Miss Karuizawa
:: by Shirayuki Otoko ::
Haruhi decides to join a beauty pageant! The Host Club is dumbfounded at her decision. But wait! The shock doesn't end here yet...
Disclaimer: Ouran and its characters belong to Hatori Bisco.
:: Chapter 1 :: You're going to What?!
"Join the local pageant." Haruhi says as she unfolds a white brochure in front of the other Host Club members. Tamaki is being overly-dramatic as usual. The twins are frozen with shock. Kyouya accidentally snaps his pen in half. Honey chokes on his strawberry cake and Mori spills some tea.
"But Haruhi, the idea doesn't quite connect with your personality..." Tamaki reasons.
"Well, my decision is final. I want to give this a try, and hopefully I could reduce my debt should I win the top prize." Haruhi flashes a smile that is new to the Host Club. She's never smiled like that before.
"Ha...Haruhi." The twins manage to croak her name.
"Oh yes, Hikaru and Kaoru, I might need to borrow some of your mother's designs. And could you guys get me a nice push-up bra?" Haruhi asks sweetly. Instantly the twins blush a deep red. Tamaki pales in shock as he listens to Haruhi's 'out of character' talk. Kyouya drops his folder and Honey has a half-finished cake. Mori simply stares.
"By the way, I have applied for a long leave of absence from Superintendent Suou. I'm heading to Karuizawa for the pageant. Misuzu-san will be taking care of me while I'm there, so don't worry." With that, Haruhi winks at the Host Club.
Honey falls off the chair. Mori also falls off the chair. Kyouya presses the 'Delete' key by accident. The twins look like oversized tomatoes and Tamaki starts wailing.
"Mata ne!" Haruhi heads for the door.
---
"Gomen ne minna. But Haruhi stands firm by her decision, and I have to respect that." Ranka sighs as he serves tea to the Host Club members who have stopped by the Fujioka's residence.
"Suddenly she's become another person..." Hikaru complains.
"Yes, she told me she's gonna borrow some clothes from your family." Ranka nods. Then with a cheeky smile, he adds, "But wouldn't you like to see Haruhi in more girly clothes, Hikaru?"
Hikaru turns a deep red. In fact, all the members have gone red.
"Haruhi is tired...of all the stuff happening in Ouran." Ranka sighs again.
"What? But why?" Tamaki perks up instantly.
"Few days ago she came home feeling extremely down. I thought she had a fever or something, but she told me she had given thought to a lot of things. She felt that life is too short and she doesn't know if she could hang on to her dream of becoming a lawyer just like her mother..."
"Hmm...but why the sudden emotional outburst?" Kyouya asks.
"I don't know either." Ranka shrugs.
"No offence, but when did Kotoko-san pass away?" Kaoru asks.
"When she was only 26..." Ranka sighs.
"So desu ne..."
"I've seen the brochure. Apparently the top prize for Miss Karuizawa is three million yen and a chance to compete in the regional competition..." Ranka pulls out the same brochure that Haruhi had shown the Host Club previously.
"Three million yen?! No wonder Haruhi is so firm about taking part..." Tamaki says.
"Haruhi has always been independent. She simply refuses any form of help from others. Even if you guys don't mind paying off her debt, she just won't see to it." Ranka smiles weakly.
"Since she's so firm about this pageant, I suppose we can't do much except to support her." Kyouya reasons.
"Eh why are you guys here?!" Haruhi asks in surprise as she opens the door. She has returned from the supermarket armed with bags of groceries.
"It's Meet-the-parents Day." Mori deadpans. The others stare at Mori with shock.
"Haru-chan! We want to taste your cooking again!" Honey exclaims. Haruhi smiles warmly at the cute senior.
"All right then, you guys make yourselves comfy." Haruhi retreats to the kitchen with her groceries.
---
"Haruhi." Mori taps the girl's shoulder.
"Eh Mori-senpai? Why are you here?" Haruhi is surprised. Club activities have just ended and Haruhi is on her way home.
"May I walk you home?" Mori asks in a tone very different from usual. Haruhi is taken aback but agrees to it nonetheless.
"Hai. Domo arigato gozaimasu." Haruhi smiles.
