Chapter 26

Haruhi sighed as she filled in her papers, smiling. She knew this would be hard to tell everyone and knew she'd probably make some others sad, but she knew she had to do this.

For her law degree, the major she was taking, she got to choose a country to study in for two years of her degree.

Where did she choose? America. There was so much to learn and if anything, it could help to improve her english as well.

She bit her lip, slipping the document into it's envelope, a tear falling.

One person she knew this would shock the most was Tamaki. She could only just hope he wouldn't be angry and break it off with her. Though for his family inheritance, she understood if he would have to in the end.

Shaking her head, she activated the glue on the envelope and left the empty classroom, knocking on Chairman Suoh's door.

"Hello?" An assistant called.

"Haruhi Fujioka dropping off a form to Chairman Suoh."

A middle aged woman opened the door, smiling, gesturing her into his office.

Haruhi bowed as she saw him at his chair. "Konbanwa Chairman Suoh."

He chuckled politely. "Konbanwa Ms. Fujioka. How can I help you?"

She walked forwards, placing a thick envelope on his desk. "This is my forms for University application and the two years abroad location selection."

He gestured for her to sit as he opened the envelope, reading over the forms, his eyes widened when he saw her chosen location.

She knew he was looking at her, not in anger, but concern, maybe concern for Tamaki?

"Ms. Fujioka, since I also know you on a person level too, I do have to ask, have you told my son yet?"

Haruhi shook her head. "No sir, but I am telling him along with my family and our friends tonight. I'm sorry for not telling him sooner."

Mr. Suoh shook his head and took Haruhi's hand in both of his. "Don't apologize my dear. Just promise me, after you tell Tamaki, spend more time with him. You know as I do, he'll worry you don't want to be with him anymore."

I nodded. "Yes sir. I do love Tamaki sir, I just wanted to make sure that my goals for myself are met too."

"You're a fascinating woman Ms. Fujioka. Fascinating indeed."

Haruhi bowed, her now shoulder blade long hair making a curtain around her face. "Thank you Chairman."

"Have a good evening Ms. Fujioka. I hope it goes well tonight."

She nodded. "You and I both." She sighed, tears starting to fall.

'What if Tamaki really doesn't want me to go?'

Namiko came out of her room, only to trip and stumble around a little.

"What the hell?!" she asked out loud as she saw some big bulky black object blocking most of the hallway.

"Namiko?" her dad, Nobu, said poking his head out of the guest room.

"Dad-N, what the hell is that?! And why is it blocking the hallway?!" Namiko snapped. She was still a little irritated by bumping into it and stumping her toe.

"Oh, it's the baby's new changing table. Your Dad-K wanted to at least get it in here," said Nobu.

"So early?!" Namiko asked annoyed.

"Sorry honey, we're working on it," said Nobu.

"Okay Nobu, I think I have the spot ready," they heard Kyo call out from the room, "you ready?"

"Ready," Nobu called back as he walked out of the room and over to the opposite side of the changing table. Namiko could see Kyo appearing in the doorway and helping to lift the changing table up.

"Good morning Namiko," he said with delight, "what do you think of your baby sister's new changing table? I picked it out myself!"

"It's nice, I guess," said Namiko as she walked to the bathroom. When she came out, she found her dads still working on getting the changing table into the room.

"You said it would fit!" Nobu shouted.

"It will, we just need to get it in at the right angel!" Kyo shouted back.

Namiko had to squeeze past her dad to get back to her room and change. Then she had to squeeze past Nobu again to get to the kitchen for her breakfast.

The whole time she ate, she could hear her dads arguing and moving the changing table around, trying to get it in.

"Alright, alright, I think we have to call it quits for now," she finally heard Nobu declare.

"But I think I got it figured out now!" Kyo whined.

"But I got to get ready for work!" Nobu declare.

"How much do I want to bet the baby will be born before they get that damn thing in there!" Namiko muttered. Just then she heard the doorbell ring. "Oh, Ritsu's here!"

She hurried to the door to see Kasanoda waiting and a little surprised to see he was looking over a list of sorts.

"Hey, what's that?" Namiko asked.

"Oh, it's a list of some of my relatives favorite foods and a some of their like allergies and things like that. My dad thought you could use it to help with menu options for the reunion," Ritsu said, handing it to her.

"Thanks," said Namiko, accepting the list. She looked it over, "it's pretty detailed."

"Yeah, there's a reason for that," Ritsu said, looking away, a little ashamed.

