Taka collected Haruhi from his apartment in her limo. Or more accurately, her family collected Haruhi from his apartment in their limo. Taka was the one who came to his door, rang the doorbell, and walked Haruhi down to where the stretched Rolls was waiting, but there were three other people waiting inside it apart from the driver.
Confronted with this, Haruhi decided that the best policy would be to act in ignorance of Taka's true gender until told otherwise by Taka herself. After all, she was supposed to be masquerading as a boy still.
Haruhi had thought they'd have the ride to the airport to discuss that, actually. It seemed he was in error. That was a little annoying, and Haruhi blamed it completely on the population of Ouran at large. There had seemed to always be someone near enough to be able to overhear their conversation whenever Haruhi had been trying to ask Taka about the matter.
"Haruhi, this is my father, Morinozuka Akira," Taka presented softly.
Haruhi bowed in his seat to the man seated across from him. "Morinozuka-sama," he greeted politely. "It is an honour to meet you."
The tall (even seated, it was clear that the man was long) man nodded in silent return.
"My mother, Morinozuka Shizune," Taka continued.
Haruhi again bowed from his seat, this time to the elegant woman seated beside her husband. "It is a pleasure, Morinozuka-sama," Haruhi said.
"Shizune, please," she said with a soft smile. "Too many 'Morinozuka-sama's will just be confusing. My I call you Haruhi-kun?" she asked.
Haruhi nodded. "I would be very happy if you would, Shizune-sama," he answered with a smile.
"And my otouto, Satoshi," Taka finished.
"Hi!" Satoshi said cheerfully, and raised a hand in greeting. "You'll call me Satoshi-kun, won't you Haruhi-sempai?"
Haruhi smiled. "Hai, if you like, Satoshi-kun," he answered happily.
When they reached the airport, Taka and Mitsukuni introduced Haruhi to Haninozuka Yorihisa-sama, Mitsukuni's father. Haruhi had bowed deeply, aware that the Haninozuka family were of the nobility, not just the stinkingly rich like so many of those attending Ouran. He'd bowed deeply to Mitsukuni's mother as well, Haninozuka Himawari-sama, and not as deeply (though still very respectfully) to Yasuchika.
Mitsukuni got a bow as well, along with a friendly smile and a 'thank you for inviting me' gift all wrapped up in a sensible-looking green cloth square. It proved to be home-baked cookies.
"They're not sweet," Mitsukuni said with surprise when he'd bitten into one, and swallowed that bite.
"No," Haruhi agreed with a soft chuckle. "They're healthy cookies, though I did give some of them a chocolate back, so they'd taste better."
"Healthy cookies?" Yasuchika asked, his tone a little derogatory even as he leant in a little curiously.
"Un," Haruhi said with a nod. "I'm sure that, if you asked, Hani-sempai would share with you," he suggested.
Mitsukuni brightened considerably at the suggestion, having been unsure about these cookies that weren't sweet. "Hai!" he agreed quickly. "Do you want one, Chika-chan?" he asked, and offered the pile of cookies in their cloth to his (taller) little brother.
Every member of the Haninozuka and Morinozuka families watched with bated breath as Yasuchika hesitated, then finally, slowly, reached out to take one of the cookies.
"Tou-san, Kaa-san, would you like to try them too?" Mitsukuni offered. "Ah! And Akari-oji and Shizune-okasan too! Sato-chan! Takashi! Um, if that's alright, Haru-kun?"
Haruhi nodded. "Of course," he agreed easily.
And with that, everybody present (save Haruhi, as he'd baked them) reached for the little pile and tried them.
"Hm? They're not sweet, but they are good," Shizune said happily after she'd tasted one.
"I agree," Yorihisa-sama said with a smile. "Fujioka-san, would you be willing to part with the recipe?"
"Certainly," Haruhi agreed.
"I might indulge in taking these with my tea from now on," Yorihisa-sama said with an appreciative nod.
Yasuchika looked up at his father, completely scandalised, when the word 'indulge' had crossed his lips.
The serious, intimidating Haninozuka patriarch chuckled at the expression on his youngest son's face. "Yes, Yasuchika, you heard me right. The Haninozuka clan have preached self-discipline because, for so long, we did not achieve true mastery of our fighting style without it. Your brother, however, has proven that he has mastered it, even with time taken to enjoy life. After much consideration, and several conversations, I even believe that it is because he enjoys his life so well that he is so exemplary."
Yasuchika continued to stare at his father in shock, but he wasn't the only one. Satoshi was wide-eyed as well, and all three of the other adults had raised eyebrows. It seemed that they were not privvy to these 'conversations' that Yorihisa-sama had mentioned.
