Chapter 12 – Moving Forward

A couple of weeks went by, each day with a question and an answer. I had tallied a great list of things I now knew about Mori. If anything the answers he gave served to reinforce what I had already expected: Mori was quiet, kind, loyal, and wise. He greeted each question with the same simple openness and never initiated to stop or start the inquisition. When I paused along the path or giggled at some of his answers, I felt his eyes on me, as if they were asking their own silent questions, ones I didn't know how to answer.

We had been sitting after the host club enjoying some instant coffee when Hikaru and Kaoru attacked me from both sides as usual, squishing me between them on the couch.

"So, America," said Hikaru, tilting up my chin with his finger. "Someone has been hiding something."

"Wh-what?" I gulped, wide-eyed.

"Hunny-senpai here says you've been walking home with Mori-senpai most nights!" accused Kaoru.

"Yes, she has!" said Hunny, giggling. "And it's OH so cute!"

My eyes raced to Mori, who took a bite of cake. "You don't even like cake," I muttered under my breath. He pretended not to hear.

"So, do fill us in," said Hikaru, poking my arm. "What HAVE you been up to?"

"Mori-senpai has been escorting Ivy-kun to her hotel for around 2 weeks now," said Kyoya, regarding his clipboard.

My eyes widened. "How do you know that, Kyoya-senpai?" I demanded.

Kyoya ignored my question. "Around 2 hours after Host Club, Mori-senpai walks Ivy-kun through Finley Gardens over to the Lapis Hotel across the street."

"Is that all he does?" the twins purred.

I punched them both in the arm. "Of course, dimwits," I grumbled. "He just makes sure I'm safe walking home."

"Well then!" Tamaki sighed. "How chivalrous of you, Mori-senpai."

"That is nice of you," agreed Haruhi, shooing the twins from their spots next to me and sitting down. "At least you live close by, I have to take the bus to get home."

Later that night on our walk, I asked: "Did you tell Hunny-senpai or Kyoya-senpai about you walking me home?"

"I told Mitsukuni," Mori replied, adding, "He would have asked me anyway." Then a pause. "I didn't tell Kyoya."

"Huh," I said. "Kyoya-senpai just seems to know everything."

Mori didn't reply, returning his eyes to the path.

I hoped he didn't think I minded the host club knowing we walked together. I could stand the teasing of Hikaru and Kaoru. If anything I was more concerned about the school knowing, like the girls Mori had dismissed several weeks back who had stopped coming to the host club. They had approached me a few days later attempting to tease me outside of class, but luckily the twins were there to tell them off. Still, I worried.

At least he didn't look concerned when he bid me good night.

A few days later, the twins approached me, eyes sparkling. "We bring tidings of good fortune!" they declared, grabbing my shoulders and steering me down the hall.

"And what is that?" I asked, prying them off of me.

"You're going to come live with us!" they sang.

I froze. "What?"

They looked far too pleased with themselves as we walked to lunch.

"Do I get a say in this?" I asked.

"Nope!" said Kaoru.

"Our mother talked to your aunt," said Hikaru. "Can't imagine what would prompt her to do such a thing."

I thought of my walks with Mori. My eyes narrowed. "Guys…"

They threw up their hands in mock innocence.

"It makes more sense for you to stay with us!" said Kaoru. "It'll save your poor auntie the cost of the hotel."

"She's nowhere close to poor," I said.

"Plus, our mother has more stuff for you to try on," added Hikaru. "Since you're taller than average and look nice in most things, you're the perfect at-home model!"

"But—" I started.

"You'll be staying in our guest house on the grounds," said Kaoru. "And riding with us to school."

I sighed. It did make more sense for me to stay with someone. I would have to rely on my aunt for one less thing. Plus I didn't mind trying on clothes for the twin's mother, Yuzuha Hitachiin—sometimes she let me keep them if she didn't end up choosing something for a show.

"Aw, why the long face, America?" said Hikaru.

"She's sad because we're taking away her midnight strolls with sweet Mori-senpai," replied Kaoru. "Now that she has a driver."

"Awwwwwwww!" they crooned in unison, leaning in.

"Why are you guys doing this?" I asked. "I mean, I'm very grateful, just…I know it isn't about my aunt or your mother…"

"Ivy-san," said Kaoru, taking my hand. "We're just trying to help."

"Please stop talking," I said, seeing Mori, Hunny, and Haruhi coming over to join us at the lunch table.

The twins leaned in, shaking their heads. "Silly girl," whispered Hikaru, patting my head. "This means he'll have to find another way to spend time with you."

Mori put down his tray seconds after Hikaru spoke.

Good point, I thought, feeling giddy now. But what if he doesn't care about spending more time with me?

"Hi, Mori-senpai," I said.

"Hello, Ivy-kun," replied Mori.

"Hi Ivy-chan!" added Hunny.

I ignored the smirking twins.

We didn't announce the news until after the Host Club was over for the day.

"Just don't let them go anywhere near your belongings!" said Tamaki, grabbing my arm. "I don't trust those two as far as I could throw them."

"Which wouldn't be far, weakling," sneered the twins.

"Tamaki may have a point," added Haruhi, restraining him from tackling the twins.

"I'm sure your aunt will be pleased you found somewhere to stay," said Kyoya.

Mori said nothing.

"Wait, Ivy-chan," said Hunny. "Does that mean Taka-chan won't walk you home anymore?"

"I suppose so," I told him, trying to sound cheerful. "The twins' driver can take me if I stay late." I turned to Mori. "Thank you for escorting me, though. I won't be moving in for a couple of days or so."

"Of course," said Mori. "I will walk you home until then, if you need."

I could feel the twin's eyes burning into the side of my face.

On the last night of my hotel living, I thought about all the things I had learned so far about this mysterious giant. It was all stored away as answers and instances, images of fountains and my bandaged finger and despised cake. I was determined to know more, escort or not.

I decided to make the most of the last walk.

"I'm going to tell you a thing or two about myself," I offered.

"Ok," said Mori, staring ahead.

"I'm terrible at cello," I told him. "But I love the symphony."

Mori chuckled, a dark nighttime sound like rocks falling down a cliff. "You're not terrible," he said.

I smiled. "I'm also not good at anything, besides remembering other things."

There was a comfortable hush. "Go on," said Mori.

"Every memory is like a tiny movie reel in my head," I told him. "When I remember things, I remember shapes and colors. Snapshots."

"Hm," said Mori.

"That's why I think I try to notice so much," I added. "To save it for later."

Mori nodded, seeming to chew on the thought. "Interesting."

I could have told him more, but I decided that was enough. I looked up and he was smiling.

When we got to the front of the hotel, I smiled at him and bowed. "As always, thank you," I told him. "Maybe we'll find another time to walk."

And talk, I added to myself.

Used to Mori's usual silent goodbye, I turned to leave without a thought.

"Ivy."

I turned around. Mori looked confused, an expression I had never seen him wear. His eyes almost sparkled.

"Why?" he asked.

I almost laughed. He would ask something so vauge. "Why what?"

"The questions. The answers. How little you talk in between."

Now I laughed. "I think this is the most you've said to me at one time. And it's all a question."

He shrugged.

I smiled. "Why not?"

Mori was still silent, as if waiting for more. I took a step forward.

"You're quiet, and I don't mind," I said. "But what you say is just as interesting."

Still he said nothing.

"Does that make sense?" I asked.

Mori seemed to think for a moment. "I suppose," he grumbled. "You sound like Mitsukuni."

Then he climbed into the limousine that had pulled up behind him.