The characters and setting of this story are the intellectual property of Bisco Hatori, not my own.
Tamaki walked down the halls of Ouran Academy for the last time as a student. It was surreal to think that he would not be gracing these halls every day. Some of his best memories had happened in these rooms. The friends that he had gotten a chance to make would be carried in his heart for the rest of his life. All he wanted was to see others be happy, even if he was not always happy himself. He wanted to make sure that high school would be an experience that he and others would look back on and enjoy, which was why he had started the Host Club.
The Host Club had brought joy to those around him. It was a way to make the people around him feel good. He wanted each woman that they entertained each day feeling wonderful about themselves, full of confidence to take on their challenges ahead. Having that kind of self confidence was one of the few things that helped Tamaki make it through his day. Being confident on the outside made it easier for him to believe it on the inside.
Then there were the host themselves. It was partly because of him that this group of gentlemen he had specifically surrounded himself with had been able to finally find their real selves. Mitsukuni was able to finally break free of the harsh standards that his family were holding him too. Instead of burring his feelings deep inside of himself to please others, he was able to enjoy the sweetness that life had to offer, both figuratively and literally. His happiness made it easier for Takashi to be happy seeing as he did not have to see his cousin suffer any longer. They both could focus a little more on themselves rather than what their families expected.
Hikaru and Kaoru were able to see that others really could see them as separate entities, even if they looked identical. It was because of Tamaki that they were given the opportunity to understand that people they cared about would not necessarily leave them and that getting close to the people around them did not make them weak. They had a hard time after their caretaker had left them, but the club had made it possible for the twins to trust again. True friends would always be there for you, no matter what happens.
That brought his mind to Kyoya. He was the first friend that Tamaki made when he had moved, and the co-founder of the Host Club. Kyoya was one of the people that he trusted the most. They would do everything together. Kyoya was the yin to his yang. Their personalities perfectly balanced each other out. Tamaki was more outgoing, caring for others wanted to a point that it was almost painful for him, while Kyoya cared about what he wanted and would benefit him the most. They managed to protect and support each other when they needed it the most. They were his family, closer than any blood he had in his life.
"Oh Tamaki-senpai, where do you think you're going so fast?" a familiar voice called down the hall.
A smile crossed his face, making his eyes light up and softening his already melting heart. He turned to see his Haruhi coming towards him, expression mirroring his own. She was maybe one of his favorite things he would be taking from the Host Club. It was unbelievable how naïve he had been when it came to her. He was the last to know that she was actually a she, not a he. It was always him that tended to be the last to know. He was so suave with woman, yet was a bumbling fool when it came to her. Tamaki had convinced himself that the love he had for her was always fatherly, wanting to protect her, and again, he was the last to realize his true feelings.
Better late than never.
"My Haruhi, sweet and beautiful as ever," Tamaki said, sincerely meaning each word of it. She still had not grown her hair back out, though he didn't mind. She kept saying it helped the Host Club bring in more clients. He told her that it wasn't necessary for her to continue to be a part of it anymore. Her debt was well paid off at this point, and he had always felt terrible subjecting her to having to see him woo other woman, or how he didn't want to watch her seduce woman either, although the other gentlemen in the club seemed to enjoy it well enough. She claimed she stayed because the club had needed something special added after Honey had left, and none of the new recruits seemed to fill the sweet innocents that his vacancy had left behind. Haruhi insisted on staying in order to help fill some of that void in his steed.
It made him care about her a even more each time she thought about putting him and his needs first. For him it was a new experience. They were able to help make people feel better together, and make each other feel better in the process. Even if everyone else was gone, they always had each other. She never once cared for his money, saying the things she cared for about him no money could buy. He, at times, worried that she may grow bored of him and leave, creating a hole in his soul that nothing could fill. Right now though, the matter was out of his hands, so he tried to not think about it.
"Tamaki, if you don't hurry up you'll be late. Kyoya is waiting for you out front. This may be your last day as a student here, but it doesn't mean that you cant come back. You can always check on the Host Club to see how the twins are taking care of it. And of course, you can always come to visit me and," her fingertips grazed over his chest, sending chills down his spine and igniting a fiery passion in him that only she could manager to bring out, "keep me distracted from my studies."
