Back to Baron's POV. Short chapter.

He had been so close! So close and yet so far, apparently, to kissing the lovely brunette he'd held in his arms. And then that shout and that angry, redheaded woman in the door had ruined everything. Although he couldn't really blame her; she'd walked in on her daughter and a strange man in a very compromising position.

He felt bad that he had dropped Haru when Mrs. Yoshioka had called out, but his nerves were still very, very fragile, and spending this much time around Haru was certainly not helping.

Haru rolled over and smiled weakly at her mother. "Um... welcome home?"

This did not soothe Mrs. Yoshioka at all; if anything, it only enraged her more.

"Haru Yoshioka," she growled threateningly, wagging her finger at her daughter, "you better have a very good explanation for this."

"Mom..." Haru groaned, and Baron reached out to her. Mrs. Yoshioka's glare stopped him from touching her though.

"Kitchen. Right now young lady. And you!" She pointed her finger at Baron. "Stay right there, and don't you dare move."

He nodded and shoved his hands into his pockets as Haru clambered to her feet and trudged after her incensed mother, sending him an equally wan smile. Don't worry she mouthed. He nodded and smiled slightly back in reassurance.

The two women disappeared around the corner and, curiosity getting the better of him—Muta's bad habits were rubbing off on him, he hated to admit—he inched his way over so he was in better hearing range of the kitchen.

"I can't believe you, Haru," Haru's mother said angrily. "I trusted you. You were such a good girl..."

"Mom—"

"So innocent! I didn't think you were as bad as Chiyo's daughter, but now that I'm seeing this..."

"Mom, it's not what you think!" Haru protested fervently. "We weren't doing anything! Baron was just helping me clean for you..."

"Baron?"

There was a pause; Haru was hesitating. "That's his... his nickname. His real name's Humbert von Gikkingen, but that just sounds silly so he goes by Baron."

Baron sighed. Well, at least she was being honest.

"And where do you know this 'Baron' from?"

"I met him through... through my dance lessons! He was the only one willing to be partner before I quit."

"But I thought you said..."

"I was embarrassed. But... but his father disowned him so he has no place to stay, and I gave him my number once and he called me and asked if he could stay. He's been crashing on the couch for two days Mom, I swear!"

He slapped his forehead. So much for being honest.

"Please Mom," Haru continued. "He'll only be here five more days, then he's gone. Please."

Another pause. "All right," her mother said. "I trust you, so he can stay."

Haru squealed with delight, but her mother abruptly cut her off. "But he sticks to the couch. And no more of what you were doing in the living room."

"We were dancing Mom, jeez. Baron would never try something like that. He's too much of a gentleman." With a quiet 'hmph,' she reentered the room and a grin spread from ear to ear across her face. "You get to stay!" she whispered excitedly, darting over to him. "I'm so happy!" And she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. "I was afraid for a second she would throw you out, but..."

"Haru!"

Haru quickly distanced himself from him, wrapping her hands behind her back and smiling innocently. Baron studied the slippers Haru insisted he wear, although he couldn't get his heart to stop racing.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO