Author's Note: The sequel to "The Last Straw" ("The Learning Curve") will have a time skip and start in mid-March of the next calendar year. In order to have a smooth transition without dozens of confusing flashbacks, I'll be writing one-shots of different events happening over the time skip. I'll put them as chapters in a story to reduce confusion. Enjoy.

Please read and review – let me know how I'm doing.

Disclaimer: Don't own it, never will. Just the plot of this story and the very small OCs.

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Date Posted: 9/29/2018

Trigger Warnings: None.

Story: The Boyfriend

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Sometime in November:

"Haruhi darling, I need to talk to you about something. Come sit in the living room."

Wow – that's his serious voice. Is it something about what happened last week? I know all that danger with Ootori-sama is over and Kyoya now owns the Corporation, but I'm not sure Dad's OK with the whole thing.

"Yes, dad," I said as I made myself comfortable on the couch. This could take a while with the mood he's in.

He looks so nervous, like he knows I'm not going to like what he says. The deep breath he takes before talking scares me, "Haruhi, as you know, my boyfriend and I have been dating for a little over a year."

Where is this going? "Yes. You had that anniversary trip two months ago."

"Well, it's obviously getting serious. I think it's time you met him – Jarou, his name is Jarou." He seems embarrassed. He shouldn't be. It's been a long time since mom died and I'd never begrudge him happiness.

"Sure, Dad, if that's what you want. I don't want to intrude on your personal life, but if you think it's time, I'd gladly meet him." If that's all this is, it's no big deal.

"Great. I'll set up dinner later this week. We'll go over to his place – he's a great cook."

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xXx

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"I'm so glad to finally meet you, Haruhi-chan." I bow, and she bows back.

"It's good to meet you to Jarou-san." Cute smile.

"Please come in and sit. Dinner is almost ready."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" How sweet, offering to help, but I don't want it.

"No, thank you, dear. You're my guest."

She started to protest, but her father grabbed her arm and led her to the dining area. It's a small studio apartment. I can see everything from the kitchenette.

Throughout dinner we discussed her school, my job at the same bar where Ranka works, the dinner and recipes, and her boyfriend. He kinda sounds like a jackass.

It didn't take me long to realize she's really annoying. When she's around, her father doesn't pay as much attention to me. I didn't expect him to just ignore her and give me 100%, but this 50/50 shit isn't good. I'm too used to having him all to myself when he's here. He doesn't really talk about her much, so I didn't realize she was so totally integrated into his life. Now that I've met her, is she going to push me to the edge of Ranka's life?

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"That went well, don't you think, Haruhi."

"Yeah, Dad. It was good to finally met him. I'm glad he makes you happy." There was something off about Jarou-san. He didn't seem to like me. I was sure he didn't want me there. It was weird, but not really something to worry about. It's not like I'm going to be seeing a lot of him.

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This time I'm going over to Ranka's apartment for dinner. He says Haruhi-chan is a good cook – I'll be the judge of that. I do cook at the bar and know a thing or two about food – I went to culinary school.

"Come on in, Jarou. My darling daughter is almost done with dinner. Would you like some tea?" Ranka grabbed my hand and pulled me through the door.

"That'd be great, thanks."

He leaves me at the kotatsu and goes for the tea. It really is a nice apartment. So much bigger than mine.

After a couple minutes, Ranka comes back with the tea and Haruhi-chan comes in with a hot-pot and bowls.

Dinner wasn't bad, but I know I can do better, and if I know I can do better, I'm not in the mood to eat substandard food. I look over at Ranka and gesture for him to get started.

"Haruhi, darling, Jarou and I wanted to talk to you about something."

She looked suspicious. I don't like the way she stares at me.

She nods at Ranka and he continues, "I'm glad to see you and Jarou getting along so well." I see a flash in her eyes that quickly disappears. "Because we've been together for so long and Jarou's lease is up at the end of December, I want him to move in here with us." He looked at her with pleading eyes, "What do you think?"

I'll give her this, she's loyal to her dad, "I think that sounds great, Dad. I know it will make you happy."

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He's going to move in here? With us? That's going to be awkward. How is this going to work. I can tell he didn't like my hot-pot. I don't want to cook for someone who can't keep their disgust off their face.

"That's great!" Dad jumped up, pulling me with him. I then got what I expected, a bone-crushing hug and a spin around the room. Jarou-san gave us an odd look. I couldn't place the emotion.

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xXx

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"Haruhi, is something wrong?" I asked as she sat silently on our way to school. She hadn't liked the idea of riding in my limo every day to school, but I'm her boyfriend and I won that argument.

"Nothing, really."

"Haruhi…" My tone was harsher than I meant it to be, but I don't have time for this. I'm a 2nd year high school student that is running one of the biggest corporations in Japan. I barely have time to look up from my laptop.

She sighed and explained, "My Dad's boyfriend, Jarou-san, is moving in with us when his lease is up at the end of December."

Well, that got my attention. I'd done a background check on him already, but if he was going to be living in the same apartment as my Haruhi, I'd need to do a deeper dive into his history. I quickly sent an email to the head of Ootori Security.

