Episode #2

Graduation Day

The day of senior graduation was bright and cheery, an ironic contrast to the melancholy atmosphere that surrounded Ouran Academy. Students, and staff alike, were bustling here and there, in preparation for the ceremony. A sign hung on the door of Music room #3.

THE HOST CLUB WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL THE GRADUATION RECEPTION TONIGHT.

On the other side of the door, the King was holding court. The hosts were crowded around the little sitting area in the center of the room, and Haruhi cringed from her spot on one of the burgundy silk upholstered coaches. It was just her luck that the host club had been put in charge of the graduation reception that would be held on campus later that night. At first she did not mind the idea, but of course as the entirety of the event was explained in full detail by the more than ambitious Tamaki, it seemed as if it were going to be even grander than Ouran Fair. Not only that, but he had volunteered to help plan the ceremony as well. The whole thing sounds more like a Hollywood awards ceremony, than a graduation. I guess that's to be expected around here…she thought as she watched Tamaki practically act out the itinerary.

"I must say, I am certainly glad to not be in charge of finances for the ceremony." Kyoya said, glancing at the black leather book he never seemed to put down.

"Kyoya, I will have nothing but the best for our dear friends, Mori and Honey-sempai!" Tamaki retorted with a grand arm gesture. Kyoya nodded, knowing he could not win against the king's whims. "Speaking of which, Mori, I would like to congratulate you for being named Valedictorian of your graduating class! Well done!" Mori grunted and shrugged.

"Yay, Takashi!" Honey giggled as he congratulated his friend. The rest of the host club gave Mori-sempai his deserved props as well, but no one seemed to be genuinely shocked at the unexpected news.

Haruhi's jaw nearly dropped and she couldn't help but stare at him. Valedictorian! I never would have guessed! It really makes you wonder what goes on in his head.

Tamaki continued on. "Anyway, the reception will begin at eight tonight, so we will need to be at the school's grand hall at least an hour early, to be sure everything is in place. Oh, and before I forget!" Tamaki smiled excitedly and seemed to pull a hanger with a blue and gold tuxedo on it from out of nowhere. "This is what we will be wearing tonight! You see, it features the Ouran Academy's school colors of royal azure and stunning gold! Now, if you look carefully at the cummerbund, you will see that it is etched with the same gold thread that the bow tie is embroidered with, making the entire ensemble flow together seamlessly!"

"Nice choice boss!" The twins responded in synchronization.

Haruhi smiled to herself and rolled her eyes. She wasn't even sure she knew what a cummerbund was. Damn rich people.

*~*~*~*

Haruhi slipped into the black satin jacket that completed the suit outfit that she was going to wear to the actual graduation ceremony. She glanced in the mirror and shrugged nonchalantly. She turned around and grabbed the clothes bag that contained the tux that she had to change into for the reception and slung it over her shoulder. She walked out of her room and made her way to the front door. Her father was putting a cherry red shade of lip-stick on as she pasted the bathroom. "I'm leaving for the graduation, Dad, see you later."

He glanced her way. "Alright Haruhi, but I'll come by at around midnight after my shift to pick you up."

She sighed. "Dad, I'm not really sure how long the reception will take, so I can just walk home." Her father opened his mouth to protest, but Haruhi spoke sooner. "AND, of it runs too late, I can just get one of the guys to drop me off. 'Kay?"

"I'd rather you'd walk." Ranka spoke under his breath, but Haruhi heard. She smirked and continued to the door.

"Bye, Dad."

"Bye, bye Haruhi!"

She turned the door knob and stepped outside. The air was pleasant and it was early evening so she could enjoy the orangey pink glow of the sunset as she walked the few blocks to Ouran Academy. Upon arrival, she was greeted by a group of girls dressed in formal evening gowns for the ceremony.

"Haruhi!" The girls beckoned her over. "Oh, Haruhi! You look soo dashing!"

"Yeah, you're so cute!" The girls cooed and fawned over her with hands pressed to their hearts in their melodramatic way.

"Thanks ladies!" Haruhi responded politely and was about to continue on her way when one of the girls started to speak again.

"You know, as a matter of fact…you sort of look like that girl from the Fair!" At this, all of the over girls started to squeal with glee.

"OH! The girl! You know your right, he does sort of look like her!!!" The girls must have mistaken her panicked face for confusion. "Oh, I don't think you were at the final waltz of the Ouran Fair, that's right. You probably don't even know what we are talking about. You see, a mysterious girl had the last dance with Tamaki Suoh! It was SOO romantic! Like a Cinderella fairytale! But the thing is, none of us can figure out who the girl was!"

