"Haruhi, are you sure it was a volleyball that hit your face?" Her father asks her for the umpteenth time, as she walks out of her room the next morning.
"Yes dad I'm sure. If you want proof just go and play volleyball with the twins and get hit." She retorts sitting down across from him and eating some of the breakfast he had prepared.
"I'm sorry, you know I just worry about you right?" Ranka tells her.
She sighs. "I know that dad, but really the week went just fine. It was a lot of fun."
"I'm glad the others accepted the two of you being together." He smiles.
"Yeah me too, but they still don't like the idea of us being together yet." She mutters half to herself.
"I'm sure they'll get used to the idea, after all there really isn't much they can do anymore. Your engagement will be announced in two weeks." He points out.
"I know that. Are you still unable to come to the party?" She asks.
"I'm afraid I have to work that night, but I'm sure I'll see it on the news." He smiles.
"Oh…right." She sighs. Kyoya had warned her that some of the media would be attending because his father is making an announcement. "I still don't understand why he's announcing it so soon. We won't marry until after I graduate next year."
"That's just how they do things Haruhi."
"I know I guess I'm just going to have to get used to it." She sighs.
"On another note, are you going to call Hotta to pick you up for school? The Ouran fair starts today right?" He asks.
"Yep, but Kyoya called me earlier and told me he would be picking me up." She tells him. "I don't think any of us besides Kyoya and Tamaki-sempai even know what we're doing for the fair though."
"They haven't told you?"
"Nope"
"But don't the twins design and make the costumes?"
"…Damn it, so I really am the only one who doesn't know." She groans, as they hear a knock at the door. "That'll be Kyoya." She notes getting up and grabbing her bag.
"Have a good day Haruhi." He calls to her, as she opens the door and is met with Kyoya.
"Good morning Kyoya." She smiles, before turning to face her father. "Bye dad." She waves and closes the door behind her.
"Morning" he smiles at her, before leaning down and meeting her lips. "I assume you're ready to go?"
"Yep" she smiles and they both walk down to his car.
"Before I forget, I want to mention that my father may be attending the fair today." Kyoya tells her, as they pull into the gates of Ouran.
"What why?" She asks curiously.
"I'm not entirely sure, but I'm sure it has something to do with the bet he made with the chairman." He tells her. "So they're silly bet really doesn't bother you at all?"
"Again, I think it would have bothered me if we hadn't been dating before the fair last year." She tells him. "As of right now I really don't care, but your father sure seems to doesn't he?"
"He doesn't like to lose and will gloat when he wins." He states, as the car stops and Tachibana opens their door.
"I noticed." She laughs. "So what's the plan today, or am I still the only one left out of the loop?"
"Just come up to the clubroom with me and you'll see." He replies helping her out of the limo and holding her close.
"Kyoya, what are you doing?" She asks startled and breaking away.
"Did you forget we don't have to hide anything anymore?" He asks laughing at how startled she was acting, as other students were showing up.
"Oh…right." She realizes and laughs inwardly at her mistake and twined her hand with his. "Is this better?"
"Better then you running off I suppose." He smirks.
"Shut up." She retorts, as they head inside.
"Is that Fujioka-san and Ootori-san?
"There's no way they could be together right?
"Yeah, but look at how protectively he seems to be holding her."
"They are in the same club though; maybe they're just heading there together."
"They are friends right? He's probably just helping her to the clubroom."
"Yeah, but look they're holding hands."
"There's no way they could be together right? It just doesn't add up."
These were just some of the whispers that the pair hear, as they wander through the school. When they finally step into music room 3 they were glad to see the rest of the members, including Hunny and Mori, waiting for them. "Bad morning?" The twins ask, as Haruhi slumps into a chair.
"Were you two the ones who started telling everyone?" Kyoya asks.
"Nope, but what do you expect to happen with the two of you coming to school together and acting like you were." The twins point out.
"Whatever, let people say what they want." Haruhi yawns. "So what exactly are we doing for the fair?"
"It's basically the same as last year." Kyoya replies. "Haruhi you'll be serving and entertaining our guests and the rest of us will be entertaining."
"So what's so significant about this year?" She asks.
"There really isn't any except to be entertaining." He replies. "…But the costumes this year-"He trails off, as the twins bring out a rack with the clothing they were going to wear that day. There were so many different uses of colors and fabric Haruhi couldn't make out what any of it even was.
"We're going to all be dressing as people of the moon in the story of Princess Kaguya. I was originally going to be the emperor who falls in love and exchanges poems with the princess, but after last week we all decided it was best if Kyoya had that role and Haruhi you will be dressed as Princess Kaguya." Tamaki tells her happily.
"We're really doing a princess of the moon cosplay?" She asks curiously.
"Correct." Kyoya confirms. "We are also going to be doing a short play about it. I have asked Renge to be the narrator, so there is no need for any of us to speak at all during the play. Do you have any complaints Haruhi?"
"Not at all, as long as I don't have to speak and my costume isn't over the top-"She glares at the twins. "It's fine with me, so where are we doing all this? One of the ballroom again?"
"No, this year we have the central ballroom. Apparently the chairman booked it for Tamaki to use this year, since this is his last year to enjoy the fair." Kyoya replies.
"Wow, that's really nice of him." Haruhi blinks, knowing the central salon gets by far the most attention during the festival. "Is he allowed to do that?"
"Probably not, but seeing as it's Tono's last year. The board let it slide." The twin's shrug.
"Yes, yes my father is capable of being kind, now come on we need to get changed and head on down to the salon, before the festival officially begins." Tamaki tells them already gabbing his costume and heading into the back room.
