((A/N: Greetings! To everyone that was a fan of my previous versions of this story, I am deeply sorry. My writing has improved greatly and looking back, Haruka's characterization seemed a bit blank and too flat. And I took inspiration from some amazing anime that I love. Your Lie in April is one that I have seen constantly and I couldn't get over the fact that it made me very emotional. Arima's reasons for refusing to play the piano are close to how Haruka feels about the piano. But instead of giving up, she continues on because a small thread of hope still gives her strength to play. Honey and Clover is another one that inspired me since it's a coming-of-age anime, or at least that's how I view it. Hagu is a prodigy in her art, doting upon by a few male figures like her uncle. She also transfers to a new school and involved with a group at said school.
And just so you guys are very correct, Haruka was bullied back in England. She doesn't like talking about it at all and hardly likes to share such information with others outside her family. I guess, in a way, I'm tapping into some deep part of myself where I kept my life as someone that got picked on somewhat and that's how I relate to Haruka. Not only that, the stress of high expectations is killer.
Reviews:
SnowCatt: What Haruka doesn't want to do is be a part of competitions constantly. I get confused too about what exactly she wants besides study in Vienna. She enjoys composing and playing various instruments. It's been a while since I've taken some music classes, so I'm a bit rusty, bear with me, please. QwQ
creccee: Thank you and yes, Haruka has synesthesia. I'm doing special research on it right now as I go along with the story. Her feelings and emotions affect such ability, but I'm still 100% unsure.
YuYuHakushoObsesser: Thank you so much! I was a bit unhappy with the other story and I felt it was going everywhere.
Let us begin the story!))
Chapter 2 | She's Beauty and Grace! Kinda
"Look! Here she comes! It's Haruka Shiraga."
"Shou Shiraga's human metronome, I see."
"She can't do anything without that father of her's backing her up."
"I heard she trains eight hours a day all week."
"Just like a robot that does as its told."
"She's just some tart that can't do anything on her own."
"She barely shows any emotion. How scary."
"I bet she thinks she's better than all of us just because she's a prodigy."
Things are not going to plan the moment she set foot in this school. It was predicted that she'd have a peaceful and fair paced school life, but fate seemed to have some sick humor for the prodigy as she stayed focused on the score in front of her.
"I guess there is a pro in being able to have free time during lunch." or at least that's what she would say if her mouth wasn't so occupied in eating the cookies that Ren made for her and Roderich. Haruka finally had some peace and quiet, preferring this over the noises of gossiping girls and boys, playing the piano slowly to see if the melody was pleasing to her ears.
"Haruka! There you are!" The double doors of the music classroom flew open, revealing the tall figure of the academy's music teacher, Roderich Edelstein, Haruka's uncle. He was smiling and walking towards the music prodigy, closing his eyes once he was beside the piano. A chuckle emitted from the Austrian male as he took out the home-cooking of Ren's food, a very peaceful smile was always present when he smelled his wife's food or when he heard gentle piano playing. Finishing up the score, Roderich looked at the piece, analyzing it carefully.
"You wrote this?" He asked and a nod was his answer.
"You're a prodigy alright. It's quite a shame that Shou is reluctant to make you a world-class pianist." By world-class pianist, he means to keep her from creating her own pieces.
"Uncle, you're too soft on me." The prodigy laughed lightly and teased the older man about the closeness their relationship was since she was little.
"Have you heard from my brothers?" She asked, taking the music sheets away and placed them in a folder for safekeeping and into her satchel, it goes. Roderich looked up into his niece's icy blue eyes, pulling out his phone to see the text messages, smiling at Haruka. In case anyone wasn't aware, Haruka has five brothers. Natsu is the oldest and a very well known engineer with a world-wide company and engaged with the famous actress, Yuki Miyazono; Yuuki is an artist living in Seoul, South Korea and in process of making an art exhibition in the city, the theme is an absolute secret; Arata is the middle child of the boys, the youngest chef that owns several four star restaurants, Fuyu is a Chief Investigator (Translation: top class detective that can kick arse) who got recommended to Interpol and is currently on an assignment in Germany; and Ikuto is the youngest of the brothers and is in medical school studying abroad in America right now.
"Almost everyone sends a care package to the manor with some goodies and a few clothes for you from where they're at. Ikuto sent you one along with Yuuki and Fuyu. Of course, Arata sent you the biggest of them all with lots of clothes. Oh, I think Natsu sent you a letter." Roderich pulled out an envelope from his pocket, handing it over to Haruka, quickly opening it.
"Haruka,
Let me just say how proud and ecstatic I am to know you have come home to Japan after all these years - I can finally be close to my baby sister and Yuki is really anxious to meet you soon. You heard of her from mom, yes? She's the famous actress from the drama, Heaven Knows. How I ever met her is still a mystery to me, but I'm glad I'm the one she's marrying.
Is Uncle Roderich's family treating you right? Of course, they are, but father must hate it since uncle's a bit more carefree. Getting that out of the way, I have enclosed a book for you. It would be an honor for us to be the musician for the wedding and the book I sent you has the list of various songs that I think would suit the occasion, but we're always open for suggestions. Knowing you, it'll even exceed my own expectations.
