KuroTakahashi does not own Ouran High School Host Club or any the characters and/or places affiliated.
She don't know why she bothered so much, why she cared like she did. She simply sat around and waited for things to happen on a regular basis, but this time was different. This time she was hoping and wishing and stressing. She wished she wasn't. It really was annoying and she wished she could just drop the thoughts and run away.
Finally, Keito walked to her and handed her the letter. She took it and looked up at him, hoping desperately for the best. He could see it in her eyes, she could tell. He knew how much she wanted this and what she would do to even achieve her life's goal. Her happiness could be inside this silly little envelope, and she hated that. She hated that she was letting it control her feelings.
But she ripped it open instead of setting it on the kitchen counter like she wanted to, for later. She wanted to pretend that she didn't care right at this moment. Keito was worried, even though he said a million and ten times how much he believed in her. He had said over and over again that he was sure she would get in.
She unfolded the letter, her heart beating hard in her chest. She was hoping for the best.
"Keito," she muttered, and his eyes widened. He looked at her, and then he seemed to deflate.
"I'm so sorry, Ikita-chan." He shook his head and wrapped his arms around her. She gave him a confused look, a grin flowing over her lips.
"And why is that?"
He looked confused for a moment while she smiled at him, and then he snatched the letter from her fingers, his dark eyes speeding over every word in hopes to find what made the smile on her face so large, and growing larger still. Ikita laughed as he grinned, then shouted out with joy and began hopping around the house.
"You got in! You got in! My little 'Ki-chan is going to the best school in the country! She's so smart!"
Ikita laughed and threw back her head, spinning around in a circle. And, together, they danced around the kitchen, all because she was going to get the best education possible and for such a low price; free. School for almost free was the best way to go, considering they were living pay-check to pay-check and hardly ever had any time to save up-or the money-but free was even better. It was just never there. It went to the bill's for the small apartment and the grocery's. But now it was going to be great, because Ikita was going to one of the best school's in the country.
"You're so smart! You're so smart! Let's bake a cake, Ikita-chan. Then we can just eat and celebrate! We'll get a movie, too. Come, get you're jacket!" Keito grabbed his jacket and threw it over his shoulder's before tossing Ikita her jacket, too. She smiled pleasantly, though a lot softer now than Keito's grin. She was happy, the high of excitement still bubbling in her veins. Celebrating sounded like a great idea. She loved baking with her brother, one of the greatest cook's in Japan. He was amazing, and he was a good artist, too.
They were both artists. Ikita smiled as Keito pranced out onto the streets and she fallowed at a slower pace. He had taught her how to paint and draw at a very young age. His life's dream was to be a manga artist and he was always submitting new projects. A lot of the time they ended up being duds and sent back to him with a quick apology and a 'try again' or a 'maybe next time.' But he continued to try and try. She remembered the old times, when he would show her his projects and she would coo and laugh and fall in love with each and every one. He would smile when she did, do a silly little dance and tell her that this was the one that would be published and everyone would read it. But it never was.
Keito was a silly man. He was always laughing and dancing and giggling about everyone. He wanted everyone to know how wonderful life was, even if he was working ridiculous hours and paying for a school Ikita wished she didn't even have to go to sometimes. But all was different now. She was going to one of the most prestigious school's in the country this year and she would be so proud of it and she would love it there. She was sure she would make a lot of friends, if only for Keito's sake. She didn't like socializing with strangers, but otherwise she would never make friends with anyone.
The movie store was fantastic, as usual. Keito crowed over a silly looking movie and how the art on the cover was ridiculous, but they ended up getting that movie anyway. Ikita giggled when she realized how much he wanted to get that one and suggested it. He accepted without hesitation.
They were walking home again and Keito was cooing about all the things he had heard about the movie, and that, if he had the money they would have gone to see it in the movie theater. Ikita had put her hands into the pockets of her hoodie and was looking up at the sky, watching the clouds move and bunch together. It was going to rain soon, maybe not until after they got home. The clouds looked so angry and deep; they would probably flash and growl all night long. There would hardly be any rest tonight.
"When does life at your brand new school start, 'Ki-chan?"
Ikita looked at her older brother and tried to remember back to the things she had read on the computer at the library.
"Hm… I think in maybe a week or two."
"You only think! But we need to know! Oh, I'm going to have to go to the library tomorrow-"
"Don't worry Keito-nii-chan. I'll do it." Ikita closed her eyes and smiled lightly. "I don't have anything to do besides clean tomorrow anyway. It is break, before school will start once again, you know."
Keito nodded and sighed, dropping his head.
"But I only wished to help, like a father would, 'Ki-chan!" Keito whined and spun in a circle, throwing out his hands and almost loosing the movie to the street. Ikita winced and looked at it wearily, hoping he wouldn't break it, because then they would have to pay for it.
"But you're not my father. You're my brother."
"No 'but's'! I take care of you, and I should be helping you!" Ikita gasped as he suddenly wrapped her tightly in his arms, her breath falling from her lips. "I must protect you! You must not grow up too fast, Ki-chan! It isn't good for young teenage girls to do such things all on their own."
"Nii-chan, I can't breath!" Ikita gasped. Keito squeaked and flew backwards, and he unnecessarily stood too far away for the walk home, stressing the fact that he would never hurt his little Ki-chan on purpose, even though she forgave him plenty of times.
They baked a cake together, as planned and created a mess of the kitchen, tossing random ingredients about, such as flower and frosting. They had a cake-fight, and both ended up laughing and covered in batter before they had to make a whole new batch because there wasn't enough left for a cake. Finally, after putting the cake in the oven, and then washing up they pulled it out and iced it, then topped it with strawberries. They both cut themselves a piece and gathered towards the small t.v., put the movie in and enjoyed each others company for the rest of the night.
It was nice, as it was intended to be. They both had fun, and eventually had to clean up the kitchen. Just for a moment they didn't stress over the fact that they didn't have enough money to replace the spoiled cake that they used the smear around the kitchen, or the fact that they were splurging a bit for the day. They could return the movie the next day and all would be well. The cake might last the week, and that was good. It had to be used eventually, right? No, they didn't worry at all. Instead they were a brother and sister, living without parents, but enjoying the way it was. Just for the night they celebrated Ikita's achievement, and it was all okay and great.