"If he's acting like this on only day one tomorrow is going to be even worse." Haruhi sighs grabbing the hanger that had her name on it. 'Then again last year's fair wasn't so great for him.' She sighs inwardly and heads into the back to change.
"There once lived an old couple who made their living from cutting bamboo and selling what they had crafted out of it." Renge reads her script a few hours later in the salon, where a stage had been set up for the host club to do their short play. "One day in the bamboo forest, the old man-"She stops for a moment, as Kasanoda walks out and begins cutting some of the fake bamboo. "Found a stick of bamboo glowing brightly." One of the fake bamboos begins to glow. "He cut the bamboo, and to his surprise he found a little girl about four inches tall." Kasanoda picks up a small doll. "Having no children, he decided to take the girl back to the house to raise as his own daughter. After that, the old man found gold in the bamboo forest every time he went there, and the old couple gradually became very rich." Kasanoda and Akane then appear, this time with bags of money and wearing wealthy clothing. "In just three months, the little girl had already grown up to become a beautiful woman. She was named Nayotake no Kaguya Hime, or Princess Kaguya Who is Like Soft Bamboo." Haruhi walks out onto the stage wearing a deep blue kimono adorned with jewels and different colored fabrics, earning multiple gasps and admiration from the quickly growing crowd.
"Five noblemen sought the beautiful Princess Kaguya's hand in marriage, but she kept rejecting them, not wanting to get married. She said she would marry the suitor who could bring her what she asked, but she gave them all impossible tasks. When news about Kaguya reached the emperor-" Kyoya walks out wearing the old style emperor costume, causing most of the girls in the room to gaze in awe leaving Tamaki to quietly fume in the background. "He asked for her hand in marriage too. Kaguya rejected him but later agreed to exchange poems." Mori walks out in a messenger costume and runs from Haruhi to Kyoya giving each of them a scroll from one another. "Three years after she started exchanging poems with the emperor, the old man and his wife noticed how Kaguya would keep looking up at the moon nostalgically, becoming more sorrowful each day." Kyoya returns to the back and Akane and Kasanoda come back on stage and stand in the background, as Haruhi looks up to the fake moon hanging from the ceiling. Kasanoda walks over to her and sits beside her. "Kaguya told the old man that she was actually from the moon, and that she must return there. The emperor sent men over to protect Kaguya from the people of the moon who were coming to retrieve her." Hunny and Mori appear dressed as guards and step in front of Haruhi, as Hikaru, Kaoru, and Tamaki walk out in their 'people from the moon attire.' "When the people of the moon did appear, the soldiers lost their will to fight and were unable to ward them off. The arrows shot by the soldiers all missed their targets." Hunny and Mori shoot fake arrows towards the three and they all miss terribly.
"The people of the moon convinced Kaguya to come with them by telling her that she should not live in an impure land for such a long time. " Haruhi left Hunny and Mori and walked over to Hikaru, Kaoru, and Tamaki. She smiled at them and only nodded her head. "As Kaguya departed, she left a letter for the emperor telling of her feelings for him along with a mystic robe and the elixir of life." Haruhi walks over to Hunny and hands him a scroll, a vial, and a silk robe she pulls out from her kimono. She smiles sadly once at him, before leaving the stage with the other three. Kyoya walks out onto the stage and Hunny hands him Haruhi's gifts. "The emperor saw no meaning in living for eternity without Kaguya, so he had his men climb the highest mountain in Japan to burn the elixir. And thus that mountain was named Fujisan, or a mountain abundant with warriors. It's said the smoke of the elixir being burnt is still rising today, and the snow on its peak will never melt." Renge finishes.
The rest of the cast wandered out from behind the stage and took a bow to the noticeably larger crowd, who had just erupted in cheers parents and students alike. 'Well that was interesting.' Haruhi thinks and smiles at the crowd.
A little while later Haruhi was still in her costume serving drinks and getting complemented on her performance earlier when she sees a familiar and unexpected face in the crowd. 'It can't be.' She thinks wandering through the crowd. "Akito-san" she cries out throwing her arms around his neck, earning shocked stares from almost everyone in the room. "What on earth are you doing here?"
"I have a message for Kyoya, from our father." He replies. "By the way I saw your little play, well done."
"Oh god, you saw that?" She laughs.
"Hey get your arms off of Aki." A woman's voice snapped at her from behind Akito.
Akito sighs and Haruhi simply blinks, but removes her hands anyways. She looks around Akito to see a beautiful woman a few inches taller than herself, straight red hair down to her waist, light brown skin, and brown eyes that were glaring at Haruhi. "My apologies ma'am. I simply haven't seen Akito-san for awhile." She apologizes.
"Misaki calm down." Akito turns to the woman. "This young lady is Haruhi Fujioka."
The woman's face immediately changes. "Haruhi…you mean Kyo-chan's Fiancée?" She asks.
"Yes, as in she will be my sister-in-law in the near future." He explains.
"Oh my god. I'm so sorry Haruhi-chan." She apologizes.
"It's all right. I realize now I shouldn't have been acting that familiar with Akito-san." Haruhi laughs.
"You act like it was a big deal for me." Akito comments.
"Well no, but-"
"Haruhi is everything all right?" She hears Kyoya's voice coming over.
"Kyo-chan" Misaki smiles happily and runs over to stand in front of him, as he reaches the three of them.
"M…Misaki-chan?" Kyoya blinks in surprise. "I thought you were in America."
"My uncle passed away recently and since I'm the only one qualified to run his company I'm the new owner." She explains. "Well that and his own daughter is the biggest bimbo I know." The two men nod in agreement.
"Well congratulations Misaki-chan." Kyoya smiles at her.
"Thanks." She grins.
"Okay, sorry I don't mean to be rude, but who are you?" Haruhi asks Misaki.
