Disclaimer: I don't own any of these animes… I think of the plot though… If there's one…
Late Ever After
by Jarield Lunel de Mourcerf
1st Tale
Once Upon a Time, very soon after happily ever after, the peasant girl as we know had turned into a princess. She and her prince found each other at last, and sealed their love with a kiss. But even so, the princess will still be the same peasant girl who dwells in the old book.
"Good Morning!!! Haruhi-san!!!" a cheerful guy came calling.
"Good Morning Haruhi-senpai." a girl said shyly.
"Good Morning Fujioka-san" another guy greeted.
This would be just be another typical morning in campus for Hauhi Fujioka. She's after all a normal high school student, riht? She's practically a senior now. Well, things have been very different compared when she first attended in Ouran. There had been many changes, and one of these is the commotion that happened last school year. Long story short, her secret is revealed to everyone. It means, less cross-dressing and a longer hair.
"Good morning Haruhi!!!" came another cheerful call from afar. And Haruhi knew exactly whose voices are those. It is non other than the twin wonder. Guess some things did not change at all.
In the classroom…
Unknown to Haruhi's consciousness, Hikaru and Kaoru are observing her from both sides. It seems that the twins are pretty curious on the actions of the girl. She had just come back, and when she arrived she went straight and looks at her desk. Then she opened her bag to see all of its contents. It is as if Haruhi is searching for something. Kaoru looked at Hikaru with a frown and Hikaru answered him with a shrug. Momentarily, their eyes went back to Haruhi.
After some time elapsed, Haruhi finally stopped with her actvity and sighed.
"It seems that I forgot my book." She uttered.
"What book?" Hikaru said sounding bored.
"My Walt Whitman book." She answered Hikaru. "But I'm pretty sure I brought it this morning." She said next in lower volume which only meant for her to hear.
"You can borrow mine!" two voices synched in her sides. Then, two hands holding identical Whitman books were in front of him. And Haruhi knew whose hands were those, and she k new exactly what to say.
"No!!! I don't need those." She said in an instant with an expression that clearly says 'I totally reject the offer' "It was my fault to leave it." She said next.
"Then, let's share the book." The two said in unison simultaneously carrying their desk a lot nearer to Haruhi's desk.
"No Way!" she said momentarily
"But Literature is our next subject." Hikaru said
"Haruhi, are you sure you don't need it? We'll have a reading activity today." Kaoru said sounding a little bit concern. Hikaru nodded to verify.
"Yeah, I may not need a book on the first place…" she said "And…" she added sounding irritated
"And what?" the two answered her, again in synch.
"Will you move your desks away from mine!" Haruhi let out.
A few minutes later…
"Fujioka, it's your turn to read the poem you had chosen." the teacher called Haruhi.
With that, Haruhi rose from her seat.
"Where's your book Ms. Fujioka?" the teacher said
"I'm sorry sir, but I'm afraid I left it." She answered back
"Hikaru, lend Fujioka your book." The teacher ordered Hikaru. He was about to give Haruhi the book when Haruhi broke in.
"I practically don't need it sir. I actually memorized the poem." She said.
"Then, you may recite it instead." The teacher said.
Haruhi took a deep breathe and afterwards, words and rhymes flowed with her voice
"Why, who makes much of a miracle?
As to me I know of nothing else but miracles,
Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan...
Or talk by day with any one I love, or sleep in the bed at night
with any one I love,
Or sit at table at dinner with the rest,
Or look at strangers opposite me riding in the car,...
Or the exquisite delicate thin curve of the new moon in spring;
These with the rest, one and all, are to me miracles,
The whole referring, yet each distinct and in its me every hour of the light..."
"...and dark is a miracle,
Every cubic inch of space is a miracle,
Every square yard of the surface of the earth is spread with the same,
Every foot of the interior swarms with the same.
To me the sea is a continual miracle,
The fishes that swim--the rocks--the motion of the waves--the
ships with men in them,
What stranger miracles are there?" Kyo paused and think for a moment on the poem he had just read. And since when did he became interested with American literature. Well, it's not a secret that he's fond with books, but.
"Kyo-kun, you're early today?" a female voice entered the room.
Upon hearing her voice, Kyo rose from his bed and instantly hid the book to his side. Additionally, he made a face of surprise.
"Kyo-kun, are you alright. Are you sick?" Tohru came rushing to Kyo, she sat with him and touch his face searching for any sign of fever. Kyo was surprised for the second time as he was face-to-face with a worrying face. But to him, it's not just any ordinary face. For it was her face; the loving face of the girl whom he had swore to protect.
"That's unusual. There is no sign of fever." Tohru uttered in wonder.
"Maybe you should check it again." Kyo said without taking his gaze upon Tohru bearing an expression of love in his eyes.
