Disclaimer: Ouran belongs to Bisco Hatori, thank you!
Chapter Two: Seven Minus One Does Not Equal Six
A group of ladies passing by stared at the attractive young man who was sitting outside a café casually sipping at his cup of coffee. His creamy peach-like coloured hair was shiny in the bright sunlight and his golden eyes glimmered. Hikaru sighed, staring into the swirling black liquid in his mug. Ever since Kaoru upped and left, Hikaru just wasn't the same. In the course of five years, he received letters from Kaoru every three months. That totalled up to only twenty letters in the span of five years.
But letters weren't enough. He wanted to see Kaoru face-to-face. Hikaru, somewhat assured of his brother's comfort and safety, was less worried, but still unsure. Would Kaoru ever come back to Japan? How did he look like now? What made him leave like that without telling anyone? How did he manage to evade detection? All these questions plagued the elder twin constantly, but the one person who held all the answers was not here.
He had said that it wasn't Hikaru's fault that he left. Then whose was it? Why couldn't Kaoru confide in him? Was Hikaru not the elder brother, the one he could depend on? It was the same with Haruhi back then. Kaoru went about his back doing all sorts of things without telling him, just so that Hikaru would realize his own feelings. The elder twin wryly smiled at his own reflection. Not that he had won Haruhi's heart. It was at the end of their second year that news got out about Haruhi and Tamaki dating.
For a moment, the host club patrons thought that they were dabbling in the 'forbidden love' as Hikaru and Kaoru used to. But truth came out when Haruhi point blank confessed that she was a girl, smashing every yaoi lover's dreams though it was immediately revived with a shoujo manga view, that Haruhi secretly pretended to be a boy in order to be closer to the person she loves.
Of course, all that is doujinshi storyline. Haruhi didn't care much, but Tamaki was in full support of the silly idea, when he had been the last one to realize that Haruhi was a girl in the beginning. Hikaru had been hurt when he found, even more so when his ever faithful support was absent...His brother. Hikaru stole a glance at his watch.
"...Why did I come half an hour early...?"
Bored out of his mind while waiting for the other ex-Host Club members to appear, Hikaru glanced at his surroundings. It had become a subconscious habit he developed, always looking around, hopefully finding his brother among the crowds. His efforts were paid off in the most unexpected manner. He took notice when a flash of peach stood out against the humdrum of black and brown.
Long pastel hair flew about in waves around a rather charming smile. Hikaru almost mistook the person for a girl as that person bought a bouquet of orange orchids at the florist opposite the road. The face was unmistakeable. Without thinking, Hikaru dashed across the street and took hold of his arm. A startled expression turned to meet him.
"Hikaru...?"
It had been so long.
It was so nostalgic.
His name sounded best when it was spoken by that voice.
"Kaoru..."
Hikaru didn't expect his brother to smile bashfully at him. "Mou, Hikaru! Now you ruined my surprise! I didn't bring any souvenirs with me, so I thought I could trick you guys into believing that I got some orchids from overseas...Anyway, here's yours." Baffled, Hikaru's arm automatically moved to accept the solitary stalk of orchid from Kaoru's outstretched hand.
But as Kaoru was about to move away, Hikaru's grip tightened. He pulled his twin back to where he sat at the café, ignoring Kaoru's squeak of embarrassment when he firmly placed his twin on his lap. There was no way he would let Kaoru escape him again.
Hikaru's P.O.V
What struck me a first glance was that Kaoru didn't really change, the past five years he lived without me. The brightness in his eyes, the mischievous smile and the soft, slightly angled face. His hair was way too long for a guy, swishing down his back. A soft pink blush was smeared across his face, obviously embarrassed since I put him in my lap. He could run away if I let him have his own seat! "Hikaruuuu...People are staring..." Kaoru whined and pawed at me, but I was not about to let go any time.
"No, you'll run again. I won't let you escape."
"I won't run...But will you at least let me straighten out my dress? People might see my underwear," my twin whispered, blushing a deeper shade of red. Only then I realized Kaoru was decked out in a dress which was riding up past his knees because of how I made him sit on my lap. Hastily I put him to his feet and let him tuck his dress properly before resuming his position on my lap. The scent of the orchids blended well with Kaoru's natural scent of vanilla. He smelt sweet and innocent.
"Kaoru...Why are you wearing a dress?"
"Un...It's a disguise."
"...Were you trying to hide from me?"
I didn't bother filtering the emotions in my voice. A guilty Kaoru was easier to pry information from. And just as I expected, Kaoru looked as if he'd been caught red-handed but he shook his head profusely. "No...I won't hide from Hikaru in a dress. You'd see through me instantly, like just now. I'm trying to hide my identity from people," Kaoru explained, playing with the hem of his dress. It was a simple dress, really. A darkish pink in colour, the short sleeves were slightly ruffled and there was a silk sash around the waist.
Kaoru looked so cute. People who do not know him would really think that he's a girl. "Hikaru...Have you been doing well for the past years? I did tell you I want to see you happy when I come back, didn't I?" My twin was staring at me intently. Sighing aloud, I rested my head in the crook of his neck. My sole source of comfort when everything else is wrong; Kaoru is a very important person to me. I could feel Kaoru's arms going around my shoulders, holding me comfortingly.
"I...coped. You're unfair, Kaoru. You ran away without me. You left me behind."
Kaoru's only response was his tightening grip around my shoulders. After a while, he spoke.
"Gomen ne, Hikaru. I think...For me, it was something I had to do. Were you sad?"
"Dumbass, of course I was! You're me...You're half of us. Don't leave me again."
My hands were snug around his waist, and I could feel Kaoru nod. I still don't understand why Kaoru left, but I'll find out some way or another. Then I'll make sure he never leaves me again.
"Hikaru!"
That exuberant voice, I can recognize it anywhere. Tamaki-senpai was jogging over, while the rest were following behind him at a more leisurely pace. Immediately, he noticed Kaoru who stared at him in return. I expected Tamaki-senpai to burst into tears, thinking that one of his 'long-lost son' had finally returned to the 'family'. But boy, was I wrong.
Tamaki-senpai took Kaoru's hand and lightly kissed the back of his hand. Kaoru was speechless; even I was speechless! "Oh, you are such a lovely kitten. The soft colours of your beautiful hair dazzle me, the pinkness in your cheeks lovely and the glimmer in your eyes, rapturous! How is it that such a beauty like you would follow this little devil of my family?"
It didn't take long for Kaoru to burst into a howl of laughter. I couldn't help it, but laughed as well. It was a relief. I hadn't heard Kaoru's laughter for a long time.
"Tono, are you coming onto ME?"
Honey-senpai was the first to recognize Kaoru, by voice. "Kao-chan...? Is that you?" Kaoru grinned at our minuscule senior.
"Indeed it is, Honey-senpai. I'm home, everyone."
83~ I'm back with an update!
