Two Can Be As Bad As One (Hikaru x Oc x Kaoru)

When we all entered the building, there were numerous chairs and tables already set out for the customers coming this evening. There was also a bar and a stage with a catwalk, four microphones and stands and a large, white screen which is what the lyrics would be projected on.

"Close or away from the stage?" Kaoru asked and looked at Hikaru for the answer.
"Close." He assured. "Better view of the performance." Kaoru and I agreed but then I saw that the real reason Hikaru wanted that spot, was because it was also closest to the bar. I think Kaoru saw that too.

"You didn't tell me you liked a drink, Hikaru." I smiled and he shrugged it off.
"It's a guilty pleasure." He grinned and we sat around the round table with four chairs.

"So what should we talk about?" I asked with my elbows on the table and head in my hands.
"Whatever comes up." Hikaru shrugged.

"You speak Swedish, right?" Kaoru asked.
"Yeah."
"What other languages?"
"I speak five. Swedish, German, Russian, Japanese and Spanish." I replied confidently, counting them on my fingers.

"How do you know so many?" Hikaru asked.
"When I was little, my parents left me and..." I frowned at myself, almost mentioning Rinda to Hikaru. Just Kaoru knowing about her is hard enough. "With babysitters who were native to that language."

"Who else?" Asked Hikaru and I felt myself go pale.
"J-Just me." I said and Kaoru scooted his chair a little closer to me, giving me an assuring look.

"Your parents left you and...?" Hikaru began, waiting me to tell him the answer. Then a quiet thud sound happened under the table followed by Hikaru yelping, "Ow!"

I gave Kaoru a thanking look with my eyes which he returned with a small smile.
"What about you guys?" I asked in a happy tone.

"Um... There isn't much to tell." Hikaru said, a bit unsure. "Not much has happened before two years ago."

"Stuff must have happened before then." I shrugged.

"Not really. We were very distant from everyone." Kaoru replied.

Eventually, they started giving me their life story. How they built the isolation barrier and how they felt about not being able to be told apart.

Then Tamaki came along and convinced then to join the club then Haruhi told one from the other and then they became more social. It's a sad but very sweet story.

"From time to time, I felt like I was apart from the world. I've seen hundreds of places but not for the luxury. I was taken everywhere because my parents didn't have a choice.

Either lug your child everywhere you go or face prison for abandonment." I explained.

"But they paid for your life here and Ouran. They must love you at least a little." Hikaru said, trying to make me feel better.

"That's what I told everyone." I began. "But the truth is that I ran away." The twins looked at each other then at me to tell me to continue. Their faces indicated that they were ready to listen.

"I stole enough money off them to last me until I turn 18. The scholarship to Ouran will help me get a decent job to earn myself a living. Japan is the last place my parents would think to look for me. I doubt they've even noticed I'm gone."

No one knew what to say next. So I just stood up to look at the song sheet on the other side of the stage. It's a good thing I opened up. I've been carrying that bag if emotion since Rinda died and I'm a little impressed with myself that I didn't shed a tear. Like I said, I'm all cried out.

I felt a pair of arms go around my waist and a chin on my shoulder.
"You don't have to put up with this alone, you know." Kaoru's sweet and then playful voice said to me. "I've noticed, since hanging out more with us, you're more sensitive. Is there something you're not telling me?"

I couldn't help but notice that he said me rather than us. Like he cared personally. I didn't reply.

"I still feel the same about you." He said softly. I like him too. I really, really like him. It's weird how only a few hours can construct how someone feels. But I'm not ready to tell him that yet.

"Thanks, Kaoru." I smiled. "You really know how to make someone feel special." I put my hand over one of his that were on my stomach and intertwined my fingers in his.

"What song are you going to do?" He asked after a pause.
"Don't know. A lot of them, I've never heard of." Half of them, I think, are from the 20th century.

"What about that one?" Kaoru asked, pointing at the sheet that was hung up on the wall. "It's English."
"Maybe. It's the one I know the best."

"That one it is." He confirmed. "Keep the title in mind when it comes to writing your name down."

"Hey, Risa." Hikaru's sympathetic voice was a little bit of a surprise. Probably because I was too caught up in the moment with Kaoru.

"Hi." I smiled sweetly.
"Just so you know, you're safe with us."

"Thanks, Hikaru." I smiled, giving him a comforting hug. "The bar looks a little mis-used" I smirked. "I could go for a bottle of Hooch. We can do that, can't we? I mean without someone behind."

"Yeah, everything's paid for." Kaoru confirmed as he went behind the bar and took out a green bottle of Hooch.

Hikaru found the bottle opener and a crack and a fizz escaped from the bottle. Kaoru took the first sip. "Not bad." He nodded and handed it to Hikaru who in turn, took another sip.

"Woah." He aweed, his eyes wide.
"You've never had Hooch before?" I laughed, a little surprised. "Or even drank?"
"We had some champagne at a wedding once." Hikaru shrugged, taking another mouthful then handing it to me.

"You've been missing out." I smiled then took a swig of the lemony goodness.