Moments later, Renge leans wearily against the door inside the Suoh's guest suite. Hearing Tamaki's announcement nearly shattered her shaky resolve. She immediately excused herself, pleading jetlag and needing to nap before the reunion that evening. She cannot stop her brain from racing.

During high school, she was the manager for the Ouran High School Host Club. Once she discovered the "Natural Type" was a girl, the crush evolved into actual friendship. Three years ago, Haruhi asked her to be maid of honor and Tamaki asked Kyoya Ootori to be his best man. They were all thrown together planning the various society parties necessary for a family as high profile as the Suohs, especially since the bride had no experience (or interest) in such matters.

That's how the two main wedding attendants fell into an easy friendship, finally putting aside their differences from adolescence. Kyoya tacitly forgave her "Uki-Doki Memorial!"-fueled infatuation with him. True to form, Renge barreled past his cool, calculated formality. Soon, they were hanging out together in their free time.

In spite of the intense obligations to his family's businesses, she noticed Kyoya took care of his friends without drawing attention to himself. Like how Haruhi immediately found new clients just out of law school. Or when Tamaki's grandmother suddenly granted permission for the Ouran school board to hire him. Or how their friends gained mysterious, silent investors during the start-ups of their various companies.

As for Renge, Kyoya showed a sensitive side he seldom revealed to others. Tenderly supportive of her outrageous ideas and patient with her mercurial moods, he was the calm to her storm. Before either of them knew it, they were in love. Or at least, that's how Renge felt.

Just as in high school, Kyoya was as ambitious as ever. His father gave him the pharmaceutical company to run, a show of confidence to be sure, but he never lost his laser focus. He worked long hours and nights. Between his schedule and hers, there were some weeks when they barely saw each other. They discussed marriage. Kyoya said it was something he wanted and he suggested they live together.

Thrilled, Renge agreed. She saw it as a way to spend less time apart and a step closer to spending the rest of her life with the man she loved. But after two years of dating, Kyoya was no closer to commitment. She gave him an ultimatum.

"Stop being childish," he admonished coldly. "Now isn't the time."

"That's the problem, Kyoya. There is no 'right' time," she countered sadly. "We've been together long enough for you to know whether I'm the one for you or not. Waiting won't change anything."

Renge followed through and moved out. Not only did she move out, she moved back to France. Publicly, she announced her company's strategic partnership with a French artist enclave to develop her first film. But privately, she sobbed to Haruhi, broken hearted. It was a bitter pill to realize the love was one-sided. Like her teenaged self, she had built Kyoya in her mind to be someone he most definitely wasn't.

Back in the present, Renge finally pushes off the door and searches for her bedroom. Returning to Japan brings to the surface all the emotions she's suppressed for so long. The Suoh's beautifully appointed sitting room and its gorgeous penthouse views don't even distract her. Once she finds the plush bed, she flings herself on it, exhausted. Despite her brave front with Tamaki, she knows she is still affected by a man who would never truly open his heart to her. She allows herself a few sobs before falling into the delirious, fitful sleep of the overtaxed and overtired.

xxx

Later that night, she surprises herself by having a great time at the Ouran reunion. The Hitachiin twins are still mischievous, though Kaoru has calmed down somewhat with his engagement to Mei. Kasanoda turned his family away from crime, now merged with the Haninozuka and Morinozuka companies providing full security services.

Walking back from the bar with a fresh drink in hand, Renge is content, cheerfully observing the scene as she approaches her friends on the dance floor. It's quite a sight, but Tamaki is literally spinning his wife around and for once, Haruhi actually looks like she's having fun. The twins gleefully snap pictures of the rare event from the sidelines, nudging each other like adolescents. Then Mei asks her about what fashions are trending in Paris these days...

Catching up with everyone and being reminded of her own past shenanigans, along with a drink or two (ok, three) gives her a happy buzz. The laughter-soaked evening allows Renge to revel in something other than her broken heart. And it feels great.

xxx

The next morning over brunch, Renge is in a fantastic mood, back to her bubbly and chirpy self. Her private plane is scheduled to depart later that night.

"Can't you stay longer?" asks Haruhi. Unfortunately, work waits back in France for Renge. While the lawyer is skeptical about the rush to return, outwardly she nods in understanding.

Tamaki is reaching for the orange juice when his cell phone trills. "Kyoya! How are you?" he exclaims.

Renge tenses, cradling her café au lait. She locks eyes with Haruhi who looks back with concern.

"No, you didn't wake us. We're having croissants for breakfast!" Apparently every day is a celebration to the former Host Club King.

"Uh huh." Pause. He looks at her. "Yes, Renge's in town."

Panicked, she frantically motions she not here. But then Tamaki clearly says, "Oh Renge, he wants to talk to you."

His wife hisses, "Tamaki!"

Renge closes her eyes and seeks inner peace. She puts her hand out for the phone. Takes a deep breath.

"Hello Kyoya."