"Sorry, Haruhi this is Misaki Yuki a childhood friend of mine and Akito, or more so Akito seeing as she's only a few years younger than he is." Kyoya explains. "And Misaki this is Haruhi Fujioka, my Fiancée."
"Nice to meet you Misaki-san." Haruhi smiles her host smile at her.
"Nice to meet you too Haruhi-chan and I apologize for getting so…jealous. I didn't realize you were Kyo-chan's hidden fiancée." She smiles warmly.
"It's okay."
"So Nii-san, what are you and Misaki-chan doing here?" Kyoya asks.
"I have a message from father and Misaki-chan wanted to see you." Akito explains. "She showed up at the house a few days ago and I told her you were on a trip. She seemed so disappointed that I brought her here to see you, though I never expected you to be performing in a play when we showed up."
"Oh…you two saw that?" Kyoya sighs deeply.
"Yes I would've never expected you to actually dress up." Misaki laughs.
"He's been forced to wear worse." Haruhi mutters remembering when Tamaki actually got him to dress as a girl.
"What? What else has he been forced to wear?" Misaki asks her curiously.
"Haruhi-"Kyoya growls.
"I know, I know." Haruhi sighs. "Sorry, but my lips are sealed. So what's the message your father wanted you to pass on?"
"Only that he apologizes that something came up at the hospital and he will make an appearance tomorrow." Akito tells them.
"Why did he send you rather than a messenger?" Kyoya asks.
"Misaki wanted to see you and it was certainly worth coming after seeing your little play." He smirks, before Kyoya can reply he speaks up again. "We should get going however Misaki has a meeting to attend in about an hour."
"Of course, though I can't say it's been a pleasure seeing you Nii-san it's really great to see you again Misaki-chan." Kyoya bows slightly.
"You too Kyo-chan, we need to go out to lunch sometime and catch up." Misaki smiles. "That is, if your cute fiancée will let us." She replies.
"Doesn't matter to me what he does." Haruhi laughs. "All I care about is that I can trust him completely and I already know the answer to that."
"I'll make sure to call you and set up a date." Kyoya promises her, as she and Akito began to leave.
"I'll hold you to that." She smiles at them, before disappearing out the door.
"Well she seemed…interesting." Haruhi notes. "And she really seemed to love Akito-san."
"God if you're able to see that than Nii-san is even more dense then I thought." Kyoya sighs.
"You mean they're not dating?"
"As far as I know." He replies.
"Well then I wish them both luck." She smiles, as Hikaru calls her over to where he and Kaoru were talking to a group of girls. "Talk to you later Kyoya." She waves and walks away.
'This has certainly been an interesting first day of the festival.' Kyoya thinks, as he watches Haruhi being trapped by the twins. Laughing to himself he wanders back into the crowd.
The next day Haruhi was standing at the top of one of the staircases overlooking the Salon, which had somehow changed from a scene in an old folk tale to a fully equipped casino with slot machines and table games. She was wearing a dealer's costume. "You realize I play poker for fun and not for real right?" She sighs and turns to the twins who were dressed as bartenders.
"Oh come on Haruhi try to have a bit of fun today." They protest. "Remember we have one last costume change later and then Tono is going to announce that the club is disbanding."
'That's right we all agreed to never leave one another, but with Kyoya and Tamaki-sempai both going abroad in less than a month we all agreed it would be best to close up the doors.' She thinks sadly, as Tamaki and Kyoya walk out of the back room in similar costumes as the twins, only theirs were more as types of butlers.
"Is something wrong Haruhi?" Kyoya asks her noticing her downcast face.
"Nothing that can be helped." She replies.
He smirks at her response and replies. "Don't worry Haruhi you're not going to be accepting bets of any kind. I'm sure most of the businessmen will simply want to relax by playing a game of poker with a cute young girl."
"Oh shut up. I still don't see why I have to be the only one playing poker with anyone." She argues.
"You're the only one who hasn't ever lost to anyone more than once." He answers. "I talked with your father last night and he tells me, even when he was teaching you to play you only lost to him once. I think it'll be fun to see you beating a few fathers in a game of poker don't you?"
"Just to keep up the entertainment then?" She sighs.
"Of course."
"All right, let's just get this over with." She growls, as the tower outside strikes 9:00 and the doors open up.
"Straight." The patriarch of some other famous and wealthy family lays down his cards in front of her.
"Four of a kind." Haruhi replies throwing down her cards and smiling inwardly at the shocked expression on the man's face. It was just after one in the afternoon and Haruhi had played dozens of people. Just as Kyoya predicted she hasn't lost once and has gained a sort of crowd around her table.
"Impressive young lady." He only tells her and gets up to allow someone else to play.
"Thank you sir." She smiles and picks up the cards to begin shuffling.
"Mind if we join you for a round?" A familiar voice asks. Haruhi looks up to see the chairman smiling at her and Kyoya's father just behind him.
"Mr. Chairman-"She's cut off by an almost pouting look he gives her. "I mean Uncle and Yos…Ootori-sama." She saves. 'Damn it I have to stop acting so familiar with his family.' "Of course I don't mind playing a game with the two of you." She smiles. "Have a seat."
"Thank you Haruhi-san." Yoshio tells her, as he and Yuzuru sat down.
'Well this could be an interesting game my father has never lost a poker game in his life either.' Kyoya thinks, as he watches his father and the chairman sit down at Haruhi's table.
"Kyoya, why is your father playing a hand with her?" Tamaki asks him. "I thought he hates doing anything that doesn't have any meaning."
"I don't know." He replies. "My father must be curious as to why we have her playing poker. As we told you at the beach house though, my father likes her and may simply be bored."
