~?~AISHTERU~?~

The night opens under the soft glow of a full moon, silver light casting shadows as an antique carriage glides through the darkness. Kaoru Hitachiin's voice murmurs dreamily, "At midnight, the carriage turns into a pumpkin... But this time, the spell wasn't cast by a fairy godmother. It's something different. Something real."

Cut to Class 1-A, where Kaoru stares dreamily out the window, cheeks faintly flushed. His thoughts linger on the fantasy, but they keep slipping into real faces. One in particular: Y/N, curled sleepily in the next seat, hoodie ears drooping as he nibbles on a snack from his pouch of roasted almonds. Kaoru's gaze softens.

Kazukiyo Soga and Momoka Kurakano start discussing the upcoming post-exam class event. Before any suggestions can be made, Renge Houshakuji bursts into the room with flair, proclaiming, "A Halloween Test of Courage!" The idea electrifies the room.

When Hikaru and Kaoru suggest a little punishment for the losers-a photo and name on the school newspaper's front page-Y/N flinches beside Haruhi. "That's scary..." he mumbles, hands gripping his bunny-eared hoodie. Kaoru instinctively reaches over, brushing Y/N's pinkie with his own under the desk in a tiny, secret touch of reassurance. "Don't worry, little bunny. I'll protect you," Kaoru thinks, glancing away before his brother notices.

As the motion passes, Class 1-A dives into preparations.

-

Back in Music Room 3, the Host Club is dressed in elaborate vampire cosplay. Y/N, Haruhi, and the twins arrive late in their school uniforms, and Tamaki sulks like a disappointed dad.

"Why weren't you three here earlier? Especially you, my sweet baby bunny!" Tamaki laments dramatically, throwing himself toward Y/N with watery eyes.

Y/N giggles nervously, trying to back away. "I-I had class stuff..."

Tamaki's inner theater conjures visions of Haruhi clinging to Hikaru in the dark during the test of courage-followed by Y/N shivering against Kaoru's chest. The thought is too much. "Daddy doesn't like it!" he cries.

The antique carriage reappears in Kaoru's imagination. His voice echoes again: "This... is the spell."

As the trio leaves, Nekozawa emerges from a nearby coffin, volunteering the Black Magic Club's terrifying expertise. Y/N jumps at the sudden movement and hides behind Kaoru, who instinctively holds his arm out protectively. Hikaru rolls his eyes, but his gaze lingers on the sight of Kaoru gently touching Y/N's back.

-

Later, Kazukiyo pulls Haruhi aside in the hallway to confess his nyctophobia. As he stammers out his fear, Y/N appears, biting his lip sympathetically. He offers Kazukiyo a nut snack from his hoodie pouch. "Nuts always help me feel brave," he says quietly, eyes kind. Just as Kazukiyo blushes, the twins show up and overhear everything.

Kaoru's expression flickers. "You should've just told us, Soga-kun. We'd have gone easier on you." His voice is unusually gentle.

The four become "Team B," with Y/N squished between the twins as they walk together into the Halloween night.

-

The academy is dark and eerie under orange paper lanterns and flickering candlelight. Kaoru leans close to Y/N to whisper a ghost story about the Evil Clocktower Witch. Hikaru joins in, his voice low and teasing.

"Don't tell me our bunny's gonna cry," Hikaru says with a grin.

Y/N's lip quivers, eyes wide. "T-That's a real story...?"

Kaoru shoots his brother a look. "Enough, Hikaru. Don't tease him." He drapes his coat over Y/N's shoulders. "You're shaking."

Y/N glances up at him, heart thudding. He's being so gentle again... He tugs at Kaoru's sleeve shyly. "Thank you..."

A skull suddenly clatters down the stairs. Everyone screams-except Haruhi, who sighs-and a creepy figure appears at the top of the staircase. Chaos breaks loose.

Hikaru and Haruhi are caught in a rope net, tangled together. Kaoru and Kazukiyo end up in a dark science room, chased by Mori and Honey in monstrous costumes. As Y/N runs after them, he stumbles, only for Kaoru to grab his hand and pull him into the next room before the door slams shut behind them.

Kaoru pants, leaning against the door. Y/N looks up at him, cheeks pink.

"Th-Thank you..."

Kaoru looks down at Y/N, breathing shallow. "You really should stay closer to me... It scares me when I can't see you." The words fall out before he can stop them.

Y/N blinks, wide-eyed. "You're... scared? For me?"

Kaoru looks away, ears red. "Maybe..."

Meanwhile, Kazukiyo admits he wants to impress Momoka, and Kaoru quietly decides to help him. Y/N notices the soft way Kaoru talks to Kazukiyo and whispers, "You're really sweet, Kaoru... even if you hide it."

Kaoru gives a soft laugh and leans closer. "But I'm only this sweet with people I like."

Y/N's breath catches.

-

When the traps are over and they reunite with the rest of the class, Umehito appears to spook them all with a giant shadow of Beelzenef, cackling with delight. Y/N yelps and accidentally grabs Kaoru's hand again, holding tight. Kaoru squeezes it back, smiling softly down at him.

The next day, the school paper calls Class 1-A "Cowards," but the mood is light. Momoka tells Kazukiyo she admires his bravery, and he walks away smiling bashfully.

Kaoru, watching the scene, murmurs, "I guess the spell on the carriage doesn't last forever..."

Hikaru tilts his head. "What're you mumbling about?"

But Kaoru doesn't answer. Instead, he walks behind Y/N and Hikaru, watching them banter gently, Hikaru still a little flushed from their net entanglement. Y/N laughs sweetly, the sound wrapping around Kaoru's heart.

What will I do when Hikaru turns to someone else for comfort? When Y/N chooses someone else to cling to in the dark?

Kaoru lowers his eyes.

When the carriage turns back into a pumpkin... what happens to the spell I didn't mean to cast on my own heart?