Chapter 4- "Stay for awhile… please?"

Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran Highschool Host Club.


The drizzle of rain pattered slightly against the window, the sounds echoing around Haruhi's small apartment. She sat on the sofa, a book nestled between her hands as she flipped the pages of her novel, drinking in the words that lay in front of her.

It was quite late at night, and Haruhi had finished work without luckily bumping into anymore 'strangers' on the way home. Strangers…Would Haruhi see Mori again? It's not that she didn't like him - she hated to admit it, but she was quite glad when they ended up talking, as you see, it has been too long. But who would she end up meeting next? At this current moment in time, she didn't want to see a few of them, as afterall, she hadn't forgiven them. But will she ever? After reading her father's note, it was clear that his two years have now dwindled to an end. Mori had met her by chance, and now the others would most likely try to force their way back into her lives. But what would she do? What would they do?

Haruhi, with a sigh, shut her book and slowly placed it beside her. Her hands itched to pick up that book and start reading it again but sadly, she had work tomorrow. She heaved herself up and sauntered over towards the kitchen, planning on making a nice warm cup of coffee.

Haruhi flicked the tap, letting the water pour into the kettle. As it was filling, Haruhi looked outside the window into the dark night. The street was illuminated by the few street lamps and strangely enough, it was quite reassuring. Her eyes followed the many cars that dotted the street outside, but she couldn't help her eyes linger on this black car for a few more seconds.

Thinking nothing of it, Haruhi set the kettle down. She pressed the switch, and began placing a spoonful of coffee into her mug. She added a splash of milk and waited for the kettle. Once that had boiled, she poured it in and swirled her spoon around, letting it clink off the side of the ceramic mug. Haruhi dropped the spoon into the sink, holding her coffee firmly in one hand.

She breathed in the scent of the coffee, letting the strong fragrance soothe her troubled nerves. Holding the mug with one hand, she reached behind her head and took out the large hair pin that held all her hair together. As it fell down and tumbled over her slender shoulders, she slowly sipped the coffee, basking in its comforting warmth.

She sighed, and once again let her mind wander. Would she meet any of her 'friends'? The people that took away her freedom? The people that monitored her every movement? Because of her father's wish had finished, how would they find her? Haruhi knew for a fact that Kyoya would know where she lives, and it would only be a matter of time before he cracked under the constant pestering of the three idiots and told them.

A few loud knocks were heard on the apartment door, knocking Haruhi out of her trance. Setting down her coffee and straightening her hair, she tried to look presentable as she made her way to the door. Haruhi placed her hand on the handle, furrowing her brows as she felt something change. She couldn't exactly tell what had changed, but it was bothering her. She opened the door slowly, letting her eyes travel up the person in front of her. She noticed his polished black shoes that shone with such ferocity, his black trousers that appeared to have no wrinkles, and well worn white shirt. But as quickly as she inspected him, her gaze travelled up to his face. Her eyes widened in shock and recognition as she stared at the person before her.

Honey? A voice in Haruhi's head was screaming at her, telling her to quickly shut the door and leave. Lock the door, go to bed and forget this had happened. But she disobeyed that order, as she stared wide-eyed at the man in front of her. Mitsukini had the perfect replication of the look on Haruhi's face, as he slowly lifted a hand in front of himself. Haruhi slammed the door shut, breathing unevenly as she slid her back down the door.

With shaky breaths she pulled her phone out of her pocket, scanning through her contacts. Over the years, Haruhi had gotten friendly with classmates at her law school and even colleagues at the law firm and also the two waitresses at that little café. But who could she phone? She had told no-one else but the waitresses as they were closest to her, like sisters in a way, but they would either still be working or at home, bundled up in bed. Honey pounded at the door, his muffled cries calling her name, asking her to open the door.

"Haru-chan…? Please, please… Can you let me in?" Honey's knocks didn't falter but after awhile, they quietened and a small thud was heard, followed by a quiet "Oof!". Haruhi had figured that the blonde man had settled on the ground, much like Haruhi, waiting on an answer whether the brunette liked it or not.

Haruhi scraped back her bangs as her eyes ran through her contacts. She was on the 'M' section, looking for someone to phone and help her. She knew Honey wouldn't leave without a fight, but maybe if she rang someone, or anyone for that matter, they'd come over, regardless of the time of night and help her.

Mori. That one word highlighted the screen, casting a small light on Haruhi's face. Mori. When did he type his number? Haruhi stifled a gasp. Surely he didn't creep into her room and type it when she was asleep, right?

With her brows furrowed and her eyes hidden, she began to type a message.

X

To: Mori

Subject: When did you put your number on my phone?

From: Haruhi

When in the world did you do this? Surely you didn't come into my room when I was asleep, right? A part of me is convinced you wouldn't do something like that. Anyway, that's beside the point. I need your help.

X

She sent the message, clutching her phone to her chest as her uneven breathing filled the silence surrounding her. Why was Haruhi acting this way? She wasn't like this when Mori ran into her, but why was it different? Why was this different for Honey?

"Haru-chan?" Honey's muffled voice called out. Haruhi blinked slowly, her pounding heart slowly resuming its normal pace. "Haru-chan!" Honey continued, but the said girl stayed silent. "Were you like this when you met Mori?"

Haruhi chuckled, earning a slight gasp from Honey. "You're chuckling?" He exclaimed, "I haven't heard you do that in ages."

"Don't… Don't call me Haru-chan…" Haruhi quietly said, staring at the floorboards in front of her.