"Okay, you're so smart Kyo-kun." Tohru said and proceed on touching Kyo's face again. She first touched his forehead, moving her hand gradually to touch his cheeks. Just when her hands are about to leave Kyo's face, Kyo's hands reached out and touch hers.
And there was Tohru, looking at Kyo with his eyes close, caressing her hand which touches Kyo's cheeks. Tohru has fallen deep into Kyo's eyes as he opened them and stared at her. Tohru remained still as Kyo lead her hand out of his face; grasp it, holding it tightly as he cross his to hers. Tohru remained in inertia as Kyo's face is moving forward and closer to hers. It took mere seconds for their both their eyes to close and for their lips touch in a chaste kiss. Kyo, yet again was lost in his actions as Tohru remains in her position.
Kyo finally let go of the kiss. When he opened his eyes, he still saw that Tohru's eyes were still closed. He smirked at this, at Tohru and her innocence. Little did he know that Tohru's eyes will open the next second. But Kyo's smile grew wider. It took a moment for Tohru to realize what really happened. And the moment she did, she blushed. Utter surprised, and utterly happy. Her immediate reaction is to stand up.
"I'll go prepare some food." Is what she said as she walked out of the room in that same instant. Kyo only watched her actions.
This has been how their lives have been since graduation. Kyo moved and is currently training to be worthy successor of his master's dojo. Tohru moved with him and took a job. Bottomline, they are living together.
Kyo stood up from the bed. He picked up the book he was reading. He gazed upon it for a second before tossing it back to his bed. Kyo then left the room and went to the kitchen. Seeing Tohru there made him smile.
As surely as the knight saw what he had created; he made a vow. He vowed to protect what remains, and cherish what's there. And he vowed to be stronger for him to protect and cherish. The same as how the knight was written in the old book, there is nothing he would do in his power to keep her bliss.
Night came…
Ranka cheerfully walks to Haruhi's room. He wanted to bid his merry goodbye to her as he will have to leave for work. When Ranka arrived oh his daughter's room, he was surprised on what he saw. The room is quite messy; drawers and cabinets opened, Haruhi's things misplaced all over the room, and Haruhi under her study table.
"Dad, had you seen the Whitman book mom gave me?" Haruhi asked
"You mean your poetry book?" Ranka asked
"Yeah"
"I thought you brought it to school."
"That is also what I thought; but it was not in my bag." Haruhi answered "I wonder if it was in the kitchen…" she continued talking to herself.
Haruhi immediately rose and head to the kitchen when Ranka called out.
"Haruhi child, I'm going to work."
"You better go now. You wouldn't want to be late again." Not really the answer Ranka was hoping coming from his child. But instead of whimper, Ranka let it pass this time.
"Okay, I'll go then." Ranka uttered in retreat
"Take care Dad." Haruhi answered him in a caring smile.
Kyo closed the book he has been reading this night. It's the same poetry book he read this afternoon. He sighed and thinks about the owner of the book. The book he thought is old but well-kept. So Kyo assumed that it is impossible that the book was thrown. Maybe somebody had lost it. Kyo opened the book again and scan its pages. It was only by then that he noticed handwritings on the 1st blank page of the book.
"To my loving daughter, read this book whenever you feel lonely. And always keep in mind, that I love you… Mom." Kyo read the note in a whisper.
Kyo closed the book for the second time. He placed on his chest while still holding it. He could feel the book rise in his chest as he breathes. Kyo remained staring at the ceiling with his thoughts wandering on the book, and its owner. He at last then moved from his immobility and hid the book under his pillow. He got up and switch off the lights. He went back to his futon and tried to sleep.
Haruhi lay in the darkness with her eyes still open. After spending the rest of the night searching, she stopped and called it a day. She never found her book, so much to her dismay. Haruhi's mind is still on the book which mysteriously disappeared. But with her thoughts also accompanies her feeling of respite.
"I think I lost my book for real. But even so, why does it not concern me much? I feel like it is somewhere safe. Like someone have it, and will care for it." she said in a whisper. Then, she closed her eyes to sleep.
The knight and the peasant girl are still unaware of the circumstances that will befall in their destinies. Little did they know that when the stars kiss that night; their souls lay in despite. Lost in their own dreams as they close their eyes; in this manuscript their story will write. To begin a tale on how two worlds collide, on how two lives will flight. The words will flow by and by, until they arrive to its final dice. Till that day where they will share the crime, they'll start a new once upon a time…
On their way, to the last, EVER AFTER…
Author's Note:
I love those italicized lines towards the end… It sounds epic, or maybe it's just me… Hrrr…
Anyways, I know it's a crack and it's a mess. But that's all I can offer.
Thank you for Reading, please review…
