Chapter 53 - Count on Me

The road to Ouran for the two hosts related through marriage and bound by friendship is usually filled with music, conversation and a recap of family matters. Today, however, things are different. The sunny exterior of the Mazda belies the tense atmosphere within as the air bristles. Honey knows better than to push Mori into speaking before he's ready. He hugs Usa-chan to his chest, calming himself in the wake of the sudden loss of sweets tossed without warning out of the vehicle, onto the road. Such an unforgivable act by anyone other than the young man seated beside him would have resulted in instant combat, but because it is the young man seated beside him, Honey simply simmers and thinks.

I can't believe he did that! They were perfectly good wasabon and now they're roadside litter. That is not acceptable behavior, Morinozuka Takashi. But then...it was very unlike him, to say the least. What's up with him today? He was fine when I left him yesterday afternoon. So...let's review... Tama-chan revealed he's gay. That's news. Takashi is gay. I've known that for a long time and it's fine by me. He's my best friend and always will be. Besides, we're family. His feelings for me couldn't be returned and we've both known that since middle school. Things are fine at home, so it must be something that happened after hours when he spoke with Tama-chan, but what? Unless...

"Hey, Takashi?"

"What is it?"

"I know you're in a bad mood and you might not want to talk about it yet, but a workout might help things. If we hit the dojo at school we could sneak in a quick twenty minute sparring session before advisory. What do you say?"

"A sparring session isn't going to help, Mitsukuni."

"Oh. Then could we please stop at the bakery and pick up some pastry 'cause even though I know you've got something on your mind and all, I really was looking forward to having those wasabon. You know you reeeally didn't have to throw them out the window, right?"

Mori doesn't look at his diminutive cousin. "Yeah, I know. I'm sorry. I have a lot on my mind."

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not particularly."

"Okay," the blond chirps and faces front again, apparently satisfied to let the conversation drop. Such innocence and lack of pressure seems to ease Mori's funk but not the silence between them. Several miles pass and they turn off the highway leading into midtown Tokyo's Bunkyo district. As they approach Ouran's campus Honey chats with the fluffy pink bunny seated on his lap. He's wistfully pointing out sweet shops along their route to school.

"Look Usa-chan, there's 'KitKat.' We had that great plum mochi there, remember? And there's 'Nanak' where they serve black sesame crème brulee. And don't forget 'Papabubble.' They should have some new candy for us to try after Club today." He gives a despondent sigh. "It's really too bad I didn't get to eat my wasabon this morning. The chef made them especially for me and now I won't be able to tell her how delicious they were. But Takashi is being crabby and-"

The Mazda swerves to the curb and screeches to a stop in front of the aforesaid 'Papabubble.' Students milling in front of the popular shop turn to stare at the beautiful car and peer through the windows at the beautiful boys within. Inside the car, bookbags, food wrappers, winter gloves, Honey's smartphone and everything else not buckled down fly forward, including the car's tethered occupants who are yanked forward and back into their bucket seats in one fluid motion.

"Mitsukuni, enough!"
"Whoa!"

Mori isn't angry, just exasperated. "Could you please stop going on about the wasabon? Or have you forgotten what happened the last time you overindulged?"

How could I forget those three days of misery? Honey reaches down for his phone and Usa-chan, now resting topsy-turvy at his feet. He straightens with deliberate movement, dropping the phone into his lap and setting the plush toy on his thighs, an impassive look on his face while staring at the pink bunny whose right eyebrow is arched. "Oh, I haven't forgotten, and I brush my teeth every day."

"Good."

"I don't forget because I finally realized how awful you feel whenever something hurts me even if it's my own fault or it's something you can't help."

"Well, yeah. We're friends, after all."

"Yup. That's why I don't ever want you to feel that way again." Honey twists at the waist. "Which is why I'm wondering if something like that isn't happening today."

Mori's head turns in increments with the words, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you're obviously upset about something and you don't get upset unless you think you've done something that will upset me. So why don't you just tell me what happened yesterday after Club when you stayed behind to talk to Tama-chan?" He pauses, a steady look in his eyes. You know you want to.

Mori freezes. "Nothing happened with Tamaki." The words come quickly. A little too quickly, a little too forced.

Honey picks up his toy, holding him so only big brown eyes peep over the plush head. "Ta-ka-shi, c'mon. Even Usa-chan knows better than that."

"No, really." Mori shakes his head vigorously. "We talked about his coming out and that's it."

Yeah, right. The blond sits back, waits a few seconds, then checks his smartphone. "We have time, you know. This morning is just another advisory period for 3rd-years. We both know what our post-grad plans are so why don't we stop pretending and you tell me what happened and what's on your mind so we can move on with our day." He smiles a bright smile and adds, "Okay?"

