Kaoru's POV

"Hikaru, I'm off," I waved towards my brother. A limo was visible outside the window, so I took it as my queue to leave.

Hikaru looked up from where he lied in bed. He noticed me, beside the door, about to go. He mustered up a smile, and waved back "Yeah, see you in a bit, Kaoru."

It wasn't hard for me to tell that he didn't want me to tutor Seiran, again. I should be meeting up with him, soon. My brother was always alone when I was away.

Now, I was starting to do that to him, again.

I sighed, deciding to approach him. Gently, I shook his shoulder.

"What is it?"

I chuckled, placing a finger to my lips, as if to say 'don't tell anyone.' "How about you sub in for me, today?"

Hikaru's POV

After my talk with Kaoru, I was the one who ended up walking outside of the house. Nobody would notice that it's me and not my brother.

After all, no one could tell us apart.

Well, I know Haruhi can... And maybe the rest of the Host Club, but I know Seiran can't.

I went inside the limo as my driver left the Hitachiin resident. It was a long drive, so I pulled out my headphones and started listening to music. After some time, my driver told me that we arrived.

I slipped off my headphones, gazing at the Hirai resident. The mansion was very fitting for a family like Seiran's. I guess that's to be expected.

The driver held the limo door open for me, and I stepped out. I couldn't help noticing the three servants, who appeared through the front doors of the mansion. A butler stood in the center and two maids stood by both of his sides.

They all bowed, as the butler spoke up. "Welcome, Mr. Hitachiin, we've been expecting you. I am Shiroya, Mr. Seiran's personal butler and attendant. Please follow me. My master is waiting for you."

"Alright," I said, letting Shiroya guide me inside. The two maids held the doors open for us, then closed them. They parted from me and Shiroya, going in their separate direction.

The interior was pretty nice. My eyes kept it's stare on the chandelier when I was led up the stairs. This entire mansion looked as if it had just been cleaned... I don't know why I feel impressed when I know all rich family estates are like this.

What makes this place so different to me?

Shiroya continued to lead me through the halls. We didn't stop until we stood in front of a grand wooden door. Shiroya knocked on its surface before letting me enter.

Inside, I noticed a few maids, standing towards the side. They all bowed when they saw me.

And there, as the far end of the room, was a desk with a familiar boy occupying the chair.

Seiran Hirai.

He must've heard Shiroya, knocking on the door as a way of saying I was here, yet he doesn't even turn around to acknowledge my existence.

Shiroya was the first to speak, "Mr. Seiran, sir, Kaoru Hitachiin has arrived. Shall I take him to the courtyard?"

His last few words had me confused. I'm supposed to be here to tutor Seiran, right?

Seiran didn't bother to look up. He kept at whatever he was writing, while saying, "Yes. Take him to the courtyard. And make sure the servants follow any of his requests if he needs anything."

What...

"Understood," Shiroya bowed. He nodded to one of the maids. She stepped forward, telling me to follow her.

I didn't bother to argue. The situation didn't make sense to me, but that's what Seiran said. I guess I had to listen and follow the maid.

She took me to the courtyard behind the mansion, where a great fountain stood.

Two other buildings stood, perpendicular to the main mansion, and what filled the giant space in between, besides the fountain, were flowers.

The entire courtyard seemed to be like a giant garden. I saw so many flowers that were in and out of season. So many colors set the area aglow... Surprisingly, I felt myself being drawn to the colorful sight.

"Kaoru-sama, is there anything you need?" The maid approached.

No. There isn't, but I didn't bother to answer.

"I shall get you some tea, please excuse me," she bowed and quickly walked away.

A frown crossed my face as I watched her leave. Apparently, Seiran has maids who don't bother to listen.

I sighed. Then, again, it's not my problem, it's Seiran's maid.

So my attention reverted back to the courtyard.

Taking a walk wouldn't hurt. I got nothing better to do, anyways. Besides, the courtyard looked interesting to me.

It was such a refreshing feeling, to just stand here. The fountain water and the scent of flowers were all that filled the air.

Somehow, Seiran's courtyard reminded me of Kaoru and my grandmother's garden. Flower arranging had always been her specialty. Meanwhile, Kaoru and I don't think we're cut up for it.

I stepped towards a tree peony, nearby, examining the silky flower petals. The peony was in full bloom. I felt like breaking it off the stem, but decided not to. It would be a shame to see a flower like that one wilt and die so easily. Plus, I wouldn't want to know what happens if Seiran caught me doing it.

Then, I head approaching footsteps. My head turned back to see the maid returning with a tray of tea. She politely bowed her head, "I will set the tea inside the greenhouse."

I glanced around the courtyard, spotting the building she mentioned.

"If you would like any tea, feel free to enter," she finished, passing me by. But I quickly stopped her.

"I wouldn't mind having some now. You can take me to the greenhouse."

The maid nodded, "Please follow me."

"Sure," I trailed behind her as she took me to the greenhouse.

Up close, the building seemed to be more large and complicated looking than when I was looking from afar. They thing that bothered me was why someone would have so many flowers when they don't even manage a business involving it.

But then again, Kaoru and I don't even know what we'll be doing in the future. Mom runs her own fashion line, Dad is in the electronics business, and Grandmom does flower arrangement. None of those are really of our interest, but who knows if our opinions will change after a while.

The maid brought me inside and set the tea down on a table. I took a seat, watching her pour a cup for me. She handed it to me and I took a sip. The tea was an interesting flavor, but it wasn't bad. "What kind of tea is this?"

"Oh, nothing special. It's actually a commoner's tea brand. The tea is peach oolong, Master Seiran's favorite!"