"Why Haruhi, since when did you put your studies second to our little games we play/"
"Since your father promised that my education was safe as long as I keep you happy, and out of his hair."
Tamaki laughed and kissed her forehead. "He can wait a little longer. I just want to take a stroll around the rest of the school for one last time."
He took her hand and guided her through the halls, stopping periodically to admire the rooms and the architecture. It gave him a chance to look over the courtyard where he helped Haruhi get her things together after they had been thrown from this very area. She had been so shy, and too kind to say who had been harassing her. He remembered the defeated look on her face as she tried to get her belongings together, and the look of shock when he climbed in to help her them out. His kindness seemed to take strangers by surprise. It was as though because he came from a wealthy family people expected him to be stuck up. He never in his life saw himself as better than anyone else. For him, it didn't matter where you came from, just what you do with your life that makes you worth anything at all.
Together they continued farther through the building. The halls were so empty and quiet. He passed numerous classrooms, and realized he didn't really know any of these rooms. As a matter of fact, he didn't really remember any of the classes he had even taken at all. The years in the school seemed like a blur, though none of the memories he had were about the classes he had taken. He felt as though all the time he had spent in this building was simply in the Host Club, and no where else. It made him chuckle to himself.
Their journey brought him to the place that had meant more than any class anyways. Music Room 3. This is where he had spent his best memories. 'Kyoya, let's start a club!' It may have been the best thing he had ever said to anyone. These were the memories he cared about. If he would miss anything, it would be spending his days in this room.
"You will be able to come back. The Host Club will always be here for you. I'll always be here for you."
He squeezed her hand gently, She was so intuitive, always knowing exactly what everyone seemed to be thinking, and able to say the right thing. It was part of what made her so special. Everyone was drawn to her for this reason. The twins would still fight over her, despite the fact that Haruhi and himself had been together for a few years now. Now he was leaving her here, without being able to watch over her and protect her from their advances. He could feel the over protective feelings racing into him. No Tamaki, even if you don't trust them, you have to trust her.
"Tamaki, we really should be going."
Haruhi took his hand and pulled him towards the stairs. Between Kyoya and her, he knew he could take on the world, no matter what it had in store for him. They both had a particularly special place in his heart. A soft smile graced his lips. Everything would be alright.
Exiting school, Tamaki could see Kyoya waiting for him, his familiar, slender figure leaning against a wall. Haruhi let go of his hand. "He said he needed to talk to you alone. I don't ask questions when it comes to your relationship with him"
It struck him as odd that he wanted to talk to him on his own. Normally Haruhi's presence wouldn't be an issue. He moved slowly towards his best friend, feeling unease settle over him. Kyoya's eyes were looking into the distance, not seeing anything at all. It was not his normal aloof behavior. His brows were furrowed as if he was concentrating on something so serious. Tamaki had never seen a look quite like this on his friends face in all the years he had known him.
"Hey buddy!" Tamaki said in a lighthearted manner, trying to cheer his friend up. "You wanted to talk to me?"
"Tamaki," Kyoya began, his voice sounding so cold and unlike himself. His friend refused to meet his eyes. He was looking past Tamaki like he wasn't even there, speaking to the distance, "this friendship is something I cannot carry on. You drain me, and I won't put up with it anymore. All these years, it is just too much. This is the last time I will be talking to you. Goodbye Tamaki."
Tamaki laughed, thinking how bad Kyoya was at jokes. This was the probably the worst joke he had ever tried to make, but the smile began to fade. His friend's face had not changed a bit since he had said goodbye. Maybe it wasn't a joke, but a lesson he was trying to teach him about fighting for the people you care about.
Panic started to set in, and his voice cracked a little and tears well up in his eyes, threatening to spill over at any second. "Kyoya, you can't be serious, right?"
His friend said nothing, just kept the cold look in his eyes.
"Please, don't do this to me!" Tamaki exclaimed, no longer trying to keep the hysterics out of his voice. "I need you in my life. You've been my one constant. You've been there for me at my lowest. You can't leave me now, you just can't."
Kyoya still said nothing, but instead began to walk away. Tamaki fell to his knees, overcome with a feeling of loss, tears falling freely to the ground, softly saying "please" over and over. He never even saw his friend fully walk away, or him turn his head slightly to the left, looking down at the ground and gently saying "I'm sorry."
