DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN OURAN IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM
"Taeko, are you ready for dinner?" asked Haruhi walking into her daughter's room. She immediately saw dozens of different papers scattered around the room," Oh my."
She picked a few up and saw that they were all different sketches of mermaid costumes. She looked over and saw Taeko sitting at her drawing.
"Working on your costume?" she asked looking over her daughter's shoulder.
"Uh-huh, I think I got it this time though," said Taeko holding up a piece of paper with a fancy mermaid costume on it.
"That's a nice one," said Haruhi, "Now could you do me a favor and clean up the other attempts?"
"Yes Mom," said Taeko as she hurried around and started to calm gather up the other drawing.
"These others aren't too bad either," said Haruhi looking at the drawings in her hands.
"You think so?" asked Taeko.
"Yeah, maybe you should show them to your uncles as well," said Haruhi.
"But I want this one," said Taeko holding up the one on her desk.
"I know, I know," said Haruhi, "But there's nothing wrong with them making these ones for other little girls." Taeko thought about it for a moment.
"Would others really want to wear things like this?" asked Taeko.
"Wouldn't you if you didn't have the one you wanted?" asked Haruhi.
"Maybe," said Taeko.
"Just make sure that if they do decide to turn these into costumes they give you credit for it and a share of the profit," said Kyoya suddenly appearing in the room as well.
"Of course Dad," said Taeko.
Haruhi looked at Kyoya.
"Was that really necessary?" she whispered.
"What, I think it's important for our daughter to know about these things," said Kyoya.
"Mmmhmm," said Haruhi, "Let's just go and get some dinner."
"I'll be right there after I'm done gathering up the rest of the drawings," said Taeko.
"So do you think it's all right to take on Chiye's niece as well?" asked Haruhi.
"Yes, it doesn't seem like she has a criminal background, and I trust Chiye to keep her in check," said Kyoya.
"You did a background check on her?" asked Haruhi.
"Of course, I'm not about to let a stranger just into my house with my family," said Kyoya.
"But she is Chiye's niece. It's not like she's a complete stranger," said Haruhi.
"Still," said Kyoya, "Better safe then sorry."
"I guess," said Haruhi.
"By Mom," said Taeko the next day when Haruhi dropped her off at school.
"By, got your costume drawing?" asked Haruhi.
"Yep," said Taeko holding it up.
"Okay, maybe your uncle can help get started on it today since it's your day with him," said Taeko.
"Yeah!" said Taeko happily.
"See you later dear," said Haruhi before driving off.
"Isn't it great Yukia?" said Taeko showing her cousin the picture.
"Wow, you're going to look great in that," said Yukia.
"What are you going to be for Halloween Yukia?" asked Haruhi.
"I don't know," said Yukia, "I was thinking of a vampire, but I did that last year. Do you think you can draw me a costume?"
"Sure," said Taeko.
"Hey Taeko, what's that?" asked a girl named Cho Kimyou looking over her shoulder. Taeko looked up at her.
'Her family is big in making things like faucets and bathtubs right?' she thought.
"It's my costume for Halloween. Uncle Kaoru said he'd help make it for me," said Taeko.
"It's pretty, I wish I could draw like that," said Cho.
"Well I thought your drawing from yesterday was nice," said Kaoru walking up behind the children.
"Good Morning Mr. Hitachiin," said the three children politely.
"Good morning," said Kaoru.
"You really think my drawing was good Mr. Hitachiin?" asked Cho.
"Yes, everyone did good yesterday," said Kaoru, "Maybe today we should all try drawing what we want to be for Halloween today in class."
"That'd be fun!" said Yukia.
"I thought so," said Kaoru, "Speaking of which, Taeko did you figure out what you wanted to be?"
"Yep sure did," said Taeko holding up her costume drawing.
"Nice," said Kaoru, "I'll have one of my assistance come and get it right now."
He pulled out his cell phone and made the call. "In the mean time I think the three of you need to get to class right?"
"Yes Mr. Hitachiin," said the students as they all stood up and headed to the building.
"See you all in art class," called out Kaoru.
"Hey Taeko, if you drew me a costume, do you think Mr. Hitachiin would make it for me as well?" asked Cho.
"Maybe, I can ask," said Taeko.
"Thank you. I'd appreciate it," said Cho.
Later that day during a class break, Taeko could hear Cho talking to some other students.
"Is Mr. Hitachiin really going to make you the costume?" asked one of the kids.
"Taeko's going to ask," said Cho.
"Hey Taeko," said Kana Ouhi walking over to her desk.
"Yes?" asked Taeko.
"I want to be a princess for Halloween. If you were to draw a costume for me, do you think he'd make it for me?" asked Kana.
