Rodeo

Kaoru welcomed Haruhi during the break.

Sitting alone in the music room, Kaoru poured over his lunch and books he had strewn over the tables.

"I'll just sit here a bit," Haruhi whispered, "With you."

Kaoru had nothing to say. He didn't need to. Haruhi pulled out her books and went to work in silence while Kaoru focused on his own. She could feel Kaoru struggling, but she simply had no idea how she could help him. There was something tearing him up inside and a secret that he couldn't even tell Hikaru.

Hikaru was nowhere to be found, possibly sulking. His pride made it difficult to reconcile and Kaoru knew it would be up to him to do it. Haruhi's presence calmed him, relaxed him and he could find himself thinking less of how disgusting he felt and more about that someone out there cared about him regardless.

He knew, that just that, was Haruhi's goal.

"Here are some of the many music rooms here!"

Momoka's voice echoed in the loud room as she opened the door.

The first year representative smiled as she introduced the Chinese boy and Kyoya to the many rooms of their school. Attending to him, Kyoya tagged along on his tour and merely offered one or two words of information. Jie was less than impressed with the musically inclined areas, but out of politeness he stayed silent as Momoka continued rambling on, on the history and the investors of the school.

"Do you play, Ge* Kyoya?" Jie finally spoke up, turning to his host.

"Very little."

The answer was not cold, merely curt and Jie nodded, understanding his lacking desire to chat.

They continued to a few more rooms, catching the attention of a few students.

"You'll enroll in the second year as you come, yes?"

"I shall be, Yes."

Jie's smile was charming, but it was empty.

"Well, we'll be in the same class hopefully! 2-A! You should definitely make fast friends"

Momoka was excited, possibly why she was picked for the job. Kyoya looked at his watch, ensuring that they weren't wasting too much time on pleasantries. They bid her goodbye and Jie began to wander the gardens, his eyes focused on the light and the brightness from the fountain.

"The school is quite quaint, its size and its class," he mentioned, offhandedly, "I can see myself enjoying time here."

"Have you decided?"

Kyoya wasn't interested in the answer, but it seemed like the polite thing to ask.

"On the reputation, my father would be pleased," Jie was fishing, "I fail to see how your father spoke to lowly."

Kyoya sighed.

"Merely because I attend here."

He paused; he hadn't expected such an honest answer from Kyoya. The boy wasn't pulling punches and knew exactly Jie's intent to gather information. The Chinese boy peered back at the fountain again, folding his arms and smiling to himself with a knowing grin.

"Your father seems quite… unkind," Jie jumped, "I'm sorry, my Japanese is not best."

Kyoya smiled, enjoying the Chinese boy being knocked off his pedestal of mystery.

"You're quite good, its getting there," Kyoya narrowed his eyes, squeezing his temple with his fingers, "He is not unkind... but he is strict… Yángé*."

Years spent visiting with his father at the Chinese branch had led him to pick up on a few words.

"Ah, I understand."

Jie placed his hand, surprisingly, on Kyoya's shoulder. He squeezed it reassuringly and brought the cold boy's attention to his eyes. They stared at each other for a moment before Jie released him.

"You are better for it, Ge Kyoya," Jie nodded, "Yángé father, Strong son."

Takashi was cornered.

Honey stood before the dojo's doors, Kaoru and the other members had left for the day and Takashi was cleaning up. He found himself trapped at the entrance as Honey barred his path.

"We need to talk," Honey glared, "Somehow, we need to talk."

Takashi rubbed the back of his head nervously.

"You've been avoiding me.. to punish me?"

He jerked up.

"That's not it!"

"Then what is it!?"

Honey yelled out, he was getting bratty and sad. The neediness coming out in him, Takashi was his closest companion and the sudden shutting out of him brought him to the realization that he was getting desperate for affection and attention. It wasn't a terrible trait but Takashi found himself between a rock and a hard place.

"I want you to be independent."

Honey paused.

"Independent? Why would I-,"

Takashi grabbing his bags cut him off.

"You may look young forever, but you won't be young forever."

With that, he walked past the shocked boy. The realization sunk in that Takashi was trying to break him out of his attitude for childishness. This attitude that he would carry to university and so forth throughout his life; He didn't understand. Honey stood in the dojo- alone again.

"Your mother sent me."

The presence of the French girl was off-putting, but not unpleasant.

Éclair stood up from her chair before the principal's office, Tamaki was a bit caught off guard to see her. Its been ages since she last appeared and her last arrival brought nothing but discord to his host club- especially Haruhi. He looked around and found himself alone in this confrontation.

"My mother?"

He finally realized what she had said.

"That's right, your father discussed with my family about schools in Paris for you," Éclair lowered her gaze, "I had wished they picked another country… away from me. But, your mother insisted the best for her son."

Tamaki looked at her curiously.

"So she sent you?"

Éclair shrugged her shoulders.

"Paris has some of the top schools, Tamaki, you are foolish to reject my skills," Éclair's voice rang out, her sternness matched by her piercing eyes, "I know my loss, I have not come here for spoils of war."

Tamaki paused as Kaoru and Hauhi rounded the corner. Their eyes met and Kaoru exclaimed loudly.

"EH!?"

Éclair nodded to him, acknowledging their arrival then turned back to Tamaki.

"Are you going to reject her a second time?"

Tamaki paused, the idea resounding in him.

Haruhi grinded her teeth, her fists clenched and her eyes focused on the ground. There was nothing she could say in good faith, speaking up would be denying Tamaki a chance to see his mother and denying his future. Saying anything could shift Tamaki's mind and make him put her first. She kept her lips tight and her eyes downcast; Éclair paid no attention to her as she stared directly at Tamaki her expression cold and unwavering.

"We'll leave on Sunday."

The French girl's smile widened as Tamaki resigned and Haruhi lost for the very first time.