Hi everyone!
Hope you're all doing well! Review responses are up first as usual!
MagicQuill42: That's perfectly fine! Thank you for your response!
Sheepgirl418: Aw, thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed them! It's great to have you back!
lillyannp: Hopefully the excerpt will make more sense in this chapter! And yes, Tamaki is absolutely clueless-it wouldn't be an Ouran fanfiction without that! Hope you enjoy this chapter!
tmwillson3: I agree-poor Kasanoda! I love your ideas with the innamorati! They're filed away for future use!
So, the reader question stays the same for this update! I would like to know: would you guys be interested in a backstory chapter dedicated to Tamaki? As was the case with Kotoko and Ryoji's arc, the main arc action won't be interrupted!
As it's Thursday, the Reader Wishlist topic is up for a change! This week it's...Mei and Misuzu! I have a few father-daughter bonding ideas in mind, but I would like to hear if you guys have any that you'd like to see!
The next update will be on Monday as usual!
Now, onto the next chapter-in which a certain gardener offers himself as an apprentice.
Kasanoda snapped out of his nightmares with a gasp. For the entire night, he had dreamed of being chased by two giants, one red-haired and one blonde, that both wore shining gold crowns. Try as he might, he couldn't outrun the wrath of these two royal titans. Any attempt at escape was met with an army of ghostly spirits led by a figure in dark robes and enormous silver eyes.
Three things began to spin about in his mind as soon as the haze from his dreams cleared. First, he had feelings for Princess Haruhi, which could very well not be reciprocated. Second, the king of Alsance, whom he owed a loyalty debt to, wished to court the aforementioned princess and would likely not take kindly to a romantic rival. And third, the princess's father was very protective of his daughter and would have Kasanoda's head on a platter if he found out about the incident at the wagon.
Kasanoda clutched his head, trying to slow his whirling thoughts. But no matter which way he looked at it, the three pieces of knowledge added up to one fact: he would never be able to confess his feelings to Haruhi.
Yet at the same time, he felt like his heart would explode if he didn't do something. Part of him wished he could talk to Mei. But he had already upset her enough. There had to be something else he could do. Then, it hit him.
After rushing through his gardening duties at the castle, he hurried out into the city to find the troupe.
Kasanoda skidded into the square just as the troupe finished the final scene of their performance. He fought through the crowd and dashed backstage just as Mori and Honey left the stage.
"Mori!" Kasanoda cried, throwing himself at the feet of the taciturn performer. "Teach me your ways! Please!"
Mori gazed at him in uncomprehending silence.
"That's exactly what I mean! You're in complete control of your emotions—you're so stoic that you can't even show surprise! I beg you to teach me your ways! Teach me how to control my emotions!" Kasanoda exclaimed, flinging his arms about Mori's legs.
Mori blinked, then exchanged a glance with Honey.
"Wait, Cassanova, why do you need to control your emotions?" Honey asked.
Kasanoda began to reply, then caught sight of Haruhi standing to one side of the stage while speaking to her fan club. He flinched as if he had been struck and muttered, "I just do. It's become a problem…recently."
"It couldn't hurt Bossanova to get better control of his emotions," the twins chorused, having happened on this scene a few seconds earlier. "After all, he's got kind of an explosive temper."
"What do you mean by that?" Kasanoda exclaimed.
The twins sighed. "Case in point."
"But Bossanova can't just break away from his emotions! He needs help!" Tamaki burst into the conversation the moment he came backstage.
"What kind of help?" Kasanoda asked as he stood.
"You need an alter-ego!" Tamaki exclaimed.
"Um, what?" Kasanoda started.
"Men—take Bossanova to the wagon! We have a costume change to perform!" Tamaki proclaimed.
"Yessir!" With that, the twins grabbed either one of Kasanoda's arms and marched him off to the wagon.
#
Haruhi finally extricated herself from her adoring fans and escaped backstage. She found it strangely deserted.
"Guys? Hello?" Yet she received no response. "Where is everyone?"
After looking through the entire backstage area to no avail, Haruhi meandered to the wagon. She picked up her commoner's clothes and started for the door of the wagon.
"I wouldn't go in there if I were you," a voice cautioned out of nowhere. Haruhi snapped around and saw Kyoya stepping out from behind a stack of crates.
"Why shouldn't I?" she asked.
"The others are in there—apparently helping Kasanoda with…an alter-ego." Kyoya pushed his glasses up with one finger, a smug smirk at his lips.
"An alter-ego? Why on earth are they doing that?"
"I'm sure you'll find out."
Haruhi frowned and cast a glance around. She spotted Mori sitting on a crate with his chin resting in his hands. The dark-haired performer seemed to be a million miles away.
