Disclaimer: Ouran High School Host Club belongs to Bisco Hatori.

Anne dropped the piece of paper, mouth dry and open in shock. Her blue eyes remained on the words scrawled in Japanese.

Anne-Sophie de Grantaine,

I have a proposal to make for you. As you know, your family is struggling financially. Your medical condition is not helping either, so let me strike you a deal. Send your son to Japan, but at the condition that you are to never see each other again. This is in exchange for financial support for your family, as well as support for the full payments required for your medical treatments. If you are in agreement, then you shall not back out, or there will be severe consequences. Your response would be appreciated as soon as possible.

Suoh Corporate director, Shizue Suoh.

The Frenchwoman was too dazed to notice another blonde enter the room. Tamaki picked up the letter, violet eyes scanning the sheet of paper.

"Maman," he uttered, snapping Anne out of her trance.

The woman looked away, both in sorrow and contemplation. Her son grasped her hand, giving a small smile of assurance. Her eyes landed back on the fourteen-year-old, and her brows furrowed.

"I know," said Tamaki. "And I will do it, if it means helping you and Grandmère and Grandpère."

"R-René . . ."

Tears started to spill down Anne's cheeks, and she clutched Tamaki tightly. Tamaki smiled serenely, stroking Anne's hair just as she did when he was younger.

"It's all right, Maman. It's the least I can do for you, after taking such good care of me for so long. Now let me do the same for you."

"René," she sobbed, "I can't bear to lose you!"

Tamaki averted his gaze to the door.

Please, she pleaded mentally, I don't want him to go. Let me be selfish and have him for much longer. He's no punishment he's a present.

Anne's hands shook as he held her son in her arms. Mother and son held each other; both having opposing responses to the letter written by the Shizue Suoh.

"All right," she whispered. "You can go."

Tamaki looked down—having surpassed the height of his mother shortly after he turned thirteen—at his mother. Anne blinked away the rest of her tears.

"You mean it, Maman?" Anne nodded, albeit reluctantly.

"You can go," she repeated. "But as long as you know you'll be happy."

The mood quickly shifted the moment Tamaki nodded vigorously.

"Of course I know I'll be happy in Japan, Maman!" Tamaki gesticulated. "After all, they have such a wonderful culture! Oh, I can't wait to see a kotatsu; maybe I'll ask for one from the Japanese friends that I'll make! Ah, yes, and . . ."

As her son rambled on and on about the country, Anne let out a light laugh.

As always, Tamaki managed to lift up Anne's mood. Not a single moment did she find her son to be a burden.