Be good and do your best in school.
Sincerely, Natsu Shiraga."
"The wedding isn't in five months and already he's asking you to prepare the music, that stupid kid," Roderich muttered in amusement, taking the letter and putting it in one of his inside pockets. Haruka was smiling, thinking of seeing her older brother again brought her pleasant memories of when all of her siblings would play with her indoors and surround themselves with the piano to hear her play.
'I never got to say goodbye when I left.'
"Speaking of stupid, you joined a club, right? It's a club that Mr. Suoh's son formed." He spoke again with a hint of amusement in his words. There are times when Roderich liked messing with Shou about his friendship with Suoh. For example, while they were having dinner one day, Roderich invited Mr. Suoh to dinner at his manor and things got out of hand one day. Some would say Roderich gets a few laughs out of other people's misfortune, especially Shou's and they'd get confused as to why he would even complain about it.
'He should be considerate that he's that young than what I've seen in England. For a 52-year-old, he has the looks of a 29-year-old. Such a dramatic man for someone that's supposed to be professional.'
"It was more like I had no other choice. It happened so quick, there was no way I could have said anything." Taking a piece of Roderich's lunch, Haruka thought about how exactly she was going to confront the club today. What the hell was a host club anyways and why does she have to befriend a Suoh just like her father? It seems like father and daughter are very much alike.
"Perhaps I shall go meet them, Haruka. No doubt, you're going to have to get along with them. Besides, I never really got the hype of this host club and I need to make sure that if it's an appropriate setting for a young woman such as yourself." Roderich smiled cheerfully, which was unsettling for the young prodigy to see the polite and polished Austrian act like this. Not only that, the uneasy feeling rose to new heights when she spotted a ruler in his hands. He wasn't thinking of hitting any students, was he?
"Hey, wait for a tick! That's not a ruler, that's a whip! And what's with the strange aura you're admitting?!" Haruka quickly ran up to him, trying to shake him off the stupid trance he was in. She was absolutely terrified of the man in front of her now.
"What are you talking about? You must be seeing things now, Haruka. Maybe we should get you to go outside more often."
"UNCLE! YOU'RE SCARING ME!"
Home economics class was an elective Haruka decided to apply for so she wouldn't have others to worry. Food wasn't really what she was an expert on and there was no better to learn than right now, especially when the cake she made yesterday was graded and it was a C-. The cake was still good and she wasn't surprised Roderich didn't reject the cake, he was such a sweet tooth, that and he forgot the packed lunch Ren made for him.
"So this is Haruka's cooking! Not bad, but there's room for improvement. Keep it up, Haruka!"
Before they both knew, classes were over and the beginning of club hours have started or being able to go home after a long day.
Not Roderich or Haruka however. Roderich decided to accompany Haruka to the Host Club today, now that she was a member after all. At first glance, Haruka doesn't seem to be someone that should be in the club, but who would ever know.
"The abandoned music room? Top floor, south wing - the third music room…"
Out of nowhere, the Austrian pulled out a clipboard, reading a few of the members' files.
"First-year students, Class A: Haruhi Fujioka - Honors Scholarship student and recently joined, Hikaru Hitachiin, Kaoru Hitachiin - twins, and sons of the fashion designer. Second-year students, Class A: Tamaki Suoh - son of the chairman of Ouran Academy and president of the club, Kyoya Ootori - third son of the Ootori medical group and vice president of the club. Third-year students, Class A: Mitsukuni Haninozuka, Takashi Morinozuka." Roderich went through all the files, seeing what they have done for the past years or so. They are pretty new after all.
"Well isn't that interesting."
"What are you talking about?"
"Most clubs must belong in categories and they have it under miscellaneous. Not only that, they don't have a teacher advisor."
"I've only been at this school for three days." Roderich shrugged and went his merry way to continue looking over the files. Both musicians finally arrived at the place, opening the doors carefully to be met with the same reaction to Haruka's first impression. The bright light shone upon them as the stage light in a concert, red roses flew in the air as an image of someone playing Liszt or Vivaldi, there was a twinkling background noise - a chime of some sorts that Haruka saw as a yellow, the happiness of a dream in which she's never heard before. Once again, those seven male figures showed up and said the same phrase,
"Welcome."
'Colors help me see the music..it perfects it...It's my way of coping as well. The colors distract me from the greys of the world. I could never find colors wherever I lived...yet, I see it right here...this has to be a dream. No way this could happen normally..'
"Haruka! How nice of you to come agai-! Who's this man?" Haruka snapped out of it, blinking and the light and color disappeared, Tamaki taking a step forward while she glanced up at Roderich. Everyone was staring at the violet-eyed, brown-haired male with a stubborn strand, who seemed to be taking all of this very calmly than was expected.
"Is he...your father?" Tamaki said and Haruka couldn't help, but just slap her forehead. Did no one here know the music program really well? He's been here or a while now.
"Do you really want to fail that badly, Suoh?" Roderich's eyes sharpened, pushing his glasses up more. The glare frightened the blond second year.
