Solitaire With Friends

Chapter the Ninth:

In Which Total Madness Ensues, Haruhi Meets With an Old Enemy, and Mori Retreats Behind His Old Defenses


Haruhi agreed to fly to Japan that April with Mori. Plane rides were much more interesting with someone to talk to. Although Mori wasn't one to talk much, she found that he did speak to her more now that they knew each other better. Their conversations were a little less one sided; there was a bit of an exchange now, although Mori still was sparing with his answers. She wasn't going to coax him into saying more than he had to especially if he didn't want to speak.

He ordered the plane tickets for the two of them and even offered to pay for her hotel stay, but she refused the latter. Haruhi wanted to spend some time with her father; she missed seeing him every day like she used to. The pair arrived in Japan a few days before the Ouran Reunion for the Host Club Reunion was to happen two days before. Ranka didn't bother his daughter too much when she arrived at their old apartment (aside from his typical crush her in a hug and go on and on about how he missed her). The next day, after he was sure that she had slept off some of her jet lag, they settled down for a more coherent conversation.

"So how has life as a New Yorker been treating you?" he asked. She shrugged.

"It's been okay," she replied. "Same as usual."

"How have your horseback riding lessons been going?"

"Pretty well, Takashi says I'll be as good as him in no time," Haruhi told her father.

"I'd better warn you that Tamaki wants to give you both a good scolding," he said. Haruhi eyed her father suspiciously.

"Dad, you didn't tell him that I've been hanging out with Takashi, did you?" she asked.

"No, but I told Kyoya, and naturally Kyoya might have told Tamaki a thing or two…" Ranka said, trailing off.

"Dad! I've been dreading this reunion for months and now I have 'The Prince' to deal with?" she complained. "Great…"

"I don't understand, if these outings are nothing but fun to you, then why hide it from Tamaki? Are you afraid he's going to get jealous?" her father asked. "If you are, you have nothing to worry about, because Tamaki's been seen with this charming French girl-"

"Wait, Tamaki's with Eclaire again?" Haruhi interjected.

"No, no, that's not her name. I can't remember right now, but she had such a shrill laugh," Ranka said. "But back to you, if these all mean nothing to you, then why are you hiding them from everyone?"

"I'm not hiding them, I tell people about the time Takashi and I spend together," she told her father.

"Honestly Haruhi, you should ask him what he thinks about the time you spend together," he suggested. "And tell him if he's going to court my daughter he'd better ask permission from me first."

The lawyer rolled her eyes, "He's not 'courting' me, Dad."

"Of course," Ranka said in a matter of fact way. "Of course."


The brunch at Tamaki's house was exactly the way she expected it to be: extravagant. Her friend had spared no expense for his companions. Haruhi was only surprised that his party had no theme and she was only instructed to dress semi formally. Haruhi chose a light orange dress that Karou had made for her and a pair of sandals that Hikaru had brought back from Spain. The more she though about it, the more she realized that most of her wardrobe was made up of gifts from her friends. Not that she minded over much.

Upon arriving at the Suou residence she was greeted at the door by Tamaki himself.

"My darling daughter, I have missed you so," he said hugging her. Before she could even get a few words out, he dragged her inside, and pulled her into what she assumed was his living room. Haruhi was slightly confused at the scene before her. Mori was already there kneeling quietly at the coffee table.

"Sit!" Tamaki ordered.

"What are you doing now, Tamaki?" she asked.

"My unruly daughter must sit, before I explain anything!" he replied. Haruhi sighed and kneeled next to Mori. Tamaki sat on the opposite side of the coffee table, crossed his legs and closed his eyes reflectively. Haruhi found herself rather amused by this scene. It seemed that they should be in a tatami room wearing kimono instead of in this western style house in the latest fashions.

"What's the meaning of all this nonsense?" Tamaki began. "Sneaking off onto riding trails to do god knows what!"

"Tamaki…we're just riding horses," Haruhi told him. She was already exasperated by his antics and she had only been in his presence for all of three minutes.

"That's what you want me to think!" he said. "But it's spring time now and everyone knows spring is the season of love! You can't tell me that one day, as you're riding down that country path, the flowers in bloom, you won't be struck by Cupid's arrow, and a heartfelt exchange of vows of affection and longing will take place as the petals swarm around—"

"Stop being so stupid," Haruhi interrupted. "Takashi and I are friends, and friends do things together sometimes."