"Yes, but since when has your father-" Tamaki is cut off as he turns to see that Kyoya is no longer next to him and is walking over to where Haruhi was playing. 'Well this ought to be entertaining.' He sighs inwardly and follows his friend.
"I must say Haruhi-chan I never expected you to know how to play a game like poker." Yuzuru was telling her, as Kyoya and Tamaki reach the table.
"I didn't either sir, but my father taught me at a young age and was always telling me that to impress a man I must not only know how to be a good wife, but also know how to play and win a game a man wouldn't expect a woman to know how to play." She smiles.
"A very good point, did our son's already know you could play?" Yoshio asks her, looking up to see Kyoya and Tamaki standing beside her.
"They didn't know before we went to your beach house sir, but I believe it was the second night there that they realized I could play." She laughs.
"Yes after playing several rounds and you winning well more than half of them, It would have been pretty stupid if we hadn't realized you could play." Kyoya points out.
"You asked if I wanted to play." She reminds him. "Not my fault I got the right cards."
He only smirks and looks to his father, who was looking at Haruhi with a different kind of expression on his face. Kyoya knew what he was doing. He was looking for Haruhi's tell, but as he knew already she was impossible to read. She always has a distant look in her eyes that you couldn't read, until she finally calls. Yuzuru places his cards down to reveal a full house. His father takes another look at Haruhi and places his cards down to show a straight flush queen high. Kyoya sees the smallest curve of a smile on Haruhi's face, before she sets her cards down to also reveal a straight flush ace high.
Yuzuru begins to laugh. "How did you shuffle these cards Haruhi-chan?"
"I'm asking myself the same this sir." Haruhi smiles warmly at him.
"Yes, well done Haruhi-san." Yoshio smirks.
"I only have a bit of luck sir, would you like to play another round?" She asks picking up the cards and shuffling them again.
"That depends, why don't our sons join us for a round?" He suggests looking at Yuzuru to Tamaki and Kyoya.
"That's a grand idea Tamaki, Kyoya sit down and play a round with us." Yuzuru smiles at them.
Tamaki groans, knowing how bad he is at the game and Kyoya bows slightly and says. "It would be an honor to play with you father, Mr. Chairman. You don't mind do you Haruhi?"
"Not at all, go ahead and pull up a few more chairs and sit next to me." She smiles and starts dealing out the cards.
"Straight." Tamaki sighs laying down his cards.
"Fold" Yuzuru says.
"Full house eight high." Kyoya groans, knowing his father and Haruhi would definitely have something better.
"Full house, ten high." Yoshio lies down.
"…Full house, queen high." Haruhi laughs and reveals her cards.
"You win again." Yoshio smiles at her.
"Sorry about that." Haruhi smiles and collects the cards.
"You really have luck with this game don't you?" Yuzuru asks.
"I guess." She shrugs.
"Well congratulations again Haruhi-san." Yoshio tells her getting up. "We should be getting going Yuzuru."
"Yes of course see you all later tonight." Yuzuru gets up and follows Yoshio out of the room.
"Were they just bored?" Haruhi asks.
"I'm sure that was part of it, but I've never seen my father just sit down and play a game for fun." Kyoya replies.
"Me neither." Tamaki adds.
"Well whatever." She sighs. "You two should get back to being entertaining, I'll see you both later."
"See you later then Haruhi." Kyoya smirks, before disappearing back into the crowd.
"Everyone there's something I'd like to announce before we all go outside to dance this wonderful evening away." Tamaki announces later from the top of the staircase. The rest of the host club were standing beside him all in princely outfits except for of course Tamaki, who was dressed as a king and Haruhi, who of course was dressed in a princess costume. By this time everyone was beginning to head outside and the salon was filling up with people wondering what the chairman's son needed to say.
"As you are all aware Kyoya and I will be graduating in a few weeks and I would like to make a formal announcement that the Host Club will be disbanding at the end of tonight." He proclaims. There are shouts of disappointment and pleas to stay in business from the crowd. "I want to apologize to all of you, but though the seven original members will always stay as a close family there is simply no way to keep the club up without myself and vice-president going abroad in less than a month."
"We've been through so much with all of you and the memories gained will be with us all wherever we go." Kyoya adds. Haruhi has to hide a laugh, knowing that he would rather forget most of the things Tamaki put him and the rest of the club through. "We also wish to thank all of you for contributing to our club and keeping it alive for these past three years."
'There's the Shadow King demeanor.' She smirks.
"Yes, though our three juniors will continue to come to school next year. I am sorry to announce that the Host Club is officially declaring dissolution, as of the end of this night." Tamaki announces again. "For all of those that don't wish for the members to be separated fear not, all of the current members will stick together and will continue to be a family."
'Like anyone really cares if we all stay together even after high school.' Haruhi sighs inwardly.
"What about Haruhi-chan?" A girl asks.
'And I'm wrong again, but what do I have to do with anything?' she wonders.
Apparently Tamaki is just as confused as she is and asks. "What do you mean princess?"
"I mean sure, you seven have the tightest bond any of us have probably ever seen, but surely even you know that you can't all have her." She asks.
"That's-"Tamaki stops and looks at Kyoya, who is already walking towards Haruhi. When he reaches her he wraps one arm around her waist and uses the other to lift her chin up towards his face. Realizing what he's doing and surprised he plans to do it with so many people in the room to watch she closes her eyes, as he leans down and meets his lips with hers, earning gasps and shocked murmurs throughout the room. He, of course is the first to break away and she simply smiles up at him. The room was so silent you would be able to hear a pin drop. "As you can see, though we all love our princess dearly, she has already made her choice." Tamaki laughs.
"About time the two of you admit it." Haruhi hears Akane's voice in the crowd and sighs deeply; as much as she loves Akane sometimes she was just too much.
