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Chapter 1

Hitomi Itachi

Was he really that devious and calculating? Kyoya Ohtori never really realized that until it was staring at him with blue eyes. Dark blue eyes, actually. The person was Hitomi Itachi, Second Year, Class A. She was a transfer student from France coming to Japan to live with her father. Her parents were divorced and were not exactly on good terms. Her mother was the international president of Mrs. Hitachiin fashion label in France. Her father was the owner of several newspaper columns, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and music labels. In other words, the Itachi family was filthy rich and was direct competitors in several industries with important families like the Ohtori and Suoh family.

Hitomi was in most of Kyoya's classes, especially German and English. She was bright like him, immediately earning her second place among the Second Years. She always smiled deviously, but her tongue was awfully sharp and smart whenever she spoke to Kyoya. Perhaps it was only Kyoya himself who could see right through her smiles and the devious look in her eyes. She was of average height, only around five foot five. Her dark hair was shoulder length and wavy. She had cool, dark blue eyes hidden behind black rimmed, oval glasses.

It had been half a year ago when he first met Hitomi at Ouran and at the Host Club. Before her transfer, Kyoya's father had informed him about her.

"Kyoya," Mr. Ohtori began one evening at dinner, "I believe you are well informed about Mr. Itachi's youngest daughter transferring to your class tomorrow."

"Yes, Father."

"I would like you to get to be courteous to her when she comes and get to know her better."

"Yes, Father."

"She is the second daughter of Mrs. Hitachiin's international president for her fashion brand. Her father also owns many important companies throughout the industries. In these industries we share, we are both competitors and enemies. It wouldn't hurt to become friends with her. It would be especially…advantageous."

"Yes, Father."

"You remember what I told you two years ago about being nice to your allies, but even nicer to your enemies, do you not?"

Kyoya smiled.

"Yes, Father."

Pleasing his father was no easy task. Befriending others for the sake of connections was though. This somewhat reminded him of when he first met Tamaki. But in the back of his mind, he hoped that the second daughter of the Itachi family wasn't an idiot like him. But certainly, Kyoya did not expect to meet his female counterpart.

The day came when the second daughter of the Itachi family was transferred to Ouran. Kyoya, Tamaki, and Ayame were called into the vice-principal's office to meet Hitomi Itachi. Tamaki was up to his regular attitude, complimenting and showering her with comments. Hitomi did not flush, but she smiled at him warmly. The moment Kyoya shook hands with her, he could feel her confidence and control within her firm handshake. He always had the confidence to see through others while others could not see through him. The first person to ever be able to see through him was his idiot best friend Tamaki, but this was the first time that he couldn't see through another person. Perhaps it was Hitomi's dark blue eyes and smile that prevented him from seeing right through her completely.

She got on well with Tamaki, conversing with him in fluent French about French aristocracy. Ayame and Hitomi did share few studying tips with each other. All Kyoya had in mind was to please his father by gaining another profitable connection. Kyoya began with casual conversation with Hitomi, eventually their conversation leading to the subject of their family's business. So far, it was beginning to turn out reasonable enough.

His surprise came when she showed up at the Host Club that afternoon. Apparently, Ayame had brought her to it. Haruhi hosted her. As Kyoya watched the progress of the Club, he noticed that Hitomi was not easily swayed with sweet words and attention. That was pushed out of his mind when he attended to the customers with books and other items of the Host Club.

As he stood at the side taking notes in his black binder, Hitomi appeared next to him. Her hands were folded neatly behind her when she said, "Ha, I should have known that the youngest son of the Ohtori family also had the smile of a devious devil." He shut his binder with a snap and looked down at her with an appraised look. She smiled at him, and Kyoya realized that it was almost like looking through a mirror.

Her smile had given herself away. He could see right through her now, and she could do the same to him. Hitomi didn't say anything else to him afterwards. She gave him a deceitful smile before walking off. He may as well have met his match.

Kyoya did. Her abilities were at the same level as his in every class. She particularly excelled in German and Physics, two of Kyoya's favorite classes. It was common talk between the second years how Hitomi Itachi could incidentally beat the unbeatable Kyoya Ohtori on midterms and finals. When midterms came around, Kyoya came out in first place and Hitomi in second place.

"I have underestimated you, Kyoya. My father told me that your abilities were a force to be reckoned with." Hitomi replied as she stared at the results of the finals as Kyoya stood next to her. "I should not have belittled his warning."

"You are too kind, Miss Hitomi. You almost had me worried about the finals though." Kyoya answered with a refreshing smile. Both of them chuckled casually with smiles while their eyes coolly glared at each other. The atmosphere around each other was like a terrible thunderstorm. In a nutshell, each considered the other to be a threat.

Tamaki shuddered as he stood by both. Their attitude to each other was just chilling. "Shall we get to the music room then, Kyoya?" He asked.

"Ah, yes. Miss Hitomi, will you be joining us at the Host Club this afternoon?" Kyoya asked.

"Oh no. I am more contented with the library instead." Hitomi replied smartly. "Good day, gentlemen."

That afternoon, the Host Club sat around the music room after the last customer was gone. Kyoya was plugging away at his laptop while the other members conversed with each other. There was a knock at the door and Hitomi stepped inside. She was smiling that clever smile of hers as she approached the Host Club.

"Ah, Miss Hitomi!" Tamaki cried.

"Please pardon my intrusion… Kyoya, I found the binder you left inside the classroom." She answered. She lifted it up to show him. She continued on, "I couldn't help myself to look through it though. I found all sorts of interesting things planned for the Host Club and themes and such. I made several changes of my own that might appeal more to your customers. I also added a few more themes, which you might find interesting enough to suggest. The items you sell are quite interesting to boot so I have added several of my own suggestions."

"…?!"

"I thank you for finding my binder, Miss Hitomi." Kyoya began, taking the binder from her. "But it is not your choice what the Host Club does to please its customers."

"That is your opinion, Kyoya. I suppose that you will lose the extra profit that could be gained from my suggestions. Isn't that what it really is all about?" Hitomi replied with a devious smile. "The profit in the end is what really matters."

Chills ran down the spines of the Host Club (except Kyoya). Hitomi's grin especially gave Haruhi shivers. She was like the Shadow Queen.

Without another moment of hesitation, Kyoya said, "Then I shall look over what you have written. But do not think you will gain a profit from your ideas, Hitomi."

"Oh my, but I do expect a profit from my ideas, Kyoya. If you do not, then I would have no other choice but to declare that you are stealing them without my consent."

"Your word gives the Host Club your consent."

"It isn't written on paper. You don't have proof without a contract and my legal signature that gives you my permission to use my ideas."

"So how much were you thinking?" Kyoya asked without hesitation. It wasn't normal for Kyoya to easily bend towards another's will. It seemed like Hitomi knew which spots to hit in order for her to get her way. This irritated him quite a bit.

"Thirty-five percent."

"Fifteen."

"Thirty."

"Twenty-five."

"Deal." Hitomi and Kyoya shook hands on it. He could feel her firm grip in his hands very much like when he first met her. "Just hand me a contract and I will gladly sign it. Good doing business with you, Kyoya." She replied. She turned on her heel and left the music room.

"Ha, she's a lot more calculating than I thought…"