Disclaimer: I still don't own like anything.

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Chapter Twenty-Five.

~...~

Hikaru followed Haruhi onto the train...

Into a town...

Then outside of a town...

Until she stopped infront of a small creek.

"This is it."

Hikaru stood a few steps behind her, "A creek?"

Haruhi turned her gaze towards Hikaru and nodded, "Silly, isn't it?"

Hikaru glanced at the creek, it was beginning to overflow from all of the rain coming down, "It's not... I just... wasn't expecting to come here."

Haruhi laughed, "Especially in the rain, right? I know that it's not the best idea to come to a creek when it's downpouring like this, but... since it's summer, this is the best spot."

Hikaru looked back at Haruhi, "What do you mean?"

"Well, most times, during the summer, a gorgeous site near this creek can be seen... but it only happens when the sun is setting during a summer rain."

Hikaru focused his attention towards the scenery in front of him. The sun was setting and the rain was still downpouring. He wasn't exactly sure what Haruhi was getting at.

She then used her forefinger and pointed to an area in the sky, "Do you see it Hikaru?"

Hikaru's eyes widened as he noticed a small, yet beautiful rainbow above the creek in the sky, "It's... amazing."

Haruhi smiled, still keeping her attention on the rainbow in the sky, "Ever since I was little... if I ever dealt with anything troubling... I would immediately feel better seeing this site. It's beautiful, right?"

Hikaru smiled and took a few steps forward, standing right next to Haruhi. His attention still was focused on the rainbow, "Yeah... no..."

Haruhi turned her head towards Hikaru, "Yeah? No? ... Which one is it?"

Hikaru still was completely focused on the site. For whatever reason, it relaxed him, "Well, the rainbow is beautiful but... I think... I think that Haruhi's more so..."

Haruhi cocked her head to the side, "I'm more so what?" She wasn't exactly sure what Hikaru was getting at.

Hikaru's face turned red and he shook his head, "It's... nothing Haruhi. Sorry, I was... just speaking randomly..."

Haruhi let out a small laugh.

Hikaru turned towards her, "Haruhi... earlier... you were crying... do you want to talk about it?"

Haruhi sat down in the grass, not minding that mud might dirty her outfit, "You know what Hikaru?"

Hikaru followed her lead and sat down next to her, looking up at the sky in the process. The rainbow was beginnig to fade, but the rain began to get heavier, "What's that Haruhi?"

Haruhi took a deep breath, "I wonder if I'm making the right decisions."

~...~

Yuzuha was busy with paperwork when Kaoru entered her office. She glanced up, "Everything's prepared for the fashion show. Your designs came out nicely." Kaoru nodded, "Thanks mother." He sat down across from her, "So Mom... I'm just curious but... I haven't seen Miranda around lately... What has she been up to?" Yuzuha didn't even bother to look up from her paperwork and spoke up, "Miranda has been extremely busy running errands for me. She has one of the most important tasks in this company right now."

Kaoru wasn't really sure what his mother was going on about, but could tell that if he pressed the matter further that he would probably irritate her. So, he stood up, bowed, and took his leave.

When the next day arrived, Miranda walked into Yuzuha's office, "Things are progressing well Chairwoman." Yuzuha smirked, "Excellent. I expect you to arrive over at the Seul's Fashion Show for their Dandelion Line. Make sure that everything goes according to plan. Otherwise, I will dismiss you." Miranda nodded her head, "Of course Chairwoman." She then bowed and exited, making her way through the hallways of the building. Once she opened the door to leave the building, Kaoru approached her, "Miranda! I haven't seen or heard from you since the last fashion show. What have you been up to?"

Miranda refused to look into Kaoru's eyes, "It's business stuff..." Kaoru frowned, "What kind of business does my mother have you doing?" Miranda looked towards the ground, "I'm sorry Kaoru... I can't release that information." She began to walk away. Kaoru immediately grabbed her arm and turned her towards him, "Miranda. Where are you going?" Miranda looked up into his eyes, a troubled expression on her face, "Kaoru, let me go... I have a very important task to accomplish today."

Kaoru let out a small breath, "Fine..." He let go of Miranda's arm. She then immediately left.

~...~

The Hitacchin's Summer Fashion Show ended and both Yuzuha and Kaoru were surrounded by press with multiple questions. Yuzuha answered the majority of the questions, yet a few, were politely answered by Kaoru. The show itself was a huge success, which featured the promised designs by Kaoru himself. One woman who worked for the newspaper asked if she could interview Kaoru. Yuzuha agreed with the offer and scheduled an appointment for her to interview him.