"I suppose it is." Haruhi murmurs, as he kisses her again only this time on the top of her head.
"Well now that that's all water under the bridge, let's all head outside and enjoy this wondrous night." Tamaki finishes his speech and walks down the staircase to stand with his friends.
"Well that was unexpected." Yuzuru blinks, as he and Yoshio watch his students walk outside to the square.
"What was? Your son announcing that his little club is disbanding or mine kissing his girlfriend in public?" Yoshio asks curiously.
"Well both, but you know which one I'm referring to." Yuzuru laughs.
"Well I expected Kyoya to make people realize that he and Haruhi-san are…together."
"By having him openly show affection for her?"
"He was merely pointing out to everyone that she's his."
"By kissing her in front of everybody? Yoshio surely even you know kissing is a form of affection for someone."
"As your son pointed out in his speech she has already made her choice. To most people in this room Kyoya simply displayed who her choice is."
Yuzuru sighs knowing there really is no way to argue with him. "Well with that it's time to admit that I lose Yoshio and I wish Kyoya and Haruhi-san luck."
"So I'm to assume your son has already told you about the beach?" Yoshio asks.
"Yeah and as Kyoya has probably already told you Tamaki accepts it, but doesn't like it."
"I'm simply glad that Haruhi-san didn't come between the two of them."
"Because of the benefit both our families get for being friends?"
"Of course"
"Glad to see Haruhi-chan hasn't changed your views much." Yuzuru laughs.
'Haruhi has brought us more benefit than I could probably have ever expected.' Yoshio thinks following Yuzuru outside to see Haruhi and Kyoya dancing. 'She's gotten my family to stop being so secluded and open up to her. She's saved Akito's life, ran off Yuuici's fiancée, and I haven't seen Kyoya actually happy since his mother died. Haruhi hasn't changed my views, but I am glad that Kyoya pursued her and I know I really don't have to wish for the two of them to be happy…they will be.'
"Damn it Kyoya I know the last son of the Ootori's and the only son of the Suoh's graduated earlier today, but what in the hell is with all the media here tonight?" Haruhi asks him, as she leans over the railing out on one of the many balconies of the Ootori mansion. They had just gone out for a breather to escape the crowded ballroom. Everyone inside were supposed to be celebrating Kyoya and Tamaki's graduation from high school, which happened earlier that day, but there seemed to be far more adults and business people in there than actual students celebrating in Haruhi's opinion.
"You act like I'm enjoying it Haruhi." Kyoya smirks, though the rest of the old host club was inside talking and laughing. Kyoya found himself a lot more comfortable outside with Haruhi. "But you know how my father is." He continues. "Our engagement will be announced tonight and he wanted to make sure business partners are well aware."
"For what reason exactly?" she asks.
"My father simply doesn't want to deal with partners trying to marry their daughters into the family."
"Yes, but your father still has two other sons."
"Both of whom, are almost in their thirties." He points out. "Most of my father's partners have daughters, who are in their final year of high school like you, or have just graduated recently."
"Oh…I guess that would be a problem wouldn't it?" She laughs. "Well whatever, shouldn't you be back inside? I mean this is yours and Tamaki-sempai night."
"And it will soon be yours." He smirks.
"Lovely." She groans. "Is that why your father personally chose my outfit this evening?" She asks looking down at her outfit. She was wearing a black figure hugging dress with a split up the right side, displaying a moderate portion of her leg. The black gloves she was wearing extended up to her elbows, and she had a black choker necklace around her neck.
"Actually why he wanted you to wear that I'm not entirely sure." Kyoya admits, though he can't say he doesn't like the outfit, what he didn't like was most of the men inside trailing after her like a prize. "I'm sure it's to make you look more sophisticated in front of everybody. You know most likely we're going to be in the headlines tomorrow."
"I know." She sighs and turns around to look down at the beautifully lit garden below her.
"Haruhi are you ready for this?" He asks curiously.
"Mentally or physically?" She asks.
"…"
"I'm only kidding." She laughs. "Look, I'm nervous I'm not going to deny that, but I know that by tomorrow I'll be happy that's it's been done and that's that."
"You accept things so easily it's almost scary." He laughs walking up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist.
"I know you don't care about people knowing anymore, but shouldn't you wait until the announcement to act like this?" She asks with a hint of humor in her voice.
"You're right…I just don't really care anymore." He smirks turning her face around to meet her lips.
"Well not that I mean to interrupt, but your father is looking for you two Kyoya." Tamaki's voice broke the two apart.
"Thank you Tamaki we'll be inside in a short while." Kyoya replies. Haruhi watches Tamaki simply nod and head back inside.
"He's still not very happy about this is he?" She asks, as he finally lets her go.
"Well he's accepted it, now he just enjoys trying to make things between us…a bit awkward."
"I noticed the twins have been doing the same thing." She comments.
"Well if it helps them accept us then it's fine with me. Should we head inside?" He asks offering her his arm.
"Sure, though I should probably apologize to Tamaki-sempai in advance." She sighs taking his arm. "I mean I am taking away his spotlight for the night."
"Don't worry about Tamaki he'll be fine." He smirks, as they walk back inside.
"Ladies, gentlemen, and members of the press I wish to thank you all for joining us to celebrate this wondrous evening as both my youngest son and the Suoh heir have finally graduated high school and in two weeks are both going overseas to study abroad." Yoshio Ootori announces. Behind him sat his three sons, Tamaki, Yuzuru, and Haruhi. Tamaki and Kyoya stand up and take a bow, as the rest of the room breaks into applause and they both sit back down. "Before we continue this evening I wish to make an announcement, though both Akito and Yuuichi are not yet wed. I wish to announce that my youngest son Kyoya has chosen his wife and the two are now betrothed. I'd like to introduce my future daughter-in-law Haruhi Fujioka."