"For say, to know an easy way to possibly get rid of a family member that may have pissed your dad off for some reason?" Namiko teased.

Ritsu turned red, "anyway, want to get going?" he asked.

"Yes, lets," said Namiko as she tried to get her stuff together.

Suddenly they heard Kyo crying out in pain.

"That didn't work!" he shouted.

"What's going on down there?" Ritsu asked.

"My dads are trying to new baby's changing table into the room," said Namiko, "it's not going well."

"Oh, really?" Ritsu said was he walked in and headed to the hallway.

"Kyo," he heard Nobu say, "this isn't working!" Then he saw Ritsu, "Ritsu! Oh thank God, Ritsu! Think you can give us a hand?!"

"Sure, I'll do what I can," Ritsu said as he too Nobu's place and started to push it in like it was no big deal.

"Whoa!" Kyo shouted as Nobu pushed in the table and jumping out of the way.

"Where would you like it?" Ritsu asked.

"Uh, there, up againts the far wall," Kyo said timidly.

"Okay," Ritsu said as he proceeded to push the table neatly to the wall all on his own.

Nobu looked at the scene, impressed by how easily Ritsu had been able to fit the table into the smaller room. "Wow, thanks kid. That was-"

"Dammit, you scratched the floors!" Kyo complained.

Namiko sighed. "Actually Dad-K if you had been looking, Ritsu picked the table up off of the ground while you actually scratched the floors."

"Dont sass me." Kyo said, defeated. He pouted, "Sorry kid."

Ritsu shrugged. "No harm no foul." He looked towards Namiko who was eyeing her phone screen, concerned. "What is it?"

"Dads, Haruhi asked if you two and I could go to her house for dinner. Apparently she has something she needs to tell us. Says its important."

"I could give you three a ride there after school if youd like?"

"Thanks kid. That's a nice offer, but just drop Namiko off at the house."

Namiko winked at Ritsu, "guess we'll have to have study night tomorrow." She said after she said "see you later" to her fathers.

When Hanako woke up, she turned around to see Kyoya fast asleep. His sleeping face looked a little miserable.

'How late did he stay up?' she wondered as she rose from her bed and started working around the kitchen to prepare breakfast. She made sure to be as quiet as she could as she worked, yet she kept looking towards her sleeping boyfriend and his miserable sleeping face.

'I wonder what she's dreaming about,' she pondered. A part of her couldn't help but feel that he was dreaming about being back in his house in his big soft bed with any aspect at his disposal. The idea made her twidge a little with guilt.

"Riches to rags, litterly,," Hanako muttered under her breath.

"Mmm, did you say something?" she suddenly heard Kyoya ask.

"Oh, I was wondering where i put the dust rag. This place could use a little dusting," Hanako said quickly.

"I think we put all the rags into the dirty clothes. I'll make sure they're all clean when I do the laundry," said Kyoya as he slowly sat up.

"Oh right," said Hanako, "are you sure you don't want me to do the laundry?"

"I supposed, whoever gets home first," said Kyoya.

He walked to the kitchen himself and surprised Hanako when she tried getting around him instead caught her up in his arms. He rested his forehead against hers.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked.

"Yes of course," said Hanako, "did you?"

"Hmm, yes, it was very comfortable," Kyoya insisted. He held Hanako closer. "You know, we don't have to rush the laundry or the dusting at the moment. I wouldn't want you to over do it in your condition."

"Sure, you're probably right," said Hanako.

"Good girl," said Kyoya, "I don't want any girlfriend of mine to feel miserable in any part of her life."

"I want the same for you," said Hanako.

"Well good thing I'm not," Kyoya said before he kissed her.

'He sounds sincere, but why is it hard to believe it's true?' Hanako thought as Kyoya kept kissing her.

She hoped Kyoya didn't feel her unease in her body, or the kiss.

Kyoya looked around at his surroundings on the train as he road to school, studying the fellow passengers around him. He noticed how some looked young and youthful and full on energy.

Others on the other hand looked worn out, sad and even a little pathetic. Like life had taken a lot out of them.

The ones that amzed him the most were the ones that seemed to be a combination of the two other groups. Ones that life had taken its toll, but were still happy with it. Like even if they hadn't have the best in life, they were okay with it.

One man in particular seemed to really stand out to him. He was old, thinning hair, glasses, a round belly and any kids he might have were either grown and close to it.

He seemed to notice Kyoya looking at him as he turned and gave him a kind, worn out smile.

