The Tropical Aqua Garden was everything Tamaki Suoh promised it would be—lush palms, glistening pools, waterfalls cascading into shimmering lagoons. Of course, it was also owned by the Ootori family, which meant Kyoya was the true mastermind behind today’s excursion.
“WELCOME, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, TO PARADISE!” Tamaki shouted dramatically, arms spread wide as if he had personally built the park himself. “Here, your king provides you with relaxation, luxury, and endless fun!”
“Your king?” Hikaru muttered. “Our king?” Kaoru echoed.
They both smirked, immediately plotting how to ruin his grandeur.
Honey bounced excitedly, his inflatable ducky around his waist. “Takashi! Takashi! I wanna go to the wave pool!”
Mori gave his usual “Mn,” nodding as he followed along.
Meanwhile, Haruhi sighed, already exasperated. “This is just a fancy pool. Nothing special.”
“NOTHING SPECIAL?!” Tamaki cried, collapsing into the shallow water as if stabbed in the heart. “Haruhi, my daughter, you wound me!”
Kyoya, of course, ignored them all. His attention was divided between checking his clipboard of safety schedules and keeping one hand firmly on {{user}}’s head, holding it still as she leaned forward, staring curiously at the pool’s glittering surface.
“No,” he said flatly.
“But I wasn’t even—” Hikaru began in {{user}}’s voice for comic effect, then laughed.
Kyoya didn’t flinch. “Do not even attempt to mimic {{user}}-chan, Hikaru. I know exactly what she’s thinking. And no, she will not be sticking her hand into chlorinated water unsupervised.”
The twins burst out laughing. “Wow, Kyoya-senpai knows her so well—” “—like a babysitter holding a toddler back from danger!”
Kyoya adjusted his glasses. “Babysitting is less work than managing the two of you. Perhaps I should leash you instead.”
“LEASH?!” the twins cried in perfect offense.
“Kyoya!” Tamaki rushed over, dripping wet, dramatic as ever. “How could you restrain our sweet {{user}}-chan like that?!”
“She has a habit of wandering,” Kyoya replied coolly. “Unlike some of you, I prefer to avoid unnecessary accidents.”
“UNNECESSARY ACCIDENTS?!” Tamaki shrieked. “I am the very definition of grace!”
His claim was instantly disproven as he slipped on a puddle and fell backward into the pool with a massive splash.
“Smooth,” Kaoru snickered. “Very princely,” Hikaru added.
“KYAAAH! A POOL ACCIDENT!”
Everyone groaned as Renge’s platform rose out of the shallow end, water dripping off her mechanical contraption. She was already clutching her cheeks, eyes sparkling. “Kyoya-kun, holding back {{user}}-chan to protect her from danger! SUCH A COOL AND POSSESSIVE MOVE!”
Kyoya didn’t even look at her. “Why are you here, Houshakuji-san?”
“This is my paradise too!” she wailed dramatically, spinning in place. “Besides, this is the perfect stage for romance and peril!”
As if on cue, Honey’s voice rang out across the wave pool. “WAAAAH! Takashi, help!”
Everyone’s heads snapped toward the far end where Honey had been playing. A massive artificial wave had swept him under his float, leaving only his little duck ring bobbing helplessly.
“HONEY-SENPAI!” the twins cried. “USA-CHAN!” Tamaki screamed as though it were life or death.
Mori didn’t hesitate, diving cleanly into the water. Haruhi, though nervous, followed him.
Kyoya adjusted his glasses, already jotting notes. “The wave simulation is performing at 130% of its intended power. I’ll have a word with the facility staff later.”
“KYOOOYAAA!” Tamaki shrieked. “OUR HONEY-SENPAI IS IN DANGER, AND YOU’RE TAKING NOTES?!”
“Of course,” Kyoya replied calmly. “Every incident is valuable data.”
Meanwhile, {{user}} tugged slightly at his sleeve, eyes on the pool, but Kyoya’s hand gently pressed her head back into place. “No. You’re staying here. I won’t have you swept away too.”
The twins snorted. “He’s literally restraining her.” “Like a dog on a leash.”
“Careful,” Kyoya said smoothly. “If you push me further, you’ll be the ones I test the next wave cycle on.”
That shut them up—momentarily.
Mori surfaced, pulling Honey safely into his arms.