"See!" Tamaki cried. "You're calling Mori by his first name! Only people he cares about most call him that, so he must care about you!"

"I'm sure Takashi will let you call him by his first name, won't you?" she said turning to the man beside her. Mori nodded, although she could tell there was some reservation on his part.

"I don't want to call him that. I'll call him what I always call him: Mori," Tamaki said. "You can't keep on doing this! I didn't give consent! I didn't give—"

"If it pleases Father, do I have permission to spend time with Haruhi?" Mori interjected. Tamaki was stock still, and Haruhi shook her head.

"Don't encourage him…" she mumbled. After Tamaki thought it over, he placed a hand on his chin and smiled.

"Very well, since you asked so politely, I shall give my consent and allow you to court my daughter," the blond said.

"He's not courting me!" she shouted.

"So you don't want to spend time with Mori?" Tamaki asked.

"No, I do, but he's not courting me!" she replied.

"Well…Mori if you want to spend time with her, then you may, but she's such a sassy little girl, are you sure about this?" he continued. Haruhi sighed in defeat as Mori nodded. This game of Tamaki's was getting way out of hand.

They left the room to join the party finally. Hunny instantly ran up to Haruhi and caught her in one of his spinning embraces, although it was a little awkward now seeing as he was now larger than her.

Hikaru and Karou crept up on either side of her and started examining her clothes.

"See Hikaru, I told you she'd wear my dress," Karou said triumphantly.

"Yeah, but I told you she'd wear the espadrilles I brought from Spain," Hikaru responded.

"Nice to see you guys too," Haruhi said, a little upset that no common greetings were exchanged, but her appearance was first and foremost.

"Oh don't be so upset, Haru, it's our job to make sure you look nice," Hikaru told her.

"Ranka-san would be dreadfully upset if we didn't make sure you were cute and on the cutting edge of fashion," Karou added. Haruhi smiled; clothing was their way of looking out for her.

"Who's your stylist, by the way? They're doing wonders for your hair," Karou continued.

"I do my own hair," she told him.

"Well it's a far cry from the bird's nest you had when you first came to Ouran," Hikaru said.

"Enough about hair and clothes," Kyoya said, tired of being in the background. "We're here to take a break from work."

"You're not taking a break, you still have your Blackberry on," Hunny commented.

"Only so I can consult with my…business partner of sorts," he told them. Haruhi narrowed her eyes in confusion. Business partner? That didn't sound like Kyoya.

"Tamaki! Tamaki!" a female voice called. Haruhi was surprised to see Renge open the door to the dining room.

"I'm sorry I'm late," she said walking over to the blond. "But I fought tooth and nail to get the last volume of the 'Fruit Patch' manga!"

Haruhi was confused for several reasons. First was Tamaki's reaction to the news, which was to squeal and demand to see it, second was the fact that Renge wasn't cosplaying, third was Tamaki leaning over to kiss her on the forehead.

"You didn't know?" Kyoya said sensing her confusion. "Renge and Tamaki have been going out for several months now. They seem to identify on many levels."

"Who else has a relationship with someone so I won't be surprised anymore," Haruhi asked, half afraid of hearing that Hikaru had convinced someone he was as gentle and tame as a lamb.

"Well…I guess it'd just be me…" Kyoya said. Haruhi's eyes grew wide, that was worse than Hikaru in a relationship.

"You have a girlfriend?" she asked.

"I guess you could call her that," he said. "I believe it's more of a friendly rivalry."

"A very friendly rivalry," Tamaki added.

"Now, now, Tamaki, let's not spoil the surprise," Kyoya said. "You'll meet her at the reunion."

Renge smiled at Haruhi, "It's nice to see you again. I'm so glad you decided to wear the proper clothes. Being a boy made you look cute, but being a girl suits you so much better."

"So you told Renge I was a girl?" Haruhi said.

"Oh, I knew," she replied. "By the third year, most of the girls knew."

"Huh? But…they never said anything…"

"I told them not to, for we cannot forsake our heroine, can we?" Renge began. "We viewed you as the Utena Tenjou of Ouran. A lone girl striving to get ahead, donning the garb of a man to assert her power and bringing smiles to the faces of the women of Ouran Academy."

"That sounds more like the way you described 'Rose of Versailles' to me," Tamaki said.

"Well 'Rose of Versailles didn't take place at a prep school," Renge shot back.

"Since when are you an otaku, my lord?" Hikaru asked.

