I do not own any of these characters. All rights are reserved to the owner and creators of The Ouran High School Host Club.

The Proposal

Haruhi sat across from me with my father positioned at the head of the table in between us. Both of my brothers sat to my right and my sister and her husband sat to Haruhi's left. My mother was stationed on the other end of the dinner table across from my father. The mood was light but still slightly formal. Everyone was dressed well.

My father donned his favorite suit. My mother matched him in her most flattering black dress. Fuyumi and her husband both looked very dashing in their blue ensembles. My brothers even looked handsome. But Haruhi outshined them all put together.

She had her bronzed, brown hair pulled up into a sleek ponytail with her bangs styled flat. Her wide eyes needed no makeup but I'm sure that Ranka-senpai held her down to put mascara on her already long eyelashes. She had on a tasteful floor length, powder blue dress with quarter sleeves. It was understated yet overstated everyone else at the table.

I watched her make light conversation with my father about stocks and new advances in the medical field. Her time at the Host Club made her charming and an outstanding conversationalist. Fuyumi caught my eye with hers. She raised an eyebrow at me knowingly and nodded at Haruhi impressed.

I felt a small smirk spread on my lips. At least I wasn't the only one infatuated with her. The remainder of the meal was light and the most enjoyable family diner I had ever attended. Afterwards we all excused ourselves to the parlor where Fuyumi played the piano. Haruhi watched in amazement. My mother sat behind my sister with a proud smile spread across her face.

My father sat with one leg crossed over the other. He swirled around his glass of Yamazaki, the ice clinked in a circle around the crystal. My brothers did their best to mimic my father's stance but I was standing with my arms folded over my chest. My father cleared his throat and called for the attention of everyone in the room. Once we had all gathered around him, he stood.

"I have organized this dinner in order to present some important news." He said commandingly.

My gut wrenched knowing what he was about to announced. I didn't understand why Haruhi had to pay witness to this event but I hoped for her sake it would be civil.

"I have decided to name my successor to the Ootori name."

Yuuichi-senpai sat up straighter and Akito-senpai squirmy in his chair a little. My mother gave me a subtle, knowing look.

"My eldest sons have made me proud in their endeavors. Yuuichi will take over my position over the Ootori Group."

Yuuichi-senpai face was filled with pride.

"But as far as the family patriarch goes," my father paused.

Yuuichi-senpai's face drained of color and Akito-senpai's eyes lit up with curiosity.

"I will appoint the son with the most achievements. As it stands, Kyoya has made the most impressive strives. He is on track to graduate at the top of is class, he has not only taken over the Ootori Group financially but he has also formed his own successful company. The O&Co has very ambitious future plans that have been back by its own performance. It has already turned a profit and will continue to do so."

Haruhi looked at me, her eyes were wide with surprise. No one could believe what they were hearing. Any hope my elder brothers held was gone. Fuyumi gave me thumbs up.

My father continued, "As long as Kyoya is willing to complete our terms, he will be the head of the Ootori family."

Yuuichi stood up from the couch and stormed out of the parlor. Akito's face showed his inner monologue. He was stuck between following him out or staying and being the good middle son. He stood but walked over to shake my hand.

"Congratulations," his face twisted with discomfort, "Kyoya-senpai."

It was the first time he had ever addressed with with higher respect. It was an odd situation for both of us. This was unprecedented. My older sister came bounding to me in glee. She bent over to me in a deep bow.

"Senpai." she said simply before hugging me tightly.

After she put me down, her husband followed her in suit but replaced the hug with a firm handshake. Haruhi walked over to me with her hands folded together in front of her. She was beaming. I gave her a small smile as she floated over to me. She stood in front of me and I nervously ran my hand through my glossy hair.

She bowed to me deeply. He ponytail dangled beside her face.

"Congratulations, Senpai. I knew you would be able to achieve anything you put your mind to."

I stood her up by gently picking her shoulders up. The woman I love would never have to bow to me. I brought her in for a hug. She was more than a head shorter than I was. Her pony tail tickled my chin. She hugged me closer. I could feel the pride radiating from her and into my chest. We stayed together a half second longer than was acceptable before we broke apart.

I turned to my father and bowed to him deeper than anyone had bowed to me. Everyone else followed in suit to show their respect for his decision.

When I stood up, I thought I saw a flash of pride gushing on his face.

xxx

My father thought that it was important for me not to be in the dorms for my second year. The Hitachiin twins had both joined me and Haruhi at the University of Tokyo. We would have been surprised that they had both been accepted, but we knew that Todai acknowledged the strength of value that came with having both of them attend their school.

