The photo that Tamaki gets, of the current Haruhi, is the one showing how she looked like when she dressed up as a girl in the masquerade ball towards the end of the manga. That's my idea of a 22 year old Haruhi :D

Thanks for making it to the second chapter! AnimalCraziey xxx

"What?!" Haruhi was clearly surprised. "Are you two just pulling my leg?" The two of them shook their heads. Haruhi was the only girl who was their true friend; who liked them for who they were not just their looks or wealth. And for that they would never mess with her. At least not THAT much.

"No. Tamaki needs a Japanese wife...and you would fit the bill. He wants a girl who is deserving and knows that this is something that will inevitably end." She took a deep breath.

"Basically you're telling me that I'm like a charity case who will get enough money to effectively shut me up for a few months till the sham marriage is over." Her bluntness made both of the twins wince involuntarily but Kaoru, as the more mature of the two, soon regained his composure.

"I know you might still see him as the flamboyant, womanising head of the Ouran High School Host Club. In reality Tamaki is the sweetest guy out there. He would never hurt you Haruhi. Not that we would let him anyway." He squeezed her hand gently. She managed a weak smile.

"No consummation is necesaary," Hikaru's statement was accompanied by a lighthearted grin. "God knows he gets enough of that with that angelic face and body of his." Haruhi snorted loudly.

"Please tell me that's not your personal opinion Hikaru," their high-school friendship had grown to a firstname basis as the three had seemed to become closer during their college years. He silently showed her a magazine with a picture of Tamaki on the front, the words 'Most Eligible Bachelor under 25' emblazoned across the bottom.

She gulped and looked up at them before tentatively asking how much would be paid. The minimum amount made Haruhi nearly fall off her chair. It was more than enough to cover all of her law school costs, if not a few 1000 yen extra over that already huge amount. One part of her said that this was so wrong, that she had to get married to someone that she loved. But another part said that she just had to go for this; there was no other way she could follow her dream of following in her mother's footsteps.

"Let me get back to you later. There are a few things I need to check first." She gave a warm smile to both of them before turning back towards her house, a bag of groceries in each hand.

10 minutes later

"Dad I'm home!" Haruhi closed the door behind her, the click only emphasising the almost eerie emptiness of the house. She sighed. Guess some things never changed.

"Back so soon? You normally spend more time with those twin friends of yours." His head peeked round the door of his bedroom, some loose tendrils of hair fallling around his face.

"There was something I needed to ask you Dad." If Ryouji Fujioka didn't know that his daughter had something serious on her mind from her expression he certainly heard it from her voice.

"Of course Haruhi," his voice automatically softened. "You know you can talk to me about anything."

"I received a proposal today. A marriage one." The reaction the sensible Haruhi had expected was nothing like the one she got from her dad.

"You didn't tell me you were dating! Haruhi!" 'Ranka' was in hysterics. "When will I meet him? You haven't said yes, have you?" She shook her head, feeling incredibly guilty from omitting the truth to her father.

"I need to meet Tamaki when he gets back from Paris. He'll arrive in Narita International Airport in 5 days time. And I'll bring him to meet you as soon as possible." Ryouji hugged his daughter tightly and murmured into her hair.

"I'm really happy for you Haruhi. Now you'll be able to have the same relationship your mother and I had, even if it was just for more than 5 years. That love that gets you through everything...it doesn't come to everyone. But my daughter, you have clearly been blessed." Haruhi bit her lip anxiously before returning the embrace.

Was she getting into the right thing?

Meanwhile, in Paris...

"I knew I could trust you with this Kyoya." Tamaki answered the phone in the back of his chauffeur driven Mercedes. "So who have you found for me? Within half an hour of me asking is a little quick so don't be surprised if I ask again." Tamaki heard a small chuckle from his friend and was pleasantly surprised.

"I've emailed her picture to you. Her name's Haruhi Fujioka, classmate of the Hitachiin's. Ouran graduate so at least people won't be too suspicious that you've plucked a total stranger. Average income for that socioeconomic status but most of my servants are generally better off. The money you pay her will pave Haruhi's way to law school."

The smiling girl was not as beautiful as the models and actresses he usually dated but Tamaki had to admit that this girl HAD something. Something which he just could not put a finger too but made him feel like hugging her on sight. He could understand why the Hitachiin twins regarded her as a close friend, turning to her if not to each other. And she wasn't rich or famous so it wasn't as if he'd ever have to see her again after the whole thing. At least some of the guilt could be eased that way. This Haruhi Fujioka was really the only one who ticked all the boxes.

"Well done Kyoya. You've found the One."