You know what they say about you," his father tells him.

"Yes."

"You must become even stricter. Erase your weaknesses."

"Yes."

"Honey-senpai sealed away all his cute things," Tamaki says, eyes misting. "He tried to become the image of a 'manly man.' But the harder he tried to hide his true self..."

"The more the girls loved him," Asami says, finishing for him, taking a strawberry off of a shortcake nearby and eating it.

Haruhi blinks. "So he got popular by not eating cake?"

"Exactly!" Tamaki declares.

Flashback.

Mitsukuni is stoic, commanding. "Ten-minute break."

Voices chant behind his back. "Spartan Captain... so strict... so manly..."

Then—an unexpected visitor. A bunny puppet peeks around the dojo door.

Mitsukuni follows it, drawn by something long buried.

Tamaki waits behind the building, smiling. "Haninozuka-senpai. Want to start a club?"

"A club?" Mitsukuni echoes.

"A club with sweets. Cute things. Healing smiles. Real strength."

Mitsukuni hesitates. "I'm not interested in... cute things."

But his eyes betray him.

"True strength," Tamaki says, gently, "is being honest about who you are."

Sometime later, Mitsukuni asks his father, "What is true strength?"

His father doesn't answer with words. He invites him to the dojo.

They fight. Mitsukuni wins.

Asami listens, arms crossed, impressed. "He beat his own father? That's insane."

Tamaki continues, "And because of that, the Defense Department begged him never to fight with full power in public."

"Otherwise," the twins gasp, "Japan would be suspected of hoarding WMDs!"

Haruhi laughs. "That's so ridiculous it might be true..."

"So that's why Honey-senpai left the Karate Club," Kaoru says softly.

"And came here," Hikaru adds, gesturing to the room.

Mitsukuni smiles. "But now, Chika-chan hates me completely."

Asami glances over and nudges him with her elbow. "Don't worry, Mitsukuni. If anyone can melt that ice block of a brother, it's you."

Tamaki leaps onto a couch, pointing skyward. "Then it's time for the great Haninozuka Brothers Get-Together battle plan!"

"Yeah!" the twins cheer.

"I knew he'd say that," Haruhi mutters, but there's a small smile playing at her lips.

Asami grins and rolls up her sleeves. "Alright, if we're going to fix a sibling rivalry, we better do it before someone dropkicks a piano again."

"Again?" Haruhi repeats in disbelief.

***

The dojo echoes with the sharp cries of practice. Chika Haninozuka paces the line of Karate Club members as they drill under his watchful eye. ÈHah! Hah! Hah!" the members chant in rhythm.

"Break for ten minutes!" Chika calls out.

A few members sigh in relief. "Okay!" Whispers bubble up.

"It's that, right?" one says. "Captain Haninozuka is so strict. Like, scary strict."

"Spartan Captain," another agrees, nodding solemnly.

"But he's not nearly as skilled as his older brother, right?"

Before the boy can say another word, Chika darts forward and punches—just short of the member's face.

"Eek!"

Chika's voice is like ice. "Don't talk about my older brother when I'm present."

On the far side of the dojo, a group of girls peek in through the windows.

"Look! That's Chika-kun, the captain!"

"He's so pretty!"

"But let's be real—on the cute scale, he's no match for Honey-kun."

"True..."

Chika stares, stunned. Then, red-faced, he slams the sliding doors shut with a loud bang. Inside, the air goes tense. ÈWhat are you looking at?" Chika snaps. "Back to practice!"

"Uh—but we're still on break—"

"Practice at this level doesn't require breaks! What can you achieve with that kind of soft mentality?!"

"Y-Yes, Captain!"

From outside the dojo, the Host Club watches the exchange with mixed expressions. Haruhi, Tamaki, Kyoya, and Asami lean along the railing as the twins start to wander off.

"This is just a sibling complex," Hikaru mutters.

"Classic younger-brother envy," Kaoru adds. "Always being compared. Always coming up short."

"It's so textbook it's boring," Hikaru sighs. "Let's find something else to do."

"Hey, hey, hey!" Tamaki exclaims. "What's with that attitude?!"

"Well, we expected more drama," Kaoru replies flatly.

"What about Honey-senpai's feelings? What about Chika's inner turmoil?" Tamaki laments.

"Tamaki," Honey says gently, "it's okay."

"Honey-senpai..."

"I don't mind if Chika-chan hates me," he says with a soft smile. "If he grows up healthy, that's enough."

Asami lifts an eyebrow. "That's really mature, Mitsukuni."

"He's already taller than you, though," Hikaru points out.

"So he's grown enough," Kaoru says. Suddenly, the dojo doors open, and Chika steps out. His eyes narrow.

"Excuse me. You're all very noisy."

"Uh-oh," Asami murmurs.