'Well here I go.' Haruhi sighs inwardly and stands up to take a bow. Kyoya stands up as well to help calm her down. The rest of the host club starts applauding and most of the room does too, but some just look surprised. Because no one really knew who she was, or they believed her to be a guy after the stabbing.
"Haruhi-san graduates from Ouran next year and Kyoya will be overseas for a year, so the two will not be wed until the summer of next year and I'd like to wish them both the best of luck." Yoshio finishes by kissing Haruhi's hand and shaking Kyoya's.
Haruhi turns to collect her purse and return to the party when she catches Tamaki smiling warmly at her. Kyoya's words from a few days ago come back her mind. 'They are all happy for you Haruhi really, as long as you're happy they'll accept us being together.' She smiles back at him and turns back to the awaiting crowd, making sure her hand never left Kyoya's the rest of the night.
"Curse you devil twins." Tamaki was yelling. It was the night before Tamaki and Kyoya leave and they were all heading to dinner together in the back of Kyoya's limo. Tamaki had just opened up the twin's good-bye gift and ended up with a pie in his face.
Kyoya sighs. "Honestly Tamaki, you should have realized it was a joke."
"It was funny though." Haruhi laughs.
"In what way is watching food getting thrown in someone's face funny?" He asks.
"Because it's not your own." Haruhi and the twins answer in unison.
"…Haruhi try not to pick up all of the twins bad habits your final year would you?" Kyoya sighs.
"I'll try." She laughs again, as the limo slows down and turns into a familiar parking lot. "Oh yay your restaurant again." She immediately covers her mouth from her mistake.
"Your restaurant?" The twins ask in unison.
"What does she mean Kyoya?" Tamaki asks, after finally cleaning his face with the towel Mori gave him.
Haruhi merely mouths a sorry to him, before he answers. "Yes my restaurant. I purchased it shortly before it closed over a year ago."
"God what don't you own?" The twins sigh in disbelief.
"Oh come on surely some of you had a guess of who was the new owner." Haruhi murmurs glancing at Hunny and Mori, who look at one another and simply shrug.
"So how long have you known about it?" Tamaki asks her.
"Well we had already started dating when he purchased it, so since then." She replies. "Does it really matter?"
"I suppose not." Tamaki sighs. "But why didn't you tell any of us?"
"I didn't want the public knowing an eighteen year old owned the restaurant." Kyoya tells them. "And I still don't." He tells them in his harshest voice, letting them all know if any of them told the media there would be hell to pay.
"All right enough with the arguing, let's just go inside." Haruhi motions getting out of the car.
"You're just hungry." The twins laugh, as the others follow her out of the car.
"Haruhi-san, Kyoya-sama it's good to see the two of you again." Their usual waiter bows, after they had all sat down.
"It's good to see you again Yuki-san." Haruhi smiles.
"Yes, it has been a while hasn't it?" Kyoya notes.
"Yes and its good to see that the two of you are no longer hiding your relationship." He smiles.
"Ah, so you've heard of my father's announcement too?" Kyoya asks.
"It's been two weeks sir I don't think there's anyone in Tokyo who hasn't heard of your engagement." He points out, then proceeds to take their drink order and wander off.
"He knew about you two as well?" Hunny asks.
"Well every time we used to go out we would come here and he was always our waiter, so though we never told him directly it was kind of inevitable that he would realize we were together." Haruhi sighs. "He's been really good to us though and I'm sure Kyoya made sure he never told another soul."
"It wasn't hard, though as much as I hate to admit it Yuki-san is a generally good guy." Kyoya notes. "And he seems to have certain…air of protectiveness around Haruhi."
"Only because even here you are known as being a demon, or rather the king of shadows." She laughs, as Yuki returns with their drinks.
"How did you get that reputation here?" Tamaki asks his confusion clear in his voice.
"He scared the entire staff the first time he came to inspect the restaurant and fired most of them." Yuki explains, setting the drinks down. "It's also the reason almost the whole staff had no idea who the real owner was until it was announced."
"Sounds about right." The twins murmur together.
Kyoya only sighs. "I had to make the necessary changes the place was already going under and the staff, frankly wasn't the best in any shape or form."
"I understand that perfectly and I agree with what you did. I'm not saying anything of that nature." Yuki tries to defend himself.
"Relax, I know that." Kyoya smirks. "It's not like you were one of the ones I fired."
Yuki relaxes. "Yes well, after that incident the rumors about him being a demon were spread and you can imagine how surprised we all were when we watched him come in with Haruhi-san and act…normal."
"Yes, especially when I kept coming here with her right?" Kyoya asks, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"Needless to say I have been their waiter every time they've come here and have grown to like and respect Haruhi-san and Kyoya-sama a lot." Yuki tells them.
"Good to know." Haruhi laughs.
Yuki then takes their orders and is back less than a half an hour later with their food. Dinner went as well as it always did when the rest of the club was involved. The twins tease Tamaki and make attempts at getting Kyoya pissed, which always seemed to fail in the end. Tamaki would say something stupid and ultimately earn a teasing from both the twins and Kyoya. Hunny would order a bunch of desserts. Mori would watch his cousin eat and occasionally give Haruhi a small smile, which she returned happily. Throughout the whole dinner the one thing she never did was let go of Kyoya's hand.
"I thought we were dropping Haruhi off at her place first?" The twins ask later, when they were all back in the limo and heading home.
"Well since Kyoya is leaving tomorrow I'm spending the night at his place to say goodbye to him in the morning." Haruhi explains.
"What?" They all ask.
"It's not like she hasn't spent the night before." Kyoya points out.
