Disclaimer: I still don't own like anything.

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Chapter Twenty-Six.

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It had been days since Haruhi talked to Tamaki. She was trying to figure out many things... mainly, she was confused. She felt as if everything suddenly was moving too fast and that Tamaki is over-reacting over small matters. After taking a few deep breaths, she picked up her cellphone and dialed Tamaki's number. It didn't take long til he finally answered."

"Haruhi!"

Haruhi took a deep breath, "Hey..."

"What's wrong?"

Haruhi shook her head, "It's nothing... I just... tomorrow at noon... could you come to the beach?"

Tamaki smiled on his end, "Of course! What kind of swimsuit would you like me to wear?"

Haruhi let out a small breath, "I don't care which one... I. I know that you're not going to be happy with me, but I'll be in Hikaru's fashion show."

Tamaki frowned, "Why did you agree to that?"

"Tamaki... Hikaru's a great friend... I like to help my friends in need."

Tamaki started to run his left hand through his hair, "So why do you want me to come to the beach? It seems that you won't have any time to associate with me..."

Haruhi felt her heart tug at her, "Tamaki... please come to the beach. I want to see you after the show."

Tamaki perked up a bit, "Really? You want to have some alone time with your awesome fiance?"

Haruhi sighed, "Yeah."

Tamaki smiled proudly, "Then, I will most definitely come Haruhi!"

~...~

Hikaru sadly smiled as he took a final pearl bead and attached it to his current task. Once the bead was on, he took a few steps away from the dressform. He eyed his piece of art up and down. He grabbed his camera and snapped a few pictures from each side, then placed the camera on the table. Running his hands through his hair, he then decided to take a shower then go to bed. Rather than calling Haruhi at this late hour, he figured that he would show her when she meets him in the morning.

~...~

Kaoru picked up the newspaper from his nightstand. For the past few days, he had collected each newspaper and magazine that featured any sort of fashion information. He couldn't help but frown while looking over the front page. The headline read "Prime Minister's Son Dumps Upcoming Fashion Desiging Superstar For American Whore!" He grabbed his mug of coffee, then threw it across the room, leaving a complete mess. Since he was currently living at his parents' house, a maid immediately entered the room and began to clean the mess. Rather than ignoring the maid doing her job, Kaoru spoke up, "Don't clean that!" The maid looked at him, "But it's my job Sir..." Kaoru eyed the maid and then gave her a nasty glare, "I told you not to clean it. Get out of my room!" The maid immediately bowed and excused herself from the room.

Kaoru then looked back down at the newspaper. He began to read the article for the tenth time. After that specific article, he began to look through the different magazines, eyeing each and every photo that was captured. Kaoru couldn't stand the fact that Miranda would sell herself so cheaply. He knew that it was all his mother's plan, but he never imagined that Miranda would do such a thing. He wanted answers. No, he needed answers, yet whenever he tried to contact Miranda, she wouldn't respond. He had no clue where she was. And hell if he was going to try and ask his mother if she knew.

~...~

The sun was setting as Mei and Kasanoda were walking in a small park. They both were eating some icecream while talking about minor things going on in life. Regardless of their schedules, they both made sure to spend as much time as possible together. Just being with each other was relaxing. The two began to head out of the park until they heard a sniffling noise. Both turning around, they noticed the silhoutte of a young woman sobbing while sitting on the ground next to a bench. It wasn't until the woman moved her head a bit that they recognized her.

Slowly approaching her, Mei placed a hand on the woman's shoulder, "Miranda-chan?"

Miranda glanced up to see Mei. She immediately wiped tears from her eyes, "Mei-chan... Kasanoda-san... hi." Mei gave her a small smile, "What's wrong? Why are you crying in this park?"

Miranda let out a deep breath, "It's complicated."

Mei gave Kasanoda a look. He nodded his head towards her, "I'll see you at the fashion show tomorrow then." Mei smiled, "See you tomorrow!" Kasanoda sighed as he left his girlfriend. He didn't want to leave, but that one look told him all. That whatever's going on is something that needs to undergo the strange thing called girl talk.

Once Kasanoda was away, Mei helped Miranda to her feet and grabbed her hand, "Let's go to my place." Miranda just politely nodded.

Once inside Mei's apartment, Mei placed a cup of tea in front of Miranda, "So, what's going on?" Miranda placed her head in her hands, "I'm... I'm stupid." Mei shook her head and sat down next to her, "That's not true Miranda! Why do you think that you're stupid?" Mei tried to keep herself as composed as possible, "I wanted to help Kaoru." Mei took a sip of tea, "What do you mean by that?"

"Well... to be honest, I was allowed to work with the Hitacchins... just... as a secretary of sorts."

