Prologue

She was sitting on the swing; watching has her closest and only friend was swinging as high as he could. There was a small smile on her face; but the thought wouldn't leave her mind. He looked down at her, his dark eyes full of curiosity as he came to a stop. He looked at her with a slight worried expression as he asked her his question openly, "Mit-chan, is something wrong? You love the swings."

She didn't want to tell him what her Dad just told her. Her eyes filled with tears and she bent her head down as she started crying. He jumped off his swing and hugged her tightly.

"Mit-chan! What's wrong?" he asked her frantically.

"M-My daddy said w-we can't play anymore… I-I'm sorry," she said getting up and running from him. She ran back to her mother, who picked her up to leave along with her twin brother. Her brother glared at the boy as they were carried off from the park. Hs own eyes started to tear up as he watched her cry on her mother's shoulder. That day he swore he'd never give up on her coming back. He just never expected what happened a month after that day. A fire, setting her house up in flames.

Chapter One

"Mitsuki! Get up! I have a wonderful surprise for you!" my mother shouted in an annoying sing-song voice. I sighed and rolled over in my bed and groaned in disapproval. It was the summer. Why can't she just let me sleep? It's not like I'm going anywhere important next week when school starts.

I smelled her cooking. Shrimp noodles and beef rice. I sat up with wide eyes and a smile went across my face as I got out of bed and ran out in my pajamas and looked at her.

"I… I made it in?" I asked ecstatically. Her smile was as big as mine, if not bigger, when she handed me a letter. It was my acceptance letter to Ouran Academy. I had been trying for the past three years to get in, and now my third year trying I was getting accepted.

"Sure, you'll be a third year student; but you're finally in!" my mother said with as much enthusiasm that showed on her face. I hugged her and kissed her cheek. I realized again how much taller I was than her. I may have been five feet and ten inches; but she was still short compared to me, only being about four inches shorter. She smiled up at me and handed me a bowl for breakfast.

"Eat up! We're going to go to the school a today to get you your classes set and your uniform. I know how you hate dresses, so I asked them if you could have a boys' uniform and they had no problem with it," she told me. I nodded and started eating. I went to run me fingers through my hair; but forgot that my hair dresser misunderstood me and cut it too short.

"I'm still angry with that woman! She' cut all of your precious hair off!" my mother complained when she caught my action. I laughed.

"It's alright. I kinda like it like this. I don't have to worry about tying it up when it gets hot out," I told her. She smiled and nodded, but I could tell she was a little worried.

"Mom, are you alright?" I asked. I knew the answer.

"It's just that I want you to be happy and get along with everyone there. You're not the first commoner to go there; but we've been shunned by most of the head families that go there because of what happened with your father and Yoshio Ootori," she told me. The chop stick I had in my hand broke.

"Just don't get worked up about it Mom. I'll be fine; I'll just befriend the other commoner there then. Maybe they'll introduce me to some people," I told her, getting up to throw the stick away and get a new one. She nodded with a smile.

"Always thinking positively. I'm so proud of you," she told me. I smiled back and sat back down with her. We turned on the news and watched as we learned that the forecast, no surprise, was going to be sunny all day. We left to head to the school to get my things I'll need and then I went home as she went to the store. I was glad that she inherited the toy company my father left to her after my grandfather passed away five months ago. He was a horrible old man, maybe it was because his wife was already passed and he just felt lonely? I would never know. I got home and put my stuff away. I walked past the counter to see a letter that wasn't opened yet. I picked it up, and wanted to tear it in half when I read the same to see it was from the Ootori medicine company. I opened it and read it.

Dear Mrs. Takahsi, we wish to continue to work with you and have toys delivered for the children section of our hospitals. If you wish, please allow us to know by giving us a call by the end of the day. Thank you.

It gave a phone number and was signed by a copy of Yoshio's. I knew my mother wanted to expand her reaches, and even if I didn't like it; I was going to call for her. It would be what Dad would want. I knew one day I'd be head of the company anyways; and I was already turning eighteen soon. She walked in and saw I had the phone in my hand, biting my finger as I decided whether or not to call them.

"Is that the letter from the Ootori company?" she asked.

"They want to work with you again like they did with Dad until that bad year we had… Should we call them and tell them yes or no?" I asked.

"Do what you think your father would want. I know you can make that decision, and it'll be your choice once you graduate from school," she told me. Would one year at Ouran change so much about someone? I nodded and dialed the number. It rang three times and someone answered, "Hello. Ootori Company, may I help you?"

"Yes. This is the Takashi Company about your letter," I told the man. I heard him make a slight noise and his voice stiffened a bit when he responded.

"What is your answer? We are hoping you'll agree to our offer with us giving you thirty-six percent profit benefit in your business as well as you return that favor," he said. I smiled.

"Thirty-six hm? Make it forty percent and you have a deal. Shouldn't be a bad deal for you, seeing as how you'll be gaining two-fifths more money than you would with thirty-six," I said. My mother looked at me with slight worry in her eyes. I heard him swallow and exhale.

"You have a deal. Glad to be back on board with you Takashi. I also understand that your child will be taking over once she finishes school?" he asked.

"Yes. She is going to be eighteen by then and I trust her."

"May I ask where she is going to school at?" he asked. I furrowed her brow in confusion.

"Who is asking exactly? Who am I speaking to?" I asked.

"You are speaking with Kyoya Ootori. I guess I should say hello, long time no talk huh? This is a business call though remember?" he said. My breath caught in my throat.

"You'll find out where she is going to school soon enough. Pleasure doing business with you Kyoya," I said. I had to refrain myself from calling him by his old nickname. I heard him sigh.

"As to you. Good day," he said before hanging up. I hung up the line and sighed in frustration. I wanted to throw the phone at the wall.

"What was that about?" my mother asked me.

"They had asked where I was going to be going to school at this year after sealing the deal. I had no clue I'd be connected to Kyoya, Mom."

"Oh Mitsu, don't let that bother you. He probably still worries about you. You two used to be close," she said giving me a hug. I wriggled out of her grasp and nodded.

"Until his dad stopped working with mine when shit went downhill. At least we'll be able to be back up again these days."

"I know. Just don't let me down when you start going to school again," she said. I half smiled and nodded, helping her put the groceries away.