"Uh, I don't know," said Taeko, "I don't know that he'll make Cho's costume."
"But you can still draw one for me right?" asked Kana laying a piece of paper down on the desk.
"Sure," said Taeko as she hastily started to draw out a pink costume out.
"Oh wow, it's so pretty," said Kana, "Thank you Taeko. Even if Mr. Hitachiin can't make it, I bet my mom can get it made for me."
"You're welcome, and you know it doesn't have to be pink," said Taeko.
"No I like pink," said Kana.
"Taeko, what about my ballerina costume?" asked Cho.
"Sure," said Taeko as she started drawing out a pink ballerina costume.
"Oh I wanted a white one," said Cho.
"I'm sure you ask for white instead of pink material," said Taeko.
A lot of the other girls all gathered around and looked at the two drawings before suddenly surrounding Taeko's desk.
"Taeko can you draw me a cowgirl costume?
"Taeko can you draw me rock star costume?"
"How about a fairy costume?"
"Girls," said the teacher walking up the group, "Art class isn't until later. Let's put the art supply away so we can focus on our math lesson."
"Yes Ma'am," said the students as they all hurried off to their seats. Taeko looked up at the teacher who just winked at her before walking back to the front.
Half way though the lesson, Taeko heard somone whisper, "Hey Taeko."
Taeko looked over at the boy next to her.
"What?" she asked.
"Do you just do girl costumes?" he whispered.
"No," said Taeko.
"Think you can draw me a robot costume?" asked the boy.
"I guess," said Taeko.
'That's right his family's really big on creating things like robotic figures for movie props and stuff,' she thought.
"Zentaro," said the teacher, "Would you please come and show us how to do the next math problem?"
"Yes ma'am," he said walking to the front of the room. Taeko looked up at the teacher who smiled at her. For the rest of the day anytime it seemed like another students would try harassing her about a costume drawing, the teacher was able to help get them distracted easily with other paper work. Even during art class or during band kids tried to ask her about it. By the time Taeko came back to Kaoru's room after school for their special day, she really tired with all of it.
"Something got you down Taeko?" asked Kaoru.
"Yeah all the kids seem to want me to draw their costumes for them all because they liked my mermaid costume. Before none of them seem to like me because Mom does things like drop me off at school herself or the teacher usually asks me to lead the line," said Taeko.
"Well the world can be filled with stupid people," said Kaoru, "So anyway, you'll be happy to know your mermaid costume is coming along very nicely."
"Thank you Uncle Kaoru," said Taeko.
"You're going to be a mermaid Taeko-Chan?" asked Hunny as he walked into the room followed by Mori, each wearing a martial art uniform.
"What are you guys are you doing here?" asked Kaoru.
"Takashi and I are the special judges for the Karate Tournament being held at the high school," said Hunny, "We just stop by to say hi to you and Taeko-Chan."
"Ah well hi," said Kaoru, "Who's the tournament against?"
"Bushin Academy," said Hunny.
"Bushin Academy isn't that, that all boys military academy?" asked Kaoru.
"Yep and we better get over to the high school. The tournaments probably going to star soon," said Hunny.
"Good luck Uncle Mitsukuni!" said Taeko.
"Thanks," said Hunny.
"You want to go and watch the tournament for a little bit?" asked Kaoru.
"Can we?" asked Taeko excitedly.
"Sure, it'll be nice to cheer on your school," said Kaoru, "Hey Hunny Mori wait up we're coming with."
"This is so exciting. I can't wait until I'm in the older grades and can actually join the school's kendo team or even the judo team," said Taeko. The students couldn't do that until Middle School.
"Where does she get that energy from?" asked Kaoru as they followed.
"It's kind of like Tama-Chan," said Hunny.
"Or you," said Kaoru.
"Kao-Chan you aren't still thinking that Kyo-Chan lied are you?" asked Hunny.
"Yes and no," said Kaoru, "I think it's more of wishful thinking."
"Hmm?" said Mori.
"Oh the boss for some reason thinks Kyoya may have lied about the DNA test that told us who was Taeko's real father," said Kaoru.
'Kyoya lie like that?' thought Mori, "Well he is know for doing whatever it is in order to get what it is we wants. But that seems low even for him, or is it?' He decided not to dwell on it too much.
As the group walked towards the high school room, they happen to notice a bunch of elementary boys walking towards the high school as well.
"Are those boys from Bushin Academy?" asked Taeko.
"Yeah they probably came here to watch their school's team compete," said Hunny. Taeko notice one boy looking at them sad.
"Aito, come along," said the teacher.
"Coming," said the boy named Aito walking after his teacher.
'I wonder why that boy looked so sad,' thought Taeko.
'Lucky girl,' thought Aito, 'I bet it's nice having people that seem to care about you.'
