The drive to Haruhi's apartment didn't take very long. As soon as she opened the door Ranka enveloped Haruhi in a hug. "I'm so glad you're alright." He finally says mid-hug. Letting go he looks around and reads the room, "I'm terribly sorry." He lowers his head slightly and heads into the kitchen to make some tea. The four take off their shoes, set down their bags and take a seat on the couch and chairs. Soon enough Ranka comes in with the tea, "the remote is on the table if you all would like to take your minds off of it." He gives a weak smile "Thanks dad." and goes to his room.
Haruhi grabs the remote from the coffee table and flips through stations. She leaves it on the weather and the group listens intently to try and get their mind off the day's events. "-Thank you for the weather Rena." The news anchor says, "This next story can be disturbing to some audiences; today at Ouran High School a group of armed intruders stormed the school. Five students were severely injured and three were fatally wounded. Five of the seven attackers were taken into custody however we advis-" Haruhi shuts off the TV and sinks into the cushions. "I think that's enough of that." The rest of the group gives a silent nod. Haruhi sniffles, it was just starting to register with her. They were really gone, and she missed them deeply.
Kyoya gets another call and audibly sighs reading the caller ID. He excuses himself and steps outside. Ranka comes back into the living room and collects the empty cups as Kyoya returns. "I have to be going. My father wants me home for a meeting with a client and I cannot talk him out of it," he clenches his fists, "he won't give me a day with the club, even after what happened." Kyoya whispers the last part and tilts his head down.
This was all the proof Haruhi needed, this was affecting him just as much as the others, he just didn't outwardly show it. She nudges Mori slightly, enough to signal that she wanted up. She walks over to Kyoya and puts a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry." He says and unclenches his hands. "It's not your fault, don't apologize. We'll be here whenever." She gives a faint smile before hugging him. His eyes widen and look down at her; how could she be so collected right now? Comforting all of them, she lost two of her best friends as well. She was just as close to them if not closer. He sighs and hugs her back, "I'll take you up on that," he chuckles, "Goodbye." He leaves and the door swings close.
Haruhi takes her seat next to Mori again and Tamaki squeezes in on the other side of her. "Y'all cannot just sit around and stay quiet. It isn't helping anything." Ranka finally snaps, he was sick of the silence.
"Dad, not the time." Haruhi says coldly.
"Yes, it is. Listen the three of you, when Haruhi's mother died I was devastated. I sat there and let myself marinate in grief for months. I needed someone to finally enlighten me to what I was doing and when they did it was easier to deal with. The pain will never completely go away, but siting around won't make it any better any faster. I'm not saying you have to be happy now, or even soon, but I want you to keep that in mind." Ranka hugs the kids and sits back in the chair.
"As much as I would like to stay my grandmother wants me back as well. She doesn't really understand having friends I think." Tamaki lets out a forced laugh, but it comes out more of a whimper. "Thank you for allowing us over." He thanks Ranka before taking his leave as well. "Anytime." And for the first time, Ranka genuinely smiled at the blond.
This left just Mori and Haruhi.
The two sat on the couch for a while longer until it became time for dinner. "Takashi, as much as I would love to have you here tonight, I'm sure your parents want you home." Ranka frowns.
Mori grunts and the edges of his lips turn downwards. Haruhi notices this subtle change in him and asks in a whisper, "Would you like me to see if I can go with you?" He looks toward her and nods his head.
"Dad, would you mind?" she looks to her father.
Honestly Ranka would prefer to have her stay home, but he knows that isn't what Haruhi wants.
"You may go."
"Thanks dad."
Mori sends a text to his mother letting her know Haruhi would be coming with him, "Thank you for letting her come. I appreciate it greatly." He bows his head and Ranka merely smiles back. "My driver is outside if you are ready." "I need to grab a couple things from my room, I shouldn't be long." Haruhi sprints to her room and quickly throws items into an overnight bag including a toothbrush, hairbrush, her phone, and a change of clothes for tomorrow. Coming back into the living room she announces that she's ready.