"I don't think that Hani-sempai actually indulges though," Haruhi offered. "It's just that... being sweet, that's who he is, just as much as he is a Haninozuka."
"Mitsukuni-do, eh?" Himawari-sama suggested with an amused smile. "That sounds about right. A warrior would be balanced, not just a warrior."
"Nii-san is an alien," Yasuchika grumbled. "Not a warrior."
"Haninozuka-sama, Morinozuka-sama," a flight attendant said politely as Satoshi struck Yasuchika over the head with his shinai for muttering rude things. "Your jet is ready, if you wish to board now."
~oOo~
"Does Chika-chan hate me?" Hani-sempai asked when the three high school students had been shown their ensuites and had converged in their shared lounge space again.
Haruhi had spent a good portion of the long flight, and then the drive from the airport to the hotel, getting to know various members of his sempai's immediate family.
"No," he answered. "But the amount of cake you can put away, and Usa-chan, creeps him out," Haruhi admitted.
"Usa-chan does?" Hani-sempai asked, surprised and with huge eyes as he held the stuffed pink rabbit tighter to his chest.
Haruhi nodded. "Something about three cakes for dessert every night, receiving telepathic signals from your rabbit, and midnight cake feasts?" he said with an eyebrow pointedly raised at the senior.
"Midnight cake feasts?" Taka added with mild censure in her tone.
Hani-sempai blushed a little, even as he smiled sheepishly at his taller cousin. "Just one night a week," he answered. "A special snack time for me and Usa-chan."
"For how long?" Taka questioned.
"Mou... a while," Hani-sempai admitted.
"Did you remember to brush your teeth after?" Taka asked solemnly.
Hani-sempai blushed deeply and ducked his head. "Iie," he admitted. "I guess... that's why I got my cavity, ne?"
"A case could be made," Haruhi agreed wryly. "Look, Hani-sempai, this rift between you and your brother boils down, ultimately, to which you value more. Cake, or your relationship with him."
"... Chika-chan is more important than cake," Hani-sempai decided at last. "I really, really like cake, but... I care about Chika-chan more," he said softly. "Does that mean I can't have cake any more?"
Haruhi shook his head. "Iie," he said kindly. "But try cutting back a little. The sheer volume you're consuming is what terrifies him the most." Haruhi paused a moment in thought. "Apart from the telepathic signals from Usa-chan," he added with a weak smile.
"And I should talk to Chika-chan," Hani-sempai said. "Shouldn't I? That's the advice you're always giving your designators, Haru-kun, when they're having a problem with someone."
Haruhi nodded.
"Takashi?" Mitsukuni asked.
"First year, before the effort and Tamaki," she answered.
Mitsukuni nodded. "I'll try that," he promised. "I... also miss Chika-chan."
"I'm sure he misses you too, Hani-sempai," Haruhi reassured him. "But you're habits also frighten him, so go gently."
"Hai."
~oOo~
On their second day in Switzerland (after most of them had adjusted to the change in time-zones), Haruhi was invited to spend time with Taka and Shizune-sama while the Haninozukas in their entirety – as well as Morinozuka-sama and Satoshi-kun – met with certain members of parliament at the Bundeshaus.
"I want to get to know my future son-in-law," Shizune-sama said once it was just the three of them left at the breakfast table, having already claimed Taka and Haruhi for her companions for the day.
Haruhi bowed in his seat. "I would be honoured," he answered.
Shizune-sama had then declared that they would go out – shopping, and then lunch together – and Haruhi had begged permission to change into something more suitable. Ten minutes after receiving such permission, Haruhi had returned in a no-nonsense olive-green pencil skirt that went to his knees, a cream blouse, a bolero that matched the skirt, and a warm-looking scarf. He was also wearing stockings.
Shizune-sama had stared, openly, for a moment.
"This way," Haruhi said with a smile, "no one will wonder why you're asking about me marrying your child, as long as you don't say anything gendered."
At which Shizune-sama had burst out laughing, utterly delighted.
"Did you know about this?" she asked Taka.
Taka nodded slightly. "I told you that Haruhi was an okama," she said softly.
"So you did," Shizune-sama agreed with a smile and one last chuckle. "Alright, then I have an ally. Haruhi-kun, you are going to help me take Taka dress shopping! After all, she must be ready for the denouement at the end of the school year."
Denouement being a literature catch-phrase applied to mystery novels as the moment when the detective would explain exactly how the evidence pointed to the solution. The moment when the jig was up, the mystery solved, the secret told to everybody. Haruhi was glad that he had elected to take a literature course that focused on crime novels as one of his electives, or he wouldn't have known that. Every little bit that helped him learn more about legal systems and figuring out the truth of things would help. Besides, some day he might decide to write novels about cases he'd handled, though probably not.