"Going to school or work?" he asked.

"School for now," Kyoya said.

"College student?" the man asked.

"Yes," said Kyoya.

"My youngest just started college. He wants to be a banker like my oldest," sakd the man.

"You must be very proud," said Kyoya.

"I am," said the man, "I never got to go to college. Neither did their mother. But we're both happy knowing our hard work made it so all three of our kids could go." He smiled really happy about it.

"Are you happy with your life?" Kyoya asked.

"Very happy," said the man, "it may not have been as glamorous as some but, I'm very happy with it. Evn now, when so many of my friends have to enjoy their golden years and I'm still riding the same train day in and day out, I'm actually happy with it."

"You're crazy old man," another young man close to Kyoya's age muttered, "there's no way in hell I'd be happy working every day my full life."

"Well I hope you are happy with it then," said the old man, "nothing could be worst than living a life you're not happy with."

"I fully agree," said Kyoya, "I still don't know if my life will be happy, but right now I have high hopes for it."

"Good for you," said the old man as the train came to a stop and he got out.

"What a fool," the other young man said. Kyoya however kept watching the man as the train pulled away. He turned and smiled on last time at Kyoya, as if to say "I know if you try hard enough, you will be happy."

Kyoya could start to see his own reflection in the window. His handsome face everyone had always praised him on. He was actually a little curious as to how it would look years from now when life started to take its toll on him.

Kyoya was still thinking about his future and the way things may work out for him and Hanako in the future if things kept on this way. He actually rubbed his face as he thought.

"Kyoya, Kyoya-Senpai, hey," he suddenly heard Haruhi calling out. He turned and saw her coming out of the administration building. She ran over to him. "Hey, good morning."

"Good morning," Kyoya replied, "here a little early, aren't you?"

"Well, I had to, I had to turn in the paper work for my transfer," Haruhi explained.

"Transfer?" Kyoya replied, "oh that. The transfer to America huh? Still planning on going through with it huh?"

"Well, yeah," said Haruhi, "I have to think about my future and what I want in life."

"Hmm, good for you," said Kyoya.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to sound insensitive to you and your situation," said Haruhi.

"No, it's not that," said Kyoya, "I have a scholarship too in case you haven't noticed. I'm well aware of what it means to grasl fkr something that can help improve your life for the better."

Haruhi nodded, "it's still going to be hard to tell Dad, Uncle Kyo and Tamaki-Senpai."

"I'm sure it won't be as nearly as difficult as telling them you're expecting," said Kyoya.

"You'd be surprised," said Haruhi, "a baby would mean I'd probably stay in Japan."

"Yes, that is true," said Kyoya, "so how do you plan on telling them it's begun?"

"Probably the same way I told them in the first place," said Haruhi, "at good meal."

"What good meal?" Namiko asked as she and Ritsu approached, holding hands.

"The good meal I'm going to have to make to drop the bomb on Dad and Tamaki-Senpai that I'm officially going to America for study," said Haruhi.

"Oh, finally going through with it?" Namiko asked, "oh, oh Haruhi! Let me prepare the dinner!"

"You?" Haruhi asked.

"Yeah, let me! I could use the practice planning the meals for Ritsu's reunion! Let me try making a nice meal that'll ease up Uncle Ranka and Tamaki-Senpai to the news."

"Well, I guess it couldn't hurt," said Haruhi, why don't we go shopping after school?" Haruhi asked.

"Thanks!" Namiko said happily.

"I can help pay for it," Ritsu offered.

"What? Why baby?" Namiko asked.

"Well you said you wanted to do this for practice for my reunion and you'll be using my money for all that. Why not see how well you can manage a budget while shopping?" Ritsu explained.

"That's a very good idea," said Kyoya.

"Thanks, it was inspired by you. You would have come up with something like that," said Ritsu.

"Well thank you, it's good to know I'm still leaving my mark around here," said Kyoya.

"Kyoya-Senpai, there is no way anyone whose gone to Ouran over the past 10 years that wouldn't know or be a little inspired by you," said Haruhi, and "I'm sure that legacy will live on after you're gone."

"Really?" said Kyoya, well good, I'd like to know I can leave a legacy and a means for respect for my child in the future."

"If you ask me, anyone who doesn't respect an Otori by any means no matter where they are in life, doesn't know what they're talking about," said Namiko.

Kyoya smiled satisfied, "yes, as an Otori we do tend to gain respect in most anything."

