Chapter 4 – Jury of Peers
Haruhi frowned as she paused the video playing on her computer. It was footage of the interviews before the DNA testing yesterday. Something had been bothering her since the hearing on Tuesday, but she had not been able to put her finger on it until just now, watching the interview with Tagami. Her 'son' looked nothing like her and he appeared to be terrified of her. By the same token, he also looked nothing like Haruhi. How could Tagami ever think she could get away with claiming Haruhi was the boy's father? Did Tagami think everyone was stupid? Or was this a diversion from something bigger or more sinister?
Questions continued to swirl in Haruhi's thoughts, "Were the 'Me, too' group part of Tagami's—the Yamamoto's—plan? Or were they just a bunch of opportunists? Am I missing some important piece of information? Is this a plan to get to my friends? What do I…"
*FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE* interrupted Haruhi's spiraling thoughts. Sighing, Haruhi answered her phone, "What do you want, Tamaki?"
"Haruhi, I just wanted to be sure you were still attending the Ouran Anniversary Ball with me tomorrow," Tamaki replied anxiously. "With everything that is going on, will it be safe for you to be seen in public? Will it give away your gender?"
Even though he could not see her, she shook her head in exasperation, "Tamaki, it is very unlikely that anyone will connect your date with the Haruhi Fujioka currently being sued for paternity. Besides, the way I will be dressed tomorrow, no one will mistake me for a man."
"Okay, if you say so. The party starts at eight and I have to be there by seven to do the last-minute check on everything. How about I pick you up at six and we can dine in the music room with the other hosts?"
"That sounds fine, Tamaki. I'll see you tomorrow at six."
"Bye, Haruhi."
After ending the call with Tamaki, Haruhi pulled up Kyoya's contact information. After two rings, "Good evening, Haruhi. How may I help you?"
"Hey, Kyoya, have you gathered any further information on Tagami and her 'son'?"
"I think more telling is the information that I have not been able to find on her, like where and when she gave birth. I cannot even find records that she had appointments with an obstetrician or a midwife. I would hazard the hypothesis that Tagami has never been pregnant, much less given birth. That begs the question where she got her 'son'."
"That was my thought exactly. But there is also the fact that, not only does the boy not look like Tagami, he doesn't look anything like me either. If this is a scheme to discredit me, you'd think she would have chosen a child that looks more like me or at least her."
"Hold on, Haruhi. You have a lot of good questions but I don't have the answers for you at the moment. I would even hazard a guess that you have a lot of other thoughts and questions buzzing around in your head like a nest of angry hornets. Why don't you make a list of your questions and speculations and we can go over them tomorrow during dinner before the Ouran Anniversary Ball. Does that sound like a plan?"
Taking a deep breath, "Thanks, Kyoya. I needed your level head to bring me out of my tailspin. I'll see you tomorrow with my list—or lists, as the case may be."
"I look forward to it, Haruhi. Good night."
"Good night, Kyoya."
Haruhi set her phone back on the table and picked up a piece of paper and a pen. She labeled the paper "QUESTIONS" and started jotting down the thoughts swirling around in her head.
Is this just a ploy to discredit me?
Does Tagami really think no one will notice that her son doesn't look like her or me?
"Wait a minute," she thought, "what is the name of Tagami's son? It's not in the lawsuit documents and it wasn't mentioned in court. Did she mention it in the interview?" Haruhi pulled her computer closer and started the clip of Tagami's interview from the beginning, paying close attention for that bit of information. "There. She called him Yuki when she told him to stop fidgeting."
Is Yuki really her son? If not, where did she get him? Was he kidnapped? Is that why he seems so terrified of her?
How are the 'Me, too' crowd involved? Golddiggers? Yamamoto stooges?
Would countersuits for slanders and defamation of character be warranted, or even practical, for any or all? Including that reporter?
Could this be an indirect attack on my circle of friends?
Haruhi grabbed another sheet of paper and labeled it "SPECULATIONS/OBSERVATIONS." Queuing up the interviews with all her accusers, she started to take notes that she then summarized in a list.
Six work as waitresses at an up-scale restaurant that caters to wealthy businessmen. (There are rumors that there is an escort service available through this restaurant.)
Four admit to clubbing together regularly.
Three work at a coffeeshop near the courthouse.
"I thought I recognized them but I couldn't figure out from where."
Seven are high school friends that still hang out together.
Four seem to have no connection to the others: Tagami Michika and her son Yuki, An Masu and her daughter Kyo, Haruna Ogawa and her daughter Kira, Yuna Jinbo and her son Hatori.
All are focused on getting money from me.
None have mentioned any interest in allowing me into the children's lives.
The mothers with no apparent connections also look nothing like their supposed children.
None of the children look like me in the slightest.
Rubbing her eyes, Haruhi considered her lists. "Well, that's enough for tonight. I'm getting too tired to think straight. Time for bed." She shut down her computer, stacked her notes neatly, and headed for her bedroom.
Haruhi slept in Sunday, relaxing from all the stress of the week and preparing for the excitement of the evening. She was looking forward to the Ouran Anniversary Ball, but not to dealing with Tamaki without Annabeth there to reign him in. At least the other hosts would be there as a buffer.