Both Mori-senpai and Honey-senpai were transferring to the school as well. Honey-spenpai would be commuting to school from the home he and his new wife were living in. Mori-senpai has found a space close by to them. The only one missing from the host club was Tamaki who was still in France. His Mother's days were passing fast now and it was important for him to stay at Pantheon.

The Hitachiin twins refused to stay in the dorms so our parents agreed to find housing for all of us together.

My father scouted a sprawling four bedroom apartment near the school for us. Once the lease had been signed, Father called me into the parlor.

He asked me how I liked the apartment. I told him truthfully that it was too much. The white granite top counters, multiple bathrooms, and location were luxurious but unneeded. I enjoyed the simplicity of dorms and wouldn't have minded a simpler apartment.

He crossed his legs, "So what you're saying is that you don't like it?"

"No, no, no!" I said defensively, "It's not that. It's breathtaking. I'm just saying it wasn't all necessary."

He nodded, "Well what if I had another student pay a fee for the fourth bedroom? Would that qualm your worries about it being too much?"

I sighed in relief, "Yes, Senpai."

"Great, because I wanted to ask you how you felt about Haruhi-chan living in the spare room."

My eyes grew wide in terror, "Excuse me?"

My father sat up straighter, "Now I know it's a little unconventional. And normally I would not approve of you living with a female. But seeing as we already know you all get along famously with her and she was a member of your little host club, I thought it would be fitting."

I shook my head, "It is utterly too expensive for her to afford."

He gave a little head nod to the side in acknowledgement, "That's what I thought too. But her scholarship apparently has the allowance for her living expenses too."

My head shook again, "Not nearly enough to afford that place."

"Yes, again that is what I thought. But I dug a little and found out she has just enough allotted to afford the room as long as we charge her a hundred less than everyone else. We won't tell her that, though." We winked a little.

My jaw dropped. I had never seen my father so warm before. I knew he had a soft spot for Haruhi. I never imagined he would be so... fatherly... towards her.

"Of course," he clucked his tongue, "we will have to get her father's approval."

I nodded hoping that Ranka-senpai would stop this idea in its tracks.

"I'll set up a lunch with him." I said excusing myself from the parlor.

xxx

We took Ranka-senpai out for lunch. His long, red hair was secured into a tight bun on the top of his head. His face looked androgynous even in his fitted, pinstripe suit. I had never seen him dress so professionally as a man.

He and my father sipped on rocks glasses filled with liquid that was more expensive than my tuition. I sat with a glass of sparkling water.

We slowly ate our lunches as we made light conversation. Ranka-senpai and my father talked about how proud they were to have children who attended the most elite college in Japan. I talked over my plans about The O&Co. Both my father and Ranka-senpai were impressed with the upcoming launch of an AI app developed to assist with personal finances. It was still odd for me to hear praise from my father. After so many years of being unable to reach the bar that he set, it was an almost uncomfortable yet satisfying feeling to fly over expectations. When we had all finished our main meals, my father cleared his throat.

"So, Ranka-San." He said putting his glass down.

"Yoshio-San." He replied back simply.

My father eloquently proposed the idea of Haruhi living with us for next year. I couldn't read Ranka-senpai's typically over expressive face. He took a sip from his crystal and then looked my father in the eyes.

"On one condition."

I groaned knowing my father was willing to meet any condition Ranka-senpai proposed.

"My little girl gets her own bathroom."

My father laughed in agreement.

Ranka-senpai slapped both of his together and wiggled in terror, "to think of the inhumanity that my little girl would endure having to share a bathroom with those filthy boys!"

xxx

I gave up all hope that Haruhi would be unable to live with us this upcoming semester. I dreaded having to live in such close quarters with her. I worried about her seeing me first thing in the morning with rustled hair and a groggy, grumpy attitude I had never been so uncomposed in front of any woman besides my family.

And what if living with me made Haruhi despise the idea of being with me?

After so many years of holding my feelings in, I was finally able to confide them to her. It would be just my luck that this would happen so untimely. I cursed my father for insisting on this. I sighed deeply and knocked on the door of the Fujioka residence.

Haruhi answered the door sleepy-eyed in an oversized night shirt and loose shorts. She rubbed one wide, brown eye and looked at me confused.

"Senpai..." she yawned, "what are you doing here? It's seven in the morning."