"Mitsukuni," Chika says coldly, stepping into a fighting stance, "I told you not to come near me at school!" He lunges forward. Mitsukuni blocks the kick with ease.

"Ahhh!" Tamaki and the twins scream in unison.

"Tsk..." Chika grits his teeth. "You... you alien!"

"Chika-chan..."

"Alien?" the twins echo.

"All because his brother is stronger than him?" Haruhi blinks.

"What's so wrong with bunny dolls and cake?" Tamaki cries.

Chika's fists tighten. "If they were normal cakes and normal bunny dolls, I wouldn't care. But this—this is something else!" He points a shaking finger at Mitsukuni. "Every night, after dinner, he eats three whole cakes! Three!"

Tamaki looks slightly disturbed. "Is... that true?" he whispers.

"Last week, I woke up in the middle of the night," Chika continues, trembling. "There was light in the dining hall..."

Flashback. 

Chika peeks from the shadows.

"Mitsukuni?" he whispers.

His brother sits alone at the table, surrounded by cake and a soft glow.

"Tonight is weekly special cake night," Mitsukuni beams. "Bunny-chan and I made it a tradition! Want to join, Chika-chan?"

"Do you understand how terrifying that is?!" Chika exclaims. "He talks to his bunny! About cake rituals! At midnight!"

"Honestly," Asami says, rubbing her forehead, "that does sound a little horror movie-esque."

"The scary part," Hikaru mutters, "is that I kind of get it."

"I think... he might be right?" Kaoru says.

"We used to be close," Chika says suddenly. "He always liked sweets more than most, but then... he changed. Someone said something ridiculous to him about acknowledging your true self being real strength, and everything went downhill from there." Tamaki visibly winces. Asami deadpans at him, shaking her head.

"Erk," Tamaki croaks.

"So it's your fault he turned into a cake-devouring midnight goblin," Kaoru says.

Tamaki flails. "There has to be a solution!"

Takashi steps forward and places a calm hand on Mitsukuni's shoulder. "There is."

"Mori-senpai..."

Takashi looks at his cousin. "Right, Mitsukuni?"

"I'm sorry, Chika-chan," Mitsukuni says. "I didn't realize you hated sweets this much."

"That's not—" Haruhi starts.

"But," Mitsukuni continues, "I'm thankful to Tama-chan and the Host Club. I won't change who I am now." He raises his head. "So... let's settle this the Haninozuka way. Like men."

Everyone heads to a secluded spot on the academy grounds. Haruhi looks around. "Where even is this place?!"

"Where we hide the bodies," Asami whispers in her ear causing Haruhi to shriek in surprise. She spins around and glares at Asami who is giggling madly. Chika and Mitsukuni face each other, silent and still.

"First to score wins," Mitsukuni says.

"If I win?" Chika asks.

"I'll stop eating cake at night."

"Deal."

"Ready?" Takashi calls.

"Begin!" They clash—Chika sweeps, Mitsukuni blocks, shuriken fly. Pole against steel. For a moment, it's a perfect mirror of their earlier fight in the Host Club—only reversed.

"He's copying Honey-senpai's moves from before," Haruhi says.

"Mitsukuni noticed it," Takashi says quietly. "He wanted to give Chika a chance to do that."

"They admire each other more than they admit," Asami says. "Classic siblings."

"Does that mean you admire me?" Tamaki clasps his hands together with stars in his eyes and hearts floating around him. 

"No." Asami bluntly says and pops the hearts with a toothpick. The twins cackle as Tamaki sulks in the shadows, muttering to himself about his mean little sister.

"I think Mitsukuni's going to let him win," Takashi adds.

But Mitsukuni suddenly flips, kicks, and lands a hit. "Prepare yourself!"

"Ahhh!" Takashi groans. "Never mind."

Mitsukuni leaps in victory. "Yay~! Cake, cake, cake! Three nights a week now!"

"W-Wait—what?!" Chika sputters in disbelief.

Tamaki collapses. "His love for cake exceeds his love for his brother..."

Haruhi shudders. "Terrifying..."

Mitsukuni just giggles to himself. "Fufufu..."

***

Mitsukuni sits quietly, wind tugging at his sleeves. He remembers Tamaki's words:

"To acknowledge what you really like... that's true strength."

He hugs Bunny-chan close and whispers, "I love you, Bunny-chan."

"Nice fight today," Asami says, approaching with a thermos and two cups. "Tea?" He nods gratefully. "Also," she adds, "thanks for not breaking any windows this time." Mitsukuni laughs. "You okay?"