"He's certainly not one!" Renge told him. "He only likes the 'Fruit Patch' manga."

"He seems to know a lot about anime," Haruhi commented.

"Of course he does. He lets me tell him about all sorts of anime. He likes the dramatic romance ones," Renge asserted.

Haruhi couldn't explain it, but Renge and Tamaki seemed very strange, but some how workable. Both were over the top, dramatic and spoke their feelings readily (although there she could see the potential for conflict, but she was sure they'd work it out). Haruhi wasn't quite as forth coming and when she was willing to talk about her emotions her words never came out quite right. The lawyer was almost convinced that was part of the reason she dreaded relationships, she had such a hard time communicating her feelings. She hoped some day there'd be someone who could figure out what she felt without her having to spell out every nuance.

"So, has our heroine found anyone worthy of her love in New York?" Renge asked, interrupting Haruhi's thoughts.

"Hm…not really," she answered. "Takashi is the only real friend I have over there."

"So I've heard," Renge said. "Kyoya told me."

Haruhi sighed at this news.

"Kyoya, do you live to gossip about me, or what?" the lawyer inquired.

"I opt for the 'or what' category," he said, adjusting his glasses with a smile.

"Enough about our Haru-chan, we have much business to attend to," Tamaki said. "Like the theme for tomorrow's reunion."

"Theme? Don't reunions have a theme all unto themselves? You know: nostalgia, memories, good times; things of that sort?" Hunny asked.

"Yes, and we'll run with that!" Tamaki declared. "For we will be the ageless members of The Ouran Host Club!"

"Oh, no," Haruhi said. "I'm not wearing that uniform again. Besides, my hair is too long, it simply won't have the same effect."

"No, you shall wear the female uniform, like you were supposed to," Tamaki told her. Haruhi's eye twitched.

"I can't do that for three days!" she shouted.

"You won't," Karou said. "Each day has a different theme."

"Yeah, the second day is 'Greek Gods,'" Hikaru chimed in. "That's reminiscent of what we used to do and the gods are ageless. Finally we have an 'Old Hollywood' theme for the last day. And boy do we have a dress for you."

Haruhi sighed. As none of the other members seemed to protest, she decided to relent and consent to the arrangement.


Ouran hadn't changed at all, much to Haruhi's surprise. Sure there were new students, but the uniforms were the same, the atmosphere was the same and the third music room down the hall was still used for the Ouran Host Club, with new members. The new members were entertaining, and Haruhi found it interesting to be from the outside looking in. She was quite interested in this new group's "natural" type. He was also a commoner and talking to him she found him dealing with the same issues that she went through (minus the love connections among the club members. There were more connections among the clients).

After being entertained by the new members, the room was relented to the older Host Club so they could plan. Tamaki played a few chords on the piano while Kyoya explained details. Haruhi had to say, that she actually was getting to like the ideas put out the more she listened. Renge as club manager coupled with Tamaki's creativity and Kyoya's planning, was going to make an excellent three-day extravaganza.

Hunny, Mori and Haruhi ended up sitting at a table drinking coffee and eating some sweets. Since the other members seemed to be wrapped up in details, they decided to sit back and let the others hash it out. Haruhi was surprised at Hunny's restraint when it came to the treats before him. Even just a few months ago, he was crazy about sweets and cake.

"Hunny, is everything all right?" she asked. "You're not eating so many sweets."

"Ah…my doctor said I have to cut back," Hunny explained. "I'm not a kid anymore, I can get a lot worse than a cavity and a stomach ache from too many sweets. So, despite all the exercise I already do, I was instructed to go easy on the treats. But he said to cut back, so I don't have to give them up. So I've gotten down to a slice of cake a day as opposed to a whole one. I've been avoiding dessert completely so I could indulge this week and not feel so guilty."

"I can't imagine you not gorging yourself on treats," Haruhi told him.

"I know…" Hunny said. "Oh, guess what! I got Usa-chan re-stuffed and repaired! I found this great doll doctor and he said he could make him good as new! It's like plastic surgery for toys, only they don't come back looking like lifeless mannequins."

"That's good to hear, Hunny," Haruhi said with a smile.

"Takashi, you've been extra quiet today," Hunny commented. "You all right?"

Mori nodded in response. Now that Hunny had brought it up, Mori had been unusually quiet, he usually made his presence known some how, but he just seemed still and unmoving, very reflective, almost reclusive. It was a fine line, and difficult for Hunny and Haruhi to explain just how Mori was different from the way he usually was.