Silence. And silence. And more silence from the Stoic Host, introspection written on his chiseled face as he stares beyond his cousin at the passing traffic. Mori has always preferred action over words, not caring what others think about his taciturn nature except for Honey, who knows him better than anyone and with whom he's always conversed freely. Thus, such silence within the sanctuary of the car weighs heavily on him.

The corner stop light turns green, then red, green, then red and at last, Honey's intention registers. In sweet, but no uncertain terms, Mori has been informed that he won't be allowed to leave the car until he gives his cousin a satisfactory answer. Thus, without looking directly at the loli-shota, he exhales a breath of resignation and says, "We had a moment." When no response is forthcoming, the brunet refocuses on the blond whose large eyes are wide but non-judgmental 'til Honey tips his head and lifts his brows with an unspoken, "And?"

"I liked it." The statement is emphatic, accompanied by a tinge of color rising in Mori's cheeks, a sign of heightened emotion, but nothing more.

Thought so. Honey watches for signs of discomfort, embarrassment or anything else that would belie the surety of the statement just made. None appear, so he says, "I'm glad. We all love Tama-chan but I think your feelings have always been a little different. I've always sensed it."

Mori's shoulders ease. Honey looks back at Usa-chan in his lap, who is smiling, then places the pink bunny into the narrow backseat, beside his bookbag. When he resettles into place, he finds Mori staring out of the front windshield.

"Tamaki is a good guy," says the brunet.

"He sure is and now he knows you're gay, just like him."

"Well, if he didn't get that concept during our conversation, I think the kiss sealed it."

Kiss? Honey chortles. "You think?" Mori drops his head to his chest, a wry smile on his face.

"I didn't mean to say that, but yeah. He seemed mildly surprised, but not entirely."

"So what's the deal with him and you?"

"Maybe nothing. Maybe something," comes the cryptic answer.

A smile quirks at one corner of Honey's mouth. "And Kyo-chan?"

Mori gives his kinsman a perfect sideways glance. "Tamaki swears they're just friends, but Haruhi seems to believe something the twins overheard yesterday morning which is what triggered everything after hours." His tone grows concerned. "Speaking of which, were you able to reach her?"

"No, and I'm a little worried about that." Hope she's doing okay.

"I couldn't reach Kyoya either, but Tamaki seemed genuinely sorry about whatever it was that happened."

"Then Haruhi will forgive him, if he's sincere."

"The twins are going to have to beg, I imagine."

"From Kyoya?"

"And Haruhi!" They chuckle good-naturedly at the showdown to come.

"Do you think Tama-chan and Kyo-chan will be alright?" Honey ponders.

"They're pretty tight. They'll sort things out."

"Just like we did."

Mori pauses. "Mitsukuni, about that. I know you're interested in Reiko and I want you to know that it's fine."

Honey presses a hand on Mori's nearest shoulder. "Are you sure about that?" he asks.

"I've been thinking about it all night, our futures, that is - yours and mine - and well, I've been selfish."

"You? But you're the one who looks out for everyone else, especially for me. I don't call that being selfish."

Mori turns off the radio, faces front again and rests his hands lightly atop the steering wheel. "You think of my looking out for you as generous and caring."

"'Cause it is."

"That's partly true, but it's also been a way to avoid facing the fact that our futures will hold some very different experiences."

"We'll always be friends, Takashi. And family."

"I know, but there are things each of us have to do separately in order to become the men we're meant to be and yesterday woke me up to that fact."

"That sounds a lot like something Tama-chan said to me once about having courage to be exactly who you are. Seems like he convinced you, too, in his own inimitable style."

"You could say that, though I think we helped each other."

"Is that what you call what happened?"

"Baka," Mori jests, throwing a loose fist out which is nimbly blocked by a forearm. They look at one another and smile.

"And," Honey adds, "maybe you figured no one would discover your penchant for boys if you became the idol of girls?"

"Yeah, and…"

"What?" Honey queries, leaning in.

"The fact that you were clear that you liked girls and I was happy just to be by your side without thinking of my own needs."

"And now you are?"

"I think it's time, don't you?"

"Yeah," comes the gentle answer. "I do." Way past time.

"I really am sorry about the wasabon."

"S'ok." Not really.

"Sit tight for a minute, would you?"

"Where…?" …are you going?

But the tall teen has left the car and in two long strides has entered the already bustling shop in front of which they're parked. Students from the area schools are congregating inside and out, and Honey cranes his neck to see the top of Mori's dark head rising above the crowd like an ethereal UFO hovering above his peers. He stops briefly then reassembles as an adolescent in the doorway, a red-and-white striped paper sack in hand.