After a light lunch, Haruhi decided to pamper herself in her preparations to get dressed for the Ball. She washed her hair and allowed it to dry while she soaked in the tub.
"The shoes to go with the dress are open-toed so I think I put some polish on my toenails. I think I have one that's a shade or two darker than the hem of the dress. That should add an extra feminine touch that will definitely showcase the fact that I am not a man. That should keep people from connecting me to the lawyer being sued for paternity."
When the water in the bath cooled to the point it was no longer relaxing, she climbed out and dried herself with her fluffiest towel. Slipping into a light robe, she dug through her drawer to find the nail polish. It took only a few minutes to apply the polish. While the polish dried, she worked on weaving in the hair extensions and styling them. There would be nothing masculine about her appearance tonight. She would look every inch a woman.
Lounging around in the light robe, she took the time to massage lotion into her dry skin. "I really should take better care of myself. Even Takashi mentioned how rough my hands have been getting."
She knew she wouldn't need to put on any makeup. Hikaru and Kaoru had insisted that they be allowed to it after dinner, before they all went down to the Ball. She'd just have to be sure that they didn't go overboard.
At five thirty, she decided that is was safest to put on her dress and shoes so she would be ready when Tamaki—and whoever else tagged along—arrived to pick her up. She had no delusions that Tamaki would show up alone.
Haruhi was doing a final check of the drapes and folds of her dress when there was a frantic knock at the door. Through the peephole, she saw a wild mop of red hair. Rolling her eyes, she opened the door to see Hikaru and Kaoru jockeying to block Tamaki's access. "Boys, that's enough. We have places to go, things to do, and people to see."
Shoving his way between the twins, Tamaki bowed and handed Haruhi a rose. "You look enchanting this evening, princess. Your chariot awaits."
"Yeah, what he said," the twins chirped in unison.
Placing the rose in a vase on the table by the door, she grabbed her clutch and wrap. Then Haruhi locked the door and followed them out to the waiting limousine.
The quartet chatted easily during the short ride to the Ouran grounds. The twins scuttled out first and held out hands to help Haruhi out of the car. Tamaki whined, "I wanted to help my daughter out of the car. You keep your hands off her, you devil twins, you."
Laying her hand on his arm, Haruhi chided, "Headmaster, none of your theatrics tonight. You have a lot of important guests to impress. And what would Annabeth think?"
Tamaki's expression shifted immediately to a more dignified demeanor. "You are quite right. Haruhi, please forgive me."
"It's fine, Tamaki," she patted his cheek. "Just remember that your grandmother and father will be in attendance, evaluating your fitness for the role of headmaster."
"Thank you for reminding me. I was feeling so nostalgic that I thought I was back in high school again. Let's go eat."
Rather than just the three other hosts she was expecting, there was a small crowd in the third music room. There were several whistles of appreciation when Haruhi walked through the door. Umehito was the first to reach her. "You look absolutely magnificent. An Hitachiin original, of course?"
"Yes, of course. Do you think they would allow me to wear anything else? It's so good to see you. Was Kirimi able to make it tonight, too?"
"Yes, she is over there talking to Reiko and Mitsukuni," gesturing to the other side of the room near the windows.
Ritsu and Mei caught her next.
"Mei, is that an engagement ring I see on your finger?"
"Yes, it is. Ritsu proposed yesterday. It was so romantic."
"Congratulations! Ritsu, I hope you and Mei will be happy together for a very long time."
Blushing deeply he replied, "Thank you. I'm so glad you introduced us."
Mei smirked, "I'm glad you were so oblivious back in high school when he showed interest in you. We're a much better match than the two of you would have been."
The trio jumped slightly when a husky voice murmured, "I concur."
Haruhi playfully slapped Kyoya's lapel. "Stop trying to scare people."
"But it's so much fun," he chuckled dryly.
Mei rolled her eyes, took Ritsu's arm, and headed for the dining table.
"May I escort you to dinner?"
"Yes, you may," she replied, laying her hand on his arm. "Oh, by the way, the lists are in my clutch. I'll give them to you after dinner."
The group spent the next hour enjoying dinner and chatting amicably. Haruhi was really enjoying herself. She had spent time with each of her friends individually or in small groups, but this was the first time they had all been together in years.
"We really need to do this more often," Haruhi stated as she looked around the table.
"Hear, hear," was the enthusiastic response from the group.
Tamaki rose and bowed, "I regret that I must leave our jolly band, but other responsibilities are pulling me away."
After he left, everyone moved to the couches where they sipped tea while continuing their conversations.
At seven thirty, Hikaru and Kaoru pulled Haruhi into the changing room where they had set up their makeup cases. "Just sit still and let us work our magic," Hikaru said with a smirk.
"Just DO NOT get carried away. I want to look nice tonight. NOT like one of your high fashion photoshoots."
"Oh, if we must," Kaoru snarked.
Fifteen minutes later, Haruhi stepped out of the changing room. Takashi stepped forward, "You look gorgeous. May I escort you to the ball?"
"Thank you. I would be delighted."