After the press left, Yuzuha made sure to tell Kaoru that the interview is extremely important because it will be his first featured article about his rising talent. So, she coached him on answers to questions that would not only leave an impression, but also draw in new customers.

After three hours, the newspaper lady came to interview Kaoru.

~...~

It was fairly late when Miranda called her boss. Yuzuha smirked as she picked up her phone, "Hello?" Miranda's voice was raspy, "Mission accomplished Chairwoman." Yuzuha looked at her reflection in a mirror and smiled, "Excellent. Please take a week off. Consider if paid vacation... I'm sure that you'll want to lay low for a bit." She then hung up the phone.

Kaoru watched his mother on the phone. Once the call was over he quickly stared at her, "What's going on?" Yuzuha smiled towards her son, "You were right... Miranda was a great addition to the team." Kaoru cocked his head to the side, "What do you mean?"

"You'll find out soon enough. I'm sure that every newspaper in Japan will have this story."

Kaoru clenched his fists together and glared towards his mother, "Good night Mother." He then quickly left the workplace and made his way home. Once home, he turned on the tv and started to flip channels. Once he made it to the local news station, he noticed quite an interesting story.

His eyes widened as he saw a photo of Miranda with the Prime Minister's son. Not really wanting to know the details, he couldn't help but wonder what was being said. His face was glued to the screen, "This... can't be... Miranda's not like that..."

~...~

Hikaru went to work that night and smiled seeing Ranka in the dressing room. Ranka immediately rushed over to Hikaru and hugged him, "Oh! Hikaru! It's everywhere!"

Hikaru looked up at Ranka confused, "What's everywhere?"

"Kaoru and Miranda!"

Hikaru cocked his head to the side, "Kaoru and Miranda? What do you mean?"

Ranka sat down next to Hikaru and began to touch up his make up, "Well, firstly, your mother's company had their big Summer Fashion Show today! It was a huge hit! Not only that though~ Kaoru's designs have been the talk of everyone!"

Hikaru's eyes widened, "Kaoru's designs? Why hadn't he said anything to me about designing?"

Ranka continued, "Well Hikaru, didn't you wage war against him in fashion? It seems that you're behind... but, I have faith in you!"

Hikaru let out a small laugh, "So what are his designs like?"

Ranka glanced over Misuzu, "Bring out the laptop please!" Misuzu nodded and quickly took out his laptop with an online article that had photos of Kaoru's designs. "Here!"

Hikaru looked at the laptop and his eyes widened, "Kaoru designed those? Wow! I'm impressed! He's never been that good at designing!"

Ranka nodded, "I still prefer your designs though! When's your beach fashion show?"

Hikaru smiled, "I was hoping to get it together in three days."

Ranka smiled, "I can't wait!"

Hikaru then looked straight at Ranka, "What about Miranda? Why's she being spoken about?"

Ranka took a deep breath, "Well, for reasons unknown, it seems that she suddenly gained interest in the Prime Minister's son."

Hikaru raised an eyebrow, "Really? I guess that she's finally given up on Kaoru."

Ranka continued, "Well, apparently, they both were seen playing around with each other at the back of the Seul's Dandelion Line Fashion Show."

Hikaru's eyes widened, "Miranda? Play around? That's... completely out of character for her!"

Misuzu then spoke up, "Hikaru-kun... perhaps her reasoning was soley to do this in favor of Kaoru."

Hikaru's face turned into one of confusion, "What do you mean?"

Ranka then spoke up, "Well, it was known to the public that the Prime Minister's son was to mary Seul Jan Di... such a scandal not only ruins the reputation of the Prime Minister, but it also reflects badly on the Seul family."

Hikaru held his head in his hands, "I don't get it."

Misuzu spoke up, "The Seul company has been the largest competitor to your Mother's business for years... With a scandal like this happening during an important fashion show for the Seul's is definitely going to look bad; yet, the Hitacchin's Fashion Show didn't have any problems, meaning that all the feedback in the news is glorifying the company. Basically, the press isn't covering the Dandelion Line; instead, the scandal is the focus. Kaoru's popularity is rising with positive feedback."

Hikaru nodded his head, "I get it now."

Ranka smiled, "Well, good for your brother... but! You'll be the one stealing the spotlight soon enough Hikaru!"

Hikaru smirked, "I hope so."