"He called me an alien again," Mitsukuni says, voice faint. "But I think... I get it. Maybe." Asami stays quiet, allowing Mitsukuni to come to terms with his thoughts. "He used to follow me everywhere. We'd train together, make our healthy meals together, even read manga under the covers. But after I joined the Host Club... it's like I became someone he didn't understand anymore." He hugs Bunny-chan closer. "He probably misses the old me. The serious one. The 'Spartan Captain.'"

"Or maybe," she says, "he misses feeling close to you. Maybe he doesn't know how to connect with the part of you that chose sweetness and softness and comfort. Maybe that scares him."

He blinks. "Because I changed?"

"Because you became something he doesn't feel brave enough to be," she says gently. "You don't have to stop being who you are for him. But... maybe he just needs time to believe you'll still be there for him."

"I still love him," he says quietly, taking a sip of his tea.

"I know," she replies and gently bumps his shoulder. "You just have to show him that you do."

***

Hikari's laughter echoes over the whirring buzz of old machines and blinking neon lights. She presses herself up against the Dance Dance Revolution pad, panting, sweat-damp bangs clinging to her forehead. "I beat you!" she exclaims breathlessly, pointing a finger at Kaoru, who's slumped dramatically against the support bar behind him.

"That's not fair," Kaoru groans. "Photographer reflexes shouldn't apply to dancing."

"You're just mad I'm good at rhythm games."

"I'm devastated, honestly." He grins, brushing his hair back and straightening. "My pride's in pieces." Hikari snaps a quick picture of him in that moment—flushed, laughing, and beautiful in the flickering blue and purple lights. "Stop," he says, half-laughing. "You're making me look cooler than I am."

"You are cool," she replies automatically, then blinks. "...I mean, you know. In an arcade rival kind of way."

Kaoru gives her a lopsided smile. "You're kind of adorable."

Hikari fumbles with the camera strap, cheeks warming. "Wanna try that claw machine again?" They head toward the brightly lit glass case together, shoulder to shoulder. The plushies inside are round and squishy, mostly shaped like sea animals and anime mascots. Kaoru scans the options. "That one," Hikari says, pointing at a sleepy-eyed jellyfish with stubby little arms. "He looks like he's contemplating the void."

Kaoru chuckles. "Perfect. Let's rescue him from existential dread." He lines up the claw with exaggerated care, tongue poking out slightly in focus. Hikari pretends not to notice how charming that is. The claw drops, grabs the jellyfish—wobbles—and holds.

"It's got it!" Hikari gasps. The jellyfish flops down the chute, victorious. Kaoru fishes it out and presents it to her with a mock-knightly bow.

"M'lady."

Hikari cradles it like a precious gift. "You're so good at this."

"I'm good at looking impressive on the first date," Kaoru replies, his tone playful.

Her eyes widen slightly, and she laughs, shy but happy. "Oh... so this is a date?"

He tilts his head toward her, smiling. "Isn't it?"

"I guess it is now," she says softly, clutching the plush close to her chest. They spend another hour going from game to game: air hockey (which Kaoru insists on being "unreasonably competitive" about), whack-a-mole (which Hikari completely dominates), and a photo booth that spits out strips of tiny images with filters too cute to take seriously. When they finally sit down for sodas and fries in the little snack corner of the arcade, Hikari scrolls through her camera. She'd taken dozens of photos that day—mostly of Kaoru. And none of them felt posed.

"You don't mind me taking so many pictures of you?" she asks.

"I like it," he says honestly. "Feels like you're really looking at me."

She blushes, eyes darting down. "Well... I am." Hikari grabs it from him triumphantly. "This is a shared custody jellyfish."

"Only if we name it something terrible," Kaoru replies. They lean in for a selfie. She holds the jellyfish up between them, Kaoru flashes peace signs behind it, and the neon lights blur behind them in kaleidoscope shapes. The caption goes up ten minutes later:

🕹️: jellyfish rage date mode 💖 @kaoru_hitachiin

Kaoru looks at the picture and feels a bit smug at how couplely they seem, knowing that Asami will for sure see it.

Across town, Asami stares at her phone with a frown.

The picture is too cute. The casual closeness, Hikari's head tilted toward him—none of it is accidental. Asami's chest tightens. She sinks deeper into the couch in her family's sitting room, her knees drawn up under a blanket. The phone screen glares brighter than the lamp beside her. She double-taps the photo out of habit.

Then unlikes it.

She doesn't know why. She's happy for Hikari. She's just Kaoru's friend. That's all it was supposed to be. So why is her throat closing? She sets her phone down face-down on the table and stares at the wall for a long time. She doesn't know what hurts more: the fact that Kaoru didn't tell her he was actually going out with Hikari, or the way that Hikari looked so happy beside him. Tears silently fall down her cheeks and she lifts her hand to her mouth to stifle her sobs. She just wants this fake relationship with Kyoya to end and for her grandmother to approve of the Hitachiins so she could date Kaoru instead.