"Wait a moment, I wanted to be her escort tonight," Kyoya protested vehemently.
"You escorted her to dinner. Now, it's my turn," Takashi replied adamantly.
"Boys, no arguing. I'll dance with all of you, but Takashi will escort me down to the ball."
"I get the first dance," Kyoya insisted.
"Then I get the last dance," Takashi countered.
Shaking her head at their antics, Haruhi placed her hand on Takashi's arm. They then led the group out of the music room and down to the grand ballroom.
It was a lavish evening with men in their impeccable suits and women in their stunning gowns. A chamber orchestra played a variety of tunes as the dancers swirled and glided around the floor.
Kyoya took Haruhi's hand from Takashi with a curt bow and swept her onto the dance floor. Takashi's eyes followed them and the corners of his mouth turned down almost imperceptibly as he pursed his lips.
"I must say you look absolutely stunning this evening. No one could possibly connect you with the lawyer presently dominating the gossip reports," Kyoya purred smoothly.
"Then I succeeded."
"Admirably."
Without further conversation, they lost themselves in the music and motions of the dance.
As the music of the first dance faded, Tamaki appeared, claiming Haruhi for the next dance.
"I regret that this will be the only dance I will be able to share with you tonight. My duties as host require that I dance with a number of notables and dignitaries."
"Rest assured, I understand. I'm sure that my dance card will be filled to overflowing this evening."
Halfway through the dance, there was a tap on Tamaki's shoulder. "May I cut in?" Tamaki's father asked.
"Yes, you may, Father. I will see to my duties." Tamaki placed Haruhi's hand in his father's and bowed courteously.
"My dear, you look enchanting. I remember when you came for the entrance and scholarship exam. You looked like such a serious young lady. And then when you arrived to start school looking more like a hoyden, I was shocked. It has been a pleasure to watch you grow and mature, achieving the goals that you set for yourself all those years ago. Hopefully the current unpleasantness has done nothing to inhibit your career."
"Thank you for your kind words. And thank you for taking a chance on me with that scholarship. I'm glad you're not disappointed. The partners at the firm are supporting me in 'the current unpleasantness,' as you term it, so I have no fears for my career."
As the dance ended, Haruhi's next partner was waiting to claim her. With a gracious "good evening" to Tamaki's father, she turned her attention to her next partner.
After several more dances, Haruhi excused herself and headed to the refreshment table to get a drink. Sipping a glass of sparkling water, she looked around the ballroom, contemplating the other guests. She recognized many of the prestigious families from interactions at the law firm, rather than her time at Ouran. Her peers were not old enough to have children in high school and she had been out of high school long enough that no one she had known would still be attending. Even Kirimi, the youngest member of their 'constructed family,' had already graduated.
A quiet voice drew Haruhi's attention with a dignified, "Good evening, Haruhi."
Turning, she recognized the speaker as Tamaki's grandmother. Bowing respectfully, Haruhi replied, "Good evening, Chairman Suoh."
"I would like a few moments of your time."
"Of course, there is a quiet room down this hall where we can speak privately, if you desire," gesturing to the hallway nearly hidden by the potted plants behind the refreshment table.
"That would be appreciated."
Though outwardly she was calm, inwardly Haruhi was babbling, "Oh my, what have I done now? Will she berate me for the lawsuits? Does she have connections to the Yamamoto family? Calm down. You'll find out in a few moments. Keep it together."
Haruhi opened the door to a small salon and indicated that Chairman Suoh should proceed her into the room. Taking seats on facing lounges, Haruhi waited for the Chairman to speak.
"I can read the worry in your eyes, but you have nothing to fear, child. I have been very proud of you and your accomplishments. I regret that I ever had my doubts about you."
"I am humbled by your praise." Haruhi could think of no other response.
"Your friendship with Tamaki has been good for him. It has matured him, to a degree. I may have opposed the host club at first, but now I have to admit that he chose his companions wisely in that endeavor. You have all impacted his life favorably and I am grateful for that.
"I know I was harsh with him, even though it was not his fault. The fault lay with his parents. As I near the end of my life, I have been looking back. I have only a few regrets and those revolve around my son and grandson. Despite my mistakes, they are both capable and worthy of taking over the company when I am ready to step down.
"As for your present predicament, it is absolutely ludicrous, but then we are talking about the Yamamoto family. I know that everything will work out in your favor."
"Thank you for your confidence," Haruhi murmured, unable to fully process the conversation with Tamaki's grandmother.
"I take my leave of you. I am tired so I need to find Tamaki and take my leave of him. Thank you for listening." Chairman Suoh rose and exited the room with quiet dignity.
Haruhi remained where she was for a few more minutes, replaying the conversation in her mind. "That was…unexpected." Shaking her head to dispel the rampant thoughts, she headed back out to the ballroom and her next dance partner.
With only one other break for refreshments, Haruhi danced the night away with a variety of partners, including Umehito, Ritsu, Satoshi, Yasuchika, the twins, Mitsukuni, several students, and some of the fathers. Those who knew her, expressed their support for her in her current situation with the lawsuits. Those who did not know her, complimented her on her beauty, poise, and charms.