"Kyoya, you aren't going to do anything…naughty to my daughter are you?" Tamaki asks and Haruhi ends up laughing.
Kyoya sighs. "Tamaki first, a kingly character shouldn't be thinking things like that and second, I already promised I wouldn't do anything to her, until after we are married." 'At least not again.'
"Really?" The twins ask in shock and Hunny and Mori look at him skeptically.
"Yes really." He snaps, as Haruhi leans on his shoulder.
'Well he promised he wouldn't do anything again.' Haruhi thinks laughing inwardly and smiling to Hunny and Mori, who were now looking at her. 'It's not like we haven't already.'
They dropped Hunny and Mori off first and they both wished Tamaki and Kyoya the best of luck overseas. They dropped the twins off soon after that and they wished them luck as well. "Though you two are spending the summer with Haruhi I'm going to ask you to not teach her anymore of your devious ways." Kyoya tells them, as they begin to leave the car.
"No promises." They grin turning to Haruhi. "We'll pick you up next week," before leaving the car.
"Where are you going with them again?" Tamaki asks.
"I don't really know, somewhere in Europe. They won't tell me anything." She sighs, as they drive off.
When they pull into Tamaki's driveway Kyoya actually let out a sigh. "Tamaki…it's been a hell of four years, but it's been fun. I guess I'll see you some time next year."
"He's not going to come to New York and bother you?" Haruhi asks curiously.
"I already warned him not to." He states. Haruhi tries to hide a laugh, knowing that Tamaki would find some way to bother him one way or another.
"I know, but you will still get a call from me at least once a week." Tamaki tells him.
Kyoya sighs again. "Yeah I figured; just make sure you don't call at a bad time Tamaki try to remember to time difference between Paris and New York."
"You're one to talk." Haruhi murmurs shutting up, as Kyoya sends her a playful glare. "Besides The difference is only six hours. It's better than a fourteen hour difference like you and I have."
"Point taken." Tamaki sighs. "Haruhi, enjoy your summer with the twins and I will be sure to keep in touch."
"I don't doubt it Tamaki-sempai." She smiles.
"Haruhi, we've all dropped the honorifics, you can just call me Tamaki." He points out.
"Oh right, old habits die hard" She laughs. "Goodbye…Tamaki." She smiles again wrapping her arms around him for a hug.
"Goodbye Tamaki." Kyoya smirks, as Tamaki hugs him to.
"Goodbye Kyoya, Haruhi and congratulations again." He smiles at them, before finally leaving the limo.
"He is going to make sure to bother you as much as he can." She laughs turning to Kyoya.
"I know." He groans, as the car drives off again.
They were walking up Kyoya's driveway up to his house when they see Akito coming out of the house. "Off to work again?" Haruhi asks him, as he reaches them.
"Yep, are you spending the night again?"
"Yep."
"Well little brother…good luck in New York." He tells him holding out his hand.
"Thanks." He replies shaking his brother's hand.
"Don't forget Haruhi-chan, you're allowed here anytime and don't hesitate to call any of us if you need something." He tells her, as he passes them.
"I won't and thank you." She calls back, before Kyoya leads her into the house.
Haruhi's alarm on her phone goes off at nine the next morning, knowing Kyoya's plane leaves at eleven-thirty she grudgingly opens her eyes and tries to get up, realizing the task was once again going to be difficult with Kyoya's arms wrapped around her waist. Groaning inwardly she tries to squirm her way out, only resulting in him wrapping his arms tighter. 'Damn it Kyoya I wanted to let you sleep in, but you keep this up and you're going to wake up.' She sighs. She wraps her hands with his and tries to force his arms to move, which works to a certain point, except that he is a lot stronger. Finally, after many attempts she manages to free herself. 'He certainly knows how to hold on to someone tightly.' She sighs, before heading into his bathroom to take a shower.
Kyoya wakes up to the sound of his shower being turned off. Rolling slowly to the other side of his bed he sees the clock and reads 9:30. 'So I have a little more than an hour to get ready.' He groans and rolls over again trying to stop himself from falling back asleep. A few minutes pass and he sees his bathroom door open and he has to stop his mouth from dropping open from shock. Haruhi walks out wearing only one of his black dress shirts. The first two buttons were undone and showed a generous portion of her neck and chest. The shirt dropped about mid thigh giving him a great view of her legs.
"Oh, you're awake." She smiles. "Good morning."
"Morning, but why are you wearing-?"
"Oh, I think one of your maids took away the dress and the clothes I was wearing last night. This was the only thing I could find." She explains. "I hope you don't mind."
"Of course I don't, you look a hell of a lot better in it then I ever did." He smirks and trying to regain hid composure.
She blushes. "Well thank you, now are you going to get out of bed?"
"Yeah, yeah let me take a shower and I'll meet you downstairs for breakfast." He replies, getting out of bed and giving her a quick kiss. 'Might I suggest going over to Fuyumi-neechan's room and picking up a skirt to wear, though I wish you could walk around only wearing that."
"So you don't mind if I keep this?" She asks.
"Go ahead, like I said it looks a hell of a lot better on you then it ever did on me."
"Thanks." She smiles and kisses him again. "I'll find something in your sister's room then, see you in about twenty minutes," as she leaves the room.
Kyoya walks into the dining room and sees Haruhi talking with one of the maids he assumes about her clothing she had with her last night. Most likely they thought it needed to be washed because it was on the floor and took it to get cleaned. Haruhi was still wearing his black dress shirt, but this time it was buttoned up all the way and she tucked the rest of it in a white skirt, which had a dark brown belt hanging loosely from the waist. 'Well she tried, but it's still obviously my shirt.' He notes seeing how big it still looks on her and walking over to her just as she finished talking with the maid. "Nice try, but you know the shirt is still too big on you." He smirks, as she turns around from surprise.
