A/N: So, I'm not that knowledgable about the layout of a foreign university given that I'm not going to Japan until this September (another reason I've been putting off writing this). As such, I'm basing this off of my knowledge of universities in general (seeing as I'm attending one). I may go back and edit this at a later point once I actually have an idea of how Japanese universities are laid out.

Also, I realize this may not be quite obvious as I need to go back and check to see if Cande has ever described herself (and I'll definitely edit it in if she hasn't) but unlike the picture on the cover (it was fanmade and I really appreciate the effort for it, it's wonderful) Cande has a rather dark tan. Which would sorta stand out among all the characters you see in OHSHC, as she's not near, near the milky or light tan color you see on most of them. The reason I felt the need to point this out will appear later in the chapter. :3 Hope you enjoy, and sorry for the wait!

"And that building there is the College of Health and Human Sciences, doubt you'll be having many classes in there at this point. It's called Nakamora Hall, after the Prime Minister. He donated a majority of the money that was used to construct it- the building was finished only this year," Subaru commented, his gaze flickering to me curiously as he finished speaking. "I have to wonder what he had in mind- donating all that money towards one university building."

I simply adverted my eyes, well aware of his point and not about to confirm his words. Instead, I studied the building. It stretched around four stories in all with the majority of the walls being constructed with glass window panes. In my mind I couldn't help but note that Elias would probably have a field day with that building given his obsession with that sort of thing.

In response to my lack of reaction, Subaru's lips twisted into something of an amused smirk as he shoved his hands deep into his pockets.

"I'll take that as a confirmation," he answered simply. "There's only one other building I have left to show you- I see no reason in pointing out the residence halls given that you're obviously living at home. That one there, the student union, is where a majority of campus events take place when they aren't being hosted in the courtyard. That is also where we're stopping to eat because I'm starving."

I simply blinked, staring at my guide for a moment.

"I'm not hungry," I replied pointedly.

He shrugged, a dismissive gesture if I'd ever seen one.

"And?"

"I was right, you are rather full of yourself."

Subaru simply shrugged again and started towards the building he'd indicated while speaking. As he glanced back at me over his shoulder, he offered a simple raise of his brow.

"Are you coming or not?"

Hesitation swept through me. I could have a snack with a cute college boy who happened to be younger than me, or call my driver so he could take me home to my pregnant mother and my step-father.

"Yeah, coming!"

__________________

"So, tell me, why are you taking courses here?" Subaru questioned, his chopsticks nudging about food on his plate.

I frowned.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Prime-minister's daughter--"

"Step-daughter."

"In my head translates to rich girl who can afford to be in college as long as she pleases. There's no need for you to be in a rush- you have all the time in the world. So, why are you taking courses this early?"

I scowled in response, dropping my chopsticks to point a finger at him.

"And you aren't rich?" I retorted. "Genius-fifteen-year-old-in-college-san?"

"Nope."

"Wait, you're not?"

Subaru shook his head, an amused smirk on his lips as he plucked something off of his plate and deliberately took his time plopping it into his mouth and chewing.

"Nope, used to be dirt poor, actually. My father's had a bit more success business wise in more recent years, so I can at least boast having a bit of pocket money. Don't you remember me saying I was a scholarship student?"

"But..."

"I'm going to Ouran?" he guessed. "Yeah, did you forget the boy genius, part? I can get into any college I want as long as I woo the right people and hit the right test scores. Meaning, I can land myself cash pretty early- graduate and completely change the whole 'dirt poor genius' thing. So, what's your deal?"

I hesitated and slowly picked my chopsticks back up. Rather than reply right away, I took a bite of the mixed vegetable plate laid out before me. Subaru, seemingly patient, plucked a piece of chicken from his own.

"... impatience," I answered after a moment. "I'm impatient is all."

He cocked a brow, prompting me to continue. My eyes dropped to my plate as I considered how much was appropriate to share with a stranger. After all, I was well aware that information about my situation would sell well once the press had fully caught ahold of my presence in Japan.

"It's rather boring," I added after a moment. "Simple, really. I watched my dad die and learned life is short. You only have so much time and... well, I'm impatient to get started. The sooner I take classes, the sooner I can graduate. See? Boring."

Subaru seemed to muse this over for a moment, picking up another piece of chicken from his plate.

"I see," he announced after a moment. "I'll assume that is also the reason you requested a nutritional pamphlet before you would order anything?"

Unable to help myself, I tensed. My lips twisting into a scowl once again.

"You have no idea what the put in their food. It's only natural to want to know what you're putting in your body," I pressed. "That chicken you just put in your mouth is about as healthy as eating a shoe!"

He chuckled.

"I'd imagine just a bit more than that. Leather isn't easy on the digestive system."

"Haha, funny."

"I'm hilarious, I know," he replied simply, his sharp eyes still focused on me. I shifted uncomfortably as he studied me, cocking his head to the side. "So, just to be clear, then. The reason you've decided to enroll in college courses is simply because you're ambitious and obsessed with death?"

