DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN OURAN IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM
"It would appear that we're missing a few people," said Tamaki as he, Haruhi, Sonomi and Mitsuko all sat down to dinner. Haruhi looked around and noticed that not only was Naoki's chair empty since he was still with his father, but Fusayo's chair was also empty.
"Do you know where your sister is?" Tamaki asked.
"No," said both girls.
"Last time I saw was when you girls came home and she went to her room to find something to wear to her friend's party this weekend," said Haruhi.
"Party?" said Tamaki.
"Her friend Satsuki Nekozawa's party," said Haruhi.
"Eh!" said Tamaki as he dropped his fork, "Oh right her, that delightful non scary girl."
"I see you're still really scared of Nekozawa huh?" said Haruhi. Both Sonomi and Mitsuko giggled. "Anyway, could she still be upstairs in her room?"
"Yes Madam she is," said Shima, "She said she'd rather eat in her room while she looked for what to wear to the party."
"Oh well okay then," said Haruhi, "Oh Sonomi did you tell your dad about the check?"
"Check, what check?" asked Tamaki.
"The contractor I went with Haruhi to see gave me a check as thanks for coming up for a building idea for one of his clients," said Sonomi, "I already put it safe into my room."
"Oh did you really?" said Tamaki, "That's amazing my dear."
"Yeah, someone's going to make a great architect someday I think," said Haruhi.
"What about me what am I going to be?" asked Mitsuko.
"Annoying," said Sonomi.
"Sonomi," said Haruhi and Tamaki right as Mitsuko retreated to a corner.
"Oops," said Sonomi.
"Mitsuko sweetie come back to the table and eat your dinner," said Haruhi, "If you finish it up you can have ice cream afterwards."
"Really?" said Mitsuko jumping up happily.
"Yes but come finish your food first," said Haruhi. Mitsuko raced back to her seat and started to eat.
Haruhi smiled before glancing at the big clock on the wall anxiously. It was only six o'clock. Only two hours until she had asked Ryota to bring Naoki home. However it most likely the two of them were going to be late without calling her what so ever.
"Haruhi everything alright?" Tamaki asked.
"Just wondering what time it was," said Haruhi, "So how are plans for that masquerade going?"
"Going great as far as I can tell," said Tamaki, "Oh I can't wait for it!"
"I want to be the princess," said Mitsuko.
"Yes honey we know," said Haruhi. "What about you Sonomi what would you like to be?"
"I don't know," said Sonomi, "Frankly I don't care."
"You and Haruhi are so much alike in that sense, not carrying what you look like. I think it's quite admirable," said Tamaki.
"What about you Dad, what are you going to try and be?" asked Sonomi.
"I was thinking Haruhi and I can try going as famous couple of some sorts," said Tamaki, "Haruhi any ideas?"
"Uh I'll have to get back to you on that," said Haruhi. She looked back up at the clock. Only a few minutes had past.
'Stop worrying so much,' she thought, 'Worry more when it's actually past the curfew.'
"Haruhi," said Tamaki after dinner, "Is something bothering you? You seemed to be on edge after dinner."
"I'm sorry," said Haruhi, "I guess I'm just upset about Ryota taking Naoki out and knowing that he's probably going to being my son home late."
"Haruhi if you're that nervous why don't you go and get him yourself?" asked Tamaki. Haruhi shook her head no.
"One of the mutual agreements when we divorced was that I wouldn't pester him when he was spending time with Naoki mostly because I don't want to get into a fight in public with him like we'd do a lot of times when we were together," she said, "I don't like having Naoki see or hear us fight like we did when he was little."
"I see," said Tamaki, "Well would it be too much if I were to go out and find him if he comes home late?"
"What, no Tamaki. You don't have to get involved like that," said Haruhi.
"Haruhi you trusted me with your son. Why not let me do this? I'm sure Ryota and I won't get into a fight if I do," said Tamaki. Haruhi sighed.
"Look let's wait and see if he comes home late first okay?" she said.
"Okay," said Tamaki hugging her. "Maybe you should go check on Fusayo and see how she's doing?"
"Sure," said Haruhi. It sounded like a good idea to help get her mind off of ex-husband and son.
She walked up to Fusayo's room and knocked at the door.
"Come in," she heard Fusayo say softly. Haruhi walked in and over towards the walk-in closet to find Fusayo sitting in a chair in the middle with clothes scattered everywhere.