Just as the last dance of the evening was announced, Takashi appeared at her side, silently offering his hand to claim his requested dance. Haruhi smiled gently and placed her hand in his. He led her to the dance floor and began to move in perfect time to the music. She surrendered to the music and followed his lead effortlessly.
Sensing the tension in his shoulders, Haruhi looked into his hooded grey eyes. There she read his desire to pull her closer, but he must observe the proprieties. Briefly she moved her hand from his shoulder and caressed his cheek, the look in her own eyes acknowledging the message in his. He smiled faintly and turned his head to ghost a kiss on her palm before she returned it to his shoulder.
As the dance ended, Takashi bowed, retaining his grip on her hand. "My I escort you home?" he asked hopefully.
"I wish you could, but I came with Tamaki, so propriety dictates that he be allowed the privilege of escorting me home," Haruhi responded, somewhat subdued.
Walking her over to where Tamaki was saying farewell to guests, "In that case, I will see you Tuesday." He bowed to her, wished Tamaki "good evening," and stepped out into the night.
"I trust you had a good time?" Tamaki inquired, having bid "good night" to the rest of the guests.
"I enjoyed it immensely, but I am exhausted."
"Then let's get you home." Tamaki gestured for her to proceed him out the door to where his limousine was waiting.
Haruhi breathed a sigh of relief as she reached her desk. "No process servers today. I guess I shouldn't have expected any after the media circus on Friday. Now we're in the wait-and-see stage. Hopefully I can be productive today."
The pile on files on her desk diminished steadily as she drafted letters and reviewed contracts for her clients. It felt good to focus on something other than the lawsuits, her gender, and the media.
"This is why I became a lawyer," she thought was she finished drafting a cease-and-desist order for her client who was having difficulties with a neighbor. He was trying to dig out her client's flower beds to put in a fence, but he was doing it on her property rather than his own. To the order, she clipped copies of the plot map for the neighborhood, the surveyor's testimony, and photographs of the site in question. "Hopefully this will get his attention. If he persists, we'll just have to pursue damages."
Haruhi looked up to see Rio watching her. "Can I help you?" Haruhi smirked.
"Two things. First, here are the newest pro bono cases. Second, Mr. Daito would like you to have dinner with him this evening at the restaurant across the street."
"Thank you for the files. Please tell Mr. Daito I would be honored to have dinner with him this evening. On a personal note, how are you and Takeru doing?"
"Oh, he's out of town again. His schedule is so erratic. Wait, that reminds me, a friend of mine would like to talk to you. Can we have dinner tomorrow night?"
"Tomorrow doesn't work for me. I have a standing dinner with a friend after our workout at the dojo. How about Wednesday?"
"I think Wednesday will work. I'll talk to Shiharu and let you know tomorrow."
"Sounds good. I better let you get back to work and I need to do the same."
"I will relay your message about dinner tonight to Mr. Daito."
Rio left and Haruhi picked up the stack of folders that she had just delivered. "This looks interesting," Haruhi mused as she lost herself in the details of the first case.
"Ahem."
Haruhi looked up to find Mr. Daito waiting beside her desk. Glancing at her watch to see that it was six o'clock already, "I am sorry for keeping you waiting. I just got caught up in this case. Let me finish making a note to myself and we can go."
"I appreciate your diligence."
After making a note of her stopping point, she placed the pile of folders in the drawer and locked it. Then she put on her coat and picked up her briefcase. "I'm ready now."
Seated in their favorite section of the restaurant with their briefcases safely locked away, they ordered drinks and perused the menu.
"Going to have your usual?" Yudai inquired.
"Not tonight. I was thinking of being adventurous and going for the chirashi sushi. I hope it tastes as good as it looks."
"Hmmm, I think I'll have something simple. The tofu with crab sauce looks very good."
After placing their orders, Yudai asked Haruhi, "So how have things been going? It's been just over a week since you were served the first lawsuit and so much has happen."
Haruhi drummed her fingers on the table as she contemplated her answer. "It has been really weird, to tell you the truth. I've never spent much time thinking about my gender. My focus has always been on personality and intellect.
"You know, Yudai, I know very little about you outside of the office. Would you be willing to tell me about yourself?"
"There's not a lot to tell but I'll fill you in if you would be willing to explain how you got from your first year of high school to five years of experience at the law firm in only ten years."
"Deal. You first."
Yudai chuckled, "Okay. I grew up in Hokkaido. I married my high school sweetheart, Ami Takagi. She was a chef at an upscale restaurant owned by her parents. We both worked there part-time during university. She worked there full-time while I attended law school. After I passed the bar exam and got a job, we decided to start a family.
"We were so happy when we found out Ami was expecting. Our families were excited for us, too. We all got together to paint and decorate the nursery. Names were suggested. Everything was going fine until Ami went into labor. She said she couldn't explain it, but something didn't feel right. We went to the hospital and she was admitted. The doctors never explained why, but Ami and the baby died in childbirth."
Yudai had to pause in his story. The memories still affected him even though the event had happened decades ago. While he was gathering his thoughts for the next phase of the story, their dinners arrived.