"Love you dad, I'll call you tomorrow. Goodnight." She gives her dad a hug and follows Mori to the awaiting car.
"Love you to sweetie, goodnight."
The limo departs and they take their places next to each other yet again.
. . .
"Thank you for coming with me."
"I hardly mind. To be honest I didn't want to be alone just yet either."
Haruhi leans against Mori's side and yawns. Surprised by her own actions she attempts to get up and apologize but is stopped by Mori putting an arm around her.
"We've arrived." The driver says as he opens the door.
The two step out and remain holding hands. They are greeted at the door by Mori's parents who embrace him as soon as it opens. The couple sees the classmates holding hands and make a mental note.
"We are so glad you are alright." Mori's father says. His mother only nods, you could tell she had been crying. Haruhi bows to them upon meeting to which they nod. "It is a pleasure to meet you both." She says. The parents lead the two to a giant room with 3 huge sofas surrounding a low-lying table. In the room are another pair of adults Haruhi knows as Honey's parents, and two more people that look around her age, which she can only assume are Honey and Mori's younger brothers.
"Please, sit." Mori's mother motions to two empty spots on the sofa and the two take their seats.
"Haruhi-kun allow me to introduce you. This is Morinozuka, Akira and Haninozuka, Yorihisa," She points to the two men as she moves down the row, "Morinozuka, Satoshi, Takashi's bother and Haninozuka, Yasuchika, Mitsukuni's brother." Satoshi didn't seem to be crying, or at least currently, but he was visibly upset; Chika on the other hand looked awful. his face was stained with tears and his eyes were red and puffy. Haruhi knew Chika from when he visited the club once and though she didn't have much time with him, she knew that he was a very serious guy and wasn't very close with his brother.
"I am Fuijoka, Haruhi, it is an honor to meet you all. Thank you for having me over." She bows trying to display the best manners.
It may have been her imagination but at the mention of her name, Chika seemed to smile ever so little. The two didn't know each other very well but Chika had some respect for Haruhi from the way she deals with the club but more importantly, how she saw his brother. She didn't treat him like a child because of the way he acted, she treated him the same as anyone else.
No one wanted to address the obvious tension in the room so they sat in silence for a while. "Takashi, sweetheart, why don't you show Haruhi to her room and we can eat when you get back." His mother attempts at conversation. "Yes mother." Mori gets up and takes Haruhi's bag with him. "Thank you." Is all she says.
Mori leads her out of the Haninozuka estate and down a long cobblestone path leading to the Morinozuka estate. They continue down a large hallway with traditional Japanese décor, the house is significantly less modern-western than Tamaki's or Kyoya's. He opens a door leading into a huge forest green bedroom with safari themed decorations.
"Thank you for staying with us tonight."
"Thank you for having me."
"Anytime."
Haruhi wants to talk to him about Honey but realizes that right before dinner wouldn't be a very good time, still she hopes that she can talk to him before they retired for the night. And possibly Chika as well.
"Your house is beautiful Mori-senpai."
"My parent decided they wanted to live close to my cousins, they did a good job decorating." Mori's smile falters at the thought of his cousin.
"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring that up-" She apologizes.
Mori puts a hand on her head and ruffles her hair, 'Don't worry about it.'
Gently grabbing her hand he leads her to the dining room of the Haninozuka mansion. Bowing as they enter the maids lead them to their seats.
"This looks delicious, thank you very much." Haruhi thanks.
"We are glad."
"After dinner, if you kids would like to watch something you may use the movie room."
"Thank you, mother." Chika is respectful even though he isn't sure if he wants to be around people currently.
The two families, plus Haruhi, eat in silence until the maids take their dishes.
'I will never get used to that.' Haruhi sighs.
"You are dismissed." The Haninozuka patriarch announces and the four leave.
Satoshi leads them to the movie room and instructs Haruhi and Chika to wait there while he and Mori pick out a movie.
Chika and Haruhi stare at the walls awkwardly until the latter speaks up, "Hey Chika-chan?" She asks. It was now or never.