"That's... that's a horrible way to put it," I muttered.

"Perhaps," Subaru mused. "But I think that's the way I'll be looking at it. Interesting, really. Our stations in life are so different, but ambition managed to lead us to this spot, eating across from each other as if we're old friends."

"... you're strange."

Subaru laughed and I had to resist the urge to press my hands to my cheeks, as I could feel a faint heat touching them at the way it lit up his face.

"I've heard that before," he replied, his tone simple. "And it probably won't be the last time. Still, I've already decided that you're just as strange, so... I don't believe you have a good position to be calling me strange from."

"Hey!"

In response to the indignant expression that flooded my face, he simply laughed once again. Just as I opened my mouth to challenge his words, however, the sound of someone calling his name hit the air. Curiously, I looked around and managed to spot a bookish looking brunette waving at us from across the room. Subaru's amused expression stayed in place as he raised a hand in response. Seemingly encouraged, the brunette joined us within minutes. Without waiting for permission, he sat himself down at one of the empty chairs and took up a rather teasing expression.

"Really hope I'm not interrupting," he announced. "I'd feel really bad if I cut in on Chibi-kun's date."

The only visible reaction Subaru displayed to the nickname was the almost unnoticeable tensing of his jaw. Within seconds his expression had smoothed over and I almost wondered if I'd imagined it in the first place.

"I believe the last time you called me that," Subaru replied in a pleasant, friendly tone. "I told you that I'd drag you to the judo club and show exactly how I earned the champion title before I graduated high-school."

The brunette paled slightly, raising both of his hands in a sheepish manner of surrender.

"Gotcha, gotcha, sorry Su-kun."

"... that's..."

"Adorable," I finished for Subaru, unable to help myself.

"Su-kun it is," the brunette declared, glancing at me with a grin. "Oh, sorry there, I forgot my manners, huh? The name's Tsukuda Yusei. What about you, cutie foreigner?"

I blinked a few times, not quite able to believe my ears.

"... cutie... foreigner?"

Yusei grinned, dropping his hand down on the table.

"Well, yeah! You sorta stick out, you know? In a good way. Su-kun sure knows how to pick--"

"Did you have a point when you chose to join us, Tsukada-san?"

"You're so cold Su--"

"The point," Subaru broke in, his perfect smile faltering as a frown almost broke through. I didn't bother to hide the amused smile that colored my own face in response. "We're in the middle of a tour of the grounds. We don't have time to waste, you know."

"You're so mean to guys, Su-kun," Yusei complained. "Fine, fine. You know how my dad's unveiling that new amusement park this weekend?"

Subaru cocked a brow, as if silently telling him to get the point. I couldn't help the small giggle that escaped my lips. It would seem that the slight charm- slight being the key word- that he'd been displaying was reserved for the opposite gender. I would have to remember that.

"Right, well, I got told I could bring whomever I wanted to the opening and I was inviting some girls, but--"

"I see," Subaru cut in. "They don't want to come unless I'm there."

... had he really just said that?

Yusei deflated, his chin settling on the table. Subaru pointedly shifted his food to the side so that it wasn't next to his friend's face.

"... yeah."

Wait, that was really the reason? I stared at him surprise. I mean, sure, Subaru wasn't that bad-looking, okay, maybe pretty damn hot, but... still. There was a limit to how many talents a guy could have, right? Boy genius, apparently a judo champion, and now a lady's man?

Was he real?

"So, will you come?" Yusei pressed. "Please? C'mon, I promised the guys that there'd be a lot of cute girls. I talked them out of a mixer for this." He glanced at me, then back to Subaru. "You could even bring your cute girlfriend!"

"I'm not his girlfriend!" I cut in. "We just met."

"Oh, in that case--"

"Fine," Subaru cut in with a sigh. "I was planning to catch up in my classwork, but that doesn't sound horrible either. Now, will you leave?"

Yusei wrapped his arms around Subaru's shoulders from the side, sending turning Subaru stiff as a board.

"Get off of me."

"Thank-you so much!"

"Dammit, you pervert. Get the hell of off me."

"So Genius-san doesn't like being touched," I mused aloud. "Not a very promising characteristic for a lady's man."

Only then seeming to remember that I was still there, Subaru seemed to get even stiffer than before. Yusei laughed, releasing Subaru and surging to his feet.

"Nope, not a bit!" he agreed. "Oh, and I wasn't joking, of course. You're welcome to come as well, cutie foreigner~"

"Cande," I interrupted.

"Cande-san," he corrected himself. "Bring anyone you like! The more people between Su-kun and the girls the better!"

Then, something across the room seeming to catch his eye, the boy took off.

"Yuuuuuki-chan~!"

"Well, that's that," Subaru commented, dropping his eyes to his food. "Come if you wish."

"... really?"

"Yeah."

Bring anyone I like, huh?

"It's cold..." he muttered. "That bastard."

I chuckled.

"You seem to get along well..."

"... right. Let's return to the tour."