"This girl happens to be my brothers' daughter! She'll be attending school here from now on thanks to my recommendation." Roderich said, Haruka just watching while she grew embarrassed, slapping her forehead again. Footsteps appeared beside Haruka and she saw the vice club president, smiling. He was forcing it and she could tell.
"I humbly apologize for that crude introduction from everyone. Perhaps a fresher new start is at hand. I'm Kyoya Ootori, a second-year student. Nice-" He extended his hand out for the prodigy to take, but instead, the Austrian male quickly intervened, the grip increasing as the seconds passed. A glaring contest started and the atmosphere seemed unsettling around them, "to meet you.."
"Haruka Shiraga, sixteen years old. She loves composing music, figure skating, and scrapbooking. Incidentally, one of her brothers is a famous Interpol Chief Investigator of the First Criminal Investigation Unit. He and his influential brothers have devoted their lives to their only sister of sixteen years…" Roderich explained, an image of Fuyu emerging from the heads of the host club with sirens. Some of them seem petrified in even meeting the man, but Haruka shook it off, smiling lightly that Roderich was trying to scare them off, even with the background words saying "hurt her, you die."
"One false move and you're off to kingdom come." He finished, but Haruka shook it off.
'I guess there's a reason why uncle and father are friends.'
"You don't say," Kyoya said, still battling off with Roderich and never breaking contract until…
"Ruka-chan! Good to see you again!" Honey bounced his way to Haruka, hugging her, twirling her around like a ballerina with her dress skirt floating along. To be honest, Haruka didn't know how to respond to the short blond boy and the childish air he emitted.
'I hate you..'
!
Her hand went to his hair, ruffling it up with his response being a laugh, but then gasped as if he forgot something.
"I have some cake for you, Ruka-chan! We can all eat them together before the guests arrive! He said, but Haruka was lost by how those words still echoed through her head.
'I hate you… I hate you… '
The silence must have been interpreted wrong since Honey's eyes started to have tears appear at the corner of his eyes.
"Do you not like cake, Ruka-chan?"
'I'm a monster..'
Just her fortune, her stomach began to grumble lightly and the twins burst into laughter but stopped once they saw the deadly glare Roderich gave to them. His hand rested on her head, smiling down at the girl when she looked up.
"You must be hungry, right?"
"I guess."
And that was how everyone sat down, waiting for the tea Haruka was preparing.
"Oh. So Suoh was moved by Haruka's songs? Hm, can't say I blame him or anyone for that matter. It's been a while since I heard such a reaction." Roderich looked over at the young girl, smiling almost childishly as he got a taste of more sweets and a nice cup of delicious tea from Haruka Shiraga.
"Big-hearted whenever you get the chance, huh?" He showed a grin of an idiot, smiling more. Haruka only rolled her eyes and poured tea into everyone's cups.
'What a sweet tooth, uncle.'
"Mr. Edelstein, why are you here with Haruka anyways?" Haruhi asked, taking the cup of tea, quickly thanking Haruka and looked back at Roderich.
"As her uncle, guardian, and teacher, I have the right to know what's going on in the club that she joined. She's my only niece after all."
"Uncle…"
"Besides," Here we go again, "You lot need a teacher advisor!" He beamed, taking another sip of his tea. Haruka slapped her forehead once again, making Roderich sit back down again, but it was only a temporary measure.
"Do we really need a teacher advisor?"
"We've been doing well without one."
"But school rules are school rules. Besides, no one has really volunteered for it so," Tamaki went up to the Austrian male, shaking his hand furiously, "Thank you so much, Mr. Edelstein! You don't know how happy we are to welcome you here!"
'Could I call this a shot of ruining my high school experience?'
"I didn't know your uncle was a foreigner," Haruhi said out loud and Haruhi smiled, biting down on some cake Honey offered her.
"He's related to me by marriage. My fathers' sister, Ren, married him. They met when father went to Europe and tagged along. Love at first sight she says," Haruka explained, taking a sip of her tea, "Hows the tea, by the way?"
"It's delicious!" Haruhi and Honey told the prodigy. The short blond boy looked over at Haruka, seeing the way she was careful with her hands and saw exactly how small they were, no bruises or anything was visible.
'So delicate…'
It's only been a short time, but Honey could feel a bond with the girl, knowing well that he was going to get along with the prodigy. He was so happy about it that he wanted to tell his best friend and cousin, but the moment he turned to look at him, Honey knew that his mind and his eyes were focused on something or rather someone else.
"Takashi… eh?" His best friends eyes were on the girl, watching her every move as she was cutting another piece of cake, even watching her eyes flutter when she blinked. This was strange, he never looked on at someone for this long, but the way his eyes were seemed strange. Those were the eyes of a guy...
'I see… This.. this is the first time I see the moment someone falling in love. Why am I getting embarrassed about it?'
It was spring alright.
'How can a pianist continue to play when they do not have enough love for their music? I always asked that about myself… I keep telling myself time and time again that I'll never be like you ever. Why..?'
"A club with nothing, but a bunch of flirts," Haruka muttered under her breath, watching everyone sit at different tables and say almost empty meanings and words to the girls yet they were smiling and having a good time. They blushed and there were colors… sparkles... It was strange, yet…
"A lot of happiness.."