After bowing their heads for a moment to give thanks for the meal, Haruhi patted Yudai's hand. "This must be hard for you. You don't have to continue if you don't want to."
With a wavering smile, Yudai replied, "It's okay. I want you to know. It's good for me to talk about it from time to time.
"We were all devastated. I had to take a three-month leave to recover. I did a lot of soul-searching during those three months. In the end, I realized that I could not stay in Hokkaido. Even though all of my family and friends were there, so were all of my memories with Ami. It was just too painful.
"I resigned from the law firm where I had been working. The senior partner insisted on writing me a glowing letter of recommendation, stating in it that my work was exemplary and expressing his disappointment at my leaving. I moved to Tokyo and was soon hired at the law firm. A few years later I met your mother. You know most of the story after that.
"When I am not at work now, I volunteer at a women's shelter and an orphanage. Most of the time I just help out wherever needed. Other times I provide legal advice. I don't take on as many pro bono cases at the office as you do but that is because I do some outside the office."
"Thank you, Yudai," Haruhi whispered. "That's an incredible story. I'm glad you knew my mother and I am privileged that I know you.
Yudai simply bowed his head in response.
"Now, it's time for my story. But first, I need a pot of tea." Haruhi signaled the server.
"Yes?"
"I would like a pot of tea, please."
"I'll bring that right out."
"Thank you."
Haruhi ate a few more bites of her dinner as she collected her thoughts. When the tea arrived, she poured a cup. "So, last time I told you about the host club and how everyone thought I was a male. Well, at the end of the year I was awarded a scholarship to study abroad in Boston. I decided that I wanted everyone to know my true gender before I left so we planned a Farewell Ball and revealed it then.
"While I was in Boston, I met a number of very interesting Americans. One of them told me about a program she was involved in to get part of her university classes done while she was still in high school. She introduced me to a professor at Boston University. He explained how I could get an Associates Degree-basically the first two years of university-done through test, seminars, and experience substitutions. By the time I was to return to Japan, I had completed my Associates Degree.
"During my third and final year at Ouran, I was taking some upper level university courses via correspondence while attending my high school classes. By the time I graduated from high school, I had completed three years of University. I finished my final year of university in six months and was admitted to law school.
"My father and friends worried about me at times because I was so driven. I thrived on the challenge and completed law school in eighteen months. After passing the bar exam I interview with the law firm and was offered the job. That was five years ago."
The server appeared, "Will there be anything else this evening?"
She looked to Yudai and he shook his head in the negative. "No, please just bring the check."
"That was an incredible story," Yudai commented. "Do you have a social life? Or is it all work?"
"I do have a social life, thanks to my friends. For some of them, I am the 'approved date' when their wife is out of town or unable to attend a required function. I also have a standing workout appointment on Tuesdays that is followed by dinner.
"At least once a month the Hitachiin twins have me over so I can try on their newest creations. I even do the occasional runway show and photoshoot for them. In exchange, they give me clothes. Not as many as they would like me to have, but enough for my needs."
Yudai interrupted, "So that explains how you can afford those tailored original suits. I'm sure just one of them costs as much as your base salary for a month."
"That's very true. Hence the reason I keep the number I'll accept to a minimum. Otherwise, people might think I was swapping 'favors' for clothes. But I digress."
"Pardon my interruption," Yudai chuckled.
"Anyway, we also have a gathering of the host club and friends at least once every three months. With our group there is usually a birthday or some such event to celebrate. I also have a monthly girls' day out with the wives and sisters."
Yudai smiled gently, "I'm so glad that you're not alone. You may not be married with a family but at least you're not alone. That was the hardest part for me. I left my family and friends behind and it took time for me to find new ones. At first, I was reluctant to connect with anyone for fear of losing them. Kotoko taught me that it was better to have friends and lose them than to go through life alone."
"I wish I had known her better." Haruhi surreptitiously wiped away a tear.
The server returned with the check and Haruhi handed him a few bills, "Please, keep the change."
He bowed and murmured, "Thank you. Have a good evening."
Turning to Yudai, Haruhi said, "Do you want to share a taxi and see me home?"
"I would be honored," Yudai replied, pulling out his phone and to call for one.
Retrieving their briefcases and coats, they walked out to wait for their ride.
On Tuesday evening, Haruhi was running late getting to the dojo. Traffic had been bad and she had trouble finding her workout bag. She anticipated that Takashi would have something planned to—punish was too strong a word—instruct her in better planning to avoid being late in the future.
When she arrived at the dojo, she was surprised to see Takashi standing in front of the dojo with his back to her. Checking her watch, she thought, "I'm only five minutes late. Why is he waiting for me outside?" Then she noticed that he was not alone. Mitsukuni, Yasuchika, and Satoshi were standing near him in what appeared to be a heated debate with a reporter and cameraman.
"What are you hiding? Why won't you comment on the lawsuits against your friend, Haruhi Fujioka?" the reporter demanded stridently with a smirk.
Yasuchika, Satoshi, and Mitsukuni all looked like they were ready to pummel the reporter for her insolence. Takashi place a hand on Yasuchika and Satoshi's shoulders and looked sternly at Mitsukuni. Stepping forward and pushing the trio behind him, he addressed Miuru Sakurai, "Until evidence says otherwise, I will not believe that my friend Haruhi Fujioka has fathered any children."