He suddenly started to feel a little more confident for the future and what toll it would take in him

Namiko worked in the kitchen, leaving printed recipes of dishes to make.

"Let's see... four cups of rice..." she muttered as she pan seared salmon steaks, sighing as she went through dish after dish.

Later that day, everyone was at Haruhi's home, sitting around the table. Namikp smiled at the spread she has prepared. Pork tonkatsu, shashimi, onigiri stuffed with plum or ginger, homemade mochi cake, and a detectable salad.

"This looks like a wonderful spread Namiko!" Ranka cheered.

"Yes! Let's eat!" Tamaki cheered.

"Itadakimasu!"

The family quickly started to eat. Namiko watched with pride as they did.

"That worked out well huh?' she thought.

As the evening rolled on, everybody seemed to enjoy the meal. Even Ranka and Kyo seemed to forget to be rude to Tamaki and Ritsu.

However, just as the last bit of food was digested. It was then Haruhi heard the one thing she had been worried about hearing.

"That was a great meal," her dad said, " but what was the occasion?"

'This is it,' Haruhi thought.

"Well you all already know I've decided to study in America for two years. I just put in the papers for it yesterday."

Tamaki's eyes widened and saddened some.

"The plan is im going for two years to study and ill be back during holiday breaks. After the two years is up, ill be returning to finish my last two years at Ouran Academy.

"Congratulations Haruhi." Tamaki said, his expression seeming happy, but Ranka saw right through it. "I..." his expression saddening momentarily, "so happy for you."

Haruhi smiled and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you Tamaki-san."

Tamaki blushed, smiling to himself.

Ranka looked at Kotoko's alter. 'What are we going to do without our little girl here for two years? I'll truly be lonely then. Won't I?"

Dinner went on, people talking excitedly, but their faces saying a different story.

Namiko looked at everyone, mainly between Tamaki and Haruhi.

"Alright, well i best be heading home. Father is expecting me." Tamaki said, trying to fake his best "princely" smile to Haruhi.

Haruhi bit her lip a little, looking sad.

"Thank you for the meal." Said Tamaki as he bowed before slipping his shoes on and heading out the door.

Haruhi felt tears sliding down her cheeks. She knew she had hurt Tamaki this time.

Feeling pressure on her shoulder, she looked up at her father, who has an expression of concern. "Go. Go after him." He encouraged.

Haruhi's eyes widened and she nodded, thanking Namiko for the meal before bolting out the door.

Luckily for her, Tamaki's driver had not arrived yet. "Tamaki!"

Tamaki turned, shocked as Haruhi ran down the stairs. "Are you okay, Haruhi?"

She shook her head, immediately wrapping her arms around his waist tightly. "No you idiot!" She cried, gripping him tighter.

"What is wrong?!" He asked, looking around nervously.

"Im sorry. Im sorry i never told you that i had truly decided on the program and going to America. I never meant to hurt you!" She sobbed.

"Haruhi, I'm fi-"

She lightly punched his chest. "Dont lie to me!"

Tamaki suddenly felt his own tears coming to the surface. "Of... of course i am sad that you are going." He said honestly.

"If it makes you that sad i will-"

"No!" Tamaki scolded. "I will never hold you back from your dreams! I am just worried that once you leave... you may not love me anymore."

Haruhi's cries ceased as she looked up. "Why... why would you ever think that?!"

"Ive told Namiko. Im not overly smart or have the best common sense and i worry youll find someone who is a better matc-" he was suddenly silenced as Haruhi grabbrd his collar and pressed her soft pink lips to his.

Tamaki's eyes widened for a moment before he wrapped his arms around her waist, her arms around his neck.

Their lips moved fluidly together, fitting together like two perfect puzzle pieces.

Pulling back, Haruhi cupped his cheek. "I..." she blushed darkly, "I will always love you, Tamaki. That will never, ever, change. Im going for two years and coming right back. I was afraid too. Afraid that you wouldnt wait for me to come back from America."

"Haruhi! I would wait for you." He sighed, chuckling as he pet her hair back. "I would wait because i love you. I would do anything for you. Believe me."

She nodded, the two in a tight embrace. Haruhis resting her head on his chest.

"I promised you before. I will always be here for you Haruhi." He whispered, placing a kiss on her forehead and on the joint of her jaw.

Ranka watched carefully from the balcony, looking at moon. "That time has come Kotoko, hasnt it? The time that one would come along... and be that special person in her life?"

"I believe it is Uncle Ranka. I believe it is." Said Namiko, patting his back gently.