Emi

As Eri began leading the way to the game room, I took that as a chance to drop back and study everyone. It was unusual for her to be outgoing like this, which gave me all the more reason to be curious. She’s not the type to start a conversation with someone unless she’s known for years, let alone when that someone is male. She’d never quite told me what it was about them that made her uneasy, but I had an idea. It’s not something I’d like to be proved right, so I”ve just let it be.

As a result of my falling back, I found myself next to Haruhi. I was slightly surprised, realizing that he hadn’t even said anything since they’d showed up. He must have been standing behind someone, he didn’t even seem to be in the room when we were talking before.

“Hello,” I greeted him, turning my attention away from the others.

He was much more interesting than my sister’s bizarre behavior.

“Hello, Emi-san,” he replied with an apologetic smile. “I hope that we didn’t intrude on something. No one seemed to want to listen when I said it wasn’t a good idea to suddenly barge in on you like this.”

Any irritation that might have invaded my response fled with his smile. He was too cute for his own good.

“It’s fine, I don’t mind as long as Eri’s fine with it.”

Lies, I would rather that they hadn’t shown up. I just couldn’t seem to say it to his face.

“That’s good.”

“Are you two coming?”

It was one of the twins. I glared in their direction to discover that we’d fallen quite a bit behind. The rest of the group had already reached the game room. Haruhi and I looked at each other and I rolled my eyes.

“They’re impatient.”

“Like children,” he agreed.

“Well?” he called again. If I had to guess, I would say it was Hikaru. He seemed to speak first and I was also starting to realize that he had his hair parted a certain way.

“We’re coming,” I snapped, temper flaring a little as we drew even with him.

Did he really have to interrupt the first private conversation I’d had with Haruhi? Really? Hikaru simply grinned, stepping through the door after we did. Everyone else had already gathered around the dart boards and started discussing teams. Due to the uneven number, one group ended up having three people. Beyond that, the way it fell was pretty predictable. Kyoya and Tamaki were on a team with Haruhi, followed by Honey and Mori, Hikaru and Kaoru, and Eri and I.

Surprisingly enough, despite the fact that Eri and I played the game all of the time, we didn’t come close to placing first in the little tournament. Honey and Mori had come out far ahead. Besides Eri and I, no one else seemed startled by that. The three groups remaining, however, were pretty evenly matched. It was easy to tell that Kyoya wasn't used to losing from the annoyed look on his face, and that ended up placing them, narrowly, ahead of the Hitachiin twins and us.

“If we win,” the twins spoke up together right before Hikaru’s turn. “Then you have to start coming after school regularly without arguing.”

I blanched, turning my eyes to Eri. I was startled to find that she didn’t seem disturbed by the idea. Instead, she looked thoughtful. Scowling, I turned my attention back to the twins.

“And if we win?”

They looked at each other and smirked.

“We won’t bother you in class for a week.”

Hesitating, I figured the dart I was holding between my fingers. It wasn’t a bad idea… My eyes flickered to the other host club members who weren’t speaking up on the matter. Most of them seemed to have encouraging expressions. Maybe they thought we’d be able to win?

“We’ll take it,” Eri spoke up, interrupting my thoughts. My eyes darted to her in surprise.

We would?

“Great.”

Hikaru faced the board, throwing his darts one after another. Each of them hit the bulls-eye.

What.

The.

Hell?

Eri burst out laughing and soon dissolved into a coughing fit. I left my position to put a hand on her back, receiving an annoyed look in return. She waved me off and I simply put my hands up, backing up a few steps. I then noticed that Hikaru and Kaoru looked rather pleased with themselves. Hikaru walked up to remove his darts from the board and then turned so that his grin was directed at me.

“Watch me,” I growled, stalking over to my place.

Turning over the dartin my fingers, I took a deep breath and focused. Bulls-eyes weren’t that hard. Heck, he’d made it look easy. I chanced a glance at Eri, who had returned to simply watching with a thoughtful look on her face. Kyoya was standing nearby, looking as if the outcome of the bet had already been decided. Behind me I could hear Honey asking about the chance of having cake after this.

Focus, I told myself. I could beat him and show them.

One after another, I threw the darts, matching his bulls-eyes. A relieved sigh escaped me as I walked to take the darts down.

“Told you.”

Hikaru’s annoyed look vanished as Kaoru stepped up with his darts. Kaoru was wearing a similar look to his brother’s, not an ounce of concern about the outcome showing.

“Don’t worry, I’m just as good as Hikaru,” he said, raising his hand.

I cursed as he matched his brother’s throws. When had they suddenly gotten so good?

Eri stood up as Kaoru gathered his darts and stepped away. Her expression hadn't changed this entire time except for the moment when she'd laughed during Hikaru's turn. I silently noted that as she raised one of her hands, the dart in it was trembling.

Surprisingly, two of her darts hit the bulls-eye. I crossed my fingers, once again sticking my tongue out at Hikaru.