'Unlike a lot who came to visit me to brag about his appearance..' Haruka thought about her brother, sighing and remembered a strange visit.
"My little Angleterre, why are you so cruel to me? I have come a long way from home to visit you here! Oh, you baked me a cake? How generous of you!" Just a quick bite of the cake, his eyes widened in glee.
"TRES BIEN!"
"Get the bloody hell out of here."
"Is this what normally goes on in the club?" Haruka asked to no one in particular, engrossed by the scene in front of her that she was slightly startled by Haruhi and Kyoya approaching her, watching the same scene.
"We simply apply our individual talents to meet the needs and tastes of our customers. Tamaki is our king, our number one draw." Haruka blinked as if her own way to process the entire thing. The boy continued on by saying seven out of ten requests him, something that interested the prodigy.
"Cara vemos, corazon no sabemos… but he has good intentions I'm assuming…" she muttered, Haruhi hearing her words but didn't say much as Haruka turned toward Kyoya once again.
"You'll be handling customer song requests, for the time being, Miss Shiraga. Thanks to your uncle, we have various instruments to suit the tastes of our customers." He flashed another forced smile, Haruka looked over to where the instruments were, Roderich setting them all up properly. She wasn't alone in this, she remembered, she had support and help for her to study abroad in the country of her dreams. It won't be long, at least that's what Haruka thinks.
Tapping on the piano keys, she warmed up and like always, she got so into it that she didn't hear a few voices calling her.
"Haruka." One voice stood out and her icy blue eyes followed the voice, seeing a small line of girls already anxious to hear their song to be played. The first girl though seemed very familiar to Haruka…
Ah, that's right.
She's the granddaughter of Kaname Ueda, Misaki Ueda. A fellow pianist, but unlike her, she stayed in Japan to take most of the pianist competitions by storm. She always came in second place from Haruka. Misaki could have frowned at her for seeing her rival best her at something else, but she smiled at Haruka.
"I'd love to hear Chopin's Nocturne in E Flat Major, Op.9, No,2."
'That's the same one I always scored higher than you. Wouldn't it bring up more pain for you?'
Either way, Haruka nodded her head and smiled, doing a little finger stretches and began playing softly. How should someone react to such a song? A lullaby? Maybe a song to dedicate the beauty of night? The calm scenery of the beautiful night sky with thousands of stars twinkling one by one. It was the image that Haruka put her entire heart on, but it wasn't perfect anymore; it needs colors to bring it back to life. Otherwise, it's just an unrealistic picture and flat. Everyone decided to give more requests, one requested for what Haruka played for Schubert, another one requested Liszt's, La Campanella.
Meanwhile, Roderich was on the sidelines, watching from afar at how Haruka was playing Liszt, one of his all-time favorites. Some of the Austrians fans showed up to the room to get a glimpse at the seemingly young man now that he appointed himself at the Host Club's teacher advisor and they also seemed eager to hear the many pieces his niece played so beautifully.
"Mr. Edelstein, she plays so beautifully. How long has she practiced to play the song?" Asked a girl while Roderich was busy eating a cake and drinking the leftover tea Haruka made just a while ago. He glanced back up to Haruka and saw that she never had her eyes leave the piano and she never had to read over any music sheets more than three times.
"This girl has the talent many greats could dream about! She's truly the Mozart of the Millennials." Judges from all around the world marveled at Haruka's performances and her own compositions that seemed to stir many emotions into the judges and the audience alike. Roderich and Shou watched backstage in the same awed trance everyone were in as the three-year-old girl stepped down to take a bow, but she looked like she was at the verge of tears about almost ruining her performance.
"Her performance just leave you breathless. Tell us, Mr. Shiraga, what will Haruka do now?" The announcer asked Shou and with no hesitation, Shou replied,
"She'll be like me. She'll become a competitive pianist." Roderich flinched lightly and noticed that he was the only one that disliked this idea. He knew about Haruka playing her own melodies and how happy the girl seemed just trying to sing them out in that toddler voice of hers. If she competed, she won't ever get the time to write her own compositions like Roderich and it would be such a waste. However, what would his only niece say when she finds out he's ruining the celebration. After all, a new musician is born in the family. Shou on the other hand…
"Are you certain this is what Haruka wants and not you?"
"She's a strong girl. And it takes her about two weeks to memorize it - less than that if she's passionate about it." He said it as if it was normal with almost everyone crowding around the Austrian in surprise as he still kept drinking his tea peacefully.
"Eh?! So fast?!"
"With the ridiculous hours of practice, she achieved such a memory. Anyone can do it. Well, if they were committed and sold their soul to the devil."
The last note echoed the room, the sound of applause followed. But it was nice to see her uncle applaud the most. He always supported her in composing, but her father was quite the opposite. Shou Shiraga isn't really a kind of person that bothers to write his own compositions or to stray from what is written on the score. He's one of those musicians that is strict about honoring what the composer wrote and prefers the thrill and titles of what comes with winning piano competitions instead of becoming the next Beethoven. Roderich, on the other hand, is the musician who allows emotions and inserts his own notes on the scores. He uses the score as a blueprint, a useful blueprint to make what is already great about something beautiful. He is a composer, in pursuit of making music others would definitely love.
