It was a quiet afternoon. There weren't too many guests in the host club that day. However, the ever-faithful host club was still more than willing to entertain those lovely princesses who remained.

Daichi was relaxing on a couch with Haruhi. Kyoya was held up in an exam, and, since the last time Kyoya was absent had not gone too well, either Mori or Haruhi had to keep an eye on Daichi at all times. As Mori was entertaining four guests, Haruhi offered to stay with Daichi. The two hosts were already finished with guests for the day.

Daichi was lying on his back on the couch while Haruhi sat by his head. Haruhi was drinking a cup of tea along with the guests while Daichi diligently sipped from a bottle of water, having just finished football practice.

"You did a great job today, Daichi," commented Haruhi in the idle chatter of the room. "I know you've done this longer than I have, but your style is so different from the others. You're interesting to watch."

Daichi giggled. "Th-thanks, but 'yoya -- he d-does the work-- most o-of it."

Smiling back, Haruhi shook her head. "You don't give yourself enough credit. Kyoya-senpai isn't even here." She discarded her now-empty tea cup on the coffee table and turned back to her friend. "Did you see the schedule for after fall break? You're booked out weeks ahead. Whatever you're doing seems to be working."

Daichi nodded. A memory of the color-coded, laminated schedule filtered into his mind. He had seen it on Kyoya's desk for a few days straight now. That was likely why he was taking so long on this exam. Poor Kyoya had spent his time working out details for the host club instead of studying harder.

Daichi was sure it would work out well. It always did, but he selfishly wished Kyoya was there with him. The guests always loved when he and Kyoya were together much more than they loved Daichi by himself. The boy didn't blame them. He liked himself better with Kyoya as well. Regardless of what Haruhi said, he needed his senpai.

Haruhi watched the thoughts run through Daichi's usually dazed features before he shrugged. "B-better than -- than before," said Daichi.

"Before?" Haruhi asked the question without thinking, immediately noticing how Daichi looked away. The boy shifted upright and set his water bottle on the coffee table. Haruhi noticed the buttons he had mismatched on the white shirt under his blazer, and she frowned. Was it really so hard for Daichi without Kyoya? The boy turned to Haruhi and smiled. "Daichi, I didn't mean anything by that. I just--Well, I thought. I don't know. I'm sorry."

"S'okay, Haru," came the soft reply.

At that moment, Kyoya entered the room, and Daichi turned all his focus to him. They met in the middle of the room as Daichi latched around his senpai's waist. Kyoya laughed deeply. "Glad to see you too," he whispered. Then his piercing gaze caught Haruhi. "I trust everything went well?"

Slowly, Haruhi stood and walked over with a half-smile. "Yep, all good."

Kyoya nodded briefly. "Excellent. We'll be going then."

"Nap time?" asked Daichi, a yawn punctuating his question.

With another laugh, Kyoya turned towards the door. "Yes, a nap for you, my little puppy. We'll see everyone tomorrow."

"Bye," called Daichi to the room. A handful of girls said goodbye to the two hosts, and they were almost out the room. Daichi turned and waved once to Haruhi and then left her feeling more confused.

----------

The next morning, Daichi walked into the host club, followed closely by Kyoya. What he saw when he walked in was not at all what he was expecting. The walls were decorated with images of cute puppies: Labradors, Rottweilers, Pitbulls, Terriors, you name it. Honey was helping Mori set the usual tables with tea and snacks. Only, the biscuits looked like actual dog biscuits, and the doilies had cute phrases on them like, "Woof!" "Puppers" and "Arf! Arf!"

Daichi's eyes zoomed around the room at lightning speed, trying to take everything in at once. Eventually, his gaze landed on Haruhi, who stood in the middle of the room with a dog-ear headband on.

Daichi bounded over, confusion etched into his face. "You do?" he asked.

He was more than surprised to see Haruhi blush. "Not just me. I needed Kyoya-senpai's permission, of course. Everyone helped out. Really, I just came up with the idea." Daichi looked like he was about to cry, and Haruhi's smile immediately fell. "Did I do something wrong?"

The boy shook his head quickly, wiping at his eyes with a smile. "H-happy cry," he assured.

"Oh."

Then, Daichi raised both arms before quickly stopping himself. "H-hug?"

Haruhi responded by pulling him into a warm, caring embrace. Daichi returned the favor with a gentle squeeze, careful not to hurt his friend. When he let go, he looked her in the eyes and laughed. She copied him and waved her hair out of her face, the blush returning to her cheeks.

"So," she asked slowly, "do you want a headband?"