A/N: Since I get persuaded really easily, I wrote more. I had no idea what to write next and just wrote Haruhi's POV instead. (It was sooo hard, kick me if it doesn't sound right and tell me to delete it if it is awful). If I come up with more KaoHaru stories, I will add it here. Might as well be my KaoHaru collection now. –winks- Thank you for the comments so far!

-lu.e3


No Regrets

Haruhi's POV


I have not seen Kaoru for a long time.

Kaoru.

I forget how subtle and teasing you can be. Like that note you slipped in my letterbox, inviting me to meet you at "The Quick Brown Fox"; a coffee shop in the outer suburbs.

Dear Haruhi,

Let's meet for a sweet rendezvous.

Love, your good friend Kaoru

You could have used modern communication methods like everyone else; the phone, the internet. You chose the mail instead. I could catch that slow wink of yours in those words. Sometimes, you were utterly infuriating.

Has it been five years since our graduation? It feels like ten.

I pause at the door. There are dark shapes among the tables and I wonder which one is you. Perhaps the tall one leaning casually against the wall. Or the one reminiscing in the far left, staring out the windows.

I can't make my arms move! People walking on the streets stare at me strangely. What am I doing? Staring stupidly through a glass door? I grasp the handle and pull. The bell tinkles its song. Inside, it is bright and sunny. Will I really see you again?

Heads turn round. Eyes flicker towards me. One of them is definitely you. I blurt out your name like a kid. I can't help it. I haven't reached your table, nor confirmed whether the person I am seeing is you.

It is.

How could I forget that face? It has hardly changed. Your golden eyes are clear and remind me of sunshine. Your mouth has a touch of a smile. It is the face that has laughed with me. Teased me. It is the face that I held once. It is a face that is different to Hikaru's in every small way. I want to say I have missed you. But instead-

"Why have you arranged to meet me?"

You smile easily, like you have always done. A smile that has not been entirely true to your inner feelings. "To tell the truth."

"The truth?"

Time stops. It goes back to the day I said goodbye. I never knew you would take my message to heart. I had given up. Neither of us had the courage to pick up the broken pieces. What you will say now? I have never felt more alive. I desire so much to hear you say the truth.

"Would you like a coffee?"

"Would you? Yes, if it will make it easier."

I sometimes wonder whether I have been too late in everything I do. Too late to realize my feelings. To late to tell. Have I been a coward? All I do is give subtle hints and hope like a fool. If only I had…

"You told me to live life without regrets."

"I did."

"I have-"

"You have lots to tell me."

To live life with no regrets. I'm not going to contradict myself. There is nothing to lose, surely.

"H-Haruhi-," you half stand up. I laugh at the look on your face. My insecurities melt away. I have never felt happier.

"So," I ask, "How come you didn't contact me earlier?"

You fall silent. There is an air of comic guilt. "You already know." You reach out and touch my hands. "I was acting like a coward."

"You're not, now." I turn my palm upwards and grasp your hands. They are larger than mine. Soft and smooth. Slightly rough underneath. I lean over the table and place my fingers on your face.

This time, you don't flinch and turn away.

This time, you stare straight at me.

This time, your face doesn't lie.

This time, I'm not going to wait for you.

This time, there will be no regrets.