"Of course you would say that, you're his friend," Miuru stated snidely. Just then she noticed Haruhi step up behind the four men. "Mr. Fujioka, I want to ask you some questions."
Haruhi looked Miuru up and down with clear distain, shook her head, and entered the dojo. Following her example, the four men followed her.
"I'm talking to you. You can't just walk away from me like that. You have a lot to answer for. My viewers have a right to know." The cameraman tried to hide his chuckle as Miuru stomped her foot like a toddler having a tantrum.
Inside the dojo, Haruhi was ranting under her breath, "Who does she think she is? I have a lot to answer for. Why doesn't she go bother Tagami? There's someone who has a lot to answer for."
She felt a large hand on her shoulder and turned to see Takashi with a questioning look in his eyes. Haruhi huffed, "I know, I know. I shouldn't let her get to me. I think I will take Rio up on her suggestion to get Seiji Matsunaga to cover the hearing."
Takashi raised an eyebrow, as if asking, "Who?"
"He is the top host on JXTV, the same station where Miuru does the gossip reports. Mr. Daito's secretary, Rio, knows him. She suggested that I get him to cover the hearing. Apparently Miuru has been telling lies about him too. It's just an idea. Let's get to it. I really need to work off some anger right now."
Takashi nodded and gestured for her to go to the locker room and get changed.
Two hours later Haruhi finally felt like she had her temper under control. Dragging the back of her hand across her brow, she wiped away the sweat running down her face. "Okay, Takashi, I'm ready to call it good for tonight."
"Good, go shower," Takashi nodded. "We will all go to dinner now."
Mitsukuni, Yasuchika, Takashi, and Satoshi were waiting when Haruhi exited the locker room.
"So, where are we going to dinner tonight?" Haruhi asked.
Mitsukuni looked a little embarrassed, "Actually…we're eating at my house tonight. After the run in with that reporter, we all decided it would be safer not to be out in public."
"Well, then. Let's go. I'm starving," Haruhi chuckled, gesturing toward the door.
Wednesday morning, Rio stopped by Haruhi's desk before heading upstairs to her own. "Shiharu will meet us for dinner tonight at the restaurant across the street."
The day passed in a blur of productivity and the next thing Haruhi knew, Rio was standing at her desk again. This time she asked, "Are you ready to go?"
"Really, it's that time already?" Haruhi looked around her desk and saw the to-do pile had substantially shifted to the in-progress pile. "At least it appears I accomplished some things today, though lunch was not among them."
"Grab your coat and let's go. Shiharu will be there soon."
Haruhi shut down her computer, locked the files in her desk, and grabbed her coat. Picking up her briefcase, she proclaimed, "I'm ready."
They crossed the street and were walking toward the restaurant when Rio cried, "Hey, Shiharu."
It only took a moment for Haruhi to spot the demure young woman with long hair who was waving at Rio. "I wonder why she wants to talk to me? Does she need legal advice? Oh well, I'll find out soon enough."
Rio grabbed her friend in a hug and then turned to introduce her to Haruhi. "Shiharu, this is Haruhi Fujioka. Haruhi, this is Shiharu Nakamura. She has some information that might be of interest-and maybe use-in your lawsuits."
Extending her hand, Haruhi said, "It's a pleasure to meet you." Shiharu took her hand and shook it firmly.
Haruhi held the door and gestured for Rio and Shiharu to proceed her into the restaurant. The maître d' looked at her and asked, "Do you want to be seated with the ladies in the regular area of the restaurant or the business section?"
"The business section, please."
"Very good," he replied as he escorted them to their table and held the chair for Rio. "Masaya will be here shortly."
"Thank you," Haruhi replied, as she held the chair for Shiharu.
Shiharu examined Haruhi as she sat down in her own chair. "Excuse me, but when Rio told me about your situation, I was skeptical. Now I see why you could be mistaken for a man."
Haruhi chuckled, "Old habits die hard. If you would be interested, I could tell you the story during dinner."
"I would be interested in hearing the story. Mr. Daito mentioned it last week," Rio interjected.
Shiharu nodded in agreement. "After I give you the information I have, I would like to hear it, too."
Masaya approached the table and handled them menus, "What would you like to drink this evening?"
Looking to her table companions, Haruhi asked, "How does tea sound?"
"Tea is fine with me," Shiharu responded.
"Me, too," Rio added, as Haruhi tried to cover a snicker.
"What?" Rio demanded.
Haruhi fluttered a hand and said, "I'm sorry. I've been referring to the lawsuits-other than Tagami's-as the 'Me, too' crowd.
"Would you like a little more time to decide before your order?" Masaya asked.
Shiharu nodded, "Yes, I need more time. Everything looks so good."
"Then I will return in a few minutes."
Haruhi turned to Shiharu and inquired, "What information do you have about my lawsuits?"
Shiharu replied, "I saw the interviews from last Friday and I recognized four of the children involved. The thing is, they all live at the orphanage where I grew up. I was hired several months ago to work at the child care center attached to the orphanage. Kind of déjà vu because that was my first job."