"If there's a tie?" I teased, turning my attention away from her for a second.

In that moment I heard the dart hit the board. A broad grin crossed Hikaru's face as he gestured in that direction.

"No need to think about that," he said.

With a sinking feeling, I turned my eyes back to the board. The dart had strayed short of the center by an inch. Eri offered me an apologetic smile as she smoothed out the skirt of her dress with her shaking hands. I couldn't push away the feeling that her hands weren't the reason for her hit, instead my mind locked on that thoughtful expression she'd had the entire time.

She wouldn't...

"So," Kyoya spoke up, drawing my attention. "Who would you like for me to sign you up for?"

If looks could kill, he would be dead right now.

Eri snickered, and I turned the look to her. She put her hands up, seeming more amused than anything.

"Sorry," she offered.

"I don't think you are," I countered.

The twins slung their arms over my shoulders as Haruhi shot me a sympathetic look.

"She wants to visit with us," Hikaru said.

"Over my dead body," I growled. "Get your hands off of me."

"Play nice," Kaoru replied.

I was really beginning to hate that phrase.

They were both smirking as I attempted ducking out of their arms and failed.

"Be nice to your sister!" Tamaki declared, sweeping forward and pulling me out of their arms.

Sister?

"Daddy will save you!"

Hell no. Kill me now.

____________________________________

After playing a few more games they all loaded back up in their vehicle and left. Thinking of the dart incident, I avoided agreeing to anymore of the twins’ bets while they were here. When Eri and I were finally alone, I could feel her resisting the urge to laugh as I walked back to the dart board and started playing on my own.

"Now, now, don't be a spoilsport," she said, perched on a chair. She'd stopped trying to hide her exhaustion once they left. "The Hitachiin's won fair and square."

"Did they?" I challenged, watching my darts hit their mark.

"Of course," Eri replied, not a shred of guilt in her voice. "Why would you doubt it?"

"I have no idea," I grumbled.

Eri laughed, which turned into a cough. Frowning, I pocketed my remaining dart and turned my attention to her.

"Are you okay?"

Scowling, she moved out of the chair and adjusted her dress, refusing to look at me. Annoyance flickered through me.

"Eri."

"I'm fine."

Without giving me a chance to say anything, she started towards the door of the game room.  I wanted to stop her and make sure she was going to rest, not study, but I had a feeling that I’d just be brushed off. Eri hated being fussed over at times like this. If I even mentioned that maybe she should stay home again, I had no doubt I’d get the evil eye.

Which reminded me, it looked like our game was out for tomorrow. With the twins in our class, I had no doubt that we’d be unable to get away with playing the game where we freak people out by being in two places at once, basically pretending to be one person and popping out from different places to talk to people, acting with completely different personalities. With our secret revealed, I guess tomorrow would just be a normal day.

Sighing, I collected the rest of my darts and put them away before heading to my room. I might as well work on my sketches since Eri would probably skewer me if I interrupted her “rest”.

_________________________________

Not surprisingly, Eri attracted a lot of attention on our next day of class. Eyes were settled on the two of us, as if trying to distinguish any difference. For this purpose, we'd gotten ready for class together. The little argument we'd had was forgotten with her excitement over tending class as herself. Her reasoning seemed to be that if she was there herself, not having to pretend to be me, then she'd get a lot more done. I shrugged my shoulders at that, it seemed to be a bit of a stretch seeing who we were stuck with as classmates.

After everything was over, I was only partly startled when two hands seized me and started out the door.

"What do you think you're doing?" I snapped, struggling as my eyes caught sight of Eri calmly gathering her things as she talked with Haruhi.

"Kidnapping you," the twins chorused.

"I was going to come," I grumbled.

When we hit the hall I twisted, pulling myself out of their hold. Huffing, I swatted my hair from my face and turned to face them. My arms automatically crossed my chest, an annoyed look taking over my expression.

"Really?" Hikaru asked as the twins paused, tilting their heads.

"I doubt that," Kaoru added.

Sighing, I gave them the best glare I could as I took the steps down the hall needed to pass them.

"I don't go back on bets," I retorted.

I could hear Haruhi and Eri leave the room when I was about halfway down the hall. The twins were saying something annoying, but I'd managed to tune them out so I had no clue what it was. Hesitation flooded through me as I considered turning around. I wasn't going in that room without her. As if sensing this, I heard Eri pick up her pace as she muttered something to Haruhi. A second later she sidestepped a twin and paused next to me, a small cough escaping her before she offered me a brilliant smile.

"Told you class would be fun."

I snorted, rolling my eyes at her choice of conversation. Of course she'd still be thinking on that.

"I'm sure it was."

My tone caused her to narrow her eyes, a second later she was off on a tangent about how important education was. She even caught the twin's attention, as they quit trying to talk to me and instead started teasing her about all of it. By the time we got to the music room Eri was bright red and the twins were wearing satisfied smirks.

"My daughters!" Tamaki declared as we stepped in. A second later Eri and I were pulled into a hug.