I looked up from my laptop and gave her my full attention, "They've been together for a little over a year. This step isn't surprising. What has you upset?" I know she'd had dinner with the two of them twice, but she didn't really tell me anything other than he was nice. I knew she was holding back but didn't have time to pursue it.

"I don't know, really. I just get an odd feeling from him." She turned her head from the window towards me. I was surprised to see the worry in her eyes. Apparently, this is bigger than I thought.

"He didn't like my cooking. He doesn't seem to want to be around me. He gives me a funny look, but I can't identify the emotion."

"It's not anger or hate, is it?" It sure as hell better not be.

"No, those are easy to spot. If I had to guess, I'd guess jealousy."

He's jealous? Wait – what did she say? "He didn't like your cooking? Is he human?"

That got a lame smile and a chuckle out of her. "No, he didn't. I made hot-pot and I could tell he was only eating it to be polite. He didn't like desert either."

"What a jerk! Shall I have my private police force throw him in prison?" At this point I was trying to make her smile. I would deal with this asshole on my own.

"Very funny. Ha Ha Ha," the sarcasm dripped off her tongue.

"Are you worried because you don't think you'll get along, or is it something deeper?"

"We'll be fine. My Dad's in love with him. I'd do anything for my father."

"And I'd do anything for you." Setting my laptop on the seat, I pulled her into my arms and proceeded to kiss her worries away. I may not have time for much, but I always have time for this.

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End of December:

I'd never seen this many drag queens together. They were all helping Jarou-san move his stuff into the Fujioka apartment. I was working on my laptop and studying with Haruhi.

My deep-dive background check didn't turn up anything concerning. I just didn't like him. Haruhi was right, there was something off. Not enough to cause me to worry, just be frustrated. She wasn't in danger. I'd have never let him move in if that was the case. He was just weird. Ootori security was going to keep an eye on him.

"I think this table would look great at the end of the sofa. Can we move that table there?" Jarou pointed to Haruhi's mother's shrine. She looked up in horror at her father.

"No. That stays there." So, Ranka had a firm, don't give me shit, voice. Good.

Haruhi's brow furrowed and her eyes narrowed. She'd lived with her dad alone for so long I wasn't sure how either of them was going to take the change.

Jarou pulled Ranka out to the balcony. "Why can't we move it?"

"That's my late wife's shrine."

"I know what it is, but you're with me now." I cringed at that and felt Haruhi stiffen next to me.

"She's Haruhi's mother!"

"So – it can be moved into her room."

"No, it stays where it is. Non-negotiable." Ranka came back in to the apartment looking sad and overwhelmed.

He walked right up to Haruhi, "Thanks, Dad."

"Of course, baby-girl. We both still love her and need her around."

Jarou walked back in to hear that. He looked at Haruhi with disgust. She was right – he was jealous. He needed to get a handle on that.

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xXx

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Mid-January:

"Haruhi?" I saw her jump. Shit, I startled her. "What are you still doing here? Club was over an hour ago."

"Kaoru! Don't sneak up on people." I could feel her shaking as I put my arms around her neck. "What are you doing here?"

"I'll answer yours if you answer mine."

"Whatever – you first."

I pulled back and sat next to her. "I forgot one of my textbooks. Your turn."

"I can't get any studying done at my house. I'm not used to having someone else there and I don't get a moment of peace." She looked at me in frustration, "Jarou-san is either in the kitchen cooking and boasting about his food, or he's playing his stereo or watching TV. It's not even that quiet in my room with the door closed. I have to stay late here to get any studying done."

I didn't realize it was that bad. I'd noticed she seemed more tired and flustered since he moved in, but I thought it was just them getting used to each other.

"What about Kyoya-senpai? You could study with him at his place." Kyoya-senpai had his own apartment now. It was big enough for her to study there with no distractions, even if he was home.

"He's at a board meeting tonight." She sighed and put her head on my shoulder, "He's so busy, I don't want to bother him with this. I can study here."

"Come home with me. We'll study together and have some fancy tuna." I knew she wouldn't say no to that.

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Early February:

Some days she studied in the library. Some days in the Club room. Kyoya always picked her up and took her to dinner. It had been hard to convince her, but he won that argument too. Jarou's dislike of her cooking had worn her down.

On days when she went home with either Kaoru or Ritsu, she had dinner at their house.

She wouldn't get home until around seven, in time to do her chores and finish any homework after Jarou left for work. He was the night cook – eight to four in the morning.

It wasn't what she wanted, but she'd do anything for her father's happiness, and he was happier than she'd ever seen him. The sacrifice was small to see her dad in love again. She and Jarou just needed to get used to each other.

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xXx

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Author's Note: So, Jarou is kinda a jerk, but not a complete creep. We'll see what happens, but I don't see him being a big character in the sequel, just a minor nuisance. He's not going to turn into any kind of abuser – it's not that kind of story. He's gay and totally in love with Ranka. This is just them adjusting to other people in their lives. It's a slow process.

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