Summer break had finally arrived, and Setsuko was enjoying her break from school by waking up at four in the morning to practice her choreography. She had just gotten back from the studio and face planted in her bed when her phone rang. She groaned and slapped her side table until she felt the device meet her hand. Flipping open her phone, she answered.

"ITSUKI!"

"Holy-." Setsuko exclaimed, instinctively throwing her phone halfway across her room, and even though her phone was laying on the floor she was still able to hear Tamaki's voice.

"Haruhi's gone! I've already called everyone, and they don't know where she is! My precious daughter! My little girl! She's gone! Her family must be bankrupt! It's the only explanation! I've been trying her home phone and her dad's work phone for the past several days and no one will answer!"

Setsuko glanced at her clock to see it was six thirty in the morning. She had just barely gotten the chance to sleep and here was Tamaki calling and waking her up. She forced herself out of bed and picked her phone up from the ground, "Tamaki, calm the fuck down."

"That's not nice to say, Itsuki." Another voice said from the line. Kyoya.

"Is... is this a conference call?" Setsuko asked, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"They've been evicted and forced into indentured servitude. We have to rescue them!" Tamaki sobbed, ignoring anyone else that was on the line.

"Haru-chan!" Honey sobbed.

"Boss please, not so loud. Have you tried calling her cell phone yet?" Hikaru asked.

"Cell phone? Why on earth would she have a cell phone?!" Tamaki shouted, making Setsuko pull the phone from her ear for the second time. There was a snap on the other side of the line, "Of course! She was issued one by a secret underground of commoners known as 'The Plebian Exchange'."

"Not to interrupt your delusion," Kyoya started, "But Haruhi is currently in Karuizawa."

"Yeah, she didn't tell you guys? She's there helping one of her dad's friends. Though I guess it makes sense since she didn't want you guys paying her a visit." Setsuko said, then let out a sigh, "But thanks to this call that's exactly what's going to happen."

"Haruhi was... turned out of her home, kidnapped by none other than a friend of her dad's, and forced into servitude in Karuizawa?"

"Moron." Kyoya said.

"She's not forced into anything, Suoh. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going back to bed since someone so rudely woke me up. And before you even say it, no, I'm not going to visit Haruhi with you." She closed her phone with a snap and walked back to her bed and face planted into her pillow before falling back asleep.

***

"Itsuki!" Two voices chimed and Setsuko woke up to the sound of the doors to her room being slammed open. "We know you said you weren't coming with us, but the boss demands it!"

Two hands grabbed her arms before Setsuko was able to process what was happening, and the moment she did she pulled her arms out of their grips, falling face first back into her pillow.

The twins were in her room. She was laying in her bed, in her pajamas which consisted of an oversized T-shirt she stole from her brother and underwear. The girls were free and if the twins saw her secret would be found out. "Who let you into the room?" She asked, not moving her head up from the pillow.

"We just walked in." The twins shrugged. "Your staff knows who we are, so they didn't stop us."

"Those bastards... Get the hell out of my room before I make sure you never have the chance to have any children." Setsuko said darkly, looking at the twins and seeing them flinch from under her gaze.

"Quick question, what's your blood type?" Hikaru asked.

"Red. Blood type doesn't mean shit when you're dead." Setsuko said, the darkness spreading from her and making the twins back away.

"Yeah, we'll just wait outside." The twins said before sliding out of her room and closing the door behind them.

Setsuko pushed herself up and out of the bed as she dragged her feet to her dresser and grabbed some clothes to change into. After she got ready, she opened her door to see the twins crouching in the hallway, struggling to put a bucket of water on top of her door.

"That wasn't meant for me, was it?" She asked, narrowing her eyes slightly.

The twins glanced at each other, "No..."

"Just clean it up before you leave. I'm getting some breakfast." Setsuko said heading to the dining room and leaving the twins behind.

"Itsu-chan! You decided to come with us!" A voice called and Setsuko was suddenly tackled by Honey, the smaller teen wrapping his arms around her as he clung close.

Setsuko sighed, "No, I came down to get food. I don't know about you guys but I actually have things to do this summer so I can't just go to Karuizawa to have fun."

"What do you have that's more important than messing with Haruhi?" Hikaru asked, walking down the grand staircase with his twin by his side.

"Things that are none of your business." Setsuko scoffed. "And I don't mess with Haruhi. Listen, you guys go ahead, but I'm staying here."

"No you're not!" A new voice said, and Setsuko looked towards the doorway to the dining hall to see Kuwata standing them with a smile on his face.

"What are you taking about?"