I blushed realizing the time. I hadn't gone to bed yet. I wanted to tell her that the honorific wasn't necessary but I could tell that she said it out of groggy habit.

"Uh," I said running a hand through my short, black hair, "I'm sorry to bother you. Can I come in?"

She nodded as she opened the door wider for me to come in. She walked into the kitchen sleepily and started to make tea. I took the kettle out of her hand and took over. I needed something to keep my hands busy. She didn't protest as she normally would. I made work of putting together the tea and bringing the tray over to the table.

We sat side by side as we sipped our teas in silence. I was pouring each of us another cup when Haruhi finally was awake enough to ask a question.

"Kyoya," she said in between sips of tea, "is everything ok?"

I giggled a little, "Yeah everything is great. I'm sorry to worry you."

I adjusted my glasses on my nose. I looked Haruhi in her warm, chocolate eyes.

"I just wanted to ask you something." I said finally.

Her face grew alert and wide. She was subconsciously holding her breath. I took a deep breath and asked.

"My father has invited you to stay with the twins and I next semester."

She let out a sigh of relief and giggled, "I know!"

Surprise invaded my face and she laughed fully this time.

"My father told me when he got home from lunch yesterday!" she explained, "I said yes. You three drive me up a wall but I can't image better house partners. I thought he would have informed your father by now."

I nodded my head slowly letting her words sink in, "I'm sorry to have woken you in that case."

"Oh it's ok!" she said brightly, "I wanted to go to the market this morning anyway. I'm kinda glad you woke me up."

I smiled at her. She was fully awake now I loved seeing Haruhi in motion. There was just something so exciting yet calming about it.

"I'll let you get to it then." I said standing up.

She stood up too, "Wait."

I looked at her expectantly.

She grabbed her hair into one hand and then fiddled with the ends, "Why don't you join me at the market?"

I smiled, "I thought that shopping was a solitary activity."

"A sleepy Kyoya is solitary enough. What are you doing up so early anyway? You aren't known to be a morning person, you know?"

I laughed her question off too embarrassed to tell her I had been pacing my room all night. I told her I would clean the tea up while she got dressed.

xxx

It was a nice summer morning. We walked to the market side by side, our arms brushing together occasionally. Everytime our skin touched, current of electricity shocked me. It wouldn't have been painful if not for the ache in my heart that yearned to be closer to her. I stopped at a stall and ordered us some food to much on as we looked through the market.

She picked through local fruits with meticulous attention, making sure that each item she purchased was perfect. The air was light and smelled strongly of the jasmine that looped it's vines through the nearby fence. It felt nice to be simply in each other's company as we walked through the crowd. The sun was almost over our heads when I suggested we get something for lunch. A savory smell was wafting from a ramen shop and it made my stomach gurgle lightly.

Haruhi gladly accepted my proposal.

"As long as I get to pay." she added as we got into line.

"That's not how negotiations work, Haruhi." I laughed, "We're already in line."

She defiantly raised her eyebrow at me and started to walk away.

"Fine! I wasn't hungry anyway. I'll just wait until I get home to eat."

I rolled my eyes and caught her by hooking my arm into the crook of her elbow. She immediately froze which allowed me to pull her to my side.

"Don't be ridiculous," I leaned down to whisper in her ear.

My nose tingled as I inhaled the scent of her neck. Subtle and natural. There was no expensive perfume dotted behind her earlobes. It was just Haruhi. Pure and clean.

I smiled, "I'll just have to hold you here until you agree."

Her body relaxed as she accepted that she wasn't going to win this one. She sighed and finally gave in. The line was long and moving slowly. She didn't let go of me. Instead, she used my body as support. She let out a tiny yawn. She must have been up late last night as well. She rested her head on my shoulder. My heart skipped a beat at this unknowingly intimate action. I resisted the urge to pull her closer and wrap my arms around her shoulders.

We finally reached the front of line and ordered out rames. We walked them over to a long, crowded picnic table where we had to sit side by side to fit. Despite being squished together, we scarfed our food down in record time. She relaxed back on the bench and let out a long breath.

"That was good!" she said, "Thank you, Kyoya."

I beamed at her, "Thank you for inviting me a long."

She smiled back at me. Her white teeth sparkled at me behind her pink lips. She took my breath away. Every motion she made was magical to me. Every word that she said was the utmost important thing to me. She made my world spin and she didn't even know it. If she wasn't to live with me, I would have told her how I felt right then and there. But it felt inappropriate. So I held back.

I just didn't know how much longer I could keep my feelings to myself.