"Wait, I thought your first job was babysitting for Seiji?" Rio interjected.
"No, that was my second job. Matsunaga-san hired me after seeing how well I got on with the twins when he came to pick them up from the center one day," Shiharu clarified.
"Are you two talking about Seiji Matsunaga of JXTV?" Haruhi interrupted. "I had no idea has was married and had twins."
"Yes," Shiharu answered. "But that's another story for another time. Suffice it to say, I work at the Child Care Center and volunteer at the orphanage. Someone has been picking up those four children and then returning them hours—or even days—later."
"And four of the children from my lawsuits live at the orphanage?" Haruhi questioned.
"Yes. Yuki, Kyo, Kira, and Hatori all live at the orphanage. Yuki came permanently just before I left for university, four years ago. The others came more recently," Shiharu replied. "I'm really worried about them, especially Yuki. He was always so happy despite living in the orphanage, but lately he has been withdrawn."
"Hmm," Haruhi pondered. "That gives me something to think about and a starting point for my information network to investigate. It definitely sounds like something fishy is going on."
Masaya approached their table, "Are you ready to order?"
Haruhi looked around and the other young women nodded.
"I'll have the miso glazed black cod with sautéed broccoli," Shiharu requested.
"I want the yakisoba," Rio followed.
"And I'll have the seafood udon," Haruhi concluded.
"Very good. I will get those started."
"Okay, now I want to hear your story," Rio directed to Haruhi.
For the next half hour, during which their meals arrived, Haruhi related her story as she had told it to Yudai nearly two weeks earlier. The scholarship, the gum and haircut, being mistaken for a boy, the debt, joining the host club, and becoming a 'constructed' family.
"Was the gum really that much of a problem that you had to cut your hair," Shiharu asked.
Haruhi nodded, "Yes, my hair was as long as yours and the boy stuck the big wad of gum just above the back of my neck. My father was working double shifts and there was no one else I could ask for help. The best I could do by myself looked like a toddler attacked a doll with a pair of blunt scissors during a temper tantrum."
Shiharu and Rio chuckled at the mental image that invoked.
After spending a few minutes, each in their own thoughts, Rio said, "I hate to break this up but I have some errands to run and then I need to get home to get some sleep."
Shiharu added, "I have to be up to be ready for the early shift tomorrow. Haruhi, it was a pleasure to meet you. I hope you can do something for Yuki and the others."
"My network and I will do our best. I have enjoyed our dinner together. Maybe we can do this again soon," Haruhi smiled.
"Masaya, may I have the check, please?" Haruhi requested.
"Right away."
Rio and Shiharu protested in unison, but Haruhi chuckled, "Buying you dinner is well worth the information you gave me this evening. Anyway, I need to keep up my masculine act until after the verdict, what a punchline to the joke it will be on the Yamamoto family."
Rio huffed, "Only if you let me pick up the check at our next dinner together."
"If you insist," Haruhi smirked.
Shiharu shook her head and interjected, "You two are quite a pair. I think we will have a great time together."
"Your check."
"Thank you." After looking over the check, Haruhi handed Masaya several bills and said, "Please keep the change. Your service has been exemplary."
"Thank you. It has been a pleasure to serve you." He winked and walked away.
Rio looked between the server and Haruhi, "I don't think you have him fooled at all by your masculine façade."
"He knows my 'secret.' It's only been the past two weeks that I have tried to keep my gender under wraps. I've been eating here for several years and he jokingly flirts with me on a regular basis. He has a girlfriend and she has met me, so she doesn't mind. The host club even meets here on occasion and he has stood up under their interrogations."
Shiharu chuckled, "I look forward to our next dinner. I expect it to be a lot of fun."
"Shall we share a taxi?" Haruhi asked, looking between Rio and Shiharu.
"As long as you let us pay for part of it," Rio replied.
"That's fine. I live closest, so I will be dropped off first." Haruhi pulled out her phone, "Let me call for the taxi." A minute later, Haruhi ended the call as said, "It will be here in two minutes. Let's meet it out front."
No matter where Haruhi went in the office, her co-workers were all watching gossip clips of Miuru stopping random people on the street and asking them for their opinion on the lawsuits against her.
"…think if a man is going to father children, he should pay to support them. That's especially true for these rich young men who prey on…"
"…sort of cad hooks up with so many women? He should find one and stick with her. Some of us can't find one…"
"…assuming facts not in evidence since the DNA test results are not available yet. What if he is innocent? Have you given any thought to the damage you have done to his reputation? Do you even think…"
"…noticed that none of the children look anything like Fujioka? Some don't even look like their mothers, so how could he be…"
"…ridiculous that the courts have to step in to make fathers take responsibility for the result of their hook-ups with…"
A headache started behind Haruhi's eyes as she heard more and more of the ridiculous opinions Miuru was broadcasting. "I'll just take some headache medicine and then immerse myself in my work. That way I don't have to think about opinions of people who have no idea what was going on but just want the opportunity to be on television. Looks like not only I am being tried by the media but I am also being declared guilty by the masses."
