55.

Daichi had failed, and Kyoya, as his tutor, had failed.

But that was only the first test. Kyoya and Daichi's sessions became more frequent, and Daichi's grades steadily started improving. Kyoya, however, was growing annoyed by something. Was he impatient?

Daichi stopped dribbling his football to look at Kyoya. It was the winter season now, and both of them were dressed in warm clothes. Kyoya's light pink nose poked up above the scarf around his neck. He pulled it down to speak.

"I don't have the patience for this," he blurted.

Daichi's heart froze with the cold breeze that hit him. "You mean—?"

"It's far too cold out here," Kyoya continued. "We're taking this to my house. Meet me at the host club after school, and we'll go."

"But football!" Daichi said. "I can't miss it. I'm captain."

Kyoya raised an eyebrow, his warm breath showing up in the cold air. "You don't have football practice after school on Wednesdays, only during. How do you not know your schedule?"

Daichi looked down, tugging at his icy blue collar. "I do..."

Kyoya stood, nearly placing his books back into his backpack. "You forgot. Whatever. That's not important. Don't forget to meet with me."

Daichi nodded, and Kyoya walked off, pulling his scarf back onto his face. The other boy hastily shoved his books into his backpack with numb fingers and headed off to the football field to spend the rest of his free period there.

The rest of school went by agonizingly slowly. Daichi couldn't understand why Kyoya had just now invited him over. It's not like it was the first time it was cold. It was early December now, and they'd both spent their time outside studying for the upcoming midterm exams. Why the sudden idea to have Daichi at his house?

Thinking through it was impossible even as the day wound down. Daichi just shoved it in the back of his mind for later and headed over to the host club. He had only been there the one time, and he forgot the way.

While he was walking, a few girls joined him. "Daichi, are you going to the host club?" one asked him excitedly.

Daichi nodded, looking around the hall for a sign as to where the host club might be. Unfortunately there was no bright neon sign.

They all squealed. The second one then spoke up. "Are you finally gonna join?! Tamaki keeps saying you will."

Daichi stopped and turned to one of the girls. With a nervous smile, he tugged at his collar. "Actually, uh— You know where Kyoya is? I, um, need him," he stuttered, face growing red.

A group of new girls gathered, all of them screaming, shouting, and squealing. Daichi's eyes widened in surprise at all the girls now around him. He tried to ask his question better, but there was now no chance with all this pressure on him.

"Hey."

At the sound of the deep, quiet voice, Daichi looked up. There was that tall boy from the last time he visited, Takashi Morinozuka. Mori held out a hand towards Daichi, face expressionless.

"I'll help."

Reluctantly Daichi accepted Mori's hand, and the two went to the third music room, a group of loud girls following the whole way. Once they got to the club, Kyoya was already waiting.

Mori let go of Daichi's hand and went over to Honey, who was sitting at a table with a stuffed rabbit. Tamaki tackled Daichi in a hug.

"Oh, Daichi! You always come back home!" he shouted, rubbing his face against Daichi.

The shorter boy gently pushed him off, looking to Kyoya for help. He just smirked, adjusting his glasses. He took a step forward and put a hand on Daichi's shoulder.

"Tamaki, we have somewhere to be. If you would, let go of Daichi please," he said calmly. He brushed Tamaki off Daichi like a fly and then turned to his friend. "Ready?" Daichi nodded. "Then let's go."

The two turned to leave the room. As they walked out, Kyoya threw over his shoulder, "And Tamaki, please don't call me tonight. We'll be very busy."

Busy with what?

They were just studying. How could it be that hard?