"Something blue," Haruhi said as he looked up at his girlfriend, a slight smile on his lips as he watched her blush slightly under his scrutiny. "A dark, midnight sort of blue, or else smoky tones if you like another colour," he suggested.
Taka nodded, still blushing, in assent.
Shizune-sama clapped her hands happily. "Excellent taste, Haruhi-kun," she praised.
~oOo~
Upon returning from Switzerland, the two seniors were permitted to travel unchaperoned with Haruhi to Karuizawa. Shizune-sama had said that she might drop in on them now and then, however, and quietly requested that Haruhi not accept Taka's offer to stay in their Karuizawa house together when there wasn't a chaperone. For propriety's sake, even if no-one else knew that to be the reason.
Haruhi had accepted Shizune-sama's request on the spot, been permitted to use the phone that was in the room (having left the mobile he'd been given by the twins in his luggage), and called Misuzu-chi to ask about having a room in exchange for helping out around the pension. Misuzu-chi had been thrilled at the idea, and welcomed him warmly when he arrived.
Apart from a room for Haruhi though, Misuzu-chi had one other room that wasn't booked. A silent exchange passed between Taka and Hani-sempai – the sort possible because of their long friendship – as they stood in the foyer.
"Ne, Takashi, why don't you take the room here? You'll be closer to Haru-kun, and you'll have more opportunity for some private time, just the two of you! Of course, I'll visit often, as I'll be staying at the house my family have here, ne?" Hani-sempai suggested.
Taka smiled slightly in gratitude, and nodded.
Later that same day, after Haruhi and Taka were settled in at the pension and Hani-sempai had settled at his family's vacation house and returned to the pension, the rest of the Host Club showed up.
In a helicopter.
While Haruhi was hanging out the just-washed linens to dry.
He was not impressed. Especially when Tamaki-sempai leant out the side of the helicopter and yelled into a speaker about coming to 'rescue' him.
They'd had a little warning. Tamaki-sempai had conference-called the other members of the Host Club (Haruhi was grateful that he didn't know about Haruhi's cell), so they knew that the rest of the club was coming. They even knew why – Tamaki-sempai's imagination had run away with him again, imagining the worst had befallen Haruhi when he couldn't contact him at his apartment. It was just a shame that Tamaki-sempai hadn't been able to be talked out of coming to check out the situation for himself.
"It's the holidays," Haruhi explained to Tamaki-sempai flatly. "I'm entitled to do what I want to do, without having to report to you. Thank you for the unwarranted concern, now please either order something to eat and behave as a respectable customer, or leave."
As one, Tamaki-sempai, Hikaru, and Kaoru all sat down together at a free table. Kyouya-sempai more calmly followed their example, requested tea, and as Haruhi went to fetch it he could hear the older boy explaining to the other three exactly the circumstances.
Kyouya's information network was scary sometimes.
When Tamaki-sempai decided that, as they could also do what they wanted with the holiday, then they would all stay at the pension as guests. Haruhi was glad to be able to shoot him down.
"There was only one free room this morning, and Taka-shi has since taken it," he informed them, barely able to keep the smirk off his face as he did.
"Eh?" the twins and Tamaki-sempai exclaimed.
"Hani-sempai isn't staying as well?" Hikaru asked.
"Mori-sempai and Hani-sempai are hardly ever separated," Kaoru agreed.
"Mmn," Hani-sempai said with a shake of his head. "Takashi is the one Haru-kun is dating. They should be together. I really only came to Karuizawa with them to keep an eye on Takashi for our families, and because I'd be a bit lonely at home. Even with Chika-chan."
"Oh," the trio answered softly.
~oOo~
Tamaki and the twins were already over at the pension, having breakfast – being waited on by Haruhi. Taka was a little annoyed at them for that, though more so with Tamaki. He'd arrived even before breakfast was being served.
Misuzu-chi, Haruhi had told her, hadn't minded entertaining the boy with telling him all about the different foods that were available at the pension. They were matched in enthusiasm and inclination to be very early risers, it seemed.
That didn't stop Taka from being irked.
It seemed that for anybody not in the Host Club, Tamaki had an excellent sense for providing a romantic atmosphere, for even helping (in his own, convoluted way) in mending relationships that were lacking it. Yet for her and Haruhi, he was acting more like a wedge between them without apparently being aware of it.
Taka sipped at her tea as calmly as she could, knowing perfectly well that, while breakfast was on, Haruhi was going to be working for Misuzu-chi. Pestering him would be counter-productive to him getting off sooner to spend time with her. Another reason she was irked with the other Hosts present, as they were slowing Haruhi down in his duties.
"Good day!" a voice called as the door opened, and the bell over it jangled at the disturbance. "Arai Grocery here!"
