"We're buddies I guess," she had said, brown eyes looking up at him.

Buddies…

They were buddies, alright, but in the years following Kasanoda Ritsu's introduction to the host club, 'buddies' had consisted of nothing more than an occasional greeting as they passed each other in the halls. Conversation beyond that was impossible. He had a crowd of girls watching his every move, especially as pertained to Haruhi, and those twins always ushered her away before she could get beyond asking how his classes were going.

But it was never enough.

He had tried to occupy his thoughts elsewhere. He had expanded his horizons. He had formed new acquaintances. He had learned new skills and been through new experiences. He had formed new bonds with his underlings. He had developed a particularly close bond with Tetsuya who, after realizing that Haruhi was a girl, had urged Kasanoda to go after her.

But he couldn't.

The host club had all but dissolved when Suou graduated. An occasional reunion or dance was the most that the students of Ouran High School could expect from them. Haruhi could have revealed her true gender, but she had decided not to, for the sake of convenience.

But it increased the distance between them.

There were times when Kasanoda, sitting alone in his room, found himself dwelling on her. On her eyes. On her face. On her smile. On her innocence. He would close his eyes and imagine revealing her identity to the school. He would release her from the prison she had unwittingly found herself in, a prison guarded jealously by the host club. She would be thankful, he knew. She would be eternally grateful to him. She would belong to him. Then, right before she consented to be his wife, Kasanoda would always shake himself out of his selfish desires, and smile all the more knowingly at her the next day at school, knowing that he could never be closer.

But oh, how he wished it.

Kasanoda was by no means without friends. The host club, although unconsciously distant from him because they knew how he felt about Haruhi, were true to their words about being there for him. Led by example, some of his other classmates had also begun talking to him, although it took weeks before they were able to meet his eye. Girls, especially, had completely altered their opinion of him. If he desired it, he could turn to society for amusement. He had many companions.

But only one buddy.

Buddies…Buddies supported each other. Buddies cheered for each other. Buddies clapped for each other as they received their diploma. Kasanoda obliging brought his hands together and let out a shrill whistle. He had always supported her. He had kept her secret for as long as secrecy was required.

But now…

"We're friends forever," he had said. "You and me, okay?"

But he needed more.

I can't decide yet if I'm going to continue with this story or not. It's going to depend largely on interest level of readers and how much time I have.

I would also like to take this opportunity to make a special note to MizzChocolate. If you are reading/planning on leaving a review, can I request the one about fat man bob wearing the sexyback tshirt? Please and thank you. It seems like everyone else is getting that one, and I'm beginning to feel left out. All I got was the stupid retard of the week one, so you can understand my jealousy.