As the two make their way out of the main gate, Haruhi notices a strange expression on Mori's face. Usually Mori doesn't have much of an expression to begin with, yet today he seems to have something on his mind.
"Mori-senpai, is something wrong?" Haruhi asks worriedly.
"Haruhi, if you ever need help I'm here for you." Mori's tone is surprisingly warm and gentle. Haruhi discovers that Mori's eyes have a tint of affection in them. To Mori's surprise, Haruhi reaches out to one of his hands and gives it a gentle squeeze.
"Domo arigato gozaimasu, Mori-senpai." Haruhi says softly.
Throughout the rest of their journey, Haruhi and Mori will occasionally exchange glances and smile at each other. Haruhi realizes a different side of Mori today, and she is glad. Mori feels the same sentiments too. He is relieved that Haruhi appreciates his presence despite his taciturnity.
"I've reached. Thanks for walking me home today, Mori-senpai." Haruhi smiles at the senior.
"Ah." Mori smiles in return.
As Haruhi proceeds to walk up the stairs, Mori calls her back.
"Haruhi. Wait."
"Yes, Mori-senpai?"
"Here." Mori takes out a small box and presses it down to Haruhi's hands.
"Eh Mori-senpai..." Haruhi is surprised.
"Open it when you are in your room later." Mori says as he gestures to the small box.
"Hai. Domo arigato gozaimasu." Haruhi bows.
"And Haruhi..."
"Yes?"
"Please call me Takashi from now on..." Mori says with a blush on his cheeks.
"Eh?"
---
"Are you sure about this, dear daughter?" Ranka is still reluctant to let Haruhi go.
"I will be fine, Dad. Relax." Haruhi smiles as she packs a few more things into her rucksack.
"Eh what's that box?" Ranka points at the small box which Mori gave earlier.
"Oh...Mori-senpai gave it to me. But I've yet to open it."
"Ah, does he like my precious daughter?" Ranka teases.
"Please Dad, Mori-senpai is just a close friend!" Haruhi retorts, yet she can feel a little blush rising on her cheeks.
"Oh my, Haruhi you are blushing!" Ranka waves his hands teasingly.
"Stop it Dad!" Haruhi pouts slightly.
"Honestly, do you have any feelings for anyone in the Host Club?" Ranka asks.
"They are nice to me Dad, but I don't know if I've ever seen them as more than just friends..." Haruhi shrugs.
"Perhaps you should listen to your heart more. I bet you will be in love with one of them." Ranka smiles.
"Well...I just want to concentrate on the pageant more than anything else. Miss Karuizawa, here I come!" Haruhi waves a fist in the air. Ranka applauds.
"Ganbatte ne, my precious! I hope you win something!"
---
"Haru-chan!" Honey waves excitedly as Haruhi arrives at the train station. The twins are quiet for once. Mori smiles affectionately while Tamaki is getting on with his dramatic self. Kyouya is nowhere to be seen.
"Minna!" Haruhi smiles as she walks towards them. Honey clings to Haruhi's leg as usual while he blabbers about Usa-chan missing Haruhi when she's gone and all. Then Tamaki starts spinning around Haruhi and cries out, "I'm gonna miss my precious daughter while she's away from me!" His remark is promptly rewarded with a hard kick by Ranka.
The twins come forward with a neatly wrapped box. "Our mother's latest accessories collection." Haruhi smiles warmly and proceeds to hug each of them.
Last but not least, Mori comes forward. Haruhi and Mori gaze at each other with affection. Mori gives his broadest smile ever as Haruhi winks suggestively at him.
"Daughter, the train has arrived." Ranka says while attempting to hold back his tears.
"Oh Dad...I'm still in Japan!" Haruhi smiles as she hugs the now-sobbing okama.
"Ganbatte ne!" Ranka sniffs.
"Ganbatte ne Haruhi!" The rest chime in.
"I will!" Haruhi smiles.
Then she realizes something. "Eh where is Kyouya-senpai?"
"Kyou-chan didn't come with us." Honey replies.
"Oh..." Haruhi is a little disappointed at the Shadow King's absence but she's got no time to brood over it. The train to Karuizawa has arrived at the platform.
"Mata ne, minna!" Haruhi waves.
"Ganbatte ne Haruhi!"
---