A musical score...about his niece's new school experience.
"Haruka!" The blue-eyed girl looked up from her notes and watched as the blond second year, Tamaki, make his way towards her with a smile, probably a smile with trouble written all over it.
"What is it?"
"Everyone just simply adores the way you play! What other songs can you play?" He asked the prodigy while Haruka looked back down at her notes. She didn't want to play anything that she wrote just yet. Even with Roderich saying it was great, who's to say others won't like it. Tamaki noticed the girls hesitation and smiled, patting her head to at least give her comfort. Haruka was still hesitant, her hands starting to tremble under his gaze and she clenched them tightly to now give into her nerves. On her lap were two different folders, composition folder and transcribing folder.
'What could she be transcribing?' Tamaki asked himself and sat down next to the girl.
"Could I see the transcribing folder?" He asked, surprised that the girl quickly handed it to him. Haruka followed his eye movements the way he scanned the score, fidgeting and wondering what he was going to say. When she wasn't practicing, she'd watch a lot of shows online or on her Letflix account, humming lightly whenever songs came up, especially ones like the one Tamaki was looking at - a song well known in the anime community.
"You just listened to it and..?"
"No, not at all! I had to listen to it repeatedly to get the entire score right. I just finished transcribing it yesterday along with an original composition." She quickly explained, waving her hands frantically. Either way, Tamaki looked at it, his eyes sparkling, according to Haruka.
"Code Geass Piano Cover… so you watch anime?"
"Mostly for the music. You should see the CDs of all the OST's I've gotten over the years. I'm proud of my collection.." Tamaki's eyes widened slightly at how Haruka talked so passionately about it; she is a musician after all. And it was the same musician that he admired from afar, all grown up.
"You gotta play it!"
"What?!" Haruka exclaimed, surprised not the right word. Tamaki nodded quickly, taking the prodigy's wrist and pulled her back to the piano, Haruka grabbing her things.
"Please play it! I've never heard an anime piano cover."
"But…"
"Just play. From one fellow musician to another."
'There it was again...a spark of color emitting from him..'
Play she did, to either get him off her back or just because she wanted to, who knows. But no one forgot about the sweet and pure surrounding noise of the piano. It was gentle and slow, at least for a while because Tamaki and Haruka were the only ones expecting a powerful crescendo and energy expected from an anime like Code Geass.
Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 - Flow: World End OP 2 Piano Cover
Roderich snapped to attention, Tamaki smiling at how quickly Haruka's small hands were hitting those keys with ease. Speaking of small, he just noticed how small of a frame she had - may be due to the sheltered upbringing since she was stripped of playing outside like normal children and practiced piano. Well, whatever.
To the prodigy, she was smiling happily because the colors she was seeing were light and then dark and back to light colors.
Mori, along with Honey and their guests, watched how she moved her hands and how her posture wasn't like how it was when she played the classical pieces. Her hair moved along with each movement Haruka made and in the way of seeing her eyes, but there was no need, he could tell how she was feeling the way her body moved.
Kyoya even seemed to notice this feeling by the sound of the keys. The bespectacled boy was simply doing more research on Haruka when he heard the new song being played. He suddenly stopped what he was doing and began listening to the rest of the song. One person was only able to play the piano that made him stop and watch, he was now the boys best friend. Today, the prodigy was the second. Who is Haruka Shiraga to awe so many people with just one song?
It wasn't over yet. Haruka went towards the next score.
Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood OP 5 - Rain by SID Piano Cover
Haruhi's eyes couldn't leave the prodigy, who was obviously looking at the sheet to match it with her playing. She wasn't used to the sound of the piano, hardly even paying attention to it since the arts wasn't her stronghold nor were any of the neighborhood kids or adults around pianos much. But for someone whose experience was low, she couldn't mistake such genius existed in the way Haruka played.
The twins, Hikaru and Kaoru, they only heard a few people play and it was mostly all those winners of piano competitions and they were quite a bore. No, not this girl that everyone says won a lot of competitions with all those songs she played yesterday and today. She wasn't like the others… but they still haven't figured if it's going to be a good or bad thing.
The last note of arrangement was improvised at that moment and she looked up at the ceiling, her eyes widening and tears streamed down her face just as droplets of sweat dripped down her face. She used up most of her energy performing those two pieces that left her breathless that she didn't even know the crowd that she drew into the club. Once again, Haruka was startled by the number of people that surrounded her until she settled on a girl with a pair of full lips, her hair almost like that of a Japanese princess from the Feudal era of Japan.
"Whoa! Haruka, you play so beautifully! Can you play any other instruments?" The princess asked, more questions followed after when she finished.
"How long have you lived in Europe?"
"Your skin is so pale and soft! Did you use any cosmetics to make it that way?"
"You must be really close with your uncle, huh? That's really sweet!"
This was a first for Haruka who was so used to girls and guys her own age group just asking for piano lessons or just to say pretty mean things to her. All these girls seemed very genuine in their questions and that's why she stood there frozen for a couple minutes until she spoke.