"Mori, is there something wrong?" She asked as she walked over to him.
"Everything's fine," Mori replied in a typical monotone.
"Why aren't you helping the others with Kasanoda?"
Mori looked to her with an expression that said: "Do you have to ask?"
Haruhi laughed a bit and perched on one of the nearby crates. "I understand. They do usually end up going a bit…over the top."
As if on cue, the curtain of the wagon drew back. Kaoru and Hikaru, garbed in herald's outfits, marched out of the wagon.
"Now presenting His Grace Cassanova—the Crimson Duke!" they announced.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then the curtains wavered…
And Kasanoda abruptly stumbled out of the wagon.
Haruhi stared in disbelief. The gardener had been decked in a pink frock-coat and breeches, a massive curly powdered wig, white face powder and a pair of pink shoes with low heels and silver buckles.
Kasanoda sighed, his shoulders slumping as he turned back to the wagon. "How on earth is this supposed to help me?"
"Well it will never help you if you don't get into character!" Tamaki chided as he tossed the curtain of the wagon aside. "You're a flamboyant duke gifted with land, power and influence! Nothing can stop you! Feel the confidence flowing from the top of your wig to the tips of your toes!"
Kasanoda paused for a moment, as if attempting to follow Tamaki's direction. He shrugged helplessly.
"Oh, let me help you," Tamaki said. He rushed over to Kasanoda and began making adjustments to his posture. "Stand up straight, chin up! That's it! Now put your chest out with pride! Stand with your legs wide, but grounded! Don't lower your chin!"
Kasanoda final position resembled that of a rather unbalanced rooster. The twins tried to restrain themselves, but failed.
"He looks ridiculous, milord!" Hikaru cried.
"Bossanova, acting is not your forte for sure," Kaoru managed through his laughter.
Kasanoda winced and glared down at the cobblestones of the square.
"Hey, there's no reason to be so mean," Haruhi said, jumping down from her place on the crate.
Kasanoda whirled around, an expression of absolute horror washing over his face. "Haru—Haru—Haruki!"
"Look, I don't know why you guys think Cassanova needs an alter-ego, but I think he's perfectly fine as is," Haruhi declared.
The twins sobered abruptly. "What? Are you serious?"
"I am." Haruhi crossed over to Kasanoda and gestured to his costume. "You don't need any of this. It's silly. You should just be yourself—you don't have anything to prove to anyone."
Kasanoda's mouth opened, but only a slight croak would come out.
"But Haruki, Kasanoda said he wanted to be in control of his emotions," Tamaki explained. "We thought that if he was able to take on the personality of an alter-ego, he would have better control!"
Haruhi groaned and covered her eyes with one hand. "I know you mean well, Tamaki, but that's absolutely not the way to help him. It's just creating a mask that all of the emotions will get bottled up behind. It'll only make things worse."
"Then what do you suggest, Haruki?" Kasanoda asked with a pleading look.
Haruhi frowned and thought. She finally said, "I would suggest taking some time to yourself to think. Try to get to the root of why the emotion makes you uncomfortable. Realize that the discomfort will eventually pass. And if none of that helps, try to talk to a friend about it."
Kasanoda deflated. "I tried to talk to someone, but the topic upset them."
"Then talk to someone else. You can even talk to me if it helps," Haruhi offered.
Kasanoda's jaw dropped. "You—you'd—you'd do that for me?"
"Of course! Isn't that what friends are for?"
For a moment, Kasanoda gaped at her. The frozen moment dragged on.
But Kasanoda soon shook his head and straightened. "You're exactly right! That's just what friends are for! Thank you so much, Hi—Haruki!"
Haruhi smiled. "I'm just glad I could help."
Kasanoda removed his wig and looked to Tamaki. "Thank you for trying to help. But I don't think I need all of this."
The gardener held the wig out to the troupe leader.
Tamaki grinned and took the wig. "As you wish, Bossanova. I believe you're taking sound advice. Haruki is wise beyond her years."
And so Kasanoda returned to the wagon and exchanged his costume for his regular clothes. When he emerged from the wagon, a hand took his shoulder. Kasanoda turned to Mori.
"Haruki's advice is good," Mori stated. "But talking doesn't always quiet the mind. Movement can."
At Kasanoda's puzzled expression, Mori continued, "Come to the music room tomorrow. I will teach you to fence."
And the next chapter excerpt is...
Haruhi rested her chin on her knees.
"I still remember dancing with him at balls when I was little. It was always so much fun."
Her eyes misted over as the memories took hold. Her father wasn't the only one she remembered dancing with during those long ago celebrations.
Seems as if Haruhi is reminiscing a bit! What will these memories hold? Check back Monday to find out!