"A lot's happened these past few months, and you've been looking real worn out recently. You deserve a break so go to Karuizawa with your friends! Your bags are already being packed!"

"What?! But what about morning training, concerts- what about-"

Kuwata shook his head and cut her off, "Suoh told me everything. Now go save your poor friend from forced servitude!"

"You know that's not what happened!"

"Alright men, now lets go get Kyoya and save Haruhi!" Tamaki shouted, and with that Setsuko was once again grabbed by the twins and dragged outside, where a helicopter was waiting for them on the lawn.

And that was how Setsuko found herself sitting in a helicopter, hovering over a bed and breakfast, with Tamaki screaming into a speaker.

"Haruhi!!! Despair not! Daddy's come to save you!"

From where she was inside the helicopter, Setsuko could see the look of dread on Haruhi's face. I'm so sorry.

***

It didn't take long before the helicopter had landed and they were all standing inside, face to face with the owner of the bed and breakfast that Haruhi was helping at- Pension Misuzu.

"Oh my! What dashing young men you are! These hunks must belong to Haruhi!" The owner- Sonoda Misuzu- gushed. "Why don't you call me Misuzu-chi!"

"He's an old friend of Ranka's. They used to work together at the same shop years ago." Kyoya said.

"Well naturally you would know." Tamaki said, obviously annoyed.

"Kill me." Haruhi groaned. "You know, when I told you about my summer senpai, I really thought you wouldn't tell anyone." She said, looking at Setsuko.

"It wasn't me who told them. It was Kyoya. I tried to not come but I was given no choice." Setsuko sighed. "I'd much rather be sleeping if I'm being honest."

"I went into business for myself two years ago, and believe you me, running this adorable little place is like living a fairytale!" Misuzu continued, twirling around as flowers somehow sprouted off of him.

"So then, is Haru-chan like your indentured servant?" Honey asked.

"More like an unpaid intern- or I guess volunteer?" Setsuko said.

"This also happens to be Ranka's preferred way of keeping track of his daughter while he's busy working." Kyoya added.

"What the." Tamaki said, getting closer to Kyoya angrily, "How do you know all of this stuff?"

"Kill me." Haruhi muttered again.

"I'll kill you if you kill me." Setsuko said.

"That's not how these things work."

"Eh, worth a shot."

"Take my little girl under your wing, he says! He practically begged me, and since I still can't afford for the expensive hired help, it works out for everyone!" Misuzu exclaimed grabbing a hold of Haruhi, "She's a model employee really, it's such a shame I can't pay her anything. Oh! Tell me, what do you boys think if this cute little apron she's wearing? I made it myself!" He gestured to the apron.

"You are quite an excellent seamstress!" Tamaki said.

"Yeah, it's cute on her." Setsuko said with a thumbs up, getting a side glare from Tamaki.

"Now, you boys must be tired if you traveled all the way from Tokyo to get here! Haruhi, who don't you take a small break and enjoy some time with your friends. I'll bring out some refreshments for you all!" He giggled and walked towards what Setsuko assumed was the kitchen.

Haruhi sighed, "Well, come on, then."

Once outside, the club sat at two tables that were set up, Mori, Honey, the twins, and Haruhi sitting at one, and Setsuko and Kyoya sitting at another. Tamaki was off sulking in the bushes for some reason. Setsuko couldn't care less and really just wanted to sleep.

"A job, huh?" Koaru asked.

"I don't get it, you turned down our invitation to Bali for this?" Hikaru asked.

"And we even asked her to go with us to Switzerland, didn't we?" Honey said.

"We did." Mori said.

"Yeah, well I still don't have a passport, remember?" Haruhi said.

"Which is why I precisely recommend one of our domestic resorts, with a discount no less." Kyoya piped up.

Setsuko saw the bushes rustle where Tamaki was crouched and a second later, he popped up, staring at the club with a pissed off expression. "Traitors. Asking Haruhi to go on summer vacation with you behind my back? Have you no feeling of loyalty? Of any solidarity? The only man who stuck with me was Itsuki! He didn't invite Haruhi off to some strange land alone with him!"

"Yeah, because I wasn't going off to some strange land. My original plan was staying home and sleeping whenever I wasn't busy." Setsuko scoffed with her head on the table as she twirled a straw in her hand.

Tamaki fell to his knees and hung his head, obviously not hearing what Setsuko had just said as he started to sob. "Togetherness is our guiding principle. I work myself to the bone upholding that, and this is the thanks I get?"