"I play the violin, cello, and guitar. I lived in London since I was five so this is my first time back in Japan and I only use soap and water with some rosehips. It's nice to meet everyone." Haruka gripped her dress skirt as all the girls just gushed at how shy and adorable Haruka was; it was cute. Her cheeks started to turn a noticeable rosy color and her eyes adverted to the floor. Roderich's eyes were sharp and never took his eyes off his niece as he noticed how she was close to running off; she wasn't really great with new people. But he smirked since there was a whole other side to Haruka that he knew was used as a last resort.
"You must have really practiced a lot then, Haruka. It's impressive how much you know especially when you know how to play four instruments," Haruhi said and smiled at the young prodigy, who just blushed more and smiled kindly at her new friend. Well, she hoped that Haruhi considered her as a friend.
"T-thank you very much." Haruka bowed slightly, soon being swooped in a hug by Tamaki.
"SO CUUTE! My little sister is getting along with my little girl!" he yelled and if it weren't for the sudden thought of needing air and her face turning blue, Haruka would have screamed bloody murder.
"Mi'lord, let them go. Can't you see Haruka can't breathe?" The twins yelled from across the room and tried to help the girl once Tamaki let go. Haruka recovered quickly and ran off to hide behind the twins, clenching onto Kaoru's jacket.
"There, you see? You scared her."
"I didn't mean to scare her! She was so adorable, I couldn't help myself!" Tamaki yelled in fury at the twins, scaring Haruka more.
Roderich chuckled from his seat and glanced on over at where Misaki was at all alone at her table sipping tea and looking at Haruka's direction. Misaki's brown eyes watched the scene in anger - the familiar glint of jealousy obvious to the naked eye.
'Should I interfere? No, this is for Haruka's sake.'
"You are no match to Haruka Shiraga if you play that way. She's your age yet shes won more awards than you think."
"Lucky you, that prodigy is moving to London. Maybe you still have hope yet."
Haruka walked quietly around the music department to find her missing bag that had her newly written music score and her Harry Potter flap wallet. It had disappeared just as she was heading to the lunch room but she decided to turn back since she forgot her wallet. She had looked around the department but with no luck. She let out a heavy sigh and was close to giving up when she glanced out the window and saw her black satchel with all of its contents spilled onto the little pool of water in the garden. Worry filled her body as she went into a sprint to head down the fountain where she had seen her belongings all cluttered and smudged. Haruka ran with her hair flowing behind and blinded her vision when she encountered someone as she passed them. It was a female student from the uniform, but her voice was so dark and black.
"Haruka Shiraga, why are you in such a hurry?" the girl asked in an amused tone, but the prodigy didn't respond and never looked back at the person even when they began to talk again.
"It must feel so refreshing to always have great company that you seem to want more, attention whore. That glamorous life must soon come to an end one of these days." She left from the sound of her footsteps with a venomous chuckle while Haruka stood her ground despite the throbbing pain in her eyes, quickly taking off towards the fountain to save what little can be salvaged.
Her sheet music was a treasure and a dream Haruka wishes to accomplish, practicing as much as she could from anywhere her father could reach her to try to at least tell him what she really wants. A composer… a musician that inspires many more to create a beautiful melody and to play the instruments she loves with all her heart and content.
She tied up her hair in a messy bun, her dress rolled up high enough to not get it wet, removed her tights and oxfords, rolled up her sleeves to her elbows to search the shallow waters to save her belongings. The folder full of her own compositions had small splashes but nothing unreadable, much to her relief.
"I mustn't weep. Not like I haven't had this happen before." She said in English and so preoccupied with her task to even turn around to answer the phone.
In the cafeteria, Roderich was on his phone calling Haruka since she hasn't come back yet from getting her wallet in the classroom. For the third time, it went straight to voicemail.
"Hi. I, Haruka, can't answer the phone right now. But leave your message and I'll get right back to you soon."
"Haruka where are you?" he whispered to himself and the host club members noticed, mostly Haruhi so she walked up to him.
"Wheres Haruka, Mr. Edelstein?" she asked.
"She's somewhere. If I find out that girl is skipping lunch because of practice, I'm taking away her dessert privileges."
Haruka continued to fish out her things, a bit of her dress getting wet, but nothing serious as she stepped out of the fountain, moving on and waited for the majority of it to dry off.
"It always follows, huh?" Haruka looked up at the sky, moving a hand towards her hair and removed the hair tie, her hair flowing down.
"What are you looking at, Haruka?" Misaki asked curiously, Haruka's attention now appointed towards her former competitor. All she could do right now was smile.
"Nothing," Haruka said softly, "Nothing at all."
"Well, no matter. I'm just glad I'm able to talk to you. Your company is always enjoyable" Haruka's blue eyes looked up towards Misaki's brown ones, expecting a lot, but the cold and distant look was the one look she wished it wasn't there. What came next had everyone's mouths open and the great music room was drifted into silence, shocking everyone, even the great 'Shadow King' himself.