Mei nodded while Miranda was speaking.

"Anyways, I was extremely happy to be able to work in Kaoru's family's business... but then... I began to get distant from Kaoru. His mother told me that if I did what she told me to, that it would definitely help Kaoru's future. I listened to her and... I... I've done so many awful things..." Miranda began to cry.

Mei began to rub Miranda's back, "It's ok. I doubt that Kaoru would be upset at you."

Miranda shook her head, "Upset I can deal with... but... I know that he's disappointed. By now... he has to know the news."

Mei let out a deep breath, "Maybe if you talk to him... it'll clear things up."

Miranda stared at her untouched tea, "If only I could bring myself to talk to him... but... there's no point anymore... is there?"

Mei took another sip of tea, "Why is that? Don't you love him?"

Miranda nodded, "It's because I love him that I need to stay away from him. I just... if I... no... I really should just go back to America."

Mei shook her head, "That's crazy! Girl! You've been after Kaoru for years! And now you're just going to up and give up on him? That's stupid! You should at least take a chance!"

Miranda shook her head, "He wouldn't want someone who's been with someone else..."

Mei frowned, "In this time and age... who hasn't been with someone else?"

Miranda let out a small laugh, "I guess you're right but... I'm afraid of how he'll treat me... of how he'll react towards me..."

Mei sighed, "I understand. Just... do what you feel is right."

Miranda nodded, "Thanks."

~...~

Haruhi arrived at Hikaru's small apartment and knocked on the door. Hikaru rushed to the door and opened it, "Ah, Haruhi! Come in!" Haruhi took a step into the apartment and then handed him a small vase, "I know that this isn't much but... I brought a housewarming gift." Hikaru let out a small laugh, "Thanks Haruhi." He took the vase and delicately placed it on a table, "Would you like some tea?" Haruhi shook her head, "No thank you." Hikaru nodded, "Alright... then..." He grabbed her hand and started to lead her to his bedroom. Once he opened the door to his room, Haruhi dropped everything and stood still, stunned. Hikaru smiled seeing her reaction, "What do you think?"

Haruhi stared at the completed wedding dress. She never imagined that Hikaru would have completed it so soon. With both hands over her mouth, she spoke up, "It's gorgeous Hikaru... a lot better than I ever dreamed." Hikaru smiled, "I'm glad that you like it... want to try it on?" Haruhi nodded her head in agreement.

~...~

A few minutes later, Haruhi stepped out to where Hikaru was sitting. She smiled radiantly towards him, "It's perfect Hikaru." Hikaru stood up as she entered the room. He couldn't even begin to descibe how incredibly gorgeous she looked in that dress. It was white, pure white, with a sweetheart neckline. At the back of the dress was a medium-length white bow. Sewn on the dress were several pearl beads. The dress reached the floor with a rather large train. Hikaru couldn't help but approach Haruhi while holding out his hand, "May I have this dance?"

Haruhi let out a small laugh, "Sure." Hikaru then lead Haruhi into a simple waltz. Soft, classical music from a cd filling the room. Hikaru was silent, yet his eyes were completely entranced by Haruhi's. The dance wasn't too long, yet it wasn't short either. Haruhi was quiet as well. Her eyes locked onto Hikaru's. With each turn, she noticed her heatbeat pick up a bit and her face flushed.

Once the song ended, Hikaru stopped moving, but still held Haruhi in dance position. He smiled towards her, "Haruhi... do you remember the last time we danced?" Haruhi shook her head, "It's been years ago... I can't remember all the activities from Ouran." Hikaru laughed aloud, "I guess that you're right."

At that point in time, Lucio and Mei arrived at Hikaru's apartment, making Hikaru let go of Haruhi all-together.

Hikaru sat down in a corner of the room as Lucio briefed Haruhi and Mei about how the fashion show was going to work. Hikaru usually would be the one telling them everything, but he told Lucio yesterday that it was alright for him to take that over.

Hikaru looked into a cup of tea that he had, a small, some-what sad smile tracing his face. His mind completely wandering. The fact that Haruhi didn't remember the last time they danced bugged him. It bugged him, because it was a scene that was placed deep into his heart. He knew all too well how much time had passed since he last had a pleasant hold of her hand. His gaze moved from the tea cup to Haruhi's back.

He was surprised that she still was wearing that wedding dress, rather than taking it off. Hikaru both loved and hated that wedding dress. He loved how it looked on her, he loved the design. The problem with the dress was the occation for it, as well as reminding him that no matter how much he loves her, she's not his. He walked into the bathroom and locked the door. He splashed some water onto his face and he looked at himself in the mirror, "Maybe it's time that I should get over my weakness... Maybe... it's about time for me to try and protect someone else."