He likes commoner's tea... I didn't know that. So it's like the Boss and his interest in commoner's coffee, huh?

I continued to sip my tea while my eyes shifted to look around the greenhouse. In the end, I decided to ask, "So what's with all these flowers?"

"Pardon?"

I repeated what I said, "What with all these flowers?"

"Ah, you mean this entire courtyard!" The maid let out a warm smile. "The young miss really loved flowers!"

I stared at her, motionless, for a few seconds before I turned back, "Ok..."

I sat there for ten minutes, before I got impatient. "Why am I here if I'm not here to tutor?" I asked myself this aloud, but I was hoping the maid would answer me.

"Well, I'm not sure, Kaoru-sama. Master Seiran actually does not need a tutor."

I raised an eyebrow. He doesn't?

"He is fluent at every subject he has been taught, but continues his studies. Tutors are hired just to keep him company, I think?"

"Oh, so this was just a waste of my time!" I finished.

"What? Oh, no, it's not-!"

I wouldn't let her finish. I was just mad. "Where is he? Where's Seiran?"

The maid, flustered by my outburst, quickly led me back inside the mansion. She kept at her fast pace, well aware that I was glaring right at her back.

Stopping at the door, which I knew was Seiran's study, the maid immediately let me in, deeply bowing her head. I stepped through the door, all the servants staring at me.

And Seiran, surprised but amused, turned in his seat to face me. His posture showed no anger, unlike me, with fists clenched tight. It was almost as if he were waiting for me to lash out.

So I did, "Touring your garden? Giving me tea?! You're wasting my time, who do you think you are!?!?" Seiran said nothing. I started to yell, again, "I was hired to tutor you, right? Well turns out you don't need one, do you? Seiran Hirai!"

"Ah! So you were actually willing to tutor me," Seiran mused.

"Why do you think I'm here?" I shot back.

"True, true," he stood up, stuffing his hands into his pocket. "But did you really? Could you really say you wanted to?"

What is he getting at...

Seiran continued, "I can't say anything about when you arrived, since I didn't get a good look at you. But right now, I can tell, just by looking at you. Your eyes tell me that you just wanted to get this done and over with."

My eyes widened.

"Judging by your tone of voice, you never wanted to come. But you came anyway, so you wanted to hurry up and go home," he slipped off his glasses, smirking. "Am I wrong, Hikaru Hitachiin?"

"...!!!" I stepped back, shocked. Since when did he realize it was me?

All the servants in the room exchanged glances with each other. Seiran dismissed them all, except for Shiroya. He took out his phone, searching through its content until he found something and started to read whatever it was.

Seiran Hirai, earlier today: Kaoru, forgive me for the late text. Something came up and I need to deal with it. I apologize for this, but tutoring might not be possible today. You don't need to come today.

Kaoru Hitachiin's reply: I don't? Doesn't matter, but I'm kind of already on my way. A little too late for that. I can just hang out at your place, then."

He tucked his phone back into his pocket, eyes locking onto mine.

I guess Kaoru didn't tell me. I took out my phone to find a message and a few phone calls from my brother. It made me scoff. He didn't not tell me, I just didn't find out until now!

With no other choice, I admitted that I was Hikaru. "Not like I had anything better to do," I groaned.

Seiran brushed a hand through his hair, "Why not help me out with what I'm doing?"

Reluctantly, I nodded. Seiran sat back at his desk and I pulled up a chair next to him. All the papers that laid scattered before me almost overwhelmed me. "What the..."

But Seiran kept at writing and doing some complicated math along the way. "A business partner of ours is struggling with business. I was asked by the next heir to the company to help bring more profit."

I stared at the letters. "What language is this?"

"You should be learning this stuff in Ouran, Hikaru Hitachiin."

"Just Hikaru is fine," I muttered. "And I am learning this stuff, I'm just not really good at them."

Seiran paused for a moment, setting down his pen. "Do you struggle in certain subjects?"

I didn't answer. I knew that I'm alright with all my subjects, but I'm not exactly good at them.

"Would it help if I were to visit the academy, at times, to tutor you?"

His offer was pretty generous, but I thought it was strange to have our tutoring roles reversed, even though it does make sense. He was probably smarter than me. But I honestly don't really care that I'm struggling, but I didn't want to decline. He was able to tell that I'm not Kaoru.

It may have been because of the text and stuff, yet it still peaked my interest. So I told him, "Sure," and gave him my number.

Then, a cup of tea appeared in front of me.

"Thank you, Shiroya." Seiran received a cup, too, and took a sip.

I examined the liquid, recognizing it as the same one that maid gave me earlier. "I was told this is your favorite."

"It is," Seiran continued to write. "What of it?"

"Nothing..." I leaned back, glancing around the room. My eyes wandered towards outside the window. A colorful array of flowers blinded my sight. It suddenly made me realize all the flower vases I the room. Strangely, I had to admit, "The flowers are really nice."

The black-haired male shot his head up with a very genuine smile. "They are, aren't they? She used to love flowers!"

He was practically glowing...

...

"I will see you some time at Ouran, Hikaru," Seiran told me as my limo arrived.

"Yeah, same," I replied.

"Let Kaoru know that I said hello."

"Sure," I shrugged, then got into the limo. To my surprise, Kaoru was inside.

"Did things go okay?" he asked.

I plopped beside him. "I guess. But he found out I wasn't you."

Kaoru sighed, "Well that would be my fault. Sorry, Hikaru. next time, when I go to his place-."

"Actually," I cut him off. "I kind of want to keep coming."

"You do?"

"Yeah," I said, leaning against Kaoru, tired. "I don't know why, it's just that I want to."