"I uh take it you couldn't find anything that would help hide your back?" asked Haruhi looking around at the mess. She started gathering around some of the different clothes. A lot of them were just like the dress Aoko had tried to get her to wear yesterday.
"Did your aunt buy all of these clothes?" she asked.
'"Yeah," said Fusayo, "She said this is what guys wanted to see girls in. That's how you get their attention and get a rich husband."
"Hmm," said Haruhi, "I think it's time you started dressing the way you want to."
"What do you mean?" asked Fusayo.
"You're a smart mature girl. You should be able to dress you want to in a matter of a speaking," said Haruhi, "I'm sure you can go shopping before the party."
"Would you go with me?" asked Fusayo.
"Uh sure," said Haruhi, "Maybe we can go this Saturday."
"Thanks!" said Fusayo. Haruhi smiled before looking at the clock in the closet. It was getting closer and closer to 8.
"Haruhi everything okay?" asked Fusayo.
"Hmm, oh yes of course," said Haruhi, "Do you have anything else to do homework wise or anything?"
"Oh yes, I do. I got so blind sided with trying to find something to wear I forgot," said Fusayo as she jumped up and headed to her desk. Haruhi smiled before she walked out of Fusayo's room.
"Haruhi," said Tamaki as she came out. Haruhi jumped.
"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you. I was only going to say it's getting closer to 8. If you're this anxious I can go and try to find the two of them," said Tamaki.
"No I don't want you to do that, at least not yet," said Haruhi.
"Haruhi," said Tamaki putting his hands on her shoulders, "Please let me go out to try and get Naoki for you. It'll help spare you the drama having Ryota coming back to the mansion."
Haruhi took a deep breath.
"Let's put Mitsuko to bed first. If they're not back by then or we haven't heard from either of them you can go okay?" said Haruhi,"It should be roughly time by then."
"Sure," said Tamaki putting his arm around her and led her to Mitsuko's room.
It went as it normally did, First with Haruhi reading her a story followed by Tamaki singing her a lullaby.
"Mommy, are you feeling better?" Mitsuko asked as Haruhi laid her down.
"Yes honey I am," said Haruhi, "Now, get some sleep okay?"
"Sure think Mommy," said Mitsuko kissing her cheek.
"Hey can Daddy get a kiss too?" Tamaki asked. Mitsuko giggled before kissing her father's cheek a kiss. Tamaki beamed.
"Good night sweetheart," said the two parents walking out. As they headed out they found Shima waiting outside of the room for them. Haruhi looked at her eagerly.
"I'm afraid we've received no word from your son or his father," she said as if reading Haruhi's mind. Haruhi sighed sad.
"Tamaki if you want you can go and try to find them," she said softly. Tamaki nodded
"Do you know where the laser tag arena is?" he asked. Haruhi nodded and headed off to find her purse. She pulled out a card and handed it to him.
"Should we call the arena first to see if they're still there?" asked Shima.
"Yes let's go ahead," said Haruhi.
"It looks like madam," said the employee who answered the phone, "And it looks like he just paid for another round for your son. Would you like me to give your husband the phone?"
"No that's okay," said Haruhi, "Thank you for letting me know he's still there."
"Of course Madam,"
"Don't worry Haruhi," said Tamaki, "I'll try to make it as smooth and without a scene."
"Okay thank you Tamaki. I'm sorry you have to do this for me." She was surprised by Tamaki kissing her.
"You shouldn't have to feel sorry about this Haruhi," he said, "I want to do this for you. I love you after all." Haruhi nodded and watched as Tamaki headed out the door.
"Hey where's Dad going?" Sonomi asked from the top of the stairs.
"He's just going to get Naoki," said Haruhi, "Do you want me to come and read the next chapter in the story?"
"Sure," said Sonomi. It looked like Haruhi could use all the distractions she could get at the moment.
Tamaki looked around curiously at the laser tag arena. Not only was there the actual laser tag area but there was also a lot of video games rides to play with as well.
"Can I help you?" asked an employee.
"Uh yes I'm looking for a young man named Naoki Fujioka," said Tamaki. He held up a picture of the boy.
"Oh him, he's down in the laser pit. I think his dad's over there with his friends," said the employee pointing to a seating area. There Tamaki could see a huge group of men including Ryota sitting around a table near the glass that looked into the laser tag area.