Kyoya cleared his throat and Tamaki let us out of his death grip before giving us a broad smile.

"Let's get ready, shall we?"

After that Eri and I ended up sitting on the twins couch as the hosts prepared for the club. I couldn't help the scowl that found my lips as I sulked in my seat. This was so annoying. I was going to have to sit here and watch girls crawling all over them. I had no doubt that the purpose of the host club was just that, it had to be a front to attract girls to the boys. Everything that I'd heard at our old school, the few weeks we'd been there, lended to that idea.

When the time came, I somehow managed to find myself seated between the two twins while Eri was whisked away by cake boy. My scowl grew a bit deeper at that, seeing as I'd much rather be enjoying sweets than being flounced about like a toy.

"Hikaru," Kaoru whined, looking at his brother as the girls watching clasped their hands together. I could almost picture hearts taking the place of their eyes. "You don't like her more than me, do you?"

Hikaru leaned over me, gripping his brother's chin.

"I could never like anyone more than you, Kaoru," he answered, staring into his brother's eyes.

... what was I witnessing?

"Hikaru..."

"Kaoru..."

"Gag," I added in, glaring at them. "How about letting me out from between you two before you start being disgusting."

The girls were busy squealing, taking their attention off of the boys for the moment. In that same second they both looked at me and smirked, Hikaru letting go of his brother as the raised both their hands and shrugged.

"I don't see you moving~" they chimed.

"Well, now you do," I snapped in response, squirming to the edge of my seat.

"No escape," Hikaru said.

Dammit. He sounded like they were having fun, I realized as they pulled me back. Somehow I was even more firmly wedged between the two of them. Fuming, I crossed my arms and I was almost certain that a pout was obvious on my face.

"I don't want to be here."

"We have a bet," Kaoru pointed out. "You have to be here."

"Not between you two while you do some disgusting twincest act!"

At that moment Eri suddenly showed up, holding a plate of sweets. My eyes were stuck on the treat, my frustration suddenly forgotten.

"Tell me that's mine," I demanded.

"Only if you behave," she answered, holding it just out of my reach. "Calm down and be polite, and I'll give you the plate.

Just as I was about to agree, something caught the twins’ attention and they both stood up. Surprised, I relaxed a little, glad to finally have some personal space. Before I could ask about their sudden change in heart, a huge crash came from a different part of the room. Shock flooded through me as I turned to stare.

Haruhi and the girl he'd been talking to were sprawled on the floor in an awkward, and slightly compromising, position. The girl was yelling about something, and at the same time both of the twins surged across the room. She didn't even have a chance to notice what was going on before they'd both picked up a pitch and dumped it over them, effectively shutting her up.

Just when Tamaki was joining in on the fun, Eri tapped my arm, drawing my attention back to her. She had the plate in her hands, but what was more concerning was the pale shade of her skin and the look in her eyes. It was a look she rarely showed, but I knew what was about to happen.

"What's-" I began.

"I think I'm going to be sick," she muttered under her breath, shoving the plate at me. I took it in my hands and surged to my feet.

I’d opened my mouth to speak, but she fled the room befor I could get a word out, just as I’d thought she might. Without hesitating, I dropped the plate and surged out after her. I found her a few moments later. Eri had taken refuge in the bathroom, her knees up to her chest and her head laid against the wall. She looked even paler than she had in the room, her eyes squeezed shut. It was like she was trying to catch her breath. It was the same position I’d caught her in a few times before when boys had gotten just a little too close.

It was what made me think I knew what her problem was, even if I’d never ask.

“Eri,” I breathed, crossing the room and sliding down next to her.

I didn’t say anything else, instead just drew her against me. Eri’s head slid down to my shoulder, tears welling up in her eyes.

“I didn’t mean to freak out like that,” she whispered. “I… I remembered something, that’s all.”

I bit my lip, trying to decide whether or not to ask her about it. Questioning her when she was sick was something, sometimes she’d be willing to actually tell the truth. This, however, was the one thing she wasn’t willing to share.

“It’s alright,” I murmured back, running my fingers over her hair. She shuddered, but relaxed completely against me. “I’m here. No matter what you’re remembering, it can’t hurt you now.”

Eri squeezed her eyes shut even tighter and the tears began slipping down her cheeks.

“They’re going to wonder why we’re going,” she whispered.

“Let them wonder. We can stay here as long as you need.”

________________________________________

By the time we made it back to the club all of the girl's had cleared out. Haruhi wasn't anywhere in sight, but just as the twins noticed and started in our direction, I heard Tamaki speak some very soft, but very shocking words.

"Haruhi... are you a girl?"

My eyes shot over to where he was. Tamaki was standing outside a changing room, shock on his face.

... what did he see?

"Biologically, yes."

I must have turned ten shades of red. I'd all but flirted with a girl, while under the impression that she was a guy. ... what a great story to tell one day.

At least I hadn’t asked her out.