Weather had started to change. Everyday was colder and leaves of the trees fulfilled their magical transformation to warm reds and oranges. Haruhi had always admired the radiant colours of autumn. But this year she had hardly any time for that as it was her final year in Ouran Academy. For students like her this meant a lot of studying. She had her eyes set on one of the best medical schools in Japan and getting admitted there required perfect scores. Haruhi sighed and tucked a strand of her brown hair behind her ear.
''Fujioka-san!''
Haruhi turned around to see her classmate Hideaki Mori run towards her. He was also hoping to get to the same university as Haruhi and they had been studying together a lot recently. Hideaki had brown eyes and black hair and he was very tall. The man always had a serious gaze behind his big glasses.
''I thought it was you, Fujioka-san. I thought maybe we could study together in the library after school today'', Hideaki proposed with a slight crooked smile on his face. Haruhi was glad to accept, the more studying she could get done the better.
Hikaru and Kaoru were by the massive main doors of Ouran Academy when Haruhi walked in with Hideaki. Both twins pulled an annoyed pouty face and leaned down towards Haruhi.
''You're late'', auburn haired men complained at the same time while simultaneously throwing their school bags over their shoulders.
''We always go to the classroom together and…'', Kaoru started.
''…today you left us to wait here alone'', Hikaru finished. Twins grabbed Haruhi from both sides and started to drag her towards the classroom. Haruhi's feet sweeped the marble room and she protested loudly while shooting an apologetic look at Hideaki. Black haired man by the door seemed completely dumbfounded by the situation. In class Haruhi sat on her usual place between the twins but flashed a wide smile at Hideaki when he entered the classroom.
This didn't go unnoticed by Hikaru. He gazed the wooden school desk with his amber eyes. Thin brows were slightly furrowed. The devilish twin couldn't wrap his head around why Hideaki made him so uncomfortable. His chest ached, and he felt like he couldn't breathe every time Haruhi smiled so sweetly to the other man. On the other side of Haruhi, Kaoru was watching his other half with worry. He had known Hikaru had feelings for Haruhi for years but knew Hikaru was still like a child when it came to understanding them. It was the same with Tamaki. Both men were completely oblivious to their thoughts and feelings. Tamaki masked his love by calling himself Haruhi's daddy and Hikaru lashed out when other men became close to Haruhi.
After all the years had passed and some of the hosts had graduated, Kaoru could see Haruhi getting tired of both Tamaki's and Hikaru's behavior. Their sweet girl was growing up. She had always been independent, but that trait had become stronger over the years. The atmosphere was starting to change, Kaoru could feel it. At some point staying just friends wouldn't be enough. It was just a matter of who would ask Haruhi out first.
''Although even then Haruhi might not get she's been asked out'', Kaoru thought to himself while pressing his face down to his delicate hands. The younger twin sighed with desperation and Haruhi turned to look.
''Are you okay, Kaoru'', she whispered to the man next to her, ''that was a deep sigh.''
''I'm okay.''
This is going to be an interesting year.