"Come on Naoki come on!" Tamaki heard Ryota shouting.
"No that one kid Rai!" said one of the other men.
"What are they doing?" asked Tamaki.
"I'm not sure," said the employee, "I only started here a little while ago. If I didn't know any better I'd swear they were betting on what kid's going to get the most hits per round."
"Betting, you mean like gambling?" said Tamaki. Just then he heard a red siren go off.
"GAME OVER GAME OVER" came a voice over the loud speaker. Ryota's group all looked up at the score board. Tamaki looked up and saw that Naoki had gotten first place while the other boy he heard mention, Rai had gotten first.
"Ah man!" shouted Ryota while some of the other men cheered.
"What's the hell's going on Ryota?" asked another man, "Last time your boy was kicking butt."
"I don't know," said Ryota, "Maybe it has something to do with that stupid fight he got into today." He pulled out some money and handed it to some men, "Can believe I was stupid enough to bet on him instead of against him like usual."
"You are using your son for gambling!" said Tamaki running over to Ryota. All of the men all looked over at him confused. Tamaki grabbed Ryota by his shirt and hoisted him up. "How dare you use your son like that!"
"Like what?" asked Ryota, "I wasn't doing anything. I'm spending time with him and making a living."
"Yes by using your son as a pawn!" said Tamaki, "No wonder you never take him to something like the movies. You can't bet on something there can you?!"
"Will you calm down!" said Ryota pulling Tamaki off him.
"Wait until I tell Haruhi about this!" said Tamaki.
"Hey hey," said Ryota, "let's not do anything stupid now. Do you really want to rat me out like that? You do that I may be so crushed I may not be able to show up to the Father-Son Field Day this weekend."
"What are you saying?" said Tamaki.
"You keep your mouth shut and I promise I'll be there on Saturday for the field day," said Ryota.
"I thought you said you would after I gave you that money," said Tamaki.
"Well granted but you go and snitch on me like this and I don't see why I should keep doing you such a favor," said Ryota. Tamaki grabbed Ryota by his shirt again.
"I have your word then? You'll be there for you son?" he snapped.
"Yes I'll be there as long as you keep your mouth shut," said Ryota.
"Alright then," said Tamaki letting Ryota go.
"What are you even doing here?" asked Ryota rubbing his neck.
"I'm here because you're late getting Naoki home so I came to get him so Haruhi would be able to stop worrying," said Tamaki.
"Mr. Suoh?" said Naoki walking up to the table, "What are you doing here?"
"Well it's late and I thought I'd come and get you for your mother," said Tamaki.
"Oh really?" said Naoki a little bit anxious, "Well let's go."
"Are you sure you don't want to do another round for your old man Sport?" Ryota asked, "I bet it could do us some good."
"Well I'm getting kind of tired Dad," said Naoki.
"Yes it's past your curfew," said Tamaki. He shot Ryota a look, "Let's go."
"I'll go get my coat then," said Naoki walking over to the coat check.
"I was hoping to get some more time in with him," said Ryota.
"Here!" said Tamaki pulling out his check book, "How much?"
"Uh how about five thousand," said Ryota.
"Fine fine," said Tamaki.
"This doesn't get to Haruhi either right?" said Ryota looking it over.
"Yes of course, just as long as you do show up on Saturday for the field day!" said Tamaki.
"Yeah yeah," said Ryota looking over the check.
"Looks like you have yourself a little walking money bank huh?" said one of his friends.
"Ready to go Mr. Suoh?" said Naoki.
"Huh oh yeah," said Tamaki.
'Kyoya and Haruhi were right. He's just a user and he's definitely not a father to Naoki!' he thought as they headed out with Naoki.
The two drove home in silence for a while before Tamaki cleared his throat.
"So Naoki is there a move you'd like to see?" he asked.
"Why do you ask?" asked Naoki.
"Well I thought we should go see a movie after your field day this Saturday," said Tamaki.
"Well I did want to see that new animated movie they have out," said Naoki, "But what makes you think I'm going to do the field day?"
"Trust me," said Tamaki, "You're father's going to be there."
"Um okay," said Naoki.
"And when I say your father I of course mean your real father," said Tamaki, "I know you don't want me to be there." Naoki felt a little bad.
"I guess it was nice you were willing to though," he said. Tamaki smiled at that.
"Of course I'm always here for you," he said.
"Thanks," said Naoki.