"Piss off. Why are you acting all friendly so suddenly?" She said while the finished drinking a bit of her tea. All eyes were on Haruka's little table where Misaki could only stare in shock.
"W-what d-do you mean, Haruka? I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about." Misaki said, quickly covering up her nervousness, but Haruka wasn't convinced and reached into her bag to pull out several photos of Misaki throwing Haruka's things into the fountain. The brunette looked in horror while Haruka calmly put the photos down on the table and waited for a response from her guest.
"Being a woman is frightful, isn't it? Always competing with one another because the other is better." Haruka smiled coldly with one hand resting on her cheek and watched in amusement how speechless Misaki was; it was even more entertaining how quiet the room got when she finally spoke more than the occasional polite sentence.
"If you think I acted like a shy and cute girl to attract attention, then your head must be full of shite. Every year, it surprises me how low women like you can get."
One witty remark after another, Misaki had to do something and stood up, slamming her hands on the table.
"Acting all high and mighty, huh? You think you're so great because of what you've done? I'll have you know since you left, I've been winning all those recitals and competitions."
"True, but if you've done your homework, I've already won those when I was five years old while you were still figuring out what the bloody hell was a half-note."
Roderich stared, smirking lightly at the infamous Shiraga wit. When Haruka opens her mouth and angered enough, she just decides to let all hell break loose. No longer was she the poster child for good behavior and kindness, but she becomes a harsh and critical, well, to put it mildly, bitch. It's always amusing to see everyone's reaction for the first time.
"I actually pity you because you can't do anything on your own! Always relying on your father, doing everything he says."
"Ya' worthless tart! No one likes smart arses like ya' here!"
"If you think others will believe you, forget it! I've been here much longer than you have while you've only been here for two weeks! Who's going to believe you!? You're all alone!"
"Emotionless bitch. You come here and swagger around like you own the place. Go back to Japan."
"You're worthless! The Human Metronome! Worthless Human Metronome! Just disappear!"
"Why don't we have the wee lass swim for a bit?"
Harsh memories of her old school and her tormenters came all rushing back as those sentences trigged a lot of eventful happenings that Haruka had her hands covering her ears and bending down to just staring at her lap so the others wouldn't see her tear up, especially Misaki. She had to recover quickly or else Misaki was going to attack verbally again.
'Come on! Say something! Anything! SOMETHING! Prove them all wrong! Just say something, you wimp!'
Roderich watched, proud that at least Haruka stood up for herself, even if it was just for a few minutes until she cracked under pressure. All those years all by herself didn't do her much good. He could have stood up and stopped it all, but Haruka's words from days before echoed in his mind.
Even if her mouth was open, her words never came as a tall figure stood behind the young prodigy and Honey, with his Usa-chan, climbed down his cousins' shoulders and looked at Misaki with a warm smile.
"That's not true," He said as he smiled more.
"Ruka-chan's never alone. She now has Takashi and I. We may not have known each other for long, but she's a sweet person. We love Ruka-chan." He finished and grinned to himself when he remembered that it was especially true for his cousin. Mori caught his cousins tease and blushed on the inside. Haruka stared down at the short third-year that just stood up for her. Mori looked and smiled gently at Haruka, patting her head in a form of comfort.
"I keep hearing voices here." A male figure appeared through the doors, looking around the pool hall where he saw a group of boys and Haruka in the water. Another figure came to him and saw what was going on and glared at the blokes. The taller of the two went ahead and dealt with the boys.
"Oi! You wankers better leave the girl alone!" The blond-haired boy rushed over and kicked the one who was pushing Haruka's head into the water forcefully. Once he was satisfied, he jumped into the water noticing that the girl hasn't swum in her life. The tall boy then sent the group out, smiling, but they knew not to mess with the Russian guy.
Haruka was coughing, holding onto her saviors' clothes, but she was careful since there were other incidents where people would try to be nice to her and then dump her somewhere else when they had no use for her anymore. The two boys in front of her stared at her, worry in their eyes.
It was different from the usual envious and malicious looks she received.
Kind green eyes.
Warm violet eyes.
"Are you alright, love?" The green-eyed-boy asked.
"You have many bruises. I have the idea, we shall take you to the infirmary!" The violet-eyed boy said, getting on his knees with his back turned towards Haruka, suggesting a piggyback ride. She hopped on his back, slightly wondering if she weighted anything.
"I'd hate to think what would happen if we didn't show up. Oh, pardon my manners, love. I'm Arthur, Arthur Kirkland." The Brit smiled.
"And I'm Andrei Dostoyevsky," The Russian male laughed lightly. The two boys waited for the young prodigy to speak, but didn't pressure her into doing so either. Haruka was never really good at talking to others, but she should speak to at least thank them.
"I'm Haruka Shiraga," She said, looking over the Russian's shoulder slightly, "Thank you."
This wasn't going to be the first time meeting with them.
Especially Arthur.
She wasn't going to forget his kind, green eyes. She wasn't going to ever forget about her first love.
"Besides, these pictures seem like the real thing. Haruka never really was good in photoshop." Roderich appeared behind the young prodigy and took the pictures, pointing out a few details.