"Hai," Misuzu-chi answered. "Thank you very much. Oh? Are you a new part-timer? A high school student?" he asked.
"Hai. I'm helping out my family's business for the vacation."
"My! How refreshing!" Misuzu-chi lauded happily. "Haruhi-kun! Please bring these to the refrigerator, okay?" he called.
Taka watched as Haruhi extricated himself from the twins and headed for Misuzu-chi and the delivery boy.
"Haruhi?" the boy questioned as he bent so that he could look past Misuzu-chi. "As in, Fujioka Haruhi?" he asked, as his hat fell off.
"Arai-kun?" Haruhi answered in surprised, and blinked a few times. Then he shook himself and lifted the box from the other boy's arms. "Excuse me," he said, and carried the box away to the kitchen.
To Taka's ears, those two little words had been said a bit too calmly.
"Hmm? You know Haruhi-kun?" Misuzu-chi questioned the delivery boy.
Tamaki, the twins, and even Taka were all listening in carefully. Taka was more subtle about it though. She had lots of practice in sitting silently and letting the words of other people reach her, whereas Tamaki and the twins were very loud, and so had to get up close and be very obvious in their interest to hear even a word.
"We haven't seen each other since middle school graduation," the boy, Arai-san apparently, answered with a slight shake of his head and a shrug, an embarrassed blush staining his cheeks.
"I don't call that friends then," Hikaru said firmly, yet dismissively. "I call that a former middle school classmate. Especially since meeting him now is the first we've ever heard of him. If he were someone important to Haruhi, he'd have been mentioned by now."
"Eh?" the boy asked, clearly confused by the comment.
"Arai-kun, these boys are classmates of Haruhi-kun," Misuzu-chi explained.
"Well, we are," Kaoru corrected with a gesture between himself and his brother. "Tamaki-sempai is the next year up," he continued, and indicated the blonde standing over their shoulders.
"Pleased to meet you," Arai-san answered with a slight bow. "But, if you will excuse me, I should really get back to my deliveries. Fujioka-kun... apparently doesn't want to see me."
"No! Stay! Haruhi-kun is just a serious worker. I'm sure he'd be glad to talk with a friend from middle school for a little while!" Misuzu-chi protested.
"Not this time, Misuzu-chi," Haruhi himself corrected as he returned from the kitchen. "Though I thank you for the opportunity to catch up, I would much rather spend time with Taka-shi."
Taka smiled a little at those words, and a small bundle of tension that she hadn't realised was gathering at the base of her neck loosened.
"No hard feelings, Arai-kun," Haruhi said as he approached the group. "I say this because I don't want to make you uncomfortable," he stated plainly.
Arai-san blushed a bit, and ducked his head. "A-arigato," he stuttered a little, then bent to pick up his fallen cap. "Sumimasen, but really, I'd better keep going," he said, and hurried out the door.
"Haruhi," the twins said. "What was that?"
"I rejected Arai-kun's affections in the last week of middle school," Haruhi said plainly.
"Eh?!" an extra voice chorused with Tamaki and the twins. It seemed that Mitsukuni and Kyouya had arrived.
"When everybody was sitting their tests to apply to the high schools of their choice," Haruhi explained. "He asked if I thought relationships could work between people attending different high schools, I said that it depended on the couple. He got specific, I answered in the negative, as I did not feel the same way about him. That's all there was to it," Haruhi stated.
And, really, that was all there was to it.
When Misuzu-chi let Haruhi off to spend the rest of the day how he liked, Taka enjoyed being escorted around Karuizawa by her boyfriend, just the two of them. Or, ostensibly just the two of them. The Host Club wasn't actually all that good at staying out of sight as they stalked the couple on their date.
There was a thunderstorm the next day, and Haruhi buried himself in Taka's arms throughout it, hiding away. Fortunately, Misuzu-chi only requested Haruhi help out at breakfast and with laundry, both were well and truly out of the way by the time the storm had rolled in.
The other Hosts had also opted to remain indoors once the inclement weather made its presence known to all and sundry. They were down stairs playing a board game that had been brought out of Misuzu-chi's stores for just such an occasion, and Mitsukuni made sure none of the other Hosts interrupted the couple's "alone time."
Days passed, though it didn't feel like as much time had gone by as really had, and Ranka-san arrived in Karuizawa. He was there to thank Misuzu-chi for taking care of his son, and to take said son home again. The rest of the Hosts took that as their cue to head back to their homes and families as well. Taka got a wonderful kiss goodbye and a whispered promise that she would see her boyfriend in a couple of days when school started again.
He'd be busy cleaning the apartment of the dust that would have surely gathered in his absence, and doing important shopping, until then.
Taka smiled and nodded silently in acceptance.