"I see…" Honey paused, trying to find the right words. What exactly was he going to say? After two very, very long years, the girl he wished to see didn't want him around. Although this reaction was expected, a strong sense of hurt and guilt filled his heart, painfully squeezing it from time to time. After a moment of silence, with a shaky voice, Honey spoke. "How… How are you doing?"

How are you doing? Honey mentally slapped himself, sighing a little under his breath. Haruhi's head perked up when she heard him mutter that he was a true and total idiot. Haruhi opened her mouth as if to speak, but quickly shut it as felt her phone vibrate between her hands.

X

To: Haruhi

Subject: I'll explain later.

From: Mori

Exactly as it reads above, I'll explain later. I'm on my way. Stay put.

X

Stay put? Well, Haruhi couldn't do much, given the circumstance but 'stay put'? Haruhi sighed, rolling her eyes as she placed her phone on the floor, slowly pushing it away. "Are you alright, Haru-… I mean, Haruhi?"

"No." Haruhi stated, with a shake of her head. "Not really."

Honey let out a little hum, while Haruhi quietly continued. "You… All of you… You took away my freedom. Monitored everything I did. Told me what I could and couldn't to." There was a sharp intake of breath as Haruhi rattled on. "I found out that in my dad's dying days, Kyoya granted a wish."

Honey wrapped his arms around his legs, resting his chin on top of his knees. Great sadness filled his eyes and he blinked rapidly, trying to dispel the few tears that were forming. "And you know what it was? What the high and mighty Kyoya granted him?" Haruhi ranted, letting every sentence become louder than the previous.

"Yes. It was horrible to fulfil, but we did it..."

"It hurt, Honey! It really hurt. You guys were like my second family. Even though most of you were obnoxious, self-centred, power-consuming, rude and total idiots, you meant a lot to me." Haruhi breathed, slowly clenching and relaxing her fists. "But you know what broke me? There was a part of me that understood the situation. A part of me told me I could endure it, because I loved you guys. Then there was this other part of me. A part of me that hated you all…"

"Haruhi…"

"Y-you and Mori just sat there, high up in your thrones. You observed and listened. You never tried to help…" Haruhi sniffed. "That hurt me the most… You and Mori were dear to me, and I loved you guys. But you did nothing!" Haruhi sniffled, pushing herself up from the floor so she stood, letting her back rest against the door. "It's funny, isn't? Back then, all I ever wanted was freedom. But now that I'm experiencing this so called freedom, I have this bittersweet taste in my mouth."

Honey stood up silently, his eyes glued to the bottom of the door. Placing a hand on the door, he gently pleaded, "Please, Haruhi. Please, open the door. Let me in. I need to explain why Mori and I couldn't… do anything. Please! Let me in…"

When it was clear that Haruhi was going to keep the door firmly locked shut, Honey turned on his heel and began walking away sadly, every so often glancing over his shoulder to see if Haruhi would open the door.

His plea was ignored, and with a heavy heart, he slowly walked to the steps leading down to the ground floor. He placed a hand on the metal banister, cool to the touch.

"Don't go. I don't want to lose you… Not again." Haruhi wrapped her arms around the man, pulling him tight into her warm embrace. Haruhi snuggled her face into his back, directly beneath his neck. Honey was now a full head taller than Haruhi and boy, was that a surprise! He had sure grown in the past two years.

"Stay for awhile… please?"

Honey's hand fell from the banister, limply falling to his side. "Why are you being so nice?" He whispered, causing Haruhi to tighten her grip. "Why are you embracing me? After the pain I caused you?" His voice cracked, but he managed to whisper one final word. "Why?"

"I've been an idiot, and I know I have to listen to your side of the story. And deep down, I have this feeling that you and Mori couldn't interfere because of the others. It may have taken me awhile to realise it and I'm a complete idiot for not realising it up until now." Haruhi whispered, her already quiet voice slightly muffled.

Honey had turned around at this point and had wrapped his arms around the girl, letting his chin rest on top of her head. His familiar scent of strawberries and vanilla consumed Haruhi, and she smiled as the two stood frozen in their hug.

"It's good to see you again, Honey."

"I missed you, Haruhi."

Haruhi smiled up at him. "I missed you too." Haruhi paused, furrowing her brows as she gazed up at him. "Why didn't you come find me sooner?"

Honey scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "I, uh, thought you didn't want to see me… Since you never searched for us."

Haruhi removed her arms, and turned on her heel, waiting for Honey to follow. "Mori was really worried about you, y'know. He's not a man to break promises so it hurt him deeply, not being able to see you."

Haruhi stopped in her tracks, surprising Honey. "He's coming over." Haruhi called out, peering over her shoulder. "Is that okay?"

"Yup! It's fine, Haru-chan! It will be like a small reunion of some sorts!" Honey laughed, stepping around Haruhi and holding the door open for her, in a gentlemanly fashion. "And Haru-chan?"

Haruhi hummed as her friend closed the door. She was at the kitchen, taking out a few mugs. Honey ambled after her, sitting on one of the chairs that occupied the space in front of the small kitchen table.

"When Mori arrives, there is something we need to tell you."


A/N: Why hello there, everyone!

Sorry for the long update. I had no idea what to do for this chapter. I really wanted to bring Honey into the story.

That reminds me. The winner for the romance thing is none other than… Mori!

Thank you all for voting. I really mean it too! Oh, and I'm very sorry for those who voted for Honey and Kyoya. But seriously… Kyoya? I'm not saying there's anything wrong with him, but I don't think he would be best for Haruhi in this case. But I may possibly write something in the future regarding him, for a new story... But thank you again!

That is all. I apologise for rambling, but it had to be done.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you another time!

Goodbye.