"That is Miss Ueda's face. There are no odd colors around the eyes like an unnatural pale skin color on the rosy skin. No awkward blending as well. especially since the pattern on the skin is the same everywhere else so no awkward face parts from celebrities." He said, proud of his observational skills.
"Now, as a teacher of this institution, it's my duty to give a proper educational punishment that violated the schools' code of conduct." Roderich glanced at the young girl, his eyes sharp and cold that was enough to make Misaki flinch. This wasn't the way that she planned it.
"Under the Ouran Academy Student Handbook, Student Code of Conduct: Rights and Responsibilities, it's the mission of such system 'to foster a campus community that supports students, faculty, and staff in pursuing their education and vocational goals in an environment that promotes concern for the well-being of others, collaborative learning and respect.'
"Bullying is an unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. Verbal, non-verbal, written, or physical abuse of another person, including intimate partner violence, stalking, or cyber-harassment are examples that are repeated or have the potential of being repeated over time."
Did the music teacher really memorize the student handbook?
"Bad behavior must always be met with punishment sooner or later. Smearing a club members name and bullying, as teacher advisor of the Ouran Host club and a teacher of this school, you are hereby barred from the club and suspended from said school for the rest of the semester."
Harsh.
"That's one customer lost due to our new member's recklessness." Kyoya said as he was punching in numbers while Roderich gave him a small glare before returning to reading his phone and drank tea. Haruka was currently being questioned by the other host club members.
"You have such a mouth, young lady!" Tamaki scolded, but Haruka shrugged it out and yet felt a little sorry for causing this much trouble.
"I moved from the country of not only tea and well-manners but the Beetles and rum." She shot back, "I hate it when other countries think about the Brits as only tea drinkers and gentlemen being a banker with a bowler hat."
"I wasn't saying that. I was just surprised you're not as shy as you were at first."
"No, I am. This is the first time I've tried to stand up for myself and it kinda felt great." Haruka smiled, making Tamaki drop the conversation all of a sudden and the others were kinda quiet. Kyoya looked over at Roderich, a question that has been nagging him ever since the sudden outburst.
"I would have thought you would've jumped into the situation, Mr. Edelstein. She's your only niece after all," Kyoya said while Roderich looked up from his phone.
"True, but I swore to Haruka I wouldn't interfere so much while she's learning to fend for herself. She grew up without her family around much, especially since she was abroad all alone, so she's learned quite a few things that are unnatural to someone her age and matured faster than most of her peers."
Roderich knew what he had heard from Haruka herself the day he came to visit and saw her sitting with the few friends she had at a table far away from the rest of the crowd so Haruka wouldn't hear them. He clearly saw his niece ready to cry at any given moment and the bruises on her arms and face were clear signs she had been assaulted by various people. During his stay in London, he noticed new bruises appearing and her friends sticking to her more around the crowds.
When he went back to Japan, he immediately told Shou, but he only shrugged it off as teasing and that it will die off soon. Roderich couldn't take much of this any longer, so he pulled a few strings to get Haruka out of that school and come to Japan for her high school years.
"By the way, when's someone going to tell me Haruhi is actually a girl?" Haruka asked suddenly, the host club snapping once again to attention.
"What are you talking about?"
"Haruhi is a full-on guy."
"Haruhi's a girl. Don't try to fool me." The young prodigy smiled, laughing as the group was telling her more about the story, but mostly Haruhi.
"Haruka," Roderich said, looking straight at the road while Haruka looked out the window, seeing the cars pass by and the sky turning into a lot of warm colors, "Are you sure you're all right?" He asked and waited for the teenagers' response. It didn't take too long.
"You're always going to find that kind of people everywhere uncle," she replied softly while continuing to stare at the sky. Roderich looked over, emitting a deep sigh before focusing back on the road.
"Well, it changes nothing in how you should act. While we're here, you just be yourself. You play your best when you're honest."
"I can't believe that you're moving back to Japan. It's going to be sad around here since Arthur won't stop crying." Georgianna teased as she passed around the bowl of sweets at the table.
Today was the farewell party for Haruka and Arthur was the most upset. Speaking of Arthur, he just went up to the blonde girl, sorta pissed off.
"So what if I'm going to be sad?! I'm going to miss her just as much if not more than any of you! So there!"
"You might have just admitted your feelings, my friend," Andrei said, laughing almost loudly as he had to cover his mouth to control his laughter. Arthur blushed heavily when he noticed it, which made everyone laugh.
"Ah, i-it's alright Haruka! You don't have to respond to it! Bloody hell, I messed it up."
"-She's a sweet person. We love Ruka-chan."
"With all the bad people, there's an equal amount, if not, more good people out there," Haruka said, thinking of the Host club when they were all saying goodbye to each other.
((A/n: Ah, now that ended beautifully. Better than the last time I wrote this chapter. I can finally write a lot now since I bought myself a new laptop. The other one I had basically turned into caca and work no more. Thanks everyone that has followed and favorited the story so far. Please support me up until the end since this is, without a doubt, going to turn into a novel. I mean, this chapter alone is eight or nine thousand plus words.
Well, until next chapter folks. We'll see you then!))