Sometimes, Kaoru thought about what could have been, if any of them had loved Tamaki less. If Kyouya had moved when he'd realized his feelings, and snatched Haruhi away from them all before they'd even realized there was a competition. If Mori had been less shy and more open, or Honey less sugary and more sincere. If Hikaru had been more self aware, and wooed her before she'd discovered her love for Tamaki. If Kaoru had been less afraid. If there had never been that feeling that in gaining Haruhi, Tamaki would be lost. But, no. Tamaki reached out his hand, and Haruhi took his and none of theirs. And, in losing Haruhi, they all gained them both again. And, Kaoru knew that there wasn't a member of the host club who would change the outcome.