"Call me Yasuchika. Please." It is obvious the name reminds him of his brother, seeing as Honey was the one who gave Chika the nickname.
"Ok, Yasuchika. Can I-," she starts, "can I talk to you about something sort of personal?"
"No promises I'll answer." He brings his eyes to hers.
"Alright then," she takes a deep breath. "I know that we don't know each other that well but, if you ever want to talk I can listen." Haruhi wasn't very good at dealing with her own emotions. She had a very bad habit of pushing them away and ignoring them. However, she makes a really good shoulder to lean on, something she prides herself on.
"I hardly know you so I doubt I would want to." Yasuchika's face remains cold but he turns to look at the floor. Haruhi knows it is bothering him but doesn't want to pry.
"Well my offer still stands." She grunts. The two sit in silence until Mori and Satoshi return.
"Sorry to make y'all wait!" Satoshi tries his best to be his normal cheery self as he enters the room, Mori follows close behind.
"It's alright, it wasn't that long." Haruhi replies.
Mori takes the movie from Satoshi and puts it into the CD player, casting it to the tv.
The brothers picked a movie called "Home." It took them a while to pick so Haruhi hopes it's something that won't remind them of Honey.
Yasuchika took a seat next to Satoshi on one end of the couch and Haruhi sat next to Mori in the curve of the "L" shaped couch.
Every once in a while there was a small chuckle at the film, but no one was really paying attention.
Around an hour into the movie Yasuchika decides he had had enough and goes to his room, Satoshi apologizes to Haruhi to which she says, "It's alright, go ahead." So he takes his leave as well.
After the movie Mori asks Haruhi if she would like to watch another one.
"No thank you, I'm getting sort of tired, and you could really use the rest."
No answer. He just sits and stares at her.
"Mori-senpai?"
…
"Hello?"
"Hm?"
"Senpai, can we go to bed now? I-if you don't mind that is." He is getting tired, and the quicker she got him to bed, the better.
"That is not my name."
"I'm sorry what?"
"Drop the senpai."
"Uh alright… I think it's time for bed Mori."
"Or maybe just Takashi would do." He ponders.
"Ok, yep. Definitely time for bed. Let's go." She heads for the door and motions for him to follow her.
Dragging himself off the couch Mori sets his feet onto the ground. He takes one step before tripping on nothingness and falling face first. All Haruhi can do is stare at him in shock.
Mori didn't trip. He wasn't clumsy. The only time she ever remembers him falling was when Honey said he hated him.
'Of course,' she realizes, 'it all ties into Honey.' She hopes a night's rest will be enough to make him want to talk to her in the morning.
"Are you alright?" She hurries over to him and tries to help him up.
He puts up a hand and nods, getting up on his own.
Attempting to remember the way back to her room and out of this maze she gazes down hallways, completely lost, Mori in-tow. 'How the hell do you get out of this place.' She grumbles. Suddenly Mori stops her with a hand on the shoulder, "Allow me." She nods and is swooped up into his arms.
Usually, Haruhi would be against this but considering the circumstances she assumes it will provide him some comfort.
He navigates out of the mansion with ease and takes her to his own.
Setting her down in front of her room he gives her a kiss on the forehead. "My room is right one on the opposite side, Satoshi's is on your left. Goodnight Haruhi. Thank you for coming over."
In return she stands on her tip-toes and brings him down to her by tugging on his shirt, giving him a kiss on the cheek. Shaking her head she says, "Thank you for having me. I will come over whenever you need me." Smiling she waves and closes the door. Mori lingers outside her room for a minute before taking his leave.
She finds her phone laying on the bed. She grabs her pajamas, toothbrush, and toothpaste, and heads to the bathroom. Locking the door behind her, she changes out of the t-shirt Kyoya let her borrow and into her pjs. While still brushing her teeth she walk back to her bag to grab her phone. She doubted she had any missed messages, but wanted to tell her father goodnight.
3 missed calls from: Kyoya Ootori
2 texts from: Kyoya Ootori
6:43 - Haruhi we need to talk.
6:58 - Call me.
'Oh shit.' She sweatdrops.