Music Piece 21: Cooking Up Names

" Why did you lie to them, Takara? " Kaoru asked the girl.

She looked up at him and smiled.

" It was half the truth. Besides, I wouldn't want them to get involved. It's a small matter and I wouldn't want to trouble them as well. "

Then, she turned her attention back to the puppy. Very carefully, she bathed the wounds and bruises on the animal's body. It squirmed slightly due to the stinging sensations and then, it kept still in her arms. After that, she applied some antiseptic cream onto the wounds and the puppy whimpered in pain. She quickly hugged it.

(She came across the antiseptic cream and decided to use it.)

" Don't worry, I know it stings but it'll heal faster, " she told it.

Kaoru studied Takara's behavior with interest and unknowingly, he smiled.

I thought that this girl was such a brat but it was all just an act to protect herself. It was just like what Highness had said. She did this because she didn't want to be the person who stood out. In truth, she is a warm, gentle and friendly who is an animal lover…

" Uh, Hikaru? "

On instant reflex, Kaoru wanted to tell Takara that he was Kaoru and not Hikaru when he suddenly remembered.

Are you…K- Kaoru? Nope, I'm Hikaru. Are you looking for Kaoru?

Kaoru blinked.

Oh, yeah…

" Hikaru, do you have a handkerchief with you? " Takara asked him.

" Yes, I do. Why? "

" I need it to bandage his wounds. I-I know that it'll stain but I promise that I'll return it the handkerchief,

all clean. "

Kaoru smiled and shook his head. He was really amused. He had never seen anyone like her, so determinedly just for a simple handkerchief. He dug in his pockets and pulled out his handkerchief and handed it to the girl.

" You don't have to return it, you know. "

Takara looked at him in confusion.

" But, isn't this yours? "

He laughed, " Nah, it's alright. I don't mind. "

" Are you sure? "

Kaoru nodded.

" Arigato, Hikaru! "

He gave her, a sincere smile.

NNN

" So, how is it? " Haruhi asked, the moment both Takara and Kaoru emerged from the bathroom.

" It's perfectly fine. We've treated its wounds already, " Takara answered, beaming happily.

" Taka-chan! Taka-chan! Are we going to name it? " Senior Hani Honey asked, looking excited.

" I'm not so sure, senior. "

" That's a brilliant idea, you have there, Senior Hani Honey! " Tamaki exclaimed. " We should name it

Anthony! "

Both the twins smirked.

" And why should you name it Anthony? Is it because of Antoinette? " Hikaru asked.

" Anyway, it's such a silly name. Only fits an ant, " Kaoru continued, gleefully.

Immediately, Tamaki sank into depression again and started sulking in a corner, gloomily.

"T…Tamaki-senpai, are you okay? " Takara asked anxiously, staring at him.

" More importantly, are we going to keep it? " Haruhi inquired, ignoring her 'Daddy' completely.

" I don't know, Haruhi, " Takara replied.

(I think everyone is ignoring Tamaki, here.)

" Grr, why is everyone ignoring me? " Tamaki asked indignantly.

" Because everyone thinks you're an idiot! " Hikaru and Kaoru chorused in unison.

(Do I even need to mention it again?! Sighing Of course, as usual, he sank into depression.)

" I know! " Senior Hani Honey exclaimed, enthusiastically. " Let's make a vote! But each of us has to state a reason why we picked him…or her! "

" Yeah, and whoever gets the most votes will keep the puppy and even get to name it! " both Hikaru and Kaoru completed his sentence.

(Oh man! Now what do I do?!? I don't know who gets the puppy…Sighing Why me????)