Day one of the reunion was a lot more fun than Haruhi expected it to be, in fact, she didn't quite know what to expect. True, she had sat through the entire briefing with Tamaki, but she stopped paying attention, being preoccupied with Mori's strange mood. He seemed to be all right for the most part, so she didn't worry over much, but she was still worried about him. So now she found herself slightly lost when the events began the next day.

They were to greet guests in the Third Music room as was their custom. It was such a wave of nostalgia to be there. It was compounded seeing everyone in their old uniforms. She of course was in a buttery yellow dress like the girls should be. She sipped her tea and wondered how different high school would have been had she been a girl the entire time. She didn't regret her time spent at the host club, but it would have been a completely different experience. She would have never gotten to know these crazy guys.

And I would have never known Mori ever, she thought. Hunny eased next to her on the couch and rested his head against her shoulder.

"Brings back memories doesn't it," he said. Haruhi nodded and sipped at her tea. Her eyes lingered on Mori again as he stared disinterestedly at his coffee cup.

"Something's wrong," she said. Hunny closed his eyes and hugged her arm.

"I know," he said.

"You know what it is?"

"He won't talk to me about it."

"We'll take care of our duties today, but we'll have to talk to him about this later," she said. Hunny nodded. Tamaki began to play the piano.

"Our patrons will be arriving soon," Kyoya said. "Look alive everyone."

Haruhi and Hunny turned their attention to Mori. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs. Both glanced between each other noting how he nervously tapped his fingers on the table. Haruhi had learned that Mori wasn't given to fidgety movements. Like everything else he did, he was very calculated with his motions. When he was nervous or upset, he would fidget. The finger tapping was and indication that something was wrong. Neither had time to gaze at him in concern for much longer. The doors swung open revealing several women and quite a few men.

Who'd ever heard of a host club catering to women and their husbands at the same time? Haruhi thought with amusement. She was surprised at how many of her former classmates were glad to see her and how many knew she was a girl before she even appeared in the girl's uniform today. She was enjoying a talk with an old study friend, when Kyoya tapped her shoulder.

"You have a special request," he said. Haruhi smiled and bid her patrons good bye. She was always afraid when she had special requests.

"It wouldn't happen to be your father?" she said. "Or Tamaki's father?"

Kyouya grinned, "No. It's my business partner."

"Oh? I suppose he wanted to meet this poor young lady you always are spying on?"

"She wants to see you for a different reason."

Haruhi raised an eyebrow. She?

The door was opened to the balcony and Haruhi had a feeling of deja vu. Sitting at the table, minus her opera glasses, was Eclaire. She smiled and stood up.

"Long time no see," she said. Haruhi held out her hand to shake.

"Likewise," she said.

"I'll leave you two alone," Kyouya said. Haruhi sat down.

"So what is it you wanted to see me abut this time?" she said. "Do you want me to leave Tamaki or Kyouya alone?"

"It's nothing like that. I figured that maybe we could have a fresh start since we met on such bad terms," Eclaire said.

"So...how did you end up working with Kyouya?"

"It was a bit of an inevitable thing. He and I were scouting to take over the same company. We ended up working together and merging our companies."

"I see. And anything more to it than that?"

"Perhaps, perhaps not. We haven't decided yet."

Haruhi raised an eyebrow and poured tea.

"So I've heard nothing but amazing things about you. Top of your class in Harvard Law, helping out all the Japanese in need in the New York area. You're quite the lawyer I hear."

"Yes, I'm enjoying the work."

There was a bit of a silence.

"The boys are up in arms I hear over your dating their former classmate."

"Ugh, Takashi? He's just my friend. No one said anything when I dated Tamaki after high school."

"You dated him?"

"We dated in high school and a little after. We just grew apart, that's all."

"I see. So you and Mori are just friends?"

"Yes. Are you after him too? Seems things like that keep happening to us."

Eclaire laughed, "Nothing like that. Kyoya just told me to ask. He seemed to think you'd speak more readily to a woman, rather than speak with any of you male friends. Honestly, now that I've done my duty by him, I'm more interested in what's been happening to you. How's life in New York? I used to live there for a while. Do you like it more than Japan?"

"In some ways it's very similar, since I lived in a city in Japan, in some ways it's very different. Not just the language and the food, but the mentality. It took me a while to be a bit more casual, but I'm glad I loosened up a bit."

"Would you ever consider moving back to Japan?"