"Damn it Kyoya, what have I said about sneaking up on me." She snaps trying to get her heart rate back to normal.
"To not to, but it's far too much fun."
"You're mean."
"And hungry, so why don't we eat something?" He suggests going over to the table and sitting down. She only sighs and sits down next to him, knowing there was no way she can really be mad at him this morning. "So what did you need to talk to the maid about?"
"Apparently when they were cleaning your room early this morning they found the clothes on the bathroom floor and assumed they needed to be cleaned, so they took them to get washed." She sighs. "I'll just have to pick them up the next time I'm here."
"And when is that going to be?"
"I don't know I'm sure Akito-san will invite me over for dinner within the next month."
"I'm sure he will, but you know you can just ask someone here to give them to Hotta and have him take them to your house."
"I can get them myself thanks."
"Such an independent woman."
"You've always known that."
"One of the reasons I love you I suppose."
"You suppose?"
"Don't."
She only laughs. "…you know I'm going to miss these pointless arguments."
"I am too." He admits. "But you know for you it won't be a full year. It won't be hard to get you to New York every once and awhile."
"I know, but it'll still be hard to get used to not seeing you every day after class."
"You still have the twins."
"It still won't be the same as hanging out with all of you after school."
"No, it certainly won't be, but after some time I'm sure you'll get used to it."
"Like you're going to have to?" She asks. "You don't act like it, but I know you loved the host club as much as the rest of us did."
"…I'm not going to deny it." He sighs. "But I still want you to have an…enjoyable final year of high school, before you get married to me. Just try not to have too much fun whenever the twins are involved with something."
"Don't worry Kyoya I plan to have a memorable year, though nothing is ever going to compare to this year."
"Nothing will ever compare to this past year." He points out watching her nod her head in agreement. "So…you promise?"
"I promise." She smiles, as he pulls her close and kisses the top of her head.
Before he can say anything else the doors open to reveal his father walking into the room. He was reading a file and seemed to not even notice the two in the room as he sits down.
"Good morning father." Kyoya nods. "I didn't think you were home."
"Honestly Kyoya, why would I not be in my own house in the morning?" Yoshio asks still not looking up from his folder. "Besides, surely you knew I was coming with you to New York for a week to make sure you know what you're doing."
"Of course father. I just expected to meet you at the airport."
"I had to come back to the house for a few files." Yoshio sighs and finally looking up. "Oh-hello Haruhi-san."
"Good morning sir." She smiles at him.
It's not that you aren't welcome, but what are you doing here so early?" He asks.
"She spent the night." Kyoya states.
"Understandable, but why may I inquire is she wearing one of your shirts Kyoya?"
"There was a small mix-up with one of the maids this morning." Haruhi sighs. "I left the clothes I was going to wear this morning on the floor in the bathroom and she picked them up to be washed."
"I told you to hang them up on a chair or something." Kyoya smirks.
"I know. It completely slipped my mind last night, so this morning I borrowed one of Kyoya's shirts and one of Fuyumi's skirts. I'll be sure to pick up my clothes another time." She tells him.
"We can always send it to your house you know." Yoshio points out.
"It's all right I'll get them back myself eventually."
"Well you're always welcome in this house. I'll be sure to ask Yuuichi and Akito to invite you over for dinner at least once a month." Yoshio tells her.
"Thank you sir."
"Kyoya…I'll be out in the car, we should leave in about ten minutes. Are you already packed?"
"Yes father my things are already in the car."
"Very well I will meet you out there. Don't make me wait to long." He states and looks at Haruhi, before getting up and leaving the room.
They sat in silence for a few minutes both not knowing what to say seeing as this was going to be the last time for a while. Finally Kyoya pulled her over and embraced her. "I won't be gone for long I promise."
She blinks and smiles, before hugging him back. "I know that and I'll be here waiting. Try to enjoy your time in America Kyoya. It can be a lot of fun."
"I will." He smirks, before pulling her in for a kiss gently at first, but as it progressed became a lot more passionate, as they matched one another's pace. When the need for air became inevitable they broke apart. "Walk out to the car with me?" He asks holding out his hand.
"Of course." She smiles, taking it and they both walk out of the room.
"Please call me when you land, so I know you got there safely." She asks, as they walk outside.
"Haruhi, you know it'll be almost two in the morning here when we land."
"I know, just…please?" She asks holding him tighter.
"I will and I'll make sure to call you at least once a month."
"What that's it?" She asks teasingly.
"Haruhi."
"I'm only kidding. It's fine I know you're busy."
"No, once a month may be too little, what about once a week?" he asks.
"You really don't have to."
"It's okay; it'll give us both the chance to unwind."
"Just don't forget the time difference." She jokes.
"I won't do that ever again."
"Promise?"
"I promise." He assures her kissing the top of her head again. "I love you Haruhi."
"I love you too Kyoya…have a great time." She smiles weakly and watches as he gives her one last kiss.
"Goodbye." He murmurs, before getting into the car with his father.
"Bye." She waves and still holds her smile, until the car turned around a corner and she realizes she won't see him again for a long while.
Oh my god sorry again for the long update. I think I'm starting to realize this story is almost over and I really don't want it to end. *sighs inwardly* There is going to be one more chapter before the epilogue, but I'm not sure if I want it to be an extra chapter or part of the story yet, oh well I'll figure it out before I update again. I really hope to update soon, but who knows where my muse will be again I really wish this didn't have to end, but there's really nothing I can do. As always thank you all for the reviews on the last chapter (broke my record for most reviews on a chapter) and for reading and sticking with The Missing Piece for this long. xD