"Why was your cell phone," Hikaru started, completely ignoring Tamaki in despair over by the bushes and addressing Haruhi.

"Turned off?" Koaru finished.

"I just don't think about it really." Haruhi said.

Tamaki perked up from where he was and walked over to the table they were sitting at. "Did you say, you have a cell phone?" He asked.

"We convinced her she should borrow one or ours so we could keep in touch." Hikaru said.

"It's part of a special friends and family plan." Koaru explained.

"Yeah, we're in each other's top five." Hikaru finished.

"Top five?!" Tamaki yelled out. Then he put his finger to his chin, obviously having another one of his daydreams, "Friends and family...? But wait, I'm your daddy and buddy, so I'm in the plan too, right?"

"Senpai, whatever planet you're on, come home." Haruhi said. "Speaking of which, why exactly are you here? I'm gonna have to see you guys every day once the new term starts. Don't I have the right to spend the summer vacation the way I want to?"

"That's what I'm thinking. Hey, I have an idea! Why don't we all jet get up and go and leave Haruhi to do her own thing." Setsuko said, standing up.

Kyoya slid out an Ouran Handbook, "According to the handbook, jobs are prohibited."

"I, uh... had no idea." Haruhi muttered in shock.

"You and I both know this isn't a job. What Hauhi's doing right now is volunteer work, or service. She's not getting paid. Haruhi, don't listen to Kyoya, he's just trying to scare you."

"Hey, did you hear? Haruhi went and got herself a job without the school's permission." Hikaru whispered to Kaoru, though in actuality he wasn't whispering, and everyone could hear him.

"No way...! That's grounds for expulsion!" Kaoru 'whispered' back.

Setsuko just groaned and sat back down, there was no way she was getting back home within the week. She leaned her head on the palm of her hand and watched as Kyoya went to talk with Honey and Mori.

"Or course, you do have the right to spend your vacation as you please. But then again, like it or not. So do we." Tamaki said, getting Setsuko's attention. "And you know, I for one find Pension Misuzu exceptionally charming." His expression dissolved into his usual daydreaming one and Setsuko felt a chill run up her back. Whatever he was thinking could not be good going by the glints in his eyes.

"Uh, Senpai? Hello?" Haruhi asked, trying to get Tamaki to snap out of it, which he did, eventually.

"Alright men! We're going to stay here and support Haruhi as she works! And we'll all be staying here, at Pension Misuzu!" He shouted, at that moment, Misuzu walked out with a few more refreshments in his hand.

"I couldn't help but overhear what you were saying. I'm honored that you want to stay here, and I'd love to have you all as guests, but we only have one room available."

"Only one room, you say? Well, that settles it. I'll have to stay here to represent the club." Tamaki said with a grin.

"Hey! That isn't fair!" Honey pouted.

"Have you no feeling of loyalty? Of any solidarity, boss?" Hikaru asked.

"Togetherness is our guiding principle." Kaoru said.

Man, using his own words against him. Harsh but he deserves it. Setsuko thought with a shrug as she watched the twins grin and look at each other.

"Here's an idea. We bet you'll like it. Why not hold a little competition?" Hikaru asked.

"We call it 'the guest relations odd-jobs contest at Pension Misuzu'" Kaoru continued.

"It's very simple. We all just lend a hand around the place for the afternoon."

"And whoever makes the best impression on Misuzu-chi gets to sleep in the vacant guest bedroom."

"That's brilliant! I think it's an absolutely delightful idea! Yes. The winner of the contest will be determined by how refreshing they are. Remember: refreshing is the name of the game in guest-relations!" Misuzu exclaimed as he danced around.

"Refreshing! Refreshing! Yay!" The twins sang out.

"Now don't go thinking this is going to be a walk in the park! 'Cus I'm planning on working you boys to the bone!"

After that, Misuzu went over the rules. They had to help out around the pension, doing tasks such as fixing a fence, serving customers, or just performing acts that Misuzu considered refreshing. It was pretty simple overall. They would be scored by Misuzu, who would give them 'refresher points' throughout the afternoon. Do something refreshing, get points, do something not refreshing, points get deducted, simple as that.

Once everything was decided, everyone split up to do something around the pension, Tamaki and Honey went out back, Mori went outside, Kyoya went to sit at a table with some tea and his laptop, and the twins decided to welcome guests inside and guide them to their rooms.

Setsuko was too tired to deal with the contest, so she ended up and followed Kyoya to one of the tables set up on a small wooden porch. "Hope you don't mind if I join you. I'm not really gonna talk I just need somewhere quiet to sit."

