Date Created: June 28, 2015
Date Published: July 10, 2015
Author's Note [1]: I had made two Ouran High School Host Club fan stories before, which both came to be incomplete and deleted. I couldn't give up on it, so after a year or two, I am finally able to write a completed story.
Author's Note [2]: I have a thing for arranged marriages, as you will see from this story and my other for Naruto, The Bride of a Senju, and The Groom of an Uchiha.
Summary: At fourteen, Haninozuka Yasuchika confessed to an eighteen year old crush. At eighteen, Tachibana Yayoi found a fourteen year old fiancé.
Disclaimer: Ouran High School Host Club and characters (c) Hasco Bitori
The Love Of | Part A
Haninozuka Mitsukuni was tired and full of the large amounts of strawberry shortcakes he consumed by himself during the club hours, so he unconsciously decided to lay on the couch and rest his head on the lap of Tachibana Yayoi. "Good night, Yayo-chan," he mumbled, curling up and pulling his toy bunny closer to his chest. His lips moved to open a little, and then shut tight.
"Good night, Mitsukuni-kun," his companion replied softly, running her fingers through his blonde hair.
"Please don't leave."
"I will be here."
As Hani drifted off to sleep, Fujioka Haruhi sat on the couch across from the pair, and she placed a tray of cups and a teapot on the short table. "He's really like a child."
Yayoi watched his relaxed expression before turning her attention to Haruhi. She smiled faintly with reddened cheeks. "Yes, he really is like one."
"Would you like some tea?"
"No thank you; I'm afraid I might spill."
Haruhi nodded.
The two sat in silence, watching the sleeping third year high school student, who carried the appearance of an elementary school child.
On the other hand, the others busied themselves with their own business. Ootori Kyouya stayed at his usual table, working on the new photo albums to sell in the near future, while Suoh Tamaki was beside him, chatting excitedly of a beach trip for the club. Hitachiin Hikaru and Kaoru played their Game Boy Advanced, one whispering the directions with boredom, as the other quickly pressed the necessary buttons. And, Morinozuka Takashi was away for a short meeting at his kendo club to speak of the upcoming tournaments.
"Fujioka-kun."
"Yes, Yayoi-senpai?"
"I have a favor to ask of you."
"What is it?"
"I have to leave. Can you relay a message to Takashi-kun for me?"
"Sure, Yayoi-senpai."
"Thank you, Fujioka-kun."
...
Tachibana Yayoi was every bit of afraid and nervous since the morning, as her father had unusually requested of her to skip her after school activities and come straight home from school. She went home earlier than normal, but nonetheless, she stayed a little for club activities at the music room to spend a bit of time with the Haninozuka and Morinozuka.
Her fears were not of being tardy, but for her father to be sternly ordering her to come home early was strange. In the back of her mind she knew the fear would only serve to worsen once she stepped foot into the living room of her home, so she took detours of the house; and in the end was caught by a maid and brought to the living room obediently.
Her father sat comfortably in his large armchair, observing her, as she walked in through the double doors. On the couch next to him was a junior high student, who sat with a straight back and broad shoulders.
"You're late, Yayoi," her father spoke.
"Yes, I'm sorry, Tou-san," she replied. Her attention turned to the boy. "Hello, Yasuchika-kun."
"Hello, Yayo-nee," he answered, watching her, while she took the seat next to him.
She offered a smile.
"Yayoi, as you know, I do not like to beat around the bush, so I'll tell you frankly: Haninozuka Yorihisa and I have decided for you and Yasuchika to be engaged."
"Oh," she breathed. The palm of her hands became hot and clammy.
"Once, Yasuchika turns sixteen, we will proceed with a marriage registration form."
"I understand, Tou-san."
...
Haninozuka Yasuchika was beyond nervous. After the brief conference, he was unable to read the expression of Yayoi. He noticed her soft smile, but her brown eyes showed something different. It was something he was unable to tell.
"Yayo-nee, I like you," he murmured.
...
Morinozuka Takashi entered music room three to be greeted by a grumpy cousin, and the twins and the Suoh cowering in fear from the other side of the room. Kyouya ignored the matter, as so did Haruhi, who walked towards him in a brisk pace. He took note that Yayoi was not in the room.
"Mori-senpai," Haruhi said.
Mori looked to her.
"Yayoi-senpai wanted me to inform you that she had to leave early due to her father calling her home about a marriage."
Mori had already knew the reason of her early disappearance because the household members between the Haninozuka and Tachibana have been talking quite frequently of an arranged marriage occurring. To see that Mitsukuni was still in the room meant that her husband-to-be was not the high school student but his younger brother, the junior high student.
He nodded and went over to his childish cousin with Haruhi following behind.
"Where's Yayo-chan?" Hani said quite coarsely.
"She had business with her father," Haruhi replied.
His brown eyes darkened, as he stared at the floor. "Takashi."
"Yes."
Haninozuka Mitsukuni pieced the puzzles together and realized the business Yayoi had with her father.