Haruhi felt the heat rise in her cheeks and a cold sweat in her palms. "Oh really?! W-well I can assure you-"

"Hey! I got it! Do you have a younger sister?" One of the girls asked slyly.

Haruhi breathed out "Uh, no I don't…anyways ladies…I've gotta be going…hope you enjoy the graduation!" Haruhi was halfway to Music Room 3 before one of the girls could say 'goodbye' in return. That was way too close!

Haruhi found the music room empty, and quickly laid her other outfit onto the couch. The others must be at the ceremony already. With that, she walked back to the hallway, shutting the door behind her. She drew a momentary blank on which direction to take to the school's auditorium, which was more like a private theater, where the ceremony was being held. Then the echo of celebratory music reached her ears coming from her right. A cold chill ran up her spine as she realized what that must mean. I'm late! I hope I can find my way!

***

Haruhi slipped in the door to the auditorium just as the first speaker was approaching the podium. She quickly, yet silently, took a seat in the back. As her eyes adjusted to the dazzling lights coming from above the stage, Haruhi noticed that the speaker was Mori. Oh right! The valedictorian speech! I might get to hear what he's thinking after all! Mori, clad in an elegant blue robe, cleared his throat. The room became completely silent.

"Hello. I am Takashi Mori Nosuka, and I am the valedictorian of this graduating class. I would like to say…" Haruhi could feel the anticipation in the air, and had to stop herself from scooting to the edge of her seat as Mori continued. "…have a good summer." With that, he nodded his head, and walked back to his seat. There was a moment of hesitation, but then the room erupted with applause. Haruhi sighed in disappointment, and slumped into the cushy chair. Well, I guess everyone loves a short speech…

***

It occurred to Haruhi, as she made her way through the sea of people with a plate of appetizers in hand, that Tamaki had most likely taken over. The rest of the ceremony had been nothing short of spectacular. There had been musical acts, awards, and montages, all done on a grand scale that only he could have dreamt up. After it was all over, Haruhi had quickly changed outfits, and was now serving at the reception. The Host Club was definitely open for business! Hikaru and Kaoru were pushing a large cart of food out of the kitchen, when Kaoru stumbled, and banged his elbow on the cart handle. Hikaru immediately caught his wounded brother and steadied him.

"Oh Kaoru. You need to be more careful!" Hikaru worried, pulling his brother close.

"But…Hikaru-" started Kaoru.

"No Kaoru! Next time, it could be a serious injury! I don't know what I would do if-"

"You're right. I'll watch where I step more carefully. Don't worry about me!" Kaoru agreed. All the ladies in the area went crazy. Haruhi sighed, rolling her eyes as she walked away. There they go again. She found Kyoya by the refreshment table with a group of girls, listing the names of the expensive glassware used. All the girls' eyes were gleaming in admiration of his intelligence. Next to him sat Honey, who was simply eating the cakes. He and Mori were exempt from their usual Host Club duties for the day, due to them being graduates themselves. Mori, who was standing near to Honey, sent him a warning glance.

"Don't worry Takashi! I'll brush my teeth! I promise!" Honey proclaimed, reading Mori's face well. With that, he proceeded to stuff another giant piece of cake into his mouth. All the girls at the table fervently offered him their plates, squealing all the while. Haruhi couldn't help but smile at this, but her face fell as she noticed that someone was missing. She walked up to Kyoya.

"Ummm Kyoya-sempai? Where did Tamaki-sempai go?" she asked. Kyoya looked puzzled.

"Hmm. I haven't seen him in about fifteen minutes, and it's not like him to wander off." Kyoya pondered. He waited for a second, but then raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Are you going to look for him?" he asked. Haruhi sighed heavily.

"Yeah…" She answered glumly, not particularly wanting to go. After the marriage mishap, even after they had agreed to be friends again, things had been kind of awkward between her and Tamaki….at least from her end. So, trying to look at ease, Haruhi walked back into the throng of aristocrats.

***

After searching amongst the crowd for Tamaki, and finding no trace of him, Haruhi walked off the dance floor. As she passed the doorway to a marble terrace, she noticed a figure out of the corner of her eye, leaning on one of the railings. With further examination (a.k.a. actually looking) she realized that it was the guy she had been searching for. She stepped outside into the refreshing night air.

"Sempai?" she started, taking a few steps toward him. Tamaki straightened up and turned to face her.

"Oh! Haruhi, I didn't hear you. How is the reception going?" he turned back to lean on the railing again. Haruhi sensed that something was off about him. The fact that he hadn't gushed over her was mostly the tip off.

"Alright, but…why are you out here…exactly?" she asked. Tamaki sighed overdramatically, but continued to stare at the railing beneath his hands.

"Haruhi, can I ask you a personal question?" he asked, ignoring her question.