Kyoya looked up at her and smiled, "Be my guest." He said, motioning towards the seat across from him.

"Kyoya-senpai, and Itsuki-senpai." A voice said and Setsuko looked to see Haruhi walking up to the two of them. "You seem to be keeping your distances from all this."

"Of course. Winning means I'd end up staying here alone, which frankly doesn't appeal to me. I'll just sit back and watch things unfold, then head back to the cottage." Kyoya said, taking a sip of his tea.

"The cottage? You mean your family's?"

"That's right, we all have one in the area."

Setsuko nodded in agreement, just before she left, Kuwata gave her the keys to his family cottage. While he didn't really want her staying there alone, he assured her the security was top notch and she was going to be completely safe. It wasn't like her stalker was going to be expecting her to be there anyways.

"So who's your favorite to win? There must be someone you have in mind. Do you care to bet?" Kyoya asked, breaking Setsuko out of thoughts.

"No thanks. I don't have a clue." Haruhi answered.

"Going by what I've seen, it's either going to be Mori or the twins." Setsuko said, glancing out beyond the fence to watch Mori cut some firewood.

"That would be my guess as well, it's easy enough to tell at a glance." Kyoya said, putting his hand to his chin in thought. "Honey-senpai's brand of cute doesn't quite fit Misuzu's notion of refreshing. So I'm afraid he's out. Tamaki comes a little closer to the ideal, provided he keeps his mouth shut. But we both know the likelihood of that. Ordinarily, you'd figure Hikaru and Koaru. Then again, seems we have a dark horse." Kyoya said, following Setsuko's gaze towards Mori.

"Yeah, but you forget that Mori-senpai doesn't do anything without Honey-senpai." Setsuko said, "Honey drops out of the race and Mori's gone too. Unless Tamaki can pull something out of his ass, I say you're gonna be stuck with the twins here, Haruhi."

Haruhi let out a sigh, "Yeah, I guess your right about that."

"So what I'm hearing."

"Victory will be ours."

Setsuko looked towards the source of the voices to see the twins sitting at a nearby table, also watching Mori chop wood.

"Well, maybe not. I couldn't help but notice that the only room still available is a single bed, so if you did win you couldn't both stay." Haruhi said.

"No big deal. We can just bring another bed over from the cottage." Hikaru said.

"Yeah- or we could even squeeze into the single." Kaoru added.

"How sweet. I guess you guys really are always together, huh?" Haruhi said.

"Always." Koaru said.

"The two of us have always been together since we were born. So we haven't ever needed anybody else." Hikaru explained.

"We never bothered making other friends until a few years ago. We thought the world was made up of idiots." Koaru said.

Sounds kind of lonely. Setsuko thought, the corners of her lips twitching downwards.

"Oh really?" Haruhi asked.

"But then- Well, that was before we knew you." Hikaru said, "We'd totally let you sleep with us."

"Don't be creepy." Setsuko said.

"Uh, thanks, but I'll pass." Haruhi said.

"The contest isn't quite decided yet. There are still a number of ways to make this game more interesting."

"Oh yeah? Thinking about helping the boss, are ya?" Kaoru asked, a certain glint in his eyes as he looked over at Kyoya.

"Were not going to lose. It's no use." Hikaru added.

Setsuko sighed and stood up, "I'm too tired to even watch you guys do all this work. I'm going to go find some place to take a nap."

***

That evening, Setsuko woke up to the sound of the piano. Curious, she got up from where she was laying down and walked towards the source, seeing Tamaki sitting at the piano, playing it with a skilled grace she didn't even know he had.

A sudden crash broke her out of her trance, and she looked to see Kaoru and Haruhi outside on the patio she had been sitting at earlier that day. From where she was standing, she watched as Hikaru ran up to his brother and they started doing their famous twincest act, which sent Misuzu into a congratulatory rant.

Setsuko sighed and pushed herself off the wall she had been leaning on and started to head to Kuwata's cottage. It seemed the winners of the competition had been decided.

__

Ah yes, because... twincest is refreshing... /s

**

Setsuko: I'm a nice person, but I'm about to start throwing rocks at people.

*

Misuzu: I made tea.
Setsuko: I don't want tea.
Misuzu: I didn't make you tea. This is my tea.
Setsuko: Then why did you tell me?
Misuzu: It's a conversation starter.
Setsuko: It's a horrible conversation starter.
Misuzu: Oh, is it? We're conversing. Checkmate.

*

Hikaru:Your future self is talking shit about you right now.

Setsuko: Jokes on them. I'll ruin their fucking life.

*