"Perhaps. But I'm living fine over in New York. I don't see a reason to go back unless my father needed me."

The conversation that resulted was far more relaxed and less demanding than their first encounter. They found they had a lot in common, Eclaire had also gone for a law degree specializing in business. That and they had similar tastes in literature and music and their personalities while different meshed well. They talked for an hour or so before Kyouya called Haruhi back.

The music room was a buzz with excitement, but Tamaki still came from behind the piano to talk to her.

"Are you all right? You talked for a long time," he said. Haruhi smiled.

"It was fine. Eclaire's quite nice when she's not trying to steal your man away," she said and tweaked his nose. Tamaki blushed at the unusually familiar gesture.

"I see," he said as he shot a glance at Renge. She smirked at him and shook her head.

"I'll have to talk to Eclaire later," he said.

"If it's about what I think it is, don't bother. She didn't get much out of me and didn't care to know more."

Kyoya sighed from across the room.

"It seems the operation was a failure," he said.

"Hm, you'd have to be a bit more subtle than that. And ask a different person, who cares more about things of that nature."

"I told you to ask me!" Renge said.

The day closed without much incident. Save Bosanoda who came to see Mori of all people. They seemed to have a good conversation. Mori genuinely seemed engaged when speaking with him and that made Haruhi feel relieved. But she was still concerned about him. He just didn't seem himself back in the school setting. She'd have to call him later.


She highlighted his name on her cellphone and then closed her contact list several times. She dialed his number, since she had bothered to memorize it, hovered over the dial button and then erased all the numbers. She didn't know why she was apprehensive about calling him. She supposed she didn't like pressuring him. She didn't want him to close her off. Finally, she just pressed the dial button, each ring making her heart beat a little faster in nervousness.

"Haruhi," he answered.

She relaxed at the sound of his voice, "Hey, Takashi. I just wanted to ask if you were feeling all right?"

"Yes," he answered. She knew his initial answer to such a direct question would be guarded.

"Is something on your mind?" she asked.

"Always," he replied. That reply caught her off guard a bit. Usually he was a bit more forthcoming but she didn't want to give up.

"You want to talk about any of it?"

"Later."

And then he hung up on her. It was slightly frustrating but she would still be there for him when he needed to talk. Hunny said he called and got similar answers. Haruhi hoped Mori would confide in Mistukuni. He needed someone to talk to, he just looked so disturbed under that cool surface.


The next day was the "gods and goddess" day. Haruhi rather enjoyed this theme mostly because she had such a fun, curly hairstyle and a wonderful, flowing Grecian dress. She wasn't one to be needlessly attached to her clothes but this dress was stunning. Karou designed it and it cascaded against her skin like water. It was pretty much the same kind of day without much happening. When the customers slowed down, Haruhi joined Mori at his table. She hoped a lighter conversation might fill in the slight rift that was forming between them.

"Karou said I'm 'Athena at rest.' What do you think?" she asked as she smoothed her dress.

"I think he picked the right goddess for you," Mori said.

"What god are you supposed to be? Did he tell you?"

"Hades."

Haruhi frowned, "That's awful."

"I think it fits me."

Haruhi didn't know how to reach to that. She blinked and then furrowed her brows.

"Why would you say so?" she asked.

"Hades is very secluded and doesn't say much to the other gods."

Haruhi looked down at the table and ran her fingers along the glass.

"Even Hades had someone to talk to. He had Persephone half the year."

Mori's narrowed his eyes and set his jaw. Haruhi swallowed, Mori was upset. She put her hand on his.

"Takashi, you're scaring me. What's wrong?" she asked.

He wouldn't look at her. More so than that, his silence killed her. His body language had all the signs of shutting down, the way he crossed his legs, the way he tilted his head just so slightly away from her. She could see the storm in his eyes and he wasn't letting her calm him down. She bit her lip and blinked back the tears that were forming. She had never felt so unsettled before around Mori, seeing him like this shook her up a bit.

"Is there anything I can do to help you?" she said. His hand balled up in a fist.

"Please let me go."

She drew her hand back slowly. For an instant it was like she couldn't breathe. Once she drew a breath she felt a bit light headed.

"I...I think I need to fo outside for a bit of fresh air," she said. "Excuse me."

She went towards the doors, ignoring Hunny's calls. She went out to the garden and walked around feeling lost.

Why won't he tell me what's wrong? she thought. Why does it bother me that he won't tell me?