"Sure." She answered, slightly worried about what that question might be. Tamaki was silent for a moment.

"What was your life like after your mother passed away? Was it very different?" he asked suddenly. Haruhi's eyes widened. There is definitely something wrong.

"Well…not really. We stayed in our house and-"

"I mean, did it feel different?"

"Oh…yeah, for a little while, but I got used to it." Haruhi suddenly had a feeling she knew what was bugging him. "Life goes on…and you meet new people…" Tamaki stood a little straighter at this. "I get it. You feel like you're losing part of your family, don't you?" Tamaki wheeled around to face her.

"Wait, Haruhi! Say that again!" he grabbed her by the shoulders and stared at her intensely.

"Umm…uh…you feel like you're losing you're family?" she stammered.

"No! Before that!"

"Well, I said…life goes on…and that you'll meet new people-"

"That's IT! Haruhi, you're brilliant!" Tamaki exclaimed, picking her up, and spinning her around.

"Well, I see you found him…" Kyoya stated from the doorway, just as Tamaki set Haruhi down. The twins were right behind him. Haruhi gasped and whirled around to face their accusing expressions.

"Guess what, Kyoya! Haruhi solved the problem!" Tamaki proclaimed, before Haruhi could say a word.

"There was a problem?" asked the twins, shrugging and looking to each other for an answer.

"Sempai, I don't think I-" Haruhi started.

"Of course! The problem of the family breaking up!" said the king, ignoring her. He sounds almost like a child! Kyoya caught on.

"I see. This is about Mori and Honey graduating. So, what are you planning on doing about it?" Kyoya asked. Tamaki wrapped his arm around Haruhi's shoulders, and gave her a good squeeze. Haruhi pursued her lips and quickly reached up and pinched his hand. With a yelp his hand retreated. Well…he's back to normal.

"A moment ago, Haruhi said that I will meet new people! So I thought, 'why wait'?" Tamaki said. The other hosts stared at him with blank expressions. Tamaki sensed that they didn't get it, so he explained further. "As you all know, the Host Club is always open for new members! My little Haruhi is a good example of that, but I've noticed that many of the boys at this school have no interest. As the founder and king of this club, I cannot simply let it fade away as we graduate! I have also taken note of something else. Please direct your attention to the chart." Tamaki announced, pulling a projection screen down from thin air. On it was a line graph with the line spiking extremely high from a certain point. "This" Tamaki pointed to the spot where the line jumped. "…is the exact date that Haruhi joined the Host Club." Haruhi noticed the others' expressions change from clueless to understanding. "As you can see, club activity has increased drastically since then. Can anyone tell me why that is?" Tamaki questioned, truly sounding like a leader. Everyone looked to Kyoya. He adjusted his glasses in response.

"Could it be because of her natural appeal as the underdog?" Kyoya asked after a moment. Tamaki brightened, glad that someone was catching on.

"That's exactly right! It's her commoner charm! So, to get to the point, I think we should start a new program! A scholarship program for commoners who aspire to live the life of the super rich and beautiful!" Tamaki continued, incorporating sweeping arm gestures in the appropriate places. Haruhi sighed. How did he come up with that so fast?

"I think that's a great idea Tama-chan!" Honey trilled from the doorway, atop Mori's shoulders. Tamaki grinned, happy that everyone was present.

"I'm glad you like it! Don't worry either! You'll both have a say on who will fill your spots!"

"Ok." Mori grunted. Tamaki thought for a moment, and then another idea struck him.

"I have the name, too! It will be called…

"The Ouran Host Club Successorship Program"

"Isn't that fitting?" Tamaki gushed. The twins and Honey 'oohed' and 'aahed', while Mori and Kyoya looked on interestedly. Haruhi, though, was not as impressed.

"Tamaki-sempai, I don't think that's a good idea…" she began. Tamaki's eyes widened, and then he crumpled into the fetal position. Haruhi rolled her eyes as the mushrooms, which had taken some work to remove from his hair the last time, began to grow. "Sempai…'successorship' isn't a word." At that, Tamaki sprang back to his cheerful self.

"Oh Haruhi! Is it only the name you don't like?" he asked with renewed hope.

"Well, it's not really a name because it's not a word. And-"

"That's Daddy's little girl!" Tamaki disregarded her statement and was about to give her a 'family' hug, but stopped, looking slightly sheepish. For some odd reason, it suddenly felt awkward for him to say that, but neither he nor Haruhi knew why. That was when they realized that Kyoya hadn't agreed yet. Everyone looked to him once more. His slate gray eyes seemed deep in thought for a moment, but then he smiled coolly.

"It's an interesting thought…in its own way."