Haruhi woke up early, knowing it would be a long, busy day. "If I had known that the twin's fashion show would be on the same day as Kyoya's Birthday Gala, I would never have agreed. Oh well, at least Hikaru and Kaoru's staff can re-do my hair and makeup for the Gala after the show. It's a bonus that both events are at the same venue so I don't have to be racing all over town."
Dressing comfortably and casually, Haruhi packed both sets of her undergarments since she would need the minimizing set for the suits in the show and the maximizing set for the dress she was wearing to the Gala.
A polite knock on her apartment door brought Haruhi to the door to look through the peephole. Haruhi immediately recognized the regular chauffer for the Hitachiins. She picked up her carryall and the garment bag with the Gala dress before she opened the door.
"Are you ready?" the chauffer inquired.
"Yes," Haruhi replied, handing the garment bag to the chauffer. "Please hold this while I lock the door."
"Very good," he murmured as he waited for her to complete her task. Then, rather than returning the garment bag to her, he turned and started toward the waiting car.
It was a short drive to the venue. Gathering her things, Haruhi stepped out of the car and hurried into the hall. She had barely stepped through the door when she was pulled into a tight hug by Mei.
"You're here. You made it," Mei enthused. "You will look so regal in the suits today."
"Hey, don't rumple the dress. Wait," Haruhi looked puzzled. "Why are you here?"
"The twins didn't tell you?"
"Tell me what exactly?"
"They are letting me premiere a couple suits in their show today."
Hikaru and Kaoru walked up behind Mei. "Not fair! You spoiled the surprise," they chorused.
"Now, now, I'm sure you have other surprises up your sleeves for me," Haruhi teased.
"So what if we do? You need to get in there. Hair and makeup are waiting for you. The show starts in less than an hour," Kaoru stated as he pushed her toward the backstage area.
All four of the suits Haruhi wore for the show were designed to be gender-neutral and they seemed to be well received by the crowd. Of those she modeled, one was designed by Mei, one by Hikaru, and two by Kaoru. Each was distinctly different, but all were perfectly stunning.
Haruhi overheard some of the comments being made by the press.
"…see such a broad spectrum of styles. No just a parade of carbon copy…"
"…gender-neutral really seems to be making a splash today. Tailored so that they can flatter either gender…"
"…can't believe that suit by the newcomer. It's absolutely stunning and I must have it in…"
Haruhi was very happy for Mei after hearing that last comment. Chuckling, she made her way backstage to change out of her current suit and the minimizing undergarments and into her casual wear with the maximizing ones. Then she could remove the makeup so she could start getting ready for Kyoya's Birthday Gala this evening.
"Over here, Haruhi," the makeup artist called, waving wildly. "We really must get that blah look off so we can start on the spectacular look for tonight. Let's give you a quick facial rather than just cleaning up with makeup wipes."
Haruhi relaxed in the chair and allowed the makeup artist to work his magic on her face while the hair stylist wove in the hair extensions in preparation for the elaborate updo.
An hour later, Haruhi opened her eyes and looked in the mirror. She hardly recognized herself. Turning to the makeup artist and hair stylist, she said, "You two have done wonders. It looks incredible, just perfect for an Otori Gala."
"Now, let us help you into that gorgeous dress. Kyoya will be here any minute to retrieve his stunning date for the evening," Kaoru purred and Hikaru agreed.
"I can put on my own dress, thank you very much," Haruhi huffed as she smiled at them and ducked behind the changing screen where her dress was waiting. "If you want to help, find the bag with my shoes. It's the one I put my minimizing garments in. And don't you dare try to steal them if you ever want me to model for you again."
Sheepishly, Hikaru put the undergarments back in her bag and replied, "But I want to make a copy of them. Let us make them for you in the future."
"I gave your contact information to the designer. If you try to copy them, I will be more than happy to help her sue you," Haruhi remarked, peaking around the privacy screen. "Now, hand me the shoes. I need their height for this dress."
Slipping into her shoes, Haruhi took one last look in the mirror before stepping out from behind the privacy screen. "So, how do I look?"
"Absolutely stunning," rumbled a deep voice quietly. "No one will be paying any attention to the birthday boy tonight. All eyes will be on you."
Haruhi turned to see Kyoya and she blushed prettily. "How will you be able to tell since I will be standing next to the birthday boy?"
"Who notices the bush when there is such a lovely rose?"
The twins simply nodded vehemently in agreement.
"Shall we gather with the host club and friends before heading to the main ballroom for the Gala?" Kyoya asked as he offered Haruhi his arm.
"Yes, let's. You clean up pretty well yourself," Haruhi replied, winking at him.
As Kaoru, Hikaru, Kyoya, and Haruhi joined the others in the salon set aside for the birthday boy and his friends, they heard the murmur of a heated discussion going on.
"It is simply outrageous how the media can get away with saying such things about Haruhi," Annabeth said indignantly.
Mitsukuni agreed, "It's like the media has tried her and the masses have found her guilty, without any evidence or opportunity for a defense."
Haruhi stepped forward and called for their attention, "The media may have put me on trial, but the jury of my peers has found me innocent."