She felt the tears fall. Why was she so upset over something she couldn't change or help? She covered her eyes and for the first time in a very long time, she started bawling. She couldn't quite pinpoint why but Mori shutting her out hurt her core. But why? Because she cared so much, that was why. She wanted to know that now she wasn't shut out or what she did if she was. Did she hurt him and she didn't know?

She couldn't stand the way she was feeling. It felt so pathetic and helpless. Yet, this was not something that could be easily changed. And why did she feel so upset because Mori didn't feel like talking one moment?

It wasn't so much the moment, she thought. It was his whole demeanor.

The way he clenched his fist when she touched him. The way he asked her not to touch him. She wiped at her tears. This was no manner in which to behave. She had patrons to appease. She dried her eyes and returned with her eyes a bit red but she didn't let the previous events get her down. All the while she avoided looking at Mori.

Perhaps Hades suits you better than I thought...

She went to bed that night still very unsettled at the thought that Mori wouldn't talk to her about his problem. It wasn't like he was ever pouring his heart out to her, but she just felt that there was a closeness.

What happened Takashi? she said as she hugged her pillow. She closed her eyes and rested her hand flat on her mattress.

Please...if you don't talk to me, talk to someone, she thought. If only she could have the old Mori back.


The twins worked on her make up the next day. She wasn't very interested and she kept on chewing her lip, ruining the red lipstick.

"You look a mess, Haru," Karou said. "You didn't sleep well did you?"

"No. Not at all," she replied.

"Worried about that old robot, Mori?" Hikaru said.

"He's not a robot."

His feelings were the exact reason she was worried for him. He seemed so rattled and upset, which was quite unlike him. He was quite a stabilizing force in her life right now, it scared her to think of him in distress.

"Look, we can't keep reapplying your make up. Stop chewing your lip," Hikaru said. Haruhi did her best and settled for impatiently drumming her fingers against her thighs.

"Just get dressed. We'll put the wig on in a second," Karou said.

Haruhi did just that. The dress they had for her was a dark red mermaid's tail dress reminiscent of the old school Hollywood feel they were going for. Haruhi sighed as she slid on her white gloves. She just didn't feel up to pretending to day. She was so miserable and felt like she had lost a dear friend.

I have to talk to him to make sure it's not me that offended him, she thought. When she came out the twins surveyed her. Hikaru tugged on the dress a little to make it fall just the way Karou designed it.

"You look amazing. If only you'd smile," he said. Haruhi rolled her eyes as Karou put the wig on her head. It was dark, long wavy and glamorous. Haruhi just didn't feel movie star sparkling today. She came out on the red carpet, barely registering what was going on. There were patrons to deal with, and she did so half heartedly.

Tamaki rescued her as her customers died down a bit.

"Dance with me, my little vixen," he said. She raised an eyebrow.

"Shouldn't you dance with Renge?" she said.

"Even she agreed you needed a bit of a boost."

"I look that bad, huh?"

"Not bad. Unhappy. Hunny had a talk with Mori."

Haruhi's face brightened, "Really? Is everything okay?"

"Ask Mori yourself," he said.

"I don't think that's such a great idea. I mean, we aren't on the best of terms."

"Well, straighten things out."

And without a warning, he spun her into Mori's arms. Mori did not lose a beat and pulled her straight into the dance.

"Mori...how are you enjoying today?" she said. Was she still allowed to be so close? She didn't dare look at him.

"Takashi."

She looked up at him hopefully, "I'm sorry. I just wasn't sure...I mean what happened yesterday..."

"I'm sorry."

"It's nothing really. I was just worried that maybe I did something wrong to make you upset," she said.

"No. I was worried about something and took it out on you. I shouldn't have made you feel so badly. You did nothing."

"You can't tell me what you were worried about?"

"I can, just not now," he said.

"Maybe when we go home?"

"Maybe."

Haruhi tightened her grip on his hand, "Don't rush yourself if you don't feel you have to."

"We really do need to talk."

She bit her lip.

"Don't worry about it. It's nothing bad," he said.

She smiled and without thinking, she leaned her head against his chest. She couldn't place why she was so glad that there was still this closeness. And she couldn't name what made her be so forward with him right now.

"I'm just so glad I didn't lose your friendship," she said. Mori drew a sharp breath and she felt his hand tense at the small of her back.

"I couldn't bear to lose yours either," he said softly.


That was a longer chapter but Haruhi needed a good hard push in the right direction.