Honey's heartbeat quickens. Oh, oh, oh.

Mori slides back into the low-slung car with more elegance than one might imagine his six-foot-plus frame capable of maneuvering while simultaneously handing over the sack to Honey who promptly looks inside and chortles with glee as he pulls out a golden brown taiyaki.

"Chocolate or custard?" Honey asks with the excitement of a six-year-old.

"One of each and there's even a sweet potato."

"Awww, Takashi. My favorites."

Mori restarts the Mazda, pulling away from the curb while a group of admiring girls waves at them from the curb. Honey waves back with a smile.

They complete the drive to Ouran in companionable silence as the small Host dines on the three fish-shaped pancakes stuffed with delectable fillings. Each one is eaten in the same, specific manner. First, he nibbles on the crispy tail with teeny bites until it's gone. Flipping the tail-less fish around, he bites off the fish lips followed by the head. Finally, he splits the body in half to reveal the chosen filling - chocolate, dark and exotic; custard, creamy and tantalizing and finally, sweet potato with its orange cast and tangy scent. Each half is savored and finished off with occasional yummy noises.

All are different but all are wonderful to the sweet-loving loli-shota who tidies up with the supplied serviette then presses back into his seat with an audible sigh of contentment, his face a vision of bliss. Life is good.

Meanwhile, Mori drives recalling his interaction with Tamaki with a mixture of worry, anticipation and satisfaction. Whether or not the Host King can release his feelings for Kyoya isn't within his control, but he isn't averse to being the soft shoulder Tamaki will undoubtedly need once Kyoya's choice of partner is made clear and Mori is certain that choice will be Haruhi.

The Mazda pulls into its usual parking spot at school. Mori cuts the engine as Honey reaches into the backseat for his bookbag and Usa-chan.

"Mitsukuni."

"Uh-huh?"

"There's been a lot of drama and there's certain to be more, but I think we can manage it."

"You got it," the blond says then faces his cousin. "And if Tama-chan thinks I'm going to let his announcement, the twins' hubris, Kyoya's temper, Haruhi's naiveté or anyone else's nonsense get in the way of my lifelong best friend's happiness, they've got another thing coming."

Mori's staid visage, always in place while on campus, quivers just a little, but he remains calm and simply says, "Thanks." He unwinds out of the vehicle while Honey bounds out, shouting over the roof of the car towards Kaiya and Nashiyo, classmates who wave back and gesture for them to join them.

As they near, Kaiya says, "You're almost as late as we are and you guys are hardly ever late. What gives?"

"Aw, nothing," Honey says. "Takashi and I had a family matter we had to discuss, but it's okay now."

"I hope everything is alright between you two," Nashiyo, a bespectacled girl, says with grave concern, her glowing eyes fixed on Mori.

"Nothing comes between the two of us," Honey reminds.

"Not even Reiko?" Kaiya teases, hoping for a rise from Mori, who fails to react.

"What's she got to do with anything?" Nashiyo asks, irked.

When Honey doesn't immediately respond, Mori says, "Reiko is nice," but fails to elaborate. A look passes between the girls.

"Speaking of late," Honey says, "We know our post-grad plans, so we're exempt from advisory. How about you two?"

"We should go, Kaiya," Nashiyo admonishes.

"We'll see you later at Host Club?" Kaiya asks.

"You can count on us," confirms Honey while Mori nods.

With the girls growing smaller in the distance, Honey turns towards his cousin. "That goes for you, too, you know?"

"Likewise."

The young men extend their left arms towards one another, left hands fisted, fingers earthward. Their knuckles meet with a soft knock before turning in sync to the left in an ubiquitous brofist. Mori grabs Honey's bookbag with his right and the two continue on their way, Honey taking two steps for every one of Mori's but both being equal in stride.

End - Chapter 53 - Count on Me


Count on Me by Bruno Mars [Honey-centric]

Oh uh-huh.
If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea,
I'll sail the world to find you.
If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see,
I'll be the light to guide you.
We find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need.

CHORUS
You can count on me like 1, 2, 3.
I'll be there.
And I know when I need it
I can count on you like 4, 3, 2
And you'll be there.
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah.
Ooooooh, oooohhh yeah, yeah.

If you're tossing and you're turning
And you just can't fall asleep,
I'll sing a song beside you.
And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me,
Every day I will remind you.
We find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need.

CHORUS

You'll always have my shoulder when you cry.
I'll never let go, never say goodbye.
You know...

CHORUS

You can count on me 'cause I can count on you.